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  • Earnhardt Discusses Return to NASCAR in Revealing ESPN Interviews

    Earnhardt Discusses Return to NASCAR in Revealing ESPN Interviews

    NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. opens up about his challenges of the past year and his return to NASCAR racing in a pair of interviews appearing on ESPN platforms this week.

    Earnhardt will compete in the Feb. 25 Daytona 500, his return to racing in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series following a lengthy layoff due to concussion-like symptoms. Selected by fans as the Most Popular Driver in NASCAR’s top series for 14 consecutive seasons, Earnhardt missed the second half of the 2016 season after crashes at Michigan International Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.

    In what reporter Marty Smith called “the most revealing interview I’ve ever heard from him,” Earnhardt and his wife Amy sat down with Smith for a two-part piece that will air in the 10 a.m. ET hour on the Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 18-19) editions of SportsCenter. PREVIEW

    Also, in a feature piece appearing in ESPN The Magazine’s Entertainment Issue, on sale Friday, writer Tommy Tomlinson, who spent time with Earnhardt on several occasions researching the article, reports the driver thinks he’s found himself and become a better man during his time off from racing. As he prepares to return at Daytona, his focus is on slowing down and becoming a better person while still keeping the edge it takes to survive on the track. PREVIEW

    Smith, who has known and covered Earnhardt since 1998 and covered his entire career in NASCAR’s top series, conducted the SportsCenter interview on Earnhardt’s North Carolina farm. Cameras were set up on an indoor basketball court Earnhardt named the “Dirty Dome.”

    “I’ve known Dale for a long time, seen him grow and evolve as a man, seen insecurities of his disappear and the most confident, joyful version of him emerge,” Smith said. “A lot of that is Amy’s influence. She taught him that vulnerability is ok. She showed him unconditional love, and proved it by walking through the darkness with him, personally and professionally. We touched on all of those things during this interview.”

    Some quotes from the SportsCenter feature:

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. —

    The first thing you think is I never drive again. And the reason why you say that is because of how bad you feel and because your eyes don’t work and because you can’t stand up you never want to be in that position again. And so your initial reaction is I don’t want to be like this. So I’m never going that to put myself in that position.

    Marty Smith –

    You just want to live.

    Earnhardt –

    Yeah. And you know when I told my doctor when I first went to evaluate I said all I care is that when I get married I don’t have any symptoms. I don’t want a foggy brain not being to remember anything. I don’t want to have balance issues worried about falling over them, stumbling over my own feet. I want my eyes to work right.

    From ESPN The Magazine:

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t like going anywhere without his wife Amy. “I’m his Binky,” she says. She calms him when he worries, and he worries all the time. Mostly he worries about letting down all the people who care about him. Time and again his family has crashed and broken, through death and divorce and detachment, and he has spent his life welding the scraps together. He worries that it will fall apart again if he’s not a good enough driver and a good enough man.

    “I always make things worse than they are, or create problems that aren’t there,” he says. “And going and doing some simple task becomes a problem. I start imagining problems that aren’t there. What people are going to think, who’s going to judge me and am I going to be good enough, am I worthy?”

    Suarez Featured on Sunday SportsCenter

    Sunday’s SC Featured segment on SportsCenter will tell the story of Daniel Suarez, who made history in 2016 as the first foreign-born champion in one of NASCAR’s national series when he took the title in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This year, with the unexpected retirement of Carl Edwards, the native of Mexico was named as his replacement and was suddenly thrust into a higher-profile role in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. He will make his debut in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 28, as Mauricio Pedroza reports. The story will debut in the 10 a.m. ET edition of SportsCenter on Sunday, Feb. 19, and will re-air in other editions of the program throughout the day.

    ESPN at the Daytona 500

    SportsCenter will have reports from Daytona this weekend from ESPN NASCAR analyst Ricky Craven while Smith will report from the track during race week.

    In addition, ESPN.com will have full coverage from Daytona with writers Bob Pockrass, John Oreovicz and Ryan McGee, with additional contributions from Smith and Craven.

  • Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Rides the Pacific Northwest for its 23rd Annual Route

    Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Rides the Pacific Northwest for its 23rd Annual Route

    23 years of revving up for the cause – to raise funds to send deserving kids to camp at Victory Junction

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 15, 2017 – The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country, today announced the route for its 23rd annual motorcycle trek. For the first time in almost a decade, the Ride led by former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty, will travel across the Pacific Northwest.

