Tag: Camping World Truck Series

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule for Michigan and Gateway Motorsports Park

    NASCAR Racing Schedule for Michigan and Gateway Motorsports Park

    The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series head to Michigan International Speedway this weekend while the Camping World Truck Series travels to Gateway Motorsports Park. Please check below for the full schedule.

    All times Eastern.

    Friday, June 12:

    On Track:

    11:30 a.m.-12:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    1-2 p.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    2:30-3:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    4:15 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 2

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10:15 a.m.: Joey Logano
    10:40 a.m.: Kyle Larson
    1:45 p.m.: Jeff Gordon
    2:15 p.m.: Clint Bowyer
    2:30 p.m.: Martin Truex Jr. and Joe Garone
    5:15 p.m.: Post NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying (time approx.)

    Saturday, June 13:

    On Track:

    9-9:55 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    10:15 a.m.: XFINITY Series qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice
    Noon-12:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    1:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Great Clips 250 Benefiting Paralyzed Veterans of America (125 laps, 250 miles) – FOX Sports 1
    5:45 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series qualifying – FOX Sports 2
    8:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol Presents the Drivin’ for Linemen 200 brought to you by Ameren (160 laps, 200 miles) – FOX Sports 1 

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    11:15 a.m.: Cole Whitt and Nate Burleson
    3:15 p.m.: Post NASCAR XFINITY Series race (time approx.)

    Sunday, June 14:

    On Track:

    1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 (200 laps, 400 miles) – FOX Sports 1 

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    9:15 a.m.: Brad Keselowski and Dave Pericak
    10 a.m.: Ryan Newman, Mark Dantonio and Bill Emerson
    4:15 p.m.: Post NASCAR Sprint Cup race (time approx.)

  • Tyler Reddick Emerging as Championship Contender

    Tyler Reddick Emerging as Championship Contender

    In his first full-time season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, 19-year-old Tyler Reddick has emerged as one of NASCAR’s rising stars. He captured his second win of the season at Dover International Speedway last Friday and moved into second place in the series point standings, 11 points behind leader Matt Crafton.

    This was Reddick’s second start at Dover. He finished eighth last year in his debut at the track after experiencing some physical discomfort when his leg fell asleep during the event.

    “After what happened to myself last year, not knowing a lot about the g-forces in the corners here, I was kind of green when it came to asphalt racing,” he explained. “We had a top-five truck last year, and to have something like that impede our progress in what would have been our first top five, to have something like that mess up what could have been potentially a breakout day for us, are the things you can’t have happen in racing.”

    Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, Reddick used it as motivation.

    “I really wanted to come back here and run really strong,” he said, “just like I want to run strong every given race. But (last year) gave me a little bit of extra fuel for the fire, and I knew I had to run good here, and we did.”

    The victory highlighted what has been an impressive showing this year beginning with Reddick taking home the checkered flag in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

    For owner Brad Keselowski, it was confirmation that the team had championship potential.

    “We’re really serious about this championship effort,” Keselowski said after the win at Daytona. “Tyler finished out the 2014 season with a record that was strong enough to make a legitimate run for the championship. We knew it. We had this conversation. We defined even another level from that to really feel good about this year. We felt like we’re doing that.

    “But to prove it right out the gate at Daytona, he emphasized, “that’s really proving it. This was such a big day. Obviously it’s a big day for Tyler and Doug, but it’s a huge day for our team and a statement being able to win the opening race.”

    As the season has progressed, Reddick has solidified his standing as a championship contender. In six starts, he has driven his No. 19 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford to five top-fives. With an average finish of 4.8 and an imposing 113.0 driver rating this season, Reddick’s talent cannot be denied and that talent is what drew Keselowski to the young driver.

    “Tyler is a winner. He won before I ever worked with him,” Keselowski said, referring to Reddick’s victory in his first start in the K&N Pro Series race at Rockingham Speedway in 2012.

    “But to go along with that,” he said, “patience is kind of earned by a driver by having a strong work ethic, meticulous and well put together mental attitude. Tyler’s had that all along.”

    The 2015 season has just begun and anything can happen between now and the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November. But don’t be surprised if Reddick continues to be a factor in the months moving forward. If the first third of the season is any indication, you may not have seen the last of Reddick in victory lane.

