NASCAR Legend Cale Yarborough Dies

Three-time Cup Champion, Yarborough won four Daytona 500s and became the first NASCAR driver to win three straight titles

 

NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough has died. He was 84.

 

Yarborough is one of the most successful NASCAR drivers ever with 83 Cup Series wins and three championships. Yarborough won those championships in three straight seasons from 1976-78 as he amassed 28 wins and 70 top-five finishes over 90 races in that span.

 

“Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen,” NASCAR chairman Jim France said in a statement. “His combination of talent, grit and determination separated Cale from his peers, both on the track and in the record book. He was respected and admired by competitors and fans alike and was as comfortable behind the wheel of a tractor as he was behind the wheel of a stock car. On behalf of the France family and NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cale Yarborough.”

 

One of Yarborough’s most famous moments in NASCAR came right after he won his third and final championship. Yarborough was racing for the lead with Donnie Allison in the 1979 Daytona 500 when the two drivers collided on the backstretch and their cars went sliding through the infield. After climbing from their cars in the infield as Richard Petty ended up winning the race, the two started tussling as Allison’s brother Bobby had also arrived on the scene.

 

 

The fight was a signature moment for NASCAR, which was primarily a regional motorsports series at the time. The 1979 Daytona 500 was the first race televised live from start to finish on broadcast television, and a snowstorm in the Northeast and Midwest led to many tuning into the race because they were stuck at home.

 

Yarborough is one of just seven drivers with more than 80 Cup Series wins and is tied with Jimmie Johnson for the sixth-most wins at NASCAR’s top level behind Petty, David Pearson, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip. Allison and Waltrip finished their careers with one more win than Yarborough.

 

Yarborough was also the first driver in Cup Series history to win three consecutive titles. While Petty, Johnson and Dale Earnhardt each have seven championships, only Johnson won more than two consecutive titles. Johnson tied Yarborough with his third consecutive title in 2008 and went on to win two more to get five straight from 2006-10.

 

Petty is also the only driver to win more Daytona 500s than Yarborough. Petty won seven 500s in his career to Yarborough's four.

 

A South Carolina native, Yarborough attended races at Darlington Raceway as a kid and competed in the 1957 Southern 500 as a 17-year-old even though NASCAR realized how old he was right before it began. Yarborough had lied about his age to enter the race — the minimum age was 21 — and started the race before switching places with a different driver much to NASCAR’s chagrin.

 

Yarborough’s legendary status also comes from his daredevil personality. It’s no stretch to say he’s one of the toughest and boldest NASCAR drivers to ever compete in the series. Just read this story he told Sports Illustrated in 1968 about flying a plane for the first time.

 

"Wib Weatherly and I had bought a plane," Cale said, "a Piper J-4. When it got here, Wib and I started to talking, each of us telling the other about how good we could fly. So finally we went out and got in the plane, and I said, 'I'll turn it over and you take the controls,' and he said, 'Naaw, you take the controls and I'll turn it over.' So I did, and never let on about anything and just taxied and took off as pretty as you please. Every time I'd offer to give the controls over, Wib'd say, 'Naaw, Cale, you're doing just fine.' Well, pretty soon we were running low on fuel and it was time to land and I said, 'Wib, I took off; you land it,' and Wib said, 'Naaw, you're doing fine, Cale. You land it.' Then I confessed that that was the first time I'd been at the controls of an airplane. Wib confessed, too. He said that was the second time he'd ever even been up in an airplane. Well, I brought it in, bouncing all over the place and with Wib's eyes as big as saucers, and the next day I was out there and took off again and practiced landings in this field until I could do it pretty good. Never had a lesson in my life."

 

Yarborough had his most success racing for Junior Johnson’s team. He left Johnson’s team after the 1980 season. He won two of his four Daytona 500s in the 1980s as he won 14 races from 1981-1985 even though he was competing on a part-time basis.

 

He became a car owner ahead of the 1987 season and drove part-time through 1988 before retiring from driving. Yarborough’s team wasn’t very successful; John Andretti won the team’s only race in the 1997 Pepsi 400 before Yarborough shut the team down and sold it in 2000.

 

Yarborough was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 on the hall’s third ballot. He was a finalist to make the hall in each of the first two election cycles but wasn’t among the first 10 inducted.

