Denver Mayor Hancock Proclaimed ‘Furniture Row Racing Day’ in the Mile High City

Congratulations to Martin Truex Jr., who is the new NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Truex and his Furniture Row Racing crew held off Kyle Busch by .681 seconds at Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the Ford Eco-Boost 400 and his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title.

"It's just overwhelming," a tearful Truex said in Victory Lane. "To think about all the rough days and bad days, the days that we couldn't run 20th, to be here. I never thought this day would come, and to be here is so unbelievable."

Once the team returned to Denver, Mayor Michael B. Hancock read a proclamation proclaiming Furniture Row Racing Day in the Mile High City, the home base for the racing team. Truex presented Mayor Hancock with a Furniture Row Racing crew shirt.

.@MartinTruex_Jr.’s Championship Celebration Continued with Stop in Denver, Home Base for Furniture Row Racing » https://t.co/ul9aTNbNB1 #WeAreFurnitureRow #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/NUrWTypYc7

— Furniture Row Racing (@FRRacingTeam) November 28, 2017

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#NXS Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway

NASCAR XFINITY Series

 Next Race: Ford EcoBoost 300

• The Place: Homestead-Miami Speedway
• The Date: Saturday, Nov. 18
• The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCSN, 3 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 300 miles (200 laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on lap 45)
• Stage 2 (Ends on lap 90)
• Final Stage (Ends on lap 200) 

The NASCAR Xfinity Series waves the green flag for the Ford EcoBoost 300 today at 3:30 ET. For the second year in a row, the NASCAR XFINITY Series title will be decided at the culmination of the NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs, a four-round elimination-style postseason that will name the series’ 28th different champion in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first of the Championship 4 drivers to cross the finish line at Homestead-Miami will become the 2017 series driver champion.

Justin Allgaier, William Byron, Daniel Hemric and Elliott Sadler are the Championship 4 and have competed all season for the chance at the title in the Ford EcoBoost 300 today at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

The Championship 4 features a pair of veterans in Allgaier and Sadler facing off against two Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders. There has only been one Sunoco Rookie who has taken home the championship – Chase Elliott in 2014.

JR Motorsports drivers make up three of the four championship contenders (Allgaier, Byron and Sadler) while all four cars are powered by Chevrolet.

Here are your Championship 4 by the numbers:

Justin Allgaier Fast Facts:

• In 2017, Allgaier has posted two wins, 10 top fives and 17 top 10s.

• Allgaier’s average finish during the 2017 season is a 13.1 (fourth-best among Championship 4).

• During the 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs, he has posted three top fives and four top 10s.

• Allgaier’s average finish during the 2017 Playoffs is 10.7. • During the Playoffs, Allgaier posted a driver rating of 103.1 and an average running position of 10.1.

• At Homestead, Allgaier has made seven series starts posting a career-best finish of sixth (last season) and an average finish of 15.4.

Breakdown by Round of Justin Allgaier’s 2017 Playoff:

Round of 12: Allgaier skated into the Round of 8 on the heels of two top fives and a DNF. The JR Motorsports driver posted a third-place finish at Kentucky, a runner-up finish at Dover, but dropped out early in the Charlotte race due to overheating, resulting in a 33rd-place finish. Allgaier accumulated the fifth-most series driver points during the Round of 12 and, as a result, advanced to the Round of 8.

Round of 8: Allgaier found his footing in the Round of 8, and in the process posted three solid finishes at Kansas (fifth), Texas (11th) and Phoenix (10th). Allgaier’s stellar performance in the Playoff Round of 8 netted him a spot in the Championship 4.

A special message from @JRMotorsports and #Championship4 driver, @J_Allgaier, for @DaleJr, aka #BossManDale. #CelebrateThe88 pic.twitter.com/Du30dF6iqY

— Nationwide 88 (@nationwide88) November 13, 2017

William Byron Fast Facts:

• In 2017, Byron has posted four wins (most among championship contenders), 11 top fives and 21 top 10s.

• Byron’s average finish during the 2017 season is a 10.6 (second-best among Championship 4).

• During the 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs, he has posted one win, three top fives and four top 10s.

• Byron’s average finish during the 2017 Playoffs is an 8.2.

• During the Playoffs, Byron posted a driver rating of 106.3 and an average running position of 7.6.

• Byron will make his series track debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. Last season, Byron made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Homestead, winning from the pole.

