SPEEDYCASH.Com 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race Fact Sheet

Matt Crafton is the only driver in the field with multiple wins.

 

COMPANION EVENT: PPG 375 NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, Sunday, April 2.

 

BROADCAST INFORMATION (All times Central)

 

• NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying, Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.; TV – FS1.
• NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 race, Saturday, April 1, 3:30 p.m.; TV – FS1. Radio – MRN, SiriusXM.

 

RACE LENGTH

• 167 laps | 250 miles

 

 

2022 RACE RECAP

 

Stewart Friesen needed overtime in the SPEEDYCASH.COM 220 to secure his first victory since November of 2019 and a berth in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs. Friesen lined up alongside Christian Eckes for a final overtime restart and after a close side-by-side battle through the opening two turns, Friesen cleared Eckes exiting onto the backstretch. He was able to hold off Eckes by 0.122 of a second in the two-lap shootout for his first win in the last 53 races. Ryan Preece finished third, Carson Hocevar was fourth and Ty Majeski fifth. Polesitter John Hunter Nemechek finished sixth after being forced to start at the rear of the field due to a penalty for an unapproved adjustment. The SPEEDYCASH.COM 220 was held May 20, 2022, as part of the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend.

 

MULTIPLE NCTS RACE WINNERS AT TMS

• Todd Bodine 6
• Johnny Sauter 5
• Kyle Busch 5
• Brendan Gaughan 4
• Ron Hornaday Jr. 3
• Matt Crafton 2
• Greg Biffle 2
• Dennis Setzer 2
• Jack Sprague 2

Note-Bold indicates active driver in SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 field.

 

NCTS WEEKEND SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE (all times Central)

 

Saturday, April 1

• 5:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. TMS Credential Office open
• 7:00 a.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series garage opens
• 9:30-10:00 a.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice
• 10:00-11:00 a.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying
• 3:00 p.m. Driver introductions
• 3:30 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 race (77 | 122 | 167 = 250 miles)

Click HERE for a full race weekend schedule.

 

NOTEWORTHY

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is reunited with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for a race weekend after a three-year hiatus. The two series were a staple doubleheader weekend from 1997-2019. … The SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 is the fifth race of the 23-race NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES season. … The first stage of the SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 will conclude at 77 laps, the second stage at 122 and the final one at 167. … Matt Craftonand Stewart Friesen are the only current fulltime drivers who have previously won a NCTS race at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

Crafton won in 2014 and ’15 while Friesen won last year. … Crafton owns the track records for career top-five finishes (17) and top 10s (30). He also ranks second for career laps led at 444. He will be making his 43rd start at Texas, another track record. … Crafton has nine top-10 finishes in his last 10 starts at TMS. … Toyota has won five of the last six races at TMS.

 

The lone Chevrolet win came in 2020 by Sheldon Creed and GMS Racing. … Defending series champion Zane Smith of Front Row Motorsports became the first multiple winner of the season when he won last week at Circuit of The Americas. Smith, who also won the season opener at Daytona, arrives to Texas Motor Speedway atop the NCTS points standings. He holds a two-point advantage over second-place Ty Majeski and 18 over third-place Ben Rhodes, both of ThorSport Racing. … Grant Enfinger of GMS Racing has five top-five finishes among his seven top-10 performances in his last 10 starts at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

The last time we raced at @TXMotorSpeedway. pic.twitter.com/NDbz941LVx

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 30, 2023

 

source: Texas Motor Speedway Media

Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash

Facts to Know Before This Weekend's Event

 

 

NASCAR officials released the 2023 schedule for the Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash program, bringing back the four tracks that formed last year’s mix.

 

Eligible Xfinity Series regulars who are the top finishers at those designated events will pocket cash bonuses.

 

The March 25 race at Circuit of The Americas determined the four eligible drivers with the first crack at the extra money as:

• Sammy Smith
• Justin Allgaier
• Daniel Hemric
• Sam Mayer

The four events in the 2023 Dash 4 Cash initiative:

 

• April 1: Richmond Raceway
•
• April 15: Martinsville Speedway
•
• April 22: Talladega Superspeedway
•
• April 29: Dover Motor Speedway

 

The top four eligible Xfinity Series regulars from each event will form the field for the next race’s bonus.

 

Eligibility requirements for this year will be similar to the 2022 structure. Drivers who have not declared to collect Xfinity Series points may not participate in the series’ playoffs, elimination events, or Dash 4 Cash races.

