Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Key moments in family history | NASCAR is France family business

 

It’s been one year since a red ribbon was cut to signal the official opening of DAYTONA Rising, a $400-million overhaul of NASCAR’s iconic venue—the Daytona International Speedway (DIS). It was an exciting time for Brian France, Chairman and CEO of NASCAR, and his sister, Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and Vice Chairperson of the NASCAR and ISC Board of Directors.

 

This year brings similar excitement as they gather for Daytona’s three NASCAR national series races, highlighted by Sunday’s 59th running of the DAYTONA 500.

 

There are a number of reasons why. A green-and-white checkered flag will wave twice during each race, followed by the traditional black-and-white checkered flag at the finish. More than just colorful flags, they will usher in a dynamic format in which races will be contested in three stages designed to deliver more dramatic moments over an entire race, where every lap matters and every moment can have a massive impact on a season.

 

While Kennedy’s ISC projects include a modernization of Phoenix Raceway and construction of ONE DAYTONA, the premier mixed-use retail and entertainment destination sprouting across the street from DIS, France looks to continue to build on the collaboration that has impacted the NASCAR industry over the past several years.


MORE: France talks key to running family business

 

“Brian has such diverse talents,” says Kennedy. “He has a great feel for the racing side of the sport, yet he’s also great at marketing, a true visionary. He doesn’t always get the credit he deserves for running this sport, but he was there early thinking ‘big’ alongside my father (Bill France Jr.), and he’s still thinking big today, not only with our family but also now with the entire industry.”

 

"I am so proud of what Lesa has done here, from DAYTONA Rising to ONE DAYTONA — and that’s only in the last few years,” says France. “She’s done it with passion and persistence, two of her biggest attributes. Lesa is without a doubt the best developer in the family. We are ushering in the next era of motorsports entertainment facilities, something this industry needs as our sport continues to focus on modernizing itself for the next 10, 20 and 30 years.”

 

IN-DEPTH: Daytona rises even higher

France always is looking ahead, though he occasionally pauses to reflect on his past. This includes the time his father dispatched him to work at a family-owned motorsports facility in Tucson, Arizona.

 

"I really enjoyed my time at the track, and learned a ton," France said. "Lesa and I did everything related to motorsports when we were growing up here. I gravitated toward the racing side — I even served as Race Director for a while for what’s now known as the XFINITY Series — while she enjoyed the financial and fan-consumer side of the business. But we did it all, from picking up trash to operations.”

 

"One thing Brian and I both learned early,” says Kennedy, “was that nothing was promised to us.”

 

France and Kennedy now oversee the two primary family businesses — NASCAR and ISC — and work together to drive and evolve the sport. They have pushed the industry the past several years to work more collaboratively, leading NASCAR’s decision to grant five-year sanction agreements to tracks. The previous single-year agreements made it tough for many promoters to make long-term capital investments in their facilities. They also ushered in a new Charter business model for NASCAR teams, tying the teams’ business interests directly to NASCAR while also providing team owners with an improved long-term operating model.

 

MORE: Lesa lends own vision

 

This week, the "Great American Race" is under the vibrant banner of a new premier series entitlement partner, Monster Energy. More than 100,000 fans will enjoy the DAYTONA 500 in person on Sunday, but many more millions will consume it in other fashions, whether via the FOX television broadcast, NASCAR.com, a live Snapchat story or many other ways.

 

NASCAR fans spend an average of nearly 10 hours a week following NASCAR, according to data compiled by research agencies. Last year, FOX and NBC Sports broadcasts attracted 58 million unique viewers, with an average of 4.6 million viewers tuned in to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race each week. NASCAR’s digital platforms boasted 55 million unique visitors last season, garnering one billion page views for the third consecutive year, while NASCAR’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) generated more than four billion impressions.

 

Despite its large scale and reach, NASCAR remains a family business. Last year, France served as keynote presenter at a family business conference in Phoenix, Arizona. He shared stories about everything from learning the business from the ground up to emphasizing communications with every member of the family, something he reiterated this week.

 

“I talk to Lesa probably seven, eight times a week on average,” France says. “If I have any problem within the industry, or something personal, she will be my first call. I want you to know this is coming down the road … Here’s what we’re facing… Can you please give me your view on this… That kind of interaction.”

