Texas Motor Speedway: NASCAR Sprint Cup driver statistical advance

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Texas Motor Speedway Data

Season Race #: 7 of 36

Track Size: 1.5-miles

Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 24 degrees

Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 24 degrees

Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees

Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees

Frontstretch Length: 2,250 feet

Backstretch Length: 1,330 feet

Race Length: 334 laps / 500 miles

Qualifying/Race Data

2012 pole winner: Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 190.369 mph, 28.366 secs. 4-12-12

2012 race winner: Greg Biffle, Ford, 160.577 mph, (03:07:12), 4-14-12

Track qualifying record: Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 196.235 mph, 27.518 secs. 11-3-06

Track race record: Greg Biffle, Ford, 160.577 mph, (03:07:12), 4-14-12

TEXAS-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)

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

· Average finish of 15.9

Clint Bowyer (No. 15 Gander Mountain Toyota)

· Three top fives, eight top 10s

· Average finish of 12.8

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing/ Serta Chevrolet)

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

· Average finish of 14.1

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota)

· Five top fives, six top 10s

· Average finish of 14.9

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet)

· One win, three top fives, 12 top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 13.6

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Fastenal Ford)

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

· Average finish of 15.1

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Cromax Pro Chevrolet)

· One win, eight top fives, 11 top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 16.1

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Dover White Chevrolet)

· Two wins, nine top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 9.3

Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota)

· Two wins, 12 top fives, 15 top 10s

· Average finish of 8.3

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

· One win, eight top fives, 13 top 10s

· Average finish of 13.9

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet)

· Two wins, six top fives, 12 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 12.7

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)

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

· Average finish of 15.9

Did you Know?

Nine of the 14 active NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers who have won at Texas Motor Speedway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. won at Texas in their first appearance; Carl Edwards, Mark Martin and Ryan Newman all won in their second appearance at TMS.
2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski (11/02/2008) and Trevor Bayne (11/07/2010) made their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career starts at Texas Motor Speedway.
There have been three NSCS green-white-checkered finishes at Texas Motor Speedway: fall 2006, spring 2008 and fall 2012.
Youngest Texas winner: Ryan Newman (3/30/2003 – 25 years, 3 months, 22 days).
Oldest Texas winner: Dale Jarrett (4/1/2001 – 44 years, 4 months, 6 days).

Chase Contenders

The Top 12 Following Race 6 of 36

Driver	Points	Wins	Poles	Week	Rating
1. Jimmie Johnson	231	2	1	3	116.5
2. Brad Keselowski	225	0	0	2	103.7
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.	219	0	0	1	98.9
4. Kyle Busch	203	1	1	6	107.9
5. Kasey Kahne	199	1	0	7	105.1
6. Greg Biffle	199	0	0	5	89.6
7. Carl Edwards	193	1	0	4	87.4
8. Clint Bowyer	179	0	0	14	91.9
9. Paul Menard	179	0	0	8	80.2
10. Matt Kenseth	172	1	0	11	110.4
11. Joey Logano	167	0	0	9	90.3
12. Jeff Gordon	164	0	0	18	92.1

And the newest NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees for the Class of 2014 are…

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR announced those 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s fifth induction class, and included among the diverse group are five newcomers whose achievements are cornerstones of the sport’s origins and continue to fuel its growth in contemporary times.

Of the 25 nominees, 20 return from last year’s group. Five are first-timers with varying backgrounds in the sport: second generation NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion Dale Jarrett; Maurice Petty, for more than three decades the chief engine builder for Petty Enterprises; five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion Larry Phillips; race track builder and owner Bruton Smith; and 1960 NASCAR premier series champion Rex White.