 

Pick correctly and have a chance at signed #Dash4Cash swag from the winner!@SamySmithSS@J_Allgaier@DanielHemric@Sam_Mayer_#ToyotaCare250 | @NASCAR_Xfinity

— Richmond Raceway (@RichmondRaceway) March 29, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR & ARCA Race Recaps (Cota & Five Flags)

Winners: Tyler Reddick (Cup); AJ Allmendinger (Xfinity); Zane Smith (Trucks) William Sawalich (ARCA East) 

 

NASCAR Cup

Tyler Reddick Scores First 2023 Win at COTA

 

Tyler Reddick prevailed in three NASCAR Overtime restarts to claim his first trophy of the year – and first with his new team, 23XI Racing, with a 1.411-second victory over two-time series champion Kyle Busch in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix – the NASCAR Cup Series’ first road course race of the season.

 

It was a field of international champions and NASCAR’s very best at the famed Circuit of The Americas course, but for most of the race, the outcome looked to be decided in a good ol’ Texas duel between the two fastest cars all weekend driven by Reddick and Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron. The pair exchanged the lead, lap after exciting lap for most of the afternoon.

 

And on the final two-lap restart, Reddick was able to put his No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota out front exiting Turn 1 – a tight left-hander – and power forward to the lead, while Busch and third-place finisher Alex Bowman, fourth-place finisher – and defending race winner – Ross Chastain and fifth-place Byron fought door-to-door, bumper-to-bumper as they chased after him.

 

“I’ve been wanting to win here in a Cup car for a long time,” Reddick, the 27-year-old Californian, said who now has four NASCAR Cup Series wins, but noted this was his first as a Toyota driver and with his 23XI Racing Team – co-owned by fellow competitor Denny Hamlin and NBA superstar Michael Jordan.

 

“It means the world,” said Reddick, who sat down on the track and leaned against his car with a bag of ice after winning to cool down on the typically Texas-hot afternoon. “This whole 23XI team has been working hard all winter long to make the road course program better and was extremely motivated to come in here and improve performance. Just so proud of this Monster Energy team and TRD (Toyota Racing Development). All the resources they’ve put in to turn around the road course program means a lot.”

 

RACE WINNER @COTA 🎉@TylerReddick and the No. 45 @MonsterEnergy team! pic.twitter.com/fm3MRnHs5A

— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) March 26, 2023

Pole: William Byron

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, Apr. 2 3:30 PM ET for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

AJ Allmendinger Scores Second Straight Xfinity Win at COTA

 

AJ Allmendinger started on the pole position and won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss 250 presented by USA Today on Saturday at the world-renowned Circuit of The Americas road course.

 

The 46 laps between the green and checkered flags, however, were dramatic and full of emotional highs and lows for the veteran Allmendinger, who led 14 laps to start the race and the final 14 laps to close it out. The series’ all-time road course winner earned his 11th road course trophy (and 16th career Xfinity Series victory) despite having to navigate through the field after falling back to 25th place during mid-race green flag pit stops.

 

It was a major league road course lesson for the rest of the field as the 41-year-old Californian diced and sliced his way forward in the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet to win this race for the second consecutive year. He ultimately took a 0.853-second victory over relentless Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron in the No. 17 Chevrolet.

 

“William Byron put his best foot forward, you’ve seen all the Cup races he’s winning,” Allmendinger said of the season’s two-race winner Byron. “I knew it was going to be tough just trying to fight to get back up to the front there. Hate that I had contact with Sheldon [Creed], he got under me, I was trying to stay off him, so I hate that happened but so proud of everyone at Kaulig Racing. The Celsius Chevy was really hooked up, and with all the damage we had, it didn’t hurt the car.”

 

“I spent a lot of years not winning anything, so I’m going to celebrate every one of them like it’s my last one,” Allmendinger added. “You never know. As much pressure as I put on myself, I’m always going to try to live up to it. The pit crew was awesome, and I’m so proud of everyone.”

 

🏁Ringer, ringer, ringer!@AJDinger goes back-to-back to win the #PitBoss250 at @NASCARatCOTA. pic.twitter.com/Frsk4UNzMa

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 25, 2023

Pole: AJ Allmendinger

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, Apr. 1, 1:00 PM ET for the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway. 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Zane Smith Goes Back-to-Back with TrucksWins at COTA

 

Zane Smith became the first repeat NASCAR winner at the famed Circuit of The Americas road course, the reigning series champion holding off veteran Kyle Busch to claim his second straight victory in Saturday‘s XPEL 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

 

The 23-year-old Californian‘s No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford led the final 15 laps — a race best 16 of the 42 laps in all — and crossed the finish line 5.451 seconds ahead of the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Busch. The win makes Smith‘s Front Row Motorsports team a perfect 3-for-3 in Craftsman Truck Series races at COTA. Todd Gilliland won the 2021 inaugural event here.

 

It‘s the second victory of the year for Smith, who won the season-opener at Daytona, too — the same first two victories he earned in his 2022 championship season as well.

