Dale Jr.'s Coca-Cola 600 paint scheme salutes hero

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Staff Report

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s special patriotic scheme for his No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports was revealed after an overwhelming response on social media.

The patriotic look for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 (6 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) honors Lance Corporal Aaron Reed. Reed was killed in Iraq in 2005 while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Originally, the scheme was to be revealed at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but the social media response of more than 2,600 retweets led to the company revealing the paint scheme at 2 p.m. ET on Monday.

Earnhardt is winless in 32 points-paying starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 12 top 10s at his home track.

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Staff Report

From 8-11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, NASCAR.com will live stream the post-race inspection process.

The three-hour look takes you behind the scenes as NASCAR officials inspect NASCAR Sprint Cup Series vehicles following Saturday’s Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The cars being inspected this week are: the No. 22 Ford of Joey Logano (winner of Saturday’s race) and the No. 2 Ford of Brad Keselowski (runner-up in Saturday’s race).

For more information on what the inspection process entails, click here.

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2016) – Twenty-six of the best and brightest college students from across the country and abroad ventured to Charlotte Motor Speedway this past weekend as the sport introduced the 2016 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) class at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Weekend.

The 10-week, paid program exposes multicultural college students to employment opportunities within America’s number one motorsport, whether in departments within the sanctioning body or with organizations that NASCAR partners with to enhance the fan experience both on and off the race track. Through an all-inclusive orientation experience, the interns gain a behind-the-scenes look at the business of the sport and insight into prospective careers in motorsports. “

The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program has grown to become one of the most popular and attractive internships in sports,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “This program has given talented students an opportunity to gain relevant work experience and opportunities for careers in our industry since 2000.”

NDIP continues to grow in popularity year over year. The key to that growth is the ongoing support of industry partners. Companies such as International Speedway Corporation, Roush Fenway Racing, Rev Racing, Daytona International Speedway, Octagon and Taylor have been longstanding supporters of NDIP. Recent partners include Toyota, Switch and Pocono Raceway. These valued partners increase the number of internship opportunities for young talent and contribute to the program’s overall success.

Interns will work in multiple departments including in the areas of engineering, finance, marketing, licensing and public relations. In addition to receiving hand-on experience, the interns will also participate in professional development workshops, networking events and volunteer opportunities throughout their internship experience.

Victoria Kim, a recent graduate of Penn State, participated in the program last summer. Kim also received the NASCAR Diversity Outstanding Intern Award at the 2016 NASCAR Diversity Awards and was recently hired at NASCAR.

“The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program was an incredible opportunity to get a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at NASCAR,” Kim said. “NDIP was a stepping stone and helped me get to where I am today, a full-time employee in the Daytona office for the Touring Series Racing Operations. I am grateful to have been a part of the NDIP class of 2015 and am thankful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams.”

More than 300 interns have participated in the NDIP since its inception, and many secured full-time jobs in motorsports following their internships. Recent graduates have found roles at Phoenix International Raceway, Richard Petty Motorsports, event marketing agency Switch, and many other companies tied to the industry.

Several NDIP alumni are now employed at NASCAR within multiple business units, including: Brandon Thompson, director, racing operations; Marvin Aylor Jr., manager, marketing; Lauren Houston, senior account executive, multicultural development; Kathryn Lee, manager, events; Jusan Hamilton, senior account executive, industry operations; Ade Herbert, senior coordinator, social media; Jason Simmons, licensing account coordinator; Victoria Kim, coordinator touring series operations and Cameron McCarty, pit road technician.

“The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program has proven to be an effective pipeline for hiring top talent across the industry,” said Paula Miller, NASCAR senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “We have hired several former interns who are important contributors to the sport’s continued growth.”