From that list, five inductees will be elected by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, which includes a nationwide fan vote on NASCAR.COM. Voting Day for the 2014 class will be May 22. Fans can attend the announcement at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

This round of nominees was selected by a 21-person Nominating Committee consisting of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and track owners from both major facilities and historic short tracks. The committee’s votes were tabulated by accounting firm Ernst & Young.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame’s 2014 inductees will be determined by a 54-member Voting Panel, which includes the entire Nominating Committee, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners and crew chiefs) and recognized industry leaders. In addition, the fan vote will result in the Voting Panel’s final ballot. Fan voting on NASCAR.COM opens today, April 10 and closes May 21 at noon.

Following are the 25 nominees, listed alphabetically:

Red Byron, first NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion, in 1949
Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
Jerry Cook, six-time NASCAR Modified champion
H. Clay Earles, founder of Martinsville Speedway
Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Ray Fox, legendary engine builder and owner of cars driven by Buck Baker, Junior Johnson and others
Anne Bledsoe France, helped build the sport with husband Bill France Sr. Affectionately known as “Annie B.,” she is the first woman to be nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Rick Hendrick, 13-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
Jack Ingram, two-time NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series champion and three-time Late Model Sportsman champion
Bobby Isaac, 1970 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Dale Jarrett, 1999 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner
Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600
Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner
Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Maurice Petty, chief engine builder for Petty Enterprises
Larry Phillips, only five-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion
Les Richter, former NASCAR executive; former president of Riverside International Raceway
Fireball Roberts, 33 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series wins, including the 1962 Daytona 500
T. Wayne Robertson, helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company senior VP
Wendell Scott, NASCAR trailblazer was the first African-American NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series race winner, and first to be nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Ralph Seagraves, formed groundbreaking Winston-NASCAR partnership as executive with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
O. Bruton Smith, builder of Charlotte Motor Speedway and architect of Speedway Motorsports Inc.
Curtis Turner, early personality, called the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing”
Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Rex White, 1960 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

NASCAR Hall of Fame: Executive Director Winston Kelley; Historian Buz McKim.

NASCAR Officials: Chairman/CEO Brian France; Vice Chairman Jim France; President Mike Helton; Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton; Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell; Competition Administrator Jerry Cook; former Senior Vice President Paul Brooks; former Vice President Ken Clapp.

Track Owners/Operators: International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa Kennedy; Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell; Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage; Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark; former Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George; Dover Motorsports CEO Denis McGlynn; Pocono Raceway board of director member Looie McNally; Bowman Gray Stadium operator Dale Pinilis; Riverhead Raceway operators Jim and Barbara Cromarty (1 vote); Rockford Speedway owner Jody Deery; Kingsport Speedway Operator Robert Pressley.

NASCAR PR

He’s baaack! Carl Edwards back in ESPN Broadcast Booth for three NASCAR Nationwide Series races

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Photo courtesy of ESPN.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards will return to the ESPN broadcast booth as an analyst for the next three races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Edwards will join lap-by-lap announcer Allen Bestwick and analyst Andy Petree in the booth to call the 300-mile race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night, April 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Edwards also will call races at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night, April 26 and at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, May 4 (2:30 p.m. on ESPN). In each case, Edwards will compete in the next day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the same track.

Carl Edwards made his debut in the ESPN booth last year, calling Nationwide Series races at Darlington Raceway and Kentucky Speedway. Moving to the booth was a progression in broadcasting for Edwards, who had been doing post-race analysis for ESPN SportsCenter during ESPN’s portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule the previous two seasons.

Edwards, who drives for Roush Fenway Racing, stopped competing in NASCAR Nationwide Series races last season after racing fulltime in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series the previous seven years. He was the Nationwide Series driving champion in 2007, and earned the 2011 series owner’s championship for Roush Fenway Racing, but decided to concentrate his efforts on the Sprint Cup Series exclusively beginning last season.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race at Eldora Speedway offers unique qualifying, race procedures

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Tony Stewart testing a NCWTS truck at Eldora Speedway on July 24, 2012. Photo/YouTube by Eldora Speedway

Procedures for the inaugural “Mudsummer Classic” – the highly anticipated NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway – and it’s qualifying race scheduled to run on Wednesday, July 24 have been announced. Unlike asphalt tracks, dirt tracks have historically used a format much different than typical races and that will be the case for this event, the first NASCAR national series race held on dirt in more than 40 years.

