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RELATED: Dale Jr.’s complete Daytona 500 history


NEW YORK CITY — A production assistant pins a lavalier microphone to the lapel of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s suit jacket in a newsroom studio inside FOX News on Sixth Avenue.


"One, two, three, four, five. Hello, hello," the 14-time NMPA Most Popular Driver says instinctively, without instruction from the PA.


You can tell this — the sound test, the back-to-back-to-back-to-back (and then some) interviews, the traipsing around the "Big Apple" to promote the 2017 Daytona 500, everything — feels normal to him, like second-nature. 


Not long ago, there was no such thing as normal for Earnhardt.


The Hendrick Motorsports driver will make his return to points-paying competition in Sunday’s "Great American Race" (2 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) after missing the second half of last season following concussion-like symptoms from wrecks at Michigan International Speedway in June and at Daytona International Speedway in July. The road back was a lengthy, arduous, winding trail filled with uncertainty and confusion.


"You’d be doing something during the day and something would happen and you’d go ‘Whoa, what was that? That was weird,’ " Earnhardt told NASCAR.com, who tagged along with him for the day. "Just these little moments when you might get dizzy or you might forget about something that you think you shouldn’t forget about. That used to happen all the time." 



Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets mic’d up.


Earnhardt was cleared to race in December after months of rehabilitation and doctor appointments. He says he’s fully healthy and recovered from his concussion, but don’t hold your breath on him throwing out that cliché preseason line about being in the best shape of his life.


RELATED: Watch Dale Jr.’s full interview from Daytona Media Day

"I think I was probably at my peak physical condition at … 1? But since then it’s all been downhill," Earnhardt joked. "I feel healthy. Mentally, I’m always sort of self-analyzing so I’m not having these things that would bring (the concussion) to my attention anymore. 


"The further you get removed from that stuff, the less you even remember it happening, or the less you think about it. When you go a day or a week never even thinking about the injury or the past, you’re free from it. I feel great. Like I said, the doctors have given me a lot of confidence, just talking to them. They’re like, ‘Man, you’re good. We feel good about this. We feel good about you racing. We feel good about you crashing.’ You’ve got to have those."


To get a sign-off from his doctors on crashing — a near-certainty to happen over the course of a 36-race season — is massive. 


The risk of another concussion will always be in the back of Earnhardt’s mind after this most recent one kept him sidelined for so long.


But he can’t let that apprehension occupy him behind the wheel.


"The wrecks and stuff are inevitable and I do worry. There’s been crashes that I haven’t had issues with, but there’s been a few wrecks that I have had issues," Earnhardt said. "I don’t know … my doctors told me basically that I was healthy and if they thought I shouldn’t race, they would let me know. They said, ‘Look, we feel good about you racing. We feel like anything that happens … it’s a dangerous sport and you’re going to be at risk no more than you were before. Anything that happens to you, we can fix.’ "


Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs autographs for fans on the streets of New York.


Talking to Earnhardt, it’s clear 2016 was a year that challenged on many levels. 


It was also a year of tremendous growth and reflection that culminated — quite literally — with a marriage to longtime girlfriend Amy Earnhardt (née Reimann) on New Year’s Eve, a topic that took center stage throughout his media tour at the "TODAY Show," FOX News, "The Dan Patrick Show," Inc. Magazine and "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen."


RELATED: Dale Jr., Amy Reimann get married on New Year’s Eve

Even if she did miss a question or two on the unofficially official "Dale Earnhardt Jr." quiz on The Dan Patrick Show (watch it here), Earnhardt touts Amy’s support and gives her nearly all the credit for his transformation.


"I think I feel like a stronger, more complete person thanks to her. I hope that this isn’t just a mood, that it’s more permanent. I think we’ll find out as we just get into the grit of the season, week-to-week and going from track to track and being tugged in all kinds of different directions by my responsibilities. Hopefully this sticks."


With health in hand and a family life starting to come together at 42 years old, nobody would have blamed the 26-time winner in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for walking away before the start of his 18th full-time season. 


