Author: Angie Campbell

Corey LaJoie ‘Back in the Driver’s Seat’ Again

In his first XFINITY race in over a year, Corey LaJoie drove his JGL Racing Young Guns No. 24 Toyota to a 23rd place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

By Lap 18, LaJoie had advanced to the top-10 in the Heads Up Georgia 250. The team made adjustments on the car during the race while LaJoie took advantage of the valuable seat time as he reacclimated to being back in a racecar again.

“It was great to be back in the driver’s seat,” he said. “I needed to knock off the rust a little bit right from the beginning of the weekend and the guys on this JGL Racing team were patient and made the process great. Our No. 24 Toyota wasn’t too bad out there today. We needed to turn a little better through the center of the corner and we continued to adjust on that throughout the race. In the end, it was just great to be back behind the wheel in NASCAR.”

This was LaJoie’s seventh start in the XFINITY Series and his first race in the series since Nov. 2014 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He is probably most well-known as a driver in the K&N Pro Series East Series where in 2012 he captured five wins and was runner-up in the championship standings. LaJoie also had two Sprint Cup Series starts in 2014.

The 24-year old is the son of two-time Nationwide Series (now XFINITY) champion Randy LaJoie and grandson of New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame member Don LaJoie. He began racing go-karts on a track behind his father’s shop when he was four years old and has never stopped pursuing his dream.

Being Randy LaJoie’s son puts him under a microscope when he’s on the racetrack. Every accomplishment might be magnified but so is every mistake. In LaJoie’s mind, the pluses have always outweighed the negatives. Being under the spotlight gives him an added incentive to do well and he thrives under the pressure. His father’s experience and advice have been invaluable and LaJoie gives credit to his Grandfather too.

“I’ve always said having my Dad in my corner is a big advantage,” he told me, “because he’s been there, done that before. Without my Dad and Grandfather Don LaJoie, none of this would be possible.”

After being away from the track, LaJoie realizes, now more than ever, that he has to make the most of each opportunity.

“I really appreciate the opportunity that has been given to me with this JGL Racing organization. My time away from NASCAR made me realize how important racing is to me,” LaJoie shared. “And it makes me appreciate even more opportunities like this when they come along. I look forward to getting behind the wheel of this No. 24 Toyota again and improving on this performance.”

LaJoie heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend for the Boyd Gaming 300 as part of JGL Racing’s Young Guns program.

February 28, 2016
NASCAR Racing Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway
NASCAR heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway this week where all three NASCAR Series will compete. Please check below for the complete schedule of events.

All times are Eastern

Friday, Feb. 26:

On Track:
9-9:55 a.m.: XFINITY Series Practice – FS1
10-10:55 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Practice – FS1
11 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
12:30-1:25 p.m.: XFINITY Series Practice – FS1
1:30-2:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Practice – FS1
2:30-3:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series Final Practice – FS1
4-5:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Final Practice – FS1
5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FS1

Garage Cam: (Watch live)
10:30 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series

Press Conferences: (Watch live)
8:15 a.m.: Ty Dillon
9:15 a.m.: Christopher Bell
9:45 a.m.: Chase Elliott
10 a.m.: Jimmie Johnson
12:30 p.m.: Carl Edwards
1 p.m.: Denny Hamlin
1:30 p.m.: Greg Biffle
7:15 p.m.. (approx.): Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying

Saturday, Feb. 27:

On Track:
8:35 a.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
10 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Final Practice – FS1
1:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Heads Up Georgia 250 (163 laps, 251.02 miles) – FS1
4:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Great Clips 200 (130 laps, 200.02 miles) – FS1

Press Conferences: (Watch live)
3:15 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series Race
6 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race

Sunday, Feb. 28:

On Track:
1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (325 laps – 500.05 miles) – FOX

Press Conferences: (Watch live)
4:45 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race

Additional Info:
- Complete NASCAR TV Schedule
February 25, 2016
Regan Smith Makes a Statement with Top-10 Finish at Daytona

Regan Smith hasn’t raced a full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series since 2012 but this year he’s back and he isn’t wasting any time, finishing eighth in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

After racing his No. 7 Nikko RC/Golden Corral Chevrolet to score a top-10 in the Dayton 500, Smith said, “It was a good, smooth day for us. The car, other than the spin at the beginning, I don’t know what happened there. But I got on the brakes and it just spun out. It handled great all day long. All the guys at Tommy Baldwin Racing gave me probably one of the better handling cars I’ve ever had here.

