Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Author: Angie Campbell

  • Weekend Schedule for Kansas

    Weekend Schedule for Kansas

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series head to Kansas Speedway this weekend. It will be the third race in the Playoffs Round of 12 and will trim the field from 12 to eight drivers who will be eligible to move forward and compete for the championship. Chase Elliott is the defending race winner.

    Kansas is the first race in the Xfinity Series Round of 8. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell is the top seed heading into the Kansas Lottery 300. John Hunter Nemechek returns as the defending race winner at the 1.5-mile track.

    All times are Eastern.

     Friday, October 18

    3:05 p.m. –  3:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series First Practice – NBCSN/MRN

    4:05 p.m. –  4:55 p.m.: Cup Series first Practice – NBCSN/MRN

    5:05 p.m. – 5:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series Final Practice – NBCSN

    7:05 p.m. –  7:55 p.m. Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN/MRN

    Saturday, October 19

    12:05 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying – Impound (Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – No TV -NBC Sports App

    1:35 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying – Impound (Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – NBCSN/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    3 P.M.: Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 (Stages 45/90/200 Laps = 300 Miles) – NBCSN/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, October 20

    2:30 PM Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 (Stages 80/160/267 Laps = 400.5 Miles) – NBCSN/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

  • Elliott leads the way, wins pole at Talladega as Hendrick sweeps top four spots

    Elliott leads the way, wins pole at Talladega as Hendrick sweeps top four spots

    Chase Elliott claimed the Busch Pole Award at Talladega Superspeedway Saturday evening while his teammates followed for a Hendrick Motorsports sweep of the top four starting positions.

    His qualifying lap of 192.707 mph earned Elliott his fourth pole of the season and his eighth career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole. It was his second pole at the 2.66-mile track. Elliott also won the spring race at the track and is hoping for a repeat.

    When asked about the odds of winning again, he was optimistic but is not taking anything for granted.

    “To me, I feel like our car has pace, which is a good thing,” Elliott replied.

    “Typically in these races, cars that have pace tend to kind of set the standard and are able to do some things that you wouldn’t be able to do if your car didn’t have pace. I would much rather have pace on my side than not.

    “Can you still win without those little extra things here and there? Yes. But I do think it is a good thing to have if you do. And luckily, I feel like our car does. Hopefully it drives well tomorrow. And, I’m sure as we start the race, we’ll see some gamesmanship being played amongst the manufacturers and I’m sure that’ll form-up very quickly.”

    Hendrick Motorsports teammates Alex Bowman (192.552 mph), William Byron (192.258 mph) and Jimmie Johnson (191.566 mph) will follow Elliott in the lineup after qualifying second, third and fourth.

    Byron is hoping the teammates can stay up front together.

    “I’ve got three teammates behind but then not a lot of Chevrolets back behind that for a little while,” he noted. “So, there are a bunch of other guys stacked in between us. So, we’ll see. I’m sure these games will be played pretty early. And hopefully we can stay up front and grab some stage points and hopefully get a win.”

    Ford drivers Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Clint Bowyer, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano rounded out the top-10 qualifiers.

    Logano spoke about the significance of the car manufacturers working together.

    “We’ve got to stay open to doing what our competition is doing and trying to do what they do better than them. That’s what we’ve got to try to do, but it seems like now more than ever the teamwork aspect has really come into play more than it’s ever been,” Keselowski said. “I say teamwork, not just Penske – we’re talking about all the Fords or all the Chevys or Toyotas. Everyone really seems to be committed to each other and it’s really changed the game a lot.”

    Of the remaining playoff drivers, Kyle Larson will start 12th, Kevin Harvick 15th, Martin Truex Jr. 18th, Kyle Busch 26th and Denny Hamlin will start in 40th after an engine failure during qualifying.

    You can tune into Sunday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Daniel Hemric looks ahead to new opportunities

    Daniel Hemric looks ahead to new opportunities

    In mid-September, Richard Childress Racing announced they were releasing Daniel Hemric after the conclusion of the 2019 season as the driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet.