Breakdown by Round of William Byron’s 2017 Playoff:

Round of 12: Byron’s Round of 12 had its ups and downs. The JR Motorsports driver kicked off the postseason with an 18th-place finish at Kentucky, then bounced back with a third-place finish at Dover, but only managed a 16th-place finish at Charlotte. Despite only one good run in the Round of 12, Byron advanced to the Round of 8 as the series leader in the standings; in large part due to the series-leading 25 playoff points he carried into the postseason.

Round of 8: Byron cemented his name at the top of the list of favorites to win the title this season in the Round of 8. The youngster posted a fourth-place finish at Kansas (fifth), then a ninth at Texas and a career-defining Playoff win at Phoenix to lock himself into the Championship 4. Byron is one of just three rookies to make the Championship 4 since the inception of the elimination-style Playoff format last season; joining Erik Jones (2016) and Daniel Hemric (2017).

Mentor. Owner. Friend. @WilliamByron with a special message for @DaleJr. #CelebrateThe88 pic.twitter.com/HMh4R4tlEM

— Nationwide 88 (@nationwide88) November 11, 2017

Daniel Hemric Fast Facts:

• In 2017, Hemric has posted seven top fives and 16 top 10s.

• Hemric’s average finish during the 2017 season is a 12.5 (third-best among Championship 4).

• During the 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs, he has posted two top fives and four top 10s.

• Hemric’s average finish during the 2017 Playoffs is a 9.2.

• During the Playoffs, Hemric posted a driver rating of 99.7 and an average running position of 8.4.

• Hemric will make his series track debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. Hemric has made three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Homestead, posting one top five and two top 10s.

Breakdown by Round of Daniel Hemric’s 2017 Playoff:

Round of 12: Hemric started the postseason strong with three top-10 finishes at Kentucky (seventh), Dover (fourth) and Charlotte (seventh). Hemric’s consistency in the Round of 12 moved him all the way up to second in the standings and advanced him to the Round of 8.

Round of 8: Hemric’s Round of 8 started off rough with an 18th-place finish at Kansas, but over the following weeks he was able to rebound, finishing 14th at Texas and then fifth at Phoenix to secure the fourth and final Championship 4 spot. Hemric is one of just three rookies to make the Championship 4 since the inception of the elimination-style Playoff format last season; joining Erik Jones (2016) and William Byron (2017).

Absolutely man! I️ feel honored to have been a small part of seeing you progress and transform into the racer you have become! Looking forward to getting after it this weekend with yourself, @Elliott_Sadler and @J_Allgaier 👍👊 https://t.co/J5AKpqvSEZ

— Daniel Hemric (@DanielHemric) November 13, 2017

Elliott Sadler Fast Facts:

• In 2017, Sadler has posted 12 top fives and 24 top 10s (both are series-most).
• Sadler’s average finish during the 2017 season is a 9.4 (best among Championship 4).
• During the 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoff, he has posted one top five and five top 10s.
• Sadler’s average finish during the 2016 Playoffs is 9.0.
• During the Playoffs, Sadler posted a driver rating of 96.4 and an average running position of 9.3.
• At Homestead, Sadler has made 11 series starts, posting two top fives, five top 10s and an average finish of 15.1.

Breakdown by Round of Elliott Sadler’s 2017 Playoffs:

Round of 12: Sadler had a solid Round of 12, posting three top-10 finishes at Kentucky (sixth), Dover (ninth) and Charlotte (10th). He ended the Round of 12 fourth in the series Playoff driver standings.

Round of 8: Sadler had a stout beginning to the Round of 8, finishing seventh at Kansas, and then posting a fourth-place finish at Texas, but only managed an 18th at Phoenix last weekend. Despite the poor finish at Phoenix, Sadler accumulated the third-most points in the Round of 8 to earn his spot in the Championship 4.

Not sure about my daughter reading material this AM @blakeshelton pic.twitter.com/F0NHRjbque

— Elliott Sadler (@Elliott_Sadler) November 18, 2017

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Christopher Bell Wins NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship

Kyle Busch Motorsports Rings the "Winning Bell"

• Date: Nov. 17, 2017
• Event: NCWTS Championship Race (Race 23 of 23)
• Series: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
• Location: Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
• Format: Three Stages; 40 laps/40 laps/54 laps
• Start/Finish: 13th/2nd (Running, completed 134 of 134 laps)
• Winner: Chase Briscoe of Brad Keselowsi Racing (Ford)

Christopher Bell’s second-place finish in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway was tops among the four championship contenders earning the 22-year-old driver the 2017 NCWTS title. Bell’s first NASCAR championship was the second Driver’s and sixth Owner’s championship for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) since the organization began competing in NASCAR’s third division in 2010.

