Posted on by Staff Report

Known lately for throwing it back to the past, Darlington Raceway has its sights set on the future.

The track announced Wednesday a capital improvement project to the 1.366-mile speedway, slated to begin immediately.

“Darlington Raceway and its parent company, International Speedway Corporation, are committed to providing a best-in-class guest experience for our fans when they attend our NASCAR events,” said Kerry Tharp, Darlington Raceway President, in a track release. “This investment in our facility further achieves that goal and solidifies our place as the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.”

The project, coined A Better Darlington…The Tradition Continues, will feature a renovation of the track’s Tyler, Wallace and Colvin Grandstands, giving fans a more comfortable seating experience when they attend the September NASCAR race weekend. The track will once again celebrate NASCAR’s history with its throwback platform with the “Seven Decades of NASCAR,” in tribute to the 70th anniversary of the sport.

The enhancements follow a trend across International Speedway Corp. tracks, with similar investments to improve the fan experience at Daytona International Speedway, ISM Raceway at Phoenix and Richmond Raceway in the past few years.

MORE: Daytona rises even higher from beach sand

The pitch of the Tyler Tower Grandstands on the frontstretch will be improved, providing better sightlines and viewing experience for the fans. Stadium-style chair back seats with cup holders will replace the current metal seats in Tyler, providing a wider and more comfortable seating experience.

The metal seats in the Wallace Grandstands on the frontstretch will be replaced with bench style seats with backs, providing fans with a wider and more comfortable seating experience, as well. The historic Colvin Grandstands will also receive a makeover, with wider, more comfortable bench seating, along with refurbished concession areas and restroom facilities.

Artist rendering courtesy of Darlington Raceway

In addition, all grandstands at Darlington Raceway will now be considered smoke-free, with designated smoking areas available throughout the concourses for guests.

Multiple cross-over gates will be installed along the front stretch as well, providing fans with quicker and more efficient access to Bojangles’ Southern 500 pre-race activities.

The project will also feature a one-of-a-kind Wall of Honor, unique to any other NASCAR track. This iconic banner signage will adorn the bottom of the Wallace and Colvin grandstands and will pay tribute to the former race champions at the Lady in Black.

With all its success hosting NASCAR and other community events, Darlington Raceway is contributing $64.6 million in economic impact to the state of South Carolina, according to an updated 2017 study conducted by Dr. Tom H. Regan of the University of South Carolina’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.

RELATED: Richmond renovation in motion | $178M project at ISM Raceway

“Darlington Raceway is one of South Carolina’s premier historical landmarks that has attracted millions of people over the last seven decades,” said South Carolina House Speaker Jay Lucas (District 65-Darlington).“ … I am confident that once renovations are complete, Darlington Raceway will be considered the most exceptional sporting event venue that is far ‘Too Tough to Tame.’ ”

The 2018 Bojangles’ Southern 500 is Sunday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Posted on by Staff Report

Defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney will join NBC’s Super Bowl pre-game coverage on Feb. 4, the network announced Wednesday.

Truex Jr. and Blaney, along with NBC reporter Rutledge Wood, Olympian Bode Miller, soccer analyst Andres Cantor and The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore will experience the Super Bowl celebration together from Minneapolis, and take part in outdoor events and activities leading up to kickoff.

RELATED: Junior doing Super Bowl, Winter Olympics

The two join Dale Earnhardt Jr. — who will make his NBC debut — to give Minneapolis a little more flavor as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New England Patriots. Coverage of the big game begins on NBC at noon ET on Feb. 4. The three drivers and Wood will focus on the “speed” generated at outdoor events in Minnesota, including a downhill tubing competition.

No word on if Truex Jr., an ardent Eagles fan, will wear a jersey of his hometown team on air.

Posted on by Pat DeCola

In less than three weeks, drivers will be wide open on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in (hopefully) bright, warm and sunny Florida for the upcoming Daytona 500.

But for now, there’s still a crap-ton of snow and freezing temps at northern tracks like Watkins Glen International … and that’s a good thing.

MORE: Which tracks look the best dressed in snow?

WGI posted an awesome video of a Jeep and a (very fitting) Toyota Tundra making the most of all-wheel drive and drifting all over its own banks, albeit of a different variety.

