NASCAR heading "back to the drawing board" to improve racing on 1.5 mile tracks: Executive vice president Steve O'Donnell said #78-Martin Truex Jr.'s dominant victory in the Coca-Cola 600 has NASCAR heading "back to the drawing board" to improve its 1.5-mile racing. O'Donnell, the chief racing development officer for NASCAR, credited Truex and Furniture Row Racing for its "blowout" victory in which the #78 Toyota led a record 392 of 400 laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Certainly great for Martin Truex Jr. and the race team and Furniture Row and (owner) Barney Visser," O'Donnell told SiriusXM NASCAR's "The Morning Drive" in his weekly appearance. "But also certainly a challenging race for us and things we've already learned and going to back to the drawing board, and one of our stated goals is passing up front. That was not what we saw (Sunday) night. Not to take anything away from Martin. He had the car to beat, and he didn't give it up all night long." The quality of racing was in contrast to the Sprint All-Star Race the previous week on the same track. NASCAR changed its rear-toe alignment rules for the All-Star Race, restricting the amount of "skew" teams can employ to improve handling and stability. As a result, there hardly were any spins in the longest race of the season as several drivers said their cars felt more comfortable on the 1.5-mile oval. O'Donnell said NASCAR used different rules in successive weekends at Charlotte to prove out whether the changes had a significant impact. Nearly four hours of mostly lackluster racing Sunday affirmed that. "That's one of the reasons we ran two different things to have some comparative data," O'Donnell said. "We saw some really good things with the skew we had for the All-Star Race. It's something we can immediately pull the lever on." NASCAR already announced last week that the skew rules from the All-Star Race would be used for the June 12 race at Michigan International Speedway and the July 9 event at Kentucky Speedway. O'Donnell also said NASCAR would look at finding ways to improve tire wear in night races, which typically have cooler track conditions. "More so than anything, you immediately look at the partnership with Goodyear and what we need to do to really look at how we wear tires as much as possible, particularly at night races," he said. "We can go to work on that. Goodyear has been a great partner this year from the rules package and matching that up. We've seen some really strong results, particularly in the day races. Obviously, we've got some things to look at as we look at some of the future night races and see what we can do with that tire combination and the rules package."(NBC Sports)(5-31-2016)

Tire testing at New Hampshire: four drivers are a part of Goodyear Tire Testing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway scheduled for Tuesday May 31st and Wednesday, June 1st: #11-Hamlin, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #43-Almirola and #88-Earnhardt Jr.(Goodyear Twitter), by request of Goodyear, both the infield and the grandstands will be closed during this week's tire test. We apologize for any inconvenience to fans and look forward to seeing everyone for our July NASCAR weekend (NHMS Facebook)(5-31-2016)

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions partners with #31 RCR team at Pocono: Richard Childress Racing announced a partnership with Kalahari Resorts and Conventions that will have the World's Coolest Indoor Waterparks serve as the primary sponsor on Ryan Newman's #31 Chevy at Pocono Raceway on June 5, 2016. The partnership will highlight the recently-opened African-themed 100,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark in the Pocono Mountains that features a retractable roof, stand up surfing or body boarding on the FlowRider, the Anaconda and Swahili Swirl waterslides, a relaxing lazy river, indoor/outdoor family hot tubs and much more for adults and children alike.
"We could not be more excited to partner with Richard Childress Racing to sponsor Ryan Newman's #31 Chevrolet to bring the spirit of Africa to the Pocono Raceway," said Todd Nelson, owner, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, "the Pocono Mountains have been incredibly welcoming and we continue to find new ways to partner with and support the area." Kalahari Resorts and Conventions provides a world-away experience that has something for everyone all under-one-roof. The Poconos location features 457 rooms and suites, three full-service dining restaurants, a 30,000 sq. ft. Family Entertainment Center, as well as the Spa Kalahari and Salon for relaxation and rejuvenation. The 100,000 sq. ft. Convention Center allows for both meeting spaces, as well as events large and small, with award-winning catering and state-of-the-art technology available to guests.
"We are pleased to partner with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions for the Pocono race weekend and to play an integral part in helping to promote Pennsylvania's largest indoor waterpark," said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. "The resort brings a mix of family fun and provides a top-of-the-line facility for business meetings and events." Kalahari Resort & Conventions are full service vacation destinations with three locations in Sandusky, Ohio, Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., and Pocono Mountains, Pa.(RCR), see an image of the car on the #31 Team Schemes page.(5-31-2016)

Charlotte Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2016 Coca-Cola 600: 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 singing of the National Anthem at 5:55 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 9:57 PM (all times are EDT). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. Fox was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 171
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 80
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 150
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 76
Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 21
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 15
Number of times Fox utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 4
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 5:55 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 9:57 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 242
Minutes of race broadcast: 180
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 62
Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 9
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1
Total race brdcst time 180 Total comm. brdcst time 62
See past races, more info on the commercials with links at CawsnJaws.com.(5-31-2016)

Cars that have gone to NASCAR's R&D Center: Each race, NASCAR takes at least two Sprint Cup cars back to its R&D Center for further inspection. The winner of each races goes except for the Daytona 500 winner (inspection is completed at the track because the winning car remains in Daytona for a year after that race). The runner-up also goes to the R&D Center. At times, NASCAR selects a random car as well. Here's how many times each car has gone to the R&D Center:
#18-Kyle Busch - 5 times (Kansas, Talladega, Richmond, Texas, Martinsville)
#4-Kevin Harvick - 5 times (Coke 600, Kansas, Auto Club, Phoenix, Daytona 500
#22-Joey Logano - 3 times (All-Star, Las Vegas, Daytona 500)
#2-Brad Keselowski - 3 times (All-Star, Talladega, Las Vegas)
#19-Carl Edwards - 3 times (Richmond, Bristol, Phoenix)
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 3 times (Bristol, Texas, Atlanta)
#78-Martin Truex Jr. - 2 times (Coke 600, Daytona 500)
#48-Jimmie Johnson - 2 times (Auto Club, Atlanta)
#5-Kasey Kahne - 2 times (Dover, Las Vegas)
#16-Greg Biffle - 1 time (Coke 600)
#47-A.J. Allmendinger - 1 time (Martinsville)
#20-Matt Kenseth - 1 time (Dover)
#42-Kyle Larson - 1 time (Dover)
So that's a tally of 14 Chevrolets, 11 Toyotas and 8 Fords since the Daytona 500.(NBC Sports)(5-31-2016)

Drivers that gained/lost most positions in the standings: a list of the drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series who have gained and lost the most points standings positions after 13 races, 2016 vs. 2015 (of drivers who have attempted all 13 races):
Most positions gained
#3-Austin Dillon, 24 (2015) - 12(2016) = +12 positions
#6-Treavor Bayne, 31 - 19 = +12
#19-Carl Edwards, 16 - 5 = +11
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 27 - 18 = +9
#47-AJ Allmendinger, 21 - 17 = +4
Most positions lost:
#43-Aric Almirola, 10(2015) - 26(2016) = -16 positions
#5-Kasey Kahne, 8 - 20 = -12
#27-Paul Menard, 12 - 22 = -10
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 5 - 13 = -8
#15-Clint Bowyer, 17 - 25 = -8
(5-31-2016)

Top-Ten NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Lap Leaders in 2016:
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 804 laps led
2) #4-Kevin Harvick, Chevy, 688
3) #18-Kyle Busch, Toyota, 679
4) #19-Carl Edwards, Toyota, 653
5) #20-Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 398
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chevy, 224
7) #41-Kurt Busch, Chevy, 189
8) #2-Brad Keselowski, Ford, 129
9) #11-Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 128
10) #22-Joey Logano, Ford, 114
After 13 races

NASCAR hauler parade returns to Harrisburg, PA: House of Representatives' Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairmen Reps. John Payne (R-Dauphin) and Pat Harkins (D-Erie) invite Pennsylvania families and racing enthusiasts to attend the annual NASCAR Hauler Open House and Parade in Harrisburg on Thursday, June 2, starting at 10 a.m. Each year, the Motorsports Caucus works together with Pocono Raceway, Triad Strategies and the City of Harrisburg to bring this event to the capital city as a way to recognize the racing industry and the economic impact it has on the Commonwealth. The free event will begin with an open house at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex at 10 a.m., where fans will have the opportunity to walk through the trucks, take photos and interact with the hauler drivers. Prior to the parade, members of the Pennsylvania Motorsports Caucus will join Brandon Igdalsky, president and CEO of Pocono Raceway, to recognize Motorsports Day and NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day. The parade will start at 11:30 a.m. from the Farm Show Complex. The route will include Commonwealth Avenue, Walnut Street and Third Street. Police will have the streets blocked off for fans to line up for the parade. The parade will roll by the back of the State Capitol Complex and on to Pocono Raceway, where the Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 will be held June 3-5. Tickets for all races are now on sale at poconoraceway.com or by calling 1-800-RACEWAY.(Pocono Raceway)(5-31-2016)

Charlotte Overnight TV Ratings: The Sunday before Memorial Day was predictably quiet in the broadcast ratings. FOX's coverage of the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 was the night's ratings leader, averaging a 1.3/6 in adults 18-49, 3.16 total overnight rating (versus 3.59 rating last year) with 5.57 million viewers, pending updates.(TVbytheNumbers / Nielsen Company / showbuzzdaily.com)
AND The 2016 Indianapolis 500 earned a 4.12 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, down 5% from last year (4.27) and even with 2014. The 4.1 is tied as the third-lowest for the race since it began airing live in 1986 (Sports Media Watch), see race-by-race TV Ratings for 2016 and a comparison chart on the 2016 TV Ratings page.(5-31-2016)

Entry List for the Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed, including: #21-Blaney*, #30-Wise*, #32-TBA, #55-Sorenson*, #95-McDowell, #98-Whitt*.
Drivers who are not a Charter team, an Open Team, and must get in via speed: #21-Blaney, #30-Wise, #55-Sorenson, #98-Whitt
Since only 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race, 40 is the maximum.
* Open Team (no Charter)
See the full entry list on Jayski.com's Pocono Entry List

Charlotte Overnight TV Ratings: The Sunday before Memorial Day was predictably quiet in the broadcast ratings. FOX's coverage of the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 was the night's ratings leader, averaging a 1.3/6 in adults 18-49 with 5.57million viewers, pending updates.(TVbytheNumbers / Nielsen Company)
AND The 2016 Indianapolis 500 earned a 4.1 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, down 5% from last year (4.3) and even with 2014. The 4.1 is tied as the third-lowest for the race since it began airing live in 1986 (Sports Media Watch), see race-by-race TV Ratings for 2016 and a comparison chart on the 2016 TV Ratings page.(5-31-2016)

NASCAR Drivers guest star on Blaze and the Monster Machines show: Nickelodeon shifts into high gear with a series of six all-new race car-themed episodes of the hit animated preschool series Blaze and the Monster Machines, featuring Blaze as a high-octane race car and guest voice appearances from superstar race car drivers Danica Patrick, Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliott and Kasey Kahne. The first special, "Race Car Superstar," premieres Monday, May 30, at 1:30 pm (ET/PT), followed by "Race to Eagle Rock" on Thursday, June 2, at 1:30 pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The remaining four race car episodes will roll out this fall. Blaze and the Monster Machines, which currently ranks as the number-one preschool show in its time period on all TV, follows the adventures of the amazing monster truck Blaze and his eight-year-old driver AJ. It's also the first preschool show on TV to comprehensively cover all areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) in every episode. Blaze and the Monster Machines airs regularly at 1:30 pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, the top network for preschoolers and kids 2-11.
In the specials, Blaze visits the racing town of VelocityVille, where all the cars love to go fast, and meets four new race cars: Rally (Patrick), a race car who is always first to the track and never misses a chance to hit the raceway; Dash (Johnson), a car that is fun, friendly, fast and the ultimate racing buddy for Blaze; Mark Set-Go (Elliott), VelocityVille's sensational starter who kicks off each racing adventure with rock-star style and a signature rhyme; and Fender (Kahne), a car that rules the raceway, but is excited to share the track with Blaze.(Nickelodeon)(5-30-2016)

Martin Truex Jr. dominates and wins Coca-Cola 600: #78-Martin Truex Jr. won the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for his 1st win of the season, 1st win at Charlotte and 4th career win. Truex Jr. won from the pole for the first time in 9 tries. Truex Jr. dominated the race leading a track record 392 of 400 laps and a NASCAR record 588 miles in a race.
#4-Harvick finished 2nd for the 3rd time in 2016 and for the 47th second place in his career (11th all time) followed by #48-Johnson, #11-Hamlin, #2-Keselowski, #41-Busch, #20-Kenseth, #24-Elliott, #22-Logano and #31-Newman.
There were 9 lead changes among 4 drivers and 4 cautions for 19 yellow flag laps.
The average speed was 160.644 mph (a new track record).
Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
Monday, May 30 at 8:30am/et on FS1;
Tuesday, May 31 at 6:00am/et on FS1;
Tuesday, May 31 at 2:00pm/et on FS2
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more [NOTE: money/winnings are no longer reported] at:
Unofficial Race Results page (pdf)
Lap Summary Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Pit Stop Times (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Charlotte Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-29-2016)

Race Fast Facts - Charlotte Motor Speedway:
#78-Martin Truex Jr. won the 57th Annual COCA-COLA 600, his fourth victory in 382 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in 22 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
#4-Kevin Harvick (second) posted his 14th top-10 finish in 31 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2016.
#48-Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 18th top-10 finish in 30 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
#24-Chase Elliott (eighth) was the highest finishing rookie.
#4-Kevin Harvick leads the point standings by 36 points over Kurt Busch.
Truex set the Charlotte Motor Speedway record with 392 laps led.
Truex's 588 miles led were the most in any NASCAR race in history.
The time of race was the shortest of any Coca-Cola 600 in history (3:44:08, 160.644 mph).
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-29-2016)

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup CHASE Standings:
[after Charlotte, race 13 of 36, 16 drivers for the Chase]
Set by most wins, then by points standing
1) #18-Busch [3 wins], 4th in driver points
2) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 3rd
3) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 5th
4) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 6th
5) #4-Harvick [1 win], 1st
6) #78-Truex, Jr. [1 win], 7th
7) #20-Kenseth [1 win], 10th
8) #11-Hamlin [1 win], 11th
no wins, in by drivers points standings
8) #41-Busch, 421, 2nd
9) #24-Elliott, 374, 8th
10) #22-Logano, 373, 9th
12) #3-Dillon, 344, 12th
13) #88-Earnhardt Jr., 341, 13th
14) #1-McMurray, 318, 14th
15) #21-Blaney, 309, 15th
16) #31-Newman, 309, 16th
(5-29-2016)

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Points (not CHASE) Standings:
[after Charlotte, race 13 of 36]
1) #4-Harvick [1 win], 457
3) #41-Busch, 421, -36
5) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 409, -48
2) #18-Busch, [3 wins], 405, -52
4) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 404, -53
6) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 404, -53
9) #78-Truex Jr. [1 win], 381, -76
7) #24-Elliott, 374, -83
8) #22-Logano, 373, -84
10) #20-Kenseth [1 win], 347, -110
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Charlotte Race & Points Report (pdf).

Drivers who led at 500-mile mark, and won the Coca-Cola 600:
1996-Dale Jarrett
2004-Jimmie Johnson
2008-Kasey Kahne
2010-Kurt Busch
2012-Kasey Kahne
2016-Martin Truex Jr.

Most laps led in 600-mile race win at Charlotte (modern era)
" Martin Truex Jr., 2016 -- 392
" Jimmie Johnson, 2004 -- 334
" Richard Petty, 1977 -- 311
" Rusty Wallace, 1990 -- 306
" Davey Allison, 1991 -- 263
" Kurt Busch, 2010 -- 252

Race Coverage of the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, 2016.
Television (TV): FOX at 6:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 5:30 pm/et; green flag approx. 6:08pm/et
Race updates on JAYSKI.com's Twitter
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
Monday, May 30 at 8:30am/et on FS1;
Tuesday, May 31 at 6:00am/et on FS1;
Tuesday, May 31 at 2:00pm/et on FS2

UPDATED Charlotte Pre-Race Schedule for Sunday, May 29: (eastern time)
(weather permitting)
NASCAR moved the start time of the race up
5:10pm: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Intros
5:51pm: Presentation of Colors by "82nd Airborne Division Color Guard" from Fort Bragg.
5:51:20pm: Invocation by Frank Harrison
5:51:45pm: Amazing Grace by Charlotte Fire Department Pipe Band
5:54:40pm: National Anthem: 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus
5:56pm: Flyover: Four F-15 Eagle fighter jets, Seymour Johnson AFB
6:01pm: Command to Start Engines: Retired General George W. Casey & 75 Service Members/USO Volunteers
6:09:30pm: Start of the Coca-Cola 600
eastern time (NASCAR.com)

Drivers warned about speeding on pit road: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers were warned to keep their speeds down if they are forced to pit road to avoid an incident on Sunday during the drivers' meeting prior to Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. "During yesterday's (NASCAR XFINITY Series) race, we had certain circumstances with cars coming down pit road to avoid an incident," NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Managing Director Richard Buck said. "We are and still will continue to investigate ways to improve our process, but let me remind us of our rule as it is and will be officiated tonight. If you are forced down pit road to avoid an incident, you must reduce your speed as you travel the entire length of pit road. We will blend you off the end of pit road like a pit camera. You do not retain your position on the track."
"If you forced down pit road, it's a safety issue," Buck said. "We need you to reduce your speed. The walls are shorter there. There are gaps that are open. We have officials and fans that are there. We need to see that your speed has significantly reduced as you travel the full length. It will be a judgment call from the tower." Buck also asked drivers and spotters to "communicate and get lined up as quickly as possible" when the tower calls out the lineup under caution. "That will allow us to verify the correct lineup and not have to take any further action."
There will be a competition caution on or around Lap 25 of the 400-lap race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(NASCAR)(5-29-2016)

Rain could be an issue for the Coca-Cola 600: Bands of showers and rough surf Saturday heralded the expected arrival Sunday of Tropical Storm Bonnie, which is expected to make landfall somewhere near Charleston. The system, which reached tropical storm status Saturday afternoon, is forecast to make a rainy mess of the first holiday weekend of the summer season. Off-and-on rainfall will reach as far inland as Charlotte, meteorologists said, possibly throwing a wrench into plans to run the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup race as scheduled Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. National Weather Service meteorologist Trisha Palmer summed up Sunday's weather for Charlotte this way: "In general, Sunday looks like a fairly rainy day." It could be late Monday before Bonnie moves offshore, at that point along the N.C. coast. Palmer of the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C., said forecasters expect rain to reach the Charlotte region early Sunday and continue during the day. Palmer said, " 'Occasional' rain is probably a good description" for Sunday's weather in the Charlotte area.Earlier Saturday, forecasters said they thought the rain might move out of the Charlotte area by afternoon. But later data indicated precipitation probably will continue through the evening. That would put Sunday's running of the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in jeopardy, possibly forcing a postponement. Either way, forecasters expect drier conditions Monday, with only a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and high temperatures in the mid 80s.(Charlotte Observer)
FORECASTS (as of 7:00 pm/et) from the National Weather Service:
Sunday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 63. North northeast wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
AND from the Weather Channel:
Sunday night: Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Thunder possible. Low 61F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
See weather links on the Charlotte Race Info page (5-29-2016)

Charlotte Race Notes & Facts:
· There have been 114 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, two races per year since the track opened in 1960. In 1961, there were two 100-mile qualifying points races held the week before the May race. The first six fall races at Charlotte were 400-mile events (1960-65).
· 532 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points paying race at Charlotte Motor Speedway; 382 in more than one.
· A season sweep at Charlotte has occurred eight times, including each season from 2004-2007.
· Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Charlotte in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 18: Jimmie Johnson (seven), Jeff Gordon (five), Darrell Waltrip (two), Ken Schrader (one), Terry Labonte (one), Casey Mears (one) and Kasey Kahne (one).
· Eight different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Charlotte; led by Chevrolet with 43 victories; followed by Ford (30), Dodge (15), Pontiac (8), Mercury (7), Buick (4), Plymouth (4) and Toyota (3).
· Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway was the May 29, 2005 race won by Jimmie Johnson over Bobby Labonte with a MOV of 0.027 second.
· There have been three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but only once for the Coca-Cola 600 (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): fall of 2005 (334/336), fall of 2007 (334/337) and the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 (400/402).
· Five of the 114 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions; the most recent was the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 won by David Reutimann and Michael Waltrip Racing. Four of the five races shortened were the 600-mile events (1968, 1997, 2003 and 2009).
(NASCAR)

Tommy Baldwin, Jr. Honors Family Friend and Comrades on Sunday: The NASCAR Modified roots run deep for Tommy Baldwin. Growing up on Long Island and working on his dad, Tom's car he forged many close relationships over the course of that era. Twelve years ago, Baldwin rekindled a friendship that dated back to his youth with a friend of his dad's. Several years later "Butch" Stevenin, an avid Modified fan, introduced his son Derek to Tommy. The younger Stevenin is a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps - serving five deployments in the three different Battalions over the past eight years. It was then when Baldwin dug deeper into the work of our military. "It's very eye-opening when you hear stories directly from those who serve our country," said Baldwin. "I've always had an appreciate of what our service men and women do, but Derek has brought me into the trenches with him. We really don't know how much our military sacrifices and what they endure to protect us. It's all very humbling." This Sunday, Stevenin will join the team for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. But he makes clear that it isn't about him. "I'm so grateful that Tommy has chosen to honor 17 of my 'brothers' who lost their lives serving our country, said Stevenin. "These men were all-in. They gave their lives to protect our freedom. And while I'm grateful to be (at Charlotte Motor Speedway) and be with the team, I'm proud to have the opportunity to share the memories of my comrades. I can't thank Tommy and his entire team for what they're doing on behalf of our real heroes." The #7 Nikko RC/Toy State Chevy will carry the names of the fallen soldiers. Derek's name will appear above the passenger door."I'd have to say that in all the years I've been working in NASCAR, this Coca-Cola 600 is going to be the most special. I'm proud to know Derek and to have the opportunity to honor those who give selflessly to ensure our freedom. We should all take a little time to recognize that."(TBR/140Buzz)(5-29-2016)

Stenhouse Jr. to make his 125th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Start: #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will make his 125th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) start this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the same track where he got his first NSCS start in 2011 driving the legendary #21 machine earning a respectable 11th - place finish as a rookie. With 14 races remaining before the NSCS Chase cut-off, Stenhouse is just a mere 10 points out of 16th place. "Charlotte has always been a special place to me," Stenhouse said. "In 2011, I got my first Sprint Cup start there in the famed #21. It was an honor to race for the Wood Brothers with their rich history in NASCAR. I earned my best finish of 11th here that year so hopefully we can improve this weekend and earn a top-10 finish." In his previous 124 NSCS starts, the two-time XFINITY champion earned his best career finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2014 finishing second behind former Roush Fenway teammate Carl Edwards after an unexpected caution came with two laps remaining followed by a rain shower.(Roush Fenway Racing)(5-26-2016)

Logano Looks For May Sweep at Charlotte: Although it didn't count for the standings, Joey Logano's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race win halted a rough patch of consecutive finishes outside the top 20: Talladega (25), Kansas (38) and Dover (22). Heading into Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Logano sits 10th on the Chase Grid, a comfortable 62 points ahead of Ryan Newman on the cutoff line, but a points-paying win would ensure him a spot in NASCAR's playoffs. Logano won the last race at Charlotte in the fall, leading 227-of-334 laps. His highest finish in the Coca-Cola 600 was a third-place showing in 2011. In 14 Charlotte starts, Logano claims one win, five top five and eight op 10s. If he wins on Sunday, Logano will become the eighth driver to win both the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Davey Allison (1991), Dale Earnhardt (1993), Jeff Gordon (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2003), Kasey Kahne (2008) and Kurt Busch (2010). A Ford driver has not won the Coca-Cola 600 since Mark Martin in 2002.(Team Penske)(5-29-2016)

Edwards Eyes Coca-Cola 600 Repeat: #19-Carl Edwards provided NASCAR fans with an abundance of firsts when he won the 2016 Coca-Cola 600. Edwards' victory was his first at the track, first driving a Toyota and first for Joe Gibbs Racing. Edwards looks to defend his victory in Sunday's edition of NASCAR's marathon race.(NASCAR)(5-29-2016)

Back to Back winners of the Coca-Cola 600:
Jimmie Johnson (3 in a row), 2003-2005
Jeff Gordon, 1997-1998
Dale Earnhardt, 1992-1993
Darrell Waltrip, 1988-1989
Neil Bonnett, 1982-1983
Darrell Waltrip, 1978-1979
Buddy Baker, 1972-1973

Honda's McHale and Layton win 2016 Jim Chapman PR Award: T.E. McHale and Dan Layton, who represent Honda in its diverse auto racing programs including teams using Honda engines in Sunday's 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, Friday were announced as winners of the 2016 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations. In addition, to mark what would have been Chapman's 100th birthday, a new permanent award was unveiled. It will be displayed in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's media center. The Chapman Award is considered by many in the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with Babe Ruth and was named Indy Car racing's "most influential man" of the 1980s. Chapman died in 1996 at age 80. The announcement and presentation were made at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Michael Knight, chairman of the selection committee, and one of Chapman's closest friends. The award is determined by a vote of national media members, most of who knew Chapman, and is authorized by the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of motorsports are eligible for consideration. The permanent Jim Chapman Award, unveiled by three-time Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, who was captain of Chapman's PPG Pace Car Driving Team, features a classic photo of Jim wearing his favorite navy blue double-breasted blazer and the names of all the award recipients. Established in 1991 by media and publicists within the CART series, the Chapman Award originally focused on achievement in CART. After a hiatus of several years, the award was resumed in 2004, with eligibility expanded to anyone working in racing PR. Chapman, who was born in Macon, Georgia, started as sports editor or managing editor of several Southern newspapers before joining the New York Times. He entered the PR business in 1946, as regional PR director for Ford Motor Co. in Detroit.(SpinDoctor500)(5-29-2016)

Winners of both the All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600:
2010-Kurt Busch - 11th in the Sprint Cup Championship
2008-Kasey Kahne - 15th in the Sprint Cup Championship
2003-Jimmie Johnson - 2nd in the Sprint Cup Championship
1997-Jeff Gordon - won the Sprint Cup Championship
1993-Dale Earnhardt - won the Sprint Cup Championship
1991-Davey Allison - came in 3rd in Drivers points
1985-Darrell Waltrip - won the Cup Championship [first year of all-star race]

Triple at Charlotte? Never done:
No driver has won the Coca-Cola 600, All-Star race & the fall race at Charlotte:
2010-Kurt Busch - finished 30th
2008-Kasey Kahne - 2nd
2003-Jimmie Johnson - 3rd
1997-Jeff Gordon - 5th
1993-Dale Earnhardt - 3rd
1991-Davey Allison - 2nd
1985-Darrell Waltrip - 4th

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #78-Truex Jr. chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole (2nd) #22-Logano took pit stall 2.
#17-Stenhouse Jr., who starts 3rd took the 21st pit stall, the 2nd stall with an opening behind it, also an opening in front it.
The 41st and final pit stall was taken by #2-Keselowski, who starts 5th.
With three extra stalls, three have been closed: 20, 42, 43.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com's Pit Stall Selection chart.

Happy Hour practice for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#78-Truex Jr. 186.387
#41-Busch 185.733
#48-Johnson 185.401
#22-Logano 185.109
#16-Biffle 184.938
slowest: #32-Earnhardt 176.655 & #30-Wise 177.995
no speeds: #55-Sorenson & #98-Whitt
most lap run: #48-Johnson 54; #34-Buscher 52
Best 10 consecutive lap average: #78-Truex Jr. 182.923
See fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap aves, laps run on the Charlotte Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (5-28-2016)

Saturday first practice for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#41-Busch 191.002
#48-Johnson 190.617
#78-Truex Jr. 190.061
#19-Edwards 189.887
#17-Stenhouse Jr 189.414
slowest: #55-Sorenson 176.154 and #32-Earnhardt 178.843
most laps run: #24-Elliott and #16-Biffle, 48
Best 10 consecutive lap average: #78-Truex Jr. 186.625
notes: #88-Earnhardt Jr. had a seal on the power steering fail during the practice, the crew fixed it and the #88 was able to practice towards the end of the practice. Happy Hour (final) practice is scheduled for 1:00pm/et, TV=FS1.
See fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap aves, laps run on the Charlotte Practice 2 speeds page (pdf) (5-28-2016)

Charlotte Driver Notes & Facts:
· NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the series in starts at Charlotte with 64.
· Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart lead all active drivers in NSCS starts at Charlotte with 33 each.
· 65 drivers in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history have made their first series career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
· Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series active drivers have made their first career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5/30/99), Jimmie Johnson (10/7/01), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (5/29/11), Brian Scott (10/12/13) and Kyle Larson (10/12/13).
· Nine drivers have posted their first career NSCS win at Charlotte: David Pearson (5/28/1961), Buddy Baker (10/15/1967), Charlie Glotzbach (10/20/1968), Jeff Gordon (5/29/1994), Bobby Labonte (5/28/1995), Matt Kenseth (5/28/2000), Jamie McMurray (10/13/2002), Casey Mears (5/27/2007) and David Reutimann (5/25/2009).
· Nine drivers have posted consecutive wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including three consecutive by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen (fall 1964 and both 1965) and four-straight by Jimmie Johnson (2004 and 2005 sweeps).
· Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Charlotte without visiting Victory Lane at 32; followed by Ryan Newman with 30.
· Richard Petty leads the series in runner-up finishes at Charlotte with nine. Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth lead all active drivers with three each.
· NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison are tied for the series most top-five finishes at Charlotte with 23 each. Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers with 13; followed by Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth with 10 each.
· Richard Petty leads the series in top-10 finishes at Charlotte with 31. Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth lead all active drivers with 17 each.
· Joey Logano leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Charlotte with a 9.571.
· Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Charlotte with 1,735 laps led in 29 starts.
· Two female drivers have competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie and Danica Patrick. (NASCAR)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes a side in family feud: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not happy with his stepmother - again. Earnhardt told Scott Fowler as part of an exclusive Charlotte Observer interview Thursday that he was siding with his half-brother over his stepmother in a legal dispute. The issue: Whether Kerry Earnhardt can use his last name to market homes that he and his wife Rene helped design as part of a series of houses to be built by Schumacher homes. "Obviously, I'm in support of my brother," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. Kerry Earnhardt plans to call the homes "The Earnhardt Collection." Teresa Earnhardt - Kerry and Dale's stepmother and the widow of Dale Earnhardt Sr. - doesn't want that name used because she believes it could be confused as an endorsement or sponsorship by the estate of her late husband. A legal fight has dragged on for several years about this. Teresa Earnhardt's lawyers recently filed an appeal in federal court after a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruling denied Teresa Earnhardt's challenge to the "Earnhardt Collection" trademark applied for by Kerry Earnhardt. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that Kerry deserves to be able to use his own last name on the line of homes. "This is a business venture that he's put a lot of effort and heart and soul in that I think he deserves," Dale Jr. said of Kerry. "So in this particular case, I side with my brother and his belief to be able to use the name as is - without any alterations or changes."(See full article / interview at the Charlotte Observer)(5-28-2016)

Hope for the Warriors featured on the #83: Running a "We Salute You" paint scheme on his #83 Toyota at Charlotte, Matt DiBenedetto's Hope for Warriors paint scheme honors the memory of troops lost while serving our country. DiBenedetto and #23-David Ragan are honoring fallen soldiers on their cars. DiBenedetto will honor Cpl. Jared Verbeek and Ragan will honor Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal of Mooresville, NC. Family members of both soldiers will be guests of BK Racing on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 600-mile Sprint Cup Series race, where they will get the opportunity to see the special military-themed car up close, meet Ragan and DiBenedetto and participate in pre-race ceremonies with the BK Racing team (BK Racing), see images of the scheme on the #83 Team Schemes page (5-28-2016)

Chip Ganassi To Be Inducted Into The Motorsports Hall Of Fame Of America: Chip Ganassi, one of racing's most-successful car owners, will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) at the 28th Annual MSHFA Induction Ceremony Presented by Bridgestone on Wednesday, June 29 at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach. Ganassi is the only car owner to have won the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, the Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Between February 2010 and January 2011, his drivers swept those four events, giving him an unprecedented "Grand Slam" of America's major auto races. Overall, his teams have won 18 championships and more than 170 races. His open-wheel teams have amassed 11 championships and more than 100 victories - including five in the Indianapolis 500. His NASCAR teams have 17 victories including a Daytona 500, and have twice qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. His sports car teams have a record six Rolex 24 at Daytona trophies to complement their seven Rolex Sports Car Series championships. Before becoming one of the most successful team owners in American racing history, Ganassi raced himself, competing in the Indianapolis 500 five times with a best finish of eighth in 1983. Ganassi joins Bob Sweikert, Everett Brashear, Richard Childress, Gary Gabelich, Dave McClelland and Sam Posey in the MSHFA class of 2016. Tickets for the 2016 Induction Ceremony can be purchased by calling 248.349.7223 or through the MSHFA website at www.mshf.com.(MSHFA)(5-28-2016)

E.J. Wade Construction to sponsor DiBenedetto at Pocono: BK Racing announced the re-signing of sponsor E.J. Wade Construction to a primary sponsorship on Matt DiBenedetto's #83 E.J. Wade Construction Toyota Camry in the Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 at Pocono Raceway. The race on June 5, 2016 will be E.J. Wade Construction's second race with BK Racing, debuting at Richmond in April. E.J. Wade Construction is a Class A Contractor and a VDOT Prequalified Contractor that has highly trained professionals who have their tradesman licenses in electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas fitting tradesman licenses. E.J. Wade Construction is a company that believes in quality, reliability, friendliness, and putting the concerns of the client first. "I'm excited to welcome E.J. Wade Construction back on our No.83 car at Pocono," said DiBenedetto. "Jeff and his team were great to work with at Richmond and we are really looking forward to Pocono." Also returning on the #83 is RMC Events, a premier event staffing company. This will be RMC Events second time as an associate sponsor with DiBenedetto and the #83 team, previously supporting the car at Richmond (BK Racing), see am image of the scheme on the #83 Team Schemes page (5-28-2016)

Charlotte Motor Speedway Welcomes First-Time Fans: Charlotte Motor Speedway is throwing out the red carpet for first-time race fans attending this weekend's activities surrounding the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Ticket inquiries have come from all 50 states, 25 countries and more than 4,100 cities. Among those inquiries are many first-time fans who have never witnessed the experience of a race here. First-time fans attending can stop by the information booth located outside the main frontstretch grandstand at Gate 4 and pick up a "First-Time Fan" info packet. The packets contain a fan guide, schedule, map and "First-Time Fan" souvenir magnet. Fans can also tweet about their experiences by using #FTF16 and see what other fans are doing. First-time fans can also take part in a driver Q&A session on Sunday, May 29 prior to the running of the Coca-Cola 600. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson will appear at the fan stage located in the Fan Zone from 2:45-3 p.m. on Sunday. Fans can purchase tickets, camping and race-day upgrades by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shopping online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-28-2016)

Hamlin wins XFINITY race at Charlotte: #18-Denny Hamlin won the Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 15th XFINITY Series win and 1st of the year. #2-Austin Dillon finished second, followed by #22-Joey Logano, #88-Cole Custer, #7-Justin Allgaier, #42-Kyle Larson, #33-Brandon Jones, #3-Ty Dillon, #48-Brennan Poole, and #62-Brendan Gaughan.
Pole sitter #20-Erik Jones finished 31st.
There were 8 cautions for 54 laps and 21 lead changes among 10 leaders.
The average speed was 114.515mph.
Complete results are on the Charlotte race results page (pdf).
(5-28-2016)

Charlotte XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Denny Hamlin(i) won the 35th Annual Hisense 300 , his 15th victory in 154 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in 11 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Austin Dillon(i) (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in seven races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2016.
Joey Logano(i) (third) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 12 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Brandon Jones (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.
Daniel Suarez leads the point standings by 14 points over Elliott Sadler.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-28-2016)

XFINITY Driver standings following Charlotte:
1) #19-Daniel Suarez, 376
2) #1-Elliott Sadler [1 win], 362, -14
3) #7-Justin Allgaier, 353, -23
4) #3-Ty Dillon, 352, -40
5) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 336, -40
6) #33-Brandon Jones, 324, -52
7) #20-Erik Jones # [2 wins], 320, -56
8) #48-Brennan Poole, 314, -62
9) #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 283, -93
10) #16-Ryan Reed, 266, -110
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(5-28-2016)

Jones on XFINITY pole at Charlotte: #20-Erik Jones won the Coors Light pole for the Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 184.546mph. #19-Daniel Suarez will start second. The rest of the top 10: #18-Denny Hamlin, #2-Austin Dillon, #42-Kyle Larson, #1-Elliott Sadler, #22-Joey Logano, #7-Justin Allgaier, #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr., and #3-Ty Dillon.
Did Not Qualify: #40-TJ Bell and #89-Morgan Shepherd.
The starting lineup is posted on the Charlotte starting lineup page (pdf).(5-28-2016)

Charlotte Qualifying Notes:
Erik Jones won the Coors Light 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the 35th Annual Hisense 300 with a lap of 29.261 seconds, 184.546 mph.
This is his seventh pole in 37 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his fourth pole and 11th top-10 start in 2016.
This is his first pole in three races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Daniel Suarez (second) posted his 11th top-10 start of 2016 and his second in three races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Denny Hamlin(i) (third) posted his seventh top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his first in one races this season.
Erik Jones (first) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-28-2016)

Mark Martin to drive the pace car before Coke 600: NASCAR legend Mark Martin made numerous memories while racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the 2002 Coca-Cola 600 winner will make a triumphant return to the iconic 1.5-mile superspeedway on Sunday when - to commemorate being inducted into the 2017 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame - Martin will drive the Toyota pace car prior to the green flag for the 57th running of the Coca-Cola 600. "When the speedway called to ask me if I'd do it, my first reaction was 'Hell, yeah!'" Martin said. "Originally I'd planned to be at Indy, but now I get to do the 'double' in a way, and I can say I'll be driving at Charlotte. Charlotte Motor Speedway was always my favorite race track. I was fortunate enough to have a lot of success there, including winning a Coke 600. Bruton and Marcus always put on a fabulous show, and this will be cool to lead the field to green in front of thousands of fans that I enjoyed racing for all those years." Martin will attend the start of the Indianapolis 500 before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway for his pace-car driving duties. The Batesville, Arkansas, native won four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in a career that spanned from 1981 to 2013. Martin also captured two NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race wins, in 1998 and 2005, and six NASCAR XFINITY Series victories at the speedway. Fans can purchase tickets, camping and race-day upgrades by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shopping online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-27-2016)

Charlotte Track Notes & History:
· Construction began on Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) in 1959.
· The track's first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on June 19, 1960 - won by Joe Lee Johnson.
· The track was repaved midseason in 1994.
· The track name changed from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Lowe's Motor Speedway in 1999. It changed back to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 2010 season.
· The track was re-paved again before the 2006 season. (NASCAR)

Elliott's throwback scheme for Darlington UPDATE: Chase Elliott will run a yellow and back NAPA Auto Parts scheme on the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy in the Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in September. See an image of the scheme on the #24 Team Schemes page (5-20-2016)
UPDATE NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year contender Chase Elliott revealed the yellow-and-black #24 NAPA AUTO PARTS Assurance of Quality Chevy that he will race in the Sept. 4 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway as part of the track's Southern 500 throwback weekend. The retro-themed paint scheme mimics a longstanding NAPA AUTO PARTS delivery truck. The design will feature a yellow hood and roof panel sporting NAPA AUTO PARTS' 1963 logo - the last version before the modern day yellow-and-blue design seen today. The logo introduced in 1963 was meant to remind customers that NAPA was nationwide and represented quality with knowledgeable employees - traits that still hold true today. The lower half of Elliott's Chevrolet is a sleek black with the current NAPA design emblazoned on the quarter panels as well as the deck lid next to a bright white No. 24 on the door panels. The rear television panel features the current logo design next to white script reading "90 Years Strong" as NAPA AUTO PARTS has been in business for over 90 years. The National Automotive Parts Association was formed in 1925.
"The yellow and black is based off of NAPA's old logo," Elliott comments as he unveiled the retro paint scheme. "The logo was actually on one of their delivery trucks in the 1960s and we modeled the entire paint scheme off of that truck. I think it turned out really good. I like it and I'm excited about running it in Darlington. I think we have a car that will certainly stand out, which is good."
The design is part of an overall throwback weekend at one of NASCAR's oldest venues. Built in 1949 by Harold Brasington, Darlington Raceway has hosted Sprint Cup races since 1950. The first Southern 500 at Darlington took place on Labor Day in 1950 courtesy of a deal made between Brasington and NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. More than 80 entrants showed up for the inaugural event. "We appreciate the support of our throwback program by Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports," Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile said. "Chase's special paint scheme for the Bojangles' Southern 500 is one that fans won't want to miss on Labor Day weekend. We're so pleased that the teams, drivers and their partners have recognized the importance of celebrating the history of our sport at Darlington Raceway, one of the most iconic tracks on the circuit." The Tradition Continues on Labor Day weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 is set for Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. Tickets are on sale now by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com.(Hendrick Motorsports), see images of the scheme on the #24 Team Schemes page (5-27-2016)

Larson closing in on first NASCAR Sprint Cup win: #42-Kyle Larson is close - and he knows it. Two weeks ago at Dover, he ran a near second to #20-Matt Kenseth in the AAA 400, dogging the race winner to the finish line on the final green-flag run. Last Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Larson had the lead in the $1-million-to-the-winner NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, only to be passed by Joey Logano with fewer than two laps left. But after a star-crossed sophomore season in 2015, when he finished 19th in the standings and took a backward step from his rookie campaign, Larson has plenty of reason to be encouraged by his recent performances. And there's no place he'd rather make his first visit to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series than Charlotte Motor Speedway, host venue for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. "It would mean a lot," Larson said on Thursday at CMS. "It would mean a lot to get it anywhere, but especially here at Charlotte, close to home. Friends and family and all sorts of people are here. All the teams' families are here. it just means a lot when you can win in your hometown or for the race shop and all that. We've been rolling good the last few weeks. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum going. Our car has been getting a lot faster. Everybody at the shop has been working really hard all year long. We started the year off not great, but everybody stayed positive and kept digging. Lately, we've been bringing really good stuff to the track." Because of his strong performance in the All-Star Race, Larson knows he'll have to buck a trend to win NASCAR's longest event. "It'll be tough - the 600 is a really tough race," he said. "A lot of the times I've seen drivers in the past that run well in the All-Star race don't run well at the 600. Hopefully, that's not the case this week, but we're going to work really hard to try and have a good run. Hopefully, it all works out." (NASCAR Wire Service)
Drivers with the most 2nd place finishes before winning a Cup race:
James Hylton had 12 second place finishes, won in his 187th race, at Richmond in 1970
Harry Gant had 10, won in his 107th race, at Martinsville in 1982
Sterling Marlin had 9, won in his 248th race, at Daytona in 1994
Bill Elliott had 8, won in his 116th race, at Riverside [CA] in 1983.
Lennie Pond had 7, won in his 130th race, at Talladega in 1978.
Kahne had 6, won in his 47th race, at Richmond on 5/14/2005.
Kyle Larson has four 2nd place finishes in 87 races, has not yet won.(5-27-2016)

Mears to run GEICO Military scheme at Coke 600: For the second season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers won't have their names on the windshields of their racecars in the longest race on the schedule. Instead, for 600 miles of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Casey Mears' #13 GEICO Military Chevrolet SS will bear the name of Spc. Christopher Wright. This U.S. Army Ranger fell in service to our nation on assignment in Afghanistan. The #13 GEICO Military Chevy will be featured at Charlotte, the second of four weekends that Germain Racing's #13 is scheduled to display the GEICO Military paint scheme.(Germain Racing / GEICO Racing), see images of the car on the #13 team paint schemes page.(5-27-2016)

Box of Chocolates help mend fences between Edwards and Busch: Joe Gibbs Racing driver #19-Carl Edwards was made available to the media at Charlotte Motor Speedway and one of the questions was:
Q) How did the photo come about with you and Kyle Busch with the box of chocolate after the Richmond incident?
Edwards: "Richmond, we pushed it right to the limit, as hard as I could race a teammate and Mars does a really neat thing for the winners of a race. If you win the race, Mars sends you a really neat box of chocolates. So at the shop the next week, Kyle (Busch) and I got together, we had a meeting and it was kind of a tough meeting, but we left on decent enough terms and Randy (Fuller, PR) gave me this box of chocolates and it's 'Congratulations on the Toyota Owners 400 win from Mars.' I don't know if that might have got sent before they stopped it or what, but I thought it was really cool of them to send that and I saw Kyle across the shop and I thought, 'Man, I have to ask him to sign it.' That's where that picture that we put up on Twitter and all that. I thought it was pretty cool. We somewhat made peace over chocolate so that's pretty good."(Toyota Racing)(5-27-2016)

Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing: updates to Camp95: In preparation for the second annual CAMP95, in which high school students will learn about the depth of careers in NASCAR, Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing (CSLFR) is pleased to announce the following updates for the June 28-29 session: Alan Cavanna will emcee the event and moderate the panels and guest Q&A's. The two-day line-up currently includes interviews with NASCAR drivers Michael McDowell and Ty Dillon, a Pit Crew demonstration, PR & Social Media panel, a discussion with an ECR engine specialist, inside look at race team operations and a sponsorship session. Wingate by Wyndham in Concord, N.C. will have a special rate for CAMP95 attendees and their families, offering a discounted rate for a double-bed room. The Checkered Flag Crew, comprised of 14-year-old NASCAR enthusiasts, will be on-site to interview speakers and campers and bring insight to the experience across their social media platforms, as well as "taking over" the CSLFR race team channels for the event. Queen City Q, a favorite Charlotte restaurant serving North & South Carolina-style BBQ, will provide meals both days of the camp. Students interested in attending can fill out the application at cslfr95.com/camp95. Applications are due on Monday, May 30 and only 25 campers will be chosen to participate.(CSLFR)(5-27-2016)

NASCAR teams join forces with Hope For The Warriors: Several NASCAR teams and drivers will join Hope For the Warriors this Memorial Day weekend to honor several fallen service members during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. With the NASCAR Salutes initiative driving a patriotic theme for the weekend, Hope For The Warriors has capitalized on its relationships within the NASCAR garage to let several Gold Star families know that their loved ones are still remembered this Memorial Day weekend. The initiative incorporates drivers from Richard Childress Racing, BK Racing and Front Row Motorsports, who have partnered with Hope For The Warriors, to not only honor the fallen service members, but also to host the Gold Star families at Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. The Gold Star families will gather for a private dinner on Saturday night before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday morning. On race day, Newman, Buescher, DiBenedetto and David Ragan have each agreed to do private meet and greets with the group. The families will have an opportunity to attend the drivers meeting and pose for photos with the drivers and cars while lined up on the grid during prerace. On a near weekly basis, Hope For The Warriors brings service members to the track through their Drive For Hope program, which focuses on engaging transitioning service members in a unique social setting while giving them an opportunity to learn about prospective careers, make networking connections and realize different ways their skills can transition as they reintegrate into the civilian sector.(PR)(5-27-2016)

