NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Richmond Raceway /Illinois State Fairgrounds)

Winners: Austin Dillon (Cup); Corey Heim (Trucks); Brent Crews (ARCA) plus Craig Lutz (Modified)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Austin Dillon Defends Richmond Win, Shakes Up Playoff Picture with Key Cup Victory

 

Austin Dillon claimed his sixth career NASCAR Cup Series race trophy, earned a 2025 playoff bid and just as importantly, enjoyed some sweet redemption in Saturday night’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. 

 

Dillon led 107 laps on the night, including the final 49 to claim the victory and automatic berth in the 16-driver playoff field — vaulting from a 28th-place position in the championship standings before the green flag to a championship berth at the checkered flag in a clutch effort from the 2018 Daytona 500 winner and his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team.

 

It was the most laps Dillon had led all season and marks the third time he’s won a race in the closing weeks of the regular season.

 

It was a huge statement for Dillon, 35, who won this race last year, but was later ruled ineligible to participate in the playoffs after receiving a penalty from NASCAR for aggressive driving in the final laps at the historic 0.75-mile Richmond track.

 

“Man, that feels good, got to thank the good Lord above,” said Dillon, who finished a healthy 2.471 seconds ahead of playoff contender, Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman, who leaves Richmond now holding the last championship points position with one regular season race remaining next week at the always-unpredictable Daytona International Speedway.

 

“I really wanted that one,” Dillon said after an emotional hug from his brother Ty, who finished 20th on Saturday. “Last year hurt really bad, just going through the whole process of it. But this one feels so sweet. Man, I love Richmond.

 

“God has timing. His timing is the best timing. … It’s just so special. Every one of these means so much to me. My grandfather [NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress], for all that he’s put up in believing in me, because there’s been a lot of ups and downs, could have been easy for him to change the drivers in this 3-car. Today it feels really darn good.”

 

Alex Bowman finished second; Ryan Blaney placed third; Joey Logano came in fourth and Austin Cindric completed the top five.

 

WHO IS YO DADDY? pic.twitter.com/Y4SceLa6v1

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 17, 2025

Pole: Ryan Preece

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Coke Zero Sugar 400’ at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity

The Xfinity Series Did Not Race this Weekend

Name made: @RichmondRaceway@chaseelliott's 🏁 in 2015, @ColeCuster #Dash4Cash 🤑in 2019, @J_Allgaier's 2020 🧹, @CSmith_Racing goes back-to-back in '23 & '24. pic.twitter.com/65p0AxaVnm

— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) August 15, 2025

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Wawa 250 Powered By Coca-Cola’ at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

Corey Heim Surges to Richmond Win to End Regular Season

 

Corey Heim earned a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ best seventh victory of the season in the eero 250 at Richmond Raceway Friday night, but this first short-track victory for the Regular Season Champion took a fast Toyota truck, some real perseverance and a bit of racing good fortune.

 

The 23-year-old Georgia native started from pole position in the series’ regular-season finale on the historic three-quarter mile venue, but he quickly had to deal with his front-row starting mate, Ty Majeski, who pressed him all night. Majeski swept both stage wins and his race-best 143 of the 250 laps out front was more laps led than he turned in the entire season.

 

Ultimately, Majeski’s shot at his first win of the year suffered a setback when he was collected in an incident with his ThorSport Racing teammate Matt Crafton while leading late in the race.

 

Although Majeski recovered and raced forward, Heim, who led 75 laps himself in the No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota, got to the front when it mattered most and drove away — taking the lead for good with 20 laps remaining and then holding off the reigning series champ Majeski by 0.923 seconds at the checkered flag.

 

With the victory, Heim becomes the youngest driver in series history to get 18 career wins, breaking Kyle Busch’s record.

 

“Felt like we were the best truck at [short tracks] Martinsville and North Wilkesboro, but they got away from us and we kind of got this one back,” Heim said of his short track struggles this season. “I didn’t feel like we were the best truck tonight. I feel like the 98 [Majeski] was really stout, but obviously had a run-in and got some damage.

 

“Being there when it counted was the first goal and we were and just able to execute from there.”

 

Ty Majeski finished second; Layne Riggs placed third; Sammy Smith came in fourth and Corey LaJoie completed the top five.

NEWS: The No. 11 truck clears post-race inspection at @RichmondRaceway.

The win is official for @CoreyHeim_! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/r209iMvrRH

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) August 16, 2025

Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET for the ‘Sober or Slammer 200’ at Darlington Raceway.

MODIFIEDS

Craig Lutz Earns a ‘Special’ Modified Tour Victory with Flawless Execution at Richmond Raceway

 

Thursday’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 at Richmond Raceway delivered Craig Lutz multiple opportunities to experience joy.

 

After five straight NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour finishes outside the top five, the No. 46 Goodie Racing crew unloaded a rocket ship at Richmond. Lutz posted the second-best lap in the afternoon’s first practice, and he paced the second session. He qualified fourth despite a mistake on his hot lap. In the race, his team employed a strategy that placed him amongst a handful of contenders on the lead lap in the closing stages.

 

That’s when Lutz found himself running down race and Modified Tour points leader Austin Beers.