 

Toughness. That was Cale Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/CHDK5cTiH9

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 31, 2023

Statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles on the passing of four-time Indianapolis 500 starter and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/s3Xb87ilii

— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) December 31, 2023

This is Cale Yarborough
Windshield was broken from debris. He pitted to remove it, returned to the track without a windshield to run 5 more laps while his crew went to the garage to get a replacement. They replaced the windshield and he finished 5th. RIP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/3dXtloeGDW

— Eddie Wood (@woodchopper16) January 1, 2024

Statement from @WinstonKelley on the passing of Class of 2012 NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough. We offer our sincere condolences to the entire Yarborough family. #NASCARHall #NASCAR #ForeverLegends pic.twitter.com/F82Y0dAmJI

— NASCAR Hall of Fame (@NASCARHall) December 31, 2023

We are saddened by the loss of Cale Yarborough, a true racer whose competitive spirit was felt by all through his relentless drive and unwavering commitment to excellence. He set the standard for generations of racers and inspired fans at every turn. His impact on the sport will… pic.twitter.com/ohrhJPa1Aq

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) December 31, 2023

source: Yahoo Sports Media

Kyle Larson Bringing Massive Following to IndyCar

Roger Penske: "We can see it already"

 

Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson joins an elite list of NASCAR Cup Series drivers after deciding to double up on racing on Memorial Day weekend in 2024. Along with competing in the highest echelon of stock car racing, the #5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driver will also be making his Indy 500 debut on the same day next season.

 

Larson will be seen running an Arrow McLaren SP car sponsored by Rick Hendrick during the 108th running of the famed open-wheel race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With NASCAR topping the charts for popularity and viewership in the United States, the NTT IndyCar Series will also be benefitting from one of stock car racing's most successful drivers making his IndyCar debut.

 

NASCAR and IndyCar team owner Roger Penske spoke about the 'Kyle Larson effect' on 2024 ticket sales for the iconic 500-mile-long race. According to motorsport.com:

 

"We are so excited to see Larson come to the speedway, I know Rick (Hendrick) talked to me about running Larson and we hadn't had the success for a couple years. I think that his skill and his fan base in the Midwest is amazing. The interest from the fan base with (Kyle) Larson coming, we can see it already in our ticket sales. He'll be a great asset to Indianapolis and the 500," Roger Penske said.

 

Kyle Larson will be adding yet another crown jewel of motorsports as he chases the most sought-after titles in oval and dirt track racing. With a NASCAR Cup Series championship already under his belt, Larson has the potential to be the next Tony Stewart with an IndyCar championship win as well.

 

Pre-orders are now open for the No. 5 Coca-Cola 600 and No. 17 Indy 500 Kyle Larson die-cast set!

-1:24-scale/1:18-scale two pack offered in liquid color
-Cup car estimated drop out is blue
-Indy car estimated drop out is papaya

➡️ https://t.co/dc2STUQACY pic.twitter.com/QnvQu7EjrY

— Lionel Racing (@Lionel_Racing) August 13, 2023

 

source: MSM Sport Media

23XI Racing Unveils New Logo

Ahead of 2024 NASCAR Season

 

As 23XI Racing looks towards a successful future, they’re making a slight tweak to their aesthetic.

 

After sending Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick to the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in 2023, the racing team has updated their logo for 2024. Evidently, it’s a more “sleek, aerodynamic” design, according to the team.

 

Check it out below, and form your own opinions on how 23XI Racing did with their new logo choice.

 

Speed in motion.

Our newly designed sleek, aerodynamic logo pays homage to our heritage and looks to the future as we continue to grow and evolve. Here’s to year 4️⃣ and beyond🏎️🏁 #ForwardTogether pic.twitter.com/jvcQO42ywD

— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) November 29, 2023

 

source: MSN Media

Josh Berry Speaks About His Relationship with Rodney Childers

Kevin Harvick's replacement and Crew Chief Have Good Relationship

 

Josh Berry has big shoes to fill as he is set to drive the #4 SHR Ford next season, teaming up with Kevin Harvick's  longtime crew chief Rodney Childers.

 

Fast time for the @KHIManagement #62 here at @FlorenceMSpdwy for the #SC400 tonight. @RodneyChilders4 & and the boys have been working hard trying to make sure it lasts for all 250. 👊🏻 @KevinHarvick @HarrisonsUsa @puryeartank

— Josh Berry (@joshberry) November 18, 2023

Berry worked with Childers in the South Carolina 400 Late Model race, building up for the 2024 season. He finished a respectable fourth in the event. Speaking about his bond with the #4 crew chief, he told Frontstretch:

 

"I think we're still figuring that out but Roddy and I have had a good relationship for years. Obviously, there's not anybody else that I'd want calling the shots for me in the cup series, getting to do this stuff together is just kind of a bonus. He's put a lot of hours into this car and it's been really fast. So we're just going to try to keep on getting better."