    With Manheim, North America’s leading provider of used vehicle services, as returning presenting sponsor, the Ride will leave Portland, Oregon, on May 13 and arrive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 19, covering eight states in seven days. Petty will lead 200 bikers on the weeklong, 2,400-mile route to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

    What started out as Petty and a small group of friends riding together for fun in 1995, has grown into one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country. This year, more than 20 first-time riders will join the dedicated team of men and women riding for the cause, along with new sponsors and a continued sense of passion.

    “It’s pretty straightforward: every single mile we ride is for one cause, and that is to send chronically ill children to camp at Victory Junction at no cost to their families,” said Petty. “The Ride is an enriching experience for everyone involved, and this year we’ll be riding through some spectacular parts of the country like Mount Rushmore, and for the very first time the Columbia River Gorge.”

    The Ride will see many of our country’s historic landmarks including Yellowstone and Badlands National Parks; Bighorn National Forest; and the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum, the birthplace of the all-American motorcycle manufacturing company. Emblematic of the American open road, riders will also take in roadside attractions, including the world’s largest ball of twine rolled by one man in Darwin, Minnesota.

    Fans are encouraged to come support the cause and greet riders at one of the Ride’s seven overnight stops or daily pit stops. Spectators along the route may also purchase memorabilia or contribute to the Ride’s “Small Change. Big Impact.” program, which accepts donations at each stop.

    23rd Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:
    (Information about scheduled pit stops can be found on the Ride’s Facebook page.)

    • Day 1, Saturday, May 13 – Portland, Oregon to Walla Walla, Washington
    • Day 2, Sunday, May 14 – Walla Walla, Washington to Missoula, Montana
    • Day 3, Monday, May 15 – Missoula, Montana to Cody, Wyoming
    • Day 4, Tuesday, May 16 – Cody, Wyoming to Deadwood, South Dakota
    • Day 5, Wednesday, May 17 – Deadwood, South Dakota to Mitchell, South Dakota
    • Day 6, Thursday, May 18 – Mitchell, South Dakota to Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • Day 7, Friday, May 19 – Minneapolis, Minnesota to Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    As a result of the Ride, 7,985 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. Last year alone, the Ride raised more than $1 million, sending 100 children to camp. Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam.

    This year’s Ride will feature several celebrity riders, including:

    • NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty
    • NASCAR legends Harry Gant, Hershel McGriff and Donnie Allison
    • Former NFL great and ESPN’s 2016 Coaches Poll greatest college football player of all time, Herschel Walker
    • Heisman Trophy winner (1980) and Super Bowl champion (XXII) George Rogers
    • NBC Sports NASCAR personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood
    • Harley-Davidson Museum president, Bill Davidson, who comes from a long list of Harley-Davidson greats starting with his great grandfather who founded the company.

    “As we travel to new parts of our country – or ones we haven’t seen in a while – the Ride brings with it a passion for sharing the great work of Victory Junction and a comradery that can’t be matched. That’s what makes it one of the most popular motorcycle rides in the country,” said Kyle’s father Richard Petty.

    The 2017 Ride is made possible by presenting sponsor Manheim, as well as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, FCA Fleet, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Racing, FLUIDYNE Racing Products, Petty Family Foundation, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Headbands of Hope, Piedmont Moving Systems, ArticBlu, Select-A-Vision and Goody’s.

    “Giving back to the community is a core value of Manheim, so we’re thrilled once again to be supporting Victory Junction and the children who camp there,” said Janet Barnard, president, Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions. “Our teams are excited to welcome the Ride at two of our operating locations, Manheim Portland and Manheim Minneapolis, and offering their local support to this worthwhile cause.”

    To keep up with Petty and the riders live, follow along on social media:

    For more information about the 23rd Annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America or to make a donation, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com.

    About Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America

    Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual cross-country motorcycle trek that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Now in its 23rd year, more than 7,950 riders have logged 11.6 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $17.5 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.

    About Victory Junction
    Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Co-founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, North Carolina. Victory Junction exists to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 24,870 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the rigorous guidelines of the American Camping Association. To learn more, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.

    About Manheim North America (www.manheim.com)

    Manheim® is North America’s leading provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers to the largest wholesale used vehicle marketplace and most extensive auction network. Through 125 traditional and mobile auction sites and a robust digital marketplace, the company helps dealer and commercial clients achieve business results by providing innovative end-to-end inventory solutions. Approximately 18,000 employees enable Manheim to register about 8 million used vehicles per year, facilitate transactions representing nearly $57 billion in value and generate annual revenues of more than $2.6 billion. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.

