Rex Reynolds got a fast start to being a NASCAR fan. Way back in 1976, he picked a prime time for indoctrination — the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Eventual Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough got the victory. NASCAR got a lifelong follower.
“That summer, a lot of the people in my high school junior class went to Panama City Beach, but me and five other guys went the other direction — to the Firecracker 400,” Reynolds recalled. “From that moment I was hooked.”
Reynolds, from Hazel Green, Alabama, is representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama, as one of four finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Eighth Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwoman, honors NASCAR fans who are accomplished volunteers working for children’s causes in their communities throughout the United States.
Reynolds’ resume is remarkable because of a longtime commitment to public service, including volunteering on the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama’s board of directors for 13 years. That stint was recognized in 2010 when Reynolds was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2010. Reynolds, a former Boys & Girls Club member as a youth, recruits sponsors for annual club events and also recruits other volunteers. Reynolds has also served his community as a police chief, public safety director, city administrator and member of the Alabama House of Representatives.
The winner of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award 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.
Reynolds’ NASCAR memories are numerous. He loves recalling how he slept — or tried to sleep — on a flatbed truck at Talladega Superspeedway. “And in the community where I live now, it’s quiet time at 10 p.m.,” he said, laughing at the contrast.
His best memory, though, involves meeting an elderly fan who traveled to races alone and striking up a lasting, valued, friendship.
Winning the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, as far as memories go, would be a keeper. The resulting $100,000 donation would go toward providing daily programs and implementation of a STEM Lab in a potential new Boys & Girls Club in Huntsville, Alabama.
“If you ever invest in these children (at the clubs), you will be hooked forever, which is the reason I am still there,” Reynolds said. “They have definitely won my heart.
“I personally have witnessed the impact we have made at the clubs, making life so much better for our young people who desperately need us the most.”
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – As Mark Green took the group of 12 eager young drivers up the New Smyrna Speedway banking for a track walk Tuesday morning, the connection between the veteran NASCAR racer and those dreaming of their own NASCAR opportunity was obvious.
The members of this NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine came to New Smyrna from places like Washington state and Mexico City. Some were fresh-faced high school students, and some were college-aged. They spoke a variety of languages, had diverse life backgrounds and brought impressive racing resumes.
They share another important trait. They all want to eventually make a living competing in NASCAR’s highest professional divisions. And this combine, in conjunction with REV Racing, was opportunity with a capital O.
Before the young drivers climbed into the late model cars for 15-lap morning and afternoon sessions under the keen eye of longtime NASCAR officials, Green walked the group around the half-mile, high-banked track. “Consistency” was the word of the day, the direct path to an evaluator’s nod.
“It’s not about a one quick lap, but also about how you leave pit road,’’ he cautioned. “Remember to relax, to breathe and not to be nervous.
“And,’’ he said stopping on track and smiling in emphasis, “Don’t do anything crazy and don’t wreck.’’
“Si,” they all responded in unison.
“Si,” he said smiling again, the Kentucky native with a thick Southern drawl conceding he didn’t speak much other Spanish.
“Si. That’s something we can all agree upon.”
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 23: Left to right, Ruben Garcia Jr., of Mexico, Ernie Francis Jr., Nick Sanchez, Ryan Vargas, Brooke Storer, Gracie Trotter, Brittney Zamora, Juan Manuel Gonzalez, of Mexico, Loris Hezemans, of the Netherlands, Ryu Taggart, Chase Cabre, and Perry Patino pose for a group shot, NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine, at New Smyrna Speedway on October 23, 2018 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Cleary/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The group, which had been listening intently dropped their serious faces and shared a big laugh. The exchange assuaged the natural nervousness of such a potentially life-changing chance. The combine presents two fully-funded NASCAR K&N Series rides as well as two NASCAR Late Model Series season rides. And a productive showing on those stages will undoubtedly draw the attention of those who may ultimately hire one of these drivers in a national series one day.
Jusan Hamilton talks with Loris Hezemans, of the Netherlands.
Longtime Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Tony Glover – who directed Sterling Marlin to a pair of Daytona 500 victories (1994-95) at the “big track” a few minutes up State Road 44 – was on the headset with the young drivers as they ran laps. Brett Bodine, a star Cup driver in his own right and now the Cup series’ pace car driver, was among those evaluating the drivers.
