Jeff Gordon will run final full-time season in 2015

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Zack Albert

Veteran has 92 career wins, four premier series titles

MORE: NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France statement on Gordon | Gordon hub page
RELATED: Drivers react to Gordon’s announcement | Fans share favorite Gordon memories

Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday morning that this will be Jeff Gordon‘s final season competing for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

The four-time champion announced the news to his No. 24 team Thursday, saying he hesitated using the word "retirement" as he enters his 23rd and final full-time season.

Letting team know this will be my final year competing for a championship. pic.twitter.com/s7aH8OpGQZ

— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) January 22, 2015

"As a race car driver, much of what I’ve done throughout my life has been based on following my instincts and trying to make good decisions," Gordon said in a release provided by the team. "I thought long and hard about my future this past year and during the offseason, and I’ve decided 2015 will be the last time I compete for a championship. I won’t use the ‘R-word’ because I plan to stay extremely busy in the years ahead, and there’s always the possibility I’ll compete in selected events, although I currently have no plans to do that."

Gordon, 43, signed a lifetime contract in 1999 with team owner Rick Hendrick, who first brought him into stock-car racing’s big leagues at the end of the 1992 season. He scored four victories in last season’s resurgent campaign, bringing his career victory total to 92, third-most on NASCAR’s all-time list. The rest of his stellar portfolio — including three Daytona 500 wins and a record five Brickyard 400 victories — boasts all the credentials for automatic first-ballot induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

In a statement, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said, "Jeff Gordon transcends NASCAR and will be celebrated as one of the greatest drivers to ever race. We have all enjoyed watching his legend grow for more than two decades, and will continue to do so during his final full-time season. His prolonged excellence and unmatched class continue to earn him the admiration of fans across the globe. Today’s announcement is a bittersweet one. I’ll miss his competitive fire on a weekly basis, but I am also happy for Jeff and his family as they start a new chapter. On behalf of the entire NASCAR family, I thank Jeff for his years of dedication and genuine love for this sport, and wish him the very best in his final season."

Gordon had joked ahead of the 2014 season that he would retire on the spot if he were to claim his fifth title, but his rejuvenating run deep into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs seemed to quell any retirement buzz. On Thursday, Gordon said that while his driving days may be coming to a close, he’ll continue to stay active in the sport.

"I don’t foresee a day when I’ll ever step away from racing," said Gordon, who is a part-owner of Hendrick’s No. 48 team driven by teammate Jimmie Johnson. "I’m a fan of all forms of motor sports, but particularly NASCAR. We have a tremendous product, and I’m passionate about the business and its future success. As an equity owner in Hendrick Motorsports, I’m a partner with Rick (Hendrick) and will remain heavily involved with the company for many years to come.

"It means so much to have the chance to continue working with the owner who took a chance on me and the incredible team that’s stood behind me every step of the way."

Gordon first caught Hendrick’s eye in what is now the NASCAR XFINITY Series in March 1992 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, with the veteran team owner marveling about the young driver’s car control, even as he seemed on the brink of losing control. Eight months later, Gordon made his debut for Hendrick at the same Georgia track in what signaled a passing of the torch in the NASCAR driver ranks. King Richard Petty said farewell in his final NASCAR start, and Gordon — who cut his teeth through the sprint-car circuit — said hello to the world of stock-car racing, paving the way for what became a dynasty for the rest of the decade.

"There’s simply no way to quantify Jeff’s impact," Hendrick said in the team release. "He’s one of the biggest sports stars of a generation, and his contributions to the success and growth of NASCAR are unsurpassed. There’s been no better ambassador for stock car racing and no greater representation of what a champion should be. I will never be able to properly express the respect and admiration I have for Jeff and how meaningful our relationship is to me. I’m so grateful for everything he’s done for our company and my family, and I look forward to many more years together as friends and business partners."

Gordon’s decision creates a high-profile vacancy for 2016 on one of the sport’s most powerful teams. The most likely candidate to replace the four-time champ is reigning XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott, the 19-year-old wunderkind who remains under contract to Hendrick as he campaigns full-time for JR Motorsports, co-owned by Hendrick teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt and Hendrick both indicated last year that Elliott was primed to make his first steps into the Sprint Cup Series in 2015, with the possibility of a full-time ride the following season.

Though his days of full-time competition in the No. 24 Chevrolet are drawing to a close, Gordon said his desire for a fifth crown hasn’t waned.

"I’ll explore opportunities for the next phase of my career, but my primary focus now and throughout 2015 will be my performance in the No. 24 Chevrolet," Gordon said. "I’m going to pour everything I have into this season and look forward to the challenge of competing for one last championship."

International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy credited Gordon with raising the sport’s popularity. In a statement she said, "Jeff Gordon‘s significance to our sport cannot be overstated. He is an incredible competitor, and a favorite of millions of fans. His contributions throughout his career to NASCAR have elevated our sport’s popularity worldwide. On behalf of the France family and ISC, I thank him for those contributions and wish him the best as he embarks on this next chapter of his career – and his life. We all look forward to watching him take the green flag for his last full-time season, beginning with the DAYTONA 500."

