Posted on by Brandon White

Of all the marquee events in pavement short track racing throughout the United States, the Snowball Derby stands out among the rest.

Since 1968, Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida has been the gathering spot each December for many of the best in NASCAR and short track racing to battle it out for 300 laps. Awaiting each driver in Victory Lane is the opportunity to hoist the Tom Dawson Trophy and join an elite group of individuals who have a Snowball Derby win.

Wayne Niedecken’s triumph in the inaugural Snowball Derby helped lay the foundation for what the event is today. He is one of a few drivers who have multiple Snowball Derby wins alongside names such as Kyle Busch, Erik Jones, Bobby Gill, Augie Grill, Gary Balough and Chase Elliott, the latter of which remains the youngest winner in the history of the race.

RELATED: 2023 Snowball Derby entry list breakdown

No driver has more victories in the Snowball Derby than short track veteran and former NASCAR Cup Series driver Rich Bickle. During his career, Bickle won the Snowball Derby a record five times from 1990-1999 before electing to hang up his helmet during the 2021 edition of the event.

Other notable Snowball Derby victors include NASCAR legends such as Darrell Waltrip, Donnie Allison and 1970 Daytona 500 winner Pete Hamilton. Tammy Jo Kirk made history in 1994 as the first female winner of the Snowball Derby before Johanna Long joined her in that category in 2010.

A healthy group of teams are set to make the pilgrimage to Pensacola this week for a busy week of on-track action. Four NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Jones, William Byron, Ryan Preece and Carson Hocevar are on the preliminary entry list alongside short track standouts Bubba Pollard, Stephen Nasse, Preston Peltier, Derek Thorn, William Sawalich and more.

With anticipation building for the 56th running of the Snowball Derby, those who are competing talked about why this race means so much to them.

Erik Jones
Erik Jones in action during the Money in the Bank 150 Super Late Model race at Michigan’s Berlin Raceway on June 7, 2023. (Emily Elconin/NASCAR)

Erik Jones: No. 4 Vast Racing Products Toyota (2012, 2013 winner)

“I came into the 2012 Snowball Derby with some limited options beyond late models, and at the time, I didn’t see an opportunity to do much more than that. Those 2012-13 races really opened my world to the NASCAR side of things and trying to get opportunities to move over there and race forward.

“I wouldn’t say I was the only person that has been in that situation, but it really did change the course of things and help propel my career.”

William Byron: No. 24 U.S. Radiators/PFC Brakes Chevrolet

“[The Snowball Derby] is important just because I enjoy giving back to that aspect of the sport. I feel like it’s very competitive and there’s plenty of competition at that level, just like there is at the Cup level. It’s a good chance to challenge myself against those people and it’s a historic race when you look at the list of people who have won it.

“It’s cool to see people like Donnie Allison, Kyle Busch and others who have won that race in the past.”

Ryan Preece: No. 62 Morton Buildings Ford

“I’m really looking forward to the Snowball Derby. It’s the biggest Super Late Model event in the country, and it’s highly anticipated every year. There’s nothing quite like it for racers and fans. To be a part of it is really exciting, and to be behind the wheel of the No. 62 is awesome.

“We’ve been prepping for this for a while now, and I’m ready to chase the Snowball Trophy and hopefully bring it back to North Carolina.”

Two-time CARS Tour champion Carson Kvapil seeks to improve upon a 12th place run from his debut Snowball Derby attempt last year. (Photo: Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)

Carson Kvapil: No. 35 Keen Parts/CorvetteParts.net Chevrolet

“I feel that the Snowball [Derby] is that one Super Late Model race everyone pays attention to. I believe that the Snowball has a huge amount of competition, and to win that race, everything has to go your way, and obviously you have to have a fast car. Running my dad’s car is always fun to do when I am not running with the JR Motorsports team in Late Model Stocks.

“Hopefully we can find some speed for this weekend.”

Treyten Lapcevich: No. 32 Glenn Styres Racing Toyota

“[The Snowball Derby] is really special. It’s a race I’ve grown up watching, and I know a lot of big names have been made there. It’s really special that I’m able to go there with the family team and have my own family with me, too. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’m really excited for it.”

Caden Kvapil: No. 32 Keen Parts/CorvetteParts.net Chevrolet

“The Snowball Derby is one of the most prestigious races in short track racing, so it makes it really important to myself because you are racing the best of the best. In the one week you’re here, you can learn so much about the track, car and your racing. The prestige of this event makes the short track scene a whole lot better since it is so known for the awesome racing it puts on.”

