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Category: Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series news and information

  • Martinsville to host rain-tire testing for use at select short tracks

    Martinsville to host rain-tire testing for use at select short tracks

    NASCAR will hold a test session Thursday at Martinsville Speedway to look at the possibility of using rain tires on NASCAR’s shorter ovals. They are not discussing racing in the rain but being able to race on a wet track which should shorten rain delays.

    Officials for NASCAR are already at the Martinsville track testing the Next Gen car with Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota manufacturers.

    Kyle Larson will participate in the test with the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Chris Buescher will drive the No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford. The test will be conducted on a dampened track.

    Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, described the purpose of the test as a step toward determining if the use of rain-tires can decrease the length of rain delays.

    “I think the overall goal is anything we can do to speed up the drying process, regardless of the technology, to allow us to get back to racing more quickly is a benefit to the fans,” O’Donnell said. “We’re always trying to innovate, and you saw that with what we’ve done around the track-drying system and that’s worked out well. We’ve always looked at what’s the next iteration. If you’ve looked at what the teams have been able to do with more road racing coming into the fold, the idea of short tracks and could we work with Goodyear to find a tire that would allow us to get back to racing sooner under wet-weather conditions.”

    O’Donnell emphasized that the intent is not to be able to race in the rain but to be able to shorten lengthy rain delays and return to competition quicker.

    “I think at this point, we’re not talking about if it’s actually raining, “he said. “It’s more so, can we get back more quickly than the track being completely dry, which is what we require now. That’s part of the test, looking at where’s the limit, where we would feel comfortable for the drivers. We want this to be safe, so that will be part of this test — talking to the drivers, what are they comfortable with — then obviously talking to Goodyear and (director of racing) Greg Stucker and his team about how they feel and how the tire performs, what if any tweaks we could make to that tire coming out of Martinsville, so there’s a lot that we’re hoping to learn here in terms of grip levels. Each track is unique, so this is something we’ll have to look at for multiple venues.”

    There is no timetable for how quickly the use of these rain-tires could be implemented at various short tracks as the decision will not be made solely by NASCAR but will be discussed with the team owners, drivers and Goodyear.

    “Too early to tell, but I would say if this worked and we felt comfortable with it — and that would be both Goodyear and reaction from the drivers and teams — this is something we would look to implement as quickly as we could,” O’Donnell said. “We all know that if we can deliver a race on time or shorten those delays, that’s a benefit to the entire industry.”

  • Updated weekend schedule for Bristol Dirt races

    Updated weekend schedule for Bristol Dirt races

    Due to steady rain and flooding in the area, NASCAR has postponed both the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Food City Dirt Race and NASCAR Camping World Trucks (NCWTS) Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt until Monday. The NCWTS will race at 12 noon ET Monday, broadcast on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio followed by the NCS race at 4 p.m. ET, to be broadcast on FOX, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    The NASCAR Cup Series and the Camping World Truck Series head to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend for some much-anticipated dirt track racing. It will be the first time since 1970 that the Cup Series has competed on a dirt track.

    Both series will have practice sessions and heat races before the main events.

    The lineup for the 15-lap heat races will be determined by a random draw. Only green flag laps will count.

    After the qualifying heat races, the starting lineups for the Cup Series and Truck Series races will be determined by a formula that takes into account the finishing position plus any positions gained during each heat.

    Drivers who finish first in their heat will earn 10 points with second place earning nine points, third place earning eight points, and so on. Also, the drivers will earn passing points for each position they gained during their heat race. All of these factors will be used to calculate the starting lineup for the main events. If there are any ties, they will be broken by current team owner points.

    Because of safety concerns, there will be no green or yellow flag pit stops during the races. All adjustments, tire changes and adding fuel are only allowed during stage breaks with the exception of vehicles involved in incidents.

    Teams, however, are not required to pit during the stage breaks. If any competitors elect not to pit, they will line up ahead of those that pit, on the restart. For those that choose to pit, NASCAR will implement a controlled pit stop system that does not allow vehicles to race on to or off pit road.

    Notes:

    During the Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt and the Cup Series Food City Dirt Race, caution-flag laps will count, while, as indicated above, only green-flag laps will count for the qualifying heats.

    The choose rule which allows each driver to pick either the inside or outside line for restarts will not be in effect. The race leader will select the lane they prefer and serve as the control car on all restarts.

    The Truck Series field will be comprised of 40 drivers, 35 from the heat races and five provisional slots based on 2021 owner points. The Cup Series field has 39 entries and all drivers will transfer to the main event.

    NASCAR announced the following changes Saturday afternoon:

    Stages lengths for the Cup Series race: Stage 1 will end on Lap 100 (previously Lap 75) and Stage 2 will end on Lap 200 (previously Lap 150).

    Competition cautions for the Cup Series race: There will be two competition cautions, on Lap 50 and Lap 150 at the halfway point of each stage. This will allow the teams a chance to pit and will also give NASCAR two more opportunities for track preparation. Laps for stage breaks and during competition cautions will not count once the free pass car has been sent around.

    Each team will receive one additional set of tires, for a total of six.

    All times are Eastern.

    Thursday, March 25

    4 p.m.: Cup Series random drawing to determine the starting grid for qualifying heat races (No TV)
    4:15 p.m.: Truck Series random drawing to determine the starting grid for qualifying heat races (No TV)

    Friday, March 26

    3:05 PM 3:55 p.m.: Truck Series First Practice – FS1
    4:05 PM 4:55 p.m.: Cup Series First Practice – FS1
    5:35 PM 6:25 p.m.: Truck Series Final Practice – FS1
    6:35 PM 7:25 p.m.: Cup Series Final Practice – FS1

    Saturday, March 27

    4:30 p.m.: Truck Series First Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (11 trucks) – Canceled
    4:45 p.m.: Truck Series Second Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (11 trucks) – Canceled
    5:00 p.m.: Truck Series Third Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (11 trucks) – Canceled
    5:15 p.m.: Truck Series Fourth Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (11 trucks) – Canceled
    6:00 p.m.: Cup Series First Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (10 cars) – Canceled
    6:15 p.m.: Cup Series Second Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (10 cars) – Canceled
    6:30 p.m.: Cup Series Third Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (10 cars) – Canceled
    6:45 p.m.: Cup Series Fourth Qualifying Race (15 Laps) FS1 (9 cars) – Canceled
    8 p.m.: Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt (Stages 40/90/150 Laps = 75 Miles) FS1/ MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – Postponed

    Sunday, March 28 – Postponed to Monday, March 29

    3:30 p.m.: Cup Series Food City Dirt Race (Stages 75/150/250 Laps = 125 Miles) (FOX/PRN/TSN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – Postponed to Monday, March 29 at 4 p.m. and will air on FOX/PRN/TSN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    9 p.m.: Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt (Stages 40/90/150 Laps = 75 Miles) FS2/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – Postponed to Monday, March, 29 at noon and will air on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

  • Kyle Busch dominates Atlanta Truck Series race for 60th win

    Kyle Busch dominates Atlanta Truck Series race for 60th win

    Kyle Busch took home his 60th career Truck Series victory on Saturday afternoon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Busch started second and led the majority of the race by leading 102 of the 130 laps before grabbing the checkered flag.

    “It’s just a great opportunity to race in great stuff with KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports), Cessna Beechcraft. This Toyota Tundra was awesome. I can’t say enough about my guys, everybody at Kyle Busch Motorsports,” Busch said.

