Two crew members of the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club team have been suspended for two NASCAR Cup Series races following the Oct. 20 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR officials announced Tuesday.
The right-front wheel of the No. 43 Toyota driven by Erik Jones detached from the vehicle after a pit stop at Lap 70 during the first caution period of the South Point 400. A lost wheel violates Sections 8.8.10.4.A & C in the NASCAR Rule Book, which concerns the “loss or separation of an improperly installed tire(s)/wheel(s) from the vehicle.” Jones ultimately finished 25th in the 267-lap event.
Because the tire came loose on the racing surface, suspensions were dealt to front tire changer John Rosselli and jackman Kellen Mills, both of whom will be eligible to return for the final race of the season on Nov. 10 at Phoenix Raceway.
Following Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, three teams were found each with one loose lug nut, a violation of Section 8.8.10.4.A in the Xfinity Series Rule Book, which states “all five lug nuts must be installed in a safe and secure manner during the event.” As a result, three crew chiefs were fined $5,000 each for their respective team’s infractions:
No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing crew chief Jonathan Toney
No. 27 Jordan Anderson Racing crew chief Shane Whitbeck
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 22, 2024) — Four inspiring NASCAR fans who are making a difference in children’s lives through local children’s organizations were announced today by The NASCAR Foundation as finalists for the 14th annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The announcement, which was made live on Speedway with Dave Moody on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, highlighted the volunteers’ commitment to improving the lives of children across the country.
Finalists Tammy Raulerson, Judy Simmons, Carlos Washington and Julie Wooldridge were surprised on-air with an appearance by defending NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney, who congratulated them for their volunteer accomplishments along with showing appreciation for their impacts on children in local communities.
“This year’s award finalists exemplify the generosity of our NASCAR community. Their volunteer efforts have significantly impacted the lives of children in our local racing communities, a passion for helping others which was championed by Betty Jane France,” said Mike Helton, The NASCAR Foundation Chairman. “Tammy, Judy, Carlos and Julie are inspirations to us all. We hope NASCAR fans everywhere will take time learn more about these incredible finalists’ stories and vote for this year’s award winner.”
The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwoman Betty Jane France, recognizes NASCAR fans who volunteer for children’s causes in their local communities. Each finalist receives a minimum $25,000 donation for their organization with the overall winner receiving a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to further their efforts.
The 14th annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award finalists include:
Tammy Raulerson of College Station, Texas, a volunteer who has spent more than ten years organizing and overseeing family camp weekends and providing families facing pediatric cancer with support, community, and joy through the Periwinkle Foundation.
Judy Simmons of Axton, Virginia, a volunteer who has been a member of the God’s Pit Crew disaster response team of more than 1,500 volunteers for six years. In her role, Judy leads volunteer teams to provide essential needs to families and children in their time of crisis.
Carlos Washington of Florence, South Carolina, a volunteer who has dedicated 20 years of service to Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area, which offers programs that promote the childhood development by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence.
Julie Wooldridge of Mooresville, North Carolina, who co-founded Hope of Mooresville six years ago to arrange temporary safe shelter and support services for local homeless women and children and to provide long-term solutions to homelessness while breaking the cycle for the next generation of families.
The overall winner will be determined by an online vote, which is open now. To view videos of the finalists, visit NASCARfoundaton.org/Award to watch clips about each finalist’s impact on children while voting once a day, every day through Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. ET for their favorite finalist.
The overall winner will be announced during the NASCAR Awards in Charlotte on Friday, Nov. 22.
To learn more about The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and the 2024 finalists, visit NASCARfoundation.org/Award.
The battle for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship will come to a close Saturday night when the series returns to historic Martinsville Speedway for the running of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 (8 p.m. ET on FloRacing).
Justin Bonsignore enters the finale with a 10-point advantage on defending champion Ron Silk as both look to secure another championship while also chasing a Martinsville Speedway grandfather clock.
