Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: NASCAR Cup News

NASCAR Cup Series News

  • Team Penske and Ryan Blaney agree to contract extension

    Team Penske and Ryan Blaney agree to contract extension

    Current NASCAR Cup Series Points Leader Signs Multi-Year Agreement with Team

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 6, 2020) – Team Penske announced today that it has signed Ryan Blaney to a multi-year extension, which will keep him an integral part of the organization for years to come. The current NASCAR Cup Series points leader and driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang has been a member of Team Penske since 2012. During that time, he has earned three Cup Series victories and qualified for the NASCAR Playoffs in each of his three full-time seasons in the Cup Series.

    “Ryan is a true talent with a long runway ahead of him and we are excited to have him as a part of the future of Team Penske,” said Roger Penske. “Since joining our team, Ryan has developed into a championship caliber driver and his personality and engagement with fans has made him a terrific ambassador for NASCAR. In addition, Ryan has done a great job of working with our partners to support their activation and investment throughout each year. I am looking forward to even more success together.”

    One of NASCAR’s rising stars, Blaney first joined Team Penske as a talented 18-year-old, competing in select NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) races for the team. He earned his first victory for Team Penske with an NXS win at Kentucky in 2013. He then captured his first Cup Series victory driving for the Wood Brothers in 2017 at Pocono Raceway before joining Team Penske as a full-time Cup Series competitor in 2018. The now 26-year-old Blaney has generated a combined nine wins and seven poles since joining the organization in 2012.

    “I’ve always said, it’s been a lifelong dream to be able to drive a racecar for Roger Penske,” said Blaney. “I am proud of what we have accomplished with the No. 12 Team Penske Ford and our ability to represent great brands like Menards, Advance Auto Parts, DEX Imaging and BODYARMOR. It’s really exciting to know I will continue to drive for this organization in 2021 and beyond. I am fortunate to be surrounded by extremely talented people throughout the organization and have no doubt we will continue to compete for wins and championships well into the future.”

    Through the first three races of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, Blaney leads the Cup Series point standings and has found himself in contention to be in a position to win in each event – which included a second-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500. He also leads the series with a 6.3-average running position.

    About Team Penske
    Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 540 major race wins, over 620 pole positions and 37 Championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 54-year history, the team has also earned 18 Indianapolis 500 victories, two Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race. Team Penske currently competes in the IndyCar Series, the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The team also races in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, in a partnership with Dick Johnson Racing, as DJR Team Penske. For more information about Team Penske, please visit www.teampenske.com.

  • Busch Clash At DAYTONA Moving to DIS Road Course, New Date in 2021

    Busch Clash At DAYTONA Moving to DIS Road Course, New Date in 2021

    ·         Move Reflects Fans’ Interest in More Road Courses on NASCAR Schedule

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 4, 2020) – In a response to fans’ increased interest in road-course races, Daytona International Speedway announced today that the Busch Clash At DAYTONA will move to the speedway’s 3.56-mile road course and be held under the lights on Tuesday, Feb. 9, making the annual preseason NASCAR Cup Series event one of the most unique in all of motorsports.

    The 2021 Busch Clash at DAYTONA, an exhibition-style event, will be held on the same course as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the DAYTONA 200, North America’s premier races for sports cars and motorcycles, respectively. Road-course racing has always been a vital component on the speedway calendar, with the Rolex 24 first held in 1962 as a three-hour race called the Daytona Continental while the DAYTONA 200 moved off the old Daytona Beach-Road Course to the speedway in 1961.

    “The famed road course at Daytona has a long and storied history with sports cars and motorcycles, and now we can write a new chapter on it with stock cars,” NASCAR Vice President of Racing Development Ben Kennedy said. “Fans coming to the track will get to see six consecutive days of exciting NASCAR action, with no two days being the same.” 

    In contrast to the tightly packed competition on the speedway’s famed 2.5-mile high-back-tri-oval, the reimagined Busch Clash will utilize approximately three-quarters of the tri-oval along with the challenging infield portion of the road course. That translates into 12 turns instead of the usual four.

