Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Chase Across America Kicks Off (#nascar)

Chase Across America Kicks Off (#nascar) Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch Heads To Beantown



It’s only fitting that the defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion officially kicks off 2016 Chase Across America activities. And today, that’s exactly what Kyle Busch will do when he visits Boston for a full day of social and traditional media activities.

The Beantown media blitz is the first of many Chase media events before and throughout NASCAR’s playoffs, which begin on Sunday, Sept. 18 at Chicagoland Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Busch will land in Boston as a four-time winner in 2016, having clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and seeking a second consecutive series crown. This season’s success comes on the heels of an incredible comeback story in 2015. After missing 11 races due to a compound fracture in his right leg and a broken left foot during the season-opening NASCAR XFINITY Series race in Daytona, Busch returned to win four out of five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events over the course of the summer. Those victories effectively helped clinch his spot in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and paved the way to his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Following Busch’s visit to Boston, the remaining 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship contenders will travel from coast to coast over the course of the next several weeks, visiting New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, as well as Stamford and Bristol, Connecticut. In addition to participating in interviews with local, regional and national media outlets, drivers will also make stops at NBC Sports, FOX Sports, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and ESPN studios. Several drivers will also appear at NASCAR Plaza in Charlotte, North Carolina on a weekly basis for satellite media interviews.

Below is a complete list of dates and locations for Chase Across America events. Drivers will continue to be confirmed as the remainder of the Chase field is determined.

Date
Driver
Activity
Location
Aug. 31
Kyle Busch
Media Tour
Boston, MA
Sept. 7
Denny Hamlin
NBC HQ Visit
Stamford, CT
Sept. 7
Kyle Larson
SMT
Chico, CA
Sept. 13
Kevin Harvick
ESPN HQ Visit
Bristol, CT
Sept. 14
TBD
NASCAR Plaza Visit
Charlotte, NC
Sept. 14
Joey Logano
Media Tour
Detroit, MI
Sept. 14
Jimmie Johnson
Media Tour/FOX HQ Visit
Los Angeles, CA
Sept. 15
All 16 Drivers
Chase Media Day
Chicago, IL
Sept. 21
Matt Kenseth
NASCAR Plaza Visit
Charlotte, NC
Sept. 21
TBD
NBC HQ Visit
Stamford, CT
Sept. 22
Brad Keselowski
Media Tour
New York, NY
Sept. 28
Tony Stewart
NASCAR Plaza Visit
Charlotte, NC
Oct. 5
Carl Edwards
Media Tour
Dallas, TX

NASCAR will crown its 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the final round of The Chase Nov. 20 (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM Satellite Radio). Tickets for all Chase events in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are available at NASCAR.com/tickets.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Darlington Raceway for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Sunday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on NBC, MRN, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Why We Run to Victory

Why We Run to Victory

We asked our friend, Jamie Morhard, why she runs with Victory Junction at the Run to Victory. She graciously shared her family's story with us. 

Why We Run to Victory

Runners are strong. You have to be strong to run long distances. Or to run up a hill. That's what is was like for our Lily her whole life. She was running up a hill, trying to prove herself. And oh how she ran!

Lily Grace Morhard was born on June 3rd, 2015. Until the week before I went into labor and delivered her via emergency C-section all seemed perfectly well. It was a total shock when she was born with spina bifida and a cleft lip and palate. It was an even bigger shock when she was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a genetic disorder, a week later.

But Lily was strong. And we had to be strong. Lily fought through a spinal surgery, extubation, trach and g-tube surgery, and multiple infections. One infection finally took her from us three days after her two-month birthday.

Even though she is no longer with us, her strong, fighting spirit left an impact on Earth. It impacted her dad and me. Our families. Our friends. Our church family. Other church families. Friends of friends. Strangers. We have boxes of cards and letters to prove it!

I knew about Victory Junction because my cousin had landed her dream job there just two summers before. Once Lily was born with spina bifida and then Trisomy 18, it became a dream of mine that she would one day be stable enough to attend Victory Junction. She never physically made it there, but through a campership fund set up in her memory and the first Team Lilystrong, Lily's fighting spirit finally made it to Victory Junction in September of 2015 at the 10th Annual Run to Victory.

Why We Run to Victory

 

Lily is not alone.

There are so many children with strong, fighting spirits who are fighting through illnesses and life limiting diagnoses. Victory Junction is a place that helps strengthen children and their families and gives them hope to keep running and to stay strong.

Run with Victory Junction on September 17 at the 11th annual Run to Victory and give families hope to run against all obstacles in their life. Register: runtovictory.org


About Victory Junction:

We believe that every child, no matter their illness or diagnosis, should enjoy normal childhood experiences. Victory Junction is where children, whose lives are filled with limitations and boundaries, face fun challenges and discover just how resilient they are. The camp experience is not just about playing games, it is about helping children learn more about their abilities and what they can do.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Diversity Graduate Larson Scores First NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Victory

Diversity Graduate Scores First #NSCS

Californian Becomes First D4D, NASCAR Next Grad To Win In Sport’s Premier Series

Kyle Larson celebrates his first Sprint Cup victory with his family.
Kyle Larson celebrates his first Sprint Cup victory with his family.