Charlie Jarzombek won the first two Modified Tour events held at Martinsville in 1985. Other notable names to earn Martinsville victories on the Tour include Brett Bodine, Reggie Ruggiero, Mike McLaughlin, Tom Baldwin, Mike Ewanitsko, Tony Hirschman, Jeff Fuller, Mike Stefanik, Ted Christopher, Donny Lia, Bobby Santos III, Corey LaJoie and last year’s winner Ryan Preece.
Tickets to the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 can be purchased here. Below is everything you need to know about the final race of the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.
Cars in action during the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 26, 2023. (Photo: Veasey Conway/NASCAR)
Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 at Martinsville Speedway
What started in February at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway comes to a close Saturday night at Virginia’s Martinsville Speedway as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour wraps up the 2024 season with the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200.
Just like one season ago, the battle for the Modified Tour championship (likely) comes down to Justin Bonsignore vs. Ron Silk.
Unlike last year, when Silk entered the finale as the championship leader, it’s Bonsignore who enters Martinsville as the driver in command of the standings.
Thanks to consecutive wins at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park and North Wilkesboro Speedway, Bonsignore holds a 10-point edge on Silk entering Martinsville. If Bonsignore finishes fourth or better Saturday, he will win his fourth Modified Tour championship no matter what Silk does.
Neither driver has visited Victory Lane at Martinsville in the past, and both would love to add a grandfather clock to their personal trophy collections.
Patrick Emerling is also mathematically eligible to win the Modified Tour championship, but at 24 points behind Bonsignore, he’ll need a ton of help if he hopes to leave Martinsville as series champion.
Several other competitors will be looking to play spoiler in Saturday’s race. Among them is Matt Hirschman, who will be attempting to join his father Tony Hirschman as a Martinsville winner. Veteran NASCAR Cup Series stars Ryan Newman and Bobby Labonte are both entered to compete, as well. Newman will drive for John-Michael Shenette, while Labonte will again drive the No. 38 for Sadler-Stanley Racing.
Rising stars Luke Baldwin and Carson Loftin are both entered after competing last weekend at North Wilkesboro. Andy Seuss, a two-time champion of the former NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, is also entered.
Other notable entrants include Austin Beers, Craig Lutz, Tommy, Tyler and Trevor Catalano, Tyler Rypkema and Jake Lutz.
The complete entry list for Saturday’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 is available here.
Drivers battle for position during the 2023 running of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo: Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)
SCHEDULE: Saturday, October 26… Final practice from 12:50 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET … Qualifying at 3:45 p.m. ET … Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 at 8 p.m. ET (FloRacing).
QUALIFYING: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time. Starting field for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 is limited to 32 starters including Provisional Positions.
TIRE ALLOTMENT: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is twelve (12) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by Hoosier, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event. The tire change rule is two (2) tires, per caution period.
LANDIS, N.C. — Reaume Brothers Racing announced Tuesday that Frankie Muniz will be the full-time driver of the No. 33 Ford for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.
Muniz has made two starts with Reaume Brothers Racing this season (Nashville, Kansas), and with two races remaining, he aims to continue building chemistry with the team and developing his notebook for the upcoming year.
“I’m incredibly excited to join Reaume Brothers Racing full-time in 2025,” Muniz said. “My longstanding relationship with Ford has been a game changer, and I am thrilled to help facilitate additional support allowing us to tap into their exceptional technical and engineering resources. I’m confident that this synergy will elevate Reaume Brothers Racing and help us achieve great things together. I can’t wait to get started.”
Muniz’s last full-time effort took place in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023, where he collected one top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, culminating in a fourth-place points finish in the standings. Muniz joined Ford Performance in 2023 and has since competed in limited races in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Mustang Challenge Series.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Frankie to our team full-time and to expand our relationship with Ford Performance,” team owner Josh Reaume said. “Their support has been invaluable, and we believe that with Frankie’s passion and our collective momentum from this year, we can make significant strides in the upcoming season.”
