Bobby Labonte to run XFINITY race at Daytona

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Team Release

Huntersville, N.C. (February 10, 2016) – Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced today a partnership with NOS Energy Drink, as primary sponsor of the team’s No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Camry in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch, the all-time race winning driver in the history of the XFINITY Series with 76 wins, will drive his first NOS program race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and in subsequent races that total 16 XFINITY Series events this season.

To kick off the 2016 race schedule at Daytona International Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing and NOS Energy Drink are excited to announce they are also bringing back another champion for the XFINITY series program start, longtime race winner and past Joe Gibbs Racing veteran racecar driver Bobby Labonte.

“We’ve always sought out the most determined, fearless and committed athletes to represent our company and brands,” said Vice President of Sports Marketing, Mitch Covington. He commented further, “With Kyle (Busch) in the seat most of the year and a strong Daytona start with Bobby (Labonte), we have every reason to believe our program will win.”

The NOS Energy Drink brand is no stranger to victory lane with Busch. A partnership between the two earlier in his career afforded them much success together. Between 2011 and 2008 (Busch’s first season with Joe Gibbs Racing) the orange and blue NOS colors were represented across 25 races in the XFINITY Series when Busch earned seven victories and three pole-position wins to further their brand exposure. Also in 2008 Busch represented the NOS Energy Drink colors with one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry, in which he earned a second-place result.

Newly minted 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Busch remarked, “I’m pumped to be back with NOS Energy Drink, a brand that supported me initially when I came to Joe Gibbs Racing. We had a lot of success together and I can’t wait to win with them again!”

In 311 starts over 13 seasons, Busch has proven himself to be the winningest competitor in the history of NASCAR’s XFINITY Series. In addition to 76 career wins, the 30-year old has recorded 186 top-five finishes, 48 pole-qualifying wins and 15,766 laps led. In 2010 Busch made series history with a record 13-win race season. Past XFINITY Series Championships for Kyle include a Driver’s Championship in 2009 and Owner’s Championships in 2010 and 2008 –- all with Busch’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series team owner Joe Gibbs Racing.

Labonte proved to be a strong selection to kick off the NOS Energy Drink program for the first race of the season as he rejoins Joe Gibbs Racing while they celebrate their 25th year of NASCAR racing.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to drive for JGR again. I didn’t think this would ever happen and when Joe called me about the program, it was a ‘no-brainer.’ Great race team, great cars, the opportunity is a good one. There would be nothing better than to hang a flag in this building too,” Labonte said of the Daytona opportunity in front of him with the No. 18 JGR XFINITY Series team.

A Texas native, Labonte was an early driver of the No. 18 with JGR and earned them 21 victories and a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship in 2000. Labonte is also a NASCAR Champion in the XFINITY Series (1991) and the IROC Series (2001) and has victories recorded in all three of NASCAR’s premier racing series. 2016 marks Labonte’s 30th consecutive year as a professional racecar driver.

The No. 18 team’s goal will again be to capture an Owner’s Championship in the XFINITY Series. With Busch and Labonte confirmed and the recent announcement of Matt Tifft as driver of the No. 18 for races later in the schedule, crew chief Chris Gayle is eager to attack that goal. Gayle remarks, “Owners points matter and it’s important for us to keep striving for that team goal. Looking forward to having NOS Energy Drink back with us and hopefully we are able to give them more trips to Victory Lane.”

Joe Gibbs Racing and NOS Energy Drink are two brands at the top of the field in their respective industries. With this partnership, the two have positioned themselves for great success together in 2016.

NOS Energy Drink will be featured on the No. 18 XFINITY Series Camry for 18 total races this season: Daytona International Speedway (February 20, Labonte); Atlanta Motor Speedway (February 27, Busch); Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 5, Busch); Phoenix International Raceway (March 12, Busch); Auto Club Speedway (March 19, Busch); Texas Motor Speedway (April 8, Busch); Bristol Motor Speedway (April 16, Busch); Talladega Superspeedway (April 30, TBD driver); Pocono Raceway (June 4, Busch); Michigan International Speedway (June 11, Busch); Kentucky Speedway (July 8, Busch); Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 23, Busch); Watkins Glen International (August 6, Busch); Richmond International Raceway (September 9, Busch); Chicagoland Speedeway (September 17, Busch); Dover International Speedway (October 1, Busch); Kansas Speedway (October 15, Busch); Phoenix International Raceway (November 12, Busch).

