The Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Toyota of Martin Truex Jr. will drop to the rear of the field during pace laps before Wednesday night’s NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Truex was set to start from the pole position after a Monday draw for starting spots. But two failures in pre-race inspection will force the No. 19 to the back of the 20-car invitational field before the 8:30 p.m. ET start (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The Go Fas Racing No. 32 Ford for Corey LaJoie also failed inspection twice before the NASCAR All-Star Open qualifying race. LaJoie was already set to start last in that 22-car field after a draw for starting positions.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will debut a new show near and dear to his heart as part of NBCUniversal’s new Peacock TV online streaming service, a free-to-use platform that launches July 15.
Created and hosted by Earnhardt, the show visits abandoned speedways and takes an exploratory look at great racing cathedrals of the past. He and special guests will tell the stories of speedways that have been forgotten, abandoned and overtaken by nature.
Earnhardt is also joined by racing legends throughout the series, including seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Richard Petty.
“My reasons for wanting to do this show were purely selfish — I love the mystique and eeriness of abandoned things, especially when those things are race tracks,” Earnhardt said. “(Co-host) Matthew (Dillner) and I have been mapping the locations of abandoned tracks for years, and I always wanted to explore them.
“But this experience made me realize pretty quickly that, like everything else in life, there is more to it than just what you see. We learned there were unsung heroes, remarkable feats, incredible memories, checkered pasts and unhealed wounds that still needed attention.”
The eight-episode series begins in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Earnhardt takes a trip to Metrolina Speedway to seek clarity about an age-old family mystery. After visiting tracks across the country throughout the series, Earnhardt will offer up exclusive access to the viewer — a tour of his race car graveyard and abandoned dirt track in Mooresville, North Carolina.
“Nothing is lost that can’t be found,” Earnhardt Jr. said earlier this year when explaining this series. “Nothing exists that can’t be cherished.”
NASCAR issued penalties Tuesday to two Xfinity Series teams and three Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series teams for infractions during last week’s events at Kentucky Speedway, including a behavioral penalty for a violation of COVID-19 safety protocols.
Tony Clements, head of the family-owned No. 51 Jeremy Clements Racing team, was fined $10,000 for his actions last weekend. NASCAR’s penalty report noted that the elder Clements was cited for “non-compliance with essential personnel/team event roster rules.” Those violations fall under Section 12.8.1.b. relating to COVID-19 event protocol guidelines and instructions, and Section 7.7.2.j., which concerns team event roster rules and guidelines.
Also in the Xfinity Series, the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team was penalized for having one lug nut not safely secured in a post-race check after Friday’s race. Crew chief Dave Rogers, who is guiding rookie Riley Herbst, was fined $5,000.
One the Gander Trucks side, three teams were tagged with L1-level penalties for triangular filler panels near the bed cover that did not meet NASCAR rule specifications (Section 20.41.12.2) at Kentucky. Each team was docked 10 points in both the drivers’ and team owners’ standings.
Those teams are:
The No. 13 ThorSport Racing Ford for driver Johnny Sauter
The No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Toyota for driver Derek Kraus
The No. 99 ThorSport Racing Ford for driver Ben Rhodes
WELCOME, N.C. — Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced a multiyear partnership with Cash App, a consumer finance service. Cash App will be the primary sponsor of the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, piloted by Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr., for five events, and will also be an associate partner throughout the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series campaign.
“Bubba Wallace is a once-in-a-generation talent and we are proud to partner with Richard Petty Motorsports to usher in this new era of racing,” Garrett McManus, artistic development lead for Cash App, said. “We stand with Bubba and we are thrilled to team up on the next part of his journey.”
This is Cash App’s first partnership with a professional sports team, and its first traditional athletic sponsorship.
“Bubba has stepped forward as a leader in our industry. The poise, strength and professionalism he has shown our industry has been remarkable. Richard Petty Motorsports is excited Cash App has noticed his leadership, and that they have a desire to carry his message forward,” Brian Moffitt, chief executive officer for Richard Petty Motorsports, said. “As a team, we will continue to carry our message of compassion, love and understanding.
“Our responsibility as an organization is to raise our financial threshold so Bubba can compete on equal footing alongside his peers. This is another step in the process, and while we still have work to do, we will be successful.”