“Once it came down to it in the end and we were able to get a little bit of position, and we got four tires and made the most of an opportunity on that last pit stop and it came to life. I’m proud of this team. It’s a small team. We work hard. Tommy pours everything he’s got into this race team. And we’ve got some great partners and great investors, and we’re going to work hard all year.”

Smith spent the last three years in the XFINITY Series with JR Motorsports but his future was uncertain as he announced that he would leave JRM at the end of the 2015 season. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that he found a home with the single-car organization of Tommy Baldwin Racing.

Smith described the chaotic off-season that culminated with this new partnership.

“It feels good. Even three weeks ago, I had no clue what was going on. I got a call from Tommy. Everything happened quick, and the next thing I know I’m coming to Daytona to go racing and have a full-time, locked-in deal with a charter. It was probably one of the craziest off-seasons I’ve been a part of and one of the most unenjoyable to be brutally honest with you. By the time it all played out, it turned out to be one of the better off-seasons for me.”

Smith sees it as not only a new beginning in the Sprint Cup Series but also envisions a future rich with potential.

“I see this as an opportunity to build something and help something continue to grow. Tommy has done a great job with what he’s got already. The difference this year with the alliances and the partners that he’s got is clear for me to see, and I’m new to the program. As I see it and I see the people that he’s brought in and the faces that are there, this is something where I’ve said we can grow this and be what Furniture Row was. The only difference is that I’d like to see it through this time and not see it go away too quick. It’s an opportunity to get back in the Cup series but at the same time, it’s an opportunity to help a team grow and be a part of that growing.”

From uncertainty to stability, Smith is determined to make the most of this second chance. If the Daytona 500 is any indication, the possibilities are endless.

February 23, 2016
NASCAR Issues Rule Changes to Address Member Conduct

NASCAR released rule changes to the 2016 member conduct guidelines Friday night in an effort to clarify infractions and their corresponding penalties.

The rules cover a wide range of misconduct with specific penalties for each infraction including driver confrontations, both verbal and physical, criticizing NASCAR leadership, damaging another vehicle under yellow or red flag conditions, attempts to manipulate the outcome of a race, “significant criminal violations” and more.

It also addresses statements made against someone based on their “race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age or handicapping condition.”

Please see the complete wording below from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Rule Book.

February 20, 2016

NASCAR Racing Schedule for Daytona

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series head to Daytona International Speedway as Speedweeks continues culminating with the 58th edition of the Daytona 500 Sunday. Please check below for the complete schedule.

Wednesday, Feb. 17:

On Track:

5-5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
6:10-6:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1

Garage Cam: (Watch Live)

4:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series

Thursday, Feb. 18:

On Track:

Noon-12:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FS1
1:30-2:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series practice – FS1
4-4:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice – FS1
7 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Can-Am Duel #1, (60 laps, 150 miles) – FS1 (See Lineup Below)
9 p.m. (approx.): Sprint Cup Series Can-Am Duel #2 – (60 laps, 150 miles) – FS1 (See Lineup Below)

Garage Cam: (Watch live)

1 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series

Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

10:30 a.m.: FOX Sports Announcement
Approx 8 p.m.: Post-Duel 1 Press Conference
Approx 10 p.m.: Post-Duel 2 Press Conference

TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

7 a.m.: NASCAR America – NBCSN
1 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
3 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
5 p.m.: NASCAR RaceDay – FS1
5 p.m.: NASCAR America – NBCSN

Friday, Feb. 19:

On Track:

10:30-11:55 a.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FS1
12:00-12:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
1-1:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FS1
2-2:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
3-3:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FS1
4:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
7:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 – (100 laps, 250 miles) – FS1

Garage Cam: (Watch Live)

10 a.m.: XFINITY Series

Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

11:30 a.m.: Real Racing 3 Daytona Experience
Approx 9:45 p.m.: Post-Camping World Truck Series Race Press Conference

TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

4 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition – FS1
6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
6 p.m.: NASCAR America – NBCSN

Saturday, Feb. 20:

On Track:

10 a.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
12:15-1:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FS1
3:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series PowerShares QQQ 300 (120 laps, 300 miles) – FS1

Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

Approx 6 p.m.: Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series Race Press Conference

TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

11:30 a.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
2 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
2 p.m.: 18 Rising – NBC
3 p.m.: NASCAR RaceDay – XFINITY – FS1

Sunday, Feb. 21:

On Track:

1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 (200 laps, 500 miles) – FOX

Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

9:45 a.m.-11 a.m.: Daytona 500 Pre-Race Press Conference
Approx 5 p.m.: Post-Daytona 500 Press Conference

TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

10:30 a.m.: NASCAR RaceDay – FS1
Noon: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FOX Pre-Race Show – FOX
1 a.m.: NASCAR Victory Lane – FS1

Duel Driver Lineups:

* Denotes Open, non-Charter teams

CAN-AM DUEL 1 LINEUP
POSITION	CAR	DRIVER	TEAM
1.	24	Chase Elliott	Hendrick Motorsports
2.	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Hendrick Motorsports
3.	17	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Roush Fenway Racing
4.	21*	Ryan Blaney*	Wood Brothers Racing
5.	3	Austin Dillon	Richard Childress Racing
6.	11	Denny Hamlin	Joe Gibbs Racing
7.	22	Joey Logano	Team Penske
8.	5	Kasey Kahne	Hendrick Motorsports
9.	27	Paul Menard	Richard Childress Racing
10.	2	Brad Keselowski	Team Penske
11.	16	Greg Biffle	Roush Fenway Racing
12.	44	Brian Scott	Richard Petty Motorsports
13.	59*	Michael McDowell*	Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing
14.	7	Regan Smith	Tommy Baldwin Racing
15.	34	Chris Buescher	Front Row Motorsports
16.	32	Bobby Labonte	Go Green Racing
17.	6	Trevor Bayne	Roush Fenway Racing
18.	15	Clint Bowyer	HScott Motorsports
19.	98*	Cole Whitt*	Premium Motorsports
20.	23	David Ragan	BK Racing
21.	30*	Josh Wise*	The Motorsports Group
22.	4	Kevin Harvick	Stewart-Haas Racing

CAN-AM DUEL 2 LINEUP
POSITION	CAR	DRIVER	TEAM
1.	20	Matt Kenseth	Joe Gibbs Racing
2.	18	Kyle Busch	Joe Gibbs Racing
3.	48	Jimmie Johnson	Hendrick Motorsports
4.	19	Carl Edwards	Joe Gibbs Racing
5.	41	Kurt Busch	Stewart-Haas Racing
6.	13	Casey Mears	Germain Racing
7.	31	Ryan Newman	Richard Childress Racing
8.	95	Ty Dillon	Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing
9.	43	Aric Almirola	Richard Petty Motorsports
10.	1	Jamie McMurray	Chip Ganassi Racing
11.	42	Kyle Larson	Chip Ganassi Racing
12.	93*	Matt DiBenedetto*	BK Racing
13.	83	Michael Waltrip	BK Racing
14.	10	Danica Patrick	Stewart-Haas Racing
15.	47	AJ Allmendinger	JTG Daugherty Racing
16.	46	Michael Annett	HScott Motorsports
17.	38	Landon Cassill	Front Row Motorsports
18.	26*	Robert Richardson Jr.*	BK Racing
19.	35*	David Gilliland*	Front Row Motorsports
20.	40*	Reed Sorenson*	Hillman Smith Motorsports
21.	78	Martin Truex Jr.	Furniture Row Racing
22.	14	Brian Vickers	Stewart-Haas Racing

February 17, 2016

Is Brian Vickers’ Entry into the Sprint Unlimited Justified?

It was announced Friday that Brian Vickers would be filling in for Tony Stewart in the Sprint Unlimited as well as the Daytona 500. It’s an exciting prospect for Vickers whose NASCAR career has stalled due to a medical condition that requires him to periodically take blood thinners. It’s also an opportunity that could lead to re-establishing Vickers as a marketable driver.

Vickers said that he had been working with his doctors on a plan that would allow him to race while at the same time protecting him from blood clots.

“It’s unfortunate that this is the car I’m in because that means Tony’s not here,” Vickers said. He went on to say “I’m honored to keep his seat warm until he gets back. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Tony and wish him a quick recovery.”

But his entry into the Sprint Unlimited is troubling.

