Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

RELATED: Full Darlington coverage

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2016) — Leading up to this weekend’s live NASCAR action from Darlington Raceway, NBC Sports presents a new one-hour documentary created to take fans inside the storied history of “The Track Too Tough To Tame.” Produced in partnership with NASCAR Productions, “Southern Speed: The Legend of Darlington” premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Multi-platinum recording artist Darius Rucker narrates the special in tribute to his South Carolina roots. Current NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch are joined by Ken Squier and racing legends Dale Jarrett, Kyle Petty and Jeff Burton, who reflect on how the Southern 500 became a stock car racing tradition.

Premiering during a week dedicated to honoring the rich history of NASCAR, the original program will also be available via live stream on the NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com.

A preview of tonight’s special is available here. Below are excerpts from “Southern Speed: The Legend of Darlington.”

Kyle Petty, former driver and NASCAR on NBC analyst: “Bill France was there and Raymond Parks was there. So many Hall of Famers were there for that first race and that speaks volumes to what Darlington was, even in the beginning.”

Buz McKim, NASCAR Hall of Fame Historian: “Darlington never has been a normal track and it never will be. There is too much folklore, there is too much history and there are too many great spots and low spots. It is totally the track of the unexpected.”

Dale Jarrett, Hall of Fame driver and NASCAR on NBC analyst: “The idea to go back to Labor Day and run the Southern 500 is something that our sport really needed.”

Harold Brasington III, grandson of Darlington Raceway founder: “I have to admit I felt pretty special knowing that my granddad built this place. I can remember the first time he drove me up into the infield through that tunnel it was like a portal into another world. I saw these structures coming out of the beds of pickup trucks. The crowd was overwhelming.”

Tune in to watch the Bojangles’ Southern 500 this Sunday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. ET on NBC, or listen live on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Fans can also purchase tickets to catch all the on-track action in person by visiting www.nascar.com/tickets. 

 



Posted on by Team Release

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 31, 2016) — Richard Petty Motorsports today announced competition changes to improve their on-track performance. Effectively immediately, Philippe Lopez and Scott McDougall will temporarily oversee all competition duties and roles previously held by Sammy Johns both at the track and at the race shop.
 
The change comes as part of an immediate, aggressive strategy by RPM leadership to improve speed, performance and future growth of RPM. The goal is to improve on-track results from 2016 and to capitalize on the progress made in previous seasons.
 
“The past several years, we have made significant investments in our organization with the goal of winning races and to compete at a high level on a weekly basis,” said Brian Moffitt, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Petty Motorsports. “We now have direction over our own chassis and bodies and work closely with Ford Performance on technology and engineering. With these investments, unfortunately, we have not seen the on-track results that we expected this season.
 
“As we look ahead to 2017, we are taking steps forward to improve our on-track product to better serve our partners and fans. This means analyzing every part of our organization and making adjustments where needed. Sammy Johns has been a big part of our organization; he helped us succeed in many different ways and helped us become a winning race team. We wish him nothing but the best going forward.”
 
RPM has seen success on the track in recent seasons. Aric Almirola and the No. 43 Ford Fusion had their most consistent season together and highest average finish to date in 2015. They were also a race winning team in 2014 and competed in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
 
Off the track, the organization has continued to grow relationships with primary partners Smithfield Foods, Albertsons Companies, Shore Lodge, U.S. Air Force, Twisted Tea, STP, Fresh From Florida and Jacob Companies.
 
“Our partners have seen success and believe in our mission,” continued Moffitt. “They share in our commitment to see Aric and Brian competing at a higher level each weekend.”
 
Lopez and McDougall will begin their duties at the track in Darlington this weekend.

Posted on by

STAMFORD, Conn. — August 31, 2016 — NBC Sports gears up for a throwback weekend of racing from Darlington highlighted by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on NBC and the XFINITY Series race Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.