    “Having driven on the road course at Daytona in the Rolex 24, I know how difficult the circuit can be,” said NASCAR Hall of Famer and current FOX NASCAR analyst Jeff Gordon. “It will present a real challenge to the drivers and teams, and I’m looking forward to calling what I believe will be a lot of action from the booth.”

    That challenge entails the high-speed entrance into Turn 1, as drivers dive left off the front straight to begin the twists and turns the infield offers, including the east and west Horseshoe turns and the trick negotiation of the back stretch chicane prior to a climb back atop the bank in Turn 3.

    “NASCAR fans have asked for more road-course competition and the industry is listening,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “With the talent level the Busch Clash brings to the table, the race will now clearly have its own look and feel during DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth in 2021 and beyond.

    “The new placement on the Speedweeks schedule also adds to the anticipation. That switch will make for a fuller Speedweeks calendar. Fans also will have the opportunity to engage in a festive infield atmosphere, similar to the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, with many prime viewing opportunities.”

    The Busch Clash At DAYTONA was held for the 42nd consecutive time on Sunday, February 9, featuring NASCAR Cup Series pole winners and playoff participants from the previous season, former Busch Clash champions and former DAYTONA 500 champions and pole winners who competed full time in 2019.

    “Busch Beer is excited to play an integral role in this historic shift for NASCAR and its fans,” said Nick Kelly, vice president partnerships, beer category and community, Anheuser-Busch. “Moving the Busch Clash to Daytona’s road course will differentiate the event from every other race during DAYTONA Speedweeks and drive even more attention to the first NASCAR Cup Series race of 2021.” 

    “We know how passionate our viewers are about both Daytona International Speedway and road course racing,” said Brad Zager, FOX Sports Executive Producer, EVP/Head of Production & Operations. “Additionally, fans have been craving mid-week races. These changes to the 2021 opening slate of races will provide new and unique story-telling opportunities when we kick off the season on FOX Sports.”

    In addition to the changes to the Busch Clash, it was also announced the Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire ARCA Menards Series season-opening race shifts to Saturday, Feb. 13, as part of a doubleheader with the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, the NASCAR Racing Experience 300. 

    DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 10, to set the front row for the DAYTONA 500. The Bluegreen Vacations Duel at DAYTONA qualifying races will remain on Thursday night, Feb. 11, followed by the NextEra Energy 250 to open the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series season on Friday night, Feb. 12.

    Tickets for the 63rd annual DAYTONA 500, the 43rd annual Busch Clash and all other speedway events can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat, and by downloading Daytona International Speedway’s mobile app, for the latest Speedway news throughout the season.

  • Ross Chastain to Fill In for Ryan Newman in No. 6 Ford

    Ross Chastain to Fill In for Ryan Newman in No. 6 Ford

    CONCORD, N.C. (February 19, 2020) – Roush Fenway Racing has announced that Ross Chastain will fill in for Ryan Newman starting this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) in the No. 6 Wyndham Rewards Ford. Newman was injured in a last-lap accident while leading Monday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and has since been treated and released from Halifax Medical Center.

    “First and foremost, our focus remains with Ryan and his family as he continues to recover,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “We also want to express our sincere gratitude to all of those who have offered support and taken the time to send their thoughts and prayers to Ryan, his family and everyone at Roush Fenway Racing”.

    “The NASCAR community has long prided itself on being a close-knit family,” added Newmark. “That is never more evident than during these types of moments, and we want to express our appreciation to everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing as well as Kaulig Racing for allowing Ross to fill in for Ryan in the No. 6 on such short notice.”

    Chastain has won three times in the NASCAR Truck Series and twice in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, including a dominating performance at LVMS in 2018. The Alva, Florida native has made 72 career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series and finished top-10 in the 2019 Daytona 500. He was poised for another strong finish in Monday’s 500, before being involved in a late-race accident.

    Currently there is no timetable for Newman’s return. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

    Roush Fenway Racing is one of the most successful teams in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Cup Series. Moving into its 33rd season, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning Social Media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram, and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.

  • Ryan Newman Has Been Treated and Released from Halifax Medical Center

    Ryan Newman Has Been Treated and Released from Halifax Medical Center

    Daytona Beach, Florida (February 19, 2020) — Ryan Newman has been treated and released from Halifax Medical Center.