The Sprint Unlimited is supposed to only be open to drivers who meet specific requirements. Any 2015 Coors Light Pole Award winners, formers winners of the Sprint Unlimited and former Daytona 500 winners who competed full time in 2015 are eligible. The 16 drivers who participated in the 2015 Chase for the Sprint Cup championship are also eligible with any remaining spots filled based upon 2015 Sprint Cup driver points.

The only problem is that Vickers meets none of those requirements.

NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell explained their decision to allow Vickers to participate on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

“When we looked at it, it’s due to some unforeseen circumstances,” O’Donnell said. “A lot of prep work went into that car and there are a lot of implications for the 14 not being in that race. In this instance, we made the decision to allow the 14 to participate.”

Granted, this is a non-points, exhibition race, which may explain NASCAR’s willingness to bend the rules. Perhaps a better compromise would have been to allow the No. 14 to participate but with the next driver highest in points. Since Sam Hornish Jr. does not have a ride this year, David Ragan and Trevor Bayne are the top two provisional drivers. But, as it stands, neither will get their shot at the Sprint Unlimited this year.

February 13, 2016
Sprint Unlimited at Daytona – Schedule & Driver Lineup

NASCAR returns this week with the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Raceway Saturday night followed by Sprint Cup qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. FOX will provide television coverage for both events while all practices can be seen on FS1. Please see the complete schedule and the driver lineup for the Sprint Unlimited below.

Friday, Feb. 12:

On Track:

5-5:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited Practice – FS1
6:30-7:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited Final Practice – FS1

GarageCam: (Watch live)

4:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

11 a.m.: Daytona International Speedway announcement
11:30 a.m.: Stewart-Haas Racing announcement
1 p.m.: Eddie Wood, Leonard Wood, Jon Wood
2 p.m.: NASCAR, Chip Ganassi Racing announcement with Jamie McMurray
3:30 p.m.: Martin Truex Jr.
3:45 p.m.: Joey Logano
4 p.m.: Jimmie Johnson and Steve Post

Saturday, Feb. 13:

On Track:

10:30 a.m-12:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Practice – FS1
1:30-3:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Practice – FS1
8:15 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited – (75 laps, 187.5 miles) – FOX

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

10 p.m.: Sprint Unlimited Post-race (Time approx.)

Sunday, Feb. 14:

On Track:

1:15 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

2:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Daytona 500 Post-qualifying (Time approx.)

Sprint Unlimited Driver Eligibility:

There are 25 open positions for the Sprint Unlimited. The eligible drivers include 2015 Coors Light Pole Award winners, former winners of the Sprint Unlimited and former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full time in 2015.

The 16 drivers who participated in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship are also eligible. Any remaining available positions will be filled based on 2015 Sprint Cup driver points.

Eligible Drivers:

2015 Coors Light Pole Awards Winners

AJ Allmendinger
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Carl Edwards
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Jimmie Johnson
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Brad Keselowski
Jeff Gordon – Will be replaced by Casey Mears as the first provisional
Joey Logano

Former Sprint Unlimited Race Winners

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Tony Stewart – Will be replaced by Brian Vickers

Former DAYTONA 500 Coors Light Pole Award Winners

Greg Biffle
Austin Dillon
David Gilliland – Replaced by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. due to no car available
Danica Patrick
Martin Truex Jr.

2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers

Clint Bowyer
Jamie McMurray
Paul Menard
Ryan Newman

2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver Points

Aric Almirola
Kyle Larson

If an eligible driver cannot or does not enter the race, the open position is filled based on 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship driver points.

The first five provisional drivers are as follows:

Casey Mears – Will compete as a result of Jeff Gordon’s retirement
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Will compete because David Gilliand cannot (no car)
Sam Hornish Jr.
David Ragan
Trevor Bayne

Sprint Unlimited Format Notes:

The event will be split into two segments with a competition caution at lap 25 separating the segments. As in 2015, NASCAR will pair select fans with each crew chief and hold a random drawing to determine the starting grid and pit road positions.

February 11, 2016
NASCAR Champions Featuring Benny Parsons

Cup Champion: 1973
Born: July 12, 1941
Died: January 16, 2007
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Career: 1964-1988

Premier Series Stats:
Starts: 526
Wins: 21
Poles: 20

Racer, broadcaster, mentor, friend; you could use any of these words to describe Benjamin “Benny” Parsons. But his most endearing quality was that he was simply one of the most gracious and unpretentious people you could ever hope to meet. That’s a rare commodity in a sport as competitive as NASCAR.