 

“Shout out to Chris Lawson for an amazing strategy,” said Smith, whose Ford F-150 had a small fire under it extinguished after his burnout.

 

“So cool for [sponsors] Speedco, Peak and all our partners. It was fast when it mattered. I just enjoy coming to all the road courses, especially here. So cool. Just a true testament to this team.”

 

“Once we got to that eight-to-go point and I was told Kyle [Busch] was in second, my heart rate went up a little bit, just because he‘s so good at managing his stuff when it mattered,” Smith continued. “So, I just tried not to make any mistakes.”

 

CHECKERED FLAG: @ZaneSmith goes back-to-back at @NASCARatCOTA! pic.twitter.com/WUlLtXEvqy

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 25, 2023

Pole: Ross Chastain

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, Apr. 1, 4:30 PM ET for the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway. 

 

ARCA East

William Sawalich Delivers a Dominant Run at Five Flags Speedway for his First ARCA Win

 

William Sawalich arrived at Five Flags Speedway for the Pensacola 200 with redemption on his mind.

 

A potential victory in his first ARCA Menards Series start on March 10 at Phoenix Raceway evaporated in the closing laps when Sawalich was turned by Bradley Erickson on a restart. The incident forced Sawalich to limp his battered No. 18 Starkey/ Sound Gear Toyota home with a disappointing 13th place run.

 

No such obstacle plagued Sawalich in his inaugural ARCA Menards Series East appearance Saturday, as he led every lap from the General Tire Pole to continue a pattern of success that’s followed the No. 18 on the ARCA platform over the past few years.

 

“I can’t thank this Joe Gibbs Racing team enough,” Sawalich said. “We had a really fast Toyota Camry here, and the team worked hard to make this car as good as it [was].”

 

The first of 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 for @WilliamSawalich!!🏆@starkeyhearing | @SoundGearHear | @ARCA_Racing pic.twitter.com/MPeZYuZWTZ

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) March 27, 2023

Pole: William Sawalich

Click Here for Race Results 
Next Race: The ARCA Series (West) will return on Saturday, April 1, 10 p.m. ET at Irwindale Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

COTA Truck and Xfinity Series Pole Winners

AJ Allmendinger is Xfinity Pole with Ross Chastain on Pole for the Truck Series for Today’s #NASCAR Events

 

Ross Chastain is the XPEL 225 Pole Winner

Ross Chastain will start on the pole for today’s Craftsman Truck Series race at Circuit of the Americas.

 

Chastain earned the top starting spot in Friday’s qualifying with a lap of 91.877 mph. He’ll be joined on the front row by Kyle Busch (91.490 mph).

 

Click Here for Starting Lineup

Hello @NASCARatCOTA 🤠

1:30 PM ET | FS1 pic.twitter.com/enFRo9KOaU

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 25, 2023

 

AJ Allmendinger is the Pit Boss 250 Pole Winner

AJ Allmendinger, who won this race a year ago, will start on the pole for Saturday’s Xfinity race at Circuit of the Americas.

 

Allmendinger earned the pole with a lap of 92.173 mph Friday on the 20-turn, 3.41-mile road course.

 

Click Here for Starting Lineup

Ready to take on @NASCARatCOTA 💪

5 PM ET | FS1 pic.twitter.com/b8uqcElTYp

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 25, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

Circuit of the Americas 101

First Road-Course Rodeo of 2023

 

Five races down in the 2023 Cup Series season and the first trek to a road course awaits this weekend. There are story lines aplenty to keep an eye on with exciting entrants and rule changes that will shake up strategies on Sunday at Circuit of The Americas.

 

To get ready for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (Sun. 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), let’s look at some trends to watch, rule changes for Sunday, notable moments and the on-track schedule for the weekend in Austin, Texas.

 

International Flair

Joining Mexico’s Daniel Suárez in Sunday’s event will be English driver Jenson Button and Finnish driver Kimi Räikkönen.

 

Button will pilot the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford with support from Stewart-Haas Racing and Mobil 1. The 43-year-old is a 15-time winner in Formula 1 and claimed the 2009 championship. Räikkönen returns to Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 initiative after making his Cup Series debut last year at Watkins Glen where he crashed out in the final stage after running inside the top 20 for the majority of the race.

 

Click Here For Cup Entry List

 

Rule Changes / Goodyear Tire Notes

For all Cup races on road courses this season, there will be no cautions at the end of stages. Instead, the race will remain under green while stage points are still rewarded to the top 10 at the conclusion of Stage 1 (Lap 15) and Stage 2 (Lap 30). It will be the first time the Cup Series has gone without stage cautions in a points-paying race since the onset of stages at the beginning of the 2017 season.