    Stage 1:

    When the race started, it was all Kyle Busch Motorsports up front with John Hunter Nemechek and Busch swapping the lead multiple times. Early on, two-time champion Matt Crafton led the first three laps before Busch took the lead. Busch led through the competition caution on Lap 15 and continued to lead until the last lap of Stage 1. Nemechek then passed Busch off Turn 4 and would grab the stage victory. Busch, Austin Hill, Stewart Friesen, Ross Chastain, Derek Kraus, Crafton, Zane Smith, Sheldon Creed, and Johnny Sauter completed the Top 10.

    Stage 2:

    Stage 2 was a carbon copy of Stage 1 with Nemechek once again winning the stage. During the stage break, there were four drivers that were penalized. Derek Kraus was penalized for a crew member over the wall too soon, Friesen was penalized for an uncontrolled tire and Tyler Ankrum and Austin Wayne Self were penalized for being too fast on pit road.

    Stage 3:

    As the final stage started to wind down, pit road began to heat up with the final round of green-flag pit stops that occurred with 33 laps to go. Race leader Busch didn’t make his pit stop until three laps later with 30 laps to go. Around 23 to go when the pit stops were complete, Busch cycled back to the top of the leaderboard and maintained the lead for the remainder of the race to win his sixth Truck Series Atlanta win.

    “It’s great to get back to Victory Lane. It’s cool to get back to Victory Lane in Billy Ballew’s (former NCWTS team owner) backyard here in Atlanta. We carried the Billy Ballew Motorsports decal today. If you need a deal on a sweet used car, go see him in Dawsonville. All of the Chase Elliott fans want to go there, but tell them that I sent ya,” Busch said.

    John Hunter Nemechek won both stages and ended up finishing third for his third top-five of the 2021 season.

    “Solid performance by our No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports team,” Nemechek said. “Overall, I feel good in our performance, just disappointed to come home third. Kyle (Busch, Team Owner) was really fast today. We had our ups and downs there toward the end, but kind of ran in the top three all day was a solid performance. Overall, won both stages and solid points day for us, continuing to move forward to Bristol Dirt next week.”

    There were three cautions for 16 laps and eight lead changes among four different leaders.

    Official Results following the FR8 Auctions 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway:
    1. Kyle Busch, led 102 laps
    2. Austin Hill
    3. John Hunter Nemechek, won both stages, led 21 laps
    4. Johnny Sauter
    5. Sheldon Creed
    6. Zane Smith
    7. Ross Chastain
    8. Matt Crafton
    9. Brett Moffitt
    10. Stewart Friesen
    11. Grant Enfinger
    12. Carson Hocevar
    13. Derek Kraus, 1 lap down
    14. Parker Kligerman, 1 lap down
    15. Ryan Truex, 1 lap down
    16. Ben Rhodes, 1 lap down
    17. Todd Gilliland, 1 lap down
    18. Tyler Ankrum, 1 lap down
    19. Tanner Gray, 1 lap down
    20. Spencer Davis, 1 lap down
    21. Hailie Deegan, 1 lap down
    22. Josh Berry, 1 lap down
    23. Austin Wayne Self, 2 laps down
    24. Chase Purdy, 2 laps down
    25. Jordan Anderson, 2 laps down
    26. Tate Fogleman, 2 laps down
    27. Cory Roper, 3 laps down
    28. Danny Bohn, 3 laps down
    29. Codie Rohrbaugh, 4 laps down
    30. Timothy Peters, 4 laps down
    31. Dawson Cram, 4 laps down
    32. Bret Holmes, 4 laps down
    33. Spencer Boyd, 5 laps down
    34. Ryan Ellis, 6 laps down
    35. Chandler Smith, 6 laps down
    36. Bill Lester, 7 laps down
    37. Akinori Ogata, 7 laps down
    38. Jennifer Jo Cobb, 13 laps down
    39. Raphael Lessard, OUT, Transmission
    40. Norm Benning, OUT, Too Slow

    Up Next: The Camping World Truck Series will visit Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, March 27, for the first-ever Bristol Dirt Race.

  • Weekend schedule for Atlanta

    Weekend schedule for Atlanta

    NASCAR heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. With five different winners in five races, the Cup Series has consistently provided diverse results. The Xfinity Series has had four different winners in five races, with Austin Cindric winning at Daytona and Phoenix. The Truck Series is back after a two-week break for the fourth race of their season.

    There will be no practice or qualifying sessions due to COVID-19 protocols established by NASCAR.

    The starting lineups are determined by the following metrics formula:

    • 25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 35 percent: Team owner points ranking
    • 15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

    All times are Eastern.

    Saturday, March 20

    2:30 p.m.: Truck Series Fr8Auctions 200 race (Stages 30/60/130 Laps = 200.02 Miles) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Pole: John H. Nemechek

    5 p.m.: Xfinity Series EchoPark 250 race (Stages 40/80/163 Laps = 251.02 Miles) FS1/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Green flag: 5:13 p.m.
    Competition caution: Lap 20
    Pole: Austin Cindric

    Sunday, March 21

    3 p.m.: Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 race (Stages 105/210/325 Laps = 500.5 Miles) FOX/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Green flag: 3:19 p.m.
    Competition caution: Lap 25
    Pole: Denny Hamlin

    Georgia native Jeff Foxworthy is bringing his popular comedy act during a pre-race performance on Sunday. Admission to Foxworthy’s show is included with every grandstand ticket for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.

    Atlanta Motor Speedway Information:
    Season Race #: 6 of 36 (03-21-21)
    Track Size: 1.54-miles
    Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 24 degrees
    Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees
    Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
    Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
    Frontstretch Length:  2,332 feet
    Backstretch Length:  1,800 feet
    Race Length: 325 laps / 500.5 miles
    Stage 1 & 2: 105 Laps (each)
    Final Stage: 115 Laps

    Atlanta Motor Speedway Qualifying Information:
    2020 pole winner: None – Starting Lineup set by Metric Qualifying; Chase Elliott started on the pole.
    Track qualifying record: Geoffrey Bodine, Ford (197.478 mph, 28.074 secs. 11-15-97)

    Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series(NCS) in the average starting position at Atlanta with a 7.429 in 28 starts.  Newman and Buddy Baker are tied for the NCS most poles with seven each.

    Atlanta Motor Speedway Race Information:
    2020 pole winner: Kevin Harvick, Ford (142.966 mph, (03:30:03), 06-07-20)
    Track race record: Bobby Labonte, Pontiac (159.904 mph, (03:07:48), 11-16-97)

    Chase Elliott leads all active drivers in the NCS in average finishing position at Atlanta with a 10.0 in five starts. The Georgia native and series champion returns home this weekend. The Hendrick Motorsport’s driver has the opportunity to become the second driver in series history from the state of Georgia to win at Atlanta. Elliott could join his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott (a.k.a. Awesome Bill from Dawsonville) with five Atlanta Cup wins.

    Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers in laps led with 1,197 in 29 starts. Atlanta is one of Harvick’s best tracks having won in all three NASCAR national series. Harvick leads all active drivers with 30 starts, wins (three tied with Kurt Busch), top fives (nine), top-10s (15 tied with Kyle Busch), and laps led (1,348).

    Nine different manufacturers have won in the NCS at Atlanta.  Led by Chevrolet (40), Ford (33), Pontiac (11), Dodge (nine), Mercury (eight), Buick (four), Plymouth (four), Toyota (three) and Oldsmobile (one).