 

That’s when the joy reached a climax.

 

“Seeing the gap close and knowing you have the better car … it’s awesome,” Lutz said. “As a driver, that’s the best feeling ever, especially in the closing laps.”

 

“It’s so hard,” Lutz said. “You do this, and the end goal is to win races, and you put so much time and effort into all you do. All the money it takes. All the frustration, all the time. So when you do win, it’s that much more special. Especially when the field is so close. Everyone has the same car, same motor, same package, so when you do win, it’s just that much more special.”

 

Austin Beers finished second; Patrick Emerling placed third; Trevor Catalano came in fourth and Corey LaJoie completed the top five.

ICYMI: Craig Lutz won the #NWMT40 race at @RichmondRaceway last night! pic.twitter.com/tMevZxkfh4

— NASCAR Regional (@NASCARRegional) August 15, 2025

Pole: Justin Bonsignore

Click Here for Race Results

ARCA

Brent Crews Secures Another Dominant Victory at the Springfield Mile

 

Almost exactly two years ago, Brent Crews picked up his maiden ARCA Menards Series checkered flag on the historic Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Although he was 15 at the time, Crews showcased veteran composure that afternoon by leading 64 laps from the pole and winning by 20 seconds.

 

The final margin of victory for Crews in Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100 at Springfield was not quite as substantial, but the young prospect was just as efficient.

 

Once Crews overtook Brenden “Butterbean” Queen for the lead early, the driver of the No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota was unstoppable as he picked up his third national ARCA Menards Series victory of 2025 and fourth overall on the platform.

 

“This is one of my favorite races on the schedule,” Crews said. “I won Springfield two years ago, and then I won at [the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds] last year, so I’ve had a lot of success on the dirt.

 

“We had an absolute hot rod today, and it was a blast to drive. I wish we were able to get some practice and qualifying in, but I felt like that kind of worked out to our advantage.”

 

Lavar Scott finished second; Kelly Kovski placed third; Brenden Queen came in fourth and Sean Corr completed the top five.

Nothing like burning 'em down on dirt.@BrentCrews11 | @ARCA_Racing pic.twitter.com/zWfi8Gzkhr

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) August 17, 2025

Pole: Brenden Queen

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The ARCA Series West will return on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 4:00 pm PT for the ‘Portland 112’ at Portland International Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Dillon Talks Coca-Cola 600 Prestige, Preparation and Success

The Coca-Cola 600) is one of the most mentally grueling races we have," Dillon said

 

Austin Dillon will make his 12th start in the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, in hopes of corralling his second victory in the illustrious event.

 

Dillon, whose Coca-Cola 600 win in 2017 was the first of his NASCAR Cup Series career, regards the race as more than just a special stop on NASCAR's calendar.

 

"I went and got my hair cut this morning at the barbershop, and one of my barber's customers asked me, 'What's something very good I can do for my daughter on Memorial Day weekend so that we could experience America?'" Dillon said on Friday.

 

"I told him, 'Come to the Coke 600. There's gonna be helicopters, a flyover, the National Anthem, 40 race cars, there's nothing more patriotic in America than the Coke 600. Charlotte Motor Speedway is Memorial Day weekend to me, because it's where I experienced (Memorial Day weekend) growing up. Getting to see all the military branches represented all weekend, and then we're ripping around the track, it's just a great day."

 

Dillon's Friday-afternoon session with media members included questions from 2015 Coca-Cola 600 winner Carl Edwards, who will provide analysis on Sunday's race for Amazon Prime. Edwards asked Dillon how the Richard Childress Racing driver prepares for what will be 900 miles of racing this weekend, with Dillon also slated to compete in Saturday's BetMGM 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

 

"(The Coca-Cola 600) is one of the most mentally grueling races we have," Dillon said. "The track is also rough now, so you have to prep your seat well, too. Once we went to the (Next Gen) car (in 2022) I had to adjust my seat and change the foam around our headrest.

 

"You've got to stay comfortable for a race like this and for a long weekend with 900 miles, I start preparing everything – including my meals and what I'm consuming – even earlier in the week, so I feel ready for race day."

 

The @BassProShops No. 3 is ready to take on 600 miles this weekend. @winchester pic.twitter.com/MeKaGA5Lkp

— RCR (@RCRracing) May 21, 2025

 

source: Charlotte Motor Speedway Media

RCR President Torrey Galida Named 2024 VBH Veteran of the Year

"NASCAR wouldn't be here today if we didn't have our Veterans and our active troops." R. Childress

 

For more than a decade, Richard Childress Racing has opened its doors to Veterans in the community to provide an opportunity for fellowship, entertainment and resources to improve the wellbeing of Veterans. For the last couple of years, Veterans Bridge Home (VBH) has been RCR’s partner in making these monthly events happen on the RCR campus. During a special Veterans Day edition of VBH/RCR’s popular Veterans Coffee event, RCR president Torrey Galida was surprised with the 2024 VBH Veteran of the Year award. This award is presented to a Veteran who exemplifies the organization’s mission of a stronger community.