RELATED: Dale Jr. regals listeners with family storytime


Dale Earnhardt Jr. with Andy Cohen of ‘Watch What Happens Live’


But the big news of the past week was Earnhardt’s looming contract extension, with his current deal set to expire at year’s end and a talented replacement champing at the bit for a full-time opportunity in Alex Bowman.


RELATED: Dale Jr. discusses contract status

Earnhardt won’t walk away "until the gas tank is on empty," but he can’t quite pinpoint when that’ll be. He says any extension would be "no less than two, no more than three" years, but has put off negotiations with team owner Rick Hendrick until he knows he can commit, health-wise, long term. 


"I don’t know (how much gas is left in the tank.) If I told you, ‘Man, I’ve got three years,’ I don’t know if I’d be telling you the full truth," said Earnhardt, a two-time Daytona 500 winner. "I can’t see, I can’t feel it. I know I want to finish this year and if I finish … everybody keeps asking me about my goals for a successful season, and that’s to finish every race. If I’m in every race, and not injured and not missing races, then that’s a successful season. 


"I think that will propel me into a new extension. The only thing holding me up, really, is knowing that I can do it, health-wise. Knowing that I can be there every week. If I’m going to sign a deal to be there and work for my owner … I love this man like a father. And I don’t want to tell him I can be there for three more years if I can’t. I’m going to get a few months under my belt and get the confidence that we can start working on the extension and I think if we get there, I’m signing that extension with the intent of doing that contract. 


"Now, that might be the last one but I don’t know. You just don’t know these things. I mean, I know drivers — and I won’t say names — but I know very, very successful drivers in this sport that five years ago were ready to hang it up, just fed up. And they’re happier today than they’ve ever been."


Earnhardt mentioned that he nearly walked away from the sport earlier this decade, but credited his support system for pulling him back.


And he’s thankful it did.


"I’ve been down, down in the dumps," he said. "Hell, if I didn’t have the right support system around me, I probably would’ve quit in 2010, 2011. I’m glad I didn’t. We got this ship righted and got to winning some races and I’ve had the best time behind the wheel that I’ve ever had in my career for three or four years now.


"So who says that if I stick around that it can’t get even better? I want to see, I want to wait."


RELATED: Dale Jr. on front row for Sunday’s Daytona 500


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Subway announced Thursday its commitment to sponsor Joe Gibbs Racing rookie Daniel Suarez in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

 

Suarez, who is taking the wheel from the recently retired Carl Edwards in the No. 19 JGR Toyota Camry, will pick up Edwards’ Subway sponsorship at Auto Club Speedway, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway and at Talladega Superspeedway in October.

 

"I’m extremely grateful to Subway for their continuing sponsorship of our Joe Gibbs Racing team this year," Suarez said in a release. "I enjoy eating healthy, and Subway has always been my go-to choice to refuel my body when I’m on the road or at home. I’m looking forward to a great 2017 season in the Subway Toyota Camry."

 

Suarez, whose favorite sandwich is the Footlong Subway Club, will also appear in upcoming TV commercials for the SUBWAY brand.

Posted on by Staff Report

Rankings below are based on a mixture of expected output and DraftKings’ NASCAR salaries for that day. The ordering is not based on highest projected fantasy totals, but rather by value of each driver.

 

(fppk = average fantasy points per $1,000 of salary. The typical median fppk for a 2016 race was in the 3s. Plate tracks tend to be lower and short tracks tend to run higher due to the amount of laps.)

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BUY TICKETS: See the Daytona 500 live!

RELATED: Read more Inside Groove


So, you’ve decided to attend your first NASCAR race — how exciting! You’ve chosen the Daytona 500, the greatest spectacle of stock car racing, conquered by heroes like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, and Trevor Bayne.


Here are some tips and tricks on how you can make your maiden trip to this year’s Daytona 500 the most enjoyable experience at the track possible.


— Wear sunscreen! The sun is hot in Daytona Beach. It’s common practice to wear a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of your favorite driver’s car number. Don’t have a favorite driver yet? Jamie McMurray is a popular choice — he’s No. 1, really.


–During the race, you’ll hear a lot of people seated around you shouting, "Go Dale Jr.!" This is normal. Junior Nation has been asked to remind their driver to keep going — he’s been out of the car for a few months and his fans are trying to be helpful in case he forgot how to do his job.


