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  • Denny Hamlin grabs the pole for the Irwin Tools Night Race

    Denny Hamlin grabs the pole for the Irwin Tools Night Race

    Denny Hamlin, who has had a very troublesome season, finally had something to smile about. On Friday, he drove his No. 11 Fed-Ex Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to the top spot in qualifying for the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Hamlin turned a lap of 128.969 mph to secure the top spot. The pole was Hamlin’s fourth of the season, and 16th of his career.

    Hamlin who sat out four races earlier this season after receiving a back injury in the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, has had very little success since his return. He did score poles at Charlotte and Dover, race results, however, have not been very good.

    Hamlin talked about the lap after qualifying saying, “We felt like we had a pretty good handle on our car during practice and for whatever reason when that small rain storm came, it obviously changed the race track a bunch –washed out a little bit of what cushion we had on the top line away and you saw a lot of guys slipping over that edge during qualifying.”

    Kurt Busch continued his streak of solid runs with a second place starting spot. Busch who scraped the wall on one of his qualifying laps turned a lap of 128.770 mph, just shy of Hamlin’s pole speed. Busch was in the news again this week has Stewart-Hass Racing has confirmed they have made him an offer to driver for them next year. He

    Roush-Fenway Racing driver, Carl Edwards, took the third spot in his No. 99 Fastenal Ford, with a lap of 128.692 mph. Edwards commented, “We’re qualifying ok, we just need to be a little bit faster, I believe. This is a fun racetrack and I am hoping tomorrow night that the top slows down a little bit and you can have some good two or three wide racing here tomorrow.”

    Starting fourth will be Brian Vickers who announced early this week that he will be the full time drive for the No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. It was then announced later in the week that he would finish the season in the seat, with the exception of Talladega, when Mark Martin was granted his release to drive the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for the injured Tony Stewart. Vickers turned in a lap of 128.684 mph.

    Joe Gibb Racing driver, Matt Kenseth, rounded out the top five in his Dollar General Toyota. Kenseth who is tied with series points leader Jimmie Johnson with four wins on the season, turned in a lap of 128.692 mph.

    Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch were among several driver who had issues who had handling issues in qualifying. After slipping on lap one, Busch turned around, drove backwards around the track and restarted in an attempt to get a good second lap. He then, however, tagged the wall coming out of turn two and will start 43rd on Saturday.

    Other notables: Last week’s winner, Joey Logano, will start sixth, Mark Martin rolls off eleventh in his debut in the No. 14 car. Points leader Jimmie Johnson starts 13th, Dale Earnhardt Jr will take the green in 19th.

    The Irwin Tools Night race will start at 7:30 pm local time on Saturday night.

     

  • Kyle Busch wins thriller in the last great colosseum

    Kyle Busch wins thriller in the last great colosseum

    In the closing laps of the UNOH 200, Kyle Busch was on the verge of being lapped. A late race caution, however, led to a chaotic restart where several lead trucks experienced fuel pickup problems.

    After another yellow, Busch found himself with fresh tires and sitting in second place! Busch then battled leader Ryan Blaney for the top spot. Blaney slipped high, and Busch took the lead. Busch would then receive a late race challenge from Timothy Peters who had ran strong all night but had been shuffled back in the late race cautions.

    Peters caught Busch with one to go, drove hard to the inside and took a shot but ended up in the inside retaining wall giving the victory to Busch.

    The victory was Busch’s 33rd in the Camping World Truck Series in 111 starts.

    Timothy Peters led the most laps (125) and has an impressive record in recent events at the Worlds Fastest Half-Mile. He now has four top-10s in his last four starts, including a win here last year where he led every lap.

    Peters at one point was challenged by Ryan Blaney. With Blaney charging hard on the outside, got a run on Peters and pulled alongside. Peters moved up the track and forced Blaney into the marbles. Blaney made slight contact with the outside wall and vowed over the radio that if he made back to Peters’ bumper he would get revenge.

    Blaney had the opportunity in the closing laps but didn’t take it. He would end up third.

