Iowa Speedway Secures #NASCAR Cup Race

June 16, 2024

 

NASCAR today announced that it is bringing its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race to Iowa Speedway on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. CT on USA Network. This inaugural Cup Series race in Iowa Speedway culminates a weekend that will also include the NASCAR Xfinity Series at 2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network and ARCA Menards Series racing on June 14-16, 2024.

 

“Today’s announcement is an exciting one for NASCAR and for race fans in the state of Iowa,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “They have long sought a NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, and we’re happy to deliver that for them. We fully expect this to be one of the most highly-anticipated dates on the 2024 schedule and an amazing weekend of NASCAR racing in The Hawkeye State.”

Iowa, the place dreams come true. pic.twitter.com/I5aCeClbys

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 3, 2023

“The things Iowans value most are what NASCAR represents best—hard work, family, and community—which is exactly why our partnership has always been a natural fit,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said. “We’re thrilled to bring a NASCAR Cup Series race to Iowa Speedway next summer and for this incredible opportunity to introduce millions of racing fans to our great state.”

 

Iowa Corn will be the entitlement partner for the first-ever Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. Comprised of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn works to unlock the potential of corn in a sustainable manner to meet the global need for food and energy. The name and logo of the Cup Series race will be announced in the near future.

 

“Iowa Corn is no stranger to racing and the Iowa Speedway as we helped introduce farmer produced biofuels to consumers through race sponsorships for a dozen years,” shared Craig Floss, Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “By bringing the NASCAR Cup Series to Iowa, farmers are able to showcase the power and performance of Sunoco Green E15 at the fastest short-track on the planet, which is surrounded by corn fields, the very source of that amazing, renewable, homegrown and affordable biofuel.”

 

Iowa Speedway successfully hosted the Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series from 2009-2019, while the ARCA Menard Series has competed at the track in all but one season since the facility opened in 2006. Yet, since the racetrack opened in 2006, and was acquired by NASCAR in 2013, placing a Cup Series race at the venue had yet to materialize – until June 16, 2024.

 

If you build it, they will come.

See you next June, @NASCAR 👋 pic.twitter.com/y39LYwHi2H

— Iowa Speedway (@iowaspeedway) October 3, 2023

 

source: Iowa Speedway Media

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Returns to Knoxville Raceway

Clean Harbors 150 presented by Premier Chevy Dealers

 

 

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) will return to the “Sprint Car Capital of the World” June 18, 2022 for the Corn Belt Weekend at Knoxville Raceway. 

 

For the second consecutive year, the famed rural Iowa half-mile will host a NASCAR national series, as the American motorsports icon harkens back to its formidable years of racing on dirt ovals across America. 

 

“The inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Knoxville put on the remarkable show we were expecting when we added the storied dirt track to the schedule,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of strategy and innovation. “In addition to the racing, the passionate fans in Iowa were incredibly supportive of this event in 2021. We can’t wait to build on that excitement and showcase this brand of racing at Knoxville Raceway again in 2022.” 

 

The inaugural Corn Belt 150 presented by Premier Chevy Dealers drew high praise from a host of competitors across multiple disciplines of motorsports – many of whom had yet to visit the famed facility prior to their arrival. 

 

NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe joined the line-up, as did husband and wife duo Stewart and Jessica Friesen. Ten-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car champion Donny Schatz and four-time Knoxville Raceway track champion Brian Brown both made their NASCAR debuts at the July 2021 event. 

 

“NASCAR’s debut at Knoxville Raceway in 2021 was a success in every sense,” said Knoxville Raceway’s Race Director John McCoy. “Everyone at the track and on the Marion County Fair Board worked tirelessly to make the event happen and we’re proud to have earned the trust and respect of NASCAR so we can do it again. We’re looking forward to growing this event and making that ticket a ‘must have’ for the race fans who Knoxville is so privileged to serve.” 

 

The @NASCAR_Trucks return to Knoxville Raceway THIS SATURDAY, June 18 for the @CleanHarbors 150 presented by Premier Chevy Dealers!

Kids ages 12 & Under are FREE!
Buy your tickets NOW!⤵️https://t.co/rQB7s2FZ0j#CleanHarbors150 pic.twitter.com/6kxD7XZEv9

— Knoxville Raceway (@knoxvilleraces) June 15, 2022

 

The event will be promoted in cooperation with North Carolina-based Spire Holdings. 

