NASCAR Race Mom

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Application Deadline Approaches For 2018 NASCAR Drive For Diversity Driver Combine

Each year the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program along with its competition arm, Rev Racing, seeks to obtain the highest quality of applicants representing diverse backgrounds and develop them into successful NASCAR drivers.

This selection process begins with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Combine. Drivers will have the opportunity to submit a digital application on RevRacing.net, highlighting racing experience, references and historical success. Ethnically diverse and female drivers have until September 7, 2018 to be considered for the 2019 NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. Youth program participants, ages 12-17, are required to apply by October 30, 2018.

Deadline to apply to the 2019 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program is 9.7.18! #NASCARD4D https://t.co/z6JQEkHZ6C | https://t.co/rMkOO0Kqtb pic.twitter.com/XwpdKobzHg
— NASCAR Drive for Diversity (@NASCARDiversity) August 16, 2018

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a female or member of one or more of the following ethnic minority classifications: American Indian, Alaskan Native or of native/indigenous descent; Asian or Pacific Islander; Black or African-American; Latino or Hispanic
• Be at least 15 years of age but no older than 26 years of age as of October 15th of the present year
• Be legally eligible to work in the United States. Drivers from foreign countries are welcome to apply, however, if the applicant is not already a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien, the applicant must be legally capable of traveling to the designated location in the United States to participate in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Combine. Applicants must also be able to obtain necessary authorization to accept employment in the United States if selected to participate in the Drive for Diversity Program.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity aligns its drivers with a team of executives, athletic trainers, crew chiefs and mentors helping them achieve professional success, and thus improving their likelihood fo reaching one of the three NASCAR national series. Selected drivers will compete in the NASCAR K&N pro Series East, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series or Bojangles' Summer Shootout Series.

Rev Racing has continued to find success with its current drivers and alumni. In 2018, the Drive for Diversity Program made a major impact, seeing three of its graduates (Kyle Larson, Daniel Suarez and Bubba Wallace) compete at the sport’s highest level in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Since the Drive for Diversity Program’s inception, Rev Racing has earned 17 wins, 85 top 5s, and 168 top 10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, with drivers finishing in the top 10 in points every season. Current NASCAR Drive for Diversity driver Ruben Garcia Jr. made his first trip to victory lane at Memphis International Raceway in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in June.

To find more information about the 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine or submit an application, please visit:

https://revracing.net/combine-application.

For additional information please email info@RevRacing.net

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series.

The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe.

For more information visit: http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

About REV RACING:

Headquartered in Concord, NC, Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minorities and female drivers and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit http://revracing.net or follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.

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Ford Sweeps Bristol Winning Fusion’s 100th Cup Race

Kurt Busch Recorded His 30th Career #NASCAR Cup #Win

Kurt Busch, driving the No.41 Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) Ford Fusion, won his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race this season, in a Saturday night thriller in Bristol, Tennessee. Busch recorded his 30th career Cup win and the Ford Fusion’s milestone 100th race win.

“Congratulations to Ford on the Fusion's 100th Cup win, and to Kurt, Gene and Tony on an impressive race,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Kurt and the Stewart-Haas team earned every bit of that win tonight. Congratulations to Ryan and Joey on their Stage wins. That really helped set the tone for the night. It’s been a total team effort all year with Ford Performance and it showed tonight as the Ford teams were battling for the lead.”

#NASCAR | ICYMI: @KurtBusch cemented his playoff spot and put Fusion in victory lane for the 100th time on Saturday night! #Ford @StewartHaasRcng pic.twitter.com/aQUqmRimaf
— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) August 20, 2018

In a classic battle in the Thunder Valley, Busch raced against SHR teammate, Clint Bowyer to take the lead during a late race restart, only to have the ninth caution of the race come out with 13 laps remaining. Busch showed his grit and determination, as he got a great restart and held off a hard charging Kyle Larson, on fresher tires, to take the checkered flag and win Ford’s 11th points race of the season.

