Thursday, September 30, 2021

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS at Talladega: Race Preview

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS at Talladega: Race Preview

October 2, 2021 “Chevrolet Silverado 250” (Stages 20/40/94 laps = 250.04 miles)

By Nascarvd Nascarvรฉdรฉ 

 

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS at Talladega: Race Preview

 

"This is Talladega !"

There are only three races left before the end of the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Only three more possibilities for Derek to win his first race of his career. We all know that the Talladega Superspeedway, like all Superspeedways, can be a real lottery to determine the winner. The risk of "Big One" is more present than ever on this kind of very fast track where the drivers ride in tight groups.

 

But Derek is comfortable in this type of race. Fourth at Daytona last year at the start of the season, he finished 10th at Talladega while having led 19 laps and won Stage 2.

 

This year he was involuntarily involved in an accident at Daytona when the green flag was waved… Like its 2021 season, this Daytona race was marked by bad luck...

 

But the annual visit to Alabama might smile on Derek. As with all races on Superspeedway since the start of his NCWTS career, Derek will be wearing Shockwave Marine Suspension Seating colors. The company of Canadian David Smith.

 

 

No practice or qualifying, Derek will start from 13th position. His place in the championship. He is 104 points from 11th position. It’s a realistic goal. Have the honorary title of best driver outside the Playoffs.

 

GO Derek GO !!

 

Silverado 250 at Talladega


 

Entry list, starting lineup and much more here: www.racing-reference.info/race/2021-20/C

 

Race live this Saturday on FS1 at 1:00 p.m. ET

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Contenders with the Edge at Talladega?

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Contenders with the Edge at Talladega?

Clearly Team Penske

Winners of Nine of Last 14 Talladega Superspeedway Races; Full Slate of All Playoffs Drivers’ Talladega Superspeedway Stats as Round of 12 YellaWood 500 set for Oct. 3

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Contenders with the Edge at Talladega?

 

With the all-important second race in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 looming for Talladega Superspeedway’s  YellaWood 500 on Sunday, Oct. 3, what Playoffs drivers have the advantage? If history repeats itself, Team Penske should be in good shape, at least that is what statistics show.

 

Team Penske has won nine out of the last 14 races at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet. Brad Keselowski, with his win in the spring GEICO 500, tied Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon for second on the track’s all-time win list with his sixth Talladega triumph (and trails Dale Earnhardt, Sr. with 10). Teammates’ Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney have three and two victories, respectively. A win by any Playoffs driver means an automatic ticket to the Round of 8.

 

In addition to Keselowski, Logano and Blaney, four other Playoffs drivers have wins at the 2.66-mile tri-oval, and include Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, defending YellaWood 500 Champion Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch.  Of the 12 drivers who have a shot at this year’s premier series title, Keselowski also leads the way in career average finish at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track with 15.60 and is closely followed by Elliott at 15.73 and Harvick at 15.76.

 

With the unpredictability of the 33-degree-banked venue, some drivers have had good luck on their side while others clearly haven’t. The latter includes the top two seeds in Kyle Larson and Martin Truex, Jr., whose best finishes are sixth and fifth, respectively. Below is a look at all 12 drivers and their stats at Talladega Superspeedway, plus a quick recap of their season thus far.

 