 

Galida has welcomed thousands of Veterans to RCR’s campus each year, alongside RCR’s Chairman and CEO, Richard Childress.

 

“There are so many Veterans in that organization (VBH) who do so many great things and I never really put myself on that list,” said Galida. “I’ve been to some of their events. There were two recently in Charlotte, and when you attend, you really see how impressive the VBH organization is. I was really surprised and obviously very honored that they would pick me.”

 

Galida joined the US Navy in 1984 as an intelligence officer, and spent six years on active duty. For three years he was stationed with an F-14 fighter squadron in Virginia Beach and deployed on the aircraft carrier “USS Nimitz”, followed by three years of service at the Pentagon.

 

When Galida left the military, he went to business school at Duke University where he was recruited to work for Ford Motor Company as part of a rotational program for MBA students. His second rotation was within motorsports, where he learned to love the sport and began the career path that eventually led him to serving as president of RCR. Since joining RCR’s executive ranks in 2011, Galida has joined Richard Childress in being a strong proponent of supporting Veterans.

 

With the support of Childress, RCR and its strong base of partners have made numerous contributions to Veteran Coffee events. In the past 11 months alone, Veterans have been treated to a Coca-Cola 600 car unveil with the No. 3 Chevrolet, toy drives, special guest speakers, and even the presentation of a car to a local veteran. On average, more than 300 attendees gather on RCR’s campus on the second Wednesday of almost every month. Several of the larger Veterans Coffee events have included special programming and drawn in excess of 850 attendees.

 

Last April, RCR and VBH recognized Vietnam War Veterans and drew approximately 850 attendees, easily making it one of the largest gatherings of Vietnam Veterans in the country. The gathering featured several special speakers, including Colonel Walter “Joe” Marm, a retired Vietnam Veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and Colonel Norman A. McDaniel, a USAF retired Vietnam Veteran and Prisoner of War for six years.

 

In September, Veterans Coffee attendees were treated to visits by post 9/11 “War on Terror” Veteran and Wilkes County resident Kevin Holland, MSG, US Army Retired Veteran. Holland brought a unique perspective to Veterans Coffee in sharing his story of conducting over two thousand combat missions and his involvement on the team that located Saddam Hussein.

 

That following month in October, Veterans Coffee changed one local Veteran’s life forever. The National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program partnered up with Sherwin Williams to give away a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox so that local Veteran Keith Bracken would have transportation to and from work and to help transport his kids to school. Before the vehicle was awarded to Bracken, he would walk four miles a day to work just to provide for his family and would rely on neighbors and friends to get his kids to school. Bracken currently resides in High Point, North Carolina, after serving in the United States Marine Corps from 2006 to 2015 where he served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

Earlier this fall, Deputy Vice President of Operations and retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant Mike Stuckey spoke on behalf of Toys for Tots to kick-off the 2024 campaign. VBH has participated with local Marine Corps units each year to donate new, unwrapped and unused toys to ensure kids in the community wake up to presents under the tree. Toys for Tots, a proud sponsor of the No. 3 Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon, is currently collecting toys at RCR for children in the community.

 

“The support Richard Childress and his team have provided over the last 10 years has touched the lives of thousands of Veterans and their family members,” said Don Timmons, Veteran and community engagement manager of VBH “The meetings provide the opportunity for Veterans to get out of their house (de-isolate), be with other Veterans and see that they are cared about and respected for their service to our country.”

Galida said it was Timmons who first approached RCR and asked if the organization would be interested in hosting Veterans Coffee, which was an easy yes for Childress and Galida.

 

“I had no idea what it could be, and it’s really cool,” said Galida. “The best one we ever did was in 2019 for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. We had almost 1,400 people and 75 World War II Veterans. “The more I get to know Don, the more impressed I am with him. He’s a really great guy and does such a good job. He has an incredible network of Veterans throughout this area and the whole state. He is really committed to it and works really hard to make it all happen. Over the years, as I have gotten to see all the work that goes into it and everything that Don does, I’ve realized it’s a labor for love for him. We’re so lucky to have him.”

Following the D-Day event, RCR made it their goal to host at least two to three big events during the year where breakfast or lunch is served to Veterans along with a special program.

 

“The sacrifices that these Veterans have all made are really important to our country. It’s great to be able to go up and talk to them and it always makes me a little nostalgic. I always think back on the really good times I had when I was in the military. You tend to do that. You don’t think about the bad times, you think about the good times,” continued Galida.

Many of the Veterans who attend VBH/RCR’s Veterans Coffees continue to come back each month and help spread the word to bring more of their local Veterans together and give them an opportunity to connect to resources each month. According to many of the Veteran attendees, family members also benefit from these gatherings in connecting with other Veterans and their family members.

 

RCR’s Veterans Coffees will continue throughout 2025 and are set to be held on the second Wednesday of every month, with the exception of January and July. For more information, please visit veteransbridgehome.com or our Veterans Coffee page at rcrracing.com/rcr-veterans-coffee. 

