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  • Special Edition Championship 4 News & Notes – NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

    Special Edition Championship 4 News & Notes – NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

    In anticipation of Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, special edition News & Notes will be distributed each day through Wednesday.

    Here’s a look at what to expect:

    Monday: An in-depth look at the top two seeds in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship 4 – Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson

    Tuesday: An in-depth look at the third and fourth seeds in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship 4 – Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch

    Today: NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series notes; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race notes at Homestead-Miami Speedway

    NASCAR XFINITY Series

    Next Race: Ford EcoBoost 300

    The Place: Homestead-Miami Speedway

    The Date: Saturday, Nov. 19

    The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

    Tickets: NASCAR.com/tickets

    TV: NBCSN, 3 p.m. ET

    Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Distance: 301 miles (200 laps)

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

    Next Race: Ford EcoBoost 200

    The Place: Homestead-Miami Speedway

    The Date: Friday, Nov. 11

    The Time: 8 p.m. ET

    Tickets: NASCAR.com/tickets

    TV: FS1, 7:30 p.m. ET

    Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Distance: 201 miles (134 laps)

    NASCAR XFINITY Series

    Inaugural NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase Culminates In Miami

    For the first time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series’ 34-year existence, the title will be decided at the culmination of the inaugural NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, a four round elimination-style playoff that will name the series’ 27th different champion in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first of the Championship 4 drivers to cross the finish line at Homestead will become the 2016 series driver champion. Elliott Sadler, Daniel Suárez, Erik Jones and Justin Allgaier are the Championship 4 and have competed all season for the chance at the title in the Ford EcoBoost 300 (Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

    Championship 4 (By car number):

    NASCAR XFINITY Series Championship 4 Bios

    Elliott Sadler (No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro)

    A veteran driver from Emporia, Virginia, Elliott Sadler has the chance this weekend to win his first NASCAR XFINITY Series championship and bring home the second driver title in three years for JR Motorsports (Chase Elliott, 2014). Sadler is no stranger to the championship pressure as he has finished in the top three in the series driver standings in three of the last five seasons; including two runner-ups (2011, 2012).

    Sadler and the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro team will be without their crew chief Kevin Meendering this weekend at Homestead. Last weekend at Phoenix the No. 1 car did not pass post-race lug nut inspection, and as a result, Meendering was suspended from participating in the season finale. Instead serving as crew chief this weekend will be JR Motorsports race operations manager Mike Baumgardner.

    “We let Kevin (Meendering) ultimately make this decision because it’s his team,” said JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “Kevin chose Mike to sit in the crew chief’s seat and for good reason – he is experienced atop the pit box and very dependable. We have a great deal of confidence in Mike to give Elliott his best opportunity to win on Saturday.”

    At the age of 41, Elliott Sadler can become the second oldest driver in series history to win the title behind Sam Ard, who won the title in 1985 at the age of 48 years, 9 months, 29 days. If Sadler wins the title this weekend he will be 41 years, 6 months and 20 days. Sadler would join Tommy Ellis (Richmond) as the second series champion from the state of Virginia.

    Breakdown by Round of Elliott Sadler’s 2016 Chase:

    Round of 12: Sadler quickly locked himself into the Round of 8 by winning the first race of the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase at Kentucky. He followed up Kentucky with a seventh-place finish at Dover and a runner-up showing at Charlotte.

    Round of 8: Sadler kicked the Round of 8 off with a solid second-place finish at Kansas, and then posted a sixth-place finish at Texas and a 13th at Phoenix last weekend. Sadler accumulated the second most points in the Round of 8 to earn a spot in the Championship 4.

    Elliott Sadler Fast Facts:

    –          In 2016, Sadler has posted three wins, 13 top fives and 28 top 10s (series-most).

    –          Sadler’s average finish during the 2016 season is a 6.9.

    –          During the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, he has posted one win, four top fives and six top 10s.

    –          Sadler’s average finish during the 2016 Chase is 5.2.

    –          During the Chase, Sadler posted a driver rating of 103.1 and an average running position of 7.8.

    –          At Homestead, Sadler has made 10 starts posting one top five, four top 10s and an average finish of 16.3.

    Justin Allgaier (No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro)

    After a two-season stint in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Justin Allgaier returned to the NASCAR XFINITY Series this season, and instantly jumped into title contention form. The Riverton, Illinois, native has a solid shot at the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship for the first time in his career as the series heads into Homestead-Miami. Allgaier’s previous best series  standings finish was third in 2011. This season Allgaier, like Sadler, has the opportunity to bring home the second series driver title for JR Motorsports in three years (Chase Elliott, 2014).

    “When the news broke in the middle of the off-season that we (NASCAR XFINITY Series) were going to have a Chase format, you know, for me it was something I was super pumped about,” said Allgaier. “Going to a new team, new crew chief, new cars, and coming back to the NASCAR XFINITY Series, I felt like the old format lent itself to making sure you were good all season and carrying it all the way through. For us, the new format gave us time to get acclimated to get to know our new guys and our new program, and I think that helped us out tremendously.”

    Competing alongside Allgaier this season is crew chief Jason Burdett. The 2016 season is just Burdett’s second full season in the NASCAR XFINITY Series; he worked with driver Regan Smith and the No. 7 JRM team last season, finishing fourth in the series standings.

    “It doesn’t matter what series you’re in, if you’re in a NASCAR Home Tracks series, or any of the top three national series, it doesn’t matter what you run, to make it and have an opportunity to go for a championship means the world to all of us,” said Allgaier.

    If Allgaier is to win this season’s title, he will become the first series champion from the state of Illinois.

    Breakdown by Round of Justin Allgaier’s 2016 Chase:

    Round of 12: Allgaier made it to the Round of 8 on the heels of three solid top 10 finishes. The JRM driver posted a ninth-place finish at Kentucky, a third at Dover and a sixth at Charlotte. Allgaier accumulated the third most series driver points during the Round of 12 and as a result Allgaier advanced to the Round of 8.

    Round of 8: Allgaier’s consistency slipped at the beginning of the Round of 8 when he was caught in an accident at Kansas that relegated him to a 14th-place finish. But the No. 7 team’s championship hopes were not deterred as they answered with a 10th-place finish at Texas which put Allgaier in fifth place in the Chase standings just outside the Championship 4 cutoff. Allgaier and team performed well at Phoenix last weekend, posting a fourth-place finish which netted him the fourth and final slot in the Championship 4.

    Justin Allgaier Fast Facts:

    –          In 2016, Allgaier has posted 13 top fives and 26 top 10s.

    –          Allgaier’s average finish during the 2016 season is an 9.2.

    –          During the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, he has posted two top fives and five top 10s.

    –          Allgaier’s average finish during the 2016 Chase was 7.7.

    –          During the Chase, Allgaier posted a driver rating of 104.3 and an average running position of 6.5.

    –          At Homestead, Allgaier has made six starts posting a career-best finish of 11th (twice: 2012 and 2010) and an average finish of 17.0.

