August 2017 News Archives

News from August 31, 2017

Darlington Weekend Preview: Bowyer hopes to capture playoff berth at Darlington; Sadler eyes Darlington repeat; Nemechek readies for repeat in Canada.[More](8-31-2017)

What to Watch For: Darlington: The Bubble Situation With 2 to Go; Kyle Busch Getting Hot at the Right Time; Truex Looks to Defend Title; 11 Races, 11 Winners at Darlington[More](8-31-2017)

Logano to run Red Cross scheme at Richmond: This week was to be a celebration of Shell and Pennzoil coming together in 2002 with a special paint scheme on Joey Logano’s #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion at Darlington Raceway for the official “Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.” Now, Shell and Logano are asking the NASCAR community to come together to help bring assistance to those impacted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. On Tuesday, Shell informed the American Red Cross that it would make an initial contribution of $1 million to the Hurricane Harvey disaster relief fund. Logano also announced that he would donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross and open a donation portal through the Joey Logano Foundation to collect funds on behalf of the American Red Cross for Hurricane Harvey disaster relief.[More](8-31-2017)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup championship trophy unveiled: The trophy – officially named the “Monster Energy NASCAR Cup” – stands over 37 inches tall and weighs 68 pounds. Made of machined aluminum, the cup is emblazoned with the outlines of all 23 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series tracks. A hand-formed series seal sits below the Cup and the Monster Energy claw is embedded in the base of the trophy.[More](8-31-2017)

28 NASCAR drivers to support 2nd annual ‘Drive for Teal & Gold’ campaign: NASCAR driver and current Cup series points leader Martin Truex Jr. and his partner, Sherry Pollex, an ovarian cancer survivor, today announced the Martin Truex Jr.Foundation’s second annual “Drive for Teal & Gold” Campaign to raise awareness of and funds for ovarian (teal ribbon) and childhood (gold ribbon) cancers will kick off this weekend at Darlington Raceway.[More](8-31-2017)

Rick Ware Racing heads to Darlington with throwback scheme; but focus on Texas: Rick Ware Racing (RWR) is the latest Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) team that will participate in NASCAR’s annual throwback weekend for Sunday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. However, for the Thomasville, N.C.-based race team, there’s more than just a cool sleek paint scheme driven by Cody Ware. The team’s attention is primarily focused on the people of Texas who continue to battle ranging flooding from the reminisces of Hurricane Harvey.[More](8-31-2017)

Roush Fenway named finalist for multiple PR News’ platinum awards: Roush Fenway Racing has been named a finalist in multiple categories for the prestigious PR News’ Platinum Awards, celebrating the ingenuity and leadership behind the year’s most outstanding communications initiatives. The finalists of the Platinum Awards represent the innovative, risk-taking and strategic communicators setting the benchmark of excellence in the communications arena.[More](8-31-2017)

Bobby Dotter of SS-Green Light Racing to honor Butch Miller at Darlington: If there are two things Darlington Raceway is known for, it’s excellent racing and paint schemes that give homage to NASCAR’s illustrious past. Whether the throwback paint scheme is that of a sponsor or for a driver, racing fans new and old are always in for a treat, as well as a small history lesson when the Darlington race rolls around. Last year, the 07 of SS-Green Light Racing’s throwback paint scheme – driven by Ray Black Jr – paid respect to Co-Owner Bobby Dotter. This year the number, driver, and Co-Owner are all the same; with one significant addition, Butch Miller. [More](8-31-2017)

Daytona 500 Club being renovated: After completing the $400 million Daytona Rising project in 2016, a three-year project that transformed the Speedway into the world’s only motorsports stadium, the track now has its sights set on the Daytona 500 Club, the four-story building located in the infield just outside of Gatorade Victory Lane. The renovation project is a significant facelift for the building that was first constructed in 2004 as part of a massive infield overhaul.[More](8-31-2017)

Colt Ford in concert at Talladega: Talladega Superspeedway is excited to announce American Ethanol has joined its track family with the Colt Ford Concert Powered by American Ethanol on Saturday night, Oct. 14. Headlined by popular entertainer and country star Colt Ford, the traditional Talladega event is part of a much-anticipated double-header NASCAR “Wild Card” playoff weekend.[More](8-31-2017)

News from August 30, 2017

Sorenson & ‘Xchange of America’ honor Bud Moore with throwback tribute: Reed Sorenson, will head to Darlington Raceway this weekend for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, ‘Bojangles Southern 500’ with ‘Xchange of America’ adorned with a paint scheme to honor legendary car owner and 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Bud Moore. The driver of Moore’s car was Brett Bodine and he originally raced this paint scheme it in 1989.[More](8-30-2017)

Liberty University sponsoring Byron for 12 races: Liberty University and 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports have reached a two-year agreement that will make the world’s largest Christian university a primary sponsor of the #24 Chevrolet Camaro driven by William Byron. Byron, 19, will carry primary sponsorship from Liberty University in 12 Cup Series races in both 2018 and 2019.[More](8-30-2017)

Cole Whitt honors grandfather with throwback scheme: After a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) off-week, Cole Whitt and the #72 team return to competition this weekend at Darlington Raceway. Having four previous MENCS starts at the 1.366-mile, oval, Whitt has completed a total of 591 laps at the track famed as “Too Tough to Tame”. As part of the Darlington Throwback initiative, the #72 will feature a paint scheme of personal significance to Whitt. The “Lime Green Machine” is a Whitt family tradition that originated with Whitt’s grandfather.[More](8-30-2017)

Hermie Sadler driving at Martinsville: He will be in the #7 of Tommy Baldwin with sponsorship from the Virginia Lottery.[More](8-30-2017)

A look at many new, notes and story lines for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Darlington

Menards to sponsor Blaney for 14 races: Team Penske and Menards announced today that the industry-leading home improvement store company will sponsor driver Ryan Blaney and the #12 Ford Fusion for 14 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) races in 2018. The partnership follows the recent announcement that Blaney will race a third Team Penske entry in the Cup Series beginning next season. Menards will also be a sponsor on the #21 Wood Brothers Racing entry, which will be driven by Paul Menard, starting next season.[More](8-30-2017)

Larson’s Darlington throwback to honor Felix Sabates: Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) revealed yesterday the throwback paint scheme on the No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet SS, driven by Kyle Larson, for the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. The paint scheme will honor current CGR co-owner Felix Sabates. Credit One Bank will turn back the clock to 1995, and feature a scheme that was raced by Kyle Petty while driving at SABCO Racing for Sabates. The original design has been updated to include the Credit One Bank logo on the hood and quarter panel, but otherwise remains intact from when Petty was behind the wheel.[More](8-30-2017)

Yeley pays homage to A.J. Foyt at Darlington: Yeley has affectionately nicknamed the #14 “Black Betty” during the weekends when the car is solid flat black with minimal detailing. This weekend, “Black Betty” will sport fresh attire to distinguish herself while tangoing with the “Lady in Black”. Yeley and TriStar Motorsports will pay homage to the No. 14 of the legendary A J Foyt.by featuring orange and gold accents to enhance the standard flat black scheme.[More](8-30-2017)

South Carolina Lottery sponsoring Chastain at Darlington: JD Motorsports with Gary Keller will be paying tribute to a South Carolina racing legend this weekend at Darlington Raceway. Ross Chastain’s #4 Chevy Camaro will have a paint scheme reminiscent of Mike Duvall’s No. 5 Camaro that raced in Daytona in 1978, 1979 and 1980 in the NASCAR Modified series. The South Carolina Education Lottery will return as the primary sponsor of the #4 in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200.[More](8-30-2017)

Road America TV ratings: With the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series on hiatus, the NASCAR Xfinity Series took center stage Sunday at Road America. It pulled in a 1.32 rating on NBC and averaged 2.115 million viewers. Last year’s race weekend saw the Xfinity Series score a 0.64 and 932,000 viewers for the Saturday race, while the Cup series earned a 2.12/3.38 million viewers for the Michigan race on NBCSN.[Racer](8-30-2017)

Allgaier’s Advance Auto Parts throwback honors Earnhardt siblings:When Justin Allgaier’s No. 7 Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet rolls off the truck this weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, the car will look different than any car he’s run so far this year. It will pay homage to a similar Late Model paint scheme driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Kerry Earnhardt decades ago. The bright white paint scheme will carry Advance Auto Parts branding in place of the iconic Mom ‘n’ Pops decals, and the track will be one state and several years away from the original, but that’s in honor of the Earnhardt siblings Late Models.[More](8-30-2017)

Dover International Speedway’s 12th annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive set for Sept. 11: Dover International Speedway will pay tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with the annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, set for Monday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino Diamond Rooms. This marks the 12th consecutive year that Dover International Speedway, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and the Blood Bank of Delmarva have partnered together for this event, dating to 2006.[More](8-30-2017)

Darlington and Monster partner for Free Friday: Darlington Raceway and Monster Energy are partnering to offer fans the opportunity to enjoy on-track activities on Friday, Sept. 1, for free by recycling any size Monster Energy can. Friday activities at Darlington Raceway feature practice sessions, four in total, for both the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 and NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 races.[More](8-30-2017)

Dover partners with “Apache Warrior” film and Lucas Oil for fall Cup race: Dover International Speedway officials announced today the entitlement partner for the upcoming Oct. 1 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race – the “Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil.” “Apache Warrior” is a feature-length documentary that puts the viewer in the cockpit of an Apache helicopter during one of the most intense missions in aviation history. Telling the story of an elite U.S. Army Aviation Squadron, this film highlights the adaptability, courage and selflessness of Apache pilots and their crews as they launch an attack during the initial surge into Iraq in March 2003. The mission unfolds in near real time as these heroic soldiers fight to stay alive. The film is a Strong Eagle Media production, in association with A. Smith & Co. Dox and Mechanical Dragons.[More](8-30-2017)

News from August 29, 2017

Chase Elliott to drive the #9 in 2018; William Byron in the #24: In 2018, 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports will introduce the #9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro to its four-car team with Elliott in the driver’s seat. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native raced the #9 to the 2014 NASCAR Xfinity Series title, and his Hall of Fame father Bill Elliott memorably drove it to 38 Cup-level wins and the 1988 series championship. When Byron starts his first career Daytona 500 next year, it will be in the iconic #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet made famous by four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and his storied Rainbow Warriors team. Byron will begin his 2018 rookie season at the same age Gordon was (20) when he made his Cup debut in 1992.[More](8-29-2017)

Edsel Ford II in favor of Mustang in Cup: The great-grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford said that, while he’s not the decision maker for the racing arm of the manufacturer, personally he feels that having a Mustang race alongside the Camaro “would be wonderful.”[More](8-29-2017)

A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Darlington, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Darlington page

Martin Truex, Jr.’s throwback to honor TRACKER Boats: Martin Truex Jr.’s #78 Toyota Camry for Furniture Row Racing will pay tribute to Bass Pro Shops 40th anniversary of TRACKER Boats, America’s No. 1 selling fishing boat during this weekend’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris first introduced the Bass Tracker Fishing Boat in the Bass Pro Shops catalog in 1978. It was a marine industry first ready-to-fish boat with motor and trailer package. It was an American ingenuity that quickly became the most popular fishing boat in the country.[More](8-29-2017)

Motorcraft/Quick Lane returning to Wood Brothers Racing: The iconic #21 Ford Fusion race car of Wood Brothers Racing will have a new face behind the wheel in 2018, but for 14 races it will have a very familiar look to race fans as Motorcraft and Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centers return as major sponsors of the team for the 18th season. Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD), the parent organization for Motorcraft and Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centers, signed an extension to be the primary race sponsor for 14 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup events next season. The partnership between FCSD and Wood Brothers Racing began in 2001.[More](8-29-2017)

Crew Chief Gibson would like to transition to a different role sometime soon Having put in over 30 years on the NASCAR circuit, Tony Gibson is starting to look toward a change in pace. Monday morning, Gibson – the crew chief for #41-Kurt Busch at Stewart-Haas Racing – told “The Morning Drive” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio he would like to transition to a different role sometime soon. Gibson, 52, has been a full-time crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series for the last nine seasons. “I’d like to but it’s like I told them from day one, I’ll do whatever the company wants me to do,” Gibson said of looking to spend more time with family, including a new grandson. “Stewart-Haas Racing has been great to me. They have bent over backward for me and gave me a great job, surrounded me with great drivers, crews and supported my family. It’s a great place to work. “I’ll do whatever they need me to do, but I would very soon like to take a lesser role and still be involved and help all four teams, but be able to spend more time at home while my health is somewhat good to be able to do some of those things. But I’ll do whatever these people ask me to do. I’m game for whatever but I am getting old, and the grind will get you. After 31 years it will absolutely wear you into the ground.”(Racer)[Read More Here](8-29-2017)

Champion Machinery on board with BK Racing as a multi race sponsor; Gaulding back: Champion Machinery will be on board as the primary sponsor for the #83 Toyota Camry this weekend at Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500, and will return as primary sponsor again on October 8th for the Bank of America 500 in Charlotte. Champion Machinery will also join BK Racing as an associate sponsor on both the #23 and #83 for the remainder of the 2017 season. Gray Gaulding will drive the #83 Toyota Camry at Darlington Raceway. Champion Machinery buys and sells name brand late model CNC lathes and mills. Headquartered in Charlotte for over 15 years, Champion Machinery has long been recognized as an expert in Haas, DMG Mori, Mazak, Doosan, Okuma and most other brands of CNC equipment. This is our third year as a proud full season sponsor in NASCAR’s Monster Energy Cup Series.(BK Racing)[Read More Here](8-29-2017)

Leavine Family Racing announces partnership with K2 Coolers:Michael McDowell and Leavine Family Racing (LFR) announced their partnership with K2 Coolers beginning at Richmond International Raceway for the Federated Auto Parts 400. K2 will also be a feature sponsor of LFR’s TechCon Summit this October. TechCon is a summit targeted to the construction industry and focused on new technologies within the industry. The Louisiana-based company is happy to be a part of the NASCAR ecosystem because it speaks directly to the K2 lifestyle. K2 also has a great impact in the construction industry with the K2 Water Jug, an industry LFR has deep connections to.(Leavine Family Racing)[Read More Here](8-29-2017)

Ryan Sieg to honor brother Shane at Darlington: Ryan Sieg and his RSS Racing team will have a special tribute paint scheme for Darlington throwback weekend. Ryan will be honoring his late brother Shane who tragically passed away last weekend. The paint scheme was raced by Shane in a late model during the 2003 season. Shane went to victory lane at Huntsville Speedway that year in a NASCAR Southeast Series race driving for the family race team.[More](-2017)

Darlington names Southern 500 grand marshals: Ray Evernham, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ken Squier and Robert Yates, all of whom will be inducted into the 2018 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will serve as grand marshals for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 3.[More](8-29-2017)

Country music star Carly Pearce to perform National Anthem for Oct. 8 Bank of America 500: The Bank of America 500 on Sunday, Oct. 8, brings race teams back for NASCAR’s homecoming at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but the iconic fall classic will also bring fans to their feet when breakthrough singer/songwriter Carly Pearce performs the national anthem. Lighting up the crowd with a spectacular rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Pearce’s appearance builds anticipation around her long-awaited debut album on Big Machine Records. [More](8-29-2017)

Premium seating available at Talladega: A limited number of premium seating options – Back Forty Beer Co. Paddock Club and Premium Boxes – remain for Talladega Superspeedway’s action-packed, double-header NASCAR Playoff weekend Oct. 13-15, featuring Sunday’s Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race and the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) event on Saturday. The array of opportunities have their own unique niche at the track and will provide an extraordinary experience with unforgettable views, along with special access and other perks for different race-day perspectives.[More](8-29-2017)

News from August 28, 2017

Entry List for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
36 teams with Charters are guaranteed to make the field. The rest need to make the field via qualifying / qualifying races / rules book (owners attempts/points).
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Sorenson, #23-LaJoie, #33-JEarnhardt, #51-TBA*, #55-Cope*, #66-Long*, #83-Gaulding*
Since only 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)

Furniture Row president: ‘Really good drivers’ interested in #77 rideThe continued impressive performance of Erik Jones has done more than help solidify Furniture Row Racing as a potential powerhouse in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. It also has elevated interest in the #77 Toyota for 2018. “There have been some really good drivers that are looking around and that have inquired about the car because I think it is obvious the performance of the car is something any driver would like to be in right now,” Joe Garone, president of Furniture Row Racing, told NASCAR.com. “It hasn’t shocked me; it’s a compliment to the team some of the drivers that have talked to us.” The potential for an open seat exists because Jones, 21, is headed to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2018 to take over the #20 Toyota currently driven by veteran Matt Kenseth.
Garone didn’t name names, but it’s likely both Kenseth and Kasey Kahne are among those who have expressed interest in the ride since neither will be back with their respective teams next season. While Kenseth is being replaced by Jones, Kahne is being released with one year remaining on his contract with Hendrick Motorsports as that organization puts William Byron in its #5 Chevrolet in ’18. “It’s 100 percent relying on sponsorship,” Garone said on whether the organization will field the #77 next year. “We certainly never got into this to run just one year. A set of circumstances presented itself that we’re having to deal with. It’s late in the year and we’ve known for a little bit that we were possibly going to be facing having to find another sponsor.”(NASCAR.com)[Read More Here](8-28-2017)