Additionally, RBR announced that More Core Diamond Drilling Services & Nugget Trap will serve as a primary sponsor for Muniz for 10 races during the 2025 season.
Watch Muniz’s upcoming race as he returns behind the wheel of the No. 22 More Core Diamond Drilling Services Ford on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the Baptist Health 200 (noon ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
And thanks in part to that heater, the championship scenario for Bonsignore at the half-mile paperclip in southern Virginia is simple: Finish fourth or better, and he’ll clinch his fourth Modified Tour title regardless of what his rivals do Saturday night.
If Bonsignore finishes fifth or worse Saturday, the scenarios will open for two-time champion Ron Silk to steal a third title. Even Patrick Emerling, who soared to third place in the standings with some late-season success, has a chance to swoop in for a championship.
Bonsignore took the points lead from Silk with his dominant victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday. The former’s win combined with the latter’s 11th-place run flipped the standings in stunning fashion, as Silk entered the penultimate race of the year with a five-point lead over Bonsignore.
Both drivers have a series-high four wins this season, but Bonsignore’s recent success gives him the edge at Martinsville, a track where he’s experienced more success than Silk has over the years.
Bonsignore has finished third or better three times in four Martinsville starts; Silk in eight Martinsville starts has just one top-five finish. Neither has won at the paperclip.
Precious points will be available throughout the day Saturday, as the Modified Tour awards one bonus point to the driver who wins the Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole Award, one point to any driver who leads a lap in the race and one point to the driver who leads the most laps in the race.
Additionally, the race winner is automatically awarded three bonus points.
So with plenty left to be decided in the season finale at Martinsville, below are the championship points scenarios for all three drivers who are mathematically in the hunt for the title.
Championship points scenarios for Justin Bonsignore, Ron Silk and Patrick Emerling at Martinsville Speedway
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship points tiebreakers
(Via the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rule book)
17-8 Ties
17-8.1 Championship points
A. In the event two or more drivers or Car Owners have the same number of points (a tie), each driver or Car Owner will be ranked according to the greatest number of 1st place finishes in 2023 Events for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as of that time.
B. If a tie still exists, the greatest number of 2nd place finishes, 3rd place finishes, etc., will be used in the same manner, until the tie is broken.
C. If a tie still remains, the driver and/or Car Owner having the highest finishing position first during the current season in which the driver and/or Car Owner competed for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at the time will prevail.
Another NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series season is in the books, and four drivers can officially call themselves Division I regional champions.
Connor Hall, David Hébert, Jacob Goede and Jeffrey Peterson secured Weekly Series regional championships after enjoying stellar seasons in their respective parts of the country.
The 2024 season marks the fourth year NASCAR has crowned regional champions since reintroducing the regional divisions for the 2021 season. Weekly Series regional titles are awarded to the drivers who score the most points in the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest and West, respectively. Each Division I regional champion earns a $15,000 bonus for his or her efforts.
Below is a closer look at the four drivers who claimed NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series regional championships, plus the complete list of regional champions for Divisions II-V.
(Photo: Bill Carnes/Langley Speedway)
Southeast Region: Connor Hall
For the second consecutive year, Connor Hall captured not just the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I national championship, but the Southeast regional championship, as well.
Competing in 26 races at Florence Motor Speedway, Hickory Motor Speedway, Southern National Motorsports Park, South Boston Speedway and Langley Speedway, Hall scored 18 wins and never finished outside the top 10.
Hall bested Bowman Gray Stadium champion Burt Myers by 46 points to lay claim to his second regional championship. They were followed by Brandon Ward, Tim Brown and Greg Edwards.
Division II: Zack Ore
The champion of the Sportsman division at Bowman Gray Stadium, Zack Ore scored five wins in 25 races and only finished outside the top 10 once. He also captured the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division II national championship.
Division III: Chase Johnson
Splitting his time between Langley Speedway and Dominion Raceway, Chase Johnson bagged five victories in 21 starts to earn the Southeast region Division III title. He also secured the Virginia Racer track championship at Dominion.
