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  • Kirkwood Blends Strategy, Speed To Win at Nashville

    Kirkwood Blends Strategy, Speed To Win at Nashville

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023) – Kyle Kirkwood used a combination of smart strategy and raw speed to win the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday on the streets of Nashville.

    Kirkwood, from Jupiter, Florida, earned the second NTT INDYCAR SERIES win of his career and this season – both on street circuits – in the No. 27 AutoNation Honda fielded by Andretti Autosport. Kirkwood, who started eighth, beat the charging No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet of NTT P1 Award winner Scott McLaughlin to the finish by .7633 of a second after a late restart.

    “I’ve got to give up to the 27 crew, AutoNation, Andretti, Honda,” Kirkwood said. “They played everything in my favor, to be honest. They gave me all the tools I needed. They cycled me to the front on strategy, and we just made really smart decisions and hit all of our marks. Just a solid day.”

    Championship leader Alex Palou finished third in the No. 10 The American Legion Honda of Chip Ganassi Racing. He expanded his lead to 84 points over closest pursuer and Nashville native Josef Newgarden, who placed fourth in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet.

    Six-time series champion and 2022 Nashville winner Scott Dixon rounded out the top five in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

    Kirkwood fended off McLaughlin on a restart with just over three laps remaining after a red flag period of 11 minutes. That pause was triggered by a three-car stack-up on Lap 75 of the 80-lap race involving the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet of Felix Rosenqvist, the No. 55 AJ Foyt Racing/Sexton Properties Chevrolet of Benjamin Pedersen and the No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet of Agustin Canapino in Turn 11.

    On the restart at the end of Lap 77, Kirkwood rocketed away on the 11-turn, 2.1-mile temporary street circuit that includes two trips over the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge per lap, pulling a lead of 1.6 seconds after one green-flag lap.

    But McLaughlin and Palou started a hot pursuit in steamy weather conditions of air temperatures in the high 80s and high humidity. McLaughlin sliced more than half of Kirkwood’s lead at the white flag, but he had to settle for his second consecutive runner-up finish from pole in this race.

    “Right there at the end, man, they were so fast,” Kirkwood said. “They ran me down just in that last lap.”

    Said McLaughlin: “I tried my hardest. Congrats to Kyle and his team. Another top-three, good points. Bummed we didn’t get the win, but we weren’t the best on the day. Kyle was. Hopefully next year we’re running for the championship and win here and win the championship, as well. There will be a huge party on Broadway.”

    Kirkwood led a race-high 34 of the 80 laps, including the last 27. But team strategist Bryan Herta may have paved the winning path with a crucial strategy call early in the race that cycled Kirkwood toward the front of the pack for most of the race.

    On Lap 14, Palou dove into the pits from the top five during the second of what was expected to be many cautions at this event, where calamity seemingly lurks around every corner. Palou shed his Firestone alternate guayule tires for the more durable but less grippy Firestone primary tire. It was expected the other cars in the lead pack would do the same, but they all stayed out of the pits and tried to extend the life of their alternate tires.

    Kirkwood finally made his first stop on Lap 29 after leading Lap 28 during pit cycles, pulling into second behind Palou – on a different strategy – on Lap 33. Kirkwood took the lead on Lap 45 when Palou pitted and surrendered the lead to teammate Romain Grosjean after his final pit stop on Lap 52.

    When all the leaders’ stops cycled, Kirkwood was out front on Lap 54 and never trailed thereafter.

    The early pit strategy for Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing was based on an abundance of yellow flags in the first two years of this street race, as there were an average of 8.5 cautions in 2021 and 2022. But that nearly backfired as there were just two cautions in the first 71 laps.

    Palou was running third and within a few laps of maybe needing a quick, costly final stop for fuel when a welcome third caution flag flew for CGR on Lap 71. Rookie Linus Lundqvist hit the wall in Turn 11 in the No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing.

    That caution, and the next caution and red flag after the ensuing restart, saved Palou’s spot in the top three and almost certainly his lead of more than 1.5 races over Newgarden in the points with just four races left this season.

    “We had the speed,” Palou said. “It was improbable after the call we did on that first yellow. Honestly, we talked about it before the race. We expected more yellows, and it was not the right call. But hey, we survived, we made it work. It was a tough race, but we made the podium and couldn’t be happier now.”

    Kirkwood will split $10,000 with Andretti Autosport and his chosen charity, AutoNation DRVPNK, for his victory as part of the PeopleReady Force For Good Challenge.

    The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is in just six days, the Gallagher Grand Prix on Saturday, Aug. 12 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Live coverage starts at 2 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

    With four races and 216 available points remaining this season, the top eight drivers in the standings remain eligible to win the Astor Challenge Cup. Toronto race winner Christian Lundgaard is eighth in the standings, exactly 216 points behind 2021 season champion Palou.

    Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Race Results

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Results Sunday of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on the 2.1-mile Streets of Nashville, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, engine, laps completed and reason out (if any):

    1. (8) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 80, Running
    2. (1) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    3. (4) Alex Palou, Honda, 80, Running
    4. (9) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    5. (12) Scott Dixon, Honda, 80, Running
    6. (6) Romain Grosjean, Honda, 80, Running
    7. (20) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 80, Running
    8. (2) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    9. (13) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 80, Running
    10. (7) Will Power, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    11. (17) Helio Castroneves, Honda, 80, Running
    12. (18) Callum Ilott, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    13. (16) Marcus Armstrong, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    14. (19) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    15. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, 80, Running
    16. (27) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    17. (24) Sting Ray Robb, Honda, 80, Running
    18. (21) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 80, Running
    19. (10) Alexander Rossi, Chevrolet, 78, Running
    20. (23) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 77, Off Course
    21. (3) Colton Herta, Honda, 76, Mechanical
    22. (14) Felix Rosenqvist, Chevrolet, 73, Contact
    23. (25) Benjamin Pedersen, Chevrolet, 73, Contact
    24. (22) Jack Harvey, Honda, 71, Contact
    25. (11) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 69, Contact
    26. (26) Devlin DeFrancesco, Honda, 65, Contact
    27. (5) David Malukas, Honda, 11, Mechanical

    Race Statistics
    Winner’s average speed: 85.396 mph
    Time of Race: 01:58:02.3028
    Margin of victory: 0.7633 of a second
    Cautions: 4 for 8 laps
    Lead changes: 9 among 6 drivers

    Lap Leaders:
    McLaughlin, Scott 1 – 24
    Grosjean, Romain 25 – 27
    Kirkwood, Kyle 28
    Ericsson, Marcus 29 – 32
    Palou, Alex 33 – 44
    Kirkwood, Kyle 45 – 50
    McLaughlin, Scott 51
    Grosjean, Romain 52
    Power, Will 53
    Kirkwood, Kyle 54 – 80

    NTT INDYCAR SERIES Point Standings: Palou 513, Newgarden 429, Dixon 387, McLaughlin 371, Ericsson 357, O’Ward 353, Power 337, Lundgaard 297, Kirkwood 290, Herta 285, Rossi 276, Grosjean 241, Rosenqvist 241, Ilott 203, VeeKay 199, Rahal 197, Malukas 181, Armstrong 173, Ferrucci 163, Castroneves 162, Canapino 142, DeFrancesco 133, Harvey 130, Daly 120, Robb 105, Pedersen 97, Pagenaud 88, Hunter-Reay 76, Sato 65, Carpenter 40, Kanaan 18, Andretti 13, Blomqvist 5, Enerson 5, Legge 5, Lundqvist 5

  • Nashville To Host NTT INDYCAR SERIES Finale Sept. 13-15, 2024

    Nashville To Host NTT INDYCAR SERIES Finale Sept. 13-15, 2024

    New Circuit, Victory Lap Celebration in Music City among Highlights

    INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023) – INDYCAR and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix have announced the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES finale is moving to Nashville on Sept. 13-15, 2024.