    Top 10 Driver Ratings at Atlanta
    Kevin Harvick – 102.2
    Brad Keselowski – 96.9
    Martin Truex Jr – 96.9
    Kurt Busch – 96.7
    Denny Hamlin – 94.7
    Kyle Busch – 94.0
    Chase Elliott – 93.1
    Kyle Larson – 90.2
    Joey Logano – 83.6
    Ryan Blaney – 83.6
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (22 total) among active drivers at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

  • John Hunter Nemechek dominates Las Vegas en route to victory

    John Hunter Nemechek dominates Las Vegas en route to victory

    Despite a final stage littered with six cautions, John Hunter Nemechek held off team owner and teammate Kyle Busch, to score his first victory under the Kyle Busch Motorsports banner.

    Nemechek started third and led 94 laps of the scheduled 134 to score the seventh Truck Series victory of his career at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    “Coming back to the Truck Series, that was the plan, that was the goal. We came into the year with the hashtag ‘here for wins’ and we are here for wins,” said Nemechek. “I definitely think experience paid off tonight.”

    Stages 30/30/74 made up the 134-lap race distance. Only one truck went to the rear, the No. 02 of Kris Wright, due to unapproved adjustments.

    Stage 1: Lap 1 – Lap 30

    The first yellow of the night didn’t take long to fly. In fact, the yellow came out on Lap 1 for the No. 04 of Cory Roper, who spun in Turns 3 and 4 to slow the field.

    From there, the rest of the stage was caution-free, but there would be some noticeable incidents. On Lap 9, the No. 42 of Carson Hocevar came to pit road as Hocevar suffered a flat tire. Thirteen laps later, the No. 19 of Derek Kraus was on pit road after losing power.

    Despite these incidents, Nemechek dominated the first stage and took the stage victory. Sheldon Creed, Matt Crafton, Kyle Busch, Stewart Friesen, Christian Eckes, David Gilliland, Ben Rhodes, Chandler Smith and Grant Enfinger completed the Top 10.

    Stage 2: Lap 36 – Lap 60

    Shortly after the restart for Stage 2, Busch reported that he had no oil pressure in his No. 51 Toyota Tundra. However, the Las Vegas native kept plugging along and passing trucks for position. Meanwhile, Zane Smith in the No. 21 was on pit road for a flat tire and then penalized for too fast on pit road.

    At Lap 48, Busch took the lead away from Nemechek and went on to win the second stage. Nemechek, Friesen, Crafton, Rhodes, Hill, Enfinger, Gilliland, Eckes and Akrum were the Top 10.

    Stage 3: Lap 67 – Lap 134

    As the green flag flew for Stage 3, there were multiple cautions that filled the stage. A couple of them were for hard hits. The first was on Lap 70 when the No. 44 of Conor Daly hit the Turn 1 wall, ending his night early. Thankfully, the IndyCar veteran would walk out of the Niece Motorsports entry unscathed. The second caution was brought out when a big crash erupted on Lap 98 as the No. 24 of Raphael Lessard was cleared too early going into Turn 1 and was spun by the No. 17 of David Gilliland. Due to the incident, Lessard and Gilliland collided, collecting several trucks including Hailie Deegan, Ryan Truex and Bret Holmes.

    The final caution of the night came out with 10 laps to go. The No. 26 of Tyler Ankrum and the No. 75 of Parker Kligerman wrecked each other on the backstretch causing another late-race restart with six laps to go.

    On the restart, Busch gave Nemechek a big push going into Turn 1 which allowed the Mooresville, North Carolina native to pull out front. After the push, Nemechek checked out and won by .686 seconds over Busch for his first NASCAR victory in two years.

    With Nemechek scoring the victory, Joe Nemechek and John Hunter became the first NASCAR family to score a NASCAR career win at the same track. Joe won the Busch Grand National Series (now the Xfinity Series) race back in 2003.

    There were nine cautions for 48 laps and nine lead changes among five different drivers.

    Official Results following the Bucked Up 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

    1. John Hunter Nemechek, won Stage 1, led 94 laps
    2. Kyle Busch, won Stage 2, led 16 laps
    3. Austin Hill
    4. Stewart Friesen, led four laps
    5. Matt Crafton
    6. Zane Smith
    7. Grant Enfinger
    8. Parker Kligerman
    9. Christian Eckes
    10. Ben Rhodes
    11. Brett Moffitt, led 13 laps
    12. Todd Gilliland
    13. Austin Wayne Self
    14. Johnny Sauter
    15. Danny Bohn
    16. Sheldon Creed
    17. Chandler Smith
    18. Tate Fogleman
    19. Dawson Cram
    20. Spencer Boyd
    21. Chase Purdy
    22. Carson Hocevar, 1 lap down
    23. Kris Wright, 2 laps down
    24. B.J. McLeod, 2 laps down
    25. Jordan Anderson, 2 laps down
    26. Hailie Deegan, 4 laps down
    27. Jennifer Jo Cobb, 4 laps down
    28. Raphael Lessard, 4 laps down
    29. Jesse Iwuji, 5 laps down
    30. Derek Kraus, 8 laps down
    31. Norm Benning, 11 laps down
    32. Tyler Ankrum, OUT, Crash
    33. Tyler Hill, OUT, Crash
    34. Cory Roper, OUT, Crash
    35. Bret Holmes, OUT, Damage Vehicle Policy
    36. Ryan Truex, OUT, Damage Vehicle Policy
    37. David Gilliland, OUT, Crash
    38. Conor Daly, OUT, Crash

    Up Next: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 20 and is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET, live on FOX Sports 1 and MRN Radio.

  • Weekend schedule for Las Vegas

    Weekend schedule for Las Vegas

    All three national series travel to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. There will be no practice or qualifying sessions due to COVID-19 protocols established by NASCAR.

    Denny Hamlin leads the Cup Series standings but is still looking for his first victory of the season. If successful, it would also be his first win at the 1.5-mile track.

    The starting lineups are determined by the following metrics formula:

    • 25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
    • 35 percent: Team owner points ranking
    • 15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, March 5

    9 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Bucked Up 200
    FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    201 miles (134 Laps)
    Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 134)
    Pole: Ben Rhodes

    Saturday, March 6

    4:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300
    FS1/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    300 miles (200 Laps)
    Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)
    Pole: Myatt Snider

    Sunday, March 7

    3:30 p.m.: Cup Series Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube
    FOX/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    400.5 miles (267 laps)
    Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 80), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 267
    Pole: Kevin Harvick

    Statistical highlights for the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400

    Las Vegas Motor Speedway Data:
    Season Race #: 4 of 36 (03-07-21)
    Track Size: 1.5-miles
    Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 20 degrees
    Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 20 degreesBanking/Frontstretch: 9 degrees
    Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
    Frontstretch Length:  2,275 feet
    Backstretch Length:  1,572 feet
    Race Length: 267 laps (400.5 miles)
    Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 laps (each)
    Final Stage Length: 107 laps

    Las Vegas Qualifying Data:
    Track qualifying record: Kurt Busch, Chevrolet (196.328 mph. 27.505 secs. 03-04-16)
    2020 pole winner: Kyle Busch started from the pole.  Qualifying canceled due to weather. (Feb. 23, 2020)
    2020 pole winner: Kevin Harvick – the race starting lineup set by Metric Qualifying (Sept. 27, 2020)

    Las Vegas Race Data:
    Track race record: Joey Logano, Ford – 154.849 mph, (2:35:11), March 3, 2019
    2020 race winner: Joey Logano, Ford – 134.861 mph, (2:58:11), Feb. 23, 2020
    2020 race winner: Kurt Busch, Chevrolet – 131.420 mph, (3:03:32), Sept. 27, 2020

    Top 10 Driver Ratings at Las Vegas:
    Kevin Harvick – 104.8
    Joey Logano – 104.6
    Kyle Busch – 100.5
    Chase Elliott – 99.2
    Martin Truex Jr. – 98.0
    Ryan Blaney – 96.1
    Brad Keselowski – 94.4
    Kyle Larson – 93.9
    Denny Hamlin – 85.0
    Kurt Busch – 83.2
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (19 total) among active drivers at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

    There have been 26 NASCAR Cup Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kevin Harvick leads the series in starts with 23.  Joey Logano leads the series among active drivers in average starting position at 8.4.

