Posted on by Data Skrive

Gray Gaulding crossed the finish line 17th in the ROXOR 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday.

Christopher Bell took the checkered flag in the race, with Cole Custer taking second, and Justin Allgaier placing third. Tyler Reddick brought home fourth place, followed by Paul Menard to round out the top five .

Brandon Jones picked up 10 bonus points by winning Stage 1, and Christopher Bell finished out front in Stage 2 to pad his totals for the weekend.

Gaulding earned 20 points over the weekend, increasing his total to 385 on the season. He ranks No. 13 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series overall standings. Gaulding did not earn any playoff points Saturday and still is seeking his first playoff points of the season.

The fourth-year driver qualified in 20th position at 127.130 mph.

Gaulding still is looking for his first career win, but boasts one top-five finish and two finishes in the top 10.

There were 38 cars in the field and the race endured five cautions and 28 caution laps. Prior to the checkered flag there were five lead changes.

With Bell driving his Supra to glory for Joe Gibbs, Toyota added 40 points. Overall, Toyota ranks No. 1 with 650 points, followed by Chevrolet in the No. 2 spot with 647. Ford sits at No. 3 with 626 points on the season.

Gray Gaulding Driver Page | Get Gray Gaulding Gear | NASCAR SHOP

Posted on by Data Skrive

Quin Houff placed 31st in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday.

Kevin Harvick earned the checkered flag in the race, with Denny Hamlin finishing second, and Erik Jones placing third. Ryan Blaney brought home fourth place, followed by Matt DiBenedetto in the No. 5 spot .

Kyle Busch came away victorious in Stage 1, and Aric Almirola won Stage 2. Each driver earned 10 bonus points for their efforts.

Houff earned six points over the weekend, giving him 55 on the season. He ranks No. 33 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series overall standings.
Houff did not earn any playoff points Sunday and remains on the hunt for his first playoff points of the season.

The first-year driver qualified in 34th position at 128.845 mph.

After 11 career starts, Houff continues to search for his first win and top-10 finish.

There were 37 cars in the field and the race endured nine cautions and 48 caution laps. Prior to the checkered flag there were 14 lead changes.

With Harvick driving his Mustang to glory for Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford added 40 points. Overall, Toyota ranks No. 1 with 727 points, followed by Ford in the No. 2 spot with 713. Chevrolet sits at No. 3 with 675 points on the season.

Quin Houff Driver Page | Get Quin Houff Gear | NASCAR SHOP

Posted on by Team Release

Roush Fenway Racing has announced a three-year partnership with Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection specializing in the development of on-premises and cloud-based backup, disaster recovery, secure file sync and share, and data access solutions.

The multiyear relationship will serve as both a marketing platform and technology partnership, with Roush Fenway utilizing the Acronis’ tools to enhance its racing operations. The Acronis brand will make its on-track debut at Watkins Glen in August, serving as the primary partner for the Ford Mustangs of both Ryan Newman and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at the famed road-course event in upstate New York.

DRIVER PAGES: Ryan Newman | Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Acronis will also serve as the primary partner on Newman’s No. 6 Ford at the much-anticipated Bristol night race on August 17 and at the Monster Mile of Dover on October 6.

“It’s great to bring Acronis on board and we are looking forward to having them on both of our cars at Watkins Glen,” said Newman. “They are the standard in cyber protection, and we are looking forward to working with them both as a marketing and technology partner.”

In addition, the partnership will help expand Roush Fenway’s technological capabilities with advanced cloud backup and disaster recovery services, cutting-edge file sharing, and robust computer power simulations.

Acronis designs its solutions to address the Five Vectors of Cyber Protection — ensuring the safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security of data (SAPAS). This unique approach allows Acronis to deliver easy, efficient, and secure cyber protection. As a result, the company is now the technology partner of choice in several motorsports, including Formula 1, Formula E and NASCAR.

These same solutions will help Roush Fenway Racing ensure the security and safety of the team’s systems, applications, and data — both at the track and at the race shop. At the same time, Acronis will be showcasing its capabilities to help grow its business worldwide.

