Posted on by Holly Cain

The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Dover Motor Speedway for Saturday’s A-GAME 200 (1:30 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) with a tightly bunched group of drivers atop the standings. 

RELATED: Weekend schedule for Dover | Xfinity Series Standings | Dash 4 Cash

Austin Hill’s three victories early in the season have given the Richard Childress Racing driver a slim four-point edge over two-race winner John Hunter Nemechek. Kaulig Racing rookie Chandler Smith (-19), Stewart-Haas Racing’s Riley Herbst (-32) and defending race winner, JR Motorsports’ Josh Berry (-36) are currently the top five drivers in the title run. 

Three competitors — Berry, his JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer — have hoisted Dover trophies before. The two-time winner Allgaier is the only driver in this week’s field with multiple Dover wins and his 15 top 10s tie him with Kyle Busch for most all-time. The veteran nearly collected a third trophy the last time the series visited the track – his No. 7 JRM Chevrolet leading a race-high 67 of the 200 laps and finishing a slight 0.604 seconds behind his teammate Berry. 

Custer also possesses a strong resume at Dover with top-10 finishes in five of his six Xfinity Series starts at the track. He has a pair of top 10s in four NASCAR Cup Series starts as well. 

Plus, Custer has an extra incentive this weekend having collected last week’s $100,000 Dash 4 Cash prize at Talladega Superspeedway and hoping to make it two in a row. Saturday marks the final installment of the Dash 4 Cash incentive program from Xfinity with another $100,000 check ready to be paid to the top finisher among Custer, last week’s race winner Jordan Anderson Racing’s Jeb Burton, Richard Childress Racing’s Sheldon Creed and Big Machine Racing’s Parker Kligerman. 

They all bring strong cases to the contest this week after last Saturday’s dramatic Talladega race, where Burton earned his second career victory and Creed finished runner-up. Not only is this Custer’s return to Xfinity Series competition at Dover, but it will mark the first Dover Xfinity race for Kligerman since 2013. He does have a top 10 in three previous series starts. 

After winning three of the first five races, the Richard Childress Racing driver, Hill has only one top-10 (ninth place at Richmond) in the four races since. His closest challenger in the championship — Nemechek — the driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota has three top 10s in six previous Dover starts but has finished 32nd and 37th in his last two races there. 

Practice for Saturday’s race is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon followed immediately by qualifying at 3:35 p.m. ET — broadcast on FS1. 

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As it has each year for nearly a decade, the NASCAR community will come together to formally honor and recognize the United States Armed Forces during Military Appreciation Month through the annual NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola program.

This marks the ninth season of NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola celebrating the service and sacrifice of U.S. military members and their families through a multitude of at-track integrations, original content features and fan engagement opportunities.

A new 30-second television spot debuted during FOX’s broadcast of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega this past Sunday, April 23, to kick off the campaign. The ad subtly connects this campaign to NASCAR’s 75th anniversary celebration, underscoring the importance of remembering the sacrifice that enables the sport’s existence when revisiting iconic moments throughout its journey.

“The NASCAR industry and our fans relish the opportunity to rally around NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola to recognize the immeasurable sacrifice United States service members and their families make to protect our freedom,” said Michelle Byron, Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing, NASCAR. “Especially as we continue celebrating NASCAR’s 75th anniversary and recalling so many memories made along the way, it’s important to reflect on the bravery and selflessness of countless individuals who provide us this great privilege.”

Tributes will begin this weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, where the U.S. Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps will perform before Sunday’s Cup Series race (2 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM Radio).

New to the celebration this year, inside the NASCAR Experience fan zone footprint at Kansas and Darlington will be a No. 75 show car draped in a NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola livery that features white space for fans to write thank-you messages to military members.

To conclude NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola, NASCAR and Coca-Cola will again host Gold Star Families during Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where the show car with fan messages will be on display. Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 will continue the tradition of all 40 NASCAR Cup Series cars featuring the name of a fallen service member on the windshield.

