Monday, October 28, 2024

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Homestead Miami / Kevin Harvick's Kern-Raceway)

#NASCAR / #ARCA Race Recap (Homestead Miami / Kevin Harvick's Kern-Raceway)

Winners: Tyler Reddick (Cup); Austin Hill (Xfinity); Grant Enfinger (Trucks) and Sean Hingorani (ARCA West)


NASCAR Cup

Tyler Reddick Rides High Line to Homestead Victory

Tyler Reddick Rides High Line to Homestead Victory

 

A clutch last-lap pass following a late-race restart saw Tyler Reddick clinch a Championship 4 berth with his NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway Sunday evening.

 

Ryan Blaney finished runner-up, while Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott completed the top five.

 

“I don’t know, we were backed in a corner and had no other choice. I knew we were on a tire deficit, and here at Homestead, that’s a death sentence, but I didn’t care,” Reddick said of moving back into the lead after being passed in a four-wide move on the restart only to work his way back to the point in the final six laps.

 





Pole: Tyler Reddick

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET for the XFINITY 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Dominates Xfinity Series Playoff Race

Austin Hill Dominates Xfinity Series Playoff Race

 

An emotional Austin Hill climbed out of his No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet on the Homestead-Miami Speedway frontstretch to celebrate one of the most significant race wins of his burgeoning career — claiming the Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 trophy Saturday and securing one of four positions to race for a trophy in the Nov. 9 Xfinity Series championship finale.

 

Hill — who also swept both of the race’s stage wins — took the lead from Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer with 12 laps remaining Saturday evening at the 1.5-mile South Florida track and raced off to a healthy 3.045-second win over the fellow playoff driver and reigning series champion Custer.

 

“I worked so hard for this, a lot of people doubt me but I wake up every day to prove them wrong,” Hill said. “I deserve to be here and I deserve to race for a championship. This 21 team deserves it just as much as I do. They work their [butts] off each and every day just like I do. I’ve got to give it up to those guys. They gave me a hell of a car.

 

“I can honestly say I’ve never cried coming to the start-finish line, but I had to get my emotions together going into Turn 1 after the checkered, all the hard work and dedication that goes into this. I don’t think everyone’s going to understand what this means for me, for my family and for [sponsor] Bennett. … I had to be on it today.

 

”Pausing to take it in, he added, “This is amazing. To be able to go the Final Four. I’ve worked so hard at this and my dreams came true.”

 





Pole: Chandler Smith

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday November 2, 2024 at 4:00 pm ET for the National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway.



NASCAR Trucks

Grant Enfinger Stretches Fuel to Win Truck Series Playoff Race

Grant Enfinger Stretches Fuel to Win Truck Series Playoff Race

 

A strategy call from the pit box coupled with a patient move forward landed veteran Grant Enfinger his second consecutive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff race win in Saturday’s Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway while his closest competitors ran out of fuel behind him in the closing laps.

 

Enfinger, who also won the opening race in this playoff round at Talladega Superspeedway three weeks ago, denied the other seven playoff racers a chance at an automatic bid into the championship race at Phoenix. So now at least two drivers will advance based on points earned with only next Saturday’s race at Martinsville to settle which other three drivers move onward into the title fight.

 

“At the end of the day, [crew chief] Jeff [Stankiewicz] just had the best truck out here,” said Enfinger, who actually made up a lap on track after contact on a race restart cut his tire earlier in the day.

 

“Our car was really fast after about five laps yesterday [in practice] and was the same way today. Jeff did a good job managing me with the tires and then managing me with the fuel. I feel like I saved at least 20 percent more than I did in the first run. Jeff was on me pretty hard obviously and the 38 [Layne Riggs] ran out and the 2 [Nick Sanchez] did too.

 

“Hard to beat these two weeks,” he added with a grin.

 





Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday November 1, 2024 6:00 pm ET for the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville Speedway.


ARCA

Defending West Series Champ Sean Hingorani goes Flag to Flag

Defending West Series Champ Sean Hingorani goes Flag to Flag

 

With just one race remaining, Sean Hingorani left nothing to chance. The eighteen-year-old defending ARCA West champion dominated the NAPA Auto Care 150 at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway. Hingorani, starting from pole position, lead all 150 laps. He finished 0.302 seconds ahead of his hard-charging teammate Brett Crews.

 

“Venturini Motorsports brought me such a great race car today and I can’t thank them enough for that. Had to hold off there at the end, but we were able to lead wire to wire and dominate here today,” Sean related post-race.