 

To all who have served and continue to serve our country, thank you. #VeteransDay pic.twitter.com/u3IyU6BoVT

— RCR (@RCRracing) November 11, 2024

 

source: RCR Racing Media

The New Motorsports Triple A-Team: Andy's Frozen Custard®, Austin Dillon and Anthony Alfredo

Andy's Frozen Custard announces expanded investment in NASCAR drivers, teams, tracks and on-site Show Car events at Andy's locations nationwide

Anthony Alfredo, driver of the No. 78 Chevrolet for B.J. McLeod
Motorsports; Dana Kuntz, owner, Andy’s Frozen Custard; Andy
Kuntz, CEO and owner of Andy’s Frozen Custard; Austin Dillon,
driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing

 

There's a new A-Team in motorsports and it does not include Mr. T. Andy's Frozen Custard®, the award-winning frozen custard and treat shop, today announced an expanded investment in NASCAR through a partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), driver Austin Dillon, B. J. McLeod Motorsports, and driver Anthony Alfredo. Fans can look forward to this new series of driver sponsorships in 2023, as well as a return to the popular 3-car paint scheme of years past, and a travelling Show Car program. Another bonus: the return of the Three-Crete Concrete, a motorsports themed treat sold nationally at all Andy's locations.

 

We have had a relationship with RCR, Austin Dillon and Anthony Alfredo that began several years ago. We are excited to have them back for the 2023 season while we create more opportunities for our fans to enjoy the NASCAR experience with their family, friends and favorite frozen treats," said Andy Kuntz, CEO and owner of Andy's Frozen Custard. "Our motorsports alliance has allowed us to reach more fans and it has been very productive for our brand and our stores. The NASCAR/Andy's relationship has contributed to an increase in our national brand awareness and is also helping us grow almost as fast as the racecars we sponsor. We are on target to open nearly 28 new stores this year and have more than 100 in development."

 

Following are details of the expanded partnership:

 

We have had a relationship with RCR, Austin Dillon and Anthony Alfredo that began several years ago. We are excited to have them back for the 2023 season while we create more opportunities for our fans to enjoy the NASCAR experience with their family, friends and favorite frozen treats," said Andy Kuntz, CEO and owner of Andy's Frozen Custard. "Our motorsports alliance has allowed us to reach more fans and it has been very productive for our brand and our stores. The NASCAR/Andy's relationship has contributed to an increase in our national brand awareness and is also helping us grow almost as fast as the racecars we sponsor. We are on target to open nearly 28 new stores this year and have more than 100 in development.

 

Following are details of the expanded partnership:

 

• Andy's will once again be sponsoring the Austin Dillon-driven No. 3 Chevrolet in this year's NASCAR Cup Series, which will debut on March 19 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Ambetter Health 400. Dillon, two-time NASCAR champion, Daytona 500 Champion, and Fall 2020 Texas Motor Speedway NASCAR Cup Series race winner, helped conceive a custom treat for Andy's which will again become available to fans on February 15. The Three-Crete Concrete features Dillon's favorite toppings -- vanilla frozen custard, fresh banana, peanut butter and cookie dough – and will be available at all Andy's locations
• Returning to the "A Team" in 2023 is Anthony Alfredo, who will be driving the No. 78 Andy's Frozen Custard Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27 and at Texas Motor Speedway on September 23. Both races will be nationally televised.
• Motorsports fans won't have to wait to go to the racetrack this year to get a taste of the excitement. On February 16, Andy's will be launching a travelling Show Car program featuring either the 3-car or the 78-car that will visit at least half of all Andy's locations in 2023. Its first stop will be with the 3-car in Sanford, Florida, at the Andy's located at 4625 St. Johns Parkway. Scheduled from 3-8 p.m., guests can enjoy $2 one-topping sundaes and a festive atmosphere. All in attendance can take photos with the car, hear the roar of its powerful engine, spin the prize wheel for free treats and merch, enjoy music and the chance to win free Andy's for a year. One lucky person will even win two free tickets to the Daytona 500!
• The 3-car will also make appearances at the Grand Opening of Andy's Clearwater, located at 2190 Gulf to Bay Boulevard on February 17 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and at Andy's South Riverview, 14385 S. US Highway 301 in Wimauma on February 18 from 3 – 8 p.m. A full schedule of stops will soon be available on Andy's Frozen Custard social media channels.

Kuntz added, "I grew up in a family with a 30-year history of being motorsports fans and that tradition continues today with my extended Andy's family. Our company continues to support regional and developing drivers and we remain committed to being a part of the racing community for years to come."

 

Excited to announce an extended partnership with @EatAndys! Especially excited for that new whip!🍦 pic.twitter.com/0achrLrmcd

— RCR (@RCRracing) February 14, 2023

About Andy's Frozen Custard

Founded in 1986 in Osage Beach, Missouri by Andy's parents John and Carol Kuntz, Andy's Frozen Custard has been providing the freshest frozen custard in the business for 37 years, giving ice cream the "cold shoulder" by scooping, mixing and presenting handcrafted frozen custard treats with speed and a smile. Since the beginning, the family has had one dream: to share what makes them happiest with everyone else, and to warm hearts, one scoop of frozen custard at a time. With a focus on product quality, customer service and community involvement, Andy's has grown into the nation's largest frozen custard-only business, with more than 2,000 employees and 127 company-owned and franchised stores across 15 states proudly serving the World's Finest Frozen Custard. Andy's also offers the 'Yum Squad Loyalty Club,' designed to say "thank you" to loyal customers by earning points to redeem towards a free treat for every dollar spent. For more information or for details about franchising opportunities, visit www.eatandys.com. 