“In partnership with NASCAR, Speedway Motorsports and the racing community, Coca-Cola North America is proud to honor our country’s service members and their families at the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend,” said Chris Bigda, Director of Sports Marketing at Coca-Cola North America. “During this year’s Coca-Cola 600, we are honored to recognize recipients of The Gold Star — paying tribute to the military members and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.”

In addition to those mentioned above, other NASCAR Salutes activities across the industry include:

  • NASCAR social and digital platforms will feature a bevy of dedicated stories and content features, including the story of Lyndon Amick — a former NASCAR Xfinity Series driver who enlisted in the National Guard and served in Afghanistan, a tribute to NASCAR’s history of honoring the Armed Forces throughout its 75 years, Xfinity Series driver and Navy Officer Jesse Iwuji visiting with fellow Navy members, and more. Fans can view it all at com/salutes and engage on social media using #NASCARSalutes.
  • Discounted grandstand tickets are available to military members throughout NASCAR Salutes and all season long with NASCAR MILTIX Presented by GEICO. Active military and veterans can verify their status through SheerID and purchase tickets by visiting com/miltix.
  • At NASCAR events during the month of May, service members from local bases will have access to complimentary grandstand tickets and unique VIP experiences made possible by Vet Tix and the NASCAR Troops to the Track Program.
  • For a sixth season, Mack Trucks, the “Official Hauler of NASCAR”, will wrap one of its NASCAR haulers in support of NASCAR Salutes leading into Memorial Day weekend. Fans can vote for one of several different paint schemes now through May 2 at macktrucks.com/nascar-salutes. Mack will reveal the winning scheme on its social media channels leading into the Coca-Cola 600 weekend.
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway continues its annual Mission 600, pairing the Coca-Cola Racing Family and other drivers with military bases to educate the NASCAR community about the day-to-day lives of the men and women who serve.
  • Xfinity, a Proud Premier Partner, will display red, white and blue Xfinity windshield headers on their race cars during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway to showcase their company’s commitment to hiring veterans, National Guard and reserve service members, and military spouses who bring unique skills and experiences to Comcast NBCUniversal.
  • The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will also display red, white and blue windshield decals on all trucks racing in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • AMR, the “Official Emergency Medical Services Partner of NASCAR,” will feature the NASCAR Salutes branding on its NASCAR safety trucks and safety team helmets throughout the program.
  • Continuing its tradition, Goodyear will replace its iconic “Eagle” sidewall design with “Honor and Remember” during the Coca-Cola 600 in recognition of the organization working closely with the industry to honor Gold Star Families who have lost family members as a result of serving.
  • During the Coca-Cola 600 broadcast, FOX will display the name of every U.S. Armed Forces member who lost his or her life since last year’s Memorial Day weekend race as part of a special tribute titled “FOX Sports Remembers,” an initiative begun in 2009.
  • The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, with the help of JDV Productions, will feature roof decals on all race cars honoring fallen service members during the Granite State Derby at Lee USA Speedway on May 27. Whelen Modified Tour cars will also carry separate NASCAR Salutes decals for the May 6 race at Monadnock Speedway and the May 20 race at Riverhead Raceway.
  • The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East will feature NASCAR Salutes decals on cars racing at Dover Motor Speedway (April 28), Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway (May 13), Flat Rock Speedway (May 20), Kansas Speedway (May 6) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 26).
Posted on by Staff Report

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has excelled whether it’s on or off the track, and on Thursday he was named to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers — joining his dad, who was part of the original 50 on the list.

Delivering the news was NBC’s Steve Letarte, Earnhardt’s crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports from 2011-14 when Junior scored five of his 26 wins in the Cup Series.

RELATED: More NASCAR 75 coverage | List of drivers named so far

Like his dad, Earnhardt Jr. had a knack for restrictor-plate racing, compiling two victories in the Daytona 500 (2004, 2014) and six wins at Talladega Superspeedway. Earnhardt Jr. also won twice in the Daytona summer race, including an emotional victory in 2001 in the first race at Daytona after his dad’s death there earlier that year.

