Posted on by Staff Report

The World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing first ran in 1968, with Tom Pistone taking home the Late Model title.

Since then, a veritable who’s who of short track stars have made their way to the high-banked half-mile of Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. Dick Trickle is a four-time champion, while drivers such as Pete Hamilton (1974-75), Mark Martin (1978) and Junior Hanley (1980-81). No driver has won in consecutive years since Pete Orr’s three-year run in 1992-94.

Ws Logo 1Current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Zane Smith and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Harrison Burton made their names with World Series crowns in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Short-track notables Ty Majeski (2016), Bubba Pollard (2019) and Derek Griffith (2020) have added their names to the New Smyrna record books.

The Modifieds joined the show in 1976, with Maynard Troyer winning the title. Richie Evans took the top honors in 1977, the first of six titles he’d win at New Smyrna. Jimmy Spencer would follow with a crown in 1985, and Reggie Ruggerio won three times in four years. Steve Park went back-to-back in 1992-93, while Tom Baldwin won four championships.

Ted Christopher emerged as the driver to beat at New Smyrna, winning nine titles between 1998-2011. His 10th World Series crown came in 1991 when he split the former SK Modified Division title with his twin brother, Mike.

More recently, Ryan Preece won three straight Tour Modified titles amidst his ascension to the NASCAR Cup Series, while Matt Hirschman has won two of the last three years.

Future NASCAR Cup Series champions Joey Logano and Kyle Busch have tried their hand at a Modified at New Smyrna, while Christopher Bell recorded his first career NASCAR win in a Super Late Model at the World Series.

RELATED: From New Smyrna To Daytona Gallery | Past Stars At New Smyrna Gallery

This year’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing runs from Friday, Feb. 5-Saturday, Feb. 13, and can be seen live on TrackPass on NBC Gold.

SUPER LATE MODEL TOUR MODIFIED PRO LATE MODEL FL / IMCA
2020 Derek Griffith 2020 Matt Hirschman 2020 Jamie Skinner 2020 Travis Eddy
2019 Bubba Pollard 2019 Chuck Hossfeld 2019 Sammy Smith 2019 Travis Eddy
2018 Stephen Nasse 2018 Matt Hirschman 2018 Cole Anderson 2018 Jerry Symons
2017 Harrison Burton 2017 Ryan Preece 2017 Jeff Choquette 2017 Travis Eddy
2016 Ty Majeski 2016 Ryan Preece 2016 Daniel Keen Jr. 2016 Cody Stickler
2015 Zane Smith 2015 Ryan Preece 2015 Dalton Armstrong 2015 Tim Moore
2014 Steve Wallace 2014 Ron Silk 2014 Spencer Davis 2014 Todd Stone
2013 Ryan Moore 2013 Woody Pitkat 2013 Brandon Johnson 2013 Josh Todd
2012 Kyle Benjamin 2012 Chuck Hossfeld 2012 Dakota Stroup 2012 Jerry Symons
2011 Tim Russell 2011 Ted Christopher 2011 Martin Latiluppe 2011 Tank Tucker
2010 BJ McLeod 2010 Ted Christopher 2010 Sean Bass 2010 Tank Tucker
2009 David Rogers 2009 Ted Christopher 2009 David Wagner 2009 Nick Diano
2008 Jeff Choquette 2008 Jimmy Blewett 2008 Logan Ruffin 2008 Tank Tucker
2007 Jeff Scofield 2007 Eric Beers 2007 Jonathan Beason 2007 Lee Collins
2006 Travis Kittleson 2006 Andy Seuss 2006 Tank Tucker
2005 Louis Mechalides 2005 Ted Christopher 2005 Jerry Artuso
2004 Mike Fritts 2004 Eric Beers 2004 Lee Collins
2003 Wayne Anderson 2003 Ted Christopher 2003 Jerry Symons
2002 Jimmy Cope 2002 Robbie Summers 2002 Jerry Symons
2001 David Rogers 2001 Ted Christopher 2001 Jerry Symons
2000 Wayne Anderson 2000 Ted Christopher 2000 Billy Mowery
1999 David Rogers 1999 Ted Christopher 1999 Jerry Symons
1998 Jason Shuler 1998 Ted Christopher 1998 Mitch French
1997 Lowell Bennett 1997 Tom Baldwin 1997
1996 David Russell 1996 Tom Baldwin 1996
1995 Bruce Lawrence 1995 Tim Connolly 1995 Steve Christman
1994 Pete Orr 1994 Tom Baldwin
1993 Pete Orr 1993 Steve Park
1992 Pete Orr 1992 Steve Park
1991 Dick Anderson 1991 Mike Ewanitsko
1990 Junior Hanley 1990 Tony Jankowiak
1989 Dick Anderson 1989 Reggie Ruggerio
1988 Joe Shear 1988 Tom Baldwin
1987 David Rogers 1987 Reggie Ruggerio
1986 Dick Trickle 1986 Reggie Ruggerio
1985 Dick Trickle 1985 Jimmy Spencer
1984 Dick Trickle 1984 Richie Evans
1983 Mark Malcuit 1983 Richie Evans
1982 Dick Trickle 1982 Greg Sacks
1981 Junior Hanley 1981 Richie Evans
1980 Junior Hanley 1980 Richie Evans
1979 Mike Miller 1979 Richie Evans
1978 Mark Martin 1978 Ron Bouchard
1977 Mike Eddy 1977 Richie Evans
1976 Freddy Fryar 1976 Maynard Troyer
1975 Pete Hamilton
1974 Pete Hamilton
1973 Larry Rogero
1972 Joe Rutman
1971 Gary Balough
1970 Randy Tissot
1969 Dave McInnis
1968 Tom Pistone

OTHER DIVISIONS (Through The Years)