Historical Landmark to be Unveiled at Upcoming PettyFest: The Petty Museum will once again host its annual PettyFest Saturday, May 28 at its historical grounds in Level Cross, N.C. This full day celebration of the past, present and future of the Petty Museum, Petty's Garage and the Petty Family Foundation will include many family-fun activities and also bring back history of the Petty family legacy. Richard Petty and the Petty Museum will unveil the restored reaper shed, a historical landmark where the original Petty Engineering and later Petty Enterprises was begun by Lee Petty. The A-frame building was built in the early 1940's and had a dirt floor and tin roof. It was the humble beginning in what turned out to be the most successful organization in NASCAR history. The shed has been restored to showcase its time in the 1940's and will feature the restored car that Lee Petty raced to begin the family dynasty. The Petty Museum and Petty Family Foundation will also bring back and sell the original merchandise of Adam Petty, the fourth-generation driver of the Petty family. All Adam Petty merchandise was pulled off the market after his accident in 2000. The family will now continue to honor Petty by selling his merchandise to help aid others, a characteristic that defined Petty. Original Adam Petty hats and shirts will be on sale with proceeds to benefit the Petty Family Foundation. The Foundation will then donate funds to support Victory Junction, the camp built in honor of Adam. For more info go to richardpettymotorsports.com (RPM)(5-27-2016)

Record-Setting Night for Speedway Children's Charities' Gala: On Wednesday, the biggest stars in the NASCAR industry came together for the 36th annual Sonic Automotive Speedway Children's Charities' Gala presented by The NRA Teach Freedom Foundation. The fundraising event, which attracted 450 attendees, generated more than $800,000 through table sponsorships and live and silent auctions. Held at the Ritz-Carlton in uptown Charlotte, the black-tie dinner and auction was hosted by NBC's Krista Voda, with entertainment provided by GRAMMY award-winning musician Darius Rucker and special honors bestowed upon NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart. The night was designed to honor philanthropist Tony Stewart, who is competing in his final season as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. Stewart is an accomplished driver with a total of 12 championships to his credit, including three titles in the elite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In addition to being one of the top drivers in the world, Stewart is also a successful businessman, owning race teams and race tracks. Stewart has still taken the time to help raise more than $1 million for Speedway Children's Charities over the years. Last year, the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities granted almost $750,000 to 77 deserving charities in the Charlotte region.(CMS)(5-27-2016)

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Returns To Pocono Raceway, needs fans: Nathan's Famous will return to Pocono Raceway this summer to hold a regional qualifying event for the annual Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest held on July 4 in Coney Island, N.Y. Pocono Raceway fans are encouraged to sign-up to compete. One male and one female winner will earn a seat at Coney Island to challenge defending champions Matt Stonie and Miki Sudo. The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier will be held Sunday, June 5 at 11 a.m. in Fan Fare 2 behind the grandstands on the Nathan's Famous stage. The winner of the qualifier, one of 13 being held across the country, will gain entry to the annual finals at Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 4. More info at poconoraceway.com. Tickets for all races are now on sale at www.poconoraceway.com or by calling 1-800-RACEWAY.(Pocono Raceway)(5-27-2016)

Sad News - Bernie Fletcher: Bernard "Bernie" William Fletcher Jr of St Augustine FL passed away in Baldwin GA on May 21, 2016 at the age of 87. Bernie was born in Clarion PA and resided in DuBois PA in his early years. Bernie enjoyed automobile racing and NASCAR in particular. In the mid 1950's Bernie worked as crew member for the late Walt Chapman on one of the Fabulous Hornets with late driver Dick Rathmann. Bernie was active in the automobile business having begun his career as a wash boy at age 15 and having worked for or managed with several dealerships and owned various used car lots and rental businesses in St. Augustine. Service, donation and guest book info at whitfieldfuneralhomes.com (5-27-2016)

Bell, Abreu to run Eldora during off week: Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu return to Eldora Speedway Sunday night for the long standing Johnny Appleseed Classic by Miller Lite. Bell won last year's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora and now drives full time for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Abreu, who is the two-time Chili Bowl champion and a past Eldora winner, drives for Sandusky, Ohio-based ThorSport in the Camping World Truck Series. Both drivers will step away from the Trucks to compete in the NRA Sprint Invaders Series, which makes its first appearance of 2016 at Eldora on Sunday.This race has a bit of history to it as well. As a tribute to American nurseryman legend Johnny Appleseed, the event was first promoted in 1970 at Mansfield, Ohio by Eldora founder, Earl Baltes. In 1988, Baltes moved the event to Eldora, where it has remained a fixture. Originally the races were run during the fall season to honor Appleseed's (John Chapman) September birth date, but the Classic was moved to its current Memorial weekend time slot in 2008.(Eldora Speedway)(5-27-2016)

Martin Truex Jr. wins Charlotte pole: #78-Martin Truex Jr. won the Coors Light pole for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with speed of 192.328mph for his 2nd pole of 2016, 1st at Charlotte and 9th of his career. Truex Jr. has never won a race from the pole.
#22-Logano will start 2nd, followed by #17-Stenhouse Jr., #11-Hamlin, #2-Keselowski, #16-Biffle, #48-Johnson, #4-Harvick, #19-Edwards, #6-Bayne, #27-Menard and #24-Elliott.
#22-Logano was fastest in the first and second rounds and will start 2nd.
Since the maximum of 40 cars entered the race, everyone made the race.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Charlotte qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Charlotte Starting Lineup page (pdf).(5-26-2016)

Three teams penalized: The teams of #48-Jimmie Johnson, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. & #43-Aric Almirola will lose their place in order for pit-stall selection - typically they choose in order of qualifying results - for receiving their fourth warning of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday. Teams get warnings for minor violations that cause them to fail opening-day, prequalifying or prerace measurements. Johnson would have picked seventh, Almirola would have picked 20th and Earnhardt would have picked 25th (ESPN), Pit Stall selections will be most likely be released and posted Saturday morning (5-26-2016)

Charlotte Motor Speedway - Qualifying Fast Facts:
#78-Martin Truex Jr. won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 57th Annual COCA-COLA 600 with a lap of 28.077 seconds, 192.328 mph.
This is his ninth pole in 382 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and eighth top-10 start in 2016.
This is his first pole in 22 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
#22-Joey Logano (second) posted his ninth top-10 start of 2016 and his fifth in 15 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (third) posted his second top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his seventh in 13 races this season.
#24-Chase Elliott (12th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-26-2016)

Second Round of Qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#22-Logano 191.768
#16-Biffle 191.625
#17-Stenhouse Jr. 191.591
#2-Keselowski 191.340
#78-Truex Jr. 191.293
the rest of the top 12: 4 48 6 27 11 19 24;
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 41 31 47 18 13 21 10 43 14 34 1 42
(5-26-2016)

First Round of Qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#22-Logano 191.327
#21-Blaney 191.232
#41-Busch 191.184
#17-Stenhouse Jr. 190.772
#18-Busch 190.644
the rest of the top 24: 43 16 2 24 4 27 78 48 13 11 19 31 1 14 42 47 6 10 34;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 88 15 20 3 5 44 7 95 38 83 23 98 30 46 32 55
Drivers who will miss the race: none as 40 cars entered for 40 spots
(5-26-2016)

Coverage of Qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 7:15pm/et.
Television (TV): FS1, 7:00pm/et
Radio: Live online at Performance Racing Network (PRN)
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: Friday, May 27 at 8:00am/et on FS1

Group qualifying under the three-round qualifying format:
" Round 1 -- All entries will have 20 minutes to post a qualifying time, after which the 24 registering the fastest laps will advance to the second round. Those failing to advance will be sorted based on first-round times in descending order (from fastest to slowest).
" Round 2 -- The 24 fastest from the first round will have 10 minutes to post a second-round qualifying time, with the 12 fastest advancing to a third round. Those not advancing will earn starting positions 13 through 24 based on time, again in descending order.
" Round 3 -- The final round will be five minutes in length. The fastest times from this session will determine the first (Coors Light Pole Award) through 12th starting positions.
There will be a seven-minute break between each round; teams may make adjustments to their entries only during the individual breaks. They will not be allowed to jack the vehicle or raise the hood, and once the car or truck enters the garage, it will no longer be permitted to return to the track for additional qualifying attempts.

Qualifying Order for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted. 40 cars/drivers are listed.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #95-McDowell.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #34-Buescher.
The order is set by a random draw, how cars park on pit road before they qualify, held about an hour before the first practice.
After the first round, the cars line up by speed.
See the full qualifying order on Jayski.com's Charlotte Qualifying Order Page (pdf).(5-26-2016)

Thursday practice for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#41-Busch 192.843
#48-Johnson 191.252
#19-Edwards 191.042
#4-Harvick 190.772
#42-Larson 190.745
slowest: #55-Sorenson 175.461 and #30-Wise 180.626
most laps run: #18-Busch 25; #44-Scott 21
notes: in the event that qualifying is cancelled, the practice speeds would set the lineup for the 600. Qualifying is scheduled for 7:15pm/et and will be aired on FS1.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Charlotte Practice 1 speeds page (pdf) (5-26-2016)

Charlotte Pole Notes & Facts:
· Fireball Roberts won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway (World 600) in 1960 with a speed of 133.904 mph.
· 43 drivers have Coors Light poles at Charlotte, led by David Pearson with 14. Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in poles at CMS with nine; followed by Jimmie Johnson with four.
· 13 drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Charlotte. David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive poles at Charlotte with 11 straight from the fall of 1973 through 1978 - Matt Kenseth swept the poles in Charlotte last season.
· Eight drivers have posted their first career NSCS pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Donnie Allison (5/26/1968), Brett Bodine (10/7/1990), Jeff Gordon (10/10/1993), Ward Burton (10/9/1994), Derrike Cope (10/4/1998); including three active drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5/28/2000), Ryan Newman (5/27/2001) and Aric Almirola (5/27/2012). · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Charlotte with a 7.793.
· 15 of the 114 (13.1%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from the Coors Light pole; the most recent was Jimmie Johnson in 2014 (Coca-Cola 600).
· The second-place starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (17) than any other starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
· 32 of the 114 (28.1%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from the front row: 15 from the pole and 17 from second-place.
· 87 of the 114 (76.3%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Charlotte have been won from a top-10 starting position.
· Nine of the 114 (7.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
· The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Charlotte is 37th, by Jimmie Johnson in the Coca-Cola 600 of 2003.
· Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway twice; the fall race of 2002 and the fall race of 2008.
(NASCAR)

Rules changes for Kentucky, Michigan races: Changes to the rear spoiler, front splitter and rear deck fin will be put into play for two upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as the sanctioning body continues to reduce aerodynamic downforce and sideforce in an effort to promote closer competition on the race track. The changes, announced Thursday morning, will be in effect only for upcoming races at Michigan in June and Kentucky in July and are in addition to previous adjustments made by the officials in recent weeks. Initial moves implemented before the start of the season combined with a Goodyear tire matched more closely to the lower downforce package have resulted in closer competition through the season's first 12 races.
Why more chnages? "I think we look at it as a never-ending journey; if we can improve we're going to do that," Steve O'Donnell, executive vice president of competition and chief racing development officer said. "We wanted to go the direction of low downforce, see how that worked, not kind of go all the way in and hope that we are directionally right. And we are seeing that play out. We've seen some great racing at the beginning of the year. But we also knew that we had some more levers that we could pull if the direction kind of proved out, so we've tried some of those things. We've tested it and what we've also wanted to do is lower some of the corner speeds to allow for even more passing. That was one of the areas where we've seen minimal change, but there are some levers we can pull to really drive that down."
The changes for those races consist of a reduction in spoiler height from 3.5 inches to 2.5 inches, a splitter reduction of two inches and a re-sizing of the rear deck fin to complement the spoiler change. Beginning with this year's race at Kansas Speedway, NASCAR required teams to weld truck arm mounts; for the recently completed Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, downforce-generating electric fans were removed and the rear toe alignment was reset to zero to reduce sideforce. The changes to truck arm mounts and fans are to remain in place for the remainder of the 2016 season. The rear toe adjustment was initially only in play for the All-Star event but now will be incorporated into the June Michigan and July Kentucky races. Downforce is the pressure created across the surface of a vehicle at speed. Likewise, sideforce is generated by the flow of air along the sides of the vehicle.
O'Donnell said limiting the latest changes to two upcoming races is beneficial in two ways: Teams have spent plenty of time in development of setups with the initial base package and that information will still be relevant; and focusing on two tracks will give teams and officials much-needed information as they look ahead to 2017. "We have worked collectively on some directions we want to go in, but to do that right we think the final step is to let that play out on one or two tracks," he said. "And these are the two -- Kentucky and Michigan -- that we've played out and let the teams concentrate really on what they've done to prepare for the year. We think that's manageable and that'll give us enough data to look at for 2017."(NASCAR)(5-26-2016)

NASCAR Partners with Steven Soderbergh on Heist-Themed Film Project: NASCAR is collaborating with Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh on a feature film entitled Logan Lucky, starring Channing Tatum alongside Daniel Craig, Riley Keough, Adam Driver and Seth MacFarlane. Depicting a theoretical heist at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the project will mark Soderbergh's first feature film since announcing his retirement from the film industry in 2013. Soderbergh, who also directed heist film Ocean's Eleven, is best known for his work on the critically acclaimed Traffic and Erin Brockovich, which garnered him two Oscar nominations and the accolade of Best Director. This will not be Tatum's first experience working with NASCAR or Soderbergh. He and 22 Jump Street co-star Jonah Hill served as grand marshals for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono 400 in 2014, while Tatum and Soderbergh previously teamed up for the Magic Mike films, Haywire and the 2013 thriller Side Effects, which was the most recent film project led by the acclaimed director.
"We are excited to work with Steven, Channing and all of Logan Lucky's incredible cast and producers," said Zane Stoddard, NASCAR vice president of entertainment marketing and content development. "It's a big-hearted, fun story that showcases NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway as the world-class sports entertainment property and venue that they are, much like the Bellagio in Steven's Ocean's Eleven."
Logan Lucky is tentatively scheduled for release in Fall 2017. Mark Johnson, Gregory Jacobs and Reid Carolin are producing. Zane Stoddard is executive producing for NASCAR. Pre-production filming will begin this weekend at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600.(NASCAR)(5-26-2016)

All-Star Race TV Ratings UPDATE: The 2016 NASCAR All-Star Race earned a 1.7 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Saturday night, down 19% from last year (2.1) and even with 2014. The 1.7 is tied as the lowest for the race in at least four years (complete overnights prior to 2013 were not available). The All-Star Race ranks as the lowest rated Sprint Cup telecast of the season in the metered markets, falling below the previous mark set by Kansas two weeks earlier (1.8). No other race has dipped below the 2.0 mark. As is usually the case, NASCAR's All-Star event pales in comparison to those in other sports. The NBA All-Star Game had a 5.4 in February, the NFL Pro Bowl had a 5.0 in January, and the MLB All-Star Game had a 7.8 last July. The race did top the NHL All-Star Game, which had a 1.2.(Sports Media Watch / ShowBuzz Daily) see race-by-race TV Ratings for 2016 and a comparison chart on the 2016 TV Ratings page.(5-24-2016)
UPDATE: The 2016 NASCAR All-Star Race had a 2.0 final rating and 3.291 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 Saturday night, down 5% in ratings and 14% in viewership from last year (2.1, 3.8M) and down 9% and 5%, respectively, from 2014 (2.2, 3.5M). The 2.0 rating is the lowest for the All-Star Race since at least 1999, falling below the previous mark set last year. Viewership was also the lowest in at least ten years. Head-to-head, it trailed the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN (3.3, 5.5M) but not the NHL conference finals on NBC (1.4, 2.3M) and - notably - Major League Baseball on the FOX broadcast network (1.4, 2.2M).(Sports Media Watch / Programming Insider)(5-26-2016)

R-W-B M&M's for the #18 at Charlotte: On this Memorial Day weekend, Kyle Busch will sport a special #18 Red, White and Blue M&M'S Toyota promoting M&M'S partnership with Operation Gratitude and Walmart. For a limited time, fans can buy the Red, White and Blue M&M'S exclusively at Walmart. M&M'S candies were created 75 years ago as rations for our troops. During this year's promotion, for every bag purchased by a consumer, one bag will be sent to our American troops abroad. Fans can also show their support for our troops on social media with #CelebrateWithM. More can be learned about the program at www.myconfectioncorner.com. The Coca-Cola 600 would be special because the event is at what Busch often says is his favorite racetrack. He has come close to winning a Sprint Cup event at Charlotte, but he's yet to carry home a coveted Sprint Cup trophy from the track that is home to a majority of the NASCAR teams and is just around the corner from where Busch now lives in Mooresville, NC. Continuing the sport's longstanding tradition of honoring the United States Armed Forces, all 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will bear the name of a fallen service member on their racecar windshields during Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. Busch's #18 Red, White and Blue M&M'S Toyota will feature U.S. Army PFC Robert Stephan Underwood, who hailed from O'Fallon, Missouri, on the windshield for Sunday evening's race (JGR), see an image of the car on the #18 team paint schemes page.(5-26-2016)

Danica Patrick to run a camo scheme in Coke 600: This Memorial Day weekend in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the #10 Nature's Bakery Chevy of Danica Patrick will feature a special camouflage paint scheme in honor of the men and women who have died in military service for the United States. While Sunday is a special day in the motorsports world, in Charlotte the focus will instead be on those service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country and our freedom. For the second consecutive year, the NASCAR community will come together to honor fallen U.S. Armed Forces members with "600 Miles of Remembrance" in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. As part of that tribute, this weekend the #10 Nature's Bakery Chevy team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) is honoring Lance Corporal Benito Ramirez, who died May 21, 2006 in the Anbar Province of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ramirez's name will be featured in place of Patrick's on the windshield header of the team's car. Patrick's comments: "I think it's very fitting that Nature's Bakery decided to go with a special camouflage scheme on Memorial Day weekend to pay tribute to the men and women who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They are true heroes. We're also honoring a 21-year-old Marine, Lance Corporal Benito Ramirez, who was killed in combat in 2006. He has direct ties to the Nature's Bakery family, so I know it means a lot to everyone at Nature's Bakery to have him featured on the car. And I know I speak for everyone on the #10 team when I say it is an honor to have his name on the car, as well."(SHR), see images of the car on the #10 team paint schemes page.(5-26-2016)

Buescher, CSX Honor Memory of U.S. Marine Killed in Iraq: On Memorial Day weekend, Chris Buescher and sponsor CSX will race in the name of a U.S. Marine killed while on patrol during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The #34 Ford will pay tribute to SSgt. Eric McIntosh, a 29-year-old Infantry Unit Leader who died conducting combat operations in Iraq in 2006. SSgt. McIntosh's name will be displayed across the top of the windshield of Buescher's #34 for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte as part of NASCAR's tribute to America's fallen military. SSgt. McIntosh was one month into his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Anbar province. He was survived by his wife, mother, sister and brother. CSX has a proud history of service in hiring individuals with military experience to operate the nation's largest eastern railroad. One in five CSX employees has served in the armed forces, and the railroad was presented the GI Jobs Most Military Friendly 2015 and ESGR Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award. Additionally, CSX donated 200 grandstand tickets to the Charlotte Motor Speedway "Let the Troops Race" program so active military members can watch the race in person (Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(5-26-2016)

Toy State and Go Baby Go Host Annual Charlotte Workshop: Toy State, a toy industry leader and innovator, has once again pledged its support to helping children with mobility issues. Today, along with Tommy Baldwin Racing, Toy State hosted their 4th Go Baby Go workshop over the last 12 months and the second in Charlotte. Today's workshop took place in Mooresville, NC at the Tommy Baldwin Racing shop. Toy State provided ten area children with a ride-on car that was outfitted to model the #7 Nikko RC / Toy State car driven by Regan Smith on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit. Smith along with fellow NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne, Michael McDowell and Ryan Preece were in attendance along with other members of the NASCAR community. Toy State is currently in the middle of a 14-race partnership with TBR as the primary sponsor of the #7 car. For more information about how you can get involved in Go Baby Go visit the University of Delaware's GoBabyGo website, udel.edu/gobabygo/. The site includes contact information for program affiliates across the United States and around the world, as well as information about how to bring a car-modifying workshop to your area.(140Buzz)(5-26-2016)

Dillon fastest in XFINITY happy hour: #3-Ty Dillon was quickest during happy hour for the Hisense 300 with a speed of 181.342mph. He was followed by: #19-Daniel Suarez, #20-Erik Jones, #2-Austin Dillon, #48-Brennan Poole, #33-Brandon Jones, #18-Denny Hamlin, #1-Elliott Sadler, #43-Jeb Burton, #and #42-Kyle Larson. 40 drivers participated in the session.
See complete results on the Charlotte practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-26-2016)

Jones fastest in first XFINITY practice: #20-Erik Jones was fastest during opening practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 181.159mph. #18-Denny Hamlin was second, followed by: #12-Ryan Blaney, #19-Daniel Suarez, #3-Ty Dillon, #2-Austin Dillon, #88-Cole Custer, #42-Kyle Larson, #48-Brennan Poole, #33-Brandon Jones. 40 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-26-2016)

Ware adds Charlotte sponsor: Set to make his fifth NASCAR XFINITY Series start of the season, Cody Ware will carry a new marketing partner for Saturday's Hisense 4K TV 300 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Entering into their first foray into NASCAR, Fort Mill, South Carolina-based JJ Aim Right Gun Shop will back the 20-year-old in the #15 Ford Mustang at his hometown track. JJ Aim Right Gun Shop is based in a small, hometown store based in the heart of Fort Mill off Massey Street. Founded by owners Thom Nalley and James DeBus, the company is utilizing Saturday's XFINITY Series race to not only bring additional exposure to their growing business, but also continue to educate the public on gun safety.(RWR)(5-26-2016)

IMS announces spectacular holiday event: 'Lights at the Brickyard' coming in 2016: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will bring new levels of cheer to this holiday season with a spectacular "Lights at the Brickyard" seasonal event. Attendees will experience more than 40 scenes filled with 400 light displays along a 1.7-mile driving experience, which includes crossing the famous "Yard of Bricks" at IMS. In addition to the Lights at the Brickyard driving experience, other out-of-car holiday festivities and attractions will be offered for families to complete their adventure at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Dates are subject to change, but the event is tentatively scheduled to run from Nov. 18-Dec. 31. Exhibits will include festive holiday celebrations as well as racing-themed installations throughout the iconic venue. IMS has partnered with Winterland Inc., an international leader in holiday light installations and events to deliver the thrilling experience. Early-bird tickets will start at just $20 per car and will be available at a later date on www.IMS.com, or by calling the IMS ticket office. A $40 early-bird pass will provide expedited passage into the event. Prices will eventually increase to $30 and $60 for each.(IMS)(5-26-2016)

Five Legends Unveiled as 2017 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class: NASCAR announced the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017. The five-person group - the eighth since the inception of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 - consists of Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Mark Martin, Raymond Parks and Benny Parsons. In addition, NASCAR announced that Martinsville Speedway founder H. Clay Earles won the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in a closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote upon the 20 nominees for the induction class of 2017 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton announced the class and Landmark Award winner, respectively, this evening in the NASCAR Hall of Fame's "Great Hall."
The Class of 2017 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and, for the third year, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion (Kyle Busch). In all, 54 votes were cast, with four additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Ricky Rudd, Robert Yates, Waddell Wilson and Ken Squier). The accounting firm of EY presided over the tabulation of the votes.
Voting was as follows: Benny Parsons (85%), Rick Hendrick (62%), Mark Martin (57%), Raymond Parks (53%) and Richard Childress (43%).
The next top vote-getters were Robert Yates, Red Byron and Alan Kulwicki.
Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, in alphabetical order, were Buddy Baker, Alan Kulwicki, Mark Martin, Benny Parsons and Larry Phillips.
The five inductees came from a group of 20 nominees that included, in addition to the five inductees chosen: Buddy Baker, Red Byron, Ray Evernham, Ray Fox, Ron Hornaday Jr., Harry Hyde, Alan Kulwicki, Hershel McGriff, Larry Phillips, Jack Roush, Ricky Rudd, Ken Squier, Mike Stefanik, Waddell Wilson and Robert Yates. Nominees for the Landmark Award included Earles, Janet Guthrie, Raymond Parks, Ralph Seagraves and Ken Squier.
Class of 2017 Inductees:
Richard Childress
Long before he became one of the preeminent car owners in NASCAR history, Richard Childress was a race car driver with limited means. Childress, the consummate self-made racer, was respectable behind the wheel. Between 1969-81 he had six top-five finishes and 76 top 10s in 285 starts, finishing fifth in the NASCAR premier series standings in 1975. Having formed Richard Childress Racing in 1972, Childress retired from driving in 1981. He owned the cars that NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt drove to six championships and 67 wins between 1984-2000. In addition to Earnhardt's championships, Childress drivers have given him five others. Childress was the first NASCAR owner to win owner championships in all three of NASCAR's national series, and his 11 owner titles are second all time. Childress also owned the vehicles driven by NASCAR XFINITY Series driver champions Clint Bowyer (2008) and Austin Dillon (2013), as the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver champion Austin Dillon.
Rick Hendrick
The founder and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, Rick Hendrick's organization is recognized as one of NASCAR's most successful. Hendrick Motorsports owns an all-time record 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner championship titles - six with Jimmie Johnson, four with Jeff Gordon and one with NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte. Hendrick also has 14 total NASCAR national series owner championships, most in NASCAR history. Gordon and Labonte combined to win four consecutive titles from 1995-98. In 2010, Johnson won a record-extending fifth consecutive championship. Hendrick also owned the car driven by 2003 NASCAR XFINITY Series driver champion Brian Vickers. Hendrick's 242 owner wins in the premier series rank second all-time.
Mark Martin
He is often described as the "greatest driver to never to win a championship," but Mark Martin's legendary career is so much more than that. He came incredibly close to that elusive title many times - finishing second in the championship standings five times. Over the course of his 31-year premier series career, Martin compiled 40 wins (17th all time) and 56 poles (seventh all time). Martin saw success at every level of NASCAR. He won 49 times in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, holding the series wins record for 14 years. He retired with 96 wins across NASCAR's three national series, seventh on the all-time list. In 1998, Martin was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
Raymond Parks
Raymond Parks is one of stock-car racing's earliest - and most successful - team owners. Funded by successful business and real estate ventures in Atlanta, Parks began his career as a stock-car owner in 1938 with drivers Lloyd Seay and Roy Hall. His pairing with another Atlantan, mechanic Red Vogt, produced equipment good enough to dominate the sport in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Red Byron won the first NASCAR title (modified, 1948) and first premier series title (1949) in a Parks-owned car. Parks' team produced two premier series wins, two poles, 11 top fives and 12 top 10s in 18 events.
Benny Parsons
Benny Parsons won the 1973 NASCAR premier series championship and could be called an everyman champion: winning enough to be called one of the sport's stars but nearly always finishing well when he wasn't able to reach Victory Lane. He won 21 times in 526 career starts but finished among the top 10 283 times - a 54 percent ratio. One of Parsons' biggest victories came in the 1975 Daytona 500. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998. Parsons also was known as a voice of the sport making a seamless transition to television following his NASCAR career. He was a commentator for NBC and TNT until his passing in 2007, at the age of 65.
Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:
H. Clay Earles
One of the original pioneers of stock car auto racing, H. Clay Earles played an integral role in the early years of NASCAR's development. Earles built and opened Martinsville Speedway in 1947, and the short track remains the only facility to host NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races every year since the series' inception in 1949. The speedway held its first race on Sept. 7, 1947 - three months before the creation of NASCAR. That initial race drew more than 6,000 fans to the track, which had just 750 seats ready. In 1964, Earles decided it was time for a "different" type of trophy for his race winners. He gave winners grandfather clocks, a tradition that continues today.(NASCAR)(5-25-2016

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 announced UPDATE: The NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 and winner of the 2017 Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, May 25th at 5:00pm/et following a vote by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel. The five NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees will be selected from the list of 20 nominees, and the third Landmark Award recipient will be chosen from the list of five nominees. The announcement will air live on NBCSN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NASCAR.com and MRN.com.(NHOF), more info on the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the list of the nominees on Jayski.com's NASCAR Hall of Fame page (5-23-2016)
UPDATE: 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class was announced Wednesday afternoon:
Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Rick Hendrick, 14-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Mark Martin, 96-time race winner in NASCAR national series competition
Raymond Parks, NASCAR's first champion car owner
Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR premier series champion
The Landmark Award winner is H. Clay Earles, founder of Martinsville Speedway
(5-25-2016)

Cassill to run patriotic scheme at CMS: Landon Cassill's #38 MDS Transport Ford will run a patriotic paint scheme for the Memorial Day weekend race, promoting the transportation company's support for the U.S. military. Cassill's #38 team will pay tribute to a fallen soldier with a Front Row Motorsports family connection for the Memorial Day weekend Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Cassill's MDS Transport Ford will carry the windshield name decal of Pvt. Earl Platt, a World World I Army infantryman who fought in two of the Great War's biggest battles before dying from the effects of mustard gas poisoning. Pvt. Platt was the great uncle of Gwen Bartley, the wife of Front Row Motorsports suspension mechanic and U.S. Air Force veteran Kurt Bartley.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #38 team paint schemes page.(5-25-2016)

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Charlotte:
#48-Jimmie Johnson........................ 109.0
#18-Kyle Busch............................... 106.1
#5-Kasey Kahne.............................. 97.4
#20-Matt Kenseth.............................. 95.5
#11-Denny Hamlin............................. 94.9
#22-Joey Logano.............................. 93.6
#19-Carl Edwards.............................. 90.8
#16-Greg Biffle.................................. 88.0
#2-Brad Keselowski......................... 87.8
#4-Kevin Harvick.............................. 87.7
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2015 races (21 total) among active drivers at Charlotte 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)

Charlotte Goodyear Tire Notes: All Goodyear tires run this week will be branded with "Support Our Troops" instead of the customary "Eagle" . . . teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series will run completely different tire set-ups at Charlotte . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that debuted for Sprint Cup teams at the Sprint Showdown/All-Star event at Charlotte last week . . . this tire set-up came out of a Goodyear test at Charlotte on March 8-9 . . . drivers participating in that test were Austin Dillon, Jamie McMurray, Brian Scott and Martin Truex Jr. . . . compared to what was run at Charlotte last year, both of these tires have an updated construction to bring them into line with what is run at other speedways . . . this left-side code features a compound change for more grip . . . this right-side code is a single tread compound tire which offers more grip than either of the two compounds run on Goodyear's multi-zone tread tire run at Charlotte last year . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Charlotte . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire. Goodyear's "Wingfoot One" will be in the skies over Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend . . . this ship is based out of Pompano Beach, Fla. . . . Wingfoot One will provide aerial coverage for Fox Sports for both the NASCAR Xfinity and Sprint Cup races.(Goodyear Racing), see tire codes, set limits, pressures and more on the Charlotte Race Info page

Roush Fenway Racing Announces Multi-Year Extension with Fastenal: Roush Fenway Racing has secured a multi-year partnership extension with primary partner the Fastenal Company that will continue Fastenal's position as the anchor partner of the #17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. As part of the extension, Fastenal will also increase the number of its primary races in 2017 and beyond. "We are really excited to announce that Fastenal will remain the anchor partner of the #17 team for years to come," said driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. "Fastenal is a first-class organization with values that align completely with myself and this race team. We've seen a lot of improvement across the board this year. We are very happy that Fastenal will continue to be a part of the momentum at Roush Fenway. There has been a lot of hard work and effort put into this team and our goal and expectation is to reward Fastenal with a trip to victory lane and the Chase in the near future." Fastenal is currently in its fifth season as a primary partner in Roush Fenway's Sprint Cup stable, and its second full season as the anchor partner on Stenhouse's #17 Ford Fusion.
"To have a company of the caliber of Fastenal recognize the long-term value of a partnership with Roush Fenway, Ricky and the #17 team is gratifying for our entire organization," said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. "During our relationship, Fastenal has created and implemented a robust and impactful motorsports marketing program, and we are thrilled to have Fastenal continue to be a key part of the Roush Fenway family now and in the future." Fastenal, which boasts 2,600 stores nationwide, first joined Roush Fenway as a primary partner in 2010 in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
"We are truly looking forward to continuing our partnership with Roush Fenway Racing as the anchor sponsor of the #17," said Fastenal President and CEO Dan Florness. "Ricky has done an excellent job representing our brand - both on and off the track - and we are extremely proud of the relationship we have built with Ricky, Jack Roush and everyone at Roush Fenway Racing. Extending our partnership reflects our belief in Roush Fenway Racing. The NASCAR program has helped us grow our business and excite our employees, and we feel a strong connection with the NASCAR community and fan base."(Roush Fenway Racing)(5-25-2016)

RPM & U.S. Air Force Partner for 600 Miles of Remembrance: Richard Petty Motorsports and the U.S. Air Force are once again partnering for NASCAR's 600 Miles of Remembrance program on Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Air Force Ford, will race in memory of fallen U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Forrest B. Sibley with his name featured on the windshield header. A long-time partner with the military branch, Richard Petty Motorsports will feature a U.S. Air Force primary paint scheme on the #43 Ford for the Coca-Cola 600. This will be the first of two race weekends of primary sponsorship for the U.S. Air Force in the 2016 season [the other is Phoenix in November]. Almirola, born on Eglin Air Force Base, is deeply connected to the U.S. Air Force and understands the sacrifices made by military members and their families.(RPM), see an image of the car on the #43 team paint schemes page.(5-25-2016)

Dillon to run Cheerios colors at Charlotte: Austin Dillon continues a long-standing Richard Childress Racing tradition this weekend by carrying General Mills' Cheerios brand on the #3 Chevy in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. General Mills has been an active sponsor in motorsports for more than 15 years. Both Dillon brothers made their Daytona 500 debut with General Mills, with Austin in the Honey Nut Cheerios Chevrolet in 2013 and Ty in the Cheerios Chevrolet in 2015. In 2016, Cheerios is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The cereal debuted as "Cheerioats" in 1941. Dillon and the #3 Cheerios team will participate in 600 Miles of Remembrance on Memorial Day Weekend. Dillon's name will be replaced on his race car windshield header with the name of a fallen military service member for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #3 team will feature Navy SEAL Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer Mark "Badger" Carter, who was killed in action in Balad, Iraq on December 11, 2007. There is a Crossfit "Heroes" workout named after Badger that Dillon and several RCR team members have completed in Carter's honor.(RCR), see images of the car on the #3 team paint schemes page.(5-25-2016)

Evernham restores Mario Andretti rookie car: Ray Evernham made his name in NASCAR, but this week, he's got the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on his mind. At the Brickyard, Evernham will have a very special car that he restored himself and owns: The Brawner Hawk Ford Indy car that Mario Andretti drove to a third-place finish and Rookie of the Year honors in the '65 Indy 500, as well as the 1965 USAC National Championship. Evernham restored the car to such a high standard that at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, the Brawner Hawk won Best in Class -- Race Cars (1961-1967) and the Phil Hill Restorer's Award, "which is an award created to honor the artisan whose restoration of a classic, antique, historic or competition car is judged the best new restoration in its first concours appearance." And at the Brickyard, Andretti himself will be behind the wheel of the Brawner Hawk in a parade of 33 vintage cars that will pace the field.(full story at FoxSports)(5-25-2016)

Cup crew member suspended 2nd time for violating substance abuse policy: A crew member in the Sprint Cup Series has been indefinitely suspended a second time in his career for violation of NASCAR's substance abuse policy. Kelly Johnson, who most recently worked as a jackman with Tommy Baldwin Racing (#7 Chevy), was indefinitely suspended Tuesday for violation of NASCAR's substance abuse policy. It's his second violation in less than two years. Johnson was indefinitely suspended for violation of the policy in November 2014 and reinstated in January 2015 after completing NASCAR's Road to Recovery program.(Motorsport)(5-25-2016)

Pocono Raceway To Honor A Hero: Pocono Raceway will honor a hero during its July NASCAR Race, CEO & President Brandon Igdalsky announced today. The six-week competition will culminate with a $5,000 prize being presented to the chosen hero at pre-race driver introductions on Sunday, July 31. Submissions are now being accepted to nominate a hero and fans will have a say in who is honored as the winner. All fans are eligible to nominate who they believe is a hero, whether it be a volunteer, active community service member, someone who has overcome hardship or someone you think is deserving. Top consideration will be given to those heroes who are aligned with Pocono Raceway's core values of Integrity, Respect, Service, Sustainability, Growth and Community. On-line nominations will be accepted until July 5, 2016 at poconoraceway.com/hero.html. There is a 500-word limit for nominations. Members of the Pocono Fan Council, with input from Pocono Raceway, will select three finalists who will be invited to 'The Tricky Triangle' July 30-31 for the Pennsylvania 400. Fans will then have the chance to vote for who they believe should be the winner during an on-line voting period. The three finalists will be invited to Pocono Raceway and be featured at the track on Saturday. The winner will be announced on Saturday and presented a $5,000 check during driver introductions on Sunday. The selected Hero will then participate in a full slate of activities prior to and during the Pennsylvania 400. Tickets for all races are now on sale at poconoraceway.com or by calling 1-800-RACEWAY.(Pocono Raceway)(5-25-2016)

Marty Snider's son wins ARCA race in debut: Son of NBC NASCAR announcer Marty Snider, 21-year-old Myatt Snider made his ARCA Racing Series race at Toledo Speedway last Sunday. Starting the #22 Cunningham Motorsports Ford with sponsorship from The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce from the third starting position, Snider won the race. Sunday was the first of nine ARCA races Snider will take part in this season. Dalton Sargeant finished second, followed by Kyle Weatherman, Chase Briscoe and Matt Kurzejewski.(NBC Sports)(5-25-2016)

Clements to honor Purple Heart Veterans: Jeremy Clements and his JCR teammates are big supporters of America's military personnel and this Memorial Day Weekend they will have Purple Heart Veterans as their guests at Charlotte Motor Speedway.The team will also be featuring their logo on the #51 JCR Chevy Camaro SS for the Hisense 300. Returning as sponsors of the #51 JCR Chevy Camaro SS this weekend are All South Electric and RepairableVehicles.com.(JCR)(5-25-2016)

XFINITY race at Pocono will be the Pocono Green 250: The first NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Pocono Raceway, the Pocono Green 250, will highlight sustainability initiatives at the track and the work of its partners. Pocono Raceway's President and CEO Brandon Igdalsky, a board member of the Green Sports Alliance and winner of local, regional and national awards for his sustainability work, made the announcement. The Pocono Green 250 is set for Saturday, June 4 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. Pocono Raceway features a three megawatt solar farm that powers not only the facility but the local community as well. Pocono Raceway was the first facility to rely 100 percent on solar power generated onsite with the opening of the 25-acre Solar Farm across the street from the raceway in 2010. Pocono Raceway recently launched a partnership with Penn State University with an aggressive and ambitious goal to make the raceway a "near zero waste" facility. New food and beverage provider Spectra and Pocono Raceway are working with "Rock & Wrap It Up" on a food donation program to support local charities and food banks. A pilot program will begin this weekend with a local composting facility in an effort to divert even more bio waste from landfills. Coca-Cola and Anheuser-Busch have contributed recycling bins to the track in efforts to reduce the amount of recyclable items being thrown in the trash. Pocono Raceway also works hand-in-hand with NASCAR Green.(Pocono Raceway)(5-25-2016)

Reddick interested in XFINITY Series next season: Tyler Reddick, 20, does not know what the future holds. He is unsure of whether he will return to BKR next year. Additionally, as of now, he is not scheduled to compete in any XFINITY Series contests for Team Penske, which is aligned with BKR via owner Brad Keselowski. "I feel like I've been in the Truck Series for a couple of years now and as much as I love racing in the Truck Series, if I am going to move up, it probably should be next year if I am going to," he explained. "I don't know where it would be or what level or if anything at all. Who knows? I've learned a lot in the Truck Series, and I still have a lot to learn. It wouldn't hurt to start running some XFINITY Series races and understand that style of racing." As the season approaches the halfway mark, Reddick is beginning to look for a deal for next year. With a goal of moving up to the XFINITY Series on at least a part-time basis next year, it is unclear at this time if he will return to BKR, or if he will remain under the Penske banner in any form.(Frontstretch)(5-25-2016)

Nationwide unveils Earnhardt's patriotic Coke 600 scheme: For the second consecutive week, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will get patriotic at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After piloting a special Mountain Dew scheme in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Earnhardt will get behind the wheel of a #88 Nationwide Chevy sporting some stars and stripes. He'll drive the scheme in the 600-mile race this Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Nationwide and Earnhardt worked together on the American flag-themed design, and perhaps the most notable feature can be seen on the car's windshield. It features the name of Lance Corporal Aaron Reed, who was killed in action on Aug. 3, 2005, in Iraq. Earnhardt and Nationwide have invited Lance Corporal Reed's mother, aunt and sister to attend the race as their guests. In addition, Travis Williams, the only surviving member of Aaron's squad, will join Nationwide and the Reed family at the race.(HMS), see images of the car on the #88 team paint schemes page.(5-24-2016)

Special patriotic scheme for McDowell at Charlotte: Michael McDowell will run a Thrivent Financial patriotic scheme on the #95 Circle Sport - Leavine Family Racing Ford in the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CSLFR Facebook), see an image of the car on the #95 team paint schemes page.(5-24-2016)

All-Star Race TV Ratings: The 2016 NASCAR All-Star Race earned a 1.7 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Saturday night, down 19% from last year (2.1) and even with 2014. The 1.7 is tied as the lowest for the race in at least four years (complete overnights prior to 2013 were not available). The All-Star Race ranks as the lowest rated Sprint Cup telecast of the season in the metered markets, falling below the previous mark set by Kansas two weeks earlier (1.8). No other race has dipped below the 2.0 mark. As is usually the case, NASCAR's All-Star event pales in comparison to those in other sports. The NBA All-Star Game had a 5.4 in February, the NFL Pro Bowl had a 5.0 in January, and the MLB All-Star Game had a 7.8 last July. The race did top the NHL All-Star Game, which had a 1.2.(Sports Media Watch / ShowBuzz Daily) see race-by-race TV Ratings for 2016 and a comparison chart on the 2016 TV Ratings page.(5-24-2016)

Recipients of Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants announced: Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, along with Mike Wells, President & CEO of Wells Enterprises, Inc., announced the five recipients of this year's $25,000 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants. The Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope is a program that allows fans and consumers across the country to nominate not-for-profit (501c3) organizations that support K-12 public education for the chance to receive one of five (5) available grant packages.
The 5 grant recipients are:
" ArtWell in Philadelphia
" Carlos Gilbert Elementary Parents! Teachers! Kids! in Santa Fe, New Mexico
" Change for Kids in New York
" Inside the Outdoors Foundation in Costa Mesa, California
" Mercy Child Advocacy Center in Sioux City, Iowa
The final five were selected via public vote. Nearly 225,000 votes were cast for the 10 semi-finalists during the voting period. Thanks to the generosity of Wells Enterprises, Inc., the remaining five semi-finalist charities will each receive a $1,000 grant and a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party as well.(JJF)(5-24-2016)

Nathan's Famous Surprises Ultimate Fan at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Nathan's Famous is continuing its mission to surprise unsuspecting fans and perform random acts of kindness across the nation throughout 2016 as the brand celebrates its 100th anniversary. Last Friday, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Joan Watts, of Bessemer City, N.C., was recognized as one of Nathan's Famous "Ultimate Fans." Watts recently shared her affinity for the brand on the Nathan's Famous website, detailing how she first experienced the flavor of a Nathan's Famous Hot Dog just down the street from Charlotte Motor Speedway and now it's the only brand of hot dogs that her family puts on the grill. Watts did not know that the simple act of posting her story would lead the legendary hot dog company to show her just how much her loyalty is appreciated. Nathan's Famous invited Watts and her family to Charlotte Motor Speedway to experience all of the festivities All-Star Race Weekend has to offer, as guests of the world-famous hot dog company. The surprises began when representatives from Richard Petty Motorsports greeted Watts and escorted her and her family to the garage area for a tour. Upon entering the garage, Aric Almirola, driver of Richard Petty Motorsports' #43 Ford Fusion, introduced himself, took photos with and signed autographs for the group. Almirola then took things one step further and presented Watts with a $1,000 Food Lion gift card, Nathan's Famous apparel and finally, free Nathan's Famous hot dogs for one year. Smithfield Foods is the licensee of Nathan's Famous pre-packaged hot dogs.(Breaking Limits for Nathan's Famous)(5-24-2016)

NASCAR Diversity Internship Program Welcomes 2016 Class: Twenty-six of the best and brightest college students from across the country and abroad ventured to Charlotte Motor Speedway this past weekend as the sport introduced the 2016 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) class at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Weekend. The 10-week, paid program exposes multicultural college students to employment opportunities within America's number one motorsport, whether in departments within the sanctioning body or with organizations that NASCAR partners with to enhance the fan experience both on and off the race track. Through an all-inclusive orientation experience, the interns gain a behind-the-scenes look at the business of the sport and insight into prospective careers in motorsports. NDIP continues to grow in popularity year over year. The key to that growth is the ongoing support of industry partners. Companies such as International Speedway Corporation, Roush Fenway Racing, Rev Racing, Daytona International Speedway, Octagon and Taylor have been longstanding supporters of NDIP. Recent partners include Toyota, Switch and Pocono Raceway. These valued partners increase the number of internship opportunities for young talent and contribute to the program's overall success.(NASCAR), see the list of students on Jayski.com's NASCAR Driver Development / Diversity page (5-24-2016)

Agri Supply sponsoring Gase for three races: Agri Supply has signed on as sponsor for Joey Gase and Jimmy Means Racing for a three-race partnership in the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series season. With their first appearance on the #52 Chevrolet coming this weekend for the Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, they will return on Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway along with the fall event at Charlotte. With the organization coming back for a third consecutive year with the team, Gase is excited to continue the partnership with Agri Supply toward Memorial Day weekend. Starting back in 1962, Agri Supply is a family-owned group of farm stores that specializes in farm machinery, agricultural parts, lawn care and much more. Featuring more than 26,000 items and counting, Agri Supply's goal is to provide quality merchandise at the most reasonable price to give their customers the best service possible and to treat all customers fairly.(Joey Gase PR)(5-24-2016)

HeroBox returns to the #0 at Charlotte: When the green flag drops on the Hisense 4K TV 300 on Saturday afternoon, Garrett Smithley will be piloting the #0 JD Motorsports entry with longtime supporter HeroBox on board. HeroBox is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports deployed, injured, aging and homeless veterans. Its mission is to ensure that every American hero receives the physical and moral support they deserve. Smithley's partnership with HeroBox began at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February 2015. The Peachtree City, Ga., native drove the #63 HeroBox Chevrolet Silverado to an 18th-place finish in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut.(5-24-2016)

Special scheme for Reed at Charlotte: The #16 team will run a special paint scheme this weekend, recognizing veterans who have served and bringing awareness to the one in four who live with diabetes. As a part of NASCAR's Salutes program, the car will feature a series of red, white and blue stars and stripes, with one out of four stars filled in blue to recognize the 25 percent of our service members who live with the disease.(Roush Fenway), see an image of the car on the #16 team paint schemes page.(5-24-2016)

Entry List for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 starting spots] are listed, including:
#21-Blaney*, #30-Wise*, #32-Jeffrey Earnhardt, #55-Sorenson, #95-McDowell, #98-Whitt*.
Drivers who are not a Charter team, an Open Team, and must get in via speed: #21-Blaney, #30-Wise, #55-Sorenson, #98-Whitt
Since only 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race, 40 is the maximum.
* Open Team (no Charter)
See the full entry list on Jayski.com's Charlotte Entry List

