Posted on by RJ Kraft

Photo credit: Sean Busher

RELATED: Complete entry list for Iowa | Full schedule for Iowa

Ty Majeski spends his days working in the Roush Fenway Racing shop, but come this weekend he will have a NASCAR XFINITY Series start to his name. Majeski makes his national series debut in the American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Iowa Speedway on Saturday night.

The NASCAR Next product will pilot the No. 60 Ford at the 0.875-mile track with sponsorship from iRacing.com.

“I’ve been working so hard for something like this since I was racing go-karts when I was 9 years old,” Majeski told NASCAR.com. “It was always my dream, and to see it come true is pretty sensational. I’m just excited to get this opportunity and make the most of it.”

The 22-year-old Wisconsin native has been making his name in the Super Late Model circuit, winning the 2016 Super Late Model championship at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida. He went on to finish third in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings with 14 wins and 21 top-five finishes in 26 starts last year.

RELATED: NASCAR unveils 2017-18 NASCAR Next class | Learn more about Majeski

Last spring, Majeski inked a deal to join Roush Fenway’s development program and made the move to Concord, North Carolina this year. So far, he has been working out of the Roush shop, furthering his racing knowledge. It also helps that Majeski has an engineering background — he is about a year and a half from his degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I work in the shop every day at Roush,” Majeski said. “I actually did a lot of Bubba Wallace’s shocks earlier this year, so I’m building shocks for them and working with the engineering groups over there, too. I think all that helps.

“Knowing what you’re driving when you go out on the race track and telling them what the car is doing, I can relate in more of an engineering way and I think that goes a long way.”

Roush has seen its share of success at the short track as the organization has won five of the 14 XFINITY Series races held there. Majeski tested at the track last month and also credited his time on iRacing to help speed up the time it took to learn the ins and outs of the track.

“I use them (iRacing) as a tool in a lot of ways,” Majeski said. “They do a great job scanning the race tracks. When we unloaded there (for the test), I was up to speed pretty much right away. I had a good visual of the race track on iRacing and it definitely shortened the learning curve a ton when we showed up.”

In addition, Majeski has leaned on Roush Fenway veteran Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for some advice heading into this weekend. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver owns three career XFINITY Series wins at Iowa.

“Ricky and I talk a decent amount,” Majeski said. “I called him after our first test day out in Iowa and asked him a few questions, so Ricky has been a big help for me. He’s run well at Iowa in the past so he’s a good guy to pick his brain a little bit and try to find some more things that I can learn.”

RELATED: See Majeski’s paint scheme for Iowa

At Iowa, Seth Barbour will be atop the pit box, while “the whole No. 6 crew over-the-wall guys” will work pit road for his team, Majeski said. Barbour most recently worked as Wallace’s crew chief in the XFINITY Series.

Majeski hopes that this race can be a stepping stone to pick up some more seat time in the series as the season moves along.

“Right now we have both Iowa races, so those two are for sure and they are definitely looking to do more, but nothing is set in stone right now,” Majeski said.

As for the maiden start, Majeski is taking a practical view of what would make him happy coming out of Iowa on Saturday night.

“I’d be really happy with a top 10 and I think it’s really feasible as well,” Majeski said. “I just want to limit my mistakes. I don’t want to make any mistakes. Have good, clean restarts, come in and out of pit road, no speeding penalties or anything like that and I think the chips should fall for us to a top 10. That’s my goal.”

Posted on by Kelly Crandall

RELATED: Full breakdown of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Sonoma stats

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: Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway

Date: June 25, 3 p.m. ET (FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Previous five results at Sonoma: 11th, 7th, 3rd, 12th, 23rd

Notable: In his last three starts at Sonoma, Earnhardt has earned three consecutive top-11 finishes, including a career-best third place in 2014. That finish was also his first top-five at the road course. In 17 career Sonoma starts, Earnhardt has just one DNF and nine laps led in addition to having completed 95.3 percent of the laps run.

Memorable moment: Although Earnhardt is winless at Sonoma, he admitted his 2014 result of third felt like a victory without the trophy. Not only was it a career-best result, things finally fell into place to earn a finish he and his team were deserving of as it was Earnhardt’s first top 10 at the track in 15 tries. It was also one of Earnhardt’s more skillful driving exhibitions on the 12-turn course as he worked his way up the leaderboard from a 17th starting position to contend with the frontrunners.

Quotable: “We’ve had great race cars at the road courses the last few years, which has helped me a lot,” Earnhardt said this week in a team release. “Sonoma is the most challenging track that I race at. We’ve just got to take care of our car and make it through to the end.”

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR handed out penalties on Wednesday to two XFINITY Series teams and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team following last weekend’s events at Michigan International Speedway and Gateway Motorsports Park.

An L1-level penalty against the No. 20 XFINITY Series car for Joe Gibbs Racing was for splitter structure — the splitter was not flat. As a result, the race win for Denny Hamlin was ruled encumbered. Hamlin does not compete for points in the XFINITY Series, but the win won’t give the team any postseason benefits (i.e. loss of playoff points from that race).

Crew chief Chris Gabehart was fined $25,000 and suspended from the next two XFINITY Series championship points events, and the No. 20 team was assessed with the loss of 25 owner points.

Also, the No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford driven by Cole Custer was issued a safety violation for lug nuts not properly installed after a 10th-place finish at Michigan. Crew chief Jeff Meendering was fined $5,000.

Meanwhile, the No. 02 Ford driven by Austin Hill at Gateway was hit with L1-level penalty for not meeting post-race height requirements. Crew chief Bruce Cook was fined $5,000 and suspended from the next Camping World Truck Series championship points event, and the team was assessed with the loss of 10 driver points and 10 owner points.

Hill’s 14th-place finish was ruled encumbered.