“It’s awesome to do it at Bristol. I love this place,” Busch commented in Victory Lane. “We now have won six times here and I have great teams that have always helped me win. This group of guys, Billy Scott, my crew chief, this is his first win and to be able to do it with Ford and Monster and Haas Automation is just what it’s all about is executing as a team and we had good restarts when we had to, and then you’ve got to get clever and start throwing everything at it.”

Ford Performance teams ran strong all night with a total of six drivers leading a race high 370 laps out of the 500-lap race. Race winner Busch led the final 24 laps of the race while Ford teammate Ryan Blaney (Stage 1 winner) led 121 laps and Bowyer led 120 laps. In addition, Stage 2 winner, Joey Logano led 95 laps.

Five Ford’s finished in the Top-10; Busch (P1), Logano (P4), Bowyer (P6), Blaney (P7), Kevin Harvick (P10). In addition, Roush Fenway Racing, Trevor Bayne finished a season high P11.

Ford has six drivers locked into playoff positions with just two races left before the Playoffs start at Las Vegas. Harvick leads the Playoff field in the number one position with 40 points. SHR teammates Bowyer and Busch follow in fourth and fifth respectively, while Team Penske driver Logano sits in sixth, Blaney in tenth and Brad Keselowski in eleventh.

MENCS will take a break this coming weekend as the NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin to take on the four-mile Road America road course. Reference the full 2018 schedule on Roush Yates Engines.

In addition, Roush Yates Engines has achieved a new overall milestone of 30 wins on the season, exceeding its previous total from 2017. This milestone is an accumulation of wins across NASCAR, IMSA and FIA Series.

Finally home. She’s a beaut! 😍 #ItsBristolBaby pic.twitter.com/nnaoR1OyQG
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 20, 2018

Source: Ford Performance

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Monday, August 20, 2018

Kyle Busch Loses His Composure Due to Heckling #NASCAR Fan

Should NASCAR levy a penalty to Mr. Busch.

UPDATE: Bristol Motor Speedway issued a statement today in regards to a fan confronting Kyle Busch after Saturday night’s race.

The track stated: “Our security team has investigated a post-race incident where a guest repeatedly confronted Kyle Busch verbally and physically while he was signing autographs for fans. As Busch then prepared to leave in his golf cart, the individual struck the driver across the chest, and at that time, Busch confronted the individual. The two were separated quickly and a uniformed officer pulled the individual to the side, allowing Busch to depart.” A NASCAR spokesperson told NBC Sports that the sanctioning body was aware of the incident and discussed it with police.

The video is grainy and poorly lit (see below); however the altercation is clear. Fans undoubtedly unhappy with Kyle Busch booed him as he was exiting Bristol Motor Speedway. They were probably unhappy that the NASCAR Star had executed a controversial bump on Series Champion, the popular Martin Truex Jr.

However, rather than just continue on his way, as a responsible adult might do . . . . . it would appear that Busch decided to take it upon himself to escalate the already negative situation.

When Busch left his golf cart to confront the heckling fan, the fan shoved Kyle Busch hard. Crews intervened to separate the two.

Not the actions of a professional athlete. With six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins to his credit just this season . . . . it is, in NASCAR Race Moms opinion, such a shame. Additionally, with M&M’s as his biggest sponsor – this negative behavior is not a proper model for all the kids who love him.

@KyleBusch my little man was excited to get this picture after he bought a die cast car of you. pic.twitter.com/hm1YGsFqpS
— Dwayne Heaverin (@dwayneheaverin1) August 20, 2018

Now the only remaining question is: Should NASCAR levy a penalty up Mr. Busch.

Source

In Fairness - Another View of the Altercation.