 

The GEICO Restart Zone will return to its 2022 dimensions after it was extended for the first five races of this season.

 

The choose rule will also be in effect for the first time at a road course this season.

 

Cup cars will run the same tire codes that were used on road courses all last season. One code is used on the left front and right rear and the other on the right front and left rear.

 

In the event of a lost wheel that is contained to pit road, the offending team will be subject to a pass-through penalty under green-flag conditions. If the infraction occurs during a caution period, the offending team will restart at the tail end of the field.

 

If the wheel breaks free outside of pit road, the new rules guidelines mandate a two-lap penalty, plus a two-race suspension for two crew members. Each penalty is series-specific: Violations in one series will not impact those crew members’ eligibility to participate in other series.

 

Nothing like @NASCAR at @COTA. 😍#NASCARatCOTA | #EchoParkGP pic.twitter.com/Q4ddDqeMAj

— NASCAR at COTA (@NASCARatCOTA) March 24, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR Race Weekend Schedule for COTA

Trucks & Xfinity on Saturday / #NASCAR Cup on Sunday

 

Circuit of the Americas, better known as COTA, is a Grade 1 FIA-specification 3.426-mile motor racing track and facilities located within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Austin, Texas, in the United States.

 

In exactly the kind of thrilling final-lap, final-turn high-action finish NASCAR has so often provided on road courses, Ross Chastain persevered in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA. Alex Bowman finished the race in second just ahead of third place – Christopher Bell.

 

Friday March 24

 

• 7:30-9:30 a.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Haulers Enter
• 8-10 a.m. Laps for Charity to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities
• 8:30-11 a.m. Geared for Greatness to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities (Forum at
• Fairmont Austin)
• 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Ticket Office Open
• 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Media Credential Office Open NASCAR Credential Office Open
• 12:30-7 p.m. Gates Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza, Gate 1 & Gate 3)
• 1-7 p.m. Fan Assistance Golf Cart Rides to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities
• 1:05-1:55 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series Practice (All Entries)
• 3:30-4 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Practice (All Entries)
• 4-5 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Qualifying (Impound)
• (Group A & B/Multi-Vehicle, Two Rounds)
• 5:30-6 p.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice (All Entries)
• 6-7 p.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying (Impound)
• (Group A & B/Multi-Vehicle, Two Rounds)
• 7-10 p.m. Camper Party (Lot N Parking Lot)
• 7:30-8 p.m. Live Auction to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities (Lot N Parking Lot)

 

Saturday March 25

 

• 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Media Credential Office Open NASCAR Credential Office Open
• 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Fan Assistance Golf Cart Rides to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities
• 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ticket Office Open
• 9:15 a.m. Gates Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza, Gate 1 & Gate 3) Suite/Paddock Lofts Open
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying (Impound) (Multi-Vehicle, Two Rounds)
• 12 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Driver Introductions
• 12-3 p.m. ATX BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss Judging (12 p.m. One Half-Chicken |1:30 p.m. Pork Spare Ribs | 3 p.m. Brisket) (Lot N)
• 12:30 p.m. XPEL 225 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race
• (Stages 12/26/42 Laps = 143.22 Miles)
• 3:30 p.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Introductions
• 4 p.m. Pit Boss 250 presented by USA TODAY NASCAR Xfinity Series Race 
• (Stages 14/30/46 Laps = 156.86 Miles)

 

Sunday March 26

 

• 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Fan Assistance Golf Cart Rides to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities
• 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ticket Office Open
• 10 a.m. Gates Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza, Gate 1 & Gate 3) Suite/Paddock Lofts Open
• 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Media Credential Office Open NASCAR Credential Office Open
• 12-2:15 p.m. Track Pass Access (Frontstretch)
• 12:45-1:45 p.m. Pre-Race Concert: Darius Rucker (Frontstretch)
• 2:05 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series Driver Introductions
• 2:30 p.m. EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup Series Race 
• (Stages 15/30/68 Laps = 231.88 Miles)

*Schedule subject to change. All times are listed in Central Time.

 

source: COTA Media

NASCAR Triple Header in Race Weekend Recap (Atlanta Motor Speedway)

Winners: Joey Logano (Cup); Austin Hill (Xfinity); & Christian Eckes (Trucks)

 

NASCAR Cup

Joey Logano Bags Atlanta Victory

 

Deftly maneuvering his No. 22 Ford through the final two laps of Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400, Joey Logano finished the NASCAR Cup Series race where he started – at the front of the field.

 

With a push from Christopher Bell on the backstretch on the final lap, Logano moved to the outside of leader Brad Keselowski with huge momentum and charged past Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford into the lead.