  • Tyler Reddick Burns Down Monster Mile’s House with Truck Win

    Tyler Reddick Burns Down Monster Mile’s House with Truck Win

    Tyler Reddick, driving the No. 19 BBR Music Group Ford for Brad Keselowski Racing, burned down Monster Mile’s house and headed to Victory Lane for the second time this season. Reddick took the lead late in the race and never let go to take the checkered flag in the 16th annual Lucas Oil 200.

    This was also Reddick’s first win at the infamous Monster Mile.

    “We worked really hard for this,” Reddick said. “I knew we had a top-five truck at the start of the race. It’s great to get a win for everybody back home and a great way to get the season started for us.”

    Owner Brad Keselowski was also very proud of his young driver, especially since he is in contention for the championship just eleven points shy of leader Matt Crafton.

    “It certainly was a great day but for us and it was kind of a landmark day,” Keselowski said. “We’ve got a lot to be proud of and we’ve got our focus on the championship. Tyler ran a partial season last year and a full season this year but it’s still his first season. So, it’s nice to see that come together the way it has and it’s going to be an exciting finish from here.”

    “There is a lot of racing left to do but I think you saw today that there are so many great competitors out there. The championship battle will come down the end and these wins are going to make the difference.”

    Reddick’s win was not without controversy as he had a run in with Jennifer Jo Cobb, who was incredibly annoyed and expressed her anger by staying on the track and sharing a gesture or two before taking the obligatory ambulance ride to the care center.

    “We were in lap traffic early on in the race and Jennifer pulled up as I was trying to pass another vehicle,” Reddick said. “She looked like she was going to get me three-wide and then she closed the door.”

    “So, I rode up to try to avoid getting in the back of her but she just got loose when I was right behind her and ended up spinning. It’s a real shame and I understand when something like that happens”

    “I just feel really bad for her for that happening to them and their team.”

    Daniel Suarez, behind the wheel of the No. 51 ARRIS Toyota, finished second in the race. This was his first top-ten finish at Dover and his fifth top-10 finish in 2015.

    “Well for sure the whole of 2015 so far has been different from my 2014,” Suarez said. “I’m very lucky. To have fast race cars every weekend is just great.”

    “I feel like I’m learning a lot every single weekend. Kyle (Busch) has been helping us as well. We are getting closer and closer.”

    The most disappointed driver yet one who finished in the third spot was Erik Jones, whose two-tire strategy simply did not pan out the way he wanted.

    “I was in on the call and we just didn’t have the time left. It was a solid day for us but it’s just a shame that we couldn’t bring it home,” Jones said. “It’s definitely frustrating and even more frustrating at this moment.”

    “It just really hurts being that close to a win and it’s a bummer for this race team. But we made a call to take two and that was a lot of laps on lefts. And it showed at the end.”

    “We’ll take it and move on and just keep getting better.”

    Jones was the highest finishing rookie of the race.

    Daniel Hemric, Matt Crafton, Ben Kennedy, Ryan Blaney, Brandon Jones, Johnny Sauter and Tyler Young  rounded out the top-ten finishers.  The complete race results are as follows:

