Posted on by Nascar

Meet the September Member of the Month

Name: Luke
Current City: Little Chute, Wisconsin
Member Since: 2018

Getting to know Luke:
​
Q. ​ How did you first become interested in NASCAR? 

“I first became interested at a very young age! I have been watching races on TV since before I can remember. My father and his whole family have always been huge into NASCAR and racing in general. Most of my dad’s brothers raced at the local short track Wisconsin International Raceway. My dad never raced but he spent a lot of time working on all their cars and supporting them, so I have always been watching races with my dad and his family.

They had all been going to Michigan in August for the NASCAR race since the early 90’s. I always dreamed to go with and see a race with them in person. I was finally allowed to go when I turned 14. I have been going with them every year since then. My dad and I have also gone to the Daytona 500 and Chicagoland. I also have been to Bristol on a trip a planned with my friends. But it all started with watching those fast cars on T.V. spending time with family!”

Q. What is your favorite part about NASCAR?

“I love the history, traditions and how family oriented the sport is! There is no other sport out there like it. I also love the feeling of being at the track with the other fans. It is a feeling unlike anything else. The energy at the track is absolutely stunning and I can’t help but smile the entire time. I love the sound and feel of the cars going around the track and how much the drivers truly care about their fans!’

Q. What is your favorite NASCAR memory?

“My favorite NASCAR memory would have to be my trip to the 2016 Daytona 500 with my dad! The race was one of the closest in Daytona history! It was an amazing race and I had a wonderful time bonding with my dad.”

Q. Do you have a favorite in any of the following categories?

Current Driver: “Kevin Harvick.”

Past Driver: “Bobby Labonte.”

Up and Coming Driver: “Justin Allgaier.”

Team: “Hendrick Motorsports.”

Track: “Martinsville Speedway.”

Q. What do you like to do in your free time? 

“I like to restore cars and motorcycles.”

FROM ALL OF US AT NASCAR, WE THANK LUKE FOR HIS CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM HIM IN 2021!

Look for Luke on the Official NASCAR Fan Council page on NASCAR.COM.

Posted on by Davey Segal

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rolls into Richmond Raceway this week, where “The Action Track” is sure to provide just that on Friday night.

The venue is no stranger to Modified racing — having hosted a total of 11 races from 1990 to 2002. Legends Mike Stefanik and Ted Christopher graced Victory Lane over the years, with the former doing so three times (most all-time).

Across all three national series, Richmond has hosted a grand total of 216 races since 1953. This Friday night, September 10, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will take the green on their 12th race of 2021 — the second of what marks four consecutive weekends to end the season and crown a champion.

RACE INFO: Race Center: Richmond | Entry List | Tickets

Justin Bonsignore’s championship lead over Patrick Emerling ballooned from eight to 20 points following Oswego, putting the two-time and defending champion in prime position for yet another title. Given his past performance at tracks for the first time, there’s no reason to think the Phoenix Communications No. 51 won’t be up front with the usual contenders.

Being a companion weekend with the Cup Series and Xfinity Series, two Ryan’s — Preece and Newman — join the ground pounders for the Friday night showcase. As does Ron Silk, who is gunning for his third consecutive victory, something he’s never accomplished in his illustrious career.

Fans can watch the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 live this Friday at 7 p.m. ET on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold, and tape delayed on Saturday, September 18 at 2:30 pm ET on NBCSN.

——————————————————-

Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 150

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

It’s been a silky smooth last few weeks for Ron Silk. Winner of back-to-back races at Beech Ridge and Oswego, the No. 85 is looking for his third consecutive victory in his first ever start at Richmond. Never having raced before at the track shouldn’t be an issue for Silk, though. He entered Beech Ridge with zero NWMT starts but walked away with the trophy.