 

Sean leads the series championship points standing by fourteen over Tyler Reif.

 





Pole:  Sean Hingorani

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. MT for the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR / ARCA Media

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Hendrick Motorsports at Homestead-Miami

Hendrick Motorsports at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Larson; Elliott; Byron; Bowman - Coming in Hot


Larson; Elliott; Byron; Bowman - Coming in Hot


It may have taken Hendrick Motorsports a few years to visit victory lane at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but the organization has made up for lost time. 


With William Byron claiming a win at the 1.5-mile oval in 2021 and Kyle Larson following it up by prevailing in 2022, Hendrick Motorsports has claimed two of the last three events in southern Florida. 


Vice chairman and NASCAR Hall of Famer, Jeff Gordon, delivered the organization its first win at Homestead-Miami with Jimmie Johnson registering his record-tying seventh championship there in 2016, giving Hendrick Motorsports four wins since the track opened in 1999. 


Larson leads all active drivers with 625 laps led at Homestead and Chase Elliott is second in career average finish at 10.4. 


Here's a look at how the current Hendrick Motorsports roster measures up at Homestead-Miami as well as a quick look at the company's history. 



Kyle Larson Driver Averages, Homestead

Starts:
10
Wins: 
1
Poles: 
0
Top fives: 
5
Top 10s: 
5
DNFs: 
2
Laps led: 
625
Average start: 
14.5
Average finish: 
13.0

Chase Elliott Driver Averages, Homestead

Starts:
8
Wins: 
0
Poles: 
0
Top fives: 
2
Top 10s: 
3
DNFs: 
0
Laps led: 
31
Average start: 
10.4
Average finish: 
10.4

William Byron Driver Averages, Homestead

Starts:
6
Wins: 
1
Poles: 
1
Top fives: 
2
Top 10s: 
3
DNFs: 
1
Laps led: 
159
Average start: 
16.3
Average finish: 
14.8

Alex Bowman Driver Averages, Homestead

Starts:
8    
Wins: 
1
Poles: 
0     
Top fives: 
0
Top 10s: 
2
DNFs: 
0
Laps led: 
0
Average start: 
18.9
Average finish: 
19.9






Jimmie Johnson - 7X #NASCAR Champion
Jimmie Johnson won his seventh and final NASCAR
Cup Series championship  for owner Rick Hendrick
at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2016.


Hendrick Motorsports at Homestead

Races:  25
Wins: 4
Winners:Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, William Byron, Kyle Larson
Poles: 4
Top fives: 20
Top 10s: 39
Laps led: 1,033

 

source: Hendrick Motorsports Media

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Straight Talk Wireless Named Entitlement Partner

Straight Talk Wireless Named Entitlement Partner

Homestead-Miami Speedway Cup Series Playoff Race #StraightTalkWireless400

Straight Talk Wireless Named Entitlement Partner

 

Homestead-Miami Speedway announced Straight Talk Wireless as an Official Partner in a deal that includes the entitlement of this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race. The Straight Talk Wireless 400 will take place on Sunday, October 27, with the winner punching their ticket to the Championship 4 and a shot at being crowned Cup Series champion.

 

Homestead-Miami Speedway President Guillermo Santa Cruz

 “We always look to deliver a quality product here at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and like us, Straight Talk Wireless prides itself on bringing the greatest value to their customers,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Guillermo Santa Cruz. “This is the start of a great partnership, and we can’t wait to see the Cup Series Playoff action on track during the Straight Talk Wireless 400.”

 

Straight Talk Wireless is available only at Walmart or via www.straighttalk.com and provides customers several value-based plans. Month-to-month options are available and offers customers an affordable cell phone service with plan flexibility.

 

“We are thrilled to be the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race and to announce the very first Straight Talk Wireless 400,” said Cheryl Gresham, Chief Marketing Officer at Verizon Value. “Having a race dedicated to the Straight Talk brand will drive awareness for the brand in Miami, which is a top market for us. NASCAR fans are Walmart shoppers and Walmart shoppers can easily get Straight Talk when shopping in-store. This sponsorship makes a lot of sense for us and will drive awareness for Straight Talk in a major way.” 