Division IV: A.J. Sanders
A veteran competitor, A.J. Sanders captured his fifth Bowman Gray Stadium Stadium Stock championship this season while also competing at Florence Motor Speedway, Wake County Speedway and Kingsport Speedway. His eight wins in 21 starts allowed him to secure the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division IV national championship and the Southeast region Division IV championship.
Division V: Michael Frayser
No one was better in the UCAR division at Dominion Raceway this year than Michael Frayser, who won five times in 15 races and never finished outside the top 10 on his way to the track and Southeast region Division V championships.
(Photo: Daniel Mailhoot/Autodrome Granby)
Northeast Region: David Hébert
Canada’s David Hébert emerged as the kingpin of the Northeast region during the 2024 season, capturing his first NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Northeast region championship in the process.
Splitting his time between Autodrome Granby and Le RPM Speedway, Hébert won eight times in 20 starts in addition to scoring 13 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. He also secured the 358 Modified track championship at Granby and finished the year fourth overall in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I national standings.
Second in the Northeast region standings went to Felix Roy, followed closely by Samuel Charland, Steve Bernier and Mathieu Desjardins.
Division II: Donovan Lussier
Competing at Autodrome Granby and Le RPM Speedway in Canada, Donovan Lussier won five times in 20 starts and only finished outside the top 10 three times on his way to the Northeast region Division II championship.
Division III: Colby Lambert
A regular in the Sportsman division at Seekonk Speedway, Colby Lambert bagged two wins in 13 starts and captured the Northeast region Division III championship ahead of Autodrome Granby’s Dominik Blais.
Division IV: Rick Martin
Rick Martin captured the Sport Truck championship this season at Seekonk Speedway with four wins in 20 starts. His successful campaign also included the Northeast region Division IV championship, which he won by two points over fellow Seekonk competitor Mike Duarte.
Division V: Donald Lybarger Jr.
Jennerstown Speedway Charger division competitor Donald Lybarger Jr. came up short in his quest for a track championship this year, but he captured the Northeast region Division V championship by two points ahead of fellow Jennerstown competitor Ken Burkholder. His 14 top 10s compared to Burkholder’s 12 proved to be the difference.
(Photo: LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway)
Midwest Region: Jacob Goede
A chance of scenery didn’t change Jacob Goede’s ability to win races in 2024, and it paid off in another NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Midwest region championship.
Competing at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway on a weekly basis for the first time while also dabbling at his previous home track, Elko Speedway, Goede claimed eight victories in 20 races to secure the Midwest Region crown. He also earned 18 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.
Adams County Speedway regular Jeff Wiggins finished the year second in the Midwest standings, followed by Jake Ryan, LaCrosse track champion Skylar Holzhausen and Jesse Dennis.
Division II: Larrett Daniels
The champion of the Pure Stock division at Salina Highbanks Speedway, Larrett Daniels scored one win and only finished outside the top 10 once in 19 races to secure the Midwest region Division II championship by four points ahead of fellow Salina competitor Blake Gillean.
Division III: Bryce Allen
It was a fantastic season for Adams County Speedway’s Bryce Allen, who claimed not only the track Sport Modified championship, but also NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division III national championship and the Midwest region Division III championship.
Division IV: Nathan McNabb
Berlin Raceway’s 4 Cylinder track champion this season, Nathan McNabb found Victory Lane three times and captured the Midwest region Division IV championship thanks to a tiebreaker ahead of Adams County Speedway’s Adam Hensel, who only won twice. They both scored 390 points this year.
Division V: John Berg
Adams County Speedway Compact champion John Berg collected the Midwest region Division V championship thanks to a season that included three wins and only one finish outside the top 10 in 16 races.
(Photo: Sal Sigala Jr.)
West Region: Jeffrey Peterson
Everybody loves a good repeat performance, and Jeffrey Peterson is no exception. Peterson competed at Irwindale Speedway, Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; he secured his second consecutive NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series West region championship this season.
