Author: SM Staff

  • Kris Wright – Rackley Roofing 200 Race Advance

    Kris Wright – Rackley Roofing 200 Race Advance

    Race Advance – Rackley Roofing 200 (150 Laps/200 Miles) | Nashville Superspeedway
    Friday, June 24 | Nashville, Tenn. | 8 p.m. ET
    TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN), Sirius XM Ch. 90
    Team: No. 44 Big Dog Energy Chevrolet Silverado
    Driver: Kris Wright (Wexford, Pa.) | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
    Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @KrisOnNASCAR

    Wright on making his second career start at Nashville Superspeedway: The Rackley Roofing 200 is going to be electric. Our oval package has shown speed at the past few NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. It is the last race of the eight-week stretch – I am excited for the No. 44 Big Dog Energy Chevrolet Silverado team to end it on a high note in the country music capital.”

    Wright at Nashville Superspeedway: Friday marks Wright’s second start at Nashville Superspeedway with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. In his debut at Music City’s home for NASCAR on June 18, 2021, Wright started the 150-lap event from the 29th-place and finished in the 32nd-place.

    On the Truck: Wright will pilot the Big Dog Energy Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

    Last Time Out (Clean Harbors 150 – Start: 25th / Finish: 28th): “Our No. 44 F.N.B. Corporation team battled this weekend in Knoxville. We fought back from falling a lap down and ultimately had our run take a hit by suffering a flat right front tire during the final stage, forcing us to pit under green. We’ll regroup and shift our attention to Nashville next week.”

    About Niece Motorsports

    Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2022, Niece Motorsports enters its seventh season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

    Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com www.niecemotorsports.com

    About Big Dog Energy

    Big Dog Energy, a family-owned natural gas company, has partnered with Kris Wright, driver of the Niece Motorsports No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado, for multiple NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events this season. For more information on Big Dog Energy, LLC, headquartered in Wexford, Pa., visit Instagram (@bigdogenergyllc).

    Follow Kris Wright on Instagram and on the web: @KrisOnNASCAR / KrisWrightMotorsports.com

  • GMS Racing NCWTS Race Recap: Sonoma

    GMS Racing NCWTS Race Recap: Sonoma

    Grant Enfinger, No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet Silverado RST

    START: 8TH
    FINISH: 11TH
    POINTS: 9TH

    Quote: “Crazy race at Sonoma for our No. 23 team. Our GMS Racing guys did great battling back after I spun in the second stage to come back and finish 11th. I feel like we had a solid Champion Power Equipment Chevy today. We have some stuff to build on for Mid-Ohio, and a couple of things to work on as well. I’m looking forward to getting back on the dirt next week at Knoxville.”

    Jack Wood, No. 24 Cooks Collision Chevrolet Silverado RST

    START: 28TH
    FINISH: 16TH
    POINTS: 23RD

    Quote: “Long day with doing double duty between running the ARCA West and Truck race at Sonoma. I’m proud of my No. 24 team, I think we showed some pretty good speed and were finally able to get our ship sailing in the right direction towards the end of the race. There’s definitely still a want to gain some more, but we had a solid day and I gained a lot of confidence heading into the coming weeks of Knoxville and Nashville.”

    ABOUT GMS RACING:

    GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operating the No. 23 and the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs, as well as the ARCA Menards Series with the No. 43 Chevrolet SS. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Menards Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA Menards Series East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for Petty GMS, a two car full-time NASCAR Cup Series team formed in 2021.

    SOCIAL MEDIA:

    To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Five Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Motorcycle Gear

    Five Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Motorcycle Gear

    When someone buys a motorcycle for the first time, there is a good chance that the person does not have much experience riding a motorcycle. In fact, they probably have never ridden one before and a few mistakes can turn into bigger problems if they do not learn from their mistakes. Here are five mistakes that you need to avoid when choosing your gear or dual-sport motorcycle.

    It’s frustrating to see a bike traded in that’s in need of major repairs. But sometimes it is not a matter of money, but rather a matter of finding a buyer who can make the best use of the bike. This is where the value of the information on this site comes into play.  We have seen many of these bikes trade hands, and in most cases, they were sold at a loss.