  • Ryan Newman Continues Great Improvement

    Ryan Newman Continues Great Improvement

    Daytona Beach, Florida (February 19, 2020) — Ryan Newman continues to show great improvement after Monday night’s last-lap accident at Daytona International Speedway.

    The veteran driver is fully alert and walking around Halifax Medical Center. True to his jovial nature, he has also been joking around with staff, friends and family while playing with his two daughters.

    Ryan continues to express his appreciation for the outpouring of support from across the country, and he and his family are grateful for the immense level of support that has been provided by the NASCAR community and beyond.

    We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

  • Update on Roush Fenway Racing Driver Ryan Newman

    Update on Roush Fenway Racing Driver Ryan Newman

    Daytona Beach, Florida (February 18, 2020) — Ryan Newman remains under the care of doctors at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. He is awake and speaking with family and doctors.

    Ryan and his family have expressed their appreciation for the concern and heartfelt messages from across the country. They are grateful for the unwavering support of the NASCAR community and beyond.

    We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

  • Ryan Newman hospitalized in serious condition after wreck at Daytona

    Ryan Newman hospitalized in serious condition after wreck at Daytona

    Ryan Newman was hospitalized after a fiery crash at Daytona International Speedway Monday night. The accident occurred on the final lap of the Daytona 500 after a couple of hard hits sent his car airborne and left it crumpled and in flames.

    It took track personnel quite some time to extricate Newman from his car before he was sent to Halifax Medical Center for further evaluation. As everyone collectively held their breath, fearing the worst but hoping for the best, an update was issued by Roush Fenway Racing almost two hours later.  

    Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, echoed the sentiments of the NASCAR community, saying, “Safety’s come a long way in this sport, but sometimes we are reminded that it is a very dangerous sport.”

    Thankfully, though Newman is in serious condition, the statement issued by the team indicated that his injuries are not life-threatening.

    NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, Steve O’Donnell, shared the update.

    “I wanted to provide everybody an update on Ryan Newman. He’s been transported to Halifax Medical Center, undergoing further treatment and evaluation. We’ve been in continual dialogue with the race team and Ryan’s family. And on behalf of Roush Racing, they’ve asked us to read a statement to give you an update and the statement reads as follows:

    “Ryan Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center. He is in serious condition, but doctors have indicated his injuries are not life-threatening.

    “We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this time.

    “We appreciate your patience and cooperation and we will provide more information as it becomes available.”

    O’Donnell added, “That’s the end of the statement and then certainly on our behalf we’re going to continue to work with the race team and Ryan’s family to support them in any way we can. We’d ask that you respect their privacy and going forward we’ll provide updates as we can. But at this time our thoughts are with Ryan and his family. Thank you.”

  • 2020 Daytona 500 postponed to Monday

    2020 Daytona 500 postponed to Monday

    After a challenging day of fighting off and on rain showers, NASCAR officials were forced to postpone the 2020 Daytona 500 to Monday at 4:05 p.m. ET live on FOX. Just 20 laps of the Great American Race were completed with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leading all laps from the pole position.

    As soon as the completion of Lap 20 came, the sky opened up once again and soaked the track. NASCAR almost had the track dry and ready to go before the next shower arrived with heavy rains and NASCAR made the decision to postpone the race.

    Parking lots will open at 11 a.m. ET with the Gates and UNOH Fanzone to open at 1 p.m. ET, while hospitality opens at 2 p.m. ET. All tickets along with parking passes will be accepted.

    This will be the first time since 2012 that the Daytona 500 was postponed to Monday.

    Running order as of Lap 20 of 200, Lap 20 of 65 in Stage 1.