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. What a fair well weekend @KBMteam - thank you @KyleBusch & @SamanthaBusch for letting me be a small part of your company. Here’s to many more @ToyotaRacing bring on tomorrow!! 👊🏼🏁

— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) November 18, 2017

Bell finished his sophomore campaign in the Truck Series with five wins, five poles, 875 laps led, 15 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes across 23 starts. With an average finish of 5.7, he joined Mike Skinner (1995), Ron Hornaday Jr. (1996 and 2007), and Greg Biffle (2000) as the only drivers in Truck Series history who were able to win the Truck Series championship and finish the season with an average finish under 6.0.

Stage One Recap:

• Bell started the 134-lap race from the 12th position but began maneuvering his way towards the front of the field once the green flag waved. He was inside the top 10 on lap 2 and advanced into the top five on lap 16.
• The Oklahoma native continued moving forward and on lap 19 became the top running championship contender when he made his way past Matt Crafton for the third position.
• He moved into the runner-up position on lap 23 and then made his way around pole sitter Chase Briscoe to take the lead for the first time on lap 34. Once out front, Bell pulled away and crossed the stripe to end Stage One nearly four seconds ahead of Briscoe.

Stage Two Recap:

• Bell reported that the handling of his Tundra was “really good” before hitting pit road for four fresh tires, a full load of fuel and a trackbar adjustment. The over-the-wall crew returned their driver to the track scored in the second position.
• The JBL Tundra got put three wide on the lap-47 restart and subsided to the fourth position. Bell moved back up to third on lap 51 and into the runner-up position on lap 61.
• When Stage Two came to a close on lap 80, Bell remained in the second spot. 

Final Stage Recap:

• After a four-tire and fuel stop, the No. 4 Toyota returned to the track scored in the third position for the start of the Final Stage on lap 87.
• When the Final Stage went green, Bell faced his strongest challenge for the championship. For several laps he battled side-by-side with championship contender Austin Cindric, but after a fierce battle was able to keep the rookie behind him.
• Bell remained in the third position with 30 laps to go and began pulling away from reigning Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter, who had made his way around Cindric for the fourth position. With 10 laps to go the JBL Tundra was eight seconds ahead of Sauter for the championship, but remained third in the race.
• With a strong Tundra, Bell was closing in on the top two trucks, but spotter Tony Hirschman and crew Rudy Fugle reminded their young driver not to force the issue of trying to battle for the race win and sacrifice losing the sizable lead in the championship battle.
• Bell inherited the second position with four laps remaining when Ben Rhodes made an unscheduled pit stop. When the checkered flag flew Briscoe was able to take the win, but it was the No. 4 JBL Racing team who finished second and captured the ultimate prize.

Captured the flag!#NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yOHHIlYWin

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 18, 2017

Source

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#NCWTS Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Four Driver's Left to do Battle Tonight for the Camping World Truck Series Championship

 

 

 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

• Next Race: Ford EcoBoost 200
• The Place: Homestead-Miami Speedway
• The Date: Friday, Nov. 17
• The Time: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 201 miles (134 laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40)
• Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80)
• Final Stage (Ends on lap 134)

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series waves the green flag for the Lucas Oil 150 later tonight. The Championship 4 race kicks off what promises to be a thrilling weekend in Miami, NASCAR’s title town.

Tonight’s race will crown one of four drivers as the series champion in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first of the Championship 4 drivers to cross the finish line at Homestead will become the 2017 series driver champion. 

Up for grabs. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/sSjW58NgNe

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 15, 2017

Johnny Sauter, Matt Crafton, Christopher Bell and Austin Cindric are the Championship 4 and will make a run at the title in the Ford EcoBoost 200.

Breakdown by Round of Johnny Sauter’s 2017 Playoffs:

Round of 8: Johnny Sauter started off with a relatively below-average opening round, as he finished ninth at New Hampshire, tenth at Las Vegas and edged into the Round of 6 with a 12th-place finish at Talladega.

Round of 6: Sauter owned the Round of 6 with a third-place finish at Martinsville and visits to Victory Lane at Texas and Phoenix.

 

Johnny Sauter Fast Facts:

• • In 2017, Johnny Sauter had a career-high four wins and tallied 12 top fives and 18 top 10s. He led 455 laps.
• • During the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, Sauter has two wins and a top-10 finish in all but one race.
• • Sauter’s average finish during the first six races of the Playoffs is 6.0.
• • In Sauter’s 10 starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he has one win, three top-fives and seven top-10 finishes. He has recorded an average finish of 10.8 with an average driver rating of 100.9.