Kyle Larson won Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway to become the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity and the NASCAR Next to win at the sanctioning body’s top level.

Larson, the 24-year-old Elk Grove, California, native of Japanese-American heritage, has already won in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. His first win came in 2013 at Rockingham Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He has since won another NASCAR Camping World Truck race, as well as four NASCAR XFINITY Series races.

The win at Michigan was the latest in a long line of ‘firsts’ accomplished by Larson in his young career. Among the highlights:
  • - In 2014, Larson became the first NASCAR D4D and NASCAR Next product to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole (Pocono Raceway), as well as the first to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
  • - In 2013, he became the first NASCAR D4D graduate to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
  • - Larson previously became the first NASCAR D4D competitor to win a NASCAR Touring Series championship. Driving for Rev Racing, Larson won the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title and the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

On Sunday, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver won the Pure Michigan 400, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet, leading a race-high 41 laps in his 99th career start.

With the win, Larson clinches a spot in NASCAR’s playoffs – the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

NASCAR Next is an industry-wide initiative designed to spotlight to best and brightest rising young stars in racing. NASCAR Drive for Diversity, operated by Rev Racing, is an academy-style development program for female and multicultural drivers and crew members who have the potential and determination to succeed at the highest levels of NASCAR. Larson raced under both banners in 2012.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

#NASCAR Race Weekend of First-Time Winners

#NASCAR Race Weekend of First Time Winners

Moffitt and McDowell on Saturday; Kyle Larson on Sunday
First Time In #NASCAR History

#NASCAR Race Weekend of First Time Winners
Kyle Larson notched his first Sprint Cup win, in his 99th start.
(Photo: Robert Laberge, Getty Images)
What a great finish to a NASCAR Weekend of First-Time Winners. After both he and Chase Elliott  spun their tires on a late race re-start, Kyle Larson took the lead with just nine laps remaining at Michigan International Speedway. He never looked back.

After his thrilling win, Larson completed his burnout celebration with his trade mark, steering wheel off and in his hands. The win propels the young driver into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase. However, do not feel too bad for Chase Elliott. It appears, that he will also make the chase on points.

“This one is for the Clauson family. We really miss him . . . . We parked it in Victory Lane for him.” an emotional Kyle Larson expressed.


The win at Michigan was the latest in a long line of ‘firsts’ accomplished by Larson in his young career. Among the highlights:
  • - In 2014, Larson became the first NASCAR D4D and NASCAR Next product to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole (Pocono Raceway), as well as the first to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
  • - In 2013, he became the first NASCAR D4D graduate to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
  • - Larson previously became the first NASCAR D4D competitor to win a NASCAR Touring Series championship. Driving for Rev Racing, Larson won the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title and the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

Chase Elliott Quote

"I just made another mistake  . . . . I had two opportunities to stay out front . . . I need to do a better job at these re-starts. Elliott reported"

 

Saturday’s Winners

Brett Moffitt, who had never led a lap in Truck Series competition won the Saturday race at Michigan International Speedway.



First-time Xfinity Winner, Michael McDowell cherished his Road America win on Saturday.



Friday, August 26, 2016

#NASCAR Schedule for Sprint Cup, Xfinity & Truck Series

#NASCAR Schedule for Sprint Cup Xfinity & Truck Series

MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY 2016

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES

 

#NASCAR Schedule for Sprint Cup Xfinity & Truck Series

 

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, August 26

  • 8:30 AM 5:00 PM NSCS REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 9:00 AM 7:00 PM NSCS GARAGE OPEN
  • 9:00 AM NCWTS HAULERS ENTER
  • 10:00 AM 5:00 PM NCWTS REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 10:30 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING (MICHIGAN ROOM)
  • 10:30 AM 7:00 PM NCWTS GARAGE OPEN
  • 11:00 AM 11:30 AM Pace Vehicle Rides (Michigan International Speedway)
  • 11:00 AM NSCS ROOKIE MEETING, SPOTTER MEETING, & RANDOM DRAWING
  • 11:30 AM 2:00 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **
  • 12:00 PM 1:25 PM NSCS 1ST PRACTICE
  • 12:30 PM NCWTS ROOKIE MEETING, SPOTTER MEETING, & RANDOM DRAWING
  • 1:30 PM 2:55 PM NCWTS 1ST PRACTICE
  • 3:00 PM 3:30 PM PACE VEHICLE CALIBRATION
  • 4:00 PM 4:55 PM NCWTS FINAL PRACTICE
  • 4:45 PM 6:30 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **
  • 5:15 PM NSCS QUALIFYING (MULTI-VEHICLE / THREE ROUNDS)

