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  • Jeff Gordon: ‘I was asked to drive Tony Stewart’s car in Daytona’

    Jeff Gordon: ‘I was asked to drive Tony Stewart’s car in Daytona’

    Jeff Gordon revealed today that he was asked to drive in place of Tony Stewart at Daytona.

    During his media availability at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the substitute driver of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was asked if he would’ve been available to drive in a substitute role had this been during the FOX portion of the season.

    “Well the crazy thing about all this I was asked to drive Tony Stewart’s car in Daytona to start the season out with his injuries and the incident that happened there,” Gordon said. “No, I wasn’t able to do it because of my commitments to FOX. Now, Rick has some amazing ways to convince people into things that the average person might not be able to. So, I don’t know maybe he could have called Eric Shanks (president, COO and executive producer of FOX Sports) or something, but no I don’t think so.”

    Following the conclusion of the 2015 season, Gordon moved to the broadcast booth to work the first 16 Sprint Cup Series races of the 2016 season for FOX Sports.

    He was on vacation with his family in France while the Sprint Cup Series was in New Hampshire when he was contacted by Rick Hendrick about driving the No. 88 car.

    “I was in the South of France at that time,” he said. “I get that text (from Hendrick), and I looked at her (Ingrid) and said ‘Oh boy, here we go.’ I had no idea. When Rick said to me ‘Are you coming to Indianapolis?’ I said ‘Yes I am. I am coming on Saturday.’ He said ‘Well, you better bring your uniform.’ I asked what he was talking about and he started to tell me about what was going on.”

    It was announced last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that if Dale Earnhardt Jr. was unable to compete at Indianapolis, Gordon would drive in his place.

    “Honestly I didn’t have to think twice about it,” Gordon said. “When Rick calls, he has that confidence in me, and asked me to step-up and do something for the organization – whether it was driver, or other responsibilities. The way he has been there for me. The way this team and organization has been there for me over the years, I didn’t anticipate this. This is certainly the last thing that was going to happen. But I knew it was Indianapolis. I didn’t think about it. I felt like if there was one place that I was capable of doing it, it would be here.”

  • Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing to Honor Richard Childress with No. 95 Throwback Paint Scheme at Darlington Raceway

    Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing to Honor Richard Childress with No. 95 Throwback Paint Scheme at Darlington Raceway

    Sprint Cup Series Team to Replicate Childress’ No. 3 Kansas Jack car

    CONCORD, N.C. (July 19, 2016) – Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing is excited to unveil its throwback paint scheme for the upcoming Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) team will honor Richard Childress by running a special No. 95 Thrivent Financial Chevrolet SS paint scheme saluting Childress’ 1973 No. 3 Kansas Jack car.

    Childress may be a legendary car owner in NASCAR today, but the Winston-Salem, N.C. native started his career in the drivers’ seat and collected six Top-5 and 76 Top-10 finishes between 1969-81. He went on to finish fifth in the NASCAR premier series standings in 1975 before retiring as a driver in 1981.

    “Back in those days, the ‘independents’ like us all worked on our own cars and drove the trucks,” recalled Childress of his driving career.  “I loved it!  I loved the driving part of it.  We’d work 60-70 hours a week just to get to drive.  I loved Darlington, it was one of my favorite tracks.  It was really narrow back then had guard rails around it.  I’ll never forget being there as a rookie and taking it all in.”

    CSLFR is a modern-day independent team, running a single-car entry in the NSCS.  The team entered a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing at the start of the 2016 season and is thrilled to represent the newly inducted NASCAR Hall of Fame member with this historical paint scheme at Darlington Raceway.

    “Darlington was one of the races that I attended years ago that spurred my passion for NASCAR,” said Bob Leavine, partner in Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing.  “For our team to participate in the Throwback weekend for the first time is going to be really special.  We’re proud to pay tribute to Richard Childress, a true NASCAR Hall of Famer, and honor his driving career with this special scheme.”

    NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran driver Michael McDowell will be behind the wheel of the No. 95 Thrivent Financial Chevrolet SS for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. This will be McDowell and CSLFR’s first time participating in the Darlington Raceway throwback weekend, and both driver and team are excited about the opportunity.

    “The Darlington Throwback weekend is really cool,” said McDowell.  “I love how we can all look back at our sport and remember the great stories and people who made it what it is today.  Everyone goes all out for this weekend and we’re excited to have the No. 95 Thrivent Financial team participate.”

    Fans can catch the special edition No. 95 Thrivent Financial Chevrolet SS in the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, September 4, 2016.

