Tony Stewart comes up empty at New Hampshire

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Nascar

After leading more than 80 laps, Smoke ends the night in 26th and out of gas

LOUDON, N.H. — Tony Stewart helped push the No. 14 Chevrolet off pit road and into the garage at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

It wasn’t the ending for which he had hoped, nor the one he and his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing team expected.

A decision to pass on opportunities to pit in order to maintain track position had kept the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion in the thick of the battle, and headed toward a potential win. But his car’s fuel cell ran dry during a green-white-checkered finish to Sunday’s Camping World RV Sales 301, leaving Stewart 26^th in the 43-car field.

“We were a little bit to the good; we thought we were alright,” Stewart said.

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Stewart took the lead after a stop for two tires and fuel during the day’s sixth caution between laps 203 and 207. Although opportunities cropped up five more times when the yellow flag appeared, Stewart opted to try and conserve fuel and maintain his front-running position.

For 84 laps, the effort paid dividends before a fast closing Brian Vickers took the lead with 15 laps remaining. The final caution that pushed the race one lap past its scheduled distance might have given him the opportunity to retake the lead, but Stewart’s car stumbled less than a lap from the finish, its fuel cell empty.

“It’s hard to calculate how much we are saving on the cautions so we thought we were about three quarters of a lap to the good there before that last caution,” Stewart said. “Obviously didn’t get saved as much as I thought we would.”

The setback dropped Stewart from 10th to 13^th in the points standings. With one victory this season (at Dover), he is second in the Wild Card standings that will determine who earns the final two positions in this year’s Chase For The Sprint Cup.

He is, however, only five points out of 10^th.

“I knew if (Vickers) got by Kyle (Busch) that we were going to be in trouble,” Stewart said of the late-race run by the race winner.

“He had been able to stalk Kyle (running second) for a really long time. It was hard to stay that close to somebody for very long. I knew when he got by that we were in trouble.”

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Newman wreck

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from New Hampshire, Iowa

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Staff Report

Follow the key moments as they unfold for all three national series

Results

Sprint Cup Series: Camping World RV Sales 301 results | Standings

Nationwide Series: CNBC Prime’s the Profit 200 results | Standings

Camping World Truck Series: American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen results | Standings

Sprint Cup Series

Camping World RV Sales 301, 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, TNT.

Featured Story

Vickers wins at New Hampshire

Brian Vickers made the most of his part-time ride with Michael Waltrip Racing, taking a trip to Victory Lane in the No. 55 after winning the Camping World RV Sales 301. The win breaks a years-long winless streak for Vickers. | Read the full story

Other news:
— Stewart comes up empty after leading laps
— Danica, Ricky hit the wall at New Hampshire
— Jimmie Johnson goes from last to sixth in 301 laps
— Crash puts a bump in Kurt Busch’s road to the Chase
— Standings Shuffle: Burton becomes a Chase contender
— Keselowski says No. 2 team is ready to contend
— Age no issue for to-be oldest starter in Cup history
— Kurt Busch fastest in Saturday’s first practice
— Keselowski earns Coors Light Pole Award
— Jimmie Johnson’s qualifying time disallowed
— Ryan Newman moving on; 2014 plans in limbo
— Danica Patrick: No to nude, happy with Harvick
— Wild Card Watch
— Latest news on roof spacers story
— See this week’s new paint schemes
— Driver Reports: Mid-season breakdown
— Week 18: Sprint Cup Series Power Rankings
— Kurt Busch elevates 78 team to new heights

Nationwide Series

CNBC Prime’s the Profit 200, 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, ABC.

Featured story

Dash 4 Cash

Austin Dillon won the second $100,000 bonus by virtue of this third-place showing at New Hampshire. Eligible to claim the big prize next week at Chicagoland: Dillon, Michael Annett, Brian Scott and Brian Vickers. | Read the full story

— Kyle Busch gets seventh win of season
— Sadler promises Smith he won’t win title
— Kyle Busch wins Coors Light Pole Award
— Nationwide pit stall assignments
— Points leader Smith takes both practices
— Logjam adds spice to Nationwide title hunt
— Ty Dillon chimes in on "3" talk
— Preece keeps up with vets in Nationwide debut

Camping World Truck Series

American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen, 8:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, SPEED.

