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Tag: Richard Childress Racing

  • Opinion: Second XFINITY title for Reddick a harbinger of what’s to come in Cup career

    Opinion: Second XFINITY title for Reddick a harbinger of what’s to come in Cup career

    To be fair, two championships in a feeder division of NASCAR doesn’t guarantee success on a higher level, as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. can tell you. It’s a monumental accomplishment, sure. Every driver wants the title “NASCAR Champion” next to their name for the rest of their lives, and it’s not an easy thing to accomplish.

    That said, with the rise of Tyler Reddick to two-time XFINITY Series champion, we may be witnessing the rise of something huge. Reddick’s ability behind the wheel may make him more than just a NASCAR star, it may just make him a legend in the sport.

    He’s shown an innate ability to run well at all types of tracks; in 2019 the only kind of track he didn’t win on was a road course. Even then, in the four road courses on the schedule (Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Charlotte Roval), he finished fifth, fourth, third, and second, respectively. In the meanwhile, he won on a wide array of tracks from Charlotte and Talladega to Bristol and Homestead. This after a successful Rookie of the Year/Championship campaign in 2018 where he won at Daytona in February and Homestead in November for his only two wins of the season.

    In 2020 he’ll be making his run for RotY in the same No. 8 Chevrolet that Daniel Hemric won the award in for Richard Childress Racing. Although Hemric’s campaign was both quiet and consistent, peppered with strong runs at places like Talladega and Pocono, it happened to be too quiet. Reddick’s limited two-run Cup campaign (Daytona 500 in February, Kansas Speedway in May) in the RCR No. 31 showed a little more promise with a top-10 at Kansas. However, that’s not to say that he wasn’t having a strong run at Daytona before being involved in two major incidents, not of his doing.

    If it says something that Reddick performed like he did in an entry that wasn’t even part-time, then what will it say when his Randall Burnett-led crew (2019 XFINITY Championship-winning crew, at that) makes the jump to Cup with him? Reddick and Burnett already seem to have the Knaus/Johnson chemistry of the early 00s’, so there’s reason to believe that strong results will be showing up. It isn’t a matter of where but when.

    Talk of being legendary in the sport isn’t so far-fetched, either. Reddick isn’t flashy, he isn’t boisterous, he doesn’t really have much of a brand. He isn’t making cameo appearances on NBC sitcoms and he doesn’t have a funny podcast on Apple Podcasts. He’s got an energetic smile and an easygoing personality, though, and he’s got the ability to wheel the fire out of a race car.

    He’s much like Matt Kenseth or David Pearson in that sense. He’s not big on big talk. Instead, he prefers to let his driving speak for him, which is why he’s found so much success in NASCAR’s feeder divisions. He won in the K&N Pro Series, he won in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series, and he’s won two XFINITY Series championships.

    Now he’s facing down a full-time ride with Richard Childress Racing in their No. 8 Caterpillar Chevy, and the pieces are in place for Reddick and Burnett to make the most of their rookie year. If Reddick’s performance in the XFINITY Series is any indicator, we may be looking at the rise of some of the rawest talent in years to ever strap into a Cup Series stock car.

  • Daniel Hemric looks ahead to new opportunities

    Daniel Hemric looks ahead to new opportunities

    In mid-September, Richard Childress Racing announced they were releasing Daniel Hemric after the conclusion of the 2019 season as the driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet.

    In response to the news, Hemric posted a tweet saying, “Forever grateful to Richard & everyone at @RCRracing for the opportunity. I’m disappointed it ended like this, but we’ve got nine more races together & some team goals that are still within reach. I’m going to do all I can to make sure we get those & finish the season strong.”

    A little over three weeks later, Hemric’s goals remain unchanged. He spoke about his mindset Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, the site of his best finish this year.

    “The game plan, he said, “from a professional side, has still been the same. The goals you set out to accomplish in February, and really dating back three years ago with RCR, those all stay the same.”