 

“Presenting the most prestigious dirt track in the world to the NASCAR community was an honor and we’re thrilled NASCAR chose to continue showcasing the Camping World Truck Series at Knoxville Raceway,” said Joey Dennewitz, Spire Holdings’ vice president of strategic initiatives. “Seeing Austin Hill’s face, along with his team from Hattori Racing, while they were presented with the inaugural trophy was the icing on the cake for our entire group. We’re thrilled to build on last year’s success and carry on a lasting legacy.” 

 

Winston, Ga.’s Austin Hill won the scheduled 150-lap contest, which was extended by 29 extra laps to complete a green-white-checkered flag finish, giving the Knoxville faithful both a spectacular and historic conclusion. 

 

"You always want to be the guy to win an inaugural race at any track, but winning at Knoxville was extra special,” Hill said. “It was probably the most unpredictable race of the season and I'm sure next year will be every bit as exciting. Racing a truck there was a surreal experience, and to win it was a huge accomplishment for us. Knoxville has as much history as any track in the country and to be a winner there is pretty incredible."

 

 

source: Knoxville Raceway

NASCAR Announces Key Strategic Personnel Moves

NASCAR Today Announced Key Leadership Appointments Across Its Growing International Business Landscape and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

For the 8th consecutive time the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series cars
will be among the vehicles selected for the world famous Race Of
Champions to test the skills of some of the best drivers in the world.

Jim Cassidy has been named to the new leadership position of Chief International Officer, reporting into Steve O’Donnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. Charged with growing the NASCAR brand of racing internationally, Cassidy will oversee all international competition and commercial operations, building on the success of NASCAR’s three international series with the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in Canada, NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

"Jim brings nearly two decades of racing operations and industry leadership experience. He has worked tirelessly to grow our existing motorsports properties outside of the U.S and will lead our efforts to identify important growth opportunities internationally for our sport and its growing fanbase," said O’Donnell.

"NASCAR racing is broadcast in over 185 countries and territories, with race fans engaging stock car racing in person at events in Canada, Mexico and across Europe. The demand for NASCAR racing internationally has never been stronger and we look forward to bringing our sport closer to race fans everywhere," said Cassidy.

Joining Cassidy in these efforts will be Chad Seigler in the new position of Vice President, International Business Development. Seigler will draw upon a decade of successful industry sales experience to oversee all international sales and partnership marketing. Celeste Griffin-Churchill in the new position of Senior Director, International, Joe Balash in his current role as Director, International Competition, and Bob Duvall in his position as Senior Director, International & Weekly/Touring Business Development will play key roles in this area.

NASCAR additionally announced that Ben Kennedy has been named to the leadership position of General Manager, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Kennedy will oversee all aspects of NASCAR’s popular truck series, working closely with Brad Moran, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Managing Director, and Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Managing Director, Series Marketing to continue to deliver great racing, fan experience and marketing across this series. Kennedy will report into Elton Sawyer, Vice President, Competition and will work closely with O’Donnell and Steve Phelps, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer.

"Ben will draw upon his years of experience across NASCAR’s grassroots and national series to bring valuable commercial and competition insights to our NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. With promising young drivers and experienced veterans battling it out in close, side-by-side racing, Ben truly understands from experience that every lap matters and we are excited about his future leadership in this important national series," said Brent Dewar, President, NASCAR.

Here we go..... pic.twitter.com/XgPJc9SInH

— Ben Kennedy (@BenKennedy33) January 30, 2018

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’). For race tickets, visit www.NASCAR.com/tickets.

Source: Official NASCAR Press Release

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Why Three #NASCAR Drivers are Trying to ‘Conquer’ ‘American Ninja Warrior’

By Ryan Blaney

Ryan Blaney

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. really wants to be a ninja.

The NASCAR driver tried his hand at American Ninja Warrior’s absurdly intense obstacle course in a qualifying round in Indianapolis last season. And while he definitely made it farther than most people would, he’s hungry for another shot at advancing to the finals in front of the energized crowd.

With a new perspective on the course, the 29-year-old driver is returning to American Ninja Warrior for the show’s ninth season to see if he’ll have more success. And this time around, he’ll be joined by fellow Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney and XFINITY Series driver Ben Kennedy.

“I just wanted another crack at it,” Stenhouse said via email. “With other NASCAR drivers doing it, I thought we would have a good time together. Last year the (IndyCar) guys had a lot of fun competing together so I’m looking forward to having Ryan there as well.”

