April 2018 News Archives
News from April 30, 2018
Talladega TV ratings: Fox earned a 2.8 overnight rating for the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.[More](4-30-2018)
SiteOne Landscape Supply sponsoring Allgaier at Dover: JR Motorsports announced today that SiteOne® Landscape Supply, Inc., the largest and only national wholesale distributor of landscape supplies in the United States, will serve as primary sponsor of Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 team for the upcoming OneMain Financial 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, May 5.[More](4-30-2018)
Louisiana Hot Sauce sponsoring Myatt Snider at Dover: The Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce TM, a longtime partner of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Myatt Snider, has joined Snider and ThorSport Racing in pursuit of victory lane at Dover International Speedway.[More](4-30-2018)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks, announcers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick named dignitaries at Dover: Jordan Hicks, a standout linebacker for the Super Bowl LII Champion Philadelphia Eagles, and team announcers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick, will serve as dignitaries for the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 6, track officials announced today. Reese and Quick will be the race’s co-grand marshals and Hicks will be the event’s honorary starter.[More](4-30-2018)
News from April 29, 2018
Talladega Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race.[More](4-29-2018)
Sunday Talladega Notebook: Hendrick teammates trigger “The Big One” at Talladega; Kyle Busch falls short in attempt to win fourth straight race; Erik Jones ignites wreck that sends Trevor Bayne to garage.[More](4-29-2018)
Chase Elliott wonders ‘what if’ following third-place finish: But unlike other victory near-misses – he’s had eight career runner-up finishes, including one just last week – Elliott conceded this time he was a victim of circumstance.[More](4-29-2018)
Joey Logano hangs tough for hard-fought Talladega victory: Joey Logano led a Ford feast on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, beating Kurt Busch to the checkered flag by .127 seconds to win the GEICO 500, the 10th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race of the season. Logano led the final 42-of-188 laps, a race-high 70 overall, and controlled the action after a 14-car wreck on Lap 166 thinned the field. Logano led the field to the green flag for the final restart on Lap 172 and stayed out front the rest of the way.[More](4-29-2018)
Joey Logano won the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. The win is his 1st win of 2018, 3rd win at Talladega and 19th career win.
Logano led 70 of the 188 laps. He regained the lead after green flag pit stops with 41 laps to go and even relinquished the lead.
#41-Busch finished 2nd followed by #9-Elliott, pole sitter #4-Harvick, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #38-Ragan, #10-Almirola, #88-Bowman, #31-Newman, and #19-Suarez.
The biggest wreck of the day came on lap 167 and involved 14 cars.
Stage 1 was won by #2-Keselowski, finished 33rd after an accident.
Stage 2 was won by #21-Menard, finished 30th after an accident
There were 25 lead changes among 16 drivers and 6 cautions for 29 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 152.489mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Talladega
Joey Logano won the 49th Annual GEICO 500, his 19th victory in 337 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and ninth top-10 finish in 2018.
This is his third victory and eighth top-10 finish in 19 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Kurt Busch (second) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 35 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2018.
Chase Elliott (third) posted his second top-10 finish in five races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Darrell Wallace Jr. (16th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kyle Busch leads the point standings by 30 points over Joey Logano.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(4-29-2018)
[after Talladega, race 10 of 36]
#18-Kyle Busch [3 wins], 447
#4-Kevin Harvick [3 wins – 2 can be used for playoffs], 366
#22-Joey Logano [1 win], 417
#14-Clint Bowyer [1 win], 335
#78-Martin Truex Jr. [1 win], 303
#3-Austin Dillon [1 win], 210
#41-Kurt Busch, 320, -127
#2-Brad Keselowski, 317, -130
#11-Denny Hamlin, 314, -133
#12-Ryan Blaney, 313, -134
#42-Kyle Larson, 280, -167
#10-Aric Almirola, 278, -169
#88-Alex Bowman, 238, -209
#20-Erik Jones, 234, -213
#48-Johnson, 230, -217
#17-Stenhouse, Jr., 217, -230
#31-Ryan Newman, 214, -233
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 110) of the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway (lap 110/188):
#21-Menard, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#22-Logano, 9pts
#22-Blaney, 8pts
#4-Harvick, 7pts
#17-Stenhouse, Jr., 6pts
#38-Ragan, 5pts
#48-Johnson, 4pts
#41-Busch, 3pts
#24-Byron, 2pts
#18-Busch, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 55) of the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway (lap 55/188):
#2-Keselowski, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#22-Logano, 9pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 8pts
#18-Busch, 7pts
#21-Menard, 6pts
#11-Hamlin, 5pts
#12-Blaney, 4pts
#17-Stenhouse, Jr., 3pts
#4-Harvick, 2pts
#48-Johnson, 1pt
Lucky Dogs, drivers that got a lap back during the cautions (and their finish):
Caution 1: #38-Ragan, 6th
Caution 2: #72-Whitt, 22nd
Caution 3: #95-Kahne, 17th
Caution 4: #14-Boywer, 31st
Caution 5: #96-Kennington, 20th
Caution 6: #11-Hamlin, 14th
News from April 28, 2018
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway have been made.
Pole winner #4-Harvick chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole winner #41-Busch. took pit stall 37, with an opening in front of it.
#78-Truex, Jr., who starts 3rd, took the 2nd stall.
The final pit stall was taken by #20-Jones, who starts 6th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(4-28-2018)
Saturday Talladega Notebook: Can Austin Dillon pull off an encore at Talladega? NASCAR shrinks restrictor-plate openings after Jamie McMurray’s crash; Did ARCA race produce the closest stock car finish ever?[More](4-28-2018)
Kevin Harvick edges teammate Kurt Busch for Talladega pole: Kevin Harvick hadn’t won a pole at a restrictor-plate track since 2005. Kurt Busch had never topped qualifying for a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at a superspeedway. But those two Stewart-Haas Racing Ford drivers were the class of the field during time trials on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, where Harvick outdueled Busch to secure his first Busch Pole Award of the season.[More](4-28-2018)
Kevin Harvick won the Busch pole for the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with speed of 194.448mph for his 1st pole of 2018, 2nd at Talladega and 22nd of his career. Harvick has won 5 times from the 21 previous poles.
#41-Busch will start 2nd followed by #78-Truex, Jr., #11-Hamlin, #9-Elliott, #20-Jones, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #14-Bowyer, #22-Logano, #2-Keselowski, #88-Bowman, and #38-Ragan.
#4-Harvick was also quickest in the first round with a speed of 194.275mph.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 40 were entered for 40 spots
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(4-28-2018)
Talladega Superspeedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Kevin Harvick won the Busch Pole Award Pole Award for the 49th Annual GEICO 500 with a lap of 49.247 seconds, 194.448 mph.
This is his 22nd pole in 620 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and ninth top-10 start in 2018.
This is his second pole in 35 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Kurt Busch (second) posted his seventh top-10 start of 2018 and his 11th in 35 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Martin Truex Jr. (third) posted his seventh top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his seventh in ten races this season.
Darrell Wallace Jr. (15th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(4-28-2018)
First Round of Qualifying for the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over.
#4-Harvick 194.275
#41-Busch 193.921
#78-Truex, Jr. 192.707
#20-Jones 192.618
#9-Elliott 192.591
the rest of the top 12: 11 22 2 17 1 88 38
not advancing to the final round: 21 19 43 48 24 31 18 34 6 42 12 3 37 95 1 47 13 62 96 92 32 00 15 72 23 55 51 10
Qualifying at Talladega is two rounds of single car qualifying.
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 40 entered
(4-28-2018)
Sad News – James Hylton: Former NASCAR driver James Hylton, the 1966 Rookie of the Year, was killed in a traffic accident Saturday, authorities said. He was 83. Hylton and his son, 61-year-old James Hylton Jr., died at the scene of the crash, which happened on Interstate 85 in Carnesville a little after 6 a.m., according to the Georgia State Patrol. Both were from Inman, South Carolina.[More](4-28-2018)
Zynga Poker increases sponsorship with Go Fas Racing: Go Fas Racing and Zynga, a leading social game developer, are proud to announce that Zynga Poker will be the primary sponsor for the No.32 Ford and Matt DiBenedetto for seven more races in the Monster Energy NASCAR 2018 season. The partnership will kick-off over All-Star Weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 19th with Zynga Poker proudly emblazoned on the No.32. Other races include Pocono (1), Daytona, Watkins Glen, Bristol, Las Vegas, and the season finale at Homestead.[More](4-28-2018)
Qualifying Order for the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #15-Chastain.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #1-McMurray.
The order is set by Friday practice speeds.
For the qualifying order, see the Qualifying Order page (pdf).(4-28-2018)
Sadler claims second consecutive Xfinity Dash 4 Cash bonus: For the second consecutive week veteran Elliott Sadler claimed the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ $100,000 Dash 4 Cash incentive check – and this time, the veteran joked he’d spend the big money on his kids and . … celebrating his birthday on Monday.[More](4-28-2018)
Sad News – Jim Foster: Jim Foster, the fourth president of Daytona International Speedway, died Friday after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 91.[More](4-28-2018)
Ebullient Spencer Gallagher claims first NASCAR Xfinity victory at Talladega: Taking advantage of an overtime restart and a fuel shortage that hampered some of the race’s strongest cars, Spencer Gallagher grabbed the lead on the final lap and held on to win Saturday’s Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway. In claiming the first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of his career, Gallagher crossed the finish line .152 seconds ahead of runner-up Brandon Jones. Justin Allgaier recovered to finish third after running out of fuel under the Lap 105 caution that set up the overtime.[More](4-28-2018)
Spencer Gallagher wins Talladega Superspeedway XFINITY race:#23-Spencer Gallagher won the Spark Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway for his first career victory. He lead only the final lap, passing #9-Tyler Reddick just after the white flag flew.
#19-Brandon Jones finished second, followed by #7-Justin Allgaier, #18-Noah Gragson, #1-Elliott Sadler, #39-Ryan Sieg, #42-John Hunter Nemechek, #9-Tyler Reddick, #00-Cole Custer, and #0-Garrett Smithley.
Elliott Sadler won the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash. The four Dash 4 Cash drivers at Dover will be #23-Spencer Gallagher, #19-Brandon Jones, #7-Justin Allgaier, and #1-Elliott Sadler.
There were 5 cautions for 29 laps and 12 lead changes among 11 leaders.
The average speed was 133.258mph.
Complete results are on the Talladega race results page (pdf). (4-28-2018)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 25 – Winner, #21-Daniel Hemric
Stage 2 – lap 50 – Winner, #1-Elliott Sadler
Stage 3 – lap 113 – Race winner, #23-Spencer Gallagher
Talladega XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Spencer Gallagher won the 27th Annual Sparks Energy 300, his first victory in 49 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2018.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in two races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Brandon Jones (second) posted his first top-10 finish in three races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his fifth top-10 finish in 2018.
Justin Allgaier (third) posted his sixth top-10 finish in eight races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Tyler Reddick (eighth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 40 points over Tyler Reddick #.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-28-2018)
XFINITY Driver standings following Talladega Superspeedway:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler 356
2) #9-Tyler Reddick, 316, -40
3) #7-Justin Allgaier, 309, -47
4) #20-Christopher Bell, 307, -49
5) #00-Cole Custer,299, -57
6) #21-Daniel Hemric, 297, -59
7) #23-Spencer Gallagher, 277, -79
8) #19-Brandon Jones, 269, -87
9) #11-Ryan Truex, 251, -105
10) #2-Matt Tifft, 235, -121
11) #16-Ryan Reed, 234, -122
12) #4-Ross Chastain, 185, -171
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(4-28-2018)
Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #74-Harmon, 33rd
Caution 2: #51-Clements, 35th
Caution 3: #55-Cobb, 29th
Caution 4: #45-Bilicki, 28th
Caution 5: #93-Green, 13th
(4-28-2018)
Daniel Hemric on XFINITY pole at Talladega: #21-Daniel Hemric won the Busch pole for the Spark Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 189.402mph. #1-Elliott Sadler qualified second but will have to start at the rear of the field after an engine change. The rest of the top 12: #23-Spencer Gallagher, #42-John Hunter Nemechek, #5-Micahel Annett, #7-Justin Allgaier, #3-Shane Lee, #9-Tyler Reddick, #11-Ryan Truex, #2-Matt Tifft, #22-Austin Cindric, and #00-Cole Custer.
Did Not Qualify: #89-Morgan Shepherd.