    All roads along the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season will lead to Nashville, as the year-long championship battle will be settled and a champion crowned on downtown Nashville’s iconic Honky-Tonk row. The 2024 season awards ceremony will also take place in the Music City, on Sept. 16 at the iconic Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

    More than 250,000 fans are expected to converge on downtown Nashville for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, which has quickly become one of the sport’s marquee events since its debut in 2021 and will become a championship-crowning celebration watched by viewers across the globe. The new 2.17-mile, seven-turn circuit will continue across the iconic Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge and route directly past the Country Music Hall of Fame. The racecourse will run through the city’s honky-tonk district, home to bars owned by the biggest names in country music, including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks, Eric Church, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, John Rich and Blake Shelton. Each day of racing will culminate with a takeover of Broadway and a massive street party that only Nashville can throw, featuring live performances by many of music’s biggest artists.

    Considered one of the world’s finest venues, Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center will host the 2024 INDYCAR Victory Lap Celebration on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the building boasts distinctive design elements that pay homage to the history, culture and people of Middle Tennessee. The Schermerhorn has been a favorite venue for legendary artists spanning different genres, from country music stars like Dolly Parton to contemporary pop sensations like Harry Styles.

    “Nashville and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix team are ready to host a can’t-miss, action-packed event that transforms the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale and elevates it to an even higher peak on the global stage,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “Next year’s race in Nashville will be an unbridled celebration of the most fierce and competitive motorsport on the planet, set against the backdrop of an innovative and breathtaking stage that includes one of the premier global entertainment districts in the world. We’ll have more to share soon on an entire weekend of activities, both on and off track, that fully taps into the growing reach and relevance of an ascendant and marquee city.”

    While the season finale is moving to Nashville, this year’s final venue on the 2023 schedule, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, will remain on the 2024 calendar. More details about the entire 2024 season schedule will be forthcoming.

    “WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca remains a beloved, historic venue for our teams, drivers and fans in an important and scenic market,” Miles said.

    “The fact that INDYCAR has chosen Nashville and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix as the crowning event is a testament to our fans, partners, stakeholders and truly the Nashville hospitality industry as a whole,” said Matt Crews, CEO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “The ability to promote our city and state year-round and bring our race into the heart of Nashville is an absolute honor. The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix continues to grow to levels that I never dreamed could have been possible.”

    The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix has become a marquee event for Tennessee and across the motorsport landscape, bringing fans from all 50 states and dozens of countries annually. With a global TV audience in over 200 countries and territories, the Grand Prix is elevated across a worldwide stage.

    “Tennessee is already leading the nation in automotive manufacturing, hospitality and entertainment, and this announcement takes it to the next level, as the focus will be on world-class racing in the Volunteer State for the entire 2024 INDYCAR season,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “As the home state of two-time series champion and current Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden, it just makes sense that Tennessee would host one of the biggest races of the season. With the national and international spotlight on Nashville, the world will see what Tennesseans already know to be true – that there’s no better stage for racing than Music City.”

    For more information and to receive future news on the 2024 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, please visit www.musiccitygp24.com.

  • The White Zone: Johnson worthy inductee of the hall

    The White Zone: Johnson worthy inductee of the hall

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson took his seat at the center of the Grand Hall of the NASCAR Hall of Fame to answer questions from the media. I watched from the second row, staring dead ahead of the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. A man who, as a Jeff Gordon fan, caused me grief and broke my heart so many times, during his five-year span of championships.

    Now as a member of the NASCAR media corp, I sit back and realize I witnessed the entire career of arguably NASCAR’s greatest driver.

    From dislike to respect

    As Johnson celebrated in victory lane at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 11, 2007, Gordon approached him and waved the white flag.

    “I surrender,” he said, bowing to Johnson. “I surrender.”

    After Gordon won back-to-back races at Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, Johnson rattled off four-straight wins to clinch his second Cup Series title.

    In a film script of my life, the camera cuts to 13-year-old me and my gaudy 24 DuPont Chevrolet shirt, as I hang my head in despair. During a season in which Gordon set a modern-era record for most top-10 finishes in a single season (30), Johnson did what Gordon did to Mark Martin in 1998; out-win him to a championship.

    It didn’t stop there.

    2008, Johnson duels it out with Carl Edwards to win his third-straight championship. Meanwhile, Gordon goes winless for just the second time in his career.

    2009, Gordon breaks a 43-race winless streak by holding off Johnson to win at Texas Motor Speedway for the first time in his career. Gordon even led the points for the first time in two years.

    Cut to November, Johnson wins his four-straight title.

    Fast-forward to 2010. Johnson breaks the heart of Denny Hamlin fans to win his fifth-straight title. Gordon blows an engine in the final race to secure his third winless season.

    Cut to me, a socially-awkward sophomore in high school, combined with the beginning of my future alma mater’s descent into the football abyss (it’s in my bio), that five-year period wasn’t much fun.

    HAMPTON, Ga. – FEBRUARY 28: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 28, 2016, in Hampton, Georgia. Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

    Six years later, I jumped from the grandstands to the press box. Johnson won the first NASCAR race I covered on-site. Now as someone who retired his fan allegiance to join the media, I found an immense level of respect for him. Especially when he gave such detailed answers to questions from a stammering mess like me.

    I covered four of his six wins in 2016, on the way to his seventh Cup Series championship. Furthermore, I covered his penultimate Cup Series victory on a Monday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway.

    Beyond his wins, however, I saw a side of Johnson that he doesn’t usually show. In public, he was very stoic and a great spokesperson for his sponsors (like former teammate, Terry Labonte). Off-camera, however, and while nowhere near Matt Kenseth, I saw his more snarky demeanor shine through.

    Looking back

    Cut to Wednesday, Johnson stands in front of a video screen in loafers, light brown pants and a blazer, and poses for pictures with Knaus and Donny Allison. As I said, earlier, I’m in the second row of people asking him questions.

    I asked him what it means to him to hear someone say he’s one of NASCAR’s all-time greatest.

    It humbles Johnson.