Last season, IndyCar was well-represented with drivers Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Josef Newgarden competing alongside Stenhouse. And a couple weeks ago, IndyCar driver Conor Daly attempted the San Antonio course.

Well that was fun! @ninjawarrior pic.twitter.com/WPi2zFI428

— Ben Kennedy (@BenKennedy33) April 8, 2017

On the NASCAR side, Kennedy’s up first, shooting his attempt this weekend in Daytona, Florida – set to air June 26 – while both Stenhouse and Blaney will hit the Cleveland course for the May 8th and 9th taping – which will air July 3.

It's happening, people.@StenhouseJr, @Blaney, and @BenKennedy33 are testing their @ninjawarrior skills: https://t.co/y0CtUut5LC pic.twitter.com/fy5Gk35z4v

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 6, 2017

Stenhouse – the driver of the No. 17 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing – said he had every intention of building a few obstacles to train with at his house, but his “super slammed” schedule prevented that from happening. He’s already in fantastic shape for racing, but he’ll be forced to rely mostly on his past American Ninja Warrior experience.

“I think last year I was really worried about falling off that log so much that I just eventually fell off,” Stenhouse said. “It’s just as much mental as it is strength, so I need to go in with the mindset that I’m going to conquer all the obstacles. I haven’t been to any training facilities yet, but hopefully I can go to a few before tryouts.”

As for Blaney, the 23-year-old driver of the No. 21 Ford has youth on his side and said he watches American Ninja Warrior “a lot” and wants to know how he’ll handle the crazy course. Twenty-five-year-old Kennedy echoed Blaney’s perspective.

“I thought it’d be cool to try and do and put my athletic skills to the test,” Blaney said via email. “Being a driver we need to be in shape – have fast reflexes – and this is one of the ultimate tests and I’m excited for the challenge to complete.”

Hang tight - you're almost there!#TeamNinjaWarrior premieres Tuesday, April 18 at 10/9c on @USA_Network. pic.twitter.com/v4B0I5dKg8

— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) April 7, 2017

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Pressure Did Not Detour Kennedy

Going into Bristol Motor Speedway, Ben Kennedy knew that time was running out.

In the photo above, Ben Kennedy, driver of the #33 Jacob Chevrolet, does a
burnout after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200

“We’re at a crucial point in the season. It’s crazy to think that time is running out when there are still 11 races left on the season, the young driver analyzed. There’s a sense of urgency to get a win and lock ourselves into the Chase field, but I also don’t want to make things worse by destroying a truck because we were being overly aggressive. This team can get it done, I know we can, but we have to perform.”

On his sixty-third series start, Kennedy, the great-grandson of NASCAR Founder Bill France Sr. and son of Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation and Vice Chairperson of NASCAR, became the first France family member to win a NASCAR national series race.

Holding off a hard charging Brett Moffitt, Ben managed to maintain his focus even as Moffitt tapped Kennedy’s bumper on the white flag lap.

"I was just thinking, 'Go as fast as possible on this last lap,' " Kennedy said. "I knew Brett was putting pressure on me from behind. I appreciate him racing me clean. This is just so cool."

With this victory, Benjamin Kennedy will also become the first France Family member locked into a NASCAR Chase. The fact that 2016 season represents the inaugural Truck Series chase format makes it even more distinctive.

"I can't put it into words," Kennedy said. "Someone asked me earlier today what it's like going to Bristol for your first time, and to win here is just so cool. I'm speechless. The guys gave me an awesome truck. Everyone at GMS Racing, Jacob Companies, the fans in the stands, everybody watching on TV, gosh this is just the coolest day of my life."

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race - UNOH 200

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol, Tennessee

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

1. (13) Ben Kennedy, Chevrolet, 200.
2. (8) Brett Moffitt, Toyota, 200.
3. (12) Daniel Hemric, Ford, 200.
4. (6) William Byron #, Toyota, 200.
5. (7) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 200.
6. (9) Cole Custer #, Chevrolet, 200.
7. (5) Christopher Bell #, Toyota, 200.
8. (16) John H Nemechek, Chevrolet, 200.
9. (15) Brandon Jones(i), Chevrolet, 200.
10. (19) John Wes Townley, Chevrolet, 200.
11. (10) Kaz Grala, Chevrolet, 200.
12. (14) Spencer Gallagher, Chevrolet, 200.
13. (25) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 200.
14. (1) Tyler Reddick, Ford, 200.
15. (21) Caleb Holman, Toyota, 200.
16. (22) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 200.
17. (11) Jesse Little, Toyota, 200.
18. (27) Austin Cindric, Ford, 199.
19. (18) Austin Hill, Ford, 199.
20. (24) Parker Kligerman, Ford, 199.
21. (26) Austin Wayne Self #, Toyota, 198.
22. (23) Stewart Friesen, Chevrolet, 198.
23. (28) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 197.
24. (3) Cameron Hayley, Toyota, 197.
25. (30) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 197.
26. (20) Rico Abreu #, Toyota, 194.
27. (31) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, 191.
28. (32) Bryce Napier, Chevrolet, 191.
29. (2) Daniel Suarez(i), Toyota, Accident, 186.
30. (4) Ben Rhodes #, Toyota, Engine, 128.
31. (29) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Power Steering, 71.
32. (17) Matt Crafton, Toyota, Engine, 70.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 74.387 mph.

