Practice 4 recap | RELATED: Practice 4 results | Full schedule for Daytona
Twenty-five drivers hit the track for Wednesday’s second session with all eight drivers who skipped the day’s first practice bringing their cars out for the later one. Originally slated for 45-minutes, NASCAR granted the field an additional five minutes after a multi-car wreck interrupted the second session.
After dealing with oil on the 2.5-mile track — which brought out the red roughly 20 minutes into the session — 2016 Rookie of the Year candidate Brian Scott topped Wednesday’s final practice. The wheelman for the No. 44 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet posted a fastest lap of 199.800 mph.
Ty Dillon‘s No. 95 was the culprit of the leaked oil after his oil cooler cracked on his Chevrolet. This triggered a crash involving Ryan Newman, Michael Waltrip, Kyle Larson, David Gilliland and 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Chris Buescher.
“The 95 sprung a leak in front of us and it was just a chain reaction of events,” Ryan Newman voiced. “It wasn’t Michael’s (Waltrip) fault.”
Austin Dillon was able to avoid the on-track wreck and scored second on the leaderboard after propelling his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet around DIS at 199.769 mph. 2015 Sprint Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch was right behind him, posting the third-fastest speed on the clock (199.729 mph).
The No. 48 of two-time Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson (199.645 mph) and the No. 27 of Paul Menard (199.601 mph) were fourth and fifth, respectively.
On-track action will pick back up on Thursday with the Sprint Cup Series final practice (Noon, FS1).
Practice 3 recap | RELATED: Practice 3 results
Michael McDowell topped the leaderboard for Wednesdsay’s first practice at Daytona International Speedway, wheeling his No. 59 Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet at 200.173 mph for the fastest lap of the 45-minute session. McDowell was the only driver to break the 200 mph mark during the session.
Second-fastest was the No. 6 of 2011’s Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne who accelerated his Ford around the 2.5-mile track at 199.916 mph.
The No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford of Greg Biffle (199.619 mph), the No. 17 RFR Ford of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (199.252 mph) and the No. 13 Germain Racing Chevrolet of Casey Mears (199.164 mph) rounded out the top five.
Polesitter Chase Elliott finished eighth on the leaderboard with a fastest lap of 198.286 mph.
Eight drivers stayed out of this session: Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Michael Waltrip, Martin Truex Jr. and the entire four-car team of Joe Gibbs Racing (Denny Hamlin, defending series champion Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth).
Daytona Rising is reflected in Real Racing 3’s update to its Daytona Experience game, which was announced by Real Racing and NASCAR Team Properties on Monday.
Gamers can challenge friends in the new “Party Play,” the split-screen mode that allows for multi-player sessions on Android TV and Apple TV.
Here are some of the game’s other added features:
— Race in the DAYTONA 500 in Real Racing 3 from February 16-March 4 at the legendary Daytona International Speedway. Complete this in-game event to unlock four iconic NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock cars to keep in the game.
— Use Race Teams to team up with your friends in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Team Competition in Real Racing 3 February 28 and 29.
— Attempt the Gauntlet Season 4 from March 27-April 2 where challenges are randomly generated to test your skill for the chance to unlock a limited edition Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car wrapped in a livery driven by Aric Almirola to honor “The King” himself.
The game is available now as a free download on the App Store and Google Play. NASCAR fans can also play the game at the Real Racing 3 Fan Engagement Zone, located in the main neighborhood inside the “World Center of Racing” center injector, during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.
Here’s a look at the official trailer promoting the game:
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — An early evening oil slick snared a handful of cars in Wednesday’s evening practice at Daytona International Speedway, sending some teams scrambling to make repairs or prepare backup cars for Thursday’s Daytona 500 qualifying races.
A cracked oil cooler on Ty Dillon‘s No. 95 Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing entry dropped oil through Turns 1 and 2 on the 2.5-mile track. The next pack of cars then encountered the fluid, with Ryan Newman and Michael Waltrip taking the brunt of the damage in their spins.
Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, will compete in the “Great American Race” in a backup BK Racing No. 83 Toyota.
