Ford Performance Sweeps Kentucky

Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines sweep Kentucky with Cole Custer winning his first NASCAR Cup Series race as a rookie and Austin Cindric capturing back-to-back wins on Thursday and Friday in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

#NASCAR | History was made today @KySpeedway. @ColeCuster won his first Cup Series race. #Ford @StewartHaasRcng pic.twitter.com/But8UH0Ilh

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) July 12, 2020

“Congratulations to Cole and Austin on their wins,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “The Ford Mustangs ran strong at Kentucky and to see Cole win his first Cup race as a rookie and Austin win his first two races of the year is special. Ford Performance and our Ford Performance race teams have been working really hard to deliver fast race cars to the track every week and to see the guys in Victory Lane is a testament to everyone’s dedication and teamwork.”

Great day for another valve cover #giveaway! Here’s your chance to win the cover from @ColeCuster & @StewartHaasRcng’s @KySpeedway-winning @FordPerformance @roushyates FR9 @NASCAR engine. Custer’s 1st #NASCAR Cup win!

1️⃣ RT
2️⃣ Tag friend in the replies
3️⃣ Follow @convergecfd pic.twitter.com/XDO7iLHcZW

— Doug Yates (@Yates_Doug) July 12, 2020

On a late race restart with two laps to go, in Sunday’s Quaker State 400, Stewart-Haas Racing driver, Custer in the No. 41 Ford Mustang started from the third row. With a strong push from Ford teammate, Matt DiBenedetto, during the restart he was able to make a monster move from the outside on the white flag lap to take it four wide and pass the race leader and veteran drivers Martin Truex Jr, Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney for the lead. Custer took the checkered flag .271 seconds ahead of second place driver Truex, punching his ticket to the All-Star race on Wednesday night and into the Playoffs.

One of the wildest late-lap battles for the lead in recent memory! 🤩

Relive the final lap that gave @ColeCuster his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series! #QS400 pic.twitter.com/29ZqkUPCYP

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 12, 2020

“I knew I just had to get to the top,” said Custer. “The top rolled pretty good and once I got past and I was like in third I was like I’ve just got to take a shot and do whatever I can here. And it ended up the 4 and the 19 got together a little bit and I was able to take advantage of it. It was just an unbelievable car and I was able to take advantage of it. I just can’t thank all my guys and everybody at SHR enough, and everybody at Roush Yates Engines – just an absolutely amazing car.”

Six Fords finished in the top-10, led by Custer, DiBenedetto P3, Harvick P4, Blaney P6, Stage 1 winner and leader of 128-laps Aric Almirola P8 and Stage 2 winner Brad Keselowski P9.

Ford leads all manufacturers with 10 race wins while Stewart-Haas and Kevin Harvick lead the owner and driver points standings.

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Austin Cindric battled hard against Ford Performance teammate Chase Briscoe to bring home his first two wins of the 2020 season for Team Penske. This marked three NXS wins in a row at Kentucky for Ford Performance and 4th consecutive win in 2020.

Thursday night, Cindric took the lead with 40 laps to go and it appeared he would take the checkered flag, but late race cautions set the stage for a thrilling over-time finish as he battled with Ford Performance teammate Briscoe.

The two Ford Mustangs lined up side-by-side on the front row for a green-white-checkered finish. Cindric took the outside lane and Briscoe the inside. Briscoe was able to get a slight jump on Cindric at the restart, but the No. 22 would not be denied and got a huge run off the corner to rocket right by the No. 98 to take the lead and the checkered flag in Kentucky. Briscoe finished P4.

“I don’t care what shape the track is, if it’s dirt, oval, I don’t care I’m just so happy this Snap-On Ford Mustang is in Victory Lane,” said Cindric. “We’ve come so close all year. These guys have given me so many awesome race-winning cars. This is awesome. All the credit to my guys for getting me here.”

In a double-header at Kentucky Speedway the Xfinity series returned Friday night, where the No. 22 Ford Mustang dominated the Alsco 300. Cindric led a career high 130 laps out of the 200-lap race and took the checkered flag 2.262 seconds ahead of No. 98 Briscoe, making it a 1-2 finish for Ford Performance.