Whelen to Partner with RCR's #31 at Charlotte: Richard Childress Racing announced that Whelen Engineering Co., the "Official Warning Lights of NASCAR", will serve as the primary sponsor on Ryan Newman's #31 Chevy for Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Whelen Engineering, the Official Warning Lights of NASCAR, is pleased to be the primary sponsor of the Whelen #31 Chevrolet for the Coca-Cola 600," said Phil Kurze, vice president of motorsports. "Ryan (Newman) is a familiar name to us since he has been in Victory Lane a number of times in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. It is fitting to have a graduate engineer driving a race car sponsored by an engineering company. The familiar red and white Sam Bass paint scheme will be displayed on the car and we look forward to the excitement of the longest race on the Sprint Cup schedule." The red and white colors of the #31 Whelen Chevy will hit the track for the annual Memorial Day weekend event, in which Newman has three top-five and six top-10 finishes, in addition to five pole awards.
"Whelen's commitment to motorsports is comprehensive, and we are proud to partner with them for the Coca-Cola 600," said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. "Their dedication to innovation and safety is in line with the philosophy here at RCR, and we look forward to seeing the #31 Whelen Chevrolet on the track this Memorial Day weekend."
A company that now employs over 1,400 workers, Whelen began in 1952 when George W. Whelen invented the first rotating aircraft "anti-collision" beacon in his garage in Deep River, Connecticut. Over the years, Whelen grew out of the garage and into the mainstream, working with police, public works, and fire departments across the country. Today, Whelen has two manufacturing facilities totaling over 1,000,000 square feet, employs the largest staff of design engineers in the industry, and has partnered with OEMs on new vehicle design and product integration.
While this is RCR's first partnership with Whelen in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Whelen has an extensive history and presence in motorsports. As the "Official Warning Lights of NASCAR", Whelen provides all of the caution lights, pit road entrance, and pit road exit lights, "hot pit/garage area" warning lights, as well as all of the warning lights used on pace cars and safety vehicles across all three NASCAR national touring series. Whelen also serves as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series. This commitment to motorsports extends beyond NASCAR as well. Whelen is the primary sponsor on the Action Express #31 DP Corvette in the IMSA Weather Tech Championship Series.(RCR)(5-23-2016)

Dollar General Leaving as Primary Sponsor JGR's #20 after 2016: Dollar General will end its primary sponsorship of Joe Gibbs Racing's #20 Sprint Cup Series entry after this year and is not planning to align with a new team next year. The company, which has been with JGR since the 2012 season, currently has a 30-race deal -- one of the largest in the sport -- with the #20 Toyota driven by Matt Kenseth. It also has some track assets in NASCAR. Dollar General in a statement noted it has enjoyed a "great partnership" with JGR, but said, "Our strategy to reallocate our future marketing assets into new programs is strictly a business decision to align our priorities to better serve our customers in this rapidly changing retail environment." For JGR, Dollar General's departure will leave a big void to fill. Though the team is almost, if not entirely, sold out of inventory for the foreseeable future for its other three Sprint Cup cars, landing 30-race deals with a single company is an increasingly tough task in the sport. JGR is expected to announce a deal or deals to fill the void that will be left by Dollar General in the next month or so. Other primary sponsors of the #20 include Stanley Black & Decker and Dewalt, and it is possible that either they or sponsors of JGR's other cars could step up to help fill the hole.(Sports Business Daily)(5-23-2016)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 to be announced on Wed: The NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 and winner of the 2017 Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, May 25th at 5:00pm/et following a vote by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel. The five NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees will be selected from the list of 20 nominees, and the third Landmark Award recipient will be chosen from the list of five nominees. The announcement will air live on NBCSN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NASCAR.com and MRN.com.(NHOF), more info on the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the list of the nominees on Jayski.com's NASCAR Hall of Fame page (5-23-2016)

NASCAR to Honor Fallen U.S. Armed Forces Members with Windshield Tribute at Charlotte: Continuing the sport's long-standing tradition of honoring the United States Armed Forces, all 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will bear the name of a fallen service member on their race car windshields during Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. For the second consecutive year, "600 Miles of Remembrance" will pay tribute this Memorial Day Weekend to those who bravely served and died defending our country. Windshield headers normally reserved for drivers' last names will read "SGT HARVEY," "LCPL RAMIREZ," and "SPC BEAUDOIN," among other names of the fallen. The special tribute will commemorate the launch of NASCAR: An American Salute, the industry's collective expression of respect and gratitude for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present. Fans can follow the conversation on social media using #NASCARSalutes. Many of the service members whose names will be displayed on the race cars were chosen by the teams, and some have unique connections to the fallen. Toyota will also honor the names of fallen service members on its pace cars and grand marshal cars for the Coca-Cola 600 as part of 600 Miles of Remembrance. Many of the families of the service members being recognized will be in attendance at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The track will host more than 6,000 active military members at the Coca-Cola 600 in honor of Memorial Day.
Throughout the week, NASCAR: An American Salute will feature various activities demonstrating the industry's support for the military, including:
· During Saturday's Hisense 4K TV 300, NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers will display red, white and blue XFINITY windshield decals on their race cars.
· Goodyear will replace the "Eagle" sidewall design with "Support Our Troops" messaging on all tires used during the Memorial Day Weekend races.
· NASCAR, Coca-Cola and Mars, through the annual military support program, DeCA, will offer a sweepstakes to shoppers at more than 180 commissaries who will have a chance to win a trip for two to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week in Las Vegas. The kickoff event will take place at Fort Bragg on May 25 and feature #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin. The 2016 DAYTONA 500 winner will tour the Warrior Transition Battalion Unit and visit with families at the South Commissary.
· In partnership with Operation Gratitude, Mars will invite race fans to help assemble care packages for the troops in the midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The care packages will include Mars candy and be shipped following the Coca-Cola 600 to deployed military members.
· NASCAR and Honor and Remember, Inc. will display specially prepared Honor and Remember flags representing those who lost their life in service to our country from each of the 50 United States throughout the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
During the Coca Cola 600 pre-race broadcast, FOX Sports will recognize all service members who have lost their lives in the past year by displaying their names and branch of service on a graphic scroll. This Sunday, NASCAR drivers will discuss 600 Miles of Remembrance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (channel 90) during a special military tribute show airing at 1:00pm/et. The Dialed In Salute to the Troops special, hosted by Claire B. Lang, will feature interviews with several drivers as well as service men and service women from different branches of the military. To view an online gallery of the service members honored as part of 600 Miles of Remembrance, visit NASCAR.com/salute.(NASCAR), see the names on the Charlotte Entry List page (5-23-2016)

Kahne says rumors not distracting: Having his name become grist for the NASCAR rumor mill isn't taking a toll on #5-Kasey Kahne. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was linked to a report about the future of Kevin Harvick that was debunked Thursday when Harvick signed a long-term extension with Stewart-Haas Racing. Harvick said Friday he had told Kahne two months ago that he hadn't been contacted by anyone at Hendrick. Kahne said he had gotten acclimated to the speculation. "Those rumors have been out for a while now," he said. "It hasn't been distracting to me. I've been kind of fine with it because I know where I'm at. I know I have a deal through 2018. So it is what it is. People can come up with different ways to have a story, I guess. I think it was a story, and it probably worked out well for Harvick to have that going on once in a while."(NBC Sports)(5-23-2016)

Goodyear test at Michigan includes possible 2017 changes: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams saw their time cut short this past week during a tire test at Michigan International Speedway, but Goodyear officials said the on-track time was sufficient for the tire supplier's needs. Additionally, NASCAR officials were on hand for the May 17 session to examine the impact of recently announced rule changes for 2016 and potential aerodynamic adjustments for the 2017 season. Rain around the 2-mile track delayed the start of the test, and returned later, forcing officials to end the session just after 2 p.m. "We were able to run through our stuff pretty quickly and got some long runs in," Greg Stucker, Director of Race Tire Sales for Goodyear, said Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "It was a confirmation test; we weren't going through a lot of different combinations or anything. We just confirmed that what we had taken was the right combination. Everyone was very comfortable with it. There was plenty of grip; it was cool, but we knew that going in. No surprises. We were real comfortable with everything."(NASCAR.com)(5-23-2016)

Some Coca Cola 600 officials and dignitaries announced: The 2016 Coca-Cola 600, the nation's largest Memorial Day weekend celebration, will feature a number of elected officials and dignitaries honoring our nation's servicemen and servicewomen at NASCAR's most challenging race. Gen. George W. Casey Jr. (Ret.), chairman of the USO, will be the Grand Marshal; Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin will serve as Honorary Starter; and Cookeville, Tennessee, Mayor Ricky Shelton will serve as Honorary Race Director for the 57th running of NASCAR's only 600-mile race at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 29. Continuing its tradition as the biggest Memorial Day weekend celebration in America, the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show will pay tribute to veterans and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
To commemorate the special 75-year relationship between Coca-Cola and the USO, the USO of North Carolina - with the longest continuously operating USO center in the world - is bringing 75 service members and USO volunteers from across North Carolina to join Gen. Casey in giving the command to begin the race. Several of the service members and volunteers will also display a special USO 75th anniversary flag as the race command is given.
As a founding partner, The Coca-Cola Company celebrates the USO's 75th anniversary with limited edition "Share a Coke and a Song" packaging featuring the classic lyric "I'm Proud To Be An American." Beginning Memorial Day weekend through July 4, the custom design will be available nationwide on limited edition 16-ounce cans and 20-, 24- and 35-packages of 12-ounce Coca-Cola beverages. Fans are encouraged to join Coca-Cola in honoring the USO during this historic celebration.
Great seats are still available for the 57th running of the iconic Coca-Cola 600 and the rest of the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, with weekend passes starting at just $99. To purchase tickets, camping and race-day upgrades, fans should call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-23-2016)

Charlotte Motor Speedway and DC Solar Promote Revolutionary Green Technology: Long considered one of the crown-jewel sporting venues in the United States, Charlotte Motor Speedway can also lay claim to being one of the most energy-efficient in its efforts to promote a green environment. By partnering with DC Solar, the industry leader in mobile solar innovation, Charlotte Motor Speedway will save more than 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel throughout the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder. In total, a record 79 mobile solar products will be deployed throughout the speedway including 60 solar light towers, 10 solar generators, four solar personal device charging stations in Fan Zone areas, and five solar electric vehicle charging stations. The units will offer everything from free phone and EV charging to safety lighting in the parking lots. An entirely new offering in the green space, DC Solar products require no fuel and operation is completely silent making the environmental impact virtually non-existent.(CMS)(5-23-2016)

New Arizona law hints at big changes for PIR: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law Thursday a bill that provides more than $40 million to promote races at Phoenix International Raceway from fiscal years 2022-2051 provided the track incurs projects costs of at least $100 million beginning next year. Lesa France Kennedy, chief executive officer of International Speedway Corp., which owns Phoenix International Raceway, stated in February that the 1-mile track is targeted for upgrades now that the company's $400 million improvements at Daytona International Speedway are complete. Bryan Sperber, president of Phoenix International Raceway, told NBC Sports then that "we're starting to put together plans now, but it's a long way away from any kind of announcement.'' HB2495 requires that Phoenix International Raceway has incurred the requisite project cost between Dec. 31, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2020. If that is done, HB2495 requires $1.5 million to be appropriated annually to the Arizona Office of Tourism to promote the track's races, beginning July 1, 2021 (when fiscal year 2022 starts). A spokesperson with the Arizona Office of Tourism told NBC Sports that to their knowledge this type of budget allocation has not been done before. The money from the Arizona Office of Tourism would be used to promote any event at Phoenix International Raceway "that is sanctioned by a nationally recognized premier national auto racing series governing body.''(NBC Sports)(5-23-2016)

XFINITY Entry List: There are 42 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A few notes:
Ryan Blaney will be in the #12 for Team Penske;
Denny Hamlin will drive the #18 for Gibbs;
Spencer Gallagher and the #21 team return to the track;
Drew Herring returns to the #24 for JGL;
Cole Custer will drive the #88 for JR Motorsports;
Josh Wise will drive the #93 for RSS;
Harrison Rhodes is entered in the #97 for Obaika.(5-23-2015)
See the complete list on the Charlotte entry list page.

Sieg names Charlotte sponsor: RSS Racing welcomes 360 Treestands as a primary sponsor for the NASCAR XFINITY race at Charlotte this Saturday. 360 Treestands are made with US steel by US military veterans in Rincon, GA. The stand not only gives the user the ultimate 360-degree view from 7, 13, or 18 feet but it also doubles as its own transport system with the use of the detachable transport wheel section. Ryan Sieg currently sits 12th in the standings heading into the Charlotte race.(RSS Racing), see an image of the car on the #39 team paint schemes page.(5-23-2016)

NASCAR Comments about All-Star race confusion: NASCAR attempted a new Sprint All-Star Race format to increase passing in the final green-lap dash to the finish and succeeded, as Joey Logano outmaneuvered Kyle Larson with two laps remaining to win the $1 million exhibition race. But a whole lot of confusion reigned before the outcome Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway (ESPN)
AND: The complex format, the brainchild of Logano's Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski, was thwarted by a scenario that NASCAR admitted no one saw coming. "It's just very unfortunate that this situation cropped up and a lot of people walked away from here disappointed," NASCAR senior vice president of competition Scott Miller said. "We're disappointed as well."
The situation was complicated, but here's an attempt to explain:
Drivers were required to make a pit stop under the green flag within the first 50 laps of the first segment.
All of the drivers did that except for Matt Kenseth, who was still on the track as the race leader when Jamie McMurray suddenly spun out and caused a caution with a few laps left in the segment.
As a result, there wasn't enough time for Kenseth to make a green-flag stop. He was penalized one lap for not taking tires and forced to pit.
Since Kenseth was technically the race leader - even though it was illegally so - it meant nearly half the field was trapped one lap down and unable to take the wavearound.
That left drivers confused as to what their position on the track was. They were upset because it was a different procedure than NASCAR would use in a normal race, and it muddied the setup for the final segment. After all, the entire idea of the 2016 format was to have fast cars with new tires start behind a bunch of slower cars on old tires. But instead of a bunch, there were only two - Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. What should NASCAR have done? It should have held Kenseth a lap, let the field come back around and then opened the pits. The cars would have unlapped themselves and returned to the lead lap while Kenseth would have been one lap down.
"Hindsight is really easy, and we didn't really have a mechanism (to correct the situation) in our race procedures," Miller said.(USA Today)
AND: "We have, obviously, a format we have never done before,'' said Scott Miller, NASCAR senior vice president of competition. "We worked diligently trying to come up with every scenario and an answer for every scenario that might crop up. We ran into a situation where our race procedure didn't give us the opportunity for a wave-around and it created a lot of confusion.''(NBC Sports)(5-22-2016)

Earnhardt Jr. discusses the new All-Star race format: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 3rd in the Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Earnhardt Jr. comments after the race;
Q). NASCAR kind of wanted to change the format to try to increase excitement. Did you feel you increased excitement? There seemed to be a lot of confusion out there about exactly how things would work, and then with only two cars on old tires on that last
Earnhardt Jr.: "Yeah, wasn't -- you know, I think that the intent was really positive, and the ideas were great. But I think the simpler we make it, the easier it is to follow. You just have to worry about rooting for your guy. I was pretty confused right up until it was 13 laps to go, and then I knew, well, we're racing from here to the end, and this is all the normal rules. But everything before that was really out of my -- I was out of my element. But NASCAR did a good job making sure -- even though all the pitting was confusing and how the lap cars were pitting with the leaders, people weren't really where they were supposed to be, NASCAR did make sure all the lineups were correct before we went back to green. So you can't really complain about that too much. It was just an unorthodox way of doing it. I don't know. I think they ran into some scenarios tonight that they didn't really anticipate and got caught off guard. I think the 20 obviously not pitting, however that worked out, that threw them for a loop and everybody was confused from that minute on."
Q. What made you think if the All-Star Race became a race of innovation and you guys just raced whatever you brought to the track?
Earnhardt Jr.: "Well, I don't know. We probably wouldn't pass too much because we'd all be wide open. We would all be full throttle. I just think they ought to go back to the original formats that they started with that are simple and make the cars race better, you know? Gimmicks and all that stuff, trying to trick up the race is going down the wrong path. The way to make the racing exciting is to make the cars exciting.
Q). Along those lines, the changes that were implemented, could you tell from the driver's seat, did they have much effect in this race on the racing in general?
Earnhardt Jr.: "There was a lot of -- yeah, I mean, we gained some track position somehow. You know, all the mandatory stops during the segments, then the mandatory stops in between the segments. Somehow or another Greg did some magic and got us into the top 5. Guys were struggling, and I don't know. You know, it came down to the 22, the 42. That was pretty exciting, and I don't think that had anything to do with any format, so that was just two guys going at it, and that's what you really want."(Team Chevy / ASAP Sports)
AND
Q) WE HEARD YOU ON THE RADIO EARLIER REMINDING YOU OF THE FIRST TIME YOU FLEW A REMOTE CONTROL HELICOPTER. WAS THAT THE KIND OF CRAZY DAY THIS WAS?
Earnhardt Jr.: "Yeah, I didn't know what way up and what way was right and left. Lap-down cars were pitting with lead-lap cars and wave-by cars were up front and in the middle. NASCAR did a good job of sorting the lineups out. Everybody was where they were supposed to be when we went back to green so you can't complain. They were doing it unlike any other way they were doing it before. I'm sure they ran into some scenarios they weren't really anticipating. That really was probably part of it; guys getting caught a lap down, the 20 not pitting within the first 50 laps. They weren't anticipating all that. As far as our Mountain Dew and Nationwide Chevy, we got it better. A lot of the setup is new and some stuff we're trying to find some speed with. We still have some gains to make. We didn't win the race but we outran a lot of guys who had been outrunning us the last few weeks. We didn't get to practice so we worked really hard during the race changing a lot of stuff, and I hope Greg (Ives) learned a lot. Next weekend we'll actually get to practice some and make some changes to see if we can't get our car better for the 600. I'd love to win that race before I retire."(Team Chevy / ASAP Sports)(5-22-2016)

Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2016 All Star Race: For those NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday's race. Began recording the times of the race at 7:00 PM, stopped at 7:17 PM for a rain delay; restarted recording times at 9:49 PM, then stopped at 11:55 PM (all times are EDT). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. FS1 was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 52
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 37
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 43
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 33
Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 9
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 7
Number of times FS1 utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 2
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast (including company logos 'floating' in corners of the screen): 42
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 1 min. 30 sec.
Total race brdcst time 123 Total comm. brdcst time 20
See past races, more info on the commercials with links at CawsnJaws.com.(5-22-2016)

Stewart finished last in All-Star race; format is dumbest thing he ever saw: #14-Tony Stewart finished 20th in his 18th and final NASCAR Sprint All-Star race after hard contact ended his night Saturday at Charlotte. Stewart's bid to win his second All-Star race ended on lap 20 in the second 50-lap segment when Chase Elliott, in traffic, slowed on the track in turn four to enter the pits. The field attempted to avoid Elliott, but the result was a multicar accident that saw Stewart make hard contact with Kasey Kahne, destroying the #14. Stewart was not injured but admitted he was angered, both by the accident and by the officiating that had him down a lap to the leaders at the beginning of the second segment, his comments:
Q) WHAT HAPPENED?
Stewart: "I got in a wreck. I mean, the #24 (Chase Elliott) wrecked everybody and put everybody behind him in jeopardy and we got caught on the outside of it. I shouldn't have been back there in the first place. We couldn't even get clarification after the pit stop as to where we were even supposed to be and then we restarted and find out we're a lap down and it's like, how did that happen? How did that happen? It's the dumbest damn thing I've ever been a part of.
Q) CHASE ELLIOTT WAS WAVING OFF CARS BEHIND HIM THAT HE WAS GOING TO PIT. BUT IT'S BEEN ONE OF THOSE INDESCRIBABLE NIGHTS.
Stewart: "I'm as baffled as everybody. I don't know how in the hell we were scored a lap down after they stopped the 20 car (Matt Kenseth) and the pit everybody together a lap down then lead lap and then lap down. It's the most screwed up All-Star race I've ever been a part of. I'm glad it's my last one. I'm all right. I'm just madder than hell because I don't understand how the hell they've officiated this from start to finish."(SHR / Team Chevy / ASAP Sports)(5-22-2016)

Logano talks about All-Star win; Keselowski defends format: #22-Joey Logano passed #42-Kyle Larson with two laps to go to win Saturday night's Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, becoming the ninth different Ford driver to win the non-points event. #2-Brad Keselowski finished second to give Team Penske a sweep of the top two spots. Comments from both drivers about the win and the format of the All-Star race:
Logano Victory Lane Interview: "I tell you, Larson is a hard racer. I watched him in the Showdown earlier today and I knew what I was up against. I knew he was gonna run hard. I'm a hard racer, I knew it was gonna be a fun battle for sure. I got underneath him once and I got to the outside of him once, we went up high and I got underneath him and I got loose underneath him. I knew I had position on him going into the corner and had to keep him on my quarterpanel and not let him get to my door, so I drove in there hard. He was gonna drive in there hard to keep on my door and I was gonna drive in there hard to keep him at my quarter. What a crazy battle for a million dollars at the end. This is the All-Star Race. It's special just to be in the race. Forget winning it, it's just special. It's neat to be in victory lane."
Q) WHEN DID YOU DECIDE ON THAT STRATEGY?
Logano: "We actually didn't go by Plan A. We had Plan A, B, C, and D, and we actually went by Plan B, which was the two-tire call there. I actually thought we were in trouble there when a couple cars pitted under caution and we got used up on that restart. I thought, 'Oh boy, we're not in position to win,' but then we had a good pit stop by our pit crew -- got us out there in a decent spot and it was game-on from there."
Q) WHERE DOES THIS WIN RANK?
Logano: "It's up there for sure. It's definitely one you want to have on your resume. You want to have the Daytona 500, but the All-Star Race is special and the Coca-Cola 600 is next and that's a really special one to have.
Keselwoski Post-Race Press Conference: "A decent night, but not the great night we wanted with the Miller Lite Ford ending up second. I'm pretty happy for my teammate Joey Logano. He kind of did exactly what you would expect out of an All-Star Race format and made a pretty incredible pass to win the race. I'm happy for Team Penske as a whole, but, of course, I wish it was me in victory lane."
Q) CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS FORMAT AND HOW IT PLAYED OUT?
Keselwoski: "There was a next-to-last lap pass for the lead. There were several passes for the lead. The last four races there hasn't been a pass for the lead in the last 20 or 30 laps. I think our fans deserve a better format than that and they got that today. I don't know how you can get much more compelling racing than what we saw today, so they need to get unconfused and enjoy the racing."
Q) DID THE RULES CHANGES HELP?
Keselwoski: "Absolutely. I thought it was certainly a key to making the cars have more fall off and open up more passing opportunities, so, yeah, I think that was a pretty big positive for here."(Ford Racing)(5-22-2015)

Danica Patrick Takes Part in Outdoor Adventure with Fans: this past Thursday (5/19), #10-Danica Patrick joined Nature's Bakery sweepstakes winners Sam Bednarski of Salt Lake City, Utah and Jessica McFarlin of Elgin, Illinois at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte to take part in rock climbing and a zip-line experience. In February, Nature's Bakery launched the Choose Your Journey Sweepstakes, which gave fans the opportunity to win a unique trip to experience two outdoor activities with Patrick in Charlotte, along with a VIP trip to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend. In addition to participating in two outdoor activities with Patrick, contest winners Bednarski and McFarlin will also receive a tour of Stewart-Haas Racing and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, VIP access to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and a year's supply of Nature's Bakery on-the-go snacks and foods that complement health-conscious living and everyday active lifestyles, including its popular whole wheat and gluten-free Fig Bars.(TSC)(5-22-2016)

Joey Logano triumphs in scintillating NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race finish: At the end of a wild and crazy Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, #22-Joey Logano got the upper hand in an intense battle with last-chance qualifier #42-Kyle Larson and took home the million-dollar prize as the winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Trying to block the stronger car of Logano in the closing 13-lap final segment of the race, Larson buried his car into Turn 1 as Logano edged ahead. Larson's 42 Chevy got loose and sailed up the track into the outside wall with less than two laps left. "I tell you, Larson is a hard racer," Logano said. "I watched him in the Showdown earlier today, and I knew what I was up against. I knew he was going to run hard. I'm a hard racer, so I knew it was going to be a fun battle for sure. I got underneath him once, and I got to the outside of him once, we went up high, and I got underneath him and I got loose underneath him. I knew I had position on him going into the corner and had to keep him on my quarter panel and not let him get to my door, so I drove in there hard. He was going to drive in there hard to keep on my door and I was going to drive in there hard to keep him at my quarter. What a crazy battle for a million dollars at the end. This is the All-Star Race. It's special just to be in the race. Forget winning it--it's just special. It's neat to be in Victory Lane."
Larson's contact with the wall on the penultimate lap was an opportunity for Logano's Team Penske teammate, #2-Brad Keselowski, who finished second, 1.142 seconds behind the race winner. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. came home third, followed by #19-Carl Edwards, #41-Kurt Busch and #24-Chase Elliott.
Larson brought his damaged car to pit road as Logano sped to the win. "I was able to get to the front pretty quick there and be in the best position for that last restart," Larson said. "I got clear right away and thought I could cruise, but I got looser throughout the race-we were making adjustments, but I guess we weren't making big enough ones. "I just got loose, and Joey caught me, and he did a really good job of side-drafting me. I tried to hang on his quarter, and I just got really loose as soon as I got down in the corner. We were going so fast I couldn't correct it and drilled the wall."
The victory was Logano's first in the non-points event. Team Penske's 1-2 finish marked the first time an organization has swept the top two spots in the All-Star Race. After two segments of 50 laps each, which included a six-car Lap 73 wreck that eliminated the cars of #20-Matt Kenseth, #5-Kasey Kahne and #14-Tony Stewart (who was competing in his final All-Star Race), Logano restarted fifth on fresh tires under unique rules devised for this year's event. Larson, who restarted third behind two cars required to stay out on old rubber-those of #48-Jimmie Johnson and #75-Kyle Busch-surged into the lead on Lap 101 and held the top spot until Logano tracked him down and made the winning pass on the next-to-last lap. Keselowski was the primary architect of this year's All-Star Race format, and he believed the new rules accomplished their purpose, even though there were unforeseen consequences that confused some of the competitors-as when Kenseth failed to make a mandatory green-flag stop in the first segment and trapped a handful of cars a lap down. "There was a next-to-last-lap pass for the lead," Keselowski said. "There were several passes for the lead. The last four (All-Star) races, there hasn't been a pass for the lead in the last 20 or 30 laps. I think our fans deserve a better format than that, and they got that today. I don't know how you can get much more compelling racing than what we saw today, so they need to get unconfused and enjoy the racing."(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-21-2016)

Logano wins the Sprint All-Star Race: #22-Joey Logano passed #42-Kyle Larson with 2 laps to go to win the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and $1 million. #2-Keselowski finished 2nd, the rundown after 113 of 113 laps:
1) #22-Logano(8)
2) #2-Keselowski(6)
3) #88-Earnhardt Jr.(11)
4) #19-Edwards(4)
5) #41-Busch(3)
6) #24-Elliott, Fan Vote Winner (7)
7) #6-Bayne, Segment 1 Showdown winner (18)
8) #16-Biffle, Segment 2 Showdown winner (25)
9) #11-Hamlin(13)
10) #75(18)-Busch(2)
11)#4-Harvick(1)
12) #48-Johnson(5)
13) #31-Newman(17)
14) #78-Truex Jr.(9)
15) #10-Patrick, 2nd in Fan Vote (24)
16) #42-Larson, Segment 3 Showdown winner (22), -3 laps accident
17) #1-McMurray(14), -3 laps
18) #20-Kenseth(12), -42 laps accident
19) #5-Kahne(20), -42 laps accident
20) #14-Stewart(21), -42 laps accident
There were 13 lead changes among 7 drivers and 4 cautions for 18 yellow flag laps.
The average speed was 98.103mph
Lap Leaders: K. Harvick 0; Kyle Busch 1-4; K. Harvick 5-25; Kyle Busch 26-34; J. Logano 35-44; C. Edwards 45; M. Kenseth 46-49; C. Edwards 50; B. Keselowski 51-80; Kyle Busch 81-82; C. Edwards 83-84; B. Keselowski 85-93; K. Larson 94-111; J. Logano 112-113.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): B. Keselowski 2 times for 39 laps; K. Harvick 1 time for 21 laps; K. Larson 1 time for 18 laps; Kyle Busch 3 times for 15 laps; J. Logano 2 times for 12 laps; C. Edwards 3 times for 4 laps; M. Kenseth 1 time for 4 laps.

Sprint All-Star Fast Facts:
#22-Joey Logano won the 32nd annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, his first victory in the annual non-points race.
This was Logano's sixth start in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. His previous best finish was second, in 2013.
#2-Brad Keselowski finished second, matching his career-best finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. He also finished second in 2012.
Team Penske finished 1-2 in the all-star event. This was the first time one team finished 1-2 in the annual non-points event.
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished third, his best finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race since 2002.
(NASCAR)(5-21-2016)

Sprint All-Star Segment 2 Results: lap 100 of 113
1) #42-Larson, Segment 3 Showdown winner (22)
2) #2-Keselowski(6)
3) #88-Earnhardt Jr.(11)
4) #22-Logano(8)
5) #41-Busch(3)
6) #6-Bayne, Segment 1 Showdown winner (18)
7) #19-Edwards(4)
8)#4-Harvick(1)
9) #11-Hamlin(13)
10) #24-Elliott, Fan Vote Winner (7)
11) #16-Biffle, Segment 2 Showdown winner (25)
12) #48-Johnson(5)
13) #75(18)-Busch(2)
14) #78-Truex Jr.(9)
15) #31-Newman(17)
16) #10-Patrick, 2nd in Fan Vote (24)
17) #1-McMurray(14), -2 laps
18) #20-Kenseth(12), -29 laps accident
19) #5-Kahne(20), -29 laps accident
20) #14-Stewart(21), -29 laps accident
On lap 73, #24-Elliott was trying to pit, got hit by #16-Biffle, #6-Bayne got into #20-Kenseth who slowed for the #24, then shot up the track and into #14-Stewart who was then hit by #5-Kahne.

Sprint All-Star Segment 1 Results: lap 50 of 113
1) #19-Edwards(4)
2) #2-Keselowski(6)
3) #75(18)-Busch(2)
4)#4-Harvick(1)
5) #24-Elliott, Fan Vote Winner (7)
6) #41-Busch(3)
7) #22-Logano(8)
8) #11-Hamlin(13)
9) #42-Larson, Segment 3 Showdown winner (22)
10) #48-Johnson(5)
11) #88-Earnhardt Jr.(11)
12) #6-Bayne, Segment 1 Showdown winner (18)
13) #31-Newman(17)
14) #78-Truex Jr.(9)
15) #5-Kahne(20)
16) #14-Stewart(21)
17) #16-Biffle, Segment 2 Showdown winner (25)
18) #10-Patrick, 2nd in Fan Vote (24)
19) #1-McMurray(14), -1 lap
20) #20-Kenseth(12), -1 lap
field was set by owners points as qualifying was cancelled due to rain
#1-McMurray spun out off turn 2 on lap 47; #20-Kenseth was leading and hadn't pitted yet, was penalized 1 lap for not making a mandatory pit stop during green flag

Qualifying for the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway has been canceled. The All-Star race lineup will be set by the rules book, owners points, as not all the cars had an opportunity to practice (the five Showdown cars). It had been reported it would be by practice speeds. The rain has stopped and track drying is underway. The Sprint All-Star Race remains scheduled for a 9:26pm/et green flag start, if the rain stops and the track is able to be dried in time. Driver intros are scheduled for 8:49pm/et.

Sprint All-Star Starting Lineup: set by owners points as qualifying was cancelled due to rain, practice speed posted (no effect on starting spot):
1)#4-Harvick 191.008 (1st in owners points)
2) #75(18)-Busch 190.873 (2)
3) #41-Busch 191.795 (3)
4) #19-Edwards 192.027 (4)
5) #48-Johnson 191.483 (5)
6) #2-Keselowski 192.027 (6)
7) #24-Elliott, Fan Vote Winner (7)
8) #22-Logano 191.700 (8)
9) #78-Truex Jr. 190.873 (9)
10) #88-Earnhardt Jr. 189.547 (11)
11) #20-Kenseth 190.665 (12)
12) #11-Hamlin 191.904 (13)
13) #1-McMurray 189.434 (14)
14) #31-Newman 190.396 (17)
15) #6-Bayne, Segment 1 Showdown winner (18)
16) #5-Kahne 189.940 (20)
17) #14-Stewart 188.827 (21)
18) #42-Larson, Segment 3 Showdown winner (22)
19) #10-Patrick, 2nd in Fan Vote (24)
20) #16-Biffle, Segment 2 Showdown winner (25)

Coverage of Qualifying for the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2015 at 7:10pm/et.
Television (TV): FoxSports1 (FS1), 7:00pm/et;
Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none.

Race Coverage of the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2016.
Television (TV): 9:00pm/et; Pre-race 8:30pm/et; approx green flag 9:26pm/et.
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
Sunday, May 22 at 9:30am/et on FS1;
Monday, May 23 at 9:30am/et on FS1;
Tuesday, May 24 at 3:30am/et on FS1

All-Star Race Pre-Race Schedule:(eastern time)
8:49:00pm: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All Star Race, Driver & Crew Intros
9:10:00pm: Presentation of Colors by: 14th Weather Squadron, US Air Force, Asheville, NC
9:10:20pm: Invocation by: Joe Gibbs
9:11:00pm: National Anthem by: Caleb Johnson
9:12:30pm: Fly-by: Team Aerodynamix
9:17:30pm (approx.): Command to Start by Tony Stewart (Done from inside car)
9:26:00pm (approx.): Start NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race
(NASCAR.com)

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race:
Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Date and Time: Saturday, May 21 at 9 p.m. ET
Tune-in: FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 50 laps (75 Miles) | 50 laps (75 miles) | 13 (19.5 miles) (169.5 total miles)
What to Watch For: Jimmie Johnson, who owns the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race record with four wins, makes his 15th career start in the event. ... Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. will all search for their first all-star race wins. Despite never winning the event, Busch boasts the highest all-star race driver rating among active competitors (104.3). ... Seven different drivers have won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and gone on to win the Coca-Cola 600 the following weekend. The last was Kurt Busch in 2010.

Bayne, Biffle, Larson advance to All-Star Race; Elliott & Patrick claim Sprint Fan Vote: #6-Trevor Bayne, #16-Greg Biffle and #42-Kyle Larson rocketed to segment victories in an exhilarating Saturday afternoon Sprint Showdown, the prelude to Saturday night's fender-banging NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, while #24-Chase Elliott and #10-Danica Patrick claimed the final two positions in the biggest all-star event in sports by being the top vote-getters in the Sprint Fan Vote. Bayne held off Elliott - who started on the pole after the lineup was set by owner points - by .005 seconds in Segment 1, while Biffle benefitted from a late Segment 1 caution involving #95-Michael McDowell that let Biffle pit for four tires and only take two fresh tires at the segment break. The extra track position and fresh Goodyear rubber helped Biffle claim Segment 2 by 1.525 seconds over Larson. In a thrilling 10-lap Segment 3, Larson beat Elliott to the stripe in an outstanding door-to-door battle that saw Larson's Chevy prevail by .016 seconds - easily one of the closest finishes in the history of the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
QUOTES:
Segment 1 Winner - #6-Trevor Bayne "I don't think I was sweating until lap 19. Ricky (teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr.) gave me a huge push. If it wasn't for him we wouldn't win the race. It's good to have a teammate to do that even if it wasn't helping him. We raced those 20 laps like it was for $1 million."
Segment 2 Winner - #16-Greg Biffle: "I'm interested in that $1 million tonight. The guys did a great job. We have been getting better and better. The pit crew won this race for us. They got us out third. We're in the big race."
Segment 3 Winner - #42-Kyle Larson: "We had a good Target Chevy. I knew Chase (Elliott) was going to be good on four tires and I knew he was probably going to win the Fan Vote, so I knew I had to win because I wasn't going to win the Fan Vote. I did what I had to do. I'm sure Chase is upset with me and he has all the right in the world to be. But, hey, it was for a million bucks."
NASCAR Sprint Fan Vote Winner - #24-Chase Elliott: "(Larson) did what he thought he had to do to beat us back to the line. That's all there is to it. It's good to be in the (NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race). I wish we could've raced our way in, but we've got some great fans. It was good to get some laps and know what not to do because I messed some things up there."
NASCAR Sprint Fan Vote Winner - #10-Danica Patrick: "I'm well aware that I have the best fans in this series and fan base as well. Yet again, my fans come through for me. What I want to do in a situation like this where I know the fans put me in the race, and every other weekend on the track, I want to do well for them. I want them to be proud to wear my t-shirt, display my flag, proud to be wearing my hat. We have that opportunity in the NASCAR Sprint All Star Race and I hope we do. There had to be a lot we learned about the car. Everybody did a good job. The car felt pretty good. Hopefully we will be good in the All-Star Race. It will be fun. The All-Star Race is one of those where things get shaken up with strategies and whatnot. I hope we can shake it up."
Fans can buy tickets, race-day upgrades and camping packages to any 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder event by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or by shopping online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)
See segment results and links on the All-Star Race Info page (5-21-2016)

Larson wins the Sprint Showdown: #42-Kyle Larson beat and banged with #24-Chase Elliott to win the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Elliott finished 2nd. Elliott won the fan vote, #10-Patrick was 2nd in the fan vote (no idea who was 3rd) and both advance to the All-Star race.
The results:
1) #42-Kyle Larson(started 7th), advances to the All-Star race
2) #24-Chase Elliott(1), Sprint Fan Vote Winner
3) #21-Ryan Blaney(3)
4) #43-Aric Almirola(11)
5) #47-AJ Allmendinger(4)
6) #38-Landon Cassill(13)
7) #15-Clint Bowyer(12)
8) #13-Casey Mears(14)
9) #10-Danica Patrick(9), 2nd in Sprint Fan Vote
10) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6)
11) #44-Brian Scott(15)
12) #3-Austin Dillon(2)
13) #27-Paul Menard(8)
14) #23-David Ragan(17)
15) #83-Matt DiBenedetto(18)
16) #95-Michael McDowell(16)
17) #34-Chris Buescher(20)
18) #46-Michael Annett(21)
19) #7-Regan Smith(19)
20) #30-Josh Wise(25)
21) #98-Cole Whitt(22)
22) #32-Jeffrey Earnhardt(23)
23) #55-Reed Sorenson(24), down 1 lap
#6-Trevor Bayne(5) advanced by winning segment 1
#16-Greg Biffle(10) advanced by winning segment 2
#24-Elliott & #10-Patrick advance via Fan Vote
See segment results and links on the All-Star Race Info page (5-21-2016)

Sprint Showdown Segment Two: Segment Two (Lap 40/50) for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over. The results from segment 2:
1) #16-Greg Biffle(started 10th), advances to All-Star race
2) #42-Kyle Larson(7)
3) #47-AJ Allmendinger(4)
4) #24-Chase Elliott(1)
5) #43-Aric Almirola(11)
6) #21-Ryan Blaney(3)
7) #38-Landon Cassill(13)
8) #3-Austin Dillon(2)
9) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6)
10) #10-Danica Patrick(9)
11) #27-Paul Menard(8)
12) #13-Casey Mears(14)
13) #15-Clint Bowyer(12)
14) #44-Brian Scott(15)
15) #95-Michael McDowell(16)
16) #83-Matt DiBenedetto(18)
17) #34-Chris Buescher(20)
18) #7-Regan Smith(19)
19) #46-Michael Annett(21)
20) #23-David Ragan(17)
21) #98-Cole Whitt(22)
22) #30-Josh Wise(25)
23) #32-Jeffrey Earnhardt(23)(Lucky Dog after segment 2)
24) #55-Reed Sorenson(24), down 1 lap
#6-Trevor Bayne(5) advanced in segment 1

Sprint Showdown Segment One: Segment One [Lap 20/50] for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over. The results from segment 1:
1) #6-Trevor Bayne(started 5th), advances to All-Star race
2) #24-Chase Elliott(1)
3) #21-Ryan Blaney(3), jumped restart, goes to rear of segment 2 start
4) #3-Austin Dillon(2)
5) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6)
6) #42-Kyle Larson(7)
7) #38-Landon Cassill(13)
8) #16-Greg Biffle(10)
9) #10-Danica Patrick(9)
10) #47-AJ Allmendinger(4)
11) #44-Brian Scott(15)
12) #43-Aric Almirola(11)
13) #15-Clint Bowyer(12)
14) #83-Matt DiBenedetto(18)
15) #13-Casey Mears(14)
16) #23-David Ragan(17)
17) #34-Chris Buescher(20)
18) #95-Michael McDowell(16)
19) #27-Paul Menard(8)
20) #46-Michael Annett(21)
21) #7-Regan Smith(19)
22) #32-Jeffrey Earnhardt(23)
23) #98-Cole Whitt(22)
24) #30-Josh Wise(25)
25) #55-Reed Sorenson(24)

Race Coverage of the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is re-scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2016.
Television (TV): FS1 at 11:00 am/et;
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90

Sprint Showdown:
Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Revised Date and Time: Saturday, May 21 at 11 a.m. ET
Tune-in: FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 20 laps (30 miles) | 20 laps (30 miles) | 10 laps (15 Miles) (75 total miles)
What to Watch For: Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney attempt to compete their way into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only rookies to win an All-Star Race. ... No driver has ever won the Sprint Showdown and advanced to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Michael Waltrip (1996) and Ryan Newman (2002), however, did use transfer spots in the Showdown to win the All-Star Race.

Final Practice for the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over.
#19-Edwards 192.027
#2-Keselowski 192.027
#11-Hamlin 191.904
#41-Busch 191.795
#22-Logano 191.700
#48-Johnson 191.483
#4-Harvick 191.008
#75(18)-Busch 190.873
#78-Truex Jr. 190.873
#20-Kenseth 190.665
#31-Newman 190.396
#5-Kahne 189.940
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 189.547
#1-McMurray 189.434
#14-Stewart 188.827
most laps run: #75-Busch, 30
Notes: There was NO practice for the Sprint Showdown. Midway thru practice, it was red flagged for weepers on the track and resumed for 10 minutes of pit road practice. The practice aired on FS1.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Sprint All-Star Race Practice speeds page (pdf) (5-21-2016)

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race - Poles:
· Terry Labonte won the first pole for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in 1985.
· 17 different drivers have won the pole for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race; led by Bill Elliott with four. Kyle Busch (second most all-time) leads all active drivers in NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race poles with three.
· Four drivers have won consecutive poles for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race: Davey Allison (1991, 1992) Bill Elliott (1997, 1998), Kyle Busch (2011, 2012) and Carl Edwards (2013, 2014).
· Kurt Busch does not have a pole, but started on the first starting position in 2010 due to Qualifying being cancelled due to weather.
· The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race has been won from the pole position five times; the first three came in consecutive years: Dale Earnhardt (1990) and Davey Allison (1991 and 1992). Kurt Busch posted the fourth win from the pole in 2010 and Denny Hamlin won from the pole last season.
· The pole position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (five each) than any other starting position in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
· Nine of the 31 (29%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from the front row: five from the pole and four from second-place.
· 18 of the 31 (58%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from a top-five starting position.
· 22 of the 31 (71%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from a top-10 starting position.
· 29 of the 31 (93.5%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from a top-20 starting position.
· Two of the 31 (6.4%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
· The deepest in the field a NASCAR Sprint All-Star race winner has started was 27th, by Ryan Newman in 2002.
(NASCAR)

Refresher - Changes To NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Format: The 31st NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will take place on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway (9:00pm/et on FS1). This season, the event will last 113 laps total. Drivers will run two 50-lap segments with mandatory green-flag pit stops. After the segments, the event will culminate in a 13-lap dash to the $1 million prize. Prior to the start of the 13-lap dash, a random draw will decide whether the top nine, 10 or 11 cars will enter pit road for a mandatory four-tire pit stop. The rest will stay out on older tires and lead the field to green for the final segment. Cars with four new tires will line up behind those with older tires. Below are the full details on the format:
· Segment 1 (50 laps): Field set determined by qualifying, mandatory green-flag pit stop for a minimum of two tires;
· Break 1 (3-5 minutes): Mandatory pit stop with a minimum two-tire change before Segment 2;
· Segment 2 (50 laps): Field determined by pit-road exit, one mandatory green-flag pit stop for a minimum of two tires before lap 85;
· Break 2 (3-5 minutes): Random draw to decide whether the top nine, 10 or 11 cars must enter pit road for a mandatory four-tire pit stop, pit road closed for all other cars, pit-road exit determines Segment 3 starting order, cars leaving pit road line up behind cars that did not pit;
· Segment 3 (13 laps): Only green-flag laps count (NASCAR Overtime procedures apply).
Drivers who have won a race in the current or preceding year, past NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winners, past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions, Sprint Showdown Segment 1, 2 and last-chance qualifier winners and the Sprint Fan Vote winner are eligible to compete.
The field will consist of the following drivers: Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Jamie McMurray, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Sprint Showdown Segment 1 winner, Sprint Showdown Segment 2 winner, Sprint Showdown Segment 3 winner, Sprint Fan Vote Winner, Sprint Fan Vote Winner #2.
Stewart Set For Final All-Star Race Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion #14-Tony Stewart will compete in his final NASCAR Sprint All-Star race on Saturday. He won the event in 2009. Among those eligible for the 2016 contest, Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jamie McMurray are the only drivers who have won both a Sprint Showdown Qualifier and a NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. His eight all-star top 10s are tied with Jimmie Johnson's total for second-best all-time (Dale Earnhardt boasts nine top 10s). Competing in his 17th full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Stewart claims 48 career wins, 182 top fives and 301 top 10s.