  • NASCAR Unveils Enhanced Format Stage Lengths for All Three National Series

    NASCAR Unveils Enhanced Format Stage Lengths for All Three National Series

    Fuel Mileage, Tire Wear Among Determining Factors for Lap Counts

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2017) – NASCAR today announced the 2017 stage lengths for each race in all three of its national series. A number of factors went into determining the lap count for Stage 1, Stage 2 and the Final Stage of each race, with a singular goal in mind – the best racing for NASCAR fans.

    “Every track is unique for its characteristics in length, surface and overall racing conditions,” said Scott Miller, NASCAR senior vice president of competition. “We worked closely with race teams on expected fuel and tire runs over the entirety of an event when considering stage lengths. And in the end, stage lengths were decided based upon what would provide the best race for fans.”

    Last week, NASCAR announced the stage lengths for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season-opening DAYTONA 500 (Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). For the Great American Race, the stages are scheduled to end on lap 60, lap 120 and lap 200.

    For the full list of stages for the remainder of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, as well as the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons, see below.

     

    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. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), three regional series, 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. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., 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 http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

     

    Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
    Track Stage 1 Stage 2 Final Stage
    (ends on lap) (ends on lap) (ends on lap)
    Daytona International Speedway 60 120 200
    Atlanta Motor Speedway 85 170 325
    Las Vegas Motor Speedway 80 160 267
    Phoenix International Raceway 75 150 312
    Auto Club Speedway 60 120 200
    Martinsville Speedway 130 260 500
    Texas Motor Speedway 85 170 334
    Bristol Motor Speedway 125 250 500
    Richmond International Raceway 100 200 400
    Talladega Superspeedway 55 110 188
    Kansas Speedway 80 160 267
    Charlotte Motor Speedway 115 230 400
    Dover International Speedway 120 240 400
    Pocono Raceway 50 100 160
    Michigan International Raceway 60 120 200
    Sonoma Raceway 25 50 110
    Daytona International Speedway 40 80 160
    Kentucky Speedway 80 160 267
    New Hampshire Motor Speedway 75 150 301
    Indianapolis Motor Speedway 50 100 160
    Pocono Raceway 50 100 160
    Watkins Glen International 20 40 90
    Michigan International Raceway 60 120 200
    Bristol Motor Speedway 125 250 500
    Darlington Raceway 100 200 367
    Richmond International Raceway 100 200 400
    Chicagoland Speedway 80 160 267
    New Hampshire Motor Speedway 75 150 300
    Dover International Speedway 120 240 400
    Charlotte Motor Speedway 90 180 334
    Talladega Superspeedway 55 110 188
    Kansas Speedway 80 160 267
    Martinsville Speedway 130 260 500
    Texas Motor Speedway 85 170 334
    Phoenix International Raceway 75 150 312
    Homestead-Miami Speedway 80 160 267
    Please note the Final Stage may be extended as outlined in Section 10.11 Official Completion.

     

     

    NASCAR XFINITY Series
    Track Stage 1 Stage 2 Final Stage
    (ends on lap) (ends on lap) (ends on lap)
    Daytona International Speedway 30 60 120
    Atlanta Motor Speedway 40 80 163
    Las Vegas Motor Speedway 45 90 200
    Phoenix International Raceway 60 120 200
    Auto Club Speedway 35 70 150
    Texas Motor Speedway 45 90 200
    Bristol Motor Speedway 85 170 300
    Richmond International Raceway 75 150 250
    Talladega Superspeedway 25 50 113
    Charlotte Motor Speedway 45 90 200
    Dover International Speedway 60 120 200
    Pocono Raceway 25 50 100
    Michigan International Speedway 30 60 125
    Iowa Speedway 60 120 250
    Daytona International Speedway 30 60 100
    Kentucky Speedway 45 90 200
    New Hampshire Motor Speedway 45 90 200
    Indianapolis Motor Speedway 25 50 100
    Iowa Speedway 60 120 250
    Watkins Glen International 20 40 82
    Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 20 40 75
    Bristol Motor Speedway 85 170 300
    Road America 10 20 45
    Darlington Raceway 45 90 147
    Richmond International Raceway 75 150 250
    Chicagoland Speedway 45 90 200
    Kentucky Speedway 45 90 200
    Dover International Speedway 60 120 200
    Charlotte Motor Speedway 45 90 200
    Kansas Speedway 45 90 200
    Texas Motor Speedway 45 90 200
    Phoenix International Raceway 60 120 200
    Homestead-Miami Speedway 45 90 200
    Please note the Final Stage may be extended as outlined in Section 10.11 Official Completion.