As part of the agreement, the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE will carry the Cash App brand as the primary partner in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Texas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Kansas Speedway. Cash App will also be prominent on Wallace’s custom green and white checkered suit, crew apparel and on the Richard Petty Motorsports pit box.
On Thursday, July 16, Wallace will share the news of the partnership with Cash App on “Desus & Mero” on Showtime. The Bodega Boys have been Cash App partners since 2017.
The partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports will commence at the Texas Motor Speedway on July 19. The driver of the No. 43 Cash App Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE has four starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 1.5-mile quad-oval. Wallace posted a career-best finish at the Fort Worth, Texas, facility of eighth place on April 8, 2018. Wallace has also notched two top-10 finishes in five career starts at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
“This announcement is really exciting news for our team. It is always nice to see new brands come to the sport and make a commitment like Cash App has with this news,” Wallace said. “We are excited to have Cash App onboard the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, and I look forward to introducing NASCAR fans to the easiest way to send, spend, save, and invest their money.”
The O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 will be broadcast live on NBCSN and streamed on NBC Sports on July 19 at 3 p.m. (EST). It will also broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
In the midst of the COVID-19 surge in the United States, help has been needed across many fronts as the nation deals with an unprecedented pandemic. This year’s NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola program is more than just a military appreciation platform – it’s a campaign that salutes all that have gone above and beyond to keep their fellow members of society safe and healthy. During a global pandemic that impacted almost every aspect of our daily lives, they have been there for us – doctors, nurses, EMTs, first responders, etc. Now, it’s our turn to be there for them, and to give recognition where it’s deserved the most.
In this edition of “NASCAR Salutes Refreshing Moments,” we’re highlighting and sharing several stories from a premier partner, Xfinity. Several Xfinity employees have reactivated their military service to help in any way possible.
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Peter DePasquale works as an Advanced Services Technician, Florida Region for Xfinity. He joined the Army 17 years ago and worked as a heavy machine operator and conducted more than 200 combat missions. Today, he is helping set up COVID-19 testing centers with his Army National Guard unit in Florida.
DePasquale’s group helped oversee the setup of one of Florida’s first testing sites at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines — a site that can complete more than 800 tests per day. He was also part of the unit that helped set up a testing center in the parking lot of Hard Rock Stadium — the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
“I feel no matter what happens, my unit and I are a part of history,” DePasquale said. “Americans until the end of time will be reading about the COVID-19 virus outbreak and we were a part of the solution.”
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Deeva Williams works as a Sales Representative, Washington Region for Xfinity. She joined the Army National Guard three years ago to create a better life for herself and her little brother. She has been mobilized for the first time in her military career and has been working at mobile food banks in the Tacoma, Washington area to distribute prepackaged meals to those in need. The Washington state area was one of the first hot spots in the United States from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It feels humbling and amazing to be able to see the smiles and the sign of relief on people’s faces when you take away some stress during a time like this,” Williams said.
Leriqua Jackson is a Retail Service Associate, Houston Region for Xfinity. She is currently active duty for the Army National Guard, where she helps faciliate the COVID-19 testing sites as well as food banks. She is part of the headquarters team, which makes sure that the soldiers and their families are taken care of serving as the link between the higher-ups and the troops on the ground.
“It feels amazing to know that I am the one who is called upon to serve our communities,” Jackson said. “I get to put on the super suit and literally dig my heels in to uplift the people of Texas. It’s an honor to serve.”
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
At the NASCAR Xfinity Series Cheddar’s 300 presented by Alsco at Bristol Motor Speedway on June 1, military members were honored on drivers’ cars. DePasquale’s name was on the windshield of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Justin Allgaier, Williams’ name was on the windshield of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driven by Riley Herbst and Jackson’s name was on the windshield of the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Michael Annett.
As a military-ready company, Comcast is committed to ensuring all military employees have the resources and support needed to answer this call to service including – paid leave, a HR concierge service and continued health welfare benefits, among other support tools. To learn more, visit military.comcast.com.
Xfinity customers that are currently serving in the military or veterans can also receive a $25 coupon for Xfinity On Demand or as a credit on their bill. For more information, visit military.xfinity.com
For the first time ever, NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola kicked off with the Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the platform shifts to a mid-summer window due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola, which runs through July 31, will see the NASCAR industry honor United States Armed Forces and frontline healthcare heroes as part of this year’s expanded program — an industry-wide opportunity to recognize and thank those who have gone above and beyond to keep society safe and healthy.