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Nascar

RELATED: Furniture Row to field Toyota Camrys in 2016

Jimmy Makar knows all about switching manufacturers.

In 2008, Makar, the Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at Joe Gibbs Racing, helped guide the organization during its transition from Chevrolet to Toyota.

With Furniture Row Racing making the change from Chevrolet to Toyota for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, a move that includes a technical alliance with JGR, Makar has a keen understanding of what lies ahead for the Denver, Colorado-based team.

“I hate to say it’s easier,” Makar, crew chief at JGR for more than a decade, said, “but it is easier than it used to be.”

The biggest issue for Makar and his group when JGR made the move involved the engine department, which at that time built and maintained engines for its Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series programs.

While the organization continued to build its own engines through 2011, swapping from building the Chevrolet R-07 to the Toyota engine was time-consuming and costly. In 2012, JGR teams began using engines built by Toyota Racing Development, an arrangement that continues today.

There will be no such problem for Furniture Row since the team doesn’t build its own engines. Previously, Earnhardt Childress Racing supplied the horsepower; now it will come from TRD.

“The engine program is a huge undertaking if you have to change that,” Makar said. “The bodies aren’t nearly as big of a deal anymore, especially now with the way the rules are. You have to install different sheet metal but it’s basically the same, so that’s not as bad of a deal.

“They’ve got their work cut out for them to do all that work, certainly. But the partnership that we’ve developed with them and what we’re doing for them will help a lot, too.”

Furniture Row, owned by Barney Visser, has fielded Chevrolet-branded entries since 2005 when it debuted the No. 78 in a one-race effort with driver Jerry Robertson. It began competing full time in 2008 with Joe Nemechek. The team enters ’16 with 307 starts and two wins — in ’11 with Regan Smith and ’15 with current driver Martin Truex Jr., who made it all the way to the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season.

RELATED: Truex picks up familiar sponsor

Changing manufacturer allegiances in NASCAR is hardly uncommon, but the reasons behind such a move can vary. Team Penske made the switch from Dodge to Ford after the 2012 season when Dodge pulled out of NASCAR; Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates went from Dodge to Chevrolet in 2009 when it began a short-lived association with Dale Earnhardt Inc. And in 2010, Richard Petty Motorsports ended its Dodge affiliation to align itself with Ford.

When JGR made the move, the automaker was in just its second season at the Sprint Cup level and struggling to get its footing. But the long-range outlook appeared promising to JGR officials, who have said they felt they had more of a voice with the new alliance.

Today Toyota teams boast 79 premier series victories — including 70 by JGR drivers — and Kyle Busch (JGR) enters the season as the defending series champion.

Similarly, Joe Garone, general manager for Furniture Row said his group’s move to Toyota had nothing to do with the support it received from Richard Childress Racing, with whom it shared a technical alliance but was more about “Chevrolet, as far as the level of support you get to run.

“If we were going to run and be happy running in the middle of the field week in and week out, we would have been fine where we were,” Garone said. “But Chevrolet has their hands full. They have plenty of teams and, as a new one coming in we were always going to be the bottom team. They can only spread themselves so thin. So, honestly, there wasn’t the opportunity for us to get to the upper tier.

“Toyota looked at it completely differently. They could see the benefits that we bring to the table as a single-car team partnered with one of their teams, and they jumped right on board.”

The association with JGR, he said, was “like icing on the cake.”

While there were previous conversations about JGR and the now defunct Michael Waltrip Racing working more closely together, team owner Joe Gibbs said “that never kind of came together.”

“I think this one was something we all talked over and Toyota thought it would be good for them. We seemed to hit it off with Barney and myself, and we decided to share a lot of technology and stuff, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

In addition to chassis and technical support, JGR will also provide the bulk of the pit crew for the No. 78 team. Adam Mosher (rear tire carrier) and Brian Dheel (gas man) return from Truex’s 2015 over-the-wall crew. The members will train and be based out of Gibbs shop in Huntersville, North Carolina.

“Honestly, it’s about the car you take to the track and being better than the next guy’s,” Garone said. “We take the rock and polish it. We’re really good at polishing it, but we don’t necessarily build the rock. We get a Joe Gibbs chassis, we build that and we focus on that.

“As a single-car team, we put all our energy on that one car and R&D and technology, and don’t have to spread ourselves over many cars. So sometimes we can move quicker than some of the other guys.”

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Nascar

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France announced a milestone long-term agreement Tuesday, unveiling a Charter system that is expected to substantially increase team value and sustainability for owners competing in NASCAR’s premier series.

