Posted on by Track Release

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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — As part of its throwback weekend, celebrating the 1985-89 era of the sport, Darlington Raceway will be honoring Dale Earnhardt Sr. and the 30th anniversary of his 1987 Bojangles’ Southern 500 victory.

RELATED: Detailed breakdown of 1987 Southern 500

On Saturday night, September 2, the track will host An Evening Honoring Dale Earnhardt Sr., a can’t-miss event, which will feature a panel of personalities talking about the seven-time NASCAR champion, including children Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Kerry Earnhardt and longtime team owner Richard Childress.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of this event to tell stories about dad,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. “His driving style and Darlington really had a lot of similarities; just how tough and gritty they were. It was always one of his favorite tracks and that showed with how much success he had here.”

An Evening Honoring Dale Earnhardt Sr. will take place in the driver’s meeting tent in the Cale Yarborough/Monster Energy Series garage from 7:30 – 9 p.m. ET following the conclusion of the Southern 500 Parade. NBC lead announcer Rick Allen will serve as emcee for the event.

The event sold out in just two days. Fans attending the event will need to enter the track through Gate 32 off of Race Track Road. Parking will be at Gate 32. Guests will enter the infield through the Turn 1 pedestrian tunnel.

“We are extremely grateful to Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Kerry Earnhardt and Richard Childress for supporting this tribute event and sharing Dale Earnhardt Sr. stories for our fans and industry stakeholders that will be in attendance,” track President Kerry Tharp said. “We look forward to honoring one of NASCAR’s most popular champions and Hall of Fame members. Dale Earnhardt Sr. had a fondness for Darlington Raceway so it’s only fitting that one of the most intimidating tracks on the circuit would host an event recognizing The Intimidator.”

RELATED: Dale Earnhardt’s career stats at Darlington

Earnhardt Sr. held Darlington Raceway in high regard and always cherished a victory at the track Too Tough To Tame. His nine Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins at Darlington rank second all-time (David Pearson had 10 wins). He won races at the Lady in Black in 1982, 1986, 1987 (2), 1989, 1990 (2), 1993 and 1994. He also won three NASCAR XFINITY Series races at the track (1986, 1987 and 1991).

Darlington Raceway’s award-winning throwback campaign is now The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR featuring the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500® on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. The NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 will race on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Tickets are on sale now by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com. Children 12 and under can get in free to Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race.

You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame. Fans are encouraged to post their Bojangles’ Southern 500 stories and memories at #TraditionContinues, #BojanglesSo500 and #SportClips200.

Posted on by Steve Luvender

Father’s Day in the NASCAR world usually produces a lot feel-good stories and special reflections of the past. Last weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway was no exception, as drivers reached new milestones, made new memories, and shared big news — all while a giant black garbage bag floated around the track.

Thumbs Up: Kyle Larson’s Victory Lane Burnout

After Kyle Larson took the checkered flag Sunday afternoon, he immediately took his race-winning Chevrolet to Michigan’s unique Victory Lane, which resides on the frontstretch grass. Instead of climbing out of the car, he did something a bit more Kyle Larson — ripping some donuts over the checkered flag tiles.

WATCH: Larson’s unique burnout

Thumbs up, not only for Larson’s smoky celebration, but for seeing unique victory celebrations each week. While Larson left his (tire) mark in Victory Lane, last week’s winner Ryan Blaney celebrated his first victory a little differently — driving backwards, slowly across the Pocono Raceway frontstretch, saluting the fans.

Whether you prefer your victory celebrations Larson-esque or Blaney-style (or even Austin Dillon’s method of sliding on your stomach along the infield grass), one of the coolest parts of NASCAR is watching each driver’s own special way of celebrating a race win.

Thumbs Down: Littering

A floating trash bag. A straw hat. A beer can.

What do they have in common?

They’re things that don’t belong on the racetrack, but somehow ended up there.


