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Category: NASCAR Cup PR

NASCAR Cup Series Press Release

  • RCR Event Preview – Talladega Superspeedway

    RCR Event Preview – Talladega Superspeedway

    Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Talladega Superspeedway … Richard Childress began his driving career at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969 and is in a tie for the most all-time car owner victories at the storied Alabama-based racetrack with 12 wins. Dale Earnhardt visited Victory Lane nine times, while Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer swept the 2010 events at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. Bowyer added to the Welcome, N.C.-based organization’s total by claiming RCR’s 100th Cup Series win when NASCAR’s senior series visited the facility in October 2011. In 176 starts, RCR also has four pole awards, 42 top-five, 70 top-10 finishes and has led 1,843 laps of competition.

    RCR in the MENCS … In 2,938 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,108 wins, 488 top-five finishes and 1,069 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16.2. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR Xfinity Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Menards Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

    #RCR50 … Richard Childress Racing celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary in 2019. Follow our social channels season-long to join in the celebration.

    Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s corporate Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team Twitter page – @RCRCup, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3, @TylerReddick and @DanielHemric. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com along with official driver pages – http://www.facebook.com/austindillon3 and www.facebook.com/DanielHemric.

    Catch the Action … The Alabama 500 will be televised live Sunday, April 28 beginning at 2 p.m. ET on FOX and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    This Week’s Dow Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Talladega Superspeedway … In 11 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega, Dillon earned his best finish at the 2.66-mile track in April 2016 when he finished third. His best finish in four NASCAR Xfinity Series Starts was also third. He has two starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, earning a best finish of seventh in October 2011.

    Dow brings a science and engineering crew who is driven by limitless curiosity to the RCR Team … Austin Dillon and the RCR team are again supported by Dow’s materials science expertise and technologies this season. Backed by the power of data analysis and virtual modeling, Dow develops and manufactures high-performance components and materials custom-made for the No. 3 car. Dow and RCR’s partnership has expedited innovation and shortened testing time in the automotive industry by recreating in the lab one of the most extreme environments – the racetrack. After 5 years of collaboration, Dow scientists and RCR engineers are continuing to work together to make the No. 3 car faster, safer and more precise. Stay up to date with Dow’s exciting developments at www.dow.com/sports and follow us on Twitter @DowRacing, @DowSports & @DowChemical.

    Play Ball … Following final practice on Friday, Dillon is scheduled to travel from Talladega Superspeedway to Atlanta, Georgia for NASCAR Night at SunTrust Park. Dillon is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at the Braves game on behalf of Coca-Cola, and his No. 3 Dow Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will also be on display at the game. A special $80 joint ticket offer that includes both a ticket to the Talladega Superspeedway Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on April 28 and a ticket to a Braves game in 2019 is available by visiting braves.com/Talladega.

    Birthday Wishes … Dillon celebrates his 29th birthday on Saturday, April 27.

    Cheering for Dillon … If you’re at Talladega Superspeedway, come shop the all-new Austin Dillon merchandise available track-side by visiting the RCR souvenir trailer in the fan midway.

    Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in a Q & A on the Team Chevy Stage in the Talladega Superspeedway fan midway area on Sunday, April 28 at 9:45 a.m. CT.

    AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
    We are running a much bigger spoiler at Talladega Superspeedway this year. What do you think about that?
    “I think everybody is looking forward to something a little bit different in speedway racing. Something to change it up. This should definitely do that. When you get to Talladega Superspeedway there will be a big pack and being able to maneuver through that pack will be everybody’s focus. The handling of the car shouldn’t be as much of a focus as just being able to move through the field the fastest and trying to keep the lead the longest.”

    You’ve had a lot of success at superspeedways. When you go there do you have certain guys that you like to work with and ones you don’t so much or is it more dictated by circumstances?
    “Sometimes you’re put in situations where you have to work with whoever is around in order to help yourself, but there are definitely guys that I see out there that put themselves in better positions throughout the race than others. There’s some that you just don’t like being around because you feel uncomfortable. Trying to stay with those guys that put you in good positions and knowing how to get to the front are the ones I try to stay around.”

    Have you been keeping up with all of the fan improvements coming at Talladega Superspeedway?
    “I was at Talladega Superspeedway for the announcement when they announced the changes, and it’s really cool to see all of our tracks and our venues growing and moving into the future. It’s great for our fans and they should be proud of what they’re doing at Talladega Superspeedway.”

    Daniel Hemric and the No. 8 Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Talladega Superspeedway … Hemric be making his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway in this weekend’s 500-mile event. The Kannapolis, North Carolina, native recorded an average start of 2.0 in his two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the track. He also made two NASCAR Truck Series starts at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, earning a best-finish of 11th.

    About Thompson Tractor Company … Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. is the full-line Caterpillar dealer for Alabama and northwest Florida and the Hyundai lift truck dealer for most of Georgia. The company specializes in the sales and service of Caterpillar products, including earthmoving, construction, forestry and material handling equipment, as well as diesel engines used for electric power generation, on-highway and marine propulsion applications. Headquartered in Birmingham, AL, Thompson Tractor provides a diverse array of solutions to their customers in its service territory through four divisions: Thompson Tractor Company, Thompson Power Systems, Thompson Lift Truck Company, and The Thompson Cat Rental Store. Thompson has 25 locations and the South’s largest fleet of field service vehicles to best serve their customers. For all your equipment and product support needs, please visit www.thompsontractor.com or stop by your nearest Thompson location.

    Meet the Driver … Fans will have the opportunity to meet the driver of the No. 8 Caterpillar Chevrolet at the RCR merchandise hauler in the Talladega Superspeedway fan midway on Saturday, April 27, starting at 11 a.m. local time.

    Meet the Press … Hemric is scheduled to meet with members of the NASCAR media corps during an availability rotation on Friday, April 26, starting at 2:30 p.m. local time.

    DANIEL HEMRIC QUOTE:
    Is there anything you and the team learned in the February test at Daytona International Speedway that can be applied to this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway?
    “We were fortunate enough to take part in the test in Daytona in February, but there were only four cars total in that test session. With so few cars, it is hard to know what to expect when the entire field is out there this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway racing for the win. There are so many unknowns whenever you go to Talladega, so we will try to keep the No. 8 Caterpillar Chevrolet out of trouble, have a solid day and make the most of the opportunities that come our way.”

    Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega Superspeedway … In 48 Series starts at the 2.66-mile speedway, RCR has accumulated five pole awards, nine top-five and 16 top-10 finishes, led 257 laps and averages a starting position of 8.0 and finishing position of 19.4. RCR has completed 4,613 laps of the 5,576 (82.7 percent) that they have competed.