  • 1 seeded Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (3,059 points): Looking for his first victory at Talladega. Best finish came in the 2016 YellaWood 500 when he was sixth. In 13 TSS starts, has two top-10 results with an average finish of 23.54. The top seed this season has six wins in 2021 with 16 top-5 efforts in 29 starts. Has led a series-best high 1905 laps. Best finish in championship standings is sixth in 2019. 
  • 2 seeded Martin Truex, Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (3,029 points): Has never won a Cup Series race at Talladega’s 2.66-mile venue but reeled off three straight wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2004-06. In 33 career NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega, he has two top-five finishes (5th in 2016 & ’06) with an average result of 21.82. The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Champion has four wins in 2021 and 10-top-5 finishes. 
  • 3 seeded Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford (3,024 points): Has two NASCAR Cup Series wins at Talladega (2019 YellaWood 500 and 2020 GEICO 500). In 14 TSS races, he also has a total of three top-five results and five top-10s for an average finish of 17.43. Has three wins in 2021, and his Best finish is the seventh in the final championship standings in 2019). 
  • 4 seeded Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (3,024 points): Winner of the 2014 GEICO 500 and is the defending champion of the YellaWood 500. In 32 TSS races, has an average finish of 17.19 with nine top-five and 13-top results. Searching for his first premier series title, with a best career finish of second in 2010. Has one victory thus far in 2021. 
  • 5 seeded Kyle Busch, No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (3,022 points): The winner of the 2008 GEICO 500 at Talladega, Busch has an average finish of 20.78 with six top-five efforts to go along with eight top-10 finishes. He is one of two drivers (along with Mark Martin) to win in all three of NASCAR’s top-tier series at Talladega). A two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion (2015, 2019), he is the only active driver with multiple titles. Has made the Championship 4 in four of the last five seasons. Has captured two victories in 2021. 
  • 6 seeded Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (3,021 points): The defending NASCAR Cup Series Champion has one triumph at the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway, coming in the 2019 GEICO 500. He has four top-five finishes and five top-10s for an average finish of 15.73. Has gone to Ruoff Victory Lane twice this season. 
  • 7 seeded Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (3,015 points): Best finish at Talladega came in 2019 when he was runner-up to teammate Elliott in the GEICO 500. In 12 career starts at Talladega, has three top-10s for an average finish of 24.58. Best finish in the championship standings came in 2020 when he was sixth. Has three wins in 2021. 
  • 8 seeded William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (3,014 points): Still looking for initial triumph at Talladega Superspeedway, coming up just one position short earlier this year in the GEICO 500. In seven starts at TSS, has two top-five results and an average finish of 17.14. Was 11th in the battle for the championship in 2019, his best to date. Has won victory in 2021, coming at Homestead-Miami Speedway in February. 
  • 9 seeded Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford (3,013 points): The three-time Talladega Superspeedway winner (2015, 2016, 2018) has competed in 25 premier series races at ’Dega with a 17.52 average finish (eight top-fives and 10 top-10s). He has led 407 laps at Talladega, the most of any of the title contenders. He also has two NASCAR Xfinity Series triumphs at TSS. Won the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. Has one win this year and has advanced to the Round of 12 seven times. 
  • 10 seeded Brad Keselowski, No. 2 Team Penske Ford (3,008 points): Talladega Superspeedway’s active win leader with six victories (tied with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., four behind Dale Earnhardt, Sr., with 10). Captured his first career win at Talladega in 2009 and is the latest victor at the track after claiming the GEICO 500 earlier this April to secure his spot in the playoffs. Other wins came in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017). His average finish in 25 Cup Series races at the 2.66-mile venue is 15.60, tops of the drivers battling for the title. In addition, has one win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the historical track. Trying for his second championship after winning the title in 2012.
  • 11 seeded Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (3,005 points): His average finish in three starts at Talladega is 28.33 with his best finishing effort at 17th this past spring. This is his first time in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Qualified for the playoffs with his win in February on the DAYTONA Road Course. 
  • 12 seeded Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (3,002 points): The 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion has one win at Talladega, coming in the 2010 GEICO 500. His average finish is 15.76 at the mammoth track with eight top-five and 17 top-10s in 41 races. Has posted 16 Cup Series Playoffs wins and has made it to the Championship 4 Round in five of the last seven seasons.

 

The YellaWood 500 will be the culmination of a tripleheader NASCAR Playoffs weekend, which also features a duo of races on Saturday, Oct. 2 with the Sparks 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Chevy Silverado 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The action begins at Noon CDT.

 

 

About Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive race track on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three- and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

 

 

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Talladega Traditions

Talladega Traditions

The Mighty Vulcan Trophy and Horseshoe Wreath Await Sunday’s YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race Winner


Denny Hamlin - Talladega Traditions


 

Talladega Superspeedway will once again present the winner of Sunday’s YellaWood 500 with the colorful, horseshoe-shaped winner’s wreath, along with the unique Vulcan Trophy in Ruoff Victory Lane.

 

 

The red, white and blue floral wreath was one of the first-ever traditions of the 2.66-mile historic track. It was presented to the victor of the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at Talladega on September 14, 1969, Richard Brickhouse. The following year, Pete Hamilton, who swept both Talladega races in 1970, sported the wreath. For some unknown reason, however, that tradition was short-lived and faded out after ’70. The wreath was brought back to life in the fall of 2019 and will be presented to every Cup Series winner at ’Dega moving forward.