    2015 NCWTS Lucas Oil 200 Race Results

    .Fin Str Trk Driver Team Lap Pts BPts Status TLd LLd
    1 4 19 Tyler Reddick BBR Music Group Ford 200 47 4 Running 3 40
    2 5 51 Daniel Suarez(i) ARRIS Toyota 200 0 Running
    3 2 4 Erik Jones # Special Olympics World Games Toyota 200 42 1 Running 1 50
    4 19 14 Daniel Hemric # California Clean Power Chevrolet 200 40 Running
    5 3 88 Matt Crafton Rip It/Menards Toyota 200 40 1 Running 1 3
    6 18 11 Ben Kennedy Local Motors Toyota 200 38 Running
    7 1 29 Ryan Blaney(i) Cooper Standard Ford 200 0 Running 1 33
    8 12 33 Brandon Jones # AGRA Industries Chevrolet 200 36 Running
    9 16 98 Johnny Sauter Smokey Mountain/Curb Records Toyota 200 35 Running
    10 25 2 Tyler Young Randco Industries/Young’s Building Supplies 199 34 Running
    11 20 7 Ray Black Jr. # Scubalife.com Chevrolet 199 34 1 Running 1 1
    12 13 23 Spencer Gallagher # Allegiant Travel Chevrolet 199 32 Running
    13 10 0 Cole Custer Haas Automation Chevrolet 198 33 2 Running 5 67
    14 15 86 Brandon Brown Coastal Carolina University Chevrolet 196 30 Running
    15 22 94 Timmy Hill Testoril Chevrolet 195 29 Running
    16 21 82 Austin Hill Empire Racing Ford 192 28 Running
    17 27 8 Korbin Forrister # Tilted Kilt Chevrolet 190 27 Running
    18 17 5 John Wes Townley Zaxby’s Chevrolet 178 26 Running
    19 24 50 Travis Kvapil BurnieGrill.com Chevrolet 178 25 Running
    20 14 17 Timothy Peters Red Horse Racing Toyota 136 25 1 Accident 3 5
    21 7 13 Cameron Hayley # Carolina Nut Company Toyota 136 24 1 Running 1 1
    22 6 8 John H. Nemechek # MeetBall Chevrolet 136 22 Running
    23 31 74 Tim Viens RacedaySponsor.com Chevrolet 127 21 Rear End
    24 28 1 Ryan Ellis Chevrolet 90 20 Accident
    25 8 54 Justin Boston # ROKMobile.com Toyota 65 19 Accident
    26 32 6 Norm Benning Chevrolet 61 18 Suspension
    27 23 45 BJ McLeod Chevrolet 56 17 Ignition
    28 26 63 Justin Jennings Mittler Bros Machine & Tools/Ski Soda Chevrolet 33 16 Accident
    29 11 15 Mason Mingus 811 Call Before You Dig Chevrolet 32 15 Accident
    30 9 97 Jesse Little Carolina Nut Company Toyota 32 14 Accident
    31 29 36 Tyler Tanner Mittler Bros Machine & Tools/Ski Soda Chevrolet 15 13 Vibration
    32 30 10 Jennifer Jo Cobb POW-MIAFamilies.org Chevrolet 12 12 Accident

     

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule for Dover International Speedway May 28 – May 31

    NASCAR Racing Schedule for Dover International Speedway May 28 – May 31

    The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series head to Dover International Speedway this weekend. Please check below for the full schedule.

    All times Eastern.

    Thursday, May 28:

    On Track:

    2-4:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice

    TV Schedule:

    5 p.m.: NASCAR America – NBC Sports Network
    6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FOX Sports 1

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    1:15 p.m.: Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek and Jesse Little

    Friday, May 29:

    On Track:

    10-10:55 a.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    11 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    12:45 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    2-3:25 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    3:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    5:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 (200 laps, 200 miles) – FOX Sports 1 (Green Flag 5:48 p.m. approx.)

    TV Schedule:

    5 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Setup – FOX Sports 1

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10 a.m.: Martin Truex Jr.
    10:15 a.m.: Jimmie Johnson
    12:25 p.m.: Ty Dillon and Darrell Wallace Jr.
    2 p.m.: Jeff Gordon
    2:15 p.m.: Carl Edwards
    3:10 p.m.: Denny Hamlin
    4:45 p.m.: Post-Sprint Cup Series qualifying (time approx.)
    7:15 p.m.: Post-Camping World Truck Series race (time approx.)

    Saturday, May 30:

    On Track:

    10-10:55 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    11:15 a.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    1-1:50 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    2:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket It (200 laps, 200 miles) – FOX (Green Flag 2:46 p.m. approx.)

    TV Schedule:

    Noon: TUDOR United SportsCar Championship – Detroit Belle Isle – FOX Sports 2
    12:30 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – Weekend Edition – FOX Sports 1

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    4:45 p.m.: Post-XFINITY Series race (time approx.)

    Sunday, May 31:

    On Track:

    1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks (400 laps, 400 miles) – FOX Sports 1 (Green Flag 1:15 p.m. approx.)

    TV Schedule:

    11:30 a.m. NASCAR RaceDay – Dover – FOX Sports 1 3 a.m.,

    NASCAR Victory Lane – FOX Sports 1

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    4:15 p.m.: Post-Sprint Cup Series race (time approx.)

