Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Returns to East Coast in 2018

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Returns to East Coast in 2018

For the first time in more than seven years, 225 riders will travel the East Coast on the Ride’s 24th Anniversary trek raising money to send kids to Victory Junction

Former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty is once again revving up his Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America for the 24th year in a row.

 

Former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty is once again revving up his Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America for the 24th year in a row. As one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country, the Ride will travel down the East Coast this spring for the first time since 2011.

Presented for the sixth consecutive year by Manheim®, North America’s leading provider of used vehicle services, the Ride will travel 1,200 miles to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction
Starting in Portland, Maine, on May 5 and ending in Greensboro, North Carolina, on May 11, Petty will lead 225 participants, including a record of more than 25 new riders, through nine states in seven days.

Presented for the sixth consecutive year by Manheim®, North America’s leading provider of used vehicle services, the Ride will travel 1,200 miles to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.


But perhaps the most exciting part of the 2018 Ride will be its homecoming and finale celebration at Victory Junction.
Dubbed by Petty as “The Americana Tour,” this year’s route features many bucket list stops, sights and activities for participants – including victory laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway, the hallowed grounds of Woodstock, tours of the Martin Guitar Factory, Harley-Davidson Factory and Petty Museum, a visit to Manheim Pennsylvania—the world’s largest auto auction, and so much more.

But perhaps the most exciting part of the 2018 Ride will be its homecoming and finale celebration at Victory Junction.

“It’s been more than seven years since we’ve been to the East Coast. We heard the requests of both our riders and fans, and we’re excited to deliver a special route full of incredible surprises and experiences, like riding through Shenandoah National Park – which will be the 13th national park visited on the Ride,” said Petty. “We’ll also be ending the Ride at Camp this year, which always brings everything full circle. Year after year, all the miles we travel are for the kids at Victory Junction. They’re the reason we ride.”

Spectators along the 2018 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s seven overnight stops or daily fuel stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia and make donations.


Spectators along the 2018 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s seven overnight stops or daily fuel stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia and make donations.

24th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:
  • • Day 1, Saturday, May 5 – Portland, Maine to Albany, New York
  • • Day 2, Sunday, May 6 – Albany, New York to Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania
  • • Day 3, Monday, May 7 – Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania to Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • • Day 4, Tuesday, May 8 – “Off Day” in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • • Day 5, Wednesday, May 9 – Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Winchester, Virginia
  • • Day 6, Thursday, May 10 – Winchester, Virginia to Hot Springs, Virginia
  • • Day 7, Friday, May 11 – Hot Springs, Virginia to Greensboro, North Carolina

“Giving back is a big priority for Manheim and our parent company Cox, so we are thrilled to sponsor the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America once again this year,” said Grace Huang, president of Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions. “We’re excited that this year’s route will bring riders to the largest auto auction location in the world—our very own Manheim Pennsylvania—where we look forward to welcoming everyone and rallying together to support this worthwhile cause.”

Because of the Ride, 8,085 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. Last year alone, the Ride raised $1.3 million and sent 100 children to Camp. Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam.

Among the celebrities participating in this year’s Ride are:
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty;
  • NASCAR legends Harry Gant, Hershel McGriff and Donnie Allison; 
  • Current NASCAR driver David Ragan; 
  • Former NASCAR driver and ESPN racing analyst Ricky Craven; 
  • Former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner (1982) Herschel Walker;
  • Heisman Trophy winner (1980) and Super Bowl champion (XXII) George Rogers;
  • NBC Sports NASCAR personalities Krista Voda, Rutledge Wood and Rick Allen.

“What started as Kyle and a few friends just having a good time, riding to-and-from racetracks, has turned into something so much more. It’s still a way for everyone to have a good time, but to also do some good,” said Kyle’s father Richard Petty. “Because of these riders and fans, so many deserving kids get to have life-changing experiences at Victory Junction.”