    ThorSport Racing’s Johnny Sauter, who has had a recent run of bad luck, performed well and stayed out of trouble to achieve a much needed top-5 finish coming home in the fourth spot.

    Pole sitter, Chase Elliott, looked strong early leading 63 laps, but faded with handling issues. The team rallied, however, and Chase fought his way back to a very respectable fifth place finish. Elliott, who tonight became the youngest pole winner in series history, has stats that any seasoned veteran would love to have – 5 starts, with 4 top-5’s and 5 top-10’s and one pole.

    Series points leader, Matt Crafton, kept his string of top-10 finishes alive with a tenth place finish. Crafton has scored a top-10 in every race this season. He now has a 49 point lead over defending series champion, James Buescher.

    The series now heads to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for the Chevy Silverado 250 Sept 1st.

  • Lap by Lap: UNOH 200 won by Kyle Busch

    Lap by Lap: UNOH 200 won by Kyle Busch

    After suffering a speeding penalty early in the race, Kyle Busch would work his way through lap traffic to take the victory in the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday night.

     

    Early caution for 45 spinning

    Restart lap 9

    Lap 15 Elliott leads Peters Crafton Blaney Dillon

    Lap 66 Peters leads KyBusch Elliott as they go through lap traffic

    Caution lap 70 Brandon Jones spins around. Leaders hit pit road. Busch and Seig were too fast. Peters leads Keselowski Blaney Crafton Elliott

    Restart lap 78 Peters pulls ahead off of turn two ahead of Keselowski and Crafton

    Lap 79 Blaney moves into third on Crafton

    Caution lap 80 Townley spins around

    Restart lap 90. Peters takes the lead

    Lap 99 Bubba Wallace on pit road with problems. Something electrical.

    Lap 100 Peters leads Keselowski Blaney Hornaday Crafton

    99 to go Blaney passes Keselowski for second

    63 to go Blaney catches Peters for the lead

    62 to go Blaney gets to the outside of Peters; Peters slides up a little and Blaney gets into the wall. Keselowski passes Blaney for second.

    59 to go Peters leads Keselowski Blaney Crafton Hornaday

    40 to go Peters leads Keselowski Blaney Crafton Buescher

    36 to go Seig is smoking. No caution yet.

    34 to go Seig black flag

    Caution 27 to go Agnew gets loose and into the inside wall. 9 of the 13 of the lead lap trucks came to pit road. Peters stayed out ahead of Crafton and Quiroga.

    14 to go Quiroga’s truck stalls as he rolls quietly on to pit road. Peters leads Crafton Blaney Keselowski Buescher Dillon Hornaday Busch

    Restart 13 to go Crafton stalls while running second and bunches up field, Keselowski slows up, Buescher spins Keselowski. Blaney got by Peters on the restart for the lead.

    Restart 7 to go Blaney and Busch are side-by-side for the lead

    5 to go Busch takes the lead as Blaney slides up the track. Peters up to second.

    4 to go Busch leads Peters, Blaney and Sauter and Elliott

    Final Lap Peters and Busch battle for the win

    Kyle Busch takes the win. Peters. Blaney. Sauter. Elliott. Dillon. Buescher. Hornaday. Keselowski. Crafton. Coulter. Burton.

  • Chase Elliott captures the UNOH 200 pole at Bristol

    Chase Elliott captures the UNOH 200 pole at Bristol

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie driver, Chase Elliott, paces the field in qualifying for the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliot in just his fifth career truck series start became the youngest pole winner in the history of the series turning a lap of 125.183 mph around the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile”

    Elliott, son of former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, has scored four top-10 finishes in his first four starts. A very impressive record for a driver who is still young to compete on some of the series faster speedways.

    Another second generation driver, Ryan Blaney, will start second turning a lap of 125.028 mph. The past few weeks for Blaney have been an emotional roller coaster after winning the Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway, then crashing on lap 1.  A week later in the National Guard 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Blaney currently sits eighth in the series standings, 85 points out of first.

    Driver of the No.3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy, Ty Dillon will take the green in third, with Timothy Peters and German Quiroga rounding out the top-5

    The green flag will fall on the UNOH 200 at 7:30pm EST at Bristol Motor Speedway.