Texas 🏆
Phoenix 🏆
Miami??@JohnnySauter heads to the final NASCAR Truck Series race of 2017 with back-to-back wins.https://t.co/F728mkGxeA

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) November 11, 2017

Breakdown by Round of Matt Crafton’s 2017 Playoffs:

Round of 8: Matt Crafton posted finishes of sixth (New Hampshire), seventh (Las Vegas) and ninth (Talladega) in the opening round.

Round of 6: A second-place finish in the opening race of the round at Martinsville was a major help in getting Crafton to the Championship 4. He followed that up with a ninth-place finish at Texas before coming home in 21st at Phoenix after getting caught up in an incident.

Matt Crafton Fast Facts:

• In 2017, Matt Crafton has posted just one win while collecting five top fives and 15 top 10s. He led 321 laps.

• During the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, Crafton has top-10 finishes in all but one race.

• Crafton’s average finish during the first six races of the Playoffs is 9.0.

• In Crafton’s 16 starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he has one win, three top-fives and eight top-10 finishes. He has recorded an average finish of 11.4 with an average driver rating of 97.2.

“I have no friends. All my friends are going to come in yellow fire suits with Menards on them...We’re going to do whatever it takes to win.” - @Matt_Crafton on racing for his 3rd @NASCAR_Trucks title @HomesteadMiami on Friday night. #Menards88https://t.co/coIa34K4BK pic.twitter.com/eMR4FOF4cc

— ThorSport Racing (@ThorSportRacing) November 15, 2017

Breakdown by Round of Christopher Bell’s 2017 Playoffs:

Round of 8: Christopher Bell opened the 2017 Playoffs with a win (and a sweep of Stage 1 and Stage 2) at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, guaranteeing him a spot in the Round of 6. He followed that up with second-place finishes at Las Vegas and Talladega.

Round of 6: Bell opened the round with an eighth-place finish at Martinsville and proceeded to cross the line in third at Texas. Another eight-place finish, this time at Phoenix, was enough to carry him forward into the Championship 4.

Christopher Bell Fast Facts:

• • In 2017, Christopher Bell has led the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in wins (7), top 5s (14), top 10s (20) and laps led (865).
• • During the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, Bell has one win, four top fives and finished in the top-10 of every race.
• • Bell’s average finish during the first six races of the Playoffs is 4.0.
• • In Bell’s first two starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he finished 25th in 2015 after running out of fuel in the closing laps and eighth in 2016 as a member of the inaugural Championship 4.

5️⃣ wins, but looking for 1️⃣ more. @CBellRacing goes for another 🏁 and his first NCWTS championship Friday. pic.twitter.com/Iahlhh50Wb

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 15, 2017

Breakdown by Round of Austin Cindric’s 2017 Playoffs:

Round of 8: Austin Cindric started off his first-ever Playoffs campaign with an eighth-place finish at New Hampshire and followed that up by finishing fourth at Las Vegas and fifth at Talladega.

Round of 6: Bell rebounded from a 10th-place finish at Martinsville to open the round to finish second at Texas. He then went on to finish ninth at Phoenix to capture a berth in the Championship 4.

Austin Cindric Fast Facts:

• • In 2017, Austin Cindric has one win, one pole, seven top fives and 15 top 10s while leading 106 laps in 22 starts.
• • During the 2017 Playoffs, Cindric has three top fives and finished in the top 10 in all six races so far.
• • Cindric’s average finish through the first six races of the Playoffs is 6.3.
• • This weekend marks Cindric’s first race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Hey, @AustinCindric,

What will it take to hoist the championship trophy at @HomesteadMiami? #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/OM6f2ZChiG

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 14, 2017

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#MENCS Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway

And then there were four. Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr., and will be competing in NASCAR’s “May the best man win” finale at Homestead on Sunday afternoon.

The rules are simple: Sunday’s race will be a “normal” Monster Energy Cup Series race, but the four drivers mentioned above are still eligible for the championship. The driver who finishes in the best position takes home the prize - the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championhhip.

At the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook - Truex Jr. is the +175 favorite. Truex Jr. has won seven races this season with 18 top-five finishes. Six of his seven wins have come on 1.5-mile tracks, so Homestead certainly fits the bill of where he’s most comfortable. This is Harvick’s third time in the Championship 4. In 2014, he won at Homestead to win the title, and in 2015 he finished second to Kyle Busch. This is Keselowski’s first time in the Championship 4.

The 2017 Season Finale is just a few days away - The Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The finale four have been determined . . . all that is left is the last race, "Winner take all".