    This year was Hemric’s first full-time season of competition in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 28-year-old has one top-five and two top-10s in 30 races that include a fifth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in April. Prior to that, he drove for RCR in the Xfinity Series in 2017 and 2018 and qualified for the Championship both years.

    For now, the racing takes precedence but Hemric is also looking ahead to what is next.

    “I’ve got to figure out another path,” Hemric said. “Personally, you’ve had to kind of grind it out and spend what would typically be your off-days away from the race track doing just that and trying to position yourself and align yourself in a situation where you can continue on and move forward past Homestead as things go down the way they’re going to go down. But the race track stuff hasn’t really changed a whole lot. We still try to go to the race track and do our jobs.”

    While looking for new opportunities, the key says Hemric, is to remain true to himself.

    “I think just do your thing and be yourself and that’s what I’ve always tried to do and I feel very grounded by the fact,” he explained. “I think that’s why I’ve had the opportunities to get to where I’m at today. I try not to really veer too far off that course and just try to do what feels right to me and I think along the way I’ve been able to establish and build and create a lot of incredible partnerships.”

    For now, Hemric’s main focus is clear.

    “If we can accomplish our goals of winning Rookie of the Year, finish as high in the points as we can, and knowing that when I cross the finish line at Homestead, I know I gave them everything I had from day one together until the checkered flag flew.”

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

  • Tyler Reddick Promoted by RCR to the No. 8 Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the NASCAR Cup Series for 2020

    Tyler Reddick Promoted by RCR to the No. 8 Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the NASCAR Cup Series for 2020

    Richard Childress Racing announced today that Tyler Reddick, defending NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion, will be driving the No. 8 Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the 2020 season.

    Reddick, who currently pilots the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for the team in the Xfinity Series, has secured five wins, three pole awards, 21 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes so far this season and currently sits third in the Playoff standings. The 23-year-old Corning, California-native made his Cup Series debut with RCR in the 2019 DAYTONA 500 and made an additional Cup start at Kansas Speedway in May, during which he earned a ninth-place finish.

    “I’m beyond grateful to everyone at Richard Childress Racing for their support throughout this entire year and continued support into next year,” said Reddick.

    “It means a lot to me that Richard, his team, and Caterpillar believe in my ability to represent them both on and off the racetrack. My goal was always to get to race on Sundays, and I’m so excited to achieve that next year with RCR, ECR and Caterpillar. I’m excited to take this next step in my career with their support, but also realize I’ve still got a lot of work to do this year with my No. 2 team to bring home the Xfinity Series Championship. I can’t think of a better way to end RCR’s 50th celebration and kick off next year than by capturing that trophy.”

    Caterpillar, entering its 12th year of partnership with RCR, will serve as the primary partner on Reddick’s No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for the 2020 season. The world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives began as a sponsor in NASCAR in 1993. Caterpillar is continuing their refreshed approach to expand their NASCAR program outside of the racetrack by leveraging their brand campaign and social channels.

    Prior to coming to RCR, Reddick secured his NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2018 with two wins, seven top-five and 20 top-10 finishes. Reddick previously completed a part-time Xfinity Series schedule in 2017, capturing one win, four top-five and six top-10 finishes, as well as three years in the NASCAR Truck Series, during which he secured three wins, 25 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes.

    Additional partnership information and team information for the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be made at a later date.

  • Richard Childress Racing to release Daniel Hemric after 2019 season

    Richard Childress Racing to release Daniel Hemric after 2019 season

    Staff Report | NASCAR.com

    Richard Childress Racing announced Tuesday it will release Daniel Hemric as the driver of the team’s No. 8 Chevrolet following the 2019 season.

    Hemric is in his first full-time Monster Energy Series season with the organization.

    “Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has exercised its option and will release Daniel Hemric as driver of the No. 8 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camaro ZL1 effective at the conclusion of the 2019 NASCAR race season,” a team statement read. “Daniel is a very talented driver and an outstanding person. We’d like to thank him for his commitment and dedication to RCR the past three years and wish him continued success in his future endeavors. Additional information on RCR’s Cup program will be announced at a later date.”

