Posted on by Staff Report

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet for the 2017 season in NASCAR’s premier series was revealed on Tuesday via Nationwide 88’s Facebook page.

Earnhardt tweeted out a preview of his car’s new paint job a day prior to the unveil.

The company has been a primary partner with Hendrick Motorsports since 2014 and was featured as a primary sponsor on the No. 88 ride for 21 races in 2016. Here is a look at the 2016 scheme on track.

Earnhardt, who was sidelined for 18 races in 2016 due to a concussion, is expected to return to make his first start since July in the 2017 season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 26. Both the driver as well as team owner Rick Hendrick have expressed their confidence that Earnhardt will be cleared for the start of the season.

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Champion’s Week live streaming schedule


Jimmie Johnson made history Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a record-tying seventh championship in NASCAR’s premier series. Just over a week removed from the accomplishment, the spirit of celebration is still going, but with a fitting change of venue.

NASCAR Champion’s Week is here culminating in a season-ending toast Friday night at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at the Wynn Las Vegas. The black-tie gala will be broadcast on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Comedian and talk-show host Jay Mohr will play host to the awards for the sixth time. Grammy Award-winning artist Sting headlines a collection of acts providing the musical entertainment.

Before the formal festivities, Wednesday gets the party started with a Champion’s Week kick-off event at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT, with appearances by Johnson, XFINITY Series champ Daniel Suarez and Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter. The Tony Marques Band performs at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Thursday’s activities open with the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon (2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT), where the Myers Brothers Award for outstanding contributions to the sport of stock-car racing will be handed out as well as several team and individual awards. You can watch this event here on NASCAR.com.

Thursday continues with the NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT), a tire-smoking parade on the famed strip of Las Vegas Boulevard. The day’s scheduled fun and games wrap at The Palms Casino Hotel with NASCAR After The Lap, a rambunctious tell-all and roast sponsored by Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota. All these events can be watched live here on NASCAR.com.

Friday’s NBCSN broadcast schedule opens with a special live edition of NASCAR America at 7 p.m. ET, continues with a red-carpet special at 8 p.m. ET and concludes with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at 9 p.m. ET.

In addition to this event honoring the champion, the winner of the Sprint NMPA Most Popular Driver Award will be revealed. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won the award for the past 13 seasons.

MORE: Champion’s Week information

Posted on by Staff Report

MORE: Full 2016 Champion’s Week schedule | TV schedule

 

With Champion’s Week about to be in full swing and Jimmie Johnson set to be crowned the sport’s third seven-time champion, let’s take a look back at a historic 2015 Champion’s Week when Kyle Busch was annointed Sprint Cup Series champion for the first time.

Champion’s Week offers break from offseason withdrawal


READ MORE

Busch thrills youth at local Las Vegas High School


READ MORE

Lesa France Kennedy named most powerful woman in sports


READ MORE

Darlington Raceway wins NMPA Myers Brothers Award


READ MORE

No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing team wins Most Valuable Pit Crew Award


READ MORE

Myers Brothers Awards filled with honors, laughs

 

READ MORE

Dale Earnhardt Jr. named NMPA Sprint Most Popular Driver

 

READ MORE 

What will Kyle Busch’s view be like from the head table?


READ MORE

From New York to Vegas, banquet has storied history


READ MORE

Jeff Gordon overcome by tribute, surprise intro by Tom Cruise


READ MORE

Jeff Hanson wins Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award


READ MORE 

Truex’s off-track triumphs bigger than championship


READ MORE

Kyle Busch crowned 2015 champ at Sprint Cup Awards


READ MORE 

Posted on by Team Release

Sammy Johns has joined Richard Childress Racing (RCR) as the new operations director for the Welcome, North Carolina, racing organization. Johns will report directly to Dr. Eric Warren, director of competition for RCR.
 
“I have known and worked closely with Sammy since 2001 in a variety of teams and roles,” said Warren. “He is well rounded and understands the sport from multiple perspectives. He has the hands-on experience of a crew chief along with the understanding of what it takes to build a modern, technical racing organization capable of winning races in today’s competitive environment.”
 
