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Kyle Busch Returns to No. 54 Seat
Race Advance

No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota News and Notes:
- This week at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn, Kyle Busch returns to the seat of the No. 54 Monster Energy Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Toyota Camry, after recuperating from injuries sustained in the season-opener race that left Busch out of his familiar black machine for 11 weeks. At the beginning of the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) schedule, Busch sustained a compound fracture of the right lower leg and a mid-foot fracture of his left foot in an accident during the Feb. 21 XFINITY Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. While Busch returned to racetrack action four weeks ago at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, this week will be Busch’s first XFINITY Series attempt back in the No. 54 since February. Future scheduled races for Busch in the No. 54 Camry, after the Michigan event, are not yet confirmed.
- At the ‘Motor City’ track this Saturday, Busch will make his 298th XFINITY Series start piloting the black Toyota Camry and works to offer the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 team their first taste of victory lane this year. Historically on the two-mile D-shaped oval, Busch has earned one win, one pole, six top-five and six top-10 finishes over his XFINITY Series career.
- While Busch last experienced victory Lane at Michigan International Speedway in 2004, with a previous manufacturer, his last attempt was a strong Toyota effort at grabbing the checkered flag. In 2014, Busch started by capturing a track record with a qualifying lap of 193.242mph, a 37.259 second lap to start the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 250 event. The field was set to complete 125 laps on a track surface that was repaved in recent years and would prove difficult for some drivers to maneuver. Despite pavement challenges, however, Busch led the field to green and maintained a top-five position through much of the event until a late-race pit-stop sequence forced the No. 54 team further back into the field. Without enough yellow-flag cautions to work with, Busch drove his Monster Energy machine home as high as possible, a fourth-place result.
- The now 30-year old Busch holds an 11-year streak from 2004 to 2014 of consecutive poles within the XFINITY Series, a 43-career total. Busch’s last visit to MIS in this series, in June of 2014, produced a pole-qualifying result with a track record 193.242mph.
- 2014 XFINITY Series statistics for Busch include a seven-win season with seven poles, 25 top-five and 25 top-10 results along with 1,769 laps led. In 2014 Busch maintained ownership of the laps-led leader (1,769 laps, 29.18%) and miles-led leader (1,958.94, 23.80%).
- Joe Gibbs Racing at Michigan in the NASCAR Xfinity Series covers 34 races, two wins, 12 top-five finishes, 23 top-10 finishes and one pole.
- Loop Data Statistics at MIS over the last 10 races record Busch with over 89% of laps in the top-15 spots on track. Busch is the youngest winner at MIS on 8/21/04 at 19 yrs., 3 mos. and 19 days.
- Crew Chief Chris Gayle’s Michigan statistics include two races over two years accomplishing one top-10 finish. Gayle served as crew chief on JGR’s No. 11 Nationwide Series team the previous two seasons after he was an engineer on JGR’s No. 18 Sprint Cup Series team, aligned with Busch.
- Race Info: June 13, 2015 at 1:30pm EST live on Fox Sports 1, Great Clips 250 Benefiting Paralyzed Veterans of America, 125 laps.
June 8, 2015
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.)

May 28, 2015
Darrell Wallace Jr. Claims First Top-Five Finish at Charlotte

Darrell Wallace Jr. finished fifth in the Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and snagged his first career top five in the XFINITY Series. As an added bonus, his fifth place qualifies him for the Dash4Cash competition which begins next week at Dover International Speedway.

Wallace, along with Regan Smith who finished fourth, Daniel Suarez (sixth) and Ty Dillon (seventh) were the top four XFINITY series regulars in Saturday’s race at Charlotte. The driver with the best finish at Dover will win the Dash4Cash prize of $100,000 and move on to the next round in July at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

With four top-10 results this season, including a sixth place at Iowa last week, Wallace hopes to build on their success moving forward.

“This is a confidence booster for all of my guys,” Wallace said. “We just have to clean up ourselves on pit road. That’s been a struggle for us these last couple races, but we’ve been able to manage a couple spots on restarts and come away with our first top-five in the series.”

“This is where we need to be,” he continued, “We’re setting up ship for late in the season.”

Wallace expressed confidence about his chances at Dover based on his two poles at the track, one XFINITY Series pole in 2012 and a Camping World Truck Series pole in 2013. However, he emphasized that the team has to remain focused.

