RFK Racing introduces #Stage60; David Ragan to attempt 2024 Daytona 500

Posted on November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 by Zach Sturniolo

David Ragan is reuniting with RFK Racing to drive the No. 60 BuildSubmarines.com Ford in an attempt to qualify for the 2024 Daytona 500, the team announced Wednesday.

RFK Racing’s new #Stage60 program pairs Ragan back on the team with which he began his NASCAR Cup Series career in 2006 — then Roush Racing — before Ragan became the full-time driver of its No. 6 Ford for five years. Ragan scored his inaugural Cup victory on the high banks of Daytona in the 2011 summer race and now rejoins the team for his 17th Daytona 500.

“It’s really exciting to be back in an RFK Ford,” Ragan said in a press release. “I spent some of the best years of my career driving for Mr. Jack (Roush) and the team at RFK. They really gave me my first opportunity in the sport and I have to thank BuildSubmarines.com for helping make this happen. We had a really strong run going in my last year at Roush at the 500, and hopefully we can go back and finish what we started.”

MORE: Cup Series schedule | Ragan through the years

Indeed, Ragan was in position to win the Daytona 500 back in 2011 and led the field to the green flag in the first overtime attempt, but an early lane change resulted in a penalty against Ragan and relegated him to an eventual 14th-place finish instead.

RFK Racing has never entered the No. 60 in Cup Series history but has a long history with it in Xfinity Series competition, collecting 94 wins with the number spread among Mark Martin (39), Carl Edwards (38), Greg Biffle (14) and Chris Buescher (three). Edwards and Buescher won Xfinity titles — in 2007 and 2015, respectively — driving the No. 60 car.

RFK Racing intends for #Stage60 to be more than a one-and-done scenario, according to the team’s press release. The organization plans to announce additional events at a later date.

A mission to honor our history while looking to the future. 🤝

Introducing #Stage60. pic.twitter.com/r7bMdn4Gc2

— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) November 29, 2023

Per the release, #Stage60 features a ‘modern retro’ font for the famed No. 60, while introducing a logo that pays homage to the Roush Stage III Mustang, while also staying true to RFK’s current brand marks.

“The 60 car represents an opportunity for us to honor our past and look forward to the future of RFK Racing,” Steve Newmark, president of RFK Racing, said in a release. “We’re thankful to have partners like BuildSubmarines.com, who, like us, have a mission to grow and be best in class in all endeavors.”

Although 2023 marked the first year since 2005 that Ragan didn’t attempt a Cup Series start, he never strayed far from the track. The Georgia native has served as a driver coach and been Ford’s designated test driver, piloting the manufacturer’s wheel force car to gain data for its simulation work, and even drove the 2024 Dark Horse Mustang for promotional content ahead of the vehicle’s reveal earlier this fall.

Ragan’s recent track record in the Daytona 500 includes one top five and two top 10s in his last four Daytona starts with an average finish of 14.5, weighted down by an early crash out of the 2021 running of the “Great American Race” when the “Big One” struck early.

Each of Ragan’s two Cup wins have come via superspeedway racing, the second coming at Talladega Superspeedway in the spring of 2013, when he wheeled the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford to the checkered flag ahead of teammate David Gilliland in an upset victory for the underdog team.

Ragan, 37, has 476 Cup starts in addition to 107 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts and 31 Craftsman Truck Series races, collecting two Xfinity victories in 2009 with wins at Talladega and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Because the No. 60 BuildSubmarines.com Ford will not be a chartered entry, Ragan will need to qualify the car either via time trials or in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel qualifying race.

Posted on November 29, 2023February 8, 2024 by Holly Cain

NASHVILLE — For the fourth year, the always-anticipated NASCAR Awards celebration returns to Nashville this week to officially crown the sport’s series champions from the local series to NASCAR’s national series. The sport’s competitors and its massive fanbase are arriving in the “Music City” to honor the 2023 season’s best and to celebrate the culmination of the sport’s 75th anniversary season.

Newly crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney made the national media rounds in the days immediately after capturing his first series trophy Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway and the 29-year-old will undoubtedly be a popular sighting around Nashville all week as his work in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford is celebrated.

SCHEDULE: 2023 Champion’s Week in Nashville

Fans will have a lot of opportunities to join in the season celebrations from sightings of their favorite drivers on Nashville’s famed Broadway Street to a NASCAR champion car parade on Wednesday and this year, multiple award ceremonies on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

The first championship celebration took place Tuesday at Nashville’s iconic Music City Center where champions and season standouts from more than a half dozen local and foreign NASCAR series were honored including the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West and NASCAR’s International Series featuring the NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

A new interactive fan experience debuts on Wednesday, the “NASCAR House,” which is open from noon-6 p.m. ET downtown at Fifth and Broadway. Fans can attend question-and-answer panels with the season’s top drivers across multiple NASCAR series, including two-time champion Kyle Busch, this year’s Nashville Superspeedway race winner Ross Chastain, three-time Daytona 500 winner and owner/driver Denny Hamlin and former champion Kevin Harvick, who retired from competition at the conclusion of the season.