 

In ninety-five (95) Xfinity Series Starts, Josh earned five wins and twenty-eight top five finishes. Berry’s best NASCAR Cup finish was a second-place finish on April 2, 2023. He was the beneficiary of a late caution in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway alongside teammate Kyle Larson. Thanks to a few lightning-fast pit stops, the 5 and 9 came out first and second and finished there.

 

Kevin Harvick will be in the Fox Booth next season as he begins his post-retirement journey.

 

 

source: MSN Sports Media

South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway

Entry list, live stream, more for 2023 race featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr., other NASCAR stars

 

Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is getting used to racing his Late Model Stock Car at Florence Motor Speedway. Having finished ninth in last year’s South Carolina 400 at the NASCAR Home Track, the 49-year-old during Saturday’s edition of the race will have his third chance at a Florence victory in 2023.

 

Earnhardt is included on the loaded entry list for this year’s South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET on FloRacing). He finished sixth in the track’s Locked In 150 a couple months ago to secure his place in the 250-lap feature. Earnhardt also ran Florence’s Icebreaker in February, when he logged a 16th-place finish.

 

Today’s South Carolina 400 figures to be another action-packed show one year after Late Model Stock star Brenden “Butterbean” Queen took the checkered flag in what was his debut race with Lee Pulliam Performance. Queen is back for 2023, as is Carson Kvapil, the JR Motorsports driver whom Queen outlasted for last year’s win.

 

After winning the Locked In 150 in September, South Carolina short-track racing veteran Sam Yarbrough will start the 2023 South Carolina 400 from the pole position.

 

That’s all we know ahead of a long day of practice and qualifying Saturday as more than 40 Late Model Stock Car competitors look to add a Florence crown jewel to their trophy cases that evening.

 

Pre-race ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, immediately followed by feature racing. Twin Late Model heat races will begin the feature action, followed by the Street Stock and Mini Stock races. The 250-lap Late Model feature will close the night.

 

Entry list

Dale Earnhardt Jr. headlines the entry list for today’s South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway. But the NASCAR legend’s Hall of Fame credentials will do little to help him against a stacked field of Late Model Stock Car aces.

 

 

For example, Earnhardt will race against the driver who delivered JR Motorsports the 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national championship. Josh Berry, who will drive the No. 4 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series next season for Stewart-Haas Racing, will pilot Kevin Harvick’s late model at Florence.

 

Last year’s SC 400 front-runners Brenden Queen and Carson Kvapil are back in the field for 2023. As are talented late model drivers William Sawalich, Kaden Honeycutt, Doug Barnes Jr., Katie Hettinger, Kade Brown, Carter Langley, Brandon Pierce, Ryan Glenski, Landon Huffman, Josh Williams and Stephen Nasse, to name a few.

 

More than 40 entries for tonight’s #SC400, including @DaleJr, @joshberry @Josh6williams, @StephenNasse, @LandonHuffman, @Carson_Kvapil, @katiehettracing, @WilliamSawalich to name a few!

📺 Qualifying begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on @FloRacing. pic.twitter.com/CKLvgApGGl

— NASCAR Roots (@NASCARRoots) November 18, 2023

The Complete Late Model Stock Car Entry List (As of Nov. 15):

1. 51 Matt Cox
2. 02 Justin Milliken
3. 03 Brenden Queen
4. 34 Matt Linker
5. 13 Cody Kelley
6. 16 Casey Kelley
7. 95 Jacob Heafner
8. 21 Lanie Buice
9. 99 Austin Somero
10. 23 Kade Brown
11. 95 Sam Yarbrough
12. 94 Jamie Weatherford
13. 07 Averitt Lucas
14. 1 Trent Barnes
15. 88 Doug Barnes Jr.
16. 71 Katie Hettinger
17. 29 Casey Wyatt
18. 2 Gracie Trotter
19. 18 Anthony Adams
20. 5 Carter Langley
21. 2 Brandon Pierce
22. 30 Paul Owens
23. 55 Mark Wertz
24. 28 Ryan Glenski
25. 75 Coy Beard
26. 3 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
27. 8 Carson Kvapil
28. 62 Josh Berry
29. T2 Travis Truett
30. 20 Josh Dickens
31. 32 Zack Miracle
32. 5 Bryant Barnhill
33. 18 Truett Miranda
34. 21 Landon DeVaughn
35. 28 Landon S. Huffman
36. 11 Josh Williams
37. 16 Adam McCumbee
38. 09 Riley Gentry
39. 75 Landon Huffman
40. 18 David Roberts
41. 43 William Sawalich
42. 10 Kaden Honeycutt
43. 04 Ronnie Bassett Jr.
44. 51 Stephen Nasse
45. 7 Tristan McKee