     

     

  • Joey Logano takes the checkered flag at the Pure Michigan 400

    BROOKLYN, Mich. (August 18, 2013) – Joey Logano started the Pure Michigan 400 on the pole on Sunday after setting a track-record mark of 203.949 miles per hour on Friday. He finished the race right where he started, but this time he led the field to the checkered flag.

    The victory by Logano gave Ford Racing the inaugural Michigan Heritage. The trophy, inspired by the iconic Stanley Cup, will recognize the winning manufacturer – Ford, Toyota or Chevrolet – after each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at MIS.

    “Obviously we’re very honored to receive the first and inaugural manufacturers trophy,” Ford Racing’s Jamie Allison said. “It is special. Every win is special. But to win it here in front of our employees, our fans, with our team, just makes it even more important.”

    Mark Martin, 54, appeared ready to add to his overall success at Michigan International Speedway and become the oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner at the track. But Logano chased him down over the last few laps before getting by Martin.

    That made Logano the youngest Sprint Cup winner at MIS at 23-years old.

    “It’s crazy racing Mark Martin, my childhood hero,” Logano said. “I was able to race against him at Pocono last year for the win. It’s so cool racing against a guy like that. This is unbelievable to win here at Michigan in Ford’s backyard. We needed this for our Chase hopes.”

    It was also an important win for team owner Roger Penske who calls Michigan home.

    “As I go back probably 30 years here at the track, this is probably one of the biggest wins,” Penske said.  “With Joey coming onboard, his first win with the Shell‑Pennzoil car, our relationship with Ford.  It’s my home state, my home track.  Detroit is my city.”

    Kevin Harvick was right behind the battle for the lead and was ready to take advantage of a mistake by any of the top two. He closed quickly and was able to get past Martin, but was not able to make a pass of Logano.

    Kurt Busch finished third in the Pure Michigan 400.

    Harvick had good intentions on the last restart of the race on lap 177 with just Martin in front of him but said he mistimed his restart.

    “You know, we never really got out in front by ourselves but our car was really good,” Harvick added. “I was rolling pretty good on the 55 (Martin) and going to beat him to the start/finish line, so I had to check up and that allowed the 22 (Logano) to kind of make it three wide and get under me and we had to fight back from there.”

    It was a weekend loaded with positives for Logano. He moved from 16th to 13th in the points with three more races remaining in the race the Chase where the 12 finalists in the points will compete for the Sprint Cup Series title.

    Logano became the 17th driver in MIS history to win from the pole and got the maximum number of points in not only capturing the race but leading the most laps. While still in the race for the last two wild card positions he’s now only six points behind Martin Truex, Jr., in 12th and 17 points behind Greg Biffle, currently in 10th.

    It was Logano’s first win this season and third in 170 NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Two of his three wins have now come from the pole.

    Jimmie Johnson, the current points leader, had to drop to the back after he crashed during practice on Saturday. He took the lead 44 laps into the race, but the engine in his backup car expired 10 laps later and his record at MIS fell to 0-24.

    Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was also among the race leaders who ran into troubles, finishing 36th after brushing the wall 65 laps from the finish when his right front tire failed. He led for a total of 20 laps.

    Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is NASCAR’s fastest track and the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

    Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter @MISpeedway or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway. Android and iPhone can now download Discover MIS, the official app of MIS, on Google Play and iTunes.

    Join our Mobile Fan Club by texting MISCLUB on a Sprint Handheld or other mobile device to 69050. Standard text message rates may apply.

    2013 Michigan International Speedway Schedule
    Wednesday, Sept. 11     Spirit of America Blood Drive

  • Allmendinger wins at Mid Ohio

    AJ Allmendinger won the Nationwide Children’s 200 at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course for his second career win and his second win of the season. Almendinger led 73 of the 94 for Penske’s 8th NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) win of the season.

    Michael McDowell, Sam Hornish Jr, Max Papis and Brian Vickers rounded out the top-5.

