September 2014 NASCAR News Archive

contains NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series,
Camping World Truck Series and Racetrack news for the month

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    News from September 30, 2014

  • NASCAR Numbers:
    3.0: The average finish recorded by Team Penske driver Joey Logano in the first three races of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Logano posted a win and two fourth-place finishes. Teammate Brad Keselowski had a second-best average finish of 3.3 in the Challenger Round of the Chase.
    14: The number of top-10 finishes recorded by Sunoco rookie Kyle Larson in the first 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season. Though Larson didn't qualify for the Chase in his first full season of Cup racing, he finished third, second and sixth in the first three Chase races.
    20.0: Greg Biffle's average finish in the first three Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Biffle was the last of the 16 drivers to make the Chase, but he couldn't get going once the playoff started. Biffle ran 23rd at Chicagoland, 16th at New Hampshire and 21st at Dover and was one of four drivers eliminated on Sunday.
    223: The number of laps led by Kevin Harvick on Sunday at Dover, before a problem with the inner valve stem on the left front tire flattened the tire and forced him to the pits for repairs. Since winning at Darlington in April, Harvick has led the most laps in five races, but bad luck has kept him out of Victory Lane.
    3,000: The baseline number of points awarded to each of the 12 drivers who advanced from the Challenger Round to the Contender Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. All 12 drivers head to Kansas Speedway tied for the Chase lead, with no carryover of points for victories.(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-30-2014)

  • NASCAR restaurant closing in Orlando: NASCAR Sports Grille, a mainstay at Universal CityWalk since the entertainment complex opened in 1999, will close Nov. 1. The racing-themed restaurant, which serves American-style food such as burgers, ribs, sandwiches and pasta, will continue lunch and dinner service through that date. Universal Orlando employees recently were told of the closing. No replacement has been identified. The restaurant "has been a big part of helping CityWalk grow and establish itself as an entertainment destination," Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said Sunday. "This change is part of our ongoing commitment to bring new entertainment experiences to CityWalk." The 530-seat restaurant, which originally went by the name NASCAR Cafe, is located on the north end of the complex. It's the last outlet that visitors using Universal's parking garage pass if they are heading to Universal Studios theme park, home of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Diagon Alley. Universal CityWalk also features other restaurants, fast-service dining options, retail stores, a movie theater, miniature-golf courses, bars, nightclubs and the Blue Man Group.(Orlando Sentinel)(9-30-2014)

  • Don Miller and David Pearson to be honored: Don Miller, the former President of Penske Racing and the current Chairman of the Board of the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame (NCARHOF) along with former NASCAR driving legend David Pearson will be honored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness Tuesday, October 7 at the Urban Garden at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Uptown Charlotte, NC. Don Miller, a revered Philanthropist especially for illnesses and disabilities affecting children has always stepped up to the plate for those in need as noted by his past NASCAR Humanitarian Award. For information about the event tickets or to make a donation go to fightblindness.org/.(9-30-2014)

  • Sad News - Ben Blake: former NASCAR / Motorsports writer/reporter, Ben Blake, passed away. Blake covered NASCAR for many years with some of the outlets being the Richmond Times-Dispatch and RACER among others. Blake was one of the panelists on the defunct show Pit Bulls which aired on Speed in 2004. Blake also wrote or co-wrote five motorsport-related books, including the only authorized biography of Dale Earnhardt.(USA Today's Nate Ryan's Twitter)(9-30-2014)

  • Survivors Invited to Help Kick Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Charlotte Motor Speedway: More than 100 breast cancer survivors and their supporters are expected to join #22-Joey Logano and Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Marcus Smith to paint pit wall pink to kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and preview the upcoming Bank of America 500 race weekend. For the fourth consecutive year and as part of a continued effort to raise awareness of breast cancer education and research and to honor those who have fought the disease, Charlotte Motor Speedway will incorporate a pink theme into parts of the weekend's race activities. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 232,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. But with early detection, experts say there is a 98% survival rate for those affected by the disease. In addition to drivers and teams sporting unique pink paint schemes, fans who attend next weekend's races will notice the pink pit wall, which will get a fresh coat of pink paint on Wednesday. In total, crews will use 80 gallons of paint provided by PPG Porter and Glidden Paints to cover more than 6,000 square feet for pit wall. Survivors and their families are invited to join the paint pit wall pink party, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Victory Circle. Those interested in attending are asked to email an RSVP to sfilcik@charlottemotorspeedway.com by 3 p.m. on Tuesday. From knockout qualifying on Thursday and the NASCAR Nationwide Series' best battling for bragging rights on Friday to the only Saturday night race in the Chase, fans can catch all the fun with weekend packages starting at just $99. To purchase tickets, call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or buy online at charlottemotorspeedway.com(CMS)(9-30-2014)

  • Racing returning to Mansfield: It took Kevin Ruic five years, but the longtime motor sports showman will finally promote events at Mansfield Motorsports Park. Racing will return to the half-mile oval in 2015. The Avon Lake businessman said he reached a deal in principal with MMP owner Grant Milliron to bring up to six special events to track. Attempts to reach Milliron were unsuccessful. The nature of those events is still to be determined, but Ruic said a three-day tractor pull, a monster truck and thrill show, a supermodified and sprint car event, a July 4 fireworks show and a rodeo could be possible for 2015. Bringing in major events such as NASCAR or ARCA are not in the plans.(full story at the Mansfield News Journal), Mansfield Motorsports Park held five Camping World Truck Series one each season from 2004-2008.(9-29-2014)

  • Dover TV Ratings: ESPN's telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover on Saturday, Sept. 27, had a rise in its rating and viewership over the 2013 race. The telecast earned a 1.2 U.S. rating, up from a 1.1 last year, and averaged 1,859,000 viewers, up from 1,641,000 last year.(ESPN)(9-30-2014)

  • Mike Harmon Racing penalized after Dover: The #74 team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series has been penalized for a rules infraction committed during a Sept. 26 practice at Dover International Speedway. The infraction is a P3 level penalty as outlined in Section 12-4.3 of the rule book and violates sections:
    " 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing;
    " 20A-2.3A: Added car weight. Weight not properly attached. Weight fell out during the event.
    As a result of this violation, crew chief Gary Ritter has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.(NASCAR)(9-30-2014)

  • Crew member suspended: William Coralline, a crew member in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's Substance Abuse Policy. On Sept. 24, Coralline was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2014 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR)(9-30-2014)

  • Australian-owned team announces plans UPDATE: NASCAR is coming to Salisbury (North Carolina), according to the head of an Australian based team that hopes to field a truck in the Camping World Truck Series, and a car in the Nationwide Series. Roo Motorsports is expected to announce that it will set up its racing headquarter in the Speedway Industrial Park just off I-85. The park is now home to a quarter midget race track and other businesses. Robert Van Geons, head of RowanWORKS, the economic development platform for Salisbury and Rowan County told WBTV about the announcement. Roo Racing will be the first Australian owned race team to compete in a NASCAR touring series, according to Van Geons. Scott Saunders is slated to be the driver for the team. Scott is a relatively unknown Australian Motorsports star due to most of his racing career being outside of Australia, according to his web site. Since 1996 at the age of 9, Scott has been racing and has won National and World titles in Karting. Scott holds a US Karting record as one of only a hand full of drivers to win 4 USA IKF Grand National Championships.(WBTV).(9-29-2014)
    UPDATE: Roo Motorsports is officially setting up shop in Salisbury at the Speedway Business Park just off I-85. The announcement was made Monday night. In addition, the team announced the Naming Rights sponsor for the 2015 Camping World Truck Series of NASCAR. Sax Suspension is an Australian suspension manufacturer specializing in the development and production of advance suspension components for on road and off road vehicles. Their products have been available in limited supply in the USA, and this partnering arrangement coincides with a hard launch into the US marketplace.Roo Motorsports is the first wholly owned Australian NASCAR team to enter the competition. Founded by team owner, Noel Saunders, Roo Motorsports will compete in the Camping World Truck Series for 2015 and beyond.(WBTV).(9-30-2014)

  • LaJoie to drive 4 races in #98: Richard Petty Motorsports and Biagi-DenBenste Racing announced they will partner to enter Corey LaJoie in four of the final five NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season. LaJoie will pilot the #98 Medallion Financial Ford owned by Biagi-DenBenste Racing in the events at Kansas Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. LaJoie, who is a development driver for RPM, is a proven talent behind the wheel. He has one win in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Series, five wins in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and three wins in the ARCA Racing Series. The son of NASCAR champion Randy LaJoie, Corey has five starts in NASCAR's three national series with a Top-10 finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series earlier this year at Bristol. The four events this year in the Nationwide Series will give him his most starts in the Nationwide Series. Biagi-DenBeste Racing has made 11 starts with a best finish of fourth scored by David Ragan. RPM driver Aric Amirola has most recently raced the car at Chicagoland and Dover. LaJoie has one start with the team this season and finished 15th at the Kentucky Speedway in only his second Nationwide Series start.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(9-30-2014)


    News from September 29, 2014

  • Entry List for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #32-Joey Gase, #33-TBA, #37-Bliss, #66-Mike Wallace, #83-Kvapil, #95-McDowell.
    Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski.com's Kansas Entry List

  • Tony Stewart holds press conference at SHR: Three-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart doesn't see himself getting behind the wheel of a sprint car again but on Monday said he will continue his racing career. Stewart took questions from reporters [at Stewart Haas Racing on Monday Sept 29, 2014] for the first time in the seven weeks since the death of Kevin Ward Jr., who was struck by Stewart's sprint car as Ward walked on an upstate New York dirt track on Aug. 9 in an apparent attempt to confront the NASCAR star during a race.(ESPN)
    See full transcript on the Full Tony Stewart News Conference Transcript from 9/29/2014 Press Conference page..
    Listen an audio version of the the press conference / Q&A - click here.(9-29-2014)

  • The Four drivers eliminated from Chase...what happened: Four drivers fell by the wayside in NASCAR's first ever Chase elimination race at Dover International Speedway. #47-AJ Allmendinger, #41-Kurt Busch, #16-Greg Biffle and #43-Aric Almirola failed to advance to the three-race Contender Round, which will eliminate three more of the 12 remaining drivers after races at Kansas, Charlotte and Talladega. Here's a look at what doomed the four who failed to survive:
    AJ Allmendiger: Allmendinger came to Dover 10th in the standings thanks to his 13th-place finish last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. But starting 28th didn't help the chances of the #47 Chevrolet, which finished 23rd. Midway through Sunday's race, Allmendinger was one point behind Kurt Busch, two points ahead of Biffle and seven points ahead of eventual qualifier #5-Kasey Kahne for the final transfer spot. After falling a lap down 45 laps into the race, Allmendinger caught a break when #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. kissed the wall on Lap 75, enabling him to get a free pass back to the lead lap. But Allmendinger remained on the outside-looking-in, two points behind the battle between Kahne and Busch for much of the final 60 laps. He eventually overtook Busch, but sitting 13th in the standings was of little consolation this week. "It was an awful day. I'm not going to take a moral victory out of it to miss by two points," Allmendinger said. "It's disappointing. But we didn't deserve to be in (the Chase) with the run that we had. We know (the JTG Daugherty team) is making steps in the right direction. We kept throwing the kitchen sink at it every stop. My crew chief, Brian Burns, did everything he could to keep trying to make it better. We just missed it all weekend."
    Kurt Busch: Busch entered the race eight points out of a transfer spot and knew he had his work cut out for him after his 36th-place showing at New Hampshire wiped out the benefits of his eighth-place finish in the Chase opener at Chicago. Busch, whose car was tight early on, had managed only eight top-10 finishes in his previous 28 Cup starts at Dover and had struggled to find speed in practice. Midway through the race, Busch, who had started 22nd, was running 11th and had advanced from 15th to 12th in the ever-shifting Chase standings. But as the race wore on, Busch's advantage wore off. He slipped to an 18th-place finish and 14th in the standings, six points behind the 12th and final qualifier #5-Kasey Kahne. "It was just tight the last 100 miles," Busch said. "I felt like we were in good position to advance, but you just can't expect to advance by running 18th. You have to be more competitive. You've got to have better lap times every time you go and hit the track. We put this team together pretty late. (Co-owner) Gene Haas has believed in me to come in here. If you're off, it's hard to put the car up on your back and run it. (But) I just chalk it up to me not getting the job done. It's all my fault. We don't get to advance to the championship but we can still run for pride and run for wins."
    Greg Biffle: Biffle came into Sunday six points out of 12th place but didn't help himself with a 27th starting spot. His Roush Fenway Racing Ford made headway early, moving up 13 positions, but couldn't maintain momentum. It's been a frustrating season for Biffle, who has gone 50 races since his last victory and has been no better than 10th in any of his last seven starts - including his 23rd at Chicagoland and 16th at New Hampshire that created his unmanageable position. "I've won races my whole career, but to be struggling like this all year is disappointing at best," Biffle said. "Part of you wants to just pull it, put (the car) in the garage, while the other half of you is racing as hard as you can to get in the Chase. This is the way it's gone all season. We're just searching for speed and (we) struggled all day. We've worked hard, trying to fix our problems, but it just hasn't come together yet."
    Aric Almirola: Richard Petty Motorsports thought it had a legitimate shot at Dover, where its cars had shown decent speed in the past. But the iconic #43 failed to mount a challenge. Starting 21st, Almirola went a lap down early in the race, slipped to 28th and never recovered. He finished three laps down and 18 points out of 12th place. "It just didn't work out for us. I hate it," Almirola said. "We picked a bad day to run the way we did and we can't blame anybody but ourselves. My car didn't have any grip. You can't go fast without grip. Right now, it's pretty disappointing."(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-29-2014)

  • Dover Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2014 AAA 400: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 2:02 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:23 PM/ET. ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 119
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 49
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 65
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 39
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 54
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 24
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 9
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 28
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 2 min. 5 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:02 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:23 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 201
    Minutes of race broadcast: 175
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 26
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 24
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1
    Total race brdcst time 175 Total comm. brdcst time 26
    See past races, links to full reports and sponsor links, more details on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(9-29-2014)

  • Nationwide Dover Entry List: There are 43 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. A few notes:
    Ryan Blaney is back in the #22 for Team Penske;
    John Wes Townley and the #25 team are entered;
    Milka Duno will make another attempt in the RAB #29;
    Morgan Shepherd makes another attempt in his #89;
    Martin Roy is back with the #90 team;
    Corey Lajoie returns to the #98 team.(9-29-2014)
    UPDATE: Jennifer Jo Cobb will be in the #87.(9-29-2014)
    See the complete list on the Kansas entry list page.

  • David Starr returns to the #44 at Texas: David Starr is back behind the wheel of TriStar Motorsports' #44 Camry this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Serving as the primary sponsor on the #44 Camry will be Starr's longtime partner, Niece Equipment. Niece Equipment has provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices for over 30 years. Their company reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. They offer the following services: Sales, Rentals, Leases, Financing, Service and Parts. Niece Equipment is located in Austin, TX.(TriStar Motorsports)(9-29-2014)

  • Mike Ford named crew chief for Townley: Athenian Motorsports announced veteran NASCAR crew chief Mike Ford has joined the team as the crew chief for the #25 Zaxby's NASCAR Nationwide Series Toyota Camry with driver John Wes Townley. Mike Ford has more than 20 years in NASCAR and has worked as a NASCAR Sprint Cup crew chief since 2000. From 2001-2003 Ford served as crew chief for Bill Elliott at Evernham Motorsports and won four races, including the 2002 Brickyard 400. Ford led Dale Jarrett to a victory in the 2004 Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. In 2006, he joined Joe Gibbs Racing for a six year pairing with Denny Hamlin. As the crew chief of the No. 11 car Ford won 17 races and had championship finishes of 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 12th, never missing a Chase. In 2012, Ford moved to Richard Petty Motorsports to be the crew chief for Aric Almirola and Marcos Ambrose. In late 2012, he moved to BK Racing as the Director of Competition where he remained until joining Athenian Motorsports. Ford will now lead the #25 Athenian Motorsports team as crew chief for the remainder of 2014 with driver John Wes Townley beginning at Kansas Speedway, October 3, 2014.(Athenian Motorsports)(9-29-2014)

  • Australian-owned team announces plans: NASCAR is coming to Salisbury (North Carolina), according to the head of an Australian based team that hopes to field a truck in the Camping World Truck Series, and a car in the Nationwide Series. Roo Motorsports is expected to announce that it will set up its racing headquarter in the Speedway Industrial Park just off I-85. The park is now home to a quarter midget race track and other businesses. Robert Van Geons, head of RowanWORKS, the economic development platform for Salisbury and Rowan County told WBTV about the announcement. Roo Racing will be the first Australian owned race team to compete in a NASCAR touring series, according to Van Geons. Scott Saunders is slated to be the driver for the team. Scott is a relatively unknown Australian Motorsports star due to most of his racing career being outside of Australia, according to his web site. Since 1996 at the age of 9, Scott has been racing and has won National and World titles in Karting. Scott holds a US Karting record as one of only a hand full of drivers to win 4 USA IKF Grand National Championships.(WBTV).(9-29-2014)


    News from September 28, 2014

  • Jeff Gordon wins at Dover: #24-Jeff Gordon won the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway for his 4th win of the season, 5th at Dover, first at Dover since 2001 and and his 92nd career win. It is the 17th win at Dover for Hendrick Motorsports, the most for any team.
    #2-Keselowski finished 2nd followed by #48-Johnson, #22-Logano, #20-Kenseth, #42-Larson, #78-Truex Jr., #31-Newman, #15-Bowyer and #18-Busch.
    Pole winner #4-Harvick led 223 of 400 laps but had a valve stem come off the left front tire on lap 252, causing it to go flat, doing some damage to the splitter. Harvick finished 13th down one lap.
    Advancing to Chase "Contender Round" are: #2-Keselowski, #22-Logano, #24-Gordon, #4-Harvick, #48-Johnson, #18-Busch, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #20-Kenseth, #31- Newman, #99-Edwards, #11-Hamlin & #5-Kahne.
    Four drivers were eliminated from the Chase: #47-Allmendinger, #41-Busch, #16-Biffle and #43-Almirola.
    There were only 10 lead changes among 7 drivers. There were 5 cautions for 23 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 130.541mph.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Penalty Report (pdf) and Lap Summary Report (pdf).
    (9-28-2014)

  • Race Fast Facts - Dover:
    #24-Jeff Gordon won the 45th Annual AAA 400, his 92nd victory in 754 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his fourth victory and 19th top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his fifth victory and 25th top-10 finish in 44 races at Dover International Speedway.
    #2-Brad Keselowski (second) posted his fourth top-10 finish in ten races at Dover International Speedway. It is his 16th top-10 finish in 2014.
    #48-Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 26 races at Dover International Speedway.
    #42-Kyle Larson (sixth) was the highest finishing rookie.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-28-2014)

  • Where the 2014 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers finished at Dover:
    [listed by driver chase points position before the race]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2nd
    2) #22-Joey Logano, 4th
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick, 13th
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3rd
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 17th
    6) #18-Kyle Busch, 10th
    7) #24-Jeff Gordon, 1st
    8) #99-Carl Edwards, 11th
    9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 5th
    10) #47-A.J. Allmendinger, 23rd, eliminated from Chase
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 20th
    12) #31-Ryan Newman, 8th
    13) #11-Denny Hamlin, 12th
    14) #16-Greg Biffle, 21st, eliminated from Chase
    15) #41-Kurt Busch, 18th, eliminated from Chase
    16) #43-Aric Almirola, 28th, eliminated from Chase
    (9-28-2014)

  • Sprint Cup Driver Chase Standings:
    [after Dover, race 29 of 36]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 total wins in 2014, 1 in Chase], 2140 points
    2) #22-Joey Logano [4 wins, 1] 2136, -4
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins] 2123, -17
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 2121, -19
    5) #24-Jeff Gordon [4 wins, 1] 2117, -23
    6) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win] 2111, -29
    7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [3 wins] 2104, -36
    8) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2097, -43
    9) #31-Ryan Newman, 2091, -49
    10) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins] 2091, -49
    11) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win] 2081, -59 [4]
    12) #5-Kasey Kahne [1 win] 2079, -61 [2 points out of 13th]
    Eliminated from the Chase:
    13) #47-A.J. Allmendinger [1 win] 2077, -63 [2 points out of 12th]
    14) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win] 2073, -67 [-6]
    15) #16-Greg Biffle, 2072, -68 [-7]
    16) #43-Aric Almirola [1 win] 2061, -79 [-18]
    (ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc, with in that round of the Chase)
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).

  • Sprint Cup Driver Chase Standings - Contender Round:
    [after Dover, race 29 of 36]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 3000 points
    2) #22-Joey Logano [4 wins], 3000
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins], 3000
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 3000
    5) #24-Jeff Gordon [4 wins], 3000
    6) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 3000
    7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [3 wins], 3000
    8) #20-Matt Kenseth, 3000
    9) #31-Ryan Newman, 3000
    10) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins], 3000
    11) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 3000
    12) #5-Kasey Kahne [1 win], 3000
    Points are reset after each round, for the Contender Round it goes to 3000, no points for wins
    The order is set by the points standings after the last round.
    (ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc, with in that round of the Chase)
    See reset points for the Contender Round (Chase races 4-6) on the Contender Round Reset Points Standings page (pdf).(9-28-2014)

  • Top 25 in 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings (not the Chase):
    [after Dover, race 29 of 36]
    (using current points system, but not the Chase rules, unofficial)
    1) #24-Jeff Gordon(C5), 1022
    2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(C7), 978, -44
    3) #2-Brad Keselowski(C1), 958, -64
    4) #22-Joey Logano(C2), 956, -66
    5) #48-Jimmie Johnson(C4), 914, -108
    6) #4-Kevin Harvick(C3), 905, -117
    7) #20-Matt Kenseth(C8), 894, -128
    8) #31-Ryan Newman(C9), 873, -149
    9) #99-Carl Edwards(C10), 862, -160
    10) #42-Kyle Larson, 859, -163
    11) #16-Greg Biffle(EC), 825, -197
    12) #15-Clint Bowyer, 817, -205
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne(C12), 811, -211
    14) #1-Jamie McMurray, 805, -217
    15) #18-Kyle Busch(C6), 795, -227
    16) #27-Paul Menard, 781, -241
    17) #3-Austin Dillon, 779, -243
    18) #55-Brian Vickers, 765, -257
    19) #11-Denny Hamlin(C11), 737, -285
    20) #41-Kurt Busch(EC), 721, -301
    21) #9-Marcos Ambrose, 702, -320
    22) #43-Aric Almirola(EC), 686, -336
    23) #47-AJ Allmendinger(EC), 685, -337
    24) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 679, -343
    25) #13-Casey Mears 653, -369
    (C# is chase driver and current Chase position)
    (EC is chase driver that has been eliminated from the Chase)
    (9-28-2014)

  • Dover Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points:
    #42-Larson, finished 6th, 16 rookie points
    #3-Dillon, 24th, 10
    #51-Allgaier, 29th, 9
    #26-Whitt, 30th, 8
    #23-Bowman, 34th, 7
    #7-Annett, 41st, 6
    Truex, Did Not Race
    Kligerman, Did Not Race
    See the 2014 Rookie of the Year page for rules, standings and more.(9-28-2014)

  • Dover Notes & Facts - Sunday - race:
    · There have been 89 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover International Speedway, one race in 1969 and 1970, two races per year since 1971.
    · Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at Dover in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 16: Jimmie Johnson (nine), Jeff Gordon (four), Geoff Bodine (one), Ken Schrader (one) and Ricky Rudd (one).
    · Nine different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Dover; led by Chevrolet with 35 victories; followed by Ford with 25.
    · The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Dover was 37th, by Kyle Petty in the spring of 1995.
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Dover International Speedway was the September 25, 2005 race won by Jimmie Johnson over Kyle Busch with a MOV of 0.08 second.
    · There has been one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Dover International Speedway (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): fall of 2005 (400/404).
    · Not one of the 89 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover International Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions.
    (NASCAR)(9-28-2014)

  • New book about Bill France Sr. to be released: Bill France's life has been chronicled by author H.A. Branham, who will release the France biography "Big Bill: The Life and Times of NASCAR Founder Bill France Sr." in February. The book is being published by Random House. "He created the foundation for the sport," Branham said. "It's an unbelievable story." France became fascinated with racing at an early age and raced cars beginning as a teenager. France stayed in the Washington area until 1934 when the cold weather chased him, wife Anne and their first son Bill to Florida. He got a job right away at Daytona Motors working for car dealer Sax Lloyd, but quickly became proprietor of a gas station on Main Street. When Daytona Beach lost its Land Speed Record appeal, City Fathers turned to stock car racing to maintain the area's racing tradition. France got involved in race promotion and following World War II went back to staging races on the beach and elsewhere in the South. He formed the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing sanctioning body in 1948 and created the Strictly Stock Division in '49. Strictly Stock has since morphed into the Sprint Cup Series, the most popular racing series in the United States. Sensing the Beach & Road Course was heading toward extinction because of motel expansion in the Daytona Beach area, France started campaigning to build a race track that would rival Indianapolis Motor Speedway. When he raised enough money to get started on his 2.5-mile, high-banked track, France announced he would build Daytona International Speedway on Nov. 9, 1957. The groundbreaking was held on Nov. 25. He created what is now International Speedway Corp. on Jan. 8, 1958. The track opened for business in February, 1959. In 1972 France named his oldest son, Bill France Jr., as NASCAR president then concentrated his efforts into expanding ISC. "Big Bill" died on June 7, 1992.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(9-28-2014)

  • 2015 Farmers Insurance scheme chosen: The 2015 #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet SS scheme has been unveiled - designed by and voted by the fans. Farmers Insurance launched the 'Design The 5' challenge on September 12th allowing fans the opportunity to help select various design elements of NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne's #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy paint scheme for the 2015 racing season. Voting ended on Sept 22 and fans voted at DesignThe5.com. See images of the scheme on the 2015 #5 Team Schemes page.(9-28-2014)

  • Montero Medical Missions featured on #33 Chevy at Dover: Circle Sport and team owner Joe Falk announced that Montero Medical Missions will return to the #33 Chevy with David Stremme at the Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 on Sunday at Dover International Speedway. With a successful launch of the charitable partnership at Bristol Motor Speedway last month, Circle Sport will continue to bring awareness to Montero Medical Missions (MMM), a non-profit, 501[c][3] tax-exempt status, faith-based and interfaith international humanitarian organization, by displaying the MMM logo and web address on the TV panel of the #33 Sprint Cup Series entry at Dover. In addition to the on-track branding and support, Falk's Little Joe's Autos dealership, in conjunction with Circle Sport, is a presenting sponsor of MMM's inaugural Oyster Roast at Chesapeake City Park on November 1st.(Circle Sport)(9-28-2014)

  • Raines to spot for Ambrose: Tony Raines has been enlisted to spot for #9-Marcos Ambrose in his final 10 races for Richard Petty Motorsports. The journeyman racer was working with RPM as a driver coach for Dakota Armstrong, when the spot opened on the #9 Sprint Cup team. Raines, 50, competed in NASCAR's top three tours from 1997 until last season. He has four wins in 54 truck starts, 15 top fives and 52 top 10s in the Nationwide Series and three top 10 finishes in Cup. Raines replaced veteran spotter Rocky Ryan, who moved over to the #51 HScott Motorsports team and driver Justin Allgaier.(Motorsport)(9-28-2014)

  • Congrats Kevin Hamlin: congrats to #5-Kasey Kahne's spotter, Kevin Hamlin and wife Mandi on the birth of baby Blair Alice Hamlin, 6 lbs 9 oz 20" long, born @ 2:11pm/et on Wednesday, Sept. 24th. Hanlin plans to be at Dover International Speedway on Sunday to spot for Kahne.(Kevin Hamlin's twitter)(9-28-2014)


    News from September 27, 2014


    ESPN.com's Racecast - Live Coverage and Chat
    Racing Live! on ESPN.com
    Watch the race LIVE online at WatchESPN
    Listen Live Online at Motor Racing Network
    Ask in-race reporter #47-AJ Allmendinger


  • Race Coverage of the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2014.
    Television (TV): ESPN at 2:00 pm/et; NASCAR Countdown Pre-Race show at 1:00pm/et; green flag approx. 2:17pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs: Monday, September 29 at 1:00am/et on ESPN2

  • Happy Hour practice for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #4-Harvick 157.089
    #2-Keselowski 156.379
    #24-Gordon 155.952
    #11-Hamlin 155.858
    #43-Almirola 155.380
    slowest: #66-Wallace 149.124 & #83-Kvapil 149.297
    no speed: #44-Hill
    See fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive average, laps run, see Dover Happy Hour practice speeds page.(9-27-2014)

  • Saturday first practice for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #20-Kenseth 155.649
    #47-Allmendinger 154.805
    #11-Hamlin 153.813
    #15-Bowyer 153.748
    #5-Kahne 153.708
    slowest: #83-Kvapil 147.287 & #44-Hill 147.432
    no incidents or accidents reported.
    See fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive average, laps run, see

  • Dover practice speeds 2 page.(9-27-2014)

  • Dover Notes & Facts - Saturday - drivers:
    · 381 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway; 274 in more than one.
    · Ricky Rudd leads the series in starts at Dover with 56. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 43 starts; followed by Joe Nemechek with 39.
    · 34 different drivers have won at Dover International Speedway, led by Jimmie Johnson with nine wins (2002 sweep, fall 2005, 2009 sweep, 2010 fall, spring 2012, fall 2013 and spring 2014).
    · 12 drivers have posted consecutive wins at Dover International Speedway, including three consecutive by David Pearson (fall 1972 and 1973 sweep), Rusty Wallace (fall 1993 and 1994 sweep) and Jeff Gordon (fall 1995 and 1996 sweep).
    · Mark Martin leads the series in runner-up finishes at Dover with eight; followed by Dale Earnhardt with five. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with four.
    · Mark Martin leads the series in top-five finishes at Dover with 24; followed by Dale Earnhardt with 19. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 17.
    · Mark Martin leads the series in top-10 finishes at Dover with 33; followed by Richard Petty and Ricky Rudd with 26 each. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 24.
    · Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Dover with a 9.240.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Dover with an 8.360.
    · 11 of the 12 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Dover International Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jimmie Johnson won at Dover in his first two appearances.
    · Among the 12 active NSCS Dover winners Kurt Busch (22) and Matt Kenseth (14) made 10 or more attempts before their first win.
    · Joe Nemechek leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Dover without visiting Victory Lane at 39; followed by Kevin Harvick with 27.
    · Three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series active drivers have made their first career start at Dover International Speedway: Matt Kenseth (9/20/98), Kurt Busch (9/24/00) and David Ragan (9/24/06).
    · Two active drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Dover International Speedway: Matt Kenseth (06/02/02) and Michael Waltrip (06/03/1991).
    · One active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver has posted his first career win at Dover International Speedway: Martin Truex Jr. (06/04/07).
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Dover with 2,976 laps led in 25 starts.
    · If Jimmie Johnson leads 24 laps or more this weekend he will surpass the 3,000 laps led mark at Dover International Speedway, becoming the seventh driver in series history to lead 3,000 or more laps at a single track. Jeff Gordon is the only other active driver to accomplish the feat (Martinsville - 3,593 laps led).
    · Two female drivers have competed at Dover International Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie and Danica Patrick.
    (NASCAR)(9-27-2014)

  • Stewart unsure if he'll race sprint cars again: For #14-Tony Stewart, there was no greater joy than escaping his everyday life and climbing behind the wheel of a sprint car. He loves the feel, the way they drive, the purity he finds at all the tiny dirt tracks across the country. When he broke his leg racing his sprint car a year ago, an injury that sidelined him for six months, he was almost defiant in his desire to never give up his hobby. But after the death of Kevin Ward Jr., who was killed when Stewart's car struck him as Ward walked on an upstate New York dirt track on Aug. 9, Stewart may never get back in a sprint car. "I would say it's going to be a long time before you ever see me in a sprint car again, if ever. I don't have any desire at this moment to get back in a car," Stewart told The Associated Press in his first interview since a grand jury decided he would not be charged in Ward's death. "If I had the option to go right now to a race, I wouldn't. I don't even know when I'll go to a sprint car race again to watch. I can promise you it's going to be a long time before you ever see me back in one." Stewart is addicted to the simplicity of sprint car racing, to racing at venues across the country where the crowd is starving for gimmick-free racing. He didn't care that a field full of drivers of varying ages and talent were racing for purses that rarely reach $5,000. He made it his goal to give back to the sprint car community at every turn, especially after his accident. He improved the part that broke and caused his broken leg, and spent $110,000 on firesuits and helmets for nearly 50 drivers who needed updated safety equipment. Stewart even paid for the embroidery on the firesuits. His only request? That his Tony Stewart Racing logo be placed in a position that would not be noticed during interviews.(in part from the Associated Press)(9-27-2014)

  • Earnhardt Jr.'s Steering Wheel breaks during practice: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. had an unusual occurrence in second practice at Dover International Speedway when he reported a broken steering wheel. "The steering wheel broke internally," Earnhardt said. "I heard you say that, that's not cool," replied his crew chief Steve Letarte "I'll take a look at it." "Yeah," Earnhardt said with a laugh. "I'd be in trouble." Before the issue with his steering wheel, he told the crew, ""The right rear shock tightened it up right before the second compression. The sway bar seems to his the center real hard since we put it in."(Motorsport)(9-27-2014)

  • Truex out of the #83 ride? UPDATE: Ryan Truex's run in the #83 Burger King/Borla Exhaust Toyota appears to have come to an end, after BK Racing replaced the New Jersey native with former Camping World Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Sources within the team said the change stemmed from unhappiness with the level of feedback received from Truex. He is not expected to return to the car this season. Messages left with BK Racing officials seeking comment were not immediately returned (Godfather Motorsports)
    AND For the second consecutive week Ryan Truex will not drive the #83 BK Racing entry, and the rookie's long-term status with the team is in doubt. When asked about Truex's future with the team by SB Nation Tuesday, a BK Racing spokesman described the situation as "week-to-week" with no determination having been made about the remainder of the 2014 season. As to why Truex was being replaced, the reason cited was an "owner's decision," with discussions ongoing between the organization and Truex's representatives, according to the spokesman. BK Racing replaced Truex with former Camping World Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Kvapil is again listed as the driver of the #83 for Sunday's race at Dover International Speedway.(SB Nation)
    AND Motorsport.com's Nick DeGroot tweeted that Truex's absence was due to BK owing Truex "a good amount of money." He later disclosed that sources of his own passed along that news to him.(9-24-2014)
    UPDATE: Ryan Truex confirmed to the Charlotte Observer that he has parted ways with BK Racing [#83 Burger King Toyota], with who he has spent most of the season competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series as a rookie. BK Racing replaced Truex in the car last weekend at New Hampshire and again this weekend at Dover. Truex competed in 23 of 28 races with the team this season with a best finish of 20th at the August race at Pocono.(Charlotte Observer)(9-27-2014)

  • Experts would expect Stewart to settle: #14-Tony Stewart won't face criminal charges in the death of Kevin Ward Jr., and now it's likely up to Stewart whether the case ever returns to court. Stewart not being charged criminally, plus the fact that Ward had marijuana in his system at the time of his death, could mean that a civil suit is less likely. But the standards in civil cases don't match the criminal side, and New York law forces juries to determine a percentage of fault for each party in a wrongful death case, which means that Stewart could have incentive to settle. The Ward family has indicated that it will pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the three-time Cup champion. Stewart could settle any case out of court by writing a check to the Ward family with the amount kept confidential. Or he could fight in court over whether he was negligent at all in the death of the 20-year-old driver, who walked out onto the track and was struck by Stewart's sprint car under caution Aug. 9 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park.
    Greg Bloom, an attorney at the Miami firm Chase Lawyers who represents athletes and entertainers, said he would advise Stewart to settle, even though he believes it was an accident. "I think he will end up settling," Bloom said. "If I was to advise him, I would advise the same because he wants everything to be behind him. Everyone wants this whole story to be behind him, so he can move forward professionally and the memory of the deceased can rest."
    John M. Hochfelder, a New York lawyer who runs a blog and database on injury case damages in New York, said it is not uncommon for someone who is not indicted or is acquitted of criminal charges to face a wrongful death lawsuit. "All the (criminal) acquittal means is that the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt, according to the jury, that a crime was committed," Hochfelder said. "That standard is much, much higher than the civil standard, which is a preponderance of the evidence, a tipping of the scales. We call it 'the more likely than not' standard. ... (In this case), it's more likely than not that you should have been more careful and your lack of care, we conclude, caused an injury."
    Michael McCann, a Massachusetts attorney who founded the University of New Hampshire's Sports and Entertainment Law Institute and also writes for SI.com, said because Stewart has a stake in preserving his reputation in order to earn sponsorship to race, he has incentive to settle this as soon as possible. "The likelihood that Tony Stewart reaches an adequate settlement is very high," McCann said. "He has reason to settle a case like this even if he believes he did nothing wrong."(Sporting News)(9-27-2014)

  • New sponsor for Whitt at Dover: BK Racing announced a partnership with Uponor for the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on September 28. Uponor will ride-along with the #26 Toyota driven by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Cole Whitt. Uponor is a leading manufacturer and supplier of plumbing, fire sprinkler, radiant heating and cooling systems for commercial and residential building markets across North America and Europe. "We are very proud to showcase the Uponor brand at Dover International Speedway," said Anthony Marlowe co-owner of BK Racing. "The innovative products Uponor provides are great. We are confident that Cole Whitt's prowess will enable us to grow our sponsorship."
    "I'm really excited to have Uponor on board at Dover," said Whitt. "2014 has been great to partner with many excellent companies and Uponor and their customers will enjoy a great ride this weekend." Uponor, Inc. is a leading provider of plumbing, fire safety and radiant heating and cooling systems for the residential and commercial building markets in the United States. Uponor, Inc. employs 380 people at its North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn.(BK Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #26 Team Schemes page.(9-27-2014)

  • Busch wins Nationwide race at Dover: #54-Kyle Busch won the Dover 200 at Dover Speedway. #22-Joey Logano finished second followed by#9-Chase Elliott, #60-Chris Buescher, #11-Elliott Sadler, #42-Kyle Larson, #2-Brian Scott, #7-Regan Smith, #6-Trevor Bayne, and #3-Ty Dillon.
    There were 4 cautions for 23 laps and 4lead changes among 4 leaders. Complete results are on the Dover race results page (pdf).
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Dover Race & Points Report (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Dover Nationwide Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch won the 29th Annual Dover 200, his 68th victory in 291 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his fifth victory and 20th top-10 finish in 2014. He is now the all-time Dover wins leader, breaking a tie with Joey Logano.
    This is his fifth victory and 14th top-10 finish in 19 races at Dover International Speedway.
    Busch also won this year's spring race at Dover. It is his second Dover sweep (first came in 2010).
    Joey Logano (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 12 races at Dover International Speedway. It is his eighth top-10 finish in 2014.
    Chase Elliott (third) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Dover International Speedway.
    Chase Elliott leads the point standings by 26 points over Regan Smith.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-27-2014)

  • Nationwide Driver standings following Dover:
    1) #9-Chase Elliott 1034
    2) #7-Regan Smith, 1008 -26
    3) #3-Ty Dillon, 988 -46
    4) #2-Brian Scott, 9975 -59
    5) #11-Elliott Sadler, 970 -64
    6) #6-Trevor Bayne, 935 -99
    7) #60-Chris Buescher, 857 -177
    8) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 814 -220
    9) #16-Ryan Reed, 759 -275
    10) #99-James Buescher, 756 -278
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Nationwide Owner Standings following Dover are posted (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Logano on Nationwide pole at Dover: #22-Joey Logano won the Coors Light Pole for the Dover 200 at Dover Speedway with a speed of 154.972mph. #9-Chase Elliott will start second followed by: #3-Ty Dillon, #42-Kyle Larson. #54-Kyle Busch, #60-Chris Buescher, #2-Brian Scott, #7-Regan Smith, #33-Cole Conley, #11-Elliott Sadler.
    #9-Chase Elliott was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 154.679mph
    Did Not Qualify: #-74 Mike Harmon and #-29 Milka Duno. The starting lineup is posted on the Dover starting lineup page (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Dover Nationwide Qualifying Notes:
    Joey Logano won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 29th Annual Dover 200 with a lap of 23.230 seconds, 154.972 mph.
    This is his 25th pole in 134 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his second pole and seventh top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his fifth pole in 12 races at Dover International Speedway.
    Chase Elliott (second) posted his 22nd top-10 start of 2014 and his second in two races at Dover International Speedway.
    Ty Dillon (third) posted his third top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his 18th in 28 races this season.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-27-2014)

  • Jones wins truck race at Las Vegas: #51-Erik Jones won the Rhino Linings 350 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday night. #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. finished second followed by: #88-Matt Crafton, #17-Timothy Peters, #7-Brian Ickler, #29-Ryan Blaney, #31-Ben Kennedy, #13-Jeb Burton, #32-Tayler Malsam, and #21-Joey Coulter. There were 4 caution flags for 17 laps and 18 lead changes among 10 leaders.
    #29-Blaney started the race from the pole and led 7 laps before finishing 6th. Second place finisher Wallace led a race high 84 laps.
    Complete results are on the Las Vegas race results page (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Las Vegas Race Fast Facts:
    Erik Jones won the 18th Annual Rhino Linings 350, his third victory in 14 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his second victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in one races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway . It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Matt Crafton (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 14 races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
    Ben Kennedy (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 19 points over Johnny Sauter.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(9-27-2013)

  • Driver standings following Las Vegas:
    1) #88-Matt Crafton, 644
    2) #98-Johnny Sauter, 625, -19
    3) #29-Ryan Blaney, 617, -27
    4) #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 611, -33
    5) #21-Joey Coulter, 562, - 82
    6) #77-German Quiroga, 559, -85
    7) #17-Timothy Peters, 549, -95
    8) #31-Ben Kennedy, 546, -98
    9) #13-Jeb Burton, 527, -117
    10) #30-Ron Hornaday, 484, -160
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Owner Standings following Las Vegas are posted (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Blaney on truck pole at Las Vegas: #29-Ryan Blaney won the Keystone Light 21 Means 21 pole award for the Rhino Linings 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a speed of 175.770 mph. #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. will start second, followed by #32-Tayler Malsam, #77-German Quiroga, #88-Matt Crafton, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #13-Jeb Burton, #21-Joey Coulter, #31-Ben Kennedy, and #02-Tyler Young.
    Fastest in the second round of qualifying was #31-Ben Kennedy.
    #77-German Quiroga was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 174.222 mph.
    See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(9-27-2014)

  • Las Vegas Qualifying Notes:
    Ryan Blaney won the Keystone Light 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the 18th Annual Rhino Linings 350 with a lap of 30.722 seconds, 175.770 mph.
    This is his fourth pole in 48 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his second pole and 13th top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his first pole in two races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (second) posted his 12th top-10 start of 2014 and his first in two races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway .
    Tayler Malsam (third) posted his first top-10 start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway . It is his second in nine races this season.
    Ben Kennedy (ninth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-27-2014)

  • Wallace fastest in final truck practice: #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. was quickest during happy hour for the Rhino Linings 350 with a speed of 174.814. mph. He was followed by #77-German Quiroga, #17-Timothy Peters, #31-Ben Kennedy, #7-Brian Ickler, #88-Matt Crafton, #29-Ryan Blaney, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #21-Joey Coulter, and #8-Joe Nemechek. 28 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Las Vegas practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Coulter fastest in truck practice: #21-Joey Coulter was fastest during the first practice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a speed of 174.825 mph. #51-Erik Jones was second, followed by ##77-German Quiroga, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #7-Brian Ickler, #88-Matt Crafton, #17-Timothy Peters, #98-Johnny Sauter, #23-Spencer Gallagher, and #31-Ben Kennedy. 28 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Las Vegas practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-27-2014)