    Daniel Suárez (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry)

    The 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year, Daniel Suárez has the opportunity to become the first international driver to win a national series title. The Monterrey, Mexico, native became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR XFINITY Series race this season when he took the checkered flag at Michigan, and then again during the Chase at Dover. Now the Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Next program graduate can not only become the first driver from Mexico to win a series title, but he can also bring home the second series driver title for Joe Gibbs Racing and the first since Kyle Busch, who won it in 2009.

    “I’m super excited for my team, and I’m super excited for myself,” said Suárez. “Homestead is going to be a race I am going to enjoy a lot. My family is going to be there and a lot of my friends are going to be there. It is going to be a huge party for me. Hopefully we can win the thing and have a good vacation as champions.”

    One thing working in Suárez’s favor this weekend at Homestead in the championship finale is crew chief Scott Graves. While Suárez doesn’t have any championship race experience, yet, in this series, Graves led his former team and driver Chris Buescher to the series championship last season. Graves now has the opportunity to become the first crew chief since Mike Kelley (2011-2012) to win back-to-back titles. Graves could also become the first crew chief since Steve Bird (1995, Johnny Benson and 1996, Randy LaJoie) to win consecutive titles with two different drivers.

    Suárez can also help bring the series Bill France Performance Cup, which is the award given to the manufacturer champion in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. If the top finishing Toyota finishes 17th or better, Toyota will lock up the title for the first time since 2010.

    Breakdown by Round of Daniel Suárez’s 2016 Chase:

    Round of 12: Suárez quickly ushered himself into contention to make to the Round of 8 by finishing second at the Chase opener in Kentucky. He then sealed the deal on his advancement to the next round by winning the second race of the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase at Dover. He followed his win up at Dover with a third-place finish at Charlotte.

    Round of 8: Suárez’s championship quest continued in the Round of 8 by posting a solid third-place finish at Kansas, and then back-to-back fifth-place finishes at Texas and Phoenix last weekend.

    Daniel Suárez Fast Facts:

    –          In 2016, Suárez has posted two wins, 18 top fives, 26 top 10s and two poles.

    –          Suárez’s average finish during the 2016 season is an 8.2.

    –          During the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, he has posted one win and six top fives.

    –          Suárez’s average finish during the 2016 Chase was 3.2.

    –          During the Chase, Suárez posted a driver rating of 121.0 and an average running position of 4.3.

    –          At Homestead, Suárez made his series track-debut last season starting second and finishing sixth.

    Erik Jones (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry)

    Erik Jones’ rookie season has been one of the most impressive in series history. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate has set a rookie record for poles with nine this season. The 20-year-old driver has also posted four wins this season – the most for a rookie since Greg Biffle’s five wins in 2001.  Now Jones heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway with the opportunity to become the second Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate to win the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship (Chase Elliott, 2014). Like Suárez, Jones also can bring home Joe Gibbs Racing’s second series driver title and first since Kyle Busch won it in 2009.

    Jones also has the opportunity to become the third youngest driver in series history to win the title at the age of 20 years, 5 months and 20 days (on Saturday, Nov. 19); behind Chase Elliott (18 years, 11 months and 18 days) and Brian Vickers (20 years, 0 months and 22 days).

    “It’s pretty special for me, having a shot to go to Homestead again this year to win a championship in the NASCAR XFINITY Series,” said Jones. “It would be awesome to win back-to-back championships in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR XFINITY Series.”

    If Jones wins the title this weekend he will become the fourth driver in NASCAR national series history to win a title in both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (2015) and the NASCAR XFINITY Series; joining Greg Biffle (NCWTS, 2000; NXS, 2002), Johnny Benson (NCWTS, 2008; NXS 1995) and Austin Dillon (NCWTS, 2011; and NXS, 2013). If Jones accomplishes the feat, he will be the only driver of the four to do it in consecutive seasons.

    Breakdown by Round of Justin Allgaier’s 2016 Chase:

    Round of 12: Jones’ entire 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase has been an uphill climb. Jones started the Chase with an accident at Kentucky that saw him finish 28th. He then followed that up with a 16th at Dover. The two finishes outside the top-10 had Jones facing elimination heading into Charlotte, but the young rookie standout prevailed, posting a fifth-place finish and enough points to move inside the top eight in the Chase standings and on to the next round.

    Round of 8: Jones’s bad luck continued in the first race of the Round of 8 when he finished a lap down at Kansas in 15th. Jones and the No. 20 JGR team mustered up a fourth-place finish at Texas and then for the second time in this season’s Chase, Jones was faced with elimination and he overcame the odds to finish 10th at Phoenix.

    Erik Jones Fast Facts:

    –          In 2016, Jones has posted four wins (most among Chasers), 15 top fives, 19 top 10s and a rookie record nine poles.

    –          Jones’ average finish during the 2016 season is an 11.7.

    –          During the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, he has posted two top fives, three top 10s and two poles.

    –          Jones’ average finish during the 2016 Chase was 13.0.

    –          During the Chase, Jones posted a driver rating of 115.5 and an average running position of 5.1.

    –          At Homestead, Jones made his series track-debut last season starting seventh and finishing third.

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

    Championship 4 Weekend Kicks Off With Camping World Truck Series Showdown

    The inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 race kicks off what promises to be a thrilling weekend in Miami, NASCAR’s title town. Friday night’s race wraps up a four round elimination-style playoff that will crown one of four drivers as the champion in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first of the Championship 4 drivers to cross the finish line at Homestead will become the 2016 series driver champion. Johnny Sauter, Matt Crafton, Christopher Bell and Timothy Peters are the Championship 4 and have competed all season for the chance at the title in the Ford EcoBoost 200 (Friday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

    Championship 4 (By truck number):

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 Bios

    Christopher Bell (No. 4 JBL Toyota)

    The young upstart in the Championship 4, 21-year-old Christopher Bell, will attempt to keep the NASCAR Camping World Series driver’s title at Kyle Busch Motorsports for another year by achieving the same feat Erik Jones did last season – winning the series crown as a rookie.

    In his lone start at Homestead last season, Bell finished 25th after running out of fuel on the 131st of 134 laps.

    “Racing against three veterans that have made a bunch of laps at Homestead is going to be a tough battle – nothing can replace that experience,” said Bell, who is competing against Matt Crafton, Timothy Peters and Johnny Sauter for the series championship. “I feel like where I have the advantage is that I’m driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. They are so competitive and have their stuff together and week in and week out when I show up to the track I know that I’ll have a Tundra that is capable of winning. I’ve only won once this year, so I need to keep piecing that puzzle together – but there’s no better place to start than this weekend at Homestead.”

    Bell boasts a 7.4 average finish in six starts during the Chase. He has finished no worse than 11th.

    In 22 starts this season, Bell owns one win, nine top fives and 16 top 10s.

