Posted on by Holly Cain

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Looking very proper, dressed in a navy suit and tie, Matt Kenseth was also very revealing and honest during his availability during the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour Tuesday morning.

When asked about his well publicized dust-up with young driver Joey Logano late last season — which resulted in a two-race suspension for Kenseth for intentionally wrecking Logano in the Martinsville race — the 2003 Cup champion remained steadfast in his views that the young driver wronged him.

But he was equally as adamant that the two star drivers should be ready to put the bad blood behind them, move on and race respectfully. He did not, however, express any regrets.

 

RELATED: Watch the on-track incident

Kenseth said he and Logano spoke at NASCAR’s request during the 2015 Homestead-Miami season finale — Kenseth’s first race back after the suspension — and again later in Las Vegas just in natural, casual interaction.

“NASCAR got us together at Homestead and we talked a little bit, but really didn’t speak about any of this kind of stuff,” Kenseth said. “We spoke briefly in Vegas a couple times.

“Honestly, I’d never had a problem with Joey before that. We’ve always raced well together and I’ve always had a lot of respect for him and felt like he raced me clean before all this stuff went down. Maybe it’s best to put it down and go back to racing each other the way we used to race each other.”

Kenseth, normally considered one of NASCAR’s most mild-mannered, laidback drivers, was not so amicable late last year and his purposeful handling of the situation with Logano both shocked and pleased many.

Feeling Logano intentionally wrecked him at Kansas, Kenseth returned the favor at Martinsville, seriously damaging Logano’s once sure-thing championship fate.

However, Kenseth explained Tuesday, “I’ve got to be honest. I’ve had more fan support in the last three months than I’ve ever had in my life. It’s been unbelievable. And the support is in the garage, fans, even my sponsors, the shop. I’ve had more support than I’ve ever had.

“But this isn’t a popularity contest, it’s about winning. I feel like I have a lot of respect from my organization and my teammates and I feel like I have a lot of respect within the garage. So I’m not going to change who I am, just go out and do my business and some people are going to like it and some people aren’t.”

“I think the way all the circumstances fell, it was something that unfortunately had to be done. If I knew I was going to be suspended I would have figured out how do it differently and be a little sneakier about it to where you didn’t get yourself suspended.”

Kenseth was eager to put the whole situation behind him, but reiterated it was a lesson for both he and Logano. He hoped the young driver understood his stance.

“It depends who you ask (if I did the right thing),” Kenseth said. “Some people will say I did and some will say I didn’t. You know, it’s been an interesting offseason to be honest with you. I’ve gotten more feedback, had more fans approach me this offseason than I have ever in my entire life at just random places you go.

“I haven’t had any guy want to hit me yet.”

Kenseth did concede he’d prefer not to have been in the situation.

“I wish with 10 to go at Kansas he would have figured out a way to pass me without running into me, just like Jimmie (Johnson) did to Brad (Keselowski) the next week at Texas and just like I did to him earlier in the race.

“(At Texas) I wish he’d won and I finished second and he had figured out a way to get around me the right way and we never would have been in that spot. But obviously you can’t go back, so you just put it behind you and move forward.”

Posted on by Holly Cain

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In addressing the promising outlook for the recently completed $400 million Daytona RISING project, International Speedway Corporation Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy suggested Tuesday at the annual NASCAR Media Tour that the sport’s flagship track may be only the beginning for such massive renovations and modernization.

 

She mentioned that ISC tracks Richmond International Raceway and Phoenix International Raceway may be on the horizon for some innovative upgrade projects, too.

 

“It’s so important to continue to modernize these tracks and to be able to bring the modern‑day amenities and comforts into these tracks, and I can tell you that we’re taking a look at Richmond and also in Phoenix, those will probably be some of the next tracks that we look at,” Kennedy said. “We’re always improving tracks across our portfolio, but those are great markets that we need to look at, and also great racing experiences.

 

“I think we can make some great improvements there.”

 

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series started competing on the 1-mile Phoenix International Raceway in 1988 while NASCAR competition at Richmond International Raceway dates back to Lee Petty’s win there in 1953.

Posted on by Holly Cain

RELATED: Learn more about the changes


CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new Chase format for the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series in the upcoming 2016 season headlined NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France’s opening address to the gathered national media at the annual Charlotte Media Tour.

 

More than 200 reporters came together in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in chilly uptown Charlotte on Tuesday hearing first from NASCAR’s leader France, who was buoyed with great expectations for the new season because, he stressed, 2015 was “one of the most exciting seasons ever and the statistics back that up.”

