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Race Central NASCAR Cup Series news and information

  • Clint Bowyer paces final Cup practice, Kyle Busch wrecks

    Clint Bowyer paces final Cup practice, Kyle Busch wrecks

    Clint Bowyer has been one of the fastest cars all week, and he showed that again during Saturday’s final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

    Bowyer, who led the way in Friday’s practice and was quickest in two of three rounds of qualifying in the No. 14, was looking sporty on Saturday with an average lap speed of 179.104 mph.

    Kyle Busch was second but was forced to go to the rear of the field after smacking the outside wall and spinning in Turn 2 (178.873 mph). Austin Dillon was third (178.712mph), Michael McDowell was fourth, and Corey LaJoie rounded out the top-five.

    “Just got loose. We were trying to run a run, and the car was pretty good with fire off there,” Busch said. “We ran some really good times and then just kept getting a little bit looser, a little bit looser. I tried to go back to the bottom and run the bottom to see how slow I had to be to go around the bottom and just snapped.”

    Completing the Top 10 were Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, Daniel Hemric, Ryan Newman, and Martin Truex Jr.

    Busch was forced to go to a backup car, which means he will have to start Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 from the rear of the field.

    Erik Jones went to the garage late in the session after his No. 20 Toyota started to spew smoke. It was reported that he was suffering power steering issues.

    Brad Keselowski, who was sidelined by flu-like symptoms for most of the session, was 28th quickest.

    Of the drivers who ran at least 10 consecutive laps, it was the Kyle and Kyle show. Kyle Busch was quickest (177.302 mph), followed by Kyle Larson.

  • Monster Energy Cup Series: Drivers to watch at Atlanta

    Monster Energy Cup Series: Drivers to watch at Atlanta

    The Monster Energy Cup Series started the 2019 season with the 61st annual Daytona 500 and while the Great American race has come and gone, the series doesn’t sleep, and the true test begins in Atlanta this weekend.

    Atlanta Motor Speedway is the home to all 3 major series for the weekend and there are tons of variables that could confuse teams. How will the new aero package affect teams? How will the new left side tire compounds work for the racing? Will we see pack racing like we saw last week in Daytona?

    All of these questions are unknowns till we see cars on the track but who are some of the guys you should keep your eye on this week? Let’s dive into some of the drivers that could be up at the front on Sunday in Atlanta.

    Jimmie Johnson: For the seven time champion, it was a prayer from the heavens that Johnson escaped Daytona with an 8th place finish. He was involved in a wreck heading onto to pit road when the 31 of Tyler Reddick collided with the back of the Ally Chevy after Reddick’s car got hit by the two Rick Ware Racing cars. He kept digging and avoiding the two big wrecks at the end of the race to come out of Daytona, with a Top 10. This was also the first race with new crew chief Kevin Meendering.

    What should we expect from Johnson in Atlanta? Well, the track record is fairly good for the El Cajon, California native. He leads all active drivers with 5 wins, 14 Top 5’s and 16 Top 10’s. Even though the Hendrick Motorsports elder hasn’t won in 60 races, don’t be surprised we see the bright purple Ally Chevy into Victory Lane, come Sunday afternoon. Should Johnson end up breaking the winless streak, dating back to Spring Dover race in 2017, it would mark Johnson’s 84th career win; tying him with the NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison for fourth on the all-time wins list.

    Denny Hamlin: Unlike Johnson, Hamlin broke his winless streak at the Greatest Spectacle in racing, the Daytona 500, last week in Daytona. The true test begins this week, for the Chesterfield, Virginia alum. Hamlin has won before in Atlanta, but it was in 2012 when the race was in September. He battled Kevin Harvick last year in Atlanta, exchanging the lead with the Stewart Haas driver six time over the last 110 laps. Harvick went on to win the race while Hamlin fell to a fourth place run. Hamlin also has 7 Top 10’s and a pole at one of the oldest tracks in the Cup Series so don’t be shocked if you see the 11 in the Top 5 on Sunday.

    Kevin Harvick: It was a rough day for the defending Atlanta race winner in Daytona as he finished 26th at Daytona after being collected in a crash on lap 194 of the 207-lap race. It is a new week and for Harvick, it should be no surprise he is the man to beat come this weekend. The Bakersfield, CA native won his first career race in 2001 at this race track in an emotional victory lane as he took over the wheel of the #3 (which switched numbers to #29) of Dale Earnhardt. Harvick has had 7 top 5’s, 13 top 10’s along with two poles at the rough and ragged track that is known to be called Atlanta Motor Speedway. With a win on Sunday, Harvick would tie Buck Backer for 16th on the all time win’s list with 46 MENCS victories. Look for Harvick to be around the lead pack and in contention for the trophy at the end of the day of Sunday.

