NASCAR Weekend Recap (Martinville Speedway)

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Austin Hill (Xfinity); Daniel Hemric (Trucks)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin Dominates for First Martinsville Win in a Decade

 

It didn’t take Denny Hamlin long to find the recipe for success in Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. 

 

Hamlin grabbed the lead on Lap 126 of 400 in the seventh NASCAR Cup Series race of the season and never looked back.

 

With flawless work from his pit crew, the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota led 274 of the last 275 laps — with the only exception a lap credited to polesitter Christopher Bell, who raced side-by-side with Hamlin after the final restart on Lap 326.

 

Hamlin pulled away toward the end of the final 75-lap green-flag run and beat Bell, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, to the finish line by 4.617 seconds.

 

The victory was Hamlin’s sixth at the 0.526-mile short track, most among full-time active drivers, but his first at Martinsville since 2015. It was his first victory of the season and the 55th of his career, tying him with Rusty Wallace for 11th on the career victory list.

 

“You know, Chris Gayle, all the engineers, the pit crew, everybody really on that wall right there, just deciding they were going to come here with a different approach than what we’ve been over the last few years,” said Hamlin, who won at Martinsville for the first time with the Gen 7 race car.

 

“It was just amazing. The car was great. It did everything I needed it to do. Just so happy to win with Chris, get 55 … Obviously, back here in Martinsville where I spent so many years racing late models and whatnot — gosh, I love winning here.”

 

🙋🏻‍♂️ 1 - 🌎 0 pic.twitter.com/dgdrt9E1HF

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 30, 2025

Pole: Christopher Bell

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET for the ‘Goodyear 400’ at Darlington Raceway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Wins Bizarre, Action-Filled #NASCAR Xfinity Race at Martinsville

 

The speedway that robbed Austin Hill of a spot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 two years ago gave him a gift on Saturday.

 

Diving underneath a trio of wrecking cars in the final corner of overtime at Martinsville Speedway, Hill beat perennial bridesmaid Sheldon Creed to the finish line by 0.190 seconds to win Saturday’s US Marine Corps 250, giving Richard Childress his 100th win in the series and earning a $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus for the unlikely winner.

 

“I chose the bottom because of how rough everybody was on restarts,” Hill said of the overtime. “I had to do what I had to do on the last lap. On that restart, it just got wild. We were definitely leaning on each other, and getting into (Turn) 3, I knew we were all going to get beating and banging, and I just drove it in as deep as I could.

 

“They all hit each other, and I hit the 7 (Allgaier) a little bit and dumped him off and got on the apron there and came home with the win… Man, I’m in disbelief that we’re in Victory Lane right not. It’s unbelievable. I actually said at the end of the race that I hated this place because of all the beating and banging that was going on-and to top it off, we won a hundred grand!”

 

A replay of the #NASCAROvertime finish at @MartinsvilleSwy. pic.twitter.com/fGJecynkQT

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 29, 2025

Pole: Connor Zilisch

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 3:30 pm ET for the ‘Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200’ at Darlington Raceway.

NASCAR Trucks

Daniel Hemric Claims First NASCAR Truck Series Win in Martinsville Shootout

 

During the week before Friday night’s Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200 at Martinsville Speedway, Daniel Hemric practiced his back flip.

 

It was the signature move he had been able to use just once in NASCAR national series competition-when he won the 2021 season finale at Phoenix Raceway to clinch the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.

 

But on Friday, the 34-year-old from Kannapolis, N.C., had a chance to perform the celebratory move once again, after capitalizing on the misfortunes of others-notably series leader Corey Heim-to win the first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race of his career.

 

Hemric even stuck the landing, reveling in the race win that earned him a coveted grandfather clock trophy and a $50,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus as the highest finishing series regular.

 

“It’s a funny thing, because my wife asked me a couple weeks ago if I was not too old to do it,” Hemric said of the back flip. “I practiced once last week in the back yard and did a back flip on solid ground.

 

“I thought, ‘The old man’s still got it,’ and I proved that tonight.”

