Posted on by Staff Report

Seven NASCAR Cup Series teams lost a crew member and pit selection for Sunday’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) after failing pre-qualifying inspection twice on Friday evening.

RELATED: Richmond weekend schedule | See this weekend’s paint schemes

The No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet of Austin Dillon, the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet of AJ Allmendinger, the No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford of Chris Buescher, the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota of Bubba Wallace, the No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet of Justin Haley, the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet of Greg Biffle and the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were the teams with the inspection infractions.

Car chief Ryan Chism (No. 3 RCR Chevrolet), car chief Andy Seuss (No. 16 Kaulig Chevrolet), car chief Josh Sisco (No. 17 RFK Ford), car chief Zach Marquardt (No. 23 23XI Toyota), car chief Jaron Antley (No. 31 Kaulig Chevrolet), engineer Nick Ollila (No. 44 NYR Chevrolet) and car chief Joe Gwilt (No. 47 JTG Chevrolet) were the crew members ejected.

The Nos. 31 and 44 failed three times. As a result, those teams will not be permitted to qualify and will have to serve a pass-through penalty after taking the green flag on Sunday.

UPDATE: On Sunday, the No. 2 Team Penske Ford of Austin Cindric was sent to the rear for unapproved adjustments. He was originally slated to start 20th.

Posted on by Adam Fenwick

RICHMOND, Va. — After finishing last in the opening race of the 2022 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in February at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway, Justin Bonsignore was in need of a rebound.

That came Friday at Richmond Raceway, where Bonsignore triumphed in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150, the second race of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.

Bonsignore started from the pole and led early, but pit strategy shuffled him out of the lead and into the pack for much of the race. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Tommy Catalano was the star of the race, taking multiple turns at the front of the field as he appeared destined for his maiden Tour win.

However, Bonsignore had other plans.

RELATED: Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 race results

Restarting seventh with 49 laps left, Bonsignore worked his way to second and set off in pursuit of Catalano. It took Bonsignore 20 laps to run down Catalano, but once he did, the fight for the lead was on.

With 11 laps left, Bonsignore made the move to Catalano’s inside. The two stayed side-by-side for the next lap before Bonsignore ultimately emerged with the race lead. He led the rest of the way for his first Tour win of the year and 32nd of his career.

“It’s been a long seven weeks, just driving home from work every day and you’re like, ‘Man, we are dead last in points,’ ” Bonsignore said. “Deep down we know New Smyrna was out of our control. You’re going to have parts failures in this series. It was just important to come back and try and have a good day.

“It’s nice to bounce back. More than anything it’s the confidence that it’ll give our team.”

Catalano settled for second after leading a majority of the race. It’s his best Tour finish in 51 starts dating back to 2018.

“It’s one of those deals where you’re so excited, but at the same time, you’re disappointed,” Catalano said. “We came here with the goal of finishing in the top 10. A good day for us would have been a top-10 finish. To come 10 laps short of winning the race is definitely nothing to hang our heads on.”

Chuck Hossfeld rallied late to finish third, with Kyle Ebersole overcoming a spin during qualifying to finish fourth ahead of Tyler Rypkema in fifth.

Eric Goodale, Jimmy Blewett, Jon McKennedy, returning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia and Ron Silk completed the top 10.

Ryan Newman, making his first Tour start of the season for the debuting SS Racing team, led a few laps early in the race before fading to a 13th-place finish.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season resumes May 14 at New York’s Riverhead Raceway.