 

source: MSN.com Media

Ford Captures All Three 2023 NASCAR Championships

Ryan Blaney (Cup); Cole Custer (Xfinity); Ben Rhodes (Trucks)

Ryan Blaney Wins Cup Series Title

 

Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney drove Mustang to its second straight NASCAR Cup Series title by winning the championship race at Phoenix Raceway, capping a weekend that saw Ford claim all three of NASCAR’s major touring titles for the first time in its history.

 

Blaney got the job done by finishing second in the race, and beating fellow Championship 4 drivers Kyle Larson and William Byron, who ended up right behind in third and fourth, respectively.

 

The race came down to a 31-lap dash to the finish. Blaney restarted sixth while Larson was third and Byron fifth, but the Team Penske driver passed Byron three laps later and then battled Larson for the next eight circuits before finally getting past him on lap 292 of the 312-lap event.

 

From that point on, he was able to maintain his advantage and finish second to race-winner Ross Chastain.

 

“I didn't want a caution,” said Blaney after he passed Larson for the championship lead. “Once I got to the white, I felt pretty good about it, but it's just about getting there and finishing it off.”

 

Cole Custer Wins NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship

 

The third time was the charm for Cole Custer, who won his first series championship after finished second in his previous two attempts. This marks the seventh NXS championship for Ford and second in the last four years after Austin Cindric won in 2020. Ford’s other champions include: Greg Biffle (2002), Carl Edwards (2007), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2011-12), and Chris Buescher (2015).

 

This marks the second time Stewart-Haas has won an NXS championship with Ford after Custer delivered the owner’s title in 2018. This continues a streak that has seen Mustang win a driver’s or owner’s championship in all but three seasons since coming to the series full-time in 2011.

 

“I thought it was over. I mean, I went from first to third and I was able to shift the car all night and the Doug Yates horsepower worked out and pulled me off the corner. I can’t believe we won that thing after going back to third on that restart, but I can’t say enough about these guys. I mean, we started the year off and it was a struggle and we kind of had to dig deep with each other and really talk about how to get better. To see how much this group has grown through the year and to be a part of something, I knew I wanted to work with JT. I knew that he was the guy that could make it happen and I wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else. I just can’t thank Gene Haas enough. He’s given me opportunities and I wouldn’t be here without him. I can’t thank him enough, and Ford Performance, Haas Automation, everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing. It’s awesome to bring one back to Stewart-Haas right now. Man, I’m gonna enjoy this. I’ve been waiting to hear Wayne on the radio for a few times now, so I’m pumped.”

 

Ben Rhodes Drives F-150 To Second Straight Truck Series Championship

 

Ford Performance and ThorSport Racing’s Ben Rhodes claimed his second Truck Series championship in the last three years, and the second consecutive for Ford, with a hard-earned fifth-place finish in the No. 99 Ford F-150 Cautions in a race filled with restarts, retribution, extra laps and high-action Friday night at Phoenix Raceway.

 

The evening that featured 12 caution periods, 29 laps of overtime competition and plenty of high-stakes racing – especially among the four championship contenders that earned a chance to settle the season title.

 

“I can’t even believe it,” the 26-year-old Kentucky native Rhodes said of his dramatic title win. “It’s just so awesome, man. To go 25 laps into overtime, do you know what that feels like? It’s crazy. I didn’t think we were going to make it. I thought we were going to pop a tire, that anything that could have gone wrong was going to go wrong. Grant [Enfinger] almost got me. But hats off to him, he ran a great race. I wouldn’t want to race against anybody else for the championship. He raced me clean, and I respect the heck out of him for it.”

 

#FordChampionshipWeekend
🏆 🏆 🏆 pic.twitter.com/94R8vQEtOL

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) November 6, 2023

 

source: Ford Performance Media

Thank You from NASCAR President Steve Phelps

Much to Look Forward to in 2024

 

Steve Phelps is President for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

 

Promoted to President in September 2018, Phelps became just the fifth person to hold the position in #NASCAR history. He is based at NASCAR headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida.