 

As Brian and Lesa prepare for another historic DAYTONA 500, with different but closely tethered responsibilities, they both know the sport is driven first and foremost by its fans.

 

"We can’t do enough for our fans," Kennedy says. "Most people don’t realize that when our grandfather built this track, the high banks were constructed not just to make the racing more exciting and fast, but also to make it easier for fans to watch the action from anywhere in the facility. DAYTONA Rising was built with the same philosophy in mind. There’s not a bad seat in the house.”

 

"The DAYTONA 500 is NASCAR’s must-attend race," France adds. "It’s an iconic, distinctly different sporting event that provides an entertainment experience unlike any other, now against the backdrop of the world’s only motorsports stadium. This year, we’ve got the return of Dale Earnhardt Jr. competing against the new generation of hard-charging drivers such as pole winner and Duel winner Chase Elliott, a second-generation driver. Also competing will be former NASCAR Drive for Diversity and NASCAR NEXT driver Daniel Suarez, and the brothers Austin and Ty Dillon.

 

“It’s an exciting time to be a NASCAR fan,” France concludes. “NASCAR is, and always will be, about the fans. We know that, and we work hard every day to deliver the best racing possible for the fans."

Posted on by Staff Report

BUY TICKETS: See the Daytona 500 live!

RELATED: Johnson ready to tackle new format


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Words of encouragement and inspiring slogans fill the window separating Daytona International Speedway‘s "Fan Zone" and Jimmie Johnson‘s garage stall. There are dozens of congratulatory messages alongside several "I love yous" scribbled in yellow marker. One note simply says "win."


Even fans wearing other drivers’ souvenir hats and memorabilia make a point to stop by, peer in and see what the reigning seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship team is up to. People are lined up five and six deep outside Johnson’s pit stall window all day, every day.


"I think people used to boo Jimmie when he was constantly winning, but people are understanding now (that) he’s an awesome driver and they’re starting to like him more," said Kevin Waring, 43, of Schenectady, New York — donning Jimmie Johnson gear from head to socks. He brought his whole family — including his Harvick-Elliott-Logano-loving wife Tammy and kids Chase, 12, and Chelsea, 8 — to their first ever Daytona  500. And he’s quite optimistic about seeing "his" favorite driver walk away with a trophy.


And a historic eighth championship.


"Jimmie is a down-to-earth guy, you see it every time he does an interview and he’s a family man like I am," Waring said. "He’s won a championship every way you can, by points, in the Chase, and they’re changing things again this season. And I think people are beginning to respect that more. I think they’re coming around. I really do."


The two-time Daytona  500 winner Johnson will start the "Great American Race" from the rear on Sunday. He had to go to a backup No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet after an incident in Thursday’s Can-Am Duel qualifying race.


MORE: Johnson to run in backup car


His fans aren’t overly worried by the circumstance, however. Johnson claimed his record-tying seventh Cup championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November by winning the race despite starting last in the field.


One of the most easy-going, popular drivers among his competitors, Johnson himself has noticed a distinct — some would say seismic — shift in the sport’s vast audience. Fans may not have initially been sure what to think of this laidback, California dirt-bike racer-turned one of the greatest NASCAR champions of all time.


He was too nice, too approachable, too humble, too talented — and somehow that didn’t immediately play into the comfort of NASCAR fandom.


But the fans now seem to appreciate the hard work Johnson has always put in and certainly, if nothing else, the opportunity to watch a legend become legendary.


"I think it was … not only did I stop giving him advice, I started going to him for advice," said Johnson’s former teammate-turned FOX Sports analyst Jeff Gordon.


In some regards it’s been easier for Johnson to earn trophies than it has to convince NASCAR’s hardcore fans to accept and appreciate his championship form.


He still has a good laugh at the reception he often gets — although the boos are noticeably softer. How can someone be disliked because — as fans are quick to claim — he is too good or too nice? But it has long been a common anomaly in this sport.


"Certainly more fans are eager to get the autograph," he acknowledged, laughing and shaking his head, still admittedly unsure what is expected of him.


What he expects of himself is a far simpler notion. He is quick to say he has surpassed his own expectations.


At just 41 years old, Johnson has already become the youngest seven-time champion in NASCAR history, younger than both Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt when they hoisted their seventh titles.