    Five manufacturers have won a pole, led by Ford (11), Chevrolet (4), Dodge (4), Toyota (3) and Pontiac (1). 

    Eight drivers have multiple NCS wins at Las Vegas: Jimmie Johnson (four), Matt Kenseth (three), Brad Keselowski (three), Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano (two) and Carl Edwards (two).  Las Vegas native Kyle Busch is the youngest race winner (March 01, 2009, at 23 years, 9 months, 27 days) and became the first and only driver to win from the pole.

    Four manufacturers have visited Victory Lane at Las Vegas.  Led by Ford (13), Chevrolet (8), Toyota (4) and Dodge (1).

  • Movers and Shakers – 2021 driver and crew chief updates

    Movers and Shakers – 2021 driver and crew chief updates

    NASCAR accomplished the improbable and what some deemed the impossible task of completing a full season of racing in 2020. Their innovation, perseverance, and adherence to safety protocols led the way in the sports world.

    We celebrated new champions and said goodbye to old friends, reminding us that change is inevitable.

    As we anticipate another exciting season in NASCAR, here is your guide to partnerships continued and new alliances formed in preparation for the 2021 season.

    This list of driver and crew chief changes will be updated as new information becomes available.

    Anthony Alfredo:

    2020 – Part-time in the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Alfredo moves to Front Row Racing to run full-time in the Cup Series in the No. 38 Ford. He replaces John Hunter Nemechek who signed with KBM to run full-time in the Truck Series in 2021.

    Justin Allgaier:

    2020 – No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Allgaier will return to JR Motorsports in 2021 for his sixth full-time season with the team in the Xfinity Series.

    AJ Allmendinger:

    2020 – Allmendinger competed in 11 Xfinity Series races in the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing.

    2021 Status – Kaulig Racing announced that Allmendinger will return next season to race full-time in the Xfinity Series in the No. 16 Chevrolet with crew chief, Jason Trinchere (Haley’s lead engineer last year.) He will also compete on the Daytona road course on Feb. 21 for Kaulig Racing.

    Aric Almirola:

    2020 – No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – On Sept. 1, Almirola confirmed that he will return to drive the No. 10 Ford full-time for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2021.

    Jordan Anderson:

    2020 – No. 3 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet full-time in the Truck Series

    2021 – Anderson will compete full-time in the Xfinity Series as a rookie with his team Jordan Anderson Racing in the No. 31 Chevrolet. They will field cars acquired from Richard Childress Racing with ECR engines and Artie Haire will serve as crew chief.  The team will also continue to compete in the Truck Series with various drivers, to be announced later. Anderson will drive in the Truck Series season opener at Daytona on Feb. 12.  

    Tyler Ankrum:

    2020 – No. 26 GMS Racing Chevrolet full-time in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – In October, GMS Racing announced that Ankrum would return for a second full-time season with the team. He will be paired with Charles Denike as crew chief.

    Michael Annett:

    2020 – No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet full-time in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Annett will return to drive the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevy full-time in 2021, his fifth season with the organization.

    Christopher Bell:

    2020 – No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Christopher Bell is moving to Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the No. 20 car in the Cup Series in 2021. He replaces Erik Jones in the No. 20 as Jones moves on to Richard Petty Motorsports. LFR made the decision to leave NASCAR at the end of the 2020 season, selling the team and its assets. Adam Stevens will move from the No. 18 Kyle Busch team to serve as crew chief for Bell in 2021.

    Josh Berry:

    2020 – JR Motorsports Late Model Program

    2021 Status – Josh Berry will run a partial Xfinity Series schedule next year in the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, competing in approximately 12 races in the first half of the 2021 season.

    Ben Beshore:

    2020 – Crew chief for the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Beshore will move to the Cup Series as crew chief for the No. 18 JGR Toyota driven by Kyle Busch in 2021. For the past two years, he worked as an Xfinity Series crew chief for various drivers, most recently, Harrison Burton. Before moving to the Xfinity Series Beshore was an engineer for the No. 18 team.

    Josh Bilicki:

    2020 – 22 Cup Series starts last year for various teams, including Rick Ware Racing, Tommy Baldwin Racing and Spire Motorsports along with seven Xfinity Series starts and five Truck Series starts.

    2021 – Bilicki will compete full-time for Rick Ware Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021 in the No. 52 entry.

    Ryan Blaney:

    2020 – No. 12 Team Penske Ford in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Blaney will return to Team Penske after signing a multi-year contract extension on March 6.

    Alex Bowman:

    2020 – No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Bowman will remain with Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, moving to the No. 48 Chevrolet to replace Jimmie Johnson who retired from full-time competition at the end of the 2020 season. The 88 will not be used by HMS in 2021. After signing Kyle Larson, they announced that he will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet.

    Clint Bowyer:

    2020 – No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – On Oct. 8, Bowyer announced that he would retire from full-time competition in the Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2020 season. He will join the FOX broadcast booth in 2021.

    Spencer Boyd:

    2020 – No. 20 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – On Nov. 25, Young’s Motorsports announced that Boyd’s contract has been extended through 2021 and he will continue to compete in the No. 20 Chevrolet.

    Chase Briscoe:

    2020 – No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Briscoe will move to the Cup Series in 2021. He will drive the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 Ford vacated by Clint Bowyer. Johnny Klausmeier will continue as crew chief.

    Jade Buford:

    2020 – Xfinity Series, three starts with Bobby Dotter (No. 07 Chevrolet), one with JD Motorsports (No. 6 Chevrolet)

    2021 Status – Buford will compete full time in the Xfinity Series for the new, Big Machine Racing Team, owned by Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records company, in the No. 48 Chevrolet with crew chief Patrick Donohue. Buford, however, has not been cleared to race at the Daytona oval.

    Harrison Burton:

    2020 – No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Burton will return to drive the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the Xfinity Series with Jason Ratcliff as crew chief.

    Jeb Burton:

    2020 – Part-time in the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series

    2021 status – Burton will run a full-time Xfinity Series schedule in 2021 with Kaulig Racing and Bruce Schlicker as crew chief. He replaces Ross Chastain who is moving to the Cup Series.  

    William Byron:

    2020 – No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Byron will continue to compete in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet after signing a contract extension through the 2022 season. As noted below, Rudy Fugle will partner with Byron as crew chief.

    Landon Cassill:

    2020- Four starts in the No. 89 for Shepherd Racing Ventures in the Xfinity Series

    2021 – Cassill will compete full-time in the Xfinity Series for JD Motorsports in the No. 4 Chevrolet.

    Ross Chastain:

    2020 – No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Chastain will advance to the Cup Series to drive the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet full-time. He will replace Matt Kenseth who filled in for the suspended Kyle Larson in 2020.

    Austin Cindric:

    2020 – No. 22 Team Penske Ford in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – In October, Team Penske announced that Cindric had signed a contract extension. He will continue to drive in the Xfinity Series in 2021 and will also run some Cup races as he prepares for a move to the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Cup Series team in 2022.

    Sheldon Creed:

    2020 – No. 2 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – Creed will return to GMS Racing for his third full-time season in the Truck Series next year. Jeff Stankiewicz will also return as crew chief for his second full-time season with Creed. 

