Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Author: Angie Campbell

  • Logano Wins Atlanta Pole but Inspection Issues Plague 13 Teams

    Logano Wins Atlanta Pole but Inspection Issues Plague 13 Teams

  • NASCAR Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    NASCAR Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series travel to Atlanta Motor Speedway. Saturday features a doubleheader beginning with the XFINITY Series Hisense 250 race at 2 p.m. followed by the Camping World Truck Series Hyundai Construction Equipment 200 at 5:30 p.m. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series closes out the racing weekend Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX.

    All times Eastern.

    Friday, Feb. 27:

    On Track:

    10-10:55 a.m..: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    11:30 a.m.-12:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    1-2:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    2:30-5:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    9 a.m.: Joey Gase
    11 a.m.: Danica Patrick
    11:15 a.m.: Tyler Reddick
    12:15 p.m.: Kasey Kahne
    3:15 p.m.: Jeff Gordon
    4:30 p.m.: Motor Racing Outreach announcement with Matt Kenseth
    Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying

    Saturday, Feb. 28:

    On Track:

    9:10 a.m..: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    10:40 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    Noon-1:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    2 p.m.: XFINITY Series Hisense 250 Race – FOX Sports 1 (163 laps, 251.02 miles)
    5:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Hyundai Construction Equipment 200 – FOX Sports 1 (130 laps, 200.2 miles)

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10 a.m.: Charlotte Motor Speedway and Joe Gibbs Racing announcement with Marcus Smith and Denny Hamlin

    Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series race
    Post-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race

    Sunday, March 1:

    On Track:

    1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Race – FOX (325 laps, 500.5 miles)

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race

     

  • Martin Truex Jr. Heads to Atlanta with Renewed Confidence and Purpose

    Martin Truex Jr. Heads to Atlanta with Renewed Confidence and Purpose

    Last year was undoubtedly one on the most difficult for Martin Truex Jr., both professionally and personally. A disappointing season with no wins and only one top-five and five top-10s only tells part of the story. His longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex underwent treatment for ovarian cancer. Pollex finished her final primary chemotherapy treatment in January and has opted for a maintenance program of once monthly chemo treatments.

    As the new season begins, Truex has a new perspective and appreciation for life. After competing for the win in the Daytona 500, a revitalized Truex is eager to carry that momentum forward as they head to one of his favorite tracks, Atlanta Motor Speedway.

    Truex was competitive all weekend, finishing second in the Sprint Unlimited and fifth in the Budweiser Duel. He ran in the top ten for much of the Daytona 500, lining up fifth after the last caution for the green-white-checkered restart and ended the day in eighth place.

    “I sure hated to see that last caution come out,” Truex said. “We didn’t restart in the lane I was hoping for. We were one spot away from being in the catbird seat, but restrictor-plate racing is all about circumstances.”

    With new crew chief, Cole Pearn, at the helm, the result is indicative of the intense preparation the team put in during the off season to prepare for this year. They rallied to keep Truex at the front, despite some pit road miscues. The ability to remain calm and prevail under these circumstances speaks volumes about the team’s determination.

    “We almost threw away this race a couple of times,” admitted Truex. “One was for a pit-road speeding penalty and another for a fuel issue. Those issues were costly at the time, dropping us back to the rear of the field. But we came charging back with a powerful race car and good pit strategy by our crew chief Cole Pearn. When you can come back like the way we did it says something about the makeup of this team. It was a lot of fun to run up front and to be in contention at the end.”

    Truex is optimistic about the 2015 season, saying, “The Daytona performance isn’t a guarantee that we’ll run real good all season long. But with the things we did over the winter, the testing we did towards the end of last year, the momentum we gained and the team changes we made, I feel really good about our stuff and what we’re going to do. We’ll have to see how we do at Atlanta. We’re looking forward to going there. It’s one of my favorite tracks and we’ll see if we can’t come out of there about seven spots better.”

    The No. 78 Furniture Row Racing team heads to Atlanta, eighth in driver points, with the goal of keeping Truex in Chase contention as he embraces a new season of possibilities.