“Today represents a landmark change to the business model of team ownership in NASCAR,” France said. “The Charter agreements provide nine years of stability for NASCAR and the teams to focus on the growth initiatives together with our track partners, auto manufacturers, drivers and sponsors.”

Thirty-six teams have been granted Charters and are guaranteed entry into each of the 36 points events. Standards for obtaining a Charter were based on participation during the past three seasons (from 2013 through July of ’15).

Four additional positions in the field each week will be determined through normal qualifying procedures as outlined in the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.

RELATED: Fast facts about the team owner Charter system

As a result of the changes, fields for Sprint Cup races will now consist of 40 cars.

The Charter system, a form of which owners have sought in an effort to bolster value of their organizations and which was initiated by NASCAR more than a year ago, will provide stability by guaranteeing sponsors and other potential partners continued participation for an extended period of time.

NASCAR officials said the system would not have come into being without positive support and input from the various industry stakeholders with an end goal of providing the best racing and product possible.

Charters are transferable, which France said “will aid in the development of long-term enterprise value for Charter members.”

Those organizations that have been awarded Charters are: Richard Petty Motorsports (2), Richard Childress Racing (3), Team Penske (2), Hendrick Motorsports (4), Roush Fenway Racing (3), Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (2), Joe Gibbs Racing (3), Michael Waltrip Racing (2), Stewart-Haas Racing (3), Furniture Row Racing (1), Front Row Motorsports (2), JTG Daugherty Racing (1), Tommy Baldwin Racing (1), Germain Racing (1), Go FAS Racing (1), BK Racing (2), Premium Motorsports (1), Circle Sport Racing (1) and HScott Motorsports (1).

Three teams that competed full time in 2015 do not currently have Charters — the No. 19 of Joe Gibbs Racing with driver Carl Edwards, the No. 41 of Stewart-Haas Racing with Kurt Busch and the No. 46 of HScott Motorsports with Michael Annett.

The only way to obtain a Charter would be to purchase one of the existing 36 Charters. Michael Waltrip Racing closed its doors at the end of the 2015 season.

France said the team owner agreements “will offer a more appealing environment for both current and prospective team owners at the NASCAR premier series level.

“I’ve always stressed that if we can do things to improve the business of our stakeholders, we will pursue it,” he said. “I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished today with this agreement.”

The Charter system is the latest long-term effort put into place by NASCAR. Last season it was announced that individual track sanctioning agreements, which previously had been handled on a year-to-year basis, had been extended to five-year arrangements beginning in 2016. And new multi-year broadcast agreements with FOX and NBC began last season as well.

In addition to the Charters, the agreement also includes the establishment of the Team Owner Council, a non-voting entity, which will have input into competitive and marketing matters going forward.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Staff Report

Legendary crew chief Ray Evernham recalled the events of the weekend of Jan. 30-31 surrounding Tony Stewart‘s injury while riding sand rails in the sand dunes near the Arizona-California border.

Don Prudhomme, a veteran NHRA driver, said last week that Evernham was a leader on the scene of the accident and rode the rescue helicopter with Stewart from the dunes to the hospital.

In his regular Tuesday appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Evernham said he received way too much credit for his actions during the efforts to get Stewart to help.

Evernham said Jeff Gordon volunteered to fly to the hospital with Stewart, but he said, “Really, dude, you’re going to roll into a hospital with Tony Stewart? That’s gonna turn into a zoo so quick.”

“The chopper flight was pretty interesting,” Evernham told host Dave Moody. “When we landed it was a little bit funny because the first thing they did was question us. They’re like, ‘Where did you get this helicopter?’ … It finally dawned on me, holy mackerel, they think that we’re drug runners.

“We finally got Tony to the hospital and got him some care.”

Evernham emphasized that blaming Stewart for the accident was uncalled for.

“The speeds were very low,” Evernham said, echoing what fellow dune riding enthusiast Greg Biffle said last week.

Evernham said the accident overshadowed what had been a great gathering of racers with many good stories to tell.

“Some day we can talk about the fun things. Sitting around the camp fire listening to Don Prudhomme is like sitting with the Godfather,” Evernham said.

He also said he learned some things about his fellow NASCAR competitors.

“I was impressed with my man RW,” Evernham said. “Rusty Wallace has some dirt skills. Don’t let anyone fool you.”

Stewart had back surgery last week, and it was unclear when he’d be able to return to racing in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet SS.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Staff Report

RELATED: NASCAR announces landmark new ownership structure

NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France joined with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owners on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, to announce a landmark long-term agreement on an owner Charter system.