 

 

source: PR Newswire Media

Bubba Wallace Retaliates (Again)

Wallace & Austin Dillon With Ten Laps to Go

 

On Sunday, NASCAR unloaded in Los Angeles, California. The 1/4-mile bullring inside the Los Angeles Coliseum brought drama to stock car racing.

 

Bubba Wallace (#23) and Austin Dillon (#3) found themselves jostling for position often, routinely going back and forth at the front of the pack.

 

With 10 laps to go, Austin Dillon was in second with Bubba Wallace in third. Race leader and eventual winner, Martin Truex Jr (#19) picked the inside lane for a restart, as did Dillon. Bubba Wallace elected for the front row, outside.

 

As you can see in the video below: Dillion rear-ended Wallace, spinning the No. 23 car out.

 

Bubba Wallace goes around after a battle with Austin Dillon! https://t.co/ob15TaTQ2X pic.twitter.com/DP0DTd7BlY

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 6, 2023

The 23XI Racing driver made sure to make his feelings known on the track as well, steering his vehicle into Dillon's before the restart.

 

Bubba letting Austin Dillon know he isn’t happy pic.twitter.com/sJCjNV87Uu

— Rubbin is Racing (@rubbinisracing) February 6, 2023

"The No. 3 just never tried to make a corner, he just always would run into my left rear," Wallace said. "I got run into the fence by him down the straightaway on that restart, so I gave him a shot. And then we get dumped. It sucks."

 

Bubba Wallace talks about the contact with Austin Dillon as well as his own pass of Denny Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/LQEx5YmSdI

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 6, 2023

"I chose the restart there behind Martin (Truex Jr.) thinking that if we could get off (Turn) 2, then I could just race," Dillon said. "But it just doesn't go that way. You're just getting beat. . . . He was probably pretty frustrated at that point."

 

It is interesting to note that ahead of the 2023 season, NASCAR announced new rules for on-track altercations. The response likely stems following the incident between Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace. Luckily this incident was not as ferocious.

 

So what is your opinion? Justified retaliation or an uncontrolled on-track tantrum? Good for the Sport or an embarrassment?

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Richard Childress and Jeff Broin Purchase Carolina Cowboys

Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Team Series

 

Richard Childress, chairman and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing,  and Jeff Broin, founder and chief executive officer of POET, have purchased the Carolina Cowboys, announced today in conjunction with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). The PBR Team Series, which kicks off its sophomore season in July, is an elite eight-team league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in five-on-five bull riding games. The league’s 11-event debut campaign concluded last November with its first champion crowned in Las Vegas.

 

In the 2022 season, the Carolina Cowboys had been held by PBR and operated by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) with Daytona 500 winner Austin Dillon as Team General Manager. RCR’s operational agreement included an option to purchase the team, which Childress personally exercised following the successful inaugural season, partnering in the deal with entrepreneur and agriculturalist Jeff Broin, the founder and CEO of bioprocessing giant POET, the world’s largest biofuel producer, and his wife Tammie. Broin and RCR have a longstanding partnership through NASCAR and worked together to upgrade the league to 15% bioethanol.

 

“I’ve always been a fan of the Western lifestyle, but the new teams concept kicks up the excitement and has proven in its inaugural year to be a strong step forward for the future of bull riding,” said Richard Childress. “I couldn’t be prouder to continue to build the Carolina Cowboys alongside Austin Dillon,  Jeff Broin, our partners and fans.”

 

“Agriculture is at the core of all we do at POET and has always been my life’s passion, and I’m excited about this opportunity to be involved as an owner in a sport with deep agricultural roots,” said Broin. “PBR is a dynamic sport with tremendous potential, and I’m looking forward to growing POET’s partnership with both the Carolina Cowboys and the PBR Team Series as it evolves.”

 

In addition to producing farm-based, renewable biofuel at its 33 bioprocessing facilities across the Midwest, POET also produces a suite of plant-based bioproducts, including Dakota Gold high-protein animal feed.

 

“The inaugural PBR Team Series season exceeded our expectations: broadcasts on CBS reached more than 11.5 million viewers and the events drew more than 190,000 attendees,” said PBR CEO and Commissioner Sean Gleason. “Our incredible group of owners driving this success has now grown even stronger. We’ve already benefitted from the leadership and operational excellence Richard Childress and Austin Dillon have brought to the Carolina Cowboys, which now becomes a full ownership position in partnership with Jeff Broin, using the sport to promote American-made bioproducts. We are equally excited about Heath Freeman’s entry into team ownership, including his expertise in hospitality, media and entertainment. Both of these new owners create significant strategic opportunity for PBR Teams heading into our second season which will start in July.”