    Richmond Review … Tyler Reddick secured his fifth-consecutive top-five finish when he placed fourth during the most recent Xfinity Series race at Richmond Raceway. Kaz Grala had a strong showing in the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro, capturing his first top-15 finish with RCR at Richmond.

    Dash 4 Cash … The NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash is back. The top-four finishing Xfinity Series regulars from Richmond Raceway will compete for a $100,000 bonus at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. Tyler Reddick qualified for this segment of Dash 4 Cash with his fourth-place finish at Richmond.

    The Points …Tyler Reddick remains the current Xfinity Series points leader.

    Social Media … To keep up with the latest updates from RCR’s Xfinity Series teams, follow @RCRracing and @RCRNXS on Twitter. Updates can also be found via RCR’s Facebook Page and Instagram (@RCRracing).

    Catch the Action … Coverage of this week’s Alabama 300 at Talladega Superspeedway will be televised live on Saturday, April 27, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on FS1. It will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.

    Tyler Reddick and the No. 2 Roland Chevrolet Camaro at Talladega Superspeedway … Tyler Reddick has two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway, with his best finish of eighth coming during last year’s event. Reddick also has one pole award and two top-10 finishes at the 2.66-mile track in the NASCAR Truck Series.

    About Roland … Roland DGA Corporation serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, personalization and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries. For more information, visit rolanddga.com.

    Dash 4 Cash … Reddick qualified for this week’s Xfinity Racing Dash 4 Cash bonus after placing fourth and being among the top-four finishing Xfinity Series regulars during the race at Richmond Raceway. He will compete against Justin Allgaier, Austin Cindric, and Cole Custer for the $100,000 bonus at Talladega Superspeedway.

    Meet Reddick … Fans have their chance to meet Reddick during Friday night’s “Big One on the Boulevard” event at Talladega Superspeedway. Reddick will be among the featured drivers on the float that takes off down the boulevard at 7:30 p.m. local time on April 26. Reddick will also be available for autographs in front of his No. 2 hauler during the Xfinity Series’ Open Garage on Saturday morning, April 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. local time.

    TYLER REDDICK QUOTES:
    Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway can be two very different restrictor-plate races. What are the differences that stand out to you?
    “At Talladega Superspeedway, you can be a little bit more aggressive with your speed since handling doesn’t come into play for your car as much as it does at Daytona International Speedway. Part of that is due to the track layout and wider corners that you have at Talladega. If our No. 2 Roland Chevrolet Camaro is as fast as the one we had at Daytona earlier this year, with some added tweaks to it we should be right there for the pole again. Our Camaro was just so good at Daytona and handled so well in the draft that we should be able to cushion it a little more at Talladega, make it a little faster and keep it handling just fine.”

    How do you handle that close-quarter, fragile type of racing we see at Talladega?
    “It’s not too bad, honestly. At least, it’s not too bad when you’re racing around a bunch of really good drivers. It’s when two drivers have a disagreement on where they want to be on the racetrack that makes it tricky. Whenever we’re riding out there and you’re giving and taking equally, it’s not bad. But when it gets down to the end and you’re trying to get to the front and someone disagrees with you, that’s when the wrecks happen.”

    It’s also another Dash 4 Cash race for you. Does that extra incentive change your mindset at all?
    “Yeah, it’s definitely something you think about. Maybe you race the other three Dash 4 Cash drivers a little harder so you can lift that check in the end. That’s not necessarily our game plan right from the start, but you definitely have to be a little smarter about it at Talladega than anywhere else we have a Dash 4 Cash race. It’s tough. You have to decide if it’s worth the risk to push and go to the front to work in a pack. Or do you wait for that pile-up to happen first so you hopefully can stay out of it? You have to weigh your options.”

  • Ford Performance NASCAR: Ford Looking For Eighth Straight Talladega Cup Win

    Ford Performance NASCAR: Ford Looking For Eighth Straight Talladega Cup Win

    FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: TALLADEGA NOTES

    After a weekend off to celebrate the Easter Holiday, NASCAR returns to action at Talladega Superspeedway, where Ford has won seven straight Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races. Joey Logano and Aric Almirola extended that streak last year, which continued the manufacturer’s dominance at restrictor-plate tracks that includes 18 wins in the last 32 events (Daytona and Talladega).

    FORD IN THE MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES AT TALLADEGA

    · Ford has 28 all-time series wins at Talladega, including 8 of the last 9 and 10 of the last 13.

    · Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, David Ragan, Kevin Harvick, Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer all have series wins at Talladega.

    · NASCAR Hall of Famer Bud Moore helped Buddy Baker win three straight series races (1975-76), becoming the first to do that in Talladega history.

    FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT TALLADEGA

    · Ford has 6 series wins at Talladega

    · The first Ford victory in the series was by Chad Little in 1995.

    · Mark Martin, David Ragan, Aric Almirola and Joey Logano have MENCS and NXS wins at Talladega with Ford.

    MUSTANG LOOKING TO EXTEND TALLADEGA WIN STREAK

    Ford has won seven straight MENCS races at Talladega Superspeedway by four different drivers after Aric Almirola won the Playoff race last fall. Team Penske drivers Joey Logano (three) and Brad Keselowski (two) have combined for five victories in the streak while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. registered his first series win two years ago at the track.

    DATE – DRIVER (RACE)

    Oct. 25, 2015 – Joey Logano (CampingWorld.com 500, Talladega Superspeedway)

    May 1, 2016 – Brad Keselowski (Geico 500, Talladega Superspeedway)

    Oct. 23, 2016 – Joey Logano (Hellman’s 500, Talladega Superspeedway)

    May 7, 2017 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Geico 500, Talladega Superspeedway)

    Oct. 15, 2017 – Brad Keselowski (Alabama 500, Talladega Superspeedway)

    Apr. 29, 2018 – Joey Logano (Geico 500, Talladega Superspeedway)

    Oct. 14, 2018 – Aric Almirola (1000Bulbs.com 500, Talladega Superspeedway)

    TEAM PENSKE ROLLING AT TALLADEGA

    Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski have combined to win 6 of the last 9 MENCS races at Talladega Superspeedway with each winning three times. Keselowski won the Playoff race in 2017, making him the winningest active driver at the track with five, while Logano won same event in back-to-back seasons (2015-16).

    STENHOUSE WINS FIRST CUP RACE

    Ricky Stenhouse Jr. passed Kyle Busch on the final lap and to win the first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race of his career two years ago. In a race that saw eight caution flags, including a red flag that lasted nearly 27 minutes after an 18-car accident, Stenhouse found himself on the outside of the front row with Busch for an overtime restart. Busch jumped out to the lead, but Stenhouse got a run and then used that momentum to dart to the inside and make the decisive pass. The win capped off a weekend that saw Stenhouse win the pole and Ford capture both races after Aric Almirola won the NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday.