The cars of Kyle Larson and David Gilliland also took damage. Newman’s Richard Childress Racing No. 31 crew went to work on making front-end alterations while checking out the rear bumper as well.
“The tail section mostly is just body work but the right-front is up against the frame bar just a little bit,” Newman said. “It looks entirely fixable; that was (crew chief) Luke’s (Lambert) comment before we ever got it back into the garage. So, we’ll see.”
Larson’s Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 team opted to unload a reserve car.
“It will be fine,” Larson said. “You hate to wreck one in practice here because you kind of assume you are going to get some damage tomorrow. We will probably have to send down our (Sprint) Unlimited car now as a back-up for this one.”
Dillon said that the broken oil cooler did not damage the engine. He indicated the team did not plan to change the motor and that he would retain his eighth starting position in the second 150-mile qualifier.
“I hate that we tore up so many race cars, just from a parts malfunction, but there’s really no one to point the blame at,” Dillon said in the garage. “It would’ve been impossible to find that crack that small in the oil cooler before we went out. I hate it for those guys that did get torn up, but there was really nothing we could do. It wasn’t like I could pull out of the way any quicker because I had so much oil on the right-front (tire). I was just trying to keep it out of the wall.”
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (Feb. 17, 2016) — The NASCAR Foundation unveiled a new permanent display for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide trophy on Wednesday, in the lobby of the International Motorsports Center.
The trophy display was unveiled by The NASCAR Foundation Chairwoman Emeritus and Founder Betty Jane France, who was joined Wednesday by The NASCAR Foundation Chairman Mike Helton and other members of the foundation’s board of directors.
The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award — the NASCAR industry’s most prestigious community service honor — is presented annually to a NASCAR fan who embodies France’s commitment to philanthropic causes and whose generosity and compassion has positively impacted the lives of children.
“This permanent display befits the growing stature and impact of our award,” France said. “Since its inception, the award has benefited nearly 200,000 children throughout the United States. Today’s unveiling also is an appropriate way to begin The NASCAR Foundation’s 10th year of existence.
“For both our employees who come to the International Motorsports Center every day and our visitors, this display will be a reminder of the good, important work The NASCAR Foundation has been doing since 2006 to improve the quality of life for children.”
The foundation also announced the beginning of the 2016 award nomination process on Wednesday. Nominations can be submitted on-line at NASCAR.com/Award. Deadline for submitting nominations is March 18.
The sixth annual award will be presented later this year with the winner receiving a $100,000 donation to the charity they represent. Three other national finalists will receive $25,000 for their respective charitable organizations.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Richard Petty Motorsports has announced a driver development partnership with Empire Racing Group for the 2016 season. Empire Racing Group will field a truck in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with the iconic, stylized No. 43. The truck will run the colors of Petty’s Garage as the primary sponsor in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 under the Friday night lights in Daytona. Austin Hill will be the first driver to pilot the No. 43 truck and a roster of various drivers will fill out the remainder of the schedule.
The team will be led by Empire Racing Group Crew Chief Michael Cheek. The 2016 season will be the 20th anniversary of Cheek’s first run with the No. 43 truck. After leading the team as crew chief for driver Rich Bickle as part of the Petty Enterprises stable, the Petty family and Cheek will once again team up to put the truck on track.
“I am excited to once again partner with Richard Petty and his organization to race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” said Cheek. “Together, we have the opportunity to put great drivers in this truck and keep our machine at the front of the field. We have a lot of great things planned for this season, and we’re excited to see where this program will take both race teams.”
The No. 43, made famous by “The King” Richard Petty, will adorn the side of the truck in the same style as it has appeared on the historic and current Richard Petty Motorsports race cars. This will be the first partnership in the Truck Series for Richard Petty Motorsports.
“This is a great opportunity for Richard Petty Motorsports to develop up-and-coming drivers who will become the future of our sport,” said Brian Moffitt, Chief Executive Officer of Richard Petty Motorsports. “It will be great to see the No. 43 return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and to have Petty’s Garage as the primary sponsor of the race at Daytona. The 2016 season is sure to produce great results for both Richard Petty Motorsports and Empire Racing Group.”