    In response to the news, Hemric posted a tweet saying, “Forever grateful to Richard & everyone at @RCRracing for the opportunity. I’m disappointed it ended like this, but we’ve got nine more races together & some team goals that are still within reach. I’m going to do all I can to make sure we get those & finish the season strong.”

    A little over three weeks later, Hemric’s goals remain unchanged. He spoke about his mindset Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, the site of his best finish this year.

    “The game plan, he said, “from a professional side, has still been the same. The goals you set out to accomplish in February, and really dating back three years ago with RCR, those all stay the same.”

    This year was Hemric’s first full-time season of competition in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 28-year-old has one top-five and two top-10s in 30 races that include a fifth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in April. Prior to that, he drove for RCR in the Xfinity Series in 2017 and 2018 and qualified for the Championship both years.

    For now, the racing takes precedence but Hemric is also looking ahead to what is next.

    “I’ve got to figure out another path,” Hemric said. “Personally, you’ve had to kind of grind it out and spend what would typically be your off-days away from the race track doing just that and trying to position yourself and align yourself in a situation where you can continue on and move forward past Homestead as things go down the way they’re going to go down. But the race track stuff hasn’t really changed a whole lot. We still try to go to the race track and do our jobs.”

    While looking for new opportunities, the key says Hemric, is to remain true to himself.

    “I think just do your thing and be yourself and that’s what I’ve always tried to do and I feel very grounded by the fact,” he explained. “I think that’s why I’ve had the opportunities to get to where I’m at today. I try not to really veer too far off that course and just try to do what feels right to me and I think along the way I’ve been able to establish and build and create a lot of incredible partnerships.”

    For now, Hemric’s main focus is clear.

    “If we can accomplish our goals of winning Rookie of the Year, finish as high in the points as we can, and knowing that when I cross the finish line at Homestead, I know I gave them everything I had from day one together until the checkered flag flew.”

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Weekend Schedule for Talladega

    Weekend Schedule for Talladega

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Gander Outdoors Truck Series head to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. The NASCAR Xfinity Series is off but will return to competition next week at Kansas Speedway.

    This will be the second race in the Round of 12 for the Cup Series Playoffs. Aric Almirola is the defending Cup Series race winner. The Truck Series begins its Round of 6 at the 2.66-mile tri-oval. Timothy Peters won the Truck Series race at Talladega last year.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, October 11

    12:35 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.: Truck Series First Practice – No TV

    1:35 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.: Cup Series First Practice – NBCSN/MRN

    3:35 p.m. – 4:25 p.m.: Truck Series Final Practice – No TV

    4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.: Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN/MRN

    Saturday, October 12

    10:35 a.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – FS1

    1:30 p.m.: Truck Series Sugarlands Shine 250 (Stages 20/40/94 Laps = 250.04 Miles) – FS1/MRN

    4:35 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying Impound (Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – NBCSN/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, October 13

    2 p.m.: Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 (Stages 55/110/188 Laps = 500.08 Miles) – NBC/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – Green flag: 2:03 p.m.

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Weekend schedule for Dover

    Weekend schedule for Dover

    This weekend the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series head to Dover International Speedway. This will be the first race in the Cup Series Round of 12. Chase Elliott is the defending race winner.

    It will serve as the elimination race for the Xfinity Series Round of 12. Only the top eight will move on to the next round in the hunt for the championship. Christopher Bell won the event in 2018.

    The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series is off and will return to competition at Talladega Superspeedway Saturday, Oct. 12.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, October 4

    12:35 p.m. – 1:25 p.m. Xfinity Series First Practice -NBCSN
    1:35 p.m. – 2:25 p.m. Monster Energy Cup Series First Practice – NBCSN
    2:35 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. Xfinity Series Final Practice – NBCSN
    3:35 p.m. – 4:25 p.m. Monster Energy Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN

    Saturday, October 5

    12:05 p.m. Xfinity Series Qualifying – Impound (Single Vehicle/Two Laps All Positions) – NBC Sports App/NBCSN joins in at 12:30 p.m.
    1:35 p.m. Monster Energy Cup Series Qualifying – Impound (Single Vehicle/Two Laps All Positions) NBCSN/MRN
    3:00 p.m. Xfinity Series Use Your Melon Drive Sober 200 – 200 miles/200 Laps – Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200) – NBCSN/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, October 6