    McDowell started on the pole in front of a spectacular crowd for the first ever race at Mid Ohio. Kyle Larson got spun by Nelson Piquet Jr. on lap 1 and had to come in to fix his damage. He was three laps down when he left the pits. Allmendinger took over the lead on lap 9 when he used the bump and run to take the top spot.

    Jeffery Earnhardt spun in the esses in his #79 car and the caution came out for the first time in this race. Papis and Austin Dillon did not pit for track position as Dinger had trouble with his left rear in pit lane. Hornish Jr. beat them out of pit lane for the 3rd position.

    They went back to green on Lap 23 and Papis had the lead but not for long! Hornish took advantage of Papis’ old tires and took the lead from Mad Max. Another caution waved once again for the teammates of Ron Fellows and Regan Smith get together in turn 4 for the yellows to wave for the second time. Papis and Dillon came in for four tires and fuel. Sadler also came in for his second stop and got some fuel and tires as well. He also had damage on his nose so they put some tape on it and sent him off.

    We went back to green and Marcos Ambrose and Justin Allgaier were going at it for a position. Ambrose got him in one corner then Allgaier in the next. Ambrose then tried to make that word in the esses and spun the #31 Turner Scott Chevy into the gravel trap. Caution waved for the third time on lap 31.

    Nobody came in to pit so it was a fast yellow and they went back to green two laps later on lap 33. McDowell was back up to second after losing the spot to Hornish and Ambrose was back in the top 10 but the yellow was out again for the #30 of Piquet Jr. for a spin on the track. He got back on the track and continued but the caution still waved.

    Green was waving three laps later with Allmendinger still in the lead. Owen Kelly was battling for the lead. Allmendinger kept the top spot but cautions breed cautions and the caution waved once again. This time it was for the #23 of Anthony Gandon running into the gravel trap. Alex Kennedy also had some trouble.

    Green was waving once again with 24 laps to go and Allmendinger pulled away with chaos happening behind them. Kilgerman got off the track on turn 4 by Piquet Jr. The next turn, Smith got turned by guess who? Piquet Jr. During that spin, Dillon and Fellows spun out together with Fellows getting some damage to his front bumper.

    Green was displayed on Lap 49 with the Dinger still leading it.  Vickers had to come in due to a cut tire but was back in 33rd. Travis Pastrana spun on Lap 55 but did not warrant a caution so he went into the pit lane to fix the damage. All of the leaders came in to pit for their green flag pit stops and Allmendinger retained the lead but the caution came out for the 7th time as Kenny Habul in the #75 car had a banner attached to his car after running into it on the race track. Larson will get the free pass for the third straight time and he will be back on the lead lap. What a story this could be if he could get his first win like this!

    They went back to green and Allmendinger pulled away but there was still battles all over the track. Larson was battling Vickers for 10th, Piquet was battling Kelly for 4th and Ambrose got spun by Hornish Jr. and then got spun again by Kilgerman. Trevor Bayne also spun into the gravel trap but got it going again. Allmendinger had a pretty good lead over McDowell but the #75 of Habul got spun out into the gravel trap to bring out the caution with two to go.

    1st Green White Checkered was green and Allmendinger had a great run into turn 1. Kelly got turned into the gravel trap and Dillon got turned as well. Piquet Jr. ran out of fuel and finished 27th and Larson got spun, finished 14th and then spun out Papis on the cool down lap. In all of that mess, there was one thing that was clear. AJ Allmendinger dominated and won this race at Mid Ohio.

    Sam Hornish Jr. leads the point standings by 13 points over Elliott Sadler and 15 points over Regan Smith and Austin Dillon.

  • James Buescher wins Michigan National Guard 200

    BROOKLYN, Mich. (August 17, 2013) – Defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion James Buescher executed a perfect pass of Kyle Busch in the closing laps to win the Michigan National Guard 200.

    Overcoming a problem in the pits, Buescher sat third with four laps to go. With a perfectly timed pass, Buescher wheeled by both second place Brendan Gaughan and leader Kyle Busch in turn four. The defending champion then was able to pull away and take his first victory of the 2013 campaign.