His 80 wins are most among active drivers and he needs only 14 more to pass Jeff Gordon for third place on NASCAR’s all-time wins chart. David Pearson’s 105 wins are second to the great 200-race winner Richard Petty.


Johnson has won no fewer than four races a year in the last five seasons. He’s won multiple races in all 15 years he’s competed full time — including a personal best 10 trophies in 2007.


These are marks — from race trophies to championship rings — unlikely to be repeated anytime soon, if ever.


So the question Johnson gets now is whether he can win that historical eighth Cup championship.


His team owner, recent NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Rick Hendrick, joins many who think it should be considered a very legitimate opportunity.


"You know I think Jimmie is in the prime of his career with the way he goes after things, the way he works out, Chad and their time together," Hendrick said. "I think to me, getting the seventh (championship) was the challenge. It’s hard to explain but I think it took some of the pressure off just getting the seventh.


"And now, he can just race and if eight happens, great. I think he’s got as good a shot as anybody out there. It’s exciting. And one of the neatest things was to watch the crowd when he won (at Homestead) and see all the people in the stands get up. They saw history. We’ve said it before but Dale Earnhardt will always be ‘The Intimidator’ and Richard Petty will always be ‘The King’ but Jimmie has a shot to do something that, through different situations, he can be in a position all on his own.


"He’s as cool about it as I’ve ever seen him. I don’t think there’s any pressure on him. And we don’t feel the pressure now that we’ve tied it. I think he’s got as good a shot as anyone and now until the end, he knows how to win.


"We’re just honored to have what we have but looking forward to having the opportunity to do something no one else has done."


If the thought of eight titles is head-shaking to fans, it is equally as jaw-dropping to Johnson. His start in the sport was humble, with a surplus of networking and winning paving the road to success. His stardom in the sport is a combination of hard work, talent and grit.


"I got a phone call to run a late model race in 1997 for Hendrick Motorsports," Johnson recalled. "Five days later I bought a one-way ticket, called (former Camping World Truck Series champion Ron) Hornaday and moved to Charlotte and just spent every day of the week going to lunch spots and passing out business cards.


"Any business card I got, I’d write a letter and send to the person. I got a fax machine so if I got a business card from someone I would add their fax number for the Chevy press release that went out after my off-road races.


"I was obsessed with networking and establishing myself."


Johnson smiles when recalling his humble start, something he thinks people forget about when they see him now as a NASCAR superstar.


"I don’t think I could have had this healthy lifestyle doing what I had to do then," allowed Johnson, who is a successful triathlete in addition to winning in his race car. "I wouldn’t have made it. I wouldn’t have stood out as the guy super hungry who wanted it so badly. Plus, it took some time to learn these cars and learn the industry.


"I think the timing has worked out well for me and helped me prolong the second half of my career, but the first half I really had to be the guy at Big Daddy’s restaurant eating hushpuppies or that gas station by DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.) where there was barbecue on the side.


"I’d literally go over there and sit with a big sweet tea and pass out business cards. It’s all kinda served its purpose."


It has indeed.


And so Johnson begins his historic quest for eight — with the wonderful and rare security of knowing that he’s already legend-worthy.


His dedication to being fit, to being prepared mentally, to maintaining a competitive edge, isn’t really about making history, however. It’s about the thrill of winning, of making a living doing something he so genuinely enjoys. And is so incredible at.


"No, I don’t (feel I have to) win eight," Johnson said breaking into a grin. "But I’m sure as hell going to try."


Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Race results | Series standings | Detailed breakdown

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In the space of 100 laps, Kaz Grala went from youngest NASCAR national series pole winner at Daytona International Speedway to youngest NASCAR national series race winner at Daytona.

What happened between the first green flag and the checkers, however, could fill volumes.

Miraculously, Grala slipped through a wild wreck on the backstretch on the final lap of Friday night’s NextEra Energy Resources 250 to win the first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race contested in stages under NASCAR’s new competition format.

That final wreck, ignited when Ben Rhodes spun from the outside lane off the bumper of ThorSport Racing teammate Grant Enfinger, wiped out veteran contenders Johnny Sauter, Timothy Peters and Matt Crafton.

RELATED: In-car look at last-lap melee

But Grala — 18 years, 1 month and 26 days old — drove through the melee as trucks bounced off each other like pinballs on either side of him. Grala claimed the trophy for his first national series victory and the five playoff points that go with a race win under NASCAR’s new scoring system.