Weather Updates for the All-Star Race: As unsettled weather continues ahead of this weekend's events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, officials are taking precautions to make sure everything runs smoothly. So far this week, the Charlotte metro area has received over a half inch of rain. With mainly light and scattered showers expected on Wednesday and Thursday, NASCAR expects to get all practice and qualifying races in without problems. Problems may arise Friday night, as strong storms look to move into the Carolinas. Crews have already made the call for at least eight jet dryers ready to go for Friday night's North Carolina Education Lottery 200, starting at 7:00pm/et. Rain will continue Friday night into Saturday morning, with models suggesting up to 1-2 inches of rain possible. According to Charlotte Motor Speedway crews, it all boils down to when that rain will stop. They promise to get the All Star Race in if it stops around noon Saturday. "With the equipment that we have available, we can do this place in about an hour and we could be dry and ready for that race," said director of operations Shaun Johnson. The latest models show good news for those attending the race, as showers look to push out out by Saturday afternoon.(WSOC TV)(5-19-2016)
FORECASTS latest forecast [8:00pm/et] for Saturday from the National Weather Service:
Saturday night: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
AND latest forecast [8:00pm/et] for Saturday from the Weather Channel:
Saturday night: Thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 57F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
See these and other weather links on the Sprint All-Star Info page.
See segment results and links on the All-Star Race Info page(5-21-2016)

Toyota drivers have shot at video game cover at All-Star Race: Toyota-backed drivers will be racing for something more than the $1 million prize in Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The highest-finishing driver among them gets to be on the cover of the new NASCAR Heat Evolution video game being released by Dusenberry Martin Racing in September. Toyota has a sponsor tie-in with the game, a relationship which gives Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr. a shot at being on the cover. In addition, if Matt DiBenedetto or David Ragan race their way into the All-Star event and somehow become the top-finishing Toyota, Dusenberry Martin Racing told USA TODAY Sports those underdogs would be placed on the cover as well. The game will be released Sept. 13 and will be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC.(USA Today)(5-21-2016)

Tire Wear will dictate All-Star Strategy: This year's unique NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race format, which requires the first nine, 10 or 11 drivers to start the final 13-lap segment on old tires (with the specific number determined by lot) with cars on new tires behind them, already has drivers thinking about hypothetical scenarios. Drivers in 12th place or worse entering the final segment, where only green-flag laps count, will be guaranteed fresh rubber, and that number is crucial to a lot of calculations. "We have to see how the tires wear," said #19-Carl Edwards. "That's really going to be the key. And then, man, it's just I was going through it this morning ... if you're running sixth or seventh before the final stop, I don't know, then it becomes maybe a race for 12th or something. I just don't know how this thing is going to play out. The advantage that I have is we have a really fast pit crew so I feel like even if we're not leading and we feel like the tires are the deal and we're running fifth or something we could still come off of pit road first. I think for us and for my team, fortunately, because of my pit crew, I have more options I believe." On the other hand, the restart for the final segment will be anything but orderly.
"Somebody brought up the fact that, (with) the complete chaos that's going to ensue when they drop the green flag, you might be better off being in the back with fresher tires, because I believe some people are going to be wrecking," Edwards said. "I think the factor that's going to determine what you do is how much the tires fall off, how much advantage do you have. I don't know, it's going to be - before that caution comes out, there's going to be a lot of people trying a lot of different things."(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-21-2016)

McMurray's #1 Chevy special Bass Pro Shops Design in All-Star race: Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced that 2014 Sprint All-Star Race winner Jamie McMurray's #1 Chevy will feature a special Bass Pro Shops paint scheme to honor the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) in this weekend's Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS). Noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder, Johnny Morris, announced to an enthusiastic crowd of fellow conservationists earlier this year, at the annual NWTF Convention and Sports Show, that he would pay special recognition to the NWTF by way of offering the paint scheme for this year's Sprint All-Star race as a way to acknowledge the members and volunteers that make up the NWTF. McMurray who captured his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) victory at CMS, will make his 10th start in the Sprint All-Star Race. This will also be the sixth time that McMurray as piloted the #1 Chevy SS with the Bass Pro Shops and NWTF branding during the Sprint All-Star Race weekend festivities (CGR), see an image of the car on the #1 Team Schemes page (5-21-2016)

Richard Petty Motorsports and U.S. Air Force Partner for NASCAR Research: For the first time ever, Richard Petty Motorsports will partner with two U.S. Air Force Academy engineering students to conduct research and develop innovative new strategies during the summer portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The students will use their background and Air Force training to take a fresh approach to NASCAR competition with a goal to improve performance on track for the #43 Ford, driven by Aric Almirola.
Cadet Sean McQuesten, a Mechanical Engineering student, will focus on the structural elements of the #43 Ford. He will have the chance to apply some of the same innovative modeling and software used on Air Force aircraft to optimize the #43 Ford. Cadet William Ferrer brings both his Aeronautical Engineering and B-1 Bomber Crew Chief experience to the partnership. He's had the chance to work with the Air Force's high tech, supersonic capable, B-1 Bomber and understand how multiple engineering systems work together. He will be gathering data and conducting performance tests on the #43 car in a full-scale wind tunnel.
Richard Petty Motorsports and Almirola continue their commitment to winning and work diligently to continue the winning tradition of the Petty legacy. Richard Petty Motorsports features a world-class roster of Fortune 500 partners and their family demeanor, patriotism and commitment is a great fit for the Air Force. McQuesten will join the team for a one-month internship starting May 23, while Ferrer joins the team for a one-month internship starting June 5th. Both will join the team at-track throughout their experience.(RPM)(5-21-2016)

Documentary Goes Behind the Scenes of #43 Team to Chronicle Offseason Preparation: The cars are faster and the stakes are higher, but nearly 50 years since Richard Petty won a historic ten consecutive races, the spirit of NASCAR racing remains the same. Presented by Smithfield Foods, Building 43 guides viewers through the history of Richard Petty Motorsports, the 1967 season that crowned "The King," and the #43 team's current focus on capturing checkered flags. Building 43 airs Saturday, May 21st at 1:00 pm/et on NBC. Richard Petty Motorsports currently fields two Sprint Cup cars; the #43 driven by Almirola currently in his fifth full Sprint Cup season, and the #44 driven by Brian Scott, who competed full-time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for six seasons. The team also hosts the #43 XFINITY series car driven by Jeb Burton, son of Ward Burton and the nephew of NASCAR on NBC analyst Jeff Burton.(NBC)(5-21-2016)

Hendrick Family Foundation to launch with event: Rick and Linda Hendrick have established the not-for-profit Hendrick Family Foundation, which is rooted in the belief that people working together can transform the lives of those in need and have a meaningful impact on our communities. The sold out "Learn Live Hope" celebration will represent the new foundation's first formal fundraising initiative. Scheduled for May 22 at The Fillmore in Charlotte, North Carolina, the annual charity event will benefit Be The Match, Levine Children's Hospital and Together We Feed Charlotte. In 2015, Learn Live Hope generated more than $1.6 million to support multiple organizations. The Hendrick Family Foundation will consolidate the philanthropic efforts of the Hendrick organization, including Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group. It will absorb the Hendrick Marrow Program, which Rick Hendrick founded in 1997 and has raised more than $15 million in partnership with Be The Match to support patients in need of life-saving marrow or cord blood transplants. The Hendrick Family Foundation will continue to work with Be The Match.(Hendrick Motorsports)(5-21-2016)

Crafton wins Truck Series Race at Charlotte: #88-Matt Crafton won his second consecutive Camping World Truck Series race, taking the checkered flag in the rain-delayed NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday. The lead exchanged hands multiple times over the final 10 laps after green flag pitstops cycled through for fuel. Crafton reclaimed the lead with 3 to go. #18-Kyle Busch was second, followed by #21-Johnny Sauter, #29-Tyler Reddick, #11-Matt Tifft, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #17-Timothy Peters, #4-Christopher Bell, #19-Daniel Hemric, and pole-sitter, #9-William Byron.
There were 3 cautions for 14 laps and 14 lead changes among 9 leaders.
The average speed was 141.855mph.
Complete results are on the Charlotte race results page (pdf).
(5-21-2016)

Charlotte Race Fast Facts:
Matt Crafton won the 14th Annual North Carolina Education Lottery 200, his 13th victory in 367 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his second victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his second victory and 11th top-10 finish in 14 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in ten races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his second top-10 finish in 2016.
Johnny Sauter (third) posted his third top-10 finish in eight races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Matt Tifft (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie. It is his best career finish.
Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 12 points over Timothy Peters.
(NASCAR Statistics)(5-21-2016)

Driver standings following Charlotte:
1) #88-Matt Crafton, 161
2) #17-Timothy Peters, 149, -12
3) #19-Daniel Hemric, 144, -17
4) #23-Spencer Gallagher, 139, -22
5) #9-William Byron #, 135, -26
6) #81-Ryan Truex, 129, -32
7) #8-John Hunter Nemechek, 127, -34
8) #29-Tyler Reddick, 125, -36
9) #4-Christopher Bell #, 124, -37
10) #21-Johnny Sauter, 120, -41
See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-21-2016)

Owner Standings following Charlotte are posted (pdf).(5-21-2016)

Saturday's Revised Schedule: for the Sprint Showdown, Sprint All-Star practice and Camping World Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 21, 2016 after Friday was a rain out:
9:30am/et, Sprint All-Star practice, FS1
10:05am/et, Sprint All-Star pit road speed practice, FS1
11:00am/et, Sprint Showdown, FS1
12:30pm/et, Camping World Truck Series race, FS1
7:10pm/et, Sprint All-Star quals, FS1
9:00pm/et, Sprint All-Star race, FS1

The Sprint Fan Vote

Race Coverage of the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is re-scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2016.
Television (TV): FS1 at 11:00 am/et;
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90

Sprint Showdown Starting Lineup: Practice / Qualifying for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway has been canceled and the field for the Sprint Showdown will be set by owners points. The race was scheduled for 7:00pm/et on Friday, May 20th but has been rained out and postponed until 11:00am/et on Saturday, May 21st, with television coverage on FS1.
Friday tickets will be honored for Saturday's Sprint Showdown and North Carolina Education Lottery 200; Fans who wish to stay for Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race activities can purchase those tickets at the ticket office or any ticket gate.
The starting lineup is posted on the All-Star Race Info page (5-20-2016)

Sprint Showdown:
Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Revised Date and Time: Saturday, May 21 at 11 a.m. ET
Tune-in: FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 20 laps (30 miles) | 20 laps (30 miles) | 10 laps (15 Miles) (75 total miles)
What to Watch For: Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney attempt to compete their way into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only rookies to win an All-Star Race. ... No driver has ever won the Sprint Showdown and advanced to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Michael Waltrip (1996) and Ryan Newman (2002), however, did use transfer spots in the Showdown to win the All-Star Race.

Weather Updates for the All-Star Weekend: As unsettled weather continues ahead of this weekend's events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, officials are taking precautions to make sure everything runs smoothly. So far this week, the Charlotte metro area has received over a half inch of rain. With mainly light and scattered showers expected on Wednesday and Thursday, NASCAR expects to get all practice and qualifying races in without problems. Problems may arise Friday night, as strong storms look to move into the Carolinas. Crews have already made the call for at least eight jet dryers ready to go for Friday night's North Carolina Education Lottery 200, starting at 7:00pm/et. Rain will continue Friday night into Saturday morning, with models suggesting up to 1-2 inches of rain possible. According to Charlotte Motor Speedway crews, it all boils down to when that rain will stop. They promise to get the All Star Race in if it stops around noon Saturday. "With the equipment that we have available, we can do this place in about an hour and we could be dry and ready for that race," said director of operations Shaun Johnson. The latest models show good news for those attending the race, as showers look to push out out by Saturday afternoon.(WSOC TV)(5-19-2016)
FORECASTS latest forecast [10:00pm/et] for Saturday from the National Weather Service:
Saturday: Rain likely before 10am, then a chance of showers between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
AND latest forecast [10:00pm/et] for Saturday from the Weather Channel:
Saturday: Cloudy early with thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 77F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Saturday night:Scattered thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
See these and other weather links on the Sprint All-Star Info page.(5-20-2016)

Coverage of Qualifying/Practice for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2015 at 1:30pm/et.
Television (TV): FoxSports1 (FS1), 1:30pm/et
Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none.

Harvick talks about contract extension: #4-Kevin Harvick met with media at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday and discussed his contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing and more, the transcript in part:
Q) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SHR CONTRACT THIS WEEK. HOW GOOD DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE LONG-TERM SECURITY AND A DEAL IN PLACE?
Harvick: "I was hoping that we were going to get all this out of the way today so that we don't have to talk about it for several more years again. As you sit back and you see all the things that happened at the beginning of the year and I'll kind of give you guys (media) a little more background on how all this went. For me, I had an automatic two-year extension that the team held; but which everybody was understood that we were going to extend that option. But I think as you stood back and looked at it there was a lot of things that changed in the sport and within our team.
We had a lot of sponsorship things that wanted to do things further than really where we were. So, we sat back and said okay, let's mutually agree just to forget that contract and let's restructure everything and I think anytime somebody hears the word 'restructure' somehow within an organization or within a team, it was a mutually agreed restructure to extend the contract and make it go further so that we could extend our sponsorships and extend our relationships that we had to make them longer. You hear the scuttlebutt. It affects the guys in the shop a lot more than it affects me. I think it's kind of fun, to be honest with you, because I think a lot of you guys have gone through a lot of the things that we go through as drivers when you see somebody say something that you take offense to and seeing the internal squabbles between a lot of you guys kind of reminds me of putting us in situations. So, I think there's a lot that can be learned through this particular situation.
But I think as you look back and it got so out of control that I actually went to Kasey Kahne and I said look man, here's what's going on. And I told him there's not been one person that's called me from your organization and I want you to have the trust in your team. I want you to believe in your team. I want you to keep working on the things that you're working on, but here's where it's at. Here's what I'm doing. Here's what I see. Here's how it's going to go. And here we are up until last week still running around.
And I think for me, when you look at things and you say well, you can only say so much before you start crossing line or putting things into legal responsibilities and treading lightly on what you can and can't say. So, you put yourself in that position and I tried to be as up-front as I could with you guys to tell you exactly what was going on. So, it's all been great with the management at SHR. I never even worried about having to take phone calls or place phone calls or put our team in a position to go out, my personal team, in a position to go out and talk to other people. That was never the case. It was just extending an extension that needed to be put in place because in the end it's like I've said several times, I feel like I've got the best crew chief in the garage. Our team has been performing well and doing the things that they need to do and I like the challenges that face us in the future. That motivates me to have those things in place. And so, it's all been good. It's just been some crazy rumors that however they got started, they got started."
Q) HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY THOUGHT AS TO WHETHER THIS LONG TERM DEAL MAY BE YOUR LAST, OR HAVE YOU KEPT THAT KIND OF OPEN-ENDED FOR NOW?
Harvick: "Most everything we do is in four or five-year chunks. So, it's really until you get to this particular point in the last year of the deal it's really not something that you really evaluate until then. DeLana and I and everybody on our team tries to put as many things to bed as possible so that our goal is to always focus on being parents and trying to do the best we can on Sunday's or Saturday night in this particular case. DeLana and I talked about where we wanted to be and we set the goals of how we were going to do things for the next several years and we'll address those things then. But, you hear too many guys talk about retiring too soon and you watch Mark (Martin) do it into his mid-50's. So, I'm going to sit up here and say I need to retire at this particular age. I'm going to quit when I feel like I'm not having fun anymore or I'm not competitive. It's way too much fun right now being competitive and having fast cars and you feel like you're making up for a little bit of lost time at the beginning. So, it's been fun to kind of have that rejuvenated the last three years and really be excited about it and love being part of the team and organization and all the things that come with what we have right no. So, it's just a lot of fun and it's going to have to be pretty painful for me at the end of this one to just say I'm done because I'll still be in my mid-40's. I'm not going to commit to quit before it's too soon."
Q) THE BIG RUMOR WAS THAT YOU WERE DOING TO THE NO. 5 CAR NEXT YEAR. YOU WANTED TO RELIEVE KASEY KAHNE OF THE STRESS OF THAT. DO YOU FEEL THAT THIS HAS DISTRACTED YOUR DRIVING AT ALL?
Harvick: "I don't think so. Not from my part. I think it's probably been a distraction at the shop and to the guys on the team a lot more than it has me. I don't mind getting in the middle of some of these games. At this point, we weren't even really trying to play a game, but unfortunately it kind of turned into just a spiraling out of control rumor. But I felt like that was important. I feel like I have a good relationship with Kasey. I felt like it was important for him to know where his organization stood and the talks and situations that had been there were never even talked about. So, I thought that was important for him to know. That was probably two or two and a half months ago that I had that conversation with him. I felt like that was important because I knew that there was a lot of pressure on that particular side of things to get where they have been and where they're performing better and doing the things that they're doing on the race track. I just felt that was important."
Q) ON SHR'S CHANGE TO FORD NEXT YEAR, WHAT IMPACT IF ANY DID THAT HAVE ON YOUR DECISION TO SIGN THE EXTENSION?
Harvick: "I'm just happy to race to the end of the year and be competitive right now and worry about the things that we have in front of us. So, we'll worry about all that stuff when we get to the end of the year."(Team Chevy)(5-20-2016)

Goodyear Transforms NASCAR Race Tires to Honor U.S. Military: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will customize its iconic Goodyear Eagle race tires for the seventh consecutive year to support the U.S. Armed Forces. Goodyear, the Official Tire of NASCAR, will replace the "Eagle" logo on the sidewalls of its race tires with "Support Our Troops" messaging on tires used during all NASCAR races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. The NASCAR industry kicks off its annual military tribute, NASCAR: An American Salute, leading up to the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29. "Support for the military is part of the fabric of our company," said Stu Grant, Goodyear's general manager of global racing. "Goodyear's rich history of making tires for the U.S. Armed Forces is a source of pride for our associates - especially the many that have served - and these tires are a reflection of our deep respect for all Military branches." Goodyear has more than 100 years of history building innovative tires and equipment to help support and protect U.S. troops and is the largest producer of military tires in the country. The company was recently recognized as a Military Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs magazine for its leadership in hiring and supporting veterans. In 2014, Goodyear surpassed a three-year goal of hiring 1,000 veterans and since then, Goodyear has renewed the commitment to hiring another 1,000 veterans over three years.(GoodYear), see images of all seven tires on the Tire News and Testing page (5-20-2016)

Elliott's throwback scheme for Darlington: Chase Elliott will run a yellow and back NAPA Auto Parts scheme on the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy in the Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in September. Image from NAPA Auto Parts. See an image of the scheme on the #24 Team Schemes page (5-20-2016)

DiBenedetto to run Hope For The Warriors scheme in Showdown: Kicking off their 10th anniversary celebration, Hope For The Warriors will draw on relationships within the NASCAR community to have two racecars decorated with the organization's logo and imagery. Leading up to Memorial Day weekend, two separate NASCAR drivers will run a Hope For The Warriors wrap on their vehicles to drive attention and awareness to the military nonprofit that restores family, self and hope for service members, veterans and military families. On Friday, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Brandon Jones will drive the #71 Hope For The Warriors Chevrolet Silverado in the truck race, which will feature the organization's 10 Year Anniversary logo on the hood and other imagery across the body of the truck.
Meanwhile, BK Racing's #83 Toyota driven by Matt DiBenedetto will also have a patriotic paint scheme featuring Hope For The Warriors. DiBenedetto is scheduled to compete in the Sprint Showdown on Saturday night. "Hope for the Warriors is a cause close to my family, as my brother Austin is currently in the U.S. Air Force and we've seen first hand what our military members go through," commented DiBenedetto. "Hope for the Warriors is an excellent organization and I'm proud to support them on the #83 Hope for the Warriors/Cosmo Motors Camry this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway."
On a near weekly basis, Hope For The Warriors brings service members to the track through their Drive For Hope program, which focuses on engaging transitioning service members in a unique social setting while giving them an opportunity to learn about prospective careers, make networking connections and realize different ways their skills can transition as they reintegrate into the civilian sector. To learn more about the program or find out how you can get involved, visit HopeForTheWarriors.org. Additionally, you can support Hope For The Warriors and its various programs by making a gift online, by phone at 877-246-7349, or by mail to 5101C Backlick Road, Annandale, VA 22003. Text the word WARRIORS to 20222 to donate.(A2B Strategies for Hope For The Warriors)(5-20-2016)

Charlotte Motor Speedway Throwing First-Ever NASCAR Rain Party TODAY: Mother Nature will not dampen what promises to be a fantastic Friday [May 20th] at Charlotte Motor Speedway as the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder kicks off with a new NASCAR Rain Party featuring driver appearances, live music, concourse cornhole games and movies on the giant Speedway TV. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Blaney will make fan Q&A appearances at the fan stage in the Fan Zone near the speedway's main entrance, while Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski will sign autographs at the Penske Racing souvenir stand on the frontstretch concourse near Gate 3.
The action-packed schedule for Friday's NASCAR Rain Party includes:
2:00-2:30 p.m. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Q&A with PRN's Doug Rice at the Fan Zone
2:30-2:45 p.m. - Ryan Blaney Q&A with PRN's Doug Rice at the Fan Zone
3:00-7:00 p.m. - Cornhole games at the Ford concourse near the Gate 6 entrance
3:00-3:45 p.m. - Liz Moriando live music on the concourse behind Smith Tower
3:30-4:00 p.m. - Brad Keselowski autograph session at the Penske Racing souvenir stand inside Gate 3 (subject to track conditions)
4:00-4:30 p.m. - Joey Logano autograph session at the Penske Racing souvenir stand inside Gate 3 (subject to track conditions)
4:00-5:00 p.m. - Johnny Reed Foley live music on the concourse behind Smith Tower
5:00-6:00 p.m. - Candis Elwood live music on the concourse behind Smith Tower
The NASCAR Rain Party will also feature movies and history-oriented videos including "One Hot Night," and "The History of the Coca-Cola 600." On the concourse, fans can take part in cornhole games, chat with Speedway TV personality Wilson and document their experiences on social media using the hashtag "#NASCARRainParty." To purchase tickets, camping and race-day upgrades, call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shop online at charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-20-2016)

Refresher - Sprint Showdown Set To Advance 3 Drivers To All-Star Race: This year, Friday's Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway (7:00pm/et on FS1) will advance three drivers to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The winner of each segment will earn a spot in Saturday's night's contest.
Below is the detailed format for the Sprint Showdown:
· Segment 1 (20 laps): Field set by practice speed, winner advances to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and does not continue in Showdown;
· Segment 2 (20 laps): Field set by pit-road order after mandatory minimum two-tire pit stop, winner advances to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and does not continue in Showdown;
· Segment 3 (10 laps): Field set by pit-road order after mandatory minimum two-tire pit stop, winner advances to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (NASCAR Overtime rules apply).
Last year's Sprint Showdown winners #16-Greg Biffle and #15-Clint Bowyer will both compete in the event again.
Bowyer is the only driver in the Sprint Showdown field with multiple victories in the qualifying race (2014, 2015) and will go for his third in a row this year.
No driver has ever won the Sprint Showdown and advanced to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Michael Waltrip (1996) and Ryan Newman (2002) used transfer spots in the Showdown to win the All-Star Race.

All-Star Origins: JGR's Dominance Began Last May: Since #11-Denny Hamlin won the 2015 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Joe Gibbs Racing has been the most dominant team in NASCAR, capturing the checkered flag in 19 of the 36 points races (52.7%). #18-Kyle Busch leads the four-driver contingent with eight wins, followed by #20-Matt Kenseth's five. #19-Carl Edwards has four victories, while Hamlin owns two. Additionally, JGR has won all of the marquee events on the NASCAR schedule since then: Coca-Cola 600 (Edwards), Brickyard 400 (Busch), Bojangles Southern 500 (Edwards), Ford EcoBoost 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race (Busch) and Daytona 500 (Hamlin).(5-20-2016)

Assorted NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Facts: Jeff Gordon is the youngest winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at 23 years, 9 months and 18 days (1995). ... Mark Martin is the oldest NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winner at 46 years, 4 months and 12 days (2005). ... NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in 1985. ... The deepest in the field a NASCAR Sprint All-Star race winner has started was 27th (Ryan Newman, 2002). ... Five drivers have won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the same year: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993), Rusty Wallace (1989), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997, 2001) and Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2013). ...

Dover TV Ratings UPDATE: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Dover earned a 2.2 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Sunday afternoon, down a tick from last year (2.3) and down a third from 2014 on the FOX broadcast network (3.3). The 2.2 is the lowest for the race in at least a decade, falling below last year. Sunday's race was the first in three weeks to post a decline in the metered markets. Kansas increased 20% the previous week and Talladega pulled even two weeks ago.(Sports Media Watch)(5-17-2016)
UPDATE: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Dover earned nearly 4.0 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 Sunday afternoon, up 1% from last year (3.9M) but down 26% from 2014 on the FOX broadcast network (5.4M). Ratings were not immediately available. The increase in viewership marks a turnaround from the overnight ratings, which fell by 4%. Keep in mind that does not necessarily mean final ratings increased, as the two metrics are separate and can go in opposite directions. Viewership has now increased for the past three NASCAR races, with Kansas up 27% the previous week and Talladega up 6% two weeks prior. Eight of the previous nine races either declined from last year or could not be compared due to rain. All three races on Fox Sports 1 this season have posted a year-over-year increase, with the caveat that last year's numbers set the bar low. Sunday's race ranks as the sixth-most watched NASCAR telecast in the history of the network, including its days as Speed Channel.(Sports Media Watch / Show Buzz Daily), see race-by-race TV Ratings for 2016 and a comparison chart on the 2016 TV Ratings page.(5-20-2016)

Lee's Café to be featured on the #3 at CMS: A logo from Lee's Café will be featured on a race car during a NASCAR race on May 29. Lee's East Rowan Café, at 203 W. Main St., Rockwell, NC, won a General Mills drawing to feature their logo on the upper quarter panel of the #3 race car driven by Austin Dillon during the Coca-Cola 600 race in Charlotte. The "Lee" of Lee's Café was Sarah Bickish's brother. Bickish said she got involved in the business to help her brother in 2012 and took over in 2013 when he passed away from cancer. Bickish greets many of her customers by name and prides herself on offering fresh, homemade food, like the hand-cut pork loin, charbroiled, flatiron Black Angus steak, potato salad and baked spaghetti. Bickish said Lee's Café usually wins something at the show every year. General Mills sponsored a drawing that offered a "VIP NASCAR Experience," with three prize packages available to the 350 restaurants at the show. When the final prizes were being announced, Bickish said Paul Hager, the restaurant's manager who was also at the show, said he realized the Café had not won anything all day. Lee's Café ended up winning the grand prize package. The value of the package is more than $210,000. Along with Lee Café's logo on both sides of the car, the package also includes pre-race passes, all-access passes, a meet and greet with Austin Dillon and the pit crew, pictures with Dillon and the car, VIP clubhouse seats, a 2-night hotel stay, a hospitality suite and a track tour. All transportation is provided and they will also receive food and beverage vouchers. The Lee Café's logo will be against a red background with the restaurant's name printed in white. The upper corners of the logo will each feature a black stallion.(Salisbury Post), see images of the car on the #3 Team Schemes page (5-20-2016)

Special NAPA scheme for Elliott at Kentucky: NAPA AUTO PARTS, a long-time sponsor in NASCAR and current sponsor of Chase Elliott's #24 Chevy, recently announced that it had raised more than $2.1 million through its annual "Get Back and Give Back" campaign for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF). One hundred percent of the donation goes to the non-profit's mission of building nine Intrepid Spirit centers that diagnose and treat Traumatic Brain Injury and psychological disorders. The paint scheme on Elliott's #24 NAPA Patriotic Chevy for the July Kentucky race will promote the IFHF and the car sponsor's annual campaign (Lionel Racing), see images of the car on the #24 Team Schemes page (5-20-2016)

Stats about the Sprint All-Star Race:
· NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-five finishes in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race with nine; followed by Tony Stewart (eight) and Jimmie Johnson (eight).
· Bill Elliott and Dale Earnhardt Jr. lead the series in top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race with 13 each; followed by Dale Earnhardt and Matt Kenseth with 12 each.
· The series best Driver Rating performance by a NASCAR Sprint All-Star race winner was Carl Edwards posting a 141.7 in 2011.
· Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won eight NASCAR Sprint All-Star races (most all-time): Jimmie Johnson (four: 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013), Jeff Gordon (three: 1995, 1997, 2001) and Terry Labonte (one: 1999).
· Five drivers have won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the same year: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993), Rusty Wallace (1989), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997, 2001) and Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2013).
· Seven times from seven different drivers has the winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race gone on to win the Coke Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway the following weekend: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Davey Allison (1991), Dale Earnhardt (1993), Jeff Gordon (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2003), Kasey Kahne (2008) and Kurt Busch (2010).
· Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the only driver in event history to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (2000), Sprint Showdown (2012) and the Sprint Fan Vote (2011).
· Four drivers that are qualified for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race are looking for their first win in the event: Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr.
· Chevrolet (17) and Ford (10) have combined to win 27 or the 30 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race events - the remaining four belong to Dodge (two), Pontiac (one) and Toyota (one).
· 93 drivers have run in at least one NASCAR Sprint All-Star race, with 77 competing in more than one.
· Mark Martin has participated in 24 races, more than any other driver. Tony Stewart leads all active drivers in Sprint All-Star starts with 17, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 16.
· Jimmie Johnson (2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013) leads the series with the most NASCAR Sprint All-Star race wins with four.
· Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990 and 1993) and Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997 and 2001) are the only three-time winners of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
· NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in 1985 at an average speed of 161.184 mph.
· Davey Allison (1991 and 1992), Terry Labonte (1988 and 1999) and Mark Martin (1998 and 2005) are the only other drivers to post multiple victories in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
· Davey Allison (1991, 1992) and Jimmie Johnson (2012, 2013) are the only drivers to ever win consecutive NASCAR Sprint All-Star races.
· Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only drivers to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in their rookie season.
· Matt Kenseth leads the series among active drivers in average finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with a 6.133; followed by Jimmie Johnson with a 6.786.
· Seven active drivers have an average finish in the top 10 for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race: Matt Kenseth (6.1), Jimmie Johnson (6.8), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8.1), Joey Logano (8.6) Tony Stewart (9.1), Kevin Harvick (9.4) and Kurt Busch (9.9).
(NASCAR)

Share a Coke and a Song Superstar Tour at 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder at Charlotte: After an extensive search across the Carolinas and Virginia, the Share a Coke and a Song Superstar Tour presented by Walmart, Coca-Cola and Sprint has identified some of the Southeast's top vocal talent to perform during the unforgettable 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder at Charlotte Motor Speedway May 20-29. The month-long tour, which launched on April 18, gave fans the special chance to audition in a mobile studio that traveled to 12 different Walmart locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, with the winners selected by a panel of judges from Charlotte Motor Speedway. The following winners were selected and are scheduled to perform during the events listed below:
- Dixie Moon (quartet) - "God Bless America," NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Featuring Donnie Smith - Mount Holly, North Carolina; Debbie Hatchins - Stanley, North Carolina; Eric Sayne - Charlotte, North Carolina; Bruce Keedy - Cornelius, North Carolina
- Kayla Watson - Greensboro, North Carolina - national anthem, N.C. Education Lottery 200
Contestants for the Share a Coke and a Song Superstar Tour presented by Walmart, Coca-Cola and Sprint were judged on four qualities: pitch and range, pace, stage presence and traditional rendition. Each member of the judging panel scored each finalist contestant. The criteria sheets of all judges were totaled to provide an overall score for each finalist.
TICKETS: Great seats are still available for the 57th running of the iconic Coca-Cola 600 and the rest of the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, with weekend passes starting at just $99. To purchase tickets, camping and race-day upgrades, fans should call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-20-2016)

No upset bids in Rockingham Speedway sale; new owner: Billy Silas is now the owner of Rockingham Speedway. There were no upset bids following the credit bid of $3 million made by James Hash - a Raleigh attorney representing BK Rock Holdings, managed by Silas - during a public auction May 5, according the Richmond County Clerk of Superior Court's office. An upset bid of $3.15 million would have had to have been made by Monday, which would have restarted a 10-day period for other bids. Since the bid from BK Rock was the prevailing bid, the Florida-based limited liability company now owns the property and net proceeds from the sale will be credited toward the debt, according to what Hash told the Daily Journal previously. The future of the historic track remains in question. Kenneth Robinette, chairman of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, said the county has always been supportive of Rockingham Speedway and will work with Silas, or whoever winds up owning the track, to help promote it. "The county is very pro-business and is behind anybody that's going to bring jobs and economic development into the area," he said. "Hopefully he's got some ideas to bring racing back here."(Richmond County Daily Journal)(5-20-2016)

Truck race postponed: Friday night's NC Education Lottery 200 has been postponed until Saturday due to rain. It will be held at 12:00pm, with coverage on FS1.(5-20-2016)

Byron on pole at Charlotte: #9-William Byron will start from the pole for the NC Education Lottery 200 due to inclement weather. This is the second week in a row Byron was awarded the pole due to rain. #23-Spencer Gallagher will start second, followed by #33-Ben Kennedy, #21-Johnny Sauter, #18-Kyle Busch, #29-Tyler Reddick, #51-Daniel Suarez, #19-Daniel Hemric, #11-Matt Tifft, and #98-Rico Abreu.
Did Not Qualify: #2-Austin Theriault, #75-Caleb Holman, #30-Jesse Little, and #20-Austin Hill.
See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(5-20-2016)

Wauters inspired to help fellow smaller team until plans materialize: Veteran team owner and crew chief, Richie Wauters is serving as the interim crew chief for the #81 Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) Toyota Tundra driven by Ryan Truex. Wauters who has his own super late model and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team took a hiatus from his shop to help the small HRE team. Since Wauters teamed up with HRE at Kansas Speedway, Truex has had sixth place finish and a eighth place finish at Dover last weekend. Wauters will again be on the box for the running of the NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Friday, May 20th. Richie Wauters: "Right now we have some things in the works for some truck (NCWTS) starts this season but until that materializes I wanted to help out the Hattori team (HRE). I know what it is like to be a small, underfunded, underdog team so I've been able to help them during the week at the shop and then at the track."(Wauters Motorsports)(5-20-2016)

Harvick [AGAIN] debunks rumor of move to Hendrick UPDATE: Stewart-Haas Racing [#'s 4,10,14,41] announced that it would switch to Ford vehicles next year, since then one of its top drivers has been rumored to be jumping ship. But the sources and reports are bogus according to #4-Kevin Harvick. Harvick took to Twitter Tuesday to refute another report that he would be moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2017. "Bunch of people making [expletive] up," Harvick tweeted. Harvick also denied a similar report(s) in February (and April and March)(UPI) and see Harvick's Twitter for more.(5-18-2018)
UPDATE - Harvick signs extension with SHR: Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has signed driver #4-Kevin Harvick to a long-term contract extension. Harvick joined SHR in 2014 after 13 Sprint Cup seasons and his impact with the organization was immediate. In his debut year with SHR, the Bakersfield, California-native scored eight poles, won five races and led 2,137 laps en route to his first Sprint Cup championship. Harvick's title defense in 2015 was incredibly strong, as he won three races and earned career-best numbers in top-fives (23), top-10s (28) and laps led (2,294) before finishing second in the championship. Harvick already has a win, five top-fives, nine top-10s and 688 laps led in the 12 Sprint Cup races run this season. "It was a big decision to join Stewart-Haas Racing and it has turned out to be my best decision," said Harvick, who has won nine of his 32 career Sprint Cup victories with SHR. "I came to Stewart-Haas Racing to win championships. We have one, but that only made us hungry for more. I'm very happy to have my future secure with a team so dedicated to winning." Harvick will continue to drive the team's #4 entry and remain paired with crew chief Rodney Childers, who signed a multiyear contract extension last June. "Kevin's results speak for themselves, and in addition to those numbers, he brings a presence to our team that makes everyone want to work harder," said Tony Stewart, co-owner of SHR with Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation, the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. "Kevin Harvick has made Stewart-Haas Racing a better team and he will continue to be an integral part of our future." Stewart earned SHR its first Sprint Cup championship in 2011, with Harvick bookending that title in 2014. SHR is one of only five active Sprint Cup teams with multiple premiere series titles. "When you have talented people who consistently deliver results, you hold on to them," Haas said. "Kevin Harvick is an exceptional talent and we're very proud to have him a part of Stewart-Haas Racing for years to come."(SHR)(5-19-2016)

Daytona International Speedway Takes Home Prestigious Sports Facility of the Year Award: Daytona International Speedway's (DIS) new $400 million motorsports stadium was named Sports Facility of the Year last night at SportsBusiness Journal's 2016 Sports Business Awards in New York City. The Sports Business Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports. DIS topped a competitive field consisting of Avaya Stadium (San Jose Earthquakes), Bill Snyder Family Stadium (Kansas State University Wildcats), Kyle Field (Texas A&M Aggies) and Petco Park (San Diego Padres). "We're honored to receive this prestigious award for our new motorsports stadium," said International Speedway Corporation Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy. "Our employees, fans and partners deserve the credit for helping us transform the vision into reality." The motorsports stadium officially debuted during the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and 2016 DAYTONA 500. DIS has a full calendar of events scheduled for the remainder of the year, including the Country 500 Music Festival (May 27-29), Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola (July 2) and the Ferrari World Finals (December 1-4).(NASCAR/DIS)(5-19-2016)

Weather could be an issue for All-Star Weekend: As unsettled weather continues ahead of this weekend's events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, officials are taking precautions to make sure everything runs smoothly. So far this week, the Charlotte metro area has received over a half inch of rain. With mainly light and scattered showers expected on Wednesday and Thursday, NASCAR expects to get all practice and qualifying races in without problems. Problems may arise Friday night, as strong storms look to move into the Carolinas. Crews have already made the call for at least eight jet dryers ready to go for Friday night's North Carolina Education Lottery 200, starting at 7:00pm/et. Rain will continue Friday night into Saturday morning, with models suggesting up to 1-2 inches of rain possible. According to Charlotte Motor Speedway crews, it all boils down to when that rain will stop. They promise to get the All Star Race in if it stops around noon Saturday. "With the equipment that we have available, we can do this place in about an hour and we could be dry and ready for that race," said director of operations Shaun Johnson. The latest models show good news for those attending the race, as showers look to push out out by Saturday afternoon.(WSOC TV), see weather links on the Sprint All-Star Info page(5-19-2016)

Special Scheme for Edwards at All-Star race: #19-Carl Edwards is going to have a special ARRIS SURFBoard paint scheme at the Sprint All-Star race in Charlotte. ARRIS knows that speed and performance are crucial on the track and off. ARRIS SURFboard Cable Modems and Routers provide the fastest speeds available and the #1 selling brand of modems. Carl is looking forward to getting a first place finish in his first place modems ARRIS SURFBoard Camry. "To learn more about ARRIS SURFBoard products visit www.surfboard.com". With 10 Sprint Cup Series starts in the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Edwards has completed 852 of 960 laps (88.75 percent) and has led for a total of 59 laps. He has earned one win, two poles, four top-five and six top-10 finishes there. His average start is 10.3 and his average finish is 11.1. This will be Edwards' 11th All-Star race since he entered the Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2006. He won the 2011 All-Star race in dramatic form and in his excitement; he slid across the grass in the infield, wrecking his car. True to form, Edwards went ahead with his customary back-flip to celebrate(JGR), see images of the car on the #19 Team Schemes page (5-19-2016)

Uwharrie Bank to sponsor Allmendinger in Showdown: The #47 JTG Daugherty Chevy that AJ Allmendinger will drive in the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be sponsored by Uwharrie Bank. "For All-Star weekend, we have a new primary sponsor, Uwharrie Bank on our #47 Chevrolet SS," Allmendinger said. "They may be new to the car, but Tad and Jodi (Geschickter) started their relationship with the bank back in 1999. They are more than just a collection of services and accounts because they also provide financial tools and information for people to achieve their financial goals. Once we wrap up All-Star weekend, we've got another new sponsor on board for the Coca-Cola 600 and that's Harris Teeter," continued Allmendinger. "They are using their racing partnership to promote their Express Lane Online Shopping service, which is pretty cool and super easy. You literally order your groceries online and just swing by their parcel pickup and they will load up your groceries. Basically, order, pick up and drive home. It can't get any easier than that for someone like me that's always on the go and even more so for moms. For more information, visit www.HarrisTeeter.com and click on Harris Teeter Express Lane Online Shopping tab."(JTG Daugherty Racing PR), see images of the cars on the #47 Team Schemes page (5-19-2016)

Darlington's Turn 3 Theater postponed due to weather: Due to the potential threat of inclement weather, Turn 3 Theater Presented by Raceway Ford Chevrolet will be postponing Friday's (May 20) feature presentation of Frozen. The movie will be rescheduled for a later date to be determined (TBD).(Darlington Raceway)(5-19-2016)

Kahne to run Great Clips Shark Week scheme at Sonoma: Once again, Great Clips has teamed up with the Discovery Channel to put together a Shark Week paint scheme for Kasey Kahne's #5 Chevy. This year, Kahne will pilot the scheme at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 26 -- when Shark Week officially kicks off. Last year, to mark the occasion, Kahne took a trip to the Bahamas for a once-in-a-lifetime experience -- diving with sharks.(HMS), see images of the car on the #5 Team Schemes page (5-19-2016)

Byron fastest in final Truck practice: #9-William Byron was fastest in the one and only truck practice for the NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 184.168mph. There were three practice sessions scheduled for the day, but persistent rain allowed for only one. #23-Spencer Gallagher was second, followed by #21-Johnny Sauter, #33-Ben Kennedy, #18-Kyle Busch, #29-Tyler Reddick, #51-Daniel Suarez, #19-Daniel Hemric, #11-Matt Tifft, and #98-Rico Abreu. 36 drivers are entered and 36 practiced during the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-19-2016)

Jones to honor Hope For The Warriors: Brandon Jones will debut a new paint scheme he created for his friends at Hope For The Warriors, a military nonprofit that supports post-9/11 service members, veterans and their families across the country. Jones hopes that the red-white-blue-and-camo paint scheme will draw attention to the to the organization's mission and spur donations from fans during Military Appreciation Month. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Hope For The Warriors provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement and connections to community resources. Jones has been an active supporter of Hope For The Warriors for some time and is underwriting the entire cost of the race sponsorship for the organization.(A2B Strategies)(5-19-2016)

New sponsor for Theriault at Charlotte: Klixel8 (click-sell-eight) a patented interactive image technology that connects on-screen hot spots to high-resolution images has joined driver Austin Theriault as the primary sponsor on the Brad Keselowski Racing #2 F-150 entry at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race May 20th at Charlotte (NC) Motor Speedway. Klixel8 adds value to team and sponsor campaigns by enabling motorsports fans to interact with branded elements of an interactive image. Viewers engage with an image by selecting products and logos featured on a race vehicle or drivers fire suit and directed to a respective website, store, video or educational content. Klixel8 images can be interacted on most mobile devices and social media channels. Austin Theriault will be making his second NASCAR Camping World Series Truck start this season after leading 31 laps at the Daytona International Speedway in February.(See an image of the truck on the #2 Team Paint Schemes page)(Austin Theriault)(5-19-2016)

Dover penalties/warnings announced; Kahne docked 15 points: NASCAR has announced penalties and warnings following the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on May 15th.
#5-Kasey Kahne's Chevy failed post-race inspection failing the laser tech inspection, crew chief Keith Rodden fined $25,000; team/driver has been assessed with the loss of 15 championship owner and 15 championship driver points (drops Kahne from 16th to 20th in the standings), Hendrick Motorsports has announced they will not appeal the penalty.
A crew member of #23-David Ragan's BK Racing team was fined $1,000 for failure to properly wear or secure mandatory safety apparel or equipment in accordance with the NASCAR Rules.
#7-Regan Smith, #42-Kyle Larson and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. received written warnings for failing pre-race laser inspection twice
#24-Chase Elliott given a written warning for failing pre-race template inspection twice.
See the Dover Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(5-18-2016)

Harvick [AGAIN] debunks rumor of move to Hendrick: Stewart-Haas Racing {#'s 4,10,14,41] announced that it would switch to Ford vehicles next year, since then one of its top drivers has been rumored to be jumping ship. But the sources and reports are bogus according to #4-Kevin Harvick. Harvick took to Twitter Tuesday to refute another report that he would be moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2017. "Bunch of people making [expletive] up," Harvick tweeted. Harvick also denied a similar report(s) in February (and April and March)(UPI) and see Harvick's Twitter for more.(5-18-2018)

N.C. Education Lottery sponsoring Go Fas: The North Carolina Education Lottery has partnered with Go Fas Racing and JEI as a primary partner of Jeffrey Earnhardt's #32 Ford Fusion for this weekend's Sprint All Star Show Down at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. "The lottery is excited to sponsor Jeffrey Earnhardt and Go Fas Racing in the #32 car in the Sprint Showdown and Coca-Cola 600," said Frank Suarez, the lottery's deputy executive director of brand management and communications. "Visible partnerships like this have helped support ticket sales and increase earnings for education for 10 years. And we hope Jeffrey feels that having the lottery behind him will put good luck on his side as he races." The NC Education Lottery will be on-site in the Charlotte Motor Speedway midway at the Avenue of Flags for both the All-Star race, and the Coke 600 race weekends.(GoFas Racing)(5-18-2016)

Fans can choose Hamlin's Sonoma scheme: FedEx Racing is letting fans decide on Denny Hamlin's special #11 FedEx Cares Toyota paint scheme for the upcoming race at Sonoma Raceway in June. From May 16 - May 22, fans can vote for their favorite scheme by tweeting @FedEx with the corresponding hashtag or at Facebook.com/FedEx. Each vote will trigger a $1 donation from FedEx Cares -- up to $55,000 -- to the five charitable organizations that will be featured on the #11 machine in Sonoma, including the USO, Safe Kids Worldwide, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, JA Worldwide and Urban League. Through FedEx Cares, a recently-launched global giving initiative, FedEx is investing $200 million in 200 communities worldwide by 2020.(FedEx Racing), see the images on the #11 team paint schemes page.(5-18-2016)

NASCAR industry nominated for Sports Business Awards: The NASCAR industry is nominated in multiple categories at this year's Sports Business Awards, taking place Wednesday, May 18 in New York City. Among the nominations, NASCAR is up for League of the Year and NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France is up for Executive of the Year. Launched in 2008 by SportsBusiness Journal, the awards recognize leaders who personify excellence in the business of sports. The nominees are judged by their respective accomplishments from March 1, 2015-Feb. 29, 2016. Among the other NASCAR nominees up for hardware on Wednesday are Daytona International Speedway (Facility of the Year), Darlington's Bojangles Southern 500 (Event of the Year), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Social Media in Sports). Also nominated are NASCAR Official Partners Toyota and XFINITY (Sports Sponsor of the Year). FedEx and Anheuser-Busch In Bev, which both sponsor NASCAR race teams, are also nominated in the Sports Sponsor of the Year category. FOX Sports and NBC Sports Group, both of which broadcast NASCAR races, are each nominated in the 'Best in Sports Media' category.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-18-2016)

Goodyear tire test Tuesday at Michigan UPDATE: Goodyear will conduct a tire test at Michigan International Speedway on May 17 in preparation for the 2016 season. And fans are invited to come watch all the action. The following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers are scheduled to test: #78-Truex, Jr (Toyota), #3-Austin Dillon (Chevy), #42-Kyle Larson (Chevy), #43-Aric Almirola (Ford) The test is the next step in making the racing better everywhere. Goodyear will use this test to confirm it is providing the proper tire compound to ensure the best racing at Michigan International Speedway. Engineers and drivers from each NASCAR manufacturer will be here to test options for the new low-downforce package. Testing times, track schedule and drivers are subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. The track will open the Turn 1 Grandstand from 9:00am-4:00pm for fans to watch the test free of charge. Fans are asked to park in Lot 10 off US 12 and enter the grandstand through Gate 17, just behind the water tower. Portable restrooms will be available. Fans are also allowed to bring in coolers that meet the MIS grandstand policies for race weekend.(MIS)(5-17-2016)
UPDATE: Goodyear's confirmation tire test at Michigan International Speedway was cut short on Tuesday due to rain. With showers in the morning, teams got a late start on the exercise running just 50 to 60 laps before the session was called just after 2:00pm/et. Austin Dillon, Martin Truex Jr. Kyle Larson, and Aric Almirola took part in the test using the Las Vegas tire which will return with the teams for the FireKeepers Casino 400 on June 12.(Motorsport)(5-18-2016)

Top 10 All-Star Driver Ratings:
#18-Kyle Busch 104.3
#48-Jimmie Johnson 100.1
#41-Kurt Busch 87.6
#20-Matt Kenseth 87.4
#4-Kevin Harvick 84.9
#5-Kasey Kahne 83.5
#19-Carl Edwards 80.7
#22-Joey Logano 78.6
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 77.2
#11-Denny Hamlin 74.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2015 NASCAR Sprint All-Star races (11 total).
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)

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race - Showdown & the Fan Votes:
· Among those eligible for the 2016 event Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jamie McMurray each have career wins in both the Sprint Showdown qualifier and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
· Clint Bowyer is the only driver in the Sprint Showdown field with multiple victories in the qualifying race (2014, 2015).
· No driver has ever won the Sprint Showdown and advanced to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Michael Waltrip (1996) and Ryan Newman (2002) used transfer spots in the Showdown to win the all-star race. Kasey Kahne (2008) is the only driver to win the Sprint Fan Vote and go on to win the all-star race.
· In 2008, Kasey Kahne became the first driver to get into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race by the Sprint Fan Vote and go on to win the event.
· Danica Patrick became the first driver to win back-to-back Sprint Fan Votes (2014, 2015).
(NASCAR)

Dover penalties/warnings announced: NASCAR has announced penalties and warnings following the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 14th.
#25-Ryan Ellis' team has been given a P1 penalty - Crew member has been fined $1,000 for a violation of Section 12.5.3.2.1.a during the race "Failure by the driver or crew members to properly wear or secure mandatory safety apparel or equipment (i.e. head socks, under garments, helmet face shields, shoes, gloves, etc.) in accordance with the NASCAR Rules."
#18-Matt Tifft's team - failed laser inspection twice and received a written warning. The violation occurred during pre-race inspection.
See the Dover Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(5-18-2016)

Business buys sponsorship on Cope's car at Michigan and donates it: Jackson Coffee Co. and Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory bought a full NASCAR sponsorship and donated it to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Jackson County. The local companies, owned by Brian Surgener, bought the sponsorship of Derrike Cope's #70 car for the Saturday, June 11 XFINITY Series race at Michigan International Speedway. "We love giving to the organizations in Jackson," Surgener wrote in an email. "We never say 'no.' Now all I have to do is go out and sell a lot of coffee and fudge to pay for this." Jackson Coffee sponsored the veteran driver's car in last year's XFINITY race at MIS, as well. "We are thrilled to make this purchase and to donate it to such a great cause," Surgener said in a press release. "While we could have kept the advertising on the car for our own companies, we wanted to bring awareness to a group of people who do so much to mentor the youth in our community." In addition, Michigan International Speedway has agreed to donate 500 tickets to each Big Brother and Big Sister in Jackson County, according to a press release.(MLive)(5-18-2016)

