Posted on by Nascar

RELATED: Playoff makeover, Daytona’s return to history highlight schedule

TRACKS RESPOND: Chicagoland | Richmond | Indy | Las Vegas

The 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule includes two key date changes for Daytona International Speedway.

For the first time since 2010, the season-opening Daytona 500 will return to its former weekend date leading into President’s Day in mid-February. The 2018 race, which kicks off the 36-race season for the Monster Energy Series, is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18.

Also, the Advance Auto Parts Clash, the annual non-points event for Monster Energy Series teams, now will be on Sunday, Feb. 11, the same day as Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Daytona 500.

The date change for the 500, initially announced by track officials in July of 2016, moves the season’s first points race up one week on the calendar. It has been the first stop for the series since 1982 and has been run as late as Feb. 27 in previous seasons. This year’s 500 was held Feb. 26.

The 2.5-mile superspeedway has hosted NASCAR events since 1959.

“Certainly it’s the traditional spot on President’s Day weekend,” Daytona president Chip Wile told NASCAR.com. “It gives folks an opportunity to have a day on the backside of the Daytona 500 to travel home. That works in our favor.

“We’re always thinking about how we can enhance the experience for our race fans, whether they are here on site or traveling to and from the race track. I think it’s important to think through those things.”

Said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations: “A lot went into it, obviously. From Chip’s standpoint on attendance, that’s right: There’s an opportunity for folks to extend that weekend, and all the pieces fit together, just as they did with the opportunity to move the Clash to Sunday and have a day race with qualifying for our biggest race of the year.”

NASCAR officials released the 2018 schedule for the Monster Energy Series on Tuesday, along with schedules for the XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series.

MORE: Key schedule changes | A look at each date | Official release | Reactions

The Clash has been run under the lights at the 2.5-mile track each year (barring weather issues) since 2003. Except for two occasions, the race was contested on a Sunday from its debut in ’79 through 2002, and held on the same day as Daytona 500 qualifying.

Weather forced the race to be moved to a Monday in 1983 and it was moved to a Saturday race for one year (1992).

“We brought back the name last year, now we’re bringing back the tradition, running it on Sunday afternoon,” Wile said. “So it will be a doubleheader — it will set the front row for the Daytona 500 and then we’ll run the Clash immediately following.

“It will be a great afternoon here at the Daytona International Speedway, enjoying the $400 million renovated stadium and seeing some great racing.”

The Clash field consists of pole winners from the previous season, as well as former Clash winners, playoff drivers from the previous season and any former Daytona 500 pole winner who competed full-time the previous year.

“Last year we got to see it on Sunday afternoon because of the weather,” Wile said. “It was just so well received by the industry and the fans we thought what the heck, let’s give it a go.

“I think it differentiates that race, too, because it’s not being raced under the lights where a lot of the activity now during Speedweeks is run under the lights. It gives it a little bit different flavor and a little bit different feel. And it gives our great race fans an opportunity to come out and see the cars battle during the afternoon.”

 

Posted on by Nascar

RELATED: 2018 schedule released | Key changes |  Official release

TRACKS RESPOND: Chicagoland | Richmond | Indy | Las Vegas

For the first time since its debut in 2004, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will include a road course in the 10-race championship-determining format in 2018.

Included as part of Tuesday’s 2018 national series schedule announcement, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s playoff race, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30, will include use of the track’s infield road course.

The 2018 playoffs will consist of four races contested on 1.5-mile intermediate tracks (Las Vegas, Kansas, Texas, Homestead-Miami), two 1-mile venues (Dover, Phoenix), two short-track stops (Richmond, Martinsville), and one superspeedway (Talladega) in addition to the Charlotte road course.

MORE: Date changes for 2018 | Reactions

Driver AJ Allmendinger tested on the road course earlier this year.

“Here’s the deal … I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said during the annual Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour in January. “I thought it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it.

“You can bring something new to the schedule and something new if it was done. I’m all for it. I’m probably biased toward that. It’s kind of like the new (stage) format. Change can be good and it can be a little scary. We have to see how it plays out. But could it be successful? I think it would be a fantastic race and something the fans could truly enjoy.”

Allmendinger, driver of the No. 47 Chevrolet for JTG Daugherty Racing, has one career win in the series and it came at Watkins Glen, which along with Sonoma Raceway make up the only two road-course stops currently on the Monster Energy Series schedule.

Use of the road course will increase the individual lap distance from 1.5 miles to approximately 2.4 miles. That change means the race will consist of fewer than the 334 laps that currently make up the race distance for a 500-mile event.

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

RELATED: 2018 schedule | In-depth schedule analysis | Key changes | Reactions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2017) – NASCAR today announced sweeping changes to the lineup of tracks that make up the playoffs as part of its 2018 national series schedules.