 

Introduced in the fall of 2016, the Vulcan Trophy stands more than 38 inches tall and weighs over 130 pounds. The trophy is a hand-made, miniature version of the colossal Vulcan statue – a 56-foot tall structure fastened to a 124-foot platform that stands tall over the city of Birmingham, Alabama – just 45 minutes west of the race track. It is the largest cast-iron statue in the world and is the main attraction at Birmingham’s Vulcan Park Museum (www.visitvulcan.com).

 

Vulcan, which pays homage to the god of fire in Ancient Roman myth, has overlooked Alabama’s largest city from atop Red Mountain since the 1930s. The myth tells the story of Vulcan, who made weapons and armor for all the gods, using his hammer in his forge (shop where metal is heated and hammered into useful items).

 

The winners of Saturday’s doubleheader – the Chevy Silverado 250 and Sparks 300 – will receive the unique Hammer & Anvil Trophy. Both the Vulcan Trophy and the Hammer & Anvil trophy are handcrafted by local artists from Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, pouring hot iron into a created cast, then chiseled to perfection.

 

Great tickets are still available for the Sunday’s (Oct. 3) YellaWood 500 (1:00 p.m.), the second race in the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 Playoffs, and for Saturday’s (Oct. 2) Chevy Silverado 250 (Noon CDT) for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the Sparks 300 (3:30 p.m. CDT) for the NASCAR Xfinity Series – both crucial Playoffs events.

 

Admission to the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert, headlined by platinum-selling Dustin Lunch, is FREE to all infield guests, who purchases a ticket to the YellaWood 500. To see all admission options, including the Talladega Garage Experience, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

 

Fans are encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet by following Talladega Superspeedway on Twitter and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

 

 

NBC Sports’ Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Pilot Ron Bouchard’s Historic No. 47 with Ceremonial Lap Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway

NBC Sports’ Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Pilot Ron Bouchard’s Historic No. 47 with Ceremonial Lap Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway

Will Honor 40th Anniversary of One of the Biggest Upsets in NASCAR History

Bouchard Came From Third to First in 1981 Through the Tri-Oval on the Last Lap at NASCAR’s Biggest and Baddest Track, Passing Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte for his Only Career Triumph; The YellaWood 500 Playoffs Race is set for 1 p.m. CDT Sunday

NBC Sports’ Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Pilot Ron Bouchard’s Historic No. 47 with Ceremonial Lap Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway

 

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of one of biggest upsets in NASCAR history – Ron Bouchard’s remarkable triumph at Talladega Superspeedway in 1981 – the track has something special planned for fans in pre-race prior to the start of Sunday’s YellaWood 500.

 

Six-time Talladega Superspeedway Champion and NBC Sports’ Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will drive Bouchard’s authentic 1981 No. 47 Buick during a ceremonial lap around the biggest and baddest track on the planet just before the engines are fired to start the YellaWood 500. The beautiful yellow and white, blue numbered car will also be on display during the weekend in the track’s one-of-a-kind Talladega Garage Experience, allowing fans to get an up-close view of the historic machine.

 

On August 2, 1981, Bouchard, a rookie from Fitchburg, Mass, in only his 11th career race as a NASCAR Cup Series driver (rookie season), was running third on the final lap entering the tri-oval. He trailed future NASCAR Hall of Famers Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte, and was really an afterthought as the two high-profile legends looked to settle the race amongst themselves. Bouchard, however, had other plans.

 

As the trio came through tri-oval, Waltrip continued to lead as Labonte shot to the outside to make the pass. Meanwhile, Bouchard, utilizing the draft, dove low, and unbelievably, made the pass on both, leaving Waltrip, Labonte and a packed house stunned. Bouchard’s margin of victory? Two feet. It was Bouchard’s only career victory, while Waltrip and Labonte would go on to win six races at Talladega between them.

 

“When we first went there, Buddy Baker told me that one of the differences at this track was, that when you came off Turn 4, you had to remember that the start-finish line wasn’t in the tri-oval (1,250 further down toward Turn 1),” Bouchard said after his win. “He actually went through the scenario with me where he said, if for some reason I was third coming off Turn 4, I needed to wait until the second-place guy made his move then go the other way because, at that point, there was still plenty of time to draft by those guys at the line.

 

“When we came off Turn 4, I remembered what Buddy told me, and I waited. Terry jumped to the high side of Darrell. Then the only one Darrell was worried about was Terry. I got a draft off the two of them. When I passed them, I remember thinking as we crossed the stripe, ‘I’ll be a son-of-a-gun if Baker didn’t talk about this very thing, and it happened just like he said.’”