The starting lineup is posted on the Talladega starting lineup page (pdf).(4-28-2018)
News from April 27, 2018
Friday Talladega Notebook: Talladega – the track where winning streaks come to die. Did Trevor Bayne just call his shot at Talladega? Jamie McMurray barrel-rolls down Talladega’s backstretch.[More](4-27-2018)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#1-McMurray 203.975
#13-Dillon 203.610
#19-Suarez 203.079
#20-Jones 202.830
#78-Truex, Jr. 202.770
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of XX drivers):
slowest: #55-Sorenson 184.979 & #15-Chastain 184.612.
notes: #1-McMurray cut a tire early in practice and spun in front of #31-Newman. The #1 the spun around further and barrel rolled several times. McMurray was ok. #13-Dillon and #19-Suarez also suffered some damage. All four drivers will go to backup cars.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (4-27-2018)
First practice for the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#13-Dillon 202.959
#19-Suarez 202.680
#18-Busch 202.680
#11-Hamlin 202.671
#31-Newman 202.637
most laps run: #88-Bowman, 30 laps
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 11 drivers): #11-Hamlin 198.109
slowest: #92-Peters 184.317 & #55-Sorenson 184.129
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Friday Practice speeds (pdf) (4-27-2018)
TCL sponsoring Reed Sorenson in GEICO 500 at Talladega: TCL is one of the world’s best-selling and America’s fastest-growing television brands.[More](4-27-2018)
Sobriety Nation joins Chastain at Talladega: Sobriety Nation, the full time primary sponsor for Wendell Chavous, driver of the #49 Chevy Silverado for Premium Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has extended their support of the team by becoming the primary sponsor of the #15 with driver, Ross Chastain who will pilot the team’s Chevrolet Camaro in this weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, ‘GEICO 500’ at Talladega Superspeedway.[More](4-27-2018)
NASCAR acquires ARCA: In a move designed to strengthen a relationship that dates back more than 60 years, NASCAR announced today the acquisition of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). Both NASCAR and ARCA, a Midwest-based sanctioning body for stock car auto racing, share a long history: ARCA founder John Marcum raced against Bill France Sr. and worked as a NASCAR official. More recently, the series has provided a valuable platform for talented drivers looking to make it to NASCAR’s national series.[More](4-27-2018)
Outback’s sponsorship of Stewart-Haas may end next year: The company is serving only as an associate sponsor this season.[More](4-27-2018)
Sad News – Russ Truelove: Russ Truelove, 93, who was known for his terrifying rollover crash during a NASCAR race on the Daytona Beach & Road Course, died in his Waterbury, Connecticut, home surrounded by family Wednesday night.[More](4-27-2018)
Shane Lee paces final XFINITY practice: #3-Shane Lee was quickest in final practice at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 187.938mph. #11-Ryan Truex was second, followed by: #60-Ty Majeski, #16-Ryan Reed, #36-Alex Labbe, #90-Josh Williams, #51-Jeremy Clements, #01-Vinnie Miller, #8-Tommy Joe Martins, and #24-Kaz Grala. Just 17 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Talladega practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(4-27-2018)
Custer fastest in opening XFINITY practice: #00-Cole Custer was fastest during opening practice at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 194.125mph.
The rest of the top 10: #23-Spencer Gallagher, #11-Ryan Truex, #19-Brandon Jones, #1-Elliott Sadler, #21-Daniel Hemric, #9-Tyler Reddick, #2-Matt Tifft, #98-Chase Briscoe, and #20-Christopher Bell.
See complete results on the Talladega practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(4-27-2018)
Darlington Raceway selects Lady in Black: Cydney Gandy will represent the track at various community and media events as well as the 69th annual Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend.[More](4-27-2018)
News from April 26, 2018
Kevin Harvick in flannel at Talladega: Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 Busch Beer Ford Fusion will have a fresh, new outdoors-inspired look this weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway – completely covered in flannel, the unofficial uniform of the true outdoor enthusiast.[More](4-26-2018)
Talladega Weekend Preview: Busch goes for fourth straight win at tumultuous Talladega; Lights, camera, action: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup racers set for all-driver broadcast[More](4-26-2018)
Coca-Cola to sponsor Austin Dillon at Charlotte: Coca-Cola, one of the world’s iconic brands, will be featured as primary sponsor on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the 2018 Coca-Cola 600. Coca-Cola’s longtime partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will continue its deep-rooted history over Memorial Day Weekend with defending race winner Austin Dillon carrying the Coca-Cola colors. Dillon recorded his first-career Cup Series victory last May at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races.[More](4-25-2018)
Timmy Hill to drive for Rick Ware Racing at Talladega: Returning to the site of his career-best finish in NASCAR, veteran Timmy Hill has been tapped to drive the No. 51 Keen’s Building Chevrolet in Sunday’s Geico 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for Rick Ware Racing (RWR). Hill, the 2011 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year will make his third Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start of the season and third at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.[More](4-26-2018)
Ryan Blaney’s Darlington throwback scheme unveiled: The car is inspired by Dave Blaney’s 2003 Jasper Transmissions Ford.[More](4-26-2018)
Dale Jr.’s new book set for October release: JR Nation asked for it, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is delivering. Today Earnhardt Jr. unveiled the cover of his new book, Racing To The Finish: My Story, which is a candid, first-person account of what seemed at first as a minor racing accident but ultimately forced major life-changing decisions. The book’s official release date is Oct. 16, 2018, but fans can pre-order now.[More](4-26-2018)
Fleetwing sponsoring Joe Nemechek at Talladega: Joe Nemechek will have a long-time sponsor, Fleetwing, on board his No. 15 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Sparks Energy 300 at the Talladega (Al.) Superspeedway. Fleetwing Corporation, a multi-branded petroleum jobber established in 1956, will adorn the hood of the No. 15 Camaro driven by Nemechek as a primary sponsor. Based in Lakeland, Fla., Fleetwing Corporation is family-owned and operated. Also sponsoring Nemechek will be D.A.B. Contractors, a service-oriented construction company in Central Florida.[More](4-26-2018)
Christian Eckes to make Truck Series debut at Iowa: Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced today that Christian Eckes, the most recent winner in the ARCA Racing Series, will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) debut June 16 at Iowa Speedway in Newton as part of a four-race schedule driving a fourth entry for the organization.[More](4-26-2018)
Burton turns first laps in Canada: Harrison Burton completed a test at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in preparation for his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race there later this year. While the NASCAR Pinty’s Series is still one month away from holding its annual season opener during Victoria Day weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Harrison Burton brought his Kyle Busch Motorsports truck up to turn some laps for the first time. The second generation driver will compete in the Truck Series event Aug. 26, his first on a road course in the series.[More](4-26-2018)
Fan golf cart transportation begins at Talladega Superspeedway:Talladega Superspeedway is thrilled to announce that Joyride, a golf cart transportation service, will be offered to fans this weekend for the track’s anticipated tripleheader, April 27-29. Joyride can transport up to five passengers at a time and will actually be available starting Thursday, April 26, for fans arriving early and will continue throughout the remainder of the weekend.[More](4-26-2018)
News from April 25, 2018
A look at many news, notes and story lines for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Talladega Superspeedway
Five teams take part in a two-day tire test at Michigan International Speedway: The cars returned to Michigan International Speedway when five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams took to the track for a Goodyear tire test. The drivers all had the same goal in mind, helping Goodyear create the best tire for the racing on the two-mile oval.[More](4-25-2018)
Michael Leavine named Competition Director for #95 team: Leavine Family Racing (LFR) has named Michael Leavine as the Competition Director for the organization and its No. 95 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team, effective immediately. Leavine is the grandson of team owner, Bob Leavine, and has served as the Director of Operations at the organization for the past year.[More](4-25-2018)
Matt DiBenedetto’s Darlington throwback scheme unveiled: The #32 Ford at Darlington will be modeled off Jeff Burton’s #99 Exide Batteries Ford from the late 1990s and 2000.[More](4-25-2018)
Roush Fenway Racing press conference transcript: The press conference included Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Jack Roush, RFR President Steve Newmark, and Wyndham executive Eliot Hamlisch.[More](4-25-2018)
Kenseth returning to Roush Fenway? UPDATE Matt Kenseth is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series to drive Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 6 car in select races this season, multiple sources told SB Nation.(4-23-2018)
UPDATE: Who said you can’t go home? NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth will return to the organization where he began his storied NASCAR career, piloting Roush Fenway’s flagship No. 6 Ford Fusion for a part of the 2018 season. Kenseth will also have a new home away from home, with the team announcing a multi-year partnership with Wyndham Rewards®, the award-winning loyalty program of Wyndham Hotel Group, as a new primary on the No. 6.[More](4-25-2018)
Petty’s Garage and Medallion Bank on the #43: Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced today, Petty’s Garage and Medallion Bank will be the primary sponsors of Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. and the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team during this weekend’s events at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Petty’s Garage will be on the hood with Medallion Bank on the sides of a new No. 43 Camaro ZL1 built for this weekend.[More](4-25-2018)
Special scheme for Kahne at Talladega: This weekend at Talladega, Kasey Kahne will run a special Procore Safety Qualified paint scheme aboard his No. 95 Camaro ZL1. Procore is excited to announce their new Procore Safety Qualified program launching May 7, 2018 in observance of Construction Safety Week (May 7-11).[More](4-25-2018)
News from April 24, 2018
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Talladega Superspeedway, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Talladega Superspeedway page
Entry List for the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #00-Gase, #15-Chastain, #51-Custer, #55-Sorenson, #62-Gaughan, #72-Whitt, #92-Peters, #96-Kennington.
Since 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
Talladega Goodyear Tire Notes See complete tire information for the race weekend across all series on the Goodyear Tire Notes – Talladega Superspeedway page.(4-24-2018)
Debris cautions down considerably this season: Though it appeared to be triggered by Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s Ford scarping the wall, the final caution Saturday was sourced to “debris,” marking only the second debris yellow of the season and the first since the season-opening Daytona 500.[More](4-24-2018)
Bad Boy Mowers to race with Ragan at Talladega: Bad Boy Mowers will partner with David Ragan at one of NASCAR’s baddest tracks, joining the No. 38 team at Sunday’s Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. The partnership will be the first for the zero-turn mower manufacturer and the 2013 Talladega race winner.[More](4-24-2018)
RSS Racing heads to Talladega with three cars: RSS Racing will again race three cars as it did at the season opening race at Daytona. RSS Racing is thrilled to welcome Alabama Soda Blasting as the primary sponsor for Ryan Sieg for the Xfinity race Saturday at Talladaega Superspeedway. Additionally, J Pigg Construction will join the #39 team as a major associate sponsor. [More](4-24-2018)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Spark Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.
See the complete list on the Talladega entry list page.(4-9-2018)
Deontay Wilder to serve as honorary pace car driver for GEICO 500:World Boxing Council’s (WBC) current World Heavyweight Champion and Tuscaloosa, AL native Deontay Wilder, will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for this Sunday’s GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway (April 29). Prior to the start of the GEICO 500, Wilder – “The Bronze Bomber” – will lead the field around the mammoth 2.66-mile track in the Official Ford Mustang GT Pace Car and take them to the green flag to start off the much-anticipated event.[More](4-24-2018)
Blue skies, temperatures in the 70s and the greatest racing experience on the planet awaits fans, drivers at Talladega: With Chamber of Commerce weather in the meteorologists’ forecasts this weekend, all eyes will be on Talladega Superspeedway as a host of story lines are set to dominate the track’s tripleheader extravaganza, which features the GEICO 500 (Sunday) for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the Sparks Energy 300 (Saturday) for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the General Tire 200 (Friday) for the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards. And, great seating options are still available.[More](4-24-2018)
News from April 23, 2018
Kenseth returning to Roush Fenway? Matt Kenseth is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series to drive Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 6 car in select races this season, multiple sources told SB Nation.[More](4-23-2018)
Richmond TV ratings: Fox earned a 1.7 overnight rating for the Toyota Owners 400 Saturday night.[More](4-23-2018)
Kyle Busch’s win streak hinges on unpredictable Talladega: It’s a big deal and rare achievement when any driver reels off three consecutive wins in the premier Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. And only nine races into the 2018 season – that’s happened twice already. Kyle Busch’s impressive showing at Richmond Raceway Saturday night earned the 32-year-old his third straight Monster Energy Series win (also at Texas and Bristol). Kevin Harvick accomplished the feat a month ago, winning three consecutive races at Atlanta, Las Vegas and Phoenix. He finished a disappointing 35th the next week in California at Auto Club Speedway, ending his streak[More](4-23-2018)
Jennifer Jo Cobb in the #55 at Talladega: JP Motorsports (JPM) announces that full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Jennifer Jo Cobb, will pilot its #55 Toyota Camry in this Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) Sparks Energy 300 at the Talladega Superspeedway.[More](4-23-2018)
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Cabarrus Brewing Company unveil Redneck Hill craft beer: Following last year’s historic rollout of 600 Ale, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s first craft beer, the speedway and Cabarrus Brewing Company turned things up a notch on Monday with the unveiling of Redneck Hill – a spectacular, smooth, American Ale.[More](4-23-2018)
Scoring tower at ISM Raceway goes down: The Scoring Tower demolition was a key moment in the track’s renovation project.[More](4-23-2018)
News from April 22, 2018
Joe Gibbs Racing renews with Toyota: Joe Gibbs Racing has signed an extension with Toyota Racing, an agreement confirmed by team owner Joe Gibbs on Saturday afternoon at Richmond Raceway.[More](4-22-2018)
Richmond commercial breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday’s race.[More](4-22-2018)
News from April 21, 2018
Kyle Busch wins third straight race with late charge at Richmond:Busch streaked away from the rest of the field on a series of late restarts, ultimately beating Chase Elliott to the checkered flag in overtime to record his fifth victory at the .75-mile short track and the 46th of his career.[More](4-21-2018)
Kyle Busch won the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. The win is his 3rd win of 2018, 5th win at Richmond and 46th career win.