  • Kahne Takes Truck Series Win at Charlotte in Dramatic Drag Race to Checkered Flag

    Kahne Takes Truck Series Win at Charlotte in Dramatic Drag Race to Checkered Flag

    CONCORD, N.C.—Driving for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports, in the organization’s second start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, polesitter Kasey Kahne won a two-lap drag race against Erik Jones to earn his fifth victory in six starts in the series.

    Kahne’s victory in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway denied the dominant No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota of Jones, who led 88 laps but ran a disappointing second after a late caution forced a green-white-checkered-flag finish that took the race five laps past its scheduled distance of 134 laps.

    In his six Truck Series starts, Kahne has five wins and a second-place finish.

    Kahne’s margin of victory was a mere .005 seconds, tied for second closest in series history behind the .002-second margin of Kyle Busch over Aric Almirola at Talladega in October 2010.

    “Jones was really fast,” Kahne said. “He was kind of in a league of his own when he could get to clean air. I knew if we could stay back and stay with him (on the final restart), as long as he didn’t get to clean air, it would be all right. I was able to side-draft, and it worked out perfect to get back to the line.”

    Less than half a lap before Jones would have taken the white flag—after Jones made a deft pass for the lead to the outside on Lap 131—Daniel Hemric’s accident in Turn 1 caused the fifth caution of the night, sending the race to overtime.

    Jones picked the outside lane for the final restart on Lap 138, but couldn’t clear Kahne, who side-drafted Jones’ Toyota Tundra off the final corner and beat him to the stripe.

    In the wake of last week’s misfortune at Kansas Speedway, where Jones led 151 of 167 laps but ran short of fuel while leading late in the race, Friday night’s result left the young driver bitterly disappointed.

    “It’s really a shame that we can’t bring it home,” Jones said. “I really thought tonight was the night. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t do it. It just sucks. I don’t know what to say. It just really, really hurts. I can’t believe it, man. I really wanted this one, and it’s hard to come home second.”

    Interestingly, though Kahne and Jones qualified on the front row, both drivers had to start the race from the rear of the field, Kahne for an unapproved adjustment (changing a broken shock) and Jones for arriving late to the drivers’ meeting.

    But by Lap 26, after the first caution, Jones had the lead, a position he maintained until the late caution gave Kahne the opportunity he needed.

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – NC Education Lottery 200
    Charlotte Motor Speedway
    Concord, North Carolina
    Friday, May 15, 2015

    1. (1) Kasey Kahne (i), Chevrolet, 139, $48454.
    2. (2) Erik Jones #, Toyota, 139, $36563.
    3. (9) Matt Crafton, Toyota, 139, $26622.
    4. (7) Tyler Reddick, Ford, 139, $22672.
    5. (4) Brad Keselowski (i), Ford, 139, $17402.
    6. (11) John Wes Townley, Chevrolet, 139, $17157.
    7. (17) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 139, $16592.
    8. (3) Matt Tifft, Toyota, 139, $16481.
    9. (22) Justin Boston #, Toyota, 139, $16342.
    10. (18) Spencer Gallagher #, Chevrolet, 139, $17182.
    11. (16) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 139, $15761.
    12. (6) Scott Lagasse Jr., Chevrolet, 139, $15566.
    13. (15) Brandon Jones #, Chevrolet, 139, $15427.
    14. (13) Cameron Hayley #, Toyota, 139, $15316.
    15. (19) Johnny Sauter, Toyota, 139, $15606.
    16. (10) Ben Kennedy, Toyota, 139, $15295.
    17. (5) Daniel Hemric #, Chevrolet, 139, $15040.
    18. (20) Tyler Young, Chevrolet, 138, $14984.
    19. (30) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, 137, $14929.
    20. (29) Kyle Fowler (i), Chevrolet, 136, $15373.
    21. (23) Tyler Tanner, Chevrolet, 136, $13546.
    22. (8) Ray Black Jr. #, Chevrolet, 135, $13485.
    23. (27) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 135, $12457.
    24. (26) Caleb Holman, Chevrolet, 133, $12430.
    25. (28) Wendell Chavous #, Chevrolet, Engine, 132, $12525.
    26. (21) Mason Mingus, Chevrolet, Accident, 114, $12347.
    27. (14) David Gilliland (i), Ford, Vibration, 84, $12318.
    28. (31) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, Accident, 62, $12071.
    29. (12) Korbin Forrister #, Chevrolet, Steering Box, 38, $12016.
    30. (24) Justin Jennings, Chevrolet, Electrical, 33, $11516.
    31. (25) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, Electrical, 26, $10016.
    32. (32) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, Suspension, 9, $9016.