That was far from the only statement of support and appreciation of Gordon.

Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain, said the organization was proud of its association with Gordon.

"Jeff Gordon is an incredible competitor, leader and ambassador for Chevrolet and motorsports. He has contributed so much – not only on the track with his 92 wins and four championships, but also away from the track as a businessman, with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, and more importantly, as a husband and father. He is a champion, and he has been a great friend. We are proud of our relationship with Jeff, and, just like all of his fans, we look forward to watching him compete for one more championship. We wish Jeff and his family — Ingrid, Ella and Leo — all of the best."

Gordon began his motorsports career at the early age of 5 in quarter-midget cars, progressing up the ladder of open-wheel racing on dirt and asphalt. As a teenager, he moved with his family from his Vallejo, California, hometown to Indiana in an effort to further his sprint-car career. After notching championships in two U.S. Auto Club divisions, he got his first taste of the XFINITY Series with one race for car owner Hugh Connerty in 1990 before going full-time with team owner Bill Davis the following year.

Gordon’s solid first season was merely a prelude to his eye-popping 1992 campaign, where he steered Davis’ No. 1 Baby Ruth-sponsored Ford to three wins and 11 pole positions. From there, his stock-car career gained momentum and cemented his future as a star when he joined Hendrick’s operation.

Gordon’s rise also marked a career-changing move for a young mechanic named Ray Evernham, a former modified driver from New Jersey who was paired to be his crew chief on the start-up No. 24 team. Evernham helped transform the makeup of the modern pit crew, bringing in a group of professional athletes to service the car, forging what would become known as the "Rainbow Warriors" in a nod to the DuPont-sponsored team’s colorful paint scheme.

Gordon endured a rough-and-tumble rookie season, going winless with a high number of early exits — 11 DNFs — that left him 14th in the final 1993 standings. In 1994, he broke through for his first premier series triumph in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, sparking a tearful celebration in Victory Lane. His other win that season came in the inaugural stock-car race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

From there, the floodgates opened for a dominant rest of the decade. From 1995 to 2001, Gordon landed all four of his championships — including three in a four-year span from ’95 to ’98. Over the same seven-year stretch, Gordon amassed 56 victories — including two Daytona 500 wins — and established himself as one of the sport’s elite drivers. Even with just five full seasons under his belt, he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers before the 1998 season.

Though Gordon picked up a new generation of fans enamored with his on-track success and matinee-idol good looks, some of the older guard of fans were slow to warm to the hotshot from the Midwest. Seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt widened the divide by playfully tweaking Gordon with the nickname of "Wonder Boy." Gordon tweaked right back, toasting his first championship with milk instead of champagne at Earnhardt’s suggestion, creating a competitive relationship borne of mutual respect.

While Gordon’s racing prowess made him a fan favorite, his comfort level in front of the camera brought him and the sport in front of new audiences. His roles as an adept TV host and guest, plus guest appearances on television series and feature films helped make him a household name among non-racing fans.

Gordon’s second decade in the sport continued his roll with major victories, including the 2005 Daytona 500, but his bids for a fifth championship came up just short. He finished second to Johnson in 2007 and wound up third on two other occasions. Last year, Gordon maintained that he was still seeking his first Sprint Cup championship, since his four titles came during the later years of the series’ sponsorship by R.J. Reynolds.

While his goals for 2015 are for nothing short of a championship, Gordon is also poised to break the sport’s all-time longevity streak. He is scheduled to tie the all-time record of 788 consecutive starts set by Ricky Rudd next season at Chicagoland Speedway, site of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs opener on Sept. 20. Gordon would break the mark the following weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Gordon’s staying power has been largely free of medical issues, though the streak faced a threat last season. Gordon — who underwent a procedure to help relieve chronic back pain in May 2009 — battled through a flare-up ahead of the 2014 Coca-Cola 600, completing all 600 miles in NASCAR’s longest race a day after sitting out practice because of the ailment.

The healing powers of four wins last season, though, had Gordon enthused about keeping his career going.

"I just feel so competitive out there, and that makes me feel young again," Gordon said after posting his fifth Indy victory last July. "When the cars are that good, my back just doesn’t seem to hurt as much … Man, if 43 is like this, I can’t wait for 50."

Gordon’s celebrations last year took on greater meaning as his 7-year-old daughter, Ella, and 4-year-old son, Leo, were regular visitors to Victory Lane with their father and proud mom Ingrid Vandebosch. While Gordon’s title aspirations took deep root, he reflected on how important it was for his children and wife to experience a championship, a motivator that sharpened his career goals.

As Gordon welcomed his growth as a family man as he headed toward the twilight of his racing career, he also transitioned into the role of philanthropist. Since establishing the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation in 1999, his reach has included the opening of a children’s hospital in Concord, North Carolina in 2006, and his co-founding of the Athletes for Hope non-profit organization the following year.