The agreement provides teams with an increased business certainty and the ability to work more closely with NASCAR to continue to produce best-in-class racing.

Below are fast facts about the comprehensive agreement.

• This long-term agreement is for nine years.

• There are 36 Charter teams, currently from among 19 organizations. The number 36 was not pre-determined — NASCAR analyzed which teams showed a long-term commitment to the sport by attempting to qualify every week for the past three years. That criteria yielded 36 Charters.

• Because of the above criteria, the following teams were not initially awarded Charters: the No. 19 of Joe Gibbs Racing (which purchased a Charter from Michael Waltrip Racing), the No. 21 of Wood Brothers Racing, the No. 41 of Stewart-Haas Racing (which purchased a Charter from Michael Waltrip Racing) and the No. 46 of HScott Motorsports (HScott reached agreement with Premium Motorsports for its Charter in 2016. This Charter was later sold by Premium to Furniture Row Racing.) Late in 2016, the No. 7 of Tommy Baldwin Racing sold its charter to Leavine Family Racing. In 2017, the No. 16 Charter of Roush Fenway Racing will be leased to JTG Daugherty Racing‘s second team. For 2017, the No. 15 Charter of HScott Motorsports was sold to Premium Motorsports. The No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing is leasing the No. 32 Charter of Go Fas Racing in 2017, while Go Fas Racing is leasing the No. 44 Charter of Richard Petty Motorsports.

• A Charter guarantees entry into the field of every Sprint Cup Series points race. Qualifying speeds still determine the lineup.

• Sprint Cup Series fields will shift from 43 cars to 40 cars. That means 36 Charter teams are guaranteed to make every points race, and four non-Charter (or “open”) teams will complete the rest of the field.

• Charter owners may transfer their Charter to another team, for one full season, once over the first five years of the agreement.

• Charter teams are held to a minimum performance standard. If a Charter team finishes in the bottom three of the owner standings among all 36 Charter teams for three consecutive years, NASCAR has a right to remove the charter.

• Teams may sell their Charters on the open market.

• Organizations now have a hard cap of four cars; there will be no fifth car for rookie drivers.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Staff Report

NASCAR revealed in February 2016 which race teams own the sport’s 36 Charters. Each Charter team owner has a guaranteed entry into the field of every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race.

The table below shows the initial Charters (which were awarded following the 2015 season), and updates some of the Charters for 2017.

Listed by historical inception of race team entity, then numerical

*HScott Motorsports reached agreement with Premium Motorsports for use of its Charter in 2016. This Charter was eventually sold to Furniture Row Racing for its second team, the No. 77.

** Michael Waltrip Racing sold its two Charters to the No. 19 of Joe Gibbs Racing and the No. 41 of Stewart-Haas Racing.
***Near the end of the 2016 season, Tommy Baldwin Racing sold its Charter to Leavine Family Racing.
****Roush Fenway Racing will lease the No. 16 Charter to JTG Daugherty Racing‘s newly formed second team (No. 37) in 2017.
*****HScott Motorsports‘ No. 15 Charter was sold to Premium Motorsports for 2017.
******Go Fas Racing is leasing the No. 32 Charter to the No. 21 team of Wood Brothers Racing.
*******Richard Petty Motorsports is leasing the No. 44 Charter to the No. 32 team of Go Fas Racing.

NASCAR Charter Teams

2015 Car #	2016 Car #	Organization
43	43	Richard Petty Motorsports
9	44*******	Richard Petty Motorsports
3	3	Richard Childress Racing
27	27	Richard Childress Racing
31	31	Richard Childress Racing
2	2	Team Penske
22	22	Team Penske
5	5	Hendrick Motorsports
24	24	Hendrick Motorsports
48	48	Hendrick Motorsports
88	88	Hendrick Motorsports
6	6	Roush Fenway Racing
16	16****	Roush Fenway Racing
17	17	Roush Fenway Racing
1	1	Chip Ganassi Racing
42	42	Chip Ganassi Racing
11	11	Joe Gibbs Racing
18	18	Joe Gibbs Racing
20	20	Joe Gibbs Racing
15	19/41**	Michael Waltrip Racing
55	19/41**	Michael Waltrip Racing
4	4	Stewart-Haas Racing
10	10	Stewart-Haas Racing
14	14	Stewart-Haas Racing
78	78	Furniture Row Racing
35	34	Front Row Motorsports
38	38	Front Row Motorsports
47	47	JTG Daugherty Racing
7	7***	Tommy Baldwin Racing
13	13	Germain Racing
32	32******	Go Fas Racing
23	23	BK Racing
83	83	BK Racing
62	46*	Premium Motorsports
33	95	Circle Sport Racing
51	15*****	HScott Motorsports

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Zack Albert

Representatives for Stewart-Haas Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing said Tuesday afternoon that their teams are in the final stages of acquiring Charters from the former Michael Waltrip Racing organization.