Not to mention, in his first start at Jennerstown (2020), Silk finished sixth. Earlier this season at Lancaster, he brought his machine home in 12th. With the playing field being evened due to the lack of experience, Silk’s time up front should continue Friday night. He’s in his final three races with Kevin Stuart Motorsports, before the parties go their separate ways next year. Winning another race in their final three would be icing on the cake of a strong partnership.

RELATED: Silk is smooth: second straight tour win comes at Oswego

21 Rr Virginiaracinglovers150 Modified 4c

A two-time winner on the Whelen Modified Tour this season, Ryan Preece may have a leg up on the field thanks to his national series experience at Richmond Raceway. The Berlin, Connecticut, native has four Cup, three Xfinity and one K&N Pro Series East start to his credit at Richmond.

“The Rocketman”, Ryan Newman, has run 38 times in Cup at Richmond, winning once in 2003. In addition, he’s raced five times in Xfinity competition (most recently in 2010) and even finished second in an IROC event in 2004. His third start on the tour this season and first ever at Richmond, Newman is looking to just finish, as engine woes have ended his Martinsville and New Hampshire events early for the Mike Curb backed No. 53 team. Former Whelen Modified Tour champion Jamie Tomaino has 10 starts at Richmond, the most of any entered driver, with two top-fives to his credit. Chuck Hossfeld finished top-five in his only start at the track in 2002.

Bobby Santos III joins the group of drivers have limited, but some experience around the 0.75-mile track. One Xfinity Series start back in 2007 is all Santos has to his credit at Richmond, but the tour veteran is looking for his third top-10 of the season and 20th career win, getting back to work in the Tinio Motorsports No. 44. 

POINTS: Bonsignore leads Emerling with three to go

With Bonsignore pulling away in the standings, it’s officially desperation time for Patrick Emerling. After an uncharacteristic night at Oswego (finished 15th, two laps down), the two-time winner this season understands he needs to start winning and hoping the No. 51 has trouble if he wants to realistically get back in the hunt.

But with Riverhead, where Bonsignore is an eight-time winner, following Richmond, reality may be starting to set in for the driver of the No. 07. Plus, the No. 51 has finished top-two in his first career starts at new tracks over the last two seasons (win at Jennerstown, win at White Mountain, second at Lancaster).

RELATED: Returning To Second Home, Coby Looks To Add Richmond To His Wins List

Despite never turning a lap at Richmond, Doug Coby may feel right at home on Friday. A graduate of the University of Richmond, he’ll look to continue his ascent up the standings despite missing one event earlier this season. Sitting fourth, the six-time champion would love to add yet another track to the extensive list of venues he’s won at over his two-decade career. And, although still 38 points out, Coby is still third, right in the thick of the battle for the owner’s championship with three races to go.

RACING REFERENCE:

RACE FACTS

Race Virginia is For Racing Lovers 150
Date Friday, Sept. 10, 2021
Track Richmond Raceway
Layout 0.75-mile oval
Location Richmond, Virginia
Start time 7:00 p.m. ET
Laps 150
Miles 112.5
Tickets Buy tickets
TV channel NBCSN (Delayed: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2:30 p.m. ET)
Live stream TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold (Live)

RACEDAY SCHEDULE: Friday, Sept. 10 — Garage opens: 10 a.m. ET; Practice: 1:30-3 p.m.; Qualifying: 5 p.m.; Race: 7 p.m.

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 is limited to 32 starters, including provisionals. The field will be set by qualifying (1-26) and provisional process per the entry blank (27-32) for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150. In the event that qualifying as stated on the entry blank does not take place for any unforeseen circumstance, the field will be set in accordance with the 2021 NASCAR Touring Series Rule Book.

QUALIFYING: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start-finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time.

The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is fourteen (14) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by Hoosier, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event. The tire change rule is six (6) tires, any position.

QUALIFYING AND SPECIAL AWARDS

$400 Phil Kurze Halfway Leader Award presented by Josten’s per event award to the race leader at the halfway point of the event, regardless if the race is running under green or yellow.