    Decide on what type of riding you want to do, before buying your dirt bike gear. Different types of terrain will require a different set of gear.

    Check the helmet details

    It’s true that helmets can be a pain to carry around. But, if you’re on the road for a long time, the last thing you want to do is spend time getting your helmet fixed. Plus, it’s not as if you can buy new ones all the time, so investing in one that will last is worth it.

    A lot of people are afraid to wear a helmet because they feel it’s too bulky, but in reality, a visor isn’t all that heavy and a good quality visor will keep you safe. If you don’t believe me, then try wearing one yourself and see what it’s like.

    The motorcycle helmet I use is one that is specifically designed to protect me in the event that I fall off my bike. This includes an airbag that deploys in the event of a crash and a chin strap that can be easily released in the event that I need to remove myself from the bike. It’s important to have a helmet that is well-designed and can keep you safe in the event of an accident.

    If you’re ever involved in an accident, you’ll want to make sure that you’re wearing a helmet. Even if you’re not involved in a collision, a motorcycle helmet can protect you from injury from flying debris, especially in urban areas.

    Keep your riding style in mind

    When it comes to motorcycle gear, one thing I learned is that people often buy what they think they should buy, rather than what they really want to wear. It’s always better to get something that fits well and looks good, rather than something that doesn’t fit well and looks terrible.

    A helmet is not just about protecting your head, it’s also about looking good. If you’re going to be out riding on the track, it’s important to consider what you’re going to be wearing underneath it. In addition to looking good, a helmet should fit well and be comfortable.

    Not Purchasing Boots

    It’s easy to purchase all the right equipment and feel confident about your ability to ride in the dirt, but there is a difference between having the right gear and being able to use it. When you purchase the right gear, you can get away with not wearing it, but if you’re not wearing the proper gear, you could get injured.

    It’s easy to see why motocross riders wear helmets, as they are required by law. However, it’s also important to consider other protective gear such as boots, gloves, pants, and shirts. Riders who do not wear boots can easily break their feet and ankles, especially when they hit a pothole or loose gravel.

    In my opinion, knee braces are the best way to protect your knee while riding. If you ride frequently, you should consider purchasing knee braces. They are a little more expensive than a regular pair of biking shorts, but they will help you avoid injury.

    Not Selecting the Right Gear for Your Discipline

    The most important thing to remember when it comes to gear is to make sure you choose the right gear. Don’t just buy what looks cool or what you think is going to be comfortable. Think about what you need to do, what the weather will be like, and what your comfort level is with your gear. A lot of people get into the habit of buying whatever they like and then complain about how uncomfortable they feel.

    When you’re at the race track, it’s not always about weight and ventilation. Sometimes you want a light, easy-to-manage gear set that won’t break down. This is where Enduro gear comes in. These gear sets are designed to be durable, reliable, and light. They also come in a variety of sizes so you can choose the right fit for your riding style.

    The best motocross-specific gear will be the most comfortable set of bike gear you can purchase. It will be lightweight, breathable, and have advanced moisture-wicking materials.

    Buying Uncomfortable Gear

    If you are a new rider, your first purchase should be a helmet. While you may think that a full-face helmet is the best option, this is not the case. A good rule of thumb for beginners is to start with a half-face helmet. You should also invest in some gloves and boots, but make sure that these items are comfortable.

    Final Verdict 

    We are here to help you avoid these common mistakes and teach you about the proper way to look for, purchase, and wear your motorcycle gear. 

    One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to make their own stock picks. This is a bad idea because you will not be able to pick the best stocks. You might think you know what you’re doing, but you don’t know the market like a professional does. So, you’ll end up with a portfolio that is not diversified and may even be too concentrated.

  • Who will win at Kansas?

    Who will win at Kansas?

    The NASCAR Cup Series ventures to Kansas Speedway for the 33rd time this weekend for the AdventHealth 400 which takes place this Sunday, May 15th. The race will cover 400.5 miles over 267 laps split into three stages. Stage 1 will end after lap 80, stage 2 after lap 165, and the final stage being the longest, ends on lap 267.

    With Joey Logano’s controversial win last week at Darlington which secured his position in the playoffs; the question looking forward is who will take a win in the upcoming race this weekend? Will it be a returning winner, or will the 2022 NASCAR Cup see its 11th unique winner this season?