Among Junior’s other big wins were a Bristol Night Race victory in 2004 and a Martinsville clock in the fall of 2014. In addition to his Cup success, he also won back-to-back championships in the Xfinity Series in 1998 and 99 while driving for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. He had 13 wins over those two seasons, giving him the bulk of the 24 Xfinity wins that are on his record.

Earnhardt’s popularity with the fans is, of course, well known, and he won the NMPA’s Most Popular Driver Award 15 times from 2003-17, a number bested only by Bill Elliott’s 16.

Earnhardt’s down-to-earth personality and his love for the history of the sport have served him well in his career as a broadcaster after he retired from full-time racing. Fans can hear him as part of the booth team for NBC Sports during their live broadcasts of the races or on the airwaves through his Dale Jr. Download podcast on Dirty Mo Media.

Earnhardt also has a strong connection to the iRacing gaming community. He led an effort to clean up North Wilkesboro Speedway and map it for iRacing as a way to preserve the track. Three years later, NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports are getting ready to revive North Wilkesboro with this year’s All-Star Race on May 21 (8 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM).

MORE: Dale Jr. through the years | Most Popular Driver Award winners

Posted on by Sean Montgomery

It was one of the most historic days in NASCAR history when Trackhouse Entertainment Group founder Justin Marks and global music superstar Pitbull teamed up to form Trackhouse Racing in 2021. With one of the world’s biggest stars bringing his name to stock car racing’s biggest stage, it was a monumental match.

Now, just over two years later, Trackhouse has solidified themselves as Cup Series championship contenders — and Mr. Worldwide’s new album “Trackhouse” is set to launch them even further.

Pitbull’s team-titled album is set to release on July 7, and Trackhouse is building anticipation with a unique Pitbull-themed paint scheme on Daniel Suárez’s Chevrolet Camaro for Monday’s race at Dover Motor Speedway (12 p.m. ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

RELATED: Buy race tickets, see full Cup Series schedule

According to Pitbull, these types of collaborative initiatives are vital for increasing the sport’s global outreach.

“The whole initiative when we got together with Trackhouse was all about uniting people and also creating awareness for Trackhouse and also for the sport and NASCAR,” said Pitbull in a teleconference on Wednesday. “So, I feel that music is a universal language. It unites, it doesn’t divide. It’s the same way that you can utilize the race car and how everybody loves racing.

“So, put ’em together, and that’s, to me, what it’s all about — how do we find different ways, unconventional, untraditional ways, to be able to create awareness, unite people, bring ’em out to the tracks and have fun and enjoy. Make them fall in love with Trackhouse on our journey.”

Trackhouse’s meteoric rise at the sport’s top level has been well documented. But never more than when Ross Chastain executed the legendary “Hail Melon” at Martinsville Speedway in the 2022 Cup Series Playoffs. For Trackhouse and Chastain specifically, it was a “life-changing moment.”

The gusty move was so iconic that it broke the internet and has even landed a specific reference on Pitbull’s upcoming album.

“There’s a record called ‘It Takes Three’ where I did mention the move,” Pitbull said. “You know, I call ’em Ross ‘Off-the-Wall, Off-the-Chain’ Chastain and then it’s Daniel ‘Rápido’ Suárez. But I did mention it.”

As the partnership between team members at all levels continues to grow, Marks knows the main mission is to channel the various perspectives and keep creating new, innovative opportunities for race fans. While not at the track every weekend, he knows Pitbull’s vision for the organization has been a large part of their success.

“It’s been amazing, just because we all just think so much alike,” added Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks. “It’s about trying to create something great in the world and something that’s memorable. Something that resonates with as many people and inspires as many people as possible.

“So, really, it’s a creative collaboration, and it’s an alignment in stories. It’s given [Trackhouse Racing] an opportunity to have a partner that’s very creative and has very different life experience and seeing the world through a different lens. But at the same time, sees the same opportunity.”