Peterson scored 10 wins in 18 races at the three tracks in addition to securing the 2024 Irwindale Speedway Pro Late Model championship. He finished inside the top five 16 times and never finished outside the top 10.
Meridian Speedway’s Josh Jackson finished second in the West Region standings, 42 points behind Peterson. Trevor Huddleston, Brendon Fries and Jaron Giannini were third through fifth, respectively.
Division II: Curtis Heldenbrand
Competing at Colorado National Speedway, Curtis Heldenbrand only entered seven races. He won five of them and never finished outside the top five, which was enough to give him the West region Division II championship.
Division III: Bobby Ozman
Irwindale Speedway regular Bobby Ozman secured the track championship in the Enduro division this year thanks to eight wins in 13 starts, which also helped him capture the West region Division III championship.
Division IV: Quenton Borreson
The champion of Evergreen Speedway’s Super Stock Figure 8 class, Quenton Borreson won four times in 12 races and won the West region Division IV championship by eight points ahead of fellow Evergreen competitor Sheridan Vincent.
Division V: Zach Bristol
A dream season for Zach Bristol at Washington’s Evergreen Speedway culminated in three championships this year. He won the Hornet division championship at Evergreen in addition to the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division V national championship and the West region Division V championship.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Times may change, tradition rolls on which is why Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Budweiser are reuniting to bring back one of the most recognizable paint schemes in racing history. The NASCAR Hall of Famer will drive the historic No. 8 Chevrolet with the iconic Bud King of Beers paint scheme once again for a limited series of Late Model Stock Car Races in 2024 and 2025. The paint scheme will make its return to the track for the first time in 17 years on Nov. 23, 2024 when Earnhardt Jr. competes in the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway.
In addition to the infamous red-and-black paint scheme, Earnhardt Jr. will return to his stylized No. 8, made famous during his tenure behind the wheel from 1999 through 2007.
“It is an incredible opportunity for me to be able to reunite with Budweiser, and the No. 8,” Earnhardt Jr said. “Budweiser and I had some great memories with that iconic scheme and number. We’ve always supported each other over the years. It’s going to be really special for me to be able to represent that brand on the racetrack again.”
This return for Budweiser is the latest in Anheuser-Busch’s long-standing commitment to NASCAR and the motorsports industry. With driver partnerships, key event sponsorships and media investments in the sport, Anheuser-Busch has proudly supported and elevated NASCAR through Budweiser, Busch and Busch Light for more than 40 years.
“There are names that when mentioned, draw on the significance of their place in American history. Among them, Budweiser, and Earnhardt,” said Matt Davis, vice-president of partnerships at Anheuser-Busch. “This return to the racetrack alongside Dale with the Bud King of Beers paint scheme is another chapter in Anheuser-Busch’s long and storied sports history.”
Anheuser-Busch and its brands Budweiser, Busch and Busch Light have a proud history supporting NASCAR legends and growing forces in the sport — notably as the primary sponsor of Earnhardt Jr. for nine seasons, through a 13-year partnership with Kevin Harvick, and with Busch Light as the current primary sponsorship of Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain announced in 2023.
JR Motorsports is showcasing the return of this iconic pairing with a line of Budweiser x Dale Jr. merchandise that is nostalgic of the early 2000s, available now at shopjrnation.com.
Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Monday that William Sawalich will pilot the No. 18 Toyota full-time during the 2025 Xfinity Series season.
Next year will mark the rookie campaign for the 18-year-old prospect from Minnesota, who has made 13 starts in the Craftsman Truck Series with Tricon Garage. He’s scored three top 10s and captured a pole award earlier this month at Talladega Superspeedway.
”I am honored to be driving the No. 18 full-time in the Xfinity Series next year,” Sawalich said in a team release. ”It has been really cool to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing, and I feel like I have developed so much as a driver over the past two years. I still have a lot to learn, especially with moving to a new series, so I am looking forward to taking this next step in racing.”