 

Just enjoy the journey ... and the $50k! pic.twitter.com/mf9a7N7m2H

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 29, 2025

Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

ARCA

No ARCA Races Last Weekend

 

Sharpies and hero cards are always a good combo 😃 pic.twitter.com/NTWoKVNgCe

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 27, 2025

Next Race: The ARCA Series West will return on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. MT for the ARCA Menards Series 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame at Tucson Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash

Facts to Know Before This Weekend's Event

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

The four events in the 2023 Dash 4 Cash initiative:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

— Richmond Raceway (@RichmondRaceway) March 29, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

Kaulig GivingTM Helps Daniel Hemric Grant Additional Scholarship

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

 

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 9, 2022) – Kaulig Giving™ has joined Daniel Hemric in supporting local Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students by contributing to Hemric’s Be The Change Scholarship endowment. By doing so, the annual scholarship, seeded in 2019, will be awarded to two students in 2022.

 

“We started Kaulig Giving™ in 2018 to support many different causes just like Daniel’s Be the Change scholarship,” said Matt Kaulig, Kaulig Racing team owner and Executive Chairman of Kaulig Giving™. “Helping students to further their education and pursue their passion is something many of the organizations we are involved in advocate for. Daniel being a part of the Kaulig Racing family made this an easy decision for us to get involved in ‘Be the Change’ and support the community he grew up in.”

 

Through the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation, the scholarship is available to a student from Cabarrus or Rowan County that qualifies for financial aid and has chosen a field of study in motorsports, welding, or mechanical engineering. 

 

“I can’t say thank you enough to Matt Kaulig and Kaulig Giving™ for their donation to the Be The Change Scholarship,” said Hemric, who drives the No. 11 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing. “Kenzie and I started this scholarship to help folks like us, because if not for racing, pursing a certification at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College would’ve been a great career path for me. Thanks to Kaulig Giving, this year we’re going to be able to help two students pursue that dream.”

 

“We are grateful for the incredible generosity of Kaulig Giving™ and Daniel and Kenzie Hemric,” said Sarah Devlin, Chief Officer of Governance, Advancement, and Community Relations of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. “Their investment in our students makes it possible for them to achieve their dreams and provide a better life for themselves and their families. The combined gift doubled the Daniel Hemric Be the Change Endowment, exponentially growing the number of students who benefit from their generosity while preparing them for the immediate job needs in our area and those of the future.“

 

Scholarships are provided through the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation and students enrolled at Rowan Cabarrus Community College can discover more information about The Daniel Hemric Be the Change Scholarship online at www.rccc.edu/foudnation/apply-for-scholarships or by email at foundation@rccc.edu.

 

Very thankful to Matt Kaulig and @KauligGiving for donating to our Be the Change Scholarship fund at RCCC. Thanks to their contribution, we will award two scholarships in 2022.https://t.co/TatKIzjnKX

— Daniel Hemric (@DanielHemric) October 11, 2022

About Kaulig Giving

Since 2018, Kaulig Giving™ has partnered with more than 200 nonprofit organizations in Northeast Ohio and beyond to create a lasting impact for children and families. As an integral part of the Kaulig Companies Charitable Giving Programs, Kaulig Giving continues to help support the well-being of children and families through direct giving, community involvement, and partnerships with like-minded organizations. To learn more about Kaulig Giving and its current partners and projects, visit https://www.kauliggiving.com.

 

 

source: Kaulig Racing

NASCAR Xfinity Series in the Desert

 

For the fourth race of the season, the NASCAR Xfinity Series is jumping from Las Vegas Motor Speedway to Phoenix Raceway  (FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

This will be the 41st NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the 1-mile track that has had 20 different pole winners and 21 different race winners in the series. Kyle Busch leads the Xfinity Series with 11 wins (2007, 2008, 2010, twice in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019) and 10 poles at Phoenix.

 

Who could forget?

Last time we raced at @phoenixraceway, @DanielHemric dropped an instant classic. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/2pTbVbb3Sj

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 11, 2022

 

Fans were last in Phoenix for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship and saw Daniel Hemric beat Austin Cindric by a margin of 0.030-second, which is the smallest margin of victory in Phoenix Raceway  history for a NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

 

Hemric returns to Phoenix Raceway this weekend hoping to become the third different driver to win back-to-back races at the 1-mile track; joining Kyle Busch (2007-2008; 2013 sweep-2014; 2015-2016 sweep) and Austin Cindric (2020-2021).