Gordon said last month at the end of NASCAR Champions’ Week festivities that he never intended to retire after the 2014 season if he’d claimed championship No. 5. Now with one final full season, Gordon — who offered grateful words to the NASCAR industry and fans Thursday morning — has a chance to drive into the next chapter of his life with a championship ring for the thumb.

"To everyone at NASCAR, my teammates, sponsors, competitors, friends, family, members of the media and especially our incredible fans, all I can say is thank you," Gordon said.

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Zack Albert

Can JGR driver build off last season’s run to the Championship 4?

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota

Rank in final 2014 standings: Third

Wins: One (Talladega Superspeedway in May)

Year in photos: Recap Hamlin’s 2014 season

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Strides: Denny Hamlin carried momentum from his victory in the 2013 season finale into Speedweeks, winning the Sprint Unlimited exhibition and one of the two Budweiser Duel qualifying races ahead of the Daytona 500. He finished just short of winning the Great American Race with a runner-up finish, but applied the No. 11 team’s knack for restrictor-plate tracks to post his first career victory at Talladega Superspeedway, clinching a berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs.

Once in the postseason, Hamlin was able to advance through all three rounds of the Chase’s new format, landing one of four title-eligible spots in the Sprint Cup Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He led 50 laps but wound up seventh in the finale — third among the championship quartet — when a gamble on pit strategy unraveled in the late stages.

"We gave it our best run," Hamlin said. "I mean, we put together really our best race all year, that final race, and gave those guys a run when we really hadn’t had the speed to race with them all year. We gave it an effort and just came up short. Really proud of what we were able to accomplish this year, even though it was somewhat of a down year for our team."

Setbacks: A freak eye injury in March forced Hamlin to seek medical care at Auto Club Speedway for the second straight year on race day. In 2013, a tangle with Joey Logano left Hamlin with a broken back that sidelined him for four races and part of a fifth; in 2014, a sliver of metal in his left eye forced him out, just an hour before the green flag. A medical exemption by NASCAR officials allowed him to remain Chase-eligible as long as he met all other criteria.

The new Chase qualification rules also benefited Hamlin later in the season, but the No. 11 team still felt heavy repercussions in the process. After a post-race technical infraction was found at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR issued stiff penalties by stripping the team of 75 points, suspending crew chief Darian Grubb for six races and fining him $125,000.

Injuries and penalties notwithstanding, Hamlin said after the season that he drove most of the year facing a performance deficit compared to his front-running rivals. With Joe Gibbs Racing expanding to a four-team operation with the addition of Carl Edwards to the 2015 driver roster, Hamlin said he hopes the benefits of additional information sharing can help get the organization over the hump.

"You’ve just got to get better in all aspects, and I think we’ve always just been kind of that next-tier team, realistically," Hamlin said. "We can compete for race wins, week in and week out, but the championships have escaped us through mechanical stuff, which we’ve worked out, or this year it was just our cars weren’t fast enough to compete with those guys. However, we gave ourselves a great chance that last race to really sneak a championship away from ’em, but overall we’ve just got to get better in more areas, and I think going to the fourth team will allow us to do that."

Quoteworthy: "A lot of ups and downs — it’s been a tough year to start the year missing a race. We didn’t have the tools to win a lot of races throughout the year, but we got better and we got better when it really counted. It wasn’t for a lack of effort. Everyone gave 100 percent to give me the best car they could this weekend. It just wasn’t enough to beat those guys." — Hamlin, moments after finishing seventh in the championship race at Homestead-Miami.

What’s next: Hamlin’s three-year run with Grubb drew to a close after a dramatic shake-up to JGR’s crew chief lineup in the offseason. The new assignments for 2015 mean that Hamlin will pair with Dave Rogers, who served as crew chief for Kyle Busch on the No. 18 Toyota team in Sprint Cup since 2010.

What won’t change is the team’s ultra-fast pit crew, often credited as one of the sport’s best. Rogers and Hamlin have worked together with success in what is now called the NASCAR XFINITY Series (seven wins together), and Rogers’ tenure with Busch produced 13 Sprint Cup wins over a five-year stretch.

Hamlin’s 2014 finish was the third near-miss in his quest for a career-defining breakthrough championship at NASCAR’s highest level. Though times are changing at JGR with its expansion and juggling of crew chiefs, Hamlin brings high hopes that the new combination with Rogers will bear fruit in 2015.

"He’s well-regarded within our sport amongst other crew chiefs and I know what he can do," Hamlin said. "He’s been with the No. 11 FedEx team before. This is his second time around, but me and him have never worked together in the Cup Series. I have driven his cars during tests and been really fast and comfortable with them, so I’m very excited about what we can do."

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Nascar

With 92 wins, driver is shoo-in as first ballot Hall of Famer

Surprised? Yes. Stunned? No.

