Category Archives: NASCAR Nationwide Series

Events, pre/post-race concerts scheduled leading up to Coca-Cola 600

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A full schedule of events for the upcoming week and beyond:

Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena – Kicking off the festivities, the eighth edition of the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge will take place Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at Time Warner Cable Arena (SPEED to televise on delayed basis beginning at 8 p.m.). This competition between 24 of the top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pit crews features the “unsung heroes” of the sport in a popular tournament-style battle. The event’s finishing order determines pit selection for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The No. 11 Toyota team is the two-time defending champion.

Those eligible for the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge: No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge; No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet; No. 9 Stanley Ford; No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota; No. 14 Office Depot / Mobil 1 Chevrolet; No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota; No. 16 3M Ford; No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford; No. 18 M&M’s Toyota; No. 20 Home Depot Toyota; No. 21 Good Sam / Camping World Ford; No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet; No. 27 Moen/Menards Chevrolet; No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet; No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet; No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford; No. 39 US Army / Quicken Loans Chevrolet; No. 48 My Lowes Chevrolet; No. 51 Phoenix Construction Services Chevrolet; No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota; No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota; No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet; No. 88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet; No. 99 Fastenal Ford.

Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online at www.pitcrewchallenge.com or by calling the Time Warner Cable Arena box office at (800) 745-3000.

Friday, May 18, NASCAR Day – The ninth celebration of NASCAR Day on Friday, May 18, encourages fans to join The NASCAR Foundation’s initiative in the “Pin It Forward” campaign. Fans are invited to connect and share their pride for NASCAR by posting stories and uploading pictures on the Foundation’s Facebook page. To continue raising awareness, fans can visit The NASCAR Foundation’s Facebook page between now and NASCAR Day to “Pin It Forward” with their $20 donation for a pair of commemorative pins – one for yourself, one for a friend. In addition to helping the cause online, fans may post pictures displaying their spirit – and their pins – and share the story of what it means to “Pin It Forward.” Accounts to engage with this promotion are The NASCAR Foundation’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NASCARFoundation, and @NASCAR_FDN on Twitter. The associated Twitter hashtag for this initiative is #NASCARDay.

Friday, May 18, 5 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway – NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Coors Light Pole Qualifying. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or log onto www.charlottemotorspeedway.com – SPEED to televise.

Friday, May 18, 8 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or go to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com – SPEED to televise.

Saturday, May 19, 7:30 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway – Sprint Showdown (top two finishers qualify for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race). For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or go to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com – SPEED to televise.

One final option remains for those not already locked in after the Sprint Showdown, and it’s all in the hands of the fans. The Sprint Fan Vote gives the most loyal fans in all of sports the opportunity to lock in their favorite driver. To vote, click here: http://nas.cr/a32m

Saturday, May 19, 9 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway – NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or go to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com – SPEED to televise.

Those drivers already locked into the main event: Marcos Ambrose, Trevor Bayne, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Ryan Newman, David Ragan, Regan Smith and Tony Stewart.

Saturday night’s all-star race consists of a unique – and lucrative – format. The race will be run in five segments. The first four segments will be 20 laps each. The fifth and final segment will be a 10-lap dash to the finish, where only green flag laps count. The winners of the first four segments will move to the front of the field and line up in positions 1-4 prior to the field coming to pit road for the final mandatory pit stop prior to Segment 5 (if there is a repeat segment winner, the second-place finisher will start in his place). The winner gets a $1 million payout, and likely more.

Those fans in attendance get an extra treat – a pre-race concert by one of the biggest names in country music, Blake Shelton. Shelton, a three-time GRAMMY nominee and CMA’s reigning Male Vocalist of the Year, will perform prior to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission to the show is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

You can also keep up to date with all the week’s events by following @NASCAR on Twitter (Hashtag: #SprintAllStar) and logging onto www.nascar.com/allstar.

ON DECK

Further major events follow the all-star extravaganza, both taking place in the Charlotte area. Here’s a run of show for next week:

Wednesday, May 23, 6 p.m., NASCAR Hall of Fame – The fourth annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Day is set for next Wednesday, May 23. Following voting procedures, NASCAR will announce the five inductees who will make up the 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, consisting of members of the Nominating Committee and others representing NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major race track ownership groups, retired drivers, owners and crew chiefs along with motorsports media representatives, will meet in a closed session to deliberate and vote on the 25 candidates eligible for this fourth class.

Once again, fans will help decide who earns entry into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. To cast your vote, click here: http://nas.cr/bgac

Wednesday’s announcement is once again open to fans who purchase a ticket to the NASCAR Hall of Fame that day. Adult tickets cost $18.95 and the Hall will offer extended hours (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) on Wednesday.

Thursday, May 24, 7:10 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or go to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com – SPEED to televise.

Saturday, May 26, 2:45 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway – NASCAR Nationwide Series History 300. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or go to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com – ABC to televise.

Sunday, May 27, 6 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600. One of the sport’s crown jewels, NASCAR’s longest race is scheduled for 400 laps and 600 miles. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or go to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com – FOX to televise.

Country music star Darius Rucker will perform prior to the Coca-Cola 600, immediately following the speedway’s signature military-themed pre-race show.