 

Joining Hemric for a shot at a second victory at Phoenix Raceway is his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Brandon Jones who won in 2020. Also, on the list of previous winners competing this weekend is JR Motorsport’s Justin Allgaier, who is looking for a three-peat after having won in 2017 and 2019.

 

It appears the three drivers are itching for their first win of the season as they all posted a top-10 finish last weekend at Las Motor Speedway - Hemric (third-place), Allgaier (fifth-place) and Jones (10th-place).

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Daniel Hemric, Kurt Busch Team with Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Pit Wall Pink

NASCAR drivers, breast cancer survivors share personal stories of the impact breast cancer has had while raising awareness of early detection and prevention by painting Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pit wall pink ahead of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

Alongside dozens of pink shirt-wearing breast cancer survivors, NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch and Daniel Hemric joined officials from Charlotte Motor Speedway and Blue Cross NC in painting Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pit wall pink on Tuesday.

 

"Maybe you could do the window net pink."

After a heartfelt letter from a young fan, Mason Bradley, @KurtBusch has launched "Window of Hope," where he and other NASCAR drivers will run special pink window nets at the @CLTMotorSpdwy Roval. pic.twitter.com/ucnoAZXM1m

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2021

 

The speedway’s eighth Paint Pit Wall Pink event has become an annual tradition to celebrate survivors, provide hope for those battling breast cancer and paint the 1,500-foot pink pit road wall to raise awareness of the importance of early detection.

 

Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter and Performance Racing Network’s Lenny Batycki joined the survivors in painting the wall.

 

The event featured a special unveil of the pink Toyota Camry pace car for the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross NC race on Oct. 9. The car, is covered in more than 600 digital signatures of breast cancer survivors and those currently battling, serves as a reminder that no one fights alone.

 

During the event, Hemric, whose family has been directly impacted by breast cancer, presented a green flag to Jennifer Grady, a breast cancer survivor and senior strategic policy consultant for Blue Cross NC who shared her story during Tuesday’s event.

 

“I am grateful that my cancer was detected early on to afford me more treatment options, because I know that isn’t always everyone’s story,” Grady said. “Early detection has significant impact on breast cancer treatment and outcomes, and I encourage every woman to commit to annual testing.”

 

Additionally, Busch shared that he has rallied drivers in the Cup Series to run pink window nets during the Oct. 10 Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, to further raise awareness as part of an initiative called “Window for Hope.” The idea came to the Chip Ganassi Racing driver after he received a letter from a fan who mother was battling breast cancer asking if Busch could run a pink window net to show support for those battling.

 

“I’m like, ‘That sounds like a brilliant idea; let me go to work,” Busch said. “A small idea from a race fan will now have every NASCAR car at the ROVAL – at this year’s (Cup) race – will have a pink window net. We’re just trying to create more awareness of breast cancer, support survivors and everyone going through the process.”

 

Cheryl Parquet, Blue Cross NC’s director of community development and marketing activation, said that Paint the Wall Pink is inspiring each year.

 

“We’re grateful for partners like Charlotte Motor Speedway who share our passion for honoring survivors and increasing breast cancer awareness and early detection,” said Parquet. “The pink canvas ribbons our volunteers have painted are a reminder that our patients and survivors are not alone. In the face of breast cancer, we stand together.”

 

Much more than just a race. 💖@DanielHemric and @KurtBusch use NASCAR's platform to spotlight breast cancer awareness.

📰: https://t.co/LKGHrt9OBn#DriveForTheCure250 | @BlueCrossNC pic.twitter.com/tbQh9v9qAp

— Charlotte Motor Speedway (@CLTMotorSpdwy) September 28, 2021

 

TICKETS: To purchase Drive for the Cure 250 and Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 race tickets, fans can shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10.

 

MORE INFO: Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on Twitter and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

JR Motorsports Xfinity Preview

Cheddar's 300 presented by Alsco

• TRACK: Bristol Motor Speedway
• RACE: Cheddar's 300 presented by Alsco (300 laps / 159.9 miles)
• DATE: Monday, June 1, 2020
• TV: 7 p.m. ET on FS1
• RADIO: 6:30 p.m. ET on PRN and SiriusXM Ch. 90

All you need to know about the JR Motorsports drivers before today’s Cheddar’s 300 Xfinity Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

Quotes:

Michael Annett: “We had such a great Pilot Flying J Chevrolet the past two weeks, and I can’t wait to take the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro to Bristol. We’ve been solid there, running at the front and racing for top fives, and with the way we’re running, I think we are certainly capable of that again this weekend.”