Luke Fenhaus: No. 26 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet

“The Snowball Derby is what everyone looks forward to all year long. It’s the Daytona 500 in short track racing where all the fans and racers end their year at. It’s the greatest week in short track racing and also the hardest.”

Fresh off an All American 400 victory at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, 2023 ARCA Menards Series East champion William Sawalich seeks to win the Snowball Derby in his first appearance.(Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/ARCA Racing)

William Sawalich: No. 2 Soundgear/Starkey Hearing/ Toyota

“[The Snowball Derby] means a lot. It’s a really cool race, and it would mean a lot to win it. There’s so much prep before that race, and all the teams put a lot of hard work into the cars before even testing. It’d be pretty cool to win that one.”

Travis Braden: No. 21 Cook Electrical/Jett Motorsports Toyota (2019 winner)

“The [Snowball] Derby is such a spectacle from start to finish, and like most historic events, it seems to become more meaningful to the competitors and loyal audience with time. Speaking of my own experience, having not raced in the south much throughout my career. And not getting my first start in the Derby until 2019, I didn’t always understand the extent of what it means to chase that Tom Dawson Trophy as an outsider.

“Now, after competing in the event twice, the anticipation is massive each year as the regular season championships wrap up and focus shifts to, ‘Who will win this year’s Derby?’”

Posted on 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.

CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: Phoenix Raceway, Nov. 4

Cole Custer lifts Xfinity Series championship trophy.
James Gilbert | Getty Images

Winner: Cole Custer

Key highlights: The battle for the 2023 Xfinity Series title was thrilling right to the very end. Cole Custer steered his way to a career-first series title after slipping from first to third on the final restart. Fellow championship contender John Hunter Nemechek held a fleeting lead but couldn’t turn his No. 20 Toyota in Turn 1 and lost the top spot to Justin Allgaier. It was Allgaier, Sam Mayer and Custer duking it out for the title on the final laps. Custer emerged with a narrow overtime victory to claim the Xfinity Series championship.

Full race recap: Cole Custer wins thrilling Xfinity finale at Phoenix for first title

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Championship weekend

CHAMPIONSHIP 4 ORDER OF FINISH: Cole Custer (1st), Justin Allgaier (3rd), Sam Mayer (5th), John Hunter Nemechek (28th)

Posted on 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.

CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: Phoenix Raceway, Nov. 3

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Winner: Christian Eckes (race), Ben Rhodes (Championship)

Key highlights: In a race that saw 29 laps of overtime racing, Ben Rhodes came away with his second-career Craftsman Truck Series Championship. Christian Eckes, who was eliminated in the Round of 8 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, was the race winner. Championship runner-up Grant Enfinger gave it his all on the final restart in the No. 23 GMS Racing Chevrolet coming off Turn 4 in an all-out pursuit to the very end. The other two championship contenders, Heim and Hocevar had a more contentious situation on-track. Heim, whose 47 laps out front in the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota were second most laps led on the night, was leading the championship-eligible drivers when Hocevar hit him going into Turn 2 with 30 laps remaining. Hocevar’s No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet was credited with a 29th-place finish from the garage, while Heim was scored 18th.

Full race recap: Christian Eckes wins thrilling Truck race at Phoenix, Ben Rhodes banks second career championship

At-track photos: At-track photos: 2023 Championship weekend

CHAMPIONSHIP 4 ORDER OF FINISH: Ben Rhodes (5th), Grant Enfinger (6th), Corey Heim (18th), Carson Hocevar (29th)

Posted on 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.

Championship 4: Phoenix Raceway, Nov. 5

Winner: Ross Chastain (race); Ryan Blaney (championship)

Key highlights: William Byron set the tone for the Championship 4 weekend by claiming the Busch Light Pole Award and leading each of the first 92 laps on his way toward winning Stage 1. Christopher Bell, making his second straight appearance in the title round, didn’t make it much further than that. A brake failure at Lap 109 sent his No. 20 Toyota into the Turn 3 wall and ended his shot at the 2023 championship. As Byron’s early speed faded, Ross Chastain moved to the front of the field — while Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford roared to life. A late caution for a spin by Kyle Busch allowed Kyle Larson’s pit crew to work its magic as Larson leaped ahead of Blaney and stayed ahead of Byron ahead of the race’s final restart with 31 laps to go. But Blaney was able to charge back by Larson in a masterful battle. Chastain sailed to the race win after leading a race-high 157 laps, but Blaney sealed his first NASCAR Cup Series championship with a runner-up finish in the season finale.