Featured Story

Peters gets first win of season

In a race dominated early by pole-sitter German Quiroga, only four others led more than one lap. Among them was Timothy Peters, who took the lead at the end of the race and held on to it for his first victory of 2013. | Read the full story

— Young drivers make veterans take notice at Iowa
— Age no issue for young Chase Elliott
— NASCAR Next: Meet Chase Elliott
— Gaughan, Jones make moves during practice
— At Iowa, young drivers take the spotlight

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tangle at Loudon

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Burton in the mix

WATCH: Kurt Busch,
Newman wreck

READ: Complete coverage
from New Hampshire, Iowa

Posted on July 13, 2013 by

Peters becomes first back-to-back Iowa Truck Series winner

Related: RESULTS | STANDINGS

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NEWTON, Iowa — Timothy Peters knows the way to Victory Lane at Iowa Speedway.

He followed that path Saturday night to his best finish of the season.

It was the Red Horse Racing driver’s first win of the season and sixth in his career. He jumped to sixth in points. The track provided a similar boost last year, propelling Peters to a second-place points finish.

"We started off the season a little rocky," Peters said. "We’re turning that around. And we’re going to shine through the summer months. We’re going to shine through Homestead and we’re going to get that championship that was so close last year."

Peters grabbed the lead with 27 laps to go, taking the outside lane on Ty Dillon and then pulled away from the field. Crew chief Butch Hylton made the crucial call to replace two tires late, saving time on a pit stop. The move paid dividends, giving Peters the handling he needed to take the corner after the green flag dropped.

"Butch made a great decision there at the end, taking two tires," Peters said. "It gave me the stability and confidence I needed in the corner (to) get the lead."

Hylton said it wasn’t hard decision to make. He praised the pit crew for their efforts.

"I could see Ty. They were three or four stalls before us," Hylton said. "I had a pretty good idea what they were going to do. Our pit crews are awesome."

The first time Peters grabbed the lead from Dillon came off a restart as well, following Johnny Sauter’s collision with the wall on Lap 113. After surrendering the lead to James Buescher, Peters made his way back to the front for the final dash to the finish.

"The pit crew did a good job of getting me track position," Peters said. "Track position was very critical."

Dillon thrived on longer runs and seemed dialed in during those stretches. The restarts cost him in the final quarter of the contest.

Jones and Dillon battled for position with Jones gaining an advantage and Dillon fell out of contention. His Chevrolet bounced off the wall after the last restart, dropping Dillon to 16th. Jones challenged Peters, but settled for his third top-10 finish of the season and first at Iowa Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. finished fourth, just ahead of Chase Elliott. Darrell Wallace Jr. was the highest finishing official rookie of the year contender, coming in eighth.

Matt Crafton finished sixth to retain a 31-point championship lead over Jeb Burton.

"We were in the top five all night and I’m really proud of that," Jones said. "Being able to be up there to contend is a big step for me."

Buescher, who opted for four tires in the final pit and placed him too far behind the leaders who took two, led 24 laps and placed third. It was his best finish of the season for the defending points champion and his first top-five finish of the season.

Buescher has three top-10 finishes in six starts at Iowa Speedway.

"I’m happy with our third-place run," Buescher said. "A couple mistakes probably beat us at the end."

Despite a flurry of cautions in the second half of the race, the first 54 laps were under green and all led by fast qualifier German Quiroga, who lost the lead to Dillon after lap 56.

Quiroga was certainly happier before the race started. He made history with his qualifying performance.

Quiroga was the fastest of a tremendously quick field, becoming the first Mexican-born NCWTS pole sitter. The driver of Red Horse Racing’s No. 77 Toyota Tundra raced to a track record 138.620 mph in qualifying.

"I’m very, very happy," Quiroga said about the feat. "We’ve been running fast." He ultimately finished 14th.

Even though Quiroga dropped in the field, he kick-started a successful showing for RHR here. It was the third straight pole for the team at Iowa Speedway.

"It was a fantastic day for Red Horse Racing," Team owner Tom DeLoach said. "It’s a total effort of the team."