    Hemric, 28, has one top-five finish and two top 10s through 27 races this year. His best showing is a third-place run at Chicagoland. He’s coming off a 17th-place result at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    Prior to the 2019 season, the Kannapolis, North Carolina, native drove the No. 21 Chevrolet for RCR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program. He qualified for the Championship 4 in both 2017 and 2018, with a best finish of third in the final 2018 standings. Hemric logged 23 top-five finishes in that two-year stretch.

    RELATED: More from Richard Childress Racing

    His move to the Monster Energy Series was announced in September 2018, with a number change coming in December. The No. 31 previously driven by Ryan Newman became the No. 8 for Hemric.

    The number has long been associated with the Earnhardt family, which has deep ties to the Kannapolis community that Hemric also calls home. Dale Earnhardt Jr. broke into NASCAR’s top series with the No. 8, and his father and grandfather had used the number in several different racing series.

    “I’m disappointed it ended like this, but we’ve got nine more races together,” Hemric said, in part, of the news.

    His full tweet:

    Daniel Hemric✔@DanielHemric

    Forever grateful to Richard & everyone at @RCRracing for the opportunity. I’m disappointed it ended like this, but we’ve got nine more races together & some team goals that are still within reach. I’m going to do all I can to make sure we get those & finish the season strong.

  • Dillon and Hemric qualifying times disallowed

    Dillon and Hemric qualifying times disallowed

    It was announced by NASCAR after the Monster Energy Cup Series qualifying that the times of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 of Austin Dillon and the No. 8 of Daniel Hemric were disallowed due to having unapproved alternators.

    As a result of the L1 infraction, Dillon and Hemric will lose 10 driver points and 10 owner points will be deducted as well. Each crew chief will also face a $25,000 fine. Dillon originally qualified seventh and Hemric was 11th but they will now start from the back of the field for the Consumers Energy 400 Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.

    Updated starting lineup:

    1. Brad Keselowski
    2. Kevin Harvick
    3. William Byron
    4. Alex Bowman
    5. Clint Bowyer
    6. Chase Elliott
    7. Ryan Blaney
    8. Joey Logano
    9. Paul Menard
    10. Jimmie Johnson
    11. Daniel Suarez
    12. Aric Almirola
    13. Kurt Busch
    14. Denny Hamlin
    15. Martin Truex Jr
    16. Erik Jones
    17. Kyle Larson
    18. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
    19. Matt Tifft
    20. Ryan Newman
    21. Ty Dillon
    22. Kyle Busch
    23. Michael McDowell
    24. David Ragan
    25. Chris Buescher
    26. Bubba Wallace
    27. Matt DiBenedetto
    28. Landon Cassill
    29. Ryan Preece
    30. Ross Chastain
    31. Corey LaJoie
    32. Quin Houff
    33. Austin Theriault
    34. Cody Ware
    35. Reed Sorenson
    36. Spencer Boyd (Making first Cup Series start)
    37. Austin Dillon
    38. Daniel Hemric
  • Liberty National Life Insurance Extends Partnership with Richard Childress Racing  

    Liberty National Life Insurance Extends Partnership with Richard Childress Racing  

    Texas-based life and supplemental health insurance provider returns to the No. 31
    Chevrolet Camaro in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with Daniel Hemric for 2019

    WELCOME, N.C. (October 12, 2018) – Liberty National Life Insurance Company has extended its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and the No. 31 team for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Liberty National will remain a primary sponsor for select races with Daniel Hemric and the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and will be an associate sponsor for select races on the No. 3 Chevrolet with driver Austin Dillon.

    A leading provider of life and supplemental health insurance for middle-income Americans through in-home and workplace sales, Liberty National is looking to build upon its successful LNL Racing marketing campaign by expanding its engagement opportunities with its independent sales Agents, independent agency owners, and policyholders throughout the United States.