  • Level 1 to debut in Martinsville with Lafferty: Level 1 Motorsports is pleased to announce that Chris Lafferty will be driving our entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, October 25, 2014. In addition, Lafferty Engines will be providing the power. James Martin, co-owner of Level 1 Motorsports and Chris Lafferty have a long relationship together. Martin was a long-time employee of Lafferty Motorsports before moving on to other opportunities in the industry while Lafferty continued to grow his business. Now with Martin debuting with his own team it has come full circle with Lafferty behind the wheel. Sponsors and other details to be announced soon.(Level 1 Motorsports)(9-27-2014)

  • UCO Equipment joins MAKE for remainder of the season: MAKE Motorsports announces the addition of a new associate sponsor. UCO Equipment, Inc. provides "specialty equipment and services" to the power, water, oil & gas energy sectors. They will be joining in the MAKE Motorsports Drivin for Linemen campaign for the rest of the 2014 season. Jim Usery of UCO Equipment, says " This is the right fit for our company in NASCAR. This partnership allows us to show our support for the line industry that is a huge part of our customer base. We love the idea of being able to support those who support us!" UCO Equipment will be on the truck for the remainder of the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck season.(MAKE Motorsports)(9-27-2014)

  • Bank may take possession of Rockingham Speedway UPDATE: A Richmond County Superior Court judge will hear a motion next week which, if granted, will allow The Finley Group - a managing agent for Farmers and Merchants Bank - to "take immediate and exclusive custody" of Rockingham Speedway. The Salisbury, N.C.-based bank is also seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the track's current co-owners Andy Hillenburg and Bill Silas from accessing the property located on U.S. 1 in Richmond County. The bank claims Rockingham Racing Park LLC, co-owned by Hillenburg and Silas, owes more then $4.5 million as of Aug. 8. The motion is set to be heard at 2:00pm Sept. 25.(Charlotte Observer)(9-19-2014)
    UPDATE: An eleventh-hour deal that could save the Rockingham Speedway from foreclosure is in the works following closed-door negotiations Thursday. Superior Court Judge David Lee extended a temporary restraining order to allow attorneys for speedway co-owners Andy Hillenburg and Bill Silas more time to hammer out an agreement with Farmers & Merchants Bank of Salisbury that would stall foreclosure proceedings. Court filings show that lawyers for the speedway's owners had been in discussions with the bank's attorneys to sell the 1.017-mile track at a private auction under a forbearance agreement that would halt F&M's seizure of the speedway property. F&M Bank attorney David M. Schilli requested the order on behalf of the plaintiffs and said the restraining order could be extended "for a very brief period of time so that we can go back and draw up another order that will be tendered to the court with all the parties' consent." Hillenburg and Silas were required to turn over all locks, keys and access codes to the track while the bank's verified complaint for default on a $4.2 million loan works its way through the court system. The bank and its management company may not "enter into any contracts for the marketing, listing or sale of the property" while Lee's Sept. 8 order is in force.(in part from the Richmond County Daily Journal)(9-27-2014)

  • Sad News - Carl Dickinson: Carl Mason "Skeeter" Dickinson, 67, of Spotsylvania County (VA) died Wednesday, September 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond. Mr. Dickinson was a 1965 graduate of Stafford High School. He served in the Virginia National Guard and later retired from McLean Mid-Atlantic after 37 years. He was also an avid farmer. He enjoyed working for the Aldridge family for many years, and most recently, the Lyon family. Mr. Dickinson was a life member of the Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department where he served as a Captain and Safety Officer. He was a member of Goshen Baptist Church. Mr. Dickinson loved NASCAR and drove a transporter for the #90 Junie Donlavey team for five years.(see full obituary, service info and more at covenantfuneralservice.com)(9-27-2014)


    News from September 26, 2014

  • Harvick wins Dover pole: #4-Kevin Harvick won the Coors Light pole for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway with speed of 162.933mph for his 7th pole of 2014, 1st at Dover and 13th of his career. Harvick has won four races from the pole out of 12 previous poles.
    #18-Busch is on the outside pole, followed by #11-Hamlin, #2-Keselowski, #1-McMurray, #24-Gordon, #42-Larson, #48-Johnson, #15-Bowyer, #3-Dillon, #55-Vickers and #5-Kahne.
    Missing the race were: none, only 43 cars entered.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the starting lineup, qualifying results by round, qualifying order and more on the Dover Starting Lineup / Qualifying Page.(9-26-2014)

  • Where the 2014 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers will start at Dover:
    [listed by current driver chase points position]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 4th
    2) #22-Joey Logano, 16th
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick, 1st
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 8th
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 25th
    6) #18-Kyle Busch, 2nd
    7) #24-Jeff Gordon, 6th
    8) #99-Carl Edwards, 18th
    9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 14th
    10) #47-A.J. Allmendinger, 28th
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 12th
    12) #31-Ryan Newman, 20th
    13) #11-Denny Hamlin, 3rd
    14) #16-Greg Biffle, 27th
    15) #41-Kurt Busch, 22nd
    16) #43-Aric Almirola, 21st
    (9-26-2014)

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #4-Harvick chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #18-Busch took pit stall 10, the first pit stall in front of it.
    #11-Hamlin, who starts 3rd took the 43rd pit stall, the final pit stall.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #11-Hamlin, who starts 3rd.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-26-2014)

  • Qualifying Fast Facts - Dover:
    #4-Kevin Harvick won the pole for the 45th Annual AAA 400 with a lap of 22.095 seconds, 162.933 mph.
    This is his 13th pole in 495 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his seventh pole and 20th top-10 start in 2014. Harvick had six poles combined in his entire career prior to 2014.
    This is his first pole in 28 races at Dover International Speedway. Harvick's previous best starting position at Dover was third in 2003.
    #18-Kyle Busch (second) posted his 14th top-10 start of 2014 and his 11th in 20 races at Dover International Speedway.
    #11-Denny Hamlin (third) posted his ninth top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his 12th in 28 races this season.
    #42-Kyle Larson (seventh) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(9-26-2014)

  • First Round of Qualifying for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 30 minutes..
    #4-Harvick 162.682
    #55-Vickers 162.286
    #2-Keselowski 162.016
    #24-Gordon 161.812
    #48-Johnson 161.798
    the rest of the top 12: 11 18 42 1 15 5 3;
    out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 2: 10 20 14 22 9 99 27 31 43 41 51 17 88 78 16 47 26 13 38 98 36 23 7 40 34 33 32 37 66 83 44
    Driver who will miss the race: none....only 43 entered.
    (9-26-2014)

  • Coverage of Qualifying for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2014 at 3:40pm/et.
    Television (TV): ESPN2, 3:30pm/et
    Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
    Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none

  • Qualifying Order for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #44-Hill.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #22-Logano.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Dover Qualifying Page.(9-26-2014)

  • Friday practice for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 80 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #4-Harvick 163.852
    #2-Keselowski 163.726
    #24-Gordon 163.562
    #9-Ambrose 163.436
    #48-Johnson 163.369
    slowest: #44-Hill 150.539 & #83-Kvapil 153.597
    notes: #40-Cassill looked like the engine blew in his car, if so he would have to go to the rear of the field before the start of the race on Sunday. In the unlikley event qualifying gets cancelled (3:40pm/et today on ESPN2) practice speeds from this practice would set the starting order.
    See fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive average, laps run, see Dover practice speeds 1 page.(9-26-2014)

  • Quicken Loans Extends Relationship with RCR and Newman: Detroit-based Quicken Loans, the nation's second largest retail mortgage lender, announced it will return as a sponsor of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2015, serving as a primary sponsor of driver Ryan Newman and the #31 Quicken Loans Chevy for selected races (was 12 races in 2012). The 2015 season will mark the fourth year Quicken Loans has teamed with Newman. "We're looking forward to partnering with RCR and Ryan in the upcoming season and continue this strong partnership," said Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer for Quicken Loans. "In the meantime, we'll be cheering on Ryan and the #31 team as they make a run in this year's Chase."
    "It is great to have Quicken Loans back with me next year," said Newman. "They have been loyal partners for several years and have become like family to me. As I continue to push forward in the Chase, it gives me increased confidence to know I have partners and friends that are standing with me not only this year, but also beyond."
    "Quicken Loans has been a tremendous addition to the RCR family this year," said Richard Childress, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RCR. "We are excited to be so closely aligned to a partner that values collaboration, technology and speed as much as we do."(RCR)(9-26-2014)

  • Stewart says crash was '100 percent' accident: There were days when NASCAR star Tony Stewart couldn't get out of bed. It was a chore to take a shower, to leave his room. The television was on, he would stare at it, and have no idea what he was watching. He didn't care about motor racing. He didn't want to talk to anyone, let alone face his family, friends or other drivers. Stewart's grief over the death of Kevin Ward Jr. was overwhelming, and he couldn't find his way out of the fog. Stewart spent three weeks in seclusion at his Indiana home after the car he was driving struck and killed Ward at a dirt track in upstate New York on Aug. 9. He describes those weeks as the darkest of his life. "I know 100 percent in my heart and in my mind that I did not do anything wrong. This was 100 percent an accident," Stewart told The Associated Press on Thursday in his first interview since a grand jury decided he would not be charged in Ward's death. On the advice of legal counsel, Stewart would not describe what he remembers about the crash at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Sitting on the couch of his North Carolina home, a sprint car race in Arkansas on mute on the television, Stewart said not being able to talk about what happened is extending his anguish. "It keeps me from moving forward. It just stays there, hanging over my head," Stewart said. Ward and Stewart didn't know each other, and Stewart doesn't recall them ever talking. He laments that in the scrutiny that followed - some questioned if Stewart had tried to intimidate Ward for stepping on the track - that the loss of the 20-year-old driver and his promising career fell to the background. He said he can't imagine how the Ward family is feeling. "I guess the end result is I don't blame them for anything they say," he said. He said he needed professional help to cope with the situation, and asking for assistance wasn't easy. Stewart, 43, isn't married, has no children, and keeps a tight inner circle. He's a solitary figure of sorts, someone who broods and stews alone, and opening himself up for self-examination was a monumental task. "There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I haven't thought about it. And it will be like that all your life," he said. "You are never going to forget about it. You are never going to not see it happen all over again. It's going to be a part of me forever."(see the full article at the Associated Press)(9-26-2014)

  • Dover Notes & Facts - Friday - poles:
    · David Pearson won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Dover in 1969 with a speed of 130.430 mph.
    · 38 drivers have Coors Light poles at Dover, led by David Pearson with six. Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman lead all active drivers in poles with four each.
    · Nine drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Dover. David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive poles at Dover with three; from 1973 to the spring race of 1974.
    · Two active drivers have posted consecutive Coors Light poles at Dover: Ryan Newman (fall 2005 and spring 2006), and Denny Hamlin (fall 2012 and spring 2013).
    · 13 of the 89 (14.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover have been won from the Coors Light pole; the two most recent were Jimmie Johnson in 2009 and 2010.
    · The second-place starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (15) than any other starting position at Dover International Speedway.
    · 28 of the 89 (31.4%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover have been won from the front row: 13 from the pole and 15 from second-place.
    · 70 of the 89 (78.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Dover have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · Five of the 89 (5.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover have been won from a starting position outside the top 20 - most recently: Tony Stewart, spring 2013 (22nd-place starting position).
    · Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Dover International Speedway five times: fall of 1984, spring of 2001, fall of 2003, spring of 2005 and spring of 2011.
    (NASCAR)(9-26-2014)

  • Hendrick Motorsports going for pole #200: This weekend, Hendrick Motorsports could reach a milestone. With one more Sprint Cup Series pole position, the organization will have earned 200 in its 30-year history. Currently, Hendrick Motorsports sits at 199 poles, with Gordon and Johnson combining for three so far in the 2014 season.(HMS)(9-26-2014)

  • Lights coming to Dover track? UPDATE No Could night racing at Dover International Speedway become a reality? We have no idea, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. sure did spot something interesting on Thursday. Per Dale Earnhardt Jr's twitter (see image there): "I see foundations for light poles." There hasn't been any kind of announcement from the track to suggest that night racing is in Dover's immediate future.(FoxSports)
    UPDATE: from a Dover International Speedway twitter: "We thought people would think that but didn't think you'd be first! It's actually for a new catch fence we're installing in 2015."(9-26-2014)

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on the Dover Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Dover Goodyear Tires Notes: While teams in both NASCAR national series in action at Dover this week will run the same right-side tire code, each will run a distinct left-side code . . . in Sprint Cup, this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that has been run at Dover since 2012 . . . these teams also ran this same tire set-up at Kentucky the past two seasons . . . Goodyear held a confirmation test at Dover on May 6-7 . . . Sprint Cup drivers that participated in that test were Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Martin Truex Jr. . . . Dover is unique among NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, in that inner liners are required in all four tire positions . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire (Goodyear). See more notes, tire codes, tire pressures and set limits on the Dover Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • Dover to remove seats? n 2001, Dover International Speedway completed an expansion of the grandstand that had been ongoing for 16 years. The result: 135,000 seats for NASCAR fans. But since the economy crashed in 2008, NASCAR tracks across the country have battled sagging attendance, a problem that has been all too apparent on TV broadcasts showing rows and rows of empty seats. In recent years, track officials have covered some of those empty sections with large banners. Now, Dover officials are considering removing some seats entirely. Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment and Dover Motorsports Inc., said there is "serious consideration" of removing seats. In 2011, the track cut capacity from 135,000 to 113,000 by widening seats. Company officials would not say when a decision would be finalized. A lot of factors, like sight lines to the track and restroom placement, have to be taken into account.(in part from USA Today)(9-26-2014)

  • CarSense returns as associate sponsor on the #13: Philadelphia-area car sales and service specialists, CarSense, have made three appearances on the #13 GEICO Chevy owned by Germain Racing so far this season. The relationship opened at Dover, included both Pocono Raceway events and this weekend's 400-lap event at Dover International Speedway will make it an even four races for CarSense as an associate sponsor on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driven by Casey Mears. CarSense has been on board for some great finishes for Mears, including his 12th-place run at Pocono in August. Important for fans to note is that CarSense has earned back-to-back "Top Place to Work" awards from Philly.com. The company proudly delivers liquid engineering in Castrol oil changes for car owners of all makes and models of vehicles, meanwhile CarSense makes the used car buying process easier for shoppers with features such as CarSense Certified and the CarSense Lifetime Engine Guarantee. At CarSense, selling a used car is nearly as easy as buying one. Visit CarSense on the web at CarSense.com or at one of their five locations across Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.(Germain Racing)(9-26-2014)

  • Jamie Little moves to Fox starting 2015: FOX Sports announced the addition of veteran motor sports reporter Jamie Little to the NASCAR on FOX family beginning in January 2015. Little will serve as a pit reporter for NASCAR on FOX's 15th season of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage and its first year televising the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Her assignments also include select additional races and special events throughout the year. The move to FOX after multiple years with ABC and ESPN represents a "homecoming" of sorts for Little. She covered a variety of motor sports events for FOX Sports' SPEED in 2002 and 2003, including the network's live coverage of Daytona Supercross. The versatile broadcaster has covered the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series for ESPN since 2007, and the IZOD IndyCar Series since 2004, in addition to extensive work with the Summer and Winter X Games. She was the first female pit reporter for the television broadcast of the prestigious Indianapolis 500, the first female to cover a televised Supercross and Motorcross event, and was one of the first female reporters in X Games history. Little, who has worked for ABC, ESPN, SPEED, NBC and TNN, has hosted non-racing sporting events ranging from Paintball Championships to the Great Outdoor Games. The San Diego State University graduate got her television start on ESPN2 reporting on various motor sports while interning at a local news station, in addition to live announce work for Supercross as a college student. FOX Sports will announce its full 2015 NASCAR on FOX on-air lineup in the near future.(Fox Sports)(9-26-2014)

  • Lee Petty and Harry Gant to be honored: Lee Petty and Harry Gant will have N.C. Auto Racing Hall Of Fame in-ground plaques dedicated to the two NASCAR legends in an Oct. 8 ceremony in Mooresville, NC. The late Lee Petty, a Randleman, N.C. native, won 54 races in his 16-year career in what is now known as NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. He will be represented by his son, Richard Petty, at the ceremony. Lee Petty was known as a hard charger who had a "never-give-up" driving style and one who never backed down from a challenge.
    Harry Gant, from Taylorsville, N.C. won over 300 races in the NASCAR Sportsman (Nationwide) series and three NASCAR National Sportsman titles before turning his sights on what was the Winston Cup Series in 1979. "Handsome" Harry won 18 races in his 15-year Cup career, including four races in a row in September 1991, plus two more in the then-Busch Series, to earn another nickname, "Mr. September." Gant holds the record as the oldest driver at age 52, to ever win a Cup race, in 1992 at the Michigan 400. He was also voted as one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. Gant and his family will be in attendance.
    Don Miller, the Chairman of the Board for the N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame is ecstatic about of the up and coming event. "I am very pleased to be able to resume our celebration of the rich racing history here in North Carolina and specifically in Mooresville. The N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame celebrates its 20th year, honoring the finest drivers in all of motorsports and the Walk of Fame expands its role for the fifth year." said Miller. "Mooresville, is the absolute center of the sport of auto racing and the home of many of its famous personalities. We need to preserve this heritage." Open to the public, the dedication of the Petty and Gants in-ground plaques will be held outside the Charles Mack Citizen Center on the Walk of Fame located at 215 N. Main St. in historic downtown Mooresville. from 4-5 pm/et.(NSSN)(9-26-2014)

  • Chris Buescher fastest in happy hour: #60-Chris Buescher was quickest during happy hour for the Dover 200 with a speed of 154.825mph. He was followed by: #62-Brendan Gaughan, #98-Aric Almirola, #33-Cale Conley, #6-Trevor Bayne, #3-Ty Dillon, #22-Joey Logano, #2-Brian Scott, #80-Alex Bowman, and #9-Chase Elliott. 41 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-26-2014)

  • Scott fastest in first Nationwide practice: #2-Brian Scott was fastest during opening practice at Dover Speedway with a speed of 153.191mph. #33-Cale Conley was second, followed by: #9-Chase Elliott, #42-Kyle Larson, #54-Kyle Busch, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #22-Joey Logano, #6-Trevor Bayne, #3-Ty Dillon, and #7-Regan Smith. 39 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-26-2014)

  • Clements gets Dover sponsor: Jeremy Clements Racing announced their partnership with Morristown Lumber as primary sponsor of the #51 Chevy for the Dover 200 this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Morristown Lumber & Supply is a family-owned business, serving Morris County, New Jersey since 1928. Quality has always been Morristown Lumber's #1 product.(Jeremy Clements Racing)(9-26-2014)


    News from September 25, 2014

  • Penske extends Logano's contract: Team Penske announced that it has signed multiple-race winner and 2014 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup contender, Joey Logano, to a contract extension. Under the new multi-year agreement, Logano will continue behind the wheel of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the #22 Discount Tire / Hertz Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Team Penske. "Joey Logano has been everything we hoped he would be, both as a driver and as a representative of our organization and for our partners," said Roger Penske. "He continues to put points on the board for us and the continuity and chemistry he has developed within the team has been terrific. We believe he can be a leader and championship-level driver for Team Penske for years to come." Already a seven-year NASCAR veteran, the 24-year-old has proven to be an elite driver. Throughout the course of his career, Logano has produced seven NSCS wins and 21 NNS victories. Since joining Team Penske at the start of the 2013 NASCAR season, Logano has enjoyed the best two-year stretch of his young career, earning five NSCS wins and three NNS victories. "I am fortunate and excited to be a part of Team Penske for the foreseeable future," said Logano, currently ranked second in the Chase standings after his victory last weekend at New Hampshire. "Mr. Penske gives us everything we need to keep our eye on the prize and compete for wins and championships. I think that is clear by the number of wins we have across the board this year. I'm fortunate to represent great companies like Ford, Shell-Pennzoil, AAA, AutoTrader.com, Discount Tire, Hertz and all of the great partners we have here at Team Penske. I think our best years are in front of us for sure."(Team Penske)(9-25-2014)

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on the Dover Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Dover Goodyear Tires Notes: While teams in both NASCAR national series in action at Dover this week will run the same right-side tire code, each will run a distinct left-side code . . . in Sprint Cup, this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that has been run at Dover since 2012 . . . these teams also ran this same tire set-up at Kentucky the past two seasons . . . Goodyear held a confirmation test at Dover on May 6-7 . . . Sprint Cup drivers that participated in that test were Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Martin Truex Jr. . . . Dover is unique among NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, in that inner liners are required in all four tire positions . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire (Goodyear). See more notes, tire codes, tire pressures and set limits on the Dover Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • Dover Notes & Facts - Thursday - track history:
    · The official opening of Dover International Speedway, then called Dover Downs International Speedway, was in 1969.
    · The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on July 6, 1969 - won by Richard Petty.
    · The first two races at Dover were 300 miles. The race length was changed to 500 miles in 1971.
    · The track surface was changed to concrete in 1995.
    · The race length was changed to 400 miles beginning with the second race in 1997.
    · The track name was changed to Dover International Speedway in 2002.
    · There have been 89 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Delaware all at Dover International Speedway.
    (NASCAR)(9-25-2014)

  • Where drivers need to finish to advance to next round of Chase: #2-Brad Keselowski and #22-Joey Logano have each locked themselves into the Contender Round with victories in the first two Chase races. Below are the finishes each driver needs in Sunday's race at Dover to guarantee a spot in the Contender Round, regardless of the finish of any other driver, four drivers will fail to advance and twelve will advance:
    #4-Kevin Harvick: 34th or better; or 35th and at least one lap led; or 36th and most laps led.
    #48-Jimmie Johnson: 24th or better; or 25th and at least one lap led; or 26th and most laps led.
    #18-Kyle Busch and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 21st or better; 22nd and at least one lap led; or 23rd and most laps led.
    #24-Jeff Gordon: 14th or better; 15th and at least one lap led; 16th and most laps led.
    #20-Matt Kenseth and #99-Carl Edwards: 2nd; or 3rd and most laps led.
    #47-AJ Allmendinger: 2nd.
    #5-Kasey Kahne: 2nd and at least one lap led.
    #31-Ryan Newman, #11-Denny Hamlin, #16-Greg Biffle, #41-Kurt Busch and #43-Aric Almirola only control their own destiny by winning Sunday at Dover.
    Following Dover, the four winless championship-qualifying drivers lowest in points will be eliminated from title contention. The remaining 12 drivers will advance to The Contender Round and their points will be reset to 3,000 (no points for wins).(NASCAR)(9-25-2014)

  • Career start #500 for Kurt Busch: This weekend, Kurt Busch, the driver of the #41 Haas Automation Chevy for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) will become a member of another elite club of drivers as he makes his 500th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Dover. Busch began his Sprint Cup Series career in 2000, when he ran a limited, seven-race schedule for Roush-Fenway Racing in the #97 car. His first race came at the same concrete mile oval where the Sprint Cup Series will race this weekend. In that first race, Busch started 10th and finished 18th. Now, 499 races, 25 Sprint Cup Series victories and one Sprint Cup Series championship later, Busch is poised to make his 500th start at the same track where his Sprint Cup career began. To commemorate his accomplishment, Busch's Haas Automation Chevy will have a special brushed-metal appearance this weekend at Dover and also will carry a 500th start logo on the nose of the car. For the third consecutive season, Busch has teamed with the Armed Forces Foundation to race in memory or in honor of a service member for each race during the 2014 Sprint Cup campaign. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Radovanic has been selected as the race dedication for the AAA 400 (SHR), see an image of the scheme on the #41 Team Schemes page.(9-25-2014)

  • Richard Childress Racing and Yuengling Extend Partnership: Richard Childress Racing and D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., America's Oldest Brewery, announced today the renewal of their partnership and sponsorship of the NASCAR Nationwide Series #3 Chevy team and driver Ty Dillon for the 2015 season. Yuengling will also sponsor the #33 Chevy at Pocono Raceway in the June NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race with Dillon behind the wheel. The Yuengling Light Lager brand has been featured on the #3 Chevrolet Camaro in 2014, which is the 185-year-old company's first season partnering with a NASCAR team. The Pottsville, Pa.-based brewery has been American Owned and Family Operated since 1829 and sells beer in 16 states. Dillon is currently competing for the Nationwide Series championship and has one victory, which took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.(RCR)(9-25-2014)

  • Plimpton & Hills Joins Front Row Motorsports: Plimpton & Hills makes its first appearance on the #34 Ford of David Ragan as primary sponsor at Dover. Ragan comments: "We'll have a new sponsor with us at Dover, which is pretty cool. Plimpton & Hills is a family-owned company that's been around for over a hundred years, selling plumbing and heating and cooling products. And they have a partnership with State Water Heaters, which Front Row Motorsports has worked with, so you could sort of call us all 'extended family.' We're happy to have them at the track and on our #34 Ford."(FRM), see an image of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(9-25-2014)

  • Twisted Tea back as sponsor of the #9: Twisted Tea will bring primary sponsorship to the #9 Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) Ford this weekend at the Dover International Speedway. Marcos Ambrose will race the blue and yellow scheme of the hard iced tea company. Twisted Tea joined RPM at the end of 2013 and has been an associate sponsor on the #9 Ford throughout the season. The company was also a primary sponsor of Ambrose at the Charlotte earlier this year. Twisted Tea has capitalized on their sponsorship with RPM by connecting with race fans nationally through consumer awareness, creative point of sale and meet-and-greets with Ambrose in various race markets. They will host over 100 guests this weekend at Dover (RPM). see images of the scheme on the #9 Team Schemes page.(9-25-2014)

  • Journalist Mark "Bones" Bourcier to be honored: Mark "Bones" Bourcier will receive the Charlie Mitchell/Jack Ratta Memorial Award at the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame Banquet Sunday, Nov. 16 at Maneeley's Banquet Hall in South Windsor, CT. Bourcier, a native of Southington, CT, is currently an Editor At Large for Speedway Illustrated Magazine. Honing his skills at local media outlets and then at Speedway Scene and Trackside Magazine, Bourcier has become one of America's premier auto racing scribes, twice winning the coveted Miller Racing Award of Excellence in Honor of Russ Catlin. They are part of a host of writing awards that also includes the Eastern Motorsports Press Association's Frank Blunt Memorial Award. He did memorable work for Stock Car and Open Wheel magazines and has appeared in several national outlets including National Speedsport. While Bourcier, who began watching race cars at Plainville Stadium, is a national figure in the motorsports writing fraternity, he has never forgotten his roots. He has written and/or edited books on New England racing heroes Bugs Stevens, Richie Evans, Ed Flemke and most recently Bentley Warren. They are on a list of books that include biographies of Bill Simpson, Tony Stewart, Parnelli Jones and Dave Darland and a history of Utica-Rome Speedway.(NEAR)(9-25-2014)

  • Sad News - Gordon Gibbs: Gordon Ernest Gibbs, 56, of Lexington, NC, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury after a courageous battle with cancer. Gordon spent his entire career in NASCAR sharing his love of stock car racing with many. He was well known for his passion, his drive and dedication to racing. Gordon started his career on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit as a mechanic and tire changer for Hendrick Motorsports and driver Geoff Bodine when the team won the 1986 Daytona 500. He was a crewman for drivers Lake Speed, Sterling Marlin, Brett Bodine, and Ricky Rudd. He was named crew chief for driver Steve Grissom for the Diamond Ridge Motorsports team in 1994. Gordon then worked for Joe Gibbs Racing with Coy Gibbs in a late model car. In 1999 Gordon returned to Hendrick Motorsports and was the car chief for drivers Joe Nemechek, Wally Dallenbach and Jerry Madeau. In 2003, he was the car chief for the Hendrick Motorsports Research and Development Team with Kyle Busch and David Green in ARCA. In 2004, Gordon worked with Kyle Busch in the Sprint Cup series. From 2005 to 2007, Gordon worked for the Hendrick Motorsports Busch Team and worked with multiple drivers. In 2008, he then went to work for JR Motorsports as the shop foreman. He was loved and respected by many in the racing community. See the full obituary, services and memorials info at hartsellfh.com.(9-25-2014)

  • Faison Eyeing NASCAR Xfinity Series for 2015: The 21 year old Delaware native CJ Faison has built a name for himself inside the racing world by competing in everything from Go-karts to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. CJ Faison is now looking to take his career one step further, the NASCAR Nationwide Series. NASCAR's #2 series will have a new partner beginning in 2015 as Comcast's XFINITY brand becomes the entitlement partner for what is currently known as the Nationwide Series. CJ Faison is currently eyeing the NASCAR Xfinity Series full time for 2015. With the end of the 2014 race season coming up, CJ Faison is negotiating with teams for next year. While there are multiple options available, CJ believes he will find his home for next year very soon. CJ Faison has spent the last 4 years racing for multiple teams and acquiring as much track time as possible. As for this past year CJ Faison had decided to continue racing back in Delaware (his home state) while still looking towards a return to NASCAR in 2015.(Faison PR)(9-25-2014)

  • Rick Ware gets Dover sponsor; Hill in #23: Rick Ware Racing announced that Timmy Hill will pilot the team's #23 Chevy Camaro in Saturday's Dover 200. Saturday's race will also mark the debut of the team's newest sponsor, Retro Infinity Inc. Retro Infinity Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of WRIT Media Group, Inc. and publisher of classic video games on today's mobile devices, including the Amiga Games brand will back the team for the 28th NASCAR Nationwide Series race of the season. "NASCAR provides an exciting environment in which to provide awareness and showcase our mobile gaming products, and we look forward to further enhancing the fan experience at home, at the track and on the go for these races," says Retro Infinity Inc. CEO Eric Mitchell. Hill will make his fifth NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the season at the "Monster Mile" Saturday. Hill has competed in three events for Rick Ware Racing this year, most recently at Bristol Motor Speedway last month. Hill competed for the Thomasville, North Carolina-based team earlier at Dover International Speedway, where he maneuvered a season-best finish of 21st, after starting 25th.(Rick Ware Racing)(9-25-2014)

  • Theriault looking for 2015 opportunity: It has been an eventful year for Fort Kent race car driver Austin Theriault. But Theriault said in some ways, it hasn't been eventful enough. The 20-year-old landed a three-race series in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports, and it didn't go as well as he had hoped. Theriault finished 15th at Iowa Speedway, 21st at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and, last Saturday night, he wound up 18th at Kentucky Speedway. He also has been in five Pro All-Stars Series Super Late Model North races and won his first ARCA race at Michigan International Speedway. He will probably conclude his season on Saturday afternoon at the Ripley and Fletcher Ford 150 PASS SLM North race at Oxford Plains Speedway. He has four top-five finishes in his five PASS races but will be looking to post his first win of the season. Then he will hit the road seeking sponsors and a ride for next season. He is taking everything in stride. "I'm going to stay positive. I know things take time. Hopefully, things are happening for the right reasons," he said. "I'm not going to dwell on it too much. You look at what happened, you make mental notes and you move forward." He said he does want to continue racing and would prefer "the bigger [3400-pound] cars with the radial tires." That would mean the Nationwide, Camping World Trucks or ARCA series. But he also knows he has to be a realist and take the best opportunity to get seat time, even if it isn't in one of those divisions.(Bangor Daily News)(9-25-2014)

  • Dignitaries named for Dover: Current and former professional athletes Brian Mitchell, Elena Delle Donne and Michael Carter-Williams will serve as dignitaries for both the Sept. 28, 2014 AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and Sept. 27 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway. Other dignitaries for the Sept. 26-28, 2014 race weekend include Don Gagnon, CEO of Auto Club Partners, who will be the Honorary Starter for the Sunday race; and Deputy Attorney General Sean Lugg with Agent Aaron Bonniwell of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, who will serve as the Grand Marshal and Honorary Starter, respectively, for the Friday, Sept. 26 "Drive Sober 150" presented by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race.
    Former NFL star Mitchell will serve as Grand Marshal for the Sept. 28 event as an ambassador for AAA. He spent his career playing for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, and owns the second most all-purpose yards in NFL history, behind only Jerry Rice. Generally considered one of the best kick and punt return players in the history of the league, Mitchell had 13 special teams touchdowns in his career, second on the all-time list. Mitchell won the Super Bowl with the Redskins in the 1991 season and is a member of the team's Ring of Fame.
    A Wilmington, Del.-native, Delle Donne currently plays for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA and will be the Honorary Starter for the Sept. 27 race. After earning national recognition as the country's No. 1 women's college basketball recruit while at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Delle Donne went on to enjoy a successful college career at the University of Delaware, before being drafted by the Sky as the second overall pick in the 2013 draft. Delle Donne won the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year award and in 2014 led the Sky to the WNBA championship series, losing to the Phoenix Mercury.
    The Grand Marshal for the Saturday race will be Michael Carter-Williams, point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 11th overall selection by the 76ers in the 2013 NBA Draft, he burst onto the scene in his first career game with 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and nine steals - a feat only matched three other times in league history. The performance earned him the Eastern conference NBA Player of the Week award, and he would go on to earn NBA Rookie of the Month honors four times, eventually winning the 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
    The Bandit Flight Team will fly two vintage Russian YAK 52s, a Chinese CJ-6 and a U.S. RV-8 will do the flyover for the Cup race.
    NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway Sept. 26-28 for the Sept. 28 "AAA 400" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Sept. 27 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Sept. 26 "Drive Sober 150" presented by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. For tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(9-25-2014)


    News from September 24, 2014

  • Grand jury hearing testimony in Tony Stewart case UPDATES: Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo has convened a grand jury to determine whether charges should be brought against NASCAR driver Tony Stewart for his role in an on-track incident that caused the death of driver Kevin Ward Jr. Grand jury testimony began Tuesday in the case. Tantillo said on Sept. 16 that he would present evidence from the police investigation to a grand jury. Chuck Hebing, who was driving in the Aug. 9 race when Ward was killed at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, confirmed that he was called to testify about the accident but declined to discuss the matter further. Ward, 20, died after he was struck by the car of Tony Stewart during a Sprint car race. The incident took place moments after Stewart, a three-time NASCAR season-series champion, bumped Ward's car and forced it to crash into the corner wall on Turn 2. It is not known how long it will take for the evidence to be presented to the grand jury, or for witnesses to provide testimony.(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)
    UPDATE: Tony Stewart grand jury decision will supposedly be announced today (Sept 24) at 3:00pm/et.(Jayski Twitter)
    UPDATE2: Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo will hold a press conference at 3:00pm/et today to reveal the findings of a grand jury investigation into whether charges should be brought against NASCAR driver Tony Stewart for his role in the on-track death of driver Kevin Ward Jr. In a press release, Tantillo said the grand jury's determination would be made public this afternoon.(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)
    The press conference will be aired lived at whec.com and also on ESPN and FoxSports1 live at 3:00pm/et.
    UPDATE3: Tony Stewart will NOT face criminal charges in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. ... who was struck and killed by Stewart during a race last month ... TMZ Sports has learned. TMZ learned ... that a grand jury just decided not to charge Stewart.(TMZ)
    UPDATE4: A grand jury has decided Tony Stewart will not face charges for his role in the on-track death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. Prosecutors in upstate New York made the announcement Wednesday, just hours after the grand jury finished hearing testimony in the case. Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo also said Ward was under the influence of marijuana at the time of his death, according to toxicology reports. Tantillo looked at the evidence and could have brought charges or dropped the case himself, but said last week that the matter would be decided by the grand jury. Stewart could have been charged with second-degree manslaughter under New York law, experts said, if prosecutors believed he "recklessly caused the death of another person." Negligent homicide also was another possibility.(ESPN)
    AND "This week an Ontario County grand jury has been meeting to hear testimony and review evidence gathered in the Tony Stewart matter, relating to the death of Kevin Ward at the Canandaigua Motor Speedway on August 9, 2014. The grand jury has completed its investigation. During the course of the grand jury presentation, approximately two dozen witnesses testified. These included a number of race car drivers, racetrack employees and volunteers, two accident reconstruction experts, medical personnel, and a number of police officers. In addition, the grand jury reviewed a number of photographs and video recordings, as well as other documentary evidence. After listening to and questioning all of the witnesses, and reviewing all of the evidence, the grand jury has determined that there is no basis to charge Tony Stewart with any crimes; his case was "No-Billed" by the grand jury." Michael Tantillo, Ontario County District Attorney (Ontario County website)
    Stewart Statement: Following a thorough investigation and presentation of all the relevant evidence and witnesses to an Ontario County (N.Y.) grand jury, the grand jury has determined there is no basis for the filing of any criminal charges involving the tragic accident of Kevin Ward Jr. on Aug. 9 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park. The following is a statement from Tony Stewart regarding the grand jury's decision.
    "This has been the toughest and most emotional experience of my life, and it will stay with me forever. I'm very grateful for all the support I've received and continue to receive. I respect everything the District Attorney and Sheriff's Office did to thoroughly investigate this tragic accident. While the process was long and emotionally difficult, it allowed for all the facts of the accident to be identified and known. While much of the attention has been on me, it's important to remember a young man lost his life. Kevin Ward Jr.'s family and friends will always be in my thoughts and prayers."(SHR Facebook)
    NASCAR Statement from Brett Jewkes, NASCAR Chief Communications Officer, Regarding Ontario (N.Y.) County District Attorney Announcement: "There are no winners in tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Kevin Ward Jr. family and Tony Stewart as they all cope with this tragic incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. This has been a difficult time for everyone involved and we have respected the local authorities responsible for reviewing this case."(NASCAR)
    Ward's family statement to ESPN on Wednesday, said: "Our son got out of his car during caution, while the race was suspended. All other vehicles were reducing speed and not accelerating except for Tony Stewart, who intentionally tried to intimidate Kevin by accelerating and sliding his car towards him, causing this tragedy. The focus should be on the actions of Tony Stewart and not Kevin. The matter is not at rest and we will pursue all remedies, in fairness to Kevin."(ESPN)(9-24-2014)

  • Truex out of the #83 ride? Ryan Truex's run in the #83 Burger King/Borla Exhaust Toyota appears to have come to an end, after BK Racing replaced the New Jersey native with former Camping World Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Sources within the team said the change stemmed from unhappiness with the level of feedback received from Truex. He is not expected to return to the car this season. Messages left with BK Racing officials seeking comment were not immediately returned (Godfather Motorsports)
    AND For the second consecutive week Ryan Truex will not drive the #83 BK Racing entry, and the rookie's long-term status with the team is in doubt. When asked about Truex's future with the team by SB Nation Tuesday, a BK Racing spokesman described the situation as "week-to-week" with no determination having been made about the remainder of the 2014 season. As to why Truex was being replaced, the reason cited was an "owner's decision," with discussions ongoing between the organization and Truex's representatives, according to the spokesman. BK Racing replaced Truex with former Camping World Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Kvapil is again listed as the driver of the #83 for Sunday's race at Dover International Speedway.(SB Nation)
    AND Motorsport.com's Nick DeGroot tweeted that Truex's absence was due to BK owing Truex "a good amount of money." He later disclosed that sources of his own passed along that news to him.(9-24-2014)

  • Fan-designed paint scheme for Newman at Dover: Ryan Newman's #31 Chevy boasts a fan-designed paint scheme for this weekend's race at Dover. Blake Pass of Blue Ridge, Ga., is the grand prize winner of the Paint Your Way to Dover contest with his ghost-flame inspired design. More than 1,000 schemes were submitted by NASCAR fans nationwide and after three finalists were chosen, fans voted at QLRacing.com to determine the look of Newman's ride for the Dover Sprint Cup race. As part of the grand prize package, Pass, a middle school teacher, and his family will travel to the race to meet and see Newman tame the Monster Mile. Should the Quicken Loans driver finish first on Sunday, Pass will take home one year's worth of mortgage payments. If Newman scores a top-10 result, Pass is awarded a one month mortgage payment. Besides voting on a design, QL Racing fans also voted for three charities to benefit monetarily through the promotion. Autism Speaks collected the most votes and received a $10,000 donation. Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma and Folds of Honor each received a $2,500 donation (RCR), see an image of the scheme on the #31 Team Schemes page.(9-24-2014)

  • Gordon voted 3rd Quarter Driver of the Year: This year's Brickyard 400 winner, #24-Jeff Gordon, was named winner of the third-quarter Driver of the Year Award 2014. The four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion won the voting by an elite panel of American broadcasters and journalists. Gordon is also the first four-time Driver of the Year It was the 42-year-old Gordon's record fifth victory at NASCAR's annual stop at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indiana native also won the Pure Michigan 400 from the pole in the third quarter that ended at Atlanta Motor Speedway on August 31rst. "It's an honor to be recognized as the Driver of the Year 3rd Quarter, and it's been an incredible summer for this #24 team," said Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy. Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year Foundation, said, "I've had the pleasure of handing Jeff many trophies. His talent appears limitless."
    In the voting Gordon, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports, had four first-place ballots and totaled 87 points according to the Driver of the Year points system. Will Power, who drove the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Dallara Chevrolet to win the IndyCar championship this year, took seven first-place votes and totaled 77 points. Scott Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Dallara Chevrolet was third with 47 points and one first-place vote. Donnie Schatz, who drives the Tony Stewart Racing sprint car in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series was fourth in the balloting with 33-points and two first place votes. Jason Line who drives the KB Racing Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tied Schatz with 33-points and one first place ballot. Gordon won the overall Driver of the Year title in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. "The team has really been performing at a high level, and anytime you win a Brickyard 400 it's extremely special, " added Gordon. A total of 16 drivers scored points in the second quarter voting. In its' 48th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique. A panel of 17 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. determines the winner. Two panelists didn't vote this time. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Gordon will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented later.(DOTY)(9-24-2014)

  • NASCAR Delivers 2015 Competition Package to Teams: Following more than a year of extensive collaboration with stakeholders throughout the industry, and with a keen eye towards the future, NASCAR has finalized and delivered to teams the 2015 racing package for all three national series. "This race package represents a lot of hard work by NASCAR, the race teams, the drivers, our manufacturer partners and Goodyear," said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR senior vice president of innovation and racing development. "We've remained committed to constantly looking at our racing, and the work that has been done has been aimed at getting a rules package delivered to the race teams as early as possible."
    Highlighted in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series changes for 2015 are nearly 60 enhancements, including adjustments to the power train, aerodynamics and chassis that are designed to work in concert to deliver drivers more flexibility and teams more adjustability. Fans are expected to benefit from closer racing and more opportunities for drivers to pass on the track. "We have had fantastic racing so far in 2014," Stefanyshyn said. "We remain committed to constantly looking to improve it. Our fans deserve it and our industry is pushing for it. That will not stop with the 2015 package; the development will continue over many years to come."
    NASCAR will institute a shorter rear spoiler in its 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series package, which also includes a reduction of engine power, lower rear differential gear ratios and an optional driver adjustable track bar.
    Based on the success of group qualifying formats, which were introduced in 2014 for all national series, NASCAR also announced that group qualifying will be utilized for the first time for the Daytona 500.
    Additional changes for the 2015 rules include the elimination of team-facilitated private testing, with race teams being instead invited to participate in NASCAR / Goodyear tests throughout the season. NASCAR also will work alongside Goodyear to introduce rain tires should conditions warrant during road course events in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2015.
    "We're very pleased with the rules package and what it will do for our racing," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We're confident it will continue to generate great racing, along with continuous safety improvements. The work alongside our industry has been unprecedented. We've had great dialogue with our drivers and teams, our manufacturers and Goodyear, allowing us to build greater efficiencies into the 2015 rules package. We've met our goal of delivering rules to teams with time to prepare for next season and we're seeing the benefits of an updated process for developing our rules paying dividends. It will only continue to improve."(NASCAR)(9-23-2014)
    UPDATE NASCAR announced a new rules package Tuesday that will ban all private testing in 2015, including the annual Daytona 500 test, and levy the stiffest penalty possible on any team caught conducting its own sessions. The only testing allowed next season will be sessions conducted by NASCAR or Goodyear. Any team caught testing on its own will receive a P6 penalty, the highest on NASCAR's new punishment scale. It carries a loss of 150 points, a minimum $150,000 fine and a six-week suspension for the crew chief and other crew members. "It will be a huge penalty if anyone is caught," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's executive vice president and chief racing development officer.
    The three-day annual Daytona 500 test each January was as much about promoting the season-opening race as it was for teams to shake off any cobwebs from the offseason. O'Donnell said that time will now be used to send drivers on a cross-country promotional tour similar to the "Chase Across North America" that NASCAR held this month with its 16 Chase championship drivers assigned to visit various race markets. As for qualifying, the formats will be shortened at all types of tracks, mostly to cut the length of time in the first segment. Teams currently are sitting on pit road trying to time when to run a hot lap, and NASCAR will try to eliminate the waiting. The first segment on short tracks and intermediate tracks will be 15 minutes, followed by a break, then 10 minutes, a break, and a final 5-minute session. At superspeedways, the field will be divided into two groups for the first 5-minute session, followed by two more 5-minute sessions. Road course qualifying will consist of one 25-minute session, followed by a 10-minute session. The Daytona 500 front row qualifying will be done in groups, but the length of the breaks is still being tweaked as NASCAR needs to fill a 3-hour television window.(Associated Press)(9-24-2014)