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen
Iowa Speedway
Newton, Iowa
Saturday, July 13, 2013

               1. (10) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 200, $39885.
               2. (7) Erik Jones, Toyota, 200, $24375.
               3. (12) James Buescher, Chevrolet, 200, $18845.
               4. (15) Ron Hornaday Jr., Chevrolet, 200, $15335.
               5. (11) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 200, $14110.
               6. (16) Matt Crafton, Toyota, 200, $11785.
               7. (2) Miguel Paludo, Chevrolet, 200, $11285.
               8. (21) Darrell Wallace Jr. #, Toyota, 200, $12360.
               9. (9) Joey Coulter, Toyota, 200, $11010.
               10. (22) Dakoda Armstrong, Chevrolet, 200, $12235.
               11. (8) Johnny Sauter, Toyota, 200, $10910.
               12. (14) John Wes Townley, Toyota, 200, $10785.
               13. (5) Ross Chastain, Ford, 200, $10735.
               14. (1) German Quiroga #, Toyota, 200, $12985.
               15. (18) Max Gresham, Chevrolet, 200, $11635.
               16. (3) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 200, $10435.
               17. (26) Steve Wallace(i), Chevrolet, 199, $8085.
               18. (19) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 199, $10210.
               19. (20) Brennan Newberry #, Chevrolet, 199, $10110.
               20. (24) Jeff Agnew, Chevrolet, 199, $9435.
               21. (27) Frank Kimmel, Toyota, 199, $8660.
               22. (17) Jeb Burton #, Chevrolet, 199, $7560.
               23. (13) Tim George Jr., Chevrolet, 197, $7435.
               24. (28) Jimmy Weller III, Toyota, 197, $7360.
               25. (25) Josh Reaume, Chevrolet, 196, $7485.
               26. (6) Ryan Blaney #, Ford, 195, $7310.
               27. (23) Tyler Young, Chevrolet, 194, $7260.
               28. (30) Justin Jennings, Ford, 194, $7235.
               29. (35) Bryan Silas, Ford, 191, $7210.
               30. (33) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, 186, $7685.
               31. (4) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 159, $7160.
               32. (32) Jennifer Jo Cobb, RAM, Engine, 20, $7135.
               33. (31) Danny Efland(i), Chevrolet, Vibration, 11, $7110.
               34. (29) Chris Jones, Chevrolet, Vibration, 7, $7085.
               35. (34) Chris Lafferty, Ford, Rear End, 3, $7060.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 106.311 mph.
Time of Race: 1 Hrs, 38 Mins, 46 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.225 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 5 for 26 laps.
Lead Changes: 6 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders:   G. Quiroga # 1-56; R. Sieg 57; T. Dillon 58-114; T. Peters 115-126; J. Buescher 127-165; T. Dillon 166-173; T. Peters 174-200.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): T. Dillon 2 times for 65 laps; G. Quiroga # 1 time for 56 laps; T. Peters 2 times for 39 laps; J. Buescher 1 time for 39 laps; R. Sieg 1 time for 1 lap.
Top 10 in Points: M. Crafton – 357; J. Burton # – 319; J. Buescher – 317; T. Dillon – 309; J. Sauter – 305; R. Blaney # – 290; M. Paludo – 285; T. Peters – 281; B. Gaughan – 280; D. Wallace Jr. # – 272.

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Preview: New Hampshire

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at the halfway point

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Week 18

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from New Hampshire, Iowa

Posted on July 13, 2013 by

No. 54 driver has win record of 50 percent in 14 races

View full race results here

LOUDON, N.H. — Despite a snafu in the pits that cost him six positions — temporarily — Kyle Busch steamrolled the field in Saturday’s CNBC Prime’s ‘The Profit 200’ at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Never mind that it took the maximum three attempts at green-white-checkered-flag finishes before the issue was decided, and never mind that the extra laps left the gas tanks of most competitors either empty or very close to dry at the conclusion.

Busch, the pole sitter, led 141 laps in collecting his seventh NASCAR Nationwide Series victory in 14 starts this season, his fourth at the Magic Mile and the 58th of his career, extending his own series record.