#9-Elliott finished 2nd (his 8th career 2nd place finish) followed by #11-Hamlin, #22-Logano, #4-Harvick, #48-Johnson, #42-Larson, #2-Keselowski, #14-Bowyer, and #19-Suarez.
Pole winner #78-Truex, Jr. lead 121 laps, but had a slow pit stop near the end of the race and finished 14th.
The race ended after the first attempt at NASCAR overtime, set up by a caution when #17-Stenhouse, Jr. hit the wall.
Stages 1 and 2 were both won by #22-Logano. He finished 4th.
There were 16 lead changes among 7 drivers and 6 cautions for 46 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 96.215mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Richmond
– Kyle Busch: 3rd straight win; 2nd career 3-race win streak – 2nd driver with 3 race win streak this season (Kevin Harvick)
– Busch: started 32nd, his worst starting position in 45 career Cup Series wins (previous worst was 30th at Sonoma in 2008)
– Busch: 1st driver to win race starting outside top 30 since Jimmie Johnson at Atlanta in March 2015 (started 37th)
– Busch: 3rd driver to win at Richmond starting 30th or worse; others are Clint Bowyer (31st) and Richard Petty (30th)
– Chase Elliott: finished 2nd, 8th career runner-up finishes (0 wins); only 4 drivers in series history have had at least 8 runner-up finishes before 1st win, including his father Bill
– Denny Hamlin: finished 3rd, finished 6th or better in last 6 Richmond races (18th or worse in previous 5)
– Joey Logano: finished 4th, 3rd top 5 this season (had 4 in 27 races after encumbered Richmond win last year)
– Jimmie Johnson: finished 6th (was 3rd last week), first time finishing 6th or better in consecutive races since last April (won Texas and Bristol)
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(4-21-2018)
2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Driver Chase Standings:
[after Richmond, race 9 of 36]
#18-Kyle Busch [3 wins], 415
#4-Kevin Harvick [3 wins – 2 can be used for playoffs], 324
#14-Clint Bowyer [1 win], 329
#78-Martin Truex Jr. [1 win], 284
#3-Austin Dillon [1 win], 208
#22-Joey Logano, 359, -56
#2-Brad Keselowski, 303, -112
#11-Denny Hamlin, 286, -129
#12-Ryan Blaney, 282, -133
#41-Kurt Busch, 282, -133
#42-Kyle Larson, 279, -136
#10-Aric Almirola, 248, -167
#20-Erik Jones, 233, -182
#88-Alex Bowman, 209, -206
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 200, -215
#24-William Byron, 192, -223
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 200) of the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway (lap 200/400):
#22-Logano, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#14-Bowyer, 9pts
#10-Almriola, 8pts
#41-Busch, 7pts
#24-Byron, 6pts
#18-Busch, 5pts
#31-Newman, 4pts
#2-Keselowski, 3pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 2pts
#4-Harvick, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 100) of the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway (lap 100/400):
#22-Logano, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#10-Almirola, 9pts
#41-Busch, 8pts
#24-Byron, 7pts
#14-Bowyer, 6pts
#18-Busch, 5pts
#9-Elliott, 4pts
#3-Dillon, 3pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 2pts
#4-Harvick, 1pt
Lucky Dogs, drivers that got a lap back during the cautions (and their finish):
Caution 1: #43-Wallace, 25th
Caution 2: #38-Ragan, 33rd
Caution 3: #31-Newman, 37th
Caution 4: #42-Larson, 7th
Caution 5: #42-Larson (2), 7th
Caution 6: #6-Bayne, 21st
Saturday Richmond Notebook: Chase Elliott tries for two important milestones at Richmond; Austin Cindric enjoys career-best NASCAR Xfinity Series finish; Daniel Hemric feels ready for giant step in racing career.[More](4-21-2018)
Is NASCAR considering composite bodies for Cup? Following a successful rollout of flange-fit bodies in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR is considering a similar path for the Monster Energy Cup Series as well. Although there has been discussion of implementing composite Cup pieces as early as 2019 on short tracks, a 2020 launch is more likely.[More](4-21-2018)
Bristol TV ratings UPDATE: Fox earned a 1.4 overnight rating for the Monday portion of the Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway.(4-17-2018)
UPDATE: Last Monday’s rescheduled NASCAR Cup Series Bristol 500 earned 2.0 million viewers on FOX, down 12% from last year’s race.[More](4-21-2018)
Delmarva Dog highlights new food selections at Dover International Speedway: Combining a traditional concession stand staple with a Delmarva Peninsula foodie favorite, Dover’s Delmarva Dog is just one of the many great food offerings NASCAR fans can expect when they visit the track for our May 4-6 tripleheader weekend.[More](4-21-2018)
Talladega Superspeedway’s College Student Program returns April 27-29: Get ready for Talladega Superspeedway to teach you a thing or two about college with the $24 student ticket offer, returning April 27-29! The program offers an array of benefits, including a college party with an appearance by Erik Jones, driver of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.[More](4-21-2018)
News from April 20, 2018
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway have been made.
With the field at 38 cars, pit stalls 5 and 21 are not in use.
Pole winner #78-Truex, Jr.chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole winner #9-Elliott. took pit stall 6, with an opening in front of it.
#22-Logano, who starts 3rd, took the 4th stall, with an opening behind it.
The final pit stall was taken by #1-McMurray, who starts 8th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(4-20-2018)
Martin Truex Jr. claims pole at Richmond for 450th start: After a dismal two weeks that saw the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota of reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. crash out of races at Texas and Bristol, Truex found a welcome stroke of success on Friday at Richmond Raceway. With a lap at 123.859 mph (21.799 seconds) in the final round of knockout qualifying, Truex claimed the Busch Pole Award for Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400, edging Chase Elliott (123.621 mph) for the top starting spot by .042 seconds. [More](4-20-2018)
#78-Martin Truex, Jr. won the Busch pole for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway with speed of 123.859mph for his 3rd pole of 2018, 1st at Richmond and 18th of his career. Truex, Jr. has won 3 times from the 17 previous poles.
#9-Elliott will start 2nd followed by #22-Logano, #11-Hamlin, #42-Larson, #41-Busch, #20-Jones, #1-McMurray, #24-Byron, #4-Harvick, #88-Bowman, and #17-Stenhouse, Jr.
#11-Hamlin was fastest in the second round with a speed of 124.476mph, will start 4th.
#78-Truex, Jr. was quickest in the first round with a speed of 124.127mph.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 38 were entered for 40 spots
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(4-20-2018)
Richmond Raceway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Martin Truex Jr. won the Busch Pole Award for the 64th Annual Toyota Owners 400 with a lap of 21.799 seconds, 123.859 mph.
This is his 18th pole in 450 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races. Truex becomes the fourth driver in series history to win a Busch Pole on his 450th start joining Dale Jarrett (2001, Dover), Rusty Wallace (1998, Richmond) and Sterling Marlin (1999, Pocono).
This is his third pole and sixth top-10 start in 2018.
This is his first pole in 25 races at Richmond Raceway.
Chase Elliott (second) posted his fourth top-10 start of 2018 and his second in six races at Richmond Raceway.
Joey Logano (third) posted his 11th top-10 start at Richmond Raceway. It is his eighth in nine races this season.
William Byron (ninth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(4-20-2018)
Second Round of Qualifying for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#11-Hamlin 124.476
#9-Elliott 124.435
#22-Logano 124.327
#78-Truex, Jr. 123.938
#1-McMurray 123.859
the rest of the top 12: 41 17 88 24 4 42 20
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 12 31 38 14 48 43 37 21 6 8 3 34
(4-20-2018)
First Round of Qualifying for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 15 scheduled minutes.
#78-Truex, Jr. 124.127
#24-Byron 123.893
#48-Johnson 123.813
#11-Hamlin 123.700
#14-Bowyer 123.643
the rest of the top 24: 22 20 6 1 42 38 4 31 41 37 34 3 9 21 12 17 43 8 88
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 10 19 32 2 95 15 13 18 47 23 72 00 55 51
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 38 entered
(4-20-2018)
Friday Richmond Notebook: Kyle Busch hopes to rediscover magic touch at Richmond; Richmond Raceway has grown more unpredictable in recent years; Notable quotes.[More](4-20-2018)
Larson’s fast start to the season is feeding his competitive edge: Kyle Larson is one of the most even-keeled, happy-go-lucky drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series – typically smiling, always willing to sign autographs and even popular with his competitors. But Larson’s runner-up showing to Kyle Busch in Monday’s rain-delayed race finish at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, stoked some real competitive frustration in the fifth-year Cup driver. [More](4-20-2018)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#42-Larson 120.315
#43-Wallace 119.952
#1-McMurray 119.904
#14-Bowyer 119.904
#17-Stenhouse, Jr. 119.893
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 32 drivers): #42-Larson 119.110.
slowest: #15-Chastain 115.202 & #51-Rhodes 115.036
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (4-20-2018)
Special hashtag on Logano’s car at Richmond: The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Team Penske Ford will carry a special hashtag at this weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. The hashtag, #VoteForTheCaptain, is an effort to encourage NASCAR fans to vote for legendary team owner Roger Penske.[More](4-20-2018)
First practice for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#9-Elliott 121.327
#42-Larson 121.076
#78-Truex, Jr. 120.757
#1-McMurray 120.703
#22-Logano 120.660
most laps run: #88-Bowman, 67 laps.
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 31 drivers): #4-Harvick 119.652
slowest: #55-Sorenson 115.207 & #51-Rhodes 115.139
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Friday Practice speeds (pdf) (4-20-2018)
Qualifying Order for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #37-Buescher
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #9-Elliott.
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 lined up by speed.
For the qualifying order, see the Qualifying Order page (pdf).(4-20-2018)
Christopher Bell holds off Noah Gragson for Xfinity win at Richmond: In a long green-flag run fraught with spellbinding tension, Christopher Bell held off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Noah Gragson to win Friday night’s ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway. Bell spoiled Gragson’s prospects for a victory in his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, passing his teammate for the lead on Lap 172 of 250 and staying in front-if only just barely-the rest of the way. Bell crossed the finish line .423 seconds ahead of Gragson, after the driver of the No. 18 Toyota got to the bumper of Bell’s No. 20 in the closing laps.[More](4-20-2018)
Bell wins Richmond Raceway XFINITY race: #20-Christoper Bell won the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway for his 2nd career win and 1st win at Richmond.
#18-Noah Gragson finished second in his first XFINITY Series race. They were followed by #1-Elliott Sadler, #2-Matt Tifft, #22-Austin Cindric, pole sitter #00-Cole Custer, #11-Ryan Truex, #51-Jeremy Clements, #16-Ryan Reed, and #19-Brandon Jones.
Elliott Sadler’s 3rd place finish won him the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus. Dash 4 Cash drivers next week at Talladega Superspeedway will be Christopher Bell, Elliott Sadler, Matt Tifft, and Austin Cindric.
There were 5 cautions for 39 laps and 9 lead changes among 6 leaders.
The average speed was 93.284mph.
Complete results are on the Richmond race results page (pdf). (4-20-2018)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 85 – Winner, #21-Daniel Hemric
Stage 2 – lap 170 – Winner, #1-Elliott Sadler
Stage 3 – lap 300 – Race winner, #20-Christoper Bell
Richmond XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Christopher Bell won the 31st Annual ToyotaCare 250, his second victory in 16 NASCAR Xfinity Series races.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2018.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in two races at Richmond Raceway.