“I’m just so excited. This is all a credit to my team,” commented Cindric. “I’m the lucky one that gets to drive this Snap-On Ford Mustang. Thank you to everyone – Ford Performance. A one-two between me and Chase. That was a lot of fun.”

Briscoe and Stewart-Haas Racing continue to lead the driver and owner points standings and with back-to-back wins Ford leads manufacturers with seven wins and a 10-point lead. Cindric and Team Penske are in a strong third place position.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads into All-Star week with the All-Star Open and All-Star Race being held in Bristol, TN on Wednesday, July 15th. Reference the full 2020 schedule on Roushyates.com.

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Angela Ruch Partners with The Wounded Blue

The #BackTheBlue Car Supports Police Officers across America

NASCAR driver Angela Ruch and The Wounded Blue,  America's only national organization dedicated to assisting officers injured in the line of duty, announced today they will partner on a #BackTheBlue themed car for this weekend's NASCAR Gander Outdoor truck series race at the Kentucky Speedway. 

Very excited and proud to represent police officers all over our country 🇺🇸 as we partner with @WoundedBlue this weekend at Kentucky!#NASCAR #BackTheBlue #SupportourPolice https://t.co/oLwgmJUoc3

— Angela Ruch (@Angela__Ruch) July 7, 2020

The NASCAR vehicle will feature The Wounded Blue's logo and motto "Never Alone, Never Forgotten," as well as the popular "Thin Blue Line" American flag, #BackTheBlue Social media hashtag, and a message on the rear bumper to Support the Police. 

Ruch is one of the top female drivers in NASCAR's truck racing division — one of three divisions within NASCAR. She and her husband, stars of the Facebook Watch reality TV show "The Ruch Life" came up with the idea as a way to support frontline law enforcement officers.

"Everywhere you turn today, good, hardworking police officers are under attack," said driver Angela Ruch. "We want to show law enforcement officers that we've got their backs."

"We appreciate the support of Angela and her ability to use her large platform for good, to aid officers who have been injured in the line of duty," said Lt. Randy Sutton, founder of The Wounded Blue. "We're grateful for her leadership and courage in wearing her heart on her sleeve in a way that will help thousands of wounded men and women."

Thousands of frontline officers are injured every year during routine traffic stops and in their daily duties. Their injuries including being shot, stabbed, beaten, hit by cars, exposed to COVID-19, and more.

Rest In Peace @ToledoPolice PO Anthony Dia who was shot & killed in the line of duty on 7/4/20 while responding to a disturbance. He leaves behind a wife & 2 young sons. Please retweet to honor him #BlueLivesMatter #BackTheBlue #SayHisName #StopKillingUs #EnoughIsEnough 💙🖤😞🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/PtRszd4Aya

— Angel L Maysonet🇵🇷👮🏻‍♂‍🐷 (@bigricanman) July 5, 2020

Donations to The Wounded Blue help fund the organization's Code 4 Wellness program which includes medical appointments, TeleMed appointments, lab testing, COVID-19 testing, PTSD support and more. 

Donations can be made at: TheWoundedBlue.org/Donate.

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2. #48 Jimmie Johnson Cleared to Race
3. Hailie Deegan On Podium
4. Ford & Stewart-Haas Racing Sweep Indy
5. Jesse Love - Two Wins in Seven Days

#48 Jimmie Johnson Cleared to Race

Lucky or the Victim of a False Positive?

Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has been cleared to return to competition. He will drive the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for Hendrick Motorsports  in this weekend’s Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway.

After testing positive for COVID-19 Friday afternoon, Johnson did not compete at Indianapolis on Sunday, marking the first time he has missed a race in his Cup Series career. He tested negative twice this week – on Monday and Tuesday – and was cleared by his physician Tuesday evening in accordance with NASCAR guidelines. The driver never experienced symptoms.

This writer was confused at the rapidness of Jimmie’s on track return. However, after researching the CDC website it appears that NASCAR is following the new Covid19 protocol.

Individuals with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms may discontinue home isolation when at least seven days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test and have had no subsequent illness.

The decision to discontinue home isolation should be made along these guidelines, while also considering the context of local circumstances.

Those employees who worked closely with the infected employee should self-monitor for symptoms and follow the CDC guidelines as necessary. source.

The Johnson Family took every precaution to avoid the coronavirus. They washed their hands frequently, diligently followed face-mask guidelines and even left their home in Charlotte, N.C., for less densely populated Aspen, Col.