The Memorial Day Weekend festivities kick off the at-track activation of “NASCAR Unites – An American Salute,” a patriotic initiative uniting the NASCAR industry and fans to celebrate America and support U.S. military families. The initiative, which launched at the White House on April 9, will run through the next six weeks, continuing until the Independence Day race weekend at Daytona International Speedway. To participate in “NASCAR Unites – An American Salutes,” visit www.NASCAR.com/Unites.

No points means no holding back in NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

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Track Size: 1.5 miles
Banking Turns: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,980 feet
Backstretch: 1,500 feet

Notebook

·         There have been 27 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races.

·         The first NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race was in 1985.

·         26 have been held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 1986, the event was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and won by Bill Elliott. That season was also the first year for what is now known as the Sprint Showdown.

·         86 drivers have run in at least one all-star race.

·         There have been 19 different winners of the all-star race.

·         Mark Martin has participated in 22 races, more than any other driver.

·         The race has featured a field that ranged from 10 drivers in 1986 to 27 in 2002.

·         Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990 and 1993) and Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997 and 2001) are the only three-time winners of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

·         There have been eight different winners in the last eight NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races.

·         Davey Allison (1991 and 1992), Terry Labonte (1988 and 1999), Mark Martin (1998 and 2005) and Jimmie Johnson (2003 and 2006) are the only other drivers to post multiple victories in the all-star races. Allison is the only driver to ever win consecutive all-star events.

·         Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only drivers to win the all-star race in their rookie season.

·         Jeff Gordon is the youngest winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at 23 years, 9 months and 18 days (1995). Mark Martin is the oldest at 46 years, 4 months and 12 days (2005).

·         In two starts Joey Logano leads the series with an average finish of 5.5 in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race; followed by Matt Kenseth with a 6.5 average finish in 11 appearances and Tony Stewart with a 7.1 average finish in 13 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race appearances.

·         The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race has been won from the pole position four times; the first three came in consecutive years: Dale Earnhardt (1990) and Davey Allison (1991 and 1992). Kurt Busch posted the fourth win from the pole in 2010.

·         The deepest in the field an all-star race winner has started was 27th, by Ryan Newman in 2002.

·         Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won six all-star races: Jeff Gordon (three), Jimmie Johnson (two) and Terry Labonte (one).

·         Five drivers have won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the same year: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993), Rusty Wallace (1989), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997, 2001) and Jimmie Johnson (2006).

·         The record for lead changes in a NASCAR Sprint All-Star race is 10 in 2004. The most different leaders is nine in 2002.

 

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. going into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 19.

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet)

·         One win, eight top fives, nine top 10s

·         Average finish of 7.1

Ryan Newman (No. 39 Tornados Chevrolet)

·         One win, three top fives, six top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 9.2

Mark Martin (No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota)

·         Two wins, six top fives, 10 top 10s

·         Average finish of 10.9

Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford)

·         One win, four top fives, eight top 10s; two poles

·         Average finish of 6.5

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevrolet)

·         Two wins, six top fives, six top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 7.2

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)

·         Three wins, six top fives, nine top 10s

·         Average finish of 9.3

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Fastenal Ford)

·         One win, three top fives, four top 10s

·         Average finish of 9.3

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)

·         One top five, two top 10s; two poles

·         Average finish of 13.8

Kurt Busch (No. 51 Phoenix Construction Services Inc. Chevrolet)

·         One win, four top fives, five top 10s

·         Average finish of 11.1

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M/ American Red Cross Ford)

·         Two top fives, three top 10s

·         Average finish of 12.3

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race festivities kick off on Thursday night with the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge at Time Warner Cable Arena in Uptown Charlotte at 7 p.m. ET. SPEED will broadcast the event on tape delay at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the Sprint Showdown starts at 7 p.m. on SPEED, with the top-two finishers advancing into the main event. The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race starts at 9 p.m. on SPEED.

First-timers usually don’t fare too well in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The last driver to win in his first appearance was Ryan Newman in 2002.

Those attempting to accomplish a feat that hasn’t occurred in a decade: Paul Menard, Trevor Bayne and Marcos Ambrose.

Other drivers could join those three as first timers, depending on the results of the Sprint Showdown and the Sprint Fan Vote.

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the N.C. Education Lottery 200 on Friday, May 18 and will air at 7:30 p.m. on SPEED.

Timothy Peters leads the championship standings by four points over James Buescher. Justin Lofton, Ty Dillon and Nelson Piquet Jr. round out the top five.

Brad Keselowski will return to the series for the third time this season to pilot his BKR No. 19 entry at Charlotte.

The former trucks series competitor could become the 24th different driver to win in all three national series with a victory in the N.C. Education Lottery 200.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES

NASCAR Nationwide Series heads to the much anticipated short-track at Iowa Speedway. The Pioneer hi-Bred 250 will run Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.

Since winning his first NASCAR race in 2010 at a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East record age of 16 years, five months, 19 days, the countdown was on for Darrell Wallace Jr. – AKA “Bubba” – to start taking his steps on “The Ladder” toward his ultimate national series goal.

 

His ascension officially begins Sunday at Iowa Speedway where he’ll make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut for Joe Gibbs Racing. This is the first of four stand-alone events for the series this season and the first of two visits to the .875-mile track designed by NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Rusty Wallace.