 

The winning car is now housed at the Ron Bouchard Museum in Fitchburg (open here). Bouchard would continue to compete in NASCAR’s premier series through 1987. His Talladega victory would be his lone trip to the winner’s circle in 160 career races. In all, Bouchard competed in 160 career races with 19 top-five finishes, 60 top-10 efforts and three pole positions. He drove for three car owners in the Cup Series, the majority with Jack Beebe and the No. 47 Race Hill Farm Racing team. He passed away in December of 2015.

 

 

The most competitive track in the world continues another chapter in its storied history this weekend. Great tickets are available for the YellaWood 500 (1:00 p.m. CDT start), the culmination of a tripleheader NASCAR Playoffs weekend. NBC Sports will present race coverage at 1 p.m. CDT on NBC, beginning with pre-race coverage at noon CDT on the broadcast network. Tickets are also available for Saturday’s (Oct. 2) duo of races on Saturday, Oct. 2 with the Sparks 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (3:30 p.m. CDT start on NBCSN) and the Chevy Silverado 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The action begins at Noon CDT.

 

Admission to the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert, headlined by platinum-selling Dustin Lunch, is FREE to all infield guests, who purchases a ticket to the YellaWood 500. To see all admission options, including the Talladega Garage Experience (includes access to Garage Viewing Walkways, Pre-Race Ceremonies on Sunday, Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane, historic cars, including the No. 47 of Bouchard), visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

 

Fans are encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet by following Talladega Superspeedway on Twitter and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

 

Photo Cutline: Ron Bouchard (47) passes Darrell Waltrip (center) and Terry Labonte at the line to win at Talladega Superspeedway in 1981. It is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in Talladega history. Bouchard’s car will be driven in a ceremonial lap this Sunday by six-time Talladega winner and NBC Sports’ Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to honor the 1981 accomplishment.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

NASCAR drivers, breast cancer survivors share personal stories of the impact breast cancer has had while raising awareness of early detection and prevention by painting Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pit wall pink ahead of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

 

Alongside dozens of pink shirt-wearing breast cancer survivors, NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch and Daniel Hemric joined officials from Charlotte Motor Speedway and Blue Cross NC in painting Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pit wall pink on Tuesday.

 

 

The speedway’s eighth Paint Pit Wall Pink event has become an annual tradition to celebrate survivors, provide hope for those battling breast cancer and paint the 1,500-foot pink pit road wall to raise awareness of the importance of early detection.

 

Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter and Performance Racing Network’s Lenny Batycki joined the survivors in painting the wall.

 

The event featured a special unveil of the pink Toyota Camry pace car for the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross NC race on Oct. 9. The car, is covered in more than 600 digital signatures of breast cancer survivors and those currently battling, serves as a reminder that no one fights alone.

 

During the event, Hemric, whose family has been directly impacted by breast cancer, presented a green flag to Jennifer Grady, a breast cancer survivor and senior strategic policy consultant for Blue Cross NC who shared her story during Tuesday’s event.

 

“I am grateful that my cancer was detected early on to afford me more treatment options, because I know that isn’t always everyone’s story,” Grady said. “Early detection has significant impact on breast cancer treatment and outcomes, and I encourage every woman to commit to annual testing.”

 

Additionally, Busch shared that he has rallied drivers in the Cup Series to run pink window nets during the Oct. 10 Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, to further raise awareness as part of an initiative called “Window for Hope.” The idea came to the Chip Ganassi Racing driver after he received a letter from a fan who mother was battling breast cancer asking if Busch could run a pink window net to show support for those battling.

 

“I’m like, ‘That sounds like a brilliant idea; let me go to work,” Busch said. “A small idea from a race fan will now have every NASCAR car at the ROVAL – at this year’s (Cup) race – will have a pink window net. We’re just trying to create more awareness of breast cancer, support survivors and everyone going through the process.”

 

Cheryl Parquet, Blue Cross NC’s director of community development and marketing activation, said that Paint the Wall Pink is inspiring each year.

 

“We’re grateful for partners like Charlotte Motor Speedway who share our passion for honoring survivors and increasing breast cancer awareness and early detection,” said Parquet. “The pink canvas ribbons our volunteers have painted are a reminder that our patients and survivors are not alone. In the face of breast cancer, we stand together.”

 

 

TICKETS: To purchase Drive for the Cure 250 and Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 race tickets, fans can shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10.