    Breakdown by round of Christopher Bell’s 2016 Chase:

    Round of 8: Bell registered a 4.7 average finish in the Round of eight, placing second (New Hampshire), sixth (Las Vegas) and sixth (Talladega) to easily advance to the Round of 6.

    Round of 6: Bell put himself in good position to move on in the Chase by placing fourth at Martinsville, but hit a road block with an 11th-place showing at Texas. His Kyle Busch teammate William Byron suffered mechanical issues at Phoenix, a situation Bell took advantage of to sneak into the Championship 4 with a seventh-place showing.

    Christopher Bell Fast Facts:

    ·         In 2016, Bell has posted one win, nine top fives and 16 top 10s.

    ·         During the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, he has posted two top fives and five top 10s.

    ·         Bell’s average finish during the first six races of the 2016 Chase was 6.0.

    ·         During the Chase, Bell posted a driver rating of 103.7 and an average running position of 7.4.

    ·         At Homestead, Bell made his series track-debut last season starting ninth and finishing 25th; four laps down due to running out of fuel.

    Timothy Peters (No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota)

    A model of consistency, Timothy Peters is the one driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 without a victory this season.

    The No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota driver has advanced by registering eight top-five and 15 top-10 showings for an average finish of 9.1. In the Chase, he has posted four top fives, five top 10s and an average finish of 6.8.

    “I love that place, worn out race track, you can go run up by the fence,” Peters said about Homestead-Miami Speedway where he will race Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter and Christopher Bell for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. “If that isn’t working, you can go down to the bottom. There’s a lot of characteristics to that race track that can help your balance. I’m ready.”

    Peters has logged a top-10 championship finish in each of his eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons. His best championship showing was a runner-up result in 2012.

    The Providence, North Carolina, native has never won at Homestead, but has three top fives and six top 10s in nine starts there.

    For his career, Peters claims 10 wins, 56 top fives and 117 top 10s.

    Breakdown by Round of Timothy Peters’ 2016 Chase:

    Round of 8: Peters breezed through the Round of 8 with a fifth-place showing at New Hampshire, ninth-place effort at Las Vegas and third-place result at Talladega.

    Round of 6: Peters started the Round of 6 off well with a fifth-place performance at Martinsville, but almost doomed his title aspirations with a 14th-place showing at Texas. He bounced back with a fifth-place showing at Phoenix to earn his bid to the Championship 4.

    Timothy Peters Fast Facts:

    ·         In 2016, Peters has posted eight top fives, 15 top 10s and a pole.

    ·         During the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, he has posted four top fives and five top 10s.

    ·         Peters’ average finish during the first six races of the 2016 Chase was 6.8.

    ·         During the Chase, Peters posted a driver rating of 97.6 and an average running position of 7.8.

    ·         At Homestead, Peters has made nine starts posting three top fives, six top 10s and an average finish of 9.3.

    Johnny Sauter (No. 21 Allegiant Travel Chevrolet)

    No driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is on as big of a tear as Johnny Sauter lately. The No. 21 GMS Racing driver boasts two wins and a runner-up in his last three races entering Friday’s Ford EcoBoost 200 championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (8 p.m. ET on FS1).

    Asked after the Phoenix race if he thought he was the favorite to take home the series title, Sauter said:

    “Absolutely (joking). I mean I’d like to think so. Anything can happen. Someone just asked me down on pit road, ‘What’s your strategy to win the championship?’ I said, ‘Try to win the race, that’s the best way to do it. You’re going to have to go down there and be aggressive and also be a little bit smart. I’m not sure. It’s new for everybody. I don’t think anybody really knows what the official strategy is, but I think you’re going to have to be fast. With the way people are running and the guys who are in the Chase, I wouldn’t be surprised if the champion won the race.”

    In nine career Homestead starts, Sauter claims one win (2011), two top fives, six top 10s and an average finish of 11.7.

    Sauter, whose only victory in the regular season was the opener at Daytona, has upped his performance in the Chase. In seven Chase races, he’s posted two wins, three top fives, six top 10s and a 4.7 average finish. He leads the Championship 4 in each of the aforementioned statistical categories.

    Sauter’s best NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship finish was a runner-up showing in 2011.

    On the season, the Wisconsin native boasts three wins, 11 top five, 18 top 10s and a pole.

    Breakdown by Round of Johnny Sauter’s 2016 Chase:

    Round of 8: Sauter started the Chase off solid with a 10th-place finish at New Hampshire. He followed up the performance with seventh-place efforts at Las Vegas and Talladega to advance to the Round of 6.

    Round of 6: Sauter clinched his berth in the Championship 4 by leading 50 laps on his way to Victory Lane at Martinsville. He won the next race at Texas for good measure and registered a runner-up showing at Phoenix.

    Johnny Sauter Fast Facts:

    ·         In 2016, Sauter has posted three wins, 11 top fives, 18 top 10s and a pole.

    ·         During the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, he has posted two wins, three top fives and six top 10s.

    ·         Sauter’s average finish during the first six races of the 2016 Chase was 4.7.

    ·         During the Chase, Sauter posted a driver rating of 107.5 and an average running position of 7.3.

    ·         At Homestead, Sauter has made nine starts posting one win, two top fives, six top 10s and an average finish of 11.7.

    Matt Crafton (No. 88 Black Label Bacon/Menards Toyota)

    Advantage Matt Crafton in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

    Sure looks like it.

    In the last three years he has dominated the intermediate tracks on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series circuit. In the series’ last 25 starts at tracks ranging from 1.5-1.54 miles, Crafton boasts seven wins, 17 top fives, 22 top 10s and a 5.76 average finish.

    Crafton’s been decent in his career at Homestead with one win (last season from the pole), three top fives, seven top 10s and an average finish of 11.7.

    “I have no friends,” Crafton said about the intensity of Friday’s race. “All my friends are going to come in yellow firesuits with Menards on them. We’re going to take the gloves off. I promise you that. We’re going to have no friends going into that race and we’re going to do whatever it takes to win.”

    The No. 88 Menards Toyota driver will be racing for his third career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. With another title he can join Jack Sprague for second-place all-time with three Truck Series championships. Ron Hornaday holds the series record with four titles.

    When asked if the pressure was off him Friday because he knows what it’s like to race for a championship, Crafton spoke with supreme confidence.

    “Yeah, without a doubt,” he said. “I have nothing to lose to be honest. I have nothing to lose.”

    On the season, Crafton has two wins, eight top fives, 15 top 10s and one pole.

    Breakdown by Round of Matt Crafton’s 2016 Chase:

    Round of 8: Crafton started the Chase off hot, finishing third at New Hampshire and eighth at Las Vegas. He stayed out of trouble at Talladega, earning a 22nd-place finish to transfer to the Round of 6.

    Round of 6: Crafton rebounded from a rough 17th-place result at Martinsville with results of second at Texas and third at Phoenix to clinch his spot in the Championship 4.

    Matt Crafton Fast Facts:

    ·         In 2016, Crafton has posted two wins, eight top fives, 15 top 10s and a pole.

