Sunday, April 30, 2017

Justin Allgaier Win Second NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Dash 4 Cash’

Justin Allgaier Win Second NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Dash 4 Cash’

JR Motorsports Race Report from Richmond

Race 8 of 33: ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond International Raceway
  • Track Specs: 0.75-mile D-shaped oval / 250 laps
  • Weather: Partly cloudy; 89 degrees
  • Race Winner: Kyle Larson
  • Allgaier's finish: 2nd 

Justin Allgaier Win Second NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Dash 4 Cash’

Justin Allgaier and the BRANDT Professional Agriculture team won their second NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash event of the season on Saturday afternoon, finishing second at Richmond International Raceway. Allgaier led a race-high 157 laps in the 250-lap event and won Stage Two, earning a playoff point. The 30-year-old driver moved up to second in the NXS point standings, 41 points behind teammate Elliott Sadler.

Starting sixth, Allgaier's Chevrolet took off and he was up to second on lap 15. Setting his sights on leader Daniel Hemric, the Illinois native surpassed Hemric on lap 27 to take over the top spot. Just a few laps later he came over the radio to relay that the BRANDT Chevy was tight center and free off the corner. The No. 2 of Austin Dillon began closing in on Allgaier and made the pass on lap 38 to take the lead. He held on to second for the remainder of Stage One to earn a spot in the Dash 4 Cash. Under the stage-ending caution, that came out at the completion of lap 75, the BRANDT team made a pit stop for four tires, fuel and a track-bar adjustment.

At the start of Stage Two on lap 87, Allgaier was on the outside of the front row and powered his way to the lead. As his lead grew, he relayed to the team on lap 99 that his Chevrolet was still a little tight center, but not bad. Allgaier continued to take control of the Stage Two, holding on to the top spot to win the stage at the completion of 150. In the closing laps of the run, Allgaier had reported that the BRANDT Chevy was losing a little overall grip. The team pitted under the stage-ending caution for four tires, fuel and another track-bar adjustment. 


Justin Allgaier Win Second NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Dash 4 Cash’


On lap 165, Allgaier took the green flag in second, but quickly retook the lead before the completion of the lap. A caution came out on lap 182 and crew chief Jason Burdett made the call to stay out and maintain track position. The JR Motorsports driver got a good restart with 64 laps to go to keep the lead. Quiet on the radio, Allgaier listened to spotter TJ Majors, who was communicating lap times. The yellow flag came out with 11 laps to go and the team came to pit road to give the BRANDT Camaro four fresh tires. The No. 3 of Ty Dillon opted to take two tires, putting Allgaier in second for the restart. When the green-flag waved, Dillon jumped the start and Allgaier was running third when another caution waved with four laps to go. Under the caution, NASCAR communicated that Dillon would have to move to the rear of the field due to jumping the restart, making Kyle Larson the new race leader. The race was sent into overtime and on the restart Allgaier was racing for the lead with Larson when a multi-car wreck occurred. Initially there was confusion on whether or not the caution was out, but eventually it was ruled that caution fell over the track after the overtime line, so the race was ruled complete. Larson was deemed the winner, with Allgaier in second. Daniel Hemric, Austin Dillon and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top five.

Allgaier's second-place finish was his third top five of the year and fourth top 10. This was his third Xfinity Dash 4 Cash win with JR Motorsports (Indy 2016 and Phoenix 2017).

Justin Allgaier, driver No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture team

"I'm just proud of everyone at JR Motorsports. The BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevy we had today, short of the end of the first run, it was just absolutely on rails. Ultimately we came here to win the race and had a great opportunity to do that and unfortunately at the end of the race, the whole race, the wheels fell off of it. It just felt like everything went haywire there at the end and unfortunately we ultimately paid the biggest price and didn't get to go to Victory Lane. On the flip side of that, and I told one of the guys from Xfinity, I said I'm sorry that my disappointment in not winning the race kind of overshadowed my speech there on winning the Dash 4 Cash, because I really am truly appreciative of what they do for our series and what they do for our sport. This is a great opportunity for our team to invest some money back into the budgets and to help keep growing as a team. Even though it is disappointing that we didn't go to Victory Lane, we still did a great job. We can't hold our heads low. We had a great race. We finished second and ultimately took home the Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash."