What started as Kyle and a few friends just having a good time, riding to-and-from racetracks, has turned into something so much more.

The 2018 Ride is made possible by presenting sponsors:
  • Manheim
  • Coca-Cola
  • Harley-Davidson Motor Company
  • Dodge Law
  • Racing Electronics
  • WinCraft Racing
  • FLUIDYNE Racing Products
  • Petty Family Foundation
  • Headbands of Hope
  • Piedmont Moving Systems,
  • WileyX
  • Goody’s.

Keep up with Petty and the Ride on social media at the following accounts:

For more information about the Ride or to donate, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com.


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Kyle Busch to Go For the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sweep

Kyle Busch to Go For the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sweep

A hometown boy will go for the sweep at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.

A hometown boy will go for the sweep at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.

Kyle Busch, the 2015 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, will compete in all three races of the speedway's first-ever NASCAR tripleheader Friday through Sunday. The Las Vegas native will race in the Stratosphere 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event on Friday, then get behind the wheel again on Saturday for the Boyd Gaming 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race before going for the checkered flag in Sunday's Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube MENCS race.

Kurt Busch - #NASCAR Champion
His older brother, Kurt, is another of 37 entries in Sunday's 267-lap race, and there are other area drivers competing over the weekend as well. Spencer Gallagher will drive the No. 23 car in the Boyd Gaming 300 on Saturday, while former Bullring star Noah Gragson is racing the No. 18 truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Stratosphere 200 on Friday.

Cole Custer will make his career debut in the #MENCS Series at Las Vegas - #NASCAR
Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon will pull double duty on Saturday and Sunday, as will Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Cole Custer. Sunday will mark Custer's career debut in the MENCS, and Daytona 500 runner-up Bubba Wallace also will compete in the MENCS for the first time in Las Vegas.

Reigning MENCS Champion Martin Truex Jr. will be back to defend his 2017 Las Vegas victory on Sunday, with Ben Rhodes going for two in a row in the track's NCWTS race on Friday.

There are tentatively 41 entries for Saturday's Boyd Gaming 300, with 31 entries lined up for Friday's Stratosphere 200.
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Monday, February 26, 2018

Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta

Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta

1-2-3 MENCS Ford Finish (#BloominMonday)

Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta - #NASCAR

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 won back-2-back races at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and recorded Stewart-Haas Racing’s 40th points win. Harvick in his Ford Fusion won his second career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta, with Ford teammates, Brad Keselowski and Clint Bowyer sweeping the top three spots in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.


“Congratulations to Kevin, Stewart-Haas and the entire Ford organization,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “I’m so happy for Kevin, this was a great way to finish the weekend. We are honored to partner with Ford to power these Ford Fusions.”

Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta - #NASCAR

“I’m just so proud of everybody on our team,” Harvick commented. “That was the first win in my career and to be able to do that and pay tribute to Dale was pretty cool. I’ve been waiting a long time to do that. We’ve had so many days where we could do that here, but I just want to thank everybody who puts this car on the race track and for five years it’s been so fast at this particular race track and a lot of other ones. I love racing here and it’s good to be back in Victory Lane finally.”


Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta - #NASCAR

Harvick with the Ford FR9 horsepower under the hood of the Ford Fusion dominated the race by leading 181 out of the 325 lap race and recorded a new track record for total laps led (1,152). After winning Stage 1, the race came down to a 22 lap shootout between Harvick and Keselowski. Lined up side-by-side on the front row, Harvick launched the No. 4 on the restart and never looked back until he took the checkered flag, finishing 2.690 seconds ahead of Keselowski to take home his first Cup win at Atlanta since 2001. “Harvick was in a league of his own today,” commented Keselowski.

Joining Harvick, Keselowski and Bowyer in the top-10 were Joey Logano in P6 and Kurt Busch in P8.

Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta - #NASCAR

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Harvick drove the No. 98 Ford Mustang to win the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race for new team partners Stewart-Haas Racing with Biagi-DenBeste in the Rinnai 250. Ford teammate, Joey Logano in the No. 22 made it a 1-2 finish on the 1.5-mile track.


Harvick, starting in the fifth position took control of the race early on by winning Stage 1 and Stage 2. Harvick seemed to be on cruise control, putting the 98 in the right spot at the right time with perfect execution to lead 141 laps out of the 163 lap race, recording his fifth career NXS win at Atlanta.

Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta - #NASCAR

Four Fords finished in the top-10. Harvick and Logano were followed by Team Penske teammate Austin Cindric in P7 and Ryan Reed from Roush Fenway Racing in P10.

Happy Harvick Sweeps Atlanta - #NASCAR

Source:  Roush Yates Engines Press Release


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Truex Scores Kaulig Racing’s First Back-to-Back Top-10 Finish with Ninth at Atlanta

  • Truex Scores Kaulig Racing’s First Back-to-Back Top-10 Finish with Ninth at Atlanta Start: 15th 
  • Stage one: 12th 
  • Stage 2: 11th 
  • Finish: 9th 
  •  
  • Driver standings: 4th (63 points) 

This race marks the first time Kaulig Racing has finished in the top-10 consecutively.

Driver Ryan Truex: “We had a really good car…it was typical Atlanta. We just had to keep the tires under it. Chris Rice and this whole Bar Harbor Sea Watch team gave me a great car and he made all the right calls and it was good to have Matt (Kaulig) up on the box. We’re going to run good at Vegas.” 


Matt Kaulig, Owner: “Two top-10s…that’s hard to do, that’s really hard to do…and that’s outstanding. (Ryan) did a killer job today and it was awesome. Ryan’s for real. It was a great job today by everyone at Kaulig Racing.”


Taking Some Time After the Driver’s Meeting to Talk to Some #NASCAR Fans
Taking Some Time After the Driver’s Meeting to Talk to Some #NASCAR Fans


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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Darn It Is Wet at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Darn It Is Wet at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Teams staying dry in the Atlanta Motor Speedway #NASCAR Garages (@NASCARonReddit)
Teams staying dry in the Atlanta Motor Speedway #NASCAR Garages
(@NASCARonReddit)

The probability of a rainy race day prompted #NASCAR officials to move the scheduled start time of today's 'Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500' at Atlanta Motor Speedway from 2 p.m.  to 1 p.m. Eastern.  However, by the look of the current Twitterverse - that move might not prove sufficient.









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Atlanta Motor Speedway - Saturday Doubleheader Recap!

Atlanta Motor Speedway - Saturday Doubleheader Recap!
Atlanta Motor Speedway - Saturday Doubleheader Recap! #NASCAR

Kevin Harvick Wins Rinnai 250

Kevin Harvick Wins Rinnai 250 - #NASCAR


Kevin Harvick surged to the front on a one-lap shootout to end Stage 1 and rolled to a dominating win in Saturday's Rinnai 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Harvick has won the Xfinity Series race at AMS four of the last six years and five times overall.

Only seven cars finished on the lead lap as Harvick set a strong pace after starting fifth. The No. 98 car led 137 of 163 laps. 

Kevin Harvick Wins Rinnai 250 - #NASCAR


"It's just been a really good place for me," said Harvick, whose first ever Cup Series win came at Atlanta in 2001. "The race track has stayed very similar to what it's been for a number of years. It's been a great race track for us. I was frustrated last year when we didn't leave here with a trophy on either day and that's always our goal."

Joey Logano was second, but never serious challenged Harvick and finished 4.183 seconds back.

"I don't think we were even close," Logano said with a head shake. "Kevin played with us all day long. He ran a few hard laps when he needed to. It doesn't matter what car he's driving, Kevin's just really good at Atlanta.

"Second always stings a little bit."

