NASCAR notebook: Chastain still smiling, what hurt Bell in finale and Blaney’s offseason checklist

Posted on December 1, 2022December 5, 2022 by Reid Spencer

Even in the immediate moments after Ross Chastain finished out the 2022 championship finale — finishing runner-up to new NASCAR Cup Series champ Joey Logano in the race – the 29-year-old Floridian insisted he was absolutely thrilled with the season.

The driver of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet earned his first two career NASCAR Cup Series victories (at Circuit of The Americas and Talladega Superspeedway) and was a legitimate championship threat the entire season from Daytona to Phoenix.

And, when he had to do something drastic to earn one of only four championship berths in the Phoenix title race, Chastain performed a move on the last half of the last lap at Martinsville Speedway to take that position. Still needing to make up positions on the final lap, he turned his Chevy into the outside wall and floored it – riding the wall and passing five cars to earn the final Playoff transfer position by a single-point over veteran Denny Hamlin and setting a track record in his wake.

Although Logano dominated the season finale en route to his second series title, Chastain secured career-highs in wins (2), top-fives (15) and top-10s (21). He led 692 laps in 2022 after leading only 76 laps in his previous five years racing in the series.

It all made for quite the “Cinderella story” for a young driver in his first year with a competitive team in NASCAR’s premier series – a racer from tiny Alva, Florida where his family operates a watermelon farm starring on the world stage.

Yet, Chastain said with a smile Thursday, his return home to his Florida farm property in the weeks immediately after the season was a lot less glamorous than many would have expected. He acknowledged, however, his work in 2022 raised the interest level of those he grew up with and has absolutely gained a lot of fans thanks to his performance all season and certainly with his “Martinsville Miracle.”

Chastain was with his younger brother Chad Chastain at a race recently – helping work on the car and then spotting for Chad during the race. He said he appreciated the number of people approaching him for attaboys and handshakes even if he had to remind them, he was working the race. He still hasn’t had a chance to read or even answer all the texts he’s received post-Martinsville.

Back at home in rural Southwestern Florida, however, Chastain is afforded the chance to relax and take it all in.

“It’s just home so people that I know were just like, great season, let’s go to lunch,” Chastain recalled with a smile. “Nothing too crazy. They want to talk about Martinsville and talk a little about the win at COTA and Talladega, but pretty normal. It’s the most normal of any place I go.”

Eleventh-hour dramatics may have hurt Christopher Bell in season finale

With two victories in must-win situations in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Christopher Bell stole his share of headlines and earned a spot in the Championship 4.

But his last-minute heroics — particularly in the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville Speedway — may have put the driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at a disadvantage compared with series champion Joey Logano, who won the first Round of 8 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and had two extra weeks to prepare for the Championship Race at Phoenix.

“That’s very interesting, because I had the exact same circumstances in my two Xfinity years,” said Bell, who competed for the NASCAR Xfinity Series title in 2018 and 2019. “My first year I didn’t make it till the last race at Phoenix, and then in my second year, I won the first race at Texas.

“It definitely changes your mindset and your preparation for the event. Joey had multiple weeks to prepare for that event (the season finale). The car, I’m assuming, was sitting there getting all the Phoenix tune-up on it, where our car … I don’t know … I definitely did not think it was a disadvantage for him to be able to focus on that for a number of weeks.”

Winning at Martinsville, however, had its own rewards for Bell — not the least of which is the grandfather clock trophy that goes with the victory.

“The house that I live in, we’ve just tried to keep my special trophies there, and the Martinsville clock is one that got to (be there),” Bell said.

Ryan Blaney is making a list and checking it twice—with his crew chief

After two enjoyable weeks in the offseason, Ryan Blaney was eager to return to racing. Because he’s not scheduled for any offseason testing, however, the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford won’t be back in his car until February.

That doesn’t mean Blaney can’t work on ways to improve from a season where he qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on points and finished eighth in the final standings.

“I make a list at the end of the year,” Blaney said. “OK, what did we do well? What did we struggle with? And like what are your goals to get better? What do you really want to improve?

“Me and (crew chief) Jonathan (Hassler) sat down last week and went through our list of notes, and like where do we want to get better and improve at, and what did we do well and can still build off of?