    “We just want to go racing and from a very young age, racing is in our life,” he said. “Our parents raised their families raced and we just wanted to be racers and sure we wouldn’t, I know I tried to dream big, but I couldn’t have dreamed this big and to have everything play out as it has. Even then, looking back on those moments in time and five in a row and seven championships in total, these different moments along the way, I still can’t believe it’s happened.”

    Grateful as ever, Johnson made me see why I’ve gone from a disgruntled Gordon fan to having nothing but respect for the seven-time champion.

    That’s my view, for what it’s worth.

  • Jimmie Johnson Voted into 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class

    Jimmie Johnson Voted into 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 2, 2022) – The time has come to add another accolade to Jimmie Johnson’s storied racing resume as the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is now an official member of the elite NASCAR Hall of Fame.

    The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and co-owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ was named to the 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame class today and is joined by longtime crew chief Chad Knaus and Donnie Allison. Racing legend Janet Guthrie won the Landmark Award. This was the first year of eligibility for Johnson, as he hasn’t raced full-time in NASCAR since stepping away from Cup Series competition at the conclusion of the 2020 season.

    This year’s class was selected by a voting panel that includes 62 representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, manufacturers, track owners, broadcasters, media members, former team owners, and drivers – as well as one ballot from a nationwide fan vote.

    Throughout 689 starts, Johnson accumulated 83 wins, 232 top-five, 374 top-10s, 36 pole positions, and led 18,941 laps. Johnson is currently tied for sixth on NASCAR’s all-time Cup victories list (1949-present) with fellow NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough. Johnson and Knaus were practically unstoppable in their prime – as they were the only team in NASCAR history to win five championships in a row (2006-2010).

    Additionally, Johnson has four NASCAR All-Star wins, two wins in the Duel 150-mile qualifier races for the Daytona 500, and two wins in the season-opening exhibition race formerly titled the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. He is a two-time Daytona 500 champion, a four-time Brickyard 400 champion at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the only racecar driver to ever be named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (2009). Johnson is a two-time Southern 500 winner at Darlington; 11 wins at Dover; nine wins at Martinsville Speedway; eight wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway and seven wins at Texas Motor Speedway.

    At the age of 46, Johnson decided to defy the odds and took his talent to the open-wheel circuit where he raced in the INDYCAR Series for two seasons at Chip Ganassi Racing. Johnson’s best finishes came on the oval tracks where he finished fifth at Iowa Speedway and sixth at Texas Motor Speedway. Johnson was able to fulfill a childhood dream as he competed in the 106th Indianapolis 500.

    In 2021 – 2022, Johnson participated in the IMSA Series where he earned two podium finishes. In late 2022, Johnson became a team co-owner at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB along with Maurice “Maury” Gallagher and team ambassador Richard Petty “The King”. In 2023, he competed in the Daytona 500, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), and the Coca-Cola 600. In June, Johnson traveled overseas to participate in the NASCAR Garage 56 program competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.

    Johnson’s transition to team co-owner has been a welcomed resource for young LEGACY MOTOR CLUB drivers Erik Jones and Noah Gragson.

    “I think Jimmie’s nomination into the NASCAR Hall of Fame was fairly a no-brainer for everybody,” said Jones, driver of the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. “I am proud to see him go in and proud to have him as part of our group. I am happy for him and his family to see the well-deserved nomination. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to race against him early in my career and now to have him in an ownership position is incredible. Jimmie has revolutionized the sport in so many ways, and I am truly looking forward to seeing his induction.”

    “A Jimmie Johnson Darlington win diecast was the first one I ever purchased,” said Gragson, driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. “Growing up I was a fan of his and now that I get to drive for him, it’s a big deal to me. He deserves this recognition as he is such a leader and mentor both on and off the track for me and our team. He truly is one of the nicest guys out there and is so genuine. I’m so happy for him today.”

    Johnson has served as a mentor and friend to drivers across the globe throughout his career. All of Johnson’s success in the NASCAR Cup Series happened alongside his friend and crew chief, Chad Knaus.

    “Chad is so deserving of going into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. To accomplish this together is so fitting as every special moment in my Cup Series career was shared with Chad. He’s a brother, a friend, and a brilliant crew chief – one of the best ever,” Johnson said after he received the news.

    “I drove a Chad Knaus set-up racecar throughout every moment we had and to share this induction with him is incredible,” continued Johnson. “This is such a huge honor, I’m thankful for Ricky Hendrick, Rick Hendrick and the entire Hendrick family, Jeff Gordon, Chad, and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports and in the NASCAR industry who has ever touched a No. 48 car throughout the years. This is as much of a celebration for all of them as it is for me. We did this as a team.”

    Johnson’s success and impact on the sport have finally earned him the most prestigious honor one can receive in NASCAR racing. He will officially be enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame during the class of 2024’s induction ceremony on January 19, 2024 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.

    LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (NCS) Jimmie Johnson. The club competes full-time in the NCS fielding the Nos. 42 and 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for drivers Noah Gragson and Erik Jones, respectively, along with the No. 84 part-time entry for Johnson in 2023. Richard Petty “The King” serves as team ambassador.

    In 2021, Gallagher acquired Richard Petty Motorsports and renamed the team to Petty GMS. With the addition of Johnson to the ownership structure in 2023, the organization rebranded to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY M.C.). With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level.

    Based in Statesville, N.C., LEGACY M.C. operates alongside GMS Racing (GMS), which currently fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Truck Series. Since the formation of GMS in 2012, Gallagher and Mike Beam, team president, have shared incredible success. GMS Racing captured the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championships and the 2019 and 2020 ARCA East championships, accumulating over 65 wins across six national racing circuits.

    To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

  • Chris Buescher captures Playoff berth with win at Richmond

    Chris Buescher captures Playoff berth with win at Richmond

    By HOLLY CAIN
    NASCAR Wire Service

    RICHMOND, Va. – Chris Buescher capped Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s dominant day at Richmond (Va.) Raceway with a trophy, holding off the field on a restart with three laps remaining to win the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 Sunday afternoon – his and the RFK team’s first victory of the season.

    Buescher and his teammate Brad Keselowski (also a co-owner of RFK) combined to lead a race-best 190-of-400 laps – Buescher’s 88 laps out front was the most laps he’s ever led in a race in his eight-year NASCAR Cup Series career. And it all results in an important automatic bid into the 16-driver Playoff field with only four races remaining in the regular season.

    Buescher’s No. 17 RFK Ford ultimately held off last week’s race winner, Denny Hamlin by a slight .549-seconds although Buescher had held more than a five-second advantage on Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota up until that caution flag flew for an accident involving Noah Gragson and Daniel Suarez in the closing laps.

    “It was smooth sailing trying to take care of this Fastenal Mustang, it was so good and trying to take care of it there and about the time (crew chief) Scott (Graves) said over the radio ‘It’s working perfect, keep it up,’ and then there’s a caution,’’ said Buescher with a smile.

    “But we were so strong during the race, I had a good feeling there about it,’’ added Buescher who now has three career NASCAR Cup Series wins. “So awesome to pull it off. I’m proud of everybody. That was a long way from the back.’’