I guess the garbage bag was well-intentioned, at least. And maybe someone’s hat flew off when dozens of race cars rushed past at more than 200 mph (and it wasn’t noted hat-wearer Jack Roush).

 

Maybe all that debris could have been prevented if someone hadn’t lost their trash bag on Lap 7.

Thumbs Up: Joey Logano’s Big Father’s Day News

After racing to a third-place finish at Michigan, Joey Logano announced some exciting and Father’s Day-relevant news on Twitter: he and wife Brittany are expecting a little Logano in January.

 

An additional thumbs up to Joey and Brittany for the strategic planning of a due date in the NASCAR off-season. It seems a little more ideal than having to keep a backup driver on standby, like Trevor Bayne did this past weekend in anticipation of a little one’s arrival.

MORE: Trevor, Ashton Bayne announce birth of son Levi

Now the two future parents can enjoy a week of riding their tandem bicycle through a grassy meadow before heading to Sonoma.

Thumbs Down: Martin Truex Jr. Wins His ninth and 10th Stages, Displeasing Millennials

After winning Stage 1 and Stage 2 at Michigan, Martin Truex Jr. reached an incredible milestone: his 10th stage victory this season.

MORE: Truex keeps strong holds on stage wins

“A thumbs down? But that’s an insane statistic!”

It’s true — nobody is even close to Truex’s 10 stage wins after 15 races this season (the next driver in line is Kyle Busch with four). The performance of the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing team is just plain jaw-dropping when it comes to stage racing.

But, come on, Martin. Give somebody else a chance.

As a millennial, I believe everyone should win a stage just for showing up. You know, participation trophies and whatnot. And give the eighth-place finisher a special bonus.

Everybody wins every stage just for being there. Nobody gets to feel special for winning a third of all the stages, even though it’s an uncanny and untouchable feat.

Biggest Thumbs Up of the Week: Three Generations of Larsons in Victory Lane

This was one of the coolest moments of the Father’s Day weekend — Kyle Larson’s son, Owen, celebrating his father’s big win.

MORE: Larson celebrates Father’s Day win with son, Owen

Oh, and Kyle’s father, Mike Larson, showed up, too.

WATCH: Kyle Larson’s Father’s Day treat in Victory Lane

Posted on by Staff Report

After an “insane day,” Roush Fenway Racing driver Trevor Bayne announced Tuesday morning that son Levi Bayne had arrived.

Bayne and wife Ashton were on baby watch last weekend at Michigan. XFINITY Series driver Ryan Reed took practice laps in Bayne’s No. 6 Ford, but was not needed for Sunday’s race. Bayne told FS1 that if the couple made it through the weekend, they would induce labor on Monday.

Trevor and Ashton also have an 18-month-old daughter, Elizabeth. Levi is the newest member of the ever-growing NASCAR Kids Club, with Ty Dillon and wife Haley and Joey Logano and wife Brittany set to add to that as well in the coming months.

MORE: Baby Dillon due in November | Little Logano coming in January

 

Posted on by Team Release

HUNTERSVILLE, NC (June 19, 2017) – Joe Gibbs Racing names Dave Rogers technical director for its NASCAR XFINITY Series Operations. 

Rogers had previously served as the crew chief for the No. 19 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team before taking a personal leave of absence in March of this season. He will work closely with JGR’s Executive Vice President Steve deSouza in all aspects of competition across the organization’s XFINITY Series program.

RELATED: Dave Rogers takes personal leave of absence

“I really appreciate the support I’ve received over the past couple of months allowing me to take care of what I needed to in my personal life,” said Rogers. “This position really excites me and I’m looking forward to working closely with Steve (deSouza), our crew chiefs and everyone in our XFINITY Series shop on all aspects of competition.”

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 19, 2017) – NASCAR announced today a return to Las Vegas for the ninth consecutive year with the annual postseason culmination of Champion’s Week — the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards — to be held at Wynn Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017.