Pole-sitter Christopher Bell, a rookie in Xfinity after winning last year's Camping World Truck Series championship, led 11 laps and ended up third. His rear tire tagged the wall with five laps to go and the No. 20 car lost a spot to Logano.

"I just got really loose there the last run," Bell said. "I don't know. I wish I would have been able to hold off a little longer and been second instead of third, but overall a really good points day for us to start out the 2018 season. This place is a ton of fun."

Chevy drivers occupied the next three spots. John Hunter Nemechek was fourth in his series debut, followed by Elliott Sadler and Justin Allgaier. Austin Cindric was seventh and the rest of the field finished a lap, or more, off the lead.

Brett Moffitt Wins Active Pest Control 200 Benefiting Children's Healthcare Of Atlanta

Brett Moffitt Wins Active Pest Control 200 Benefiting Children's Healthcare Of Atlanta - #NASCAR


Brett Moffitt slid down to the bottom edge, surged to the lead in overtime and won the Active Pest Control 200 benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Saturday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Moffitt got a chance to claim just his second Camping World Truck Series win after pole-sitter Kyle Busch had a pit miscommunication under caution.

The field pitted with six laps to go and Busch, who led 67 laps, left his pit box before the lugs on his left rear tire were secure. Busch made it off pit road and the tire fell off. He reverse to get it fixed, but a win was no longer in the cards.

Moffitt powered away from defending series champion Johnny Sauter and Noah Gragson to win in the two-lap overtime finish.

Brett Moffitt Wins Active Pest Control 200 Benefiting Children's Healthcare Of Atlanta - #NASCAR

"I knew I needed to get a good jump and get to the inside," Moffitt said. "Then I was just watching my mirror, holding it wide open for two laps straight there. Luckily they were getting smaller in the mirror.

"It's unreal to be in Victory Lane this early with such a new group. I love this place — and I love it even more now."

Gragson, who won Stage 1, finished second. Sauter jumped to the lead after a shuffle at the top to start Stage 2 and led 12 laps before Busch took control in the final stage. Only Sauter was in striking distance of Busch when Josh Reaume wrecked with six laps to go.

Under caution, teams were able to pit and that's when the door opened for Moffitt.

"I had a good launch," Sauter said. "I felt like I did it right grabbing gears. I'd love to be able to tell you I could do something different, I just don't think I could have. Wide open is wide open.

"All in a all, a decent night for our Allegiant Sunseeker Chevy. I'm proud of the guys. It's far and away the best run I've ever had here. I felt like we were in the right position and it just didn't work out. That's racing. But my pit crew was phenomenal."

Ben Rhodes struggled with his engine all night, but slogged through the difficulties to finish fourth.

"There were times during the race where I would go a second and a half without power in the corner," Rhodes said. "I mean, the motor was just completely out. I would go down to 5,000 rpm, which is absurd. Then going down the straightaways, I felt like I was on six or seven cylinders at times. For the whole race it plagued us and we could never figure out what it was. I'm really disappointed. We have a championship team and we're making championship runs."

Two-time truck champion Matt Crafton was fifth. Stewart Friesen, rookie Myatt Snider, Jesse Little, Grant Enfinger and Austin Dillon rounded out the top 10.

Snider was up front at the restart, but only got there by opting to get two tires instead of four.

"This is unbelievable to even be in a race car, much less in victory lane," Moffitt said. "We had a really good truck all night and right here I knew (Snider) was a sitting duck. I just wanted to get a good restart and hopefully they got into a battle behind me, which they did. It's pretty surreal."



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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Monster Energy #NASCAR Cup Series - New Start Time Announced!

Monster Energy #NASCAR Cup Series - New Start Time Announced!

Everyone will have to get up an hour earlier


Monster Energy #NASCAR Cup Series - New Start Time Announced!

Due to the probability of wet weather in the Hampton, Georgia area in Sunday afternoon's forecast, Atlanta Motor Speedway, in collaboration with NASCAR, will proactively move the start time for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 to 1 p.m.

