Thunder Valley coming to life under the lights with all three NASCAR series events

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
Race #: 24 of 36
Bristol Motor Speedway
Saturday, Aug. 25 on ABC, 7 p.m. (ET)
Track Size: 0.533-miles
Banking/Corners: 26 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 to 9 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 4 to 8 degrees
Distance: 266.5 miles (500 laps)

Pre-Race Concert: Grammy-nominated country music artist Jamey Johnson will perform Aug. 25 at the Lawless Pre-Race Concert prior to the start of the IRWIN Tools Night Raceat Bristol Motor Speedway.

Award-winning singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson to play Bristol pre-race concert

Thursday, August 9, 2012

In addition to writing most of his own material, Johnson has co-written singles for Trace Adkins, George Strait and Joe Nichols.

On Livin’ For A Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran Johnson teams up with Willie Nelson to sing “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me,” and the duo is joined by Leon Russell and Vince Gill on “Everything But You.” Other songs include “Living for a Song,” with Johnson, Nelson, Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson and Patsy Cline’s hit “I Fall To Pieces,” with Johnson and Haggard.

“Lawless,” billed as a “Western crime film”, set in Virginia’s Franklin County, stars Shia LaBeouf and will be released at the end of August.

For more information, please call the BMS ticket office at 1-866-415-4158 or visit www.bristoltix.com.

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Each guest arriving at their seat to watch the IRWIN Tools Night Race,will find two surprises: a flag to wave at the start of the event, as well as a coupon for $10 off at Outback on any two entrees. Outback gives fans a free Bloomin’ Onion the Monday immediately following a Sprint Cup race if Ryan Newman finishes among the top 10.

Unhappy with the on-track activities in March, Speedway Motorsports Inc.’s Bruton Smith fired up his heavy equipment and set to work milling down the top groove of the 0.533-mile oval’s progressive banking.

Whether this brings back the “old,” pre-2007 Bristol, in which racing was primarily punctuated with passing via bumps and gouges, remains to be seen. The progressive banking produced side-by-side competition in which passes could be executed without re-arranging a competitor’s doors and fenders and significantly reduced caution periods.

Greg Biffle is back atop the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings following last Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 victory. Biffle won for the second time this season, giving him three additional bonus points when the standings are reset for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™, which begins Sept. 16 at Chicagoland Speedway.

The driver of Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 3M Ford largely had dropped out of the championship conversation after losing the points lead in early June.

Biffle’s the third different points leader in as many weeks following Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The provisional Chase seedings haven’t moved since Indianapolis when Johnson won for the third time to match victory totals of reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski.

Biffle is the 10th consecutive different winner – a run that began at Pocono Raceway in early June. The top four in the championship standings – Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Earnhardt and Johnson – have separated themselves from the next six contenders.

Biffle has been the most consistent, posting top 10s and a win in four of his past five races. Earnhardt and Johnson each have three top 10s. Kenseth has a single top five and two finishes outside the top 20.

Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman retained the provisional “Wild Cards” in Michigan. Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Marcos Ambrose and Joey Logano must wait for another day – or in the case of Bristol, night – to oust their rivals. Hope remains for non-winners Carl Edwards, Paul Menard, Jamie McMurray and Jeff Burton.

Kahne holds the best cards: Two victories to his challengers’ one or zero. He’s also only 33 points out of the top 10 and the possibility of entering the Chase with at least six bonus points.]

With track changes expected to make track position and pit selection crucial, Gordon’s ability to qualify is an asset. The four-time champion’s average start (8.3) is best in the field and his Driver Rating (99.8) trails only Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth. Jeff Gordon’s last Bristol victory came in 2002.