 

 

Stenhouse, the reigning series champion, swept both Iowa races last year, defeating his Roush Fenway Racing teammate – and 2007 series champion – Carl Edwards each time. The second of those victories was perhaps the most dramatic moment of 2011: Stenhouse sliding across the finish line just ahead of Edwards, who had slammed into the rear of Stenhouse’s No. 6 Mustang thanks to a thick smoke shield from its expiring engine.

 

Now Stenhouse (@StenhouseJr) returns to his turf brimming with confidence. Not only because of those wins but as the series’ points leader. He’s 23 up on his rival, Elliott Sadler, who’s in second.

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day – NASCAR style

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— n
MOTHER  
A female who has given birth to offspring
b. ( as modifier ): a mother bird
c. ( often capital, esp as a term of address ) a person’s own mother

A female substituting in the function of a mother

Motherly qualities, such as maternal affection: it appealed to the mother in her
b. ( as modifier ): mother love
c. ( in combination ): mothercraft
A female or thing that creates, nurtures, protects, etc, something
b. ( as modifier ): mother church ; mother earth

A title given to certain members of female religious orders: mother superior

— vb
To give birth to or produce to nurture, protect, etc as a mother  

— Related
maternal   [Old English mōdor;  compare Old Saxon mōdar,  Old High German muotar, Latin māter, Greek mētēr ]

NASCAR moms have always been an important part of all the racing families. From their ‘little driver’ learning how to ride a bike to getting a finger stuck in a steering wheel to watching their (grown) child tackle the toughest of all tracks – MOMS have been on quite a ride with their kids as they continue to compete in all three top NASCAR Series.

A special THANK YOU to all Mom’s out there and congratulations on a job well done!

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart poses with his mother Pam Boas.

He said: “She’s a pretty patient woman. Anyone that could actually raise me and not want to kill me or kick me out of the house has got to be a very patient person. That’s my mom. She’s a very patient lady with a great heart and she’s really good with people.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin with his mother, Mary Lou Hamlin.

She tells him to “Keep your confidence up even though things aren’t going well. Don’t let discouragement take over your ability.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray with his mother, Sue McMurray.

She told him to… “Live within your budget! I think that was the best advice that I would get. Mom was always very conservative and maintained a disciplined habit of paying all the bills on time. She was a school teacher and always worked hard to manage our family finances. I grew up in a home of modest means, but she taught me to not spend money that I didn’t have for things that were non-essential.”

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Elliott Sadler with his mother, Bell Sadler.

“One thing that my mom taught me was to be able to laugh at yourself. If you can’t laugh at yourself and have fun, there’s no need to even do it.”

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier with his mother Dorothy Allgaier and family.

She told him to  “Treat others as you would want to be treated and treat your wife like a princess.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Jennifer Jo Cobb with her mother, Connie Cobb.

“My mama always reminded me, ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.’ And, boy, was she right.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series driver Johanna Long with her mother Brenda Long.

Brenda’s race day advice to Johanna: “Don’t ever leave anything on the table. As long as you give 110 percent you will always be able to walk away with a clear conscience knowing that you gave it your all!”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver John King with his mother Myra King.

Her best advice? “If you don’t separate your colors you’re gonna end up with a pink shirt” and “Always keep a clean pair of drawers.”

ESPN Pit Reporter Jamie Little. Photo by ESPN PR

Also, Happy 1st Mother’s Day to ESPN Pit Reporter Jamie Little and DeLana Harvick  as well as to ALL Mom’s in NASCAR Nation!

*All photos were submitted to NASCARMedia.

 

 

NASCAR Nationwide Series News – Darlington

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Race #: 9 out of 33
Track Size: 1.366 miles
Race Length: 200 miles
Banking Turns 1 & 2: 25 degrees
Banking Turns 3 & 4: 23 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 6 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,229 feet
Backstretch: 1,229 feet

Friday
Qualifying – ESPN2 @ 3:30 p.m. ET
NASCAR Countdown airs at 6:30 p.m. ET
VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 airs live Friday Night on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

IN THE DRIVERS’ SEAT
Danny Efland will drive the #4 for Johnny Davis;
Matt Frahm will be in the #08 for Randy Hill Racing;
Eric McClure will not race this weekend. Jeff Green will be the driver of the #14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap
Black Koch returns to the Rick Ware #15;
Jamie Dick will drive the #23;
Brendan Gaughan will drive the RCR #33;
Ryan Blaney returns to the #36;
Josh Richards will again drive the Go Green #39;
The #52 for Jimmy Means is TBD;
David Green will drive the #70 in a deal with ML Motorsports to keep team in the top 30;
Travis Pastrana will run his second race in the RAB #99.
Casey Roderick is now listed as driver of the #24, in place of Benny Gordon.
Derrike Cope will be in the #70 for ML Motorsports.
Tony Raines will be in the #10 for TriStar Motorsports

TOP 10 STANDINGS

RANK +/- DRIVER POINTS BEHIND
1 +1 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 325 Leader
2 -1 Elliott Sadler 320 -5
3 – Austin Dillon* 290 -35
4 – Sam Hornish Jr. 265 -60
5 +1 Cole Whitt* 248 -77
6 -1 Michael Annett 241 -84
7 – Justin Allgaier 228 -97
8 – Tayler Malsam 202 -123
9 +1 Mike Bliss 201 -124
10 +1 Joe Nemechek 189 -136

RICKY STENHOUSE, JR.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has fought back from ninth in the standings following Daytona to retake the No. 1 position five points ahead of second-place Elliott Sadler.

