Sandler to Serve as Grand Marshal

Mega movie star Adam Sandler will return home in four days to serve as the special 25th Anniversary Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 

New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials made the Sandler in front of fans and media at the speedway's 25th anniversary event with New Englander and Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano. Sandler will participate in driver introductions on the Magic Mile frontstretch and attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers meeting prior to giving the command for drivers to start their engines, moments before the running of the New Hampshire 301.

Commenting on the announcement, Sandler said, "When I was a little kid in New Hampshire, I used to watch NASCAR with my dad and brother and we looooved it. I know my dad would be baffled that I'm getting this honor and I'll be thinking of him when I'm saying those words! Great to be home! Always!"

Adam Sandler, who hails from Manchester and graduated from Central High School, has enjoyed phenomenal success as an actor, writer, producer and musician.

This year, Sandler will star in and produce two films for Sony Pictures: "Pixels", for director Chris Columbus, starring alongside Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad and Kevin James, and "Hotel Transylvania 2," where he will once again lend his voice to Dracula.

The New Hampshire 301 will be live on NBC Sports Network starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 19. 

Second Win for The Younger Busch - Still not In the Chase

With only eight races left until the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, it's time to check up on Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, as he tries to rebound from early-season injuries and make the Chase.

Kyle Busch has has moved up six spots in the point standing in the last seven races. He also has two wins but is the only driver with a victory to be outside the top 30 in points. 

To make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Busch must be in the top 30 in points after the regular-season finale in September at Richmond.  He is currently 35th in the point stands.  Busch has 200 championship points and is 87 points behind Cole Whitt who is 30th in points.

#NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Watch

There are only nine races remaining until the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Chances for spots in NASCAR’s playoffs are dwindling, and a number of big names are still looking for their first win of 2015, including Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Aric Almirola, Greg Biffle and AJ Allmendinger, all of whom made last year’s Chase.

This weekend, Kevin Harvick can clinch a top 30 spot. That, combined with his multiple wins which guarantees him to be among the top 16 winners, will officially clinch a spot in the Chase, assuming he starts the remaining races in the regular season. With a 48-point victory, Dale Earnhardt Jr. could also clinch, but would need lots of help to clinch a top 30 spot.

Here’s a look at the current Chase Grid:

The top 10 are virtually locked in with a win.

1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4. Kurt Busch 5. Joey Logano 6. Martin Truex Jr. 7. Brad Keselowski 8. Matt Kenseth 9. Denny Hamlin 10. Carl Edwards 11. Jamie McMurray (+85) 12. Jeff Gordon (+59) 13. Kasey Kahne (+55) 14. Paul Menard (+39) 15. Ryan Newman (+31) 16. Clint Bowyer (+24)

On the outside looking in are Aric Almirola (-24), Kyle Larson (-70) and Greg Biffle (-73).