Then the NASCAR Champion Car Parade will take place Wednesday (3:30 p.m. ET) on Nashville’s famed Broadway Street with fans lining up outside iconic bars, restaurants and tourist spots to see their favorite competitors and cars.

The NASCAR Awards Red Carpet rolls out Thursday afternoon at the Music City Center where the stars and championship competitors will make their way into the banquet hall for the trophy presentations and speeches. The NASCAR Cup Series champion Blaney, NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Cole Custer (Stewart-Haas Racing) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes (ThorSport Racing) and their teams headline the evening.

The NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award – voted on by fans – will be announced as well. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott has won this award for the last five seasons. His father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, was a record 16-time recipient during his championship career.

MORE: Every Most Popular Driver winner in history

“As we continue to commemorate our diamond anniversary, there is no other place we’d rather return for our end-of-the-year celebration than Music City,” NASCAR’s Chief Marketing Officer Pete Jung said in announcing the sport’s return to Nashville.

“The energy of this city never goes unnoticed and the fans’ dedication for our sport never fails.”

Posted on November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 by Press Release

BAKERSFIELD, California – Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, Calif., founded in 2013 by Charlie Beard, Rusty Risi, and James Vernon, is undergoing a significant transformation under the new ownership of Tim & Lisa Huddleston, renowned promoters known for their work at L.A. County’s Irwindale Speedway & Event Center.

Under the new ownership, Kern County Raceway Park has been renamed Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, honoring the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion and Bakersfield native, Kevin Harvick.

This change ushers in a new era to Kern County’s racing scene, infused with enthusiasm and expertise by the Huddlestons. As part of the newly created partnership, Harvick will work closely with the leadership team to ensure the best decisions are made for the track, the competitors and to help build the overall health of motorsports at the grassroots level. This will help continue the vision Harvick has for ensuring motorsports across the country, from the local level to the premier level, produces the best product possible.

BAKERSFIELD, CA – MARCH 15: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Fields Ford, races on track during the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Bakersfield 175 presented by NAPA Auto Parts at Kern County Raceway Park on March 15, 2018 in Bakersfield, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Harvick; Cole Rouse; Derek Kraus

“Bakersfield is my home, and I am committed to giving back and ensuring a bright future for motorsports in our community,” Harvick said. “Together with Tim and Lisa, we will do everything in our power to make racing in Bakersfield as strong as it has ever been.”

Harvick’s journey from local tracks, notably the iconic Mesa Marin Raceway, to the pinnacle of NASCAR as a Cup Series champion, resonates deeply with Bakersfield’s racing community. His story embodies the qualities of determination and hard work, qualities that will undoubtedly shape the future of Kern Raceway.

“Kevin Harvick’s involvement is a game-changer for Kern Raceway,” said Tim Huddleston, CEO of Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. “His expertise and commitment will propel us to new heights. Together, we aim to create an electrifying racing experience for fans and competitors alike.”

Additionally, Tim Huddleston extended heartfelt gratitude to Virgie Beard and Rusty Risi, acknowledging their hard work and dedication in building, and operating the facility over the years.

Kern County Raceway Park before the NAPA Auto Parts BlueDEF 150 for the ARCA Menards Series West on April 22, 2023. (Alisha Jucevic/ARCA Racing)

“Their contributions have laid the foundation for the Raceway’s success, a legacy that our team is honored to continue,” Huddleston said. “In honor of the late Charlie Beard and his work in bringing KCRP to life, the suite tower will be re-named The Charlie Beard Tower effective immediately.”

Looking ahead, the leadership team is actively working on the 2024 calendar. Exciting new events and improvement projects are currently in the works, promising a thrilling and enhanced experience for race enthusiasts. Details of these developments will be announced in the coming weeks, adding to the anticipation surrounding Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is a 120-acre motorsports facility located in Bakersfield, California. The facility is renowned for it’s half-mile asphalt oval and third-mile dirt oval. For the most recent news and updates, kindly visit www.kernraceway.com. Additionally, stay connected with us on X, Instagram, and Facebook @KernRaceway. Come along on this historic journey as we celebrate the legacy of a hometown champion and strengthen community bonds through the excitement of racing.

Posted on November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 by Reid Spencer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – During a week in which Ryan Blaney, the champion of NASCAR’s top series, will be honored on Thursday night, the sport also acknowledged the achievements of drivers in its grassroots divisions in a Tuesday night gala at the Music City Center.

The awards dinner recognized an array of drivers, from track, state and regional champions in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series to ARCA Menards Series national champion Jesse Love, who collected 10 victories on his way to the title.

“I think just two years of hard work and determination to get better,” Love said of his path to the championship. “Obviously, our cars were really good in ’23, and I think I was doing a good job, as well. We had every piece of the pie figured out — good setups, good aero, good people around us, good crew chief, good spotter, everything. When that happens, you’re bound for success.”

Love, 18, will make the jump from ARCA to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing in 2024. The 18-year-old from Menlo Park, California had plenty of suitors during and after the season.

