Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

RELATED: Full Salutes coverage

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2017) — For the third consecutive year, windshield headers on all 40 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars will be replaced with the names of fallen military service members during Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), NASCAR announced today.

This year’s “600 Miles of Remembrance” tribute honoring those who bravely served our country, launches a six-week platform encapsulating the industry’s collective expression of respect and gratitude — NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola.

“There is no prouder moment for our sport than when the entire NASCAR family rallies to honor and pay tribute to the United States Armed Forces,” said Brent Dewar, NASCAR chief operating officer. “NASCAR Salutes continues to grow thanks to the support of our industry and partners who believe just as strongly in recognizing those who’ve served and continue to serve today.”

Coca-Cola, the “Official Soft Drink of NASCAR,” has long honored and recognized the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the Coca-Cola 600 and Coke Zero 400 race weekends, which take place on Memorial Day Weekend and Independence Day Weekend, respectively.

This year, Coca-Cola’s support will extend throughout the industry-wide effort to honor past and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as the presenting sponsor of NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola also partners with NASCAR on Troops to the Track, hosting service members from all military branches at race tracks during the season.

“The Coca-Cola Company has a longstanding history of supporting the U.S. military, veterans and their families. We are honored to continue to support U.S. service members with the NASCAR Salutes program,” said Peggy Loos, vice president, Coca-Cola North America Connections Activation. “Throughout the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend, America’s largest Memorial Day celebration, Coca-Cola will bring people together to pay tribute to our nation’s Armed Forces — past and present — and their families for their extraordinary contributions to our country.”

Many of the service members whose names will be displayed on the race cars Sunday were chosen by the race teams, including some with unique connections to the fallen. U.S. Army sergeant Gregory Allen Belanger, who was killed in Hallia, Iraq in 2003, was a friend of Team Penske employee Darin Russell, engine tuner for Ryan Blaney’s No. 21 Ford Fusion.

Harold Tussey, whose name will be proudly displayed on Paul Menard’s No. 27 Chevrolet SS, lost his life in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The third-class petty officer’s great nephew, Troy Tussey, is a mechanic with Richard Childress Racing.

Several families of those recognized on the race cars will attend the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The track will host more than 5,000 active military members at Sunday’s race in honor of Memorial Day.

Throughout the NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola platform, fans at each of the six race weekends will have the opportunity to write the name of a service member close to their heart on a small poster, and “Rise to Honor” them during the pace laps preceding each event.

Among the other NASCAR Salutes events and activities are the following:

• Throughout the platform, fans can follow the NASCAR Salutes conversation on social media using #NASCARSalutes. A special NASCAR Salutes filter will be available on Snapchat for fans attending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.

• This Sunday, NASCAR drivers will discuss 600 Miles of Remembrance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (channel 90) during a special military tribute show airing at 1 p.m. ET. The Dialed In Salute to the Troops special, hosted by Claire B. Lang, will feature interviews with several drivers as well as service members from different branches of the military.

• During Saturday’s Hisense 4K TV 300, NASCAR XFINITY Series™ drivers will display red, white and blue XFINITY windshield decals on their race cars.

• Lilly Diabetes, the “Official Diabetes Health Partner of NASCAR®,” unveiled a patriotic paint scheme that Ryan Reed, driver of the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang, will race in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Memorial Day Weekend.

• This weekend, NASCAR together with Honor and Remember, Inc., will display specially prepared Honor and Remember flags representing those who have died in service to our country from each of the 50 United States throughout the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

• Goodyear will once again transform its NASCAR race tires by replacing the “Eagle” sidewall design with “Support Our Troops” messaging on all tires used during Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

• Owners in the Toyota Owners Hub at Charlotte Motor Speedway will have the opportunity to write letters of appreciation for military members serving overseas and can sign their name on a Camry race car hood, featuring a message of gratitude, which will be presented to the USO of North Carolina before the Coca-Cola 600.

• Nationwide, the “Official Auto, Home, Life and Business Insurance of NASCAR®,” recently unveiled Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s patriotic paint scheme for his No. 88 Nationwide Insurance Chevrolet SS in the Coca-Cola 600.