Johns will take on an integral role at RCR managing and coordinating the manufacturing and car assembly processes, along with overseeing the crew chiefs and general execution of the race teams. RCR’s Technical Director, Mike Coughlan, will continue to focus the engineering department on improving the performance of the cars and the ability to create and use data for a competitive advantage.
 
The Lakeland, Florida, native began his racing career at local short tracks before being named crew chief at Andy Petree Racing. From there, Johns shifted gears and joined Evernham Motorsports as director of competition. He remained a permanent fixture within the organization through 2009 when the company officially became Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM). Johns transitioned into a new role of vice president of operations with RPM and resumed his title until earlier this year.
 
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join such an iconic sports organization in Richard Childress Racing,” Johns said. “The level of engineering and technical expertise at RCR is second-to-none, and I look forward to contributing my knowledge and capabilities to helping this team succeed in 2017 and beyond.”

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Full Champion’s Week schedule

Champion’s Week is here, and NASCAR.com will live stream several events from Las Vegas as NASCAR formally wraps up the 2016 season. Below is the complete schedule.

All times are ET.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30

— 12-12:30 p.m.: Miss Sprint Cup with Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus (Watch live)

THURSDAY, DEC. 1:

— 2-4:15 p.m.: NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon (Watch live)
— 4:45-5:15 p.m.: NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France (Watch live)
— 6-7:15 p.m.: NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco (Watch live)
— 7:15-7:30 p.m: Matthew Dillner, Claire B. Lang ride to NASCAR After the Lap location, the Pearl (Watch live)
— 7:30-8:05 p.m.: Mike Skinner and Angie Skinner at the Pearl, with guests (Watch live)
— 8:05-9:30 p.m.: NASCAR After the Lap Sponsored by Chevrolet, Ford & Toyota (Watch live)

Posted on by Zack Albert

Germain Racing announced Monday that Ty Dillon will jump full-time into NASCAR’s premier series next season, taking the reins of its No. 13 Chevrolet.


Dillon replaces Casey Mears, who had driven the No. 13 GEICO-sponsored entry since the second half of the 2010 season. The 24-year-old Dillon has made 18 Sprint Cup starts over the last three years, including a relief stint for the injured Tony Stewart during the early stages of last season.


In a Monday morning appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR’s Radio’s “The Morning Drive” program, Dillon indicated that an agreement with Germain Racing came together earlier in the year. The challenge, he said, was staying mum until this week.


“The questions kept coming and coming,” Dillon told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “The cool thing is that I knew what I was doing; I just didn’t say anything. It’s kind of like having an awesome secret that you want everyone to know, but you kind of had to hold it back. I guess all good things are worth waiting for. I’m just excited for what’s to come.”

A team spokesperson confirmed Monday that Robert “Bootie” Barker would return as the team’s crew chief in 2017. GEICO returns as primary sponsor, extending a relationship that bridged Germain Racing‘s transition to a full-time Sprint Cup team in 2009.


The Germain team shares a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, the multicar organization founded by Dillon’s grandfather, and its entries are powered by Childress-owned ECR Engines. Dillon said that the existing partnerships should help smooth his own transition to a full slate of racing in NASCAR’s premier series.


“I think it’s just going to help us all work a little bit closer,” Dillon told SiriusXM. “Everything is just going to be working hopefully a little bit better between RCR, and everybody just wants to keep growing at Germain Racing and that’s what I’m excited for. Everyone’s got a positive attitude to move forward. I’m looking forward to growing as a driver and also growing with this team. …


“It’s not just making it to the Cup Series for me and Germain Racing. We want to go win races and we want to go win championships. But this is a great start in putting our foot in that direction.”


Dillon has four NASCAR national series victories and has finished among the top five in each of his full-time campaigns in the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series. Dillon also indicated that he would remain involved in RCR’s XFINITY Series program next year; the North Carolina native has competed full-time on that tour the last three seasons.


“I plan on running the XFINITY Series, too,” Dillon said, “so hopefully you’ll be seeing a lot of me on Saturdays and Sundays and getting as much racing in as possible.”


Mears hinted last month at Talladega Superspeedway that his plans with the Germain organization beyond 2016 were uncertain. He has one victory — the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 for Hendrick Motorsports — in 488 career starts in NASCAR’s top division.


