Posted on by Staff Report

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brad Keselowski came together in Stage 2 of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, sparking a wreck that collected 25 cars, including many of the contenders at the front of the pack. 

The wreck occurred on Lap 53 of 160 when Stenhouse’s No. 17 Ford got close to Keselowski’s No. 2 Ford from behind entering Turn 3. That sent Keselowski sliding toward the outside wall and Kurt Busch’s No. 41 Ford.

RELATED: Race results | Best photos from Daytona

“You got a list of drivers that are making moves that they are unqualified to make and it causes big wrecks,” Keselowski said to NBC after emerging from the infield care center. “That was one of those. It was my fault because I lifted. I should have wrecked him and sent a message to the whole field.”

The cars for Keselowski, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano were among those to take significant damage. None of those cars could continue in the race.

“The 17 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.) turned the 2 (Brad Keselowski) and then that was it,” Hamlin said. “Once cars get sideways on the backstretch, everyone just battles to try to get through the wreck. You know most of the strong contenders in front, they got taken out in that one, so we’re going to have a crapshoot from here on out.”

RELATED: Kes sends message for Talladega

Even Busch, who was running alongside Keselowski in a contest for second place, was not immune from the stack-up.

“I was running in the high lane and I just have to giggle, there’s no safe spot,” Busch said. “I thought being in the top two or three is pretty safe, but we just got clipped from behind. Usually, there’s that danger zone that everybody knows about from third to 12th and we didn’t get strung out enough to get away from some of the action.”

The full list of the cars involved, some more than others: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 41, 42, 43, 48, 88, 95, 72, 1, 7, 15, 32, 34.

All sidelined drivers were unhurt after being checked out at the infield care center. But a common lament was the impatience shown with aggressive racing early in Stage 2.

“Just not very smart for Lap 55 or so. Still a long ways to go,” said Daniel Suarez, who was credited with 35th in the 40-car field. “I don’t know. I mean half of the field is out so, it’s a real shame.”

Posted on by Staff Report

Several top contenders were eliminated from the Coke Zero Sugar 400 after big wrecks in Stage 2, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was able to remain unscathed and held on for his second stage win Saturday — and his second of the season.

RELATED: Stage 2 results

Stenhouse Jr. was involved in two big wrecks, including “The Big One,” which came on Lap 53 when 25 cars – more than half the field — were caught up in a massive pileup. Brad Keselowski was running in second when he was clipped from behind by the No. 17 of Stenhouse Jr. to set off the collisions.

RELATED: ‘The Big One’ hits Daytona

Among the cars suffering most damage were those of Keselowski, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott. All exited the race.

Just a few laps later, on Lap 64, Kyle Busch and William Byron were involved in a wreck that caused enough damage to their cars that they could not continue. Stenhouse made contact with Busch’s No. 18 Toyota to set off that wreck.

The 400-mile race is scheduled to end on Lap 160.

Finish Driver Team Race Points
1 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  Roush Fenway Racing 10
2 Michael McDowell  Front Row Motorsports 9
3 Alex Bowman  Hendrick Motorsports 8
4 Kasey Kahne  Leavine Family Racing 7
5 Ty Dillon  Germain Racing 6
6 Jimmie Johnson  Hendrick Motorsports 5
7 Kyle Larson  Chip Ganassi Racing 4
8 Austin Dillon  Richard Childress Racing 3
9 Trevor Bayne  Roush Fenway Racing 2
10 Ryan Newman  Richard Childress Racing 1

STAGE 1

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. collected his first stage win of the season when he led the final 28 laps of Stage 1 in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.

Stenhouse Jr., who started sixth, was battling with pole-sitter Chase Elliott for the lead by Lap 10. The two swapped the lead for a couple laps before Stenhouse Jr. found speed in the high line at Daytona and took the lead on Lap 13.

Several cars caught in the low groove — including Elliott — were shuffled back in the running order early. A furious push to collect points for the stage resulted in a handful of cars sliding into the low line to challenge for the lead — including Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron in fourth and Elliott in fifth.

Finish Driver Team Race Points
1  Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  Roush Fenway Racing 10
2  Kyle Busch  Joe Gibbs Racing 9
3  Kyle Larson  Chip Ganassi Racing 8
4  William Byron  Hendrick Motorsports 7
5  Chase Elliott  Hendrick Motorsports 6
6  Kurt Busch  Stewart-Haas Racing 5
7  Ryan Newman  Richard Childress Racing 4
8  Brad Keselowski  Team Penske 3
9  Austin Dillon  Richard Childress Racing 2
10  Alex Bowman  Hendrick Motorsports 1
Posted on by Reid Spencer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Contract negotiations have a history of complications for Kurt Busch.