    Average Speed of Race Winner: 128.947 mph.
    Time of Race: 01 Hrs, 37 Mins, 01 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.005 Seconds.
    Caution Flags: 5 for 25 laps.
    Lead Changes: 12 among 6 drivers.
    Lap Leaders: K. Kahne(i) 0; B. Keselowski(i) 1-4; M. Crafton 5-22; J. Jennings 23; M. Crafton 24-25; E. Jones # 26-65; M. Crafton 66-69; E. Jones # 70-108; T. Reddick 109; E. Jones # 110; K. Kahne(i) 111-130; E. Jones # 131-138; K. Kahne(i) 139;.
    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): E. Jones # 4 times for 88 laps; M. Crafton 3 times for 24 laps; K. Kahne(i) 2 times for 21 laps; B. Keselowski(i) 1 time for 4 laps; J. Jennings 1 time for 1 lap; T. Reddick 1 time for 1 lap.
    Top 10 in Points: M. Crafton – 217; E. Jones # – 201; T. Reddick – 199; J. Sauter – 182; J. Townley – 160; T. Peters – 158; C. Hayley # – 153; J. Boston # – 149; S. Gallagher # – 145; D. Hemric # – 136.

     

  • Crafton Gets Kansas Win on Fuel Mileage

    Crafton Gets Kansas Win on Fuel Mileage

    KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Matt Crafton didn’t have the fastest truck in Friday night’s Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway, but he had the best feel for fuel mileage and what his crew chief would call their lucky fuel cell. The result was Crafton’s seventh series career victory.

    With truck after truck pulling to the inside of the 1.5-mile Kansas oval over the last five laps with empty fuel cells, Crafton cruised over the finish line with only a few drops of fuel left in his ThorSport Racing Toyota Tundra.

    “It was not the winning truck,” Crafton said after getting to Victory Lane. “We were definitely a second-place truck.”

    The truck that obviously was the fastest was the No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota Tundra of rookie Erik Jones. It led 151 of 167 laps and was comfortably in the lead with four laps to go.

    But it was also one of those trucks which ran short of fuel at the end. It wound up 11th.

    “It just sucks – we had by far the best truck,” Jones said after the race. “We were up to an 11-second lead at one point and it’s just so terrible for these guys when we bring that fast of a truck. We couldn’t bring the win home and I saved as much as I could most of the run. The 19 (Tyler Reddick) made us run pretty hard. Being eight laps short, I don’t know how the 88 (Crafton) made it. It’s too bad, we’ll have to bring another fast truck next weekend to Charlotte and we’ll go get a win there.”

    Also running out of fuel while in contention for the victory in the final laps after Jones dropped out were Reddick and Daniel Suarez.

    The victory was the second of the season for Crafton, the defending series champion, and his second in the last three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Kansas. That made him the first driver to win more than once at the track located on the far west side of Kansas City.

    “I heard somebody say that to me before the race,” Crafton, who led a total of six laps, said of the Kansas landmark win. “I said, ‘Two times’. ”

    The victory allowed Crafton to pad his points lead to 17 points over Reddick as he attempts to win a third-straight series championship.

    “You’ve got to be close enough to sneak one out once in a while,” Crafton said. “I’ve lost some like this so every once in a while when you steal one I don’t feel too bad about it.”

    After the race, Crafton’s crew chief, Carl Joyner gave credit to a particular fuel cell which he said has given his trucks better fuel mileage for some reason.

    Sprint Cup regular Ryan Newman, driving a truck owned by former Kansas Sprint Cup race winner Joe Nemechek and making his first truck series start since 2013, finished second.