• Mars, the “Official Chocolate of NASCAR®,” created a patriotic red, white and blue M&Ms paint scheme for Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&Ms Toyota Camry for the Coca-Cola 600 to coincide with M&M’s Red, White, Blue, “One for you, One for the troops” program with Walmart, which gives consumers the opportunity to thank troops by buying M&M’s domestically, and subsequently having a bag sent overseas to service members. Mars will also support the program with a pre-race Big & Rich concert at the Coca-Cola 600.

• During the DAYTONA Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway, Comcast will work with NASCAR and teams to replace its XFINITY branding with active military installations on all NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers’ windshield headers to commemorate Independence Day Weekend.

• During the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™ race at Gateway Motorsports Park, the track and drivers will celebrate Scott Air Force Base’s 100th anniversary.

• Allegiant, the “Official Passenger Airline of NASCAR®,” is offering free travel services to U.S. active or reserve duty and the National Guard members.

• Aspen Dental, the “Official Dentist of NASCAR®,” is hosting its Day of Service, a program that provides a day of free dental care for veterans on Saturday, June 24, at all participating Aspen Dental practices.

• Hope For The Warriors, which provides assistance to combat wounded service members, their families, and families of those killed in action, has partnered with NASCAR Digital Media to raise funds during NASCAR Salutes. The organization will launch videos on NASCAR.com featuring drivers, and bring 24 Gold Star family members to Charlotte Motor Speedway to honor and remember family members whose names will be displayed on four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars.

Beginning Friday, fans can visit NASCAR.com/salutes to share their message of honor for the military, view an online gallery of the service members honored, and learn more about NASCAR Salutes activities.

Tickets to NASCAR national series events are available at NASCAR.com/tickets.

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Buy Darlington race tickets

Ryan Blaney unveiled his throwback scheme on Monday evening via NASCAR America for Labor Day weekend’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Blaney, who drives the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, will pilot another famed No. 21 red-and-white scheme wheeled by Kyle Petty. He is the first driver to reveal a 2017 throwback Darlington paint scheme.

“I’m really pumped the Wood Brothers wanted to do that (scheme),” Blaney said on NASCAR America. “I think it turned out great … I’m pumped to have it on the car, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Petty drove for the historic Wood Brothers Racing team from 1985 – 1988, collecting two wins and 48 top-10s. He piloted the No. 21 Ford for half that period, in 1987 and 1988, when he won that year’s coveted Coca-Cola 600.

This season marks the third year that Darlington will host a throwback-themed Southern 500 event. This year’s event will focus on the 1985-1989 era, considered a time of growth and exposure for the sport.

The 2017 Bojangles’ Southern 500 will take place on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. with coverage on NBCSN and MRN.

Posted on by Staff Report

Pixar’s “Cars 3” is coming soon with NASCAR stars joining the beloved franchise’s cast. See them first here by watching the animated intros for the characters played by Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Daniel Suarez.

 

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Full NASCAR Salutes coverage

As Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and XFINITY Series drivers prepare for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 and Hisense 4k TV 300 this Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, honoring the country’s fallen military personnel is also a priority.

Activities to honor those who have sacrificed their lives will continue throughout the week, including the #NASCARSalutes social media campaign and on-track program, culminating in the huge military-themed prerace display on Sunday. Several drivers sent their own messages via social media. And the patriotic paint schemes will be prominent.

RELATED: NASCAR Salutes returns with windshield tributes


Posted on by Holly Cain

RELATED: John Andretti battling Stage 4 cancer

John Andretti sat on stage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Thursday looking comfortable, even smiling.

It’s a familiar place for the 11-time Brickyard 400 and seven-time Indy 500 starter, who wowed the racing world with the 1994 Memorial Day “Double,” competing in the Indy 500 in the morning then the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the evening.

However, this time the 54-year-old was in the spotlight to talk about another test of endurance and faith; to formally share his recent stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis and talk about the toughest race of his life, one he is determined to win and make a difference for everyone else along the way.

And he has made a difference already.

Andretti flashed a quick grin when telling the story of how he convinced his famous cousin Michael Andretti — a former IndyCar superstar and current team owner — to get a colonoscopy.