Justin Allgaier: “Bristol is a place that has always been special to me. It’s where I got my first win and I’ve just always felt comfortable on the track there from the day I turned my first laps. Last year, we nearly won twice there, but bad luck struck us both times. That’s definitely something you don’t forget and I know this Suave Men team is just as eager as I am to get back there and get another shot at ending the day in Victory Lane.”

Daniel Hemric: “I’ve always loved racing at Bristol. It’s one of those tracks that I’ve had a good feel for since the first time I raced there in the Truck Series. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do on Saturday once we get there with our South Point Chevrolet. Taylor (Moyer, crew chief) and all of these guys on this No. 8 team have been working their tails off and it shows with the speed we’ve had in these two first races back. Hopefully we can keep that positive momentum going and get one spot better on Saturday.”

Noah Gragson: “Bristol is a tough track both mentally and physically. The amount of banking in the turns slams you down in the seat and you have to remind yourself to blink and breathe every lap or you end up falling out of the seat. The 9 team has proven to be really strong when we get to the track and go straight to the race, so I have faith that we will unload a fast Camaro and you’ll see us battling towards the front like the last two races.”

Notes:

• • Michael Annett is on a roll at the Bristol Motor Speedway oval, logging top-10 finishes in each of his last three starts and four of his last six, all in Pilot Flying J livery.
• • Annett’s best finish on the bullring is sixth, coming in 2011. In his last three starts there, Annett has earned finishes of seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.
• • Consistency continues to be a strong point for the Iowa driver, and Bristol’s banks are no exception. Annett has completed 99.6 percent of the laps run in his 15 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts there.
• • BMS is also the home track of Pilot Flying J, based in nearby Knoxville, Tenn.
• • This year marks the 10th anniversary of Justin Allgaier’s first career NXS victory, which came at Bristol in the spring of 2010.
• • In 18 NXS starts at the Tennessee track, Allgaier has one win, eight top fives and 11 top 10s. He’s led a staggering 482 laps at Bristol, his highest total among tracks on the NXS circuit.
• • Allgaier has proven to be fast on speedways 1-mile or less in length, earning five of his 11 NXS career victories at Bristol (March 2010), Phoenix (March 2017, November 2019), Dover (May 2018) and Iowa (June 2018).
• • Coming off a season-best finish of second at Charlotte, Daniel Hemric will make his fifth NXS start at Bristol on Saturday afternoon.
• • In four previous NXS starts in “Thunder Valley”, Hemric has earned two top fives and three top 10s with a best finish of third coming in this event in 2018.
• • Hemric has also made a combined eight starts across the NASCAR Cup Series, the NXS and the NGROTS at Bristol, earning a total of four top fives and five top 10s.
• • Saturday marks the second primary race of 2020 for South Point Hotel & Casino with the No. 8. South Point previously partnered with Hemric during his 2018 NXS campaign.
• • Gragson has two starts at Bristol in the NXS and holds an average start of 8.5 and an average finish of 13.0.
• • In seven starts on tracks that are less than 1-mile in length, Gragson has recorded two top fives, five top 10s and holds an average finish of 9.6.
• • After six races in the 2020 season, Gragson sits fifth in the standings with one win, three top fives, four top 10s and has led 92 laps.
• • Gragson’s No. 9 Camaro will sport the colors of Plan B Sales for the first time in 2020 this weekend in Bristol.

source

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Championship 4 - NASCAR Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4

Below is an look at the four drivers that have qualified for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4. They will race for the title at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the ‘Ford EcoBoost 300’ today. (3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90). 

These Hopefuls are Listed in Alphabetical Order

Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry)

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is having a record-breaking Sunoco rookie season and with his seventh win on the year last weekend at Phoenix, he now has the chance to vie for the championship this weekend in Miami. If Bell were to win the title this weekend, he would become the third different Sunoco Rookie to win the series championship joining Chase Elliott (2014) and William Byron (2017). Bell won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship last season and looks to become the fourth driver to win both the Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in his career joining Austin Dillon, Johnny Benson Jr. and Greg Biffle.

