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Who has the best pit crew heading into the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

Pit stops are going to be huge this weekend at Homestead and we’re here to evaluate the four remaining crews. Below is a list of all the guys on the teams as well as an overview of how their seasons have gone so far.

Stewart-Haas Racing (Kevin Harvick)
Pit Coach: Joe Piette

Front Changer: Ira Joe Hussey
Front Carrier: Todd Drakulich
Jack Man: Mike Casto
Rear Changer: Daniel Smith
Rear Carrier: Mike Morneau
Gas Man: Justin White

Summary: This crew is the best pit crew in the finals. It has been good all year and has tons of veteran talent. As a group, they understand pressure, and this time last year they were preparing for their eventual first championship. They have all the tools to be successful again this year if given the opportunity to pit for a win.  

Joe Gibbs Racing (Kyle Busch)
Pit Coach: Mike Lepp

Front Changer: Josh Leslie
Front Carrier: Brad Donaghy
Jack Man: Jeff Fender
Rear Changer: Jake Seminara
Rear Carrier: Kenny Barber
Gas Man: Tom Lampe

Summary: This crew is good and has been getting better each week. It has the ability to gain spots every caution if it is given the right opportunities. Near the beginning of the Chase the crew lost longtime front changer Nick Odell to the No. 24 team. Replacement Josh Leslie was thrown into action and has done a good job. Don’t forget, this group has been with Kyle since he came to JGR, so winning would mean a lot to this group. This is probably one of the best high-pressure pit crews of the last five years. This weekend will be the time to prove it.

Hendrick Motorsports (Jeff Gordon)
Pit Coach: Chris Burkey

Front Changer: Nick Odell
Front Carrier: Dion Williams
Jack Man: John Giannotto
Rear Changer: Chad Avritt
Rear Carrier: Jared Erspamer
Gas Man: Travis Gordon

Summary: This team has been up-and-down all year. There has been lots of change since the beginning of the year and it’s not clear it has helped. When the season started, the crew replaced longtime rear carrier Gene Cornwell with Erspamer. After that, more changes came at the jack man position as well as the front changer position. They also tooled around with a new front tire carrier before settling with veteran Williams. All in all, this team has talent but hasn’t shown it can pit with the top teams. This weekend it could put all that to rest and help send a champion out in a storybook ending.

Furniture Row Racing (Martin Truex Jr.)
Pit Coach: Walt Smith

Front Changer: Dave Collins
Front Carrier: Craig Curione
Jack Man: Carey Wimbish
Rear Changer: Kyle Turner
Rear Carrier: Adam Mosher
Gas Man: Brian Dheel

Summary: This team had one of the fastest averages of the race two weeks ago in Texas. It has the ability to go fast, but just like in Texas, when a wheel was coming loose on the last run, it always seems to find a way to hurt itself. Truex is going to need help this weekend at Homestead. If this group pits like it did in Texas — minus the wheel coming loose — they have a chance to help win a championship. This is a great group of guys who have many years on pit road. Finding the right chemistry and rhythm is key to a good crew, and this team might have found theirs.

For more pit crew news, visit PitTalks.com

Posted on by Staff Report

When it comes to big NASCAR fun, it’s hard to beat Talladega Superspeedway, the 2.66-mile-long track that is the longest oval on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit.

Making it even larger than life for a select few NASCAR fans was being on hand as a DraftKings VIP for the October CampingWorld.com 500 during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

“Thanks to DraftKings for an unforgettable weekend at Talladega,” wrote DraftKings VIP Crystalbil. “The VIP experience was just that, VIP. My father and I had infield parking, all access to the pits and garages, we even sat on the pit wall during Sprint Cup qualifiers. We got to talk with pit crews about tires and pit box setup. … The people were great at DraftKings putting together a weekend my father and I will never forget. They made it easy to feel like the king of the track.”

Besides behind-the-scenes access to pit road, DraftKings VIPs also got a chance to experience Talladega like never before.

“From doing laps at 130 mph-plus on the banks of Talladega, in a pace car, to sitting up front in the drivers’ meeting, DraftKings has you covered,” wrote VIP lgbowling2. “They will show you how cars go through inspection, a tour of the garage and up close for driver introductions. Keep your eyes out, as you never know who will be in attendance that day.”

Terry Morris and his wife Cricket were especially impressed by the attention paid to them by DraftKings hosts.