 

France, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell and International Speedway Corporation Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy were the lead speakers sharing updates about NASCAR competition. And in the case of Kennedy, she shared news about the newly completed $400 million Daytona Rising project and suggested that the company’s Richmond and Phoenix tracks may be next up for major renovations along those lines.

 

RELATED: More from Lesa France Kennedy

 

In addition to praising the 2015 season for its productive innovations (Air Titan track dryers and second version of the Chase format) France noted that he expected NASCAR and its owners to iron out a “new charter system” in the near future.

 

“I’m very optimistic we will get a new ownership structure completed,” France said, adding the timeline for completing the project “is sooner rather than later.”

 

“This is a very complicated plan and structure and will require time to phase in many structures of it,” France added. “But I’m optimistic.”

 

France praised both networks televising the Sprint Cup races — FOX and NBC — noting that year one of the two 10-year deals was a success and he gave recently retired champion driver Jeff Gordon a “shout out” as Gordon transitions to the FOX television booth.

 

“While we will miss Jeff on the track, having him explain about racing on the track is the next best thing,” France said, smiling.

 

In addition to taking questions from the gathered reporters, France posed for photos with the newest members of NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” class.

 

The biggest buzz of the morning, however, centered around major changes to the XFINITY and Truck Series formats, specifically adding a “Chase” system to them.

 

O’Donnell shared that the XFINITY championship would include 12 drivers and seven Chase races while the Truck Series title will be decided among eight drivers in seven races.

 

“We have a ton of excitement and are carrying huge momentum for the conclusion of the season,” O’Donnell said. “We expect similar results in the XFINITY Series and Camping World where the focus will be on multiple teams, and as Brian mentioned earlier, they’ve got to go out and win, and that’s what we’re all about as a sport.”

 

Before leaving the stage O’Donnell confirmed that he received “terrific feedback” from drivers participating in the Sprint Cup Series test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and expects the low downforce package  — first used in the second race of the season at Atlanta — to be a positive addition to the sport’s product this year.


RELATED: Drivers discuss Las Vegas test


Kennedy, recently named “The Most Powerful Woman in Sports” by Forbes Magazine, took the Hall of Fame stage to share the positive news about the completed Daytona speedway. It will debut officially with the Jan. 30-31 Rolex 24 at Daytona and make its NASCAR introduction for Speedweeks at the Feb. 13 Sprint Unlimited.

 

It’s not just the world’s most famous NASCAR track that will be attracting fans but the amenities of the facility, now likened more to a true state-of-the-art stadium.

 

“I feel like one of the biggest ‘wow’ factors will be technology and how it’ll be so much more interactive with the fans,” Kennedy said. “I think that you’re going to see, we talked about our new mobile app, for instance, and it’ll give fans the opportunity to go to reward stations and get prizes, all types of interactive events like that. I think they’re going to enjoy it.

 

“We’re also going to have new larger high‑def video screens, so they’re going to feel more up close and personal with the competition, the drivers, and what’s going on at the track. And the one thing I love at Daytona but across all the facilities is that the Wi‑Fi capabilities, and we’ve all been to a stadium where you can’t get out and you can’t communicate out, and we have so many cool things that are going on, I want our fans to be able to be telling everybody what’s happening there during the event, and I think that’s going to be really good for all of us.”

Posted on by Staff Report

Furniture Row Racing announced a sponsorship agreement with Bass Pro Shops for the No. 78 Toyota driven by Martin Truex Jr. during their segment of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour.

The sponsorship is for nine races this season including the season-opening Daytona 500. This is a reunion of sorts for the company and Truex, whose relationship with Bass Pro Shops dates back to his time running in the NASCAR XFINITY Series as well as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (2004-09).

“It’s nice to have Bass Pro Shops back on my race car,” Truex said Tuesday afternoon. “In addition to my passion for fishing, hunting and the outdoors, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is a personal friend and a hunting buddy. With our manufacturer changing to Toyota, our Furniture Row Racing team is positioned to take both companies to Victory Lane and contend for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.”

 

“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with Martin Truex Jr. — a passionate driver and outdoor lover — while further aligning with our friends at Toyota,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. “NASCAR is an excellent platform for Bass Pro Shops and we are pleased to continue our strong alignments with Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon and Jamie McMurray.”

The added sponsor is not the only change for the single-car team based out of Denver, Colorado, in 2016. Last September, Furniture Row Racing announced it was moving to Toyota as its manufacturer and would have a technical alliance with fellow Toyota organization Joe Gibbs Racing.