John Andretti
John Andretti

“I forced a few people to go [and be tested] because I wasn’t going to come public with it [diagnosis] unless they did go, and they decided that it was worthwhile,” Andretti said. “One was my cousin Michael. I figured I’d never get him to go, so I would never have to go public with it, and two weeks later he’s doing it. So he fought a little bit, but he didn’t fight hard.

“Now the biggest part about this has been we’ve not only taken people in that are not getting colonoscopies to get them, but they’re becoming advocates of getting them done. And that’s been the bigger part of it. … Had I done it when I was 50 years old, there’s a very, very good chance I wouldn’t be sitting here.

“But fortunately for me I think that we’ve changed some people’s lives.”

That’s a safe bet judging from the swift and solid reaction Andretti’s news has received — from fans and from his fellow racers.

As the racing world does, it has rallied around Andretti and the important, potentially life-saving reminder he offers.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ Front Row Motorsports team put Andretti’s “#checkitforandretti” message on its rear quarter panel for the All-Star race last weekend at Charlotte.

And since Andretti is one of the few drivers who has competed in the elite levels of NASCAR, IndyCar and the NHRA, social media is filled with photos of top drivers and race teams — from all across the racing spectrum — eager to help Andretti spread the word.

NHRA champion Ron Capps posted a photo showing him attaching a sticker on his hot rod with the message, “#checkitforandretti.”

 

Best of all, the entire Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR field and entire 33-car Indy 500 field will carry the decals in this weekend’s Memorial Day racing extravaganza.

“It’s grown, as I say, business-wise organically, and people now — you know, it’s almost like a mini-movement that’s getting even stronger every day,” Andretti said. “It sends chills through me because I never figured that people would get on board so quickly and in such volume that they have.

“I love people telling me that they’re going to get a colonoscopy, which I never thought that would ever be in my vocabulary,” Andretti said with a light laugh.

“But it is life-changing for me, but it’s more so for my family, and that’s the part I hate. I hate the stress that I put on them for this because this was definitely avoidable. And most of them are going to be avoidable if you get early detection.”

Andretti is the first to understand the reluctance for many in getting checked. But he stressed that getting checked and treated early can make all the difference. He knows.

For him, it’s a tougher road. He will have chemotherapy and another surgery awaits, too. They have found additional spots in Andretti’s liver and possibly his spleen — a place that can’t be biopsied.

Yet Andretti remains optimistic, hopeful in the treatment and buoyed by the outpouring of concern he has received. And his commitment to helping others avoid his situation provides a positive outlet in a time of uncertainty. Had he gotten a colonoscopy four years ago at age 50 — when doctors first recommend for everyone — he is convinced the situation would be different.

So this is his opportunity to help encourage others to be more proactive. And hopefully that sense of goodwill and making a difference will be a safe place where his mind can go during the tough physical and emotional tests awaiting him.

“One thing I was always lacking was a colonoscopy, and you would ask about it or whatever, and I’d forget about it,” Andretti said. “I never avoided it. It just didn’t happen. And unfortunately my wife has an issue that she has to go get them several times. And so she was in getting hers, and I decided to schedule mine.

“I won’t tell the whole story. It’s a little bit boring. But I was about three minutes away from walking out of the next doctor’s office because patience is not my strong suit. And so fortunately I didn’t, and immediately after the colonoscopy, they scheduled a surgeon. I was in surgery a few days later to have a tumor removed and another cancer spot.”

Anyone watching Andretti speak absolutely had to be moved by the positive attitude — it will be of great benefit to him in the coming months of treatment.

Through decades of competition, Andretti has always been that driver in the garage more prone to offering smiles than holding grudges. He has always been upbeat, had a great sense of humor and offered perspective.

And he is doing that again despite a tough, personal challenge.

But as it was on track, the expectation for Andretti is to win. And really, he has already.

“I get chills now because this is the most special place on the planet for me, for my family,” Andretti said of his time at Indy last week. “It’s a special time of the year. You know, somebody said to me, ‘I’m glad to see you here,’ and I’m like this, gives me energy.

