Saturday, June 27, 2020

It’s Ty Gibbs’ Party at Pocono

It’s Ty Gibbs’ Party at Pocono
POCONO, Pa. — Once Ty Gibbs got out front, it was game over.

Ty Gibbs, driver of the #18 Monster/Terrible Herbst/ORCA Toyota,
celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the the General Tire #AnywhereisPossible 200.
ARCA Menards Series|Pocono Raceway|June 26, 2020|Adam Glanzman/ARCA Racing


The 17-year-old North Carolina driver dominated the General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200 at Pocono Raceway Friday en route to his third career ARCA Menards Series win.

To get the victory, Gibbs out-ran runner up Chandler Smith and third-place Sam Mayer, who were celebrating their 18th and 17th birthdays, respectively, on race day.

Two weeks after he held off Mayer at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway in the ARCA Menards Series East, Gibbs was even better in his No. Monster/Terrible Herbst/ORCA Toyota; his margin of victory on the 2.5-mile tri-oval was 2.314 seconds. It was Gibbs’ sixth win in the ARCA Menards, East and West series in just 21 starts.


Gibbs is also the 28th consecutive different ARCA Menards winner at Pocono, a streak that dates back to 2006 and includes current NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Joey Logano, Ty Dillon, Chase Elliott and Cole Custer.



Chandler Smith, who was fastest in practice earlier in the day, passed Mayer late to take the second spot but could not run down Gibbs.


Bret Holmes finished fourth and championship points leader Michael Self was fifth.


Hailie Deegan, Derek Griffith, Drew Dollar, Ryan Huff and Scott Melton rounded out the top 10.


RELATED: Race Results


Self was able to improve his points lead to 15 on Dollar and 16 on Deegan after four races. Holmes, who picked up his second straight top five in ARCA Menards Series is 24 back of Self.


The General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200 aired live on FS1.


The ARCA Menards Series will be back on track for the Calypso Lemonade 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis on Friday, July 3, 2020.


Ty Gibbs, driver of the #18 Monster / Terrible Herbst / ORCA Toyota, during the the General Tire #AnywhereisPossible 200 for the ARCA Menards Series at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania on Friday, June 26, 2020. (Adam Glanzman/ARCA Racing)
Ty Gibbs, driver of the #18 Monster/Terrible Herbst/ORCA Toyota, rolled
 to the win in the the General Tire #AnywhereisPossible 200 for the ARCA Menards
Series at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania on Friday (Adam Glanzman/ARCA Racing)








🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. Joe Gibbs Racing Hot Streak
  2. ARCA Racing General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200
  3. Time to Move On – NASCAR Noose Not
  4. NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend Schedule
  5. US DOJ and FBI Investigating NASCAR Noose

Friday, June 26, 2020

Joe Gibbs Racing Hot Streak

Joe Gibbs Racing Hot Streak #NASCAR

JGR Has Won The Last Three Consecutive Pocono Cup Races

In five of the last nine NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway one team has been unstoppable – Joe Gibbs Racing.

Starting with Matt Kenseth’s win on Aug. 2, 2015, Joe Gibbs Racing has won five of the last nine NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway including the last three consecutive - Kyle Busch’s win in July of 2017 and his back-to-back victories in July 2018 and June 2019 and Denny Hamlin’s victory last July.



Now as the series returns for a special doubleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway, two JGR drivers (Kyle Busch & Erik Jones) are still looking for their first wins of 2020. Busch, the defending winner of last season’s June Pocono race, is currently ninth in points, the highest ranked driver in the standings without a win this year. But Pocono has been particularly good to Busch as of late, in his last seven series starts at the track he has put up three wins and seven consecutive top 10s.

Busch’s teammate Erik Jones hasn’t won at Pocono Raceway yet, but he has put up some impressive performances in his six career starts, collecting four top fives and the series leading average finish of 8.3. Jones will need to claw his way back into postseason contention, as he dropped to 17th in the standings following Talladega - the first spot outside the Playoff cutoff. He is just one point behind Tyler Reddick in 16th.

Plus, let’s not forget five-time Pocono winner Denny Hamlin (2006 sweep, July 2009, June 2010 and July 2019) and two-time winner Martin Truex Jr. (June 2015, June 2018) will be in the mix this weekend as well. Hamlin leads the series in wins this season with three victories (Daytona, Darlington, Homestead) and will be looking to pad his series leading 18 Playoff points this weekend.

