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Category: Featured Other Series

Featured Other Series

  • ‘The Gunslinger’ wrecks out from lead in Pro Late Model feature at Bristol

    ‘The Gunslinger’ wrecks out from lead in Pro Late Model feature at Bristol

    BRISTOL, Tenn. — In a display of her sense of humor, Angie Skinner tweeted a picture of her standing in front of a Port-A-Potty to sum up the night of her husband, Mike Skinner.

    “It’s raining. We crashed. I felt this pic near the shitter was appropriate…but b4 all the crap my baby @MSTheGunslinger was bad ass!”

    For most of the 100-lap JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Model A-Feature of the Rusty Wallace Automotive Group Short Track U.S. Nationals, “The Gunslinger” was the driver to beat. With over 20 years of racing experience at Bristol Motor Speedway, he navigated his way through the Top-Five and passed defending race winner Cole Williams exiting Turn 2 to take the lead.

    But even a veteran driver like Skinner fell victim to racing at Bristol, particularly drivers who don’t have a fraction of his experience at Bristol. While trying to put Tyler Hufford a lap down, the two made contact that ended Skinner’s night.

    “I went to pass the guy on the outside and he (Tyler Hufford) washed up, so I had to let off the gas,” Skinner told Speed 51.  “I come off of turn four over here, and I got down really low, and he hit me in the corner.  I don’t feel like I had enough room, so I just waited and he washed up the track again and I hit the gas and had a clear run on the bottom.” Skinner said.

    “Apparently, his spotter told him he was going to give me the outside and he just turned left and just hit us.  I feel like an idiot, we had a very fast car. His spotter told my son he was going to give me the high side, and by then I was under him and he tried to pull down and be a nice guy, so I really can’t blame him, it was my own fault.” Skinner added

    Skinner finished the night in 13th and the race was won by Josh Reeves.

  • NASCAR Next Class of 2018 Unveiled

    NASCAR Next Class of 2018 Unveiled

    Industry Initiative Spotlights Future Stars of the Sport

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 15, 2018) – The nine drivers who comprise the 2018 NASCAR Next class are no strangers to accolades. This year’s group of emerging stars includes the Rookies of the Year in both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, as well the ARCA Rookie of the Year, a former USAC Midget Champion and Lucas Oil Off Road Driver of the Year.

    Now in its eighth year, NASCAR Next spotlights the best and brightest young stars in racing. Alumni of the program include current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series stars Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, William Byron, Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Elliott, Gray Gaulding, Erik Jones, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez, and Darrell Wallace Jr.

    “NASCAR Next highlights emerging talent who have shown the talent and intangibles it takes to achieve success at the highest levels or our sport,” said Jill Gregory, NASCAR executive vice president & chief marketing officer. “Alumni of the program are currently making their marks across NASCAR’s three national series and we believe members of this year’s class have potential to do the same.”

    The NASCAR Next selection process includes input from industry executives, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Council and media members. Drivers must be between the ages of 15-25, aspire to compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and show potential – on and off the track – to reach that goal.

    The following drivers have been chosen for the 2018 NASCAR Next class:

    Anthony Alfredo (@anthonyfalfredo), NASCAR K&N Pro Series East – Driving full-time this year for MDM Motorsports in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Alfredo is also a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The 19-year-old Ridgefield, Connecticut, native recently competed in various late model divisions across the country, driving for JR Motorsports.

    Hailie Deegan (@HailieDeegan), NASCAR K&N Pro Series West – The 16-year-old Temecula, California, native returns to Next for a second year, driving for Bill McAnally Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The daughter of FMX legend and Monster Energy athlete Brian Deegan, Hailie was the 2016 Modified Kart champion in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and was named the Lucas Oil Off Road Driver of the Year.

    Riley Herbst (@rileyherbst), ARCA Racing Series – Returning to Next for a second year, Herbst is running full-time for Joe Gibs Racing in the ARCA Racing Series, where he won Rookie of the Year honors a year ago. The 19-year-old Las Vegas native captured his first big-track win last June at Pocono, along with six top fives and 10 top 10s.

    Derek Kraus (@derek9kraus), NASCAR K&N Pro Series West – The reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Rookie of the Year, Kraus claimed his first win and a pole award, along with nine top fives and 10 top 10s in 2017. Driving full-time for Bill McAnally Racing, the 16-year-old Stratford, Wisconsin, native has already captured a fourth-place finish at New Smyrna and a win at Kern County this year.