    Stakes are high this weekend because this will be one of the last chances for a driver to win entry into the 2022 All-Star Race at Texas Speedway.

    In the previous 2021 NASCAR Cup Series, fans saw Kyle Busch take his second first place at Kansas Speedway, which also had Chase Elliot taking a top 5 position. The competition this year at Adventhealth 400 will be stiff as many strong contenders have won at Kansas Speedway in the past:

    • Denny Hamlin – 3 Wins (2020, 2019, 2012)
    • Joey Logano – 3 Wins (2020, 2015, 2014)
    • Kyle Larson – 1 Win (2021)
    • Chase Elliott – 1 Win (2018)

    The odds continue to favor last year’s cup winner Kyle Larson, with a significant chance of him returning to the front of the pack following his 36th place at Darlington. Whilst being the most favored to win, the first quarter of this season has placed Larson 9th in the overall standings. It appears that the odds continue to favor him frequently, but he simply hasn’t delivered results this season.

    Last week’s winner Joey Logano isn’t favored kindly as most odds place him poorly by comparison. Fans are sure to be curious about the upcoming electric matchup between Logano and Byron following last week’s events. Though he is not favored, Larson has shown that he is willing to take the necessary risks to secure a win for himself and his team.

    Chase Elliot is the 2022 NASCAR cup current leader with 453 points and he is expected to perform well at Kansas Speedway. Elliot saw his first 2022 season win less than two weeks ago at the Dover Motor Speedway alongside multiple top 5 positions throughout previous races.

    With the upcoming race being exceedingly cutthroat, fans of both NASCAR and betting will be pleased to know that the legislation is progressing in 2022, and legalizing online sports betting in the United States without bet restrictions has been successful in 15 states so far.

    The 2022 NASCAR season has already seen many thrills and the entertainment will continue for the Adventhealth 400 on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. As the margins of victory continue to grow slimmer in modern NASCAR, anyone can take the victory, here is a list of key drivers to look out for during the Adventhealth 400:

    • Kyle Larson 12.5% (+700)
    • Chase Elliot 11.1% (+800)
    • Denny Hamlin 10% (+900)
    • Kyle Busch 10% (+900)
    • William Byron 9.1 (+1000)
    • Joey Logano 7.7% (+1200)
  • Gilliland Feels Rookie Journey Going as Expected, Maybe Better?

    Gilliland Feels Rookie Journey Going as Expected, Maybe Better?

    Takes Next Steps at Home of Biggest Supporters

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 10, 2022) – For NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year contender Todd Gilliland, maybe this season is going better than expected? Gilliland has been competitive in early season races and has scored four top-20 finishes. Although not getting a top-10 finish yet, Gilliland has raced up front at some tracks while still learning others. Gilliland is learning to take the positives from each race.

    “I think so, we’re learning each race,” said Gilliland. “There have been tracks like Dover where we just did not have a good weekend at all, but tracks like Auto Club, Phoenix, Daytona, and Talladega, we’re running strong. Sometimes the finishes just didn’t represent the way we raced. In that sense, we are doing better than I think. But it’s all about the results and we want more.”

    “I’ve been a little surprised about the transition from racing the truck to racing the new Cup car,” continued Gilliland. “It is still an adjustment, but it is not too bad. I think that has helped. Now, it’s just getting used to this new car and the competition at the Cup level. But I felt that we have been able to compete with these guys and beat them. We just need to get the finishes.”

    The next opportunity for the team comes this Sunday at the Kansas Speedway. Gilliland is looking to put together a strong run with the No. 38 First Phase Ford. The new credit card from CURO Credit, LLC, issued by The Bank of Missouri, provides pathways to financial freedom for people with unestablished or imperfect credit.

    “I am thankful for the support of CURO and First Phase credit card for all their support this season,” continued Gilliland. “They jumped into this journey with us, and I feel like I want to perform for my team and for them, too. It’s great to know that they have my back and want to see us race well. We just want to keep working hard for them.”

    Gilliland and the First Phase Ford Mustang will hit the track at the Kansas Speedway on May 15 at 3:00 PM ET on FS1.