— Purchase tickets well in advance of the Daytona 500! You can no longer arrive at the hallowed grounds of motorsports and expect to answer the Grand Marshal’s three riddles to gain entry to the race. Times have indeed changed.


— Bump drafting is NOT encouraged in the line for the bathrooms. Trust me. Leave it to the professionals.


— On Lap 14 of the Daytona 500, you’ll be asked to hold up 14 fingers in honor of the now-retired Tony Stewart. Be sure to comply, lest you be ribbed and taunted by fellow racegoers for the remainder of the event.


— It’s customary to perform "the wave" on each of the race’s 200 laps as the pack races by where you’re seated. Remind your neighbors of this if they forget.


— If you fall off your boat into Lake Lloyd, simply put yourself in a bag of rice for 24 hours to dry off.


— It’ll be SUPER awkward walking into the track wearing your Scott Speed 2012 team t-shirt. Stop by the merchandise tent as soon as possible if that’s the case.


— Upon gaining entry to the track, you’ll be handed a race program that explains the race festivities. It’s part of your ticket agreement with the track that you list the program for sale on eBay immediately following completion of the race.


— When 40 cars bolt past you at full speed after the green flag waves, the noise can be rather startling. Most race car drivers, however, are quite respectful if you give them a "shush" as they race on. Don’t be shy — race car drivers are people, too, and they’re happy to comply with a fan’s polite request!


— In the event of rain, the race will be delayed until the track is sufficiently dried. Avoid sitting in the grandstands for hours, thinking the cars will come back around the track any time now — it’s quite likely the cars are actually stopped on pit road, disguised by car covers!


— Do not utter the words, "Drivers, start your engines!" before the official command is given by the Grand Marshal. Reciting this phrase could startle drivers into accidentally starting their race cars sooner than expected — and you don’t want responsibility for that magnitude of disaster on your hands.


— Open bowls of cereal are not permitted in the facility. Finish those flakes and leave your bowl in the car before you attend The Great American Race! Better yet, meet up with other racing/cereal enthusiasts at one of the designated "cereal bowl zones" in the parking lot outside the track.


— You’ll notice the cars look quite a bit different in person than they do on TV. That’s simply because the camera adds ten pounds. Enjoy your slimmed and unfettered view of those speed machines!


— When there’s a crash on the track, the cars always seem to end up at the end of skid marks. That means trouble! When you start to see skid marks appear, recite the customary Daytona skid marks chant to alert race fans around you: "Women and men ’round these hallowed grounds; hark — now rise — for trouble abounds!"


— Before the race begins, airplanes will fly in formation over the track — this is called the "fly-over" and it’s perfectly normal. Don’t feel embarrassed — you didn’t accidentally go to the air show instead of the biggest race of the NASCAR season!


— Most food vendors within the gates of the race track do not offer free refills on cans of Monster Energy.


— Speaking of food vendors, try out some Daytona 500 specialties! Ask for the secret menu to get access to delicacies like "Race Puppies," "Busch Ears," "Cassill Greens," "Dale’s Famous Gus Drops," and Daytona’s own "Pasta Logano," named after the 2015 winner of The Great American Race.


— Fellow fans wearing a shirt bearing your favorite driver are required to return all high-fives and fist bumps. Promptly report any suspicious refusals to return high-fives to track security.


— If you forget to print out this guide and bring it with you to the track, just remember DAYTONA:

      — DAYle Earnhardt, Jr. is a common driver for whom you can cheer in case you forget the name of your favorite driver

      — TONy Stewart isn’t racing in the Daytona 500 this year — he retired. (Remember, 14 fingers on Lap 14!)

      — A good idea would have been to print out the First Timer’s Daytona 500 Guide.


Most of all, have fun and enjoy yourself! 


In most cases, you can head back home at the conclusion of the race. It’s the mark of a Daytona novice to accidentally sit in the grandstands for weeks following the race — don’t embarrass yourself!