SK MODIFIED LIMITED LATE MODEL
2012 David Cramner 2012 Merged with PLM
2011 Ronnie Silk 2011 Ross Chastain
2010 Ronnie Silk 2010 Todd Allen
2009 Jimmy Blewett 2009 Drew Brannon
2008 Jimmy Blewett 2008 Derrick Kelley
2007 Jimmy Blewett 2007 Jason Boyd
2006 Jimmy Blewett 2006 A.J. Curreli
2005 Steve Reed 2005 Jerry Artuso
2004 John White 2004 Rich Clouser
2003 Bo Gunning 2003 Jason Boyd
2002 Jeff Malave 2002 Jason Boyd
2001 J.R. Helberg 2001 Gerg Murphy
2000 Scott Newell 2000 Mike Greenwell
1999 Jim Willis
1998 Frank Wainwright, Jr.
1997 Mike Christopher / Steve Lombardo
1996 John Jensen
1995 Chris Jones
1994 Tom White
1993 Ed St. Angelo
1992 Sam Russo
1991 Mike Christopher/ Ted Christopher
1990 Sam Russo
1989 Mike Christopher
1988 John Anderson
PRO TRUCK
2020
2019 Cody Haskins
2018
2017 Blake Haddock
2016
2015 Michael Burns
2014 Michael Burns
2013 Scott Reeves
2012 Cody Haskins
2011 Scott Reeves
2010 Scott Reeves
2009 Austin Pickens
2008 Scott Bishop
2007 Scott Bishop
2006
2005 Jamie Skinner
THUNDER CAR
1987 Pete Starr
1986 Jerry Gradl
1985 Stan Eads
1984 David Russell
1983 Daniel Knoll
1982 Bruce Lawrence
1981 Johnny Cochran
1980 Frank Wood

 

MINI STOCK
2006 Robbie Yoakam
SUPER STOCK
2002 Rich Clouser
CASCAR
1991 Don Mallat
1990 Don Mallat
Posted on by Staff Report

The 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is the unofficial green flag to the short-track season.

Drivers from all over the United States — in addition to international entries — travel annually to the high-banked half-mile during Speedweeks to shake off the winter rust and get fired up for the upcoming season. New Smyrna, located just 10 miles south of Daytona International Speedway, will be the host for eight straight nights of racing.

The race “week” runs from Friday, Feb. 5-Saturday, Feb. 13, and can be seen live on TrackPass on NBC Gold.

RELATED: More on TrackPass | Complete List of World Series Champions

Below is all you need to know for following the 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing:

When is the 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in 2021?

The David Rogers Super Late Model is the Division I for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. Named for the 1994 NASCAR weekly series national champion and a fixture at New Smyrna, who passed away last year, the division will race seven times. The first six races will be 35-lap features. The championship will culminate with the Orange Blossom 100 on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The Tour Modifieds are one of the staples of the World Series, and will race for five straight nights beginning on Monday, Feb. 8. The week is highlighted by the John Blewett III Memorial 76 on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and the Richie Evans Memorial 100 to culminate the Modifieds’ championship on Friday, Feb. 12.

New Smyrna World Series 2021 entry list

The World Series will also feature the opening race of the ARCA Menards Series East on Monday, Feb. 8. The JEEP Beach 175 marks the eighth straight season the East has opened at the Florida short track.

55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing schedule

In addition to the David Rogers Super Late Model and Tour Modified Divisions, the World Series will host eight other divisions throughout the event.

The Pro Late Model Division is Division II for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. They will run six times, culminating with an extra-distance, 100-lap feature on Friday, Feb. 12. Other divisions racing include Florida Modified, Sportsman, Bomber, E-Mod, eBay Motors 603 Modified, Pro Truck and LKQ Super Stock. Florida Modified will also run six nights – five 35-lap races and an extra-distance 75-lap feature on Tuesday, Feb. 9 – while Sportsman will run the first two nights; eBay Motors 602 Modifieds will race Sunday, Feb. 7-Tuesday, Feb. 9; Pro Truck will run the final two nights; and the LKQ Super Stock will run a 50-lap open race on Saturday, Feb. 13.

Here’s a look at the full 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing schedule of events (all times Eastern):

  • Thursday, Feb. 4

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 8 a.m.
Drivers Meeting Noon
Open Practice Begins 1 p.m.
Practice Ends 7 p.m.

  • Friday, Feb. 5

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 8 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 11:45 a.m.
Practice 12:30-4:50 p.m.
Qualifying 6 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Sportsman (35 laps), Super Late Model (35) / Intermission / Pro Late Model (35), Modified (35), Bomber (20)

  • Saturday, Feb. 6

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 8 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 11:45 a.m.
Practice 12:30-4:50 p.m.
Qualifying 6 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Modified (35 laps), Pro Late Model (35), Sportsman (30) / Intermission / Super Late Model (35), E-Mod (25)

  • Sunday, Feb. 7

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 10 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 12:45 p.m.
Practice 1:30-4:45 p.m.
Qualifying 6 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Super Late Model (35 laps), Modified (35) / Intermission / Pro Late Model (35), 602 Modified (35)

  • Monday, Feb. 8

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 9:45 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 12:15 p.m. (Tour & 602 Modifieds)
Practice 1-4:30 p.m.
Qualifying 5 p.m. (Tour-Type Modifieds) / 6 p.m. (AMS-East)
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: New Smyrna 175 (ARCA Menards East) / Intermission / Tour Modified (50 laps), 602 Modified (25)

  • Tuesday, Feb. 9

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 10 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 12:45 p.m.
Practice 1:30-4:45 p.m.
Qualifying 6 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Pro Late Model (35 laps), Modified (75) / Intermission / Tour Modified (35), Super Late Model (50), 602 Modified (50)

  • Wednesday, Feb. 10

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 10 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 12:45 p.m.
Practice 1:30-4:45 p.m.
Qualifying 6 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Pro Late Model (35 laps), Modified (35) / Intermission / Super Late Model (35), John Blewett III Memorial 76 Tour Modified (76)

  • Thursday, Feb. 11

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 10 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 12:45 a.m.
Practice 1:30-4:45 p.m.
Qualifying 6 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Pro Late Model (35 laps), Modified (35) / Intermission / Tour Modified (35), Super Late Model (35)

  • Friday, Feb. 12

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 10 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 12:45 p.m.
Practice 1:30-4:35 p.m.
Qualifying 5:30 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Pro Late Model (100 laps), Modified Reunion (10) / Intermission / Richie Evans Memorial 100 Tour Modified (100), Pro Truck 25), Ground Pounders (25)

  • Saturday, Feb. 13

Event Start time
Pit Gates Open 10 a.m.
Drivers Meeting 12:45 p.m.
Practice 1:30-4:45 p.m.
Qualifying 5:30 p.m.
Racing 7:30 p.m.

Feature Divisions: Modified (35 laps), Pro Truck (50) / Intermission / Orange Blossom 100 Super Late Model (100), Super Stock (50)

New Smyrna World Series 2021: What To Watch For

The Super Late Model field has attracted some of the top short-track stars.