Time of Race: 01 Hrs, 25 Mins, 59 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.274 Seconds.

Caution Flags: 9 for 55 laps.

Lead Changes: 7 among 5 drivers.

Lap Leaders: T. Reddick 1; D. Suarez(i) 2-39; C. Bell # 40-135; D. Suarez(i) 136; C. Bell # 137-141; D. Suarez(i) 142-179; W. Byron # 180; B. Kennedy 181-200.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): C. Bell # 2 times for 101 laps; D. Suarez(i) 3 times for 77 laps; B. Kennedy 1 time for 20 laps; T. Reddick 1 time for 1 lap; W. Byron # 1 time for 1 lap.

Top 10 in Points: W. Byron # - 349; D. Hemric - 312; J. Sauter - 306; T. Peters - 302; C. Bell # - 296; M. Crafton - 295; B. Kennedy - 287; J. Nemechek - 281; C. Custer # - 273; T. Reddick - 270. 

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #29 Cooper Standard Ford, poses with 21
Means 21 pole award after qualifying in Bristol, Tennessee.

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #29 Cooper Standard Ford, leads the field
at the start of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200

Daniel Suarez, driver of the #51 ARRIS Toyota, leads the field during a restart.

Austin Hill, driver of the #02 Ford, leads a group of cars during the race.

William Byron, driver of the #9 Liberty University Toyota, leads
Brandon Jones, driver of the #171 M&D Building Supply/Menards Chevrolet.

Tommy Joe Martins, driver of the #44 Cross Concrete Construction Chevrolet,
leads Daniel Hemric, driver of the #19 Blue Gate Bank Ford, in Bristol, Tennessee.

Winner, Ben Kennedy, driver of the #33 Jacob Chevrolet, celebrates at Bristol

Ben Kennedy poses with his coveted winner’s sticker.

A happy Ben Kennedy, the first France family member
to win a NASCAR national series race.

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Photo Credit: Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images

PIR's Casino Arizona 100 will Crown the next #NASCAR #KNWEST Champion

The 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will conclude and a champion will be crowned with the Casino Arizona 100 on November 12 at Phoenix International Raceway. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series, which includes the East and the West, is the top step in NASCAR’s developmental ladder before drivers progress to the three national series.

West drivers go around the Phoenix International Raceway in 2014.
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR

Driver Entry List

CAR	DRIVER
0	Bobby Hillis
3	Kaz Grala*
4	Ronnie Bassett, Jr,
5	J.J. Haley*
6	James Bickford
7	Noah Gragson*
8	Johnny Borneman
9	Christian Celaya*
9	Ryan Partridge*
12	Harrison Burton*
13	Todd Souza
14	Matt Levin*
16	Brandon McReynolds
17	David Mayhew
18	Bill Kann
20	Spencer Davis*
21	Alex Schutte*
26	Greg Pursley
27	Gracin Raz*
30	Ron Norman*
31	Johnny White*
33	Nicole Behar*
36	Colton Nelson*
40	Travis Miller*
41	Landon Cassill
44	Austin Reed*
48	Clay Green*
52	Dalton Sargeant*
54	Todd Gilliland*
55	Blake Williams*
61	Brett Thompson
71	Christian McGhee*
81	D.J. Kennington
84	Rich DeLong III
91	William Byron*
96	Ben Kennedy
99	Chris Eggleston

 

Harrison Burton at All American Speedway in Roseville, California
Courtesy of Jeff Burton Autosports

Drivers of Interest

Chris Eggleston is currently leading the K&N Pro Series West Points. Noah Gragson is second in points a mere 4 points back. Gracin Raz, the winner of the last event is in third place 9 points behind the leader.