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RELATED: Lineups for the Duels | How the Duels work

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The opportunity to earn points and possibly a berth in the season-ending playoffs for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series begins in earnest here this weekend as drivers prepare for Sunday’s season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

 

The first chance for points will present itself Thursday as Daytona hosts the annual Can-Am Duels (7 p.m. ET, FS1), two 60-lap qualifying races that will set the bulk of the field for Sunday’s main event. For the first time since 1971, drivers finishing in the top 10 in the Duels will receive points (10th for first through one for 10th).

 

The ability to earn points in this year’s event impacts strategy.

 

"It will make a difference for David Ragan," the Front Row Motorsports driver said Wednesday during NASCAR’s annual Media Day at Daytona.

 

"For me, points are what matter to a smaller team," Ragan, driver of the team’s No. 38 Ford, said. "And every opportunity we have to gain some points we need to capitalize.

 

"A team like Kevin Harvick‘s who can lead a lot of laps, they’re going to be fast, win some races, they can overcome not scoring points in a segment. They’re going to be able to score a lot of points quicker but for a team that will be running in the mid-teens or low 20s, if we can score points at some segments or in the Duels … that could mean the difference in making the (playoffs) or not making (them).

 

"So I think we will be a little more aggressive when it comes to these opportunities to gain points."


RELATED: Fast facts on the race enhancements


Harvick, the 2014 series champion, wins with frequency. He’ll be going after career win No. 36 and a second Daytona 500 trophy this weekend at the wheel of the No. 4 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing.

 

Looming large for teams heading into the Duels is the potential for damage — scarring up the primary entry for the Daytona 500 just to earn a handful of points is a risky proposition.

 

"I still want to race my primary car in the 500," Ragan said, adding that some of his best finishes in the race have come in back-up entries. "So it’s not the end of the world … but I don’t want to take any unnecessary risks and do something stupid. But I will be looking to gain some points on Thursday."

 

Pete Hamilton, driving the No. 6 Plymouth fielded by Spartanburg, South Carolina for car owner Cotton Owens and David Pearson, in the No. 17 Holman-Moody Mercury, won the two qualifying races in ’71, the last time points were awarded in the for the events.

 

Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon isn’t worried about protecting his car for Sunday’s 500 — a lackluster qualifying effort has the youngster and his team searching for speed and answers.

RELATED: Dillon discusses how slick the track is

 

"I’m definitely going to do what I can to grab points in the Duel," Dillon said.

 

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RELATED: Complete lineups for each Duel

The Can-Am Duels are a pair of qualifying races held on Feb. 23 (starting at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) that will determine the bulk of the field for the 2017 Daytona 500 (Feb. 26, 2 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). NASCAR.com offers a look at how the twin qualifying races work and how they impact the Daytona 500.

Programming info for Can-Am Duels:
When: Feb. 23, starting at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Daytona International Speedway
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio


What is the format?
There are two 60-lap, 150-mile races. Who is in which Duel is determined based on qualifying speeds from Sunday’s single-lap qualifying runs.

How do the Duels set the Daytona 500 lineup?
The Duels determine who will line up in spots 3-38 on the starting grid for the "Great American Race" after Sunday’s qualifying speeds saw the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Chase Elliott and Dale Earnhardt Jr. earn front row spots for the 2017 Daytona 500.

Drivers in the first Duel race will line up on the inside row for the Daytona 500 (odd-numbered starting position), based on the order in which they finish the first Duel race. Drivers in the second Duel race will line up on the outside row for the Daytona 500 (even-numbered starting positions), based on the order in which they finish the second Duel race. Remember, all 36 Charter teams are guaranteed spots in the Daytona 500.

RELATED: Which teams have Charters?

How can open teams make the Daytona 500?
Two open teams will make the field based on their qualifying speed from Sunday’s single-car qualifying runs. The other two open spots come from the best finishing open teams in each Duel. Should the fastest qualifying open team driver earn a spot based on his or her Duel result, then the next fastest open team would get in based on qualifying speed.

Sadler and Gaughan had the fastest entries among the open teams in single-car qualifying and are locked into the Daytona 500 field.

RELATED: Sadler, Gaughan lock in spots

The open team entries that will battle for two Daytona 500 spots in the Duels are Timmy Hill (No. 51 Chevrolet), Reed Sorenson (No. 55 Toyota), Corey LaJoie (No. 83 Toyota) and DJ Kennington (No. 96 Toyota).