    Kyle Busch: It was once again, frustration for the JGR driver, as Busch finished second (his career finish at the Daytona 500) and one spot short of receiving that Harley J Earl trophy for the Las Vegas native but Busch does come to Atlanta with a milestone. With starting the Cup race on Sunday, the 2015 Cup champion will achieve his 500th career start in the series. Busch has two wins at Atlanta (2008 and 2013) and his car owner Joe Gibbs, has 11 Cup wins total at the track.

    Busch will also be competing in the Gander Outdoor Truck Series on Saturday afternoon and with a win in that series, it would make him the truck series’ all time winningest driver in Truck Series history. It should not be a surprise to see Busch in Victory Lane…more than once this weekend in Atlanta.

    Dark Horse: Matt DiBenedetto:

    The Grass Valley, CA shocked many, many people on Sunday when he took the lead in the Daytona 500 and led the most laps (49) before getting caught up in the big one on Lap 190. DiBenedetto, driving for Levine Family Racing, has teamed up with Joe Gibbs racing to form an alliance to help the 95 throughout the season. DiBenedetto is in the best equipment he has had in the Cup Series and could be contending for wins later on in the season. Look for Dibenedetto to have a solid run this weekend.

    Who is your pick to win the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta on Sunday? Tell us in your comments, below!

    Catch the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at 2:00 PM ET on FOX

    Follow Bryan on Twitter @TheBryanNolen for all the latest on NASCAR news, rumors, and more.

  • Weekend Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    Weekend Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    NASCAR heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a triple-header weekend as the Monster Energy Cup Series, Xfinity Series and the Gander Outdoors Truck Series hit the track for the second race of the 2019 season.


    Friday, February 22
    11:35 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.: Cup Series first practice – Live on NASCAR.com/live
    1:05 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series first practice – Live on NASCAR.com/live
    2:05 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.: Truck Series first Practice – Live on NASCAR.com/live
    3:05 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series Final Practice – FS1
    4:05 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.: Truck Series Final Practice – FS1
    5:10 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Multi-Vehicle / Three Rounds) – FS1/PRN

    Saturday, February 23
    9:35 a.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying (Multi-Vehicle / Three Rounds) – FS1
    10:40 a.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (Single Vehicle / Two Rounds) – FS1
    12:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.: Cup Series Final Practice – FS1
    2 p.m.: Xfinity Series Rinnai 250 (Stages 40/80/163 Laps = 251.02 miles ) – FS1/PRN
    4:30 p.m.: Truck Series Ultimate Tailgating 200 (Stages 40/80/130 Laps = 200.02 miles ) – FS1/MRN

    Sunday, February 24
    2:00 p.m.: Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (Stages 85/170/325 Laps = 500.5 miles) – FOX/PRN

    Aric Almirola will lead the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field as they take the green flag at  2:16 p.m. ET Sunday, Feb. 24 for The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Television live coverage will begin at 2 p.m. ET on FOX.

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

    Starting Lineup for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500

    StartingDriverNumber
    No. 1Aric Almirola10
    No. 2Ricky Stenhouse Jr.17
    No. 3Clint Bowyer14
    No. 4Denny Hamlin11
    No. 5Daniel Suarez41
    No. 6Kyle Busch18
    No. 7Kyle Larson42
    No. 8Kurt Busch1
    No. 9Martin Truex Jr.19
    No. 10Austin Dillon3
    No. 11Jimmie Johnson48
    No. 12Michael McDowell34
    No. 13Ryan Newman9
    No. 14Paul Menard21
    No. 15Erik Jones20
    No. 16Alex Bowman88
    No. 17William Byron24
    No. 18Kevin Harvick4
    No. 19Brad Keselowski2
    No. 20Matt DiBenedetto95
    No. 21Ty Dillon13
    No. 22Chase Elliott9
    No. 23David Ragan38
    No. 24Corey Lajoie32
    No. 25Ryan Preece47
    No. 26Ryan Blaney12
    No. 27Joey Logano22
    No. 28Daniel Hemric8
    No. 29Bubba Wallace 43
    No. 30Chris Buescher37
    No. 31Matt Tifft31
    No. 32Ross Chastain15
    No. 33Landon Cassill00
    No. 34Parker Kligerman96
    No. 35Garrett Smithley77
    No. 36Cody Ware51
    No. 37BJ McLeod52

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 entry list

    Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 entry list

    After 40 drivers competed in the season-opening Daytona 500 last week, the entry list for this weekend is smaller.