Harrison Burton, 15, made his series debut in the NAPA 150 with his father’s race team, Jeff Burton Autosports. He started from the twelfth position and finished a respectable eleventh. Harrison is the son of former Sprint Cup driver and current NBC Sports analyst Jeff Burton.

Fans will be excited to see the return of 2011 & 2014 K&N Pro Series Champion Greg Pursley. Pursley has three wins at the Phoenix International Raceway.

Landon Cassill is a regular in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Xfinity Series. In three NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race back in 2007 and 2015, Landon recorded one top-five and 2 top-ten finishes.

Dalton Sargeant, a 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver finished fourth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series. He has also tallied three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts. Dalton won the K&N Pro Series West race in Bakersfield last March.

Todd Gilliland will make his K&N Pro Series West debut in the No. 54 Toyota with assistance from Kyle Busch Motorsports. The 15-year-old third-generation driver is the youngest winner in the ARCA Racing Series, having won at Toledo in May at just fifteen years and two days. His grandfather is Butch Gilliland and his father is David Gilliland.

"D. J." Kennington is a Canadian driver. He currently competes in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, winning the 2010 and 2012 series championships.

William Byron is the 2015 K&N Pro Series East Champion and always a threat for the win. Byron led the championship standings since the third race of the season. He completed the season with four wins, five top fives and 11 top 10s in 14 starts to become the fourth youngest champion in series history.

Ben Kennedy is the great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. He currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 11 Toyota Tundra for Red Horse Racing. In 2013, Ben has two wins in the K&N Pro Series East.

Can Chris Eggleston close the deal & take the NASCAR KNWEST Championship
to give Owner Bill McAnally his sixth series title? Getty Images for NASCAR

This exciting line-up of NASCAR talent will thrill the crowd attending this event as the checkered flag reveals the 2015 K&N Pro Series West Champion.

The series will qualify on Thursday 11/12 at 3:00 p.m. and race at 7:30 in the K&N Pro Series West Casino Arizona 100 .

Click Here for Live Coverage

Snowball Derby - Impressive Entry List

Are you missing #NASCAR?

2014 Nationwide Champion, Chase Elliott won the 2011 Snowball Derby at
Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola. (The Birmingham News/Doug Demmons)

The Snowball Derby is one of the most prestigious asphalt short track racing event in the United States. This competition is a 300-lap race for Super Late Models. The feature will see the checkered flag on 12/07/2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Five Flags Speedway (FFS) in Pensacola.

The 47th Snowball Derby has an very impressive entry list:

Snowball Derby Entry List        

Car No.	Driver	Location
01	Travis Braden	Wheeling, WV
1	Tim Martin	Amite, LA
05	Bayley Currey	Driftwood, TX
07	Corey LaJoie	Cornelius, NC
1	Mike Garvey	Pensacola, Fl
10	Steve Dorer	Lakeland, FL
11	David Rogers	Orlando, FL
11	Logan Boyett	Pensacola, FL
112	Augie Grill	Hayden, AL
12	Garrett Campbell	Asheboro, NC
12	Charles Price	Ontario, CA
12	Harrison Burton	Huntersville, NC
129	Spencer Davis	Dahlonega, GA
16	Jacob Gomes	Manteca, CA
18	Hunter Robbins	Shorter, AL
2	D J Vanderley	Mobile, AL
2	Clay Rogers	Troutman, NC
2 w	Donnie Wilson	Oklahoma City, OK
2	Spencer Gallagher	Charlotte, NC
21	Johanna Long	Pensacola, FL
22	Jeremy Pate	Pensacola, FL
22	Josh Bragg	Helena, MS
26	Bubba Pollard	Senoia, GA
26	Preston Peltier	Concord, NC
26	Rick Turner	Yorktown, IN
29	Anderson Bowen	Suwanee, GA
29	Jeff Choquette	West Palm Beach, FL
3	Ross Kenseth	Jenison, MI
31	Kyle Grissom	Concord, NC
37	Brian Hoar	Williston, VT
4	Kyle Plott	Marietta, GA
41	TJ Reaid	Acworth, GA
42	Chad Finley	Dewitt, MI
42	Dennis Prunty	Knowles, WI
43	Dennis Schoenfeld	Van Buren, AR
43	Derek Thorn	Bakersfield, CA
45	Dwayne Baggay	Canton, GA
47	Allen Karnes	Sharpsburg, GA
47	Chris Fontaine	Lakeland, FL
47	Jordan Sims	Sault Ste Marie, ON
5	Jerry Artuso	Sault Ste Marie, ON
51	Erik Jones	Byron, MI
51	Stephen Nasse	Pinellas Park, FL
56	Gus Dean	Bluffton, SC
57	Austin Theriault	Fort Kent, ME
57	Cole Timm	Mooresville, NC
5G	Will Gallaher	Santa Rosa, CA
5S	Dalton Sargeant	Boca Raton, FL
67	Clay Jones	Goldsboro, NC
7	Casey Roderick	Lawrenceville, GA
7	Paul Shafer Jr.	Portage, IN
71	Johnny VanDoorn	Coopersville, MI
71	Kyle Benjamin	Easley, SC
79	Kyle Bryant	Navarre, FL
8	John Hunter Nemechek	Mooresville, NC
83	Scotty Ellis	Forsyth, GA
811	Mason Mingus	Brentwood, TN
88	Garrett Jones	Mooresville, NC
88	Roger Reuse	Birmingham, Al
9	Chase Elliott	Dawsonville, GA
9	Mark Kraus	Stratford, WI
91	Ty Majeski	Seymour, WI
91	Zak Hausler	Tomball, TX
95	Derrick Griffin	Indianapolis, IN
96	Benjamin Z. Kennedy	Daytona Beach, FL
98	Daniel Hemric	Kannapolis, NC
99	Casey Smith	Austin, TX
99	J J Haley	Winamac, IN
90	Grant Enfinger	Huntersville, NC
69	TOTAL ENTRIES