Full race recap: Ross Chastain dominates Phoenix Cup finale; Ryan Blaney wins first championship

At-track photos: Best photos from Phoenix

Championship 4 finishes: Kyle Larson (third), William Byron (fourth), Christopher Bell (36th)

Ryan Blaney hoists the Bill France Cup with Steve Phelps.
Getty Images
Posted on by Zack Albert

NASHVILLE – Comcast announced Wednesday that NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas has been selected as the 2023 Comcast Community Champion of the Year, honoring him for his philanthropic work with FACES: The National Craniofacial Association.

Vargas was recognized as the ninth recipient of the award at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel as part of the NASCAR Champion’s Week season-ending celebration.

Vargas was awarded a $60,000 prize that goes toward the charity, a cause with deep personal meaning for the 23-year-old driver. Vargas was born with craniosynostosis, a birth defect that stems from an abnormal, premature fusing of the bones in a baby’s skull. He has used his platform and spirit to raise awareness for children facing similar health challenges and said that the Comcast award’s donation will help their families with medical bills, travel and experiences at FACES summer camp.

“FACES is here to try and help that, and something like this from Comcast is a massive, massive deal,” Vargas said, pausing as he received congratulations from Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace, the 2020 award recipient. “For what FACES does for a lot of these kids, for a lot of these young adults, for a lot of these families, it is insane the amount of impact that they really do have.”

Vargas was chosen from a panel of executives at Comcast and NASCAR, and Jes Ferreira, the 2022 Comcast Community Champion. Matt Lederer, Comcast vice president and Wednesday’s top-prize presenter, said that the vote was the closest in the award’s nine-year history.

Fellow driver Jessica Friesen and team owner Max Siegel were the award’s other two finalists, and both will receive $30,000 for their designated charities. Friesen’s involvement with the Crossroads Center for Children has been critical in raising funds and spreading awareness in treating autism. Siegel’s work with the Max Siegel Youth Foundation has assisted at-risk youth with opportunities and empowerment, and his Rev Racing organization has been an important development team for aspiring minority racers and crew members.

Vargas competed in seven NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races last year, notching his first top-10 finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April. He has also been a regular in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in past seasons.

Vargas bears lightning-bolt-shaped scars from corrective surgery just before his first birthday. He has used the scar as a focal point in raising awareness about the ailment and inspiring other young people with craniosynostosis. When he made his Xfinity Series debut in an unsponsored entry in 2019, he promoted the Cranio Care Bears organization and FACES on his car to help spread the word.

“Seeing all the other stories of all these different people who have all these different types of cranial-facial differences that are no different than I am, that is something that I wanted to bring attention to because not many people know about it,” Vargas said. “When I go to the race track, people see my scar, and they think, ‘Oh, you did that like Lightning McQueen alongside of your head?’ And it’s like, ‘No, it’s a scar.’ And people are like, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it,’ and it’s like, ‘No, let me tell you about it.’ I want to tell people about these things because if I’m not going to be in this sport and have the platform that I have, I’m very fortunate to have the platform that I have here in this sport, and if I’m not using it to uplift, then I don’t deserve it.”

Vargas received a standing ovation from the room and tearful congratulations from the many well-wishers at his table, including representatives from FACES on hand for Wednesday’s festivities. Among them was FACES communications director Emily McKay, who was the first to give Vargas a hug when his name flashed on the screen as the winner.

McKay said that she has seen first-hand the impact Vargas has had as both a member of the FACES board and a participant in camp activities. She said that a 15-year-old junior counselor at the camp took Vargas’ message to heart, telling his parents that he could aspire to be anything he wanted and that his cranial condition was not a hindrance. That example, McKay says, was one of many.

“For such a young man to understand the need for the advocacy for kids with cranial-facial differences, it has just astounded me,” McKay said. “He has been so generous with our social media and doing TikToks. Anything we asked him, he does. He comes to the board meetings via Zoom, but his passion for such a young man, not only professionally in what he does, which I’m astounded at, but what he does for the craniofacial community, and he’s just going to continue doing it. …

“As far as Ryan goes, this $60,000, I was crying when we received it. It is going to help so many families and kids with travel services to get to the craniofacial surgeries they need. For Ryan to be nominated for this and have us as the nonprofit, we’re just so honored to know that young man.”