    ·         During the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, he has posted three top fives and four top 10s.

    ·         Crafton’s average finish during the first six races of the 2016 Chase was 9.2.

    ·         During the Chase, Crafton posted a driver rating of 91.4 and an average running position of 9.4.

    ·         At Homestead, Crafton has made 15 starts posting one win (last season from the pole), three top fives, seven top 10s and an average finish of 11.7.

  • Aspiring Doctor Patrick Staropoli to Make Truck Series Debut at Homestead

    Aspiring Doctor Patrick Staropoli to Make Truck Series Debut at Homestead

    MIAMI, Fla. – This weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, University of Miami medical student Patrick Staropoli will trade his scrubs for a race uniform; suiting up for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) debut on Fri. night, Nov. 18 in the Ford EcoBoost 200.

    Staropoli, an aspiring doctor and racer from Plantation will drive the No. 07 AutoNation Cure Bowl Chevrolet Silverado for SS Green Light Racing in this weekend’s season-finale. The effort will be assisted by Young’s Motorsports.

    After pairing with the former Harvard University graduate last year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for two races, AutoNation has teamed up again with Staropoli to raise awareness for the AutoNation Cure Bowl being held at Camping World stadium on Dec. 17, 2016 to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Currently, this is the only college bowl game to donate its proceeds to charity.

    Staropoli was selected because his medical background is well aligned with AutoNation’s charitable focus which is to help drive out cancer.

    “I’m so grateful for this opportunity to represent AutoNation and make my NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut this weekend at Homestead,” said Staropoli. “The AutoNation Cure Bowl is such an amazing sporting event that not only provides a great platform for great football, but also make a difference in the everyday fight for finding a cure for Breast Cancer.”

    Mike Jackson, Chairman, CEO and president of AutoNation offered, “Patrick is an extraordinary young man and the perfect ambassador for AutoNation’s Drive Pink Initiative. With his medical training, he knows firsthand that the key to driving out cancer is in funding research. It will be hard to miss Patrick’s pink No. 07 Chevrolet Silverado on the track at Homestead and also on display at the AutoNation Cure Bowl on December 17 in Orlando where we’ll be committing $1 million to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.”

    A local racer from Florida, Staropoli burst onto the racing scene after winning the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge in 2013, earning him a one-race opportunity in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West to further showcase his ability the following season.

    Not only did Staropoli showcase his talent, but he won in his series debut with an impressive performance at Irwindale (Caif.) Speedway. The triumph earned him three more races in the series that year where he delivered three additional top-five runs.

    In addition to juggling school, Staropoli maintained a partial racing schedule which included competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and a series debut in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at the 2.5-mile superspeedway of Daytona International Speedway in Feb. 2015.

    Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200 will without a doubt be the biggest race of Staropoli’s career, but the 27-year-old is aware he faces a steep learning curve. Using resources available to him, Staropoli has been putting in as much time on iRacing and watching YouTube footage from onboard cameras from prior races showing the perspective of some of NASCAR’s elite drivers.

    “I’m going to be surrounded by a lot of great people who want to see me succeed in my Homestead debut,” added Staropoli. “The goal is to run all of the laps, keep the truck clean and raise as much awareness as possible for the AutoNation Cure Bowl and the fundraising we’re doing for Breast Cancer research.

    “Growing up in South Florida, I’ve always dreamed of making it to the big track at Homestead, so I really just want to enjoy this opportunity and make the best of it.”

    As a fourth-year medical student, Staropoli’s hectic schedule hasn’t allowed an opportunity to race this year until last month when he drove his own car in a pair of regional super late-model events. He finished fifth at Auburndale and second at St. Petersburg. Despite minimal track time this year, Staropoli believes he can have a respectable performance at Homestead this weekend.

    “I’ve never driven a truck before, so I know I’m in for a learning curve. But, I know that Bobby (Dotter, SS Green Light Racing owner) and Tyler (Young, Young’s Motorsports team principal) will be there every step of the way to help me with any questions I have. Together, we all want to have a good showing on Friday night for AutoNation.”

    The No. 07 AutoNation Cure Bowl Chevrolet Silverado will be wrapped in pink as part of AutoNation’s Drive Pink initiative.

    The Ford EcoBoost 200 (134 Laps / 201 Miles) is the 23rd of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins Fri., Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., while a final session has been etched in from 10:30 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. Qualifying will take place later in the day at 3:45 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly thereafter at 8:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Eastern).

  • Young’s Motorsports Prepares for Busy Weekend at Homestead-MiamiSpeedway

    Young’s Motorsports Prepares for Busy Weekend at Homestead-MiamiSpeedway

    MIAMI, Fla. – After starting the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season with a team-best sixth place finish at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 19, Young’s Motorsports is hoping to end their season with another strong showing in Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

    This weekend’s 134-lap race will be full throttle for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team as the team will field two trucks in the season-finale. Scott Lagasse Jr., a native of St. Augustine, Fla. will pilot the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado, while newcomer and University of Miami student Patrick Staropoli will make his NCWTS debut in a collaborative effort with SS Green Light Racing in the No. 07 AutoNation Cure Bowl Chevrolet Silverado.

    Young’s Motorsports principal and veteran Truck Series driver Tyler Young will oversee both efforts, while serving as a driver coach for Staropoli, a former NASCAR K&N Pro Series West winner.

    “This is a very busy weekend for us, but a very excited one at the same time,” said Young. “I’m proud to have both Scott and Patrick in our trucks this weekend. Both drivers have their own agenda for what they want to accomplish this weekend and there’s little doubt in my mind that with a little luck that can happen.

    “Both Scott and Patrick are natives of Florida and they both have great partnerships promoting great things. I’m proud to be a part of that too. Without a doubt, Friday night’s truck race is important for everyone and if we can leave there with two solid finishes, I’ll be thrilled.”

    AutoNation has teamed with Staropoli to raise awareness for the AutoNation Cure Bowl being held at Camping World stadium on Dec. 17, 2016 to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Currently, this is the only college bowl game to donate its proceeds to charity.

    As the season comes to a close, Young’s Motorsports is proud of what it has accomplished. When Young decided to step out of the seat full time this year to focus on building the brand and strengthening the overall program, it opened the doors for several drivers to take their turn at the No. 02 ride.

    Drivers Derek Scott Jr., Dylan Lupton, Staropoli and Dominique Van Wieringen all made their series debut with Young’s Motorsports. Entering Friday night’s race, Lupton earned the best result with a 12th at Talladega Superspeedway last month.

    Veteran drivers Austin Hill and Austin Theriault also took their turn aboard the No. 02 truck for a combined five starts overall. Young, who made 14 starts this season earned the best result overall

    with his career-best sixth at Daytona in February.

    No matter the results at Homestead, Young said he’s proud of what his team has accomplished this season and it only will help them to be better for 2017 and beyond.

    “It’s been a great year,” said Young. “We’ve worked with a lot of great, young talented drivers, while working with guys I’ve raced with throughout my career. We’ve also had some strong finishes, learned a lot about them, learned a lot about us. It all helps with the bigger picture.

