September 2017 News Archives
News from September 30, 2017
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway have been made.
Pole winner #78-Truex Jr. chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #18-Busch took pit stall 9, with an opening in front of it.
#42-Larson, who starts 3rd, took pit stall 8, with an opening behind it.
The final pit stall was taken by #20-Kenseth, who starts 4th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-30-2017)
First Saturday practice for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#4-Harvick 156.535
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 156.413
#41-Busch 156.352
#1-McMurray 156.148
#77-Jones 156.121
slowest: #51-McLeod 145.191 & #66-Hill 147.360
best 10 consecutive lap ave (19 drivers) #18-Busch 155.165
most laps run: #2-Keselowski, 58; #1-McMurray, 57
notes: no accidents or incidents
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Practice 2 speeds page (pdf) (9-30-2017)
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Holds for Dover practices Quite a few Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams / drivers will be held on pit road at Dover for being late to qualifying tech inspection, failing pre-qualifying and/or pre-race technical inspection at New Hampshire last week or this week at Dover (see the list here)(9-30-2017)
The CorvetteParts.net team aims to complete a solid-run at the “Monster Mile” The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to the “Monster Mile” this weekend, the site of the third race of the NASCAR Playoffs. Matt DiBenedetto and the Go Fas Racing team will be bringing back their fan-favorite throwback scheme from earlier this year, courtesy of Tom and T.J. Keen from CorvetteParts.net. The gold and white scheme that will run this weekend is a nod to a famous Bobby Allison scheme that is among one of the most recognizable schemes in NASCAR history.(Go Fas Racing)[Read More Here](9-30-2017)
Brad Keselowski and Nick Saban bond over football Four-time Talladega Superspeedway winner Brad Keselowski was down the road Thursday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama – affectionately known as ‘Title Town’ – on the campus of The University of Alabama to talk about his quest for another ‘Dega win, as well as a second NASCAR Championship. After meeting with head football coach Nick Saban, whose #1 ranked Crimson Tide team is known for exhibiting grit, determination and dominance, Keselowski knows all too well the process he and his team must follow upon his return to the state for the Alabama 500 at Talladega in just two weeks.(Talladega Superspeedway)[Read More Here](9-30-2017)
McDowell to run FDNY Foundation colors; still looking for 2018 rideMichael McDowell and Leavine Family Racing (LFR) are looking to build on their best finish at Dover International Speedway for the Apache Warrior 400. During the team’s last trip to Dover, McDowell captured his best finish at the “Monster Mile” and had one of their best ever races at the one-mile oval track. Not only is the team looking to build on their best finish at Dover, but also improve on their qualifying efforts. The team has struggled in qualifying trim during the past few weeks, but is optimistic that Dover will bring good results. LFR is excited to have the FDNY Foundation back on board the #95 Chevrolet SS for the fourth time this season. The team first partnered with the FDNY Foundation in Pocono and is honored to have the opportunity to race with the New York City Fire Department’s (FDNY) colors on board once again.(Leavine Family Racing)
AND Michael McDowell is searching for options after Leavine Family Racing announced it will have Kasey Kahne on board for the 2018 season. While the team would like to have two cars down the road, they’ve chosen the Hendrick Motorsports veteran as their primary option. “I’m not done yet,” McDowell told Frontstretch at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “I don’t feel that a door is closing altogether. I just think it’s a new chapter and I think I will be back here in the Cup Series. If not, I think I will be doing something in NASCAR at some level.” McDowell would be welcomed back to the organization if that opportunity materializes. And if he still needs a spot in the sport, Leavine will do what he can for his current driver – even if it’s putting him on top of the pit box. McDowell, meanwhile will try and continue in the sport any way he can for 2018. Just don’t throw out the driver label and call him a mechanic just yet.(Frontstretch)[Read More Here](9-30-2017)
Harrison Burton caps title run with victory at Dover Harrison Burton entered Dover International Speedway knowing he would need a top effort in order to claim the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship. Not only did Burton respond in kind, he claimed his first Monster Trophy and a NASCAR title as he wheeled his way to victory in the “National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 125 presented by Carl Deputy And Son Builders” NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season finale on Friday at the Monster Mile. Burton, the 16-year-old son of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Jeff Burton, secured his fifth victory of the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season and topped Todd Gilliland by eight points in the final standings.(Dover International Speedway)[Read More Here](9-30-2017)
Blaney asserts his dominance in NASCAR XFINITY Series win at Dover: Once Ryan Blaney got the lead in Saturday’s Use Your Melon. Drive Sober 200 at Dover International Speedway, it was “game over” in the second NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoff race of the season. After Playoff driver William Byron led every lap of the 60-circuit first stage and banked a playoff point, Blaney took the lead off pit road under caution on Lap 64. Blaney kept his No. 22 Team Penske Ford out front the rest of the way, except for one lap led by Daniel Suarez on pit road under caution after the conclusion of Stage 2.[More](9-30-2017)
Ryan Blaney wins Dover XFINITY race: #22-Ryan Blaney won the Use Yor Melon. Drive Sober 200. at Dover International Speedway. It is his 6th XFINITY Series win and 2nd of the year. #7-Justin Allgaier finished second, followed by #9-William Byron, #21-Daniel Hemric, #48-Brennan Poole, #19-Matt Tifft, #18-Daniel Suarez, #00-Cole Custer, #1-Elliott Sadler, and #62-Brendan Gaughan.
There were 5 cautions for 28 laps and 4 lead changes among 3 leaders.
The average speed was 111.975mph.
Complete results are on the Dover race results page (pdf).
(9-30-2017)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 60 – Winner, #9-William Byron
Stage 2 – lap 120 – Winner, #22-Ryan Blaney
Stage 3 – lap 200 – Race winner, #22-Ryan Blaney
Dover XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Ryan Blaney(i) won the 32nd Annual Use Your Melon. Drive Sober 200, his sixth victory in 60 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his second victory and eighth top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in six races at Dover International Speedway.
Justin Allgaier (P) (second) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 14 races at Dover International Speedway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2017.
William Byron (P) (third) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Dover International Speedway.
William Byron (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
Justin Allgaier (P) leads the point standings by 3 points over William Byron (P).
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-30-2017)
XFINITY Driver standings following Dover:
1) #7-Justin Allgaier, 2107
2) #9-William Byron, 2104, -3
3) #1-Elliott Sadler, 2094, -13
4) #00-Cole Custer, 2093, -14
5) #21-Daniel Hemric, 2090, -17
6) #48-Brennan Poole, 2082, -25
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 2067, -40
8) #16-Ryan Reed, 2055, -52
Four drivers will be eliminated after the Charlotte race:
9) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 2053, -54
10) #5-Michael Annett, 2048, -59
11) #11-Blake Koch, 2043, -64
12) #51-Jeremy Clements, 2035, -72
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(9-30-2017)
Chastain returning to JD Motorsports for 2018: Ross Chastain announced yesterday in the Dover International Speedway media center that he will be returning to the #4 car with JD Motorsports with Gary Keller full-time in the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Chastain has competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JD Motorsports since 2015. Chastain has made one Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start with Premium Motorsports earlier in 2017 and will compete in his second Cup race with them this weekend, and they are currently working on more Cup Series races together in 2018.[More](9-30-2017)
Byron on XFINITY pole at Dover: #9-William Byron won the Coors Light for the Use Your Melon. Drive Sober 200 at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 156.209mph. #18-Daniel Suarez will start second. The rest of the top 10: #20-Erik Jones, #7-Justin Allgaier, #42-Tyler Reddick, #00-Cole Custer, #48-Brennan Poole, #22-Ryan Blaney, #21-Daniel Hemric, and #1-Elliott Sadler.
Did Not Qualify:
The starting lineup is posted on the Dover starting lineup page (pdf).(9-30-2017)
Dover XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
William Byron (P) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 32nd Annual Use Your Melon. Drive Sober 200 with a lap of 23.046 seconds, 156.209 mph.
This is his second pole in 28 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his second pole and 19th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in two races at Dover International Speedway.
Daniel Suarez(i) (second) posted his ninth top-10 start of 2017 and his fifth in six races at Dover International Speedway.
Erik Jones(i) (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his 11th in 14 races this season.
William Byron (1st) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
This is the 400th NASCAR XFINITY Series pole for Chevrolet.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-30-2017)
Ben Rhodes claims first Truck win in thrilling race at Las Vegas: Ben Rhodes took the lead on the final restart and held off Christopher Bell to capture his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career win in Saturday night’s Las Vegas 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.[More](9-27-2017)
Rhodes wins Las Vegas: #27-Ben Rhodes held off a charge from #4-Christopher Bell at the finish to claim his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday night. The win locked him in to the next round of the playoffs.
#29-Chase Briscoe, #19-Austin Cindric, #33-Kaz Grala, #13-Cody Coughlin, #88-Matt Crafton, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #98-Grant Enfinger, and #21-Johnny Sauter closed out the top-10.
There were six caution flags for 32 laps and 11 lead changes among seven leaders.
See results on the Las Vegas race results page(9-30-2017)
Stage Information:
Stage 1 – 35 laps, winner, #19-Chase Briscoe
Stage 2 – 70 laps, winner, #27-Ben Rhodes
Stage 3 – 146 laps, winner, #27-Ben Rhodes
Las Vegas Truck Series Race Fast Facts:
Ben Rhodes (P) won the 21st Annual Las Vegas 350, his first victory in 45 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first victory and 11th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in two races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Christopher Bell (P) (second) posted his second top-10 finish in three races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is his 16th top-10 finish in 2017.
Chase Briscoe (P) (third) posted his first top-10 finish in his first start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Chase Briscoe (P) (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
Christopher Bell (P) leads the point standings by 47 points over Ben Rhodes (P).
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-30-2017)
Camping World Truck standings following Las Vegas:
1) #4-Christopher Bell, 5 wins, 2152
2) #27-Ben Rhodes, 1 win, 2105, -47
3) #88- Matt Crafton, 1 win, 2101, -51
4) #21-Johnny Sauter, 2 wins, 2098, -54
5) #29-Chase Briscoe, points, 2084, -68
6) #19-Austin Cindric, 1 win, 2082, -70
Two drivers will be eliminated following Talladega:
7) #33-Kaz Grala, 1 win, 2074, -78
8) #8-John Hunter Nemechek, 2 wins, 2068, -84
See complete standings on Driver points standings page and the owner’s standings are posted on the Owner points standings page.(9-30-2017)
Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution at New Hampshire: (and their finish)
Caution 1: none
Caution 2: #44-Self, 20th
Caution 3: #1-Anderson, 15th
Caution 4: #49-Chavous, 14th
Caution 5: #50-Reaume, 16th
Caution 6: #88-Crafton, 7th
(9-30-2017)
Truex on Truck pole at Las Vegas: #16-Ryan Truex won the pole for Saturday night’s Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a speed at 177.194mph. #21-Johnny Sauter will start alongside in row one. #29-Chase Briscoe, #4-Christopher Bell, #88-Matt Crafton, #27-Ben Rhodes, #19-Austin Cindric, #24-Justin Haley,#51-Myatt Snider, and #98-Grant Enfinger close out the top-10.
Remaining Round of 8 Playoff drivers #33-Kaz Grala will start 14th and #8-John Hunter Nemechek qualified 15th.
Failed to qualify: none
The starting lineup is posted on the Las Vegas starting lineup page(9-30-2017)
Las Vegas Qualifying Fast Facts:
Ryan Truex won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 21st Annual Las Vegas 350 with a lap of 30.475 seconds, 177.194 mph.
This is his second pole in 37 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his second pole and 10th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in his first start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Johnny Sauter (P) (second) posted his 16th top-10 start of 2017 and his fourth in nine races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Chase Briscoe (P) (third) posted his first top-10 start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is his 12th in 18 races this season.
Chase Briscoe (P) (third) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-30-2017)
Grala paces final Las Vegas Truck practice: #33-Kaz Grala was fastest during final practice for Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a speed of 179.045mph. #18-Noah Gragson was second fastest, followed by #4-Christopher Bell, #21-Johnny Sauter, #16-Ryan Truex, #51-Myatt Snider, #88-Matt Crafton, #19-Austin Cindric, #27-Ben Rhodes and #24-Justin Haley in the top-10. 28 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 2 speeds (pdf)(9-30-2017)
Sauter fastest in opening Las Vegas Truck practice: #21-Johnny Sauter was fastest during the opening practice for Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a speed of 179.468mph.#16-Ryan Truex was second, followed by #88-Matt Crafton, #18-Noah Gragson, #52-Stewart Friesen, #29-Chase Briscoe, #19-Austin Cindric, #4-Christopher Bell, #24-Justin Haley, #33-Kaz Grala. 20 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 1 speeds (pdf)(9-30-2017)
NHMS proposing 3-day music festival next year UPDATE 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)(8-27-2017)
UPDATE The Loudon Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously Thursday to grant New Hampshire Motor Speedway the variances it needs to hold a three-day country music festival next summer.
The country music festival would be promoted by Live Nation, a global entertainment company headquartered in Beverly Hills, Calif. The speedway estimates it would bring 20,000 visitors in August 2018. The application was passed with the special conditions that the festival be a three-day annual concert, with acts solely running from 2 to 10 p.m., occurring between June 1 and Sept. 1. Participants would be allowed to stay on the speedway grounds for a maximum of four nights – Thursday through Sunday. Before the ZBA made its decision, the public was asked to offer new testimony to build on what was provided at the prior hearing Aug. 24, which went on for more than four hours. New Hampshire Motor Speedway General Manager and Executive President David McGrath said at the Aug. 24 meeting that the performers for the festival would be “A-list” and “top-notch” country music acts. There would be four to six acts per day. In a statement Thursday, McGrath said the ZBA’s decision is “terrific news for music fans, local business and for tourism in the Capitol Region. We deeply value our relationship with the people of Loudon and surrounding communities and thank the members of the Loudon Zoning Board for their support” he said. “A recent impact study concludes the country music festival will have an overwhelmingly positive economic impact on the region.”(Concord Monitor)[Read More Here](9-30-2017)
News from September 29, 2017
#78-Martin Truex Jr. won the Coors Light pole for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway with speed of 160.664mph for his 2nd pole of 2017, 3rd at Dover and 14th of his career. Truex Jr. has won 1 time from the 13 previous poles at Charlotte in May 2016.
#18-Busch will start 2nd followed by ##42-Larson, #20-Kenseth, #19-Suarez, #11-Hamlin, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #31-Newman, #4-Harvick, #77-Jones, #21-Blaney and #24-Elliott.
#18-Busch was fastest in the second round with a speed of 160.800mph, will start 2nd
#18-Busch was fastest in the first round with a speed of 159.631mph, will start 2nd
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 40 were entered for 40 spots
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(9-29-2017)
Martin Truex Jr. edges Kyle Busch for Dover pole The two drivers who have seized control of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff continued their domination in Friday’s knockout qualifying session at Dover International Speedway. Navigating the Monster Mile in 22.407 seconds (160.664 mph) in the final round, #78-Truex edged #18-Kyle Busch (160.392 mph) for the top starting spot in Sunday’s Apache Warrior 400, the elimination race in the Playoff’s Round of 16. Truex won his second Coors Light Pole Award of the season, his third at Dover-the closest facility to his Mayetta, New Jersey home town-and the 14th of his career. Winner of a series-best five races this season, Truex will start on the front row for the ninth time this season. Going for his third straight qualifying sweep, Busch was fastest in the first and second rounds but fell short in the third. With last Sunday’s victory at New Hampshire, Busch also is guaranteed a spot in the Round of 12.(NASCAR Wire Service)[Read More Here](9-30-2017)
2017 MENCS Playoff Drivers Starting Positions at Dover
[using current playoff standings]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr. 1st
2) #42-Kyle Larson 3rd
3) #18-Kyle Busch 2nd
4) #2-Brad Keselowski 16th
5) #11-Denny Hamlin 6th
6) #20-Matt Kenseth 4th
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson 17th
8) #21-Ryan Blaney 11th
9) #24-Chase Elliott 12th
10) #4-Kevin Harvick 9th
11) #1-Jamie McMurray 26th
12) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 15th
13) #3-Austin Dillon 23rd
14) #31-Ryan Newman 8th
15) #41-Kurt Busch 13th
16) #5-Kasey Kahne 21st
Dover International Speedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
#78-Martin Truex Jr. (P) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 48th Annual Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil with a lap of 22.407 seconds, 160.664 mph.
This is his 14th pole in 434 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and 24th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his third pole in 24 races at Dover International Speedway.
#18-Kyle Busch (P) (second) posted his 25th top-10 start of 2017 and his 16th in 26 races at Dover International Speedway.
#42-Kyle Larson (P) (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his 19th in 29 races this season.
#19-Daniel Suarez (fifth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-29-2017)
Second Round of Qualifying for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#18-Busch 160.800
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 160.235
#42-Larson 160.178
#19-Suarez 159.674
#31-Newman 159.539
the rest of the top 12: 21 78 11 4 20 77 24
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 41 43 17 2 48 22 14 6 5 37 3 10
(9-29-2017)
First Round of Qualifying for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#18-Busch 159.651
#42-Larson 159.497
#21-Blaney 159.426
#41-Busch 159.320
#11-Hamlin 159.271
the rest of the top 24: 24 20 4 77 14 48 2 43 19 17 31 78 37 6 5 10 22 3 88
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 27 1 47 38 13 95 34 15 72 83 66 51 23 33 55 32
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 40 entered
(9-29-2017)
Coverage of Qualifying for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is scheduled for Friday, September 29, 2017 at 3:40pm/et.
Television (TV): NBCSN, 3:30pm/et
Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
Group qualifying under the three-round qualifying format:
• Round 1 — All entries will have 20 minutes to post a qualifying time, after which the 24 registering the fastest laps will advance to the second round. Those failing to advance will be sorted based on first-round times in descending order (from fastest to slowest).
• Round 2 — The 24 fastest from the first round will have 10 minutes to post a second-round qualifying time, with the 12 fastest advancing to a third round. Those not advancing will earn starting positions 13 through 24 based on time, again in descending order.
• Round 3 — The final round will be five minutes in length. The fastest times from this session will determine the first (Coors Light Pole Award) through 12th starting positions.
There will be a seven-minute break between each round; teams may make adjustments to their entries only during the individual breaks. They will not be allowed to jack the vehicle or raise the hood, and once the car or truck enters the garage, it will no longer be permitted to return to the track for additional qualifying attempts.
Qualifying Order for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #88-Earnhardt Jr.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #47-Allmendinger.
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).(9-29-2017)
First practice for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#20-Kesneth 162.550
#42-Larson 162.023
#48-Johnson 162.023
#18-Busch 161.980
#4-Harvick 161.696
slowest: #33-JEarnhardt 148.748 & #51-McLeod 149.322
most laps run: #22-Logano and #6-Bayne, 29
Best 10 consecutive lap ave: #14-Bowyer. 155.856 (3 drivers)
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(9-29-2017)
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Drivers Practice rank
[using current playoff standings]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr. 8th fastest
2) #42-Kyle Larson 2nd
3) #18-Kyle Busch 4th
4) #2-Brad Keselowski 16th
5) #11-Denny Hamlin 9th
6) #20-Matt Kenseth 1st
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson 3rd
8) #21-Ryan Blaney 15th
9) #24-Chase Elliott 7th
10) #4-Kevin Harvick 5th
11) #1-Jamie McMurray 14th
12) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 25th
13) #3-Austin Dillon 27th
14) #31-Ryan Newman 11th
15) #41-Kurt Busch 6th
16) #5-Kasey Kahne 19th
Patrick debuts #10 Ford Warriors in Pink at Dover Danica Patrick is driving the #10 Ford Warriors in Pink Fusion race car this weekend in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Apache Warrior 400 at Dover International Speedway. The debut of the special Warriors in Pink livery for Sunday’s race comes just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and marks Ford’s decades-long commitment to raising awareness and
funds in the fight against the disease. Patrick will take to the track again with the Warriors in Pink Fusion Oct. 8 for the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. To join Danica Patrick and Ford Warriors in Pink in the fight against breast cancer, please visit FordCares.com to access free tips, tools and resources that make it easy to give breast cancer patients More Good Days.(Ford Performance)[Read More Here](9-29-2017)
Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing Give Spinal Cord Injured a Day to Remember The giddy smiles said it all after spinal cord injured participants took a 135 mile per hour spin at Dover International Speedway with Martin Truex Jr. in an adaptive #78 race car donated by Furniture Row Racing. Kelly Brush, a paraplegic and skier from Charlotte, Vt. was one of the 10 participants Thursday, who got to experience the thrill of a few laps around the Monster Mile. Brush and other spinal cord injured got to drive the car which had special hand controls linked to the accelerator and braking. Known as NeuroGroove RaceDay, the event is a program aligned with Falci Adaptive Biosystems and its cutting edge technology to maximize the impact of bringing mobility to paraplegic, quadriplegic and disabled individuals. The founder of the program is Dr. Scott Falci, chief neurosurgeon at Craig Hospital in Denver.(Furniture Row Racing PR)[Read More Here]
Hikvision joins BK Racing for Dover Hikvision USA, Inc., a North American leader in award-winning video surveillance products and solutions, and leading integrator Vector Security, will be the primary sponsors for Brett Moffit’s #83 Camry this weekend for the Apache Warrior 400 at Dover International Speedway. Hikvision is the world’s leading supplier of video surveillance solutions.(BK Racing)[Read More Here](9-29-2017)
Dover NASCAR National Series News The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series travels to Dover International Speedway Sunday for the Round of 16 Playoffs cutoff race – the Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil. The lowest four drivers in points without a win in the Round of 16 will be eliminated following the race. Jimmie Johnson will attempt to defend his June Dover victory and add to his track victories record with a 12th checkered flag on Sunday. But more importantly, a win will advance Johnson to the Round of 12 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as he chases another record – eight championships. Martin Truex Jr. has already clinched a spot in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 via his win at Chicagoland. Still, he’d like to defend his Dover Playoff victory from last season. Truex, from nearby Mayetta, New Jersey, would like to win again in front of his hometown fans and add five more playoff points to his series-leading total of 59. With the lowest four winless drivers in points falling out of the playoffs following Sunday’s Apache Warrior 400, one of the biggest parts of the event will be the races within the race. Right now, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. owns the final transfer spot. He’s tied with Austin Dillon in points, but holds the tiebreaker right now with a better high Round of 16 finish – 15th at New Hampshire compared to Dillon’s 16th at Chicagoland. Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne, 17 and 21 points below the cutoff line, respectively, for advancement to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16, can still advance on points, but likely need a win at Dover to advance in the postseason.(NASCAR)[See Full Notes Here](9-29-2017)
Waste Masters Solutions featured on Newman’s #31 at Dover Waste Masters Solutions is the primary partner of the #31 team for this weekend’s race at Dover International Speedway. Waste Masters Solutions provides commercial and industrial clients with reliable, flexible and high-quality waste solutions. As a privately-owned company, Waste Masters Solutions is large enough to service your needs but small enough to care. A U.S. Veteran owned company, with over 100 years of combined industry experience and access to a nationwide network of partners, Waste Masters offers its clients a variety of innovative environmental services, including recycling, commercial and industrial waste solutions, concrete washout, portable restroom services and more. For more information, visit www.WasteMasters.com.(Richard Childress Racing)(9-29-2017)
NASCAR sponsor not worried about Trump, anthem publicity A spokesman for NASCAR’s first-year title sponsor said the publicity stemming from some owners’ opinions on national anthem protests likely will not impact its longevity in the sport. Monster Energy vice president of sports marketing Mitch Covington told USA TODAY Sports: “The comments should have no affect on our decision.” Lauded as an industry by Trump for its unanimity with his view, NASCAR became a foil for late-night television Monday. In his monologue on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the comedian wondered how African-American driver Bubba Wallace could make a lap without being stopped by police, even including Monster Energy in his punchline. Optics of the issue would seem important as Monster Energy must inform NASCAR this year whether it will pick up a two-year option that would run through 2020. Monster is currently in the first year of a two-year pact. Sports Business Journal reported this week that the energy drink company requested in late summer to extend its December deadline for the reported $20 million annual deal.(USA Today)(9-29-2017)
Bowman to drive for Ganassi in two XFINITY races: Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today that through their technical partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, Alex Bowman, 24, will pilot the #42 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) races at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oct. 7) and Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 11). Hendrick Automotive Group’s HendrickCars.com, which features more than 43,000 new and pre-owned cars for sale, will serve as the primary sponsor in Charlotte with additional support from Vannoy Construction. [More](9-29-2017)
Blaney paces final XFINITY practice: #22-Ryan Blaney was quickest in final practice at Dover with a speed of 152.672mph.