The 2016 class participated in NASCAR 101 and received guided tours of the NASCAR Research & Development Center, NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Motor Speedway before watching the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

The class includes the following students from colleges and universities across the country:

NASCAR Diversity Internship Class of 2016

Name	Department/Organization	University	Hometown
Adrianne Bright	Switch	Central Michigan University	Flint, Mich.
Andre Reimer	NASCAR Business Development	Liberty University	Sao Paulo, Brazil
Antonio Russo	Pocono Raceway	Drexel University	Valencia, Venezuela
Ariadna Jaramillo	NASCAR Public Affairs	University of California, Berkeley, School of Law	Ibarra, Ecuador
Cameron Joe	NASCAR Legal	Indiana University – Maurer School of Law	Charlotte, N.C.
Chelsea Reaves	NASCAR Weekly Touring	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Raleigh, N.C.
Colette Garcia	NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications	University of Southern California	New York, N.Y.
Felix Santana	Toyota	New Jersey Institute of Technology	Franklin, N.J.
Gregory Carty	NASCAR Licensing	Winston-Salem State University	Durham, N.C.
Ian Jenkins	NASCAR Brand Platforms Marketing	East Tennessee University	Birmingham, Ala.
Isabel D’Elia	NASCAR Green Innovation	University of San Diego	Caracas, Venezuela
Jade McCrary	ISC Marketing	Florida A&M University	Daytona Beach, Fla.
Jasmine Lewis	Daytona International Speedway	Full Sail University	Chicago, Ill.
Jasmine Neely	Taylor	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Charlotte, N.C.
Jorge Jones	Rev Racing	University of the Incarnate Word	San Antonio, TX
Keani Chinn	NASCAR Finance	Shephard University	Honolulu, HI
Keyzza Plaza	NASCAR Production Engineering	University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez	Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
Michael Fernandez	NASCAR Creative Design	The Art Institute of Charlotte	FairLawn, N.J.
Michael Rueda	Roush Fenway Racing	University of Virginia	Ashburn, Va.
Peri Karslioglu	The NASCAR Foundation	Syracuse University	Fairfax Station, Va.
Rebecca Toro Condori	NASCAR Market Research/Industry Services	Virginia Technical University	Fairfax, Va.
Sajani Patel	NASCAR Human Resources	Armstrong State University	Savannah, Ga.
Shirley Mendez	NASCAR Digital Media	North Carolina State University	Charlotte, N.C.
Sydnei Fryson	NASCAR Multicultural Development	Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism	Charleston, W.V.
Vanessa Watson	Octagon	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Kenly, N.C.
Whitney Martin	NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications	North Carolina A&T University	Charlottesvile, Va.

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (May 23, 2016) — Continuing the sport’s long-standing tradition of honoring the United States Armed Forces, all 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will bear the name of a fallen service member on their race car windshields during Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), NASCAR announced today.

For the second consecutive year, “600 Miles of Remembrance” will pay tribute this Memorial Day Weekend to those who bravely served and died defending our country. Windshield headers normally reserved for drivers’ last names will read “SGT HARVEY,” “LCPL RAMIREZ,” and “SPC BEAUDOIN,” among other names of the fallen.

The special tribute will commemorate the launch of NASCAR: An American Salute™, the industry’s collective expression of respect and gratitude for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present. Fans can follow the conversation on social media using #NASCARsalutes.

“Each of the names proudly displayed on these race cars tells a story of honor and sacrifice,” said Brent Dewar, NASCAR chief operating officer. “As the NASCAR industry reflects on Memorial Day Weekend, we’re proud to honor these and all fallen service members in a way that helps ensure their stories and lives are never forgotten.”

Many of the service members whose names will be displayed on the race cars were chosen by the teams, and some have unique connections to the fallen. Navy SEAL Denis Miranda, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2010, trained in BUD/S alongside Graham Molatch, jackman for the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing team. Miranda’s name will appear on Kyle Larson ‘s car during the Coca-Cola 600.

Lance Corporal Scott Lynch served in the United States Marine Corps with Mark Singleton, tire changer for Chip Ganassi Racing, and will be honored on Jamie McMurray ‘s No. 1 car. Furniture Row Racing employee John Parks served in the Marines with Jeffrey Bohr, Jr., a gunnery sergeant who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom and whose name will be carried on Martin Truex Jr. ‘s No. 78 car.

Toyota will also honor the names of fallen service members on its pace cars and grand marshal cars for the Coca-Cola 600 as part of 600 Miles of Remembrance.

Many of the families of the service members being recognized will be in attendance at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The track will host more than 6,000 active military members at the Coca-Cola 600 in honor of Memorial Day.

Throughout the week, NASCAR: An American Salute will feature various activities demonstrating the industry’s support for the military, including:

· During Saturday’s Hisense 4K TV 300, NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers will display red, white and blue XFINITY windshield decals on their race cars.