Darlington Car Hauler Parade on Thursday, Aug 31st: Join us on August 31, 2017, for the 13th Annual Darlington Car Hauler Parade and Festival! Come watch the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Teams make their way through cheering fans from the Florence Civic Center to Darlington Square and onto the track that’s “Too Tough to Tame.” There’s plenty of FUN for the whole family! The fun will begin at 4 p.m. at the Florence Civic Center with entertainment and live music. Kids play all afternoon for FREE on the KidsZone inflatable rides and games sponsored by SC Blue. There will be refreshments for purchase, and the proceeds from food served by Julia Belle’s will support Camp Pee Dee Pride. At 7 pm, the parade of NASCAR haulers will leave the Florence Civic Center and make the 12-mile drive to Darlington RaceFest on the Darlington Square, where there will be added entertainment, food, a car show and awesome fireworks display. The transporters will continue through Darlington until they reach the track Too Tough to Tame where they can begin preparation for the Bojangles Southern 500 race. More info at darlingtoncarhaulerparade.com.[Read More Here](8-28-2017)

UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje to drive honorary pace car at Phoenix Arizona native, five-time World Series of Fighting Champion and current UFC lightweight Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje will lead the field to the green flag behind the wheel of the Official 2017 Toyota Camry Pace Car at the start of the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 12. As the honorary pace car driver, the 28-year old mixed martial artist will lead the warm up lap around the one-mile oval. Gaethje owns an impressive 18-0 mixed martial arts record after turning professional in 2011 and joined the World Series of Fighting in 2013, where he became Lightweight Champion. He defended his championship title a total of five times before vacating to join the UFC in 2017. Gaethje’s appearance was the result of a partnership between Phoenix Raceway and Niner Sports & Entertainment. In addition to his duties behind the wheel, Gaethje will make a promotional appearance at Phoenix Raceway prior to the race on Sunday, Nov. 12. For more information on timing and other celebrity appearances as well tickets to all events throughout the Can-Am 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Phoenix Raceway are available online at PhoenixRaceway.com, by phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or in person at the Phoenix Raceway ticket office.(PhoenixRaceway.com)[Read More Here](8-28-2017)

XFINITY Entry List: There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway.
See the complete list on the Darlington entry list page.(8-28-2017)

Nemechek to honor his dad, Ron Fellows in Canada with throwback scheme: John Hunter Nemechek will run a special throwback scheme honoring his father, Joe Nemechek, and Ron Fellows, co-owner of Canadian Motorsports Park, the site of this weekend’s Truck Series race.[More](8-28-2017)

STEALTH Body Fitness teams up with Kaz Grala: Heading north of the border this weekend to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Canada, Kaz Grala and GMS Racing are excited to welcome STEALTH Body Fitness on board the No. 33 for Sunday’s Chevrolet Silverado 250. While STEALTH Body Fitness will be making their NASCAR debut at the only road course on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) schedule, they will return for additional races later in the year.[More](8-28-2017)
Gaunt Brothers Racing, DJ Kennington to compete in Truck race in Canada: Gaunt Brothers Racing (GBR), owned by Triad Racing Technologies president Marty Gaunt, will field a Toyota Tundra entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP) this Sunday, Sept. 3. Two-time NASCAR Pinty’s Series champion DJ Kennington, who piloted GBR’s Daytona 500 entry earlier this season, will drive the No. 96 Tundra on the 2.459-mile road course.[More](8-28-2017)

EDGE-Guard sponsoring Long Motorsports at Chicago:EDGE-Guard, manufacturer for Dust Free Barrier Systems and Infection Control panels, returns as Long Motorsports primary sponsor in the upcoming September 15, 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race at Chicagoland Speedway. Made in the USA, EDGE-Guard provides panels which meet or exceed infection control guidelines. The temporary panels provide a barrier enclosure system that is easy to clean and sanitize.[More](8-28-2017)

News from August 27, 2017

RPM to move out of Mooresville shop Richard Petty Motorsports will not return to the 78,000 square-foot facility it currently leases in Mooresville, N.C. “The building is up for lease at the end of the year. RPM chose not to sign the lease for next year,” the statement from the RPM spokesperson said. “Plans are still undecided for next year for the team, but they do know the building is too big for their needs.”
The most frequent mentioned team for a possible merger has been Richard Childress Racing.(Motorsport)[Full news post here](8-27-2017)

Jeremy Clements earns upset victory at Road America: Journeyman Jeremy Clements and his small team topped big-name race organizations to clinch a first-ever victory in 256 NASCAR XFINITY Series starts. On the second-to-last lap of the Johnsonville 180 Sunday at Road America, Clements attempted to pass Matt Tifft for the lead. He wheeled his Chevrolet to the inside of Tifft’s Toyota Camry sending both of them spinning. Clements fired his car back up faster than Tifft and seized the lead headed into the final go-around. From there, the 32-year-old XFINITY Series veteran cruised to Victory Lane, finishing 5.802 seconds ahead of runner-up Michael Annett.[More](8-27-2017)

Jeremy Clements wins Road America XFINITY race: #51-Jeremy Clements won the Johnsonville 180 at Road America. It is his 1st XFINITY Series win. It is just his second top 5 finish in 256 XFINITY races. #5-Michael Annett finished second (career best finish), followed by #19-Matt Tifft (ties career-best finish), #42-Justin Marks, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #9-William Byron, #11-Blake Koch, #00-Cole Custer, #98-Casey Mears, and #46-Parker Kligerman.
Clements stretched fuel to make a late race pit stop, then battled Matt Tiff over the final few laps, coming from more than 7 seconds back with just 6 laps remaining. Clements got inside of Tifft with two laps remaining, got loose, and both drivers spun around. They were far enough ahead of the rest of the field to refire the cars and get back on track without losing the lead. Clements then pulled away for a margin of victory of nearly 6 seconds.
There were 4 cautions for 8 laps and 9 lead changes among 8 leaders.
The average speed was 82.250mph.
Complete results are on the Road America race results page (pdf).(8-27-2017)

XFINITY Playoff standings following Road America:
Three more races – Darlington, Richmond Chicago – until the playoffs begin at Kentucky.
clinched spot:
1) #9-William Byron [3 wins]
2) #7-Justin Allgaier [1 win]
3) #16-Ryan Reed [1 win]
4) #51-Jeremy Clements [1 win]
5) #1-Elliott Sadler 838 [clinched on points]
currently in on points:
6) #48-Brennan Poole, 634, +175 ahead of 13th
7) #21-Daniel Hemric, 633, +174
8) #00-Cole Custer, 562, +103
9) #19-Matt Tifft, 557, +98
10) #11-Blake Koch, 485, +26
11) #5-Michael Annett, 470, +11
12) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 463, +4
currently will miss the playoffs:
13) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 459, -4 behind 12th
14) #14-JJ Yeley, 411, -54
15) #4-Ross Chastain, 409, -56
16) #39-Ryan Sieg, 398, -65
17) #33-Brandon Jones, 374, -89
(8-27-2017)

XFINITY Driver standings following Road America:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler 838
2) #9-William Byron [3 wins], 731, -107
3) #7-Justin Allgaier [1 win], 710, -128
4) #48-Brennan Poole, 634, -204
5) #21-Daniel Hemric, 633, -205
6) #00-Cole Custer, 562, -276
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 557, -281
8) #11-Blake Koch, 485, -353
9) #5-Michael Annett, 470, -368
10) #16-Ryan Reed [1 win], 465, -373
11) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 463, -375
12) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 459, -379
13) #14-JJ Yeley, 411, -427
14) #4-Ross Chastain, 409, -429
15) #39-Ryan Sieg, 398, -440
16) #33-Brandon Jones, 374, -464
17) #51-Jeremy Clements [1 win], 359, -479
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(8-27-2017)

Austin Cindric on XFINITY pole at Road America: #22-Austin Cindric will start from the pole for the Johnsonville 180 at Road America after qualifying was canceled and the field was set by the rule book. Teams had set the cars up to qualify in wet conditions, but rain stopped and parts of the track dried out. Some areas were too dry for rain tires and other areas were too wet for slicks.
#20-James Davison will start second. The rest of the top 10: #1-Elliott Sadler, #18-Christopher Bell, #42-Justin Marks, #9-William Byron, #7-Justin Allgaier, #2-Ben Kennedy, #3-Scott Lagasse, Jr., and #48-Brennan Poole.
Did Not Qualify: #72-Timmy Hill & #77-Greg Vandersluis.
The starting lineup is posted on the Road America starting lineup page (pdf).(8-27-2017)

Jason Hathaway to drive for Bolen at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park: Bolen Motorsports announced that Uxbridge, Ontario native Jason Hathaway will make his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start this coming Labor Day weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in addition to competing in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series Total Quartz 200..[More](8-27-2017)

DC Solar Brings Mobile Solar Lighting to Darlington Raceway DC Solar, a California-based clean energy company that specializes in mobile solar technology, has been named the Official Mobile Solar Provider at Darlington Raceway. Under the new partnership, Darlington Raceway will incorporate DC Solar’s environmentally friendly light towers into its safety and security network throughout the venue. Since solar technology requires no fuel and only minimal maintenance, incorporating solar will allow the track to operate with greater efficiency, and at a substantially lower cost. The mobile solar light towers provided by DC Solar will be distributed around the track property for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 weekend. To learn more information about DC Solar, please visit www.dcsolardistribution.com(Darlington Raceway[Read More Here](8-27-2017)

NHMS proposing 3-day music festival next year The New Hampshire Motor Speedway is trying to pave the way for a three-day music festival, asking the town of Loudon to give its support to the event, which would happen next year. Residents packed into the Loudon Elementary School gymnasium Thursday night to hear the plans for the proposed festival, which would be put on by entertainment company Live Nation.
The Speedway said it started considering the concert before it learned it would lose one of its two NASCAR races to Las Vegas in 2018. NHMS said this is a good way to use the venue and bring business to the state, specifically requesting the town allow camping in some parking lots. NHMS said it already conducted sound tests, traffic studies and hosts other recreation and entertainment events.(WMUR / Concord Monitor)[Read More Here](8-27-2017)

News from August 26, 2017

NASCAR National Series News & Notes – Off Weekend Kyle Busch Pulls Off Bristol Sweep; You Gotta Race Car Jones? Erik Jones Posts Career-Best Runner-Up Finish; ; 2 To Go: Pressure Mounting For Winless Drivers To Make Playoffs; Truex Close To Clinching Regular Season Title [Read MUCH More Here](8-26-2017)

Abreu beats Stewart at Atomic Speedway: Withstanding persistent pressure from his summer landlord, Tony Stewart, Rico Abreu earned his place in Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions victory lane on Friday evening at Atomic Speedway, capturing the Open Wheel Championships preliminary victory worth $5,000 over a field of 46 entries. The Arctic Cat All Star triumph was the seventh of Abreu’s impressive career; his first at Atomic Speedway. “I just gotta thank my guys for getting this car right where it needed to be tonight,” Abreu said. “Our car has been really close the last few weeks. We put ourselves in really good position tonight in relation to how the track was. I felt like we were really good right away. My guys have been clocking in a lot of work. It all pays off when you are standing up here with the trophy.” On a surface narrowed by its abrasiveness, Abreu led all but one circuit of the 30-lap main event, swapping positions with Tony Stewart just after the pair reached traffic for the first time.(Speed Sport)[Read More Here](8-26-2017)

James Davison paces final XFINITY practice: #20-James Davison was quickest in final practice at Road America with a speed of 108.691mph.
#42-Justin Marks was second, followed by: #22-Austin Cindric, #00-Cole Custer, #48-Brennan Poole, #16-Ryan Reed, #7-Justin Allgaier, #21-Daniel Hemric, #98-Casey Mears, and #2-Ben Kennedy
39 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Road America practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(8-26-2017)

Justin Marks fastest in first XFINITY practice: #42-Justin Marks was fastest during opening practice at Road America with a speed of 107.923mph.
The rest of the top 10: #48-Brennan Poole, #22-Austin Cindric, #7-Justin Allgaier, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #11-Blake Koch, #19-Matt Tifft, #00-Cole Custer, #24-Dylan Lupton, and #51-Jeremy Clements.
38 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Road America practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(8-26-2017)

Martin Guitar facility, homes proposed for Nazareth Speedway siteThe 157-acre property that once housed the Nazareth Speedway in Northampton County (PA) could soon be home to a Martin Guitar facility and homes. Developer David Jaindl presented his proposal to Lower Nazareth Township supervisors Wednesday. Plans include 18 acres of commercial space, 79 acres of industrial space and 37 acres of housing that could include apartments, townhouses and twins. An additional 27 acres is proposed for a conservation zone, which Jaindl said is open space at the request of the township. The goal for this project is to find uses that are compatible with the neighborhood, said project engineer Bruce Anderson with Pidcock Co. The company purchased the property in 2015. The sale included a clause that prevented the buyer from trying to bring racing back to the Lehigh Valley. As for the industrial zone, it would contain three warehouses measuring about 100,000 to 150,000 square feet in addition to another warehouse, which will be a Martin Guitar distribution center. The proposal is in its preliminary stage.(WFMZ)[Read More Here](8-26-2017)

News from August 25, 2017

Dillon to pay tribute to Yunick and Rutherford at Darlington The #13 GEICO Chevrolet will be Back in Black & Gold Darlington Raceway for the #BojanglesSo500! This year’s #Throwback is meant to mimic the #13. Chevrolet Impala driven by Johnny Rutherford in 1963 when he earned a victory at Daytona in his first-ever stock car race, driving for Smokey Yunick. That race win in the qualifier event stands, today, as the only victory for the car number 13 in NASCAR Cup Series history!(Germain Racing Facebook page / Lionel Racing)[Read More Here](8-25-2017)

Richard Childress heads National Hunting and Fishing Day Richard Childress is best known as a NASCAR icon, but there is another side of him that doesn’t always grab the spotlight or capture the roar of the crowd. He is an outdoors man, a hunter, angler, conservationist and Second Amendment advocate. Childress has been named honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 23. He is a good choice for pumping life into what has become a lackluster event in many areas, including ours. Between now and Sept. 23, anyone who pledges to take a friend, family member, co-worker or neighbor with them hunting or fishing or a sport shooting, their name will be entered in a contest. The prizes are a VIP Race Weekend Package for two and a weekend of fishing and outdoor fun at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozark Mountains. The pledge can be found at www.nhfday.org.(Roanoke Times)[Read More Here](8-25-2017)

NASCAR sets 2018 XFINITY Dash 4 Cash schedule: NASCAR announced Friday the four tracks that will compose the Dash 4 Cash incentive program in the 2018 NASCAR XFINITY Series, a springtime quartet that includes a first-time appearance by Talladega Superspeedway. The four Dash 4 Cash races will be run consecutively on the overall series schedule.[More](8-25-2017)

Richmond Raceway to Premiere Esports Tournament with NASCAR Heat 2 Richmond Raceway will host the first NASCAR Heat 2 video game competition with a 64-person tournament prior to the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. Participants will try their luck at the Xbox One version of the game with prizes awarded to the highest scoring players. 704Games, NASCAR’s official video game licensee, along with GameStop and Aaron’s are joining forces with Richmond over Fan Appreciation Weekend to offer gamers an exclusive chance to see and play the game before its public release on Sept. 12.
The NASCAR Heat 2 Tournament will be held in The Classic Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. Gates open at 9 a.m. for open play with the green flag dropping for the tournament at 9:30 a.m. The final two competitors will meet in the NASCAR Heat 2 Tournament Championship at 11:30 a.m. with prizes awarded to the top eight at the conclusion. The grand prize winner will be awarded a Richmond Raceway “Champion Experience” for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race with pre-race, suite, and Victory Lane access. The champion and top eight finishers will also receive a copy of NASCAR Heat 2. All 64 participants will receive a downloadable content code for NASCAR Heat 2. The weekend gets started on Friday, Sept. 8, with on-track practice for both series and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Pole Qualifying for both weekend races. The action then dials up as the rising stars of tomorrow compete in the Virginia529 College Savings 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now for both races and can be purchased online at richmondraceway.com or by calling the Richmond Ticket Office, toll-free, at 866-455-7223.(Richmond Raceway)[Read More Here](8-25-2017)

News from August 24, 2017

Bayne Honors Roush Fenway’s First Victory with Darlington Throwback Trevor Bayne’s #6 AdvoCare Ford will sport a familiar scheme when the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) returns to Darlington Raceway for the famed Southern 500. As part of NASCAR’s official throwback weekend, Bayne’s Ford will harken back to the first paint scheme run during Roush Fenway Racing’s first two seasons with NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin. The scheme earned one victory, the organization’s first in NASCAR, in the MENCS event at North Carolina Motor Speedway (Rockingham) on Oct. 22, 1989. The scheme, originally sponsored by Stroh Light, ran in the MENCS during the 1988 and 1989 seasons. During that time period, the Roush Fenway Ford earned one win, 17 top-fives, 28 top-10s and led 602 laps in 58 total starts.(Roush Fenway Racing)[Read More Here](8-24-2017)

Stenhouse To Honor Waltrip with Darlington Throwback SchemeRicky Stenhouse, Jr. and Fifth Third Bank will honor NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip with a throwback again for the 2017 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. The paint scheme from Waltrip’s 1997 season is one of Stenhouse, Jr.’s favorite paint schemes along with the all chrome scheme that Waltrip ran the same year. The scheme incorporates the branding of Fifth Third Bank, one of Stenhouse’s longtime sponsors while maintaining the design and chrome numbers of the original car that Waltrip drove in the 1990’s. The car will also feature the logo of Frontier Communications on the decklid as part of the #FueledByFifthThird value-added B2B program.(Roush Fenway Racing)[Read More Here](8-24-2017)

Richard Petty named Grand Marshal for VIR SportsCar Championship VIRginia International Raceway is welcoming NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner, Richard Petty, to serve as Grand Marshal for the Michelin GT Challenge, the track’s largest race of the year taking place Sunday, Aug. 27 during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship weekend. Petty is the most decorated driver in the history of NASCAR, with a record number 200 career wins and seven Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championships. Read more (pdf) (VIRginia International Raceway)(8-24-2017)