The selection process alone to earn a spot in the combine was a major hurdle – with team representatives, NASCAR executives and even former Drive for Diversity drivers- turned Cup superstars Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez having input in the selection process.
In the three-day combine, the 12 drivers worked diligently both on-track and off-track. Their media interviews and fitness tests along with video of their hot laps at New Smyrna will be evaluated by the D4D committee, which will then announce this offseason who has been selected for the 2019 rides.
“With this combine being the advanced level of the Drive for Diversity program, we have a really strong class, really experienced with a lot of racing background already,’’ said Jusan Hamilton, of NASCAR’s Racing Operations and Event Management team and the administrator of the combine.
“This year having that input from a variety of backgrounds – general managers and team owners from the national level as well as alumni drivers, that has led us to a really strong class – one I think that once it’s narrowed down, can be really successful. The program’s goal is to give these drivers a platform to climb.’’
The enthusiasm for the process and the respect of the outcome was immediately obvious as the drivers went from one task to another – some more familiar with the exercises than others. The highlight, of course, was time behind the wheel.
The drivers placed their helmets – ranging from solid black to bright purple, some with logos and some plain – on a pit-side table. Those that weren’t driving or on-deck to drive, found a spot atop one of REV Racing’s team haulers to watch the others.
Ryan Vargas
Ryan Vargas, a high school senior from California who turned 18 a month ago, was first up on track. This is the second consecutive D4D Combine Vargas has been invited to participate in. He is a two-time NASCAR Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award winner (2016-17) who began competing primarily in his home state at some of the same famed small tracks in Irwindale and Kern County where Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship contender Kevin Harvick began his career.
This week marked the first time Vargas had driven a late model stock car on Goodyear bias ply tires and there was no practice in the combine’s cars before Tuesday’s lap sessions. How he – and the others – adapt is exactly part of the evaluation process.
“I don’t know how they decided, there might have been a drawing, but I saw that I was first out and thought, ‘OK, that’s great,’” said Vargas with a grin. “It got me out first and I feel with the lap times I laid and the consistency I showed hopefully it stacks well.
“[Being back this year] there’s a sense of confidence, I feel more relaxed, I’ve done it before. You know the people here and who you’re competing against. You go in and you just say, “I’ve done this before and I can do better.’”
It’s a familiar refrain for several of the 12 drivers participating.
As with Vargas, Brittney Zamora, 19, of Kennewick, Wa., is returning for another chance to impress the committee. She’s been recognized by legendary racer Lyn St. James and the Women’s Sports Foundation, and she is also a returning participant in the Diversity Driver Development Combine. Zamora competes in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series and is the 2017 Northwest Super Late Model Series champion after earning Rookie of the Year in the series last year. She also has been tabbed by Toyota Racing Development and done some late model races in California with them.
“I’m here for the same goal, trying to get the K&N ride with REV Racing,’’ she said smiling. “But it’s nice coming back to the combine knowing a little more what to expect. It’s nice to have a heads-up on what we’re doing and be a little more prepared.
“It’s cool to be a girl and get more girls involved. But I’m here to be the best driver and do the best I can on the track. I leave gender off the table.’’
Left to right, Chase Cabre, Perry Patino, Brittney Zamora, Brooke Storer, and Gracie Trotter
The benefits of the combine invite? “The exposure and getting to be evaluated against the other drivers, it’s cool to see how I stack up,” Zamora said.
Joining Vargas and Zamora are Chase Cabre, Ernie Francis Jr., Rubén Garcia Jr., Juan Manuel González, Loris Hezemans, Perry Patino, Nick Sanchez, Brooke Storer, Ryu Taggart, and Gracie Trotter. About half are making their debut at the combine.
“I’m proud to be accepted into this. It’s a great opportunity for me. … I’m very fortunate,” said Storer, 20, a third-generation Florida racer who is also taking college classes at Rasmussen College while pursuing her driving career.
The Land O’ Lakes native won a race at New Smyrna just a few weeks ago in the American Auto Sportsman Series.
“It was definitely a good confidence boost coming into this,’’ she said.
Garcia, 22, is hoping this combine translates into a quick next step. The Mexico City native has been to four combines and has shown his capability racing fulltime this season in both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Peak Mexico. He competed for REV Racing in the K&N Series winning twice and finished third in the title chase, a point behind second place.