    ABOUT CURO

    CURO Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CURO) is a full-spectrum consumer credit provider across the U.S. and Canada. The Company was founded in 1997 by three childhood friends in Kansas to meet the growing consumer need for short-term loans. Today, CURO operates a robust, omni-channel platform providing comprehensive credit solutions to help customers achieve their financial goals. CURO’s decades of experience with alternative data power the underwriting and scoring engine, mitigating risk across the full spectrum of credit products. CURO operates under a number of brands including Speedy Cash®, Rapid Cash®, Cash Money®, LendDirect®, Flexiti®, Avío Credit®, Opt+®, Revolve Finance®, Heights Finance, Southern Finance, Covington Credit, Quick Credit and First Phase. Our diversified product channels allows us to meet the changing needs and preferences of our customers.

    ABOUT FIRST PHASE

    First Phase is a new credit card issued by The Bank of Missouri that provides pathways to financial freedom for people with unestablished or imperfect credit. It’s a powerful tool that can provide flexibility and help fuel the next chapter of their financial future. First Phase is the doing business assumed name of CURO Credit, LLC, whose ultimate parent company is CURO Group Holdings Corp (NYSE: CURO).

    ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

    Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

  • Taylor Gray earns big victory in General Tire 125 ARCA Menards Series East race at Dover Motor Speedway

    Taylor Gray earns big victory in General Tire 125 ARCA Menards Series East race at Dover Motor Speedway


    DOVER, Del. (April 29, 2022) – Taylor Gray grabbed the momentum his race team was seeking in a commanding way Friday at Dover Motor Speedway.

    And his reward is a new Monster Trophy to display.

    Gray led 115 of 125 laps and cruised to his first victory at the Monster Mile with a win in the General Tire 125 ARCA Menards Series East race.

    It was the first ARCA Menards Series East victory of the year for Gray, 17, a New Mexico native, who has also made two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts this year.

    Gray has top-three finishes in all three AMSE races so far this season but Friday marked his first trip to Victory Lane.

    “Hard work has paid off finally,” Gray said. “We’ll take this momentum and go to Nashville [next race in series is May 7 at the Fairgrounds] and see what we can do.

    “We’ve been working hard and making gains.”

    Gray, driving the No. 17 Ford for David Gilliland Racing, topped second-place Jesse Love by 1.456 seconds at the checkered flag, with Conner Jones in third and Rajah Caruth in fourth.

    Sammy Smith, who entered Friday as the ARCA Menards Series points leader after winning the season’s first two races, finished fifth.

    Gray earned the pole position with a track record lap of 160.915 mph earlier on Friday.

    And after capping a long day at Dover with a big win, Gray already has a place in mind to keep his newly-won Monster Trophy.

    “It’s a super cool trophy – probably one of my favorite trophies on the circuit,” Gray said. “It’s probably going to go right in my living room.”

    The NASCAR tripleheader weekend race weekend schedule also includes:

    SUNDAY, MAY 1: DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne NASCAR Cup Series race (3 p.m., FS1).
    SATURDAY, APRIL 30: A-GAME 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race (1:30 p.m., FS1)
    The DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne is the 104th NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover, one of only 10 venues in the country to host 100 or more Cup Series events.

    TICKETS:
    Kids 12 and under get in FREE with a paying adult to Saturday’s race and start at just $10 on Sunday. For tickets to all of Dover Motor Speedway’s events, visit https://www.DoverMotorSpeedway.com or call 800-441-RACE.

    FOLLOW US:

    Keep track of all of Dover Motor Speedway’s events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Be sure to use #DuraMAXDrydene400 and #AGame200 in your posts.

  • Atlanta Cup Series odds and statistics

    Atlanta Cup Series odds and statistics

    The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.  You can watch it live starting at 3 p.m. ET on FOX or listen to it on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.  This weekend’s schedule can be found here. Joey Logano sits atop of the series standings at 136 points and a four-point lead over Kyle Busch at 132. Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Chase Briscoe round out the top-5.

    Points leader Logano has an average finish of 16.688 with two top-5s, five top-10s, and one pole in 16 races.

    Kyle Busch has two wins, eight top-5s, 11 top-10s, one pole, and an average finish of 11.696 (series-best).