“That stuff to me is always really helpful. You look back on the year, and you’re like, ‘Well, we screwed up in this situation. Let’s jot that down and let’s try to figure out a different way. If that comes up again, let’s change it.’”

One race Blaney would like to change is the season-opening Daytona 500, where he had a chance to win on the last lap but finished fourth as rookie teammate Austin Cindric took the checkered flag.

“The one that stings the most is the 500, because we’ve been so close to that thing for years,” Blaney said. “That one stings the most, but I try to get over that stuff really quick.”

Posted on December 1, 2022 by NASCAR Official Release

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Advance Auto Parts, the “Official Auto Parts Retailer of NASCAR,” will be awarded the 2022 Marketing Achievement Award today at the NASCAR Industry Awards Reception during NASCAR Champion’s Week in Nashville.

In its third season as an Official Partner, Advance has demonstrated its commitment to grassroots racing, supporting drivers and tracks in local communities across the United States and Canada. The entitlement partner of the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS), Advance most recently partnered with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Combine, developing new storytelling opportunities and helping to live stream the event for the first time in program history.

RELATED: NASCAR grassroots coverage

“Advance Auto Parts is very honored to receive this award,” said Jason McDonell, executive vice president of merchandising, marketing and e-commerce at Advance. “Since becoming a partner of NASCAR, our team has been focused on supporting grassroots racing through programs like Advance My Track Challenge and the Drive for Diversity Combine. As the Official Auto Parts Retailer of NASCAR, we look forward to our continued partnership, leading programs that advance local racing while serving as the auto parts provider of choice for race fans.”

For a second season, Advance promoted the “Advance My Track Challenge,” focusing on local race tracks and communities to raise awareness of and celebrate grassroots racing. Through a consumer voting program, the organization awarded Jennerstown Speedway a $50,000 prize, distributing 6,000 tickets to local Advance stores for free admission to the speedway’s celebration event. The program generated more than 220 thousand impressions on NASCAR.com and NASCAR social media channels.

“Since becoming an official partner, Advance Auto Parts has been a big supporter of grassroots racing, raising awareness of local racing communities and providing young drivers with the opportunity to showcase their talent,” said Michelle Byron, vice president, partnership marketing at NASCAR. “After the 2022 Advance Auto Parts Drive for Diversity Combine, we’re thrilled to see what’s next as they continue to find creative ways to grow their presence in the sport.”

After introducing a new brand campaign in June with their No. 1 fan Ed Vance, Advance hosted Ed at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway and captured live content with him throughout the weekend. In a matter of months, Ed quickly began to be recognized at tracks, becoming a staple character among race fans.

Closing out the year, Advance served as the primary sponsor of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Combine, continuing to expand its presence in the sport. Advance was on-site throughout the event, capturing content as drivers prepared for and participated in the combine. Through their sponsorship, the company gave NASCAR the ability to evaluate additional drivers for the combine as the league also selected additional winners compared to previous years.

This is the first time Advance has been awarded the NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award. Previous winners include: Anheuser-Busch, Comcast; Coca-Cola; Fox Sports and NBC Sports; Mars, Incorporated; Mobil 1; and Toyota.

NASCAR’s Champion’s Week in Nashville will air Saturday, December 3 at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock. For more information, please visit nascar.com/championsweek.

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Holly Cain

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Wearing his new, sparkling NASCAR Xfinity Series champion’s ring and sporting a pair of stylish sneakers, 20-year-old Ty Gibbs offered smiles and cherished recollections of his 2022 championship season.

He calmly asked reporters to focus on the racing topic, saying he did not feel comfortable yet responding to questions about the tragic loss of his father, Joe Gibbs Racing Vice Chairman Coy Gibbs, 49, who passed away in his sleep in Phoenix after Ty’s impressive championship trophy hoist there just hours earlier.

“I’ve been doing good, thank you for asking, definitely appreciate you guys,” Gibbs said, addressing the subject immediately. “Right now, I’m not going to touch on that subject at all, just going to stick with the racing questions.”

Gibbs said he had been absolutely committed to coming to Nashville to celebrate his and the team’s achievement. Only two weeks ago, the JGR team – owned by his grandfather, NASCAR Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs – formally announced that Gibbs will drive the No. 54 Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2023.

