NASCAR Racing Experience, Richard Petty Driving Experience to Merge

NASCAR's leading fan driving experience partners - NASCAR Racing Experience and Richard Petty Driving Experience - announced today they will consolidate the two organizations and their operations to deliver the ultimate on-track fan experience at more than 20 racetracks around the country.

Together, these two trusted brands will create an even more powerful one, with more than 100 race cars and permanent locations throughout the U.S. With the consolidation, NASCAR Racing Experience and Richard Petty Driving Experience will now be able to offer its customers more dates at more of the nation's premier speedways, adding Daytona International Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway to NASCAR Racing Experience's lineup of Atlanta Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Dover International Raceway, Homestead Miami Speedway, Kentucky Motor Speedway, Myrtle Beach Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, Richmond International Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway and Texas Motor Speedway.

As part of the consolidation, both organizations will continue to operate under their current brands and announced schedules for the immediate future. Terms of the agreement were not available.

"This consolidation advances our ambition to be the best NASCAR driving experience choice for customers, race fans, thrill seekers and corporate America. In short, we will be the leader in the driving experience industry. This will reinforce the positioning of our core brands, expand our nationwide locations, strengthen our marketing strategies while offering the most professional and realistic NASCAR driving experience," said Robert Lutz, CEO of Driving 101, which operates NASCAR Racing Experience. "NASCAR Racing Experience is excited to be able to work with one of the sports icons, NASCAR Hall of Fame Legend Richard Petty. I started my career working with Richard Petty and am happy to be able to work with him and the entire staff at Richard Petty Driving Experience again."

"As we have always done, we want to give the best experience for our fans," said Richard Petty. "Boston Ventures acquired Richard Petty Driving Experience in 2008. When they decided to exit and sell the business, we had an opportunity to consolidate the industry and bring the two faces of the sport together - Petty and NASCAR are one in the same."

Source= Victory Management Group

Both NASCAR Race Mom and Husband Paul have enjoyed experiences at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.  (We have not had the pleasure of experiencing the NASCAR Racing Experience.)

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NASCAR Racing in the Dirt Today.

Eldora Speedway is a half-mile dirt racing facility located in western Ohio. The ‘Big E’ is owned by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Tony Stewart. The Indiana native purchased Eldora from legendary promotor Earl Baltes in 2004. Baltes built Eldora in 1954 and had been the sole owner of the facility from day number one. 

There were two practices on the half-mile dirt track Tuesday. Part-timer Caleb Holman topped the practice sheet in his #75 Toyota. Holman was followed by previous event winner Christopher Bell, Ty Dillon, Matt Crafton, and John Hunter Nemechek.

Final practice session results from the #nascar @CampingWorld Truck Series at @EldoraSpeedway. Caleb Holman led the final practice session. pic.twitter.com/onKQ9Uv5dn

— NASCAR NEWS (@NCWTS_NXS_MENCS) July 19, 2017

The race format for tonight's race is very different. Below is what you need to know about the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby.

Qualifying: Two laps, single truck. Keystone Light Pole qualifying is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on FS1. A random draw will determine the qualifying order. The fastest qualifier will be awarded the Keystone Light Pole Award, but won’t necessarily start first.

The results of qualifying will determine all starting positions for the five qualifying races; the qualifying races themselves set the lineup for the race.

Qualifying Races: Five races, 10 laps each, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS2, and only green-flag laps will be counted. Lineup for the qualifying races will be based on speeds from Keystone Light Pole qualifying. The top five trucks from each qualifying race will automatically transfer to the race. Upon completion of the qualifying races, 25 of the 32 trucks in the field will be set for the race.

Last Chance Qualifying Race: This race will be 15 laps, and the lineup for it will be set based on finishing position in the qualifying races. Only green flag laps will be counted, and the top two finishers of this race will fill lineup positions 26 and 27 for the race.

Lineup spots 28-31 will go to the highest-ranking eligible trucks in owner points that haven’t already earned a starting position through qualifying. The 32nd lineup spot will go to the most recent eligible past series champion. If the 32nd position is not filled by an eligible champion, it will be assigned based on owner points.

Race: Divided into three stages (40, 50 and 60 laps) with competition cautions at the breaks on Laps 40 and 90. Caution laps will not count during competition cautions and positions can’t be improved on pit road. Teams are not required to pit during competition cautions. Those that remain on the track will restart in front of those that pit.