 

source: Homestead-Miami Speedway Media 

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

LVMS NASCAR Cup Dignitaries

Las Vegas Motor Speedway #NASCAR Cup Dignitaries

The Race Weekend Will Conclude with Sunday's South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Race #SouthPoint400

Grand Marshal

 

Barry Odom - Grand Marshal #NASCAR

On most fall days, UNLV coach Barry Odom is giving direction to his the UNLV football team. But on Sunday, Oct. 20, he will be commanding the greatest stock car drivers in the world to start their engines.

 

Odom, who has guided the Rebels to a record-breaking start to their season, has been named grand marshal for this year’s South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

“I have been a NASCAR fan for quite some time and have been to many races at other tracks,” Odom said. “But this will be my first time doing ‘Drivers Start Your Engines!’ and to do it here in Las Vegas where our family has made our home will be extra special.”

 

Honorary Starters

WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio and Braun Strowman - Honorary Starters

 

Sunday's South Point 400 is set for a SmackDown double feature. WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio and Braun Strowman have been named honorary starters for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race.

 

Mysterio, a southern California native and Las Vegas resident, is known as one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time. He will get the honors of dropping the green flag to start the South Point 400. Strowman, known as The Monster of All Monsters, will join him in the flagstand as the cars come to life.

 





National Anthem

Elizabeth Wetzel - National Anthem #NASCAR

 

Musician 2nd Class Elizabeth Wetzel will perform the national anthem to start the highly anticipated race. Wetzel's all-around experience spans musical talent, educational expertise, and military service. She earned her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in 2018 and taught elementary school students while drilling with the Navy Reserve in Phoenix. Wetzel is also a lead vocalist with the renowned Navy Band Northwest.

 

Pre-Race Concert

Navy Band Northwest - Pre-Race Concert

 

Navy Band Northwest will get the crowd amped before driver introductions with a high-energy concert. With a legacy spanning almost a century, Navy Band Northwest provides ceremonial support, public performances, and educational outreach across the Pacific Northwest. For the first time at LVMS, they will perform hits from all genres, including rock, rap, funk, R&B, and country music.

 

Celebrity Pace Car Driver

Katie Grimes - Celebrity Pace Car Driver #NASCAR

 

Las Vegan Katie Grimes is one of the fastest swimmers in the world, but now she gets a chance to keep pace with the fastest stock cars in the world.

 

Grimes, a silver medalist in swimming at the Paris Olympics, is shifting gears from taking laps in an Olympic pool to taking laps on the racetrack as she takes on her newest role as celebrity pace car driver for the South Point 400 on Oct. 20.

 

Grimes, an18-year-old Las Vegas native, is a rising star in the swimming world. She has set multiple Nevada state records and won numerous state championships. Grimes has been recognized as one of the most exciting athletes to watch compete in her sport, and even her Olympic teammate and nine-time gold medal winner Katie Ledecky agrees that Grimes is the "future" of swimming in the United States. In 2020, she was the youngest American swimmer to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the 800m freestyle. This summer in Paris, Grimes solidified her status as a swimming superstar by winning a silver Olympic medal in the 400m individual medley.

 

“Swimming in my second Olympic Games was such a milestone experience for me,” Grimes said. “And while swimming is my life, getting the opportunity to represent our city, our state and our country was incredibly special. And now representing at the South Point 400 is really exciting.”

 





 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

NASCAR Heads West

#NASCAR Heads West

For the Next Stop in the Playoffs

#NASCAR Heads West - For the Next Stop in the Playoffs

 

The lights in Las Vegas are about to get even brighter. The NASCAR Playoffs are coming to town and taking center stage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

 





Race action starts Friday with free admission to the speedway for the Hauler Parade and Xfinity practice and qualifying. Later that night, race action shifts to The Bullring for the zMax CARS Tour West Star Nursery Classic, where fans can attend for as low as $20 during pre-sale, and kids 12 and under can attend for free.

 

On Saturday, NASCAR’s Cup Series hits the track first with practice and qualifying, followed by the Ambetter Health 302 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race.

 





The Cup Series is down to eight drivers fighting to get a spot in the final four. Kyle Larson comes into Las Vegas leading with +33, Christopher Bell follows just behind with +13, Tyler Reddick not too far behind with just +10, William Byron comes to LVMS just shy of the cutoff with +4.

 

Ryan Blaney last year's champion trying to go back-to-back currently sits below the cut line with -4, Denny Hamlin follows closely with -8, Chase Elliott with an even closer margin at just -9 and Joey Logano at -11 after surviving the Bank of America ROVAL 400 due to Alex Bowman’s disqualification last race.