We all knew Jeff Gordon would eventually call it a career, and eventually that became reality Thursday.

The 2015 season will be his last as a full-time competitor in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series. After 23 seasons, it will be time to move on.

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At 43, Gordon has nothing left to accomplish as a driver.

He wasn’t going to stick around long enough to equal or surpass the seven championships won by only two other drivers — Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. He is a four-time champion, and how many drivers can say that?

Heading into ’15, his 92 career victories trail only two other legends in the series — Petty (200) and David Pearson (105).

Many of his wins came in the sport’s biggest events, known for so long as the "crown jewels" of NASCAR. Through the years they have consisted of the season-opening Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, the Southern 500 and the spring event at Talladega. Gordon won them all, on multiple occasions. In ’97, he became only the second driver to win the Winston Million, capturing three of the four that made up the program in its final season.

And when NASCAR found its way to the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway in ’94, who better to christen it with a win than Gordon, a product of the West Coast, but one who cut his teeth in the rough-and-tumble open-wheel sprints of the Midwest.

Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400, and hasn’t stopped winning there yet, claiming a record fifth victory at IMS this past year.

Gordon’s name can be found among the top five in just about every statistical category that carries any weight in NASCAR, from championships and wins to top-fives and top-10s. His talent behind the wheel has never been questioned, and rarely has it been matched.

Petty, Pearson and Earnhardt are members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Gordon will be too, as soon as his name appears on the ballot.

His impact on the sport, however, goes far beyond championships and victories. Gordon was a guiding force that helped others, many that knew little about the sport of stock-car racing, look at NASCAR in an entirely different light.

In 2003, he hosted the popular NBC show "Saturday Night Live." He has co-hosted the morning entertainment program "Live with Regis and Kelly" several times and he has made numerous appearances on late-night programs such as "The Tonight Show" and "Late Show with David Letterman."

His success on the track may have opened the door to such invitations, but it was his polished, confident delivery and comfort in front of the camera that kept the lines to the entertainment world buzzing.

If timing truly is everything, then Gordon arrived on the scene at precisely the right moment, making his first career start in the series just as Petty was bidding goodbye at the close of the ’92 season.

The need to jump from ride to ride in search of a competitive advantage was never an issue — from his first start with team owner Rick Hendrick, it became clear that the former open-wheel racer was exactly where he needed to be. Each of his 761 career starts (a streak that has continued without interruption) has come in Hendrick Motorsports equipment.

MORE: Gordon strives for five in 2015

Others have come and gone, but Gordon’s place behind the wheel of the familiar No. 24 Chevrolet has been a constant for many who follow the sport.

This past season, Gordon proved that the competitive fire hadn’t subsided and the talent hadn’t diminished. He won four times and qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup for the 10th time in his career.

Such accomplishments don’t seem to reflect the abilities of a driver on the downside of his career. They don’t indicate a driver that has overstayed his time in the sport but rather one who remains at the top of his game.

And yet the time has come, he says. One more year. One more season to slide into his seat, grip the wheel, stare down the competition and say, "OK fellas, let’s see what you’ve got."

We know what Gordon’s got. We’ve seen it all along.

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Staff Report

‘Prolonged excellence and unmatched class continue to earn fans’

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 22, 2015) — "Jeff Gordon transcends NASCAR and will be celebrated as one of the greatest drivers to ever race. We have all enjoyed watching his legend grow for more than two decades, and will continue to do so during his final full-time season. His prolonged excellence and unmatched class continue to earn him the admiration of fans across the globe. Today’s announcement is a bittersweet one. I’ll miss his competitive fire on a weekly basis, but I am also happy for Jeff and his family as they start a new chapter. On behalf of the entire NASCAR family, I thank Jeff for his years of dedication and genuine love for this sport, and wish him the very best in his final season."

Posted on January 21, 2015 by

Strong field includes Sprint Cup Series drivers and actor Patrick Dempsey

DAYTONA BEACH — When the checkered flag falls on the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona at 2:10 p.m. Sunday afternoon, there’s only one thing we now know for sure: The car that’s the first under the flag will have earned the victory.

"This is a strong field," said Scott Atherton, IMSA president and chief operating officer. "A very strong field."

That may be an understatement. One year ago, the 2014 Rolex 24 was the first race for the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, which consisted of the combined GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Cars, personnel and schedules were combined, and no one really knew what would happen the first time the new TUDOR Championship took to the track.

What happened was a race that ran at an absolutely frantic pace for the full 24 hours. Long gone are the days where teams could cruise at 90 percent, saving their equipment for the last few hours. Now, it’s flat out, all day and all night.

Bringing home the overall victory last year was the No. 5 Action Express Racing Corvette DP driven by Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais. That car was followed by three more Corvette DPs and a Nissan ORECA P2 car in fifth.

For 2015, there are four Corvette DPs in the field, including the No. 5 Action Express entry, all sporting the new Stingray styling in the front and rear. For the stars to align and have all four Corvettes up front again is a long shot – even through the top three cars were all on the same lap at the finish, 695 laps after the start – the Prototype field is very strong this year.