    “We’ll be back next season and look forward to announcing our plans in the coming weeks.”

    In 22 races this season, Young’s Motorsports has tailed two top-10, seven top-15 and 13 top-20 finishes. The team has been running at the finish of 18 of the 22 races run in 2016.

    The Ford EcoBoost 200 (134 Laps / 201 Miles) is the 23rd of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins Fri., Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., while a final session has been etched in from 10:30 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. Qualifying will take place later in the day at 3:45 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly thereafter at 8:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Eastern).

    No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Homestead-Miami Speedway Fast Facts:

    Driver: Scott Lagasse Jr. (@scottlagasse)

    Owner: Randy Young (Young’s Motorsports)

    Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

    Manufacturer: Chevrolet Silverado

    Engine Builder: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)

  • Sauter Now Biggest Threat For Truck Series Championship

    Sauter Now Biggest Threat For Truck Series Championship

    Throughout the course of the 2016 season, the biggest stories in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series were rookie driver William Byron’s series-leading six wins and the absolute dominance of the Toyota teams with 13 wins in 22 races. But with Byron eliminated from championship contention, it is looking like GMS Racing driver Johnny Sauter is now in prime position to hoist the championship trophy at Homestead.

    Since his first full season in the Camping World Truck Series in 2009, Sauter has been at or near the top of the standings each season, with a low of ninth in the final standings coming in 2012. In seven seasons racing for ThorSport Racing, the organization that fields the No. 88 of two-time NCWTS champion Matt Crafton, Sauter won 10 races and finished a career-best second in points in 2011 to champion Austin Dillon. However, despite the success and consistency, Sauter never held the championship trophy.

    In his first race behind the wheel of the No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet, Sauter took the win at Daytona and despite early season issues at Atlanta, Martinsville, and Kansas, he managed to fight his way back into the top-five in points, finishing outside of the top-10 only twice since finishing fourth at Dover in May. Now, following up back-to-back wins at Martinsville and Texas with a runner-up spot at Phoenix, his No. 21 Silverado is coming alive at the right time to clinch his first NCWTS championship.

    He holds a higher driver rating (120.3) than his four championship competitors heading into Homestead, and he has also posted more top-10s this season (18) than the other four drivers in the Final Four (Christopher Bell isn’t far off with 16 top-10s). As for the championship race at Homestead, despite Crafton having more top-10s, Sauter has posted several strong runs at Homestead including a win there in 2011. Sauter knows what it takes to win at Homestead and considering the stretch he’s been on coupled with the power that the GMS Racing trucks have been putting out this season (their six wins this season are an organization best), the No. 21 truck is definitely the team to beat.

    With this Chase format shaking things up in the standings, Sauter winning the championship isn’t a certainty. But considering he’s made it this far with a team that’s enjoying a breakout season, he’s on a hot streak. He has the best momentum heading into the finale and may be the odds-on favorite for the championship.

  • Tundra Tows Home 2016 Truck Series Manufacturer’s Title

    Tundra Tows Home 2016 Truck Series Manufacturer’s Title

    Title Marks Toyota’s Ninth NCWTS Manufacturer’s Championship in 13 Seasons

    AVONDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 11, 2016) – Toyota captured the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) manufacturer’s championship with Daniel Suarez’s victory at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday night.

    Tundra drivers won 13-of-23 races to date to capture the NCWTS manufacturer’s championship one week prior to the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway. This is the ninth NCWTS manufacturer’s championship for Toyota in 13 seasons since the Tundra joined Truck Series competition in 2004.

    “Toyota has won nine manufacturer’s championships in just 13 years in the Truck Series, and we’re tremendously proud of the continued accomplishments of our Tundra drivers,” said Ed Laukes, Vice President of Marketing and Integrated Marketing Operations for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. “The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the continued success in it by the Tundra is important to the Toyota brand. It also serves as a great showcase for the Tundra, which is built in Texas and has proven its mettle by winning numerous NASCAR championships on the race track. We have great race teams featuring both incredibly talented veterans and young, up-and-coming stars, and we couldn’t have reached this goal without their dedication, and the hard work of each our Toyota race teams.”

    Three Tundra teams – Kyle Busch Motorsports, Red Horse Racing and ThorSport Racing – all contributed victories to the NCWTS manufacturer’s title this season, including wins by rookie William Byron (six victories), Matt Crafton (two), Kyle Busch (two), Christopher Bell (one), Brett Moffitt (one) and Daniel Suarez (one). After 22-of-23 races, Tundra drivers combined to win 13 races and lead 1,997 laps in the NCWTS – more than 50 percent of the races and laps contested.

    Following the Truck Series race at Phoenix, three Tundra drivers – Bell, Crafton and Timothy Peters – qualified for the ‘Championship 4’ field and will compete for the NCWTS driver’s championship in the season finale.

    In addition to winning the NCWTS manufacturer’s title and having an opportunity to capture the Truck Series driver’s championship, Toyota is also in contention for the driver’s and manufacturer’s titles in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series.

    Since joining NCWTS competition in 2004, Toyota has won 157 races and captured 118 poles in 311 races. Kyle Busch (38) has the most victories driving a Tundra.

    Toyota also claimed manufacturer championships in the following seasons — 2006 (12 wins); 2007 (13 wins); 2008 (13 wins); 2009 (14 wins); 2010 (15 wins); 2013 (13 wins); 2014 (18 wins) and 2015 (14 wins).

    The NCWTS schedule will come to a close next Friday, Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway where Tundra drivers Bell, Crafton and Peters will contend for the driver’s championship.

     
    About Toyota
    Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world’s top automaker and creator of the Prius and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 30 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 44,000 people (more than 34,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.5 million in the U.S.) in 2015 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.

    Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

    About TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development)
    TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Salisbury, N.C. A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., TRD serves as the North American racing arm for design, development and assembly of Toyota’s factory racing engines and chassis. TRD powers Toyota’s racing activities in NASCAR, NHRA and USAC, among other series.

  • Daniel Suarez Wins First NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race as Chase Final Is Set

    Daniel Suarez Wins First NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race as Chase Final Is Set

    By Reid Spencer
    NASCAR Wire Service

    AVONDALE, Ariz. – William Byron’s bitter disappointment proved a boon for two of his Kyle Busch Motorsports teammates in Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

    When the engine in Byron’s No. 9 Toyota expired on Lap 141 of 150 – ending the championship run for the series’ most prolific winner this year – Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate Daniel Suarez took over the race lead and went on to score the first NCWTS victory of his career.

    Byron’s elimination from the inaugural Camping World Truck Series Chase also helped teammate Christopher Bell, who claimed the last berth in the Championship 4 with a seventh-place finish. Bell joins second-place finisher Johnny Sauter, third-place Matt Crafton and fifth-place Timothy Peters with a chance to win the title next Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway (8 p.m. ET on FS1).