His teammate Truex also has a victory this season (Martinsville) and will look to get his first Pocono checkered flag for Joe Gibbs Racing. The New Jersey native’s previous two series wins at Pocono were with Furniture Row Racing, and he actually is one of just 11 drivers to accomplish the feat in multiple manufacturers (Chevrolet, Toyota); joining Kurt Busch (Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet), Bill Elliott (Buick, Ford), Darrell Waltrip (Buick, Chevrolet), Denny Hamlin (Chevrolet, Toyota), Geoffrey Bodine (Chevrolet, Ford), Harry Gant (Chevrolet, Oldsmobile), Kasey Kahne (Dodge, Chevrolet), Rusty Wallace (Ford, Pontiac), Terry Labonte (Ford, Chevrolet) and Tim Richmond (Pontiac, Chevrolet). 


#18 Kyle Busch - Joe Gibbs Racing Hot Streak #NASCAR

#19 - Martin Truex Jr. - Joe Gibbs Racing Hot Streak #NASCAR

#20 Erik Jones - Joe Gibbs Racing Hot Streak #NASCAR

#11 Denny Hamlin - Joe Gibbs Racing Hot Streak #NASCAR


🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. ARCA Racing General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200
  2. Time to Move On – NASCAR Noose Not
  3. NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend Schedule
  4. US DOJ and FBI Investigating NASCAR Noose
  5. Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish ”

Thursday, June 25, 2020

ARCA Racing General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200

ARCA Racing General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200
Drew Dollar, driver of the #15 Lynx Capital / Dollar Concrete Toyota #ARCA
Drew Dollar, driver of the #15 Lynx Capital / Dollar Concrete Toyota,
celebrates in victory lane after winning the General Tire 200 at
Talladega Speedway for the ARCA Menards Series on June 20, 2020.


Tomorrow (June 26), at 6:00 p.m., the ARCA Menards Series will hit the “Tricky Triangle” for the sixty-seventh (67th) time. The series will kick off the big five-race weekend at Pocono Raceway with the General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200.

The starting field is limited to thirty-six, which includes provisional positions. There will be no qualifying.

The field will be set by:
  1. 2020 Owners Points (1-20)
  2. Random Draw (21-30)
  3. Provisional Process (31-36)

However, there are currently only twenty entries; so it looks like everyone will get to race. 

ARCA Racing General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200


The General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200 will be 80 laps (200 miles) and is to be run in three (3) segments. The race will have the first break, at or near the conclusion of Lap 20. The race will have the second break, at or near the conclusion of Lap 50. At the conclusion of the break(s), vehicles will line up in the order they were running at the beginning of the break.

RACE PIT STOP: No adding or moving tires to or from pit box once race has started. A maximum four (4) crew members may service car. No tires and fuel may be added outside of the break.

Since 2010, there have been 20 different winners in 20 races at Pocono Raceway. None of the previous winners are entered in Friday’s event, meaning one driver will make it 21 different winners.

General Tire #ANYWHEREISPOSSIBLE 200
Entry List


# Driver Car Crew Chief
1 0 Don Thompson Chev. Wayne Peterson
2 1 Tommy Vigh, Jr. Chev. Trey Galgon
3 4 Hailie Deegan Toyota Seth Smith
4 6 Tim Richmond Toyota Brad Frye
5 8 Russ Lane Toyota Derek Hartnagel
6 10 Ryan Huff Ford Kevin Cram
7 11 Clay Greenfield Ford Dick Doheny
8 12 Ed Pompa Chev. Mike Sroufe
9 15 Drew Dollar Toyota Shannon Rursch
10 17 Tanner Gray Ford Blake Bainbridge
11 18 Ty Gibbs Toyota Mark McFarland
12 20 Chandler Smith Toyota Billy Venturini
13 21 Sam Mayer Chev. Mardy Lindley
14 22 Derek Griffith Ford Paul Andrews
15 23 Bret Holmes Chev. Shane Huffman
16 25 Michael Self Toyota Kevin Reed
17 46 Thad Moffitt Ford Derek Smith
18 48 Brad Smith Chev. Leo Kryger
19 69 Scott Melton Toyota Bill Kimmel
20 82 Sean Corr Chev. Mike Cheek

This writer would love to see Hailie Deegan #4 capture her first ARCA Win or Michael Self follow up his amazing Talladega save with his second 2020 Win. (They finished 1-2 in the season opener.