“Dover has been a very successful track for me,” he commented. “It would be nice if they paid for the pole there because I’m pretty good at qualifying there. I haven’t got the finishes I wanted, but I’m excited to be in the XFINITY Series and part of the Dash 4 Cash Series, so I’m glad to be one of the four. We just have to keep playing it smart and put ourselves in that position next week to come out on top.

While looking ahead, Wallace also took time to appreciate his first top five, saying, “That’s the first time I finished a top series race here, so that’s something to be proud of. Clean air is your best friend in these races, so we’ll build off of this. It’s a good top-five, a good momentum boost for our team. We needed this, so sixth, fifth, first sounds good for the next one.”

Wallace is currently fourth in the XFINITY Series points standings. With $100,000 on the line, next week’s race at Dover promises to deliver not only big rewards but a possible shakeup in the points, as three of the four drivers battling for the prize are among the top five in the standings.

May 23, 2015
Austin Dillon Dominates NASCAR XFINITY Race at Charlotte

By Reid Spencer

CONCORD, N.C. – For the second straight Saturday, Denny Hamlin had the chance to hold off a race’s strongest car for the victory.

Unlike last Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, however, there were too many laps left after the final restart in Saturday’s Hisense 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series, and polesitter Austin Dillon powered past Hamlin on Lap 186 of 200 to finish the race where he belonged—at the front of the field.

By the time he crossed the finish line, Dillon was 2.692 seconds ahead of Hamlin, who had taken the lead during a restart on Lap 167 that saw Dillon fall back to fourth from the inside lane by the time the leaders exited Turn 2.

One by one, Dillon picked off Regan Smith, Kahne and Hamlin on the way to his second XFINITY Series victory of the season, his first at Charlotte and the fourth of his career.

Kahne ran third behind Dillon and Hamlin, followed by Smith and rookies Darrell Wallace Jr. and Daniel Suarez. Ty Dillon came home seventh and trimmed the series lead of 11th-place finisher Chris Buescher to four points.

Dillon led 163 laps and held an advantage of more than six seconds during a 54-lap green-flag run that preceded the second caution of the race on Lap 110.

How good was Dillon’s No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet?

“I didn’t want to get out of this thing,” Dillon said in Victory Lane. “This thing drove so good. It was a heck of a race there with Denny at the end and Kasey (Kahne). I had to go right there in lapped traffic (to make the winning pass).

“I knew if I didn’t hurry up and get in front of him right there, the tires might equalize (in terms of grip).”

But when Dillon picked the inside lane for what proved to be the final restart—after a caution for Kyle Fowler’s wreck in Turn 1—Hamlin seized what he considered a fortuitous opportunity and surged into the lead.

“I thought when the 33 gave us the outside, that was a big advantage for us if we could stay with him through Turns 1 and 2,” said Hamlin, who last Saturday held off Kevin Harvick in the final 10-lap shootout to win the all-star race. “We (did), and it allowed us to get position on him and even get him shuffled a few spots.

“That was all good, but his car was just so fast he just overcame that track position.”

Hamlin lost the lead when the lapped car of Peyton Sellers stayed low and forced Hamlin’s No. 54 Toyota to pass on the outside.

“I needed to stay on the bottom,” Hamlin said. “My car was best on the bottom. His car was pinned to the bottom as well. So I needed all of the lapped cars to move up high, and all of them did, except for the 97 (Sellers). He gave us the high line. That just killed us and killed our chances from that point, once the 33 got to our inside.”

Dillon chose the inside line because his car had worked well on the bottom for the entire race to that point.

“My spotter (Andy Houston) made the fact that we should have probably taken the top, and I had been on the bottom all day, so I chose the bottom again,” Dillon said. “I just didn’t want to let these guys down (his crew). The Rheem car was so fast…

“I thought about it, and I probably should have used the top, just because I would have had the run down the backstretch. It seems that, as the race goes on, that the outside can stop spinning the tires, and the rubber lays down…

“Andy made the point, and it all worked out, but I’ll definitely learn from that, for sure.”

Smith, Wallace, Suarez and Ty Dillon qualified for next week’s XFINITY Dash4Cash competition at Dover as the top four finishers among series regulars. Those drivers will compete for $100,000 in next Saturday’s race at Dover, with the top finisher among them claiming the prize.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Race – Hisense 300

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Concord, North Carolina

Saturday, May 23, 2015

               1. (1) Austin Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 200, $70854.

               2. (4) Denny Hamlin(i), Toyota, 200, $45242.

               3. (8) Kasey Kahne(i), Chevrolet, 200, $35150.

               4. (15) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 200, $34424.