     

  • Kurt Busch’s Final Appeal Denied – Indefinite Suspension Upheld

    Kurt Busch’s Final Appeal Denied – Indefinite Suspension Upheld

    Kurt Busch’s latest attempt to overturn his suspension by NASCAR was denied Saturday evening. His appeal was heard by Bryan Moss, the National Motorsports Finals Appeals officer. Moss’s decision is final and cannot be appealed within NASCAR.

    Busch was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR on Friday after it was determined that he was in violation of Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; and 12.8: Behavioral penalty.

    The suspension came after a decision by the Family Court of the State of Delaware to issue an Order of Protection of Abuse against Busch.

    Busch’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, issued a statement, saying, “We are unhappy with the latest decision to deny our re-appeal, but we will continue to exhaust every procedural and legal remedy we have available to us until Kurt Busch is vindicated. Along the way we intend to continue to call attention to the facts and witnesses that will shed light on Ms. Driscoll’s true character, motivations and history.”

    NASCAR issued the following statement concerning the appeal:

    This evening, the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, Mr. Bryan Moss, heard and considered the appeal of driver Kurt Busch.

    The penalty concerns Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; 12.8: Behavioral penalty

    The penalty stems from activities last year involving Kurt Busch that resulted in a decision by the Family Court of the State of Delaware to issue an Order of Protection of Abuse against him.

    The penalty is an indefinite suspension.

    Earlier today, a three-person National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the original penalty assessed by NASCAR.

    Tonight, Kurt Busch presented his position to the Final Appeals Officer.

    Representing NASCAR was Jim Cassidy, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations.

    The Appellate Administrator is NASCAR Vice President George Silbermann.

    Upon hearing tonight’s testimony, Bryan Moss, the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, made the following decisions:

    • The appellant violated the Rules set forth in the penalty notice and the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel was correct;
    • The penalty was within the scope of the guidelines;
    • The National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer upholds the original penalty levied by NASCAR

    The decision of the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer is final and binding on all parties.

    Kurt Busch now has exhausted his appeal options under the NASCAR Rulebook, and the indefinite suspension remains in effect.

    He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

     

     

     

  • NASCAR Suspends Driver Kurt Busch Effective Immediately

    NASCAR Suspends Driver Kurt Busch Effective Immediately

    NASCAR indefinitely suspended Kurt Busch Friday afternoon “following the release today of a supplemental disposition setting forth the findings and conclusions that formed the basis for the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him.”

    They determined that Busch was in violation of:

    – Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing.

    – Section 12.8: Behavioral Penalty.

    NASCAR further stated that, “Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately. He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

    “Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made. We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved.”

    NASCAR also confirmed that Busch can appeal the suspension and that they will expedite the process.

    NASCAR’s decision comes after the Kent County (Del.) Family Court Commissioner David Jones granted a protective order to Kurt Busch’s ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll Monday, February 16. Friday afternoon Jones released the supplemental disposition and opinion which details the reasons for his decision.

    His conclusion was that “it is more likely than not on September 26, 2014, Respondent (Busch) committed an act of abuse against Petitioner (Driscoll) by manually strangling Petitioner with his left hand on her throat, while placing his right hand against her chin and face while placing his right hand against her chin and face, causing her head to forcefully strike the interior wall of (Busch’s) motor home, thereby recklessly causing physical injury to (Driscoll).’’

    Jones wrote that he found Driscoll’s version of events was more credible “based upon her demeanor when required to recall and describe the alleged acts of abuse, the absence of motive to falsify when she initially disclosed the alleged abuse moments after the events in a manner consistent with her trial testimony, the fact that her testimony regarding those events is corroborated by documentary evidence, including photographs of her injuries and text communications between both parties both before and after the incident and between herself and others after the incident.’’