Longtime Twitter follower @Whit_R saw a fan confront Kyle Busch at the exit of the tunnel. She says Busch was signing autographs and got on his cart, then suddenly was in a physical confrontation with a fan who apparently hit Busch on the arm. Cops then stepped in.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) August 19, 2018

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Friday, August 17, 2018

Chip Ganassi Racing Partner, Credit One Bank, Donates $25,000 To School Library

Credit One Bank and NASCAR Driver Kyle Larson Bring Unique Experience to Students of Meeting Street Academy

On Tuesday, August 14, Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and members of the Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) team made a pit stop at Meeting Street Academy in Charleston, S.C. to speak with students about teamwork and perseverance during a school-wide assembly. Team partner Credit One Bank was in attendance and donated $25,000 to the school’s literacy program. Larson, the CGR team, and Credit One Bank previously visited the school in August of 2017.

“It was a lot of fun to visit Meeting Street Academy again, seeing the work that’s being done and getting a chance to spend time with the students” said Kyle Larson. “These kids have bright futures and I hope we were able to further motivate and encourage them to work hard and persevere.”

Students got an up-close view of the No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 complete with the latest addition of the school’s logo to the car, which Larson unveiled during the assembly. Larson then visited K-2 grades, delivering a signed copy of his book to each classroom, coloring books, and die-cast car replicas of the No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to each student. Additionally, the CGR pit crew gave a presentation about teamwork and life lessons learned through racing to third, fourth, and fifth grade classes.

“We were so pumped to have Kyle come back and update us on everything that’s happened in the last year. His message about responding to setbacks and overcoming obstacles was a really powerful one for us” said Dirk Bedford, Principal of Meeting Street Academy. “Kyle used the things he learned from those challenges to have an extraordinarily successful year and our MSA scholars look forward to doing the same thing at school this year.”

“Credit One Bank is proud to contribute to the mission of Meeting Street Academy to empower young people from underserved neighborhoods. Our hope is that this donation will help a new generation of students get excited about learning, reading, and racing,” said John Coombe, Senior Vice President of Communications for Credit One Bank. “We’re proud to utilize our partnerships with Chip Ganassi Racing and NASCAR to create this unique opportunity for the students of Meeting Street Academy. To have Kyle, a successful NASCAR driver, share his personal story is invaluable to these students.”

Credit One Bank is committed to giving back to local communities through donations, volunteering, and creating special events for those in need.

Credit One Bank focuses on three primary areas of community outreach: affordable housing, employment services, and education.

Had fun visiting @MtgStAcademy today in Charleston and helping make another big donation to the school on behalf of @CreditOneBank. Awesome to see the work they’re doing for these kids. pic.twitter.com/XW3Ormsf0a
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) August 14, 2018

About Credit One Bank

Credit One Bank, N.A. is a technology and data-driven financial services company offering a full range of consumer credit card products. In addition to being one of the largest credit card banks in the United States, Credit One Bank is the exclusive issuer of the Official Credit Card of NASCAR and the Official Credit Card of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.

For more information, please visit CreditOneBank.com.

About Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 30 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include two cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, two cars in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, one car in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, two factory Ford GT’s in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and two factory Ford GT’s in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Overall his teams have 18 championships and 200 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, eight Rolex 24 At Daytonas, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis, and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh.

For more information: www.chipganassiracing.com

About Meeting Street Academy

Meeting Street Academy is the flagship school of Meeting Street Schools (MSS) – a network of public and private schools that was founded upon the belief that all children deserve an excellent education regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic circumstances, and that all children have the ability to excel in the classroom. Where access to quality public education or affordable private alternatives is severely limited, MSS is providing children with transformational educational opportunities. Opened in 2008, Meeting Street Academy is a private school serving students in grades PK3 – 5th who would otherwise attend schools that were below average.

TOP 10 AGAIN! We are humbled & overjoyed to announce that MSA placed in the Top 10 Best Places to Work in SC for the 2nd yr in a row-earning #6 overall! MSA is the only school ever to make the list. #TopTenX2 #ChangeTheNarrative #1BestPlaceForKids #BestPlacesSC18 #BeExtraordinary pic.twitter.com/Ir5PlbUaIj
— MSA - Charleston (@MtgStAcademy) August 8, 2018

For more information: www.meetingstreetschools.org

Photo credit: Sarah and Brent Thacker

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Thursday, August 16, 2018

Stewart-Haas Racing 2018 Bristol II Race Advance

Aric Almirola - Clint Bowyer
Kurt Busch - Cole Custer

Aric Almirola

This weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway for “America’s Night Race.”