Stopped by @FallonTonight while in NYC today. Tune-in tonight at 11:30 to c what we’re up to. (📷 Andrew Lipovsky/NBC) pic.twitter.com/eokLXwSYnv

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) November 15, 2017

Below is an look at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 (in alphabetical order)by the numbers:

Kyle Busch

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1 – Number of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series titles Kyle Busch has won (2015).
• 1 – Number of wins Kyle Busch has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway - 2015 (tied for most among the Championship 4 with Kevin Harvick)
• 2 – Number of top-five finishes Kyle Busch has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• 3 – Number of times Kyle Busch has made it to the Championship 4 in the new Playoff format (tied with Kevin Harvick for the most Championship 4 appearances).
• 5 – Number of wins Kyle Busch has posted during the 2017 season; three during the Playoffs (Pocono-2, Bristol-2, New Hampshire-2, Dover-2 and Martinsville-2)
• 5 – Number of top-10 finishes Kyle Busch has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• 8 – Number of Coors Light poles Kyle Busch posted in 2017 – series-most
• 11.8 – Busch’s average finish during the entire 2017 season.
• 12.2 – Busch’s average finish during the first nine races of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs
• 13 – Number of top-five finishes Kyle Busch has posted this season.
• 14 –Number of stage wins Kyle Busch has posted during the 2017 season.
• 19.8 – Busch’s average finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway
• 21 – Number of top-10 finishes Kyle Busch has posted during the 2017 season
• 96.9 – Kyle Busch’s career driver rating at Homestead-Miami Speedway (third-best among the Championship 4).
• 110.5 – Kyle Busch’s driver rating during the first nine races of the 2017 Playoffs.
• 279 – Total number of laps led at Homestead-Miami Speedway by Kyle Busch

Busch Eyeing Multi-NASCAR Championships Club

After winning the 2015 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship in dramatic come-from-behind fashion, Kyle Busch is looking to become just the 16th driver in series history to win two or more championships.

Kyle Busch has put together 10 top-three finishes, but only one (a win at Martinsville) in the last five races. Keselowski has eight top threes on the season (his win at Talladega being his lone podium finish since late July) and Harvick trails with seven (the Texas win being his only top-three finish in the last five races).

Kevin Harvick

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1 – Number of wins Kevin Harvick has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway (2014)
• 2 – Number of wins Kevin Harvick has during the 2017 season; including one during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – (Sonoma, Texas-2).
• 3 – Number of times Kevin Harvick has made it to the Championship 4 in the new Playoff format.
• 6 – Number of stage wins Kevin Havick has posted during the 2017 season.
• 6.9 – Kevin Harvick’s average finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway – best all-time.
• 8 – Number of top-five finishes Kevin Harvick has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway – most all-time.
• 10.9 – Kevin Harvick’s average finish during the first nine races of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
• 11.3 – Kevin Harvick’s average finish during the 2017 season.
• 12 – Kevin Harvick’s career Playoff wins (second to Jimmie Johnson’s 29).
• 13 – Number of top-five finishes Kevin Harvick has logged during the 2017 season.
• 14 – Number of top-10 finishes Kevin Harvick has recorded at Homestead-Miami Speedway – most all-time.
• 22 – Number of top-10 finishes Kevin Harvick has tallied this season.
• 102.7 – Kevin Harvick’s 2017 driver rating – third-best in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
• 106.0 – Kevin Harvick’s career driver rating at Homestead-Miami Speedway (best among the Championship 4).
• 315 – Total number of laps led at Homestead-Miami Speedway by Kevin Harvick (second among active drivers, but first among the Championship 4).

Happy Hits Homestead: Harvick Hopes To Take Home Second Championship In Miami

Kevin Harvick will attempt to capture his second career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title in Sunday’s season finale Ford EcoBoost 400 Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (3 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Brad Keselowski

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1 – Number of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships owned by Brad Keselowski (2012).
• 1 – Sunday marks Brad Keselowski’s first appearance in the Championship 4.
• 2 – Number of top-five finishes Brad Keselowski has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• 3 – Number of wins Brad Keselowski has during the 2017 season; including one during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – (Atlanta, Martinsville-1, Talladega-2).
• 5 – Brad Keselowski’s career Playoff wins
• 8 – Number of stage wins Brad Keselowski has posted during the 2017 season.
• 8.2 – Brad Keselowski’s average finish during the first nine races of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
• 12.6 – Brad Keselowski’s average finish during the 2017 season.
• 15.9 – Brad Keselowski’s average finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• 15 – Number of top-five finishes Brad Keselowski has logged during the 2017 season.
• 20 – Number of top-10 finishes Brad Keselowski has tallied this season.
• 88.5 – Brad Keselowski’s Homestead driver rating – 10th-best in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
• 95.9 – Brad Keselowski’s 2017 driver rating – sixth-best in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
• 671 (8.1%) – Total number of fastest laps run by Brad Keselowski in the 2017 season – fourth-best in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

First Time’s A Charm? Keselowski Revved Up For First Championship 4

Surprisingly, Brad Keselowski will compete in his first Championship 4 as he goes for his second career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Martin Truex Jr.