There are 16 Prototypes, including a pair of brand-new Honda HPD ARX cars racing under the Tequila Patrón ESM banner, as well as a Honda-powered Ligier JS P2 that Michael Shank Racing is bringing to the party. There’s another new Ligier fielded by Krohn Racing, but it has Judd power.

Mazda is back for its second year with a pair of diesel-powered Prototypes built and raced by SpeedSource that are showing a lot more speed than last year. And you can never count out the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates twins, both powered by Ford EcoBoost engines in Riley chassis. With a driver lineup that includes Scott Pruett, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray, Joey Hand, Charlie Kimball and Sage Karam, the two Ganassi cars have to be counted among the favorites.

And, of course, there’s those other three Corvette DPs – the No. 31 Whelen Corvette DP, a sister car to the Action Express No. 5; the VisitFlorida.com No. 90 and the always-formidable Konica Minolta No. 10 of Wayne Taylor Racing, which has brothers Jordan and Ricky Taylor teaming with veteran Max Angelelli.

Looking for a dark horse? The DeltaWing Racing Cars Claro/TracFone was fast in practice, as was the Starworks Dinan-powered Riley, which has an all-star driver lineup that includes Ryan Hunter-Reay and Rubens Barrichello.

Of the four classes racing in the Rolex 24, the aforementioned Prototypes are the fastest, but not far behind are the open-cockpit Prototype Challenge cars, which use ORECA FLM09 chassis and Chevrolet engines. It’s tough to pick a favorite from the eight entries, but expect the Starworks No. 8, the CORE Autosport No. 54, the RSR Racing No. 11 and the BAR1 Motorsport No. 16 to contend during the 24 hours.

The GT Le Mans (GTLM) class is invariably among the most competitive and the highest profile, as the production-based cars are all backed by the manufacturers, and bragging rights are a strong motivation. Corvette Racing has its usual two-car entry and is always a threat to win, especially at a horsepower track like Daytona. There are three Porsche 911 RSR entries, two backed by Porsche North America, and one by Falken Tire, coming off an end-of-the-season victory at the 2014 Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda at Road Atlanta.

The Bobby Rahal-led BMW Team RLL has a pair of BMW Z4 GTEs, and there are two Ferrari F458 Italias, one from AF Corse and one from Risi Competizione. But don’t forget the lone Gulf-sponsored Aston Martin Vantage V8, which has a world-class roster of drivers.

At 19, the largest of the four classes is GT Daytona (GTD), which – like GTLM, are familiar production-based cars – but don’t have quite the power, or the price tag, of the GTLM entries.

GTD is impossible to handicap, though the fact that there are nine Porsche 911 GT Americas in the field gives them the numerical advantage. There are three Ferrari 458 Italias, two Aston-Martin V12 Vantages, two Dodge Viper SRTs, a pair of Audi R8 LMS entries, and a lone BMW Z4, but that car is fielded by he respected Turner Motorsport, so don’t write it off.

If you have to play favorites, the two Alex Job-prepared Porsches (Nos. 22 and 23) should be there in the end, because few have mastered race strategy as well as Job. The No. 63 Ferrari of Scuderia Corsa seems to love the longer races, as does the Magnus Racing No. 44 Porsche. If you are looking for star power, that would be the No. 58 Dempsey/Wright Motorsports Brumos Porsche, with "Grey’s Anatomy" actor Patrick Dempsey leading the four-driver team.

Bottom line: Don’t expect a runaway winner in any of the four classes – competition is simply too strong. Weather could be a factor, if the forecast for some damp weather for the weekend comes true – some cars, and some drivers, seem to thrive on wet pavement, and a slick surface tends to cripple the highest-horsepower entries, leveling the playing field and enhancing the importance of driver finesse.

So keep your money in your pocket this weekend – the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona is simply too close to call.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be broadcast from 2-4 p.m. Saturday on FOX; 4-8 p.m. on FOX Sports 2; 8-10 p.m. on FOX Sports 1; 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on IMSA.com, and on Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. All times are Eastern. For more information on where to watch or listen to the 2015 Rolex 24, log onto IMSA.com.

Posted on January 21, 2015 by NASCAR Official Release

New environment to add personal touch to shopping experience

MORE: Dramatic overhaul coming to NASCAR souvenir sales

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 21, 2015) — NASCAR, NASCAR Team Properties (NTP) and Fanatics jointly announced today a 10-year agreement for the sport’s at-track merchandise business that will deliver fans an enhanced, experiential shopping environment. As part of the agreement, Fanatics has acquired certain exclusive rights from NASCAR and NTP that will make the company the primary retailer of NASCAR, team and driver merchandise at all 38 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends.

Fanatics, the market leader for officially licensed sports merchandise, powers the e-stores for hundreds of the top sports leagues, teams and schools, including a long history running NASCAR’s e-commerce business (NASCAR.com). The NASCAR at-track deal expands Fanatics’ growing in-venue partnerships.