    2:30 p.m. Monster Energy Cup Series Drydene 400 – 400 miles/400 Laps -Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 120), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 240), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 400) – NBCSN/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Cup Series Playoff Standings Prior to Dover

    Rank Driver Points Starts Race Wins Stage Wins Playoff Pts Pts From Cutoff
    1 Kyle Busch 3,046 29 4 11 46 41
    2 Martin Truex Jr. 3,041 29 6 5 41 36
    3 Denny Hamlin 3,030 29 4 3 30 25
    4 Joey Logano 3,029 29 2 9 29 24
    5 Kevin Harvick 3,028 29 3 5 28 23
    6 Chase Elliott 3,024 29 3 5 24 19
    7 Brad Keselowski 3,024 29 3 4 24 19
    8 Kyle Larson 3,006 29 0 5 6 1
    9 Alex Bowman 3,005 29 1 0 5 -1
    10 Ryan Blaney 3,004 29 0 2 4 -2
    11 William Byron 3,001 29 0 1 1 -5
    12 Clint Bowyer 3,000 29 0 0 0 -6

    Xfinity Series Playoff Standings Prior to Dover

    Rank Driver Points Starts Race Wins Stage Wins Playoff Pts Pts From Cutoff
    1 Christopher Bell 2,143 28 7 17 62 In On Wins
    2 Cole Custer 2,133 28 6 7 45 Clinched On Points
    3 Tyler Reddick 2,114 28 5 4 44 52
    4 Austin Cindric 2,112 28 2 1 17 50
    5 Justin Allgaier 2,102 28 0 5 12 40
    6 Chase Briscoe 2,097 28 1 3 13 35
    7 Noah Gragson 2,088 28 0 1 5 26
    8 Michael Annett 2,073 28 1 1 9 11
    9 John H. Nemechek 2,062 28 0 0 0 -11
    10 Brandon Jones 2,062 28 0 3 4 -11
    11 Ryan Sieg 2,036 28 0 1 1 -37
    12 Justin Haley 2,034 28 0 1 3 -39

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Byron wins pole in 1-2 sweep for Hendrick Motorsports at Charlotte

    Byron wins pole in 1-2 sweep for Hendrick Motorsports at Charlotte

    William Byron led the way at Charlotte Motor Speedway to capture his fifth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole this year and the fifth of his career. Alex Bowman qualified second for a 1-2 Hendrick Motorsports front-row sweep.

    Byron drove his No. 24 Chevrolet to a 103.198 mph lap on the 2.28-mile Charlotte Roval for back to back poles. He also qualified on the pole for this year’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in May.

    “The guys did a great job with this car,” he said, “and it really takes every corner around this race track to get a pole. I knew we could qualify top five but I really wanted the pole and really kind of went out there and got it. So, I’m really proud of this UniFirst team. It’s going to be great to start up front.”

    His teammate, Alex Bowman, will start second after a 103.078 mph lap in his No. 88 Chevrolet.

    “That run wasn’t the best,” Bowman said. “I know it could have been better. William (Byron) just did a great job there getting through the corners. It’s definitely a positive to be starting on the front row and we just have to focus on getting stage points on Sunday. Very proud of this Nationwide #REALtirement team and the hard work they put in today.”

    Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top five followed by Kevin Harvick in sixth and Kyle Larson in seventh.  Martin Truex Jr., who has won the first two playoff races in the Round of 16, will start in eighth. Ryan Blaney, the defending race winner, qualified ninth and Paul Menard will roll off in 10th.

    Chase Elliott will start 19th after missing a downshift during his qualifying run which caused him to wheel hop and subsequently spin. Denny Hamlin was another playoff contender who will have to start from the back of the field. During the first practice session, he spun and hit the Turn 5 tire barrier damaging his primary car and had to go to a backup car.

    Erik Jones will start 15th followed by Aric Almirola in 16th and Kyle Busch in 17th as Ryan Newman qualified 24th. Kurt Busch, who won the inaugural pole on the Roval last year, qualified his Chip Ganassi Chevrolet in 23rd.