· Goodyear will replace the “Eagle” sidewall design with “Support Our Troops” messaging on all tires used during the Memorial Day Weekend races.

· NASCAR, Coca-Cola and Mars, through the annual military support program, DeCA, will offer a sweepstakes to shoppers at more than 180 commissaries who will have a chance to win a trip for two to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas. The kickoff event will take place at Fort Bragg on May 25 and feature No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin. The 2016 DAYTONA 500 winner will tour the Warrior Transition Battalion Unit and visit with families at the South Commissary.

· In partnership with Operation Gratitude, Mars will invite race fans to help assemble care packages for the troops in the midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The care packages will include Mars candy and be shipped following the Coca-Cola 600 to deployed military members.

· NASCAR and Honor and Remember, Inc. will display specially prepared Honor and Remember flags representing those who lost their life in service to our country from each of the 50 United States throughout the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

During the Coca Cola 600 pre-race broadcast (5:30 p.m. ET, FOX), FOX Sports will recognize all service members who have lost their lives in the past year by displaying their names and branch of service on a graphic scroll.

This Sunday, NASCAR drivers will discuss 600 Miles of Remembrance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (channel 90) during a special military tribute show airing at 1 p.m. ET. The Dialed In Salute to the Troops special, hosted by Claire B. Lang, will feature interviews with several drivers as well as service men and service women from different branches of the military.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast live from Charlotte Motor Speedway at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Additional live coverage can be found on NASCAR.com.

To view an online gallery of the service members honored as part of 600 Miles of Remembrance, visit www.NASCAR.com/salute.

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Team Release

WELCOME, N.C. (May 23, 2016) – Richard Childress Racing announced today that Whelen Engineering Co., the “Official Warning Lights of NASCAR”, will serve as the primary sponsor on Ryan Newman‘s No. 31 Chevrolet SS for the 57th running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2016.

“Whelen Engineering, the Official Warning Lights of NASCAR, is pleased to be the primary sponsor of the Whelen No. 31 Chevrolet for the Coca-Cola 600,” said Phil Kurze, vice president of motorsports. “Ryan (Newman) is a familiar name to us since he has been in Victory Lane a number of times in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. It is fitting to have a graduate engineer driving a race car sponsored by an engineering company. The familiar red and white Sam Bass paint scheme will be displayed on the car and we look forward to the excitement of the longest race on the Sprint Cup schedule.”

The red and white colors of the No. 31 Whelen Chevrolet will hit the track for the annual Memorial Day weekend event, in which Newman has three top-five and six top-10 finishes, in addition to five pole awards.

“Whelen’s commitment to motorsports is comprehensive, and we are proud to partner with them for the Coca-Cola 600,” said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. “Their dedication to innovation and safety is in line with the philosophy here at RCR, and we look forward to seeing the No. 31 Whelen Chevrolet on the track this Memorial Day weekend.”

A company that now employs over 1,400 workers, Whelen began in 1952 when George W. Whelen invented the first rotating aircraft “anti-collision” beacon in his garage in Deep River, Connecticut. Over the years, Whelen grew out of the garage and into the mainstream, working with police, public works, and fire departments across the country. Today, Whelen has two manufacturing facilities totaling over 1,000,000 square feet, employs the largest staff of design engineers in the industry, and has partnered with OEMs on new vehicle design and product integration.

While this is RCR’s first partnership with Whelen in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Whelen has an extensive history and presence in motorsports. As the “Official Warning Lights of NASCAR”, Whelen provides all of the caution lights, pit road entrance, and pit road exit lights, “hot pit/garage area” warning lights, as well as all of the warning lights used on pace cars and safety vehicles across all three NASCAR national touring series. Whelen also serves as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series.

This commitment to motorsports extends beyond NASCAR as well. Whelen is the primary sponsor on the Action Express No. 31 DP Corvette in the IMSA Weather Tech Championship Series.

For additional information on today’s announcement, and all that’s happening at RCR, please visit rcrracing.com.