You aren’t going to want to miss this one. Check it out in all of its slip-slidin’ glory.

Posted on by Jessica Ruffin

RELATED: SHR raises the flag on 10-year anniversary

Tony Gibson walked into the Stewart-Haas Racing shop for the first time on Nov. 17, 2008, the day after the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season concluded at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The confetti falling on the 2008 season also meant the beginning of a new era for Gibson — he had just finished his final season with Dale Earnhardt Inc., a team he had been with since 2002. In a few months, he would begin a new venture with newly formed Stewart-Haas Racing and driver Ryan Newman.

Fast forward 10 years and Gibson, who now works as the team’s production manager, remains hard at work at the Kannapolis, North Carolina-based race shop — but the scenery looks a bit different today.

“It’s been a ride, I can tell you that,” Gibson told NASCAR.com at the team shop on Jan. 25. “The first day I came in here … I walked in and there was nothing here, really, not a lot. Just some cars, bodies off, just chassis, and I remember crawling around on the ground looking at everything, what I was up against. And all my guys showed up that night because they hired the whole entire team, which was the 8 team at DEI.

“We were all sitting in the lobby right there and we met with (Tony) Stewart and (SHR President) Brett Frood. And Eddie Jarvis (Stewart’s longtime business manager and friend) in the lobby right there when everybody got hired, he handed everybody their envelopes and all their stuff and insurance and stuff.

RELATED: Key moments in SHR history

“From that day, going from not a whole lot to work with to what we have now is just unbelievable.”

Jessica Ruffin | NASCAR.com

The 2018 season marks Stewart-Haas Racing’s 10th anniversary competing in NASCAR’s highest level. The organization began when Haas Automation founder Gene Haas, who was running his own team Haas CNC Racing at the time, joined forces with Monster Energy Series champion Stewart before the 2009 season. Stewart had just wrapped up a 10-year stint with Joe Gibbs Racing, which resulted in two championships and 33 wins.

Stewart and Newman made up the team’s initial driver lineup and Stewart earned the team’s first championship in 2011. Two years later, SHR hired Danica Patrick to pilot the No. 10 ride, marking the first female to drive a full-time season in the Monster Energy Series. The team would expand to a four-car operation the following season, with Stewart, Patrick, Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick behind the wheel in 2014.

That same year,  Harvick and the No. 4 team would earn the team’s second Monster Energy Series championship.

Stewart with Harvick at Texas in 2017 (Chris Graythen | Getty Images)

“I think if you go back … before bringing Tony in, their goal was to finish on the lead lap,” Harvick said. “When you bring Tony Stewart in, it attracts a lot of good people and over the last 10 years, between Tony and all the good people and everything they’ve built here at Stewart-Haas Racing, they’ve been able to win two championships in 10 years and a bunch of wins.

“I’ve owned a race team before, not at this level but one level below, and it was hard to keep up, let alone build something from scratch, from the ground up in order to compete with the Hendricks and the Roushes of the world. It’s pretty hard to do.”

RELATED: Stewart-Haas Racing statistics

In its decade, Stewart-Haas Racing has nabbed 39 victories in addition to its two premier series titles. It formed an Xfinity Series operation in 2017, with Cole Custer piloting the No. 00 to Victory Lane at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 2017 season also marked the team’s switch from Chevrolet to Ford. Despite the expected difficulties that come with a manufacturer switch, Stewart-Haas opened up the season with a Daytona 500 win with Busch, tallying additional wins at Sonoma and Texas with Harvick.

“I’ve been here five years and I see about 99 percent of the same employees,” Busch said. “Everybody’s here and they’re racers and they’re committed. And they’re committed because there’s nowhere else to go – this is one of those environments where it’s loose, it’s serious, we have fun but we work hard here. And it’s a great environment if you’re a racer-type guy.”

Stewart with Haas at Sonoma in 2017 (Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images)

Stewart is indeed that racer-type guy, who imparts that same culture on the gleaming white floors at Stewart-Haas Racing. But for the three-time champion, success boils down to other people – his employees.

“I think it’s a testimony to the people who are the on the other side of this glass right here,” Stewart said, seated in view of the shop floor from the SHR lobby. “It doesn’t matter how many resources you have, it doesn’t matter how much money you throw at it — if you don’t have the right people to do the job it won’t happen (and) it won’t matter.