    WINNING IN THE CLUTCH

    Needing a win to advance in the Playoffs, Brad Keselowski did exactly that in winning the Geico 500 on Oct. 19, 2014. The win was Keselowski’s sixth of the season, most for any driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, and enabled him to move into the next round. Keselowski got a push from Penske teammate Joey Logano on the final green-white-checker restart and held off Matt Kenseth for the win.

    ROUND OF 12 SWEEP

    Joey Logano made history in 2015 when he came to Talladega Superspeedway and completed a three-race Round of 12 sweep by surviving a green-white-checker finish to win the CampingWorld.com 500. Logano became the first driver to sweep an entire round in only the second year of the format and won for the sixth time in 2015. In order to do it, he had to survive an aborted green-white-checker restart and then the official restart after it was determined by NASCAR that the original attempt had not gone green before an accident back in the pack occurred. The cars lined up again and shortly after Logano passed the start-finish line, a multi-car wrecked ensued that involved Kevin Harvick, who was having engine issues which brought the caution out and gave Logano the win.

    BAKER PROVIDES MOORE SUCCESS

    The first time Ford went to victory lane at Talladega Superspeedway was May 4, 1975 when Buddy Baker, driving for Hall of Fame car owner Bud Moore, held off David Pearson on the final lap. The win was Baker’s ninth career victory and came after he took the lead with 18 laps to go. One of the key decisions in getting Baker to the checkered flag first came when his team opted for two tires on its final pit stop of the day while Pearson and the Wood Brothers decided on gas only. Even though Pearson steadily gained ground on the final lap, Baker was able to hold on by half a car length to win. That started a streak which saw Baker and Moore win three straight Talladega races.

    DAVEY ALLISON’S FIRST WIN

    Ford has had many milestone moments at Talladega Superspeedway, including the first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win for the late Davey Allison, who won the Winston 500 on May 3, 1987. The race came down to a restart with 10 laps to go in which Allison found himself behind Dale Earnhardt in the outside lane. Earnhardt bolted to the lead when the green flew and Allison tucked in right behind him through turns one and two. As they came off the second corner, Allison went to the inside and easily passed Earnhardt for what proved to be the winning pass. Terry Labonte ended up finishing second with Earnhardt third. Allison went on to win 19 NSCS races, including three at Talladega.

    ROBERT YATES RACING’S FINAL WIN

    When Dale Jarrett won the UAW-Ford 500 on Oct. 2, 2005 it ended up being the final trip to victory lane for Robert Yates Racing. This race came down to a green-white-checker restart, where Jarrett was positioned fourth. He was still in that spot when they came around to start the final lap, but quickly moved to the outside as Tony Stewart grabbed the lead on the inside lane. The two drivers battled side-by-side down the backstretch before Jarrett powered his way in front. Seconds after getting the lead, Kyle Petty was involved in a single-car accident that brought out the caution as the cars entered turn three. Jarrett was declared the winner after NASCAR verified that he was in front at the time the yellow flag was thrown. The win was RYR’s 57th triumph in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and came six years after the team won its only championship with Jarrett in 1999.

    DAVID RAGAN’S SURPRISE VICTORY

    And then there was David Ragan, who became the 11th driver to win a NASCAR Nationwide and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway when he took the checkered flag in the 2013 Aaron’s 499. The win was his second series victory and first for Front Row Motorsports, and it ended in typical Talladega fashion. As the cars came to the white flag it was Carl Edwards in the lead while Ragan was fifth and tucked in the middle lane behind Aric Almirola. When Almirola moved to the high side, it enabled Ragan and teammate David Gilliland to work together and push their way forward. The duo was behind Edwards off turn two, but they made their move to the inside on the backstretch and made what proved to be the decisive pass.

    FORD’S MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP WINNERS AT TALLADEGA

    1975 – Buddy Baker (Sweep)

    1976 – Buddy Baker (1)

    1979 – Bobby Allison (1)

    1983 – Dale Earnhardt (2)

    1985 – Bill Elliott and Cale Yarborough

    1987 – Davey Allison and Bill Elliott

    1989 – Davey Allison and Terry Labonte

    1992 – Davey Allison (1)

    1994 – Jimmy Spencer (2)

    1995 – Mark Martin (1)

    1997 – Mark Martin (1)

    1998 – Dale Jarrett (2)

    2005 – Dale Jarrett (2)

    2009 – Jamie McMurray (2)

    2012 – Matt Kenseth (2)

    2013 – David Ragan (1)

    2014 – Brad Keselowski (2)

    2015 – Joey Logano (2)

    2016 – Brad Keselowski (1)

    2016 – Joey Logano (2)

    2017 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1) and Brad Keselowski (2)

    2018 – Joey Logano (1) and Aric Almirola (2)

    FORD’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS AT TALLADEGA

    1995 – Chad Little

    1997 – Mark Martin

    2002 – Jason Keller

    2009 – David Ragan

    2015 – Joey Logano

    2017 – Aric Almirola

  • Mystik Lubricants Partners with Front Row Motorsports and David Ragan

    Mystik Lubricants Partners with Front Row Motorsports and David Ragan

    Member of the CITGO Family to Help Power Team in 2019

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2019) – Mystik Lubricants, a member of the CITGO Petroleum Corporation family of brands, will join Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and David Ragan and the No. 38 Ford Mustang team this season. Mystik Lubricants will serve as the primary sponsor of Ragan at Kansas Speedway in May and Texas Motor Speedway in November. The brand will also be featured as an associate sponsor throughout the season.

    CITGO Petroleum Corporation began its partnership with FRM in 2018 with its CITGARD brand at Darlington Raceway, paying tribute to Dale Jarrett during the annual “Throwback Weekend.” The popular feedback from race fans and success of the program led to an increased commitment with FRM and Ragan this season.

    “Our partnership with Front Row Motorsports and David Ragan has generated a lot of excitement with our customers,” said Brian Paulson, CITGO General Manager Lubricants. “It feels only natural to expand our involvement with the No. 38 program and introduce our Mystik Lubricants brand to NASCAR fans. We look forward to our continued success throughout the season.”

    Mystik Lubricants develops products for real-world conditions that are specially formulated to meet the unique demands of specialized machines. Mystik supplies greases and engine oils for automotive, heavy-duty, commercial, industrial, powersports and agricultural customers.

    “I’m really excited to partner with Mystik Lubricants this season,” said Ragan. “Reliable, heavy-duty engine lubricants are such a key part of our operation, and I’m proud that we use the best.”