Posted on by Staff Report

Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150

Richmond Raceway

21 Rr Virginiaracinglovers150 Modified 4c

  • Race results
Pos. Car No. Driver Sponsor Laps Diff.
1 51 Justin Bonsignore Phoenix Communication Inc. 150 ย –
2 54 Tommy Catalano FX Caprara 150 0.374
3 2 Chuck Hossfeld Gershow Recycling 150 5.984
4 5 Kyle Ebersole Ebersole Excavating Technique Chassis Ford 150 6.113
5 32 Tyler Rypkema Northeast Drilling/MWSCO 150 6.454
6 58 Eric Goodale GAF Roofing 150 7.022
7 7 Jimmy Blewett John Blewett, Inc. 150 7.517
8 79 Jon McKennedy Middlesex Interiors 150 10.784
9 3 Donny Lia Propane Plus – SYP 150 10.938
10 16 Ron Silk Blue Mountain Machine and Future Homes 150 12.843
11 64 Austin Beers* Dell Electric/Lumiere Electrical 150 13.833
12 77 Max McLaughlin Curb Records 150 18.204
13 39 Ryan Newman Pacematic/PSR Products 149 1 Lap
14 34 J.B. Fortin Red Camel Racing/Johns Fuel/John Tree Removal 149 1 Lap
15 82 Craig Lutz Horton Ave Materials/Riverhead Building Supply 149 1 Lap
16 36 Dave Sapienza SAP Enterprises 149 1 Lap
17 44 Bobby Santos, Jr. Thinkliteair/Harshaw Paving 149 1 Lap
18 24 Andrew Krause Supreme Mtg 149 1 Lap
19 55 Jeremy Gerstner Jerry Hunt SuperCenter/KD Construction 149 1 Lap
20 22 Kyle Bonsignore Chalew Performance/MIT 149 1 Lap
21 71 James Pritchard, Jr. Freeway Tire Pros & Automotive 148 2 Laps
22 26 Gary McDonald Lakeland Landscape/TRC Electrict 148 2 Laps
23 20 Ed McCarthy* McCarthy Marine Sales 85 65 Laps
24 97 Bryan Dauzat Brother in Law Motorsports 78 72 Laps
25 07 Patrick Emerling Captain Pip Marina 62 88 Laps
26 29 Spencer Davis Ionx Supreme Lubricants 55 95 Laps
27 01 Melissa Fifield Pine Knoll Auto Sales 21 129 Laps
  • Race statistics

Fastest Qualifier: Justin Bonsignore, Time: 21.503 seconds, Speed: 125.564 mph

Time of Race: 1 hrs., 16 mins, 40 secs

Average Speed: 88.043 mph

Margin of Victory: 0.374 seconds

Caution Flags: Laps 13-16 (Car No. 97 flat tire, no contact, no Free Pass); 51-58 (Car No. 55 spin no contact, Free Pass No. 26); 63-69 (Car No. 07 spin, contact, Free Pass No. 55); 80-84 (Car No. 97 contact, ); 97-101 (Debris, no Free Pass). 5 for 29 laps.

Lap Leaders: Justin Bonsignore 1-11, Kyle Bonsignore 12-17, Justin Bonsignore 18-53, Chuck Hossfeld 54-58, Ryan Newman 59-60, Tommy Catalano 61-97, Max McLaughlin 98-107, Tommy Catalano 108-139, Justin Bonsignore 140-150.

Total Laps Led: Tommy Catalano 69, Justin Bonsignore 58, Max McLaughlin 10, Kyle Bonsignore 6, Chuck Hossfeld 5, Ryan Newman 2. 8 changes involving 6 drivers.

Posted on by Staff Report

Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150

Richmond Raceway

21 Rr Virginiaracinglovers150 Modified 4c

  • Qualifying results
Pos. Car No. Driver Sponsor Best Time Best Speed
1 51 Justin Bonsignore Phoenix Communication Inc. 21.503 125.564
2 32 Tyler Rypkema Northeast Drilling/MWSCO 21.719 124.315
3 77 Max McLaughlin Curb Records 21.739 124.201
4 22 Kyle Bonsignore Chalew Performance/MIT 21.762 124.069
5 39 Ryan Newman Pacematic/PSR Products 21.762 124.069
6 54 Tommy Catalano FX Caprara 21.815 123.768
7 44 Bobby Santos, Jr. Thinkliteair/Harshaw Paving 21.831 123.677
8 3 Donny Lia Propane Plus – SYP 21.921 123.17
9 79 Jon McKennedy Middlesex Interiors 21.949 123.012
10 7 Jimmy Blewett John Blewett, Inc. 21.962 122.94
11 20 Ed McCarthy* McCarthy Marine Sales 21.963 122.934
12 58 Eric Goodale GAF Roofing 21.965 122.923
13 64 Austin Beers* Dell Electric/Lumiere Electrical 21.993 122.766
14 2 Chuck Hossfeld Gershow Recycling 22.032 122.549
15 24 Andrew Krause Supreme Mtg 22.039 122.51
16 16 Ron Silk Blue Mountain Machine and Future Homes 22.044 122.482
17 29 Spencer Davis Ionx Supreme Lubricants 22.064 122.371
18 34 J.B. Fortin Red Camel Racing/Johns Fuel/John Tree Removal 22.114 122.095
19 82 Craig Lutz Horton Ave Materials/Riverhead Building Supply 22.2 121.622
20 5 Kyle Ebersole Ebersole Excavating Technique Chassis Ford 22.204 121.6
21 7 Patrick Emerling Captain Pip Marina 22.269 121.245
22 36 Dave Sapienza SAP Enterprises 22.269 121.245
23 55 Jeremy Gerstner Jerry Hunt SuperCenter/KD Construction 22.32 120.968
24 71 James Pritchard, Jr. Freeway Tire Pros & Automotive 22.515 119.92
25 97 Bryan Dauzat Brother in Law Motorsports 22.603 119.453
26 26 Gary McDonald Lakeland Landscape/TRC Electrict 23.115 116.807
27 1 Melissa Fifield Pine Knoll Auto Sales 23.608 114.368
Posted on by Staff Report

Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150

Richmond Raceway

21 Rr Virginiaracinglovers150 Modified 4c

Position No. Name Time Lap No. Laps
1 22 Kyle Bonsignore 21.604 6 22
2 32 Tyler Rypkema 21.651 38 46
3 79 Jon McKennedy 21.671 6 46
4 51 Justin Bonsignore 21.674 14 47
5 54 Tommy Catalano 21.756 41 41
6 34 J.B. Fortin 21.762 4 41
7 2 Chuck Hossfeld 21.796 35 38
8 58 Eric Goodale 21.827 24 42
9 16 Ron Silk 21.833 42 43
10 20 Ed McCarthy 21.854 5 39
11 5 Kyle Ebersole 21.91 43 50
12 7 Jimmy Blewett 21.922 38 39
13 64 Austin Beers 21.922 12 43
14 39 Ryan Newman 21.93 32 32
15 36 Dave Sapienza 21.932 34 34
16 44 Bobby Santos Jr. 21.938 5 32
17 07 Patrick Emerling 21.954 2 25
18 77 Max McLaughlin 21.956 32 32
19 3 Donny Lia 21.971 21 47
20 24 Andrew Krause 21.977 14 40
21 82 Craig Lutz 21.979 10 44
22 29 Spencer Davis 22.069 5 31
23 97 Bryan Dauzat 22.153 46 49
24 71 James Pritchard Jr. 22.294 30 37
25 55 Jeremy Gerstner 22.305 22 22
26 26 Gary McDonald 22.344 29 31
27 92 Anthony Nocella 22.706 3 3
28 01 Melissa Fifield 23.814 8 15
Posted on by Terrin Waack

Joe Gibbs Racing, home to four NASCAR Cup Series winners, hasnโ€™t won a premier-series race since Sept. 26 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Six more races passed after that in 2021 and six races have passed in 2022.

This Sundayโ€™s Toyota Owners 400 (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM) would be the perfect opportunity to end the winless drought at 12 races since the sponsor doubles as Joe Gibbs Racingโ€™s manufacturer. And the venue, Richmond Raceway, could be the reason it happens. The 0.75-miler is the teamโ€™s most successful track on the schedule with 17 wins, which also tops the competition.

RICHMOND: Weekend schedule | Betting odds | Paint schemes

Most recently, and therefore most importantly, Joe Gibbs Racing has won eight of the last 12 races at Richmond.

Screen Shot 2022 03 31 At 3.55.46 Pm

*Note: There was only one race at Richmond in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two of those victories even saw a 1-2-3 finish from Joe Gibbs Racing. Following Martin Truex Jr. across the finish line in September 2021 were current teammates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, in order. Further back in September 2019, Kyle Busch came in runner-up and Hamlin rounded out third.

Actually, the only race in that group that didnโ€™t see at least one Joe Gibbs Racing pilot in the top three at the checkered flag was September 2017.

All this is quite the contrast to the present. Joe Gibbs Racing has two top-five results among its four drivers through six races. Busch and Bell have one apiece. Busch was fourth at Las Vegas. Bell was third at Circuit of The Americas.