“Las Vegas is especially excited to welcome the NASCAR world back for this year’s Champion’s Week,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “It’s been a tremendous year for NASCAR in Las Vegas, with another great Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race this spring and the announcement that we’ll become the only destination on the NASCAR schedule with two triple-header weekends starting in 2018. We’ve had a long and successful partnership with NASCAR and look forward to having fans join us for the events of Champion’s Week this year.”

A full lineup of activities for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas will be announced at a later date.

“Awards season is a time when our entire industry, along with our passionate fan base, come together to formally crown a champion and celebrate a memorable season,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR Executive Vice President and chief global sales and marketing officer. “The prestige of our Awards grows each year, and with the return to Las Vegas for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards that trend promises to continue.”

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards will air on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

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STAMFORD, Conn. — As part of NBCSN’s comprehensive coverage of the 2017 NASCAR season, NBCSN’s daily motorsports show, NASCAR America, will present a live show each week from the NASCAR Hall of Fame, in Charlotte, North Carolina, beginning Wednesday, July 5 at 5 p.m. ET. Each live episode from the Hall of Fame will include an in-depth interview with an active driver, and highlight their journey to professional racing.

The weekly telecasts, from the heart of Uptown Charlotte, will take place every Tuesday or Wednesday throughout NBC Sports’ portion of the 2017 NASCAR season. NASCAR on NBC’s lead race announcer Rick Allen (@Rickallenracing) will serve as the primary host of the specialty shows, alongside “The Mayor” of NASCAR Jeff Burton (@Jeffburton), auto racing icon Kyle Petty (@Kylepetty), and Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett).

“We believe our new weekly Hall of Fame shows will provide us yet another unique tool to showcase the thoughts and personalities of NASCAR’s biggest stars,” said Jeff Behnke, VP of NASCAR Production, NBC Sports Group. “By hosting an active driver each week at the Hall of Fame, our shows will incorporate even more long-form discussions with the stars moving this sport, and allow viewers an inside look at the home where the history of NASCAR is preserved and celebrated.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome NASCAR America to the Hall every week beginning this summer. This partnership provides an excellent opportunity for us to showcase today’s top talent and blend it with an iconic backdrop that celebrates the sport’s history and heritage,” said NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director, Winston Kelley. “The show will also provide up-close and memorable experiences for our guests to interact with the legends from the past, now some of the most prominent broadcast voices for the sport, and the stars of today who aspire to be future NASCAR Hall inductees.”

NBCSN’S DAILY MOTORSPORTS SHOW SHIFTS ONE HOUR EARLIER

NASCAR America, NBCSN’s daily motorsports show dedicated to speed and stock car racing, shifts one hour earlier to 5 p.m. ET, beginning Monday, July 3. Viewers can catch comprehensive NASCAR news, highlights and driver interviews each evening, delivered by NBC Sports Group’s team of NASCAR hosts, analysts and reporters.

Posted on by Team Release

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Richard Petty Motorsports announced Monday that IMSA Ford driver Billy Johnson will pilot the No. 43 Smithfield Ford at Sonoma Raceway and fill in for the injured Aric Almirola. Fresh from competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Johnson will make his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend, but this isn’t the first time he worked in NASCAR. Johnson made five starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and scored a career-best eighth-place finish in Montreal in 2012.

A road course specialist, Johnson has 10 years of road racing experience. He worked with Almirola on his road course racing at the Ford Performance racing school at Miller Motorsports Park in a curriculum he developed with other instructors at the school. He has worked with over 20 Ford drivers to improve their road racing skills in the last six years.

“It is going to be awesome. It will be my first NASCAR Cup race and to debut in the 43 car, one of the most iconic numbers to ever race in NASCAR, is a huge honor,” said Johnson. “Richard Petty Motorsports is a great organization. To have the chance to make my Cup debut for the King is surreal, and I appreciate them putting me in the car.

“I have run a lot of XFINITY races, but this will be my first Cup race. It is awesome that RPM and everyone at Ford Performance has the confidence in me to take on Sonoma. I have run pretty well in the XFINITY road course races I have done, so I hope that translates into a good showing this weekend.”