“The people that are in this shop working are die-hard racers — I mean, that’s all they think about … At the end of the day when it’s time for them to go home, they’re not worried about looking at that clock. They’re worried about getting their job done. They just want to go out and win races and have the opportunity to win races and win championships.”

The passion for racing, Stewart says, fuels his employees. It has for the last 10 years and will into the team’s future.

“When you can assemble that many people that have the same common goal — I mean, there’s people that work at race shops that literally show up in time to start the day and at the time that their shift’s over at the end of the day, they’re out the door (and) it’s a mad dash to see who can get out of the parking lot first.

“That’s not the way it is here. There are guys that at 9, 10 o’clock at night, they’re still here working and it’s because they’re passionate about it and they want the results. That’s what we want here and it’s just a relaxed group of guys — we’re not people to wear button-up shirts every day.

“We’re the T-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes crew in here that enjoy working on race cars and enjoy going and winning races.”

Posted on by Holly Cain

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Before Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams arrive in Daytona Beach for Speedweeks and the official start to the 2018 season, some drivers will be participating in a much-anticipated open test session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Sixteen drivers including Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and rookies Darrell Wallace Jr. and William Byron, will turn laps on the 1.5-mile Las Vegas track this Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, as part of the test, which includes one car per organization.

RELATED: Speedweeks schedule | 2018 schedule | Driver tracker for coming season

This will be the last NASCAR organizational test until July, when teams will turn test laps on the Charlotte Road Course; however there will be several Goodyear Tire tests between now and then.

The full list of those expected to participate in the Las Vegas test next week includes: Ty Dillon (Germain Racing), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Roush Fenway Racing), Erik Jones (Joe Gibbs Racing), Paul Menard (Wood Brothers Racing), Ryan Newman (Richard Childress Racing), Cole Custer (Go Fas Racing), Chris Buescher (JTG Daugherty Racing), Kurt Busch (Stewart-Haas Racing), Kasey Kahne (Leavine Family Racing), Larson (Cup Ganassi Racing), Keselowski (Team Penske), Wallace (Richard Petty Motorsports), Byron (Hendrick Motorsports) in addition to Justin Allgaier, David Ragan and Drew Herring.

Pole qualifying for the Daytona 500 and the Advance Auto Parts Clash race are set for Feb. 11 at Daytona International Speedway with the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2018) – NASCAR today announced key leadership appointments across its growing international business landscape and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Jim Cassidy has been named to the new leadership position of Chief International Officer, reporting into Steve O’Donnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. Charged with growing the NASCAR brand of racing internationally, Cassidy will oversee all international competition and commercial operations, building on the success of NASCAR’s three international series with the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in Canada, NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

“Jim brings nearly two decades of racing operations and industry leadership experience. He has worked tirelessly to grow our existing motorsports properties outside of the U.S and will lead our efforts to identify important growth opportunities internationally for our sport and its growing fanbase,” said O’Donnell.

“NASCAR racing is broadcast in over 185 countries and territories, with race fans engaging stock car racing in person at events in Canada, Mexico and across Europe. The demand for NASCAR racing internationally has never been stronger and we look forward to bringing our sport closer to race fans everywhere,” said Cassidy.

Joining Cassidy in these efforts will be Chad Seigler in the new position of Vice President, International Business Development. Seigler will draw upon a decade of successful industry sales experience to oversee all international sales and partnership marketing. Celeste Griffin-Churchill in the new position of Senior Director, International, Joe Balash in his current role as Director, International Competition, and Bob Duvall in his position as Senior Director, International & Weekly/Touring Business Development will play key roles in this area.

NASCAR additionally announced that Ben Kennedy has been named to the leadership position of General Manager, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Kennedy will oversee all aspects of NASCAR’s popular truck series, working closely with Brad Moran, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Managing Director, and Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Managing Director, Series Marketing to continue to deliver great racing, fan experience and marketing across this series. Kennedy will report into Elton Sawyer, Vice President, Competition and will work closely with O’Donnell and Steve Phelps, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer.

“Ben will draw upon his years of experience across NASCAR’s grassroots and national series to bring valuable commercial and competition insights to our NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. With promising young drivers and experienced veterans battling it out in close, side-by-side racing, Ben truly understands from experience that every lap matters and we are excited about his future leadership in this important national series,” said Brent Dewar, President, NASCAR.