NASCAR Cup Series drivers are gearing up for Wednesday night’s NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Below is a primer for what’s sure to be a wild showdown under the lights at the .533-mile concrete Tennessee short track, which begins with the NASCAR All-Star Open at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Bristol Motor Speedway is a .533-mile oval that held its first Cup Series event on July 30, 1961. For just the second time since the race’s inception in 1985, the NASCAR All-Star Race will be held away from the traditional stop at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race was hosted at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1986, won by Dawsonville, Georgia native Bill Elliott.
Bill Elliott in Victory Lane with his No. 9 team after winning The Winston all-star event at Atlanta in 1986. ISC Archives | CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images
The track’s concrete surface measures 650 feet long in the straightaways and the variable banking in the turns ranges from 24 to 28 degrees. The frontstretch is banked from 5 to 9 degrees and the backstraight is angled at a 4- to 8-degree tilt.
The 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race is comprised of four stages for a total of 140 laps; 55 laps to begin, two 35-lap stages, and a 15-lap dash to the finish.
The NASCAR All-Star Open will take place before the NASCAR All-Star Race and will include three segments — 35 laps, 35 laps and 15 laps. The winner of each segment will earn a spot in the All-Star Race as will as the winner of the Fan Vote.
STARTING LINEUP
The 16 drivers locked in for the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race had their starting positions decided by a random draw.
Martin Truex Jr. will start from the pole position in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, joined on the front row by Alex Bowman in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. See the full lineup by clicking the link below.
Drivers who have already clinched an All-Star Race spot: Ryan Blaney, Bowman, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Cole Custer, Chase Elliott, Justin Haley, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Erik Jones, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman and Truex Jr.
The winners of the three NASCAR Open segments and the All-Star Fan Vote recipient will start at the rear of the 20-car field.
WHAT’S NEW?
There are three special experimental implementations that will be featured in Wednesday night’s All-Star Race. First, the paint schemes on the cars will feature a different look with the cars number location shifted backward toward the rear wheel on the side panels. The new look was approved after special request from teams, who will use the newfound real estate for bigger sponsor integrations.
Second, the cars locked into the All-Star Race will feature underglow lighting beneath the machines. The underglow lights were first used by Chip Ganassi Racing at Nashville during Champion’s Week 2019, adding a special flair to the Burnouts on Broadway event.
Finally, NASCAR officials will also implement a “Choose Rule” during Wednesday night’s Open and All-Star Race competition. The rule allows to choose which lane they want to restart in before the green flag. Drivers will approach a designated spot on the track and must commit to a lane. Failure to make a clear choice or changing lanes after the designated spot will result in a tail-of-the-field penalty.
RULES PACKAGE
The 2020 NASCAR rules package for short tracks will be in effect with a tapered spacer used to set a target of 750 horsepower. The cars will use a reduced downforce package with a shorter spoiler, a shorter splitter overhang and other aerodynamic changes.
GOODYEAR NOTES
NASCAR Cup Series teams will run the All-Star Race and All-Star Open on the same tire setup as what was provided for the first Bristol Motor Speedway event of the 2020 season at the end of May. The right-side tire code debuted on the concrete short track in May, while this will be the fourth event that the left-side tire code will be used here. Bristol is the only track one mile or less in length where teams are required to run inner liners on the right side.
Teams will be allotted four sets of Goodyear tires for the All-Star Race, while All-Star Open teams will be allowed three sets.
STATS TO KNOW
— Brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch have a firm grip on the top reaches of Bristol Motor Speedway’s win list among active drivers. Younger brother Kyle leads the way with eight Bristol wins, just ahead of Kurt’s six. Matt Kenseth, who recently rejoined the Cup Series full-time, is next on the list with four career wins at the Tennessee track. Darrell Waltrip’s 12 Bristol wins head the overall record book.
— Brad Keselowski is the most recent winner at Bristol Motor Speedway, winning the Food City presents the Supermarket Heroes 500 in May. Denny Hamlin earned victory after a late-race battle with Matt DiBenedetto to secure his second career win at Bristol in the annual night race last August.
— Martin Truex Jr. won the last Cup Series stop at a short track in the Blue-Emu 500 Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on June 10. Truex has won four of the Cup Series’ last six races on short tracks, including a season sweep last year at Richmond Raceway and a postseason triumph at Martinsville Speedway. The lone defeats in that stretch: A 13th-place outcome in Bristol’s night race last August, when he pitted with a flat right-front tire in the final stage, and a 20th-place finish in May.