Practice - 12 p.m. ET and 2:30 p.m. Friday on SPEED
Qualifying - 5 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN2

Ten drivers in all have a mathematical chance at clinching a Chase spot. Seven can secure a top-10 berth in the Chase this Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway. Regardless of what any other driver does, points leader Greg Biffle will clinch with a finish of 28th with no laps led, 29th with at least one lap led and 30th with the most laps led. The scenario for Matt Kenseth is eighth with no laps led, ninth with at least one lap led and 10th with most laps led. Dale Earnhardt Jr. lands a spot in the postseason with finishes of sixth with no laps led, seventh with at least one lap led and eighth with the most laps led. Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will punch his Chase ticket with a victory or second-place finish while leading the most laps.

Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Bowyer also can reserve spots in the Chase but are not yet in charge of the their own destinies. The magic number is 97. Any driver 97 points ahead of 11th place leaving Bristol will officially clinch a top 10 spot.

Those who can clinch at least a Wild Card: Brad Keselowski, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer. A win and Keselowski and Stewart are in. Hamlin, Kahne and Bowyer have to win on Saturday night, and get some help.

Bristol Motor Speedway boasts one of the more unique driver introductions in all of NASCAR, as drivers choose their own entrance music as they walk down the stage in turn 3. This weekend, an added buzz will surround the festivities, as Michael Buffer – of “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” fame – will announce all 43 drivers.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES
Race #23 of 33
Bristol Motor Speedway
Friday, Aug. 24, on ESPN, 7 p.m. (ET)
Distance: 133.24 miles (250 laps)

In 1995, Food City signed on for three years as associate sponsor of the No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet, owned by Richard Childress and driven by the late Dale Earnhardt. In commemoration, the regional grocer has named Richard Childress as honorary starter of the 20^th Anniversary Food City 250. Childress will wave the green flag to signal the start of the August 24, 2012 event.

Trevor Bayne (hometown: Knoxville) returns to his home state for this weekend’s NNS Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway with a paint scheme honoring one of the state’s biggest icons, University of Tennessee Head Women’s Basketball Coach Emeritus Pat Summitt. Bayne will be driving the Roush Fenway Racing-owned No. 60 Yourracecar.com Ford Mustang sporting the phrase “We Back Pat.” The Volunteer-orange race car is part of a promotion to raise awareness for The Pat Summitt Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for the battle against Alzheimer’s. Summitt will serve as Grand Marshal of the Food City 250 on Friday night. In 38 years at UT, Summitt led the Lady Volunteers to eight NCAA titles.

Practice: 9 a.m. ET Fri. (TV: 10 a.m. ET) on SPEED
Qualifying - 3:30 p.m. ET Friday on SPEED

This weekend, Danica Patrick will be pulling double-duty by competing in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide races. She won’t be alone. Kyle Busch, Sam Hornish Jr., Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Joe Nemechek, Scott Riggs and Josh Wise will also attempt to run both races.

Brad Keselowski is the only driver slated to pull triple-duty in all three national series races.

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES
Race #13 of 22
Bristol Motor Speedway
Wednesday, Aug. 22 on SPEED, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Distance: 106.6 miles (200 laps)

Kyle Busch Motorsports remains winless in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series but this could be the week the drought ends. No, Kyle won’t be gunning for a fourth Bristol Motor Speedway victory, but KBM has another concrete specialist in the team’s No. 18 Toyota.

Brian Scott will make his second start of the year for KBM having finished 13th at Dover International Speedway in June. Scott’s only NCWTS victory came at Dover in 2009. He currently drives for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, where he ranks ninth in the standings.

Practice: 10 a.m. ET and Noon, Wed. (not aired)
Qualifying - 4:35 p.m. ET Wed. (TV: 5 p.m. ET) on SPEED

Other NCWTS highlights:

Jack Sprague (1999) and Travis Kvapil (2003) also won at Bristol in their championship seasons. … Johnny Benson was the last NCWTS regular to win in Thunder Valley in 2007. Five of the last six races have been won by NASCAR Sprint Cup veterans. Brad Keselowski and Brendan Gaughan are the only NSCS points-eligible drivers entered this year. … Ryan Blaney makes series debuts this week driving for Brad Keselowski Racing. … Jason White (second) and Sunoco Rookie Dakoda Armstrong (third) posted career-best finishes in Michigan.