Justin Allgaier Win Second NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Dash 4 Cash’

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet Camaro Justin Allgaier

  • Start - 6th
  • Finish - 2nd
  • Laps Completed (Led) - 254 of 254 (157)
  • Points (Bonus) - 54 (1)
  • Point Standings (from leader) - 2nd (-41)
  • Status - Running



Related Posts:

  1. Matt Kenseth is on a Roll
  2. Happy Birthday to "The Intimidator"
  3. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (4)
  4. Preview of Toyota’s Spring Race Weekend at Richmond International Raceway
  5. Anything But 'Average' at Richmond

Matt Kenseth is on a Roll

Matt Kenseth is on a Roll Will Start Today’s Monster Energy NASCAR Race from Pole #TOYOTAOWNERS400


Matt Kenseth Will Start Today’s Monster Energy NASCAR Race from Pole #TOYOTAOWNERS400


After a weekend off, NASCAR’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returned to action last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, despite a rather soggy weather forecast. Rain in the area on Friday washed out qualifying and forced the starting line-up to be set according to the rulebook. This meant that Matt Kenseth and his No. 20 DEWALT FLEXVOLT™ Toyota started 22nd. Teams were able to get both practice sessions in on Saturday, but heavy rain washed out Sunday’s events and postponed the race until Monday afternoon. Kenseth started from 22nd and was able to fight his way through the field to earn his second top-five finish of the season, finishing fourth.

This Wednesday, the team’s press conference germinated erroneous rumors that “Matt the Brat” would be retiring soon. Luckily for this Kenseth fan, the topic turned out to be a new sponsor for Matt’s No. 20 team.

Circle K will serve as Kenseth’s primary in six upcoming races — Richmond (April 30), Talladega (May 7), Charlotte (May 28), Kentucky (July 8), Texas (Nov. 5), and Phoenix (Nov. 12) — and is multi-year deal, according to team owner Joe Gibbs. 


Circle K will serve as Matt Kenseth’s primary in six upcoming #NASCAR races.


Circle K is the largest independent convenience store operator in terms of number of company-operated stores in North America, and the brand currently has over 6,000 stores located in 41 states throughout the United States.


“The thing about racing at Richmond is that both ends of the track are quite a bit different from each other. Turn 2 gets really tight off of that corner without a lot of room, and the entry to Turn 3 is just very unique. Richmond’s track surface is worn out and slick so that makes it hard to find your balance there. You want your car to be turning really well, but you also need to have some traction up off the corner and that can be tough to put together. This weekend is always a really big weekend for Toyota with it being their entitlement weekend, and we’re really excited to have Circle K aboard the No. 20 for the first time this season, so I’m looking forward to a good weekend ahead.” Matt Kenseth

KENSETH BY THE NUMBERS AT RICHMOND: In thirty-four Monster Energy Cup Series career starts at Richmond, Matt Kenseth has an average finish of 15.9. He’s completed 13,229 of 13,616 (97.2 percent) career laps, and has led for a total of 760 laps. Kenseth has earned two wins with his most recent coming in September of 2015, one pole, six top-five and sixteen top-10 finishes at the 0.75-mile track.


Well let’s make that two poles.

Matt Kenseth captured his first pole of the season, and the 19th of his career, in qualifying for Sunday's Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

Kenseth’s lap of 121.076 mph scored the pole. His last came in October of 2016 at Kansas Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has now won at least one pole a year for seven straight seasons. It’s Kenseth’s second career Richmond pole.

“This year has not been a good year for us, obviously,” said Kenseth, who enters the weekend 20th in the point standings. “We finished strong at Bristol but we didn’t get to qualify because of the rain. That put us in the middle of the pack. We haven’t been getting any Stage points, we’re buried in the points.

“Hopefully we can start up front and stay up front this week.”


Related Posts:

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  2. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (4)
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  4. Anything But 'Average' at Richmond
  5. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (3)


Saturday, April 29, 2017

Happy Birthday to "The Intimidator"

Happy Birthday to "The Intimidator"
Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s 1915 hero card featured his three children Kerry, Kelly, and Ralph Dale Jr.
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver and team owner, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR. Earnhardt began his career in 1975 when he drove in the 1975 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the Winston Cup Series (later the Sprint Cup Series).

Earnhardt won a total of 76 races over the course of his career, including one Daytona 500 victory in 1998. He earned seven NASCAR Winston Cup Championships and his aggressive driving style earned him the nickname "The Intimidator."

He also carried the title of “Dad.”

In 1995, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s hero card featured his three children Kerry (then 25), Kelly (then 22), and Ralph Dale Jr. (then 20). The Earnhardt children are the third generation of racers and were just beginning their racing career. Like their father, Dale Sr. and their grandfather, Ralph racing was in their blood.

Today would have been Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. sixty-sixth birthday. Happy Birthday to "The Intimidator."

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  4. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (3)
  5. Navy F-18’s to Perform Flyover for TOYOTA OWNERS 400 at Richmond International Raceway


In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (4)

In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement

Photos and Quotes (Part 4 of 4)

In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"It was a very emotional conversation...but when we came out of that deal,
we were excited about what's next." -- Rick Hendrick
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I kind of want this season to drag a little just so we can
get everything we can out of it." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"My heart loves being in the car, I love driving and I enjoy
it as much as I ever have." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I still have two XFINITY races to run in 2018 so even after this season
you have not seen the last of me on the race track." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
revealing his has a few races on the books next year
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I'm going to be on the track Richmond with my foot on the floor
and this press conference will be a distant memory." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"Coming out of the gate and winning two XFINITY championships, blew me away."
-- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his early success
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I wanted to leave some kind of mark that somebody would know I was here."
-- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on being a part of Hendrick Motorsports
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I want to be a part of the future of this sport for many,
many years to come." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I do love winning races but it isn’t the one thing I enjoy the most.
The one thing I enjoy the most about racing is my relationships
with the team." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I accomplished way more than I ever dreamed. Way more.
So I'm good." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on an overall look at his career
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"He wouldn't tell me to my face, but he would probably tell Rick (Hendrick)
that he was really proud of me." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on
what his dad, Dale Earnhardt, would think of his career
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I knew your dad very well, and he would be proud of the man
that you are and all that you've done." -- Rick Hendrick on
what Dale Earnhardt would think of his son's career

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  5. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (2)


Friday, April 28, 2017

Preview of Toyota’s Spring Race Weekend at Richmond International Raceway

Preview of Toyota’s Spring Race Weekend at Richmond International Raceway

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Final Day Race in Richmond will be the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race 

To help navigate the upcoming weekend, RIR has put together a list of what to expect throughout this weekend in Richmond.
To help navigate the upcoming weekend, RIR has put together a list
of what to expect throughout this weekend in Richmond.

The spring race week at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) is officially here. From the Toyota PitPass with ferris wheel and Toyota Thrill Ride in the Midway to the return of red stripes to the track walls to Dale Earnhardt Jr’s final day race in Richmond to Track Takeover driven by AAA to the Checkered Flag 5K & Kids Fun Run and more, Richmond’s Toyota spring race weekend is packed. To help navigate the upcoming weekend, we’ve put together a list of what to expect throughout this weekend in Richmond.

Toyota will be the go-to place for fans in the Midway with the Toyota PitPass with rides on the ferris wheel, return of the Toyota Thrill Ride experience, and tours of Toyota cars on display. At the Toyota Owners Hub, owners of Toyota, Lexus or Scion can show their car keys for entry to relax with entertainment, food, and games. Toyota driver appearances will occur throughout the weekend including Matt Tifft, Gray Gaulding, Daniel Suarez, and Michael Waltrip. For appearances and times, visit rir.com.

The red stripes are back. Fans will see a new addition to the track walls at Richmond this weekend as we have brought back a racing tradition. Red racing stripes are a fan favorite and a staple in the sport. The last time red stripes covered the track walls were in 1988, when Richmond was still a half-mile configuration.

Fans will also see a new Richmond wall badge when they fill the grandstands this weekend. NASCAR Hall of Famer and Motor Racing Network broadcaster Rusty Wallace helped unveil the new look for the track last week. The new wall badge pairs nicely with the red stripes and ushers in a new era for Richmond.

With the news of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s retirement at the end of the season, the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday will be his final day race at Richmond. Earnhardt is a three-time Cup race winner in Richmond with victories in the Crown Royal 400 in 2006, Chevy American Revolution 400 in 2004, and Pontiac Excitement 400 in 2000. Earnhardt has also won four NASCAR XFINITY Series races at Richmond with his most recent victory coming in last spring’s ToyotaCare 250. This weekend will be race fans last opportunity to watch Earnhardt race during the day at Richmond.



The new additions to the track walls is just one of the many things fans will see when they attend Track Takeover driven by AAA. All TOYOTA OWNERS 400 ticketholders are invited to walk Richmond’s historic track from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, April 30. Fans will experience music, live entertainment, interactive displays, special appearance by AAA driver Austin Dillon, and they can even sign the Start/Finish line. This family-friendly event is the perfect place for fans to create memories of their own out on the track.

Kids 12 & younger can get their Sharpies ready for the Kids Autograph Session on Sunday, April 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Virginia529 Kids Zone. Drivers Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Gray Gaulding will be signing autographs and taking pictures with NASCAR’s littlest fans. Wristbands are required for this event, and will be distributed at the Virginia529 Midway Display beginning at 8:30 a.m. A limited number of wristbands are available.

2016 NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year Chase Elliott’s Chase U college program is coming to Richmond. Chase U offers current college students a unique race day experience at an affordable price. For $24, college students with a valid ID get a ticket to the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race and access to the exclusive pre-race party from 9 a.m. to noon with Chase Elliott. Students will be treated to live music from Mason Brown & The Shiners, food and beverages, tailgate games, and a race day appearance by Chase Elliott at 11:25am. Learn more at rir.com/chaseu.

The April weekend kicks off on Thursday, April 27 with the Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run. Participants have the chance to run where NASCAR legends have ran. Runners will also have the opportunity to cross the Start/Finish line. The course will give participants a different view of the track. For more information on the Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run, please visit rir.com/5k.

To support racing around the Commonwealth, Richmond has partnered with local tracks to launch RacingVirginia.com. The site centralizes info regarding all the racing action that happens in Virginia. With original content from writers like Joe Moore and Randy Hallman paired with general info about each track, the Racing Virginia website is a resource for all racing fans in the state.

These are just a few of the things happening during the Toyota spring race weekend. For updates and more information, please visit rir.com.



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  5. Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run at Richmond International Raceway


Anything But 'Average' at Richmond

Anything But 'Average' at Richmond When looking at the tracks where Kyle Busch excels in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition, there are many ways to size up the situation. After all, Busch has won at all but two of the 23 tracks that comprise NASCAR’s top series.

Among all those wins at all those tracks, one stop on the circuit seems to be a cut above the rest for the M&M’S driver when looking at the overalls statistics – Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, site of Sunday’s Toyota Owners 400.

A quick look at the stat sheet at Richmond for Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), can easily make the case he is most consistent at the .75-mile short track in Virginia’s capital city. Along with four series wins there, Busch has amassed 15 top-five finishes and 17 top-10s in 23 career starts at Richmond.

Additionally, the Las Vegas native has an average finishing position of 7.0 at Richmond, tops among active drivers. Next best is Kevin Harvick, whose average finish there is 8.2. Busch has completed all but one of the 9,223 laps available to him in his 23 Richmond starts. Of those laps completed, Busch has run in the top-15 for 8,139 laps, or 88.2 percent, which is second-most among active drivers.

Sunday afternoon, Busch and the M&M’S team look to get back to victory lane, where Busch ended up after four consecutive spring-race wins from 2009 to 2012, besting Richard Petty’s previous record of three Richmond spring-race wins in a row from 1971 to 1973. Last April, Busch almost brought home his fifth Richmond win, but teammate Carl Edwards bumped and slipped past the defending Cup Series champion on the last lap. With those impressive statistics and records to back him up, it’s little wonder that a visit to the “Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia” is one of Busch’s favorite stops on the NASCAR tour.

So, as the series heads back to Richmond for the first time this season, Busch and the M&M’S team look to bring home their fifth career win there. Whether or not they make it back to victory lane, history has shown they’ll be anything but average, and they’ll be the driver and team everyone will be on the lookout for. 


Anything But 'Average' at Richmond - Kyle Busch


KYLE BUSCH, Driver of the No. 18 M&M'S Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing:

What does it take to get around Richmond?

“Richmond is getting a little trickier, it seems like, just with the asphalt kind of getting older and the way the cars are. The consensus at Richmond is, of course, just trying to get your car to turn, but also having really good forward bite. You have to be able to get off the corners at Richmond. You have to have good brakes, as well, and be able to turn the center. All of it correlates. Everything you want as a racecar driver, you’ve got to have most all of it and, if you don’t, then you better hope you have more forward bite than the rest of them. That’s sort of the equation of Richmond. It’s a fun place to race. It’s really cool. As a driver, you wish it could widen out and give you more options of being able to run around in different grooves, but it hasn’t shown us that the last couple of years. We’re hoping to get our M&M’S Camry back to form there. We were very good last spring, but we’d like to get another victory there, for sure.”

What is it about Richmond that suits your driving style?

“I love Richmond. It’s one of my favorite racetracks and one of my best racetracks. I love being able to go there and, of course, we put on some pretty good races there. We won four spring races in a row and I would have loved to have made it five or more. It’s a neat racetrack and it’s certainly an excitement track and there is a lot of action that happens there.”

Why is Joe Gibbs Racing so strong at Richmond?

“I think a lot of it comes from Denny (Hamlin), being that it’s his home track. I’ve been good there in Hendrick and JGR cars. But Denny and I really feed off each other an awful lot at Richmond. We use each other a ton there, just to be sure we can beat the rest of the competition, of course. We do like similar setups there, unlike some other places we run. Richmond is one of those places where we both know what it takes to get around and we’re both similar to one another in that we both run well. Matt (Kenseth) has only added to our information there and, with Carl (Edwards) on board the last couple of years, he was a guy who was very good over the years there, as well.”

Can you compare Bristol and Richmond?

“There’s really no comparison between racetracks, honestly, because Charlotte, Texas, Atlanta – they all look the same from overhead, but they all drive not even close to the same. Richmond and Bristol are more than oil and water, more than day and night. This place is an attack-type race track yet, when you attack, you can get yourself in trouble. Richmond is a very methodical racetrack and you have to be very – you’re very on edge there all the time, especially corner entry, getting into the corners. You’re always loose there and you have to be able to be loose there in order to carry the speed through the middle and have good drive off. This place isn’t quite like that. With the day race now versus night at Richmond in the fall, I think it’s kind of the same play as any race. Sometimes nighttime just feeds itself with not as much grip and makes it to where the bottom is the preferred lane and daytime allows the racetrack to widen out and be hotter where, on a cooler racetrack, you’re looking for where the rubber is for at least a little while until the whole track rubbers in and then you have to go back to the bottom, anyway. It’s just a matter of trying to put on the best show for the fans. They’re the ones that pay their hard-earned money to watch us race and we want to make sure we do our best. I think that’s a lot of the consideration to how many day races there are compared to night races, but still I think you need to have your fair share of night races, for sure.”

Do you enjoy the atmosphere at Richmond?

“I think the coolest thing about Richmond is the atmosphere they have there with all the fans really getting into it. People love coming there and supporting that racetrack. It’s been around for a long time. It’s a fast racetrack. It’s only a three-quarter-mile oval but it has really high speeds that makes it fun for us drivers and makes excitement that’s fun for a fan. Martinsville is a short track and it’s slow, but Richmond is pretty quick.”




Team Release

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  4. Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run at Richmond International Raceway
  5. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (1)


In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (3)

In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement

Photos and Quotes (Part 3 of 4)

In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I feel healthy and I'm having a really good time driving these cars.
I'm excited about the races I have left." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"This was going to come at some point. Everybody gets to a point in their career
where they are going to retire." -- Rick Hendrick
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"Going through what we went through last year was a challenge.
I was pretty sick at one point,  didn't think I was going to get to race."
-- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the road to returning to race in 2017
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"This season has been a blessing to me. A gift." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I saw, even at an early age before I was a driver, that growing up in that
man's shadow was going to be difficult." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on
growing up around his racing legend father, Dale Earnhardt
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I've been treated so well by the industry and by the fans
everywhere we go." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"When he said he wanted to talk to me, I had this inkling that it might be
pretty serious." -- Rick Hendrick on the discussion of retirement with Dale Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I'm at peace with the decision. I’m very comfortable with it. I’m more concerned
with the fallout of it." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I enjoy the race team with have JR Motorsports and the fact that we
have graduated so many people. … Our connection to HMS
is critical to our success." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"When I really want to know the facts, I'll sit down with Dale.
-- Rick Hendrick on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s eye for young talent
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I really don’t know what to expect." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
regarding the farewell tour he is set to embark on

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Thursday, April 27, 2017

Navy F-18’s to Perform Flyover for TOYOTA OWNERS 400 at Richmond International Raceway

Navy F-18’s to Perform Flyover for TOYOTA OWNERS 400 at Richmond International Raceway Fourteen-Year-Old Sophia Nadder to Perform National Anthem

United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 will make the Flyover for the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race on Sunday, April 30.
United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 will make the Flyover for the
TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race on April 30

The pre-race ceremony is the memorable time just before the roar of the engines that sets the tone for the race. The moment when the flyover matches perfectly with the ending of the National Anthem can take any fan’s breath away.

Richmond International Raceway (RIR) announces its pre-race ceremonies for the Toyota spring race weekend. Pre-race is highlighted by the United States Navy F-18’s performing the flyover. United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 will make the Flyover for the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race on Sunday, April 30. The VFA-83 Rampagers are based out of Virginia Beach, Va., and fly F/A-18C Hornets.

“We are honored to have United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 perform the flyover prior to the TOYOTA OWNERS 400,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “The flyover is an important part of race day, and one that many fans look forward to. I know the roar of the F/A-18C Hornets will bring the fans to their feet.”

Fourteen-year-old Sophia Nadder from Midlothian, Va., will perform the National Anthem prior to the TOYOTA OWNERS 400. Nadder is no stranger to the pre-race stage. She first performed at Richmond in the fall of 2013, when she was just 11 years old. Nadder recently celebrated her 100th performance of the National Anthem last summer.

“Sophia is an incredible talent, and she will honor our country with her singing of the National Anthem on Sunday,” continued Bickmeier. “She has become a part of the Richmond family with her inspiring performances over recent years.”

Sophia Nadder singing the National Anthem for the Washington
Nationals vs the Arizona Diamondbacks (June 27, 2013)

Additional elements of pre-race ceremonies for Sunday’s TOYOTA OWNERS 400 include:
  • the FasTrax skydiving team
  • God Bless America performed by Sergeant First Class Stephanie Doehr representing Fort Lee and the 392D Army Band
  • Pledge of Allegiance by Electronics Technician Nuclear First Class Jonathan Caddell
  • the Color Guard will be presented by the Army Logistics University
  • the invocation by Pastor Joe Ellison, Jr., Senior Pastor of City Park Church in Richmond, Va.

On Saturday, April 29, fans will see:
  • the Bandit Flight Team perform the flyover during pre-race ceremonies for the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race
  • Miss Arena Racing USA Kristen Dennis will be performing the National Anthem
  • the Fort Lee Color Guard presents our nation’s colors
  • the invocation will be given by Chaplain Claude Crisp, Senior Fort Lee Chaplain
  • the Pledge Allegiance by Major Mike Palkovics of the Henrico Police Department

Related Posts:

  1. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (2)
  2. Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run at Richmond International Raceway
  3. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (1)
  4. Oh No Jr. Nation - Tell Me it is Not So.
  5. Burton Will Start On Point For the #KNEast Race


In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (2)

In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement

Photos and Quotes (Part 2 of 4)

In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, just to name two of probably a dozen guys
I’m excited about. All those guys have great attitudes and great
personalities." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the young talent in NASCAR
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"No one in the garage could be better to mentor these
young guys than Dale." -- Rick Hendrick
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"This is a new batch of guys that are going to do things a new way
and bring some more energy to the sport." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
A"During my rehab I was given time to understand what was
important to me, the incredible support system I have with
my wife, team & doctors." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I've never woke up since I talked to Rick and had a change of heart."
-- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the days since making his decision when he
first informed Rick Hendrick of his plans on March 29
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I’m very sad, because I know it’s definitely disappointing for a lot of people to
wake up to that news this morning." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
on the conflicting emotions his retirement brings
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"We have a lot of urgency to go out there and try to make some things
happen this year." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the mindset of the
No. 88 team for the remainder of the year
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"We are very close. I appreciate the sacrifices he and his family have made for
our team." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his relationship with crew chief Greg Ives
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"You have helped me mature and grow well beyond the racetrack." - Dale Jr.
on his time and relationships at Hendrick Motorsports
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"I felt like a member of my family came and told me this is what I decided to do."
-- Rick Hendrick on discussing the decision with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement #NASCAR
"At a very young age, all I wanted to do was make a living
driving cars." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Related Posts:

  1. Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run at Richmond International Raceway
  2. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (1)
  3. Oh No Jr. Nation - Tell Me it is Not So.
  4. Burton Will Start On Point For the #KNEast Race
  5. NASCAR Xfinity Series Returns Today at BMS


Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run at Richmond International Raceway

Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run at Richmond International Raceway

Richmond International Raceway is giving runners the chance to race across the same finish line as NASCAR legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt on Thursday, April 27. RIR has partnered with Richmond Road Runners Club to host the inaugural Checkered Flag 5K and Kids Fun Run. The course will take participants around the RIR property as well its historic track surface.

Participants can celebrate crossing the finish line right on Pit Road, with craft beer, food trucks and music!

Start Times:

Event:


Start Times: Registration Fee: 
Checkered Flag 5K            6:30 p.m.           $20
Checkered Flag Kids Run 7:30 p.m. $10

Parking for the event is free, and participants can take advantage of the thousands of parking spaces right on property to enjoy all of the post-race fun.

“The inaugural Checkered Flag 5K & Kids Fun Run will open our family-friendly spring race weekend with a fun, impactful event for our community,” said RIR President Dennis Bickmeier. “Through the partnership with the Richmond Road Runners, we will give 5K participants a driver’s view of RIR and raise funds for our non-profit arm, RIR Cares.”

Related Posts:

  1. In Their Words: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick on Retirement (1)
  2. Oh No Jr. Nation - Tell Me it is Not So.
  3. Burton Will Start On Point For the #KNEast Race
  4. NASCAR Xfinity Series Returns Today at BMS
  5. Russell Dickerson To Lend His Emerging Country Sound To The Food City 500 Pre-Race Concert