 

The CBS Television Network, Paramount+, CBS Sports Network or Pluto TV will carry all 11 games in the 2023 Teams regular season, as well as the three-day playoff and championship event November 4-6 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

 

Austin Dillon poses with his grandfather and team owner, Richard Childress,
after winning the pole position June 29 at Chicagoland Speedway

 

About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series:

The PBR Team Series is an elite new league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing on teams in five-on-five bull riding games during an 11-event season beginning in July and culminating in a team championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas November 4-6. During the 2022 season, each of the eight teams representing teams in Austin, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Glendale, AZ; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; Ridgedale, MO; and Winston-Salem, NC hosted a three-day homestand with additional neutral site games in Cheyenne, WY and Anaheim, CA. To determine team rosters, the league held a rider draft on May 23 prior to start of the 2022 season among any bull riders who declared for the draft during a league eligibility window.

 

The PBR Team Series builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. Events are staged in a tournament-style format with all teams competing in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game features five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters are comprised of seven riders on the core roster and three practice squad members. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders is declared the winner of each game. The event winner is the team with the most game wins across an event.

 

All PBR Team Series events are carried on either the CBS Television Network, streamed live on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, or RidePass on Pluto TV.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Dillon Tips Cap to Reddick, Ushers in new RCR Era with Kyle Busch

 

A new-look Richard Childress Racing heads into the 2023 Cup Series with momentum and a two-time champion newcomer.

 

Ready to roll here at COTA. Watch live here 👇🏻

📺: https://t.co/Or10Zy4aHG pic.twitter.com/ssglWr5X4W

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) December 3, 2022

It was months ago when the dual personnel shake-ups that altered Richard Childress Racing’s  direction for 2023 came to light. Tyler Reddick’s momentous decision to join 23XI Racing was revealed in July. Kyle Busch’s blockbuster shift from Joe Gibbs Racing to RCR came almost exactly two months later in September.

 

Now, with the curtain closed on the NASCAR Cup Series season, those transitions are starting to take hold at Childress’ shop in Welcome, N.C. It’s a new sense of rejuvenation for the organization, which gained momentum with four Cup Series wins this year — three for Reddick and one with Austin Dillon — and has a renewed energy with the arrival of Busch, one of the sport’s biggest stars and a 60-time winner at NASCAR’s top level.

 

“He is already wearing everybody out about, ‘hey, we’ve got to be ready to go,’ ” Dillon said during the season-ending race weekend at Phoenix Raceway. “So that fire is definitely there, and that’s what you want to see.”

 

Dillon enters his 10th season as a Cup Series regular with a transition in teammates. Reddick had been Dillon’s partner in the No. 8 Chevrolet the last three seasons. In 2021, Reddick edged out Dillon for the final spot in the Cup Series Playoffs; this year, Reddick provided a definitive aerodynamic push that helped Dillon to victory in the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway, ensuring both RCR cars would make the postseason cut.

 

Though Reddick’s move caused some initial acrimony with Childress, the 26-year-old driver’s commitment to winning even as his term was drawing to a close helped to soothe some of the bitterness. On the eve of their last race together, Dillon spoke with appreciation for Reddick’s efforts, both personally and professionally.

 

“For me, it’s one of the best things that could’ve happened,” Dillon said. “I mean, he was a great teammate throughout, brought speed instantly, a new mentality to the track for RCR. I feel like it was big. He’s just got a lot of good things that came with having him as a teammate. We worked well together. Obviously, this year, I think any time on the track, we had each other’s back and we pushed each other to be better. So yeah, he was a great part of our organization for the time he’s been here, and we’ve got a good friendship and hopefully he has a good career ahead of him where he’s going, and I’m happy for him.”

 

RCR now charts a new course with Dillon alongside Busch, who jumps on board after a successful 15-year tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. He’ll be driving a Chevrolet for the first time since 2004-07, his stint with Hendrick Motorsports.

 

 

Busch has already been involved on a preliminary level, visiting the shop and encouraging Dillon to log more simulator time to validate his on-track performance.

 

“We’ve already started a little bit,” Busch said post-race at Phoenix. “My duties say JGR and Toyota — one of them continues through the (awards) banquet, the other one continues through December 31. So we’ll see what happens in the month of December.”

 

The more casual initiation may come sooner than later. Dillon says he received a text from Busch expressing an interest in a hunting trip — a pastime long associated with the Childress family, but perhaps not with Busch, who said he’d likely need to renew his license.

 

“I had one once upon a time. I’ve been before. Don’t let things completely shock you,” Busch said with a grin. “Actually, (crew chief) Jason Ratcliff and I, when we were really close and racing for a championship in ’09, him and I went together. So it was fun. I’ve done it before, I’d enjoy doing it again. I’ve just never really I guess had any invites to go.”

 

Those opportunities might be more frequent as the two new teammates get to know each other better in the offseason. The team in general will be getting more acquainted, with new driver-crew chief pairings introduced for both cars.

 

Randall Burnett, atop the pit box for Reddick’s three wins this year, will remain with the No. 8 Chevrolet team to partner with Busch next season. Dillon will work hand-in-hand with veteran Keith Rodden, who replaces the outgoing Justin Alexander and returns to a regular crew chief role for the first time since 2017.