Next season, the final regular season race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be contested at iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Round of 16 kicks off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR has added a second short track to the playoff slate, as the historic ¾-mile Richmond International Raceway hosts the second playoff race for the first time, and Charlotte Motor Speedway serves as the first cutoff race, with an intriguing twist — and turn. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will race on the road course oval at Charlotte, marking the first time the playoffs will see a road-course layout among its 10 races.

TRACKS RESPOND: Chicagoland | Richmond | Indy | Las Vegas

With Charlotte moving to the cutoff of the Round of 16, Dover International Speedway now hosts the first race of the Round of 12 — another playoff first.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Great American Race, the Daytona 500 returns to its traditional Presidents Day weekend on Sunday, February 18.

Speedweeks kicks off with an action-packed Sunday, February 11 at Daytona International Speedway, with a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season-opening double-header featuring the Clash and Daytona 500 pole qualifying.

“Fan feedback was a major driver in developing these schedules, and we worked very closely with the industry to set the stage for an exciting 2018 season,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “This season has delivered more dramatic moments to fans, and with the adjustments to the 2018 schedules we’re in a great position to build upon that success.”

MORE: Download 2018 schedule

Richmond’s spring race returns to Saturday night, and the spring triple-header at Dover moves to the first week in May.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series joins NASCAR Goes West, the annual three-race trek to the West Coast, making March 2-4 a triple-header weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The fall weekend at Las Vegas serves as the final regular season event for the NASCAR XFINITY Series, with a three-race opening round of Richmond, Charlotte and Dover. The fall Bristol race will finalize the playoff field for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with Round of 8 races at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Las Vegas and Talladega.

All races will air on either the FOX or NBC family of networks, MRN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

See below for all three NASCAR national series schedules.

 

2018 MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

Feb. 11: Daytona International Speedway (Clash / Daytona 500 Qualifying)
Feb. 15: Daytona International Speedway (Duel)
Feb. 18: Daytona 500
Feb. 25: Atlanta Motor Speedway
March 4: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 11: Phoenix Raceway
March 18: Auto Club Speedway
March 25: Martinsville Speedway
April 8: Texas Motor Speedway
April 15: Bristol Motor Speedway
April 21: Richmond International Raceway
April 29: Talladega Superspeedway
May 6: Dover International Speedway
May 12: Kansas Speedway
May 19: Charlotte Motor Speedway (Monster Energy All-Star Race)
May 27 : Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 3: Pocono Raceway
June 10: Michigan International Speedway
June 24: Sonoma Raceway
July 1: Chicagoland Speedway
July 7: Daytona International Speedway
July 14: Kentucky Speedway
July 22: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
July 29: Pocono Raceway
Aug. 5: Watkins Glen International
Aug. 12: Michigan International Speedway
Aug. 18: Bristol Motor Speedway
Sept. 2: Darlington Raceway
Sept. 9: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sept. 16: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sept. 22: Richmond International Raceway
Sept. 30: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Oct. 7: Dover International Speedway
Oct. 14: Talladega Superspeedway
Oct. 21: Kansas Speedway
Oct. 28: Martinsville Speedway
Nov. 4: Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 11: Phoenix Raceway
Nov. 18: Homestead-Miami Speedway

 

2018 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE

Feb. 17: Daytona
Feb. 24: Atlanta Motor Speedway
March 3: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 10: Phoenix Raceway
March 17: Auto Club Speedway
April 7: Texas Motor Speedway
April 14: Bristol Motor Speedway
April 20: Richmond International Raceway
April 28: Talladega Superspeedway
May 5: Dover International Speedway
May 26: Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 2: Pocono Raceway
June 9: Michigan International Speedway
June 17: Iowa Speedway
June 30: Chicagoland Speedway
July 6: Daytona International Speedway
July 13: Kentucky Speedway
July 21: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
July 28: Iowa Speedway
Aug. 4: Watkins Glen International
Aug. 11: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Aug. 17: Bristol Motor Speedway
Aug. 25: Road America
Sept. 1: Darlington Raceway
Sept. 8: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sept. 15: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sept. 21: Richmond International Raceway
Sept. 29: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Oct. 6: Dover International Speedway
Oct. 20: Kansas Speedway
Nov. 3: Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway
Nov. 17: Homestead-Miami Speedway

 

2018 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

Feb. 16: Daytona International Speedway
Feb. 24: Atlanta Motor Speedway
March 2: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 24: Martinsville Speedway
May 4: Dover International Speedway
May 11: Kansas Speedway
May 18: Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 8: Texas Motor Speedway
June 16: Iowa Speedway
June 23: Gateway Motorsports Park
June 29: Chicagoland Speedway
July 12: Kentucky Speedway
July 18: Eldora Speedway
July 28: Pocono Raceway
Aug. 11: Michigan International Speedway
Aug. 15: Bristol Motor Speedway
Aug. 26: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Sept. 14: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Oct. 13: Talladega Superspeedway
Oct. 27: Martinsville Speedway
Nov. 2: Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 9: Phoenix Raceway
Nov. 16: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Posted on by Holly Cain

RELATED: Key changes to 2018 schedule | Download 2018 schedule | Reactions

The 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule features a can’t-miss new look with variations in dates and longtime venues — particularly in an exciting new playoff portion of the lineup.