    Fritz Sports & Event Enterprises will oversee the partnership. “We are thrilled to bring a major new brand, Mystik Lubricants, into the NASCAR family with Front Row Motorsports and David Ragan,” said CEO Doug Fritz. 

    About Mystik Lubricants
    Tracing its heritage back to 1922, Mystik Lubricants offers specialized performance lubricants that are developed in real-world conditions to meet the unique demand for consumer, commercial, agriculture, power sports, such as personal watercraft, snowmobile, outboard and ATVs, and industrial equipment. Mystik Lubricants products exceed industry standards and are available through local retailers, national marketers and online at www.mystiklubes.com. Visit the company website, email info@mystiklubes.com or call 1-855-4-MYSTIK (469-7845) for more information.

    About Front Row Motorsports
    Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields three full-time entries – the No. 34 of Michael McDowell, the No. 36 of Matt Tifft and the No. 38 of David Ragan – from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. The team’s partnership base includes CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Ford Performance, Love’s Travel Stops, Select Blinds, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Speedco, Surface and Tunity. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

    About Fritz Sports & Event Enterprises
    Fritz Sports & Event Enterprises is a sports marketing and event management business specializing in sports and event sponsorship marketing and activation, brand development, as well as event management.

  • Pit Stop of a Different Kind: International Motorsports Hall of Fame Outside Talladega Superspeedway a Must Visit This Week

    Pit Stop of a Different Kind: International Motorsports Hall of Fame Outside Talladega Superspeedway a Must Visit This Week

    TALLADEGA, Ala. – For fans who will be attending this weekend’s (April 26-28) motorsports tripleheader at Talladega Superspeedway, featuring the GEICO 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, a must pit stop is the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, located adjacent to NASCAR’s Most Competitive track.

    Since its creation, the Hall has been an impeccable fascination with the automobile, and in the fine state of Alabama, lovers of motorsports have a destination they can go to see one of the largest collections of racing vehicles imaginable. And, when it comes to NASCAR and the ARCA Menards Series, it actually houses more than 40 machines that have competed at the 2.66-mile venue.

    Here are some cool facts about those memorable machines:

    • The International Motorsports Hall of Fame is the home of 10 cars from NASCAR’s premier series that won at Talladega Superspeedway during a particular year. They include: Richard Petty’s (#43) Dodge, Ron Bouchard’s (#47) Buick, Bill Elliott’s (#9) Ford, Bobby Allison’s (#22) Buick, Bobby Hillin’s (#8) Buick, Davey Allison’s (#28, black, white & gold) Ford, Davey Allison’s (#28, black) Ford, Dale Earnhardt’s (#3) Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon’s (#24) Chevrolet and Jimmie Johnson’s (#48) Chevrolet.
    • Four historic pieces won the NASCAR championship – Bobby Isaac’s 1970 (#71) Dodge, Petty’s 1974 (#43) Dodge, Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 (#7) Ford and Johnson’s 2006 (#48) Chevrolet. 
    • A total of 22 drivers who have cars in the Hall have won at Talladega Superspeedway, including 18 in the Cup Series, three in the ARCA Series and one in the Xfinity Series.
    • The competitors who have race cars in the Hall have accumulated a total of 973 career Cup wins, led by Petty with 200.
    • Of the drivers who have piloted vehicles in the Hall, 29 have at least one Cup victory in their career.
    • Drivers in the premier series who have cars on campus have won a total of 35 Monster Series titles, and include: Petty (7), Earnhardt (7), Johnson (7), Gordon (4), Darrell Waltrip (3), Dale Jarrett (1), Isaac (1), Kevin Harvick (1), Elliott (1), Kulwicki (1), Bobby (1) and Kyle Busch (1).
    • Of the six ARCA cars in the Hall, two won at ‘Dega – Grant Adcox (#2) Chevrolet and Tim Steele (#16) Oldsmobile. Adcox is the all-time winning ARCA driver with five (sweep in 1986-87; summer of 1988) while Steele, a three-time ARCA Champ, had four (1993, then three straight from 1996-98).

    The International Motorsports Hall of Fame provides an incredible platform to take a step back in time, with not only more than 120 various vehicles but countless memorabilia items as well. Fans are encouraged to stop by during the upcoming race weekend, or at any time throughout the year.

    Race time extended hours of operation this week are the following:

    • Monday-Thursday, April 22-25: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CDT
    • Friday, April 26: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. CDT
    • Saturday, April 27: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. CDT
    • Sunday, April 28: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. CDT

    For additional International Motorsports Hall of Fame information, log onto www.motorsportshalloffame.com. For more information on Talladega Superspeedway’s highly-anticipated tripleheader, featuring the General Tire 200 for the ARCA Menards Series (April 26), the MoneyLion 300 (April 27) for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and GEICO 500 for the Monster Energy Series, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).

    About Talladega Superspeedway
    Talladega Superspeedway – which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year – is the most competitive race track on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles) as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Talladega offers something for everyone, including hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids tickets and college student prices, along with special offers for military members, first responders, teachers and educators. The historic venue, which opened in 1969, is deemed NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield, the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert on event weekends and renowned Talladega Blvd., home of the “Big One on the Blvd.” party. It’s the site of the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large ISM Vision HD video boards lining the frontstretch and numerous pre-race activities for fans on race day, including special Kids VIP opportunities. For ticket information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).

    The track, along with its parent company, International Speedway Corporation, announced last year Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project presented by Graybar. The approximate $50 million redevelopment endeavor is part of ISC’s long-term capital allocation plan and reinvestment into its major motorsports complexes. The project, highlighted by a one-of-a-kind Talladega Garage Experience, will feature “up-close” access, interactive attractions and enhanced amenities for fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders in the iconic Talladega infield. Full completion of the modernized project is scheduled for October 2019. Fans can learn more about the project and view the progress 24/7 via the construction cam by visiting www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/transformation.

  • What’s Happenin’?! It’s Race Week at Talladega Superspeedway – Drivers and Fans Anxious for All that Awaits during Tripleheader Weekend

    What’s Happenin’?! It’s Race Week at Talladega Superspeedway – Drivers and Fans Anxious for All that Awaits during Tripleheader Weekend

    Historic Venue Celebrating 50 Years of Speed & Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project presented by Graybar: Phase 1 Complete

    TALLADEGA, Ala. – It’s race week at Talladega Superspeedway, and the excitement is brewing for an incredible motorsports tripleheader – featuring the GEICO 500 for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the MoneyLion 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series event and the ARCA Menards Series’ General Tire 200.

    The best drivers in the world are gearing up for Talladega after having an off week, and only a handful of competitors coming to the 2.66-mile venue have locked themselves into the season-ending playoffs. Those who aren’t will be doing everything in their power to make it to Gatorade Victory Lane.