 

Logano pulled down to the inside lane through the final two corners and crossed the finish line .193 seconds ahead of Keselowski and .194 seconds ahead of third-place Bell.

 

“Yeah, first off so special to win Atlanta for me,” said Logano, a Connecticut native who began to refine his talent racing Legends cars at Atlanta. “So many memories of me and my dad racing right here on the quarter mile. This is the full circle for us. So many memories gritting over there with the Legends car, racing, having a big time.

 

“Dreaming of going straight at the quarter mile and going onto the big track. That was always the dream to do it. To finally win here means so much to me here personally, but the team.

 

“The Auto Trader Mustang – this thing was an animal. Very, very fast. Able to lead a ton of laps, race really hard there at the end, get a good push from the 20 (Bell) to clear myself. Huge victory. Nice to get one early in the season. Always feels better, but what a great day for us.”

 

Victory smiles. pic.twitter.com/L64ch5pOcA

— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) March 20, 2023

Pole:Joey Logano

Click Here for Race Results 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on March 26th for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. 

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Continues Superspeedway Dominance

 

Austin Hill notched his third Xfinity Series win of the 2023 season, edging Parker Kligerman on an epic final run that saw him hold strong even as Kligerman knocked into him and spun out as he and the field crossed the start-finish line.

 

That final run came thanks to a caution that surfaced with about 10 laps to go. It featured Hill (21 car) taking the inside line and moving and blocking Kligerman (48 car). The 48 car then got hit and was nudged into Hill, but the 21 somehow stayed steady and powered through to victory.

 

“Once I got to the lead, I knew it was wreckers or checkers,” Hill told the remaining fans who’d braved the cold weather. “When the 48 hit me in the right-rear, I’m guessing he got hit or something, I thought I was heading into the outside wall, but I was able to gather it up, bring it on home. This is so special. That was a tough one to win.”

 

🥺 🥺 🥺 @_AustinHill | @RCRracing pic.twitter.com/Ggk8lvNOuG

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 19, 2023

Pole:Sammy Smith

Click Here for Race Results 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on March 25th for the Pit Boss 250 presented by USA Today at Circuit of The Americas 

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Christian Eckes Powers to Overtime Victory

 

Christian Eckes finished where he started Saturday’s Fr8 208 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway  – with a lot of turmoil in between.

 

Eckes claimed his second victory in the series in overtime, choosing the bottom lane and front-row position for a restart on lap 136 of 137.

 

“It’s been a tough offseason,” said Eckes, in his first year with owner Bill McAnally after driving for ThorSport Racing in 2022. “I’m driving harder than I ever have – I have a lot to prove. The people know who they are.

 

“I’m really happy. Thanks to (crew chief) Charles (Denike), everybody on this team. They work so damn hard. This is what makes it all worth it. I’m pumped. It’s going to be a really good year.”

 

P1. Thank you @BMR_NASCAR, @NAPARacing, @TeamChevy and so many more. We’re just getting started! pic.twitter.com/HtpamP86zj

— Christian Eckes (@christianeckes) March 19, 2023

Pole: Zane Smith

Click Here for Race Results 
Next Race: The Truck Series will return on March 25th for the XPEL 225 at Circuit of The Americas.

Weather Impedes Friday Qualifying Sessions at AMS

Zane Smith – Truck Series Pole / Sammy Smith - Xfinity Pole

 

Mother Nature got the best of Friday’s afternoon qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway for both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, as the respective sessions were canceled due to rain in the area.

 

NCTS points leader Zane Smith will start on the pole for Saturday’s Fr8 208 (2 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The subsequent lineup will be set by performance metrics per the NASCAR Rule Book: 15% of a fastest lap time position in the previous series event, 25% of the driver’s final race finish position in the previous series event, 25% of the owner’s final race finish position in the previous event and 35% of the Owner Points position.

 

Sammy Smith, who won last week’s showdown at Phoenix Raceway, will lead the pack to begin Saturday’s Xfinity Series RAPTOR King of Tough 250 (5 p.m. ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM).

 

While Mother Nature won the day Friday, forecasts for Saturday’s slate of on-track action at AMS are much more favorable. Qualifying for the Ambetter Health 400 precedes the doubleheader racing with the Fr8 208 and RAPTOR King of Tough 250 running back-to-back. The weekend culminates with the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday. 