  • New Hampshire TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on Sunday, Sept. 21, earned a 2.4 U.S. household rating, averaging 3,850,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating was the same as for last year's race but viewership was up from last year's 3,706,000 average. The Sylvania 300 was the second race in the 10-event Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Greensboro, N.C., was the nation's highest-rated metered market for the race telecast with an 8.0 rating, with Greenville, S.C., second at 6.9 and Indianapolis third at 6.2. Birmingham, Ala., was fourth at 6.0 with Raleigh-Durham, N.C., fifth at 5.9. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Charlotte, N.C., 5.4; Knoxville, Tenn., 4.9; Tulsa, Okla., 4.6; Nashville, Tenn., 4.5 and Dayton, Ohio, 4.3.
    Saturday night's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway near Cincinnati aired on ESPNEWS and earned a 0.5 U.S. household rating, averaging 708,000 viewers. Last year's race, which also aired on ESPNEWS, earned a 0.6 rating with 837,000 average viewers.(ESPN)
    See past races for 2014 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(9-24-2014)

  • Hornaday returns in Vegas: Ron Hornaday returns to LVMS, with seventeen combined race starts over NASCAR's top three series including 13 NCWTS, 3 NNS and 1 NSCS. The Palmdale, California native's stats on the 1.5-mile asphalt oval, located just outside of the Las Vegas city limits, are impressive. Ron has 1 win in the NCWTS, 6 top-5's, and 12 top-10's, along with 2 (type) pole awards. "I want to say thanks to Bob Newberry and Rheem for working together to give me this great opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a NCWTS Silverado," Hornaday said. "I'm looking forward to racing in Las Vegas, as we have a lot of family and friends on the west coast that will be there. I know Ryan (McKinney) and the team have prepared an awesome truck for me to race and I'd like nothing more than to get Rheem and NTS into victory lane this weekend."(NTS Motorsports)(See an image of the truck on the #9 Team Paint Schemes page).(9-24-2014)

  • The USO's Every Moment Counts Flag and USO Show Troupe to Kick Off the AAA 400 in Dover: This Sunday, Sept. 28, the USO's record-breaking Every Moment Counts flag will make its third tour stop at the "AAA 400" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Dover International Speedway. The 80 foot by 120 foot flag has more than 115,000 signatures on it, which were gathered by the USO to show support and say thank you for troops and their families. Thanks to the support received from people in all fifty states and seven countries, the USO holds the Guinness World Records title for most signatures on a flag. The USO's Every Moment Counts flag will be suspended on cranes during the pre-race show while the USO Show Troupe performs patriotic songs and the Golden Knights parachute jumpers descend onto the track. The USO will also host a Military Village, presented by MAVTV American Real, this weekend in the Fan Zone.(Dover International Speedway)(9-24-2014)

  • Yuengling renews sponsorship of RCR, Dillon: Richard Childress Racing and D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., America's Oldest Brewery, announced the renewal of their partnership and sponsorship of the NASCAR Nationwide Series #3 Chevy team and driver Ty Dillon for the 2015 season. Yuengling will also sponsor the #33 Chevy SS at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race with Dillon behind the wheel. "We are thrilled to continue our great partnership with Yuengling and showcase their great products to NASCAR fans," said Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "We have enjoyed working with a family-owned and operated company with such a rich heritage and tight-knit culture. It's something we mirror here at RCR. Yuengling is an iconic American brand and the brewery has produced a quality beer for almost two centuries." The Yuengling beer Light Lager brand has been featured on the #3 Chevy Camaro in 2014, which is the 185-year-old company's first season partnering with a NASCAR team. The Pottsville, Pa.-based brewery has been American Owned and Family Operated since 1829 and sells beer in 16 states.(RCR)(9-24-2014)

  • RSS names Dover sponsor: U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Wade has joined forces with RSS Racing and driver Ryan Sieg for the Dover 200 this Saturday. Wade is running for U.S. Senate in Delaware and is looking to grow his campaign as well as his name recognition. It's a particularly fitting partnership because Wade is running a very small grass roots campaign. RSS Racing is a small grass roots race team who understands what it's like to fight the big fight. Fans who donate exactly $39 to the Kevin L. Wade for U.S Senate campaign will have an opportunity to win pit passes to a race of their choice. The opportunity to win pit passes runs through October 31st.(RSS Racing)(9-24-2014)


    News from September 23, 2014

  • NASCAR Delivers 2015 Competition Package to Teams: Following more than a year of extensive collaboration with stakeholders throughout the industry, and with a keen eye towards the future, NASCAR has finalized and delivered to teams the 2015 racing package for all three national series. "This race package represents a lot of hard work by NASCAR, the race teams, the drivers, our manufacturer partners and Goodyear," said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR senior vice president of innovation and racing development. "We've remained committed to constantly looking at our racing, and the work that has been done has been aimed at getting a rules package delivered to the race teams as early as possible."
    Highlighted in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series changes for 2015 are nearly 60 enhancements, including adjustments to the power train, aerodynamics and chassis that are designed to work in concert to deliver drivers more flexibility and teams more adjustability. Fans are expected to benefit from closer racing and more opportunities for drivers to pass on the track. "We have had fantastic racing so far in 2014," Stefanyshyn said. "We remain committed to constantly looking to improve it. Our fans deserve it and our industry is pushing for it. That will not stop with the 2015 package; the development will continue over many years to come."
    NASCAR will institute a shorter rear spoiler in its 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series package, which also includes a reduction of engine power, lower rear differential gear ratios and an optional driver adjustable track bar.
    Based on the success of group qualifying formats, which were introduced in 2014 for all national series, NASCAR also announced that group qualifying will be utilized for the first time for the Daytona 500.
    Additional changes for the 2015 rules include the elimination of team-facilitated private testing, with race teams being instead invited to participate in NASCAR / Goodyear tests throughout the season. NASCAR also will work alongside Goodyear to introduce rain tires should conditions warrant during road course events in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2015.
    "We're very pleased with the rules package and what it will do for our racing," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We're confident it will continue to generate great racing, along with continuous safety improvements. The work alongside our industry has been unprecedented. We've had great dialogue with our drivers and teams, our manufacturers and Goodyear, allowing us to build greater efficiencies into the 2015 rules package. We've met our goal of delivering rules to teams with time to prepare for next season and we're seeing the benefits of an updated process for developing our rules paying dividends. It will only continue to improve."(NASCAR)(9-23-2014)

  • Fact Sheet 2015 Rules Package: Nearly 60 different enhancements / updates have been made to the NASCAR national series rules packages for 2015 in the following areas:
    · New Rules, with one or more of the following goals in mind: enriched competition, improved safety, reduced cost, enhanced product relevance and environmental (green) improvements.
    Enhanced Enforcement of Existing Rules
    · New Officiating Processes
    · Newly Approved Parts
    · Updated Business Processes
    The following are among the significant updates to the competition package.
    Testing
    There will be a NASCAR-mandated ban on all team-initiated private testing in 2015
    · Teams will be invited to participate in NASCAR / Goodyear tests
    · NASCAR will not conduct a test at Daytona International Speedway prior to the Daytona 500
    Rules
    · 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Package includes:
    -- Reduction of horsepower to 725 via tapered spacer
    -- Roller valve lifters to replace flat valve lifter
    -- Lower rear differential gear ratios targeting 9,000 RPM
    -- Rear spoiler adjustment to 6 inches high (2014 height: 8 inches)
    -- Optional driver adjustable track bar
    -- 38-inch wide radiator pan
    -- Minimum vehicle weight drops 50 lbs. via ballast reduction (2014 weight: 3,300 w/o driver)
    -- Updated qualifying formats for all tracks
    · Rain tires on road courses, similar to rules in place for the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series; mandatory wipers, defogger and rear flashing rain light installed for the event weekend New Officiating Processes
    · Data Log and Capture System for pre-race inspections
    · Automated pit road officiating at race events
    Newly Approved Parts
    · Revised brake calipers
    Updated Business Processes
    · Electronic rule book
    · New parts approval process
    (NASCAR)(9-23-2014)

  • Shell Saver Cardholders Can Save When #22 Ford Fusion Wins: Joey Logano took the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford to victory lane in New Hampshire, and now it's time for Shell customers who have a Shell $averSM Card to save! Shell is offering Shell Saver Cardholders the opportunity to save 22 cents per gallon in Fuel Rewards savings on all three grades of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, and Shell Diesel, up to 25 gallons at participating stations, this upcoming Wednesday, or WINsday, September 24. The season-long promotion, called WINsday, will be applicable after every points race in which Joey Logano takes the checkered flag. More info at www.shell.us/winsday.(Shell)(9-23-2014)

  • Complete Replays Of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Now Available: YouTube and NASCAR Digital Media have collaborated to give race fans the chance to relive every moment of NASCAR's completely revamped playoffs. For the remainder of NASCAR's postseason, fans will be able to view full-length replays of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races on NASCAR's official YouTube channel, free of charge. Complete race replays of each Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race broadcast will be available at www.youtube.com/NASCAR each week following the event. Fans may visit the playlist entitled, "Full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Replays - 2014" on the channel's landing page to access the videos.(NASCAR)(9-23-2014)

  • Man dies from Kentucky Speedway crash: A 30-year-old Indiana man died over the weekend from injuries sustained in a crash at Kentucky Speedway. Stephen Cox, of Decatur, Indiana, died Sunday at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, according to the Hamilton County Coroner. The crash in which he sustained his injuries occurred Sept. 14 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. "We had an accident on the track," said Tim Bray, director of communications for Kentucky Speedway. "Emergency medical, they attended to him, they transported him to UC. That's all I can tell you at the moment." Bray said the crash occurred during an event called the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience.(Kentucky Enquirer)(9-23-2014)

  • Wally Dallenbach returning to Trans-Am racing: Tommy Kendall. Tommy Archer. And now Wally Dallenbach, Jr. Trans-Am is partying like it's the 1980s or 1990s, with some of its iconic stars coming back in the series in 2015. Dallenbach Jr. is the latest to return, and will do so in a Chevy Camaro for the series' finale November 15 in Daytona. He'll race in the TA2 class. The Camaro is the same brand he raced when he won his second straight series championship in 1986, his third year of competition. "I've enjoyed my time in television but for now that phase of my life is over, and I'm excited to get back behind the wheel and resume my racing career," Dallenbach said in a series release. "I'm genuinely excited and looking forward to returning to the Trans Am Series at Daytona, and I'm hoping to be racing with them full time come 2015. This is a program I've been working on putting together over the past year or so," he added. "Unfortunately, up until now, my broadcast schedule has prevented me from being able to make a commitment to racing, but now the timing and opportunity is right."(NBC Sports)(9-23-2014)

  • Penske, Roush testing at Texas: Less than 24 hours after his impressive victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Team Penske driver #22-Joey Logano turned his focus to Texas Motor Speedway, site of an all-important two-day test session beginning Monday. Logano, along with Team Penske teammate and current Sprint Cup Series points leader #2-Brad Keselowski, were joined by Roush Fenway Racing drivers #99-Carl Edwards, #16-Greg Biffle and #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the test session. With the intensity of the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the first round of eliminations on the horizon, teams looked at both the present and the future - focusing on this weekend's race at Dover International Speedway while making preparations for the AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, Nov. 2 at Texas Motor Speedway.(TMS)(9-23-2014)

  • NASCAR Numbers:
    8.4: Jimmie Johnson's average finish in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover International Speedway. Though Johnson has a personal-best nine wins at the Monster Mile, there are three other tracks where he's achieved better average finishes: Martinsville (5.2), Phoenix (6.3) and Fontana (6.6).
    12: The series-best number of top-five finishes recorded in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season by Team Penske teammates Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano. Small wonder they're currently the two leading drivers in the Chase standings, each with a victory in the first two Chase races.
    1,369: The number of laps led by Kevin Harvick in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season, far and away a career best. That's the good news. The bad? The driver known as "The Closer" has failed to close the deal in the last four races in which he has led the most laps, at Kansas, Michigan, Atlanta and, most recently, on Sunday at New Hampshire.
    12: The number of points separating Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards (tied for eighth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings) from 16th-place Aric Almirola. With such a small margin blanketing the last nine drivers in the standings, fans can expect a free-for-all in next Sunday's elimination race at Dover.
    3: The average finish of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his last five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover. No wonder Junior said on Sunday that the Monster Mile is a great track for the #88 team. But that hasn't always been the case. Earnhardt's average result in the eight races before the current streak of five was 22.5.(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-23-2014)

  • Top 10 Driver Ratings at Dover:
    #48-Jimmie Johnson 122.5
    #20-Matt Kenseth 108.3
    #18-Kyle Busch 105.3
    #99-Carl Edwards 100.0
    #16-Greg Biffle 98.9
    #24-Jeff Gordon 94.5
    #15-Clint Bowyer 92.1
    #41-Kurt Busch 91.6
    #78-Martin Truex Jr. 89.3
    #31=Ryan Newman 88.1
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (19 total) among active drivers at Dover International Speedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Win, Finish, Top-15 Finish, Average Running Position while on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
    See an explanation how the Driver Rating is calculated at NASCAR.com.(NASCAR)

  • Green making final start of year in #14: This weekend's Dover 200 will mark Jeff Green's final race of the 2014 season in the Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Camry. In the four races Green has piloted the #14 car, he has an average starting position of 23.25 and an average finishing position of 25. Earlier this season at the "Monster Mile," Green posted an 18th-place finish; his best of the four races.(TMI)(9-23-2014)

  • Kentucky TV Ratings: Saturday night's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway near Cincinnati aired on ESPNEWS and earned a 0.5 U.S. household rating, averaging 708,000 viewers. Last year's race, which also aired on ESPNEWS, earned a 0.6 rating with 837,000 average viewers.(ESPN)(9-23-2014)

  • Cope gets associate sponsor at Dover: Acredale Vending Co. will return to Derrike Cope and the #70 Team this weekend at Dover. Business owner Scott Abshire is a long time friend of Derrike and is proud to have Acredale on the car once again. Acredale Vending has served the Tidewater Virginia area for 30 years. The company provides full service vending along with vending machine sales.(Acredale PR)(9-23-2014)

  • KBM team continuing awareness push in Las Vegas: For the second straight weekend, the Project Pink: Protect Your Pair logo will adorn the bed top and tailgate of Erik Jones' #51 Tundra. Project Pink is the Kyle Busch Foundation's second-year initiative that will raise money and awareness for the Pretty in Pink Foundation - a Raleigh, N.C. based foundation whose mission is to provide financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients who are in active treatment, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more about the Project Pink initiative, which last year successfully paid the bills for 48 breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in North Carolina, fans can visit KyleBuschFoundation.org.(Kyle Busch Motorsports)(9-23-2014)


    News from September 22, 2014

  • Entry List for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #32-Yeley, #33-Stremme, #37-Bliss, #44-Hill. Ryan Truex is on the entry list in the #83, but his status is unknown.
    Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's Dover Entry List

  • New Hampshire Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 1:57 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:28 PM (all times are EST). ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 117
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 59
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 10
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 53
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 42
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 4 min. 25 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 1:57 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:28 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 211
    Minutes of race broadcast: 123
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 28
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 25
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1
    Total race brdcst time 123 Total comm. brdcst time 28
    See past races, links to full reports & sponsor links on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(9-22-2014)

  • NASCAR confiscated tires after Chicago UPDATE: NASCAR confiscated tires from the #2-Brad Keselowski, #4-Kevin Harvick, #31-Ryan Newman and #78-Martin Truex Jr.- teams last week at Chicagoland Speedway. Although there was speculation that teams were attempting to bleed air from the tires to gain grip, Sprint Cup Series Richard Buck said it was "just for normal due diligence". The tires were taken to NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. "That's just part of expanding the R & D Center," Buck said. "We bring the stuff back, keep it under our custody like we do with all the parts that are there and keep them for further evaluation. It's just part of the process. Some were taken during the race, some after. It's just a nice sampling of what's out there." Buck would not confirm whether he found anything unusual with the tires, other than to say, "We're already here at New Hampshire." Generally any infractions stemming from improprieties would be announced prior to the next event.(Motorsport)(9-20-2014)
    UPDATE: According to MRN's Pete Pistone, NASCAR also took tires from the teams of #13-Mears, #22-Logano, #42-Larson and #48-Johnson after the New Hampshire race.(9-22-2014)

  • 13 winners in last 13 races at New Hampshire UPDATE: Thirteen different drivers have taken the checkered flag in the last 13 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway - tied with Texas Motor Speedway for the all-time record streak without a repeat winner. And there's a better than average chance the Magic Mile takes sole possession of the record after this Sunday's Sylvania 300 as Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers #24-Jeff Gordon, #4-Kevin Harvick and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. are all missing from the 13-in-13 stretch. Gordon owns three victories at New Hampshire, but has not won there since 1998. Harvick has one win at New Hampshire, but he notched it eight years ago. In his last two races at the track, he has finished 30th and 20th, respectively. After posting three wins, his highest total since he racked up six in 2004, Earnhardt will try to automatically advance to the Chase's Contender Round with a New Hampshire checkered flag. In 30 starts at Loudon, he has seven top fives and 13 tops 10s to his credit, but has never finished higher than third.(NASCAR)(9-19-2014)
    UPDATE: #22-Joey Logano won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June 2009. By winning Sunday the 13 race streak was not extended. However, now the last 11 races have provided 11 different winners.(9-22-2014)

  • Nationwide Series Entry List: There are 40 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's Dover 200 at Dover Speedway. A few notes:
    Kevin Lepage will be in the #10 for TriStar;
    Jeff Green returns to the #14 in place of Eric McClure;
    Justin Boston remains in the JGR #20;
    Milka Duno returns to the #29 for RAB;
    Alex Bowman will be in the #80 for Shigeaki Hattori;
    Aric Almirola makes his 2nd start in the #98.(9-22-2014)
    See the complete list on the Dover entry list page.

  • Little Caesars sponsoring Sieg at Dover: Little Caesars, the largest carry out pizza chain in the world has joined forces with RSS Racing for the Dover 200 this Saturday. Little Caesars remains a family owned business that is still headed by its founders. Driver Ryan Sieg who races for his family owned team is excited for the opportunity to showcase Little Caesars at one of his favorite tracks. Sieg has completed over 95% of the laps run in his rookie season in the Nationwide Series and is looking to improve on his 13th place finish at Dover in the Spring race.(RSS Racing)(9-22-2014)

  • Truck entry list: There are 30 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's Rhino Linings 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A few notes:
    Brian Ickler returns in the #7;
    Ron Hornaday, Jr. is in the #9;
    Jason White is in the #20;
    Spencer Gallagher is in the #23;
    The #35 is TBA;
    (9-22-2014)
    See the complete list on the Las Vegas entry list page.


    News from September 21, 2014

  • Logano wins at New Hampshire: #22-Joey Logano won the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his 4th win of the season, 2nd at New Hampshire and 7th career win.
    #42-Larson finished 2nd followed by #4-Harvick, #1-McMurray, #48-Johnson, #43-Almirola, #2-Keselowski, #18-Busch, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., and #55-Vickers.
    Keselowski & Logano have now secured a spot in the next round of the chase. The remaining 12 drivers will be determined after next week's race in Dover.
    7 Chase drivers finished in the top 10, but most Chase drivers suffered problems during the race. #11-Hamlin finished 37th after being suffering fueling issues and being involved in an accident. #41-Busch cut a tire and hit the wall, finishing 36th. #24-Gordon cut a tire late in the race while running 6th and finished 26th. #5-Kahne was involved in an accident, #20-Kenseth spun and hit the wall, #31-Newman suffered minor damage in the wreck with Hamlin and Kahne, #16-Biffle overcame being 2 laps down. #88-Earnhardt, Jr. had to pit under green early after a tire was left loose on a pit stop. #18-Busch was involved in a wreck.
    Pole sitter, #2-Keselowski, led the first 35 laps, fell back, spun out and came back to finish near the front.
    There were 10 lead changes among 6 drivers. There were 15 cautions for 63 yellow flag laps. 15 cautions is the season high for this year.
    The average speed was 98.697mph.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Penalty Report (pdf) and Lap Summary Report (pdf).
    (9-14-2014)

  • Where did the 16 Chase Drivers finish at New Hampshire?
    [by points standings before the race (start pos)]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 7th (1)
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon, 26th (13)
    3) #22-Joey Logano, 1st (7)
    4) #4-Kevin Harvick, 3rd (3)
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 9th (11)
    6) #11-Denny Hamlin, 37th (4)
    7) #18-Kyle Busch, 8th (5)
    8) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 5th (6)
    9) #41-Kurt Busch, 36th (15)
    10) #20-Matt Kenseth, 21st (16)
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 23rd (17)
    12) #99-Carl Edwards, 17th (8)
    13) #31-Ryan Newman, 18th (9)
    14) #47-A.J. Allmendinger, 13th (27)
    15) #16-Greg Biffle, 16th (26)
    16) #43-Aric Almirola, 6th (21)
    (9-21-2014)

  • Race Fast Facts - New Hampshire:
    Joey Logano won the 18th Annual SYLVANIA 300, his seventh victory in 211 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his fourth victory and 17th top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his second victory and fifth top-10 finish in 13 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Kyle Larson (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 13th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Kevin Harvick (third) posted his 14th top-10 finish in 28 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Kyle Larson (second) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Brad Keselowski leads the point standings by 1 point over Joey Logano.
    (NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-21-2014)

  • 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Standings:
    [after New Hampshire, race 28 of 36]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 total wins in 2014, 1 in Chase], 2097 points
    2) #22-Joey Logano [4 wins, 1 in Chase] 2096, -1
    Drivers above will advance to the next round of the Chase
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins] 2090, -7 [41 points ahead of 12th]
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 2080, -17 [31 points ahead of 12th]
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [3 wins] 2077, -20 [28 points ahead of 12th]
    6) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win] 2077, -20 [28 points ahead of 12th]
    7) #24-Jeff Gordon [3 wins] 2070, -27 [21 points ahead of 12th]
    8) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins] 2057, -40 [8 points ahead of 12th]
    9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2057, -40 [8 points ahead of 12th]
    10) #47-A.J. Allmendinger [1 win] 2056, -41 [7 points ahead of 12th]
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne [1 win] 2055, -42 [6 points ahead of 12th]
    12) #31-Ryan Newman, 2055, -42 [6 points ahead of 12th]
    Bottom 4 drivers will be eliminated from the Chase after Dover:
    13) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win] 2049, -48 [6 points out of 12th]
    14) #16-Greg Biffle, 2049, -48 [6 points out of 12th]
    15) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win] 2047, -50 [8 points out of 12th]
    16) #43-Aric Almirola [1 win] 2045, -52 [12 points out of 12th]
    (ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc)
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).
    (9-21-2014)

  • 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings (not the Chase):
    [after New Hampshire, race 28 of 36]
    1) #24-Jeff Gordon(X), 975
    2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X), 951 -24
    3) #22-Joey Logano(X), 916 -59
    4) #2-Brad Keselowski(X), 915 -60
    5) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X), 873 -102
    6) #4-Kevin Harvick(X), 872 -103
    7) #20-Matt Kenseth(X), 854 -121
    8) #31-Ryan Newman(X), 837 -138
    9) #99-Carl Edwards(X), 828 -147
    10) #42-Kyle Larson, 821 -154
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).
    (9-21-2014)

  • New Hampshire Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points:
    #42-Larson, finished 2nd, 20 rookie points
    #3-Dillon, 11th, 10
    #51-Allgaier, 20th, 9
    #23-Bowman, 28th, 8
    #7-Annett, 29th, 7
    #26-Whitt, 38th, 6
    #83-Truex, Did Not Race
    Kligerman, Did Not Race
    See the 2014 Rookie of the Year page for rules, standings and more.(9-21-2014)

  • NASCAR expected to release 2015 rules package this week: NASCAR is expected to release the 2015 Sprint Cup Series rules package to teams on Tuesday. Some of the changes mentioned around the garage were a two-inch reduction on the spoiler (from eight to six inches), a 125 horsepower decrease to the engines (just 50 more than what is currently used in the Nationwide Series with the use of tapered spacers) and different gear rules. At the test at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, NASCAR tried a variety of different aero packages in an effort to "provide fans with the best action-packed racing possible". The focus was twofold: Aerodynamics and power optimization to "reduce the rapid increase in spacing between cars and increase drafting at the end of the straightaway at many of our tracks". Drivers were looking for less downforce but NASCAR was initially pushing for high downforce. NASCAR never adjusted the engines at the Michigan test but that's expected to happen when teams run the Goodyear tire test next month at Auto Club Speedway. "We never did less downforce and less power, we just did less downforce and the same power," #17-Matt Kenseth said. "I think it was good to look at a lot of different things. I'm a firm believer is less downforce is going to be better as far as our ability to pass other race cars. Maybe it will separate the back of the field and the front of the field a little bit. And what I mean by that is maybe if a guy is not quite as good of a driver or makes a mistake he may not be able to catch your car as good - that type of thing. Maybe more cautions that aren't debris cautions, there might be more accidents, things like that which I don't necessarily think is a bad thing." Although last week's Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway offered scintillating moments - including Brad Keselowski splitting Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson to take the lead with 15 laps remaining in the race - passing has been an issue with the new Generation 6 cars. But Kenseth was "really encouraged" by the final exercise NASCAR offered and looks forward to its potential. "You didn't have that turbulent air so bad in traffic," Kenseth added. "You could roll around outside of people. It really opened the track up. It really widened the track out. Instead of being a one-groove track, it was, honestly, for being Michigan and just being repaved, it turned into at least three-groove track already just in that little 10, 20-lap run. I think everybody was encouraged by the results. I think a lot of people were really surprised by it. I don't think it's what they expected."(Motorsport)(9-21-2014)

  • Hornish could be intersted in #9 car: While [Sam Hornish's] competitive side yearns for a full-time NASCAR ride, he's also the married father of three and relishes his family time. Hornish has examined other possibilities and acknowledged that those have included the coming vacancy in Richard Petty Motorsports #9 car. But he said his next ride would have to be the right situation. He insists that he still has "a lot going on" between testing, public appearances and TV commentary on the IndyCar series. But until Hornish finds something that fits, he's happy learning things from a different perspective with JGR. "I can't tell you exactly what I want right now," said Hornish, who's trying to stay in shape as he considers his options. "The perfect thing is not available. I'd like to be full time next year; I want to put myself in a good place with good opportunities, good people around it. That was one of the great things about being able to come to Joe Gibbs Racing, just to see how things are run a little bit differently," Hornish said. "For me, while a lot of people might have taken things harder, I just enjoyed the fact of getting a little bit of a new outlook on life and what's going on around me."(Associated Press)(9-21-2014)

  • New Hampshire Notes & Facts - Sunday - race:
    " The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at New Hampshire was 38th, by Jeff Burton in 1999.
    " Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at New Hampshire in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with nine; followed by Roush Fenway Racing with seven.
    " Five different manufacturers have won at New Hampshire; led by Chevrolet with 18 victories; followed by Ford with 12 and Toyota with four.
    " There have been 39 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; one per year from 1993 through 1996 and two per year since.
    " 158 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; 123 in more than one.
    " Two drivers have competed in all 39 races at New Hampshire: Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon.
    " Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at New Hampshire with 1,371 laps led in 39 starts.
    " Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    " Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was the July 1, 2007 race won by Denny Hamlin over Jeff Gordon with a MOV of 0.068 second.
    " 17 of the 31 NSCS races scored by electronic scoring at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have had a Margin of Victory less than a second.
    " Three of the 39 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races have resulted with a green-white-checkered finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): 2006 (300/308), 2013 (301/302) and 2014 (301/302).
    " Four of the 38 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions; the most recent was June 28, 2009 - the race was called on Lap 273, 28 circuits shy of the 301 scheduled laps.
    (NASCAR)(9-21-2014)

  • Larson joins Green Flag Experience at Martinsville: Last fall Kyle Larson made his Martinsville Speedway debut. When the talented rookie returns this fall, he will be a part of the Green Flag Experience prior to the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 on Oct. 26. Larson, who is not only contending for Rookie of the Year honors, but also for wins week in and week out, will join Chase contenders Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr., along with Jamie McMurray and David Ragan for the question-and-answer portion of the Green Flag Experience. The Green Flag Experience also gives fans the chance to watch driver introductions from the track, along with a morning full of fun and excitement on the track and under the large tent in The Plaza, located on the hill behind the souvenir display area. In addition to the emceed question-and-answer sessions with each individual driver and driver introductions, the Green Flag Experience offers fans the opportunity to walk the frontstretch on race morning, enjoy music, games and prizes along with show cars and simulators, plus doughnuts, Danishes, coffee and juice. The cost of the Green Flag Experience is $30. The $30 charge for the Green Flag Experience does not include a ticket for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500.(Martinsville Speedway)(9-21-2014)


    News from September 20, 2014

  • Final practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #24-Gordon 135.357
    #2-Keselowski 135.256
    #4-Harvick 135.236
    #22-Logano 135.102
    #88-Earnhardt, Jr. 135.054
    slowest: #66-Wallace 129.949 & #77-Lajoie 129.261.
    notes: #77-Lajoie hit the wall in turn 4 and pancaked the side of the car. The team will repair it. #16-Biffle spun coming off turn 2 and slid into the grass, but did not hit anything. #14-Stewart spun off turn 4 as teh practice ended. He did not hit anything.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the New Hampshire Practice 3 speeds page (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • First Saturday practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #2-Keselowski 135.622
    #31-Newman 134.920
    #55-Vickers 134.916
    #4-Harvick 134.901
    #99-Edwards 134.853
    slowest: #32-Hill 130.158 & #66-Wallace 129.243.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the New Hampshire Practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #2-Keselowski chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #1-McMurray took pit stall 32, with an opening in front of it.
    #4-Harvick, who starts 3rd took the 29th pit stall, also with an opening in front of it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #99-Edwards, who starts 8th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-20-2014)

  • Crafton on standby for Bowyer: Matt Crafton is on standby this weekend for #15-Clint Bowyer, whose wife is expecting the couple's first child. Crafton, the points leader in the Camping World Truck Series, is in New Hampshire with that series.(Motor Racing Network)(9-20-2014)

  • NASCAR confiscated tires after Chicago: NASCAR confiscated tires from the #2-Brad Keselowski, #4-Kevin Harvick, #31-Ryan Newman and #78-Martin Truex Jr.- teams last week at Chicagoland Speedway. Although there was speculation that teams were attempting to bleed air from the tires to gain grip, Sprint Cup Series Richard Buck said it was "just for normal due diligence". The tires were taken to NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. "That's just part of expanding the R & D Center," Buck said. "We bring the stuff back, keep it under our custody like we do with all the parts that are there and keep them for further evaluation. It's just part of the process. Some were taken during the race, some after. It's just a nice sampling of what's out there." Buck would not confirm whether he found anything unusual with the tires, other than to say, "We're already here at New Hampshire." Generally any infractions stemming from improprieties would be announced prior to the next event.(Motorsport)(9-20-2014)

  • Teams showing support for Pollex at NHMS: NASCAR teams are showing their support for Sherry Pollex this weekend, as #78-Martin Truex Jr.'s longtime girlfriend continues her fight with ovarian cancer. A number of cars at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will feature a teal ribbon with Pollex's name. Teal is the official color of ovarian cancer awareness. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is also breaking out his teal racing gloves again. Junior wore a pair last week at Chicagoland Speedway that are currently up for auction on eBay. All proceeds will be donated to an ovarian cancer research charity of Pollex's choice.(FoxSports)(9-20-2014)

  • Broken exhaust valve put Almirola out at Chicago: In three seasons with Richard Petty Motorsports, Aric Almirola had never exited a race because of an engine failure-until last week at Chicagoland. The blown engine couldn't have come at a worse time. Almirola was running sixth, 30 laps away from making a statement in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Instead, he finished 41st and plummeted from potential Chase surprise to the longest of long shots to survive to first elimination round. The culprit? A broken exhaust valve. "It was the same thing that happened to the #22 (Joey Logano) at Kentucky and the same thing that happened to the 9 car (Marcos Ambrose) at Atlanta," Almirola told the NASCAR Wire Service. "They've had a couple issues already this year, and they thought they had it fixed. They changed the way the valves were designed and thought that it wasn't going be an issue any more, and I guess it was again."(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-20-2014)

  • New Hampshire Notes & Facts - Saturday - drivers:
    " Jeff Burton is the only driver to win the July race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway three consecutive years in a row (1997, '98 and '99).
    " 24 different drivers have won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, led by Jeff Burton with four.
    " Two drivers have posted consecutive wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2003 sweep) and Kurt Busch (2004 sweep).
    " Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are tied for the series lead in runner-up finishes at New Hampshire with five each.
    " Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-five finishes at New Hampshire with 16; followed by Tony Stewart with 14.
    " Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-10 finishes at New Hampshire with 22; followed by Tony Stewart with 18.
    " Ryan Newman leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at New Hampshire with an 8.680.
    " Denny Hamlin leads NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at New Hampshire with an 8.941.
    " All 15 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winners at New Hampshire Motor Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Ryan Newman and Joey Logano won at New Hampshire in their second appearance.
    " Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at New Hampshire without visiting Victory Lane at 30.
    " Two active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have made their first career start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Joe Nemechek (7/11/93), and Joey Logano (9/14/08).
    " Brad Keselowski (9/19/10) is the only active driver to post his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    " Four active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Joe Nemechek (9/19/99), Ryan Newman (9/15/02), Clint Bowyer (9/16/07) and Joey Logano (6/28/09).
    (NASCAR)(9-20-2014)

  • Brad Park to drive pace car at New Hampshire: A six-time runner up as the National Hockey League's top defenseman, Brad Park will trade his skates for driving shoes when he gets behind the wheel of the Official NASCAR 2014 Toyota Camry SE Pace Car, leading the field for the start of the SYLVANIA 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday. Playing in the same era as Bobby Orr, Park is considered one of the greatest defenseman to ever play the game, finishing behind the legendary #4 for the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman on six separate occasions. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in 1988 during his first year of eligibility and remains a household name among New England hockey fans. Park played more than 1,000 games in the National Hockey League, was a nine-time All-Star, and winner of the 1984 Masterson Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.(NHMS)(9-20-2014)

  • Miller Lite extends partnership with New Hampshire: With NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader Brad Keselowski on hand for the "toast", New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials announced that Miller Lite will continue its relationship with the Magic Mile, extending its successful partnership for another three years. The deal keeps Miller Lite on tap as the "Official Beer Sponsor of New Hampshire Motor Speedway" through the 2017 race season. The Lite Lobster Lounge is located directly across from the infield tunnel and is the perfect place for fans to relax before or after the on-track action throughout the weekend. It features live entertainment and the home of an occasional driver appearance. True to its name, the lounge features a variety of authentic lobster dishes, along with other sandwich and salad options for the non-lobster eaters. The lounge is open to all and promotes a family-friendly environment. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without products from its official sponsor, Miller Lite.(NHMS)(9-20-2014)

  • Gaughan wins Nationwide race at Kentucky: #62-Brendan Gaughan won the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway, for his second Nationwide career win. #2-Brian Scott finished second followed by pole sitter #3-Ty Dillon, #9Chase Elliott, #7-Regan Smith, #33-Cale Conley, #60-Chris Buescher, #22-Michael McDowell, #20-Justin Boston, and #80-Ross Chastain.
    There were 8 cautions for 35 laps and 9 lead changes among 6 leaders. Complete results are on the Kentucky race results page (pdf).
    (9-20-2014)

  • Kentucky Race Fast Facts:
    Brendan Gaughan won the 3rd Annual VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300, his second victory in 111 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his second victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in five races at Kentucky Speedway.
    Brian Scott (second) posted his second top-10 finish in eight races at Kentucky Speedway. It is his 17th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Ty Dillon (third) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Kentucky Speedway.
    Dillon (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Chase Elliott # leads the point standings by 20 points over Regan Smith.
    The top-3 finishers were all from Richard Childress Racing.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-20-2014)

  • Nationwide Driver standings following Kentucky [6 races remaining]:
    1) #9-Chase Elliott 992
    2) #7-Regan Smith, 972 -20
    3) #3-Ty Dillon, 954 -38
    4) #2-Brian Scott, 937 -55
    5) #11-Elliott Sadler, 931 -61
    6) #6-Trevor Bayne, 900 -92
    7) #60-Chris Buescher, 817 -175
    8) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 798 -194
    9) #16-Ryan Reed, 739 -253
    10) #99-James Buescher, 727 -265
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • Nationwide Owner Standings following Kentucky are posted (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • Dillon on Nationwide pole at Kentucky: #3-Ty Dillon won the Coors Light Pole for the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway with a speed of 175.690mph. #54-Sam Hornish, Jr. will start second followed by : #62-Brendan Gaughan, #33-Cale Conley, #2-Brian Scott, #60-Chris Buescher, #11-Elliott Sadler, #22-Michael McDowell, #9-Chase Elliott, and #7-Regan Smith.
    Fastest in the second round of qualifying was #54-Sam Hornish, Jr.
    #6-Trevor Bayne was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 173.879mph
    Did Not Qualify: #13-Carl Long. The starting lineup is posted on the Kentucky starting lineup page (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • Kentucky Nationwide Qualifying Notes:
    Ty Dillon won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 3rd Annual VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 with a lap of 30.736 seconds, 175.690 mph.
    This is his second pole in 39 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his second pole and 17th top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his first pole in two races at Kentucky Speedway.
    Sam Hornish Jr. (second) posted his seventh top-10 start of 2014 and his fifth in five races at Kentucky Speedway.
    Brendan Gaughan (third) posted his third top-10 start at Kentucky Speedway. It is his 10th in 27 races this season.
    Dillon was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-20-2014)

  • Custer makes history: Cole Custer's first stand as a NASCAR winner landed him in the stock car record book. Custer became the youngest winner in a NASCAR national series race at 16, taking the checkered flag at New Hampshire in his seventh career Truck Series start. Custer dominated early and pulled away late off the final restart Saturday to win at 16 years, 7 months, 28 days. He set a track record of 131.897 mph to win the pole and led 148 of the 175 laps for his fifth top-10 of the season. Last November in Phoenix, Erik Jones was the youngest winner in Truck Series history, winning at 17 years, 4 months. His stint in the record book was short-lived. Already in NASCAR competition, Custer has set records as the youngest winner in Pro Series history by scoring his first win at Iowa on Aug. 2, 2013, at 15 years, 6 months, 10 days. He followed that up this season by becoming the youngest pole winner in national touring series history at 16 years, 4 months, 22 days at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois. Custer is the son of the son of Stewart-Haas Racing executive vice president Joe Custer and was raised around the racetrack. He started racing when he was 5 and quickly rose through the ranks all the way to the Truck Series.(Associated Press)(9-20-2014)

  • Custer wins at New Hampshire: #00-Cole Custer won the UNOH 175 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, becoming the youngest race winner in series history. #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. finished second followed by: #88-Matt Crafton, ##98-Johnny Sauter, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #32-Cameron Hayley, #51-Erik Jones, #19-Tyler Reddick, #21-Joey Coulter, and #29-Ryan Blaney. There were 5 caution flags for 23 laps and 5 lead changes among 3 leaders.
    Custer started the race from the pole and led a race high 148 laps. New Hampshire provided Custer with his second pole and first win in just his seventh series start.
    Complete results are on the New Hampshire race results page (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • New Hampshire Race Fast Facts:
    Cole Custer won the 17th Running UNOH 175, his first victory in seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. Custer becomes the youngest driver in NASCAR national series history to win a race at the age - 16 years 7 months 28 days.
    This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his first victory and first top-10 finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (second) posted his first top-10 finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2014.
    Matt Crafton (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 12 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Tyler Reddick (eighth) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 7 points over Johnny Sauter.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(9-20-2013)

  • Driver standings following New Hampshire:
    1) #88-Matt Crafton, 602
    2) #98-Johnny Sauter, 595, -7
    3) #29-Ryan Blaney, 578, -24
    4) #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 567, -35
    5) #77-German Quiroga, 530, -72
    6) #21-Joey Coulter, 527, - 75
    7) #31-Ben Kennedy, 509, -93
    8) #17-Timothy Peters, 508, -94
    9) #13-Jeb Burton, 491, -111
    10) #30-Ron Hornaday, 460, -142
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • Owner Standings following New Hampshire are posted (pdf).(9-20-2014)

  • Custer on pole at New Hampshire: #00-Cole Custer won the 21 Means 21 pole award for the UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed of 131.897 mph. #32-Cameron Hayley will start second, followed by #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #29-Ryan Blaney, #9-Brennan Newberry, #19-Tyler Reddick, #51-Erik Jones, #17-Timothy Peters, #21-Joey Coulter, and #8-John Hunter Nemechek.
    #51-Erik Jones was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 131.243mph.
    See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(9-20-2014)

  • New Hampshire Qualifying Notes:
    Cole Custer won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the 17th Running UNOH 175 with a lap of 28.877 seconds, 131.897 mph - a new track record (Previous record was held by Kyle Busch 131715 mph, 9/24/2011)
    This is his second pole in seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his second pole and sixth top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his first pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Cameron Hayley (second) posted his second top-10 start of 2014 and his first at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (third) posted his first top-10 start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 11th in 16 races this season.
    Tyler Reddick (sixth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-20-2014)


    News from September 19, 2014

  • Keselowski wins New Hampshire pole: #2-Brad Keselowski won the Coors Light pole for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with TRACK RECORD speed of 140.598mph for his 5th pole of 2014, 3rd at New Hampshire and 8th of his career.
    #1-McMurray is on the outside pole, followed by #4-Harvick, #11-Hamlin, #18-Busch, #48-Johnson, #22-Logano, #99-Edwards, #31-Newman, #42-Larson, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., and #55-Vickers.
    Missing the race were: none, only 43 cars entered.
    See starting lineup, round-by-round qualifying results, qualifying order and more on the New Hampshire Starting Lineup / Qualifying Page.(9-19-2014)

  • Where the 2014 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers will start at New Hampshire:
    [listed by driver points position]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 1st
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon, 13th
    3) #22-Joey Logano, 7th
    4) #4-Kevin Harvick, 3rd
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 11th
    6) #11-Denny Hamlin, 4th
    7) #18-Kyle Busch, 5th
    8) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 6th
    9) #41-Kurt Busch, 15th
    10) #20-Matt Kenseth, 16th
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 17th
    12) #99-Carl Edwards, 8th
    13) #31-Ryan Newman, 9th
    14) #47-A.J. Allmendinger, 27th
    15) #16-Greg Biffle, 26th
    16) #43-Aric Almirola, 21st
    (9-19-2014)