Posted on by Team Release

Mooresville, NC – StarCom Racing, who recently acquired a Charter for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, signs Jeffrey Earnhardt to compete in this year’s historic 60th running of the DAYTONA 500, and the rest of the season. This will ensure keeping the Earnhardt name alive at the event for the 40th straight year. SCR’s recent Charter acquisition guarantees the team a position in the Great American Race, where it will showcase its partnership with VRX Simulators in the 00 Chevy Camaro, which will be piloted by 4th generation cup series driver Jeffrey Earnhardt.

StarCom | VRX Simulators

“I am so appreciative of everyone at StarCom Racing and VRX for having confidence in me and making this a reality,” said Earnhardt. “There’s been an Earnhardt driving in the 500 for 39 years so to be able to keep that streak going for a 40th year means a lot to me and I’m sure a lot of Earnhardt fans are going to be happy to hear this news.”

MORE: Driver tracker for ’18 | Drivers, crew chiefs on the move

SCR Team Manager and former DAYTONA 500 winner, Derrike Cope, has worked relentlessly with Crew Chief, Tony Furr, and team to put SCR in the best equipment possible heading into the 2018 season. Cope’s experience and Earnhardt’s tenacity will be a dynamic duo both on and off the track as they combine forces this year.

“It was imperative for our young team to have a sponsored driver for our start-up year, and we did have several options. We felt that Jeffrey was the best fit for our team and VRX has already shown the type of enthusiasm and commitment that SCR has both for Jeffrey and for the sport. It will be a very exciting year for us,” comments Cope.

“I knew Derrike casually before but I didn’t realize how much he knows about race cars. He’s got a tremendous amount of technical expertise and speaking with him gave me confidence that StarCom has big plans and I want to be part of that progression,” said Earnhardt.

VRX Simulators, based in British Columbia, Canada is new to the NASCAR circuit. VRX integrates software and hardware to create the world’s most advanced racing and flight simulators for home and business. Daytona will mark its first race as a primary sponsor for VRX in the MENCS as part of its brand new VRX Motorsports program.

“I’m very proud to partner with Jeffrey Earnhardt and StarCom Racing. We’re here to change NASCAR forever. We’re bringing the most powerful technology companies on the planet to do this,” said Robert Stanners, Founder of VRX Simulators. “We have been working on this for seven years, and it’s finally go time! We are proud to continue Earnhardt Nation and its legacy for the 40th year in the 60th running of the DAYTONA 500, with VRX Simulators on board the No. 00 Chevrolet!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeffrey and VRX to the StarCom Racing team” says Matt Kohler, President of StarCom Racing. “The duo of Cope and Earnhardt bring experience and excitement for the 00 in 2018!”

Posted on by Kathy Sheldon

Tap your toes to the beat from … Darrell Wallace Jr.?

That’s right. Bubba isn’t just a race car driver, he’s a drummer, too. And a good one at that.

The 24-year-old Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pilot posted a video to Twitter highlighting some sick drum beats and elite-level head banging.

Wallace, who will wheel the iconic No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports in 2018, covered Of Mice & Men’s ‘Forever YDG’N’ for all of social media to see.

We wonder if Bubba can form a NASCAR band. Maybe get Jimmie Johnson on vocals … Kyle Busch on lead guitar? His best friend Ryan Blaney bringing down the house on bass?

RELATED: Blaney, Bubba next death metal duo?

Oh, the possibilities, and we are completely here for all of them.

Posted on by Team Release

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 30, 2018) – Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) — a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services — has extended its partnership with 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports through 2022.

 

In 2018, Valvoline will become a primary sponsor of the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 of 24-year-old driver Alex Bowman for two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races annually over the next five seasons. Valvoline also will continue as the Official Lubricants Partner of Hendrick Motorsports and as a major associate sponsor of the team’s full stable of Chevrolet race cars and drivers, which include Chase Elliott, William Byron and seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson.

 

As part of the new agreement, Valvoline also will be the presenting sponsor of the Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown, a yearly competition that brings together Hendrick Motorsports engine builders and Hendrick Automotive Group master technicians. The 16th annual event took place in November on the Hendrick Motorsports campus in Concord.