LISTEN: How Pitbull sees NASCAR as an avenue to unify people

Pitbull emphasized that his new album and ownership in Trackhouse has an authentic purpose, and his primary goal is bringing people together all around the world — and still reaching Victory Lane while doing so.

“In no way shape or form is this some kind of publicity stunt,” Pitbull said. “This is real. This is all about our stories coming together, and that’s why the fans love it. … This right here is about making history, it’s generational, it’s about creating a legacy — having won doing it with entertainment.”

And it’s pretty clear that Pitbull and Trackhouse Racing are just getting started.

Posted on by Cameron Richardson

One week after tackling the behemoth of Talladega Superspeedway, the NASCAR Cup Series travels up to the Mid-Atlantic to take on the “Monster Mile” of Dover Motor Speedway.

Before the green flag drops for Monday’s Würth 400 (noon ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), prepare for 400 laps in “The First State” with trends to watch for Dover, notable moments at the “Monster Mile,” rule changes and tire notes for the race.

RELATED: See paint schemes for Dover | Dover’s historical impact on NASCAR

ALEX BOWMAN TO MISS MONDAY’S RACE

The 2021 Dover winner is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after suffering a fractured vertebra after a wreck in a sprint car race in West Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday.

Bowman currently sits ninth in the Cup Series standings with six top 10s and three top fives through 10 races in 2023.

Josh Berry will pilot the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports as Bowman recovers. Berry recently piloted the No. 9 for five races as Chase Elliott recovered from his leg injury. The Xfinity Series regular scored an eye-opening second-place finish at Richmond earlier this month. 

MORE: Cup Series standings

📉 TRENDS TO WATCH 📈

— The last six Dover races were won by different drivers.

— Hendrick Motorsports owns 22 wins at Dover, more than double any other organization.

— Chevrolet is the only manufacturer with multi-time winners in 2023 (Kyle Larson, William Byron, Kyle Busch).

— Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Busch lead active drivers in wins at Dover with three each.

NOTABLE MOMENTS 🎥

2001: Dale Jr. wins first race after 9/11 | WATCH

2007: Martin Truex Jr. scores first career Cup Series victory at Dover | WATCH

Spring 2017: Jimmie Johnson scores 83rd and final Cup victory | WATCH

Fall 2017: Kyle Busch passes Chase Elliott with two to go to steal Dover win | WATCH

ON-TRACK SCHEDULE 🗓️

Saturday, April 29

— 10:35 a.m. ET: Practice (FS2, moves to FS1 at 11 a.m., PRN)

— 11:20 a.m. ET: Qualifying (FS1, PRN) (CANCELED)

Monday, May 1

— Noon ET: Würth 400 (FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

MORE: Full weekend schedule at Dover

RULE CHANGES/GOODYEAR TIRE NOTES 🛞

NOTE: The updated short-track package will not be utilized at Dover Motor Speedway. Its next usage will be for the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 21. 

The GEICO Restart Zone returned to its 2022 dimensions after being extended for this season’s first five races.

The Cup Series will run the same tire code that was used at Dover last season. Teams will be issued one set of tires for practice, one set for qualifying and an additional eight sets for Monday’s race.

In the event of a lost wheel that is contained to pit road, the offending team will be subject to a pass-through penalty under green-flag conditions. If the infraction occurs during a caution period, the offending team will restart at the tail end of the field.

If the wheel breaks free outside of pit road, the new rules guidelines mandate a two-lap penalty, plus a two-race suspension for two crew members. Each penalty is series-specific: Violations in one series will not impact those crew members’ eligibility to participate in other series.

RELATED: See rules changes for 2023

FAN REWARDS 🫵

Fans can get in on the action all season long with NASCAR Fan Rewards, a free program that rewards fans for participating in the action when they watch races and play NASCAR Fantasy.

There’s no cost to join. Fans must be 18 years or older to participate in the program.

Earn points by checking into a race from home or at the track, setting your Fantasy Live lineup, making purchases on the NASCAR.com shop and more. Points can be redeemed for race tickets, merchandise and VIP experiences at the track, including pace car rides and waving the green flag at qualifying.