Saturday, August 27

  • 6:30 AM 1:30 PM NCWTS REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 6:30 AM NCWTS GARAGE OPENS
  • 6:30 AM 1:30 PM NSCS REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 6:30 AM 3:30 PM NSCS GARAGE OPEN
  • 7:00 AM 11:30 AM Minors Permitted in the Garage Area*
  • 7:00 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING (MICHIGAN ROOM)
  • 7:15 AM 8:00 AM Pace Vehicle Rides (Michigan International Speedway)
  • 7:30 AM 8:00 AM NASCAR MEDIA RIDES
  • 8:00 AM 1:30 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **
  • 8:30 AM 9:25 AM NSCS 2ND PRACTICE
  • 9:45 AM NCWTS QUALIFYING (SINGLE VEHICLE / TWO ROUNDS)
  • 11:00 AM 11:30 AM TV TELEVISION EXHIBITION RUNS
  • 11:00 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING (PIT ROAD)
  • 11:00 AM 1:30 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **
  • 11:15 AM NCWTS DRIVER / CREW CHIEF MEETING (MICHIGAN ROOM)
  • 11:30 AM 12:20 PM NSCS FINAL PRACTICE
  • 12:30 PM NCWTS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
  • 1:00 PM NCWTS RACE (100 LAPS, 200 MILES)

Sunday, August 28

  • 7:45 AM 8:45 AM Pace Vehicle Rides (Michigan International Speedway)
  • 8:00 AM 9:00 AM NSCS NASCAR PACE VEHICLE RIDES
  • 8:00 AM 2:30 PM NSCS REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 8:00 AM NSCS GARAGE OPENS
  • 9:00 AM 1:00 PM NSCS Minors Permitted in the Garage Area*
  • 10:30 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING (MICHIGAN ROOM)
  • 12:00 PM NSCS DRIVER / CREW CHIEF MEETING (MICHIGAN ROOM)
  • 1:00 PM 5:30 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **
  • 1:30 PM NSCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
  • 2:00 PM NSCS RACE (200 LAPS, 400 MILES)


ELKHART LAKE'S ROAD AMERICA 2016

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
SCCA TRANS AM

 
#NASCAR Schedule for Sprint Cup Xfinity & Truck Series

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, August 26

  • 6:00 AM 5:00 PM NXS REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 6:00 AM 7:00 PM NXS GARAGE OPEN
  • 7:00 AM 1:00 PM TA REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 7:00 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING
  • 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Pace Vehicle Rides (Elkhart Lake's Road America)
  • 8:00 AM NXS ROOKIE MEETING, SPOTTER MEETING, & RANDOM DRAWING
  • 8:00 AM TA TEAM MANAGER /CREW CHIEF MEETING (MEDICAL MEETING ROOM)
  • 9:00 AM 9:55 AM NXS 1ST PRACTICE
  • 10:00 AM 10:45 AM TA 1ST PRACTICE
  • 11:00 AM 12:25 PM NXS FINAL PRACTICE
  • 12:30 PM 1:00 PM PACE VEHICLE CALIBRATION
  • 12:45 PM 1:00 PM Pace Vehicle Rides (Elkhart Lake's Road America)
  • 1:00 PM 2:10 PM TA QUALIFYING
  • 2:15 PM 3:00 PM EVENT RIDES (ELKHART LAKE'S ROAD AMERICA)
  • 2:45 PM TA DRIVER MEETING (MEDICAL MEETING ROOM)
  • 3:00 PM 3:45 PM Pace Vehicle Rides (Elkhart Lake's Road America)
  • 3:30 PM 4:15 PM NXS AUTOGRAPH SESSION
  • 4:00 PM 5:10 PM TA 2ND PRACTICE (/ 2ND CHANCE TO QUALIFY)
  • 5:35 PM (6:35 PM) NXS QUALIFYING (MULTI-VEHICLE / TWO ROUNDS)

Saturday, August 27

  • 6:30 AM 8:15 AM TA REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 7:30 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING
  • 8:00 AM 8:30 AM NASCAR MEDIA RIDES
  • 8:30 AM TA DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
  • 8:50 AM 10:00 AM TA RACE
  • 10:00 AM NXS ACCESS TO HAULERS ONLY
  • 10:00 AM TA DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
  • 10:20 AM 11:30 AM TA RACE
  • 11:00 AM 2:30 PM NXS REGISTRATION OPEN
  • 11:00 AM NXS GARAGE OPENS
  • 11:00 AM 12:30 PM NXS Minors Permitted in the Garage Area*
  • 12:00 PM 12:40 PM Pace Vehicle Rides (Elkhart Lake's Road America)
  • 12:00 PM NXS DRIVER / CREW CHIEF MEETING (ROAD AMERICA CENTER)
  • 1:00 PM 1:45 PM FAN WALK
  • 1:30 PM NXS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
  • 2:00 PM (3:00 PM) NXS RACE (45 LAPS, 182.16 MILES)

ALL TIMES ARE LISTED IN
LOCAL / Central Standard Time


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Bryan Clauson’s ‘Celebrate of Life’ at Kokomo Speedway

Bryan Clauson’s ‘Celebrate of Life’ at Kokomo Speedway

It Will Be A Day For Friends, Family And Fans; All Are Invited To Bryan Clauson’s Celebration Of Life.

 

Bryan Clauson’s ‘Celebrate The Life’ at Kokomo Speedway

 

A day full of stories and memories of the four-time USAC national champion Bryan Clauson will then be topped off by a race. The admission is free for the entire day and night.

Clauson was a racer from Noblesville, Indiana. He sustained injures after a crash in Kansas and died in a hospital in Nebraska earlier this month.