2012-2013 Winner Erik Jones hopes to complete the "Hat Trick"
(Photo www.erikjonesracing.com)

Last year, then 17-year-old Erik Jones won his 'second-in-a-row' Snowball, an accomplishment only two other drivers, Augie Grill and Rich Bickle Jr. can claim.  This year, Jones, racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports in car #4, could be the first driver in Snowball history to win three in a row.

“The Snowball Derby is a very special race to me — that first win in 2012 is what really jump-started my career.” Jones stated. “To go back now for the third time and have the chance to become the first driver to win in three consecutive years is just unfathomable. I’ve been able to match some of the records that have been set by other legends in the short track world, but to break one would be the ultimate accomplishment.

NASCAR Race Mom will be rooting for West Boy - SRL Champ Derek Thorn - Go #43!

#NASCAR Next Alumni Sweep Sunoco Rookie Awards

L to R: Larson (Sprint Cup), Elliott (Nationwide) and Kennedy (Camping World Truck)
captured Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in NASCAR's three national series.
All are NASCAR Next alumni. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

For the first time since the NASCAR Next initiative was created in 2011, three of its alumni captured the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Awards in NASCAR’s national series. Kyle Larson took home the honor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Chase Elliott added the accolade to his resume in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Ben Kennedy earned the recognition competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

“The 2014 Sunoco Rookie of the Year class is a testament to the massive effort put towards developing our next generation of stars through the NASCAR Next initiative,” said Jill Gregory, NASCAR senior vice president of Industry Services. “We congratulate all three honorees and look forward to watching them accomplish great things in the future.”

The winner of last season’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, Larson, 22, is only the sixth driver to also claim the honor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He defeated runner-up Austin Dillon by 89 points behind eight top-five and 17 top-10 finishes. A graduate of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity (D4D) program, Larson placed second in three races and won a Coors Light Pole Award. He pilots the No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Elliott – 18 years, 11 months and 18 days – became the youngest and first rookie champion in NASCAR national series history when he captured the NASCAR Nationwide Series title. The No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet driver won three races and ended his season on a streak of 14 top-10 finishes. A native of Dawsonville, Georgia, Elliott will return to the series next season to defend his title. He finished 47 points ahead of second-place Ty Dillon in the final NNS Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award standings.

Kennedy, 22, was the highest rookie finisher in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series-best eight races. Kennedy tied Tyler Reddick atop the rookie standings, winning the tiebreaker thanks to a final championship points position of ninth. Kennedy drove his No. 31 Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado to a career-best third-place finish at Martinsville in March.

“Sunoco has been a proud supporter of NASCAR’s rising stars through the Sunoco Rookie of the Year program for the past decade,” said Cynthia Archer, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Sunoco. “This year’s award winners represent the youthful exuberance and competitive drive that define this award and we couldn’t be more excited to see what the future holds as their careers advance.”