BY THE NUMBERS

• 2 – Number of times Martin Truex Jr. has made it to the Championship 4 in the new Playoffs format.
• 3 – Number of top-five finishes Martin Truex Jr. has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• 3 – Number of Coors Light poles Martin Truex Jr. has posted during the 2017 season.
• 4.7 – Martin Truex Jr.’s average finish during the first nine races of the 2017 Playoffs.
• 7 – Number of wins Martin Truex Jr. has posted during the 2017 season; including three during the Playoffs – (Las Vegas, Kansas, Kentucky, Watkins Glen, Chicago, Charlotte-2, Kansas-2).
• 7 – Number of top-10 finishes Martin Truex Jr. has posted at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• 9.7 – Martin Truex Jr.’s average finish during the entire 2017 season.
• 12.3 – Martin Truex Jr.’s average finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway
• 18 – Number of top-five finishes Martin Truex Jr. has posted during the 2017 season.
• 19 – Number of stage wins Martin Truex Jr. has posted during the 2017 season.
• 25 – Number of top-10 finishes Martin Truex Jr. has posted during the 2017 season.
• 101.8 – Martin Truex Jr.’s career driver rating at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• 111 – Total number of laps led at Homestead-Miami Speedway by Martin Truex Jr.
• 115.7 – Martin Truex Jr.’s 2017 driver rating (series-best).
• 119.81 – Martin Truex Jr.’s driver rating during the first nine races of the 2017 Playoffs.
• 2,175 – Laps led by Martin Truex Jr. in 2017.

The One Without A Title

"That means it’s my turn." That was Martin Truex Jr.’s response following the penultimate race of the season at Phoenix when he was reminded that he is the lone driver in the 2017 Championship 4 who does not have the title "Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion" after his name.

Martin Truex Jr. leads the Championship 4 in top-five finishes in 2017 with 18, but more importantly, 15 of those 18 finishes (83 percent) saw him in the top three. And he’s finished in the top three in the last four races leading into the showdown in Miami (Kansas – 1, Martinsville – 2, Texas – 2, Phoenix – 3).

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

• Next Race: Ford EcoBoost 400
• The Place: Homestead-Miami Speedway
• The Date: Sunday, Nov. 19
• The Time: 3 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC, 2:30 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 400.5 miles (267 laps);
• Stage 1 (Ends on lap 80),
• Stage 2 (Ends on lap 160),
• Final Stage (Ends on lap 267)

We're ready. Are you? #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/qXkwO9Zf1N

— #NASCARPlayoffs (@NASCAR) November 15, 2017

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Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 Field Set

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 is set with Johnny Sauter, Christopher Bell, Matt Crafton and Austin Cindric. Those four drivers will do battle for the series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 17 (8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“We didn’t have the best truck,” Race Winner, Sauter reported. “We had a great truck on long runs. He (Nemechek) had fresher tires, but I knew if I could have a good Turn 1 (on the restart) and get a good launch off that corner, we’d be OK.

Austin Cindric avoided damage in his contact with Ben Rhodes and rolled home in ninth, earning a chance to run for the series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“Why would he block it?” an incredulous Cindric asked on his radio after the wreck. “Why would he block that?”

Green flag... and they are wrecking!!@BenRhodes with major damage after a crash on the restart. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/jUpPlzHkmB

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 11, 2017

However, Rhodes felt the Cindric’s move was unwarranted.

“He put me in a bad place and trying to do everything I could to keep the spot, but once you file into Turn 1 we were all going to wreck, so I’m not sure that was the right move on his part,” Rhodes said. “I did everything I could to just make sure we were having a good day.

“We were in front of him all day long, and we were going to be into the final four… and I don’t know. It looked like a desperation move to me, because there’s so much racing left to do.”