    To learn more about the team, please visit www.CSLFR95.com or follow along on Twitter for up-to-date news at @CSLFR95.

    About Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing
    Formed in 2016, Joe Falk, owner of Circle Sport Racing and Bob and Sharon Leavine, owners of Leavine Family Racing teamed up to compete in the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season as Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing.  The team will field the No. 95 Chevrolet SS, which will be driven by Michael McDowell as well as Ty Dillon in select races.  The team operates out of their Concord, N.C.-based race shop with a veteran group of racing personnel and is driven by several core principals including Value, Integrity, Flexibility, Opportunity, Access and Experience.  For more information, please visit www.CSLFR95.com.

     

    Richard Childress2

     

    Michael McDowell paint scheme Darlington 2016(3)

    Michael McDowell paint scheme Darlington 2016(2)

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule and Format for Eldora Speedway

    NASCAR Racing Schedule and Format for Eldora Speedway

    The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Eldora Speedway this week. Please check below for the complete schedule of events.

    All times are Eastern.

    Tuesday, July 19:

     On Track- Eldora Speedway:
    6:30-7:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series First Practice
    9-9:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Final Practice

    Wednesday, July 20:

    On Track – Eldora Speedway:
    5:15 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
    7 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series First Qualifying Race (10 laps) – FS1
    7:09 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Second Qualifying Race (10 laps) – FS1
    7:18 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Third Qualifying Race (10 laps) – FS1
    7:27 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Fourth Qualifying Race (10 laps) – FS1
    7:36 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Fifth Qualifying Race (10 laps) – FS1
    8:15 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Last Chance Qualifying Race (15 laps) – FS1
    9 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby (150 laps/40-50-60, 75 miles) – FS1

    Race and Qualifying Notes:

    Qualifying: The qualifying order will be set by a random draw. Qualifying will consist of a two lap run by a single truck. The driver with the fastest time will win the Keystone Light Pole Award, but they are not guaranteed the pole position in the race. Instead, qualifying will determine all starting positions for the five qualifying races and the qualifying races themselves will set the lineup for the race.

    Qualifying Races: There will be five qualifying races, 10 laps each race. Only green flag laps will count. The lineup for these races is based on the speeds from the Keystone Light Pole Qualifying. The top five finishers from each of the qualifying races will automatically transfer to the race, for a total of 25 trucks.

    Last Chance Qualifying Race: This race will consist of 15 green flag laps. The lineup will be based on finishing positions from the qualifying races. The top two trucks will transfer to the race and will fill positions 26 and 27 for the race.

    Lineup for Remaining Positions: Positions 28-31 will be filled by the highest-ranking eligible trucks as determined by owner points for those who have not already earned a position through the qualifying process. The 32nd and final spot will go to the most recent eligible past series champion. If it is not filled by an eligible champion, it will be filled based on owner points.

    The Race: The race will be divided into three segments of 40, 50 and 60 laps. There will be competition cautions after the first and second segments. Caution laps will not count during the competition cautions and positions cannot be improved on pit road. The teams are not required to pit during these competition cautions. Trucks that remain on the track and do not pit will restart in front of those that pit.

    HOW ELDORA RACE LINEUP IS DETERMINED
    STARTING SPOT HOW DETERMINED
    1 Top finisher in Qualifying Race #1
    2 Top finisher in Qualifying Race #2
    3 Top finisher in Qualifying Race #3
    4 Top finisher in Qualifying Race #4
    5 Top finisher in Qualifying Race #5
    6 Second finisher in Qualifying Race #1
    7 Second finisher in Qualifying Race #2
    8 Second finisher in Qualifying Race #3
    9 Second finisher in Qualifying Race #4
    10 Second finisher in Qualifying Race #5
    11 Third finisher in Qualifying Race #1
    12 Third finisher in Qualifying Race #2
    13 Third finisher in Qualifying Race #3
    14 Third finisher in Qualifying Race #4
    15 Third finisher in Qualifying Race #5
    16 Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #1
    17 Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #2
    18 Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #3
    19 Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #4
    20 Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #5
    21 Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #1
    22 Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #2
    23 Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #3
    24 Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #4
    25 Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #5
    26 Top finisher in Last Chance
    27 Second finisher in Last Chance
    28 Owner points
    29 Owner points
    30 Owner points
    31 Owner points
    32 Past series champ/owner points

     

  • LaJoie Returns To Victory Lane

    LaJoie Returns To Victory Lane

    Picks Up First K&N Pro East Win Since 2012 At New Hampshire
    By Jason Christley, NASCAR

    LOUDON, N.H. (July 16, 2016) – Corey LaJoie returned to Victory Lane in dominating style Saturday night.