PHOTOS: NASCAR Roots champs honored in Nashville

NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Steve O’Donnell, Jesse Love, ARCA Menards Series Champion, and Billy Venturini, champion owner, attend the 2023 NASCAR Awards at Music City Center on November 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

“I think having a real good year this year put me on the map of some free agency — it was a contract year for me — so I knew some people were looking,” Love said. “RCR contacted me a few months ago, and it seemed like the right time to move with how some things were shaking out. So, I decided to go talk to them, and once I talked to them, I kind of fell in love with the program.”

Love doesn’t expect the leap to the Xfinity Series to be as daunting as his three starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this year.

“It’s not that big of a deal for me,” Love said of the transition. “The truck deal was probably a bigger jump initially than Xfinity will be for me, just because I kind of have the jitters of racing in the top three series for the first time out of me.

“I know how to get on and off pit road now and all the different small things I was able to learn this year. It just takes the stress off my shoulders. Got a great team on that 2 car (at RCR) and a great leader in (crew chief) Danny Stockman to point us in the right direction.”

Also honored were the respective ARCA Menards Series East and West champions, William Sawalich and Sean Hingorani.

Sawalich, 17, under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through 2025, won four races on his way to the championship.

“I think the team effort was probably the biggest thing, and us all working together and having good coordination and communication at the race track — I feel like that was the key factor in us winning all those races and the championship,” Sawalich said.

NASCAR Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy Ben Kennedy (L) presents Ron Silk, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion, with the champion’s ring during the 2023 NASCAR Awards at Music City Center on November 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

During an awards dinner that featured a plethora of teenagers, Whelen Modified Tour champion Ron Silk was the notable exception. Silk, 40, outdueled Justin Bonsignore for the championship 12 years after he won his first title.

“It feels really good,” Silk said before accepting his championship ring from Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development and strategy. “The first one was quite a while ago, so it’s nice to know that I can still do it.”

The awards celebration had a distinct international flavor, with champions recognized from Canada, Mexico and Europe — and a title still to be won in South America.

“We’ve got great race cars every time we show up to the track,” said NASCAR Pinty’s Series champion Treyton Lapcevich. “It’s just up to me to drive them.

The NASCAR Mexico Series featured a champion, Salvador de Alba Jr., who made the title battle a family affair, winning the championship for his father and car owner Salvador de Alba.

Gianmarco Ercoli took the title in the hotly contested NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, with the championship in the eight-event NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race — a series acquired by NASCAR in 2022 — to be decided in the next two weeks.

National Champion Connor Hall (R) and NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney attend the 2023 NASCAR Awards at Music City Center on November 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Connor Hall was foremost in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, giving a representative from Langley Speedway (Hampton, Va.) that coveted championship for the first time. Blaney made a brief cameo appearance to present the champion’s trophy.

“We started off (the season) with a full CARS Tour schedule, built our own (late model) car and started racing that on weekends,” said Hall, who won 11 straight weekly series main events. “It came down to the point where we had to waylay the CARS Tour to pursue the weekly championship.”

Sixteen-year-old Lanie Buice, weekly series rookie of the year in South Carolina and a member of NASCAR’s 2024 Drive for Diversity class, was honored with the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award.

The award is given to a weekly series driver based not only on performance on the race track but also for admirable qualities such as sportsmanship and a commitment to community service.

Posted on November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 by Adam Fenwick

Every year, Super Late Model racers from across the United States converge at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida for one of the biggest races of the season. The 2023 Snowball Derby entry list reflects that fact once again.

The Snowball Derby, held annually since 1968, is widely considered the most important Super Late Model event in the United States.

Won by the likes of Darrell Waltrip, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Pete Hamilton, Erik Jones and Donnie Allison, the event always features the best young stars and veterans competing for the right to call themselves a Snowball Derby winner.

This year is no exception, as 52 drivers have filed entries to compete in Sunday’s 300-lap extravaganza. Many of them have NASCAR ties.

Five familiar names to fans of the NASCAR Cup Series are among those slated to take on Five Flags Speedway’s challenging half-mile paved oval this weekend.

They’re headlined by Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron, who will once again drive a Super Late Model fielded by team owner Anthony Campi. He’s made three previous Snowball Derby starts, with his best finish coming last year when he crossed the line sixth. He also won the pole for the 2016 running of the event but failed to finish following a crash.

Erik Jones during qualifying of the Battle at Berlin 250 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan on August 9, 2023. (Photo: Nic Antaya/NASCAR)

LEGACY Motor Club’s Erik Jones returns to Five Flags Speedway in search of a third Snowball Derby crown after previously winning the event in his first two starts in 2012 and 2013. He’s made five starts in total and will drive his own No. 4 as he attempts to qualify for his sixth Snowball Derby.

Rising NASCAR Cup Series rookie Carson Hocevar will look to add his name to Snowball Derby lore this weekend in his own No. 14. The Spire Motorsports driver has made four previous attempts to qualify for the Derby, but he only managed to qualify twice, in 2018 and 2021. His best effort came in his last attempt in 2021, when he finished seventh.

Noah Gragson is another previous Snowball Derby winner looking to take home another Tom Dawson Trophy. Gragson, who most recently drove for LEGACY Motor Club in the NASCAR Cup Series, has made six attempts to qualify for the Derby, succeeding five times. He won the 2018 edition of the event while driving for Kyle Busch.