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. Time to Move On – NASCAR Noose Not
  2. NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend Schedule
  3. US DOJ and FBI Investigating NASCAR Noose
  4. Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish ”
  5. NASCAR President Regarding Noose In #43 Stall

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Time to Move On – NASCAR Noose Not

Time to Move On – NASCAR Noose Not

Nothing to See Here!!!

NASCAR statement on FBI investigation at Talladega Superspeedway

“The FBI has completed its investigation at Talladega Superspeedway and determined that Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime. The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall. This was obviously well before the 43 team’s arrival and garage assignment. We appreciate the FBI’s quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing.”

Time to Move On – #NASCAR Noose Not


Like I said in my end of last blog post on this subject:

Nevertheless, let us/NASCAR not go overboard and find the boogey man in every nook and cranny. Let the official investigation provide the truth.

It is over . . . . nothing racist or implicit happened in the #43 stall at Talladega.

While this writer is a tad disappointed at NASCAR Driver, Bubba Wallace prance response to the welcome news that this “NASCAR Noose” debacle was merely a mistake and rush to judgement; his team owner quickly reminds us why he is NASCAR’s king.



We, (all us NASCAR Fans) are all thankful for the swift and thorough investigation by NASCAR and all of the authorities involved. Nothing to see here . . . . time to move on and hopefully treat this incident as a reminder that rush to judgements oft times end in unexpected negative consequences. Next time, mayhap it would be prudent to wait until after investigations are concluded before going public.

Now Let’s go Racing!!!

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend Schedule
  2. US DOJ and FBI Investigating NASCAR Noose
  3. Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish ”
  4. NASCAR President Regarding Noose In #43 Stall
  5. Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley Gets 1st Xfinity Win

NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend Schedule

#NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend Schedule (June 26-28)
Following the guidance on sporting events in Pennsylvania issued by Governor Tom Wolf, the 2020 NASCAR events at Pocono Raceway will be held without fans in attendance. This decision, made in coordination with NASCAR and state officials, was not made lightly.

The 2020 #NASCAR events at Pocono Raceway will be held without fans in attendance.

Pocono Raceway Race Schedule

Friday Jun 26

6:00 pm
  • General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200
  • ARCA Menards Series Race
  • Race Info: (80 Laps/ 200 Miles)

Saturday Jun 27

12:30 pm
  • Pocono Organics 150 To Benefit Farm Aid
  • NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Race
  • Race Info: (60 Laps/150 Miles)

3:30 pm
  • Pocono Organics 325 In Partnership With Rodale Institute
  • NASCAR Cup Series Race
  • Race Info: (130 Laps/325 Miles)

Sunday Jun 28

12:30 pm
  • Pocono Green 225 Recycled By J.P. Mascaro & Sons
  • NASCAR Xfinity Race
  • Race Info: (90 Laps / 225 Miles)


4:00 pm
  • Pocono 350
  • NASCAR Cup Series Race
  • Race Info: (140 Laps/350 Miles)

This isn't what any of us expected & we wish that all our fans could join us this weekend! We promise to give you the best Pocono experience that we can, while it not be from the grandstand. See you soon @nascar Pocono Raceway


#NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend Schedule (June 26-28)


You can follow Pocono Raceway via Social Media

Click this link to check out the Pocono Raceway Digital Experience Hub!


🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. US DOJ and FBI Investigating NASCAR Noose
  2. Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish ”
  3. NASCAR President Regarding Noose In #43 Stall
  4. Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley Gets 1st Xfinity Win
  5. Class of 2021: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

US DOJ and FBI Investigating NASCAR Noose

US DOJ and FBI Investigating NASCAR Noose The United States Department of Justice announced yesterday that it will be looking into the noose found in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway in an attempt to determine if federal law was broken. The FBI is also investigating the discovery of the noose.

Noose found in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway #NASCAR


"The U.S. Attorney's office for the Northern District of Alabama, FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division are reviewing the situation surrounding the noose that was found in Bubba Wallace's garage to determine whether there are violations of federal law. Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society." The U.S. Department of Justice

It is truly unfortunately that a photo of the noose was not made public. Such documentations would surely stop the speculation that this act of Racial Terrorism was merely a misunderstanding and/or hoax.