    1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
    2. Joey Logano
    3. Aric Almirola
    4. Ryan Newman
    5. Kevin Harvick
    6. Brad Keselowski
    7. William Byron
    8. Jimmie Johnson
    9. Ty Dillon
    10. Timmy Hill
    11. David Ragan
    12. Chris Buescher
    13. Matt DiBenedetto
    14. Chase Elliott
    15. Ross Chastain
    16. Alex Bowman
    17. Kyle Larson
    18. Kurt Busch
    19. Austin Dillon
    20. Cole Custer
    21. Michael McDowell
    22. Tyler Reddick
    23. Ryan Blaney
    24. Bubba Wallace
    25. Reed Sorenson
    26. B.J. McLeod
    27. Corey LaJoie
    28. Brendan Gaughan
    29. Ryan Preece
    30. Justin Haley
    31. Martin Truex Jr.
    32. Kyle Busch
    33. Erik Jones
    34. Christopher Bell
    35. Denny Hamlin
    36. Clint Bowyer
    37. John Hunter Nemechek
    38. Quin Houff
    39. Joey Gase
    40. Brennan Poole
  • DAYTONA 500 Halted After 20 Laps, Completion Postponed Until Monday at 4 p.m.

    DAYTONA 500 Halted After 20 Laps, Completion Postponed Until Monday at 4 p.m.

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2020) – The completion of the 62nd annual DAYTONA 500 has been postponed until Monday at 4 p.m., due to rain Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

    The season-opening race for the NASCAR Cup Series season will be televised by FOX. The race was halted Sunday night after 20 of the scheduled 200 laps were run on the 2.5-mile tri-oval, with polesitter Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leading the event in the No. 47 Kroger Chevrolet.

    Speedway parking lots open at 11 a.m. Monday. Gates and the UNOH Fanzone open at 1 p.m. with hospitality areas opening at 2.

    DAYTONA 500 tickets, hospitality passes and parking passes will be honored in all areas.

    For information about the NASCAR Weather Protection Plan, visit Daytona International Speedway Guest Services or www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/weather.

  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion to Receive Bill France Cup Beginning in 2020

    NASCAR Honors Founding Family’s Legacy with New Championship Trophy

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 14, 2020) – To honor the legacy of the sport’s founding family, NASCAR today announced that the Bill France Cup will be awarded to the champion of the NASCAR Cup Series, beginning in 2020.

    The renamed trophy pays tribute to Bill France Sr., who founded NASCAR in 1947, as well as his son, Bill France Jr., who elevated the sport to a national phenomenon as the sanctioning body’s chief executive from 1972 to 2003.

    “As the sport ushers in a new era, it’s fitting that my father’s name is associated with the highest mark of excellence in our sport,” said Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “My father and brother’s vision for NASCAR has been realized, many times over, as millions of fans follow and engage each week with the best racing in the world.”

    The Bill France Cup, created by Jostens, will maintain the size and shape of last year’s championship trophy and will feature outlines of the 24 NASCAR Cup Series racetracks that comprise the 2020 season schedule. The trophy design will be updated as the race schedule evolves, and new tracks are introduced to NASCAR Cup Series competition.

    Bill France Sr. spearheaded NASCAR from its beginning and directed it to its current role as the world’s largest stock car racing organization. Born in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 26, 1909, he came to Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934. In 1947, France became the driving force behind the establishment of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The new organization was called NASCAR, resulting from a famous meeting at the Streamline Hotel on A1A in Daytona Beach – a structure that stands to this day as a racing landmark.

    Things moved quickly in the 1950s and 1960s for NASCAR. As the sanctioning body’s first president, France built two superspeedways that came to personify the sport – 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway and 2.66-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Bill Sr. passed away in 1992 at the age of 82.

    Bill France Jr. is remembered as the man who followed his visionary father at NASCAR’s helm, in the process becoming a visionary himself as he guided NASCAR to unprecedented levels of popularity. France, who passed away in June 2007 at the age of 74, grew up in the formative years of stock car racing, living and learning every detail of the sport from his own experiences, and those of his father.

    Bill Jr. became NASCAR’s president in January 1972, replacing his father and becoming only the second president of the world’s largest auto racing sanctioning body. His emergence coincided with the sport’s emergence, and its eventual ascent to become America’s No. 1 form of motorsports.

    For more information on the NASCAR Cup Series and images of the inaugural Bill France Cup, please visit NASCAR.com.

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (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™), three regional series, one local grassroots series, three international series and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). 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’).