Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Author: Angie Campbell

  • Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman assessed L1 penalties after New Hampshire

    Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman assessed L1 penalties after New Hampshire

    NASCAR issued L1 penalties to the No. 9 team of Chase Elliott and the No. 48 team of Alex Bowman Thursday afternoon. It was determined that the teams had violated Section 20.6.1e in the NASCAR Rule Book.

    The rule under engine assembly states that when the long block is sealed, “the engine must be used in the same vehicle number the next time it is used.”

    As a result of the infraction, both teams had 25 points deducted from the driver and team owner standings. Alan Gustafson, the No. 9 team crew chief, and Greg Ives, the No. 48 crew chief, were each issued a $50,000 fine.

    NASCAR also suspended Hendrick Motorsports executive vice president and general manager, Jeff Andrews, and Scott Maxim, HMS director of track engine support, for the next Cup Series event.

    Hendrick Motorsports issued a statement on the penalties.

    “Due to an administrative error, one of our sealed engines assigned to the No. 9 car was unintentionally allocated to our No. 48 team at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Although the engine passed technical inspection and absolutely no competitive advantage was gained, we acknowledge NASCAR’s process was not followed correctly in this instance. The rules regarding the assignment of sealed engines are clear, and we understand and respect their decision to issue a penalty. We apologize for the mistake and have taken steps to ensure it will not be repeated.”

    All of the Hendrick Motorsports drivers are currently eligible to advance to the Playoffs. The penalty moves Elliott (2 wins) from fifth place to sixth in the standings while Bowman (3 wins) remains in 11th place. Kyle Larson is currently second with four wins and William Byron, with one win, is third.

    There are only four Cup Series races left in the regular season with the next scheduled race at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 8.

  • Chase Elliott wins SRX season finale, Tony Stewart claims championship at Nashville

    Chase Elliott wins SRX season finale, Tony Stewart claims championship at Nashville

    Chase Elliott, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, held off Hall of Famer Tony Stewart Saturday night at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway to win the finale of the inaugural Camping World SRX Series season.

    “I had a ball. I got to race against two of my heroes,” Elliott said. “I got to race against Dad there throughout the race and those are moments I will cherish forever. Just super thankful to be here.”

    He also commented on how competitive the racing was between him and his dad throughout much of the 77-lap feature event.

    “I don’t know who lit a fire under him,” he said, smiling. “I had not seen that in him in years. It was amazing and a lot of fun. I thought it was going to be between he and I. I think he just got a little high into one and missed that restart. Other than that, it was so much fun.”

    Bill Elliott won the first heat race, leading all but three laps with Chase behind him in second. The finish positions were inverted for Heat Race 2. Helio Castroneves took the heat win as Bill Elliott finished sixth and Chase Elliott placed eighth.

    The lineup for the feature was based on the finishing positions in the two heat races. Bill Elliott started first with Chase Elliott in fourth place, but by Lap 32, Chase Elliott was on his dad’s bumper. He took the lead on Lap 55 and Bill Elliott fell back to third. From that point, the battle was on between Chase Elliott and Stewart, who had started fifth but worked his way toward the front to challenge for the win. Elliott was able to maintain the lead to score the victory at the .596-mile oval in Nashville.

    Stewart clinched the SRX Series championship during the second heat race and finished second in the feature.

    “How could you ask for more than to finish between two Elliotts?” Stewart said. “That’s pretty badass in itself, and we really appreciate NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports for letting Chase come run with us. It means a lot to us, it means a lot to Bill.”

    Bill Elliott finished third after a disappointing final restart but described the race as “cool.”

    “I’ve raced here before and I kind of had an idea of what I needed, and I think that helped as much as anything. It was such a cool deal to be able to come here and do this and have a crowd like this.

    “For me, I finally got what I wanted out of a racecar and I felt good out there. I thought, I’m on Medicare and I’m trying to keep up with these young kids. You’re trying to learn and gain, and every time you get into a racecar you learn something, you learn from your mistakes. Not being in one in a long time and kind of making a mistake in turn one, not cleaning up my tires good, that was it.

    “To me, it was a great night. My hat’s off to everyone at SRX for what they did and I’m proud of those guys. I just hope that we, as a racing community, can embrace this and learn from it, especially what we saw here tonight at the Nashville Fairgrounds. I haven’t seen a crowd like this here in many, many years.”

    Stewart, a co-founder of the Camping World SRX Series, echoed Elliott’s sentiments.