“I have been a NASCAR fan for many years and we were treated like VIPs,” Morris said. “We were picked up at the parking lot by your team and escorted from each event. We had a hoot. We loved the pace car ride at Talladega. I have a greater respect for all NASCAR drivers. … Then, we were there for driver introductions with a special opportunity to take pictures with Martin Truex Jr.”

You too could share a similar experience at an upcoming NASCAR race by playing DraftKings. Not familiar with DraftKings? It’s a daily fantasy sports game that allows players to experience a one-of-kind event experience as DraftKings has access to a direct data feed from NASCAR Digital Media that contains real-time stats.

In each game, participants are assigned a fixed salary cap they can use to draft their entire roster, comprised of five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. Scoring categories in DraftKings NASCAR daily fantasy sports games include finishing position, fastest laps, laps led and place differential.

NASCAR games on DraftKings provides fans the opportunity to win one-of-a-kind NASCAR prizes and VIP experiences.

More information on DraftKings NASCAR daily fantasy sports games is available at www.draftkings.com.

Editor’s note: The views expressed in this story pertaining to the DrafttKings VIP experience are solely those of previous winners. 

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Gordon to join FOX’s NASCAR coverage in 2016

 

With just one race remaining until the season’s end, FOX Sports has announced its broadcaster lineup for 2016, which is highlighted by the previous addition of Jeff Gordon as an analyst for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

 

Gordon, who is competing for his fifth Sprint Cup Series championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend before ending his career as a full-time driver, will join play-by-play announcer Mike Joy and analyst Darrell Waltrip.

 

Joy and Waltrip have been in the booth together for 15 years. Former crew chief Larry McReynolds will remain part of the network’s coverage providing in-race analysis. Reporters Jamie Little, Chris Neville, Vince Welch and Matt Yocum will handle pit road duty for the FOX Sports’ 16 Sprint Cup telecasts. FOX will televise 10 races, while FS1 will televise six.

 

Welch will also serve as the new full-time play-by-play announcer for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series after being a part of a rotation for this role in 2015. Welch has been a FOX pit reporter for the Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series races in 2015, and has served in a similar capacity for ABC Sports and ESPN. Analysts Michael Waltrip and Phil Parsons will flank Welch in the booth. Hermie Sadler, Kaitlyn Vincie and Yocum will handle pit road reporting in that series. FS1 is broadcasting 22 of the 23 Truck races and FOX has the October race at Talladega.

 

The network also announced Adam Alexander and Michael Waltrip will continue to team together for the FOX Sports’ portion of the XFINITY Series schedule, along with a rotation of drivers from the Sprint Cup Series. Neville, Sadler, Little, Welch and Yocum will alternate to cover pit road for this series.

NASCAR RaceDay, FS1’s prerace show for Sprint Cup races, will return with Chris Myers, Danielle Trotta and John Roberts sharing the hosting duties. Analysts Kenny Wallace, Jeff Hammond and Wally Dallenbach as well as reporters Alan Cavanna, Andrew Doud and Vincie. Trotta will host NASCAR RaceDay-XFINITY with McReynolds and Wallace as analysts while Roberts will host NCWTS SetUp with two-time series champion Todd Bodine providing insight and features reports from Ray Dunlap.

NASCAR Race Hub will air live at 6 p.m. ET every Monday through Thursday on FS1 with Alexander, Trotta and Roberts co-hosting the hour-long program. McReynolds, Hammond and Dallenbach will serve as analysts as will a rotation of active drivers and crew chiefs. Cavanna, Doud and Vincie will have daily reports from around the circuit, while Dunlap will have Truck Series feature reports and analysis. There will be a weekend edition of the program on Friday and Saturday with at-track updates as well as NASCAR Victory Lane to recap each Sprint Cup Series race.

Posted on by Staff Report

LEARN MORE: About Bing
PLAY NOW: Play The Chase Grid Battle Game Powered by Bing


Four Chase drivers will fight for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the season finale Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Bing returns for the season-ending event with Championship 4 predictions, determining who has the best chance at Victory Lane of Chase contenders Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr.

Harvick remains Bing Predicts’ favorite to win the title, having been their predicted winner since the beginning of the Chase. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver’s 2015 consistency and recent finishes at Homestead — he won at the Florida track last season to clinch the title — bode well for the reigning series champion.

Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Busch retains his spot as Bing Predicts’ No. 2 pick. While Busch’s average finish of 23.1 at Homestead hurts his chances, his winning record at similar tracks (13 wins at tracks 1-to-2 miles in length) and improved performances since the opening round of the Chase keep him at Bing’s No. 2.