Sources: NASCAR Media, BristolMotorspeedway.com

NASCAR team notes: New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Karen Pistone

Track:
New Hampshire Motor Speedway

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying:
Friday, July 13 @ 3:30 pm/et on SPEED

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour Practice:
Saturday, July 14 @ 11 am/et on SPEED

Race Coverage:
Sunday, July 15 @ 1:00pm/et on TNT

Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Ryan Newman – who’s fighting for a Chase “wild card” berth – won both New Hampshire races a year ago. Newman and Stewart finished one-two in the summer; Stewart won at Loudon in the fall, the second of five Chase victories that led to his third NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

Clint Bowyer, on top of the world just days ago as the winner in Sonoma, finds himself the “bubble boy” – 10th in the standings – headed for New England. Good news: Bowyer is the only two-time winner in Loudon over the past nine races.

The “wild card” race remains anything but tame. A three-way deadlock for the 12th Chase spot was broken in Daytona but Joey Logano can’t take an easy breath. He is, however, a former New Hampshire winner. Logano’s a point ahead of defending race winner Ryan Newman; three ahead of Coca-Cola 600 winner Kasey Kahne.

Jeff Burton is New Hampshire’s leading winner with four victories but none since 2000. Fresh off of his second-place finish in the Coke Zero 400, will put him back in Victory Lane for the first time since Charlotte in the fall of 2008.

Track:
New Hampshire Motor Speedway

NASCAR Nationwide Practice:
Friday, July 13 @ 11 a.m./et & 1:30 p.m./et on SPEED

NASCAR Nationwide Qualifying:
Saturday, July 14 @ 10 a.m./et on ESPN2

Race Coverage:
Saturday, July 14 @ 2:30 pm/et on ESPN

Saturday’s New Hampshire stop signals the first round of the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ Dash 4 Cash and a $100,000 payoff for four of the series’ elite performers. Points leader Elliott Sadler, Sunoco Rookie of the Year headliner Austin Dillon, defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and rising star Michael Annett face off with the highest finisher claiming the 100K.

It’s a race within a race as the top finisher of the four wins the $100,000 and eligibility for the next round at Chicagoland Speedway on July 15. The next three points-eligible finishers in New Hampshire also qualify for the following week’s $100,000 face-off.

Should the same driver win the first three rounds at New Hampshire, Chicago and Indianapolis, plus the Iowa 250 his overall total winnings will reach $1 million.

Both Danica Patrick and Travis Pastrana will compete in Saturday’s New Hampshire race. At Daytona, Patrick again was on the leading edge of becoming NASCAR’s first national series female winner, leading five times for 14 laps at Daytona International Speedway, before being collected in a late accident. Pastrana will be making his fifth appearance of the season and first since Charlotte in late May. His best finish to date is 17th at Darlington.

Track:
Iowa Speedway

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice:
Friday, July 13 @ 7 p.m./et on SPEED

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifying:
Saturday, July 14 @ 6 p.m./et (TV at 6:30) on SPEED

Race Coverage:
Saturday, July 14 @ 8:30 pm/et on SPEED

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series return to action in Saturday’s American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway. Three Iowa races have produced three different winners with resurgent Matt Crafton, coming off a fourth-place finish and Keystone Light Pole at Kentucky Speedway, hoping to duplicate last year’s victory.

Points leader Timothy Peters hasn’t had much success at Iowa Speedway. He currently leads Justin Lofton and Ty Dillon by four points each followed by James Buescher and Parker Kligerman. Dillon won last year’s Iowa ARCA race and helped 2012 champion and older brother Austin Dillon celebrate his first NCWTS victory in 2010 at Iowa Speedway.

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

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Karen Pistone

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.

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

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Karen Pistone

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

JR Motorsports No. 7 Nationwide team receives penalties, fines from PIR

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Karen Pistone

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2011) – NASCAR announced today penalties and fines to the No. 7 JR Motorsports team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as a result of rule infractions at Phoenix International Raceway.