TOP DRIVERS IN NNS RACE

Darlington Raceway has caused many of NASCAR’s top drivers to sign up for this Friday’s VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 under the lights. Not only will the field have the likes of NSCS drivers Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin, but also NNS standouts Travis Pastrana and Danica Patrick. Patrick will be pulling double duty, driving the No. 10 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet in the NSCS race Saturday night. The weekend will be Patrick’s and Pastrana’s NASCAR national series track debut at Darlington Raceway.

CARL EDWARDS

Carl Edwards will move to analyst for ESPN on two upcoming telecasts of NASCAR Nationwide Series races. Edwards will make his debut during ESPN2′s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway joining announcer Allen Bestwick and analyst Andy Petree in the booth on Friday night, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. ET.

ERIC McCLURE

It is NASCAR’s policy that a driver that receives a concussion must be cleared by a neurosurgeon with at least five years of experience with sports-related head injuries before being allowed back in the car. In some sports leagues the athlete must wait at least seven days before returning to action. There will be only six days between Saturday’s crash and Friday’s race. Brandt said McClure will meet with a specialist on Tuesday or Wednesday to determine his status. He is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday at Darlington.

McClure’s sister and PR representative reported “He’s sore and just needs to rest a few days and be with his family and go to his doctor appointments,” Brandt said. After his release McClure was driven back to his Chilhowie, Va., home by his father, who has been with him at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center since the accident.

KURT BUSCH

Kurt Busch says he’s planning to run both Nationwide series races at Iowa Speedway this season. Busch says he’s slated to run both the May 20 and August 4 races in Iowa this season in the #54 Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

PATRICK VS HORNISH

Danica Patrick will hear from NASCAR officials about sending Sam Hornish Jr. into the wall following the Nationwide Series race last Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, but she likely won’t be penalized. The two drivers, whose rivalry goes back to their days racing go-karts and extended to the IndyCar Series, likely will both be talked to by NASCAR officials prior to practice tomorrow (Friday) at Darlington Raceway for what happened after the Aaron’s 312 on Saturday.

NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton indicated that Patrick’s actions did not rise to the level of Kyle Busch retaliating against Ron Hornaday in a Truck Series race last November at Texas Motor Speedway, where Busch was suspended for the Nationwide and Cup events later that weekend.

 

 

NASCAR Stats & Notes for Darlington Raceway

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Race #: 11 of 36
Track Size: 1.366 miles
Race Length: 501.322 miles
Banking Turns 1 & 2: 25 degrees
Banking Turns 3 & 4: 23 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 6 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,229 feet
Backstretch: 1,229 feet

Bojangles’ Southern 500
Airs: NSCS – Saturday night, (FOX, live 7 p.m. ET)

2011 pole winner: Kasey Kahne (181.254 mph, 27.131 seconds, 05-06-11)
2011 race winner: Regan Smith (129.678 mph, 05-07-11)
Track qualifying record: Kasey Kahne (181.254 mph, 27.131 seconds, 05-06-11)
Track race record: Kyle Busch (140.350 mph, 05-10-08)

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina going into the Bojangles’ Southern 500 on May 12.

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M / OH / ES Ford)
·         Two wins, two top fives, five top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 14.2

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Wrigley Toyota)
·         One win, one top five, three top 10s
·         Average finish of 17.1

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew / National Guard Chevrolet)
·         Three top fives, seven top 10s
·         Average finish of 15.2

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford)
·         Three top fives, five top 10s
·         Average finish of 13.9

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet)
·         Seven wins, 18 top fives, 21 top 10s; three poles
·         Average finish of 11.1

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Sport Clips Toyota)
·         One win, two top fives, five top 10s
·         Average finish of 6.5

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s / KOBALT Tools Chevrolet)
·         Two wins, six top fives, nine top 10s
·         Average finish of 9.8

Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Rockwell Tools Chevrolet)
·         Three top fives, three top 10s; four poles
·         Average finish of 14.6

Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
·         One top five, two top 10s
·         Average finish of 7.3

Jamie McMurray (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet)
·         Three top fives, five top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 14.5

Ryan Newman (No. 39 WIX Chevrolet)
·         Seven top fives, nine top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 11.6

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot / Mobil 1 Chevrolet)
·         Three top fives, 10 top 10s
·         Average finish of 12.3

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)
·         Two top 10s
·         Average finish of 12.3

FACTS:
Gas, leaded of course, cost 18 cents a gallon, the average price of a new automobile was $1,510 and the average wages were $3,210.