The driver of the No. 54 Toyota crossed the stripe at the end of the third green-white-checker, .466 seconds ahead of runner-up Brian Vickers, as Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Busch, Vickers and Matt Kenseth led all 213 laps of a race that went 13 laps beyond its scheduled distance.

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Austin Dillon ran third and collected the $100,000 bonus as the highest-finishing series regular eligible for the Dash 4 Cash. Brian Scott came home fourth and Michael Annett fifth, as many contenders, including last week’s Dash 4 Cash winner Elliott Sadler, ran out of fuel in the overtime.

Amazingly, Busch, who last pitted on Lap 119, had enough fuel left to do a lengthy burnout — and then some.

"We pitted two laps after Brian, so I think that was part of it," Busch said. "I think the other part of it, too, was Brian and the 3 (Dillon) were running really, really hard trying to beat each other, obviously, and race really hard there.

"(But) when I got out front with the two-second lead or whatever, I started rolling out of the gas early getting into the corners, not using a whole lot of brake and just kind of saving my tires, saving my brakes, saving the fuel and doing what I could to just be ready, like (crew chief) Adam (Stevens) kept saying on the radio, in case there was a green-white-checker, to have something left to go race at the end.

"I think that all just compounded. I bet you there’s still probably a couple gallons left."

A slow pit stop on Lap 43, resulting from difficulties in changing the right front tire, shuffled Busch back to seventh for a restart on Lap 47. Vickers grabbed the lead on the restart lap and held it for 54 straight circuits, but Busch charged through the field and regained the top spot on Lap 107 with a dive to the inside in Turn 1.

Busch maintained his advantage until a spate of late-race cautions necessitated the three overtimes.

A crash involving Joey Logano, Parker Kligerman and Paul Menard, triggered when Trevor Bayne went to the apron to create a four-wide knot of potential trouble, slowed the field during the second green-white-checker. NASCAR then red-flagged the race for 2 minutes 46 seconds, and that proved the saving grace for Vickers, who ran out of fuel as he approached the finish line.

"We’ve got to thank NASCAR for giving us the red flag," Vickers said. "Had they not given us the red flag, I’m sure a lot of guys would have (run out of gas). I know we would have. I think that was smart on their part knowing the circumstances…

"We weren’t sure we were going to make it to the end of the race, period, much less three green-white-checkers. The cautions helped, saving fuel helped and just getting every ounce of fuel in it we could."

Sam Hornish Jr., who came to pit road for fuel under after the first green-white-checker attempt, would have preferred the race to continue under yellow. But Hornish charged forward after each of the final two restarts and salvaged a seventh-place finish, trimming the advantage of eighth-place finisher and series leader Regan Smith to five points.

Notes: As the four series regulars with the highest finishes, Vickers, Dillon, Scott and Annett are eligible for the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus next Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway… Busch’s fourth win from the pole this year tied Sam Ard’s Nationwide Series record… Busch has led a series-best 1,114 laps this year and 12,085 laps in Nationwide competition, far and away a series record.

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at the halfway point

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Posted on July 13, 2013 by Holly Cain

Nationwide championship contenders have garage confrontation

View full race results here

LOUDON, N.H. – With crew members scurrying to keep things civil, Elliott Sadler angrily confronted Regan Smith in the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage following Saturday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Despite Smith’s best efforts to explain to Sadler that he unintentionally spun him out in the closing laps, a frustrated Sadler pointed his finger at the Nationwide Series points leader asking, “Hey Regan, you got a problem with me? You got a problem with me?”

After Smith offered his version of events, Sadler remained unmoved telling him, “You will not win this championship, mark my word.’’

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The two were not only racing for a possible win Saturday but were ranked first (Smith) and third (Sadler) in the championship standings coming into the race.

Sadler’s No. 11 SportsClips Toyota was running third on the third and final attempt at a green-white-checkered finish with Smith’s Chevy lined up behind Sadler in fifth when they collided. Sadler spun out and salvaged an 18^th-place showing — the first time he’s finished outside the top-10 since June 1 at Dover, six races ago.

The result, however, dropped him two positions in the standings to fifth — 24 points behind Smith.

Asked for his take on the situation, Sadler said, “Go ask him,’’ motioning to Smith as a team member took Sadler by the arm and guided him out of the garage area.