The No. 7 car of Danica Patrick was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20A-2.3A (improperly attached weight) of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. The infraction occurred during the race on Nov. 12.

As a result of the violations, crew chief Tony Eury Jr. has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until March 28, 2012.

Race fans encouraged to show their “pink” at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway is teaming up with Dollar General and Speedway Children’s Charities to encourage race fans to wear pink to the NASCAR Nationwide race on Friday night, Oct. 14 to show support and join the fight against Breast Cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In addition, CMS is offering two special ticket packages, which are the following:

Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage

With the purchase of a $30 package, fans will receive a frontstretch ticket to the Nationwide Series race with spectacular views of pit road and the world’s largest high-definition television plus a commemorative pink t-shirt featuring the unique pink race logo.

Weekend Package

With the purchase of $79, fans will receive a Nationwide Series race ticket, pink t-shirt and a ticket to the Oct. 15 Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

In addition, any fan that purchases tickets to the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage at Charlotte Motor Speedway via phone at 1-800-455-FANS (3267), online or in the speedway ticket office can also purchase additional tickets for just $20 each to send a breast cancer survivor or her family member to the race. For their donation, fans will receive recognition on the Charlotte Motor Speedway website, in the Bank of America 500 souvenir program and on the world’s largest HDTV during Bank of America 500 Race Weekend.

Dollar General will exchange its traditional yellow paint scheme for pink on its race car in the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage. Reed Sorenson, driver of the No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will drive the special pink car.

A portion of the proceeds from each breast cancer awareness ticket package purchased will be donated to breeast cancer research and Speedway Children’s Charities for the fight against breast cancer.

Three hundred people will be recognized in a special “ring of survivors” during pre-race ceremonies and the pink race logo will grace the frontstretch grass for the Friday evening race. In addition, the speedway will incorporate the pink motif on the official Toyota Camry pace car, tickets and at the start/finish line.

For more information on the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage or to purchase any of the breast cancer awareness ticket packages, fans can call the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or go online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

GRAND-AM, NASCAR Nationwide Series to join Sprint Cup at Brickyard in 2012

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Karen Pistone

Race fans, in case you missed the announcement there is more racing headed your way at the Brickyard next year.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has added the NASCAR Nationwide Series and GRAND-AM Road Racing to it’s July 26-29, 2012 race weekend, joining the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for four exciting races during the inaugural Super Weekend at the Brickyard.

It will be the first time in IMS history that races will take place on the 2.5-mile oval and 2.534-mile Grand Prix road course during the same weekend, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series and GRAND-AM Road Racing will make their IMS debuts.

The 19th annual Brickyard 400 for the Sprint Cup Series will race on the oval Sunday, July 29, with the Nationwide Series also racing on the oval Saturday, July 28. GRAND-AM will conduct separate races for its Rolex Sports Car Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge on the 13-turn IMS road course Friday, July 27.

All four days of Super Weekend at the Brickyard will be packed with on-track action, providing great value for fans:

•Thursday, July 26: NASCAR Nationwide Series practice

•Friday, July 27: GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge practice, qualifying and races

•Saturday, July 28: NASCAR Nationwide Series practice, qualifying and race; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying

•Sunday, July 29: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 race

Brickfest, a music festival featuring a headlining national act, also will return during the Super Weekend at the Brickyard after its debut during this year’s Brickyard 400.

Ticket orders for the 2012 Super Weekend at the Brickyard will be accepted starting Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Orders can be made at www.imstix.com and through the IMS Ticket Office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

Details on ticket pricing, race distances for the Nationwide Series and two GRAND-AM events and the complete event schedule will be released at a later date.

The best way for fans to secure their reserved seat tickets for the historic inaugural Super Weekend at the Brickyard is to purchase reserved seats for the 2011 Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 31 and reorder those tickets during the two-week renewal period starting Aug. 1.