    The Bank of America Roval 400 is set for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC with radio coverage by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Weekend Schedule for Charlotte Roval

    Weekend Schedule for Charlotte Roval

    This weekend the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series head to Charlotte Motor Speedway. It will serve as the elimination race in the Round of 16 Cup Series Playoffs, trimming the field to 12 drivers. Ryan Blaney won the inaugural Bank of America Roval 400 last year.

    The Xfinity Series will feature the second of three playoff races in the Round of 12 at Charlotte. Chase Briscoe returns as the defending race winner. The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series is off and will return to competition at Talladega Superspeedway Saturday, Oct. 12.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, Sept. 27

    12:05 p.m. – 12:55 p.m.: Cup Series First Practice – NBCSN Tape delay at 2 p.m./ NBC Sports App

    1:05 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.: Xfinity Series First Practice – NBC Sports App

    3:05 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series Final Practice – NBCSN

    4:40 P.M.: Cup Series Qualifying – Multi-Vehicle/Two Rounds – NBCSN/PRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Saturday, Sept. 28

    11:05 A.M. – 11:55 a.m.: Cup Series Second Practice – NBC Sports App

    12:10 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying – Impound Multi-Vehicle/Two Rounds – NBC Sports App/NBCSN joins at 12:30 p.m.

    2 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.: Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN

    3:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (155.3 miles, 67 laps), Stage 1 ends on Lap 20, Stage 2 ends on Lap 40, Final Stage ends on Lap 67 – NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, Sept. 29

    2:30 p.m.: Cup Series Bank of America Roval 400 (248.52 miles, 109 laps) Stage 1 ends on Lap 25, Stage 2 ends on Lap 50, Final Stage ends on Lap 109 –  NBC/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Cup Series Playoff Standings Prior to Bank of America Roval 400

    RankDriverPointsStartsRace WinsStage WinsPlayoff PtsPts From Cutoff
    1Martin Truex Jr.2,141286541In On Wins
    2Kevin Harvick2,120283528Clinched on Points
    3Kyle Busch2,1172841146Clinched on Points
    4Brad Keselowski2,10628342455
    5Denny Hamlin2,10528433054
    6Joey Logano2,10128292950
    7Chase Elliott2,08828241837
    8Kyle Larson2,0762804525
    9Ryan Newman2,0652800014
    10Ryan Blaney2,059280248
    11Aric Almirola2,054280113
    12William Byron2,053280112
    13Alex Bowman2,05128105-2
    14Clint Bowyer2,04928000-4
    15Kurt Busch2,039281311-14
    16Erik Jones2,00828105-45

    Xfinity Series Playoff Standings Prior to Drive for the Cure 250

    Rank Driver Points Starts Race Wins Stage Wins Playoff Pts Pts From Cutoff
    1 Christopher Bell (P) 2,115 27 7 17 62 In On Wins
    2 Cole Custer (P) 2,093 27 6 6 44 60
    3 Tyler Reddick (P) 2,071 27 5 4 44 38
    4 Austin Cindric (P) 2,067 27 2 1 17 34
    5 Justin Allgaier (P) 2,054 27 0 5 12 21
    6 Michael Annett (P) 2,051 27 1 1 9 18
    7 Chase Briscoe # (P) 2,050 27 1 2 12 17
    8 Noah Gragson # (P) 2,048 27 0 1 5 15
    9 Brandon Jones (P) 2,033 27 0 3 4 -15
    10 Ryan Sieg (P) 2,029 27 0 1 1 -19
    11 Justin Haley # (P) 2,028 27 0 1 3 -20
    12 John H. Nemechek # (P) 2,027 27 0 0 0 -21

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Weekend Schedule for Richmond

    Weekend Schedule for Richmond

    This weekend the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series head to Richmond Raceway. It will be the second of three races in the Round of 16 Cup Series Playoffs. Kyle Busch is the defending race winner on the 0.75-mile D-shaped track.

    The Xfinity Series will begin their Playoffs with the Round of 12 at Richmond. Christopher Bell who has six regular-season victories will be back to defend his win.