Minnesota’s Jacob Goede and Virginia’s Peyton Sellers will be making the trip for the first time. Goede is the 2019 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national champion, and has won the last seven Late Model titles at Elko Speedway as well as seven straight NASCAR Minnesota championships. Sellers is the 2005 national champion and finished second in the Division I standings last year. He took home the track championship at Virginia’s Dominion Raceway to go with five he’s won previously at South Boston Speedway in Virginia.

470x600 I3w7eush96aycx615440They’ll join 2019 World Series champion Bubba Pollard and 2013 champ Ryan Moore, along with former Pro Late Model New Smyrna track champion Daniel Dye, among others.

The Tour Modified entry list is even more daunting.

Former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece is on the entry list for nights he’s not busy with the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona. Former NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion and 10-time Bowman Gray Stadium track champion Burt Myers is also entered, along with NASCAR Whelen Modified race winners Chuck Hossfeld, Jon McKennedy, Ron Silk, Craig Lutz, Jimmy Blewett, Eric Goodale, Matt Hirschman and Patrick Emerling.

Hirschman won the Tour Modified title last year, his second championship in the last three years. Hossfeld (2012 and 2019), Preece (2015-17) and Silk (2014) are former World Series champions.

Travis Eddy will lead the Florida Modified class, having won the title three of the last four years including the last two.

New Smyrna World Series 2021 entry list

This 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing entry list is unofficial (thru Feb. 3) and subject to change:

TOUR-TYPE MODIFIED DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
0 Randall Richard Titusville, PA
0 Zane Zeiner Bath, PA
1 Bobby Jones Palmerton, PA
1NY Chris Ridsdale Rochester, NY
02 Joe Bertuccio Centereach, NY
2 Chuck Hossfeld Ransomville, NY
4 Burt Myers Walnut Cove, NC
6 Ryan Preece Berlin, CT
07 Patrick Emerling Holland, NY
7 Jon McKennedy Chelmsford, MA
8 Chris Finocchario Macedon, NY
9 Tom Martino Jr Farmingdale, NJ
10 Doug Coby Milford, CT
11 Paulie Hartwig III Galloway, NJ
14 Bobby Measmer Jr Concord, NC
16 Ron Silk Norwalk, CT
17 Tommy Catalano Ontario, NY
17K Danny Knoll Jr Amherst, NY
20 Eddie McCarthy Brick, NJ
21 J.R Bertuccio Statesville, NC
21 Jim Gavek Effort, PA
25 Brian Robie Sunapee, NH
28 Paul Charette Woodstock, CT
32 Tyler Rypkema Owego, NY
32X Dean Rypkema Owego, NY
36 David Sapienza Riverhead, NY
45 Timmy Catalano Ontario, NY
46 Craig Lutz Miller Place, NY
48 Marcello Rufrano Northhaven CT
50 Ronnie Williams Tolland, CT
51 Jimmy Blewett Howell, NJ
54 David Catalano Ontario, NY
55 Jeremy Gerstner Wesley Chapel, FL
56 Amy Catalano Ontario, NY
58 Eric Goodale River Head, NY
59 Matthew Galko Moodus, CT
60 Matt Hirschman Northhampton, PA
64 Tyler Catalano Ontario, NY
70 Andy Seuss Hampstead, NH
73 Paul Hartwig Jr Galloway, NJ
79 John Jensen Ormond Beach, FL
92 Anthony Nocella Woburn, MA
99 Tyler Truex Manahawkin, NJ
158 Michael Curtis Riverhead, NY
179 Stephen Kopcik Newtown, CT

DAVID ROGERS SUPER LATE MODEL DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
4 Travis Wilson Bartow, FL
7 Doug Elliott New Smyrna, FL
9M Brad May Oviedo, FL
11 Jaden Cretacci Walkerton, IN
12 Derek Griffith Hudson, NH
20 Mike Stacy Dayton, OH
21 Kris Wright Wexford, PA
21 Jessie Love Redwood City, CA
22 Nick Panitzke Lonsdale, MN
22 Sammy Smith Joshton, IA
26 Bubba Pollard Senoia, GA
26 Peyton Sellers Danville, VA
26 Kody Swanson Kingsburg, CA
28 Connor Mosack Charlotte, NC
35 Jake Garcia Monroe, GA
36 Dan Fredrickson Northfield, MN
43 Daniel Dye Deland, FL
44 Justin Mondeik Gleason, WI
47 Kelly Moore Scarborough, ME
51 Jake Finch Lynn Haven, FL
51 Michael Atwell Naples, FL
56 Gus Dean Bluffton, SC
57 Tovia Grynewicz Clyde, TX
69 Michael Hinde Hernando, FL
72 Jacob Goede Carver, MN
74 Ryan Moore Mooresville, NC
81 Jett Noland Groveland, FL
92 RJ Braun Wales, WI
112 Steve Weaver Plantation, FL
148 Max Calles-McDonald Mission, TX

PRO LATE MODEL DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
1 Chris Munson Chelsea, MI
3 William Cox III Raleigh, NC
5 Jerry Artuso Sault Ste. Marie, ON
5 Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
5 Jade Buford Brentwood, TN
8 Chad Butz Greenbay WI
9 Braison Bennett Menasha, WI
11 David Weaver Plantation, FL
12 Justin Drawdy Huntersville, NC
12 Chase Williams Arcade, NY
14 Conner Jones Fredricksburg, VA
17 Kevin Folan North Attleboro, MA
21 Tommy Neal Rural Hill, NC
23 Steve Schultz Webster, MN
26 Kody Swanson Kingsburg, GA
28 Cody Hall Griffin, GA
29 Hunter Wright Lebanon, TN
38 Joshua Hicks Senioa, GA
41 Hayden Sprauge Howell, MI
51 Jean-Phillips Bergeron Terrebonne QB
53 Zachary Tinkle Speedway, IN
69 Michael Hinde Hernando, FL
76 Jerick Johnson Mooresville, NC
77 Andrew Scheid Kent City, MI
77 Colt Hensley Avon Park, FL
81 Jett Noland Groveland, FL
88 Paige Rogers New Haven, IN
149 Diego Rodriguez Mexico City, MX

