Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR penalized the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series following last weekend’s action at Kansas Speedway, with part of the impact being a points reduction that would drop driver Daniel Hemric from first place to second in the playoff standings.

The No. 21, driven by Hemric to a second-place finish, was found to be too low in post-race inspection and received an L1-level penalty for violating Section 20.17.3.2.1.2.a in the NASCAR Rule Book (post-qualifying and post-race front body inspection heights).

RELATED: No. 21 found too low post-Kansas 

Crew chief Danny Stockman Jr. was fined $10,000 and suspended from the next NASCAR Xfinity Series championship points event, which is Nov. 3 at Texas Motor Speedway. The team also was hit with 10-point losses in driver points and owner points. That drops Hemric to second in the playoff standings behind the No. 1 of Elliott Sadler.

The team has the right to appeal the penalty. Also on the penalty report:

• In the Monster Energy Series the No. 42, driven by Kyle Larson, was found to have one lug nut not safe and secure following the Kansas race. Crew chief Chad Johnston was fined $10,000.

• In the Xfinity Series, the No. 2, driven by Matt Tifft, had one lug nut not safe and secure in post-race inspection. Crew chief Randall Burnett was fined $5,000.

Posted on by Staff Report

International Speedway Corporation (“ISC”) today announced that Julie Giese, Managing Director of Business Operations for ISC Design & Development, has been promoted to President of ISM Raceway.

Beginning in November 2018, Giese will assume oversight of promotion and operation of the all-new ISM Raceway. Giese’s first major event, the Can-Am 500, will be part of the Raceway’s Opening Weekend on Nov. 9, 10 and 11.

“We couldn’t be happier to announce Julie Giese as President of ISM Raceway,” stated ISC CEO Lesa France Kennedy. “She has spent close to two decades in motorsports, most notably with ISC, that included leadership roles in major redevelopment projects like DAYTONA Rising and the ISM Raceway Project. Julie’s unparalleled knowledge of the industry, along with her experience and passion, will serve her well in this new role.”

Currently, she leads the coordination between ISC’s 13 motorsports entertainment facilities, internal corporate departments and the Design & Development team on the Company’s significant capital investment and redevelopment projects. Since January 2017, Giese has worked tirelessly alongside the ISM Raceway team on the design and project management of the $178 million ISM Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar.

Joining ISC in 2001, Giese has taken on roles with increasing responsibility, from Director of Public Relations at Watkins Glen International to Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Daytona International Speedway where she spent 12 years overseeing all aspects of consumer marketing, branding, creative, advertising, digital, public relations and event entertainment for the “World Center of Racing.” Giese played a leading role in the DAYTONA Rising project, managing the marketing and branding of the redevelopment as well as the opening of the all-new Speedway.

“I’m beyond thrilled at the opportunity to lead the new ISM Raceway,” said Giese. “I’m excited to be joining a great team as we unveil a new venue that is primed to become a top motorsports and entertainment destination.”

Posted on by Zack Albert

CONCORD, N.C. — Four drivers received their first sampling of the 2019 Monster Energy Series rules package Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. For Aric Almirola, the Goodyear tire test was a double dose of newness.

Almirola soaked in the new aerodynamic setup, joining William Byron, Daniel Hemric and Erik Jones in sorting through the 2019 rules. But as the only Ford driver participating, Almirola also had the first opportunity to shake down the Monster Energy Series’ 2019 Mustang in its first official on-track session.

“I think it’s collective, right?” Almirola said during the lunchtime intermission between tests. “We’ve got a brand-new car that we need to learn information on and find out as much data as we can, but then on top of that we have a brand-new rules package that we also need to learn as much as we can and gain as much information as we can, so that way we can have a head-start in the offseason of a direction we need to head.”

The more pressing matter for Almirola is the 2018 NASCAR Playoff pursuit, which opens the Round of 8 with this Sunday’s First Data 500 (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM) at Martinsville Speedway. Almirola said the .526-mile track and the next stage of the 10-race postseason remained a frequent talking point for the No. 10 team during breaks in Tuesday’s test.

RELATED: Full schedule for Martinsville

But the order of the day was data acquisition and information gathering for 2019 on the 1.5-mile venue. The intermediate-track package was in place with a target 550-horsepower output, aero ducts, and downforce-creating devices in an 8-inch tall spoiler, a front splitter with 2-inch overhang and a wider radiator pan (37 inches wide in the front, tapering to 31 inches at the rear).

Teams focused on single-car runs in the morning session with plans to concentrate on running closer together in a four-car pack by afternoon.

Similar packages have already seen the light of day in NASCAR competition, with a comparable (but lower horsepower) setup for this year’s Monster Energy All-Star Race and a package that used the air ducts at select speedways for the Xfinity Series.

Hemric, moving up to the Cup Series full-time with Richard Childress Racing in 2019, said he hopes that his Xfinity experience with the ducts in place helps him adapt to the new package. But he also said that his initial impression of Tuesday’s test was that competition officials had found a happy medium between the current package and the All-Star rules.

“Honestly from watching the All-Star as a fan, I thought it looked slow and I expected it to feel that way being in it for the first time on the Cup side,” Hemric said. “I was like, ‘Ah, I’m going to run easy wide open.’ I went to go run wide open into Turn 1 and as you drop down in it, you knew you were still going 180 miles an hour, so the speed sensation is there with this package so I think they’ve done a good job of the horsepower and the downforce, balancing that out.”

Jones said that a prime effect of the new rules was an alteration of his racing line, that the increase in downforce allowed him to take a wider arc into the corners. He said that he drew parallels between the All-Star and Xfinity duct packages, but that there was still plenty to learn about the 2019 setup over the course of the day.

“I think this package is a little bit faster, not a lot,” Jones said. “They had power and we’ve been pretty close to easy wide open all day, but I think once you get in a pack here, I don’t think you’ll be anywhere close to wide open once we get rolling. It’s been good. It’s just a learning process of how much you’ve got to trim it out and how much you’ve got to build these cars into downforce cars and work on handling to be good in the pack.”

Note: The test time for Byron was shortened by engine trouble in his Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet. Byron said he ran an estimated 30 laps before he was forced to the garage. The rookie finished 38th in the 40-car field last weekend at Kansas, retiring after 55 laps with engine failure.

Posted on by Steve Luvender

What’s the best birthday gift you ever received as a kid — your favorite driver’s diecast car? A trip to a race? How about a personalized video from your favorite NASCAR drivers themselves?

NASCAR Reddit user /u/blastingdad shared a video that’s sure to make his son’s birthday a memorable one.

More than two dozen NASCAR drivers and personalities recorded their own video greeting and birthday wish for the 8-year-old Walter, including (deep breath):

• Elliott Sadler
• JJ Yeley
• Ross Chastain
• Kim Coon
• Dale Jarrett
• Kyle Petty
• Jeremy Clements
• Shane Lee
• Parker Kligerman
• Tyler Reddick
• Daniel Hemric
• Joey Gase
• Quin Houff
• Chase Briscoe
• Spencer Gallagher
• Richard Childress
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• David Starr
• Garrett Smithley
• Cole Custer
• Christopher Bell
• Justin Allgaier
• Austin Cindric
• Ryan Preece
• Ryan Truex
• Matt Tifft
• Ryan Reed
• John Hunter Nemechek

For any young NASCAR fan, a personalized video message sure beats a gift card for a birthday present. Nice going, Dad, and happy birthday, Walter!

Posted on by Steve Luvender

Tonight, four of the greatest iRacing drivers compete for the title of 2018 NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series champion and over $17,000 in cash and prizes. These four — Ray Alfalla, Matt Bussa, Michael Conti, and Ryan Luza — have set themselves apart from the competition throughout a challenging season and a roller-coaster playoff schedule, and now face the most daunting challenge yet: the 2018 winner-take-all finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Even though nobody knows what to expect in tonight’s 250-miler featuring the world’s best sim racers, we broke down the four title contenders and their 2018 seasons.

How to watch: iRacing Live will stream the RaceSpot TV broadcast live Tuesday at 8:45 p.m. ET.

Ol’ Three Time: Ray Alfalla
No. 2 Slip Angle Motorsports Ford

The Jimmie Johnson of the NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series is racing in the Championship 4, which means the competition should remain on the lookout. Alfalla hoped to claim his fourth series championship last year in Miami until a crash ended the 2017 season early at his home track. Expect him to haul the mail.

2018 stats:
— 1 win (Richmond)
— 8 top 5s
— 12 top 10s
— 8.76 Average Finish

The case for:
— Alfalla’s a three-time champ. He knows how to get it done.
— Five top-five finishes at Homestead, including a win in 2015.

The case against:
— Uncharacteristically won just one race this year.
— Finished 30th at Homestead last year after an accident.

RELATED: How technology is defining online racing

The Underdog: Matt Bussa
No. 34 Gale Force Radicals Online Toyota

Bussa is the clear underdog in the championship battle. After all, he’s the only driver of the four without a prior championship title. The Illinoisan ran a quiet but consistent season that culminated in a well-timed first career victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, securing his place among the title contenders.

2018 stats:
— 1 win (Atlanta)
— 4 top 5s
— 9 top 10s
— 11.94 Average Finish

The case for:
— Won at Atlanta, a 1.5-mile track, similar to Homestead-Miami.
— Everybody likes a good underdog story!

The case against:
— Despite racing in the series since 2013, Bussa only scored his first career victory in his 94th start.
— He’s had disappointing results in his five starts at Homestead with finishes of 20th, 29th, 9th, 36th, and 37th.

Mr. Momentum: Michael Conti
No. 5 Team Conti/Chaos Crew Chevrolet

The 2014 series champion Conti is poised for his second title run, and it’s coming at an ideal time for the Charlotte resident: He’s turned up the heat in a major way during the playoffs, scoring victories at Darlington and Dover after a relatively quiet regular season.

2018 stats:
— 2 wins (Darlington, Dover)
— 6 top 5s
— 11 top 10s
— 11.00 Average Finish

The case for:
–Peaking (pun intended) at the right time: He’s finished in the top two in four of the past five races, including two wins — plus he’s led laps in seven of the past eight races.
— He’s the 2014 series champion. He’s proven he can do this.

The case against:
— He’s won at Dover and Darlington. Homestead-Miami doesn’t start with a D.
— Come on, it’s hard to find a case against Conti. He’s really good right now.

The Defending Champ: Ryan Luza
No. 6 Phenom Racing Team Ford

Luza has been in a league of his own for much of 2018, which is awfully reminiscent of Luza’s 2017 championship season. The defending champ is riding an unbelievable wave of consistency: 13 consecutive top-10 finishes. Combined with four victories this season and the fact that he dominated last year’s finale makes it look likely the championship trophy is heading to Texas again this season.

2018 stats:
— 4 wins (Auto Club, Las Vegas, Michigan, Texas)
— 10 top 5s
— 13 top 10s
— 4.86 Average Finish

The case for:
— Despite missing three races in the season, Luza leads all series drivers in every on his only start at Homestead-Miami from the pole, claiming the 2017 title.

The case against:
— With only 29 series starts, he’s by far the least experienced in the field.
— Will the three races Luza missed earlier in the season affect his ability to get it done at Homestead? (Oh, you bet we’re reaching on this one.)

How to watch: iRacing Live will stream the RaceSpot TV broadcast live Tuesday at 8:45 p.m. ET.
With a stout field of pro eSports racers and a $10,000 first-place prize on the line, tonight’s race in Miami is one you won’t want to miss.

Posted on by H.A. Branham

Editor’s note: This week, NASCAR.com will profile the four finalists for the 2018 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Today: Sarah Kersey.

Previously: Carl Dakes

As a child, Sarah Kersey became a NASCAR fan. As a young adult, she has become a cancer survivor, an extremely popular elementary school teacher — and an active volunteer.

Kersey, of Dublin, Ohio, has volunteered for eight years at Flying Horse Farms in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and two other camps in the Serious Fun Camp network. That led to what she calls her favorite NASCAR-related memory, actual races aside. It was the day a young camper showed up wearing a Kasey Kahne T-shirt. He and Kersey shared an immediate bond; Kahne has been Kersey’s favorite driver for years.

Representing Flying Horse Farms, Kersey has been named one of four finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Eighth Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Flying Horse Farms provides transformative camp experiences for seriously ill children ages 8-17 and their family members from throughout Ohio, at no cost. The facility yearly hosts approximately 900 children and family members.

Kersey spends summer weeks as a camp counselor. During spring and fall weekends she serves as a family camp counselor.

VOTE: Cast your vote today!

The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwoman, honors NASCAR fans such as Kersey who are also accomplished volunteers working for children’s causes in their communities throughout the United States. The award winner will be determined via an online fan vote that is running until Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. (ET) at NASCARfoundation.org/Award. The winner will be announced on Nov. 29 during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas.

The NASCAR Foundation will donate $25,000 to the charities represented by the award finalists, with the winner’s charity receiving a $100,000 donation. Since the award’s inception, The NASCAR Foundation has impacted the lives of more than 260,000 children by providing more than $1.2 million in contributions to charities represented by finalists for the award.

Sarah Kersey and Joey Logano plan to vote
Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Being a finalist, Kersey said, “is, I think, the most prestigious thing that is ever going to come to me. Whether I win or not, I feel like going through this process is something I’ve been blessed to be part of.”

Kersey’s childhood is rich with other NASCAR memories, mainly the many days spent watching races with her father.

“It was one thing we could really share which was really, really special,” Kersey said. “He grew up in Georgia and in the South, NASCAR is a way of life. I remember having butterflies when I was little, when they would wave the checkered flag. When I visit my dad now, we watch NASCAR.”

Childhood, however, seemed a distant memory 10 years ago. At the age of 21, Kersey was diagnosed with a tumor on her spine prior to her junior year at college. Multiple surgeries led to remission, which continues today.

“My life kind of stopped when I got cancer,” she said. “But I truly mean this: Without cancer, I would have never found Flying Horse Farms. I would have never met my wonderful boyfriend; because I got sick I had to take time off from college (Bowling Green) and if I hadn’t had to do that, I would’ve never met him. All these blessings in my life … I’m eternally grateful for my illness, each and every day.

“Camp has gifted me with the opportunity to see the true definition of strength, courage and empowerment and I feel eternally blessed.”

Kersey considers her life wonderful, except for this one, nagging item. Kahne recently retired from NASCAR. She is heartbroken, having been drawn to Kahne, in part, because of his own charitable work through his Kasey Kahne Foundation.

“It’s easy to love NASCAR drivers because they do so many wonderful things in the world, in their communities,” Kersey said. “That’s why I’ve always chosen my favorite drivers because of what they do off the track.”

Posted on by Zack Albert

Roush Fenway Racing announced Tuesday that Scott Graves will serve as crew chief for the No. 6 Ford team and driver Ryan Newman next season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Graves most recently worked with Joe Gibbs Racing, which announced Oct. 9 his departure from the organization, effective immediately. Graves was atop the pit box for the No. 19 JGR team for the majority of the last two seasons with driver Daniel Suarez.

RELATED: Key players in Silly Season

The move marks a reunion for team owner Jack Roush, who employed Graves as a crew chief from 2012-15 and as a race engineer before that. Graves brought the Roush Fenway team an Xfinity Series championship with driver Chris Buescher in 2015, one year before he claimed the Xfinity crown with Suarez at JGR.

Graves replaces Matt Puccia, who has been crew chief for the No. 6 team since 2016.

“We are very pleased to bring Scott back to the fold,” team co-owner Jack Roush said in a news release from the team. “Scott is an exceptional talent atop the pit box and he has done an outstanding job throughout his career – with multiple championship campaigns attesting to that. He brings a strong engineering background to the table and we are excited about the opportunity to pair him with Ryan Newman going into the 2019 season.”

Newman was presented as the 2019 driver of Roush Fenway’s No. 6 on Sept. 22 at Richmond Raceway. The 40-year-old Newman is currently rounding out his fifth season with Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 team.

MORE: Newman joins Roush Fenway

Posted on by Staff Report

DGR-Crosley announced Monday that Kyle Benjamin will drive the team’s No. 17 Toyota in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Martinsville Speedway.

RELATED: Full schedule for Martinsville

Benjamin, 20, is set for his second career Truck Series start in Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 200 (1 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM). The former NASCAR Next driver made his series debut at Martinsville in March, leading 74 laps and finishing second to race winner John Hunter Nemechek.

In other Truck Series news heading to the .526-mile Virginia track:

• GMS Racing announced through its social media channels that Timothy Peters will return to action this weekend in the No. 23 Chevrolet at his home track. Autos by Nelson will provide primary sponsorship.

Peters, the series’ most recent winner at Talladega Superspeedway, scored the first of his 11 victories in the series at Martinsville back in 2009.

• Jeb Burton will make his first Truck Series start of the season for start-up organization On Point Motorsports. The team announced that Strutmasters will be on board as a primary sponsor for Burton’s No. 30 Toyota.

Burton, 26, notched his first career Truck Series pole at Martinsville in 2013. His most recent taste of NASCAR national series competition has been three Xfinity Series starts this season for Richard Childress Racing.

On Point Motorsports, owned by Steven Lane, will be making its fourth start of the season. Scott Lagasse Jr. (two races) and Austin Theriault (one race) have also driven the No. 30 truck this year.

Posted on by H.A. Branham

Editor’s note: This week, NASCAR.com will profile the four finalists for the 2018 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Today: Carl Dakes.

Carl Dakes has been a devoted NASCAR fan for more than 40 years and can recite his own list of the sport’s basics:

American pride, family, friends — plus camping and tailgating.

That list, ultimately, is what brings Dakes to a yearly reunion of fans at Pocono Raceway. Along with an obvious commitment.

Dakes understands commitment. He has been volunteering for 18 years, a resume that has led to Dakes being named one of four finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Eighth Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. He represents the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, Inc., a Catonsville, Maryland, organization that provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families. Believe in Tomorrow has served children from all 50 states; nearly 2,500 children directly benefit from the foundation’s efforts each year.

VOTE: Cast your vote today!

The award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwoman, honors NASCAR fans who are also accomplished volunteers working for children’s causes in their communities throughout the United States.

The award winner will be determined via an online fan vote that is running until Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. (ET) at NASCARfoundation.org/Award. The winner will be announced Nov. 29 during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas. The NASCAR Foundation will donate $25,000 to the charities represented by the award finalists, with the winner’s charity receiving a $100,000 donation. Since the award’s inception, The NASCAR Foundation has impacted the lives of more than 260,000 children by providing more than $1.2 million in contributions to charities represented by finalists for the award.

Carl Dakes poses at Kansas
Rusty Jarrett

Dakes, of Harwood, Maryland, personally has volunteered time and resources to paint the eight different Believe in Tomorrow facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region. He has received Believe in Tomorrow’s most prestigious award, the Unsung Hero Award.

“Carl is an inspiration to other volunteers,” said Believe in Tomorrow President Brian Morrison.

RELATED: Four finalists named

Dakes is a commercial painting contractor and has approached the Believe in Tomorrow projects from a NASCAR state-of-mind, likening the different building jobs to paint schemes on race cars. It’s all about vibrant colors, dynamic design, individuality.

“I try to bring the two together, because of what I do for a living,” Dakes said. “In NASCAR, each car has to be different. So, when we do the respite homes, each one has to have its own identity. You want to make a house special for the family that is going to be coming there. I always wonder when people first walk in the house, especially teenagers, what they’re going to think when they enter. I know many parents who have lost their children, yet, they will take away the week or two weeks they spend at these respite homes as really, really valuable. It’s about making memories.

“NASCAR is dominated by color and so is Believe in Tomorrow and with my passion for color, I find they blend really easy. You take one, mix in the other and you come out with happiness.”

The happiness Dakes found being a devoted NASCAR fan initially surprised him somewhat. In the 1980s, a relative invited Dales and his wife to Pocono for a weekend of camping and racing. It was a transformative experience, the kind that turns casual fans into avid devotees.

“We just became hooked,” Dakes said. “And once it starts, the more people you meet, the more friends you get and the more exciting it gets each week, with every race.”

Posted on by NASCAR Foundation Release

eBay and NASCAR today launched their first joint charity sale giving fans the opportunity to bid on autographed memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime racing experiences.

Today through Nov. 1, fans can visit eBay.com/NASCAR and bid on 20 items including a chance to see who wins the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series live at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the chance to be a VIP at the 2019 Daytona 500.

In addition, fans can win meet and greets with seven-time NASCAR Champion Richard Petty, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano; as well as autographed memorabilia from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Jeff Gordon and much more.

MORE: Click here to place your bid!

“NASCAR is synonymous with a truly passionate fan base, and eBay fuels this passion while helping people come together to make an impact,” said Suzy Deering, Chief Marketing Officer of eBay Americas. “We understand the apparel, memorabilia and merchandise are ways for fans to show allegiance for their favorite drivers – and show support for causes they believe in. In collaboration with the NASCAR community, eBay is now offering a wide-range of exclusive inventory that helps children finish first through programs of the NASCAR Foundation and our eBay for Charity platform. True to our mission of opportunity for all, eBay brings new ways for the racing community to give back to the next generation of fans.”

One hundred percent of the proceeds from each item will benefit The NASCAR Foundation’s programs for children.

The NASCAR Foundation believes every child should have a chance at a healthy life and deserves to get across the finish line. Through the Speediatrics Children’s Fund and Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, the Foundation is making children’s health and medical needs its top priority.

“We are thrilled to partner with eBay to provide these very unique items to their customers,” The NASCAR Foundation Executive Director, Nichole Krieger said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids. Funds raised through this auction will help us provide much needed healthcare services to children in our racing communities across the country.”

VIP experiences and signed racing memorabilia available include:

Experiences:

  • 2019 Daytona 500 VIP Experience
  • 2018 Homestead-Miami Speedway VIP Experience with NASCAR Suite Passes
  • Richard Petty Meet and Greet Experience
  • iRacing Experience with NASCAR Driver William Byron
  • Meet and Greet with NASCAR Driver Chase Elliott
  • NASCAR on NBC Sports Behind-the-Scenes Experience
  • Meet and Greet with NASCAR Driver Joey Logano
  • 2018 NASCAR Champion’s Week Package in Las Vegas, NV

Memorabilia:

  • American Ethanol Green Flag autographed by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drivers
  • Martin Truex Jr. Autographed Side Panel Sheet Metal
  • Joey Logano Autographed Hood
  • Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Autographed Replica Full-Size Helmet
  • Ty Dillon Autographed Race-Used Firesuit
  • Helmet Visor signed by Richard Petty and Bubba Wallace
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America Hat Autographed by Brad Keselowski
  • Alex Bowman Autographed Diecast
  • Jeff Gordon Autographed 24EVER Framed Photo
  • NASCAR Replica Hood autographed by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drivers
  • The Glass Case of Emotion autographed Poster
  • Full Size Replica Helmet autographed by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drivers

Additionally, the autographed American Ethanol Flag and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Autographed Replica Helmet will be available to view at SEMA in Las Vegas from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 at booth no. 30219.

MORE: Click here to place your bid