 

Rodden remained with Hendrick Motorsports as a project manager after stepping off the pit box. This year, he’s served as executive general manager for General Motors’ motorsports competition NASCAR strategy group, where he worked on developing Chevrolet’s approach to maximizing track time with the Next Gen racer that debuted this past season. Rodden also served as crew chief and project lead for Chevy’s wheel-force testing program, where he first clicked with Dillon at a two-day test at Richmond Raceway last offseason.

 

“He’s a racer, and you want that, and he’s fired up. He’s wanting to be here every Sunday and give it his all,” Dillon said. “So I think we’re building. We’ve got a good team already, nothing’s really changed on that front. Just some small minor tweaks. So he just kind of gets to come in there and take what he’s learned from the war room at Chevy this year, and doing the wheel-force testing and kind of the bird’s-eye view from all the Chevy teams and their approach and try and put — in his mind — what the best setup for me is each and every week.”

 

Dillon will also likely benefit from insight from Busch, whose diligence and devotion to studying and improving his craft has long ranked among the sport’s elite. It also doesn’t hurt matters that when Busch is fitted for his new RCR fire suit, his uniform will say “Champion 2X” beneath the Cup Series logo below his right shoulder.

 

“I think, as a sports fan, there’s no champion out there that doesn’t give maximum effort to all parts of the game,” Dillon says. “You know, there’s some very talented people that do pretty well, but they’re not always a champion. Kyle created himself to be a two-time Cup champion, I feel like, so the commitment he has to this sport is unmatched. When you’re a champion, it’s unmatched. So I feel like knowing that going in, you just can’t put an amount on that that it brings to our organization. It’s going to step everybody’s game up.”

 

 

source: RCR Racing Media

Austin Dillion, Tyler Reddick Train Alongside Paratroopers

Fort Bragg 'Mission 600' Visit

Members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team pose for a photo with Coca-Cola Racing
Family driver Austin Dillon and his Richard Childress Racing teammate Tyler Reddick
during a Mission 600 visit to the U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School at Fort Bragg.

 

As part of a month-long prelude to the 63rd running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway continued its Mission 600 campaign Thursday with a visit to the 82nd Airborne’s U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School at Fort Bragg, with Coca-Cola Racing Family driver Austin Dillon and his Richard Childress Racing teammate Tyler Reddick.

 

Mission 600 is a campaign that pairs NASCAR drivers with military bases designed to educate the NASCAR community about the day-to-day lives of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

 

“It’s so cool getting to dive into their world a little bit. These guys are true heroes,” said Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. “It’s nice being here and seeing all the men and women who keep this country what it is – the best country in the world. I love Memorial Day Weekend at the race track. I think some of these guys are going to get to come out and I’m glad they’ll get to see what we do too.”

 

Dillon and Reddick, alongside Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter, spent the day learning about the equipment and training that paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne receive. With coaching by the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the special guests strapped on parachutes and gear, then leaped from the installation’s 34-foot jump tower. The group also took part in high-stress, live-fire rifle training that mixes exercise and marksmanship.

 

“We were able to get just a small glimpse of what the everyday training is like and what they are putting themselves through when they are dropped into those combat zones to be prepared physically and mentally,” Reddick said. “The intensity of what they face out here and the intensity in a race car is not really comparable, but for some of the things they’re putting themselves through to train and be ready, you see some of the comparisons to what we do to get ready in the race car.”

 

Fort Bragg is the largest military installation by population in the U.S., providing the infrastructure and training that enables a ready, capable force to fight and win the nation’s wars. The 82nd Airborne Division is America’s immediate response force – ready to deploy and answer the nation’s call in 18 hours.

 

“This is another stop on Mission 600 this year, where we take drivers from NASCAR and let them experience what the military does each and every day,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We got a little taste of what it takes to get ready to deploy. These paratroopers have to be ready to deploy anywhere in the world on very short notice.

 

“To see this training on base – and to see Austin and Tyler really get into it and whole-heartedly want to jump out of the airplane – it is a nice reminder of how our sport treats our military. The fact that the Coca-Cola 600 is on the eve of Memorial Day, and how significant that holiday is for our country, we want to be sure we treat it the right way and have great racing.”

 

At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Memorial Day Weekend provides the opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The patriotic Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show includes representation from all five major branches of the military.

 

A day in the life. 🇺🇸 #Mission600@RCRracing | #NASCARSalutes pic.twitter.com/LJ5yQ2YMi7

— Charlotte Motor Speedway (@CLTMotorSpdwy) May 6, 2022

 

To date in 2022 on Mission 600, Denny Hamlin virtually met members of U.S. Army Central, Kuwait and Daniel Suarez visited Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach as representatives of the Coca-Cola Racing Family of drivers. Defending Coca-Cola 600 winner Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon laid a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Additional Mission 600 visits in the coming weeks leading up to the May 29 Coca-Cola 600 are scheduled to include NASCAR drivers visiting units from the U.S. Marine Corps (at Camp Lejeune) and the U.S. Air Force (virtually with a unit at Camp Ali Al Salem, Kuwait).