     

     

     

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
    Track Stage 1 Stage 2 Final Stage
    (ends on lap) (ends on lap) (ends on lap)
    Daytona International Speedway 20 40 100
    Atlanta Motor Speedway 40 80 130
    Martinsville Speedway 70 140 250
    Kansas Speedway 40 80 167
    Charlotte Motor Speedway 40 80 134
    Dover International Speedway 45 90 200
    Texas Motor Speedway 40 80 167
    Gateway Motorsports Park 35 70 160
    Iowa Speedway 60 120 200
    Kentucky Speedway 35 70 150
    Eldora Speedway 40 90 150
    Pocono Raceway 15 30 60
    Michigan International Speedway 30 60 100
    Bristol Motor Speedway 55 110 200
    Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 20 40 64
    Chicagoland Speedway 35 70 150
    New Hampshire Motor Speedway 55 110 175
    Las Vegas Motor Speedway 35 70 146
    Talladega Superspeedway 20 40 94
    Martinsville Speedway 50 100 200
    Texas Motor Speedway 35 70 147
    Phoenix International Raceway 40 80 150
    Homestead-Miami Speedway 40 80 134
    Please note the Final Stage may be extended as outlined in Section 10.11 Official Completion.

     

  • Earnhardt Jr. Makes Debut as Host of Podcast, Dale Jr. Download

    Earnhardt Jr. Makes Debut as Host of Podcast, Dale Jr. Download

    Addition of Junior bolsters Dirty Mo Radio’s compelling new-season line-up

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 14, 2017) – Dale Earnhardt Jr. will steer more than just the No. 88 Chevrolet this season as the NASCAR Cup Series cranks up this week.

    Today Earnhardt Jr. made his debut as host of Dale Jr. Download, a weekly podcast on his Dirty Mo Radio network. While the new episode was Earnhardt Jr.’s first as host, it began the fifth season for Dirty Mo Radio, home to eight racing or lifestyle programs.

    “Dirty Mo Radio is still evolving, but I’m proud of what it has become, which is an extremely reliable and mobile option for fans to access content,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Hosting my own podcast was sort of the next step of that evolution, not just for Dirty Mo Radio but also for me. I had been interested in hosting, but in the height of my concussion rehab I realized just how valuable this communication channel was. We used Dirty Mo Radio podcasts to share information directly to the fans. That was important to me – to know they could hear about my situation from nobody else’s voice but mine.”

    In today’s episode of Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt and co-host Tyler Overstreet discussed off-season changes made by NASCAR to improve the sport. The 14-time most popular driver also responded to recent comments from Richard Petty regarding his return to racing, and he shared a personal story about longtime family friend and legendary racer Neil Bonnett. Earnhardt ended the show by answering questions submitted by fans via Twitter.

    “It’s our first show,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “We’ll get better every week. It’s something I’m taking seriously. I want to add to the transparency of my passion for this sport, my enthusiasm for being back in the race car, and my appreciation for everyone who has supported me.”

    Earnhardt Jr. will record most of his episodes from Dirty Mo Radio’s Axalta Studio, located in the retail store at JR Motorsports. New episodes of Dale Jr. Download will post on Tuesdays throughout the race season. Like all Dirty Mo Radio podcasts, it is available free of charge on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and all major podcasting outlets. Dirty Mo Radio is also housed on DaleJr.com.

    The complete 2017 programming line-up for Dirty Mo Radio is as follows:

    SUNDAY: “JR Motorsports Up Front” presented by K1 Speed – an audio diary of Justin Allgaier and other JR Motorsports drivers as they compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. New episodes post every weekend following NXS races starting Feb. 25.

    MONDAY: “Door, Bumper, Clear” presented by OneMain Financial – candid and hilarious discourse from veteran spotters T.J. Majors and Brett Griffin as they spend their lives touring the NASCAR circuit. The new season of DBC debuts on Feb. 20 following The Clash at Daytona.

    MONDAY: “JR Nation UnDAMNrestricted” presented by Oskar Blues – Dirty Mo Radio’s first-ever podcast of the fans, by the fans, and for the fans. New episodes to post following race weekends throughout the year.

    TUESDAY: “Dale Jr. Download” – unparalleled perspective from the track, candid commentary about the sport, and fascinating, first-person insight from Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself and co-host Tyler Overstreet. New season debuted today.