Meet your Championship 4.#NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/DWY8nY0WO4

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 11, 2017

It’s race day in the 🏜 😀 I’m back in the @ToyotaRacing #tundra, and the @safelite #camry! pic.twitter.com/QITwf3vaNW

— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) November 10, 2017

.@Matt_Crafton has a little help this morning signing autographs at the @ToyotaRacing Motorsports Day #Menards88 pic.twitter.com/I8bYwPG84u

— ThorSport Racing (@ThorSportRacing) November 2, 2017

:( (BRpr) @safelite @ToyotaRacing pic.twitter.com/eFW9pidiKi

— Ben Rhodes (@benrhodes) November 11, 2017

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Martin Truex Jr. Leads With The No. 1 Spot During NASCAR Playoffs

Martin Truex Jr. with Furniture Row Racing is gearing up to take the next race in NASCAR playoffs. As he clinched the spot in the final four last weekend, he leads as the championship favorite.

“To win seven races, it’s been an amazing season. When you get two seconds in a row and you’re disappointed, it says something about your team and your confidence in them,” Truex said. “Just can’t thank everyone enough for their support throughout the years. I’m really excited to go to Homestead and I think we’ll have something for them.”

The next Monster Energy Series race is at Phoenix Raceway on November 12 and the final race of the season will be at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19.

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Phoenix Raceway Host #NASCAR Triple Header

Championship 4 to be Determined

 

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(#MENCS)

• Next Race: Can-Am 500
• The Place: Phoenix Raceway
• The Date: Sunday, Nov. 12
• The Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC, 1:30 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 312 miles (312 laps); 
• Stage 1 (Ends on lap 75)
• Stage 2 (Ends on lap 150)
• Final Stage (Ends on lap 312)

NASCAR XFINITY Series

(#NXS)

• Next Race: Ticket Galaxy 200
• The Place: Phoenix Raceway
• The Date: Saturday, Nov. 11
• The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC, 3 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 200 miles (200 laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on lap 60)
• Stage 2 (Ends on lap 120)
• Final Stage (Ends on lap 200)

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

(#NCWTS)

• Next Race: Lucas Oil 150
• The Place: Phoenix Raceway
• The Date: Friday, Nov. 10
• The Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Distance: 150 miles (150 laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40)
• Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80)
• Final Stage (Ends on lap 150)

All three NASCAR national series are in action this weekend as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series determine their Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway.

Five drivers. One spot.

It all comes down to Sunday in the #NASCARPlayoffs: https://t.co/0Mv6XMLkas pic.twitter.com/oNJxeMlQY7

— #NASCARPlayoffs (@NASCAR) November 10, 2017

 

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

5 Drivers To Fight For Final Championship 4 Berth At Phoenix

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway for its penultimate race of the season and the Playoffs Round of 8 cutoff event – Sunday’s Can-Am 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Three of the four berths in the Championship 4 race (Sunday, Nov. 19 at Homestead Miami Speedway, 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) have been claimed. Kyle Busch captured the first with his win at Martinsville, Kevin Harvick took the second with his Texas victory and Martin Truex Jr. clinched the third via points following Texas.

Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson will duke it out on Sunday for the final spot in the Championship 4. 

NASCAR XFINITY Series

Phoenix Raceway Is XFINITY Playoff Drivers Last Chance At The Championship 4

Eight drivers, still have a shot to lock up their spot in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoff Championship 4 this Saturday, Nov. 4 in the Ticket Galaxy 200 at Phoenix Raceway (on NBC at 3:30 p.m.); as all four positions to move on to Homestead-Miami Speedway and vie for a title are still up for grabs.

Xfinity 8:

1. Elliott Sadler (0 Wins This Round, 3,103 Points) – With a win, Sadler would clinch. If a Playoff driver wins, he would clinch with 32 points. If a Playoff driver doesn’t win, he would clinch with 27 points.
2. William Byron (0 Wins This Round, 3,098 Points) – With a win, Byron would clinch. If a Playoff driver wins, he would clinch on points with 37 points. If a Playoff driver doesn’t win, he would clinch with 32 points.
3. Justin Allgaier (0 Wins This Round, 3,094 Points) – With a win, Allgaier would clinch. If a Playoff driver wins, he would clinch on points with 41 points. If a Playoff driver doesn’t win, he would clinch on points with 36 points. 
4. Brennan Poole (0 Wins This Round, 3,079 Points) - With a win, Poole would clinch. If a Playoff driver doesn’t win, he would clinch on points with 51 points. He could also clinch on points with help if a Playoff driver wins.

The next four Playoff drivers can clinch a spot in the next round on points, but will need help to do it. They can also clinch a spot in the Championship 4 with a win this weekend at Phoenix.