Wednesday, July 19 ON TRACK: Eldora Speedway

• 5 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole qualifying, FS1
• 7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series First Qualifying Race (10 laps), FS2
• 7:39 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Second Qualifying Race (10 laps), FS2
• 7:48 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Third Qualifying Race (10 laps), FS2
• 7:57 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fourth Qualifying Race (10 laps), FS2
• 8:06 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fifth Qualifying Race (10 laps), FS2
• 8:45 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Last Chance Qualifying Race (15 laps), FS2
• 9:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby (150 laps, 75 miles/40-50-60), Fox Business Network

Click Here for Entry List

HOW ELDORA RACE LINEUP IS DETERMINED

STARTING SPOT-HOW DETERMINED

• 1 -Top finisher in Qualifying Race #1
• 2 -Top finisher in Qualifying Race #2
• 3 -Top finisher in Qualifying Race #3
• 4 -Top finisher in Qualifying Race #4
• 5 -Top finisher in Qualifying Race #5
• 6 -Second finisher in Qualifying Race #1
• 7 -Second finisher in Qualifying Race #2
• 8 -Second finisher in Qualifying Race #3
• 9 -Second finisher in Qualifying Race #4
• 10 -Second finisher in Qualifying Race #5
• 11 -Third finisher in Qualifying Race #1
• 12 -Third finisher in Qualifying Race #2
• 13 -Third finisher in Qualifying Race #3
• 14 -Third finisher in Qualifying Race #4
• 15 -Third finisher in Qualifying Race #5
• 16 -Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #1
• 17 -Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #2
• 18 -Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #3
• 19 -Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #4
• 20 -Fourth finisher in Qualifying Race #5
• 21 -Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #1
• 22 -Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #2
• 23 -Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #3
• 24 -Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #4
• 25 -Fifth finisher in Qualifying Race #5
• 26 -Top finisher in Last Chance
• 27 -Second finisher in Last Chance
• 28 -Owner points
• 29 -Owner points
• 30 -Owner points
• 31 -Owner points
• 32 -Past series champ/owner points

Opening practice @EldoraSpeedway complete @CBellRacing @ToyotaRacing Tundra P3. He made 40 laps with quick time of 19.697 pic.twitter.com/degztkKwUf

— KyleBuschMotorsports (@KBMteam) July 19, 2017

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Plenty of Dirt on These Drivers’ Shoes

Experience Could Pay Dividends during Eldora Dirt Derby

 

ROSSBURG, Ohio – The Eldora Dirt Derby on Wednesday, July 19, at Eldora Speedway is the only major NASCAR race run on a dirt surface, but it’s interesting to note that several of the racers expected to compete in the fifth annual event have dirt-track experience on their résumés.

Here’s a look at five of the drivers and their dirt-racing backgrounds:

Christopher Bell, Norman, Oklahoma: Bell started racing micro sprints in 2011 and quickly worked his way up to midgets and sprint cars, claiming the 2013 USAC National Midget Series championship with car owners Keith Kunz and Pete Willoughby.

Bell began dabbling in asphalt late model racing in 2014 and made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut the following year. He won the Eldora Dirt Derby in 2015 and this is his second full-time season behind the wheel of the No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports entry.

Bell returned to his dirt-racing roots in January when he fulfilled a childhood dream by winning the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Chase Briscoe – Mitchell, Indiana: Briscoe was born into a dirt-racing family.

His grandfather, Richard, became a sprint car owner during the mid-1970s and his father, Kevin, was a top sprint car driver on the dirt tracks of central and southern Indiana.

Chase Briscoe followed the family tradition and began racing sprint cars on dirt at age 13. But with dreams of one day competing in NASCAR’s premier series, Briscoe changed directions and won last year’s ARCA Racing Series championship during his first full season of asphalt racing.

Now driving for Brad Keselowski Racing, this is Briscoe’s rookie season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Jordan Anderson – Forest Acres, South Carolina: After a very successful career in Legend Cars, Anderson followed the advice of legendary promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler and went dirt-track racing.

“Having never ever raced on dirt before, I jumped into it in 2009,” Anderson said. “My dad and I went out and found a dirt late model and started racing across the Carolinas for two years – places like Carolina Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s dirt track, Cherokee Speedway and all of the places around here.”

He eventually switched back to asphalt racing and made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in 2014.

Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, Illinois: A second-generation dirt late model racer, Pierce is one of the sport’s brightest stars at just 20 years of age.