Since Johnson experienced no Covid19 symptoms (asymptomatic) this writer wonders if the NASCAR star is just incredibly lucky or the victim of a false positive.

“I was warned by my physician then that although I did test positive for the antibodies, there’s a 20 percent chance that it’s incorrect,” Johnson said. “On top of the fact that they don’t know what the antibodies mean. Still today, I don’t know what they mean.

“Once I clear this and go back into life, I assume I still need to be very cautious and I could be re-infected once again. There are just so many questions regarding this virus and what means what. I still don’t have clarity. The longer I get into this and the more issues I deal with, the more questions I have.”

.@JimmieJohnson will start 20th this weekend @KySpeedway after tonight’s random draw. pic.twitter.com/mfiYdiOm43

— Ally Racing (@allyracing) July 8, 2020

Following Johnson’s diagnosis, four Hendrick Motorsports crew members were tested for COVID-19 with all four receiving negative results. The No. 48 team will have its regular personnel roster for Sunday’s event at Kentucky (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1).

Johnson, 44, is currently 15th in the driver standings, 46 points above the cutoff for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

"My family is so grateful for the incredible love and support we’ve received over the last several days," Johnson said. "I especially want to thank Justin Allgaier for stepping in for me at Indy and being a true pro. I’m excited about getting back to business with my team this weekend."

Hendrick Motorsports has implemented detailed procedures to protect the health of its team members. They include daily COVID-19 screenings at the team facilities; the separation of facility operations and traveling personnel; split work schedules; stringent face covering and social distancing requirements; and an increased level of disinfecting and sanitization of all work areas.

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5. It’s Ty Gibbs’ Party at Pocono

Furniture Row's Truex Jr. Wins in Kentucky

Picks Up Second Straight Jukebox

Driving a race car that ran like a thoroughbred at Kentucky Speedway, Martin Truex Jr. claimed his fourth victory of the season and his second straight at the 1.5-mile track.

It was a perfect weekend for Truex in the Bluegrass state. He not only won the race, he qualified on the pole, won the first two stages and collected the seven maximum playoff bonus points. He remains third in both overall driver points and playoff points.

The NASCAR Cup Series victory was Truex’s 19th of his career (17 with Furniture Row Racing) and it was the Denver-based team’s 18 career win. And since taking over the crew chief duties for Furniture Row Racing in 2015, Cole Pearn has been atop the pit box for 17 wins.

*splash zone* pic.twitter.com/Hz8f7XUrwe

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 15, 2018

Truex’s No. 78 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota was dominant throughout the 267 lap race. He led five times for a race high of 174 laps, including the final 44. His margin of victory over Ryan Blaney was 1.9 seconds.

“It feels good,” said Truex about scoring his first victory at a mile and a half track this season. “You never know how these races are going to play out. You never know what is going to happen and we had such a strong Toyota tonight. They weren’t going to beat us.”

Truex and the No. 78 team kept patient all night even when the lead was lost when some teams opted for two tires instead of four.

“We just keep our heads down and don’t get too excited,” Truex stated. “We keep working on the race car and try to stay calm and not get ahead of ourselves. We had to make a lot of adjustments tonight on the car and had to battle back a few times after getting passed for the lead. But this Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota was amazing tonight.

“Thanks to everybody for their support and making all this possible – Toyota, TRD (Toyota Racing Development), Bass Pro Shops, 5-hour ENERGY, Furniture Row, Denver Mattress, Auto-Owners Insurance of course being our primary tonight and so many people that make this possible. I’m just the lucky guy who gets to drive the car. Pretty exciting night for us, and two in a row at a race track is pretty cool.”

In the last nine races, Truex has three wins, three runners-up and eight top fives.

Asked if he was ready to keep rolling Truex said, “Yeah, man, that’s the plan. Get our mile-and-a-half stuff figured out – we’re going to need it for the playoffs. It’s good to get this one under the hat and keep working for the playoffs.”

Finishing positions 3-10 went to: Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Erik Jones, Aric Almirola, Kyle Larson and Joey Logano.

The Quaker State 400 had four cautions for 22 laps and 14 lead changes among seven drivers.

The next NASCAR Cup Series race is Sunday July 22 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.