    One who can turn it loose is reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion and defending GEICO 500 victor Joey Logano. A year ago, he secured his spot in the season-ending playoffs by virtue of his GEICO 500 triumph, but this season, he has already won and is in the playoffs, so his team can go for broke in trying to go back-to-back. And, can Ford claim its eighth straight Talladega victory? Will the winner be a seasoned veteran or one of the sport’s talented, young guns? Could a surprise be on the horizon and a new, first-time victor win at Talladega for the 12th time?

    Saturday’s MoneyLion 300 will also pit a mix of new, young drivers against the older guard, along with a combination of eligible drivers vying for the Dash 4 Cash $100,000 prize. And, the ARCA Menards Series, a staple at the track since its inception in 1969, returns on Friday with the traditional General Tire 200. Last year fans saw the closest finish in ARCA series history in that event that was literally a photo finish. Could we be treated to another phenomenal outcome?

    The storylines are aplenty for NASCAR’s biggest track, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, along with Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project presented by Graybar. The first aspect of the project is complete. Ready for this spring weekend is the new Turn 3 Oversized Vehicle Tunnel along with the new 71-spot Finish Line Premium RV area and Infield Shower Trailers. The massive 2-lane tunnel will be open 24 hours for this race weekend beginning on Wednesday and will allow fans’ RVs, along with NASCAR team haulers, to enter and exit the infield with ease.

    It’s easy to be a part of the historical weekend. For ticket information, simply visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE.

    So, here’s what’s on tap!

    50 Years of Speed:  Talladega Superspeedway opened in 1969 and the biggest and baddest track is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Big Bill France Sr., NASCAR’s founder, had a Vision in the mid-1960s, envisioning a larger, faster and more exciting track on the NASCAR circuit – even bigger than Daytona International Speedway (which he also built). After meeting with local race car driver and race fan Bill Ward (Anniston), the perfect location (old military airfield) was acquired and the ground-breaking ceremony for the track that would be known as Alabama International Motor Speedway (until 1989) took place on May 23, 1968.

    First Race: The first race was held Sept. 14, 1969 – Talladega 500 (now known as the 1000Bulbs.com 500). Richard Brickhouse won the inaugural event – his first and only career win in NASCAR’s premier series. The race played a major role in NASCAR’s history as many of the top stars of the sport (members of the Professional Drivers Association – PDA) walked out the day before the race due to concerns of tire wear on the ultra-fast, nearly 200-mph speed track. France said the race would go on, and recruited many of the drivers who competed the day before in the smaller NASCAR Touring Series’ “Bama 400,” which featured smaller cars with less horsepower. One of the drivers who stayed and competed on Sunday was NASCAR Hall of Famer, International Motorsports Hall of Famer and 12-time TSS winning car owner Richard Childress.

    ARCA Menards Series a Staple Since ’69: Jim Vandiver won the inaugural race (Oct. 26, 1969) from the pole position and has been a staple at the track with the exception of just four years (1971-74).

    Ford Going for Another Victory: The manufacturer has won the past seven Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) events at Talladega, the last coming last fall with driver Aric Almirola. Other wins include Logano (spring 2018, fall 2015, fall 2016), Brad Keselowski (spring 2016, fall 2017) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (spring 2017). With Keselowski’s win in the fall of 2014, Ford has won eight of the last nine (Dale Earnhardt Jr. won in spring of ’15) events. Chevrolet holds the overall record with 13 in-a-row from 1999-2005.

    First Time Winners/Last Win of Career: 11 times has a driver won his first career race at Talladega with the latest being Stenhouse. Unbelievably, 13 drivers have captured the final race of their career at the 2.66-mile venue, including the latest – Dale Jarrett in 2005.

    New Rules Package at Talladega for Cup cars:  For the first time in over 30 years, the Monster Energy Series will race without engine restrictor plates at Talladega. Cars in the GEICO 500 will utilize a new downforce aero package and a tapered spacer to restrict air flow to each engine that will offset the need for a carburetor restrictor plate. As a result, the cars will have more horsepower and maneuverability, along with more downforce and stability to provide even more passing opportunities. A tapered spacer has actually been used the last few years, along with a restrictor plate, but now will be a tapered spacer only.

    In addition, the rear spoilers on the Cup cars this weekend will be 9 inches tall (compared to 8 at other venues in 2019). Also, at ‘Dega, NASCAR has mandated a 1-inch bolt-on track bar mount to change the height from 11 to 12 inches, raising the rear of the car by one inch. NASCAR had eliminated rules for minimum ride heights at superspeedways ahead of the 2018 season, and teams responded by hunkering down the rear of their cars to reduce drag and increase speed. The track bar change is intended to offset those techniques by raising the rear of the car – and make it where the cars are not dragging the ground.

    MoneyLion 300 First Time Winners: Three drivers have grabbed their initial NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) victory at TSS, the latest being Spencer Gallagher in last year’s MoneyLion 300. The other drivers include David Ragan (2009) and Greg Sacks (1996).

    Dash 4 Cash Bonus Program: Cole Custer, along with Austin Cindric, Justin Allgaier and Tyler Reddick, will come to Talladega this weekend with a shot at the Dash 4 Cash program, which awards a $100,000 bonus to the highest finishing NXS regular in select races. The Dash 4 Cash program started at Texas and has since been at Bristol and Richmond before moving to Talladega and concluding at Dover. Neither driver has ever won at ‘Dega.

    General Tire 200 – 2018 Version Closest in History: With a sudden flurry of late-race incidents leading to two overtimes in the 2018 General Tire 200, Zane Smith edged Joe Graf Jr. at the line in a photo finish. ARCA electronic scoring showed a dead-heat (0.00 second), which meant a return to the old school method of reviewing the photo of the finish to determine the winner. ARCA called it the closest finish in series history.

    Featured Off-Track Events

    “Big One on the Blvd.”: One of Alabama’s most spectacular parties returns on Friday with the popular driver parade and crazy fan competitions overseen by some of NASCAR’s biggest names.  The line-up of outrageous events include:

    • Weenie in the Hole – Three contestants will face off to get as many jumbo hotdog weenies in the hole of their buckets before the clock runs out – using only their mouths!
    • Cake Stand – Three teams of three will attempt to devour a delicious Talladega Superspeedway 50th anniversary cake while in keg stand position! Knees weak, arms are heavy? No problem, you can alternate with teammates!
    • Straight Arm’d and Delicious – In this straight arm relay challenge, three contestants will pour smoothies over their heads and try to catch as much liquid in their mouths as possible!
    • BBQ Sauce Wrestling – BBQ Sauce Wrestling is back and better than ever! Four ladies will battle it out in a 500-gallon pit of BBQ sauce in order to capture their opponent’s flag! After two elimination rounds of best 2 out of 3, then an ultimate championship round, the BBQ Sauce Wrestling Queen will win a grand prize of $1,000! Are you saucy enough to take the challenge?