 

 

Click Here for Truck Line-Up

 

Click Here for Xfinity Line-Up

 

Plan your race day with us! Here's what's happening before the #Fr8208 and #RAPTOR250! pic.twitter.com/sUd9spGjIx

— Atlanta Motor Speedway (@ATLMotorSpdwy) March 18, 2023

 

source: Atlanta Motor Speedway Media

Kyle Busch’s Stunning Win at Pala Casino 400 Highlights Lucas Oil’s Legacy in Motorsports, RCR Tech Partnership

 

Lucas Oil, primary sponsor of the No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro and official engine oil supplier to Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines, helped NASCAR Cup superstar Kyle “Rowdy” Busch dominate the Pala Casino 400 Cup race for the win in Fontana, Calif. Feb. 26. In his first year with Richard Childress Racing, Busch won in just his second start with the iconic team, notching his 61st career Cup victory, the most among active drivers and ninth all time. He also achieved another milestone by earning at least one Cup victory the past 19 consecutive seasons, eclipsing Richard “The King” Petty who won races in 18 straight seasons between 1960 and 1977.

 

Lucas Oil, RCR and ECR Engines announced just prior to the race an enhanced technical and developmental partnership between all three organizations for the 2023 race season. Lucas Oil has served as the official motor oil for both RCR and ECR Engines since 2014, helping drivers reach victory lane 21 times as part of this storied partnership.

 

“It was just a completely different feeling of a race car than what I had here last year,” Kyle Busch told Fox Sports after climbing from the No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro. “I’ve been with a lot of great people that have given me a lot of great opportunities in my career, so it’s awesome to be able to reward them.”

 

Since 2014, expert scientists and technicians at Lucas Oil have been in lockstep with RCR and ECR to refine the perfect engine oil blend capable of drawing out every competitive advantage possible. The teams test engines in simulators and real-world racing scenarios capturing hundreds of data points to measure and find areas of improvement.

 

 

“We couldn’t be more proud of Kyle’s performance and the entire RCR team. This win is reaffirmation of our commitment to motorsports and continued partnership with exceptional race teams like RCR and ECR Engines. It was a blast to be trackside with the crew and see that beautiful Lucas Oil paint scheme with No. 8 on its side, Lucas Oil in its engine, and Rowdy himself in the driver’s seat to dominate the competition. This win is only the beginning; records are about to be smashed.” - Brandon Bernstein, Director of Partnership Marketing

 

The partnership with RCR and ECR Engines, and other motorsports teams, has helped shape the current line of Lucas Racing Only synthetic and synthetic-blend engine oils trusted by professional and grassroots race teams around the world. Each product offered in the Lucas Racing Only line utilizes a unique combination of chemical components, lubricants and other additives to achieve superior performance and protection under the extreme and demanding conditions that exist in the most competitive racing scenarios.

 

A similar balance of lubricants designed to mitigate friction and improve performance and durability in racing motor oil is at work in all Lucas Oil general automotive oils and treatments. By using Lucas Oil, vehicle owners can reap the same benefits as NASCAR Cup Series race cars - superior engine protection, better engine performance, extended oil life, high temperature and wear resistance, and enhanced engine cleanliness.

 

Here's to the first of many w RCR 🥂 pic.twitter.com/G72iRuDeOe

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 15, 2023

 

source: Lucas Oil PR

NASCAR Xfinity Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Austin Hill Wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway (July 9, 2022)

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series

• Next Race: RAPTOR King of Tough 250
• The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway
• The Date: Saturday, March 18
• The Time: 5 p.m. ET
• The Purse: $1,274,624
• TV: FS1, 4 p.m. ET Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 251.02 miles (163 Laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 40),
• Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 80)
• Final Stage (Ends on Lap 163)

 

With the conclusion of the West Coast Swing, the NASCAR Xfinity Series now sets its eyes on Atlanta Motor Speedway for the RAPTOR King of Tough 250 on Saturday, March 18 at 5 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR radio as part of a doubleheader Saturday with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, the FR8 208, at 2 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

There have been 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway producing 21 different race winners and 18 different pole winners. Seven races have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Kyle Busch in 2021.

 

NASCAR Cup Series regular Kevin Harvick holds just about every Xfinity Series record at the Atlanta, Georgia track – most wins (five), top fives (11), top 10s (13), lead lap finishes (13), laps completed (3,135) and laps led (973).

 

Two previous winners are entered in this weekend’s RAPTOR King of Tough 250 – JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier (2021) and Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill (2022).

 

Allgaier snagged his win in 2021. In his 14 starts at the 1.5-mile track, he has posted one win, three top fives and nine top 10s.

 

Hill made the trip to Victory Lane in just his second start at Atlanta Motor Speedway after finishing runner-up in his first start as a rookie in the Xfinity Series.

 

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will be skipping practice this weekend and heading straight for qualifying on Friday, March 17 at 4:35 p.m. ET airing on FS1.