    “This series had every variable that you wanted and looked for. You had good racing, you had different winners, you had awesome crew chiefs, awesome ringers, awesome local track champions. To have heroes and villains in the series, I don’t know how you can ask for more than that.”

    Feature Results (77 laps):

    1. Chase Elliott (Started 4th; led laps 53, 55-77)
    2. Tony Stewart (Started 5th; completed 77/77 laps)
    3. Bill Elliott (Started 1st; led laps 1-52, 54; completed 77/77 laps)
    4. Bobby Labonte (Started 2nd; completed 77/77 laps)
    5. Paul Tracy (Started 7th; completed 77/77 laps)
    6. Ernie Francis Jr. (Started 3rd; completed 77/77 laps)
    7. Michael Waltrip (Started 10th; completed 77/77 laps)
    8. Tony Kanaan (Started 8th; completed 77/77 laps)
    9. Helio Castroneves (Started 6th; completed 77/77 laps)
    10. Hailie Deegan (Started 11th; completed 77/77 laps)
    11. Marco Andretti (Started 9th; completed 77/77 laps)
    12. Willy T. Ribbs (Started 12th; completed 56/77 laps)

    Camping World SRX Series FINAL Championship Standings:

    1. Tony Stewart (237 points)
    2. Ernie Francis Jr. (192 points, -45)
    3. Bobby Labonte (182 points, -55)
    4. Marco Andretti (171 points, -66)
    5. Helio Castroneves (164 points, -73)
    6. Tony Kanaan (162 points, -75)
    7. Paul Tracy (121 points, -116)
    8. Michael Waltrip (111 points, -126)
    9. Bill Elliott (105 points, -132)
    10. Willy T. Ribbs (67 points, -170)

  • Weekend schedule for New Hampshire

    Weekend schedule for New Hampshire

    NASCAR heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for a weekend of competition with the Cup and Xfinity Series. The Camping World Truck Series is off but is set to return Saturday, August 7 at Watkins Glen International.

    Kaulig Racing driver Jeb Burton will start on the Xfinity Series pole which was determined by the driver’s finishing position in the previous race. Burton finished second to Kyle Busch last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

    Kyle Bush will start on the Cup Series pole in his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 after being awarded the pole using the following NASCAR metrics formula.

    • 25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 35 percent: Team owner points ranking
    • 15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

    There are only five races remaining in the Cup Series regular season. Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Martin Truex Jr. have already clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason Playoffs.

    The Xfinity Series regular-season has eight races left before the Playoffs begin. Justin Allgaier, AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric have already clinched a spot in the 12-driver field.

    All times are Eastern

    Saturday, July 17

    12:45 p.m.: Whelen Modified Tour – Whelen 100 – NBC Sports Gold Trackpass

    3 p.m.: Xfinity Series – Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200
    Distance: 211.6 miles (200 Laps)
    Stage 1 ends on Lap 45, Stage 2 ends on Lap 90, Final Stage ends on Lap 200
    NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Pole: Jeb Burton

    Note: The ARCA Menards Series will also compete Saturday, July 17, at Berlin Raceway. The Zinsser SmartCoat 200 (200 laps/88 miles) will air live at 8 p.m. ET on MAVTV with a live stream available on NBC Sports Gold’s TrackPass.

    Sunday, July 18

    3 p.m.: Cup Series – Foxwoods Resort Casino 301
    Distance: 318.46 miles (301 Laps)
    Stage 1 ends on Lap 75, Stage 2 ends on Lap 185, Final Stage ends on Lap 301
    NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Pole: Kyle Busch

    New Hampshire Motor Speedway Data
    Season Race #: 22 of 36 (07-18-21)
    Track Size: 1.058-mile
    Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 2 to 7 degrees
    Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 2 to 7 degrees
    Banking/Frontstretch: 1 degree
    Banking/Backstretch: 1 degree
    Frontstretch Length: 1,500 feet
    Backstretch Length: 1,500 feet
    Race Length: 301 laps / 318.46 miles
    Stages 1 Length: 75 laps
    Stages 2 Length: 110 laps
    Final Stage Length: 116 laps

    New Hampshire Qualifying Data
    Track qualifying record: Brad Keselowski, Ford (140.598 mph, 27.090 secs.) on 09-21-14.
    2019 pole winner: Brad Keselowski, Ford (136.384 mph, 27.927 secs.) on 07-19-19.
    2020 pole winner: None due to pandemic restrictions.
    • Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active drivers in NCS starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 37 each.
    • Erik Jones leads the NCS in an average starting position at New Hampshire with an 8.4 in five starts; followed by Kyle Busch with a 9.3 in 30 starts.
    • Ryan Newman leads the NCS in poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with seven poles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011 sweep, 2013).
    • Eight of the 22 NCS pole winners at New Hampshire are active this weekend. Ryan Newman (7), Brad Keselowski (3), Kyle Busch (3), Kevin Harvick (2), Jimmie Johnson (1), Clint Bowyer (1), Kurt Busch (1), and Martin Truex Jr. (1).
    • Five different manufacturers have won a pole in the NCS at New Hampshire; led by Chevrolet (18), Ford (10), Toyota (eight), Dodge (six), and Pontiac (one).