The news comes shortly after Rob Kauffman — chairman of the Race Team Alliance, a coalition of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams — indicated that the Stewart-Haas No. 41 team (with driver Kurt Busch) and the Gibbs No. 19 team (with driver Carl Edwards) were likely in the late stages of negotiations for the two available Charters.

“I think it’s very likely JGR and Stewart‑Haas will probably be acquiring those in the not‑too‑distant future,” Kauffman said during Tuesday’s presentation, where major changes to the ownership structure in stock-car racing’s premier series were unveiled.

Kauffman added that the transactions would need to be completed before the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 21. According to the terms of the nine-year agreement, any transfer of Charter ownership would require approval by NASCAR.

MORE: NASCAR’s 36 Charter teams

A representative for SHR said Tuesday afternoon that “Stewart-Haas Racing will have four Charters and that process is nearly complete.” NASCAR granted Charters to the organization’s other three teams — No. 4 (with driver Kevin Harvick), No. 10 (Danica Patrick) and No. 14 (Tony Stewart).

A Joe Gibbs Racing representative said Tuesday afternoon that it was “just a matter of finalizing the transaction” that would bring a Charter to the No. 19 entry. The Toyota organization was issued Charters for its remaining three teams — No. 11 (Denny Hamlin), No. 18 (defending series champion Kyle Busch) and No. 20 (Matt Kenseth).

Kauffman was co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing from October 2007 until last season, when the organization closed its doors. NASCAR granted charters to MWR’s two full-time teams (No. 15 and No. 55), both of which met the performance-based eligibility qualifications to become one of the series’ 36 Charter teams.

MORE: Fast facts about Charter system

Kauffman became a part-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates last summer.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 9, 2016) — During a historic event held today in Charlotte, N.C., NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France joined with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owners to announce a landmark long-term agreement that provides teams with increased business certainty and the ability to work more closely with NASCAR to produce best-in-class racing.

In effect as the 2016 NASCAR season prepares to kick off this weekend, the new Charter system addresses three key areas — participation, governance and economics — to promote a more predictable, sustainable and valuable team business model. The agreement grants NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Charters to 36 teams, establishes a Team Owner Council that will have formal input into decisions, and provides Charter teams with new revenue opportunities including a greater interest in digital operations.

“Today represents a landmark change to the business model of team ownership in NASCAR,” France said. “The Charter agreements provide nine years of stability for NASCAR and the teams to focus on growth initiatives together with our track partners, auto manufacturers, drivers and sponsors. The Charters also are transferable, which will aid in the development of long-term enterprise value for Charter members.”

The system affords Charter teams that remain in good standing more predictable revenue over the nine years of the agreement. Along with improved financial certainty, the new framework is designed to increase the long-term market value of teams and provide the ability to plan farther ahead with existing, new and prospective partners.

Similar to the five-year sanctioning agreements that NASCAR begins with tracks in 2016, team owner Charter agreements allow for longer planning cycles around competition, innovation, digital marketing, governance and research and development.

“The new Charter program strengthens each of our businesses individually and the team model as a whole, which is good for NASCAR, our fans, drivers, sponsors and the thousands of people who we employ,” said Rob Kauffman, co-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing. “This will give us more stability and predictability, and it will allow us to take a more progressive, long-term approach to issues.

“NASCAR and the teams share a desire to preserve, promote and grow the sport and ultimately produce great racing for our fans and partners. These common goals served as the foundation for discussions and helped bring us to this unprecedented agreement. This is a great step forward for the entire sport made possible by Brian France setting a new course for the NASCAR industry and the owners coming together on shared issues. Everyone involved then compromised a bit to be able to come up with something that worked for all.”

Each Charter team owner has a guaranteed entry into the field of every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race. To maintain the historical openness of NASCAR racing, the balance of the field will be open for team owners who do not hold Charters. These Open team owners will compete for the remaining starting spots and positions in the race, as each event in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ starting lineup shifts in 2016 to a 40-car field.