HISTORY
·  Built as a 1.25-mile paved superspeedway in 1949-50, Darlington Raceway hosted the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history and the first on asphalt on Sept. 4, 1950.
·  The track was re-measured to 1.375 miles in 1953.
·  The track was re-configured to 1.366 miles following the spring race in 1970.
·  The track was repaved in 1995.
·  The 2005 race was the first Saturday night race at Darlington.
·  The track was repaved again prior to the 2008 season.
·  There have been 108 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway since the track opened in 1950.
·  There was one race per year in 1950, 1951, from 1953-1959, and again every year since 2005. Darlington held two races a season in all other years.
·  Curtis Turner won the first pole, in 1950.
·  Johnny Mantz won the first race, in 1950.
·  47 drivers have posted poles at Darlington.
·  David Pearson leads all drivers with 12 poles at Darlington.
·  45 drivers have won races at Darlington; 25 drivers have won more than once there.
·  David Pearson leads all drivers with 10 victories, followed by Dale Earnhardt with nine.
·  Jeff Gordon is third overall and leads all active drivers with seven victories.
·  Hendrick Motorsports has won 13 races at Darlington, more than any other organization.
· 19 races at Darlington have been won from the pole, the most productive starting position. Dale Jarrett was the last driver to win from the pole in 1997.
·  The deepest in the field that a race winner has started was 43rd, in the track’s inaugural race in 1950 by Johnny Mantz. That race had a 75-car field.
·   Darlington is the site of one of the closest race finishes in NASCAR history. Ricky Craven edged Kurt Busch by 0.002 seconds on March 16, 2003 – which is tied with Talladega (April 17, 2011) as the two smallest margins of victory since NASCAR instituted electronic timing in 1993.
· Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Darlington Raceway winner: Kyle Busch (05/10/2008 – 23 years, 0 months, 8 days).
·   Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Darlington Raceway winner: Harry Gant (05/06/1991 – 51 years, 7 months, 22 days)

RACE CHATTER
Regan Smith was the surprise winner of last year’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 – the second of three, first time winners of NASCAR’s biggest events.
Darlington dates to 1950 and as the series’ first asphalt oval over a ½-mile in length ushered in the sport’s future.

MOM POWER
As an annual tradition the Darlington race will fall on Mother’s Day weekend.  The track will recognize the driver’s mothers during the pre-race ceremonies.  All of the moms in attendance will receive a bouquet of flowers and will give the command for “start your engines”.

REUTIMANN RETURNS
David Reutimann will return behind the wheel of the No. 93 BK Racing Toyota this week at Darlington Raceway for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Reutimann raced the season-opening Daytona 500 with BK Racing, but has driven the balance of 2012 events with Tommy Baldwin Racing. Travis Kvapil will return to drive the No. 93 Burger King/Dr Pepper car next week at Charlotte.

JR. MUST NOT REPEAT LAST YEAR’S DARLINGTON RACE
Dale Earnhardt Jr. must reverse his recent Darlington trend – two finishes outside the top 15 in his past three starts – and have a top-10 finish to set a career record for consecutive top 10 finishes.

PASTRANA-PEARSON 101
To prepare for Darlington Raceway, Travis Pastrana sought out a Darlington 101 lesson from NASCAR legend and Hall of Fame member David Pearson at Greenville-Pickens Speedway last March. Pearson, who owns 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins and 12 pole positions at Darlington Raceway, educated the 28-year-old rookie on how to master driving the track dubbed “Too Tough to Tame.”

DANICA’S CHALLENGE
Danica Patrick faces her greatest challenge since coming to NASCAR as she competes in her second Sprint Cup race on Saturday. Her No. 10 Chevrolet, prepared by Stewart-Haas Racing, has a guaranteed starting position by virtue of owner Tommy Baldwin’s 33rd ranking in Owners Championship standings. Patrick finished 38th in her series debut at Daytona in February. She will do double duty also competing in Friday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

LAST CHANCE FOR ALL-STAR RACE
Saturday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 is a last-chance race for automatic admission to the May 19 Sprint All-Star Race. Drivers yet to qualify include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya, Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Burton and former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte. Absent a Darlington win, a driver still can qualify via fan vote or transfer from the Sprint Showdown race. Fans can still vote up ’till May 19th for their favorite driver to make it into the show.

NNS Airs: Friday night, live ESPN2 (7:15 p.m. EDT )

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES

QUIET SURPRISE
Tayler Malsam, driver of the No. 19 G-Oil Toyota for TriStar Motorsports, remains one of the surprises of the NASCAR Nationwide Series for 2012. In his first full season in the series, Malsam is currently eighth in the standings and has been ranked in the top 10 following each race this year.

NNS DRIVER ERIC McCLURE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
Eric McClure, driver of the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Toyota, was released Monday evening from the UAB Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was airlifted Saturday afternoon following a racing incident at Talladega Superspeedway.

McClure suffered a concussion and mild internal bruising and is expected to make a full recovery. This week he will follow up with specialists regarding his injuries.

McClure has said he will make himself available to the media in the Jim Hunter Media Center at Darlington Raceway on Friday, May 11. Stay tuned for updates.

 

Six NASCAR Nationwide Series teams penalized for infractions at Richmond International Raceway

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 1, 2012) – NASCAR announced today that six NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chiefs had been fined and placed on probation for violations during this past weekend’s event at Richmond International Raceway. In addition, the teams’ respective car chiefs have also been placed on probation for the remainder of the year.