  • Qualifying Fast Facts - New Hampshire:
    Brad Keselowski won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 18th Annual SYLVANIA 300 with a lap of 27.090 seconds, 140.598 mph (a new track record). Previous track record was held by Kyle Busch (138.130 mph, 7/13/2014).
    This is his eighth pole in 189 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his fifth pole and 22nd top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his third pole in 11 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Jamie McMurray (second) posted his 11th top-10 start of 2014 and his fifth in 24 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Kevin Harvick (third) posted his 11th top-10 start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 19th in 28 races this season.
    Kyle Larson (10th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    This is the 19th new track Qualifying record in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014.
    This is the eighth track Qualifying record for Ford in 2014.
    This is the fourth track Qualifying record for Brad Keselowski in 2014 - Phoenix, Dover, Kentucky and New Hampshire.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(9-19-2014)

  • Kvapil replaces Ryan Truex at New Hampshire: It's musical chairs at BK Racing this week with last minute seat changes to the driver roster. While Cole Whitt remains in the #26 Toyota with sponsorship from Rinnai and Alex Bowman continues his campaign in the #23 Dr. Pepper Toyota, Travis Kvapil will reprise his role in the #83 Burger King Toyota this weekend and Clay Rogers will fill the #93 Iowa City Capital Partners Toyota. The changes were made on Tuesday and leave Ryan Truex on the sidelines this weekend. The team elected not to discuss Truex' status. "I didn't have anything going on this weekend," Kvapil said. "We had talked about doing something with the 93. These are my guys here. I had been with them for the last two years and feel I had a hand in building this team. I don't know what the plans are beyond this weekend, but it's good to be back." Rogers, 34, was once a development driver for Roush Fenway Racing. Most recently attempted to qualify for New Hampshire in July and Richmond two weeks ago but failed to qualify.(Motorsport)(9-19-2013)

  • Friday practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over after 80 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #2-Keselowski 138.421
    #1-McMurray 137.890
    #88-Earnhardt, Jr. 137.825
    #5-Kahne 137.661
    #42-Logano 137.631
    slowest: #32-Hill 131.674 & #66-Wallace 130.604.
    notes: If qualifying (4:35pm/et today on FS1) were to be cancelled or rained out, this practice would set the starting lineup. However, there is no rain in the forecast.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the New Hampshire Practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-19-2014)

  • Rinnai sponsoring Whitt at New Hampshire: Cole Whitt will race the #26 Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters Toyota Camry team car at NASCAR's Osram Sylvania 300 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Rinnai, the number-one selling brand of tankless water heaters in North America, began a partnership in June with BK Racing and Cole Whitt, who has raced the Rinnai-sponsored car in several other races throughout the 2014 racing season. Whitt continues his push toward 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year as the #26 Rinnai Team heads to New Hampshire. Cole currently sits in 5th place in the 2014 NSCS ROY standings and is only one point out of 4th. After successful primary runs at Sonoma Raceway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, Rinnai completes their primary partnership with Whitt in New Hampshire this weekend. Rinnai will continue the partnership with Cole Whitt and serve as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.(BK Racing)(9-19-2014)

  • Qualifying Order for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #9-Ambrose.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #93-Rogers.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the New Hampshire Qualifying Page.(9-19-2014)

  • Bank may take possession of Rockingham Speedway: A Richmond County Superior Court judge will hear a motion next week which, if granted, will allow The Finley Group - a managing agent for Farmers and Merchants Bank - to "take immediate and exclusive custody" of Rockingham Speedway. The Salisbury, N.C.-based bank is also seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the track's current co-owners Andy Hillenburg and Bill Silas from accessing the property located on U.S. 1 in Richmond County. The bank claims Rockingham Racing Park LLC, co-owned by Hillenburg and Silas, owes more then $4.5 million as of Aug. 8. The motion is set to be heard at 2:00pm Sept. 25.(Charlotte Observer)(9-19-2014)

  • U.S. Chrome sponsoring Hill at New Hampshire: U.S. Chrome Corporation, the world-wide leader in innovative surface engineering, announced its sponsorship of Timmy Hill and the #32 in NASCAR's Sprint Cup event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2014. "At U.S. Chrome, we have two passions," said Bob Reath, owner and CEO of U.S. Chrome Corporation. "Developing superior-performing, environmentally-friendly coatings - and racing. We are excited to have Timmy back in the 32 car with U.S. Chrome." Reath and Stoddard have a longstanding relationship that began nearly 25 years ago. In 1988, U.S. Chrome partnered with Dana Patten to run five Sprint Cup races. Based out of a two-stall garage in Enfield, N.H., the team made its racing debut at Michigan International Speedway with Frank Stoddard as the lead wrench and chassis specialist.(Go Green Racing)(9-18-2014)

  • 13 winners in last 13 races at New Hampshire: Thirteen different drivers have taken the checkered flag in the last 13 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway - tied with Texas Motor Speedway for the all-time record streak without a repeat winner. And there's a better than average chance the Magic Mile takes sole possession of the record after this Sunday's Sylvania 300 as Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers #24-Jeff Gordon, #4-Kevin Harvick and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. are all missing from the 13-in-13 stretch. Gordon owns three victories at New Hampshire, but has not won there since 1998. Harvick has one win at New Hampshire, but he notched it eight years ago. In his last two races at the track, he has finished 30th and 20th, respectively. After posting three wins, his highest total since he racked up six in 2004, Earnhardt will try to automatically advance to the Chase's Contender Round with a New Hampshire checkered flag. In 30 starts at Loudon, he has seven top fives and 13 tops 10s to his credit, but has never finished higher than third.(NASCAR)(9-19-2014)

  • WeMo featured on McMurray's Chevy at NHMS: The #1 Chevy SS driven by Jamie McMurray will sport the vibrant green colors from WeMo this weekend at NHMS. WeMo is a growing family of innovative, easy-to-use products that use mobile internet to control your home electronics, power, water, and Wi-Fi right from your smartphone or tablet. WeMo also works with IFTTT, connecting your home electronics to a whole world of online applications.(Chip Ganassi Racing), see an image of the car on the #1 team paint schemes page.(9-19-2014)

  • New Hampshire Clinch Scenarios: Though unlikely, drivers can mathematically clinch a spot in The Contenders Round without a win this weekend. If a Chase driver other than #2-Brad Keselowski wins, anyone who has at least a 45-point lead on the 10th highest winless Chase driver would advance to the next round. If a non-Chase driver or Keselowski wins, the potential clinching driver needs to lead the 11th highest winless Chase driver by at least 45 pts. Conversely, for a driver to be in a must-win situation at Dover, they would have to be 45 points or more behind the 9th ranked winless driver if there's a Chase winner that's not Keselowski; or 45 points or more behind the 10th ranked driver if there's a non-Chase winner or Keselowski.(NASCAR)(9-19-2014)

  • New Hampshire Notes & Facts - Friday - poles:
    " Mark Martin won the inaugural Coors Light pole at New Hampshire in 1993 with a speed of 126.871 mph.
    " 18 drivers have Coors Light poles at New Hampshire, led by Ryan Newman with seven.
    " Five drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at New Hampshire: Ken Schrader (1997 sweep); Jeff Gordon (1998-1999); Rusty Wallace (1999-2000); Ryan Newman (twice - 2003-2004 and 2011 sweep); Juan Pablo Montoya (2009-2010).
    " Five of the 39 (12.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at New Hampshire have been won from the Coors Light pole; the most recent was Ryan Newman in 2011.
    " The Coors Light pole is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (five) than any other starting position at New Hampshire.
    " Eight of the 39 (20.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at New Hampshire have been won from the front row: eight from the pole and seven from second-place.
    " 21 of the 39 (53.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    " Nine of the 39 (23.0%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at New Hampshire have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    " Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway four times: 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2009.
    (NASCAR)(9-19-2014)

  • Sad News - Earl Ross: Earl Ross, the only Canadian driver to ever win a race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, died Thursday in Canada. He was 73. Ross made 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts during his career, running 21 of 30 races during the 1974 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. He scored his only series victory on Sept. 29, 1974 at Martinsville Speedway, leading the final 79 laps and beating Buddy Baker by a full lap to score the victory. He also won the 1974 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Award. Ross was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2011. (National Speed Sport News)
    NASCAR Statement: "NASCAR extends its condolences to the family and friends of Earl Ross, a true racer whose considerable on-track success helped grow the sport internationally. Ross was the first Canadian driver to win a race in what is today known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and he did it at one of NASCAR's most historic tracks for one of NASCAR's most historic owners. His 1974 win at Martinsville for Junior Johnson helped lay the foundation for the sport's tremendous growth in Canada, and beyond."(9-19-2014)

  • Conley fastest in Nationwide happy hour: #33-Cale Conley was quickest during happy hour for the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 with a speed of 175.404mph. He was followed by: #6-Trevor Bayne, #2-Brian Scott, #54-Sam Hornish, Jr. #60-Chris Buescher, #3-Ty Dillon, #22-Michael McDowell, #9-Chase Elliott, #62-Brendan Gaughan, and #11-Elliott Sadler. All 41 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Kentucky practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-19-2014)

  • Chris Buescher fastest in first Nationwide practice: #60-Chris Buescher was fastest during opening practice at Kentucky Speedway with a speed of 174.701mph. #2-Brian Scott was second, followed by: #62-Brendan Gaughan, #3-Ty Dillon, #54-Sam Hornish, Jr., #33-Cale Conley, #16-Ryan Reed, #9-Chase Elliott, #11-Elliott Sadler, and #6-Trevor Bayne. 38 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Kentucky practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-19-2014)

  • Jeffrey Earnhardt partners with Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer: The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer will make its 2nd NASCAR Nationwide Race debut on September 28th AAA 200 at Dover International Speedway courtesy of businessman Ken Adams and longtime Austin Hatcher Foundation supporter Gary Ennis, CEO of Southern Delaware Classic Cars. Adams and Ennis teamed with Nationwide Series rookie Jeffrey Earnhardt to brand the #4 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevy Camaro with the Foundation's logo. The two businessmen teamed up on behalf of the Austin Hatcher Foundation to raise money and awareness in support of the foundation's mission to erase the effects that pediatric cancer presents to patients and their families. Race fans were invited to participate in the race with Earnhardt by visiting www.hatcherfoundation.org/JeffreyEarnhardt to make donations that support the foundation's three service lines.(Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer)(9-19-2014)

  • Kentucky Speedway's Grand Marshal and Honorary Starter Announced: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Mayor John Rhodes is the NNS VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway Grand Marshal. Rhodes also is the executive director of the Beach Ball Classic and in his third term as mayor. The Honorary Starter for NNS event is Director of Marketing for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Susan Phillips. She also oversees VisitMyrtleBeach.com and is the community and organizational stakeholder's liaison. Fans visiting the speedway throughout the weekend will be able to test their surfing skills on a mechanical surfboard, view a sand sculpture, car show and more before some the most talented driver's race on the roughest track in NASCAR.(Kentucky Speedway)(9-19-2014)

  • Custer fastest in final Truck practice: #00-Cole Custer was quickest during happy hour for the UNOH 175 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed of 133.226 mph. He was followed by #29-Ryan Blaney, #51-Erik Jones, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #19-Tyler Reddick, #21-Joey Coulter, #32-Cameron Hayley, #17-Timothy Peters, #88-Matt Crafton, and #31-Ben Kennedy. 26 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the New Hampshire practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-19-2014)

  • Crafton fastest in second Truck practice: #88-Matt Crafton was fastest during the second practice for the UNOH 175 with a speed of 132.347 mph. He was followed by #32-Cameron Hayley, #20-Gray Gaulding, #21-Joey Coulter, #17-Timothy Peters, #00-Cole Custer, #29-Ryan Blaney, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #51-Erik Jones, and #9-Brennan Newberry. 26 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the New Hampshire practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-19-2014)

  • Jones fastest in Truck practice: #51-Erik Jones was fastest during the first practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed of 131.925mph. #88-Matt Crafton was second, followed by #00-Cole Custer, #21-Joey Coulter, #29-Ryan Blaney, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #98-Johnny Sauter, #17-Timothy Peters, #77-German Quiroga, and #32-Cameron Hayley. 27 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the New Hampshire practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-19-2014)

  • Heffner making asphalt debut in Loudon: MB Motorsports returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first time since 2006. Making his NHMS debut will be dirt track veteran J.R. Heffner, who will be behind the wheel of the #63 ACS / Park East Sales / Snap On Tools / Upstate Utilities Chevy. Heffner, a native of Kinderhook, NY, has been named Mr. DIRT Track USA three times. The UNOH 175, however, will mark his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on asphalt. "We ran The MudSummer Classic at Eldora back in July and to be able to run on dirt in NASCAR was really neat experience." says Heffner. "But, now I get my first chance to race on a paved NASCAR track- at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which is my 'home' track. That's very special and something I will never forget."(MB Motorsports)(9-19-2014)


    News from September 18, 2014

  • Feed the Children and Golden Corral partner with Tommy Baldwin at New Hampshire: Feed the Children, one of the world's leading anti-hunger organizations, has joined forces with Golden Corral and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race team Tommy Baldwin Racing for the upcoming race this Sunday, Sept. 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "The Feed the Children program is near and dear to my heart," said Tommy Baldwin, owner of TBR. "They've come to my hometown of Long Island, and they've done great things for individuals all over the world. We're proud to go to New Hampshire Motor Speedway and raise awareness for such a worthy cause." Feed the Children and Golden Corral will both adorn the #7 Chevy SS driven by Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Annett. "Hunger affects children all over the world and even in our own communities," said Kevin Hagan, President and CEO of Feed the Children. "Feed the Children is proud to have a long partnership with the NASCAR community and thankful to include Tommy Baldwin in that partnership, especially during this weekend's race. Tommy Baldwin Racing and Golden Corral are not just helping us feed children, they're giving kids hope and the opportunity to just be kids."(TBR), see an image of the car on the #7 team paint schemes page.(9-18-2014)

  • Gibbs says crew chief changes coming: Joe Gibbs said he expects to announce multiple changes to the team's driver-crew chief lineup within about two weeks. "We've already decided," Gibbs said Wednesday of the moves, "but we need to talk to the sponsors and have quite a few discussions yet with people." Gibbs said the changes would be for next season. "We're kind of crew chief driven here," Gibbs said. "We spent a lot of time talking to all of our crew chiefs and making sure that we had the right lineup. The other key people you have to have involved in that, it always starts with the drivers. The drivers have strong feelings on who they feel like they can match up with. "That driver has got to believe in that crew chief, and that crew chief has got to believe in that driver. If you look at that over the years, that's a very hard thing to keep together. It is complicated. I think we've talked our way through all that. We've had a lot of intense meetings." The moves come with Carl Edwards joining the organization next year in a fourth car. That will require the team to find a crew chief for him. Kyle Busch has been with crew chief Dave Rogers since 2010 - the longest tenure among JGR's Sprint Cup teams. They've made the Chase four of their five seasons together, placing fourth last year. Frustration has mounted with the team, culminating with a radio exchange last month at Bristol where Rogers told Busch to "park it behind the truck and take your whiny little ass to the bus." Hamlin is in his third season with Darian Grubb. They've made the Chase twice. Hamlin's injuries caused him to miss it last year. Grubb returned last week after serving a six-week suspension when NASCAR discovered infractions with Hamlin's third-place car at Indianapolis. Hamlin is sixth in the points. Matt Kenseth, 10th in the points, is in his second year with Jason Ratcliff. They've made the Chase both years, finishing second last season after winning series-high seven races. Kenseth made the Chase this year despite not winning a race.(MRN) (9-18-2014)

  • Tommy Baldwin Jr. and Steve Park form American Muscle Driving Experience: Two of the most successful motorsports professionals to come out of the northeast have blended their wealth of knowledge to develop the most unique driving experience anywhere in the country. New York natives, Tommy Baldwin, Jr. and Steve Park, announce the creation of The American Muscle Driving Experience. Headquartered at the famed Thompson (CT) Speedway Motorsports Park and Golf Club, the program offers three customizable skill levels to advance through utilizing everything from high-performance American muscle cars to authentic race-ready professional stock cars. The program utilizes professional motorsport vehicle data acquisition systems to minimize the learning curve, allowing participants to advance their skills quicker than any other driving school. The program's custom data acquisition systems record driver inputs such as throttle, steering, and braking; along with other vehicle parameters such as engine RPM, vehicle speed, and accelerations. GPS and video-overlay technology is also used to map out racing lines and to make comparisons to our professional instructors. The American Muscle Driving Experience will also host several of the top racing drivers in the country. Participants will not only get to meet and ask questions to these special guest instructors, they will also get to see comparisons of driving data to the professional driver in the same vehicle and can even go for a ride-a-long experience at full racing speeds. Look for the American Muscle Car Driving Experience on Reed Sorenson's Sprint Cup Series #36 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend and at Dover International Speedway on September 28th.(140 BUZZ)(9-18-2014)

  • Gordon will be only driver to compete in all New Hampshire races: With Jeff Burton not scheduled to participate in the NHMS event, #24-Jeff Gordon will become the only driver to compete in all 40 Sprint Cup races at the New Hampshire track provided he takes the green flag Sunday.(Hendrick Motorsports)(9-18-2014)

  • Hall of Fame attendance declines: Attendance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame dipped slightly in the past year to 169,724, down from 176,838 visitors in the previous year. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority said the decline was due to the previous year's attendance being inflated by larger-than-normal crowds for the Democratic National Convention two years ago. The tourism authority, which manages the taxpayer-funded hall, said the DNC attracted about 7,100 visitors in September 2012, which is the same level of decline in attendance from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014. Attractions like the hall often see declines in attendance in their first three years, as the newness of a museum or exhibit wears off. The CRVA said it believes the hall's attendance has stabilized. The hall, which opened in May 2010, was projected to attract about 400,000 visitors a year. It drew 272,000 visitors in its first year. The CRVA has not yet released a financial statement for the hall's most recent fiscal year, which ended in June. The hall has lost money in each of its first three years. Operating deficits are covered by hospitality taxes, such as a hotel/motel room tax, that fund the CRVA. The CRVA said the 2013-2014 audit will be released next month.(Charlotts Observer)(9-18-2014)

  • New Hampshire Notes & Facts - Thursday - track history:
    " Groundbreaking for New Hampshire International Speedway, as New Hampshire Motor Speedway was originally named, was Aug. 13, 1989.
    " The 1.058-mile oval is located on approximately 1,200 acres; the multi-use complex is the largest sports facility in New England.
    " The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on July 11, 1993 - won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace.
    " Speedway Motorsports, Inc. agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from Bob and Gary Bahre on January 11, 2008 and then renamed the track New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    (NASCAR)(9-18-2014)

  • Goodyear Tire Notes for New Hampshire: NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series teams will run the same tire codes at New Hampshire this weekend . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams have run at New Hampshire since 2012 . . . this is the first time Camping World Truck teams have run this tire set-up . . . this is the only track at which either of these two tire codes will be run in 2014 . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at New Hampshire.(Goodyear), see full tire notes, tire codes, pressures, set limits on the New Hampshire Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on the New Hampshire Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Billy Boat Motorsports to run trucks, Mingus to drive UPDATE: Billy Boat Motorsports announced on its Twitter page that the team would run the remainder of the Camping World Truck Series schedule beginning in Las Vegas with driver Mason Mingus. Mingus will pilot the #15 Call 811 Before You Dig Chevy Silverado. Mingus, a rookie in 2014, enters New Hampshire 11th in the driver point standings with his current WinTron Racing team. (See an image of the truck on the #15 Team Paint Schemes page).(9-18-2014)
    UPDATE: Billy Boat Motorsports today announced it will field a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry with 19-year-old driver Mason Mingus beginning next weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Brentwood, Tennessee native will complete the remaining six-race schedule in the #15 Call 811 Before You Dig Chevy Silverado with BBM, a team that currently runs part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with rookie Chad Boat. "My goal has always been to run multiple cars or trucks and multiple drivers out of our shop," said team owner Billy Boat. "We have been building the foundation of our team, hiring talented people and building quality race cars and trucks. Having raced against Mason last year in the ARCA Racing Series, I was very familiar with his talent and determination. I hope to use these six races as a springboard into 2015, with Billy Boat Motorsports running full time entries in the NCWTS."(Billy Boat Motorsports)(9-18-2014)

  • Mountain Ridge Little League All-Stars to serve as grand marshals in Vegas: The Mountain Ridge Little League All-Stars captured the hearts of Southern Nevadans last month during their historic appearance in the Little League World Series. Now they will hold the attention of the starting field for the Rhino Linings 350 NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race on Sept. 27 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The players from the first team from Nevada to advance to the Little League World Series will give the command for the drivers to start their engines when they serve as grand marshals for the Rhino Linings 350. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is making tickets to the Rhino Linings 350 available to all 24 Little Leagues throughout the Valley as to way to help honor Little League Baseball. Little Leaguers and their parents who are interested in attending the race are encouraged to contact their league representative.(LVMS)(9-18-2014)


    News from September 17, 2014

  • Annett gets new sponsor: Cypress Associates, and its groundbreaking wellness policy CypressHQ, will join NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Michael Annett and the #7 Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) team, signing a multi-year primary sponsorship agreement beginning with the race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 28. CypressHQ is the first fully insured wellness indemnity policy. Unlike any program before it, this innovative new product attacks America's healthcare epidemic while remaining compliant with HIPAA guidelines. Its unique structure utilizes available tax savings to completely offset the costs of providing employers with a suite of benefits that match or exceed anything offered by a traditional indemnity plan. It uses a combination of incentives, personal coaching and a game-based online platform to help employees take charge of their wellbeing. Cypress joins current Annett partners Pilot Flying J and Accell Construction at TBR.(Tommy Baldwin Racing), see an image of the car on the #7 team paint schemes page.(9-17-2014)

  • Petty committed to two cars in 2015: At the start of 2014, Richard Petty Motorsports announced a three-year extension and investment increase by Smithfield Foods on the #43 Ford team. The previous year RPM welcomed new partners Strike 10 Entertainment and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to join Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force and longtime partner STP. The result was the RPM #43 team winning for the first time since 1999 and sending Aric Almirola into The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Today, the organization with a championship history, winning present and proven marketing programs, announced it will use the same aggressive business and growth model to support the #9 Ford team in 2015 and beyond in a series of announcements. RPM will continue to be a two-car NASCAR Sprint Cup organization and will compete weekly with the #9 and #43 teams. The organization will also return current manufacturer partner Ford Racing and subsequently will continue its services contract with Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates Engines to supply new Ford Fusion chassis and Ford horsepower for both teams. Twisted Tea Brewing Company will continue their primary sponsorship of the #9 team in 2015 as the RPM marketing and new business team continues various discussions with several companies.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(9-17-2014)

  • Stanley, DeWalt join Joe Gibbs Racing: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that it has entered partnership with world-leading tool and security provider STANLEY and professional power tool provider DEWALT beginning in the 2015 season. STANLEY and DEWALT will serve as primary sponsors for drivers Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth, respectively. STANLEY will partner with JGR as the primary sponsor for 12 races on the #19 Toyota driven by Carl Edwards beginning in 2015, while DEWALT will serve as the primary sponsor for six races on the #20 Toyota driven by Matt Kenseth. In addition, STANLEY will have associate branding on the #18 Toyota throughout the 2015 season, as well as on both the #19 and #20 Toyotas when not already serving as the primary sponsor. Other Stanley Black & Decker brands, including Mac Tools, BLACK+DECKER, and more, will continue to be a part of the NASCAR program with JGR.(Joe Gibbs Racing), see images of the cars on the #19 team paint scheme and #20 team paint scheme page.(9-17-2014)

  • Waltrip survives first round of Dancing with the Stars: Michael Waltrip and his partner Emma Slater made it past the first round of the multi-award-winning series Dancing with the Stars Tuesday night. Waltrip and Slater danced the Cha-Cha on Monday's show. The pair earned a score of 25 from the judges. That paired with votes from fans was enough to advance the duo to the next round which airs Monday, Sept. 22 at 8:00pm/et on ABC. One couple will be eliminated on a live results show, Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 8:00pm/et on ABC.(MWR)(9-17-2014)

  • Corey LaJoie to make Cup debut at New Hampshire: Corey Lajoie will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Randy Humphrey Racing. LaJoie's debut will come less than a week before his 23rd birthday. It marks the first time in a Cup car for the son of two-time Nationwide champions Randy LaJoie. With 43 cars entered at New Hampshire, Corey LaJoie is guaranteed a starting spot. LaJoie is a development driver for Richard Petty Motorsports but the team has not found sponsorship to run him. LaJoie has run one Nationwide race this season, placing 21st at Kentucky, and twice in the Camping World Truck Series, finishing 15th at Kentucky and 10th at Bristol. LaJoie is unsure of his plans beyond this week. If things go well, he could be in line for rides with Randy Humphrey Racing at Kansas, Charlotte and Texas. He's also looking for possible Nationwide rides at Kansas and Charlotte. "It does seem like some things are opening up," LaJoie said of other rides. "Maybe this RHR deal will grow up to something bigger. If I get a good solid run ... and bring it home in one piece who knows what will happen."(Motor Racing Network)(9-17-2017)

  • NASCAR, Front Row to honor Wendell Scott at Martinsville: NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Martinsville Speedway announced they will honor 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Wendell Scott, the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR premier series event, with a series of tributes during the Martinsville race weekend from Oct. 24-26. Front Row Motorsports will pay homage to Scott, also the first African-American driver to race full-time in NASCAR's premier series, with a full throwback paint scheme on its #34 Ford driven by David Ragan, reminiscent of the blue #34 that he drove to Victory Lane for his first NASCAR premier series victory at Jacksonville Speedway on Dec. 1, 1963. Ragan is one of just three drivers to win in the #34, and the first since Scott. In addition, Kyle Busch Motorsports will change the number of Darrell Wallace Jr.'s truck from 54 to 34 in honor of Scott. A NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate, Wallace became the first African-American to win a NASCAR national series race since Scott's historic 1963 triumph when he captured the checkered flag in last season's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville. Adding to the celebration, Martinsville Speedway and the NHOF will host members of the Scott family during the race weekend and offer special Q&A opportunities for fans on-site.
    NASCAR currently awards scholarships in Scott's name through the United Negro College Fund, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. The Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award is awarded to a diverse or female driver in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series who has demonstrated significant contributions on and off the track. In addition, NASCAR has designated the first race weekend in March as a time to remember Wendell Scott's legacy during a week that marks his first career start. Cars in all series run a decal in honor of his accomplishments within the sport. (NASCAR), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(9-17-2014)

  • Truex, Jr. wins Second Quarter NMPA Spirit Award: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. has been selected as the second quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association's Spirit Award. Truex Jr. and longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex were honored for their fifth annual Catwalk for a Cause charity event held in May. Money raised through the popular event supports the Martin Truex Jr. Specials Needs Fund at the Levin Children's Hospital, which assists patients and families of children being treated for cancer. Also receiving votes for the second quarter were Sonoma Raceway and Furniture Row Racing. Lynda Petty, wife of seven-time NASCAR premier series champion Richard Petty, was the first-quarter recipient. The NMPA Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are chosen, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership.(NMPA)(9-17-2014)

  • Harvick to "Designate a Driver" at NHMS: Kevin Harvick's #4 Budweiser Chevy SS will feature a special "Designate a Driver" paint scheme this weekend at NHMS in support of Anheuser-Busch's worldwide effort to promote the responsible enjoyment of the company's beers with "Global Be(er) Responsible Day" on Friday, September 19. As part of the program, Anheuser-Busch employees and wholesalers across the United States will go out into the trade to spread Budweiser's message in every bottle - "Designate a driver and enjoy the great times" - to adults. This year marks the fifth anniversary of Global Be(er) Responsible Day., see an image of the car on the #4 team paint schemes page.(9-17-2014)

  • Clean Harbors sponsoring Gilliland: David Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 Clean Harbors Ford, comments on racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: "We're excited to have Clean Harbors on our No. 38 Ford for the first time. They're based nearby in Boston so this will be a home race for them. Their Safety-Kleen Company has provided services to Front Row Motorsports for nine years and they've been a NASCAR service partner for over 20 years, so they're certainly no stranger to our team or to the sport."(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #38 team paint schemes page.(9-17-2014)

  • Race week returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway with plenty of activities: From a tax-free New Hampshire State Lottery giveaway to a country rock concert to skydiving flag bearers to a stunt comedian to more than 600 laps of racing, the Magic Mile has it all when it comes to on- and off-track entertainment. The weekend features the most diverse and exciting three days of racing on the NASCAR schedule. It includes four major races, featuring three different NASCAR series and the regionally-popular American-Canadian Tour. To compliment all the on-track action, speedway officials have added to the off-track entertainment experience for fans attending the largest sporting event in New England. Here's a sample the "must see" action:
    " Million Dollar Giveaway: One lucky fan will walk out of New Hampshire Motor Speedway $1,000,000 richer. A total of 11 finalists were selected from a preliminary drawing held earlier this summer from non-winning NH State Lottery $20 Tax Free Million scratch tickets that were mailed into Lottery Headquarters. The 11 finalists will be on stage prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SYLVANIA 300 on Sept. 21. There will be 11 prize envelopes to choose from, including eight (8) winners of $5,000, two (2) winners of $10,000, and one (1) winner of tax free $1,000,000.
    " It's going to be a 'Helluva' show: With favorites like "Sunshine & Whiskey" and "Helluva Life," there's no doubt that country music sensation Frankie Ballard will have the fans in a frenzy for the SYLVANIA 300 - the second race in the Challenger Round of the Chase for Sprint Cup - on Sept. 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Frankie Ballard Band will perform for free on the frontstretch stage at 12:10pm.
    " Laugh until it hurts: Stunt comedian "Wacky Chad!" brings his zany antics to the Magic Mile frontstretch. Wearing his trademark orange, Wacky Chad will reach neck-straining heights on his tall unicycle and defy gravity on an air-powered pogo stick. "Wacky Chad!" will also entertain in the Display Lot over the weekend.
    " What an entrance!: Team Fastrax Skydiving Team, featuring veterans of the U.S. military, will deliver the American flag prior to the start of the SYLVANIA 300, while a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps, will provide the fan-favorite flyover following the national anthem.
    " Zip-a-dee-doo-dah: After a very successful run in July, guests of New Hampshire Motor Speedway will have an opportunity to zip-line on property. The inclined cable, which involves a suspended harness and pulley system, will be available for adventure goers and thrill-seekers behind the F.W. Webb Bath House all weekend long.
    (NHMS)(9-17-2014)

  • Speedway Children's Charities Hosting Fundraising Events at Kentucky: The Kentucky Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) will be busy during Kentucky Speedway's upcoming September race weekend. The non-profit organization is planning three fundraisers for when the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series visit Kentucky on September 19 and 20, respectively. Leading up to the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300, SCC will host Laps for Charity, a Putt-Putt Challenge, and Miss Motor Speedway's "Princess '4' a Day" and "Toy '4' a Boy." Laps for Charity kicks off the charity's fundraising events on Thursday, September 18 at 5:30pm. Fans have the opportunity to drive five laps around Kentucky Speedway in their personal, street-legal vehicles for a $40 donation to SCC. They will also be able to celebrate the occasion with a photo in Victory Lane. At the SCC Putt-Putt Challenge on Friday and Saturday, fans will have three attempts to sink their putt to win four grandstand tickets and four fan zone passes to Kentucky Speedway's Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts on July 11, 2015. In addition, all participants will receive an SCC water bottle. The Putt-Putt Challenge will be located near Gate 15 in the Display Area at Kentucky Speedway. Finally, SCC is teaming up with Miss Motor Speedway to bring "Princess '4' a Day" and "Toy '4' a Boy" back to Kentucky Speedway, also on Friday and Saturday. For a small donation, children will have the opportunity to receive the royal treatment from a Miss Motor Speedway Titleholder. Girls will receive a princess makeover, crown, and jewelry. Boys will receive a toy car or truck.(SCC)(9-17-2014)

  • Josh Berry driving for JR Motorsports at Homestead: JR Motorsports champion late model driver Josh Berry, who made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut last month, will get his second opportunity behind the wheel of the #5 Chevy at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 15. JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller made the announcement on her Dirty Mo Radio podcast, Fast Lane Family presented by Charlie's Soap, on Wednesday. Ragu will be featured as the primary sponsor on Berry's car. America's leading pasta sauce brand since 1937, Ragu has been a partner with JR Motorsports since 2011. Regan Smith raced the #7 Ragu Chevy to victory at Daytona International Speedway earlier this year, giving JR Motorsports its first win in the season-opening event.(JR Motorsports)(9-17-2014)

  • Country Bob's Sauces & Seasonings sponsoring Scott at Texas: Country Bob's, an all-purpose sauces and seasonings company, will serve as the primary sponsor for Brian Scott and Richard Childress Racing's #2 Chevy team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway on November 1. In a partnership with Kroger, Country Bob's joins RCR for their first venture as a primary sponsor. In a promotion that started on Labor Day, September 1 and runs through the first week of December, fans who purchase Country Bob's sauces and seasonings at one of the nearly 200 Kroger stores in Texas will enjoy great sale prices. In addition to the sale prices on Country Bob's Sauces and Seasonings at Kroger stores, customers can enter a drawing to win the grand prize, two-minute Kroger shopping spree experience with RCR driver Scott. The grand-prize winner will also enjoy a VIP race experience and a Primo Oval 400 XL grill. The contest runs from now through October 6.(RCR), see an image of the car on the #2 team paint schemes page.(9-17-2014)

  • Boston to run two races for Gibbs: Justin Boston will make his first career NASCAR Nationwide Series start in Saturday night's VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Boston will make two starts in the #20 Zloop Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing; he is also slated to start the following week at Dover International Speedway. The twenty-five year old native from Baltimore, Maryland is currently in his sophomore season piloting the #25 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Racing Series. Boston was awarded Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 and has collected two wins so far this season at Toledo Speedway and Madison International Speedway respectively. Boston now has his sights set on the NASCAR Nationwide Series behind the wheel of the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry. Boston has one ARCA start at Kentucky with Venturini Motorsports, collecting a top-ten finish (8th) in just his first outing at the circuit.(JGR)(9-17-2014)

  • Mountain Ridge Little League All-Stars to serve as grand marshals in Vegas: The Mountain Ridge Little League All-Stars captured the hearts of Southern Nevadans last month during their historic appearance in the Little League World Series. Now they will hold the attention of the starting field for the Rhino Linings 350 NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race on Sept. 27 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The players from the first team from Nevada to advance to the Little League World Series will give the command for the drivers to start their engines when they serve as grand marshals for the Rhino Linings 350. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is making tickets to the Rhino Linings 350 available to all 24 Little Leagues throughout the Valley as to way to help honor Little League Baseball. Little Leaguers and their parents who are interested in attending the race are encouraged to contact their league representative.(LVMS)(9-17-2014)

  • Dillon truck fails post race at Chicagoland UPDATE: The #20 NTS Motorsports Chevy driven by Austin Dillon at Chicagoland Speedway "was found too low in the front," in post race inspection according to NASCAR's Truck Series Twitter page. Dillon led 28 laps and finished third on Saturday night.(9-14-2014)
    UPDATE: The #20 team that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has been penalized for a rules infraction that occurred during post-race inspection Sept. 13 at Chicagoland Speedway. The infraction is a P2 level penalty and violates sections:
    - 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing;
    - 20B-12.8: Truck failed to meet post-race body height/ground clearance requirements of the 2014 NASCAR rule book.
    Since crew chief Chris Rice was currently under probation through the end of the year from a P3 level penalty that occurred during a NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 15, the applicable Recurrence Multiplier as outlined in the rule book can be used when assessing the severity of this penalty. As a result Rice has been fined $7,500 and suspended from NASCAR through Sept. 24. His NASCAR probation remains intact through Dec. 31.Bob Newberry, owner of the #20 truck, has been penalized with the loss of 10 series championship owner points.(NASCAR)(9-17-2014)

  • Tim Viens to drive two races for Harmon: Mike Harmon Racing is pleased to announce that we have signed Tim Viens from Daytona Beach, Florida for a two-race deal in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Viens will make his truck debut in the #74 on November 7th at Phoenix International Raceway, and on November 14th at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Viens has had 9 starts this year in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Sponsorship for the #74 will come from Viens own company, racedaysponsor.com(Mike Harmon Racing)(9-17-2014)


    News from September 16, 2014

  • Stewart, Ward investigation complete; UPDATE Grand Jury: Statement from Ontario Co. Sheriff's Office. Investigation complete:
    "The Ontario County Office of Sheriff has completed its investigation into the death of Kevin A. Ward, Jr., which occurred August 9, 2014, at the Canandaigua, New York, Motorsports Park. The entire thorough investigation, including a forensic video enhancement recently received from the New York State Police Laboratory in Albany, has been submitted to the Office of the Ontario County District for review. The District Attorney's Office, which has been meeting throughout the investigative process with members of the Sheriff's Office, will make a statement late next week advising what action will be taken regarding the investigation.
    Philip C. Povero, Sheriff ,Ontario County, New York(9-11-2014)
    UPDATE: Official Statement from Ontario Co. NY District Attorney, "Over the past several weeks I have reviewed with members of the Ontario County Sheriff's Department their investigation, as it progressed, in the Tony Stewart matter. Recently that office concluded its work and forwarded the complete case file to me. Upon my review of all of the information contained in the entire investigation, I have made the determination that it would be appropriate to submit the evidence to a grand jury, for their determination as to what action should be taken in this matter. Accordingly, the evidence developed in the investigation will be presented to an Ontario County grand jury in the near future. As grand jury proceedings in New York State are strictly confidential by law, I am unable to state when the matter will be scheduled, other than to state that I intend to present the matter in the near future. Similarly, because of the confidential nature of these proceedings, I cannot state who will be called as witnesses, or what any witness's expected testimony will be. When the presentation has been completed and a determination has been made, I will advise the public and the media at that time of the results. Michael Tantillo, Ontario County District Attorney
    Tony Stewart Statement: "I respect the time and effort spent by both the Ontario County District Attorney and the Sheriff's Office in investigating this tragic accident. I look forward to this process being completed, and I will continue to provide my full cooperation."
    NASCAR Statement "We are aware of the completed investigation and the announced next steps. First, our thoughts continue to be with all who have been impacted by this tragedy. We will monitor this process and stay in close contact with Stewart-Haas Racing. It would be inappropriate for NASCAR to comment on this case so we will continue to respect the process and authorities involved."
    Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed that Tony Stewart will race this weekend at New Hampshire.(9-16-2014)

  • Chicago TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the opening race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 14, earned a 2.3 U.S. household rating, averaging 3,711,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. Last year's race was rain-delayed and earned a 1.7 rating, averaging 2,689,000 viewers. Greensboro, N.C., led the nation's metered markets with a 7.9 rating, with Greenville, S.C., second at 7.2 and Birmingham, Ala., third at 6.2. Indianapolis was fourth at 6.0 and Norfolk, Va., fifth at 5.1. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Raleigh-Durham, N.C., 4.9; Charlotte, N.C., 4.7; Knoxville, Tenn., 4.5; Nashville, Tenn., 4.4; and tied for 10th were Tampa-St. Petersburg and Orlando, Fla., 4.3. ESPN2's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 13, earned a 0.8 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,241,000 viewers. The rating and viewership were down from last year's race, which earned a 0.9 rating and averaged 1,289,185 viewers.(ESPN), See past races for 2014 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(9-16-2014)

  • The Motorsports Group moving to Cup in 2015: The Motorsports Group [Nationwide teams #40 & #46 owned by Curtis Key] announced that it will participate in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting with Daytona in 2015. The #30 Chevy SS is seeking a driver, crew and sponsorship opportunities.(TMG) The team is not afflilated with Brandon Davis or Swan Racing and is not planning to run any races this year. They plan a full season of racing and not a "start and park" effort. They will build their own engines. Plans for Nationwide teams next season have not been determined.(9-16-2014)

  • FanVision merges with PrePlay: FanVision, the in-venue technology and content provider used at professional sporting events across the world, announced a merger with PrePlay Inc., a developer of mobile games in sports entertainment. FanVision is operated by RSE Ventures, the firm co-founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross and Dolphins Vice-Chairman Matt Higgins. Among other services, FanVision currently offers live video and real-time statistics on a dedicated handheld device in venues worldwide. FanVision is used at NASCAR races and professional golf events around the world. PrePlay also develops live mobile games that enable fans to predict events in real time. Clients include MLB.com, the NHL, and the US Open Tennis Tournament. The merger will allow FanVision to augment its current product with additional mobile applications to bring its content to additional fans. The new company will operate under the FanVision name, with current PrePlay CEO Andrew Daines serving as CEO. Current partners and fans will see no change or interruption in services from either FanVision or PrePlay.(PR)(9-16-2014)

  • Chicago Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 2:02 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:10 PM (all times are EST). ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 117
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 53
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 9
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 55
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 33
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 35 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:02 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:10 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 188
    Minutes of race broadcast: 157
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 31
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 25
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1 safety truck and driver shown; but not debris
    Total race brdcst time 157 Total comm. brdcst time 31
    See past races, links to full reports & sponsor links on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(9-16-2014)

  • Some NASCAR Numbers:
    109: The number of green-flag passes made by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin in Sunday's MyAFibStory.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, tied for most in the first Chase race. Busch rallied from a lap down to finish eighth after a pit road spin and commitment violation. Hamlin started 24th and finished sixth after a late-race charge.
    5: The number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories recorded this season by Brad Keselowski, the top seed in the Chase. Keselowski won the final regular-season race at Richmond and doubled up on Sunday at Chicagoland. No other driver in the series has more than three victories thus far.
    138: The number of laps led by Brad Keselowski in a dominating NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July. The Magic Mile is host to next Sunday's second race in the Chase, and Keselowski goes there as a favorite to extend his current winning streak to three races.
    17: The finishing position of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Even though Stenhouse and girlfriend Danica Patrick collided with 10 laps left, Stenhouse finished ahead of Roush Fenway Racing's Chase drivers, Carl Edwards (20th) and Greg Biffle (23rd).
    3: The number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories at New Hampshire Motor Speedway recorded by Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart, tied for most among full-time active drivers. Jeff Burton has a track-record four wins at the Magic Mile.(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-16-2014)

  • Top 10 Driver Ratings at New Hampshire:
    #14-Tony Stewart 110.0
    #24-Jeff Gordon 107.7
    #11-Denny Hamlin 103.6
    #48-Jimmie Johnson 102.1
    #42-Kyle Larson 99.1
    #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 97.3
    #15-Clint Bowyer 95.9
    #18-Kyle Busch 94.7
    #2-Brad Keselowski 93.8
    #5Kasey Kahne 92.6
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (19 total) among active drivers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Win, Finish, Top-15 Finish, Average Running Position while on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
    See an explanation how the Driver Rating is calculated at NASCAR.com.(NASCAR)

  • McDowell in the #22 at Kentucky: Michael McDowell will make his first start in the #22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang this weekend at Kentucky. McDowell will be the fifth different driver this year to pilot the Mustang for the 22 team. Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Alex Tagliani have all made at least one start for the team this season.(Team Penske)(9-16-2014)

  • Nationwide Entry List: There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway. A few notes:
    Austin Theriault will drive the #5 for JR Motorsports;
    Justin Boston will drove the #20 for JGR;
    Michael McDowell is in the #22 for Team Penseke;
    Chase Pistone returns to the #31;
    Sam Hornish will drive the #54 for Gibbs;
    The #74 is TBA.(9-15-2014)
    See the complete list on the Kentucky entry list page.