NBC Sports joins Darlington Raceway in celebrating the sights and sounds of the 1975-1984 era with throwback themes integrated into this weekend’s coverage. In addition to traditional graphics and historic logos, NASCAR on NBC’s on-air team will dress in their best time period apparel. Throughout the weekend, NASCAR on NBC’s pre-race set will be flanked by a series of old school cars from the decade. Music and footage from the era will also bring viewers in and out of commercial breaks.


Race day coverage kicks off with a revamped version of Blake Shelton’s NASCAR on NBC “Bringing Back the Sunshine” Open, full of racing moments spanning the track’s incredible history. Legendary NASCAR broadcasters Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett return to the booth, alongside Dale Jarrett, to call a portion of the race.  Squier adds his voice to a special pre-race feature on the storied Raceway. Pre-race coverage also includes a special three-car on-track preview of Darlington Raceway. In addition to Jeff Burton in the Toyota Camry on-track car, Kyle Petty will drive his father’s famed 1979 No. 43 Championship race car alongside Dale Jarrett in fellow Hall of Famer Benny Parsons’ No. 72 car.


NBC SPORTS PRESENTS NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACING FROM DARLINGTON SUNDAY AT 6 P.M. ET


NBC Sports begins its Sprint Cup coverage from “The Lady in Black” Friday with practice at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by final practice at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. An on-site edition of “NASCAR America” wraps up the day at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Saturday’s coverage from Darlington Raceway includes “NASCAR America” at 1 p.m. ET followed by qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.


Sunday’s race day coverage kicks off on NBCSN with NASCAR America at 5 p.m. ET. NBC’s coverage begins with “Countdown to Green” at 5:30 p.m. ET followed by race coverage at 6 p.m. ET. “NASCAR Victory Lap” at 11 p.m. ET wraps up the day.


Race announcer Rick Allen calls this weekend’s action alongside analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton. Pre- and post-race coverage is handled by host Krista Voda, and analysts Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett. Marty Snider, Mike Massaro, Dave Burns and Kelli Stavast report from pit road. Rutledge Wood, fresh off his journey to the Olympic Games in Rio, returns to bring viewers closer to the sights and sounds of the original paved superspeedway.


XFINITY SERIES RACING RETURNS TO NBC SATURDAY AT 3:30 P.M. ET


NBC Sports XFINITY coverage from “The Track Too Tough To Tame” begins Friday with practice at 12 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by final practice at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Race day coverage begins with qualifying on 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN. NBC’s XFINITY coverage begins with Countdown to Green at 3 p.m. ET followed by race coverage at 3:30 p.m. ET.


NBC SPORTS PRESENTS “SOUTHERN SPEED: THE LEGEND OF DARLINGTON” TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ET ON NBCSN


Leading up to this weekend’s live NASCAR action from Darlington Raceway, NBC Sports presents a new one-hour special created to take fans inside the storied history of “The Track Too Tough To Tame.” Produced in partnership with NASCAR productions, “Southern Speed: The Legend of Darlington” premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN, following a special 8 p.m. ET presentation of “NASCAR America.” This morning’s release previewing the special is available here.


ARIC ALMIROLA & “THE KING” STAR IN THIS WEEK’S “PHONE A FAN” SOCIAL WEB VIDEO


Aric Almirola and Richard Petty star in this week’s new NASCAR on NBC “Phone a Fan” web video, where unsuspecting fans receive calls from their favorite NASCAR drivers. In the video released today on the NASCAR on NBC Facebook page and Twitter accounts, Barry from Egg Harbor, N.J., grills Almirola and Petty on when the No. 43 is going to make its way back Victory Lane. Check out the full video here.


Ben Kennedy joins Ryan on this week’s NASCAR on NBC podcast to discuss his first Camping World Truck Series victory at Bristol Motor Speedway and the outpouring of support he received from some NASCAR luminaries. Available on NASCAR Talk, iTunes, AudioBoom, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and podcasting apps, the NASCAR on NBC podcast discusses the latest NASCAR news each week with the major players in the sport.


