Posted on by Staff Report

MORE: Full race results

Kyle Busch won the 2017 Snowball Derby, the 50th anniversary of the event, Sunday at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

Busch was the only Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver entered in the golden anniversary race, but he was joined by NASCAR Next and development drivers Harrison Burton, Noah Gragson, Corey LaJoie, Brandon McReynolds, Ty Majeski and Mason Mingus.

In 2009, Busch also won the Snowball Derby, one of the most prestigious late model races in the country. Other Derby winners currently driving in NASCAR’s national series are Chase Elliott (2011, 2016), Erik Jones (2012, 2013) and John Hunter Nemechek (2014).

Busch led the final 17 of 300 laps to take first. Veterans Jeff Choquette and Bubba Pollard finished second and third, respectively. Burton, the 2017 K&N Pro Series East champion, took fourth. Chase Purdy, a member of the NASCAR Next class, was eighth. McReynolds took 10th.

Posted on by Staff Report

How’s this for an early Christmas present, racing world? A Gordon was on track Sunday. Leo Gordon, son of four-time champion Jeff Gordon, got behind the wheel.

 

We checked in on Leo two years ago when he first got his hot rod, and we’ll stick with hoping he might be a champion in maybe 2036.

Posted on by Nascar

RELATED: ‘Bud’ Moore through the years | Moore passes away at 92

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — His eyes were red, his voice cracked slightly with emotion and he probably spoke for most folks here when he hung his head and said “These are sad days. All my heroes are dying.”

He was a former NASCAR official and one of many who turned out here Saturday as they buried Walter M. Moore Jr., the man known as “Bud” to family and friends alike. 

Folks gathered at First Baptist North Spartanburg to say their goodbyes on a surprisingly warm and sunny December day.

Moore was a decorated military veteran and a successful team owner in NASCAR and he touched the lives of so many folks during his 92 years here on this earth.

His military exploits and NASCAR accomplishments have been well-documented. The recipient of five Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. A championship as a crew chief and twice more as an owner. Sixty-three victories.

Respect from both sides was paid in the flesh Saturday — Moore was laid to rest with military funeral honors, and a wide-ranging mix of fellow racing associates were on hand to bid him farewell.

NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison, who won 14 times in Moore’s familiar No. 15 Ford, was among those in attendance. Ricky Rudd, a five-time winner with Moore, was there as well. Rudd once raced for Moore with his eyes taped open after surviving a horrendous crash at Daytona.

Humpy Wheeler, the promoter’s promoter and former president of Charlotte Motor Speedway was there to pay his respects as was Jim France, son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and currently Chairman of the Board for International Speedways Corp.

Past crew chiefs who worked with Bud Moore Engineering turned out and stood shoulder-to-shoulder alongside those who had known Moore simply as a friend and neighbor.

 

Winston Kelley, the executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, spoke of Moore’s drive and determination, traits that led to Moore’s induction into the Hall in 2011. “He was one of the first 10 people inducted” out of the 60-plus years’ worth of candidates, Kelley, a longtime friend of the car owner, noted.

But he was just as much a family man, Kelley said. Moore was married to wife Betty for 64 years before her passing in 2009.

Mike Helton, the first NASCAR president outside the France family, also paid tribute to Moore during Saturday’s service.

Helton recalled first meeting the legendary team owner through Bill France Jr., the former head of NASCAR. France would often seek out Moore for feedback, because he knew it would be honest, if sometimes brutally so.

Helton said Moore wanted to be remembered as a man “who loved his family, his country and the sport of auto racing. “

“Check, check and check,” he said.

Earlier this year it was former NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Sam Ard and Daytona 500 winner Pete Hamilton. And is seems like just yesterday that we said our goodbyes to engine builder and team owner Robert Yates.

There have been others as well.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to cover such competitors and Bud Moore wasn’t the least of them by any means.

But it’s been a bigger honor just to have known them.