    Jones also said that Busch’s version of the events was “less credible than (Driscoll’s) version.”  This was “based upon the manner in which he initially testified regarding those events, his obvious interest in preserving his racing career, which could be endangered by a finding that he committed an act of domestic violence, the fact that his testimony conflicts with the documentary evidence that corroborates (Driscoll’s) version of the events.” Busch’s testimony was further described as being “inconsistent with the credible testimony of other witnesses.”

    Driscoll issued a statement Friday night.

    “For victims of domestic violence there are no “victories.” My only hope is that the pain and trauma I suffered through this process will help other victims find their voice. Unfortunately we live in a culture where stories like mine are often swept under the rug out of fear and with the knowledge that for every person who shows empathy many more will seek to disparage the victim. It is bad enough to endure the actual physical abuse but the verbal attacks that follow when a victim speaks up are sometimes just as painful.

    “Today NASCAR took an important step and deserves to be commended.  The next steps are to develop a thorough process and policies that reinforce the organization’s position it took today:  Domestic violence will not be tolerated in NASCAR.”

    Stewart-Haas Racing executive vice president, Joe Custer, reacted to NASCAR’s ruling in a statement saying, “We understand NASCAR’s position regarding Kurt Busch and accept their decision. We are in the midst of finalizing our plans for the Daytona 500 and we will announce those details as soon as we’re ready.” The team has named Regan Smith as the interim driver for the No. 41 in the Daytona 500.

    Chevrolet responded soon after the decision in a statement from Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of Motorsports and Performance Vehicles.

    “Chevrolet has suspended its relationship with Kurt Busch indefinitely. We will continue to monitor the events surrounding Mr. Busch and are prepared to take additional action if necessary.”

    Busch’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, issued a statement after NASCAR’s ruling and announced their intention to immediately appeal the ruling. The appeal will be heard Saturday by a three-member panel in Daytona. If Busch loses the appeal Saturday, he can make one last appeal which would be heard by former president of Gulfstream Aerospace, Bryan Moss, who has been selected as NASCAR’s final appeals officer.

    “We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal. We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold.

    “We are confident that if the Commissioner agrees to hear newly available evidence that contradicts the testimony of Ms. Driscoll, he will be able understand the actions of that night as well as Ms. Driscoll’s character and motivations and reconsider his judgment.  He has already found that Ms. Driscoll lied under oath at least once. Our newly available evidence will make it clear that much more of her testimony was untruthful and was purposefully kept from the Commissioner by Ms. Driscoll’s attempts to intimidate and threaten witnesses.

    “It is important for everyone to remember that the Commissioner’s report has to do with a civil, family law matter and no criminal charges have been filed against Mr. Busch.

    “We ask everyone’s patience as this case continues in the court of law and are confident that when the truth is known Mr. Busch will be fully vindicated and back in the driver’s seat.”

     

  • NASCAR Schedule for the Daytona 500 Weekend of Racing

    NASCAR Schedule for the Daytona 500 Weekend of Racing

    NASCAR kicks off its season this weekend culminating with the 57th annual Daytona 500 Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. Below is a complete list of on track activities for the Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series plus scheduled press conferences for Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Sunday, Feb. 22.

    Wednesday, Feb. 18:

    On Track:

    2-2:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 2
    3:15-3:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 2)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    1:15 p.m.: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    2:55 p.m.: Goodyear with Carl Edwards

    Thursday, Feb. 19:

    On Track:

    Noon-1:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    1:30-2:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    3:30-4:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    7 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel No.1 – FOX Sports 1 (60 laps, 150 miles)
    8:30 p.m. (approx.): Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel No. 2 – FOX Sports 1 (60 laps, 150 miles)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10:45 a.m.: Jeff Gordon
    11:30 a.m.: Ben Kennedy announcement
    9:45 p.m. (approx.): Duels Post Race Press Conference

    Friday, Feb. 20:

    On Track:

    11 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    12:30-1:55 p.m..: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    2-3:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    3:30-4:25 p.m..: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    4:45 p.m. (approx.): Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    7:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250, FOX Sports 1 (100 laps, 250 miles)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10 a.m.: XFINITY Championship Trophy unveil
    1 p.m.: Daytona Rising update
    9:45 p.m.: NCWTS Post Race Press Conference