 

TICKETS:

Tickets are still available for the May 27-29 Coca-Cola 600 Weekend, with three-day packages starting at $99. Weekend tickets for children ages 12 and under are just $10. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Admission to Circle K Speed Street concerts by Flo-Rida (Friday) and The Steve Miller Band (Saturday) is free with any race ticket. Sunday’s Lynyrd Skynyrd pre-race concert is free with purchase of a Coca-Cola 600 race ticket.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Will There Be a Daytona 500 Repeat Winner?

Are you ready for the return of the NASCAR Cup Series? The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile-long NASCAR Cup Series race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

 

Daytona International Speedway is 2.5 miles (4 km) long and a 500-mile race requires 200 laps to complete. The 2020 running is the longest Daytona 500 contested, lasting 209 laps/522.5 miles. 

 

Will there be a repeat winner today or will a newbie step into Victory Lane? 

 

Below is the list of Daytona Winner to help you decide.

 

Daytona International Speedway is 2.5 miles long

 

Winners of the Daytona 500
Year	No.	Driver	Team
2021	34	Michael McDowell	Front Row Motorsports
2020	11	Denny Hamlin (3)	Joe Gibbs Racing (4)
2019	11	Denny Hamlin (2)	Joe Gibbs Racing (3)
2018	3	Austin Dillon	Richard Childress Racing (3)
2017	41	Kurt Busch	Stewart-Haas Racing
2016	11	Denny Hamlin	Joe Gibbs Racing (2)
2015	22	Joey Logano	Team Penske (2)
2014	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2)	Hendrick Motorsports (8)
2013	48	Jimmie Johnson (2)	Hendrick Motorsports (7)
2012	17	Matt Kenseth (2)	Roush Fenway Racing (2)
2011	21	Trevor Bayne	Wood Brothers Racing (5)
2010	1	Jamie McMurray	Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
2009	17	Matt Kenseth	Roush Fenway Racing
2008	12	Ryan Newman	Penske Racing
2007	29	Kevin Harvick	Richard Childress Racing (2)
2006	48	Jimmie Johnson	Hendrick Motorsports (6)
2005	24	Jeff Gordon (3)	Hendrick Motorsports (5)
2004	8	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (3)
2003	15	Michael Waltrip (2)	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (2)
2002	22	Ward Burton	Bill Davis Racing
2001	15	Michael Waltrip	Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
2000	88	Dale Jarrett (3)	Robert Yates Racing (3)
1999	24	Jeff Gordon (2)	Hendrick Motorsports (4)
1998	3	Dale Earnhardt	Richard Childress Racing
1997	24	Jeff Gordon	Hendrick Motorsports (3)
1996	88	Dale Jarrett (2)	Robert Yates Racing (2)
1995	4	Sterling Marlin (2)	Morgan-McClure Mpts (3)
1994	4	Sterling Marlin	Morgan-McClure Mpts (2)
1993	18	Dale Jarrett	Joe Gibbs Racing
1992	28	Davey Allison	Robert Yates Racing
1991	4	Ernie Irvan	Morgan-McClure Motorsports
1990	10	Derrike Cope	Whitcomb Racing
1989	17	Darrell Waltrip	Hendrick Motorsports (2)
1988	12	Bobby Allison (3)	Stavola Brothers Racing
1987	9	Bill Elliott (2)	Melling Racing (2)
1986	5	Geoffrey Bodine	Hendrick Motorsports
1985	9	Bill Elliott	Melling Racing
1984	28	Cale Yarborough (4)	Ranier-Lundy (3)
1983	28	Cale Yarborough (3)	Ranier-Lundy (2)
1982	88	Bobby Allison (2)	DiGard Motorsports
1981	43	Richard Petty (7)	Petty Enterprises (9)
1980	28	Buddy Baker	Ranier-Lundy
1979	43	Richard Petty (6)	Petty Enterprises (8)
1978	15	Bobby Allison	Bud Moore Engineering
1977	11	Cale Yarborough (2)	Junior Johnson & Assoc. (2)
1976	21	David Pearson	Wood Brothers Racing (4)
1975	72	Benny Parsons	L.G. DeWitt
1974	43	Richard Petty (5)	Petty Enterprises (7)
1973	43	Richard Petty (4)	Petty Enterprises (6)
1972	21	A. J. Foyt	Wood Brothers Racing (3)
1971	43	Richard Petty (3)	Petty Enterprises (5)
1970	40	Pete Hamilton	Petty Enterprises (4)
1969	98	LeeRoy Yarbrough	Junior Johnson & Associates
1968	21	Cale Yarborough	Wood Brothers Racing (2)
1967	11	Mario Andretti†	Holman-Moody (2)
1966	43	Richard Petty (2)	Petty Enterprises (3)
1965	28	Fred Lorenzen	Holman-Moody
1964	43	Richard Petty	Petty Enterprises (2)
1963	21	Tiny Lund	Wood Brothers Racing
1962	22	Fireball Roberts	Jim Stephens
1961	20	Marvin Panch	Smokey Yunick
1960	27	Junior Johnson	John Masoni
1959	42	Lee Petty	Petty Enterprises

 (number) indicates how many Daytona 500 wins that driver has. 

by NASCAR Race Mom