FLORIDA MODIFIED DIVISION

1K Al Berry Albion, IN
1W Wayne Parker Mt. Dora, FL
2 Scott Lamp Davison, MI
4 Alan Bruns Clermont, FL
6 Zach Stacy Enron, OH
9 Art Kunzeman Osteen, FL
15 Tim Moore St. Petersburg, FL
16 David LeBeau Daytona Beach, FL
17 John White
26 Bill Burba Germantown, OH
33 Shain Held
38 Ricky Moxley Palm City, FL
54 David Hite Acworth, GA
55 Todd Cooper Hollywood, FL
66 Jerry Symons New Smyrna Beach, FL
70 Jeremy Gertsner Wesley Chapel, FL
78 Travis Eddy Midland, MI

SPORTSMAN DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
2Z Kevin Ingram Bartow, FL
7 Travis Devendorf Pampano Beach, FL
9 Brooke Storer Land o Lakes, FL
10 Joe Hamilton St. Cloud, FL
16 Tim Sozio Debary, FL
19NH Bryan Kruczek Newmarket, NH
25 Timmy Todd Jr St. Cloud, FL
29 James Adams Edgewater, FL
30 Bobby Orr Montverde, FL
30 Chris Huntoon Port Charlotte, FL
31 JT Tippins Edgewater, FL
38 Ricky Moxley Palm City, FL
44 Matthew Green Orlando, FL
54 Heather Hadley Vallejo, CA
77 Phil Jacques Ocala, FL
96 Tim Morton Oak Hill, FL
7 Scott Garrity Port Richey, FL
112 Dave Werning Palm Coast, FL
117 Phillip Bessette New Smyrna Beach, FL

602 MODIFIED DIVISION 

No. Driver Hometown
00 Jake Nelke Manahawkin, NJ
02 Ryan Fisher Atlantic Highlands, NJ
2 Anthony Bello Newtown, CT
10 Rob Schultz Ocean, NJ
11 Matt Ricco Ponce Inlet, FL
11 Paul Hartwig Galloway, NJ
15 Chris Hatton Deltona, FL
17 Lee Sharpsteen Waverly, NY
19 Tobi Smith Titusville, FL
21 Brian Brown Calverton, NY
23 Joe Degracia Lyndhurst, NJ
26 Ray Fattaruso Brick Township, NJ
27 Christian LaCicero Lavallette, NJ
29 Matt Caprara Clayton, NY
33 Carsten Digiantomasso Jackson, NJ
38 Jarrett Digiantomasso Jackson, NJ
51 Jason Hansen Calverton, NY
66 Mike Albasini Bayside, NY
66 Neil Rutt III Atlantic Highlands, NJ
72 Charles McIntyre New Smyrna Beach, FL
73 Paul Hartwig Jr Galloway, NJ

PRO TRUCK DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
3 Derek Pugh West Palm Beach, FL
6 Tony Bromley Jacksonville, FL
9 Rusty Davis Cumming, GA
15 Travis Soukup Deltona, FL
16 Dylan LeBeau Daytona Beach, FL
21 Sammy Coghill Port Richey, FL
22 Chuck Harrison Auburndale, FL
24 Donnie Burkhalter Ocoee, FL
24 Jason Ferreira Lowell, MA
24 Chase King Bartow, FL
35 Michael Whipple Deland, FL
41 Jeffrey White Eustis, FL
48 Tovia Grynewicz Clyde, TX
55 Pat Moriarty Ocala, FL
57 Brey Holmes Auburndale, FL
59X Becca Monopoli Lakeland, FL
75 Tyler Prenesti Key Largo, FL
84 Patrick Mahoney Venice, FL
84 Bill VanDevender North Ft. Myers, FL
92 Brennon Pletcher Lehigh Acres, FL
222 Martin Boatwright Fruitland Park, FL

E-MODIFIED DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
2H Matt Jarrett Taft, FL
4 Michael Mark Deland FL
6 Ricky Linder Deland, FL
16 David LeBeau Daytona Beach, FL
17 Curtis Robinson St. Augustine, FL
29 Timmy Walters Orlando, FL
52 Robert Baker Oak Hill, FL
75 Bobby Blake Grand Isle, FL

SUPER STOCK DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
3 Charles Lewellen Ormand Beach, FL
7X Scott Riggleman Manchester, NJ
16 David Gould Melbourne, FL
18 George Spears New Smyrna Beach, FL
27 Bryan O’Shea Neptune City, NJ
30 Don Duval Port Orange, FL
43 Butch Herdegen Ponce Inlet, FL
48 Justin Spears New Smyrna Beach, FL
67 Greg Dame New Smyrna Beach, FL
89 William Hindman Orlando, FL

BOMBERS DIVISION

No. Driver Hometown
00 Jack Hall Davenport, FL
3 Eddie Evans Edgewater, FL
6 Tony Bromley Jacksonville, FL
7 Aaron Foye Cocoa, FL
14 Brandon Monroe Orlando, FL
15 Joseph Warren Ridge, NY
16 Brian Gayton Orlando, FL
21 Todd Latour Orlando, FL
23 Frank Button Altamonte, FL
29 James Adams Edgewater, FL
55 Corey Szuder Taft, FL
63 Zach Curtis Palm Bay, FL
67 Michael Eddings Davenport, FL
72 Bob Seay Port Orange, FL
K9 Chuck Rush Deltona, FL

FLORIDA SOUTHERN GROUND POUNDERS

No. Driver
00 Ben LeVangie
00 Chris Brown
1 Chris Hatton
1x Christopher Hatton
7C Cush Revette Jr
12 Billy Bellflower
13 Ron Hess
19 Tom Turano
19 Mike McElyea
44 Tobi Smith
45 Jodi Modine
55 Scott Fobes
61 Ed Freeman
72 Charles Mcintyre
81 Jared Zabele
88 Colin Smith
97 Kelly Jarrett
99 Charles Paschall
124 Ron D’Alessandro
129 Mike Moran
M1 TC McElyea

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 9: During a rain delay at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway on February 9, 2019 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)

The World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway will be back for the 55th running Feb. 5-13. (Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)

Posted on by Staff Report

Which channels have NASCAR programming this week? We answer that and give the weekly NASCAR television listings here in the NASCAR TV schedule.

Note: All times are ET.