Truex made the Championship 4 on the heels of his strongest Sprint Cup season to date in 2015. The 35-year-old driver won the June race at Pocono Raceway and recorded a career-best eight top fives and 22 top 10s en route to a fourth-place finish in the standings. The 2016 campaign marks his third season with the team.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR officials on Tuesday announced several changes coming to the sport in 2016. Here’s a quick-hitting look at what they are:
 
• A seven-race elimination-style playoff system is coming to the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2016. | Read more about the big announcement
 
• Twelve drivers qualify for the XFINITY Series playoffs; eight drivers qualify for the Camping World Truck Series playoffs.
 
• Two three-race elimination rounds in the XFINITY Series whittle the postseason field from 12 drivers to eight to four for the finale at Homestead. | Full details on new postseason format
 
• Two three-race elimination rounds in the Truck Series whittle the postseason field from eight drivers to six to four for the finale at Homestead. | How the new-look NCWTS Chase works
 
• A Caution Clock is coming to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. It’s a 20-minute timer that begins when the green flag drops. When time runs out, a caution is called. If a caution occurs before the clock reaches zero, the clock is reset. | Full details of the Caution Clock
 
• The Dash 4 Cash program returns to the XFINITY Series, with tweaks. For D4C events at Bristol, Richmond, Dover and Indianapolis, there will be two heat races to determine who qualifies for the Dash 4 Cash in the main race. | How Dash 4 Cash impacts NXS Chase

Posted on by Staff Report

The Dash 4 Cash returns to the NASCAR XFINITY Series for the 2016 season with changes that coincide with Tuesday’s announcement of the new Chase-style playoff format for the series.

The Dash 4 Cash, which includes cash prizes for winning drivers, will take place at Bristol Motor Speedway (April 16), Richmond International Raceway (April 23), Dover International Speedway (May 14) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 23).

At each of these events there will be two heat races and the winners will compete for the Dash 4 Cash prize in the feature race. Odd-numbered qualifiers will be pitted against each other in one heat race, and even-numbered qualifiers will compete in the other heat race. The top two finishers in each heat race would be the Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers.

Only drivers who are eligible for XFINITY Series points will be eligible to win in the Dash 4 Cash with the grand prize being awarded in the finale at Indianapolis. As an extra incentive, a driver who wins two Dash 4 Cash events will be awarded a spot in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase.

The Dash 4 Cash program has been a highlight of the XFINITY Series season since 2009. Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Daniel Suarez won the 2015 Dash 4 Cash. Suarez took home a check for $100,000 on Sept. 5 at Darlington Raceway.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR made some major announcements on Tuesday morning. The big news being that the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be adopting the Chase-elimination style format that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has used the past two seasons.

RELATED: Learn all about the Chase format | Fast facts about the changes

On top of that, the Dash 4 Cash program will have a new-look to it in the XFINITY Series and a Caution Clock is being unveiled in the Camping World Truck Series.

MORE: Dash 4 Cash gets new look for ’16 | Caution Clock comes to Truck Series

After the announcement, drivers took to social media to react to the news. 

Posted on by Staff Report

SHOP: Get ‘Batman v. Superman’ NASCAR gear

Superman vs. Batman? Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have picked their respective sides.

Two months before the much-anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie is released, Hendrick Motorsports unveiled a pair of special paint schemes that Six-Time and Junior will run at Auto Club Speedway on March 20.

Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet will maintain its blue color, but with a bright red Superman logo on the hood. Earnhardt’s No. 88 Nationwide Chevy gets a gray look with the bat symbol on the hood.

Here’s a trailer via Hendrick Motorsports:

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Full Charlotte Media Tour schedule | Fast facts: All changes coming in 2016

The 2016 NASCAR season is upon us. 

Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour is here, kicking off with Toyota Tuesday. Be sure to follow along by tuning into today’s press conferences.


NASCAR.com will also be keeping a live blog covering all the Media Tour news. So, check back right here for periodic updates throughout the day.


5 p.m. ET

FOX Sports NASCAR announcers on stage. We see you, “Four-time”.



4:15 p.m. ET

Next up at Charlotte Media Day is FOX Sports at 5 p.m. ET. | Watch here


3:35 p.m. ET

Take a look at Martin Truex Jr.’s 2016 ride.