Lastly, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Preece returns to Five Flags Speedway as he looks to qualify for his third Snowball Derby aboard Kevin Harvick’s No. 62. He made his Derby debut in 2008 with a 14th-place effort and returned again in 2021, finishing fourth.

Those five are hardly the only familiar faces looking to earn a starting position in Sunday’s Snowball Derby. Among the entries are four other previous Snowball Derby winners.

Ty Majeski during the ASA STARS National Tour ECMD 150 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 16, 2023. (Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)

Ty Majeski, who drives for ThorSport Racing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, won the Snowball Derby in 2020 and is back chasing his second title. Defending winner Derek Thorn, who has led a whopping 851 laps in the last three Snowball Derbys, will attempt to win his second Tom Dawson Trophy on Sunday.

Also entered is 2019 winner Travis Braden and 2007-08 victor Augie Grill, both of whom should be considered contenders to win Sunday.

Sammy Smith, a two-time ARCA Menards Series East champion and future driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will attempt to qualify for his third Snowball Derby after finishing second one year ago.

Reigning ARCA Menards Series East champion William Sawalich, reigning NASCAR Canada Series champion Treyten Lapcevich, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series winner Derek Kraus, ARCA Menards Series winner Luke Fenhaus, CARS Tour champions Carson and Caden Kvapil, and ARCA Menards Series East winner Jake Finch all are also entered.

Last, but certainly not least, are the strong contingent of Late Model racing stars who are looking to win the Snowball Derby for the first time.

Among them are men like Gio Ruggiero, Bubba Pollard, Michael Hinde, Matthew Craig, Stephen Nasse, Preston Peltier, Hunter Robbins, Derek Griffith and Cole Butcher.

Below is the complete entry list for the 56th annual Snowball Derby, which features 52 drivers from 20 states as well as Canada and Mexico who will be vying for 36 starting positions in Sunday’s race.

2023 Snowball Derby entry list

Car No.	Driver	Home
1	Michael House	Columbia, TN
2	William Sawalich	Eden Prairie, MN
2	John Bolen	Jasper, AL
4	Erik Jones	Charlotte, NC
5	Andrik Dimayuga	Mexico City, Mexico
7	Jackson Boone	Franklin, TN
7	Derek Thorn	Bakersfield, CA
08	Jace Hansen	Berthoud, CO
9	Derek Kraus	Stratford, WI
12	Derek Griffith	Hudson, NH
14	Carson Hocevar	Portage, MI
14	Connor Okrzesik	Grand Bay, AL
16	Jacob Gomes	Manteca, CA
18	Chase Burda	Richmond, MI
18	Hunter Robbins	Pensacola, FL
21	Travis Braden	Wheeling, WV
22	Gio Ruggiero	Seekonk, MA
22	Sammy Smith	Johnston, IA
23	Billy VanMeter	Indianapolis, IN
23	Ed VanMeter	Indianapolis, IN
24	William Byron	Charlotte, NC
26	Bubba Pollard	Senoia, GA
26	Luke Fenhaus	Wausau, WI
27	Travis Rodewald	Manitowoc, WI
28	Cole Butcher	Hansport, Nova Scotia, Canada
28	Timothy Watson	Panama City, FL
30	Noah Gragson	Charlotte, NC
32	Stuart Dutton	Tallahassee, FL
32	Caden Kvapil	Mooresville, NC
32	Treyten Lapcevich	Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
33	Albert Francis	Painesville, OH
33	Dustin Smith	Mobile, AL
35	Jake Garcia	Monroe, GA
36	Carson Kvapil	Mooresville, NC
44	Conner Jones	Fredricksburg, VA
44	Jeremy Doss	Upper Lake, CA
48	Allen Karnes	Sharpsburg, GA
48	Preston Peltier	Johnstown, CO
50	Jett Noland	Groveland, FL
51	Stephen Nasse	Pinellas Park, FL
51	Jake Finch	Lynn Haven, FL
54	Matthew Craig	Concord, NC
54	Conner Sutton	Pensacola, FL
55	Haeden Plybon	Deer Park, WA
58	Johnny Aramendia	New Braunfels, TX
62	Ryan Preece	Kannapolis, NC
63	Kole Raz	Lake Oswego, OR
69	Michael Hinde	Hernando, FL
74	Ryan Moore	Mooresville, NC
91	Ty Majeski	Neenah, WI
98	Blaine Rocha	Oakdale, CA
112	Augie Grill	Hayden, AL

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Alex Cadavid

Editor’s note: With Champion’s Week in Nashville ongoing, NASCAR.com will look back at every playoff round of the 2023 season in all three national series.

Race 1: At Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oct. 14

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Winner: Riley Herbst

Key highlights: Riley Herbst rocketed to his first career Xfinity win at his hometown track, winning by over 14 seconds. Herbst scored an upset win to open the Round of 8 being the only non-playoff driver to notch a victory in the postseason and led 103 of 201 laps en route to the checkered flag. Series points leader John Hunter Nemechek finished second followed by Herbst’s Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Cole Custer. Kaulig Racing‘s Chandler Smith and JR Motorsports Sam Mayer rounded out the top five.