    Ryan Blaney won the March 21, 2021 race and is the favorite to win the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 according to OddsChecker.  Blaney has one win, three top-5s, three top-10s, and an average finish of 12.429 in seven starts.  Blaney leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Atlanta.

    Qualifying Stats:

    • Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series starts at Atlanta at 32, followed by Kurt Busch with 31 starts.
    • Larson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Atlanta with an 8.000 in 13 starts.
    • Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Atlanta poles with two (2014, 2017).
    • Six Atlanta race winners are active this weekend.  Kurt Busch (2002, 2009, 2010, 2021) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series winners at Atlanta with four victories.  Followed by Kevin Harvick (3), Brad Keselowski (2), Kyle Busch (2), Ryan Blaney (1) and Denny Hamlin (1).
    • The youngest Cup Series Atlanta winner is Kyle Busch on 03/09/2008 (22 years, 10 months, 7 days).
    • Martin Truex Jr. leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Atlanta without visiting Victory Lane at 24 starts.

    Race Stats:

    • The most proficient starting position in the field at Atlanta is the fifth starting position 16 wins.
    • A total of 14 of the 115 NASCAR Cup Series races (12.17%) have been won from the pole or first starting position.
    • The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Atlanta is 19th, by Brad Keselowski in 2019.
    • Hendrick Motorsports organization has the most wins at Atlanta in the NASCAR Cup Series with 14.
    • Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta.  It’s led by Chevrolet with 41, followed by Ford (34), Pontiac (11), Dodge (nine), Mercury (eight), Buick (four), Plymouth (four), Toyota (three) and Oldsmobile (one).
    • Harvick (2009, 2015), Kyle Busch (2020, 2021) and Larson (2017, 2021) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with two runner-up finishes each at Atlanta.
    • Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Atlanta with 1,197 in 29 starts.

    Blaney is the favorite to win the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 

    Blaney is given +1000 odds, or an implied 9.1% chance to win in Atlanta this weekend. His stiffest competition is expected to be Kyle Larson, whom oddsmakers are giving +1100 odds or an 8.1% chance to win the race.  

    Quote from OddsChecker spokesman Kyle Newman, “In the tightest race of the year, oddsmakers are choosing to back the guy who won it last year, and his biggest rival is the guy who finished second. It’s the first time this season that oddsmakers have named last year’s 1st and 2nd place finishers in a race the top-2 favorites to win a race this season. It’s only the second time this year that a driver is favored to win a race they won last season. That just goes to show how unpredictable this weekend’s race is. Oddsmakers have nothing to split these drivers other than their previous results on this track.” 

    FOLDS OF HONOR QUIKTRIP 500 

    Driver Odds Implied chance 
    Ryan Blaney +1000 9.1% 
    Kyle Larson +1100 8.1% 
    Joey Logano +1200 7.7% 
    Denny Hamlin +1200 7.7% 
    Chase Elliott +1300 7.1% 
    Kyle Busch +1300 7.1% 
    William Byron +1500 6.3% 
    Kevin Harvick +1500 6.3% 
    Alex Bowman +1500 6.3% 
    Tyler Reddick +1600 5.9% 
  • Phoenix Cup Series odds and statistics

    Phoenix Cup Series odds and statistics

    The NASCAR Cup Series heads into Phoenix Raceway this weekend for the Ruoff Mortgage 500.  Kyle Larson is atop the Cup series standings at 113 points and a six-point lead over Martin Truex Jr.  Joey Logano is in third place, Austin Cindric fourth, and Kyle Busch rounds out the top-5.

    Based on the last 34 races (2005 – 2021), Kevin Harvick has the most wins with nine and a series-best average finish of 7.735.  Harvick also has nine wins, 18 top-5s, 27 top-10s, and two poles, making him one of the favorites to run upfront and possibly win the race.

    Another top contender would be Kyle Busch that also has good numbers at Phoenix.  Busch has three wins, 12 top-5s, 23 top-10s, four poles, and an average finish of 10.848.

    Martin Truex Jr. won the spring race on March 14, 2021, and has six top-5s, 14 top-10s, and two poles with an average finish of 14.969.