“The new team owner agreements will offer a more appealing environment for both current and prospective team owners at the NASCAR premier series level,” France said. “I’ve always stressed that if we can do things to improve the business of our stakeholders, we will pursue it. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished today with this agreement.”

NASCAR Charter teams

(Listed by historical inception of race team entity, then numerical)
*HScott Motorsports reached agreement with Premium Motorsports for use of its Charter in 2016.

** Michael Waltrip Racing sold its two Charters to the No. 19 team of Joe Gibbs Racing and the No. 41 team of Stewart-Haas Racing.

2015 Car #	2016 Car #	Organization
43	43	Richard Petty Motorsports
9	44	Richard Petty Motorsports
3	3	Richard Childress Racing
27	27	Richard Childress Racing
31	31	Richard Childress Racing
2	2	Team Penske
22	22	Team Penske
5	5	Hendrick Motorsports
24	24	Hendrick Motorsports
48	48	Hendrick Motorsports
88	88	Hendrick Motorsports
6	6	Roush Fenway Racing
16	16	Roush Fenway Racing
17	17	Roush Fenway Racing
1	1	Chip Ganassi Racing
42	42	Chip Ganassi Racing
11	11	Joe Gibbs Racing
18	18	Joe Gibbs Racing
20	20	Joe Gibbs Racing
15	19/41**	Michael Waltrip Racing
55	19/41**	Michael Waltrip Racing
4	4	Stewart-Haas Racing
10	10	Stewart-Haas Racing
14	14	Stewart-Haas Racing
78	78	Furniture Row Racing
35	34	Front Row Motorsports
38	38	Front Row Motorsports
47	47	JTG Daugherty Racing
7	7	Tommy Baldwin Racing
13	13	Germain Racing
32	32	Go Fas Racing
23	23	BK Racing
83	83	BK Racing
62	46*	Premium Motorsports
33	95	Circle Sport Racing
51	15	HScott Motorsports

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Pat DeCola

Kevinharvick

-1

Given his overall success and tendency to have his car out front in 2015, the 2014 Sprint Cup Series champion Harvick is in the best position to start 2016.

KyleBusch

‘Rowdy’ is right up there with Harvick in terms of title favorites, as well. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver took momentous leaps forward in 2015 and should continue to win races at an elevated rate.

MORE: First title tip of the iceberg for Busch, Stevens

JimmieJohnson

Despite five wins, 2015 was an uncharacteristic year for “Six-Time.” There’s no reason to think issues will plague the No. 48 team, the strongest over the past decade by far, two seasons in a row.

Joeylogano

Like Busch, Logano took huge steps forward in his maturation and on-track finesse, resulting in six wins — a series-high in 2015. He’s a safe bet to be among those racing for a title at Homestead.

MORE: No. 22 crew chief gives insight to new Ford Fusion

BradKeselowski

Keselowski is on a sort of alternating strong years plan (2012: five wins, series title; 2013: one win, missed Chase; 2014: series-high six wins; 2015: one win). By that standard, he’s in for a successful 2016 campaign.

MORE: With performance in hand, ‘16 time to execute for Kes

DaleEarnhardt Jr.

-1

Last season went about as well or better than expected in Earnhardt’s first season with new crew chief Greg Ives. With a full season under their belts and a sense of urgency at Hendrick Motorsports, look for Junior to pick up multiple wins in 2016.

MORE: Retirement? Not on Junior’s radar

Mattkenseth

As the driver with the most stability at Joe Gibbs Racing in terms of crew chief and crew, Kenseth should continue being among the strongest competitors on the track week in and week out.

MORE: Kenseth on Vegas tire test

DennyHamlin

-1

Hamlin appears to be completely at ease and thrilled with his new crew chief Mike Wheeler, a familiar face for the No. 11 driver. We saw how a similar situation worked out for his JGR teammate, Kyle Busch, and first-year crew chief Adam Stevens in 2015.

MORE: Hamlin, Wheeler come full circle with pairing

Martintruex jr

-1

Truex is an interesting case for 2016, coming off his best season ever, but his one-car organization will be taking on a manufacturer switch to Toyota. Furniture Row Racing has an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, however, which should pay dividends.

MORE: Furniture Row move to Toyota eased by JGR

Kurtbusch

-3

After a rough start to the season off the track, Busch turned things around to have his best season in years after clicking with crew chief Tony Gibson. Things should continue in 2016.