Season Recap:

Bell has made 32 series starts in 2018 producing a rookie record seven wins (Richmond, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Iowa-2, Richmond-2, Dover-2 and ISM Raceway-2), 18 top fives (series-most), 20 top 10s and five poles. He has also led 750 laps (series-most) this season and has managed an average start of 8.8 and an average finish of 11.1. In addition, Bell has posted solid season-to-date loop data stats, including a driver rating of 106.1 (third-best), an average running position of 10.266 (fifth-best), a total of 603 fastest laps run (series-most), and completed 81.3% of his laps (4,501) in the top 15 (fifth-best).

Playoff Recap:

Bell’s campaign through the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs has been a roller-coaster of a ride but in the end, it has resulted in his shot at the championship. The Oklahoma native kicked his postseason off strong with a win from the pole at Richmond Raceway, a fifth-place finish at the Charlotte Road Course and then another win at Dover International Speedway to close out the Round of 12. Then disaster struck in the Round of 8, Bell was caught in incidents in back-to-back Playoff races at Kansas and Texas leaving him in a must win situation heading into last weekend’s Phoenix race. But the pressure wasn’t too much for Bell as he was able to win his way into the Championship 4, knocking Elliott Sadler out of the final four with a victory at ISM Raceway.

Homestead-Miami Outlook:

Bell made his NASCAR Xfinity Series track debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season while running part-time for Joe Gibbs Racing and competing fulltime in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Bell started the race third but finished 36th due to an engine failure. Bell has also made three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway posting one top five (runner-up), two top 10s and an average finish of 11.7.

Crew Chief Corner:

Jason Ratcliff, crew chief for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota team with driver Christopher Bell, is one of the most successful crew chiefs in the series. He’s led JGR’s Kyle Busch to a unified NASCAR Xfinity Series driver and owner championship in 2009 and then followed that up with a second consecutive owner title in 2010. Ratcliff also guided Busch to the NASCAR Xfinity Series single season record of 13 wins in 2010. Ratcliff began his crew chief career in the NASCAR Xfinity Series back in 2000 at Brewco Motorsports working with driver Casey Atwood. He stayed at Brewco for three more years working with Jamie McMurray and David Green before joining Joe Gibbs Racing in in 2005. From then he has worked with multiple drivers in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Team Talk:

Joe Gibbs Racing started its NASCAR Xfinity Series program in 1997 and since then has amassed 152 series victories, two unified driver and owner championships (2009 Kyle Busch and 2016 Daniel Suarez) and three owner championships (2008, 2010, 2012). The 2018 season marks the second time the Joe Gibbs Racing organization has fielded drivers in the Championship 4 – in 2016 (Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez) and in 2018 (Christopher Bell). If Joe Gibbs Racing wins the owners championship this season the organization will extend their series lead in owner titles to six.

#Championship4 contender @CBellRacing tops opening practice at @HomesteadMiami.

Recap: https://t.co/67QjMXLgtG pic.twitter.com/sDlRgoLhfq

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 16, 2018

 

Cole Custer (No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang)

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer has made the most of his sophomore season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series making the Championship 4 for the first time in his career. Last season, Custer fell just short of making the Championship 4 but ultimately finished fifth in the series standings as a rookie. Now Custer has the opportunity to bring Stewart-Haas Racing its first series championship this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Season Recap:

Custer has made 32 series starts in 2018 collecting one win (Texas-2), 13 top fives, 25 top 10s (series most) and five poles. He has also led 294 laps this season and has managed an average start of 6.1 and an average finish of 9.2. In addition, Custer has posted stout season-to-date loop data stats, including a driver rating of 103.4 (fourth-best), an average running position of 8.921 (third-best), a total of 321 fastest laps run (second-most), and completed 87.9% of his laps (4,868) in the top 15 (second-best).

Playoff Recap:

While Cole Custer might be having a career season in the Playoffs, it has not come without some adversity. The California ace started the postseason off with a 15th-place finish at Richmond, a seventh at the Charlotte Road Course and then he finished out the Round of 12 with a runner-up at Dover International Speedway to advance. Custer’s fortune turned at the start of the Round of 8 though, he was caught in a multi-car incident at Kansas that relegated him to a 26th-place finish. The slow start had him outside of the Championship 4 cutoff heading into Texas and needing a win, and the 20-year old did just that. Custer won at Texas locking himself into the Championship 4 and then last week finished eighth at ISM Raceway.

