Posted on by NASCAR Official Release

Innovative device to result in reduction of track-drying time

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Less than eight months ago, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France tasked the team at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., with developing a means to shorten the delay caused by rain.

The reasons for the initiative were many, but at the top of the list was fans, whether in the grandstands or watching on television, should not have to wait long before racing resumes following a downpour.

NASCAR announced today Phase 1 of France’s vision, introducing the Air Titan™ track-drying system that will debut during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. This innovative technology, steeped in science and created by the NASCAR R&D Center, will reduce track drying time, improve the racing product and enhance the fan experience — starting this week and including The Sprint Unlimited on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

“In a short amount of time, our talented team at the NASCAR R&D Center imagined, designed and built the Air Titan, an innovative device that will dramatically improve the race-viewing experience for our fans,” France said of the initiative’s first phase. “With its far-reaching potential and impact, we believe the Air Titan is a big win for the motorsports industry, and eventually will enhance many surface cleaning and drying industries as well.”

THE SPRINT UNLIMITED   
Sprint Cup Series kickoff

Fans decide: Vote on format

Mobile experience
New innovations for 2013

The Sprint Unlimited content
Fans at center of plans
Event gets an overhaul
New name, same setting
Video: Kyle Busch’s 2012 save

With the ultimate goal of reducing track-drying time by up to 80 percent, the NASCAR R&D team took an advanced scientific approach during the production of the Air Titan™. Using compressed air, the Air Titan™ efficiently and reliably pushes water off of the racing surface and onto the apron where vacuum trucks will remove the remainder of the moisture. Jet dryers will follow each Air Titan™, drying any excess water that remains on the racing surface.

As part of the Air Titan’s™ testing process, NASCAR enlisted the expertise of the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University and the International Speedway Corporation’s track construction group, Racing Surface Technologies and QualPro Inc. Additionally, Elgin Sweeper Company, Sullair and Ring Power CAT also provided equipment during the testing, and will be part of the track-drying process at Daytona during Speedweeks.

For the immediate future, jet dryers and vacuum trucks will continue to be used during track-drying efforts. Over time, the innovations of the Air Titan™ will lessen the carbon footprint of track drying, decreasing both emissions and noise pollution. The next evolution in the innovative technology will be to optimize the power source of the dryers.

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Take a look at the history of The Sprint Unlimited by breaking down the numbers

.013  Margin of victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history

.058  Margin of victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history

.080  Margin of victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history

1  Laps led by Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004) and Kevin Harvick (2009) in The Sprint Unlimited races they won

2  The starting position that has produced the most Sprint Unlimited wins (five).

2.75  Average finish by Dale Earnhardt, best by any driver with multiple starts

3  Number of drivers who started from the pole position and won: Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987) and Ken Schrader (1989)

4  Drivers who have won the race back to back: Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Ken Schrader (1989-90), Tony Stewart (2001-02) and Kevin Harvick (2009-10)

5  Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance (Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006)

6  Number of Sprint Unlimited wins by Dale Earnhardt, the series leader

7  Number of fewest starters in the field for The Sprint Unlimited (1981)

8  Number of times Kasey Kahne has competed in the race

’09 Year Kevin Harvick had his first Sprint Unlimited victory

10 Possible number of laps in the last segment of the race based on fan vote

11  Number of starts before winning, most since race began in 1979 (Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin)

14  Number of different leaders in the 2009 event, the most since the race began in 1979

19  Number of wins by Chevrolet in The Sprint Unlimited; leads all manufacturers

20  Most consecutive starts in The Sprint Unlimited; by Mark Martin (1989-2008)

27  Kevin Harvick’s starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event’s history

28  Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, the highest number since race began in 1979

44  Laps led by Greg Biffle in 2005, the most by a driver who did not win the event

47  Laps led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008, the most in a single Sprint Unlimited

124.095 mph  The slowest average speed of the race for The Sprint Unlimited was last season’s event won by Kyle Busch.

197.802 mph  The fastest average speed of the race for The Sprint Unlimited was in 1987 won by Bill Elliott.

Posted on by Holly Cain

"Air Titan" expected to dry track in fraction of the time

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In one of the most highly anticipated, well-received technological developments in the sport’s recent history, NASCAR shared details and photos of its innovative Air Titan track drying system Tuesday.

Although the project is still in the developmental phase, the ultimate goal is to cut the time it takes to dry a race track by 80 percent — drastically reducing rain delays.