               5. (2) Darrell Wallace Jr. #, Ford, 200, $35548.

               6. (19) Daniel Suarez #, Toyota, 200, $29090.

               7. (9) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 200, $27577.

               8. (16) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 200, $27640.

               9. (11) Elliott Sadler, Ford, 200, $25831.

               10. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 200, $25997.

               11. (14) Chris Buescher, Ford, 200, $24514.

               12. (10) Ryan Reed, Ford, 200, $23983.

               13. (24) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 200, $23375.

               14. (13) Kevin Harvick(i), Chevrolet, 200, $16895.

               15. (7) Erik Jones(i), Toyota, 200, $23170.

               16. (18) Dakoda Armstrong, Ford, 200, $22287.

               17. (21) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 200, $22060.

               18. (17) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 199, $21832.

               19. (6) Aric Almirola(i), Ford, 199, $15806.

               20. (3) Brian Scott, Chevrolet, 197, $22255.

               21. (25) JJ Yeley, Toyota, 196, $21554.

               22. (32) David Starr, Toyota, 196, $21497.

               23. (30) Blake Koch, Toyota, 196, $21448.

               24. (22) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 195, $21381.

               25. (28) Chad Boat(i), Chevrolet, 194, $15496.

               26. (35) Jimmy Weller, Chevrolet, 193, $21311.

               27. (34) Kyle Fowler(i), Toyota, 192, $15275.

               28. (38) Peyton Sellers #, Chevrolet, 192, $21240.

               29. (23) John Wes Townley(i), Chevrolet, 191, $21194.

               30. (36) Eric McClure, Toyota, 189, $21449.

               31. (20) Ross Chastain #, Chevrolet, Engine, 187, $21113.

               32. (39) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 186, $21067.

               33. (5) Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 183, $15097.

               34. (26) Cale Conley #, Toyota, 146, $20991.

               35. (27) Harrison Rhodes #, Chevrolet, Transmission, 141, $20957.

               36. (37) Carl Long, Dodge, Engine, 129, $19499.

               37. (33) BJ McLeod(i), Chevrolet, Fuel Pump, 58, $18499.

               38. (31) Jamie Dick, Chevrolet, Accident, 45, $17499.

               39. (29) Timmy Hill(i), Toyota, Electrical, 40, $10499.

               40. (40) Jeff Green, Toyota, Vibration, 2, $9499.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 139.824 mph.

Time of Race: 02 Hrs, 08 Mins, 44 Secs. Margin of Victory: 2.692 Seconds.

Caution Flags: 3 for 22 laps.

Lead Changes: 9 among 7 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   A. Dillon(i) 1-98; D. Wallace Jr. # 99; K. Kahne(i) 100; D. Suarez # 101; L. Cassill 102-105; A. Dillon(i) 106-111; K. Harvick(i) 112-122; A. Dillon(i) 123-166; D. Hamlin(i) 167-185; A. Dillon(i) 186-200.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): A. Dillon(i) 4 times for 163 laps; D. Hamlin(i) 1 time for 19 laps; K. Harvick(i) 1 time for 11 laps; L. Cassill 1 time for 4 laps; D. Suarez # 1 time for 1 lap; K. Kahne(i) 1 time for 1 lap; D. Wallace Jr. # 1 time for 1 lap.

Top 10 in Points: C. Buescher – 401; T. Dillon – 397; C. Elliott – 373; D. Wallace Jr. # – 371; R. Smith – 360; E. Sadler – 352; B. Scott – 350; R. Reed – 320; D. Suarez # – 320; B. Gaughan – 309.

May 23, 2015
NASCAR Racing Schedule for Charlotte Motor Speedway May 21 – May 24

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series head to Charlotte Motor Speedway for Memorial Day weekend. Please check below for the weekend schedule of events.

All times Eastern.