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Rhodes Buckles Up Home Track Victory

Ben Rhodes grew up wanting to race at the highest levels of NASCAR, so it helped that he lived relatively close to Kentucky Speedway.

The road to NASCAR would bring him to the track, past it, and back again.

The Louisville native can pick out the spot in the garage where his family used to park its trailer for his Legends and Bandolero races on the quarter-mile track. He remembers gazing at track through car windows while driving past it to his next go-kart race. Even now, Rhodes will occasionally pull off the interstate just to have a look around and maybe snap a selfie before continuing on his way to ThorSport Racing's shop in Sandusky, Ohio.

"I just love this track," he said.

Rhodes added another memory Thursday by becoming the first Kentucky-born driver to win a NASCAR national series race at Kentucky Speedway. 

I’m honored to have Officer Nick Rodman and the Louisville Metro Police Foundation riding along with us this week at @KySpeedway. #ThankYouToOurFirstResponders pic.twitter.com/xAtPmoozDd

— Ben Rhodes (@benrhodes) July 10, 2018

The 21-year-old rode old tires to a Camping World Truck Series victory in the 'Buckle Up In Your Truck 225' that he proclaimed as being sweeter than his first and only other series triumph.

"It's so special for me," Rhodes said. "I literally don't have words to describe it. You ask me a year later, I might have words for you. But, right now, I don't have words. It's just so special."

Rhodes' truck carried the name of Louisville Metro Police Officer Nick Rodman, who was killed in the line of duty last year. It added to the significance of the evening's accomplishment.

"This race was a tribute to him and his memory," Rhodes said.

The No. 41 ThorSport Racing Ford was strong from start to finish. Rhodes started third, won the first and final stages, and led 38 of the 150 laps along the way.

Stewart Friesen finished second in the No. 52 Chevrolet after starting at the rear of the field because of an engine change. Matt Crafton, who started 30th in the 32-truck field, finished third followed by Brandon Jones and John Hunter Nemechek.

As happened in this race one year earlier, Rhodes won the first stage and pole-winner Noah Gragson won the second stage.

In all, there were 11 lead changes among five drivers.

Friesen took the lead from Parker Kligerman on Lap 88 and remained out front until pitting with 28 laps remaining. Rhodes was second at the time and held the lead until he pitted for fuel and chassis adjustments three laps after Friesen.

Not taking tires on that final stop was a gamble, but one Rhodes' crew chief was willing to take.

"We changed the call like three times one lap before the pit stop," crew chief Eddie Troconis said. "I told my guys, 'We're doing this and it's going to work.'"

Rhodes emerged with the lead after everybody pitted and Friesen followed him.

"We knew when we came out in front of the 52 (Friesen), it was game over," Troconis said. "We just had to make sure nothing else happened. My heart probably stopped like 10 times in the last five laps. And the last two laps, coming to the white flag, I think I had stopped breathing a long time ago."

As he approached the white flag, signaling the start of the final lap, Rhodes was told over the radio, "Give me one solid lap. Just a solid lap."

He didn't flinch and crossed the finish line 0.922 of a second ahead of Friesen for his second career victory in 62 career Truck Series starts. It was somewhat redemptive for Rhodes.

"It hasn't gone so well for me in previous starts (at Kentucky), I'll be honest," he said. "Tonight, everything went right. It's definitely redemption."

"I still don't have any words." — @benrhodes on Thursday night's win at @KySpeedway pic.twitter.com/bG42DJLtgv

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 13, 2018

Kentucky gave NASCAR the Waltrips, the Greens and Jeremy Mayfield. Rhodes is keeping that tradition alive and wants the climb up the NASCAR ladder to continue beyond the Truck Series.

"My goal is 100 percent to be in the Cup Series one day, winning championships, but it takes time to get there," Rhodes said. "It's a journey."

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DGR-Crosley's Kentucky Speedway Race Advance

Chris Eggleston in the No. 17 BlazeMaster Fire Protection Toyota and Bo LeMastus in the No. 54 Crosley Brands Toyota Tundra

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) will return to action this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. DGR-Crosley will field two trucks in the 'Buckle Up in Your Truck 225' with the No. 54 Crosley Brands Toyota Tundra for Bo LeMastus and the No. 17 BlazeMaster Fire Protection Toyota driven by Chris Eggleston.