“It’s tough to get the funding you need, but that’s what we’re trying to do,’’ Garcia said. “We’re trying to use all the momentum we’ve built up this season and if we can accomplish one more win and get a championship [in the Mexico Series].
“I’m happy with the way the year is going and how things are coming together, but I feel it’s time to move up and take the next step.
“In my career, this [combine] has made the biggest progress for me. Without this program I never would have considered moving to the U.S. and racing. That’s what you have to do if you want to race fulltime in NASCAR. You need to be here and have the exposure in front of the people you need to, show your skills to people looking for drivers and that’s what this program gave me – the tools and opportunity to be a better driver inside and outside the race car.’’
It rained some early Tuesday, inadvertently giving the NASCAR hopefuls a lesson in rain delays too. But their enthusiasm and talent were on full display when it mattered most. They showed up with impressive resumes and high hopes and left the combine ensuring that the sport was on the right track.
“Being a part of REV Racing and all that Max [Siegel] and NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program have given me is incredible,” added Garcia. “I’ve been put under a spotlight and to be honest, it starts out as a dream and goal but then when you get to this level, it’s like, ‘holy cow, this is real, it could be a difference maker.
“It’s definitely an incredible experience. ‘’
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Alon Day wants more opportunities to race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series – and he hopes his newly earned title will help.
The 26-year-old driver is back in Tel Aviv, Israel — his native country — after winning his second straight NASCAR Whelen Euro Series championship on Oct. 22. Day’s title-clinching win at Circuit Zolder was his seventh win of the 2018 Euro Series season.
The title didn’t come without a fight, though.
“It was a pretty intense year. It was definitely harder than the first year,” Day told NASCAR.com in a phone conversation. “The first four races of the season, I won all of them and then I got disqualified in one of those post-race inspections … And I did another driving mistake which almost cost me the championship. So many small mistakes, so many kinds of punches that I got throughout the year that made everything much more difficult. To be very honest, until the very last moment, until I crossed the line, I didn’t think I would win that championship.
“… I’ve been in such a difficult situation … which actually makes winning much sweeter. I’m super happy, so happy for me, for my team, for my country, for everybody. I’m extremely happy.”
Day also made his second Monster Energy Series start this season and his first at an oval track (at Richmond Raceway in September). He made history running his first Cup race in 2017 at Sonoma Raceway, as he became the first Israeli driver to start in NASCAR’s premier series. Day has also made two pairs of Xfinity and Camping World Truck starts (2016).
“What I learned is that ovals are hard; road courses are easier,” he said, laughing. “That’s the main thing. I’m a road course specialist, I came from road courses. For me, driving an oval was very challenging. But that was a good experience. I learned a lot when I raced in Richmond. I can’t even describe it in words because I had so many things going on that weekend. I wasn’t prepared for that. I didn’t think it was going to be that hard on me.
“So, I would love in the future to do more races. I don’t care which team. I just want to drive in the Cup level. It was amazing. I hope also this championship will open some more doors.”
Day is accustomed to breaking down barriers; he began his career wheeling go-karts in Europe with his father’s support. When he started in 2002, his native country of Israel had “no motorsports.”
“We had nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was desert, literally,” he said with a chuckle. “We had only go-karts … I’m so fortunate and happy that my dad realized my abilities or my potential and invested the money …
“Without my dad sending me out of Israel, sending me to Europe to race there, I don’t think we would be having this conversation right now.”
Day’s presence in NASCAR now is important; for himself, the sport and Israel.
“We are not really big in motorsports but we are getting there … slowly,” he said of his country. “You can see before I started racing in NASCAR, nobody probably knew what NASCAR was here in Israel. And now they actually are broadcasting the races. I won the Athlete of the Year back in 2016 … So that showed how big NASCAR became here in Israel.
“It’s nice to see that there’s so much support behind me and when I won the race, I got so many messages, people all over Israel, even from the government and ministers, people like that congratulating me. It’s a big thing.
“Every time I carry the Israel flag, I’m carrying the whole country behind me.”
Day also hopes to change others’ perspectives about Israel with his success in motorsports, explaining that sports “change everything.”
“I think by having me there, while I was racing (in NASCAR), I tried to change minds about Israel,” he said. “A lot of people really realized that and appreciated that …
“When you think about sports, you don’t think about war. The only war I have is on the race track … I show different sides about Israel and show that we are not only a weapon country or whatever you want to call it or whatever you think about it. We are also good in sports and other things.”