Sawalich has dominated in the ARCA Menards Series, winning 18 of his 39 starts across all three platforms — national, east and west. He will pair with Taylor Gray for JGR next season, who will pilot the No. 54 entry.
“We are thrilled to announce William’s promotion to the next stage of his racing career with us,” Steve de Souza, executive vice president of Xfinity Series and development at JGR, said in a team release. “His outstanding record of victories and development over the past two years shows he’s ready for the Xfinity Series. We’re confident he’ll remain a strong contender for wins as he takes on this new challenge in 2025.”
Starkey will sponsor the Toyota development driver’s No. 18, featuring their SoundGear product line.
The 2025 Xfinity Series season begins on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway.
LAS VEGAS — From out of the playoffs and back in again one week in Charlotte to a backup car and Victory Lane in the span of 25 hours in Sin City, Team Penske reminded everyone Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway why the organization can never be discounted.
When the checkered flag waved Oct. 13 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, Joey Logano appeared ousted from the Round of 8, out of contention for his third championship in the NASCAR Cup Series. Another team’s disqualification later, and suddenly he’s back in the playoff picture.
Flash forward to Vegas a week later, and Logano wheels the No. 22 Ford back to Victory Lane and onto the Championship 4 with a chance to return to the title winner’s stage at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10.
Neither Logano nor his wife, Brittany, could wrap their heads around the events of the past week.
“I talked to her in Victory Lane,” Logano said. “She’s like, ‘Do you believe one week ago at this hour …’ I come walking out of our bedroom, and I said, ‘You’re not going to believe this (expletive).’ You wouldn’t believe it! And here we are a week later. I told her (Sunday), ‘You ain’t going to believe this!'”
That roller coaster of emotions was only amplified in the Nevada desert. Every member spent the previous night thrashing to prepare a backup car for defending Cup champion Ryan Blaney, who cut a tire early in Saturday’s practice session and crashed hard into the outside retaining SAFER barrier.
“That’s how you build the foundation of what a team is — examples of hard work and perseverance and a group overcoming and ultimately triumphing,” Travis Geisler, competition director at Team Penske, told NASCAR.com. “You know, you’ve got to have the successes at the end at some point too. And to have this for this team is really special. And I think that it’s not just in our name. Team Penske is how we operate. We’re intensely loyal to each other.”
That unity shined under the bright lights of the Neon Garage Saturday night. While the NASCAR Xfinity Series race roared, members of the Nos. 2, 12, 21 and 22 teams rallied around Blaney’s backup car to best prepare the No. 12 Ford for Sunday’s 400-miler.
Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media
For 88 laps, those efforts proved fruitful, with Blaney charging to 17th place by the beginning of Stage 2 after starting from the rear. But a Lap 89 incident negated that work. As fellow playoff drivers Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott collided, Brad Keselowski (coincidentally, a former Penske driver) was involved and spun up the race track — collecting both Blaney and Austin Cindric in the process. Cindric’s day ended with a broken right-front control arm, but the No. 12 team was able to repair a broken toe link enough for Blaney to continue to a 32nd-place finish, eight laps down.
“The whole company pulled together, put a really good car out there,” Geisler said. “I think it had a lot of speed again today, and then to have him have issues and the 2 (Cindric), it’s like, man, it just didn’t feel like it was going to come together.”
After a caution for Ty Gibbs’ spin on Lap 193, No. 22 crew chief Paul Wolfe had Logano conserve just enough fuel over the final 69-lap run to surge past Daniel Suárez and hold off a dominant Christopher Bell to net the group’s third win of 2024 — and second on fuel mileage.
“We call him ‘Big Ball Paul’ now,” Logano laughed.
Wolfe and his group of engineers had that strategy call lined up in their playbook all week. Circumstances Sunday allowed them to come to fruition.
