Posted on by Staff Report

Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 team crew chief Matt McCall traded in the pit box for a late model on Sunday night, winning the Late Model Stock Cars Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park.

After getting caught up in a multi-car incident toward the midway point of the 200-lap event, McCall worked his way up from the rear of the field, passing Deac McCaskill with three laps to go to take the victory in the 18th annual event at the Lucama, North Carolina, track.

RELATED: Report: McMurray out of the No. 1 car | Busch’s 2019 contract still in limbo

“Win, win, win, win, that’s the mentality,” McCall said after the race, according to a Short Track Scene report. “It doesn’t matter if I only race once a year, I’m still coming to win. That was the whole objective. It’s fun, especially when you don’t get to race much and I’m trying to keep a streak of winning a race a year for a long time so that’s really when I show back up one time, try to keep that streak going because it’s my only opportunity to do that.”

The win was McCall’s second consecutive Thanksgiving Classic triumph. McCall is a veteran in the Late Model Stock Car ranks, working his way up to compete in a handful of NASCAR Xfinity Series, Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series events from 2003 through 2013. McCall became a full-time crew chief in 2015.

MORE: Silly Season updates

McCall has served as Jamie McMurray’s crew chief for the past four seasons, but the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway was reportedly the pairing’s final race together as the Associated Press reported in September that McMurray would not return to the seat in 2019. As the future for McMurray and the vacant No. 1 car seat remains unknown, Ganassi did tell the AP in September that McMurray has been offered an administrative role at CGR, as well as a contract to drive in the 2019 Daytona 500.

Posted on by Staff Report

Jimmie Johnson and Fernando Alonso participated in a motorsports cultural exchange Monday, swapping rides at Bahrain International Circuit.

Johnson, a seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, got behind the wheel of Alonso’s McLaren for his first drive of a Formula 1 car. Alonso, a two-time champ on the grand prix circuit, piloted Johnson’s No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on the 3.363-mile course.

PHOTOS: Behind the scenes from swap

Johnson turned 28 laps in Alonso’s McLaren, reporting through social media his amazement with the responsiveness and G-forces produced by Formula 1 cars. Both drivers’ names were represented on each car.

Johnson and his family attended the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend as guests of Alonso and the McLaren team. He watched Alonso finish 11th in his final Formula 1 event as he retired from full-time driving after 17 years in the sport. Reigning F1 champ Lewis Hamilton won the race.

Johnson drove a 2013 F1 model from McLaren, which attached a makeshift windscreen to help the airflow around Johnson’s helmet after a test run.

“I got my helmet more under control, and then it was really my eyes trying to find their way far enough ahead and far enough around the turns,” Johnson told ESPN. “At the end, I really quit focusing on the braking markers themselves and was able to look at the apex and had an idea of when to hit the brakes and was putting together some good laps. It was fun.”

“It was impressive,” Alonso told ESPN of Johnson’s effort. “I think he was really gaining time every run he was doing, and sometimes you put new tyres on these cars for the very first time and you are not able to extract the grip because you miss a little bit the braking point here and there, or maybe you don’t maximize the grip available. But he was able to guess this extra grip that the new tires is giving to you and extract that grip into lap time, so I was very impressed with that.”

Johnson said earlier this month that the idea for an international ride swap emerged after the two champions met at NASCAR Media Day in the offseason. Alonso was in Charlotte, North Carolina, for media opportunities on his way to IMSA’s Rolex 24 endurance race at Daytona. Their conversation there set the wheels in motion for Monday’s exchange.

Alan Gustafson — normally the crew chief for Chase Elliott, Johnson’s teammate — oversaw preparation of the No. 48 Chevy for Monday’s event.

Posted on by Staff Report

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

Note: All times are ET. 

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

Monday, November 26
6 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Fans’ Choice Awards, FS1

Tuesday, November 27
4 p.m., Glory Road: David Pearson and the 1968 Rebel 400, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (re-air)
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App

On MRN
7 p.m.: NASCAR Live (with host Mike Bagley)

Wednesday, November 28
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App

Thursday, November 29
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features — Part 2, FS1
8 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
9 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Award Show, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
11 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Award Show, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (re-air)

On MRN
1 p.m.: Throwback Thursday — 1974 Old Dominion 500
7 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Award Show coverage

Friday, November 30
1 a.m., NASCAR The Decades: The 1990s, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (re-air)
1:30 a.m., NASCAR The Decades: The 1990s, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (re-air)
2 a.m., NASCAR The Decades: The 1980s, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (re-air)

Posted on by Staff Report

Chase Briscoe had a memorable Thanksgiving weekend, as the NASCAR driver got engaged to girlfriend Marissa Cooper.