Road America Weekend Preview: Elliott Sadler leads the NASCAR XFINITY Series by a whopping 110 points with four races left in the regular season, but needs to accumulate some playoff points to put him in prime position for the series championship.[More](8-24-2017)

Gase to run decal honoring students killed in accident: Joey Gase’s #52 NASCAR Xfinity Series car will sport a Greenon decal that will also feature the pictures of David Waag and Connor Williams. Waag and Williams were killed when a black 2005 Toyota Corolla they were in the back seat of went off the right side of Wilkerson Road between Fairborn and Yellow Springs, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said in a statement. The two boys were not wearing seat belts at the time, the state patrol said.[More](8-24-2017)

News from August 23, 2017

JTG Daughtery to field #37 Cheerios Chevy to honor Moise at Darlington JTG Daugherty Racing announced the paint scheme that will run on the #37 Chevrolet SS as part of NASCAR’s Throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway on Labor Day Weekend. The #37 Cheerios team will pay tribute to NASCAR driver Patty Moise’s 1988 paint scheme on her #37 car, which she raced in the then NASCAR Busch Grand National Series. “I’m really excited to have our #37 Cheerios Chevrolet pay tribute to another former #37 car,” Buescher said. “When we looked at some of the possibilities for our paint scheme, this one stood out because of the #37 number. The throwback weekend is one of the coolest weekends we have on the schedule, and Darlington Raceway is one of my favorite tracks as it is. I look forward to taking our #37 Cheerios Chevrolet and putting on a great show Labor Day Weekend.”(JTG Daugherty Racing)[Read More Here](8-23-2017)

Suarez crew chief fined for missing lugnut: NASCAR issued penalties Wednesday to one team in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and two organizations in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for lug-nut violations. All penalties came after post-race inspections revealed one unsecured lug nut on each vehicle after last week’s events at Bristol Motor Speedway. That included one infraction after Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, involving the Joe Gibbs Racing #19 Toyota driven by Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Daniel Suarez. Suarez’s crew chief, Scott Graves, was fined $10,000 for the violation.(NASCAR)(8-23-2017)

Smithfield Foods looks to return to Petty team; Bubba in the #43? Chevy? Smithfield Foods is working toward a return to Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team Richard Petty Motorsports, according to sources. The Virginia-based company is in a contract year with RPM, and the company has been pursued by several competing teams. While a deal with RPM is not finalized, Smithfield is said to be in talks to return there. Smithfield has been linked with moves away from RPM, most notably with Stewart-Haas Racing’s #10 Ford that is currently driven by Danica Patrick. The #43 Ford sponsored by Smithfield is driven by Aric Almirola, and the Cuban-American driver’s contract is up after this year. RPM has said that it is working to find additional sponsorship for a full-season effort in the #44 car for Bubba Wallace, who drove the #43 four times earlier this season while Almirola was recovering from injury. Sources said that it is possible that Wallace could end up replacing Almirola in the #43.(Sport Business Daily)[Read More Here](8-23-2017)

Snapchat to Launch Premium ‘Our Story’ at Darlington’s Throwback Weekend Fans to Share Sights and Sounds of the Bojangles’ Southern 500 with Snapchatters Around the World On a day celebrating the sport’s iconic past, NASCAR fans attending the Bojangles’ Southern 500 can share their race-day experiences from Darlington Raceway with millions of Snapchatters through a premium ‘Our Story’ on Snapchat covering The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR, NASCAR announced. The Our Story, an expertly-curated stream of video and photo Snaps, will provide a unique, behind-the-scenes look at The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR from the perspective of fans and drivers during race day in Darlington, South Carolina on Sept. 3. Fans, teams and drivers at and near the racetrack will be able to share photo and video Snaps to a special “Our Story” that shows off the best visual experiences that Throwback Weekend has to offer. The Snapchat team will then curate and package Snaps of the various perspectives and experiences into a Story, which will air in Snapchat’s Discover platform for 24 hours.(NASCAR)[Read More Here](8-23-2017)

Texas Motor Speedway Enhances Benefits for 2018 Season Ticket Holders The perks of purchasing Texas Motor Speedway Season Tickets have never been more abundant with the introduction of a referral program and an early pay gift to celebrate Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final season being added to the 2018 package. The referral program will provide Season Ticket Holders the opportunity to earn statement credits for every individual referred and converted into a fellow Season Ticket Holder as well as earn entry into a random drawing of unique race access and experiences at Texas Motor Speedway. Beginning Monday, Sept. 11, when 2018 Season Tickets go on sale, a current Season Ticket Holder will receive a $50 statement credit toward ticket-related purchases for next year for every new Season Ticket referred and paid in full. Current and new Season Ticket Holders can also earn free tickets to November’s AAA Texas 500 to witness Earnhardt Jr.’s final race at Texas Motor Speedway. Every Season Ticket paid in full by Friday, Oct. 27, will earn the account a free ticket to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, Nov. 5. For more information on 2018 Season Tickets and benefits, call the Texas Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(Texas Motor Speedway)(8-23-2017)

Ryan Ellis in the #07 at Road America: Ryan Ellis will be joining SS-Green Light Racing this weekend driving the #07 Superlite Cars/Bachtel Excavating Chevy at Road America. This will be Ryan’s 46th start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and 75th NASCAR start. Ellis, who came from a road course racing background, will be making his first Xfinity start of the season.[More](8-23-2017)

Sad News – Adam Wright: Michael ‘Adam’ Wright, 33, of Troutman and formerly of Thomasville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017. Adam’s seemingly short life was filled with many, many friends. Many of which he met while doing what he loved, NASCAR racing, and most recently, the Xfinity series. When he decided to take a break from the travel of racing, Adam started his own business, AWRestorations, creating beautiful wood products from recycled, antique wood sources. His love for racing lead him back to the sport, joining JRMotorsports.[More](8-23-2017)

News from August 22, 2017

SunnyD re-signs with Roush Fenway and Stenhouse SunnyD has announced a contract extension with Roush Fenway that will see the iconic brand extend its relationship with the team and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. through the 2019 season, with additional races added each season. SunnyD has served as a primary partner on Stenhouse’s #17 Ford Fusion for multiple races over the past two seasons. In addition to on-track success, Roush Fenway and SunnyD have teamed together in several unique social programs and promotions. This season’s ‘Race with Ricky Sweepstakes’, offers fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to race against one of NASCAR’s up and coming stars, and has received just under a half a million entries to date. SunnyD will next serve as the primary partner on the #17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October.(Roush Fenway Racing)[Read More Here](8-22-2017)

Four drivers scheduled for Darlington Stripe Zone Fan HospitalityAll-inclusive packages still available for fans to get up-close-and-personal with NASCAR stars. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers and Coca-Cola Racing family members #22-Joey Logano, #3-Austin Dillon and #31-Ryan Newman, along with defending Bojangles’ Southern 500 champion #78-Martin Truex Jr. are all scheduled to make appearances in the Darlington Stripe Zone Fan Hospitality. All four drivers will conduct 15-minute question and answer sessions in the popular fan hospitality area on Sunday, September 3 prior to the Bojangles’ Southern 500. For fans that have not yet purchased a Stripe Zone hospitality package, it is the perfect opportunity to see NASCAR stars in person, while enjoying the amenities the all-inclusive Stripe Zone has to offer. All hospitality packages and tickets can be purchased by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting www.DarlingtonRaceway.com.(Darlington Raceway)[Read More Here](8-22-2017)

Ryan Reed honors Alan Kulwicki with Darlington throwback scheme: Ryan Reed’s #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang will honor the memory and legacy of past NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki. The #16 will throwback to Kulwicki’s 1989 Ford, a year in which he scored six pole positions, five top-five and nine top-10 finishes. NASCAR artist Sam Bass helped create the throwback adaptation of Kulwicki’s #7 Ford. Like Reed, Bass lives with type 1 diabetes. [More](8-22-2017)

Parker Kligerman joins Precision Performance Motorsports for Road America: Since Kligerman last competed in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, the 27-year-old has kept busy. Kligerman is racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season recently finishing 8th at Bristol. Parker’s last road course race was in the ARCA series in 2016 at New Jersey Motorsports Park where he starting on the pole and won the race. Kligerman’s last XFINITY race at Road America was in 2013 where he started 3rd and finished the race in 3rd. Parker is also working for NBC Sports Network as a NASCAR analyst and a Pit Reporter for select races. [More](8-22-2017)

Former driver Shane Sieg has passed away: Shane Sieg, a former Camping World Truck Series driver and older brother of Xfinity driver Ryan Sieg, died over the weekend at the age of 34. A native of Tucker, Georgia, Shane Sieg was a veteran of 68 Truck Series races and two Xfinity starts. Sieg made his last Truck start in June 2011 at Pocono Raceway.[More](8-22-2017)

News from August 21, 2017

Erik Jones will honor rookies of throwback era at Darlington: The unique paint scheme of the #77 5-hour ENERGY Toyota that 2017 NASCAR Rookie of the Year candidate Erik Jones will drive in the Sept. 3 Bojangles’ Southern 500 will honor the great rookie classes of the celebrated throwback era. The paint scheme is a photographic Who’s Who of the NASCAR Cup Series rookie drivers from 1984 to 1989, featuring Cup Series Champions, Daytona 500 winners and a couple of Hall of Famers.[More](8-21-2017)

First Data furthers relationship with Chip Ganassi Racing and NASCAR: Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today that First Data (NYSE: FDC), a global leader in commerce-enabling technology, will partner with Kyle Larson and the No. 42 Chevrolet SS team for two upcoming Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) races at Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway. This expands on a relationship that began last season when First Data joined Jamie McMurray and the No. 1 Chevrolet SS as a partner for the Fall Martinsville race. Additionally, First Data returns this year on McMurray’s car at Martinsville as an associate sponsor. First Data also recently announced a three-year agreement with Martinsville to be the entitlement sponsor for the track’s fall MENCS race, starting with the First Data 500 on October 29.[More](8-21-2017)

NASCAR will look at rules for pit exit: Saying that it is “not something that we want because we don’t need accidents at the end of pit road with people checking up,” NASCAR’s Scott Miller noted Monday that the sanctioning body will look into the issue of drivers slowing or stopping near pit exit to try to get the preferred lane on restarts.[More](8-21-2017)

Bristol TV ratings: NASCAR Cup Series racing from Bristol earned an overnight .9 rating with 4.23 million viewers on NBC Saturday.[More](8-21-2017)

XFINITY Entry List: There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Sunday’s Johnsonville 180 at Road America.
See the complete list on the Road America entry list page.(8-21-2017)

Sugar Ray to perform pre-race concert at Phoenix: Fans attending the Can-Am 500 on Sunday, Nov. 12 at Phoenix Raceway will be entertained with live music before the start of the race as multiplatinum rock band Sugar Ray will perform a pre-race concert in the DC Solar Power Pavilion at 10:30 a.m. (local).[More](-2017)

News from August 20, 2017

Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2017 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday’s race.[More](8-20-2017)

Riki Rachtman to emcee Darlington’s throwback weekend: Riki Rachtman, the longtime host of MTV’s hit show Headbangers Ball and current host of the Racing Rocks! Radio Show, will serve as an honorary emcee for Darlington Raceway’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 weekend on Sept. 1-3. In his role, Rachtman will emcee various events during the Labor Day throwback weekend, including in the fan hospitality and display areas and pre-race ceremonies.[More](8-20-2017)

News from August 19, 2017

Kyle Busch completes three-series sweep in thrilling race at Bristol:In a race fraught with tension, and with a pack of drivers with desperate agendas chasing him to the finish line, Kyle Busch held off Erik Jones to complete a sweep of all-three NASCAR touring series with Saturday night’s keystone victory in the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. In winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series main event at the .533-mile concrete track, Busch capped a long weekend that saw him win Wednesday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event and Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race.[More](8-19-2017)

Kyle Busch won the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway for his 2nd win of 2017, 5th win at Bristol, and 4th career win. He swept all three races at Bristol this weekend, also winning the Truck race on Wednesday and the XFINITY race on Friday. Busch also swept all three races at Bristol in the fall of 2010.
Pole sitter #77-Jones led 258 laps on the night, but lost the lead with 55 laps remaining and finished 2nd. #11-Hamlin was third, followed by #20-Kenseth, #41-Busch, #31-Newman, #6-Bayne, #4-Harvick, #42-Larson, and #21-Blaney.
#20-Kenseth won the second stage. #18-Busch won the first stage.
#78-Truex Jr’s. driver points lead decreases to 101 points over #18-Busch. Truex did not clinch the regular season championship yet.
There were 21 lead changes among 6 drivers and 8 cautions for 53 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 95.969mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)

MENCS at Bristol Recap
– Now 2 races to go until playoffs (Darlington and Richmond)
– Kyle Busch: won CWTS, XFINITY and MENCS at Bristol this weekend
– Kyle Busch: only driver to sweep all three NASCAR National Series races in a weekend; now done it twice at Bristol (2010)
– Kyle Busch: 20th career win at Bristol across three NASCAR National Series, 7 more than any other driver
– Kyle Busch: 40th career Cup Series win; 4th youngest driver to reach 40 wins
– Kyle Busch: 1,120 laps led on short tracks last two season, more than twice as many as any other MENCS driver
– Erik Jones: 2nd (career-best); polesitter led 260 laps after leading 50 laps all season entering race
– Matt Kenseth: 4th; entered race as final driver in playoffs
– Jimmie Johnson: 11th; 11th straight race without finishing in top-5, longest streak in career
(ESPN Stats & Info)

Race Fast Facts – Bristol
Kyle Busch won the 57th Annual Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, his 40th victory in 450 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his sixth victory and 14th top-10 finish in 25 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Erik Jones (second) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2017.
Denny Hamlin (third) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 24 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Erik Jones (second) was the highest finishing rookie.
Martin Truex Jr. leads the point standings by 101 points overKyle Busch.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(8-19-2017)

2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver Standings:
[after Bristol, race 24 of 36]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr [4 wins], 951
2) #18-Kyle Busch [2], 850, -101
3) #42-Kyle Larson [3], 845, -106
4) #4-Kevin Harvick [1], 824, -127
5) #11-Denny Hamlin [1], 753, -198
See full standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)

2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs:
[after Bristol, race 24 of 36, 2 more races until the playoffs]
drivers in with at least one win
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 4 wins
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3 wins
3) #42-Kyle Larson, 3 wins
4) #18-Kyle Busch, 2 wins
5) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2 wins
6) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2 wins
7) #4-Kevin Harvick, 1 win
8) #11-Denny Hamlin, 1 win
9) #21-Ryan Blaney, 1 wins
10) #41-Kurt Busch, 1 win
11) #31-Ryan Newman, 1 win
12) #5-Kasey Kahne, 1 win
13) #3-Austin Dillon, 1 win
currently in on points
14) #24-Chase Elliott, 711, +69 ahead of 17th
15) #20-Matt Kenseth, 703, +61
16) #1-Jamie McMurray, 700, +58
currently outside the playoffs
17) #14-Clint Bowyer, 642, -58 behind 16th
18) #22-Joey Logano, [1 win but can’t be used for playoffs], 583, -117
19) #77-Erik Jones, 574, -126

Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 250) of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway (lap 250/500):
#20-Kenseth, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#48-Johnson, 9pts
#4-Harvick, 8pts
#31-Newman, 7pts
#77-Jones, 6pts
#42-Larson, 5pts
#11-Hamlin, 4pts
#18-Busch, 3pts
#27-Menard, 2pts
#14-Bowyer, 1pt

Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 125) of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway (lap 125/500):
#18-Busch, 10 pts, 1 playoff point
#77-Jones, 9pts
#42-Larson, 8pts
#24-Elliott, 7pts
#20-Kenseth, 6pts
#11-Hamlin, 5pts
#21-Blaney, 4pts
#22-Logano, 3pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 2pts
#48-Johnson, 1pt

Saturday Bristol Notebook: Yessir, Dale Earnhardt Jr., gets two bags full–of fluids, that is; Trevor Bayne can’t wait for a peaceful week off; Jamie McMurray will use off week to train for a marathon[More](8-19-2017)

Frank Kerr injured at Bristol UPDATE: Frank Kerr, who calls the shots for the #72 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series entry for Tristar Motorsports, was transported to a local hospital earlier today after the car fell on him.(8-18-2017)
UPDATE: Less than 24-hours after being injured when the #72 car fell off the jack and pinned him underneath as he was looking under the frontend, crew chief Frank Kerr is back at the track and ready to lead Cole Whitt in tonight’ s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.[More](8-19-2017)

Chase Briscoe could move to XFINITY in 2018: Ford Performance is hoping to move Truck series competitor Chase Briscoe to the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season. Briscoe, 22, currently competes full-time in the Camping World Truck Series with Brad Keselowski and is a member of Ford’s driver development program.[More](8-19-2017)

Mid-Ohio TV Ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Mid-Ohio earned a 0.6 rating and 916,000 viewers on NBCSN last Saturday, flat in ratings and down 7% in viewership from last year, when coverage aired on USA Network opposite the Olympics (0.6, 985K), and down a tick and 10% respectively from 2015 (0.7, 1.0M). It was the least-watched regularly scheduled race of the season.[More](8-19-2017)

Bristol driver introductions ignite the night: As the electricity builds towards the green flag of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway’s fan-favorite driver introductions feature a musical lineup unlike any other. The combination of hard rock, rap and country showcases the diverse personalities of the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series before they strap in to conquer The Last Great Colosseum.[More](8-19-2017)