Posted on by Holly Cain

RELATED: Truex Jr. crowned | Red carpet photos

LAS VEGAS — In so many ways Thursday’s 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards seemed like the perfect sentimental send off — a fond farewell for retiring superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a fitting championship celebration for one of his best friends, Martin Truex Jr.

Celebrating the two drivers and longtime friends on stage on the same night felt almost destined. It was certainly one of the most genuinely heart-touching times in the history of the sport’s celebratory evenings.

Their connection is substantial and long-standing.

As with his good friend Junior, Truex won back-to-back (2004 and 2005) XFINITY Series (then called the Busch Grand National Series) championships driving for the late seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s former team. Then, as with Junior six years earlier, Truex ran his first full-time Cup season for the Dale Earnhardt Inc. team as well.

RELATED: Top headlines from Champion’s Week

The fondness between the men is genuine, abounding and as the banquet showed, enduring.

So much so, that it was Earnhardt who delivered a heartfelt speech in introducing Truex for the championship trophy presentation.

“To me and many who know him, he’s a champion in so many ways,” Earnhardt said, as Truex smiled and began wiping away tears.

“Like when his professional career turned challenging, his options limited, he blamed no one. He kept his head high, he persevered because he’s a champion person.

“While the love of his life [Truex’s girlfriend Sherry Pollex] battles the most evil of diseases, and he stands with her to make her fight his fight, he’s a champion partner. When he’s away from the track, perhaps enjoying his true passion for hunting or fishing, you realize this: He’s a champion friend. He’s the man. He is the champion in so many ways and no one more deserving this night.”

And while the two-time Daytona 500 winner Earnhardt has never hoisted a Cup championship trophy, the newly-crowned 15-time Most Popular Driver, has impacted the sport in bountiful ways and will continue to as he transitions from the cockpit to NBC’s broadcast booth in 2018.

First, he will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2018 Daytona 500 and undoubtedly he will continue charitable efforts that included an $888,000 donation from longtime sponsor Nationwide in Las Vegas — his time devoted and money raised for charities is a legacy that, for many, may outshine all his great achievements on the race track.

That interest in giving back is something he and Truex share in addition to their on-track legacies — another way the two men are connected and another reason why their time together out front wrapped up this season most appropriately.

Posted on by Sponsored Content

The season may have just ended, but next year’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule is already out, and there’s no better time than now to reserve your seat at the track in 2018. Check the schedule and book your Official PRIMESPORT race package at your favorite speedway.

Take advantage of PRIMESPORT’s convenient low deposit feature to secure a race-day — or race-weekend — travel package in advance, and pay only 10 percent up-front.

These official race packages are the perfect holiday gift for that hard-to-shop-for NASCAR fan on your list.

VIEW THE 2018 NASCAR SCHEDULE

Why PRIMESPORT? Since 2001, they have provided some of the most exclusive NASCAR ticket, accommodations, and hospitality offerings at the most iconic tracks on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. For the 2018 season, PRIMESPORT’s official race ticket and accommodation package offers promise to be bigger and better than ever.

At their 18 partner tracks – as well as the unofficial Home of NASCAR, Charlotte Motor Speedway – PRIMESPORT’s official partnerships give the most enthusiastic of race fans the best experience possible. They strive to go beyond the standard NASCAR ticket package and offer something much more — an EXPERIENCE.

For 2018, race fans can reserve their spot with official packages that include race tickets, a choice of accommodations, track transportation, FanVision rental, souvenirs and more. Available options and upgrades vary from track to track, but can include additional nights, pit passes, victory lane access, driver appearances and seat upgrades in towers, club level and even suites.

Fans wanting to start the season off in style can visit PRIMESPORT for the Official Ticket Exchange of Daytona International Speedway. Buy and sell tickets to the Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 in a safe and secure environment with other NASCAR fans.

Race packages are already available for the entire 2018 NASCAR season – just pick your race, pick your package, and away you go!

Be the first NASCAR fans to experience the new Las Vegas Fall race in September.