One theory went viral that the ‘noose’ was circular serpentine automotive belt. The facebook user even reported that investigations are already over. – This is false! 



Another version purports that the noose was simply a rope used to pull the garage door closed.

Again, without further investigation, nothing is sure nor clear except the understanding that any acts of racism will not be tolerated.

Nevertheless, let us/NASCAR not go overboard and find the boogey man in every nook and cranny.  Let the official investigation provide the truth.

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish ”
  2. NASCAR President Regarding Noose In #43 Stall
  3. Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley Gets 1st Xfinity Win
  4. Class of 2021: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway

Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish

Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish

Driver of the No. 10 @SmithfieldBrand car for @StewartHaasRcng

Aric Almirola Spins Backwards to a 3rd Place Finish (#NASCAR)

Nothing is quite as entertaining to the undersigned than a NASCAR Driver battling for P1 at the checkered flag, only to get spun and cross the Start/Finish backwards still on podium!!! Well that is what racing veteran Aric Almirola accomplished yesterday in the ‘GEICO’ 500 at the 2.66 mile Oval, Talladega Superspeedway.


Yeah, so close with our Smithfield Ford Mustang. We had the strategy of kind of riding around surviving most of the race. We didn't race very aggressively early on in the race. As the laps wound down, I got to the front, then I got shuffled. Right there on that restart we found ourselves back in position. We had a really fast Ford Mustang.

I thought when everybody started getting stacked up on the front straightaway, I was shooting for whatever hole was open, kind of ping-ponging, weaving my way through there. I got all the way to the front row. I saw the 12 and 20 side-by-side side drafting, had a big head of steam on them. Honestly thought that I was going to get to the start/finish line before them.

When I crossed through the tri-oval, I thought we were going to win the race, I was going so much faster than they were. I just barely got clipped by I think the 47 and spun across the start/finish line, ended up third.

I'm happy to finish top five another week in a row. Felt like we were really close to winning that one. #10 Aric Almirola

Aric started the race fifteenth on the grid and finished third in race thirteen of thirty-six. He stands twelfth in the points.



Race Cap:

Stage 1 (Laps 1-60):
  • ● Aric Almirola started 15th and finished 25th.
  • ● After racing three wide in the first 10 laps, Almirola decided to drop out of the lead pack to avoid potential contact.
  • ● He pitted the No. 10 Smithfield Ford after the competition caution on lap 27 for four tires, fuel and adjustments.
  • ● The red flag was waved on lap 57 due to inclement weather.
  • ● When racing resumed, Almirola pitted at the end of the stage for four fresh tires and fuel.

Stage 2 (Laps 61-120):
  • ● Almirola started 19th and finished 25th.
  • ● The No. 10 Ford Mustang driver raced back to the top-10 on lap 65.
  • ● Almirola raced his way to the top-five on lap 75.
  • ● Almirola moved to the high line on lap 85, but was demoted out of the lead pack with no push from behind.
  • ● He pitted under caution on lap 97 for four tires and fuel to restart 20th.
  • ● Almirola pitted on lap 115 for four tires and fuel. He pit again to restart 31st for the two-lap shootout. He pitted for fuel only at the end of the stage and gained 17 positions.

Final Stage (Laps 121-191):
  • ● Almirola started 11th and finished third.
  • ● Almirola pitted after a lap-133 caution for four tires and fuel to restart 21st.
  • ● The No. 10 Ford pitted again on lap 145 under another caution for fuel only. He restarted 11th.
  • ● Almirola raced up to third after the restart.
  • ● He charged towards the lead with six laps to go, but was left in the outside lane with no help and fell to 21st.
  • ● The caution was called with three laps to go. Almirola was told he was good on fuel and stayed out of the pits to restart 11th.
  • ● The caution was called on lap 187 to put the race in overtime. Almirola did not pit.
  • ● On the final overtime lap, Almirola wedged his Smithfield Ford into the middle lane and had a run to potentially take the checkered flag. When he turned to block the No. 47 car he was contacted in the left rear, sending the car spinning and crossing the finish line backwards.


🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. NASCAR President Regarding Noose In #43 Stall
  2. Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley Gets 1st Xfinity Win
  3. Class of 2021: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  4. Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway
  5. Chase Elliott Foundation “DESI9N TO DRIVE”

Monday, June 22, 2020

NASCAR President Regarding Noose In #43 Stall

NASCAR President Regarding Noose In #43 Stall
#NASCAR drivers push the #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet to the front of the grid
NASCAR drivers push the #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet to the front of the grid

By now, all us NASCAR Fans have been made aware that a noose was found in the garage stall of Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr.   I am sure that this writer is not the only one skeptical about how this could have happened in a highly secure NASCAR facility and am anxiously awaiting the outcome of the pending FBI Investigation.

The hangman's noose, a symbol connected to lynching, is one of the most powerful visual symbols directed primarily at African-Americans. The perpetrator of this symbol of Racial Terrorism should suffer the wrath of us all.

The #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet waits in the garage area (#NASCAR)
The #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet waits in the garage area prior to the
NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

Below is a portion of the interview of Steve Phelps, NASCAR President.

Steve Phelps:

As Eric said, we don't have a lot of answers at this moment but did want to make sure we had a media availability to let you understand where we are to date. As more things come to light, we will keep you informed, as well.

Before we get into some timeline things, I won't read our full statement, but I thought there was one sentence that was particularly important to talk about. I will read it now:

As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR. This act only strengthens our resolve to make this sport open and welcoming to all.

Before I open it up to a few brief questions, I want to summarize in a very short order what happened yesterday afternoon.

Late yesterday afternoon a crew member from the 43 team discovered a noose in the 43 garage stall. That crew member informed NASCAR. NASCAR security got involved. I got a small group of senior leaders in the sport at NASCAR together to try to determine what the next steps would be.

First thing was to launch an immediate investigation into this heinous act. As part of that, we this morning at 7:30 notified the Birmingham office of the FBI. They are currently on-site. They've started their investigation.

We are, as I said, in the early stages of this. We will continue to keep the media informed as we learn more. Obviously this is a very, very serious act. We take it as such. We will do everything in our power to make sure that whoever has committed this act comes to justice and comes to light and we rid this type of behavior from our sport.


Q. Question about cameras in the garage. We know Talladega has cameras in the garage. How many cameras are there? Were they working? Have you been able to get any video from them yet?

Steve Phelps:

We're not going to get into the specifics about the number of cameras, what is on the cameras, how many. We will collect all that information. It will be obviously part of what the FBI is looking at.

Again, as details become available that we can share, we will share. But too early to get into specifics around video usage or what we were able to capture on video.

Q. I guess you're not going to go over the timeline when it was discovered, but who would have had access to the garage? Crew members? NASCAR employees? Who had access to that garage stall?

Steve Phelps:
As you are aware, we have a very small number of people that are in the footprint, only essential personnel there. Obviously we'll review the entire list with the FBI about who had access at that particular time.

We also use something called 'compartmentalization'. We'll look at who was in that particular area. We'll be able to narrow that down.

Again, getting into the specifics about what the FBI is going to do working with our security people, it's kind of too early to determine. I don't have access to the information at this point.

Q. Could there have been any breaches?

Steve Phelps:
You know what, I can't say no for certain. The security around getting into the footprint is significant. As I'm sure you guys are aware, we have limited it just to essential personnel. Security is very tight getting in and out of the footprint.

I can't speculate whether there would be a breach or not.

Q. Can you confirm, was the rope the rope that normally you would pull down the garage door?

Steve Phelps:
I am not sure. I have no information on that.

Q. Are you confident you'll be able to figure out who did it or do you feel you may never find out?

Steve Phelps:
 I would say this. We're going to use every effort we can to determine who has done this, whether it's a single person or multiple people. I know that the director of the FBI has informed the Birmingham office to use all their resources to find out, as well, all the resources available to NASCAR, the FBI.

The teams and drivers and anyone who would have any access to this have all said, Hey, we want to make sure we figure out who has done this vile act.
A view of pit road is seen with an #IStandWithBubba stencil (#NASCAR)
A view of pit road is seen with an #IStandWithBubba stencil prior
 to the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Q. I know there will be an 'I stand with Bubba' on the grass. Any other things that NASCAR, the competitors will do before today's event? Obviously, there are various opinions out there on social media. There are those who would suggest this is a staged event. How would you address those individuals who believe that what has happened was a staged event?