    “Liberty National is thrilled to continue our partnership with Richard Childress Racing in 2019,” said Steve DiChiaro, president and CEO of Liberty National. “This year, we’re proud to cheer on Daniel Hemric taking the wheel with the No. 31 Liberty National Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. This partnership with RCR enables us to give Agents, business partners, and customers VIP at-track experiences, and 2019 will be even better with bigger contests and incentives for those associated with Liberty National.”

    Liberty National Life Insurance Company, founded in 1900 and based in McKinney, Texas is an official benefits provider of RCR and is excited to help launch the Cup career of Liberty National’s newest policy holder, Daniel Hemric. The 2019 race program will continue to include at-track activation at a majority of the events on the NASCAR schedule as an invaluable way to engage with its independent agents and business-to-business customers. Liberty National will also use RCR to leverage digital and social media assets to showcase its brand as a leading provider of life and supplemental health insurance, while also identifying business-to-business opportunities, and recruiting new Agents and customers.

    “Last night in Texas, Steve DiChiaro and Richard (Childress) announced our 2019 plans to Liberty National agency owners at their annual meeting. It was a great opportunity to give the agency owners a chance to meet Daniel in person. This partnership is evolving, and it is our goal to continue to help Liberty National recruit new Agents and customers. We’ve also exposed the Liberty National brand and products to millions of NASCAR fans,” said Torrey Galida, president of RCR. “We look forward to growing its footprint and hosting their Agents and customers at the races and at RCR next season.”

    Daniel Hemric is currently third in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship points standings and has made the Playoffs in both of his seasons with RCR, advancing to the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway during his rookie season in 2017.

    About Liberty National:

    Liberty National is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK) and headquartered in McKinney, Texas. Torchmark’s other insurance subsidiaries include American Income Life, Globe Life, United American, and Family Heritage Life. Visit Liberty National’s website to learn more about the company.

    About Richard Childress Racing:

    Richard Childress Racing (rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has earned more than 200 victories and 17 championships, including six in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2018 Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR champion, 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Dow/American Ethanol/AAA Chevrolet) along with 2008 Daytona 500 champion and 2013 Brickyard 400 winner Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar/Grainger/Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s/Liberty National Chevrolet). Its Xfinity Series program includes a multi-driver lineup with the No. 3 Chevrolet including Austin and Ty Dillon, Jeb Burton, Shane Lee and Brendan Gaughan, first-year RCR driver Matt Tifft (No. 2 Nexteer/Tunity/Surface Sunscreen Chevrolet) and second-year Xfinity Series driver Daniel Hemric (No. 21 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet).

     

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Phoenix

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Phoenix

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Kevin Harvick: Harvick corralled his third consecutive win, dashing to the win in the Ticket Guardian 500 at Phoenix.

    “I was showing three fingers out of my side window for the fans in the stands,” Harvick said, “and one finger out of my rear window for NASCAR officials in the inspection area.”

    2. Kyle Busch: Busch finished second to Kevin Harvick for the second week in a row and now sits second in the points standings.

    “I was trying my darndest to get to Harvick’s rear bumper,” Busch said. “Not because I wanted to pass him; I just wanted to get a really good look at his rear windshield.”

    3. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex started on the pole and finished fifth at Phoenix, scoring his third top five of the year.

    “Right now,” Truex said, “Toyota is just trying to keep up with Ford and Kevin Harvick. Is Harvick’s team hiding something that may be illegal? It’s possible. So, instead of focusing on the rear window, maybe NASCAR officials should try checking the ‘back door.’”

    4. Joey Logano: Logano finished 19th, one lap off the pace, in the TicketGuardian 500 at Phoenix. He is now fourth in the Monster Energy Cup points standings, 16 out of first.

    “Kevin Harvick’s dominance surely can’t be good for television ratings,” Logano said. “Heck, I know at least 38 people that are sick of watching this, and they’re all pretty involved in the sport.”

    5. Ryan Blaney: Blaney finished 16th at Phoenix.

    “I guess I can’t fault NASCAR for penalizing Kevin Harvick for rear windshield violations,” Blaney said. “Harvick lost 20 points from the overall championship standings and seven playoff points. NASCAR took one look at Harvick’s rear window and said, “Hindsight is 20-7.’”