    Notable Stats and Information:

    • Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman lead the Cup Series in starts at Phoenix with 38 starts each.
    • Chase Elliott leads the Cup Series in average starting position at Phoenix with a 4.500 in 12 starts.
    • Kyle Busch (2006, 2012, 2016, 2019) lead the Cup Series in poles for active drivers at Phoenix with four.
    • Busch is also the youngest Phoenix pole winner at 20 years, 11 months, 20 days.
    • Five different manufacturers have won the Cup Series pole at Phoenix.  Chevrolet with 19, Ford with 15, Toyota with seven, Dodge and Pontiac with four poles.
    • Harvick leads the Cup Series in wins at Phoenix with nine victories (2006 sweep, 2012 Playoff race, 2013 Playoff race, 2014 sweep, 2015 Spring race, 2016 Spring race, 2018 Spring race).
    • Harvick won the 2012 race from the 19th starting position, making it the farthest back an active Cup Series race winner has started at Phoenix.
    • Kyle Busch is the youngest Cup Series Phoenix winner at 20 years, 6 months, 11 days.
    • Four different manufacturers have won a Cup Series at Phoenix, led by Chevrolet with 25 victories, followed by Ford with 17, Toyota with seven, and Pontiac with two wins. 

    Be sure to check out the weekend schedule for the race TV and start times.

    According to OddsChecker, Kyle Larson is expected to win this weekend.  He’s given +350 odds, or an implied 22.2% chance to win the race.

    Quote from OddsChecker spokesman Kyle Newman, “Larson is the clear favorite to win this race, but oddsmakers are taking the competition seriously. For only the second time this season, oddsmakers see a competitive race. This isn’t as competitive as the Daytona 500 odds, but 6 racers being given better than an 11% chance to win is nothing to sneeze at.” 

    Driver Odds Implied chance 
    Kyle Larson +350 22.2% 
    Martin Truex Jr. +750 11.8% 
    Kyle Busch +750 11.8% 
    Denny Hamlin +800 11.1% 
    Chase Elliot +800 11.1% 
    Joey Logano +800 11.1% 
    Ryan Blaney +1200 7.7% 
    William Byron +1400 6.7% 
    Kevin Harvick +2000 4.8% 
    Christopher Bell +2500 3.8% 
  • Kyle Busch Picks Up Brand New Lifetime Sponsorship After Not-Very-Accidental Swearing Snafu

    Kyle Busch Picks Up Brand New Lifetime Sponsorship After Not-Very-Accidental Swearing Snafu

    (NOTE: The following story is a work of satire…I think.)

    WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON: Maybe it pays to say bad words on TV?

    While most every other human being in the known universe might not feel so great after being fined for $50,000 worth of expletive-laden outburst (with an added bonus of doing so on live TV in front of God, Sponsors, and Everyone), oh, and driving like a blind autocross racer over orange cones. Along with blowing through a crowd of people like he sees the world as a bowling alley, and every other human out there is a pin to knock over. Kyle Busch is no such human with these sorts of sensitivities, as he will instead be swearing his way to the bank. Thanks to a new lifetime sponsor in the form of The Society of American Cheeses and Bratwursts and Colon and Rectal Surgeons in Walla Walla, Washington.

    Dr. Colon Exhaust, President of that society, elaborated further.

    “The SACBCRS is a prestigious institution that has been in existence since 1871. However, since we are not one of those fancy medical societies, you know, like those attention hogs that run all of those psychiatry and psychology outfits and they’re a bunch of fakes anyway. Yeah, Jim, I’m talking to you, that’s the last time we play with a bunch of cheaters at our annual full-contact Cornhole tournament. Anyway, because our line of work is less glamorous than most of those other societies, we get a startling lack of attention in the press.”

    Dr. Exhaust continued on.

    “I accidentally stumbled across the first half or so of the Darlington race last weekend and saw this colorful yellow race car with what appeared to be brightly colored rabbit droppings painted on both sides. We here at The Society of American Cheeses and Bratwursts and Colon and Rectal Surgeons know poop-shaped objects when we see them. I was of course horrified to discover later on that the car was sponsored by M&M’s. Anyway, that car crashed, the driver parked his car, and was interviewed afterward.”

    Dr. Exhaust spoke a bit more.