It’s welcome news for fans, drivers, track owners and television producers alike. But mostly for the fans, to whom NASCAR Chairman Brian France promises a “dramatically improved” race-viewing experience.

The Air Titan project was initiated by France himself last year and was developed at the NASCAR Research & Development Center by six in-house project managers during the past eight months.

It uses compressed air to push water off the racing surface and onto the track apron where vacuum trucks remove the water. Five jet dryers will follow behind drying any excess moisture.

There will be two systems on track at the same time (running at a speed between 4-5 mph) each tasked to dry half the track. Ideally, according to NASCAR Senior Vice President for Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell, there will only need to be one pass.

For logistical reasons — there are large hoses connecting the power source to the air compressors — the race cars will be parked on pit road during the process, which should increase safety as well.

Another benefit of using compressed air will be a reduction of the “weepers” created when water rises to the track surface — a situation exacerbated with jet dryers.

“When you go back and look — and all credit goes to Brian for saying, ‘we have to get this done’ — jet dryers were 1976 technology with Roger Penske and before that we were scraping the track with tires,” O’Donnell said. “So it’s been 45 years of the same technology tweaked a little bit, but not dramatically. We’re not all the way there yet, but we think this could be a significant game changer for the industry.”

The drying system is already at Daytona International Speedway awaiting this week’s start of the 2013 NASCAR season and may get its first test as early as Saturday night’s season-opening event, The Sprint Unlimited.

As part of its initial development the Air Titan system was actually tested at the famous 2.5-mile speedway, home to the Daytona 500. The engineers and project managers are continuing to develop the system — specifically fine-tuning its power source — to make it available at other tracks in the near future.

“This is an area where NASCAR and the tracks are perfectly aligned,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood. “We want the same thing. We want to give fans, competitors and television, a great experience and any chance to get the track dryer quicker is good for everyone.

“Fans travel from a far distance and especially if you’ve come from out of state, you want to see the race that day. Instead of a two-hour delay you have a much shorter delay, that’s a big deal to us. This is an area where we’re like, ‘great job NASCAR, what can we do to help.’ With our current technology and what they’re going to do it’s really going to make a big difference.’’

NASCAR cautions that the system is still being developed, but with two weeks of track activity on the schedule at Daytona, there may be a prime opportunity to give it a “real world” test.

“Similar to any new technology you see, from how big computers were to how small iPads are now, if you look at the Air Titan as a device, we’re really excited about that,” O’Donnell. “We have to find ways to make the power source small and more efficient, but it’s something we can come to the table as a solution not only for our race tracks, but it could have utilizations in many different aspects.”

Posted on by Staff Report

Keep track of all the special paint schemes for The Sprint Unlimited

Daytona Speedweeks kicks off with The Sprint Unlimited, formerly known as the Budweiser Shootout. As in past years, teams run special paint schemes for this non-points event. The first event of the year, race entry is limited to those who won poles in 2012 and previous winners of the race.

Jimmie Johnson‘s No. 48 Lowe’s Yellow Chevrolet, in particular, has some interesting background.

RELATED: Die-cast version of Johnson’s car (1:64 scale) | Die-cast version (1:24 scale)

• The “Daytona Yellow” paint formulation was used by Chevrolet on its Camaro and Corvette models in 1969 and 1970.  

• Variations of this yellow automotive paint color are also known as Bright Yellow, Goldenrod Yellow, Yellow and Colonial Yellow.

• The paint code of Daytona Yellow was used on several General Motors Corp. and Chrysler models (including the Firebird, Pontiac, Camaro, Corvette, Chrysler Special Order/Fleet, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Nova, Buick and GMC.), but the sales name of the color changed based on which car it was used on.

• The only instances in which it was called "Daytona Yellow" by the factory was on the ’69 and ’70 Camaros and Corvettes.

Below are paint schemes for 11 additional cars in the 19-car race.

Kasey Kahne will drive the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet.


Marcos Ambrose will drive the No. 9 Stanley Ford.

Denny Hamlin will drive the No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota.

Tony Stewart will drive the No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet.


Greg Biffle will drive the No. 16 3M Ford.


Kyle Busch will drive the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota.


Matt Kenseth will drive the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota.


Joey Logano will drive the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford.


Jeff Gordon will drive the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet.


Kevin Harvick will drive the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet.


Terry Labonte will drive the No. 32 C & J Energy Services Ford.


Juan Pablo Montoya will drive the No. 42 Target.