    For Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at the 1.5-mile (2.414-kilometer) high-banked Atlanta Motor Speedway, only 37 drivers will race the scheduled 325-lap distance.

    Live coverage begins on FOX at 2 p.m. ET with the green flag scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.

    Here are the drivers that will be in Sunday’s race.

    1 – Landon Cassill – #00, StarCom Racing, Chevrolet
    2 – Kurt Busch – #1, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet
    3 – Brad Keselowski – #2, Team Penske, Ford
    4 – Austin Dillon – #3, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet
    5 – Kevin Harvick – #4, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
    6 – Ryan Newman – #6, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford
    7 – Daniel Hemric – #8, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet
    8 – Chase Elliott – #9, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
    9 – Aric Almirola – #10, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
    10 – Denny Hamlin – #11, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
    11 – Ryan Blaney – #12, Team Penske, Ford
    12 – Ty Dillon – #13, Germain Racing, Chevrolet
    13 – Clint Bowyer – #14, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
    14 – Ross Chastain – #15, Premium Motorsports, Chevrolet
    15 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – #17, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford
    16 – Kyle Busch – #18, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
    17 – Martin Truex Jr. – #19, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
    18 – Erik Jones – #20, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
    19 – Paul Menard – #21, Wood Brothers Racing, Ford
    20 – Joey Logano – #22, Team Penske, Ford
    21 – William Byron – #24, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
    22 – Corey Lajoie – #32, Go Fas Racing, Ford
    23 – Michael McDowell – #34, Front Row Motorsports, Ford
    24 – Matt Tifft – #36, Front Row Motorsports, Ford
    25 – Chris Buescher – #37, JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet
    26 – David Ragan – #38, Front Row Motorsports, Ford
    27 – Daniel Suarez – #41, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
    28 – Kyle Larson – #42, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet
    29 – Darrell Wallace Jr. – #43, Richard Petty Motorsports, Chevrolet
    30 – Ryan Preece – #47, JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet
    31 – Jimmie Johnson – #48, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
    32 – Alex Bowman – #88, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
    33 – Matt DiBenedetto – #95, Leavine Family Racing, Toyota
    34 – Cody Ware – #51, Petty Ware Racing, Chevrolet
    35 – B.J. McLeod – #52 Rick Ware Racing, Chevrolet
    36 – Garrett Smithley – #77, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet
    37 – Parker Kligerman – #96, Gaunt Brothers Racing, Toyota

  • Denny Hamlin Wins The 61st Daytona 500

    Denny Hamlin Wins The 61st Daytona 500

    In a race that featured two big wrecks, two Red Flags and a long winless streak broken, Denny Hamlin won the 61st Daytona 500 for the second time in his 15 year career and 32nd time he has found victory lane.

    “The whole family, they’ve just done so much for me throughout the course of my career. This one’s for J.D.,” Hamlin said after the race. “We’re desperately going to miss him the rest of our lives, but his legacy still lives on at Joe Gibbs Racing.”

    Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Erik Jones and Michael McDowell rounded out the top 5.

    “We had a really good Shell/Pennzoil Ford.” Logano said. “I actually felt like we had the car to beat and just couldn’t get there. It’s so hard to get to the front. Once I got to the front, I felt like we had a really fast car.”

    “We just didn’t have any outright speed to break the 18 or the 11.” -McDowell said after the race. “When the 18 shot to the outside, he had a lot of momentum, a big run. I tried to go with him, to hope the 18 and 11 would get to together to steal a win but a Top 5 is great.”

    Stage 1:

    Under beautiful and bright sunny skies, William Byron led the field to the green flag with his 88 teammate of Alex Bowman to the right of him. Byron led the first 6 laps in his 24 Axalta Chevrolet.

    Pit stops for the first time happened around Lap 19 with Kurt Busch stopping to lead us off. He almost took the fuel can with him but they got it right in the nick of time.

    However, during pit stops, the 32 of Corey Lajoie’s right front tire blew causing the first caution of the race and the season.