News from August 18, 2017

Erik Jones wins first career pole at Bristol-by an eyelash: Needing a breakthrough victory to advance to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Erik Jones took the first step in that direction on Friday, winning the Coors Light Pole Award for Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Running the bottom of the track in the strip of traction compound applied to the lower groove, Jones turned a lap at 128.082 mph (14.981 seconds) in the final round of knockout qualifying to edge last Sunday’s Michigan winner, Kyle Larson (128.057 mph) by .003 seconds.[More](8-18-2017)

Frank Kerr injured at Bristol: Frank Kerr, who calls the shots for the #72 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series entry for Tristar Motorsports, was transported to a local hospital earlier today after the car fell on him.[More](8-18-2017)

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway have been made.
With the field downsized to 40 cars, three pit stalls (21,22,43) have been eliminated, are not in play and don’t count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Pole sitter #77-Jones chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #42-Larson took pit stall 23, the final pitstall on the backstretch.
#5-Kahne, who starts 3rd, took the 20th stall, the last stall on the frontstretch.
#24-Elliott, why starts 4th, pits in stall 42, the first 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.(8-12-2017)

Erik Jones won the Coors Light pole for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway with speed of 128.082mph for his 1st career pole.
#42-Larson will start 2nd followed by #5-Kahne, #24-Elliott, #20-Kenseth, #78-Truex, Jr., #11-Hamlin, #22-Logano, #14-Bowyer, #21-Blaney, #1-McMurray, and #19-Suarez.
#11-Hamlin was fastest in the second round with a speed of 128.632mph, will start 7th.
#18-Busch was fastest in the first round with a speed of 129.921mph, will start 18th.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: #66-Hill.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(8-18-2017)

Second Round of Qualifying for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#11-Hamlin 128.632
#20-Kenseth 128.434
#77-Jones 128.091
#22-Logano 128.047
#19-Suarez 127.911
the rest of the top 12: 24 21 14 42 1 5 78
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 31 17 37 3 2 38 6 48 18 13 47 10
(8-18-2017)

First Round of Qualifying for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#18-Busch 129.921
#11-Hamlin 129.212
#24-Elliott 128.882
#1-McMurray 128.615
#78-Truex, Jr. 128.313
the rest of the top 24: 77 20 5 21 19 2 17 22 42 31 6 13 14 48 3 37 47 38 10;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 41 95 27 43 4 7 88 72 34 32 83 51 55 33 15 66 23;
Drivers who will miss the race: #66-Hill.
(8-18-2017)

Friday Bristol Notebook: Earnhardt touched by annual scholarship in his name; Chase Elliott needs a victory to feel comfortable; Chris Buescher signs multiyear deal with JTG/Daugherty; Keselowski gives up truck series ownership for long-term plan.[More](8-18-2017)

Happy Hour (final) practice for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#21-Blaney 128.554
#42-Larson 128.065
#31-Newman 127.784
#1-McMurray 127.487
#18-Busch 127.258
slowest: #15-Sorenson 121.046 & #66-Hill 119.768
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 33 drivers): #20-Kenseth 125.930.
notes: Timmy Hill spun but did not hit anything. The session was briefly stopped once for light rain.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (8-18-2017)

Chris Buescher returning to JTG Daugherty Racing: JTG Daugherty Racing announced today NASCAR driver Chris Buescher will continue to pilot the #37 Chevrolet at the top level of the sport, signing a multi-year contract with the team.[More](8-18-2017)

Kenseth comments on 2018: Matt Kenseth says he has nothing new to report on a ride for next season. Speaking to the media Friday morning at Bristol he said, Do you have any announcement to make regarding the 2018 season? “I’ll let you know when I know something. I’ll be honest with you, I’m just, I’m not worried about it even really one percent anymore to be honest with you. I’m just not concerned about it. It’s not – I’m really concerned about 2017 and that’s the truth.”(8-18-2017)

First practice for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#11-Hamlin 129.230
#18-Busch 129.221
#5-Kahne 128.943
#21-Blaney 128.917
#14-Bowyer 128.382
slowest: #33-Earnhardt 123.435 & #15-Sorenson 118.650.
most laps run: #13-Dillon & #1-McMurray, 78 laps.
Top 10 consecutive laps average (of 27 drivers): #1-McMurray 126.604mph.
#42-Larson spun early but did not hit anything. There was a short delay for rain.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(8-18-2017)

Michigan TV ratings: NASCAR Cup Series racing from Michigan earned a 1.96 overnight rating on NBCSN Sunday afternoon.(8-14-2017)
UPDATE: NASCAR Cup Series racing from Michigan earned a 2.0 rating and 3.2 million viewers on NBCSN Sunday afternoon, down a tick in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year (2.1, 3.4M) and down 23% and 26% respectively from 2015 (2.6, 4.3M).[More](8-18-2017)

Kyle Busch dominates for ninth NASCAR XFINITY victory at Bristol:No one else had a chance. Other NASCAR XFINITY Series competitors in Saturday night’s 36th Annual Food City 300 might have brought fast race cars-runner-up Daniel Suarez certainly did. But polesitter Kyle Busch had a checkered-flag-seeking missile, and after a restart with eight of 300 laps left, he crossed the finish line 1.181 seconds ahead of Suarez, notching his record 91st victory in the series, his fifth in nine starts this season and his ninth in 25 events at Bristol.[More](8-18-2017)

Kyle Busch wins Bristol XFINITY race: #18-Kyle Busch won the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his 91st XFINITY Series win and 5th of the year. He started on the pole, won all 3 stages and led 189 of the 300 laps, despite a penalty for speeding on pit road at the end of the first stage. #20-Daniel Suarez finished second, followed by #1-Elliott Sadler, #3-Ty Dillon, #7-Justin Allgaier, #48-Brennan Poole, #21-Daniel Hemric, #2-Austin Dillon, #22-Joey Logano, and #00-Cole Custer
There were 8 cautions for 46 laps and 12 lead changes among 5 leaders.
The average speed was 88.424mph.
Complete results are on the Bristol race results page (pdf).
(8-18-2017)

XFINITY Driver standings following Bristol:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler, 807
2) #9William Byron, 697, -110
3) #7-Justin Allgaier, 671, -136
4) #48-Brennan Poole, 621, -186
5) #21-Daniel Hemric, 601, -206
6) #00-Cole Custer, 533, -274
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 514, -293
8) #16-Ryan Reed, 458, -349
9) #11-Blake Koch, 454, -353
10) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 444, -363
11) #5-Michael Annett, 435, -372
12) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 428, -379
13) #4-Ross Chastain, 385, -422
14) #14-JJ Yeley, 385, -422
15) #39-Ryan Sieg, 381, -426
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(8-18-2017)

Kyle Busch on XFINITY pole at Bristol: #18-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light pole for the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 127.157mph. #22-Joey Logano will start second. The rest of the top 10: #48-Brennan Poole, #7-Justin Allgaier, #00-Cole Custer, #42-Tyler Reddick, #20-Daniel Suarez, #1-Elliott Sadler, #33-Brandon Jones, and #62-Brendan Gaughan.
Did Not Qualify: #15-Reed Sorenson, #89-Morgan Shepherd.
Due to a delayed start because of rain, qualifying was only one 20 minute session.
The starting lineup is posted on the Bristol starting lineup page (pdf).(8-18-2017)

JGL Racing to pay tribute to Cale Yarborough with Darlington throwback scheme: JGL Racing is proud to announce a special tribute to legendary NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough and his No. 28 paint scheme from the 1983 and 1984 NASCAR seasons. Dakoda Armstrong will pilot the No. 28 “Cale Yarborough Tribute” Toyota for the popular “Throwback” weekend at Darlington Raceway for the running of the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 on Saturday September 2nd.[More](8-18-2017)

Texas celebrating Dale Jr through fans that attended his first win: It was April 2, 2000 and a colossal crowd of 223,000 fans were on hand at Texas Motor Speedway to see NASCAR history in the DirecTV 500. It would be the final season and stop at Texas Motor Speedway for three-time Cup series champion Darrell Waltrip as well as the highly anticipated first Cup start for fourth-generation NASCAR driver Adam Petty. Little did the massive crowd realize that even more history would be in the making by the time the checkered flag fell on the DirecTV 500 that day.[More](8-18-2017)

Bristol honors Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s legacy: As Dale Earnhardt Jr. prepares for his final weekend behind the wheel at The Last Great Colosseum, Bristol Motor Speedway unveiled its major tributes to Little E. Earnhardt Jr.’s name will live on in Bristol lore with the announcements of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship and the It’s Bristol, Baby! sign, located in the Fan Zone.[More](8-18-2017)

News from August 17, 2017

What to Watch for: Bristol: Busch’s Up-and-Down Road at Bristol; Eyes Weekend Triple; Chances for Logano to Win?; Playoff Picture With 3 to Go; Toyota Has Reigned Supreme; Crazy Things Happen at Bristol; Who’s Hot and Who’s Not .[More](8-17-2017)

Bristol Weekend Preview: Bowyer enjoying role as the ‘hunter’; Annett hoping to stay on the right side of the bubble.[More](8-17-2017)

NASCAR to live-stream in-car cameras on Twitter during the playoffs: For the first time in the sport’s history, NASCAR will live-stream an in-car camera on Twitter for all 10 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs races in 2017, NASCAR announced today. Beginning with the first race of the NASCAR Playoffs at Chicagoland Speedway, NASCAR will provide fans a unique look from inside the race car with a live camera stream that can be accessed via its official Twitter hand[More](8-17-2017)

Gray Gaulding returns to the #55 at Bristol UPDATE: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver, Gray Gaulding will return to the track this weekend in the Premium Motorsports’ No.55 Chevrolet SS. He is really looking forward to taking on ‘The World’s Fastest Half-Mile’ track under the light’s this Saturday night in the ‘Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race’ at Bristol Motor Speedway (8-15-2017)
UPDATE: La Colombe returns to the track this weekend with Gray Gaulding and Premium Motorsports. Gaulding will carry the La Colombe Draft Latte colors under the lights at ‘The World’s Fastest Half-Mile’ this Saturday night in the ‘Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race’ at Bristol Motor Speedway.[More](8-17-2017)

Low T Center returning to sponsor Sorenson: ‘Low T Center’ is continuing their partnership with Reed Sorenson and Premium Motorsports as the team heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for this weekend’s battle under the lights in the Monster Energy NASCARS Cup Series, ‘Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race’. Sorenson will be back in his familiar No.15 Chevrolet SS[More](8-17-2017)

HMS Motorsport sponsoring LaJoie at Bristol: HMS Motorsport, an industry leader in racing safety equipment, will be joining BK Racing for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Having been a long-time supporter of Corey LaJoie, HMS Motorsport will be on board the #83 Toyota Camry for Saturday night’s race.[More](8-17-2017)

Kyle Busch paces final XFINITY practice: #18-Kyle Busch was quickest in final practice at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 124.315mph.
#22-Joey Logano was second, followed by: #48-Brennan Poole, #9-William Byron, #7-Justin Allgaier, #21-Daniel Hemric, #00-Cole Custer, #1-Elliott Sadler, #19-Matt Tifft, and #20-Daniel Suarez.
All 42 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Bristol practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(8-17-2017)

Allgaier fastest in first XFINITY practice: #7-Justin Allgaier was fastest during opening practice at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 125.363mph.
The rest of the top 10: #18-Kyle Busch, #11-Blake Koch, #1-Elliott Sadler, #2-Austin Dillon, #48-Brennan Poole, #98-Aric Almirola, #9-William Byron, #33-Brandon Jones, and #22-Joey Logano.
40 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Bristol practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(8-17-2017)

Chad Finchum to compete in Food City 300: MBM Motorsports announced today that Chad Finchum will return to the team’s #40 entry for the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Finchum, of Knoxville, TN, will be making his fourth start of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season for the organization owned by NASCAR veteran Carl Long.[More](8-17-2017)

St Clair Foods makes season debut as primary sponsor of Clements:Jeremy Clements Racing takes the short trip up to Bristol, TN to compete in the Food City 300 at Thunder Valley Friday night under the lights. Powering the #51 Camaro SS will be St. Clair Foods and All South Electric.[More](8-17-2017)

Brad Keselowski Racing to end operations following 2017 Season:Today NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team owner Brad Keselowski announced that his team, Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR), will end operations at the conclusion of the 2017 season. “The Truck Series is truly special to me given my family’s ties to the history of the sport, and this decision comes with much contemplation. But, for a number of reasons, and as I plan for the long-term future, I’ve decided not to field a team in 2018,” said Keselowski.[More](8-17-2017)

Texas offering $88 ticket package with Earnhardt, Jr. commemorative t-shirt: Texas Motor Speedway will commemorate Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s first career NASCAR Cup and XFINITY victories with a special “Dale Of A Deal” ticket package for the AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, Nov. 5, as his final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season and career comes to a close.[More](8-17-2017)

Darlington Raceway’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 race weekend going green again: When the green flag drops at Darlington Raceway on Labor Day weekend, drivers could earn their “green stripe” on turn 4 at the track Too Tough to Tame. Turn 4 will be painted green as a reminder to be kind to the environment. And Darlington Raceway is doing just that by using 100 percent Green Power for the electrical needs of the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500. Green Power for race weekend is distributed by Pee Dee Electric Cooperative and generated by state-owned utility Santee Cooper.[More](8-17-2017)

News from August 16, 2017

Furniture Row to assume management of pit crew members: The crews will still train with Joe Gibbs Racing.[More](8-16-2017)

Decision day nearing for Monster Energy sponsorship deals: Monster Energy is coming up on a crucial period, as it is determines whether to extend its title sponsorship with NASCAR and its team deal with Stewart-Haas Racing. The energy drink company’s deal with SHR expires after this year, while the title sponsorship is slated to run through ’18. Sources said that Monster is contractually obligated to let NASCAR know by sometime in December whether it will pick up a two-year option on the original two-year, $20M annual deal that would then extend through ’20.[More](8-16-2017)

Danica Patrick racing for One Cure at Bristol: As Danica Patrick and the #10 Ford Fusion team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) return to Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway for Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event, they will be racing to bring awareness to a special program: One Cure. One Cure is a project led by the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.[More](8-16-2017)

A look at many new, notes and story lines for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Bristol

Zombie Auto sponsoring Yeley at Bristol: Zombie Auto will serve as the primary sponsor for the #14 TriStar Motorsports Toyota of JJ Yeley for Friday night’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Zombie Auto, a Pennsylvania-based company, is dedicated to “Bringing Dead Cars Back to Life.” [More](8-16-2017)

Cook’s Comfort System sponsoring Sieg at Bristol: RSS Racing is pleased to welcome Cook’s Comfort Systems as the primary sponsor for Ryan Sieg at Bristol Motor Speedway. Cook’s Comfort Systems offers a full range of air conditioning, heating and indoor air quality products and services, outstanding on-time service and repairs, knowledgeable replacement advice, and quality new installations.[More](8-16-2017)

Kyle Busch puts on clinic to score fifth Truck Series win at Bristol:Not even a NASCAR overtime could stop Kyle Busch from rallying back from a speeding penalty at the end of Stage 2 to win Wednesday night’s UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Busch, forced to the back of the field under penalty to start the final stage, put on a clinic on a Lap 119 restart and utilized the high line to roar through the field and find himself back in the top-10 by Lap 136. Nearly 30 laps later, Busch found himself on the tails of leaders Johnny Sauter and Matt Crafton. Taking second from Sauter on Lap 163, Busch moved back into the lead four laps later slicing and dicing through lap traffic.[More](8-16-2017)

Busch wins Bristol: #46-Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway Wednesday night, leading 106 laps, and winning all three stages in what was his third race win of the season. A late race speeding penalty wasn’t enough to keep Busch from the top spot as he quickly reclaimed the lost positions. #88-Matt Crafton was given a final shot at Busch following a caution flag with six laps to go. The race was sent into overtime, but he had nothing for Busch on the restart. #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #98-Grant Enfinger, #27-Ben Rhodes, #21-Johnny Sauter, #4-Christopher Bell, #75-Parker Kligerman, #19-Austin Cindric, and #99-Brandon Jones were the remainder of the top-10.
There were five caution flags for 31 laps and six lead changes among four leaders.
See results on the Bristol race results page(8-16-2017)

Stage 1 – 55 laps, winner, #46-Kyle Busch
Stage 2 – 110 laps, winner, #46-Kyle Busch
Stage 3 – 200 laps, winner, #46-Kyle Busch

Bristol Truck Series Race Fast Facts:
Kyle Busch(i) won the 20th Annual UNOH 200, his 49th victory in 140 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his third victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his fifth victory and eighth top-10 finish in 11 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Matt Crafton (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 15 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2017.
John H. Nemechek (third) posted his fourth top-10 finish in four races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Grant Enfinger (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Christopher Bell leads the point standings by 42 points overJohnny Sauter.
(NASCAR Statistics)(8-16-2017)

Truck Series point standings following Bristol:
1) #4-Christopher Bell, 615
2) #21-Johnny Sauter, 573, -42
3) #88-Matt Crafton, 562, -53
4) #29-Chase Briscoe, 534, -81
5) #27-Ben Rhodes, 469, -146
6) #16-Ryan Truex, 452, -163
7) #98-Grant Enfinger, 443, -172
8)#8-John Hunter Nemechek, 439, -176
9) #18-Noah Gragson, 418, -197
10) #19-Austin Cindric, 397, -218
See complete standings on Driver points standings page and the owner’s standings are posted on the Owner points standings page.(8-16-2017)

Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution at Bristol: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #68-Greenfield, 26th
Caution 2: #1-Anderson, 27th
Caution 3: #1-Anderson, 27th
Caution 4: #83-Yeley, 19th
Caution 5: #29-Briscoe,12th
(8-16-2017)