Bing acknowledges Gordon’s strong final season and Truex’s impressive performance as the dark horse, but calculates that Harvick’s and Busch’s recent finishes ultimately play in their favor for the title.

The finale will take place on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. ET (NBC, MRN, SiriusXM) at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In addition to helping you win the NASCAR Chase Grid Battle game, Bing also wants to send you on a trip of a lifetime to celebrate the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup champion. Now you can enter a sweepstakes through Bing Rewards for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week.

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2015) — As The Championship 4 get ready to race for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy at Homestead-Miami Speedway, preparations are underway in Las Vegas for annual postseason celebrations honoring the eventual 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
 
Running Dec. 1-4, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week will once again bring together the “who’s who” of the racing industry, celebrities and fans for a robust schedule of events featuring the DAYTONA Rising / NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum, the annual NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, and the star-studded NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. Wynn Las Vegas, the premier resort destination in Las Vegas, will serve as headquarters for NASCAR during the week.
 
This year’s events will bring fans closer to their favorite drivers than ever before, featuring special guests and giveaways at The LINQ Promenade, an open-air fan hub offering retail and restaurant options along with the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller. Fans will also get the chance to watch all 16 Chase drivers take their race cars to the streets for NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco, an annual parade down Las Vegas Boulevard featuring burnouts and pre-event festivities.
 
New to the event this year, NBCSN’s Rutledge Wood and television personality Courtney Hansen will host the fan-favorite driver tell-all, NASCAR After The Lap sponsored by Ford and Sprint. In addition, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will debut a revamped Red Carpet walk offering select fans a chance to see many of their favorite drivers before they enter the Awards. Fans can stop by The LINQ Promenade to check out the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week schedule and learn more about how to secure access to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Red Carpet.
 
NBCSN will broadcast this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, with coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the awards show live at 8 p.m. ET.
 
For more information on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, visit www.nascar.com/championsweek.

Following is a rundown of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week activities; all times are Pacific time unless otherwise noted.
 
Tuesday, Dec. 1
NASCAR Live: Eli Gold will sit down with the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion to discuss his road to the championship. NASCAR Live will air from inside the Race and Sports Book at Wynn Las Vegas from 4 – 5 p.m. on Motor Racing Network. This event is free to the public. Fans in attendance will have a chance to participate in the live broadcast.
 
Tuesday – Wednesday, Dec. 1 – 2
DAYTONA Rising / NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum: Part one of the annual DAYTONA Rising / NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum, presented by SportsBusiness Daily/Global/Journal, will bring together industry decision-makers for insights and thought-provoking discussions on the state of motorsports. The event will be held at The Mirage Las Vegas. Media credentials are required and to register click here.
 
Wednesday – Friday, Dec. 2 – 4  
Champion’s Week Live at The LINQ Promenade: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week fan experience will be anchored in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip – Champion’s Week Live at The LINQ Promenade, the ultimate NASCAR fan headquarters. Open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. each day, fans can purchase merchandise of The Challenger 16 at the NASCAR Superstore, get their photo taken with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy and view The Challenger 16 cars on display. For a full list of activities, fans and media can visit www.nascar.com/championsweek.
 
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Fanfest Presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway: A fan-favorite event, the seventh annual LVMS Fanfest will begin at 2 p.m. at the Fremont Street Experience. This event is free to the public and will consist of a red carpet walk by the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Challengers, followed by a special “game show format” event. Select fans may be chosen to participate in an onstage game with the drivers for a chance to win two tickets to the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards held two nights later at Wynn Las Vegas.
 
Thursday, Dec. 3
NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: The annual awards luncheon and industry gathering will take place from 11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. in the Encore Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas, where several team and individual awards will be presented. Hosted by FOX Sports personality Mike Joy, the event will be live-streamed on www.NASCAR.com.
 
NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco: Fans can catch their favorite driver during pre-race introductions hosted by FOX Sports reporter Jamie Little at 2:45 p.m. The green flag on the Victory Lap will fly at 3:30 p.m. when the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers parade down Las Vegas Boulevard in their race cars. NASCAR Victory Lap will start in front of the Miracle Mile Shops and finish at The LINQ. For a full list of where each driver will participate in burnouts, fans can visit The LINQ Promenade earlier in the week. The event will be simulcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and www.NASCAR.com.
 