    6. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished 15th at Phoenix and is sixth in the points standings, 34 out of first.

    “All the talk last week at Las Vegas was about Kevin Harvick and his rear windshield,” Keselowski said. “Many feel it akin to a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window.’ Personally, with Vegas being the home of the Busch brothers, I thought the applicable Hitchcock movie would have been ‘Psycho.’

    7. Kyle Larson: Larson started second at Phoenix and struggled to an 18th-place finish.

    “There were a lot of empty seats at Phoenix International Raceway,” Larson said. “NASCAR claims the action will get fans ‘out of their seats,’ and I guess they’re right.”

    8. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin took fourth at Phoenix.

    “Kevin Harvick was just too good,” Hamlin said. “After the race, he called out ‘all the haters.’ Well, that must mean all of us, because everybody hates Kevin Harvick.”

    9. Kurt Busch: Busch won Stage 2 at Phoenix and finished 10th. He is 10th in the points standings, 51 out of first.

    “I agree with my teammate Kevin Harvick,” Busch said. “NASCAR is overstepping their boundaries by penalizing him. NASCAR officials looked at Kevin’s rear windshield and proclaimed it a ‘sight to behold,’ whereas Kevin says they looked at it and he declared it a ‘sight to b-holes.’”

    10. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer finished sixth at Phoenix, posting his second top-10 finish of the season.

    “If not for social media,” Bowyer said, “Kevin Harvick probably wouldn’t have been penalized for his rear windshield violation at Las Vegas. And that really pissed Harvick off. Ironically, he’s the one going ‘post-al.’”

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Las Vegas

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Las Vegas

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Kevin Harvick: Harvick was clearly the class of the field at Las Vegas, winning Stages 1 and 2 and leading 214 laps in winning the Pennzoil 400, his second consecutive victory.

    “I was untouchable,” Harvick said. “The field didn’t have anything for me, except inferiority. And I’ve led 395 of 592 laps over the last two races, which should give me the award for ‘best lead actor in a series.’”

    2. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished sixth in the Pennzoil 400, as Penske Racing placed two drivers in the top 10.

    “Harvick’s No. 4 Jimmy Johns Ford was indeed ‘Freaky Fast,’” Keselowski said. “He was like Superman out there. And the NRA claims he was faster than a speeding bullet.”

    3. Joey Logano: Logano led 25 laps and finished seventh in the Pennzoil 400.

    “Kevin Harvick’s dominance made for a very boring race,” Logano said. ‘In the place often called the ‘City That Never Sleeps,’ it was the ‘Race That Put You to Sleep.’”

    4. Ryan Blaney: Blaney started on the pole and finished fifth at Las Vegas.

    “Kevin Harvick drove with surgical precision,” Blaney said. “In other words, he put on a clinic out there.”

    5. Kyle Larson: Larson finished third at Las Vegas, posting his second consecutive top-10 result. He jumped eight places in the points standings to fifth, where he trails Kevin Harvick by 31 points.

    “NASCAR viewership is down from last year,” Larson said. “Not many people are watching. So, if you gave viewership a letter grade, it would be a ‘See minus.’”

    6. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex posted his second straight top five with a fourth in the Pennzoil 400.

    “Las Vegas is a playoff track this year,” Truex said. “So, we made observations, took notes, and came to the conclusion that Kevin Harvick has advanced to the second round of the Chase For The Cup.”

    7. Kyle Busch: Busch finished second in the Pennzoil 400 and is now tied for fifth in the Monster Energy Cup points standings, 104 out of first.

    “Nothing sucks more than losing to Kevin Harvick,” Busch said. “Except losing to Harvick badly. Brad Keselowski would call Harvick beating me in such fashion an ‘ass whupping.’”

    8. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin finished 17th at Las Vegas and is now eighth in the points standings, 38 out of first.