    That late-race yellow flag was the only caution flag on the day other than the two stage breaks. And the afternoon racing at the Richmond three-quarter mile track was physically demanding under intense heat – over 130-degrees inside the race car. As seventh-place finisher Martin Truex Jr. said smiling after the race, “my cheek feels like it’s sunburned, it was like a hair dryer blowing on you.’’

    The 30-year old Texas native Buescher, however, handled the heat and the field, starting 26th but steadily working his way forward. He first cracked into the Top-5 by lap 160 of the 400-lap race, chasing down then-leaders Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, Keselowski and Hamlin.

    For a race with so many green flag laps, it was actually issues on pit road that thwarted several winning efforts, not problems racing on the track.

    Wallace’s 80 laps out front mid-race in the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota marked the most laps led in a single race in his career. But he ultimately had to play catch-up when his team had a slow tire change on green flag pit stop on Lap 175. He finished 12th.

    With 56 laps remaining, race polesitter and Wallace’s 23XI teammate Tyler Reddick got flagged for violating the commitment line coming to pit road for green flag stop, relegating him from running among the Top-3 to desperately trying to remain on the lead lap with the laps counting down. He finished 16th after leading 81 laps early – every lap of Stage 1 en route to claiming his fourth stage win.

    Similarly, Keselowski suffered a misstep in the pits after his No. 6 RFK Ford led a race-best 102 laps. He made an awkward turn into his pit during a green flag stop with 115 laps remaining and it cost just enough time to allow his teammate Buescher to take the lead with under 100 laps remaining.

    “We wanted to finish one-two, that’s the ultimate goal, but we still had a heckuva day,’’ said Keselowski, who finished sixth and won Stage Two – his third stage win of the season.

    Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch – the all-time active winner at Richmond – finished third; his best showing on a short track this season. Team Penske’s Joey Logano rallied in the late laps to finish fourth and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Preece turned in his best showing of the season with a fifth place run.

    Keselowski and Truex finished sixth and seventh followed by SHR’s Aric Almirola, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon and SHR’s Kevin Harvick. Chase Briscoe finished 11th giving SHR one of its best full team efforts of the season – all four cars inside the Top-11.

    Every car in the 36-car field finished the race, the first time the full field was running at the end since 2018.

    Buescher is now the 12th driver to win a race in 2023, leaving four positions still available for a new winner or the top drivers in points. Harvick and Keselowski hold more than a 100-point advantage on the 16th place cutoff. Wallace is up 54 points and Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell holds an 18-point buffer on Joe Gibbs Racing rookie Ty Gibbs for that 16th place position. Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger is 22 points behind McDowell.

    Four races now remain to settle the 2023 Playoff field. The series moves north next week for Sunday’s Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET, USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Harvick is the defending race winner.

    NASCAR Cup Series Race – Cook Out 400
    Richmond Raceway
    Richmond, Virginia
    Sunday, July 30, 2023

    1. (26) Chris Buescher, Ford, 400.
    2. (3) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 400.
    3. (2) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 400.
    4. (23) Joey Logano, Ford, 400.
    5. (11) Ryan Preece, Ford, 400.
    6. (13) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 400.
    7. (10) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 400.
    8. (24) Aric Almirola, Ford, 400.
    9. (17) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 400.
    10. (8) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 400.
    11. (20) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 400.
    12. (5) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 400.
    13. (4) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 400.
    14. (25) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 400.
    15. (7) Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 400.
    16. (1) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 400.
    17. (9) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 400.
    18. (15) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 400.
    19. (14) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 400.
    20. (29) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 399.
    21. (6) William Byron, Chevrolet, 399.
    22. (18) Michael McDowell, Ford, 399.
    23. (27) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 399.
    24. (19) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 399.
    25. (16) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 399.
    26. (30) Austin Cindric, Ford, 399.
    27. (36) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 399.
    28. (12) Noah Gragson #, Chevrolet, 398.
    29. (32) Ryan Newman, Ford, 398.
    30. (28) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 398.
    31. (22) Harrison Burton, Ford, 397.
    32. (31) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 397.
    33. (33) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 396.
    34. (34) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 396.
    35. (35) JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 396.
    36. (21) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 395.

    Average Speed of Race Winner: 98.783 mph.

    Time of Race: 3 Hrs, 2 Mins, 13 Secs. Margin of Victory: .549 Seconds.

    Caution Flags: 3 for 21 laps.

    Lead Changes: 18 among 8 drivers.

    Lap Leaders: T. Reddick 1-78;B. Wallace 79-122;D. Hamlin 123-128;M. McDowell 129-137;B. Wallace 138-173;T. Reddick 174-175;D. Hamlin 176-180;M. Truex Jr. 181;B. Keselowski 182-233;T. Reddick 234;B. Keselowski 235-284;D. Hamlin 285-292;M. Truex Jr. 293-304;C. Buescher 305-339;R. Blaney 340-341;M. Truex Jr. 342-346;C. Buescher 347-392;D. Hamlin 393;C. Buescher 394-400.

    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Brad Keselowski 2 times for 102 laps; Chris Buescher 3 times for 88 laps; Tyler Reddick 3 times for 81 laps; Bubba Wallace 2 times for 80 laps; Denny Hamlin 4 times for 20 laps; Martin Truex Jr. 3 times for 18 laps; Michael McDowell 1 time for 9 laps; Ryan Blaney 1 time for 2 laps.

    Stage #1 Top Ten: 45,23,11,9,4,41,24,10,6,54

    Stage #2 Top Ten: 6,17,45,23,11,8,41,19,54,22

  • Carson Hocevar Earns Win No. 3 of the Season in the Worldwide Express 250 at Richmond Raceway

    Carson Hocevar Earns Win No. 3 of the Season in the Worldwide Express 250 at Richmond Raceway

    RICHMOND, Va. (July 30, 2023) – Carson Hocevar earned his third victory of the season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, crossing the finish line first in the Worldwide Express 250 at Richmond Raceway after a late-race pass.

    “It’s so special to be able to win the Worldwide Express 250 in the Worldwide Express Chevrolet,” said Hocevar. “Their support means so much to me and to Niece Motorsports. To be able to celebrate with them and their carrier partners in Victory Lane is so special. Historically, Richmond has not been our best track, so to be able to come here and win is a huge deal for our team and Al Niece. I’m looking forward to carrying this momentum into the Playoffs. I feel like we’ve shown that we can contend at every type of track this season.”

    The win comes in Hocevar’s 70th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start. It marks Hocevar’s third win of the 2023 season; his other two wins coming at Texas Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway. It is the seventh win for Niece Motorsports in only its seventh full-time season.

    Hocevar is the first driver to win three races this season. With the win, Hocevar will enter round one of the Playoffs third in the driver point standings, only nine points out of first.

    “I’m so proud of everyone at this organization,” said Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw. “Carson drove a great race, Phil [Gould] made a great pit call, and the whole team built a great truck. We really wanted to win that Worldwide Express 250 trophy – it meant the world to be able to celebrate with them all in Victory Lane. We’re happy to get Al [Niece] another win this season. We’re excited to get the Playoffs started at IRP in a couple of weeks.”