This year, Comcast crossed the $1 million mark in donations made to the nonprofit organizations represented by the award’s finalists. The organization also announced Wednesday that it made a $10,000 donation to the Sherry Strong Foundation, honoring the memory of Sherry Pollex, a finalist for the 2022 Comcast Community Champion award.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR announced its new media rights agreement for the NASCAR Cup Series on Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, with four best-in-class distribution partners set to deliver live Cup Series races beginning in 2025.

You can check out the full release here.

Read below for additional information, in Q-and-A format.

How long is the new media rights agreement?
It’s a seven-year deal, beginning in 2025 and running through 2031. That timeframe aligns with the previously announced NASCAR Xfinity Series rights deal — the Xfinity Series will run exclusively on The CW Network from 2025-31.

Who are the four TV partners?
FOX Sports, NBC Sports, Amazon’s Prime Video and TNT Sports, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery.

So, there are two new partners?
Yes. Incumbents FOX Sports and NBC Sports return following the conclusion of the current 10-year agreement, which goes through the 2024 season. Prime Video and TNT Sports both join as new partners — although TNT previously had a 32-year history with NASCAR.

What is the breakdown of races?
Out of 38 total events (including the preseason Busch Light Clash and the All-Star Race), FOX Sports and NBC Sports will carry 14 races each. The FOX Sports portion kicks off the season while NBC Sports’ coverage will encompass the final 14 events of the year, including the NASCAR Playoffs and Championship race.

How many of those races are on broadcast vs. cable?
Five Cup events will air on FOX and four Cup events will air on NBC annually. The remaining events will air on FS1 and USA Network, respectively. Certain races will be simulcast on Peacock over the final NBC stretch as well.

What’s the breakdown of the remaining events?
Prime Video and TNT Sports will evenly split a series of 10 midseason races. Five races on Prime Video come after the FOX portion of the season ends, followed by five races on TNT Sports platforms.

Are any races on streaming platforms?
Yes. Prime Video is NASCAR’s first fully direct-to-consumer partner. TNT Sports will simultaneously broadcast its races live on TNT and streaming on the B/R Sports Add-On tier on Max.

What about practice and qualifying?
Prime Video and TNT Sports have the exclusive rights to practice and qualifying sessions for the entire Cup Series schedule through 2031. Prime Video will stream practice and qualifying live from the start of the season through Prime Video’s final race of the midseason series — except for The Busch Light Clash, Daytona 500 and NASCAR All-Star Race, whose practice and qualifying will remain with FOX Sports. Practice and qualifying for the remainder of the season will stream on Max and air on truTV.

What about the Craftsman Truck Series?
Live events for the entire 23-race NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season will air on FS1 through 2031.

Posted on by Press Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR announced it has reached new seven-year media rights agreements for the NASCAR Cup Series with four best-in-class distribution partners — FOX Sports, NBC Sports, Amazon’s Prime Video and TNT Sports, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery — to deliver live coverage of all 38 NASCAR Cup Series races beginning in 2025 and extending through the 2031 season. Financial terms of these agreements were not disclosed.

FOX Sports and NBC Sports will continue to carry the majority of NASCAR Cup Series races with 14 events each. The FOX Sports portion of the Cup Series schedule, which kicks off the season with The Busch Light Clash followed by “The Great American Race,” The DAYTONA 500, will also include live events for the entire NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season. NBC Sports’ coverage of the Cup Series will encompass the final 14 events of the season, including the Playoffs and Championship race. Both partners will feature a mix of broadcast and cable events, with five Cup events airing on FOX and four on NBC annually. The remaining events will air on FS1 and USA Network, respectively.

As part of this historic agreement, the NASCAR Cup Series will welcome two new broadcast partners in 2025 — Prime Video and TNT Sports — that will evenly split a series of 10 midseason races. Both have also obtained exclusive rights to practice and qualifying sessions for the entire Cup Series schedule through 2031. NASCAR’s first fully direct-to-consumer partner, Prime Video will stream practice and qualifying live for the first half of the season through their last race of the midseason series with the exceptions of the Busch Light Clash, DAYTONA 500 and NASCAR All-Star Race, which will remain with FOX Sports. TNT Sports will initiate its coverage with the next five midseason races simultaneously broadcast live on TNT and streaming on the B/R Sports Add-On on Max. Practice and qualifying for the remainder of the season will stream on Max and air on truTV.