Noah Gragson(i) (second) finished in the top-five in his series debut at Richmond Raceway.
Elliott Sadler (third) posted his 15th top-10 finish in 30 races at Richmond Raceway.
Christopher Bell (first) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 29 points over Christopher Bell #.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-20-2018)
XFINITY Driver standings following Richmond Raceway:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler, 311
2) #20-Christopher Bell [1 win], 282, -29
3) #9-Tyler Reddick [1 win], 280, -31
4) #21-Daniel Hemric, 273, -38
5) #7-Justin Allgaier, 263, -48
6) #00-Cole Custer, 263, -48
7) #11-Ryan Truex, 242, -69
8) #23-Spencer Gallagher, 228, -83
9) #19-Brandon Jones, 227, -84
10) #2-Matt Tifft, 213, -98
11) #16-Ryan Reed, 211, -100
12) #4-Ross Chastain, 182, -129
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(4-20-2018)
Custer on XFINITY pole at Richmond: #00-Cole Custer won the Busch pole for the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway with a speed of 121.332mph. #20-Christopher Bell will start second. The rest of the top 10: #22-Austin Cindric, #21-Daniel Hemric, #42-John Hunter Nemechek, #11-Ryan Truex, #7-Justin Allgaier, #1-Elliott Sadler, #5-Michael Annett, and #9-Tyler Reddick.
Did Not Qualify: None.
The starting lineup is posted on the Richmond starting lineup page (pdf).(4-20-2018)
Richmond Raceway XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
Cole Custer won the Pole Award for the 31st Annual ToyotaCare 250 with a lap of 22.253 seconds, 121.332 mph.
This is his second pole in 46 NASCAR Xfinity Series races.
This is his second pole and seventh top-10 start in 2018.
This is his first pole in four races at Richmond Raceway.
Christopher Bell (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2018 and his first in two races at Richmond Raceway.
Austin Cindric (third) posted his first top-10 start at Richmond Raceway. It is his fourth in eight races this season.
Christopher Bell (second) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-20-2018)
Nemechek paces final XFINITY practice: #42-John Hunter Nemechek was quickest in final practice at Richmond Raceway with a speed of 119.090mph.
#7-Justin Allgaier was second, followed by: #18-Noah Gragson, #20-Christopher Bell, #00-Cole Custer, #16-Ryan Reed, #22-Austin Cindric, #21-Daniel Hemric, #2-Matt Tifft, and #23-Spencer Gallagher.
See complete results on the Richmond practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(4-20-2018)
Bell fastest in opening XFINITY practice: #20-Christopher Bell was fastest during opening practice at Richmond Raceway with a speed of 121.902mph.
The rest of the top 10: #00-Cole Custer, #18-Noah Gragson, #22-Austin Cindric, #11-Ryan Truex, #7-Justin Allgaier, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #42-John Hunter Nemechek, #92-Jeff Green, and #90-Brandon Brown.
See complete results on the Richmond practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(4-20-2018)
Iconic Vulcan Trophy and Hammer & Anvil Trophy returns to Talladega: Hardware to winners of races at Talladega Superspeedway? No. At the biggest, baddest racing venue on the planet, it is called ironware! Every driver who straps themselves behind the wheel at the 2.66-mile track dreams of winning at the historic, gigantic venue and a trip to Gatorade Victory Lane. And, to the victor of Talladega’s upcoming races during its tripleheader motorsports weekend (April 27-29), go the spoils – some of the most unique pieces of authentic ironware in all of motorsports with both the Vulcan Trophy and the Hammer & Anvil Trophy.[More](4-20-2018)
News from April 19, 2018
Quaker State on the #21 at Richmond: After an up-and-down race at Bristol Motor Speedway that saw Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards team run as high as third place before finishing 13th, the Menards/Quaker State team heads to Richmond Raceway for the first night race of the Monster Energy Cup season.[More](4-19-2018)
Richmond Weekend Preview: Larson looking to improve over second place; Dash 4 Cash provides big incentives for XFINITY drivers.[More](4-19-2018)
Timothy Peters driving for Ricky Benton in Talladega Cup race UPDATE: The team plans on utilizing the same racecar David Gilliland drove to a 14th-place effort in the Daytona 500.(4-18-2018)
UPDATE: The last time Timothy Peters partnered with Ricky Benton Racing (RBR), the pairing resulted in a seventh-place finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) at the half-mile Martinsville Speedway. Emboldened by the result, the team and driver have decided to renew their partnership in a bigger way: RBR and Peters will be heading to Alabama to compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.[More](4-19-2018)
Safeway sponsoring Nemechek at Richmond: Joe Nemechek will once again be racing the No. 15 Chevrolet Camaro for team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller in Friday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) ToyotaCare 250 at the Richmond (Va.) Raceway. Safeway’s Eastern Division is proud to sponsor award winning NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek and to cheer him on as he competes in Richmond. Joe will be racing on behalf of Safeway’s shoppers and the division’s 12,000+ employees.[More](4-19-2018)
August Michigan race named Consumers Energy 400: Michigan International Speedway and Consumers Energy have expanded their relationship in a multi-year agreement to include the entitlement sponsorship of the August Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. The race on Aug. 12 will be called the Consumers Energy 400.[More](4-19-2018)
Charlotte Motor Speedway to deliver unprecedented Coca-Cola 600 pre-race military spectacular: Charlotte Motor Speedway will incorporate all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces in an unprecedented, spectacular pre-race Salute to the Troops before the 59th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27. This year’s edition of the Memorial Day weekend celebration will highlight the Department of Defense’s “This is Your Military” initiative by paying tribute to each of the military branches, featuring special guests and showcasing vehicles and awe-inspiring displays of military prowess from the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard. Fans and drivers will also get to #KnowYourMil through interactions with service members.[More](4-19-2018)
News from April 18, 2018
Timothy Peters driving for Ricky Benton in Talladega Cup race: The team plans on utilizing the same racecar David Gilliland drove to a 14th-place effort in the Daytona 500.[More](4-18-2018)
A look at many news, notes and story lines for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series races at Richmond Raceway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Richmond Raceway
France family to be honored with IMRRC’s 2018 Argetsinger Award:The France Family, along with Jim France, will be honored on June 28 by the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) with the 2018 Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports. The 2018 award will be the fifth presented by the IMRRC. Chip Ganassi was the inaugural recipient in 2014. Richard Petty and Roger Penske were honorees in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Mario Andretti was cited in 2017.[More](4-18-2018)
Truex Jr. to make 450th career start in Richmond: Martin Truex Jr. will make his 450th career NASCAR Cup Series start in Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. “That’s crazy how time flies,” said Truex when he was told that Richmond will be his 450th career start. “Just seems like yesterday we were making preparations to run our first Cup races.[More](4-18-2018)
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Richmond Raceway, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Richmond Raceway page
XYO Network partners with Joe Gibbs Racing: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announces today that XYO Network will sponsor Erik Jones for two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races and Brandon Jones for six races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season. XYO Network (www.xyo.network) provides an efficient and foolproof way to deliver trustworthy location data through cryptolocation technology that protects privacy while providing greater accuracy. [More](4-18-2018)
Special M&M’s Flavor Vote scheme for Kyle Busch at Richmond:Busch will debut a brand new scheme at Richmond this weekend as the M&M’S brand has recently launched three, brand-new, limited-edition flavors as part of its second Flavor Vote campaign: Crunchy Espresso, Crunchy Raspberry and Crunchy Mint. The new flavors are on sale at select retailers nationwide, where fans can purchase and try each new flavor and cast a vote for their favorite once a day until May 25.[More](4-18-2018)
Food Lion partners with Richard Petty Motorsports in Richmond:Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced today, Food Lion will be the primary sponsor of Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. and the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team during this weekend’s race weekend at the Richmond Raceway. Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and deli meats, will also be a partner of Wallace Jr. and the team at Richmond.[More](4-18-2018)
Superior Logistics joins Go Fas Racing at Richmond: The Go Fas Racing team will travel to Richmond Raceway this weekend with a new look and a new sponsor on board. Superior Logistics will make their debut with the team sporting a red, white, and blue scheme sure to catch attention under the lights in Richmond, VA. Superior Logistics Services provides shipping solutions across the continental United States, Mexico and to select points in Canada.[More](4-18-2018)
Mike D’s BBQ joins Sieg at Richmond: RSS Racing is pleased to welcome Mike D’s BBQ as the primary sponsor for Ryan Sieg and the #39 Chevrolet for this Friday’s race at Richmond Raceway. This will be the first time the company has been a primary sponsor in NASCAR.[More](4-18-2018)
Jessica Lynn to perform national anthem for “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” at Dover: Jessica Lynn, a singer/songwriter from New York, who has shared the stage and toured the world with some of country music’s elite performers, will sing the national anthem prior to the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 6.[More](4-18-2018)
Richmond announces fan-focused pre-race ceremonies: Richmond Raceway announces fan-focused pre-race ceremonies to honor Service Members of the Military prior to the green flag for the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series and TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. Pre-race is one of the most memorable moments of the Toyota Spring Race Weekend with the roar of the flyover, a special rendition of the National Anthem, and Toyota owners commanding drivers to start their engines.[More](4-18-2018)
News from April 17, 2018
Bristol post-race penalties announced: The only violation was a lug nut penalty to the #17 team.[More](4-17-2018)
Bristol TV ratings: Fox earned a 1.4 overnight rating for the Monday portion of the Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway.[More](4-17-2018)
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr’s sponsors renew through 2021: Roush Fenway Racing has announced a deal that will solidify its partnership of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the No. 17 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team through 2021. Fastenal will continue to serve as the anchor partner of the No. 17 and will increase its number of primary races with Stenhouse and the team. SunnyD and Fifth Third Bank will each continue to play a major role with the team, serving as primary partners with the No. 17 in multiple events over the next four seasons.[More](4-17-2018)
Richmond Goodyear Tire Notes See complete tire information for the race weekend across all series on the Goodyear Tire Notes – Richmond Racewaypage.(4-17-2018)
Ford switching to Mustang in Cup for 2019: Building off its popularity, Ford also is announcing Mustang is coming to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series – professional stock car racing’s top league – for the first time, beginning at Daytona in February. “We’re combining America’s favorite sports car with America’s top stock car racing series,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Mustang always has been about affordable performance, which can be traced to innovations we’ve made competing in racing, like NASCAR. Mustang is a perfect fit for our racing heritage today and tomorrow.”[More](4-17-2018)
Joey Gase driving the #00 at Talladega: StarCom Racing teams up with Joey Gase and Sparks Energy, Inc. to tackle Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 29 for the Geico 500.[More](4-17-2018)
Bristol commercial breakdown : For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s, then Monday’s, race.[More](4-17-2018)
Chastain and JD Motorsports promoting USVETS911.com at Richmond: Ross Chastain and team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller are hoping to help new sponsor, USVets911.com, accomplish their mission of helping U.S. veterans and their families. Chastain will pilot the No. 4 USVets911.com Chevrolet Camaro in Friday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway.[More](4-17-2018)
Smithfield Ford placed in Monster Monument at Dover’s Victory Plaza: Delaware’s most famous landmark was made whole again on Tuesday as the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Fusion was placed in the right hand of the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by Smithfield, during an event at Dover International Speedway. About 150 NASCAR fans and media looked on as the team from First State Crane and Kent Construction lifted the No. 10 Smithfield Ford off the ground and secured it in the Monster Monument, the 46-foot statue that overlooks the fun and excitement during NASCAR events at Dover International Speedway.[More](4-17-2018)
Bristol Truck Series race moved to Thursday: Officials from NASCAR and Bristol Motor Speedway announce that the UNOH 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and Bush’s Beans 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event will move from Wednesday, Aug. 15, to Thursday, Aug. 16 in 2018. The schedule change packages an adrenaline-filled three consecutive nights of under-the-lights racing during the Aug. 16-18 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race week.[More](4-17-2018)
DC Solar to sponsor Richmond infield: Richmond Raceway and DC Solar announce a partnership on the naming rights to the modernized infield as part of Richmond Raceway Reimagined (Reimagined), the track’s $30 million infield redevelopment project. The new Richmond infield will be officially named the DC Solar FanGrounds.[More](4-17-2018)
News from April 16, 2018
Monday Bristol Notebook: Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. disappointed despite strong run at Bristol; Aric Almirola turns in solid sixth-place run-that could have been better; Alex Bowman charges to career-best fifth-place finish.[More](4-16-2018)
Hamlin latest driver to lash out at pit guns: Denny Hamlin says that if NASCAR continues to require teams to use standardized pit guns, “it’s going to cost somebody a race or the championship by the end of the year.” Hamlin is the latest driver to express his frustration with the pit guns all teams are required to use after he suffered a loose wheel and had to pit from the lead on Lap 266 of Monday’s Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He finished 14th, one lap down.[More](4-16-2018)
Kyle Busch uses bump-and-run to perfection in Bristol win: Executing a textbook bump-and-run against runner-up Kyle Larson on Lap 495 of 500, Kyle Busch pulled away to win Monday’s weather-delayed Food City 500, claiming his second straight victory of 2018.[More](4-16-2018)
Kyle Busch won the rain delayed Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The win is his 2nd win of 2018, 7th win at Bristol and 45th career win.