“It has been really humbling and special to me.”

MORE: Andretti’s career NASCAR statistics

Posted on by Nascar

RELATED: Truck Series standings

Red Horse Racing, which fields two teams in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has ceased operations according to multiple reports.

RHR has fielded the No. 7 Toyota for driver Brett Moffitt and the No. 17 for Timothy Peters through this season’s first five races.

Peters, a veteran in the series with 235 starts, is currently sixth in the points standings and coming off a fifth-place finish in last Friday night’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He has 10 career victories, all with RHR, and he advanced to the final round of the inaugural Truck Series championship last season, eventually finishing fourth in points.

Moffitt is 10th in points and earned his first series win last season, at Michigan.

Team owner Tom DeLoach has been fielding trucks since 2005. Seven drivers have won for the organization, which is based in Mooresville, N.C.

MORE: Tom DeLoach owner statistics

Posted on by Zack Albert

Richard Childress Racing announced changes to its crew chief lineup Monday morning, naming Justin Alexander as a replacement for Richard “Slugger” Labbe with the No. 3 Chevrolet team and driver Austin Dillon.

 

Alexander moves over from RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. His first race atop the No. 3 pit box will be Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 (6 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

The Richard Childress-owned team announced that Randall Burnett, most recently with JTG Daugherty Racing, will take Alexander’s place within its XFINITY Series operations. Burnett was replaced last weekend by veteran Ernie Cope on JTG Daugherty’s No. 47 Chevrolet team with driver AJ Allmendinger.

 

Labbe, 48, had been with Richard Childress Racing since 2011. The team indicated in a news release that Labbe “is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.”

 

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ most recent points-paying event at Kansas Speedway was Labbe’s 500th race as a crew chief in NASCAR’s premier series. He has five victories as a crew chief, including Michael Waltrip’s 2003 Daytona 500 win and Paul Menard’s Indianapolis triumph in 2011.

 

Labbe has worked with Dillon since the midpoint of the 2015 season. This year, Dillon ranks just 22nd in the series standings, with his lone top-five finish a fifth place at Martinsville Speedway. RCR replaced Labbe with Sammy Johns for one race earlier this season, at Richmond International Raceway.

 

Alexander was atop the pit box for the team’s two victories in the XFINITY tour last year, going back to back with Dillon winning at Bristol Motor Speedway and Michael McDowell taking Road America. He previously worked in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, serving parts of three seasons with Menard and Childress’ No. 27 Chevrolet.

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.

RELATED: Find NBCSN in your area | See Charlotte races

All times ET

Monday, May 22
5:30 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Tuesday, May 23
6 a.m., The 600: History of NASCAR’s Toughest Race, FS1
5:30 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
7 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race (re-air), FS2

Wednesday, May 24
6 a.m., Beyond the Wheel: 2017, FS1
5:30 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Thursday, May 25
2 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, FS1
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub Weekend Edition, FS1
4 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series, FS1
5 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub Weekend Edition, FS1
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, FS1
7 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, FS1
8:30 p.m., Empty Cup: Quest for the 1992 NASCAR Championship, FS1
9 p.m., Beyond the Wheel: 2017, FS1
10 p.m., The 600: History of NASCAR’s Toughest Race, FS1

Friday, May 26
3:30 p.m., NASCAR America Motorsports Special, NBCSN
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
8 p.m., NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race: Orange Show Speedway, NBCSN

Saturday, May 27
9 a.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, FS1
10 a.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, FS1
11 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub Weekend Edition, FS1
11:30 a.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, FS1
12:30 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: XFINITY, FS1
1 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series race, Hisense 4K TV 300, FS1
3:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Post-race Show, FS1

Sunday, May 28
4:30 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FS1
5:30 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pre-race Show, FOX
6 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Coca-Cola 600, FOX
11:30 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lane, FS1

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Zack Albert

RELATED: Busch wins All-Star Race | Full race results | Coca-Cola 600 weekend schedule

CONCORD, N.C. — “To tell you the truth, I thought he had won here.”

 

It’s understandable that Coach Joe Gibbs would say so about Kyle Busch, the driver of his No. 18 Toyota, and Charlotte Motor Speedway, site of Saturday night’s Monster Energy All-Star Race.