Last year, Stewart-Haas declined to pick up his option but later re-signed the 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion.

This year, though SHR has expressed a desire to retain all four drivers in its stable — Busch, Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Aric Almirola — Busch has yet to talk turkey with team principals.

Busch, 39, is in his fourth season with SHR, having been hired initially by team co-owner Gene Haas. Busch is currently seventh in the series standings, but he hasn’t won a race since the 2017 Daytona 500. Both the driver and crew chief Billy Scott, who called the shots for Danica Patrick last year, know they have to pick up their performance.

“We have to ramp up to that next step, and you do that with teamwork and a lot a research behind the scenes to look at numbers and predict better patterns for the races,” Busch said. “We were a competitive car at Chicago (last Sunday). We almost won Stage 2. Then, the second half of the race, the car went awful tight.

“If we really jump into the numbers on things, Billy was with Danica last year, and some of their race day notes aren’t as solid as they needed to be when you’re trying to compete against guys like Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. That’s the level we’ve got to get to the second half of this year.”

If that happens, Busch’s contract might just take care of itself.

Posted on by Staff Report

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be in action for a national series tripleheader at Kentucky Speedway. Check out the full schedule below, subject to change.

Note: All times are ET.

Thursday, July 12
9:05-9:55 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice, No TV (Results)
11:05-12:02 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice, No TV (Results)
4:05-4:50 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series practice, NBC Sports App only (Canada: TSN GO) (Results)
5:10 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying, FS1 (Results)
6:05-6:50 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity final practice, NBC Sports App only (Canada: TSN GO) (Results)
7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up in Your Truck 225 (150 laps, 225 miles), FS1 (Results)

Friday, July 13
12-12:50 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, NBCSN (Canada: TSN2) (Results)
2-2:50 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, NBCSN (Canada: TSN2) (Results)
5:05 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying, NBCSN (Canada: TSN GO) (Results)
6:40 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Canada: TSN5) (Results)
8 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300 (200 laps, 300 miles), NBCSN (Canada: TSN5) (Results)

LIVE EVENTS (Watch replay)
3 p.m.: Trackside Live

Saturday, July 14
5:30 p.m.: Driver/Crew Chief Meeting
7 p.m.: Driver Introductions
7:30 p.m.: Presentation of Colors: U.S. Army, Fort Knox, Ky.
7:30:20 p.m.: Invocation: Larry Campbell, Track Chaplain, Kentucky Raceway Ministries
7:31 p.m.: National Anthem: Thoroughbred Chorus, Louisville, Ky.
7:32:45 p.m.: Flyover: 187th Fighter Wing, (2) F-16’s Montgomery Alabama
7:37:30 p.m.: “Drivers, Start Your Engines” by Carlos Maurer, President of Shell Lubricants Americas
7:45 p.m.: Green Flag, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart (267 laps, 400.5 miles), NBCSN (Canada: TSN2) (Results)

LIVE EVENTS (Watch live)
4 p.m.: Trackside Live

PRESS PASS (Watch live)
10:45 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race

Posted on by Staff Report

What channels are NASCAR races on 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 | Gets FOX Sports Go | How to find NBCSN 

Monday, July 9
5 p.m.: NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
7 p.m.: NASCAR Race Classic: 1994 Coca-Cola 600, FS1

On MRN
noon: Motorsports Monday (with hosts Woody Cain & Joey Meier)

Tuesday, July 10 
5 p.m.: NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

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

Wednesday, July 11 
5 p.m.: NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m.: Dale Jr. Download, NBCSN
6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub, FS1 (‘Davey Lives On’ to air during show)
6:30 p.m.: Racing Roots: Daniel Suarez, NBCSN

On MRN
noon: MRN Crew Call (with hosts Sammi Jo Francis and Rocko Williams)
1 p.m.: NASCAR Coast to Coast (with hosts Kyle Rickey & Hannah Newhouse)

Thursday, July 12 
4 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series practice, NBC Sports App only (Canada: TSN GO)
5 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pole qualifying, FS1
6 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series practice, NBC Sports App only (Canada: TSN GO)
7 p.m.: NASCAR RaceDay, FS1
7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up in Your Truck 225, FS1