    WEDNESDAY: “Fast Lane Family” presented by TIGI – a lifestyle podcast featuring the perspectives, stories and relationships of Kelley Earnhardt Miller and her teenage daughter Karsyn Elledge. New episodes to post on alternating Wednesdays with Earnhardt Outdoors starting Feb. 22.

    WEDNESDAY: “Earnhardt Outdoors” – a hunting, fishing and camping podcast hosted by Kerry Earnhardt and L.W. Miller that shares the Earnhardt family passion for the great outdoors. Episodes post on alternating Wednesdays with Fast Lane Family starting March 15.

    THURSDAY: “Back In The Day” presented by Axalta – refurbished from the 2006-07 TV series Back In The Day with Dale Jr., this podcast is your NASCAR time machine that revisits auto racing’s milestone moments, influential figures, and historical highlights. Hosted by Ron Lemasters and Steve Richards, new episodes scheduled for every other Thursday starting Feb. 23.

    INTERMITTENTLY: “Said Junior” presented by Nationwide – full audio replay of press conferences and media sessions by Earnhardt Jr. throughout the NASCAR season. New season debuted on Jan. 31 and will continue throughout the year.

  • How the Advance Auto Parts Clash Works

    How the Advance Auto Parts Clash Works

    By RJ Kraft | NASCAR.com

    The exhibition event known as the Advance Auto Parts Clash (Feb. 18, 8 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) is the kickoff to the 2017 NASCAR season. The non-points paying event at Daytona International Speedway features a select field of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers at the 2.5-mile track. How does the race work? What is the format? How does one qualify for the event? NASCAR.com answers those questions and more.

    Programming info for The Clash:

    When: Feb. 18, 8 p.m. ET
    Where: Daytona International Speedway
    TV: FS1
    Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Defending race winner: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing

    What is the format?

    The 75-lap, 187.5-mile race will be split into two segments. A competition caution at Lap 25 will separate the segments.

    How do drivers qualify for this event?

    Drivers are eligible for this event by the following ways: 2016 Coors Light Pole Award winners, former Clash race winners and former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full-time in 2016. All 16 drivers from the 2016 playoffs are also eligible.

    Which     drivers are eligible to race then?

    20 drivers meet the requirements. They are:
    Chris Buescher (2016 playoff qualifier)
    Greg Biffle (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Alex Bowman (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Kurt Busch (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Kyle Busch (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Austin Dillon (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Former Clash Race winner)
    Carl Edwards (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Chase Elliott (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Denny Hamlin (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Kevin Harvick (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Jimmie Johnson (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Matt Kenseth (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Brad Keselowski (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Kyle Larson (2016 playoff qualifier)
    Joey Logano (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Jamie McMurray (2016 playoff qualifier)
    Danica Patrick (Former Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Award winner)
    Tony Stewart (Former Clash Race winner)
    Martin Truex Jr. (2016 Coors Light Pole Award winner)

    Some of those names are not driving in 2017 or have yet to secure rides.

    That’s a good point. Biffle does not have a ride as of yet for the 2017 season, so he will not be competing. Edwards stepped away from racing last month, but NASCAR has allowed his replacement, Daniel Suarez, to drive in the race. Stewart has retired from NASCAR competition. So that puts the field at 18.

    Bowman and Dale Jr. drove the same car in 2016; how can they both be in the race?

    They won’t. Alex Bowman will drive the No. 88 in The Clash as a nod to the work he did as a substitute driver while Dale Earnhardt Jr. was out last season with concussion-like symptoms. Instead, Dale Jr. will be in the TV booth calling the action on FS1 with commentators Mike Joy, Jeff Gordon and Darrell Waltrip.

    So the field will be made up of how many cars?

    Seventeen drivers will make up the field: Buescher, Bowman, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Elliott, Hamlin, Harvick, Johnson, Kenseth, Keselowski, Larson, Logano, McMurray, Patrick, Suarez and Truex Jr.

    How is the lineup determined?

    A draw will be held to determine drivers’ starting positions. In past years, the crew chiefs have drawn for position. Hamlin, last year’s winner, started the race 15th.

    Are there any points on the line?

    No, this is a non-points event, just like the Monster Energy All-Star Race in May.

     

  • Analyst Kligerman on taking part-time ride: ‘Why not?’

    Analyst Kligerman on taking part-time ride: ‘Why not?’