    LaJoie led the final 34 laps and drove away from the field on a green-white-checkered finish to win the United Site Services 70 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It was LaJoie’s first win since 2012 when he had five victories en route to a runner-up finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

    The victory came twenty years to the week that his father, two-time NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Randy LaJoie, won at New Hampshire. A then four-year-old Corey was in Victory Lane with his dad that day.

    This time, Corey LaJoie was the elder statesman, as the 24-year-old NASCAR Next alum held off runner-up Todd Gilliland, 16, and 17-year-old third-place finisher Justin Haley.

    Kyle Benjamin and Austin Theriault finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

    LaJoie was making his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start of the season, driving the No. 41 CarQuest Auto Part Chevrolet for Ranier Racing with MDM. He started second alongside teammate Benjamin and took the lead from him on Lap 39.

    It was sweep redemption for LaJoie, who suffered a mechanical failure while running in the top 10 earlier in the day in the NASCAR XFINITY Series race. LaJoie also twice came close to winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at New Hampshire. He was was runner-up to Kyle Larson in 2012, and wrecked late in the running of the 2010 race while battling for the lead.

    Hunter Baize was sixth Saturday night, followed by Harrison Burton, Trey Hutchens, Ryan Preece and Tyler Dippel.

    With his finish, Haley was able to keep his lead to 40 points over Benjamin with five races remaining.

    The United Site Services 70 will air on NBCSN on Thursday, July 21 at 11 p.m.

    The NASCAR K&N Pro Series will next run at Iowa Speedway in the annual combination showdown with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in the Casey’s General Store 150 presented by Vatterott College on Friday, July 28.

    Complete Results:

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.speedwaymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/race_results_-_nhms-KN.pdf”]

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Miss New Hampshire Race

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Miss New Hampshire Race

    CONCORD, N.C. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not compete in the July 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after experiencing concussion-like symptoms.

    Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports was evaluated this week in Charlotte and today was not cleared by physicians to race. Alex Bowman will be the team’s substitute driver this weekend at New Hampshire.

    “I wasn’t feeling great the week going into Kentucky (Speedway) and thought it was possibly severe allergies,” Earnhardt said. “I saw a family doctor and was given medication for allergies and a sinus infection. When that didn’t help, I decided to dig a little deeper. Because of my symptoms and my history with concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan and Daytona, I reached out and met with a neurological specialist. After further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out.

    “I’m disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend. I’m looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in the race car when the doctors say I’m ready.”

    A timetable for Earnhardt’s return has not been established. Hendrick Motorsports will provide an update next week regarding plans for the July 24 event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    “I’m proud of Dale for standing up,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The number-one priority is his health, so we’re going to give him all the time he needs. We completely support the decision by the doctors and will be ready to go win races when he’s 100 percent. In the meantime, we have full confidence in Greg (Ives) and the team, and we know they’ll do a great job.”

  • Truck Catches Fire in Kentucky Parking Lot

    Truck Catches Fire in Kentucky Parking Lot

    SPARTA, Ky. — A scary incident took place early during tonight’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Quaker State 400  race as a white GM pickup truck caught fire in one of the parking lots right behind the frontstretch grandstands at Kentucky Speedway.

    A car that was next to the truck was also on fire and a third vehicle had minor fire damage.

    The Herald-Leader’s Mark Story spoke with Kentucky Speedway’s General Manager, Mark Simendinger who stated that the fire originated in the cabin of the truck and that someone had been rescued from the burning vehicle. He added that the rescued individual did not appear to be seriously injured.

    “I always tell our people, be prepared, something weird will happen,” Simendinger told Story. “But we never envisioned this.”

    The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

    Video courtesy of NBC Sports

  • Edwards Fastest in Final Sprint Cup Practice at Kentucky

    Edwards Fastest in Final Sprint Cup Practice at Kentucky

    SPARTA, Ky. — Carl Edwards topped the chart in final Sprint Cup Series practice at Kentucky Speedway.

    The driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 28.808 and a speed of 187.448 mph. Martin Truex Jr. was second in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota with a time of 28.950 and a speed of 186.528 mph. Kyle Larson was third in his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.972 and a speed of 186.387 mph. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was fourth in his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with a time of 29.018 and a speed of 186.091 mph. Kyle Busch rounded out the top-five in his No. 18 JGR Toyota with a time of 29.034 and a speed of 185.989 mph.