How important are the Duels for drivers locked into the front row?
Very important because of the race enhancements NASCAR announced last month. While a Duel win doesn’t put you in the Chase, the top 10 drivers in each Duel will earn points heading into the Daytona 500. Points for Duel results have not occurred before this year.

Drivers locked into the front row need to avoid any sort of calamity to keep their starting spot. With qualifying day so early in Speedweeks and a multitude of practices over three days leading up to the Daytona 500, wrecks resulting in backup cars, engine changes and more are all likely to pop up at some point to affect the green-flag order once on the grid.

How are points awarded?
It’s similar to stages in the 36 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races. Meaning the winner of each Duel will get 10 points down to the 10th-place driver, who will get one point. Two drivers — each Duel winner — will head into the Daytona 500 with a share of the point lead.

What if the Duels are rained out?
If both Duels are canceled due to weather, officials will use qualifying results to determine the four Open teams that would advance.

Should only the second Can-Am Duel be canceled due to weather, the highest finishing Open team from the first Duel would earn a starting berth, with the remaining three positions determined based on qualifying results.

In the event of a complete rainout of the Duels where the event is not rescheduled, the full field will be set according to the NASCAR Rule Book.

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What won’t NASCAR fans do for each other? Not a lot. 

 

I want to tell you about the experience of one particular NASCAR fan this past weekend.   

 

Last Saturday morning, my brother Randy and his wife, Karen, both NASCAR fans, were traveling from Salt Lake City to St. Kitts with a change of flights in Charlotte. 

 

NASCAR fan Randy Bragg was traveling from Cleveland to Daytona Beach, also with a change of flights in Charlotte.  

 

The three happened to meet as they shared a table grabbing a bite to eat while waiting for their connecting flights. Bragg was decked out in NASCAR/Junior Nation gear and my brother, being his chatty and social self, struck up a conversation with him about NASCAR.   

 

Bragg explained to my brother that his trip to Daytona was admittedly set up to be a bit of a disappointment. You see, Bragg had purchased tickets for the Daytona 500 weekend, but had mistakenly arranged his plane ticket for the wrong weekend. He was still making the trip to Daytona despite the mix-up.     

 

My brother reached out to me from Charlotte and we immediately got the ball rolling to make sure Bragg’s visit would be one that he wouldn’t soon forget.

 

Bragg, a former lineman for Cleveland Public Power with 15 years of service, is disabled after a long fight with astrocytoma — a form of brain cancer. He is a survivor, having withstood 18 different surgeries about a decade ago. He continues to suffer from hydrocephalus and has three shunts that work to drain the water on his brain.

 

When Bragg landed in Daytona, he went straight to the track where my colleague, Meghan Miley, met him with Clash tickets and a Hot Pass. Miley thought he was a family friend of ours and was unaware we’d never even met.

 

While he wasn’t a family friend at the time, he is now.     

 

Bragg made his way to his seat to enjoy the races and when the skies opened up that night, canceling the race, he was unable to find a ride service that would accommodate his motorized chair. His sister called me from Ohio, worried that her brother wasn’t going to be able to find his way to his hotel.    

 

I called Bragg, we set a meeting point, loaded him up and went to find his hotel. He’d started from Cleveland at 5 that morning and was exhausted by the time he checked in. His sister was relieved that he was safe.

 

Bragg texted me at 5 a.m. Sunday, saying he was ready to see some racing. I took his coffee order, stopped for donuts, picked him up and we headed to the track.

 

Bragg had never been to a superspeedway before, so we took an up-close look at the DIS banking before heading to the garage. As we went under the tunnel he asked, "Is that the track above us?"

 

We then grabbed breakfast with the NASCAR officials and had a chance to meet Daytona track president, Chip Wile. Bragg met a host of other industry folks and was absolutely amazed when Richard Childress spent a good deal of time with us that morning.

 

Randy Bragg poses near the No. 21 car of Ryan Blaney.