Briscoe had an eventful 2018 season, making 17 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and one start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He was one of three drivers to pilot the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford and he made a handful of starts in the No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing with Biagl-DenBeste Racing Ford — one of those was a win at the Charlotte road course. The 23-year-old won his lone Truck Series start of the season at Eldora in July.

Posted on by Staff Report

The finality of crowning three champions in Miami is starting to settle, pumpkin pies are going in the oven and the weather is getting downright cold.

It’s Thanksgiving season, and we have plenty to be thankful for. Here’s our list for the editorial team members of NASCAR.com following a memorable 2018 season.

We are thankful for …

• The local and regional levels of NASCAR, including the weekend warriors who form the backbone of stock-car racing. Warm Saturday nights under the lights at Bowman Gray Stadium bring back all the nostalgic emotions. — Zack Albert

• The crew members in the garage. These men and women spend the majority of their year traveling around the country to different race tracks, dedicating their lives to racing and its betterment. Thank you for your hard work, perseverance and friendly attitudes — we couldn’t make it happen without all of you. — Jessica Ruffin

• Margin of victories that read “.000.” — Brad Norman

A photo finish for Tyler Reddick and Elliott Sadler
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

• The courage to try the Charlotte Roval in the playoffs. It was a risk to try something new like that, but it turned out to be one of the more interesting events of the season, and the finish was phenomenal. — George Winkler

• That the 2019 Daytona 500 is less than 90 days away! — Chase Wilhelm

• The energy, excitement, enthusiasm and passion Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares for the sport in the NBC booth and on his own platforms. His insight and knowledge add so much to telecasts, and it’s great to still have him involved in a big way as a commentator and Xfinity Series team owner. — RJ Kraft

•  Teams, tracks and those at the NASCAR R&D Center for their consistent pursuit of safety advances. It’s a moving target, but one that remains a primary focus. — Zack Albert

• NASCAR Fantasy Live. The new fantasy game on NASCAR.com was a blast to play and provided plenty of online interaction with NASCAR fans. On a personal note, the joy of beating contributor (and friend to NASCAR.com) Steve Letarte in both leagues was an added — and fun — bonus. — RJ Kraft

• The NASCAR family. From top to bottom, from drivers to fans to employees, this sport has felt like a collective family since I walked in the door. That’s not something to be overlooked, but instead something I’ll be thinking about during my second, fourth and fifth helpings of Thanksgiving stuffing. – Pat DeCola

• Kyle Larson running the high line. It takes courage, instincts … and guts. Sounds like the very foundation of NASCAR itself. — Brad Norman

• Being able to witness the dynasty of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus in my lifetime. Seven championships (including five consecutive) and 81 race victories — achievements that will be nearly impossible for another driver/crew chief pairing to reach anytime soon, if ever. I can’t wait to see how a fresh start plays out for both of them next year. — Chase Wilhelm

• NASCAR’s rising stars. They challenge the veterans, take chances on the race track and, perhaps best of all, bring new groups of people to love racing. I can’t wait to see more young drivers build a name for themselves in 2019. — Jessica Ruffin

Posted on by Steve Luvender

Even though the NASCAR off-season is still just hours old, you can’t take the racer out of Bubba Wallace, who streamed two hours of iRacing on Monday night. The now-no-longer-Cup-rookie raced everything from super late models to Formula 1 cars, including Camping World Truck Series-style trucks at Martinsville — a combination in which he’s won twice in the real thing.

Watch Off Season Day 1 from BubbaWallace76 on www.twitch.tv


A Challenger Approaches

Bubba Wallace isn’t the only one turning laps on his iRacing rig. Wallace shared what his girlfriend Amanda Carter can do behind the wheel.

And, in fact, Amanda posted a faster time than Wallace at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Somebody get her a developmental driving deal.


Bell Prepares for Miami

Noted iRacer Christopher Bell turned some laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway in iRacing ahead of Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series finale, where he raced for the series championship.

Unfortunately for Bell, his hopes of a title ended prematurely after tire damage sent his Toyota down pit road late in the race — but he looked like a true contender before the bad luck.


Major(s) Milestone

TJ Majors, who became a NASCAR spotter after teaming up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. while sim racing, happens to be the voice iRacers hear in their speakers when running virtual races. Yes, he’s a spotter in iRacing as well as in real life.