    The cars that didn’t come in during the green flag stops, did come which included the teams like Alex Bowman, Bubba Wallace, Jimmie Johnson, Hamlin & Ryan Preece.

    They went back to green on Lap 24 and there we not just one lane that was moving forward, but there was two lines. Unlike the XFinity race the previous night, there was two lanes of racing which made it much better racing for the fans, drivers, and everybody involved.

    Jimmie Johnson took the lead on Lap 39 however it did not take long as the dark M&M’s car of Kyle Busch retook the lead, just a couple circuits later.

    With two laps to go in Stage 1 and everybody itching for stage points, Bubba Wallace collided with Darrell Wallace Jr, sending Wallace Jr. around. Wallace collected Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray, who is racing in his final race. All had minor damage and were able to continue.

    We went back to green with 7 to go in Stage 1 with the two Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammates, one two. Would Hamlin make a move to grab a stage win? You better believe he did but he made the move too soon and fell to sixth to end the stage while his JGR teammate of Kyle Busch, won the first stage of the season.

    Stage 2:

    Stage 2 got going with the defending champion and the winner of the 2nd Duel on Thursday, Joey Logano with the lead spot until lap 73 when Logano among with Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick and a host of Ford’s came into Pit lane and got mostly fuel only.

    Matt DiBenedetto retook over the lead and for DiBenedetto, this is already turning into a historic day. According to Racing Reference, Before today’s race, DiBenedetto led only 23 laps in his 140 starts in the Monster Energy Cup Series. Today? By the time he passed the start/finish line on Lap 87, he already surpassed that.

    There was only 19 cars on the lead lap when Matt DieBenedetto caught the pack that went to pit lane on Lap 73, on Lap 104. The lucky thing for the guys that were about to be lapped, they were saved by the 27 of Casey Mears. The driver of the second Germain car, that raced his way in, made contact with the 96 of Parker Kligermann heading into Turn 1.

    Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Kyle Larson stayed out and took the first two rows on the restart. Kyle Busch restarted fifth after pitting.

    Blaney went back to green with the lead…and did not give it away as he took the Green and White Checkers to end the second stage.

    Byron, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski and Ricky Stenhouse Jr did not pit.

    Stage 3:

    Byron led off the third stage and was definitely proving that the duo between him and Chad Knuas was working well. Byron, was however, was battling Knaus’ former driver as Jimmie Johnson for multiple, multiple laps.

    During Green Flag pit stops, the real drama began. Multiple drivers, including Johnson, were involved in a wreck when the 52 of Cody Ware and the 51 of BJ McLeod was trying to slow down which ran into Tyler Reddick. Reddick then, proceeded to drive into the 48. Johnson’s entire back side of his car near his fuel cell, was destroyed.

    They went back to green and after a couple of quick cautions for the 42 of Larson cutting a tire and the 2 of Keselowski incident on the front stretch, the carnage started to occur and the big one struck on with 9 laps to go.

    21 drivers were involved in the big one in which Paul Menard made contact with Matt DiBenedetto which set a series of sparks and carnage throughout the field. Among the ones involved? Blaney, Stenhouse Jr, David Regan, Truex Jr, Johnson, William Byron and David Regan.

    “I just saw a replay and I didn’t realize that all that was going on but it was very dark and I saw sparks flying around so I knew I was underneath someone. I cant thank NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway, the safety they have is unbelievable.” Regan said. “That is just speedway racing. Everyone is blocking, everyone is racing hard, not cutting an inch and that’s what happens when you’re going for the Daytona 500.”

    The sparks and excitement weren’t done though as 2 laps later, a “mini” big one occurred when Larson got involved with Stenhouse Jr which included Chase Elliott, Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick and Ty Dillon.

    The chaos was not over as the Big One Part 2: happened during NASCAR Overtime when the 14 of Clint Bowyer, turned down into the 34 of Michael McDowell sending a gaggle of cars into the mayhem that is accustomed with Daytona International Speedway.

    “Hey it is the Daytona 500, I had to go for it. This just sucks man. We had such a good Rush Truck Centers, Mobile 1 Ford Mustang. We had a shot at it and I just took it.” Bowyer said

    Among the number of cars involved? Cassill, McMurray, Gaughan and Keselowski.

    NASCAR Overtime was back at it again, and this time, they got to the checkered flag. Hamlin went neck and neck with Busch, Logano and McDowell but it was just too little and too late as the Chesterfield, VA native broke his 47 winless drought at the great spectacle in racing, the Daytona 500.