$600 Hoosier Tire “Lap Leader” per event award to the eligible car owner whose driver leads the most laps in each event. In the event of a tie, the award will go to the highest finishing car in the event.

$500 Hoosier Tire “Hard Charger” per event award to the highest finishing eligible driver who advances the most positions during the course of the race. In the case of a tie, the highest finishing driver will receive the award.

$500 Hoosier Tire “Most Improved” per event award to the eligible new team/organization whose driver improves the most positions during the course of the race. In the event of a tie, the award will go to the highest finishing car in the event. If money is not awarded during this event, funds will roll over to the next event and will continue to roll over until an eligible new team/organization claims the money.

$1,000 Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole per event award to the driver with the fastest qualifying time eligible to participate under the Manufacturers’ Prize Money Conditions.

$550 Sunoco Spec Fuel award divided: 1st-$300 5th-$150 10th-$100.

$3,500 Whelen Engineering “Winner of the Race” award to the winning driver.

Whelen Non-Starter award will be paid to the first 15 competitors throughout the season who pass inspection, practice, attempt to qualify but fail to make the feature event.

Posted on by Staff Report

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch has been penalized for his actions after a mid-race wreck in Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, NASCAR announced Tuesday.

The pilot of the No. 18 Toyota Camry violated Sections 12.1.a; 12.5.2.5.a; 12.8.a of the NASCAR Rule Book and has been fined $50,000 for a safety violation, actions detrimental to stock car racing and violating the NASCAR member conduct guidelines.

Busch’s car made significant contact with the outside retaining wall in Turn 2 after Lap 125 contact from the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet of non-playoff driver Austin Dillon. Busch drove away with heavy damage but parked in the garage to end his race. While pulling into the garage area, Busch ran over several orange cones at a considerable amount of speed in the vicinity of spectators.

MORE: Busch tangles with Dillon, in early playoff hole

NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Scott Miller talked with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Tuesday morning about Busch’s behavior.

“It was a situation that could have been bad. Fortunately nobody got hit or anything like that,” Miller said. “It all worked out, but putting people in harm’s way for no reason is something we take seriously.”

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

Los Angeles – Virtual Dining Concepts, in partnership with NASCAR and DoorDash, announced (Aug. 27) NASCAR Refuel, the first-ever virtual restaurant brand paired with a national spectator sporting organization. NASCAR Refuel debuted prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway and will simultaneously be available to order across the country, launching exclusively with DoorDash or via the NASCAR Refuel app and the official website, both powered by DoorDash’s white label fulfillment platform, DoorDash Drive.

“Every weekend, fans visit iconic NASCAR tracks across the United States, experiencing the roar of engines, side-by-side racing, family fun and the overall spectacle our great sport has to offer,” said Chip Wile, NASCAR senior vice president and chief track properties officer. “It’s a pleasure to offer our fans NASCAR Refuel, so we can bring a piece of the track experience, our delicious dishes inspired by our entire track portfolio, to them.”          

Fans, spectators and foodies alike can get the feeling of the racetrack all year round, whether watching their favorite teams compete on race day, or celebrating any occasion, while enjoying some of the most iconic NASCAR concession stand favorites. Handpicked from 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks around the country, NASCAR Refuel’s delivery-only menu features “Refuel Combos” and individual items including classics such as the Daytona Firecracker Dog, Talla-Mento Dogwich, Darlington Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Refuel Burger and more. Watch for exciting new menu specials, highlighting regional classics inspired by NASCAR race tracks, starting at the kickoff of the 2022 season with special items being added on an ongoing basis. The full menu can be viewed here. 

“As a NASCAR fan myself, I know the crowds on race day are there for the excitement of the sport, and of course for the food! Our menu highlights specialties from NASCAR racetracks, so race fans can enjoy the NASCAR food experience year-round at home,” said Robert Earl, founder of VDC. “With NASCAR Refuel, we are continuing our mission to assist restaurants by producing virtual brands that provide crucial added revenue, which is needed now more than ever.”