#42-Larson finished 2nd followed by #48-Johnson, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #88-Bowman, #10-Almirola, #4-Harvick, #14-Bowyer, #22-Logano, and #31-Newman.
The final 296 laps were run Monday after the race was postponed Sunday afternoon.
Larson lead the most laps during the race, 200 of 500, but was passed by Kyle Busch with 5 laps remaining.
Stages 1 & 2 were won by #2-Keselowski. He hit the wall late in the race and finished 23rd.
There were 13 cautions for 114 laps and 18 lead changes among 8 leaders.
The average speed of the race was: 77.465 mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Bristol
Kyle Busch won the 58th Annual Food City 500, his 45th victory in 470 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and seventh top-10 finish in 2018.
This is his seventh victory and 15th top-10 finish in 26 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Kyle Larson (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in nine races at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2018.
Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 33 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Darrell Wallace Jr. (16th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kyle Busch leads the point standings by 59 points over Joey Logano.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(4-15-2018)
2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Driver Chase Standings:
[after Bristol, race 8 of 36]
#18-Kyle Busch [2 wins], 365
#4-Kevin Harvick [3 wins – 2 can be used for playoffs], 290
#78-Martin Truex Jr. [1 win], 257
#14-Clint Bowyer [1 win], 286
#3-Austin Dillon [1 win], 183
#22-Joey Logano, 306, -59
#2-Brad Keselowski, 271, -94
#12-Ryan Blaney, 267, -98
#11-Denny Hamlin, 252, -113
#42-Kyle Larson, 249, -116
#41-Kurt Busch, 241, -124
#10-Aric Almirola, 211, -154
#20-Erik Jones, 209, -156
#88-Alex Bowman, 190, -175
#31-Ryan Newman, 181, -184
#21-Paul Menard, 170, -195
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 250) of the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway (lap 250/500):
#2-Keselowski, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#18-Busch, 9pts
#48-Johnson, 8pts
#11-Hamlin, 7pts
#42-Larson, 6pts
#17-Stenhouse, Jr., 5pts
#88-Bowman, 4pts
#4-Harvick, 3pts
#3-Dillon, 2pts
#43-Walllace, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 125) of the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway (lap 125/500):
#2-Keselowski, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#31-Newman, 9pts
#14-Bowyer, 8pts
#47-Allmendinger, 7pts
#42-Larson, 6pts
#20-Jones, 5pts
#10-Almirola, 4pts
#48-Johnson, 3pts
#17-Stenhouse, Jr., 2pts
#41-Busch, 1pt
Lucky Dogs, drivers that got a lap back during the cautions (and their finish):
Caution 1: None. No one a lap or more down.
Caution 2: #38-Ragan, 12th
Caution 3: #55-Sorenson, 32nd
Caution 4: #51-Rhodes, 37th
Caution 5: #00-Cassill, 20th
Caution 6: #1-McMurray, 19th
Caution 7: #32-DiBenedetto, 21st
Caution 8: #32-DiBenedetto (2), 21st
Caution 9: #1-McMurray (2), 19th
Caution 10: #17-Stenhouse, Jr, 4th
Caution 11: #38-Ragan (2), 12th
Caution 12: #11-Hamlin, 14th
Caution 13: #19-Suarez, 11th
Entry List for the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is posted, 38 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Chastain, #51-TBA, #55-Sorenson, #72-Whitt.
Since only 38 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
Goodyear tire test set for Michigan UPDATE: Michigan International Speedway and Goodyear Tire will host five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams on April 17-18 for two days of testing. And fans can watch for free.(4-6-2018)
UPDATE:
With wet and cold weather forecast for the site of this week’s Goodyear tire test at Michigan International Speedway, the tiremaker has cancelled the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions and has rescheduled them for next week (April 24-25).[More](4-16-2018)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 40 cars on the preliminary entry list for Friday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
See the complete list on the Bristol entry list page.(4-9-2018)
News from April 15, 2018
Rain delay postpones electric race at Bristol: NASCAR announced the race will start at 1 p.m. ET Monday and will be broadcast on FOX (PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).[More](4-15-2018)
Hemric car failed post race, bumped from next Dash4Cash race UPDATE Daniel Hemric has been replaced in next week’s Dash 4 Cash field at Richmond by Brandon Jones because Hemric’s car failed inspection after Saturday’s race at Bristol. NASCAR stated only that Hemric’s car failed “mechanical measurement.” The team could face further penalties next week.(4-14-2018)
UPDATE: NASCAR announced that it erred in announcing a penalty to Daniel Hemric after Saturday’s Xfinity race and that Hemric will be eligible for the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus next week at Richmond Raceway.[More](4-15-2018)
Fans determine Bristol driver intro songs: NASCAR Nation cast more than 100,000 votes during the last month to pick song choices for the 39 drivers who will enter The Last Great Colosseum during driver introductions for today’s Food City 500. NASCAR’s best gladiators are prepared to do battle, beginning their routine with heart-pumping entrances that has their fans stamp of approval. Bristol Motor Speedway officials worked with each Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver and teams to identify three songs that were eligible for the fan vote.[More](4-15-2018)
Fitzgerald renews sponsorship of Bristol XFINITY race: Fitzgerald USA, a national leader in the trucking industry, has renewed its sponsorship of the popular NASCAR XFINITY Series Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS), affirming its partnership with the track in a multi-year agreement announced today. As part of the announcement, BMS and Fitzgerald debuted the new name of the race and its logo: beginning spring 2019, the race will be known as the Fitzgerald USA 300.[More](4-15-2018)
News from April 14, 2018
Saturday Bristol Notebook: Crash in final practice knocks Kurt Busch off front row; Michael McDowell’s qualifying effort a step forward for Front Row; Short Strokes[More](4-14-2018)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#38-Ragan 127.487
#9-Elliott 127.073
#11-Hamlin 126.997
#41-Busch 126.537
#34-McDowell 126.295
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 31 drivers): #18-Busch 125.483
slowest: #51-Rhodes 121.774 & #55-Sorenson 120.907. No speed: #15-Chastain.
notes: #41-Busch spun with 5 minutes left in practice and hit the inside wall. He will go to a backup car.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (4-14-2018)
First Saturday practice for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#42-Larson 129.004
#78-Truex, Jr. 128.952
#10-Almirola 128.943
#18-Busch 128.934
#95-Kahne 128.830
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 25 drivers): #20-Jones 127.292
slowest: #51-Rhodes 121.983 & #66-Finchum 120.808. No speed: #15-Chastain & #55-Sorenson.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Second Practice speeds page (pdf) (4-14-2018)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway have been made.
With 39 cars running, pit stalls 21, 22, 33, and 43 have been eliminated.
Pole winner #18-Busch chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole winner #41-Busch. took pit stall 23, the first stall on the backstretch, with an opening in front of it.
The final pit stall on the frontstretch was taken by #17-Stenhouse, Jr, who starts 4th.
#88-Bowman, who starts 8th, took final pit stall on the backstretch.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(4-14-2018)
Hemric car failed post race, bumped from next Dash4Cash race:Daniel Hemric has been replaced in next week’s Dash 4 Cash field at Richmond by Brandon Jones because Hemric’s car failed inspection after Saturday’s race at Bristol. NASCAR stated only that Hemric’s car failed “mechanical measurement.” The team could face further penalties next week. [More](4-14-2018)
Chevrolet may change Camaro nose: Chevrolet is reportedly seeking design change approval from NASCAR for a new nose on its XFINITY Series version of the iconic car. [More](4-14-2018)
Ryan Preece wins NASCAR Xfinity race at Bristol-and $100,000 bonus: Ryan Preece is doing everything he can to find a permanent home in a stock car. At the top of his to-do list is winning, which he did for the second time in seven NASCAR Xfinity Series starts on Saturday when he outran Justin Allgaier to win the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.[More](4-14-2018)
Preece wins Bristol Motor Speedway XFINITY race: #18-Ryan Preece won the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway for his second career win and first win at Bristol.
Preece also took home the $100,000 Dash4Cash bonus from series sponsor XFINITY.
#7-Justin Allgaier finished second, followed by#21-Daniel Hemric, #1-Elliott Sadler, #23-Spencer Gallagher, #19-Brandon Jones, #9-Tyler Reddick, #00-Cole Custer, #4-Ross Chastain, and #11-Ryan Truex.
There were 12 cautions for 93 laps and 13 lead changes among 8 leaders.
Preece took advantage of a caution 18 laps from the finish. He took four tires, while teammate, and leader at the time, #19-Brandon Jones, took two tires. Preece took the lead 9 laps from the finish.
The average speed was 67.857mph.
Complete results are on the Bristol race results page (pdf). (4-14-2018)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 85 – Winner, #20-Christopher Bell
Stage 2 – lap 170 – Winner, #18-Ryan Preece
Stage 3 – lap 300 – Race winner, #18-Ryan Preece
Bristol XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Ryan Preece won the 36th Annual FITZGERALD GLIDER KITS 300, his second victory in 43 NASCAR
XFINITY Series races.This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in 2018.This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in three races at Bristol Motor Speedway.Justin Allgaier (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 15 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his
fifth top-10 finish in 2018.Daniel Hemric (third) posted his third top-10 finish in three races at Bristol Motor Speedway.Tyler Reddick (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 6 points over Daniel Hemric.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-14-2018)
XFINITY Driver standings following Bristol Motor Speedway:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler, 261
2) #21-Daniel Hemric, 255, -6
3) #9-Tyler Reddick [1 win], 247, -14
4) #7-Justin Allgaier, 240, -21
5) #20-Christopher Bell, 226, -35
6) #00-Cole Custer, 218, -43
7) #11-Ryan Truex, 211, -50
8) #23-Spencer Gallagher, 208, -53
9) #19-Brandon Jones, 193, -68
10) #16-Ryan Reed, 183, -78
11) #2-Matt Tifft, 167, -94
12) #4-Ross Chastain, 163, -98
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(4-14-2018)
Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution: (and their finish)
Caution 1: none
Caution 2: #15-Nemechek, 19th
Caution 3: #90-Williams, 22nd
Caution 4: #0-Smithley, 17th
Caution 5: #1-Sadler, 4th
Caution 6: #35-Gase, 16th
Caution 7: #15-Nemechek, 19th
Caution 8: #78-McLeod, 20th
Caution 9: #0-Smithley, 17th
Caution 10: #35-Gase, 16th
Caution 11: #22-Cindric, 12th
Caution 12: none
(4-14-2018)
Custer on XFINITY pole at Bristol: #00-Cole Custer won the Busch pole for the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 127.157mph. #7-Justin Allgaier will start second. The rest of the top 10: #20-Christopher Bell, #21-Daniel Hemric, #42-John Hunter Nemechek, #19-Brandon Jones, #18-Ryan Preece, #3-Shane Lee, #23-Spencer Gallagher, and #22-Austin Cindric.
Did Not Qualify: #89-Morgan Shepherd.
The starting lineup is posted on the Bristol starting lineup page (pdf).(4-14-2018)
Bristol Motor Speedway XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
Cole Custer won the Pole Award for the 36th Annual FITZGERALD GLIDER KITS 300 with a lap of
15.090 seconds, 127.157 mph.
This is his first pole in 45 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first pole and sixth top-10 start in 2018.
This is his first pole in three races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Justin Allgaier (second) posted his fifth top-10 start of 2018 and his 13th in 15 races at Bristol Motor
Speedway.
Christopher Bell (third) posted his first top-10 start at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his fifth in seven
races this season.