    Some of the drivers who are scheduled (subject to change) to appear so far include: Clint Bowyer, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Stenhouse, Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez, Kurt Busch, Daniel Hemric, Jeffrey Earnhardt, Matt Tifft, Cole Custer, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, John Hunter Nemechek, Chase Briscoe and Garrett Smithley among others. The event is for infield camping guests, renewal guest ticket holders and fans with infield wristband admissions.

    Saturday Night Infield Concert: Country music artist Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr., will headline the Saturday Night Infield Concert, and will be joined by Chris Bandi and DJ Mark A.D. Admission is FREE to all infield guests & anyone who purchases a Sunday GEICO 500 ticket. Located at the intersection of Eastaboga and Talladega Blvds., festivities begin at 7 p.m. CDT.

    Special Offers & Experiences

    Saturday Pre-Race Pass: Fans can witness a host of morning activities from “pit alley,” which stretches from in front of Gatorade Victory Lane all the way to the entrance of the MENCS garage. It provides fans an up-close view of the vast preparations by the race teams from down in the trenches prior to the MoneyLion 300. In addition, there will be “Open Garages” Saturday morning for both the MENCS and the NXS. Will be available to the first 300 guests at each garage (first come, first served basis).

    Chase Elliott, Aric Almirola, David Ragan, Daniel Suarez, Brad Keselowski and Dale Jarrett Join Fan Q&A Session: Prior to the GEICO 500, fans that purchase the Pre-Race Pit Pass Upgrade will get the opportunity to ask the drivers questions at the Fan Q&A session, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. CDT at the start-finish line.

    Limited Time $69 Ticket Offer: The $69 ticket offer includes one Lincoln Grandstand ticket for the GEICO 500 and one Racing Electronics scanner and one headset, valid for the entire weekend, April 26-28.

    Kids FREE on Friday & Saturday/As low as $15 Sunday: Kids 12 and younger can enjoy the GEICO 500 MENCS race for as low as $15 on Sunday while kids are admitted FREE in all grandstand and tower seats for Saturday’s MoneyLion 300 as well as Friday’s General Tire 200.

    Kids VIP Experience Presented by Children’s of Alabama: Provides behind-the-scenes access for kids at NASCAR’s biggest track for kids 12 and younger prior to the GEICO 500.

    Military & First Responders Appreciation presented by 1st Foundation: Talladega Superspeedway has special ticket offers for military and first responders (Police Officers, Firemen and EMT’s) and their families, for the GEICO 500 and MoneyLion 300.

    Teachers & Educators Appreciation: Talladega recognizes and thanks educators and faculty members who work within our school districts to shape our youth into outstanding citizens. Those who work in the school system and qualify can save up to 30% off on various ticket options.

    College Student Program: College students can purchase a $25 college ticket to attend the entire weekend full of festivities and racing, including the GEICO 500. Others accolades include: Free Entry to the Saturday Night Infield Concert and the “Big One on the Blvd.” party; Free parking and camping in the College Tailgate Zone in North Park all weekend (which includes a college party on Saturday at 5 p.m. with an appearance by Stenhouse); and General Admission Seating in the grandstand.

    The VIP Tailgate Experience in The Compound: The space for the ultimate tailgating experience. Located just outside of the grandstands behind the start-finish line behind the gated Legends Village hospitality area.

    Fan Zone: Talladega’s Fan Zone, located outside the fronstretch near Turn 4, will offer families a host of fun, music, as well as dozens of activities and interactive exhibits that showcase a multitude of companies involved in the sport.

    National Anthem Performers:

    • Sunday’s GEICO 500: Continuing the tradition of the past nine Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series events at Talladega, the 313th United States Army Band from Birmingham will again play the song of our country before the start of the GEICO 500. The band is made up of citizen-soldiers who train and perform as a group of Army musicians. The group’s pure, instrumental version of the National Anthem has become a Sunday tradition at Talladega. In addition, the iconic Johnny Ray Semi Truck Drive By will take place during the Anthem.
    • Friday/Saturday: Hailing from Fairbanks, Alaska, Purple Heart recipient Sergeant Ian Wagner will sing the National Anthem prior to the General Tire 200 on Friday. Vocal artist Amia Nico from West Virginia will be performing the National Anthem prior to the MoneyLion 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday. 

    Invocations: Handling the invocation for each of the races this weekend are members of Alabama Raceway Ministries: Claude Brown (General Tire 200), Billy Irvin (MoneyLion 300) and Mike Jackson (GEICO 500).

    PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION

    Preferred Regular Parking: Pay a little to save a lot (of steps) by parking behind the frontstretch grandstands.

    FREE Parking: In addition to paid parking options, Talladega Superspeedway also offers free parking in several lots outside speedway property.
    It all starts Friday with a full day of activity with all three series on-track for practice sessions, with the ARCA cars qualifying and taking the green flag at 5 p.m. CDT. Saturday’s slate includes time trials for the MoneyLion 300 at 9:10 a.m. CDT followed by the green flag for the event at noon CDT. Later in the afternoon, the premier series drivers will take to Talladega’s 33-degree banking for qualifying to determine the starting lineup for Sunday’s GEICO 500, which gets a 1 p.m. CDT start.

    For information on everything listed above, plus all things Talladega Superspeedway and how to purchase tickets for the upcoming race weekend, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE.

    About Talladega Superspeedway
    Talladega Superspeedway – which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year – is the most competitive race track on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles) as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Talladega offers something for everyone, including hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids tickets and college student prices, along with special offers for military members, first responders, teachers and educators. The historic venue, which opened in 1969, is deemed NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield, the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert on event weekends and renowned Talladega Blvd., home of the “Big One on the Blvd.” party. It’s the site of the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large ISM Vision HD video boards lining the frontstretch and numerous pre-race activities for fans on race day, including special Kids VIP opportunities. For ticket information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).

    The track, along with its parent company, International Speedway Corporation, announced last year Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project presented by Graybar. The approximate $50 million redevelopment endeavor is part of ISC’s long-term capital allocation plan and reinvestment into its major motorsports complexes. The project, highlighted by a one-of-a-kind Talladega Garage Experience, will feature “up-close” access, interactive attractions and enhanced amenities for fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders in the iconic Talladega infield. Full completion of the modernized project is scheduled for October 2019. Fans can learn more about the project and view the progress 24/7 via the construction cam by visiting www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/transformation.