Thursday, May 21:

On Track:

2:30-3:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
4-4:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
5:30-6:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
7:15 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1

TV Schedule:

5 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FOX Sports 1
8:30 p.m.: One Hot Night: The 1992 NASCAR All-Star Race – FOX Sports 1

11 p.m.: FOX Sports Live – FOX Sports 1

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

1:30 p.m.: Jimmie Johnson
1:45 p.m.: Kevin Harvick
2:15 p.m.: Chris Buescher and Elliott Sadler
4:55 p.m.: Goodyear Gives Back announcement with Martin Truex Jr.; Mike Helton, Vice Chairman, NASCAR; Stu Grant, GM of Global Race Tires, Goodyear; Kris Kienzl, Marketing Manager, Goodyear; Martin C. Boire, Executive Director, Support Our Troops
5:15 p.m.: Kyle Busch
8:15 p.m. (approx): NSCS post-qualifying

Friday, May 22:

On Track:

No on-track activities

TV Schedule:

6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FOX Sports 1

Saturday, May 23:

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 Hisense 300 (200 laps, 300 miles) – FOX (Green Flag 2:46 p.m. approx)

TV Schedule:

12:30 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition – FOX Sports 1
2:00 p.m.: XFINITY Pre-race – FOX
10 p.m.: FOX Sports Live – FOX Sports 1

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

9:15 a.m.: Hisense with Denny Hamlin
4:45 p.m. (approx.): XFINITY post-race

Sunday, May 24:

On Track:

6 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 (400 laps, 600 miles) – FOX

(Green Flag 6:16 p.m. approx)

TV Schedule:

4 p.m.: – NASCAR RaceDay – FOX Sports 1
5:30 p.m.: NSCS Pre-race – FOX
11 p.m.: FOX Sports Live – FOX Sports 1
12 a.m.: NASCAR Victory Lane – FOX Sports 1

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

10:30 p.m. (approx): NSCS post-race news conference

May 21, 2015
Chris Buescher Wins in Thrilling Finish at Iowa Speedway

By: Robert Gray

NEWTON, Iowa — Chris Buescher and all but one driver battling at the front of the pack yearned for one last caution.

The lone exception?

Chase Elliott, who, fully fueled, had powered to a commanding lead and near-certain win in Sunday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series 3M 250 at Iowa Speedway.

Two laps remained. Elliott’s trip to Victory Lane loomed. Then, it happened.

Jamie Dick, running mid-pack, hit the wall and spun, drawing a caution flag.

Buescher — his No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford packed with fuel and four fresh tires — smiled, charging hard and low on the restart to cap a temper-tinged and thrill-filled race with a green-white-checkered triumph at the 7/8-mile short track.

“When that happened, I knew we had an awesome shot at it,” said Buescher, who raced to the series standings lead by eight points over Ty Dillon, who finished 14th.

Buescher had on-track help — namely from Roush Fenway teammate, Darrell Wallace Jr., who provided a strong nudge as the race went green.

Maybe more than a nudge.

“(He) gave us a heck of a shot on the restart,” said Buescher, who relegated Elliott to second while notching his first win of the season and Roush Fenway’s fifth in 11 XFINITY Series races at Iowa. “It was a hard hit. That was almost a crash. It was exactly what we needed to get going and get to the inside and be able to pull this win off.”

Elliott took the runner-up finish in stride. He led 114 laps. His car ran fast all day long. The late-race pit strategy — partly because of minor right-side damage, he pitted on lap 177 while other leaders stayed out — nearly paid off.

“That’s racing some days,” said Elliott, who like Buescher enjoys a series-leading five top-five finishes this season. “You make a decision — and I think it was a good one. We had some right-side damage and it was good to come in and make sure that was OK rather than to face the opposite of that, cutting down a tire and have a day like we did in Talladega. So I think it was the right move.”

Erik Jones climbed from 35th to take third. Brian Scott and Ryan Blaney completed the top five.

Jones started near the rear of the field because Drew Herring qualified the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota on the pole while Jones remained in Charlotte.

By the Lap 60 competition caution, Jones had raced into the top 10, but couldn’t find enough speed in the ensuing laps to advance past third.

“We worked ourselves into a good position,” Jones said. “A long day coming from the back.”

Buescher — who raced outside the top 10 in both XFINITY Series Iowa races last season — merely needed to come from the second row.

He’d reluctantly accepted the waning laps would mostly entail driving in “points mode,” as Dillon had pitted late after running in the top eight most of the day.

“I hate points racing,” Buescher said. “I despise it. When that caution came out — watched it happen right in front of me — it was like, All right, this is it. This is what we need. We need to come in and get some tires and get back rolling here.’”

That he did, right to the top, for now, at least.

“This is big,” Buescher said.

Black Flag: The race was marred by a temper-stoked wreck. Brennan Poole — who felt rival J.J. Yeley had struck him intentionally early in the race — spun Yeley out on lap 153. Yeley’s car sustained damage, but he was unharmed. Poole drew the black flag and told the Motorsports Racing Network, “It happens.” Yeley said the early-race encounter was unintentional and described his mood as “very furious.”