Austin Wayne Self took the runner-up spot, followed by Chase Briscoe, and the father-son combination of John Hunter Nemechek and Joe Nemechek in fourth and fifth.

“That was freaking awesome! I can’t believe we won Daytona,” Grala said in Victory Lane. “I couldn’t see a lot there. I knew it was a little bit risky. It was the last lap, and we had to do what we had to do.

“I saw coming out of (Turn) 2 it starting to get crazy. There wasn’t going to be any way I was going to be lifting (off the accelerator). I was just going to go low, cross my fingers and close my eyes a little bit.

“Luckily, it worked out for me. I just can’t believe it. It’s so surreal.”

Self put it much more succinctly.

“When all hell broke loose, we were in the right spot.”

The race didn’t wait until the last lap to get crazy. On the second lap, Briscoe, racing for the first time in the Truck Series, gave Noah Gragson’s Toyota an off-center tap on the rear bumper, sending Gragson bouncing off the outside wall in Turn 1 and out of control.

By the time the smoke cleared, 17 trucks — one more than half the field — had sustained varying degrees of damage in the wreck.

RELATED: One lap in, wreck shakes up Daytona field

Gragson, Austin Cindric and Ryan Truex couldn’t continue. Same for Ross Chastain and Clay Greenfield. John Hunter Nemechek stayed on the lead lap but fell victim to a flat tire as Stage 2 of the race came to an end with Sauter in the lead.

“I took a few hard hits out there,” said Gragson, who was unhurt in the wreck. “Just a bummer. I didn’t want to end the race like this, but I had a good time for the lap I got.

“Felt like the 29 (Briscoe) hit me in the wrong part of the bumper going through the tri-oval. It just got me loose, and it got pointed into the outside wall.”

In the final 60-lap stage, all four GMS Chevrolet pitted early on Lap 68. Though Spencer Gallagher and ultimate sixth-place finisher Scott Lagasse Jr. drew speeding penalties while exiting pit road, Sauter reclaimed the lead, with Grala trailing him, when Christopher Bell‘s Toyota got loose in Turn 4, slowed and spun off the bumper of Timothy Peters‘ Tundra.

Sauter, the defending series champion, looked to be in control of the race until John Hunter Nemechek‘s spin off Turn 2 on Lap 95 of 100 caused the fifth and final caution and set up a chaotic two-lap run to the finish.

Wrecked on the backstretch, Sauter was credited with a 15th-place finish but collected two playoff points for winning both the first and second stages, each lasting 20 laps.

Bell, one of the preseason favorites for the championship, sustained heavy damage in three wrecks, including the last one, but his seemingly indestructible No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota Tundra made it to the finish line in eighth-place, salvaging a respectable result from a potentially disastrous night.

 

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BUY TICKETS: See the Daytona 500 live!

MORE: Busch through the years | Busch marries fiancée

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Three hundred and fifty-five days. Give or take a week, perhaps.

That’s how long losing the Daytona 500 sticks with you, according to Kurt Busch.

And Busch, driver of the No. 41 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, should know.

Three times Busch has been in position to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season-opening event. Three times he has been denied, taking the checkered flag before everyone else except for the race winner.

Second is a lonely place.

Others have finished second in the 500-mile race held annually here at Daytona International Speedway more often than Busch. NASCAR Hall of Fame member Dale Earnhardt finished second five times. Fellow Hall cohort Cale Yarborough did it four times.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been runner up four times, as well.

But the sting of a second-place finish in the season’s biggest event isn’t as painful when there are Daytona 500 trophies in the trophy case, and that’s the case for the Earnhardts, Yarborough and a host of others.

For Busch, the lack of a Harley J. Earl trophy, presented to the Daytona 500 victor, is the lone omission on an otherwise solid resume. He’s a former series champion (2004), and enters the 2017 season with 28 wins over a 17-year career.

This year’s race, scheduled for Sunday (2 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) will be his 16th attempt at being known as a Daytona 500 champion.

"You go with all the optimism you can to win it," Busch said. "You apply all the knowledge from years past being so close to try to win it. (But) it sticks with you."