 

 

After Daytona 500 qualifying was complete, I told Bragg my family was headed to New Smyrna Speedway for the K&N Pro Series East opener — and so off we went with our new friend to take in more racing.

 

Bragg is someone who knows what he wants. On the way back to the hotel last night, he had me go through the drive-in at McDonald’s where he ordered a large coffee with 5 creamers and 3 Equals and an apple pie. It seemed the perfect ending to a perfect day.

 

Bragg had opened up to me as the day went along. His past 10 years have been trying, to say the least. In addition to the health challenges, his mother died last year, his marriage had failed, and he has two sons that he wishes he was more connected to.

 

There’s no telling what can happen when NASCAR Nation comes together. I see a lot of compassion every day in this sport. This is no isolated example — it’s part of who we are. I don’t tell this story to say, "Hey, look at what I did." I share it to show that NASCAR is a little bit different from other sports and that difference is not insignificant.

 

In this case, it boiled down to a handful of NASCAR fans (my brother, sister-in-law, and me) coming together to make sure that a fellow fan was taken care of. 

 

Mission accomplished.

 

Jim Cassidy is Senior Vice President of Racing Operations for NASCAR.

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SHOP: Cars 3 NASCAR-related merchandise


RELATED: Drivers thrilled to be a part of Cars 3


DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” is teaming up with NASCAR this year as crowd favorite Lightning McQueen prepares to return to the big screen June 16. Plans for the joint effort were shared by “Cars 3” director Brian Fee, Cristela Alonzo — the voice of the film’s elite trainer Cruz Ramirez — and NASCAR’s vice president of entertainment marketing and content development, Zane Stoddard, today at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida as fans gear up for the DAYTONA 500 (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on FOX). Owen Wilson, the voice of Lightning McQueen, will serve as grand marshal for the 59th annual “Great American Race.”

NASCAR drivers Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suárez and Bubba Wallace will join NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty as voices in the upcoming film.

“‘Cars 3’ very much pays homage to stock car racing and its rich history,” Fee said. “Our story leans into the drama, emotion and excitement NASCAR fans find at every race.”

“We’re excited to take part in delivering the ‘Cars 3’ experience to our current and next generation of fans, at-track, in school, online and across the country,” Stoddard added. “In addition to all the engaging NASCAR ‘Cars 3’ elements industry-wide, we think our fans will really enjoy the roles of several young drivers in the film.”

According to Lylle Breier, senior vice president worldwide marketing partnerships and special events for the Walt Disney Studios, the movie inspired an expanded program with NASCAR.

“This collaboration marks the biggest between the ‘Cars’ franchise and NASCAR,” Breier said. “We’re looking forward to a fun and exciting season-long program with a host of activities.”

FAST FORWARD

Kicking off at the DAYTONA 500 with the premiere of a new on-air promo, the NASCAR-“Cars 3” collaboration continues throughout the entire race season.

*     The joint effort will include a variety of marketing initiatives, including digital and social cross promotional activities and sweepstakes.

*     Throughout the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, races will feature a “Cars 3” at-track presence via a wide array of promotions.

*     A co-branded merchandise program with Fanatics — the first of its kind for NASCAR and the “Cars” franchise — will also kick off at the DAYTONA 500 featuring the first film-related product available for fans to purchase. Product will be available at the Fanatics Trackside Superstore continuing at race tracks throughout the season, as well as online at the NASCAR.com Superstore.

*      NASCAR Acceleration Nation, the sport’s youth program, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be featured throughout the duration of a “Cars 3” nationwide tour.

*      Later this year, NASCAR and Disney will release NASCAR Acceleration Nation and “Cars 3” co-branded in-classroom learning materials for elementary school students.

THE VOICES OF NASCAR
The announcement included the introduction of NASCAR greats — from rookie drivers and legends to the voices behind the sport — tapped by Pixar Animation Studios to voice characters in the film.

*      CHASE ELLIOTT, 21, was named 2016’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year after finishing last season 10th in the driver standings. Elliott, who pilots the No. 24 car previously driven by four-time champion Jeff Gordon, lends his voice to second-generation Piston Cup racer CHASE RACELOTT in “Cars 3.” Racelott’s blend of skills, track smarts and top-of-the-line technology make this rookie a real contender.