Busch on pole at Bristol: #46-Kyle Busch won the pole for Wednesday’s UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed at 129.413mph. #4-Christopher Bell, #21-Johnny Sauter, #18-Noah Gragson, #99-Brandon Jones, #88-Matt Crafton, #98-Grant Enfinger, #13-Cody Coughlin, #27-Ben Rhodes, and #97-Jesse Little.
Failed to qualify: #36-Chris Windham and #57-Mike Senica.
The starting lineup is posted on the Bristol starting lineup page(8-16-2017)

Bristol Qualifying Fast Facts:
Kyle Busch(i) won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 20th Annual UNOH 200 with a lap of 14.827 seconds, 129.413 mph.
This is his 18th pole in 140 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first pole and sixth top-10 start in 2017.
This is his fourth pole in 11 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Christopher Bell (second) posted his 12th top-10 start of 2017 and his second in two races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Johnny Sauter (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his 12th in 14 races this season.
Noah Gragson (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(8-16-2017)

Busch paces final Bristol Truck practice: #46-Kyle Busch was fastest during final practice for Wednesday’s UNOH 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 130.477mph. #27-Ben Rhodes, #4-Christopher bell, #88-Matt Crafton, #21-Johnny Sauter, #99-Brandon Jones, #98-Grant Enfinger, #75-Parker Kligerman, #13-Cody Coughlin, and #24-Justin Haley closed out the top-10. 32 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 2 speeds (pdf)(8-16-2017)

Coughlin fastest in opening Truck Bristol practice: #13-Cody Coughlinwas fastest during the opening practice for Wednesday night’s Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway at 129.404mph. #46-Kyle Busch was second. #21-Johnny Sauter, #88-Matt Crafton, #19-Austin Cindric, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #99-Brandaon Jones, #24-Justin Haley, #18-Noah Gragson, #16-Ryan Truex were the remainder of the top-10. 30 practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 1 speeds (pdf)(8-16-2017)

Michigan penalty report: NASCAR released the Post-Event Penalty Report for Michigan International Speedway. The #99 team’s race finish is encumbered per Section 12.10 Encumbered for vent holes at the bed top must be configured for air intake only.Crew chief (Shane Huffman) has been fined $5,000 and suspended from the next NASCAR Camping World TruckSeries Championship Points Event. Team assessed with the loss of 10 owner points. The team won Michigan with driver Darrell Wallace, Jr. The #98 with driver Grant Enfinger was penalized under Section 20.17.3.2.1.2 Post-Race Front Body Inspection Heights outside NASCAR allowed tolerances. Race finish is encumbered per Section 12.10. Crew chief (Jeff Hensley) has been fined $5,000 and suspended from the next NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship Points Event. Team assessed with the loss of 10 driver points and 10 owner points. The team was also penalized under Section 20.17.2.1 Overall Vehicle Weight affixed improperly. Crew chief (Jeff Hensley) and truck chief (Josh Hankish) have been suspended from the next two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship Points Events. See the Michigan Penalty Report
UPDATE: NASCAR states that Hensley can serve both suspensions at the same time, so he will only miss two races total. By sitting out tonight’s Bristol race, he will fulfill his one-race suspension for the heights infraction and one of the two races he’s suspended for the safety violation. Hensley then will have to miss the Sept. 3 race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. He’ll be able to return for the Sept. 15 race at Chicagoland Speedway. ThorSport Racing will not appeal the penalties.Bud Haefele will serve as the crew chief for the next two races for Enfinger’s team. Rich Riley will ser as the truck chief in that same span. With the penalty, Enfinger is 24 points out of the final playoff spot.NBC Sports

Darlington to honor Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with dedication of Turn 3 suite towers: In celebrating the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and honoring Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his final NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 start, Darlington Raceway is dedicating its Turn 3 suite towers in their names, respectively. Earnhardt Towers will feature an assortment of graphics that depict memorable moments of Earnhardt Sr. and Earnhardt Jr., featured on the backside of each tower. The Earnhardt Towers name will also be proudly displayed on the front of the towers facing the track.[More](8-16-2017)

Bristol to host Discovery show “Street Outlaws” The Tri-Cities region better get ready because the Outlaws are coming. The stars of the hit Discovery show Street Outlaws head to Bristol Dragway for a good old fashioned, all-out racing tournament taking place on Tuesday, Aug. 22.[More](8-16-2017)

All-Inclusive luxury suite rebranded Busch Lounge at Auto Club Speedway: Located at the entrance of Pit Road at Turn 4, the Budweiser Lounge has been re-branded to Busch Lounge where fans can enjoy the race in style in luxury suites with viewing locations and exclusive amenities during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 race weekend at Auto Club Speedway – March 17-18, 2018.[More](8-16-2017)

News from August 15, 2017

Kurt Busch willing to return to Stewart-Haas: Kurt Busch continues to field offers after Stewart-Haas Racing opted not to pick up the 2018 option on his contract Aug. 1, but the 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion said a return to the team would be a simple matter. “It’s as easy as them giving me an offer,” Busch said in a phone interview with USA TODAY Sports.[More](8-15-2017)

Special scheme for Earnhardt, Jr. at Bristol: Earnhardt will run a special True Timber camouflage Axalta scheme this weekend, featuring Axalta’s partners Ducks Unlimited, which is the largest wetlands conservationist in the world, and Service King, an auto service chain that strives to deliver safe, superior repairs with excellent customer service.[More](8-15-2017)

Gray Gaulding returns to the #55 at Bristol: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver, Gray Gaulding will return to the track this weekend in the Premium Motorsports’ No.55 Chevrolet SS. He is really looking forward to taking on ‘The World’s Fastest Half-Mile’ track under the light’s this Saturday night in the ‘Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race’ at Bristol Motor Speedway [More](8-15-2017)

Hendrick Motorsports announces several team promotions: Hendrick Motorsports has elevated eight senior leaders into new positions designed to strengthen the 12-time and defending NASCAR Cup Series champions and enhance the team’s overall management structure. The eight executives, who will assume their new roles immediately, have more than 150 combined years of service with the organization.[More](8-15-2017)

Truex in position to clinch regular season championship: Truex enters Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race with a 129-point lead over second place Kyle Larson. Truex will need to leave Bristol with at least a 121-point margin to clinch the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship with two races remaining.[More](8-15-2017)

A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Bristol, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Bristol page

Teams testing at Chicago: Ten Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams are scheduled to take part in a two-day organizational test Tuesday and Wednesday at Chicagoland Speedway in preparation for this season’s playoff opener, set for Sunday, Sept. 17.[More](8-15-2017)

News from August 14, 2017

More tracks expected to treat racing surface: Bristol Motor Speedway will once again use the PJ1 compound for a third consecutive time for this weekend’s racing events there. Look for PJ1 – or tire dragging to add more rubber to the racing surface – to be utilized at several other tracks during the upcoming 10-race NASCAR Cup playoffs.[More](8-14-2017)

Author Rick Houston chronicles Dale Earnhardt’s electrifying chase for a Daytona 500 win: Never before have Dale’s attempts to win the Daytona 500 been chronicled in one publication with this amount of detail and scrutiny. From the Dale and Dale show, to the seagull, to the last-lap heartaches, you ride shotgun with author Rick Houston as he takes you inside the Intimidator’s epic quest to win the Great American Race.[More](8-14-2017)

Danica Patrick’s Darlington throwback honors Robert Yates: Stewart-Haas Racing will honor 2018 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Robert Yates with a throwback paint scheme on the No. 10 Ford Fusion Danica Patrick will race during the Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race Sept. 3 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. After working in the sport for more than two decades, Yates launched his own team, Robert Yates Racing (RYR), in the late 1980s. In 1996, RYR expanded to a two-car operation, fielding the No. 88 Quality Care/Ford Credit Ford with Dale Jarrett. The decision by Yates to add a second car to the stable resulted in Jarrett winning the 1999 championship in a paint scheme that Patrick’s No. 10 Ford Credit Ford Fusion will emulate at Darlington.[More](8-14-2017)

Michigan TV ratings: NASCAR Cup Series racing from Michigan earned a 1.96 overnight rating on NBCSN Sunday afternoon.[More](8-14-2017)

Entry List for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is posted, 41 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
36 teams with Charters are guaranteed to make the field. The rest need to make the field via qualifying / qualifying races / rules book (owners attempts/points).
Some of the drivers entered include #7-Yeley*, #15-Sorenson, #23-LaJoie, #33-JEarnhardt, #51-TBA*, #55-Cope*, #66-Long*, #83-TBA*
Drivers who currently to not drive for a team with a Charter and need to race into the field: #7-Yeley, #51-TBA, #55-Cope, #66-Cope, #83-TBA
Drivers who would miss the race if qualifying is canceled (least race attempts): #66-Long
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)

Commercial breakdown for the 2017 Pure Michigan 400: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race.[More](8-14-2017)

News from August 13, 2017

Two manufacturers now considering NASCAR: Despite published reports to the contrary, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has not pulled the plug on its program to return the Dodge nameplate to NASCAR and is still in talks with the sanctioning body, a source with knowledge of the negotiations confided to Kickin’ the Tires. “The story about them pulling out is absolutely, 100 percent false,” the source said. “They are researching a possible return to NASCAR.” Additionally, the source said a second manufacturer has also expressed interest in NASCAR but is in preliminary stages of any talks with the sanctioning body [More](8-13-2017)

Sunday Michigan Notebook: Joey Logano knows time is short to make the playoffs; Rookie Daniel Suarez’s top 10 streak ends at Michigan; Michigan’s Erik Jones ponders a win at his home track. [More](8-13-2017)

Daredevil restart gives Larson third consecutive Michigan win:Sitting in his racecar during a red flag delay near the end of the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Kyle Larson pondered the possible routes to an overtime victory. He was in fourth-place and would restart for the final two-lap shootout behind leader Martin Truex Jr. Larson hadn’t had a fast racecar all day at Michigan International Speedway, but he thought with a gutsy move on the restart, he could steal a win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. Ahead of him, Truex, the race leader, was in the opposite positon. He had had a fast racecar all day, and he figured he needed a strong restart to repel whatever move Larson or somebody else would throw at him. Like Larson, he was trying to figure out which scenario would be most likely to take him to Victory Lane.[More](8-13-2017)

Kyle Larson won the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway for his 3rd win of 2017, 3rd win at Michigan, and 4th career win.
Larson led only two laps on the day, the final two. He took the lead from #78-Truex on the final restart, the first attempt at NASCAR Overtime after a late-race accident involving #95-McDowell and #27-Menard.
#78-Truex, Jr. held on to finish 2nd then #77-Jones, #31-Newman, #6-Bayne, #37-Buescher, #3-Dillon, #24-Elliott, #1-McMurray, and #18-Busch.
Pole sitter #2-Keselowski finished 17th.
#78-Truex, Jr. won the second stage. #2-Keselowski won the first stage.
#78-Truex Jr’s. driver points lead increases to 129 points over #42-Larson.
There were 14 lead changes among 5 drivers and 5 cautions for 28 yellow flag laps. There was a 5 minute red flag for track cleanup during the final caution.
The average speed of the race was: 150.903mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)

Race Fast Facts – Michigan
Kyle Larson won the 48th Annual Pure Michigan 400, his fourth victory in 134 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his third consecutive victory and fifth top-10 finish in eight races at Michigan International Speedway.
Martin Truex Jr. (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 24 races at Michigan International Speedway. It is his 16th top-10 finish in 2017.
Erik Jones (third) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Michigan International Speedway.
Erik Jones (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
Martin Truex Jr. leads the point standings by 129 points over Kyle Larson.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(8-13-2017)

2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver Standings:
[after Michigan, race 23 of 36]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr [4 wins], 933
3) #42-Kyle Larson [3], 804, -129
2) #18-Kyle Busch [1], 797, -136
4) #4-Kevin Harvick [1], 787, -146
5) #2-Brad Keselowski [2], 720, -213
See full standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)

2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs:
[after Michigan, race 23 of 36, 3 more races until the playoffs]
drivers in with at least one win
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 4 wins
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3 wins
3) #42-Kyle Larson, 3 wins
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2 wins
5) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2 wins
6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 1 win
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 1 win
8) #21-Ryan Blaney, 1 wins
9) #41-Kurt Busch, 1 win
10) #31-Ryan Newman, 1 win
11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 1 win
12) #3-Austin Dillon, 1 win
13) #18-Kyle Busch, 1 win
currently in on points
14) #24-Chase Elliott, 685, +62 ahead of 17th
15) #1-Jamie McMurray, 675, +52
16) #20-Matt Kenseth, 654, +31
currently outside the playoffs
17) #14-Clint Bowyer, 623, -31 behind 16th
18) #22-Joey Logano, [1 win but can’t be used for playoffs], 556, -98
19) #77-Erik Jones, 524, -130

Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 120) of the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway (lap 120/200):
#78-Truex, Jr., 10pts, 1 playoff point
#2-Keselowski, 9pts
#4-Harvick, 8pts
#77-Jones, 7pts
#19-Suarez, 6pts
#21-Blaney, 5pts
#1-McMurray, 4pts
#42-Larson, 3pts
#11-Hamlin, 2pts
#18-Busch, 1pt

Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 60) of the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway (lap 60/200):
#2-Keselowski, 10 pts, 1 playoff point
#4-Harvick, 9pts
#24-Elliott, 8pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 7pts
#77-Jones, 6pts
#22-Logano, 5pts
#20-Kenseth, 4pts
#18-Busch, 3pts
#42-Larson, 2pts
#11-Hamlin, 1pt

Gene Haas optimistic that Kurt Busch will return: Despite not picking up Kurt Busch’s contract option for 2018, Gene Haas told Kickin’ the Tires and another reporter, on Saturday, that he is “optimistic” the 2017 Daytona 500 winner will return to the team. The problem, Haas said, was that Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) is waiting to see what the sponsor of the #41 intends to do going forward. Haas, who owns Haas CNC, is a co-primary sponsor with Monster Energy, so it is doubtful he’s waiting for a decision from his own company.[More](8-13-2017)

Watkins Glen XFINITY TV ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Watkins Glen (N.Y.) earned a 0.8 rating and 1.2 million viewers on NBCSN last Saturday, up a tick in ratings and 17% in viewership from last year, when coverage aired on CNBC opposite the Olympics (0.7, 1.0M), but down a tick and 12% respectively from 2015 (0.9, 1.4M). The past four Xfinity Series races have posted an increase in ratings and/or viewership.[Sports Media Watch](8-13-2017)

News from August 12, 2017

Saturday Michigan Notebook: Earnhardt Jr. reminisces about his time at Michigan; Kahne on the search for a ride next season; DiBenedetto will return to Go Fas Racing in 2018; Hendrick teammates will go to backup cars.[More](8-12-2017)

Happy Hour (final) practice for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#2-Keselowski 200.865
#78-Truex, Jr. 200.172
#22-Logano 199.734
#21-Blaney 199.673
#18-Busch 199.529
slowest: #55-Sorenson 188.299. #48-Johnson did not complete a lap.
best 10 consecutive lap average (of 17 drivers): #42-Larson 198.331mph.
notes: #17-Stenhouse got into the outside wall. The team will repair the car. #48-Johnson wrecked and will have to go to a backup car. #5-Kahne also hit the outside wall and will have to move to a backup.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (8-12-2017)

Matt DiBenedetto to return to Go Fas Racing for the 2018 season: Go Fas Racing is proud to announce that Matt DiBenedetto and Gene Nead have agreed to a contract extension keeping them both with the #32 team throughout the 2018 season. The pair has brought significant improvements to the Go Fas team this season, improving approximately seven spots on average in both qualifying and race finishes. With the ability to improve even further and build their program throughout the offseason, the team expects to keep climbing up the standings.[More](8-12-2017)

Saturday 1st practice for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#42-Larson 202.532
#2-Keselowski 202.332
#48-Johnson 202.310
#21-Blaney 202.003
#24-Elliott 201.884
slowest: #15-Cope 189.245 & #51-McLeod 188.363.
most laps run: #13-Dillon, 32 laps.
Best 10 consecutive lap average (of 5 drivers): #18-Busch 199.966mph.
Christopher Bell ran a few laps in the #11. He will fill in for Hamlin if Hamlin would leave the track for the birth of his second child.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 2 Speeds page (pdf)(8-12-2017)

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway have been made.
With the field downsized to 40 cars, three pit stalls (41,42,43) have been eliminated, are not in play and don’t count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Pole sitter #2-Keselowski chose pit stall 4, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #22-Logano, Jr. took pit stall 3.
#4-Harvick, who starts 3rd, took the 8th stall.
The final pit stall was taken by #1-McMurray, who starts 7th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(8-12-2017)

Hornish Jr. edges Hemric to claim first Mid-Ohio victory: Sam Hornish Jr. dominated Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series Mid-Ohio Challenge, but his victory was anything but certain until the waning laps of a caution-filled race. Hornish, driving Team Penske’s No. 22 Ford Mustang, earlier had eclipsed his own qualifying record at the 13-turn, 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and edged series rookie Daniel Hemric by 1.335 seconds when the event ultimately went green for the final time with five circuits remaining in the 75-lap distance.[More](8-12-2017)

Sam Hornish, Jr. wins Mid-Ohio XFINITY race: #22-Sam Hornish, Jr. won the Mid-Ohio Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It is his 5th XFINITY Series win and 1st win of the year in just 3 races. #21-Daniel Hemric finished second (a career best), followed by #19-Matt Tifft (career best), #20-James Davison (career best), #07-Andy Lally (career best), #1-Elliott Sadler, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #48-Brennan Poole, #42-Justin Marks, and #28-Dakoda Armstrong.
Blake Koch won the first stage. Hornish, Jr. won the second stage.
There were 9 cautions for 27 laps and 9 lead changes among 5 leaders.
There was a red flag on lap 17 for track cleanup and fence repair after an accident by Matt Bell and another with 8 laps remaining to clean the track after a multi-car accident.
The average speed was XXXXXXXXXXmph.
Complete results are on the Mid-Ohio race results page (pdf).
(8-12-2017)

Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 20 – Winner, #11-Blake Koch
Stage 2 – lap 40 – Winner, #22-Sam Hornish, Jr.
Stage 3 – lap 75 – Race winner, #22-Sam Hornish, Jr.