He has won three consecutive UMP DIRTcar Late Model national championships and is working to make it four in a row. Last fall, he scored the biggest victory of his career when he topped the World 100, dirt late model racing’s most prestigious event, at Eldora Speedway.

Pierce has made seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts since 2015 and this will be his third attempt at winning the Eldora Dirt Derby. He finished second to Christopher Bell two years ago.

Chris Windom – Canton, Illinois: Windom has been a regular in USAC’s three national open-wheel series since 2007, and he is the reigning champion of the USAC Silver Crown Series, which races on both dirt and asphalt ovals.

He is a six-time winner in the Silver Crown cars, with two of those victories coming at Eldora Speedway, and Windom is closing in on 20 victories in the USAC National Sprint Car Series.

Windom has made seven ARCA Racing Series starts since 2011, but the Eldora Dirt Derby will be his first appearance in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

The Eldora Dirt Derby kicks off with the annual Tuesday Night Tailgate on Tuesday, July 18. The schedule includes a full slate of racing for the big-block modifieds of the Super DIRTcar Series along with a pair of practice sessions for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Good seats are still available for the fifth annual Eldora Dirt Derby on Wednesday night, July 19, and they can be purchased at www.eldoraspeedway.com or by calling (937) 338-3815.

About Eldora Speedway: Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004.

Celebrating its 64th season in 2017, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing, including the 23rd annual Dirt Late Model Dream; the 34th annual Kings Royal Weekend; the Camping World Truck Series’ Eldora Dirt Derby – the only NASCAR National Series race on dirt; and the 47th annual World 100.

The complete schedule for Eldora’s 64th consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, hitting “Like” at www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and subscribing to www.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedway.

Source

Entry list for Wednesday night's @NASCAR_Trucks race @EldoraSpeedway. #NASCAR #MB36 pic.twitter.com/gKyotmY3KN

— Chris Windom Racing (@Chris_Windom) July 17, 2017

The NASCAR Foundation - Healthy, Speedy Fun

Ahead of the July 4th race weekend in Daytona, The NASCAR Foundation and Brown & Brown Insurance teamed up to host a Speediatrics Fun Day Festival to showcase the importance of physical fitness and overall healthy living to youth groups in the greater-Daytona Beach area.

The event brought more than 100 kids to the Halifax Health - Keech Pediatric Neighborhood Care Clinic for a day of fun activities, having an overall focus on being healthy, all while having fun!

As children and volunteers began to arrive, the day of fun began for everyone! In keeping with our festival theme, kids had an opportunity to sport Speediatrics temporary tattoos featuring The NASCAR Foundation characters, play with bubbles, and participate in a dance party with The NASCAR Foundation mascots, Chase, Victory Lane and Safety Sam.

NASCAR and Healthy Living Go Hand in Hand

A NASCAR-themed festival wouldn’t be complete without a few drivers on hand. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Landon Cassill, along with NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers Matt Tifft and Joey Gase shared tips on what they like to do to stay healthy and how that helps them excel on the racetrack. “The food that you eat is fueling your body,” Landon Cassill said. “Just like we have to put good fuel in our race cars for our cars to go fast, you have to put good fuel in your body.”

The drivers also joined The NASCAR Foundation mascots to lead the kids in “warm-up” activities to get things started for the fun-filled day.

Healthy Living, Healthy Fun

A trio of events kept the kids active during the event, including sponge relay races, Goodyear Tire races and Pinewood Derby races! Kids had the chance to decorate their Pinewood Derby car, to race against each other as well some of the drivers. Eight-year-old Amina enjoyed the Pinewood Derby races in particular, saying, “My favorite part was the derby race. I beat all the boys.”

Another fun activity was the Goodyear tire race, which offered kids the opportunity to race with real NASCAR tires, in addition to going against a few racers that know a thing or two about competing in the real NASCAR series. All the drivers got involved in the activities as they squared off with the kids at each event, and the kids loved it!

That’s Our Checkered Flag

The Speediatrics Fun Day Festival was a coordinated effort through The NASCAR Foundation’s Speediatrics Children’s Fund, which aims to enhance the delivery of medical care and promote a healthy lifestyle to children in need, enabling them to lead happier, healthier lives. Stay tuned for more information about our next Speediatrics Fun Day Festival in September in Richmond, Virginia. 