    Saturday, Feb. 21:

    On Track:

    10:30 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    12:15 p.m..: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    3:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Alert Today Florida 300 – FOX Sports 1 (120 laps, 300 miles)

    Press Conference (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    5:45 p.m. (approx.): NXS Post Race Press Conference

    Sunday, Feb. 22:

    On Track:

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

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    9:35 a.m.: Kevin Harvick Press Conference
    4:45 p.m. (approx.): NSCS Post Race Press Conference

     

  • Delaware Family Court Grants Patricia Driscoll Protective Order – Kurt Busch’s Attorney Will Appeal

    Delaware Family Court Grants Patricia Driscoll Protective Order – Kurt Busch’s Attorney Will Appeal

    Family Court Commissioner David Jones ordered Kurt Busch to stay away from ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll in court documents signed Monday. The order is effective immediately and will expire February 16, 2016.

    The documents state, in part, that Busch “shall stay 100 yards away from Petitioner’s (Driscoll) person, residence and workplace.”  The documents also state an exception to this at NASCAR events, “where closer proximity is required for Respondent (Busch) to perform his duties as a driver or sponsored athlete. On such occasions, Respondent shall maintain the maximum practicable distance from Petitioner and shall not contact or attempt to contact Petitioner.”

    In addition, the court has ordered that Busch undergo a mental health evaluation.

    Driscoll requested the protective order in November 2014 after allegations of abuse during an incident that occurred in September. She alleged that Busch grabbed her by the throat and smashed her head three times against the wall. Driscoll also filed a criminal complaint with the Dover police who completed their investigation in December and turned their findings over to the attorney general’s office. The Delaware attorney general’s office has not yet decided if any criminal charges will be filed.

    Busch has emphatically denied the charges stating that his ex-girlfriend came over to his motorhome, uninvited. He further said that he never grabbed her by the throat and hit her head against the wall but, instead, cupped her face in his hands and repeatedly asked her to leave.

    Rusty Hardin, Busch’s attorney, plans to appeal the decision and issued the following statement.

    “Though we are not surprised by the Commissioner’s ruling, in light of the restrictions on the evidence he considered, we are deeply disappointed because we believe the evidence of Ms. Driscoll’s total lack of believability was overwhelming.  It is important to note that the Commissioner’s ruling is a civil family court matter and totally unconnected to any criminal investigation or finding.

    “Regardless of the Commissioner’s finding, we know that Kurt never committed an act of family violence.  The evidence was un-contradicted that Ms. Driscoll committed the criminal offense of trespass when she entered his motor home at night, while he was sleeping, uninvited, without permission, and refused to leave when he repeatedly asked her to get out.  Mr. Busch’s conduct was totally reasonable and legal under the circumstances.  He never intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused her any injury.

    “We intend to appeal the Commissioner’s ruling and will seek to persuade the family court judge hearing the appeal to consider new and previously unknown evidence from various people that have come forward since the conclusion of the hearing before the Commissioner.  We have provided this additional evidence challenging Ms. Driscoll’s testimony and credibility to the Attorney General’s office for their criminal investigation, and we hope to persuade the family court judge to consider the same evidence.

    “Ms. Driscoll clearly committed perjury during her testimony before the Commissioner, and we deeply regret that Ms. Driscoll has been allowed to abuse the justice system in such a flagrant way.”

    Stewart-Haas Racing issued a statement from Joe Custer, SHR executive vice president, Monday afternoon, concerning this latest development.

    “These are serious allegations and we do not take them lightly. We are relying on the authorities in Delaware and their collective experience to identify all the facts. They are the experts in these matters and their decision, specifically the one that will be made by the Attorney General, will determine our course of action.”

    NASCAR issued a statement on the matter indicating that they would continue to monitor the situation.