MORE: How to find NBCSN | Get the NBC Sports App | How to find FS1 | Get FOX Sports App

Tuesday, January 26
On MRN
7 p.m., NASCAR Live

Wednesday, January 27
6 a.m., Beyond the Wheel (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App
7 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: 2020 Sights and Sounds (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App
8 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive: Part 1 (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App
9 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive: Part 2 (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App
10 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Jimmie Johnson Tribute (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App,
11 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features: Part 1 (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App
Noon, NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features: Part 2 (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App
1 p.m., NASCAR Auto Racing Classics: 2007 Daytona 500 (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App
4 p.m., NASCAR Truck Racing: 2009 Aaron’s 499 (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App

Saturday, January 30
3:30 p.m., IMSA Auto Racing: Rolex 24 at Daytona, NBC/NBC Sports App
4:30 p.m., IMSA Auto Racing: Rolex 24 at Daytona, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
11 p.m., IMSA Auto Racing, Rolex 24 at Daytona, NBCSN/NBC Sports App

Sunday, January 31
6 a.m., IMSA Auto Racing: Rolex 24 at Daytona, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
2 p.m., IMSA Auto Racing: Rolex 24 at Daytona, NBC/NBC Sports App
4 p.m., NASCAR Preview Show, NBC/NBC Sports App
11 p.m., NASCAR Preview Show (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App

Posted on by Staff Report

Driver movement came fast and furious during the closing weeks of the 2020 season, providing a preview of the 2021 landscape that includes three new NASCAR Cup Series teams, a two-time championship crew chief switching rides and new drivers at powerful Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing.

Our 2021 Silly Season Tracker is below, listing what we know for full-time Cup Series teams in 2021. We’ll update this page often, as teams finalize their plans for next season. Anything highlighted in red indicates a change from 2020, and clicking on the red line will give you more information on the move and its impact.

No.
Driver
Crew Chief
Team
1
Kurt Busch
Matt McCall
Chip Ganassi Racing
2
Brad Keselowski
Jeremy Bullins
Team Penske
3
Austin Dillon
Justin Alexander
Richard Childress Racing
4
Kevin Harvick
Rodney Childers
Stewart-Haas Racing
5
Kyle Larson
Cliff Daniels
Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, the former No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet driver, will pilot Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 entry, as the car number makes its return to the Cup Series. Cliff Daniels is making the transition from the No. 48 pit box to Larson's team since his driver, Jimmie Johnson, retired from full-time racing.
6
Ryan Newman
Scott Graves
Roush Fenway Racing
7
Corey LaJoie
Ryan Sparks
Spire Motorsports
Corey LaJoie, the former No. 32 Go Fas Racing Ford driver, moves to Spire Motorsports in its No. 7 Chevrolet -- and his crew chief from last year, Ryan Sparks, comes with him. Spire is upgrading to a two-car operation for 2021, adding to its No. 77 entry.
8
Tyler Reddick
Randall Burdett
Richard Childress Racing
9
Chase Elliott
Alan Gustafson
Hendrick Motorsports
10
Aric Almirola
Mike Bugarewicz
Stewart-Haas Racing
11
Denny Hamlin
Chris Gabehart
Joe Gibbs Racing
12
Ryan Blaney
Todd Gordon
Team Penske
14
Chase Briscoe
Johnny Klausmeier
Stewart-Haas Racing
Chase Briscoe, who finished fourth in the final 2020 Xfinity Series standings after a nine-win campaign, is moving up into the Cup Series. Briscoe will drive the No. 14 Ford – retired Clint Bowyer's old ride, and the number Tony Stewart made famous.
17
Chris Buescher
Luke Lambert
Roush Fenway Racing
18
Kyle Busch
Ben Beshore
Joe Gibbs Racing
Ben Beshore will climb atop two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch's No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing pit box. Beshore used to be an engineer for the No. 18 team, and then he spent two years as a crew chief in the Xfinity Series for JGR.
19
Martin Truex Jr.
James Small
Joe Gibbs Racing
20
Christopher Bell
Adam Stevens
Joe Gibbs Racing
Christopher Bell is headed to the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, which Erik Jones used to fill. Adam Stevens will be Bell's crew chief after six seasons -- and two titles -- with another JGR driver, Kyle Busch.
21
Matt DiBenedetto
Greg Erwin
Wood Brothers Racing
22
Joey Logano
Paul Wolfe
Team Penske
23
Bubba Wallace
Mike Wheeler
23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace was picked to be the first driver of the new Michael Jordan-Denny Hamlin team, 23XI Racing, which means he is leaving the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet. Wallace will steer the No. 23 Toyota in its debut season with crew chief Mike Wheeler – Leavine Family Racing's former competition director – in his ear.
24
William Byron
Rudy Fugle
Hendrick Motorsports
Rudy Fugle will take over Chad Knaus' role as the No. 24 crew chief for driver William Bryon as Knaus transitions into an executive role at Hendrick Motorsports. Fugle and Byron used to work together in the Camping World Truck Series, and Fugle is leaving his truck gig at Kyle Busch Motorsports to reunite with Byron.
34
Michael McDowell
Drew Blickensderfer
Front Row Motorsports
37
Ryan Preece
Trent Owens
JTG Daugherty Racing
38
Anthony Alfredo
Seth Barbour
Front Row Motorsports
Alfredo will compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors as he makes the leap to the sport's top series following part-time duty for Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series.
41
Cole Custer
Mike Shiplett
Stewart-Haas Racing
42
Ross Chastain
Phil Surgen
Chip Ganassi Racing
Ross Chastain is joining Chip Ganassi Racing full time in its No. 42 Chevrolet and leaving Kaulig Racing's Xfinity Series team. Kyle Larson piloted the No. 42 entry for four races in 2020 before Matt Kenseth finished out the season.
43
Erik Jones
Jerry Baxter
Richard Petty Motorsports
Erik Jones is switching from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Petty Motorsports, taking over Bubba Wallace's previous No. 43 Chevrolet. Jones has two Cup Series wins under his belt.
47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Brian Pattie
JTG Daugherty Racing
48
Alex Bowman
Greg Ives
Hendrick Motorsports
Alex Bowman is remaining at Hendrick Motorsports, but taking over the storied No. 48 Chevrolet that Jimmie Johnson drove to seven championships before retiring from full-time competition. Greg Ives is sticking with Bowman, too, atop the pit box.
51
Cody Ware
Mike Hillman Sr.
Rick Ware Racing
Ware has 23 Cup Series starts to his name but he made just one start in 2020 -- a 19th-place finish in the fall Talladega race.
52
Josh Bilicki
Peter Sospenzo
Rick Ware Racing
Bilicki made a career-high 22 starts in the Cup Series in 2020 with eight of those coming for RWR.
78
B.J. McLeod
Frank Kerr
Live Fast Motorsports
McLeod joins forces with fellow driver Matt Tifft to co-own their new team which will see McLeod run full time for the first time in his Cup career.
99
Daniel Suarez
Travis Mack
Trackhouse Racing Team
Suarez moves to the brand new team owned by former driver Justin Marks. The organization will have an alliance with RCR. This marks the fourth team for Suarez in four years.
Posted on by Staff Report

From one No. 7 team to another, Spire Motorsports and Corey LaJoie helped pay tribute to a NASCAR Hall of Famer with a recent recreation of a classic photo of Alan Kulwicki.