  • Centershot Ministries sponsoring Koch at Kentucky: TriStar Motorsports announced that Centershot Ministries will serve as the primary sponsor of the #44 Camry at Kentucky Speedway with Blake Koch behind the wheel. Centershot Ministries is an interdenominational outreach ministry that uses archery as a tool to assist local church's to reach their community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Centershot ministry meets weekly for eight weeks and each meeting combines both shooting archery and Bible study. Mathews, Inc will serve as an associate sponsor on Koch's Toyota Camry during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race weekend in Kentucky. Mathews, Inc. currently operates three local facilities to a diverse line of archery equipment, bow components and accessories for authorized retailers all over the world.(TriStar Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #44 team paint schemes page.(9-16-2014)

  • Wallace to run number 34 in honor of Scott at Martinsville: NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Martinsville Speedway announced today they will honor 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Wendell Scott, the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR premier series event, with a series of tributes during the Martinsville race weekend from Oct. 24-26. Kyle Busch Motorsports will change the number of Darrell Wallace Jr.'s truck from 54 to 34 in honor of Scott. A NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate, Wallace became the first African-American to win a NASCAR national series race since Scott's historic 1963 triumph when he captured the checkered flag in last season's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville.(NASCAR)(9-16-2014)

  • Rheem announces revamped sponsorship plans UPDATE 2: Rheem announced today that the company will participate as a primary sponsor in two of the remaining 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. Rheem will fulfill contractual commitments previously made with Chicagoland Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway where Rheem had reserved hospitality, catering and large ticket blocks for Rheem customer groups. Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a longtime partner of Rheem, agreed to assist Rheem by providing competitive equipment sourced from NTS Motorsports, an experienced crew chief, Chris Rice, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon to Rheem for these events, even though RCR does not currently participate in the Camping World Truck Series. Dillon will drive the #20 truck painted in the classic red and black Rheem design."We found ourselves in a unique situation and our friends at RCR stepped in to help. We are now able keep our commitments to both tracks as well as to the many Rheem contractors who were invited to be our guests and had been planning for months to attend these exciting races. We are grateful to Richard Childress for his unwavering support and to Bob Newberry for NTS's valuable assistance," said Ed Raniszeski, managing director, Rheem Motorsports. These quick actions were in response to the sudden shuttering two weeks ago of the #30 Turner Scott Motorsports #30 truck team sponsored by Rheem. As a result, Rheem was left scrambling for a solution and four-time champion driver, Ron Hornaday was left without a ride. Hornaday remains in limbo, but Rheem continues to look for avenues to allow Hornaday to return to truck competition before the 2014 season concludes.(Rheem)(9-11-2014)
    UPDATE: Rheem announced today the sponsorship of Ron Hornaday for two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in 2014. Rheem will be the primary sponsor for the four-time NASCAR champion for the Sept. 27 race in Las Vegas and Oct. 31 race in Texas. Rheem has been working to find the best available truck equipment, crew and technical expertise in an effort to return Hornaday to the truck series before the end of the 2014 season. Rheem had sponsored Hornaday prior to the recent shutdown of the #30 Turner Scott Motorsports team. Hornaday's return has been made possible through a cooperative effort between Rheem and NTS Motorsports, who will supply Chevy Silverado trucks and crew for the races, along with technical support provided by Richard Childress Racing. "Rheem is pleased to play a part in bringing Ron Hornaday back to where he belongs -- that is, racing trucks to win and bringing excitement and enjoyment to Camping World Truck Series fans. None of this would have been possible without the solid support of NTS Motorsports and RCR. We all welcome Ron back and can't wait to see him back in the saddle," said Ed Raniszeski, managing director, Rheem Motorsports.(Rheem)(9-13-2014)
    UPDATE 2: NTS Motorsports welcomes Ron Hornaday, Jr. back, after it was announced this past weekend that Rheem Manufacturing Company will sponsor the four-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion in two races with the team. The #9 Chevy Silverado will carry the classic red and black Rheem paint scheme for the September 27th race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and at Texas Motor Speedway on October 31st. Hornaday's return has been made possible through a cooperative effort between Rheem and NTS Motorsports, who will supply the Chevy Silverado trucks and crew for the races, along with technical support provided by Richard Childress Racing.(NTS Motorsports)(9-16-2014)


    News from September 15, 2014

  • Entry List for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #32-Timmy Hill, #33-David Stremme, #66-Joe Nemechek, #77-Corey Lajoie, #93-Travis Kvapil.
    Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's New Hampshire Entry List

  • Tires stolen from Chicago garage: One week it's a fan on the fence, the next week tires are stolen in the garage. Just who is policing the paddock? On Saturday night tires were lifted from the #55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota and the #83 BK Racing Toyota teams prior to Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway. The tires from Brian Vickers car were later discovered dumped in another area in the garage, the team told Motorsport.com. However, the scuff and rim from Ryan Truex's car was never recovered according to team owner Ron Devine. Tires cost roughly $500 each.(Motorsport)(9-15-2014)

  • Logano's engine blows at finish line: The freak occurrence that made Joey Logano's #22 Team Penske Ford lightning fast at the end of Sunday's race was the same thing that made his engine explode. Fortunately for Logano, the engine waited to detonate until after he had crossed the finish line in fourth place. A windshield tear-off adhered to the grille of Logano's car after a restart with six laps left and stayed there. With the airflow to the radiator completely cut off, Logano ran what were essentially qualifying laps through the finish. The downside was that he pushed all the water out of the cooling system and sent the temperatures skyrocketing. But Logano still had enough speed at the end to pass Kevin Harvick for fourth on the final lap. As he approached the finish line, white smoke began to billow from the engine. "We hit a piece of debris with about five to go," Logano said. "I say 'piece,' but it was huge. I think it was a tear-off, and we got really hot, but the car started handling really good when it was on there, and we got another spot because of it. We blew up going into Turn 3 and just had a big smoke screen behind me, but I was able to get it across."(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-15-2014)

  • Almirola comments on blown engine:
    CAN YOU PUT INTO WORDS YOUR FEELINGS RIGHT NOW? "No, I can't. Heartbroken I think is the easiest way to describe it. I am really proud of my guys. We have nothing to hang our heads about. They brought me an awesome race car. We drove from 23rd up to the top-10, running sixth with just over 30 to go and it just wasn't meant to be. We will regroup and go to Loudon and Dover and try to be spectacular.'
    WHAT HAPPENED? "I think the motor just let go. My hat goes off to Trent Owens and all the guys on the Eckrich team. Our Fusion was really fast and it just wasn't meant to be today. The motor let go. Doug Yates builds awesome horsepower for us every week and we rarely have any engine issues at all. It happened but we had a lot of horsepower while it lasted."
    YOU WERE RUNNING REALLY WELL. "We were and I knew this team was capable of that. We were coming off top-10s at Richmond and Atlanta and had momentum on our side. We know what we are capable of. We know we are capable of running in the top-10. Everyone else might not think so, the rest of the world thinks we are underdogs and we will gladly accept that tag but what we've shown today and the last two weeks is exactly what we are capable of. We don't have anything to hang our heads about. We will go to Loudon with our heads held high and try to rebound from this."
    HOW DOES YOUR APPROACH CHANGE NOW? "We have to win. That is it. There is no other option. We have to go and figure out how we can win one of the next two races."(Ford Racing)(9-15-2014)

  • Truck entry list: There are 30 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A few notes:
    Cole Custer in the #00;
    John Hunter Nemechek in the #8;
    Gray Gaulding is in the #20;
    Cameron Hayley in the #32;
    Erik Jones in the #51;
    The #74 is TBA;
    Brandon Brown is in the #86;
    (9-15-2014)
    See the complete list on the New Hampshire entry list page.


    News from September 14, 2014

  • Ambrose returning to Australia next year UPDATES: Richard Petty Motorsports announced the #9 team will move forward with a new driver in 2015. Marcos Ambrose, who has been with RPM since 2011, has informed the organization that he will return to his native home of Australia in 2015. This was a personal decision by Ambrose. At this time RPM is currently evaluating several driver opportunities to help drive the #9 team forward and will make a future announcement at the appropriate time. Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, is thankful for Ambrose and his dedication to the team. "Marcos will always be a part of our extended racing family," said Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. "He came over to the United States with his family and dedicated his time here to giving it the best he had each week. I couldn't ask anything more from Marcos and his commitment on and off of the track to our race team and our partners. Away from the track, he's a family person first. That's something I respect and we'll miss Marcos, Sonja and their children." Ambrose will depart the team as one of the most successful drivers to ever race under the Petty banner. His NASCAR legacy will be cemented as one of the greatest to ever wheel a stock car on road courses, specifically the course at Watkins Glen International where he has six NASCAR wins.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(9-13-2014)
    UPDATE: Ambrose talked to the media Saturday morning after the announcement:
    "First of all I need to thank everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports, it has been a great four years together. It has been incredible to drive for the King and Stanley DeWalt and Ford Racing and everybody. The time is just right for me to stop. I feel like the timing is right for myself and my family to return to Australia and that is what we are going to do.
    WHAT WENT INTO THIS DECISION? "There has been a lot of conjecture through the years but I just want to get my kids home to enjoy the Australian lifestyle as well so they can make a good choice when they grow up. This is really a racing choice for me and I feel like the time is right for me to stop in the US and personally I think it is a great time to move back home to Australia with my family."
    HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR NASCAR CAREER? "It has been fantastic. I never thought I would achieve what I have at the Sprint Cup level. I have survived here for years and I have had some wins but not enough and I feel like I was up against it early on from my background. I came from a country that doesn't have any asphalt oval racing at all and so I feel like I have achieved a lot and am really satisfied."
    ANY COMMENT ON YOUR FUTURE PLANS? IT IS RUMORED YOU MIGHT BE JOINING A PENSKE OWNED TEAM. "Today is not the day to talk about anything about my racing future. I feel like personally this is the right choice for myself and my family to call it a day here in the US and move on to our next chapter."
    DO YOU SEE YOURSELF COMING BACK TO DRIVE ROAD RACES? "I haven't really thought about that. This decision was made some time ago and RPM felt like today was a good day to announce it but I had spoken to RPM about this before the summer."(Ford Racing)(9-13-2014)
    UPDATE 2: Following the announcement that Ambrose would return to Australia next season and speculation that he would drive Australian Super-V8 cars for Team Penske, Tim Cindric of Penske tweeted, "We plan to have a teleconference on Monday at 9pm EST to give an update and address the media. No further comments. Focused on the Chase now." The late teleconference time is 10:00am Tuesday morning in Sydney, Australia.(9-14-2014)
    UPDATE 3: Team Penske announced that it will form a partnership with one of the most successful motorsport teams in Australia to compete in the popular V8 Supercars Championship, beginning in 2015. Working with Dick Johnson Racing (DJR), the longest-established motor racing team in Australia, Team Penske plans to race next season in the ultra-competitive touring car series that features events contested at Australia's top motorsport venues. DJR Team Penske will compete with Ford Falcons in the 2015 V8 Supercars Championship with a true hero of Australian motorsports behind the wheel. Marcos Ambrose will return to the Series where he drew international acclaim to race the iconic #17 Ford for DJR Team Penske. Ambrose is a two-time V8 Supercars champion; winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. He transitioned to a winning career in NASCAR where he has earned seven wins and eight pole positions while competing in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series over the past nine seasons.(Team Penske)(9-13-2014)

  • Keselowski wins at Chicago: #2-Brad Keselowski won the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway for his 5th win of the season, 2nd at Chicago and 15th career win. He took the lead with 16 laps to go when he passed #4-Harvick and #42-Larson who had been battling the lead. His win automatically moves him into the second round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
    #24-Gordon finished 2nd followed by #42-Larson, #22-Logano, #4-Harvick, #11-Hamlin, polesitter #18-Busch, #41-Busch, #1-McMurray, and #20 Kenseth.
    8 Chase drivers finished in the top 10 and 12 of them in the top 15. The worst finish by a Chase driver was #43-Almirola. He finished 40th after losing an engine while running in 6th place with 36 laps to go.
    There were 18 lead changes among 7 drivers. There were 6 cautions for 28 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 142.330mph.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Penalty Report (pdf) and Lap Summary Report (pdf).
    (9-14-2014)

  • Where did the 16 Chase Drivers finish at Chicago?
    [by points standings before the race (start pos)]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 1st (25)
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon, 2nd (8)
    3) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 11th (13)
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 12th (7)
    5) #22-Joey Logano, 4th (28)
    6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 5th (12)
    7) #99-Carl Edwards, 20th (3)
    8) #18-Kyle Busch, 7th (1)
    9) #11-Denny Hamlin, 6th (24)
    10) #41-Kurt Busch, 8th (14)
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 13th (19)
    12) #43-Aric Almirola, 41st (23) engine
    13) #47-A.J. Allmendinger, 22nd (17)
    14) #20-Matt Kenseth, 10th (5)
    15) #16-Greg Biffle, 23rd (20)
    16) #31-Ryan Newman, 15th (2)
    (9-14-2014)

  • Race Fast Facts - Chicago:
    Brad Keselowski won the 14th Annual MyAFibStory.com 400, his 15th victory in 188 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his fifth victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his second victory and fourth top-10 finish in six races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Jeff Gordon (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 14 races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Kyle Larson (third) posted his first top-10 finish in one races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Kyle Larson (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Brad Keselowski leads the point standings by 7 points over Jeff Gordon.
    (NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-14-2014)

  • 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Standings:
    [after Chicago, race 27 of 36]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 2059 points Will advance to next Chase round
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon [3 wins] 2052, -7
    3) #22-Joey Logano [3 wins] 2049, -10
    4) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins] 2047, -12
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [3 wins] 2042, -17
    6) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win] 2041, -18
    7) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win] 2041, -18
    8) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 2041, -18
    9) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win] 2039, -20
    8) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2034, -25
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne [1 win] 2034, -25
    12) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins] 2030, -29
    Bottom 4 drivers will be eliminated from the Chase after Dover:
    13) #31-Ryan Newman, 2029, -30
    14) #47-A.J. Allmendinger [1 win] 2025, -34
    15) #16-Greg Biffle, 2021, -38
    16) #43-Aric Almirola [1 win] 2007, -52
    (ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc)
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).
    .(9-14-2014)

  • 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings (not the Chase):
    [after Chicago, race 27 of 36]
    1) #24-Jeff Gordon(X)957
    2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) 916, -41
    3) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) 877, -80
    4) #22-Joey Logano(X) 869, -88
    5) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) 834, -123
    6) #20-Matt Kenseth(X) 831, -126
    7) #4-Kevin Harvick(X) 829, -128
    8) #31-Ryan Newman(X) 811, -146
    9) #99-Carl Edwards(X) 801, -156
    10) #42-Kyle Larson 779, -178
    (X) = in the Chase.
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).
    .(9-14-2014)

  • Chicago Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points:
    #42-Larson, finished 3rd, 18 rookie points
    #3-Dillon, 16th, 9
    #51-Allgaier, 27th, 8
    #26-Whitt, 30th, 7
    #23-Bowman, 35th, 6
    #7-Annett, 40th, 5
    #83-Truex, 42nd, 4
    Kligerman, Did Not Race
    See the 2014 Rookie of the Year page for rules, standings and more.(9-14-2014)

  • Ragan a favorite to replace Ambrose? With Ambrose's departure, David Ragan has emerged as one of the top candidates for the #9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford. While the driver of the #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford is content where he is, at his age he would entertain offers to improve his position. "If Richard Petty had interest in me driving the car, I would certainly talk to them some," Ragan told Motorsport.com on Saturday. "As a 28-year-old, I want to be around the sport for a long time and feel like I have a lot of good years in front of me. I'm very grateful for the opportunity that Bob Jenkins and Front Row Motorsports have given me. I've had a lot of fun and won a race. But you never know what the future might hold. About this time every year, you look at your options in other series or with other teams and other sponsors to go and race and I'd love to have the opportunity to talk to them for a little bit. But I'm sure there are a lot of drivers in that same situation." Ragan is already established as a Ford racer - and a Ford car dealer as well. He also has a past history with the current crew chief of the #9 Ford, Drew Blickensderfer from his time with Roush Fenway Racing, where Ragan won his first Cup race and two poles in his final season with the team. Sponsorship remains a question for the #9 Ford for next season. Stanley/DeWalt is expected to join Joe Gibbs Racing next year with a split plan of support between Carl Edwards on the #19 (Stanley) and Matt Kenseth (DeWalt) on the #20 Toyota.(Motorsport)(9-14-2014)

  • Chicago Notes & Facts - Sunday - race:
    · There have been 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Chicagoland Speedway, one race per season since the first event in 2001.
    · 108 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway; 84 in more than one.
    · Only one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race has resulted with a green-white-checkered finish at Chicagoland Speedway (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): 7/9/2006 (267/270).
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway was the July 12, 2008 race won by Kevin Harvick over Jimmie Johnson with a MOV of 0.159 second. It is the 75th closest finish scored by electronic scoring in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
    · Nine out of the 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Chicagoland Speedway have had a Margin of Victory less than a second.
    · None of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Chicagoland Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions.
    · Joe Gibbs Racing has the most wins at Chicago in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with four: Tony Stewart (two), Kyle Busch (one) and Matt Kenseth (one). Richard Childress Racing, Penske Racing and Hendrick Motorsports each have two.
    · Three different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Chicago; led by Chevrolet with eight victories; followed by Toyota with three and Dodge with two each. Ford has yet to win at Chicago.
    · The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Chicago is 32nd, by Kevin Harvick in 2002.
    (NASCAR)(9-14-2014)

  • Dillon truck fails post race at Chicagoland: The #20 NTS Motorsports Chevy driven by Austin Dillon at Chicagoland Speedway "was found too low in the front," in post race inspection according to NASCAR's Truck Series Twitter page. Dillon led 28 laps and finished third on Saturday night.(9-14-2014)

  • Chuck Liddell to drive pace car at Phoenix: Former UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell will lead the field to the green flag behind the wheel of the Official Toyota Pace Car at the start of the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov 9. Liddell's appearance was the result of a partnership between PIR and Niner Sports & Entertainment. As the official pace car driver for the semifinal race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the 44-year old mixed martial artist will take an honorary lap around the one-mile oval. Regarded as one of the greatest light heavyweights in the history of professional mixed martial arts, Liddell quickly gained recognition as an elite fighter, rising to become the light-heavyweight champion of the world, and inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009. Now as a husband, father, and superstar, Liddell is able to inspire others through his recent autobiography titled "Iceman: My Fighting Life," published in 2008, as well as traveling all over the world for public speaking engagements and promotional events. In addition to his duties behind the wheel, Liddell will make a promotional appearance at PIR prior to the race on Sunday, Nov 9. Tickets for the Quicken Loans Race of Heroes 500 on Nov. 9 start at just $25. For tickets and information, visit PhoenixRaceway.com or call 866-408-RACE (7223).(PIR)(9-14-2014)


    News from September 13, 2014

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #18-Busch chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #31-Newman took pit stall 8, the first pit stall with an opening in front of it.
    #99-Edwards, who starts 3rd took the 43rd and final pit stall.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-13-2014)

  • Final practice for the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #99-Edwards 186.413
    #2-Keselowski 186.335
    #42-Larson 185.918
    #48-Johnson 185.835
    #10-Patrick 185.618
    slowest: #33-Kvapil 178.879 & #32-Gase 176.742.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Chicago Final Practice speeds page (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • First Saturday practice for the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #27-Menard 188.772
    #5-Kahne 187.780
    #4-Harvick 187.709
    #24-Gordon 187.624
    #99-Edwards 187.370
    slowest: #66-Nemechek 178.353 & #32-Gase 174.053.
    notes: #42-Larson hit the wall early and the team will have to go to a backup car.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Chicago Practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • Ambrose returning to Australia next year UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports announced the #9 team will move forward with a new driver in 2015. Marcos Ambrose, who has been with RPM since 2011, has informed the organization that he will return to his native home of Australia in 2015. This was a personal decision by Ambrose. At this time RPM is currently evaluating several driver opportunities to help drive the #9 team forward and will make a future announcement at the appropriate time. Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, is thankful for Ambrose and his dedication to the team. "Marcos will always be a part of our extended racing family," said Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. "He came over to the United States with his family and dedicated his time here to giving it the best he had each week. I couldn't ask anything more from Marcos and his commitment on and off of the track to our race team and our partners. Away from the track, he's a family person first. That's something I respect and we'll miss Marcos, Sonja and their children." Ambrose will depart the team as one of the most successful drivers to ever race under the Petty banner. His NASCAR legacy will be cemented as one of the greatest to ever wheel a stock car on road courses, specifically the course at Watkins Glen International where he has six NASCAR wins.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(9-13-2014)
    UPDATE: Ambrose talked to the media Saturday morning after the announcement:
    "First of all I need to thank everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports, it has been a great four years together. It has been incredible to drive for the King and Stanley DeWalt and Ford Racing and everybody. The time is just right for me to stop. I feel like the timing is right for myself and my family to return to Australia and that is what we are going to do.
    WHAT WENT INTO THIS DECISION? "There has been a lot of conjecture through the years but I just want to get my kids home to enjoy the Australian lifestyle as well so they can make a good choice when they grow up. This is really a racing choice for me and I feel like the time is right for me to stop in the US and personally I think it is a great time to move back home to Australia with my family."
    HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR NASCAR CAREER? "It has been fantastic. I never thought I would achieve what I have at the Sprint Cup level. I have survived here for years and I have had some wins but not enough and I feel like I was up against it early on from my background. I came from a country that doesn't have any asphalt oval racing at all and so I feel like I have achieved a lot and am really satisfied."
    ANY COMMENT ON YOUR FUTURE PLANS? IT IS RUMORED YOU MIGHT BE JOINING A PENSKE OWNED TEAM. "Today is not the day to talk about anything about my racing future. I feel like personally this is the right choice for myself and my family to call it a day here in the US and move on to our next chapter."
    DO YOU SEE YOURSELF COMING BACK TO DRIVE ROAD RACES? "I haven't really thought about that. This decision was made some time ago and RPM felt like today was a good day to announce it but I had spoken to RPM about this before the summer."(Ford Racing)(9-13-2014)

  • Darian Grubb returns to the track: Darian Gubbb, crew chief for #11-Denny Hamlin, returned to the track Friday at Chicagoland Speedway after serving a 6 week suspension handed down by NASCAR following the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He met with the media at Chicago and discussed the penalty and plans for next year:
    Do you know what happened in Indy that took you away from the race track for six races?
    "The same parts that have been in there, it was actually new parts that week on our car. It was a nut plate that is used as an aircraft fastener and it didn't have enough torque on it and backed off and came loose. It's something that we've taken out of the cars and have never seen again and never seen before. It's a 27 cent part that came loose, wasn't torqued correctly."
    Was it intentional or a gray area?
    "No, not a gray area, not anything intentional. There's not any real performance gain there. Everybody in the garage uses those same covers and they came loose the week they shouldn't have."
    Did anything become clearer over the last six weeks? [In regards to plans for next year]:
    "No, we're still working on a lot of things and concentrating on winning a championship for Joe Gibbs Racing in the FedEx Toyota right now."(Toyota PR)(9-13-2014)

  • Chicago Notes & Facts - Saturday - drivers:
    · Eight drivers have competed in all 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Chicagoland Speedway; four of which are Chase Contenders: Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick.
    · 10 different NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have won at Chicagoland Speedway, led by Tony Stewart with three; followed by Kevin Harvick with two (first two series events at speedway).
    · Six Chase Contenders are former winners at Chicagoland Speedway: Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads the series in runner-up finishes at Chicago with three; followed by Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth with two each.
    · Kevin Harvick (2001, 2002) is the only driver to post consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Chicagoland Speedway
    · Kyle Busch swept the weekend at Chicagoland Speedway winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2008.
    · Tony Stewart leads the series in top-five finishes at Chicago with eight; followed by Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick with seven each and Jeff Gordon with six.
    · Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart lead the series in top-10 finishes at Chicago with 10 each; followed by Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Ryan Newman with eight each.
    · Tony Stewart leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at 8.500.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Chicago with 537 laps led in 12 starts.
    · Seven of the eight active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Chicagoland Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Kevin Harvick won at Chicago in his first two appearances (2001, 2002). Ryan Newman won in his second appearance (2003).
    · Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth lead the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Chicago without visiting Victory Lane at 13.
    · Two active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have posted their first career start at Chicagoland Speedway: Justin Allgaier (09/15/2013) and Josh Wise (9/19/2011).
    · Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has competed at Chicagoland Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series; Shawna Robinson attempted to in 2001 but failed to qualify for the event.
    (NASCAR)(9-13-2014)

  • Harvick wins Nationwide race at Chicago: #5-Kevin Harvick won the Jimmy John's Freaky Fast 300 at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 4th Nationwide win of the season. #42-Kyle Larson finished second followed by #54-Kyle Busch, #22-Ryan Blaney, #6-Trevor Bayne, #11-Elliott Sadler, #3-Ty Dillon, #7-Regan Smith, polesitter #2-Brian Scott, and points leader #9-Chase Elliott.
    There were 6 cautions for 35 laps and 15 lead changes among 7 leaders.
    Complete results are on the Chicago race results page (pdf).
    (9-13-2014)

  • Chicago Nationwide Race Fast Facts:
    Kevin Harvick(i) won the 14th Annual Jimmy John's Freaky Fast 300 Powered by Coca-Cola, his 44th victory in 314 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his fourth victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his third victory and seventh top-10 finish in 11 races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Kyle Larson(i) (second) posted his second top-10 finish in four races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Kyle Busch(i) (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 11 races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Ty Dillon (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Chase Elliott # leads the point standings by 18 points over Regan Smith.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-13-2014)

  • Driver standings following Chicago [race 26 of 33]:
    1) #9-Chase Elliott # 951
    2) #7-Regan Smith 933, -18
    3) #3-Ty Dillon # 911, -40
    4) #11-Elliott Sadler 900, -51
    5) #2-Brian Scott 895, -56
    6) #6-Trevor Bayne 871, -80
    7) #60-Chris Buescher # 780, -171
    8) #62-Brendan Gaughan 751, -200
    9) #60-Ryan Reed # 706, -245
    10) #99-James Buescher 697, -254
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • Nationwide Owner Standings following Chicago are posted (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • Brian Scott on Nationwide pole at Chicago: #2-Brian Scott won the Coors Light Pole for the Jimmy John's Freaky Fast 300 at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed of 181.409mph. #22-Ryan Blaney will start second followed by: #54-Kyle Busch, #9-Chase Elliott, #42-Kyle Larson, #33-Paul Menard, #60-Chris Buescher, #3-Ty Dillon, #5-Kevin Harvick, #98-Aric Almirola, #7-Regan Smith, and #31-Dylan Kwasniewski.
    Fastest in the second round of qualifying was #54-Kyle Busch at 181.464mph.
    #22-Ryan Blaney was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 179.784mph
    Did Not Qualify: #13-Carl Long, #74-Mike Harmon, #89-Morgan Shepherd, #72-John Jackson.
    The starting lineup is posted on the Chicago starting lineup page (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • Chicago Nationwide Qualifying Notes:
    Brian Scott won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 14th Annual Jimmy John's Freaky Fast 300 Powered by Coca-Cola with a lap of 29.767 seconds, 181.409 mph.
    This is his fifth pole in 168 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his third pole and 23rd top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his third pole in nine races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Ryan Blaney(i) (second) posted his 10th top-10 start of 2014 and his second in two races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Kyle Busch(i) (third) posted his 10th top-10 start at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 18th in 20 races this season.
    Chase Elliott (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-13-2014)

  • Maine businesses to sponsor Theriault at Kentucky: Alongside logos for nationally known brands like Hertz Rent-a-Car and Toyota, emblems for the state of Maine and several of its local companies will be seen zipping around a Kentucky racetrack this month at 185 mph. NASCAR driver Austin Theriault on Friday morning unveiled a Maine-branded car the Fort Kent native will drive during a nationally televised Nationwide Series race at the Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 20. The vehicle is decorated with iconic images of lighthouses, blueberries, lobster and moose, as well as logos for a range of Maine companies, including Bangor Savings Bank, Kepware Technologies and Linda Bean's Perfect Maine lobster. Peter DelGreco, head of the business attraction firm Maine & Co., helped pull together the collective of private companies who teamed with Gov. Paul LePage to sponsor the car.(Bangor Daily News)(9-13-2014)

  • Busch wins Truck race at Chicagoland: #51-Kyle Busch won the rain-delayed Lucas Oil 225 under the lights at the Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday. #88-Matt Crafton finished second followed by: #20-Austin Dillon, #19-Tyler Reddick, #13-Jeb Burton, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #31-Ben Kennedy, #21-Joey Coulter, #8-Joe Nemechek, and #99-Bryan Silas. There were 3 caution flags for 14 laps and 17 lead changes among 8 leaders.
    #98-Johnny Sauter started from the pole after rain erased qualifying. He finished the race 14th.
    Complete results are on the Chicagoland race results page (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • Chicagoland Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch(i) won the 6th Annual Lucas Oil 225, his 41st victory in 123 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his sixth victory and seventh top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his fourth victory and fifth top-10 finish in five races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Matt Crafton (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in six races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 11th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Austin Dillon(i) (third) posted his fourth top-10 finish in four races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Tyler Reddick (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 5 points over Johnny Sauter.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(9-13-2013)

  • Driver standings following Chicagoland:
    1) #88-Matt Crafton, 560
    2) #98-Johnny Sauter, 555, -5
    3) #29-Ryan Blaney, 544, -16
    4) #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 525, -35
    5) #77-German Quiroga, 501, -59
    6) #21-Joey Coulter, 492, - 68
    7) #31-Ben Kennedy, 478, -82
    8) #17-Timothy Peters, 475, -85
    9) #30-Ron Hornaday, 400, -100
    10) #13-Jeb Burton, 459, -101
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • Owner Standings following Bristol are posted (pdf).(9-13-2014)

  • Rheem announces revamped sponsorship plans UPDATE: Rheem announced today that the company will participate as a primary sponsor in two of the remaining 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. Rheem will fulfill contractual commitments previously made with Chicagoland Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway where Rheem had reserved hospitality, catering and large ticket blocks for Rheem customer groups. Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a longtime partner of Rheem, agreed to assist Rheem by providing competitive equipment sourced from NTS Motorsports, an experienced crew chief, Chris Rice, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon to Rheem for these events, even though RCR does not currently participate in the Camping World Truck Series. Dillon will drive the #20 truck painted in the classic red and black Rheem design."We found ourselves in a unique situation and our friends at RCR stepped in to help. We are now able keep our commitments to both tracks as well as to the many Rheem contractors who were invited to be our guests and had been planning for months to attend these exciting races. We are grateful to Richard Childress for his unwavering support and to Bob Newberry for NTS's valuable assistance," said Ed Raniszeski, managing director, Rheem Motorsports. These quick actions were in response to the sudden shuttering two weeks ago of the #30 Turner Scott Motorsports #30 truck team sponsored by Rheem. As a result, Rheem was left scrambling for a solution and four-time champion driver, Ron Hornaday was left without a ride. Hornaday remains in limbo, but Rheem continues to look for avenues to allow Hornaday to return to truck competition before the 2014 season concludes.(Rheem)(9-11-2014)
    UPDATE: Rheem announced today the sponsorship of Ron Hornaday for two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in 2014. Rheem will be the primary sponsor for the four-time NASCAR champion for the Sept. 27 race in Las Vegas and Oct. 31 race in Texas. Rheem has been working to find the best available truck equipment, crew and technical expertise in an effort to return Hornaday to the truck series before the end of the 2014 season. Rheem had sponsored Hornaday prior to the recent shutdown of the #30 Turner Scott Motorsports team. Hornaday's return has been made possible through a cooperative effort between Rheem and NTS Motorsports, who will supply Chevy Silverado trucks and crew for the races, along with technical support provided by Richard Childress Racing. "Rheem is pleased to play a part in bringing Ron Hornaday back to where he belongs -- that is, racing trucks to win and bringing excitement and enjoyment to Camping World Truck Series fans. None of this would have been possible without the solid support of NTS Motorsports and RCR. We all welcome Ron back and can't wait to see him back in the saddle," said Ed Raniszeski, managing director, Rheem Motorsports.(Rheem)(9-13-2014)

  • Colt Ford to perform free concert at Dover: Race fans will have the opportunity to see a free concert from country music star Colt Ford on the Victory Plaza stage at 10:30am the morning of the Sept. 28 "AAA 400" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway, which is event No. 3 in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the first "knockout race" of the new playoff format. Ford will bring his unique blend of country music and hip-hop to the Dover race weekend in support of his most recent album, "Thanks for Listening," released through his self-owned Average Joes Entertainment label. The album features collaborations with Keith Urban, "Duck Dynasty's" Boss Hog and Willie Robertson, Jerrod Niemann and others. Ford compares his unique style to the spoken-word songs of country greats like Tex Williams, Roger Miller, Johnny Cash and C.W. McCall, and is able to seamlessly blend the world of country music and hip-hop, noting the similarity in that both are focused on storytelling and real-life experiences. For tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover Speedway)(9-13-2014)


    News from September 12, 2014

  • Qualifying rained out; Kyle Busch on Chicago pole: #18-Kyle Busch will start from the pole for the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway after rain forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying. The lineup was set according to speeds from the first practice session.
    #31-Newman will start on the outside pole, followed by #99-Edwards, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #20-Kenseth, #15-Bowyer, #48-Johnson, #24-Gordon, #27-Menard, and #42-Larson.
    Missing the race were: none. Only 43 cars entered.
    See the starting lineup on the Chicago Starting Lineup / Qualifying Page.(9-12-2014)

  • Where the 2014 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers will start at Chicago:
    [listed by driver points position]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 25th
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon, 8th
    3) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 13th
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 7th
    5) #22-Joey Logano, 28th
    6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 12th
    7) #99-Carl Edwards, 3rd
    8) #18-Kyle Busch, 1st
    9) #11-Denny Hamlin, 24th
    10) #41-Kurt Busch, 14th
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 19th
    12) #43-Aric Almirola, 23rd
    13) #47-A.J. Allmendinger, 17th
    14) #20-Matt Kenseth, 5th
    15) #16-Greg Biffle, 20th
    16) #31-Ryan Newman, 2nd
    (9-12-2014)

  • Friday practice for the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over, after 90 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #18-Busch 191.442
    #31-Newman 191.042
    #99-Edwards 191.022
    #17-Stenhouse, Jr. 191.002
    #20-Kenseth 190.900
    slowest: #33-Kvapil 181.659 & #32 Gase 176.956.
    notes: There is an increasing chance of rain this afternoon. If qualifying were to be cancelled (6:45pm/et today on ESPN2), this practice would set the starting lineup.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Chicago Practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-12-2014)

  • Stewart, Harvick swap pit crews UPDATE: Stewart-Haas Racing, the championship-winning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, has swapped the pit crews of it #4 and #14 teams, effective immediately. Beginning with Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, the #14 team's tire changers, tire carriers and jackmen will switch to the #4 team, and vice versa. "We made this change in the best interests of the entire organization," said Greg Zipadelli, vice president of competition, Stewart-Haas Racing. "Our primary goal is to win races and championships, and this pit crew swap provides championship experience to the #4 team and continued race-winning experience to the #14 team." (Stewart-Haas Racing(9-9-2014)
    UPDATE: Kevin Harvick says the members of his pit crew that were switched to finish out the season with teammate and Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Tony Stewart will get better with time. But with NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup beginning this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, time wasn't on Harvick's, or the team's side. "They do perform well," Harvick said of his now former crew Thursday during media day in downtown Chicago. "They just have to work on the consistency, and a lot of that consistency will come with time. The 14 group has been fortunate to be together for a long time and have been through the championship stuff. My guys are going to do great, they just need time to go through all the situations that all these pit crews that have been together for a long time have seen ... pit hoses getting stepped on and tires get hung and lug nuts fall off. I think everybody talked about it and felt like this was the right thing to do for now with the opportunity that we have," Harvick said. "Give those guys a little time to hopefully get Tony to Victory Lane and be competitive, (still) be in the same environment and do all the same things."(NASCAR.com)(9-12-2014)

  • Kyle Busch says things are good with Rogers: By all accounts, the past few weeks have been challenging for Kyle Busch -- and that's putting it extremely mildly. After finishing second in the Brickyard 400 on July 27, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver failed to record a single top-10 finish over the final six races of the Sprint Cup Series regular season. In four of those races, Busch finished outside the top 35, and it was after the last of those results -- a 36th-place finish at Bristol in August -- that frustrations finally boiled over for the driver and his #18 Joe Gibbs Racing team. After Busch radioed to crew chief Dave Rogers late at Bristol that his ill-handling car needed a whole new right-front suspension, Rogers promptly responded by telling his driver to "park it behind the truck and take your whiny little ass to the bus." Cooler heads have since prevailed, and Busch indicated during Thursday's Chase Media Day activities in Chicago that there is harmony between the two heading into the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup. "Things are fine. Things were fine at Atlanta, things were fine at Richmond," Busch said, referring to the two races that followed Bristol. "Everyone's at zero now. You want to be running better, you want to be winning those last two or three races before going into the Chase, but I don't know that anybody's ever really done that in a row, and then they go into the Chase and carry that momentum through. This is just sort of like going to Daytona. It's a fresh start to the year, and you just try to work it out."(FoxSports)(9-12-2014)

  • Special scheme for Vickers: #55 Aaron's Dream Machine driver Brian Vickers has a lot to race for in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season's final 10 races. Although, the Michael Waltrip Racing team won't be in the Chase, the #55 crew has its sights set on a return trip to victory lane and preparation for its second season together in 2015. The #55 will carry a special paint scheme this weekend honoring Samsung as Aaron's vendor partner of the year. In addition to the paint scheme, Aaron's will host Samsung executives at-track in appreciation of their long standing partnership.(Michael Waltrip Racing)(9-12-2014)

  • Chicago Notes & Facts - Friday - poles:
    · Todd Bodine won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Chicago in 2001 with a speed of 183.717 mph.
    · 10 drivers have Coors Light poles at Chicago, led by Jimmie Johnson with two.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Chicago with a 7.667.
    · One of the 13 (7.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Chicago have been won from the Coors Light pole; Kyle Busch in 2008.
    · Five of the 13 (38.4%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Chicago have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · Three of the 13 (23.0%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Chicago have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    · Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway once - the 2008 event.
    (NASCAR)(9-12-2014)

  • Final Nationwide practice cancelled: Due to rain at the track, final NASCAR Nationwide Series practice has been cancelled.(9-12-2014)

  • Gaughan fastest in first Nationwide practice: #62-Brendan Gaughan was fastest during opening practice at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed of 178.601mph. #54-Kyle Busch was second, followed by: #31-Dylan Kwasniewski, #2-Brian Scott, Chris Buescher, #5-Kevin Harvick, #9-Chase Elliott, #43-Aric Almirola, #20-Denny Hamlin, and #42-Kyle Larson. All 44 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Chicago practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-12-2014)

  • Sauter on Truck pole at Chicagoland: #98-Johnny Sauter was awarded the Keystone Light pole for the Lucas Oil 225 at Chicagoland Speedway after rain forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying and set the field based on points. #9-Brennan Newberry will start second followed by #13-Jeb Burton, #20-Austin Dillon, #29-Ryan Blaney, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #51-Kyle Busch, #77-German Quiroga, #88-Matt Crafton, and #17-Timothy Peters. See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(9-12-2014)

  • AARP and Drive to End Hunger present Salute to America's Heros Pre-Race at Chicago: Chicagoland Speedway announced AARP and AARP Foundation Drive to End Hunger as the presenters of the "Salute to America's Heroes Pre-Race Show" prior to the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on Sunday, Sept. 14. As part of this patriotic pre-race ceremony, Jim Cornelison, the Chicago Blackhawks national anthem singer, will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" on its 200th anniversary, and the Hooligans Flight Team will conduct a pre-race flyover. Cornelison, a 1992 graduate of Indiana University's Masters of Music programrecently completed his sixth season as the Blackhawks' full-time national anthem singer, having made regular appearances singing the anthem at the United Center since 1996.Cornelison has also performed at numerous Chicago Bears games and at Medinah Country Club for the 2012 Ryder Cup. Ron White, a two-time winner of the USA Memory Championship (2009 and 2010), will also be paying tribute to fallen soldiers in Champions Park throughout the weekend, concluding on Sunday. White, a former Navy intelligence specialist who toured Afghanistan in 2007, has committed the name of each American service member killed in Afghanistan to memory. As a tribute, he inscribes the name of each man or woman on a 50-foot wall of honor. The Hooligans originated in the 1990's, and specialize in tight military formations. The pre-race flyover will consist of four T-34 Mentors, and one L-17 Navion. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com,by calling 888-629-RACE, through the Chicagoland Speedway mobile app, or by visiting the Chicagoland Speedway Administrative office Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm.(Chicagoland Speedway)(9-12-2014)

  • Martinsville ticket office extends hours: Can't get to Martinsville Speedway during the week to buy tickets to the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500? Well, there is good news race fans. With race day just seven weeks away, the Martinsville Speedway ticket office will be open on Saturdays beginning this week to give fans more opportunity to drop by the track and pick out their seats for the Oct. 26 race. Beginning Sept. 13, the speedway ticket office will be open from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays. The Martinsville Speedway ticket office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Fans have many great deals to choose from for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500.(Martinsville Speedway)(9-12-2014)


    News from September 11, 2014

  • Stewart, Ward investigation complete; statement next week: Statement from Ontario Co. Sheriff's Office. Investigation complete:
    "The Ontario County Office of Sheriff has completed its investigation into the death of Kevin A. Ward, Jr., which occurred August 9, 2014, at the Canandaigua, New York, Motorsports Park. The entire thorough investigation, including a forensic video enhancement recently received from the New York State Police Laboratory in Albany, has been submitted to the Office of the Ontario County District for review. The District Attorney's Office, which has been meeting throughout the investigative process with members of the Sheriff's Office, will make a statement late next week advising what action will be taken regarding the investigation.
    Philip C. Povero, Sheriff ,Ontario County, New York(9-11-2014)

  • Joey Gase making Cup debut at Chicago IMAGE: Joey Gase and the Go Fas Racing team venture to the Land of Lincoln and the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL for Sunday's MyAFibStory.Com 400. Gase will be making his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at the fast tri-oval. The 21 year-old Cedar Rapids, IA native has 5 career starts in NNS competition at the Chicagoland Speedway, earning a best finish of 23rd (2011) driving for Archie St.Hilaire. So far in 2014 Gase currently sits 20th in points with an average finish of 28.8. "I am very excited to get my first Cup start right here in the mid-west. We will have a lot of friends and family coming to support us this weekend at Chicagoland. I am also excited we have so many great sponsors teaming up with us and I can help promote Zimmer's commitment to helping those make a comeback from joint pain." said Joey.(Go Green Racing), see an image of the car on the #32 team paint schemes page.(9-11-2014)

  • Love's Travel Stops and Gilliland Celebrate Medical Miracles during Chicago Race Week: There will be two drivers wearing bright yellow Love's Travel Stops firesuits on Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver #38-David Gilliland will look familiar, but alongside him will be nine-year-old Jack Czapla, a Chicago-area "miracle child" celebrating life as a healthy kid after beating a two-year bout with leukemia. The miniature "driver for a day" will top off Love's Travel Stops' and Gilliland's week of promoting Love's annual fundraising campaign for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America. In addition to wearing a replica of Gilliland's racing uniform, Jack will participate with Gilliland in driver appearances at the track, the official Sprint Cup Series drivers' meeting and on-stage driver introductions before the race. While he will not get to drive the #38 Love's Travel Stops Ford, he will get to watch all the action of the race atop the Front Row Motorsports pit box. The Mundelein, Ill., boy also created artwork that will be featured on the hood of the #38 Ford and on Gilliland's helmet.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #38 team paint schemes page.(9-11-2014)

  • Eckrich to honor military families at Chicago: Founded in 1894, Eckrich will celebrate its 120th anniversary this weekend in line with the promise on which the brand was built; quality and service. Over the past 120 years, Eckrich has grown as a leader in its industry on the promise of providing quality meat products and giving back to its communities. Eckrich will honor that promise this weekend as it honors and gives back to 120 of America's military families. Eckrich will showcase the names of the 120 military families on the #43 Eckrich car which will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend at the Chicagoland Speedway. Eckrich will also host the families at the event and provide each family with a $120 gift card at Jewel-Osco. The car design, race day experience and gift cards align with the deep history of the company to give back to consumers and pay tribute to those who trust the brand. This gratitude towards our military families is part of the continued Eckrich "Operation Inspiration" campaign, which supports and honors military families. Eckrich is in its third year of partnership with Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit which provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.Eckrich has already raised more than $750,000 in donations for the nonprofit organization.(Richard Petty Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #43 team paint schemes page.(9-11-2014)