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Nascar

RELATED: Full race results

CONCORD, N.C. – Kyle Larson nearly became the latest driver to go from the preliminary event to the winner’s circle of the annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

But a loose-handling car and a hard-charging Joey Logano proved to be his undoing Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It’s a familiar feeling for the young driver of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates’ No. 42 Chevrolet, who has finished second four times in points-paying races in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.

Saturday night’s 113-lap show wasn’t for points, but there was a $1 million payday waiting at the checkered flag.

And when the 23-year-old shot the gap on the race’s final restart, he zoomed from third to first with less than 13 laps remaining.

But Logano (Team Penske) was able to track the leader down and after a side-by-side battle, Larson slipped up and into the wall less than three laps from the finish.

Logano held on for the victory; Larson limped to the garage, 16th in the final rundown.

“I definitely didn’t over-correct,” a dejected Larson said afterward. “I was just going fast, got loose, lost control and hit the wall. I’m disappointed. I feel like I keep letting my guys down.”

Larson had qualified for the Sprint All-Star Race by winning a sheetmetal swapping, last-lap battle with Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) in the final segment of the Sprint Showdown preliminary event earlier in the day. The damage done to his car kept his team busy throughout the afternoon, but by the time the red-and-white entry rolled through pre-race inspection for the main event, it looked good as new. And it ran that way, too.

“They worked their tails off after I got all the damage in the Showdown,” he said. “We had a really, really good Target Chevy and were able to get to the front pretty quick there to be in the best position possible there for the last restart.”

After starting the race 18th, Larson ended the first 50-lap segment inside the top 10. He eventually took the lead on Lap 94 and was the race leader after 100 laps had been completed to end the second segment.

He restarted third for the final 13-lap dash after only two drivers, Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports) and Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing), running 12th and 13th respectively, were re-slotted to the front. The top 11 were required to pit.

“I was getting looser throughout the race,” Larson said. “We were making adjustments but weren’t making big enough ones. I just got loose and Joey caught me.

“He did a really good job side-drafting me. I tried to hang on his quarter panel like I did with Chase earlier today. I got really loose as soon as I got in the corner.”

Logano said he knew Larson would “try to suck me around from the outside and I knew I had to drive in to make sure he didn’t do that.

“Just good hard racing there at the end. It was a lot of fun. He’s a heck of a racer. He’s going to win a lot of races, that’s for sure.”

Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports) was the last driver to win the Sprint All-Star Race despite not automatically qualifying for it (and having to race in the preliminary event) heading into the weekend, accomplishing the feat in 2008. (Kahne won the Sprint Fan Vote that year.)

“I thought clean air would be everything there on four tires,” Larson said. “Joey was just really good there that last run; I thought I was better than him most of the race. I don’t know, I feel bad. But it’s good that we have fast race cars right now.

“Just really, really proud of everybody on this team. We were pretty down earlier in the year but we’ve got cars now and confidence and one of these days it will all come together.”

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Staff Report

Dusenberry Martin Racing (DMR), NASCAR’s exclusive console simulation-style video game licensee, on Friday announced the future of NASCAR gaming in NASCAR Heat Evolution — launching Sept. 13. Marking the debut of a NASCAR video game series on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, and also arriving on Windows PC, this new title will provide fans with a brand-new and authentic racing experience.

NASCAR Heat Evolution will immerse fans in the door-to-door excitement of stock car racing and allow users to live the experience of taking the checkered flag. Whether a casual or hardcore gaming fan, NASCAR Heat Evolution will dynamically adapt to any skill level and deliver a true-to-life racing experience. The new game will feature all of the top drivers, teams, and incredibly detailed tracks and environments, giving fans the opportunity to feel what it is like to be a racing legend.

DMR also partnered with Toyota, an Official NASCAR Partner, in a unique video game cover athlete competition. On Friday it was announced the first Toyota driver to cross the start/finish line in the 2016 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be the cover athlete of NASCAR Heat Evolution. Choosing a cover athlete from an on-track competition is a first in video game history.

That honor went to Carl Edwards of Joe Gibbs Racing. Edwards finished fourth in the 113-lap event, ahead of teammates Denny Hamlin (ninth) and Kyle Busch (10th). Martin Truex Jr. and Matt Kenseth were also eligible.

NASCAR Heat Evolution will mark the first time Toyota or any of its eligible drivers will be the face of a NASCAR video game. Toyota and DMR are developing an innovative in-game branding partnership that will elevate the racing experience for video game fans.