    ABINGDON, Va. — Asked why he’d take a part-time ride despite his work as an analyst, Parker Kligerman responded “Why not.”

    Speaking to the media at the shop of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team Henderson Motorsports, Kligerman expounded on his reason for taking the aforementioned limited ride.

    “It’s fun. I still enjoy racing,” he said. “Even though I have a day job, I say this is my weekend job. For me, it only helps that job, and vise-versa. The coolest thing is just getting to go race and have fun.”

    He added that his crew chief Chris Carrier was instrumental in “why this came together the way it did.”

    “[Chris and I have] always talked about trying to get back together to go racing after our ARCA days,” he added.

    “When this whole deal came together late last year, it made sense.”

    With his role as an analyst for NBC, “partial makes sense.”

    Secure rides in any of the three national touring series haven’t come easy for the driver of the No. 75 Henderson Motorsports Toyota, who’s sharing the ride with Caleb Holman. Since his first NASCAR start for Team Penske in the XFINITY Series at Kansas in 2009, he’s run only three complete seasons in any series. He was hired to drive the No. 30 for Swan Racing in the now Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, but found himself out of a ride when the team terminated operations eight races into the season. Towards the end of 2014, he was hired as a driver analyst by NBC Sports.

    While it’s his primarily focus. He’s also “tickled to death” that he can do his “day job” with all his traveling and still run eight to 10 races a season.

  • SHR Sues Nature’s Bakery

    SHR Sues Nature’s Bakery

    Stewart-Haas Racing filed a $31 million breach of contract lawsuit against Nature’s Bakery on Friday. The lawsuit accuses the company of refusing to pay millions of dollars it owes the team to sponsor driver Danica Patrick through 2018.

    The lawsuit states that Nature’s Bakery sent a letter to the team on Jan. 19 terminating the sponsorship agreement.  It also says that the company has missed several re-scheduled deadlines to pay and is seeking $31.7 million.

    Nature’s Bakery seemed to be the perfect fit for Patrick because she promotes healthy living and Nature’s Bakery does the same with its nutritious line of products. The sponsor came to Patrick after Go-Daddy left in 2015.

    In a statement issued by the team on Friday, Stewart-Hass Racing emphasized that “the litigation will not impact the organization’s on-track efforts.”

    Dave Pericak, the global director of Ford Performance, said on Monday during a media teleconference, that they remain committed to Stewart-Haas Racing.

    “What I would say is we’re gonna let that, unfortunately, play out through the court system and see how it works out.  I’m hopeful that we’re gonna come to a resolution on that, but at the end of the day what I can say is that you have my commitment and the commitment of Stewart-Haas Racing and everyone that’s involved that it is not gonna affect our ability to hit the track and run that car and run it the way that it needs to be run.  I don’t really want to make any additional comments given where we are in the whole situation, and it’s very unfortunate that we’re going through it right now, but one way or another I can just tell you that you will have that 10 car on the track and it will be ready to perform.”

     

  • Earnhardt Jr. to Join Broadcast Booth for The Clash at Daytona

    Earnhardt Jr. to Join Broadcast Booth for The Clash at Daytona

    By Staff report | NASCAR.com

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. will serve as a guest analyst during the Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona on Feb. 18, FS1 announced on Race Hub Thursday. The Hendrick Motorsports driver will join full-time FOX analysts Darrell Waltrip, Mike Joy and former teammate Jeff Gordon in the broadcast booth.

    This isn’t Earnhardt’s first time in the booth; he called the premier series events at at Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway in the NBC booth in October. He also offered commentary during the XFINITY event at Michigan International Speedway on June 11, 2015, marking his television debut.

    Several other Monster Energy NASCAR Cup drivers have joined the broadcast group for XFINITY races, including Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Danica Patrick and Clint Bowyer.

    Alex Bowman, who qualified for The Clash (Feb. 18, 8 p.m. ET, FS1) with a Phoenix pole last season while filling in for Earnhardt, was previously announced as the driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet for the 187.5-mile event under the lights. After missing the final 18 races of 2016 due to concussion-like symptoms, Earnhardt will make his return to racing in the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 26 (2 p.m. ET, FOX).

     

  • 2017 NASCAR Changes – Good or Bad?

    2017 NASCAR Changes – Good or Bad?

    When NASCAR dropped the biggest bomb since introducing the Chase and announced a radical format change in 2017, most fans were unpleasant. This is strange considering that these changes were not that hard to predict, because let’s face it – the industry was bound to change soon.