Crew chiefs Luke Lambert (No. 2 team), Danny Stockman (No. 3 team), Trent Owens (No. 30 team), Jimmy Elledge (No. 31 team), Ernie Cope (No. 33 team), and Mike Shiplett (No. 38 team) have each been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Additionally, the teams’ respective car chiefs – Phil Gould (No. 2), Robert Strmiska (No. 3), Shannon Rursch (No. 30), Ronald Hornaday III (No. 31), Paul Balmer (No. 33), and Christopher Meyers (No. 38) – have likewise been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

The rules violations referred to Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the rule book); 20A-2.1E (streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond what is approved by the series director will not be permitted. Installation of air directional devices, underpans, baffles, shields or the like beneath the car or the car’s hood and fender area, front firewall, floor, rear firewall area, rear deck and quarter panel will not be permitted. If, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. All cars must remain standard in appearance); 20A-3.10A (front upper bumper cover must be from the respective OEM manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. The front lower bumper cover and rear bumper cover must be from an approved manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. Once approved, the front lower bumper covers may be used on all approved models. NASCAR officials may use bumper covers provided by the respective manufacturer as a guide in determining whether a competitor’s bumper cover conforms to the specifications of the NASCAR rule book. Unless otherwise authorized by the series director, cutting and reshaping of bumper covers will not be permitted.)

The infractions were discovered during opening day inspection on April 26.

NASCAR Media Release

NASCAR Nationwide Series News – Heading to ‘Dega

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Race #: 8 out of 33
Track Size: 2.66 miles
Race Length: 311.22 miles
Banking/corners: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch: 4,300 feet
Backstretch: 4,000 feet

NNS Qualifying: Friday, May 4, at noon on ESPN2

NASCAR Countdown: 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Race: Aaron’s 312 ABC, Saturday, May 5th. Green flag at 3:34 p.m.

Top 10 Driver standings following Richmond:
1) #2-Elliott Sadler
2) #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
3) #3-Austin Dillon
4) #12-Sam Hornish Jr.
5) #43-Michael Annett
6) #88-Cole Whitt
7) #31-Justin Allgaier
8) #19-Tayler Malsam
9) #60-Trevor Bayne
10) #44-Mike Bliss

RACIN’ NOTES

There are 44 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Kurt Busch will be in the #1 for Phoenix Racing;

Danny Elfand returns to the #4 for JD Motorsports;

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will drive the #5;

Tim Andrews returns to the Randy Hill #08;

Jeffrey Earnhardt will drive the Rick Ware #15, Timmy Hill remains in the #41, and Blake Koch will be in the #75;

Ryan Truex returns to the JGR #20;

Kenny Wallace returns to RABs #99

DID YOU KNOW?
The twelve extra miles are tacked on to what would normally be a 300-mile race for targeted advertising purposes. The race’s sponsor, Aaron’s, is a lease-to-own retailer. The distance was set to reflect the sponsor’s slogan (“3 ways to buy, 12 reasons to shop at Aaron’s”).

• 2005, 2007, & 2009: Race extended due to a Green-white-checker finish.

• 2010: Race postponed from Saturday to Sunday due to rain and extended due to a Green-white-checker finish.

• 2011: Race extended due to a Green-white-checker finish (2 attempts). This was the first time a NASCAR Nationwide Series race used the Green-white-checker format 2 times to finish a race:

In the most frantic race in the history of the class in its various incarnations from Late Model Sportsman division to Busch Grand National to Nationwide Series, points leader Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. hit the wall and caused a red flag, then on Lap 88 Michael Waltrip got turned into the backstretch wall by Jamie McMurray, who was attempting to draft pole sitter Elliott Sadler. The wreck ended up taking out sixteen cars and bringing out another red flag. Kyle Busch and Joey Logano finished 1-2 while Mike Wallace got blasted by Sadler and flipped on his roof once, crossing the finish line in 17th. The race also broke the record of the most lead changes in Nationwide Series history with 56.

Since Bristol, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. has one win and two other top fives bringing the reigning series champion to within two points of Elliott Sadler’s lead heading to ‘Dega.

There’s also a manufacturer challenge to go along with the Sadler-Stenhouse clash. Chevrolet, despite being the series’ all-time winner (12) at Talladega – hasn’t won at there since 2007. Ford last won in 2009.

The No. 3 Chevrolet will make its first series run at Talladega since 2000 this weekend with driver Austin Dillon. … Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his nephew Jeffrey Earnhardt will be sharing the track with the No. 3 Chevy.

Brad Sweet, will make his second start of the season in the #38 Great Clips Chevy this weekend at the famed Talladega Superspeedway. His first start of 2012 came at Auto Club Speedway where he proved impressive by bringing home a sixth-place finish. Sweet shares driving duties of the #38 with Kasey Kahne this season with Kahne scheduled to compete in 15 races and Sweet competing in the balance of the 33-race schedule.

Danica Patrick will be making her series debut at Talladega. She won her first career Nationwide Series pole in February at Daytona. Along with Patrick, Johanna Long will be making her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Talladega as well. Long, age 19, is the youngest female to compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and a current Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate. She more than held her own in her NASCAR debut at Talladega last October, starting eighth and finishing 16th in the NASCAR Camping World Series race. Long drives for ML Motorsports in the Nationwide Series and the team collected its only top five to date at ‘Dega in 2008.

Source: NASCARMedia, Wikipedia

Hauler catches fire at JD Motorsports

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JD Motorsports, the No. 01 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, suffered a total loss to their hauler on Sunday evening when it caught fire at their race shop.

There were no injuries and the tractor was detached and pulled away before suffering any damages. However, their hauler loaded with equipment, some uniforms, back-up parts, engines, shocks and springs for their operation was a total loss.

The only good part was the primary and backup No. 01 Restaurant.com Chevrolets for this weekend’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway were not on the hauler. The race shop itself didn’t suffer any damage, as well.