    Suarez pulled ahead of Sauter after a restart with four laps left and led by .510 seconds when he crossed the finish line for the final time.

    “He was running a perfect race and things like this happen,” Suarez said of the demise of his teammate, who had led 112 of the first 137 laps before his engine began to fail. “The first victory in any series is always the most difficult to get.

    “I’m just very proud of this team for their effort. They’ve done a really good job all year. I’m very happy that we were able to get the win for KBM and Toyota.”

    Byron’s engine issue was sudden and unexpected.

    “We had been running hot a little bit the last run – kind of all night,” Byron said. “It stayed within 10 (degree) range, but it started to vibrate, maybe the lap before… but it didn’t seem like a big deal, then it sputtered and flames came out from underneath the truck.”

    And now Bell will race for the championship instead of the 18-year-old Byron, who has posted a series-best six victories in his rookie season.

    Seeking a sweep of the Round of 6 after victories at Martinsville and Texas, Sauter couldn’t catch Suarez in the four-lap run to the finish.

    “We had a great truck, especially on the long runs,” said Sauter, whose No. 21 Silverado is the only Chevrolet in the Championship 4. “Unfortunately, I just could not get going in the short run. I was just extremely loose…

    “I knew at the end there I needed to get a really, really good restart, and I didn’t get the restart I needed. I’ve got nobody to blame but myself for that. But I’m just proud of everybody’s effort. We just needed to keep pushing. Even though everybody says there’s no pressure, there’s always pressure – this is racing.”

    Crafton and Peters were one point apart entering the race and battled in close quarters for most of the race. Until Byron’s engine blew, they were contesting the final position at Homestead until Bell fell back on a late restart.

    “There wasn’t a lap that wasn’t tense,” Crafton said. “We just raced hard from the beginning to the end.”

    Note: Toyota clinched its ninth manufacturer’s championship in 13 seasons since entering the Truck Series in 2004.

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – Lucas Oil 150
    Phoenix International Raceway
    Avondale, Arizona
    Friday, November 11, 2016

     

                   1. (2) Daniel Suarez(i), Toyota, 150.

                   2. (4) Johnny Sauter (C), Chevrolet, 150.

                   3. (10) Matt Crafton (C), Toyota, 150.

                   4. (7) Cameron Hayley, Toyota, 150.

                   5. (8) Timothy Peters (C), Toyota, 150.

                   6. (6) John H Nemechek, Chevrolet, 150.

                   7. (5) Christopher Bell (C) #, Toyota, 150.

                   8. (17) Matt Tifft #, Toyota, 150.

                   9. (18) Ben Kennedy (C), Chevrolet, 150.

                   10. (12) Cole Custer #, Chevrolet, 150.

                   11. (3) Rico Abreu #, Toyota, 150.

                   12. (13) Tyler Reddick, Ford, 150.

                  13. (15) Daniel Hemric, Ford, 150.

                   14. (9) Ben Rhodes #, Toyota, 150.

                   15. (21) Austin Cindric, Ford, 150.

                   16. (14) Noah Gragson, Toyota, 150.

                   17. (19) Myatt Snider, Toyota, 150.

                   18. (20) Stewart Friesen, Chevrolet, 150.

                   19. (23) Dylan Lupton(i), Chevrolet, 150.

                   20. (26) Kevin Donahue, Chevrolet, 149.

                   21. (27) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, 148.

                   22. (29) Austin Wayne Self #, Toyota, 147.

                   23. (28) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 147.

                   24. (32) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, 146.

                   25. (30) Bryce Napier, Chevrolet, 146.

                   26. (31) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, 145.

                   27. (1) William Byron (C) #, Toyota, Engine, 141.

                   28. (11) Kaz Grala, Chevrolet, Accident, 76.

                   29. (25) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, Engine, 62.

                   30. (22) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Accident, 36.

                   31. (24) Dominique Van Wieringen, Ford, Accident, 26.

                   32. (16) Spencer Gallagher, Chevrolet, Accident, 11.

     

    Average Speed of Race Winner:  84.441 mph.

    Time of Race:  1 Hrs, 46 Mins, 35 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.510 Seconds.

    Caution Flags:  9 for 49 laps.

    Lead Changes:  5 among 3 drivers.

    Lap Leaders:   W. Byron (C) # 1-25; D. Suarez(i) 26-47; W. Byron (C) # 48-68; T. Reddick 69-72; W. Byron (C) # 73-138; D. Suarez(i) 139-150.

    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  W. Byron (C) # 3 times for 112 laps; D. Suarez(i) 2 times for 34 laps; T. Reddick 1 time for 4 laps.

    Top 10 in Points: J. Sauter (C) – 3,103; M. Crafton (C) – 3,078; C. Bell (C) # – 3,077; T. Peters (C) – 3,075; W. Byron (C) # – 3,060; B. Kennedy (C) – 3,059; D. Hemric – 2,135; J. Nemechek – 2,111; T. Reddick – 479; C. Custer # – 479.

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule for Phoenix

    NASCAR Racing Schedule for Phoenix

    The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series and the Camping World Truck Series all head to Phoenix International Raceway for a full weekend of competition. Please check below for the full schedule of events.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, Nov. 11:

    On Track:
    11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series First Practice – FS2
    12:30-1:25 p.m.: XFINITY Series First Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App
    1:30-2:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series First Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App
    3-3:50 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Final Practice – FS2
    4:30-5:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series Final Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App
    6:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Coors Light Pole Qualifying – NBCSN/NBC Sports App
    8:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FS2
    10 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 150 (150 laps, 150 miles) – FS1

    Garage Cam: (Watch live)
    1 p.m.:  Sprint Cup Series
    4 p.m.: XFINITY Series

    Press Conferences: (Watch live)
    11:45 a.m.: Alex Bowman
    Noon: Joey Logano
    12:15 p.m.: Kurt Busch
    12:30 p.m.: Matt Kenseth
    3:15 p.m.: Elliott Sadler, Erik Jones and Ryan Reed
    3:30 p.m.: Denny Hamlin
    3:45 p.m.: Kyle Busch
    6 p.m.: Austin Dillon and Richard Childress
    7:30 p.m.: Post-Sprint Cup Qualifying (time approx.)
    11:45 p.m.: Post-Camping World Truck Race (time approx.)

    Saturday, Nov. 12:

    On Track:
    3-3:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Second Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App
    4:15 p.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – NBCSN/NBC Sports App
    6-6:50 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN/NBC Sports App
    7:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Ticket Galaxy 200 (200 laps, 200 miles) – NBCSN/NBC Sports App

    Press Conference: (Watch live)
    10 p.m.: Post-XFINITY Series Race (time approx.)

    Sunday, Nov. 13:

    On Track:
    2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Can-Am 500 (312 laps, 312 miles) – NBC/NBC Sports App

    Press Conference: (Watch live)
    6 p.m. approx.: Post-Sprint Cup Series Race (time approx.)