“Acronis technology meets the efficiency and reliability requirements demanded by motorsport teams that compete at the highest level. Through this partnership, Acronis will enable Roush Fenway Racing to focus on developing their car and achieving results on the racetrack without having to worry about the safety of their data. We are looking forward to a long successful partnership together,” said Dan Havens, Acronis Growth Officer.

“We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Acronis,” said Roush Fenway President Steve Newmark. “Acronis is a world leader in the fields of cyber protection and disaster recovery, and we are excited about the capabilities that the partnership brings to Roush Fenway.”

Posted on by Terrin Waack

Chase Elliott wasn’t even averaging a top-10 finish before his win at Talladega Superspeedway back in April. He then knocked out five straight top-five finishes, including the victory that provisionally locked him into the NASCAR Playoffs, and jumped seven spots in the championship point standings. Things were looking good for the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

Or so it seemed.

In the last six races, Elliott has averaged a 24.5 finish and only managed two top-15 performances. He was ranked third in the standings after the first Pocono Raceway showdown but has since dropped to eighth.

RELATED: Power Rankings | Standings look

The downfall started at Michigan International Speedway, where Elliott placed 20th. He then failed to complete the races at Sonoma Raceway and Daytona International Speedway due to an engine issue and crash, respectively. There were glimmers of bounce-back hope between the DNFs with an 11th-place run at Chicagoland Speedway and then a 15th shot afterward at Kentucky Speedway. Last weekend, though, Elliott wound up 29th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, completing 290 of the 301 laps.

There still are six races until the postseason, starting with Sunday’s Gander RV 400 at Pocono (3 p.m. ET on NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Elliott already punched his ticket into the first round of playoffs, but that sole win won’t keep Elliott safe forever.

Elliott Last 6 Races Previous 6 Races
Starts 6 5
Wins 0 1
Top 5 0 5
Top 10 0 5
Top 15 2 5
DNFs 2 0
Laps Led 7 280
Avg. Finish 24.5 3.6
Best Finish 11 1
Race Points 104 244

*Stats courtesy of Racing Insights.

Posted on by Staff Report

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Pocono Raceway for this season’s second edition of the “Tricky Triangle” showdown at the 2.5-mile track in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Before heading into Sunday’s Gander RV 400 (3 p.m. ET, NBSCN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) take a look at some key information and things to watch.

RELATED: Full schedule for Pocono

TRACK DETAILS

Designed as a 2.5-mile triangular track, Pocono has a triad of unique turns that each offer a new challenge and varied degree of banking: Turn 1 – 14 degrees, Turn 2 – 8 degrees and Turn 3 – 6 degrees. Turns 1 and 3 are connected by a 3,740-foot frontstretch, while Turns 2 and 3 are bridged by a 3,055-foot back straightaway. NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon holds the record for most all-time wins at the track with six.

In order to give drivers more versatility regarding lane selection, the track will also feature the PJ1 application in all three corners — the first time it’s been laid down on the Pocono surface.

RULES PACKAGE

The race at Pocono Raceway will feature the 2019 rules package with a tapered-spacer engine generating around 550 horsepower. Changed for the earlier race this season, the cars will feature aero ducts — an adjustment made after running the non-duct package at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This change will also take place at Darlington Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway later this year.

Each team will be provided with three sets of Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials for practice, one set for qualifying and seven sets for the race (six race sets plus one carried over from practice or qualifying).

“Pocono is always a challenge on both the teams and the tires,” said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing. “Being pretty flat with long, fast straightaways and three distinct corners, teams will try to gain grip however they can, including going below our recommended air pressures, most specifically on the left-side of the car.  We integrated construction updates on both the left- and right-side tires for the June race, so since the Cup (Series) cars have already run at Pocono with this higher downforce package, they have a head start on what to expect with their set-ups this weekend.”

STATS

  • A Chevrolet driver has not won at Pocono Raceway in the last six races — the manufacturer’s longest winless streak at the track since 2002 when it went winless eight times in a row from June 1999 to July 2002.