UPCOMING NASCAR PROGRAMMING


Date

Coverage

Time (ET)

Network

Wed., Aug. 31

NASCAR America

8:00 PM

NBCSN


Southern Speed: The Legend of Darlington

9:00 PM

NBCSN

Thurs., Sept. 1

NASCAR America

6:00 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR Whelen Modified Series – Riverhead

7:00 PM

NBCSN

Fri., Sept. 2

NASCAR XFINITY Series Practice – Darlington

12:00 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice – Darlington

1:30 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR XFINITY Series Final Practice – Darlington

2:30 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice – Darlington

3:30 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR America

5:00 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR K&N Pro Series West – Douglas County

7:00 PM

NBCSN

Sat., Sept. 3

NASCAR XFINITY Series Qualifying – Darlington

11:30 AM

NBCSN


NASCAR America

1:00 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying – Darlington

1:30 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR XFINITY Series Countdown to Green

3:00 PM

NBC


NASCAR XFINITY Series Racing – Darlington

3:30 PM

NBC

Sun., Sept. 4

NASCAR America Sunday

5:00 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR Sprint Cup Countdown to Green

5:30 PM

NBCSN


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing – Darlington

6:00 PM

NBC


NASCAR Victory Lap

11:00 PM

NBCSN

  

All of NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR coverage is available to stream on NBCSports.com and via the NBC Sports app. The NBC Sports app is powered by Playmaker Media, and is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.


NASCARTalk on NBCSports.com brings racing fans up-to-the-minute news, video and information on NASCAR drivers, teams and industry news. For all the latest NASCAR content socially, fans can follow @NASCARonNBC and @NASCARTalkNBC on twitter and like the NASCAR on NBC Facebook page.


For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

Posted on by Nascar

RELATED: See all the throwback schemes | Full throwback coverage

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It took only one trip to Darlington Raceway in 2014 to convince Bojangles’ CEO Clifton Rutledge that the popular restaurant chain needed to remain affiliated with the legendary NASCAR track.

 

That was before the track’s lone Sprint Cup Series race returned to the Labor Day weekend date it had held for decades — and before track officials unveiled the “throwback weekend” format that was such a huge hit in its debut last season.

 

“My first year here, after the race was over I came back and met with our senior VP of marketing … they were already starting to talk about things for the following year and I said, ‘Well, let’s just go ahead and renew now,’ ” Rutledge told NASCAR.com Tuesday.

 

So they did. In September of ’14, officials announced a five-year extension that would keep Bojangles’ as the race entitlement sponsor through 2019. The company had begun sponsorship of the race in 2012.

 

Sunday, the track will host the 67th running of the annual Bojangles’ Southern 500 (6 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Obviously Rutledge saw something he liked on his first visit to the historic venue.

 

“I did,” he said. “First of all, it’s the Southern 500; it’s one of those races that goes back to when I was a kid, and then for it to be moved back to Labor Day weekend was a great thing. But the passion that I saw there — it’s not one of the larger tracks but the passion is there. The fans that are there — those fans are our fans. They’re our customers and there’s just a connection between that race. Being in the Carolinas, two iconic brands, it just made sense to keep it as long as we can keep it.”

 

The throwback-themed weekend garnered plenty of attention, and the International Speedway Corp.-owned facility was a finalist for the “Sports Event of the Year” award presented by the Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal.

 

“To be able to help support Darlington in that, it was just wonderful,” Rutledge said. “The fans loved it. We had Grand Funk Railroad (play a pre-race concert) last year; we have Kansas this year.”

 

Rutledge also noted that former “Brady Bunch” star Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady, will be singing the national anthem before this year’s event.

 

“Last year it was a wonderful, wonderful event and this year I think even more of the drivers and teams have gotten involved with the paint schemes and things like that,” he said.

 

The association with Bojangles’ “means everything,” Kerry Tharp, president of Darlington Raceway, said.

