Posted on by Staff Report

Dubbed the “Granddaddy Of Them All,” the 59th Knoxville Nationals will host more than 100 sprint cars at Knoxville Raceway on Aug. 7-10.

The Knoxville Raceway half-mile clay oval in Knoxville, Iowa, is the home of the most prestigious race of the year for the sprint car world. The four-day showdown includes a pair of qualifying nights held on Wednesday and Thursday, along with last-chance qualifiers on Friday and Saturday prior to the 50-lap feature event that caps off the festivities. Saturday night’s 24-car A-Main event will have a total purse of nearly $1 million, with the winner taking home a $150,000 grand prize.

Among the long list of entries is Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 27-year-old from Elk Grove, California, will chase his first Knoxville Nationals crown in the No. 57 Silva Motorsports car.

RELATED: NASCAR, NBC Sports team up for ‘Grassroots Racing Tour’

Larson has a busy travel schedule for the upcoming weekend, jetting from Michigan International Speedway after Monster Energy Series practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday to Iowa and arriving at Knoxville for sprint car racing. His hectic weekend concludes with Sunday’s Monster Energy Series race (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

While Larson serves as the lone Cup Series regular taking part in the four-day classic, his ownership role also extends to the No. 2 full-time World of Outlaws entry driven by Carson Macedo.

Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. also has a shot at winning as a team owner as World of Outlaws full-time driver Sheldon Haudenschild will pilot the No. 17 Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing entry.

Ten-time and defending World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz will be vying for his 11th career Knoxville Nationals title in the No. 15 car owned by three-time Monster Energy Series champion and 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Tony Stewart.

Additionally, former Monster Energy Series driver Kasey Kahne will field a pair of sprint cars, including the defending Knoxville Nationals champion Brad Sweet in the No. 49 entry and the No. 9 car driven by James McFadden.

Diving into primary sponsorship for the first time in the Knoxville Nationals per the direction of four-time Monster Energy Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Jeff Gordon, Axalta Racing will team up with Jason Johnson Racing and the No. 41 ride driven by David Gravel.

Click here for more information about this year’s Knoxville Nationals, including full entry lists, detailed race format and complete purse breakdown.

Posted on by Team Release

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – Discount Tire renewed its commitment to Team Penske, enhancing its presence on the No. 2 Ford Mustang, driven by Brad Keselowski. The multi-year agreement will see Discount Tire as the primary sponsor for five additional Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400 and the season finale in Phoenix, for a total of 15 events.

Discount Tire will continue to be an associate sponsor of Team Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano in the Cup Series, along with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric. The company will also continue its partnership with the Team Penske IndyCar Series program as an associate sponsor on both the No. 2 car, driven by Josef Newgarden, and the No. 22 car with driver Simon Pagenaud.

“We’re proud to continue our winning relationship with Roger and Team Penske,” said Michael Zuieback, chief executive officer of Discount Tire. “This partnership over the last decade has meant a great deal to our company, our team, and our customers. We look forward to celebrating more successes and championships as we expand our presence in the Cup series with Brad and all of Team Penske.”

Discount Tire and Team Penske first partnered in 2010, a season that culminated in an Xfinity Series Championship for Brad Keselowski and a series record of 26 top-five finishes for Team Penske. Since then, Discount Tire has been a key part of four Xfinity Series Owners’ Championships with Team Penske, including three consecutive titles between 2013-15. In 10 seasons as a Team Penske partner, Discount Tire has won 35 races, including its first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory at Indianapolis in 2018.

“Team Penske’s partnership with Discount Tire continues to grow and is a bond that has reaped many benefits for both companies,” team owner Roger Penske said. “When we won our first NASCAR Championship back in 2010, Discount Tire was a big part of our program and it has been exciting to build on our success together as the company transitioned to becoming a primary sponsor with Brad and the No. 2 Ford team in the Cup Series. Motorsports has helped build the Discount Tire brand, connecting with both employees and consumers, and we look forward to more success together as the company expands its role with our team in 2020 and beyond.”