Changes to the iconic Daytona 500 date — back on President’s Day weekend, Feb. 18 in 2018 — start a slate of substantial change and high intrigue.

The three-quarter mile Richmond International Raceway short track will host one of the playoff races in the opening round of the postseason, and its spring date — April 21 — returns to a Saturday night feature.

The traditional regular-season finale will now shift from the Richmond short track to the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sept. 9.

Chicagoland Speedway now is the site of NBC Sports’ season debut on July 1 — just prior to the traditional Daytona International Speedway Coke Zero 400 stop a week later, a powerful one-two punch.

In another major playoff shakeup, Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s brand new “second date” of the season will officially kick off NASCAR’s playoffs on Sept. 16. Also significant: Charlotte Motor Speedway’s playoff race will now be run on the venue’s road course instead of its 1.5-mile oval.

MORE: Charlotte’s 2018 playoff race to include road course | Date changes for ’18

That adds not only a road course to the postseason, but one that serves as the elimination event in the opening round on Sept. 30.

“I think a lot of it had to do with what we’ve heard from the fans over a period of time,” Jim Cassidy, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, told NASCAR.com. “As the playoffs have continued to evolve and we’ve incorporated elimination into the playoffs, we’ve heard from our fans that they like to see some different variety in the places that we go during the playoffs.

“Most notably, the road course at Charlotte and the addition of the short track at Richmond are a couple of opportunities that presented themselves during the course of a lot of conversations with a lot of folks in the industry, and we were able to land in a good place.”
TRACKS RESPOND: Chicagoland | Richmond | Indy | Las Vegas

In addition to the 60th anniversary of the Daytona 500 returning to its longtime President’s Day weekend, Daytona Speedweeks has a refreshed look with both Daytona 500 pole qualifying and the always exciting Clash at Daytona preseason race held on the same day (Sunday, Feb. 11).

With the schedule changes, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series opening three-race playoff round is Las Vegas-Richmond-Charlotte. The next round starts at Dover, then heads to Talladega and concludes in Kansas. The Round of 8 again is Martinsville-Texas-Phoenix, with the championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 18.

Cassidy indicated that the release of the 2018 schedules was the result of a spirit of collaboration through many points in the NASCAR industry, an extension of the same sort of cooperation that delivered the stages format and other enhancements to the sport.

“That was refreshing, but it wasn’t new to us because we’d just come off a really successful round of conversations in working together to get good results on stage racing,” Cassidy said. “The key common goal moving into the schedule conversation was, ‘How can we approach 2018 from the same standpoint as we approached the formats,’ and that’s satisfying what we’re hearing from the fans.

“Once you start focusing on that, you go in from day one and it’s fan-centric. It becomes a very natural conversation for a lot of different parties to play a role in.”

The NASCAR XFINITY Series also will conclude at the Miami 1.5-miler after opening playoff rounds in Richmond, Charlotte and Dover. Subsequent races at Kansas, Texas and Phoenix will set up the South Florida finale.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will settle its title with a playoff opener on the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park road course, followed by races at Las Vegas and Talladega to set the Round of 8. Martinsville, Texas and Phoenix will decide the championship four vying for the big trophy at Homestead-Miami.

“There’s a ton of variety,” Cassidy said of the other national series’ playoffs. “I mean, can you imagine setting the field for the playoffs for the trucks at Bristol? And the last couple of years that we’ve raced north of the border, the bottom line is that the trucks put on just a heck of a show just about any place they go, so the lineup is great. … It’ll keep us on the edge of our seats for that entire seven-race stretch of the playoffs, for sure. Same with the XFINITY Series. It’s a great lineup as well.”

The Truck Series also joins the NASCAR Goes West initiative, heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 2) for a tripleheader weekend.

Contributing: Zack Albert

 

Posted on by Staff Report

Following extensive conversations across the industry, NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway have started the process of conditioning the upper groove in Turns 1 and 2 and Turns 3 and 4 in preparation of all races held at the track this weekend, culminating in the Coca-Cola 600 on May 28 (6 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

The process includes adding a traction agent to the surface, and using the tire dragon tool to add Goodyear rubber into the groove. The expectation is the additional grip will increase the number of driving lines available to race in the corners. The low groove will remain intact.

“We talked through this opportunity with the track, teams, drivers and Goodyear,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Scott Miller. “There was agreement that this process would enhance the racing we see at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and ultimately would make for an exciting Coca-Cola 600.”

On-track action starts on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice. The XFINITY Series race is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET start Saturday (FS1, PRN, SiriusXM).

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