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)
Chase Briscoe had a memorable Thanksgiving weekend, as the NASCAR driver got engaged to girlfriend Marissa Cooper.
Well two big things happen today, I am now a proud dog dad to Ricky B and more importantly asked my best friend to marry me! It’s been a good day. pic.twitter.com/TQBMGbEahs
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Got a big weekend coming up.. time to turn some laps on @iRacing to get all prepped up for @HomesteadMiami 🏁
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!
.@rayalfalla was honored on stage at Homestead over the weekend for winning the 2018 #NPAiS Championship.
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.
Old guys will rule again at Homestead. In fact, Busch is so confident that Harvick will win that if he doesn’t, we’ll give millennials the v lit paint scheme they always wanted in a race next year. Don’t @ us. pic.twitter.com/uZ63oc8wa2
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson went full throwback for NASCAR’s season-ending weekend, commemorating the end of two long-running eras — his time with crew chief Chad Knaus and sponsor Lowe’s. He shaved to replicate the baby-faced look of his early career, and his Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet sported a retro design at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
All the measures heightened a sense of reflection for Johnson, who came home 14th in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400. His 17th season in NASCAR’s top series concluded without a victory for the first time in his career, and 2019 will mark a season of change for the seven-time champion. Kevin Meendering will be his crew chief, and Ally Financial will be his primary sponsor.
Johnson said the reality of the end of his partnership with Knaus began to set in as the two went through pre-race prep at the 1.5-mile track. Knaus is set to join William Byron, this year’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year, and the No. 24 team next season, but Johnson said he expected to remain heavily involved with the crew chief that he called “my brother.”
“We will work very close together and I think even on a deeper level than where we have been the last couple of years,” Johnson said. “The last couple of years have been tough. William (Byron) is a great guy and I’ve been working closely with him and obviously, Chad is going to be working with William. We will all be in there working together without a doubt.”
Hendrick Motorsports/Team Lowe’s Racing
The 2018 campaign marked career-lows for Johnson and the No. 48 group in several key categories, including laps led, laps completed, top-five finishes and average finish. The struggles prompted a change for the longtime driver-crew chief pairing, with the announcement of next year’s Hendrick Motorsports lineup coming in October.
“Early in the year, kind of midseason when we made that decision and working through that scenario wasn’t easy,” Johnson said. “Just glad to finish with a respectable result today, but we’ve got a lot of work to do as a company. I’ve got a lot of work to do with my new team, we’ve got a lot of work to do with this new (rules) package and we’ve got to come out stronger.”
Next season will bring a new look for Johnson’s efforts. He’ll aim to build chemistry with Meendering, who moves up to the Monster Energy Series after a successful tenure with JR Motorsports on the Xfinity side. He’ll also sport a new look with Ally sponsorship, which promises to bring more than a splash of purple to the No. 48’s body panels.
More importantly, he hopes to create a new streak of winning ways.
“I’ve had such a fortunate career and I would have loved to keep that streak alive, clearly that is not the case,” said Johnson, who ended the season stuck on 83 career victories. “Instead of reflecting on this year and how bad it was because I know that reality, I’ve been living it first-hand. I just think it’s important for me and the team right now to look back on what we have done together over 17 years together.
“New sponsor, new crew chief, whole new rules package, you know, 2019 is going to be a clean start for myself and this No. 48 team.”
Joey Logano took home his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title with a win in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
After all the hard work, the driver they call “Sliced Bread” can now sit back and enjoy the bouquets being thrown his way. Here are some congrats from a few of NASCAR’s notables:
Wild weekend @HomesteadMiami So thrilled to have joined @NASCARonNBC. Congrats to @Team_Penske and @joeylogano on becoming champions. It was a great season! One of the best in years. Awesome racing. I’m ready to drive that pacetruck for the Daytona 500!
Huge congratulations to @joeylogano Roger Penske, Ford, the whole 22 team and all of Team Penske on their championship!! Amazing to be a part of a great organization!
That is so cool for @joeylogano to get the Championship. To see his emotion after the win with wife, son, mom and dad is a dream come true. A massive commitment by every one of them and tonight they’re on top!