LaJoie enters the next chapter of his NASCAR Cup Series career this season with Spire Motorsports, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet as the organization expands to a two-car outfit for 2021. The team operates out of the former Alan Kulwicki Racing shop, on a street named Victory Lane just a short distance from Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

RELATED: LaJoie soaks in Spire’s culture | Changes to know for 2021

Kulwicki was among the most successful independent owner-drivers of his era, winning the 1992 Cup Series championship just months before his death in a plane crash the following April. Kulwicki’s on-track talent was matched by his business and management acumen — hence the photo with the sport coat and briefcase beside his No. 7 Ford Thunderbird with his headquarters as the backdrop.

Posted to social media on Friday evening, the Spire and LaJoie tribute — down to the car number, the clothes, and the paint scheme’s primary colors — is uncanny.

Posted on by Sean Montgomery

Today’s JTG Daugherty Racing preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, starting with new chartered teams then ranked in reverse order of best finish in last year’s owner standings.

MORE: Changes to know for 2021 season

JTG DAUGHERTY RACING

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick
Driver-crew chief pairings:  Ryan Preece-Trent Owens (No. 37), Ricky Stenhouse Jr.-Brian Pattie (No. 47)

What’s new: Rhythm and familiarity. The current JTG Daugherty stable has a full season of preparation under its belt, returning both driver-crew chief pairings from a year ago after one of its strongest collective seasons to date. The newly formed partnership between Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing is also a positive, potentially providing a much-needed spark to the performance of Chevrolet camps overall.

RELATED: Hendrick, Childress establish common Chevy engine

Team outlook: Developing a stronger JTG Daugherty performance in 2021 can be achieved by cleaning up the little mistakes, starting with finding ways to finish races after 16 combined DNFs a year ago. Without those incidents, the organization has the ability for both drivers to compete inside the top 20 each week and in the final season points standings. It has had a full year to work out the wrinkles, now their biggest challenge is being consistent each time out on the track.

Racing Insights’ stats break: Strong run in 2020 started with a pole in the Daytona 500 and a third-place finish in the second race of the season (both by Stenhouse). The team finished 2020 with three top fives, after having only one in 2019, and both drivers (Preece and Stenhouse) had multiple top-10 finishes. The pair returns in 2021 after leading a combined 80 laps in 2020, the team’s most since 84 in 2010.

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., No. 47 Chevrolet

Experience: Ninth full season in NASCAR Cup Series
2020 stats: 24th in final standings; 0 wins, three top fives, four top 10s
2020 final Fantasy Live ranking: 23rd
2021 championship odds: 250-1

Outlook: Stenhouse flashed race-winning speed early in the year, but the impressive run of performances was sandwiched in between a plethora of inconsistent finishes — including a career-high eight DNFs. Expect the Cup Series veteran to clean up the tiny mistakes and put together a more solid body of work in his second year at JTG, making a strong push for a race win that would vault him into the playoffs.

RYAN PREECE, No. 37 Chevrolet

Experience: Third full season in NASCAR Cup Series
2020 stats: 29th in the final standings; 0 wins, 0 top fives, two top 10s
2020 final Fantasy Live ranking: 29th
2021 championship odds: 500-1

Outlook: Approaching his third full season in the Cup Series, it is time for Preece to crank it up a level. After one top five and three top 10s in 2019, the No. 37 wheelman took a step back in overall performance, and like Stenhouse, Preece had an astonishing eight DNFs — six of which came during the first half of the season. If Preece and company can simply start the 2021 season off on the right foot, he should have the pace to put together a career year.

NASCAR.com 2021 team previews schedule

Jan. 18: 23XI Racing
Jan. 19: Trackhouse Racing Team
Jan. 20: Live Fast Motorsports
Jan. 21: Spire Motorsports
Jan. 22: JTG Daugherty Racing
Jan. 25: Front Row Motorsports
Jan. 26: Richard Petty Motorsports
Jan. 27: Roush Fenway Racing
Jan. 28: Wood Brothers Racing
Jan. 29: Richard Childress Racing
Jan. 30: Non-chartered and teams outside the top 30
Feb. 1: Chip Ganassi Racing
Feb. 2: Stewart-Haas Racing
Feb. 3: Joe Gibbs Racing
Feb. 4: Team Penske
Feb. 5: Hendrick Motorsports

Posted on by Staff Report

Kaulig Racing has tapped AJ Allmendinger for his first NASCAR Cup Series start since 2018, announcing Thursday he’ll drive the team’s No. 16 Chevrolet next month on Daytona International Speedway’s road-course layout.

Allmendinger is set for a full-season campaign with the Matt Kaulig-owned organization in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021. The 39-year-old veteran has competed on a part-time basis for Kaulig the last two years, scoring three victories in his 16 starts.

RELATED: Kaulig Racing sets limited Cup schedule

“I am really looking forward to racing in the Cup Series once again, but more importantly, I am pumped to be racing in the Cup Series for Kaulig Racing,” Allmendinger said in a release from the team. “I keep wanting to help Kaulig Racing grow as much as possible, and the next step is racing in some Cup races with them. Daytona is a prestigious race track to compete at, whether you are on the oval or road course, so this is a great place for Kaulig Racing’s first non-superspeedway Cup race.”

Kaulig officials announced Jan. 7 the organization would participate in a partial Cup Series schedule this year, with the intent to graduate to a full-season effort in the future. Six days later, Kaulig announced 22-year-old Kaz Grala would drive its Cup Series entry in several events this year, beginning with a bid for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 14 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM).

Kaulig indicated its Cup Series plans would focus on superspeedway events and road courses. The road-racing element would especially play to one of Allmendinger’s strengths; five of his six NASCAR national-series wins have come on road courses, including his lone Cup Series win at Watkins Glen International in 2014.