    Bayley Currey:

    2020 – No. 74 Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Currey will return to race the No. 74 Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing.

    Cliff Daniels:

    2020 – Crew chief for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the Cup Series.

    2021 Status – Following Jimmie Johnson’s retirement from full-time competition, Daniels will be paired with Kyle Larson as crew chief of the No. 5 HMS Chevrolet.

    Spencer Davis:

    2020 – No. 11 Toyota for Spencer Davis Racing in the Truck Series, part-time

    2021 – After three part-time seasons in 2018-2020, Davis will compete full-time this year in the No. 11 Toyota for Spencer Davis Racing in the Truck Series and compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

    Hailie Deegan:

    2020 – No. 4 DGR-Crosley Ford in the ARCA Menards Series

    2021 Status – Deegan will move up to the Truck Series and run a full-time schedule in the No. 17 DGR-Crosley Ford. Mike Hillman Jr., (Raphael Lessard’s former crew chief at KBM) will be Deegan’s crew chief.

    Matt DiBenedetto:

    2020 – No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford in the Cup Series

    2021 Status –DiBenedetto signed a one-year contract extension to return for his second season with Wood Brothers Racing in 2021. He will be replaced by Austin Cindric in 2022.  

    Ty Dillon:

    2020 – No. 13 Germain Racing Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Dillon will attempt to qualify for the Cup Series Daytona 500 with Gaunt Brothers Racing and secure one of four open spots in the event. On Jan. 27, it was announced that Dillon will drive the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Toyota in select NASCAR Xfinity Series races. His first race will be in the season opener at Daytona on Feb. 13. His current schedule also includes races at Homestead on Feb. 27, Las Vegas (March 6) and Talladega Superspeedway (April 24).

    Drew Dollar:

    2020 – Full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, finishing fourth in the standings

    2021 – Drew Dollar will make eight starts in the Kyle Busch Motorsports Truck Series No. 51 Toyota with Mardy Lindley as crew chief. He will compete at the Daytona oval and Charlotte in May, Texas and Nashville in June, Bristol and Las Vegas in Sept., Talladega in Oct. & the season finale at Phoenix in Nov.

    Jeffrey Earnhardt:

    2020 – Earnhardt competed in 29 races last season for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller in the Xfinity Series.

    2021 Status – On Dec. 21 it was announced that Earnhardt will return to drive the No. 0 Chevrolet full-time in the Xfinity Series for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.

    Christian Eckes:

    2020 – No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota

    2021 Status: Eckes confirmed on Dec. 7 via social media that he will not return to KBM in 2021 and has not announced his future plans.

    Ryan Ellis:

    2020 – Ellis did not compete in the Xfinity Series in 2020 but has 50 combined starts in the series from 2012-2019, including a partial schedule in 2016 of 16 races.

    2021 – Ellis will drive a part-time Xfinity Series schedule in the No. 99 Chevrolet for BJ McLeod Motorsports. His current confirmed race schedule includes Darlington, Mid-Ohio, Road America and Kansas.

    Santino Ferrucci:

    2020 – NTT IndyCar Series

    2021 – Ferrucci will drive a limited schedule for Sam Hunt Racing in the Xfinity Series competing in the No. 26 Toyota with Andrew Abbott as crew chief.

    Rudy Fugle:

    2020 – Crew chief for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – Fugle will move up to the Cup Series as crew chief for William Byron’s No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. He will replace Chad Knaus who will leave the pit-box after being promoted to vice president of competition at HMS.

    Joey Gase:

    2020 – Primarily in the No. 51 Ford full-time in the Cup Series with Rick Ware Racing

    2021 – On Jan. 15 it was announced that Gase will return to Rick Ware Racing in the Cup Series and will kick off his season at the Daytona 500. The number of races in which he will compete was not specified in the press release.

    Brandon Gdovic:

    2020 – Competed in two Xfinity Series races for Sam Hunt Racing

    2021 – Gdovic will return to the Xfinity Series with Sam Hunt Racing on a limited schedule, focusing primarily on oval tracks. His first race will be at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13.

    Ty Gibbs:

    2020 – Ran a partial schedule in the No. 18 Toyota in the ARCA Menards Series and earned six wins

    2021 – Gibbs will run full-time in the ARCA Menards Series and compete for the championship in the No. 18 Toyota. He will also make his debut in the Xfinity Series in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Toyota with his first race at the Daytona Road Course on Feb. 14. On Feb. 23, the following 14 races were confirmed for Dillon’s Xfinity schedule: March 13–Phoenix, April 9–Martinsville, May 8–Darlington, May 15–Dover. May 29–Charlotte, June 5–Mid-Ohio, June 27–Pocono, July 3–Road America, Aug. 7–Watkins Glen, Aug. 14–Indianapolis road course, Aug. 21–Michigan, Sept. 11– Richmond, Oct. 9–Charlotte Roval, Oct. 23–Kansas

    Todd Gilliland:

    2020 – No. 38 Ford full-time for Front Row Racing in the Truck Series

    2021 – Gilliland will return to drive the No. 38 Ford full time in the Truck Series for Front Row Racing.

    Noah Gragson:

    2020 – No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – On Aug. 27, it was confirmed that Gragson will return to JR Motorsports for the 2021 Xfinity Series season.

    Justin Haley:

    2020 – No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Haley will return to drive for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series in 2021. It is his third season with the team and will be his second year with Alex Yontz as crew chief. 

    Daniel Hemric:

    2020 – No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet part-time in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Hemric will move to Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the No. 18 Toyota full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with crew chief, Dave Rogers.

    Riley Herbst:

    2020 – No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – Herbst is moving to the No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in 2021 and will compete full-time in the Xfinity Series.

    Austin Hill:

    2020 – No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – Hill will return to Hattori Racing for a third season in 2021.

    Carson Hocevar:

    2020 – Part-time in the Truck Series for Niece Motorsports

    2021 Status – Hocevar will drive full-time in the Truck Series for Niece Motorsports in 2021.

    Bret Holmes:

    2020 – No. 23 full-time in the ARCA Menards Series for Bret Holmes Racing

    2021 – Holmes will run part-time in the Truck Series No. 32 Chevrolet for Bret Holmes Racing. His Truck Series debut will be at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March with additional races to be announced. He will also compete in several ARCA Menards Series events.

    Colby Howard:

    2020 – No. 15 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series, part-time

    2021 Status – Howard will run a full-time Xfinity Series schedule in the No. 15 JD Motorsports Chevrolet. Wayne Carroll will replace his former crew chief, Mark Setzer, who has teamed up with Jeremy Clements for the 2021 season.

    Joe Gibbs Racing:

    2021 Xfinity Series – JGR will field a fourth Xfinity Series car, the No. 54, that will rotate different drivers throughout the season. Chris Gayle will serve as the crew chief for the No. 54. The drivers and schedule for this car will be released at a later date.  

    Jimmie Johnson:

    2020 – No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Johnson retired from full-time competition in the Cup Series at the end of the 2020 season. The seven-time champ has indicated that he may run select NASCAR races in the future but for now, IndyCar seems to be his main focus for 2021. 

    Brandon Jones:

    2020 – No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the Xfinity Series

    2021 Status – In October, Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Jones would return to drive the No. 19 Toyota in 2021 with crew chief Jeff Meendering.

    Erik Jones:

    2020 – No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – After being notified that JGR would not renew his contract for next year, Jones signed a multi-year deal to drive in the Cup Series for Richard Petty Motorsports in the No. 43 Chevrolet. The opportunity arose after Bubba Wallace signed with 23XI Racing to drive the No. 23 next year.  