“Hopefully NASCAR gets a hold of him before I do,” Yeley added.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Race – 3M 250
Iowa Speedway
Newton, Iowa
Sunday, May 17, 2015

1. (4) Chris Buescher, Ford, 259, $91509.
2. (6) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 259, $70020.
3. (1) Erik Jones (i), Toyota, 259, $57688.
4. (3) Brian Scott, Chevrolet, 259, $40566.
5. (13) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 259, $36811.
6. (8) Darrell Wallace Jr, Ford, 259, $33637.
7. (14) Ben Rhodes, Chevrolet, 259, $32286.
8. (5) Brandon Jones (i), Chevrolet, 259, $31236.
9. (10) Elliott Sadler, Ford, 259, $30106.
10. (11) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 259, $30123.
11. (7) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 259, $28617.
12. (16) Ryan Reed, Ford, 259, $28062.
13. (18) John Wes Townley (i), Chevrolet, 259, $27532.
14. (9) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 258, $27003.
15. (19) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 258, $26873.
16. (20) David Starr, Toyota, 258, $26321.
17. (21) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 257, $26094.
18. (2) Daniel Suarez #, Toyota, 257, $27042.
19. (24) Cale Conley #, Toyota, 257, $25615.
20. (25) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 257, $25888.
21. (15) Dakoda Armstrong, Ford, 257, $25261.
22. (23) Blake Koch, Toyota, 256, $25130.
23. (40) Kenny Wallace, Toyota, 256, $18978.
24. (29) Todd Bodine, Chevrolet, 255, $24828.
25. (30) Jamie Dick, Chevrolet, 255, $24852.
26. (22) Boris Said, Toyota, 254, $24575.
27. (31) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 253, $24449.
28. (33) Peyton Sellers #, Chevrolet, 252, $18298.
29. (36) Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, 247, $18171.
30. (37) Mike Harmon, Dodge, 247, $18345.
31. (39) John Jackson, Dodge, 247, $17889.
32. (17) Ross Chastain #, Chevrolet, Accident, 215, $23778.
33. (27) Eric McClure, Toyota, Accident, 160, $23662.
34. (26) JJ Yeley, Toyota, Accident, 151, $23551.
35. (32) Ryan Ellis (i), Toyota, Electrical, 99, $17436.
36. (35) BJ McLeod (i), Chevrolet, Brakes, 68, $15678.
37. (28) Harrison Rhodes #, Chevrolet, Suspension, 42, $14678.
38. (12) Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, Parked, 39, $19678.
39. (34) Charles Lewandoski, Toyota, Brakes, 4, $12678.
40. (38) Carl Long, Toyota, Electrical, 0, $11678.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 94.242 mph.
Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 24 Mins, 17 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.523 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 9 for 54 laps.
Lead Changes: 9 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: 0; D. Suarez # 1-48; C. Buescher 49-66; C. Elliott 67-144; C. Buescher 145-180; R. Blaney 181; C. Buescher 182-219; C. Elliott 220-255; R. Reed 256-257; C. Buescher 258-259.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): C. Elliott 2 times for 114 laps; C. Buescher 4 times for 94 laps; D. Suarez # 1 time for 48 laps; R. Reed 1 time for 2 laps; R. Blaney 1 time for 1 lap.
Top 10 in Points: C. Buescher – 368; T. Dillon – 360; C. Elliott – 337; D. Wallace Jr – 331; B. Scott – 326; R. Smith – 320; E. Sadler – 317; R. Reed – 288; B. Gaughan – 283; D. Suarez # – 281.

May 17, 2015
Does Chris Buescher Have a Future at Front Row Motorsports?

Although he’s primarily a XFINITY driver for Roush-Fenway Racing, Chris Buescher has shown some promise in the five Sprint Cup starts he’s made in 2015. He finished 20th in his debut at Fontana, but in his next four races in the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford he had three top-25 finishes with a low point of 30th at Texas. Keeping that in mind, could Chris Buescher be the driver that FRM needs?

The No. 34 FRM entry hasn’t been a competitive team save for restrictor plate races with David Ragan. Aside from a surprise win at Talladega in 2013, Ragan has fared worse at FRM than he ever did at Roush Fenway Racing. So considering Ragan’s departure from the No. 34 in 2015, the car has become somewhat of a development ride for younger drivers (with the exception of Joe Nemechek at Atlanta early this season), with Buescher normally sharing the seat with Brett Moffitt.