 

Busch has won virtually everywhere else in a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series car, with only Charlotte and Pocono Raceway left on his career to-do list. And Busch has been a frequent visitor to Charlotte’s Victory Lane in other national tours — eight times in the XFINITY Series and seven in the Camping World Truck Series.

RELATED: Busch’s career statistics

That’s why Saturday night’s All-Star win — exhibition or not — meant plenty to Busch, who pounced on the final restart to lead the last 10 laps of the annual invitational.

 

“The Cup car just never is put together the whole way it needs to be,” Busch said, referencing that his 0-for-26 mark in the sport’s top Series was “very, very frustrating” in light of his Charlotte success in other series. “You just never get to Victory Lane.

 

“Finally we’re able to kind of close the chapter on that one. Now it’s time to go get a points win here.”

 

Busch will get his nearest opportunity for a points-paying triumph at the 1.5-mile track in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 (6 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the longest race on the NASCAR schedule. Prevailing in both the All-Star and 600 weekends happens relatively infrequently, with only seven drivers accomplishing the sweep — the most recent being his older brother, Kurt, in 2010.

 

A 600 victory would not only represent a breakthrough for the younger Busch, but also for his Joe Gibbs Racing team. JGR cars won 12 times last season, but are 0-for-11 in points events so far this year. Instead of offering a detailed, technical explanation about the team’s shortcomings this season, Gibbs was optimistic but also matter-of-fact — stock-car racing isn’t easy.

 

“I’m telling you, we feel like Kyle can win anywhere,” Gibbs said. “Certainly this year he’s really been in position a bunch, the top five at the end of the races, not been able to win one. I think it tells you how hard this sport is. I think a lot of people improved in the offseason, we were off a little bit, and it makes it hard. It tells you how hard pro sports is. The best people in the world are doing this.”

 

Busch has remained among the premier series’ best, even though certain tracks have proven to be more challenging than others. Busch had 16 fruitless trips to Kansas Speedway before finally scratching the win column there last year. He was also winless in his first 21 Martinsville Speedway starts before closing the deal there last spring.

RELATED: Every Kyle Busch win in the Monster Energy Series

 

So there’s hope yet for Charlotte, Busch’s crew chief Adam Stevens says. An All-Star victory that shows what’s possible certainly can’t hurt.

 

“I think it’s just a matter of time of him figuring it out,” Stevens said. “No different than Kansas, some of these other places he’s struggled at in the past. Wouldn’t say here has been a struggle, but it’s just been hard to finish it off.

 

“Hopefully this is a little bit of momentum, a little bit of wind in our sails, something we can build on for next week.”

 

Posted on by Staff Report

Photo credit: @DaleJr

RELATED: Dale Jr. endorses Bowman for No. 88 | See Dale Jr.’s All-Star Race intro

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a collector of wrecked race cars. He keeps them in the woods of his property around Dirty Mo Acres.

On Sunday morning, Earnhardt tweeted about his latest addition — the No. 10 Ford driven by Danica Patrick at Kansas in the Go Bowling 400. Patrick was involved in a three-car wreck on Lap 199 that involved Joey Logano and Aric Almirola in last weekend’s race.

The incident left Almirola sidelined for at least the next two months with a fracture of of his T5 vertebrae suffered in the accident.

RELATED: Almirola gives update on recovery | See what happened at Kansas

On why he collects wrecked race cars, Earnhardt told ESPN’s “SportsCenter” in 2014 that “when we would build a car, you’d put so much into that one vehicle. Then when you would destroy it, or it was beyond repair, I just couldn’t bring myself to throw it away because we had spent so much money on it. So I started throwing them in the woods out behind the house, and we’ve got around probably 25 to 30 cars out there just from JR Motorsports alone.

“I started getting other cars like the Juan (Pablo) Montoya car that was in the Daytona (500 in 2012) accident with the jet dryer, stuff like that. Cars that have some sort of neat story behind them so we started getting those cars as well. I don’t pay for them or anything. I just call up the owner and see if they’re willing to give them up.”