  • Ditech joins Harvick as associate sponsor: Ditech Mortgage Corp, one of the mortgage industry's best-known brands, has partnered with Stewart-Haas Racing, the title-winning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, in a multiyear agreement. ditech will serve as an associate sponsor of Kevin Harvick and the #4 Budweiser/Jimmy John's team beginning with the Sept. 12-14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. ditech will appear on the C-post of the #4 Chevy and on the chest of Harvick's firesuit. Headquartered in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, ditech's overarching goal is to change the experience of securing a mortgage. The company views itself not as being in the mortgage business, but rather as being in the business of helping Americans reach their dream of homeownership.(Stewart-Haas Racing)(9-11-2014)

  • Wimmer Transportation Services sponsoring Nemechek: Wimmer Transportation Services has joined the #66 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race team as an associate sponsor for the Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on September 14, 2014. Veteran driver, Joe Nemechek will be driving as the #66 team begins the final 10 races of the season. Wimmer Transportation Services, founded in 1991 by Warren Wimmer as a Chicago area cartage company. Wimmer operates a fleet of late model equipment, both tractors and straight trucks.(Identity Ventures Racing)(9-11-2014)

  • Chicago Notes & Facts - Thursday - track history:
    · Construction of the Chicagoland Speedway began in August 1999.
    · The first NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicago was July 14, 2001.
    · The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was held on July 15, 2001 - won by Kevin Harvick.
    · This weekend marks the fourth year Chicagoland Speedway has been included in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup - Sept. 18, 2011.
    (NASCAR)(9-11-2014)

  • Goodyear Tire Notes for Chicago: While teams in all three NASCAR series in action at Chicagoland this week will run the same left-side tire code, Sprint Cup teams will run their own right-side tire code . . . Sprint Cup teams have run this left-side code (D-4392) at Chicagoland since 2011 . . . they have also run this left-side at Texas and Darlington earlier this season . . . this is the first time they have run this right-side code (D-4618) at Chicagoland, though they did run it earlier this season at Texas . . . this right-side tire employs Goodyear's multi-zone tread technology, which combines two distinct tread compounds on the same tire -- one on the inboard two inches of the tread for endurance and heat resistance, and one on the outboard 10 inches of the tread for traction . . . this tire combination was confirmed at a Goodyear test at Chicagoland on June 10 . . . teams and drivers participating in that test were #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Denny Hamlin, #22 Penske Racing Ford with Joey Logano, #27 Richard Childress Racing Chevy with Paul Menard and #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy with Jimmie Johnson . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Chicagoland . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear), see full tire notes, tire codes, pressures, set limits on the Chicago Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on the Chicago Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

    LI>

    Sauter fastest in final Truck practice: #98-Johnny Sauter was quickest during happy hour for the Lucas Oil 225 with a speed of 176.540mph. He was followed by #9-Brennan Newberry, #13-Jeb Burton, #20-Austin Dillon, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #77-German Quiroga, #88-Matt Crafton, #51-Erik Jones, #17-Timothy Peters, and #21-Joey Coulter. 27 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Chicagoland practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-11-2014)

  • Blaney fastest in Truck practice: #29-Ryan Blaney was fastest during the opening practice at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed of 175.234mph. #13-Jeb Burton was second, followed by #51-Erik Jones, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #98-Johnny Sauter, #20-Austin Dillon, #9-Brennan Newberry, #21-Joey Coulter, #77-German Quiroga, and #05-John Wes Townley. 27 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Chicagoland practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-11-2014)

  • Rheem announces revamped sponsorship plans: Rheem announced today that the company will participate as a primary sponsor in two of the remaining 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. Rheem will fulfill contractual commitments previously made with Chicagoland Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway where Rheem had reserved hospitality, catering and large ticket blocks for Rheem customer groups. Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a longtime partner of Rheem, agreed to assist Rheem by providing competitive equipment sourced from NTS Motorsports, an experienced crew chief, Chris Rice, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon to Rheem for these events, even though RCR does not currently participate in the Camping World Truck Series. Dillon will drive the #20 truck painted in the classic red and black Rheem design."We found ourselves in a unique situation and our friends at RCR stepped in to help. We are now able keep our commitments to both tracks as well as to the many Rheem contractors who were invited to be our guests and had been planning for months to attend these exciting races. We are grateful to Richard Childress for his unwavering support and to Bob Newberry for NTS's valuable assistance," said Ed Raniszeski, managing director, Rheem Motorsports. These quick actions were in response to the sudden shuttering two weeks ago of the #30 Turner Scott Motorsports #30 truck team sponsored by Rheem. As a result, Rheem was left scrambling for a solution and four-time champion driver, Ron Hornaday was left without a ride. Hornaday remains in limbo, but Rheem continues to look for avenues to allow Hornaday to return to truck competition before the 2014 season concludes.(Rheem)(9-11-2014)

  • Mansfield Motorsports Park could open again: The track hasn't hosted a race since 2010, and it hasn't been home to multiple events since 2008. Mansfield Motorsports Park remains dormant, but owner Grant Milliron said there might be something in the works for next year for the half-mile paved oval on the north side of town. Milliron, who bought the track at a sheriff's sale in the winter of 2013, said he's had a discussion with a longtime promoter about bringing "five or six events" to the track. Those could be races, stunt shows or something else entirely, but the goal is that the events would attract 5,000 to 10,000 fans. If a deal cannot be struck, Milliron said he will look to market the track to sell. He bought it and 177 acres of land it sits on for $800,000, after former owner Mike Dzurilla lost it for owing $308,000 in taxes. If he does sell, Milliron said he wants the land to remain a motor sports facility and is hoping to sell it to someone who would keep it a race track.(Mansfield News Journal)(9-11-2014)

  • Behind the scenes tour available at Michigan: Take a behind the scenes tour of the fastest track in NASCAR - Michigan International Speedway. It is the perfect opportunity to learn how a track prepares for a race and operates all year long. MIS is offering tours to all guests to get a behind the scenes view of the racing facility. Fans still have two more chances to take advantage of this special opportunity. The tours are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Oct. 16 beginning at 1:30pm. The tour ($5 per person) will last approximately an hour and a half and will be guided by a knowledgeable MIS staff member. The day is limited to 50 people and you can reserve your spot now by calling (800) 354-1010. Your ticket will be mailed to you. All proceeds benefit MIS Cares, MIS' official charity. Now is your chance to experience the slope of the 18 degrees of banking in the corners. The tour will take fans on one trip around the oval before moving onto the road course depending on track activity. You will have the opportunity to experience what the banking feels like heading into Turn 1 and imagining what the drivers see at over 200 MPH. Guests will be taken to the interior of the track through the infield tunnel entrance before stopping off at the media center. Take a seat in the deadline pressroom and imagine yourself asking a driver a question for a story. While in the infield you will see the Pit Road Suites and then go to the roof to get a view of the entire track. The tour will stop at the Tower behind the grandstands as the guests ride the elevator to a spot high above the track. You will see the remolded Champions Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union. Guests will also see the Skylounge Suites where you not only see the entire racing surface, but the expanse of the facility. In addition, the fans will see the campgrounds, including the MIScamping.com APEX RV Park overlooking Turn 3 and 4. A limited number of walk-up tickets will be available, but the tour is limited to 50 people so get your ticket early.(MIS)(9-11-2014)


    News from September 10, 2014

  • Almirola gets new pit crew members: Richard Petty Motorsports altered its pit crew line up for the #43 team and Aric Almirola prior to the Chase for the Sprint Cup kickoff this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Kyle Power replaces Josh Francos as the new rear tire changer. Kevin Wing, who was the jackman for the #9 Ford and Marcos Ambrose, moves to the #43 Ford. Wing takes over for Kevin Kramzer, who was backing up Mike Brown after he injured his foot at Mid-Ohio last month. Francos and Kramzer have been assigned to the #9 team. This marks Almirola's first entry into the Chase. He qualified for one of the 16 seeds with his victory at Daytona in July - his first career Sprint Cup win. Almirola enters the Chase 12th in the standings.(Motorsport)(9-10-2014)

  • Johnson feeling better UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports said Tuesday defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson is feeling "much better" after suffering from dehydration at Richmond. A spokeswoman also said crew chief Chad Knaus found nothing wrong in the car that would have caused Johnson's dehydration. The six-time NASCAR champion was assisted to the infield medical center following his eighth-place finish Saturday night. Johnson was lying down next to his car after the race and was helped by his crew to a golf cart. He spent nearly 90 minutes in the care center and needed 5 liters of intravenous fluids and said after he wasn't sure what caused the dehydration. Johnson plans to fulfill all his obligations this week associated with NASCAR's promotion of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Johnson has a full slate of media activities planned for Wednesday in New York, then again on Thursday in Chicago.(Associated Press)(9-9-2014)
    UPDATE: Jimmie Johnson said the cooling system for his helmet was blowing warm air and that likely caused his dehydration following last week's race at Richmond. Johnson said the issue with his cooling system was discovered by his Hendrick Motorsports team on Tuesday. "It's nice to have a good idea as to what went wrong and why I got so hot in the race car," he said in quotes provided by Hendrick Motorsports. "It's a newer system that we've implemented, so we're just going back to our old faithful system that's worked for years and years. We should have the problem rectified." The team earlier Tuesday said crew chief Chad Knaus did not discover anything wrong with the car itself. Johnson said he's feeling much better and traveled late Tuesday to New York to begin media obligations for the beginning of NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.(Associated Press)(9-10-2014)

  • Kligerman to test Indy Lights car: Parker Kligerman, who endured a brutal run of luck in his initial Sprint Cup campaign earlier this year and has since moved onto NBCSN's NASCAR AMERICA as an analyst and spent the last few months focusing on the growth of his company, Nootelligence, will test for SPM at this weekend's Chris Griffis Memorial Road to Indy test. He'll join previously confirmed Spencer Pigot in one of SPM's current Indy Lights chassis (prior to the new Dallara IL15). "Ever since I drove a go-kart for the first time, my quest was to advance to the top levels of open-wheel racing," Kligerman said in a release. "After winning an open-wheel championship in 2006, I found myself on a different path; driving stock cars. I spent five years in the top three NASCAR divisions, but unfortunate circumstances rerouted my path earlier this year. I've always looked for opportunities that can further my career, so I want to thank Sam [Schmidt] and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for this opportunity in Indy Lights to test an open-wheel car for the first time in eight years. Although it will be a challenge, I'm looking forward to having fun and working with a championship-caliber, open-wheel team." Schmidt's Lights team has been the standard bearer with titles from 2010 through 2013, and Sam Schmidt spoke highly of Kligerman's career heading into the test. "In this test, we will be looking for how Parker adapts to the much lighter and less horsepower characteristics of the Indy Lights car, as well as how quickly he learns road course techniques. Given that the change in equipment and type of circuit are so radical, we don't have huge expectations for a really fast time. What we will be looking for is how well he listens and if there is the potential for him to be successful in open wheel going forward. We are very excited to see what happens." (NBC Sports)(9-10-2014)

  • Who has been too fast on pit road? Chase drivers are among those who have been penalized the most for speeding on pit road this season. With each position critical, any extra time on pit road can cost positions. A penalty could prove devastating to a team's title hopes. No driver has won a Cup race after being penalized for speeding on pit road since Matt Kenseth did so Aug. 2013 at Bristol. Travis Kvapil has been called for speeding on pit road a series-high five times. Next with four such penalties are Chase drivers Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson along with Dave Blaney and David Ragan. Kevin Harvick, also in the Chase, has been caught speeding three times this year along with Michael Annett, Kyle Larson, Casey Mears, Joe Nemechek, Reed Sorenson, Tony Stewart and Brian Vickers. Here's how Chase drivers rank in speeding penalties this season:
    4 - #41-Kurt Busch, #18-Kyle Busch, #11-Denny Hamlin, #48-Jimmie Johnson
    3 - #4-Kevin Harvick
    2 - #43-Aric Almirola, #2-Brad Keselowski
    1 - #47-AJ Allmendinger, #24-Jeff Gordon, #5-Kasey Kahne, #20-Matt Kenseth, #22-Joey Logano, #31-Ryan Newman
    0 - #16-Greg Biffle, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #99-Carl Edwards
    (Motor Racing Network)(9-10-2014)

  • Haas says Kurt Busch can test F1 car if.... Gene Haas did reveal that he has told NASCAR driver #41-Kurt Busch, who races for Stewart-Haas Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, that he can test the F1 car if he wins the championship this year. "Everybody I talk to is interested," Haas said. "I was talking to Kurt Busch last week. He was interested. He said if he wins the NASCAR championship, if could he have a ride in one. I said "for sure!" if he wins the championship." Busch has expressed his excitement for Haas' project in the past, and although his chances of winning the championship do look slim, he could enjoy a brief test in the car at some point. "I said he can get in the car!" Haas said, laughing. "I tell you, an American driver in a Formula 1 car in Europe, that would just knock it out of the ball park. I'll give it to you: Kurt Busch could drive one of these cars."(NBC Sports)(9-10-2014)

  • Suarez in the #29 for RAB at Chicago: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standout Daniel Suarez will make his first start with RAB Racing at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, September 13th driving the #29 Arris Toyota Camry. 22-year-old Suarez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico will make just his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start, the first coming at Richmond International Raceway in April of 2014 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Suarez, an alumnus of the NASCAR Next program, is fresh off the heels of his first full season of K&N Pro Series East competition that proved noteworthy. 2013 highlights included becoming the highest-finishing international driver in series history when he ranked third in the final standings, recording six top fives and nine top 10s in 14 races, his first career win at Columbus, finishing on the podium in six of the season's final eight races, including four runner-ups, and completing more laps than all other drivers during the season. Suarez is currently competing full time for Escuderia TELMEX in the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series, where he leads that series, and also competes in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Rev Racing Team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He has four wins and six top-five finishes in 11 starts in the NASCAR Toyota Series and has added two wins, four top-five and seven top-10 finishes this season in 12 K&N Pro Series starts.(RAB Racing)(9-10-2014)

  • Hamlin in the #20 at Chicago: For the first time this season, Denny Hamlin will climb behind the wheel of the #20 Sport Clips Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series competing at Chicagoland Speedway in Saturday's Jimmy John's Freaky Fast 300. Hamlin has four previous starts at Chicagoland Speedway in the Nationwide Series with his last start coming in 2008. In those four starts, Hamlin has one top-five finish, two top-10 finishes, one pole (2007), an average start of 16.2 and average finish of 9.5. He has led 22 laps and completed 100 percent of laps attempted (800 of 800 laps). In addition to this weekend's Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, Sport Clips has adorned the sides of Hamlin's #11 Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series two times this season.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(9-10-2014)


    News from September 9, 2014

  • Richmond TV Ratings: ABC's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night, Sept. 6, earned a 3.0 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,920,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership were down from last year's race, which earned a 3.3 rating and averaged 5,153,000 viewers. Greenville, S.C., led the nation's metered markets with a 7.6 rating, while Indianapolis was second at 7.4. Richmond (6.9), Greensboro, N.C., (6.6) and Nashville, Tenn., (6.2) completed the top five. The rest of the top 10 metered markets were Charlotte, N.C., 6.1; Orlando, Fla., 5.9; Norfolk, Va., 5.7; Knoxville, Tenn., 5.5; and Tulsa, Okla., 5.0.(ESPN), See past races for 2014 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(9-9-2014)

  • Johnson feeling better: Hendrick Motorsports said Tuesday defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson is feeling "much better" after suffering from dehydration at Richmond. A spokeswoman also said crew chief Chad Knaus found nothing wrong in the car that would have caused Johnson's dehydration. The six-time NASCAR champion was assisted to the infield medical center following his eighth-place finish Saturday night. Johnson was lying down next to his car after the race and was helped by his crew to a golf cart. He spent nearly 90 minutes in the care center and needed 5 liters of intravenous fluids and said after he wasn't sure what caused the dehydration. Johnson plans to fulfill all his obligations this week associated with NASCAR's promotion of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Johnson has a full slate of media activities planned for Wednesday in New York, then again on Thursday in Chicago.(Associated Press)(9-9-2014)

  • Stewart, Harvick swap pit crews: Stewart-Haas Racing, the championship-winning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, has swapped the pit crews of it #4 and #14 teams, effective immediately. Beginning with Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, the #14 team's tire changers, tire carriers and jackmen will switch to the #4 team, and vice versa. "We made this change in the best interests of the entire organization," said Greg Zipadelli, vice president of competition, Stewart-Haas Racing. "Our primary goal is to win races and championships, and this pit crew swap provides championship experience to the #4 team and continued race-winning experience to the #14 team." (Stewart-Haas Racing(9-9-2014)

  • Tire testing at Homestead: Goodyear is hosting select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams at Homestead-Miami Speedway for a tire test on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 from 9:00am - 5:00pm/et. The Speedway Club will be open to the public for free viewing. Per NASCAR rules, Chase drivers are not eligible to participate in the test.(HMS)
    DRIVERS: According to Goodyear Racing, drivers participating in the test are: Justin Allgaier (testing for Hendrick Motorsports), Ryan Blaney (Team Penske), Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing), Sam Hornish (Joe Gibbs Racing), Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Roush Fenway), and Martin Truex, Jr. (testing for JTG Daugherty Racing).(9-9-2014)

  • Top 10 Driver Ratings at Chicago:
    #48-Jimmie Johnson 117.2
    #14-Tony Stewart 109.8
    #20-Matt Kenseth 105.4
    #18-Kyle Busch 102.7
    #24-Jeff Gordon 96.9
    #4-Kevin Harvick 96.4
    #55-Brian Vickers 95.0
    #2-Brad Keselowski 93.6
    #15-Clint Bowyer 91.4
    #99-Carl Edwards 90.1
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (nine total) among active drivers at Chicagoland Speedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Win, Finish, Top-15 Finish, Average Running Position while on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
    See an explanation how the Driver Rating is calculated at NASCAR.com.(NASCAR)

  • No Timetable for Stewart investigation to finish: Tuesday will mark one month since the death of Kevin Ward Jr. in a sprint car race in New York state, but a spokesperson for the Ontario County (N.Y.) Police Department told FOXSports.com Monday that there is still no timetable for when the investigation into Ward's death will be completed. Ward, 20, died Aug. 9 after apparently being struck by Tony Stewart's sprint car at a Empire Super Sprints Series race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in Upstate New York. Ward was racing Stewart when he crashed into an outside wall. Ward got out of his car and onto the track, gesturing at Stewart as he came around under caution. Stewart's right-rear tire appeared to strike Ward, who died en route to the hospital. The Ontario County coroner ruled that the cause of death was blunt-force trauma. The investigation will determine whether Stewart will be exonerated in Ward's death or whether he will face charges.(in part from FoxSports), see all the past news on the accident and Stewart on the #14 Team News & Links page.(9-9-2014)

  • NASCAR Numbers:
    1,278: The combined number of laps led in 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season by Brad Keselowski, a career-best and most in the series thus far. Keselowski blew right through the 1,000-laps-led mark on Saturday night at Richmond, where he was out front for 383 laps, a record for a 400-lap race at the .75-mile short track.
    1: Of the 16 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, the number who have been running at the finish of every race this season. That distinction belongs to Jeff Gordon, and it's no coincidence that Gordon was the regular-season points leader in the Cup series.
    400: The number of all-time wins by Team Penske following Keselowski's victory at Richmond. The Roger Penske-owned team will look to add to that total in the Chase as Keselowski and Joey Logano attempt to bring the organization its second NASCAR Sprint Cup title.
    2: The number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories recorded at Chicagoland Speedway by Kevin Harvick, the only 2014 Chase driver with more than one triumph there. Harvick won back-to-back in 2001 and 2002. Non-Chaser Tony Stewart has three victories at the first playoff track.
    577: The number of laps led by Jimmie Johnson at Chicagoland Speedway, most ever for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. Only one problem: Johnson has never won at the 1.5-mile track. Doubtless he'd like to cross Chicagoland off his checklist on Sunday.(NASCAR)(9-9-2014)

  • "American Restoration" Features NASCAR Hall of Fame: A new episode of "American Restoration" titled "Dales of Thunder" is scheduled to air on the HISTORY Channel. The episode features the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Motor Speedway and numerous NASCAR industry executives and drivers including NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley, Charlotte Motor Speedway President Marcus Smith and NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Danica Patrick and Kyle Larson. In the episode, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and Charlotte Motor Speedway's Marcus Smith commissioned "American Restoration" host Rick Dale to design a trophy inspired by NASCAR's history and heritage for the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series HISTORY 300 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Rick met up with Winston Kelley and NASCAR driver Greg Biffle at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for inspiration on the trophy design. The initial showing of the episode garnered 1.8 million viewers. The episode is scheduled to air on the HISTORY Channel on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 2:00pm/et.(NHOF)(9-9-2014)



  • NASCAR Introduces Special Paint Scheme Elements For Chase Contenders REPOST: Celebrating the accomplishments of those drivers who will contend for the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, NASCAR has released several new elements to the paint schemes of race cars making the 16-driver Chase Grid.
    Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup-eligible cars will have the roof number, the front splitter / front fascia and the windshield header colored yellow, as well as have a Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup logo affixed to the front-quarter panel of their race car.
    As part of NASCAR's emphasis on winning races all season long, this celebratory paint scheme will be placed on a driver's car to begin the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 14. Once a driver is eliminated after one of the Chase's first three rounds, the paint scheme will be removed from the car.
    These changes serve as a visible symbol of the new Chase format. In addition, the paint scheme elements will ensure that fans are able to easily identify each championship contender as NASCAR's playoffs progress. Announced by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France in January, the new championship format expands the Chase field to 16 drivers, up from 12 in previous years, and implements a new round-by-round advancement format that ultimately will reward a battle-tested, worthy champion. A victory in the first 26 races all but guarantees a berth in the 10-race Chase, which will air exclusively on the ESPN family of networks. The number of championship drivers in contention for the championship decreases after every three Chase races, culminating with four drivers racing for the title at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship, scheduled for November 16.(NASCAR)(7-15/9-9-2014)

  • added some images of cars that will be driven by Chase drivers, with yellow numbers, yellow windshield tape and splitter: #2 Miller Lite, #4 Budweiser & Jimmy Johns, #11 FedEx Express & FedEx Office, #18 M&M's, #22 Shell / Pennzoil, #24 Drive to End Hunger, #41 Haas Automation, #48 Lowe's, #88 National Guard schemes that will run in the Chase

  • Kenseth to be honored at Chicagoland: In recognition of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2013, #20-Matt Kenseth will be honored with a plaque in Champions Park on Friday, Sept. 12, prior to the Lucas Oil 225 Camping World Truck Series race. Kenseth, who made his first appearance in Chicagoland Speedway's Gatorade Victory Lane last September, will unveil his new monument at 4p.m. on the north end of Champions Park. Since the inaugural race in 2001, Chicagoland Speedway has unveiled a monument in Champions Park for each of its Sprint Cup Series race winners, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski and others.(Chicagoland Speedway)(9-9-2104)

  • NC Supreme Court hears CMS lawsuit suit: Bruton Smith and Speedway Motorsports get one more crack at convincing North Carolina judges it should be allowed to sue Cabarrus County over $80 million in tax breaks. A lower state court last year rejected the position of Speedway Motorsports Inc. A three-judge state Court of Appeals panel ruled unanimously in October 2013 that there was never a binding contract for the money to help build a new drag strip and make [Charlotte Motor] speedway upgrades. The N.C. Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday about whether the lawsuit was dismissed improperly, as Speedway Motorsports claims. Smith had threatened in 2007 to move the speedway if he didn't get the tax breaks.(see full story at the Independent Tribune)(9-9-2014)

  • DAYTONA Rising September Project Update: During the last month, Daytona International Speedway continued to move forward with the $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project. Key areas of the new motorsports stadium are beginning to take shape. Below is a breakdown of key accomplishments since the last update as well as upcoming construction activities.
    Vertical Transportation:
    · Installed escalators and elevators at West and East ends of the project
    · Ongoing masonry near the West end of the project as well as in the center
    · Continued concrete pours on metal decks
    · Ongoing steel deck and detailing throughout the project
    · Began installation of curbs in West end and just east of the start/finish line
    Injectors:
    · Began pouring concrete stairs for the far west Injector
    · Finalizing structural steel installation
    Neighborhoods:
    · Finalizing initial development of neighborhood bars, guest services, bathrooms and bistro concessions
    · Ongoing installation of HVAC systems in the West and East ends as well as just east of the start/finish line
    Miscellaneous:
    · Ongoing demolition of the Turn 1 grandstands
    Race fans can follow the progress of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting www.DAYTONARising.com.(DIS)(9-9-2014)

  • Tweaker Energy Shots / Circle K sponsoring Bliss: Tweaker Energy Shots is back on board the #19 Camry this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Tweaker and Circle K have teamed up once again to serve as the primary sponsor for Mike Bliss's Camry. This is the second time this season that Tweaker and Circle K have adorned the hood of the No. 19 Camry.(TriStar Motorsports)(9-9-2014)

  • Richmond TV Ratings: ESPN2's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond on Friday night, Sept. 5, earned a 0.8 U.S. rating, averaging 1,305,000 viewers. Last year's race telecast earned a 1.1 rating with 1,834,000 viewers.(ESPN)(9-9-2014)

  • Busch's gear taken to R&D Center UPDATE: Kyle Busch's seemingly flawless race Friday night at Richmond International Raceway didn't go completely without a hitch. NASCAR officials announced that the rear gear of Busch's winning Joe Gibbs Racing #54 Toyota would be taken to the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina., for further evaluation. It was the only issue reported from post-race technical inspection after Friday night's Virginia529 College Savings 250. Busch was the Coors Light Pole Award winner and led all 250 laps of his fourth Nationwide Series victory of the year and his 67th win of his career on the tour. The inspection findings do not necessarily indicate that a penalty is forthcoming, but any action on behalf of NASCAR would likely take place early next week before all three NASCAR national series converge on Chicagoland Speedway for its tripleheader weekend. Kyle Busch Motorsports, a Busch-owned subsidiary of the Gibbs organization, has been penalized more than once this year for ride-height violations in the Camping World Truck Series. (NASCAR.com)(9-6-2014)
    UPDATE: NASCAR announced Tuesday afternoon that there were no issues with Busch's car.(9-9-2014)

  • Jewel-Osco to sponsor Nemechek: SWM-NEMCO Motorsports announced that its #8 Toyota Tundra driven by Joe Nemechek will be sponsored by Jewel-Osco for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday, September 12, 2014. The partnership, which will officially kick off in the 2015 NCWTS season, will allow Jewel-Osco the opportunity to showcase certain vendors on the #8 race truck while providing a base for motorsports related promotions for their customers. Nemechek has been active in NASCAR for nearly 25 years and has compiled 20 wins on the NASCAR circuit. Today, father Joe and son, John Hunter, represent the team on the track racing in all three of NASCAR's national series and are sharing the driving duties in the #8 Tundra this season.(NEMCO)(9-9-2014)


    News from September 8, 2014

  • Entry List for the MyAFibStory.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #32-Joey Gase, #33-Stremme, #37-Bliss, #66-Nemechek, #95-McDowell.
    Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's Chicago Entry List

  • Unprecedented 'Chase Across North America' 16 Driver, 16 Market Media Tour Set For Wednesday: On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the 16 Challengers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will participate in the "Chase Across North America" media tour. The multi-country media blitz will feature 16 different drivers across 16 different cities, with one driver visiting each of the following locations: every Chase track market, Los Angeles, Mexico City, San Antonio, Toronto, New York and ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. Each location will host a Chase driver for a day of special events and media availabilities to kick off NASCAR's playoffs, which begin Sunday, Sept. 14 at Chicagoland Speedway.
    The market/driver pairings:
    Los Angeles: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    Mexico City: #99-Carl Edwards
    San Antonio - #41-Kurt Busch
    Toronto: #24-Jeff Gordon
    New York City - #48-Jimmie Johnson
    ESPN - #4-Kevin Harvick
    Chicago - #18-Kyle Busch
    New Hampshire - #5-Kasey Kahne
    Dover - #16-Greg Biffle
    Kansas - #47-AJ Allmendinger
    Charlotte - #2-Brad Keselowski
    Talladega - #22-Joey Logano
    Martinsville - #31-Ryan Newman
    Texas - #20-Matt Kenseth
    Phoenix - #11-Denny Hamlin
    Homestead-Miami - #43-Aric Almirola
    Follow along with each Chase Across North America event using #NASCAR and #MyChaseNation.(NASCAR). See the Driver Appearances page and chasegridlive.nascar.com for more info.(9-8-2017)

  • Richmond Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 7:30 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 10:40 PM (all times are EST). ESPN on ABC was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 125
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 57
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 0
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 28
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 4 min.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 7:30 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 10:40 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 190
    Minutes of race broadcast: 138
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 52
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1
    Number of 'stupid stunt cautions': 1
    Total race brdcst time 138 Total comm. brdcst time 52
    See past races, links to full reports & sponsor links on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(9-8-2014)

  • CGR to Host First Ever Social Media Concert: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) is hosting an invitation-only social media concert featuring Republic Nashville recording artist and former winner of The Voice Cassadee Pope at the team's Concord, N.C. headquarters on Sept. 8. The concert for 300 social media and millennial influencers called Ganassi Sound Garage: a Digi Bash, will be hosted by the team's lineup of young NASCAR drivers Kyle Larson and Dylan Kwasniewski and INDYCAR driver Sage Karam. The event, which will be emceed by FOX Sports 1 television personality Kaitlyn Vincie, will be streamed live beginning at 8:30 pm/et. For more info and links at chipganassiracing.com.(9-8-2014)

  • Richmond fence climber arrested, charged UPDATE: An unidentified fan made it all the way to the top of the catchfence in Turn 4, bringing out a caution during Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400. Richmond International Raceway spokeswoman Aimee Turner said the unidentified fan was arrested by Henrico County police and charged with disorderly conduct and being drunk in public. The fan sat atop the fence while the 42-car field zoomed underneath him at speeds upward of 120 mph. Asked how the fan got past security to climb the fence, Turner said the track will "review safety measures with Henrico (County) police and NASCAR." She said officers were stationed along the fence in front of the grandstands. One of those officers can be seen in photos on social media looking the opposite direction as the fan sits atop the fence. A video shows the fan getting past a cordoned area and climbing. The caution lights did not come on until after the climber had begun his descent, after sitting atop the fencing for several minutes. Police officers surrounded him at that point.(more at the USA Today)(9-7-2014)
    UPDATE: Henrico County police identified the spectator who climbed to the top of the catchfence during Saturday night's Sprint Cup NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway as James Richard Dennis, 53, of Henrico. Dennis was arrested and charged with being drunk in public and disorderly conduct. Henrico police Lt. Scott Jones said Dennis told police it was his birthday and he wanted to be on national TV. "He's up in the stands and he's waiting for his chance," Jones said. "When the officers are tied up on something else, when the officers walk away, he runs down, climbs the fence, all the way to top, starts waving, and he got his wish."(News & Advance)(9-8-2014)

  • Truck Series Entry list: There are 30 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Friday's Lucas Oil 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. A few notes:
    Ted Minor is in the #12;
    Austin Dillon is in the #20;
    Todd Peck is in the #40;
    Mike Harmon is in the #74;
    (9-8-2014)
    See the complete list on the Chicagoland entry list page.

  • Hornaday optimistic of return UPDATE: Speaking from his home on Friday, Ron Hornaday confirmed he doesn't plan to race Sunday but said he could return to the #30 Chevy as soon as the next series race at Chicagoland Speedway in two weeks. Also, contrary to earlier reports, Hornaday said team members who were told Wednesday they had been let go by TSM were called back to the shop and are actively preparing trucks to go race. Hornaday, who joined Turner Scott ahead of the 2014 season and is fourth in the standings, just 27 points out of the lead, admitted he was surprised when he received calls Wednesday from a NASCAR reporter and his son saying that his #30 team had been shut down. "I called Mr. Turner (TSM co-owner Steve Turner) and he said he couldn't talk about it, and that's all I got out of the whole situation other than what's written and what's said on the Internet," Hornaday told FOXSports.com on Friday. "So I don't know."Hornaday's understanding upon joining the organization was that he was never guaranteed the full season in the #30, and that his deal was on a race-by-race basis. "All I know is Rheem was helping support that program," said Hornaday, 56. "They started with four races, they had picked it up to six races, and then they picked it up to 10 races and then they were filling in whatever Mr. Turner didn't have a sponsor for. Wherever it lies, I know they've been big supporters of my racing career. It started up there at Kevin Harvick's (Kevin Harvick Inc.) and then they supported us down here. And I know Chevrolet's been supporting it. So whatever happened between those two, hopefully they work it out and we're racing the next race." Hornaday says he has yet to seriously explore potential options with other teams, except for reaching out to his 2013 team owner, Bob Newberry, from whom he is still paid. "I called Mr. Newberry and spoke to him a little bit and that's about all I've done," Hornaday said. "There's not too many Chevrolet trucks out there, and my whole racing career I've been in Chevrolets, and with the support they give me and what they've done in my career, I'd be foolish to go to another manufacturer, but you never know. I'm optimistic but in all the years of me racing I've never had to chase money and never had to go through things like this. I've been fortunate enough to race for Dale Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick and everybody that gave me awesome trucks." But Hornaday certainly isn't ruling out a return to Turner Scott -- possibly even as early as later this weekend. "Who knows?" he said. "The race ain't 'til Sunday. I could get a plane and fly it out tomorrow and start in the back of the pack. You never know. I'm optimistic."(FoxSports)(8-29-2014)
    UPDATE: The saga surrounding the recent shutdown of Ron Hornaday, Jr.'s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team took a bizarre turn today, when a spokesman for Rheem Motorsports revealed that his company had already agreed to back Hornaday for the remainder of the 2014 season. Rheem Motorsports Managing Director Ed Raniszeski told Sirius XM Speedway today that he was stunned by the abrupt closure of the #30 Turner Scott Motorsports team, just days prior to a race at Ontario's Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. "I learned about it through the media," said Raniszeski. "I was dumbfounded, since I had told Turner Scott Motorsports that we would sponsor any of Ron's races that they were unable to find backing for. "We did have a longstanding relationship with Ron Hornaday, however, and a few weeks prior to the start of the season, we were informed that Ron was in jeopardy of being left without a ride. After some deliberation, Rheem agreed to sponsor Ron for the first four events, giving Turner Scott Motorsports additional time to find full sponsorship for the team." Hornaday got off to a strong start, finishing second in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and ranking fifth in points after four races. Despite that early success, Raniszeski said TSM was unable to secure additional backing for the No. 30 team, prompting Rheem to extend their "handshake agreement" to a total of 10 races. As Hornaday climbed to third in the championship standings, Raniszeski said the company agreed to back Hornaday in all races that TSM was unable to fill, for the remainder of the season. He said he has yet to receive an explanation for the move from TSM co-owners Steve Turner or Harry Scott, Jr. Raniszeski said Rheem is not only willing to back Hornaday going forward, but is "working hard right now to see if we can find something for him. We're not finished trying to help him."(Godfather Motorsports)(9-8-2014)

  • Red Horse to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month: Red Horse Racing announced today that they will display a special decal on the #17 and #77 Toyota Tundras at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events at Chicagoland Speedway (Sept. 12), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sept. 20) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sept. 27) in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Germán Quiroga pilots the #77 Toyota Tundra and was the first Mexican driver to compete full time in any of NASCAR's national touring series. Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized in the United States from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 each year, to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.(Red Horse Racing)(9-8-2014)

  • Horizon Pharma joins Peck for Chicagoland: Horizon Pharma has joined NASCAR driver Todd Peck's mission to inspire those living with arthritis to maintain an active and fast-paced lifestyle. Horizon Pharma will serve as the primary sponsor of Peck's #40 Chevy Silverado for the Lucas Oil 225 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 12. The race will mark Peck's fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event of the season. Horizon Pharma, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by identifying, acquiring and commercializing differentiated products that address unmet medical needs. Horizon markets a portfolio of products in the areas of arthritis, pain and inflammatory diseases including VIMOVO® (naproxen/esomeprazole), DUEXIS (ibuprofen/famotidine) and RAYOS (prednisone) delayed-release tablets. Peck, who suffers from both juvenile arthritis and osteoarthritis, has never let his conditions slow him down. He, along with Horizon Pharma, will visit the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute prior to the race at Chicagoland Speedway to share his story with the patients and staff. They aim to inspire others with arthritis to maintain a healthy lifestyle with frequent activity.(Peck Motorsports)(9-8-2014)

  • Jennifer Jo Cobb get 3 race sponsor: Oohrah! Hydration LLC announced a three race primary sponsorship of the Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. Oohrah! will be on the hood and quarter panels of the team's Chevy Silverado on September 20, 2014 for the "UNOH 175" race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Oohrah! will also be a primary sponsor for JJCR at the Talladega Superspeedway on October 18 and the season finale on November 14 in Homestead-Miami. Oohrah! Hydration Drink founder and CEO, Lisa Bremmer says, "Jennifer's mission to honor the military and live a healthy lifestyle aligned perfectly with our product and corporate culture. We are very excited to be part of the NASCAR family and are thrilled to introduce Jennifer's fans to our drinks." The Oohrah! label tells a story. The flavor name and color of every Oohrah! Hydration Drink conveys a message from the Oohrah! family. There are several flavors like Chargin' Blue, which honors those who fight for the sea, and our and Rockin' It Pink which honors lady warriors and breast cancer survivors. Flavors and ordering information can be found on the company's website: www.oohrahhydration.com.(JJCR)(9-8-2014)

  • NASCAR Hauler Showcase and Parade returns to Dover on Thursday, Sept. 25: Dover International Speedway is pleased to announce a special kickoff to the Sept. 26-28, 2014 race weekend with the return of the popular NASCAR Hauler Showcase and Parade. The event is set for Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. and begins at the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover. The Hauler Showcase and Parade is free and open to the public. Fans are invited to the Blue Hen Corporate Center, located at 655 S. Bay Road just four miles south of the Monster Mile on Route 113, to see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haulers before they depart at 6 p.m. on a parade route through Downtown Dover before heading to the track. The parade will once again create a can't-miss spectacle in the capitol of The First State. Approximately 40 brightly painted NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver haulers, measuring approximately 80-feet in length, will make their way through town en route to the Speedway. The inaugural event in 2013 saw close to 10,000 attendees spread out across the entire parade route. After such a great turnout, Speedway and local officials agreed the event should return in 2014.
    The showcase will kick off at 4 p.m. in the Blue Hen Corporate Center before departing on the parade route at 6 p.m. Haulers will start north on Bay Road, before making a left onto Martin Luther King Blvd. (formerly Court Street). They will then turn right onto Legislative Avenue in Downtown Dover, before turning left onto Loockerman Street, then right on South State Street. From there, the haulers will proceed to the track via Leipsic Road and arrive at approximately 6:45 p.m. For race tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(9-8-2014)

  • The Band Perry Headlines Pre-Race Country Jam And Pit Party at Bank of America 500: The 2014 Academy of Country Music Vocal Group of the Year, The Band Perry, will headline the largest pre-race Country Jam and Pit Party in Charlotte Motor Speedway's history prior to the Bank of America 500 on Saturday, Oct. 11. The three-hour-long entertainment festival will take place on pit road and will also include concerts by Jimmy Wayne and Parmalee. #88 National Guard driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will make appearances on stage for fan Q&A sessions, while pit crew demonstrations, games and photo opportunities will take place in Victory Circle and toward the exit of pit road. All the pre-race entertainment will be broadcast for every ticket holder on the speedway's colossal HDTV, and fans can gain pit road infield access to the Country Jam and Pit Party with the purchase of a pre-race pit pass or driver introduction pass. For affordable ticket and pit pass packages for Bank of America 500 weekend, contact the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(9-8-2014)


    News from September 7, 2014

  • Richmond fence climber arrested, charged: An unidentified fan made it all the way to the top of the catchfence in Turn 4, bringing out a caution during Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400. Richmond International Raceway spokeswoman Aimee Turner said the unidentified fan was arrested by Henrico County police and charged with disorderly conduct and being drunk in public. The fan sat atop the fence while the 42-car field zoomed underneath him at speeds upward of 120 mph. Asked how the fan got past security to climb the fence, Turner said the track will "review safety measures with Henrico (County) police and NASCAR." She said officers were stationed along the fence in front of the grandstands. One of those officers can be seen in photos on social media looking the opposite direction as the fan sits atop the fence. A video shows the fan getting past a cordoned area and climbing. The caution lights did not come on until after the climber had begun his descent, after sitting atop the fencing for several minutes. Police officers surrounded him at that point.(more at the USA Today)(9-7-2014)

  • Stewart comes up short and misses Chase: #14-Tony Stewart started 19th Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway in the race that finalized the field for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, climbed as high as 10th inside the final 100 laps and then fell back when his crew missed a lug nut on his final pit stop. "That's all I had, bud," Stewart radioed after his 15th-place finish. "Pretty impressive to drive all the way up those guys," replied crew chief Chad Johnston. "We had a better car than that, but far cry from where we started the weekend." Stewart struggled through most of Friday's two practice sessions before qualifying 19th, his best starting position at Richmond in four years. This is the third time in the 11 years of the Chase format that Stewart has failed to qualify. The three-time champion missed the Chase last season when a broken leg sidelined him for the final 15 races of the year. Stewart did not wish to speak with reporters after climbing from his car, team PR representative Mike Arning said. The driver spoke with his crew briefly and then disappeared inside his hauler. With 10 races remaining, Stewart is winless for the first season of his career. Greg Zipadelli, Stewart's long-time crew chief and now the vice president of competition for Stewart-Haas Racing, said Friday the team planned to assess its position after Saturday night's and then assess the rest of the season. Stewart's is co-owner of four race teams, and drivers #41-Kurt Busch and #4-Kevin Harvick qualified for the playoffs. #10-Danica Patrick did not.(Associated Press)(9-7-2014)

  • Chase Grid Live in Chicago; Fan Fest Culminates with Live Show Chase Drivers: As the 16 drivers for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup are set, Chase Grid Live Sponsored by Toyota and Sprint will make its debut in downtown Chicago on September 10-11. The free outdoor fan fest located on North Michigan Avenue, will culminate with a two-hour live show featuring all 16 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, just days before the momentous Challenger Round debuts at Chicagoland Speedway. Throughout the two-day fan fest, ESPN will feature live segments with many of the 16 drivers competing in the Challenger Round and various other NASCAR personalities making appearances on-site. Fans in attendance will be treated to custom content that will be featured on Sprint Vision, a high definition 18 x 32.4 foot screen; Toyota Camry NASCAR Sprint Cup show cars; and a special in-show tribute by NASCAR and Toyota to the nation's servicemen and women. More info and tickets at chasegridlive.nascar.com. For the fourth-consecutive year the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup begins at Chicagoland Speedway. For tickets to the September 12-14 race weekend, visit ChicagolandSpeedway.com or call 1-888-629-RACE (7223). Single-day tickets are available.(NASCAR)(9-7-2014)