Majors, who frequents iRacing, earned a special designation Sunday: NASCAR champion spotter. In his first season working with Joey Logano following Dale Jr.’s retirement, Majors called Logano to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

So, iRacers, rest assured knowing the voice guiding your car around iRacing is that of a champion spotter.


Phelps Talks iRacing

NASCAR President Steve Phelps sat down with NASCAR.com’s Jonathan Merryman to talk eSports and its role in the future of NASCAR.


NASCAR PEAK ANTIFREEZE iRACING SERIES UPDATE

2018 NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series champion Ray Alfalla received his fourth championship trophy at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend. Let’s hope he still has room in his trophy case.

And, hey, Clint Bowyer showed up!

A NASCAR champion gets their photo taken with the championship trophy on the track — and the iRacing winner is no exception.

Alfalla also signed die-casts. Talk about star power.


iRACING PAINT SCHEME OF THE WEEK

Kevin Harvick’s sponsor Busch Beer was so confident Harvick and his Stewart-Haas Racing team would win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Sunday, they made a bet: if Harvick didn’t get the job done, Busch would see to it that this “v lit” Millennial-oriented paint scheme would become reality for a race during the 2019 season.

Of course, as history goes, Joey Logano ended up winning Sunday’s championship race, becoming the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion — meaning it’s now on Harvick’s sponsor to come through on the bet.

The best part of all? Busch’s paint scheme concept has made its way into iRacing, thanks to painter Jarrett Liebert. Yes, now you can turn virtual laps racing the “Millennial Machine” — maybe you’ll even make it to Bubba Wallace’s Twitch stream.


DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

Watch the seas part as YouTuber JDRumble carefully moves through a major crash unfolding ahead at Michigan on a restart.

Skill or luck? Either way, with that much carnage, it’s a nice piece of driving to come out of that one cleanly.

Posted on by Staff Report

All season long, Joey Logano heard non-stop talk of the Big 3 — that triumvirate of Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. that dominated the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and won a combined 20 races.

Two days after capturing his first Monster Energy Series title as the only outsider among the Championship 4, Logano declared there is a new Big 3 in NASCAR.

Brittany and Joey Logano + the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup had three wins combined in 2018, but the driver among that trio still became a champion.

Posted on by Staff Report

The No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing team was hit with a safety infraction for not having a lug nut properly installed in post-race inspection for the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, NASCAR announced Monday.

Crew chief John Klausmeier was fined $10,000.

Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10, finished ninth in the championship race.

MORE: Full race results | Final standings

Posted on by Sponsored Content

Mobil 1 motor oil and lubricants improve performance. On and off the track.

Fully dedicated to the pursuit of automotive and racing excellence, the Mobil 1 brand is granting a team the Mobil 1 Performance Award for each race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season for the most positions gained during a race. The gains can come via passes on the track: the high side, the low side or splitting the middle in 3-wide racing.

The tested and proven on-track results of Mobil 1 products help improve the efficiency of cars with lower friction engine and gear oils to reach top speed quickly at lower engine temperatures, maximizing fuel mileage and horsepower, all of which give drivers the tools to make the passes that thrill fans and earn trophies.

Gains can also come in the pits, where five athletes go over the wall in an effort to quickly perform services and adjustments that make cars even better.

Restarts are great opportunities to gain positions, and Mobil 1 motor oil reduces rolling resistance, which contributes to increased acceleration on restarts and allows the car to reach top speed.

Positions lost do not detract from positions gained. And in the event of a tie during a race, the highest-finishing driver will win the Mobil 1 Performance Award.

At the end of the year, the team that gains the most spots over the season will earn the cumulative Mobil 1 Performance Award, which will be presented during the Champion’s Week festivities in Las Vegas. If a tie occurs in that facet of the contest, the team that ranks highest in Monster Energy Series Championship Points will win.

Keep up from Daytona to Homestead with the Mobil 1 Performance Award winner each week:

 

2018 MOBIL 1 PERFORMANCE AWARD WINNERS
Race Award winner Positions gained
1. Daytona Martin Truex Jr. 278
2. Atlanta David Ragan 94
3. Las Vegas Matt DiBenedetto 95
4. ISM Raceway Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 92
5. Auto Club David Ragan 137
6. Martinsville Aric Almirola 45
7. Texas Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 82
8. Bristol Aric Almirola 91
9. Richmond Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 85
10. Talladega Kyle Busch 345
11. Dover Clint Bowyer 47
12. Kansas Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 83
13. Charlotte Daniel Suarez 138
14. Pocono Aric Almirola 96
15. Michigan Erik Jones 58
16. Sonoma Michael McDowell 100
17. Chicagoland Daniel Suarez 136
18. Daytona Clint Bowyer 194
19. Kentucky Kyle Larson 88
20. New Hampshire Kyle Larson 105
21. Pocono Kyle Larson 108
22. Watkins Glen AJ Allmendinger 54
23. Michigan Kyle Larson 97
24. Bristol Chris Buescher 94
25. Darlington Clint Bowyer 94
26. Indianapolis Daniel Suarez 87
27. Las Vegas Daniel Suarez 102
28. Richmond Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 86
29. Charlotte Daniel Suarez 87
30. Dover Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 69
31. Talladega Regan Smith 312
32. Kansas Kyle Larson 119
33. Martinsville Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 60
34. Texas Aric Almirola 80
35. ISM Raceway Aric Almirola 58
36. Miami Kyle Larson 104

 

Posted on by Sponsored Content

American Ethanol gets the green flag every time a NASCAR engine starts, keeping the sport running on high-performance Sunoco Green E15 fuel since 2011. Now the brand is presenting a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver the American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award each week for shining on those quick starts.

Each week the driver who records the fastest average speed on restarts during an event and finishes the race on the lead lap will win the award. At the end of the season, the overall American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award will be presented during Champion’s Week festivities in Las Vegas. In the event of a tie at the end of the season, the winner will be the eligible driver who ranks highest in Monster Energy Series points.

“Sunoco Green E15 allows NASCAR teams to get the most out of their engines,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “It’s made with 15 percent American ethanol, a cleaner burning, high-octane biofuel that’s smart for engines and kinder for the Earth. On or off the track, E15 powers Sunday drives everywhere. We are proud to sponsor the American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award because it recognizes NASCAR’s high-performance athletes – the drivers who average the fastest speed on restarts each week.”

Race teams and engine builders praise the Sunoco Green E15 fuel blend, which is a key part of NASCAR Green efforts to minimize the sport’s environmental impact. The high-performance fuel reduces race car emissions while making competition even more exhilarating with improved horsepower.

Track the competition for American Ethanol’s 2018 year-end award each week from Daytona to Homestead.

 

2018 AMERICAN ETHANOL GREEN FLAG RESTART AWARD WINNERS
Race Track Driver Average restart speed
1. Daytona Joey Logano 187.548 mph
2. Atlanta Brad Keselowski 176.176 mph
3. Las Vegas Kevin Harvick 179.316 mph
4. ISM Raceway Kyle Busch 127.746 mph
5. Auto Club Martin Truex Jr. 179.337 mph
6. Martinsville Kyle Busch 91.014 mph
7. Texas Joey Logano 179.756 mph
8. Bristol Kyle Larson 118.743 mph
9. Richmond Martin Truex Jr. 117.112 mph
10. Talladega Chase Elliott 188.782 mph
11. Dover Kevin Harvick 152.742 mph
12. Kansas Kevin Harvick 176.768 mph
13. Charlotte Kyle Busch 177.339 mph
14. Pocono Kevin Harvick 169.824 mph
15. Michigan Kevin Harvick 190.276 mph
16. Sonoma Martin Truex Jr. 92.065 mph
17. Chicagoland Kevin Harvick 169.076 mph
18. Daytona Erik Jones 186.598 mph
19. Kentucky Martin Truex Jr. 174.741 mph
20. New Hampshire Martin Truex Jr. 127.217 mph
21. Pocono Kyle Busch 167.348 mph
22. Watkins Glen Chase Elliott 120.162 mph
23. Michigan Kevin Harvick 187.048 mph
24. Bristol Kyle Larson 118.750 mph
25. Darlington Kyle Larson 167.418 mph
26. Indianapolis Clint Bowyer 177.763 mph
27. Las Vegas Brad Keselowski 173.200 mph
28. Richmond Kevin Harvick 117.544 mph
29. Charlotte Kyle Larson 101.444 mph
30. Dover Kevin Harvick 149.622 mph
31. Talladega Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 190.572 mph
32. Kansas Ryan Blaney 177.851 mph
33. Martinsville Joey Logano 91.072 mph
34. Texas Kevin Harvick 185.006 mph
35. ISM Raceway Kyle Busch 129.417 mph
36. Miami Joey Logano 165.199 mph