 

“It’s two iconic brands in my mind,” he said. “Darlington in NASCAR and Bojangles’ in the restaurant business. And for where we are, location-wise, I think it’s a great fit. I couldn’t be more excited about it. They do a great job with their marketing and activation for this event. Their ability to get the word out and raise awareness for our event is tremendous. In my mind it’s the best partnership there is in sports.”

Posted on by Holly Cain

Perhaps Mike and Janet Larson should have seen it coming as they proudly and nervously watched their television and computer screens while son Kyle led the field to the checkered flag in Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

 

The Larsons attend a healthy dose of their 24-year-old son’s NASCAR races, but somehow have missed each of Kyle’s inaugural NASCAR victories from the K&N Series, to the Camping World Truck Series and XFINITY Series. They were at home in Elk Grove, California, on Sunday when Larson scored his first victory at the sport’s premier Cup level, too.

 

“That’s OK though,” Mike Larson said, his voice full of happiness and emotion. “As long as he wins, I don’t have to be there.

 

“Janet and I would have been in the grandstands anyway, that’s where we go every time to watch him race. It would have taken us half the (victory) ceremony anyway just trying to get back over there (to Victory Lane).”

 

Instead, the Larsons stood in front of their television sets, tears rolling, hearts full, taking it all in. The dedication, the sacrifices, the hope, the joy that was this family’s “every weekend” for years had resulted in a big-time, clutch victory three weeks before NASCAR’s playoffs, the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

 

And while Mike and Janet might not have been trackside last weekend, they still had quite the view.

 

“I was upstairs watching the end of the race, thinking ‘Man, Janet is awful quiet today,'” Mike Larson said. “And then it got to be that last restart and Kyle gets the lead and I can hear her starting to stress. I don’t hardly make a sound, but I thought, ‘She’s stressing me out.’

 

“My heart, I’m telling you, it was just pumping over those last nine laps. I just kept thinking a yellow is going to come out, you think something is going to happen to derail this. I’m still very quiet watching, but then my arms went straight up in the air … and I cried. I can admit that.

“I get emotional about that.”

 

The Larsons can smile about their timing now.

 

They took Kyle to his first race a week after he was born.

 

Then, this close-knit family spent years together trekking around the West Coast watching Larson win and dominate races – karts and USAC features – from the time he was a little boy. From childhood, he loved this sport of racing so much he dressed up as NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon for Halloween – and still has the photo proof.

 

The Larson’s support has never wavered or waned even as their son earned his shot in NASCAR’s big leagues and has quickly emerged as one of the most popular drivers on the circuit.

 

Truth be told, the kind, funny, humble and extremely talented third-year Cup driver Larson has been one of the sport’s bona fide stars even before hoisting his first Cup trophy.

 

And now the Chip Ganassi Racing driver is a legitimate first-time title contender, too. And he should be quite optimistic about his chances at hoisting the big trophy.

 

RELATED: Current stars’ first Sprint Cup Series victory

 

Larson’s 2014 showing in Chase races – not as a Chase contender – was an incredible rookie effort and an enviable clutch performance. He boasted six top-10 finishes in the his No. 42 Target Chevrolet during the final 10 races that year.

 

The Chase venues have been good for Larson.

 

In the Chicago Chase-opener, Larson has finishes of third and seventh. His overall average finish at Dover is 6.2, and he’s never fared worse than 11th there.

 

He has a runner-up finish at Kansas (2014), was third at Martinsville in April and finished fifth at Homestead last year. He has at least one top-10 finish at every Chase track.

 

“He thinks those are good tracks for him,” his team owner Chip Ganassi said Sunday evening. “We think they’re good tracks. He’s shown before he knows his way around Miami [Homestead]. That’s always good, to be good at the final track.

 

“He’s a shootout kind of guy. A lot of those races turn into shootouts. You’re not so much racing the entire field in those races a lot of times. I look forward to it. … I think he’s the kind of driver that the Chase is made for, that format.”

 

After a throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway, NASCAR’s newest Chase contender Larson will host his “Outlaw Kart Showcase” at hometown Cycleland Speedway in Chico, California.