Homestead-Miami Outlook:

Of any of the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 drivers, none are more excited to see Homestead-Miami Speedway as the season finale as Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer. Custer posted his first NASCAR Xfinity Series career win at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season in dominating fashion. He started second and led 182 of the 200 scheduled laps (91% - a race record) and set the record average speed for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the track (136.140 MPH, 11/18/2017). In total Custer has made two series starts at HMS posting an average finish of 9.0.

Crew Chief Corner:

Jeff Meendering, crew chief of the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 00 Ford team, has spent most of his NASCAR career as a car chief, but this season looks to make his name amongst the championship crew chiefs of the series. Meendering began his NASCAR career with Hendrick Motorsports and after 11 seasons was promoted to car chief of the No. 24 team with driver Jeff Gordon and crew chief Steve Letarte in the Monster Energy Series. Meendering’s first time as crew chief came about when he filled in for a suspended Steve Letarte in 2007. The following season he took over crew chief duties on the No. 43 Petty Enterprises entry with Bobby Labonte. In 2009, Meendering joined Stewart-Haas Racing where he served as the car chief on the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing team and was with Tony Stewart for his final championship run in 2011. Then, Meendering moved over to be the car chief on the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team with Matt Kenseth and crew chief Jason Ratcliff, until last season he rejoined SHR and became crew chief of the No. 00 team in the Xfinity Series with Cole Custer. The duo managed one win, seven top fives and 19 top 10s in their first year together. This season, the pair is looking for the title.

Team Talk:

Stewart-Haas Racing started its NASCAR Xfinity Series program last season fielding the No. 00 Ford Mustang team fulltime with driver Cole Custer and crew chief Jeff Meendering. The team finished fifth in the championship standings with one win on the season. This year, the organization returned with the No. 00 team intact and as a result they have raced their way into the Championship 4 with a big Playoff win at Texas. Now the team has a chance at bringing the first series title home for the organization.

That'll buff out. 😬@ColeCuster brushed the wall in final practice. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/lN0bfjv6hL

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 16, 2018

 

Daniel Hemric (No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro)

For the second consecutive season, Daniel Hemric has raced his way into the Championship 4 round and heads to Miami with a chance of becoming the next NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. Hemric has already been tapped to run fulltime next season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, but a Xfinity title before he goes would be a nice feather in his cap. Hemric is still looking for his first win of his NASCAR career, if he were to win the championship this weekend with out winning the race he would become the first NASCAR national series champion to win a title without ever winning a NASCAR race at any level (0-for-2 in Cup; 0-for-66 in Xfinity [after Homestead]; 0-for-50 in Trucks; 0-for-3 in K&N Pro Series; 0-for-12 in NWMT/NWSMT and also 0-for-1 in ARCA).

Season Recap:

Hemric has made 32 series starts in 2018 amassing 15 top fives, 22 top 10s and four poles. He has also led 440 laps (fourth-most) this season and has managed an average start of 7.9 and an average finish of 9.1. In addition, Hemric has posted robust season-to-date loop data stats, including a driver rating of 106.1 (second-best), an average running position of 7.297 (series-best), a total of 290 fastest laps run (fourth-most), and completed 93.4% of his laps (5,174) in the top 15 (series-best).

Playoff Recap:

Hemric’s voyage through the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs has been the smoothest of the Championship 4. The North Carolina native came out of the Playoff gate quick, with third-place finish at Richmond Raceway, a 10th-place finish at the Charlotte Road Course and then seventh at Dover International Speedway to close out the Round of 12. Then Hemric found even more speed in the Round of 8, finishing second at Kansas, 10th at Texas and again runner-up at ISM Raceway last weekend to guarantee his spot in the Championship 4.

Homestead-Miami Outlook:

Hemric made his NASCAR Xfinity Series track debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season as a participant of the Championship 4. The 27-year old started the race fourth but finished 34th, 13 laps down due to a battery issue early in the event. Hemric has also made three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway posting one top five, two top 10s and an average finish of 8.3.