Full race recap: Riley Herbst wins first career Xfinity race at hometown track

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Race 2: At Homestead-Miami Speedway, Oct. 21

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Winner: Sam Mayer

Key highlights: Sam Mayer claimed his first victory on an oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway, holding off Riley Herbst who was crowding him lap-by-lap for the win. Mayer skated by with a mere 0.227 margin of victory and locked in his spot to the Championship 4. Cole Custer led a dominant 114 laps out of 200, only to hit the wall with 50 laps to go, Custer recovered to finish 13th. John Hunter Nemechek earned another second-place finish, Austin Hill and Dale Earnhardt Jr. completed the top five.

Full race recap: Sam Mayer holds off Herbst, seals Xfinity Series title shot with Homestead win

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Homestead-Miami

Race 3: At Martinsville Speedway, Oct. 28

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Winner: Justin Allgaier

Key highlights: Justin Allgaier won a chaotic race at Martinsville Speedway to return to the Championship 4 for another year. In overtime, there was repeated contact between Richard Childress Racing teammates Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed that caused a domino effect of damage through the field on the race’s final lap. Creed managed to stay out front and collect a second-place finish, however, the melee caused drivers John Hunter Nemechek to finish 18th, Cole Custer 19th, and Austin Hill as a DNF after lining up in the first two rows on the final restart. Leading to Sammy Smith, Riley Herbst and Josh Berry walking away with top-five finishes.

Full race recap: Justin Allgaier clinches Xfinity Series Championship 4 spot in dramatic finish

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Martinsville-2

Drivers eliminated: Austin Hill, Sammy Smith, Sheldon Creed and Chandler Smith

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Chris Murdock

Editor’s note: With Champion’s Week in Nashville ongoing, NASCAR.com will look back at every playoff round of the 2023 season in all three national series.

Race 1: At Bristol Motor Speedway, Sept. 14

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Winner: Corey Heim

Key highlights: On Lap 195 of 200, Corey Heim took the lead from fellow playoff contender, Christian Eckes, winning the race by .218 seconds. The win propelled the Regular Season champion into the Championship 4. Carson Hocevar ran fourth and entered the second Round of 8 race 18 points above the elimination line. Defending series champion Zane Smith was penalized for pitting outside his box on Lap 116, and was relegated to the rear of the field.

Full race recap: Corey Heim wins Truck Series playoff race at Bristol

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Bristol Motor Speedway playoff weekend

Race 2: At Talladega Superspeedway, Sept. 30

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Winner: Brett Moffitt

Key highlights: Pulling off an amazing three-wide move to the front during an overtime restart, former series champion, Brett Moffitt, snagged the win over playoff contenders Christian Eckes and Ben Rhodes. Eckes moved up the track to block Moffitt from a run, but Moffitt dropped to the middle of the track and pulled away to a 0.089-second victory over Ben Rhodes while Eckes lost momentum, drifted back and ended up in 19th. Zane Smith had a rough afternoon from an incident on pit road to mechanical problems that set him back early. His truck hit his crew member Charles Plank coming into the team’s pit stall on the first stop of the day. Plank, a tire carrier, was OK and even finished out the race.

Full race recap: Brett Moffitt wins Truck Series Playoffs race at Talladega in overtime

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Talladega Superspeedway-2 weekend

Race 3: At Homestead-Miami Speedway, Oct. 21

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Winner: Carson Hocevar

Key highlights: Carson Hocevar launched himself into the Championship 4 with a win at Homestead-Miami Speedway, marking his first Championship 4 appearance. Zane Smith crossed the line second in a must-win situation but was later disqualified in post-race inspection, due to an unapproved windshield support. The DQ moved Ben Rhodes into second, helping him to advance to the playoffs’ final round, prevailing in a tiebreaker in the standings with rookie Nick Sanchez — the pole-sitter who finished 17th.

Full race recap: Carson Hocevar converts Homestead win, joins Rhodes, Heim, Enfinger in Championship 4 field

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Homestead-Miami Speedway weekend

Drivers eliminated: Zane Smith, Nick Sanchez, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Zach Sturniolo

Editor’s note: With Champion’s Week in Nashville ongoing, NASCAR.com will look back at every playoff round of the 2023 season in all three national series.

Race 1: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oct. 15

Winner: Kyle Larson

Key highlights: Kyle Larson dominated the day in the desert but needed two key moments to save his race. The first came at Lap 146 when his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman crashed on the frontstretch, bringing out the caution just three laps after Larson smoked his tires in an incredible save off Turn 2. The second came in the final round of pit stops when Larson lunged from third to first thanks to a fast stop. Christopher Bell charged hard but fell just 0.082 seconds short as Larson took the checkered flag to lock into the Championship 4.

Full race recap: Kyle Larson wins at Las Vegas, clinches Championship 4 berth

At-track photos: Best pictures from Vegas

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Studios

Race 2: Homestead-Miami Speedway, Oct. 22

Winner: Christopher Bell

Key highlights: The complexion of the NASCAR Playoffs changed with 57 laps to go. Leader Ryan Blaney hit pit road with Kyle Larson in tow. Larson followed Blaney to pit road but charged too hard and darted into the sand barrels at the pit wall attenuator instead, triggering a caution flag. Shortly after the ensuing restart, Denny Hamlin suffered a mechanical failure that sent him crashing into the SAFER barrier and ended his day — just one minute before teammate Martin Truex Jr.’s engine expired. Christopher Bell, driving another Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, pounces from third to first after another restart to take the lead charge to the victory, locking into the Championship 4 for the second straight year while fellow playoff drivers Blaney, Tyler Reddick and William Byron finish second, third and fourth respectively.