    “I was initially horrified to hear that driver, Kyle Busch, speak so derogatorily towards his teammates and use so many ‘S-words’ on live TV. I mean, I’m in that line of work, and none of us in this business use that language even in private, as proctologists, well, we are simply far too educated and intelligent for it to ever occur to us to ever say s*** like that.”

    “I was also shocked to see him driving so dangerously into the pit area, but since most of us here at the office actually drive worse than two-time championship-winning Kyle Busch in a rage. I’ve crashed three Mercedes SUV’s just this year. This isn’t an area where neither anyone I know personally or myself can pass judgment. I drive so badly, the only checkered flag that I will ever have waving at me is if I crash at full speed into a checkered flag factory.”

    “But after the horror of the initial shock wore off, a mental light bulb went off, no, make that an entire city of light bulbs: Kyle Busch, with his beautiful, innate ability to speak of scatological byproducts like he so colorfully does on live TV, why he would be the absolute best spokesperson to give our almost unknown Society of American Cheeses and Bratwurst and Colon and Rectal Surgeons the public voice we need to get our name out there. Look, we’ve literally thrown every form of, um, excrement at the wall in the form of PR events and nothing so far is sticking. Just look at him! He’s perfectly okay with saying ‘s***’ on live TV, no matter who might be watching! THIS IS THE MAN WE NEED!”

    “So to that end, heh, that was a pun there, we here at The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons have offered Kyle Busch a lifetime sponsorship in the hopes that he will swear more often during post-race interviews. Because not only will we here at the SACBCRS be giving Mr. Busch a generous salary to be our spokesperson, it will be an explosive relief for him to learn that we will actually be pushing him to say more S-words on live TV. In addition to him receiving lifetime rectal exams in any of our sponsored facilities, we will also be paying whatever fines he incurs during live TV spots, which means he can engage in verbal diarrhea however and wherever he wants, just as long as colorfully adds the ‘S-word’ to every sentence. With this offer to Mr. Busch, we’re hoping to land our organization into the public perception end-zone!”

    No word as of yet has been received concerning whether or not Kyle Busch has accepted the offer.

  • XFINITY to become presenting partner of NASCAR Cup Series Playoff elimination races

    XFINITY to become presenting partner of NASCAR Cup Series Playoff elimination races

    Elimination Race Platform Highlights Xfinity’s Fast, Safe and Secure Internet as Drivers Advance

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 27, 2021) – NASCAR announced today that Xfinity, a NASCAR Premier Partner and title sponsor of NASCAR Xfinity Series, will be the exclusive partner of NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Elimination Races. The NASCAR Playoffs signal the most competitive time of the season and Xfinity will help amplify the drama and unpredictability of the NASCAR Playoffs as drivers look to avoid elimination and safely secure their spot in the next round.

    “There is no better time in the NASCAR season to highlight the importance of providing a fast, safe and secure Internet to customers during their most important moments,” said Matt Lederer, Vice President, Brand Partnerships and Amplification at Comcast. “When everything is on the line, the best drivers in NASCAR know it requires peak performance to advance to the next round and we look forward to celebrating those moments of excellence with NASCAR fans.”

    The NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Elimination Race schedule will begin under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway, navigate The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and culminate with the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway. The platform will feature additional branding to signify the Elimination race at all three tracks and will feature additional interactive elements across the race broadcast. NASCAR’s social and digital platforms will give fans even greater access to the excitement and drama of the NASCAR Playoffs.

    “Xfinity continues to find creative ways to elevate their brand during key moments of the season and our elimination races are among the highest anticipated events on the schedule,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Chief Sales Officer, NASCAR. “Xfinity is the gold standard in delivering integrated activation and we are excited to introduce a customized platform that ties Xfinity’s reliable performance to the reliable performances that the best drivers in the world will need competing at their highest level in the most critical of moments.”

    Xfinity entered the sport as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2015 and was announced as part of the inaugural grouping of NASCAR Premier partners in 2019. Xfinity has engaged and rewarded fans and industry members with unique platforms such as the Comcast Community Champion of the Year, and multiple team and track sponsorships. To learn more about Xfinity’s NASCAR partnership, visit Xfinity.com/NASCAR.

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR® consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, Americrown Service and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).