 

Less than two weeks later, Larson will begin his first Chase run thanks to that emotional, hard-fought victory Sunday.

 

“This feels different because it’s taken me a lot longer than it took me in any of the other stuff to get a win,” Larson said Sunday. “It took me a couple months to win my first sprint car race, four days after my 15th birthday. Took me a few months to win when I got into USAC. Took me a few years to win an Outlaw race.

 

“This, after the way my rookie season started, coming close a few times, not getting it done, you can visualize the win that early in your career. It’s going to happen. It’s going to happen. But it just never happened.

 

“This one’s different just cause of how long we had to wait and how much harder I’ve had to work for it. Like I said, it’s special because all the hard work’s paid off.”

 

And the good news for the Larson family is there will be plenty more wins to experience first-hand, and good odds they celebrate a championship sometime soon too.

Posted on by Staff Report

Drivers and other members of NASCAR Nation offered their condolences to the France family after learning of Betty Jane France’s passing.



Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2016) — Betty Jane France, a philanthropist in support of children’s health causes, passed away Monday evening. France is the mother of NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy.

 

A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the former Betty Jane Zachary was the widow of the late NASCAR Chairman and CEO William C. France, who passed away in 2007. Betty Jane France was executive vice president and assistant treasurer of NASCAR and the chairwoman emeritus of the NASCAR Foundation.

 

“Last night, the NASCAR family lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend and the light that guided the sport’s charitable arm,” said Brian France. “My mother taught us incredible values, that of love, patience, compassion and joy. She embraced life every day, and nothing fueled her passion more than children. Her unmatched efforts in building The NASCAR Foundation improved the lives of millions of children throughout this country. And because of that, her legacy will live forever.

 

“My father leaned on my mother throughout his life, relying on her wisdom and calming demeanor to help grow the sport of NASCAR. She was there, every step of the way. When we lost my father, her positive presence remained, as she used her immense skill to grow NASCAR’s heart and soul, The NASCAR Foundation.

 

“Our family thanks you for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. My mother was a special woman, and an impressive person, and she will be dearly missed.”

 

France became chairwoman of The NASCAR Foundation upon the foundation’s inception in 2006. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, the foundation is an entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities.

 

MORE: Learn more about the NASCAR Foundation

 

The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Presented by Nationwide, recognizing outstanding charitable and volunteer efforts of NASCAR fans, was created in her honor in 2011.

 

France was a longtime community leader in Daytona Beach, Florida and best known as a steadfast champion of health care for children. She assisted in the establishment of “Speediatrics” children’s care unit at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach and at Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Florida.

 

In 2003, France was presented the Halifax Medical Center Foundation’s Humanitarian Award in recognition of her advocacy, commitment, support and advancement of numerous area community service organizations including the Volusia/Flagler chapter of the American Red Cross.

 

She was a member of the Junior League of Daytona Beach serving on boards of numerous area community service organizations.

 

In July 2008, she was named as an honorary co-chairperson for the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, a project headed by longtime NASCAR team owner Richard Childress in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

 

Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

Posted on by Track Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – August 30, 2016 – International Speedway Corporation today announced that Roger Curtis is leaving his position as President of Michigan International Speedway (“MIS”), effective immediately, to pursue new opportunities. A replacement has not been announced. Joie Chitwood, ISC Chief Operating Officer, will oversee MIS operations in the interim.


“We want to thank Roger Curtis for his many years of service with ISC, and the last 10 years, specifically, as the face of Michigan International Speedway,” stated Chitwood. “We wish him much future success.”

Posted on by Pat DeCola

After ending his 18-race winless skid at Bristol a few weeks ago, the 2014 Darlington winner could finally put an end to his agonizing 1-race streak started at Michigan, where he still finished fifth.