 

 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media 

Monday, October 14, 2024

NASCAR Charlotte Roval Race Recap

#NASCAR Charlotte Roval Race Recap

Winners: Kyle Larson(Cup) & Sam Mayer (Xfinity)


Cup

Kyle Larson Dominates at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval

Kyle Larson Dominates at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval

 

Kyle Larson cruised to his second NASCAR Cup victory this season—and his second in an elimination race. Mirroring his rout in the final Round of 16 event at Bristol Motor Speedway, Larson grabbed the lead for the restart of Stage 2 and stayed out front for 62 of the final 82 laps at the 2.28-mile, 17-turn Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. 

 

The driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the finish line 1.511 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell, the only driver who could stay in the same zip code with the race winner. Third-place William Byron was 8.965 seconds behind at the finish.

 

With his sixth victory of the season, his second at the Roval and the 29th of his career, Larson led two other Hendrick teammates into the final eight — Byron and fifth-place finisher Chase Elliott.

 

“Really, it’s the first time in my playoff career I’ve not been close to the cut line, so it was good to kind of have a little bit stress-free of a weekend,” said Larson, whose previous win at the Roval came during his 2021 championship season. “I think the first time I’ve been here without crashing, maybe, besides the other time I won.

 

“It’s known that I don’t really use the sim (simulator) much, and I was in the sim this week. It really helped me get into a rhythm I think early on and helped us kind of fine-tune our car, too.”

 





Pole: Shane Van Gisbergen

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race:
The Cup Series will return on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.


 

NASCAR Xfinity

Sam Mayer prevails in NASCAR Overtime

Sam Mayer prevails in #NASCAR Overtime

 

As Sam Mayer celebrated his drama-filled victory in Saturday’s Drive for the Cure 250 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, Parker Kligerman watched a replay of the whisker-close circumstance that knocked him out of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs.

 

In overtime, Mayer passed Kligerman in Turn 7 of the 2.280-mile, 17-turn circuit and pulled away to claim the victory that propelled him into the Playoffs’ Round of 8.

 

But Mayer’s win was devastation for Kligerman, who has never won an Xfinity Series race. Kligerman was leading, with the white flag waving, when NASCAR called a caution for Leland Honeyman’s spin into the barrier in Turn 3.

 

Had the caution call come a fraction of a second later, Kligerman would have been the winner under yellow. The overtime, however, gave Mayer another shot in his No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet — arguably the class of the field — and the 21-year-old from Franklin, Wisconsin took full advantage.

 

“We were all crossed up getting up in there (Turn 7),” Mayer said of the winning pass. “I was loose getting into (Turn) 6, and I knew that was my only shot if I got a good angle into that corner.

 

“He blocked the bottom, which was good for me in that it gave me a better angle up off the corner and got this Chevrolet hooked up, and we were gone from there. Now, I get to celebrate.”

 





Pole: Shane Van Gisbergen

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race:
The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET for the Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway



NASCAR Trucks

Truck Had an Off Weekend





Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoff Race at Homestead-Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway.



ARCA

The ARCA Menard Series Did Not Race last Weekend





Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. PT for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

 

source: #NASCAR / #ARCA Media

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Harry Hyde Named 2024 Smokey Yunick Award Recipient

Harry Hyde Named 2024 Smokey Yunick Award Recipient

Hyde Served as the Inspiration for the Character Harry Hogge in the Movie “Days of Thunder”

Rick Hendrick was presented with the 2024 Smokey Yunick award on Harry Hyde’s behalf by Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith.
Rick Hendrick was presented with the 2024 Smokey Yunick award
 on Harry Hyde’s behalf by Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith.

 

One of the most iconic crew chiefs in NASCAR, the late Harry Hyde, was named the recipient of the esteemed 2024 Smokey Yunick Award prior to Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

The Smokey Yunick Award, named after the legendary mechanic and innovator Henry "Smokey" Yunick, was instituted in 1997 to recognize an individual from humble beginnings who demonstrated exceptional innovation and made a major impact in the world of motorsports. Yunick passed away in 2001, and Charlotte Motor Speedway has continued the award in his memory.

 

Hyde joins a lengthy list of NASCAR greats who have received the honor, including Ralph Moody, Ray Evernham, Dale Inman, Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Waddell Wilson, Larry McReynolds and Ernie Elliott.