    New Hampshire Race Data
    Track race record: Jeff Burton, Ford (117.134 mph, 02:42:35) on 07-13-97.
    2019 race winner: Kevin Harvick, Ford (104.062 mph, 03:03:37) on 07-21-19.
    2020 race winner: Brad Keselowski, Ford (100.372 mph, 03:10:22) on 08-02-20
    • Seven of the 24 NCS New Hampshire Motor Speedway winners are active this weekend. Kevin Harvick (4), Denny Hamlin (3), Kurt Busch (3), Kyle Busch (3), Ryan Newman (3), Joey Logano (2), and Brad Keselowski (2).
    • Kevin Harvick (2006, 2016, 2018, 2019) leads active drivers in wins at New Hampshire with four victories.
    • Four drivers have posted consecutive wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2003 sweep), Kurt Busch (2004 sweep), Matt Kenseth (2015 fall, 2016 spring), and Kevin Harvick (2018, 2019).
    • The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field in the NCS at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, producing more winners (six) than any other starting position (12.2%).
    • The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at New Hampshire is 32nd, by Kurt Busch in the summer of 2003.
    • Joe Gibbs Racing leads the series in wins at New Hampshire in the NCS with 11 victories.
    • Denny Hamlin leads NCS in average finishing position at New Hampshire with a 9.6 in 27 starts.
    • Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in laps led at New Hampshire with 1,128 laps led in 30 starts.

    Top 10 Driver Ratings at New Hampshire
    Denny Hamlin……………………… 104.5
    Brad Keselowski…………………… 100.9
    Kyle Busch…………………………. 100.0
    Kevin Harvick………………………… 98.8
    Martin Truex Jr……………………… 95.5
    Chase Elliott…………………………. 91.1
    Kurt Busch……………………………. 89.3
    Kyle Larson………………………….. 87.9
    Ryan Newman………………………. 87.3
    Ryan Blaney…………………………. 86.8
    Cole Custer………………………….. 85.5
    Joey Logano…………………………. 83.2
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (29 total) among active drivers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

  • Kyle Busch, Hamlin, Harvick and Logano sound-off over Atlanta redesign

    Kyle Busch, Hamlin, Harvick and Logano sound-off over Atlanta redesign

    After news of the Atlanta Motor Speedway re-pave and reconfiguration on July 6, drivers are sounding off about their lack of input in the decision.

    The announced changes include decreasing the width of the track from 55 feet to 40 feet and increasing the 24-degree banking to 28 degrees. Soon after, various drivers stated that they had not been consulted about the changes.

    Marcus Smith, President and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, responded to the concerns about the Atlanta Motor Speedway news, stating, “We definitely talked to drivers.”

    Comments from SMI director of operations Steve Swift earlier this week did nothing to ease the tension.

    “We tried to do what’s good for the sport, and Marcus does talk to the drivers to gauge feedback on what works well for them and he feeds us that information, and I say this with jest a little,” Swift said, “but when a driver is happy the fans aren’t.

    While no drivers have come forward to say they were consulted, several have candidly shared their thoughts on the lack of communication.

    No one has been more direct than Kyle Busch.

    “If they’re going to narrow it up 15 feet, whatever it is, that’s the whole bottom groove,” he said. “We’re not going to be able to run around here 3 wide. You’re going to be stuck at two wide. It’s going to be as wide as Darlington. So trying to run around here at 210 mph, because if they don’t put plates on it, you’re going to be going way too fast.

    “Just think about it. Everybody needs to just think. There ain’t nobody thinking. Brains for sale. Never used. Operating racetracks.”

    Sunday before the Cup Series race at Atlanta, several drivers were questioned about the current state of affairs.

    Brad Keselowski confirmed that there was discord among the drivers.

    “I think there are some frustrations that come up time and time again where we’re working together until we’re not, and that can be frustrating, he said. “I sense a lot of those emotions through the garage area right now.”