    After posting the third fastest lap in practice on Friday, Hocevar qualified his No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet in 17th for the 250-lap race at Richmond Raceway. A flat tire during pace laps forced Hocevar down pit road before the drop of the green flag, putting Hocevar shotgun on the field to start the race.

    The young driver methodically worked his way through the field, taking the lead for the first time on Lap 150, and pacing the field for the next 60 laps. Crew Chief Phil Gould called Hocevar down pit road for a green flag pit stop to put fresh tires on the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado – a call that would ultimately win the race, as Hocevar passed the leader on older tires with just a handful of laps remaining.

    The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to action on Friday, August 11 at Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP).

    The TSport 200 at IRP will air live on FS1, The Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Aug. 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

    About Niece Motorsports:
    Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2023, Niece Motorsports enters its eighth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

    About Worldwide Express:
    The WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country. With access to industry-leading small package, truckload, less-than-truckload and managed transportation solutions, its customers benefit from enhanced visibility and value for their supply chains. The company is the second-largest privately held freight brokerage and largest non-retail UPS Authorized Reseller® in the U.S., with an annual systemwide revenue nearing $5 billion through a network of company-owned, franchise and agent locations. A highly selective carrier portfolio, proprietary technology, unique data assets and business intelligence capabilities provide clients with unmatched options and flexibility to meet their shipping needs. The WWEX Racing initiative was borne of a desire to address the complex but underserved logistic needs of the performance motorsports industry, using the unique combination of capabilities offered by the three brands’ combined 80+ years of insight. To learn more about the WWEX Racing program, visit www.wwexracing.com. For media inquiries, contact racing@wwex.com.

  • The NASCAR Xfinity Series Will Have An Exclusive New Home On The CW Network

    The NASCAR Xfinity Series Will Have An Exclusive New Home On The CW Network

    The CW to Broadcast All NASCAR Xfinity Series Races Starting in 2025
    33 Race Weekends Per Year

    JULY 28, 2023 (Burbank, CA) – The CW Network will become the exclusive home to the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025 and extending through the 2031 racing season. The CW will broadcast 33 live NASCAR Xfinity Series races annually, along with practice and qualifying events each weekend. Starting in 2025, for the first time in series history, every NASCAR Xfinity Series race will be available on free, over-the-air broadcast television with additional content available through The CW’s digital platforms. All NASCAR Xfinity Series races and ancillary content will be fully produced by the Emmy Award-winning NASCAR Productions group, in close collaboration with The CW Network.

    Comprised primarily of NASCAR’s younger, up-and-coming drivers, the NASCAR Xfinity Series features the sport’s future stars often competing side-by-side against NASCAR’s biggest names – many of whom earned their stripes and won championships in the Xfinity Series. NASCAR Xfinity Series races in some of the nation’s largest markets—from Chicago to Los Angeles to Miami—and at the sport’s most iconic tracks, including the Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and the series championship at Phoenix Raceway.

    NASCAR Xfinity Series races draw an average of approximately 1 million viewers per race each season, historically airing on a combination of cable and broadcast television, but will now be entirely and exclusively distributed on broadcast television. The NASCAR Xfinity Series agreement with The CW underscores recent trends in which major sports properties have prioritized broadcast television to ensure the widest reach for their fan base and industry.

    “Landing the NASCAR Xfinity Series is a game changer for The CW and our CW Sports division and represents another important building block in our programming strategy,” said Dennis Miller, President of The CW. “Live sports are the most watched television content and with The CW’s national reach, moving NASCAR Xfinity Series to The CW will transform and elevate the viewing experience for the series and its fans. The CW has quickly become a destination for sports, as the NASCAR Xfinity Series joins our growing slate of sports programming, including INSIDE THE NFL, ACC college football and basketball, LIV Golf, and the motorsports documentary series 100 DAYS TO INDY. Beginning in 2025, The CW will have 48 weekends per year of live sports programming. With ubiquitous distribution across one of the nation’s five major broadcast networks, NASCAR Xfinity Series races on The CW will deliver more access for fans and far more revenue opportunities for The CW and its affiliates.”

    Brian Herbst, Senior Vice President, Media and Productions for NASCAR commented, “CW’s leadership shared a compelling vision for cultivating the next generation of NASCAR talent by bringing the NASCAR Xfinity Series exclusively to broadcast television and we are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with them. With more than one million viewers tuning in each week to see NASCAR’s future stars battle some of its biggest names at our most legendary tracks, NASCAR Xfinity Series consistently delivers the moments that excite current fans and create new fans of our great sport.”

    Mr. Miller added, “Live sports are key to expanding broadcast audiences and are valuable to our network affiliates and cable, satellite, telco and streaming distribution partners as well as The CW and its parent company, Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Nexstar’s owned and operated stations and The CW’s nationwide affiliate network will allow us to create local excitement for the Xfinity Series as we expand its reach and drive viewership growth. This will deliver a larger audience for NASCAR Xfinity Series competitions, its major sponsors and CW advertisers looking for national brand awareness and local activation. In addition, by creating a singular home for NASCAR Xfinity Series races, fans will be able to quickly find their favorite racing entertainment each weekend. Ultimately, bringing NASCAR Xfinity Series racing to The CW is a win-win for everyone – fans, drivers, teams, sponsors and affiliates. We can’t wait for the green flag to begin flying on The CW in 2025.”

    Andy Alford, President of Nexstar’s Broadcasting Division said, “Nexstar is already NASCAR’s third-largest broadcast partner, carrying NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races across its FOX and NBC affiliates and has a deep understanding of NASCAR’s value. NASCAR’s loyal and passionate fan base and adrenaline-fueled races will provide CW stations with highly valuable live sports content that can deliver big audiences. These exciting events resonate in our local markets and with a local Nexstar station within driving distance of each and every NASCAR market, we are uniquely suited to drive attendance, viewership and revenues through local coverage, fan engagement, promotion and value-added marketing solutions for advertisers and brands.”

    2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights

    • NXS has produced 11 different winners this season – tied for the fifth-most through 18 races (all-time: 1982-Present)
    • The average age of the 11 winners this season is 29.
    • 6 of the 11 different winners are 30 years old or under. The youngest being is 18-years old.
    • 6 of the last 11 NASCAR Cup Series championships have been won by former NASCAR Xfinity Series champions
    • Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Busch (2019, 2015), Martin Truex Jr. (2017), Kevin Harvick (2014) and Brad Keselowski (2012).
    • 13 former NASCAR Xfinity Series champions are currently active in the NASCAR Cup Series
    • Ty Gibbs (2022), Austin Cindric (2020), Tyler Reddick (2019, 2018), William Byron (2017), Daniel Suarez (2016), Chris Buescher (2015), Chase Elliott (2014), Austin Dillon (2013), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2012, 2011), Brad Keselowski (2010), Kyle Busch (2009), Kevin Harvick (2006, 2001), Martin Truex Jr. (2005, 2004).