    Busch did not go quietly as stayed on Buescher’s back tailgate for the last three laps. But Buescher countered every Busch move.

    For Buescher the risky move was a must, mentioning that the season has not gone according to plan. The victory brought him within one point of second place Jeb Burton and 52 points behind points leader Matt Crafton.

    “It’s a good way to start that turnaround,” Buescher said. “It’s no secret that it’s not the season we’ve been expecting.”

    Busch, Ty Dillon, Joey Logano and Miguel Paludo rounded out the top five. For Busch, it was his fourth second place finish during an NCWTS event at MIS. He has won on the two-mile oval in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series, but is still seeking his first win in the trucks.

    Busch gave Buescher credit but was still unsure how the move worked.

    “How the 31 (Buescher) could get a run on the 62 (Gaughan) who got a run on me is beyond me,” Busch said. “It blows my mind.”

    Earlier in the day in NCWTS qualifying, Jeb Burton and Gaughan broke Joey Coulter’s track record of 184.101 mph. Burton ran an average speed of 185.759 MPH while Gaughan timed at 184.120 MPH.

    Jimmie Johnson has continued to chase that elusive victory at MIS, one of only five tracks where the five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has never won. Johnson was in control during the final NSCS practice Saturday but a mistake wiped away any momentum the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet driver had. Despite posting the fastest speed of final practice of 199.457 mph, Johnson crashed nose first during the session. Johnson, who qualified third, will now start from the back of the field in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400.

    Juan Pablo Montoya, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch and Austin Dillon rounded out the top five. Dillon is in his first race as a substitute for injured Tony Stewart.

    Joey Logano, the pole sitter for Sunday’s race, ran 22nd in final practice. Logano set a track record qualifying lap at 203.949 mph.

    Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is NASCAR’s fastest track and the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

    Tickets are on sale at http://www.MISpeedway.com or by phone at 800-354-1010.

    Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter @MISpeedway or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway. Android and iPhone can now download Discover MIS, the official app of MIS, on Google Play and iTunes.

    Join our Mobile Fan Club by texting MISCLUB on a Sprint Handheld or other mobile device to 69050. Standard text message rates may apply.

     

    PHOTO CREDIT: LAT USA/Michigan International Speedway

     

    2013 Michigan International Speedway Schedule

    Sunday, Aug. 18                NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
    Wednesday, Sept. 11     Spirit of America Blood Drive

  • Kyle Busch wins a thriller at Watkins Glen!

    Kyle Busch wins a thriller at Watkins Glen!

    After the destroyed racecars were towed away, the smoke faded and the crowd dispersed, Kyle Busch was left standing triumphantly in victory lane at Watkins Glen. Brad Keselowski got to the bumper of Kyle and bumped him in the final corner but it wasn’t enough to dislodge the No.18 from the top spot. This is Kyle’s 27th career NASCAR Sprint Cup win and his third of the year. Sonoma winner Martin Truex Jr. finished third while pole-sitter and race favorite Marcos Ambrose crashed out heavily with just a handful of laps remaining.

    NASCAR’s 28th visit to Watkins Glen International Raceway was definitely an exciting one which produced an abundant supply of carnage and epic battles during the 90 lap event. The race kicked off around 1:30pm and quickly claimed its first victim via a crash in the form of 4-time NSCS champion Jeff Gordon who slammed head-on into the guard rail after getting into the wall with the left side.

    Most of the big wrecks took place in the esses with a four car melee taking place 40 laps in when Ron Fellows got into Travis Kvapil. The race was red flagged to clean up the oil that was spread around the track by the wrecked cars. The turning point of the race occurred with 30 laps to go when Aric Almirola crashed during green-flag pit stops. A bunch of drivers had their days ruined by the unexpected caution but the most notable was obviously Marcos Ambrose who ironically, is Aric’s teammate. The Aussie had led all but 10 laps up to that point but was forced to restart 12th while Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr led the way.