  • Can money be allotted to help retired drivers? NASCAR is a billion-dollar industry filled with wealthy team owners, deep-pocketed sponsors and a number of millionaire drivers, all directed by the ultra-rich France family. The only folks who seem not to have done well from their involvement in NASCAR are retired drivers. Instead, a number of them need financial help in their everyday lives, especially with medical expenses. But there is no fund to provide such help. There should be. And the idea has some high-profile supporters.
    "I think that would be a positive thing," said Dale Earnhardt Jr., the perennial choice of fans as NASCAR's most popular driver.
    "I'm in favor of giving back to our sport," said Jimmie Johnson, six-time Sprint Cup champion.
    NASCAR drivers at all levels - Sprint Cup, Nationwide, World Camping Truck, K&N Pro Series - are independent contractors. They make the best deal they can with an owner and hope they eventually hit the big time. That has worked well for such veteran drivers as Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Earnhardt and Carl Edwards. And it seems to have worked well for some of the younger, established drivers such as Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch.
    But there are drivers in all series who struggle to survive competitively, which means they also struggle to survive financially. Their short-term needs are difficult to meet. They'd rather not think about the long term. "I certainly think any retired athlete needs some sort of benefits package or a fund or something for guys who end up on the less fortunate side of things," said Greg Biffle, who is in the midst of a solid career on the Sprint Cup circuit. "I'm in favor of it. We see a lot of players in all sports that end up on hard times."
    As for funding it, Biffle said, "Man, I am not a financial guy whatsoever." There is ample money available. NASCAR is completing a 10-year, $4.8 billon television contract. Next year, it begins a 10-year, $8.2 billion television contract. As little as 10% of the new deal would provide more money for a driver's fund than was in the initial concussion proposal between the NFL and its retired players.
    There are sponsor dollars generated by NASCAR. If teams contributed a small percentage of that money each year to a pool for retired or disabled drivers in need, fewer retired or disabled drivers would be in need. NASCAR's leadership has done remarkable things to make a dangerous sport as safe as possible. But without drivers, there are no TV contracts, no fans in the stands and no one buying high-priced souvenirs. "There's a little bit of a responsibility on everybody's part, not just the sport as a whole, but the drivers that are currently having the success they're having, myself included," Earnhardt said. "I'm sure it wouldn't be too tall a challenge to put something together. And if it's run properly and managed properly, it could be a huge assist to all those guys who are struggling, especially when you get older and the medical bills start piling up on you. Yeah, I think it would be a great thing."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-7-2014)

  • NBCSN's NASCAR America expands to an hour on Monday's: As the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season races to a dramatic finish this weekend at Richmond International Raceway, NBCSN's NASCAR AMERICA is gearing up for an expanded set of 60-minute Monday shows that begins on Monday, September 8 at 4:30pm/et, and will continue each week through the 2014 playoffs. In addition, NBCSN will present a 60-minute NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase special on Thursday, September 11. On July 23, 2013, NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached a comprehensive agreement that grants NBCUniversal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content beginning in 2015.(NBC)(9-7-2014)


    News from September 6, 2014

  • Brad Keselowski wins at Richmond: #2-Brad Keselowski won the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway for his 4th win of the season, 1st at Richmond and 14th career win. The win is Roger Penske's 400th races win in major motorsports (NASCAR, Indy, etc)
    #24-Gordon finished 2nd followed by #15-Bowyer, #1-McMurray, #4-Harvick, #22-Logano, #41-Busch, #48-Johnson, #31-Newman and #43-Almirola.
    Pole winner #2-Keselowski led 383 of 400 laps, winning his 4th race of the season.
    Points leader #24-Gordon (3 wins) finished 2nd, increasing the points lead to 31 #88-Earnhardt Jr. who finished 12th.
    #2-Keselowski takes the Chase Grid lead with 4 wins over #24-Gordon, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #48-Johnson and #22-Logano, all with 3 wins.
    #31-Newman (+36pts) and #16-Biffle (+7) were the final two drivers to get in the Chase over #15-Bowyer (-7_ and #42-Larson (-16).
    There were only 4 lead changes among 2 drivers. There were 4 cautions for 27 yellow flag laps, none for accidents or engine failures but one was a competition caution, then two debris cautions and one for a spectator who had climbed to the top of the turn four catchfence.
    The average speed was 104.702mph.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Penalty Report (pdf) and Lap Summary Report (pdf).
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).(9-6-2014)

  • Johnson collapses on pit road after race UPDATES: after finishing 8th in the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway, #48-Jimmie Johnson got out of his car on pit road under his own power, sat down on pit road, tried to get up and collapsed due to dehydration. Medical personnel were notified and Johnson was taken to the infield care center on a cart. Johnson was conscious entering the care center.
    UPDATE: Per NASCAR's Twitter: Jimmie Johnson has been treated and released from the infield care center.
    COMMENTS Team Chevy Post Race Notes and Quotes:
    Q) TELL US ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?
    Johnson: "Just got dehydrated in the car. Not exactly sure what led to it we will have to dig in and see what happened. I started cramping when I got out of the race car. Then when I was cramping I was trying to stand-up because I was fine when I sat down then I would stand-up I would get dizzy. When I would sit back down I would start to cramp again. Just really dehydrated. Ended up with five liters of IV in me. I was definitely dry. I will have to dig in and understand what happened in the car. I was hot in the car so I will have to make sure all my fans were working and stuff like that. Scary moment and I hate that it happened, but have to learn from it and make sure it doesn't happen again."
    Q) TALK ABOUT NOT BEING ON THE CHASE STAGE AND HAVING THIS HAPPEN FOR AN ATHLETE A GUY WHO IS PROBABLY THE BEST TRAINED. IT WOULD BE ODD THAT YOU WOULD BE THE ONE TO HAVE DEHYDRATION:
    Johnson: "Yeah there is something that went wrong today. It could have been my own nutrition plan. I felt like I came in plenty hydrated. We will have to make sure that all the fans and stuff were working in the car. I was warm at the midway point and didn't feel like my helmet fan was working. That could definitely cause an issue."
    Q) DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING BAD TO EAT OR HAVE YOU BEEN SICK OR ANYTHING?
    Johnson: "No, I haven't been sick. I had a light week of training as well because I had planned on competing in my triathlon tomorrow morning. Well rested, nutrition and all that was there. It is really bizarre that I got hit as hard as I did tonight with dehydration. I will have to dig in and see what happened."
    Q) ON HIS TRAINING:
    Johnson: "This week has been pretty light just because I'm supposed to compete in an event tomorrow morning. Still going to go and attend, but won't be able to compete especially with the cramping that I had. Just a lot of questions right now, but I cramped pretty bad there on pit road and got dizzy and light-headed and had to come over here and get a bunch of bags of IV."
    Q) SO WHEN YOU PARKED THE CAR YOU FELT OKAY, BUT WHEN YOU CLIMBED OUT IT WENT HAYWIRE:
    Johnson: "Yeah I sat in the car and was talking to my guys about the run and having a good race. I started to cramp a little bit in my legs so I figured I would just get out of the car and as I climbed out of the car the cramping got far worse. Then standing outside the car I kind of got dizzy so I wanted to sit down. Once I sat down the cramping got worse so then I wanted to stand up. I got up and off the ground two or three times and that whole process got me really dizzy. And had the cramps really kicking so fortunately then I was able to get on the golf cart and come over here and get plugged into an IV."(Team Chevy)(9-6-2014)

  • Race Fast Facts - Richmond:
    #2-Brad Keselowski won the 57th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400 , his 14th victory in 187 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    Keselowski led 383 laps, the most laps led in a scheduled 400-lap Richmond race.
    This is his fourth victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 11 races at Richmond International Raceway.
    #24-Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 28th top-10 finish in 44 races at Richmond International Raceway. It is his 17th top-10 finish in 2014.
    #15-Clint Bowyer (third) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 18 races at Richmond International Raceway.
    #31-Ryan Newman and #16-Greg Biffle clinched the final two spots in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
    (NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-6-2014)

  • 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Standings:
    [after Richmond, race 26 of 36]
    1) #2-Brad Keselowski [4 wins], 2012 points
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon [3 wins] 2009, -3
    3) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [3 wins] 2009, -3
    4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 2009, -3
    5) #22-Joey Logano [3 wins] 2009, -3
    6) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins] 2006, -6
    7) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins] 2006, -6
    8) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win] 2003, -9
    9) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win] 2003, -9
    10) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win] 2003, -9
    11) #5-Kasey Kahne [1 win] 2003, -9
    12) #43-Aric Almirola [1 win] 2003, -9
    13) #47-A.J. Allmendinger [1 win] 2003, -9
    14) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2000, -12
    15) #16-Greg Biffle, 2000, -12
    16) #31-Ryan Newman, 2000, -12
    (ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc)
    See the Chase Points Standings page (pdf).(9-6-2014)

  • 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings (not the Chase):
    [after Richmond, race 26 of 36]
    1) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [3 wins], 914
    2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [3 wins], 883, -31
    3) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [4 wins], 830, -84
    4) #22-Joey Logano(X) [3 wins], 829, -85
    5) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 802, -112
    6) #20-Matt Kenseth(X), 797, -117
    7) #4-Kevin Harvick(X) [2 wins], 788, -126
    8) #31-Ryan Newman(X), 782, -132
    9) #99-Carl Edwards(X) [2 wins], 777, -137
    10) #16-Greg Biffle(X), 746, -168
    (X) = in the Chase.
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).(9-6-2014)

  • Richmond Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points:
    #42-Larson, finished 11th, 11 rookie points
    #3-Dillon, 20th, 10
    #51-Allgaier, 28th, 9
    #26-Whitt, 30th, 8
    #7-Annett, 37th, 7
    #23-Bowman, 38th, 6
    #83-Truex, 42nd, 5
    Kligerman, Did Not Race
    See the 2014 Rookie of the Year page for rules, standings and more.(9-6-2014)

  • Lucky Dogs - Who got a lap back on each caution at Richmond: (and their finish)
    Caution 1: #78-Truex Jr., 25th
    Caution 2: #43-Almirola, 10th
    Caution 3: #43-Almirola(2), 10th
    Caution 4: #10-Patrick, 16th
    (9-6-2014)

  • Richmond Notes & Facts - Saturday - race:
    · There have been 116 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond International Raceway, one NSCS event from 1953 - 1958 and two races per year since 1959.
    · 477 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond; 308 in more than one.
    · 49 different drivers have won at Richmond International Raceway, led by Richard Petty with 13. Kyle Busch leads all active drivers with four.
    · There have been two NSCS race resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Richmond International Raceway: spring of 2008 (400/410) and spring of 2013 (400/406).
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Richmond International Raceway was the (09/12/1998) race won by Jeff Burton with a MOV of 0.051 second.
    · Only four of the 116 races at Richmond International Raceway have been shortened due to weather conditions: spring of 1962, spring of 1977, spring of 1982 and spring of 2003.
    · Petty Enterprises has the most wins at Richmond in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 15; followed by Hendrick Motorsports with 10, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing with nine each.
    · Chevrolet leads the series in wins at Richmond with 36 victories; followed by Ford with 30 wins and Toyota with seven.
    · The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Richmond International Raceway was 31st, by Clint Bowyer in the spring of 2008.
    (NASCAR)(9-6-2014)

  • Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic to sponsor Stemme at RIR: Circle Sport and Joe Falk today announced that Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic, a division of Link-Belt Construction Co. - a manufacturer of telescopic and lattice boom cranes for over 135 years - will sponsor David Stremme and the #90 Sprint Cup Series entry at Richmond International Raceway in tomorrow night's Federated Auto Parts 400. Founded in 1992 with its home office in Ashland, Virginia, Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic also has a branch location in Chesapeake, Virginia, and serves the states of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. "This is an example of a local company getting on board with our tribute to legendary NASCAR owner Junie Donlavey and using the experience to promote a goodwill gesture of their own. With everything we have planned for this weekend, we're topping it off by having Link-Belt join us by wishing one of its own continued success." The hood of the #90 Chevy will display "Best of Luck, Jeff Weller." The message is a sendoff to Weller, a 28-year employee of Link-Belt Construction Equipment, who most recently served as general manager at Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic. Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic will adorn the quarter panels of the Truxmore-inspired livery made famous by Donlavey Racing in the 1970s and early '80s. Link-Belt Construction Equipment Company is a leader in the design and manufacture of telescopic boom and lattice boom cranes for the construction industry worldwide.(Circle Sports)(9-6-2014)

  • CGA Partners with 3M to Promote 811 'Call Before You Dig' Phone Number on #16 at RIR: Common Ground Alliance (CGA) announced it has partnered for the fifth consecutive year with 3M and Greg Biffle, driver of the 3M #16 Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, to promote the national 811 "Call Before You Dig" phone number on the #16 car this Saturday at Richmond. CGA is the national association dedicated to protecting underground utilities and the people who dig near them, and 3M is one of the 1,500 members. Biffle will promote 811 in five locations - on the hood, deck lid, TV panel and both rear quarter panels - of his #16 3M Ford Fusion at Richmond for the final "pre-Chase" race of the year. CGA and 3M selected the Richmond race due to its position on the calendar, which falls at a time of year when home and property improvement projects are popular across the United States. An underground utility line is damaged by digging once every six minutes due to someone digging without first making a call to 811, according to CGA data. Additionally, Richmond will serve as the ideal venue to launch the "Breakfast with Biff" sweepstakes, which gives fans the chance to enter to win a VIP trip for two for a post-season visit with the #16 3M team near Charlotte, N.C. More info on the Racing Contest page. When homeowners and professional excavators call 811 they are connected to a local one call notification center that will take their information and communicate it to the appropriate local utility companies. Professional utility locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of all underground utility lines with flags or paint.(CGA) (9-6-2014)

  • Donlavey's career honored at RIR: The legacy of Richmond native Junie Donlavey to NASCAR is being honored at Richmond International Raceway. The Sprint Cup garage has been named the Junie Donlavey garage in honor of the owner who was a competitor at NASCAR's highest level for more than 50 years. The track placed a sign over the entrance to the garage that says "Donlavey Garage" with the words separated by the number "90." That was the number on Donlavey's cars for almost all of his races. Above the "90" is "Junie" and below it is "Chief". Donlavey died June 9 at 90.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-6-2014)

  • Busch's gear taken to R&D Center: Kyle Busch's seemingly flawless race Friday night at Richmond International Raceway didn't go completely without a hitch. NASCAR officials announced that the rear gear of Busch's winning Joe Gibbs Racing #54 Toyota would be taken to the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina., for further evaluation. It was the only issue reported from post-race technical inspection after Friday night's Virginia529 College Savings 250. Busch was the Coors Light Pole Award winner and led all 250 laps of his fourth Nationwide Series victory of the year and his 67th win of his career on the tour. The inspection findings do not necessarily indicate that a penalty is forthcoming, but any action on behalf of NASCAR would likely take place early next week before all three NASCAR national series converge on Chicagoland Speedway for its tripleheader weekend. Kyle Busch Motorsports, a Busch-owned subsidiary of the Gibbs organization, has been penalized more than once this year for ride-height violations in the Camping World Truck Series. (NASCAR.com)(9-6-2014)


    News from September 5, 2014


    ESPN.com's Racecast - Live Coverage and Chat
    Racing Live! on ESPN.com
    Listen Live Online at Motor Racing Network
    Ask in-race reporter #16-Greg Biffle


  • Race Coverage of the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2014.
    Television (TV): ABC at 7:30 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 7:00pm/et; green flag approx. 7:46pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs: Sunday, September 7, 3:30am/et, ESPN2

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway have been made.
    Pole sitter #2-Keselowski chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #24-Gordon took pit stall 5.
    #48-Johnson, who starts 3rd took the 17th pit stall, the 1st stall with an opening in front of it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #7-Annett, who starts 40th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-5-2014)

  • Keselowski wins Richmond pole: #2-Brad Keselowski won the Coors Light pole for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway with speed of 126.618mph for his 4th pole of 2014, 1st pole at Richmond and 7th of his career. Keselowski has won one race from the pole out of 6 previous poles.
    #24-Gordon is on the outside pole, followed by #48-Johnson, #4-Harvick, #22-Logano, #15-Bowyer, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #42-Larson, #41-Busch, #99-Edwards, #11-Hamlin and #31-Newman.
    Missing the race were: #75-Clay Rogers.
    See starting lineup, round-by-round qualifying results, qualifying order and more on the Richmond Starting Lineup / Qualifying Page.(9-5-2014)

  • Qualifying Fast Facts - Richmond:
    #2-Brad Keselowski won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 57th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400 with a lap of 21.324 seconds, 126.618 mph.
    This is his seventh pole in 187 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his career-high fourth pole and 21st top-10 start in 2014. He had three career poles coming into the 2014 season.
    This is his first pole in 11 races at Richmond International Raceway. Keselowski's previous best start at Richmond was second, earlier this season in April.
    #24-Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 17th top-10 start of 2014 and his 33rd in 44 races at Richmond International Raceway.
    #48-Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 15th top-10 start at Richmond International Raceway. It is his 13th in 26 races this season.
    #42-Kyle Larson (eighth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(9-5-2014)

  • First Round of Qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is over, after 30 minutes..
    #24-Gordon 125.927
    #48-Johnson 125.692
    #22-Logano 125.687
    #4-Harvick 125.488
    #17-Stenhouse Jr. 125.383
    the rest of the top 12: 11 15 41 2 31 42 99;
    out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 2: 10 1 27 20 16 55 14 18 5 13 47 88 23 43 51 3 78 38 90 36 9 40 26 98 32 93 75 37 7 66 83 34
    Driver who will miss the race: #75-Rogers.
    (9-5-2014)

  • Coverage of Qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2014 at 5:45pm/et.
    Television (TV): ESPN2, 5:30pm/et
    Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
    Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none
    For the group qualifying rules and format, see my Qualifying Rules page

  • Qualifying Order for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is posted. 44 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #10-Patrick.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #7-Annett.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Richmond Qualifying Page.(9-5-2014)

  • Happy Hour practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is over, after 80 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #99-Edwards 121.863
    #2-Keselowski 121.841
    #15-Bowyer 121.737
    #1-McMurray 121.715
    #48-Johnson 121.704
    slowest: #93-Yeley 116.878 & #34-Ragan 117.565
    notes: #55-Vickers wrecked very early in practice when a tire went down and he spun, hitting the wall. The team pulled out the backup car.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Richmond Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf).(9-5-2014)

  • First Friday practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is over, after 180 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #4-Harvick 129.112
    #2-Keselowski 128.805
    #22-Logano 128.712
    #55-Vickers 128.419
    #99-Edwards 128.065
    slowest: #66-Nemechek 116.124 & #75-Rogers 118.463
    best 10 consecutive lap averages:
    #24-Gordon 123.880
    #88-Earnhardt Jr. 122.148
    #1-McMurray 122.054
    notes: there was no TV coverage for this 3-hour practice.
    If qualifying were to be cancelled (5:45pm/et today on ESPN2), this practice would set the starting lineup.
    See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Richmond Practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-5-2014)

  • Stanley Tools to move to the #19 in 2015? Stanley Tools to cut back on its' sponsorship and move to Joe Gibbs Racing to support Carl Edwards. Stanley, which was originally with Roush Fenway Racing and a long supporter of Matt Kenseth and the #17 Ford with the DeWalt brand (2000-2009), has been with Richard Petty Motorsports since 2009 and enjoyed a four-year relationship with Ambrose but expects to get more bang for the buck as a part-time primary on the #19 Toyota next year.(Motorsport)(9-5-2014)

  • Nationwide expands sponsorship of the #88 Chevy: Nationwide has expanded its three-year relationship with Hendrick Motorsports to become the majority sponsor of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the #88 Chevy team beginning with the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Nationwide, which in May announced it will join Hendrick Motorsports as a corporate partner, will increase its primary sponsorship of Earnhardt to 21 Sprint Cup events, including the Daytona 500, for each of the next three seasons. The revised agreement provides Nationwide with nine additional primary races in 2015 and eight additional primary races in both 2016 and 2017.
    "We're thrilled to be deepening our partnership with the Hendrick Motorsports team," said Matt Jauchius, chief marketing officer at Nationwide. "We look forward to seeing Nationwide on the #88 for NASCAR's biggest races over the next three seasons." Nationwide is making an early debut as Earnhardt's primary sponsor during this weekend's Sprint Cup event in Richmond, Virginia, where it is previewing the 2015 #88 Nationwide Chevy paint scheme.
    "That Nationwide has already elected to grow the sponsorship sends a clear message about the opportunities they see and how well our teams are working together," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's quickly become a strong relationship, and we're committed to building on that foundation and delivering results in every facet of the program."
    "I know the people at Nationwide extremely well and truly appreciate how invested they are in our team and our sport," said Earnhardt, whose family has been insured by Nationwide for more than 35 years and who has been featured in its national advertising since 2009. "It's extremely gratifying that they recognize so much value in the partnership and want to do more. Having this kind of support and seeing so many positive things happening around the team feels really good."(HMS)
    see an image of the car on the #88 Team Schemes page.(9-5-2014)

  • Update on the National Guard sponsorship of the #88 in 2015: The following is a team statement from Hendrick Motorsports regarding its continuing relationship with the Army National Guard: "Representing the National Guard and its Citizen Soldiers is an extraordinary honor and source of pride for our entire organization. Communication is ongoing with regard to the future of the sponsorship, which is contracted through the 2015 season."(Hendrick Motorsports)(9-5-2014)

  • Richmond Notes & Facts - Friday - poles:
    · Buck Baker won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Richmond in 1953 with a speed of 48.465 mph.
    · 52 drivers have Coors Light poles at Richmond, led by Richard Petty and Bobby Allison with eight each. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with six.
    · Seven drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Richmond. Bobby Allison holds the record for most consecutive poles at Richmond with five (1972 - 1974).
    · 22 of the 116 (18.9%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond International Raceway have been won from the Coors Light pole. Only three active drivers have been able to accomplish the feat: Kasey Kahne (2005), Jimmie Johnson (2007) and Kyle Busch (2010).
    · The pole starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing the more winners than any other starting position at Richmond (22).
    · Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Richmond International Raceway with an 8.047.
    · 35 of the 116 (30.1%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond have been won from the front row: 22 from the pole and 13 from second-place.
    · 90 of the 116 (77.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Richmond International Raceway have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · 13 of the 116 (11.2%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond International Raceway have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    · Brian Vickers (05/15/2004) posted his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Richmond.
    · Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Richmond International Raceway six times; most recently fall of 2008.
    (NASCAR)(9-5-2014)

  • Harvick to run special Budweiser scheme at RIR: Kevin Harvick's #4 Budweiser Chevy will feature a special look for Saturday night's race at Richmond. The car's paint scheme reflects the primary packaging for Budweiser's new reclosable aluminum bottles that debuted this week. The new red bottle is a modern interpretation of the classic Budweiser label that features the iconic Budweiser creed and Anheuser-Busch medallion.(SHR/Bud Racing PR), see images of the car on the #4 Team Schemes page.(9-5-2014)

  • CorvetteParts.net Looks Ahead to Richmond with Go FAS Racing: When driver Travis Kvapil takes the green flag at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond, CorvetteParts.net will once again emblazon the side of Go FAS Racing's Ford Fusion. Owners Tom and TJ Keen of Keen Parts will be featuring the CorvetteParts.net brand for this race and are looking forward to a weekend of great racing. Kvapil states "I'm really looking forward to racing at Richmond this weekend. I'm excited to get back to racing at a track which is a great blend of short track and intermediate type track. Ultimately, it comes down to a good handling car; one that turns through the middle of the corner and has good forward drive on the throttle. That's a hard combination to find, but we'll work on the 32 car throughout practices and do our best to find a good balance".(GFR), see images of the car on the #32 Team Schemes page.(9-5-2014)

  • Patrick, second best finish by female driver in Cup: #10-Danica Patrick's sixth-place finish is the highest finish by a female at Atlanta. The previous record was Janet Guthrie's 10th-place finish on March 19, 1978. Only a fifth-place result by Sara Christian in a Sprint Cup race on Oct. 2, 1949 at Heidelberg (Pa.) Raceway tops Patrick's finish. Christian also finished sixth at Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway on Sept. 11, 1949 and Guthrie finished sixth at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on Aug. 28, 1977. Though she ended up one spot behind Christian's record, Patrick notched her third top-10 of the year as she finished seventh in May at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City and eighth in July at Daytona. If she scores one more top-10 in 2014, she will tie Guthrie, who had four in 1977.(SHR PR)
    See the Female NASCAR Drivers page.(9-5-2014)

  • Die-Cast Distributor Plan B Sales to Sponsor HScott Motorsports at New Hampshire: HScott Motorsports announced that Plan B Sales will sponsor the #51 Chevy driven by Justin Allgaier in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) at New Hampshire. The NHMS race sponsorship is the first time Plan B Sales has been involved in the NSCS. Plan B Sales was founded in 2010 and started as a Lionel die-cast and Chase Authentics apparel wholesale distributor. The Concord, N.C. based company has grown into the largest independent racing collectibles distributor in the United States. Plan B Sales offers both retail and wholesale customers a vast array of products through their website, planbsales.com. "We are extremely honored for the opportunity to sponsor HScott Motorsports at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Loudon," said Brent Powell, president of Plan B Sales. "For PlanBSales.com to be part of Justin Allgaier's rookie campaign is a proud moment in our company's history. We will have a die-cast version of the New Hampshire car produced so fans everywhere can relive this race for years to come."(HScott Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #51 Team Schemes page.(9-5-2014)

  • Busch wins Nationwide race at Richmond: #54-Kyle Busch won the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway after starting from the pole and leading all of the 250 laps. #9-Chase Elliott finished second followed by #5-Kevin Harvick, #22-Ryan Blaney, #2-Brian Scott, #7-Regan Smith, #43-Dakoda Armstrong, #11-Elliott Sadler, #3-Ty Dillon, #60-Chris Buescher.
    There were 6 cautions for 38 laps and 0 lead changes among 1 leader. Complete results are on the Richmond race results page (pdf).(9-5-2014)

  • Richmond Nationwide Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch won the 34th Annual Virginia529 College Savings 250, his 67th victory in 289 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    Busch led all 250 laps, the second time in his career that he has led every lap in a NASCAR Nationwide Series race. He was the last driver to accomplish the feat, on Feb. 26, 2011 at Phoenix International Raceway.
    This is Busch's fourth victory and 18th top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his fifth victory and 16th top-10 finish in 19 races at Richmond International Raceway.
    Chase Elliott (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Richmond International Raceway. It is his 19th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Kevin Harvick (third) posted his 21st top-10 finish in 26 races at Richmond International Raceway. (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-5-2014)

  • Nationwide Driver standings following Richmond:
    1) #9-Chase Elliott # 916
    2) #7-Regan Smith 897 -19
    3) #3-Ty Dillon # 874 -42
    4) #11-Elliott Sadler 862 -54
    5) #2-Brian Scott 859 -57
    6) #6-Trevor Bayne 832 -84
    7) #60-Chris Buescher # 747 -169
    8) #62-Brendan Gaughan 720 -196
    9) #16-Ryan Reed # 686 -230
    10) #99-James Buescher 671 -245
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(9-5-2014)

  • Nationwide Owner Standings following Richmond are posted (pdf).(9-5-2014)

  • Busch on Nationwide pole at Richmond: #54-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light Pole for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway with a speed of 120.903mph. #22-Ryan Blaney will start second followed by : #9-Chase Elliott, #42-Kyle Larson, #2-Brian Scott, #20-Matt Kenseth, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #3-Ty Dillon, #6-Trevor Bayne, and #31-Dylan Kwasniewski.
    Multiple rain delays within the first session forced NASCAR to shorten qualifying to just one round.
    Did Not Qualify: #17-Tanner Berryhill and #70-Derrike Cope. The starting lineup is posted on the Richmond starting lineup page (pdf).(9-5-2014)

  • Richmond Nationwide Qualifying Notes:
    Kyle Busch won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 34th Annual Virginia529 College Savings 250 with a lap of 22.332 seconds, 120.903 mph.
    This is his 42nd pole in 289 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his sixth pole and 17th top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his fourth pole in 19 races at Richmond International Raceway.
    Ryan Blaney (second) posted his ninth top-10 start of 2014 and his third in four races at Richmond International Raceway.
    Chase Elliott (third) posted his second top-10 start at Richmond International Raceway. It is his 19th in 25 races this season.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-5-2014)

  • Shelton leaves TSM: Hearing that Michael Shelton has left Turner Scott Motorsports where he served as crew chief on the #31 Chevy driven by Ben Kennedy in the Camping World Truck Series. Shelton led the 31 team and driver James Buescher to the championship in 2012. Doug George, who had been calling the shots for the now closed #30 team will move to the 31 with rookie Kennedy.(9-5-2014)

  • Darlington and Bojangles' extend Southern 500 race entitlement: Darlington Raceway and Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits announced a five-year extension of their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 race entitlement partnership. The partnership, which began in 2012, will continue to bring two iconic southern brands together through the 2019 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. "This extension says a great deal about the strong year-round partnership Darlington Raceway and Bojangles' have enjoyed since 2012," said track President Chip Wile. "Both Darlington Raceway and Bojangles' continue to see tremendous value through this partnership. We are honored to extend our working relationship with them through the 2019 season."
    "Bojangles' is thrilled to continue our partnership with Darlington Raceway for the next five years," said Bojangles' President and CEO Clifton Rutledge. "Like Darlington, Bojangles' has deep roots in the South and pride ourselves on a tradition of bringing people together, especially over Labor Day Weekend. We look forward to helping create an unforgettable Bojangles' Southern 500 experience for years to come, an experience where the taste of Bojangles' traditional Southern recipes serves as the perfect complement to the sights and sounds of the legendary 'Lady in Black'. We thank Darlington Raceway, ISC and NASCAR for making this possible."
    The extension of the partnership between Darlington Raceway and Bojangles' comes at a time when the Bojangles' Southern 500 is returning to its traditional Labor Day weekend in 2015. "Our Labor Day weekend race was a cornerstone of the NASCAR schedule for 53 years. With our event returning to our historic weekend in 2015, we have some really exciting things in store that celebrate our past while continuing to look towards the future," Wile said. "Bojangles' and Darlington Raceway are true iconic Southern brands and we are proud of what we have built and will continue to accomplish together."
    Since the original agreement in 2012, Bojangles' has opened more than 100 company and franchise-operated restaurants throughout the Southeast, now boasting more than 600 locations. The chicken n' biscuits brand serves traditional Southern recipes with its own unique flavors, a simple concept that has cultivated a loyal customer base and now drives its increasing popularity and steady expansion throughout the Southeast, including nontraditional locations and sports venues.
    This partnership gives Bojangles' the opportunity to serve its famous Chicken Supremes, Cajun Filet Sandwich, Seasoned Fries and Legendary Iced Tea at Darlington Raceway. These menu items will also be served at three other tracks owned and operated by International Speedway Corp.: Daytona, Talladega and Richmond.
    Darlington Raceway and Bojangles' have enjoyed a year-round partnership, which has touched a variety of annual community initiatives both entities support including the following:
    · Bojangles' is the official sponsor of the Darlington Marathon, held on Sept. 26-27.
    · Bojangles' is a partner for the track's Speed & Feed BBQ Cook-off and Car Show, held annually in November.
    · Bojangles' has donated items for the track's local drives benefiting Darlington area food banks.
    · Darlington Raceway annually supports the Bojangles' Golf Outing benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
    Both parties unveiled a new Bojangles' Southern 500 event logo at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 is scheduled for September 6, 2015 on NBC.(Darlington Raceway)(9-5-2014)

  • Heavy rain hits Richmond, floods garage: Heavy rain and lightning scrapped the final half-hour of NASCAR Nationwide Series practice Thursday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway, but the mid-afternoon downpour caused more lasting issues for race teams. The Nationwide Series official hauler and about a dozen other team transporters were flooded by several inches of standing water, even an hour after rain had subsided at the .75-mile track. The race teams placed their cars on jackstands to avoid submersion, but the rainwater was deep enough to cover the tops of the scales in the NASCAR inspection area. Crewmembers walked from their haulers in the garage area in bare feet and rolled-up pants legs after the gully-washer. Nationwide teams were approximately 50 minutes into a final 90-minute practice session when lightning in the area forced NASCAR officials to order spotters down from their rooftop perch, putting a hold on on-track activity. About 10 minutes later, the skies opened with torrential rain to wash out the remainder of the session. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, recently renamed the Junie Donlavey Garage in honor of the Richmond native and longtime team owner, was not affected by the heavy rain. But the third-turn vehicle tunnel was flooded with 6-8 inches of water, according to a track maintenance worker.(NASCAR.com)(9-5-2014)


    News from September 4, 2014

  • #33 to run #90 at Richmond to honor Donlavey UPDATE: David Stremme will drive the renumbered #90 (one race deal instead of #33) Circle Sport Chevy at Richmond on September 6. The team will run the #90 and colors that the late former NASCAR team owner Junie Donlavey. Donlavey's cars ran 863 Sprint Cup Series races from 1950 to 2002 with 1 win, 60 top-fives and 218 top-tens. Donlavey passed away in June 2014 (Circle Sport Twitter). Running the #90 instead of the #33 will have no effect on the #33 owners points standing.
    UPDATE: As a special tribute to the late Junie Donlavey, Circle Sport will run the #90 this weekend at Richmond International Raceway with David Stremme behind the wheel. Donlavey, a Richmond native and NASCAR team owner for more than 50 years, was a mentor to Circle Sport team owner Joe Falk, and NASCAR granted Falk a request to change the #33 entry to the number #90 at RIR for Saturday night's primetime Sprint Cup race. In addition to the one-time number change, Stremme will pilot a retro Truxmore-inspired livery made famous by Donlavey Racing during the 1970s and early '80s, which will also commemorate each of the 67 Sprint Cup drivers that drove for Donlavey with individual designation on the decklid of the #90 Tribute to Junie Donlavey Chevrolet SS.
    "When Junie passed away in June, we worked closely with NASCAR and the Donlavey family to make this tribute car possible by changing our familiar number 33 to Junie's signature 90 for the fall race at Richmond," said team owner Joe Falk. "Junie was a mentor of mine from the time I was competing in NASCAR all the way through my involvement in team ownership, and I always dreamed of one day driving his No. 90 - a list that reads like a Who's Who of NASCAR. I'm just glad we're able to pay tribute to Junie and his family in front of the hometown crowd by showcasing the retro paint scheme this weekend and having some of his family in attendance on Saturday. Junie was one of the true pioneers of the sport of NASCAR, and I like to think we're building our team the same way he did over 60 years ago."
    Donlavey Racing began fielding a NASCAR team in 1950, and Donlavey earned a reputation of hiring young drivers over his tenure, with Ken Schrader and Jody Ridley winning NASCAR Rookie-of-the-Year honors. A veteran of the United States Navy, Donlavey embarked on his automotive career following his time in the service by starting his own auto repair business and developed an interest in racing, where he briefly tried driving race cars before focusing on ownership. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007, and also was the recipient of the 1992 Smokey Yunick Award and the STP Richard Petty Achievement Award in 1998.(Circle Sport)
    See images of the car / scheme on the #33 Team Schemes page.(9-4-2014)

  • NASCAR Revises National Series Qualifying Format At Talladega: NASCAR revised its national series qualifying format for Talladega Superspeedway which, in turn, should elevate the on-track competition for fans at the high speed 2.66-mile track. For the Oct. 17-19 events at Talladega featuring both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, national series qualifying will take on a more rapid pace that should bring out the best in the competitors and provide fans with an extra element of excitement.
    Keystone Light Pole Qualifying for the Fred's 250 powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17 at 5:30pm/et and will air live on FOX Sports 1. Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the GEICO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 at 4:30pm/et and will air live on ESPNEWS, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
    National series qualifying at Talladega will now consist of the following:
    · Three rounds with the first round divided into two groups amongst the competitors. The first qualifying round is five minutes in length for each group.
    · Competitors will be assigned to a first qualifying round group based on the random draw held earlier in the event.
    · The 24 eligible competitors that post the fastest single lap speed from either of the first qualifying round groups will advance to the second round. The remaining competitors will be sorted based on their speed posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
    · There will be a 10-minute break after the completion of the first qualifying round and the 24 remaining competitors that advance to the second round will have their times reset.
    · The second qualifying round is five minutes in length and the 12 eligible competitors that post the fastest single lap speed will advance to the third and final round.
    · The fastest remaining competitors will earn positions 13-24 based on their fastest single lap speed posted in qualifying in descending order.
    · Following a five minute break, the 12 eligible competitors that advance to the final round will have their posted speeds reset.
    · The final qualifying round is five minutes in length and the fastest single lap speed will determine positions 1-12 in descending order.
    "This revision in national series qualifying at Talladega should be more exciting for our fans," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR senior vice president of competition and racing development. "It will feature a more accelerated pace, provide greater opportunity for team strategy to come into play and it should more closely resemble actual racing conditions."(NASCAR)(9-4-2014)

  • Four drivers have raced into the Chase: Four drivers have come from outside the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cut-off to make the Chase at Richmond in the previous championship format 2004-2013]:
    · Jeremy Mayfield in 2004 made up a 55-point deficit
    · Ryan Newman in 2005 made up a one-point deficit
    · Kasey Kahne in 2006 made up a 30-point deficit
    · Brian Vickers in 2009 made up a 20-point deficit
    (all using the old point system)
    · Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2011 to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Keselowski was 11th in points with three wins; Hamlin was12th in points with one win.
    · Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2012 to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Kahne was 11th in points with two wins; Gordon was 12th in points with one win.
    · Due to a rare instance in the final race of the regular season that resulted in penalties being issued; a 13th car (Jeff Gordon's #24) was added to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.(NASCAR)

  • Richmond Notes & Facts - Thursday - drivers:
    · NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the series in starts at Richmond with 63. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 43 starts.
    · Bobby Allison and Richard Petty are tied for the lead in runner-up finishes at Richmond with nine each. Jeff Gordon, tied with Dale Earnhardt, leads all active drivers with seven.
    · Eight drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have posted consecutive wins at Richmond International Raceway. Richard Petty leads the series in consecutive wins at Richmond after posting seven consecutive wins from the fall of 1970 - 1973. Jimmie Johnson (2007 sweep) is the only active driver with consecutive wins at Richmond.
    · Richard Petty leads the series in top-five finishes at Richmond with 34. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 17; followed by Kyle Busch with 13.
    · Richard Petty leads the series in top-10 finishes at Richmond with 41. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 27; followed by Tony Stewart with 19.
    · Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Richmond International Raceway with a 7.0.
    · Two active drivers have a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series average finish in the top 10 at Richmond: Kyle Busch (7.0) and Denny Hamlin (9.7).
    · Tony Stewart (09/11/1999) and Kasey Kahne (05/14/2005) posted their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Richmond.
    · All of the 15 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Richmond International Raceway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart won at Richmond in their second appearance.
    · Joe Nemechek competed at Richmond International Raceway 18 times before winning in 2003; the longest span of any the 15 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.
    · Joe Nemechek (18), Kevin Harvick (11) and Jimmie Johnson (10) all made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Richmond International Raceway.
    · Greg Biffle leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Richmond without visiting Victory Lane at 24.
    · Two female drivers have competed at Richmond in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Danica Patrick & Janet Guthrie.
    (NASCAR)(9-4-2014)

  • Dillon running American Ethanol scheme at RIR: The #3 Chevy of Austin Dillon, will sport the black and green colors of American Ethanol this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America's farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country. Launched by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, along with the support of other partners, American Ethanol is a breakthrough brand that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15, and takes the NASCAR Green initiative to the next level. Since the program launch for the 2011 season, NASCAR drivers have run more than 6 million miles on renewable Sunoco Green E15.(RCR), see images of the car on the #3 Team Schemes page.(9-4-2014)

  • Michael Waltrip to Dance with the Stars UPDATE: NASCAR will have representation on the ABC hit show "Dancing with the Stars". The New York Daily News reports that Michael Waltrip will the season 19 cast is announced. Waltrip is a two-time Daytona 500 champion and currently part owner of Michael Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. His older brother Darrell Waltrip is a three-time NASCAR champion who now works as a NASCAR analyst for Fox Sports. The 51-year-old Owensboro Kentucky native still races occasionally as well as provides color TV commentary for NASCAR races and programming. Waltrip has made three NASCAR Sprint Cup starts this season, two at Daytona International Speedway and one at Talladega Superspeedway; his best finish was 19th at the Daytona race in July.(Examiner)(9-3-2014)
    UPDATE: This season's cast of celebrity dancers includes a fashion icon, a YouTube sensation, a NASCAR legend, and a movie star, to name a few. The stars will grace the ballroom floor for the first time on live national television with their professional partners during the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," which airs Monday, September 15 (8:00-10:01pm/et) on the ABC Television Network. The thirteen professional dancers teaching the celebrity cast how to bring heat to the dance floor are Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Allison Holker, Derek Hough, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater and Karina Smirnoff. Two-time Mirrorball champion and movie star Julianne Hough joins Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba at the judges' desk. As announced this morning on ABC's "Good Morning America" by "Dancing with the Stars" hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, the 13 celebrities with their professional partners heading to the dance floor this season (in alphabetical order) are: Jonathan Bennett, Tommy Chong, Randy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Lolo Jones, Bethany Mota, Janel Parrish, Alfonso Ribeiro, Sadie Robertson, Antonio Sabato Jr., Tavis Smiley, Lea Thompson,
    AND Michael Waltrip is a winning professional racecar driver, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, a widely recognized network racing commentator and author of a best-selling biography. Waltrip is a two-time winner of NASCAR's crown jewel event, the Daytona 500, and is one of only two drivers in history to hold victories in NASCAR's three top tier divisions over four consecutive decades. Waltrip still competes on a limited basis, posting two top 10 finishes in just four events in 2013. In recent years, Waltrip has driven in international events, competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona, as well as events in Spa, Belgium, Sebring and Dubai. The Kentucky native founded Michael Waltrip Racing and his organization brought Toyota Motor Corporation into NASCAR Sprint Cup racing in 2007, where his teams have won seven times and finished runner-up in the championship standings in 2012. As an expert commentator on Fox Sports 1 for the Camping World Truck series and an analyst for NASCAR on FOX during NASCAR Sprint Cup races, Waltrip has established himself as one of the industry's most respected voices and biggest personalities. In 2011, Michael published his best-selling book In the Blink of an Eye, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his historic 2001 Daytona 500 victory on the same day his mentor, boss, friend and owner, Dale Earnhardt, perished on the final lap. His story spent 11 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. Away from the track, Waltrip has competed in four marathons, including the Boston Marathon and his own marathon event, which raised more than $1,000,000 for charity. His humorous demeanor launched a multi-stop Comedy Tour in 2010. Waltrip will partner with Emma Slater.
    More info on the contestants, voting and the show at ABC.com.(ABC)(9-4-2014)

  • Dillon fastest in Nationwide happy hour: #3-Ty Dillon was quickest during happy hour for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 with a speed of 118.603Xmph. He was followed by: #54-Kyle Busch, #33-Cale Conley, #9-Chase Elliott, #2-Brian Scott, #22-Ryan Blaney, #60-Chris Buescher, #5-Kevin Harvick, #31-Dylan Kwasniewski, and #43-Dakoda Armstrong. 41 drivers participated in the session. Practice was ended 20 minutes early when it rained at the track. See complete results on the Richmond practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-4-2014)

  • Chris Buescher fastest in first Nationwide practice: #60-Chris Buescher was fastest during opening practice at Richmond International Raceway with a speed of 120.011mph. #3-Ty Dillon was second, followed by: #9-Chase Elliott, #14-Jeff Green, #01-Landon Cassill, #22-Ryan Blaney, #42-Kyle Larson, #43-Dakoda Armstrong, #31-Dylan Kwasniewski, and #6-Trevor Bayne. 38 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Richmond practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-4-2014)

  • Almirola to run two Nationwide races: Aric Almirola will pilot the Biagi-DenBeste #98 Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series races at Chicagoland Speedway September 13 and Dover International Speedway September 27. Smithfield will adorn the #98 Ford Mustang for both events. As Almirola and the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Sprint Cup Series team competes for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Almirola hopes the extra track time will prove beneficial for the Sprint Cup Series races at both tracks and propel the team through the first round to advance into the Contender round.(RPM)(9-4-2014)