Team owner Bob Germain thanked Mears for his tenure, saying “he’s been an integral part of our growth and a great representative for GEICO and our many partners.”


Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 28, 2016) — Grammy-nominated actor, comedian and radio personality Jay Mohr will join NASCAR fans across the nation in honoring the newly crowned NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, Jimmie Johnson, as the host of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 2. In addition to Sting’s previously announced headline performance, the show will feature award-winning musical artists American Authors, Skylar Grey and Olivia Holt.

 

Jay Mohr, who will host the event for an unprecedented sixth time, is the host of “Jay Mohr Sports” on FOX Sports Radio, a daily sports talk and entertainment show, syndicated in more than 150 markets, highlighted by Mohr’s trademark comedic style. Best-known for his tenure as a “Saturday Night Live” cast member, he has also appeared on numerous shows including CBS’ “Ghost Whisperer” and “Gary Unmarried,” and was previously nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award as the host and executive producer of “Last Comic Standing.” Additionally, Mohr has worked with more than a dozen Academy Award-winning or nominated actors including Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire,” Jennifer Aniston in “Picture Perfect,” Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt in “Pay it Forward” and Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter.”

 

“I am proud to be asked again to host the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards,” said Mohr. “Everyone associated with this organization — the owners, the staff, the racing teams, and the drivers — are of the highest caliber, and it is truly an honor to perform for all of them again. It is by far my favorite thing to do.”

 

The evening’s musical lineup will include a performance by American Authors, best-known for hits “Best Day of My Life” from their debut album “Oh, What a Life” and “Go Big or Go Home” from their second album, “What We Live For.” This will be American Authors’ second performance during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, as they will headline the NASCAR Silver Bullet Bash Presented by Coors Light.

 

Singer, songwriter Skylar Grey will also be featured at NASCAR’s championship celebration. The five-time Grammy Award-nominated artist recently released her sophomore album “Natural Causes” and has co-written hits for the likes of Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. Grey has also been featured on tracks alongside Eminem and Kid Cudi, among numerous others, and contributed to official soundtracks for “Suicide Squad,” “Fifty Shades of Grey” and “Furious 7.”

 

Singer and actress Olivia Holt will join the evening’s lineup with a performance from her debut EP “Olivia,” released earlier this year. Holt has starred in several Disney originals including the Disney XD series “Kickin’ It” and the Disney Channel series “I Didn’t Do It.”

 

NBCSN, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90, will present coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

 

For more information on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, please visit ChampionsWeek.NASCAR.com.  

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

RELATED: Live streaming schedule for Champion’s Week

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Nov. 3, 2016.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — After millions watched as a new champion was crowned at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy will make its way to Las Vegas for postseason celebrations as NASCAR hosts its annual Champion’s Week festivities. Fans across the nation will gather for a week of events honoring the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, the NASCAR Sunoco Rookie of the Year and numerous other season-ending award winners.

Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 29 and culminating on Friday, Dec. 2, NASCAR Champion’s Week will feature events including the Motorsports Marketing Forum presented by SportsBusiness Journal at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and the annual NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon at Wynn Las Vegas. Guests can visit the NASCAR Fan Lounge at Beerhaus Presented by Coors Light at The Park just outside New York-New York Hotel & Casino throughout the week for information on the Champion’s Week schedule and details about how to secure access to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards red carpet.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the 16 Chase drivers will get behind the wheel on Las Vegas Boulevard for NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco, followed by NASCAR After The Lap Sponsored by Chevrolet, Ford & Toyota. That evening, Coors Light will once again present the NASCAR Silver Bullet Bash at XS at Encore Las Vegas to celebrate the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The private event will feature a special live performance by American Authors, best-known for hit songs “Best Day of My Life” and “What We Live For.”

Festivities will conclude with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, a black-tie event featuring the Champion, 16 Chase drivers, special guests and celebrity performers at Wynn Las Vegas. NBCSN presents this year’s awards Friday, Dec. 2, at 9 p.m. ET, while Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90 will carry the show live at 8 p.m. ET.

For more information on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, please visit ChampionsWeek.NASCAR.com. 


NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPION’S WEEK EVENTS

All times are Pacific time unless otherwise noted.