To his colleagues and friends, he was known as “Gentle Ben.” His ever-present smile and upbeat attitude was infectious. It was impossible not to like him.

Pit reporter Matt Yocum probably said it best, describing Parsons as “part Elvis, part Santa Claus and part comedian.”

As this month marks nine years since we lost our beloved BP, it seems only fitting that we take a moment to reflect on his life and career in NASCAR. Newer fans will remember him as a familiar face and voice in the broadcast booth while more established fans will recount stories from his racing career, highlighted by his 1973 Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) Championship.

It was a championship that almost wasn’t and it all came down to the final race of the 1973 season at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Parsons undoubtedly thought his championship hopes were over when he came upon a wrecked car on the track.

“A car had spun and was sitting on the racetrack sideways, just sitting there,” Parsons explained. “I tried to turn under him and when I did I just caught him with the right side of my car and ripped the whole right side off of it.”

But he headed in for repairs and was able to return to the track and run enough laps to win the championship by 67 points, besting Cale Yarborough.

Parsons’ most dramatic win came in 1975 at the Daytona 500. David Pearson was leading the race but spun out with two laps remaining. Parsons, who had started the race from the 32nd position in the No. 72 DeWitt Chevrolet, found himself in position to take advantage of Pearson’s mistake and captured the checkered flag, earning his third career Cup victory.

Parsons was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina but was raised in Detroit where he worked driving a taxi. He won two consecutive championships in the ARCA Racing Series (1968-1969) before moving back down south to pursue a career in the Cup Series.

He made 526 starts during his Cup racing career, winning 21 races and 20 poles. More impressive, Parsons finished no lower than fifth place in the points standings from 1972-1980. He also had the distinction of being the first Cup driver to qualify for a race at a speed faster than 200 mph, posting a lap of 200.176 mph in 1982 for the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

He retired from racing in 1988 and entered the world of broadcasting, utilizing his expertise on the track and his gift for storytelling. Parsons won an ACE Award in 1989 and an Emmy in 1996 while working at ESPN. In 2001, he moved to NBC and TNT and also co-hosted the show, “Fast Talk,” with Doug Rice on the Performance Racing Network.

Parsons’ multi-faceted career also included appearances in several movies including Stroker Ace, Herbie Fully Loaded and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. His gregarious personality made him a natural for the big screen.

In July 2006, Parsons was diagnosed with cancer in his left lung and underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments. The treatments were successful and he was declared “cancer-free” but he lost the use of his left lung.

Parsons was hospitalized on Dec. 26 after doctors discovered a blood clot in his right lung. Shortly after, he was moved to intensive care and placed in an induced coma. Parsons passed away Jan. 16 at the age of 65.

After his death, Darrell Waltrip said, “Benny Parsons was the kindest, sweetest, most considerate person I have ever known. He was almost too nice to be a race car driver, and I say that as a compliment. In my 30-odd years of racing Benny Parsons, I never knew of anyone being mad at Benny.”

Jeff Gordon echoed Waltrip’s sentiments, saying, “Benny was a special person and anyone who came in contact with him knew it. He was one of the most genuine and generous individuals I’ve ever met.”

Greg Biffle was discovered by Parsons who convinced Jack Roush to hire the young driver. “It’s obvious he’s the only reason why I am here in this sport,” Biffle said. “I would still be in Washington racing local stuff if not for BP.”

Racer, broadcaster, mentor, friend; Parsons’ influence is still felt today. And nine years later, NASCAR continues to mourn his loss.

Accomplishments:

1965 – ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year Award
1968 – 1969 ARCA Racing Series Champion
1989 – Cable ACE Award for Best Sports Analyst
1994 – Inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
1994 – Inducted into Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Court of Legends
1995 – Inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame
1996 – ESPN Emmy
1998 – Named One of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers
2005 – Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 – Myers Brothers Award
2007 – North Carolina Motorsports Industry Lifetime Tribute Award
2010 –2016 Nominee to NASCAR Hall of Fame

January 11, 2016
Your Guide to the 2016 NASCAR Season – Driver, Crew Chief Changes & More

As the beginning of a new year of racing approaches, it’s often difficult to keep up with the off-season changes. Drivers move to different teams, crew chiefs come and go, new sponsors are announced and more. To aid your transition into the 2016 NASCAR season, I’ve compiled a list of the major changes.