Chelsea Morgensen Crowned 2017 Miss Hooters International

Hollywood, California Hooters Girl claims exclusive title and $30,000 cash prize at 21st Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant in Las Vegas

Hollywood Hooters Girl, Chelsea Morgensen, claimed top honor Wednesday night at the 21st Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant held at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, taking home the exclusive 2017 Miss Hooters International title. Chelsea was selected from a field of 80 of the most exceptional Hooters Girls from across the U.S. and around the world.

After a stunning display and camaraderie at the Palms’ Pearl Theater, Chelsea was honored with the coveted 2017 Miss Hooters International title and a new reign began. It’s no coincidence Chelsea hails from the city known for the stars who live there. Her passion for acting and modeling is remarkable, and her energy and positivity are contagious. No stranger to the stage, since 2010 the 22-year-old has owned multiple pageant spotlights. Her biggest accolades to date include winning Miss Texas Teen USA 2010 and the People’s Choice Award for Miss Teen USA Most Photogenic.

An ambitious rising star, Chelsea scoops a $30,000 cash prize and becomes the newest face of the iconic Hooters brand. Her brand ambassador responsibilities include contributing to Hooters marketing initiatives and special events throughout the year, as well as leading the Hooters Number 24 Crew in cheering on NASCAR’s No. 24 Chevrolet SS driver Chase Elliott.

“The past few years working at Hooters have been life-changing for me,” said Chelsea. “I’ve been able to build upon my self-confidence and become a more articulate and approachable individual. I plan on carrying this focus over to my new role as Hooters ambassador, and look forward to helping the next generation of women believe in themselves, their beauty and their self-confidence. I can’t wait to represent Hooters and give back to the brand that’s already afforded me so many amazing opportunities!”

Chelsea and her fellow contestants were evaluated based on responses to interview questions, personality and overall contribution to the iconic Hooters brand, as well as swimsuit attire. They were selected from a pool of more than 18,000 Hooters Girls who presently work in one of the more than 425 Hooters locations worldwide. The Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant is the culmination of local and regional swimsuit contests along “The Road to Vegas.”

A six-person panel of judges included Lynn Austin, the original Hooters Girl; Miesha Tate, former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion; Brittany Oldehoff, Miss USA 2014 fourth runner-up and top fashion and swimsuit model; Steve Covino, host of Covino & Rich on Sirius XM; Bonnie-Jill Laflin, first and only female NBA scout and former NFL cheerleader; and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s No. 24 Chevrolet SS driver and special surprise celebrity guest for the event.

The top five Hooters Girl finalists are first runner up, Amberly Hall, Hooters of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; second runner up, Amanda Olson, Hooters of Riverside, California; third runner up, Rachel Swartz, Hooters of Chantilly, Virginia; and fourth runner up, Jorra Stewart, Hooters of Daytona Beach, Florida.

Rounding out the top 10 in alphabetical order are, Laiken Baumgartner, Hooters of Douglasville, Georgia; Hailey Slobodzian, Hooters of South Fort Myers, Florida; Amanda Steinbecker, Hooters of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jennifer Koenig, Hooters of Tuscon, Arizona.

Additional awards went to Hika Nakazawa, Hooters of Tokyo, Japan, who was voted Miss World; Dominique Sum, Hooters of Long Beach, California, who was voted Miss Photogenic; Aki Li, Hooters of Shanghai, China, who was voted Miss Congeniality; and Hailey Slobodzian, Hooters of South Fort Myers, Florida, who was voted Miss Fan Favorite.

Earlier in the week on Monday, July 10 the Palms vibrant poolside was the scene of the sixth annual Hooters World Wing Eating Championship, an officially sanctioned Major League Eating event.

The number five professional eater in the world, Geoffrey Esper, claimed the coveted 2017 Hooters World Wing Eating Champion title by devouring a record-breaking 250 world-famous Hooters chicken wings in 10 minutes.

The championship events also celebrated Hooters latest craveable wing innovation: Smoked Wings, now available in participating locations across America. Hooters Smoked Wings are marinated overnight with a dry rub before being hickory smoked in-house, with Hooters oven smokers. Guests can then opt to enhance their wings with several dry rub flavors or sauce them with any of Hooters signature sauces, including teriyaki-style samurai, lemon pepper and chipotle honey.

They’re so good Hooters is issuing a warning – Smoking Can Be Addictive. Hooters invites fans to try its new Smoked Wings on National Smoked Chicken Wing Day, celebrated Saturday, July 29. Buy any ten wings and get ten new Hooters Smoked Wings free at participating Hooters locations nationwide. Just try to stop after ten, we dare you.