 

MORE: Harvick still solid

https://www.nascar.com/drivers/brad-keselowski/
BradKeselowski
0
Team Penske

Keselowski’s car failed post-race LIS inspection after Michigan, but it’s safe to say he’s already moved onto Darlington, where he’s the defending pole-winner and led 196 laps before finishing second.

 

MORE: Kes’ No. 2 fails post-race inspection

Edwards is a weekly threat to win at the moment, and we shouldn’t expect that to change at Darlington, where he’s the defending winner.

Logano has quietly been gaining momentum of late, but it could come to a screeching halt at the Lady in Black, one of the Team Penske driver’s worst tracks (20.3 average finish.)

Count Darlington among Busch’s worst tracks, as well, with six top-10 finishes in 19 starts — only two of which have come since 2004.

https://www.nascar.com/drivers/kyle-busch/
KyleBusch
-3
Joe Gibbs Racing

While the Irish Hills of Michigan offer some of the best scenery on the circuit, Busch was more than happy to leave them after an unfortunate spin saddled him with his second straight poor finish.

 

MORE: Busch unhappy after spin

https://www.nascar.com/drivers/denny-hamlin/
DennyHamlin
0
Joe Gibbs Racing

Not only can you all-but-guarantee Hamlin will start in the top 10 (as he has in every race since Atlanta), but he also has a sparkling 6.5 average finish at Darlington over the past 10 races there, best in the series.

https://www.nascar.com/drivers/jimmie-johnson/
JimmieJohnson
2
Hendrick Motorsports

With a full head of steam from inreased performance of late, look for the 48 to be strong at Darlington, which ranks among Johnson’s best tracks (9.1 avg. fin.)

 

MORE: Hendrick regains momentum

Kenseth has offered a bit of a mixed bag since Indy, but he should find solid footing at Darlington as the 2013 winner.

Truex has led multiple laps in half of the season’s races (12), but is stuck on just one win. You’d expect that to change soon, if he keeps leading laps.

Now that the monkey is off his back, don’t expect Larson to have to wait as long for win No. 2. Perhaps this weekend at Darlington, where he’s finished in the top 10 in both of his starts.

 

MORE: Larson gets first Sprint Cup win

In his final dance with the "Lady in Black", Stewart should have a good shot at winning with the fifth-best average finish among active, full-time drivers with more than two starts (12.0).

 

MORE: ‘Smoke’ officially in Chase

https://www.nascar.com/drivers/chase-elliott/
ChaseElliott
0
Hendrick Motorsports

With a chip on his shoulder after narrowly missing out at Michigan, Elliott will assuredly come into Darlington with extra motivation. Especially since a crash relegated him to 41st in his only start there.

 

MORE: Elliott foiled on restart

If I was a betting man, I’d be willing to wager that McMurray finishes eighth at Darlington. Since he’s finished in that position three races in a row heading into this weekend.

https://www.nascar.com/drivers/austin-dillon/
AustinDillon
-3
Richard Childress Racing

Think seeing Kyle Larson win and Chase Elliott finish second at Michigan — two drivers younger than him — adds any extra motivation for Dillon? We’ll see Sunday.

Newman has hit a bit of a rough patch, but should have a good shot at rectifying that with the best average starting position at Darlington of any active, full-time driver with multiple starts at 9.5.

Kahne didn’t quite impress at Michigan, but he’s always a threat to get off to a hot start at Darlington, with four poles. Only problem? He’s finished in the top 10 just four times in 13 tries.

 

A faulty spark plug did Buescher in at Michigan, which has to be beyond frustrating for a driver scratching and clawing for each and every point right now.

 

MORE: Buescher clinging on in top 30

Blaney looked excellent at Michigan, so it’ll be interesting to see if that carries over to Darlington, where he finished 30th in his only start.

 

https://www.nascar.com/drivers/dale-earnhardt-jr/
DaleEarnhardt Jr.
0
Hendrick Motorsports

Junior continues to be sidelined — Darlington, included — but will most certainly be a threat to win and make the Chase upon his eventual return, assuming he’s cleared in time.

 

MORE: Junior remains sidelined