Smith went into his team transporter to change out of his fire suit, then returned a few minutes later and calmly spoke with reporters. He reiterated it was nothing intentional, but just hard racing and that his car got away from him. But, he understood Sadler’s frustration.

“I just had a run on the last re-start on the bottom, and I don’t know who was ahead of him, I think the 20 (Brian Vickers) went to block him and he (Sadler) went to block me,’’ Smith said. “And I had a run on the inside so I went in there and got way down on the flat and slipped sideways, trying to keep off him initially there and when I did, it snapped sideways into him and took him out.

“It’s my fault. I hate that it happened, but you can’t take it back. It is what it is. I’m sure he’s pretty angry right now, but we’ll go to the next one and keep on fighting with this TaxSlayer.com Chevy and try to get some points.’’

Asked if he was surprised at all by Sadler’s reaction, Smith shook his head.

“I’d be mad too, in the same situation. I’d be just as mad,’’ Smith said. “I’ve raced Elliott clean for years, and it wasn’t like it was intentional. I understand his anger.

“The flip side is I felt like I had a run and got taken down to the bottom and who knows. I don’t want to make up any excuses and say I got junk on the tires. I know I didn’t have the level of grip that I anticipated I was going to have on the corner. My right front got in his left rear.

“It wasn’t intentional but it’s going to be tough to tell him that right now.’’

With the top five drivers in the standings separated by only 24 points and the top-10 within 69 points, it has been a tight championship run all season. The top five drivers — Smith, Sam Hornish Jr., Austin Dillon, Justin Allgaier and Sadler — have typically raced door-to-door with one another week after week.

Despite the tempers Saturday afternoon, Smith was confident that they would continue to race each other respectfully.

“You don’t think, ‘Oh, here’s a guy in the points, I’m just going to run into him,’" Smith said. “You just think here’s another position I can gain, let me try to make a pass here.

“I’d have been the happiest guy in the race if we’d just finished the race when it was three to go and that didn’t work out. Just have to move on. …there’s so much racing to go.’’

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Posted on July 13, 2013 by Holly Cain

After a season of struggles, defending champion looks to turn things around

LOUDON, N.H. — Winning the Coors Light pole position for Sunday’s Camping World RV Sales 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway isn’t just a “good start” for Brad Keselowski.

NASCAR’s reigning Sprint Cup Series champion is hoping it’s a launching point for his head-down, eye-on-the-prize eight-race run for at least the chance to defend his title as a member of the 12-driver Chase playoff field.

Drivers like to remind the rest of us that you don’t get any points for winning the pole. It’s where you finish, not where you start, that counts.

But in the case of Keselowski’s No. 2 Miller Lite Ford team, this weekend’s effort is an undeniable bright spot in what’s been a free-fall down the standings over the last two months. It’s something to build off.

“I think our race team is ready,’’ said Keselowski, who comes to the New England one-miler ranked a season-low 13th in the Sprint Cup standings.

“We have been close. We’ve had the speed the last few weeks to get the job done but different scenarios have bitten us. Those will come and go and I feel like they’ve went. This is our time.”

And the clock is ticking.

"There is a sense of urgency, but not a sense of panic."

— Brad Keselowski

On the strength of four straight top-four efforts to begin the season, Keselowski took the championship lead after a third-place at Bristol, Tenn. He had seven top-10 finishes in the first eight races and looked to be in good position to answer his breakout year, a sure title favorite.

But in the 10 races since, Keselowski has four finishes of 32nd or worse, only a single top-10 (at Dover) and just once started a race inside the top-10.

Two headline-earning penalties only exacerbated the struggles. After losing on appeal, Keselowski was penalized 25 championship points after his car was found to be illegal (rear end housing) at the Texas race in April. He lost another six points at Dover in June when the Blue Deuce didn’t meet legal measurements.

The circumstances created a difficult situation, but the team is far from being disillusioned — the situation has helped fuel and motivate the comeback.

New Hampshire has typically been a good track for the champ. In the last three visits to the track, his worst showing was sixth place. He fell just short of winning in the second race at the track in 2011, coming in second. Going in to Sunday’s Camping World RV Sales 301, he is confident.