 

In his current role, he oversees all day-to-day operations of the sanctioning body including competition, racing operations, commercial business, marketing, communications, broadcasting, productions, content, digital and international.

 

Below is Steve Phelps’ ‘Thank You’ to the NASCAR Fans

 

As I reflect on the 2023 season, I’m struck by all we have seen, heard, and felt during this memorable 75th Anniversary season. While it has been one for the record book, none of this happens without you – our amazing race fans.

 

This season we saw record setting action across one of the most challenging and diverse sets of tracks in the history of our sport. We brought NASCAR action back to historic North Wilkesboro and took to the streets of Chicago. We had drama on and off the track; saw first-time winners and put a bow on seventy-five years of stock car racing.

 

I say it often and it’s worth repeating because it’s true – NASCAR has the best fans in sports, period and we thank you. Thank you for sharing your families, your passion, your excitement, and most importantly sharing your time with us.

 

We do this because of you, and we'll continue to work tirelessly to deliver the very best of our sport each and every week for you, the NASCAR fan as we look ahead to 2024.

 

There's much to be excited about, from our first ever NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, the return to North Wilkesboro for the All-Star Race, our Crown Jewel races like the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, the Brickyard 400, and the Southern 500 and of course we'll Crown three more Series champions in Phoenix.

 

Enjoy the off season. Happy Holidays and we look forward to seeing you in 2024; whether it's at a track or tuning in at home for another great season of NASCAR racing.

 

Keep These Links Handy for Next Season:

• Subscribe to NASCAR on YouTube: https://nas.cr/youtube 
• Visit NASCAR.com for the latest news: https://nas.cr/nascar 
• Follow on discord http://discord.gg/nascar 
• For more race day in-car cameras check out NASCAR Drive - https://www.nascar.com/drive 
• Shop for your favorite NASCAR gear, diecasts and more: https://nas.cr/store 
• Download the NASCAR Mobile App: https://nas.cr/mobile 
• Weekend schedule for on-track action: https://nas.cr/weekend

 

We’re ready to write more history. ⭐️

Tickets are on sale NOW for the 2024 @NASCAR All-Star Race! Better get ‘em before they’re gone.

🎟️ https://t.co/aN1tGVRMGN pic.twitter.com/sZOQR9x1eF

— North Wilkesboro Speedway (@NWBSpeedway) October 5, 2023

Keep Up On NASCAR’s Latest on Social Media:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nascar 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASCAR
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nascar
• Snapchat: https://nas.cr/SnapchatAdd 
• TikTok: https://nas.cr/TikTok 
• GIPHY: https://giphy.com/nascar

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Cole Custer-Unfair Championship Advantage?

What's Your Opinion

 

Is it just me, admittedly a NASCAR Nut, or did the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity champion have an unfair advantage during Saturday’s Season Finale at Phoenix Raceway?

 

This moment is one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/F15g1dM0Ey

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 7, 2023

Of the four championship contenders Custer, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and John Hunter Nemechek, only Cole Custer had the opportunity to spend a little extra time on the 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval racetrack located in Avondale, Arizona.

 

What happened, you ask?

 

 

Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski, pilot of the No. 6 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing, a team he co-owns, had to leave the track to fly home to join wife Paige for the birth of their baby boy.

 

While the new #BoyDad was able to fly back and participate in Sunday’s Cup race, he was not there to qualify his car. Cole Custer stepped in and took over those duties for his fellow Ford driver.

 

Now in my mind, such as it is, that gives Custer a better look at the track and current track conditions than his other three championship competitors. With today’s limited practice, every second on the track reaps huge benefits.

 

BRAD IS BACK.

BK has arrived at @phoenixraceway to drive the No. 6! https://t.co/5TQNIIuGbH pic.twitter.com/Nv1OIf7XyT

— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) November 5, 2023

Conversely, you must keep in mind that a Cup car and a Xfinity car are totally different. The Cup Series cars have a five-inch longer wheelbase than the Xfinity Series cars (105” compared to 100”), which makes a major difference to every other aspect of the car, from the crash structures and aerodynamic packages to the sizes of engines used.

 

Go get em, Cole! pic.twitter.com/CBVgzropNk

— No. 6 Team (@RFK6Team) November 4, 2023

Nevertheless, this NASCAR fan cannot help but wonder if qualifying Keselowski’s Cup car gave our newly crowned 2023 NASCAR Xfinity series champion a slight unjust advantage. Mayhaps not; however, could the 'powers to be' not have picked another Ford driver to step in for the ‘FMLing' Keselowski to avoid any such implication during such an important race?