JOIN TODAY

FOLLOW THE RACE 📲

NASCAR Mobile has now added support for fans to “Follow the Race” and access live leaderboard and race information from Live Activities in the current app release (v13.2.0), available now. Android users, we didn’t forget you — the same functionality has been custom-built for Android devices, as well.

How to access Live Activities on iPhones:

  1. Make sure your iOS device has been updated to 16.1 or higher.
  2. Available on the leaderboard of all NASCAR Series races.
  3. Click on the three-dot menu near the top right of screen.
  4. Select “Follow the Race.”
  5. Swipe up to access the home screen and you will see the Live Activities at the top.
  6. Lock the device and you will see Live Activities on the Lock Screen.
  7. To turn off, simply visit the leaderboard, click the three-dot menu and “Unfollow the Race.”

FANTASY LIVE 🏆

Want to manage a team and race your way to the top of the leaderboards? Check out NASCAR Fantasy Live, which is open now. The free-to-play game lets you choose your drivers each week and show off your crew-chief instincts by garaging a driver by the end of Stage 2, and there is a $25,000 prize for the winner.

How to play: Fantasy Live | Set up a team today!

ALSO ON NASCAR.COM 💻

Get additional camera views by logging on to NASCAR Drive, where each week, in-car cameras will be available — as well as a battle cam and an overhead look.

NASCAR has partnered with LiveLike to add fan engagement to the NASCAR Mobile App. Log in to the mobile app during the race for polls, quizzes, the cheer meter and more — and see instant results from NASCAR fans like you.

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

NEW YORK — NASCAR and SiriusXM today announced a multiyear renewal of their broadcasting agreement. SiriusXM will continue to deliver 24/7 NASCAR content to its subscribers, including live broadcasts of every race, plus daily NASCAR talk and interviews with voices across the industry through its exclusive SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel.

“SiriusXM has delivered exciting and insightful live event and talk programming to NASCAR fans for more than two decades,” said Nick Skipper, NASCAR managing director of media strategy. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with SiriusXM, a trusted source that provides NASCAR fans across the country smart, accurate and entertaining coverage of the sport.”

RELATED: See full 2023 schedule, buy tickets to races

“NASCAR’s passionate fans have enjoyed hearing their sport on SiriusXM for more than 20 years, and we are proud to continue to deliver the excitement of live races and the home to hear the latest news, analysis and top voices on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio,” said Eric Spitz, vice president of sports programming for SiriusXM. “As NASCAR celebrates its historic 75th Anniversary season, we look forward to continuing to work together to provide the best audio platform for fans of the sport to grow closer to their favorite drivers and personalities.”

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the track this weekend with the Würth 400, live from Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 30, on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio is available to subscribers nationwide in their cars (channel 90) and on the SXM App at https://siriusxm.us/2nIBgyp.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio airs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and delivers in-depth racing coverage and access to NASCAR news, including live broadcasts of every NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. Fans can call in to the channel to share their opinions and be a part of the daily discussion. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s roster of expert hosts features current and former drivers, crew chiefs, crew members and NASCAR insiders.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s lineup features Joey Logano, the reigning and two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford. Logano hosts his exclusive SiriusXM show, “Behind the Wheel with Joey Logano,” select Tuesdays (9-10 a.m. ET) throughout the season on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio also includes shows hosted by 2011 Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne, 2018 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2015 Daytona 500-winning crew chief Todd Gordon, who is also serving as crew chief in 2023 for seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, two-time champion and 1989 Daytona 500-winning former crew chief Jeff Hammond, former Daytona 500-winning crew chief Larry McReynolds, former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Mike Skinner, plus active and former drivers Corey LaJoie and Brendan Gaughan.