WATCH: Busch and Kenseth talk Monster Energy, Daytona 500


Restrictor-plate races contested at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway haven’t been kind to Busch, although he did win an IROC race at Talladega in 2003 en route to the championship for that four-race series. He’s also won the non-points "The Clash" at Daytona as well as one of the Can-Am Duel qualifying races that determine the bulk of the lineup for the 500.

"But both those (Clash and Can-Am) wins were when we were doing the tandem (draft)," Busch said of the NASCAR victories. "I mastered the tandem really well I felt like."

What he’s yet to master, he said "is the aggressive blocking, making the car as wide as it can be at the end of the race to hold that position.

"I was in position, I thought, to win the April race at Talladega last year and Brad (Keselowski) got around me at the end. I made a mistake. Coming to the line here in July running second, third, behind Brad. Joey (Logano, Keselowski’s teammate) is behind me pushing and I got spun coming to the line.

"So many close opportunities and yet nothing to show for it as far as a points win. I just have to be more aggressive and strategic in blocking at the end."

Perfect planning

The 2008 Daytona 500, the 50th annual event, wasn’t rain-shortened nor did it go into overtime. It was 200 laps, 500 miles and ended with a three-lap shootout thanks to a late caution for an incident involving Casey Mears.

When the green flag waved for the final restart, Busch was sixth, outside of Earnhardt Jr. and trailing Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman. Newman pushed Stewart to the lead and with two to go, it was Stewart, Newman and Kurt Busch.

When Stewart dropped low exiting Turn 2 to pick up the fast-closing Kyle Busch and others on the inside, Kurt Busch was able to push Newman, his teammate at Team Penske, into the lead.

"As I settled off the banking … and went on to the straightaway, I had this run and it timed out perfect to catch Newman," Busch said. "And I was like, ‘Alright, I’m going to push him through (turns) 3 and 4, maybe those (guys) will catch us by the time we come off 4 and they can push me and then I’ll worry about how to win.’

But help never arrived. Newman streaked across the finish line under the lights with Busch .092 second behind.

RELATED: Closest finishes in Daytona 500 history

"It was the mile-per-hour that we had on the others," he said of the Penske tandem. "We entered Turn 3 doing 208 mph and the field was stuck at 200. We had such a mph difference that nobody was going to catch us by the time we got back around.

"That one worked out as far as being a Penske team player. It was great to be a part of that 1-2 finish."

It was the first Daytona 500 victory for team owner Roger Penske and the first 1-2 finish for his organization.

"That was when we knew the race started during the day and ended at night," Busch said. "So we went with a night-time setup. I was a lap down during the daytime portion of that race. That was full-on execution to go for nighttime and it turned out perfect.

"What that taught me was you have to have a plan and you have to stick with it. And you hope you’re on the cutting edge to be ahead of everybody."

Posted on by Staff Report

MORE: Enter the Allegiant sweepstakes

Imagine winning a sweepstakes and getting to choose your prize!

That’s exactly what’s happening now that Allegiant is sponsoring the Allegiant’s "Get Away, Your Way NASCAR® Championship" Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes runs from Feb. 23 through May 31 and gives a fan (and one lucky guest) the opportunity to take a dream NASCAR®-themed vacation to either the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Seriesu2122 awards ceremony or Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season finale race.

Giving the winner a choice fits with Allegiant, which offers ultra-low base airfare and the best deals by letting you customize your trip. Customers can save even more with Allegiant by booking flights, hotel, rental cars and even activity and attraction tickets together for less.

Now, let’s look at the prize packs for each dream vacation so you can start to think about which trip you’d rather take:

The NASCAR® Champion’s Week prize includes:
— Tickets to exclusive NASCAR Champion’s Weeku2122 events
— Unparalleled access to NASCAR drivers and VIP celebratory fan events
— Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations
— Welcome amenity kit
— Partner amenities via Allegiant

However, if the awards ceremony isn’t what you had in mind, then how about the trendy beaches of Miami instead?

The Season Finale Race Weekend prize includes:
— VIP access for Two for the NASCAR XFINITY Seriesu2122 and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Seriesu2122 championship races
— Pace car rides and pre-race VIP access
— Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations
— Partner amenities via Allegiant

Sound intriguing? The sweepstakes is free to enter — simply go here by May 31, 2017.

There is no purchase required. See official rules for details.

Posted on by Staff Report

BUY TICKETS: See the Daytona 500 live!
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.

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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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BUY TICKETS: See the Daytona 500 live!
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.