    “NASCAR has been closely following the civil proceedings in Kent County (Del.) Family Court regarding driver Kurt Busch and therefore is aware of the court order issued today. We now await the full findings of the Commissioner and any actions by the Attorney General of Delaware related to the allegations against Busch.

    “As we stated earlier, NASCAR fully recognizes the serious nature of this specific situation and the broader issue of domestic violence. We will continue to gather information and monitor this situation very closely, and we expect our members to conduct themselves properly.”

     

  • Paul Menard on Pole for NASCAR Sprint Unlimited at Daytona

    Paul Menard on Pole for NASCAR Sprint Unlimited at Daytona

    Paul Menard will start on the pole Saturday night for the Sprint Unlimited exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway. He was awarded the pole after a blind draw determined the starting lineup.

    The 75 lap non-points race will be split into two segments. A competition caution at lap 25 will separate the segments. This year’s field will be one of the largest with 25 drivers participating. Eligible drivers include all 2014 pole award winners, all 2014 Chase drivers and former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full-time in the 2014 Sprint Cup Season. Remaining spots were filled by the drivers highest in the 2014 points standings who are not already eligible.

    Menard will lead the field to green with Kasey Kahne in the outside pole position. Teammates Joey Logano (third) and Brad Keselowski (fourth) will start on Row 2. Notables include Jeff Gordon, who, in his final season, will start in the 11th position, followed by teammates Jimmie Johnson in 17th and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 24th.  Tony Stewart will begin from the 22nd position and Kyle Larson will bring up the rear of the field in 25th.

    The Sprint Unlimited is set to begin Saturday evening at 8:15 p.m. ET on FOX.

    The complete starting lineup for the Sprint Unlimited:

    1. Paul Menard – Richard Childress Racing
    2. Kasey Kahne – Hendrick Motorsports
    3. Joey Logano – Team Penske
    4. Brad Keselowski – Team Penske
    5. Kyle Busch – Joe Gibbs Racing
    6. Austin Dillon – Richard Childress Racing
    7. Greg Biffle – Roush Fenway Racing
    8. Kevin Harvick – Stewart-Haas Racing
    9. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing
    10. Martin Truex Jr. – Furniture Row Racing
    11. Jeff Gordon – Hendrick Motorsports
    12. Ryan Newman – Richard Childress Racing
    13. Kurt Busch – Stewart-Haas Racing
    14. Carl Edwards – Joe Gibbs Racing
    15. Danica Patrick – Stewart-Haas Racing
    16. Matt Kenseth – Joe Gibbs Racing
    17. Jimmie Johnson – Hendrick Motorsports
    18. Clint Bowyer – Michael Waltrip Racing
    19. Aric Almirola – Richard Petty Motorsports
    20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Roush Fenway Racing
    21. Jamie McMurray – Chip Ganassi Racing
    22. Tony Stewart – Stewart-Haas Racing
    23. Casey Mears – Germain Racing
    24. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Hendrick Motorsports
    25. Kyle Larson – Chip Ganassi Racing

     

  • NASCAR Schedule for Daytona Friday, Feb. 13 – Sunday, Feb. 15

    NASCAR Schedule for Daytona Friday, Feb. 13 – Sunday, Feb. 15

    The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to racing this week at Daytona International Speedway with the Sprint Unlimited Saturday evening and Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying on Sunday.

    Friday, Feb. 13

    5:00 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. Sprint Cup Practice for Sprint Unlimited – FOX Sports 1
    6:30 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. Sprint Cup Final Practice for Sprint Unlimited – FOX Sports 1

    Saturday, Feb. 14

    10:30 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. Sprint Cup Practice for DAYTONA 500 – FOX Sports 1
    1:30 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. Sprint Cup Practice for DAYTONA 500 – FOX Sports 2
    8:15 p.m. – Sprint Unlimited (75 Laps, 187.5 Miles) FOX
    11:00 p.m. – NASCAR Victory Lane – FOX Sports 2 – Time approximate

    Sunday, Feb. 15

    1:35 p.m. – Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX

    All times Eastern.