    Matt Kenseth:

    2020 – No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Kenseth came out of retirement to take over as driver of the No. 42 after the suspension of Kyle Larson in 2020. On Sept. 21, CGR signed Ross Chastain as the driver of the No. 42 for 2021. Kenseth currently has no plans to return to full-time racing.

    Brad Keselowski:

    2020 – No. 2 Team Penske Ford in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – On Aug. 3, Team Penske renewed Keselowski’s contact and confirmed that he will return as the driver of the No. 2 Ford in 2021. The announcement did not state if the contract extended beyond next season.

    Chad Knaus:

    2020 – Crew chief for the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Knaus will leave the pit-box after being promoted to vice president of competition at HMS.

    Derek Kraus:

    2020 – McAnally-Hilgemann Racing No. 19 Toyota Tundra in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – On Dec. 22 the team announced that Kraus will return for his second full-time season with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in the No. 19 Toyota. Matt Noyce will join the team as crew chief (former crew chief at ThorSport Racing for Ben Rhodes in 2019, 2020).  

    Corey LaJoie:

    2020 – No. 32 Go Fas Racing Ford in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Announced on Nov. 30 on his “Sunday Money” podcast, Lajoie has signed a multi-year agreement with Spire Motorsports to drive the No. 7 Chevrolet in the Cup Series. Ryan Sparks, former crew chief for LaJoie at Go Fas Racing, will make the move with LaJoie to serve as the crew chief for the Spire No. 7 team.

    Kyle Larson:

    2020 – Previous driver of the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet in the Cup Series. Larson was suspended in April and fired from CGR after using a racial slur during an iRacing event. He was reinstated by NASCAR in October and is eligible to return to racing on Jan. 1, 2021.

    2021 Status – Larson was signed by Hendrick Motorsports to a multi-year deal on Oct. 28. He is slated to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in the Cup Series in 2021 with Johnson’s former crew chief, Cliff Daniels, on the pit box. Tyler Monn has been named as Larson’s spotter.

    Raphael Lessard:

    2020 – No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – GMS Racing announced on Jan. 7 that Lessard will compete full time in the Truck Series in the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado with Chad Walter as crew chief.

    Jesse Little:

    2020 – No. 4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series

    2021 – Little will drive full-time in the Xfinity Series with BJ McLeod Motorsports in the No. 78 Chevrolet in 2021.

    Mason Massey:

    2020 – 10 Xfinity Series races with BJ McLeod Motorsports, Inc. in the No. 99 Toyota

    2021 – Massey will return to BJ McLeod Motorsports to drive the No. 99 Toyota for 12 Xfinity Series races.

    Sam Mayer:

    2020 – Part-time in the Truck Series (six races) and competed in select races in the ARCA Menards Series for GMS Racing

    2021 Status – Mayer will move to JR Motorsports and drive the second half of the Xfinity Series season in 2021. He will drive full-time in the series in 2022. He will also compete in six ARCA races and five Truck Series events for Bret Holmes Racing in 2021.

    Michael McDowell:

    2020 – No. 34 Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series

    2021 Status – McDowell will return to Front Row Racing in the No. 34 Ford to compete full-time in the Cup Series.

    BJ McLeod:

    2020 – Part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series primarily as a driver/owner

    2021 Status – McLeod will drive the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time next year. He is a co-owner of Live Fast Motorsports with Matt Tifft. The team will have a partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing.

    Matt Mills:

    2020 – Full-time in the No. 05 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series for BJ McLeod Motorsports

    2021 Status – On Dec. 16 the team announced that Mills will return to drive the No. 05 full-time in the Xfinity Series for BJ McLeod Motorsports in 2021.

    Brett Moffitt:

    2000 – No. 02 Our Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series/No. 23 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – Moffitt will drive full-time in the No. 02 Chevrolet for Our Motorsports in the Xfinity Series and will also run a full-time schedule in the Truck Series in the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports. He will declare for points in the Truck Series and compete for the Truck Series championship.

    John Hunter Nemechek:

    2020 – No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Announced on Nov. 23, Nemechek will drive the Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 4 Toyota in the Truck Series. He replaces Raphael Lessard. Nemechek will also compete in select Xfinity races this year for Sam Hunt Racing in the No. 26. His first start with the team will be at Dover in May.

    Miguel Paludo:

    2020 – Paludo competed in Brazil in the Porsche GT3 Carrera Cup Series. He also has two previous Xfinity Series starts (2012) and 73 Truck Series starts (2010-2013).

    2021 – Paludo will drive the JR Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet in three Xfinity Series road course events in 2021. His first event will be the second race of the season at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course on Feb. 20. His schedule also includes the races at Circuit of the Americas (May 22) and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on June 5.

    Chase Purdy:

    2020 – Part-time in Truck Series for GMS Racing

    2021 Status – Purdy will compete full-time with GMS Racing next year in the Truck Series with Jeff Hensley as crew chief.

    Tyler Reddick:

    2020 – No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Reddick will return for his second season in the Richard Childress Racing No. 8 Chevrolet in the Cup Series next year.

    Mark Setzer:

    2020 – Crew Chief for JD Motorsports w/Gary Keller

    2021 Status – Setzer will serve as crew chief for the No. 51 Jeremy Clements Racing Chevrolet next season, replacing Andrew Abbott.

    Chandler Smith:

    2020 – No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota in the Truck Series, part-time

    2021 Status – Announced Dec. 7, Smith will compete full time in the Truck Series in the Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 18 Tundra next year, replacing Christian Eckes.

    Zane Smith:

    2020 – No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the Truck Series

    2021 Status – Smith will return to GMS Racing for a second season with Kevin “Bono” Manion as crew chief.

    Garrett Smithley:

    2020 – Cup Series with various teams, primarily with Rick Ware Racing

    2021 – Smithley will run a partial Cup Series schedule for Rick Ware Racing. The races in which he will compete will be announced at a later date.

    Adam Stevens:

    2020 – Crew chief for the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series.

    2021 Status – Stevens will move to the No. 20 JGR team as crew chief for Christopher Bell next season. He worked with Kyle Bush from 2015–2020, winning two championships.  

    Daniel Suarez:

    Current ride – No. 96 Gaunt Brothers Racing Toyota in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – Suarez will compete full-time in the No. 99 Chevrolet with the newly formed Cup Series team of Trackhouse Racing with owner Justin Marks and musical artist, Pitbull (Armando Perez), who announced his partnership with the team on Jan 15. Ty Norris will serve as president of race operations and Travis Mack joins the team as crew chief. Mack is the former crew chief for the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

    Ryan Truex: 2020 – No. 40 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, part-time

    2021 Status – Announced on Nov. 24, Truex will return to drive the No. 40 Niece Motorsports Chevy in the Camping World Truck Series but will upgrade to a full-time season. It will be his first full-time ride in the series since 2017.

    Ryan Vargas:

    2020 – No. 15 Chevrolet (two starts) and No. 16 Chevrolet (seven starts) with JD Motorsports w/Gary Keller

    2021 – Vargas will run a full schedule in the JD Motorsports w/Gary Keller No. 6 Chevrolet and compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year in the Xfinity Series.

    Bubba Wallace:

    2020 – No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet in the Cup Series

    2021 Status – On Sept. 21, Wallace and Denny Hamlin announced that Wallace would drive the No. 23 car for 23XI Racing in 2021, a new team formed by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series. Freddie Kraft will transition from RPM to continue as spotter for Wallace at 23XI Racing with Mike Wheeler as crew chief.