    Monster Energy Cup Series Race Number 1
    Unofficial Race Results for the 61st Annual Daytona 500 – Sunday, February 17, 2019
    Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, FL – 2.5 – Mile Paved
    Total Race Length – 207 Laps – 517.5 Miles

    Fin Str Car Driver Team Laps Stage1Pos Stage2Pos Pts Status
    1 10 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Express Toyota 207 6 0 45 Running
    2 31 18 Kyle Busch M&M’s Chocolate Bar Toyota 207 1 0 45 Running
    3 28 20 Erik Jones Sport Clips Toyota 207 10 0 35 Running
    4 4 22 Joey Logano Shell Pennzoil Ford 207 3 10 42 Running
    5 34 34 Michael McDowell Love’s Travel Stops Ford 207 0 0 32 Running
    6 22 13 Ty Dillon GEICO Chevrolet 207 0 0 31 Running
    7 26 42 Kyle Larson Credit One Bank Chevrolet 207 8 0 33 Running
    8 21 47 Ryan Preece # Kroger.com Chevrolet 207 0 0 29 Running
    9 17 48 Jimmie Johnson Ally Chevrolet 207 0 9 30 Running
    10 36 15 Ross Chastain(i) Chevrolet 207 0 0 0 Running
    11 2 88 Alex Bowman Nationwide Chevrolet 207 2 0 35 Running
    12 35 2 Brad Keselowski Discount Tire Ford 207 0 4 32 Running
    13 5 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Fastenal Ford 207 0 5 30 Running
    14 19 6 Ryan Newman Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Ford 207 0 0 23 Running
    15 25 96 * Parker Kligerman(i) Gaunt Brothers Racing/Toyota Toyota 205 0 0 0 Running
    16 20 3 Austin Dillon Dow Chevrolet 205 0 0 21 Running
    17 18 9 Chase Elliott NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet 200 7 0 24 Accident
    18 32 32 Corey LaJoie Old Spice Ford 200 0 0 19 Running
    19 38 51 BJ McLeod(i) Jacob Companies Chevrolet 200 0 0 0 Running
    20 6 14 Clint Bowyer Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Ford 199 0 0 17 Accident
    21 1 24 William Byron Axalta Chevrolet 198 0 2 25 Accident
    22 16 40 Jamie McMurray McDonald’s/Cessna/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet 198 0 0 15 Accident
    23 30 62 * Brendan Gaughan(i) Beard Oil Distributing/South Point Chevrolet 197 0 0 0 Accident
    24 27 0 Landon Cassill PERMATEX Chevrolet 196 0 0 13 Accident
    25 12 1 Kurt Busch Monster Energy Chevrolet 196 0 0 12 Running
    26 3 4 Kevin Harvick Busch Beer Car2Can Ford 194 9 7 17 Accident
    27 39 31 * Tyler Reddick(i) Symbicort Chevrolet 191 0 0 0 Accident
    28 9 95 Matt DiBenedetto Procore Toyota 190 0 6 14 Accident
    29 7 21 Paul Menard Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford 190 0 0 8 Accident
    30 24 38 David Ragan Select Blinds Ford 190 0 0 7 Accident
    31 14 12 Ryan Blaney Menards/Peak Ford 190 5 1 22 Accident
    32 8 10 Aric Almirola Smithfield Ford 190 0 3 13 Accident
    33 23 41 Daniel Suarez Haas Automation Ford 190 4 8 14 Accident
    34 29 8 Daniel Hemric # Bass Pro Shops/Caterpillar Chevrolet 190 0 0 3 Accident
    35 11 19 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops Toyota 190 0 0 2 Accident
    36 33 36 Matt Tifft # Speedco Ford 190 0 0 1 Accident
    37 15 37 Chris Buescher Kleenex Wet Wipes Chevrolet 190 0 0 1 Accident
    38 13 43 Bubba Wallace Aftershokz Chevrolet 169 0 0 1 Accident
    39 37 52 Cody Ware # Winn Dixie Chevrolet 155 0 0 1 Accident
    40 40 27 * Casey Mears Chevrolet 104 0 0 1 Accident
  • Kyle Busch leads third practice at Daytona

    Kyle Busch leads third practice at Daytona

    Daytona Beach, FL – Kyle Busch led the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series third practice Friday at Daytona International Speedway with a lap time of 44.936, just over 200 at 200.285 mph.

    Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Preece, Erik Jones, and Ryan Newman rounded out the top five in this round of practice

    Pole Sitter William Byron was 18th quickest which was the third fastest of the four Hendrick Motorsports cars.

    Denny Hamlin led the fastest 10 consecutive laps with an average speed of 198.107 mph.

    There is one more practice session today from 3:05 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. ET which will be televised on Fox Sports 1. The final Cup Series practice will be held Saturday at 12:05 p.m. ET on FS1.

    Complete Friday Cup Series Practice Results

  • Harvick and Logano win Duels at Daytona

    Harvick and Logano win Duels at Daytona

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.— Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano won the Gander RV Duels at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday night to set the starting lineup for the 61st annual Daytona 500 on Sunday.

    Duel 1:

    William Byron led the field to the green flag and led the first 15 laps until green flag pit stops arrived.

    Byron fell back to sixth after the green flag pit stops cycled though with Kevin Harvick taking the lead and never letting it go.

    Harvick led the final 44 laps of the first Duel for the second Duel victory of his 18-year career.

    There was only one caution which was for the 18 of Kyle Busch getting turned around by Jimmie Johnson. Busch was none too pleased with the contact between him and the seven time champ.

    “I don’t want to (expletive) hear it,” Busch told to his team when he got told what Johnson radioed to his team during the race. “Use his damn eyeballs. It’s twice he’s done the same thing in two (expletive) races.”

    After the race, unlike the Clash from Sunday, Johnson took full blame for the wreck.

    “I firmly believe the Clash was a racing incident. This one was a mistake on my behalf. Everybody makes mistakes.”

    Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard, Matt DiBenedetto and Martin Truex Jr. rounded out the top five.

    Parker Kilgerman beat Ryan Truex by one position to get one of the final two open team places in the 61st running of the Great American Race.

    Duel 2

    Joey Logano needed to lead just one lap and that was the last one. Logano did just that to win his first career Daytona qualifying race.

    Logano led the final and most important of the 60 laps run in the second duel after he crafted a brilliant plan to go from fourth to first, on the final lap.

    “You have the whole race to think about making a move, and we were all out there just waiting,” Logano said. “Everyone behind me really wanted to go, and I just knew that I had to wait. The later you can do it, the less the risk if it doesn’t work. I got a good run from the 12 (Ryan Blaney) behind me and went to the bottom and got a good run.”

    Alex Bowman started out with the pole for the second consecutive year as he led the field in the first duel, just like a season ago. Like Byron, Bowman led the first 11 laps before his first green flag pitstop of the season, relinquishing the lead to Clint Bowyer. Bowyer then, took his turn to head to pit road for his only stop of the race and he took his No. 14 Rush Truck Centers to pitlane.

    That gave the lead to Brendan Gaughan in the 62 who is one of the four teams without a charter. Gaughan, who runs Daytona and usually Talladega in the Cup Series, led six laps before giving the lead back to Bowyer but Gaughan did hold off Joey Gase to get the final spot in the 500.

    Bowyer led two times for 41 laps but couldn’t get the job done and will start the 500 in sixth place.

    Aric Almirola, Denny Hamlin and Kurt Busch rounded out the top five.

    Brendan Gaughan raced his way in which means that Ryan Truex and Joey Gase will be leaving Daytona without racing in the Great American Race.

    The 61st running of the Daytona 500 is on Sunday, Feb. 18th, at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

    Daytona 500 Starting Lineup:

    Starting PositionDriverTeam
    1.William ByronHendrick Motorsports
    2.Alex BowmanHendrick Motorsports
    3.Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas Racing
    4.Joey LoganoTeam Penske
    5.Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Roush Fenway Racing
    6.Clint BowyerStewart-Haas Racing
    7.Paul MenardWood Brothers Racing
    8.Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas Racing
    9.Matt DiBenedettoLeavine Family Racing
    10.Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs Racing
    11.Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs Racing
    12.Kurt BuschChip Ganassi Racing
    13Bubba WallaceRichard Petty Motorsports
    14.Ryan BlaneyTeam Penske
    15.Chris BuescherJTG Daugherty Racing
    16.Jamie McMurraySpire Motorsports
    17.Jimmie JohnsonHendrick Motorsports
    18.Chase ElliottHendrick Motorsports
    19.Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway Racing
    20.Austin DillonRichard Childress Racing
    21.Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty Racing
    22.Ty DillonGermain Racing
    23.Daniel SuarezStewart-Haas Racing
    24.David RaganFront Row Motorsports
    25.Parker Kligerman*Gaunt Brothers Racing
    26.Kyle LarsonChip Ganassi Racing
    27.Landon CassillStarcom Racing
    28.Erik JonesJoe Gibbs Racing
    29.Daniel HemricRichard Childress Racing
    30.Brendan Gaughan*Beard Motorsports
    31.Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs Racing
    32.Corey LaJoieGO FAS Racing
    33.Matt TifftFront Row Motorsports
    34.Michael McDowellFront Row Motorsports
    35.Brad KeselowskiTeam Penske
    36.Ross ChastainPremium Motorsports
    37.Cody WareRick Ware Racing
    38.BJ McLeodPetty Ware Racing
    39.Tyler Reddick*Richard Childress Racing
    40.Casey Mears*Germain Racing