    Chase Purdy (@chasepurdy12), ARCA Racing Series – Purdy returns to Next for a second year after capturing NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year honors in 2017. The 18-year-old from Meridian, Mississippi, finished fourth in the standings last year, tallying five top fives and eight top 10s. This year, Purdy is racing full-time in the ARCA Racing Series for MDM Motorsports.

    Will Rodgers (@willrodgers65), NASCAR K&N Pro Series – The 23-year-old Maui, Hawaii, native made two NASCAR K&N Pro Series East starts in 2017 and won them both. Starting on the pole at the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma, he finished runner-up to Kevin Harvick. Running all 14 races out west, Rodgers notched nine top fives and 12 top 10s, finishing fifth overall.

    Zane Smith (@zanesmith41), ARCA Racing Series – Back for a second year in Next, Smith, 18, from Huntington Beach, California, has captured his first two career ARCA victories early in 2018 (Nashville and Talladega). Smith finished ninth in the ARCA standings a year ago, posting two poles, seven top fives and 11 top 10s. In his initial foray in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Smith ran twice in the East, posting top-10 and top-five finishes, and once in the West, scoring another top-five showing.

    Tanner Thorson (@Tanner_Thorson), NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – A former USAC Midget Champion, the 22-year-old Thorson brings his dirt racing experience to Next as he prepares to run various Touring Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races throughout the year. The Minden, Nevada, native also ran two ARCA races in 2017, claiming a top-10 finish in just his second series appearance.

    Ryan Vargas (@The_Rhino23), NASCAR K&N Pro Series East – Hailing from La Mirada, California, Vargas is competing full-time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for REV Racing. The 17-year-old finished third overall in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series for California in 2017, racking up two wins, 15 top fives and 23 top 10s. Vargas is also a 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity class member.

    Since its inception in 2011, 39 of the 51 drivers who have been selected for the program have progressed to compete in one of NASCAR’s three national series, while a quarter have gone on to compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

    The last four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookies of the Year are NASCAR Next alumni, as are top contenders for the award this year: William Byron and Darrell Wallace, Jr. The last five Sunoco Rookies of the Year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and four of the last five Sunoco Rookies of the Year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series are also alumni of the NASCAR Next program.

    For more information, visit NASCAR.com/Next and make sure to follow the drivers on Twitter and on the track. Join the social conversation by using #NASCARnext.

    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, three international series and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. 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’).

  • Shootout victory lane celebrations continue in Texas

    Shootout victory lane celebrations continue in Texas

    There has been much discussion around the subject of gun control in the US over recent months. The student protests following the Parkland school shooting have brought the issue to the forefront of American life.  Despite the protests, it does not look as though any changes to gun controls are likely, in the immediate future.

    The most likely change that could occur at some point in the future is the expansion of background checks to include all weapons purchased. This is a potential change that has even garnered support from many gun owners who responsibly search for the best products for their sport at sites such as gungods.net, ShrewdHunter.com.  Whether this change ever happens remains to be seen, but in most aspects, life with guns seems set to carry on as usual. This includes the six-shooter traditional that surrounds championship race victories at Texas Motor Speedway.

    Why the tradition was temporarily suspended
    The tradition of the winner shooting blanks from a pair of six-shooters, at Texas Motor Speedway, has been in place since the spring 2005 championship race. It was temporarily suspended for Kevin Harvick’s win in November 2017 as a sign of respect for the people affected by the Sutherland Springs shooting. The decision was a one-off and was never intended as a permanent change to the traditional celebrations.

    Shooting symbolizes the state of Texas
    Eddie Gossage, president of the Texas Motor Speedway track, has spoken about the decision to continue with the six-shooter tradition, in the current climate of disagreements over the need for further gun control. He has said that the winner shooting blanks from a pair of six-shooters while wearing a Stetson, has nothing to do with making a political statement. The tradition has always been intended to capture the spirit of Texas so that people immediately recognize which race is involved. It’s also worth noting that live ammunition has never been involved.

    The winner of the race also receives a shotgun, sponsored by Henry Repeating Arms. This is a tradition that will also continue. Gossage is quick to point out that the shotgun is handed over after the track celebrations and in accordance with regulations applicable to the home state of the winner.