Discount Tire will continue utilizing Team Penske drivers at store appearances across the country for meet-and-greets, autograph sessions with fans and tire-safety advocacy efforts.

“The team at Discount Tire has been an important part of my racing career over the last decade,” Brad Keselowski said. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together on and off the track and I’m excited that the partnership will continue to grow with Team Penske in the Cup Series starting next season.”

Posted on by Track Release

PHOENIX– ISM Raceway’s president, Julie Giese, has been selected by Sports Business Journal for recognition this fall in their ninth annual “Game Changers: Women in Sports Business.” This distinction highlights women in the industry who have played key roles in their respective fields and are recognized as executives who have brought new approaches and ideas to sports business, who have been out front on significant projects and programs and who are leaders and mentors to other women in sports business.

“Julie’s leadership in the redevelopment of Daytona International Speedway and ISM Raceway has not only helped transform NASCAR’s fan experience, but has set a new benchmark,” stated Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “We look forward to witnessing Julie’s continued evolution as a significant contributor to the future of motorsports.”

RELATED: Buy tickets for ISM Raceway’s 2019 Playoff elimination tripleheader

Giese was named president of ISM Raceway in October 2018 after previously serving as the Managing Director of Business Operations for International Speedway Corporation’s (ISC) Design & Development where she worked tirelessly on the design and project management of ISM Raceway’s $178 million modernization project. Prior to this, she spent 12 years overseeing consumer marketing, branding, creative, advertising, digital, public relations and event entertainment for Daytona International Speedway, playing a leading role in the Daytona Rising project.

“Julie is one of the most dedicated and motivated individuals I have ever worked with and this honor is incredibly well deserved,” stated Joie Chitwood III, ISC COO. “She has proven time and again that she is a game changer from her work at Watkins Glen International, Daytona International Speedway and now leading the facility and team as president at ISM Raceway.”

Giese and the other honorees will be featured in the September 16 issue of the Sports Business Journal and will be recognized at the “Game Changers: Women in Sports Business” conference on September 17 in New York City.

RELATED: Tickets on sale for 2020 title weekend

Posted on by PJ Walsh

The Action Network specializes in providing sports betting insights/analytics and is a content partner with NASCAR. Check out more NASCAR betting analysis here.

This week the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway for the second and final visit of the season.

In June, Joey Logano dominated from the pole, leading 163 of 200 laps before taking the checkered flag.

To make this weekend’s NASCAR Props Challenge picks, we’ll rely on the most recent race run at Michigan due to the current aero package, as well as historic results at this racetrack.

1. Will the polesitter lead O/U 35.5 laps in Stage 1?

The first stage will be 60 laps, meaning the polesitter needs to lead more than half of Stage 1 to go over.

While I do expect one car to dominate the first stage, I don’t necessarily think it has to be the polesitter.

Pick: Under

2. A Toyota driver wins either Stage 1 or 2: Yes or No?

Toyota’s top MENCS drivers, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin and Erik Jones, combined to lead a total of five laps here in June.

I’ll be surprised if Toyota doesn’t eclipse that number on Sunday, but I’ll take the field over Toyota here, especially considering how dominant the Fords were last go-round.

Pick: No

3. O/U 5.5 drivers will score stage points in both Stages 1 and 2?

Just four drivers (Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman and Aric Almirola) earned points in both stages with this aero package back in June, so let’s go under.

Pick: Under

4. The Stage 2 winner will lead O/U 25.5 laps in that stage?

Download the FREE Action Network app to finish reading this article and get the rest of PJ Walsh’s NASCAR Props Challenge Picks.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR suspended three members of the No. 2 Gander Outdoors Truck Series team for three races after a safety violation last week at Eldora Speedway. The No. 2 truck that Sheldon Creed drove to a runner-up finish violated Section 20.3.4.a of the NASCAR Rule Book having to do with ballast containers.