“Our company is a team of highly skilled gaming vertans with a proven record of success in NASCAR game development and publishing. Our commitment to the NASCAR community is to consistently deliver fun, engaging and high-quality NASCAR games to the market,” said DMR Chief Executive Officer Tom Dusenberry.

DMR, whose licensing agreement with NASCAR Team Properties runs through 2020, partnered with Monster Games to create NASCAR Heat Evolution, bringing more than 100 years of combined NASCAR games experience to the project.

DMR President Ed Martin said, “To deliver an all-new NASCAR game experience, we assembled an all-star team of NASCAR game experts and started with a clean sheet of paper. What the DMR and Monster Games teams have come up with is going to amaze NASCAR fans.”

From the same legendary team that created the critically acclaimed NASCAR titles NASCAR Heat and NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona, Monster Games has a clear vision for NASCAR Heat Evolution.

“The Monster Games team is thrilled to partner again with Tom, Ed and the Dusenberry Martin Racing team. We have been working on NASCAR Heat Evolution for 18 months and are excited about what we have created. From day one, our goal has been to deliver a fun, engaging and realistic racing game designed for NASCAR fans,” said Monster Games President Richard Garcia.

“The gaming space allows fans to consume our sport on a daily basis, ultimately helping grow and diversify our audience,” said Blake Davidson, Vice President of Consumer Products and Licensing, NASCAR. “Our fans have eagerly anticipated the arrival of a new NASCAR game, and we expect that NASCAR Heat Evolution will be well worth the wait.”

Fans that are ready to strap in and feel the adrenaline of a NASCAR racing experience have the opportunity to pre-order NASCAR Heat Evolution now at NASCARHeat.com, GameStop, Target.com, Walmart.com and the PlayStation®Store. NASCAR Heat Evolution will take racing fans to a level of realism, excitement and authenticity that has never been seen on a console before.

NASCAR Heat Evolution will be available on September 13, 2016 in North America for the PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One and Windows PC. More information can be found at NASCARHeat.com, with additional details to be released in the coming months. Fans can also follow NASCAR Heat Evolution on Twitter via @DMRNASCARHeat and @DMRacingGames.

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Zack Albert

RELATED: Full race results

CONCORD, N.C. — A missed pit-road entry, a snag by the dreaded lug-nut check, and Carl Edwards still wound up on the cover of a video game.

Despite a stinging penalty just before the final 13-lap segment of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Edwards manufactured a fourth-place finish with a heavy-duty rally in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

He led three times for just four of the 113 laps, but made a bigger mark with how he threaded traffic in the final dash to the checkered flag. It was enough to lay claim to his spot as the top-finishing Toyota driver, landing him on the cover of the NASCAR Heat Evolution game that debuts in September.

“We didn’t really have the fastest car and we tried to screw it up about four different times,” Edwards said with a sheepish grin. Edwards then explained how missing the entrance to pit road during the second of three segments cost the No. 19 team valuable track position, putting extra pressure on the mandatory final stop.

That stop was a fast one, helping Edwards gain four spots among those pitting. But the check for lug-nut tightness led to a thumbs-down from the NASCAR official checking the drivers’ side of the car.

“I put my guys in a box, they had to do the fastest pit stop basically you could ever do,” Edwards said afterward on pit road. “One lug nut was not all the way up, but we got it done and went to the back. We made it back up to fourth, and really after all the dust settled, if we had one more caution, I think we would’ve had a shot at it. It’s crazy, just a crazy night.”

Edwards was rewarded for his final charge after lining up in the seventh row for the final restart. The 36-year-old driver won the All-Star Race in 2011 and had more recent Charlotte history on his side with his Coca-Cola 600 victory here last May.

But he’s also had a consistently solid pit crew all year, a track record that made it hard for crew chief Dave Rogers to assign blame.

“The one thing we got going for us, we’ve got a bunch of tough guys,” Rogers said. “We’ve got a real tough driver, real tough pit crew, and nobody on this race team gives up. We didn’t do a very good job executing today, we just had a couple things go against us. That’s not the norm for us. Usually, we’re spot-on with our execution, so I’m not too worried about it, but even despite that, everyone battled down, got everything we could get, finished fourth.