  • Full schedule for Daytona International Speedway

    Full schedule for Daytona International Speedway

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series head to Daytona International Speedway this weekend to kick off the 2019 season.

    Please check below for the complete weekend schedule.

    All times are Eastern.

    Thursday, Feb. 14 

    2:35 p.m.: Truck Series first practice – FS2

    4:35 p.m.: Truck Series final practice – FS2

    7 p.m.: Cup Series Duel 1 (60 laps, 150 miles) – FS1

    9 p.m.: Cup Series Duel 2 (60 laps, 150 miles) – FS1

    Friday, Feb. 15

    12:05 p.m.: Xfinity Series first practice – FS1

     1:05 p.m.: Cup Series third practice – FS1

     2:05 p.m.: Xfinity Series final practice – FS1

     3:05 p.m.: Cup Series fourth practice – FS1

     4:40 p.m.: Truck Series qualifying – FS1

     7:30 p.m. Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 race (100 laps, 250 miles) – FS1

    Saturday, Feb. 16

    9:40 a.m.: Xfinity Series qualifying – FS1

    12:05 p.m.: Cup Series final practice – FS1

    2:30 p.m.: Xfinity Racing Experience 300 (120 laps, 300 miles)  – FS1

    Sunday, Feb. 17 

    2:30 p.m.: Cup Series Daytona 500 race (200 laps, 500 miles) – Fox

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

  • Jimmie Johnson evades late-race incident to win Advance Auto Parts Clash

    Jimmie Johnson evades late-race incident to win Advance Auto Parts Clash

    William Byron Gives Hendrick Motorsports 5th Consecutive DAYTONA 500 Pole

    ·       Hendrick Motorsports Locks In Front Row for DAYTONA 500 with Byron, Alex Bowman Qualifying 1-2

    ·       Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliott Complete Top-4 HMS Qualifying Effort

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2019) – Jimmie Johnson. Remember him? Just in case you’d forgotten about the capabilities of the two-time DAYTONA 500 champion – and seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion – he served up a reminder Sunday by making a trip to Gatorade Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway.

    “I’m here to win races,” Johnson said.

    In the morning, Johnson won his age division (Men’s 40-44) in the Daytona Beach Half Marathon. In the afternoon, after triggering a multi-car incident, Johnson was declared the winner of the 41st annual Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway.

    The 75-lap Advance Auto Parts Clash (with scheduled segments of 25 and 50 laps) is a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series non-points/all-star event. The 20-driver field featured pole winners from the 2018 season, past Clash champions, past DAYTONA 500 champions who competed full-time in 2018 and drivers who qualified for the 2018 Monster Energy Series Playoffs.

    Johnson, also the Advance Auto Parts Clash champion in 2005, was battling front-running Paul Menard for the lead following a Lap 48 restart that came after an eight-minute red-flag period due to rain. On Lap 57, Johnson attempted an inside pass with his No. 48 Ally Chevrolet and side drafted the left rear of Menard’s No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford. Menard appeared to slightly block the move. The move caused Menard – who had the dominant car, leading 51 laps – to spin. That led to an incident involving a total of 17 cars.

    Johnson scooted away from the trouble that brought out the caution. Minutes later the red flag came out because of rain. Soon afterward, NASCAR halted the event after 59 laps to give Johnson his first victory since June 2017. Former DAYTONA 500 champion Kurt Busch finished second followed by Brad Keselowski.

    “Knowing the rain was coming – we could see it coming – I knew that was probably my lap to make the move,” Johnson said. “I had a great ride down the back. I got below him before he blocked it. And then I think he came down a little to defend and block.