 

Welcome to your home for the weekend, @NASCAR_Xfinity 👋🏼#RAPTOR250 | #NASCAR75 pic.twitter.com/27tjUljPV6

— Atlanta Motor Speedway (@ATLMotorSpdwy) March 17, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Kicks Off Doubleheader

Saturday March 18th at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Corey Heim’s First Truck Win at Atlanta (Oct 25, 2022)

 

 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

• Next Race: Fr8 208
• The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway
• The Date: Saturday, March 18
• The Time: 2 p.m. ET
• The Purse: $673,693
• TV: FS1, 1 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 207.9 miles (135 Laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30)
• Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60)
• Final Stage (Ends on Lap 135)

 

After an action-packed weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series teams had a week to rest up and prepare for the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which will kick off a doubleheader Saturday on March 18 at 2 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, the RAPTOR Kings of Tough 250 at 5 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

There have been 21 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at the 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway track, producing 15 different race winners and 11 different pole winners. Five races have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Christopher Bell in 2017.

 

Kyle Busch has made the most trips to Victory Lane (six) and has also posted the most top fives (nine) in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Atlanta. NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. and Mike Skinner are tied for most poles at the track (three each); while Matt Crafton holds the record for most top 10s (11), lead lap finishes (16) and laps completed (2,656).

 

TRICON Garage’s Corey Heim is Atlanta Motor Speedway’s most recent winner in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series after snagging the lead from then Kyle Busch Motorsport’s teammate Chandler Smith on the final lap.

 

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will get the weekend jump started with qualifying on Friday, March 17 at 3:05 p.m. ET on FS1.

 

Welcome to the ATL @NASCAR_Trucks 😤#NASCAR75 | @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Y4w2hCUNqg

— Atlanta Motor Speedway (@ATLMotorSpdwy) March 17, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

Owen Larson Captures First Win

Congratulations to Kyle Larson’s Eight-Year-Old Son

 

Owen Larson competed in the “Beginner Box Stock” division at North Carolina’s Millbridge Speedway.

 

When asked how he got the lead, Owen replied, “I don’t really know. I just drove it.”

 

“I was nervous, and I’m kind of a softy, so I was getting teary-eyed with like seven to go,” Larson said. “And then that last caution came out and we had a restart with Brexton (Busch) behind him, and he started to switch it up. He didn’t catch them sleeping, but it confused them enough that it allowed him to get away.” Dad #NASCAR Star Kyle Larson

 

Owen, who is from Mooresville, NC, leads the point standings with 100 points. Click here for complete standings.

 

WAY COOL.....career first win for Owen Larson....son of @KyleLarsonRacin at @MillbridgeRacin #Postman68 pic.twitter.com/xUQxMWvhZi

— Steve Post (@ThePostman68) March 15, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

Hendrick's Phoenix Raceway Penalties Harsh

Deduction of Owner Points, Driver Points, Playoff Points plus Crew Chief Fines and Suspensions

 

NASCAR took the hood louvers from all four Hendrick Motorsports cars for further examination after practice Friday afternoon (03/100/2023) at Phoenix Raceway. Today, the governing body, NASCAR released the details of their decision and penalty assessments.

 

NEWS: NASCAR issues a deduction of 100 owner points, 100 driver points, and 10 NASCAR Playoff Points to the Nos. 5, 24, 31, & 48.

The No. 9 team has been issued a deduction of 100 owner points and 10 NASCAR Playoff Points. pic.twitter.com/WlX83RmARS

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 15, 2023

Team 5

Infraction

• Sections 6.1.A Time/Manner/Location; 14.1 C&D&Q Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules; 14.5.4.2.A Radiator Duct Note: Unapproved modification of a single source vendor supplied part.

 

Penalty/Remarks

• Crew chief (Cliff Daniels) has been fined $100,000 and suspended from the next four NASCAR Cup Series championship points events. Team and driver have been assessed with the loss of 100 points and 10 NASCAR Playoff points.

 

Team 9

Infraction

• Sections 6.1.A Time/Manner/Location; 14.1 C&D&Q Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules; 14.5.4.2.A Radiator Duct Note: Unapproved modification of a single source vendor supplied part.

 

Penalty/Remarks

• Crew chief (Alan Gustafson) has been fined $100,000 and suspended from the next four NASCAR Cup Series championship points events. Team has been assessed with the loss of 100 points and 10 NASCAR Playoff points.

 

Team 24

Infraction

• Sections 6.1.A Time/Manner/Location; 14.1 C&D&Q Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules; 14.5.4.2.A Radiator Duct Note: Unapproved modification of a single source vendor supplied part.

 

Penalty/Remarks

• Crew chief (Ryan Fugle) has been fined $100,000 and suspended from the next four NASCAR Cup Series championship points events. Team and driver have been assessed with the loss of 100 points and 10 NASCAR Playoff points.