  • Iconic Names of Gordon, Earnhardt Jr. Rule the 2000s at Talladega

    Iconic Names of Gordon, Earnhardt Jr. Rule the 2000s at Talladega

    TALLADEGA, Ala. – In the 2000s at Talladega Superspeedway’s springtime classic Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, there was a new sheriff in town named Gordon, as well as another driver with the last name of Earnhardt, who dominated the world’s largest and greatest race track in the world that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

    NASCAR’s Most Competitive track, which will host its tripleheader weekend featuring the GEICO 500 on April 26-28, gave way to two of the most popular drivers to ever strap into the cockpit – Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The duo would win six of the first eight races in the decade with Gordon claiming four – 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007 – while Earnhardt won two straight in 2002-03, and then added triumphs in the track’s fall race (2001, 2002) for a Talladega record four straight.

    Earnhardt added four more top-10 results, including a heart-breaking runner-up finish to Gordon in ’04, much to the chagrin of the fans in the grandstands. With just over four laps to go, Earnhardt, running second at the time, went to pass Gordon and nosed in front of his Chevrolet, but the caution for an accident behind them came out just inches before the pass. The field was frozen, and the race ended under caution. Gordon added two other top-10 efforts.

    Other drivers to claim the top prize in the spring Monster Series event at ‘Dega included Bobby Hamilton, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski, who notched his first career triumph in NASCAR’s premier series. Nine different drivers captured pole positions at Bill France Sr.’s creation during the 10-year stretch with Jeremy Mayfield the lone driver with two.

    Below are quick recaps of each springtime race at the 2.66-mile venue during the 2000s:

    • 2000: Gordon, in his famous No. 24 for Hendrick Motorsports, holds off Mike Skinner by .189 second to claim his career milestone 50th win. Dale Earnhardt Sr. competes in his final Talladega race and finishes third.
    • 2001: In a caution-free race, Hamilton, in his No. 55 Chevy for Andy Petree Racing, passes Tony Stewart in the tri-oval coming to the white flag and holds on by .163 second. The average speed of the race, which saw Kurt Busch, Mark Martin and Bobby Labonte complete the top five, was a sizzling 184.003 mph.
    • 2002: Dale Jr. holds off a last-ditch effort for a pass through the tri-oval by teammate Michael Waltrip by just inches (0.060 second).
    • 2003: Dale Jr. makes it two straight in the spring, and this time, the runner-up victim is Kevin Harvick, trailing the driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet by .125 second.
    • 2004: In one of the most memorable events ever at Talladega, Dale Jr.’s pass on Gordon is one second too late before the caution comes out as the leaders are in Turn 4. Dale Jr. beats Gordon to the finish line, but when the caution comes out in the fourth turn, Gordon is inches ahead.
    • 2005: It was Gordon’s turn at back-to-back victories, handing Tony Stewart his second bridesmaid result in the spring event by .193 second.
    • 2006: Stewart is runner-up for the second straight year, this time to Johnson by .120 second with Brian Vickers third, followed by Jeff Burton and Jamie McMurray.
    • 2007: Johnson’s bid in his No. 48 Chevrolet for another win comes up short to teammate Gordon, who puts an exclamation point on his fourth and final spring win of the decade.
    • 2008: Kyle captures his first – and only to this point – Cup victory at Talladega. He fends off the challenge of Juan Pablo Montoya and Denny Hamlin. Busch, however, has had wins since in the other two NASCAR Series that compete at the 33-degree banked track – the NASCAR Xfinity and Gander Outdoors Truck Series.
    • 2009: In a remarkable finish, Keselowski, driving for independent car owner James Finch, taps Carl Edwards out of the lead coming through the tri-oval to the checkered flag to notch his initial win in the premier series. Edwards, who crashed with his car coming up 100 yards short of the finish line, jumps out and runs across the line “Ricky Bobby” style to complete the race on foot. The victory helps Keselowski land a full-time ride with Team Penske in 2010. He is now the active Talladega win leader with five.

    The upcoming GEICO 500 will be the track’s 100th race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The weekend kicks off a motorsports tripleheader with the General Tire 200 for the ARCA Menards Series (which has been a staple of Talladega Superspeedway since October of ’69) on Friday, April 26, and the MoneyLion 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday, April 27. The GEICO 500 gets a 1 p.m. CDT start on Sunday, April 28. For ticket information, log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).

    About Talladega Superspeedway
    Talladega Superspeedway – which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year – is the most competitive race track on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles) as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Talladega offers something for everyone, including hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids tickets and college student prices, along with special offers for military members, first responders, teachers and educators. The historic venue, which opened in 1969, is deemed NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield, the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert on event weekends and renowned Talladega Blvd., home of the “Big One on the Blvd.” party. It’s the site of the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large ISM Vision HD video boards lining the frontstretch and numerous pre-race activities for fans on race day, including special Kids VIP opportunities. For ticket information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).

    The track, along with its parent company, International Speedway Corporation, announced last year Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project presented by Graybar. The approximate $50 million redevelopment endeavor is part of ISC’s long-term capital allocation plan and reinvestment into its major motorsports complexes. The project, highlighted by a one-of-a-kind Talladega Garage Experience, will feature “up-close” access, interactive attractions and enhanced amenities for fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders in the iconic Talladega infield. Full completion of the modernized project is scheduled for October 2019. Fans can learn more about the project and view the progress 24/7 via the construction cam by visiting www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/transformation.

  • Newman, No. 6 Team Quite the Buzz, but Hungry for More

    Newman, No. 6 Team Quite the Buzz, but Hungry for More

    Newman 15th in Points Coming off Two-Straight Top-10 Finishes

    CONCORD, N.C., (April 18, 2019) – Ryan Newman has been a busy man in the media this off week and rightfully so. His two-straight top-10 finishes have created quite a buzz, a nice change the No. 6 team has enjoyed thus far in 2019.

    Early on, the discussion was primarily about how Newman, in his 18th season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS), would adapt to a brand new situation. Given all the change – personnel, organization, rules packages and personalities – the results have begun to prove themselves.

    Newman sits inside the playoff picture, currently 15th in the drivers’ standings and projected 16th in the playoffs. He’s finished ninth in two-straight races (Bristol, Richmond) improving his average finish to 15.2 overall through the first quarter. That number is nearly nine spots better than this time last year, and the team has already matched its top-10 total from 2018.

    “It’s been a challenge for a lot of people, but me in particular,” Newman told NASCAR America Wednesday night. “This is the most change and most rookie I feel like I’ve been in my entire career outside my actual rookie season. It is interesting to see all the changes. Scott Graves and the team, and especially my pit crew, have done a great job making me feel comfortable and feel at home.”