*      RYAN BLANEY, a 23-year-old, third-generation racer, pilots the No. 21 Ford in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series. He voices third-generation racer RYAN “INSIDE” LANEY in “Cars 3.” Known for his racing passion and ability to have fun on the track, Laney races with talent, speed and precision.

*      DANIEL SUÁREZ, who just turned 25, pilots the No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion can be heard in the film voicing DANNY SWERVEZ, a next-gen racer who’s ascending the Piston-Cup ladder against all odds. A mid-season replacement, Swervez is a quick learner who pushes himself to the limit.

*      BUBBA WALLACE, 23, won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway in 2013, becoming the first African-American to win in one of the top three touring divisions since Wendell Scott in 1963. In “Cars 3,” Wallace voices next-gen stock car racer BUBBA WHEELHOUSE, a fast and tenacious young racer who knows how to win.

*      DARRELL WALTRIP, the NASCAR Hall of Fame racer-turned-NASCAR on FOX color analyst lends his voice to DARRELL CARTRIP. Cartrip, a veteran Piston-Cup announcer also heard in “Cars” and “Cars 2,” may think he’s seen it all — but this new season might still have a surprise or two in store.

*      SHANNON SPAKE, NASCAR on FOX correspondent and college football and basketball reporter for FOX Sports, voices on-the-track reporter SHANNON SPOKES in the film. Spokes weaves her way into the middle of the action for in-the-moment interviews, and she’s not afraid to ask racers the tough questions.

*      HOWARD AUGUSTINE “HUMPY” WHEELER JR., the legendary NASCAR promoter and former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, lends his voice to iconic Dinoco team owner TEX DINOCO in “Cars 3.” Tex, who met Lightning McQueen in “Cars,” would love nothing more than to see No. 95 decked out in Dinoco blue.

*      JEFF GORDON, four-time NASCAR champion, current NASCAR on FOX analyst, and story consultant for “Cars 3,” lends his voice to JEFF GORVETTE. Gorvette, whose number of top-10 finishes remains unmatched, may have hung up his racing tires — but his heart remains on the track. His ability to succeed at all levels turned hoods wherever he raced.

*      RICHARD “THE KING” PETTY, team owner and champion NASCAR driver with 200 wins, returns to the role of STRIP “THE KING” WEATHERS. From his humble beginnings on the Piston-Cup circuit to the glitzy sponsorship and media attention, the champion racer now serves as crew chief for his nephew, Cal Weathers.

*   KYLE PETTY, retired NASCAR driver and current NASCAR commentator on NBC, helps bring CAL WEATHERS to life in “Cars 3.” Weathers grew up around the track watching his uncle, Strip “The King” Weathers, tear it up. The veteran racer finds himself taking a step back to make room for the next generation on the track.

*      MIKE JOY is FOX Sports’ lead NASCAR announcer who will call his 38th DAYTONA 500 this Sunday. He lends his iconic voice to on-the-spot radio talk show host MIKE JOYRIDE in the movie. Joyride stays one step ahead in the racing news game by keeping a keen eye on where the racing season is headed.

*      RAY EVERNHAM, winner of three NASCAR championships as crew chief for Jeff Gordon and current consultant to Hendrick Motorsports, lends his voice to RAY REVERHAM, Jackson Storm’s crew chief, and an expert at training in the cutting edge technology and tactics being used by the next-gen racers. Evernham also serves as a story consultant for filmmakers.

LIFE-SIZED CHARACTERS

NASCAR fans can picture themselves with Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez — or at least life-sized cars designed to look like the big-screen characters. The Cruz Ramirez lookalike premiered in Daytona on Thursday, alongside No. 95 — the Lightning McQueen car made its debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Comedian and actress Cristela Alonzo got to hang with her character lookalike at the event.

“I am excited to be here as race fans get to see these two life-sized characters together for the first time,” Alonzo said.

The Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez lookalike cars are slated to make appearances at select races throughout the season as part of a “Cars 3” nationwide tour. Joining them on the tour will be a lookalike of Lightning McQueen’s on-track rival, Jackson Storm.