    Kevin Harvick was sixth in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. Austin Dillon was seventh in his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. AJ Allmendinger was eighth in his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet. Brad Keselowski was ninth in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford. Ryan Blaney rounded out the top-10 in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford.

    Larson posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 183.629 mph.

    All that remains for the Sprint Cup Series is to run the Quaker State 400 Saturday evening.

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.speedwaymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/C1618_PRACFINAL.pdf”]

  • Kyle Busch Scores XFINITY Pole at Kentucky

    Kyle Busch Scores XFINITY Pole at Kentucky

    SPARTA, Ky. — Kyle Busch will lead the field to the green flag in tonight’s race in the Bluegrass State.

    The driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota earned the pole for the Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway with a new track record time of 28.828 and a speed of 187.318 mph. It’s his 52nd career pole in 320 career starts in the XFINITY Series, first at Kentucky, fourth of the season and his ninth top-10 start of the season.

    Daniel Suárez will start second in his No. 19 JGR Toyota after posting a time of 28.831 and a speed of 187.298 mph. It’s his 16th top-10 start of the season and third in three starts at Kentucky. Erik Jones will start third in his No. 20 JGR Toyota after posting a time of 28.967 and a speed of 186.419 mph. It’s his 16th top-10 start of the season and third at Kentucky. Austin Dillon will start fourth in his No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet after posting a time of 29.085 and a speed of 185.663 mph. Elliott Sadler rounded out the top-10 in his No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet after posting a time of 29.100 and a speed of 185.567 mph.

    Ryan Blaney will start sixth in his No. 12 Team Penske Ford. Ryan Reed will start seventh in his No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford. Cole Custer will start eighth in his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Blake Koch will start ninth in his No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. Brad Keselowski will round out the top-10 in his No. 22 Team Penske Ford.

    Darrell Wallace Jr. will start 11th in his No. 6 RFR Ford. Ryan Sieg will round out the 12 drivers that made the final round of qualifying in his No. 39 RSS Racing Chevrolet.

    No cars were sent home.

    Twenty-four Chevrolet’s, one Dodge, seven Ford’s and eight Toyota’s will comprise the field of 40 cars in Friday’s race.

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.speedwaymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/N1616_STARTROW.pdf”]

  • Edwards Fastest in Third Sprint Cup Practice at Kentucky

    Edwards Fastest in Third Sprint Cup Practice at Kentucky

    SPARTA, Ky. — Carl Edwards topped the chart in third Sprint Cup Series practice at Kentucky Speedway Friday.

    The driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was the fastest in the third practice session with a time of 28.627 and a speed of 188.633 mph. Martin Truex Jr. was second in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota with a time of 28.758 and a speed of 187.774 mph. Kyle Larson was third in his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.802 and a speed of 187.487 mph. Kyle Busch was fourth in his No. 18 JGR Toyota with a time of 28.858 and a speed of 187.123 mph. Austin Dillon rounded out the top-five in his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.862 and a speed of 187.097 mph.

    Denny Hamlin was sixth in his No. 11 JGR Toyota. Matt Kenseth was seventh in his No. 20 JGR Toyota. Jimmie Johnson was eighth in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. AJ Allmendinger was ninth in his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet. Kurt Busch rounded out the top-10 in his No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet.

    Larson posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 185.468 mph. Hamlin was second at an average speed of 184.597 mph.

    The Sprint Cup cars are back on track this evening at 6:30 p.m. for final practice.

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.speedwaymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/C1618_PRAC3.pdf”]

  • Hamlin Fastest at Kentucky in Second Sprint Cup Practice

    Hamlin Fastest at Kentucky in Second Sprint Cup Practice

    SPARTA, Ky. — Denny Hamlin topped the chart in the rain-shortened second Sprint Cup Series practice at Kentucky Speedway.

    The driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 28.680 and a speed of 188.285 mph. Jimmie Johnson was second in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with a time of 28.705 and a speed of 188.121 mph. Kevin Harvick was third in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.710 and a speed of 188.088 mph. Ty Dillon was fourth in his No. 95 Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.717 and a speed of 188.042 mph. Kyle Larson rounded out the top-five in his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.729 and a speed of 187.963 mph.

    Chase Elliott was sixth in his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Jamie McMurray was seventh in his No. 1 CGR Chevrolet. Kurt Busch was eighth in his No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. Carl Edwards was ninth in his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rounded out the top-five in his No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford.

    Johnson posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 186.517 mph.

    Johnson hit the wall exiting Turn 4 in what would be the closing minutes of the segment and switched to his backup car.

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.speedwaymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/C1618_PRAC2.pdf”]