    The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series is off and will return to competition at Talladega Superspeedway Saturday, Oct. 12.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, September 20

    9:35-10:55 a.m. – Xfinity Series Final Practice (NBCSN)

    11:35 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. – Cup Series First Practice (NBCSN, MRN)

    1:35 – 2:25 p.m. – Cup Series Final Practice (NBCSN, MRN)

    4:35 p.m. – Xfinity Series Qualifying Impound – Single vehicle/two laps all positions (NBCSN)

    6:05 p.m. – Cup Series Qualifying impound – Single vehicle/two laps all positions (NBCSN, MRN)

    7 p.m. – Xfinity Series Driver Intros

    7:30 p.m. – Xfinity GoBowling 250 race – Stages 75/150/250 laps = 187.5 miles (NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

    Saturday, September 21

    6:50 p.m. – Cup Series Driver Intros

    7:30 p.m. – Cup Series Federated Parts 400 race – Stages 100/200/400 laps = 300 miles (NBCSN/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Weekend Schedule for Las Vegas

    Weekend Schedule for Las Vegas

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend where 16 drivers will face off against each other in Round 1 of the Playoffs. Brad Keselowski is the defending race winner.

    Las Vegas is the last chance to make the Playoffs for the Xfinity Series drivers and where the 12-driver field will be set. Ross Chastain won the event last year.

    The Gander Outdoors Truck Series will close out their first championship round and narrow their playoff field from eight to six drivers. Grant Enfinger will return to defend his 2018 win.

    Please see the complete schedule below. All times are Eastern.

    Friday, Sept. 13

    11:05 a.m.: Truck Series Final Practice – No TV

    3:35 p.m.: Xfinity Series First Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    4:35 p.m.: Cup Series First Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    5:35 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying – Impound/Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions – FS1

    6:35 p.m.: Xfinity Series Final Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    7:30 p.m.: Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    9 p.m.: Truck Series World of Westgate Las Vegas 200 – (Stages 30/60/134 Laps = 201 Miles) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Saturday, Sept. 14

    2:35 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying – Impound/Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    4:05 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying – Impound/Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions – NBCSN/NBC Sports App/PRN

    7:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Rhino Pro Trucks Outfitters 300 – (Stages 45/90/200 Laps = 300 Miles) NBCSN/NBC Sports App/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, Sept. 15

    7 p.m.: Cup Series South Point 400 – (Stages 80/160/267 Laps = 400.5 Miles) NBCSN/NBC Sports App/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Weekend Schedule for Indianapolis

    Weekend Schedule for Indianapolis

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend for the final race of the regular season. Kyle Busch clinched the regular season championship after his third-place finish in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

    There are only two open spots in the Playoffs with four drivers on the bubble. Clint Bowyer (15th) has an eight-point lead over Daniel Suarez (16th) and Ryan Newman (17th). He has a 26-point lead over Jimmie Johnson in 18th.

    The Xfinity Series will also compete at Indy with two races remaining before their Playoffs begin. Richard Childress Racing’s Tyler Reddick can clinch the regular season championship if he has a 61-point lead at the end of the race over second-place Christopher Bell. He has a 51-point lead heading into the Indiana 250.

    Please see the complete schedule below. All times are Eastern.

    Friday, Sept. 6

    1:05 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series First Practice – NBC Sports App/Airing tape-delayed at 2 p.m. on NBCSN

    3:05 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series Final Practice – NBC Sports App/Airing tape-delayed at 4 p.m.

    Saturday, Sept. 7

    11:05 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.: Cup Series First Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    12:05 p.m. – Xfinity Series Qualifying – Impound (Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions)

    1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.: Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    3 p.m.: Xfinity Series Indiana 250 (Stages 30/60/100 Laps = 250 Miles) NBCSN/NBC Sports App/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, Sept. 8

    10:35 a.m. – Cup Series Qualifying – Impound (Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – NBCSN/NBC Sports App/PRN

    2 p.m.: Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard (Stages 50/100/160 Laps = 400 Miles) – NBC/NBC Sports App/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.