“Having AJ (Allmendinger) compete in our very first non-superspeedway Cup race was really a no-brainer for us,” said Chris Rice, Kaulig Racing’s president. “Kaulig Racing is honored to be able to be get AJ back into the Cup Series for the first time since his retirement. I think he will pick right back up where he left off as a road course ace.”

The Daytona Road Course will host its second-ever Cup Series race on Feb. 21 (3 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM). The event was a late addition to the 2021 calendar after COVID-19 restrictions forced competition officials to reassign a race weekend scheduled at Auto Club Speedway in California.

Posted on by Pat DeCola

With a drastic shakeup to the race schedule, several new intriguing teams entering the fold and a palpable buzz mounting before the most eagerly anticipated NASCAR season in recent memory, in some ways the field has never felt more open.

Still, the cream will always rise to the top, and come November, we’re sure to see some of the familiar heavyweights of the sport staking claim to the 2021 championship.

Will Hendrick Motorsports, fresh off its first title since 2016, go back-to-back with its loaded roster of young stars? Can Joe Gibbs Racing right the ship and take advantage of a crew-chief transition and a driver addition to spread more wins across the board? How will Team Penske move the chains forward after finding loads of success in 2020 amidst a full crew-chief shuffle? Is Kevin Harvick enough to carry Stewart-Haas Racing, or will we see his trio of teammates take things to the next level?

NASCAR.com’s Pat DeCola and RJ Kraft debate which Cup organization is the overall team to beat this season.

RELATED: Who’s the championship favorite in 2021?

DeCOLA: I fully expect all of the aforementioned teams to have strong campaigns — and it’s not out of the question that each driver on all four of them winds up with a win in 2021 — but to me, it’s clear: Team Penske will reign supreme this year.

Admittedly, I thought the organization was due to take a step back last season after moving all three of its crew chiefs around to new drivers. Surely, there would be speed bumps as Brad Keselowski worked with his first new crew chief since 2010, Joey Logano was split up from the signal-caller he won the title with in 2018 and Ryan Blaney was no longer with his crew chief from across multiple series, teams and all of his 10 previous Cup and Xfinity Series wins since 2013.

Well, how’d they do?

Driver Year Crew Chief Top 5s Top 10s Wins Laps led Avg. Fin. Points finish
Blaney 2019 Jeremy Bullins 11 18 1 422 13.7 7th
Blaney 2020 Todd Gordon 11 17 1 668 13.8 9th
Keselowski 2019 Paul Wolfe 13 19 3 1,085 12.9 8th
Keselowski 2020 Bullins 13 24 4 952 10.1 2nd
Logano 2019 Gordon 12 21 2 899 10.8 5th
Logano 2020 Wolfe 12 21 3 939 11.9 3rd

Turns out, that Roger Penske guy knows what he’s doing when it comes to motorsports management, as all three teams pretty much held the line or improved in some way.

Consider that the pandemic necessitated all but no practice or qualifying — read: the time when a new driver/crew chief pairing can get used to each other — for the vast majority of the season, and it’s all the more impressive the Ford-backed outlet was so successful in 2020.

The only team with a pair of drivers in last year’s Championship 4, Team Penske is primed to only build upon the strong foundation laid down last year, and it’s not impossible it could see all three of its drivers vying for the title at Phoenix Raceway come season’s end.

MORE: Biggest 2021 dark horse?

KRAFT: That Team Penske trio is quite formidable, and while I gave some thought toward the Hendrick Motorsports stable — since, after all, they do house the current Cup champion — I have my eye on the Joe Gibbs Racing camp.

The Gibbs garage had nine wins last year among three drivers (only Erik Jones went winless) — one more than the Penske stable of three drivers — and yet that feels like a down year for JGR, perhaps because it won a whopping 19 races the year before. Since 2015, JGR has averaged roughly 12 wins a season.

Denny Hamlin accounted for seven of the nine wins as his pairing with crew chief Chris Gabehart continues to flourish beautifully, and Hamlin is coming off two Championship 4 appearances in as many seasons. While Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. combined for just two wins in 2020, it’s hard to see the former champions combining for that small total of victories again. Truex will be in Year 2 with crew chief James Small, and the summer strides the pair made should pay early dividends in 2021. Given Truex’s road-racing acumen and seven of those events on the schedule, he’ll have ample opportunity for victories on top of his slew of “home tracks.” Busch, a two-time champion, has just two wins in his last 37 Cup races, and I just don’t see that cold spell continuing. It might take a little bit of 2021 for him to click with new crew chief Ben Beshore, but I expect him to have a multi-win, title-contending season.

RELATED: Which JGR driver will bounce back better?

Christopher Bell — the new man in the stable — should be a factor for wins as well in his second Cup Series season. Adam Stevens, Busch’s former crew chief, will be atop the box, and I am quite bullish on that pairing. The expected growth of his sophomore season and simply having better starting position on a more consistent basis (he started 15 races 26th or worse in 2020) should help him gain more stage points and put him in more advantageous positions.

A year after having three of the four Championship 4 spots filled with its drivers, Gibbs only had one there in 2020. Don’t expect a repeat of that. This is an organization that boasts three title contenders and a sleeper who is capable of a multi-win year. I expect Gibbs to once again be the class of the garage in 2021.

RELATED: Is Christopher Bell primed for a breakout?

Posted on by Pat DeCola

Today we’re looking at Spire Motorsports, as we continue NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, starting with new chartered teams then ranked in reverse order of best finish in last year’s owner standings.

MORE: Changes to know for 2021 season

SPIRE MOTORSPORTS

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver-crew chief pairings: Corey LaJoie-Ryan Sparks (No. 7); Multiple drivers (Jamie McMurray among them)-Kevin Bellicourt (No. 77)

What’s new: Well, plenty. LaJoie makes the shift over to Chevrolet and Spire after a pair of full-time seasons with the Ford-backed Go Fas Racing, and the team itself is expanding to a two-car enterprise. Both crew chiefs are new to the outlet, with Sparks moving over from Go Fas along with LaJoie. Former Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray also returns to the fold for the Great American Race after running it for Spire in 2019 and taking last year off. The team also added former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief and current NASCAR on NBC broadcaster Steve Letarte in a consulting role.