Aric Almirola will drive the No. 43 Smithfield Ford.

Mark Martin will drive the No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota.

Martin Truex Jr. will drive the No. 56 NAPA Toyota.

Kurt Busch will drive the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet.


Carl Edwards will drive the No. 99 Fastenal Ford.

Posted on by Staff Report

New NASCAR model introduces itself to the world ahead of Great American Race

The NASCAR #Gen6 Road to Daytona Fueled by Sunoco — a multi-city media blitz introducing the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry to America — kicked off this week in Detroit. Additional visits to New York City and other locations are on the schedule before the tour culminates in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Feb. 13-14 for Daytona Speedweeks.

Some highlights of the NASCAR #Gen6 Road to Daytona Fueled by Sunoco:

Tuesday, Feb. 5

• In Detroit, Autoweek hosted a breakfast and panel session at the College for Creative Studies. Participants included Mike Helton, NASCAR president; Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition; Kim Brink, NASCAR vice president of brand, consumer, series marketing; Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, Chevrolet; Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing; and David Wilson, senior vice president of Toyota Racing Development. Autoweek Editorial Director and Associate Publisher Dutch Mandel moderated the conversation. The program was streamed live on NASCAR.com and autoweekracing.com. 

Wednesday, Feb. 6

• On Day 2, defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski and the new Gen-6 cars visited the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn. Keselowski (@keselowski) and the cars were the lunch-hour hit as he signed autographs for ESPN employees at the ESPN Cafe, while staff posed for photos with Keselowski’s No. 2 Ford Fusion, the Chevrolet SS driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Toyota Camry driven by Clint Bowyer. Keselowski also appeared on several ESPN programs including SportsCenter and Pardon the Interruption, and filmed a “This is SportsCenter” commercial. On a related note, NASCAR Now is back Friday on ESPN2 from the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Thursday, Feb. 7

• Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip and his team’s No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota stopped by FOX Plaza in Manhattan to chat with FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network. Tweeting his way through midtown (@mw55), he then visited SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s headquarters to talk about the Daytona 500 on FOX on Feb. 24.

Monday, Feb. 11

• NASCAR President Mike Helton, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship runner-up Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) and Miss Sprint Cup Jaclyn Roney visited CNN Center and spoke with the host of "HLN Morning Express with Robin Meade." Meade is a NASCAR fan, who appeared at the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and has sung the national anthem before races at Daytona and Sonoma.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

• The tour also visited Jacksonville, Fla., where Mayor Alvin Brown welcome the Gen-6 cars, Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III and NASCAR Vice President of Public Affairs and Multicultural Development Marcus Jadotte. The Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry then made the less-than-100 mile trip to Daytona Beach and the headquarters of the sport. NASCAR President Mike Helton and ISC Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy addressed their company’s employees as the cars rolled into the International Motorsports Center parking lot.

The NASCAR #Gen6 Road to Daytona Fueled by Sunoco can be followed on Twitter via @NASCAR and @SunocoRacing using the hashtags #Gen6 and #NASCAR. Since 2004, Sunoco has been the “Official Fuel of NASCAR,” providing fuel for NASCAR’s three national series — the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. 

The NASCAR #Gen6 Road to Daytona Fueled by Sunoco arrives in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Feb. 13, and will be on display throughout the annual NASCAR Media Day scheduled on Feb. 14.

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Getting rid of top-35 rule will impact Duels

Even at first glance, it’s obvious that changes to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying format will add two important aspects to the process — opportunity and suspense.

Nowhere will that be more in evidence than at Daytona International Speedway, where Cup teams will begin preparation for the Feb. 24 season-opening Daytona 500 this weekend.

The scrapping of the top-35 rule, which guaranteed starting spots in every Cup race to the top 35 cars in the owner standings, by definition broadens the opportunity to make the field. In the case of Daytona, it also injects a level of suspense and excitement into the Budweiser Duel 150 qualifying races that’s been minimized in the era of the top-35 rule.

For every Cup race this season, the 36 fastest cars will make the field. Rather than, say, 13 go-or-go-homers (non-exempt cars) competing for a maximum of eight starting spots, every team that takes to the track knows one thing. If you’re among the 36 fastest, you’re in the race. Period.

The next six positions — provisional starting spots — go to the top six cars in owner points that haven’t qualified on speed. The 43rd position is reserved for a past champion not other qualified, provided he participated in the Cup series during the previous season. If there’s no past champion to fill the final spot, it goes to the seventh car in the owners’ standings not otherwise qualified.