Source: NASCAR Media

Recap from Dover International Speedway

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Karen Pistone

Matt Kenseth in Victory Lane at Dover International Speedway Photo credit: Sandi Goodall, Racingal.com

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

Matt Kenseth won the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks, his 2nd win of 2011, 2nd win at Dover, and 20th victory in 411 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

Mark Martin finished second followed by (No. 9) Marcos Ambrose, (No.18) Kyle Busch (No. 83) Brian Vickers.

There were 23 lead changes among 11 drivers; 6 cautions for 28 yellow flag laps.

The attendance was listed as 82,000 down from 88,000 last year. Dover International Speedway currently holds 133,000 seats.

The bad wreck on the final lap of the Nationwide race at Dover International Speedway. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall for Racingal.com

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES

5-Hour Energy 200 was Carl Edwards’ third win of the season and the 32nd of his career, placing him fourth in line for the most Nationwide wins.

After a violent wreck on the final lap – sending cars sideways, spinning while pieces of the car go flying and hit a Clint Bowyer crew member. The wreck unfolded as Edwards was racing Joey Logano after a restart on the second attempt at a green-white-checkered-flag finish, but Edwards never hit him. At first, he thought he had, so after going around the track, Edward’s pulled up to wreck and got out of his car to check on Joey Logano who had a very hard hit.Logano had a lead of almost a car-length before the rear of his car stepped out and he slammed the outside wall. Logano bounced off the wall and into the path of Bowyer, whose Chevrolet careened into the inside wall.

“That’s not the way I would’ve wanted to celebrate a win,” Edwards said. Replays showed clearly, however, that Edwards made no contact with Logano.

So in your opinion, are green – white – checkered’s asking for a cause for wrecks, or is this the cure for an overall exciting finish?

Winner Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Dover International Speedway. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall, Racingal.com

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES

Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Dover International Speedway this past Friday, Justin Marks started on pole.

Please be sure to watch for my blog from the whole weekend at Dover International Speedway! You won’t want to miss it!

Penske downsizes, abolishes No. 77 team, Nationwide crew

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Karen Pistone

The multi-car organization as we knew it when it came to Penske Racing is now down three to two. Sam Hornish and No.77 team is now out, leaving Penske Racing to focus on the No. 2 car for Keselowski and the No. 22 car driven by Kurt Busch for the Cup season. This is leaving the scenario in which they are following fellow car owner, Richard Childress and that is “less is more.”

But don’t count Hornish out all together. He will be racing at least 10 Nationwide races in the 2011 season, starting with the DRIVEFORCOPD 300 at Daytona in February.

Steve Wallace, who currently drives for his father in the No. 66 Toyota for Rusty Wallace Racing, will pick up the No. 77′s car’s points according to Penske.

Schedule of upcoming events at Daytona International Speedway

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Karen Pistone

December 28 – 30, 2010
Daytona KartWeek

January 20 – 22, 2011
NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest
Race fans will see their favorite drivers on the new Daytona racing surface for the first time in advance of Speedweeks 2011 and the 53rd annual Daytona 500 along with autograph and Q&A sessions.

January 29 – 30, 2011, 3:30 PM EST
Rolex 24 At Daytona

SPEEDWEEKS 2011

February 12, 2011
Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200
80 laps, 200 miles is the season-opening event for the ARCA Racing Series.

February 12, 2011
Budweiser Shootout
The Budweiser Shootout is a no-holds barred All-Star race with the top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars.

February 13, 2011
Daytona 500 Qualifying
The prestigious front row for the 53rd annual Daytona 500 will be at stake.

February 17, 2011
Gatorade Duel
Two 150-mile qualifying races that determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500.

February 18, 2011
NextEra Energy Resources 250
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will take on the new;y repaved Daytona International Speedway in a 100-lap, 250-mile battle.

February 19, 2011
DRIVE4COPD 300
NASCAR Nationwide Series race in a 120-lap, 300-mile event.

February 20, 2011
DAYTONA 500

Racingal.com

A NASCAR Fan Blog by Karen Pistone

Tag Archives: NASCAR Nationwide