Meanwhile, Truexโ€™s best showing has been seventh at COTA. Hamlinโ€™s is 13th at Phoenix Raceway.

Screen Shot 2022 03 31 At 3.55.32 Pm

Joe Gibbs Racingโ€™s odds of being victorious in Virginia, according to BetMGM (as of Thursday afternoon), stand as: Truex and Busch both at 9-1, Hamlin at 10-1 and Bell at 14-1.

Buschโ€™s six career victories at Richmond lead all active drivers, the most recent coming in 2018. Truexโ€™s three wins all came in the past five races. Hamlin also has three, last in 2016. Bell hasnโ€™t won, but he placed fourth (spring) and third (fall) in the two 2021 stops and also led laps (10) in the latter.

A Toyota parked in the Toyota Owners 400 Victory Lane would be fitting, and Joe Gibbs Racing could make it happen.

Screen Shot 2022 03 31 At 3.55.18 Pm

Posted on by Press Release

PHILADELPHIA โ€“ Comcast is committed to helping people access the transformative power of the internet and to closing the digital divide. Once again, the company is leveraging the NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash platform to continue to make an impact.

Since 2018, the company has donated both laptops and more than $200,000 of funding to racing communities. Comcast has also installed free WiFi inside community centers, as part of its Lift Zones program, in markets where the popular and highly competitive four-race series takes place. The 2022 installment kicks off this weekend with the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Richmond Raceway. Based on their finishes at Circuit of The Americas last Saturday, the Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers are: AJ Allmendinger, Austin Hill, Noah Gragson and Sam Mayer.

RELATED: Learn more about Xfinity Dash 4 Cash

Dash 4 Cash will then continue at Martinsville Speedway on April 8, Talladega Superspeedway on April 23 and Dover Motor Speedway on April 30. Lift Zones have been established in each of these markets, with partners including The Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge and the Green Beret Project.

“Weโ€™re proud to support the Dash 4 Cash program in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Matt Lederer, Comcast’s vice president of brand partnerships and amplification. “Itโ€™s exciting to have an extra incentive for this weekโ€™s qualifiers, and weโ€™re proud to continue to work alongside our partners to bridge the digital divide in the communities where we live, work and race.”

Comcast’s Lift Zones program provides free WiFi inside community centers that serve students, families, veterans, seniors and adults. These are just a few of the more than 1,000 Lift Zones the company has established across the country. Additionally, the company is introducing more people to the power of the internet through its Internet Essentials service, which provides low-income households with fast and reliable internet access for as little as $9.95 per month. Internet Essentials is the nationโ€™s largest and most successful private-sector broadband adoption program in the country.

“Comcast continues to make a lasting, positive impact in the Martinsville community through its commitment to digital equity,” said Joanie Petty, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge in Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia. “The Lift Zone at our Teen Center enables our local students year-round by providing a place to access the internet for free to complete their school work. We are thrilled by the support Xfinity has provided.”

Xfinity is bringing NASCAR fans closer to the sport they love and making a positive impact within the Martinsville community by offering free ticket giveaways starting April 1 at Xfinity retail stores in Danville, Virginia (158 Holt Garrison Pkwy, Danville, Virginia 24540) and Lynchburg, Virginia (4010 Wards Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502). Two-hundred tickets will be available at each store on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last (no purchase necessary). Fans can stop by either store to pick up tickets (max four per person) and learn more about Xfinity products and services.

During this yearโ€™s Dash 4 Cash race weekends, Comcast will provide free tickets and driver meet-and-greet opportunities for local nonprofit organizations, like the YMCA of Greater Richmond, Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge and the Green Beret Project. Lift Zones and Internet Essentials are both key components of Comcastโ€™s Project UP initiative developed to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Having reliable internet and the tools and information necessary to navigate the digital world is critical to opportunity and success. Comcast is helping bridge the digital divide by providing internet, technology and resources to the communities and people in need.

Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach millions of people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal and Sky that connect people to the internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators. For more information on Project UP and the latest news on efforts to address digital inequities, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up.

Posted on by Zach Sturniolo

Richmond Raceway is ready to host the first points race at a true short track for the Next Gen car.

NASCAR returns to the 0.75-mile track Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) for the Toyota Owners 400, a race won last year by Alex Bowman, who led the final 10 laps to steal the victory on a late restart.