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The new trackside retail model will be phased in at NASCAR events over the course of 2015. It will evolve from using solely haulers for each specific team or driver to displaying all merchandise in a climate-controlled superstore retail environment supported by, in instances, smaller satellite retail touch points around the track. The new model will have the following enhanced benefits and added options for fans:

• Ability to offer the largest at-track selection of NASCAR merchandise ever

• Selection to include a major expansion of women’s and kids’ items

• A more functional way to browse, shop and interact with merchandise

• Separate stores within the footprint for teams, drivers, memorabilia and collectibles

• Dedicated area for driver appearances

• An interactive customization center where fans can create their own personal NASCAR gear

Fanatics Apparel, the company’s manufacturing and customization division, will also produce merchandise to complement the already extensive product line that will be offered by authorized licensees.

"A merchandise center will provide a more personal, organized, comfortable and convenient shopping environment for our fans," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "Partnering with an industry leader in Fanatics allows us to offer a comprehensive and seamless shopping experience for our fans — whether it is in-venue, online or on mobile devices."

The new trackside retail model will utilize the latest innovations and initiatives in retail promotional design. According to a study conducted by Experian Marketing Services (Simmons National Consumer Survey, Fall Full Year 2013), NASCAR fans are at least 20 percent more likely than non-fans to notice various types of promotions while shopping, including: video monitor displays, signs on merchandise racks or shelves, and advertising on the floor — among others.

"Fanatics is extremely excited to partner with NASCAR and NASCAR Team Properties to greatly expand their at-track retail presence," said Ross Tannenbaum, president of Fanatics Authentic. "We have taken the time to listen to what the fans, teams, drivers and NASCAR were asking for and look forward to using our market-leading scale, technology and production capabilities to deliver an improved and entertaining shopping experience for years to come."

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Holly Cain

Larson, McMurray get more practice time for IMSA event

Kyle Larson‘s experience at Daytona International Speedway has so far proven to be a thrill ride – not necessarily of the kind he’d prefer or enjoy.

But this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona could change all that.

Larson’s car was caught in a last lap crash in the 2013 XFINITY Series season-opener at NASCAR’s most iconic track. Last year, he had two short and mostly unremarkable driving stints in his Rolex 24 at Daytona TUDOR United Sportscar debut for his Chip Ganassi Racing team. Then he brushed the wall on the very first lap of his maiden Daytona 500 weeks later.

But the 2014 Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Larson insisted this week, he’s not only ready to redeem himself and the team in this weekend’s Rolex 24: he’s fast.

"It helped that me and Jamie (McMurray) got a lot of track time at the Roar (Rolex 24 test weekend) because Tony (Kanaan) had to leave early because he was having his baby and (Scott) Dixon had to leave for something else," Larson said this week. "Me and Jamie got to run a lot in testing where last year I didn’t get to run a whole bunch.

"I’ve already been in the car more this year more than I was all last year with the Roar and the race. This year, I feel pretty fast and I think they’ll put me in the car more."

Despite Larson’s self-critique of last year, he and his Ganassi team finished a respectable 15th overall – their car retired in the final hour of the twice around the clock classic.

Qualifying for the Rolex 24 is Thursday. There are 53 cars entered overall, including two for powerhouse Chip Ganassi Racing. Larson will co-drive with his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teammate McMurray as well as IndyCar Series champs Kanaan and Dixon trying to earn an incredible sixth overall win for Ganassi’s program.

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Holly Cain

NASCAR stars spend day at MacDill Air Force Base, discuss 2015 outlook

Photo courtesy of USO

PHOTOS: See more from their visit as drivers get out on the Road to Daytona

TAMPA, Fla. — New father Kyle Larson smiled at what he says was a career first: an autograph request from a five-year-old girl for her bright pink "My Little Pony." Sitting alongside Larson at a USO event at MacDill Air Force Base on Tuesday, Tony Stewart joked with servicemen and charmed their wives as he signed his name on die-cast cars, T-shirts, photographs and car parts.

Military families and troops stood in line for more than an hour to meet NASCAR’s three-time champion Stewart, last year’s Sunoco Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson and Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III, who spent the the day touring a huge KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, taking turns on plane simulators and watching a military working dog demonstration.

At one point, when told the trio was running a little late for a portion of the itinerary, Air Force Sgt. Brandon Shapiro joked, "I guess Tony Stewart wasn’t driving."

It was difficult to tell who was more committed to this USO experience — the fans who, like Shapiro, were so eager to meet their NASCAR heroes or these drivers equally as eager to properly thank America’s heroes: these military members and their families.

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"We get to do a lot of neat things throughout the year but anytime you get to do something with the military it ranks high," Stewart said. "It’s a group of people that don’t get the appreciation they deserve for what they do and the sacrifices they make. It’s a day out of our lives, but it’s months and years they dedicate to making sure we’re able to do what we love for a living."