    Cody Ware:

    2020 – Competed in one race in the Xfinity Series and one race in the Cup Series for Rick Ware Racing. He has 23 career Cup starts and 21 Xfinity starts.

    2021 Status – Ware will run a full schedule in the Cup Series for Rick Ware Racing.

    Kyle Weatherman:

    2020 – No. 47 Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing in the Xfinity Series

    2021 – Weatherman will return to drive the No. 47 Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing in the Xfinity Series full-time.

    Mike Wheeler:

    2020 – Competition director for Leavine Family Racing in the Cup Series.

    2021 Status – Wheeler will join 23XI Racing to serve as the crew chief for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team.

    Kris Wright:

    2020 – He competed in one race in the No. 24 Chevrolet for GMS Racing in the Truck Series at the Daytona Road Course. Wright also ran select races in the ARCA Menards Series, CARS Super Late Model Tour Series and one race in the
    Weathertech SportsCar Championship Series. In 2018, he won the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 championship.

    2021 – Wright will compete in seven Xfinity Series road course events for Sam Hunt Racing. His schedule includes the Daytona Road Course, COTA, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis Road Course and the Charlotte ROVAL.

  • Interview – Q&A with Truck Series driver Ryan Truex

    Interview – Q&A with Truck Series driver Ryan Truex

    In this week’s interview, Speedway Media catches up with Niece Motorsports newcomer, Ryan Truex. Truex recently joined the team for a full-season and will contend for the 2021 Truck Series championship. During the interview, the Mayetta, New Jersey native discusses what he considers his best season, if he has any superstitions about racing and his “Welcome to NASCAR” moment, among other topics.

    SM: You’ve run 52 races in your Truck Series career over the past seven years and have come close to winning multiple times. In your opinion, what’s the best you’ve ever run? 

    RT: “I’d say my best season was 2017 with HRE (Hattori Racing Enterprises),” Truex said. “We were starting to build new trucks during that year and really started performing well and coming close to winning races. I knew the team was on the verge of winning races at the end of the year. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to put something together for the following season and the rest is history.”

    SM: Following up on that question, you finished second twice in the series, once in 2016 at Daytona and then three years ago in 2017 at Loudon. Both times you had strong trucks. What do you think you could have done differently to score the victory or were those races just not meant to be? Is Daytona still a heartbreaker as you reflect back or is there a different race that you wish you had back?

    RT: “Daytona was a tough one because I felt like we were in the right position to race back to the checkered flag and have a great shot at the win. The caution just came out at the worst time when I was trying to build a run to take the lead back,” he said. “2017 Loudon was another tough one. We took the lead on a late restart and I did everything I could to hold (Christopher) Bell off, he just had a stronger truck than me at the end of the day. I believe things happen for a reason and that my time will come. I just have to keep working at it.”

    SM: Has there ever been a moment where you’ve gotten lost at a racetrack? If so, where did you get lost, and how did you get back to the right spot?

    RT: Road America 2018, it took me quite a while to find the garage area,” Truex said. “I ended up in a random corner like two miles from where I was supposed to be and had to open up maps on my phone and turn on satellite view to figure out where I was and where I needed to be.”

    SM: Most drivers have their ‘Welcome to NASCAR moment that’s happened during a race. When did you have that moment and how did you take that learning lesson moving forward? 

    RT: “One that sticks out to me is Talladega, 2012,” Truex said. “I was running an Xfinity car for JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) in a limited schedule. Back then we were still allowed to tandem draft at the superspeedways. I was running mid-pack, just riding, and none other than Dale Jr. latched to my bumper and pushed me all the way to the front. As soon as we got there, he left me out by myself and took the lead and I got pushed right to the back again. I like to imagine he was smirking behind that visor when he did that.”

    SM: In racing, many drivers are skeptical of myths or urban legends, things like the No. 13, no peanut vendors at the racetracks, etc. In your mind, what’s the craziest superstition you’ve ever heard as a racecar driver and do you believe in that superstition? 

    RT: “I don’t believe in superstitions but I’ve heard them all,” he said. “MTJ (Martin Truex Jr., Ryan’s brother) with the rabbit’s foot for Homestead in 2017 that Darrell Gwynn (former NHRA Driver) gave him is probably the craziest one that I’ve heard, but it obviously worked out pretty well.”

    SM: The Truck Series has really evolved from its beginnings in 1995 and has had a lot of storied drivers and unique races. If you could go back in time to race in a certain event, which event would you choose and why?

    RT: “I think the first year of the series would be cool to be a part of,” Truex said. “Lots of unique tracks and drivers and the atmosphere around the new series seemed like a really exciting thing to be involved with.”

    SM: Who is one race car driver that you believe will always have your back no matter what happens on the racetrack?

    RT: “I think the obvious answer is my brother (Martin Truex Jr.), but there are a few others out there that I have a lot of respect for and feel like that feeling is mutual,” he said. “Brett (Moffitt) and I have known each other for a long time and we’re teammates which makes it a great combo for us. I feel like (Matt) Crafton and (Johnny) Sauter have always been two drivers that I’ve always had a great relationship with on and off the track as well.” 

    SM: Sometimes people get mistaken for different people in real life and being on the grid. Has there been an instance where you were mistaken for somebody else?

    RT: “If I had a nickel for every time someone thought I was Kyle Larson, I could start my own truck team.”

    SM: As in most cases in racing, there are more bad days than good. Whenever you have a bad day at the tack, how do you pick yourself up and not let it ruin the rest of the day or the weekend?  

    RT: “I just have to remind myself that quitters never win and the bad days will always pass,” Truex said. “You can’t let yourself dwell too much on them.”

    SM: Rain delays are never fun during racing. How do you pass the time during a rain delay?

    RT: “Eat all the food.”

    SM: There are several new tracks on the Truck Series schedule, such as Bristol Dirt, Circuit of the Americus, Nashville returning to the schedule, Knoxville and Watkins Glen. Which of these tracks are you looking forward to the most and why?

    RT: “I have Watkins Glen circled on my calendar,” he said. “I’ve always run well there, and its a track I’ve been going to for a long time – since Martin was racing there in the Busch North Series. I feel like we will have a good shot at a win there.”

    SM: Wrapping this up, what’s one goal or expectation that you would like to achieve before the end of the year? 

    RT: “I’ve been around the national series level for a long time,” Truex said. “I’ve been very close to winning races multiple times and feel like I’ve proven I can get the job done, but I know I need to win. Bottom line. I think I have a team capable of doing it and my plan is to finally get some trophies this year.”

    Truex has made 53 Truck Series starts to date over a span of seven years, with 11 top-fives and 20 top-10 finishes with two poles along with 151 laps led. Additionally, the New Jersey native has made various starts in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series and won back-to-back NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series Championships in 2009 and 2010.

    Fans of Ryan Truex can follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, you can check out his website here.

    Fans of Niece Motorsports can like them on Facebook, “follow” them on Twitter and Instagram. You can also visit their website here.

    Special thanks to Michelle Brachowski for coordinating this interview and many thanks to Ryan Truex for taking the time out of his busy schedule for the interview.

  • Ben Rhodes survives three overtimes to win at Daytona Road Course

    Ben Rhodes survives three overtimes to win at Daytona Road Course

    The Truck Series returned to Daytona International Speedway once again this week, but this time on the Daytona Road Course. There were three overtime restarts and on the second restart, Ben Rhodes was close to taking the white flag, but a late yellow flew. However, Rhodes prevailed and took home the win after starting on the pole and holding off Sheldon Creed for the win.