 

If I was one of the other three Championship Contenders, especially Allgaier who finished third in the race and second in the championship, I think I would have posed that question of fairness before the green flag flew.

 

With all that being said, congratulations to Cole on his first Xfinity Championship. Additionally, congratulations to Brad on his entry into #BoyDad adventures! Both are going to fare well in their new roles.

 

source: NASCAR Race Mom’s Opinion

NASCAR / ARCA Championship Race Weekend Recap (Phoenix Raceway)

Winners:  

• Ross Chastain (Cup)

• Cole Custer (Xfinity)

• Christian Eckes (Trucks)

• William Sawalich (ARCA West)

 

Champions:  

• Ryan Blaney (Cup)

• Cole Custer (Xfinity)

• Ben Rhodes (Trucks)

• Sean Hingorani (ARCA West)

 

 

NASCAR Cup

Ross Chastain dominates Phoenix Cup Finale; Ryan Blaney Wins First Championship

Ross Chastain

 

Race Winner, Ross Chastain led a race-high 157 laps to the Phoenix race win. While Chastain was present, he wasn’t an active influence on the championship fight. However, Blaney did vent his frustrations at the Trackhouse driver over the radio to his team.

 

“I know he was mad, and I don’t care. I do not care. I did not care then; I do not care now. I’m here to race him. I am not going to wreck, Chastain stated.”

 

Ryan Blaney

 

For the first time in 10 years of the elimination playoff format, the NASCAR Cup Series champion failed to win the title race—not that it mattered one bit to 2023 champion Ryan Blaney.

 

When he took the checkered flag in second place in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race, the driver of the No. 12 Ford gave Team Penske its second straight title in NASCAR‘s premier series and gave Ford a sweep of Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway.

 

“Unbelievable year, unbelievable playoffs for us,” said Blaney, who won last week at Martinsville to advance to the Championship 4 with Larson, Byron and Christopher Bell. “To win back-to-back Cup titles for (team owner Roger) Penske, that’s so special. Having my family here, winning my first Cup title, I got emotional in the car. I’m not a very emotional guy.

 

Ross Chastain said he doesn’t care if Ryan Blaney is mad at him. Chastain said he made sure he didn’t make contact with him. Chastain: “Apparently I was No. 1. I don’t know.” pic.twitter.com/ZBKktn7WZ8

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 6, 2023

Pole: William Byron

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 8:00 pm ET for the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Cole Custer wins First Xfinity Series Championship on Wild Overtime Restart

Cole Custer

 

The third time was the charm for twenty-five year old Cole Custer, who became a first-time Xfinity Series champion by winning the 2023 season finale at Phoenix Raceway on a wild overtime restart.

 

The No. 00 Ford driver beat John Hunter Nemechek, Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer to capture his elusive first title on the circuit. Custer had finished runner-up in the Xfinity championship race in 2018-19.

 

“I thought it was over,” Custer, who led a race-high 96 of 202 laps, told NBC Sports’ Marty Snider. “I went from first to third, and I was able to shift the car all night. And Doug Yates’ horsepower worked out (and) pulled me off the corner. I can’t believe we won that thing after going back to third on that restart.”

 

“Man, I can’t say enough about these guys,” Custer said. We started the year off, and it was a struggle, and we had to kind of dig deep with each other, really talk about how to get better and to see how much this group has grown through the year.

 

“I think these guys have just really always believed in me all year, and I just can’t thank them enough for giving me really fast race cars and still believing in me when things weren’t going great.”

 

Sheldon Creed finished second, followed by Allgaier, Riley Herbst and Mayer. Nemechek crashed on the final lap and finished 28th.

 

History made! 🏆

Congratulations to @ColeCuster on securing the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship! 🤩 #NASCAR #Mobil1 #Mobil1TheGrid #StewartHaasRacing pic.twitter.com/qNHCgdCk9M

— Mobil 1 The Grid (@Mobil1TheGrid) November 6, 2023

Pole: Sammy Smith

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 5:00 pm ET for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Spring Race at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Christian Eckes Wins, Ben Rhodes Captures Championship

Ben Rhodes

 

On a night where Truck Series drivers wrecked each other with regularity, it was a respectful move by another Championship 4 driver that sealed Ben Rhodes’ second title in three seasons.