For the Daytona 500 and its unique qualifying format, here’s what to watch: 

As in the past, the front row will be locked in on pole day, Sunday, Feb. 17. After time trials, the starting positions of the fastest two cars will be set, on the pole and on the outside of the front row. The pole winner will lead odd-numbered qualifiers (positions 3, 5, 7, etc.) to the green flag in the first Duel on Feb. 21. The second-place car in time trials will pace the even-number qualifiers in the second Duel. 

The top six qualifiers on Sunday are locked into the race on speed no matter what, but the starting position of the third-through-sixth-place qualifiers won’t be determined until the Duels are run.

For the past eight seasons, with 35 cars locked in before they ever got to the race track, the functional purpose of the Duels was to set the starting order and to determine which two back markers from each race would ride shotgun on the field at the start of the Daytona 500. 

This year, things have changed — dramatically. The Duels will now determine not only the starting positions of the first 32 cars but also who actually makes the race. Finish in the top 15 in your Duel, and you’re in the Daytona 500 — simple as that.

Positions 33-36 are filled by the four fastest cars from time trials that 1) aren’t on the front row and 2) don’t transfer from the Duels. Positions 37-42 go to the top six cars in owner points not otherwise qualified. The final spot goes to a past champion or a seventh provisional starter, as with the general procedure for all races.

If the new format multiplies the suspense of the Duels from a fan’s standpoint, it also will lead to some white knuckles inside the race cars. A major wreck in one of the Duels, one that involves a number of top drivers, could create havoc with the starting field.

For instance, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards, whose cars were 13th and 16th respectively, in 2012 owner points, have to be wary in the Duels, because in the case of an accident, provisionals may not save them.

Similarly, the new format places a huge premium on qualifying on Sunday. Matt Kenseth inherits a car at Joe Gibbs Racing that was 18th in owner points. Joey Logano, who left Gibbs for Penske Racing, climbs behind the wheel of a No. 22 Ford that was 21st in the owners’ standings. Kenseth, at least, has a champion’s provisional as insurance in the event of a disaster in the Duels. Logano does not.

The bottom line is that, if you’re slow in qualifying, and you have a problem in the race, you could miss the Daytona 500 — even if you’re one of the sport’s established stars.

So the addition of opportunity and suspense come at a price — the loss of an important safety net.

Posted on by Holly Cain

NASCAR, Daytona, Sprint plan unrivaled live experience

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Other sports have their mega-sized jumbotron screens flashing shots of fanatic fans during games. And there’s the always-popular “kiss-cam,” egging on couples to show some affection while a massive crowd cheers them on.

But NASCAR, Daytona International Speedway and Sprint will kick off Speedweeks by taking crowd involvement to a whole new level with fan participation not seen before in the sport’s history.

Some fans attending The Sprint Unlimited at Daytona on Feb. 16 are going to get the ultimate full-sensory experience.

Imagine standing only a few feet above the famous speedway when The Sprint Unlimited field of 22 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars comes thundering toward you while you wave the green flag to start the race. Or riding in the pace car blazing by the grandstands directly in front of that pack of cars.

VOTE NOW: Decide the rules

“We’re going to pull fans from the track to actually be part of our pre-race ceremonies,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood explained. “We’re going to have a fan wave the green flag, give the (starting) command. We’re going to have fans be part of driver introductions.”

It’s exactly the kind of fan involvement the track, the sport and the series sponsor is hoping to capitalize on. And Chitwood grinned widely when talking about the possibilities.

Fans at the race will not only have a chance to participate in driver introductions, wave the green flag, ride in the pace car, serve as Grand Marshal, work as a NASCAR “official” and deliver the starting command, but will also decide — in the hours immediately before the race — the way cars will line up on the grid.

“If you show up, your vote is the only one that counts on how the field is set. We think that’s pretty cool,” Chitwood said. “We’re trying to come up with ways to make sure that the person at the track feels a part of it — an experience as good or better — as the person that stayed home.”

Those that can’t make it to the track will have opportunities to participate in The Sprint Unlimited, too — thanks to a new initiative that lets fans vote by mobile phone or on NASCAR.com/SprintUnlimited on the race format (how long each of three segments will be), pit stops, how many cars will be eliminated after each segment. … even the fire suit design for Miss Sprint Cup. 

The fans that attend The Sprint Unlimited will have a similarly high-tech way to register for their chance to participate in the event by scanning a pass card at various kiosks around the track.