    Newman was in the seat as a favor to Nemechek, who is in the process of grooming his son John Hunter for the ride.

    “Trying to teach John Hunter a little bit of what I’ve experienced on pit road, how to get everything you possibly can,” Newman said. “But that wasn’t my main goal. My goal was to come here and win.”

    Johnny Sauter finished third.

    Rounding out the top five were veteran Timothy Peters and rookie Cameron Hayley.

    Jones, who won the pole earlier in the day with a lap at 179.396 mph, led the first 43 laps.

    For the first 30 or so laps of those, Crafton stayed close to the young driver from Michigan. But then Jones began to pull away. On Lap 38, Jones’ lead over Crafton was 4 seconds.

    But on Lap 41, a caution flag waved and on the ensuing stops, Crafton beat Jones out of the pits to take the lead.

    On Lap 48, back came Jones to take the lead and once out in clean air again, he began to pull away. On Lap 60, his lead was 2.9 seconds. He would lose that margin – and the lead – as he was beaten out of the pits after yellow flag stops that began on Lap 67 by Newman.

    But on the restart, he left Newman behind. By Lap 88, Jones’ lead was 6 seconds. By Lap 105, it was over 10 seconds on Newman.

    On Lap 109, the caution waved again and, once again, Jones’ lead was erased as he was beaten off pit road by Reddick, who was involved in a crash with his Brad Keselowski Racing teammate and started the race from the back in his backup truck.

    But once again the restart, Jones moved back to the front and began to move to a seemingly comfortable lead.

    But only seemingly.

    “I didn’t know how short we were, but I knew the fuel window,” Jones, who will make his first Sprint Cup Series start Saturday night in Kansas, said. “I knew we had to save and I couldn’t give the lead up to the 19 (Tyler Reddick) at that point. If a caution would have come out – losing track position is so big this year, if we would have lost the lead then we would have never been able to get it back. It’s just a shame. I saved as much as I could there later on and it just wasn’t enough. Eight laps short, we just couldn’t do it. We had a fast Tundra and it’s just a shame we couldn’t bring it home for these guys.”

    NASCAR logo (2)

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule for Kansas Speedway

    NASCAR Racing Schedule for Kansas Speedway

    The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Camping World Truck Series head to Kansas Speedway this weekend, while the NASCAR XFINITY Series is off.

    All times Eastern.

    Thursday, May 7:

    On Track:

    3-4 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series practice
    4:30-6 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    1:30 p.m.: Daniel Suarez
    1:45 p.m.: Matt Crafton

    Friday, May 8:

    On Track:

    Noon-1:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    2:30-3:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1 (Follow live)
    4:45 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    6:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    8:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Toyota Tundra 250 – FOX Sports 1 (167 laps, 250.5 miles) (Green flag approx. 8:49 p.m.)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10 a.m.: Erik Jones
    10:30 a.m.: Joey Logano
    10:45 a.m.: Jeff Gordon
    11 a.m.: Clint Bowyer
    11:15 a.m.: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    1:35 p.m.: Carl Edwards
    4 p.m.: SpongeBob SquarePants drivers
    4:15 p.m.: Jamie McMurray
    8:45 p.m.: NSCS post-qualifying press conference
    11:15 p.m.: NCWTS post-race press conference

    Saturday, May 9:

    On Track:

    7:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series SpongeBob SquarePants 400 – FOX Sports 1 (267 laps, 400.5 miles) (Green flag approx. 7:46 p.m.)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    4:45 p.m.: AJ Allmendinger
    11:45 p.m.: NSCS post-race press conference

     

  • NASCAR Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    NASCAR Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series travel to Atlanta Motor Speedway. Saturday features a doubleheader beginning with the XFINITY Series Hisense 250 race at 2 p.m. followed by the Camping World Truck Series Hyundai Construction Equipment 200 at 5:30 p.m. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series closes out the racing weekend Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX.

    All times Eastern.