    About The CW Network

    The CW Network, LLC is one of America’s major broadcast networks and reaches 100% of US television households. The CW delivers 14 hours of primetime programming per week in addition to sports and other entertainment programming and is the exclusive broadcast home to LIV Golf. The fully ad-supported CW App, with more than 96 million downloads to date, is available for free to consumers on all major platforms and is home to the latest episodes and seasons of The CW’s primetime programming, live streaming of its sports content, and a library of entertaining film and television content for on-demand viewing. The CW is 75%-owned by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), a leading diversified media company and largest CW affiliate group with 37 CW and CW Plus affiliates, covering 32% of the population. For more information about The CW, please visit www.cwtv.com.

    About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

    Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across television, streaming and digital platforms, including more than 300,000 hours of news, sports, and entertainment programming each year. Nexstar owns America’s largest local broadcasting group comprised of top network affiliates, with 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 212 million people. Nexstar’s national television properties include The CW, America’s fifth major broadcast network, NewsNation, America’s fastest-growing national news and entertainment cable network reaching 70 million television homes, popular entertainment multicast networks Antenna TV and Rewind TV, and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network. The Company’s portfolio of digital assets, including The Hill and BestReviews, are collectively a Top 10 U.S. digital news and information property. In addition to delivering exceptional content and service to our communities, Nexstar provides premium multiplatform and video-on-demand advertising opportunities at scale for businesses and brands seeking to leverage the strong consumer engagement of our compelling content offering. For more information, please visit nexstar.tv.

    About NASCAR

    Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

    For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

  • Three Big Stories: Pocono (2023)

    Three Big Stories: Pocono (2023)

    What a weekend in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

    Denny Hamlin displayed his hypocrisy on aggressive racing, Austin Dillon chucked his helmet at Tyler Reddick and NASCAR found itself in a lose-lose situation at the finish.

    So without further adieu, let’s dive into the Three Big Stories of the HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway.

    1. Denny Hamlin hypocritically unleashes the aggression

    LONG POND, Pa. – JULY 23: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Mavis Tires and Brakes Toyota, celebrates in victory lane, after winning the NASCAR Cup Series HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2023, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Photo: Kirk Schroll/SpeedwayMedia.com

    As Hamlin climbed out of his car, the crowd in attendance showered him with boos and middle fingers. Five minutes earlier, he side-swiped Kyle Larson and took the lead. While Larson hit the wall in Turn 1.

    “I’m not here to defend anything,” he said. “I put both those guys, (Alex Bowman) and 5, in an aero situation. Didn’t touch either one. How can you wreck someone you don’t touch?”

    He went on to say he put Larson and Bowman in an “either let off the gas and race side by side, or hit the gas and hit the wall” situation.

    Now with Bowman, the replays showed they never touched. The No. 48 got loose and spun out.

    With Larson, however, unless you want to take a page from the NFL and use an index card to find a gap, he clearly touched Larson’s car.

    In fact, it’s the same move Hamlin used to pass Ross Chastain at Pocono, last season.

    Now I personally saw nothing wrong with Hamlin’s move on Larson. They were racing for the win and he didn’t intentionally dump him into Turn 1.

    What I have a problem with, however, is Hamlin talking out of both sides of his mouth.

    Just a year ago, Hamlin told Jim Rome that the younger drivers racing aggressively lacked respect for other drivers. Yet here he is doing the exact same thing he feuded with Ross Chastain over the course of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

    Look, if Hamlin wants to be an aggressive driver, then embrace your inner Dale Earnhardt. If not, then embrace the ways of Mark Martin. And yes, sometimes, you’ll slip up and stray off the Martin path. When that happens, own up to it and apologize.

    But don’t pretend you’re against people racing with a lack of respect, when you do the same.

    2. Austin Dillon tosses his helmet (literally)

    LONG POND, Pa. – JULY 23: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Breztri.com Chevrolet, hits the Turn 1 wall in the NASCAR Cup Series HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2023, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Photo: Kirk Schroll/SpeedwayMedia.com

    As the field worked its way through Turn 1 under caution on Lap 107, Dillon chucked his helmet at Reddick’s car. Minutes earlier, Reddick put Dillon into the wall.

    Except he didn’t.

    Dillon came down across the nose of Reddick’s car and turned himself into the wall. Though even after watching the replay, he wasn’t convinced he messed up.

    “I felt like I was holding my own,” he said. “He was at my left-rear going in there, and I knew we were three-wide. I think I’ve got the right to at least hold my lane. I’ve got to turn at some point to get down. Brad (Keselowski) was on my outside, maybe a half-lane up. But Tyler (Reddick) drove it in there, and obviously I feel like he drove it in there deep enough where he had to come up the track into me. We can look at the SMT and see the little fine movements that we make, but I felt like that was not the time to do that for the No. 45.”

    I don’t understand why he expected Reddick to yield. It was just a case of two drivers going for the same real estate. And in this case, Dillon got the short end of the stick.

    Then again, in the heat of the moment, you’re not always thinking clearly. So only time will tell if this racing incident spirals into something more.

    Also, Dillon’s probably getting fined for walking onto a hot track.

    3. NASCAR picked its poison

    LONG POND, Pa. – JULY 23: A general view of racing during the NASCAR Cup Series HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2023, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images

    As the field came to the white flag, Ryan Preece spins and hits the inside wall on the short chute. So a caution comes out and we go to overtime, right?

    Well, no.

    NASCAR held the flag, waiting to see if Preece would get going.

    Which he did, for a few feet.

    When NASCAR realized this, it threw the caution. Since Hamlin took the white flag, that ended the race.

    Now I know this contradicts what I said on Twitter, but after mulling it over for a night, I don’t know what else NASCAR could’ve done. Either it throws the caution right away and gets flack for not swallowing the whistle or this.

    Unlike Richmond Raceway, Pocono is a massive track, where you complete laps in roughly 50 seconds. So it’s not unfeasible to hold the caution to see if Preece got going, again.

    At the end of the day, it was a pick-your-poison situation that sometimes comes with the job of officiating.

  • Hamlin wins record seventh at Pocono Raceway in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series HighPoint.com 400

    Hamlin wins record seventh at Pocono Raceway in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series HighPoint.com 400

    • Denny Hamlin breaks tie with legend Jeff Gordon for most wins before a sold-out main grandstand at Pocono Raceway.
    • The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran also recorded his 50th career Cup win and provided Toyota with its 600th NASCAR National Series victory.

    LONG POND, Pa. (July 23, 2023) – This time around Denny Hamlin actually took the Pocono Raceway’s iconic Eagle trophy home.

    Honest.

    A year after being stripped of his win when his car was disqualified, Hamlin (No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota) secured his record seventh win at “The Tricky Triangle” before a sold-out grandstand crowd in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series HighPoint.com 400.

    The victory broke a tie for most wins at Pocono Raceway with NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran added two more milestones to the celebration. Hamlin recorded his 50th career Cup win and also handed Toyota its 600th career NASCAR National Series victory (177 Cup, 196 Xfinity, 227 Trucks).