Mid-Ohio XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Sam Hornish Jr. won the 5th Annual Mid-Ohio Challenge, his fifth victory in 117 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in four races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Daniel Hemric (second) posted his first top-10 finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2017.
Matt Tifft (third) posted his first top-10 finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Daniel Hemric (second) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 81 points over William Byron #.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(8-12-2017)

XFINITY Driver standings following Mid-Ohio:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler, 763
2) #9-William Byron, 682, -81
3) #7-Justin Allgaier, 621, -142
4) #48-Brennan Poole, 581, -182
5) #21-Daniel Hemric, 567, -196
6) #00-Cole Custer, 505, -258
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 494, -269
8) #16-Ryan Reed, 457, -306
9) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 431, -332
10) #11-Blake Koch, 431, -332
11) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 421, -342
12) #5-Michael Annett, 410, -353
13) #39-Ryan Sieg, 376, -387
14) #14-JJ Yeley, 364, -399
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(8-12-2017)

Sam Hornish, Jr. on XFINITY pole at Mid-Ohio: #22-Sam Hornish, Jr won the Coors Light pole for the Mid-Ohio 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a speed of 96.863mph. #1-Elliott Sadler will start second. The rest of the top 10: #11-Blake Koch, #16-Ryan Reed, #19-Matt Tifft, #21-Daniel Hemric, #2-Ben Kennedy, #7-Justin Allgaier, #00-Cole Custer, and #48-Brennan Poole.
Did Not Qualify: None.
The starting lineup is posted on the Mid-Ohio starting lineup page (pdf).(8-12-2017)

Mid-Ohio XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
Sam Hornish Jr. won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 5th Annual Mid-Ohio Challenge with a lap of 83.921 seconds, 96.863 mph.
This is his ninth pole in 117 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first pole and third top-10 start in 2017.
This is his third pole in four races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Elliott Sadler (second) posted his 10th top-10 start of 2017 and his third in five races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Blake Koch (third) posted his first top-10 start at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It is his sixth in 21 races this season.
Matt Tifft (fifth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(8-12-2017)

Hornish paces final XFINITY practice: #22-Sam Hornish, Jr. was quickest in final practice at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a speed of 94.857mph.
#20-James Davison was second, followed by: #19-Matt Tifft, #18-Regan Smith, #00-Cole Custer, #21-Daniel Hemric, #1-Elliott Sadler, #11-Blake Koch, #7-Justin Allgaier, and #4-Ross Chastain.
#98-Casey Mears wrecked into the barriers near the end of practice after having a brake issue, which cut the session short. His team brought out the backup car.
37 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Mid-Ohio practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(8-12-2017)

Wallace wins Michigan: #99-Darrell Wallace, Jr. won the LTi Printing 200 at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday after an intense battle with multiple drivers in the closing laps. When it was all said and done, Wallace took the checkered flag over #4-Christopher Bell, and #51-Kyle Busch, who claimed two stage wins earlier in the day.
In what marked his return to Truck Series action after focusing on competition in the XFINITY and Cup Series, it was his first win since 2014, and his sixth overall.
#16-Ryan Truex, #19-Austin Cindric, #88-Matt Crafton, #18-Noah Gragson, #98-Grant Enfinger, #29-Chase Briscoe, and #24-Justin Haley were the remainder of the top-10.
There were five caution flags for23 laps and seven lead changes among seven leaders.
See results on the Michigan race results page(8-12-2017)

Stage Information:
Stage 1 – 30 laps, winner, #51-Kyle Busch
Stage 2 – 60 laps, winner, #51-Kyle Busch
Stage 3 – 100 laps, winner, #99-Darrell Wallace, Jr.

Michigan Truck Series Race Fast Facts:
Darrell Wallace Jr.(i) won the 18th Annual LTi Printing 200, his sixth victory in 45 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in three races at Michigan International Speedway.
Christopher Bell (second) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Michigan International Speedway. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2017.
Kyle Busch(i) (third) posted his ninth top-10 finish in ten races at Michigan International Speedway.
Austin Cindric (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Christopher Bell leads the point standings by 37 points over Johnny Sauter.
This is the first win for truck owner Matthew Miller and MDM Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
(NASCAR Statistics)(8-12-2017)

Truck Series point standings following Michigan:
1) #4-Christopher Bell, 572
2) #21-Johnny Sauter, 535, -37
3) #88-Matt Crafton, 510, -62
4) #29-Chase Briscoe, 509, -63
5) #16-Ryan Truex, 431, -141
6) #27-Ben Rhodes, 426, -146
7) #98-Grant Enfinger, 412, -160
8)#8-John Hunter Nemechek, 404, -168
9) #18-Noah Gragson, 382, -190
10) #19-Austin Cindric, 361, -211
See complete standings on Driver points standings page and the owner’s standings are posted on the Owner points standings page.(8-12-2017)

Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution at Michigan: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #83-Peck, 28th
Caution 2: #50-Reaume, 19th
Caution 3: #21-Sauter, 18th
Caution 4: #45-Bell, 16th
Caution 5: #45-Bell, 16th
(8-12-2017)

Crafton on pole at Michigan: #88-Matt Crafton won the pole for Saturday’s LTi Printing 200 at Michigan International Speedway with a speed at 184.256mph. #21-Johnny Sauter will start second. #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #29-Chase Briscoe, #18-Noah Gragson, #98-Grant Enfinger, #24-Justin Haley, #19-Austin Cindric, #99-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #51-Kyle Busch were the rest of the top-10.
Every truck qualified since there were only 30 entries.
The starting lineup is posted on the Michigan starting lineup page(8-12-2017)

Michigan Qualifying Fast Facts:
Matt Crafton won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 18th Annual LTi Printing 200 with a lap of 39.076 seconds, 184.256 mph.
This is his 13th pole in 397 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first pole and 11th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his third pole in 16 races at Michigan International Speedway.
Johnny Sauter (second) posted his 11th top-10 start of 2017 and his seventh in nine races at Michigan International Speedway.
John H. Nemechek (third) posted his first top-10 start at Michigan International Speedway. It is his seventh in 13 races this season.
Chase Briscoe (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(8-12-2017)

News from August 11, 2017

Michigan’s Brad Keselowski wins the pole at his home track : Brad Keselowski will start on the pole for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400, after taking the top spot from fellow Ford driver Ryan Blaney, who had posted the fastest times to that point, but bobbled twice in his run in the final qualifying round on Friday at Michigan International Speedway.[More](8-11-2017)

#2-Brad Keselowski won the Coors Light pole for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway with speed of 203.097mph for his 2nd pole of 2017, 1st at Michigan and 14th of his career. Keselowski has won 2 times from the 13 previous poles.
#22-Logano will start 2nd followed by #4-Harvick, #20-Kenseth, #24-Elliott, #18-Busch, #1-McMurray, #77-Jones, #42-Larson, #11-Hamlin, #14-Bowyer, and #21-Blaney.
Blaney was fastest in both the first and second rounds.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 39 were entered for 40 possible spots.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(8-11-2017)

Michigan International Speedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Brad Keselowski won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 48th Annual Pure Michigan 400 with a lap of 35.451 seconds, 203.097 mph.
This is his 14th pole in 292 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and 17th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in 17 races at Michigan International Speedway.
Joey Logano (second) posted his 14th top-10 start of 2017 and his 11th in 18 races at Michigan International Speedway.
Kevin Harvick (third) posted his 14th top-10 start at Michigan International Speedway. It is his 15th in 23 races this season.
Erik Jones (eighth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(8-11-2017)

Second Round of Qualifying for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#21-Blaney 203.120
#2-Keselowski 203.069
#4-Harvick 202.674
#42-Larson 202.572
#22-Logano 202.304
the rest of the top 12: 24 77 11 18 1 20 14
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 78 17 41 19 3 10 88 37 6 48 5 43
(8-11-2017)

First Round of Qualifying for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#21-Blaney 201.686
#24-Elliott 201.292
#42-Larson 201.072
#4-Harvick 200.289
#77-Jones 200.239
the rest of the top 24: 22 17 78 11 18 5 48 20 14 2 1 41 37 19 6 3 10 88 43;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 31 95 32 38 47 27 72 34 13 23 83 33 15 55 51.
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 39 entered.
(8-11-2017)

Kahne talks about 2018: Kasey Kahne met with members of the media at Michigan International Speedway and discussed his reaction to the announcement that he will not return to the #5 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in 2018, his thoughts on where he might race next season, and other topics.[More](8-11-2017)

Friday Michigan Notebook: Clint Bowyer is feeling the playoff pressure; Kyle Larson’s action-packed schedule isn’t slowing; Joey Logano and his wife Brittany are looking forward to being parents.[More](8-11-2017)

Friday practice for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#21-Blaney 203.591
#18-Busch 202.327
#11-Hamlin 201.935
#78-Truex, Jr. 201.856
#2-Keselowski 201.805
slowest: #15-Cope 187.047 & #51-McLeod 184.016.
most laps run: #88-Earnhardt, Jr. 27 laps.
No driver ran 10 consecutive laps during this practice.
#18-Busch got into the outside wall with less than 10 minutes left. The team will repair the car.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(8-11-2017)

GMS Racing Welcomes Karl Chevrolet for Michigan:GMS Racing announced that Karl Chevrolet will serve as primary sponsor for reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Johnny Sauter in Saturday’s event at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). While this is the first time Karl Chevrolet has partnered with Sauter during his tenure at GMS Racing, Sauter and Moyer have a relationship that dates back to the early 2000’s.[More](8-11-2017)

Nemechek paces final Michigan Truck practice:#8-John Hunter Nemechek was fastest during final practice for Saturday’s LTi Printing 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway with a speed of 186.795mph. #21-Johnny Sauter, #88-Matt Crafton, #99-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #51-Kyle Busch, #27-Ben Rhodes, #24-Jutsin Haley, #4-Christopher Bell, #18-Noah Gragson, #98-Grant Enfinger were the top-10. 24 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 2 speeds (pdf)(8-11-2017)

Crafton fastest in opening Michigan Truck practice: #88-Matt Crafton was fastest during the opening practice for Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedwat at 187.744mph. #29-Chase Briscoe, #98-Grant Enfinger, #16-Ryan Truex, #51-Kyle Busch, #21-Johnny Sauter, #33-Kaz Grala, #99-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #19-Austin Cindric, and #27-Ben Rhodes were the remainder of the top-10. 25 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 1 speeds (pdf)(8-11-2017)

Bristol expected to treat track again before race UPDATE: For the third consecutive NASCAR race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, track officials confirmed to The Racing Experts that once again, the speedway will be treating the lower groove of the racing surface with the PJ1 TrackBite substance.(8-4-2017)
UPDATE: Since Bristol Motor Speedway officials introduced an innovative track prep process one year ago involving the application of a traction compound to the lower groove of its half-mile all-concrete oval, the process has proved to be a success. As the Green Flag readies to wave for the UNOH 200 Camping World Truck Series event on Wednesday, Aug. 16, BMS track officials are preparing to add the treatment to the lower groove once again. It will be applied before all three major NASCAR races during the weekend.[More](8-11-2017)

Tony Stewart returns to Texas for “Smoke Show” fantasy camp:Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will make a return to stock-car racing at Texas Motor Speedway to take part in the “Smoke Show” Fantasy Camp set for Wednesday, Oct. 11. Stewart, who retired from NASCAR competition last year, returns to the track as the host of the “Smoke Show” Fantasy Camp benefitting the Texas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. A limited number of spots remain to take part in this unique experience that offers fans the chance to walk in the shoes of a Cup Series driver on race day and run 20 competitive laps on Texas Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval in a Team Texas Driving Experience stock car.[More](8-11-2017)

News from August 10, 2017

What to Watch for: Michigan: Larson Looks to Make It Three Straight at Michigan;Dale Jr. Looks to Break Streak at Michigan… Again; Can Chase Elliott Break Through? Who’s Hot and Who’s Not and more[More](8-10-2017)

Michigan/Mid-Ohio Weekend Preview: Elliott eyes Michigan win; Sadler hopes to visit Victory Lane at Mid-Ohio; Bell can notch fifth win at Michigan.[More](8-10-2017)

Chevrolet unveils 2018 Camaro ZL1 NASCAR Cup Race Car: new era in Chevrolet motorsports starts today with the introduction of the Camaro ZL1 as the new race car for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson – driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports – joined Mark Reuss, executive vice president of GM Global Product Development, to reveal the new race car at Chevrolet’s headquarters in Detroit.[More](8-10-2017)

Sheldon Creed to make XFINITY debut at Mid-Ohio: Sheldon “The Showstopper” Creed, makes his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut this coming weekend in the Mid-Ohio Challenge at the famed Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and returns to the Trans Am Series for the third time this season in the First Energy Trans Am 100. Creed will pilot the #01 United Rentals/A.M. Ortega Chevrolet Camaro for JD Motorsports and the #77 Speedlogix/United Rentals/A.M. Ortega Dodge Challenger for Stevens-Miller Racing in his first visit to the challenging 2.25-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio circuit.[More](8-10-2017)

GMS Racing throwback to honor Michael Waltrip: GMS Racing announced today that Spencer Gallagher and Allegiant will change their normal blue and white paint scheme to honor Michael Waltrip’s 1986 No. 23 Hawaiian Punch Pontiac at the historic Darlington Raceway on September 2nd in the annual Throwback weekend.[More](8-10-2017)

Hino Motors Manufacturing rejoins Truex for Michigan return: Ryan Truex returns to Michigan International Speedway for his second-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the two-mile tri-oval on the strength of a season-best third-place finish. For the second-consecutive trip to the Irish Hills, Truex will carry the black and red colors of Hino Motors Manufacturing at MIS.[More](8-10-2017)

Martinsville Speedway welcomes back Texas Roadhouse for Truck race sponsorship: For the second year in a row, Texas Roadhouse will join Alpha Energy Solutions to the sponsor the Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on October 28. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, with more than 500 locations in 49 states and 6 countries, Texas Roadhouse opened its doors in 1993. The family-friendly restaurant is famous for hand-cut steaks, made-from-scratch sides, fresh-baked bread, and its lively atmosphere. The Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions is the first race in the second round of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs. Last year, Johnny Sauter won the race, on his way to winning the series championship. Kids 12-and-under are admitted free to the Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions.[More](8-10-2017)

Bristol to celebrate Dale Jr’s last stand: For more than 20 years, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been a fixture at Bristol Motor Speedway, both as a kid in Victory Lane with his dad and as a driver taming the all-concrete high banks. As he prepares for his final week behind the wheel at The Last Great Colosseum, both the Speedway and guests from all around the world will be there to salute his BMS legacy.[More](8-10-2017)

Irwindale Speedway to close: After years of uncertainty whether racing would continue at Irwindale Speedway, operators said Wednesday the racetrack will close in January 2018. In an emailed statement, Jim Cohan, CEO of Team 211 Entertainment, which runs the Irwindale Event Center housing the speedway, expressed surprise at receiving word this week from the property’s owners notifying him they would shut down the facility.[More](8-10-2017)

News from August 9, 2017

A look at many new, notes and story lines for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Michigan

Future of #77 team will depend on sponsorship: Furniture Row Racing owner Barney Visser said the team is searching for sponsorship to continue running the #77 car next season but hasn’t found any. “We’ve got no sponsorship right now for the 77,” Visser told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Wednesday. “So we’ve got to find something. We don’t want to give up that car, but if we don’t get sponsorship, we’ll have to. We’re doing everything we can to get that to come together.”[More](8-9-2017)

Almirola comments on 2018 rumors: Frontstretch spoke with #43-Aric Almirola at Pocono Raceway, discussing his return to NASCAR competition, expectations moving over and the future with Richard Petty Motorsports.[More](8-9-2017)

Hendrick, Byron press conference transcript: William Byron and Rick Hendrick met with the media Wednesday to discuss the announcement that Byron will be piloting the #5 Chevrolet in 2018 for Hendrick Motorsports.[More](8-9-2017)

Wipes.com and Leavine Family Racing announce partnership for the Bristol night race: Leavine Family Racing (LFR) is excited to announce a partnership with Wipes.com for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday August, 19th, 2017.Wipes.com chose LFR and the NASCAR platform to launch their new product line “Pit Wipes”, a disposal washcloth line targeted at the outdoor and active lifestyle industry. The team and Wipes.com are continuing to partner on other ventures throughout the remainder of the 2017 and into the 2018 season.[More](8-9-2017)

William Byron to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2018: Record-breaking teenager William Byron will drive for 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports beginning next season. He will debut at stock car racing’s highest level in the 2018 Daytona 500 and compete for rookie of the year honors. Byron’s No. 5 Chevrolet team will feature sponsorship from Axalta Coating Systems and Liberty University, which currently support the 19-year-old driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Beginning in 2018, the two primary sponsors will cover the majority of Byron’s Cup races annually. Additional details of the multi-year partnerships will be announced at a later date.[More](8-9-2017)