    Friday, Feb. 27:

    On Track:

    10-10:55 a.m..: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    11:30 a.m.-12:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    1-2:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    2:30-5:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    9 a.m.: Joey Gase
    11 a.m.: Danica Patrick
    11:15 a.m.: Tyler Reddick
    12:15 p.m.: Kasey Kahne
    3:15 p.m.: Jeff Gordon
    4:30 p.m.: Motor Racing Outreach announcement with Matt Kenseth
    Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying

    Saturday, Feb. 28:

    On Track:

    9:10 a.m..: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    10:40 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    Noon-1:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    2 p.m.: XFINITY Series Hisense 250 Race – FOX Sports 1 (163 laps, 251.02 miles)
    5:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Hyundai Construction Equipment 200 – FOX Sports 1 (130 laps, 200.2 miles)

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10 a.m.: Charlotte Motor Speedway and Joe Gibbs Racing announcement with Marcus Smith and Denny Hamlin

    Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series race
    Post-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race

    Sunday, March 1:

    On Track:

    1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Race – FOX (325 laps, 500.5 miles)

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race

     

  • Scott Lagasse Doubles Down Twice at Daytona

    Scott Lagasse Doubles Down Twice at Daytona

    Scott Lagasse Jr. is not only doing double duty on the track at Daytona, running the Camping World Truck and the Xfinity Series, but he is also doing double duty off the track as cyclist and new father.

    “I’m excited about running both the Truck and Xfinity Series at Daytona,” Lagasse said. “Daytona doesn’t tend to be a physically demanding track. So, I don’t know that there is anything in that regard that I’m concerned about.”

    “I would tell you that I think it is actually an advantage to do more racing.”

    “We’ve all been off for a couple months. You do everything you can to stay sharp and be sharp with your starts, but the more seat time you get, the better you are, especially on the plate tracks which is so unique. So, I think it’s an advantage to be able to run both.”

    Lagasse also thinks that doing double duty will assist him in planning for the mental strategies needed in both races on the high-banked track and in the draft.

    “I think strategies will be similar across the board between the Truck and Xfinity Series,” Lagasse said. “I think it’s going to be more about learning the individual vehicles. Last time I drove the race truck, they sucked up so much more aggressively than the cars. So, learning and adapting to what each vehicle wants to make it go is going to be the task. I think overall, general drafting principles will apply across the board.”

    As Lagasse prepares for double duty at Daytona, his two race teams are preparing as well. But Lagasse said that dual preparation started well before the race truck and car headed to Daytona.

    “My work with both teams has been going on for about a month or so since I found out I would be working with both teams,” Lagasse said. “The great thing is that I’m with two great groups who are experienced. NTS is a great Truck program and you are going to see them win a lot of races this year I believe; hopefully with me in them. And then what Mark Smith is doing at Tri-Star is just really impressive to me. Mark has got some great people in there and he has really ramped the program up.”

    “The people are what matters the most at the end of the day. I’m excited to be with both groups, both teams and both crew chiefs and I’m looking forward to it.”

    While Daytona is not an audition per se, Lagasse admits that in spite of the double duty, his future on the track is still a bit up in the air.

    “I know it will not be a full schedule in the trucks,” Lagasse said. “I don’t know that answer yet. I know there are a lot of people working to make things happen but I don’t know if timing wise if that will happen.”

    “I’m looking forward to doing both races,” Lagasse continued. “I grew up racing all different kinds of things and I think it makes you better that away. So, whether it’s dirt, asphalt, road racing, I’ll run whatever opportunities are there where I can be competitive.”

    “My goal is to do a great job for both organizations and grow from there.”

    In addition to the double duty at Daytona, Lagasse is doing double duty off track, with his cycling safety program and his adventure as a new father.

    As far as his cycling program, last week, the driver participated in a 40-mile bicycling event, from Marineland to Daytona International Speedway to raise awareness about safety for cyclists and pedestrians through the Alert Today Alive Tomorrow Safety Program.

    “Last Friday’s cycling event turned out to be way more fun than I anticipated and we made some great friends out of it,” Lagasse said. “We rode out from St. Augustine to the Speedway. It was supposed to be more drivers but schedules got difficult at the end.”

    “So, it was just two of us, myself and Jimmie Johnson. And then we had some professional cyclists, Tim Johnson, Christian Vande Velde and Dirk Bockel, an Ironman and professional triathlete.”

    “The goal was to raise some awareness and to really humanize cyclists. I think from both sides there is a disconnect between cyclists and drivers, both of whom believe the road is theirs. And at the end of the day, we’re going to have to work together.”