Kokomo Speedway  was one of his favorite tracks. The dirt track, where the Clauson won a 30-lap sprint car race on the night of this year's Indianapolis 500, will host this public event.

It all begins at 1:00 p.m., with stories shared from friends, family, competitors and car owners. USAC  announcer Dillon Welch will maintain some semblance of order.


Bryan Clauson’s ‘Celebrate of Life’ at Kokomo Speedway

Memories will be shared until 4:00 p.m., when it will be time to let the Kokomo Speedway track crew do their thing in preparation for the night’s races that get under way with hot laps at 6:30 p.m.

To top it all off, Tim Dugger will perform a free post-race concert where free Coca-Cola will be on hand while supplies last. It’s Coca-Cola of course since that was BC’s beverage of choice.

And for those unable to make the trip to Kokomo, www.thecushion.com  will stream the entire day and night free of charge.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Ricky Stenhouse was inspired by his friend Bryan Sunday. He matched his career-best finish by bringing the No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford home second to race-winner Kevin Harvick at Bristol by driving the wheels off of his car in the rain-delayed Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.

"We really wanted to get this Bryan Clauson tribute car in Victory Lane," Stenhouse said after the race. "It just wasn't meant to be today. We made our car a lot faster throughout the race and came from two laps down to get back on the lead lap. We missed some wrecks and gave it all we had."



Note: The Indiana Donor Network will be on hand as well throughout the day with on-site registration. Those that aren’t already organ donors can register to do so on site. The record for registrations at an event is around the 100 mark. The goal tomorrow is to reach 200 organ donor registrations, as the chase for 200 lives on. 

Those wishing to contribute can do so at http://usacbf.org/cash-donation or checks can be made out to the “USAC Benevolent Foundation” in the name of Bryan Clauson. The address is USAC Benevolent Foundation, 124 E Northfield Drive, Suite F #129, Brownsburg, IN 46112.


Bryan Clauson’s ‘Celebrate of Life’ at Kokomo Speedway

#RIPBryanClauson

Related Posts

  1. Joey Gase Honors Fellow Racer Bryan Clauson
  2. Stenhouse Jr.’s Tribute to Friend Bryan Clauson
  3. Bryan Clauson's Organ Donation Saves Live
  4. Bryan Clauson, Age 27 Dies from Race Injuries


Monday, August 22, 2016

Rain Appears to be Buescher’s Good Luck Charm

Rain Appears to be Buescher’s Good Luck Charm

Rain Appears to be Buescher’s Good Luck Charm

 

Rain Appears to be Buescher’s Good Luck Charm

The 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Champion Chris Buescher took a big risk, by leaving the Roush Fenway Racing organization for a shot at the ‘big show’ with a less funded team. However, this young wheelman has made the most of the opportunity and moved his #34 Loves Travel Stops Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports into the top-thirty of the point stands in a rain delayed ‘Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.’ Coupled with his win earlier this month at Pocono, Chris and the team sit twelfth on the Chase Grid.

Buescher, who finished fifth yesterday at Bristol Motor Speedway, is now thirteen points ahead of thirty-first-ranked David Ragan. His teammate Landon Cassill sits twenty-ninth, just twenty-seven points ahead.

Rain Appears to be Buescher’s Good Luck Charm

“That’s Chase eligibility in one race out of the four we had to do it,” Buescher said. “Now we have to hold onto it. I’m really proud of this team. Our Love’s Ford Fusion had great speed this weekend. We’re looking forward to the next handful of races. We’ve got some really good tracks for us coming up. We knew Bristol would be a good one for us. It took us a day later to do it, but we got ourselves a top five and had a blast out here. That was an awesome run.”

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Chris Buescher joined his cousin, James, as a NASCAR champion in 2015. James Buescher won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship in 2013 while Chris countered with the NXS title last year.

Related Posts:

  1. #NASCAR Rookies Rule
  2. Rain Did Not Delay Tony Stewart Honor
  3. Sprint Cup Rookie Chris Buescher's #Win by the Numbers
  4. Tide’s Orange & Yellow Returns to #NASCAR
  5. Chris Buescher - 2015 #NASCAR Xfinity Champion Stats



Sunday, August 21, 2016

Rain Did Not Delay Tony Stewart Honor

Rain Did Not Delay Tony Stewart Honor

The #14 Signs Up On the 14th Lap

 

Rain Did Not Delay Tony Stewart Honor

 

The rainy weather at Bristol Motor Speedway did not detour fans from honoring retiring NASCAR Star, Tony Stewart. The speedway supplied fans with #14 signs and instructed to hold them high on lap fourteen of the race to honor the driver of the #14 car final Sprint Cup start at Bristol.

The signs were held up but with so much going on at the track, Stewart said that he didn’t really see the tribute.

“I’m having a hard time just staying where I want to be on the racetrack,” he said. “That’s pretty cool. I’m sure I’ll get to see it on a replay ... That’s a huge honor. This is such a cool racetrack that I’m sad it’s my last one here but I’ve had some pretty good memories here.”

Stewart has one win in his career at Bristol. He has 10 top-10 finishes, seven of them top fives, at the track.