#9-William Byron was second, followed by: #33-Brandon Jones, #20-Erik Jones, #48-Brennan Poole, #3-Ty Dillon, #18-Daniel Suarez, #7-Justin Allgaier, #42-Tyler Reddick, and #4-Ross Chastain.
39 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-29-2017)
Ryan Blaney fastest in first XFINITY practice: #22-Ryan Blaney was fastest during opening practice at Dover with a speed of 154.275mph.
The rest of the top 10: #20-Erik Jones, #9-William Byron, #7-Justin Allgaier, #3-Ty Dillon, #48-Brennan Poole, #42-Tyler Reddick, #18-Daniel Suarez, #19-Matt Tifft, and #1-Elliott Sadler..
37 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-29-2017)
News from September 28, 2017
Jimmie Johnson, Breast Cancer Survivors and NASCAR XFINITY Series Drivers Paint Pit Wall Pink Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson joined breast cancer survivors, members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers to preview Breast Cancer Awareness Month by painting Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pit wall pink on Wednesday. The fourth annual Paint Pit Wall Pink event honored those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer and provided a fun morning for hundreds of survivors, who joined the drivers in using 150 gallons of paint, 200 brushes and 200 rollers to turn the 1,500-foot pit wall pink. Those in attendance also assembled more than 2,000 care packages for breast cancer patients and unveiled a pink Toyota Camry pace car that will lead the NASCAR XFINITY Series field in the Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina on Oct. 7. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina presented a $60,000 check to Susan G. Komen as part of the event.(Charlotte Motor Speedway)[Read More Here](9-28-2017)
Magic of Lights Holiday Display Coming to Daytona International Speedway During this year’s holiday season, the “World Center of Racing,” the largest lighted sports facility in North America, will transform into a holiday spectacle with the Magic of Lights drive-through holiday lights experience at Daytona International Speedway. FunGuys Events also revealed that Magic of Lights will feature all-new lights displays including new original designs and animations created especially for each of the world-class venues hosting the event. Magic of Lights’ own team of artists and fabricators have built a stunning set of new shows using the latest LED and digital animation technologies. Beginning Nov. 17 and running every day through the holidays from dusk to 10 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy a family holiday drive-through experience at Daytona International Speedway. The experience will include a drive behind the Ticket and Tours Building, through the world’s only motorsports stadium and conclude in the Midway display area outside the facility. Additional information about the route, including the entrance point, will be provided at a later date.(Daytona International Speedway)[Read More Here](9-28-2017]
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)
UPDATE A limited number of spots are still available to take part in the Tony Stewart “Smoke Show” Fantasy Camp benefitting Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas that is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Texas Motor Speedway. This year marks the 10th edition of the Tony Stewart “Smoke Show” and the event featuring the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has raised more than $1.6 million in funds for North Texas organizations. It continues to be the largest, single-day fundraiser for Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas, which assists organizations in Tarrant, Denton, Dallas and Collin counties. The event includes an afternoon of racing and entertainment, highlighted by a thrilling three-lap, ride-along around Texas Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval with Stewart behind the wheel. Packages for the “Smoke Show” begin at $6,000 and the sign-up deadline for those remaining openings is Wednesday, Oct. 4.(TMS)[Read More Here](9-28-2017)
Ingenuity Sun Media to get naming rights to Phoenix Raceway UPDATE: What’s in a name? For Phoenix International Raceway to become ISM Raceway starting in 2018, a total investment that could approach $100 million over 10 years, including installation of leading-edge digital technology designed to enhance the at-track experience for fans and corporate partners alike. ISM – Ingenuity Sun Media – will pay an annual single-figure million-dollar fee during the next decade for the track’s first-ever naming-rights sponsorship, azcentral sports has learned. The official announcement of ISM Raceway is scheduled for Tuesday.[More](9-25-2017)
UPDATE Phoenix Raceway and ISM Connect, a pioneer in smart venue technology, today announced a multi-year partnership that includes naming rights for the Raceway’s modernized venue as well as the installation of a groundbreaking digital fan engagement experience. Beginning in 2018, the venue will be known as ISM Raceway. ISM’s 360° Connect network will provide the modernized venue with advanced, robust technology and data capabilities to create meaningful connections between fans, partners and the venue itself. This will be done through the use of digital display screens, interactive experiences, social media integrations and a mobile app that will give fans access to unique content, in-seat ordering, and more.(Phoenix Raceway)[More](9-28-2017)
News from September 27, 2017
Ragan to Showcase Outdoor Gear Retailer TheHouse.com David Ragan’s #38 Ford Fusion will feature TheHouse.com, one of the largest outdoor gear retailers in the world, for five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races including Sunday’s event at Dover International Speedway. TheHouse.com, an online merchant specializing in outdoor gear, snowboards, skis, bikes, skateboards, wakeboards and much more, was recently acquired by #38 team partner Camping World, expanding its presence in the outdoor sports market. The gray and red TheHouse.com paint scheme will also adorn Ragan’s Front Row Motorsports Ford for upcoming races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. Camping World and its brands, which also include the Good Sam Club, the world’s largest organization of recreational vehicle (RV) owners, and watersports and marine retailer Overton’s, will be showcased on Ragan’s car for a total of 24 races in the 2017 season.(Front Row Motorsports)[Read More Here](9-27-2017)
Fresh Beards on Board for Dover with BK Racing, Corey LaJoie Fresh Beards, Americas’ finest beard company, will be on board Corey LaJoie’s #23 Camry this weekend in Dover, for the Apache Warrior 400. “We are stoked to partner with Corey LaJoie and BK Racing for the Apache Warrior 400 at Dover International Speedway. Corey’s style, beard, and convictions truly represent our brand well.” Said Fresh Beards owner, Zach Van Steenvoort “Fresh Beards is dedicated to maintaining what it means to be a man, and I can’t think of a better way to convey that than having our logo whipping around the track at 180 MPH.”(BK Racing)[Read More Here](9-27-2017)
Chastain to make 2nd career Cup start at Dover Ross Chastain is returning to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this weekend at Dover International Speedway, and he’ll be teaming up with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety to encourage race fans to “Use Your Melon” and Drive Sober. OHS will also be on board Chastain’s #4 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevy for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Sober 200. Chastain is scheduled to make his second career start in the Cup Series in the Apache Warrior 400 in Dover driving the #15 Premium Motorsports Chevy. Chastain made his Cup debut earlier this year at Dover and impressed many by scoring a top 20 finish. Both of Chastain’s cars will carry the theme of “Use Your Melon. Drive Sober.” for the Dover races to encourage drivers to always driver sober. This campaign is a follow-up the OHS and Chastain’s successful “Protect you Melon. Buckle Up.” messaging earlier in the year. The watermelon-themed logos and safety campaigns are inspired by Chastain’s family history of watermelon farmers and his ties to the watermelon growers’ associations.(JD Motorsports)[Read More Here](9-27-2017)
New tires and set-up for Dover: Goodyear will bring a different tire set-up to Dover Motor Speedway than it did for the spring race, with changes on both sides of the car. On the left-side, there is a compound change to give the cars more grip, as Goodyear tunes to NASCAR’s low downforce settings. On the right-side of the car, there is a construction change to enhance durability, as Goodyear has done at many speedways. The changes to the right-side are important because of the speeds and loads the tires on that side of the car experience with the high degree of banking at Dover. In addition to that, the tread compound used on the right-side is designed to rubber-in the concrete track surface to the appropriate level.(Goodyear)[Read More Here](9-27-2017)
Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Establishes $2 Million Endowed Chair Carolinas HealthCare System announced today a charitable commitment from the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation establishing a $2 million endowed chair in support of academic and research efforts at Levine Children’s Hospital. The funds will be designated to create the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders. Moving forward is second nature for philanthropist and four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, whose competitive spirit not only helped him emerge as a leader in the racing world, but in the race to find a cure for cancer. As the need for comprehensive cancer care in the region continues to grow, philanthropic support from donors and organizations such as the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation will help ensure that patients have access to world class care, regardless of where they live. To help support kids battling cancer and the efforts of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, you can learn more and donate at www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org..[Read More Here](9-27-2017)
News from September 26, 2017
New Hampshire post-race penalties NASCAR released the Post-Event Penalty Report for New Hampshire Motor Speedway & Kentucky Speedway: #14 Crew chief, Mike Bugarewicz, has been fined $10,000 for Lug nut(s) not properly installed.[Read More Here](9-26-2017)
Successful Goodyear Tire Test Concludes at Bristol: As the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series continues its march toward the end of the 2017 season, two competitors made the trek to Bristol Motor Speedway Tuesday for an official Goodyear Tire Test. Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders #77-Erik Jones and #13-Ty Dillon took to the high banks to test potential tire compounds for next year’s Bristol races, which includes the Food City 500 weekend, April 13-15 and the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race week, Aug. 15-18. Jones, who is moving next season to Joe Gibbs Racing from Furniture Row Racing represented Toyota, while Dillon, who drives for Richard Childress Racing’s satellite operation Germain Racing, got behind the wheel of an RCR Chevy SS.(NASCAR)[Read More Here](9-26-2017)
StarCom Racing launches to compete In Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: StarCom Racing will hit the track in 2017 as a new team in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The StarCom Racing launch comes after StarCom Fiber, a New Jersey based telecommunications company, was a primary sponsor in the Cup Series earlier this season. Owners and board of StarCom Fiber saw an amazing opportunity to begin their own NASCAR team while being heavily involved as a sponsor at the track. Veteran & highly respected driver in his field, Derrike Cope, will race StarCom Racing’s Chevy 00 as the current driver in 2017, however opportunities for other drivers with sponsorship may become available for the 2018 season[More](9-25-2017)
UPDATE 9-26-2017 per StarComRacing’s Twitter Due to personnel hiring & timing, StarCom Racing will withdraw from Dover to ensure a fully staffed quality crew. 00 will hit the track soon
News from September 25, 2017
Monster requests more time for NASCAR sponsorship decision: The reported deadline was December, but the decision will likely be pushed off to 2018.[More](9-25-2017)
New Hampshire TV ratings: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing TV Ratings from New Hampshire earned a 1.3 fast national rating.[More](9-25-2017)
NASCAR to reconsider how practice penalties are handled: A NASCAR executive said Monday “it’s fair for us to take a look” at the rule that forced Joey Logano to sit on pit road for an entire 50-minute practice session after his #22 Ford failed pre-qualifying inspection four times the day before. The rule was addressed by Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s chief racing development officer, on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive.”[More](9-25-2017)
NASCAR statement on National Anthem protests: “Sports are a unifying influence in our society, bringing people of differing backgrounds and beliefs together. Our respect for the national anthem has always been a hallmark of our pre-race events. Thanks to the sacrifices of many, we live in a country of unparalleled freedoms and countless liberties, including the right to peacefully express one’s opinion.”(NASCAR)(9-25-2017)
Entry List for the Apache Warrior 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway 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: #00-Cope*, #15-Chastain, #23-LaJoie, #33-JEarnhardt, #51-Ware*, #55-Sorenson*, #66-Long*.
The #83 team is currently no entered.
Since 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
Heroes Haven joins Smithley at Dover: Heroes Haven will partner again for the ninth consecutive race with JD Motorsports with Gary Keller at Dover International Speedway this weekend. Heroes Haven will be the primary sponsor on the No. 0 Chevrolet Camaro of driver Garrett Smithley, courtesy of Ken and Tracy Adams, in Saturday’s Drive Sober 200 Xfinity Series race at the Dover track. [More](9-25-2017)
Meding’s Seafood and Iron Souce return to sponsor Rhodes: Two Delaware businesses, Meding’s Seafood and Iron Souce, will once again team up as the primary sponsors on board the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 01 Chevrolet Camaro of Harrison Rhodes in the Drive Sober 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover International Speedway. [More](9-25-2017)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 39 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Use Yor Melon. Drive Sober 200. at Dover International Speedway.
See the complete list on the Dover entry list page.(9-30-2017)
JGL Racing parts ways with Dakoda Armstrong: JGL Racing announces that it has suspended driver duties effective immediately with Dakoda Armstrong. Armstrong has piloted the team’s #28 Toyota entry in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for the 2017 season with sponsorship for the program. However, due to lack of sponsorship payments, JGL Racing has been forced to make this drastic move for the rest of the 2017 season.[More](9-25-2017)
Chicago XFINITY TV ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Chicagoland had a 0.5 rating and 807,000 viewers on NBCSN last Saturday, down 55% in ratings and 52% in viewership from last year on the NBC broadcast network (1.1, 1.7M) and down 29% and 27% respectively from 2015 (0.7, 1.1M). It topped only the previous week’s race at Richmond (805K) as the series’ least-watched race this season. [More](9-25-2017)
Truck Series entry list: There are 27 trucks entered for Saturday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
UPDATE: Timothy Peters will reportedly be in the #02 in place of Tyler Young and Travis Pastrana was previously announced for the #45 in place of Bell.(9-25-2017)
See the complete list on the Las Vegas entry list page (pdf).
Ingenuity Sun Media to get naming rights to Phoenix Raceway What’s in a name? For Phoenix International Raceway to become ISM Raceway starting in 2018, a total investment that could approach $100 million over 10 years, including installation of leading-edge digital technology designed to enhance the at-track experience for fans and corporate partners alike. ISM – Ingenuity Sun Media – will pay an annual single-figure million-dollar fee during the next decade for the track’s first-ever naming-rights sponsorship, azcentral sports has learned. The official announcement of ISM Raceway is scheduled for Tuesday.[More](9-25-2017)
News from September 24, 2017
Commercial breakdown and links related to the 2017 ISM Connect 300: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race.[More](9-24-2017)
Sunday New Hampshire Notebook: Smoky crash KOs Stewart-Haas teammates Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch; Stenhouse rallies to keep Playoff hopes alive; Truex recovers from freak accident to finish fifth.[More](9-24-2017)
Kyle Busch dodges disaster to win Playoff race at New Hampshire:Kyle Busch didn’t need a smokescreen to win Sunday’s ISM Connect 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway – he simply had to survive one. Driving unscathed through a cloud of smoke on the backstretch on the final lap of the second stage, Busch, the polesitter, took control of the race at the halfway point and beat Kyle Larson to the finish line by 2.641 seconds.[More](9-24-2017)
Kyle Busch won the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his 3rd win of 2017, 3rd win at New Hampshire and 41st career win.
The win automatically advances Busch to the Round of 12 (or round 2) of the playoffs. He joins Truex, Jr, who won at Chicago, and Larson and Keselowski, who are in on points, in the round of 12 with one race left in the round of 16.
#42-Larson finished 2nd followed by #20-Kenseth, #2-Keselowski, #78-Truex, Jr., #77-Jones, #14-Bowyer, #19-Suarez, #21-Blaney, and #22-Logano.
Busch and Truex combined to dominate the race, leading 299 of the 300 laps between them.
Stage 2 ended under caution after #3-Dillon and #4-Harvick made contact off turn 2, spinning Harvick around. Several cars, including #41-Busch, #33-Earnhardt, #78-Truex, Jr., #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #10-Patrick and #11-Hamlin suffered some damage. Harvick, Busch, and JEarnhardt were knocked out of the race. After the damage to Truex, Kyle Busch led the rest of the race except for a brief period after pit stops when Truex only took two tires.
#78-Truex Jr’s points lead is 24 points over #42-Larson.
Stage 1 was won by #78-Truex, Jr., finished 5th.
Stage 2 was won by #18-Busch, finished 1st.
There were 6 lead changes among 3 drivers and 6 cautions for 32 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 108.958mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Pit Times (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – New Hampshire
Kyle Busch (P) won the 21st Annual ISM Connect 300, his 41st victory in 454 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and 17th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his third victory and 14th top-10 finish in 26 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Kyle Larson (P) (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in eight races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 17th top-10 finish in 2017.
Matt Kenseth (P) (third) posted his 21st top-10 finish in 36 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Erik Jones (sixth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Martin Truex Jr. (P) leads the point standings by 24 points over Kyle Larson (P).
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-24-2017)
Finish for the 16 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Drivers:
[by standings before New Hampshire (started)]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 5th (5)
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 2nd (2)
3) #4-Kevin Harvick, 36th (6)
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 4th (13)
5) #18-Kyle Busch, WON (1)
6) #11-Denny Hamlin, 12th (3)
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 14th (12)
8) #24-Chase Elliott, 11th (14)
9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 3rd (10)
10) #21-Ryan Blaney, 9thX (4)
11) #1-Jamie McMurray, 16th (11)
12) #3-Austin Dillon, 19th (17)
13) #41-Kurt Busch, 37th (7)
14) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 15th (24)
15) #5-Kasey Kahne, 35th (9)
16) #31-Ryan Newman, 13th (18)
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings:
[after New Hampshire, race 28 of 36, 2 of 10 in Playoffs, Next race (Dover) is cutoff to round of 12]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr.(1 win), 2149 (A)
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 2125 (clinched round of 12 spot on points)
3) #18-Kyle Busch(1 win), 2119 (A)
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2106 (clinched round of 12 spot on points)
5) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2088
6) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2087
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2076
8) #21-Ryan Blaney, 2070
9) #24-Chase Elliott, 2070
10) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2069
11) #1-Jamie McMurray, 2053
12) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2044
These drivers would not advance to Round 2
13) #3-Austin Dillon, 2044
14) #31-Ryan Newman, 2043
15) #41-Kurt Busch, 2027
16) #5-Kasey Kahne, 2023
(A) automatically advances to the next round of the playoffs with a win
See full standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 150) of the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (lap 150/300):
#18-Busch, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#20-Kenseth, 9pts
#42-Larson, 8pts
#2-Keselowski, 7pts
#77-Jones, 6pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 5pts
#11-Hamlin, 4pts
#48-Johnson, 3pts
#21-Blaney, 2pts
#1-McMurray, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 75) of the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (lap 75/300):
#78-Truex Jr., 10pts, 1 playoff point
#42-Larson, 9pts
#18-Busch, 8pts
#77-Jones, 7pts
#21-Blaney, 6pts
#20-Kenseth, 5pts
#2-Keselowski, 4pts
#48-Johnson, 3pts
#11-Hamlin, 2pts
#4-Harvick, 1pt
Peters wins late model race under the lights at Martinsville, plans Las Vegas Truck run with Young’s Motorsports: The demise of Red Horse Racing allowed Timothy Peters to focus on running more Late Model events with his friend and car owner Barry Nelson, becoming a regular competitor for the 2017 Virginia Late Model Triple Crown Series. Peters won his second ValleyStar Credit Union 300 on Saturday night at Martinsville Speedway, the first race run under Martinsville’s new lighting system. He plans to run a few more Late Model races with Barry Nelson before the year closes out, as well as a Truck race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Young’s Motorsports.[More](9-23-2017)
News from September 23, 2017
Saturday New Hampshire Notebook: Victory for Hamlin means confronting lobster phobia; Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t mind flying commercial – yet; Blaney hopes to keep up with race track; Short strokes[More](9-23-2017)
Joey Logano parked for Cup practice after car fails inspection four times: Joey Logano was parked in NASCAR’s penalty box. Logano was forced to strap in, put on his helmet and sit on pit road in the No. 22 Ford for the duration of a 50-minute Cup series practice Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. NASCAR cracked down on Logano and his Team Penske team because the car failed inspection four times before Friday’s aborted qualifying attempt.[More](9-23-2017)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been made.