Monster Truck driver Todd Morey joins MBM: MBM Motorsports has added Monster Truck driver Todd Morey to their NASCAR Xfinity Series operation effective immediately. Team Owner/Driver Carl Long said, "We see potential in Todd, he's made a name for himself in Monster Jam and raced better than most expected. Our team is going to try to find some opportunities to inject him into a K+N/ARCA/Pinty's ride in an effort to get him approved to run our cars. In the meantime Todd will work with fellow team members in sponsorship acquisition and retention."
"This is really a step in the right direction for all of us, we all want to be successful in Motorsports" said Morey "Carl has been around this game for a long time and has a lot of connections. I've had some ideas brewing for quite some time and Carl has given me the opportunity to be creative in working some sponsorship opportunities. This team has kicked the door wide open and allowed me to pursue a NASCAR driving career through their ladder system. Driver John Jackson has become a very good friend and has spearheaded this effort to connect me with Carl. I'm looking forward to driving both an 1800hp Monster Jam truck and a NASCAR Stock Car year to year but until that happens I'll be working on some unique marketing opportunities for MBM and our Monster Truck opportunity as well.MBM has given me a shot and that's something that I don't take lightly."(MBM Motorsports)(5-18-2016)

Suarez truck has issues in post race UPDATE: ESPN's Bob Pockrass posted on his Twitter that the truck of second place finisher at Dover on Friday, Daniel Suarez, was found to be too high in post race inspection. Any penalties will be handed down next week.(5-13-2016)
UPDATE: The team was penalized for a P2 infraction. Crew chief (Kevin Manion) has been fined $6,000 and placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31; team has been assessed with the loss of 10 championship owner points. Additionally, the #07 team received a written warning for Truck trailing arms failing to meet specifications during opening day inspection. (NASCAR)(5-18-2016)

2016 NASCAR NEXT drivers announced: Two are following in the footsteps of their former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving fathers. One is a long-time racer who competed on the reality television show "Survivor," and later added a degree from Stanford University. Another is one of the fastest rising stock car drivers in the Midwest. There is even a pair of international phenoms. From Charlotte to New York City, and from Quebec to Israel, the 11 drivers who were announced as the 2016-17 NASCAR Next class are primed for a successful and impactful future in NASCAR. This is the sixth edition of NASCAR Next, an industry-wide initiative designed to spotlight to best and brightest rising young stars in racing. This year's NASCAR Next class was selected through an evaluation process that included input from industry executives, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers Council and media. Drivers must be between the ages of 15-25, have tangible and expressed goals in eventual competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and demonstrate the potential to realize that goal. The following drivers have been selected to the 2016-17 NASCAR Next class: Harrison Burton, Collin Cabre, Spencer Davis, Alon Day, Tyler Dippel, Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, Gary Klutt, Julia Landauer, Ty Majeski, and Matt Tifft. Since its inception in 2011, 27 of the 35 drivers who have been selected as part of the program have gone on to compete in one of NASCAR's three national series. Nearly a third of the drivers have made a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, with nine drivers winning a NASCAR national series race.(NASCAR), see more info on each driver on the Driver Development page.(5-17-2016)

Kyle Busch's Darlington throwback scheme honoring Dale Jarrett: With the help of reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch and 1999 NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett, Interstate Batteries revealed the paint scheme that will appear on the #18 Interstate Batteries Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for the Bojangles' Southern 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. The paint scheme Busch will race is a replica of the original design Jarrett raced to victory in the 1993 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway - the first ever Sprint Cup Series win for JGR and Interstate Batteries. In addition to appearing on the #18 entry for Jarrett's Daytona 500 victory, the Interstate Batteries scheme was run for the first two years of JGR's foray into NASCAR's top series during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. The 2016 NASCAR season marks the 25th anniversary for JGR and its relationship with founding partner Interstate Batteries.(Interstate Batteries), see an image of the car on the #18 team paint schemes page.(5-17-2016)

NASCAR will look at Dover SAFER barriers: Following this past weekend's action at Dover International Speedway, NASCAR will reevaluate its initial game plan for SAFER barriers at the one-mile track. While Dover made significant capital improvements to the venue - including an additional 479 feet of SAFER barrier - Tony Stewart and Jamie McMurray slammed into unprotected walls coming out of Turn 4 during a Friday practice crash after a rear gear failed on Danica Patrick's car and the drivers slid through the grease. NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O'Donnell said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that NASCAR won't be complacent when it comes to advancements in safety. "When we looked at SAFER barriers all being in place for this racing season, the plan had always been at both Dover and Indianapolis on the front stretch wall to not have that covered," O'Donnell said. "There was some logistics and reasoning behind that in terms of really narrowing the front stretch lane. SAFER barriers potentially were going to dump cars back out onto the front stretch and have a potential T-bone of a driver. And then there were challenges going into Turn 1. But obviously after we went through this weekend, we've got to look at what tweaks we can make, be able to install those and maybe look at how the front stretch could work those in."(Motorsport)(5-17-2016)

Goodyear tire test Tuesday at Michigan: Goodyear will conduct a tire test at Michigan International Speedway on May 17 in preparation for the 2016 season. And fans are invited to come watch all the action. The following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers are scheduled to test: #78-Truex, Jr (Toyota), #3-Austin Dillon (Chevy), #42-Kyle Larson (Chevy), #43-Aric Almirola (Ford) The test is the next step in making the racing better everywhere. Goodyear will use this test to confirm it is providing the proper tire compound to ensure the best racing at Michigan International Speedway. Engineers and drivers from each NASCAR manufacturer will be here to test options for the new low-downforce package. Testing times, track schedule and drivers are subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. The track will open the Turn 1 Grandstand from 9:00am-4:00pm for fans to watch the test free of charge. Fans are asked to park in Lot 10 off US 12 and enter the grandstand through Gate 17, just behind the water tower. Portable restrooms will be available. Fans are also allowed to bring in coolers that meet the MIS grandstand policies for race weekend.(MIS)(5-17-2016)

Dover TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Dover earned a 2.2 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Sunday afternoon, down a tick from last year (2.3) and down a third from 2014 on the FOX broadcast network (3.3). The 2.2 is the lowest for the race in at least a decade, falling below last year. Sunday's race was the first in three weeks to post a decline in the metered markets. Kansas increased 20% the previous week and Talladega pulled even two weeks ago.(Sports Media Watch)(5-17-2016)

Richard Childress Racing announces promotion, new staff: Richard Childress Racing has promoted Jeremy Burleson to the newly created position of Vice President, Partnership Marketing and Communications and has added Carl Anderson and Jay Pennell to the team. Burleson, a Locust, N.C., native joined RCR in 2008 as partnership marketing manager. Since that time, his role has grown to include overseeing a staff of 12 marketing and communications professionals as the Managing Director of Marketing/Communications. In addition to Burleson's enhanced role, RCR has enriched the front office staff with the addition of Carl Anderson to the Business Development team and Jay Pennell to the Communications team.
Anderson joins RCR with an impressive academic background and sales experience. He previously served as a Corporate Sponsorship Account Executive at IMG College in Huntington, W.Va and also has group sales experience with the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.
Pennell joins RCR with significant experience and knowledge in the digital media and content arenas, which he will be utilizing to help produce and generate original content for RCR's digital space. His responsibilities also include management of the #33 XFINITY Series program with Brandon Jones. Pennell has been a writer for SB Nation, spent the past several years as the digital writer/editor for FOX Sports, and most recently was a freelance writer for NASCAR.com.(RCR)(5-17-2016)

Dover XFINITY TV Ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Dover had a 1.1 overnight rating on FOX Saturday afternoon, down a tick from last year (1.2) but up a tick from 2014 on ESPN (1.0). The 1.1 is the lowest for an Xfinity Series race on FOX since the network resumed airing races last year (seven telecasts).(Sports Media Watch)(5-17-2016)

Truck Series Entry List: There are 38 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Friday's NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A few notes:
David Levine is in the #1;
Austin Theriault is in the #2;
The #07 is TBA;
Kyle Busch is in the #18;
The #30 is listed TBA, but Jesse Little is expected to drive;
Caleb Holman is in the #75;
Brandon Jones is in the #99;
The #28 was entered, but withdrew;
(5-16-2016)
UPDATE: Andy Suess will drive the #1;
(5-17-2016)
See the complete list on the Charlotte entry list page.

Entry Lists for the Sprint Showdown and All-Star races at Charlotte Motor Speedway are posted -- 25 for the Showdown, 15 for the All-Star Race are listed.
The All-Star race will consist of 20 drivers -- 15 already entered, 3 who qualify by winning segments in the Sprint Showdown, and 2 voted in by fans.
See the complete entry lists on Jayski.com's Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race page

New rules coming for All-Star Race? UPDATE: More behind the scenes are the changes to the aero rules to try to improve the already much-better racing this season. There have been minor tweaks a few times this year, and it sounds as if there will be more set for the Sprint All-Star Race next week. "It seems everything is changing for that race -- we have race cars and the format is different," said Joey Logano when asked about the All-Star Race. "I am sure you guys in the media center will be plenty busy with plenty to write about." In light of the Logano remarks, it would seem that the NASCSAR drivers know something that hasn't been announced. NASCAR won't confirm nor deny that it will introduce new rules for the Sprint All-Star Race, but the garage is buzzing about a potential change that will impact the aerodynamics and side forces of the car. It wasn't clear if the changes Logano alluded to will be for the All-Star Race this year, will be used in points events or looking ahead to 2017. NASCAR last year had hoped to experiment with some new rules for 2016 at the 2015 All-Star Race and then scrapped that decision.(ESPN.com)(5-15-2016)
UPDATE: Updates to the current rules package aimed at reducing both downforce and side force will be in place this weekend when NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams travel to Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete in the Sprint Showdown and Sprint All-Star race. According to Gene Stefanyshyn, senior vice president of innovation and racing development for the sanctioning body, three areas have been addressed with the updates. They involve truck trailing arm and crossmember assembly, electric fans used for cooling purposes on the cars and rear wheel toe alignment.The trailing arm issue was actually addressed previously with a change put into place before the series competed earlier this month at Kansas Speedway. Teams must now weld truck trailing arm mounting brackets (and mounting tabs, if used) to prevent movement. That change will remain in place for the remainder of the 2016 season.
Limiting the number of cooling fans will provide "a good efficiency improvement as far as managing or attenuating some costs ... and it also gave us a downforce reduction," he said. "So it was a win-win. Some of those fans were driving things like bigger fans, bigger alternators, bigger batteries ... that kind of thing."
Rear toe alignment changes will decrease the amount of skew (slant) allowed in a car's setup. "We currently allow them to set up the car with some skew that provides not only a turning advantage but also a side force advantage," he said. "Usually the way a team would set that up is on the right side they take 0.6 degrees of toe out and on the left side they do about 0.3 degrees of toe in. We're going to change the specifications so it's going to be neutral; it will be zero setup. That will take some of the skew out of the car, which will take some of the side force off the car." It is also expected to reduce corner speeds approximately 3 mph at a track such as Charlotte. Because the Sprint All-Star Race is a non-points event, it provides officials and teams the opportunity to observe the impact of the changes without the fear of upsetting the integrity of the regular season. "Depending on how the journey goes and what we find out, that could be something we could consider for '17."(NASCAR.com)(5-16-2016)

Kahne fails post-race inspection: Kasey Kahne's #5 Chevrolet failed post-race laser inspection station and will be taken to the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, North Carolina, for further evaluation. If penalties are warranted, they will be announced later this week.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-16-2016)

Johnson had no indication something was wrong with the car: #48-Johnson started the accident on lap 355 at Dover when his car would not go into gear on the restart. He talked about what happend:
AT WHAT POINT DID YOU REALIZE SOMETHING WAS WRONG?
Johnson: "As soon as I went from second and tried to go to third, I kind of got up into the neutral gate of the transmission and didn't even go to third. It stopped before it ever went to third. And then I tried fourth and third and fourth and eventually I got hit from behind. There was a long pause there where I was trying to, I thought maybe I missed a shift; but it wouldn't go in gear. Martin (Truex, Jr.) was good and patient with me. He gave me a couple of opportunities to try to find a gear and it just locked out and wouldn't go into gear for some reason. It was still that way at the end and I couldn't drive the car and I don't think I'm all that damaged, but unfortunately I lost a shot at winning and I hate to see all those cars tore up."
DID YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES EARLIER IN THE RACE?
Johnson: "No, nothing. And in my career, I've never had a transmission do that to me. I've had them kind of lock out of reverse at a test session or even in the garage area or something, but to lockout and not go across the gate and then no gear available is something I've never had before."
TAKE US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED ON THE RESTART:
Johnson: "I got a great start in second gear. As I went to put it in third (gear) and came across the shifting gate it never went into third. It actually got locked in the neutral area of the transmission. I had plenty of time. Martin (Truex, Jr.) was plenty patient with me and I was trying to get third and I couldn't. I tried for fourth and third and fourth and I finally got hit. Just a freak deal with something with the transmission. I've never had that happen to me in my career."
Chevy Racing PR)(5-16-2016)

Roush not likely to move back to 4 cars soon: Now that the organization is headed back in the right direction when it comes to their performance, Roush president Steve Newmark said Sunday the focus is on the immediate future of fighting for a Chase berth and not what their driver lineup is going to be. With three drivers running full-time in the XFINITY Series, three more under their banner in Cup, and Chris Buescher on loan to Front Row Motorsports, decisions will soon have to be made of who is running where. When the company felt [Buescher] was ready to be in Cup instead of running a third year in the XFINITY Series, they coordinated with Bob Jenkins and Front Row, who Buescher was already familiar with, to compete in their camp. In a perfect world, admitted Newmark, Roush will get him back under their roof sooner rather than later. "There's a combination of factors that will go into that," he said. "Ideally, we'll have him in one of our cars in the next few years, but I think the focus right now is we got to get him running better in the 34." Under NASCAR's new ownership rules of only being able to run four full-time cars, plus the addition of the Charter System this year, Roush has been in a box. The chance of ever going back to four full-time cars looks slim, but Newmark won't close the door on any possibility. "Jack would rather run 10 cars; he would run as many cars as he would be enabled," Newmark joked. "It really will depend exactly on the driver, sponsorship, and then now you also have to have a charter, so I don't think we would run a (fourth) full-time, but you never know."(Popular Speed)(5-16-2016)

Dover Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2016 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 1:00 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:07 PM (all times are EDT). FS1 was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 121
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 56
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 102
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 53
Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 19
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 12
Number of times Fox utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 4
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 116
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 4 min. 40 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 1:00 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:07 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 247
Minutes of race broadcast: 207
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 40
Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 10
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1
Total race brdcst time 207 Total comm. brdcst time 40
See past races, more info on the commercials with links at CawsnJaws.com.(5-15-2016)

Truck Series Entry List: There are 38 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Friday's NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A few notes:
David Levine is in the #1;
Austin Theriault is in the #2;
The #07 is TBA;
Kyle Busch is in the #18;
The #30 is listed TBA, but Jesse Little is expected to drive;
Caleb Holman is in the #75;
Brandon Jones is in the #99;
The #28 was entered, but withdrew;
(5-16-2016)
See the complete list on the Charlotte entry list page.

Self to honor fallen soldier at Charlotte: The NASCAR Community has always carried infinite respect for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. On Friday, Austin Wayne Self and the #22 AM Technical Solutions Toyota team will carry on that tradition and honor fallen soldier, Army Sgt., Brett Gornewicz, with a special paint scheme during the NASCAR Truck Series, North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Serving his country in the U.S. Army starting in 2006, Sgt. Gornewicz, paid the ultimate sacrifice to his country on November 3, 2012, when he was one of three U.S. servicemen killed by an IED while working in the Paktia Province of Afghanistan as part of Operation: Enduring Freedom. Austin Wayne Self, a rookie driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will honor Army Specialist Gornewicz, carrying the colors of 'The Brett Gornewicz Foundation' on the Lower hood and bed cover of his Toyota Tundra truck. 'The Brett Gornewicz Foundation' was founded by four fellow servicemen, whom Gornewicz, served with during his first tour in Iraq. The foundation was founded to help raise money to support veterans in the Western New York area - Sgt. Gornewicz was a native of Buffalo, New York. After hearing of Brett's tribute at Charlotte Motor Speedway, family friends and owners of TuboPro Inc., joined the cause, donating all the Goodyear tires used by Austin Wayne Self during the North Carolina Education Lottery 200.(See an image of the truck on the #22 Team Paint Schemes page)(Austin Wayne Self Racing)(5-16-2016)

ThorSport, Rhodes team up with USA Cares: Alpha Energy Solutions, ThorSport Racing, and Ben Rhodes are honored to announce they have joined forces with USA Cares, a non-profit organization based in Radcliff, KY, to grow awareness of veteran and military families in crisis for two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) races in 2016. USA Cares, which exists to help bear the burdens of service by providing post-9/11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need, will adorn the #41 Toyota Tundra driven by Rhodes at both Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway on May 20, and Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway on October 1. Rhodes will also continue to run the USA Cares decal on the B-Post of his Tundra for the remainder of the 2016 NCWTS season as he competes for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and the series championship title. USA Cares is committed to its mission of providing financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 active duty U.S. military service personnel, veterans and their families. USA Cares was launched through a grassroots partnership between the management of WAVE-3 TV (NBC) in Louisville, Kentucky; Kroger Food Stores - Mid-South Division; and the Fort Knox Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. The organization was dubbed Kentuckian Cares with a goal to raise funds to help military families in financial crisis through the sale of "Support Our Troops" yard signs. While $121,000 was raised, the need for assistance proved to be greater than the original initiative could meet. In October 2003, a new 501(c)(3), national organization now known as USA Cares was created with a toll-free call center to process the increasing number of requests for assistance.Today, almost 13 years later, USA Cares has responded to over 80,000 requests for assistance with over $11.8 million in indirect-support grants in all 50 states for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard clients. Through their fast response for assistance, application screening process, and the leverage they have with other organizations to provide assistance, USA Cares goal is to help restore financial stability and self-sufficiency by giving "a hand up." The organization strives to reach families at the earliest stage of intervention to prevent further financial distress and suffering, especially for the combat injured and their families.(See an image of the truck on the #41 Team Paint Schemes page)(ThorSport Racing)(5-16-2016)

O'Reilly Auto Parts sponsoring Spring race at Texas: O'Reilly Auto Parts and Texas Motor Speedway have signed a multi-year agreement for the national automotive aftermarket retailing leader to serve as the race entitlement sponsor for the annual April NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the world-renowned motorsports facility beginning in 2017. O'Reilly Auto Parts will be linking its brand to the state's best-attended, single-day sporting event and the Sprint Cup Series' third-highest paying race in the newly named O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 that will be held Sunday, April 9, 2017. The O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 will be the signature race entitlement of the deal, but the company also will continue its title sponsorship of the annual November XFINITY Series race at Texas Motor Speedway to ensure a year-round presence in a top-five metropolitan market. The current O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge XFINITY Series race that is part of a NASCAR tripleheader in November will be rebranded the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 beginning in 2017. The O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 XFINITY Series race is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2017.In addition to the traditional branding assets in race entitlement agreements, O'Reilly Auto Parts will continue as the "Official Auto Parts Supplier of Texas Motor Speedway" and own exclusive status in the auto parts store category.(Texas Motor Speedway)(5-16-2016)

Matt Kenseth wins at Dover: #20-Matt Kenseth won the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway for his 1st win of the season, 3rd win at Dover and 37th career win. Kenseth lead 48 of the 400 laps.
#42-Larson finished 2nd (which ties his career-best finish) followed by #24-Elliott (his career best), #5-Kahne, #41-Busch, #2-Keselowski, #11-Hamlin, #21-Blaney, #78-Truex, Jr., and #10-Bayne.
Pole sitter #4-Harvick dominated early in the race, leading 117 laps on the day, but finished 15th.
There was an 11 minute red flag for track cleanup with 46 laps to go. On a restart, #48-Johnson was leading but the car stuck in gear, causing #78-Truex, Jr to run into the back of him. The rest of the field, coming up to speed, piled into one another blocking the track. 18 cars were involved.
There were 19 lead changes among 10 drivers and 12 cautions for 65 yellow flag laps.
The average speed was 109.348mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more [NOTE: money/winnings are no longer reported] at:
Unofficial Race Results page (pdf)
Lap Summary Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Pit Stop Times (pdf)
(5-15-2016)

Race Fast Facts - Dover International Speedway:
Matt Kenseth won the 47th Annual AAA 400 Drive For Autism, his 37th victory in 590 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his third victory and 23rd top-10 finish in 35 races at Dover International Speedway.
Kyle Larson (second) posted his fourth top-10 finish in five races at Dover International Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2016.
Chase Elliott (third) posted his first top-10 finish in one races at Dover International Speedway.
Chase Elliott (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kevin Harvick leads the point standings by 21 points over Kyle Busch.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-15-2016)

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Points (not CHASE) Standings:
[after Dover, race 12 of 36]
1) #4-Harvick [1 win], 418
2) #18-Busch, [3 wins], 397, -21
3) #41-Busch, 386, -32
4) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 381, -37
5) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 370, -48
6) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 368, -50
7) #24-Elliott, 341, -77
8) #22-Logano, 340, -78
9) #78-Truex Jr., 336, -82
10) #3-Dillon, 315, -103
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup CHASE Standings:
[after Dover, race 12 of 36, 16 drivers for the Chase]
Set by most wins, then by points standing
1) #18-Busch [3 wins], 2nd in driver points
2) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 4th
3) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 5th
4) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 6th
5) #4-Harvick [1 win], 1st
6) #20-Kenseth [1 win], 12th
7) #11-Hamlin [1 win], 13th
no wins, in by drivers points standings
8) #41-Busch, 386
9) #24-Elliott, 341
10) #22-Logano, 340
11) #78-Truex, Jr., 336
12) #3-Dillon, 315
13) #88-Earnhardt Jr., 314
14) #1-McMurray, 296
15) #21-Blaney, 288
16) #5-Kahne, 286
(5-15-2016)

New rules coming for All-Star Race? More behind the scenes are the changes to the aero rules to try to improve the already much-better racing this season. There have been minor tweaks a few times this year, and it sounds as if there will be more set for the Sprint All-Star Race next week. "It seems everything is changing for that race -- we have race cars and the format is different," said Joey Logano when asked about the All-Star Race. "I am sure you guys in the media center will be plenty busy with plenty to write about." In light of the Logano remarks, it would seem that the NASCSAR drivers know something that hasn't been announced. NASCAR won't confirm nor deny that it will introduce new rules for the Sprint All-Star Race, but the garage is buzzing about a potential change that will impact the aerodynamics and side forces of the car. It wasn't clear if the changes Logano alluded to will be for the All-Star Race this year, will be used in points events or looking ahead to 2017. NASCAR last year had hoped to experiment with some new rules for 2016 at the 2015 All-Star Race and then scrapped that decision.(ESPN.com)(5-15-2016)

McMurray still sore from practice crash: #1-Jamie McMurray was still tender on Saturday - one day after he plowed into the wall at Dover International Speedway. McMurray found himself at the wrong place at the wrong time after Danica Patrick's rear end gear failed and saturated the exit of Turn 4 with grease. The driver of the #1 McDonald's Chevy hit the grease and shot into the wall - sans SAFER barrier - before sliding down the front stretch and coming to a stop on the inside wall just short of the exit of pit road. "My elbow is still real sore, but that doesn't bother me as much as my ribs," McMurray told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. "My ribs hurt really bad today. Obviously, when you get in the seat, the part of the seat that pushes on your ribs is the part you still feel right now. To Dover's credit, the track added 479 feet of SAFER barrier in Turn 3 prior to this weekend. But that was of little consolation to McMurray - or Tony Stewart, who hit the grease and the wall just prior to the #1 car. "That's unacceptable in this day and time that we have a straight-away - especially at a track like Dover on the outside where we've seen just crazy big hits," McMurray said. "I have no idea why they don't have that. I assume that we'll have that by the fall. But yeah, it's unacceptable that they don't have that they don't have that right now."(Motorsport)(5-15-2016)

Crew member lawsuit against Michael Waltrip Racing will continue: A Mecklenburg County judge has ruled against Michael Waltrip Racing's motions to dismiss claims in a lawsuit by a former front tire changer. Brandon Hopkins sued the now-defunct Cornelius-based motorsports team last year. He claims he was fired after taking a leave for surgery from a shoulder injury he suffered when he was hit by a car during a NASCAR race. He contends team officials "blacklisted" him after his surgery by falsely accusing him of stealing a pit gun used to remove lug nuts. As a result, he lost an unpaid internship with another NASCAR Sprint Cup team and paid work with a NASCAR Truck Series team, Hopkins says in the lawsuit filed by Charlotte lawyer Joshua Van Kampen in Mecklenburg County Superior Court. Hopkins sued for damages, citing breach of contract, defamation, intentional interference with a contract and violating the N.C. blacklisting statute and federal Americans with Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act. The team's lawyers wanted a judge to dismiss claims Hopkins sought under the two federal acts, but Judge Louis Bledsoe allowed the case to proceed.(Charlotte Observer)(5-15-2016)

Dover Race Notes & Facts:
· There have been 92 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover International Speedway, one race in 1969 and 1970, two races per year since 1971.
· 386 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway; 282 in more than one.
· Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at Dover in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 18: Jimmie Johnson (10), Jeff Gordon (five), Geoff Bodine (one), Ken Schrader (one) and Ricky Rudd (one).
· Nine different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Dover; led by Chevrolet with 38 victories; followed by Ford with 25 and Toyota with two.
· Five of the 92 (5.4%) 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)
· The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Dover is 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 have been two 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) and spring of 2015 (400/405).
· Not one of the 92 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover International Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions.
(NASCAR)

Final practice for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 157.329
#4-Harvick 156.447
#18-Busch 156.365
#41-Busch 155.777
#24-Elliott 155.696
slowest: #98-Whitt 150.100 & #30-Wise 147.559.
most laps run: #1-McMurray & #48-Johnson, 62 laps
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Dover Practice 3 Speeds page (pdf).(5-14-2016)

New number for Kyle Busch at All-Star race: M&M's Racing announced Friday on their Facebook page that Kyle Busch will drive the #75 at the Sprint All Star Race in Charlotte. The number honors M&M's 75th anniversary. See an image of the car on the #18 team paint schemes page.(5-13-2016)

Kerry, Teresa Earnhardt in battle over last name UPDATE: Teresa Earnhardt, known for being staunchly protective of the Dale Earnhardt brand and marks, is trying to keep a couple from using "Earnhardt" in the name of homes they developed. That couple? Dale Earnhardt's son Kerry Earnhardt and Kerry's wife, Rene. Teresa Earnhardt, Kerry's stepmother and Dale's widow, doesn't want the couple to use the name Earnhardt Collection and filed an appeal last week in federal court over a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruling that denied Teresa's challenge to the "Earnhardt Collection" trademark applied for by Kerry Earnhardt Inc.
"Rene and I have worked extremely hard to develop the Earnhardt Collection brand and make it uniquely ours," Kerry Earnhardt said in a statement to ESPN.com "I chose to leave a successful career in racing and could not be happier with what we've been able to achieve in the five years we've been building our home lifestyle brand inspired by our love of the outdoors."
Teresa Earnhardt didn't testify in the [trademark] case but states in her appeal that the name Earnhardt Collection is likely to deceive or cause confusion among people that the homes and products are endorsed by Dale Earnhardt or by her. Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, daughter of Dale and second wife Brenda Jackson, testified that no one has confused the Earnhardt Collection of being associated with her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr.(ESPN.com)(5-7-2016)
UPDATE: Teresa Earnhardt has battled for four years to try to get her stepson Kerry Earnhardt to change the name for a collection of homes Kerry and his wife design and promote through the "Earnhardt Collection" brand. Why? Her attorneys issued a statement approved by Dale Earnhardt Inc., which has been solely owned by Teresa since the seven-time Sprint Cup champion's death on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. "The naming of any project called 'Earnhardt Collection' causes confusion as being associated with Dale Earnhardt, as the Dale Earnhardt brands and marks are so diverse across multiple industries and philanthropic causes. ... [And it] could be used to exclude Dale Earnhardt Inc., the designated steward of Dale's legacy, from the same use," law firm Alston & Bird said in its statement. It went on to say it has not requested any payment from Kerry Earnhardt. "By not coordinating these [trademark] activities rightfully, these individuals and entities fail to recognize the true legacy of Dale Earnhardt," the statement said about anyone who attempts to use the Dale Earnhardt and Earnhardt marks. Could there be a settlement? Well, take this for what it's worth: A Kerry Earnhardt filing Thursday stated that Kerry and his wife are open to mediation. Teresa? Her filing states: "The parties have to date been unable to settle their dispute. Further mediation would not be fruitful."(ESPN.com)(5-14-2016)

Logano not angry with Hamlin after Kansas accident: #22-Joey Logano was caught in a late-race accident at Kansas Speedway when #11-Hamlin tried to go between #2-Keselowski and #42-Larson, but spun out. Friday at Dover, Logano was asked if he was mad about the incident:
Logano:"I feel like I am one of the hardest races out there and I would be quite the hypocrite if I asked why he was racing so hard. If you ask me, that is what fans show up to the race track to see. They come to watch a race. They expect us to race. They don't expect us to just say, 'oh, go ahead'. They expect us to race and that is what they pay money to see. I am going to race hard. I know that. I have done that in the past and I will continue to do that. When Denny made that move I didn't blame him. He made a run on the backstretch and had to do something with it. He got in a bad aero spot and both of them got loose. It happens. It is racing. I am not going to say, 'Hey, why did you do that?' We are racing and these things are hard to drive. We are going to make mistakes. There is a win on the line and it is a big deal, it is hard to do at the Sprint Cup level and anytime you have a shot it is expected out of us, not just from the fans but from the teams to go out and make the most of it and make it happen. When I look at Denny's move, I would do the same thing if I was him so I don't really have any room to speak."(Toyota Racing)(5-14-2016)

Special scheme for Kahne at Daytona: Great Clips has teamed up with Seattle Children's Hospital to celebrate the creative spirit of the cancer patients that are benefitting from monies raised by Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson and NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne at The Drive - a private charity concert, auction and celebrity-amateur golf event. The world's largest salon brand gave four patients the opportunity to design the Hendrick Motorsports #5 Great Clips Chevrolet SS for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway on July 2nd. Great Clips provided crayons for the participants and encouraged them to be creative and express themselves with their designs. The top-four designs were chosen personally by Kahne and fans selected the final winning design. See an image of the car on the #5 team paint schemes page.(5-13-2016)

Dover Driver Notes & Facts:
· Ricky Rudd leads the series in starts at Dover with 56. Matt Kenseth leads all active drivers with 34 starts; followed by Tony Stewart with 33.
· 64 drivers have made their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career first start at Dover International Speedway.
· Three NSCS 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).
· Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Dover with a 9.786
· Five drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Dover International Speedway; only two active drivers have accomplished the feat: Matt Kenseth (06/02/02) and Michael Waltrip (06/03/1991).
· 35 different drivers have won at Dover International Speedway, led by Jimmie Johnson with 10 wins (2002 sweep, fall 2005, 2009 sweep, 2010 fall, spring 2012, fall 2013, spring of 2014 and spring of 2015).
· 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).
· 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.
· Kevin Harvick leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Dover without visiting Victory Lane at 29.
· Two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at Dover International Speedway: Martin Truex Jr. (06/04/07) and Jody Ridley (5/17/81).
· Mark Martin leads the series in runner-up finishes at Dover with eight; followed by Dale Earnhardt with five. Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart lead all active drivers with three each.
· Mark Martin leads the series in top-five finishes at Dover with 24; followed by Dale Earnhardt with 19. Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth lead all active drivers with 15 each.
· Mark Martin leads the series in top-10 finishes at Dover with 33; followed by Richard Petty, Ricky Rudd and Jeff Gordon with 26 each. Matt Kenseth leads all active drivers with 22.
· Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Dover with a 9.071.
· Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Dover with 2,999 laps led in 28 starts.
· If Jimmie Johnson leads one lap 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.
· Two female drivers have competed at Dover International Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie and Danica Patrick.
(NASCAR)

Bubba Wallace's 2nd is best for African American driver: #6-Darrell Wallace Jr. posted the highest finish for an African-American driver in the Xfinity Series by placing second Saturday in the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway. Wallace, a 22-year-old Roush Fenway Racing driver, is the only African-American to win a NASCAR national series race besides Wendell Scott, who won a Sprint Cup race in 1963 at Jacksonville. Wallace won five times in the Camping World Truck Series in 2013 and 2014. Before Saturday, Wallace had twice placed third in Xfinity, NASCAR's top feeder series. He finished seventh in the Xfinity Series standings last year and is ninth in the standings this year, with three top-10s in 10 races.(ESPN.com)(5-14-2016)

Erik Jones wins XFINITY race at Dover: #20-Erik Jones won the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway. It is his 4th XFINITY Series win and 2nd of the year. He led 76 of the 140 laps in the main event. #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr. finished second, followed by #88-Alex Bowman, #7-Justin Allgaier, #3-Ty Dillon, #1-Elliott Sadler, #22-Joey Logano, #18-Matt Tifft, #19-Daniel Suarez, and #48-Brennan Poole.
Jones also won the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus
There were 2 cautions for 10 laps and 4 lead changes among 3 leaders.
The average speed was 122.867mph.
Complete results are on the Dover race results page (pdf).
(5-14-2016)

Dover XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Erik Jones won the 35th Annual Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200, his fourth victory in 36 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his second victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in two races at Dover International Speedway.
Darrell Wallace Jr (second) posted his first top-10 finish in four races at Dover International Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2016.
Alex Bowman (third) posted his first top-10 finish in five races at Dover International Speedway.
Erik Jones (first) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 3 points over Daniel Suarez.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-14-2016)

XFINITY Driver standings following Dover:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler [1 win], 349
2) #19-Daniel Suarez, 346, -4
3) #3-Ty Dillon, 319, -30
4) #7-Justin Allgaier, 317, -32
5) #20-Erik Jones [2 wins], 309, -40
6) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 305, -44
7) #33-Brandon Jones, 290, -59
8) #48-Brennan Poole, 282, -67
9) #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 268, -81
10) #16-Ryan Reed, 244, -105
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(5-14-2016)

Justin Allgaier on XFINITY pole for main event at Dover: Following the two 40 lap heat races, #7-Justin Allgaier will start from the pole for the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover. He gets the pole by winning the first heat race and having the fastest qualifying time. #3-Ty Dillon will start second after winning the second heat.
The rest of the top 10 starters: #20-Erik Jones, #19-Daniel Suarez, #88-Alex Bowman, #39-Ryan Sieg, #22-Joey Logano, #18-Matt Tifft, #2-Paul Menard, and #33-Brandon Jones.
The starting lineup is posted on the Dover starting lineup page (pdf).(5-14-2016)

Ty Dillon wins XFINITY Heat 2 at Dover: #3-Ty Dillon won the second heat race for the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway. He took the lead on the restart with 5 laps to go and held on for the win.
#19-Daniel Suarez was second, followed by: #39-Ryan Sieg, #18-Matt Tifft, #33-Brandon Jones, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #43-Jeb Burton, #4-Ross Chastain, #51-Jeremy Clements, and #07-Ray Black, Jr..
There was 1 caution for an accident by #42-Justin Marks. Due to damage to the car, he will not start the main event.
#7-Justin Allgaier, who won the first heat, will start the main event from the pole because he had a faster qualifying time than #3-Ty Dillon. Finishers of this heat race will lineup on the outside of the feature in even-numbered starting positions.
#3-Ty Dillon and #19-Daniel Suarez, the top 2 XFINITY regulars in the heat, will join #7-Justin Allgaier and #20-Erik Jones in running for the Dash 4 Cash bonus in the main.
Results are posted on the Dover XFINITY Series Heat 2 results page (pdf).(5-14-2016)

Erik Jones fastest in XFINITY qualifying at Dover: #20-Erik Jones won the Coors Light pole for the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 157.102mph.
Qualifying sets the field for the two heat races. Odd-numbered qualifiers will run in the first heat race, even-numbered qualifiers in the second.
Top 5 starters in the first heat race: #20-Erik Jones, #7-Justin Allgaier, #88-Alex Bowman, #2-Paul Menard, and #48-Brennan Poole
Top 5 starters in the second heat race: #19-Daniel Suarez, #1-Elliott Sadler, #3-Ty Dillon, #18-Matt Tifft, #39-Ryan Sieg.
Result of the heat races will determine the lineup for the 120 lap main event.
Did Not Qualify: None.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Dover qualifying results page (pdf), Heat 1 lineup (pdf) and the Heat 2 lineup (pdf).(4-16-2016)

Dover Qualifying Notes:
Erik Jones won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 35th Annual Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 with a lap of 22.915 seconds, 157.102 mph.
This is his sixth pole in 36 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his third pole and 10th top-10 start in 2016.
This is his first pole in two races at Dover International Speedway.
Daniel Suarez (second) posted his 10th top-10 start of 2016 and his second in three races at Dover International Speedway.
Justin Allgaier (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his fifth in ten races this season.
Erik Jones (first) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-14-2016)

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism 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 #88-Earnhardt, Jr. took pit stall 9, the first pit stall with an opening in front of it.
#18-Busch, who starts 3rd took the 8th pit stall, with an opening behind it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #41-Busch, who starts 9th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com's Pit Stall Selection chart.(5-14-2016)

Dover qualifying rained out; Harvick on pole: #4-Kevin Harvick will start from the pole for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway after qualifying was canceled due to rain at the track. The field was set according to the rule book with Friday practice determining the lineup. #88-Earnhardt, Jr. will start second, followed by #18-Busch, #19-Edwards, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #11-Hamlin, #78-Truex, Jr., #31-Newman, #41-Busch, and #20-Kenseth.
With 40 teams entered, everyone made the race.
See the complete starting lineup on the Dover Starting Lineup page (pdf).(5-13-2016)

Parts failure leads accident with Patrick, Stewart, McMurray: A gear failure sent #10-Danica Patrick into a fiery spin, triggering a three-car accident that resulted in Tony Stewart and Jamie McMurray spinning in the oil left by Patrick's car and hitting the wall hard in the opening minutes of practice Friday at Dover International Speedway. Stewart, who missed the first eight races this year because of a broken back, walked gingerly after getting out of the car. Patrick said she was fine and that McMurray was nursing a sore elbow. Zipadelli said the Patrick car blew a rear-end gear and that SHR driver Kurt Busch experienced a vibration at the start of practice. The team plans to change gears in its other cars.
Stewart and McMurray hit outside walls on the frontstretch that are not covered by energy-absorbing barrier. Dover added 479 feet of SAFER barrier on the inside backstretch wall and on the inside of Turn 3 prior to the race weekend as that area was identified as needing immediate attention. There are SAFER barriers on the inside wall down the frontstretch but only in the turns. NASCAR conducted a safety review of all tracks to help develop a plan to add SAFER barriers where deemed necessary. "It shouldn't even be a question whether or not tracks have SAFER barrier all the way around," Patrick said. "It should be mandatory. It shouldn't be a financial decision." Six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said he assumed that every wall had a SAFER barrier at Dover but understood the philosophy that the drivers run up against the wall on the frontstretch at the track. He said drivers would adjust to a new groove if Dover added a SAFER barrier to that portion of the track. "The outside wall doesn't bother me too much that it doesn't have the SAFER barrier on it," Johnson said. "It's not like a mile and a half where we have the D-shaped front straightaway and you actually get away from the wall and, if something went wrong, have a terrible angle at the wall. "With all that said, I'd take a soft wall over a hard wall any day in any situation. ... I'm not overly concerned here. I guess I understand why there isn't on the frontstretch here."(ESPN.com)(5-12-2016)

First Friday practice for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over after 80 minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#4-Harvick 165.145
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 164.707
#18-Busch 164.489
#19-Edwards 164.144
#17-Stenhouse, Jr. 163.815
slowest: #32-Earnhardt 152.879 & #30-Wise 151.471.
most laps run: #44-Scott 21
notes: Patrick lost a rear end gear on her car early, laying oil down on the track and briefly catching her car on fire. Stewart and McMurray ran through the oil and also hit the wall. All three drivers will need backup cars. Practice was red-flagged for more than 35 minutes for track cleanup.
Qualifying is scheduled for this afternoon at 3:45pm/et and will be televised on FS1 and covered via radio by MRN/SiriusXM.
If rain cancels qualifying, the starting lineup will be set by speeds from this practice. There are 40 teams entered, so no one will miss the race.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Dover Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf).(5-13-2016)

Qualifying Order for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted. 40 cars/drivers are listed.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #14-Stewart.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #11-Hamlin.
The order is set by a random draw, how cars park on pit road before they qualify, held about an hour before the first practice.
After the first round, the cars line up by speed.
See the full qualifying order on Jayski.com's Dover Qualifying Order Page (pdf).(5-14-2016)

Newman uncertain of future with Richard Childress Racing UPDATE: Ryan Newman and car owner Richard Childress both offered little on Newman's future with Richard Childress Racing on Wednesday. Newman signed a three-year contact to drive for the team beginning with the 2014 season. This is Newman's third year with the organization. No extension on Newman's contract has been announced. With RCR at three cars and Ty Dillon, Childress' grandson, on the path to move to Cup, the question is what RCR's driver lineup will be next year if it doesn't find sponsorship to expand to four cars. "I'll keep doing this as long as somebody wants me to do it and it's fun doing it," Newman said of his future. Asked about next year's driver lineup, Childress said: "We're not looking at anything right now. We've got to focus and focus hard on trying to go out and win races. That's our No. 1 focus right now." Although Newman has yet to win at RCR, he finished second in the points in 2014 and was 11th last year. He enters this weekend's race at Dover International Speedway 17th in the points. Will winning change if he is back at RCR? "I have no idea," Newman said.(NBC Sports)(5-12-2016)
UPDATE: Certainly, RCR's future inexorably linked to Chidress' grandsons - Austin and Ty Dillon. #3-Austin is currently leading the charge in the Sprint Cup Series. The 26-year-old racer won titles in both the truck and Xfinity Series prior to graduating to Cup, where he is currently eight in the standings. Veterans #31-Ryan Newman (17th) and #27-Paul Menard (24th) have flirted with the Chase zone throughout the first 11 races but both have been plagued with bad luck along the way. Newman, 38, is in the final season of a three-year contract. Galida confirmed Newman's acknowledgement that his sponsor Caterpillar is "a long-term contract." Menard, who turns 36 in August and controls his own sponsorship, structures his deal on a year-to-year basis. Galida told motorsport.com that RCR has "a timeline that we're working towards," when it comes to finalizing driver lineups for 2017. "We'll start moving on that fairly quickly," Galida said. "I just can't discuss the details. Our goal is to put Ty in a fourth car. That's what we're working on. We have a good relationship with all of our car partners."(Motorsport)(5-13-2016)

Hornish staying busy without racing: During his eight years as an open-wheel racer, from 2000 until he jumped to NASCAR in '08, Sam Hornish, Jr. was a mighty goliath, reaching the podium a staggering 47 times-19 on the very top step-while claiming three series championships. "That was just about a perfect fit for me, as far as car and driver and racing style," Hornish says. "Like a glove." You'd think a guy that good would be trying to line up on the starting grid for the centennial edition of the Indy 500. But Hornish isn't about that life anymore. He hung up his helmet at the end of last season, after an eight-year run in stock cars that fell well short of his open-wheel standard. The setbacks might've been easier to handle if Hornish weren't so insular, anxiety riddled and self-flogging on the job. So in late-November 2015, after finishing 25th at the Cup season finale at Homestead, Hornish unharnessed himself one last time and exhaled. He hasn't peeked in his rearview mirror much since. There's no need. Life after racing has kept Hornish in a spiraling heel-toe dance. When his daughters' school let it slip that they were having problems drafting substitute teachers, Hornish volunteered. "I've gotten to do everything from music to gym to pre-calculus," says the man who views his supervisory services-which have taken him from pre-K classes up through high school. Hornish's only regret, really, is that his wife, Crystal, is the only member of his brood who's witnessed his triumphant moments at the track in the flesh. "The kids were all born after my IndyCar career, and they weren't at the NASCAR races I happened to win either." So he's carting the whole gang along back to Indy for this year's 500 to ride in the parade and revel in many, many other pre-race festivities.(Sports Illustrated)(5-13-2016)

Romain Grosjean could run a NASCAR race this summer UPDATE: Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean's debut in NASCAR could happen as early as this summer, after Stewart-Haas Racing revealed it is now working on a plan to get the Frenchman a race entry. "We may give it a go. I think it would be really cool," he said after sitting in a Sprint Cup car on the day he was announced as a Haas F1 driver. "It's definitely on our wish list," Joe Custer, chief operating officer of Haas F1 said. "We just have to make it work - whether it be this year, next year, whenever that is. We're not sure. He's made it clear that he wouldn't want his debut to be on an oval - where he's never done it before. There's so much going on. We have to figure out the testing opportunities and all the things that would make it a success." Either road course race on the Sprint Cup schedule would be ideal for the 30-year-old racer with Sonoma (June 26) and Watkins Glen (August 7) both during off weeks for F1. But while Sonoma falls at the end of the Canada/Baku back-to-back run, the Glen race falls in the middle of the F1's summer break between the German GP (July 31) and the Belgian GP on August 28. "I'm not sure when it would happen, but it's on our list," explained Custer. "We would like to have him test. He would be a rookie. I don't think there are any barriers to any of this. We just have to figure it out and get it on the schedule. Then, five cars or four cars? Or does he work with another team in the garage. All of that. We have to work out the details and have enough time to make it happen."(Motorsport)(5-9-2016)
UPDATE: Romain Grosjean believes that his best chance of making his NASCAR debut will come at the Sonoma road course race at the end of June. Grosjean expressed an interest in trying out NASCAR after joining Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Gene Haas' new Formula 1 operation for its debut season in 2016. "When it's going to happen, I don't know. It's 21 races, it's quite a tight schedule already in Formula 1. Of course you don't want to start on an oval, I wouldn't feel very comfortable." Grosjean's best opportunities for a road course appearance come with the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on June 26 and the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen on August 7. However, the race at The Glen would cut into F1's summer break. "That's a problem," Grosjean said. "Sonoma is better I think." Should Grosjean be able to make his debut though, it would not come with Stewart-Haas Racing. NASCAR rules only allow four cars per team and no exceptions for rookie drivers as used to be the case. A possible scenario for Grosjean would be racing with the SHR-supported HScott Motorsports team.(NBC Sports)(5-13-2016)

Dover Pole Notes & Facts:
· David Pearson won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Dover in 1969 with a speed of 130.430 mph.
· 39 drivers have Coors Light poles at Dover, led by David Pearson with six. Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in poles with four (2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007).
· 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 92 (14.1%) 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 92 (30.4%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover have been won from the front row: 13 from the pole and 15 from second-place.
· 71 of the 92 (77.1%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Dover have been won from a top-10 starting position.
· 87 of the 92 (94.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Dover have been won from a top-20 starting position.
· Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Dover International Speedway six times: fall of 1984, spring of 2001, fall of 2003, spring of 2005, spring of 2011 and fall of 2015.
(NASCAR)

Sad News - David Wheeler: Mr. David Vincent Wheeler, Sr., 74, of Belmont, NC passed away in the afternoon, Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia, NC. Born in Charlotte, NC in 1941, he was the second child of the late Howard A. "Humpy" Wheeler, Sr. and Kathleen Dobbins Wheeler. For almost 30 years, he enjoyed a successful career at Charlotte Motor Speedway (brother Humpy Wheeler).(Charlotte Observer) (5-13-2016)