    As of late, Newman has found a home consistently battling inside the top-10. Much of that is in large part thanks to the over-the-wall crew, who Newman has praised recently. In Richmond alone the pit crew gained 17 spots on pit road, 11 of which came in the final stage alone.

    “The guys did a really good job, not just in Richmond but Bristol as well,” Newman told Alan Cavanna Tuesday. “We see how important track position is and it seemed like there were a lot of cars that were running about equal speed. You need to be sometimes three or four tenths quicker than somebody to not only start the pass but also complete the pass and it is hard to be able to have that advantage anymore. The pit guys really made our biggest gains the last couple weeks.”

    It is a small sample size, but in the past three races alone, Newman has an average finish of 9.7, just missing the top-10 at Texas with an 11th-place result. Overall in 2019, the Rocketman has completed all but four laps, but more impressively, ran nearly half (1476) of the 3041 laps inside the top-15.

    But just is the thought process of any natural competitor, Newman knows there is more on the horizon for his new team, something he’s looking forward to moving into the second quarter of the season.

    “I don’t feel like we’re at all where we want to be, but we’re showing progress and I know Jack (Roush) and everyone on the team like to see that, so it’s been humbling, and at the same time it’s been a lot of fun. Happy to be where we are at, but obviously not entirely happy and we want to keep moving forward. We can definitely do better and we see that, and we’ve proven that the last couple weeks.”

    Following the off week for Easter, Newman and the No. 6 team look to continue their consistency at Talladega Superspeedway next weekend.

    About Roush Fenway Racing
    Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition. Moving into its 32nd 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, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and producing multiple award-winning Social Media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by Jack Roush, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history 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, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram, and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.

  • Delaware-themed food selections abound during May 3-5 NASCAR tripleheader weekend at Dover International Speedway

    Delaware-themed food selections abound during May 3-5 NASCAR tripleheader weekend at Dover International Speedway

  • Gander RV 400 and Gander RV 150 Races Announced for 2019 Season at Pocono Raceway

    Gander RV 400 and Gander RV 150 Races Announced for 2019 Season at Pocono Raceway

    LONG POND, Pa. (March 11, 2019) – Pocono Raceway announces Gander RV, the Official RV & Outdoor Company of NASCAR, as the entitlement sponsor for two of their NASCAR-sanctioned motorsport events taking place at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ this summer.

    The Gander RV 150 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race will be held on Saturday, July 27th and the Gander RV 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race will be held on Sunday, July 28th. 

    “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Pocono Raceway and looking forward to the Gander RV race weekend this July,” said Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World Holdings. “Having Gander RV serve as the entitlement sponsor will continue to expand our relationship with NASCAR and give fans a unique and fun race experience the entire family can enjoy.”

    Gander Outdoors, the new sponsor of the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and a subsidiary of Camping World Holdings, Inc., recently expanded its national footprint with the opening of 13 Gander RV dealerships with additional dealerships planned for the remainder of the year. The rollout of Gander RV locations and the expansion of its national footprint will serve outdoor enthusiasts who are passionate about traveling in RVs and experiencing outdoor activities.

    “We have seen a continued increase in our RV camping over the last few seasons,” said Ben May, Pocono Raceway President. “The addition of Gander RV is a perfect fit for this growing fan base. This news compliments the improvements we have made to our camping locations in recent years and the new amenities which will be made available to our camping guests this summer.”

    Pocono Raceway has added power hook-ups and water services to 193 camping spots, located both inside and outside the track since 2017. Additionally, all NASCAR and INDYCAR race weekend camping guests are able to enjoy the following complimentary perks and amenities…

    • Kids Free and Four-Day Access – Kids, ages 12 and under, always camp for FREE at Pocono Raceway. Additionally, camping guests have the ability to camp for four days, starting at Noon on Thursdays, during our race weekends. 
    • #POCONOMTNS Inclusive Playground – A playground designed for kids of all abilities to learn, grow and play together. It is located in the infield along Earnhardt Road and FREE for all camping guests to use throughout the weekend.
    • Pocono Raceway Bark Park – a dog park, also located in the infield along Earnhardt Road. All RV and Tent camping locations are dog friendly and Bark Park access is FREE.
    • Grandstand and Fan Fair Access – Camping guests receive FREE access to the Grandstand and Fan Fair during Friday (NASCAR only) and Saturday events.
    • Infield Block Party and Fireworks (NASCAR only) – This two-night entertainment for all ages and is FREE for camping guests. The stage hosts live music, driver appearances and other events. The Block Party is complimented by an action-packed fireworks show on Saturdays.
    • Pocono Mountains Activity Center – NEW FOR 2019 AND FREE! This new activity center will include entertainment and programs for kids, teens and adults all race weekend long. More details will be announced in early May.


    The 2019 schedule at Pocono Raceway includes two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, a NTT IndyCar Series race and The Great Pocono Raceway Air Show. One NASCAR Xfinity Series, one NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and two ARCA Menards Series races are also on the calendar for this summer at ‘The Tricky Triangle.’ For tickets, visit www.poconoraceway.com or call 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929).

    Note: All events, dates, names, and times are subject to change without notice. Certain terms, conditions and fees may apply to ticket and camping purchases.

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    About Pocono Raceway

    Pocono Raceway, also known as ‘The Tricky Triangle,’ is family-owned and situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In business for over 50 years, the Raceway hosts multiple, national motorsports events including two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, one IndyCar Series, one NASCAR Xfinity Series, one NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and two ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards events each year. The facility’s calendar also consists of over 200 events, which includes “The Great Pocono Raceway Air Show,” the Warrior Dash, a wide-range of car clubs and racing schools. Pocono Raceway is recognized as the world’s first, privately-owned solar-powered sports facility. Their 25-acre, three-megawatt solar farm provides the energy needs of the Raceway, as well as, adds electricity to the local power grid. Each member of our raceway staff is committed to creating exciting experiences and lifelong memories. For more information, please visitwww.poconoraceway.com.

    About Camping World Holdings, Inc.

    Camping World Holdings, headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois, is the leading outdoor and camping retailer, offering an extensive assortment of recreational vehicles for sale, RV and camping gear, RV maintenance and repair, other outdoor and active sports products, and the industry’s broadest and deepest range of services, protection plans, products and resources. Since the Company’s founding in 1966, Camping World and its portfolio of industry-leading brands including Gander Outdoors, Overton’s, Good Sam and more, has grown to become one of the most well-known destinations for everything RV, with approximately 225 locations in 36 states and a comprehensive e-commerce platform.

    For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com.