NASCAR After The Lap sponsored by Ford and Sprint: A must-see event, NASCAR After The Lap sponsored by Ford and Sprint will take place from 5 – 6:30 p.m. at The Pearl Theater inside Palms Casino Resort. All 16 Chase Challengers will appear on stage and give fans behind-the-scenes info about their lives on and off the track. The event will be simulcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and www.NASCAR.com.
 
Friday, Dec. 4
Championship Year in Review: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host Claire B. Lang will be joined live from 1-3 p.m. by the championship winning driver, owner, crew chief and other crew members in an exclusive two-hour retrospective on their championship-winning season.
 
2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: This black-tie celebration will be held at Wynn Las Vegas, where the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver and owner and the other Chase drivers will be honored. The drivers and stars will walk the Red Carpet from 4 – 5 p.m. NBCSN will broadcast this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, with coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the awards show live at 8 p.m. ET.

Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide Reveal: The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide will be given to an outstanding volunteer who has made a profound impact on children in his or her community. The NASCAR Foundation will announce the national award winner during this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and donate $100,000 to the winner’s chosen charity. Fans can cast their vote for the 2015 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner by visiting www.NASCAR.com/award before 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 3.

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RELATED: Gordon reveals final paint scheme

Paying a special tribute to Jeff Gordon‘s final ride in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend, the HMS team has collectively decided to run the famous “Jeff Gordon yellow” car numbers on Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne‘s Chevrolets as well.

“As (Gordon) drives the No. 24 for the last time this weekend, we want to do something special with all of our teams,” Rick Hendrick said in a video released Tuesday on Twitter. “So our drivers and partners have gotten together to run the familiar ‘Jeff Gordon yellow’ for all of our car numbers at Homestead

“We’re excited to see those cars united on the track as a way to honor Jeff and support his run for a fifth championship.” 

 

Each team took to Twitter to share photos of the yellow car numbers.

And in the spirit of honoring the four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and future Hall of Famer, Sports Illustrated released a look at its cover for this week’s publication, too.

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In just three short days, the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion will be crowned — and for perhaps the first time in Truck Series history champagne will not be sprayed during the champ’s celebration. 



Why’s that? Because the two drivers gunning for the title, Erik Jones and Tyler Reddick, are both just 19 years old — making the future 2015 champion, whoever it is, the youngest in Truck Series history.



“It’s cool to have the opportunity to win both Rookie of the Year and the championship in the same season,” Jones said during a Tuesday teleconference.



Leading the tight standings battle, Jones is going into Homestead-Miami Speedway 19 points ahead of Reddick. Jones has never made a Truck Series start at Homestead, while Reddick has one under his belt when he finished sixth in 2014.



Both of the young drivers have had a lot of influence from NASCAR’s Sprint Cup star Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch, as Reddick drives for Brad Keselowski Racing and Jones for Kyle Busch Motorsports.



“The biggest thing for me (to get adjusted to) has been the short tracks,” Reddick said. “When I first came into this deal I had very minimal short-track experience. Coming from the dirt racing world I had to unlearn everything and then learn it again. I’ve leaned a lot on Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney.” 



And just as Keselowski has been a mentor to Reddick, Kyle Busch has done the same for his phenom. 



“I’ve leaned a lot on Kyle, trying to figure out how to be better at the mile-and-a-half tracks,” Jones said. “I think we’ve come a long way since 2013, KBM has come a long way.”



Jones recently gained experience behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup Series car, piloting the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota during Matt Kenseth‘s two-race suspension, where he finished 12th and 19th at Texas and Phoenix, respectively. Jones also filled in for Kyle Busch at Kansas this season when the JGR driver was out for injuries. Jones finished 40th there.



Tune in as the Camping World Truck Series takes the Miami track on Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. ET for the Ford EcoBoost 200 (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM).

Posted on by Holly Cain

RELATED: Gordon’s teammates plan tribute | Final 24 paint scheme

 

My first meeting with Jeff Gordon came in Atlanta in 1992, two nights before what would be a sport-changing maiden NASCAR Winston Cup Series start for the then 20-year-old.

I remember he was dressed casually in jeans and yes, sported “that” mustache. I met him as part of a larger group of friends in a bustling Atlanta hotel lobby. He was without a single “handler” and since he knew a couple people in our group, wondered if he could tag along with us. The plan was to do a group dinner then later stop by a sports bar to watch the big fight between Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe.