    Despite the awarding of this weapon, Gossage insists that the celebrations at championship race victories are all about fun and enjoyment; involving a stereotypical depiction of Texans and using historic weapons rather than current models. There is no political motivation involved with the use of sharpshooters as part of the celebrations. There has been some argument from those in favor of gun control that, even though blanks are used, the celebrations help to glorify the use of guns. However, much like the gun laws of the US, it does not seem as though tradition at the Texas Motor Speedway is going to change anytime soon. Winners will continue to fire blanks from two sharpshooters as part of the victory celebrations.

  • Power puts on clinic in Indy Grand Prix

    Power puts on clinic in Indy Grand Prix

    INDIANAPOLIS — The exhausted, relieved look on Will Power’s face told the story. After spinning out/wrecking in three of four races this season, he won in strong fashion.

    INDIANAPOLIS – May 12: Simon Pagenaud spins toward the gravel trap during the INDYCAR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Photo: Dana Garrett/IndyCar Photography

    Power led the field to green at 3:48 p.m. Caution flew for the first time for a two-car wreck in Turn 2, involving Jordan King, Simon Pagenaud and Spencer Pigot.

    Back to green on Lap 4, the race settled into a single-file train, snaking through the 13-turn road course. It was broken up by a cycle of green flag stops, on Lap 14. Power pitted from the lead on Lap 20, handing it to Sebastian Bourdais. He pitted the following lap, gave the lead to Josef Newgarden, who pitted on Lap 23 and handed the lead to Alexander Rossi. After he pitted on Lap 24, Kyle Kaiser took over the lead, before pitting on Lap 26 and the lead cycled to Robert Wickens.

    The process repeated on Lap 41, when Wickens pitted. The lead went to Power and then to Graham Rahal, tying the race record for lead changes with seven. Rahal pitted and the lead cycled back to Wickens on Lap 47, setting a new record for lead changes in the race.

    Power drafted him down the frontstretch and passed him on the outside, going into Turn 1, to retake the lead with 35 laps to go.

    INDIANAPOLIS – May 12: Josef Newgarden spins in Turn 12 during the INDYCAR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Photo: Mike Young/IndyCar Photography

    Josef Newgarden hopped the curb in Turn 12 and spun, bringing out the second caution with 30 to go.

    The race went back to green with 24 to go. After starting 18th, Scott Dixon dove under Wickens on the frontstretch to take second, with 22 to go. But Power put distance on him and scored his 31st career victory in his 161 career Verizon IndyCar Series starts.

    “Yeah, I mean, it started with him (Wickens) using reds in that second stint and I was on blacks and trying to hold him behind, and he went to go pass, there was about — it was about not letting too much damage be done, so I maintained it, got it to five seconds basically, and was able to do a very quick in lap, and by the time I got out behind him, it was only a three-second gap, and obviously he was on blacks and I was on reds, so I returned the favor and really caught him and was — had a good race with him down to Turn 1,” Power said.

    “Once I got past him, it was pretty straightforward because we were much quicker because we were on the reds, and yeah, yeah, and then it went yellow, which made for a very difficult last stint, having to save a lot of fuel, and keeping a gap from Dixon so he wouldn’t use his Push-to-Pass and attack me. Yeah, drove very hard. Yeah, so many things thrown at us today, but we came out with the win.”

    It was the 200th career series victory for Team Penske.

    Dixon drove from 18th to a runner-up finish, his 94th career podium.

    “Yeah, it was definitely a rough weekend,” Dixon said. “The heat really seemed to affect our car a lot, especially in practice 2 and then into qualifying, and we threw a big change at it for qualifying, which is probably not the smartest thing to do, and obviously that got us pretty good.

    “But yeah, to qualify 18th, I think that’s probably the worst qualifying I’ve ever had on — going for it with a legit not crashing or spinning off. Definitely a frustrating start, but this morning we found quite a bit, I feel like, in the warmup, and then we kind of compromised between what we had found throughout the weekend.

    “Big kudos to the team. Everybody on the PNC Bank team did a fantastic job. The pit stops were amazing. In that first stint, I think we were running almost two seconds a lap faster than the rest of the field in the mid 70s for that, and that’s where it made that big jump, and then later on in that segment, too, we were able to pass a few more just on outright speed.