MORE: SHR zeroes in on digital dash

Carledwards

-3

Edwards was certainly no slouch in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing, but the team still chose to give his No. 19 team a new crew chief. It could certainly pay off, but we’ll have to take a wait-and-see approach.

MORE: JGR reveals fresh paint scheme for Edwards

Kylelarson

This has to be Larson’s year, right? If the talented Chip Ganassi Racing prospect doesn’t make significant gains in 2016, it will be tough to keep labeling him as such with so many skilled, young drivers coming into the series.

MORE: Larson ready for bounce-back with new crew chief

Kaseykahne

Kahne had just his fourth winless season in 2015 and it has been a decade since his last season with more than two victories, but it still doesn’t feel like he’s done winning races yet. I think.

MORE: Hendrick Motorsports 2016 Team Preview

Jamiemcmurray

McMurray wasn’t exceptional in 2015, but did enough to warrant his first career Chase berth. If he can find Victory Lane for the first time since 2013, it will be a good season for the No. 1 team.

MORE: McMurray, McCall eye gains in Year 2

Ryannewman

-2

If Newman’s recent history is any indication, he’ll have around five top-five finishes, roughly 15 top-10s and will make the Chase with either one win or on points. Or he could win the title. Never can tell with Newman.

ChaseElliott

This seems like a good ranking to slot the kid in. Many expect Elliott, in a strong car, to be competitive from the start. He’ll be good, but there will certainly be speed bumps along the way.

MORE: Elliott gears up for rookie season

AustinDillon

Dillon is in a similar position to Larson, where results have yet to meet expectations. The Richard Childress Racing driver showed promise toward the end of last season and the former XFINITY Series champion could continue that in ’16.

MORE: Dillon heads into ‘16 with ‘something to prove’

Greg Biffle

The series’ oldest full-time driver (two years older than Jeff Gordon, even) is still chugging along for a Roush Fenway Racing team that took a huge step back in 2015. RFR will look to Biffle to lead them to better heights in ’16.

Aricalmirola

Almirola failed to make the Chase in 2015 after clinching his first appearance a season prior. The team appears to be re-invigorated now and the No. 43 squad could be a solid Chase sleeper this year.

MORE: Confident Almirola eyes return to Chase

ClintBowyer

-3

Bowyer’s 2016 is the definition of a bridge year, as he makes a one-season stop at HScott Motorsports before inhabiting the No. 14 Chevrolet from the retiring Tony Stewart. A win would be nice, but he hasn’t had one since 2012 and spent the past three seasons in a better ride.

Paulmenard

-3

A first time Chase participant in 2015, Menard will have to put his best efforts forward to repeat the task in 2016, and even that might not be enough with a stacked field.

Chrisbuescher

Buescher, the reigning XFINITY Series champion, has the talent to rise from here, but may not see his results reflect that until he’s in a stronger ride. Still, expect some flashy performances at times from the ’16 rookie.

RickyStenhouse Jr.

If you’re looking for a solid Chase sleeper, here he is. Stenhouse really picked things up at the tail end of 2015 and his fourth season in the Cup Series should show what he’s really made of.

Ajallmendinger

Allmendinger missed the Chase last year, leading to a crew chief change. With Randall Burnett and a new director of competition, Ernie Cope, in tow, things could pick up for the No. 47 team.

DanicaPatrick

Patrick needs to perform this year, plain and simple. Her fourth year of full-time Cup competition should be the one where she shows if she’s capable of winning.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Nascar

Had it not been for a phone call from James Finch, Chase Elliott might not be making his Sprint Cup debut as a fulltime driver in the No. 24 Chevrolet of four-time champion and recently retired-from-driving Jeff Gordon in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series this season because it was Finch, the former team owner, who brought Elliott, son of 1988 series champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame member Bill Elliott, to the attention of one Rick Hendrick.

Or, as Hendrick stated simply: “My talent scout alerted me.”

Hendrick and Finch are long-time pals, and Phoenix Racing, the one-time Finch-owned NASCAR organization, purchased its chassis and engines from Hendrick Motorsports. The business side of the relationship continued after Finch sold the team to Harry Scott; Phoenix Racing became HScott Motorsports and Finch became a “former owner.”

But back to Elliott …

“He (Finch) called me and said ‘Have you seen this Elliott kid drive?” Hendrick said. “I said, ‘He’s not old enough.’

“James said, ‘He’s racing; he’s 14 and racing these guys like Kyle (Busch).’

“Then when I met (Chase) and talked to him, I was just super impressed.”