“The fire department told me the fire started near the refrigerator on the hauler;” said Johnny Davis, team owner. “That’s powered by propane, like everyone else’s is on these haulers. It started around 7 p.m. and we were able to detach the tractor before anything happened to it and get that out of the way.

“The hauler itself is a total loss; almost everything on there is burnt beyond use. Luckily, the fine folks at Robby Benton Racing (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series) stepped up and will let us use their hauler for this weekend’s race. We were also fortunate enough to have Black’s Tire helps us out to get to race this weekend, too. On behalf of everyone on my team, we’d all like to thank them for their help.

“Our spirits are down here a little bit at JD Motorsports today, we just didn’t need something like this right now with all we’re trying to do to go racing. Our spirits might be down, but not broken – we’re going to be racing at Talladega.”

Media Release

 

 

Race fans need to know – What’s happenin’ at Richmond International Raceway

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TWO LOCAL CONNECTIONS – ONE TEAM

Hamlin, who nabbed his 19th career win last week, looks to become the fourth Virginia native to record 20 or more NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories, joining Joe Weatherly (25), Ricky Rudd (23) and Jeff Burton (21). A second “local” connection for the No. 11 team is crew chief Darian Grubb. Grub, who is from Floyd, Va. and earned an engineering degree from Virginia Tech.

HAMLIN’S SHORT TRACK SHOWDOWN

Also this week is Hamlin’s Short Track Showdown which is part of a Thursday night doubleheader that also features the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Blue Ox 100. Read more about the Showdown, HERE.

SHHH…. ZZzzz RICHMOND TO WAKE UP KYLE BUSCH? ZZzzz

It’s been kind of a quiet season so far for Kyle Busch. But this weekend at Richmond may be just what’s need for Kyle to jump start his season. Kyle Busch goes into Richmond with three spring wins. Busch ranks 13th in the standings 31 points out of the top 10. Busch’s last victory came last August at Michigan International Speedway, 20 starts ago.

IT’S PASTRANA TIME!!!

The time has finally arrived for Travis Pastrana to make his racing debut. Originally scheduled to make his first start last July at O’Reilly Raceway Park, Pastrana’s bid was put on hold due to injuries suffered in an X-Games stunt the night before. Now after injury rehab, plenty of testing and a couple of runs in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East – including Thursday night’s Blue Ox 100 – Pastrana is finally set for his big-stage NASCAR moment Friday night at Richmond. Almost a year to the day (April 28, 2011) after making his K&N East debut at Richmond, Pastrana is set to embark on a NNS schedule that encompass at least seven races in 2012. Pastrana will compete in the NNS for RAB Racing as that team and Michael Waltrip Racing last week announced an alliance between the organizations that will feature RAB equipment and MWR technical and marketing support. The No. 09 Toyota now becomes the No. 99.

COCA-COLA FAMILY TRACK WALK

The Coca-Cola Family Track Walk begins at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 (near Gate 70, outside of Turn 4), just a few hours before the green flag drops on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400. Fans can get moving alongside Coca-Cola Racing Family members and Virginia natives Denny Hamlin and Jeff Burton. The free event is open to all Saturday, April 28 race ticket holders. Ticket holders who wish to participate must show their ticket at Gate 70.

NASCAR DRIVERS AUTOGRAPH SESSION

All fans who have tickets for the Saturday, April 28, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400 race at Richmond International Raceway are invited to attend a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver autograph session featuring Clint Bowyer, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jamie McMurray and David Ragan.

The autograph session takes place at 3:30 p.m. in the Amphitheatre, located next to the Commonwealth Mall. Fans may line up at the Commonwealth Mall entrance to the Amphitheater. The first 200 guests in line with race tickets will receive a wristband that will enable them to attend the autograph session.

Each of the 200 fans may receive one autograph from each of the four drivers. Driver participation is subject to change and without notice.

NCWTS ON SPRING BREAK

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to action on Friday, May18 at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the N.C. Education Lottery 200.
Sources: RIR.com, NASCARMedia

NSCS, NNS stats heading into Texas; NCWTS heads back to ‘The Rock’

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Race #: 7 of 36 (04-09-12)
Track Size: 1.5 miles
Race Length: 501 miles
·     Banking/corners: 24 degrees
·     Banking/straights: 5 degrees
·     Frontstretch: 2,250 feet
·     Backstretch: 1,330 feet

Qualifying/Race Data
2011 pole winner: David Ragan, 189.820 mph, 28.448 seconds
2011 race winner: Matt Kenseth, 149.231 mph, 4-9-11)
Track qualifying record: Brian Vickers, (196.235 mph, 27.518 seconds, 10-21-05)
Track race record: Tony Stewart, (152.705 mph, 11-6-11)

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES – SATURDAY, 7:30 P.M. ET, FOX

Roush Fenway Racing has two cars in the top four and all three in the top 12. Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth (along with Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr.) is 12 points behind teammate and points leader Greg Biffle while last season’s standings runner up Carl Edwards is 12TH. Kenseth and Biffle are two of only three drivers to have three top-five finishes. (Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the other.)

Momentum aside, the Roush stable has good reason to look forward to this weekend. Kenseth won this race last season, and Roush has eight victories at Texas overall – more than twice the second-place owner on the TMS wins list.