With the field downsized to 40 cars, three pit stalls (26,42,43) have been eliminated, are not in play and don’t count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Pole sitter #18-Busch chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #42-Larson took pit stall 7, with an opening in front of it.
#11-Hamlin, who starts 3rd, took the 29th stall.
The final pit stall was taken by #20-Kenseth, who starts 10th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-23-2017)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#78-Truex 131.647
#4-Harvick 131.633
#18-Busch 131.515
#19-Suarez 131.506
#42-Larson 131.497
slowest: #55-Gaulding 126.291mph & #33-Earnhardt 126.236
best 10 consecutive lap avg: #21-Blaney 130.937
notes: #13-Dillon will start the race from a backup after getting into the wall late in practice.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (9-23-2017)
First Saturday practice for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#42-Larson 132.586
#21-Blaney 132.517
#78-Truex 132.503
#20-Kenseth 132.163
#11-Hamlin 132.071
slowest: #55-Gaulding 126.859 & #51-Ware 123.083
best 10 consecutive lap avg: #78-Truex 131.396
notes: no accidents or incidents
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Practice 2 speeds page (pdf) (9-23-2017)
Tyler Reddick earns first career win in XFINITY Series Playoffs opener at Kentucky Speedway: Running a partial NASCAR XFINITY Series schedule this season, Tyler Reddick spoiled the party for the opening round of the Playoffs by earning his first career win in Saturday night’s VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver took control of the lead 74 laps from the finish and never looked back. His 14.540-second margin of victory over teammate Brennan Poole was the largest in the series’ history at the 1.5-mile speedway in 16 years of competition. [More](9-23-2017)
Tyler Reddick wins Kentucky XFINITY race: #42-Tyler Reddick won the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway. It is his 1st XFINITY Series win in just his 15th start. A long green flag run at the end of the race allowed him to pull away for a 14.540 second margin of victory. #48-Brennan Poole finished second, followed by #7-Justin Allgaier, #20-Ryan Preece, #00-Cole Custer, #1-Elliott Sadler, #21-Daniel Hemric, #3-Brian Scott, #19-Matt Tifft, and #16-Ryan Reed.
There were 3 cautions for 14 laps and 8 lead changes among 5 leaders.
The average speed was 151.728mph.
Complete results are on the Kentucky race results page (pdf).
(9-23-2017)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 45 – Winner, #00-Cole Custer
Stage 2 – lap 90 – Winner, #00-Cole Custer
Stage 3 – lap 200 – Race winner, #42-Tyler Reddick
Kentucky XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Tyler Reddick won the 6th Annual VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300, his first victory in 15 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in two races at Kentucky Speedway.
Brennan Poole (P) (second) posted his third top-10 finish in six races at Kentucky Speedway. It is his 13th top-10 finish in 2017.
Justin Allgaier (P) (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 11 races at Kentucky Speedway.
Cole Custer (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Justin Allgaier (P) leads the point standings by 0 points over Cole Custer # (P).
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-23-2017)
XFINITY Driver standings following Kentucky:
1) #7-Justin Allgaier, 2057
2) #00-Cole Custer, 2057
3) #1-Elliott Sadler, 2055, -2
4) #21-Daniel Hemric, 2052, -5
5) #9-William Byron, 2051, -6
6) #48-Brennan Poole, 2047, -10
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 2036, -21
8) #16-Ryan Reed, 2034, -23
Four drivers will be eliminated from the playoffs after Charlotte
9) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 2026, -31
10) #11-Blake Koch, 2025, -32
11) #5-Michael Annett, 2022, -35
12) #51-Jeremy Clements, 2020, -37
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(9-23-2017)
Kyle Benjamin on XFINITY pole at Kentucky: #18-Kyle Benjamin won the Coors Light pole for the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway with a speed of 182.229mph. #20-Ryan Preece will start second. The rest of the top 10: #00-Cole Custer, #7-Justin Allgaier, #42-Tyler Reddick, #1-Elliott Sadler, #21-Daniel Hemric, #48-Brennan Poole, #19-Matt Tifft, and #3-Brian Scott.
Did Not Qualify: None.
The starting lineup is posted on the Kentucky starting lineup page (pdf).(9-23-2017)
Gilliland truck fails post race after third place finish: Following inspection, NASCAR discovered improper air intake modifications on the No. 51 Pedigree Toyota piloted by third-place finisher Todd Gilliland. It was his first top-five finish in the Camping World Truck Series. There were no trucks taken back to the R&D Center. Any penalties will be issued later next week.[More](9-23-2017)
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series leader Christopher Bell sweeps stages in New Hampshire win: In Christopher Bell’s dominating win in Saturday’s UNOH 175 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the rich got richer. The top seed in the series Playoffs, Bell won the first two stages of the opening postseason event and took the checkered flag 1.248 seconds ahead of runner-up Ryan Truex to notch his fifth victory of the season.[More](9-23-2017)
Bell wins New Hampshire: #4-Christopher Bell dominated the first race of the playoffs, the UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, on Saturday en route to his fifth win of the year. Bell swept all three stages and led 73 of the 175 laps.
#16-Ryan Truex put up a valiant effort, leading 28 laps, before dropping to second with 15 laps to go. #51-Todd Gilliland, #98-Grant Enfinger, #52-Stewart Friesen, #88-Matt Crafton, #27-Ben Rhodes, #19-Austin Cindric, #21-Johnny Sauter, and #33-Kaz Grala were the remainder of the top-10.
Of the remaining playoff drivers not in the top-10, #29-Chase Briscoe was 11th and #8-John Hunter Nemechek finished 20th after struggling with gear issues.
There were five caution flags for 24 laps and eight lead changes among five leaders.
See results on the New Hampshire race results page(9-23-2017)
Stage Information:
Stage 1 – 55 laps, winner, #4-Christopher Bell
Stage 2 – 110 laps, winner, #4-Christopher Bell
Stage 3 – 175 laps, winner, #4-Christopher Bell
New Hampshire Truck Series Race Fast Facts:
Christopher Bell (P) won the 20th running of the UNOH 175, his seventh victory in 47 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his fifth victory and 15th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in two races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Ryan Truex (second) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 11th top-10 finish in 2017.
Todd Gilliland (third) posted his first top-10 finish in one race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Grant Enfinger (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Bell (P) leads the point standings by 40 points overJohnny Sauter (P).
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-23-2017)
Camping World Truck standings following New Hampshire:
Two races, Las Vegas and Talladega, before the Playoffs reduce to the Round of 6:
1) #4-Christopher Bell, 5 wins, 2100
2) #21-Johnny Sauter, 2 wins, 2060, -40
3) #88- Matt Crafton, 1 win, 2059, -41
4) #27-Ben Rhodes, points, 2050, -50
5) #19-Austin Cindric, 1 win, 2043, -57
6) #33-Kaz Grala, 1 win, 2038, -62
7) #29-Chase Briscoe, points, 2035, -65
8) #8-John Hunter Nemechek, 2 wins, 2031, -69
outside the playoffs:
9) #16-Ryan Truex, 591, -1509
10) #98-Grant Enfinger, 548, -1552
11) #18-Noah Gragson, 519, -1581
12) #24-Justin Haley, 440, -1660
See complete standings on Driver points standings page and the owner’s standings are posted on the Owner points standings page.(9-23-2017)
Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution at New Hampshire: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #13-Coughlin, 12th
Caution 2: #44-Self, 14th
Caution 3: #45-Bell, 16th
Caution 4: #44-Self, 14th
Caution 5: #18-Gragson, 15th
(9-23-2017)
Gragson on Truck pole at New Hampshire: #18-Noah Gragson won the pole for the UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed at 131.811mph. #4-Christopher Bell will start second. #21-Johnny Sauter, #27-Ben Rhodes, #51-Todd Gilliland, #19-Austin Cindric, #16-Ryan Truex, #98-Grant Enfinger, #29-Chase Briscoe, and #88-Matt Crafton close out the top-10.
Remaining Round of 8 Playoff drivers #33-Kaz Grala will start 12th and #8-John Hunter Nemechek qualified 14th.
Failed to qualify: none
The starting lineup is posted on the New Hampshire starting lineup page(9-23-2017)
New Hampshire Qualifying Fast Facts:
Noah Gragson won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 20th Running UNOH 175 with a lap of 28.896 seconds, 131.811 mph.
This is his third pole in 19 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his third pole and 14th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in one race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Christopher Bell (P) (second) posted his 15th top-10 start of 2017 and his second in two races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Johnny Sauter (P) (third) posted his fourth top-10 start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 15th in 17 races this season.
Gragson (first) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-23-2017)
Power Stop LLC partners with MB Motorsports for remainder of 2017 season: Power Stop LLC, the leader in high performance brake upgrade kits, has partnered with the sole surviving original team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, MB Motorsports.[More](9-23-2017)
News from September 22, 2017
Kyle Busch speeds to second straight Playoff pole: Kyle Busch went from the top of the chart to near disaster and back to the top again in winning the pole position for Sunday’s ISM Connect 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.[More](9-22-2017)
Friday New Hampshire Notebook: Early accidents in practice force Hendrick teammates to backup cars; After frustrating outing at Chicagoland Stenhouse’s focus has changed; Eliminating errors is key to success in Truck Series Playoffs; New Hampshire, NASCAR announce tripleheader weekend.[More](9-22-2017)
#18-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light pole for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with speed of 135.049mph for his 8th pole of 2017, 3rd at New Hampshire and 27th of his career. Busch has won 5 times from the 26 previous poles.
#42-Larson will start 2nd followed by #11-Hamlin, #21-Blaney, #78-Truex, Jr., #4-Harvick, #41-Busch, #77-Jones, #5-Kahne, #20-Kenseth, #1-McMurray, and #48-Johnson.
#21-Blaney was fastest in the second round with a speed of 134.753mph, will start 4th.
#18-Busch was fastest in the first round with a speed of 134.544mph, will start 1st.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 39 were entered for 40 spots.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(9-22-2017)
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Kyle Busch (P) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 21st Annual ISM Connect 300 with a lap of 28.203 seconds, 135.049 mph.
This is his 27th pole in 454 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his eighth pole and 24th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his third pole in 26 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Kyle Larson (P) (second) posted his 18th top-10 start of 2017 and his fourth in eight races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Denny Hamlin (P) (third) posted his 14th top-10 start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 17th in 28 races this season.
Erik Jones (eighth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-22-2017)
Where the 2017 NASCAR Cup Playoff drivers will start at New Hampshire:
(by point standings)
#78-Martin Truex Jr., 5th
#42-Kyle Larson, 2nd
#4-Kevin Harvick, 6th
#2-Brad Keselowski, 13th
#18-Kyle Busch, 1st
#11-Denny Hamlin, 3rd
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 12th
#24-Chase Elliott, 14th
#20-Matt Kenseth, 10th
#21-Ryan Blaney, 4th
#1-Jamie McMurray, 11th
#3-Austin Dillon, 17th
#41-Kurt Busch, 7th
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 24th
#5-Kasey Kahne, 9th
#31-Ryan Newman, 18th
(9-22-2017)
Second Round of Qualifying for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#21-Blaney 134.753
#11-Hamlin 134.701
#42-Larson 134.648
#5-Kahne 134.473
#78-Truex, Jr. 134.193
the rest of the top 12: 18 20 1 41 4 77 48
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 2 24 88 14 3 31 27 47 38 37 6 17
(9-22-2017)
First Round of Qualifying for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#18-Busch 134.544
#48-Johnson 133.633
#1-McMurray 133.633
#42-Larson 133.530
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 133.413
the rest of the top 24: 4 77 11 5 14 21 78 41 31 27 20 38 24 2 3 6 37 47 17;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 19 32 10 34 43 13 95 72 23 55 15 83 33 51 22
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 39 entered
(9-22-2017)
First practice for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#42-Larson 135.714
#18-Busch 135.342
#5-Kahne 135.198
#78-Truex, Jr. 135.188
#21-Blaney 135.030
slowest: #33-Earnhardt 126.981 & #51-Ware 122.434.
most laps run: #37-Buescher, 39 laps.
Best 10 lap average (of 6 drivers): #24-Elliott 130.558mph.
#48-Johnson wrecked early and will go to a backup car. #24-Elliott got into the outside wall a few minutes later and will also go to a backup.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(9-22-2017)
Qualifying Order for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #48-Johnson.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #17-Stenhouse, Jr.
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).(9-22-2017)
Ryan Preece paces final XFINITY practice: #20-Ryan Preece was quickest in final practice at Kentucky with a speed of181.629mph.
#7-Justin Allgaier was second, followed by: #23-Spencer Gallagher, #42-Tyler Reddick, #21-Daniel Hemric, #19-Matt Tifft, #9-William Byron, #48-Brennan Poole, #22-Sam Hornish, Jr., and #33-Brandon Jones.
38 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Kentucky practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-22-2017)
Matt Tifft fastest in first XFINITY practice: #19-Matt Tifft was fastest during opening practice at Kentucky with a speed of 180.427mph.
The rest of the top 10: #3-Brian Scott, #20-Ryan Preece, #33-Brandon Jones, #7-Justin Allgaier, #2-Kennedy, #1-Sadler Elliott, #42-Tyler Reddick, #23-Spencer Gallagher, and #48-Brennan Poole.
36 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Kentucky practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-22-2017)
Chicago XFINITY TV ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Chicagoland had a 0.5 rating and 807,000 viewers on NBCSN last Saturday, down 55% in ratings and 52% in viewership from last year on the NBC broadcast network (1.1, 1.7M) and down 29% and 27% respectively from 2015 (0.7, 1.1M). It topped only the previous week’s race at Richmond (805K) as the series’ least-watched race this season.[Sports Media Watch](9-22-2017)
Bell paces final New Hampshire Truck practice: #4-Christopher Bell was fastest during final practice for Saturday’s UNOH 175 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed of 132.877mph. #27-Ben Rhodes was second fastest, followed by #51-Todd Gilliland, #88-Matt Crafton, #18-Noah Gragson, #21-Johnny Sauter, #19-Austin Cindric, #98-Grant Enfinger, #16-Ryan Truex, and #33-Kaz Grala in the top-10. 27 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 2 speeds (pdf)(9-22-2017)
Gragson fastest in opening New Hampshire Truck practice: #18-Noah Gragson was fastest during the opening practice for Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed of 131.492mph. #51-Todd Gilliland, #24-Justin Haley, #88-Matt Crafton, #4-Christopher Bell, #21-Johnny Sauter, #19-Austin Cindric, #27-Ben Rhodes, #33-Kaz Grala, and #98-Grant Enfinger were the remainder of the top-10. 22 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 1 speeds (pdf)(9-22-2017)
Earnhardt, Jr. receives New England-Themed sendoff from NHMS:lanked by Revolutionary War Minutemen, Dale Earnhardt Jr. received a New England-themed parting gift from New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Friday. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver, who will make his final NHMS start in Sunday’s ISM Connect 300, was gifted a custom-made Flintlock Musket, powder horn and tri-corner hat during Friday’s Appreci88tion Tour ceremony.[More](9-22-2017)
Martinsville Speedway receives Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant for Tourism Marketing: Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Martinsville Speedway received $50,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program grant fund. In total VTC awarded more than $967,000 for 50 tourism marketing projects across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia’s localities through tourism.[More](9-22-2017)
News from September 21, 2017
What to Watch for: New Hampshire: Truex a Huge Favorite at New Hampshire; Can Hamlin Recreate the Magic at The Magic Mile?; Gibbs Drivers Feel Right at Home in Loudon; Can Chase Elliott Recover From Penalty?; Look for Winners Deeper in the Field; XFINITY, Truck Playoffs Get Underway.[More](9-21-2017)
Ford EcoBoost on the #32 at New Hampshire: The second race of the NASCAR playoffs will take place this Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Matt DiBenedetto and the Go Fas Racing team will be representing Ford EcoBoost with a blue and white scheme that will look familiar to Ford Racing fans. This will be the first race of the 2017 season that Ford EcoBoost will be listed as the primary sponsor of the #32 Ford.[More](9-21-2017)
New Hampshire & Kentucky Weekend Preview: Kurt Busch tries to rebound as Playoffs head to New Hampshire; Sadler attempts to open Playoffs with win for second straight season; Bell begins run at NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.[More](9-21-2017)
Tommy Baldwin joins Premium Motorsports UPDATE: Premium Motorsports announced that Tommy Baldwin will take over as the team’s Competition Director and Crew Chief of the #15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team effective immediately. “Tommy’s passion, experience and knowledge will serve Premium well in its’ quest to become more competitive in the future,” said team owner, Jay Robinson. This is the first of many changes coming to Premium. Scott Eggleston will remain at Premium as Team Manager, Pat Tryson will be moving to the crew chief position for the #55 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series entry.(9-1-2017)
UPDATE: Tommy Baldwin said he remains fine with the decision he made to shut down his race team and sell his charter before this season. The 50-year-old NASCAR veteran also remains as busy as ever in the garage as he was recently named the competition director at Premium Motorsports in addition to the crew chief of the #15 team. With this move, Robinson has also acquired the remaining assets of TBR.(9-2-2017)
UPDATE2: Jay Robinson announced today that he has acquired all assets from Tommy Baldwin Racing. The acquisition includes Baldwin’s entire cup series inventory including everything from the team’s race vehicles to their equipment.[More](9-21-2017)
Rhodes gets Kentucky sponsor: Ken Houston Electric LLC will once again be on board the No. 01 Chevrolet Camaro of Harrison Rhodes this weekend at Kentucky Speedway for the NASCAR Xfinity Series VisitMytleBeach.com 300. Houston previously sponsored the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team for the July Kentucky race, and for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway race.[More](9-21-2017)
Ross Chastain to make 100th start at Kentucky: Ross Chastain will reach a career milestone this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. Saturday night’s VisitMytleBeach.com 300 will be his 100th NASCAR Xfinity Series race start. The majority of Chastain’s Xfinity career has been in the No. 4 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro, and he is eager to make race number 100 a good one.[More](9-21-2017)
Federated Auto Parts renews sponsorship of fall Richmond race:Virginia-based Federated Auto Parts (Federated) announced a renewal of its entitlement sponsorship of the 2018 fall Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway (Richmond). Next fall’s Federated Auto Parts 400 will also join a select group as the race moves two weeks later to the Monster Energy Series Playoffs on September 22, 2018. This will be the eighth consecutive year of Federated Auto Parts’ entitlement at Richmond.[More](9-21-2017)
Charlotte offering Speedway College Party ticket program: College students looking to earn a degree in racing excitement will receive valuable credit during the Oct. 8 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. With the new Speedway College Party ticket program, NASCAR’s homecoming allows college students to rev up for race day with an unmatched array of entertainment value – and “tuition” requires just $29 and a valid student ID.[More](9-21-2017)
News from September 20, 2017
Tony Stewart says team lineup not set for 2018: Although SHR has not picked up the option on the 2017 Daytona 500 winner and 2004 Cup champion yet, Tony Stewart expects Busch to remain with the organization.[More](9-20-2017)
SCHROTH Racing sponsoring LaJoie in New Hampshire: One of the leaders in safety innovation, SCHROTH Racing, will join BK Racing as primary sponsor this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The international aviation and racing belt company will adorn the #23 Camry driven by Corey LaJoie.[More](9-20-2017)
Super Donut joins BK Racing in Loudon: Super Donut, “The Leader in Bakery Nutrition,” will join BK Racing as the primary sponsor on the the #83 Toyota, driven by Brett Moffitt, this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.[More](9-20-2017)
go90 on Kahne’s #5 at New Hampshire: This weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Kasey Kahne will pilot the #5 go90 Chevrolet SS. The go90 paint scheme will also adorn the No. 5 Chevrolet SS during the upcoming Charlotte Motor Speedway race weekend. The Hendrick Motorsports docuseries “Road to Race Day” can be seen on Complex Networks’ Rated Red available on go90. All eight episodes are now available to watch.[More](9-20-2017)
Roush Fenway “Driven For a Cause” in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Roush Fenway Racing will GO GOLD in the month of September in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The team will utilize its ‘Driven’ Marketing program to highlight cause awareness and support throughout the month, as well as donate a replica hood in support of the Prayers for Elijah Foundation .[More](9-20-2017)
Rinnai sponsoring Whitt at New Hampshire: Rinnai, the number-one selling brand of tankless water heater in the U.S. and Canada, has committed to serve as the primary sponsor of the # 72 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series entry with driver Cole Whitt. Having a long-standing relationship with Whitt, Rinnai has been a recurring and supportive presence throughout Whitt’s career. This weekend’s ISM Connect 300 will conclude the three race primary sponsorship commitment for Rinnai for the 2017 season.[More](9-20-2017)
A look at many new, notes and story lines for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — New Hampshire
Brian Carney to present Talladega Freedom Trophy to Alabama 500 winner: The patriotic tradition of presenting the Freedom Trophy at Talladega Superspeedway returns for its eighth race on Oct. 15 and will be awarded to the winner of the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race by former Navy SEAL and HESCO BoneFrog Challenge Founder Brian Carney.[More](9-20-2017)
New Hampshire to reapply PJ1 this weekend: With the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs ramping up and the Camping World Truck Series Playoffs set to begin, the pressure to win is sure to be intensified this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. To help amplify that excitement even more, speedway officials have announced that they will apply the same PJ1 compound that produced thrilling side-by-side racing in July.[More](9-20-2017)
News from September 19, 2017
Kahne to drive for Leavine Family Racing in 2018: Leavine Family Racing (LFR) has announced that Kasey Kahne will pilot the #95 Chevrolet Camaro for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season. Kahne, who has driven for Hendrick Motorsports since 2012, has signed on to be LFR’s primary driver for the 2018 season.[More](9-19-2017)
Chicago post-race penalties: #24-Elliott’s team was penalized for improper body modifications. Crew chief Alan Gustafson was suspended for 1 race and fined $25,000. The team and owner were penalized 15 points. Meanwhile #20 Kenseth received a lug nut penalty.[More](9-19-2017)
Chicago TV ratings: NBCSN earned a 1.4 rating and 2.3 million viewers for Sunday’ race at Chicagoland. Last year’s race got a 1.6 and 2.7 million.[More](9-19-2017)
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at New Hampshire, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing New Hampshire page
Gaulding returns to the #55: Premium Motorsports and Gray Gaulding will arrive at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a brand-new sponsor on board. Wind River Environmental will be featured on the #55 for this weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, ‘ISM Connect 300’.[More](9-19-2017)
Energex Wood Pellets sponsoring Sorenson at New Hampshire: As Premium Motorsports heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, “ISM Connect 300”, they will bring returning sponsor, Energex Wood Pellets, who will feature their newest product ‘Ol’ Hick Cooking Pellets’ on Reed Sorenson’s #15 Chevrolet SS Cup car.[More](9-19-2017)
Entry List for the ISM Connect 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor 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-Sorenson, #23-LaJoie, #33-JEarnhardt, #51-TBA*, #55-Gaulding*, #83-Moffitt*
Since only 39 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
NASCAR’s Steve O’Donnell responds to Keselowski tweet NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said he believes the sanctioning body provides a level playing field for all manufacturers, and that Twitter comments from Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski were “a little bit of posturing.” “Certainly our job is to put a level playing field out there,” O’Donnell said. “We’ve got a process that each of the (manufacturers) goes through and kind of witnesses. We believe they are on a level playing field. I look at it as a little bit of posturing. Brad certainly ran well this weekend. At the end of the day, you’ve had that car all year long. It’s the playoffs, and you have to go out there and deliver.”[NASCAR.com)[Read More Here](9-19-2017)
Leavine Family Racing announces Procore as a multi-race sponsorLeavine Family Racing (LFR) is announcing a partnership with Procore Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based applications for construction. Procore connects people, applications, and devices through the unified Procore Construction OS platform. Procore and LFR have agreed to a multi-race deal beginning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and continuing through the remainder of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season for the #95 Chevy Michael McDowell drives.(Leavine Family Racing)[Read More Here](9-19-2017)
NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs Media Day Notebook: No mic drop for Elliott Sadler, even if he wins NASCAR XFINITY title; Jeremy Clements’ victory is a particular highlight for Wayne Auton; NASCAR, XFINITY unveil new branding for 2018 season.[More](9-19-2017)
William Byron seeks redemption in NASCAR XFINITY Series playoff: At Phoenix International Raceway, the next-to-last event in last year’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoff, William Byron’s championship hopes exploded when the engine in his No. 9 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota did likewise. But it wasn’t until a week later that Byron felt what he termed the “gut punch” of falling out of the playoff with a championship in his rookie season so close to reality.[More](9-19-2017)
Biagi DenBeste team penalized following Chicago: The #98 Ford, driven by Darrell Wallace, Jr. at Chicagoland Speedway, received a penalty for not having lug nuts properly installed. Crew chief Jonathon Hanson has been fined $5,000.[More](9-19-2017)
NASCAR unveils new XFINITY Series mark: NASCAR and Comcast released a new NASCAR XFINITY Series identity mark on Tuesday, with a full rollout coming in 2018. The new look was broadcasted onto the big screen at the NASCAR Hall of Fame as NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs Media Day was underway across the street in Charlotte.[More](9-19-2017)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 37 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway.