    Joey Logano also questioned why the drivers were kept out of the loop.

    I think something I’ve learned over the last few years is everyone can bring something different to the table. When you bring 10 other people around that might change your perspective,” he explained. “We didn’t have the opportunity to do that.”

    Kevin Harvick was blunt in his assessment of the Atlanta repave and why the drivers were not consulted.

    “I’m just of the opinion that they don’t care. They just do what they want.”

    Denny Hamlin addressed the media Saturday and perhaps summed it up best.

    “I think we could help. We’re an asset. We are the biggest asset that NASCAR and these tracks could have if they just tell us their goals. We may not agree with the goal but we can help them get to where they want to go.”

    No one doubts the importance of fans. Without them, there would be no racing. But, it’s the drivers who strap in and put their lives on the line to entertain those fans. One perspective should never overshadow the other.

  • Weekend schedule for Atlanta and Knoxville

    Weekend schedule for Atlanta and Knoxville

    The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series head to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the second time this season while the Camping World Truck Series travels to Knoxville Raceway for the series debut at the half-mile dirt oval.

    Six active Cup Series drivers have won previously at the 1.5-mile track. Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead the series with three wins each. Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch have two previous wins. Ryan Blaney, the most recent winner, and Denny Hamlin have each been to victory lane once.

    Only three active Xfinity Series drivers have won at Atlanta. Kyle Busch has two victories while Justin Allgaier and AJ Allmendinger have one win each. Busch (13) and Jeremy Clements (12) have the most starts among the active drivers in the Series.

    The Truck Series lineup at Knoxville Raceway will be set by four qualifying heat races prior to the main event. A random draw (in order of current owner points) will be used to determine the heat race and starting position for each driver. Only green-flag laps will count with no overtime rule.

    Drivers will earn points for their finish in the qualifying race and can also gain passing points (the difference between their starting position and finishing position). The points will determine their starting position for the feature event.

    The starting lineups for the Cup and Xfinity Series were determined by the following metrics formula:

    • 25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 35 percent: Team owner points ranking
    • 15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

    All times are Eastern.

    Thursday, July 8

    7:05 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice at Knoxville – FS1

    Friday, July 9

    7 p.m.: Truck Series at Knoxville Qualifying Race 1 (15 Laps) FS1/MRN
    7:15 p.m.: Truck Series at Knoxville Qualifying Race 2 (15 Laps) FS1/MRN
    7:30 p.m.: Truck Series at Knoxville Qualifying Race 3 (15 Laps) FS1/MRN
    7:45 p.m.: Truck Series at Knoxville Qualifying Race 4 (15 Laps) FS1/MRN
    9 p.m.: Truck Series Corn Belt 150 presented by Premier Chevy Dealers at Knoxville (Stages 40/90/150 laps = 75 miles) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Saturday, July 10

    3:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Credit Karma Money 250 at Atlanta
    Stages 40/80/163 laps = 251.02 miles
    NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN)
    Pole: Kyle Busch

    Sunday, July 11

    3:30 p.m.: Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart at Atlanta
    Stages 80/160/260 laps = 400.4 miles
    NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN)
    Pole: Chase Elliott

    Atlanta Motor Speedway Data:
    Season Race #: 21 of 36 (07-11-21)
    Track Size: 1.54-miles
    Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 24 degrees
    Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees
    Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
    Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
    Frontstretch Length:  2,332 feet
    Backstretch Length:  1,800 feet
    Race Length: 260 laps / 400.4 miles
    Stage 1 & 2: 80 Laps (each)
    Final Stage: 100 Laps

    Atlanta Qualifying and Race Data:

    Track qualifying record: Geoffrey Bodine, Ford (197.478 mph, 28.074 secs.) on 11-15-97
    2020 pole winner: None – Starting Lineup set by Metric Qualifying; Chase Elliott started in first.

    • Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers in NCS starts with 31 starts, followed by Kurt Busch with 30 and Ryan Newman with 29.
    • Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in the NCS in average starting position of 8.138 in 29 starts followed by Kyle Larson at 8.286 in 12 starts.
    • Nine of the Atlanta NCS pole winners are active this weekend.  Ryan Newman (7), Kevin Harvick (2), Aric Almirola (1), Denny Hamlin (1), Joey Logano (1), Kurt Busch (1), Kyle Busch (1), Martin Truex Jr. (1), and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1)
    • Buddy Baker and Ryan Newman are tied for the ZNCS most poles at Atlanta with seven each and Newman holds the record for most consecutive poles with six (spring of 2003 through 2005).