The race will feature a traditional two-lap qualifying session, five qualifying races, one last-chance race and a champion’s provisional to determine the 30-truck starting field. The top-20 in owners’ points entering the race event will have a guaranteed starting position.

Here are additional details for each round of qualifying:

Qualifying

Two-lap qualifying determines starting position for the qualifying races

Qualifying Races

• Five qualifying races
• Eight laps each; only green flag laps count
• Five trucks transfer from each qualifying race
• Lineup for the qualifying races will be based on qualifying speeds with four locked-in trucks (trucks in the top 20)
• The top-five trucks in qualifying will start on the pole for their respective qualifying race
• Highest finishing non-locked-in truck will transfer to race from each qualifying race
• At the completion of the qualifying races, 25 trucks will have earned spots into the feature.

Last Chance Race
• 15 laps; only green flag laps count
• The top-four finishers will transfer to the feature and start in positions 26-29
• The lineup will be based on the finish from the qualifying races

Starting position No. 30 will go to the most recent past series’ champion who has not already qualified. If the 30th starting position is not filled by an eligible champion, it will be assigned to the next highest finishing truck in the Last Chance Race.

The race length and format are also new for the series. The race will be 150 laps divided into three segments. The segments will be 60, 50 and 40 laps.

There will be pit stops between each segment, with teams having the opportunity to change tires and work on their trucks.

More details on the event schedule will be released later this spring.

The “Mudsummer Classic” will be the first NASCAR national touring series event held on dirt since NASCAR’s premiere series competed on September 30, 1970 in Raleigh, N.C. Richard Petty won the Home State 200 at the one-mile State Fairgrounds Speedway.

NASCAR Media PR

JR Motorsports fills empty NNS seat at RIR with family

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Jeffrey Earnhardt – photo by Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

JR Motorsports has announced that Jeffrey Earnhardt, nephew to team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and fourth-generation racer to make first start for family-owned team, will drive the team’s No. 5 Chevrolet in the April 26 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. The announcement was made on JRM 360, a weekly video series housed on the team’s official website, JRMracing.com.

“Richmond happens to be one of the few races that neither Kasey Kahne nor Brad Sweet are scheduled to drive the No. 5 car because it’s not a Great Clips-sponsored race. Dale and I were discussing our options for that weekend,” stated Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “It was his idea to put Jeffrey in the car and let him drive our equipment. I loved the idea, and everyone in the company – as soon as they heard it – did too. It’s only a one-race deal but something that could really help Jeffrey if he does well.”

Watch announcement

Jefferey Earnhardt on the response from fans: “My phone has been blowing up. The response has been incredible. I received a lot of text messages and tweets from people in NASCAR, and the fans have been great. Between my grandfather, my dad, and Dale Jr., there is such a huge fan base that is very supportive of my family. I just appreciate the opportunity. I can’t wait. I wish the Richmond race weekend was tomorrow.”

NOTES

Jeffrey Earnhardt is only the second fourth-generation racer to compete in NASCAR’s top touring divisions. Adam Petty was the first.

The 23-year-old Earnhardt is son to Kerry Earnhardt (NASCAR racer from 1998-2009), grandson to seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. (1975-2001), and great-grandson to 1956 NASCAR Sportsman champion Ralph Earnhardt (1956-64).

Jeffrey Earnhardt has competed in 14 career Nationwide Series races. He made his first start on Aug. 8, 2009, at Watkins Glen International.

Jeffrey Earnhardt has competed in four of five Nationwide Series races in 2013 for Archie St. Hilaire and Go Green Racing. He recorded a season-best 20th-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway on March 2.

This will mark Jeffrey Earnhardt’s first-ever race with JR Motorsports.

Jeffrey Earnhardt’s racing résumé also includes 10 starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, all of which came in 2010 and 2011.