“There is a sense of urgency, but not a sense of panic,’’ Keselowski said of his team. “I think there is a strong difference between the two. We are eager to get going, we are hungry and feel like we can do it but I don’t feel a sense of panic.

“There are still two months of racing, essentially, to get into the Chase. We have fast race cars and if we do our part we don’t need any help. If we do our part we don’t even need any luck. We just need to do our jobs and I feel like we have got the team to do just that.”

An additional element in Keselowski’s quest is the teamwork between he and Penske Racing teammate Joey Logano, who are simultaneously contributing to the overall team success and racing against each other for a Chase berth.

Both drivers say they are committed to the team ethics and willing to share information to help one another.

“Brad has been a huge part of why I am here because we wanted to work together,’’ Logano said Friday. “We didn’t want to be teammates that didn’t talk to each other. We wanted to work together to improve each other’s race teams and each other as race car drivers.

“We know we are going to be racing each other to get into the Chase. …We have had that discussion already and we plan to keep doing what we are doing. That is the only way we will make it. If we start fighting against each other, we are never going to make this Chase.’’

For Keselowski, the partnership is highly personal. He recommended Logano for the No. 22 Ford seat and sees Logano’s success as a reflection on himself.
It doesn’t lessen his desire, however, to make sure he is in the championship mix when it’s all said and done.

“For me, I am committed to working with Joey and doing all I can do for him and we are kind of tied together sometimes whether we like it or not,’’ Keselowski said. “I wanted him to come to Penske and …the more success he has, the more credibility I have because I wanted him to come to Penske; the stronger I feel about the legacy I will have with Penske Racing when it is all said and done. I have a vested interest in seeing him be successful if for nothing more than my own reputation inside Penske racing.

“Either way, he is my teammate and he can help me and there are going to be times where he is going to be better than I am and there will be times I am better than he is. If we can prop each other up on both those situations and both those times, it is for the betterment of all.

“You would like to see us in a situation where we are both locked in. That is not what it is. I think as a whole, if we can get over this little hump that we are fighting through right now there is no reason both cars at Penske Racing can’t make the Chase.”

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Posted on July 13, 2013 by Holly Cain

Veteran driver made first premier series start in 1970

LOUDON, N.H. — Only eight of the 42 drivers Morgan Shepherd will be competing against in Sunday’s Camping World RV Sales 301 were even born when the 71-year-old made his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on June 20, 1970 at Hickory, N.C.

Five drivers — Ken Schrader, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Dave Blaney — had ever made a Cup start at the time Shepherd last visited victory lane (Atlanta, 1993).

Twelve drivers on the New Hampshire Motor Speedway starting grid weren’t yet racing at the Cup level when Shepherd last ran a Cup race in 2006. Even fewer — six — were racing Cup when he scored his last top-10 finish in 1997.

"This is truly a milestone, a great opportunity and I want to thank all who are involved to help make this happen,’’ said Shepherd, who will roll off 42nd Sunday in the Brian Keselowski Racing No. 52 Toyota.

"This is truly a milestone."

— Morgan Shepherd

“This will be my first Sprint Cup race since 2006. It will be good to be back for such a historical day, and I love the New Hampshire Speedway.’’

Shepherd’s great pride in becoming the oldest driver to start a Cup race is understandable. — and so is his competitors’ amazement.

“We talk about how amazing it is to see Mark Martin out there being competitive over 50 years old, but to just go out there and do what he does as far as Morgan is concerned at 71, that’s amazing,’’ four-time Cup champ Jeff Gordon said. “And no, you will not see me out there doing that at age 71.’’

Gordon’s reaction was typical this weekend, with most drivers unable to even imagine themselves competing at NASCAR’s highest level at an age when many senior citizens are retired and finding time to finally do what they enjoy.

But then again, Shepherd — famous for roller skating down pit road and for displaying his deeply-held religious beliefs on the side panels of his race cars — clearly doesn’t fit the stereotypes of the aging.

And while no one suggested NASCAR needed to institute a maximum age requirement, it was still almost unfathomable to the drivers — most several decades his junior — that they could still be competing at Shepherd’s age.

“I don’t know that I could do that when I’m 55,’’ Martin Truex Jr. said. “That’s 22 years from now, so I’m not sure I could do it. It just depends. I think it’s more individual.