Sad News - Francis Edward Allen: Francis Edward Allen, 79, of Concord, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2016, at the Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis, NC. Mr. Allen worked in NASCAR for over 30 years before becoming Owner/Operator of a CARQUEST Auto Parts store in Denver, NC.(Charlotte Observer)(5-13-2016)

Daniel Suarez fastest in XFINITY happy hour: #19-Daniel Suarez was quickest during happy hour for the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 with a speed of 156.733mph. He was followed by: #20-Erik Jones, #18-Matt Tifft, #1-Elliott Sadler, #22-Joey Logano, #33-Brandon Jones, #3-Ty Dillon, #39-Ryan Sieg, #7-Justin Allgaier, #88-Alex Bowman. 34 drivers participated in the session. The session was stopped twice because of rain and called early because of heavier showers.
See complete results on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-13-2016)

Erik Jones fastest in first XFINITY practice: #20-Erik Jones was fastest during opening practice at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 158.597mph. #3-Ty Dillon was second, followed by: #19-Daniel Suarez, #18-Matt Tifft, #88-Alex Bowman, #1-Elliott Sadler, #22-Joey Logano, #33-Brandon Jones, #2-Paul Menard, and #7-Justin Allgaier. 39 drivers practiced during the session.
There were 3 separate incidents during the session. #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #43-Jeb Burton, and #27-Paul Menard all have to go to backup cars.
See complete results on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-13-2016)

Crafton wins Truck Series Race at Dover #88-Matt Crafton won the JACOB Companies 200 at Dover International Speedway on Friday despite efforts by #51-Daniel Suarez in the closing laps. He settled for second. #4-Christopher Bell, #21-Johnny Sauter, #00-Cole Custer, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #29-Tyler Reddick, #81-Ryan Truex, #19-Daniel Hemric, and #33-Kaz Grala were the remainder of the top-10.
#9-William Byron inherited the pole after rain knocked out qualifying. He ended the race 11th..
There were 6 cautions for 29 laps and 3 lead changes among 4 leaders.
The average speed was 111.369mph.
Complete results are on the Dover race results page (pdf).
(5-13-2016)

Dover Race Fast Facts:
Matt Crafton won the 17th Annual Dover 200, his 12th victory in 366 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and 10th top-10 finish in 16 races at Dover International Speedway.
Daniel Suarez(i) (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Dover International Speedway. It is his first top-10 finish in 2016.
Christopher Bell (third) posted his first top-10 finish in one races at Dover International Speedway.
Christopher Bell (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 2 points over Timothy Peters.
(NASCAR Statistics)(5-13-2016)

Driver standings following Dover:
1) #88-Matt Crafton, 124
2) #17-Timothy Peters, 122, -2
3) #19-Daniel Hemric, 119, -5
4) #81-Ryan Truex, 118, -6
5) #23-Spencer Gallagher, 112, -12
6) #9-William Byron #, 111, -13
7) #8-John Hunter Nemechek, 106, -18
8) #02-Tyler Young, 101, -23
9) #4-Christopher Bell #, 99, -25
10) #29-Tyler Reddick, 96, -3
See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-13-2016)

Owner Standings following Kansas are posted (pdf).(5-13-2016)

Byron on pole at Dover: #9-William Byron will start from the pole for the JACOB Companies 200 at Dover International Speedway after rain canceled qualifying. The field was set based on practice speeds from Thursday. #71-Brandon Jones will start second, followed by #11-Matt Tifft, #13-Cameron Hayley, #88-Matt Crafton, #51-Daniel Suarez, #00-Cole Custer, #19-Daniel Hemric, #4-Christopher Bell, and #41-Ben Rhodes.
Did Not Qualify: #2-Austin Cindric and #6-Norm Benning..
See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(5-13-2016)

Little to run Charlotte: Officials from Rette Jones Racing (RJR) announced today that the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team will field a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry for third-generation Jesse Little in next Friday night's NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.For his first truck run of the 2016 season, Rette Jones Racing has formed a technical alliance with Sandusky Ohio's ThorSport Racing with the two teams working closely together throughout the week in preparation for Little's fifth career NCWTS start and first at the 1.5-mile speedway. The Carolina Nut Co. who backed Little in his NCWTS debut last year at Dover (Del.) International Speedway will reprise their role and support the 19-year-old in his series return since the season-finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway last November. For more than 60 years The Carolina Nut Co. has used unique handcrafted family recipes to create gourmet nut flavors for every nut lover. Located in Henderson, N.C., The Carolina Nut Co. is a family-owned company that is spreading its delicious nut creations throughout the nation. In four truck starts, Little owns a best finish of 14th at Homestead. In addition to Dover, he has additional starts at Chicagoland Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway respectively.(Rette Jones Racing)(5-13-2016)

Caroline Burns to sing National Anthem at New Hampshire: The last time Caroline Burns was at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, she was 13 years old, having won the opportunity to sing the national anthem before a Sprint Cup Series race thanks to her efforts in the Speedway Star singing competition. On July 17, Burns will return to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" before the New Hampshire 301 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race following an amazing run on NBC's popular singing contest "The Voice." Burns followed up her national anthem appearance at the speedway by attending the blind auditions for "The Voice" in 2015. Unfortunately, none of the four judges - Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Blake Shelton - turned their chairs around. It was both heartbreaking and a learning experience for Burns, who returned this season determined to get on the show. The hard work paid off, with Levine and Shelton both turning their chairs to vie as Burns's coach for the show. The decision, however, was an easy one, as Burns picked Levine to be her coach, guiding her all the way to Live Playoffs portion of the show. Burns is now home in Hollis, NH and is focusing on finishing school and beginning projects to write and compose her own music as she eyes a singing career.(NHMS)(5-13-2016)

Berrier to serve as #18 crew chief at Dover: In the absence of suspended crew chief Adam Stevens, Joe Gibbs Racing will use a committee approach for Kyle Busch's #18 Toyota this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Former Sprint Cup crew chief Todd Berrier, who is JGR's director of inspections, will call race strategy for Busch during Sunday's race at Dover. The team's engineers will run Busch's team during practices and qualifying Friday and Saturday. Stevens and front tire changer Josh Leslie were suspended for a race Wednesday after a violation of NASCAR's revised lug nut rule was discovered in postrace inspection of Busch's winning car from last Saturday at Kansas Speedway. JGR hasn't confirmed who will replace Leslie at Dover.(NBC Sports)
AND: Per, ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass Brian Eastland will be the front tire changer for Kyle Busch this weekend in place of the suspended Josh Leslie.(5-12-2016)

Newman uncertain of future with Richard Childress Racing: Ryan Newman and car owner Richard Childress both offered little on Newman's future with Richard Childress Racing on Wednesday. Newman signed a three-year contact to drive for the team beginning with the 2014 season. This is Newman's third year with the organization. No extension on Newman's contract has been announced. With RCR at three cars and Ty Dillon, Childress' grandson, on the path to move to Cup, the question is what RCR's driver lineup will be next year if it doesn't find sponsorship to expand to four cars. "I'll keep doing this as long as somebody wants me to do it and it's fun doing it," Newman said of his future. Asked about next year's driver lineup, Childress said: "We're not looking at anything right now. We've got to focus and focus hard on trying to go out and win races. That's our No. 1 focus right now." Although Newman has yet to win at RCR, he finished second in the points in 2014 and was 11th last year. He enters this weekend's race at Dover International Speedway 17th in the points. Will winning change if he is back at RCR? "I have no idea," Newman said.(NBC Sports)(5-12-2016)

Top 5 in Sprint Fan Vote released: With the Sprint Fan Vote well underway, the top-five vote-getters among the field have been released. Fans are stilll able to cast their votes for any of the 30 drivers in the running, but the top five thus far are as follows, in alphabetical order: #31-Ryan Blaney, #83-Matt DiBenedetto, #24-Chase Elliott, #42-Kyle Larson and #10-Danica Patrick. Patrick won the Sprint Fan Vote last year and in 2013, becoming the first two-time Sprint Fan Vote winner. Young drivers Elliott and Blaney currently lead the Sunoco Rookie of the Year competition, while DiBenedetto made a splash in the NASCAR scene with his emotional career-best sixth-place finish in April at Bristol Motor Speedway. Larson is coming off a run at Kansas in which he showed plenty of speed, but was caught up in a late wreck not of his own doing. Fans can vote daily by downloading the NASCAR Mobile App or visiting www.nascar.com/SprintFanVote, with votes that are shared on Facebook or Twitter counting for double. Fans have until 5:00pm/et May 20 to cast their votes and NASCAR will announce the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote in Victory Lane post-Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, May 20.(NASCAR.com)(5-12-2016)

Teams conclude test at Watkins Glen: A few hours after NASCAR driver Joey Logano won the Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International last August, he dug up a symbolic first chunk of the pavement to signal the start of the nearly $12 million repaving project of the Schuyler County racetrack. The Penske Racing driver in the #22 Ford returned Tuesday, along with four other drivers from different teams, to rechristen the new asphalt surface in a two-day tire-testing session for Goodyear on the 2.45-mile portion of the track. The entire 3.4-mile layout, which includes the "Boot" section, was repaved for the first time since 1998. "I thought they did an awesome job with the repave," Logano said during the second day of the test on Wednesday. "This place used to be kind of bumpy when you went into certain sections ... now, it's pretty smooth. Also attending the test were Carl Edwards, in the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; Kasey Kahne, in the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Trevor Bayne, in the #6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford; and current Sprint Cup points leader and 2006 Watkins Glen race winner Kevin Harvick, in the #4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. The cars weren't sporting their race livery but were in either a gray or black primer with their regular car number. "This afternoon, we are going to run some different tires and try to pick the best tire to come here and race with," said Edwards. "This racetrack puts on some of the best racing in NASCAR. We definitely don't want to screw that up. We want to make sure we help pick the right tire."
With the fresh asphalt providing the drivers with better grip in the corners, record speeds are expected when they return in August. The drivers interviewed Wednesday, however, said the difference from last year's lap times weren't much faster so far. "I'm surprised at how well the cars move around on the new surface, and I'm really excited about that," Edwards said. "I was nervous it was going to be really knife edge and hard to drive, and it's surprised me so far. "The track is very smooth, and the asphalt is actually a little more forgiving than a lot of the new repaves, which is nice. A couple of times, I've gotten pretty sideways and I've been able to just correct it pretty easily, and sometimes, on a new surface, that's tough."(Elmira Star-Gazette)(5-12-2016)

Kansas TV Ratings UPDATE: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Kansas earned a 1.8 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Saturday night, up 20% from last year (1.5) but down 45% from 2014 on the FOX broadcast network (3.3). Last year's race was delayed two hours due to rain and finished after 1:00am/et. The 1.8 overnight is the second-lowest ever for the race, which was first run in 2011. It is also the second-lowest for a Sprint Cup race on FS1 (eight telecasts). In both cases, last year's race holds the bottom spot. In part due to the low bar set last year, Saturday's race was the first of the season to post a year-over-year increase in the metered markets.(Sports Media Watch)(5-10-2016)
UPDATE: With the caveat that last year's race set a historically low bar, Sprint Cup viewership increased for the second straight week. NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Kansas delivered 3.1 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 Saturday night, up 27% from last year (2.5M) but down 45% from 2014 on the FOX broadcast network (5.8M). Ratings were not immediately available. Despite the low numbers, Saturday's race was the second straight Sprint Cup telecast to have an increase in viewership and just the third of the season, joining Talladega (+6%) and Martinsville (+4%).(Sports Media Watch)(5-12-2016)

Edwards and STANLEY team kick off annual "Racing for a Miracle" weekend: Carl Edwards and the #19 STANLEY race team will spend the day visiting children at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, MD Thursday. The team will then head into Dover International Speedway Sunday with a million reasons to win, because STANLEY will donate $1 Million if Edwards wins to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals through the Ace Hardware Foundation. As part of the 10th Annual "Racing for a Miracle" program, Edwards and the #19 STANLEY team will play games, give pit stop demonstrations and share smiles with the children of Johns Hopkins Children's Center. On Friday, Edwards, along with representatives from STANLEY & Ace Foundation will present the $100,000 donation to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. At the check presentation, Edwards will unveil the paint scheme that will run this weekend on the #19 STANLEY car. The special scheme includes four very special children who will also serve as "Honorary Crew Members" of the #19 team throughout the weekend.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(5-12-2016)

Smithfield, Waffle House will team up on the #43 at Bristol: Smithfield and Waffle House will team up with Richard Petty Motorsports for the iconic Bristol Night Race August 20. Aric Almirola will pilot the #43 Smithfield/Waffle House Ford in one of the most popular races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The Bristol Night Race will mark the third time Smithfield, Waffle House and Richard Petty Motorsports teamed up on track. Through the three-year partnership, the companies created Waffle House Race for Rewards, an app that allows patrons to earn points by eating at Waffle House and redeem those points for Waffle House merchandise and Smithfield racing gear. This season, fans on Race for Rewards can redeem 250 Race for Rewards points and be part of history in the making. The 250 Race for Rewards points will gain fans sponsorship of a portion of the car. Sponsorships limited to 1,500. Richard Petty Motorsports is in their fifth year of partnership with Smithfield Foods and the third year partnering with Waffle House. Last season, Almirola scored a fourth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway in the #43 Smithfield/Waffle House Ford.(Richard Petty Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #43 team paint schemes page.(5-12-2016)

Dover Track Notes & 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.
(NASCAR)

Sad News - Jeanne Barnes: Jeanne Barnes, 77, who drew dozens of portraits of NASCAR legends, died Wednesday morning following an extended illness, according to Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee. Barnes' work is displayed in the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame inside the Darlington Raceway Museum. It's filled with dozens of her drawings and portraits of NASCAR legendary drivers, including Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough and Kyle Petty. She often worked at the Raceway during race time, helping out in the credentials office.(WPDE)(5-12-2016)

Sad News - "Dutch" Hoag: Donald C. "Dutch" Hoag, 89, of Bath, New York died Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Services will be held at Kanona United Methodist Church, 7, Kanona, New York, date and time pending. Hoag ran four Sprint Cup races in the 1950s. See obituary info at legacy.com)(5-12-2016)

Ty Dillon can clinch Chase spot with Dash 4 Cash win: #3-Ty Dillon had money on his mind during the last NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash race at Richmond. After starting fifth in the second Heat, Dillon slammed his throttle, bumped the rear of Justin Allgaier's #7 Chevrolet and shot out to the front the field. He led all 35 laps in the heat, and became eligible for the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash prize in the Main. Once in the Main, Dillon averaged a running position of 3.73 and avoided a late-race accordion-style pileup to finish runner-up to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He took home the Dash 4 Cash bonus as the top eligible finisher. Dillon will go for the green once again in the third installment of the four NASCAR XFINITY Dash 4 Cash races - Saturday's Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover. This time, he'll be racing for more than the $100K. If Dillon wins the Dash 4 Cash again, he'll clinch a berth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-12-2016)

RCR interested in Nemechek? John Hunter Nemechek's hard work is paying off. While there's nothing concrete in place, yet, team owners are taking notice - including Richard Childress. Richard Childress Racing, which is under the same Chevy banner as NEMCO Motorsports and provides engines to the company, has expressed interest in the second-generation racer. Although RCR suspended its truck operation following the 2014 season, there is ample space in Childress' Xfinity Series program - and another seat will open next year when Ty Dillon moves into a full-time Cup ride. "We've talked about it," Childress acknowledged. "We've talked about putting him in cars in different places. He's got a tremendous amount of potential. We've got seven cars now, so you're always looking at drivers and he comes from a great family - a great racing family." Torrey Galida, president of RCR, feels Nemechek would fit nicely into the program. "We've done their motors for the last couple of years and have great respect for Joe. If there was ever an opportunity, he's someone we'd look seriously at. Ultimately, that's Richard's decision, but he's a real good kid."(Motorsport)(5-12-2016)

Rocky Ridge sponsoring Burton at Dover and Charlotte: Richard Petty Motorsports will partner with Rocky Ridge on a primary sponsorship at the Dover International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeb Burton will pilot the #43 Rocky Ridge Ford for the next two NASCAR XFINITY Series races. Based in Franklin Springs, Ga., Rocky Ridge is currently an associate sponsor on the #43 Ford Mustang but extended their relationship to come on board as the primary sponsor for two races, the Ollie's Bargin Outlet 200, a Dash 4 Cash race at Dover International Speedway and the Hisense 4K TV 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Rocky Ridge is based in Franklin Springs, Ga. and has been family owned and operated for over thirty years. What began as a small business specializing in custom vans during the mid-eighties, has transformed into a full-line Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer building lifted trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles. Rocky Ridge's upfits are widely recognized as the highest quality vehicles throughout the industry.(Richard Petty Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #43 team paint schemes page.(5-12-2016)

Crabby J Spice sponsoring Sieg: RSS Racing welcomes Crabby J Spice as a primary sponsor for the NASCAR XFINITY race at Dover Speedway. Crabby J Spice is a new seasoning available at several Baltimore area retail stores, as well as online. Ryan Sieg, currently 12th in the standings, has never finished outside of the top 20 in the XFINITY Series at Dover. Josh Reaume will pilot the #93 RSS Racing Chevrolet as a teammate to Sieg."(RSS Racing)(5-12-2016)

Heroes Haven featured on the #0 at Dover: Heroes Haven and JD Motorsports with Gary Keller are partnering again at Dover International Speedway this weekend. JD Motorsports will carry the Heroes Haven colors on its #0 Chevrolet with driver Garrett Smithley in Saturday's Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 Xfinity Series race at the Dover track. Heroes Haven works with American military members to honor and support those who have sacrificed so much for their country. At Dover, a military member will be the team's special guest and will be designated as an honorary crew member, sitting on the team's pit box and sharing the race day in a special way.(JD Motorsports)(5-12-2016)

Custer fastest in final Truck practice: #00-Cole Custer was fastest in final practice for the JACOB Companies 200 at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 157.577 mph. He was followed by #4-Christopher Bell, #24-Ben Kennedy, #11-Matt Tifft, #19-Daniel Hemric, #2-Austin Cindric, #92-Parker Kligerman, #21-Johnny Sauter, #81-Ryan Truex, and #13-Cameron Hayley. 34 drivers are entered and 34 practiced during the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-13-2016)

Byron fastest in first Truck practice: #9-William Byron was fastest during opening practice at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 159.426mph. #71-Brandon Jones was second, followed by: #11-Matt Tifft, #13-Cameron Hayley, #88-Matt Crafton, #51-Daniel Suarez, #19-Daniel Hemric, #41-Ben Rhodes, #98-Rico Abreu, #4-Christopher Bell. 33 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-12-2016)

Pocono having mascot tryouts: Are you fun, respectful and high energy with a flair for entertainment? Do you think you have what it takes to Pocono Raceway as its mascot, Tricky The Fox? You can prove it Saturday, May 21 when 'The Tricky Triangle,' holds open auditions in Victory Lane beginning at 10:00am. The inclement weather site will be inside the Mint Julep Club outside of Victory Lane. Those interested in the position will be asked to simulate driver introductions as part of the audition and then participate in a brief interview. Finalists will then perform at a local elementary school before a winner is chosen. Tricky The Fox represents Pocono Raceway not only on race weekends but also at a bevy of community events.(Pocono Raceway)(5-12-2016)

Joe Gibbs Racing will not appeal penalty: Joe Gibbs Racing announces it will not appeal the penalty issued by NASCAR earlier this afternoon to its #18 team. The 18 team utilized unaltered stock lug nuts during Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway and each wheel had all five lug nuts attached to the wheel at the conclusion of the race. The team does acknowledge that not all lug nuts were tightened to the wheel.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(5-11-2016)

Kansas post-race warnings; #18 crew chief suspended: NASCAR has issued one penalty and several written warnings following the GoBowling.com 400 at Kansas Speedway:
The #18 team of Kyle Busch has been given a P3 penalty for violating the lugnut rule. Crew chief Adam Stevens has been fined $20,000, suspended from all NASCAR Series Championship Points Events through May 18, placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31; front tire changer has been suspended from all NASCAR Series Championship Points Events through May 18 and placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31;
#43-Almirola & #78-Treux, Jr. failed laser inspection twice in pre-qualifying inspection and were given written warnings;
#7-Smith, #43-Almirola, #47-Allmendinger, and #48-Johnson failed template inspection twice in pre-qualifying inspection and were given written warnings.
See the Kansas Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(5-11-2016)

RCR honoring Ricky Rudd with Darlington throwback schemes: In celebration of Darlington Raceway's "The Tradition Continues" throwback race weekend, Richard Childress Racing unveiled paint schemes today for its #3 and 31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, to be raced in the Bojangles' Southern 500 on Sunday, September 4. Both paint schemes will pay tribute to RCR's first win as an organization, which came on June 5, 1983 at Riverside International Raceway. The cars will feature designs and stylized numbers resembling the #3 Piedmont Airlines Chevrolet that Ricky Rudd drove to Victory Lane at the now-defunct race track.
The #3 Chevrolet SS, driven by Austin Dillon, will feature the same red, white and blue color scheme of Rudd's historic race car. American Ethanol will serve as primary sponsor.
The #31 Chevrolet SS, driven by Ryan Newman, will feature throwback logos from primary sponsor Caterpillar and a similar stylized number to Rudd's victorious race car.
Other RCR special paint schemes for the Darlington Raceway throwback weekend including the #27 Menards Chevrolet SS, will be unveiled at later dates. Rudd, who retired from racing in 2007, scored not only RCR's first victory that afternoon at the 2.62-mile road course, but also his first-career win. He held off the likes of Bill Elliott, Harry Gant, Kyle Petty, Darrell Waltrip and future RCR driver, Dale Earnhardt.(Richard Childress Racing), see images of the cars on the #3 team paint schemes and #31 team paints schemes pages.(5-11-2016

Are teams playing games with lugnut rule? NASCAR initiated a rule that teams must now have all five lug nuts "installed in a safe and secure manner throughout all national series events." The new rules went into effect two weeks ago at Talladega Superspeedway. Immediately following that race, NASCAR secured the cars coming off the track onto pit road and checked the security of the lug nuts. A similar procedure was in place at Kansas Speedway last weekend, and NASCAR cleared all cars during post-race inspection. But that didn't stop conspiracy theorists from debating whether Saturday night's winning driver, Kyle Busch, had five lug nuts tight on all four wheels of his #18 Toyota at Kansas Speedway. Photos - though inconclusive - appeared on social media showing Busch's wheels, and there was plenty of comment on the internet claiming the photos show all the lugs on Busch's car weren't tight.
The discussion continued on Tuesday when Joe Piette Jr., pit crew coach for Stewart-Haas Racing, was a guest on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Piette indicated his belief that certain lugs indeed weren't tight. "Obviously, they took it a step further than having to have five lug nuts tight, if you will. But they had five installed. So no harm, no foul.
Rumors abound of teams attempting to game the system. When Piette was asked whether teams had considered using an unthreaded lug nut and simply gluing it to the hub, the veteran coach replied, "That's a loaded question." However, he added, "It's absolutely possible. If you haven't, I don't think you're a true racer."(Motorsport)(5-11-2016)

Germain Racing to honor Smokey Yunick with Darlington Throwback scheme: Building on the efforts of Darlington Raceway to salute racing's yesteryears, Germain Racing unveiled their "throwback" paint scheme for the #13 GEICO Chevrolet SS Tuesday. In the "Bojangles' Southern 500" the black and gold colors made famous by car owner Smokey Yunick and bearing the logo of his Daytona Beach business, will race again with driver Casey Mears behind the wheel. Yunick, an Army Air Corps pilot in World War II, embodied the grit, ambition and creativity of the workers who founded and developed America, as well as NASCAR. The 367-lap Labor Day weekend event in Darlington, S.C., is the perfect setting for seeing Yunick's black and gold #13 Chevy race "again."
"That paint scheme is memorable because it stood out. Nobody used number 13, it had no sponsors, and it was gold and black. It was an attention-grabber," said Mario Andretti, who raced the Chevrolet for Yunick in 1966. "That car, with Curtis Turner driving, was on pole in 1967 when I won the Daytona 500. It will be fun to see the #13 black and gold Chevrolet race again. The stories behind that car, including stories about Smokey and Curtis Turner are worth revisiting. Race fans will enjoy it for sure. There will be a lot of reminiscing. Very special for Darlington to have that car in the race."
"Obviously, it's very exciting to be running a Smokey Yunick paint scheme on our GEICO Chevrolet SS," said driver Mears. "Out of all the history of NASCAR I'd have to say he's probably one of the top five most innovative people in the sport. We feel fortunate to be able to run a paint scheme that has so much meaning and cool history in NASCAR."
Smokey Yunick is beloved by many that knew him as being a natural engineer. He seemed to see "problems" as opportunities and built his reputation on creating solutions. Yunick was a driver, crew chief and two-time NASCAR "Mechanic of the Year" whose first Southern 500 was Darlington Raceway's second. Yunick built the race-winning Hudson for Herb Thomas.(Germain Racing), see an image of the car on the #13 team paint schemes page.(5-11-2016)

Osborne wins NMPA Spirit Award: Chris Osborne, spotter for Matt Kenseth and Daniel Suarez, has been named the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association's Pocono Spirit Award for the first quarter. The award is given quarterly and recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, as well as sportsmanship and contribution to motorsports. Osborne and his family were injured in a Dec. 17 automobile accident when the vehicle Osborne was driving was struck head-on. Police cited the driver of the other car with driving while impaired, along with careless and reckless driving and having an open container in his vehicle. Osborne missed the first five races, making his return at Martinsville Speedway. Osborne received about 80 percent of the votes cast by NMPA members. NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson also received votes.(NBC Sports)(5-11-2016)

Tire changers more likely to suffer injuries: Of all the crewmembers in NASCAR, tire changers are the ones most likely to suffer injuries in the performance of their duties, according to a new study performed by a pair of doctors from OrthoCarolina. The study by Glenn Gaston, MD, Chief Hand Surgeon of the OrthoCarolina Hand Center, and William Heisel, PA, Director of OrthoCarolina Motorsports, examined 226 cases were NASCAR team members were treated for upper extremity issues. The study focused on practice and race-sustained injuries to the upper extremities (shoulders, arms and forearms, wrists and hands) and patterns and frequencies of injuries relative to position on the car. Those 226 cases occurred from July 2003 to October 2014, with 118 injuries (52 percent) occurring during NASCAR events or practices. The breakdown of injuries by position included: Tire changers (42 percent); Drivers (16 percent); Tire carriers (14 percent); Jack men (11 percent); Fuel men (9 percent); and Utility men (8 percent). The study noted that different pit jobs typically led to different injuries.(Fox Sports)(5-11-2016)

Chase round 'bye' for regular season champ? Could the regular-season champion earn a bye to the second round of the Chase? Former series champ Brad Keselowski says drivers have discussed ways to reward the points leader more after the 26-race regular season. A bye is one such idea. Keselowski, who has two victories this season, admits an early win can give a driver a new perspective on the regular season. "I think clearly the sport is lacking some motivation once you've won a race," Keselowski told reporters Monday at Team Penske's shop. "I don't think there's any question that most of the competitors in the sport feel like that is not advantageous for a product we're trying to put on and have floated some ideas to level that back out that maybe some people will like and maybe some won't. We'll have to see." It also seems to have impacted fans. In a conference call with industry analysts last month, an International Speedway Corp., executive said the focus on the Chase may be playing a role in fans purchasing tickets for those events instead of races earlier in the season. What would be a good reward for the regular-season champion? "I think a bye is a good word for it," Keselowski said. "As we're trying to emulate other sports and major playoffs, I think it makes sense as it does for them."(NBC Sports)(5-11-2016)

Dover Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in all three NASCAR series in action at Dover this week will run the same right-side tire code, though Sprint Cup teams will run a different left-side code than those in the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series . . . while Sprint Cup teams ran this left-side tire at Texas earlier this season, this is the first time they have run this right-side tire . . . compared to what was run at Dover last year, this left-side tire code (D-4684) has an updated construction to bring it into line with what is run at other speedways and a compound change to give the cars more grip . . . this right-side tire code (D-4696) features a mold shape change compared to last year's Dover tire . . . Dover is unique among NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, in that inner liners are required on 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 nots, tire codes, set limits and more on the Dover Race Info page.

Meding's Seafood sponsoring Preece at Dover: Meding's Seafood, a capital for seafood lovers in and around Delaware, will return this weekend as a sponsor for the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller #01 Chevrolet in the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover International Speedway. Meding's, a JD Motorsports sponsor for four years, will share the 01 car with co-sponsor Iron Source, Equipment Sales, Rentals and Service. Rookie Ryan Preece drives the Chevy. Meding's, located in Milford, Del., is celebrating the sponsorship with a full four days of special events.(JD MOtorsports)(5-11-2016)

Bowman making first start of 2016: This weekend marks Alex Bowman's first race with JRM this season. In 2014, Bowman made two NXS starts for JRM at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway, earning respective finishes of 12th and 17th. The Arizona native has 41 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, which includes two top-five and six top-10 finishes, with two poles. Bowman will be behind the wheel for nine NXS events in 2016 for JRM with Advance Auto Parts and Cessna as primary sponsors.(JR Motorsports)(5-11-2016)

RepairableVehicles.com returns to the #51 at Dover: Coming off his career best finish at Talladega Superspeedway, Jeremy Clements and his JCR teammates head into the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway, ready to continue their momentum in the #51 RepairableVehicles.com Chevy Camaro SS. RepairableVehicles.com is back as JCR's primary sponsor at Dover. RepairableVehicles.com, a division of Interstate Auto Center, Inc., is one of the leading resellers of repairable vehicles in North America. By working together with insurance companies, dealerships, rental companies, and automotive salvage auctions, we are able to provide an ever changing inventory of high quality total-loss, recovered theft, collision damage, and other types of repairable vehicles to our customers worldwide. Joining RepairableVehicles.com as associate sponsors on the 51 car this week are Coca Cola of Spartanburg, Fish Camp, Robert Ianuario, Cometic, Wix and Kollegetown.(Jeremy Clements Racing)(5-11-2016)

Oberto Beef Jerky sponsoring Tifft at Dover: Joe Gibbs Racing announced a partnership with Oberto Beef Jerky, as primary sponsor of the team's #18 Camry in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Dover International Speedway with driver Matt Tifft. Oberto Brands is a family-owned business that makes meat snacks including all natural jerky and other meat snacks. The company was founded in 1918 by Constantino Oberto in Seattle, Washington. Headquartered in Kent, Washington, Oberto Brands sells products under the Oberto, Oberto Classics, Lowrey's Meat Snacks, Pacific Gold, and Cattleman's Cut brands. With five XFINTY Series starts that include a top-ten result, 21 laps led and a pole-win already this season, young JGR driver Tifft remarked, "I'm pumped to have this opportunity with Oberto Beef Jerky at Dover. Hopefully we'll get them some good exposure and I like the Dover track, so it's going to be a good race weekend for us."(Joe Gibbs Racing)(5-11-2016)

Cindric gets Dover sponsor: Brad Keselowski Racing announced today that PIRTEK, the industry leader in fluid transfer solution sales and service in the United States, will serve as primary sponsor of the #2 PIRTEK Ford F-150 driven by Austin Cindric in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race on May 13 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Although their name might be new to racing fans in the U.S., PIRTEK has a rich history in motorsports. In Australia, PIRTEK was well known as the primary sponsor of Marcos Ambrose during his V8 SuperCar championship run in 2003 and 2004. Today, they are a primary sponsor for DJR Team Penske's SuperCar team which makes their sponsorship of Cindric and BKR an easy transition. PIRTEK Service and Supply Centers stock, customize and install high pressure and industrial hoses and fittings of all kinds. When production stops due to a hose failure, a Mobile Service Vehicle is on the way to repair it on site. The PIRTEK range of products and services is designed to meet the diverse requirements of customers of all sizes from a broad cross section of industries. More importantly, within each of these industries there are literally hundreds of opportunities and applications for which the PIRTEK range of products and services are in demand. Cindric, 17, enters the NCWTS race at Dover fresh off his first NASCAR victory on April 30 at Virginia (Danville, Va.) International Raceway in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He made his NCWTS debut at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway with BKR last October, where he qualified 14th and ran well before a late-race incident relegated him to a 25th-place finish. His second NCWTS start came at Phoenix (Avondale, Ariz.) International Raceway a few weeks later, where he scored a respectable 14th-place finish.(See images of the truck on the #2 Team Paint Schemes page)(Brad Keselowski Racing)(5-11-2016)

AAA joins Jones: Brandon Jones will be making his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start of the 2016 season on Friday afternoon driving the #71 AAA Chevy Silverado. The race will mark Jones' third NCWTS race at Dover International Speedway. After recording his first career top-five finish in the NCWTS at the track in 2014, Jones has since solidified a sixth-place average finishing position on the concrete oval. Jones will debut a new partnership with AAA during Friday's NCWTS race at Dover International Speedway. With a red-white-and-blue paint scheme, Jones will have AAA logos across his Chevy Silverado. AAA is a leader in keeping drivers on the road with the Nation's fastest roadside response times and trained teams at Car Care Centers around the country, ensuring your car runs smoothly and efficiently.(A2B Strategies)(5-11-2016)

JACOB Companies partners with Dover for Truck race name: JACOB Companies, a full-service general contractor that serves many states up and down the East Coast, has agreed to a multi-year deal to be the entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Dover International Speedway, track officials announced today.The first event in the new partnership takes place this Friday, May 13, when the "JACOB Companies 200" NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race takes the green flag at the Monster Mile. JACOB Companies, established in 2006, is licensed for construction management, design and building servicing the eastern sea board stretching from New England to Florida.(Dover International Speedway)(5-11-2016)

Goodyear testing underway at Watkins Glen: Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and their teams will be the first to roll out onto Watkins Glen International following the track's off-season repaving project this week when they participate in a Goodyear tire test scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. #4-Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Racing), #5-Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports), #6-Trevor Bayne (Roush Fenway Racing), #19-Carl Edwards (Joe Gibbs Racing) and #22-Joey Logano (Team Penske) are scheduled to take part in the test. The entire 3.4-mile layout at WGI has been repaved, although NASCAR events are contested on the shorter 2.45-mile portion of the track, avoiding the area of the layout known as "the boot."(NASCAR.com)(5-10-2016)

Special Mountain Dew scheme for Earnhardt, Jr. in All-Star Race: When the lights go on at Charlotte Motor Speedway for this year's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Dale Earnhardt's Jr.'s Chevy will have a brand new look. The #88 Mountain Dew Chevrolet SS will sport a patriotic paint scheme for the event with a $1 million payday. As a race-winner in 2015, Earnhardt is already qualified for the All-Star Race, which will undergo a format change this year. Teammates Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson are also eligible to participate, while Rookie of the Year contender Chase Elliott is vying for a shot to race via fan vote.(Hendrick Motorsports) see an image of the car on the #88 team paint schemes page.(5-10-2016)

Many teams to run Autism decals at Dover: More than 40 drivers from across NASCAR's three premier national touring series will be showing their support for Autism Delaware's mission during the upcoming May 13-15 weekend at Dover International Speedway by displaying a special decal on their cars and trucks. Autism Delaware, a leader in the First State on autism awareness since its founding in 1998, is working with AAA Mid-Atlantic to raise funds and awareness during the May 15 "AAA 400 Drive for Autism" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Monster Mile. This will be the 10th consecutive year that Dover International Speedway's spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race has had a tie-in with the cause of autism awareness. Earlier this year, in support of Autism Awareness Month in April, the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza presented by Smithfield and Dover Downs Hotel & Casino were illuminated in blue light during the evening and night hours. The Monster Mile will also host Autism Awareness Day at the Races in its enclosed grandstand for the fifth straight year on Sunday, May 15. The event provides a sensory-friendly environment for children and families on the autism spectrum to enjoy the race. In total, 21 drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 13 drivers from the NASCAR XFINITY Series and 13 drivers from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will display the Autism Delaware decal on their respective cars and trucks.(Dover Speedway)(5-10-2016)

Premium Motorsports, Sorenson get 3 race sponsor: Premium Motorsports has added the World Record Striper Company to the team as primary sponsor backing series veteran Reed Sorenson beginning this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Sorenson pilots the #55 Chevrolet SS. Also, joining World Record Striper Company are associate sponsors, EVINRUDE - BRP and Atlantic Outboard. Founded in 2011 by owner and Four Time World Record holder Greg Myerson, he holds the All-Tackle World Record for striped bass at 81.88 lbs and has been dubbed remarkable by fishing experts around the globe. Born in New York and raised in Wallingford, CT, Greg Myerson, has famously been called "The Warren Buffett of Striped Bass Fisherman" and is a life-long angler, hunter and outdoorsman since he could step outdoors. World Record Striper Company offers the premier of fishing lures with the flagship product being the Greg Myerson RattleSinker, proven to be the best striper lure in the world as Greg has used it to catch each of his four world record striped bass.(Premium Motorsports)(5-10-2016)

Truex wants to remain with Furniture Row: Martin Truex, Jr. would like to remain in the #78 FRR car "for a long time." Last year, Truex extended his contract through 2016 but he hopes to continue building a successful relationship with the Denver-based team beyond this season. When would he like renegotiate? "Right now," Truex said with a chuckle. "The problem I've had with my career is it's been up and down. And that's because of change. That's because you get in situations where they don't go the way you thought they were going to go.
"DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.) fell apart. I stayed there too long. It was a tough situation. You look at Jimmie Johnson. You look at Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch. They get with a team and they just keep building on that foundation. Year in, year out, they're the guys to beat because they have that around them. They have that solid - just rock. They can build on things and look at past history . All they have is the car and the rule changes and those kind of things. They don't have to figure out everything else that goes along with it."
Truex won two Xfinity Series titles with DEI and dabbled with their Cup program prior to graduating to NASCAR's top tour full-time in 2006. When DEI merged with Chip Ganassi's program in 2009, he stayed the course before joining Michael Waltrip Racing in 2010. Although he left MWR at the end of 2013 - and before the organization's ultimate demise last year - Truex, 36, understands FRR has the potential to blossom into a perennial contender. "With Cole and those guys, it's something special and it's something I'd like to keep going for a long, long time," Truex said. "To get where I want to get in the sport, that's what you have to have. Hopefully, we can make it work."(Motorsport)(5-10-2016)

NASCAR watching bodywork modifications: Two instances of bodywork modification -- one mid-race, one post-race -- caught the eye of NASCAR officials during last Saturday's Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Scott Miller, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition, detailed those circumstances in a Monday morning appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's "Morning Drive" program. Kyle Busch scored his third Sprint Cup victory of the season in Saturday night's GoBowling 400, breaking an 0-for-16 drought at the 1.5-mile Kansas City track, historically a stumbling block for the reigning series champ. Busch's exuberant post-race burnout shredded the right-rear tire, causing significant damage to the fender of the Joe Gibbs Racing #18 Toyota.
"We really don't like to see that happen," Miller told SiriusXM. "There was a little bit of a rash of it last year and we kind of got that in check, and this is the first time we've seen it in a while. We certainly don't like to see it, but I believe Kyle was very happy because he's really, really struggled at that race track and he just got a little overzealous there with the celebration. We've had a lot of JGR cars through NASCAR, so we have a pretty good idea of what they're doing with their stuff so I don't ... it's not that suspicious to me, really."
The other bodywork issue that drew officials' attention, Miller said, involved the Chip Ganassi Racing #1 Chevrolet for driver Jamie McMurray . The team was flagged on Lap 30 in the 267-lap race for unapproved adjustments to the car's body during a pit stop. Miller used a football analogy to describe the alteration.
"We've gone to great lengths to get bracing in the side of the cars and define how all the parts and pieces have gotta be, and that's for one reason -- so that the sides don't cave in and the quarterpanels don't cave in," Miller said. "Their jackman looked like an offensive lineman throwing a block at the side of their car, so it caved the side in. We saw it, didn't like it, and back down pit road they came to fix it. That's just how it works. You can't pull on the skirts or cave the sides in or alter the body of the car on pit road, and that's what they did."(NASCAR.com)(5-10-2016)

Kansas TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Kansas earned a 1.8 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Saturday night, up 20% from last year (1.5) but down 45% from 2014 on the FOX broadcast network (3.3). Last year's race was delayed two hours due to rain and finished after 1:00am/et. The 1.8 overnight is the second-lowest ever for the race, which was first run in 2011. It is also the second-lowest for a Sprint Cup race on FS1 (eight telecasts). In both cases, last year's race holds the bottom spot. In part due to the low bar set last year, Saturday's race was the first of the season to post a year-over-year increase in the metered markets.(Sports Media Watch)(5-10-2016)

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Dover:
#48-Jimmie Johnson 120.1
#20-Matt Kenseth 107.7
#18-Kyle Busch 105.8
#19-Carl Edwards 98.6
#42-Kyle Larson 98.1
#16-Greg Biffle 95.4
#15-Clint Bowyer 92.5
#4-Kevin Harvick 91.2
#78-Martin Truex, Jr. 91.2
#41-Kurt Busch 91.1
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2015 races (22 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)

Iron Source sponsoring Preece at Dover: The longstanding relationship between JD Motorsports with Gary Keller and sponsor Iron Source will continue this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Iron Source has sponsored JD Motorsports Chevrolets at the Dover track for several years and this weekend will be on Ryan Preece's #01 Chevy for Saturday's Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the one-mile track. Iron Source, headquartered in Georgetown, Del., is a sales and rental company delivering the best construction equipment on the market to an area that encompasses Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Among the equipment available from Iron Source's huge inventory are track loaders, compact excavators, brush chippers, stump grinder and telescopic handlers. Among the manufacturers are John Deere, Caterpillar, CASE, Komatsu and Hitachi.(JD Motorsports)(5-9-2016)

Young's to enter second truck at Iowa: Officials from Young's Motorsports today announced that the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team will field an additional NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) entry in the upcoming race at Iowa Speedway on June 18. Newcomer Derek Scott Jr. will join teammate and Midland, Texas native Tyler Young for the eighth race of the season. Scott, 16, hails from Franklin, Texas and began his racing career by achieving numerous go-kart wins and titles. Accelerating his path forward, Scott also has several starts in a NASCAR Pro and Super Late Model which includes two pro feature victories on top of numerous top-five performances in both divisions. While the team is enjoying a breakout year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the family-owned and operated team is also building a foundation as a driver development organization where the team specializes on the fundamentals of a core development structure. Debuting a second truck at Iowa Speedway adds to the inner circle of Young's Motorsports growth this season which includes a part-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series East program with driver Reid Wilson. Sponsorship for Scott's entry is being finalized and will be announced closer to the event date.(Young's Motorsports)(5-10-2016)

Truck teams to run Autism Delaware decals: More than 40 drivers from across NASCAR's three premier national touring series will be showing their support for Autism Delaware's mission during the upcoming May 13-15 weekend at Dover International Speedway by displaying a special decal on their cars and trucks.This will be the 10th consecutive year that Dover International Speedway's spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race has had a tie-in with the cause of autism awareness. Participating truck teams include:
Austin Cindric #2 BKR Ford, Christopher Bell #4 Toyota, John Wes Townley #05 Zaxby's Chevrolet, John Hunter Nemechek #8 Chevrolet, William Byron #9 Liberty University Toyota, Cameron Hayley #13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota, Daniel Hemric #19 Oakmont Management Group/Autism Delaware Ford, Austin Hill #20 A&D Welding Ford, Tyler Reddick #29 Cooper Standard Ford, Ben Rhodes #41 Alpha Energy Solutions Toyota, Daniel Suarez #51 ARRIS Toyota, Matt Crafton #88 Hormel/Menards Toyota, Rico Abreu #98 Safelite/CURB Records Toyota.(Dover International Speedway)(5-10-2016)

Harmon honors truck drivers charity: Mike Harmon, driver of the #74, had a new decal, truckersfinalmile.org on his CWTS truck at Kansas last weekend. Mike recently became aware of this organization when a very close friend lost a family member, a big rig driver, while on a run. With no means or finances available to bring him home, the family began a search for any organization or charity that could help bring him back to his family. That search resulted in finding truckersfinalmile.org founded by trucker Robert Palm of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The family was extremely grateful and when Mike learned of this charity and how they were able to help this family and realizing the potential connections with the drivers of the many racecar haulers, Mike decided to bring awareness to this organization by donating the hood.(Mike Harmon Racing)(5-10-2016)

Dover adding SAFER barrier UPDATE: ESPN's Bob Pockrass reports, "Dover International Speedway will replace the guard rails it had on the inside of Turn 3 with approximately 500 feet of SAFER Barrier by the time NASCAR visits for its May 13-15 race weekend. The steel-and-foam barrier is designed to absorb energy in a crash."(ESPN.com)(4-28-2016)
UPDATE: Dover International Speedway has completed two projects that extend SAFER barriers by almost 500 feet along the backstretch and into the entrance of Turn 3 and expand the pit stalls along pit road by 2 feet each. The work comes before the Monster Mile's latest NASCAR tripleheader weekend on May 13-15. New asphalt has also been added along the area behind pit road, from the entrance of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage down to the Start-Finish line. Facts on the recent construction are listed below:
" 479 feet of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers were added to the one-mile, high-banked, concrete oval.
" Seventy-eight feet of standard SAFER barriers were added to the existing inside backstretch wall and 401 feet of SAFER barriers were included in front of a new, steel post inside wall on a newly placed stretch of concrete in front of the grassy area at the entrance to Turn 3. The Monster Bridge near the Turn 3 entrance sits above the new construction area.
" The SAFER barriers are 40 inches high.
" Along the new stretch of wall, one foam block is placed every 5½ feet within the SAFER barrier to maximize safety from crash impacts.
" 190 cubic yards of concrete, 7-feet wide and 18 inches deep was added to the track.
" Along pit road, three pit stalls were eliminated, leaving space for 40 cars. Each pit stall was increased 2 feet in length, to 34 total feet. All stalls remain 16 feet wide.
" 550 feet of new asphalt was added between the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage entrance and the Start-Finish line.
(Dover Speedway)(5-10-2016)

Dover agrees to deal with sports merchandise leader Fanatics: Dover International Speedway and Fanatics, the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, have reached a 10-year retail merchandising and e-commerce agreement, track officials announced. Fanatics, a multi-channel company which runs hundreds of online and offline stores for sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, PGA), professional teams and collegiate properties, including all trackside merchandise operations for every NASCAR race, will manage all of the Monster Mile's retail locations. Fanatics will also manufacture apparel for Dover International Speedway, further enhancing the assortment both online and at the track. The Fanatics Trackside Superstore, in the Monster Mile's FanZone behind Turn 4, houses merchandise and souvenirs such as hats, T-shirts, jackets and more in a 60,000-square foot headquarters, approximately the size of 1½ football fields. The Trackside Superstore debuted in 2015 and will return for the May 13-15 and Sept. 30-Oct. 2 NASCAR weekends in 2016.(dover Speedway)(5-10-2016)

Entry List for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed, including: #21-Blaney*, #30-Wise*, #32-Jeffrey Earnhardt, #55-Sorenson*, #95-McDowell, #98-Whitt*.
Drivers who are not a Charter team, an Open Team, and must get in via speed: #21-Blaney, #30-Wise, #55-Sorenson, #98-Whitt
Since only 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race, 40 is the maximum.
* Open Team (no Charter)
See the full entry list on Jayski.com's Dover Entry List

Romain Grosjean could run a NASCAR race this summer: Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean's debut in NASCAR could happen as early as this summer, after Stewart-Haas Racing revealed it is now working on a plan to get the Frenchman a race entry. "We may give it a go. I think it would be really cool," he said after sitting in a Sprint Cup car on the day he was announced as a Haas F1 driver. "It's definitely on our wish list," Joe Custer, chief operating officer of Haas F1 said. "We just have to make it work - whether it be this year, next year, whenever that is. We're not sure. He's made it clear that he wouldn't want his debut to be on an oval - where he's never done it before. There's so much going on. We have to figure out the testing opportunities and all the things that would make it a success." Either road course race on the Sprint Cup schedule would be ideal for the 30-year-old racer with Sonoma (June 26) and Watkins Glen (August 7) both during off weeks for F1. But while Sonoma falls at the end of the Canada/Baku back-to-back run, the Glen race falls in the middle of the F1's summer break between the German GP (July 31) and the Belgian GP on August 28. "I'm not sure when it would happen, but it's on our list," explained Custer. "We would like to have him test. He would be a rookie. I don't think there are any barriers to any of this. We just have to figure it out and get it on the schedule. Then, five cars or four cars? Or does he work with another team in the garage. All of that. We have to work out the details and have enough time to make it happen."(Motorsport)(5-9-2016)

Stewart making up ground on 30th in points: #14-Tony Stewart, who missed the first eight races of the year after he suffered a burst fracture of the L1 vertebrae in an off-road accident Jan. 31, posted a solid 12th-place finish in Saturday's night's Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway. That was the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion's best finish behind the wheel since a 10th-place run at Martinsville Speedway last fall. Ty Dillon took over for Stewart last week at Talladega Superspeedway and finished sixth in the #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. Stewart started that race and so was credited with the finish, but at Kansas, Stewart earned the 12th-place result without relief help. And it was a good points night, too. When Stewart resumed driving at Richmond three weeks ago, he was 112 points out of 30th place in the driver standings. Now, just three races later, Stewart has trimmed that margin by more than half, so it's down to a mere 59 points. To qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in this, his final season as a driver, Stewart will have to end NASCAR's 26-race regular season in the top 30 in points and will in all likelihood have to win a race. After Kansas, Stewart has 15 races left to accomplish those goals.(Fox Sports)(5-9-2016)

Johnson entered in "Assault on Mt. Mitchell" bike ride: Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson will be riding in the 2016 Assault on Mount Mitchell on Monday, May 16, according to the Freewheelers Cycling Association, a Spartanburg-based club that hosts the epic bike ride each year. Johnson has a deep-rooted appreciation for the cycling world, and enjoys participating in century rides and triathlons. Johnson, who has always placed a high priority on fitness, according to the Freewheelers, began competing in triathlons in 2012, fitting training and events into his busy NASCAR schedule. He often approaches an athletic competition in the same manner he would a NASCAR race - utilizing similar strategies to tackle both. He must have enjoyed his taste of cycling in the mountains. In March, Johnson took part in the elite PeopleForBikes team that bikee roughly 400 miles from Asheville, North Carolina, to Atlanta, Georgia, March 30-April 2. The group will made stops in Charlotte, Greenville, South Carolina, and Athens, Georgia before arriving in Atlanta to bring awareness to cycling safety. Johnson only rode the 130-mile leg from Asheville to Charlotte. The Freewheelers Cycling Association is thrilled to have Johnson ride in his first Assaults experience. He joins his friend George Hincapie, of Spartanburg, who competed in 12 Tours de France, for this year's ride to the top of Mount Mitchell. "The Assaults" is one of the most intense, premier cycling experiences in the region. It draws a full field of nearly 1,000 cyclists from across the world each year. The Assault on Mount Mitchell is a 102.7-mile self-paced ride, (not a race), from downtown Spartanburg, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the summit at Mount Mitchell State Park - at 6,684 feet the highest peak in the Eastern United States - in North Carolina for a total vertical ascent of more than 10,000 feet.(Asheville Citizen-Times)(5-9-2016)

XFINITY Entry List: There are 40 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway. A few notes:
Paul Menard is in the #2 for RCR;
Matt DiBenedetto will be in the #10 for TriStar;
Timmy Hill returns to the #13;
Matt Tifft remains in the #18;
Drew Herring will drive the #24;
The Rick Ware #25 is TBA;
Justin Marks returns to the #42;
Alex Bowman makes his first start in the #88;
Alex Guenette is scheduled to be in the #97 of Obaika Racing.(5-9-2015)
See the complete list on the Dover entry list page.