Full race recap: Christopher Bell holds on for Homestead win, clinches return to Championship 4

At-track photos: Best pictures from Miami

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Race 3: Martinsville Speedway, Oct. 29

Winner: Ryan Blaney

Key highlights: Ryan Blaney entered with a mere 10-point advantage over the elimination line but led much of the race at the 0.526-mile Virginia short track, leading 145 of 500 laps on his way toward winning the Xfinity 500, securing his first trip to the Championship 4. Denny Hamlin led a race-high 156 circuits after starting the race 17 points beneath that elimination line, but even a third-place finish and 19 stage points weren’t enough to advance. William Byron, who netted a season-high six wins, struggled all weekend but managed to move onto his inaugural Championship 4 appearance by eight points over Hamlin. Chris Buescher’s eighth-place finish fell short of advancement after a tough round for the No. 17 RFK Racing team, while Martin Truex Jr. and Tyler Reddick also saw their playoff paths come to an end.

Full race recap: Ryan Blaney wins at Martinsville, joins Bell, Larson, Byron in Championship 4

At-track photos: Best pictures from Martinsville

Drivers eliminated: Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher, Martin Truex Jr., Tyler Reddick.

Jonathan Bachman | Getty Images

Posted on November 28, 2023November 28, 2023 by NASCAR Official Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 28, 2023) – With decades of rich racing history, the Daytona 500 is one of the grandest spectacles in motorsports, with fans and drivers from all over clamoring to be a part of the “Great American Race.” Today, that sentiment continues to reign true.

Daytona International Speedway has announced that the 2024 Daytona 500 grandstands and camping are sold out, nearly three months in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series season opener. This is the earliest The World Center of Racing has announced a sellout in the modern era and the ninth consecutive sellout of the “Great American Race.” Limited Fanzone and hospitality packages are still available, including the Daytona 500 Club and 31 DEGREES.

“Our fans continue to impress year after year, but the rate at which the 2024 Daytona 500 has sold out is a true testament to what this race represents,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “It’s anticipation that builds throughout the year and into the offseason, then all comes together for a week of pure entertainment, competition and this passionate feeling you don’t get anywhere else but The World Center of Racing. We can’t wait to have a full house of race fans for the NASCAR season opener.”

Time and time again, Daytona International Speedway shows its affinity for making history when it comes to the “Great American Race.” Last year, the World Center of Racing celebrated the 65th running of the “Great American Race” alongside NASCAR’s 75th anniversary with the longest Daytona 500 in the NASCAR record books. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. drove to victory after two intense overtimes, capturing his first Daytona 500 championship.

Right from the very beginning, the “Great American Race” has provided a thrill quite unlike any other event on the NASCAR schedule. The inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959 ended in a rare photo finish between Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp, with Petty just barely edging out the latter. History repeated itself nearly six decades later when Denny Hamlin defeated Martin Truex Jr. during the 2016 Daytona 500 by the closest margin of victory in the history of the race (0.010 seconds), leading officials to check the cameras to determine the winner.

The 2024 Daytona 500 is sure to be another action-packed thriller from start to finish, with recently crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney hoping to begin the new season in the same fashion the last one ended. He’ll have to battle it out against an entire field of hungry drivers, with rookies looking for their first win and seasoned veterans vying for the coveted title of Daytona 500 Champion.

The “Great American Race” is just one event taking place in a multi-day swing of vigorous racing at Daytona International Speedway during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth.

Fans can catch the first glimpse of the Cup Series as they prepare to open the points season with Daytona 500 Qualifying, Presented by Busch Light on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Qualifying will set the front row for the “Great American Race,” as well as the field for a set of head-to-head battles in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona on Thursday, Feb. 15, where drivers fight for their starting position in the 66th running of the Daytona 500.

MORE: 2024 Cup Series schedule | 2024 Xfinity Series schedule | 2024 Truck Series schedule

The intensity continues to ramp up as the Craftsman Truck Series season-opening Fresh From Florida 250 takes the green flag on Friday, Feb. 16. Then on Saturday, fans get a jam-packed day of on-track action with the kickoff to the ARCA Menards Series season, followed by the United Rentals 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Drivers in all three series will look to begin their year with a win, putting everything on the line at one of the biggest races on the schedule. Fans can enjoy the fierce competition alongside the nearly endless list of entertainment, activations and festivities.

All this culminates in one of the greatest motorsports events in the world, the Daytona 500. Drivers will face the steep banking of Daytona International Speedway with nothing but inches between one car and the next, all in front of a massive sellout crowd.

Fans looking to buy or sell reserved seats for the Daytona 500 should visit SeatGeek, the Official Ticket Marketplace of NASCAR.