 

Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick was presented with the award on Hyde’s behalf by Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith before the seventh running of the Bank of America ROVAL ™ 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

Immortalized by Hollywood as the inspiration for the Harry Hogge character in the 1990 hit film “Days of Thunder,” Hyde developed a reputation for success in NASCAR’s ranks long before actor Robert Duvall portrayed Hyde’s old-school, no-nonsense mentality before a global audience.

 

The Brownsville, Kentucky, native honed his skills as a mechanic when, after he enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 16 in 1941, Hyde was injured while fighting in World War II. His injuries forced a shift in responsibility to repairing jeeps and trucks for the Army, which put Hyde’s remarkable level of mechanical aptitude on display.

 

Years of post-war success as a small-time midwest crew chief prompted NASCAR team owner Nord Krauskopf to offer Hyde a job with his race team in 1965. Five years later, Hyde and driver Bobby Isaac won 11 races and the 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship – Hyde’s crowning achievement in a NASCAR career that spanned 27 seasons.

 

In addition to winning 36 races with Isaac, Hyde’s ingenuity guided legends including Buddy Baker, Neil Bonnett and Dave Marcis to the winner’s circle. Six years of winless results and part-time jobs came to an end in 1984, when Rick Hendrick created All-Star Racing – renamed Hendrick Motorsports a year later – and hired Hyde as the team’s first crew chief.

 

Operating out of a much smaller shop than the behemoth from which Hendrick now operates, Hyde and Geoff Bodine shocked the sport by winning three races in the team’s debut season.

 

"Harry was an innovator who'd work for nothing to get back in racing," Hendrick recalled on Sunday. "When we started, we had five people, two were volunteers and one was Harry's cousin. To see the things he did back then, the innovative ways to build a car, he did some things people would never try and he was a great coach.

 

"He was an unbelievable innovator, he was good with sponsors, he was funny, he was a comedian and he'd take a hammer to you if he didn't like you. We wouldn't be here today, seriously, without Harry. I'm honored to accept this for him."

 

Hendrick made the seismic shift to a two-car team in 1986 – bucking the conventional trend of running one car – and paired young hotshot Tim Richmond with the grizzled Hyde. The pairing started slow before Richmond acquiesced to Hyde’s instructions on how to approach a race – managing the car instead of going full-bore from the start – and the two rattled off seven wins in the final 17 races of 1986.

 

"This award is so neat to me because it celebrates the trailblazers of racing, people who did things at a time when we didn't have all this (technology)," Smith said. "It's very important to remember and celebrate the heroes before us, like Harry, who helped (Hendrick) become who they are today."

 

Never known as a man who kowtowed to anyone in his industry, Hyde’s genius as a strategist, manager and innovator cemented his place in NASCAR history and firmly established the legendary crew chief as a fitting recipient of an award named for one of his contemporaries.

 





 

source: Charlotte Motor Speedway Media 

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Hurricane Relief Helicopter Pilots to Conduct Flyover Ahead of Bank of America ROVAL™ 400

Hurricane Relief Helicopter Pilots to Conduct Flyover Ahead of Bank of America ROVAL™ 400

Also Dignitaries for Saturday’s Drive for the Cure 250 and Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400

Hurricane Relief Helicopter Pilots to Conduct Flyover Ahead of Bank of America ROVAL™ 400

 

In the aftermath of devastating storms across western North Carolina and surrounding states, helicopter pilots took to the skies to deliver vital aid to some of the hardest hit areas, many of which were otherwise cutoff from help. Ten of those brave pilots will take part in Sunday’s flyover before the seventh running of the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In addition, retired NASCAR driver and pilot Greg Biffle, who himself made several flights to deliver aid, will serve as Honorary Starter and wave the green flag to start the pivotal NASCAR Cup Series Playoff showdown.

 

“As we prepare for Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, we do so with all of those impacted by recent storms still in our thoughts,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Greg Walter. “The outpouring of support for those in need across western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene was swift and widespread. Among those who immediately sprang to action were these pilots, many of whom have ties to NASCAR. It is a privilege to be able to recognize and honor them.”