  • Nine of the last 11 races at Pocono were won from a top-10 starting position, with the other pair won by drivers starting outside of the top 20.

  • Each of the last four races at Pocono were won by Toyota drivers, with Kyle Busch claiming a trio of wins and Martin Truex Jr. securing the other.

LIVE COVERAGE

The Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway will be televised live on NBCSN and the NBC Sports App, with radio coverage being provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Check out NASCAR.com for additional options, including in-car cameras, audio and leaderboards on NASCAR Drive. Update Fantasy Live rosters and make final picks before Sunday’s race.

2018 RACE WINNER

Kyle Busch raced his way to secure the checkered flag at Pocono Raceway in 2018, holding off then-Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Daniel Suarez in overtime to claim his second-career win at the track, leading a race-high 52 laps after starting from 28th position.

ACTIVE POCONO WINNERS

Denny Hamlin (four), Kyle Busch (three), Kurt Busch (three), Jimmie Johnson (three), Martin Truex Jr. (two), Ryan Blaney (one), Chris Buescher (one), Brad Keselowski (one), Joey Logano (one) and Ryan Newman (one).

Posted on by NASCAR.com

Matt DiBenedetto crossed the finish line fifth in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday. It’s DiBenedetto’s second top-five finish of the season.

Kevin Harvick brought home the win in the race, with Denny Hamlin taking second, and Erik Jones placing third.

Kyle Busch came away victorious in Stage 1, and Aric Almirola finished out front in Stage 2. Each driver earned 10 bonus points for their efforts.

DiBenedetto earned 32 points over the weekend, increasing his total to 329 on the year. He ranks No. 24 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series overall standings. DiBenedetto did not earn any playoff points Sunday and remains on the hunt for his first playoff points of the season.

The fifth-year driver qualified in seventh position at 135.990 mph.

DiBenedetto still is looking for his first career win, but boasts one top-five finish and six finishes in the top 10.

There were 37 cars in the field and the race endured nine cautions and 48 caution laps. Prior to the checkered flag there were 14 lead changes.

With Harvick driving his Mustang to glory for Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford added 40 points. Overall, Toyota ranks No. 1 with 727 points, followed by Ford in the No. 2 spot with 713. Chevrolet sits at No. 3 with 675 points on the season.

Matt DiBenedetto Driver Page | Get Matt DiBenedetto Gear | NASCAR SHOP

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.

For the second time this season, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) will visit Pocono Raceway, a unique 2.5-mile tri-oval racetrack.

Kyle Busch led 79 of 160 laps en route to a convincing win in the first race, so it’s no surprise to see him as the early favorite in Vegas for Sunday’s Gander RV 400 at +250 odds.

To make this weekend’s NASCAR Props Challenge picks, we’ll lean results from the MENCS race at Pocono last month, as well as historical data from the Tricky Triangle.

1. Will Sunday’s winner lead the most laps? Yes or No?

Kyle Busch led the most laps when winning at Pocono in June and considering the new aero package has created bigger advantages for cars out front, I’ll say that happens again on Sunday.

Pick: Yes

2. O/U 15.5 stage points for Kyle Busch?

Just two drivers (Kyle Larson and William Byron) scored more than 15 stage points last month at Pocono.

In addition, because cars toward the front of the field can pit without losing a lap at Pocono, strategy often results in the fastest cars pitting immediately before the stage breaks (forgoing stage points) in order to gain track position after stage breaks.

Pick: Under

3. Which driver will finish higher? Clint Bowyer or Jimmie Johnson?

Bowyer was better than Johnson in every major statistical category in the most recent Pocono race, so this is an easy one for me.

Pick: Bowyer

4. O/U 135.5 MPH average race speed?

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

A pair of NASCAR Xfinity Series teams were hit with penalties stemming from infractions at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this past weekend.

Both the Nos. 00 and 7 entries were penalized for Sections 10.9.10.4: Tires and Wheels, having been found with at least one lug nut not properly installed.

As a result, crew chiefs Mike Shiplett (No. 00 of Cole Custer) and Jason Burdett (No. 7 of Justin Allgaier) were each fined $5,000.