One day, he would love to carry the Israeli flag fulltime in the Monster Energy Series – but he knows what it will take to make that dream happen.
“That’s obviously the goal, but I have to be very realistic and know about what’s coming out with sponsors and things like that,” he said. “So, I would say that’s the ultimate goal, but I know it’s very challenging and it’s not going to be easy and it’s still a long process.
Cliff Preston never misses work on Christmas morning.
And he never complains about the schedule, either, calling his annual shift at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville, Florida “the best three hours of his year.”
Preston spends that time with newborns. He has volunteered for 26 years at UF Health Shands as a “cuddler” for hospitalized newborns, in the absence of a parent. Since 1992, Preston has logged more than 3,300 hours volunteering in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UF Health Shands, comforting thousands of infants.
Preston is representing UF Health Shands, as one of four finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Eighth Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. 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 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.
UF Health Shands’ NICU opened in 1967 and treats approximately 800 critically ill infants each year; some days, more than 50 infants may be receiving care in the unit. If Preston wins the award, the $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation will help provide a state-of-the-art web-cam system at UF Health Shands, designed to keep families connected when children are hospitalized and parents are elsewhere.
Preston’s extensive volunteer commitment includes Christmas mornings and other holidays — when volunteer slots are especially difficult to fill.
“I’m humbled and honored to represent UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital,” Preston said. “This is far outside any experience I’ve had in my life. To be involved with the NASCAR Family … it’s pretty awesome.”
Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
That’s especially true, considering Preston’s longtime love of NASCAR, which evolved from his affinity for muscle cars and stock cars as a young man. His favorite NASCAR memory is attending the Daytona 500 with family members, with a great view of pit-road exit and the start-finish line.
Preston’s all-time favorite driver is NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Bill Elliott. As far as current drivers go, his favorite is former Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne. He got to meet both this past Sunday at Kansas Speedway, where the award finalists were announced.
Preston got another special treat earlier this year, courtesy of The NASCAR Foundation. Chase Elliott, son of Bill Elliott and a current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship contender, was tabbed to inform Preston over the phone that he had become an award finalist.
Christmas — which can never come too early for Preston — had indeed arrived prematurely.
“I was floored and nearly speechless,” Preston said. “It was awesome … the son of ‘Awesome Bill from Dawsonville’ calling me … it was just perfect.”
“I’ve been really inspired about NASCAR by this whole experience. [To win the award] would be an honor beyond anything I could imagine.”
Ray Alfalla won an unprecedented fourth NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series championship, playing a perfect pit strategy to beat last year’s champion Ryan Luza. Alfalla wins the top prize of $10,000, a NASCAR Championship ring and trophy, plus a trip to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series finale to be presented his prizes on stage before the driver introductions.
Alfalla started ninth but only took 16 laps to crack the top five. It was Luza, however, who looked to have the car to beat early on, and while Alfalla could keep pace, it looked as if he was designed to finish runner-up.
With laps winding down, Alfalla made his move, pitting two laps earlier than Luza and taking advantage of his fresh tires to overtake Luza when he returned to the track. Luza emerged nearly half a straightaway behind but started to close the gap with his fresh tires and long-run speed.
By the time there were 10 laps to go, Luza had closed within a second of Alfalla and began to set him up. Alfalla committed to the lower groove and looked unwilling to move around, but Luza kept searching different lines for grip. Luza found speed in the high groove, but with laps winding down, he was not gaining enough on Alfalla.
On the final lap Luza gave it one last go, taking the high groove through Turns 1 and 2 as Alfalla stuck to the middle. Alfalla rolled the middle of the corner much better and maintained the gap, leaving Luza with one more opportunity in Turns 3 and 4. Luza chose the bottom this time, driving hard into Turn 3 and nearly reaching Alfalla’s rear bumper. His attempt fell short, and to make matters worse, Luza’s car appeared to run out of gas exiting Turn 4, leaving him one place short of two championships in a row.
Nick Ottinger started on the pole and looked to play spoiler but only led eight laps before Luza sailed past. Ottinger wound up 24th after being caught up in a crash involving Taylor Hurst and Michael Guest.