“Definitely going to be fun,” said Gibbs, speaking with the media for the first time since his championship press conference on Nov. 5. He said he’s devoted a lot of time to learning the NASCAR Cup Series car on the SIM and feels the 15 races he got to compete in during his 2022 fill-in for the injured Kurt Busch in the 23XI Racing Toyota will be a substantial boost to his rookie season next year.

“Definitely a huge benefit for sure,” Gibbs said. “I’m very thankful to be put in that opportunity. Again, thank you to (team co-owners) Denny (Hamlin) and Michael (Jordan) for the opportunity. It was really cool.”

Of the unexpected chance to get some seat time in the Cup car in advance of his move up to the series, Gibbs said: “Going back and forth and double-duty and racing for the championship in one series, it was a lot, but I did feel like I got comfortable with it (the Cup car). I’m thankful to have had the experience.”

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Holly Cain

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Newly-crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano spoke with the media gathered in downtown Nashville Thursday morning for the highly-anticipated NASCAR Awards Ceremony scheduled for later that evening and televised Saturday evening at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock.

Among things Logano said he was most looking forward to as champion was the chance to both read and contribute again to the “Champion’s Diary” – a private record of handwritten notes passed on yearly from one NASCAR Cup Series champion to the next. It’s a tightly-guarded tradition and one that Logano – now a two-time series champion – wishes had started decades ago.

“I can’t wait to read it again,” the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford said with a huge smile.

“Some are kind of quick and simple, but it’s very interesting to read it, and it’s cool because it’s a real secret. It’s kind of like an unwritten rule. You can’t take pictures of it and post it. It’s a thing that only the championship drivers know and have read and seen and heard the stories. It’s a cool thing.

“Every time I get it, I’m so nervous. I’m like, don’t spill anything on this. Don’t lose it. It would suck to be the guy who loses the book. It would really be bad. I get nervous, I put it in the safe right away. I won’t see this for a year, that’s what I do.”

As of Thursday morning, Logano had not yet received the book from 2021 series champion Kyle Larson, who conceded last week, that he had not crafted his message to Logano quite yet. Kevin Harvick, the 2014 series champion, smiled when asked about the tradition, saying he’s glad the champions have not shared details of the various messages inside the book.

The tradition began when 2010 champ Jimmie Johnson, now a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, first left a message for 2011 champion Tony Stewart. Stewart passed along words for 2012 champion Brad Keselowski and so on ever since.

“It’s a congratulatory message from one champion to the next, it’s kind of that passing the torch of ‘great work this year, great job,’ ” two-time series champion Kyle Busch said, recalling specifically the message he left for 2020 champion Chase Elliott.

“I remember him from him being a little kid,” Busch said. “Honestly, I remember watching him on TV being a little kid with his dad (NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott), like [Kyle’s son] Brexton is now.”

“I think Jimmie did a great thing getting it started,” Busch said, adding with a grin. “It probably definitely should have started 30 years prior, at least. It would have been a lot of good stories, I’m sure. It would have been pretty cool.”

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Zack Albert

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Denny Hamlin provided an offseason update heading into what will be a contract year for him, saying Thursday that he’s hopeful to return to Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2023 campaign.

Hamlin’s remarks came before Thursday evening’s NASCAR Awards festivities at Nashville’s Music City Center, where Joey Logano will be honored as this year’s Cup Series champion. Hamlin confirmed during his morning availability that contracts are up for both him and longtime sponsor FedEx after the 2023 season.

RELATED: 2023 NASCAR schedule

“Certainly, I’ve always wanted to finish my career at JGR,” Hamlin said, “and I’m optimistic that will be the case.”

Hamlin has driven for Coach Joe Gibbs’ No. 11 team since the beginning of his Cup Series career in 2005, a successful stretch that’s totaled 48 victories in 614 starts. The 42-year-old veteran won twice last season and placed fifth in the final standings, ending a streak of three straight Championship 4 appearances.

But Hamlin has broadened his reach in recent years, expanding into team ownership with 23XI Racing – a collaborative effort with co-owner Michael Jordan that had its on-track debut in 2021. That team grew to a two-car outfit last year, with drivers Kurt Busch and Bubba Wallace each scoring wins for the organization.

Hamlin said he anticipated a moment where he would transition to a full-time role on the ownership side, but that the decision on when to hang up his helmet would not be predicated on his involvement with 23XI.