    “Happy with today. 18th to second, obviously we come here to win, but congratulations to Will, and obviously Penske’s 200th IndyCar win is definitely a big milestone, and it was good to see him get it.”

    Wickens rounded out the podium.

    “…that was the first race where I kind of felt like a true rookie there in that final stint because I’ve never had to save fuel before,” Wickens said. “We’ve kind of practiced it a little bit in warmup where you do like one lap of fuel save. But the amount of fuel that we were having to save to make that work was something that I didn’t even think was possible.

    “It was tough, and obviously running in P2, I was told the number I needed to achieve, and then I was just like, okay, well, Scott is on Push-to-Pass, so I don’t know if I should use it to keep him behind or if I should hit my number, and we were actually having an issue with my Push-to-Pass all day, so it wasn’t quite working to the best that it could. No, it was a tough day, an exhausting afternoon, but really happy to finish on the podium.”

    Bourdais and Rossi rounded out the Top-five.

    Helio Castroneves, James Hinchcliffe, Pagenaud, Rahal and Takumo Sato rounded out the Top-10.

    NUTS & BOLTS

    The race lasted one hour, 49 minutes and 46 seconds, at an average speed of 113.318 mph. There were nine lead changes among seven different drivers, and two cautions for eight laps. Dixon posted the fastest lap of the race on Lap 15, at 70.569 and 124.423 mph.

    Newgarden, who finished 11th, leaves with a two-point lead over Rossi.

  • Conor Daly to pilot Roush XFINITY car at Road America

    Conor Daly to pilot Roush XFINITY car at Road America

    INDIANAPOLIS — Depart from your seat in front of the podium in the deadline room at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, take a right turn past the wall with four clocks and blue sound-proofing fabric, exit through the first door down the hall, go down four flights of stairs until you reach the ground, go straight for about 50 feet, and around the corner are two cars covered with tarps. Wait a few minutes and both Verizon IndyCar Series driver Conor Daly and NASCAR XFINITY Grand National Series driver Ryan Reed will uncover the cars to reveal a Lilly Diabetes-sponsored No. 17 Dale Coyne Racing Honda and a Lilly-Diabetes-sponsored Roush Fenway Racing Ford Mustang that Daly will drive at Road America.

    Okay it didn’t play out like a scavenger hunt, but Daly did announce that he would pilot the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in the NASCAR XFINITY Grand National Series Johnsonville 180 at Road America, as a teammate to Reed, currently driving the No. 16 Ford, fielded by Roush.

    “Yeah, it’s obviously really cool to be a part of this team, first of all, with us in the Indy 500 this year. We got to work together in 2016, which I thought was a really cool first step into a relationship, and it was a late deal. We got it done after qualifying, but now we’ve got this whole month of May to work with it and kind of just grow together as a team, and then obviously I’m going to go into the NASCAR realm of life, so I’m excited for that,” Daly said.

    “Obviously Ryan (Reed) and the Roush Fenway guys have done an incredible job in the five-year program that they’ve had, winning races, being competitive all the time, so it’s cool to be able to take that first step into that side of the racing world but also with a very strong organization. I’m obviously super excited not only to be here at Indy again and to continue to just strengthen our program for this month of May, but also to have something else to do in the next couple months. So that’ll be really exciting, and I just can’t wait. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’m just obviously really thankful for it because this has been an interesting last few months, and to have now this opportunity come about, I think it’s going to be really exciting to kind of grow with the NASCAR fan base and maybe combine them a little bit, IndyCar/NASCAR world. We’re all racing cars, so I think everybody loves that in general, so I’m excited to go check it out.”

    Why did Daly choose to run Road America?

    “Well, I think we sort of just looked at all the road course races, and obviously we had to work with Roush and what worked best for them,” he said. “Road America certainly fit me. I mean, I won there in Skip Barber, won there in Pro Mazda, had a great race going there in 2016 in the IndyCar before we had a suspension failure, and I love that place. It’s an incredible track, incredible environment. The Midwest is so — they love racing, so it worked well for everyone, I think, and that’s how it all came about.”

    While Daly’s day job is racing for Dale Coyne Racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series, rumors of him running an XFINITY Grand National Series race had circulated for months, with him possibly racing for Roush or JR Motorsports. And what made him want to do it?