MORE: Check out NASCAR podcasts, including ‘Stacking Pennies’

Listeners also hear from insiders like Mike Bagley, Claire B. Lang, Dave Moody, Pete Pistone, six-time championship-winning fuel man Danny “Chocolate” Myers, Pat Patterson, Angie Skinner, Brad Gillie, Danielle Trotta, Alan Cavanna, Jeff Gluck, Dustin Long, Nate Ryan, Shannon Spake, Lee Spencer, Doug Rice, Brett McMillan, John Roberts, Kaitlyn Vincie, Jack Arute, Chris Knight, Kelly Crandall, Mojo Nixon, Jordan Bianchi and Reid Spencer.

For more information visit www.SiriusXM.com/NASCAR.

Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM streaming for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See offer details.

Posted on by Staff Report

Alex Bowman will miss Monday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway because of a fractured vertebra, Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday.

According to the team’s release, Bowman suffered the injury in an accident Tuesday evening while competing in a sprint car event at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Bowman, 30, was treated locally last night and evaluated again this morning in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bowman is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.

“We’re relieved Alex is home, in good spirits and getting world-class treatment,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Giving him ample time and the foremost resources to heal is our top priority. He’s having a tremendous season, and the No. 48 is at the top of its game. We know what Josh is capable of in the race car and that Blake (Harris, crew chief) and the team will continue operating at a high level until Alex is ready to return. He has our full, unequivocal support.”

RELATED: Dover odds

Josh Berry will fill in for Bowman in the No. 48 Chevrolet during his absence.

Bowman entered Dover in ninth place in the Cup standings and has six top-10 finishes in the first 10 races this season. This is Bowman’s first season with crew chief Blake Harris.

Bowman has seven Cup wins in his career, including a 2021 victory at Dover when Hendrick swept the top four spots. He also has one win in the Xfinity Series.

Bowman is the second Hendrick driver to miss time this season due to an injury suffered outside of NASCAR competition. Chase Elliott missed six races after breaking his leg in a snowboarding accident but returned two weeks ago at Martinsville Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports said it would request a medical waiver to allow Bowman to remain eligible for the 2023 playoffs.

Posted on by Staff Report

Jeff Burton joined elite company on Wednesday with his selection to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Nicknamed “The Mayor” for his insightful viewpoints on issues regarding driver safety and strong, respected voice among his fellow drivers in the garage, Burton amassed 21 career victories in the NASCAR Cup Series spanning his 22-year stint in the league’s top circuit. He won a career-high six races in 1999 and finished fifth in the standings. His career-best finish in the standings, meanwhile, came in 2000 (third).

RELATED: Updated list of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers | All-time Coca-Cola 600 winners 

The South Boston, Virginia, native is currently one of only 15 drivers to win the Coca-Cola 600 multiple times (1999, 2001). A Southern 500 win at Darlington Raceway in 1999 — which snapped Jeff Gordon’s four consecutive Southern 500 wins dating back to 1995 — adds to the luster Burton was able to amass during his established Cup career.

Burton officially started his rookie campaign in 1994, where he collected two top-five finishes in 30 races. After joining forces with Roush Racing in 1996 as pilot of the No. 99 Ford, Burton started gathering steam, eventually amassing two wins or more in five consecutive seasons (1997-2001). His 17 wins over the stretch ranked third among the entire field, behind only Gordon (39) and Dale Jarrett (20).

After racing under the Roush Racing moniker for more than eight years, Burton joined Richard Childress Racing and the Chevrolet camp in 2004 before becoming a full-time driver with them to start the 2005 season. Burton collected four Cup Series wins with the team, with his 21st and final win coming in 2008 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Burton has additionally garnered success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he amassed 27 career wins. In four career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series contests, Burton finished inside the top 10 in three of them, including one top five.

The 55-year-old Burton remains active among NASCAR circles, serving as a color commentator for NBC Sports. His son, Harrison Burton, drives the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing.

Posted on by Staff Report

Note: These projections have been updated to reflect Josh Berry replacing the injured Alex Bowman in the No. 48 Chevrolet as well as the postponement of the Dover event to Monday.