Posted on by NASCAR Official Release

Editor’s Note: You can watch Thursday’s broadcast of the eNASCAR event here on the NBC Sports App at 5 p.m. ET.  Click here for more details about the event including what track will be raced and much more. 

BEDFORD, MA (July 23, 2019) — NBC Sports, iRacing and NASCAR have come together to present the first-ever eNASCAR live event on television, all parties announced Tuesday. The world’s best NASCAR iRacers will compete in the first live event on TV as part of Thursday’s edition of NASCAR America, airing at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

NASCAR America’s Krista Voda, Parker Kligerman, and AJ Allmendinger will host along with iRacing team owners Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton, who will join for pre-and post-race commentary from the NBC Sports Charlotte studio. Kligerman, also an iRacing team owner, will be racing from the NBC Sports simulator in Stamford, Conn., in the eNASCAR iRacing All-Star event.

“The trio of NBC Sports, iRacing and NASCAR has been terrific in wanting to work together to find new ways to bring current and new fans into the NASCAR scene,” says Jeff Behnke, Vice President of NASCAR Production at NBC Sports Group. “For five years, the simulator has been used on NASCAR America to showcase tracks and racers around the USA and this new four-race venture will be a natural extension of that teamwork.”

RELATED: Complete eNASCAR coverage

“This is a landmark moment for iRacing, and all racing esports,” said Tony Gardner, president, iRacing. “We’re incredibly excited to work with NASCAR and NBC Sports to bring our world-class simracers to a live national television audience for the first time on NBCSN. We expect the action to be intense, and we can’t wait for the green flag to drop this Thursday.”

“Our eNASCAR platforms bridge the gap from one race weekend to the next, delivering NASCAR-style racing to our fans through the rapidly growing esports space,” said Tim Clark, senior VP and chief digital officer, NASCAR. “This new collaboration with our partners at iRacing and NBC Sports is an example of how esports is allowing us to evolve the way we engage our fans.”

“It’s going to be really cool to take part in live iRacing action on NASCAR America,” said Kligerman. “I’ve seen firsthand just how exciting these races can get, and I can’t wait to give our viewers an inside look at what it’s like to face off against the best in the world. It’ll serve as a great preview of what it’s like to compete for the fans tuning in to watch our real-world coverage on NBCSN this weekend!”

RELATED: More details about All-Star event

iRacing is the leading online simulation racing game where competitors race head-to-head from around the world and following this week’s event, iRacing will return to NASCAR America on NBCSN on the last Thursday of every month for a four-race series. More information on the three future iRacing events on NBCSN will be revealed in the coming weeks.

In addition to the eNASCAR iRacing All-Star events being broadcast on NBCSN, iRacing and NASCAR also have a professional esports series known as the eNASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series, where drivers from around the world compete for over $100,000 in prize money in a year-long championship. Other notable team owners in the series include NBC Sports’ Dale Earnhardt Jr. and NASCAR stars Clint Bowyer and Austin Dillon. NBCSN provides weekly coverage of the series on NASCAR America.

Tune in to NASCAR America on NBCSN this Thursday at 5PM ET to watch iRacing NASCAR action. Be sure to follow @iRacing and @NASCARonNBC on Twitter for live updates during the race. For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit www.iRacing.com.

Posted on by Staff Report

Front Row Motorsports has elected to swap crew chiefs for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers David Ragan and Matt Tifft for the remainder of the 2019 season, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Beginning this weekend at Pocono Raceway, Ragan will now have Mike Kelley atop the No. 38 team pit box, while Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Tifft will have Seth Barbour call the shots for the No. 36 team.

Ragan currently sits 30th in the points standings, while Tifft is directly behind in 31st.

Barbour has worked with Ragan since the start of the 2018 season. Kelley is in his first year with Front Row Motorsports, having shifted over from Roush Fenway Racing in the offseason.

The Monster Energy Series heads to the 2.5-mile Pocono triangle for Sunday’s Gander RV 400 (3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).