Cope names Dover sponsors: DCR with JP Motorsports are ready to do battle at the Dover International Speedway for the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200, and are excited to announce partners for the upcoming race. A returning sponsor, US 13 Grill and Speedway Cafe, will be prominently featured as a co-primary sponsor for the event on the #70 car. Both US 13 Grill & Speedway Cafe serve delectable breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week, in a charming and warm atmosphere. US 13 Grill also offers catering services for all occasions and celebrations. US 13 Grill and Catering is located at 1115 S Governors Ave. in Dover is just four miles from Dover Downs Speedway.
Acredale Vending will be featured along with Speedway Cafe as a co-primary sponsor on the #70 Camaro. Owned by Scott Abshire, Acredale Vending has been providing full service vending and sales for over 32 years. Acredale Vending has been a primary and associate sponsor for various NASCAR teams for over 20 years.
Stakes Body Shop, of Norfolk VA, will return to Dover as an associate sponsor for DCR. Father and son operated, Stakes specializes in classic automobile restoration. Whether you are looking for routine maintenance or a complete restoration, call Stake's at (757)-855-6493.
ICE-AIDn - an environmentally safe, all natural, mineral based product that turns your cooler of ice into a freezer - will continue its support of DCR and will be featured as an associate sponsor at the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 on the #70 Camaro. Delivering a frosty cold beverage covered in ice crystals, it will also make the ice in your cooler last two to three times longer
Spand-Ice & Heat On the Go will be joining DCR for their first time at the Dover race as an associate sponsor. Spand-Ice, funded by Kickstarter in 2015, is a tank top that encompasses hot / cold therapy + adjustable compression to target low and mid back pain in an attractive design you can leave your house in. Spand-Ice also offers thermal therapy wraps targeting back and hip pain, and are currently developing a new Relief Wrap for Expecting Moms.(Derrike Cope Racing)(5-9-2016)

Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit featured on MBM cars at Dover: MBM Motorsports and The Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit are teaming up for this weekend's race at Dover. Timmy Hill will be driving the #13 and Carl Long will drive the #40. The Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit has been featured on the car since the Texas Xfinity race. Both cars are promoting the upcoming benefit, which is being held on May 13th and 14th in Fort Worth, Texas.(MBM Motorsports)(5-9-2016)

Drew Herring in the #24 at Dover: JGL Racing officials announced that Drew Herring has been added to the organizations highly successful "Young Guns" program. The Benson, North Carolina native will pilot the #24 Toyota at the upcoming NASCAR XFINITY Series event at Dover International Speedway. The Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 will be held on Saturday May 14th and will be Herring's 16th career start in the XFINITY Series. "I am really thankful for the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the #24 Toyota for JGL Racing," said Herring. "I look forward to working with everyone in Dover for the first time. Dover is a tough track and things happen fast there. It will be important for us to work well together from the very first lap so we get to know each other well and build a strong relationship. I have had the pleasure of being around the team in the shop and I know they are a hard working group of guys. I am confident we will all work together well and get better with every lap we make in practice, qualifying and the race." In his previous 15 starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, Herring has accumulated two Pole Awards, five Top 10 finishes and one Top 5 finish. He also has one career start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to his credit which netted him another Top 10 finish. The JGL Racing Young Guns program is designed to highlight a group of rising stars in the NASCAR ranks. Herring joins Matt Tifft, Corey Lajoie and Brandon McReynolds as participants in the program.(Integrity Sports Marketing)(5-9-2016)

Truck Series Entry List: There are 34 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Friday's Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway. A few notes:
The #07 is TBA;
Austin Cindric is in the #2;
Austin Hill is in the #20;
Ben Kennedy is in the #24;
Kaz Grala is in the #33;
Nick Drake is in the #49;
Daniel Suarez is in the #51;
The #99 is TBA;
(5-9-2016)
See the complete list on the Dover entry list page.

Kligerman, Anderson uncertain of running Charlotte: This past week, the lightning bolt struck Ricky Benton Racing Enterprises. After finishes of third, eighth and eighth to open the season, Parker Kligerman had high hopes for his run at Kansas. Despite not showing much speed during the practice sessions, the team focused on handling for its #92 Ford, a move that served them well when most other teams struggled in the early stages of the race. There was only problem with Kligerman's promising performance: he didn't get to finish it. A mid-race wreck while climbing through the field left the veteran angered by the level of aggressiveness displayed on track; it also left him with a bunch of mangled sheet metal in place of a truck he needed to stay in one piece in order to keep competing full-time in the series. "We really needed this truck for Charlotte, so I'm putting Charlotte in doubt at this time," Kligerman said as his team thrashed to get the remains of the truck into the hauler. "I don't know if we'll make it." Jordan Anderson and his Bolen Motorsports team are in a similar situation to Kligerman's. While the team has a few more people at the shop than RBR does, the hits are just as hard for the Bolen organization, a new team which failed to qualify for Atlanta and Martinsville.A multitude of wrecks during the race allowed Anderson and the #66 truck to climb into the top 10 and race with the leaders until contact sent him hard into the wall. The damage to the truck turned out to be more than could be repaired as he returned to the garage just a handful of laps later after a second hit, which was even harder."This was our only intermediate truck we've got," Anderson said after something in his steering broke, causing terminal damage to the No. 66 Chevrolet. "So hopefully between now and Charlotte in two weeks, we'll find a truck to run."(Frontstretch)(5-9-2016)

Axalta Coating Systems becomes final Founding Partner at Daytona: International Speedway Corporation and Axalta Coating Systems, a leading global manufacturer of liquid and powder coatings, announced today a multi-year partnership that will make Axalta the fifth Founding Partner at Daytona International Speedway's (DIS) new motorsports stadium. The multi-year agreement will provide Axalta with naming rights for the Center injector as well as branding rights within specific areas of the "World Center of Racing" zone, the central "neighborhood" overlooking the famed start/finish line inside the new stadium. The "World Center of Racing" zone is roughly the area of two football fields and celebrates the history and legacy of racing at DIS while featuring retail and dining areas, dozens of video screens and open sight-line views of the racetrack. Axalta will receive 32,000 square feet of branding and engagement opportunities in the Center injector that vertically span four concourse levels along with a dedicated display activation area in the redesigned Midway (located near its injector). Through the partnership, Axalta furthers its strong commitment to motorsports. Axalta serves as a primary sponsor of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet SS team as part of its longstanding, 24-year partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. Additionally, Axalta recently served as the sponsor of the Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR).(DIS)(5-9-2016)

Bad luck bites Truex, Jr. again: A mechanical issue late in the race crippled a commanding performance by #78-Martin Truex Jr., who led a race high of 172 laps in Saturday night's Go Bowling 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Truex, who started the 267 lapper from the pole, was the class of the field until he reported a loose wheel following a Lap 212 pit stop. The culprit was a broken head bolt off the brake that got caught behind the right-front wheel. Truex had no choice but to make an unscheduled pit stop. The incident sent Truex from a dominating lead to 21st and one lap down. He managed to get back on the lead lap and fought his way through traffic to finish 14th in his #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota. "I couldn't believe it," said Truex. "Went around (turns) one and two and I was like, 'Wheel loose.' I kept telling myself that maybe it's not me, maybe it's just shaking because it has tape on it or something stupid. It was loose and I knew it right away. Frustrating, but that's how it goes." Truex added, "We're going to win races for sure - if we keep bringing cars like that, we're going to win some. It's frustrating when you've had it happen so many times in your career. I swear, you watch guys win races that don't have the fastest car or on fuel mileage and all this stuff and it's like, 'damn.' Someday I'm going to get on one of those or on the other side of one of them. Usually you can dominate and win, but it's tough and it happens. It's part of racing. We'll just move on to Dover next week, which is another good track for our Furniture Row Racing team."(Furniture Row Racing)(5-8-2016)

Hamlin was "going for it" before accident: #11-Hamlin was involved in a late-race accident at Kansas with Joey Logano, Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski:
What caused the incident?
Hamlin: "I don't know. I'm looking - I had a huge run off of turn two and I was going to go low on the on 2 (Brad Keselowski), but he went to block, so I went through the middle and I didn't let off into turn three. I went through the middle of them and I either got touched from the 2 or I got loose underneath the 42 (Kyle Larson). I'm not sure really until I get a good look at it honestly."
What did you see during the accident?
Hamlin: "I was going in there three-wide. I wasn't letting off and the 42 (Kyle Larson) was just too close up there. It wasn't his fault by any means, but we were both trying to drive in there to clear each other and I just got loose and I mean that's crazy there was no contact, but both me and 2 (Brad Keselowski) got loose there. Shame - I just screwed us on pit road twice. Our car was a fast car today. Just didn't show it. We were just in the back because I sped twice. I've got to get better on pit lane to give us a chance and then I was just going for it there because I knew our car had some speed. I was on two tires and the guys in front of me were on none or two. I was just going for it. I've got the win and that's part of this format is going for it and that's what we did."(Toyota Racing)(5-8-2016)

Kansas Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2016 Go Bowling 4000: 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 10:38 PM (all times are EDT). FS1 was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 116
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 551
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 99
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 56
Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 17
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 11
Number of times Fox utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 4
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 72
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 2 min. 55 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 7:30 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 10:38 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 188
Minutes of race broadcast: 145
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 43
Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 8
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 0
Total race brdcst time 145 Total comm. brdcst time 43
See past races, more info on the commercials with links at CawsnJaws.com.(5-8-2016)

Kyle Busch wins at Kansas: #18-Kyle Busch won the GoBowling.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway for his 3rd win of the season, 1st win at Kansas and 37th career win. Busch lead 69 of the 267 laps. He ties Tony Stewart for the winningest driver at Joe Gibbs Racing with 33.
#4-Harvick finished 2nd followed by #41-Busch, #20-Kenseth, #21-Blaney, #3-Dillon, #31-Newman, #47-Allmendinger, #24-Elliott, and #2-Keselowski.
Pole sitter #78-Truex, Jr. dominated most of the race, leading 172 laps. However he had to make two green flag pit stops late, after a lug nut got hung behind a wheel. He finished 14th.
There were 16 lead changes among 10 drivers and 6 cautions for 30 yellow flag laps.
The average speed was 141.909mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more [NOTE: money/winnings are no longer reported] at:
Unofficial Race Results page (pdf)
Lap Summary Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Pit Stop Times (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Kansas Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-7-2016)

Race Fast Facts - Kansas Speedway:
Kyle Busch won the 6th Annual Go Bowling 400, his 37th victory in 401 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and ninth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 17 races at Kansas Speedway.
Kevin Harvick (second) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 21 races at Kansas Speedway. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2016.
Kurt Busch (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 21 races at Kansas Speedway.
Ryan Blaney (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kevin Harvick leads the point standings by 4 points over Kyle Busch.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-7-2016)

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Points (not CHASE) Standings:
[after Kansas, race 11 of 36]
1) #4-Harvick [1 win], 390
2) #18-Busch, [3 wins], 386, -4
3) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 367, -23
4) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 353, -37
5) #41-Busch, 350, -40
6) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 332, -58
7) #22-Logano, 320, -70
8) #3-Dillon, 307, -83
9) #88-Earnhardt Jr., 305, -85
10) #78-Truex Jr., 303, -87
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf) See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Kansas Race & Points Report (pdf).

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup CHASE Standings:
[after Kansas, race 11 of 36, 16 drivers for the Chase]
Set by most wins, then by points standing
1) #18-Busch [3 wins], 2nd in driver points
2) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 3rd
3) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 4th
4) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 6th
5) #4-Harvick [1 win], 1st
6) #11-Hamlin [1 win], 13th
no wins, in by drivers points standings
7) #41-Busch, 350
8) #22-Logano, 320
9) #3-Dillon, 307
10) #88-Earnhardt Jr., 305
11) #78-Truex, Jr., 303
12) #24-Elliott, 303
13) #1-McMurray, 276
14) #20-Kenseth, 269
15) #47-Allmendinger, 265
16) #21-Blaney, 255
(5-7-2016)

Kenseth and Logano talk after Talladega: #20-Matt Kenseth said he and #22-Joey Logano talked this week and buried their differences about last week's race at Talladega Superspeedway. Asked Friday if he could share anything from his conversation with Logano, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said, "Nah, if we wanted that we would have made it a conference call." The pair has issues stretching back to two incidents last season, and Kenseth had blamed Logano for pushing him below the yellow line at Talladega on Sunday and ultimately into a position to become involved in a crash that sent Kenseth's car airborne and toward an infield catchfence and retaining wall.(USA Today)(5-7-2016)

Dave Blaney injured at Eldora: Former NASCAR driver Dave Blaney, father of Sprint Cup rookie Ryan Blaney, was transported to an Ohio hospital Friday night after crashing during qualifying at Eldora Speedway, a track spokesperson told NBC Sports. Blaney was competing with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at the half-mile dirt track owned by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. Blaney hit the Turn 1 wall and flipped multiple times. The car landed in Turn 2. He was taken by ground to a local hospital and was awake and alert, according to a track spokesperson. A LifeFlight helicopter was on site but wasn't needed to transport Blaney to a local hospital. Blaney's daughter, Emma, provided an update Friday night on Twitter: "Thank you for all the prayers. My dad is one tough guy. He is a little sore but going to be okay... probably already watching dirtvision".(NBC Sports)(5-7-2016)

Goodyear tire testing continues: While the NASCAR race schedule is in full swing and the weather throughout the country has become milder, Goodyear's testing program has kicked into full gear. The exclusive tire supplier to NASCAR's three national series is coming off back-to-back weeks with tests at Pocono Raceway (April 19-20) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (April 26-27). With the advent of NASCAR's 2016 lower downforce rules package, Goodyear has gone to the test lab and the track to come up with a tire that gives more mechanical grip to enhance the racing. Based on the test at Pocono, the tire set-up will fall into a similar pattern that Goodyear has enacted at many tracks already run this season with more grip, specifically on the left-side of the car. It also fell into line with Indianapolis, as it has in the past. Drivers testing Pocono were #2-Brad Keselowski, #42-Kyle Larson, #31-Ryan Newman and #78-Martin Truex Jr. After wet weather concerns leading up to the Indianapolis test, the session yielded plenty of on-track time and a consensus on the existing tire set-up. "Based on feedback from the drivers at Indianapolis, they felt that our control tire set-up - that was the same combination of tires we ran there last year - provided the right amount of grip with the lower downforce package," said Greg Stucker, Goodyear's director of racing. "Indianapolis provides its own, unique challenges with the grooved surface, being relatively flat and the high speeds. We had a great test there with a lot of input from the drivers that will help us make the right choice for the race." Drivers testing Indianapolis were #43-Aric Almirola, #19-Carl Edwards, #24-Chase Elliott and #14-Tony Stewart.
After these two successful sessions, the testing schedule continues next week (May 10-11) on the newly re-paved surface of Watkins Glen International. Organizations scheduled to participate are Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Stewart Haas Racing.
Watkins Glen is followed by tests at Michigan International Speedway on May 17 (Furniture Row Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 31-June 1 (Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing).(Goodyear Racing)(5-7-2016)

Keselowski talks about changes to All-Star Race: #2-Brad Keselowski spoke to the media Friday at Kansas:
You're either getting a lot of credit or later the blame for the all-star race format just announced. What was your thinking going into that?
"Someone reached out to me and asked me from the Charlotte Motor Speedway what we could do to make the race the best possible, and I put a little bit of thought into it. I know another group of drivers did as well and we all kind of pitched in some ideas. I don't know, I don't think that I was all the ideas, but maybe the one that seems to catch everyone's attention. I just wanted to see the race something that I would want to watch if I was a fan, and something that I would want to be proud of if I was the driver that won it. A lot of times we get caught up with trying to maybe make one group happy and we forget that this sport is more than one group. So for this particular format, example, the idea was how do we make the drivers feel like they earned it and the fans feel like they saw a great race. I feel really good about it. I think what you're gonna see in the All-Star Race is gonna be the modern day format of excellence for that type of race because a lot of things have changed. It's not 1990 anymore. It's not 1992 anymore. I think we've seen aerodynamics come in the sport and really make it so much more difficult to pass than ever before, and the format is meant to combat that challenge. There is probably an argument to be made that it's a little bit gimmicky, and that's fair, but it's the All-Star Race and I feel like the All-Star Race gets a free pass on gimmicks to some extent, and it should be a short, fun, amazing race. I'm feeling pretty optimistic that it's gonna be the best race of the year." What will make a driver have to earn it?
"You're gonna win the race one of two way, most likely and one of those two ways is you're either gonna drive through the field in 13 laps, which in my belief is earning it. Whenever you have to pass 12 or 13 cars over the course of 13 laps that's a lot of passing, and I think that's gonna require perfection from a driver making all the right moves and understanding every little idiosyncrasy of the race track and his competitors, and vice versa. If a guy that's 11th or 12th, or whatever that number ends up being, gets the lead and runs away with it, he's gonna have to drive his butt off because he's gonna have such a natural disadvantage with the scenarios that play out that I think it's gonna be extremely difficult for him. Either way, no matter who wins, you're gonna have to fight hard, whereas I think when we looked at the last few years' scenario it was pretty simply - win the restart into turn one and you win the race. I didn't feel like that was an earn it scenario."(Ford Racing)(5-7-2016)

Marcus Smith confirms interest in Carolina Panthers: Speedway Motorsports Inc. CEO and Charlotte Motor Speedway general manager Marcus Smith, during a Wednesday interview with the Observer, affirmed what his father said last month: The Smiths would be interested in eventually purchasing the Carolina Panthers. Bruton Smith, a billionaire track owner and recent NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, told Motorsport.com last month that his sons want him to buy the NFL franchise when it becomes available. The younger Smith said there's definitely interest. "It's just one of those things where it's not even on the market," Marcus Smith said Wednesday. "Would we be interested? Yeah. It would be an incredible opportunity and such a neat opportunity and property for anybody to be able to shepherd into the future. We're in the sports entertainment world now and we love what we do, and (I) think it'd be fun to do more of it."(Charlotte Observer)

Kansas Race Notes & Facts:
· There have been 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, one NSCS event from 2001 - 2010 and two races per year since 2011.
· Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Kansas with six: Jeff Gordon (three: 2001, 2002 and 2014) and Jimmie Johnson (three: 2008, 2011 and 2015).
· Four manufacturers have won at Kansas Speedway in the NSCS; led by Chevrolet with 10 victories, Ford with six, Toyota and Dodge each have two.
· There has been two NSCS races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Kansas Speedway: fall of 2011 (267/272) and fall of 2015 (267/269).
· Only one of the 20 races at Kansas Speedway has been shortened due to weather conditions: fall of 2007 - Completed 210 of the scheduled 267 laps.
· Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway was the (10/10/2004) race won by Joe Nemechek with a MOV of 0.081 second.
(NASCAR)

Bid make for Rockingham Speedway: The highest of the two bids made for Rockingham Speedway Thursday morning came from the company that owns the lien. James M. Hash, a Raleigh attorney representing BK Rock Holdings, placed a $3 million credit bid during a public auction at the Richmond County Judicial Center. According to court documents, Billy R. Silas is the manager of the Florida-based limited liability company that purchased the promissory note from Farmers and Merchants Bank on Nov. 17, 2015. An initial bid of $100,000 was made at 11:12 a.m., then, after no other offers were made, Hash stepped up to announce his client's bid. If it turns out to be the prevailing bid, then BK Rock Holdings would own the property and net proceeds from the sale would be credited toward the debt, he said. Documents show the original loan taken out when former driver Andy Hillenburg bought the track in 2008 was for $4.2 million at 6.875 percent interest. The loan was set up to be paid with 59 monthly payments of $32,497.85 starting Nov. 16, 2008 and being paid in full by Oct. 16, 2013. A letter sent to Hillenburg - as well as Bryan and Kim Silas, who are listed as member/managers of Rockingham Raceway Park, LLC - by Hash on Feb. 17, shows the total owed on the October note as $4,305,593.92 and that of a July 2008 note as $617,827.44. The amounts include principle and accrued interest, but not attorneys' fees and costs.
Per statute, the clock started ticking on a 10-day period for an upset bid once the bid was filed with the Richmond County Clerk of Superior Court's Office. "Any person may submit an upset bid," Hash said. "It makes no difference whether the person attended today's sale." An upset bid - which must exceed the sale price by a minimum of five percent - must be filed with the clerk's office, with the bidder making a deposit of at least five percent, he said. As it currently stands, an upset bid of $3.15 million with a $157,500 deposit must be made by May 16.(Richmond County Daily Journal)(5-7-2016)

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Go Bowling 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #78-Truex, Jr. chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #20-Kenseth took pit stall 38, with an opening in front of it.
#11-Hamlin, who starts 3rd took the 18th pit stall, also with an opening in front of it.
The 41st and final pit stall was taken by #24-Elliott, who starts 13th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com's Pit Stall Selection chart.(5-6-2016)

Truex, Jr. wins Kansas pole: #78-Martin Truex, Jr. won the Coors Light pole for the GoBowling.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway with speed of 190.921mph for his 1st pole of 2016, XXX at Kansas and 8th of his career. Truex, Jr. has never won a race from the pole.
#20-Kenseth will start 2nd, followed by #11-Hamlin, #41-Busch, #2-Keselowski, #18-Busch, #21-Blaney, #31-Newman, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #6-Bayne, #27-Menard, and #19-Edwards
#20-Kenseth was fastest in the first round with a speed of 190.034mph and in the second round at 190.712mph.
40 teams were entered, so everyone made the race.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Kansas qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Kansas Starting Lineup page (pdf).(5-6-2016)

Kansas Speedway - Qualifying Fast Facts:
Martin Truex Jr won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 6th Annual Go Bowling 400 with a lap of 28.284 seconds, 190.921 mph.
This is his eighth pole in 380 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and sixth top-10 start in 2016.
This is his first pole in 16 races at Kansas Speedway.
Matt Kenseth (second) posted his eighth top-10 start of 2016 and his ninth in 21 races at Kansas Speedway.
Denny Hamlin (third) posted his eighth top-10 start at Kansas Speedway. It is his ninth in 11 races this season.
Ryan Blaney (seventh) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(5-6-2016)

Second Round of Qualifying for the GoBowling.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 10 scheduled minutes.
#20-Kenseth 190.712
#11-Hamlin 190.148
#41-Busch 189.987
#78-Truex, Jr. 189.920
#21-Blaney 189.573
the rest of the top 12: 17 19 18 2 6 31 27;
out of the top 12 and not advancing to the final round 3: 24 22 48 14 3 42 43 16 1 88 10 83
(5-6-2016)

First Round of Qualifying for the GoBowling.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#20-Kenseth 190.034
#78-Truex, Jr 189.800
#41-Busch 189.354
#3-Dillon 189.135
#19-Edwards 189.016
the rest of the top 24: 18 48 22 43 17 11 31 6 2 10 16 21 42 88 24 27 83 1 14
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 34 4 5 44 47 95 13 7 15 23 38 30 98 32 46 55
Drivers who will miss the race: none as 40 cars were entered for 40 spots.
(5-6-2016)

Final (happy hour) practice for the GoBowling.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 80 scheduled minutes. The top five, slowest and notes:
#78-Truex, Jr. 187.696
#20-Kenseth 187.617
#11-Hamlin 187.357
#48-Johnson 187.285
#18-Busch 187.214
slowest: #98-Whitt 177.696 & #55-Sorenson 174.616.
most laps run: #41-Busch 50, #20-Kenseth 44
notes: Johnson ran the fastest lap of the session 15 minutes in, but the engine began to run in reverse due to a problem with the engine control unit, and smoke came out of the hood. The team checked the car and said there was no damage to the engine.
Qualifying will be this evening at 6:45pm/et and will be televised on FS1 and covered via radio by MRN/SiriusXM.
Only 40 teams are entered so everyone will make the race.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Kansas Final Practice Speeds page (pdf).(5-6-2016)

First practice for the GoBowling.com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#41-Busch 185.893
#78-Truex, Jr. 185.478
#19-Edwards 185.020
#3-Dillon 184.925
#6-Bayne 184.811
slowest: #32-Gase 175.131 & #55-Sorenson 172.667
most laps run: #21-Blaney 40, #14-Stewart 36
notes: Final (happy hour) practice is this afternoon at 1:30pm/et.
Qualifying will be this evening at 6:45pm/et and will be televised on FS1 and covered via radio by MRN/SiriusXM.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Kansas Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf).(5-6-2016)

Changes coming to All-Star Race? UPDATE: With just over two weeks remaining until the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a format for the May 21 exhibition race still hasn't been finalized. Until a few weeks ago, it seemed the 2015 format - four 25-lap segments ending with a 10-lap shootout - likely would remain in place this season. But multiple people with knowledge of the discussions have told NBC Sports that Charlotte and NASCAR officials have lobbied for significant changes to add drama to an event in which the winner has led all 10 laps of the last segment for the past three seasons. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the talks publicly. Among the changes being considered are:
-Varying the length and number of segments;
-Adding a mid-event inversion (which has been tried in past editions of the All-Star Race);
-Dynamic pit stop strategies, such as requiring the top 10 to pit for tires before a final segment while allowing the rest of the field to remain on track. (NBC Sports)(5-6-2016)
UPDATE: Charlotte Motor Speedway will host a new, thrilling format for the May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the biggest all-star event in all of sports, that will see the brightest stars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series dueling for 113 laps to decide the winner of a $1 million prize. The unique format for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race includes two 50-lap segments with mandatory green-flag pit stops destined to shuffle the field. It all culminates with a 13-lap trophy dash that promises to deliver breathtaking racing, with a wrinkle sure to add intrigue. Prior to the start of the final segment, a random draw will decide whether the top nine, 10 or 11 cars will enter pit road for a mandatory four-tire pit stop. The rest will stay out on older tires and lead the field to green for the final segment. Cars with four new tires will line up behind those with older tires. It all adds up to a gripping fight-to-the-front finish for $1 million.
The new format is a throwback to the early years of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, when longer segments put more racing in the drivers' hands, while the final 13-lap sprint offers the thrill of the unknown as teams battle to the front on fresh tires. The 2016 rules package for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which has provided two of the closest margins of victory in NASCAR history so far this season, also lends itself favorably to the updated format.
NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE FORMAT (MAY 21):
· Segment 1 (50 laps): Field set determined by qualifying, mandatory green-flag pit stop for a minimum of two tires;
· Break 1 (3-5 minutes): Mandatory pit stop with a minimum two-tire change before Segment 2;
· Segment 2 (50 laps): Field set determined by pit-road exit, one mandatory green-flag pit stop for a minimum of two tires before lap 85;
· Break 2 (3-5 minutes): Random draw to decide whether the top nine, 10 or 11 cars must enter pit road for a mandatory four-tire pit stop, pit road closed for all other cars, pit-road exit determines Segment 3 starting order, cars leaving pit road line up behind cars that did not pit;
· Segment 3 (13 laps): Only green-flag laps count (NASCAR Overtime procedures apply).
SPRINT SHOWDOWN FORMAT (MAY 20):
· Segment 1 (20 laps): Field set by practice speed, winner advances to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and does not continue in Showdown;
· Segment 2 (20 laps): Field set by pit-road order after mandatory minimum two-tire pit stop, winner advances to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and does not continue in Showdown;
· Segment 3 (10 laps): Field set by pit-road order after mandatory minimum two--tire pit stop, winner advances to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (NASCAR Overtime rules apply).
ELIGIBILITY:
Drivers who have won a race in the current or preceding year, past NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winners, past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions, Sprint Showdown Segment 1, 2 and last-chance qualifier winners and the Sprint Fan Vote winner are eligible to compete. The final order of the Sprint Fan Vote will fill any remaining spots until the field reaches the minimum of 20 cars. Sprint Fan Vote balloting ends prior to the Sprint Showdown on May 20.(NASCAR)(5-6-2016)

Kerry, Teresa Earnhardt in battle over last name: Teresa Earnhardt, known for being staunchly protective of the Dale Earnhardt brand and marks, is trying to keep a couple from using "Earnhardt" in the name of homes they developed. That couple? Dale Earnhardt's son Kerry Earnhardt and Kerry's wife, Rene. Teresa Earnhardt, Kerry's stepmother and Dale's widow, doesn't want the couple to use the name Earnhardt Collection and filed an appeal last week in federal court over a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruling that denied Teresa's challenge to the "Earnhardt Collection" trademark applied for by Kerry Earnhardt Inc.
"Rene and I have worked extremely hard to develop the Earnhardt Collection brand and make it uniquely ours," Kerry Earnhardt said in a statement to ESPN.com "I chose to leave a successful career in racing and could not be happier with what we've been able to achieve in the five years we've been building our home lifestyle brand inspired by our love of the outdoors."
Teresa Earnhardt didn't testify in the [trademark] case but states in her appeal that the name Earnhardt Collection is likely to deceive or cause confusion among people that the homes and products are endorsed by Dale Earnhardt or by her. Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, daughter of Dale and second wife Brenda Jackson, testified that no one has confused the Earnhardt Collection of being associated with her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr.(ESPN.com)(5-7-2016)

Talladega TV Ratings UPDATE: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Talladega earned a 3.8 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon, flat in ratings compared to last year and down 5% from 2014 (4.0). The 3.8 overnight is tied with last year as the lowest for the spring Talladega race since at least 1998 (excluding rainouts). Despite the historic low, Sunday's race was the first Sprint Cup telecast of the season to at least pull even with last year. Eight of the first ten races posted declines and two others - Bristol and Richmond - could not be compared because of last year's rainouts. In addition, it ranks as the top rated NASCAR race in the metered markets in nearly two months, since Las Vegas in March (4.1). For the weekend, NASCAR on FOX ranked second among all sporting events behind the Blazers/Warriors NBA playoff game on ABC (5.0).(Sports Media Watch)(5-3-2016)
UPDATE: According to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research, Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Talladega Superspeedway delivered a solid 4.0/10 and 6.7 million viewers, matching last year's performance on a HH Rating basis and ticking up +6% on average audience (6.7 million vs. 6.3 million). On FOX Sports Go, Sunday's race produced 54,318 streams with 25,372 unique streamers and 969,679 minutes streamed. Saturday's NASCAR XFINITY SERIES race on FOX posted nice increases for the Talladega 300 with a 1.9/5 and 2.9 million viewers, up +19% over last year's 1.6/4 (2.4 million) to rank as the most-watched Xfinity Series telecast on any network since 2013's running of the Daytona 300 on ESPN. It marks the fifth consecutive NASCAR XFINITY SERIES race to be either flat or up versus 2015 comparable events.(Fox) see race-by-race TV Ratings for 2016 and a comparison chart on the 2016 TV Ratings page.(5-6-2016)

Jeff Gordon publishing first authorized biography: Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and current FOX NASCAR broadcast analyst, is publishing his first-ever authorized biography in October. "I purposely waited until I retired from driving so the book would encompass my entire career," says Gordon. "People are going to be able to read about me like they've never read about me before." The authorized biography, "Jeff Gordon: His Dream, Drive & Destiny" is being written by Joe Garner, the five-time New York Times bestselling author of such popular hardcover collections as "And The Crowd Goes Wild" and "100 Yards of Glory." Gordon and Garner first worked together in 2006 on the multimedia book titled "Speed, Guts, & Glory," about landmark moments in NASCAR history. Garner was given unprecedented access. "What truly impressed me in the making of this book is the time Jeff invested. There are so many books with very little time invested by the drivers, but Jeff gave me unparalleled access at the race track, at special events - and at his home - over the past 15 months," says Garner. The book is based on those extensive interviews with Gordon - as well as in-depth interviews with dozens of family members, friends, competitors, and colleagues, some of whom have never gone on the record before. "He put nothing off-limits and encouraged the people to speak honestly," says Garner. "And Jeff speaks candidly, sometimes brutally so, about his childhood, his much publicized divorce, those he competed against, his family, and life after racing." "Jeff Gordon: His Dream, Drive & Destiny" is scheduled to be released on October 18th, 2016.(JeffGordon.com)(5-6-2016)

Lesa France Kennedy named Honorary Chairperson for Motorsports Hall Of Fame Of America Induction: The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) announced that International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy will serve as honorary chairperson for its 28th Annual Induction Ceremony Presented by Bridgestone on June 29 in Daytona Beach. Kennedy, also ISC's vice chairperson and executive vice president/vice chairperson of NASCAR, will be part of an illustrious list of attendees for the hall of fame's first induction ceremony in Daytona Beach since its recent move from Novi, Michigan to Daytona International Speedway. The MSHFA now will be housed in the Speedway's ticket and tours facility that greets thousands of motorsports fans each year at the "World Center of Racing." The first phase of construction and development is expected to be completed by June. That completion will coincide with this year's debut of the $400 million "DAYTONA Rising" project which has created the world's first true motorsports stadium. The site for the induction ceremony will be announced in the near future. A seven-person class of 2016 inductees will enter the MSHFA: AMA motorcycle great Everett Brashear; NASCAR champion team owner Richard Childress; land and water speed-record legend Gary Gabelich; multi-discipline auto racing champion owner Chip Ganassi; NHRA announcing legend Dave McClelland; competitor and broadcaster extraordinaire Sam Posey; and 1955 Indianapolis 500 champion Bob Sweikert.(Motorsports Hall of Fame)(5-6-2016)

Crew member reinstated: NASCAR has reinstated crew member Chris Jamieson upon his successful completion of NASCAR's Substance Abuse Road to Recovery Program.(NASCAR) Jameson was suspended following the Las Vegas race.(5-6-2016)

Kansas Pole Notes & Facts:
· Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.
· 13 drivers have Coors Light poles at Kansas, led by Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne with three each.
· Jason Leffler won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Kansas Speedway in 2001 with a speed of 176.499 mph.
· Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick are the only two drivers to win consecutive Coors Light poles at Kansas Speedway (Johnson - 2007, 2008 and Harvick - fall 2013, spring 2014 and fall 2014).
· Four of the 20 (20%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from the Coors Light pole; Joe Nemechek (2004), Jimmie Johnson (2008), Matt Kenseth (spring 2013) and Kevin Harvick (fall 2013).
· Five of the 20 (25%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from the front row: four from the pole and one from second-place.
· 11 of the 20 (55%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kansas Speedway have been won from a top-10 starting position.
· 17 of the 20 (85%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from a top-20 starting position - including last season's race - Johnson started 19th.
· Two of the 20 (10%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from a starting position outside the top 20. - 21st (Tony Stewart, 2006) and 25th (Brad Keselowski, 2011).
· The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Kansas Speedway is 25th, by Brad Keselowski in the spring of 2011.
(NASCAR)

Sad news - Steve Turner: Steve Turner, a Texas businessman and one-time NASCAR team owner who won the 2012 Truck Series championship with driver James Buescher, died Thursday night with his family at his side, family members confirmed. After serving in the Navy and finding a great deal of success in the oil and gas industry, Turner's hobby in racing turned into a full-time racing operation in 1999 with the formation of Turner Motorsports, competing on dirt and asphalt tracks throughout Texas. In 2009, Turner Motorsports joined NASCAR competition and later that year he acquired Braun Racing, a successful team in what is now the Xfinity Series. In 2013, Turner joined with Harry Scott Jr. and the team was renamed Turner Scott Motorsports. The owners went their separate ways at the conclusion of the 2014 season.Turner most recently lived in Houston. Funeral arrangements are not available at this time.(Motorsport.com)(5-6-2016)

AutoLotto sponsoring Wallace at New Hampshire: Bubba Wallace's #6 Ford Mustang will carry the AutoLotto colors in the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 16. AutoLotto, founded in 2015 is a mobile application that allows users to purchase Powerball tickets from a mobile device. Users are able to store their credit card information in the application, order tickets without fees, and record the ticket information on the mobile device. AutoLotto checks the tickets for winning numbers and automatically pays users 100 percent of any applicable winnings. The application can even remember the user's favorite numbers, or automatically purchase tickets when the Powerball reaches a certain amount.(Roush Fenway Racing), see an image of the car on the #6 team paint schemes page.(5-6-2016)

Talladega XFINITY TV Ratings: Saturday's NASCAR XFINITY SERIES race on FOX posted nice increases for the Talladega 300 with a 1.9/5 and 2.9 million viewers, up +19% over last year's 1.6/4 (2.4 million) to rank as the most-watched Xfinity Series telecast on any network since 2013's running of the Daytona 300 on ESPN. It marks the fifth consecutive NASCAR XFINITY SERIES race to be either flat or up versus 2015 comparable events.(Fox)(5-6-2016)

Byron wins Truck Series Race at Kansas #9-William Byron won the Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway on Friday, picking up his first career win in dramatic fashion. A late caution as Byron led extended the race into overtime. He lost the lead to #21-Johnny Sauter and #41-Ben Rhodes after the restart, but the two made contact in turn 3 on the final lap and wrecked, handing the lead back to Byron.
#88-Matt Crafton finished second, followed by #19-Daniel Hemric, #4-Christopher Bell, #24-Clint Bowyer, #81-Ryan Truex, #00-Cole Custer, #17-Timothy Peters, #33-Ben Kennedy, and #23-Spencer Gallagher.
#05-John Wes Townley led the field to green after earning his first career pole, but was involved in an accident early and finished 26th.
There were 11 cautions for 47 laps and 19 lead changes among 9 leaders.
The average speed was 108.511mph.
Complete results are on the Kansas race results page (pdf).
(5-6-2016)

Kansas Race Fast Facts:
William Byron won the 16th Annual Toyota Tundra 250, his first victory in five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in one races at Kansas Speedway.
Matt Crafton (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 16 races at Kansas Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2016.
Daniel Hemric (third) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Kansas Speedway.
William Byron (first) was the highest finishing rookie.
Timothy Peters leads the point standings by 8 points over Daniel Hemric.
(NASCAR Statistics)(5-6-2016)

Driver standings following Kansas:
1) #17-Timothy Peters, 103
2) #19-Daniel Hemric, 95, -8
3) #81-Ryan Truex, 93, -10
4) #02-Tyler Young, 89, -14
5) #8-John Hunter Nemechek, 88, -15
6) #88-Matt Crafton, 88, -15
7) #9-William Byron #, 87, -16
8) #23-Spencer Gallagher, 85, -18
9) #86-Brandon Brown, 83, -20
10) #92-Parker Kligerman, 82, -21
See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-6-2016)

Owner Standings following Kansas are posted (pdf).(5-6-2016)

Townley on pole at Kansas: #05-John Wes Townley won the pole for the Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway with a speed of 177.253mph. #9-William Byron will start second, followed by #29-Tyler Reddick, #00-Cole Custer, #4-Christopher Bell, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #11-Matt Tifft, #17-Timothy Peters, #19-Daniel Hemric, and #41-Ben Rhodes.
Townley was also fastest in the second round with a speed of 176.459mph.
Did Not Qualify: #6-Norm Benning and #74-Mike Harmon.
See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(5-6-2016)

Kansas Qualifying Notes:
John Wes Townley won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 16th Annual Toyota Tundra 250 with a lap of 30.465 seconds, 177.253 mph.
This is his first pole in 96 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first pole and third top-10 start in 2016.This is his first pole in five races at Kansas Speedway.
William Byron (second) posted his second top-10 start of 2016 and his first in one races at Kansas Speedway.
Tyler Reddick (third) posted his first top-10 start at Kansas Speedway. It is his second in four races this season.
William Byron (second) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-6-2016)

Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation teams with Brown for Charlotte: Brandon Brown will have the name of one of NASCAR's iconic drivers on his Camping World Truck Series ride at Charlotte Motor Speedway later this month. Brown's team, Fredericksburg-based Brandonbilt Motorsports, announced that the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation will be a sponsor for the #86 Chevy Silverado for the NC Education Lottery 200 on May 20 at CMS. Brown, 22, has driven a full slate so far this season in the CWTS, finishing two of his three starts in the top 15. The Woodbridge native placed a career-best fourth in the season-opening Nextera Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway and followed that up with finishes of 19th and 15th at Atlanta and Martinsville, respectively.Gordon accumulated 93 wins and four championships in a 24-year Sprint Cup career that came to an end after last season. His foundation supports pediatric cancer research, provides equitable access to treatment and patient support programs.Gordon's foundation was established in 1999 and has granted more than $16.5 million to support children with cancer.(Fredericksburg.com)(5-6-2016)

Haas driver to enter 2 events: Nick Drake, a Haas Racing development driver will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut next weekend at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Drake, 20, will drive the #49 Haas Automation Chevy Silverado in the Dover 200 on May 13 in a collaborative effort between JR Motorsports and Premium Motorsports. Dave McCarty, a longtime veteran of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will serve as crew chief. In addition to Dover, Drake will also compete in the June 18 American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway in the same capacity. He will test at the 0.75-mile short track on Tuesday, May 30. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West winner at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway in 2014 competed in the full NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season last year for Bill McAnally Racing where he posted two top-fives and seven top-10 en route to an eighth-place finish in the championship standings. Overall, the Mooresville, North Carolina-native has 30 K&N East starts with six top-fives and 15 top-10 runs.(Catchfence.com)(5-6-2016)

2017 NASCAR schedules released: NASCAR announced the 2017 schedules for its three national series, giving fans and stakeholders a significant head start in planning for next season's thrilling slate. A credit to unprecedented industry collaboration, specifically the five-year sanctioning agreement between NASCAR and its tracks, the sanctioning body finalized its 2017 schedules months ahead of previous years' release. The result: Three unique schedules featuring race tracks that have hosted record-setting races already this season, with the majority of the slate still remaining.
A notable change in the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series schedule includes a date swap between a track that just hosted one of the most competitive races in its history, and one that will showcase the lower downforce competition package this coming weekend. Talladega Superspeedway, which last Sunday had the second-highest total of green flag passes for the lead ever recorded (213), will become the second race in the Round of 12 in 2017 (Oct. 15). Kansas Speedway will now become the third and final race in that round (Oct. 22).
Texas Motor Speedway's spring Cup race shifts to Sunday (April 9), a move expected to produce great racing action like that seen after Richmond International Raceway switched to a Sunday race for the 2016 season. Other changes in the NASCAR Cup schedule include Dover International Speedway's spring date move to June 4, a week after the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 28). Michigan International Speedway's second race will return to its traditional early August slot, on Aug. 13.
The NASCAR Cup Series 2017 schedule opens with The Great American Race, the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 26. The season culminates with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 19.
The NASCAR XFINITY Series will kick off at Daytona on Feb. 25, and crown its champion at Homestead on Saturday, November 18. Its schedule features four standalone events -- Iowa Speedway (July 29), Mid-Ohio (Aug. 12), Road America (Aug. 26) and Kentucky Speedway, the first event in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase (Sept. 23). For the second consecutive season, Iowa will host a NASCAR XFINITY Series-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series companion weekend on June 23-24.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series opens its season at Daytona on Feb. 24, and culminates at Homestead on Nov. 17. Five standalone races are included among the 2017 lineup: Texas Motor Speedway (June 9), Gateway Motorsports Park (June 17), Eldora Speedway (July 19), Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Aug. 27) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sept. 30). The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase once again begins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sept. 23).(NASCAR)
See the
2017 NASCAR Cup Series schedule;
2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series schedule and
Camping World Truck Series schedule.(5-5-2017)

2017 Series schedules expected Thursday UPDATE: NASCAR will hold a meeting Thursday at Kansas Speedway involving members of the media, track officials and others to unveil the 2017 Cup Series schedule, sources have confirmed. The schedule's release, which is the earliest in recent history, is expected to include a few shifts in where race dates fall on the calendar, the source said. So far, looking at the calendar and comparing the schedule from 2016 to 2017, the most notable change could be a return of the race at Dover International Speedway to a date after the Coca-Cola 600. Otherwise, there would be no off-weekend before June. Although some tracks have already released information on when they will host next year's NASCAR events others have not. For example, Daytona International Speedway, which will hold the season-opener Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, 2017, is a week later on the calendar next year than it was in 2016. That will affect when teams get an off-weekend following the West Coast Swing. Additionally, some tracks have requested race date changes in the past in hopes of boosting attendance.(Kickin The Tires)(5-3-2016)
UPDATE: NASCAR has scheduled a press conference for 2:00pm/et at Kansas Speedway with Jim Cassidy, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, to discuss the schedules. Expect them to be released by that time.
AND: According to multiple track sources, NBC Sports has learned the second round of the 2017 playoffs will be changed with Talladega Superspeedway and Kansas Speedway swapping spots. That will make Kansas the cutoff race for the winnowing of the championship field from the 12 to eight drivers and should allay much of the consternation about Talladega being the determining race. For the second consecutive season, Charlotte Motor Speedway still will open the second round of the 2017 Chase on Oct. 8, followed by Talladega on Oct. 15 and Kansas on Oct. 22. There aren't any other major changes expected when the 2017 national series schedules are unveiled Thursday by NASCAR.(NBC Sports)(5-5-2016)

New rules package contributing to closer races: NASCAR drivers and fans alike have heralded the quality of racing this season, and there are plenty of statistics to reinforce their empirical observations. Seven of the first nine races featured victory margins of less than one second, the exceptions being Atlanta, which ended under caution after 28 lead changes, and Texas, where Kyle Busch pulled away to win by 3.904 seconds after 17 lead changes. The seven races decided by less than a second are the most through nine events since the introduction of electronic timing and scoring.
Three races this year have set records for green-flag passes for the lead, a loop data statistic that includes intra-lap passes: Atlanta (44), Auto Club Speedway (51) and Bristol (40).
The 10th race of the season, Sunday's GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, featured 213 green-flag passes for the lead, the second most since the inception of loop data in 2005 and only the second time that number has topped 200. The record of 219 was set at Talladega in October 2013.
By all accounts, the new lower-downforce competition package NASCAR has implemented this season has made a huge difference. Another contributing factor is the job Goodyear has done in matching tires chosen for particular tracks with the lower-downforce rules package. Drivers and crew chiefs have long advocated for greater fall-off throughout a fuel run, and the racing this year has enhanced that aspect of competition. The new package also has reduced the effect of "aero-push," which in the past inhibited drivers' ability to approach and pass a slightly slower car.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-5-2016)

Current top 10 in Sprint Fan Vote revealed: The Sprint Fan Vote is underway, and now, we have updates on (perhaps) your favorite driver. There's still plenty of time left to vote but, so far, the top-10 vote-getters are as follows, in alphabetical order: #47-AJ Allmendinger, #6-Trevor Bayne, #21-Ryan Blaney, #15-Clint Bowyer, #83-Matt DiBenedetto, #24-Chase Elliott, #42-Kyle Larson, #13-Casey Mears, #10-Danica Patrick and Brian Vickers. Patrick, who won the Sprint Fan Vote last year and in 2013, is the first two-time Sprint Fan Vote winner. Elliott and Blaney are the current leaders in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year competition. Fans are able to vote daily by downloading the NASCAR Mobile App or visiting www.nascar.com/SprintFanVote. Votes that are shared on Facebook or Twitter will count for double. Fans have until 5:00pm/et May 20 to cast their votes. NASCAR will announce the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote in Victory Lane after the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, May 20. The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is scheduled for May 21.(NASCAR.com)(5-5-2016)

Allstate Peterbilt Group makes first appearance on #46: Allstate Peterbilt Group, the upper Midwest's largest truck dealer group and a longtime partner of Michael Annett dating back to his time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, will adorn the #46 Chevrolet SS this weekend. It was last featured on Annett's car last fall at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(HScott Motorsports), see images of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(5-5-2016)

Kansas Goodyear Tire Notes: NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will run a completely different tire set-up than those in the Camping World Truck Series at Kansas this week . . . this is the first time Sprint Cup teams have run either of these two tire codes . . . compared to what was run at Kansas last year, the tires on both sides feature a construction change to bring Kansas in line with other speedways . . . this left-side tire code (D-4656) features a compound change to give the cars more grip . . . this right-side tire code (D-4662) is one of Goodyear's multi-zone tread tires, with two different compounds on the same tire -- the compound on the inboard two inches (Endurance Zone) being the same as the full tread run at Kansas last year, and the compound on the outboard 10 inches (Traction Zone) being more tractive to give more grip . . . this tire combination came out of a Goodyear test at Kansas last September 14-15 . . . drivers participating in that test were Aric Almirola, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr. and J.J. Yeley . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Kansas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear), see more nots, tire codes, set limits and more on the Kansas Race Info page.