More information and details about the driver development program will be released at a later date.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2016) — Furniture Row Racing announced today at Daytona International Speedway that it has formed a partnership with Auto-Owners Insurance. The Fortune 500 company will be a primary sponsor on Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 Toyota Camry for three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races — at Indianapolis (July 24), Darlington, South Carolina (Sept. 4) and Martinsville, Virginia (Oct. 30) — and become the official insurance sponsor of Furniture Row Racing and Truex.
Auto-Owners Insurance offers auto, home, life and business coverage for NASCAR fans and consumers through local, independent agents in 26 states. This year marks Auto-Owners Insurance 100th year in business with success based on the core values the company was built upon in 1916.
“Furniture Row Racing and Martin had a tremendous 2015 season and we’re looking forward to being on board for even more success this season,” said Lee Janis, Vice President of Sales for Auto-Owners Insurance. “We often say, ‘It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it,’ and Martin and the team have earned success by that same mantra.
“We’ve been embraced by the NASCAR family and have greatly enjoyed the loyalty and passion we’ve experienced with the fans. To be a part of this dedicated community is a real privilege for all of us at Auto-Owners.”
Auto-Owners Insurance, based in Lansing, Michigan, joins Furniture Row and Bass Pro Shops as a primary sponsor on the No. 78 Toyota for the 2016 season.
“When you have one of the nation’s leading companies join your team as a partner it’s not only a great day but also a great opportunity for Furniture Row Racing,” said team president Joe Garone. “As is the case with all of our partners, Auto-Owners Insurance is a winning company and we look forward to returning the confidence they placed in us with strong performances on the race track.”
Truex finished fourth in the Sprint Cup final standings last season after garnering a victory along with eight top-five and 22 top-10 finishes.
“Anytime you have a major and successful company come on board it is definitely exciting for a driver because it tells me that we’re doing something right,” said Truex. “The three Auto-Owners Insurance primary races are good tracks for us and we look forward to competing for a victory with the Auto-Owners Insurance colors on the No. 78 Toyota.”
Truex and Furniture Row Racing kick off the 2016 Sprint Cup season Sunday in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
The new @AutoOwnersIns #FurnitureRow 78! #NASCAR #ToyotaNation @ToyotaRacing pic.twitter.com/LA9FtzMBv9
— Furniture Row Racing (@FR78Racing) February 17, 2016
Sandusky, Ohio (February 17, 2016) – ThorSport Racing announced today that Safelite AutoGlass, the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services, will be the primary sponsor of the No. 98 Toyota Tundra driven by Rico Abreu during his rookie season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in 2016.
Abreu, the 2014 USAC National Midget champion, open wheel standout, and back-to-back Chili Bowl Nationals winner, recently announced he would join the Sandusky, Ohio based team in 2016, piloting the No. 98 Toyota Tundra as he competes for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and the 2016 NCWTS championship.
“To be able to partner with a company like Safelite for my first full-time season in the Truck Series is an honor,” said Rico Abreu, driver of the No. 98 Toyota Tundra. “Safelite was on my midget for this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals, and we had some success finding Victory Lane. I hope to be able to continue that success with them this season as I compete for wins, Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and the 2016 championship.”
With nearly 70 years of service, Safelite knows auto glass. Founded at a single location in Wichita, Kansas in 1947, the Columbus, Ohio based company has grown into the largest auto glass specialist in the United States, employing more than 12,000 people in all 50 states.
From front and rear windshields to side glass, Safelite’s highly trained technicians serve more than 5.4 million customers each year and ensure the highest quality of work on each job they do.
“We’re honored to support Rico in his rookie season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, said Renee Cacchillo, Senior Vice President of Customer, Brand & Technology. “Additionally, Safelite AutoGlass is focused on service and quality, so this is an opportunity to align with another greatly admired brand that shares our passion for customer delight.”
Safelite’s TrueSeal™ innovative technology, MobileGlassShops™, caring customer service, experienced technicians, social responsibility, eco-friendly initiatives, and customer-focused culture are just a few reasons to trust Safelite with your auto glass needs.