The two other Championship 4 contenders, Michael Conti and Matt Bussa, never showed the speed to compete for the title. Conti started near the back after making a mistake in qualifying but gained track position on pit road by taking two tires during the early yellow. Unfortunately, a long run immediately followed and Conti slipped through the field. Once he was on equal tires his car simply could not keep up on a short run. Conti finished third, 4.6 seconds adrift.
Bussa started eighth and, like Conti, lacked short-run speed. Bussa tried a different strategy on the last run, pitting several laps before the rest of the leaders. While Bussa did emerge in front of Alfalla and Luza, his tires were too worn and both easily moved by. Bussa continued to slide and wound up eighth at the checkers.
Alfalla’s fourth championship may be his most improbable. While he won two races he only led 52 laps all season and usually was not the car to beat. His consistency was vintage Alfalla and once the playoffs came around he found just enough speed to take home the top prize.
Luza, on the other hand, was the class of the field for the first half of the year but slid a bit late as Conti came on strong. Late in the season he appeared to find some of the speed he lost and probably had the best car at Homestead, but a small slip on strategy was all that separated him from a second title.
With the NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series on break until February 2019, focus shifts to the NASCAR iRacing Pro Series. The bottom 20 drivers from the 2018 NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing series will take part along with transfers from iRacing’s Road to Pro Series. The top 20 will transfer to the 2019 NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series to challenge Alfalla, Luza, and the rest for the title.
After one of the most competitive NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series seasons ever, the bar is set high for 2019. Can Luza rebound after coming up just short? Will Alfalla make it five titles in nine years? Or can a newcomer burst onto the scene much like Luza did in 2017? The iRacing eSports Network will cover all the action starting in Daytona next February.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 24, 2018) — NASCAR and iRacing waved the checkered flag on an action-packed season with Ray Alfalla winning the 2018 NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series championship at the virtual Homestead Miami Speedway last night. The NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series, NASCAR’s highest-level eSports sanctioned series, features the world’s most elite oval sim-racers competing on virtual NASCAR tracks in Gen6 cars.
Ray Alfalla held off the field to earn his fourth NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series championship, the only multi-time champion in series history. With last night’s victory, Alfalla has won championships in 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2018 — and is the winningest driver in series history with a total of 25 series wins during his iRacing career. The Cuban-born champion, who moved to Florida at the age of six, earned a total of two wins (Richmond and Homestead) and nine top-five finishes this season.
Earlier this month, Zack Novak claimed the first eNASCAR Ignite Series Championship along with a $10,000 racing scholarship. The eNASCAR Ignite Series, the first-ever youth esports series on iRacing featuring drivers between the ages of 13-16, hosted its championship event at the virtual Martinsville Speedway. Novak’s dominant victory in the finale earned him additional prizes including a one-on-one driver instructional session with Max Papis, an introduction to NASCAR racing development personnel and he will be hosted at Martinsville Speedway this weekend.
“We’re thrilled to have completed one of the most competitive seasons in our history and congratulate both of our 2018 NASCAR-sanctioned iRacing champions on a job well done,” said Tony Gardner, President, iRacing. “Ray Alfalla had a tremendous season and is cementing his legacy as the best driver in series history by winning an unprecedented fourth championship. We’re also excited to celebrate Zack Novak as the first-ever eNASCAR Ignite Series champion, it’s clear he has a promising future in iRacing.”
As part of NASCAR’s effort to increase visibility of its esports platforms, engage new fans and further utilize iRacing as a driver development tool, NASCAR and iRacing announced that Jusan Hamilton will serve as the Series Director for both the NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series and eNASCAR Ignite Series beginning in 2019. Hamilton, who will continue to serve as a Senior Manager, Racing Operations at NASCAR, will expand upon his current responsibilities by combining his experience in real-world racing with the iRacing environment.
“As an iRacing subscriber for the past 10 years, I am a loyal supporter of the platform and believe it can be an effective tool to identify and cultivate emerging talent,” said Jusan Hamilton, NASCAR. “I look forward to contributing to the growth of both series while working hand-in-hand with iRacing to help ensure that our esports series are closely aligned to the real-world product.”
NASCAR and iRacing have been at the forefront of competitive gaming since the inception of the series nine years ago. The NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series and eNASCAR Ignite Series are a product of NASCAR’s long-standing presence in esports and are the result of a successful partnership between NASCAR and iRacing.
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).
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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?
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!