— Hendrick Motorsports leads all organizations in several NASCAR All-Star Race categories. That includes most All-Star wins (eight), with Jimmie Johnson (four wins), Jeff Gordon (three) and Terry Labonte (one) contributing to the record total. Team owner Rick Hendrick has also had the most All-Star drivers (22), most All-Star top-five finishes (38) and All-Star laps led (713).
Source: NASCAR statistics, Racing Insights
LIVE COVERAGE
Tune in to television coverage from Bristol Motor Speedway on FS1 (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. ET) and the FOX Sports App. For full radio coverage, listen in to MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on-air.
For a more interactive experience, head over to NASCAR.com or the NASCAR app to check out an enhanced Race Center, live Lap-by-Lap coverage, the customizable live leaderboard with Scanner, and the return of Drive (featuring in-car cameras).
ACTIVE ALL-STAR RACE WINNERS
Jimmie Johnson (four); Kevin Harvick (two); Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman (one each).
ACTIVE BRISTOL WINNERS
Kyle Busch (eight); Kurt Busch (six); Matt Kenseth (four); Brad Keselowski (three); Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano (two each).
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR and Mechanix Wear LLC, the leader in high-performance gloves, today announced a multiyear extension continuing the brand’s designation as a NASCAR Official Partner.
“Sustaining our partnership with NASCAR provides the opportunity to reach consumer and commercial automotive, home improvement and outdoor customers while supplying NASCAR teams the best in hand protection,” said Michael Hale, CEO, Mechanix Wear.
Evolving from previous years, this renewal strongly focuses on NASCAR’s digital and social media platforms, allowing Mechanix Wear to engage NASCAR fans where they are and in a measurable way.
“Utilizing helmet cameras, weekly social media content will showcase pit crews’ athleticism and precision during live pit stops, giving NASCAR fans the opportunity to see weekly behind-the-scenes action and improving the on-track content they can access,” said Hale.
In addition to providing spectators with an enhanced viewing experience, Mechanix Wear will donate masks and gloves to ensure essential personnel are equipped to perform their roles at-track. At year-end and continuing with tradition, the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award will honor the crew with the most exemplary performance throughout the racing season.
Since 2002, Mechanix Wear has partnered with NASCAR to offer innovative and safe solutions for teams and officials during race events.
“Our lasting partnership authentically connects Mechanix Wear’s loyal customer base with NASCAR,” said Michelle Byron, vice president, partnership marketing, NASCAR. “Our teams and officials are safer at track, while maintaining the performance standards required to compete at the highest level on a weekly basis. Additionally, insights taken from our sport continue to help our partners develop new technology that is implemented into its consumer products.”
Mechanix Wear debuted its Original® glove at the 1991 DAYTONA 500 and has since used the years of research, development, design and innovation to offer a diverse line of gloves delivering superior fit, feel and function for the sport and consumers.
The 2020 NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola is more than just a military appreciation platform – it’s a campaign that salutes all who have gone above and beyond to keep their fellow members of society safe and healthy. During a global pandemic that has impacted almost every aspect of our daily lives, they have been there for us – doctors, nurses, EMTs, first responders, etc. Now, it’s our turn to be there for them and to give recognition where it’s deserved the most.
In this edition of NASCAR Salutes Refreshing Moments, we’re highlighting the work of U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Milanie Laigo Flores at Pope Army Airfield and Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Laigo Flores led the 24/7 operations of the 43 MDS Unit Control Center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for more than 57 days. In addition to that, she developed the Pope Army Airfield personnel medical tracking process. This process ensured clear communication with the Air Mobility Operations Group (AMOG) and Major Command (MAJCOM) leadership and accountably of all personnel impacted by COVID-19. This process involved ID’ing, assessing and clearing members to return to duty enabling AMOG and Pope AAF partner unit’s mission of supporting the immediate response force amid the global pandemic.
For the first time ever, NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola kicked off with the Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the platform shifts to a mid-summer window due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola, which runs through July 31, will see the NASCAR industry honor United States Armed Forces and frontline healthcare heroes as part of this year’s expanded program — an industry-wide opportunity to recognize and thank those who keep society safe and healthy.