    “I mean, I’m a racing driver, and growing up, when you look back at sort of what I did from like, I guess, 2012 to 2015, I almost drove every single car you could drive except for a NASCAR, and I drove sports cars, I drove tin tops, I drove all kinds of different things, and as a driver, I think you’re always driven to want more and want to try more, and I think if you ask a lot of us here in this paddock in IndyCar, there’s a lot of guys who want to get out there at Road America, mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, stuff like that, because it is a very entertaining product,” he said. “They’re really good drivers, the series is really competitive, and it just looks like a really good racing environment, like a good, proper race. We have an incredible product in the IndyCar Series, obviously, but so do they, certainly, on the road course side. So I was just excited to have that opportunity. I mean, road courses are my cup of tea, and that’s what I’d love to at least check out first before anything else.”

    Before that, however, he’ll pilot the No. 17 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, carrying Lilly Diabetes as primary sponsor, for the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500, which will be his first start in the 2018 IndyCar Series season.

  • NASCAR Launches Youth Esports Series On iRacing

    NASCAR Launches Youth Esports Series On iRacing

    Youth Series Designed to Cultivate Young, Diverse Talent Worldwide

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 9, 2018) – NASCAR announced today the formation of a youth esports racing series, the first esports competition created to attract and identify young talent. The series will be hosted on iRacing, the world’s premier racing simulation platform. NASCAR’s youth esports series establishes an easily accessible entry point to real-world racing and provides young competitors with an unparalleled simulation experience on iRacing’s ultra-realistic software.

    The youth series will be open to participants ages 13-16 worldwide. The inaugural 12-week season is slated to kick off in June on virtual renderings of iconic short tracks like Langley Speedway, The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.

    The regular season, comprised of the first eight events, will be open to all participants. The 50 racers accumulating the most points over the regular season will qualify to compete in the four-week playoffs. The top 30 in points after the playoffs will advance to a final championship event at the iconic Martinsville Speedway. The season will include a mix of single and heat race formats. Participants can register today on NASCAR.com/iRacing.

    NASCAR currently sanctions the NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series, an esports series now in its ninth season and features the most elite oval sim-racers competing on virtual versions of NASCAR-sanctioned race tracks. The addition of a youth series on iRacing will provide driver’s seat experience for competitors looking to hone their talent, including those with professional racing aspirations.

    “As we expand our presence in esports, NASCAR is uniquely positioned as the only sport that can develop skills transferable to real world competition,” said Blake Davidson, NASCAR vice president of consumer innovation. “We’re excited to see the young, diverse and global talent pool this series attracts, especially as we cultivate our next generation of drivers.”

    William Byron, a rookie driving the iconic No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, started his racing career on iRacing in 2011 at 14 years old. In just two years on iRacing, Byron accumulated more than 100 wins and finished in the top five in an additional 203 races.

    Now, only seven years later, Byron is leading the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings in NASCAR’s top series, complementing a NASCAR Xfinity Series championship (2017), NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship (2015), and Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (2016) and Xfinity Series (2017).

    “NASCAR has been at the forefront of competitive online racing for years and its enhanced involvement in esports will be even more evident through the launch of its youth esports series on iRacing,” said Tony Gardner, iRacing president. “NASCAR drivers have used iRacing to accelerate their development beginning at a young age, as well as to hone their skills throughout their careers. We look forward to cheering on the alumni from the youth series when they compete at the highest levels of NASCAR in the years to come.”

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season continues with the KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    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, three international series and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. 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 www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

    About iRacing.com

    The world leader in the online racing simulation and gaming market, iRacing was founded in 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including “Grand Prix Legends” and NASCAR 2003.” Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, as well as co-owner of NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Racing. iRacing.com has developed dozens of formal partnerships in the motorsport industry to help create the most authentic racing simulation in the world including with NASCAR, IndyCar, International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, IMSA, Mazda Motorsports, McLaren Racing, Williams F1, Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, the World of Outlaws, the United States Auto Club and General Motors.

  • In closest finish in ARCA history, Zane Smith takes General Tire 200 at Talladega

    In closest finish in ARCA history, Zane Smith takes General Tire 200 at Talladega

    TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 27, 2018) — It was the closest margin of victory in ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards history. In fact, it was so close that the transponders that measure such things were tied at 0.00 seconds. But after going back to the start-finish camera, it was determined that Zane Smith out-dragged rookie Joe Graf, Jr. to the finish line in a good old-fashioned photo finish to win the wild General Tire 200 Friday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway.