Source

K&N Pro Series East - 2013 Top Races

Ben Kennedy's win over Dylan Kwasniewski at Bowman Gray Stadium
was one of the best races of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season.
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

Blue Ox 100 at Richmond International Raceway
April 25: 

It was an event full of twists and turns that saw Ryan Gifford come out on top with a popular victory in the season’s fourth event. Gaulding set the K&N Pro Series East mark for the youngest pole winner prior to the event, and led the first 53 circuits before fellow 15-year-old Custer took point after Gaulding was clipped by Corey LaJoie battling for the lead on a restart. Custer held the lead until 23 to go when Gifford – a veteran of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative – made the decisive pass. It got interesting with five laps to go as an 11-car pile-up brought out the red flag, but Gifford held off Brandon Gdovic and Custer for his first career victory.

Drive Sober 150 at Dover International Speedway
Sept. 27 (Honorable Mention): 

The series’ annual trip to the “Monster Mile” proved to be a showcase event for some of the sport’s top emerging talent. Twenty-year-old CJ Faison, from nearby Felton, led the first half of the event before giving way to 19-year-old part-timer Austin Hill. With a pair of 15-year-olds Gaulding and Kyle Benjamin also in the mix down the stretch, it was Hill that emerged from a three-wide battle for the lead with four laps to go following a caution to reach Victory Lane in just his seventh series start.

NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 at Bowman Gray
June 1 (Honorable Mention): 

In general, a 150-lap race with 13 cautions would likely not make a list of the season’s best events, but we’re talking about Bowman Gray here. The compact quarter-mile produces fender-rubbing action each and every lap and a lack of real estate makes it hard to pass, but every now and then a driver can put on a show coming up through the field, and that’s what Kwasniewski did. 

After getting involved in an accident on Lap 108, Kwasniewski deftly maneuvered back up to the front in an attempt to track down Kennedy, who had assumed the lead on Lap 124 when Brett Moffitt lost power. Kennedy was ultimately able to hold the top position over Kwasniewski and the field through three late restarts to secure the victory. It was a popular and historic win for Kennedy, the great grandson of the late NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who is also credited with starting auto racing at the famed Bowman Gray grounds.

2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Driver Review

Dylan Kwasniewski, posing at Dale Earnhardt Jr's Whisky River during
the NASCAR Champions Week, won his second straight NASCAR K&N
Pro Series title in 2013. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Top Driver

Dylan Kwasniewski: Championship aside, the statistical results proved that Kwasniewski was without a doubt the K&N Pro Series East’s top driver in 2013. The NASCAR Next standout’s six wins were not only triple the total of other multiple-race victors, but it tied the mark for the second-highest single-season total in series history. He also had the most poles (3), top fives (8), top 10s (tied, 10) and laps led (394). Additionally, Kwasniewski was tops among the 17 full-time competitors in average finish (7.7) and tied for the best average start (6.2).

Daniel Suàrez (Honorable Mention): After two years of part-time competition, Suàrez showed what he was capable of with a full schedule in 2013. Despite a slow start to the season, the Drive for Diversity competitor recorded the second-most top fives (6) and top 10s (9) and registered his first career victory at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Next driver led the series with four runner-up finishes, completed more laps than anybody (1,779), ranked third in average finish (8.9) and fourth in laps led (209).

Comeback Driver of the Year

Daniel Suàrez: It was a comeback within the season itself for Suàrez. Had the 21-year-old started the season the way he finished it, who knows what the championship picture may have looked like. Six races into the campaign Suàrez was 12th in points with an average finish of 15th, but things took a dramatic turn in the second half of the season, when he became the series’ hottest driver. The last eight races saw Suàrez post six podium finishes, highlighted by that Columbus victory, and he went on to finish third in points.

Mackena Bell (Honorable Mention): Bell’s first stint in the K&N Pro Series East came in 2010 when she competed in the first six races of the season. It was a tough introduction for the Drive for Diversity competitor, who posted an average finish of 22.7, but it was a completely different story when she returned to the series this season. A teammate to Suàrez at Rev Racing, Bell became just the second female driver in series history to post a top-five finish when she crossed the line fifth at Richmond and backed that up with a sixth-place effort at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. Bell ended up with four top 10s, an average finish of 14th and ranked 13th in the final season standings.