 

Grant Enfinger chased down Rhodes on fresher tires in the fourth overtime. He pulled up to the bumper of Rhodes’ damaged No. 99 Ford on the final lap of the race. Enfinger chose to cut his fellow driver a break.

 

Enfinger avoided intentional contact, even though it cost him the championship in GMS Racing’s final Truck Series race. He crossed the line sixth and ended the season second in the championship standings.

 

“Grant almost got me,” Rhodes told FOX Sports’ Regan Smith after the race. “Hats off to him. He ran a great race. I wouldn’t want to race against anybody else for the championship. He raced me clean and I respect the hell out of him for it.”

 

Christian Eckes

 

As for his victory, the 22-year-old Christian Eckes tried to reconcile the championship race win with having just been eliminated from Playoff contention. He had a win (at Kansas) and a pair of runner-up finishes (Indianapolis Raceway Park and Bristol, Tenn.) during the Playoff stretch but was eliminated after finished of 19th and 20th in the two races leading into the championship finale.

 

“Those two races that killed the whole Playoffs pretty much and that’s just kind of the nature of it,” Eckes said. “I didn’t do my job last week and really the week before either. That gets us out and that puts us in this situation, but it’s motivating for next year and it was motivating for this race too. This one kind of stings, I know it’s a win, but the stupid mistakes the last two weeks of a near perfect Playoffs cost us a championship. This one kind of stings, I know it’s a win, but the stupid mistakes the last two weeks of a near perfect Playoffs cost us a championship. It’s kind of hard to be happy right now, but overall, just super proud of everybody for the year that we’ve had and just ready for 2024.”

 

The championship comes down to the final corner! @benrhodes holds off @GrantEnfinger to win it all! pic.twitter.com/d42WlXJ9SD

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 4, 2023

Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 7:30 pm ET for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.

 

 

ARCA

Sean Hingorani Wraps up West Series Championship; William Sawalich Earns Win at Phoenix

William Sawalich

 

The debut race for Sawalich on the ARCA platform nearly saw him claim a victory at Phoenix until he was turned on a late-race restart by Bradley Erickson. No such problems plagued the 2023 ARCA Menards Series East champion on Friday, who executed a near-flawless race to end his great season on a positive note.

 

“This was very special,” Sawalich said. “We finished where we should have left off in the first race of the year [at Phoenix]. We capitalized on every opportunity and had a couple of good restarts. I worked on a few things myself and I think I’m ready for next year.”

 

The final race on the ARCA platform in 2023 featured two of its three champions inside the Top 3 with Sawalich in first and Hingorani in third.

 

Sean Hingorani

 

With their recent dominance on the ARCA Menards Series platform, it only made sense for Venturini Motorsports to expand their empire westward.

 

The driver Venturini Motorsports tasked for this quest was 17-year-old Sean Hingorani from Newport Beach, California. Hingorani more than proved himself in a Venturini Motorsports car with a stellar debut season that saw him take the ARCA Menards Series West championship crown.

 

Even though he did not grab a victory in the season-ending Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway, Hingorani was elated to see the hard work put in by himself and Venturini Motorsports culminate with a West Series title.

 

“This was such a great season with Billy Venturini,” Hingorani said. “We fought so hard today and really wanted to win this race, but these guys brought me a fast car everywhere. This was such a great opportunity over here [at Venturini Motorsports] and I’m so thankful for it.”

 

He's King of the West.@seanhingorani is the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West champion! pic.twitter.com/WbxU2TNLfI

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) November 3, 2023

Pole: William Sawalich

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on 02/17/2924 for a 200 mile clash at Daytona International Speedway.

 

 

Superstar Racing Experience

2023 Camping World SRX Series Champ Ryan Newman

 

The 2023 Camping World SRX Series was the third season of the Superstar Racing Experience, a stock car racing series in the United States. The six-race season began at Stafford Motor Speedway on July 13 and ended at Lucas Oil Speedway on August 17.

 

NASCAR Star Ryan Newman won the 2023 Superstar Racing Experience Championship, following Marco Andretti 2022 Champ and Tony Stewart 2021 Champ.

 

Newman never won a championship in either NASCAR Cup or Xfinity Series competition, with his career high point being a win in the 2008 Daytona 500. But he was not to be denied of his first SRX championship.