    Smith, in the No. 41 LaPaz Margarita Mix Toyota, survived two overtimes and a grinding door-to-door sprint to the checkers alongside rookie Joe Graf, Jr. to earn his second career ARCA victory. Smith also led 16 laps.

    “It’s awesome, to win like that,” said Smith. “To be honest, I didn’t know I had won. My spotter came over the radio and finally told me. At that point, my arms and legs were literally shaking inside the car. I get to work with best team in the garage…all the guys at MDM Motorsports…my sponsor LaPaz Margarita Mix. I get to work with Mardy Lindley, the best crew chief anywhere. In the last three races, we’ve finished first, second and first. I’m beyond pumped for this year.”

    Heading into the second and final overtime, with just one lap to settle it all, Smith’s MDM teammate Sheldon Creed shoved the eventual winner all the way down the backstretch while Michael Self pushed Graf. By the time they were up to speed in turns three and four, Smith and Graf were locked together, trading paint all the way to the checkered flag.

    “I had the 28 (Sheldon Creed) behind me. He gave me an awesome shove down the backstretch. He lifted me right off the ground. I was just sawing at the wheel all the way down the backstretch. I have the best people behind me in the world. It’s so cool. My whole family is here…my girlfriend’s with me. This couldn’t be better.”

    Graf, with a broken left foot and in just his third ARCA start, finished a career-best second in Chad Bryant’s No. 77 Big Tine Ford.

    “We had a great car,” said Graf. “I felt like we could get it done from the start. Michael (Self) pushed me all the way down the backstretch. I definitely learned a lot today. Thanks to Chad Bryant Racing and Big Tine for making this happen. I’ll be better next time I come back. My first time racing here, but I’ve loved this track since I was a kid. I really thought I had won it. My spotter thought so too.”

    Michael Self, in the No. 15 Sinclair Lubricants Toyota, finished third after leading 21 laps.

    “I had a bad pit stop…slid through my box,” said Self. “A lot of things just didn’t play out very well…disappointed in my mistakes. But there were a lot of good things that played out today. We fought hard from the back. We missed the wrecks. When they started wrecking, my spotter just said aim for it. It’ll clear out when you get there. In the end, we got another good finish for Sinclair Oil and the Venturini Motorsports team. Just a little short today. Thanks to General Tire for putting on the show…hope it looked good on TV.”

    Sheldon Creed, who led the most laps (23) in the No. 28 United Rental Toyota, helped his MDM teammate get to victory lane, then settled in to finish fourth.

    Josh Williams made good on his ARCA return, finishing fifth in the No. 6 Star Brite-Star Tron Chevrolet.

    The race was fascinating start to finish, complete with non-stop two- and three-wide racing during which seven drivers traded the lead 17 times. The race was also slowed with seven cautions for 38 laps, including one red flag for a multi-car crash during the first overtime. Getting the worst of it were Chase Purdy and Bo LeMastus, both making heavy contact with the safer barrier. Purdy, who climbed out under his own power, was transported, conscious and alert, to an area hospital.

    Two overtime periods took the race length from its scheduled 76 laps to 87 total.

    Other lap leaders included Blaine Perkins (12), Bret Holmes (6), Max Tullman (5) and Purdy (4).
    Tullman finished sixth in the Yurpal.com Chevrolet with Brandon Lynn trailing in seventh in the Remodeez Toyota. Veteran Bobby Gerhart finished eighth in the Lucas Oil Chevrolet. Gerhart also recorded the fastest lap of the race. Travis Braden and Andy Seuss completed the top-10, respectively.

    The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards heads home next for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway Sunday, May 20, live on MAVTV.

    RACE RESULTS

  • NASCAR Welcomes ARCA To The Family

    NASCAR Welcomes ARCA To The Family

    Daytona Beach, Fla. (April 27, 2018) – In a move designed to strengthen a relationship that dates back more than 60 years, NASCAR announced today the acquisition of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).

    Both NASCAR and ARCA, a Midwest-based sanctioning body for stock car auto racing, share a long history: ARCA founder John Marcum raced against Bill France Sr. and worked as a NASCAR official. More recently, the series has provided a valuable platform for talented drivers looking to make it to NASCAR’s national series.