Top Breakthrough Performance

Ben Kennedy: It all came together for Kennedy in his third K&N Pro Series East campaign. Although Kennedy – who turned 22 following the season – matched his top fives (3) and top 10s (9) totals from 2012, the big difference in 2013 was that he found Victory Lane, twice. The NASCAR Next driver turned in a dominant performance in his home state in April when he sat on the pole and led all 150 laps for his first career triumph in the inaugural event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla. Kennedy then stole the show at Bowman Gray in June when he got the lead with just 27 laps to go and held off a hard-charging field for another historic victory.

Kenzie Ruston (Honorable Mention): There were a number of remarkable seasons for rookies in 2013, but Ruston’s accomplishments rank near the top of the list. A true rookie with no K&N Pro Series East starts prior to the season, Ruston made an immediate impact. After just missing a top-10 finish (11th) in her debut at the challenging Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Next driver crossed the line third at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway in the season’s second race to record the highest finish in the series’ 27-year history for a female driver, then turned in a fifth-place effort at Five Flags. All told the 22-year-old registered six top 10s to finish sixth in the final standings and once again set a mark for the highest ranking by a female in series history.

Top Team

Turner Scott Motorsports: TSM made quite a first impression in 2013 – its first season of competition in the K&N Pro Series East. The organization fielded three full-time cars and two part-time efforts in its first foray in NASCAR’s top development series, and found plenty of success. Not only did Kwasniewski deliver a championship in the TSM No. 98, but Ruston recorded four top-five finishes in the No. 34 to rank sixth in the final standings and Ben Rhodes finished 19th in points despite running only half of the schedule in the No. 41 thanks to five top 10s. All told TSM cars compiled six wins (all by Kwasniewski), 14 top fives and 26 top 10s across the 14-race schedule.

Ben Kennedy Racing (Honorable Mention): After two seasons of technical and at-track support from Hendrick Motorsports as a teammate to Chase Elliott, Ben Kennedy Racing stood on its own and achieved substantial success in 2013. BKR, with Kennedy himself behind the wheel, was one of three teams to register multiple victories across the 14-race slate. BKR put a car under Kennedy that ranked fourth in average start (7.1) and average finish (9.8) as well as finished fourth in the overall championship standings – up five spots from the previous season.

Ruston Joins Ben Kennedy Racing

Okla. driver tabbed for run
at K&N Pro East championship

Kenzie Ruston will drive the No. 96 Ben Kennedy Racing Chevrolet
in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series in 2014. (Getty Image for NASCAR)

Ben Kennedy is headed to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. But Ben Kennedy Racing isn't going anywhere.

The 21-year-old rising star and great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. announced Thursday the team is staying in its shop in Daytona Beach and will field a team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

At Thursday's press conference, the team also announced they have tapped 22-year-old Kenzie Ruston to drive the No. 96 Ben Kennedy Racing Chevrolet fulltime in 2014.

"Getting an opportunity in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Turner Scott Motorsports was due in large part to the time and hard work the team at Ben Kennedy Racing put in over the last two years," said Kennedy. "To be able to maintain the team here in Daytona and put another talented young driver in the seat is a really cool deal."

Ruston, like Kennedy, was a member of the NASCAR Next program last year. The industry initiative, in its third year, is designed to spotlight the sport's rising stars. The pool of talent that has been identified by the program includes Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr., Chase Elliott and Dylan Kwasniewski.

As a rookie in 2013, Ruston finished sixth in the points standings in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The El Reno, Okla., native had four top-five, including a third-place finish at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway in April.

Her points standing and her run at Greenville were both records as the highest finishes for a female in series history.

"Jumping into the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East last year was a great experience and I really learned a lot in my first year," said Ruston. "Having competed against Ben and his team, I've seen firsthand the dedication and level of excellence they bring to the track.

"I saw how they were really able to help Ben grow in the series from one year to the next, and get him prepared for the national series. I'm really looking forward to getting into that car in New Smyrna and Daytona in February."

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season kicks off Sunday, Feb. 16 at New Smyrna Speedway. Two days later, the series will compete on the 0.4-mile oval on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway in the UNOH Battle At The Beach.

The series also makes another in-state visit Friday, June 13 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola. Kennedy won that race last year.

Kennedy, a senior at the University of Florida, drove three full seasons in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and progressed from 13th to ninth to fourth in the points. He picked up his first two series wins last year, first at Five Flags and then another at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. He started five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in 2013, including a fourth-place finish in October at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Ben Kennedy and Kenzie Ruston at Thursday's announcement that Ruston
will pilot the No. 96 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2014.  (NASCAR)