Richmond International Raceway has been a hotbed for Earnhardt success. Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. each have six wins at the three-quarter-mile facility. (Dale Sr.: CUP – Feb. 24, 1985; NNS – Sept. 6, 1986; CUP – March 8, 1987; CUP – Sept. 13, 1987; CUP – Sept. 9, 1990; CUP – Feb. 24, 1991). Dale Jr.: NNS – Sept. 11, 1998; NNS – Sept. 10, 1999; CUP – March 6, 2000; NNS – Sept. 6, 2002; CUP – March 15, 2004; CUP – May 6, 2006).

The No. 5 Chevrolet is typically occupied by Kasey Kahne or Brad Sweet as part of a 28-race Great Clips-sponsored package. Jimmie Johnson is the only other driver to race the No. 5 this year (Phoenix on March 2).

JR Motorsports PR

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver stats: MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR Pre-Race: Fox – 12:30pm
TV Race Coverage: FoxSports, 1:00pm
Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 1:13pm
Practices: Friday, April 5, 12:00 – 1:30 pm on SPEED
Happy Hour ‘Final’ practice: Saturday, April 6, 11:45am – 12:45pm on SPEED at 11:30pm
Qualifying: Friday, April 5 at 3:40 pm on SPEED at 8:00pm

Martinsville Speedway Data

Season Race #: 6 of 36

Track Size: 0.526-mile

Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 12 degrees

Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 12 degrees

Banking/Frontstretch: 0 degrees

Banking/Backstretch: 0 degrees

Frontstretch Length: 800 feet

Backstretch Length: 800 feet

Race Length: 500 laps / 263 miles

Qualifying/Race Data
2012 pole winner: Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 97.128 mph, 19.496 secs. 3-30-12
2012 race winner: Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 78.823 mph, (3:26:12), 4-01-12
Track qualifying record: Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 98.083 mph, 19.306 secs. 10-21-05
Track race record: Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 82.223 mph, (3:11:55), 9-22-96

MARTINSVILLE-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

Clint Bowyer (No. 15 RK Motors Toyota)

· Two top fives, eight top 10s

· Average finish of 14.0

Jeff Burton (No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

· One win, 10 top fives, 16 top 10s

· Average finish of 15.0

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)

· Seven top fives, eight top 10s

· Average finish of 16.8

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

· 10 top fives, 14 top 10s

· Average finish of 13.0

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)

· Seven wins, 25 top fives, 32 top 10s; seven poles

· Average finish of 7.1

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet)

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

· Average finish of 16.7

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)

· Seven wins, 15 top fives, 19 top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 5.5

Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Ford)

· Three top 10s

· Average finish of 12.2

Mark Martin (No. 11 FedEx Freight Toyota)

· Two wins, 12 top fives, 25 top 10s; three poles

· Average finish of 13.3

Jamie McMurray (No. 1 Novo Nordisk Chevrolet)

· One top five, 10 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 17.0

Ryan Newman (No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet)

· One win, seven top fives, 11 top 10s; three poles

· Average finish of 13.6

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Chevrolet)

· Three wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s; three poles

· Average finish of 13.7

Chase Contenders

The Top 12 Following Race 5 of 36

Driver	Points	Wins	Poles	Week	Rating
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.	199	0	0	2	102.2
2. Brad Keselowski	187	0	0	1	103.5
3. Jimmie Johnson	183	1	0	3	110.2
4. Carl Edwards	164	1	0	8	89.8
5. Greg Biffle	164	0	0	5	90.8
6. Kyle Busch	163	1	1	10	105.7
7. Kasey Kahne	159	1	0	7	103.6
8. Paul Menard	154	0	0	9	82.5
9. Joey Logano	146	0	0	12	93.0
10. Denny Hamlin	145	0	1	6	99.5
11. Matt Kenseth	141	1	0	13	109.6
12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	139	0	0	11	74.7

History

· Opened in September 1947 by H. Clay Earles, Martinsville, originally a dirt track, is one of the oldest continuously-operating race tracks in the United States.

· The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Martinsville was on July 4, 1948.

· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was Sept. 25, 1949.

· The track was paved in 1955.

· The first 500-lap event at Martinsville was in 1956.

· Concrete corners were added atop asphalt in 1976.

Car By the Number – Drivers – (Years)

o No. 43 – Richard Petty (1960, ’62, ’63, ’67 sweep, ’68, ’69 sweep, ’70, ’71, ’72 sweep, ’73, ’75 and ’79); John Andretti (1999)

o No. 11 – Cale Yarborough (1974, ’76, ’77 sweep, ‘78); Darrell Waltrip (1981, ’82, ’83, ’84); Geoff Bodine (1990 sweep); Denny Hamlin (2008, ’09, ’10 sweep)

o No. 2 – Dale Earnhardt (1980); Rusty Wallace (1993, ‘94 sweep, ’95, ’96 and ‘04)

o No. 24 – Jeff Gordon (1996, ’97, ’99, ’03 sweep and ’05 sweep)

o No. 48 – Jimmie Johnson (2004, ’06, ’07 sweep, ’08, ’09, ’12)

o No. 3 – Ricky Rudd (1983); Dale Earnhardt (1985, ’87, ’88, ’91, ’95)

Did You know?

This weekend will be Danica Patrick’s first attempt at Martinsville Speedway. If she makes the event, she will become the first female driver to compete at Martinsville in the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Tony Stewart (4/18/1999) and Scott Riggs (4/10/2005) won their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light poles at Martinsville Speedway.
Ryan Newman competed at Martinsville Speedway 20 times before winning in the spring of 2012; the longest span of any the 10 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.
Jeff Gordon has participated in the most NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Martinsville Speedway without a DNF (40).
Mike Bliss (09/27/1998), Travis Kvapil (10/24/2004), Michael McDowell (3/30/2008) and Scott Speed (10/19/2008) made their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career starts at Martinsville Speedway.
Youngest Martinsville pole winner: Ricky Rudd (4/26/1981 – 24 years, 7 months, 14 days).
Oldest Martinsville pole winner: Morgan Shepherd (4/26/1987 – 45 years, 6 months, 14 days).

Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown set to go green at Richmond International Raceway

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Karen Pistone

For the third year in a row, the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown is set to open the Spring race weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The Showdown benefits Denny Hamlin’s Cystic Fibrosis Research Lab at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The Showdown and BLUE OX 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races will run on Thursday, April 25, as part of the Spring NASCAR weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The race typically features a dozen NASCAR drivers and celebrities racing local Late Model Stock Car on the ¾-mile track. Hamlin, who won the inaugural Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at RIR in 2011, will be joined by 2012 winner Tony Stewart, two-time Short Track Showdown winner Kyle Busch, Michael Waltrip, Darrell Wallace Jr., and Virginians Gray Gaulding and Curtis Markham, as they race against some of the best Late Model Stock Car drivers in the region.

All tickets are general admission at $25. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Thursday’s ticket also includes the BLUE OX 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. Click here for tickets.

Tickets are on sale now for the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Advance tickets, including seats in Turns 1 and 4, start at $45, and can be purchased online or by calling 866-455-7223. Tickets for the ToyotaCare 250 start at $30 in advance and can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling 866-455-7223. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission sections on Friday.

For additional information, please visit www.rir.com or call 866-455-7223.

Source: Richmond International Raceway

NASCAR Statistical Advance: Auto Club 400

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Season Race #: 5 of 36
Track Size: 2-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 14 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 11 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 3 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 3,100 feet
Backstretch Length: 2,500 feet
Race Length: 200 laps / 400 miles

SPEED’s NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: 12:30 pm/et

NASCAR Pre-Race: Fox – 2:30pm/et
TV Race Coverage: FoxSports, 3:00pm/et

Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 3:16pm/et

Practices

Friday, March 22, 2:30 – 3:30 pm/et, TV-SPEED Saturday, March 23, 12:30 – 1:25 pm/et, TV-SPEED

Happy Hour ‘Final’ practice: Saturday, March 23, 3:30 – 4:20pm/et, TV-SPEED

Qualifying

Friday, March 22 at 7:10 pm/et, TV-SPEED, re-air scheduled at 11:00pm/et.