 

Additional dignitaries for the weekend include: 

Dignitaries for Saturday’s Drive for the Cure 250:

  • Grand Marshals: Blue Cross employees Michelle Adams (seven-year survivor), Jackie Baker (two-year survivor) and Candice Beasley (four-month survivor)
  • Honorary Starter: Alexandria Shelton-Brabham, Blue Cross NC employee and six-year Breast Cancer survivor
  • Presentation of Colors: York Comprehensive High School NJROTC
  • Invocation: Billy Mauldin, President and Senior Chaplain at Motor Racing Outreach
  • National Anthem: Logen Belmont, Charlotte Motor Speedway contest winner

Dignitaries for Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400:

  • Grand Marshals: Ricky Rudd & Carl Edwards, NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees
  • Honorary Starter: Greg Biffle, retired NASCAR Cup Series driver and helicopter pilot in western North Carolina hurricane relief efforts
  • Presentation of Colors: Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard
  • Invocation: Kyle Petty, retired NASCAR driver and race analyst
  • National Anthem: Josh Sanders, Country music artist, NBC's "The Voice" Season 25 first runner-up





Need to shout out the crew who are behind the scenes the last
 week and a half - dedicating their time to help those in need couldn’t
 do it without them - Greg Biffle's X Account
 

Shout out to Mobilized Fuels from driving in from Atlanta to
provide 5000+ gallons for free to the public and fill up thei
cars, gas cans and utvs ⛽️ - Greg Biffle's X Account


source: Charlotte Motor Speedway Media


Friday, October 11, 2024

NASCAR Schedule – Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course

#NASCAR Schedule – Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course

Xfinity Series on Saturday; NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday

Wildcard Weekend is Here!

The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, October 12, 2024 4:00 pm ET for the Drive for the Cure 250 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

The #NASCAR Cup Series will return on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

 

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series has two weeks off and will return on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoff Race at Homestead-Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

In addition, the ARCA Series West will return on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. PT for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

 

Saturday, October 12, 2024

  • 10 a.m. ET NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice
  • 11 a.m. ET NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying
  • 12:30 p.m. ET NASCAR Cup Series Practice
  • 2 p.m. ET NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
  • 3:30 p.m. ET NASCAR Xfinity Series Race - Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BCBS


Sunday, October 13, 2024

  • 2 p.m. ET NASCAR Cup Series Race - Bank of America ROVAL 400




 

source: NASCAR Media

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

NASCAR Playoff Standings (plus ARCA)

#NASCAR Playoff Standings (plus ARCA)


NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Sunday, October 13, 2024 - 2:00 PM ET at Charlotte Motor Speedway 
Playoff Event - Three of Three in the Round of Twelve

 




Xfinity Series

Next Race: Saturday, October 12, 2024 - 4:00 pm ET at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Playoff Event - Three of Three in the Round of Twelve




 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Next Race: Saturday, October 26, 2024 - 12:00 pm ET at Homestead-Miami Speedway 

Playoff Event - Two of Three in the Round of Eight




 

ARCA Series

Next Race: Saturday, October 12, 2024 - 11:00 pm ET (ARCA West) 

Andres Perez has won the ARCA Menard Series Championship; the first foreign-born ARCA Menards Series champion. William Sawalich captured his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championship. 





The ARCA Series West has two events remaining in their 2024 Season. Sean Hingorani has a mere 5-point lead over second place Tyler Reif. Third place Trevor Huddleston, who won the last two races, is 29 points behind.


Monday, October 7, 2024

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Talladega; All American; Toledo)

#NASCAR / #ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Talladega; All American; Toledo)

Winners: Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Cup); Sammy Smith (Xfinity); Grant Enfinger (Trucks); William Sawalich (ARCA); Trevor Huddleston (ARCA West)



NASCAR Cup

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Plays Spoiler, Wins Chaotic Playoff Race

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Plays Spoiler, Wins Chaotic Playoff Race

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. held off the field in overtime to claim the victory in a dramatic NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway — edging Brad Keselowski and William Byron by a mere 0.006-second in a thrilling three-wide finish.

 

That heart-stopping finish was indicative of the afternoon of competition at the 2.66-mile behemoth — which once again lived up to its reputation and provided a thrilling playoff race with significant implications for the 12 championship contenders.

 

A massive 23-car accident with five laps remaining brought out a red flag and stopped the race for nearly 10 minutes. The incident affected eight of the 12 playoff cars in varying degrees. There is only one more race remaining in this round to settle which eight drivers advance to the next round of championship competition.

 

“Felt really good, we had our Chevy teammates behind us and I was hoping Kyle [Busch] wouldn’t push the six [Keselowski] that hard, I knew the 24 was going to try to get to the line,” said Stenhouse, who scored his first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Talladega in 2017.