 

“Hendrick Motorsports has been an exceptional partner and shares our passion of continuously improving all we touch through our hands-on expertise,” said Heidi Matheys, Valvoline’s chief marketing officer. “Alex’s enthusiasm for being hands-on with his own cars makes him a wonderful fit for Valvoline, and we’re excited to support him and the entire No. 88 team as a new primary sponsor. We look forward to more success on the track in the years to come.”

 

Since 2014, Hendrick Motorsports has used Valvoline products in its racing engines, which have earned two Cup Series championships (2014 and 2016), two NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) titles (2014 and 2017) and more than 100 points-paying event wins across various series. Off the track, Valvoline is the preferred lubricant of Hendrick Automotive Group, which operates 97 car dealerships across the United States and poured nearly 1 million gallons of Valvoline product in 2016.

 

“I’ve always liked the quote, ‘You are what your record says you are,’” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Valvoline has such a tremendous track record in both racing and on the road in passenger vehicles because they never stop innovating. Across our organization, they’re partners in developing racing technology and in providing unparalleled products to our dealership customers. It’s a relationship we take great pride in and look forward to continuing for many more years.”

 

A lifelong auto enthusiast who works on his own cars, Bowman will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the Cup Series beginning in 2018. In 2017, he was an integral part of the simulation and on-track testing programs for Hendrick Motorsports and manufacturer partner Chevrolet. The Tucson, Arizona, native won Oct. 7 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in his first NXS start of the year.

 

“I’ve always been hands-on with my race cars and personal cars,” Bowman said. “I grew up working in my dad’s body shop, so doing things myself is something that started early. For me, it’s very cool to be a part of Team Valvoline because they offer quality products and share my passion for cars and racing. They also do a great job focusing on their DIY customers, which is something I’m really drawn to. I love what the Valvoline brand stands for and can’t wait to work with them.”

Posted on by Staff Report

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Joey Logano wore his trademark grin last week while making the rounds at NASCAR Media Tour Presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway.

He can smile now. A fresh season looms ahead, and with it, an opportunity for the Team Penske No. 22 Ford camp to erase a frustrating 2017 campaign that saw a drop from Championship 4 in 2016 to out of the playoffs.

“I didn’t see that coming at all,” Logano said. “After you almost win the championship and win a bunch of races the last four years before that, you think making the playoffs is kind of a given. That is kind of the way I thought. I would say it blindsided every one of us.”

PHOTOS: Logano through the years

Logano and the No. 22 team had gotten into a groove since 2014, logging 14 wins during the three-year period prior to the 2017 season. That stretch included a staggering 22 top-five finishes in 2015, and two trips to the Championship 4 in Homestead-Miami.

So, what happened?

Well, the team won at Richmond in April but had the finish ruled encumbered. That meant it could not be used to automatically advance into the playoffs.

As first-time winners Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. reached Victory Lane, Logano was pushed further down the standings, ultimately finding himself out of the playoff picture.

“Yeah, we never want to have that feeling again,” he said. “That sucks. Not being in the playoffs is no fun. I think after going through that and living that horror film, you don’t want to do that again. There is plenty of motivation to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

RELATED: Logano, wife welcome son

The key in 2018? Being open to change, Logano said.

“Last year was a trying year. We learned a lot,” Logano said. “The biggest thing we learned was to be able to be a little more open-minded about things. We started to be open-minded at the end of the season. We probably waited a little too long. When you find something that works for you and you are able to keep evolving off of that foundation that you built that works and you keep building off of something and then the rules change and things change and then all of a sudden that doesn’t work anymore, it is really hard to just knock over what you built and start all over.

“It is very challenging to get yourself to think that openly. As a driver, I have had to change. (Crew chief) Todd (Gordon) has had to change. The way we set up our cars has had to change. The sport changes. It evolves and you have to evolve with it and we are a little late to the game.”

As for the on-track performance to come, Logano thinks it will mirror that memorable 2014-16 stretch in which he emerged as one of the most prolific drivers in the garage.

“I think we will go out there and redeem ourselves,” he said. “There is a little extra motivation there. We know we are a championship team. Nothing has changed from two years ago when we almost won the championship. It is the same group. Nothing has changed. We know we can still do that. Let’s go. Is Daytona here yet?”

RELATED: Drivers that will bounce back in 2018