For more information about the Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant, visit hooters.com/pageant. Hooters fans can also enjoy ongoing content by visiting Hooters on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

To learn more about the Hooters World Wing Eating Championship visit www.majorleagueeating.com. To learn more about Hooters Smoked Wings and National Smoked Chicken Wing Day, visit hooters.com/nscwd.

To find your nearest Hooters location, visit Hooters.com.

Source 

Hamlin Wins Overton's 301 in Backup Car

Denny Hamlin won the Overton's 301 on Sunday. Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch each won a stage in the race. Prior to the green flag, fans were treated to driver appearances and a pre-race concert by Recycled Percussion

Denny Hamlin celebrates his third-career win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway following his win in Sunday's Overton's 301.
 

Denny Hamlin exited Turn 4 during Friday's first practice session and slid down the frontstretch before crashing into the interior wall. On Sunday, Hamlin's final exit out of Turn 4 went a whole lot better. With two of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series' hottest drivers - Kyle Larson and Martin Truex Jr. - on his heels, Hamlin was able to take his backup car to Sunoco Victory Lane at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after winning the Overton's 301.

It was the third-career victory at NHMS for Hamlin, whose last win here came in September of 2012. The win also ended Joe Gibbs Racing's winless streak in 2017.

"Friday was tough, but I think today shows the kind of team and equipment that we have, and what we are capable of," said Hamlin. "It's always great to come here and we've run here in the past. To get the win gives us a huge boost and hopefully we can carry that momentum moving forward."

While it was nice to finally get a win for Gibbs, the team owner realizes that parity is a good thing for the sport and that New Hampshire Motor Speedway provides a great opportunity for his team to break through whenever they come here.

"I think it says you got to have respect for our sport, there's a lot of great teams out there," said Gibbs. "We love coming to Loudon. For whatever reason, this has been a favorite place for our drivers. I think for our whole team we like coming here for racing and for our sponsors."

Larson, Truex, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick round out the top-five.

Larson put together a strong run and had a shot to chase down Hamlin over the final 10 laps, but lap traffic kept the No. 42 from reeling Hamlin in. It wasn't a completely disappointing day for Larson, who started the race in 39th after failing post-qualifying inspection after taking the pole on Friday.

"I was catching him a couple tenths, but then lap times evened off and I couldn't carry the speed on exit like I needed to catch him," said Larson, who picked up his best finish at NHMS since finishing second as a rookie here in 2014. "It was another hard fought race, and we've been able to finish second the last two weeks (after starting) dead last. I'm proud of our team and proud of everybody."

On the heels of a victory at Kentucky Speedway last weekend, it looked like Truex might be on pace to win back-to-back races for the first time in his career. But the No. 78, which led a race-high 137 laps on Sunday, couldn't get back to the front late in the race and had to settle for his sixth top-three finish of the season.

"The last restart we were third, but we didn't get a good restart on the bottom and didn't quite have the speed at the end of the race compared to the first 200 laps," Truex said. "It was a solid third-place effort."

Kenseth and Harvick were the 2016 July and September race winners, respectively.

The remaining top-10 finishers include Daniel Suarez, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson.

The big talk over the weekend was about the PJ1 substance that was applied to the track to help provide more grip for the drivers. In essence, it was supposed to create more side-by-side racing - and it's safe to say that the fans weren't disappointed, as there was competitive door-to-door racing all around the 1.058-mile oval on Sunday.

"I thought it was awesome; I was surprised how well it worked," said Larson. "I like the element of change and how it may wear out slightly and wear out in different spots. Today, everyone I got around was running a different line. You could run three or four different lanes. It was fun."

Hamlin echoed those sentiments: "As far as I'm concerned we should race here 10 times a year."

Stage 1 Winner - Martin Truex Jr.

An unapproved deck lid in qualifying may have moved Larson from the pole position to the back of the pack for the start of the race, but the pilot of the No. 42 for Chip Ganassi racing wasted little time in moving back to the front. Larson went from 39th to third by the end of the first stage, putting him in a good position to make a run over the next 225 laps.

Truex, who moved from second to pole-sitter following Larson's penalty, picked up the most points in Stage 1, leading all 75 laps.

Matt Kenseth, Larson, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Ryan Blaney, Hamlin and Chase Elliott rounded out the top-10 earning points in the opening segment.

Stage 2 Winner - Kyle Busch

Truex's dominant opening stage didn't translate to the second, as he fell back following a slow pit stop during the segment break. He was, however, able to move up to sixth by the end of the second stage.