    “It’s unbelievable,” Rhodes said about winning twice at Daytona. “I don’t have words for it. I don’t even know what to say. This is so cool. I just have to thank my team. The Bombardier Tundra was fast all day. ThorSport Racing gave me a truck that handled this year and we were fast. Rich (Luches) is a really good crew chief. It’s good to be paired up with him and all of the guys on my team. I’m just thrilled. I don’t know what to say. I’ve been on cloud nine all week, so it’s above that. I’m just so happy.”

    Originally, 12-13-19 made up the 44-lap race, but three late-race yellows extended the race distance to 51 laps.

    Stage 1: Lap 1 – Lap 12

    Prior to the race start, NASCAR had determined a wet race for the initial green-flag since late day rain showers moved through the area, and left the track damp.

    John Hunter Nemechek was fast from the get-go and dominated early on. He took the lead from pole-sitter Rhodes while Raphael Lessard and Zane Smith spun each other out in Turn 1. One caution slowed the stage with eight to go when the No. 04 of Cory Roper came to a stop in Turn 3.

    The late yellow brought out a one-lap restart for the stage, but Nemechek held off Rhodes for the stage victory. Chandler Smith, Brett Moffitt, Ryan Truex, Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter, Austin Hill, Sheldon Creed and Riley Herbst were the Top 10 finishers.

    During the stage break, Nemechek stayed out to maintain the lead, but there were some penalties as Chase Purdy was penalized for a safety violation and Sam Mayer was penalized for not going to the rear in the previous restart.

    Stage 2: Lap 14 – Lap 25

    From the restart, last year’s Truck Series champion, Sheldon Creed, was able to nab the lead from Nemechek coming out of Turn 6 and going into Turn 1. The Californian dominated for the majority of Stage 2 until a late stage yellow came out on Lap 22. Stage 1 winner, Nemechek, came to a complete stop due to no oil pressure in Turn 10, prompting the yellow. During this, Creed was on pit road, changing from wet tires to dry tires.

    As the yellow flag flew late, the stage ended under caution and 2020 Talladega winner Raphael Lessard took the stage victory. Grala, Zane Smith, Wayne Self, Gilliland, Crafton, Deegan, Creed, Purdy and Moffitt were the top 10. Rhodes was right outside the Top 10, finishing 11th.

    Stage 3: Lap 27 – Lap 51

    While the first two stages were relatively calm, the final stage saw five cautions. Creed was well on his way to victory but contact between Sam Mayer and Tanner Gray brought out the first overtime of the night.

    On the first restart, Rhodes was able to get by Creed and was just inches away from taking the white flag before the yellow flew once again in a matter of seconds. This time, the No. 44 of Jett Noland, who was making his debut for Niece Motorsports, stopped in the grass and Austin Wayne Self came to a stop just off Turn 10.

    The final overtime restart of the night was prompted by Jennifer Jo Cobb, who came to a complete stop on the frontstretch chicane. The restart came on Lap 48 with race leaders Rhodes and Creed battling hard with each other for the win. However, Rhodes was determined to hold off Creed and stretched out his lead over second place. After 51 laps, the finish came under yellow due to a truck stopped in the grass. Ben Rhodes would win his second consecutive race and give Toyota Racing their 200th Truck Series victory.

    “So cool,” the Kentucky native added about getting Toyota Racing their 200th win, “200 wins for Toyota, I’m so proud to be able to get that for them. You always want to be the guy that delivers for people and I’m glad that I could be the delivery man. That’s so cool. Toyota, they’ve given so much support to us. I think that’s a big reason why we’ve been in victory lane both weeks.”

    There were 10 cautions for 20 laps and nine lead changes among six different drivers.

    Official Results:
    1. Ben Rhodes, led 13 laps
    2. Sheldon Creed, led 17 laps
    3. John Hunter Nemechek, won Stage 1, led 14 laps
    4. Todd Gilliland
    5. Riley Herbst, led one lap
    6. Matt Crafton
    7. Derek Kraus
    8. Kaz Grala
    9. Timmy Hill
    10. Christian Eckes
    11. Stewart Friesen, led one lap
    12. Chandler Smith
    13. Camden Murphy
    14. Carson Hocevar
    15. Austin Wayne Self
    16. Codie Rohrbaugh
    17. Dawson Cram
    18. Johnny Sauter
    19. Tate Fogleman
    20. Tanner Gray
    21. Tyler Ankrum
    22. Chase Purdy
    23. Parker Chase
    24. Timothy Peters
    25. Brett Moffitt
    26. Raphael Lessard, led five laps, won Stage 2
    27. Bobby Reuse, 1 lap down
    28. Hailie Deegan, 1 lap down
    29. Jett Noland, OUT, Crash
    30. Danny Bohn, 2 laps down
    31. Ryan Truex, 3 laps down
    32. Norm Benning, 3 laps down
    33. Austin Hill, 3 laps down
    34. Cory Roper, OUT, Fuel Pressure
    35. Jennifer Jo Cobb, 4 laps down
    36. Lawless Alan, 6 laps down
    37. Sam Mayer, OUT, Crash
    38. Jason White, 10 laps down
    39. Spencer Boyd, OUT, Transmission
    40. Zane Smith, OUT, Crash

    Up Next: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will take next weekend off before heading out west to Las Vegas Motor Speedway Friday night, March 5, live at 9 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 and MRN Radio.

  • Daytona Road Course weekend schedule

    Daytona Road Course weekend schedule

    This weekend NASCAR returns to Daytona International Speedway. But this time, the Cup Series, Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series will all compete on the Daytona Road Course.

    It will be the first of seven road course events that will also include Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Watkins Glen International, Sonoma Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (ROVAL) and Road America. 

    There will be no qualifying or practice and the lineup has been set using the following formula:

    25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
    25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
    35 percent: Team owner points ranking
    15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, Feb. 19

    7:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series BrakeBest Pads 159 at Daytona Presented by O’Reilly – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Distance: 158.85 miles (44 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 12), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 25), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 44)
    Pole: Ben Rhodes

    Saturday, Feb. 20

    5 p.m.: Xfinity Series Super Start Batteries 188 at Daytona Presented by O’Reilly – FS1/ MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Distance: 187.72 miles (52 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 15), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 30), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 52)
    Pole: Brett Moffitt

    Sunday, Feb. 21

    3 p.m.: Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona – FOX/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Distance: 252.7 miles (70 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 16), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 34), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 70)
    Pole: Chase Elliott

    Daytona Road Course Cup Series Data:

    Season Race # 2 of 36 (02-21-21)
    Track Size: 3.61-miles
    Track Type: Road Course
    Number of Turns: 14
    Elevation Change: 31 degrees
    Race Length: 70 laps (252.7-miles)
    Stage 1 and 2 Length: 16 laps
    Stage 2 Length: 18 laps
    Final Stage Length: 36 laps

    Top-10 road course ratings at Daytona:
    Chase Elliott – 135.3
    Martin Truex Jr. – 126.5
    Denny Hamlin – 116.0
    William Byron – 102.3
    Joey Logano – 86.3
    Michael McDowell – 85.7
    Erik Jones – 85.7
    Alex Bowman – 84.8
    Kurt Busch – 84.7
    Aric Almirola – 78.5

    The first NASCAR Cup Series race held on the Daytona Road Course (RC) was Aug. 16, 2020, and the event was won by Chase Elliott. Elliott led 34 laps and became the youngest RC winner at 24 years, 8 months and 19 days.

    Elliott leads all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series road course wins with five victories, followed by Kyle Busch (4), Martin Truex Jr. (4), Kevin Harvick (2), Joey Logano (1), Kurt Busch (1) and Ryan Blaney (1).