Posted on by Staff Report

BUY TICKETS: See the Sonoma race | See Trucks and XFINITY in Iowa
RELATED: Full schedule for Sonoma and Iowa

All three NASCAR national series are in action this weekend but at two different tracks. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series visits its first road course of the season while the Camping World Truck and XFINITY Series take on the short-track of Iowa.

Below at the stage lengths for each race:
Click here to bookmark stage lengths for every race this season

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (Race is Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, FS1)

Stage 1: Ends on Lap 25
Stage 2: Ends on Lap 50
Final Stage: Scheduled to end on Lap 110

NASCAR XFINITY Series (Race is Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1)

Stage 1: Ends on Lap 60
Stage 2: Ends on Lap 120
Final Stage: Scheduled to end on Lap 250

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (Race is Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1)

Stage 1: Ends on Lap 60
Stage 2: Ends on Lap 120
Final Stage: Scheduled to end on Lap 200

Posted on by Team Release

New York, NY (June 21, 2017) – Complex Networks, Film 45, Markay Media, and NASCAR champions Hendrick Motorsports have teamed up on an original, eight-part documentary series that journeys deep inside the teamwork, sophistication and heart that makes stock car racing an American institution.

Road to Race Day goes behind the scenes with Hendrick Motorsports during the 2016 season, delivering unprecedented access to witness the passion, determination, and talent that propels its superstar drivers — Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. — and crew to be the winningest team in professional stock car racing. Directed by Cynthia Hill (A Chef’s Life, Private Violence) and executive produced by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, Patriot’s Day), Road to Race Day premieres on Complex Networks’ Rated Red available on go90 on Wednesday, July 19. 

“At the heart of the series is a team of people who share an incredible passion for and dedication to stock car racing and a drive to win. Hendrick Motorsports believed in us and gave us unparalleled access to share their story, and we’re grateful to them for inviting us into their family,” Berg said. “Road to Race Day adds a personal dimension to the sport, and it spotlights the passionate individuals who make Hendrick Motorsports one of the most successful racing teams of all time.” 

Hill added, “Stock car racing is an essential part of the American fabric. My team and I wanted to demystify the sport and its unique culture while celebrating the rich personalities whose lives intersect on race day.”

“When we committed to the project, our goal was to give people something that looked and felt unlike anything we’d ever done,” said Marshall Carlson, president of Hendrick Motorsports. “We knew it would require an unprecedented level of access, and that proved to be true. Whether the viewer is a NASCAR fan or not, we think they’ll be surprised and walk away with a different impression of our team and sport. We’re grateful to Cynthia, Peter and everyone involved for their enthusiasm about the series and the incredible work that went into making it.” 

“Cynthia Hill, Film 45 and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports have delivered riveting storytelling that humanizes the sport and brings to life all that’s involved in getting to the finish line,” said Rich Antoniello, chief executive officer of Complex Networks. “The series goes deep into the culture of racing to show the emotion and excitement of the sport, and we’re thrilled to be working with Film 45 again and honored that Hendrick Motorsports entrusted us with sharing their story with audiences.”

Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned nearly 250 points-paying race victories and an all-time record 12 championships in the premier NASCAR Cup Series. The organization fields four teams on the circuit with star drivers Kahne, Elliott, Earnhardt and 2016 champion Johnson.

Each weekly episode showcases the energy of racing through the stories of four superstars of the sport and their colorful teams. Strategy, preparation, and focus for each race are propelled by intensity and emotion as Road to Race Day crisscrosses the country to capture each dramatic moment as it unfolds.

In 2016, Elliott, heir to the car formerly driven by racing legend Jeff Gordon, began his rookie-of-the-year campaign, while veteran Earnhardt faced one of the most challenging seasons of his storied career. Johnson continued to chase his record-tying seventh championship, as Kahne fought to get back to Victory Lane. From North Carolina to Northern California, Road to Race Day follows these merchants of speed, their crew chiefs and teams as they confront ever-changing rules and unrivaled competition at more than 200 mph.

Road to Race Day is directed by Cynthia Hill. The series is executive produced by Peter Berg, Matthew Goldberg, and Brandon Carroll for Film 45; Cynthia Hill for Markay Media; and Justin Killion and Melanie Moreau are executive producers for Complex Networks. 

Complex Networks and Film 45 have previously teamed on the critically-acclaimed series QB1: Beyond the Lights for go90, which has been renewed for a second and third season. Road to Race Day is the latest Complex Networks original series in a growing lineup of high profile shows that also includes: Thanksgiving created by Dan Powell and Bethany Hall and starring Chris Elliott and Amy Sedaris; Embeds from Megyn Kelly and Michael DeLuca; Top Grier starring Hayes Grier; and Drive Share created by and starring Paul Scheer and Rob Huebell. 

Follow Road to Race Day on Twitter, Facebook or join the Fan Club and get exclusive content, behind the scenes access and unique offers. 

Posted on by Pat DeCola

Chip Ganassi Racing superstar Kyle Larson, fresh off his second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win of the season in Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway, has already piled on another pair of dubs in the two days since.

The 24-year-old was victorious once again in Tuesday night’s Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions at Ohio’s Sharon Speedway, a 3/8-mile dirt track that hosts sprint car races.

“Young Money” held off Carson Macedo and best friend Rico Abreu in a star-studded dirt field that also included NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney and XFINITY Series driver Cale Conley.

 

 

The Monster Energy Series points leader also won Monday’s Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions race at Wayne Count Speedway — holding off a second-place Kasey Kahne — and last week’s World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race at Eagle Raceway in Nebraska, to spark the streak.


He’ll try to keep it rolling in Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway (3 p.m. ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on by Track Release

SHOP: Buy tickets | VIP tickets | Darlington gear

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.”