Said DoorDash director of partnership marketing Vanessa Carr: “This collaboration expands upon our multiyear partnership with NASCAR and reinforces our commitment to creating memorable experiences for fans and food-lovers alike. We are so excited to engage with the racing community through bringing iconic track experiences and the delicious food that fuels them to their doors.”   

NASCAR Refuel is now available for delivery in select cities across the country, with additional locations added on a weekly basis. Fans and consumers can place their orders three ways; it is accessible exclusively on DoorDash and also via the proprietary NASCAR Refuel app, available for download from the Apple Store or Google Play and directly from the website. To order from DoorDash, diners can input their zip code in the app or via doordash.com to find their nearest location. As new locations are added, the website, NASCAR Refuel App, DoorDash and social media channels will update, so consumers will know when their area is within a delivery zone.

For more information and to order NASCAR Refuel, please visit www.nascarrefuel.com, and follow @NASCARRefuel for continued location and other updates on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.

Posted on by Pat DeCola

You know by now that Corey LaJoie’s whole mantra is “stacking pennies,” but on Sunday night at Darlington, he collected a “Mark.”

Consistently running in the top 10 in Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway before ultimately settling for 15th, the No. 7 Spire Motorsports driver earned some recognition from Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the NBC Sports broadcast, but Junior wasn’t the only NASCAR Hall of Famer to take notice.

It’s not the first time the 29-year-old has drawn praise from 40-time Cup Series winner Mark Martin — far from it, actually. Turns out, Martin has been closely following the 2012 NASCAR Next class member’s rise through the ranks for nearly a decade.

Whatever books LaJoie is digging into seem to be helping, as he’s enjoying a career-best average finish in 2021 for a Spire Motorsports organization that continues to build piece-by-piece and should be one to watch in the Next Gen era starting next season.

LaJoie has now turned in three straight top-16 finishes for the first time in his career after notching three straight top 20s for the first time from Charlotte to Nashville earlier this season.

 

Posted on by Chase Wilhelm

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Ross Chastain held his head high as fireworks went off around the track following Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Chastain finished tops among non-playoff drivers as the NASCAR Cup Series opened up its 10-race postseason stretch at the 1.366-mile South Carolina oval. The third-place result validated that Chastain and the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing team could be closing in on a potential race victory before Trackhouse Racing absorbs the operation in 2022 and Chastain becomes the second driver alongside Daniel Suarez.

But it was who Chastain was racing against at the end that added an extra pep to his step — Kyle Larson.

“It was really cool to say we were close on speed to the 5 car,” Chastain said. “That’s crazy. We were close at Nashville (Superspeedway) and we were close here. Similar package, you know, you see a trend. So, we’ll keep working on that.”

RELATED: Race results | At-track photos from Darlington

The race restarted for the final time on Lap 331 of the 367-lap, 500-mile marathon event, and Chastain elected to take the inside lane with the Choose Rule, which lost him a couple of spots and lined him up with a row separating him from race winner Denny Hamlin and Larson at the front. But it was lessons learned from earlier in the race that moved him to make that split-second decision.

“Earlier in the race, I restarted second next to Kyle and I just lit ’em up and I’ve struggled with that literally my entire career,” Chastain said. “I’ve been working at it but I just didn’t get a good launch, then I was just very paranoid because I was running third, took second and then I went back to sixth. I thought I would cut my losses the rest of the night. Made a pact with myself then and I had to stick to it because I said I was going to take third if I ever had the opportunity again, and I did.”

Chastain described that he was “just on ice” on the outside groove, so a potential pass on Larson for second in the closing laps had to have happened in the bottom groove. On top of that, it was his prowess on restarts that admittedly needs work.

“It wasn’t the tire wear, it was what’s best for me,” Chastain said. “The bottom was the best for me, even though I gave up a row and gave up a spot I know looking at the sheet, but we would have been in fifth or sixth if I had taken the outside. I’ve got to get better at restarts.”