 

Team 48

Infraction

• Sections 6.1.A Time/Manner/Location; 14.1 C&D&Q Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules; 14.5.4.2.A Radiator Duct Note: Unapproved modification of a single source vendor supplied part.

 

Penalty/Remarks

• Crew chief (Blake Harris) has been fined $100,000 and suspended from the next four NASCAR Cup Series championship points events. Team and driver have been assessed with the loss of 100 points and 10 NASCAR Playoff points.

 

Hendrick Motorsports has announced that it will appeal the penalty issued to them by NASCAR.

 

NASCAR confiscated the louvers on all four cars 35 minutes before on-track activity began at Phoenix Raceway this past weekend. After reviewing the parts at the NASCAR R&D Center, NASCAR docked 100 owner points, 100 driver points, and 10 playoff points from the No. 5, 24, and 48 teams, and 100 owner points and 10 playoff points from the No. 9 team. Additionally, all four crew chiefs were fined $100K and suspended four races.

 

The penalty dropped Alex Bowman from first in points to 23rd, William Byron from fourth to 29th, and Kyle Larson from fifth to 32nd.

 

Click Here For Hendrick’s Motorsports Statement

 

source: NASCAR Media

Coca-Cola Brings New Premium Race Day Experience to AMS

Only $299

 

Coca-Cola is bringing a new premium fan experience to the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, March 19.

 

With the new Coca-Cola Corner VIP Race Day Experience, fans can enjoy unrivaled pre-race access and exclusive experiences in the Coca-Cola’s Turn 1 VIP hospitality area, including a Q&A session with a Coca-Cola Racing Driver or Alumni.

 

“Coca-Cola is constantly working with us to find new, refreshing ways to enhance the fan experience,” said AMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “We’ve seen high demand for premium experiences during our NASCAR weekend, with our Club One suite being sold out for every race since 2021, so we’re thrilled to have a new option with experiences that only Coca-Cola can deliver.”

 

 

For $299, the Coca-Cola VIP Race Day Experience comes packed with a day full of fun and unforgettable experiences as Coca-Cola celebrates 25 years of the Coca-Cola racing family and 75 years of NASCAR:

 

• A pre-race track pass, giving fans stage-front access to the Parmalee pre-race concert and driver introductions, plus a chance to walk on the track and see last-minute prep for the Ambetter Health 400.
•
• Access to the Coca-Cola Corner VIP Hospitality, which includes a complimentary buffet and Coca-Cola beverages.
•
• Access to an exclusive Q&A session with a Coca-Cola Racing Driver or Alum
•
• A Lower Johnson Grandstand ticket to enjoy 400 miles of NASCAR action
•
• Guided garage tours available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last

 

The Coca-Cola VIP Race Day Experience will be limited to 200 guests, so fans are encouraged to call the AMS ticket office at 877-9-AMS-TIX or go to www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/events/ambetter-health-400  to purchase their Coca-Cola VIP Race Day Experience today.

 

It's eNASCAR Raceday! 🕹️

The stars of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola @iRacing Series take on the virtual @ATLMotorSpdwy tonight at 9 PM ET! pic.twitter.com/OjQQfriQUR

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 14, 2023

 

source: Atlanta Motor Speedway Media

Griffin Employees Receives Free NASCAR Tickets

Rebuilding after Tornadoes

 

As the City of Griffin continues to recover from widespread damage caused by a severe storm that included tornadoes last January, Atlanta Motor Speedway is setting aside tickets to its upcoming NASCAR weekend for city employees.

 

The speedway will welcome city workers and their guests to the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, March 19, with complimentary tickets provided by the speedway.

 

“The City of Griffin is extremely appreciative of Atlanta Motor Speedway for providing the opportunity for our employees to go to the race on Sunday, March 19th. The last few weeks have been very difficult and tiresome as we have all worked diligently to clean-up our City after the tornadoes that hit Griffin on January 12, 2023,” said Griffin City Manager Jessica O’Connor. “Our employees consider themselves to be ‘public servants’ and have acted in that capacity throughout their tenure as City of Griffin employees; however, those efforts usually go unnoticed. To receive such a gift as being able to take our families to the race is a huge honor for all of us.”

 

“The destruction we saw just down the road from our speedway was devastating, the city of Griffin will be rebuilding for quite some time,” said AMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “The men and women employed by the city are working tirelessly to put the pieces back together, we want to acknowledge their hard work by giving something back to them: tickets to our upcoming NASCAR race and a day of fun and entertainment on us.”

 

Griffin city employees who accept the invitation will enjoy a fun-filled day at the speedway, from the packed Fan Zone and Parmalee  pre-race concert to 400 miles of thrilling NASCAR action on the Georgia track.

 

 

source: Atlanta Motor Speedway Media