Hear the roar down the homestretch at Talladega Superspeedway during the GEICO 500.

Feel the excitement of short-track action under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.

Watch the trophy presentation at Homestead-Miami Speedway after the Ford EcoBoost 400.

Visit PRIMESPORT.com to check out all that they have to offer for the 2018 NASCAR season or look for their VIP Tickets links on both the TICKETS and SCHEDULE pages on NASCAR.com!

Posted on by Staff Report

What channel is NASCAR programming on this week? We answer that and provide all the weekly NASCAR television listings here in the NASCAR TV schedule.

Note: All times are ET.

RELATED: Watch on the NBC Sports App |  How to find FS1, FS2 | How to find NBCSN

Tuesday, Dec. 5
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive, FS1

Wednesday, Dec. 6
2:30 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive, FS1 (re-air)

Posted on by NASCAR.com

RELATED: Learn more about the Official NASCAR Fan Council

Name: Kathryn
Current City: Wyckoff, New Jersey
Member since: 2011

Getting to know Kathryn

Q. Why did you join the Official NASCAR Fan Council?

“I joined the Official NASCAR Fan Council so that I may have my voice and opinions heard by influential persons in the sport of NASCAR. I feel as though the surveys provided by the NASCAR Fan Council have just as much influence individually as collectively – just like voting in your local or national election, everyone counts! Though members may have differing opinions, each person’s feedback is valued and taken into consideration with each survey submitted to the Fan Council.”

Q. How did you first become interested in NASCAR?

“I first became interested in NASCAR after a visit to Talladega Superspeedway in December 2008. After supporting my college football team, Rutgers, at the PapaJohns.com Bowl at Legion Field in Birmingham, my family and I were driving along I-20 to the airport in Atlanta and saw the giant flags of Talladega beckoning. We decided to stop and take a tour and boy, am I glad we did! The speedway was massive, and very impressive! Plus, my visit to International Motorsports Hall of Fame was a great history lesson. Since then, I have tried to watch at least 1 Truck/XFINITY/Cup race every weekend, plus whatever qualifying and practices possible.”

Q. What makes NASCAR special for you?

“NASCAR is such a unique sport. Where else do you get to see an entire weekend of your favorite sport (with practices, qualifying, and races of all the series), interact with like-minded fans at the Midway, tailgate, watch driver intros, hear the roar of flyovers, chant “drivers start your engines,” and have races nearly every weekend, February through November of each year? I love how the series travels to tracks all across the country so that everyone in the country has a “home track.” NASCAR is also a bonding time for my family and I – we try to visit tracks for tours whenever we are in the area when traveling.”

Q: Do you have any favorite NASCAR memories or traditions?

“My favorite NASCAR memories involve 2 race weekends when I won cold passes from a NASCAR sponsor (thank you, Hunt Brothers Pizza!) for my father and I. One was Father’s Day weekend at Michigan International Speedway and the other was for a spring race weekend at Dover International Speedway. The fact that we were so close to the drivers, haulers, garages was incredible! I was able to get many driver autographs. We were able to watch the Nationwide races from pit road, then celebrate alongside the drivers in Victory Lane. Joey Logano (my favorite driver) was the winner at the Dover XFINITY Race. While doing the Hat Dance, one of his crew members threw his hat over the fence after taking the needed picture and I caught it! The next day, Joey had an appearance at his hauler and I got him to sign the hat.”

Q: If you could go to any NASCAR race/track, where would you go?

“I would go back to Talladega Superspeedway. However, one of my goals is to visit every track on the premier circuit (I have been to 12 tracks so far).”

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

Driver: “Joey Logano.”
Track: “Talladega Superspeedway”
Memorabilia: “Various items of clothing and hero cards I have accumulated, all signed by Joey Logano. A piece of race used sheet metal signed by Brad Keselowski.”

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

“In my free time I like to spend time with family and friends, walk outside, cook, try new restaurants and foods, catch up on TV shows I missed during the week, listen to country music, read, and travel.