Bo LeMastus

LeMastus, coming off a top-15 finish, looks to carry the positive momentum from Chicagoland Speedway into his home track this weekend. Though it will be the 55-year-old driver's first NCWTS race at Kentucky Speedway, he has three previous ARCA Racing Series starts at the one-and-a-half-mile track. LeMastus and the No. 54 DGR-Crosley Brands team also tested at Kentucky Speedway earlier in the season, giving the rookie driver even more confidence and experience going into the race.

We got to show off this @ToyotaRacing beauty at the @CrosleyRadio headquarters in Louisville, KY today! 😍

Can’t wait to see @bolemastus on track wheelin’ it tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/REExFssv0P

— DGR-CROSLEY (@DGR_CROSLEY) July 11, 2018

Chris Eggleston

Eggleston returns to DGR-Crosley and his BlazeMaster Toyota Tundra for his third NCWTS race of the 2018 season. In his previous two starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, he was able to secure top-15 finishes with a 13th and 14th - place result respectively.

Thursday's 'Buckle Up in Your Truck 225' will mark the first time that the 29-year-old Erie, Colo., native has raced at Kentucky Speedway.

Track: Kentucky Speedway, 1.5-mile tri-oval

Event Details: Buckle Up in Your Truck 225 (225 miles, 150 laps)

Date: July 12, 2018

Schedule: Thursday, July 12 (all times ET)

• 9:05 a.m........Practice
• 11:05 a.m........Final Practice
• 5:15 p.m........Qualifying (FS1)
• 7:30 p.m........Race (FS1)

Broadcast: Fox Sports 1 beginning at 7:00 p.m., ET

Eggleston on Kentucky Speedway: " I am really excited to go to Kentucky Speedway and race under the lights this Thursday night in our No. 17 BlazeMaster Fire Protection Toyota Tundra. I have never been to this track, but I have been studying up and hope to have good speed off the hauler like we did in Texas. Beyond speed, I hope to race up towards the front and get a good solid finish like the DGR-Crosley team deserves. Being that this is truck race #3 of 4 for us on the season, I hope to make the most out of the opportunity and contend for the win or a top five at the end of the night."

LeMastus on Kentucky Speedway: "This is one of the most exciting weekends of the season for me. We have a lot going on this week with the race being at my home track. I feel really good about the race on Thursday night - we tested here a couple weeks ago and were able to learn a lot. We didn't' start off real strong during the test, but we definitely improved every lap and left feeling really good about our truck. I've made a lot of lap around this place and I really think we will have a strong showing and put together a solid finish for the DGR-Crosley guys."

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#NASCAR Triple-Header At Kentucky Speedway

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be in action for a national series tripleheader at Kentucky Speedway this coming weekend. 

Interesting Fact: None of the seven Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Kentucky Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions.

#NCWTS: Thursday, July 12 - 7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up in Your Truck 225 (150 laps, 225 miles)

#NXS: Friday, July 13 - 8 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300 (200 laps, 300 miles)

#MENCS: Saturday, July 14 - 7:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart (267 laps, 400.5 miles)

History

• • In 1998, the track broke ground in Sparta, Kentucky, and opened as a 1.5-mile speedway in 2000.
• • The original owners, Jerry Carroll and four other investors owned the track until 2008, when current owners, Speedway Motorsports Inc. purchased the facility.
• • The first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race was held at Kentucky Speedway in 2011 – won by Kyle Busch.
• • During the 2016 season, the track underwent a repave. The banking in Turns 1 and 2 were increased to 17 degrees.
• • There have been seven Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Kentucky Speedway since the first race in 2011 – one race per season. 

Kentucky Speedway #MENC Stats
Race Winners
Winners	Season
Martin Truex Jr	2017
Brad Keselowski	2016
Kyle Busch	2015
Brad Keselowski	2014
Matt Kenseth	2013
Brad Keselowski	2012
Kyle Busch	2011
Pole Winners (bolded)
Drivers	Season
Kyle Busch	2017
Kevin Harvick*	2016
Kyle Larson*	2015
Brad Keselowski	2014
Dale Earnhardt Jr	2013
Jimmie Johnson	2012
Kyle Busch*	2011
* - Dictates Qualifying was cancelled, driver started from first position

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