The Bass Pro Shops NRA Saturday Night Race was postponed to today at 1:00 pm ET due to rain. Unfortunately, the Sunday race is now also on hold due to weather. At least half of the schedule laps must be completed before a race can become official. The drivers were only able to complete forty-eight of the five hundred laps scheduled. 


Rain Did Not Delay Tony Stewart Honor


The race, when it does resume, can be seen on CNBC while radio networks PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR are also providing coverage.



Related Posts:

  1. Joey Gase Honors Fellow Racer Bryan Clauson
  2. Tide’s Orange & Yellow Returns to #NASCAR
  3. 2016 Darlington Throwback Paint Schemes
  4. Tony Stewart Ready for The Glen’s Repave
  5. Patrick Leads Most Laps By A Female


Saturday, August 20, 2016

Blake Koch Ties Previous Career-Best Finish of Eighth at Bristol

Blake Koch Ties Previous Career-Best Finish of Eighth at Bristol

Koch Wins War of Attrition to Move Up in Point Standings

  • Race Stats:
  • Started: 17th
  • Finished: 8th
  • Laps: 308/308
  • Status: Running
  • Driver Points: 11th
  • Owner Points: 16th

Blake Koch Ties Previous Career-Best Finish of Eighth at Bristol
With just five to go in the NASCAR Xfinity regular season, Blake Koch found himself in a precarious situation before last night’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He was barely hanging on to the last place on the chase grid. Koch would have to have an excellent race finish to hold of Ross Chastain and Dakota Armstrong for that final Chase spot. Koch, driver of the #11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, was a mere three points ahead of Chastain and eighteen points behind Dakoda Armstrong.

Unfortunately, the race did not progress as planned and the #11 was scored two laps down by lap 125. Just pass the halfway mark though, the second caution of the night would come out. Crew chief Chris Rice elected to have Koch not pit, but instead take the wave around, allowing him to gain one of his two laps back. This strategy call paid off when another caution occurred just 2 laps later.

After becoming the beneficiary of the “lucky dog,” Blake found himself back on the lead lap with a handful of other cars. At the Checker, Koch was able to hold the eighth position on the green-white-checkered attempt, giving him track-best finish at Bristol Motor Speedway, and tying his previous career-best finish.

“It feels amazing and a top ten finish is huge. We needed those points tonight. I had my wife and son here tonight watching even. But a big thank you to Matt and Lisa (Kaulig) for this opportunity. Top ten finishes are definitely awesome.”

Although his finished moved him up one position in the point’s standings, Koch cannot afford to relax quite yet. He is now twelve points ahead of Ryan Sieg, twenty-seven points in front of Ross Chastain, and twenty-eight point to the good of Dakota Armstrong.

Therefore, Blake will still have to mount a good run in the final four-races of the regular season stretch. Last season, he had an average finish of 21.8 during this same five-race stretch. Anything, can happen and usually does in NASCAR. NASCAR Race Mom will be keeping her eyes on the #11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet and cheering on one of her favorite Xfinity drivers.



Full results:

Lap length: .533 miles(Start position in parentheses)
  1. (5) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 308 laps, 0 rating, 0 points.
  2. (8) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 308, 0, 39.
  3. (7) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 308, 0, 0.
  4. (15) Elliott Sadler, Chevrolet, 308, 0, 37.
  5. (14) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 308, 0, 36.
  6. (12) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 308, 0, 35.
  7. (6) Darrell Wallace Jr, Ford, 308, 0, 35.
  8. (17) Blake Koch, Chevrolet, 308, 0, 33.
  9. (4) Brandon Jones, Chevrolet, 307, 0, 32.
  10. (20) Corey Lajoie, Toyota, 307, 0, 31.
  11. (9) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 306, 0, 0.
  12. (11) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 306, 0, 0.
  13. (21) Gray Gaulding, Ford, 303, 0, 28.
  14. (28) Ray Black Jr, Chevrolet, 302, 0, 27.
  15. (18) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 301, 0, 26.
  16. (30) David Starr, Chevrolet, 301, 0, 25.
  17. (25) Mario Gosselin, Chevrolet, 301, 0, 24.
  18. (29) Dakoda Armstrong, Toyota, 301, 0, 23.
  19. (26) B J McLeod, Ford, 300, 0, 22.
  20. (27) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 299, 0, 0.
  21. (32) Brandon Gdovic, Chevrolet, 299, 0, 20.
  22. (31) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 299, 0, 19.
  23. (38) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 299, 0, 18.
  24. (2) Kyle Busch, Toyota, accident, 296, 0, 0.
  25. (10) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, accident, 296, 0, 17.
  26. (39) Camden Murphy, Ford, 295, 0, 15.
  27. (19) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 293, 0, 14.
  28. (13) Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 291, 0, 13.
  29. (35) Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, 290, 0, 12.
  30. (3) Daniel Suarez, Toyota, 286, 0, 11.
  31. (37) T.J. Bell, Chevrolet, 286, 0, 10.
  32. (16) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, accident, 278, 0, 9.
  33. (1) Erik Jones, Toyota, accident, 244, 0, 9.
  34. (36) Hermie Sadler, Toyota, fuelpump, 228, 0, 7.
  35. (22) Ryan Reed, Ford, 226, 0, 6.
  36. (40) Mike Harmon, Dodge, brakes, 168, 0, 5.
  37. (23) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, suspension, 165, 0, 4.
  38. (34) Harrison Rhodes, Toyota, engine, 36, 0, 3.
  39. (33) Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, handling, 27, 0, 2.
  40. (24) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, brakes, 3, 0, 0.