Watkins Glen TV ratings UPDATE: NBCSN earned a 1.9 overnight rating for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at the Glen.(8-7-2017)
UPDATE: NASCAR Cup Series racing from Watkins Glen (N.Y.) earned a 2.0 rating and 3.3 million viewers on NBCSN Sunday afternoon, down 13% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year, when coverage aired on USA Network opposite the Olympics (2.3, 3.8M), and down 20% and 18% respectively from 2015 (2.5, 4.0M).[More](8-9-2017)

XFINITY teams can use flange-fit composite body at three races this year, full-time by 2019: NASCAR XFINITY Series teams will have the option of using a flange-fit composite body at three races later this season as the series moves toward incorporating the body into competition full-time by 2019.[More](8-9-2017)

Watkins Glen post-race penalty: JR Motorsports’s #9 team crew chief David Elenz has been fined $10,000, suspended from the next NASCAR XFINITY Series Championship Points Event, and the team assessed with the loss of 10 driver points and 10 owner points following the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International for a violation of Section 20.17.3.2.2.2: Post-Race Rear Body Inspection Heights. JGL Racing’s #28 team Crew chief Steven Lane and car chief Rick Markle have been suspended for the next three NASCAR XFINITY Series Championship Points Events under Section 20.17.2.1: Overall Vehicle Weight affixed improperly.[NASCAR](8-9-2017)
UPDATE: Statement from Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports, regarding the penalties incurred by the No. 9 team from Watkins Glen.
“After communicating with NASCAR on the penalty incurred by the No. 9 team following last weekend’s race at Watkins Glen, we recognize and accept it,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “The team will move on to Mid-Ohio this weekend with engineer Brandon McSwain serving as interim crew chief for William Byron and the No. 9 Axalta team. Director of Competition Ryan Pemberton will help call the race from pit road on Saturday.”[JR Motorsports](8-9-2017)

Two Chicago artists chosen in tie decision to design winner’s trophy for Tales of the Turtles 400 Cup race: Good Details and Nickelodeon teamed up to kick off A Good Day for Play with an art showdown featuring six renowned Chicago-based artists. Max Sansing, Sentrock, Tubsz, E.LEE, Lisa Gray and JC Rivera faced off in a three-day competition to create custom Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles murals in their respective artistic styles and have an opportunity to design the trophy for the MONSTER Energy NASCAR Cup Series race Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. The competition was tough, but the attendees and celebrity judges ended in a tie, selecting Tubsz and Max Sansing to co-design the trophy. Artist E. LEE will have his work featured on a trackside billboard.[More](8-9-2017)

News from August 8, 2017

Michigan will drag tires on track again: Michigan International Speedway, in consultation with NASCAR, is again dragging tires to help provide teams more grip for this weekend’s races, but there are a couple of changes, NBC Sports has learned.[More](-2017)

Corey LaJoie’s Darlington throwback to honor Davey Allison: One of the sport’s rising stars will pay tribute to a beloved racing hero during The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR at Darlington Raceway. That’s when Corey LaJoie will drive a special #23 Dr Pepper Toyota Camry with a design inspired by one of Davey Allison’s most famous rides. In 1984 and 1985, Allison drove a similar paint scheme in what is now the NASCAR XFINITY Series for his Dad’s team, Bobby Allison Racing.[More](8-8-2017)

A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Michigan, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Michigan page

Jimmie Johnson to wear the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope at Michigan: Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson will wear the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope, which features five charities working to improve K-12 public education, this weekend during the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn where a special paint scheme featuring the Jimmie Johnson Foundation (JJF) will be featured on his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet. As a show of support to Johnson’s efforts to raise funds for programs that support K-12 public education, a number of his NASCAR Cup Series competitors will display JJF-branded decals on the visors of their helmets.[More](8-8-2017)

Derrike Cope to drive his own throwback at Darlington with Mane ‘n Tail: Straight Arrow Products, Inc., the makers of the Original Mane ‘n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner have entrusted Derrike Cope to do a repeat performance in the #55 with Premium Motorsports at the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Throwback event at Darlington Raceway on Sunday September 3, 2017. Derrike Cope was the original driver of the 1994 Mane ‘n Tail #12 car owned by Bobby Allison Motorsports, and will be the only driver in NASCAR to be driving his own throwback scheme for the event.[More](8-8-2017)

Josh Wise retired from racing:Coming into the 2017 NASCAR season, a lot of the talk around the garage was how established veterans Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle were gone from full-time competition in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. One name that slipped under the radar was Josh Wise.[More](8-8-2017)

Akron Community Foundation joins Tifft as he plans double duty at Mid-Ohio: Matt Tifft will be running double duty this weekend competing in both the Mid-Ohio Muscle Car Challenge and the Mid-Ohio Challenge at Mid-Ohio. This week the No. 19 JGR Akron Community Foundation-Acquire Investments Toyota Camry will be on display for the Mid-Ohio Challenge. As a sponsor of Tifft’s No. 19 Camry, this will be the first time that Akron Community Foundation and Acquire Investments will be represented as the primary sponsors for the 2017 season.[More](8-8-2017)

Smith to pilot JGR entry at road course: Regan Smith will pilot the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. While he is a series veteran, it will still be a weekend of firsts for the Cato, New York, native. In addition to the race being his first start of the season in the XFINITY Series, it will also be his first time racing for JGR and being an ambassador for the Interstate Batteries brand.[More](8-8-2017)

James Davison to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing: Joe Gibbs Racing announces Melbourne, Australia native James Davison joins their XFINITY Series program to pilot the No. 20 Toyota Camry at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 12 and Road America on August 27.[More](8-8-2017)

Wallace, Jr. returns to truck action with MDM at MIS: Darrell Wallace Jr. will be making his return to NASCAR competition this weekend at Michigan International Speedway in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition. Wallace will drive the No. 99. MDM Motorsports entry in Saturday’s LTI Printing 200 with sponsorship from Maestro’s Classic, a company that specializes in beard care products.[More](8-8-2017)

Eighth annual Monster Miles for a Cause set for Saturday, Oct. 21 at Dover International Speedway: Several non-profit organizations and community groups will raise awareness and funds at Dover International Speedway this fall as the Monster Mile again hosts the eighth annual “Monster Miles for a Cause” on Saturday, Oct. 21. This year’s event is presented by Bayhealth. The event is free and open to all non-profit groups as an opportunity for them to use the Speedway’s grounds on Oct. 21 to raise awareness and funds for their organizations. [More](8-8-2017)

News from August 7, 2017

Watkins Glen overnight TV ratings: NBCSN earned a 1.9 overnight rating for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at the Glen.[More](8-7-2017)

Entry List for the Pure Michigan 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is posted, 39 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
36 teams with Charters are guaranteed to make the field. The rest need to make the field via qualifying / qualifying races / rules book (owners attempts/points).
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Cope, #23-LaJoie, #33-JEarnhardt, #51-TBA*, #55-Sorenson*, #83-Moffitt*.
Since only 39 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)

More Saturday qualifying next year? After two consecutive weekends of Cup teams qualifying shortly before they raced, are fans likely to see more of that next year? Cup teams qualified on Saturday after the Xfinity race last month at Indianapolis. Cup teams qualified a few hours before they raced the past two weekends at Pocono and Watkins Glen.[More](8-7-2017)

Kahne released from Hendrick Motorsports: Hendrick Motorsports and Kasey Kahne will end their six-year run together following the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season. The driver has been released from the final year of his contract, allowing him to immediately pursue opportunities for 2018.[More](8-7-2017)

Commercial breakdown and links related to the 2017 I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at the Glen: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race.[More](8-7-2017)

XFINITY Entry List: There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Mid-Ohio 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
See the complete list on the Mid-Ohio entry list page.(8-7-2017)

Truck Series entry list: There are 30 trucks entered for Saturday’s LTi Printing 200 at Michigan International Speedway. See the complete list on the Michigan entry list page (pdf).(8-7-2017)

Speedway Children’s Charities to host numerous events during Bristol race week: The Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) has numerous opportunities during the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race week that will both create amazing memories from the week, including a driver intro ride along with Dale Earnhardt Jr., but also make a difference raising money for children in need. Some of SCC’s opportunities include the Bristol Ultimate Experiences Online Auction, Memorabilia Live Auction, Night Race 5K presented by Bojangles, Meade Tractor Cornhole Classic, NRA Shooting Stars Tournament, 20th annual Speedway Children’s Charities Golf Tournament presented by Baker’s Construction Services, Half-Mile Hot Laps driven by Seat Time Racing School, the Night Race 5K presented by Bojangles, the 50/50 Raffle presented by Grand Home Furnishings and Johnsonville Brats sales in the Midway.[More](8-7-2017)

Watkins Glen would like earlier start time: With a third consecutive sellout of grandstand seating, Watkins Glen International has a very good thing going with its annual Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. The track’s president wants to keep it that way. While he categorized this year’s three-day event as “an awesome weekend” outside of a storm that canceled Friday’s planned Fan Fest, the ever-latening start time of Sunday’s featured race has him concerned.[More](8-7-2017)

News from August 6, 2017

Sunday Watkins Glen Notebook: For rookie Daniel Suárez, top-10 runs are becoming routine; Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch go another round at The Glen; Earnhardt makes early exit in final trip around Watkins Glen.[More](8-6-2017)

Truex wins the strategy game, grabs first victory at Watkins Glen: At a track where his father raced, and a track where he was a “garage rat” as a child, Martin Truex Jr. won Sunday’s I Love New York 355 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race by slowing down over the closing laps. Truex let Brad Keselowski pass him for the lead on Lap 77 of 90. On instructions from crew chief Cole Pearn, Truex also let Ryan Blaney past his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota on Lap 83.[More](8-6-2017)

Martin Truex, Jr. won the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International for his 4th win of 2017, 1st win at Watkins Glen, and 11th career win.
The race came down to fuel mileage, with most drivers pitting with 36 laps to go and many trying to stretch it. #21-Blaney led with 3 to go before running out of gas.
#20-Kenseth finished 2nd then #19-Suarez, #11-Hamlin, #14-Bowyer, #41-Busch, #18-Busch,#21-Blaney, #47-Allmendinger, and #77-Jones.
Pole sitter #18-Busch won the first stage, but made contact with #2-Keselowski midway through the race and spun out. He had to pit, putting him off sequence from the leaders, and could not get back to the lead.
#19-Suarez won the second stage.
#78-Truex Jr’s. driver points lead increases to 116 points over #18-Busch.
There were 9 lead changes among 6 drivers and 3 cautions for 8 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 104.132mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)

Race Fast Facts – Watkins Glen
Martin Truex Jr. won the 32nd Annual I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen, his 11th victory in 427 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his fourth victory and 15th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in 12 races at Watkins Glen International.
Matt Kenseth (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 18 races at Watkins Glen International. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2017.
Daniel Suarez (third) posted his career-best Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series finish.
Martin Truex Jr. leads the point standings by 116 points over Kyle Busch.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(8-6-2017)

2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver Standings:
[after Watkins Glen, race 22 of 36]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr [4], 881
2) #18-Kyle Busch [1], 765, -116
3) #42-Kyle Larson [2 wins], 759, -122
4) #4-Kevin Harvick [1], 746, -135
5) #11-Denny Hamlin [1], 687, -194
See full standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)

2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs:
[after Watkins Glen, race 22 of 36, 4 more races until the playoffs]
drivers with at least one win
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 4 wins
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3 wins
3) #42-Kyle Larson, 2 wins
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2 wins
5) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2 wins
6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 1 win
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 1 win
8) #21-Ryan Blaney, 1 wins
9) #41-Kurt Busch, 1 win
10) #31-Ryan Newman, 1 win
11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 1 win
12) #3-Austin Dillon, 1 win
13) #18-Kyle Busch, 1 win
currently in on points
14) #24-Chase Elliott, 648, +39 ahead of 17th
15) #1-Jamie McMurray, 643, +34
16) #20-Matt Kenseth, 637, +28
currently outside the playoffs
17) #14-Clint Bowyer, 609, -28 behind 16th
18) #22-Joey Logano, [1 win but can’t be used for playoffs], 542, -95
19) #19-Daniel Suarez, 508, -129

Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 40) of the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International (lap 40/90):
#19-Suarez, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#78-Truex, Jr., 9pts
#20-Kenseth, 8pts
#21-Blaney, 7pts
#77-Jones, 6pts
#11-Hamlin, 5pts
#2-Keselowski, 4pts
#41-Busch, 3pts
#18-Busch, 2pts
#47-Allmendinger, 1pt

Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 20) of the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International (lap 20/90):
#18-Busch, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#78-Truex Jr., 9pts
#24-Elliott, 8pts
#42-Larson, 7pts
#2-Keselowski, 6pts
#1-McMurray, 5pts
#22-Logano, 4pts
#47-Allmendinger, 3pts
#5-Kahne, 2pts
#17-Stenhouse, Jr. 1pt

Kyle Busch won the Coors Light pole for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International with speed of 126.925mph for his 6th pole of 2017, 2nd at Watkins Glen and 25th of his career. Busch has won 5 times from the 24 previous poles, including last weekend at Pocono.
#42-Larson will start 2nd followed by #78-Truex, Jr., #24-Elliott, #19-Suarez, #77-Jones, #47-Allmendinger, #2-Keselowski, #1-McMurray, #48-Johnson, #11-Hamlin, and #14-Bowyer
#24-Elliott was fastest in the first round with a speed of 126.076mph, will start 4th
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 37 were entered.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(8-6-2017)

First Round of Qualifying for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is over, after 25 scheduled minutes.
#24-Elliott 126.076
#78-Truex, Jr. 125.991
#1-McMurray 125.926
#19-Suarez 125.477
#18-Busch 125.434
the rest of the top 12: 2 42 11 77 14 48 47;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to the final round: 95 20 21 37 41 4 22 27 5 17 31 13 10 72 3 43 88 6 38 34 83 15 33 23 32
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 37 entered
(8-6-2017)

News from August 5, 2017

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International have been made.
With the field downsized to 40 cars, three pit stalls (12,24,43) have been eliminated, are not in play and don’t count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Due to Sunday qualifying, pit stall were chosen based on Pocono qualifying.
Pocono Pole sitter #18-Busch chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter at Pocono, #78-Truex, Jr. took pit stall 25, with an opening in front of it.
#1-McMurray, who qualified 3rd at Pocono, took the 7th stall.
The final pit stall was taken by #48-Johnson, who qualified 14th at Pocono..
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(7-30-2017)

Danica Patrick’s future will depend on sponsorship: Amid one of the most productive stretches of her NASCAR career, Danica Patrick faces the possibility that it could all end after this season because of sponsorship shortfalls. Or at least end at Stewart-Haas Racing. And in an interview with USA TODAY Sports on Saturday at Watkins Glen International, she seems at peace with the prospect.[More](8-5-2017)

Saturday Watkins Glen Notebook: Dale Earnhardt Jr. needs more speed to be a contender; As a free agent, Kurt Busch says he has more options; Jimmie Johnson expects Kyle Busch to complete track bucket list; Steph Curry’s performance – in golf – impresses Denny Hamlin.[More](8-5-2017)

Kurt Busch confirms SHR does not pick up option for ’18: Kurt Busch didn’t appear stressed Saturday morning talking about his contract status — he is now a free agent and able to look for 2018 — and whether he would return to Stewart-Haas Racing next season. The 2004 NASCAR Cup champion has driven for SHR since 2014, but sponsor Monster Energy has not announced a decision on whether it would return to SHR and Busch.[More](8-5-2017)

Happy Hour (final) practice for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#2-Keselowski 125.880
#41-Busch 125.862
#1-McMurray 125.598
#14-Bowyer 125.387
#11-Hamlin 125.281
slowest: #33-Said 119.739
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 4 drivers): #11-Hamlin 123.825mph
notes: #33-Said got off course at the bus stop and ran through the grass, tearing up the front of the car. The team will try to repair the car.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (8-5-2017)

Qualifying Order for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #43-Almirola.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #41-Busch.
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).(8-5-2017)

Saturday 1st practice for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#18-Busch 125.516
#78-Truex 124.797
#11-Hamlin 124.546
#1-McMurray 124.525
#77- Jones 124.467
slowest: #15-Klutt 119.268 & #23-Lajoie 118.998
most laps run: #34-Cassill, 19; #13-Dillon, 17
#34-Cassill was the only driver to run 10 consecutive laps during this practice.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(8-5-2017)

Kyle Busch gets breakthrough NASCAR XFINITY win at The Glen:With a victory in Saturday’s Zippo 200, Kyle Busch continued to tick items off his bucket list. Recovering from a wheel-hop and spin in Turn 1 on Lap 17 of 82 along with a penalty for driving through too many pit boxes, Busch claimed his first NASCAR XFINITY Series win at the 2.45-mile Watkins Glen International road course, beating polesitter Joey Logano to the finish line by 1.049 seconds.[More](8-5-2017)

Kyle Busch wins Watkins Glen XFINITY race: #18-Kyle Busch won the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International. It is his 90th XFINITY Series win, but only his first at Watkins Glen. Pole sitter #12-Joey Logano finished second, followed by #22-Brad Keselowski, #7-Justin Allgaier, #2-Paul Menard, #41-Kevin Harvick, #3-Ty Dillon, #20-Erik Jones, #62-Brendan Gaughan, and #9-William Byron.
There were 5 cautions for 15 laps and 8 lead changes among 5 leaders.
The average speed was 92.569mph.
Complete results are on the Watkins Glen race results page (pdf).
(8-5-2017)

Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 20 – Winner, #22-Brad Keselowski
Stage 2 – lap 40 – Winner, #2-Paul Menard
Stage 3 – lap 82 – Race winner, #18-Kyle Busch

