20 of NASCAR’s Top Stars Eligible for 2019 Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona

Season-Opening Showcase Caps Sunday Doubleheader at ‘World Center of Racing’

Following a quiet offseason the engines will finally roar to signal the start of the 2019 season on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway with a power-packed Sunday doubleheader.

It begins at noon with Busch Pole Award Qualifying for the 61st running of the DAYTONA 500 (FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The 2019 Advance Auto Parts Clash follows at 3 p.m. (FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and will feature the sport’s biggest stars battling side by side in a 75-lap showcase.

"There’s no better way to start the season," said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "The close, door-to-door action you see in the Advance Auto Parts Clash is a precursor to the intense competition you’ll see in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series throughout 2019."

The annual preseason race will run in two segments, separated by a competition caution at lap 25.

"It’s a tremendous day of racing for our fans," said Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile. "Having DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger followed by the Advance Auto Parts Clash makes for a sweet first Sunday of Speedweeks and will have fans fully tuned up for the 61st running of the ‘Great American Race’ on February 17."

The exclusive, star-studded field in the Advance Auto Parts Clash is limited to drivers who were 2018 Busch Pole Award winners, former Clash winners who competed full-time in 2018, former DAYTONA 500 champions who competed full-time in 2018, former DAYTONA 500 pole winners who competed full-time in 2018 and drivers who qualified for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

Our version of #Christmas morning is happening in less than two months! #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/z6BFeK7JUf

— Daytona International Speedway (@DISupdates) December 25, 2018

Tickets are available now at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Eligible drivers are as follows:

2018 Busch Pole Award Winners (13)

1. Ryan Blaney
   
2. Alex Bowman
3. Kurt Busch
4. Kyle Busch
5. Chase Elliott
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Erik Jones
9. Kyle Larson
10. Joey Logano
11. Paul Menard
12. Daniel Suarez
13. Martin Truex Jr.

Former Daytona 500 Champions (2)

1. Jamie McMurray
2. Ryan Newman

Former Daytona 500 Busch Pole Award Winners (2)

1. Austin Dillon
2. Jimmie Johnson

2018 Playoff Drivers (3)

1. Aric Almirola
2. Clint Bowyer
3. Brad Keselowski

About the Daytona International Speedway

Daytona International Speedway is the world’s only motorsports stadium and was awarded SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of "The Great American Race" – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the "World Center of Racing," boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

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🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

1. Chase Elliott and Jeff Gordon Visited the FBI Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operations Center
2. Joe Gibbs Racing Announces Crew Chief Hires For 2019 Season
3. R Entertainment Taps Bryan R. Sperber as President
4. NASCAR Silly Season Revving at Full Speed
5. Adam Stevens, Crew Chief for Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 Toyota Camry, is MOOG® 'Go the Extra Mile' Crew Chief of the Year

Chase Elliott and Jeff Gordon Visited the FBI Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operations Center

Who Took Home The Trophy?

Race car drivers often have fun and make interesting appearances. However, when the appearance involves a driving challenge, they take it seriously. 

Like racing, law enforcement can become a dangerous profession. The FBI is here to save lives and yet ensure that all of their agents go home every single night.

The final exam for new FBI agents is called the Precision Obstacle Course. Their goal at Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (TEVOC) is to produce safe drivers and to save lives.

Chase Elliott and Jeff Gordon got the opportunity to test their talents at the FBI's Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operations Center in Quantico, Va. last week, taking a competitive spin around the center's precision obstacle course.

Driving the Precision Obstacle Course (360-Degree Video)

From the looks on their faces, Jeff and Chase enjoyed their visit to TEVOC.

Checking out the F.B.I. Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operations Center today with @JeffGordonWeb and @NASCARONFOX. pic.twitter.com/6HB7zmfrcA

— No. 9 Team (@Hendrick9Team) December 5, 2018

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

1. Joe Gibbs Racing Announces Crew Chief Hires For 2019 Season
2. R Entertainment Taps Bryan R. Sperber as President
3. NASCAR Silly Season Revving at Full Speed
4. Adam Stevens, Crew Chief for Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 Toyota Camry, is MOOG® 'Go the Extra Mile' Crew Chief of the Year
5. The NMPA Myers Brothers Awards were held on yesterday (11/28/18), at the Wynn Las Vegas

Following a precision obstacle course, @chaseelliott and @JeffGordonWeb were scored based on their total time plus two seconds per each cone hit.

Curious who took home the 🏆? Watch our Instagram story to see: https://t.co/I94nccs4Fa pic.twitter.com/k6jbTGv4vB

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 5, 2018

Joe Gibbs Racing Announces Crew Chief Hires For 2019 Season

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announces today it’s crew chief lineup for the 2019 season.

• Chris Gabehart Named Crew Chief and Eric Phillips Named Car Chief for No. 11 MENCS Toyota 
• Jeff Meendering Named Crew Chief for the No. 19 Xfinity Series Toyota
• Ben Beshore Named Crew Chief for No. 18 Xfinity Series Toyota
• Mark McFarland Named Crew Chief for JGR’s ARCA Series Toyota

Chris Gabehart will serve as crew chief on the No. 11 MENCS Toyota. Gabehart spent the past three seasons as a crew chief in JGR’s Xfinity Series program, capturing a total of nine wins over that time. Eric Phillips will also make the move from the Xfinity Series to assume the role of car chief with the No. 11 team. He compiled eight wins over three seasons as crew chief on the No. 18 Xfinity Series team.

In addition, JGR announces the addition of two crew chiefs to its Xfinity Series program.

Jeff Meendering returns to the organization to fill the role vacated by Gabehart as crew chief on the No. 19 Xfinity Series with driver Brandon Jones. Meendering spent that past two seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing as crew chief on the No. 00 car.

Ben Beshore will move from his current role as engineer on JGR’s No. 18 MENCS team to replace the vacancy left by Phillips as crew chief for the No. 18 Xfinity Series Toyota.

JGR’s ARCA Series team will also have an addition for 2019 with the hire of crew chief Mark McFarland. He joins the organization from MDM Motorsports where he served as team manager and crew chief in the K&N Series as well as ARCA.

“With such a short offseason it’s important to start work toward the 2019 season immediately and we are proud with the teams we have assembled now, both in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and in the Xfinity Series,” said Joe Gibbs, Owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “With Chris Gabehart joining Adam Stevens, Chris Gayle, and Cole Pearn on the Cup side we believe we have the right leaders in place to benefit our entire organization.

“In addition, we take a tremendous amount of pride in our accomplishments in the Xfinity Series and are excited to have Jeff Meendering and Ben Beshore join Jason Ratcliff to lead our efforts there, as well as bolster our developmental program in ARCA with the addition of Mark McFarland.”

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When the store runs out of reindeer for your lawn! #Christmas2018 pic.twitter.com/IB5MMnfQE5

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) December 5, 2018

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

1. R Entertainment Taps Bryan R. Sperber as President
2. NASCAR Silly Season Revving at Full Speed
3. Adam Stevens, Crew Chief for Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 Toyota Camry, is MOOG® 'Go the Extra Mile' Crew Chief of the Year
4. The NMPA Myers Brothers Awards were held on yesterday (11/28/18), at the Wynn Las Vegas
5. Police Chase Coming to Las Vegas Motor Speedway