His living is something Stewart is particularly grateful for after a couple of emotional and difficult seasons when he has uncharacteristically not been a part of the championship mix as a driver, although his good friend and teammate Kevin Harvick delivered Stewart-Haas Racing its second championship in four years.

RELATED: In midst of awful year, Stewart remains ‘so grateful’

Stewart said Tuesday that he feels well medically after offseason surgery on the leg he broke in 2013, and enjoyed some good time off the past two months.

"It feels the best it’s felt since I had the crash," Stewart says of his right leg, severely broken in a sprint car racing crash in August of 2013.

"I had surgery December 1 and feel good. I get a year break now and go back and have it operated on again next December to get the rod out. And I’m looking forward to not having hardware in my leg anymore."

And with NASCAR all but eliminating offseason testing, Stewart, Larson and their fellow drivers had more time on their hands.

"I got to do everything I wanted to do," Stewart said with a smile. "I went to Yuma, Arizona and watched Kyle win a (sprint car) race out there right after New Year’s, and I went to Tulsa (Oklahoma) for Chili Bowl last week. I had a different role than what I’m used to. Instead of driving (a car) I was driving a tractor and doing track prep.

MORE: NASCAR drivers give flavor to Chili Bowl

"I enjoyed my offseason. I got to go home and see my mother and father, niece and nephew and sister. I got to do the things I wanted to do.

"It was very needed and I feel like we’ve had a good enough break now and it’s time to get back to doing what we do."

Stewart knows he’ll need the reboot to handle challenges from the 22-year-old Chip Ganassi Racing driver Larson, who not only won 2014 rookie honors but also established himself a high-wattage star ready to step up and contend for a title.

And while they both said they enjoyed the offseason — Larson and his longtime girlfriend Katelyn Sweet welcomed their first baby, son Owen in December — these drivers are also tangibly eager to start the 2015 season.

Larson laughed, noting that he couldn’t be more ready for a second chance in the Daytona 500 after brushing the wall on the very first lap of the 2014 race.

"I remember Tony making a lot of fun of me during that six-hour rain delay we had," Larson said grinning. "The 500 couldn’t go any worse so it’s going to go better than it did last year. … I’d love to get a good finish and put this trophy in my new house."

Many — including a large portion of Tuesday’s crowd — believe Larson will need lots of trophy shelving. One retired serviceman couldn’t resist giving Larson one bit of advice, referring to Larson’s headline-making last-lap door-to-door battle with Ryan Newman.

"Next time, take him out," the gentleman urged loudly.

Larson broke into a smile and shook his head. One fan after another offered encouragement and patted him on the back, welcoming NASCAR’s next phenom.

Larson knows he raised the bar on expectations last season and wouldn’t have it any other way.

"It’s a good thing," he said. "Last year I feel like I exceeded a lot of people’s expectations so this year I hope to do the same even though those expectations are a lot higher.

"We were close to getting a couple wins last year and barely missed the Chase. Had we made the Chase, we would have run really well in the points. So basing off last season, I think we can race for a championship. I really do."

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Staff Report

Four-time Camping World Truck champ to run for The Motorsports Group

Ron Hornaday Jr. will drive in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2015 for The Motorsports Group, the team announced.

Hornaday, a four-time champion in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will be the primary driver and will pilot the No. 30 Chevrolet starting in February at Daytona International Speedway, according to the team release.

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"I am happy to be signing on with Curtis Key and the entire TMG organization for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season," Hornaday said in a team release. "This team has been working really hard during the offseason to get cars ready for Daytona and the rest of the season. I’m hoping to bring some guidance and racing knowledge to this start-up Cup team."

Hornaday does have some experience in the sport’s top series. He has run 45 races, including 32 of 36 in the 2001 season. His lone top-10 in the premier series came that year with a ninth-place finish at Las Vegas. However, he has not run in a premier series event since 2003.

"We are glad to have Ron Hornaday come on board with The Motorsports Group," TMG owner Curtis Key said in a release. Ron has been involved in the NASCAR industry for over 20 years now. His experience and knowledge of the industry is exactly what we need this first year in the Sprint Cup Series."

Sponsorship information will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the release.

Hornaday, 56, has 55 NASCAR national series wins in his career, with 51 in the Truck Series and four in what is now known as the NASCAR XFINITY Series. This past season he ran 16 of the 22 races in the Truck Series and finished with five top-fives and 10 top-10 finishes.

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Staff Report

Fanatics’ compelling vision for at-track experience ready for growth

The new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoff format that debuted last season was a dramatic shift that ramped up the pressure and drama of the 10-race postseason. This season, the debut of a new partnership intends to bring the same game-changing dynamic to a different aspect of the fan experience: souvenir shopping.

NASCAR and NASCAR Team Properties jointly announced Wednesday a 10-year agreement with Fanatics to conduct its fan merchandise operations at every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The new partnership — which has been met with support from teams and tracks across the industry — includes sweeping plans to transform the sales of memorabilia from an allotment of walk-up trailers to a walk-in assortment of tents in a courtyard-style mall layout.