Aric Almirola and the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Fusion team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) earned a solid sixth-place finish at the “Last Great Colosseum” during this year’s spring event and are looking to continue their success there Saturday night.

The stop at Bristol should provide confidence for the 34-year-old Almirola as he was the top finishing SHR driver during the spring race – one of his 10 top-10 finishes this season. In addition to gaining more confidence, Almirola’s No. 10 Ford Fusion will have Smithfield’s Anytime Favorites brand adorning the car.

Question: What has it been like driving for a high-performance team like Stewart-Haas Racing this season?

“The performance speaks for itself and you can see it week in and week out. The Stewart-Haas Racing cars are a threat. They’re running in the top-five, leading laps and challenging for wins and we’re putting ourselves in position to win races with all four of our cars. It’s been fun. Its fun when you get on the airplane for whatever racetrack you’re going to and you feel like you’re going to have a shot to win.”

Clint Bowyer

Every Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver deals with pressure, but Clint Bowyer might be under a little more than usual Saturday night in the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

Since 2017, Bowyer has driven for owners Gene Haas and three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart as part of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR.) Driving for Stewart, a future Hall of Fame driver, is one thing, but this weekend Bowyer’s Ford Fusion will also carry the logos of Rush Truck Centers and Cummins Inc.

Cummins’global headquarters is in Columbus, Indiana – Stewart’s hometown.

“That’s a lot of pressure,” Bowyer said with a laugh. “Not only do I have to continue filling Tony’s seat, now I’ve got his hometown company’s logo on the side of my Ford. He’s going to have high expectations, I’m sure, but it’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m glad Cummins has joined us.”

Cummins makes its first appearance on the No. 14 Ford Fusion Saturday night, but it is a household name to most motorsports fans.

Kurt Busch

The folks who cover and follow NASCAR are of course talking about the “Big Three.” Kevin Harvick has seven victories, Kyle Busch has six wins and Martin Truex Jr., has four checkered flags.

They make up the top-three in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points. But fourth on the list is Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Monster Energy/Haas Automation Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR).

Busch has 14 top-10 finishes and has been in the top-10 in points for 18 consecutive weeks, his longest such stretch since 2016. But he has yet to score a victory this year.

Fortunately for Busch, the night race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway is next on the schedule. Busch has five wins, 10 top-five finishes and 17 top-10s at the .533-mile concrete oval and has led 1,062 laps in 35 career starts there.

Question: Talk about Bristol Motor Speedway – you’ve won there five times.

“I don’t know what it is about the track. My first couple times there, I was blown away by the speed and intensity of it. When I went back in the spring of 2002, everything slowed down and it was like I had a perfect manual on how to get around there. That was all brought to me by Jimmy Fenning (former crew chief from Roush-Fenway Racing). He really helped calm me down and told me the different points to look for. The biggest key is knowing when to run hard and when not to run hard. If you try to run hard every single lap, you’re not going to make it. There are certain points in the race when you run hard and there are certain points when you’re not necessarily cruising, but just trying to maintain the right pace. You go hard, and then you save a little bit and then you go hard again because you saved a little bit. It’s a matter of applying it at the right time.”

Cole Custer

While the Food City 300 will be Cole Custer’s third Xfinity Series start at Bristol, it will also be his eighth overall start at the .533-mile oval in East Tennessee. Custer has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts and two NASCAR K&N Pro Series starts at Bristol. Custer’s career-best Bristol finish is sixth in the 2016 Truck Series race.

While it wasn’t his best finish, Custer’s most impressive performance at Bristol was in the 2015 Truck Series race. He started fifth and led twice for a race-high 111 laps, holding off a handful of veterans including Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter and Kyle Busch. But when Custer was coming up on Spencer Gallagher to put him a lap down less than 40 laps from the finish, Gallagher spun in front of Custer. With nowhere to go, Custer collided with him, all but ending his race. He finished 16th.