“If it wasn’t the All-Star Race, you’d go home with fourth really pleased, but here it’s winner-take-all. We’ll go home and regroup for the 600 and we’ll be back next week.”

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Staff Report

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series will race at Charlotte Motor Speedway this week, while the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is off. Check out the full weekend schedule below.

Note: All times are ET

SUNDAY, MAY 29:

ON TRACK

— 6 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 (400 laps, 600 miles), FOX (Results)

PRE-RACE SCHEDULE

— 5:10 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Intros

— 5:51:00 p.m.: Presentation of Colors by: “82nd Airborne Division Color Guard” from Fort Bragg.” (Ft. Bragg service members in grandstands holding American Flags)

— 5:51:20 p.m.: Invocation by: Frank Harrison

— 5:51:45 p.m.: Amazing Grace by: Charlotte Fire Department Pipe Band
— 5:54:40 p.m.: National Anthem: 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus

— 6:01:00 p.m.: “Drivers, Start Your Engines” by: Retired General George W. Casey joined by 75 Service Members and USO Volunteers

— 6:09:30 p.m.: Start of the Coca-Cola 600 (400 Laps /600 Miles)

PRESS CONFERENCES (Watch live)

— 2 p.m.: Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick

— 10:15 p.m. (approx): Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race

DAILY ROUNDUP

— Truex wins Charlotte in dominating fashion

— Truex rewrites history, breaks records with win

— Johnson on Truex: ‘Tonight, he wasn’t going to be denied’

THURSDAY, MAY 26:

ON TRACK
— 2-3:25 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, FS1 (Results)

— 3:30-4:25 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series first practice, FS1 (Results)

— 5:30-6:50 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, FS1 (Results)

— 7:15 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, FS1 (Results)

GARAGECAM (Watch live)

— 1:30 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

— 3 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series

PRESS CONFERENCES (Watch live)

— 1:15 p.m.: Kyle Larson

— 1:30 p.m.: Ty Dillon

— 3:30 p.m.: Carl Edwards

— 3:45 p.m.: NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew National Combine

— 4:45 p.m.: Joey Logano

— 8:15 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying

DAILY ROUNDUP

— Martin calls selection the ‘crown jewel’ of his career

— ‘Hero’ moment for Dillon as Richard Childress makes Hall of Fame

— Dillon, Jones top opening practices at Charlotte

— Truex Jr. earns the pole for Sunday’s main event

SATURDAY, MAY 28:

ON TRACK

— 10-10:55 a.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series second practice, FS1 (Results)

— 11:15 a.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, FS1 (Results)

— 1-1:50 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, FS1 (Results)

— 2:30 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Hisense 4K TV 300 (200 laps, 300 miles), FS1 (Results)

PRESS CONFERENCES (Watch live)

— 9:45 a.m.: NASCAR Cruise
— Noon: Mark Martin

— 12:15 p.m.: 600 Miles of Remembrance with Mark Singleton, tire changer and Graham Molatch, jackman

— 4:45 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series race

DAILY ROUNDUP

— Truex, Busch lead Saturday practices at Charlotte

— Daily at-track gallery

— Hamlin rides fresh tires to overtime NXS victory at Charlotte

— Top storylines heading into Sunday’s main event

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Staff Report

RELATED: Full race results

Tony Stewart‘s final Sprint All-Star Race was cut short after a wreck midway through the event knocked out his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

On Lap 23 of the second 50-lap segment, a wreck involving the three-time Sprint Cup Series champion, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth evolved on the front stretch.

“I mean, the No. 24 (of Chase Elliott) wrecked everybody and put everybody behind him in jeopardy and we got caught on the outside of it,” Stewart said.

‘Smoke,’ who gave the pre-race command, was referring to a strategy play by Elliott’s team. Elliott appeared to be signaling he was going to pit road for his mandatory green-flag pit stop during Segment 2. As cars charged forward behind him, the incident unfolded.

“I got more than bumped from behind, I got rolled over,” said Kenseth, who was penalized in Segment 1 for not completing the mandatory Segment 1 pit stop under green. “I saw them checking up and wrecking in front of me and I slowed up just a little bit and somebody just drove right over top of me wide open.”

Stewart would be scored last in the 20-car field. Kenseth finished 18th.