  • Colgate sponsoring Larson in two races: Colgate will serve as the primary sponsor on Kyle Larson's #42 Chevy Camaro for the next two NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Richmond International Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway. The Chip Ganassi Racing Teams driver, who races for Turner Scott Motorsports in the NNS, will trade in his usual Cartwheel by Target paint scheme for that of Colgate. Larson's car will highlight the new Colgate Enamel Health toothpaste, uniquely formulated to replenish natural calcium and polish your enamel for stronger, healthy enamel.(Chip Ganassi Racing), see an image of the car on the #42 team paint scheme page.(9-4-2014)

  • McDowell driving for Penske at Kentucky: Michael McDowell announced on his Facebook page that he will drive the #22 Discount Tire Ford for Team Penske in the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway.(9-4-2014)

  • Preece to drive for Baldwin at Homestead: Ryan Preece of Berlin, Connecticut has made a significant change to his racing schedule for the remainder of the 2014 season. Instead of competing in his second NASCAR Nationwide Series event of the 2014 season at Richmond International Raceway Friday, he has decided to forego the start and exchange it for a start in the Tommy Baldwin Racing #36 at Homestead Speedway in November. The decision made by Preece and his supporters will allow him to chase his second career Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modified division championship, as well as gain NASCAR's approval to compete at super-speedways such as Daytona International Speedway. "If everything runs well and we finish all the laps, have a good run, and everything goes good I'd be approved to run Daytona," Preece told Speed51.com powered by JEGS. "You're done with the approval process at that point. I talked to Tommy (Baldwin) and all my sponsors backing us and they were 100-percent behind me."(Speed 51)(9-4-2014)

  • Reaume in the #87 at Richmond: Josh Reaume and the #87 Rick Ware Racing team venture to the Old Dominion State and the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, VA for Friday nights Virginia 529 College Savings 250. Reaume will be making his second career NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the exciting short track. In April (2014) Reaume finished 30th after starting 37th during his NNS debut at RIR. The newly released book "Cry Of The Outcast" is the incredible true story about a tiny premature African baby boy who was abandoned and left to die will be featured on the hood of Reaume's Chevy this weekend. Additionally all proceeds of the book for the next six weeks will go towards fighting the Ebola Virius which is spreading rapidly throughout Western Africa.(Josh Reaume Racing)(9-4-2014)

  • Kimmel returns to the #44: Will Kimmel is back behind the wheel of the #44 Ingersoll Randy Camry this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. This will be Kimmel's first career start at the .75-mile track. Earlier this season, Kimmel was behind the wheel at Phoenix International Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway where he posted 33rd and 22nd place finishes.(TriStar Motorsports)(9-4-2014)

  • Top Five Things to make a memorable RIR weekend: Fifty 50 activities to guarantee a memorable September 5 & 6 NASCAR race weekend at Richmond International Raceway could be named, but the list has been pared down to the Top 5 things every fan should do while at America's Premier Short Track for the Federated Auto Parts 400 and Virginia529 College Savings 250 weekend.
    1) Post-Race Party on the Track: Everybody's talking about it! For the first time ever, fans are invited to party on the track after the checkered flag flies Saturday night. You started with DJ Ghozt spinning a party mix that'll make you kick up a storm on our asphalt dance floor! They will be handing out glow sticks, light-up sunglasses, thunder clappers, and more. Then, will set the stage and introduce all 16 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and YOU will be on the track to see it all.
    2) Gwaltney Turn 3 Fun Zone: The Turn 3 Terrace got a makeover, and it's going to be fun for all ages. First, added is a trackside Ferris wheel that fans can ride before and during the races Friday and Saturday. Second, try out nearly a dozen Gwaltney specialties. If you like bacon, you'll love it here. Third, the trackside bar returns - so grab a drink and enjoy the race from Turn 3!
    3) Tailgate: There's nothing better than an all-day tailgate at Richmond International Raceway. Parking lots open at 7:00 a.m. so you can enjoy a day outside at America's Premier Short Track. Pack your cooler with all your tailgate essentials and get ready to fire up your grill and crack open those beverages at the best party around. And if you forgot to bring a few items, there's an on-site Kroger store outside of Gate 34, next to Lot D.
    4) Tag Us: You may have heard the phrase, "Picture, or it never happened!" It's true. Make sure you're sharing your NASCAR race weekend experience with all your friends and followers on social media. There are a few hashtags you'll want to keep handy: #FederatedAutoParts400, #VA529, #GetOnTheGrid, #RIRselfie, and #PostRaceParty.
    5) Driver Appearances: There's no sport more accessible than NASCAR, and the race day appearances schedule is proof of that. We have a schedule of Q&As you won't want to miss, and it's constantly being updated, so check back often to make sure you don't miss one.
    Don't have a race ticket yet? No problem! Click here to get your tickets, which start at just $35.(RIR)(9-4-2014)

  • Junior Johnson and Miss Sprint Cup Kick Off Bank of America 500 Trophy Tour: NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson and Miss Sprint Cup Julianna White joined a Charlotte Motor Speedway road show today and greeted race fans at Walmart in Biscoe, N.C., at the kickoff of the Bank of America 500 Trophy Tour. Presented by Coca-Cola and Walmart, the trophy tour will roll into five cities across four regions in advance of the Oct. 11 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The event brings fun, free-to-the-public, interactive racing excitement to Walmart locations in the Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, N.C. and Greenville, S.C. regions. Additional tour stops will feature appearances by NASCAR celebrities, Hall of Famers and Miss Sprint Cup; the Coca-Cola Racing show car and simulator; Charlotte Motor Speedway's Fan Van and pace car; plus the opportunity for fans to take photos with the Bank of America 500 trophy and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship trophy. Fans can also register to win tickets to the Bank of America 500 and sample delicious Coca-Cola products.(more info at charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(9-4-2014)


    News from September 3, 2014

  • Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the Oral-B USA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night, Aug. 31, earned a 3.2 U.S. rating, averaging 5,210,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating was the same for last year's race while the viewership average of 5,323,000 in 2013 was slightly higher. Greenville, S.C., led the nation's metered markets with a 9.6 rating for the telecast, with Greensboro, N.C., second at 9.0 and Indianapolis third at 8.9. Birmingham Ala., was fourth at 8.3 with Charlotte, N.C., fifth at 7.4. Rounding out the top 10 metered markets were Richmond, Va., 6.8; Raleigh-Durham, N.C., 6.4; Orlando, Fla., 6.3; Tampa-St. Petersburg, 5.7; and Norfolk, Va., 5.5.
    ESPN2's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta on Saturday night, Aug. 30, earned a 1.0 U.S. rating, averaging 1,541,000 viewers. The rating again matched the 2013 race telecast rating and viewership was again slightly down from a 2013 average of 1,611,000.(ESPN)
    See past races for 2014 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(9-3-2014)

  • Nationwide to sponsor the #88 at RIR UPDATE - image: When Dale Earnhardt Jr. races Sept. 6 at Richmond International Raceway, Nationwide will be on his side as the company makes an early debut as a primary sponsor of the #88 Chevy team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Nationwide, which in May announced it will join Hendrick Motorsports next season as a primary sponsor, will preview Earnhardt's 2015 paint scheme during the race weekend in Richmond, Virginia, where he has three career Sprint Cup victories. Fans also will get a sneak peek at the new design next week via social media. Earnhardt worked with Nationwide on the design of the car, which will race next season and is scheduled to make its only 2014 appearance at Richmond. A first look at the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS will be given to fans Sept. 3 at 1:00 pm/et via the new @Nationwide88 Twitter account that will provide updates related to Earnhardt and his Hendrick Motorsports team. "I've worked with Nationwide for years, but never as a primary sponsor," said Earnhardt, whose family has been insured by Nationwide for more than 35 years and who has been featured in its national advertising since 2009. "Having them on board with Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 88 team is a big opportunity, and I really appreciate them inviting me to help design the car. I'm excited for the fans to see it and look forward to kicking off the relationship at one of my favorite racetracks."(HMS)(8-29-2014)
    IMAGE see an image of the car on the #88 Team Schemes page.(9-3-2014)

  • Top 10 Driver Ratings at Richmond:
    #11-Denny Hamlin 112.5 (2 wins)
    #18-Kyle Busch 111.1 (4 wins)
    #4-Kevin Harvick 109.9 (3 wins)
    #15-Clint Bowyer 98.7 (2 wins)
    #24-Jeff Gordon 98.1 (2 wins)
    #14-Tony Stewart 94.5 (3 wins)
    #31-Ryan Newman 92.0 (1 win)
    #41-Kurt Busch 90.9 (1 win)
    #99-Carl Edwards 90.1 (1 win)
    #48-Jimmie Johnson 88.2 (3 wins)
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2014 races (19 total) among active drivers at Richmond International Raceway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Win, Finish, Top-15 Finish, Average Running Position while on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
    See an explanation how the Driver Rating is calculated at NASCAR.com.(NASCAR)

  • Richmond Notes & Facts - Wednesday - track history:
    · Originally known as the Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds, Richmond International Raceway held its first race in 1946 as a half-mile dirt track.
    · The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was April 19, 1953 won by Lee Petty.
    · The spring 1964 race was run on a Tuesday night under temporary lighting.
    · The track name changed to Virginia State Fairgrounds in 1967.
    · The track surface was changed from dirt to asphalt between races in 1968.
    · The track name changed to Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in 1969.
    · The track was re-measured to .542-mile for 1970.
    · The track was rebuilt as a three-quarters-mile D-shaped oval following the Feb. 21, 1988 race.
    · The first race under permanent lights was Sept. 7, 1991.
    · The first season with both races as night races was 1999.
    (NASCAR)(9-3-2014)

  • Special scheme for Gordon in three races: For the second year, Jeff Gordon will drive a specially designed #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy at three races in September, which is Hunger Action Month. The design features an orange paint scheme with an orange ribbon and will debut Sept. 6 at Richmond. The special paint scheme will also appear on the #24 Chevy at New Hampshire on Sept. 21 and Dover on Sept. 28. During Hunger Action Month, AARP and AARP Foundation's Drive to End Hunger is asking everyone to do something to help the nearly 9 million older adults struggling to put food on the table. For more ideas on how to get involved, visit drivetoendhunger.org.(HMS), see images of the car on the #24 Team Schemes page.(9-3-2014)

  • Joe Gibbs Racing, new air guns? UPDATE same guns all season: Denny Hamlin's #11 team was especially strong at Atlanta Motor Speedway, performing 11-second pit stops every time their driver came to pit road. While no one seemed to be able to get by #4-Kevin Harvick on the track, Hamlin's pit crew successfully gave him the lead multiple times throughout the night. The team's fastest stop of the night came at Lap 174, when the pit crew changed four tires and added two cans of fuel in an astonishing 11.0 seconds. Another thing that helped the JGR teams beat the competition on pit road is a reportedly new generation air gun being utilized by the teams as of late. Though few details are known about the new air guns at this point, their advantage was clear Sunday night. After the race, Kenseth would not go into details about the new technology, saying he honestly had no idea, but credited the organization's training skills for the fast stops.(in part from FoxSports) and see an opinion piece about the air guns at Pit Talks: Gibbs dominance on pit road in Atlanta has everyone talking.(9-2-2014)
    UPDATE: As the JGR team of Denny Hamlin consistently beat the Stewart-Haas Racing team of Kevin Harvick off pit road Sunday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Harvick crew chief Rodney Childers told Harvick that JGR had some new air guns they were using. Mike Lepp, the JGR athletic director who oversees the pit crews, swears that these are the guns that they have been using all year to loosen and tighten lugnuts during a pit stop. He said the team typically has some pit stops under 12 seconds and others over 12 seconds but Sunday whipped off all pit stops under 12 seconds. With JGR not having been in contention to win as many races this year, it just became noticeable Sunday with Hamlin and Harvick battling for the lead. Lepp said he believes it was just Childers trying to calm down his driver. "There wasn't anything new or anything," Lepp said in a phone interview Tuesday with the Sporting News. "It was an attempt to calm his driver down. ... (Like the cars), it's the same thing with these guys, you still have to have good athletes. But there's nothing that we brought to Atlanta that we haven't been bringing. The difference is we were running up front. When you go from 12th to ninth, you're not going to be feature (on TV)." Childers said Monday in an email that he wasn't trying to knock the JGR pit crew ability and talked to Lepp to make sure there were no hard feelings. Childers did say he believes the JGR air guns are better than the current ones SHR uses. But what about the sound of the guns? The guns might sound different depending on the tire changer, Lepp said. Each of the major teams make their own guns, which must be air-powered, and each tire changer is responsible for determining how fast they go. The only rule on air guns dictates that they must be NASCAR approved, air-powered and can only do one lugnut at a time. A NASCAR spokesman said Tuesday that it has "no issue whatsoever" with the air guns that JGR is using.(Sporting News)(9-3-2014)

  • Update on testing : Stewart-Haas Racing, Levine Family Racing and Front Row Motorsports (#24-David Ragan only) are testing Tuesday and Wednesday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske and JTG Daugherty are testing Tuesday and Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This marks the first of four tests teams are allowed at Cup tracks for Penske. Here are other upcoming tests dates:
    Sept. 22-23 at Texas Motor Speedway - Team Penske and Roush Fenway Racing.
    Oct. 7-8 at Martinsville Speedway - Chip Ganassi Racing.
    Oct. 13-14 at Martinsville Speedway - Team Penske and Germain Racing.
    Oct. 21-22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway - Stewart-Haas Racing.
    Oct. 28-29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway - Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske and Richard Childress Racing.(Motor Racing Network)(9-3-2014)

  • Haas F1 Team...new name: What was initially known as Haas Formula is now Haas F1 Team. Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation and chairman of the newly renamed Haas F1 Team, opted for the name change to better correlate his team with motor racing's most prestigious series - the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Haas F1 Team takes the place of the previous name, Haas Formula, which will remain the legal entity. Haas F1 Team will be the public and commercial name of the first American-led Formula One team since 1986. Its Website, www.HaasF1Team.com, launched on Tuesday. The FIA granted Haas a Formula One license in April. Well before then, ground was broken on an 11.600 square-meter (125,000 square-foot) facility adjacent to Haas' NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in Kannapolis, North Carolina, that will house the Haas F1 Team. Construction is scheduled to be completed in November. Haas' motorsports holdings include the Haas F1 Team, NASCAR's Stewart-Haas Racing and Windshear.(TSC).(9-3-2014)

  • Michael Waltrip to Dance with the Stars: NASCAR will have representation on the ABC hit show "Dancing with the Stars". The New York Daily News reports that Michael Waltrip will the season 19 cast is announced. Waltrip is a two-time Daytona 500 champion and currently part owner of Michael Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. His older brother Darrell Waltrip is a three-time NASCAR champion who now works as a NASCAR analyst for Fox Sports. The 51-year-old Owensboro Kentucky native still races occasionally as well as provides color TV commentary for NASCAR races and programming. Waltrip has made three NASCAR Sprint Cup starts this season, two at Daytona International Speedway and one at Talladega Superspeedway; his best finish was 19th at the Daytona race in July.(Examiner)(9-3-2014)

  • NASCAR and Comcast reach 10-Year series entitlement agreement: NASCAR and Comcast announced a historic agreement that will make Comcast's XFINITY brand the title sponsor of what is now known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series through 2024. The 10-year term matches the longest single agreement around title sponsorship of any NASCAR national series in history, and is the longest entitlement sponsorship agreement in this series' history.
    Beginning January 1, 2015, the property will be known as the NASCAR XFINITY Series. XFINITY will become only the third title sponsor in series history following Anheuser-Busch (26 years) and Nationwide Insurance (seven years). The agreement also makes XFINITY an Official NASCAR Partner in the multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) and broadband ISP categories.
    The announcement was made during an event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame - where the sport's history is celebrated every day - and was the first series entitlement sponsorship ever announced at the venue.
    XFINITY is Comcast's residential service brand and is the nation's largest video and high-speed Internet provider. The company has increased Internet speeds for existing customers 13 times in 12 years and recently introduced XFINITY on the X1 Entertainment Operating System. The company also offers XFINITY On Demand, the most robust video on demand platform in the world. Comcast serves business and residential customers in 39 states and Washington, D.C.
    "We're proud to welcome XFINITY to the NASCAR community as title sponsor of the NASCAR XFINITY Series for the next decade," said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman & CEO. "NASCAR and XFINITY are each leader brands with much in common. Both are focused on innovation and have products built for speed. Together, we will work to take this series to new heights and elevate one of the most unique and powerful partnerships in all of sports."
    What will soon be known as the NASCAR XFINITY Series is the property where names are made and is like nothing else in major pro sports. It features the most talented young drivers regularly competing side-by-side against NASCAR's biggest and brightest stars.
    "Technology lives at the heart of NASCAR, just as it does for XFINITY," said Dave Watson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Comcast Cable. "NASCAR provides an exciting environment in which to showcase our video and Internet products and we look forward to further enhancing the fan experience at home, at the track and on the go for years to come."
    The series also has a large, highly engaged and technology-connected television audience. It races in some of the nation's largest markets - from Chicago to Los Angeles to Miami - and at the sport's biggest and most iconic tracks - from Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, to Talladega Superspeedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    According to NASCAR Fan Engagement Tracker 2013 (commissioned by NASCAR and conducted by Toluna), NASCAR fans spend an average of four-and-a-half hours each week watching NASCAR on television and an additional two-and-a-half-hours each week following the sport on digital platforms.
    XFINITY is among the premier sponsors in sports today and a robust sponsorship activation program is part of the new agreement with NASCAR, with aggressive planning already underway.
    Comcast's involvement with NASCAR is expanding rapidly. In addition to the NASCAR XFINITY Series announced today, Comcast's NBC Sports unit will begin broadcasting NASCAR race events in July 2015.
    After a successful seven-year run as series entitlement sponsor, Nationwide Insurance pivoted its marketing programs to become a NASCAR team sponsor next season. Nationwide also is the official auto, home, life and business insurance partner of NASCAR.(NASCAR)(9-3-2014)

  • Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN2's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta on Saturday night, Aug. 30, earned a 1.0 U.S. rating, averaging 1,541,000 viewers. The rating again matched the 2013 race telecast rating and viewership was again slightly down from a 2013 average of 1,611,000.(ESPN)(9-3-2014)

  • CorvetteParts.net returns to the #84: Chad Boat and the Billy Boat Motorsports team will race a special paint scheme this weekend at RIR. Designed by the TJ and Tom Keen and the team at Keen Parts, the scheme will celebrate the one-year anniversary of a successful business partnership between Keen Parts/Corvette.net brand and Billy Boat Performance Exhaust.(Keen Parts), see an image of the car on the #84 team paint schemes page(9-3-2014)


    News from September 2, 2014

  • Entry List for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is posted, 44 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #32-Kvapil, #33-Stremme, #37-Bliss, #66-Nemechek, #75-Clay Rogers and #93-Yeley.
    Drivers who need to be in the top-36 in speed and have no provisional available to them (lowest in owners points): #75-Rogers (no owners points)

    Drivers who would miss the race if qualifying is canceled (least race attempts): #75-Rogers (0 attempts)
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's Richmond Entry List

  • For the group qualifying rules and format, see my Qualifying Rules page

  • Joe Gibbs Racing, new air guns? Denny Hamlin's #11 team was especially strong at Atlanta Motor Speedway, performing 11-second pit stops every time their driver came to pit road. While no one seemed to be able to get by #4-Kevin Harvick on the track, Hamlin's pit crew successfully gave him the lead multiple times throughout the night. The team's fastest stop of the night came at Lap 174, when the pit crew changed four tires and added two cans of fuel in an astonishing 11.0 seconds. Another thing that helped the JGR teams beat the competition on pit road is a reportedly new generation air gun being utilized by the teams as of late. Though few details are known about the new air guns at this point, their advantage was clear Sunday night. After the race, Kenseth would not go into details about the new technology, saying he honestly had no idea, but credited the organization's training skills for the fast stops.(in part from FoxSports) and see an opinion piece about the air guns at Pit Talks: Gibbs dominance on pit road in Atlanta has everyone talking.(9-2-2014)

  • Some clinch scenarios at Richmond: Only #31-Ryan Newman controls his own destiny, no matter who wins at Richmond. If there is a repeat 2014 winner (or a Kenseth victory), Newman is guaranteed a spot in the Chase if he finishes 41st or better; or 42nd with at least one lap led; or 43rd and the most laps led. If there is a new winner (that is not Kenseth), Newman is guaranteed a Chase spot with a finish of 18th or better; 19th and at least one lap led; or 20th and the most laps led.
    #16-Greg Biffle controls his own destiny if there is a repeat winner. If there is a repeat 2014 winner (or if Kenseth or Newman win), Biffle is guaranteed a spot in the Chase if he finishes 22nd or better; or 23rd with at least one lap led; or 24th and the most laps led. If there is a new winner (that is not Kenseth or Newman), Biffle needs to out-point Newman by 19 points and stay ahead of #15-Clint Bowyer and #42-Kyle Larson. Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson are the only other two drivers who can clinch a spot in the Chase without a victory.
    The following drivers can only make the Chase with a win at Richmond (and a top-30 spot in the standings): Paul Menard, Austin Dillon, Jamie McMurray, Brian Vickers, Marcos Ambrose, Casey Mears, Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Danica Patrick, Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, David Gilliland, David Ragan and Cole Whitt.(NASCAR)(9-202104)

  • NASCAR Numbers:
    950: The number of laps led by Tony Stewart in 30 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Richmond International Raceway. That's far and away the most among drivers who enter the Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400 without a victory this season.
    19: The number of winless drivers who have not already clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup but still have a mathematical chance to do so. Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle are the two drivers likely to earn a spot on points. Realistically, the other 17 must win at Richmond to have a shot.
    195: The number of laps led on Sunday night at Atlanta by pole winner Kevin Harvick, whose winning chances were wiped out in a multi-car wreck on the first attempt at a green-white-checkered-flag finish. Harvick finished 19th after dominating much of the race.
    36.158: In seconds, the average time on pit road for Denny Hamlin, best among NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers in Sunday night's race at Atlanta. Hamlin and teammate Matt Kenseth (second best at 36.505 seconds on average) consistently beat Kevin Harvick out of the pits, forcing Harvick to start in the outside lane where grip was in short supply. Ultimately, that proved to be Harvick's undoing.
    18: The finish Ryan Newman needs to achieve at Richmond in order to clinch a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. If he leads a lap, Newman can lock himself in with a finish of 19th. If he leads the most laps, he can run 20th. Newman's average finish at the .75-mile short track is 11.3.(NASCAR)(9-202104)

  • Friedman Law Firm Joins the #66 at Richmond: The #66 JRR Team announced that the Friedman Law Firm, based in Richmond, VA, has signed on as primary sponsor for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Company founder, Rick Friedman says, "Friedman Law Firm is built on passion and competitiveness. It's part of who we are as a firm. We are thrilled to partner with IVR and Joe Nemechek for the Sprint Cup Series race at RIR. Many of our current and potential clients are enthusiastic and loyal NASCAR fans, and this sponsorship provides us a special opportunity to connect with the massive NASCAR audience here in Virginia."
    Joe Nemechek says, "I am very excited to be representing the Friedman Law Firm at Richmond, it is one of my favorite tracks and I think we can run really well there."
    "I am very happy to have Rick Friedman and The Friedman Law Firm partner with us for the Richmond Race. It is very important that the #66 Team continues to show progress over the last 11 races of the season and Mr. Friedman's support could not come at a better time," says Jay Robinson, Team Manager.(Friedman Law Firm PR), see an image of the car on the #66 Team Schemes page.(9-2-2014)

  • Atlanta Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 7:32 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 11:47 PM (all times are EST). ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 148
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 74
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 0
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 34
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 45 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 7:32 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 11:47 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 255
    Minutes of race broadcast: 188
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 67
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1 mentioned; not shown
    Total race brdcst time 188 Total comm. brdcst time 67
    See past races, links to full reports & sponsor links go to the 2014 TV Commercials page.(9-2-2014)

  • Trouble with #66/#87 Ownership? UPDATE: The former managing partner of a large Atlanta real estate firm faces a lawsuit that claims he stole millions of dollars from the firm. The lawsuit, obtained from a source by Channel 2's Mike Petchenik, was filed Monday at Fulton County Superior court, and alleges that Nat Hardwick, a partner in Morris, Hardwick and Schneider, had taken at least $30 million from firm accounts and from escrow accounts belonging to Landcastle Title. The lawsuit alleged that Hardwick took "approximately a $1,000,000 to pay providers of private jet services," and made "$4,000,000 in wire transfers to casinos." The lawsuit also alleges that Hardwick covered up his actions until they were discovered by auditors.
    Ed Garland, an attorney for Hardwick, called the allegations "false," and said "Nat looks forward to clearing his name."
    "Nat became aware of a problem with the accounting earlier this summer and immediately alerted his partners and initiated a review by outside auditors," Garland said in a statement."...Anybody who knows Nat knows that he loves the law firm, its employees, the attorneys and the firm's many loyal clients. He would never knowingly or intentionally take money he was not entitled to or harm the firm or its clients in any way," Garland said. "The law firm was profitable, and Nat believed that all of the money he received was properly distributed to him as his share of the profits of the firm."
    What does this have to do with NASCAR and the #66 / #87 Jay Robinson Racing / / Michael Waltrip Racing team?
    LandCastle Title, Smart Ben and or Morris-Hardwick-Schneider have been on the #66 Toyota and on the #87 Toyota as a sponsor in many races during the 2014 season The last two races Brett Moffitt has driven the #66 Toyota with Royal Teak Collection as the sponsor at Bristol and no sponsor on the car at Atlanta.
    From the PR announced on January 30, 2014: Veteran NASCAR team owners Jay Robinson and Joe Nemechek of NEMCO-JRR have partnered with a group of five business leaders including Atlanta based, Nat Hardwick, managing partner of Morris|Hardwick|Schneider and CEO and Chairman of The Board of LandCastle Title, to form Identity Ventures Racing. Identity Ventures Racing will be led by managing partner, Jay Robinson, crew chief, Scott Eggleston and driver, Joe Nemechek. And it was announced the same day: Michael Waltrip Racing announced a partnership with Jay Robinson Racing enabling the #66 Toyota Camry to race in all 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup events.
    The #66 Toyota has attempted to make all the races in 2014 and the #87 has made 2 of 5 attempted races in 2014.
    No word on how or if this will affect either team.
    See more articles about this at Atlanta Journal Constitution, wsbtv.com, ABA Journal and housingwire.com.(9-2-2014)
    UPDATE: There is no trouble with the ownership of the #66 team which is owned by Michael Waltrip and Jay Robinson. The Nat Hardwick situation will have no effect on the plans of the #87 Team either as Nat Hardwick's shares totaled less than 25% of Identity Ventures Racing. "The only remaining race scheduled for the #87 is Talladega in the Fall and the #87 will certainly be there," said team owner Jay Robinson.(JRR)(9-2-2014)

  • Clay Rogers to attempt Richmond: Beard Motorsports plans to attempt to qualify the #75 Chevy at Richmond, Clay Rogers will be the driver.Hess Racing Products Facebook and on Clay Rogers Twitter: right now the plan is Richmond.
    AND Beard Motorsports will attempt to qualify for their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race next week at Richmond International Speedway. Beard Motorsports will field the No. 75 Chevrolet. Clay Rogers, a veteran of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will drive the car and will also be bidding to qualify for his Sprint Cup debut. The team plans on running an in-house sponsor, Beard Oil, a company team owner Mark Beard owns, and will feature Darren Shaw calling shots as crew chief and Jason Reiner as spotter. The single-car operation, based out of Mooresville, North Carolina, was on the official entry list for the July New Hampshire Motor Speedway race, but withdrew their car before the race weekend.(Racing Experts), see an image of the car on the #75 Team Schemes page.(9-2-2014)

  • Sad News - Don Tilley: A motorcycle crash on Friday night claimed the life of former NASCAR driver and owner of Tilley Harley Davidson, Don Tilley, 78, and left his wife, Robinette, in critical condition. News of the accident left people across Iredell County (NC) and the nation and throughout the motorcycle and NASCAR communities shaken. "God speed, @don_tilley. Don taught me how to ride long distance, love Harleys & most importantly how to be a friend," Kyle Petty wrote Saturday on Twitter. The motorcycle driven by the Tilleys, who own Tilley-Harley Davidson in Statesville, crashed near Mile Post 394 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Buncombe County, according to the U.S. Park Rangers office. Robinette Tilley was taken to Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC and was listed in critical condition on Friday evening with a spinal injury.(Statesville News & Landmark)(8-30-2014)
    AND In the 1950s and 1960s, Don won many stock car races in Hickory and used local success to run several races on NASCAR's Grand National Circuit, including two at Daytona. He also worked for Richard Petty before focusing on building motorcycles and opening Tilley Harley-Davidson in Statesville.(Statesville News & Landmark)(8-31-2014)
    MEMORIAL: Hundreds of Harley riders will converge on Statesville Sunday to celebrate the life of Don Tilley, who died as he lived most of his 78 years: Riding a motorcycle with his wife. Tilley was a legend in racing and Harley-Davidson circles, having led all 20 of Kyle Petty's " Charity Ride Across America" treks to raise money for seriously ill children. He died when he lost control of his motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville Friday evening. Robinette Tilley, his wife of 53 years, was riding with him. She remains hospitalized in Asheville with serious injuries, said Vickie Kress, a staffer at Tilley Harley-Davidson in Statesville. Sunday's memorial service will be held in Statesville High School's stadium to accommodate the crowds expected to turn out - many of them riding motorcycles from the Tilley dealerships in Salisbury and Statesville, thundering in with a police escort.(in part from the Charlotte Observer)(9-2-2014)

  • Green returns to the #14: Jeff Green will pilot the #14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Camry this weekend for his 4th scheduled race of the 2014 season. His final race in the #14 Camry will be on Saturday, September 27 at Dover Int'l Speedway. In 2013, Green piloted the #14 Camry during the spring event at RIR and scored a 22nd-place finish for the team.(TMI)(9-2-2014)

  • TSM closes truck operations UPDATE 6: Turner Scott Motorsports shut down its truck operation on Wednesday sources told Motorsport.com. Crew chief Mike Shelton informed the teams around 3 p.m. ET. Steve Turner started his truck operation on a limited basis in 2009 and expanded to two full-time teams in 2010. In 2012, Turner won the Camping World Truck Series title with James Buescher. TSM currently campaigns three truck teams with former champion Ron Hornaday Jr. and Ben Kennedy both competing full-time. Hornaday is currently fourth in the point standings. In five seasons, TSM has amassed 11 wins.(Motorsport.com)(8-27-2014)
    UPDATE: A major shakeup is apparently underway at Turner Scott Motorsports, which fields entries on NASCAR's Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. TSM is co-owned by Steve Turner and Harry Scott, Jr., who also owns the HScott Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team that fields cars for rookie Justin Allgaier. Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity say that an ownership dispute between Turner and Scott could result in the team shuttering all or part of its multi-truck NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operation, effective immediately. TSM field Camping World Trucks for former series champion Ron Hornaday, Jr. and rookies Ben Kennedy, Brandon Jones and Ben Rhodes. Just days ago, youngster Cameron Hayley was added to the team's Truck Series roster for a limited schedule of races, beginning this weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Sources say that only Kennedy's Chevrolet may continue to compete, but that at least some of the team's transporters have been called back to TSM headquarters in Mooresville, NC. Turner Scott also fields NASCAR Nationwide Series entries for drivers Dylan Kwasniewski and Kyle Larson. The team was founded by Steve Turner for a part-time schedule of Truck Series events in 2009, before expanding to two full-time entries the following season. Turner Motorsports won the Camping World Truck Series championship with Steve Turner's son-in-law, James Buescher in 2012. Calls placed to Turner Scott Motorsports, Steve Turner, Harry Scott, Jr. and others in search of comment were not immediately returned.
    In a brief text message, Turner Scott Motorsports co-owner Harry Scott said only that "What's been reported is not true."
    Several employees of TSM have confirmed that they were laid off -- at least temporarily -- at approximately 3 PM ET today.(Godfather Motorsports)(8-27-2014)
    UPDATE 2: Statement from Harry Scott Jr. Regarding Turner Scott Motorsports: "Turner Scott Motorsports remains in operation and will compete in this weekend's NASCAR events. TSM's NASCAR Nationwide Series race teams represented by the #42 driven by Kyle Larson and the #31 driven by Dylan Kwasniewski will complete this weekend as scheduled at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
    "The #31 driven by Ben Kennedy and the #32 driven by Cameron Hayley in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will compete as scheduled at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this coming Sunday.
    "My investment company, a co-owner of TSM, will continue to do all that it can to keep the team moving forward with or without our business partner Steve Turner. To all TSM employees, sponsors, partners and fans I pledge we will continue to do what we can to keep the teams racing hard each and every week of the season."(Tuckahoe Strategies)(8-27-2014)
    UPDATE 3: Another noteworthy item is that Ron Hornaday, Jr.'s #30 team was not mentioned in Scott's statement, meaning the veteran driver who currently sits fourth in the championship standings will likely be sitting on the sidelines for this weekend's events at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. That's because Steve Turner, not Scott was actually funding Hornaday's ride out of his own pocket. According to several sources, Rheem was on the truck only for show, with no additional funding getting injected into the program. One source explicitly stated Rheem's presence on the #30 was a thank you to the company for backing James Buescher, Turner's son-in-law. Turner is good friends with several within that company and had brokered an opportunity for the CEO's son, Brandon Jones, who was driving a part-time Truck schedule for TSM. Based on previous conversations with Scott, within his driver diary for Frontstretch it's likely he has little, if any, involvement with the #30 team. Stretching finances, in that way appears to have stretched at least Turner a little thin. Sources on the team indicated that there have been issues where crew members had either not received their paychecks or had checks delayed multiple days. (Frontstretch.com)(8-28-2014)
    UPDATE 4: Scott, according to documents obtained by Sporting News, filed a notice of suit Wednesday in North Carolina Superior Court by asking for an extension of time to file a complaint against Turner. He has 20 days to file the suit. The extension of time alleges that Turner has allowed the team's funds to be depleted and left debts unpaid, that Turner did not fund the entries as he was obligated to that "he unilaterally chose to operate through TSM," and that Turner misapplied the sponsorship funds and revenues of the Nationwide and truck teams. It states that Scott will ask for the appointment of a receiver to run the team to allow it to continue operations. Scott became a partner with Turner in December 2012 in what was then Turner Motorsports. Last year, Scott bought Phoenix Racing to form HScott Motorsports, which fields a Sprint Cup car for Justin Allgaier. Turner did not respond to an email requesting comment.(Sporting News)(8-28-2014)
    UPDATE 5: The legal tussling over Turner Scott Motorsports spreads over two states as co-owner Steve Turner has sued co-owner Harry Scott in Texas court, and Scott has field a notice of complaint in North Carolina court. Turner filed his suit Aug. 11, and Scott filed his paperwork Wednesday after the team announced that Ron Hornaday would not race this weekend in Canada. Hornaday is fourth in the Camping World Truck Series standings. Turner, who seeks more than $3 million in his lawsuit, alleges that he has been forced to lend money to the race team to keep it from defaulting on its bills. It alleges that Scott - who bought 40 percent of the team in 2012 - hasn't taken responsibility for payment to vendors. It alleges that Scott agreed that a $2 million debt to Turner that existed at the time the partnership was formed was to be repaid by the race team, and so far, none of that debt has been repaid. "Scott has refused to approve actions that are necessary and material to the business, leaving the Company unable to operate," the lawsuit states. Turner also asks for a receiver to be appointed to run the company and that Scott be removed from his leadership role in the race team. Scott, in turn, stated in his North Carolina filing that he will ask for a receiver to run the team without Turner. Scott, according to documents obtained by the Sporting News, filed a notice of suit Wednesday by asking for an extension of time to file a complaint against Turner. He has 20 days to file the suit.(Sporting News)(8-29-2014)
    UPDATE 6: Turner Scott Motorsports announced today that it has taken the regrettable but necessary steps to layoff 18 employees company-wide as a result of ending operations of the #30 NCWTS team and in order to remain competitive throughout the remainder of the 2014 season.
    "The decision to lay-off any employee is painful and we realize the affects it has on their lives," said Harry Scott, Jr., whose investment firm is a co-owner of TSM. "However, the decisions made by TSM today are necessary and the responsible steps for all of TSM to ensure our commitment to our employees, partners and fans to be as competitive as possible."
    The company notified employees this afternoon and will do all it can to help those affected to find new roles in the industry.(Tuckahoe Strategies)(9-2-2014)

  • Last Minute Ticket Options for Richmond: As NASCAR prepares to roll into Richmond September 5 & 6, fans have several last-minute ticket options for Saturday's Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and Friday's Virginia529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
    · Individual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series grandstand tickets start at $40 (while supplies last), and NASCAR Nationwide Series tickets are $35 (general admission)/$45 (reserved).
    · Special Pricing is available for several groups:
    o Kids 12 & younger feel the thrill and excitement of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at $25 off the adult price in EVERY grandstand. Kids are admitted FREE in general admission on Friday.
    o College students can celebrate the start of the school year "under the lights" at America's Premier Short Track for only $19. College students may purchase online in advance or on race day - must present college ID at ticket window. Click here for College Pricing info.
    o Cheez-It and RIR are proud to bring the Military Appreciation offer, which includes a complimentary Pre-Race Pit Pass on Saturday. Cheez-It Military Appreciation Info.
    o Groups of 20 or more receive special pricing and priority seating. Group Sales Info.
    · Ticket Packages remain on sale through Wednesday, September 3:
    o Fan Vision Ticket Package ($65) includes a Federated Auto Parts 400 race ticket and a FanVision Controller and headset rental.
    o Racing Electronics Ticket Package ($50) includes a Federated Auto Parts 400 race ticket and a Racing Electronics headset scanner rental.
    · Upgrade your race day experience:
    o Friday Pre-Race Pit Pass ($55) gets you in the infield for NASCAR Knockout Pole Qualifying and practice. These are available for guests 16 & older and can be purchased in advance or at the gate.
    o Saturday Pre-Race Ceremony Pass ($50) gets you on the track for driver introductions, preceded by live music with The Silver Bullets. This is your chance to get up close to all 43 drivers, just minutes before they battle on the track.
    Be sure to stick around once the checkered flag has waved Saturday night for the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Post-Race Party on the Track!(more info a RIR.com)(9-2-2014)


    News from September 1, 2014

  • Another sponsor shows support for Stewart: One of #14-Tony Stewart's primary sponsors reaffirmed its commitment Sunday to the NASCAR star, citing "overwhelming" public support as Stewart remains under investigation in a sprint car driver's death. There's been no change in the marketing plan for Rush Truck Centers, the primary sponsor of Stewart's car in five races in NASCAR's premier series this season. W.M. "Rusty" Rush, the CEO, chairman and president of the truck dealership company (which is headquartered in New Braunfels, Texas, just outside San Antonio), said he attended the Atlanta race in a show of respect for the team. "We stand by Tony," Rush told USA TODAY Sports. "That's why I'm here today. It was a terrible accident. It was a tragedy. Obviously like anyone, we're sitting back and waiting for the investigation (to be completed). At the same time, we see nothing right now that would change our relationship with Stewart-Haas." Rush's marketing department has been monitoring feedback through email, its Facebook page and other forms of social media. "It was an accident, and we find that's the way it's been viewed, at least by our customer base," Rush said. "You're going to have a few negative comments, but it's been overwhelmingly in support of our sponsorship, of SHR and of Tony." Rush said he had talked to some on the company's board of directors and his executive staff, but there had been no meetings to re-evaluate its NASCAR sponsorship, which continues through the 2015 season. Rush wouldn't comment on how the sponsorship would be affected if criminal charges were filed against Stewart. "Speculation wouldn't be proper at this time," he said. "Let the investigators take it one step at a time."(USA Today)(9-1-2014)

  • Fennig to step down as crew chief at end of season UPDATE: With all the changes taking place at Roush Fenway Racing for the 2015 season, it appears veteran crew chief Jimmy Fennig may be in his final year calling shots on the pit box. Currently serving as crew chief for #99-Carl Edwards -- who will move on to Joe Gibbs Racing next season -- Fennig indicated he would likely take a behind-the-scenes role with the team once the season comes to a conclusion. Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Fennig said he will have to wait and see what team owner Jack Roush has in store for him next year, but added that he will most likely not be atop the pit box after the 2014 season. Saying it would ultimately be his decision when to walk away, Fennig indicated he would most likely work with the research-and-development arm of Roush Fenway Racing. Jack Roush said of Fennig's future: "We don't have a plan yet," Jack Roush said of Fennig's future. "We haven't heard definitively from Jimmy what his plans are, but he may be thinking about retirement. We're just not sure." Trevor Bayne is making his move to a full-time ride in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2015 and does not yet have a crew chief in place, so that is a possible spot for Fennig if he decides to continue working in a crew chief role. Edwards said Friday that he did not know what Fennig's plans were at the end of the season.(FoxSports)(8-23-2014)
    UPDATE: ESPN's Allen Bestwick reported during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday evening that Fennig confirmed that this will be his last season as a crew chief and he is talking to Roush Fenway Racing about a job in the shop for 2015.(9-1-2014)

  • Truex Jr. not happy with Kyle Busch: After starting sixth based on his qualifying effort on Friday for the Oral-B USA 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta, #78-Martin Truex Jr. had to contend with handling issues with his #78 Furniture Row/World Vision Chevy during the 335-lap race. "I couldn't drive off the corners," said Truex. "But we hung in there, fighting for every possible position until Kyle (#18-Busch), for whatever reason, ran into the back of me, causing pretty good damage to our car. I passed him clean earlier and then he comes back and hits me from behind. It was totally uncalled for and hard to figure out why he did what he did. We were in the top-17 when that happened and had a chance of picking off a few more positions. Not sure why someone wants to go out and purposely wreck you when you're racing for 17th. Doesn't make any sense." But instead of gaining track position, Truex had to battle a damaged race car in the 10 laps of overtime. "We weren't great tonight, but we were better than 23rd," noted Truex.(FRR)
    AND After the race, Truex, who finished 23rd, parked his car behind Busch's car in the garage. Truex then went to the window of Busch's car and had a discussion with Busch as Busch remained seated in the car. After that discussion ended, Truex had a discussion with Busch's crew chief Dave Rogers that continued as Busch, who finished 16th, exited the car and walked away. "They're hard-nosed competitors, and they don't cut each other much slack,'' Rogers said. "I talked to Kyle about what happened. He said he was expecting Martin to go in on the bottom, and Kyle was banzaing on the top and trying got get the pass. Martin surprised him by going up top, and Kyle said he got to the brake but he got to the brake too late.'' As for what Truex said?
    "He came over and said his peace and asked why Kyle got in the back of him,'' Rogers said. "Martin didn't say or do anything wrong there. He kept it peaceful. He said what was on his mind, and I think that is accepted. It didn't get out of control. Kyle tried to explain what happened and I think they agreed to disagree tonight but they'll probably talk later this week and figure it out.''(Motor Racing Network)(9-1-2014)

  • Ryan Ellis in the #93 at Richmond: Ryan Ellis announced that he will be driving the #93 JGL NASCAR Nationwide car with the support of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Military Heroes Campaign. The car also enjoys support from Ashburn Pub, Allsports Grand Prix and The Wilton Companies. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity feels that the Virginia529 College Savings 250 is the perfect vehicle for it to attract new fraternity brothers and is also proud to support Ryan Ellis, who is a Kappa Sigma brother.(Ellis PR), see an image of the car on the #93 team paint schemes page.(9-1-2014)

  • Acredale Vending returns to #70 team: Acredale Vending will return to the #70 driven by Derrike Cope at Richmond this weekend and the upcoming Dover race. Acredale Vending has been in business for 30 years in the Tidewater Virginia area. Business owner Scott Abshire has also worked as a crew member for Jay Robinson Racing since 2007.(Acredale Vending)(9-1-2014)


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