See the complete list on the Kentucky entry list page.(9-19-2017)
Truck Series entry list: There are 30 trucks entered for Saturday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. See the complete list on the New Hampshire entry list page (pdf).(9-19-2017)
Richard Petty Headlines Oct. 5 ‘Dinner with the Legends’: Race fans can kick off their Bank of America 500 weekend in style by meeting NASCAR legends including Richard Petty and Bobby Allison at the University of Racing’s “Dinner with the Legends” event on Thursday, Oct. 5 in The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway.[More](9-19-2017)
Richard Rawlings to drive pace car at New Hampshire: Mogul. Mechanic. Media magnet. All of these accurately describe Richard Rawlings. But later this month, the successful entrepreneur and eclectic star of Discovery Channel’s hit TV show “Fast N’ Loud” will demonstrate another of his many titles – race car driver – when he leads the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field to green. Rawlings will serve as the official pace driver for the Sept. 24 ISM Connect 300 playoff race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.[More](9-19-2017)
News from September 18, 2017
Darian Grubb named crew chief of the #5 Chevy Hendrick Motorsports has named Darian Grubb crew chief of the #5 Chevrolet SS team and driver Kasey Kahne for the remaining nine playoff races of the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season. He will be atop the pit box for Sunday’s event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Grubb replaces Keith Rodden, who was the team’s crew chief for 99 races. Rodden remains under contract to Hendrick Motorsports through the end of the 2017 season and will be assigned other responsibilities. The team’s crew chief for the 2018 season has not been determined.(Hendrick Motorsports)[Read More Here](9-18-2017)
ICM Partners to represent retired NASCAR driver Edwards ICM Partners signed recently retired NASCAR driver Carl Edwards for broadcasting, literary, acting & more.[More](9-18-2017)
Chicago Commercial Breakdown For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race. Began recording the times at the Moment-of-Silence for Ted Christopher at the beginning of the race at 2:50 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:54 PM (all times are EDT). NBCSN was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 96
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 52
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 64
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 45
Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 32
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 23
[Read More Here](9-18-2017)
NASCAR Recap – MENCS at Chicago
– Martin Truex Jr.: career-high 5th win of season
– Truex Jr.: wins playoff opener for 2nd straight season; advances to Round of 12 regardless of results in next 2 races (was eliminated in Round of 12 last season)
– Truex Jr.: 3rd career playoff win (1st 2 came last season)
– Truex Jr.: won by 7.179 sec; largest margin of victory in 16 Cup races at Chicago and largest margin of victory in a Cup race this season
– Chase Elliott: finished 2nd; 4th career 2nd-place finish (no wins)
– Jimmie Johnson: finished 8th on 42nd birthday
– Kevin Harvick: finished 3rd; opened playoff finishing 20th last year and 42nd in 2015
– Denny Hamlin: finished 4th; 4th straight top-5 finish (matches longest streak of career, also 4 straight in March-April 2008)
– Kyle Larson: finished 5th; 3rd top-5 in last 5 races (finished 23rd or worse in 5 of previous 7 races)
– Kyle Busch: finished 15th after leading 85 laps, fell to 5th in playoff standings
(NASCAR Recap From ESPN Research)[Read More Here](9-18-2017)
Sunday Chicagoland Notebook
Pit road snafus derail strong run by polesitter Kyle Busch Kyle Busch can expect some second-guessing after mistakes in Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway relegated the polesitter to a 15th-place finish. Before the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff opener, Busch’s #18 Joe Gibbs Racing team swapped his regular-season pit crew for the over-the-wall unit of teammate Daniel Suarez.
After winning the first stage of the race and leading all but two laps, Busch pitted under caution on Lap 83. But eight circuits after the subsequent restart on Lap 88, he brought the No. 18 Toyota to pit road for an unscheduled green-flag stop because of a loose wheel. During the stop, one of Busch’s crewman was hit with a penalty for stepping over pit wall too soon, and after the resultant pass-through penalty, Busch dropped to 30th in the running order, two laps down.
BRAD KESELOWSKI STARTS PLAYOFFS WITH SOLID SIXTH-PLACE RUN For a driver who stirred up controversy before the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Brad Keselowski had a relatively uneventful afternoon in Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Before qualifying on Friday, Keselowski raised the issue of parity in the sport, ascribing to the Toyota camp a significant performance advantage. True enough, Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr. ran away with the playoff opener. Keselowski didn’t have the speed to match Truex’s Camry. Then again, no one else did either.
But for Keselowski, the 2012 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, it was the sort of solid start to the playoff he needed, leaving him fourth in the standings heading to next Sunday’s race at New Hampshire.
NICE RECOVERY KEEPS JAMIE MCMURRAY ABOVE PLAYOFF CUT LINE On Lap 168 of Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400, Jamie McMurray had the sort of nerve-wracking experience that could have ruined his chances to advance in the NASCAR Playoffs. Coming off Turn 2 at 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway, McMurray spun, flattened his right rear tire and damaged the right rear quarter of his car. But McMurray persevered, stayed on the lead lap and finished 10th. That and a litany of troubles for other playoff drivers kept him in 11th place in the standings, five points clear of 13th place.(NASCAR Wire Service)[Read More Here](9-18-2017)
News from September 17, 2017
#78-Martin Truex Jr. won the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway for his 5th win of 2017, 2nd win at Chicago (also won in 2016) and 12th career win. The win automatically advances Truex Jr. to the Round of 12 (or round 2) of the playoffs.
#24-Elliott finished 2nd (3rd career 2nd place finish, no win yet) followed by #4-Harvick, #11-Hamlin, #42-Larson, #2-Keselowski, #22-Logano, #48-Johnson, #20-Kenseth and #1-McMurray.
Pole winner, #18-Busch, had a few bad pit stops and finished 15th
#78-Truex Jr. Driver Points lead is 27 points over #42-Larson.
Stage 1 was won by #18-Busch, finished 15th
Stage 2 was won by #24-Elliott, finished 2nd
There were 12 lead changes among 7 drivers and 4 cautions for 21 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 145.401mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Pit Times (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).
Martin Truex Jr. starts NASCAR Playoffs with dominating win at Chicagoland Speedway Remember all those playoff points that were supposed to carry regular-season champion Martin Truex Jr. through the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs? He didn’t need them-not after what turned out to be a dominating victory in Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400, the Playoff opener at Chicagoland Speedway. Truex’s fifth victory of the season, his second straight at Chicagoland and the 12th of his career was hardly a cakewalk, even though the driver of the #78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota took the checkered flag 7.179 seconds ahead of runner-up Chase Elliott. In earning automatic advancement to the Round of 8, Truex had to overcome a speeding penalty incurred on a green-flag pit stop on Lap 39 and loose lug nuts that forced him to return to pit road and restart deep in the field after the end of Stage 1. Though the victory eased Truex’s progress through the NASCAR Playoffs-increasing his playoff point total to 58-the winning driver didn’t consider it a statement to his fellow competitors. “I don’t care much about statements,” Truex said. “I’m just having fun. I’m proud of our pit crew for doing what they did and everyone on this team. It’s important to come here and not let the pressure get to you, and I think we did a good job of that. Every time you go to Victory Lane, it’s special. There’s just so many people to thank. I’m kind of speechless, but (team owner) Barney (Visser), and everyone at TRD (Toyota Racing Development) in Costa Mesa building great engines and TRD Salisbury – (sponsors) Bass Pro, Tracker Boats – just everyone, thank you so much. It’s a dream come true, and we’re having the time of our lives.”[Read More Here](9-17-2017)
Race Fast Facts – Chicago
#78-Martin Truex Jr. (P) won the 17th Annual Tales of the Turtles 400, his 12th victory in 432 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his fifth victory and 18th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his second victory and fourth top-10 finish in 12 races at Chicagoland Speedway.
#24-Chase Elliott (P) (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2017.
#4-Kevin Harvick (P) (third) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 17 races at Chicagoland Speedway.
#19-Daniel Suarez (12th) was the highest finishing rookie.
#78-Martin Truex Jr. (P) leads the point standings by 27 points over #42-Kyle Larson (P).
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-17-2017)
Finish for the 16 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Drivers:
[by standings before Chicago (started)]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., WON (3)
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 5th (6)
3) #18-Kyle Busch, 15th (1)
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 6th (5)
5) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 8th (14)
6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 3rd (4)
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 4th (2)
8) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 25th (15)
9) #21-Ryan Blaney, 11th (12)
10) #24-Chase Elliott, 2nd (8)
11) #31-Ryan Newman, 23rd (16)
12) #41-Kurt Busch, 19th (17)
13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 21st (25)
14) #3-Austin Dillon, 16th (9)
15) #20-Matt Kenseth, 9th (10)
16) #1-Jamie McMurray, 10th (19)
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings:
[after Chicago, race 27 of 36, 1 of 10 in Playoffs]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr.(1 win), 2102 (A)
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 2075
3) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2067
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2061
5) #18-Kyle Busch, 2061
6) #24-Chase Elliott, 2059
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2058
8) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2046
9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2039
10) #21-Ryan Blaney, 2034
11) #1-Jamie McMurray, 2031
12) #3-Austin Dillon, 2026
These drivers would not advance to Round 2
13) #41-Kurt Busch, 2026
14) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2022
15) #5-Kasey Kahne, 2021
16) #31-Ryan Newman, 2019
(A) automatically advances to the next round of the playoffs with a win
See full standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 160) of the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway (lap 160/267):
#24-Elliott, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#4-Harvick, 9pts
#78-Truex Jr., 8pts
#42-Larson, 7pts
#2-Keselowski, 6pts
#11-Hamlin, 5pts
#22-Logano, 4pts
#41-Busch, 3pts
#20-Kenseth, 2pts
#1-McMurray, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 80) of the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway (lap 80/267):
#18-Busch, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#4-Harvick, 9pts
#24-Elliott, 8pts
#11-Hamlin, 7pts
#22-Logano, 6pts
#2-Keselowski, 5pts
#20-Kenseth, 4pts
#42-Larson, 3pts
#19-Suarez, 2pts
#78-Truex Jr., 1pt
Lucky Dogs, drivers that got a lap during the cautions (and their finish):
Caution 1: #14-Bowyer, 13th
Caution 2: #27-Menard, 14th
Caution 3: #21-Blaney, 11th
Caution 4: #27-Menard(2), 14th
(9-17-2017)
Chicago Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pre-Race Schedule for Sunday, September 17 (eastern time)
2:20pm: Driver Introductions
2:50pm: Intro Presentation of Colors: Associated Firefighters of Illinois Honor Guard
2:50:20pm.: Invocation by Glenn Spoolstra, Raceway Ministries
2:51pm: National Anthem: Jim Cornelison
2:57:30pm: Command to Start Engines by Greg Cipes, Voice of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Michelangelo
3:06pm: Scheduled Green flag for Tales of the Turtles 400
See the starting lineup for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on the Starting Lineup Page (pdf).
To the back: #77-Jones (tire change); #66-Hill (tire change)
NASCAR’s new inspection process NASCAR is running a new tech bay through a dry run this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Featuring 17 cameras, it can measure the body as well as other measurements, combining NASCAR’s template station and its laser inspection station. NASCAR hopes to use the new tech bay next year, where it can turn about a six-minute process for those two inspection stations into about a 90-second process.(ESPN)
NASCAR will streamline its at-track inspection process next season, with a rollout of the new system coming this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Playoffs teams – and most likely their teammates – will not be run through the new system. NASCAR officials are not looking to disturb the Playoffs. However, officials want those not competing for the championship to begin acclimating to the new system by testing it a few times during the postseason. Shown to reporters last week at the NASCAR R&D Center, the sanctioning body is aiming to be more efficient with its system.(RACER)[Read More Here](9-17-2017)
Saturday Chicagoland Notebook
Jimmie Johnson encouraged by 14th-place qualifying effort Jimmie Johnson will start what he hopes is a run to his eighth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship from the 14th position on the grid in Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Believe it or not, that’s an improvement over Johnson’s 17.4 average starting spot in the 26-race regular season. Johnson hasn’t won a pole this season, and if he fails to do so in the 10-race Playoff, it will mark only the second time in his career the driver of the #48 Chevrolet has failed to claim at least one Coors Light Pole Award, the other being 2011, when he also won a career-low two races.
KESELOWSKI IS SALESMAN OF THE MONTH-FOR RIVAL BRAND?If the war of words is any indication, the advent of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs brings out the persnickety side of the drivers involved. In a Friday tweet, Brad Keselowski bemoaned what he perceives as Toyota’s performance advantage over the Fords and Chevrolets in the field. That earned the driver of the #2 Team Penske Ford a lot of return fire from the Toyota camp. After qualifying second to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch, Toyota driver Denny Hamlin couldn’t resist a foray into the fray. “I’d like to know what Toyota is paying Brad, because he is their best spokesman,” Hamlin quipped. “I need more money for my PSA. If you’re shopping for a midsize sedan, get the unfair advantage – get a Toyota.”
DALE EARNHARDT JR. THINKS HE’S LEAVING NASCAR RACING IN GOOD HANDS There’s no debating that the highest level of NASCAR racing is witnessing a changing of the guard. Jeff Gordon retired from full-time racing at the end of the 2015 season. Tony Stewart followed a year later. Earnhardt is playing out his final year in the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Danica Patrick has announced she won’t return to Stewart-Haas Racing next year. And veterans Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne are out of their current rides, with no concrete plans to announce yet for 2018. That doesn’t mean, however, that the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is short on star power. With neophytes Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, Austin Dillon and Erik Jones leading a parade of talented 20-somethings, Earnhardt believes he’s leading the competition in firm hands. “Yeah, absolutely,” Earnhardt affirmed. “I think that these young guys are really crafty with social media and I think that’s a great direction for them to interact with not only current fans, but to find new fans. I think they do a great job at that.”(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-17-2017)
News from September 16, 2017
Legendary Modified Champ Ted Christopher Killed In Plane CrashTed Christopher, a former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National champion, was killed Saturday afternoon in a plane crash. The Plainville, Conn., native was 59 years old. Christopher, who was scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race Saturday at New York’s Riverhead Raceway, was on his way to Riverhead Raceway when the small plane he was in crashed into a wooded area in Guilford, Conn. The Federal Aviation Administration indicated that two people were on the plane at the time of the crash. The second person on the plane has not been identified.(Speed Sport)[Read More Here](9-16-2017)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway have been made.
With the field downsized to 40 cars, two pit stalls (1,23) have been eliminated, are not in play and don’t count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Pit stall 43 is the Monster Energy Pit Box; not in play and does not count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Pole sitter #18-Busch chose pit stall 2, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #11-Hamlin took pit stall 8, with an opening in front of it.
#78-Truex Jr., who starts 3rd, took the 38th stall, with an opening in front of it.
The final pit stall was taken by #2-Keselowski, who starts 5th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-16-2017)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#18-Busch 180.252
#3-Dillon 179.438
#2-Keselowski 179.289
#24-Elliott 179.134
#14-Bowyer 178.542
slowest: #33-Earnhardt 170.164 & #83-Moffitt 170.962
no laps run: #15-Sorenson, #51-Black, #55-Gaulding; #66-Hill
best 10 consecutive lap ave of 26 drivers: #4-Harvick 175.784
most laps run: #1-McMurray & #24-Elliott, 53
notes: no accidents or incidents
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (9-16-2017)
First Saturday practice for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#78-Truex Jr. 180.650
#21-Blaney 179.802
#24-Elliott 179.689
#2-Keselowski 179.659
#31-Newman 179.414
slowest: #51-Black 165.315 & #33-Earnhardt 167.686
most laps run: #3-Dillon, 48; #20-Kenseth, 46
best 10 consecutive lap ave #24-Elliott 176.416
notes: no accidents or incidents
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Practice 2 speeds page (pdf) (9-16-2017)
Stenhouse Jr. and Bayne to swap pit crews in playoffs The #17 and #6 teams of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne, respectively, have swapped over-the-wall pit crews for the 2017 NASCAR Playoffs, a Roush Fenway Racing representative confirmed Friday to NASCAR.com. The team said the swap is intended to give both teams a fresh perspective and the tentative plan is to keep the swap through the playoffs. However, they will continue to monitor each team’s performance throughout the final 10 races. Stenhouse is one of the 16 drivers vying for a shot at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship this season. Bayne did not make the playoffs and is currently ranked 21st in the driver standings.(NASCAR.com)(9-16-2017)
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Holds for Final practice at Chicago The following Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams / drivers will be held 15 or 30 minutes for failing pre-qualifying and/or pre-race techinical inspection at Richmond last week or this week at Chicago see the list at Bob Pockrass Twitter or Read More Here (9-16-2017)
Friday Chicagoland Notebook
Chase Elliott’s playoff game plan: improvement and consistency In his final 10 races in the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Chase Elliott doesn’t feel he can afford to look beyond his own efforts and his own team during his second run in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff. After all, Elliott qualified for the postseason on points. In a season where other drivers collected their first career victories-Ryan Blaney, Austin Dillon and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.-Elliott, surprisingly, is still seeking his first trophy at NASCAR’s highest level. In recent outings, Elliott and his #24 team haven’t performed to expectations. As a consequence, improved performance is a priority as the 10-race playoff begins.
FEUD WITH PATRICK COULD COMPLICATE DILLON’S PLAYOFF RUN One of most widely-quoted clichés from mob movies is “Keep your friends close; but keep your enemies closer.” In Austin Dillon’s case, however, the driver of the #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet might want to stay as far away from Danica Patrick as possible. Repeated contact last Saturday at Richmond between Dillon’s car and the Patrick’s #10 Ford sparked a rivalry that has the potential to carry over into the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff. Dillon and Patrick were battling for position at Richmond. Dillon was aggressive in his attempts to pass the #10 Fusion. Patrick defended her position just as aggressively, and the cars touched several times before Dillon gained the spot. Patrick answered with a hard shot to Dillon’s rear bumper, knocking Dillon’s #3 up the track. Dillon responded with a nudge to Patrick’s left rear quarter and sent her spinning.
BUBBA WALLACE HOPES RPM RIDE MATERIALIZES FOR 2018 As far as Richard Petty Motorsports is concerned, there are two known quantities where the legendary race team is concerned.
