Posted on by Nascar

CONCORD, N.C. – What will be the impact of next year’s Playoff race on the road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway?

“I’m going to put this right there with Talladega,” Martin Truex Jr. said Wednesday during a break in testing at CMS. “I’m going to be hoping I win one of the first two (races) of that round.”

Talladega, of course, is madness and mayhem. The Bank of America 500, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 at CMS, will be the cut-off race in the opening round for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. 

It will be the first time teams have competed on a road course in the Playoffs since the 10-race, championship-determining format debuted in 2004. 

And Charlotte’s 2.42-mile, 18-turn layout isn’t just any road course.

“It’s a whole different type of layout,” fellow competitor Kurt Busch said.

Goodyear officials conducted a tire test at CMS on Tuesday and Wednesday to determine what type of tire would be required for next year’s race. 

Four teams took part – in addition to Truex and his No. 78 Furniture Row Toyota team and Busch, who was subbing for Clint Bowyer in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, Jamie McMurray (Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 Chevrolet) and Daniel Hemric (Richard Childress Racing No. 31 Chevrolet) were also on hand.

If anything was learned, it was that there is still much to be understood about the CMS layout.

Truex said he spoke with Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., on Tuesday, offering ideas and feedback for what he said was “not our typical road course.”

MENCS teams compete on two true road courses during the series’ 26-race ‘regular season’ – at Sonoma, California, and Watkins Glen, New York.

The Sonoma track is the shorter and slower of the two, with the layout used by NASCAR measuring 1.99 miles and featuring 12 turns.

The layout of the Charlotte road course will incorporate all but two short slices along the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile tri-oval. Nine turns wind through half of the infield just past the start/finish line toward Turns 1 and 2. Then it’s back on the oval surface and down the backstretch before slowing for a chicane just before reaching Turn 3. Another chicane is located beyond Turn 4 just before the start of the dogleg on the frontstretch.

“The chicane on the back straightaway, you go from the race track banking to the flat in the middle of it so it’s a huge challenge there,” Truex said. “Then coming off Turn 4, you’re 18 degrees and you transition down to about 8 degrees and then all of a sudden you hit the flat again in that chicane. Those transitions have been pretty challenging and tricky.” 

Speeds have increased during the test – topping out at 175 mph with a low of 40 mph or so – and one of the first things learned was that the initial tire choice, which was the same compound used at Watkins Glen, was too hard, according to Truex. 

“It’s very narrow; it’s very rough; there are a lot of swells and whoop-de-dos, all kinds of craziness going on,” Truex said of the layout. “Turn 1, Turn 2 (are) pretty wild. Narrow. Concrete walls on both sides. It’s a little intimidating. Really a lot of spots that made me nervous most of the day yesterday, getting more used to them now. Definitely need to look at some walls and tire barrier options, things like that.” 

Busch said the speeds through the infield portion were “much slower than anticipated” and he hopes some consideration would be given to altering a portion of the layout to help increase speeds.

“Maybe there’s a chance … to reconfigure a little bit of the track to go straight from Turn 7, skip 8 and go to 9,” he said. “That way we will have one less slow section.

“That, I think, would help the flow of the track as well as the exit of the infield section out onto the big oval. It would create more of a speed feel as well as eliminate one of the super slow corners … frankly a 3,500-pound car going 35 mph too many times isn’t all that exciting so we need to maybe need to speed up the track a little bit.”

Any changes to the layout would have to be completed before an expected test for all MENCS teams. A Goodyear confirmation test may also be worked into the schedule.

But whatever the final layout and whatever the choice of tire, Busch said in the end, “It’s going to be more about survival and being smart. 

“That’s what I’ve seen developing with this type of layout.”

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.

All Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and XFINITY Series events are also live streamed online on the NBC Sports App, which can be accessed here. Events that are only available on NBC Sports App are noted below.

Note: All times are ET.