“As an Ohio-based team, we are very pleased and honored to be partnering with a highly respected and recognized brand,” said Matt LaNeve, VP of Sales and Marketing at ThorSport Racing. “Although Safelite has a national presence, their home, much like ours, is in Ohio, and Rico (Abreu) and everyone at ThorSport Racing is honored to have them as part of our team in 2016. Through this partnership, Safelite will be exposed to the millions of loyal NASCAR fans across the country, and we are honored to help them continue to build on their nationally recognized brand at the motorsports level.”
Safelite AutoGlass will make their debut with Abreu in the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 19. All the action will be televised live on FOX Sports 1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR channel 90 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
RELATED: Buy tickets to Daytona, other races
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2016) — Reserved stadium tickets for the 58th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the first following the completion of the $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project, are sold out. Ticket holders for “The Great American Race” will enjoy 101,500 permanent and wider seats, five expanded and redesigned entrances, 40 escalators and upgraded amenities throughout the 11 football-field sized neighborhoods in the world’s first motorsports stadium.
Premium hospitality, infield admissions and Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race access still remain for the DAYTONA 500 and fans have an opportunity to enjoy the new motorsports stadium during other Speedweeks 2016 events including the PowerShares QQQ 300, NextEra Energy Resources 250 and the Cam-Am Duel 150-mile qualifying races. Tickets are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
“We’re ecstatic to hold the first DAYTONA 500 since the completion of our $400 million DAYTONA Rising project,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “The demand for this historic race has been tremendous, and we look forward to waving the green flag on February 21.”
This year’s DAYTONA 500 will be attended by fans representing 44 different countries and every state in the U.S.
RELATED: New overtime rules | How the ‘overtime line’ works
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The latest version of NASCAR’s green-white-checkered overtime rule was a direct result of input from the NASCAR drivers’ council.
It’s just one item among many that were discussed by the nine-member group, which formed last year at the behest of NASCAR, and put forth to the sanctioning body.
The 2016 season marks the first full year for the council, which this year consists of Dale Earnhardt Jr., six-time series champion Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, 2015 series champ Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson.
Rather than having numerous drivers approach NASCAR to air concerns or offer suggestions, the council serves as both a clearinghouse for ideas and a single entity that can go to NASCAR officials and speak on behalf of the entire group.
“We’ve already had our first meeting this year,” Earnhardt Jr. said during Tuesday’s Media Day activities at Daytona International Speedway. “You know, the council is going to do great things. It’s starting to show its potential.”
That other drivers understand the importance of such a group is crucial to its ability to be heard, he said.
“It will be even more credible and have more potential as soon as all the drivers start to get in the discussions and add ideas,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
“The green-white-checkered rule was a collaboration between NASCAR and the drivers. As (Steve) O’Donnell said, ‘Is that the final decision? Is that the end point? Is that the perfect way to do it?’ We don’t know. But the fact that we came to that solution together was a great thing, I thought.”
O’Donnell is Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer for NASCAR.
While the council does not meet often, its members stay in touch through group texts.
“I think it’s been a fun and good experience for everyone, even if you’re not on the council,” Johnson said. “It’s created a lot of conversation between the drivers. Even if we don’t agree, that’s fine. …
“Now being on the council, the daily interaction that takes place, outside of my three other teammates, which I don’t even talk to daily, there’s much more conversation with these guys. That’s been an interesting perk to it all that I didn’t see coming.”
“Drivers are all naturally very self-motivated and sometimes what is in the best interest of a driver is not what is in the best interest of the sport,” Keselowski said, “and that becomes a very delicate line to walk.
“Having the formats that are now available thanks to NASCAR have, I think, shed some of that.”
While he isn’t a member of the council, Ryan Newman said he believes it’s been a positive move for the drivers to have a unified voice, one that can touch on any number of issues that might surface.
“I’ve listened in on a couple of meetings and read some notes,” the Richard Childress Racing driver said. “It’s a good thing to have that common voice. Like any other situation, it has to be handled the right way.
“From what I’ve seen, there is a lot of positive feedback and a lot of positive reception from both the owners as well as NASCAR in some of the things we’ve brought up. It may be something as simple as hard cards for our kids or something like that. But it’s all in respect to making it a better place for everybody here.”