“I think NASCAR obviously looks at the individuals, their track record, what they’ve done lately and if he’s (Morgan Shepherd) been a hazard on the race track for the past couple weeks then obviously they wouldn’t let him run.

“I’m just going to tell you that I’ve got enough gray hair and I’ve only been doing it 10 years. Not sure I can make it until 70. That’s pretty awesome."

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Posted on July 13, 2013 by Staff Report

Turner Scott Motorsports driver edges Chastain atop leaderboard

RELATED: Final practice results

NEWTON, Iowa — Miguel Paludo and Ross Chastain continued their strong showings at Iowa Speedway during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice Saturday afternoon.

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Paludo posted the fastest time, coming in at 22.937 seconds (137.333 mph) in a mock qualifying run that had him so thrilled, he took his truck to the garage for the final 30 minutes. Behind Paludo was 20-year-old Ross Chastain in his No. 19 Ford at 22.966 seconds (137.159 mph).

In two practice sessions Friday, Paludo finished eighth and fourth; Chastain finished third and second. In Saturday’s effort, the two became the first drivers to break 137 mph and 23 seconds.

Joey Coulter was one of three other drivers to accomplish that feat, finishing third on the grid with a time of 22.977 seconds (137.094 mph). Coulter, who finished third in the final standings last year, didn’t crack the top 10 in either of Friday’s sessions.

German Quiroga Jr. was fourth in Saturday’s practice (22.981, 137.070) in the No. 77 Toyota of Red Horse Racing and Ty Dillon, who won the most recent Camping World Truck Series race at Kentucky, was fifth (22.989, 137.022).

Defending series champion James Buescher finished sixth (23.003, 136.939), followed by Johnny Sauter (23.016, 136.861), Ryan Blaney (23.023,136.820), Brendan Gaughan (23.033, 136.760) and Chase Elliott (23.034, 136.754).

The track time was not without incident, as Bryan Silas brought out a yellow flag after nearly 90 minutes when he spun in Turn 2 and made contact with the wall. Silas’ No. 99 Chevrolet needed a tow off the track, delaying the two-hour session by nearly 15 minutes.

Silas was evaluated and released from the care center.

Keystone Light Pole qualifying is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (shown on tape delay at 7 p.m., SPEED), with the American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen following at 8:30 p.m. ET (SPEED).

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Preview: New Hampshire

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at the halfway point

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Week 18

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from New Hampshire, Iowa

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Staff Report

LIVE CAMPING WORLD TRUCK PRACTICE LEADERBOARD

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READ: Paint Scheme
Preview: New Hampshire

READ: Driver Reports
at the halfway point

READ: Power Rankings
Week 18

READ: Complete coverage
from New Hampshire, Iowa

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Staff Report

Series’ winningest driver adds Coors Light pole career record to honors

RELATED: Qualifying results

FULL SERIES COVERAGE

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Kyle Busch broke the track record and tied a series record with his 30^th career Coors Light Pole in the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Busch was the only driver to break the 29-second barrier, turning the Magic Mile in 28.873 seconds at 131.916 mph. His 30^th series pole ties Mark Martin for the most poles in Nationwide history.

His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Brian Vickers, was second-fastest with a 29.029 second/131.207 mph circuit.

JR Motorsports teammates Kasey Kahne and Nationwide points leader Regan Smith will make up the second row for CNBC Prime’s “The Profit” 200 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

Nationwide Series regulars Richard Childress Racing’s Brian Scott and Turner Scott Motorsports Justin Allgaier are on the third row while Sprint Cup drivers make up the fourth row with Penske Racing’s Joey Logano in seventh and JGR’s Matt Kenseth in eighth.

The fourth JGR driver, Elliott Sadler, is ninth and the top racer eligible for the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash bonus. Kyle Busch Motorsports rounds out the top 10 with Parker Kligerman.

Carl Long and the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing team withdrew and Mike Harmon and Morgan Shepherd did not make the 40-car field. At 71, Shepherd will become the oldest driver in Sprint Cup Series history to start a race when he takes the green flag for the Camping World RV Sales 301 (1 p.m. ET, TNT).

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