Steve Phelps:
 Well, listen, I can't speak for those on social media who would say this is a staged event. I would say that is something that personally offends me. This is a terrible, terrible act that has happened. For those who would think this is staged, I don't even know where to go with that frankly.

With respect to the first part of the question around things that would happen, yes, there is a grass stencil that is being put in. I know the drivers are interested in trying to do something. I don't have full knowledge of exactly what is going to happen or the timing around that.

The drivers feel very strongly that they want to show their support of Bubba. He's a member of the NASCAR community. He's a member of the NASCAR family. The outpouring of support over the last couple weeks from our drivers, from the industry as a whole, from the fans, has been phenomenal.

Whatever happens, it's going to happen organically. It will be heartfelt. I'm looking forward to whatever they come up with.

Q. As I'm sure you know, Richard Petty has called for the immediate expulsion of whoever did this once that person is found, person or people. Can you say now with certainty, assuming the person or people are found, that NASCAR will ban them from the sport for life?

Steve Phelps:
Unequivocally they will be banned from this sport for life. There is no room for this at all. We won't tolerate it. They won't be here. I don't care who they are, they will not be here.

I had the opportunity to speak with the King this morning. He and I met in person. He is resolved, and his team, to figure out how we work together to get this solved and figure out the person who did this act.

Q. Have you spoken with Bubba? What was that conversation like? Can you talk about allowing the 43 team to maybe check the car to make sure it's safe? Have you stepped up security as a result of this for Bubba, for the team, for anything beyond that?

Steve Phelps:
 I'll address them as they came.

Yes, I have spoken to Bubba. In fact, I'm the one that informed Bubba that this act had happened. It's a difficult moment for Bubba. It's a difficult moment for me. He's handled it with the grace that he has handled everything that's happened over the last few weeks.

With respect to the car, that's something that we did allow the team to look at, make sure the car is in good shape. Won't get into any specifics about that, but yes, the team was allowed to do that.

Q. Have you stepped up security? People were sending notes saying, Are you going to take care of Bubba? Is there additional security as a result of this, even though access to the garage, et cetera, is limited?

Steve Phelps:
Yes, we want to make sure that Bubba is safe. We have stepped up security. Again, this is a family that needs to take care of one of its family members who has been attacked. We will firmly support as an industry, as a family and community, to make sure Bubba and everyone else in this sport is safe.

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

  1. Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley Gets 1st Xfinity Win
  2. Class of 2021: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  3. Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway
  4. Chase Elliott Foundation “DESI9N TO DRIVE”
  5. Keselowski Wins with a Never-Give Up Effort








Sunday, June 21, 2020

Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley Gets 1st Xfinity Win

Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley Gets 1st Xfinity Win
Justin Haley secured his first win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) last night at Talladega Superspeedway in the Unhinged 300, earning Kaulig Racing its second win of the 2020 season.

Justin Haley secured his first win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) last night at Talladega Superspeedway in the Unhinged 300


Haley, who is in his sophomore year in the NXS, as well as with Kaulig Racing, has come close to securing his first win, recording a runner-up finish and eight top-five finishes. He finally earned his first victory in his 47th start, making him just one of 32 drivers, and the second youngest, to win in all three of NASCAR’s top-tier series.

“I can’t thank Matt Kaulig and LeafFilter Gutter Protection enough for this moment that I’ve been waiting so long for,” said Haley. “Kaulig Racing has been building such fast cars all year, and my LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy last night was no different. I’m so happy to finally get this car to victory lane for Matt (Kaulig) and everyone at LeafFilter.”

LeafFilter Gutter Protection™, which has been the primary sponsor on Haley’s No. 11 Chevrolet for the second year in a row, first got its taste of NASCAR sponsorship in 2014 in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS). They went on to sign on for 24 NXS races in 2015 before going full time in 2016 with Kaulig Racing. The Hudson, Ohio-based company, started by Matt Kaulig, has made 147 starts as a primary sponsor, making them one of the longest-running sponsors in the NXS.


Haley’s celebration was followed by a post-race embrace with his teammates, Ross Chastain, who finished second and secured the Dash 4 Cash prize, and AJ Allmendinger, who finished 7th, capping off the 21-year-old’s victory.