Christopher Bell (third) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-14-2018)
“Drive Days” for Talladega fans during race week: While the greatest drivers in the world will be competing on Talladega Superspeedway on April 27-29 during an incredible tripleheader weekend (GEICO 500, Sparks Energy 300, General Tire 200), fans will have the opportunity to hit the pavement first and drive their personal car around NASCAR’s biggest and most competitive track earlier in the week during “Drive Days.” On Tuesday (April 24) and Thursday (April 26), “Drive Days” will offer participants to take their street legal vehicles for three thrilling laps at highway speed behind a Talladega Safety/Pace truck on Talladega’s 2.66-mile, 33-degree high banks for just $50.[More](4-14-2018)
News from April 13, 2018
Kyle Busch edges big brother Kurt Busch for Bristol pole: Sunday’s race will be the third time the Busch bothers have started on the front row of a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, all with Kyle in the pole position. The brothers qualified 1-2 at Las Vegas in 2009 and at Texas in 2013.[More](4-13-2018)
Kyle Busch won the Busch pole for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway with speed of 128.822mph for his 2nd pole of 2018, 2nd at Bristol and 29th of his career. Busch has won 6 times from the 28 previous poles.
#41-Busch will start 2nd followed by #2-Keselowski, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #12-Blaney, #42-Larson, #21-Menard, #88-Bowman, #34-McDowell, #22-Logano, #24-Byron, and #19-Suarez.
#41-Busch was fastest in the second round with a speed of 129.030mph. #18-Busch was quickest in the first round with a speed of 128.960mph.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 39 were entered for 40 spots.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(4-13-2018)
Bristol Motor Speedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Kyle Busch won the Busch Pole Award Pole Award for the 58th Annual Food City 500 with a lap of 14.895 seconds, 128.822 mph.
This is his 29th pole in 470 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and sixth top-10 start in 2018.
This is his second pole in 26 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Kurt Busch (second) posted his fifth top-10 start of 2018 and his 11th in 35 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Brad Keselowski (third) posted his 11th top-10 start at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his fourth in eight races this season.
William Byron (11th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(4-13-2018)
Second Round of Qualifying for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#41-Busch 129.030
#18-Busch 128.969
#12-Blaney 128.322
#2-Keselowski 128.022
#42-Larson 127.767
the rest of the top 12: 22 24 17 88 34 21 19
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 20 14 95 9 48 47 10 43 3 37 38 32
(4-13-2018)
First Round of Qualifying for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 15 scheduled minutes.
#18-Busch 128.960
#41-Busch 128.382
#22-Logano 127.886
#21-Menard 127.563
#12-Blaney 127.487
the rest of the top 24: 88 17 14 48 34 2 19 38 9 47 43 95 10 24 37 20 42 3 32
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 31 1 11 78 15 23 00 13 6 72 96 55 51 66 4
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 39entered
(4-13-2018)
Friday Bristol Notebook: Right-side Bristol tire has Kyle Busch searching for familiar feel; New All-Star race rules preempt Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s aero ideas; For Ryan Preece, Saturday’s Xfinity race is a step up in cash; Kevin Harvick to backup car after hard crash in practice.[More](4-13-2018)
Qualifying Order for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #72-LaJoie.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #34-McDowell.
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 lined up by speed.
For the qualifying order, see the Qualifying Order page (pdf).(4-13-2018)
Gaunt Brothers Racing to honor Humboldt Broncos: Canadian driver D.J. Kennington will have the Broncos’ logo on the hood of the car.[More](4-13-2018)
First practice for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#12-Blaney 129.877
#20-Jones 129.877
#41-Busch 129.657
#18-Busch 129.456
#42-Larson 129.299
#2-Keselowski 129.004
most laps run: #22-Logano, 32 laps.
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 3 drivers): #20-Jones 124.148
slowest: #72-LaJoie 121.898 & #51-Rhodes 121.674
notes: #47-Allmendinger spun in turn 2. #4-Harvick hit the wall in turn 3 and reported that something had broken on the car. He will have to go to a backup car and start at the rear of the field for the race.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Friday Practice speeds (pdf) (4-13-2018)
Sorenson returns to the #55 at Bristol: VIP Racing Experience, a full-service marketing company with over 30 years of experience in the racing industry has come on board as the primary sponsor for Reed Sorenson in this weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, ‘Food City 500’. This will be Sorenson’s third race of the year for Premium Motorsports in the #55 Chevrolet.[More](4-13-2018)
Custer paces final XFINITY practice: #00-Cole Custer was quickest in final practice at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 123.570mph.
#21-Daniel Hemric was second, followed by: #19-Brandon Jones, #18-Ryan Preece, #20-Christopher Bell, #7-Justin Allgaier, #11-Ryan Truex, #22-Austin Cindric, #9-Tyler Reddick, and #98-Chase Briscoe.
See complete results on the Bristol practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(4-13-2018)
Jones fastest in opening XFINITY practice: #19-Brandon Jones was fastest during opening practice at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 123.833mph.
The rest of the top 10: #7-Justin Allgaier, #18-Ryan Preece, #20-Christopher Bell, #22-Austin Cindric, #00-Cole Custer, #2-Matt Tifft, #21-Daniel Hemric, #23-Spencer Gallagher, and #9-Tyler Reddick.
See complete results on the Bristol practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(4-13-2018)
Bristol awards first Dale Earnhardt, Jr. scholarship: Bristol Motor Speedway has officially selected a winner of the first Dale Earnhardt Jr. scholarship to a deserving student from Tennessee High School in Bristol, Tenn. Senior Jaicee Weaver, who plans to begin her collegiate career studying in the automotive field at Northeast State Community College in nearby Blountville, Tenn., has earned the $2,088 scholarship. The Dale Jr. Scholarship, which was announced during the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race last August, drew inspiration from Junior’s former career as an automotive service mechanic.[More](4-13-2018)
Speedway Motorsports Inc. teams up with Square for credit card processing: Race fans can visit concessions stands and use major credit cards at stations which were previously cash-only. Fans can also pay with their phone using Apple Pay and Google Pay at concessions stands through the new point-of-sale system.[More](4-13-2018)
News from April 12, 2018
NASCAR announces promotions: Jill Gregory has been promoted to executive vice president & chief marketing officer. Gregory oversees all NASCAR marketing operations and reports directly into NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Steve Phelps.[More](4-12-2018)
Bristol Weekend Preview: The NASCAR racing at the Bristol Motor Speedway half-mile is innately exciting, challenging and must-see TV. And if you ask the drivers, it’s a real skill set that is important to master.[More](4-12-2018)
Plan B Sales, fans team up to sponsor DiBenedetto for Kansas: In a rare opportunity fans can get not only get their name on the race car, but also on the matching 1:24 scale diecast car that will be produced by Lionel.[More](4-12-2018)
WIX Filters to sponsor Bowyer at Chicagoland: WIX Filters, a global manufacturer of filtration products with more than 50 years of motorsports experience, will serve as the primary sponsor of Bowyer and his race-winning No. 14 Ford Fusion throughout the Chicagoland race weekend, with WIX Filters emblazoned on Clint Bowyer’s car and firesuit.[More](4-12-2018)
Finchum picks up Bristol sponsors Food City joins Concrete North, Smithbuilt Homes, A1 Finchum, Braille Battery, and OCR Gaz Bar.[More](4-12-2018)
Franklin Signs and Graphics on board with Starr at Bristol: Jimmy Means Racing is pleased to announce that Franklin Signs and Graphics, Inc. will be the primary sponsor on the No. 52 Chevrolet this weekend for the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at the Bristol Motor Speedway.[More](4-11-2018)
Joe Nemechek to drive for JDM at Bristol: Joe Nemechek, the 1992 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) champion, will return to JD Motorsports with Gary Keller for Saturday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at the Bristol Motor Speedway driving the No. 15 Flex Seal Chevrolet Camaro.[More](4-12-2018)
News from April 11, 2018
New format for All-Star Race announced: NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway today announced the format and competition package for the May 19 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race, both tailored to achieve one goal – the best possible race for the fans. For the first time, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars will implement the competition package used in last season’s successful NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which saw record numbers in leaders, lead changes and green flag passes for the lead.[More](4-11-2018)
NASCAR’s aero package for All-Star race includes restrictor plates:NASCAR will use an aerodynamic package for its May 19 All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway that will include an engine restrictor plate and front aero ducts that will move the air to the side of the car before it hits the front wheel.[More](4-11-2018)
Bristol to apply traction compound for race weekend: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced today that the application of the traction compound to the lower groove, what many in the industry now refer to as “Bristol Bite”, will again be utilized for the 2018 Food City 500 weekend. [More](4-11-2018)
A look at many news, notes and story lines for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Bristol Motor Speedway
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Bristol Motor Speedway, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Bristol Motor Speedway page
Texas post-race penalties announced: #9-Chase Elliott’s team recevied an L1 penalty for a rear window bracket violation. Three crew members were suspended for violation of NASCAR’s substance abuse policy.[More](4-11-2018)
STP returns to Richard Petty Motorsports at Bristol: It’s back! The famed No. 43 will again carry the STP colors this weekend during Sunday’s Food City 500 at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. The Bubba Wallace-designed scheme will make its return to the track after a disappointing finish in the STP 500 at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway earlier this year.[More](4-11-2018)
Baja Blast on the #9 at Bristol: The fans have spoken and Mountain Dew has listened. This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, Baja Blast will return to the racetrack on Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.[More](4-10-2018)
Chicagoland Speedway to honor military members Chicagoland Speedway announced today the multi-faceted plan to enhance the active military and veteran military recognition at this summer’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Stars and Stripes weekend June 28 – July 1. Race fans will join the recognition of our country’s service men and women with an omnipresent military theme woven into four days of racing as part of NASCAR Salutes.[More](4-11-2018)
News from April 10, 2018
Restrictor plates at All-Star Race? NASCAR is planning to use next month’s Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race as a test of the Xfinity Series aero package debuted last season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Motorsport.com has learned. The aero package used in the Xfinity Series last season included a restrictor-plate, but even more importantly, aero ducts on the front spoilers and a taller rear spoiler.[More](4-10-2018)
Suarez injures thumb in Texas accident UPDATE: Daniel Suarez had his left thumb put in a splint following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas. He said in a video posted on Twitter he hurt the thumb in an accident on the second lap of the race. He continued to compete after the accident and finished 29th. He will visit a doctor Tuesday.[More](4-9-2018)
UPDATE: Suarez saw a doctor on Tuesday and was cleared to race.[More](4-10-2018)
Monster Energy to remain entitlement sponsor of NASCAR premier series through 2019: NASCAR® and Monster Energy have signed an agreement that will extend the entitlement sponsorship of NASCAR’s premier series. The extension keeps NASCAR and Monster Energy partners through 2019. As part of the agreement, the brand also continues as the Official Energy Drink of NASCAR.[More](4-10-2018)
Tony Stewart, parents of Kevin Ward reach confidential settlement:Tony Stewart and the parents of Kevin Ward Jr. have asked for a settlement hearing scheduled for Thursday in the wrongful-death lawsuit filed to be canceled or postponed because “they have executed a confidential settlement agreement for which no further action by this court is required.” The motion cites a 2004 U.S. appeals court opinion that honoring the parties’ express wish for confidentiality may facilitate settlement, which courts are bound to encourage.[More](4-10-2018)
VehicleKEYS.com expands sponsorship of Smithley: Fans can look forward to seeing the No. 0 VehicleKEYS.com Chevrolet Camaro on track a lot more during the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. After sponsoring Garrett Smithley and team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller during the Roseanne 300 at Auto Club Speedway, VehicleKEYS.com has decided to come on board for multiple races, starting with the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 14th, 2018.[More](4-10-2018)
Lombard Brothers teams with RSS for additional races: RSS Racing is thrilled to welcome Lombard Bros. Gaming as the primary sponsor for Ryan Sieg at multiple races. Following a positive response from the sponsorship at Auto Club Speedway, the company has elected to join Sieg at Bristol, Michigan, Iowa, and Road America. Additionally, RSS Racing has hired Mike Ford to help oversee the #39 car for the remainder of 2018. The veteran crew chief was with the team last weekend in Texas.[More](4-10-2018)
Michael Tyler to sing National Anthem at Kansas: It seems only fitting that an artist with the song “Hey Mama” would be a part of Kansas Speedway’s May race weekend. After all, it is Mother’s Day weekend. And Michael Tyler, who hails from Thayer, Mo, will sing the National Anthem for the Kansas 400 at his “home” track on Saturday night, May 12.[More](4-10-2018)
New specialty menu items available at Bristol: The sizzle of burgers cooking on the grill and the smell of french fries crisping in the deep fryer take on a new meaning as Bristol Motor Speedway introduces new equipment and menu items to modernize the concessions experience. Brand new state-of-the-art grills and fryers have been installed at select front and back stretch concession stands concourse level for the Food City 500 weekend.[More](4-10-2018)
News from April 9, 2018
Entry List for the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is posted, 39 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #00-Cassill, #15-Chastain, #51-Rhodes, #55-Sorenson, #66-Finchum, #72-LaJoie, #96-Kennington.