Qualifying/Race Data
2012 pole winner: Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 186.403 mph, 38.626 secs. 03-23-12
2012 race winner: Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 160.166 mph, (1:36:39), 03-25-12
Track qualifying record: Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 188.245 mph, 38.248 secs. 02-25-05
Track race record: Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 160.166 mph, (1:36:39; rain shortened), 03-25-12

AUTO CLUB-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Window Film Ford)

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

· Average finish of 17.2

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

· Two top fives, seven top 10s

· Average finish of 10.8

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing-Serta Chevrolet)

· One win, four top fives, nine top 10s; three poles

· Average finish of 12.7

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota)

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

· Average finish of 11.3

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Subway Ford)

· One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 8.7

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)

· Three wins, 10 top fives, 11 top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 11.8

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota)

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

· Average finish of 18.5

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet)

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

· Average finish of 15.5

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

· Five wins, 12 top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 5.4

Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet)

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

· Average finish of 14.9

Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota)

· Three wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s

· Average finish of 10.3

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

· One win, six top fives, 10 top 10s

· Average finish of 13.6

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Chevrolet)

· Two wins, six top fives, 12 top 10s

· Average finish of 13.5

Chase Contenders

The Top 12 Following Race 4 of 36

Driver	Points	Wins	Poles	Week	Rating
1. Brad Keselowski	166	0	0	2	110.0
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.	157	0	0	3	101.7
3. Jimmie Johnson	151	1	0	1	117.4
4. Clint Bowyer	128	0	0	9	88.9
5. Greg Biffle	126	0	0	8	89.9
6. Denny Hamlin	125	0	0	4	99.0
7. Kasey Kahne	124	1	0	14	105.2
8. Carl Edwards	124	1	0	5	87.7
9. Paul Menard	118	0	0	12	81.7
10. Kyle Busch	115	0	1	17	95.2
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	115	0	0	11	76.9
12. Joey Logano	104	0	0	15	84.5

HISTORY

· Groundbreaking for California Speedway, as Auto Club Speedway was originally known, took place in November 1995.

· The first race at Auto Club Speedway was a NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West race won by Ken Schrader on June 21, 1997.

· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on June 22, 1997 and won by Jeff Gordon.

· September 2004 was the first night race at Auto Club Speedway and that also was the first year both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series ran two races in a season there.

· The track name was changed to Auto Club Speedway (ACS) in February 2008.

· Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Auto Club Speedway with nine, followed by Roush Fenway Racing with seven.
· Youngest ACS winner: Kyle Busch (09/04/2005 – 20 years, 4 months, 2 days).

· Oldest ACS winner: Rusty Wallace (04/29/2001 – 44 years, 8 months, 15 days).

· Jimmie Johnson leads the series in runner-up finishes at Auto Club Speedway with five; followed by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon with four.

· Jimmie Johnson lead the series in top-five finishes at Auto club Speedway with 12; followed by Jeff Gordon (10) and Matt Kenseth (eight).

· Jimmie Johnson leads the series in top-10 finishes with 14; followed by Matt Kenseth (13), Carl Edwards (12) and Tony Stewart (12).

· Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte lead the series with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 23.
· This weekend will be Danica Patrick’s first attempt at Auto Club Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Stats compiled from NASCAR Media

NSCS driver stats: BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee going into the Food City 500 on March 17.

Bristol Motor Speedway Data
Season Race #: 4 of 36 (3-17-13)
Track Size: 0.533-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 24-28 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 24-28 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 4-8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 4-8 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 650 feet
Backstretch Length: 650 feet
Race Length: 500 laps / 266.5 miles

Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 1:13pm/et

Practices

Saturday, March 16, 9:00 – 10:00 am/et, TV-SPEED

Happy Hour ‘Final’ practice

Saturday, March 16, 12:00 – 1:00pm/et, TV-SPEED

Qualifying

Friday, March 15 at 3:40 pm/et on SPEED, re-air scheduled at 10:30pm/et &12:30am/et.