Haley’s celebration was followed by a post-race embrace with his teammates, Ross Chastain, who finished second and secured the Dash 4 Cash prize, and AJ Allmendinger, who finished 7th, capping off the 21-year-old’s victory.

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🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

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  2. Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway
  3. Chase Elliott Foundation “DESI9N TO DRIVE”
  4. Keselowski Wins with a Never-Give Up Effort
  5. JR Motorsports Xfinity Preview Cheddar's 300 presented by Alsco

Friday, June 19, 2020

Class of 2021: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Class of <b>2021:</b> Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Driver, owner, broadcaster, social media maven – Dale Earnhardt Jr. has succeeded on many different stages.

Third-generation racer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of three inductees into
the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Photo Matt Sullivan via Getty Images.


Third-generation racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of three newly elected members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2021, has excelled in multiple racing-related disciplines throughout his career.

In the NASCAR premier series, Earnhardt’s on-track resume features 26 race victories including two Daytona 500s, one all-star race win and six wins at Talladega Superspeedway. Before entering NASCAR’s top level, Earnhardt won consecutive championships in what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series. 

Among the honors he’s amassed over the years, Earnhardt has won the National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award 15 times, a testament to the passion of his millions of diehard fans.

JR Motorsports, the team founded and owned by Earnhardt and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, has fielded championship cars on three different occasions, most recently in 2018. 

Since retiring from driving after the 2017 season, Earnhardt has remained extremely influential through his position as an NBC Sports NASCAR analyst, as well as through his immensely popular “Dale Jr. Download” podcast and Twitter, where he has 2.5 million followers. Earnhardt’s complete body of work has earned him a well-deserved spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

Here are six Hall of Fame moments from Earnhardt’s career:


Dale Earnhardt Jr. dominated the 1998 season in winning his first of two consecutive NASCAR championships. Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images.

1998-1999, NASCAR Xfinity Championships

In his first full season in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (now Xfinity Series), Dale Earnhardt Jr. won seven races in his Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolets, posting 18 top-five and 22 top-10 finishes to score his first NASCAR championship. A year later, Earnhardt would successfully defend his title.


In his rookie season in the premier series, Dale Earnhardt won three times and finished 16th in points Photo courtesy of Jamie Squire/Allsport.

2000, Rookie success

Driving for his father’s Dale Earnhardt Inc. team, Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first premier series victory in only his 12th start, capturing the DirecTV 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Four races later, Earnhardt won again, this time at Richmond Raceway. Two weeks later, Earnhardt became the first rookie in history to win the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.


Winning the 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway was one of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s most emotional victories. Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images.

2001, Pepsi 400

Less than five months after his father was killed in a last-lap crash in the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. returned to Daytona International Speedway and won the Pepsi 400, the annual Fourth of July weekend race at the iconic track. Earnhardt won ahead of his Dale Earnhardt Inc. teammate Michael Waltrip and the two pulled their cars into the infield and embraced after the huge victory.


Six of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 26 premier series victories came at Talladega Superspeedway. Photo courtesy of Donald Miralle/Getty Images.

2001-2004, Talladega Superspeedway

Early on in his career, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was dominant at Talladega Superspeedway, the longest track in NASCAR. In a seven-race stretch from October 2001 to October 2004, Earnhardt won five races at Talladega and finished second in the two races he didn’t win. Included in the five victories were four in a row starting with the second Talladega race of 2001. 


Driving for Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick (2017), Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his second Daytona 500 in 2014. Photo courtesy of Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images.

2014, Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 is the biggest and most prestigious race in NASCAR, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. won it twice, exactly 10 years apart. Earnhardt’s first victory in the Great American Race came in 2004, when he drove for his late father’s Dale Earnhardt Inc. team. A decade later, he won the Daytona 500 again, this time driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. 


JR Motorsports co-owners Kelley Earnhardt Miller (L) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) claimed the team’s third NASCAR Xfinity Series owner championship in 2018. Photo courtesy of Sean Gardner/Getty Images.

2018, Xfinity owner championship

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has enjoyed great success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as co-owner of JR Motorsports with his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller. The team has won three owner championships in the Xfinity Series, the first with Chase Elliott in 2014, then with William Byron in 2017 and Tyler Reddick in 2018. In 2014, JR Motorsports drivers swept the top three positions in points, something that had never been done before. 