Q: Where is your dream car?

“A used NASCAR race car.”

Q: What would be your dream vacation?

“I want to set foot in all 50 states.”

From all of us at NASCAR, we thank Kathryn for her continued support and look forward to hearing from her in 2017.

Posted on by George Winkler

LAS VEGAS — In his speech at the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards in Las Vegas, Martin Truex Jr. joked that Cole Pearn was just a “Furniture Row T-shirt-wearing Canadian.” And that would seem to be entirely accurate given that the crew chief is — a) from Canada — and b) known for a wardrobe comprised largely of 100-percent-cotton articles.

But when Pearn took an interest in a T-shirt designed by our own @nascarcasm, it was only fitting that after Thursday’s festivities the unique piece of clothing would land in the crew chief’s lap. So in the press room afterward, Pearn and Truex shared a light moment with the T-shirt when it was presented to him (see below).

If you thought the souvenir T-shirt you picked up for your friend on the Las Vegas  Strip was cool, well take a look at this:

Posted on by Holly Cain

RELATED: See photos from the red carpet

LAS VEGAS — The 2017 version of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards included a night of tributes, honors and plenty of good cheer celebrating the 2017 champion Martin Truex Jr. and his Furniture Row Racing team and giving a fond and heartfelt farewell to the now 15th consecutive NMPA Most Popular Driver in the sport, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The ceremony — shortened to 90 minutes this year — at the gorgeous Wynn Las Vegas included time spent speaking with the 16 playoff drivers, handing out awards and recognizing Truex for his maiden and emotional Cup victory.

Drivers, their wives and the sport’s VIPs walked the sport’s version of the “red carpet” to come into the banquet looking fabulous in tuxes and formal gowns and giving off good vibes and fond farewells.

All 16 drivers who qualified for the playoffs took turns on stage with the final four making speeches culminating with Truex’s earnest words of gratitude for his team, team owner Barney Visser – who is in Denver, recovering from a heart attack – and his longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex, who is battling a recurrence of ovarian cancer.

Earnhardt Jr. introduced Truex and offered sincere words of congratulations and praise for his longtime friend and onetime employee.

“His life partner battles the most evil of diseases and he stands with her,” Earnhardt said, bringing Truex on stage to receive his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup.

“He is a champion friend. And there is no one more deserving.

“It’s my privilege to introduce the 2017 Monster Energy Cup champion … my good buddy, Martin Truex Jr.”

RELATED: Scenes from 2017 Champion’s Week

The introduction culminated a night of handshakes and back pats. The ballroom gave a standing ovation to special guests — Las Vegas area emergency responders, who assisted during the recent mass shooting in the city.

And there were multiple good wishes made from drivers and NASCAR executives throughout the evening to 2003 champion Matt Kenseth, who is retiring at the end of the season.

The prestigious Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award was presented by the namesake’s grandson, Ben Kennedy, to Julian Maha for his work developing KultureCity. The Alabama doctor founded the KultureCity organization to help children with autism navigate busy locations such as “arenas, stadiums and other public settings as well as developing the “lifeBOKS” program which helps the families “monitor the movements of their children though GPS and Bluetooth tracking devices.”

RELATED: Julian Maha wins Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award

One of the evening’s most anticipated moments was time on stage with Earnhardt Jr., who retired from full-time competition following the season finale at Miami two weeks ago.

In addition to accepting his NMPA Most Popular Driver award, Earnhardt was also presented the prestigious “Bill France Award of Excellence” by NASCAR Chairman Brian France. The award is not given on an annual basis but instead only for extreme merit and extraordinary work.

“I had no idea,” Earnhardt said of receiving the recognition. “The Myers Brothers award and the Bill France Award, those are so personal and they really get your feelings. It’s an incredible feeling for someone to feel like you’re worth that acknowledgement. I’m grateful and it makes you inspired to continue to be an asset and help the sport grow.”