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

Monday, Oct. 23
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Tuesday, Oct. 24
2 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1 (re-air)
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Scan All 43, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Wednesday, Oct. 25
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Thursday, Oct. 26
3 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1 (re-air)
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., Racing Roots: Daniel Suarez, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Scan All 43, NBCSN

Friday, Oct. 27
2 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1 (re-air)
1 p.m., Camping World Truck Series practice at Martinsville, FS1
2 p.m., Masters of the Clock: The Legend of Martinsville, FS1
3 p.m., Camping World Truck Series final practice at Martinsville, FS1
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN

Saturday, Oct. 28
9:30 a.m., NASCAR Classic: The 1997 Daytona 500, FS1
10 a.m., Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying, FS1
11:30 a.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville, NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN GO)
12:30 p.m., Camping World Truck Series Setup: Martinsville, FS1
1 p.m., Camping World Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville, FS1
3:45 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice at Martinsville, NBCSN (Canada: TSN GO)

Sunday, Oct. 29
9 a.m., Camping World Truck series Texas Roadhouse 200, FS1 (re-air)
11 a.m., NASCAR RaceDay: Martinsville, FS1
noon, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Canada: TSN 2)
1 p.m., NASCAR America Sunday, NBCSN
2:30 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Countdown to Green: Martinsville, NBCSN
3 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500, NBCSN (Canada: TSN 4, 5)
7 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Post-Race Show, NBCSN
7:30 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lap, NBCSN

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s complete history at Kansas

For his final full-time season as a driver, NASCAR.com will offer an analytical preview on Dale Earnhardt Jr. ahead of every remaining Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.

Race: Hollywood Casino 400 

Date: Sunday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m. ET (NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Previous five results at Kansas: 20th, 15th, 21st, 3rd, 39th

Notable: Kansas is one of 11 active tracks where Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not won, and his performance hasn’t been too memorable in America’s heartland — he has just three top-five finishes and nine top 10s in 21 starts. He has one pole at the track, coming in 2002. His average finish of 16.2 ranks in the lower third among his all-time average finishes.

Memorable: Earnhardt only qualified 28th for the 2011 STP 400 at Kansas Speedway. Still, he managed to race his way through the pack to be in contention as the race wound down at the 1.5-mile track. But Brad Keselowski held on for a fuel-mileage victory in what was just the second win of his career at the Monster Energy Series level. Earnhardt crossed the finish line second — and that remains his best finish at Kansas.

Quotable: “Kansas is a great racetrack for me,” Earnhardt Jr. said in a team release. “That place has widened out pretty good and you can run against the fence there, which is a line that I like to run. It’s a very fast race track and very smooth – a lot of fun, so we should have a good time.”

Posted on by Staff Report

It’s now or never for the 10 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers who have yet to clinch an exclusive spot in the Round of 8.

Both Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski have already advanced to the next round with wins at Charlotte and Talladega, respectively.

Three former Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champions are on the bubble: Jimmie Johnson (8th), Kyle Busch (9th), and Matt Kenseth (10th).

MORE: Updated playoff standings | Full weekend schedule at Kansas

Below are the clinch scenarios for Sunday’s cut-off race at Kansas (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN). 

  • Kyle Larson (0 Wins, 3096 Points) — Would clinch by scoring 34 Points.
  • Kevin Harvick (0 Wins, 3089 Points) — Would clinch by scoring 41 Points.
  • Denny Hamlin (0 Wins, 3088 Points) — Would clinch by scoring 42 Points. 
  • Chase Elliott (0 Wins, 3087 Points) — Would clinch by scoring 43 Points. 
  • Ryan Blaney (0 Wins, 3076 Points) — Would clinch by scoring 53 Points. 
  • Jimmie Johnson (0 Wins, 3074 Points) — If an already clinched driver wins (or a non-playoff winner), would clinch by scoring 49 Points. 
  • Kyle Busch (0 Wins, 3067 Points) — Only guaranteed clinch would be with a win.
  • Matt Kenseth (0 Wins, 3066 Points) — Only guaranteed clinch would be with a win.
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr (0 Wins, 3052 Points) — Only guaranteed clinch would be with a win.
  • Jamie McMurray (0 Wins, 3045 Points) — Only guaranteed clinch would be with a win.
Posted on by Steve Luvender

RELATED: Earnhardts expecting first child | @nascarcasm offers his help

By now, everybody knows that Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy are expecting their first child, a girl. Naturally, fans on Twitter were quick to share their excitement with the parents-to-be.

Part of that excitement was offering some suggestions for names for the little Earnhardt. From Amy Jr. to Dalamy to Mayo (really — it makes sense), here’s the best of what fans had to offer the happy couple.

OK — while help from fans is sometimes a good thing, maybe it’s preferable that Dale and Amy get final say over their daughter’s name.