The young Gordon looked as much like a fan as a driver. You’d never know he competed in NASCAR’s Grand National division. Even less apparent was that he would be making his first big Cup start that weekend, except for the occasional, “Hey Jeff,” which he acknowledged in a downplayed manner.

I still have a large button with a photo of Jeff and a friend of mine after we jokingly convinced the staff at Benihana’s that night it was Gordon’s birthday. It wasn’t, but we got free dessert and the funny button.

I had reported on a lot of IMSA sports car racing leading into this assignment for the Tampa Tribune, but this was my first big Cup race, too. Our primary racing beat writer, Herb Branham, was focusing his weekend coverage on “the big story” — Richard Petty’s last start.

I was to handle the more routine race story topped by the championship. Looking back at it, I discovered that I never even mentioned Gordon in that story. He crashed and finished 31st.

To be perfectly honest, my background was primarily stick-and-ball and I had no idea who Gordon was, especially compared to NASCAR’s bigger names like Petty, Davey Allison, Bill Elliott and Alan Kulwicki, who won the title that weekend.

Just to have a chance at this first big-time racing opportunity, I had to make myself valuable all around to the newspaper. So I offered to stop in Atlanta earlier in the week for a lengthy and candid interview with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s big news, a woman goalie, Manon Rheaume.

Manon was great. But NASCAR was better and 22 years later, I’m still here.

I remember congratulating Gordon the day after our dinner on his “best of second round qualifying,” but honestly had no idea of the fabulous racing legend this modest, fun, personable young man would become.

He eventually lost the mustache, but never the mojo.


RELATED: Photos of Gordon through the years

 

Gordon is the first major NASCAR champion that I have covered from the very beginning to the very end, which comes with his retirement this weekend after the 2015 season finale in Homestead, Florida — where he stands an impressive 1-in-4 chance to win a fifth title.

And while Gordon has accomplished so much, transformed the sport and truly deserves the opportunity to possibly leave as a champion, it will feel very odd to me — and to so many — to say goodbye now.

Gordon was the first NASCAR driver I had any lengthy conversation with or wrote any substantial stories about. Considering that now, after his four championships and 93 victories, it is something I will treasure as a reporter.

And truly it started with what a down-to-earth person I have always considered Gordon to be.  

I’m fortunate to say I was there for so many of Gordon’s firsts — the Brickyards, the Daytona 500s, the championships … and the fabulous head-to-heads with Dale Earnhardt.


RELATED: Gordon’s top 24 NASCAR moments

I still have the February 1995 edition of “Beckett Racing Monthly” magazine with Gordon’s first cover photo and my story on him featured inside. I honestly hadn’t read it in more than 10-15 years.

The headline is “Flash Gordon” and talks about the amazing statistics he had already posted only two full seasons into what is now surely a Hall of Fame career.  

He was already truly one of the most popular drivers on the circuit — later that very year winning his first Cup title — and I remember his public relations team wanting me to send a letter in advance with a list of potential questions.

I didn’t. And Gordon was still spectacular.

As impressive as his success on track had already been — the 1993 Rookie of the Year, a win in his first Gatorade Twin 125, and then in the Coca-Cola 600 and the inaugural 1994 Brickyard 400 — Gordon was genuinely humbled and amazed at the fan reaction in my story.

“When I get a second to sit down, which isn’t very often, I think back to when I got a chance to meet Charles Barkley or Chris Webber,” Gordon said in the article. “That was a big thrill for me and they weren’t rude, they were really nice. That made a big impact on me and I try to put myself in that same position. If I have an extra second, I always try to give it to the fans, especially the kids.”

And he always has.

This weekend in particular, Gordon will be honored, acknowledged, remembered and cheered for more than two decades of transforming this sport on track and off it.

As he said in that 1994 article, “I’m just a race car driver looking to make a living.”

And so he has. So, well done.

Posted on by Staff Report

Photo credit: Furniture Row Racing‘s Twitter account, @FR78Racing

Why was Kyle Busch making this face when it wasn’t even raining? We found out Tuesday night when Jimmy Fallon hosted NASCAR’s Championship 4 drivers on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (11:30 p.m. ET, NBC).

 

Photo credit: Kyle Busch‘s Twitter account, @KyleBusch


Busch and Kevin Harvick teamed with celebrities like Justin Bieber to race against Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. — with Gordon paired in a car with the show’s host — in the Tonight Show 500. See who won the race and the hilarity that ensued.

No word yet on whether penalties will be handed out next Tuesday: