Posted on by Staff Report

Blake Koch announced Tuesday that he will drive the JD Motorsports No. 4 car full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season.

Koch will replace Ross Chastain on the Johnny Davis-owned team, and the FilterTime air filter delivery company that he founded will provide sponsorship. The 33-year-old driver made the announcement through FOX Sports’ Facebook page.

RELATED: On the move: Tracking 2019 changes

Koch did not race last season, opting to focus on his business and regroup for 2019. He has been a mainstay on the Xfinity circuit since 2011.

The Florida native posted his best results in two seasons (2016-17) with Kaulig Racing. Koch notched five top-10 finishes in each campaign, and he recorded his first NASCAR national series pole position in May 2017 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Chastain made the Xfinity postseason field for the first time, driving the JD Motorsports No. 4 in 30 races and the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 in three events. The Ganassi organization announced that Chastain will be the full-time driver for the No. 42 team next season.

Posted on by Holly Cain

What had been rumored – and in fact, a deal made — months ago, was formally announced Tuesday afternoon. Kurt Busch will drive the Chip Ganassi Racing team’s No. 1 Chevrolet – sponsored by Monster Energy – in 2019.

Busch, the 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2017 Daytona 500 winner, said he and the Ganassi team decided to hold off on the announcement until after his run at the 2018 Cup championship. He won at Bristol to qualify for the playoffs and advanced to the penultimate round driving for Stewart-Haas Racing.

Busch and longtime racing team owner Ganassi announced their pairing Tuesday. Busch, 40, has a one-year contract with Ganassi that would carry him through his 20th season in Cup next year. However, both men indicated they would revisit an option for 2020 if the upcoming season works out particularly well.

They certainly seem optimistic.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to go out and win races, to have a shot at the championship and to use my experience that I’ve gained over all these years with a group like Chip Ganassi Racing,’’ Busch said. “I feel like it’s a good mesh with [fellow Ganassi driver] Kyle Larson. Something that Chip and I talked about as far as the driver lineup and the way that we wanted to go into 2019 and attack and go right out of the gate and go for wins and get this program where it needs to be and what Chip has for his championship dreams.”

RELATED: Others on the move for 2019

Busch will take over the No. 1 car from fellow Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray. But Ganassi said he is hopeful McMurray will remain with the organization, which fields teams in NASCAR, the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series and IndyCar.  McMurray could be an advisor and/or have other driving opportunities.

As for now, Ganassi was extremely optimistic that adding Busch might well be the extra boost his team needs to contend for that elusive Cup title.

“I’ve had calls from two different people at his previous team saying they were going to miss him, and they liked him around the shop,’’ Ganassi said. “They liked him how he got involved with the cars, they liked his input, they liked what he did as a builder of the team and as a teammate.

“So, I think anytime you can have a veteran guy like that, that A. knows how to win races, but B. is a good guy in the locker room per say, I think that brings something to our team that I think will only enhance a young guy like a Larson or any of the other young guys we have that maybe don’t have the years of experience that put a little gray hair on me from time to time.”

Busch has 30 Cup victories over 19 seasons, highlighted by the 2004 title run and a dramatic Daytona 500 victory in 2017. He’s driven for many of the sport’s most iconic teams such as Roush-Fenway, Penske Racing, Furniture Row Racing and most recently the Stewart-Haas organization.

Busch sounded particularly optimistic that his resume and experience would be especially helpful for the Ganassi team, which is still looking for its first Cup title. And Busch said he’s excited to team up with Larson, one of the sport’s brightest young stars.

“Kyle Larson and I have a good racing relationship on track and I saw things change even during the playoffs this year with some of the talks we have had behind the scenes,’’ Busch said. “As far as outside the track, we haven’t hung out all that much. If I had half a day off, I would go hang out with Chip and his sportscar program, if Larson has a half a day off, he is already at the dirt track, so we will have our time to get caught up.

“… I’m looking forward to that relationship. He is a hard charger, he is always up front, there are things he has done to win races, there are also things he has done to lose some races where he was really fast and it’s a matter of putting all of the puzzle pieces together. For me, there has just been that change in life where I feel like I want to help somebody like him.

MORE: All of Kurt Busch’s Monster wins

“I see the talent and for me with all these years of experience, I still have that fire and that desire to challenge and to be upfront and I was only a few laps away from making it to the championship round this year.

“Two-car team, that is where I think there is a positivity of a balance shift to where all efforts are put into two and you don’t have to spread it out across four.”

Both Busch and Ganassi kept open the possibility that Busch might also compete in one of Ganassi’s other racing programs, such as February’s Rolex 24 at Daytona or even make another run in the Indianapolis 500. Busch finished sixth in the 2014 Indy 500 and was Rookie of the Race.

“In my conversations with Kurt, all that stuff is available,’’ Ganassi said. “All our cars are available to all of our drivers. I think it’s just a matter of if the opportunity presents itself and there is obviously a lot more than just me saying ‘hey let’s do it’ and him saying ‘yeah let’s do it’. I am game. “

Posted on by Team Release

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Obaika Racing is excited to announce that Tanner Berryhill will be the full-time driver of the No. 97 Toyota Camry for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season. Berryhill made the announcement live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) on “Late Shift” with hosts Brad Gillie and Brad Daugherty.

Obaika Racing and Berryhill will kick off the 2019 season by making their first attempt at the iconic Daytona 500 on Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway.

RELATED: On the move: Tracking 2019 changes

“Tanner is a very intelligent and motivated young man, and I am very excited to what he can accomplish during his rookie season,” said team owner, Victor Obaika. “The Obaika Racing team is working hard through the winter to put fast cars on track next year, and I have every confidence that Tanner is going to work hard to improve every race and get the most out of our equipment. 2019 is going to be a great year for this team.”

Berryhill made his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2018 with Obaika Racing, competing in the final two races of the season at ISM Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. He has made 40 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in previous years.

“I am very thankful for the opportunities that Victor Obaika, the whole race team, and our partners are giving me, and I’m looking forward to making the most of it,” said Berryhill. “It’s a dream come true to be racing full-time again, and I’m excited to see this program continue to grow. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and I’ll see you in Daytona!”

Sponsors and crew chief for the No. 97 MENCS car will be announced in the coming weeks.

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

Tuesday, December 4
On MRN
7 p.m.: NASCAR Live (with host Mike Bagley)

Thursday, December 6
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of NASCAR Race Hub Radioactive, FS1

On MRN
1 p.m.: Throwback Thursday — 1993 Food City 500

Friday, December 7
3 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of NASCAR Race Hub Radioactive, FS1 (re-air)

Posted on by Staff Report

Turns out Noah Gragson had one more win for team owner Kyle Busch in him.

Gragson, 20, cleared Harrison Burton on a restart with seven laps to go in Sunday’s prestigious Snowball Derby super late model race, then held off a charging Ty Majeski to win the 51st running of the annual event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

Restarting second after the final caution, Gragson used his fresh tires to power past Burton — who stayed out late on older tires — to put the No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports entry in Victory Lane.

Gragson, in the Toyota pipeline for years, just completed his second season in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series driving for KBM. He won twice and made the Championship 4 this year, finishing second in the final standings to champion Brett Moffitt. Gragson will move to the NASCAR Xfinity Series next year and drive for the Dale Earnhardt Jr. co-owned JR Motorsports.

The annual Snowball Derby is one of the premier late model races in the country, a 300-lap test of short-track racing grit on a half-mile asphalt, and the win may be the biggest of Gragson’s young career.

Majeski, who made 15 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts for Roush Fenway Racing over the past two seasons, finished runner-up. Jeff Choquette, who finished second in the Snowball Derby in 2012 and won this year’s Winchester 400, was third. Connor Okrzesik and Casey Roderick rounded out the top five.

This year’s K&N Pro Series East champion Tyler Ankrum finished eighth, while Burton faded to 10th.

Gragson made it 10 consecutive Snowball Derby race winners to have made starts in NASCAR’s national series. Kyle Busch, the 2015 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, is a two-time event winner, with his first triumph coming in 2009 along with last year’s victory.

NASCAR’s newest Most Popular Driver Award winner Chase Elliott became the youngest winner in Snowball Derby history in 2011, following it up with another victory in 2015. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Erik Jones won back-to-back events in 2012-13, while John Hunter Nemechek was victorious in 2014.

The race is hosted in conjunction with the United States Super Late Model Rules Alliance and isn’t sanctioned by a particular racing organization. Drivers from various late model series, including the CARS Tour, PASS North and South, Southern Super Series and ARCA, come to participate during the first weekend of December.

Gragson’s NASCAR brethren — including his new boss — were quick to chime in:

Posted on by Staff Report

After five seasons at Stewart-Haas Racing, Kurt Busch is moving on for the 2019 season. The driver announced as much in a Sunday night tweet, with both the official team Twitter account and team co-owner Tony Stewart chiming in as well.

“I would like to thank Stewart-Haas for 5 fantastic years,” Busch said in part (see full tweet below).

The 2004 Monster Energy Series champion is leaving SHR after compiling six victories there, including the 2017 Daytona 500 with crew chief Tony Gibson. Many reports have Busch linked to the open No. 1 ride at Chip Ganassi Racing, but there was no immediate word on Busch’s plans for 2019, or SHR’s plans for its No. 41 Ford.

Busch is a 19-year veteran of the sport who has 30 wins on NASCAR’s highest level. He qualified for the playoffs in all five seasons while at SHR. His latest victory came in the Bristol Night Race earlier this year. Busch advanced to the Round of 8 in this season’s NASCAR Playoffs.

Before SHR, Busch drove for Furniture Row Racing full time in 2013 and for part of the 2012 season. Busch began his premier series career driving for Jack Roush, and he was driving for Roush during his championship season in 2004.

Kurt and brother Kyle each have at least 30 victories on the premier-series level, the only sibling duo to accomplish the feat in NASCAR history.

Posted on by Team Release

Lexington, N.C. – Kaulig Racing is eager to announce the development of a multi-year deal with 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion contender, Justin Haley. Starting with the Xfinity Series season opener in Daytona, the 19-year-old Winamac, Indiana, native will be behind the wheel of the No. 11 Chevy Camaro owned by award-winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig.

“I am really looking forward to 2019,” Kaulig said. “Justin is coming off of the best season of his young career and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the No. 11 car.”

Details regarding personnel and sponsorship will be announced at a later date.

Posted on by Staff Report

The annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway is to the super late model world what the Daytona 500 is to NASCAR – a historic event with glory and bragging rights on the line.

This year’s 300-lap of short-track racing grit is the 51st running of the race on the half-mile asphalt oval in Pensacola, Florida, and the field is nearly set.

NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series driver Harrison Burton, who will race full time with Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2019, will start on the pole for Sunday’s race at 3 p.m. ET. Other NASCAR notables include Noah Gragson, who qualified eighth, and Stewart Friesen, who will start 14th. The starting lineup will be complete following a last chance qualifier on Saturday, a 50-lapper where the top four finishers transfer into the main event.

Noah Gragson takes a lap during practice for the 2018 Snowball Derby.
Noah Gragson takes a lap during practice for the Snowball Derby. Credit: @KBMteam

Not only do the best late-model racers from across the country like Augie Grill and Bubba Pollard flock to Florida’s panhandle for the short-track showdown, but some of NASCAR’s biggest stars invade the scene, as well.

The past nine Snowball Derby race winners have made starts or have won races in NASCAR’s national series. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch is a two-time winner, with his first triumph coming in 2009 along with last year’s victory.

Busch is not on the entry list this year, but he will return as a car owner with Gragson at the helm of the No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports ride and Raphael Lessard in the No. 51.

NASCAR’s newest Most Popular Driver Award winner Chase Elliott became the youngest winner in Snowball Derby history in 2011, following it up with another victory in 2015. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Erik Jones won back-to-back events in 2012-13, while John Hunter Nemechek was victorious in 2014.

The race is hosted in conjunction with the United States Super Late Model Rules Alliance and isn’t sanctioned by a particular racing organization. Drivers from various late model series, including the CARS Tour, PASS North and South, Southern Super Series and ARCA, come to participate during the first weekend of December.

Green flag for Sunday’s main event is set for 3 p.m. ET.

Posted on by NASCAR.com

Name: Andy
Current City: New Hope, North Carolina
Member since: 2011

Getting to know Andy​

​Q. How did you first become interested in NASCAR? 

“I first became interested in NASCAR when my cousin took me to a dirt track race which got me hooked on racing and that weekend, we watched Talladega and wow what an amazing race and track. Mark Martin won that day and from then on, I was a huge Mark fan and began following every race in every series. I have been at a race every year for over 20 years now and still look forward to every race we go to!

Q. What is your favorite NASCAR Memory? 

“My favorite NASCAR memory is my first race at Rockingham and watching Mark Martin win! It was the only time I got to see Mark win in person, and it is awesome watching your driver do burnouts. A close second is taking my brother-in-law to his first race at Talladega and watching his eyes light up as the track came into view from the highway! It was really cool 4 years later when Eric Church released the song “Talladega.” Every time I hear that song, I think of that trip to ‘Dega!”

Q. Who are you favorite drivers?

“Clint Bowyer & Brad Keselowski. I saw an interview a few years ago that Clint did at a bar and it looked like a lot of fun to hang out and what would be better than hanging out at a dive enjoying some drinks while hearing all the great stories. To have Brad there who had the greatest championship victory celebration ever, what a great day of stories!”

Q: Do you have a favorite in any of the following categories?

Memorabilia: “I won a 4′ x 5′ photo of Mark Martin and team in victory lane at his last race, from the TV show This Week in NASCAR. The photo is on the wall in the basement where we hang out when people come over.”

Sponsor: “The wife wins that one because she bought close to every piece of Kasey Khane Red Bull merch they made!”

Race-day Tradition: “Always get there early and cook breakfast at our tailgate, and then we walk through the haulers or merchandise/sponsorship tents, before heading in for driver introductions.”

​Q: What are some of your hobbies?

“The wife and I spend most of our time in the fall traveling to college football games wherever Carolina is playing. Outside of football season we go to NASCAR races and love taking the dog to all kinds of cool places especially breweries.”

​From all of us at NASCAR, we thank Andy for his continued support and look forward to hearing from him in 2019! 

Posted on by Zack Albert

LAS VEGAS — Most good, odometer-churning journeys deserve a cool-down lap. For Contessa Nyree, that yearlong trek to nearly every Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event ended this week with a trip to Las Vegas for the season-ending awards ceremony.

“At the end of the Homestead race, I think that’s the only race where I took a picture of the checkered flag the whole season because that felt like the end,” Nyree said Thursday from the Wynn Las Vegas, where she settled into a seat in the middle of the ballroom for the festivities. “So yeah, coming out here for the championship banquet definitely feels like a victory lap of sorts.”

Nyree took a year’s break from her position as an attorney in New York City with the goal of taking in every event on the Monster Energy Series circuit. She only missed Richmond in September for a family function, but added the Eldora dirt-track race for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series as part of her packed itinerary.

PLAN YOUR JOURNEY: 2019 Tickets, event schedules

“It’s been a lot of fun, criss-crossing the country — mostly driving, a couple of flights tossed in. It’s been nice going to all the tracks that I hadn’t been to before.” That list included Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a big-ticket item that she checked off in September.

Nyree, 40, grew up within two miles of the Milwaukee Mile. Though her home state of Wisconsin has long been a hotbed for racing, Nyree was a late bloomer, catching the bug after moving to New York.

Watching on television got Nyree intrigued, and an appreciation for Tony Stewart’s talents gave her a rooting interest. The noise and sensation of attending races in person got her hooked. Needing to recharge and an affection for travel set the wheels in motion for packing her belongings into a storage unit and filling up her cork-board map with more destinations.

What might 2019 hold? After the awards festivities, Nyree is set for an offseason move to the warmer climate of West Palm Beach, Florida. That’ll put her closer to Daytona International Speedway, where she plans on attending a solid chunk of Speedweeks on through the Daytona 500 in February.

But will that trip be the start of another season-long pilgrimage? Nyree smiled, having earned the right to be more selective with her travels next year.

“I am not doing this a whole other year, no way,” Nyree said. “Living out of a couple suitcases and your car and hotels every couple days is tough. … I’m escaping the cold and the snow of the North, so I’ll definitely hit a bunch of races. Haven’t quite decided which ones. I think it’ll be a mix of both NASCAR races and other types of racing.”