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  4. JR Motorsports Xfinity Preview Cheddar's 300 presented by Alsco
  5. Keelan Captures Pole in His First Go-Kart Race

Monday, June 8, 2020

Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway

Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway
Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway #NASCAR

As NASCAR  returns to racing at Martinsville Speedway, the Joey Logano Foundation, The NASCAR Foundation,  and Elevation Outreach,  an outreach ministry of Elevation Church based in Charlotte, N.C., are partnering with Convoy of Hope to bring food, water and hygiene supplies to the speedway for an event to support Henry County on Thursday, June 11.



“Since initiating the Joey Logano Foundation / Elevation Outreach COVID-19 $1M Response & Relief Fund, we’ve been able to make a significant impact in multiple communities by focusing on educational equality, food distribution, financial shortages and medical supplies,” said Joey Logano, Chairman of the Joey Logano Foundation. “Since inception, one of my favorite events throughout this initiative has been the mobile distribution event with Convoy of Hope in Darlington, S.C. This was my favorite event because with just one truck, we were able to provide necessary supplies to almost 1,000 families. Plus, it was cool to see top NASCAR leadership and members from The NASCAR Foundation attend the event in Darlington to help make it a huge success.”

Convoy of Hope will provide more than 40,000 pounds of food and supplies to approximately 1,000 households/vehicles during its drive-thru distribution at the track. #NASCAR
Convoy of Hope will provide more than 40,000 pounds of food and supplies to approximately 1,000 households / vehicles during its drive-thru distribution at the track. This will be the second event held at a NASCAR-owned facility following the first joint relief effort at Darlington Raceway on May 18.

“During these trying times for our country, it’s been incredibly inspiring to see the industry rally around these special events to help give back to communities in need,” said Logano. “After seeing how impactful Darlington went, we quickly moved forward and scheduled our next event with Convoy of Hope in Martinsville, Va. on June 11. My hope is that by everyone doing their part, we can maintain hope and continue to get through this together.”

As Henry County has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility also supported the community by hosting COVID-19 testing prior to race week.

“We are honored the Joey Logano Foundation, The NASCAR Foundation, Elevation Outreach, and Convoy of Hope are bringing relief efforts to Martinsville and Henry County,” said Martinsville President Clay Campbell. “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our region, so we are grateful for their commitment to support families in our community.”

In compliance with guidelines set by the federal, state and local health officials, the event will follow a contactless point-of-distribution model to ensure the safety of staff and Convoy of Hope’s deserving guests.  #NASCAR
In compliance with guidelines set by the federal, state and local health officials, the event will follow a contactless point-of-distribution model to ensure the safety of staff and Convoy of Hope’s deserving guests. As residents arrive at the speedway, food will be placed in the trunk or backseat of the vehicles by volunteers.

Guests may pick up donations in the bus parking lot at Gate 13 on Clover Road located across the street from the Track Services building at Martinsville. Access to Clover Road is available from Industrial Park Drive on Thursday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to noon ET.



To learn more about Convoy of Hope, visit convoyofhope.org.

Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on Twitter at @NASCAR_FDN.

About the Joey Logano Foundation

Founded in 2013, The Joey Logano Foundation invests in organizations offering second chances to children and young adults during times of crisis and works to inspire others to live a life of generosity. Through grant making, charity events, the JL Kids Crew and CARE (Critical Assistance Relief Effort), the Joey Logano Foundation continues to make a profound difference in the lives of children and adults in need across the country. To learn more visit: www.joeyloganofoundation.com

About Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world. With a long history as an early responder in times of natural disasters, Convoy of Hope has been a Four Star Charity as recognized by Charity Navigator for 17 consecutive years. Convoy of Hope has served more than 130 million people since it was founded in 1994. For more information, please visit convoyofhope.org.

About Elevation Outreach

Elevation Outreach is the outreach ministry of Elevation Church, a multisite church based in Charlotte, NC, led by Pastor Steven Furtick. Their purpose is to meet the needs of communities around the world through the power of partnership. They currently partner and serve with more than 300 organizations around the world specializing in disaster response, emergency assistance, recovery services, educational development, church planting, and medical support. For more information, visit www.ElevationOutreach.com.

Convoy of Hope Organizes Relief Effort at Martinsville Speedway #NASCAR

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