Tuesday, Nov. 29

• NASCAR Live: Motor Racing Network will broadcast a special one-hour show featuring interviews with the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion and crew chief to discuss their journey throughout the Chase. Fans can tune-in with host Mike Bagley from 4 – 5 p.m. for an in-depth look at their road to the championship.

Wednesday, Nov. 30 – Thursday, Dec. 1

• Motorsports Marketing Forum: The annual event presented by SportsBusiness Journal brings together industry decision-makers again this year for a comprehensive business forum on the state of motorsports. The forum will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Click here to register for required media credentials.

• NASCAR Fan Lounge at Beerhaus Presented by Coors Light: Located at The Park just outside New York-New York, fans can enjoy giveaways, special appearances and check out the cars of the 16 Chase drivers at the NASCAR Fan Lounge at Beerhaus. Presented by Coors Light, the fan headquarters will also feature music and photo opportunities with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy.

Thursday, Dec. 1

• NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: The annual awards luncheon and industry gathering will take place from 11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at Wynn Las Vegas, where several team and individual awards will be presented. Hosted by Mike Joy, the event will be live-streamed on NASCAR.com.

— Watch NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, 2-4:15 p.m. ET

• NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco: All 16 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will parade their race cars down Las Vegas Boulevard and perform burnouts beginning at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and finishing in front of The Park. Fans can catch pre-race introductions hosted by Jamie Little at 2:45 p.m. followed by green flag at 3:30 p.m. For a list of burnout locations, fans can visit the NASCAR Fan Lounge at Beerhaus or ChampionsWeek.NASCAR.com. The event will be simulcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and NASCAR.com.

— Watch Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco, 5:45-6:30 p.m. ET

• NASCAR After The Lap Sponsored by Chevrolet, Ford & Toyota: Beginning at 5 p.m., all 16 Chase Challengers will appear on stage at the Pearl Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort for NASCAR After The Lap sponsored by Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota. Hosted by Rutledge Wood and restauranteur Guy Fieri, fans can watch live by purchasing tickets here or tune-in to NASCAR.com and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for behind-the-scenes insight into the drivers’ lives both on and off the track.

— Watch After The Lap Sponsored by Chevrolet, Ford & Toyota, 8 p.m. ET

• NASCAR Silver Bullet Bash Presented by Coors Light: To commemorate and celebrate the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and toast the 2016 Champion, Coors Light will host the NASCAR Silver Bullet Bash starting at 10 p.m. in XS at Encore Las Vegas. Recording artists American Authors will give a special performance at the invite-only event.

Friday, Dec. 2

• Claire B. Lang’s annual Championship Year in Review on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host Claire B. Lang will be joined by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, crew chief, team owner and team members live from 1 – 3 p.m. for a two-hour retrospective on their championship-winning season.

• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: This exclusive black-tie celebration will be held at Wynn Las Vegas, where the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, team owner and other Chase drivers will be honored. The red carpet will take place at 4 p.m. followed by the awards show at 5 p.m. NBCSN presents complete coverage from Wynn Las Vegas beginning at 7 p.m. ET with “NASCAR America,” followed by red carpet coverage at 8 p.m. ET and subsequent coverage of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at 9 p.m. ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90 will broadcast the show live at 8 p.m. ET.  

Posted on by Staff Report

What channel is the NASCAR race on this week? We answer that and provide all the weekly NASCAR television listings here.

 

RELATED: Find NBCSN in your area

 

All times ET

Monday, November 28
5 p.m., NASCAR The List: Dale Earnhardt Sr. Moments (re-air), NBCSN
5:30 p.m., NASCAR The List: Greatest Finishes (re-air), NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Thursday, December 1
6 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of the Year, FS1

Friday, December 2
7 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
8 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Red Carpet Special, NBCSN
9 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, NBCSN

 



Posted on by Staff Report

What better way to pass the time on a flight than to field questions from adoring fans? Jimmie Johnson‘s Twitter answers to post-championship and post-Thanksgiving querries.


On whether he will reach 105 wins …


On whether he’d let Chase Elliott pilot him on a flight …

On never racing midget or sprint cars …

On running …

On whether he’d race an F1 car …

On when he might retire …