    “Our NASCAR family has long had a special connection with our friends at ARCA, and this is a logical step in demonstrating our commitment to the next generation of racers,” said Jim France, NASCAR vice chairman, executive vice president and member of the sport’s founding family. “This continues the legacy our sport was built upon and will deliver the great racing our fans expect.”

    France was the driving force behind the merger of GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series in 2012, creating the modernized International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in 2014.

    ARCA began racing at Daytona International Speedway in 1964 at the behest of Bill France Sr. It kicked off its 66th season with 20-year-old Natalie Decker becoming the third female in the series to win a pole at Daytona and NASCAR Next alumnus Michael Self winning.

    The ARCA Racing Series will continue to operate under its current structure through the 2019 season. This year’s schedule of 20 races includes nine events at NASCAR national series venues, and three others at NASCAR Whelen All-American Series tracks – illustrating the bond between the two sanctioning bodies.

    “We are proud of the history and tradition of the ARCA Racing Series and the relationship we’ve built over six decades with NASCAR,” said Ron Drager, ARCA president and grandson of John Marcum. “We look forward to the opportunity to be more fully integrated with NASCAR and help shape the future of our sport.”

    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™), four 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’).

    About ARCA

    The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading and most versatile auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers nearly 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.

  • Earnhardt, Unser and Mears cars added to 50 Years of Racing Exhibit presented by Consumers Energy

    Earnhardt, Unser and Mears cars added to 50 Years of Racing Exhibit presented by Consumers Energy

    BROOKLYN, Mich. (April 24, 2018) – The 50 Years of Racing Exhibit presented by Consumers Energy will feature Michigan International Speedway memorabilia and a special display of cars that once raced on the two-mile oval.

    The first three cars added to the 50 Years of Racing Exhibit will represent the IndyCar Series and the International Race of Champions Series presented by Consumers Energy.

    “We are excited to add historic cars to our 50 Years of Racing Exhibit that the best drivers once competed in at Michigan International Speedway,” track President Rick Brenner said. “We can’t wait for our fans to visit the exhibit and witness the speedway’s rich history. This adds value to our race weekends and is a can’t miss event for our fans.”

    Dale Earnhardt Sr. competed in 17 IROC races at Michigan International Speedway, posting two wins. Earnhardt won the IROC Championship four times during his career. In 1995 he won his second series championship and the car he piloted that season will be on display for fans to see both weekends.

    Al Unser Sr. won the 1978 IROC championship. The 50 Years of Racing Exhibit presented by Consumers Energy will feature the car “Big Al” drove during the 1978 race at MIS. He started eight IROC races in the Irish Hills.

    Rick Mears was one of the best to drive in the IndyCar Series and especially enjoyed his time at Michigan International Speedway. In 25 starts at MIS, Mears recorded three wins to tie for the third-most in track history for the series. In July 1982, Mears was quickest in qualifying to win the pole for the Norton-Michigan 500 in his Gould Charge Penske PC 10 car. Now, more than 35 years later, fans can get an up close view of the car on race weekends.

    Fans will have the opportunity to stroll through the 50 Years of Racing Exhibit presented by Consumers Energy in the fan plaza both weekends. It will include memorabilia and cars celebrating the rich history of Michigan International Speedway through the decades.

    Fans will want to check back often as more cars are announced for the 50 Years of Racing Exhibit in the coming weeks.

    Visit www.mispeeday.com/50years to see all the latest memorabilia and cars added to the 50 Years of Racing Exhibit presented by Consumers Energy. The track will also post videos and photos that celebrate the history of the two-mile speedway on the website. In addition, fans can follow along with a special timeline chronicling the key historical events.

    In addition, the MIS Charity Dinner presented Consumers Energy will take place on June 9 starting at 6 p.m. in the 50 Years of Racing Exhibit.

    The MIS Charity Dinner presented by Consumers Energy, a first of its kind event, will feature a strolling dinner, dessert and drink stations, live and silent auctions, music, a photo booth and so much more. The event will also feature a special question and answer session from Dale Inman, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood. The MIS Charity Dinner will benefit both the Henry Ford Allegiance Health Foundation Patient Immediate Needs Fund and the MIS Cares Fund.