    “Okay,” Hamlin said, “so maybe saying 70 percent of NASCAR drivers are taking Adderall is a bit much. But that won’t stop me from saying that 100 percent of drivers in Vegas are on something because they’re all ‘high rollers.’”

    9. Austin Dillon: Dillon finished 13th at Las Vegas and is 10th in the points standings.

    “This race was nowhere near as exciting as my Daytona 500 win,” Dillon said. “Both myself and my Richard Childress Racing teammate Ryan Newman finished a lap down to Kevin Harvick. It appears that, once again, Harvick has left RCR in the dust.”

    10. Paul Menard: Menard started 12th and finished ninth at Las Vegas.

    “What’s up with Jimmie Johnson?” Menard said. “He’s struggling. At this rate, he’s going to end his career with only seven Cup championships.”

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Atlanta

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Atlanta

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Kevin Harvick: Harvick dominated at Atlanta, leading 181 laps and winning Stage 1 on his way to the win in the Folds Of Honor Quick Trip 500.

    “I just dominated a race,” Harvick said, “yet all I hear in NASCAR circles is talk of the Denny Hamlin-Bubba Wallace feud. I should be the one they’re talking about. Luckily, the use of Adderall is rampant in NASCAR, so I should be able to treat my ‘attention deficit disorder.’”

    2. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin led 26 laps and finished fourth at Atlanta.

    “Harvick was unbeatable,” Hamlin said. “From the start, it was clear he was going to win. You could say Harvick’s chances were a slam dunk.

    “And speaking of basketball, Darrell Wallace Jr. is out of my basketball and golf leagues, which, collectively, are known as ‘The Fores And Fives.’ We’ll survive. Darrell wasn’t much of a golfer anyway. As I said after Daytona, ‘His driving sucks.’”

    3. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski took the runner-up spot at Atlanta to Kevin Harvick, who dominated the weekend at the

    “Fords took the top 3 spots,” Keselowski said, “and I couldn’t be happier. Last year, I complained when Toyota was dominating. Well, turnabout is fair play, and it’s time to celebrate with a cold beverage. No, not Miller Lite, but some wine, because everybody knows ‘wine-ing’ in NASCAR gets things done.”

    4. Joey Logano: Logano took sixth at Atlanta to go along with his fourth at Daytona and leads the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

    “This Denny Hamlin-Bubba Wallace feud has taken on a life of its own,” Logano said. “First, it’s about Adderall. Now, Wallace has been kicked out of Hamlin’s basketball and golf leagues. I propose they both be ejected from any and all debate leagues because this is the dumbest argument in the history of NASCAR.”

    5. Ryan Blaney: Blaney finished 12th at Atlanta and is second in the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

    “The threat of rain was imminent over the duration of the race,” Blaney said, “and was also the most exciting aspect of the race.”

    6. Austin Dillon: The Daytona 500 winner finished 14th at Atlanta and is currently sixth in the points standings, 19 out of first.

    “I considered getting a ‘Folds Of Honor Quick Trip 500: 14th Place’ tattoo on my butt,” Dillon said, “on a day when clouds filled the sky. But I came to my senses, and decided against getting a tattoo where the sun don’t shine.”

    7. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer’s strong start to the season continued with a third in the Folds Of Honor Quick Trip 500.

    “The NRA is scheduled to sponsor the Bristol night race in August,” Bowyer said. “Maybe by then, we’ll have this issue with pit guns solved. A lot of teams had an issue with pit guns at Atlanta. And that has a lot of people triggered.”

    8. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex came home fifth at Atlanta.

    “The No. 78 Toyota failed inspection three times before qualifying on Friday,” Truex said. “There hasn’t been such a level of failure in NASCAR since Jimmy Spencer took a physical back in 2001.”

    9. Kurt Busch: Busch finished eighth at Atlanta and is eighth in the Monster Energy Cup points standings, 21 out of first.

    “Jeff Gordon said he’d be open to racing in the truck series at Martinsville,” Busch said. “That’s big news, for NASCAR, for Martinsville, and for Denny Hamlin, whose ‘pickup’ game is currently one person short.”