Race Statistics

  • Average Speed of Race Winner: 84.815 mph.
  • Time of Race: 1 hour, 56 minutes, 7 seconds.
  • Margin of Victory: 0.277 seconds.
  • Caution Flags: 8 for 54 laps.
  • Lead Changes: 16 among 7 drivers. 

Lap Leaders: E.Jones 1; D.Wallace 2-5; E.Jones 6-31; K.Larson 32-33; E.Jones 34; K.Larson 35-77; E.Jones 78; K.Larson 79-153; E.Jones 154; K.Larson 155-234; E.Jones 235; B.Keselowski 236-287; K.Busch 288; B.Keselowski 289; T.Dillon 290; B.Keselowski 291-304; A.Dillon 305-308

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led): K.Larson, 4 times for 196 laps; B.Keselowski, 3 times for 64 laps; E.Jones, 6 times for 25 laps; A.Dillon, 1 time for 3 laps; D.Wallace, 1 time for 3 laps; K.Busch, 1 time for 0 laps; T.Dillon, 1 time for 0 laps.

Wins: K.Busch, 7; E.Jones, 3; A.Dillon, 1; K.Larson, 1; E.Sadler, 1; D.Suarez, 1.

Top 11 in Points: 1. E.Sadler, 700; 2. D.Suarez, 675; 3. T.Dillon, 667; 4. E.Jones, 648; 5. J.Allgaier, 646; 6. B.Gaughan, 631; 7. B.Poole, 618; 8. B.Jones, 595; 9. D.Wallace, 539; 10. R.Reed, 526; Blake Koch, 499.


Up next: Road America 180 Fired Up By Johnsonville at Road America on Sat., 27

Photo Credit: Rey Del Rio/Getty Images North America

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  2. Blake Koch Earns a 12th-Place Finish
  3. #NASCAR Rain Wild Road Race
  4. Blake Koch Pays Homage to Darrell Waltrip
  5. Blake Koch Looks to Conquer the “Monster” in Dover

Friday, August 19, 2016

Pressure Did Not Detour Kennedy

Pressure Did Not Detour Kennedy Going into Bristol Motor Speedway, Ben Kennedy knew that time was running out.

In the photo above, Ben Kennedy, driver of the #33 Jacob Chevrolet, does a burnout after winning the #NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200
In the photo above, Ben Kennedy, driver of the #33 Jacob Chevrolet, does a
burnout after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200

“We’re at a crucial point in the season. It’s crazy to think that time is running out when there are still 11 races left on the season, the young driver analyzed. There’s a sense of urgency to get a win and lock ourselves into the Chase field, but I also don’t want to make things worse by destroying a truck because we were being overly aggressive. This team can get it done, I know we can, but we have to perform.”

On his sixty-third series start, Kennedy, the great-grandson of NASCAR Founder Bill France Sr. and son of Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation and Vice Chairperson of NASCAR, became the first France family member to win a NASCAR national series race.

Holding off a hard charging Brett Moffitt, Ben managed to maintain his focus even as Moffitt tapped Kennedy’s bumper on the white flag lap.

"I was just thinking, 'Go as fast as possible on this last lap,' " Kennedy said. "I knew Brett was putting pressure on me from behind. I appreciate him racing me clean. This is just so cool."

With this victory, Benjamin Kennedy will also become the first France Family member locked into a NASCAR Chase. The fact that 2016 season represents the inaugural Truck Series chase format makes it even more distinctive.

"I can't put it into words," Kennedy said. "Someone asked me earlier today what it's like going to Bristol for your first time, and to win here is just so cool. I'm speechless. The guys gave me an awesome truck. Everyone at GMS Racing, Jacob Companies, the fans in the stands, everybody watching on TV, gosh this is just the coolest day of my life."

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race - UNOH 200

Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol, Tennessee
Wednesday, August 17, 2016