That was six years ago and Hendrick, who has won premier series championships with three different drivers, was impressed enough to revive a dormant development program and support a youngster who had neither a driver’s license nor a shaving kit but apparently could drive the wheels off a Late Model car.

“I said I wasn’t ever going to do that again,” Hendrick said of the undertaking. “The last time I had a driver development program, I had like three (drivers) and we put on 51 clips in a season. I said ‘that’s enough for me.'”

WATCH: Hendrick team previews 2016 season

Officials within the Hendrick organization questioned the move. They reminded Hendrick of his prior decision and the rising tide of costs that resulted from the previous effort.

But the boss wouldn’t be swayed.

“I’m glad I made the investment,” Hendrick said. “When he got in that (XFINITY) car and started outrunning everybody, then they were taking the credit and I said, ‘wait, you are the same guys that said I was stupid for doing it.'”

The XFINITY entry was fielded by JR Motorsports, which is co-owned by Hendrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller.

What to know about HMS: Drivers for the organization have won 11 premier series championships and a staggering 240 races. Gordon’s departure from the driver’s seat opened the door for Elliott, who will join teammates Jimmie Johnson, Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne this season. It’s the first driver change at HMS since 2012 when Kahne joined the organization, replacing veteran Mark Martin in the No. 5 Chevrolet.

RELATED: See some of the new looks for 2016

For Elliott, the comparisons to Gordon are inevitable.

Hendrick said he believes Elliott is as good now as Gordon was when he joined HMS in late 1992.

“I’ve never seen a young guy mature as quickly as he has and handle pressure the way he has,” Hendrick said. “The raw talent; he’s special, that’s all I can say. Jeff wrecked a lot of cars his first year. But Jeff was fast, unbelievably fast.”

What to know about Elliott: He’s 20, and not only has a driver’s license but a pilot’s license as well. At JRM, he won the 2014 XFINITY Series championship and finished second last season. His father won 44 premier series races in addition to the ’88 crown.

RELATED: Elliott soars to new heights — literally

While he is appreciative of his team owner’s confidence, the younger Elliott stiff-arms the notion that he’s as good now as Gordon was then.

“I think Jeff was light years ahead of most everybody at 20, 25,” he said. “I’m going to let the boss say that … but I disagree.”

He understands the challenges ahead – a longer season and longer races, incredibly talented competition on the track mixed with more obligations outside the car. Daunting? Yes. Overwhelming? No.

Elliott has enjoyed success in each series as his career progressed, the various stops helping to shape his driving style as he honed his talents. The journey also taught him perspective.

“No matter what’s happened in the past or how things have gone for you, that’s no guarantee that things are going to be good for you moving forward,” Elliott said. “I expect a lot of challenges.”

He got a taste of those challenges last season, making five starts for Hendrick Motorsports while continuing to compete full time in the XFINITY Series. The starts came at Martinsville (in March), Richmond (in April), Charlotte (in May), Indianapolis (in July) and Darlington (in September). Elliott finished 16th at Richmond, and inside the top 20 at Charlotte (18th) and Indy (18th) as well.

“They definitely didn’t go as well as I would have wanted them to,” he said. “We had our struggles and I’ll be the first one to take the blame for all of them. I made a lot of mistakes, they were just dumb and (ones) I shouldn’t have made, that I should know better as this point than to do.”

H2H: Who will take home Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in 2016?

Elliott will be paired with crew chief Alan Gustafson, who helped guide Gordon to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup last season. Gustafson’s been around the block a few times, having won with Kyle Busch, Martin and Gordon while at HMS.

Hendrick expects Elliott to be “one of the flag bearers for the sport” within the next decade.

“That Elliott name, his status with the fans – he’s already popular – his talent and the way he handles himself,” he said. “How do you get to be 18, go out and win a championship and not get cocky, not get smart or just get your head bigger than it ought to be? That showed me a lot.

“He came back after winning (the XFINITY title) as humble or more humble than he was, but confident. That’s pretty special.”

Humility seems to be a trait rather than an option. If Elliott is sometimes too quick to shoulder all the blame for miscues, mishaps and less-than-expected results, he’s been just as quick to praise those around him for his success and his continued progression.

“Growing up I’ve had such good people around me, whether it was go-kart days, short-track Late Model racing days, to the XFINITY side and being amongst this great organization and great team,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for better people since day one.

“I think that’s the biggest thing. All those people deserve the credit, because without all of them I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I think a lot of them have made me look a lot better than I am over the years. I’m just very fortunate to have this chance.”