RELATED: FAQ, guide to NASCAR media rights agreement

“Our goal was to secure long-term stability with an optimized mix of distribution platforms and innovative partners that would allow us to grow the sport while delivering our product to fans wherever they are — and we’ve achieved that today,” said NASCAR President Steve Phelps. “NASCAR has been a cornerstone property for both new and established platforms for several decades. These agreements demonstrate the staying power of our sport and the consistent, large-scale audience it delivers. This landmark deal underscores our collective growth opportunity to drive engagement across this diverse collection of platforms — whether on broadcast, cable or direct-to-consumer. With the talented young drivers, exciting new teams and record-breaking racing we’ve seen since the Next Gen car was introduced in 2022, we’re looking forward to working with each of these partners to bring some of the best racing in the world to fans everywhere.”

“These agreements not only show NASCAR’s importance to the sports and entertainment ecosystem, but also the willingness of some of the world’s largest and most respected media companies to make significant investments in America’s leading motorsport,” said Brian Herbst, NASCAR’s senior vice president, media and productions. “The media landscape is rapidly evolving, with new distribution platforms providing more options to the consumer than ever before. This is the right mix of media partners to promote and deliver content around our sport — positioning NASCAR for growth across different mediums and giving our fans uninterrupted access on the established platforms that they are already using. We are excited to work with this best-in-class group of media companies to deliver the best of NASCAR racing and the excitement of live sports to our fans.”

FOX Sports

Building upon a successful relationship of more than two decades, FOX Sports and NASCAR have extended their multi-series media rights agreement to carry 14 NASCAR Cup Series races, including practice and qualifying for the Busch Light Clash, DAYTONA 500 and NASCAR All-Star Race as well as exclusive rights for the entire 23-race NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule from 2025 through 2031. As in previous years, NASCAR Cup Series races will appear on both FOX and FS1 with all NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races on FS1.

“We are proud to begin the next chapter of what will soon be a three-decade relationship with our friends at NASCAR,” said FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks. “As the continued home of the DAYTONA 500, we look forward to getting every season off to a roaring start.”

NBC Sports

Continuing its coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for an additional seven years, NBC Sports will air the final 14 races of the season culminating with the Cup Series Championship Race. This multi-platform agreement will feature a mix of races and content on NBC, USA Network and Peacock in 2025-2031.

“We are thrilled that the NASCAR champion will continue to be crowned on our platforms for years to come,” said NBC Sports President Rick Cordella. “Whether it’s the unpredictability of a superspeedway, a Playoff cutoff race, or the championship finale, NBC Sports will use its wide array of platforms to present the dramatic conclusion to every NASCAR season for what will be 17 years at the end of this extension.”

Prime Video

Prime Video will exclusively stream five NASCAR Cup Series races as part of the streaming service’s first foray into live motorsports. As part of this seven-year deal, Prime Video will also offer exclusive coverage of practice and qualifying for the first half of the NASCAR Cup Series season (excluding The Clash, Daytona 500 and All-Star races). Prime Video is also working with NASCAR Studios on an upcoming Garage 56 documentary. All NASCAR races, qualifying, practices, and other content will be available to Prime members in the U.S.

“NASCAR is the most popular motorsport in the country, and we can’t wait to deliver Cup Series racing to Prime members in the U.S. for the first time,” said Jay Marine, vice president and global head of sports at Prime Video. “We are excited to find ways to get NASCAR fans closer to the racing than ever before, and we are proud to contribute to the growth of the sport in the years ahead.”

TNT Sports

TNT Sports — which has previously had a 32-year history with NASCAR — will offer NASCAR Cup Series content across multiple platforms. TNT Sports races will stream live on the B/R Sports Add-On on Max, along with the return of live race telecasts on TNT for the first time since 2014. All second-half practice and qualifying events will be simulcast on Max and truTV. Bleacher Report will also feature NASCAR content across its social, digital and mobile platforms.

“We are thrilled to welcome NASCAR back to TNT Sports, and build on our rich, shared history of providing immersive fan experiences that only our world-class team can deliver,” said Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. “This agreement expands our portfolio of premium sports content throughout the summer and further elevates Max and our leading linear networks. We look forward to utilizing all of our resources to create new opportunities for compelling storytelling that connects with our fans, as we present the thrilling action and excitement on the track in innovative ways throughout the entire NASCAR season.”

As previously announced, The CW Network is set to become the exclusive home to the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025 and extending through the 2031 season with 33 live races, along with practice and qualifying events each weekend. All Xfinity Series races and ancillary content will be fully produced by NASCAR Productions in close collaboration with The CW Network and will include additional viewing opportunities on The CW’s digital platforms.

Posted on 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.

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.

RELATED: Tickets for 66th Daytona 500 already sold out | Buy tickets for other 2024 events

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 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 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.