Tickets are available for all other events taking place during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, including packages for Saturday’s Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series doubleheader. Fans can also witness all the action that comes with the “Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX or tune in to MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Fans can also sign up for exclusive pre-sale access for infield camping and tickets to the 2025 Daytona 500 and secure their seats in advance. For more information on how to acquire pre-sale access, please visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Posted on November 28, 2023November 28, 2023 by Staff Report

A busy season of racing across the United States for more than 50 NASCAR-sanctioned short tracks has led to celebrations for more than 200 drivers who claimed track championships in 2023.

From Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, to LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wisconsin, drivers from all across the continent worked tirelessly toward the goal of becoming NASCAR track champions this season. For a select few, that dream was realized.

They include 2023 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national champion Connor Hall, who captured the track championship at Virginia’s Langley Speedway. Also among the track champions are drivers like Jon Reynolds Jr., who captured the final track title at historic Rockford Speedway in Rockford, Illinois.

Jacob Goede won his record 10th straight track championship at Minnesota’s Elko Speedway. Kade Brown won his first track championship at North Carolina’s Hickory Motor Speedway one year after winning the track championship at South Carolina’s Florence Motor Speedway.

Below is a list of NASCAR-sanctioned division champions from all of the tracks that are part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.

2023 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series track champions

Adams County Speedway

Modified: Jesse Dennis
Stock Car: Brad Derry
B Mod: Shawn Kralik
Hobby Stock: Adam Hensel
Compact: John Berg

Alaska Raceway Park

Late Model: Bryan Barber
Baby Grand: Tyler Holmes
Thunder Stock: Keith Jones
Bomber Stock: Jeremy Copley

All American Speedway

Modified: Tyler Wentworth
Super Late Model: Dylan Zampa
Pro Late Model: Josh Whitfield
Super Stock: Josh Whitfield
F-4: Matthew Fuhs

Autodrome Chaudière Vallée-Jonction

Truck: Anthony Lessard
Sport Compact Sr.: Chloé Grondin
Vintage: Claude Jean
Sport Contact Development: Maude Sylvain

Autodrome Granby

Modified: David Hebert
Sportsman: William Racine
Pro Stock: Bruno Cyr
Sport Compact: Dominik Blais

Berlin Raceway

Super Late Model: Brian Campbell
Limited Late Model: Tyler Rycenga
Sportsman: Brian Thome
4 Cylinder: Justin Roelofs

Bethel Motor Speedway

Asphalt Modified: Ed Dachenhausen
Street Stock: Joel Murns
Pro Stock: Tom Katz

Birch Run Speedway

Modified: David McManus
Limited Late Model: Joe Hodgeson Jr.
Street Stock: Nick Lechota
Pure Stock: Mike Mosier
Sport Compact: Charlie Boone
American Trucks: Anthony Duvernois

Brandon Ward won his first Modified championship at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2023. (Photo: Susan Wong/NASCAR)

Bowman Gray Stadium

Modified: Brandon Ward
Sportsman: Chase Robertson
Street Stock: Christian Joyce
Stadium Stock: A.J. Sanders

Claremont Motorsports Park

Modified: Nathan Wenzel
Late Model: David Greenslit
Outlaws: Ben Poland
Six Shooters: Steve Miller Jr.

Colorado National Speedway

Super Late Model: Brett Yackey
Pro Truck: Kody Vanderwal
Late Model: Mike Gallegos
Grand American Modified: Chris Cox
Figure 8: Jereme Wall
Super Stock: Brent Cave
Pure Stock: Austin Richards

Delaware International Speedway

Modified: Jordan Watson
Crate 602 Sportsman: Jordn Justice

Dominion Raceway

Late Model: Peyton Sellers
Modified: Kayla Surles
Virginia Racer: Alex Brock
Dominion Stocks: Dan Rogers
UCAR: Michael Frayser
Virginia Modified: Shannon Marano
Any Car 4/6 Cylinder: Kris Kurtz
Any Car 8 Cylinder: Richard Storm

Eastbound International Speedway

Sportsman: Jason Groves
Hobby Stock: Kevin Lane

Edmonton International Raceway

Late Model: Mike Ramm
Thunder Cars: Mitchell Bushnell
Pure Stocks: Lucas Belbeck

Elko Speedway

Late Model: Jacob Goede
Thunder Car: Dillon Sellner
Power Stock: Julie Jorgenson

Evergreen Speedway

Pro Late Model: Naima Lang
Street Stock: Mark Hubbard
Mini Stock: Lindon Smith
Outlaw Figure 8: Ricky Deitz
Hornets: Zach Bristol
Super Stock Figure 8: John Carlson
Stinger 8: Jackson Beckel

Florence Motor Speedway

Late Model: Matt Cox
Charger: Averitt Lucas
Mini Stock: Matt Briggs
Super Trucks: Cody Kelley

Fonda Speedway

Modified: Demetrios Drellos
Crate 602 Sportsman: Payton Talbot
Pro Stock: Ivan Joslin

Georgetown Speedway

Modified: Ryan Godown
Crate 602 Sportsman: Joe Toth

Grandview Speedway

Modified: Brett Kressley
Sportsman: Brian Hirthler

Hawkeye Downs Speedway

Late Model: Bryce Miller
Sportsman: Jim Hanson
Hobby Stock: Derek Parrott
Hornet: Corey Crispin

Hickory Motor Speedway

Late Model: Kade Brown
Super Trucks: Ashley Huffman
Street Stock: Marshall Sutton
Renegade: Steve Smart

Hudson Speedway

Modifieds: Tyler Leary
Late Model: Milton Duran
Ridge Runners: Joseph Fraser
Six Shooter: Steve Miller Sr.