With 400 laps ahead, get ready for all the action to come at Richmond:

SETTING THE GRID

Saturday, Cup Series drivers will get onto the track for practice on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET (FS1), with the 37 entered teams separated into Group A and Group B, determined by a metric that factors results and fastest laps from last weekโ€™s race at Circuit of The Americas in addition to points position. Each group will be allotted 15 minutes of practice.

After practice, each group will go out for single-car qualifying for two laps. The fastest five cars from each group will advance to the second round, in which the 10 remaining drivers will fight for the pole award.

RELATED: Richmond schedule | Cup Series standings

RICHMOND HISTORY

— NASCAR Cup racing at Richmond Raceway began in April 1953 when Lee Petty claimed the victory at what was then called the “Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds,” a 0.5-mile dirt track that stood through the first Richmond race of 1968. The track was then paved and remained a half-miler until the fall 1988 event, when the track was reconfigured to its current shape and geometry.

— The first scheduled night race on the 0.75-mile configuration was in September 1991, won by Harry Gant. It marked his second win in a streak of four straight that month.ย 

— The backstretch grandstands were removed after the 2015 season, following the removal of the Turn 3 grandstands in 2014. That reduced seating capacity by 9,000 seats.

— Sunday marks the 131st NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond.

— There was only one race at Richmond in 2020, the first time in 62 years Richmond had only one race due to the pandemic.

— Richmond is the seventh race of the 2022 season, the earliest for a Richmond race since 1997 when it was the third event on the schedule.

Source: Racing Insights

GOODYEAR TIRES

Richmond Raceway has played a significant role in Goodyearโ€™s tire development for the Next Gen vehicles, the tire supplier said in a press release. Richmond played host to the inaugural 18-inch tire test in December 2019 and again in March 2021.

This weekend, teams will utilize the same tire compound Goodyear brought to Phoenix Raceway on March 13, marking the first time teams return to a track with a familiar compound this season.

“With such a steep learning curve with this car and the 18-inch tire, returning to tracks on the same package really helps teams start to put things together,” said Greg Stucker, Goodyearโ€™s director of racing. “Richmond is now considered a high-tire-wear track, so teams and drivers will have to mange their tires. As tires wear and the track takes rubber, drivers will have multiple grooves, making for some great racing with a lot of passing.”

This tire will also be used in June at Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway.

RICHMOND STORY LINESย 

— Joe Gibbs Racing has dominated lately at Richmond Raceway, winning eight of the last 12 races there and 17 in total, the teamโ€™s most at any track.

— While JGR has been electric at Richmond, including two 1-2-3 finishes in the past five events, the team has struggled in 2022, collecting a combined two top fives (Kyle Busch, fourth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Christopher Bell, third at COTA) and no wins from its four drivers through six races. Toyota last won with Bubba Wallace in October 2021 at Talladega Superspeedway.

— Ross Chastain scored his first career win last week at COTA, notching his fourth consecutive top-three finish. Before this stretch, Chastain had a total of three top fives in 117 starts.

— Chase Elliott leads the points standings with a series-best average finish of 11.0 and earned his first top five of the season last week at COTA by finishing fourth.

— The final green-flag stretch at Richmond was 146 laps or more in three of the last five Richmond races.

Source: Racing Insights

WANNA BET?

Chase Elliott is still searching for his first oval win since November 2020 at Phoenix, but heโ€™s the odds-on favorite to win Richmond at 8-1, according to BetMGM as of Thursday morning.

Elliott, who won the championship with that Phoenix win, has three top fives in his last six races at Richmond. The other results are 15th, 13th and 12th.

Behind him are three drivers to watch: Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson, all of whom are posted at 9-1 odds. Hendrick Motorsportsโ€™ Larson is a threat anywhere, but JGR has been exceptional at the 0.75-mile track and Truex was victorious last time here in September. Busch is the active leader in Richmond wins (six), top fives (18) and average finish (6.9). Their results this season havenโ€™t been exceptional, but that could change Sunday afternoon.

Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney are each listed at 12-1 odds, but the right bet here feels like Reddick. Chastain has been phenomenal in each of the four unique tracks the last few weeks, but Reddick has proven he can run up front. Richard Childress Racing has run well here as of late, too, with an impressive showing from Austin Dillon in the 2020 playoffs. Reddick, who finished fifth at COTA after restarting on the front row in overtime, could reap the benefits of the teamโ€™s Richmond knowledge Sunday.

RELATED: Odds for Richmond

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.

The 2022 Fantasy Live points leaders are Chase Elliott (202), Ryan Blaney (187) and Joey Logano (183).ย 

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 a select number of in-car cameras will be available โ€” as well as a battle cam and an overhead look.

NASCAR has partnered with LiveLike to add fan engagement in 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 Adam Fenwick

“The Rocket Man” is coming.

Ryan Newman, an 18-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, is returning to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour this week for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 at Richmond Raceway (6:25 p.m. ET on FloRacing).

The 2008 Daytona 500 winner has made 30 previous NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour starts and scored four wins, two each at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

RELATED: Subscribe now to watch the race

However, Friday’s race will be his debut with the new SS Racing team that is co-owned by veteran racer Hermie Sadler and Virginia Senator Bill Stanley. Newman will pilot the No. 39 car, which is being maintained by Phil Stefanelli of PSR Products. Neal Cantor will act as crew chief for the team.

This will hardly be Newman’s first rodeo at Richmond. Over his lengthy NASCAR Cup Series career, he has made 39 starts at the 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval. In those starts, he scored one victory in 2003 as well as eight top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.

He also competed in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s return to Richmond last September, driving the No. 53 for Mike Curb. He led six laps during that race, ultimately finishing fourth.

That race at Richmond last year was one of three NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour starts for Newman last season, and it was also his best finish of the season with the Tour.

Without a NASCAR Cup Series opportunity this season following his departure from RFK Racing, Newman previously stated he planned to focus more on grassroots racing this year in his free time.

While it’s currently unknown how many NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour starts Newman will make this season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him compete in several more events later this year.

RELATED: Ryan Newman’s career statistics

Santos joins Richmond field in pursuit of victory

Bobby Santos III, driver of the #44 Think Light Air and Harshaw Paving Chevrolet, sits in his car during the Toyota Mod Classic 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at At Oswego Speedway in Oswego, New York on September 4, 2021. (Bryan Bennett/NASCAR)
Bobby Santos III, driver of the No. 44 Think Light Air and Harshaw Paving Chevrolet, sits in his car during the Toyota Mod Classic 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Oswego Speedway on Sept. 4, 2021. (Bryan Bennett/NASCAR)

Anytime Bobby Santos III shows up at a race track, he should be considered a contender to win.

That’s no different this week at Richmond, where the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion is making his first start of the season with the Tour.

Though he rarely makes more than a handful of starts each season, Santos always bring his best when he competes with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

In 153 series starts since 2001, Santos has earned 19 victories. He hasn’t run the full series schedule since 2016 and has only contested the entire Tour schedule four times during his career. One of those seasons was the aforementioned 2010 campaign, when he piloted the famous Mystic Missile No. 4 owned by Robert Garbarino to four victories and the series championship.

He’ll be piloting the No. 44 for the Tinio family Friday at Richmond, the same No. 44 he has driven to 11 of his 19 series victories during his impressive career.

Santos hasn’t visited victory lane since the 2020 season, when, while driving as a teammate to Tour veteran Dave Sapienza, he led the final 10 laps at New Hampshire. Last year he made four starts in the Tinio No. 44, but only managed a best finish of sixth at New York’s Oswego Speedway.

Likely unsatisfied with his efforts last year, Santos should be considered a serious contender when the green flag waves Friday evening.

Eric Goodale, driver of the #58 GAF Roofing Chevrolet, during the New Smyrna Visitors Bureau 200 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour during night 2 of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Florida on February 12, 2022. (Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)
Eric Goodale, driver of the No. 58 GAF Roofing Chevrolet, during the New Smyrna Visitors Bureau 200 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on Feb. 12, 2022. (Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)

Can Eric Goodale rise to the occasion?

Prior to last September’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Richmond, Eric Goodale had never laid eyes on the popular Virginia short track.

The native of Riverhead, New York, a winner of four Tour races during his career, has no problem admitting he was caught a little off guard at how quickly he wore out his tires during the race last season. The result was an 13th-place finish, hardly an ideal result for the 36-year-old.