“The beauty of it is, as soon as we determine the winners, we have a great P.A. system and video boards, and I have a feeling if you hear your name being called that you get to wave the green flag, you’re going to come running to the location so we can get you dialed in,” Chitwood said.

Sprint executives are confident The Sprint Unlimited — a 75-lap non-points race — provides the perfect setting to engage fans both at home and at the track.

“The idea of fan loyalty is in some ways, a catchphrase in the sport, but it exists,” Sprint’s Director of Sports Marketing Tim Considine said in announcing the company’s first sponsorship of the event. “Our customers who are race fans; they stay with us longer. They are significantly more loyal, and that empowers our management to say to our team, ‘Go out there and come up with new ways to engage these fans because they are great for our business.’ ”

Posted on by Staff Report

Bodine signs a one-race deal with ThorSport Racing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — ThorSport Racing announced Monday that Todd Bodine will get behind the wheel of the No. 13 Toyota Tundra with Mattei Air Compressors as his sponsor for the Feb. 22 NASCAR Camping World Truck series race at Daytona.

Although the No. 13 is known for being the truck of Johnny Sauter, he will switch to the No. 98 for the one race to make room for Bodine in the NextEra Energy Resources 250.

"This deal with Todd and Mattei Air Compressors came together late in the game but we believe good things come to those who are patient. By far, this is the best lineup we’ve ever started the season with at ThorSport and we expect to have a strong showing at Daytona. We can’t wait to get 2013 started," ThorSport Racing general manager David Pepper said.

Bodine will work with crew chief Jeriod Prince, who works on ThorSport’s No. 44 ARCA team.

Posted on by Nascar

Options include career wins, 2012 point standings or order of ’12 pole wins

Will it be an all Hendrick Motorsports front row of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson when this year’s The Sprint Unlimited At Daytona gets under way under the lights at Daytona International Speedway?

Will it be Johnson and teammate Kasey Kahne?

Or will Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards and Michael Waltrip Racing’s Mark Martin lead the field to the green flag when the Feb. 16 race ushers in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season?
 
This year, the fans at the track will decide.

The starting order of the field for the Sprint Unlimited will be determined by fan vote, and fans must be on-site to participate.
 
According to DIS officials, votes may be cast at any one of four Daytona Rewards Stations, located in the midway outside Turn 4, in theSprint Fan Zone, at the Daytona Ticket & Tours building as well as at the Gate 8 Pedestrian Bridge.
 
Information for those who prefer to text their vote will be made available and promoted on the property the day of the race.
 
Voting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET and end at 4 p.m. on race day.
 
The three voting options to determine the lineup are: setting the field based on each driver’s career win total; the final 2012 point standings; or at what point in the season the driver won his pole to qualify for this year’s race.
 
Johnson, a five-time Cup champion, would start on the front row if fans choose either of the first two options. He would start second since only Gordon has more career wins (87-60), but would start on the pole based on his third-place points finish in 2012. Defending Sprint Cup champ Brad Keselowski and runner-up Clint Bowyer are not eligible for this year’s race.
 
But if fans opt for choice No. 3, setting the lineup based on when the drivers won their pole to qualify, Johnson would start the race 11th in what is expected to be a 19-car field.
 
And Edwards, who would start as far back as 12th under the first two scenarios, would line up first, based on his Daytona 500 pole effort of a year ago.

Martin, whose first of four poles last year came in the series’ second race the following week at Phoenix, would start from the No. 2 position.
 
In addition to determining the starting order, fan vote will also determine the race format (how many laps make up each of the three segments); pit stop strategy following the first segment (no stop, a two- or four-tire change); and elimination of entries following the second segment (none, two, four, or six cars eliminated).
 
The race format vote will close Feb. 13. Voting for the remaining format options close the day of the race. The vote to determine the starting grid is the only vote limited to those on site.
 
Twenty-two drivers are eligible for this year’s race although three, Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte and AJ Allmendinger, are not currently on the entry list.
 