Posted on by Holly Cain

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Scattered rain showers may have forced some creative track scheduling Tuesday morning at New Smyrna Speedway, but it was all sunny skies ahead for the 12 NASCAR Drive for Diversity candidates turning laps and turning heads.

The talented group of drivers representing all regions of the country — and even Mexico — took part in Day Two of a three-day combine by running two 10-lap sessions in a late model stock car on Tuesday. They will run additional laps in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series car on Wednesday.

RELATED: Meet the 2017 class | Drive for Diversity combine in photos

On Monday, the group met with nearby Bethune-Cookman University students to test their media skills and savvy with live radio interviews and assorted one-on-one in-depth interviews with print reporters.

After some track drying late Tuesday morning , the young drivers were obviously eager to do what they do best — get out and drive cars fast.

“If the weather’s not right, just wait a minute and don’t worry about it,” a smiling Chase Cabre, 19, said, explaining that as a Tampa native he’s used to Florida weather’s unpredictability.

“It’s awesome to be out here. Just watched my brother run some quick laps and hopefully we can back them up. Last year I ran for Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and I feel like we did the right things along the season. But it’s a matter of what happens today and the last couple days and see if we can hopefully come out with a ride at the end.

“This is huge,” he added. “Without Rev Racing I’d be on my couch in Florida. It’s a testament to being out here and to NASCAR for what it’s done. Its Drive for Diversity program has really opened a lot of doors for me and for my family. I’m just excited to be out there.”

The Drive for Diversity Combine invites 12 of the country’s best up-and-coming minority or female racers. This year there were four females, six Hispanics, a Haitian-American and an African-American comprising the group and looking to seize this opportunity.

They include Chase and Collin Cabre, of Tampa; Macy Causey, of Yorktown, Virginia; Madeline Crane, of Meansville, Georgia; Ernie Francis Jr., of Dania, Florida; Ruben Garcia Jr., of Mexico City, Mexico; McKenna Haase, of Carlisle, Iowa; Nicholas Sanchez, of Homestead, Florida; Ryan Vargas, of La Mirada, California; Fabian Welter, of Mexico; Armani Williams, of Grosse Pointe, Michigan; and Brittney Zamora, of Kennewick, Washington.

They range in age from 15-year-old Causey to 23-year-old Collin Cabre.

Out of this dozen, four drivers will be chosen to have full season, fully funded rides for Rev Racing — three of them in the NASCAR K&N Series and another in the Whelen All-American Series. The winners are typically announced in January during NASCAR’s national media tour.

The group is staying nearby, two to a room, and enjoyed dinner Monday night at the Daytona International Speedway offices. They were anticipating a nice Tuesday night meal on the beach.

In addition to meeting new friends and racing executives, the combine is about elevating young careers.

“I think it’s really good to get a new generation in to the sport, especially a more diverse generation and freshen it up a little bit,’’ said Francis Jr., who just captured the 2017 Trans Am Series crown (his third Trans Am title) with two races remaining on the schedule.

“I’m not too comfortable yet,’’ he allowed. “This was my first time in these cars, third time ever on a circle track.

“But the program is nice and it’s cool to meet other drivers around the same age. We are all young and we are all hungry to make it.”

Posted on by Steve Luvender

You never know what’s going to happen at Talladega — and that’s not a spotter-less Brad Keselowski reference. Few expected nearly two-thirds of the field to get wiped out in crashes, including eight of the 12 remaining playoff drivers, but it happened Sunday.

Here’s what was good and bad about 500 miles at Talladega to mark the halfway point of this year’s playoffs.

Thumbs Up: Racing Without a Spotter

If there’s a place you want to know what’s going on around you, that place is Talladega. It’s the biggest track on the circuit and close draft packs make constant spotter communication more than vital.

But, for race winner Brad Keselowski, he couldn’t hear his spotter — making the daunting task of racing at Talladega even more frightening. That means no one to tell you what’s happening on-track, no communication of who’s going to work with you, no messages being delivered from angry competitors telling their spotters that the No. 2 had better watch out …

Eventually, Keselowski pitted to have the antenna replaced on the roof of his car. (Yes, NASCAR race cars have antennae.) And, of course, he drove his Ford to Victory Lane — aided, of course, by spotter communication in the end.

It’s tough to decide whether or not Keselowski and the No. 2 crew deserve a thumbs up or thumbs down for racing at the most spotter-intensive track on the circuit, but we’ll give ’em a thumbs up for doing the unthinkable.