    While years back NASCAR might have been traditionally rooted in the auto industry, it now attracts fans from all walks of life. Even its sponsors come from any corner of the spectrum, from diaper producers like Depends to gambling providers.

    So, instead of crying over spilled milk, it’s better to weigh in the pros and cons and understand exactly what the new format will bring to the table. With that in mind, here’s a brief insight into the two most important adjustments.

    The Points Changes

    One of the biggest changes NASCAR introduced was making the “playoff points”, i.e. the bonus point for race and segment wins, transferable throughout the Chase. These points are now applied to the title-deciding rounds when the standings are reset, giving drivers a buffer zone against getting kicked out early in the event of flukes.

    On the other hand, the introduction of the segment points can also be said to complicate things further, as now fans would have to stay on track with three-point schemes for the season, the playoffs, and the race, all at once. Now, seasoned NASCAR fans might not be bugged by the extra points, but any rookies struggling with stats will surely get frustrated with staying on top of the point structure.

    But overall, the new scoring format is mostly beneficial to the drivers. Unlike the majority of popular sports, where points are accumulated right down to the very end of a championship, NASCAR has thus far lacked the incentive provided by every accomplishment adding to your chance for the title.

    The Segments

    The second major change we saw was that all cup races will now be divided into stages. The division was justified by NASCAR as a clearly needed adjustment, since everyone, from the racers to the fans watching, would benefit from a break. The new format also made NASCAR closer to other popular sports, but was it really something we needed?

    In a nutshell, the introduction of breaks is nothing more but a preparation for the future of NASCAR. With more and more studies confirming that our attention spans are getting shorter thanks to modern technology, segment racing is not that illogical a move. This way, you get a format that will not be too overwhelming to the future generations of NASCAR fans.

    The Bottom Line

    In short, all great sports don’t stick with their tradition, no matter what, and evolve with time, and NASCAR shouldn’t be any different. Once the dust of all the fan jokes and criticism clears, we’ll end up with a sport that’s fit to stand the test of modern times. After all, these changes were carefully planned to meet the demands of both the industry and the fan base who has sought them for a while.

  • Raymond Parks Played Integral Role in Success of NASCAR

    Raymond Parks Played Integral Role in Success of NASCAR

    NASCAR Honors its Beginnings with Induction of Raymond Parks into Hall of Fame

    You may think you know how NASCAR began but if you’re not familiar with Raymond Parks, you only know half the story.

    NASCAR took a huge step forward in correcting that misconception by inducting Parks into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Friday evening.

    Parks’ granddaughter, Patricia DePottey, spoke about his career and his decision to leave NASCAR after only four seasons as a team owner.

    “Throughout their lifetime, he always wanted to make sure his family was taken care of and that he was there for them,” she said.

    “He always carried NASCAR with him,” she continued.  “He did tell me one time, we were in a car and we were talking about racing, and I asked him why he left, and his exact words were, ‘Well, it was expensive,’ and he said, ‘I had a family to take care of.’”

    “He physically left, but if you went into his office in the store, he had everything he loved right there,” said DePottey. “He had his trophies. He had his pictures. He had his family surrounding him in the stores. And he had his business.”

    Before his passing in June 2010, Parks was the last living member of the group that gathered in 1947 at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida to form NASCAR.

    While most of the credit for forming NASCAR goes to William “Big Bill” France, it may not have happened at all if not for Raymond Parks and others like him who shared a dream.

    “At the time, I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Parks once said. “I might have had a vision, but I certainly never saw where NASCAR was going. It surpassed anything I imagined. I’m just glad to have been in it at the beginning.”

    Parks was born in Dawsonville, Georgia in 1914 and was the oldest of his father’s 16 children. He left home and moved to Atlanta at the young age of 14 and got into the business of hauling moonshine. Within a couple of years, the teenager owned a service station and ran a network of moonshine distributors.

    Red Vogt owned a garage just down the road from Park’s service station and soon became the mechanic of choice for the bootleggers. More importantly, this was the beginning of a partnership that would make NASCAR history.

    If you really want to know what racing was like before there were corporate sponsors and television cameras, just listen to Raymond Parks.

    “Racing was a lot different back then,” said Parks. “It was really just getting started. I guess Lakewood (near Atlanta) was the first real track that we raced on. There were dozens of other tracks that would spring up in pastures or on farms, with just some fence wire separating the fans from the racing.”

    “Sunday afternoon was a time that most people relaxed. It was normal for those who had fast Fords or other types of moonshine cars to want to get together. They might decide to go out on a highway outside of town and see who had the fastest car.”