Tony Stewart – No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Stewart, who announced that 2016 will be his last season driving in the Sprint Cup Series, will end his career with a new crew chief. Mike Bugarewicz, the former race engineer for Kevin Harvick’s car, will be on top of the pit box in Stewart’s final season. He replaces Chad Johnston who is moving to the crew chief position for Kyle Larson.

Kyle Larson – No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Chevrolet

Chad Johnston moves from Stewart-Haas Racing to become Larson’s new crew chief, replacing Chris Heroy. Johnston was most recently crew chief for Tony Stewart.

Brian Scott – No. 9 – Richard Petty Motorsports Ford

Scott will replace Sam Hornish Jr. as he heads to Richard Petty Motorsports to drive the No. 9 RPM Ford. He will be paired with crew chief Chris Heroy (Larson’s former crew chief). Scott has 17 previous Cup starts but this will be his first full-time Sprint Cup season. He will be competing for Rookie of the Year.

Danica Patrick – No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Patrick will have a different crew chief in 2016 as Billy Scott moves from Michael Waltrip Racing who closed their doors at the end of the 2015 season. He replaces Daniel Knost who was promoted to a senior leadership position within the company. This is Patrick’s third crew chief in as many seasons. Nature’s Bakery will join Patrick as a new primary sponsor.

Clint Bowyer – HScott Motorsports Chevrolet

Bowyer will move to HScott Motorsports for one season before moving to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2017 to replace Tony Stewart after his final season. 5-Hour Energy will make the move with Bowyer as primary sponsor for 24 races in 2016.

Justin Allgaier – No. 7 – JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Allgaier will move to the XFINITY Series in 2016 with JR Motorsports. He competed for the last two years in the Cup Series with HScott Motorsports but lost his ride when the organization added Clint Bowyer to their lineup. He has three wins in the XFINITY Series.

Greg Biffle – No. 16 – Roush Fenway Racing Ford

Biffle will also be the recipient of a new crew chief, veteran Brian Pattie. Pattie replaces Matt Puccia who had been with Biffle since mid-2011.

Sam Hornish Jr. – Unknown

Hornish previously drove the No. 9 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports but Brian Scott takes over driving duties in 2016. Hornish has not announced his future plans.

AJ Allmendinger – No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet

Allmendinger will have a new competition director as Ernie Cope moves to JTG Daugherty Racing. Cope’s most recent position was as crew chief for Chase Elliott in the XFINITY Series in 2015. Allmendinger will also have a new crew chief, Randall Burnett. Burnett was an engineer on Kyle Larson’s car this past season.

Chris Buescher – No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford

After winning the 2015 XFINITY Series championship, Buescher is moving to the Sprint Cup Series in 2016. He had six Cup starts for FRM last year with a best finish of 20th place at Auto Club Speedway. Buescher will be in the running for Rookie of the Year.

Darian Grubb – Vehicle Production Director – Hendrick Motorsports

Hendrick Motorsports recently named Grubb to the newly created position of vehicle production director where he will oversee every facet of race car manufacturing for the organization. Grubb was formerly employed by HMS in 2003 in various capacities including race engineer and crew chief before leaving to join Tony Stewart at SHR in 2009. He moved to Joe Gibbs Racing and in 2012-2014 worked with Denny Hamlin. In 2015, he was the crew chief for Carl Edwards. He has 23 Sprint Cup victories as a crew chief.

Ryan Blaney – No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Blaney will run a full schedule in the No. 21 in 2016. It will be the first time since 2008 that Wood Brothers Racing has run a full-time schedule in the Sprint Cup Series. Blaney has 18 Cup starts with a best finish of fourth at Talladega in 2015. Because he has not run for Sprint Cup points in his career, Blaney will be eligible to compete for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award.

Denny Hamlin – No. 11 – Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Hamlin will have a new crew chief in 2016 as Mike Wheeler, who has been Hamlin’s race engineer for much of his career, takes over the position. Wheeler also served as crew chief in 2015 for the No. 20 car in the XFINITY Series. He replaces Dave Rogers who will move to the pit box for Carl Edwards.