    “We hope everybody will to be safe. That was the goal of it and it turned out to be a lot of fun. In fact, I’ve been texting back and forth with Christian and now he is coming to the track to check out some racing. So, hopefully we have made some new fans for our sport too. We need to see people like that enjoy our sport.”

    During the bike ride, Lagasse not only gained respect for his fellow cyclists, including six-time NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson, but also gained a whole new perspective of the track.

    “Jimmie is a monster,” Lagasse said. “He’s in killer shape. There was probably fifteen of us and everyone pulled their load.”

    “The highlight of it was a last minute surprise with a lap around the race track on our bikes. That was a totally different perspective. I’ve been around on rental cars but to cruise around on a bike and to stop and climb the banking was pretty neat.”

    “Tim Johnson rode the bike on the bank but he’s nuts. The rest of us rode around the bottom. Tim was up there playing. You don’t realize how much banking there is until you try to climb it. It was great and I thank the speedway for that opportunity. I hope that is the beginning of an annual event. So, hopefully we’ll be able to do it again next year.”

    Lagasse’s other double duty off track is the one of which he is most proud, new dad. He and his wife welcomed Emelia, born just a month ago.

    “She has me completely wrapped around her finger already,” Lagasse said. “It’s our first and she has pretty much figured out how to control me already. It’s been an amazing experience and I’m having a lot of fun with it. I’m lucky that I’m sleeping more than a lot. For the most part, she’s been very good.”

    “She is going to come down and stay on Saturday night after the race to hang out. She’s still pretty young so we won’t spend too much time around the track.”

    Whether double duty off the track, or double duty on the track, Lagasse is ready for all of it to begin in earnest this weekend.

    “I’m excited to race at Daytona International Speedway in the NEXTera Energy Resources 250 and the Alert Today Florida 300,” Lagasse said. “I enjoy racing at Daytona because it is the home track for me and the team.”

    “I am also honored to have the ‘Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow’ on both cars during Speedweeks. The campaign is to raise awareness for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. As an avid cyclist it’s an honor to be able to carry the ‘Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow’ safety message. My goal is to get everyone to just take a couple extra seconds to think about the safety of others on the road.”

    “It’s just humbling for sure to be a part of it all.”

  • NASCAR Schedule for the Daytona 500 Weekend of Racing

    NASCAR Schedule for the Daytona 500 Weekend of Racing

    NASCAR kicks off its season this weekend culminating with the 57th annual Daytona 500 Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. Below is a complete list of on track activities for the Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series plus scheduled press conferences for Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Sunday, Feb. 22.

    Wednesday, Feb. 18:

    On Track:

    2-2:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 2
    3:15-3:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 2)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    1:15 p.m.: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    2:55 p.m.: Goodyear with Carl Edwards

    Thursday, Feb. 19:

    On Track:

    Noon-1:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    1:30-2:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    3:30-4:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    7 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel No.1 – FOX Sports 1 (60 laps, 150 miles)
    8:30 p.m. (approx.): Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel No. 2 – FOX Sports 1 (60 laps, 150 miles)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10:45 a.m.: Jeff Gordon
    11:30 a.m.: Ben Kennedy announcement
    9:45 p.m. (approx.): Duels Post Race Press Conference

    Friday, Feb. 20:

    On Track:

    11 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    12:30-1:55 p.m..: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    2-3:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
    3:30-4:25 p.m..: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    4:45 p.m. (approx.): Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    7:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250, FOX Sports 1 (100 laps, 250 miles)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10 a.m.: XFINITY Championship Trophy unveil
    1 p.m.: Daytona Rising update
    9:45 p.m.: NCWTS Post Race Press Conference

    Saturday, Feb. 21:

    On Track:

    10:30 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
    12:15 p.m..: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
    3:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Alert Today Florida 300 – FOX Sports 1 (120 laps, 300 miles)

    Press Conference (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    5:45 p.m. (approx.): NXS Post Race Press Conference

    Sunday, Feb. 22:

    On Track:

    1 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 – FOX (200 laps, 500 miles)

    Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    9:35 a.m.: Kevin Harvick Press Conference
    4:45 p.m. (approx.): NSCS Post Race Press Conference