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The first artist’s renderings of the new layout, which is subject to change and evolve over the 2015 launch, illustrated the initiative’s potential to make souvenir sales an even more interactive process.

"Obviously we’re extremely excited as well," said Ross Tannenbaum, president of Fanatics Authentic, the Jacksonville, Florida-based company’s division for licensed sports apparel. "It was a privilege to be selected by the teams, the tracks and NASCAR to be their partner in trying to find ways to improve on the current system of how retail is done at the tracks. We’ve committed to trying to build something up that the fans will love, that the teams and the industry will all be excited about, that will be a better shopping experience. … I think it will be a winner for everybody long-term."

The announcement was also met with approval from NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. — a man who knows plenty about moving souvenirs as one of the sport’s perennial top sellers.

"Our fans will soon have better merchandise selections and the opportunity to shop at centralized locations that are in covered, climate-controlled areas," Earnhardt said. "I applaud NASCAR any time it makes decisions to give fans a better at-track experience."

Tannenbaum said that Fanatics’ game plan is that the courtyard layout will grow over the course of 2015, evolving from testing concepts toward a full-fledged presence at the track by midseason. The design will vary from track to track because of space limitations, but Tannenbaum said that the traveling mall’s flexibility is up to the logistical challenges. In most instances at bigger speedways, he said that the souvenir setup has the ability to adjust and branch off into satellite stores.

Regardless of the track’s footprint for merchandise sales, the concepts of hub location and mall layout should mark a departure from the current maze of trailers and hospitality displays.

"A merchandise center will provide a more personal, organized, comfortable and convenient shopping environment for our fans," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "Partnering with an industry leader in Fanatics allows us to offer a comprehensive and seamless shopping experience for our fans – whether it is in-venue, online or on mobile devices."

Fanatics officials toured certain tracks last season to get a feel for the current model of race-weekend sales, but they also drew upon the company’s extensive background in promoting and selling merchandise at other big-ticket sporting events, such as the NHL Winter Classic, the SEC Championship football game and the Shamrock Series for Notre Dame athletics.

What Fanatics learned, Tannenbaum said, is that while the current model — walking up to a souvenir trailer, selecting a shirt off the wall by giving its number and then paying — has cost-efficient benefits, the walk-in model provides a personal touch that the walk-up model might lack. With the concept’s planned inclusion of apparel customization, autograph sessions and other in-store entertainment, the personal aspect shifts into a higher gear.

"The best way to shop has been proven for a very long time is to give the consumer the opportunity to see a much broader selection of products, to be able to see the product, get a feel for the sizing of it, the material of the garment, then pick the things you want and ultimately go to a checkout," Tannenbaum said.

"That’s what we’ve really wanted to bring to NASCAR, but we needed to find a way to do it that was cost-effective but you can transport it every single week, and literally build a mall and then take it down and do it again. That’s obviously the biggest challenge. As I said, we’re going to have some challenges, but we just want everyone to understand that we’re fully committed to finding solutions and creating the best experience possible for the fan. And that’s all that the tracks and NASCAR and the teams wanted was the best experience for the fan."

***

News of the partnership between the NASCAR industry and Fanatics was overwhelmingly well received Wednesday. What they’re saying:

"The race teams and drivers want to deliver the best possible experience to our fans and our sponsors, and part of that includes the shopping experience at the race track. We believe Fanatics is the right partner to enhance all aspects of the NASCAR merchandise environment at track and online for years to come."

— Dave Alpern, Chief Marketing Officer, Joe Gibbs Racing

"Simple and efficient is the best way to describe this new trackside retail model. It is one-stop shopping. A family attending NASCAR events can each purchase their favorite driver’s merchandise, under one roof and with one transaction. Fans will also see the benefit of having more time to enjoy the pre-race activities such as pit passes, hospitality clubs, fan zones and additional entertainment."

— Ben May, Chief Marketing Officer, Pocono Raceway

"As an entertainment company, everything we do is about the fans. In every decision, we listen to our fans and bring forth initiatives that meet their needs. This partnership with Fanatics will continue to deliver on that promise. Fanatics’ innovations and strong industry presence will only enhance and enrich the guest experience."

— Craig Neeb, Senior VP of Business Development, International Speedway Corporation

"Our new trackside retail partner, Fanatics, has the knowledge, passion and commitment to create a more convenient shopping experience for the fans. It’s a bold vision and we look forward to working side-by-side with Fanatics and our key licensees to deliver it."

— Joe Mattes, Vice President of Licensing and Marketing, JR Motorsports

"The fan experience is such a critical component for all tracks to successfully exceed the expectations of our customers. This new trackside retail model will provide an exciting addition to race weekend that will enhance that experience and provide a more comfortable and convenient shopping environment."

— Mike Tatoian, President, Dover International Speedway