 

MORE INFO: Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on Twitter and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

 

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

 

source: NASCAR Media

Honorary Officials for Oct. 3 YellaWood 500 Announced

Honorary Officials for Oct. 3 YellaWood 500 Announced

Company Founder, President and CEO Jimmy Rane, along with Board of Directors to Serve as Grand Marshals; Enterprise, AL Native Katie Britt to be Honorary Starter

 

Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, the Abbeville, Alabama-based producer of YellaWood®  brand pressure treated pine, announced today its Honorary Officials for the Sunday, Oct. 3 YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

 

Great Southern Wood Preserving (GSWP) founder, President and CEO James W. (Jimmy) Rane, his family and representatives of the company’s Board of Directors, will serve as Grand Marshals. The group will give the famous command “Drivers, Start Your Engines.” YellaWood guest Katie Britt will serve as the race’s Honorary Starter and wave the green flag to set the race in motion from high above the start-finish line.

 

Founded in 1970, GSWP has grown from a single plant to become a diverse portfolio of companies operating in both domestic and international markets in the areas of building products production, manufacturing and distribution, sawmill operations, and transportation and logistics through trucking operations.

 

Today, GSWP and its subsidiaries operate 37 distribution locations with a coverage area that stretches from the Florida Keys to Texas to Canada, an area that includes all or parts of 28 states and the District of Columbia, as well as much of the Caribbean and Latin America, and part of the European Union, Mediterranean region and China.

 

These facilities service Do-It-Yourself retail home centers, pro dealers, and other retail building-related and industrial segments. Best known for its YellaWood® brand products and its famous “yella” end tag, the company employs nearly 1,600 people across its various divisions and operations.

 

Rane, the public face of GSWP for more than 50 years, is a 2018 inductee into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, serves as a member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, and is president of the Jimmy Rane Foundation, a non-profit established in 2000 to fund college scholarships for deserving students. Since its inception the Jimmy Rane Foundation has provided college scholarships to 510 deserving students who have attended or are attending the college or university of their choice.

 

A native of Enterprise, Alabama, Britt is the former president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama and former chief of staff to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. An attorney by trade, Britt is a graduate of The University of Alabama and volunteers in numerous civic, educational, and leadership organizations, including the Alabama Wildlife Federation Board of Directors. She resides in Montgomery with her husband, Wesley, and their two children.

 

 

The YellaWood 500, the second race in the Round of 12 in the Cup Series playoffs, gets the green flag at 1 p.m. CDT Sunday. Saturday, Oct. 2, will feature a double dose of playoff action with the Chevy Silverado 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (12 Noon CDT) and the Sparks 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (3:30 p.m. CDT).

 

Other pre-race dignitaries and traditions for the pre-race activities for the full weekend include:

 

YellaWood 500: 1:00 p.m. CDT (NBC, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 & MRN); 188 laps

  • Grand Marshal – Jimmy Rane, Founder and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, along with his family and representatives of the company’s Board of Directors  
  • Honorary Starter – Katie Britt, former president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama  
  • Invocation – Chaplain Barbara Embry, Citizens Baptist Medical Center  
  • Presentation of Colors – Robertsdale High School (AL) NJROTC 
  • Pledge of Allegiance – Scout Troops from AL  
  • God Bless America – Hoover High School (AL) Choir (40 performers)  
  • National Anthem – United States Army 313th Band

 

John Ray’s iconic Big Semi-Truck with giant American flag around track during National Anthem

 

Flyover-2 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, FIGHTING BLACK LIONS, F/A-18F Super Hornets

 

Chevy Silverado: 250 12:00 p.m. CDT (FS1, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 & MRN); 94 laps

  • Grand Marshal – TBD 
  • Honorary Starter – TBD  
  • Invocation – Raceway Ministries  
  • Presentation of Colors – Central High School (AL) NJROTC  
  • Pledge of Allegiance – Scout Troops from Alabama 
  • God Bless America – Spain Park High School (AL) Choir (25performers)  
  • National Anthem – Vestavia Hills High School (AL) Choir (15 performers)

 

John Ray’s iconic Big Semi-Truck with giant American flag around track during National Anthem

 

Sparks 300: 3:30 p.m. CDT (NBCSN, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 & MRN); 113 laps