The truck experienced a loss or separation of added ballast from the vehicle. As a result, NASCAR suspended crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz, truck chief Austin Pollak and engineer Jonathan Stewart for three points events, through Sept. 10.

The team announced it would not appeal the penalty.

RELATED: Truck clinching scenarios

Creed is currently eighth in the driver standings and would need a win this weekend at Michigan International Speedway in order to get into the playoffs. The penalty did not affect his place in the standings. …

In the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the No. 96 was found to have one lug nut not safe and secure following Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen International. NASCAR fined crew chief Mark Hillman $10,000. Parker Kligerman drove the No. 96 to a 26th-place finish.

Posted on by Staff Report

Richard Petty Motorsports unveiled Bubba Wallace’s No. 43 Victory Junction Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 throwback paint scheme Tuesday at the Darlington Raceway Victory Tour appearance.

RELATED: Darlington throwback paint schemes for 2019

The orange, green, purple and yellow livery honors Adam Petty’s ARCA Racing Series No. 45 Spree Prepaid Foncard Pontiac from his victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1998.

MORE: Buy Southern 500 tickets

Wallace will pilot the throwback tribute in next month’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 (Sept. 1, 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The sophomore driver placed 26th in the race last year.

Posted on by Staff Report

The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series has its final race of the 2019 regular season Saturday at Michigan International Speedway (1 p.m. ET on FS1, FOX Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). With six winning drivers already assured spots in the eight-team playoffs, time is running out for others to join the postseason fun.

RELATED: Full driver standings

Here are the clinching scenarios for this week’s Corrigan Oil 200:

Grant Enfinger: He will a clinch a spot in the race by starting the race.

Matt Crafton: If there is a repeat winner (or a win by Enfinger), Crafton would clinch regardless of finish. If there is a new winner who is not Enfinger, Crafton could only clinch on points if Enfinger does not start and Crafton scores 53 points.

The following drivers can only clinch with a win: Ben Rhodes, Harrison Burton, Todd Gilliland, Sheldon Creed, Tyler Dippel and Gus Dean.

Regular Season Championship:

Enfinger will clinch the Regular Season Championship by scoring nine points at Michigan. By starting the race, Enfinger is guaranteed to earn five points. So at worst, Enfinger can clinch the Regular Season Championship by scoring four stage points or finishing at least 28th with no stage points. (Note: If Crafton scores less than 10 points in the first stage, Enfinger’s scenarios get easier — i.e., if Crafton scores nine points in Stage 1, Enfinger would then need only eight points to clinch, and so on.)

Posted on by Staff Report

Jimmie Johnson’s pointed comments about Ryan Blaney caught the Team Penske driver’s attention in a post-race media availability, and this sure seems like a new rivalry that will be front and center for some time.

To catch you up, Johnson said this about his post-race “chat” with Blaney following his displeasure over their on-track altercation at Watkins Glen.

MORE: Johnson, Blaney exchange words | Did Blaney deserve heat from ‘Seven-Time?’

“I was trying to hear what he had to say but his lips were quivering so bad he can’t even speak,” Johnson said. “I guess he’s nervous or scared, maybe both, I don’t know what the hell the problem is. … He claims it was racing, I can’t wait to go racing. Everybody stay tuned.”

Blaney’s response was first aired Monday night during FS1’s RaceHub program.

“He said I was scared?” Blaney asked when told of Johnson’s comments. “Yeah, OK. He can think that. Did I turn away? No, I didn’t turn away. If he wanted to go, we could go.”

In an interview that aired Sunday during NBCSN’s broadcast, Blaney said he “didn’t run through” the 48.

Johnson’s car sustained significant damage after the Blaney bump and an impact with the Turn 5 barrier — an encounter that Johnson described in subsequent interviews as “he just drove through me.” He went a bit deeper on the stance when questioned on Twitter.