    Fans can purchase tickets to the event starting at $90 or guests can make it a weekend experience starting at $179. The weekend experience includes a center grandstand ticket to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, a ticket to the NASCAR XFINITY Series LTi Printing 250 on Saturday and the Charity Dinner Presented by Consumers Energy. Fans can purchase an individual ticket or a weekend package at www.mispeedway.com/charitydinner or by calling 888-905-7223.

    The MIS Charity Dinner presented by Consumers Energy will start at 6 p.m. and guests can immediately make their bids for the silent auction items. But make sure you keep a watch so you don’t get out bid throughout the evening.

    Tickets to the two NASCAR weekends are on sale now. Tickets start at $35 for the FireKeepers Casino 400 on June 10 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Aug. 12. Fans can find the perfect campsite for their families and friends in any of the different campgrounds at the track starting at $160. Fans can purchase tickets and campsites at www.mispeedway.com or by calling 888-905-7223.

    Children 12 and under are free on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, children 12 and under tickets start at $15.  Children 12 and under can attend three days of NASCAR action for just $15, ensuring families a weekend of fun at affordable prices.

    Sunday ticket holders can stick around on Saturday after the NASCAR XFINITY Series LTi Printing 250 for a free post-race concert featuring the bands FireHouse and 38 Special located behind Turn 3. Don’t miss 40 years of Southern rock hits with this classic band 38 Special. In August, fans with a Sunday admission can stay after the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Corrigan Oil 200 for the free concert featuring The Cadillac Three.

    Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is NASCAR’s fastest racetrack. It has been the love of NASCAR racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike for 50 years.

  • ​​Busch, Hamlin Propel Nelson Motorsports Into National​ ​Spotlight In The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown

    ​​Busch, Hamlin Propel Nelson Motorsports Into National​ ​Spotlight In The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown

    MARTINSVILLE, Va. (April 17, 2018) – Nelson Motorsports has developed the reputation as one of the top Late Model Stock organizations in the Southeast. This week they take a big step into the national spotlight.

    Nelson Motorsports will field three cars for the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Langley Speedway Thursday night. In addition to regular driver and defending race champion Timothy Peters, a NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series champion and a Daytona 500 winner will be joining the team for the night.

    Kyle Busch, the 2015 NASCAR Cup champion who won Monday’s snow-delayed Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, and Denny Hamlin, the 2016 Daytona 500 champion, will be driving team cars for Nelson Motorsports in the prestigious event that pits some of the top short track drivers from around the country in a race that is a fundraiser for the Denny Hamlin Foundation.

    “This is a big deal for us,” said Peters, who also serves as the team’s general manager and go-to driver. “How well we perform will show the strength of our program and solidifies our footprint. It could be huge for us.”

    How did the Martinsville-based motorsports team founded by car dealer Barry Nelson wind up with two of NASCAR’s biggest stars behind the wheels of their cars? The old-fashioned way.

    “It was all about networking,” said Peters, the winner of 10 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in his career that is on hiatus. “I knew Denny from back in the day when we were racing Late Models against each other. I know both of them from racing against them. And they know that we put a good product on the track.”

    Peters won the last Denny Hamlin event, run in 2015. Hamlin and Busch are both former winners of the event, which wasn’t held the past two seasons because of scheduling problems.

    Peters will be driving the familiar No. 22 Toyota he pilots regularly for Nelson Motorsports while Hamlin will drive the 11 and Busch the 51. Hamlin’s car is the same one Peters drove to a victory in the prestigious ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway last fall while the team built a new car for Busch.

    “We’ve been burning the midnight oil,” said Peters. “We’ve built a brand-new car for Kyle. I’ve been right in there hands on with everyone else.”

    Nelson Motorsports has five fulltime employees in its Martinsville shop and fields Late Models on a regular basis for Peters, Bobby McCarty and Brandon Pierce. McCarty and Pierce race this weekend in the CARS Tour event at Orange County Speedway, which means the team needs five cars ready for action this week.

    The credit for Nelson Motorsports’ bold plans for the next few days lies with the team owner, said Peters.

    “When we started in 2013, if I had told him Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin be driving his cars, he wouldn’t have believed it,” Peters said of Nelson, who owns seven auto dealerships representing 13 manufacturers in Virginia and North Carolina under the AutosbyNelson banner. “He has given us all the tools and the infrastructure to do this. It’s a proud moment for him.”