Thumbs Down: Clint’s Rage Quit

Talladega’s a frustrating place, especially when you’re not running well.

Clint Bowyer, unable to continue after his No. 14 Ford was overcome by crash damage, took his frustration out on his pit crew following his exit from the race.


Maybe there’s an explanation for this.


Thumbs down for getting frustrated with your crew. They’re the group that has your back.

Thumbs Up: Dale Jr.’s final restrictor plate race

Even though Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t score his seventh victory at Talladega, he had quite a race.

From winning the pole, navigating through multiple crashes including “The Big One“, to even asking for extracurricular information while racing …


… it was an impressive effort for Junior in his final restrictor plate start.

Unfortunately, he was slowed on the final run due to a dragging splitter (his arch nemesis), relegating him to a seventh-place finish in his last time at Talladega — but it was certainly an eventful day.

Thumbs up to the man who will forever be The Pied Piper of restrictor plate racing.

Thumbs Down: Crash damage

The Alabama 500 was slowed 11 times Sunday, mostly for multi-car crashes including a wreck that claimed more than a quarter of the field after Martin Truex Jr. and David Ragan tangled.


Thumbs down for tearing up lots of cars. Thankfully, everyone was OK, physically, at least, though Talladega will certainly have an impact on the playoff picture moving forward.

In the end, just 14 cars finished the race and only 12 remained on the lead lap.

Maybe that’s why it’s called the Round of 12.

Biggest Thumbs Up of the Week: The new king of restrictor plate racing

It’s only fitting to crown a new king of restrictor plate racing following Earnhardt’s final restrictor-plate race.

Keselowski — yes, spotter-less Keselowski, who drove a paint scheme honoring Earnhardt — pulled off his fifth victory at Talladega.


Keselowski’s win, and resulting lock into the Round of 8, seems to have a benefit for everybody.

Posted on by Staff Report

PHOTOS: Kids of the NASCAR garage

The Cassill household increased by one this week.

Front Row Motorsports driver Landon Cassill announced on his Twitter page that he and his wife, Katie, have welcomed Daphne Plum Mayola Cassill into the world. Daphne is the second child for the Cassills and the first little girl.

She joins older brother Beckham, who was born in 2015.

 

In a twist of irony, Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced Monday he and wife Amy are expecting a little girl. Earnhardt then shared a text conversation between he and Cassill from a few weeks ago.

 

Posted on by Staff Report

Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s Vice President, Officiating and Technical Inspection, appeared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Monday morning and explained why the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team was penalized toward the end of Sunday’s Alabama 500.

During the red-flag period, NASCAR ended Johnson’s day when it was deemed that his crew was working on the car while the red flag was displayed. In a post-race interview with NBC, Johnson said he was unclear on why the penalty occurred.

“While we’re under red, no work or service can be done to the vehicles,” Sawyer told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “What happens is David Hoots, who is our race director, he will say — as he did yesterday — the cars that are stopped on the back straightaway can fire up the engines. We’re still under red-flag conditions. …

“The team assumed that they could go back to work, but our officials, as you would notice, were on pit road saying, ‘No, you can’t do that.’ Then the red was rescinded and we displayed the yellow, which would have allowed them to go back to work.”

Johnson was scored with a 24th-place finish in the race and is eighth in the playoff standings, seven points above the cut line entering Sunday’s elimination race at Kansas Speedway.

Posted on by Brad Norman

PHOTOS: Dale and Amy through the years

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has told us how much he wants to start a family, and he and Amy shared the good news with NASCAR fans Monday that they are expecting a little girl.

 

Junior is retiring from full-time driving in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series after this season. He talked at Dover recently about how much he is looking forward to having children.

“I’m excited to start a family, and I hope I’m fortunate enough to do that with Amy,’’ he said. “We definitely want to do that. And it would be weird not being a race car driver if I have a daughter or son, I think about that, would they understand what I’m telling them or what I did for a long time. I’m hoping to find out all that stuff soon.’’

Brad Keselowski, who won Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway in a No. 2 Team Penske Ford with a paint scheme honoring Earnhardt Jr., sent congratulations on Twitter, as the social media well wishes started pouring in regarding the joyful news.

Earnhardt Jr., who is 43, and Amy wed on New Year’s Eve last winter.