Qualifying/Race Data
2012 pole winner: Greg Biffle, Ford, 125.215 mph, 15.324 secs. 3-16-12
2012 race winner: Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 93.037 mph, (2:51:52), 3-18-12
Track qualifying record: Ryan Newman, Dodge, 128.709 mph, 14.908 secs. 3-21-03
Track race record: Charlie Glotzbach, Chevrolet, 101.074 mph, (2:38:12), 7-11-71

BRISTOL-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)

· Six top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 12.2

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet)

· Five wins, six top fives, 13 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 13.8

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)

· Five wins, seven top fives, 11 top 10s

· Average finish of 10.3

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet)

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

· Average finish of 11.8

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Kellogg’s/Frosted Ford)

· Two wins, four top fives, seven top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 14.4

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)

· Five wins, 16 top fives, 22 top 10s; five poles

· Average finish of 11.9

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Freight Toyota)

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

· Average finish of 14.8

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet)

· One win, nine top fives, 12 top 10s

· Average finish of 12.5

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

· One win, seven top fives, 13 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 14.0

Matt Kenseth (No. 20 The Home Depot / Husky Toyota)

· Two wins, 10 top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 12.1

Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Ford)

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

· Average finish of 13.7

Ryan Newman (No. 39 Haas Automation Chevrolet)

· One top five, 12 top 10s; three poles

· Average finish of 17.4

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet)

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

· Average finish of 17.6

Chase Contenders

The Top 12 Following Race 3 of 36

Driver	Points	Wins	Poles	Week	Rating
1. Jimmie Johnson	129	1	0	1	125.4
2. Brad Keselowski	124	0	0	3	110.5
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.	119	0	0	2	105.8
4. Denny Hamlin	102	0	0	4	97.4
5. Carl Edwards	98	1	0	11	97.2
6. Mark Martin	95	0	1	7	92.7
7. Matt Kenseth	93	1	0	18	112.2
8. Greg Biffle	93	0	0	6	89.7
9. Clint Bowyer	89	0	0	5	86.0
10. Aric Almirola	88	0	0	10	81.3
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	87	0	0	9	78.6
12. Paul Menard	82	0	0	17	78.7

UPDATED: Chris Buescher makes Bristol debut with Roush Fenway Racing

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Twenty-year old ARCA Champion Chris Buescher will make his debut at Bristol Motor Speedway this Saturday for the Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips 300. Buescher will be behind the wheel of Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Ford Mustang. Seth Barbour will serve as Crew Chief on the No. 16 Ford Mustang. Barbour most recently worked as an Engineer on the RFR No. 6 team.

This will be Buescher’s third start overall in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Buescher’s two previous NNS starts came in 2011 at Richmond and Darlington, finishing 17^th in both events. In 2012, the 20-year-old driver participated in the full ARCA schedule, earning the ARCA Championship with four wins, 12 top-fives and 16 top-10s in the 19 race season. Overall, in five seasons of ARCA Racing, Buescher has made 54 starts, with one Championship, nine wins, 32 top-fives and 42 top-10s.

“I really want to finish the race and a top-10 would be great. It’s Bristol and so much can happen that is out of our control. I want to keep my Ford in one piece,” said Buescher.

ESPN2 will have the live telecast on Saturday, March 16. NASCAR Countdown begins at 1:30 p.m./et with the green flag at approximately 2:13 p.m.

Good luck, Chris!!

*********************************************************UPDATE*********************************************************

Roush Fenway driver and ARCA Champion, Chris Buescher, led the RFR effort with a seventh-place finish – his first career top-10 Nationwide Series run – in his first career start at BMS in the Grit Chips 300.

Buescher led the RFR effort on the day, with Trevor Bayne finishing 12th and Travis Pastrana running 16th.