    “Other times, they would find some farmer that would let them go out in his pasture. Maybe it was one or two cars, but usually, it was several. And when the cars revved up, the local people would always be there.”

    His entry into racing as a professional team owner came about at the urging of two cousins.

    His cousins, “Lightning” Lloyd Seay and “Rapid” Roy Hall were also in the moonshine business and convinced Parks to finance them in their racing careers.  Parks provided them with quality cars with Red Vogt as his chief mechanic.

    Hall and Seay attained celebrity status and became two of the first stars on the amateur racing circuit. Roy Hall was the subject of the Jim Croce song “Rapid Roy, that Stock Car Boy.” Seay, who was killed in a moonshine dispute in 1941, was a frequent thorn in the side of Georgia lawmen.

    One deputy described Seay as “without a doubt the best automobile driver of this time. He was absolutely fearless and an excellent driver on those dusty, dirt roads. I caught him eight times and had to shoot his tires off every time.”

    Another deputy remembers a night when he stopped Seay for speeding as he headed north for another load of moonshine. Seay handed the deputy two $10 bills. The officer told him, “You know the fine is only $10.” Seay responded by saying, “I’m paying for my return trip later tonight.”

    By the early 1940s, Parks was making a little money with his amateur racers. One of those racers was the future founder of NASCAR, Bill France.

    Just when racing was getting off the ground, World War II broke out. Parks was off to Germany and spent about three years in the service. He participated in the famous Battle of the Bulge where he spent over 100 days in a foxhole.

    Parks survived the war with barely a scratch and soon returned to racing with a new driver, Red Bryon.

    Byron had also been in World War II but was not so lucky. His bomber had been shot down and Byron nearly lost a leg. As a result of the injury, he had to wear a leg brace and an orthopedic boot so driving a car wasn’t easy.

    But with some modifications to the clutch pedal by Red Vogt and a lot of determination, Byron was able to race competitively.

    In December of 1947, France invited all the most successful names in racing to that famous meeting at Daytona Beach where NASCAR was formed. Raymond Parks, Red Vogt and Red Byron were among the participants.

    That meeting was just the first step. Parks continued to play a dominant role by contributing money, cars and advice to France and the fledgling organization.

    The team of Parks, Vogt and Bryon went on to win the first two NASCAR championships ever awarded; the Modified Class in 1948 and the Strictly Stock Grand National Championship in 1949.

    Parks and Vogt continued to find success and later fielded cars for Fonty Flock and Curtis Turner. However, Park’s career as a car owner was short-lived. In the mid-1950s, Parks walked away from NASCAR.

    “It was money, that’s what it was,” Parks said when asked why he had left the sport. “I loved racing, but I had to make a living. My business was doing well, but I was splitting the purses with the drivers and paying all the expenses, including parts, and my money was coming up shorter each week.”

    After Parks left NASCAR, he focused on his other business interests including real estate, service stations, convenience stores and vending machines.

    Parks may have left NASCAR but he never forgot it. He watched it grow from a weekend pastime to the well-oiled machine that it is today.

    Parks once said, “If there’s one thing I regret, it’s the way NASCAR has tried to distance itself from those early drivers. Some of them were as rough as the liquor they hauled, but I always respected them.”

    Shortly before his passing, he contributed memorabilia to the NASCAR Hall of Fame where his accomplishments are immortalized. Although his time in NASCAR was brief, he was instrumental in legitimatizing the sport.

    Dale Earnhardt Sr. once called Parks “the sport’s unsung hero.”

    In 2009, NASCAR historian Buz McKim called Park’s team, “the Hendrick Motorsports of its day.”

    “He always had the best of equipment, McKim continued, “the best drivers and the best mechanics. He always made sure the cars were totally spotless when they came to the track. That’s just the way he did things.”

    NASCAR chairman Brian France acknowledged the contributions of Raymond Parks after his passing.

    “Raymond was instrumental in the creation of NASCAR as a participant in the historic meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach,” said France. “Raymond is a giant in the history of NASCAR and will always be remembered for his dedication to NASCAR.”

    Richard Petty summed up Parks’ contributions best, saying, “He set the standard. Mr. Parks brought the sport class. A lot of people looked at that and said, ‘If he can do it, we can do it. We can clean the sport up. We can clean ourselves up.’

    “It took people like Mr. Parks to lay the foundation that we’re still living off of. And without people like him, we wouldn’t have the history we have and we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

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