3:22 p.m. ET

Furniture Row Racing announces its deal with Bass Pro Shops for 2016 | READ: Furniture Row lands Bass Pro sponsorship



3:16 p.m. ET

Furniture Row Racing takes the stage.

1:59 p.m. ET

Check out a Periscope stream of Joe Gibbs Racing‘s break-out sessions here. Next up is Furniture Row Racing at 3:15 p.m. ET. | Watch here


1:50 p.m. ET

Joe Gibbs Racing shares a cool photo of its drivers from 25 years ago, when the racing team orginiated.



1:31 p.m. ET



12:28 p.m. ET

Stay tuned — Joe Gibbs Racing coming up at 1:30 p.m. ET. | Watch here


12:01 p.m. ET

Renovations coming for two of NASCAR’s most unique tracks.



11:55 a.m ET

Full details on the new Caution Clock here.


11:52 a.m. ET

Now, this … this is exciting.

11:40 a.m. ET

Cut to The Chase. Hey, that’s pretty good.


11:25 a.m. ET

Safety first.


11:22 a.m. ET

Major news. XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series shifting to Chase elimination format for 2016. Full details here | Watch: NXS, NCWTC get Chase format


11:15 a.m. ET

Can’t. Wait.


11:10 a.m. ET

And all signs point to 2016 being even more exciting.


11:05 a.m. ET

First look at your 2016 XFINITY Series championship winning team?


11:02 a.m. ET

Green flag on Charlotte Media Tour.


10:58 a.m. ET

Gotta stay fresh.


10:50 a.m. ET

Who’s ready? We’re ready.


10:41 a.m. ET

Gotta be one of the coolest paint scheme promotions we’ve seen in the past few years. #HeroFaceOff



10:30 a.m. ET

It’s not even lunchtime yet. Get it together, ‘casm.


10:23 a.m. ET

Ah, picture day. Hope Mom remembered to pack a comb in everybody’s backpacks.


10:17 a.m. ET

Hendrick Motorsports announced some pretty cool paint schemes for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson before the festivities even got underway. Check ’em out.


10:15 a.m. ET

Kicking us off with a few links courtesy of @NASCAR to get you in the Charlotte Media Tour mood. Stay tuned for more.


Posted on by Zack Albert

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Denny Hamlin said Tuesday that he’s roughly 50 percent recovered from offseason knee surgery, but that the relatively lengthy healing process should not hinder his readiness for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
 
Hamlin, 35, underwent successful surgery Nov. 30 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing basketball in early September. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who competed in the final 11 races of the season without an absence, said his recovery was still a “day by day” process.
 
“I’m not where I want or should be right now, but I’m getting there, like every day,” Hamlin said during the Joe Gibbs Racing portion of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. “I went on vacation and that kind of set me back a little bit and then now I’m starting to get back in the groove of things.”
 
Hamlin said the method of surgery differed from an ACL operation he underwent on his left knee during the 2010 season. He added that while the style of surgery may make him stronger in the long run, the short-term recovery process might be more drawn out.
 
With little more than three weeks before cars hit the track at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the Feb. 21 Daytona 500 (1 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Hamlin said he wasn’t worried about any sort of delay for the start of his season.
 
“There’s no concern about Daytona,” Hamlin said. “I definitely could get in a car and do what I need to do right now. I think the challenge for me would probably be getting in the car, (that) would probably be the toughest part, but I was able to get in one at JGR last week, so I think everything will be fine. It’s just once I get my range of motion back, it’ll be fine. I’d say 50 percent’s probably fair.”

 

Coach Joe Gibbs, Hamlin’s car owner since his Sprint Cup debut in 2005, also struck a positive note. “I think it’s been a lot slower coming back, but I think he feels good about it,” Gibbs said. “We don’t see any issues, so he should be ready to go at Daytona.” 

 

The recuperation process did have an unintended side effect, halting an opportunity for Hamlin to compete in his first Rolex 24 at Daytona, the star-studded opening race for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Hamlin was in line to join part-time NASCAR competitors Boris Said and Kenny Habul in the Stevenson Motorsports Audi R8 LMS entry for the 24-hour sports car race Jan. 30-31. 

 

“I was closer than what Joe was willing to think I was,” Hamlin said with a grin. “I think I was going to run it, I’d verbally told someone I was going to run it, but then Joe reminded me and he talked to my doctor and said that I just wasn’t ready to do it. I agree with them. I needed some more time to get ready for the season, and when you have the Rolex 24 and driver changes and you’ve got to get in and out real fast, I just wasn’t ready for that.”