Blaney continued on to a fifth-place finish while Johnson limped to a 19th-place result, further imperiling his hopes at clinching a postseason berth — though he’s currently the last driver who would qualify for the 16-driver field.

The Team Penske driver’s comments are a remarkably different tone from his last tweet before the Watkins Glen race on Wednesday where he posted a video of his nephew attempting to eat Johnson’s bobblehead made by Texas Motor Speedway.

Posted on by
No. Driver Sponsor Make Organization
00 Landon Cassill StarCom Fiber/Creek Enterprise Inc Chevrolet StarCom Racing
1 Kurt Busch Monster Energy Chevrolet Chip Ganassi Racing
2 Brad Keselowski Discount Tire Ford Team Penske
3 Austin Dillon Chevrolet Accessories Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
4 Kevin Harvick Mobil 1 Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
6 Ryan Newman Wyndham Rewards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 Daniel Hemric Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
9 Chase Elliott NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
10 Aric Almirola 3D Systems Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Office Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
12 Ryan Blaney Menards / Moen Ford Team Penske
13 Ty Dillon K&L Ready Mix Chevrolet Germain Racing
14 Clint Bowyer One Cure Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
15 Ross Chastain TBA Chevrolet Premium Motorsports
17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Fastenal Ford Roush Fenway Racing
18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
19 Martin Truex Jr. Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
20 Erik Jones DeWalt Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
21 Paul Menard Master Techs Ford Wood Brothers Racing
22 Joey Logano Shell Pennzoil Ford Team Penske
24 William Byron Liberty University Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
27 Quin Houff TBA Chevrolet Premium Motorsports
32 Corey LaJoie Schluter Systems Ford Go Fas Racing
34 Michael McDowell Long John Silver’s Ford Front Row Motorsports
36 Matt Tifft Meijer Ford Front Row Motorsports
37 Chris Buescher Kroger Fast Start Chevrolet JTG Daugherty Racing
38 David Ragan MDS Transport Ford Front Row Motorsports
41 Daniel Suarez ARRIS Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
42 Kyle Larson McDonald’s Chevrolet Chip Ganassi Racing
43 Bubba Wallace Victory Junction Chevrolet Richard Petty Motorsports
47 Ryan Preece Kroger Chevrolet JTG Daugherty Racing
48 Jimmie Johnson Ally Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
51 Cody Ware Jacob Companies Ford Petty Ware Racing
52 Austin Theriault Bangor Bank Ford Rick Ware Racing
53 Spencer Boyd Chelle Corporation Ford Rick Ware Racing
77 Garrett Smithley Victory Lane Oil Chevrolet Spire Motorsports
88 Alex Bowman Axalta Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
95 Matt DiBenedetto Toyota Express Maintenance Toyota Leavine Family Racing
Posted on by Team Release

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Jeremy Clements Racing will have the No. 51 machine primed, painted and weighed and ready for Darlington Raceway on Saturday, August 31st, with a livery that is a little something different than years past. JCR will be throwing back to the No. 51 EXXON paint scheme from the 1990 film “Days of Thunder” and will be sponsored by long-time partners RepairableVehicles.com.

“I grew up watching ‘Days of Thunder’ all the time especially headed to Buck Creek Speedway in our cube van that my Grandpa Crawford built, and it would really get me pumped up to race.” Clements said. “Man, thinking back brings a lot of great memories in my early years racing with my Grandpa.  I love this movie so much so that’s where I got the No. 51 from and have had it ever since.”

RELATED: Darlington throwback designs

This is the fifth year that Darlington will hold NASCAR Throwback Weekend. Clements will make his ninth career start at ‘The Lady In Black.’ His current best finish at Darlington is eighth back in 2016.

Fans are welcome to join JCR on the Fan Deck and Ride with Jeremy on Saturday, August 31st.