Watkins Glen XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Kyle Busch won the 23rd Annual Zippo 200 at The Glen, his 90th victory in 336 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his fourth victory and seventh top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in ten races at Watkins Glen International.
Joey Logano (second) posted his seventh top-10 finish in ten races at Watkins Glen International. It is his seventh top-10 finish in 2017.
Brad Keselowski (third) posted his eighth top-10 finish in nine races at Watkins Glen International.
William Byron (10th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 52 points over William Byron #.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(8-5-2017)

XFINITY Driver standings following Watkins Glen:
1) #1-Elliott Sadle, 732
2) #9-William Byron, 680, -52
3) #7-Justin Allgaier, 608, -124
4) #48-Brennan Poole, 541, -191
5) #21-Daniel Hemric, 520, -212
6) #00-Cole Custer, 503, -229
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 460, -272
8) #16-Ryan Reed, 446, -286
9) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 404, -328
10) #11-Blake Koch, 394, -338
11) #5-Michael Annett,392, -340
12) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 383, -349
13) #39-Ryan Sieg, 347, -385
14) #14-JJ Yeley, 340, -392
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(8-5-2017)

Ratings jump for Trucks, XFINITY after move to broadcast networks: The Xfinity Series race from Iowa posted a 1.1 rating and 1.7 million viewers on NBC – up 83% in ratings and 58% in viewership from last year (0.6, 1.1M) and up 57% and 60% respectively from 2015 (0.7, 1.0M), both of which aired on NBCSN.[More](8-5-2017)

Logano on XFINITY pole at Watkins Glen: #12-Joey Logano won the Coors Light pole for the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International with a speed of 124.185mph. #18-Kyle Busch will start second. The rest of the top 10: #42-Kyle Larson, #2-Paul Menard, #22-Brad Keselowski, #20-Erik Jones, #7-Justin Allgaier, #21-Daniel Hemric, #00-Cole Custer, and #41-Kevin Harvick.
Did Not Qualify: #25-PJ Jones.
The starting lineup is posted on the Watkins Glen starting lineup page (pdf).(8-5-2017)

Watkins Glen XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
Joey Logano won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 23rd Annual Zippo 200 at The Glen with a lap of 71.023 seconds, 124.185 mph.
This is his 34th pole in 167 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his third pole and seventh top-10 start in 2017.
This is Logano’s third pole in ten races at Watkins Glen International. All his poles have come consecutively, and he won the race following his two previous Watkins Glen poles.
Kyle Busch (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2017 and his ninth in ten races at Watkins Glen International.
Kyle Larson (third) posted his third top-10 start at Watkins Glen International. It is his ninth in nine races this season.
Daniel Hemric (eighth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(8-5-2017)

Fan Appreciation Weekend returns to Richmond Raceway: Richmond Raceway will once again host Fan Appreciation Weekend during its September NASCAR weekend. Members of the NASCAR industry are coming together to show their appreciation for some of the greatest fans in all of sports. Like last year, fans will be showered with praise and thanks in numerous different ways.[More](8-5-2017)

News from August 4, 2017

Tax lien issued against BK Racing: The IRS issued a tax lien against BK Racing this week, the third tax lien against the organization since in less than a year. The tax lien issued Tuesday to the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office against BK Racing is for$180,794.97. The lien is for the tax period ending March 31.[More](8-4-2017)

Friday Watkins Glen Notebook: Joey Logano hopes to take advantage of favorable schedule; Brendan Gaughan set to enjoy his favorite month of racing; Short strokes.[More](8-4-2017)

Murstein says NASCAR needs a spending cap: Andrew Murstein, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, says NASCAR team owners need to agree to a spending cap to create a “level playing field” in the Cup Series. “Every single league has a cap now these days, it creates a level playing field,” Murstein told NBC Sports. “It’s salaries … its wind-tunnel time, it’s the whole kit and caboodle. It’s better for the fans, I think, if there is a level playing field. No one can outspend the other guy. It’s better for the owners. It creates more competition, more excitement.”[More](8-4-2017)

StarCom Fiber sponsoring Cope at Michigan: Premium Motorsports’ driver Derrike Cope is looking forward to the fast pace of Michigan International Speedway and so is his returning primary partner, StarCom Fiber, LLC. Their partnership launched this year at Pocono Raceway in June and they are anxious to continue it at the fastest track on the NASCAR circuit in the Irish Hills for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, ‘Pure Michigan 400’.[More](8-4-2017)

Joey Logano paces final XFINITY practice: #12-Joey Logano was quickest in final practice at Watkins Glen International with a speed of 121.948mph.
#18-Kyle Busch was second, followed by: #22-Brad Keselowski, #16-Ryan Reed, #2-Paul Menard, #42-Kyle Larson, #41-Kevin Harvick, #20-Erik Jones, #21-Daniel Hemric, and #7-Justin Allgaier.
All 41 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Watkins Glen practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(8-4-2017)

Brad Keselowski fastest in first XFINITY practice: #22-Brad Keselowski was fastest during opening practice at Watkins Glen International with a speed of 122.200mph.
The rest of the top 10: #18-Kyle Busch, #12-Joey Logano, #2-Paul Menard, #42-Kyle Larson, #7-Justin Allgaier, #20-Erik Jones, #41-Kevin Harvick, #00-Cole Custer, and #3-Ty Dillon.
36 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Watkins Glen practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(8-4-2017)

Bristol expected to treat track again before race: For the third consecutive NASCAR race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, track officials confirmed to The Racing Experts that once again, the speedway will be treating the lower groove of the racing surface with the PJ1 TrackBite substance.[More](8-4-2017)

Steel Woods to perform NXS post-race concert at Bristol: There’s nothing like the mix of racing and music and Bristol Motor Speedway will have plenty of both during the upcoming Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race week. In addition to the previously announced Cody Jinks pre-race concert on Saturday, Aug. 19, Southern rock band The Steel Woods and country music artist Lance Stinson highlight the musical offerings of the weekend.[More](8-4-2017)

News from August 3, 2017

What to watch for: Watkins Glen: Will 1 Start a Win Streak for Kyle Busch? Who Can Steal a Playoff Berth at Watkins Glen? Hendrick 1 Win Away From 250. Johnson In Midst of Slump. Harvick Goes for Road Course Sweep.[More](8-3-2017)

Watkins Glen Weekend Preview: Allmendinger attempts to clinch playoff spot at Watkins Glen; Custer hopes to continue recent success at The Glen.[More](-2017)

Boris Said returns to the #33: This week, the # 33 Genesee Brewing Company Chevrolet will take the track at Watkins Glen during the Monster Energy Cup Series Race, piloted by NASCAR icon Boris Said. Fans will have a chance to meet the man behind the machine as he journeys to Watkins Glen this week.[More](8-3-2017)

Bubba Wallace could run Chicagoland Cup race: Nickelodeon’s Anthony DiCosmo told SBJ that if stars aligned, Nick could be interested in sponsoring Bubba Wallace for September Cup race.[More](8-3-2017)

Pocono overnight TV ratings UPDATE: NBCSN’s coverage of the Cup Series race from Pocono earned a 2.01 overnight rating.(7-31-2017)
UPDATE: NASCAR Cup Series racing from Pocono (Pa.) earned a 2.2 final rating and 3.7 million viewers on NBCSN Sunday afternoon, down 15% in ratings and 14% in viewership from 2015 (2.6, 4.3M). Last year’s race was postponed due to rain.[More]

McDowell honoring Kulwicki with Darlington throwback: Michael McDowell and Leavine Family Racing (LFR) are thrilled to reveal their throwback weekend scheme honoring the late Alan Kulwicki. Kulwicki, who passed away in a plane crash in 1993, worked out of LFR’s current race shop building his championship winning cars. In an effort to honor his legacy, LFR and McDowell will be running a special scheme commemorating Kulwicki’s 1986 rookie season.[More](8-3-2017)

Mobil 1 To Continue As ‘Official Motor Oil Of NASCAR’: Today, at the NASCAR Fuel For Business meetings in New York City, NASCAR® and ExxonMobil announced the renewal of a long-standing partnership that will continue to designate the Mobil 1™ brand as the “Official Motor Oil of NASCAR®”. The newly signed agreement will extend the successful partnership to 20 years, which has been highlighted by marketing and technological innovation that has catalyzed growth across both entities.[More](8-3-2017)

Sad News – Harry Scott: Former NASCAR team owner Harry Scott, who fielded cars in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2013 to ’16, died Wednesday. He was 51. Scott owned HScott Motorsports, which purchased Phoenix Racing in August 2013 and competed up until last season primarily with drivers Justin Allgaier, Clint Bowyer and Michael Annett.[More](8-3-2017)

Ryan Preece will return to the #20 at Kentucky: Ryan Preece will return to the Xfinity Series less than two months after his big win last weekend at Iowa Speedway. Preece, appearing on NASCAR America, announced he’ll be back in Joe Gibbs Racing’s #20 Toyota on Sept. 23 at Kentucky Speedway.[More](8-3-2017)

Hunt Brothers Pizza goes back to its roots with throwback paint scheme: Hunt Brothers Pizza will pay tribute to its first year in NASCAR with a throwback paint scheme on the No. 41 Ford Mustang Kevin Harvick will drive during the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 NASCAR XFINITY Series race Sept. 2 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.[More](8-3-2017)

News from August 2, 2017

Earnhardt, Jr. unveils Homestead paint scheme: When Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes the checkered flag at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 19, his career as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver will come to a close. What better way to sign off a tremendous 18-year run than to do so in a car that carries the paint scheme he raced from the very beginning? The No. 88 Axalta/AutoNation Chevrolet that Earnhardt Jr. will race during the season-ending 400-mile event at Homestead will feature the iconic scheme from 1999, with a black roof, red main panels and raked side stripes that wrap around to the AutoNation-branded TV panel at the rear. [More](8-2-2017)

Start/finish line is now the overtime line for races: NASCAR has standardized the location of the Overtime Line as the start/finish line, a decision that will be implemented immediately ahead of this weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series races at Watkins Glen International. Prior to today’s announcement, NASCAR had typically placed the Overtime Line near the entrance of turn 3 on oval tracks. That process is now a consistent location for tracks of all types, with the leader now needing to complete a full lap in NASCAR Overtime before a race can be considered complete.[More](8-2-2017)

Pocono / Iowa post-race penalties: Several penalties were issued following the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series races at Pocono Raceway and the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Iowa Speedway, including #77-Jones. Crew chief (Chris Gayle) has been fined $50,000 and suspended for two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Points Events. Team has been assessed with the loss of 25 owner points and 25 driver points.[More](8-2-2017)

Brett Moffitt driving for BK Racing at Watkins Glen and Michigan:BK Racing announced today that Brett Moffitt will take over as driver of the #83 Toyota Camry this weekend for the I Love New York 355 at Watkins Glen International and in next week’s Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. JAS Expedited Trucking will be the primary sponsor on board the #83 for Watkins Glen.[More](8-2-2017)

A look at many new, notes and story lines for the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Watkins Glen

FIELDS on Harvick’s #41 for Watkins Glen XFINITY race: FIELDS makes its debut with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) as a primary sponsor with driver Kevin Harvick. FIELDS is an internationally recognized sports fields and parks master planning, pre-construction, construction, maintenance and operations organization headquartered in the greater Atlanta area. It provides end-to-end or single-source solutions to a wide range of clients who are seeking to address their sports applications needs.[More](8-2-2017)

Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee sponsoring Chastain: The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) and Xfinity Series driver Ross Chastain today held a meet-and-greet at Watkins Glen State Park to promote seat belt use. Chastain’s GTSC-sponsored race car sports the “Protect Your Melon” logo that is part of the campaign to promote the safe driving habit of buckling up.[More](8-2-2017)

Taughannock Aviation and the Ithaca Airport sponsoring Smithley at Watkins Glen: Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH) and Taughannock Aviation are returning to sponsor Garrett Smithley’s No. 0 Chevrolet in Saturday’s Zippo 200 at the Glen Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International in New York. The Ithaca Airport and Taughannock previously sponsored Ross Chastain and JD Motorsports at the Glen. This year they return to be part of the JD Motorsports Xfinity three-car team once again.[More](8-2-2017)

VISIONS Federal Credit Union joins Yeley as primary sponsor at Watkins Glen: VISIONS Federal Credit Union will join forces with Yeley and TriStar Motorsports as the primary sponsor of the No. 14 Toyota. Headquartered in Endwell, NY, VISIONS Federal Credit Union is member-owned and committed to the communities they’ve been serving for more than 50 years.[More](8-2-2017)

Byron’s Darlington throwback a tribute to Ricky Hendrick: William Byron is part of the future of JR Motorsports, and someday, he will be part of the future of Hendrick Motorsports. A month from now, at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Byron and his No. 9 Liberty University team from JRM will honor the memory of Ricky Hendrick with a special throwback paint scheme.[More](8-2-2017)

Midstate Basement to sponsor Sieg at The Glen: RSS Racing is pleased to announce Midstate Basement Authorities as the primary sponsor for Watkins Glen this weekend. Midsate Basement Authorities is Central New York’s trusted full-service basement and foundation contractor. They joined Sieg last season at Watkins Glen and Dover as a primary sponsor. Additionally, Herbies Crumb Cake will be an associate sponsor for the #39 Chevrolet for this weekend’s XFINITY race. Paul Clapprood has been working with the #39 team the last few weeks will again return at Watkins Glen to help call the shots. [More](8-2-2017)

NBC Sports Group partners with MRN for Xfinity race broadcast at Watkins Glen: NBC Sports Group and Motor Racing Network will partner to present NASCAR Xfinity Series race coverage from Watkins Glen International, at 2 p.m. ET Saturday, August 5 on NBCSN. Featuring a collaboration of NBC Sports Group and MRN’s expertise covering live NASCAR races, Saturday’s race telecast will be called from multiple vantage points throughout the historic 2.45 – mile road course in Watkins Glen, NY.[More](8-2-2017)

Friesen team penalized following Pocono: The #52-Stewart Friesen team received a penalty following the race at Pocono Raceway for having a lug nut not properly installed. Crew chief Trip Bruce was fined $2,500.[More](8-2-2017)

Brad Keselowski to honor family with throwback paint schemes:Brad Keselowski will honor his family’s rich racing heritage at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on September 3 with throwback paint schemes on the No. 19 and No. 29 Ford F-150s.[More](8-2-2017)

First Data to sponsor fall Martinsville race: First Data, a global leader in commerce-enabling technology, announced Wednesday it will enter into a three-year agreement, running through 2019, with Martinsville Speedway to be the entitlement sponsor of the fall Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, starting with the First Data 500, on October 29. In addition, First Data’s Clover platform, a business management and point-of-sale payments solution, will be deployed at three International Speedway Corporation tracks this season: Martinsville, Phoenix Raceway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.[More](8-2-2017)

News from August 1, 2017

Rated Red debuts on Kahne’s #5 at Watkins Glen: This weekend at Watkins Glen, Kasey Kahne will pilot the No. 5 Rated Red Chevrolet SS. The Rated Red paint scheme will also adorn the No. 5 Chevrolet SS at Bristol Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports docuseries “Road to Race Day” can be seen on Complex Networks’ Rated Red available on go90.[More](8-1-2017)

A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Watkins Glen, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Watkins Glen page

Five Star Urgent Care on the #14 at Watkins Glen: Bowyer has plenty to accomplish this weekend when his Ford Fusion carries the Five Star Urgent Care paint scheme in practice Saturday and qualifying and racing Sunday. He arrives in New York 17th in the 16-driver playoffs, just 17 points behind Matt Kenseth, who holds the final playoff position. A victory automatically earns Bowyer a spot in the playoffs that begin in just five races.[More](8-1-2017)

Kurt Busch not returning to Stewart-Haas? Stewart-Haas Racing has informed Busch the organization will not pick up the option on the 2017 Daytona 500 winner and 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion for next season. [More](8-1-2017)

2018 National Series Driver Participation Guidelines Announced:With the emergence of NASCAR’s next generation of stars defining the 2017 season, NASCAR today announced new guidelines that will further highlight the young talent battling for championships in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.Starting next season, drivers with more than five years of full-time experience in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be limited to a maximum of seven races in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and five races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.[More](8-1-2017)

Gaulding, BK Racing in contract dispute: When both sides came together, [BK Racing owner Ron] Devine claimed they had a $2 million agreement for GGR Enterprises to pay BK Racing for Gaulding to stay in the car for the year. The agreement was broken down into a series of monthly payments based on GGR’s ability to bring sponsors to the table. It was a simple agreement that’s seen more often in modern-day NASCAR, a deal based on money and not performance.[More](8-1-2017)

JD Motorsports and MBM Motorsports to participate in reality series: AMG & 200 Productions new unscripted reality series, OPERATION THANK YOU, will follow two Carolina-based NASCAR racing teams, JD Motorsports and MBM Motorsports, as they build five special stock cars to honor the U.S armed forces. The series will culminate with the ‘Visit Myrtle Beach 200,’ a private racing event this fall at the Myrtle Beach Speedway.[More](8-1-2017)

Justin Marks returns to the #42 for two races: Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today that Justin Marks, 36, will return to pilot to the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) road-course races at Mid-Ohio (Aug. 12) and Road America (Aug. 26). Katerra, a Silicon Valley commercial construction company, will serve as a primary sponsor for both races.[More](8-1-2017)

Darlington partners with Monster for can recycling initiative:Darlington Raceway and Monster Energy are partnering to offer fans the opportunity to enjoy on-track activities on Friday, Sept. 1, for free by recycling any size Monster Energy can. Friday activities at Darlington Raceway feature practice sessions, four in total, for both the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 and NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 races.[More](8-1-2017)