Question: What does it take to cross the finish line first at Bristol?

“I think the biggest thing now is trying to make a good decision on what you think the VHT is going to do in the race and make good adjustments to your car for that. I think your line will change throughout the weekend and in the race as the VHT changes, and it will also depend on how they put it down. Usually, it seems like we start running the top in the race, though.”

Source

Who's ready for Saturday night racing at @BMSupdates? ✋ We can't wait to see our fast Ford Fusions race under the lights this weekend at Bristol.

Don't forget to purchase your tickets! 🎟 Find your perfect seats at https://t.co/sMgKVzknnZ.

See ya there, #SHRFans! 👍 pic.twitter.com/eVRva4iW5O
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 14, 2018

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Triple Header #NASCAR Schedule - It's Bristol Baby

The campfires, the laughs, the racing, the music, the sights, smells . . . . Fierce clashes and heart-stopping finishes are hallmarks of the most popular race in NASCAR. If history’s any indication, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series' 'The Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race' is guaranteed to entertain race fans on Saturday Evening.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races tonight (Thursday); followed by the XFINITY Series on Friday. All three events are sure to put on yet another epic battle inside the Last Great Colosseum.

THURSDAY, AUG. 16

9:05-9:55 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series first practice, FS1
10:05-10:55 a.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series first practice, NBC Sports App
11:05-11:55 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice, FS1
1:35-2:25 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series final practice, NBC Sports App
4:10 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pole qualifying, FS1
8:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UHOH 200 (200 laps, 106.6 miles), FOX

FRIDAY, AUG. 17

10:35-11:55 a.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
12:40-1:50 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
3:40 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series pole qualifying, NBCSN/ NBC Sports App
5:40 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch Pole Qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 (300 laps, 159.9 miles), NBCSN/NBC Sports App

SATURDAY, AUG. 18

7:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race (500 laps, 266.5 miles), NBCSN/NBC Sports App

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Wednesday, August 15, 2018

CMT's “Racing Wives” Coming to Your Television - Early 2019

Female-Driven Docuseries “Racing Wives” to Feature Wives of Top #NASCAR Drivers Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon

Fresh off its best year since 2014, CMT today announced a series order for “Racing Wives”. The eight-episode, hour-long unscripted series from Executive Producer Jenny Daly and T Group Productions follows the never-before-seen private lives of captivating women who are married to world famous race car drivers.

A stone’s throw away from the high-octane race tracks where legends rise and sometimes fall, the “Racing Wives” offers a rare glimpse inside the opulent eye-popping mansions and private planes that regally decorate the banks of Lake Norman, North Carolina.

The cast features sisters-in-law Ashley and Samantha Busch, married to Kurt and Kyle Busch who are each balancing family life with their own ambitions. Looking to take her rightful spot in the wives’ club is Whitney Ward Dillon, former cheerleader and now wife of Austin Dillon, who is torn between fitting in with her fellow wives while staying true to her best friend and cheerleader ride-or-die Mariel Lane.

Also featured is Amber Balcaen, an aspiring NASCAR driver who is new to the racing community and left everything, including her boyfriend, back home in Canada to come to North Carolina to pursue her dream.

#RACINGWIVES coming to your TVs in 2019 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁 pic.twitter.com/wJWjYOnfq8
— Whitney Dillon (@Whitney_Dillon3) August 15, 2018

“Racing Wives” is produced by T Group with executive producers Jenny Daly, Rob Lobl, and Ben DeNoble.

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I’m so excited to share that I will be a part of #RacingWives on @cmt airing this winter! You’ll get to see a BTS look at how we try to balance family, friends, businesses and racing. Welcome to life in the fast lane! 🏁#CMT #CMTfamily pic.twitter.com/8BqFcsVUKW
— Samantha Busch (@SamanthaBusch) August 15, 2018

Tuesday, August 21, 2018