  1. (13) Ben Kennedy, Chevrolet, 200.
  2. (8) Brett Moffitt, Toyota, 200.
  3. (12) Daniel Hemric, Ford, 200.
  4. (6) William Byron #, Toyota, 200.
  5. (7) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 200.
  6. (9) Cole Custer #, Chevrolet, 200.
  7. (5) Christopher Bell #, Toyota, 200.
  8. (16) John H Nemechek, Chevrolet, 200.
  9. (15) Brandon Jones(i), Chevrolet, 200.
  10. (19) John Wes Townley, Chevrolet, 200.
  11. (10) Kaz Grala, Chevrolet, 200.
  12. (14) Spencer Gallagher, Chevrolet, 200.
  13. (25) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 200.
  14. (1) Tyler Reddick, Ford, 200.
  15. (21) Caleb Holman, Toyota, 200.
  16. (22) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 200.
  17. (11) Jesse Little, Toyota, 200.
  18. (27) Austin Cindric, Ford, 199.
  19. (18) Austin Hill, Ford, 199.
  20. (24) Parker Kligerman, Ford, 199.
  21. (26) Austin Wayne Self #, Toyota, 198.
  22. (23) Stewart Friesen, Chevrolet, 198.
  23. (28) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 197.
  24. (3) Cameron Hayley, Toyota, 197.
  25. (30) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 197.
  26. (20) Rico Abreu #, Toyota, 194.
  27. (31) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, 191.
  28. (32) Bryce Napier, Chevrolet, 191.
  29. (2) Daniel Suarez(i), Toyota, Accident, 186.
  30. (4) Ben Rhodes #, Toyota, Engine, 128.
  31. (29) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Power Steering, 71.
  32. (17) Matt Crafton, Toyota, Engine, 70.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 74.387 mph.
Time of Race: 01 Hrs, 25 Mins, 59 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.274 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 9 for 55 laps.
Lead Changes: 7 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: T. Reddick 1; D. Suarez(i) 2-39; C. Bell # 40-135; D. Suarez(i) 136; C. Bell # 137-141; D. Suarez(i) 142-179; W. Byron # 180; B. Kennedy 181-200.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): C. Bell # 2 times for 101 laps; D. Suarez(i) 3 times for 77 laps; B. Kennedy 1 time for 20 laps; T. Reddick 1 time for 1 lap; W. Byron # 1 time for 1 lap.
Top 10 in Points: W. Byron # - 349; D. Hemric - 312; J. Sauter - 306; T. Peters - 302; C. Bell # - 296; M. Crafton - 295; B. Kennedy - 287; J. Nemechek - 281; C. Custer # - 273; T. Reddick - 270. 

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #29 Cooper Standard Ford, poses with 21 Means 21 pole award after qualifying in Bristol, Tennessee.
Tyler Reddick, driver of the #29 Cooper Standard Ford, poses with 21
Means 21 pole award after qualifying in Bristol, Tennessee.

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #29 Cooper Standard Ford, leads the field  at the start of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200
Tyler Reddick, driver of the #29 Cooper Standard Ford, leads the field
at the start of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200

Daniel Suarez, driver of the #51 ARRIS Toyota, leads the field during a restart.
Daniel Suarez, driver of the #51 ARRIS Toyota, leads the field during a restart.

Austin Hill, driver of the #02 Ford, leads a group of cars during the race.
Austin Hill, driver of the #02 Ford, leads a group of cars during the race.

William Byron, driver of the #9 Liberty University Toyota, leads Brandon Jones, driver of the #171 M&D Building Supply/Menards Chevrolet.
William Byron, driver of the #9 Liberty University Toyota, leads
Brandon Jones, driver of the #171 M&D Building Supply/Menards Chevrolet.

Tommy Joe Martins, driver of the #44 Cross Concrete Construction Chevrolet,  leads Daniel Hemric, driver of the #19 Blue Gate Bank Ford, in Bristol, Tennessee.
Tommy Joe Martins, driver of the #44 Cross Concrete Construction Chevrolet,
leads Daniel Hemric, driver of the #19 Blue Gate Bank Ford, in Bristol, Tennessee.

Winner, Ben Kennedy, driver of the #33 Jacob Chevrolet, celebrates at Bristol
Winner, Ben Kennedy, driver of the #33 Jacob Chevrolet, celebrates at Bristol

Ben Kennedy poses with his coveted winner’s sticker.
Ben Kennedy poses with his coveted winner’s sticker.

A happy Ben Kennedy, the first France family member to win a NASCAR national series race.
A happy Ben Kennedy, the first France family member
to win a NASCAR national series race.

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Photo Credit: Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway

Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway

Justin Marks Is The 20th First-Time NASCAR XFINITY Series Winner Since 2010


Justin Marks Is The 20th First-Time NASCAR XFINITY Series Winner Since 2010
First time winner, Justin Marks won last week in a rain soaked road race.

When trying to find the new faces of the sport, look no further than the NASCAR XFINITY Series. Since 2010, the series has seen 20 different first-time winners, including two that have won this season – Daniel Suárez (Michigan) and last weekend’s winner Justin Marks (Mid-Ohio).

The 20 first-time series winners since 2010 by season: 2016 – Two: Justin Marks (Mid-Ohio) and Daniel Suárez (Michigan)
  • 2015 – Two: Erik Jones (Texas) and Ryan Reed (Daytona)
  • 2014 – Five: Chris Buescher (Mid-Ohio), Ty Dillon (Indianapolis), Brendan Gaughan (Road America), Chase Elliott (Texas) and Kyle Larson (Auto Club Speedway)
  • 2013 – Two: Ryan Blaney (Kentucky) and AJ Allmendinger (Road America)
  • 2012 – Four: Nelson Piquet Jr. (Road America), Austin Dillon (Kentucky), James Buescher (Daytona) and Regan Smith (Homestead-Miami)
  • 2011 – Three: Trevor Bayne (Texas), Sam Hornish Jr. (Phoenix) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Iowa)
  • 2010 – Two: Justin Allgaier (Bristol) and Boris Said (Montreal)
Erik Jones celebrates in victory lane - #NASCAR Xfinity Series, Bristol Motor Speedway
Erik Jones celebrates in victory lane - #NASCAR Xfinity Series, Bristol Motor Speedway

Since 2010, Texas and Road America have seen the most first-time winners with three each.