  • Grand Marshal – Wayne Sternbergh, friend of Sparks, Inc.  
  • Honorary Starter – TBD 
  • Invocation – Lindsay Lane Baptist Church  
  • Presentation of Colors – Central High School (AL) NJROTC  
  • Pledge of Allegiance – Scout Troops from Alabama  
  • God Bless America – Marbury High School (AL) Band (40 performers)  
  • National Anthem – Marbury High School (AL) Choir (30 performers)

 

John Ray’s iconic Big Semi-Truck with giant American flag around track during National Anthem

 

 

Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 at Salem Speedway

Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 at Salem Speedway

ARCA Menards Series 2021: Race 19/20 and Sioux Chief Showdown 2021: Race 10/10

Salem Speedway - Situated in the scenic hills of southern Indiana

 

For over 65 years Salem Speedway has enjoyed the recognition of being one of the most unique and renowned racetracks in America

 

Situated in the scenic hills of southern Indiana, the Salem Speedway roars to life with upwards of 12-15 “Special Events” per year. With a season stretching from April to November each event is “Special” in its own right with sanctioning bodies such as ARCA, the Must-See Racing Xtreme Sprints, the Ken-Ten Pro Late Model Series and the Top Speed Modified Tour helping bring the finest in professional automobile racing to the world-famous facility.

 

 

Saturday, the ARCA Menard Series will take to the track for Salem’s Fall Classic. Ty Gibbs won 2019 Fall Classic. Children under twelve are Free.

 

 

#ARCA Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200

 

Race Day Schedule:

  • Saturday, Oct. 2 
  • Garage opens at 10 a.m. 
  • Practice at 3:15 p.m. 
  • Qualifying at 5:30 p.m. 
  • Race at 8 p.m. (All times ET) 
    • TV channel - MAVTV 
    • Live stream - TrackPass 
    • Radio - ARCARacing.com

 

Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 at Salem Speedway

 

 

Monday, September 27, 2021

NASCAR Plus ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Las Vegas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Plus ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Las Vegas Motor Speedway)

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Josh Berry (Xfinity); Christian Eckes (Trucks) Plus Taylor Gray (ARCA)

 

 

NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin with the Winning Hand at Las Vegas

Denny Hamlin with the Winning Hand at Las Vegas

 

The NASCAR Cup Series hit the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Denny Hamlin held off a charging Chase Elliott to win the jackpot.

 

As he crossed the Las Vegas Motor Speedway finish line to claim the South Point 400 trophy, Denny Hamlin screamed into his team radio, “Viva Las Vegas.” And indeed, it was that kind of night for the perennial championship contender, who led a race-best 137 of the 267 laps to earn his first Las Vegas victory in 20 starts and take an automatic bid into the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs.

 

“It feels so good to win in Vegas, last couple times I‘ve been so close but just didn‘t have the right breaks, but they got the car great and great to hold those guys off,” said Hamlin, who earned his 46th career victory and becomes the first driver to officially earn a shot into the Round of 8. “I‘m so happy to not have to worry about the next two weeks, but I am a professional and I will work just as hard each and every week to win.”

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Josh Berry Rolls at Las Vegas, Speeds to Second Xfinity Series Win

Josh Berry Rolls at Las Vegas, Speeds to Second Xfinity Series Win

 

Josh Berry seized opportunity and drove away from the competition Saturday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Tabbed to substitute for injured JR Motorsports driver Michael Annett, the Tennessee late-model champion Berry earned his second win of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, claiming an impressive 4.396-second victory in the playoff opener.

 

Berry, 30, led a 1-2-3 JR Motorsports team sweep in the Alsco Uniforms 302 — besting teammates Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson, whose second- and third-place finishes were tops among the 12 playoff-eligible drivers.

 

“Oh my gosh, that thing was so fast, it just took me a while to figure out,” Berry said. “I just had to stay disciplined and keep working on it and the guys made the right adjustments. And it was fast, man. Finally got a long run and got it all together.”

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Christian Eckes Earns First Career Camping World Truck Series Win

Christian Eckes Earns First Career Camping World Truck Series Win

 

For the second consecutive week, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series crowned a first-time winner. Christian Eckes, a 20-year-old New York native, took the lead on a final restart with four laps remaining to claim his first trophy and lead a historic 1-2-3-4 finish for the ThorSport Racing team.

 

Eckes teammate Ben Rhodes finished .272-seconds back, followed by playoff driver Matt Crafton and veteran Johnny Sauter who completed the ThorSport four-of-a-kind at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Todd Gilliland finished fifth after leading a race-best 66 laps.