 

“It means a lot, no doubt, any kind of championship (like) the SRX series,” Newman said while celebrating in victory lane. “The Superstar Racing Experience, what can you say? Guys like Tony Stewart, Jonathan Davenport, who has won just about everything there is on dirt, racing against Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace, Helio Castroneves, all that stuff, it’s pretty special. It’s just a whole lot of fun to be doing what I’m doing.”

 

Halloween Costume of the Year 🏆 https://t.co/pxvBYUrdv4

— Superstar Racing Experience (@SRXracing) October 29, 2023

Next Race: The Superstar Racing Experience will return on July 11, 2024.

source: NASCAR Media

Kevin Harvick – One Last Time

NASCAR Veteran Straps in for Final Ride Sunday in Phoenix

 

Who owns Phoenix Raceway? NASCAR or Kevin Harvick? NASCAR owns the facility, at least on paper, but Harvick owns the track.

 

The driver of the No. 4 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has won a record nine Cup Series races at the desert mile. No other active Cup Series driver has won more than three races at Phoenix. Former fulltime Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson is the closest to Harvick with four wins at the track.

 

A legacy not defined by trophies but by how you built your career.

You did it your way, @KevinHarvick. And built one hell of a legacy.

We're all #4EVER proud. pic.twitter.com/uvlbfmhTyH

— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) November 4, 2023

Question: Phoenix marks your final race as a NASCAR Cup Series driver. What’s it like to leave while still at the top of your game?

 

“That’s really one of the things I’m most proud of. Somebody asked me when did I ever feel like I’ve made it. This is really the only time that I’ve ever felt like I’ve made it because I got to choose how I ended it. I know that that’s rare, and as you look at it, I got to plan my last year and say this was it, and then we were still competitive, and then we went out and did what we were supposed to do. It’s really the first time I felt comfortable saying that I’ve made it.” Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Busch Light HARVICK Ford Mustang

 

The Harvick Family

 

• Event: NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale (Round 36 of 36)
• Time/Date: 3 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 5
• Location: Phoenix Raceway
• Layout: 1-mile oval
• Laps/Miles: 312 laps/312 miles (502 kilometers)
• Stage Lengths: 
• Stage 1: 60 laps
• Stage 2: 125 laps
• Final Stage: 127 laps
• TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

We're honored to have been a part of @KevinHarvick's incredible journey, but we're not the only ones feeling all the feels. See what fellow teammates and drivers had to say about The Closer. #TheBestof4Ever pic.twitter.com/uF6tz91SJm

— Busch Beer (@BuschBeer) November 4, 2023

 

source: Stewart Haas Racing Media

Arizona Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll, Actress Tiffany Haddish named to Honorary Roles

Today’s #NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race

 

The sparkplug that ignited the Arizona Diamondbacks to the 2023 National League pennant and one of the top comedic actresses of today will serve key honorary roles during Sunday’s sold-out NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway.

 

The track announced today that Dbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will be the Honorary Starter, and Emmy and Grammy Award winning actress/comedian/author Tiffany Haddish will be the Honorary Pace Car driver for the historic final race of NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary Season. Carroll will wave the green flag shortly after 1 p.m. MST for a race that will air live on NBC, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

“Talk about two incredibly talented performers,” said Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey.

 

“Corbin Carroll was electrifying to watch with the Dbacks this season and there are few human beings funnier than Tiffany Haddish. It’s an honor to have them both with us for Sunday’s historic race.”

 

Carroll certainly had a rookie season for the ages. The 2023 National League All-Star became the first rookie to ever hit 25 home runs and steal 54 bases in a single season. Carroll was also a force in the postseason, driving in 10 runs and stealing 5 bases. He also went 3-for-4 in the Dbacks’ National League Championship Series Game 7 clincher at Philadelphia, capturing the Snakes’ first National League pennant since 2001.

 

Haddish is one of the most sought-after comedic actresses of our time and no stranger to NASCAR. She began NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary Season as the Honorary Starter for the 65th running of the DAYTONA 500. She’ll now lead the field to green in a Toyota Camry TRD pace car, providing the perfect ceremonial bookend to the year.

 

Parking lots Sunday open at 6 a.m. and gates open at 8 a.m. for the sold-out NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race. Diplo presents Thomas Wesley will perform the pre-race concert at 11:45 a.m.

 

You Thought NASCAR Couldn't Get Any More Extra? Enter Corbin Carroll & Tiffany Haddish! https://t.co/TEbEc4TFMS pic.twitter.com/Eybau9fqBL

— The NASCAR Guy (@TheNASCAR_Guy) November 5, 2023

 

source: Phoenix Raceway Media