    Track race record: Bobby Labonte, Pontiac (159.904 mph, 03:07:48) on 11-16-97.
    2020 race winner: Kevin Harvick, Ford (142.966 mph, 03:30:03) on 06-07-20.

    • Six former Atlanta winners are active this weekend.  Kevin Harvick (3), Kurt Busch (3), Brad Keselowski (2), Kyle Busch (2), Denny Hamlin (1), and Ryan Blaney (1).
    • Kevin Harvick (2001, 2018, 2020) and Kurt Busch (2002, 2009, 2010) lead all active series winners at Atlanta with three each.
    • The youngest NCS Atlanta winner is Kyle Busch (03/09/2008 – 22 years, 10 months, 7 days).
    • The most proficient starting position in the field at Atlanta is the fifth starting position with 16 wins, more than any other starting position.
    • The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Atlanta is 37th, by Jimmie Johnson in 2015.
    • Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at Atlanta in the NCS with 14.
    • Nine different manufacturers have won in the NCS at Atlanta.  Chevrolet leads with 40, followed by Ford (34), Pontiac (11), Dodge (nine), Mercury (eight), Buick (four), Plymouth (four), Toyota (three) and Oldsmobile (one).
    • Kevin Harvick leads all active NCS drivers in laps led at Atlanta with 1,197 in 31 starts.

    Top 12 Driver Ratings at Atlanta
    Kevin Harvick……………………… 101.4
    Kyle Larson………………………….. 98.0
    Martin Truex Jr……………………… 96.7
    Denny Hamlin……………………….. 95.6
    Kurt Busch…………………………… 95.4
    Kyle Busch…………………………… 94.6
    Brad Keselowski……………………. 94.4
    Ryan Blaney…………………………. 91.0
    Chase Elliott…………………………. 89.9
    Joey Logano………………………… 83.3
    Ryan Newman………………………. 78.0
    Ricky Stenhouse Jr………………… 77.5

    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2021 races (23 total) among active drivers at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

  • Ryan Preece – Turning obstacles into opportunities

    Ryan Preece – Turning obstacles into opportunities

    If you have spent any time in the NASCAR Cup Series garage you probably know that Ryan Preece is one of the most personable competitors at the track with a quick smile and charismatic personality.

    Once he straps into his racecar, however, Preece is all business with an unrelenting drive to succeed.

    In his second year at JTG Daugherty Preece was paired with crew chief, Trent Owens, after switching to the No. 37 Chevrolet. The transition was not without its hurdles due to practice and qualifying restrictions during the pandemic. But this year the duo seems to have hit their stride, earning three top-10s plus three additional top-15 finishes.

    Last week at the Pocono Mountains 350, Preece finished eighth. But that’s only half of the story. After damage to his primary car during practice, he had to drive a backup and start the race at the rear of the field. Most would see that as an obstacle but Preece wasn’t worried. Only a week earlier at Circuit of the Americas, he started in 36th place and finished 15th.

    “I was really confident that even in a backup car, we could go out there and pass to have a good day,” he said.  “Everyone at JTG Daugherty Racing works so hard every week to get all of our cars prepared, so the fact that we were going to a backup really wasn’t concerning for me.”

    It wasn’t the only challenge Preece faced during the race.

    “We knew we were going to be a little short on fuel, so we started early with fuel-saving techniques to make sure we had enough to make it to the end. Trent (crew chief) did a great job of keeping me informed throughout the race so I could do things myself in the car that would help us make it to the end.”

    It was Preece’s first top-10 since finishing ninth at the Daytona Road Course in February. There have been ups and downs throughout the season but the eighth-place result at Phoenix is another indication that the team is headed in the right direction.

    Although he experienced another disappointment with an engine failure at Road America, the stats confirm that his average start and average finish are better than they have ever been in his Cup Series career. The only missing ingredient is consistency.  

    Preece credits their continuous improvement to a number of factors.

    “I think just having two good races to start the season has helped to put us in a good position to continue learning throughout the season, rather than trying to dig ourselves out of a hole from the start. Working on my second year with Trent has also helped. Last year was our first year working together, and then we were without practice or qualifying which can really help him learn my driving style and help me learn how he makes adjustments with my feedback.”

    As the season progresses, Preece isn’t concerned about next month or next year. His goal is simple.  

    “We take every week one at a time,” he explained, “doing all we can to get a win or a top finish. Obviously, last year was not our best, and we had a lot of bad luck that went along with that. Being consistent and having strong runs right out the gate was a big help for our season, and we just continue to focus one race at a time.”