On MRN
1 p.m.: Throwback Thursday – 2001 Outback Steakhouse 300

Friday, July 13
3:30 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up in Your Truck, FS1 (re-air)
5:30 a.m.: NASCAR Race Classic: 1994 Coca-Cola 600, FS1
noon: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, NBCSN (Canada: TSN2)
2 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, NBCSN (Canada: TSN2)
5 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Canada: TSN GO)
6 p.m.: NASCAR America, NBCSN
6:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Canada: TSN5)
7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Countdown to Green, NBCSN
8 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300, NBCSN (Canada: TSN5)
10:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series post-race show, NBCSN
11 p.m.: NASCAR The Decades: The 1980s, NBCSN

On MRN
noon: The Inside Line (with host Tyler Burnett)

Saturday, July 14
6 p.m.: NASCAR America Saturday, NBCSN
7 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Countdown to Green, NBCSN
7:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400, NBCSN (Canada: TSN2)
11 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Post-Race Show, NBCSN

Posted on by Staff Report

Ever wonder what goes on in a driver meeting? We’re here to help.

This year, we’ll publish the actual rules video your favorite Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will watch before climbing into their stock cars. Above is the video for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (7 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Daytona International Speedway.

Enjoy!

Posted on by Staff Report

704Games, NASCAR Team Properties’ exclusive console simulation-style video game licensee, announced today that NASCAR Heat 3 will be available in North America on Sept. 7, 2018, on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC via Steam.

Nascar Heat 3 Cover DriversNASCAR Heat 3 is the sequel to NASCAR Heat 2, with industry leading developer Monster Games returning to the helm. NASCAR Heat 3 boasts a variety of new features, including a deeper career mode, additional race tracks, expanded online multiplayer features including online tournaments, and a brand-new fantasy dirt-racing experience: the Xtreme Dirt Tour.

The Xtreme Dirt Tour in NASCAR Heat 3 allows players to compete across eight new dirt tracks. After finding small town success, players will experience authentic NASCAR racing as they build a career in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™ alongside the biggest names in motorsports. Players will also be able to manage their own race teams as team owners in NASCAR Heat 3.

Nascar Heat 3 Main 3

The cover of NASCAR Heat 3 features 12-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports and the team’s star drivers Chase Elliott, William Byron, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Bowman.

“NASCAR Heat 3 will be the biggest NASCAR console game we’ve ever released,” said Paul Brooks, CEO of 704Games. “Partnering with a powerhouse like Hendrick Motorsports, with its exciting combination of drivers, was a natural choice to honor the spirit of innovation and excitement we’re delivering to fans in NASCAR Heat 3.”

“It’s cool to join my three teammates on the cover,” said seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. “A big part of our fanbase has a passion for gaming and for the NASCAR Heat franchise in particular. The details incorporated into the new game are amazing and will give players a really fun experience.”

NASCAR Heat 3 has also expanded its race-ticket coupon program, established with NASCAR Heat 2. Fans who purchase or pre-order NASCAR Heat 3 at retail will receive a $50 race-ticket coupon. Coupons can be redeemed toward the purchase of any ticket for a NASCAR-sanctioned event at any one of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.’s eight tracks, as well as Dover International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, through 2019.*

“We love being able to deliver this massive value to our customers,” Brooks continued. “With the $50 race-ticket coupon inside the game, NASCAR Heat 3 is basically free for NASCAR fans planning to attend a race.”

NASCAR Heat 3 is available to pre-order today for $49.99 via Amazon, Best Buy and GameStop with digital pre-orders available soon. Additional information will be available in the coming weeks on the game’s official website: www.NASCARHeat.com. Fans can also follow NASCAR Heat 3 on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.

*Offer available while supplies last. Certain restrictions apply. See voucher for details.

 

Posted on by Zack Albert

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The recurring theme of maximizing performance against long odds made a special Daytona encore for Kaz Grala and Fury Race Cars.

The underdog driver and team pairing, in just their sixth NASCAR Xfinity Series race together, squeezed out an inspiring fifth-place finish in Friday’s Coca-Cola Firecracker 250. It’s a result made even more amazing in that it came in a decommissioned chassis — built when Grala was in elementary school — that’s soon bound for the show car circuit. Furthermore, the team rallied from a distant 38th-place starting spot and recovered from a deflated tire in the waning laps to seal a top five.

RELATED: Larson wins Xfinity thriller | 17 cars collected in big wreck at Daytona

All those factors had the 19-year-old Grala beaming at the outcome, which he called “basically a win.”