     

    Find NBCSN in your area | Watch live online at NBCSports.com

    Complete NASCAR TV Schedule

     

  • Roush Fenway Advance – Phoenix International Raceway

    Roush Fenway Advance – Phoenix International Raceway

    Roush Fenway Racing Returns to the Desert

    Roush Fenway Racing heads out west for the final time in the 2016 season as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) returns to Phoenix International Raceway, a track that has seen a Roush Fenway Ford visit victory lane on 17 different occasions across NASCAR’s three major touring series.

    Sprint Cup Series
    Phoenix
    Sun. 11/13/16 – 2:30 PM ET
    NBC, MRN, Sirius 90

    Trevor Bayne, No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Fusion
    Greg Biffle, No. 16 Performance Plus Motor Oil Ford Fusion
    Ricky Stenhouse Jr, No. 17 Roush Performance Ford Fusion

    NASCAR XFINITY Series
    Phoenix
    Sat. 11/12/16 – 7:30 PM ET
    NBCSN, MRN, Sirius 90

    Bubba Wallace, No. 6 Leidos Ford Mustang
    Ryan Reed, No. 16 Lilly/American Diabetes Ford Mustang
    Ricky Stenhouse Jr, No. 60 SunnyD Ford Mustang

    Hooked on Phoenix

    Roush Fenway has started 264 combined NASCAR races at Phoenix, collecting 17 wins (7 NSCS, 8 NXS, 2 NCWTS), 73 top- fives, 128 top 10s and nine poles, while leading 4,030 laps.

    Winning in the Valley of the Sun

    Roush Fenway has won at Phoenix in all three of NASCAR’s major divisions, with the organization’s first win coming in the fall of 1993 with driver Mark Martin. Roush Fenway won the second-ever NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at PIR in 2000, and Greg Biffle claimed their 100th overall XFINITY Series win at Phoenix in 2009. Carl Edwards also won there that fall to give Roush Fenway the season sweep. All in all, six drivers have won NASCAR races for Roush Fenway at Phoenix (Martin, Biffle, Edwards, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Joe Ruttman). In addition, Edwards swept Phoenix in the fall of 2010, winning both the NXS and NSCS events.

    Tale of the Tape

    Roush Fenway has started 145 NSCS races at Phoenix, recording a total of seven victories, 34 top five finishes, 57 top-10 finishes, four poles and has led 2,290 laps. Edwards earned Roush Fenway’s most recent victory at Phoenix in the March 2013 event.

    Short Track Prowess

    In 628 NSCS starts on short tracks, Roush Fenway has earned 22 victories, 119 top-fives, 231 top-10s, 25 pole positions and has led 7,582 laps. Roush Fenway’s most recent victory on a short track came in the spring of 2014 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in the spring event with Edwards.

    XFINITY Success

    Phoenix is one of the strongest tracks for Roush Fenway’s XFINITY program. In 83 starts, the organization has won eight times, earned 26 top-fives, 50 top-10s and has led 1,406 laps. Roush Fenway most recently went to victory lane with Edwards in Nov. 2010.

    Chasing the Championship

    This weekend’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Phoenix marks the final race in the second round of the Chase. Roush Fenway teammates Ryan Reed and Bubba Wallace currently rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Chase Grid. At the completion of Saturday’s race, four drivers will be eliminated. Reed currently trails the fourth and final position in the Chase grid by five points, while Wallace sits 20 points back.

    Roush Fenway PHX Wins

    1993              Martin       Cup

    2000              Burton      Cup

    2001              Burton      Cup

    2002              Kenseth    Cup

    2005-1           Busch       Cup

    2010-2           Edwards   Cup

    2013-1           Edwards   Cup

    2000              Burton       NXS

    2001              Biffle          NXS

    2005-2           Edwards    NXS

    2006-2           Kenseth     NXS

    2008-2           Edwards    NXS

    2009-1           Biffle          NXS

    2009-2           Edwards    NXS

    2010-2           Edwards    NXS

    1997-2           Ruttman    Truck

    2001              Biffle          Truck

    Roush Fenway at Phoenix International Raceway

    Race      Win     T5          T10       Pole    Laps          Led           AvSt        AvFn       Miles

    CUP                  145         7          34          57         4          43255       2290         17.8         15.6         43255

    NXS                   83          8          26          50         5          15972       1406         11.1         11.4         15972

    TRUCK             36           2          13          21         0          5195          334          12.3         12.4         5195

    264         17       73          128       9           64422        4030        13.7          13.1        64422

  • Dominique Van Wieringen set for NASCAR Truck Series debut atPhoenix

    Dominique Van Wieringen set for NASCAR Truck Series debut atPhoenix

    AVONDALE, Ariz. – Carrying some momentum from the end of her rookie season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE), Canadian Dominique Van Wieringen (@DominiqueRacing) will make her NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) debut Friday night at Phoenix International Raceway.

    For Friday night’s penultimate race of the season, Van Wieringen and her Rette Jones Racing (RJR) team have formed an alliance with Young’s Motorsports putting Van Wieringen in the No. 02 Durobyte Ford F-150 for the Lucas Oil 150.

    “I’m very humbled by this opportunity to make my Truck Series debut at Phoenix,” said Van Wieringen. “We’ve been working hard on this project since the checkered flag flew at Dover in October and I’m excited to go to Phoenix and see what we can do.”

    Van Wieringen was one of the hottest drivers on the K&N tour at the end of their 2016 season. Heading into the season finale at Dover last month, Van Wieringen carried back-to-back top-five finishes at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway and New Jersey Motorsports Park.

    She made it three back-to-back top-five runs with a third place run at Dover. The performance leaped her to ninth in the championship standings, moving four positions (13th) in the standings over the last four races. Overall, the K&N Pro Series East rookie ended the year with three top-fives and five top-10 finishes, including a career-best third at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in September and at Dover. Additionally, she started inside the top-10 for 10 of the 14 races, earning a best start of second three-times (Mobile, Bristol and Columbus).

    In addition to becoming the first female competitor to score three consecutive top-five finishes in K&N Pro Series East history, she also become the highest leading female in the series with 140 laps led in three races and the most laps led in any single event with a whopping 88 laps led at Stafford Motor Speedway in June.

    Knowing the competition bar will be raised to another level this weekend at Phoenix, Van Wieringen has an achievable goal in mind, finish the race.

    “I know Phoenix is going to be a completely different atmosphere for me, but I’m surrounded with a lot of great people who will help me with my learning curve,” she added. “Mark (Rette), my Rette Jones Racing guys and of course the help from Tyler (Young) will no doubt be a huge asset for me.

    “I’ve never been to Phoenix, so we just have to use practice to the best of our ability and then work on just getting faster and faster from the first practice to the final practice and then qualifying. I’m pretty sure we’re locked into the race – and that’s a big relief, but I want to qualify on time and then just race towards a clean and respectable finish. If we can do that, it will be a great weekend in the desert.”

    Rette, a championship winning crew chief in the ARCA Racing Series says he has a lot of faith in his driver and crew to turn some heads in the next to last race of the 2016 season.