    ARCA Racing Series Schedule

    The ARCA Racing Series will also be on track at Daytona for the Lucas Oil 200 Saturday afternoon.

    Thursday, Feb. 12

    4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – ARCA Practice

    Friday, Feb. 13

    9:30 a. m. – 10:30 a.m. – ARCA Final Practice

    3:30 p.m. – ARCA Group Qualifying

    Saturday, Feb. 14

    4:15 p.m. ARCA Lucas Oil 200 (80 Laps, 200 Miles) FOX Sports 1

    All times Eastern.

     

  • Driver and Team Changes for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season

    Driver and Team Changes for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season

    As one season ends and a new one approaches, teams begin a self evaluation that often results in changes among key personnel. Here’s your guide to some of the new alliances we will see in 2015.

    Hendrick Motorsports

    Dale Earnhardt Jr.:

    As Steve Letarte departs for the television broadcast booth; Greg Ives will take over the role of crew chief for the No. 88 team. Ives will have big shoes to fill as the pairing of Letarte with Earnhardt in 2011 was the catalyst for resurgence in Earnhardt’s career. He’s coming off his first multiple win season since 2004 and running out of time in the championship hunt.

    While some question his lack of experience in the Cup series, Earnhardt is confident that Ives is the right person for the job.

    “I don’t think it’s a step back, I think it’s a step forward,” he said. “This is a guy that engineered Jimmie (Johnson) to five championships, won the Nationwide Series championship last year, almost won it with Regan (Smith) the year before. Basically, in more than 50 percent of the years he’s been in the sport, he’s won a championship.”

    The No. 88 Chevrolet will also have a new sponsor in the Sprint Cup Series as Nationwide Insurance takes over as Earnhardt’s primary sponsor, replacing National Guard. Nationwide will sponsor 21 races each year of the next three seasons.

    Kasey Kahne:

    Keith Rodden, formerly of Chip Ganassi Racing, will assume crew chief duties for the No. 5 Chevrolet in 2015. Rodden worked with Kahne at Hendrick Motorsports as team engineer from 2004 until 2013. He replaces Kenny Francis who has been with Kahne since the end of 2005.  The successful partnership of Francis and Kahne produced 16 of Kahne’s 17 career Sprint Cup wins but floundered in 2014. Kahne only had one victory and barely made it into the Chase. Francis moves to the new position of vehicle technical director and will also serve as Chase Elliott’s crew chief for five races in 2015.

    “I worked with Keith for years, said Kahne.”We’ve got a great relationship, we’re friends, and it’s exciting to know we’ll be working together full time again. I think he brings a lot to the 5 team.”

    Chase Elliott: After winning the XFINITY championship and becoming the youngest NASCAR Touring Series champion last year, Elliott has been named as Jeff Gordon’s successor in the No. 24 Chevy in 2016. As preparation for that role, he will run five Cup races this season in the No. 25 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet with Kenny Francis by his side as crew chief. Those five races include Martinsville Speedway in March, Richmond International Raceway in April, Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July and Darlington Raceway on Sept. 6.

    Joe Gibbs Racing

    Joe Gibbs Racing ended the 2014 season with only two wins and as Carl Edwards moves from Roush Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015, J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR, is using the opportunity to make some changes.

    “With the expansion of our NASCAR Sprint Cup Series operations to four teams next year with the addition of Carl Edwards,” he stated, “we have been able to take a step back and evaluate each of our teams and make decisions that we feel are best for our organization long term.”

    Kyle Busch:

    Adam Stevens will move from the XFINITY Series where he and Busch combined for 19 wins, to partner with Busch in the Cup Series as crew chief for the No. 18 Toyota.

    Busch had one Cup win in 2014 and advanced to the Chase but was eliminated from championship contention in the second round. The frustration of the season sometimes disintegrated into heated exchanges between Busch and Rogers, undoubtedly putting a strain on their relationship.

    Denny Hamlin:

    Dave Rogers (Busch’s crew chief for five seasons) will join Hamlin’s No. 11 team as crew chief.