Kansas Driver Notes & Facts:
· 124 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas; 95 in more than one.
· Five drivers have started all 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway - Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman.
· Joey Logano leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Kansas Speedway with a 10.308.
· Four drivers all-time have made their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career start at Kansas Speedway: Erik Jones (5/09/2015), Ryan Blaney (5/10/2014), Austin Dillon (10/09/2011) and Denny Hamlin (10/09/2005).
· 12 different drivers have won at Kansas Speedway, led by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson with three each.
· Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth are the only two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers that have posted consecutive wins at Kansas Speedway: Gordon (2001 and 2002 - the first two NSCS events at Kansas) and Kenseth (fall of 2012, spring of 2013).
· Jeff Gordon is the only driver to win at Kansas in his first appearance.
· Kevin Harvick competed at Kansas Speedway 15 times before winning in the fall of 2013; the longest span of any the nine active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Kansas.
· Kevin Harvick (15) and Matt Kenseth (13) have made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Kansas Speedway.
· Kurt Busch leads the series with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 20.
· Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman are tied for the series most runner-up finishes at Kansas Speedway with two each.
· Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-five finishes at Kansas Speedway with 11; followed by Jimmie Johnson with eight and Greg Biffle with seven.
· Jimmie Johnson leads the series in top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway with 16; followed by Jeff Gordon (14), Carl Edwards (12) and Matt Kenseth (11).
· Jimmie Johnson (9.055) is the only active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver with an average finishing position at Kansas Speedway inside the top 10.
· Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has competed at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
· Paul Menard has participated in the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway without posting a DNF (14).
· Matt Kenseth leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Kansas Speedway with 655 laps led in 20 starts.
(NASCAR)

Bowyer driving for JR Motorsports at Chicago: Clint Bowyer will make a return to NASCAR Xfinity Series competition with JR Motorsports. Bowyer, a veteran racer and 19-time NASCAR national series winner, will drive JRM's #88 entry at Chicagoland Speedway (Sept. 17) with partnership from Morton Buildings. Based in nearby Morton, Ill., Morton Buildings specializes in constructing high-quality, long-lasting structures ranging from farm shops, equestrian facilities, hobby buildings, garages, churches, municipal buildings, airplane hangars, custom homes, commercial structures and general storage buildings. The company is now in its third year of partnership with JRM.(JR Motorsports)(5-5-2016)

Wallace gets Dover sponsor: In a new partnership, Roush Fenway Racing's Bubba Wallace will carry the LoudMouth Exhaust colors on his #6 Ford Mustang for the first time this season on Saturday, May 14 in the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Dover International Speedway, a track that Wallace considers among his favorites. LoudMouth is based around the principles of quality and durability, with a strong belief in the importance of in-house design and development. Built with roots in the performance automotive industry, LoudMouth is in the business of creating exhaust systems for a large variety of applications from American muscle to Euro sport vehicles.(Roush Fenway), see an image of the car on the #6 team paint schemes page.(5-5-2016)

Townley fastest in second final Truck practice: #05-John Wes Townley was fastest in the final practice for Friday night's race at Kansas Speedway with a speed of 176.980 mph. #23-Spencer Gallagher was second, followed by #13-Cameron Hayley, #29-Tyler Reddick, #88-Matt Crafton, #4-Christopher Bell, #21-Johnny Sauter, #19-Daniel Hemric, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, and #41-Ben Rhodes. 32 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Kansas practice 3 speeds page (pdf).(5-5-2016)

Byron fastest in second Truck practice: #9-William Byron was fastest in the second practice for the Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway with a speed of 176.650 mph. He was followed by #05-John Wes Townley, #88-Matt Crafton, #19-Daniel Hemric, #41-Ben Rhodes, #21-Johnny Sauter, #29-Tyler Reddick, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #00-Cole Custer, and #4-Christopher Bell. 32 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Kansas practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-5-2016)

Reddick fastest in first Truck practice: #29-Tyler Reddick was fastest during opening practice at Kansas Speedway with a speed of 176.137mph. #88-Matt Crafton, #11-Matt Tifft, #05-John Wes Townley, #41-Ben Rhodes, #21-Johnny Sauter, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #4-Christopher Bell, #13-Cameron Hayley, and #9-William Byron were the top 10. 28 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Kansas practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-5-2016)

New crew chief for Townley with Shelton departure: Friday night's Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway will mark the last race for Michael Shelton as crew chief for John Wes Townley and Athenian Motorsports. Shelton and the team will part on good terms as Shelton will take a new interest outside of racing, the team added. Shelton, the 2012 championship NCWTS crew chief for James Buescher has been with the Concord, North Carolina-based team since the end of the 2014 season. Jimmy Villeneuve, the team's current truck chief will replace Shelton while Athenian Motorsports says they are narrowing down candidates to take his current spot. Villeneuve who also has been with the team since the end of 2014 will assume his new role next week at Dover (Del.) International Speedway for the May 13 race. Shelton will start his 134th truck race as crew chief Friday night and look to give Townley his second career win. Overall, Shelton has seven wins, 34 top-fives and 72 top-10s, including five poles. For Townley, Shelton steered the Watkinsville, Georgia native to his first career win at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway last October and has collected three top-fives and 10 top-10 finishes along the way.(Catchfence.com)(5-5-2016)

Jive on board with Townley in Kansas: John Wes Townley will sport a new look on his #05 Athenian Motorsports Chevrolet during Friday night's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 250 mile event at Kansas Speedway. After carrying the Jive Communications colors to a lead lap finish in Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Talladega, Ala., Townley is pleased to announce he will have the Utah-based company's logos aboard his Silverado this weekend in the Land of Oz at one of his favorite tracks on the NASCAR circuit.(Athenian Motorsports)(See an image of the truck on the #05 Team Paint Schemes page)(5-5-2016)

Watkins Glen repave complete; would NASCAR run "the boot"? After a five-month, $12 million-plus facelift that started with the boot - and continued with the remaining 2.45-mile road course that NASCAR uses for the Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series following the races last August -- Watkins Glen president Michael Printup is ready for his "Wild Season" to begin. "The grip is going to be there. Unlike the oval, we won't have multi-lanes coming out of the corner. So there's no effect on that in terms of lines. It's going to be fast. I've coined it as saying it's going to be a wild season. I don't know what's going to happen, but it's going to be wild." There's been speculation that the Glen might consider adding the boot to the current layout NASCAR uses and return the circuit to the full Grand Prix course. That would maximize the track at 11 turns rather than the seven the Sprint Cup tour uses for its annual romp just south of Seneca Lake in upstate New York. "Steve O'Donnell (NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer) said last year, 'Maybe we should race the boot,' but that adds another mile," Printup said. "The only thing the fans are concerned about is if you add another mile you only get to see the cars come around 60 times instead of 90. So there's a fan engagement opportunity that we have to analyze and get some feedback on before us and NASCAR make a decision. It would be fun, it would be sexy, it would be fast. But I think the fans need to give their opinion before we decide what to do."(Motorsport)(5-5-2016)

NASCAR says as many as ten companies in the mix to be premier series title sponsor: NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps was on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Wednesday (5-4-2016) with Jim Noble and Chocolate Myers and talked at length about the search for a title sponsor [to replace Sprint, which is leaving at the end of 2016 season], what the sport is looking for, says they have "8 or 10" companies that are kind of in the mix and says the timing for the announcement will probably be around September/October 2016 (listen at SirisXM NASCAR Radio / Soundcloud)(5-4-2016)

Allmendinger's Darlington throwback scheme revealed AJ Allmendinger and JTG Daugherty Racing's family of brands revealed their Darlington Raceway Bojangles' Southern 500 throwback paint scheme, raced by Topeka, Kan.-native Bruce Hill in the 1970s (1974-1977). The throwback #47 Kroger/Kingsford Chevrolet SS maintains its continuity with the red, white and blue theme.
"It is an honor quite honestly," Bruce Hill said. "Being remembered for something is always an honor especially as big as the sport has gotten. I thought it was kind of neat when they decided to do the throwback schemes at Darlington Raceway. I had good memories of Darlington. It was a track that you either loved or hated and that probably hasn't changed over the years. I loved the track because it was slick and I ran better on a slick racetrack because it was all about getting your car to handle. I always loved Darlington and you always love a track you have good luck at. I think my second top-five finish came at Darlington. I'm just happy for the recognition and I really look forward to meeting AJ and everyone at JTG Daugherty Racing and all the brands."
Hill raced in NASCAR's premiere series for seven seasons, meeting Darlington Raceway's requirement for paint schemes to fall somewhere into the 1975-84 era. His first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (formerly NASCAR Winston Cup) start was November 24th 1974 at Ontario Motor Speedway (Ontario, Calif.) where he finished 13th in what would be his only race that year in the division. However, Hill's presence became known in 1975 when he recorded three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes earning Rookie of the Year honors and finishing 16th in the driver points standings after completing 26 events. Hill, who was born July 9th, 1949, competed in a total of 100 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, led nine laps, posted three top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. He also competed in ARCA and the NASCAR West Series during his racing career and was the 1967 International Kart Federation (IKF) national champion. Today, he still resides in Kansas and works with a different form of horsepower.(JTG Daugherty Racing) see an image of the car on the #47 team paint schemes page.(5-4-2016)

Talladega post-race warnings: Three teams were issued warnings following the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway:
#44-Scott, failed LASER inspection twice, written warning;
#98-Whitt failed template inspection twice, written warning;
#48-Johnson, failed template inspection three times, written warning, loss of 15 min. practice time.
All infractions were found in pre-race inspection.
See the Talladega Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(5-4-2016)

Gase returning to the #32 at Kansas: For the third time in 11 races, Joey Gase will take the green flag for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series action. This time, the 23-year-old will take to the 1.5-mile track of Kansas Speedway for Saturday night's GoBowling.com 400, returning to the #32 Ford. The first two races of 2016 for Gase came on the shorter tracks of Phoenix International Raceway and Martinsville Speedway where he finished 32nd and 36th for Go FAS Racing. Unlike most tracks on the Cup circuit, Gase will be back in his homeland in the Midwest as he hails from Cedar Rapids, Iowa - about five hours north of Kansas Speedway. "I can't thank Go FAS Racing enough for choosing to put me in the seat and all of our great partners for teaming up with us this weekend," said Gase. Joining Joey and the Go Fas Racing team will be Sparks Energy, who also sponsored Gase last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway during the Sparks 300, Heavy Quip Inc., and Midwest Transplant Network.(Joey Gase Racing)(5-4-2016)

Earnhardt Jr. won't race "Amelia" again: Earnhardt's favorite car, which he drove to wins at both Talladega and Daytona in 2015, will rest on his property in the woods with a collection of torn-up race cars he has collected from his team and others over the years. Earnhardt said Tuesday that the car, which he also drove to finishes of second and third in the other two points events, was damaged beyond repair in two accidents on Sunday at Talladega. "Amelia's done," Earnhardt said of the car, which he named after Amelia Earhart. As far as the wrecks Sunday, Earnhardt said the threat of rain throughout the race forced drivers to race with greater intensity and that that likely added to the number of crashes. He said drivers are not in an uproar over two cars getting upside-down. "One thing I think is true is none of us know what we would do to change it, and I don't think anybody in the sport does," Earnhardt said. "We've altered the package over the years a hundred different teams and never really seen a big, big difference in the type of racing we see there."(ESPN.com)(5-4-2016)

Special look for Earnhardt, Jr at Kentucky: Earlier Tuesday morning, Kasey Kahne revealed a brand new paint scheme for the #5 Chevrolet SS. Tuesday afternoon, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. got in on the action. The driver of the #88 Chevrolet SS unveiled a new scheme of his own -- this one for the race at Kentucky Speedway. The #88 will feature Nationwide Childrens Hospital.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #88 team paint schemes page.(5-4-2016)

Arrest warrant issued for driver that injured Kenseth's spotter and family: An arrest warrant has been issued for Michael Dale Kellison after he failed to appear in court Tuesday in Randolph County, North Carolina, for charges related to his Dec. 17 crash with Chris Osborne, spotter for Matt Kenseth and Daniel Suarez, near Sophia, North Carolina. N.C. Highway Patrol cited Kellison with driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving, and having an open container in his vehicle after his car crossed the center line and slammed into Osborne's car, injuring Osborne, his wife and son. Kellison's car was traveling an estimated 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. Kellison's license had included a restriction that he not drive with any alcohol in his system because of a DWI conviction in 2008. He previously failed to show for a court appearance in January and an arrest warrant was issued then.(NBC Sports)(5-4-2016)

Kansas Track Notes & History:
· Groundbreaking was held on May 25, 1999.
· The official opening of Kansas Speedway was in 2001, with the first events being an ARCA race and a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race on the same day - June 2.
· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was on Sept. 30, 2001 - won by Jeff Gordon (110.576 mph, 3:37:19).
· During the 2012 season, between the April and October events the 1.5-mile track underwent a repave adding variable banking in the corners.
(NASCAR)

Talladega post-race warnings: Several XFINITY teams have been issued warnings following the Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway:
#0-Smithley, #4-Chastain, #18-Tifft, #43-Burton, #70-Cope, #85-Gerhart: Failed LASER inspection twice, written warning
#3-Ty Dillon, failed LASER inspection three times, written warning, loss of 15 min. practice time
All infractions were found in pre-race inspection.
See the Talladega Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(5-4-2016)

Ollie's Bargain Outlet sponsoring Dover XFINITY race: Ollie's Bargain Outlet will be the entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash race on Saturday, May 14, Dover International Speedway. The "Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200" NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash race will be the third of four Dash 4 Cash events on the NASCAR XFINITY Series schedule this season. Starting at 2 p.m. on May 14, two 40-lap Heat events will be run, followed by a 120-lap Main event. In addition to sponsoring the Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200, Ollie's is also one of several supporters of the Monster Mile's Autism Awareness Day at the Races program, which provides children and families on the autism spectrum with a sensory-friendly environment to watch the "AAA 400 Drive for Autism" on Sunday, May 15. Ollie's will be contributing toys, games, lounge items and more to the popular program. Ollie's Bargain Outlet has 208 retail locations in the eastern United States, including one store in Dover, Del.(Dover Speedway)(5-4-2016)

Frankie Ballard performing at Kentucky: Country music star Frankie Ballard will entertain race fans with a special performance on Kentucky Speedway's infield Kroger pre-race stage prior to the July 9 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts. The singer/songwriter's third studio album El Rio is scheduled to be released June 10. An album he describes as being "a spiritual journey." Fans are able to hear his newest single "El Camino" described by many as an upbeat and light song with a summertime vibe. The Warner Bros. Records Nashville artist has teamed up with Grammy award-winner Chris Stapleton, Kip Moore, Jaren Johnston, The Warren Brothers and well-known songwriter Craig Wiseman for "Cigarette," "Sweet Time," "Waste Some of Mine," and "Little Bit of Both." El Rio follows his Sunshine & Whiskey album which produced three consecutive No. 1 singles - "Sunshine & Whiskey," "Helluva Life," and "Young & Crazy." Ballard's signature rock sounds can be heard at 5:15pm., prior to the Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts race where race tickets are as low as $59.(Kentucky Speedway)(5-4-2016)

2017 Series schedules expected Thursday: NASCAR will hold a meeting Thursday at Kansas Speedway involving members of the media, track officials and others to unveil the 2017 Cup Series schedule, sources have confirmed. The schedule's release, which is the earliest in recent history, is expected to include a few shifts in where race dates fall on the calendar, the source said. So far, looking at the calendar and comparing the schedule from 2016 to 2017, the most notable change could be a return of the race at Dover International Speedway to a date after the Coca-Cola 600. Otherwise, there would be no off-weekend before June. Although some tracks have already released information on when they will host next year's NASCAR events others have not. For example, Daytona International Speedway, which will hold the season-opener Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, 2017, is a week later on the calendar next year than it was in 2016. That will affect when teams get an off-weekend following the West Coast Swing. Additionally, some tracks have requested race date changes in the past in hopes of boosting attendance.(Kickin The Tires)(5-3-2016)

Kahne's All-Star scheme released: This month at the Sprint All-Star Race, Kasey Kahne's # 5 Chevrolet SS will sport a paint scheme promoting the Drive Home a Winner sweepstakes. The promotion will provide the winner with a mortgage-free year from Quicken Loans. And the winnings don't end there -- they also include a free one-year lease on a Chevy Silverado from Hendrick Automotive Group.(Hendrick Motorsports), see images of the car on the #5 team paint schemes page.(5-3-2016)

Talladega TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Talladega earned a 3.8 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon, flat in ratings compared to last year and down 5% from 2014 (4.0). The 3.8 overnight is tied with last year as the lowest for the spring Talladega race since at least 1998 (excluding rainouts). Despite the historic low, Sunday's race was the first Sprint Cup telecast of the season to at least pull even with last year. Eight of the first ten races posted declines and two others - Bristol and Richmond - could not be compared because of last year's rainouts. In addition, it ranks as the top rated NASCAR race in the metered markets in nearly two months, since Las Vegas in March (4.1). For the weekend, NASCAR on FOX ranked second among all sporting events behind the Blazers/Warriors NBA playoff game on ABC (5.0).(Sports Media Watch) see race-by-race TV Ratings for 2016 and a comparison chart on the 2016 TV Ratings page.(5-3-2016)

Talladega wrecks come at a price: The delicate line between sport and entertainment was dangerously straddled [at Talladega] by 40 drivers roaring along in a pack of cars at 200 mph. When the dust settled, 35 cars had been involved in at least one accident and two cars went airborne. When Kevin Harvick's car lifted off the track in a last-lap crash, it finally put an end to the chaos...we celebrate on Monday that no one was injured, and better yet, no one died in the carnage that was a typical Talladega race. But all that wrecking came at a price. The cost of damaged race cars on Sunday neared $10 million in losses across the grid, according to an informal survey Monday by The Associated Press of five top race teams. Within that series-wide estimate, some teams estimated they lost $500,000 per car - total loss situations - while others estimated $250,000 without including any engine damage.
It's important to put Sunday's demolition derby in at least a little bit of perspective. Yes, the destruction was unusually high. But the threat of rain played a huge role in the multiple accidents. Normally, the aggression in plate races doesn't come until about 30 laps remain and many drivers spend most of the race riding around in the hope they can stay out of trouble to make a late run for the win. They couldn't wait Sunday because rain could have ended the race with no notice. It meant the pace was much faster from start to finish. Plate racing isn't going away anytime soon, though various measures could be taken to reduce the pack element - remove the restrictor-plates, slow the cars, knock down the banking at Daytona and Talladega - nothing should be eliminated from conversation as NASCAR tries to "fix" the issues plaguing the four events each year.(Associated Press)(5-3-2016)

BUBBA burger Joins David Ragan for Sprint All-Star Race Weekend and Coca-Cola 600: BUBBA burger has joined BK Racing as primary sponsor of David Ragan's #23 Toyota Camry at Charlotte Motor Speedway for both the Sprint All-Star Race weekend and the Coca-Cola 600. "I'm really looking forward to working with BUBBA burger during the 10 days of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway," said Ragan. "Our #23 BUBBA burger Camry has a cool looking paint scheme supporting the military and I am proud to be driving the 'We Salute You' car for both the All-Star race weekend and the Coca-Cola 600."
"BUBBA burger is joining forces with the BK Racing team, David Ragan and Dr Pepper to share our support of our troops this Memorial Day weekend," said Andy Stenson, Vice President of Marketing, BUBBA foods, LLC. "BUBBA burger Racing is excited to become a part of the BK Racing family during the two weekends of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. BUBBA burger and racing have become a great combination and this car is a way to show our support with the 'We Salute You!' design that honors those who serve."(BK Racing), see an image of the car on the #23 team paint schemes page.(5-3-2016)

Changes to #3 & #31 pit crews: In the never ending search for team chemistry and performance, RCR has made changes to their #3 and #31 pit crews moving forward. The #31 will have a new front changer in the form of Chase Masterson. Masterson was pulled up from the #62 Xfinity team this week to replace longtime change Tim Sheets. Sheets is now changing on the fronts of the #13 Germain Racing Team. The #3 team also made changes this week. Rear carrier Justin Voss was moved up from the #62 Xfinity team while rear carrier Josh Shiplett was moved from the rear to the front.(Pit Talks)(5-3-2016)

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Kansas:
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 112.0
#20-Matt Kenseth, 106.8
#4-Kevin Harvick, 102.5
#16-Greg Biffle, 99.3
#19-Carl Edwards, 95.7
#78-Martin Truex Jr, 93.2
#42-Kyle Larson, 93.2
#5-Kasey Kahne, 93.1
#2-Brad Keselowski, 91.7
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr, 90.9
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2015 races (16 total) among active drivers at Kansas 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)

Guenette driving for Obaika at Dover: Alex Guenette announced on Facebook Monday night that he will be in the #97 for Obaika Racing at Dover.
"Excited to announced that after 18 months since my last race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville, I will be back on track with David Gilliland Racing next weekend in Hickory N.C, and Dover Delaware the week after in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Obaika Racing.(5-3-2016)

American Ethanol to sponsor first Iowa XFINITY race: Iowa Speedway announced American Ethanol will serve as the entitlement sponsor and Enogen as the presenting sponsor for the NASCAR XFINITY Series race during Wide Opening Weekend on June 18-19. The NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen on Sunday, June 19, represents the fifth consecutive year of the American Ethanol partnership and the fourth consecutive year with Enogen at Iowa Speedway. While the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series idles for a week, the green flag will wave at Iowa Speedway for a first-of-its-kind doubleheader weekend in central Iowa. For the first time ever, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR XFINITY Series are paired together during Wide Opening Weekend on June 18-19. American Ethanol and Enogen were the former title and presenting sponsors of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway. American Ethanol, along with Enogen, join the Iowa Corn Growers Association in renewing their long standing relationships with the speedway in 2016. Representing a wide array of ethanol supporters, from farmers to bio-engineering firms, American Ethanol was established by Growth Energy in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association to increase awareness of the value of American-made ethanol. Ethanol represents the most commercially-viable alternative to 100% petroleum-based fuel that America currently holds, and corn ethanol reduces emissions by 59 percent.(Iowa Speedway)(5-3-2016)

BKR adds sponsor for Kansas, Dover: Oakmont Management Group, (OMG) operator of Oakmont Senior Living communities, a recognized leader in the retirement industry, is proud to announce its support of Daniel Hemric, driver of the #19 Ford F-150 and Brad Keselowski Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS). OMG's primary sponsorship will be for both the NCWTS races at Kansas Speedway on May 6, 2016 and Dover (Del.) International Speedway on May 13. The Oakmont team has designed and built retirement communities on the West Coast, including continuing care retirement communities and independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. Oakmont Senior Living takes pride in its loyal employees, many of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years, and the organization is searching for more to sustain its growth.(Brad Keselowski Racing)(5-3-2016)

Cobb celebrates 25 years of racing: In May, 1991 a 17-year old graduate of Schlage High School named Jennifer Jo Cobb made her first start as a race car driver at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Little did she and her supporters know that 25 years later she would be one of only two females to compete consistently full-time at the big leagues of NASCAR and even more uniquely so, be a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team owner. Jennifer Jo Cobb returns to the Kansas Speedway in her Mark One Electric Chevrolet Silverado to compete in the Toyota Tundra 250 on Friday evening, May 6. The race will mark her 118th start in the series. In her 25 years of racing Cobb has many notable accomplishments in the NCWTS including highest finishing female driver, (6th, Daytona), highest female points finisher (17th in 2010 and 16th in 2014) and the woman with the most starts in the series (117). In 2016 Jennifer is running a full season in NCWTS and select races in NASCAR's XFINITY Series. Between race events, Jennifer makes appearances for her sponsors, is a public speaker and runs the daily operations of her racing businesses. She is also the founder of Driven2Honor, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring women who serve in the U.S. military.(Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing)(5-3-2016)

Trevor Jackson to perform national anthem at Dover: Trevor Jackson, Atlantic Records singer, songwriter, actor and dancer, will perform the national anthem before the green flag drops on the "AAA 400 Drive for Autism" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 15. Jackson, 19, most recently starred on the second season of the critically acclaimed ABC drama "American Crime." His previous television roles include stints on SyFy's "Eureka," CBS' "Criminal Minds," Disney Channel's "Let It Shine," and NBC's "Harry's Law." The Indiana native first drew praise for his performances with the traveling Tony Award-winning Broadway hit "The Lion King," where he portrayed Young Simba for three years.(Dover Speedway)(5-3-2016)

Keselowski, Cassill, and Truex, Jr to appear at Kansas Finish Line Hospitality: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Brad Keselowski, Landon Cassill, and Martin Truex, Jr. are scheduled to participate in Q&A sessions in The Finish Line, Kansas Speedway's Fan Hospitality area on Saturday, May 7. Truex Jr. will appear at 3:30pm, Casill at 3:45pm, and Keselowski at 4:00pm. Tickets to The Finish Line include the all three Q&A sessions, a guided Garage and Pit Tour, free food and drink, and a great view overlooking Turn 1. Tickets for the weekend are $225 and you must have a grandstand ticket to purchase.(Kansas Speedway)(5-3-2016)

Entry List for the Go Bowling 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted, XX teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed, including: #21-Blaney*, #30-Wise*, #32-Joey Gase, #55-Sorenson*, #95-McDowell, #98-Whitt*.
Drivers who are not a Charter team, an Open Team, and must get in via speed: #21-Blaney, #30-Wise, #55-Sorenson, #98-Whitt
Since 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race, 40 is the maximum.
* Open Team (no Charter)
See the full entry list on Jayski.com's Kansas Entry List

NASCAR will examine Talladega accidents; Dale Jr's steering wheel: NASCAR is looking into what led cars to get airborne Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway and will investigate what caused Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s steering wheel to detach after his second wreck, a NASCAR executive told "The Morning Drive" on Monday. "Some really intense racing all throughout the day, and some things we didn't like with cars getting up in the air and we're already fast at work at the R&D Center, looking at all the video we have," Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. "We'll reach out to the teams to see what we can do to immediately take some action to work towards correcting that." Chris Buescher's car tumbled down the backstretch after being hit by another car, and Matt Kenseth's car was sent airborne after contact turned his car sideways and the air picked his vehicle up. Neither driver was injured in the separate incidents. "You never want to see that," O'Donnell told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about those incidents. "So you immediately work on is everybody safe, did the safety equipment do it's job and what we can learn from that. The immediate steps are to review all the media shots that we have of those incidents, work with the race teams and then look at what may or may not be different from when we've been not only at Talladega but any other race track.
"That will be all of our process in sitting down and reviewing that," O'Donnell told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. That also will include looking at what happened to Earnhardt's steering wheel. Earnhardt's teammate, Jimmie Johnson, had a steering wheel come off at Phoenix, leading to his crash in qualifying there. O'Donnell was asked if Earnhardt's issue was isolated or something more.
"Even if it is an isolated incident, we'll look at it," O'Donnell said. "It could be something that could cause issues down the road if it was a trend. We'll talk to (Earnhardt) and his team and make sure hopefully that was just what you said initially an isolated incident and go from there, but if there is anything we can take from that, we will certainly communicate that to all the teams. It's not something you want to see, especially potentially at speed."(NBC Sports)(5-2-2016)

Stewart thinks his back may have been hurt before accident: #14-Tony Stewart said he learned something important after his season debut last weekend at Richmond International Raceway - that he may have been more injured than he initially thought. "I think what I learned after the race (is) I really think that my back was messed up before it was broke," Stewart told Fox Sports TV broadcaster Kenny Wallace before Sunday's race at Talladega, Ala. "I think what the surgeons did was fix that. I feel better than I did last year at this time as far as my back is concerned. (I'm) still having to be a little bit patient. That's why we have to alter the plan for today." Stewart suffered a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra on Jan. 31 while driving a sand rail in the Glamis Sand Dunes of the California desert. He had corrective surgery and sat out the first eight races of the Sprint Cup season. Stewart's doctors cleared him to return to competition just before last weekend's race at Richmond.(Motorsport)(5-2-2016)

Earnhardt, Jr. loses steering wheel during second accident: Dale Earnhardt, Jr's day at Talladega ended for good after an accident with Carl Edwards on Lap 110. He finished the race in 43rd. During the accident, the steering wheel came off.
"Yeah, the steering wheel came off and I was trying to get it back on and the car was headed toward the wall. Well I wasn't going to let it hit the wall so I grabbed the column and steered it with that. Tore my hands all up, but didn't hit the wall. We have to look at something to keep that from happening anymore. We were just out there riding around and something broke on the #19 and he came over and got into us. We just had no luck this weekend."(Chevy Racing PR)(5-2-2016)

Kenseth not happy with Logano again: The feud between #20-Matt Kenseth and #22-Joey Logano simmered again Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Fox Sports caught an exchange between the rival drivers outside the track's care center after both were involved in a late accident during the GEICO 500. Kenseth seemed to initiate the interaction after exiting the track hospital and pausing to get the attention of Logano, who was leaning against a barrier waiting for an interview to begin. Logano smiled and shook his head as the brief conversation ended with some finger-pointing by Kenseth, who had blamed Logano for forcing him off the track and putting him in position to be involved in a 12-car wreck that started with contact between Danica Patrick and Michael McDowell. Kenseth's car went airborne in the crash. "The first thing that happened is (Logano) ran me off the racetrack, and that got us way behind," he said. "I thought we were done with that, but maybe we aren't." Told it seemed Kenseth was upset, Logano responded, "OK. He can get in line with the rest of them."(NBC Sports)(5-2-2016)

Patrick says Talladega crash was hardest of her career: On yet another race day when cars thought they could fly, among the results was a battered race car finishing third, #34-Chris Buescher going for a wild ride into the sky and #10-Danica Patrick taking a hit she called the hardest in her career. Although cars were airborne, perhaps the most dangerous wreck of the day occurred late in the race when Patrick's car, bumped from behind by #95-Michael McDowell, slid in front of the track, hit Matt Kenseth hard and then sailed at near-full speed into the backstretch inside wall, her Chevrolet erupting into flames. Kenseth also hit the wall very hard while flipping, riding the wall upside-down and rolling back on the track. Patrick was in the infield medical center an unusually long time. She finally emerged, obviously shaken by not only her incident but also the overall crazy atmosphere of the day. A half-hour after the accident, she said her chest hurt when she breathed and that she had bruises from the wreck. She said a chest x-ray showed no serious injuries. "I'm pretty sure I got hit, and the car spun toward the inside wall," Patrick said. "It hit really hard. Everything - the steering wheel - is way out of place. I hit my foot. Hit my arm. There was fire inside the car. It kind of knocked the breath out of me a little bit." Patrick said the fire inside the car caused her to be "probably the most scared" she has been in a race car. "I haven't had fire on the inside before," she said. "It got to the glove a little bit. Honestly, I was thinking about my hair. I have a lot of hair, and I don't want to lose it. That was the worst one (wreck) so far. I have decent bruises on my arm and foot. I hit a wall at 200. And my chest hurts when I breathe."(USA Today)(5-2-2016)

Talladega Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2016 GEICO 500: 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 12:42 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 4:39 PM (all times are EDT). Fox was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 138
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 61
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 119
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 56
Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 19
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 11
Number of times Fox utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 4
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 81
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 40 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 12:42 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 4:39 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 237
Minutes of race broadcast: 186
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 51
Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 9
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1 (One Caution Was Extended Due to Debris; Mentioned but Not Shown)
Total race brdcst time 186 Total comm. brdcst time 51
See past races, more info on the commercials with links at CawsnJaws.com.(5-2-2016)

Sad News - Don White: Donald O.H. White, 87, of Keokuk, Iowa passed away on Friday, April 29, 2016, at his home. He served in the United States Army. Don was a professional race car driver. His career started on dirt tracks in Cedar Rapids. He also raced on sand at Daytona Beach and held the speed record at Daytona Beach before the big track. Don White was the first Keokuk race car driver to have an effect racing on the national scene. He began in the IMCA in 1949 and won titles in 1954, 1955 and 1958. He moved on to the United States Auto Club (USAC) where he won titles in 1963 and 1967. He had the most wins in USAC history and was selected for the USAC Hall of Fame in 2013. Don had eleven seasons in a row where he finished in the top five in points, including eight seasons in a row when he finished in the top three. During a four-year-stretch between 1966 and 1969, Don won 32 races and finished second sixteen times in eighty-two starts. He finished his racing career in 1986. Service info, full obituary, condolences, donation info at dejongsfuneralhome.com.
From 1954 thru 1972, White ran 24 Sprint Cup Series races with 12 tops tens, 7 top fives with three 2nd place finishes (Racing-Reference)(5-2-2016)

Bowyer returns to trucks: Clint Bowyer is scheduled to make his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start in nearly two years, running Friday night's event as a home-state favorite at Kansas Speedway. Bowyer -- an Emporia, Kansas native -- is listed as the driver of record for the GMS Racing #24 Chevrolet for Friday's Toyota Tundra 250. Bowyer is a three-time winner in the series, with his most recent victory coming on June 4, 2011 in his only Truck Series start at the 1.5-mile Kansas track. His most recent Truck Series appearance netted a fourth-place finish at Pocono Raceway in August 2014. Bowyer will run double-duty in NASCAR national-series competition for the first time this season. He's also set to drive the HScott Motorsports #15 Chevrolet in Saturday night's GoBowling 400 for the Sprint Cup Series.(NASCAR.com)(5-2-2016)

Reikken, Vatterott extend partnership MB: Reikken has extended its partnership with MB Motorsports, the sole surviving original team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Reikken offers unmatched quality, durability and performance. Their product line includes two lines of batteries Reikken and Energie, RC batteries, chargers and power supplies. About Reikken: Reikken was introduced to America in 2013. Reikken offers unmatched quality, durability and performance. Their product line includes two lines of batteries Reikken and Energie, RC batteries, chargers and power supplies.(MB Motorsports)(5-2-2016)
AND: MB Motorsports is proud to announce Vatterott Educational Centers has renewed their partnership with the team. Vatterott serves a diverse student population across 19 locations in 9 states, as well as a vibrant online community. Each of these institutions takes pride in serving both the student population and the local communities that help continue the Vatterott tradition. Vatterott continues to grow by offering additional diploma and degree programs, launching new locations, and looking for other opportunities to grow and improve our student services. Through this effort, Vatterott was named a G.I. Jobs Military Friendly School. Vatterott also offers programs in the fields of Business, Medical, Technical, Trades, Cosmetology, Dental, Legal, Personal Fitness, and Veterinary, as well as many continuing education opportunities. All programs are industry-relevant and designed to support the Vatterott mission of providing career skills for a better life.(MB Motorsports)(5-2-2016)

AquaStar on board with Truex in Kansas: AquaStar, a leader in branded seafood for more than 25 years, will sponsor the Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) #81 Toyota driven by Ryan Truex for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event, the Toyota Tundra 250, Friday, May 6 at Kansas Speedway. Ryan Truex came up through the NASCAR ranks with flair, winning back-to-back K&N Pro Series East Championships in 2009 and 2010. The 2009 campaign also earned him the Rookie of the Year honors and gave Michael Waltrip Racing its first NASCAR championship. Truex became only the second driver in series history to win both honors in the same year, after only Joey Logano. In 2011, NASCAR honored Truex as one of the "Top 10 Drivers of the First 25 Years of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East." He was the youngest racer to make the list. Ryan is currently competing for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship piloting the #81 HRE Toyota. The team finished second at the season opener at Daytona and is currently tied for 5th in the series point standings.(HRE)(5-2-2016)

Weber joins Kennedy at GMS: GMS Racing announced that Weber, the world's premier manufacturer of charcoal, gas and electric grills, grilling accessories and other outdoor room products, will serve as primary sponsor for Ben Kennedy in the #33 Chevy Silverado for select races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), beginning at Kansas Speedway. This season with GMS Racing and Kennedy will mark Weber's first primary sponsorship in the NASCAR realm. Weber joins Jacob Companies, who announced its partnership with Kennedy for multiple races earlier in the year. Weber-Stephen Products LLC, is the leading exporter of grills. Weber brand products are sold worldwide at select home centers, hardware stores, department stores, patio stores, and other retail outlets.(GMS Racing)(5-2-2016)

Keselowski wins at Talladega: #2-Brad Keselowski won the GEICO 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 2nd win of the season, 4th win at Talladega and 19th career win. Keselowski led 46 of the 188 laps, the most of anyone.
#18-Busch finished 2nd followed by #3-Dillon, #1-McMurray, pole sitter #24-Elliott, #14-Ty Dillon (who replaced Tony Stewart on lap 52), #15-Bowyer, #41-Busch, #21-Blaney, and #6-Bayne.
The "Big One" happened with 28 laps to go. #41-Busch got into the back #48-Johnson, getting him loose and sending him into #27-Menard. Johnson and Menard slid sideways blocking the track and collecting a total of 17 cars. Drivers suffering some damage included: #48-Johnson, #78-Truex, Jr., #95-McDowell, #47-Allmendinger, #31-Newman, #27-Menard, #42-Larson, #1-McMurray, #11-Hamlin, #3-Dillon, #7-Smith, #44-Scott, #21-Blaney, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #35-Gilliland, #10-Patrick, and #16-Biffle.
An earlier incident saw #34-Buescher flip his car 3 times, but walk away unharmed. He finished 37th.
Late in the race, #95-McDowell got into the back of #10-Patrick and sent her into #20-Kenseth. Kenseth's car became airborne and landed on the inside SAFER barrier, sliding along it, but came to rest on its wheels. Kenseth finished 23rd.
A wreck at the end of the race, as the leaders were coming to the finish line, forced the race to end under caution.
There were 37 lead changes among 17 drivers and 10 cautions for 41 yellow flag laps.
The average speed was 140.046mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more [NOTE: money/winnings are no longer reported] at:
Unofficial Race Results page (pdf)
Lap Summary Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Pit Stop Times (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Talladega Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-1-2016)

Race Fast Facts - Talladega Superspeedway:
Brad Keselowski won the 47th Annual GEICO 500 , his 19th victory in 243 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his fourth victory and ninth top-10 finish in 15 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Kyle Busch (second) posted his sixth top-10 finish in 22 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his eighth top-10 finish in 2016.
Austin Dillon (third) posted his first top-10 finish in six races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Chase Elliott (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kevin Harvick leads the point standings by 9 points over Kyle Busch.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-1-2016)

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Points (not CHASE) Standings:
[after Talladega, race 10 of 36]
1) #4-Harvick [1 win], 351
2) #18-Busch, [2 wins], 342, -9
3) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 337, -14
4) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 329, -22
5) #22-Logano, 316, -35
6) #41-Busch, 312, -39
7) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 300, -51
8) #88-Earnhardt Jr., 279, -72
9) #78-Truex Jr., 274, -77
10) #3-Dillon, 272, -79
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf) See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Talladega Race & Points Report (pdf).

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup CHASE Standings:
[after Talladega, race 10 of 36, 16 drivers for the Chase]
Set by most wins, then by points standing
1) #18-Busch [2 wins], 2nd in driver points
2) #19-Edwards [2 wins], 3rd
3) #48-Johnson [2 wins], 4th
4) #2-Keselowski [2 wins], 7th
5) #4-Harvick [1 win], 1st
6) #11-Hamlin [1 win], 12th
no wins, in by drivers points standings
7) #22-Logano, 316
8) #41-Busch, 312
9) #88-Earnhardt Jr., 279
10) #78-Truex, Jr., 274
11) #3-Dillon, 272
12) #24-Elliott, 271
13) #1-McMurray, 261
14) #47-Allmendinger, 232
15) #20-Kenseth, 231
16) #6-Bayne, 228
(5-1-2016)

Snapchat covering Talladega with live story: NASCAR fans posting to Snapchat from Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday will have a chance to share their race-day experiences with Snapchat users across the world. For the second time this season, the fast-growing social media platform will cover a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with a "Live Story" - a curated stream of video and photo Snaps shared with Snapchat's more than 200 million daily users. Once posted, the Live Story from Talladega will be available to view on Snapchat for 24 hours. In February, NASCAR announced a partnership with Snapchat doubling the number of race events covered by Live Stories this season. During the 2016 Daytona 500, Snapchat's first NASCAR Live Story provided users a unique look at the Great American Race, from behind-the-scenes in the garage to the fans cheering from the grandstands.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-1-2016)

Dover removes three pit stalls: NASCAR drivers will find longer pit stalls when they compete at Dover International Speedway in two weeks. With NASCAR reducing the size of its Sprint Cup field from 43 to 40 cars, the track removed three stalls and increased the length of its stalls from 32 feet to 34 feet. The track was known for having some of the tightest stalls on the circuit.(ESPN.com)(5-1-2016)

Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing announces return of CAMP95: Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing announced the return of CAMP95, a unique summer camp designed to provide high school students with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the different types of careers in NASCAR. The camp, which launched in 2015, will be expanded into a two-day program and provide an in-depth view of jobs in the racing industry with more hands-on activities and speakers. CAMP95 was designed by CSLFR to help students become more knowledgeable about racing-related careers, thereby helping to foster the connection between NASCAR and the next generation. The team hopes the guidance and advice students receive at the two-day program will help them as they reach a time in their lives where they are expected to starting making career decisions. Throughout the camp, students will have the opportunity to explore careers based in the areas of competition, sponsorship, public relations, engineering and more. Members of the race team, including drivers Michael McDowell and Ty Dillon, along with key figures from the NASCAR community will be on-hand to speak with the campers about their career paths in racing and how they got started. After attending CAMP95, campers will be invited to enter an essay contest explaining what they learned from the program for a chance to win an opportunity to shadow the team at an upcoming Sprint Cup race of their choice. Thrivent Financial, a primary sponsor of the #95 Chevrolet SS, will sponsor the winner and chaperone's travel to the race. The 2016 session of CAMP95 will be held on Tuesday, June 28 and Wednesday, June 29 at the team's race shop in Concord, N.C. Students interested in attending can fill out an application.(Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing)(5-1-2015)

Talladega Race Notes & Facts:
· There have been 93 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one NSCS event in 1969 and two races per year since 1970.
· Richard Childress Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are tied for the most wins at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 12 each.
· Nine different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 40 victories; followed by Ford with 22 and Toyota with three.
· There have been nine NSCS races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Talladega Superspeedway. The scheduled number of laps is 188, below is a chart showing the number of additional laps during NASCAR · Only two of the 93 races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions: spring of 1987 and fall of 1996.
· Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway was the (04/17/2011) race won by Jimmie Johnson with a MOV of 0.002 second - the MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the NSCS using electronic scoring.
(NASCAR)

Richmond XFINITY TV Ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Richmond scored 1.2 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 last Saturday afternoon, up 10% from last year (1.1M). After declines for the first four races of the season, viewership has now increased for three of the past four Xfinity Series telecasts.(Sports Media Watch)(5-1-2016)

Darlington to offer Southern food options: Darlington Raceway and its food and beverage provider, Americrown Service Corp., are partnering for the second consecutive year to offer fans signature southern food items from the 1975-1984 era as part of the track's award winning throwback celebration. All the items will be sold at or below five dollars. The food items featured will be Brasington Bites, a Darlington Dog and Southern 500 Egg Roll. The track will also bring back the pimento cheese sandwich, which was popular with fans during the 2015 Bojangles' Southern 500 race weekend.
Pimento Cheese Sandwich - $3.00 - Made with scratch-made Palmetto-style pimento cheese spread served on fresh white bread
Brasington Bites - $4.00 - Ground beef, diced onion, smoked gouda and Yancey's Fancy buffalo cheddar cheese rolled, breaded and deep fried
Southern 500 Egg Roll - $4.00 - Smoked pulled pork, blend of cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheeses, black eyed peas and collard greens wrapped in a tortilla and deep fried to a golden brown
Darlington Dog - $5.00 - All beef hot dog topped with BBQ chili, bread & butter pickle relish, Darlington white slaw, bacon bits and fried onions
All will be featured in concession stands across the track property for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 event weekend, scheduled for Sept. 2-4, 2016.(Darlington Raceway)(5-1-2016)