Kyle Busch has cracked the win column two times in his first 10 races with Richard Childress Racing. To put that in perspective, this type of start has happened only four other times since 2008: Ross Chastain (2022), Kevin Harvick (2014), Matt Kenseth (2013) and Busch himself in 2008. That 2008 season was Busch’s first with Joe Gibbs Racing after he came over from Hendrick Motorsports.

FANTASY LIVE: Set your roster | See weekend schedule

Will Busch’s hot start continue at Dover Motor Speedway for Monday’s Würth 400 (Noon ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM)?

If Busch is to get back into Victory Lane this week, it seems he will have to contend with some Hendrick Motorsports cars that have been strong at the “Monster Mile.” Looking at cars that have run most consistently in the top five or top 10 at Dover for the past two races, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott are at the top of those lists.

And don’t forget that in 2021 at Dover, Hendrick swept the top four positions with Bowman, Larson, Elliott and William Byron finishing in that order, a truly remarkable feat. So it could be quite the battle between Busch and one of his former teams this weekend.

OTHERS TO WATCH

KYLE LARSON: His average finish of seventh at Dover is the best all-time among drivers with more than two races.

MARTIN TRUEX JR.: He has finished in the top two in four of the last six races at Dover.

RYAN BLANEY: He’s coming off a runner-up finish at Talladega, but Blaney has only two top-10 finishes in 12 starts at Dover.

KEVIN HARVICK: He has finished in the top 10 in the last eight Dover races, including two wins.

Projections as of Thursday, April 27.

RACING INSIGHTS’ PROJECTIONS FOR WÜRTH 400

FinishCar numberDriver
15Kyle Larson
211Denny Hamlin
34Kevin Harvick
419Martin Truex Jr.
58Kyle Busch
61Ross Chastain
724William Byron
820Christopher Bell
99Chase Elliott
1022Joey Logano
1112Ryan Blaney
1245Tyler Reddick
1399Daniel Suárez
146Brad Keselowski
1543Erik Jones
1647Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
1723Bubba Wallace
1814Chase Briscoe
1917Chris Buescher
203Austin Dillon
2154Ty Gibbs
2210Aric Almirola
237Corey LaJoie
2434Michael McDowell
2531Justin Haley
2641Ryan Preece
2748Josh Berry
282Austin Cindric
2938Todd Gilliland
3021Harrison Burton
3116AJ Allmendinger
3277Ty Dillon
3342Noah Gragson
3478BJ McLeod
3551J.J. Yeley
3615Brennan Poole
Posted on by Zach Sturniolo

Toni Breidinger will make her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in the No. 1 Tricon Garage Toyota at Kansas Speedway with primary sponsorship from Victoria’s Secret, the team announced Wednesday.

MORE: Truck Series schedule | Truck points standings

Breidinger has made 35 starts in the ARCA Menards Series with nine top-10 finishes, including a career-best eighth-place finish at Salem Speedway in 2022. The 23-year-old California native is competing part-time for Venturini Motorsports in ARCA this year with an 11-race slate as well as a full season in the inaugural ToyotaGR Cup, the press release stated.

A render showing multiple angles of Toni Breidinger's truck
Tricon Garage

Victoria’s Secret will be prominently featured on the No. 1 Tundra, a fitting pairing given that Breidinger was featured in Victoria’s Secret’s 2022 Fall Collection Campaign.

“When I was younger, I dreamed of being a race car driver and a Victoria’s Secret model,” Breidinger said in a press release. “I was told I couldn’t do both, but here I am — I’ll be driving the No. 1 Victoria’s Secret Toyota Tundra TRD Pro at Kansas. I’m endlessly grateful to the Victoria’s Secret team for believing in not only me but women in sports.

“A huge thanks to Toyota Racing Development and Tricon Garage for this opportunity. It’s going to be a learning curve, but I’m ready to soak up every bit of it.”

Breidinger, a 19-time winner in the USAC Speed2 Western US Asphalt Midget Series, will pull double duty on May 6, competing in the ARCA race at 2 p.m. ET (FS1, MRN) ahead of her Truck Series debut at 8 p.m. ET (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).