Carl Edwards – No. 19 – Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

As noted above, Edwards will have a new crew chief in 2016 with Dave Rogers taking over the job, replacing Darian Grubb. Rogers is an experienced leader having worked previously with Kyle Busch as well as Hamlin with 15 Sprint Cup victories.

Jeffrey Earnhardt – Go FAS Racing – No. 32 Ford

Earnhardt recently signed a multi-year deal with Go FAS Racing to drive in the Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2016. He will run the majority of the races for the No. 32 team while Bobby Labonte will drive for several events. Earnhardt made his Cup debut at Richmond in 2015 and also competed at Loudon. He will be eligible for the Rookie of the Year award.

Chase Elliott – No. 24 – Hendrick Motorsports

Elliott moves into the No. 24 ride in 2016 after Jeff Gordon’s departure in 2015. He captured the XFINITY Series championship in 2014, the youngest driver, at age 18, to win a NASCAR national series title, and finished second last year. Elliott made five Cup starts last year in preparation for this season and will be competing for Rookie of the Year honors in 2016.

Furniture Row Racing – Will change manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota in 2016

After running only Chevrolets since their debut in 2005, Furniture Row Racing has entered into a partnership with Toyota and will field the No. 78 Toyota of Martin Truex Jr. in 2016. Toyota Racing Development will build the engines and Furniture Row Racing will also benefit from a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing.

January 5, 2016
Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. Highlight Emotional Night at NASCAR Awards Banquet

This year NASCAR once again celebrated Champion’s Week in Las Vegas culminating with the Awards Banquet Friday night. The banquet is typically a solemn affair and this one would be more poignant than most as we said goodbye to four-time champ, Jeff Gordon. As each driver stepped up to the podium, there were the expected thanks to sponsors and team owners, the accolades for the new champ, Kyle Busch, but this ceremony delivered the unexpected.

When Martin Truex Jr. took the stage, no one was prepared for the quiet intensity that gripped our hearts.

There were no helmets to conceal the raw emotion and no sunglasses to hide the tears that glistened below the surface.

He spoke about girlfriend Sherry Pollex’s battle with ovarian cancer and the impact it has had on their lives. It changed their priorities.

“Life isn’t just about living,” he reminded us. “It’s about being alive.”

He also offered some advice for us all, saying, “Enjoy every moment, celebrate life, help others and never give up.”

And finally, as his voice cracked, he looked at Pollex and said, “Sherry, thank you for being in my life. You’re an inspiration, and I love you very much.”

Gordon, surprised with an introduction by his friend, Tom Cruise, wiped away tears before he walked to the stage. His face mirrored the range of conflicted emotions that overwhelmed him while he struggled to put words to those emotions. Several times, he had to take a moment to compose himself.

“Motorsports has provided me lifelong memories and stories that I get to reminisce and talk about for years and years to come. NASCAR, in particular, has changed my life in ways that I could never really even describe. It’s still really just a blur to me,” Gordon said. “It seems like it was just, you know, not that long ago that I was traveling from Indiana to North Carolina to see what NASCAR was even all about, and now here I am 25 years later stepping away from one of the most prestigious series in all of motorsports and a fulfilling career.” His voice broke and the tears began to flow as he went on to say, “That can truly only be described as remarkable, and for that, I am forever, forever thankful.”

He had to stop once again to collect his thoughts when expressing his gratitude to his team owners.

“Rick and Linda Hendrick, thank you so much; thank you so much for choosing me as your driver,” a tearful Gordon said. “I’m so proud to say I drove for one car owner, the best car owner, my entire Sprint Cup career. I want to thank everyone on the 24 team and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports who puts their blood, sweat and tears making the best teams in race cars every single day, and, of course, the team that I went to battle with this year and the last several years.

Gordon ended on a humorous note, describing all of the things he would not miss such as, “practicing in the middle of the day when it’s 90 degrees knowing that it’s a night race or standing next to a fan, in a urinal, who’s so excited to meet you that they don’t want to take the time to wash their hands before they shake your hand.”

What else wouldn’t he miss? “Leading the race, just seeing the white flag, flag man’s got that thing in his hand, he’s getting ready to wave it, and inches before you get there, caution comes out. No, not going to miss that one.”

He ended with one that will resonate with all racing fans. “And last but not least, debris cautions. Enough said.”

December 5, 2015