    Consistency – focus – one day at a time.

  • Weekend schedule for Road America

    Weekend schedule for Road America

    This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series travel to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin to compete at Road America. It will mark the Cup Series first time back at the 4.048-mile road course since 1956.

    The first and only previous Cup Series race was held on August 12, 1956 and was won by NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Tim Flock. He led 17 laps in his Bill Stroppe Mercury and earned his fourth victory of the season.

    The Xfinity Series has been racing at Road America since 2010. Twenty-eight of the 40 drivers entered in the Cup Series race have competed in some of those Xfinity Series races. This should give them an advantage over the competitors who are making their debut at this challenging road course that features multiple elevations and 14 turns.  

    Both series will have practice and qualifying sessions.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, July 2

    4:05 – 4:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series practice – NBCSN

    Saturday, July 3

    11:35 a.m.: Xfinity qualifying (two rounds, multi-vehicle) NBCSN coverage will begin at Noon

    12:35 – 1:25 p.m.: Cup practice – NBCSN

    2:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Henry 180 (45 laps, 182.16 miles) NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, July 4

    11:05 a.m.: Cup qualifying (two rounds, multi-vehicle) CNBC

    2:30 p.m. – Cup Jockey Made in America 250 Presented by Kwik Trip (62 laps, 250 miles) NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Road America Data
    Season Race #: 20 of 36 (07-04-21)
    Track Size: 4.048-miles
    Track Type: Multi-Elevational Road Course
    Number of Turns: 14
    Race Length: 62 laps / 250.0 miles
    Stage 1 Length: 14 laps
    Stage 2 Length: 15 laps
    Final Stage Length: 33 laps

    NCS Road America Qualifying & Race Records:

    Track qualifying record: Frank Mundy (9 minutes, 27.52 seconds, 78.000 mph)

    • Two of the 40 NCS drivers entered this weekend have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Road America.  AJ Allmendinger (2013, 2019) and Michael McDowell (2011).
    • None of the active NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won a pole in the NCS at Road America.

    Track race record: Tim Flock, Mercury (73.858 mph, 03:29:50) on August 12, 1956.

    • No active NCS drivers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Road America.
    • Four of the 40 NCS drivers entered this weekend at Road America have won in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Road America.  Austin Cindric (2020), Christopher Bell (2019), Michael McDowell (2016) and AJ Allmendinger (2013).
    • The inaugural NCS race in 1956 was won from the sixth starting position by Tim Flock in a Mercury.
  • Trackhouse Racing announces purchase of Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR team

    Trackhouse Racing announces purchase of Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR team

    Trackhouse Entertainment Group and Trackhouse Racing announced Wednesday afternoon the purchase of Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR operation. The acquisition will be effective at the end of the 2021 season.

    Daniel Suárez, who has three top-10 finishes this season, will continue with the team next year in the NASCAR Cup Series and a second driver will be named at a later date.

    The announcement was made by Trackhouse team president Ty Norris and Trackhouse Entertainment Group founder, Justin Marks. Co-owner, Pitbull, formally known as Armando Perez, was not present for the announcement.

    “This process took several weeks and I want to thank Chip for being so open and candid with me every step of the journey,” Marks said. “Chip has built an iconic motorsports empire and the Ganassi brand is globally recognized as a winner in the auto racing industry. It is truly an honor that we can build from that foundation.”

    Although Chip Ganassi said that his team was not for sale, the offer was appealing for a number of reasons.

    “I think this is a great day for NASCAR as it seems like there are so many people that are wanting to get into the sport as owners – Michael Jordan, Pitbull, Denny and plenty of others. They are bringing new perspective, vision and insight which is great for the sport.

    “Justin simply came to me with a great offer and an even better vision. As everyone knows, I care deeply for my employees so selling to someone like Justin, who is part of the CGR family, made the reality of selling much easier. He knows our organization and the people. That gives me comfort.”

    Ganassi will continue to be involved in racing, stating, “Everyone needs to know that I am still completely dedicated to the motorsports industry and will continue to run my other teams in INDYCAR, IMSA and Extreme E with the same enthusiasm that I always have.”

    Marks confirmed that the new team will operate out of Ganassi’s current race shop in 2022.

  • Weekend schedule for Pocono

    Weekend schedule for Pocono

    NASCAR heads to Pocono Raceway for a full weekend of racing featuring a Cup Series doubleheader. The Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series will also compete along with the ARCA Menards Series.