    “Stuff like this doesn’t sit in for a while,” Hamlin said. “When you retire and you got a bunch of time, you’re sitting there on your rocker on your back porch, you’re thinking about, ‘What have I accomplished, right, in the sport?’ These things take a long time to sit in. They really do. We’re in the heat of the moment now. It takes time.

    “I never thought I’d get an opportunity in the Cup Series. Luckily, J.D. Gibbs took a chance and Joe Gibbs took a chance on me nearly 20 years ago. To get my 50th win, it comes down to the track that I got my first, it certainly is special.”

    And it did come with some controversy in Pocono Raceway’s 50th anniversary of hosting NASCAR.

    On a restart with seven laps to go, Kyle Larson (No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) was at the point when a charging Hamlin came up on his side panel. The two made contact that forced Larson to brush the wall and ended his hopes of contending for his first win at Pocono Raceway.

    “Just unfortunate,” said Larson, who fell to 20th. “I’ve been cost a lot of good finishes by him throughout my career. I know he says I race a certain way. I don’t think I’ve ever had to apologize to him about anything. Not that he’s going to say sorry after this. It is what it is.”

    Hamlin thought otherwise.

    “There was a lane,” he said. “He missed the corner first and, evidently, he didn’t have his right-side tires clean. When he gassed up, he just kept going again. You know, you have an option in those positions to either hold it wide open and hit the fence or lift and race it out. Those are the choices they made. I didn’t hit either one of ’em. Didn’t touch ’em.”

    Hamlin still had plenty of work to do as he was faced with a final restart in the 160-lap, 400-mile race with the likes of Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Busch Light Peach Ford), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Interstate Batteries Toyota) and Tyler Reddick (No. 45 Jordan Brand Toyota) lined up behind him. Hamlin jumped out to a strong restart with JGR teammate Truex Jr. in tow. Reddick was moving as well, moving up to third with two to go and then passing Truex Jr. with one lap remaining.

    Hamlin, who led the final seven laps, had a comfortable lead at that stage and a spin by Ryan Preece (No. 41 Mohawk Northeast Ford) on the white flag lap forced the race to finish under caution and clinch the record win.

    Reddick finished second while Truex Jr. was third. Harvick, the leader among active drivers for career starts at Pocono Raceway, took fourth in his 44th and final start at “The Tricky Triangle.” Rookie Ty Gibbs (No. 54 He Gets Us Toyota) rounded out the top five with a career-best finish.

  • Chevrolet NCS: Byron, Chevrolet Claims NASCAR Cup Series Pole at Pocono

    Chevrolet NCS: Byron, Chevrolet Claims NASCAR Cup Series Pole at Pocono

    NASCAR CUP SERIES
    POCONO RACEWAY
    HIGHPOINT.COM 400
    TEAM CHEVY POLE WIN REPORT
    JULY 22, 2023

    Byron, Chevrolet Claims NASCAR Cup Series Pole at Pocono

    Camaro ZL1’s Seventh NCS Pole of 2023

    · William Byron (No. 24 RaptorTough.com Camaro ZL1) posted a lap of 52.746 seconds, at 170.629 mph, in the final round of qualifying to capture the pole position for tomorrow’s HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway – his third NASCAR Cup Series pole win of the 2023 season.

    · The pole win is Byron’s 11th career pole in 201 starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

    · This marks Chevrolet’s seventh NASCAR Cup Series pole of the 2023 season; the manufacturer’s series-leading 35th NCS pole at Pocono Raceway; and its 741st all-time pole in NASCAR’s premier series.

    · Two Chevrolet drivers posted a top-three qualifying effort including pole winner William Byron, and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson (third).

    · Chevrolet drivers swept the pole wins across all three NASCAR national series at Pocono Raceway with Nick Sanchez (No. 2 Rev Racing Silverado RST) in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series; Josh Berry (No. 8 JR Motorsports Camaro SS) in the NASCAR Xfinity Series; and William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1) in the NASCAR Cup Series.

     
    TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-20 STARTING LINEUP:
    POS. DRIVER

    1. William Byron, No. 24 RaptorTough.com Camaro ZL1
    2. Kyle Larson, No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro ZL1
    3. Corey LaJoie, No. 7 TD Bank Camaro ZL1
    4. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Camaro ZL1
    5. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Jockey Camaro ZL1
    6. Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1
    7. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Best Friends Camaro ZL1

    TOP-FIVE UNOFFICIAL STARTING LINEUP:
    POS. DRIVER

    1. William Byron (Chevrolet)
    2. Martin Truex Jr. (Toyota)
    3. Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)
    4. Kevin Harvick (Ford)
    5. Christopher Bell (Toyota)

    WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1 – Pole Win Press Conference

    WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO START ON THE POLE TOMORROW FOR THE LONG RACE, PIT STALL SELECTION AND HOW GOOD TODAY’S LAP WAS?

    “Yeah, it’s really important to have pit stall selection. I feel like I reiterate that a lot with my team – qualifying position is important, but pit stall selection is really critical. Just happy to get that number one pit stall. For us, I felt like we had a really smooth day. We had some tough conversations after Loudon. We just had a tough weekend. We went into Wednesday and focused hard on kind of building up our Pocono car and using the Chevy simulator. Just thanks to those guys for their efforts. Some weeks it’s different than others, but this week they did a great job. Just thankful for our whole team and the effort we put in. This really is a speed race track. I was nervous coming here. I feel like the Toyota’s have been really strong, but we’re inching up on it and I think we’re right there.”

    SIX WEEKS LEFT IN THE REGULAR SEASON. YOU AND MARTIN TRUEX JR. ARE CHASING FOR THE 15 PLAYOFF POINTS BONUS. HOW IMPORTANT IS STAYING CONSISTENT OVER THESE NEXT SIX WEEKS?

    “It’s important. I don’t think I stress any more or less, based on the regular season. I kind of had that thought after Loudon. It can go either way. I think there’s tracks that he’s really strong at; there’s tracks that we’re really strong. It’s just going to be kind of toe-to-toe for the rest of the time. There’s a lot in our control, but there’s also some wild card races in there. So I think honestly for us, just trying to perform. We know that the last 10 races is where it really counts. If we can compete for stage wins and compete for race wins, we’re going to stack up playoff points and the points on the regular season will take care of themselves.

    I think for me, my mindset is just trying to do the best that we can and try to make these six races a good prep session for the playoffs.”

    THE FACT THAT YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO COME BACK WITH SPEED BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, IT WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN THAT SURPRISING IF TOYOTA WAS LIKE ONE-TWO-THREE IN QUALIFYING OR SOMETHING. SO FOR YOU GUYS TO SHOW UP WITH THE SPEED YOU HAVE AFTER THE WEEK YOU JUST HAD, DOES THAT GIVE YOU EVEN MORE CONFIDENCE THAT THIS IS SORT OF A DIFFERENT YEAR THAN YOU’VE HAD BEFORE WHERE YOUR TEAM CAN JUST OVERCOME WHATEVER?