This moves the drop of the green flag up one hour from the originally scheduled 2 p.m. start. Driver introductions will now begin at 12:20 p.m., and all entry gates will open at 9 a.m., one hour earlier than originally scheduled.


Additionally, the Atlanta Motor Speedway Pre-Race Concert presented by iHeartRadio featuring Chris Janson will begin at 11a.m., near the start/finish line on the frontstretch.

Kyle Busch will start from the pole, with Ryan Newman on the outside front row.


Kyle Busch will start from the pole, with Ryan Newman on the outside front row. Kyle Busch claimed his first official pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Monster Energy Cup Series with a speed of 184.652 mph in Friday's qualifying for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Busch jumped in at the last moment to lay down the fastest lap in 30.024 seconds.

"The pole run was really good," Busch said. "Atlanta is a tough place. It's certainly not easy. You have to make sure you bide your time a little bit with the tires and everything. Going through three rounds of qualifying, we knew that would be a challenge, but it seemed like we got it right there on that last one."

Stay tuned to www.atlantamotorspeedway.com and its social media channels for the latest information from the track.

Starting lineup for the QuikTrip Folds of Honor 500

  1. (18) Kyle Busch, 184.652 mph
  2. (31) Ryan Newman, 184.419 mph
  3. (4) Kevin Harvick, 184.388 mph
  4. (19) Daniel Suarez, 184.229 mph
  5. (2) Brad Keselowski, 183.856 mph
  6. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 183.722 mph
  7. (41) Kurt Busch, 183.485 mph
  8. (42) Kyle Larson, 183.449 mph
  9. (14) Clint Bowyer, 182.284 mph
  10. (20) Erik Jones, 181.052 mph
  11. (10) Aric Almirola, 0.00 mph
  12. (11) Denny Hamlin, 0.00 mph
  13. (1) Jamie McMurray, 182.825 mph
  14. (95) Kasey Kahne, 182.507 mph
  15. (21) Paul Menard, 182.464 mph
  16. (22) Joey Logano, 182.129 mph
  17. (34) Michael McDowell, 181.955 mph
  18. (88) Alex Bowman, 181.634 mph
  19. (43) Darrell Wallace Jr., 181.467 mph
  20. (6) Trevor Bayne, 181.307 mph
  21. (47) AJ Allmendinger, 181.248 mph
  22. (48) Jimmie Johnson, 181.236 mph
  23. (24) William Byron, 180.804 mph
  24. (37) Chris Buescher, 0.00 mph
  25. (3) Austin Dillon, 181.753 mph
  26. (12) Ryan Blaney, 181.550 mph
  27. (9) Chase Elliott, 181.082 mph
  28. (13) Ty Dillon, 180.293 mph
  29. (38) David Ragan, 180.117 mph
  30. (32) Matt DiBenedetto, 178.914 mph
  31. (23) Gray Gaulding, 0.00 mph
  32. (72) Cole Whitt, 177.045 mph
  33. (00) Jeffrey Earnhardt, 174.362 mph
  34. (15) Ross Chastain, 174.362 mph
  35. (78) Martin Truex Jr., 0.00 mph
  36. (51) Harrison Rhodes, 0.00 mph


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What’s Happening In #NASCAR Today

What’s Happening In #NASCAR Today

Atlanta Motor Speedway - Rinnai 250 (#NXS) and Active Pest Control 200 benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (#NCWTS)

What’s Happening In #NASCAR Today

NASCAR Xfinity Series

    NASCAR Xfinity Series - Rinnai 250 #NASCAR
  • Next Race: Rinnai 250
  • The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway
  • The Date: Saturday, Feb. 24
  • The Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: FS1, 1:30 p.m. ET
  • Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
  • Distance: 251.02 miles (163 laps)
    • Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),
    • Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80),
    • Final Stage (Ends on lap 163)


NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

    #NASCAR Camping World Truck Series - Active Pest Control 200 benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  • Next Race: Active Pest Control 200 benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  • The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway
  • The Date: Saturday, Feb. 24
  • The Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: FS1, 4:30 p.m. ET
  • Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
  • Distance: 200.2 miles (130 laps); 
    • Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),
    • Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80), 
    • Final Stage (Ends on lap 130)

What’s Happening In #NASCAR Today

NASCAR Xfinity Series



Sunoco Rookie Tyler Reddick’s Already Making A Name For Himself In 2018

Sunoco Rookie Tyler Reddick’s Already Making A Name For Himself In 2018 #NASCAR

JR Motorsport’s latest addition to the organization, Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Tyler Reddick, jumped on the NASCAR Xfinity Series scene last weekend by not only winning the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, but also by locking himself into the Playoffs and perching himself atop the series driver standings. Now the 22-year old from Corning, California has set his sights on a title, but first must make his series debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend.

Spencer Gallagher Has GMS Racing A Contender Early in 2018

Spencer Gallagher’s sophomore season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series has started off in the right direction, as the 28-year old from Las Vegas, Nevada posted his best series career finish of sixth at Daytona International Speedway last weekend. The top-10 was the best finish by the GMS Racing organization in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to date. The solid showing has Gallagher ranked third in the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings, also his best ranking in the points in his series career, 11 points back from the series lead.

JR Motorsport’s Elliott Sadler Is Picking Up Where He Left Off Last Season

JR Motorsport’s Elliott Sadler Is Picking Up Where He Left Off Last Season #NASCAR


After an emotional finish to last season that left Elliott Sadler runner-up in the final standings for the fifth time in his career, the veteran from Virginia returns in 2018 with one thing on his mind – the championship. Saturday’s race at Daytona looked to be the perfect stepping stone to his goal, but his JR Motorsports teammate Tyler Reddick had other plans, and squeezed out the win over Sadler by the closest margin of victory in NASCAR national series history (an official margin of victory of 0.000).


With another runner-up finish burning fresh in his mind, Elliott Sadler heads to Atlanta not only hungry for championship, but also a win. He hasn’t visited Victory Lane since Kentucky in 2016 (40 races ago).

Ryan Truex And Kaulig Racing Are Contenders Out Of the Box

Ryan Truex And Kaulig Racing Are Contenders Out Of the Box #NASCAR
Lots of anticipation and high expectations didn’t phase Kaulig Racing’s Ryan Truex this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway, as he posted his first top-10 finish with his new team in the 2018 season opener.

Ryan Truex, younger brother to 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., joined forces with Kaulig Racing this season to run for the NASCAR Xfinity Series title after a strong performance last season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Hattori Racing Enterprises.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series



Three’s Company For Johnny Sauter

Johnny Sauter knows how to start a season off right. After last Friday night’s win in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway, he’s now accumulated a series-high three victories in the opening race. His other two trips to Victory Lane came in 2013 (then driving the No. 98 for ThorSport Racing) and 2016.


Crafton Looking To Return To Victory Lane…On Pavement

2017 was not a typical year for the driver of the No. 88 for ThorSport Racing. Matt Crafton only visited Victory Lane once…on dirt…at Eldora. And he hasn’t won on a paved surface since May of 2016 when he won at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That’s a streak of 39 races on paved tracks without a win for the two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion.

But if there’s a place where Crafton should feel confident he can reverse this fortune and cross the finish line first with his Ford, it’s Atlanta Motor Speedway where he won in 2015 as the series returned to Georgia after a two-year hiatus.

Subbing In

Todd Gilliland's Dad David took Pole in the #NASCAR #NCWTS Season Opener.
Todd Gilliland is scheduled to contend for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors this season, but he has to wait a few races to get in the truck. Until he turns 18 in May, the third-generation driver is unable to compete at tracks 1.5 miles or longer.