    The ARCA Menards Series will have an open (optional) practice session Thursday at 9 a.m. with the final practice on Friday at 2:15 p.m. and qualifying at 4 p.m.

    There will be no practice or qualifying sessions for the Cup, Xfinity or Truck Series events. The starting lineups will be determined by the following metrics formula, with one exception.

    The lineup for Sunday’s Cup Series Pocono Mountains 350 will be set by an invert of the top 20 finishing positions from Race 1 while the remainder of the field (21-38) will be based on the metrics formula.

    • 25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 35 percent: Team owner points ranking
    • 15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, June 25

    6 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 (80 laps, 200 miles) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Saturday, June 26

    12 p.m.: Truck Series CRC Brakleen 150 (Stages 15/30/60 laps = 150 miles) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Pole: Todd Gilliland

    3 p.m.: Cup Series Pocono Organics CBD 325 (Race 1) – Stages 25/77/130 laps = 325 miles (NBCSN/TSN2/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
    Pole: Kyle Larson

    Sunday, June 27

    12 p.m.: Xfinity Series Pocono Green 225 Recycled by J.P. Mascaro & Sons (Stages 20/40/90 laps = 225 miles) NBCSN/TSN3/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Pole: Harrison Burton

    3:30 p.m.: Cup Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 (Stages 30/85/140 laps = 350 miles) NBCSN/TSN3/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Cup Series Notes:

    Four active Cup Series drivers have wins at the Tricky Triangle led by Denny Hamlin with six and Kurt Busch with three. Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. have each won twice at Pocono.

    Hendrick Motorsport’s drivers have been on a hot streak, winning the last five races. Alex Bowman won at Dover, Chase Elliott at COTA and Kyle Larson at Charlotte, Sonoma and Nashville. It’s the fourth time in the team’s history that they have won five or more consecutive races (twice in 2007 and once in 2014).

    Xfinity Series Notes:

    Saturday will mark only the sixth time that the Xfinity Series has competed at Pocono. There have been five different winners in each of those previous five races. Since none of those drivers are competing this weekend, we’ll see a different driver in Victory Lane Sunday afternoon.

    The most experienced drivers include Justin Allgaier, Jeremy Clements, Ryan Sieg and Brandon Jones. They are the only full-time Xfinity drivers that have made every start at the track.

    Truck Series Notes:

    There have been 11 Truck Series races at Pocono and 10 different winners. Kyle Busch leads the series with two victories (2015, 2018).

    There are only three races remaining until the Truck Series Playoffs begin. Four drivers have wins (John Hunter Nemechek, Ben Rhodes, Todd Gilliland and Sheldon Creed) and are locked in, leaving six open spots.

    Pocono Raceway Data:
    Season Race #: 18 of 36 (06-26-21) & Season Race #: 19 of 36 (06-27-21)
    Track Size: 2.5-miles
    Banking/Turn 1: 14 degrees
    Banking/Turn 2: 8 degrees
    Banking/Turn 3: 6 degrees
    Frontstretch Length:  3,740 feet
    Backstretch Length:  3,055 feet
    Shortstretch Length:  1,780 feet
    Race Length: 130 laps / 325 miles
    Stage 1 Length: 25 Laps
    Stage 2 Length: 52 Laps
    Final Stage: 53 Laps

    Pocono Raceway NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Information:
    2020 Pocono-1 pole winner: Aric Almirola started from the first starting position (Starting Lineup was determined by Random Draw)
    2020 Pocono-2 pole winner: Ryan Preece started from the first starting position (Starting Lineup was determined by Inverting the Field).
    Track qualifying record: Kyle Larson, Chevrolet (183.438 mph, 49.063 secs.) on August 1, 2014.

    • Kevin Harvick leads all active NCS drivers with 40 starts at Pocono Raceway.
    • Denny Hamlin leads all active series drivers in average starting position with a 7.400 in 32 starts.
    • 12 of the 46 Pocono Raceway Cup Series pole winners are active this weekend.  Kyle Busch (4), Denny Hamlin (3), Joey Logano (2), Kurt Busch (2), Ryan Newman (2), Brad Keselowski (1), Daniel Suarez (1), Kevin Harvick (1), Kyle Larson (1), Martin Truex Jr (1), Ryan Blaney (1), and William Byron (1).
    • Kyle Busch leads all active drivers at Pocono with four poles (Spring 2010, Fall 2015, 2017 sweep).
    • Eight different manufacturers have won a NCS pole at Pocono led by Chevrolet (34), followed by Ford (18), Toyota (9), Dodge (8), Pontiac (6), Buick (2), American Motors Company (1), and Oldsmobile (1). 