    “Certainly hate to see all these cars torn up. I’m here and making my move. I think it was more of a racing thing than anything. I didn’t drive through a car and cause a wreck.”

    For the second-straight year, DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger and the Advance Auto Parts Clash combined for an afternoon doubleheader. Prior to the Clash, William Byron, driving the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), won the pole for the 61st annual DAYTONA 500 set for Sunday, Feb. 17, with a lap of 194.305 mph on the historic DIS 2.5-mile tri-oval.

    Byron’s teammate and last year’s pole winner Alex Bowman (No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet) qualified second at 194.154. Bowman led the first round of single-car qualifying which pared the field to 12 drivers for the final round.

    And if that wasn’t enough for the storied Hendrick organization, Johnson and two-time DAYTONA 500 polesitter Chase Elliott (No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) completed a top-four qualifying sweep for HMS.

    The two-round qualifying session “locked in” Byron and Bowman for front-row starts in the DAYTONA 500 and also established the grids for Thursday night’s Gander RV Duel, a pair of 150-mile races that determine the DAYTONA 500 grid after the front row. Byron and Bowman will start on the respective Duel race poles.

    Byron’s first Monster Energy Series pole gave Hendrick Motorsports its 13th DAYTONA 500 pole – and a record fifth consecutive in “The Great American Race.” For Chevrolet, it marked their 700th pole position in the Monster Energy Series.

    “I think we were realistic; we probably thought we were going to be somewhere in the hunt,” said Byron, 21 and starting his second season in the Monster Energy Series in Jeff Gordon’s iconic No. 24 ride.

    “Our guys have done a lot of work … it’s kind of been a hard‑working off‑season for them and there have been a lot of things in the works, so I was excited to get down here and see what we had. We’re looking forward to kind of checking this off and going on to [next] Sunday.”

    Byron’s new crew chief is Johnson’s former one – Chad Knaus, who guided Johnson to seven Monster Energy Series championships.

    “I couldn’t be prouder of the 24 team and of Hendrick Motorsports,” Knaus said. “This is such a huge accomplishment.”

    “I’m so happy for William – and for all our guys,” added team owner Rick Hendrick. “We’re just pumped. This is a great way to start the year … this is ‘the deal’ to start on the pole at Daytona.”

    Tickets for the 61st annual DAYTONA 500 and all other Daytona International Speedway events can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat, and by downloading Daytona International Speedway’s mobile app, for the latest Speedway news throughout the season.

  • Weekend schedule for Homestead-Miami

    Weekend schedule for Homestead-Miami

    Staff Report | NASCAR.com

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series will all be winding up at Homestead-Miami with the Championship 4 races in each series. Check out the full schedule for Ford Championship weekend below, which is subject to change.

    Note: All times are ET

    FRIDAY, November 16
    8:35-9:25 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series first practice, No TV (Follow live)
    10:05-10:55 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice, No TV (Follow live)
    1-2:20 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN1) (Follow live)
    2:35-3:25 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN App) (Follow live)
    3:45 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying, FS1 (Follow live)
    5:05-5:55 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN App) (Follow live)
    6:10 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch Pole Qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN App) (Follow live)
    8 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200, FS1 (134 laps, 201 miles) (Follow live)

    PRESS PASS (Watch live)
    11 a.m.: Championship 4 Team Owner Media Availability: Walt Czarnecki (Team Penske), Joe Garone (Furniture Row Racing), Joe Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing) and Tony Stewart (Stewart-Haas Racing)
    3:45 p.m.: Elliott Sadler
    7:15 p.m.: Championship 4 Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
    9:45 p.m.: Post-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race

    SATURDAY, November 17
    11:35-12:25 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series second practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN4) (Follow live)
    12:35 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN App) (Follow live)
    2-2:50 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN1, 4) (Follow live)
    3:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Ford EcoBoost 300, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (200 laps, 300 miles) (Canada: TSN1, 4) (Follow live)

    PRESS PASS (Watch live)
    11 a.m.: Manufacturers Media Availability: Jim Campbell (Chevrolet), Mark Rushbrook (Ford) and Ed Laukes (Toyota)
    6 p.m.: Post-NASCAR Xfinity Series race

    SUNDAY, November 18
    3 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400, NBC/NBC Sports App (267 laps, 400.5 miles) (Canada: TSN3) (Follow live)

    PRESS PASS (Watch live)
    11 a.m.: NASCAR President Steve Phelps
    5:45 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race