In the interim, his father, David, filled in at Daytona and now his truck owner, Kyle Busch, will take over the wheel at Atlanta and Kansas. (Spencer Davis is slated to drive the No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota at Las Vegas.)


Almost-To-The-Front (Row) Joe

Almost-To-The-Front (Row) Joe and Son #NASCAR
Nearly lost in the excitement of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona last Friday night was the presence of veteran driver and team owner Joe Nemechek on the podium with a third-place finish in the season opener.

Nemechek, whose son John Hunter also competed in the race for NEMCO Motorsports and finished 25th after being caught up in wreck, posted his best finish since a third-place effort at Texas in June of 2014. The elder Nemechek will pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend at Atlanta, a race that his son won in 2016.


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Friday, February 23, 2018

Don’t Care What You Think, NASCAR Race Mom Will Miss Danica

Don’t Care What You Think, NASCAR Race Mom Will Miss Danica

Dared to Be Different #StrongIsTheNewPretty

Don’t Care What You Think, #NASCAR Race Mom Will Miss Danica


This previous November, Ms. Patrick announce that she would be retiring from full-time on-track competition. Patrick also announced her intention to compete in both the 2018 Daytona 500 and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 – nicknamed the ‘Danica Double.’

“This is definitely the way I want to finish my racing career – at these two iconic races, backed by my iconic, long-time sponsor,” Patrick stated. “GoDaddy was there for me when my career was just really starting so it’s exciting to be getting back in the GoDaddy ‘green’ for my final two races. Our brands have always been powerful together, and I think it’s awesome to have them at my side when I go ‘all in’ with my businesses after racing.”

Last week’s race at the Daytona International Speedway, represented the first half of the ‘Danica Double.’ Unfortunately, her NASCAR career officially ended when she was caught-up in a multi-car crash that began near the front of the field. Patrick, who was racing her No. 7 GoDaddy Green car in the middle of the drafting pack, could not avoid a spinning Chase Elliott.




Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick at #NASCAR Daytona 500Danica was again just in the wrong place at the wrong time – not very remarkable, but the norm. Patrick has never won in NASCAR, leading only 64 laps with just seven top-ten finishes and one pole in just over five full seasons. Her IndyCar stats are not much better.

Needless to say, Danica Patrick’s on-track performance has not impressed. However, while she is not one of my favorite drivers; one must recognize what she has done for the sport of NASCAR.

First off, whether the reason be positive or negative, Danica has exposed NASCAR to millions of new people and potential fans. Danica Patrick’s appeal goes far beyond the traditional NASCAR genre. Some just wanted to boo her as a woman pioneering in a man’s sport. Others looked to her as their role model as they ventured into the male dominated career. No one can deny that Patrick services as an epitome or idol to young ladies interested in motorsports.



Further, Danica Patrick gave great value to her sponsors and business partners. GoDaddy became a multibillion brand on her shoulders. She was a good ambassador of her own brands and the NASCAR brand.

Danica Patrick was caught-up in a multi-car crash at the #NASCAR Daytona 500


Now what NASCAR Race Mom is going to miss the most about not having Danica in NASCAR is the absence of her toughness and determination. Danica showed up every race ready to do her job.

Who can forget the time Patrick and Landon Cassill were displeased with the way they were racing each other for position (in 2012). Unfortunately, by losing her cool and retaliating against Cassill, Patrick also wrecked herself, tearing up her car and knocking herself out of the race.

“At some point I have to stand up for myself so this doesn't happen with other people. I chose today,” Patrick said after learning the hard way that Rule No. 1 in stock-car racing is - Wreck Someone Without Wrecking Yourself.”

Patrick will end her racing career at the Indianapolis 500 this May, where she will drive for Ed Carpenter Racing. She has branched out into several other careers and projects for her life after racing, including her own line of athletic apparel, a self-penned fitness book and ownership of a California vineyard.

Honestly, whether you like Danica or not; NASCAR Race Mom can guarantee you will miss her much more than she will miss you!





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