 

“Man, this is big,” said Eckes, formerly a Kyle Busch Motorsports driver, who was making only his ninth start in a part-time campaign with ThorSport  this season.

 

“It‘s been a tough year. That‘s all I got to say, it‘s been a tough year since last November. Hopefully I proved I can still do this.

 

“I‘m speechless. It‘s been a rough year, been a rough year.”

 

 

ARCA West

Taylor Gray Takes Checkered at Las Vegas Bullring for Second Win of 2021

Taylor Gray Takes Checkered at Las Vegas Bullring for Second Win of 2021

 

A couple weeks after he picked up his first win of the 2021 ARCA Menards Series West season at Portland International Raceway, Taylor Gray dominated much of the race on the 0.375-mile paved oval, leading 123 of 150 laps.

 

Including Gray’s victory in last season’s event at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, California, Thursday night’s triumph marks Gray’s third West Series win.

 

“It’s easy to get worked up at these short tracks, overdriving the entry and stuff like that,” Gray said. “I didn’t do that great of a job tonight honestly, just making mistakes. I should have had better restarts. In my opinion, I should have won this race by a lot more, but just got to work on myself and keep studying and get better.”

 

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Sunday, September 26, 2021

GEICO 500 & YellaWood 500 Return to Traditional Weekends 2022

GEICO 500 & YellaWood 500 Return to Traditional Weekends 2022

NASCAR Announces 2022 Cup Series Schedule

Springtime GEICO 500 Winner Will Advance to 2022 NASCAR Playoffs While the Fall’s YellaWood 500 will Continue to Play Crucial Role in Battle for the Premier Series Championship

#NASCAR GEICO 500 & YellaWood 500 Return to Traditional Weekends 2022


NASCAR announced the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule that includes Talladega Superspeedway’s  two traditional weekends – the GEICO 500 in April and the YellaWood 500 in October.

 

The 53rd edition of the Talladega springtime classic, GEICO 500, is set for Sunday, April 24, and will be the premier series’ 10th points race of the year. While the 2021 YellaWood 500 is just over two weeks away (on Oct. 3), next year’s fall classic will take place on Sunday, October 2, 2022, and will again be the second race in the Round of 12 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

 

“We are thrilled to have both our GEICO 500 and YellaWood 500 back next year in their traditional spots on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton.” We have fans that come back year after year for race-family reunions and to celebrate both of our NASCAR weekends, and we can’t wait to have them back again in 2022. We look forward to new fans being here and enjoying the greatest entertainment one can imagine, beginning their own race traditions and taking home lifetime memories.”

 

One part of the entertainment that Crichton refers to is the Talladega Garage Experience, which debuted in fall of 2019 to rave reviews. The Talladega Garage Experience gives fans the chance to be immersed into the sport of NASCAR like never before, including being able to be up-close to the NASCAR’s top drivers and teams via a fan walkway under the same roof as the NASCAR Cup Series garage car bays. In addition, there’s the unique 35,000 square foot “Big Bill’s” covered Open Air Social Club, complete with ample seating, a bar and a 41-foot diagonal video screen, the opportunity to be a part of Ruoff Victory Lane, and lots more.

 

Fans wishing to attend the Cup Series races at ’DEGA in 2022 can purchase tickets starting at $75 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and younger. Account holders from 2021 can take advantage of even lower pricing when renewing their tickets & camping. For information on the 2022 GEICO 500 and YellaWood 500, fans can visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA (1-877-462-3342).

 

The full 2022 Cup Series schedule can be found at www.nascar.com.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs contenders – Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin – are the defending champion of the GEICO 500 (2021) and YellaWood 500 (2020), respectively. Keselowski will go for a Talladega sweep in the YellaWood 500 tonight.

 

Fans are encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet by following Talladega Superspeedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

South Point 400 (#NASCAR Cup) Las Vegas

South Point 400 (#NASCAR Cup) Las Vegas

Green Flag on the Playoffs’ Round of 12

South Point 400 (#NASCAR Cup) Las Vegas Green Flag on the Playoffs’ Round of 12

 

  • The Time: 7 p.m. ET  
  • TV: NBCSN, 6 p.m. ET  
  • Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90) 
  • Distance: 400.5 miles (267 Laps) 
    • Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 80) 
    • Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 160)
    • Final Stage (Ends on Lap 267)

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Waves the Green Flag

Intensity mounts as the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs have reached the Round of 12 and four of the original 16-driver Playoff field have been eliminated – Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, Kurt Busch, and Michael McDowell.