Since only 39 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
Felix Sabates no longer bidding for Carolina Panthers: Charlotte businessman Felix Sabates, who has been working for months to pull together a local group to potentially buy the Carolina Panthers, says he now won’t be involved with any bids. The Observer reported last month that Sabates, a long-time fixture on the Charlotte sports scene, was looking to partner with another bidder, rather than assemble his own group. Now he is dropping plans to invest in the NFL team at all.[More](4-9-2018)
Texas TV ratings: FoxSports1 earned a 1.7 overnight rating for Sunday’s Cup race from Texas Motor Speedway. [More](4-9-2018)
Bobby Labonte to race for NASCAR Whelen Euro Series title: The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is about to get some American flavor. Bobby Labonte, the first driver to win championships in two different NASCAR national series, will compete fulltime in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2018 in hopes of adding an international title to his Hall of Fame-worthy career. Labonte will drive the No. 18 Yacco Toyota for RDV Competition.[More](4-9-2018)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
See the complete list on the Bristol entry list page.(4-9-2018)
Tommy Joe Martins gets Bristol sponsors: Tommy Joe Martins has his first primary sponsor of the year this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Knoxville based AAN Adjusters & Gilreath Farms Red Angus will be co-primary sponsors on the #8 BJ McLeod Chevrolet for the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300. Two other local companies, KT’s Rental Cabins & Claims Adjusters 411, will serve as associate sponsors for the event.[More](4-9-2018)
News from April 8, 2018
Texas TV commercial breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race.[More](4-8-2018)
Sunday Texas Notebook: Erik Jones’ first top five of the season is a sure sign of progress; Martin Truex Jr.’s top-five streak ends in hard crash; Jimmie Johnson finds encouragement in calamity at Texas.[More](4-8-2018)
Kyle Busch holds off Kevin Harvick at Texas for season’s first victory: Harried by Harvick for 23 laps after a restart on Lap 312 of 334, Busch powered his Toyota across the finish line .3 seconds ahead of the driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. The key to Busch’s victory was a mistake-free run over the final laps.[More](4-8-2018)
Kyle Busch won the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. The win is his 1st win of 2018, 3rd win at Texas and 44th career win. Busch led 115 of the 334 laps.
#4-Harvick finished 2nd followed by #1-McMurray, #20-Jones, #12-Blaney, #22-Logano, pole sitter #41-Busch, #42-Wallace, #24-Byron, and #14-Bowyer.
Stage 1 was won by #4-Harvick. Stage 2 was won by #18-Busch.
There were 16 lead changes among 8 drivers and 8 cautions for 48 yellow flag laps. There was a red flag for track cleanup following an accident that took out #10-Almirola, #2-Keselowski, #11-Hamlin, and #48-Johnson.
The average speed of the race was: 141.714mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Texas
Kyle Busch won the 22nd Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, his 44th victory in 469 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2018.
This is his third victory and 13th top-10 finish in 25 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick (second) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 31 races at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his fifth top-10 finish in 2018.
Jamie McMurray (third) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 29 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Darrell Wallace Jr. (eighth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kyle Busch leads the point standings by 38 points over Joey Logano.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(3-25-2018)
2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Driver Chase Standings:
[after Texas, race 7 of 36]
#4-Kevin Harvick [3 wins – 2 can be used for playoffs], 257
#18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 316
#78-Martin Truex Jr. [1 win], 250
#14-Clint Bowyer [1 win], 249
#3-Austin Dillon [1 win], 159
#22-Joey Logano, 278, -38
#12-Ryan Blaney, 265, -51
#2-Brad Keselowski, 237, -79
#41-Kurt Busch, 224, -92
#11-Denny Hamlin, 222, -94
#42-Kyle Larson, 202, -114
#20-Erik Jones, 193, -123
#10-Aric Almirola, 177, -139
#88-Alex Bowman, 154, -162
#9-Chase Elliott, 148, -168
#21-Paul Menard, 146, -170
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 170) of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway (lap 170/334):
#18-Busch, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#41-Busch, 9pts
#22-Logano, 8pts
#20-Jones, 7pts
#14-Bowyer, 6pts
#9-Elliott, 5pts
#2-Keselowski, 4pts
#17-Stenhouse, Jr., 3pts
#11-Hamlin, 2pts
#10-Almirola, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 85) of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway (lap 85/334):
#4-Harvick, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#18-Busch, 9pts
#41-Busch, 8pts
#22-Logano, 7pts
#42-Larson, 6pts
#14-Bowyer, 5pts
#1-McMurray, 4pts
#2-Keselowski, 3pts
#9-Elliott, 2pts
#20-Jones, 1pt
Lucky Dogs, drivers that got a lap back during the cautions (and their finish):
Caution 1: None. No one a lap or more down.
Caution 2: #11-Hamlin, 34th
Caution 3: #24-Byron, 10th
Caution 4: #6-Bayne, 12th
Caution 5: #12-Blaney, 5th
Caution 6: #43-Wallace, 8th
Caution 7: None.
Caution 8: #1-McMurray, 3rd
News from April 7, 2018
Saturday Texas Notebook: Kevin Harvick enters a cell phone-free zone at Augusta National; Hoping to break drought, Jimmie Johnson finds speed at Texas; Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to backup car after crash ion practice[More](4-7-2018)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#48-Johnson 198.143
#4-Harvick 197.984
#19-Suarez 197.780
#41-Busch 197.759
#78-Truex, Jr. 197.614
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 14 drivers): #4-Harvick 196.904.
slowest: #51-Rhodes 188.114 & #00-Cassill 187.598.
notes: The start of practice was delayed by more than 30 minutes due to wet track conditions.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (4-7-2018)
First Saturday practice for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#19-Suarez 198.998
#11-Hamlin 198.900
#24-Byron 198.741
#48-Johnson 198.639
#4-Harvick 198.180
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 11 drivers): #31-Newman 195.483
slowest: #51-Rhodes 189.142 & #00-Cassill 188.140. No speed: #15-Chastain, #23-Gaulding, #55-Sorenson.
notes: #17-Stenhouse, Jr made contact with the wall in turn 4 and will have to go to a backup car.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Second Practice speeds page (pdf) (4-7-2018)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway have been made.
Pit stalls 7, 20, 23, 26, 30, and 43 will not be in use.
Pole winner #41-Busch chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole winner #4-Harvick, took pit stall 8, with an opening in front of it.
#14-Bowyer, who starts 3rd, took the 14th stall, with an opening in front of it.
The final pit stall was taken by #48-Johnson, 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.(4-7-2018)
Ryan Blaney gives Team Penske third straight NASCAR Xfinity victory: Blaney won the first stage in a runaway, led 132-of-200 laps and beat runner-up Christopher Bell to the finish line by 2.327 seconds. The victory was Blaney’s first of the season, his first at Texas Motor Speedway and the seventh of his career.[More](4-7-2018)
Blaney wins Texas Motor Speedway XFINITY race: #22-Ryan Blaney won the My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway for his 7th career XFINITY win and 2st of the year. He led 132 of the 200 laps.
#20-Christopher Bell finished second, followed by #21-Daniel Hemric, #00-Cole Custer, #18-Ryan Preece, #2-Matt Tifft, #42-Jamie McMurray, #1-Elliott Sadler, #12-Austin Cindric, and #23-Spencer Gallagher.
The top 4 XFINITY Series drivers: #20-Christopher Bell, #21-Danie Hemric, #00-Cole Custer, and #18-Ryan Preece will race for the Dash4Cash next week at Bristol.
There were 8 cautions for 42 laps and 9 lead changes among 11 leaders.
The average speed was 124.986mph.
Complete results are on the Texas race results page (pdf). (4-7-2018)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 45 – Winner, #22-Ryan Blaney
Stage 2 – lap 90 – Winner, #19-Brandon Jones
Stage 3 – lap 200 – Race winner, #22-Ryan Blaney
Texas XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Crew Chief: Brian Wilson
Ryan Blaney(i) won the 22nd Annual My Bariatric Solutions 300, his seventh victory in 66 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in 2018.
This is his first victory and sixth top-10 finish in six races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Christopher Bell (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2018.
Daniel Hemric (third) posted his first top-10 finish in three races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Christopher Bell (second) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 11 points over Tyler Reddick #.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-7-2018)
XFINITY Driver standings following Texas Motor Speedway:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler, 228
2) #9-Tyler Reddick [1 win], 217, -11
3) #20-Christopher Bell, 208, -20
4) #21-Daniel Hemric, 203, -25
5) #7-Justin Allgaier, 196, -32
6) #00-Cole Custer, 181, -47
7) #11-Ryan Truex, 179, -49
8) #23-Spencer Gallagh, 174, -54
9) #2-Matt Tifft, 165, -63
10) #19-Brandon Jones, 162, -66
11) #16-Ryan Reed, 161, -67
12) #4-Ross Chastain, 131, -97
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(4-7-2018)
Ryan Blaney on XFINITY pole at Texas: #22-Ryan Blaney won the Busch pole for the My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway with a speed of 189.880mph. #11-Ryan Truex will start second. The rest of the top 10: #19-Brandon Jones, #16-Ryan Reed, #42-Jamie McMurray, #9-Tyler Reddick, #3-Ty Dillon, #7-Justin Allgaier, #38-J.J.Yeley, and #00-Cole Custer. Qualifying was canceled after the first round due to wet track conditions.
Did Not Qualify: #15-Matt Mills, #74-Mike Harmon.
The starting lineup is posted on the Texas starting lineup page (pdf).(4-7-2018)
Texas Motor Speedway XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
an Blaney(i) won the Pole Award for the 22nd Annual My Bariatric Solutions 300 with a lap of 28.439 seconds, 189.880 mph.
This is his second pole in 66 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first pole and second top-10 start in 2018.
This is his first pole in six races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Ryan Truex (second) posted his fourth top-10 start of 2018 and his first in three races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Brandon Jones (third) posted his second top-10 start at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his fourth in six races this season.
Tyler Reddick (sixth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-7-2018)
Auburn football coach Malzahn named Talladega grand marshal:Auburn University Head Football Coach Gus Malzahn, one of the most innovative offensive minds in football, has been named as the Grand Marshal for Talladega Superspeedway’s GEICO 500 Sunday, April 29, and will give the command to fire engines prior to the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.[More](4-7-2018)
News from April 6, 2018
Kurt Busch on pole at Texas after lightning-fast first round: Busch’s first attempt in knockout qualifying put the No. 41 on the pole position for Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway – when the threat of lightning in the area halted time trials after the completion of the first round.[More](4-6-2018)
#41-Kurt Busch won the Busch pole for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway with speed of 197.368mph for his 1st pole of 2018, 3rd at Texas and 23rd of his career. Busch has won once from the 22 previous poles.
Qualifying was canceled following the first round after lightning moved into the area.
#4-Harvick will start 2nd followed by #14-Bowyer, #12-Blaney, #11-Hamlin, #78-Truex, Jr., #22-Logano, #18-Busch, #48-Johnson, #42-Larson, #2-Keselowski, and #10-Almirola.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 37 were entered for 40 spots
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(4-6-2018)
Texas Motor Speedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Kurt Busch won the Busch Pole Award Pole Award for the 22nd Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 with a lap of 27.360 seconds, 197.368 mph.
This is his 23rd pole in 619 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and fourth top-10 start in 2018.
This is his third pole in 31 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick (second) posted his seventh top-10 start of 2018 and his 10th in 31 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Clint Bowyer (third) posted his ninth top-10 start at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his fourth in seven races this season.
Darrell Wallace Jr. (15th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(4-6-2018)
First Round of Qualifying for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is over, after 15 scheduled minutes.
#41-Busch 197.368
#4-Harvick 197.116
#14-Bowyer 196.829
#12-Blaney 196.600
#11-Hamlin 196.257
the rest of the top 24: 78 22 18 48 42 2 10 6 19 43 88 3 37 21 9 20 47 13 1
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 31 17 34 95 38 32 15 23 24 72 00 51 55
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 37 entered
(4-6-2018)
Friday Texas Notebook: “New Kids on the Track” really are new; Dancin’ Chris Buescher celebrates eventful off week ; Daniel Suarez relishes racing for kids in front of a “home” crowd.[More](4-6-2018)
Harvick hopes to keep momentum at Texas: Yes, he’s had an incredible run to open the season, but it was actually his win last November in the Texas playoff race that Harvick considers the start of his current success.[More](4-6-2018)
Qualifying Order for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #19-Suarez.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #51-Rhodes.