“Well, there’ll be a time where my attention will be more needed as a team owner than a driver, but it’s going to be on my terms and when I want it to happen and when I think it needs to happen,” Hamlin said. “But I don’t think it … I don’t foresee ownership expediting my retirement. I think that my retirement will be a totally independent decision, regardless of where we’re at with the race team.”

Posted on December 1, 2022December 1, 2022 by Staff Report

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick said his racing future beyond the 2023 season will be determined in advance of this year’s season-opening Daytona 500, which will kick off Harvick’s 23rd consecutive year at the sport’s highest level.

“I think it could go either way at this particular point,” Harvick said Thursday while in Nashville for the industry’s Champions Week celebration.

MORE: Logano celebrated during Champion’s Week

“Right now I’ll know that answer before we get to Daytona,” Harvick said when asked about driving beyond the 2023 season, which will also serve as NASCAR’s 75-year anniversary season. “I don’t really have a clear answer on that right now. I think as we get to Daytona, I know 100 percent that we will have a direction.”

Harvick is entering his 10th season driving for Stewart-Haas, where he’s won 37 races and the 2014 Cup Series championship. He previously raced at Richard Childress Racing from 2001-13, earning an additional 23 race wins during that time.

All told, Harvick, 46, sits tied for ninth with fellow active driver Kyle Busch on NASCAR’s all-time Cup Series wins list with 60. He’s 10 starts away from reaching No. 800 in his Cup Series career, a feat achieved by only nine other drivers in NASCAR’s history.

MORE: Harvick through the years | All of Harvick’s Cup wins

Posted on December 1, 2022December 1, 2022 by NASCAR Official Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – With one of the longest-running relationships in racing history, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and NASCAR today announced a new multi-year agreement renewing Goodyear’s position as the exclusive tire for NASCAR’s top three national series.

The agreement continues Goodyear’s designation as the “Official Tire of NASCAR,” as well as the title sponsor of the annual Goodyear 400, NASCAR’s Official Throwback Weekend Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway.

RELATED: Buy Darlington tickets | 2023 schedule

“From our manufacturing plants to offices around the world, racing is ingrained in our culture, and the importance of our relationship with NASCAR is reflected in the quality, performance and engineering we put into every Goodyear Eagle race tire,” said Richard J. Kramer, chairman, chief executive officer and president at Goodyear. “Our performance on the race track plays an active role in the success of the sport and inspires the development of our consumer tires, fueling our commitment to take performance and innovation to the next level.”

For nearly 70 years, NASCAR has served as a proving ground for generations of Goodyear Racing tire engineers, innovating, preparing and supplying tires that meet the most grueling and demanding conditions at the track. The unique technology that withstands and performs in race conditions also informs development and differentiates Goodyear’s consumer tires.

“Goodyear has been a trusted partner to the NASCAR industry since 1954, playing a critical role in our shared pursuit to deliver the best racing in the world,” said Steve Phelps, president of NASCAR. “For more than 25 years, Goodyear Eagle tires have been the only component that connects the stock car to the racetrack. Our continued partnership will allow us to push boundaries and innovate our racing product for generations to come.”

Goodyear and NASCAR’s nearly 70-year relationship is built on shared values of competition and innovation. As the sport evolved, so have Goodyear Eagle race tires, leading to the introduction of new tire technology like the racing slick in 1972, the radial tire in 1989, the multi-zone tread design in 2013 and the development of the 18-inch Goodyear Racing Eagle tire used on NASCAR’s Next Gen stock car. Fittingly, Darlington Raceway – one of the Cup Series’ oldest active tracks – is also home to the Goodyear 400 and many of Goodyear’s milestones in innovation, including the brand’s first official NASCAR tire test in 1954.

Goodyear produces more than 100,000 tires for NASCAR’s top three series every year, and each one is hand-built by Goodyear associates in Akron, Ohio – Goodyear’s global headquarters. To learn more about Goodyear Racing, visit www.Goodyear.com/Racing.

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Zach Sturniolo

Editor’s note: With Champion’s Week in Nashville ongoing, NASCAR.com will look back at every playoff round of the 2022 season in all three national series.