“Last year was the first time I have ever been there. Never even seen a Cup race or anything there. So it was a totally new experience for me,” Goodale told FloRacing this week. “It was definitely different from thinking I knew what I was getting into watching racing on TV. It was certainly a different experience than what I was expecting.”

While Goodale struggled last year at Richmond, he has enjoyed success in the past at the larger venues on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule. In fact, of his four series victories, three have come on tracks a half-mile in size or larger.

“You need a little bit more finesse in your driving,” Goodale said about racing at larger tracks like Richmond. “It’s not such hard on the gas, hard on the break like I grew up learning at Riverhead Raceway. You were either or full on the gas to get off the corner or smashing on the brake to get your car slowed down to make the corner.

“It’s just a lot of foot work and finesse with the steering wheel that you really need to pay attention to when you go to these bigger tracks. If you’re just a little harder on the brakes at corner entry, that can kill two or three tenths off your lap. If you’re a little too hard on the gas with a track like Richmond and you’re burning the rubber up off the rear tires, you get 20, 25, 30 laps into a run and you are hanging on out there.”

After his experience last year at Richmond, Goodale believes he and his GAF Roofing team have a setup prepared that will help them contend for a victory after 150 laps Friday night.

“Ultimately I think we’ve got a good plan to go back there and be very competitive and compete for a win,” Goodale said.

Notes:

  • Donny Lia makes his return to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour this weekend driving the Ole Blue No. 3 for Boehler Racing Enterprises. It’s one of an expected six starts Lia will make for the team this year.
  • Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore enters Friday’s race at Richmond on the back foot after a mechanical issue forced him out of the opener in February at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. He led eight laps last year at Richmond and will look to get back on the winning track during the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150.
  • Max McLaughlin makes his return to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on Friday in Mike Curb’s No. 77. It’ll be a busy weekend for the 22-year-old, who is also scheduled to race a big-block modified Saturday at Orange County Fair Speedway, a 0.625-mile dirt track in Middletown, New York.
Posted on by Team Release

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Dr Pepper and 23XI Racing announced Thursday the return of the Dr Pepper and 23XI SPEED Institute Tuition Program for 2022. The tuition program provides $5,000 each to 23 college students pursuing their interest in a career in the motorsports industry. Two tuition recipients will also receive an internship in their field with 23XI through the 23XI SPEED Institute.

The Dr Pepper and 23XI SPEED Institute tuition program was established in 2021 to amplify the efforts of the 23XI SPEED (Scholarship, Professional Education, Executive Development) Institute in support of the teamโ€™s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals. It continues a longstanding Dr Pepper tradition of supporting academic excellence through sporting events, with the brand having awarded more than $13 million in tuition to deserving students since 2008.

“Tuition giveaways have been a rewarding part of the Dr Pepper mission for over a decade, and we are thrilled to continue this program with 23XI,” said Derek Dabrowski, Dr Pepper’s vice president of brand marketing. “We look forward to again providing deserving students with financial help as they pursue their dreams and shape the future of motorsports for years to come.”

RELATED: 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule | Up next, Richmond Raceway

Said 23XI Racing President Steve Lauletta: “23XI Racing was founded with more in mind than just being competitive on the race track, and the Dr Pepper Tuition Program continues to be a key example of the impact our team and our partners are dedicated to making within the motorsports industry. Together with the support of Dr Pepper we have provided valuable financial assistance to students and significant job experience for interns through the SPEED Institute. We look forward to the opportunity to assist more students this year as 23XI and our partners continue to positively impact the motorsports industry.”

In 2021, the programโ€™s inaugural year, more than 200 students from across the country applied for the available scholarships and the 23 finalists were notified of their award during the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race in September at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

This year, winners will be announced in May at the NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Students interested in applying for the tuition program must be between 18 and 24 years old and pursuing a career in any the following fields: marketing, communications, human resources, finance, engineering or trade disciplines in the automotive industry. Individuals meeting these qualifications can apply via a simple video submission process, sharing their story and explaining why they deserve a tuition award. Applications must be submitted by May 13.

For more information about the tuition program, including the official rules, please visit https://www.23xispeedinstitute.com/drpepper.