Crew Chief Corner:

Danny Stockman Jr., crew chief of the Richard Childress Racing No. 21 Chevrolet team, began his NASCAR national series crew chief career in 2011 with RCR and driver Austin Dillon in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He led the then up-and-coming driver, Dillon, to a rookie season championship in the Trucks in 2011, and then followed that up by leading Austin Dillon to Rookie of the Year honors in the Xfinity Series in 2012 and then the series title in 2013. Since then he has worked with several drivers at RCR until being paired with Daniel Hemric last season; where the duo made the Championship 4 in their first season together. Now in their second season together they are once again in contention to challenge for the title this weekend in Miami.

Team Talk:

Richard Childress Racing has won two NASCAR Xfinity Series unified driver and owner championships with driver Kevin Harvick in 2001 and 2006. In addition, RCR has won two driver championships with Austin Dillon in 2013 and Clint Bowyer in 2008. The organization has also won Xfinity Series car owner championships in 2003 and in 2007. Richard Childress Racing began its NASCAR Xfinity Series program in 1995 and since has won 79 series races. The 2018 season marks the second time the Richard Childress Racing organization has fielded drivers in the Championship 4 – in 2017 and 2018 (Daniel Hemric).

One. Final. Practice.

Catch the 50-minute session now on NBCSN or stream it live: https://t.co/593lUV9Jw2 pic.twitter.com/xxPflHYLQZ

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 16, 2018

 

Tyler Reddick (No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro)

Heading into Phoenix it looked as though three of the Championship 4 this season could be from the JR Motorsport’s camp. But following the action at ISM Raceway, only Tyler Reddick was able to advance and have a shot this weekend at the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Reddick’s season has been a winning one from the start and his recent consistent finishes have led to this opportunity this weekend. The 22-year old is on the verge of possibly winning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and becoming the third different Sunoco Rookie to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship joining Chase Elliott (2014) and William Byron (2017).

Season Recap:

Reddick has made 32 series starts in 2018 rallying off one win (Daytona-1), six top fives, and 19 top 10s. He has also led 140 laps this season and has managed an average start of 11.9 and an average finish of 13.2. In addition, Reddick has posted decent season-to-date loop data stats, including a driver rating of 93.3 (sixth-best), an average running position of 11.018 (sixth-best), a total of 186 fastest laps run (eighth-most), and completed 79.7% of his laps (4,411) in the top 15 (sixth-best).

Playoff Recap:

Reddick has shined during 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. The California native has posted a seventh-place finish at Richmond Raceway, a ninth-place finish at the Charlotte Road Course and then a 14th at Dover International Speedway to close out the Round of 12. Reddick’s Round of 8 was also full of momentum, he finished fifth at Kansas, runner-up at Texas and sixth at ISM Raceway last weekend to guarantee his spot in the Championship 4.

Homestead-Miami Outlook:

Expect Reddick to be poised to give it all he has this weekend for the title, as he made his NASCAR Xfinity Series track debut last season at Homestead-Miami Speedway in impressive fashion. JRM standout won the pole and led 18 laps finishing fourth. He also has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Homestead where he amassed two top fives, three top 10s and an average finish of 3.7.

Crew Chief Corner:

David Elenz, crew chief for the JR Motorsport’s No. 9 Chevrolet team, began his motorsports career at Jasper Racing in 2001. He then worked at Ginn Racing from 2003-07 and Red Bull Racing Team from 2009-11. In 2012, Elenz transitioned into an engineering role at Hendrick Motorsports. In 2013, working alongside crew chief Chad Knaus, Elenz helped Johnson earn his sixth career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship in addition to 10 victories during his two years on the No. 48 team. In 2014, Elenz took the next step in his professional career and joined JR Motorsports as a crew chief. Elenz has led drivers to nine NASCAR Xfinity Series wins and specifically driver William Byron to last season’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year and the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver championship. This weekend will be Elenz’s second consecutive time competing in the Championship 4.

Team Talk:

JR Motorsports has won two NASCAR Xfinity Series driver championships both with Sunoco rookies, Chase Elliott in 2014 and William Byron last season. JR Motorsports began its NASCAR Xfinity Series program in 2005 with driver Mark McFarland and since have won 43 series races; including six this season.