    “It does, for sure. I think that for me, I was a little bit nervous after last week. We had some damage on pit road, so it wasn’t completely realistic how we finished. But we were off a little bit on speed and I feel like Nashville (Superspeedway) we were off a bit on speed, as well. So I think this week, showing up with the pace that we had off the truck, was really impressive. It shows that our tools are working correctly because right now, it’s really all about unloading with the right setup and the right feel. So for us, our balance was really close. We had potential – we had lap time that we could go out and get. So I think that’s a really good sign and we just have to keep pushing. Those guys have been strong, really strong, at a lot of the tracks. It’s nice to see though that we can take a few punches for a few weeks and come back with this performance.”

    (NO MIC.)

    “I do. I think Martin (Truex Jr.) and I have somewhat similar styles. At least in the old car, when we would look at data, we had similar brake pressure and similar inputs. I mean we’re totally different backgrounds and totally different ages. But yeah, I enjoy racing him. I think he races the way people should. I don’t think he does anything super malicious, but he’s aggressive. He’s good to race against. I think there’s five or six guys out there that I really like racing with.”

    SINCE YOU WON THE POLE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR CHANCES FOR THE NEXT SIX WEEKS, ESPECIALLY WITH A GOOD START COMING ON SUNDAY?

    “Yeah, I mean we’ve kind of had our tough tracks over the summer for years – I would say the years that Rudy (Fugle) and I have been working together. For some reason, just some of those tracks haven’t clicked exactly how we wanted them to. But this is one that we come to that we take a lot of pride in being good here. And there’s also some other ones – Nashville (Superspeedway), Atlanta (Motor Speedway) was good. We just have to keep it up. It’s a long six weeks and we just have to continue to pace ourselves, do the right things during the week. Make sure our process kind of stays similar throughout the week so that we can show up on Sunday’s and perform.”

    HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE AT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS RIGHT NOW? OBVIOUSLY YOUR IN THE MIDST OF THE FIGHT FOR THE REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHP AND HAVE FOUND PLENTY OF SUCCESS THIS SEASON. KYLE LARSON IS COMFORTABLY IN THE PLAYOFFS, AS WELL. CLEARLY CHASE ELLIOTT AND ALEX BOWMAN ARE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN AS IT STANDS.

    “Well I think we all work really hard, so I think it’s just trying to put all the pieces together. It’s been a tough season for a couple of our teammates, in terms of staying healthy and all of those things, and just the rhythm of the week. Yeah, we’ve been fortunate that we’ve had a good year so far, but like I’ve been saying, it’s race #20 and there’s a lot left to do. So we can’t kind of rest on what we’ve done, but yeah hopefully our entire team can keep pushing and just continue to improve.”

    WITH WHERE YOU ARE IN THE POINTS RIGHT NOW AND THE BATTLE WITH MARTIN TRUEX JR., HOW DO YOU KIND OF BALANCE POINTS RACING WITH ALSO BEING AGGRESSIVE, TAKING SWINGS AT THINGS, TRYING TO GO FOR PLAYOFF POINTS AND CONTINUING TO CHASE WINS?

    “I mean I’ve noticed a change in how Rudy (Fugle) calls races. I think that he’s just aggressive, in general, so really it doesn’t change anything. We were aggressive at Atlanta (Motor Speedway). We were aggressive at Chicago (Street Race) – it didn’t work out because I hit the wall, But I think overall, I think he’s pushing and I don’t think he’d do anything different. I think that’s just his learning curve in the Cup Series. He’s not been at it for very long and I think he’s starting to kind of adapt to the strategy side. So for me, I drive the same. I don’t really change anything.”

    YOU’VE BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT AT POCONO RACEWAY OVER YOUR CAREER. HOW DO YOU VIEW THIS PLACE? DO YOU LIKE RACING HERE AND WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT A PLACE LIKE POCONO?

    “For some reason, I like it. I don’t know. My dad sent me a stat that was pretty good this week, just about this being one of my best tracks. I don’t know why. I think when I came here, I came here in the ARCA car when I was like 18 years old – I don’t know if that helped. Or just the experience in the truck and winning that race I think helped. When we got here in the Cup car when I worked with Darian Grubb my first year, this was a bright spot to our year. We had a really strong performance here. So I think it’s just kind of clicked ever since that first time in the Cup car.”

    WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DOES POCONO RACEWAY BRING TO BOTH YOU AND YOUR TEAM?

    “Everyone talks about it – making all three turns and having the right balance. It’s really tough to have all three turns have the right balance in the car. When you talk to your crew chief about this place, you say – man, OK one was good.. two I missed.. three wasn’t as good. There’s always like little spots – I feel like other race tracks, you just kind of talk about the whole balance around the whole track. You’re like – at Nashville (Superspeedway), I’m free in this spot or I’m tight in this spot. But here, it’s just really different. You have a lot of time to think down the straightaways and corner entry is really tough.”

    OBVIOUSLY YOU’RE GOING TO ROOT FOR YOUR TEAMMATES TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, BUT IF THEY DON’T MAKE THE FIELD, DOES THAT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE FOR YOU OR FOR KYLE (LARSON) ONCE THE PLAYOFFS ACTUALLY START?

    “I think it’s obviously better if all four of us make it because that’s all four of us pushing each other to perform; build better setups, build better racecars. But yeah, we just try to do the best job we can. Try to help those guys when we can at certain race tracks, and go from there.”

    DOING THE RICHMOND (RACEWAY) TEST IN A WEEK, DO YOU THINK THAT THE RESULTS WILL BE ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AT NEW HAMPSHIRE (MOTOR SPEEDWAY)?

    “Well I know it’s going to be really humid and hot, so I’m going to sweat everything out from the weekend. But I don’t know – I think it’s going to be a good test. Hopefully we try to give our best effort to help NASCAR with helping the rules package on the short-tracks. I think it’s great that they’re using this as an opportunity to improve. Yeah, I’m just going to try to help them as much as I can. I don’t know how much it will really help us for this year, but going to try really help grow that short-track package and hopefully get a better product.”

    CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR POLE-WINNING LAP?

    “Yeah, I think the first round was crazy because we basically ran half of our lap and had to come back in, change tires and just kind of reset. At that point, try to put a first round together that is good enough to advance. The second round lap, I felt like I got off of (turn) three good coming to the green. I felt like I had pretty good momentum. My shift point was as little bit sooner than before, so I felt like I had good momentum coming to start-finish. And then really, just felt like one was a weakness that I saw on SMT between rounds. I felt like I could get into one just a little bit deeper and maybe have some more grip through the middle. I got off of one good, so I was really confident getting to the tunnel. And then when I got into the tunnel, I just kind of got in a little bit soft and a little bit shallow and hit the bumps at a bad angle. So I had to lift a little bit off of two – just didn’t have a lot of momentum off of two. I felt like my RPM was down going down that short chute, so I was just coaching myself into not trying to make up for it in three. I was like – man, that corner is done, I just have to go through three and have a good exit of that corner because kind of the exit of three is really what makes the lap coming to start-finish. So tried not to compound mistakes. You’re never going to really hit a lap perfect here, but I felt like I got through one and three good enough.”

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