    “We wouldn’t be going to Phoenix if we didn’t think Dominique could do a good job,” Rette said. “Our goal is to just get here some laps, earn some respect and see the checkered flag. “Dominique proved she is a phenomenal short track racer in K&N this year and with Phoenix having that short track mentality, I think her adjustment to the trucks will be quick and she’ll find her groove easy.

    “If we can keep our nose clean, we should get out of Phoenix with a solid finish and something to carry us over into 2017.”

    Van Wieringen is active on Twitter. You can follow and tweet with her @DominiqueRacing. You can also like her exclusive fan page on Facebook.com. Her team, Rette Jones Racing is also active on Twitter. Follow them @RetteJones30 or like their Facebook page.

    The Lucas Oil 150 (150 Laps / 150 Miles) is the 22nd of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins Fri., Nov. 11 from 9:30 a.m. – 10:25 a.m., while a final session has been etched in from 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Qualifying will take place later in the day at 6:30 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly thereafter at 8:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Mountain).

  • Late Pass Gives Johnny Sauter Victory in Texas Truck Race

    Late Pass Gives Johnny Sauter Victory in Texas Truck Race

    By Reid Spencer
    NASCAR Wire Service

    FORT WORTH, Tex. –You might say Johnny Sauter is on a roll.

    Then again, that might be an understatement.

    Passing Matt Crafton near the start/finish line with two laps left in Friday night’s Striping Technology 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, Sauter pulled away to win his second straight race in the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase.

    In the process, he deprived Crafton of a chance to clinch a spot in the Championship 4 finale, set for Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Crafton won a drag race to the stripe against Daniel Hemric to secure the runner-up spot, .836 seconds behind Sauter.

    “This is amazing,” said Sauter, who started 16th in his No. 21 Chevrolet and won for the third time this season, the third time at Texas (having swept the 2012 races) and the 13th time in his career. “Matt was content to keep running the bottom, and I made a couple of runs on that restart (on Lap 130 of 147, after the third and final caution).

    “They got me great track position on the pit stop, and I just kept bottoming the splitter out on the short run, and I could just not fire off. … Matt just kept running the bottom, and I was like, ‘I’m going to the top.’ And I was pretty successful on the top down in (Turns) 3 and 4 all night long—just big momentum.”

    About the only low point of Sauter’s night was his post-race burnout—but that was by design.

    “I’ve got to apologize to the fans for the burnout,” Sauter said. “I know it was lame, but I’ve got to have this truck for Homestead.”

    Crafton, a two-time series champion, overcame a scrape against the outside wall and a suspect battery to run second.

    “We were just off all night,” Crafton said. “I got drove into the fence off Turn 2, and the right-rear tail is moved over quite a bit and we got really free up off the corner. I was trying to manage, and with about four (laps) to go I just got really free and I was like, ‘Oh, boy.’

    “I was hoping that Johnny and the 19 (Hemric) raced each other a lot longer than they did.”

    Polesitter Spencer Gallagher, Sauter’s teammate at GMS Racing, led a race-high 88 laps but lost six positions on pit road before the final restart, thanks to a slow tire change on the right rear of his No. 23 Chevrolet.

    Chase drivers Ben Kennedy and Timothy Peters finished 13th and 14th, respectively, and are currently below the Chase cut line. Peters is fifth in the standings, one point behind Crafton in fourth. Kennedy is sixth, 13 points behind Crafton heading to Phoenix, where the Chase field will be cut from six drivers to the final four next Friday.

    Sauter is the only driver guaranteed to race for the championship at Homestead. William Byron, who leads the series with six victories, finished sixth on Friday and held second place in the Chase standings.

    Christopher Bell came home 11th after late contact with the Toyota of Cameron Hayley and is third in points, but the gap between the second- and fifth-place Chase drivers is a mere five points.

    The only three cautions of the night resulted from the expiration of the caution clock, which runs in 20-minute increments from the drop of a green flag. The previous high number for caution clocks in a single race was two.

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – Striping Technology 350
    Texas Motor Speedway
    Fort Worth, Texas
    Friday, November 04, 2016

    1. (16) Johnny Sauter (C), Chevrolet, 147.
    2. (7) Matt Crafton (C), Toyota, 147.
    3. (2) Daniel Hemric, Ford, 147.
    4. (5) Tyler Reddick, Ford, 147.
    5. (10) Daniel Suarez(i), Toyota, 147.
    6. (3) William Byron # (C), Toyota, 147.
    7. (1) Spencer Gallagher, Chevrolet, 147.
    8. (22) Austin Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 147.
    9. (12) Cole Custer #, Chevrolet, 147.
    10. (17) Cameron Hayley, Toyota, 147.
    11. (9) Christopher Bell # (C), Toyota, 147.
    12. (15) Rico Abreu #, Toyota, 147.
    13. (14) Ben Kennedy (C), Chevrolet, 147.
    14. (6) Timothy Peters (C), Toyota, 147.
    15. (8) Ben Rhodes #, Toyota, 147.
    16. (21) Shane Lee, Chevrolet, 147.
    17. (4) Matt Tifft #, Toyota, 147.
    18. (19) John H Nemechek, Chevrolet, 146.
    19. (20) Austin Hill, Ford, 145.
    20. (13) Jesse Little, Toyota, 145.
    21. (18) Ryan Truex, Toyota, 144.
    22. (30) Austin Wayne Self #, Toyota, 144.
    23. (24) Casey Smith, Chevrolet, 144.
    24. (25) Reed Sorenson(i), Chevrolet, Vibration, 143.
    25. (27) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 143.
    26. (23) Tyler Young, Chevrolet, 143.
    27. (29) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 142.
    28. (11) Cody Coughlin #, Chevrolet, 141.
    29. (28) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, 140.
    30. (32) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, 138.
    31. (26) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Accident, 61.
    32. (31) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, Engine, 22.

    Average Speed of Race Winner:  148.291 mph.
    Time of Race:  1 Hrs, 29 Mins, 13 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.836 Seconds.
    Caution Flags:  3 for 12 laps.

    Lead Changes:  7 among 4 drivers.
    Lap Leaders:   S. Gallagher 1-40; D. Hemric 41-75; S. Gallagher 76-83; D. Hemric 84-86; S. Gallagher 87-126; J. Sauter (C) 127-129; M. Crafton (C) 130-144; J. Sauter (C) 145-147.
    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  S. Gallagher 3 times for 88 laps; D. Hemric 2 times for 38 laps; M. Crafton (C) 1 time for 15 laps; J. Sauter (C) 2 times for 6 laps.

    Top 10 in Points: J. Sauter (C) – 3,072; W. Byron # (C) – 3,052; C. Bell # (C) – 3,051; M. Crafton (C) – 3,048; T. Peters (C) – 3,047; B. Kennedy (C) – 3,035; D. Hemric – 2,115; J. Nemechek – 2,084; T. Reddick – 457; C. Custer # – 456.