 

“Man, this team has put a lot of hard work in and obviously we haven’t won since the Daytona 500 in ’23. It’s been an up-and-down season, a lot of hard work this season trying to find a little bit of speed, but we knew this track is one of ours to come get it.”

 





Pole: Michael McDowell

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Next Race:
The Cup Series will return on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.



NASCAR Xfinity

Sammy Smith Wins to Advance to Next Round

Sammy Smith Wins to Advance to Next Round

 

After entering Saturday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway below the elimination line, Sammy Smith punched his ticket to the next round of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs by winning the United Rentals 250 in overtime.

 

The driver of the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet held off a hard charge from runner-up Ryan Sieg in the tri-oval coming to the checkered flag. Riley Herbst, Sheldon Creed and Chandler Smith rounded out the top five.

 

Smith, who now has two career wins, snapped a 56-race losing streak after picking team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s brain about racing at Talladega. Earnhardt won six Cup Series races at the Alabama superspeedway.

 

“We sat down with him Wednesday, wasn’t a whole lot, just kind of some of the stuff he’d do in those situations,” Smith said. “But, man, it feels very good to win here.”

 





Pole: Jesse Love

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Next Race:
The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, October 12,, 2024 4:00 pm ET for the Drive for the Cure 250 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.



NASCAR Trucks

Grant Enfinger Wins Truck Series Playoff Race at Talladega

Grant Enfinger Wins Truck Series Playoff Race at Talladega

 

The home crowd favorite, Grant Enfinger claimed the victory in Friday afternoon’s Love’s RV Stop 225 Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway – the Alabama native’s second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win at the big track and the most important, as the victory delivers an automatic entry into the season championship finale next month at Phoenix Raceway.

 

Enfinger’s No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet led a race-best 34 of the 85 laps, won Stage 2 and held the point on the final lap when a caution came out ending the race.

 

“We knew stuff was going to get dicey,” the 39-year-old Enfinger said of having to hold the field off following a restart with nine laps remaining to claim his first victory of the season – first ever for the team – and 11th of Enfinger’s career.

 

“We didn’t make all the perfect decisions today, but we had a Champion Power Equipment Chevy that was fast enough to get it done today, so even though we chose the outside [lane for a restart] once or twice and maybe we shouldn’t have. … it’s just Talladega right there and hopefully all the fans enjoyed it.

 

“There’s nothing like winning at your home track. Got my family here and first win with my daughter and my son here. On top of that, we get to race for a championship in Phoenix.”

 





Pole: William Sawalich

Click Here for Race Results 


Next Race:
The Truck Series will return on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoff Race at Homestead-Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway.



ARCA

William Sawalich Wins Season Finale at Toledo Speedway While Andres Perez Clinches Title

William Sawalich Wins Season Finale at Toledo Speedway While Andres Perez clinches Title

 

While Andres Perez was able to celebrate his victory as ARCA Series champion by merely starting the event; the race itself, though, belonged to William Sawalich

 

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver who secured his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championship last month, Sawalich won his ninth ARCA Menards Series (national) race of the season when he led all but a few laps on the northwestern Ohio half-mile. The 18-year-old’s nine victories in 2024 are a series-high, a number he accomplished in 14 starts.

 

“I definitely got a good jump,” Sawalich said of the last restart. “I can’t thank my guys enough. Just a good day overall, a good end of the year for us.”

 

Perez finished the race in sixth place.

 





Pole: William Sawalich

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Next Race:
The ARCA Series will return in 2025.



ARCA West

Trevor Huddleston Goes Wire-to-Wire at All American Speedway

Trevor Huddleston Goes Wire-to-Wire at All American Speedway

 

Trevor Huddleston dominated Saturday’s NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Berco Redwood at All American Speedway for the ARCA Menards Series West, leading all 150-laps from the pole for his second consecutive series win.

 

Huddleston topped General Tire Pole Qualifying and left zero doubt during a non-stop contest, clicked off in under 37 minutes on the one-third mile speedway. Huddleston’s lead fluctuated between two and three seconds over Eric Nascimento, Jr. throughout the contest.

 

“Epic man. Epic,” Huddleston said. “It’s a crazy couple of days. Got engaged (last weekend in victory lane) and got these wins. I live a blessed life.”

 

Huddleston accepted the checkered flag with a 1.482-second lead followed by Eric Nascimento, Jr., Reif, Hingorani, and Wood.

 





Pole: Trevor Huddleston

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race:
The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. PT for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR / ARCA Media