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 lined up by speed.
For the qualifying order, see the Qualifying Order page (pdf).(4-6-2018)
First practice for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#41-Busch 196.200
#4-Harvick 195.943
#14-Bowyer 195.426
#18-Busch 195.009
#12-Blaney 194.883
most laps run: #22-Logano, 19 laps
No drivers ran 10 consecutive laps.
slowest: #72-Whitt 180.132 & #00-Cassill 177.731.
notes: #24-Byron’s team had to change an engine. He will start in the back on Sunday.
See the fastest speeds, laps run on the Friday Practice speeds (pdf) (4-6-2018)
Goodyear tire test set for Michigan: Michigan International Speedway and Goodyear Tire will host five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams on April 17-18 for two days of testing. And fans can watch for free.[More](4-6-2018)
Hemric paces final XFINITY practice: #21-Daniel Hemric was quickest in final practice at Texas Motor Speedway with a speed of 186.445mph.
#22-Ryan Blaney was second, followed by: #19-Brandon Jones, #2-Matt Tifft, #9-Tyler Reddick, #7-Justin Allgaier, #16-Ryan Reed, #00-Cole Custer, #11-Ryan Truex, and #20-Christopher Bell.
See complete results on the Texas practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(4-6-2018)
Ryan Truex fastest in opening XFINITY practice: #11-Ryan Truex was fastest during opening practice at Texas Motor Speedway with a speed of 187.266mph.
The rest of the top 10: #21-Daniel Hemric, #22-Ryan Blaney, #2-Matt Tifft, #3-Ty Dillon, #23-Specner Gallagher, #19-Brandon Jones, #20-Christopher Bell, #7-Justin Allgaier, and #18-Ryan Preece.
See complete results on the Texas practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(4-6-2018)
Anheuser-Busch lands naming rights to Texas Restart Bar: Beer brewing giant Anheuser-Busch has signed a multi-year partnership with Texas Motor Speedway for the naming rights of the Restart Bar, the venue’s latest fan amenity that will debut at this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 NASCAR doubleheader weekend.[More](4-6-2018)
Uncle Kracker in concert Saturday night at Talladega: Talladega Superspeedway is excited to announce that singer-songwriter Uncle Kracker will perform as the headliner for the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert, April 28, as part of its anticipated tripleheader weekend, April 27-29, featuring the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500. Joining Uncle Kracker will be NASCAR favorite Tim Dugger and locally known DJ Mark A.D. from Birmingham, Al. Country music singer and Alabama native Dugger will get the party rockin’ just hours after the conclusion of the Sparks Energy 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series, before giving way to DJ Mark A.D., who will bring the beats to keep the crowd going until Uncle Kracker hits the stage. The concert is free to all infield guests, as well as anyone who has purchased a GEICO 500 ticket.[More](4-6-2018)
News from April 5, 2018
Texas Weekend Preview: Several big names in the hunt for first win at Texas; NASCAR XFINITY Series returns to action.[More](4-5-2018)
1000th start for Stewart-Haas: Stewart-Haas Racing is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018 and will mark its 1,000th Cup Series start when all four drivers fire-up their Roush-Yates powered Fords for the April 8 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Since its first season in 2009, the SHR driver lineup has at one time included Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, Aric Almirola, Ryan Newman and Danica Patrick on a full-time basis while drivers like Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Brian Vickers, Regan Smith, Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon and Max Papis have served as substitute drivers. Harvick and Stewart won championships at SHR in 2014 and 2011, respectively, while five drivers have divvied up SHR victories.[More](4-5-2018)
Tony Mrakovich to Make Xfinity Debut at Bristol with JGL Racing:Tony Mrakovich and Extreme Energy Solutions (EES) have teamed up with JGL Racing to run back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series events, beginning with the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 14. Just one year after making his successful stock car debut in the ARCA Racing Series at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Mrakovich will reach a new milestone when he pilots the No. 28 Ford Mustang in his maiden NASCAR’s Xfinity Series race.[More](4-5-2018)
Garrett Smithley gets Texas sponsors: After a two week break in the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, Garrett Smithley is eager to head to Texas Motor Speedway for the My Bariatric Solutions 300 with new, multi-race sponsor FAME making its on-track debut. Another new sponsor, Trophy Tractor, will also be on board Smithley’s No. 0 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro at Texas.[More](4-5-2018)
Randy Houser in concert prior to Overton’s 400 at Chicago:Chicagoland Speedway announced today that country music star Randy Houser will perform before the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 on Sunday, July 1. The Overton’s 400 pre-race concert is presented by New Country, Chicago’s BIG 95.5. Born and raised in Lake, Mississippi, Houser formed his own band at the age of 10, and eventually moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. His recognizable booming, yet soulful voice has paved the way to appearances on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live and a special performance on The Voice.[More](4-5-2018)
News from April 4, 2018
A look at many news, notes and story lines for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Texas Motor Speedway
Rinnai returns to sponsor Whitt: After an off weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to competition this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Cole Whitt heads to the Lone Star state with Rinnai, the manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless water heaters in North America, as the primary sponsor of the No. 72 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.[More](4-4-2018)
SunnyD returns to the #17 at Texas: Iconic brand and thirst quenching favorite SunnyD will make its 2018 debut this weekend as the primary partner on Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 17 Ford Fusion for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. SunnyD will be featured on Stenhouse’s Ford the following week at Bristol Motor Speedway, and will also serve as the primary partner on Roush Fenway’s famed No. 60 NASCAR Xfinity Series Ford when racing phenom Ty Majeksi makes his Bristol debut.[More](4-4-2018)
Gase Partners with Eternal Fan for the remainder of the season: Go Green Racing and Joey Gase are happy to announce they will be partnering up with Eternal Fan as an associate partner for the remainder of the 2018 season. “We’re very excited to hear about the Eternal Fan partnership with Richmond Raceway, and thrilled to announce our partnership with Eternal Fan as well,” said Joey Gase.[More](4-4-2018)
Pure Michigan ends sponsorship of NASCAR race: The August NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway will no longer be named after the state’s tourism campaign. Pure Michigan, a Travel Michigan campaign and arm of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, has paid to sponsor the MIS race since 2011. It cost $725,000 to sponsor the August 2017 Pure Michigan 400, MEDC Director of Public Relations Michelle Grinnell said.[More](4-4-2018)
Texas to debut Hawg Heaven BLT: Texas Motor Speedway’s famous Hawg Heaven line of concession items has had some outlandish and delicious pork-based offerings the past five years, but this time Chef Lincoln Engstrom went classic with a twist, giving us the Hawg Heaven BLT. It combines the classic “B” “L” and “T” you’ve come to know and love on the All-American sandwich, but it also provides a hint of candy and a helping of kick.[More](4-4-2018)
Bristol Speedway Children’s Charities to host multiple race-week events: With another exhilarating Food City 500 coming up, the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities is ready for another successful race weekend. SCC-Bristol will hold numerous fundraisers throughout race week to benefit thousands of children in the community. Some of SCC’s opportunities include Track Laps, the annual SCC dinner presented by Tele-Optics, Meade Tractor Cornhole Classic, Bristol Ultimate Experiences Online Auction and Half-Mile Hot Laps driven by Buck Baker’s Seat Time Racing School.[More](4-4-2018)
News from April 3, 2018
Childress partners with AstraZeneca: Richard Childress Racing announced today that AstraZeneca, a global science-based biopharmaceutical company, has partnered with Richard Childress Racing and the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for select races during the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. AstraZeneca’s SYMBICORT® (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) brand will be featured as primary sponsor on Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet beginning at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8. SYMBICORT will also be featured as an associate partner for the remainder of the 2018 season.[More](4-3-2018)
Phelps elevated to Chief Operating Officer: NASCAR today announced that Steve Phelps has been promoted to the role of chief operating officer. Phelps will oversee all NASCAR commercial and media operations. This role was previously held by Brent Dewar prior to his promotion to president last year. Phelps will be based out of NASCAR’s headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida.[Goodyear Tire Notes – Texas Motor Speedwaypage.(4-3-2018)
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Texas Motor Speedway, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Texas Motor Speedway page
Nutri Chomps teams up with Briscoe for 2018 kicking off at Texas:Nutri Chomps has partnered with Roush Fenway Racing and Chase Briscoe for six NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2018. Briscoe will kick off the relationship behind the wheel of the No. 60 Nutri Chomps Ford this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Nutri Chomps are a 100% rawhide-free, vitamin & mineral enriched, high protein dog crew made of chicken and pork skin. [More](4-3-2018)
Dash 4 Cash program returns to NASCAR Xfinity Series: The popular Dash 4 Cash returns to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2018 with full-time series drivers competing for a $100,000 top prize at each of the program’s four events. In addition to the Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway and Dover International Speedway races, Dash 4 Cash will also be available and in play for the first time at the always exciting Talladega Superspeedway.[More](4-3-2018)
Jeff Gordon to be honored with marquee plaque at Dover’s Monster Monument: Jeff Gordon, the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who reached Dover International Speedway’s Victory Lane five times in his legendary career, will be honored during a marquee plaque unveiling on the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by Smithfield, on Saturday, May 5. Gordon, 46, who was NASCAR’s most recognizable driver as the sport reached unprecedented success in the 1990s and 2000s, will become the fourth driver honored with a Monster Monument marquee plaque, joining Bobby Allison, David Pearson and Richard Petty.[More](4-3-2018)
Texas Motor Speedway preps for first major weekend of 2018: Does mowing your lawn each weekend get you down? It could be worse. You could be tasked with mowing 1,000 acres and all that weed-eating that accompanies that massive chore. Those are just two items on the extensive check list for the Texas Motor Speedway Operations Department to make the facility look meticulous for 100,000+ of their guests arriving for this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 NASCAR doubleheader.[More](4-3-2018)
News from April 2, 2018
Entry List for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is posted, 37 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #00-Cassill, #15-Chastain, #51-TBA, #55-Sorenson, #72-Whitt.
Since only 37 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
Amid winless streak, Johnson has reason to be optimistic about Texas and Bristol: He is the defending winner of both races – giving his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team some source of optimism about hitching horsepower to opportunity at these tracks.[More](4-2-2018)
Anheuser-Busch using a new sponsorship model: Anheuser-Busch is rolling out a new sponsorship model that promises to shake up the industry. It is one built on incentives for performance on the field, pitch or court, as well as off of it. Every A-B sponsor deal going forward, whether team or league, will include a base compensation amount, plus metrics that trigger larger investments by the company. A playoff appearance or boost in attendance could lead to more sponsor money from A-B. A new digital platform that engages fans or increases awareness of A-B brands might spur larger payouts. Anheuser-Busch will work with teams and leagues to choose metrics on a case-by-case basis.[More](4-2-2018)
Martinsville TV ratings: Postponed a day due to rain, NASCAR Cup Series racing from Martinsville (Va.) earned 1.19 million viewers on FS1 Monday afternoon. Last year’s race was run as scheduled on a Sunday and had 4.0 million. [More]4-2-2018)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 40 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.
See the complete list on the Texas entry list page.(4-2-2018)
KCMG expands relationship with Richard Childress Racing for 2018 Season: Following a successful debut in the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) has enhanced its partnership with RCR into 2018. KCMG, which served as a partner at Darlington Raceway last season, will expand into a multi-race partner on RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro piloted by Matt Tifft in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.[More](4-2-2018)
Mazak Corporation sponsoring Cindric at Texas: Team Penske announced today that Mazak Corporation will be featured as the primary sponsor on the No. 12 Ford Mustang driven by Austin Cindric for the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 7. The Texas race sponsorship builds on an extremely productive and integrated partnership between Mazak and Team Penske that began more than 25 years ago.[More](4-2-2018)
Brett Michaels in concert before Dover race: Bret Michaels, the legendary singer/songwriter who has sold more than 40 million records worldwide, will perform a charity-driven, free concert on the AAA Stage at Victory Plaza on Sunday, May 6 before the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway.[More](4-2-2018)
News from April 1, 2018
Ford Hall of Fans on the #14 at Richmond: The #FordHallofFans and Ford Performance will serve as primary sponsor of SHR’s No. 14 Ford Fusion & driver Clint Bowyer at Richmond Raceway in April.[More](4-1-2018)