First, Aric Almirola will not be behind the wheel of the #43 RPM Ford next season. Second, sponsor Smithfield Foods has opted not to renew its support for RPM next year, choosing instead to shift its backing to Stewart-Haas Racing. What remains to be revealed is the identity of RPM’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver for 2018. Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr., who spent four races in the #43 Ford while Almirola was recovering from a crushed vertebra sustained during a wreck at Kansas in May, hopes he gets the nod. And Wallace acknowledged on Friday at Chicagoland Speedway that he and RPM are working toward that goal.(NASCAR Wire Service)[Read More Here](9-16-2017)
Leavine Family Racing considering a 2nd team; has talked to Kahne & Busch hearing Kasey Kahne could be heading #95 LFR w/alliance from Hendrick Motorsports. Current #95 driver, Michael McDowell could move to Front Row Motorsports in the #34 or their third team, since FRM holds three Charters #34, #38 and one that is being leased (Jayski)(8-28-2017)
UPDATES: As he heads into Sunday’s opening race of the 10-race playoffs, he’s also trying to put together a plan for 2018. Kahne is apparently close to signing a deal with Leavine Family Racing to drive the #95 next season.(Associated Press)
AND Leavine Family Racing owner Bob Leavine said his team has talked to drivers, including Kasey Kahne, about driving the #95 NASCAR Cup car next year.(ESPN)
AND Leavine Family Racing owner Bob Leavine said Friday his organization is “50-50” on whether it will expand to a two-car team in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series next season. Leavine said has spoken with several drivers regarding next season, including Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and [current driver Michael] McDowell.(Motorsport)[Read More Here](9-16-2017)
Grunt Style Signs with Richard Petty Motorsports in Multi-Year DealRichard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced a multi-year associate partnership with Grunt Style. The Patriotic apparel line will debut on the #43 Ford this weekend in Chicago and will return to the car for Veteran’s Day weekend in Phoenix. A company that provides apparel for customers who have pride in self, military and country makes Grunt Style a perfect fit with the Petty brand.(Richard Petty Motorsports)[Read More Here](9-16-2017)
Justin Allgaier Steals Chicagoland Speedway Victory on Late Restarts: Justin Allgaier had the drive of his life. Brendan Gaughan was hanging on for dear life. But both drivers were winners at Chicagoland Speedway. Grabbing the lead with a bold move to the inside after a restart on Lap 186 of 200, Allgaier, an Illinois native, captured the big prize at his home track-a victory in Saturday’s TheHouse.com 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series regular-season finale.[More]9-16-2017)
Allgaier wins Chicago XFINITY race, Annett, Gaughan get final playoff spots: #7-Justin Allgaier won the TheHouse.com at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his fifth XFINITY Series win and second of the year. #42-Kyle Larson finished second, followed by #1-Elliott Sadler, #21-Daniel Hemric, #2-Austin Dillon, #19-Matt Tifft, #11-Blake Koch, and #98-Darrell Wallace, Jr.
#62-Brendan Gaughan squeaked by on points to claim a final playoff spot despite issues during the race that dropped him off of the lead lap.
There were five cautions for 24 laps and 11 lead changes among five leaders.
The average speed was 133.218mph.
Complete results are on the Chicago race results page (pdf). (9-16-2017)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 45 – Winner, #20-Erik Jones
Stage 2 – lap 90 – Winner, #20-Erik Jones
Stage 3 – lap 200 – Race winner, #7-Justin Allgaier
Chicago XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Justin Allgaier won the 17th Annual TheHouse.com 300, his fifth victory in 233 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his second victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his second victory and seventh top-10 finish in ten races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Kyle Larson (second) posted his fourth top-10 finish in seven races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2017.
Elliott Sadler (third) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 15 races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Daniel Hemric (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 118 points over Justin Allgaier.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-16-2017)
XFINITY Driver standings following Chicago:
The playoffs begin at Kentucky.
1) #9-William Byron [3 wins] 2025
2) #7-Justin Allgaier [2 wins] 2023, -2
3) #1-Elliott Sadler [clinched on points] 2020, – 5
4) #21-Daniel Hemric [clinched on points] 2009, -16
5) #48-Brennan Poole[clinched on points] 2006, – 19
6) #16-Ryan Reed [1 win] 2005, – 20
7) #51-Jeremy Clements [1 win] 2005, -20
8) #00-Cole Custer [clinched on points] 2005, -20
9) #11-Blake Koch, [clinched on points] 2005, -20
10) #19-Matt Tifft [clinched on points]
11) #62-Brendan Gaughan, [clinched on points] 2003, -22
12) #5-Michael Annett, [clinched on points] 2001, -24
will miss the playoffs:
13) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 507, -1518
14) #14-JJ Yeley, 462, -1563
15) #4-Ross Chastain, 455, -1570
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(9-16-2017)
Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution at Chicago: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #62-Gaughan, 13th
Caution 2: #23-Gallagher, 14th
Caution 3: #98-Wallace, 10th
Caution 4: #33-Jones, 12th
Caution 5: #62-Gaughan, 13th
(9-16-2017)
Erik Jones on XFINITY pole at Chicago: #20-Erik Jones won the Coors Light pole for the TheHouse.com at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed of 177.229mph. #18-Daniel Suarez will start second. The rest of the top 10: #42-Kyle Larson, #22-Ryan Blaney, #00-Cole Custer, #1-Elliott Sadler, #19-Matt Tifft, #9-William Byron, #21-Daniel Hemric, and #16-Ryan Reed.
Did Not Qualify: none.
The starting lineup is posted on the Chicago starting lineup page (pdf).(9-16-2017)
Chicago XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
Erik Jones won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 17th Annual TheHouse.com 300 with a lap of 30.469 seconds, 177.229 mph.
This is his 13th pole in 72 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first pole and 10th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in four races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Daniel Suarez (second) posted his eighth top-10 start of 2017 and his fourth in five races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Kyle Larson (third) posted his fourth top-10 start at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 10th in ten races this season.
Cole Custer (fifth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-16-2017)
News from September 15, 2017
Starting spots at Chicagoland for the 16 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Drivers:
[by current standings]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 3rd
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 6th
3) #18-Kyle Busch, 1st
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 5th
5) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 14th
6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 4th
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2nd
8) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 15th
9) #21-Ryan Blaney, 12th
10) #24-Chase Elliott, 8th
11) #31-Ryan Newman, 16th
12) #41-Kurt Busch, 17th
13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 25th
14) #3-Austin Dillon, 9th
15) #20-Matt Kenseth, 10th
16) #1-Jamie McMurray, 19th
#18-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light pole for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway with speed of 187.963mph for his 7th pole of 2017, 1st at Chicago and 26th of his career. Busch has won 5 times from the 25 previous poles.
#11-Hamlin will start 2nd followed by #78-Truex Jr., #4-Harvick, #2-Keselowski, #42-Larson, #22-Logano, #24-Elliott, #3-Dillon, #20-Kenseth, #14-Bowyer and #21-Blaney
#18-Kyle Busch was fastest in the second round with a speed of 185.752mph, will start 1st
#18-Kyle Busch was fastest in the first round with a speed of 185.874mph, will start 1st
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 40 were entered for 40 spots
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(9-15-2017)
Kyle Busch dominates Chicagoland qualifying for first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race Fresh from a Twitter war with Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch proved a point with his pole run at Chicagoland Speedway-and may just have proved Keselowski’s. “We are all in for a rude awakening,” Keselowski tweeted two hours before Friday’s knockout qualifying session at the 1.5-mile track, site of Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400, the first event in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff. “Haven’t let a manufacturer get this far ahead since the ’70s.” The tweet was a reference to Toyota’s recent dominance in NASCAR’s foremost series, and after a snarky social media exchange with Keselowski, Busch let his #18 Camry do the talking, leading all three rounds of qualifying and capping the session with a blistering 28.792-second circuit at 187.963 mph in the money round. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin (186.168 mph) was second in the final round, 0.277 seconds off Busch’s pace. The Coors Light Pole Award was Busch’s first at Chicagoland Speedway, his seventh of the season and the 26th of his career.(NASCAR Wire Service)[Read More Here](9-15-2017)
Chicagoland Speedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Chicagoland Speedway
17th Annual Tales of the Turtles 400
Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Fri, September 15, 2017 @ 08:12 PM Eastern
Coors Light Pole Winner: Kyle Busch (P)
Age: 32
Team : No. 18 – Skittles Sweet Heat Toyota
Owner: Joe Gibbs Racing
Crew Chief: Adam Stevens
#18-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 17th Annual Tales of the Turtles 400 with a lap of 28.729 seconds, 187.963 mph.
This is his 26th pole in 453 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his seventh pole and 23rd top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in 13 races at Chicagoland Speedway.
#11-Denny Hamlin (second) posted his 16th top-10 start of 2017 and his sixth in 12 races at Chicagoland Speedway.
#78-Martin Truex Jr. (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 22nd in 27 races this season.
#19-Daniel Suarez (13th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-15-2017)
Second Round of Qualifying for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#18-Busch 185.752
#3-Dillon 185.375
#78-Truex Jr. 185.618
#22-Logano 185.338
#14-Bowyer 185.166
the rest of the top 12: 21 4 24 2 11 20 42;
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 19 48 17 31 41 37 1 88 43 10 13 77
(9-15-2017)
First Round of Qualifying for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#18-Busch 185.874
#20-Kenseth 185.612
#42-Larson 185.109
#4-Harvick 185.103
#21-Blaney 184.906
the rest of the top 24: 77 24 3 2 31 22 10 1 14 19 11 78 48 43 88 17 13 37;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 5 6 34 27 47 95 38 32 23 15 72 55 33 66 51 83
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 40 entered
(9-15-2017)
Coverage of Qualifying for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is scheduled for Friday, September 15, 2017 at 6:45pm/et.
Television (TV): NBCSN, 6:30pm/et
Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
Group qualifying under the three-round qualifying format:
• Round 1 — All entries will have 20 minutes to post a qualifying time, after which the 24 registering the fastest laps will advance to the second round. Those failing to advance will be sorted based on first-round times in descending order (from fastest to slowest).
• Round 2 — The 24 fastest from the first round will have 10 minutes to post a second-round qualifying time, with the 12 fastest advancing to a third round. Those not advancing will earn starting positions 13 through 24 based on time, again in descending order.
• Round 3 — The final round will be five minutes in length. The fastest times from this session will determine the first (Coors Light Pole Award) through 12th starting positions.
There will be a seven-minute break between each round; teams may make adjustments to their entries only during the individual breaks. They will not be allowed to jack the vehicle or raise the hood, and once the car or truck enters the garage, it will no longer be permitted to return to the track for additional qualifying attempts.
Qualifying Order for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #13-Dillon.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #48-Johnson.
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).(9-15-2017)
Friday practice for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes:
#18-Busch 184.143
#19-Saurez 183.418
#11-Hamlin 182.921
#78-Truex Jr. 182.859
#4-Harvick 182.642
slowest: #51-Black 165.654 & #66-Hill 170.385
notes: no incidents.
most laps run: #22-Logano, 28; #24-Elliott, 26
Only two drivers ran 10 consecutive laps during this practice: #24-Elliott & #32-DiBenedetto
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(9-15-2017)
Go Fas Racing, Incredible Bank, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles team up The first race of the NASCAR playoffs arrives Sunday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway. Matt DiBenedetto will be sporting a special scheme as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have joined forces with Incredible Bank to give the #32 team a new look. This weekend’s race, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series “Tales of the Turtles 400”, marks the first race of the 2017 NASCAR Playoffs. Matt DiBenedetto will be racing with a turtles scheme of his own, representing the “Samurai” character. With this, the team will be working with Nickelodeon to put together fun segments that will air on Nickelodeon and Nick Sports after the race weekend. Matt DiBenedetto will also make several appearances this weekend with Nickelodeon and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle characters that will be announced later this week on the Go Fas Racing social media pages.(Go Fas Racing)[Read More Here](9-15-2017)
Jeffrey Earnhardt’s car to feature Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sponsorship at Chicago: Jeffrey Earnhardt will race a special Nickelodeon “BeBop Rocksteady” #33 Circle Sport Chevy in the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Earnhardt is one of six NASCAR racers who will carry Nickelodeon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sponsorship this weekend, which culminates with Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400, the opening race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.(PR)(9-15-2017)
NASCAR MENCS Chicago News & Notes Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Open At Chicagoland Speedway; A win in the Playoffs automatically advances a driver to the next round and adds five points to his playoff points total. A stage win earns one playoff point to be added in the following round. Past champions in the field include: Jimmie Johnson (2016, 2013, 2006-10), Kyle Busch (2015), Kevin Harvick (2014), Brad Keselowski (2012), Kurt Busch (2004) and Matt Kenseth (2003). Ryan Blaney and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are taking part in their first Playoffs. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series leader Martin Truex Jr. will try for his second straight win at Chicagoland Speedway in Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400. The Furniture Row Racing driver led 32 laps on his way to the victory in 2016. Prior to last season, he never finished better than ninth at the 1.5-mile track. Don’t bet against Brad Keselowski at Chicagoland Speedway. In eight starts at the Illinois track, he has two wins, four top fives, six top 10s and a 9.6 average finish. His two victories are tied with Kevin Harvick’s total for tops among active drivers. Kyle Larson speeds in to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as the circuit’s latest winner. He notched his series lead-tying fourth win at Richmond last Saturday night – his first career victory at a track shorter than two miles.(NASCAR)[Read Full Notes Here](9-15-2017)
Danica Patrick will not return to SHR in 2018 UPDATE not retiring:Statement from Danica Patrick regarding the announcement of new sponsor Smithfield to SHR in 2018: “It has been my honor to drive for Tony Stewart, Gene Haas and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing for the past six seasons. Together we earned a Daytona 500 pole, seven top-10 finishes and we also had some exciting racing along the way. My time driving for them, however, has come to an end due to a new sponsorship arrangement in 2018.”(Danica Patrick Facebook page)(9-12-2017)
UPDATE Many people are speculating that this could mean the end of Patrick’s racing career. But the 35-year-old driver shot down rumors that she was retiring Wednesday. “That’s just not the case. It really just means that I’m not going to be driving for that team anymore. I’ve said for the last year or two that, you know, I’ll do it as long as it’s fun,” Patrick said. “What’s fun is doing well. So, if I feel like I have an opportunity to be in a car that’s going to give me the ability to have fun, which is run well, then that’s what I’m doing to do.”(Chicago Sun Times)[Read More Here](9-15-2017)
Furniture Row Racing’s #77 Closure Inevitable Without Last-Minute Sponsor Barring a miracle walk-on sponsor at the last minute, Barney Visser has confirmed to Kickin’ the Tires that he will shutter the #77 in 2018. “Right now, we don’t have a sponsor lined up for the 77,” Visser said. “There is no way we can run it without sponsorship, so we’re going to have to put it down. It’s tough, it’s tough to take. We had a lot of people move out to Colorado and they are either going to be happy when they are leaving or they are not leaving. We are either going to make them happy or they are not going to leave they are going to stay with us.”
Visser said any shutdown of the #77 car, currently driven by Erik Jones, would hopefully not be permanent and his goal would be to bring it back. He said strong crewmembers are hard to come by, especially body men and fabricators.(Kickin’ the Tires)[Read More Here](9-13-2017)
AND Clair B. Lange reports on SiriusXM Radio that “@FRRacingTeam team owner Barney Visser tells @ClaireBLang that the #77 charter has already been sold. It doesn’t look good for 2018 (9-15-2017)
NASCAR Drivers Take Center Stage in 2017 NASCAR Playoffs Campaign As stock car racing’s brightest stars prepare for the grueling, 10-week road to Ford Championship Weekend, NASCAR is showcasing all the drama and intensity of the 2017 NASCAR Playoffs with a new, integrated marketing campaign. From the first green flag to the final burnout, the 2017 NASCAR Playoffs campaign will engage fans across platforms with the rigors of the journey, the ferocity of the competition, and the thrill of victory – all from the perspective of the drivers. Fans can visit the NASCAR Playoffs Leaderboard at NASCAR.com/playoffs and follow NASCAR on social media (#NASCARPlayoffs) for first-hand driver perspectives on navigating “Playoff Road” en route to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19. The first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series television spot, “Challenge of Champions,” debuted Saturday during the final regular season race at Richmond Raceway.(NASCAR)[Read More Here](9-15-2017)
Richmond TV Ratings NBCSN earned a 1.2 rating and 2.1 million viewers for Saturday night’s MENCS race at Richmond Raceway. Last year got 1.6 and 2.7 million.[Read more here](9-15-2017)
Eternal Fan and Db Sales sponsoring Gase at Chicago: Joey Gase will be competing in the TheHouse.com 300 with the help of Eternal Fan and Db Sales Company this Saturday, Sept. 16th. Gase has raced at Chicagoland nine times in the XFINITY Series and twice in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with a best finish of 23rd.[More]9-15(-2017)
Erik Jones paces final XFINITY practice: #20-Erik Jones was quickest in final practice at Chicago with a speed of 173.310mph.
#23-Spencer Gallagher was second, followed by: #18-Daniel Suarez, #00-Cole Custer, #22-Ryan Blaney, #9-William Byron, #42-Kyle Larson, #1-Elliott Sadler, #48-Brennan Poole, and #11-Blake Koch.
39drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Chicago practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-15-2017)
Brandon Jones fastest in first XFINITY practice: #33-Brandon Jones was fastest during opening practice at Chicago with a speed of 174.413mph. The rest of the top 10: #20-Erik Jones, #19-Matt Tifft, #22-Ryan Blaney, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #2-Austin Dillon, #1-Elliott Sadler, #9-William Byron, #18-Daniel Suarez, and #3-Ty Dillon.
35 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Chicago practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-15-2017)
Allgaier to drive special scheme at Chicago: BRANDT, a leading agriculture retailer and manufacturer of agricultural specialty products, will celebrate the future of agriculture with two industry leaders, FFA and 4-H, at Chicagoland Speedway. BRANDT has been a long-time supporter of both organizations and recognizes the positive influence they have in personal and professional development of young people into future leaders. The BRANDT #7, driven by Justin Allgaier, will run a special paint scheme at Chicagoland Speedway focusing on the two organizations and celebrating the role they each play.[More](9-15-2017)
Sauter gets momentum-building win at Chicagoland Speedway:Johnny Sauter served notice that he’s ready to make a spirited defense of his 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. Ben Rhodes was happy just to squeak into the final NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff berth-by the skin of his teeth. Sauter passed regular-season champion Christopher Bell for the lead on Lap 123 of 150 and drove away to win Friday Night’s TheHouse.com 225 by 2.005 seconds over Chase Briscoe, who passed Bell for second on Lap 136.The race within a race between Rhodes and polesitter Ryan Truex was much closer.[More](9-15-2017)
Sauter wins Chicago, Rhodes gets final playoff spot: #21-Johnny Sauter took the lead with 27 laps to go and went on to win TheHouse.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday night. #29-Chase Briscoe and #4-Christopher Bell swapped second multiple times as the laps clicked off but neither driver was able to run him down. #16-Ryan Truex started from the pole and finished fourth. #98-Grant Enfinger, #27-Ben Rhodes, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #18-Noah Gragson, #33-Kaz Grala, and #51-Myatt Snider closed out the top-10.
Truex and Rhodes tied in points for the final playoff spot, with Rhodes getting the advantage via his runner-up finish at Pocono.
There were six caution flags for 28 laps and 12 lead changes among six leaders.
See results on the Chicago race results page(9-15-2017)
Stage Information:
Stage 1 – 35 laps, winner, #16-Ryan Truex
Stage 2 – 70 laps, winner, #4-Christopher Bell
Stage 3 – 150 laps, winner, #21-Johnny Sauter
Chicago Truck Series Race Fast Facts:
Johnny Sauter won the 9th Annual TheHouse.com 225, his 15th victory in 214 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his second victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in nine races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Chase Briscoe (second) posted his first top-10 finish in one races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2017.
Christopher Bell (third) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Chase Briscoe (second) was the highest finishing rookie.
Christopher Bell leads the point standings by 21 points overJohnny Sauter.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-15-2017)
Reset Camping World Truck standings following Chicago:
The Round of 8 begins at New Hampshire
1) #4-Christopher Bell, 4 wins, 2040
2) #21-Johnny Sauter, 2 wins, 2025, -15
3) #8-John Hunter Nemechek, 2 wins, 2014, -11
4) #88- Matt Crafton, 1 win, 2014, -26
5) #29-Chase Briscoe, points, 2009, -31
6) #19-Austin Cindric, 1 win, 2007, -33
7) #27-Ben Rhodes, points, 2007, -33
8) #33-Kaz Grala, 1 win, 2005, -35
will miss the playoffs:
9) #16-Ryan Truex, 544, 1496
10) #98-Grant Enfinger, 506, 1534
11) #18-Noah Gragson, 489, -1551
12) #24-Justin Haley, 414, -1626
See complete standings on Driver points standings page and the owner’s standings are posted on the Owner points standings page.(9-15-2017)
Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution at Chicago: (and their finish)
Caution 1: none
Caution 2: none
Caution 3: #6-Benning, 23rd
Caution 4: none
Caution 5: #45-Fontaine, 17th
Caution 6: #02-Young, 13th
(9-15-2017)
Truex on Truck pole at Chicago: #16-Ryan Truex won the pole for the House.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed at 175.982mph. #29-Chase Briscoe will start second.
#4-Christopher Bell, #21-Johnny Sauter, #88-Matt Crafton, #18-Noah Gragson, #19-Austin Cindric, #98-Grant Enfinger, #24-Justin Haley, and #51-Myatt Snider close out the top-10.
Failed to qualify: none.
The starting lineup is posted on the Chicagoland starting lineup page(9-15-2017)
Chicago Qualifying Fast Facts:
Ryan Truex won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 9th Annual TheHouse.com 225 with a lap of 30.685 seconds, 175.982 mph.