But then there’s Denny Hamlin. Hamlin swept the two Texas race in 2010, so past success is prevalent. And not he has a not-so-secret weapon: Darian Grubb. Grubb won last year’s Texas Chase race with driver Tony Stewart.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been stuck on win No. 18 for 135 races. Could this weekend’s site finally signal the end?

Earnhardt nabbed his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Texas Motor Speedway on April 2, 2000. So there’s good memories, and great momentum.

He has three top-three finishes (and four top 10s overall), which has moved him to second in the points. The last time he was this high in the points late in the season was 2008, the season he last won. The last time Earnhardt held the points lead was October 2004.

Of course, an Earnhardt win this weekend would be extra special. Hendrick Motorsports has a mini-win drought on its hands – 12 races have passed since its last win. The organizations next victory would be No. 200.

Michael Waltrip Racing still has three drivers in the top 10 in owner points and two in the top nine in the driver standings. Martin Truex Jr. is one of four drivers with four top-10 finishes, along with Biffle, Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson.

Greg Biffle (No. 16 Filtrete Ford)

·         One win, six top fives, nine top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 17.2

 

Clint Bowyer (No. 15 5-hour Energy Toyota)

·         Three top fives, seven top 10s

·         Average finish of 13.0

Kurt Busch (No. 51 Phoenix Construction Services Inc. Chevrolet)

·         One win, three top fives, 11 top 10s

·         Average finish of 14.5

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota)

·         Four top fives, five top 10s

·         Average finish of 16.2

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew / National Guard Chevrolet)

·         One win, three top fives, 10 top 10s; two poles

·         Average finish of 14.1

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Fastenal Ford)

·         Three wins, five top fives, six top 10s

·         Average finish of 15.5

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)

·         One win, seven top fives, 10 top 10s; two poles

·         Average finish of 16.8

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Office / March of Dimes Toyota)

·         Two wins, five top fives, eight top 10s

·         Average finish of 10.2

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet)

·         Three top fives, eight top 10s

·         Average finish of 12.9

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet)

·         One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s

·         Average finish of 10.2

Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Best Buy Ford)

·         Two wins, 10 top fives, 13 top 10s

·         Average finish of 8.7

Mark Martin (No. 55 Aaron’s Best of the Best Toyota)

·         One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s

·         Average finish of 13.7

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Mobil 1 / Office Depot Chevrolet)

·         Two wins, five top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 12.6

History

· Construction began in 1995.

· The first NASCAR race was a NASCAR Nationwide Series event on April 5, 1997.

· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on April 6, 1997.

Notebook

· There have been 22 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, one per season from 1997 through 2004 and two races per year since 2005.

· Four drivers have competed in all 22 Texas races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin.

· Jeremy Mayfield was the first pole winner, in 1998. Qualifying for the inaugural race in 1997 was canceled.

· Jeff Burton won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

· 16 drivers have scored poles, led by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon with two.

· 16 drivers have won races, led by Carl Edwards, with three. Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and Jeff Burton each have two wins.

· 16 of 22 races have been won from a top 10 starting position. Only one has been won from the pole – Kasey Kahne in 2006.

· Matt Kenseth started 31st en route to his victory at Texas in 2002, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started.

· Both Jeff Burton (1997) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) scored their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at Texas, and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne made his first series start at Texas (11/07/10).

· Martin Truex Jr. (11/04/07) and David Ragan (04/09/11) scored their first series poles at Texas.

· Matt Kenseth (8.7) is the only active driver to average a top-10 finish at Texas.

· Jimmie Johnson (9.2) is the only active driver to average a top-10 starting position at Texas.

· Roush Fenway Racing leads all owners in victories, with eight. Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have three wins each.

· There has been two season sweeps, by Carl Edwards in 2008 and Denny Hamlin in 2010.

· Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway winner: Ryan Newman (03/30/2003 – 25 years, 3 months, 22 days).

· Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway winner: Dale Jarrett (04/01/2001 – 44 years, 4 months, 6 days).

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES – FRIDAY, 8:30 P.M. ET, ESPN2

After a two week break in the schedule, the wait is finally over as the NASCAR Nationwide Series returns this week at Texas Motor Speedway. An added bonus: it’s the first night race of the season.

This race features one of the more star-studded fields thus far in 2012. Joining regulars like standings leader Elliott Sadler, Danica Patrick, reigning series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and talented rookies Austin Dillon and Cole Whitt are six top double-duty drivers led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. (who also is Patrick and Whitt’s team owner), Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch.

Each manufacturer in the Nationwide Series has won at least one of the last eight races dating back to the last three events of 2011 (Ford – 2, Dodge – 2, Chevy – 3, Toyota – 1).

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES – SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, SPEED

After an absence of eight years, NASCAR roars back into Rockingham Speedway for Sunday’s Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 Presented by Cheerwine (SPEED, live, 1 p.m. EDT). NASCAR’s last visit to “The Rock” – a 1.017-mile track that opened in 1965 – came in 2004. The race featured a final lap, last-turn duel between Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne. The latter driver came up 0.010 seconds short in just his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Kahne will compete in the event driving a Turner Motorsports Chevrolet following his primary duties in Saturday night’s Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Brad Sweet is due to practice and qualify Kahne’s truck. Todd Bodine is the only other NASCAR winner in the field of more than 40 entries having won a pair of NASCAR Nationwide Series races, most recently in 2001.

Source: NASCARMedia