“I mean, it’s not too often you can get a flat right-rear with seven (laps) to go and come back and have a top-five finish,” Grala said. “But that’s what’s special about Daytona. If you play your cards right, no matter what goes wrong around you, sometimes it’ll go right for you and that happened for us tonight. ”

Grala is familiar with Cinderella finishes at Daytona, winning the Camping World Truck Series season opener here in 2017. He also placed fourth at the 2.5-mile track in February as he made his Xfinity Series debut.

But it was also an improbable effort for the No. 61 Ford chassis that, according to a Fury spokesperson, began its life an estimated 10-plus years ago with Ray Evernham’s organization. From there, the car went from Richard Petty’s operation to Biagi-DenBeste Racing and ultimately Stewart-Haas Racing, which entered into a partnership with Biagi-DenBeste this season.

Fury took possession of it just before leaving for last weekend’s race at Chicagoland Speedway.

“Luckily, huge thanks to Biagi for giving us one of their backup cars that was going to be a show car,” Grala said. “We said, ‘well, can you just make it a show car after one more race? Let us run this one in it,’ and they so graciously lent it to us. Obviously it was pretty sporty out there. Great car and we have some good calls, good moves to make it up front.”

Posted on by Staff Report

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway keeps getting bigger.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced tickets are now on sale for a star-studded concert that will take place Saturday, Sept. 8, the night before the final playoff spots are locked up in the next day’s annual Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard.

MORE: Buy tickets now!

The FGL Fest features headliners Florida George Line — this is the group’s inaugural FGL Fest — along with favorites Cole Swindell, Nelly, Raelynn, Jillian Jacqueline, Mason Ramsey, Riley Green and Stephanie Quayle. The show begins at 3 p.m. ET and lasts until 11 p.m. ET, setting the stage for the next day’s classic Brickyard race.

Add this concert to the list of many things to do at Indianapolis in September. In addition to the Monster Energy Series regular-season finale on Sept. 9, the NASCAR Xfinity Series stars race on Sept. 8.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials also are building a quarter-mile dirt track inside the oval and will host USAC Midget event on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6. Expect some of NASCAR’s own top dirt racers to be in the field.

Posted on by RJ Kraft

Chase Elliott won the Busch Pole Qualifying Award and will start in the top position in Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 (7 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Daytona International Speedway. After one practice session and qualifying, we’ve dissected the numbers and restrictor-plate histories to offer a suggested lineup worthy of your Fantasy Live consideration as you go to make roster decisions for the 18th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race of 2018. Remember that the garage locks at the end of Stage 2.

RJ Kraft’s revised Fantasy Live lineup following practices and the lineup being set:
1: Joey Logano
2: Aric Almirola
3: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
4: Ryan Blaney
5: Michael McDowell
Garage: Alex Bowman

PLAY NOW: Set your Fantasy Live lineup | How the new Fantasy Live works
MORE: Fantasy analysis for Daytona | Driver stats | Full lineup | 10-lap averages

Analysis: My roster decisions were influenced by two things. First, I’m trying to save uses with top drivers I’ve deemed more valuable elsewhere — specifically Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson and Clint Bowyer. Secondly, prior to this race weekend, I mapped out a projected lineup for the final nine races of the regular season to evaluate if there were any drivers I was in danger of under using or that I was risking leaving uses on the table for.

From my original lineup, I’m keeping Logano, Almirola, Stenhouse Jr., Bowman and McDowell. I was pretty set on Almirola and McDowell all week. Stenhouse and Bowman are plays based on low usage thus far, how they have looked this weekend at Daytona and in recent restrictor-plate races. When evaluating my uses left for the final nine regular season races, I was afraid I might leave a Logano use on the table. For a driver currently third in the point standings, that is not acceptable to me. Given his strong history with plate racing and Penske’s success in this type of racing, I’m comfortable with the play knowing how I am positioned for the remainder of the season.

My one lineup change is Ryan Blaney slotting in for Paul Menard. This play is motivated by a few things with the concern of missing out on a use one of them. Blaney was THE dominant car here in the 2018 Daytona 500 and is a perfect 12-for-12 in scoring stage points in plate races in the stage points era. I want someone that puts themselves in position for stage points and that is something he has done all year as well. Menard has been strong of late at Daytona with three straight top-six finishes, but I just think the Blaney play could pay off bigger for me.

For the bonus picks, looking at Chase Elliott for a Stage 1 win, Clint Bowyer in Stage 2 with Brad Keselowski taking the checkered flag.