RELATED: Corey LaJoie soaking in Spire’s culture

Team outlook: It’s tough to say, to be honest. This is an organization that — kind of miraculously — already has a Cup Series win to its credit, but hasn’t nearly scratched the surface of what it’s trying to accomplish in the sport. Still in its relative infancy after debuting at the ’19 Daytona 500 with McMurray, the subsidiary of Spire Sports + Entertainment management agency is a team looking to plant its roots and grow for the future. That said, it’s clear Spire has big aspirations and appears to be methodically putting the correct pieces in place to become a powerhouse down the line, but a win this year is certainly not an impossibility. The hiring of Letarte was also an incredibly interesting and perhaps an underrated personnel move that could pay dividends as soon as this year.

Racing Insights’ stats break: Spire moves from one team to two teams in 2021, adding LaJoie — who comes to Daytona with top-10 finishes in two of the last three races there. The team found success in 2019 by winning at Daytona in the Coke Zero 400 with Justin Haley and hopes to continue to improve thanks to its additions as well as consulting work from veteran crew chief Steve Letarte.

Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Chevrolet

Experience: Third full season in NASCAR Cup Series
2020 stats: 30th in final standings; 0 wins, 0 top fives, 1 top 10
2020 final Fantasy Live ranking: 30th
2021 championship odds: 1,000-1

Outlook: Running for lesser-funded organizations LaJoie’s stats historically have not been eye-popping, but last winter he emerged as a dark horse candidate to slide into the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet vacated by Jimmie Johnson and eventually filled internally by Alex Bowman. Though the dominoes fell a different way, it still speaks volumes about LaJoie’s reputation within the garage and amongst his peers on the track that he was an option — longshot or not — to replace a seven-time champion. After securing just one top 10 and three total in his two years at Go Fas, there’s nowhere to go but up for the 29-year-old. Though he likely again won’t wow you with his finishing position most weekends, expect the trajectory of LaJoie and Spire as a whole to continue to rise, maybe even faster than some are projecting.

MORE: Corey LaJoie joins Spire Motorsports for 2021

Various drivers, No. 77 Chevrolet

Outlook: As of this writing Spire has only announced McMurray’s Daytona 500 start in terms of drivers to pilot this ride, though it is expected that Haley will return for several races on top of his full Xfinity Series slate for Kaulig Racing. There likely will be other drivers to be announced at a later date. Bellicourt is an interesting pull to put atop the pit box, having most recently worked with upstart Camping World Truck Series driver Derek Kraus en route to an 11th-place finish last season. One thing that does stand out on his resume, however: he guided a then-17-year-old William Byron to a four-win, championship campaign in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2015.

RELATED: Jamie McMurray returns for Daytona 500

NASCAR.com 2021 team previews schedule

Jan. 18: 23XI Racing
Jan. 19: Trackhouse Racing Team
Jan. 20: Live Fast Motorsports
Jan. 21: Spire Motorsports
Jan. 22: JTG Daugherty Racing
Jan. 25: Front Row Motorsports
Jan. 26: Richard Petty Motorsports
Jan. 27: Roush Fenway Racing
Jan. 28: Wood Brothers Racing
Jan. 29: Richard Childress Racing
Jan. 30: Non-chartered and teams outside the top 30
Feb. 1: Chip Ganassi Racing
Feb. 2: Stewart-Haas Racing
Feb. 3: Joe Gibbs Racing
Feb. 4: Team Penske
Feb. 5: Hendrick Motorsports

Posted on by Staff Report

Racing has long been a family affair for Craig Lutz.

He spent much of his childhood racing go-karts with his father Eric, beginning at the tender age of 5.

The family continued to build up a race team, putting Craig into an SK Modified at the Waterford Speedbowl in 2012. Lutz cut his teeth racing drivers like Keith Rocco and Ted Christopher. After two years there, Lutz was running the Whelen Modified Tour part-time. And two years after that, with help from Eric and stepmom Renee, Lutz was able to get onto the Tour full-time in 2016, still driving for the family.

In the middle of the 2017 season, however, Lutz made the jump to the No. 46 Riverhead Building Supply Chevrolet, owned by Russell Goodale. Even though it was a big break to make the leap from a family operation to a different team, it was what the Lutz family had been striving for for years.

“My dad is a diehard racer,” Lutz says. “Every weekend, after our first year, we were like ‘man, hopefully one day we can get a ride driving for somebody.’ I got the call from Russell, and it was a dream come true.”

RELATED: Craig Lutz Career Stats

In his first race with the team at Stafford that year, Lutz sat on the pole for the first time in his Tour career and finished eighth.

After another year on the Tour, Lutz finally got his first Tour victory at the 2019 Fall Final at Stafford, holding off Doug Coby.

That first win was extra-special for Lutz. Not only was it his first Tour win, it was the first Tour win for anybody on the No. 46 team.

“The first one is definitely the best one,” Lutz says. “It was the first one for… all the guys on the crew. They put their lives into this, so that was the best part about the first one. Then, after the first one, you‘re like ‘when‘s the second one coming?‘ ”

Lutz wheeled his Modified to two victories in 2020, at Jennerstown and the season-ending World Series 150 at Thompson.

With those two wins, Lutz and the No. 46 team made it very clear to the rest of the Tour garage: 2019 was no fluke.

The Thompson win was especially sweet. Believe it or not, Lutz despised the ⅝-mile oval the moment he began turning laps there. Winning races, of course, can help change minds.

“There’re so many good guys that have won Thompson, and I feel like it puts an exclamation point on your Modified racing career, to win at a track like Thompson,” Lutz says. “Long straightaways, high-banked corners. It‘s a really demanding racetrack. To be able to finally win there is a dream come true. There‘s nothing like it.”

Now, coming off back-to-back 4th-place finishes in the standings, Lutz enters the 2021 season as a driver to watch in the battle for the Tour championship.

“We all hope to be running for a championship,” Lutz says. “You just try to go every weekend, can‘t have any bad days. You look at Justin [Bonsignore‘s] season last year, he didn‘t finish outside the top-five once. That‘s what it takes to win championships.

“Hopefully, if the cards play out, we‘ll have a shot at the end of the year.”

As Lutz turns the page to 2021, with three Tour wins under his belt, he still credits his father Eric for his success.

“I am where I am today because of my dad,” Lutz says. “My dad was always pushing me to be better and do bigger things, and because of him, I‘m able to do what I‘m doing now. Without him, I would never be where I‘m at today.”

Craig Lutz, driver of the #46 Riverhead Building Supply Chevrolet, celebrate after winning the Sunoco World Series 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, Connecticut on October 11, 2020. (Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)