Potential starting lineup options for the 2013 The Sprint Unlimited At Daytona (eligible drivers won at least one pole in 2012 or are a previous winner of the event):
 

Based on career wins
Based on final 2012 driver point standings
Based on date of 2012 pole won (earliest to most recent)
1
 Jeff Gordon (87)
1
 Jimmie Johnson
1
 Carl Edwards
2
 Jimmie Johnson (60)
2
 Kasey Kahne
2
 Mark Martin
3
 Tony Stewart (47)
3
 Greg Biffle
3
 Kasey Kahne
4
 Bill Elliott (44)
4
 Denny Hamlin
4
 Greg Biffle
5
 Mark Martin (40)
5
 Matt Kenseth
5
 Denny Hamlin
6
 Matt Kenseth (24)
6
 Kevin Harvick
6
 Martin Truex Jr.
7
 Kyle Busch (24)
7
 Tony Stewart
7
 AJ Allmendinger
8
 Kurt Busch (24)
8
 Jeff Gordon
8
 Jeff Gordon
9
 Denny Hamlin (22)
9
 Martin Truex Jr.
9
 Aric Almirola
10
 Terry Labonte (22)
10
 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
10
 Joey Logano
11
 Kevin Harvick (19)
11
 Kyle Busch
11
 Marcos Ambrose
12
 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (19)
12
 Carl Edwards
12
 Jimmie Johnson
13
 Carl Edwards (19)
13
 Joey Logano
13
 Matt Kenseth
14
 Greg Biffle (18)
14
 Marcos Ambrose
14
 Kyle Busch
15
 Kasey Kahne (14)
15
 Aric Almirola
15
 Juan Pablo Montoya
16
 Ken Schrader (4)
16
 Juan Pablo Montoya
16
 Tony Stewart
17
 Joey Logano (2)
17
 Kurt Busch
17
 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
18
 Marcos Ambrose (2)
18
 Mark Martin
18
 Kevin Harvick
19
 Juan Pablo Montoya (2)
19
 AJ Allmendinger
19
 Kurt Busch
20
 Martin Truex Jr. (1)
20
 Ken Schrader
20
 Ken Schrader
21
 Aric Almirola (0)
21
 Terry Labonte
21
 Terry Labonte
22
 AJ Allmendinger (0)
22
 Bill Elliott
22
 Bill Elliott

 
• Note: In the event of a tie, the driver with the higher finishing position in the final 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings will be assigned the higher starting position.

Posted on by Staff Report

Dover International Speedway, Pocono Raceway team up for Feb. 24 event to include ticket give-a-ways, video game challenges and more

DOVER, DE– LONG POND, PA (February 7, 2013) – Dover International Speedway and Pocono Raceway are bringing race fans together to kick-off the 2013 NASCAR season during the broadcast of the “Daytona 500” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race which will be shown on the 32-foot Sony High Definition screen at XFINITY Live! in Philadelphia on Sunday, February 24 beginning at 1 p.m.

 

In addition to the on-track action that opens the race season, fans in attendance will have the opportunity to compete against each other in the all-new “NASCAR The Game: Inside Line,” as well as win a number of great prizes by entering for drawings to win tickets to the June 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Monster Mile or the June 9 “Pocono 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at The Tricky Triangle.

THE SPRINT UNLIMITED   
Sprint Cup Series kickoff

Fans decide: Vote on format

Mobile experience
New innovations for 2013

The day’s grand prize winner will receive an incredible VIP package that includes suite tickets to the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at both Dover and Pocono, as well as other upgrades for those trips to make the weekends a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Representatives from both tracks will also conduct trivia and other games during commercials and cautions with prizes such as copies of “NASCAR The Game: Inside Line” for Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, various autographed NASCAR items, track merchandise and more.

The first 60 fans to arrive will get a pair of tickets to either the Friday, May 31 “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race or the Saturday, June 8 “Pocono 200” ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

This fun-filled event is set to kick off at noon at XFINITY Live!, which is a dining and entertainment district centered in the heart of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The one-of-a-kind venue features over a dozen restaurant and entertainment choices, including six main venues: Broad Street Bullies Pub, PBR Bar & Grill (Professional Bull Riders), Philly MarketPlace, Spectrum Grill, Victory Beer Hall and the first-ever NBC Sports Arena. XFINITY Live! is a joint partnership between Philadelphia-based Comcast-Spectacor and Baltimore-based The Cordish Companies.

XFINITY Live! is located at 1100 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148.

NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway May 31-June 2, 2013 for the June 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the June 1 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 31 “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. For tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.

 A week later, NASCAR’s premier circuit visits Pocono Raceway for the June 7-9, 2013 “Pocono 400” race weekend, including the June 8 “Pocono 200” ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards race and the June 9 “Pocono 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. For tickets or more information, call 800-722-3929 or visit PoconoRaceway.com.