This is his first pole in 35 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first pole and eighth top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in two races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Chase Briscoe (second) posted his 10th top-10 start of 2017 and his first in one races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Christopher Bell (third) posted his first top-10 start at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 14th in 16 races this season.
Chase Briscoe (second) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-15-2017)
News from September 14, 2017
Kyle Busch to drive the Skittles Sweet Heat scheme at Chicago As the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs take the green flag Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, Kyle Busch plans to bring the “heat” to the first race of the postseason. Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Sweet Heat Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), will have a new product and a new scheme to start the 10-race playoffs this weekend. The new sweet, yet spicy, candy will debut on the track this weekend and is available at Walgreens stores with a full, nationwide rollout set for early next year.(JGR / TSC)[Read More Here](9-14-2017)
Devour to sponsor McDowell at Chicago #95-Michael McDowell is looking to make a statement at Chicagoland Speedway for the first race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) playoffs.
McDowell and LFR will be partnering with Devour Frozen Meals for the Tales Of The Turtles 400. Devour, a company that claims to have the food for every craving, will don their black and orange colors on the #95 Chevrolet SS.(Leavine Family Racing)[Read More Here](9-14-2017)
Slugger Labbe joins Toyota Racing Development Veteran NASCAR crew chief Slugger Labbe has a new job. Labbe announced on The Morning Drive on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he has joined Toyota Racing and Toyota Racing Development as Manager of Teams and Vehicles Support. Labbe’s duties will be stretch across all forms of Toyota’s racing involvement including NASCAR, NHRA drag racing, NASCAR K&N Pro Series, USAC, Rally Series and several other series.(NBC Sports)[Read More Here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Ryan Blaney Playoffs Ryan Blaney met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Does Blaney feel like an underdog? excited to be part of the playoffs; Wood Brothers looking at first championship since 1963.(Ford Performance)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Kurt Busch Playoffs Kurt Busch met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Busch remembers 1st title; last chance at championship? 2018 plans to be announced soon.(Ford Performance)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Kyle Busch Playoffs Kyle Busch met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Kyle Busch discusses pit crew changes; the playoff favorite; challenges in the playoffs; playoff strategy; past playoff experiences.(Toyota Racing)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Austin Dillon Playoffs Austin Dillon met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Dillon comments about altercation on track with Danica Partick at RIR “She could have retaliated at Richmond”; and the playoffs.(Team Chevy)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Chase Elliott Playoffs Chase Elliott met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Elliott talks about crew chief Gustafson; game plan for the playoffs; toughest racetrack in playoffs; car #24 history.(Team Chevy)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Denny Hamlin Playoffs Denny Hamlin met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Hamlin talks about JGR pit crew changes; something to prove? who is the favorite in the playoffs? more ambulance talk.(Toyota Racing)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Kevin Harvick Playoffs Kevin Harvick met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Harvick talks about Playoff chances, Danica Patrick, Richmond problems and more.(Ford Performance)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Jimmie Johnson Playoffs Jimmie Johnson met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Johnson talks about chase for eighth championship; traveling safety crews and more.(Team Chevy)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Kasey Kahne Playoffs Kasey Kahne met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). as for 2018 rides: Kahne said “I don’t really think the #10 is an option; AND “I think the #95 is still an option.”; IndyCar in 2018? (Team Chevy)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Matt Kenseth Playoffs Matt Kenseth met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). a candidate to replace Danica? Kenseth: “No, nope. It’s not me.” Kenseth talks ambulance, 2018 plans; no to #10 ride.(Toyota Racing)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Brad Keselowski Playoffs Brad Keselowski met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Keselowski talks about ambulance getting lost; cautions and race control; Danica; younger drivers.(Ford Performance)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Kyle Larson Playoffs Kyle Larson met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Larson talks about who the favorite is for playoffs; winning Richmond; his team and more; (Team Chevy)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Jamie McMurray Playoffs Jamie McMurray met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). McMurray talks about pressure to make the playoffs; Ganassi’s belief in him; no odds for winning championship.(Team Chevy)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Ryan Newman Playoffs Ryan Newman met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Newman discusses experience in the playoffs; which playoff format is the best;(Team Chevy)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Playoffs Ricky Stenhouse Jr. met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Stenhouse Jr. talks about experience in the playoffs; is he an underdog; Danica’s future and legacy.(Ford Performance)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Transcript Martin Truex Jr. Playoffs Martin Truex Jr. met with members of the media at Playoff Media Day (Sept 13). Truex Jr. talks about getting over RIR; the officiating, the points gap between him and Larson; minimum speed. (Toyota Racing)[Read Full Transcript here](9-14-2017)
Tyler Reddick named to JR Motorsports lineup in 2018: JR Motorsports announced today the addition of Tyler Reddick to the team’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program in a multi-year agreement that begins with the 2018 season opener. The 21-year-old Reddick will pilot JRM’s fourth full-time entry in pursuit of the NXS championship next season.The team will also field a fifth entry in a handful of events. Additional details specific to sponsorship, crew-chief duties and car number for Reddick and the team will be announced at a later date.[More](9-14-2017)
Gale to return to Truck action with MDM at Martinsville: After being absent from the Camping World Truck Series since 2013, Cale Gale announced he will make his series return at Martinsville Speedway in October driving for MDM Motorsports with support from Rheem. [More](9-14-2017)
Sauter paces final Chicagoland Truck practice: #21-Johnny Sauter was fastest during final practice for Friday night’s TheHouse.com 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed of 175.965mph. #29-Chase Briscoe, #18-Nah Gragson, #19-Austin Cindric, #51-Myatt Snider, #98-Grant Enfinger, #88-Matt Crafton, #24-Justin Haley, #4-Christopher Bell, and #27-Ben Rhodes were the rest of the top-10 trucks. 32 trucks are entered and all 32 practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 2 speeds (pdf)(9-14-2017)
Briscoe fastest in opening Chicago Truck practice: #29-Chase Briscoe was fastest during the opening practice for Friday’s Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway at 175.296mph. #21-Johnny Sauter, #4-Christopher Bell, #18-Noah Gragson, #16-Ryan Truex, #33-Kaz Grala, #88-Matt Crafton, #98-Grant Enfinger, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, and #27-Ben Rhodes were the remainder of the top-10. 22 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 1 speeds (pdf)(9-14-2017)
Richmond Raceway Breaks Ground on Infield Redevelopment Project: Richmond Raceway and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) held a groundbreaking for Richmond Raceway Reimagined (Reimagined), a $30 million infield redevelopment project. The new infield will offer a variety of enhanced amenities for fans, teams, sponsors and other stakeholders to the iconic Richmond infield. Fan access is the focus of Reimagined, which will showcase new Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garages with a fan-viewing walkway. The new infield continues the track’s mission of being the most fan-friendly track on NASCAR’s schedule. The official Reimagined groundbreaking ceremony was held on the frontstretch at the edge of the infield near Turn 1. Guests for the groundbreaking included Todd Haymore, Secretary of Commerce & Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Delegate Lamont Bagby of the Virginia House of Delegates, John Vithoulkas, Henrico County Manager, Frank Thornton, Vice Chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, and Rita McClenny, President & CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation.(Richmond Raceway)[Read More Here](9-14-2017)
News from September 13, 2017
Kenseth talks ambulance drivers, 2018 plans; no to #10 ride Joe Gibbs Racing driver Matt Kenseth was made available to the media during NASCAR’s Playoff Media Day, some for questions answered: Q) Has NASCAR taken ownership of the issues from Saturday night? KENSETH: “Which ones? Just the ambulance one? Oh, yeah, I don’t know.”
Q) Have you talked to them about it? KENSETH: “No.” Q) Have you seen an ambulance driver get lost or confused in a race before? KENSETH: “Yeah. I think it was actually the spring Richmond race. I was driving around the infield for about five minutes with him. He was lost and couldn’t find the care center. So thankfully I wasn’t bleeding to death. Then the other one I think is after California or something like that. He drove so recklessly, it threw me right off the bench and I almost hit my head in the ambulance. So, yeah, there’s been a couple instances this year actually.” Q) Have you made any progress on your plans for next year? KENSETH: “I’m really worried about the next 10 weeks. I mean, the next 10 weeks will probably have enough problems to worry about without, you know, worrying about anything three or four months from now. So, no, I don’t really have anything for you there.” Q) Should we consider you a candidate to replace Danica? KENSETH: “No, nope. It’s not me. I can tell you that, it’s not me.”(Toyota PR)[Read Full Transcript Here](9-13-2017)
Kahne to run Great Clips Strong Against Cancer scheme at Chicago:This weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, Kasey Kahne will pilot the #5 Great Clips Strong Against Cancer Chevrolet SS. The longtime Hendrick Motorsports partner will also adorn the #5 machine at Texas and the season-ending finale at Homestead. Children from Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Strong Against Cancer initiative, in conjunction with Great Clips, had the opportunity to create a design for Kahne’s car this weekend. The three finalists went before a fan vote, with 9-year-old Wyatt, from Washington, receiving the most votes. Wyatt was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 2016 after he woke up one morning with an egg-sized lump on his neck. Wyatt, his parents and siblings will all be attending this weekend’s event courtesy of Great Clips.(Hendrick Motorsports)[Read More Here](9-13-2017)
Jewel-Osco to sponsor BK Racing’s #23 at Chicago: The #23 Toyota Camry will have a unique look for the Chicagoland Speedway race, courtesy of returning sponsor Jewel-Osco. The grocery store chain and their red monster mascot, JOJO, will be on board Corey LaJoie’s Toyota for the Tales of the Turtles 400.(BK Racing)[Read More Here](9-13-2017)
Tifft to drive Lone Rat Cub scheme in Chicagoland: Matt Tifft will race this special Nickelodeon “Lone Rat Cub” Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in Saturday’s Chicagoland 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Tifft is one of six NASCAR racers who will carry Nickelodeon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sponsorship[More](9-13-2017)
Nemechek to drive “Undead Shredder” paint scheme in Chicagoland: John Hunter Nemechek will race this special Nickelodeon “Undead Shredder” No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet in Friday night’s Chicagoland 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.[More](9-13-2017)
Cobb to drive “Rebel Road” paint scheme in Chicagoland Truck race:Jennifer Jo Cobb will race this special Nickelodeon “Rebel Road” Chevrolet in Friday night’s Chicagoland 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.[More](9-13-2017)
JAG Metals named title sponsor of November Truck race: JAG Metals LLC, a locally based company in Weatherford, has reached an agreement for the title sponsorship of November’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway that will have an emphasis on helping those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The race, scheduled for the evening of Friday, Nov. 3, will raise awareness of those affected by the disaster by being branded the JAG Metals 350 Driving Hurricane Harvey Relief.[More](9-13-2017)
TheHouse.com to sponsor Chicagoland races: Chicagoland Speedway and TheHouse.com today announced a multi-year agreement as the entitlement sponsor for multiple levels of NASCAR races through 2019. The agreement begins with TheHouse.com as the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, TheHouse.com 225, and the NASCAR XFINITY Series, The House.com 300, on September 15 and 16, respectively. The multi-year agreement expands in 2018 and 2019 as TheHouse.com will own the race weekend by having the rights to all three NASCAR National Series races: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.[More](9-13-2017)
News from September 12, 2017
Smithfield Foods Joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2018 Smithfield Foods Inc., a global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer, announced earlier today it will join Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) as a primary team sponsor beginning in 2018. Details of the agreement, including the driver who will be added to SHR’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series lineup in 2018, will be provided at a later date.(Stewart-Haas Racing / True Speed Communication)
Statement by Richard Petty Regarding Loss of Sponsor “We have had numerous discussions with Smithfield Foods regarding the extension of our relationship dating as far back as February. Over the past few months, Smithfield had continually told me they wanted to be with us, and I recently shook hands on a deal to extend our relationship. I come from a time when we did major deals with sponsors like STP on a handshake. I’m sad to see this is where we are now. This decision is very unexpected, and we are extremely disappointed in this late and abrupt change of direction. Losing a sponsor of this magnitude in September is a significant set-back to Richard Petty Motorsports, but Andy (Murstein) and I are committed to moving forward with the #43 team. We have a lot of great partners who have expressed their continued support, and our fans will rally around the #43. We’ve been around since 1949, and we’ll be around a lot longer.”(Richard Petty Motorsports)
Smithfield Foods Statement; Kenneth M. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Smithfield Foods, Inc. “We are extremely disappointed that Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) has chosen to disparage Smithfield – its lead sponsor – after five years and tens of millions of dollars of unwavering financial support, despite years of subpar performance on the track. RPM’s claims of a ‘handshake deal’ to extend our sponsorship are unequivocally and patently false.”…..[Read Much More Here](9-12-2017)
Danica Patrick will not return to SHR in 2018 Statement from Danica Patrick regarding the announcement of new sponsor Smithfield to SHR in 2018: “It has been my honor to drive for Tony Stewart, Gene Haas and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing for the past six seasons. Together we earned a Daytona 500 pole, seven top-10 finishes and we also had some exciting racing along the way. My time driving for them, however, has come to an end due to a new sponsorship arrangement in 2018.”(Danica Patrick Facebook page)[Read More Here](9-12-2017)
Goodyear Tire Fast Facts for Chicago NASCAR is on a stretch of the schedule where tire wear and give-up is at a premium. Coming off high wear tracks at Darlington and Richmond, the circuit visits Chicagoland, which is another track where lap times are expected to fall off more than two seconds over the course of a full fuel run. Goodyear is bringing a new tire combination to Chicagoland, with a tried-and-true left-side run earlier this year at Fontana and a new multi-zone tread right-side that has more tractive compounds on both zones compared to last year at this track. Increased grip and more give-up are a winning combination for competitive racing as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series begins its playoffs this week. “We tested at Chicagoland with the goal of giving the teams more grip and we’ve come back with a tire set-up that does just that,” said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing. “We’ve taken steps on both sides of the car. We are bringing the Fontana left-side, which not only adds compound grip, but has proven to be quite robust in meeting the duty cycle generated by the low air pressures the teams employ to gain grip from the left side. On the right-side, we are bringing a tire with a new multi-zone tread focused on grip improvement from both the inboard and outboard compounds. The net result is a set-up that will provide a good grip improvement while introducing more wear and fall-off, which adds to the competitiveness of the racing.”(Goodyear)[Read More Here](9-12-2017)
Richmond post-race penalties: #41-Busch’s and #77-Jones teams were penalized for a lug nut violation following Saturday night’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.[More](9-12-2017)
Richmond post-race penalty: #19-Matt Tifft’s team was penalized for a lug nut violation following Friday night’s XFINITY Series race at Richmond Raceway.[More](9-12-2017)
Gerber Collision & Glass racing with Chastain in Chicago: Gerber Collision & Glass, one of the nation’s leading autobody and glass repair and replacement companies, is joining JD Motorsports with Gary Keller again to sponsor driver Ross Chastain in Saturday’s Chicagoland 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Gerber will also be an associate sponsor on the No. 0 Chevrolet of Vinnie Miller and the No. 01 Chevrolet of Harrison Rhodes.[More](9-12-2017)
Vinnie Miller to debut with JDM at Chicago: 20-year-old Vinnie Miller will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway driving the No. 0 Chevrolet Camaro for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller in Saturday’s Chicagoland 300.[More](9-12-2017)
Chicagoland partners with PAWS Chicago to pay tribute to Earnhardt Jr. In recognition of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final season of full-time racing, Chicagoland Speedway has partnered with PAWS Chicago to pay tribute to his remarkable achievements both on and off the track. Taking Earnhardt’s deep love for his dogs into consideration, a donation drive will be held in his honor during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend Sept. 14-17. All supplies collected for the Chicago-based animal shelter will be donated in the name of the acclaimed driver to support their efforts toward ending the overpopulation and euthanasia of homeless pets. In addition to the physical donation generated by NASCAR’s loyal fan base, Chicagoland Speedway will make a monetary contribution in Earnhardt’s name to commend his illustrious career. Chicagoland Speedway is enlisting the help of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s passionate fan base in hopes of generating significant supplies for the many animals PAWS Chicago rescues each year including those saved during national disasters and tragedies like parts of our nation are currently facing.(Chicagoland Speedway)[Read More Here](9-12-2017)
News from September 11, 2017
Entry List for the Tales of the Turtles 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway 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-Ray Black(i)*, #55-Gaulding*, #66-Long(i)*, #83-Moffitt(i)*.
Since only 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
Darlington XFINITY Ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Darlington (S.C.) had a 0.7 rating and 1.1 million viewers on NBCSN last Saturday, down 30% in ratings and 28% in viewership from last year (1.0, 1.5M) and down 40% and 36% respectively from 2015 (1.2, 1.7M), both of which aired on the NBC broadcast network.[Sports Media Watch](9-11-2017)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 37 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Chicagoland 300 at Chicagoland Speedway.
See the complete list on the Chicago entry list page.(9-11-2017)
Truck Series entry list: There are 30 trucks entered for Friday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway. See the complete list on the Chicago entry list page (pdf).(9-15-2017)
Tyler Hughes to make debut in Camping World Truck Series in Martinsville: Long Motorsports is excited to welcome Tyler Hughes into the Camping World Truck Series. Tyler, a long time race car driver will be Long Motorsports driver for the “Carilion Truck” at Martinsville Speedway, October 28, 2017.[More](9-11-2017)
News from September 10, 2017
Cope parts ways with Premium Motorsports: Following Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 400 in Richmond, VA, Derrike Cope has parted ways with Premium Motorsports.[More](9-10-2017)
Richmond commercial breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday’s race.[More](9-10-2017)
Ambulance on pit road nearly ruins NASCAR’s race: It was hardly NASCAR’s finest moment when an ambulance clogged the entrance to Richmond’s pit road in a freak incident that could have ruined the regular-season finale. A caution in Saturday night’s race — the one that finalizes the field for the playoffs — sent cars to pit road for a routine stop. But for reasons NASCAR does not yet know, an ambulance had parked itself along the route and immediately bottlenecked the traffic.[More](-2017)
Smithfield expected to move to Stewart-Haas: After a handshake agreement between the sponsor and the King, RPM was informed that Smithfield will not return in 2018. Negotiations had been ongoing since February but talks cooled after the team proposed Darrell Wallace as the new driver for the #43 car.[More](9-10-2017)
News from September 9, 2017
Saturday Richmond Notebook: Martin Truex Jr. crossed up by late caution at Richmond; Erik Jones misses chance to steal a win on final restart; Matt Kenseth sweats out final stage after falling out.[More](9-9-2017)
Kyle Larson rides late caution, superb pit stop to win at Richmond: A caution on Lap 397 of a scheduled 400 in Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 turned what looked like a coronation for Martin Truex Jr. into an unexpected overtime victory for Kyle Larson, as the field of 16 drivers was set for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Truex, the regular season winner, had a comfortable lead over Larson when Derrike Cope brushed the outside wall with three laps left in regulation. Larson won the race off pit road after the lead-lap cars pitted for tires, and the driver of the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing pulled away from a restart on Lap 403.[More](9-9-2017)
Kyle Larson won the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway for his 4th win of 2017, 1st win at Richmond, and 5th career win.
#22-Logano finished 2nd. #31-Newman was third, followed by #41-Busch, #11-Hamlin, #77-Jones, #19-Suarez, #48-Johnson, #18-Busch, and #24-Elliott.
#78-Truex dominated most of the race, leading 198 laps. He was leading the race by more than 3 seconds with 4 laps to go when the caution came out. He fell to second during pit stops. On the final restart, which was an Overtime finish, Truex was running second when #11-Hamlin got into the rear of the #78 and sent him into the wall. The race ended under caution with Truex, Jr. in 20th.
#18-Busch won the first stage. #78-Truex Jr. won the second stage.
Pole sitter #20-Kenseth finished 38th. He led 89 laps early but ran into the back of #14-Bowyer while coming on to pit road during the 5th caution of the night. An ambulance mistakenly entered the track during the caution and stopped near pit entrance forcing several cars to check up coming on to pit road.
The 16 drivers who made the 2017 playoffs are #78-Truex, #42-Larson, #18-Busch, #2-Keselowski, #48-Johnson, #4-Harvick, #11-Hamlin, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #21-Blaney, #24-Elliott, #31-Newman, #41-Busch, #5-Kahne, #3-Dillon, #20-Kenseth, #1-McMurray. Those drivers’ points have been reset to 2000 plus the playoff points they acquired so far this season.
Truex, Jr. will start the playoffs with a 20 point lead over Larson.
There were 13 lead changes among 7 drivers and 7 cautions for 38 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 99.417mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Richmond
Kyle Larson won the 60th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400, his fifth victory in 137 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his fourth victory and 15th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in eight races at Richmond Raceway.
Joey Logano (second) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 18 races at Richmond Raceway. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2017.
Ryan Newman (third) posted his 18th top-10 finish in 32 races at Richmond Raceway.
Erik Jones (sixth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Martin Truex Jr. finished the regular season as the champion, 95 points ahead of second-place Kyle Larson.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-9-2017)
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers:
drivers in with at least one win
#78-Martin Truex Jr., 4 wins
#42-Kyle Larson, 4 wins
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 3 wins
#18-Kyle Busch, 2 wins
#2-Brad Keselowski, 2 wins
#11-Denny Hamlin, 2 wins [1 win encumbered]
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2 wins
#4-Kevin Harvick, 1 win
#21-Ryan Blaney, 1 win
#41-Kurt Busch, 1 win
#31-Ryan Newman, 1 win
#5-Kasey Kahne, 1 win
#3-Austin Dillon, 1 win
made the playoffs on points
#24-Chase Elliott
#20-Matt Kenseth
#1-Jamie McMurray
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings:
[after Richmond, race 26 of 36]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 2053
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 2033
3) #18-Kyle Busch, 2029
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2019
5) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2017
6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2015
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2013
8) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2010
9) #21-Ryan Blaney, 2008
10) #24-Chase Elliott, 2006
11) #31-Ryan Newman, 2005
12) #41-Kurt Busch, 2005
13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 2005
14) #3-Austin Dillon, 2005
15) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2005
16) #1-Jamie McMurray, 2003
See full standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 200) of the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway (lap 200/400):
#78-Truex, Jr., 10pts, 1 playoff point
#20-Kenseth, 9pts
#77-Jones, 8pts
#22-Logano, 7pts
#2-Keselowski, 6pts
#42-Larson, 5pts
#88-Earnhardt, Jr., 4pts
#41-Busch, 3pts
#31-Newman, 2pts
#18-Busch, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 100) of the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway (lap 100/400):
#18-Busch, 10 pts, 1 playoff point
#42-Larson, 9pts
#14-Bowyer, 8pts
#20-Kenseth, 7pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 6pts
#22-Logano, 5pts
#77-Jones, 4pts
#4-Harvick, 3pts
#24-Elliott, 2pts
#41-Busch, 1pt
Kenseth comments on Richmond incident that put him out of race:“Well we were all just kind of coming to pit road and I saw an ambulance sitting there and so I looked left of the ambulance at the same time (Jason) Hedlesky (spotter) yelled at everyone to stop there was an ambulance just sitting there. It was an accordion effect and I just couldn’t get stopped.”[More](9-9-2017)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway have been made.
With the field downsized to 40 cars, three pit stalls (4,26,43) have been eliminated, are not in play and don’t count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Pole sitter #20-Kenseth chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #11-Hamlin took pit stall 5, with an opening in front of it.
#41-Busch, who starts 3rd, took the 17th stall.
The final pit stall was taken by #24-Elliott, who starts 9th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-9-2017)
Zello Partners with Whitt for Richmond: Zello has joined forces with TriStar Motorsports and will serve as the primary sponsor of the #72, driven by Cole Whitt, for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway. Based in Autstin, Texas, Zello App, is a free, downloadable, walkie-talkie style app. It is available for Apple iOS, Google Android, BlackBerry and Windows PC and allows users to the ability of fast, secure and reliable push-to-talk from their smart phones, tablets or computers.[More](9-9-2017)
Brad Paisley honors Dale Jr.’s Last Ride with JR Nation Appreci88ion tour concert: Before drivers battle in the afternoon sun during the Oct. 8 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, stars will shine the night before at zMAX Dragway when award-winning country music singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer Brad Paisley lights up zMAX Dragway with a spectacular pre-race concert.[More](9-9-2017)
News from September 8, 2017
Matt Kenseth takes step toward playoff with Richmond pole run: In need of a playoff spot next week and a place to drive next year, Matt Kenseth stormed to the pole position for Saturday night’s Federated Auto parts 400 at Richmond Raceway. Kenseth covered the .75-mile distance in 22.055 seconds (122.421 mph) in the final round of Friday’s knockout qualifying session to edge Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin (122.277 mph) for the top starting spot by .026 seconds.[More](9-8-2017)
Matt Kenseth won the Coors Light pole for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway with speed of 122.421mph for his 2nd pole of 2017, 3rd at Richmond and 20th of his career. Kenseth has won 4 times from the 19 previous poles.
#11-Hamlin will start 2nd followed by #41-Busch, #42-Larson, #78-Truex, Jr., #4-Harvick, #18-Busch, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #24-Elliott, #77-Jones, #1-McMurray, and #22-Logano.
#78-Truex, Jr. was fastest in the second round with a speed of 123.046mph, will start 5th.
#42-Larson was fastest in the first round with a speed of 123.378mph, will start 4th.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 39 were entered for 40 spots.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(9-8-2017)
Richmond Raceway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Matt Kenseth won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 60th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400 with a lap of 22.055 seconds, 122.421 mph.
This is his 20th pole in 640 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and 15th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his third pole in 36 races at Richmond Raceway.
Denny Hamlin (second) posted his 15th top-10 start of 2017 and his 14th in 23 races at Richmond Raceway.
Kurt Busch (third) posted his 11th top-10 start at Richmond Raceway. It is his ninth in 26 races this season.
Erik Jones (10th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-8-2017)
Second Round of Qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#78-Truex, Jr. 123.046
#41-Busch 123.035
#20-Kenseth 122.945
#42-Larson 122.488
#18-Busch 122.338
the rest of the top 12: 11 1 77 24 22 17 4;
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 14 21 2 19 5 6 10 48 88 47 43 37
(9-8-2017)
First Round of Qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#42-Larson 123.378
#20-Kenseth 123.327
#22-Logano 123.237
#17-Stenhouse, Jr. 123.080
#19-Suarez 123.057
the rest of the top 24: 48 18 41 4 6 11 78 14 10 21 37 1 43 2 47 24 5 77 88;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 32 27 31 95 38 34 3 13 83 23 72 55 33 15 51
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 39 entered
(9-8-2017)
Friday Richmond Notebook: Joey Logano faces do-or-die race on Saturday night; Hamlin acknowledges penalties were justified; Earnhardt isn’t expecting a Sunday miracle.[More](9-8-2017)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#42-Larson 120.235
#22-Logano 120.208
#19-Suarez 119.925
#78-Truex, Jr. 119.697
#20-Kenseth 119.564
slowest: #72-Whitt 115.070 & #15-Cope 114.097
Top 10 lap average (of 31 drivers): #78-Truex, Jr. 117.480
notes: no accidents or incidents
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (9-8-2017)
Darlington TV ratings UPDATE:: NBCSN earned a 1.7 overnight rating for Sunday night’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway.(9-5-2017)
UPDATE: NASCAR Cup Series racing from Darlington (S.C.) earned a 1.8 rating and 3.10 million viewers on NBCSN Sunday night, down 36% in ratings and 33% in viewership from last year[More](9-8-2017)
First practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#78-Truex, Jr. 120.897
#20-Kenseth 120.897
#18-Busch 120.423
#42-Larson 120.401
#2-Keselowski 120.380
slowest: #51-McLeod 113.431 & #15-Cope 112.886
most laps run: #95-McDowell, 58 laps.
Top 10 lap average (of 28 drivers): #11-Hamlin 118.948
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(9-8-2017)
B.J. McLeod returns to the #51 at Richmond: For the second consecutive week, Rick Ware Racing (RWR) will continue to use their Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) team to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway. For this weekend’s regular season finale, RWR welcomes the support of BBMC Mortgage who has agreed pledge additional funds towards the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Motorsports veteran B.J. McLeod will drive the team’s #51 Chevrolet in Saturday night’s race.[More](9-8-2017)
Qualifying Order for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #95-McDowell.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #42-Larsonz.
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).(9-8-2017)
Brad Keselowski perseveres in NASCAR XFINITY race at Richmond:In the long run, Brad Keselowski knew he had the superior car. And that’s exactly what Keselowski got – a long run to close Friday night’s Virginia529 College Savings 250 at Richmond Raceway. On lap 235 of 250 of the NASCAR XFINITY Series race, Keselowski powered his No. 22 Team Penske Ford past the No. 18 Toyota of Kyle Busch and pulled away to win by 3.008 seconds.[More](9-8-2017)
Brad Keselowski wins Richmond XFINITY race: #22-Brad Keselowski won the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond Raceway. It is his 36th XFINITY Series win and 2nd of the year.
Pole sitter #18-Kyle Busch finished second, followed by #3-Ty Dillon, #21-Daniel Hemric, #1-Elliott Sadler, #20-Christopher Bell, #9-William Byron, #7-Justin Allgaier, #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and #48-Brennan Poole.
Busch led 182 laps on the night, but Keselowski passed him for the lead with 16 laps remaining and gradually pulled away for a 3 second win.
Elliott Sadler now leads #9-William Byron by 95 points and has clinched the XFINITY Series regular season championship. He will get 15 extra playoff points.
There were 3 cautions for 26 laps and 11 lead changes among 5 leaders.
The average speed was 97.614mph.
Complete results are on the Richmond race results page (pdf).
(9-8-2017)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 75 – Winner, #3-Ty Dillon
Stage 2 – lap 150 – Winner, #22-Brad Keselowski
Stage 3 – lap 250 – Race winner, #22-Brad Keselowski
Richmond XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Brad Keselowski(i) won the 37th Annual Virginia529 College Savings 250, his 36th victory in 249 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his second victory and ninth top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his fourth victory and 10th top-10 finish in 17 races at Richmond Raceway.
Kyle Busch(i) (second) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 22 races at Richmond Raceway. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2017.
Ty Dillon(i) (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in ten races at Richmond Raceway.
Daniel Hemric (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 95 points over William Byron #.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-8-2017)
XFINITY Playoff standings following Richmond:
One more race – 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 [clinched on points]
currently in on points:
6) #48-Brennan Poole[clinched on points]
7) #21-Daniel Hemric [clinched on points]
8) #00-Cole Custer [clinched on points]
9) #19-Matt Tifft [clinched on points]
10) #11-Blake Koch, 537, +51
11) #5-Michael Annett, 512, +26
12) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 511, +25 ahead of 13th
currently will miss the playoffs:
13) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 486, -25 behind 12th
14) #14-JJ Yeley, 446, -65
15) #4-Ross Chastain, 441, -70
(9-8-2017)
XFINITY Driver standings
1) #1-Elliott Sadler, 894
2) #9-William Byron, 799, -95
3) #7-Justin Allgaier, 774, -120
4) #21-Daniel Hemric, 702, -192
5) #48-Brennan Poole, 701, -193
6) #00-Cole Custer, 617, -277
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 582, -312
8#11-Blake Koch, 537, -357
9) #16-Ryan Reed, 512, -382
10) #5-Michael Annett, 512, -382
11) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 511, -383
12) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 486, -408
13) #14-JJ Yeley, 446, -448
14) #4-Ross Chastain, 441, -453
15) #39-Ryan Sieg, 424, -470
16) #33-Brandon Jones, 402, -492
17) #51-Jeremy Clements, 39, -498
following Richmond: See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(9-8-2017)
Kyle Busch on XFINITY pole at Richmond: #18-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light pole for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond Raceway with a speed of 119.268mph. #48-Brenna Poole will start second. The rest of the top 10: #22-Brad Keselowski, #00-Cole Custer, #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #9-William Byron, #11-Blake Koch, #21-Daniel Hemric, #7-Justin Allgaier, and #2-Paul Menard.
Did Not Qualify: #89-Morgan Shepherd.
The starting lineup is posted on the Richmond starting lineup page (pdf).(9-8-2017)
Richmond XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
Kyle Busch(i) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 37th Annual Virginia529 College Savings 250 with a lap of 22.638 seconds, 119.268 mph.
This is his 64th pole in 338 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his seventh pole and eighth top-10 start in 2017.
This is his sixth pole in 22 races at Richmond Raceway.
Brennan Poole (second) posted his 14th top-10 start of 2017 and his fourth in six races at Richmond Raceway.
Brad Keselowski(i) (third) posted his 12th top-10 start at Richmond Raceway. It is his eighth in nine races this season.
Cole Custer (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-8-2017)
Blake Koch fastest in first XFINITY practice: #11-Blake Koch was fastest during opening practice at Richmond with a speed of 122.912mph.
The rest of the top 10: #9-William Byron, #33-Brandon Jones, #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #16-Ryan Reed, #22-Brad Keselowski, #00-Cole Custer, #3-Ty Dillon, #23-Spencer Gallagher, and #48-Brennan Poole.
All 41 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Richmond practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-8-2017)
News from September 7, 2017
What to Watch for: Richmond: 1 to Go Until Playoff Field is Set; Dale Junior, 19 Others Still Alive to “Win and Get In”; Logano’s Interesting Case; Can Anyone Stop the Toyotas? Harvick Makes Start #600; Who’s Hot and Who’s Not[More](9-7-2017)
Richmond Weekend Preview: New winner would shake up playoff picture; Byron tries to close out the regular season strong.[More](9-7-2017)
Gaulding returns to the #23 at Richmond: sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt returns to the track this weekend with Gray Gaulding. Gaulding a native of Colonial Heights, Virginia 30 minutes south of Richmond Raceway will return to the #23 Toyota Camry for BK Racing under the lights at Richmond Raceway in the Federated Auto Parts 400.[More](9-7-2017)
StarCom Fiber rejoins Cope at Richmond: StarCom Fiber and Derrike Cope are back at it to race under the bright lights in Richmond Virginia for the Monster Energy Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway Saturday September 9th at 7:30PM ET. StarCom Fiber continues its partnership with Premium Motorsports at the .75-mile D-Shaped oval for 400 miles of excitement.[More](9-7-2017)
Red Cross featured on Kenseth’s #20 at Richmond: The Toyota Mothers of Invention (MOI) program recognizes women who actively contribute through innovation, entrepreneurship and invention. Select MOIs with ties to disaster response and relief have sprung into action, finding ways to solve steep challenges resulting from the disaster situation in south Texas and Louisiana. [More](9-7-2017)
Bubba Wallace in the #98 at Chicago: Darrell “Bubba” Wallace will join the lineup for Nickelodeon’s upcoming Tales of the Turtles 400 race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, driving the #98 Nickelodeon Slime Ford in the NASCAR XFINITY race for Biagi DenBeste Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM). [More](9-7-2017)
Charlotte welcomes evacuees from Hurricane Irma: In conjunction with preparations for the Sept. 15-17 NHRA Carolina Nationals, Charlotte Motor Speedway will open its Rock City Campground beginning at 7 a.m. Friday morning for evacuees heading north or inland from Hurricane Irma.[More](9-7-2017)
News from September 6, 2017
Darlington post-race penalties: Two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup and two XFINITY Series penalties were issued after the races at Darlington Raceway. The Cup teams of #11-Hamlin and #88-Earnhardt, Jr. were penalized. Both drivers had their crew chiefs suspended for two races. Hamlin’s win is encumbered. In the XFINITY Series, #18-Hamlin and #22-Logano’s teams were penalized. Both crew chiefs were suspended two races and Hamlin’s XFINITY race win was also encumbered.[More](9-6-2017)
A look at many news, notes and story lines for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes — Richmond
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Richmond, see the stats on the Statistical Advance – Analyzing Richmond page
Rick Ware Racing’s East Carolina University car in doubt: Eight weeks after the race team was forced to punt on the second race of a planned three-race deal between the two entities, RWR now may have to forgo its plan to have the Pirates on its #51 Chevrolet for Saturday night’s race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va.[More](9-6-2017)
Warrior by Danica Patrick clothing line featured on the #10 at Richmond: While Patrick is used to the fast-paced lifestyle of a professional racecar driver, off the track she enjoys a fashionable and fitness-oriented way of life. Warrior by Danica Patrick is a lifestyle collection with a mix of active, “athleisure” and casual wear. Function, fashion and comfort is what the brand stands for with attention to detail and shape. The HSN collection, which launched in January 2017, is available at HSN.com[More](9-6-2017)
Clinch scenarios for the Trucks at Chicagoland: With a pair of Brad Keselowski Racing drivers clinching two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs spots in Austin Cindric (win) and Chase Briscoe (points) at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, there is only one Playoffs spot up for grabs at Chicagoland Speedway. ThorSport Racing driver Ben Rhodes, who is currently in the eighth and final NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs position could officially clinch that spot with a win at Chicagoland or on points if he scores at least 49 points in the race. The following drivers could clinch their Playoffs berth with a win or on points based on a repeat winner and help from other drivers: Ryan Truex, Grant Enfinger, Noah Gragson.[More](9-4-2017)
Talladega opening campgrounds for Hurricane evacuees: With the growing threat of Hurricane Irma, Talladega Superspeedway will offer a portion of its campgrounds – which will include hot shower and restroom facilities, as well as water hookups on gravel and grassy areas – free to evacuees seeking temporary refuge, beginning Thursday (Sept. 7) morning at 9 am CDT.[More](9-6-2017)
Atlanta opens camping facilities for hurricane evacuees: The Speedway, which is equipped to handle thousands of campers during its annual NASCAR weekend, will open both RV and tent campgrounds to any interested evacuees beginning Sept. 7.[More](9-6-2017)
Wyclef Jean named grand marshal of Dover Cup race: Wyclef Jean, the three-time Grammy-Award winning musician, producer and actor, will be the grand marshal of the “Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 1, track officials announced today.[More](9-6-2017)
Phoenix’s luxury suite experience ‘Curve’ to debut in November: As part of the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar, Phoenix Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber announced today that the new, luxury suite experience Curve will be unveiled during the Can-Am 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series semifinal race weekend on Nov. 10-12. Curve is the first element of the modernization project that will be available to fans.[More](9-6-2017)
Dan+Shay to play pre-race concert at New Hampshire: A sound all their own, platinum-selling country act Dan + Shay will bring their unique blend of country, rock and pop to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway frontstretch stage on Sunday, Sept. 24. The Nashville-based duo will perform a 45-minute pre-race concert at 11:00 a.m. prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ISM Connect 300 playoff race.[More](9-6-2017)
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey named grand marshal at Talladega: The 54th Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey (R), is set to give the command to fire the engines prior to the running of Talladega Superspeedway’s Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Sunday, Oct. 15. Governor Ivey, who has held several different roles in Alabama politics, officially took the oath of office on April 10, 2017, becoming only the second female to serve as Alabama’s governor and the first in 50 years.[More](9-6-2017)
News from September 5, 2017
Richard Petty Motorsports has no plans to merge with another team:Officials from Richard Petty Motorsports, whose shop went up for lease last week, said Tuesday they have no plans to merge with another team while seeking a new home.[More](9-5-2017)
Entry List for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway 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-Gaulding, #33-JEarnhardt, #51-TBA*, #55-Sorenson*, #83-LaJoie*
Since only 39 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
Hendrick drivers launch disaster relief fund: Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have launched a disaster relief fund with the goal of raising $500,000 in two weeks to support hurricane victims.[More](9-5-2017)
Safeway sponsoring LaJoie at Richmond: Safeway, a nationwide grocery store chain, will be on board the #83 Toyota Camry with Corey LaJoie for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway.[More](9-5-2017)
Darlington TV ratings: NBCSN earned a 1.7 overnight rating for Sunday night’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway.[More](9-5-2017)
GEICO, Ty Dillon and Germain Racing ink multi-year contract extensions: Germain Racing’s ten-year relationship with GEICO kicked off in 2008 and the Mooresville, N.C.-based team is proud to announce that the GEICO logo and legendary Gecko will continue to appear for years to come on the #13 GEICO Chevrolet, driven by Ty Dillon in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. In addition to its sponsorship of Germain Racing, GEICO continues to have an expansive presence within NASCAR, including the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, the popular GEICO campgrounds, a large midway display at various racetracks, as well as the newest component, the GEICO Restart Zone, all of which are complemented by a sizeable multilevel media platform.[More](9-5-2017)
1000Bulbs.com joins Ragan’s #38 team at Phoenix: Front Row Motorsports will bring another new partner to the race track this season, with 1000Bulbs.com joining David Ragan’s #38 team as primary sponsor for the Nov. 12 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.[More](9-5-2017)
XFINITY Entry List: There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Friday’s Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond Raceway.
See the complete list on the Richmond entry list page.(9-4-2017)
Aurora, Colorado NASCAR project will not move forward: City lawmakers put the brakes on a contentious referendum asking voters to create an entertainment district – and possibly a NASCAR track – in the northeastern part of the city, killing the measure Thursday night.[More](9-5-2017)
News from September 4, 2017
Subway drops sponsorship of Suarez UPDATE: Subway, which had one race left on a four-race sponsorship with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Daniel Suarez, has dropped the sponsorship. Subway: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, Subway had to terminate its sponsorship of Daniel Suarez.”(9-2-2017)
UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed that a segment with Daniel Suarez handing out Dunkin Donuts on a prerace telecast in July was Subway’s issue in terminating its deal.[More](9-4-2017)
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2017 Bojangles’ Southern 500: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 6:00 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 10:07 PM (all times are EDT). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage.[More](9-4-2017)
New Hampshire preparing for “wicked fun” weekend: September NASCAR race weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will once again provide a relentless supply of on-track racing sure to satisfy the most hearty fan’s appetite. The weekend will also deliver a wicked good time outside of the grandstands, too, as speedway officials announce the addition of a Fun Zone in the Fan Zone, the Fan Jam appreciation party, and the return of the Trackside Live Stage.[More](9-4-2017)
News from September 3, 2017
Denny Hamlin sweeps throwback weekend at Darlington with dramatic win: Denny Hamlin made a huge mistake on Sunday night. Then the driver of the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota made an even bigger comeback to win one of NASCAR’s most prestigious races. Running down race leader Martin Truex Jr. from 20 seconds back after missing the entrance to pit road on Lap 313 of 367, Hamlin won the Bojangles’ Southern 500 for the second time, finishing off a sweep of the throwback Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series/NASCAR XFINITY Series weekend at Darlington Raceway.[More](9-3-2017)
Denny Hamlin won the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway for his 2nd win of 2017, 2nd win at Darlington, and 31st career win.
#18-Busch finished 2nd. #41-Busch was third, followed by #3-Dillon, #77-Jones, #20-Kenseth, #31-Newman, #78-Truex, Jr., pole sitter #4-Harvick, and #1-McMurray.
#78-Truex, Jr. won the first and second stages and was leading with 2 laps to go when he cut down and tire and got into the outside wall. Hamlin had been closing on Truex for the lead after making his final pit stop later that most of the field and running on fresher tires.
#78-Truex Jr’s. driver points lead increased to 107 points over #18-Busch. He has now clinched the regular season championship and will get an extra 15 playoff points for the start of the playoffs.