    Hamlin scored one victory last season and advanced to the final round of the Chase. He led 50 laps in the championship title race at Homestead-Miami Speedway but Darian Grubb’s decision not to pit for fresh tires late in the race was costly.

    Carl Edwards:

    Edwards, the newest member of the JGR team will be paired with Darian Grubb (Hamlin’s former crew chief) in the No. 19 Toyota.

    Richard Petty Motorsports

    Sam Hornish Jr.: Three-time IndyCar champion Hornish signed a multi-year deal to replace Marcos Ambrose in the No. 9 Ford this year after Ambrose announced his intention to return home to Australia at the end of the 2014 season. Drew Blickensderfer will continue in his position as crew chief.

    Hornish is optimistic about his future stating, “I feel like having the opportunity is great for me, and above and beyond, to be able to drive for Richard Petty now is just awesome. I’ve worked four years to get back to this point, and I feel like as a driver I’ve come a long way. ”

    Roush Fenway Racing

    Trevor Bayne:

    Bob Osborne will return to RFR as the crew chief for the No. 6 when Bayne begins his first full-time Sprint Cup season in 2015. Osborne was Carl Edwards’ longtime crew chief and a guiding force behind his 18 career wins.

    Ricky Stenhouse Jr.:

    After a disappointing season with only one top-five finish, Nick Sandler will take over crew chief duties for the No. 17 of Stenhouse in 2015, replacing Mike Kelley who will continue as car chief.

    “Nick has a strong engineering background with the company”, Jack Roush explained, “and his time working hand-in-hand with Jimmy Fennig over the past few seasons will prove invaluable as he takes the helm of the No. 17.”

    Wood Brothers Racing

    Ryan Blaney:

    Blaney will replace Trevor Bayne as the driver of the famed No. 21 Ford Fusion this year in an expanded 18 race Sprint Cup schedule as Wood Brothers Racing enters its 65th year in NASCAR with a new technical alliance with Team Penske.

    Blaney is optimistic about the upcoming season saying, “We have a very fast car for the 500 and a fast car for this whole year. They’ve worked really hard on our speedway car and they are very confident going into it.

    “Just the history of this car with that race, it would be just amazing. I hope we can pull a Trevor Bayne moment.”

    Jeremy Bullins will reunite with the team to serve as the crew chief for Blaney. Bullins first worked with Wood Brothers Racing in 1999 and from 2000-2002 was the race engineer for the No. 21 in the Cup Series.

    Furniture Row Racing

    Martin Truex Jr.: Truex’s first year with the team failed to produce any wins and only one top-five in the No. 78 Chevrolet. In his sophomore season with the team, he will be paired with former team lead engineer Cole Pearn who will replace Todd Berrier as crew chief.

    General Manager Joe Garone emphasized the struggles they experienced last year will make them stronger going forward.

    “What we went through last year, our performance was horrible and we hadn’t gone through that as a team yet,” Garone said. “We’ve been through that, we looked at where we were weak, where we had things where we were off base, and we’ve realigned it and we’re going to prove it this year.”

    HScott Motorsports

    Michael Annett: Annett, who brings sponsorship from longtime backer Pilot Flying J, joins the organization for the 2015 season as they expand to a two car team.

    “This opportunity came very late, but it was one that I couldn’t pass up and definitely wanted to jump on,” Annett said. “I know there’s going to be some growing pains. We don’t even have a car number yet, let alone a crew chief.”

    Tommy Baldwin Racing

    Alex Bowman: Bowman will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet in his second full-time year in the Sprint Cup Series after a rookie season at BK Racing.  Kevin “Bono” Manion will remain with TBR as Bowman’s crew chief.

    Owner Tommy Baldwin Jr. said, “Alex is the future of TBR, and he will be a great representative of our team. He is a young driver who displayed a great talent in both the Xfinity and Sprint Cup Series the past few years. We are pleased to give Alex the opportunity to further showcase his skills behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet this season.”