1. Matt Tifft (0 Wins This Round, 3,074 Points) – Currently five points back from fourth-place Brennan Poole.
2. Cole Custer (0 Wins This Round, 3,066 Points) - Currently 13 points back from fourth-place Brennan Poole.
3. Daniel Hemric (0 Wins This Round, 3,061 Points) - Currently 18 points back from fourth-place Brennan Poole.
4. Ryan Reed (0 Wins this Round, 3,046 Points) - Currently 33 points back from fourth-place Brennan Poole.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Playoffs Clinch Scenarios

Below is a look at the clinch scenarios for all six Playoffs drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Round of 6 heading into Phoenix International Raceway:

1. Johnny Sauter (1 Win, 3131 Points): Sauter clinched on wins at Texas Motor Speedway and has advanced to the Championship 4 round.
2. Christopher Bell (0 Wins, 3135 Points): Bell would clinch on points with six points and a new winner. If there is a repeat winner, he would clinch on points with one point. Bell can also clinch a Championship 4 spot on wins.
3. Matt Crafton (0 Wins, 3104 Points): Crafton would clinch on points with 37 points and a new winner. If there is a repeat winner, he would clinch on points with 32 points. Crafton can also clinch a Championship 4 spot on wins.
4. Austin Cindric (0 Wins, 3085 Points): If there is a repeat winner, Cindric would clinch on points with 50 points. He could clinch on points with a new winner and help, or with a win at Phoenix.
5. Ben Rhodes (0 Wins, 3080 Points): Rhodes could clinch on points with a new winner and help, or with a win at Phoenix.
6. John Hunter Nemechek (0 Wins, 3046 Points): Nemecheck could clinch on points with a repeat winner and help, or a win at Phoenix.

If you thought things were wild before, just wait 'til we head West. pic.twitter.com/V6BhDlRgyc

— #NASCARPlayoffs (@NASCAR) November 10, 2017

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Jimmie Johnson Will Arrive At Phoenix Raceway In A Must-Win Situation

2017 Championship's Hopes In Big Trouble #SE7EN

With the support of his family, Jimmie Johnson’s racing career started on 50cc motorcycles at age 5. Father Gary worked for a tire company while mother Cathy drove a school bus. With Jimmie and younger brothers Jarit and Jessie in tow, the family spent most weekends camping and doing what they loved – racing up and down the West Coast.

Jimmie Johnson is one of the most accomplished professional athletes of his era. The only race car driver in history to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, he is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, sharing the all-time record with stock car racing icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

As the full-time driver (2002) of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, he won his first Cup race in his home state of California in just his 13th start. The 2016 season was one for the record books. When Johnson won the second race of the year at Atlanta Motor Speedway, he tied Earnhardt for seventh on the all-time wins list. Three races later, he won in California for his 77th career win, and, after a 24-race winless streak, he claimed victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway and then Martinsville Speedway.

With the win at Martinsville in the third round, Johnson secured his spot in the finals at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In dramatic fashion, he started last and finished first, winning for the first time at Homestead-Miami and scoring his seventh championship – matching the record held by legends Petty and Earnhardt.

Unfortunately, the 2017 Chase has been a struggle for Johnson. Johnson recorded only one top-five (Dover) and two top-tens (Chicago & Charlotte) in the last eight starts. His twenty-seventh place finish Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway has placed him in a ‘Must-Win’ Situation.

Texas was a disaster from the start of the weekend for the No. 48 Chevrolet. The car missed virtually all of the first round of practice with a fuel pressure problem. Then, 68 laps into the race, Johnson had to pit due to a chattering tire.

“We have to figure something out. Kansas was a lot like this . . . just extremely difficult; drive the car carrying entry speed, and then we had a loose wheel and then contact on the restart. We started off in a hole and just keep digging a deeper one as we went. Definitely disappointed and honestly, I just feel bad for my team . . . these guys are working so hard and to work this hard and not see any speed go back in the car and have bad results the last three weeks has been pretty disappointing.” Johnson summarized during his NBCSN track interview.

Playoff Leaderboard

1. Martin Truex Jr. (4,168 points)
2. Kyle Busch (4,118 points)
3. Kevin Harvick (4,112 points)
4. Brad Keselowski (4,111 points)
5. Denny Hamlin (4,092 points)
6. Ryan Blaney (4,089 points)
7. Chase Elliott (4,062 points)
8. Jimmie Johnson (4,060 points)

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Lookout Nashvegas! 🤙 pic.twitter.com/HWBeB95Vfg

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) November 2, 2017

5️⃣ #NASCARPlayoffs drivers head to @PhoenixRaceway with their season on the line. pic.twitter.com/n8zmhvfsa4

— #NASCARPlayoffs (@NASCAR) November 6, 2017