Since the series inception in 1982, there has been at least one first-time winner in each season. Overall, 146 different drivers have won a NASCAR XFINITY Series race. The inaugural season (1982) saw the most first-time winners at 14, but since then the most first-time winners per season has been six, and it has happened on seven occasions (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 2002, 2004 and 2006).

Bristol Motor Speedway – the site of Friday’s Food City 300 (7:30 p.m. ET on USA) has been home to six NASCAR XFINITY Series first-time winners – Justin Allgaier (2010), Martin Truex Jr. (2004), Jeff Fuller (1996), Bobby Labonte (1991), Rick Wilson (1989) and Phil Parsons (1982).

NASCAR XFINITY Series

  • Next Race: Food City 300
  • The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway
  • The Date: Friday, Aug. 19
  • The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: USA, 7 p.m. ET
  • Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
  • Distance: 159.9 miles (300 laps)


Photo Credit: AP Photo/Wade Payne

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Tide’s Orange & Yellow Returns to #NASCAR

Tide’s Orange & Yellow Returns to #NASCAR

P&G’s Tide Brand Returns As A # NASCAR Sponsor, Partnering With Joe Gibbs Racing And Driver Matt Kenseth.

Tide’s Orange & Yellow Returns to #NASCAR

Tide and Joe Gibbs Racing announced yesterday that they will bring back one of the most iconic brands in the history of NASCAR for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, September 4. Tide’s unforgettable orange and yellow paint scheme has been reborn as a more powerful Tide PODS Toyota Camry, and will be driven by Joe Gibbs Racing driver Matt Kenseth.

As the iconic laundry detergent celebrates its Seventh 70th anniversary, the classic orange-and-yellow paint scheme will once again hit the track, reborn as the new powerful Tide PODS Toyota Camry, to showcase the evolution of the brand.

The Tide brand has been at the forefront of some of NASCAR’s most memorable moments, from three-time champion Darrell Waltrip notching his first Daytona 500 win in 1989 to Ricky Craven edging out a win at Darlington Raceway by the shortest margin in NASCAR history: 0.002 seconds. During its nearly 20-year stint in the sport, Tide powered over 200 top-ten finishes and 20 wins across 628 starts in the Sprint Cup Series.

Matt Kenseth - Tide’s Orange & Yellow Returns to #NASCAR

“Tide has such a rich history in this sport,” said Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 20 Toyota Camry. “I can’t think of a better race to make their return to NASCAR than for the Southern 500. I’m looking forward to being a part of the second annual throwback weekend, and am proud to represent such an iconic brand. There have been many great moments associated with Tide and its former talented drivers; I’m honored to continue the legacy with Tide PODS at Darlington.”

“This is a thrill for us,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Not only is this a throwback paint scheme that we know the fans will be excited for, but it is with a sponsor that has a tremendous history in our sport. This is our 25th Anniversary season at Joe Gibbs Racing and I know it is the 70th Anniversary of Tide. They really are a historic brand in our country and their new partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing for Darlington is a real honor.”



In all, as a primary sponsor Tide amassed 20 total wins and powered 203 top-ten finishes (out of 628 total starts) throughout its 20-year involvement in the sport.

Did You Know:

While not a prominent partner in the sport at the time, in February 2012 Tide was part of a memorable piece of NASCAR and pop culture history. Near the finish of the Daytona 500, the No. 42 car lost control under caution and collided with the back of a jet dryer. Nearly 200 gallons of jet fuel from the dryer dumped onto the surface of the track, almost immediately igniting a large fire, with heat from the burning fuel severely damaging the asphalt.

After putting out the flames, track safety workers poured numerous, large boxes of Tide detergent all over the track, using brooms to scrub it into the surface. Known for its cleaning power since its inception, Tide’s unique formula saved the race from ending prematurely, allowing teams to get back on track and race to the finish. The remarkable clean-up efforts made national headlines and once again proved Tide’s powerful clean can handle any job, no matter the size.

About Tide Pods

Named one of 2016’s Products of the Year, Tide PODS is a 3-in-1 laundry solution, consisting of a detergent, stain remover and brightener all in one convenient pac. The concentrated power of Tide PODS is designed to handle a broad range of challenging conditions and soils in both traditional and high-efficiency machines. Tide PODS are available at Food Lion and other major retailers nationwide. To learn more about Tide PODS, please visit Tide.com.

About P&G

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

About Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, three NASCAR XFINITY Series teams and a driver development program. Its 2016 driver lineup consists of Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, and Carl Edwards in the Sprint Cup Series. Daniel Suarez and Erik Jones will run fulltime in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, joining Kyle Busch and Matt Tifft who will run partial schedules. In addition, Cody Coughlin is currently in JGR’s driver development program. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs — a three-time Super Bowl winner as head coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame — JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning four Cup Series championships, and four XFINITY Series owner’s championships along with more than 200 NASCAR races, including five Brickyard 400s and two Daytona 500s.