Kyle Busch was the dominant car over the second 75 laps, leading 72 of them en route to the Stage 2 victory. While Kyle Busch pulled away from the pack out front, there were battles all over the track - with many going two- and three-wide to make passes, something rarely seen in past races at the 1.058-mile oval.

Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Truex, Kenseth, Blaney, Larson and Clint Bowyer rounded out the drivers earning second stage points.

Notables

• Atlanta Motor Speedway GM Ed Clark made good on a bet with NHMS GM David McGrath by delivering Georgia Peaches to Sunoco Victory Lane on Sunday. Clark gave the peaches to McGrath, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the Overton's 301 race winner Denny Hamlin.
• McDaniels served as the honorary pace car driver to begin the Overton's 301.
• The race took 3 hours, 0 minutes and 36 seconds.
• Martin Truex Jr. leads the point standings by 38 points over Kyle Larson.
• A total six drivers led Sunday's Overton's 301.

Source

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Busch Wins Overton's 200 for 175th NASCAR Win

In July of 2011, New Hampshire Motor Speedway was the setting for Kyle Busch's 100th career NASCAR national series victory. A mere six years later, Rowdy was celebrating another milestone in the Granite State, winning Saturday's Overton's 200 for the 175th win of his NASCAR career.

The victory pulls Busch within 25 wins of Richard Petty's mark of 200. Busch now has 89 career XFINITY Series wins, to go along with 48 Camping World Truck Series wins and 38 victories in the Cup Series.

"It's good anytime you can get to victory lane and I have done it with a lot of groups of guys," said Busch, who has now won six of his last nine XFINITY Series starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "Times kind of change and cars change and evolve, but we are still able to get ourselves into position at the right time and I feel positive for what we've been able to do. This was a really fun race today."

Busch became the sixth straight XFINITY Series NHMS race winner to take the checkered flag from the pole position. He now sits alone atop the NHMS all-time wins list with 11.

Ryan Preece, who won Friday's Whelen Engineering All-Star Shootout and finished second in the Eastern Propane & Oil 100 Whelen Modified Tour race earlier on Saturday, finished second. It was the best finish in 37 career XFINITY Series starts for Preece, who was piloting the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing on Saturday - the first of a two-race deal with the perennial powerhouse.

"This is something I dreamed about," said Preece, who will be in the car again on July 29 at Iowa Speedway. "This one is for all the short track guys out there that might not get an opportunity like this. This means so much to me.

"It means a lot to do it at this stage (of my career) to prove to people I belong here and can improve with more seat time."

William Byron, Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski round out the top-five.

"I feel like our team kept improving over the race," said Byron, who currently sits second in XFINITY Series points. "Hopefully we can keep this going through the month of July and continue it into the playoffs."

Keselowski had arguably the best car on Saturday, leading on four different occasions for 102 laps. But a costly gaffe on pit road with 30 laps to go forced Keselowski back down pit road for a penalty. He would finish fifth.

Ben Kennedy, Elliott Sadler, Ty Dillon, Cole Custer and Brennan Poole round out the top-10 finishers.

Stage 1 (Laps 1-45) Sitting in third after a 54-minute break for rain, Larson took advantage of some hard racing between Sadler and Allgaier to earn the win in the first stage. Watching Sadler and Allgaier battle door-to-door for 10 laps, Larson zipped passed the two and pulled away from the pack.

Ryan Preece, winner of Friday's Whelen Engineering All-Star Shootout modified race, put in a valiant effort to catch Larson, but couldn't get the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota within striking distance before the end of the stage.

Busch, Sadler and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top-five after Stage 1.

Stage 2 (Laps 46-90) Preece couldn't get to Larson before the end of the first stage, but he did get to him at the beginning of the second. The native of Berlin, Conn., stayed with Larson on the restart and finally pushed ahead to lead for two laps before Busch, the pole-sitter, finally chased him down and grabbed the lead which he held for the first 22 laps of the race.

Busch held the lead until Keselowski methodically closed the gap and passed Rowdy coming out of Turn 2 on Lap 73. Keselowski pulled away from Busch for the final 17 laps to capture Stage 2.

Busch would hold on for second, while Larson, Preece and William Byron finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Source

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.@KyleBusch sets timeline on @NASCAR_XFINITY retirement.

Details: https://t.co/3XZnpM3dbg pic.twitter.com/0E83FH0RUd

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 16, 2017