    10. Kyle Busch: Busch led the way for Joe Gibbs Racing at Atlanta with a seventh in the Folds Of Honor Quick Trip 500.

    “Austin Dillon and Kevin Harvick have the first two wins of the year,” Busch said. “So I guess the story so far this year revolves around two asses.”

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Daytona

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Daytona

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Austin Dillon: Dillon overtook Aric Almirola on Turn 3 of the final lap and captured the Daytona 500 in the No. 3 car made famous by the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr.

    “I got a tattoo of the Daytona 500 logo and the word ‘champ’ on my backside,” Dillon said. “I’ve always wanted a tattoo but was afraid of getting one. I guess you could say I finally ‘cracked.’

    “While I’m at it, I may get another tattoo that says ‘Richard Childress Racing’ on my lower back. Would that be called a ‘gramp stamp?’”

    2. Darrell Wallace Jr.: Wallace, in his first start for Richard Petty Motorsports in the No. 43 car, took second at Daytona.

    “Denny Hamlin and I made contact crossing the finish line,” Wallace said, “and I was a little unhappy about it. So I made a crack about Adderall, which is “A Denny Hamlin Dis.” So maybe I need to be treated for ‘ADHD.’”

    3. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin started strong at Daytona, qualifying second and leading the first 10 laps. But a one-lap penalty for missing his pit box put him way back in the field before he charged back.

    “It was a very exciting race,” Hamlin said. “It got everybody’s blood pumping. I guess you could call this year’s Daytona 500 a ‘stimulant.’

    “Okay, I think that’s enough talk about Adderall for the time being. It seems we’ve reached the ‘speed’ limit.”

    4. Joey Logano: Logano started fifth and finished fourth in the Daytona 500, giving Ford its top finish.

    “I felt confident from the get-go,” Logano said. “Mostly because Matt Kenseth was not in the race, but also because the car was fast.

    “Kudos to the Navy Band Southeast for their wonderful rendition of the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ Fergie should follow their example of the national anthem and not sing it.”

    5. Chris Buescher: Buescher survived the carnage at Daytona and left with a strong fifth in the 500.

    “Not many people know who I am,” Buescher said. “I’m not what you would call a ‘household name.’ My car, however, is a ‘household product,’ because I’m sponsored by Cottonelle. That’s an odd sponsor for a race car driver, because, of course, you don’t want to be ‘bringing up the rear.’”

    6. Paul Menard: Menard finished sixth at Daytona in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Fusion.

    “Michael Waltrip took his famous ‘Grid Walk’ before the race,” Menard said. “I think it’s good for everyone. Michael gets camera time, and people only have to speak with him for five seconds, which is the maximum anyone can tolerate. It’s a win-win.”

    7. Ryan Blaney: Blaney led a race-high 118 laps and won Stage 2 on his way to a seventh-place finish in the Daytona 500.

    “I made news early this year when I got a haircut and shaved my mustache,” Blaney said. “That’s what’s known in the business as ‘race trim.’”

    8. Ryan Newman: Newman started 13th and finished eighth in the Daytona 500.

    “Congratulations to Austin Dillon on his big win,” Newman said. “And congratulations to Darrell Wallace Jr., for his runner-up finish, and especially for not being related to Rusty.”

    9. Michael McDowell: McDowell finished ninth in the Daytona 500.

    “Some people take Adderall,” McDowell said, “and some people have tattoos. Some people are characterized by both. And to those Dale Jr. fans I say, ‘If you’re looking for a new favorite driver, I’m your man.’”

    10. Aric Almirola: Almirola had the lead on the final lap at Daytona before he blocked the hard-charging Austin Dillon, and the contact sent Almirola spinning and into the wall. He finished 11th, and took responsibility for the contact.

    “I knew Austin had a run on me,” Almirola said, “so I was just trying to block. I don’t blame him for hitting my bumper and sending me into the wall. You could say it was the first of two ‘tattooed backsides’ of the weekend.”