“Honestly, when the caution came out there, we didn’t really feel like it was a gamble based off of where we were,” Wolfe told NASCAR.com. “I was actually surprised. We heard guys talking about that they were maybe going to split (the run), but I didn’t realize the majority was thinking that because, like I said, we had talked through this scenario pre-race, and we stuck to what we thought and what we knew, and it worked for us.”
To venture back to Victory Lane was a collective effort — and not just for the No. 22 team. After getting lapped for the eighth time Sunday, Blaney played the role of a good teammate and settled in behind Logano as No. 22 hunted the lead and the win in the closing laps. With the No. 12 on Logano’s tail, the two were able to draft and allow Logano to save more fuel, ultimately resulting in Logano’s triumph.
“I don’t think there’s a team out there that works better together than Team Penske,” Logano said. “That is just in our DNA all the way through. That started years and years and years ago. I can’t even take credit for being part of that. From when I got there (in 2013), the openness between team to team. I remember years ago Brad telling me when I got there, ‘I’d rather you beat me and finish second’ than him beating me and finishing 21st, right? That’s the attitude that we have.
“When you have that all the way through the team, it’s just very helpful for us. Been around long enough to realize that it’s good to see your teammate win. I know you want to be the top dog, right? Obviously. The more I’m around the sport, the more I realize how that really raises the whole team. Then you build relationships with people that make you happy to see. It affects their life, right? Those bonuses are real for the teams. Anything you can do to help those people that you care about is something really special to me.”
That mindset is one Blaney embodied in the closing laps of Sunday’s contest.
“We’re just a big team effort, right? We want to do well for Roger (Penske, team owner),” Blaney said. “We want to do well for everyone who works for us and all of our partners, and we all try to work hand in hand and do the best we can to help. You want to help yourself, but you also want to help the group, right? So, yeah, it’s nice that they were able to pull one out today. Hopefully, we can join them in a couple of weeks.”
That selflessness shouldn’t be overlooked. Logano’s victory puts Blaney in a more precarious situation with two races remaining as the No. 12 team now sits 47 points beneath the provisional elimination line.
“I can’t thank Ryan Blaney enough,” Geisler said. “What that takes in the position that he’s in right there, where he knows he’s going to have to try to point his way in with something miraculous or win a race to get in, and he sees his teammate maybe in a chance to lock himself in — and knows it’s going to hurt him. There’s only four cars that can make it, and to be in that spot and recognize it and then have the talent and ability to go and actually help Joey to the win. It’s such a proud moment for everybody here at the team, and just want to thank those 12 car guys a lot.”
And just like that, the Penske Way is guiding the program back to the Championship 4 at Phoenix with a chance for The Captain and Co. to claim their third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title, with Logano triumphing in 2022 before Blaney broke through in 2023.
In an era of parity, Penske continues to rise above. Why?
“People. It’s that simple,” Logano said. “Like I said, Roger has assembled some incredible people at Penske. I know everybody says this about their teams a lot of times; I truly believe it. Got some really solid people, right? Not just what they do at the track, but what they do at home, the way they live. Like I said, I’m really proud to be a part of a team like this.
“Roger’s way of just building people around him, the environment of what’s expected at Team Penske. He doesn’t have to say it anymore, right? When we hire somebody, it’s not like he has to come in there and tell them what he expects. It’s pretty well-known. All of us know. It’s kind of snowballed ever since. Ton of credit to Roger for hiring the correct people, but also creating a culture that’s surrounded or centered by, one, winning, but also doing it in an elite way.”
Perhaps Phoenix will produce another elite moment as Logano chases championship No. 3.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 22, 2024) — Four inspiring NASCAR fans who are making a difference in children’s lives through local children’s organizations were announced today by The NASCAR Foundation as finalists for the 14th annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The announcement, which was made live on Speedway with Dave Moody on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, highlighted the volunteers’ commitment to improving the lives of children across the country.
What started in February at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway comes to a close Saturday night at Virginia’s Martinsville Speedway as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour wraps up the 2024 season with the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200.