    Pocono Raceway NASCAR Cup Series Race Information:
    2020 Pocono-1 race winner: Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford on June 27, 2020 (134.467 mph, 2 Hrs, 25 Mins, 1 Sec.).
    2020 Pocono-2 race winner: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on June 28, 2020 (122.879 mph, 2 Hrs, 50 Mins, 54 Secs.).
    Track race record (200 laps): Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet (145.384 mph, 03:26:21) on June 12, 2011.

    • 38 different NCS drivers have won at Pocono and 10 winners are entered this weekend.  Denny Hamlin (6), Kyle Busch (3), Kurt Busch (3), Martin Truex Jr. (2), Kevin Harvick (1), Ryan Blaney (1), Chris Buescher (1), Joey Logano (1), Brad Keselowski (1), and Ryan Newman (1).
    • Joey Logano is the youngest Cup Series Pocono winner (June 10, 2012 – 22 years, 0 months, 17 days).
    • 16 of the 86 (19%) NCS races at Pocono have been won from the pole (14) or first starting position (two); the most recent was Kyle Busch on July 30, 2017.
    • The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (16) than any other starting position at Pocono in the NCS at a 19% winning percentage.
    • Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Pocono with 17.
    • Eight different manufacturers have won in the NCS at Pocono.  Led by Chevrolet (32), followed by Ford (24), Toyota (10), Dodge (7), Pontiac (6), Buick (4), Mercury (2) and Oldsmobile (1).
    • Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in laps led at Pocono with 785 laps led in 30 starts.

    NASCAR Cup Series 2021 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Pocono Raceway:

    DriverAverage FinishDriver Rating
    Denny Hamlin11.3107.1
    Kyle Larson12.495.3
    William Byron9.788.4
    Chase Elliott14.395
    Joey Logano17.988
    Kyle Busch1695.3
    Martin Truex Jr14.788.1
    Kevin Harvick12100.1
    Ryan Blaney12.685.9
    Brad Keselowski1195
    Austin Dillon18.772
    Alex Bowman21.466.6
    Tyler Reddick32.548
    Christopher Bell21.580.9
    Chris Buescher20.364.3
    Michael McDowell28.447.5

  • Kyle Busch captures 100th Xfinity Series win at Nashville

    Kyle Busch captures 100th Xfinity Series win at Nashville

    Kyle Busch scored his 100th NASCAR Xfinity Series victory Saturday at Nashville Superspeedway holding on through three late-race restarts to bring his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Toyota to victory lane.

    It was a repeat of last week’s race at Texas Motor Speedway as Busch had to fend off JR Motorsports driver, Justin Allgaier, who finished behind Busch for the second week in a row.

    Busch has more than doubled Mark Martin’s 49 wins for the most all-time victories in the series.

    “I remember growing up as a kid and watching Mark Martin win every week, in that 60 car, just the domination he had. And he‘s No. 2 with 49 wins. It’s just been phenomenal years to have (and) be associated with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota.

    “It was way racier than I remember Nashville being,” Busch continued. “At the end, I knew if we could clear those guys and I could hit my marks I could pull away.”

    He also had a message for his fans and critics, saying, “Wanted to give a huge shout out to Rowdy Nation out there, we appreciate you, Rowdy Nation. I saw a lot of you standing up when Allgaier took the lead then a lot of you sat back down when I took the lead. So, an awesome day for Rowdy Nation.”

    It was, understandably, a frustrating experience for Allgaier.

    “Running second sucks, I’m not going to lie to you,” he said. “When we took the lead from Kyle I thought we were good, we were able to drive away. But then all those restarts at the end, he just held me down really hard in the middle of (Turns) 3 and 4 and we got loose and I think that was the difference-maker. After that, we just didn’t have the speed after that.

    “Again, just proud of my guys – to bring two fast race cars two weeks in a row to have a shot at it and have it come down to late in the races is a big deal. We’ll keep digging.”

    Harrison Burton finished third followed by Josh Berry in fourth and AJ Allmendinger rebounded from a pit penalty to finish fifth. Brandon Jones, Jeb Burton, Noah Gragson, Austin Hill and Riley Herbst rounded out the top 10.

    Cindric continues to lead the championship points standings and has a 90-point advantage over second place, Allmendinger. Jeremy Clements is in the final spot, 48 points ahead of Brandon Brown. There are 11 regular-season races remaining before the Playoffs begin.

    The Xfinity Series heads to Pocono Raceway on June 27 and will be broadcast on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.