There were 20 lead changes among 8 drivers and 8 cautions for 38 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 132.761mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
MENCS at Darlington Recap
– Denny Hamlin: passed Martin Truex Jr. with 3 laps to go after Truex Jr. had flat tire
– Hamlin: 31st career Cup Series win (2nd this season)
– Hamlin: 2nd career Darlington win (joins Jimmie Johnson (3) as active drivers with multiple Darlington wins
– Hamlin: also won yesterday’s XFINITY Series race at Darlington; 2nd time sweeping NXS-MENCS races in a weekend (2010, also at Darlington)
– Martin Truex Jr.: finished 8th after blowing title while leading with 3 laps to go
– Truex Jr.: clinched regular season points title with 1 race remaining; will receive additional 15 points at start of 1st 3 playoff rounds
– Kyle Busch: finished 2nd; 20th 1-2 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing in Cup Series (2nd at Darlington)
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.: finished 22nd in final MENCS race at Darlington
– Jimmie Johnson: finished 12th; has not finished better than 10th in last 12 races (longest top-5 drought of MENCS career)
– Kyle Larson: finished 14th, led 124 laps, winless in 4 career races when leading more than 120 laps
(ESPN Stats & Info)
Race Fast Facts – Darlington
This is his second victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his second victory and 10th top-10 finish in 12 races at Darlington Raceway.
Kyle Busch (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 13 races at Darlington Raceway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2017.
Kurt Busch (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 21 races at Darlington Raceway.
Erik Jones (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Martin Truex Jr. leads the point standings by 107 points over Kyle Busch.
This is the fourth NASCAR national series weekend sweep at Darlington Raceway – Dale Earnhardt (1987), Mark Martin (1993) and Denny Hamlin (2010 and 2017).
Martin Truex Jr. has clinched the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season championship.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-3-2017)
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver Standings:
[after Darlington, race 25 of 36]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr [4 wins], 1000
2) #18-Kyle Busch [2], 893, -107
3) #42-Kyle Larson [3], 884, -116
4) #4-Kevin Harvick [1], 867, -133
5) #11-Denny Hamlin [2], 810, -190
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 Darlington, race 25 of 36, 1 more race 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) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2 wins
7) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2 wins
8) #4-Kevin Harvick, 1 win
9) #21-Ryan Blaney, 1 win
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, 737, +94 ahead of 17th
15) #20-Matt Kenseth, 735, +92
16) #1-Jamie McMurray, 734, +91
currently outside the playoffs
17) #14-Clint Bowyer, 643, -91 behind 16th
19) #77-Erik Jones, 611, -123
18) #22-Joey Logano, [1 win but can’t be used for playoffs], 605, -129
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 200) of the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway (lap 200/367):
#78-Truex, Jr., 10pts, 1 playoff point
#11-Hamlin, 9pts
#4-Harvick, 8pts
#42-Larson, 7pts
#18-Busch, 6pts
#2-Keselowski, 5pts
#41-Busch, 4pts
#1-McMurray, 3pts
#3-Dillon, 2pts
#20-Kenseth, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 100) of the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway (lap 100/367):
#78-Truex, Jr., 10 pts, 1 playoff point
#42-Larson, 9pts
#11-Hamlin, 8pts
#4-Harvick, 7pts
#2-Keselowski, 6pts
#77-Jones, 5pts
#1-McMurray, 4pts
#22-Logano, 3pts
#18-Busch, 2pts
#3-Dillon, 1pt
Sunday Darlington Notebook: Jamie McMurray: In terms of thrills for a driver, nothing tops Darlington; Fifth Third Bank renews sponsorship with Stenhouse Jr.; Is Jimmie Johnson playing ‘possum again?
[More](9-3-2017)
Fifth Third Bank renews sponsorship of Stenhouse, Jr.: Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB) has renewed its relationship with Roush Fenway Racing as primary sponsor on the #17 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford with driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in a multi-year deal. Fifth Third Bank came onboard with Roush Fenway Racing in 2012 and has served as a primary sponsor on the #17 Ford for the past six seasons.[More](9-3-2017)
Austin Cindric clinches playoff spot with win in Canada Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has a knack for hosting dramatic finishes, and Austin Cindric created one of his own in today’s Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. A dramatic last-lap incident saw Cindric push his No. 19 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford into the back of the No. 33 GMS Racing Chevrolet of Kaz Grala to push his way past and punch his ticket into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs by claiming his first victory of the year.[More](9-3-2017)
Cindric wins Canada: #19-Austin Cindric won the Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on Sunday after sending the #33-Kaz Grala spinning on the last lap. Grala, who won at Daytona, was already locked into the playoffs, while Cindric needed a win to cement his run. #18-Noah Gragson finished second, while Grala regrouped to finish third. #24-Justin Haley, #16-Ryan Truex, #21-Johnny Sauter, #29-Chase Briscoe, #75-Parker Kligerman, #22-Austin Wayne Self, and #27-Ben Rhodes were the remainder of the top-10.
There were five caution flags for 14 laps and five lead changes among five leaders.
See results on the Canada race results page(9-3-2017)
Stage Information:
Stage 1 – 20 laps, winner, #19-Austin Cindric
Stage 2 – 40 laps, winner, #16-Ryan Truex
Stage 3 – 64 laps, winner, #19-Austin Cindric
Canada Truck Series Race Fast Facts:
Austin Cindric won the 5th Annual Chevrolet Silverado 250, his first victory in 21 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first victory and ninth top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in two races at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
Noah Gragson (second) posted his first top-10 finish in his first start at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2017.
Kaz Grala (third) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
Austin Cindric (first) was the highest finishing rookie.
Christopher Bell leads the point standings by 30 points over Johnny Sauter.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-3-2017)
2017 Camping World Truck Playoff standings following Canada:
One race, Chicago before the first round, the round of 8, begins at New Hampshire
Clinched a Round of 8 spot:
#4-Christopher Bell – won at Atlanta, Texas, Kentucky, Pocono
#8-John Hunter Nemechek – won at Gateway, Iowa
#21-Johnny Sauter – won Dover
#88- Matt Crafton – won at Eldora
#33-Kaz Grala – won at Daytona
#19-Austin Cindric – won at Canada
currently in on points:
#29-Chase Briscoe +75
#27-Ben Rhodes +7
currently will miss the playoffs:
#16-Ryan Truex -7 behind 8th
#98-Grant Enfinger -31 behind 8th
#18-Noah Gragson -47 behind 8th
#24-Justin Haley -119 behind 8th
Truck Series driver point standings following Canada:
1) #4-Christopher Bell, 634
2) #21-Johnny Sauter, 604, -30
3) #88-Matt Crafton, 574, -60
4) #29-Chase Briscoe, 573, -61
5) #27-Ben Rhodes, 505, -129
6) #16-Ryan Truex, 498, -136
7) #98-Grant Enfinger, 474, -160
8) #8-John Hunter Nemechek, 463, -171
9) #18-Noah Gragson, 458, -176
10) #19-Austin Cindric, 447, -187
See complete standings on Driver points standings page and the owner’s standings are posted on the Owner points standings page.(9-3-2017)
Free Pass – Who got a lap back on each caution at Canada: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #45-Gonzalez, 16th
Caution 2: #6-Benning, 18th
Caution 3: #6-Benning, 18th
Caution 4: #50-Reuse, 17th
Caution 5: #02-Tagliani, 19th
(9-3-2017)
Texas, Earnhardt, Jr. partner for Jr Nation Appreci88ion Party:While JR Nation is expected in force for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway coming Sunday, Nov. 5, in the AAA Texas 500, the appreciation for the series’ most popular driver will extend throughout the weekend. JR Motorsports, the NASCAR XFINITY Series team co-owned by Earnhardt Jr., his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Rick Hendrick, is partnering with Texas Motor Speedway for the JR Nation Appreci88ion Party on Saturday, Nov. 4, beginning at 2 p.m. CT prior to the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race. [More](9-3-2017)
News from September 2, 2017
Tommy Baldwin joins Premium Motorsports UPDATE: Premium Motorsports announced that Tommy Baldwin will take over as the team’s Competition Director and Crew Chief of the #15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team effective immediately. “Tommy’s passion, experience and knowledge will serve Premium well in its’ quest to become more competitive in the future,” said team owner, Jay Robinson. This is the first of many changes coming to Premium. Scott Eggleston will remain at Premium as Team Manager, Pat Tryson will be moving to the crew chief position for the #55 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series entry.(9-1-2017)
UPDATE: Tommy Baldwin said he remains fine with the decision he made to shut down his race team and sell his charter before this season. The 50-year-old NASCAR veteran also remains as busy as ever in the garage as he was recently named the competition director at Premium Motorsports in addition to the crew chief of the #15 team. With this move, Robinson has also acquired the remaining assets of TBR.[More](9-2-2017)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway have been made.
With the field downsized to 40 cars, three pit stalls (14,28,43) have been eliminated, are not in play and don’t count towards driving through more than three pit boxes.
Pole sitter #4-Harvick chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #78-Truex, Jr. took pit stall 35, with an opening behind it.
#18-Busch, who starts 3rd, took the 2nd stall.
The final pit stall was taken by #20-Kenseth, who starts 11th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com’s Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-2-2017)
Kevin Harvick sweeps qualifying to earn second Darlington pole:Kevin Harvick ended Saturday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series knockout qualifying session at Darlington Raceway with an excellent omen for Sunday night’s Bojangles’ Southern 500. Covering the 1.366-mile distance in 27.669 seconds (177.730 mph) in the final round, Harvick earned his second career pole at the Lady in Black. The first time Harvick was the top qualifier at Darlington was in 2014. He went on to win the Bojangles’ Southern 500. After that he won the series championship.[More](9-2-2017)
#4-Kevin Harvick won the Coors Light pole for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway with speed of 177.730mph for his 4th pole of 2017, 2nd at Darlington and 21st of his career. Harvick has won 5 times from the 20 previous poles.
#78-Truex, Jr. will start 2nd followed by #18-Busch, #42-Larson, #1-McMurray, #2-Keselowski, #41-Busch, #22-Logano, #11-Hamlin, #77-Jones, #20-Kenseth, and #21-Blaney.
#4-Harvick was fastest in all three rounds.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 40 were entered for 40 spots
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(8-18-2017)
Darlington Raceway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Kevin Harvick won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 68th Annual Bojangles’ Southern 500 with a lap of 27.669 seconds, 177.730 mph.
This is his 21st pole in 599 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his fourth pole and 16th top-10 start in 2017.
This is his second pole in 21 races at Darlington Raceway.
Martin Truex Jr. (second) posted his 20th top-10 start of 2017 and his fifth in 12 races at Darlington Raceway.
Kyle Busch (third) posted his eighth top-10 start at Darlington Raceway. It is his 21st in 25 races this season.
Erik Jones (10th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-28-2017)
Second Round of Qualifying for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#4-Harvick 177.511
#77-Jones 177.160
#1-McMurray 177.090
#42-Larson 177.019
#18-Busch 176.918
the rest of the top 12: 2 11 41 78 22 21 20
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 3 17 43 14 31 48 19 24 27 88 5 6
(9-2-2017)
First Round of Qualifying for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is over, after 20 scheduled minutes.
#4-Harvick 178.187
#20-Kenseth 177.192
#41-Busch 177.102
#1-McMurray 176.930
#78-Truex, Jr. 176.854
the rest of the top 24: 3 17 77 22 18 24 42 2 31 21 11 43 48 5 27 14 19 88 6;
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 13 38 37 32 47 95 34 15 10 72 23 83 33 55 51 66
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 40 entered
(9-2-2017)
Saturday Darlington Notebook: Homestead-Miami will be an emotion-filled weekend for Earnhardt; Furniture Row Racing’s 2018 alignment still an open question; Voting for Most Popular Driver Award opens Sunday.[More](9-2-2017)
Subway drops sponsorship of Suarez: Subway, which had one race left on a four-race sponsorship with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Daniel Suarez, has dropped the sponsorship. Subway: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, Subway had to terminate its sponsorship of Daniel Suarez.” A JGR spokesman confirmed that Subway has ended its contract with the NASCAR Cup team.[More](9-2-2017)
Most Popular Driver voting opens Sept. 3: Voting for the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver Award will officially open Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. The 2017 voting period will open at 12:00am/et Sunday and close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 19. To vote for this year’s award, fans can visit www.nmpamostpopulardriver.com via desktop or the NASCAR MOBILE app.[More](9-2-2017)
“Throwback move” puts Denny Hamlin in Victory Lane at Darlington: On a throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway, with a move he termed “a throwback to Dale Earnhardt,” Denny Hamlin won his fifth NASCAR XFINITY Series event at the Lady in Black-all from the pole. The driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota grabbed the lead from Joey Logano after a restart on Lap 147 of 148-one beyond the scheduled distance-and when Logano got inside position on the final circuit and surged ahead into Turn 3, Hamlin responded with a crossover move, retook the top spot off Turn 4 and won a drag race to the finish line.[More](9-2-2017)
Denny Hamlin wins Darlington XFINITY race: #18-Denny Hamlin won the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway. It is his 17th XFINITY Series win and 2nd of the year. #22-Joey Logano finished second, followed by #41-Kevin Harvick, #20-Erik Jones, #9-William Bryon, #48-Brennan Poole, #3-Ty Dillon, #7-Justin Allgaier, #00-Cole Custer, and #11-Blake Koch.
There were 9 cautions for 33 laps and 11 lead changes among 5 leaders.
The average speed was 108.256mph.
Complete results are on the Darlington race results page (pdf).
(9-2-2017)
Race stage winners:
Stage 1 – lap 45 – Winner, #41-Kevin Harvick
Stage 2 – lap 90 – Winner, #41-Kevin Harvick
Stage 3 – lap 147 – Race winner, #18-Denny Hamlin
Darlington XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Denny Hamlin(i) won the 35th Annual Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200, his 17th victory in 159 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his second victory and third top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his fifth victory and 10th top-10 finish in ten races at Darlington Raceway.
Joey Logano(i) (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in six races at Darlington Raceway. It is his ninth top-10 finish in 2017.
Kevin Harvick(i) (third) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 15 races at Darlington Raceway.
William Byron (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 91 points over William Byron #.
Denny Hamlin’s fifth win from the Coors Light pole at Darlington Raceway is the second-most in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at a single track; Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch holds the series record for the most wins from the pole at a single track with six at Phoenix Raceway.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-2-2017)
XFINITY Playoff standings following Darlington:
Two more races – 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 858 [clinched on points]
6) #48-Brennan Poole, 674 [clinched on points]
7) #21-Daniel Hemric, 654 [clinched on points]
8) #00-Cole Custer, 590 [clinched on points]
currently in on points:
9) #19-Matt Tifft, 558, +91 ahead of 13th
10) #11-Blake Koch, 511, +44
11) #5-Michael Annett, 490, +23
12) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 487, +20
currently will miss the playoffs:
13) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 467, -20 behind 12th
14) #4-Ross Chastain, 432, -55
15) #14-JJ Yeley, 429, -58
16) #39-Ryan Sieg, 413, -74
17) #33-Brandon Jones, 388, -99
(9-2-2017)
XFINITY Driver standings following Darlington:
1) #1-Elliott Sadler, 858
2) #9-William Byron, 767, -91
3) #7-Justin Allgaier, 739, -119
4) #48-Brennan Poole, 674, -184
5) #21-Daniel Hemric, 654, -204
6) #00-Cole Custer, 590, -26
7) #19-Matt Tifft, 558, -300
8) #11-Blake Koch, 511, -347
9) #5-Michael Annett, 490, -368
10) #16-Ryan Reed, 487, -371
11) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 487, -371
12) #28-Dakoda Armstrong, 467, -391
See complete owner and driver standings on the driver standings(pdf) and owner standings page (pdf).(9-2-2017)
Denny Hamlin on XFINITY pole at Darlington: #18-Denny Hamlin won the Coors Light pole for the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway with a speed of 172.209mph. #41-Kevin Harvick will start second. The rest of the top 10: #21-Daniel Hemric, #00-Cole Custer, #3-Scott Lagasse, Jr., #9-William Byron, #1-Elliott Sadler, #48-Brennan Poole, and #22-Joey Logano.
Did Not Qualify: #15-Sorenson.
The starting lineup is posted on the Darlington starting lineup page (pdf).(9-2-2017)
Darlington XFINITY Qualifying Notes:
Denny Hamlin(i) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 35th Annual Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 with a lap of 28.556 seconds, 172.209 mph.
This is his 21st pole in 159 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his first pole and fourth top-10 start in 2017.
This is his fifth pole in ten races at Darlington Raceway.
Kevin Harvick(i) (second) posted his third top-10 start of 2017 and his ninth in 15 races at Darlington Raceway.
Daniel Hemric (third) posted his first top-10 start at Darlington Raceway. It is his 18th in 24 races this season.
Daniel Hemric (third) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(9-2-2017)
Cindric on pole at Canada: #19-Austin Cindric won the pole for Sunday’s Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park with a speed at 112.623mph. Cindric won the pole, the first of his career, on his 19th birthday.
#24-Justin Haley will start second, followed by #33-Kaz Grala, #75-Parker Kligerman, #4-Christopher Bell, #18-Noah Gragson, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #88-Matt Crafton, #27-Ben Rhodes, and #21-Johnny Sauter.
Failed to qualify: none.
The starting lineup is posted on the Canada starting lineup page(9-2-2017)
Canada Qualifying Fast Facts:
Austin Cindric won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the 5th Annual Chevrolet Silverado 250 with a lap of 78.602 seconds, 112.623 mph.
This is his first pole in 21 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first pole and seventh top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in two races at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
Justin Haley (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2017 and his first in two races at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
Kaz Grala (third) posted his second top-10 start at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. It is his sixth in 15 races this season.
Austin Cindric (first) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(7-29-2017)
Bell paces final Canada Truck practice: #4-Christopher Bell was fastest during final practice for Sunday’s Chevrolet Silverado 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park with a speed of 111.873mph. #18-Noah Gragson was second, followed by #33-Kaz Grala, #88-Matt Crafton, #16-Ryan Truex, #75-Parker Kligerman, #24-Justin Haley, #19-Austin Cindric, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #27-Ben Rhodes.31 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 2 speeds (pdf)(9-2-2017)
Cindric fastest in opening Canada Truck practice: #19-Austin Cindric was fastest during the opening practice for Sunday’s Camping World Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park at 110.884mph. #4-Christopher Bell, #16-Ryan Truex, #88-Matt Crafton, #75-Parker Kligerman, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #21-Johnny Sauter, #33-Kaz Grala, #24-Justin Haley, and #27-Ben Rhodes were the remainder of the top-10. 21 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Practice 1 speeds (pdf)(9-2-2017)
News from September 1, 2017
Friday Darlington Notebook: Elliott or Byron-who’s the next driver to win in the No. 24 car? These days, Mark Martin would rather watch than drive; Short Strokes.[More](9-1-2017)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#18-Busch 173.320
#4-Harvick 173.070
#1-McMurray 172.990
#78-Truex, Jr. 172.729
#11-Hamlin 172.632
slowest: #55-Cope 160.162 & #66-Logn 159.481
most laps run: #22-Logano, 59 laps.
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 26 drivers): #42-Larson 168.923
notes: #18-Busch spun early but did not hit anything. #6-Bayne got a Darlington stripe.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (8-18-2017)
Superior Logistics Services joins Circle Sport-TMG as associate sponsor: Superior Logistics Services joins Circle Sport-TMG, on the #33 Hulu Chevrolet, driven by Jeffrey Earnhardt, as an associate sponsor for Sunday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500, at Darlington Raceway. Superior Logistics Services, a North Carolina based company, has been involved in the motorsports industry for several years. Superior Logistics Services provides shipping solutions across the continental United States, Mexico and to select points in Canada.[More](9-1-2017)
First practice for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#42-Larson 173.064
#11-Hamlin 172.644
#2-Keselowski 172.584
#17-Stenhouse, Jr. 171.896
#4-Harvick 171.890
slowest: #55-Cope 161.705 & #51-Ware 156.966.
most laps run: #41-Busch, 61 laps.
Top 10 lap average (of 20 drivers): #11-Hamlin 169.098mph.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(8-18-2017)
Tommy Baldwin joins Premium Motorsports: Premium Motorsports announced that Tommy Baldwin will take over as the team’s Competition Director and Crew Chief of the #15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team effective immediately. “Tommy’s passion, experience and knowledge will serve Premium well in its’ quest to become more competitive in the future,” said team owner, Jay Robinson. This is the first of many changes coming to Premium. Scott Eggleston will remain at Premium as Team Manager, Pat Tryson will be moving to the crew chief position for the #55 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series entry.(9-1-2017)
Denny Hamlin paces final XFINITY practice: #18-Denny Hamlin was also quickest in final practice at Darlington with a speed of 167.248mph.
#20-Erik Jones was second, followed by: #00-Cole Custer, #42-Justin Marks, #33-Brandon Jones, #1-Elliott Sadler, #41-Kevin Harvick, #21-Daniel Hemric, #9-William Byron, and #22-Joey Logano.
38 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Darlington practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-1-2017)
Denny Hamlin fastest in first XFINITY practice: #18-Denny Hamlin was fastest during opening practice at Darlington with a speed of 170.608mph.
The rest of the top 10: #42-Tyler Reddick, #7-Justin Allgaier, #1-Elliott Sadler, #9-William Byron, #00-Cole Custer, #48-Brennan Poole, #22-Joey Logano, #96-Ben Kennedy, and #20-Erik Jones.
38 drivers practiced during the session.
See complete results on the Darlington practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-1-2017)
Talladega and Anheuser-Busch continue multi-year partnership with Busch Balcony: Talladega Superspeedway is proud to continue its partnership with Anheuser-Busch with the return of Busch Balcony – premium seating and hospitality that towers over the exit of turn – for the excitement of two nail-biting NASCAR playoff races during the “Wildcard” weekend, Oct. 13-15. Fans will experience an incredible sight for Sunday’s Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, featuring six-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his final scheduled Talladega start, and Saturday’s fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event.[More](9-1-2017)