Championship Race: At Phoenix Raceway, Nov. 6

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Winner: Joey Logano

Key highlights: Logano’s No. 22 team had the most time to prepare for the title race and capitalized, scoring the Busch Light Pole Award and leading 187 of 312 laps en route to his second NASCAR Cup Series championship. Contact between Ross Chastain and Chase Elliott eliminated Elliott from title contention while Chastain nearly chased down Logano to fight for the title, but issues on a late pit stop erased any hope for Christopher Bell to make his case.

Full race recap: Joey Logano dominates at Phoenix to win second Cup championship

At-track photos: Best pictures from Arizona

Championship 4 finishes: Ross Chastain (third), Christopher Bell (10th), Chase Elliott (28th)

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Staff Report

Editor’s note: With Champion’s Week in Nashville ongoing, NASCAR.com will look at every playoff round of the 2022 season in all three national series.

CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: At Phoenix Raceway, Nov. 4

Christian Petersen | Getty Images

WINNER: Zane Smith

KEY HIGHLIGHTS: All four Championship 4 drivers — Ty Majeski, Zane Smith, Chandler Smith and Ben Rhodes — had their respective time to shine in the desert. However, after lining up behind Rhodes during a two-lap shootout in overtime, Zane found enough space and speed to hold off the defending champion and take home the title in his third championship attempt.

Race recap: Zane Smith wins Truck Series finale thriller at Phoenix, claims first series championship

At-track photos: 2022 Phoenix Championship Weekend

CHAMPIONSHIP 4 ORDER OF FINISH: Zane Smith (1st), Ben Rhodes (2nd), Chandler Smith (3rd), Ty Majeski (20th)

Posted on November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 by Press Release

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (November 30, 2022) – Comcast announced Jes Ferreira as the 2022 Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award, the eighth to receive the annual award. Among all the turmoil of the pandemic, Ferreira looked for an opportunity to give back. Despite her heavy workload, she decided to take on an even heavier challenge, becoming a foster parent to two young girls.

Zack Albert | NASCAR Studios

“I am overwhelmed, humbled, and blown away to be recognized as the Comcast Community Champion of the Year,” said Jes Ferreira, 2022 Comcast Community Champion. “The amount of support this will provide for the Charlotte foster families ensures the best services for these children. I hope this sheds light on the foster community and encourages everyone to support in many different ways.”

Ferreira originally earned a foster license to become a foster parent for one child, but a few months later, the child’s younger sibling needed a new foster home. Although Ferreira, Senior Director of Live Shows for CSM Production, already had a crazy work schedule which included traveling to the race track most weekends on top of fostering one child as a single parent, she knew without a doubt these two siblings deserved to be together while in foster care. Now two young siblings going through the most trying time in their lives have been reunited thanks to Ferreira.

On any given day, there are nearly 424,000 children in foster care in the United States. In 2019, over 672,000 children spent time in U.S. foster care. On average, children remain in state care for more than a year and a half, and five percent of children in foster care have languished there for five or more years.

Ferreira’s affiliated charity is Foster Village Charlotte (FVC), an organization that allows foster parents to connect with and support each other. FVC collaborates with 16 private foster parent licensing agencies, local government, child welfare organizations and the community to serve families holistically and represent the foster family voice to Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS).

“Jes encompasses everything the Comcast Community Champion of the Year stands for. Anyone that is at the track knows how dedicated Jes is to the sport of NASCAR, and we are so glad we expanded the eligibility for this award so we can uncover and honor the compassion, selflessness and generosity Jes provides off the track, and that is what makes this honor so special, ” said Matt Lederer, Comcast’s Vice President, Brand Partnerships and Amplification.

Ferreira was chosen by a panel comprised of Comcast and NASCAR executives, as well as Curtis Francois, the 2021 Comcast Community Champion, who received the award for his work with the Raceway Gives Foundation.

For the first time, Comcast opened the eligibility for anyone in the NASCAR community with a 2022 annual credential or NASCAR full-season license. With this expansion, Comcast is now able to share these exceptional stories.

Josh Williams, driver of the No. 92 DGM Racing car for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Sherry Pollex, founder of Sherry Strong, were selected as finalists and will be awarded $30,000 each towards their respective selected charities – the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and Sherry Strong.

Comcast has a long track record of community service, aiding in the advancement of local organizations, developing programs and partnerships, mobilizing resources to connect people and inspiring positive and substantive change. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Comcast Community Impact site.