Irwindale Speedway

Pro Late Model: Linny White
Spec Racer: Andrew Porter
Enduro: Bobby Ozman
Street Stock: Zack Green

Jennerstown Speedway

Late Model: Barry Awtey
Modified: Jason Busch
Pro Stock: Josh Dunmyer
Street Stock: Brent Bickerstaff
Charger: Ken Burkholder
4 Cylinder: Caleb Vasos

Kingsport Speedway

Late Model: Jacob York
Street Stock: Jamie Meadows
Pure 4: John Ketron
Mod 4: Chris Amburgey
Beginner FWD: Joshua Collins

Skylar Holzhausen captured the Late Model track championship at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wisconsin, this season. (Photo: LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway)

LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway

Late Model: Skylar Holzhausen
Sportsman: Andy Barney
Hornets: Ben Thurk

Lake View Motor Speedway

Street Stock: Cameron Holloway
Stock V8: Charles Nicholson
SCDRA: Jason Brown
602 Modifieds: David Victora

Langley Speedway

Late Model: Connor Hall
Modified: Matt Carter
VA Racer: Cody Bryant
Super Street: Sammy Gaita
Enduros: Charlie Bryant
Grand Stock: Tim Wilson
Super Truck: Hunter Waltrip
UCAR: Charlie Bryant
Pro Six: Travis Wall

Lee USA Speedway

Pro Stock: Wayne Helliwell Jr.
Late Models: Haydon Grenier
Ridge Runners: David Cameron
Six Shooters: Christian Destefano

Limaland Motorsports Park

Modified: Todd Sherman
Thunderstocks: Tony Anderson

Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park

Late Model: Blayne Harrison
Sportsman: Kyle Barnes
Super Street: Tristen Barnes
Mod 4: Kevin Canter
Pure 4: Paul Stanley

Magic Valley Speedway

Modified: Eric Rhead
Pro Late Model: Dan Root Jr.
Street Stock: Shawn Lester
Mini Stock: Tyler Palmer
Hornet: Ty Garibay
Bomber: Brandon Adams
Mini Mods: Gabriel Varin
Trucks: Drew Reitsma

Meridian Speedway

Modified: Brendon Fries
Pro Late Model: Dylan Caldwell
Street Stock: Jesse James Lawson
Mini Stock: Don Trafford
Hornet: Chris Endicott
Bomber: Morgan Trammel
Pro 4: Jordan Harris
Pepsi Crate: Kaleb Johnson
Super Late Model: Jonathon Gomez

Monadnock Speedway

Modified: Nathan Wenzel
Late Model: Timothy Wenzel
Mini Stock: Louie Maher
Six Shooters: Michael Yeaton

New River All-American Speedway

Late Model: Paul Williamson
Charger: Tyler Chapman
Bomber: Andrew Jackson
Champ Karts: Corey Lucas

New Smyrna Speedway

Super Late Model: Brad May
Pro Late Model: Brad May
Modified: Jerry Symons
Sportsman: Travis Devendorf
Super Stock: Blake Clouser
Bomber A: Brandon Monroe
Bomber B: Frank Button
E Mod: Dylan LeBeau
Mod Mini: Sean Bass
Trucks: Richard Lavance
Ground Pounders: Art Kunzeman
602 Tour Modifieds: Christopher Hatton

Pulaski County Motorsports Park

Late Model: Mike Looney
Sportsman: Kyle Barnes
Super Street: Jimmy Mullins
Mod 4: Kevin Canter
Pure 4: Kirby Shipman

Riverhead Raceway

Modified: John Beatty Jr.
Create Modified: Owen Grennan
Late Model: Jeremy McDermott
Super Pro Truck: Jack Handley Jr.
Blunderbust: Brandon Hubbard
Figure 8: Kenny Hyde Jr.

Rockford Speedway

Late Model: Jon Reynolds Jr.
Sportsman: Patrick Featherston II
Short Trackers: Nick Schneider
Road Runners: Kevin Memoli
Bandits: Shawn Bowar

RPM Speedway

Modified: Steve Bernard
Sportsman: Donovan Lussier
Mod Lite: Alex Forcier
Lightning Sprint: Stephane St-Laurent

Salina Highbanks Speedway

B Mod: John Potter
Pure Stock: Keith Couch
Super Stock: Brandon Jarvis
Factory Stock: Karla Leland

Seekonk Speedway

Pro Stock: Mark Jenison
Late Model: Vinnie Arrenegado
Sportsman: Steve Axon
Sport Trucks: Rick Martin

Carter Langley (center) captured his first Late Model track championship at Virginia’s South Boston Speedway in 2023. (Photo: Joe Chandler/South Boston Speedway)