    The two made door-to-door contact in the bus stop with Busch prevailing and Keselowski moving to second. Travis Kvapil returned to the track after his earlier wreck but quickly blew a tire and the tire carcass ended up in the grass. Busch got a great restart while the field bottled up behind him and in the esses. Kasey Kahne crashed into the guard rail and after backing it into the fence, he was nailed by his teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr. A few other cars got tangled up in the mess as well.

    They didn’t make it any further on the following restart when Marcos Ambrose spun off the nose of Max Papis in the esses and collected Brian Vickers. Both the No.9 and No.55 were destroyed and done for the day. Marcos angrily threw his steering wheel, helmet and HANS Device before getting into the ambulance for a mandatory visit to the infield care center.

    That wreck proved to be the last as they went clean and green for the final two laps with Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch left to fight it out for the win. Brad began to reel in the No.18 on the penultimate lap and in the final corner, he laid the bumper to Kyle but refused to dump him stating that there is a “code of honor” that he felt he should abide by. Busch, Keselowski and Truex Jr. led the field across the stripe as the No.18 crew and Samantha celebrated on pit road.

    Kasey Kahne who finished 34th and Ryan Newman who finished 14th currently hold the wild card spots with four races remaining in the regular season. Jimmie Johnson has officially clinched a spot in the chase after finishing 8th and everyone in the top seven in points is expected to make the chase with ease unless something catastrophic happens. The full race results can bee seen below…

    1.) Kyle Busch #18

    2.) Brad Keselowski #2

    3.) Martin Truex Jr #56

    4.) Carl Edwards #99

    5.) Juan Pablo Montoya #42

    6.) Clint Bowyer #15

    7.) Joey Logano #22

    8.) Jimmie Johnson #48

    9.) Kurt Busch #78

    10.) AJ Allmendinger #47

    11.) Jamie McMurray #1

    12.) Casey Mears #13

    13.)  Kevin Harvick #29

    14.) Ryan Newman #39

    15.) Max Papis #14

    16.) Greg Biffle #16

    17.) Paul Menard #27

    18.) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17

    19.) Denny Hamlin #11

    20.) Danica Patrick #10

    21.) David Ragan #34

    22.) Boris Said #32

    23.) Matt Kenseth #20

    24.) Owen Kelly #51

    25.) David Gilliland #38

    26.) Jeff Burton #31

    27.) Dave Blaney #7

    28.) Landon Cassill #40

    29.) Alex Kennedy #19

    30.) Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88

    31.) Marcos Ambrose #9

    32.) Brian Vickers #55

    33.) David Stremme #30

    34.) Kasey Kahne #5

    35.) Ron Fellows #33

    36.) Jeff Gordon #24

    37.) Aric Almirola #43

    38.) Michael McDowell #35

    39.) Brian Keselowski #52

    40.) Travis Kvapil #93

    41.) Victor Gonzalez Jr. #36

    42.) Tomy Drissi #87

    43.) David Retimann #83

  • Penske Racing Dominates Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen

    The three Penske cars combined to lead 73 of the 82 laps in the Zippo 200 and swept the top two spots while leaving the rest of the field to fight for the leftovers. Logano was running inside the top five on the final lap as well but ran out of fuel which relegated him to a disappointing 21st place finish. Brad Keselowski was able to hold off teammate and NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) title threat, Sam Hornish Jr for the victory; the 24th of his NNS career and his 4th in his last four starts.

    The race started off with a jaw-dropping moment when Kyle Busch spun just seconds after the initial start while trying to take the lead. He escaped with only minor damage until Mike Wallace made heavy contact with the left front of the No.54. Kyle Busch finished the race 24th and five laps down while his rival in the owner’s championship, Brad Keselowski put the No.22 in victory lane and significantly cut down the 54’s points lead.

    Austin Dillon was able to maintain his position at the top of the standings, although it did shrink after a 12th place finish which could partly be attributed to fuel pick-up problems.

    Sam Hornish Jr. is just eight markers back of Austin with Regan Smith five points back. Sadler and Vickers are also within reasonable striking distance.

    The NNS will return to a road course again next weekend with their inaugural trip to Mid-Ohio.

    1.) Brad Keselowski

    2.) Sam Hornish Jr.