“We are so excited about Billy Johnson making his Cup debut. He drove great for us in Le Mans this past weekend, has been a champion for us in the past in the GT350, and he’s been one of our development drivers for a while,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance.

“To be able to put him in a Cup car, at the highest level of NASCAR, in the iconic No. 43 Fusion, and to let him show his skills at Sonoma, well, we couldn’t be happier for him to have this chance.”

Richard Petty Motorsports has success at Sonoma. The team has one win, two poles, three Top Fives and nine Top 10s. Kasey Kahne scored a win in 2009 and a pole in 2010, while Marcos Ambrose won the pole in 2012. Since Almirola’s injury, the team has worked with drivers Regan Smith and Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr.

“It’s been important for us to put ourselves in the most competitive spot while Aric is recovering,” said CEO Brian Moffitt. “We’ve worked with Ford and Smithfield to put the best driver available in the car each week. Both Regan (Smith) and Bubba (Wallace) have done a great job for us the last five weeks. We feel that Billy’s experience on a road course will help us be competitive this weekend.”

Wallace will return to the No. 43 Smithfield Ford at Daytona International Speedway and will compete with the team until Almirola is able to return to the seat.

Posted on by Staff Report

Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson are friends off the track, and they often are considered similar-type drivers who love racing anything, any time, any place.

They never have worked together in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, though, which appears to be something Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, would love to change.

Stewart, a 49-time winner at NASCAR’s top level, fired off a handful of tweets Sunday night following Larson’s second win of the year at Michigan.

RELATED: Larson wins at Michigan

Here’s what “Smoke” said to a fan who asked why Larson wasn’t in the SHR stable:

 

Independent of that tweet, Stewart also posted this note about Larson: “He’s a friend of mine. And even if he doesn’t drive for me, I care and am happy for him.”

Larson, 24, is in the midst of a breakthrough year and currently leads the series points standings. With NASCAR’s silly season in full swing, he’s been connected to the open No. 88 ride at Hendrick Motorsports, but previously said he’s thrilled to be with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Seems like Stewart may have something to say about that.

Posted on by Staff Report

Joey Logano announced to the world — or at least those with a Twitter account — Sunday evening that he and wife Brittany are expecting their first child in January.

The adulation rolled in from throughout the industry, including a congrats from DeLana Harvick. DeLana, Kevin Harvick’s wife, had a little bit of fun with her reply, too.

She is referring, of course, to the now infamous interview following a 2010 Logano-Kevin Harvick on-track incident in which a much younger Joey quipped “It’s probably not his fault. His wife wears the fire suit in the family.”

Years later, the comment seems to strike both as funny. DeLana gifted Brittany a T-shirt that said “I wear the fire suit in this family!” when the two got married in 2014, and Logano responded to her Sunday tweet with one of his own.

Posted on by Reid Spencer

RELATED: Full race results | Series standings
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BROOKLYN, Mich. – Denny Hamlin feels his fortunes are on an upswing, and he had reason for optimism even before he took the green flag in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

On Saturday afternoon, Hamlin outdueled William Byron in a side-by-side race to the finish line to take home the trophy from the Irish Hills 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race. On Sunday, he backed that up with a satisfying fourth-place run in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event at the 2-mile track.

Hamlin was 10th for a restart on Lap 155 of 200 but worked his way forward over the final 45 laps, which were punctuated by three additional cautions.

“Really good car,” Hamlin acknowledged after the race. “Everything we needed to do we did. Had one little hiccup on pit road, but for the most part, we ran really well all day, had good speed in our Camry and pretty happy.”

The result was Hamlin’s second-best of the season, eclipsed only by his third-place run at Richmond in late April. More important, Hamlin believes he’s close to getting his first win of the season—and the first season victory for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I mean, you keep battling in the top-five and eventually you’ll have your chance.”