RELATED: Dale Jr. named 2017 Most Popular Driver

While making his speech for finishing runner-up in the championship, Kyle Busch joked that he appreciated the retired Earnhardt giving all his “Junior Nation” fans to his “Rowdy Nation.”

“It’s all going to be very different getting all those cheers at driver intros,” Busch said smiling.

RELATED: Kyle Busch jokes about inheriting ‘Junior Nation’

In the end, Truex was feted by sponsors, Toyota, fellow drivers and cheers from the rear of the grand room – his Furniture Row Racing team.

“The 78 team has a motto: ‘Never give up,’ ” a smiling Truex said. “It’s just unbelievable to be here. It’s a childhood dream for me.”

He thanked his parents and Pollex’s parents for being there and reminded that team owner “Barney Visser is the heart of this team, People thought he was crazy to start a NASCAR team in Denver.”

“Well, who’s crazy now?” Truex asked, breaking into a grin.

Truex thanked his crew chief Cole Pearn who led the team to a series-best eight wins this season.

RELATED: All of Truex Jr.’s wins

“He never sleeps and is more competitive than anyone I’ve met in my life,” Truex said. “Buddy, thank you for making me a champion.”

And Truex finished the night in the ultimate feel good — a reminder that life and love go beyond the race trophies and championships.

“You are the love of my life,” Truex said, turning toward Pollex. “Thank you for the change you caused in my life. Winning is a great feeling but spending my life with you is the real victory.”

It sure felt like a win all around.

Posted on by NASCAR Wire Service

LAS VEGAS — Julian Maha, a Birmingham physician and founder of an organization that works to improve the lives of children with autism, was announced as the winner of The NASCAR Foundation’s Seventh Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Presented by Nationwide on Thursday night, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas.

Maha, from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, was chosen via an online fan vote conducted on NASCAR.com. He is the award-winning founder of KultureCity, the cutting-edge organization that also seeks to educate society regarding inclusion of autistic children. In addition to the award, KultureCity received a $100,000 donation from the foundation, NASCAR’s charitable arm.

The award honors the philanthropic ideals and vision of the late Betty Jane France, who started The NASCAR Foundation in 2006. It is annually presented to a NASCAR fan who embodies those ideals through their own service in the community.

Maha has a non-verbal autistic son, who inspired him to found KultureCity in 2013. A variety of accomplishments and accolades have followed.

KultureCity — which has been named a Top-10 Non-Profit by Microsoft and the Top Non-Profit in Alabama — estimates that under Maha’s leadership, the organization has impacted the lives of more than 100,000 autistic children.  Maha is a past recipient of the Alabama Distinguished Citizen Award; he was named “Top Southerner” by Southern Living Magazine and was a Top 40 under 40 Influencer in 2016. In addition, his Sensory Initiative program — which addresses sensory inclusivity in locations such as arenas, stadiums and other public settings — has been utilized at the Birmingham Zoo and Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, and by 12 NBA teams and two NFL teams.

Maha also is a proud NASCAR fan, which makes sense. He lives just a short drive from Talladega Superspeedway,

“For me, the biggest thing about NASCAR, is that everyone gets together and they create what is almost a community over a race weekend,” Maha said. “It’s an amazing display of enjoyment of a singular event and an amazing display of unity. People from different backgrounds, different demographics. It’s everything that’s great about America.”

This year’s three award finalists’ charities each received $25,000 from The NASCAR Foundation. Those finalists:

Shannon Goldwater of Scottsdale, Arizona, founder of Feeding Matters, an organization that strives to promote advances in both the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders.

Tammy Richardson of Las Vegas, representing the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation that provides programs and services to children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Richardson is a longtime volunteer and committee member at the foundation’s Camp Cartwheel.

Two-time cancer survivor Chante Gonzalez Vido of Jamul, California, head counselor at a camp for young cancer patients that is operated by The Seany Foundation, which assists children and their families battling cancer.