Darkhorse pick?@TylerReddick currently leads all #Championship4 drivers in final practice: https://t.co/iXDVSxwbnd pic.twitter.com/cvvxdBh46n

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 16, 2018

NASCAR Xfinity Series

• Next Race: Ford EcoBoost 300
• The Place: Homestead-Miami Speedway
• The Date: Saturday, Nov. 17
• 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)

source: NASCAR.com

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Christopher Bell Triumphs In a “Must Win” Situation

#NXS ‘Whelen Trusted To Perform 200’ at ISM Raceway (11/10/18)

Facing a must-win situation, Christopher Bell, driver of the No. 20 GameStop Just Cause 4 Toyota, had a dominant win in Saturday’s Whelen Trusted to Perform 200 at ISM Raceway to earn his spot in the Championship 4 in Miami.

“I guess the biggest thing for me is that I accepted that we might not be going to Homestead and knew that we would have really fast race cars for the last few races,” Bell said. “I just tried to execute and not beat myself. I just get to drive really fast race cars, so that’s why I’m able to win races. It was more so the team coming through than me this weekend. Our backs were against the wall, and they show up here with arguably one of our fastest race cars we’ve brought to the race track all year. That’s why we got the results we got here today.”

Bell came into ISM Raceway 34 points behind fourth place, which meant, barring disaster for the drivers in front of him, the 23-year-old would need a win to be a part of the Championship 4. To start the race, he was in the back due to failing inspection and not posting a lap during qualifying. But not only did Bell claim victory, he made a statement while doing it, grabbing the lead on lap 108 and never looking back.

Bell’s win meant one less spot was available for the final round via points. Elliott Sadler, in his final season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, was on the outside looking in after an 11th place finish on Saturday. His JR Motorsports teammate, Justin Allgaier, was the car to beat at one point in the race, but contact between him, teammate Tyler Reddick and John Hunter Nemechek caused major damage to the right front, and eventually his brakes gave out. Allgaier finished 24th, one lap down, and did not advance to Homestead.

Wow what a day. Thank you soooo much to @rheem @GameStop @ToyotaRacing and the fans! You guys mean the world to me! And to my @JoeGibbsRacing #Team20, you guys are the best. I’m glad I could get you to where you deserve to be! Now to race for a championship!! 🏁🏁 pic.twitter.com/EoS5C3z9h5

— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) November 11, 2018

Joining Bell in the Championship race is last week’s race winner Cole Custer, who finished eighth, as well as Daniel Hemric, the runner-up on Saturday, and Reddick, who finished sixth. Matt Tifft earned a third-place finish, but did not advance to the final round.

Ready to go to @HomesteadMiami and make it happen this week👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/q4fIWbDqVM

— Cole Custer (@ColeCuster) November 11, 2018

“I knew the way the stages played out early on, we were going to have to win,” said Tifft, driver of the No. 2 Go Green Chevrolet. “I thought we had a chance, but just with that last caution, the 20 really took off and I just got a little too tight there. So, valiant effort. Like I said before the race, we’re going to have to go down swinging and on offense, and we were. That’s all you can do.”

Source

Photo Gallery

John Hunter Nemechek (#42 Fire Alarm Services Inc. Chevrolet)
and Cole Custer, (#00 Haas Automation Ford) lead the field to the
green flag to start the NASCAR Xfinity Series Whelen Trusted
To Perform 200 at ISM Raceway.

John Hunter Nemechek poses with the Pole Award after posting
the fastest lap during qualifying. (November 10, 2018)

John Hunter Nemechek and Cole Custer lead the field to a restart.

Christopher Bell (#20 GameStop Just Cause 4) leads Ryan Truex
(#11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection) during the #NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

(L-R)Tyler Reddick (#9 BurgerFi Chevrolet), Spencer Gallagher (#23 ISM
Connect Chevrolet), John Hunter Nemechek (#42 Fire Alarm Services
Inc. Chevrolet), and Ross Chastain (#4 Flex Seal Chevrolet).

Christopher Bell poses with the winner's decal on his car in Victory
Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Whelen Trusted To
Perform 200’ in Phoenix, Arizona.

Christopher Bell takes the checkered flag for the #NXS win in Phoenix, Arizona.

Daniel Hemric (#21 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet) leads a
pack of cars during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Event

Christopher Bell leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Xfinity Series
Whelen Trusted To Perform 200 at ISM Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona.

Cole Custer races Daniel Hemric during the NASCAR Xfinity Series
Whelen Trusted To Perform 200 at ISM Raceway.

Tyler Reddick (#9 BurgerFi Chevrolet) leads Spencer Gallagher.

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