GOING GRAND

As previously announced, Owen Wilson, the voice of Lightning McQueen, will serve as grand marshal of the DAYTONA 500 this Sunday, Feb. 26. Wilson has provided the voice of the red car in all of the “Cars” films.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that No. 95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2”) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16.

 

Posted on by Staff Report

SHOP: Cars 3 NASCAR-related merchandise

RELATED: Cars 3 gears up for season-long ride with NASCAR

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Even though Daniel Suarez enjoys a degree of celebrity status as a driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, he couldn’t help but be a little starstruck, himself, Thursday morning.


“You guys have no idea how happy I am to be side-by-side with this car right now,” Suarez said, standing alongside a life-sized model of Lightning McQueen, the animated star of Disney-Pixar’s “Cars” franchise, in the media center at Daytona International Speedway.

 

Suarez is one of a dozen figures in the NASCAR industry getting the Hollywood treatment in the third installment of the automotive feature film franchise. While several familiar voices — including those of stock-car legends Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty — will return to the big screen for “Cars 3,” the film’s storyline will feature a new crop of drivers vying for the fictional Piston Cup.

 

That’s where Suarez, along with Ryan Blaney, Darrell Wallace Jr. and Daytona 500 pole winner Chase Elliott enter stage left. The four young drivers will get their own animated roles, transforming into Danny Swervez, Ryan “Inside” Laney, Bubba Wheelhouse and Chase Racelott for the film, which opens June 16.

 

“It’s amazing. I’m a huge fan of ‘Cars’ movies in general,” Suarez said. “When I was living in Mexico with my parents, it was natural to watch those movies and have all different kind of little cars, pillows, remote controls — I’m a big fan of it, and now to be a part of it, it’s a big deal for me.”

 

Trailers for the movie have been out for weeks, but Thursday’s announcement officially launched a collaboration between the Disney-Pixar team and the NASCAR industry. Actor Owen Wilson, who is the starring voice of McQueen in all three Cars movies, will help kick off the tie-in as the grand marshal of Sunday’s Daytona 500 (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM).

 

The initiative goes beyond merely lending voices to the sequel, but stretches to at-track appearances, merchandise and co-branded learning materials for elementary school students through the NASCAR Acceleration Nation youth program. But the movie’s story arc also draws parallels from NASCAR’s current trend, of a growing youth movement that’s making its mark in its regional and national series.

 

“It’s kind of just replicating what’s happening out on the track in real life,” Wallace said. “It’s just really cool to be a part of ‘Cars 3.’ What’s special is I have my little nephew who’s 3. He’s still understanding everything, but I think right around the corner he’s going to be ready to watch ‘Cars.’ So I’ve got to sit him down and watch ‘Cars’ 1 and ‘Cars 2’ with him to get him hooked on it, and then bring him to the race track so he can start representing some Bubba Wheelhouse merchandise.

 

“But it’s really cool to be a part of this younger generation coming up in the movie, just like in real time.”

 

Posted on by Staff Report

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — FedEx announced a contract extension with 2016 Daytona 500 winner, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin on Thursday from Daytona International Speedway.

While the terms of the new contract weren’t disclosed, Hamlin smiled and allowed, "I’ll be much grayer" before I will need another extension.

"FedEx has been synonymous with the Number 11 car and Denny Hamlin for many years and together we have enjoyed great successes on and off the race track," said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, FedEx Integrated and Marketing Communications.

The company has backed Hamlin since the beginning of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, which now includes 29 race wins — including last year’s Daytona 500. He has made NASCAR’s playoffs in 10 of his 11 full-time seasons on the circuit.

"It’s great," Hamlin said of the extension. "Obviously we’ve had a great relationship over 12 years … to do this with one team and one sponsor is very rare and hard to do. To have a company like FedEx stick behind you … I’m definitely blessed and wake up every day thanking my lucky stars."

In addition to backing Hamlin’s team, FedEx introduced a new program called, "Delivering Laps for FedEx Cares," which means a $111 donation to the non-profit Safe Kids Worldwide for every lap Hamlin leads this season. The company will donate $11,000 for each of Hamlin’s race victories and $111,000 should his team win the 2017 Cup championship.