 

 

Now the remaining 12 challengers lead the NASCAR Cup Series to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400 on September 26 at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

The 2021 season marks just the second-time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 has opened at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Race No. 30 of the season (2020, 2021). Las Vegas is the sixth different track to host the fourth race of the Playoffs; joining Kansas Speedway (2004, ’05, ’11, ’13, ’14), Talladega Superspeedway (2006, ’07, ’08, ’12), Auto Club Speedway (2009, ’10), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2015, ’16, ’17) and Dover International Speedway (2018, ’19).

 

Prior to the 2020 season, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted the first race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2018 and 2019. Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski won the 2018 Las Vegas Playoff race and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. won the 2019 Las Vegas Playoff race.

 

A total of 13 different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs., led by Jimmie Johnson  with three victories (2009, 2011, 2016). Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kurt Busch is the most recent winner of the fourth race in the Playoffs taking home the checkered flag from Las Vegas last season.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Friday, September 24, 2021

Truck Playoffs’ Round Of 8 to Begin

Truck Playoffs’ Round Of 8 to Begin

At Las Vegas Motor Speedway

The field during the #NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway
Sheldon Creed, driver of the #2 Liftkits4less.com Chevrolet,
leads the field during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

 

This weekend will be the first of three races in the second round of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, the Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 Presented by Westgate Resorts (September 24 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  The Playoff standings have been reset to 3,000 points for the drivers that advanced to the Round 8.

 

 

All eight drivers in the Round of 8 would clinch on their win alone this weekend at Las Vegas: 

  1. John Hunter Nemechek 
  2. Sheldon Creed 
  3. Ben Rhodes 
  4. Zane Smith 
  5. Chandler Smith 
  6. Matt Crafton 
  7. Carson Hocevar 
  8. Stewart Friesen

 

John Hunter Nemechek back to the top of the reseeded Playoff standings

All those regular season wins, and stage points are sure coming in handy in the postseason for Kyle Busch Motorsport’s  driver John Hunter Nemechek who finds himself atop the Playoff standings following the reseeding for the Round of 8.

 

Sheldon Creed’s hot start has him seeded second heading to Vegas

Kicking off the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs with back-to-back wins at Gateway and Darlington was a great way to start postseason for GMS Racing’s Sheldon Creed, who now finds himself ranked second in the postseason standings just 24 points back from John Hunter Nemechek.

 

Ben Rhodes looking to rebound in this round of the Playoffs

ThorSport Racing’s Ben Rhodes advanced to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs’ Round of 8 on points after finishing in the top-10 at Bristol last weekend.

 

Zane Smith squeaked into the Round of 8

Just two points, that was how little the point margin was for Zane Smith to clinch the final spot in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs Round of 8 last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. GMS Racing’s Zane Smith pulled off an eighth-place finish last Thursday night to advance out of the first round of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs for the second-time in his career (2020, 2021).

 

Chandler Smith sits in the first spot outside the Championship 4

Chandler Smith took the saying ‘Win and you’re in’ to heart last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway and did just that. The Georgia native grabbed his first career the win and in doing so guaranteed his spot in the Round of 8.

 

Three-time champ Matt Crafton keeps the campaign for his fourth title going

ThorSport Racing driver Matt Crafton’s quest for a fourth championship continues, after the veteran put up three top-10 finishes in the first three races of the Playoffs to score enough points to advance to the Round of 8 for the sixth consecutive season in his career (2016-’21) – series-most. If Crafton were to win this season championship, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series most titles all-time.

 

Rookie Carson Hocevar has his work cut out for him in the Round of 8

Sitting in the seventh seed is quite the accomplishment for the young NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Hocevar. The Niece Motorsports driver advanced on points to the Round of 8 but now sits seven points behind the Championship 4 Round cutline heading to Las Vegas.

 

Stewart Friesen finds himself in the eighth and final position of this round

Despite not winning in the first round of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, Halmar Friesen Racing’s Stewart Friesen led all the Playoff challengers in average finish (3.7) in the Round of 10 and because of that he earned himself a spot in the Round of 8.

 

#NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Drivers Sheldon Creed and John H. Nemechek
Sheldon Creed, driver of the #2 Liftkits4less.com Chevrolet,
and John H. Nemechek, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Toyota, race
during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200
presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

 

 

source: NASCAR Media