So although Buescher is gunning for the XFIITY championship piloting the No. 60 for RFR, his Sprint Cup career may in fact benefit with a full-time spot with FRM in 2016 if they’re able to secure sponsorship for the No. 34. He’s matured a lot since the beginning of his rookie season in Xfinity competition in 2014. Despite failing to qualify at Daytona, he proceeded to score a win at Mid-Ohio and finished seventh in the final points.

Photo Credit: Sarah Glenn/Getty Images

He’s not a flashy driver and he isn’t excessive. He’s shown he can take care of his equipment, but he may need to work on his qualifying results. Still, he’s been pretty impressive in his first five Sprint Cup starts. FRM would do well to keep a hold of him because for a team looking to improve, he could be that driver that would fit with them.

He’s not going to stay in the XFINITY Series forever, and although RFR could do like Hendrick Motorsports and add a fourth Sprint Cup team, they’ve been steadily declining performance wise since the departure of Matt Kenseth following the 2012 season. If RFR put him behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup car we’d see something along the lines of what has befallen Trevor Bayne.

Bayne had a decent XFINITY tenure that was similar to Buescher’s, but has struggled mightily in the Sprint Cup Series since taking over the No. 6 full-time. A lot of that can be attributed to the RFR equipment, and if Buescher is taking any notes he needs to really think if he wants to take the next step with RFR.

Of course, FRM will need to adjust accordingly if they want to truly pursue a future with Buescher. He’s at the forefront of the new swarm of NASCAR stars and if anyone can turn around a team’s fortunes, it’s him. If they go through with it and solidify a deal, look for him to be one of the most productive rookies in recent memory.

May 6, 2015
NASCAR Racing Schedule for Bristol Motor Speedway

The racing action continues this weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series head to Bristol Motor Speedway. The Camping World Truck Series is off but will return May 8 at Kansas.

All times Eastern.

Friday, April 17:

On Track:

Noon-1:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
1:30 -2:25 p.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FOX Sports 1
3-4:25 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
4:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

10:30 a.m. Darrell Wallace Jr.
10:45 a.m: Darrell Waltrip
11:15 a.m.: Matt Kenseth
4 p.m.: Jimmie Johnson
5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Post Qualifying Press Conference – Time Approximate

Saturday, April 18:

On Track:

8:30-9:25 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
9:45 a.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
1:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 – FOX Sports 1 (300 laps, 159.9 miles) (Scheduled Green Flag: 1:46 p.m. – Time Approximate)

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

12:45 p.m.: Kyle Larson and Rico Abreu
3:15 p.m.: XFINITY Series Post Race Press Conference – Time Approximate

Sunday, April 19:

On Track:

1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 in Support of Steve Byrnes and Stand Up to Cancer – FOX (500 laps, 266.5 miles) (Scheduled Green Flag: 1:13 p.m. – Time Approximate)

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

9:45 a.m.: Brad Keselowski
4 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Post Race Press Conference – Time Approximate

April 17, 2015
NASCAR Racing Schedule for Texas Motor Speedway

The racing action continues this weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series head to Texas Motor Speedway. The Camping World Truck Series is off for the next few weeks but will return May 8 at Kansas.

All times Eastern.

Thursday, April 9:

On Track:

4:30-5:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series practice – No TV
6:30-8 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – No TV

Friday, April 10:

On Track:

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FOX Sports 1
2-3:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FOX Sports 1
4:45 p.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
6:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FOX Sports 1
8:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series O’Reily Auto Parts 300 – FOX Sports 1 (200 laps – 300 miles) (Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 8:46 p.m.)

Press Conferences (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

10:00 a.m.: Carl Edwards

10:25 a.m.: Kyle Larson
10:50 a.m.: Michael Waltrip Racing Announcement
3:45 p.m.: Chris Buescher
4:15 p.m.: Jeff Gordon
7:30 p.m.: Post NSCS Qualifying – Time Approximate
10:45 p.m.: Post NXS Race – Time Approximate

Saturday, April 11:

On Track:

7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 – FOX (334 laps – 501 miles) (Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 7:46 p.m.)

Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

4:15 p.m.: Charlotte Motor Speedway Announcement

5:00 p.m.: Duck Commander Press Conference

11:15 p.m.: Post-NSCS Race – Time Approximate

Please note that some of the press conferences may not be streamed on NASCAR.com/Press Pass. Due to changes in schedule or extenuating circumstances, streaming availabilities are subject to change without notice.

April 9, 2015
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

February 26, 2015