    3.) Brian Vickers

    4.) Regan Smith

    5.) Elliott Sadler

    6.) Parker Kligerman

    7.) Justin Allgaier

    8.) Cole Whitt

    9.) Nelson Piquet Jr.

    10.) Trevor Bayne

    11.) Brian Scott

    12.) Austin Dillon

    13.) Alex Bowman

    14.) Brendan Gaughan

    15.) Travis Pastrana

    16.) Reed Sorenson

    17.) Landon Cassill

    18.) Kasey Kahne

    19.) Kyle Kelley

    20.) Jeremy Clements

    21.) Joey Logano

    22.) Michael Annett

    23.) Bryan Silas

    24.) Kyle Busch

    25.) Derek White

    26.) Andrew Ranger

    27.) Mike Bliss

    28.) Eric McClure

    29.) Tony Raines

    30.) Kyle Larson

    31.) Carl Long

    32.) Anthony Gandon

    33.) Joey Gase

    34.) Kenny Habul

    35.) Morgan Shepherd

    36.) Blake Koch

    37.) Jeff Green

    38.) TJ Bell

    39.) Josh Wise

    40.) Mike Wallace

  • Four In a row for Bad Brad!

    Brad Keselowski won the 19th Annual Zippo 200 at The Glen for his fourth consecutive victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). Keselowski, who led three times for 46 laps, Keselowski’s 4th straight Nationwide win is tied for second most all-time. Ryan Newman holds the record with five straight NNS wins.

    Sam Hornish Jr. was second followed by Brian Vickers, Regan Smith and Elliott Sadler.

    Hornish Jr led the field to the green flag after quals were completed earlier in the morning. They went into turn 1 and it looked like everything was going to be fine and then Kyle Busch spun out! He looked like he was going to save but bam! Mike Wallace just drilled the front of the Monster Energy Toyota throwing debris from the two cars everywhere on the track. Caution came out and both cars went to the garage.

    We went back to green on lap 5 with Hornish Jr. leading and we made it out of turn 1 cleanly! Hornish Jr was pulling away on lap 9 but Keselowski passed his teammate for second and passed his teammate on lap 16 to take the lead. One lap later, the No.75 of Kenny Habul slowing in the bus stop. Everybody came in to pit road for their first pit stops of the day. Hornish Jr. wins the race off pit road followed by Logano, Keselowski, Brian Scott and Nelson Piquet Jr.

    We went back to green on lap 21 with Kilgerman leading them to turn 1. Kligerman, Kasey Kahne and Andrew Ranger did not pit as they have a strategy on pitting. Ranger got shuffled back fast but Kahne and Kligerman stayed up there. Trevor Bayne spun coming onto the front stretch but no caution. Joey Gase was slow and stopped on the track about to go into turn 7 and the caution came out for Gase. Some drivers came in including Larson, Kahne, Piquet Jr and others but none of the leaders stopped as track position is key here.

    Green flag waved once again on lap 31 with Keselowski leading them down to turn 1. He pulled away with his two teammates right behind him. Hornish was gaining though as by lap 40, he was only 1.193 behind his teammate of Keselowski.

    Caution waved once again for the 4th time today as the No.32 of Kyle Larson blew up on the inner loop. He got a push back to the garage and that will end his race this afternoon. He will tho continue to race this evening as he will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee for the Knoxville Nationals. Pit stops occurred during this caution and Keselowski did not pit while Logano did pit.

    Green was waving in the air with 36 to go and Keselowski slowly pulled away while Smith passed Hornish Jr for 2nd. Green flag pit stops occurred with 30 to go as the leader came in with his teammate Hornish Jr. Smith took over the lead but did pit the following lap. Logano and Allgaier did not pit as the caution came out and now they will lose a ton of spots.  Allgaier went in and pitted but Logano did not so he will have to save fuel if he wants to make it all the way.

    They went back to green on lap 62 with Logano out front. That did not last though as Keselowski took over the race lead 4 laps later. Kahne had to come in as he had a cute tire battling back in the pack. Logano had to let Keselowski go as he had to save fuel to make it. He was one lap short. Logano finished 21st.