The top-five result was Chastain’s third of the 2021 season and the first since his second place in July at Nashville.

Posted on by Zack Albert

A new phase in the testing of NASCAR’s Next Gen car is due up this week, with a prime audition for the vehicle’s debut in the 2022 Daytona 500.

Eight teams are scheduled to participate in a test for the NASCAR Cup Series’ new model Tuesday and Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway. The two-day session is the first for multiple Next Gen vehicles on a superspeedway and will help NASCAR officials and teams alike gather information about the car’s characteristics in a pack with the aerodynamic draft.

RELATED: Next Gen timeline | 2021 Cup Series schedule

“I think eight or nine cars will be going to Daytona and running together and establishing the aero package and the speeds that we’re looking for. So really, really looking forward to that,” said Scott Miller, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition, in an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “Teams are taking delivery of parts and pieces and starting the Next Gen journey, getting those cars together and getting them ready for next year. So, really, really excited about that.”

Five former Daytona winners are among the group of test drivers scheduled to participate. Teams set to get on the track in the two-day session:

  • No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (driver Austin Dillon)
  • No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (Denny Hamlin)
  • No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford (Chris Buescher)
  • No. 22 Penske Racing Ford (Joey Logano)
  • No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (William Byron)
  • No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (Cole Custer)
  • No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet (Ross Chastain)
  • No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.).

Aside from a two-car test last year at Charlotte Motor Speedway, single-car runs in Next Gen testing have been the norm — both for vehicle development and for tire testing. The Next Gen vehicle had previously tested at the 2.5-mile Daytona track, with Buescher piloting the well-used P3 prototype last December. That Daytona test helped officials establish a baseline single-car speed and the proper mix of aero drag and horsepower output on superspeedways, while also offering the opportunity to try different ride-height settings.

Teams and competition officials have multiple objectives for the Next Gen’s return to Daytona:

  • Allowing teams, officials and manufacturers to get a better feel for the model’s characteristics in the draft and around other cars.
  • Evaluating and setting a baseline power level and speed for the Next Gen car in a pack.
  • Helping Goodyear officials determine a suitable tire combination for next season’s events at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway.
  • Giving teams a jump-start on at-track tuning and setup with the Next Gen car

The superspeedway package for the current “Gen-6” model has been an evolutionary process, with adjustments being made as recently as this season in the interest of safety at the sport’s fastest ovals. The focus has primarily centered on regulating the closing rates between cars, keeping the varying speeds between lead cars and advancing cars in check; and in preventing lift during crashes, keeping cars planted to the ground in spins. Those measures haven’t necessarily prevented the multi-car wrecks commonplace at Daytona and Talladega, where the cars frequently run in tight formations.

Alvarezndm 05746
Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Logano previously tested the Next Gen car in just the model’s second test — at Phoenix Raceway in December 2019. His approach to this week’s test also has multiple goals as he reacquaints himself with the 2022 car, this time on a far different track than the 1-mile layout in Arizona.

“I think there’s a few things,” Logano said during last week’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Media Day. “One, you want to get the car driving good and capable of making moves and doing things. I think vision is one thing that you probably are gonna want to work on, with it being such a different car in a pack. Those type of things will be important.

“And then, you know, how these cars draft, what do they do. We just talked a minute ago about the rules package that we have now where we’re driving through each other. How do we get a package that is something that we can all race and be able to make moves and do things, but not something that we’re, you know as soon as we touch each other, we’re wrecking and we’re tearing up 30 cars or 20 cars every time. Somewhere in between, that’s kind of my goal as a driver to try to get to, so you got to work on your own car and then kind of at the same time you’re working for the sport as well to make sure that there’s something that is a good product for the race fans to watch.”

Byron was involved in the fourth test of the Next Gen car, and he was the first to wheel the P3 prototype during a March 2020 shakedown at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. The 23-year-old driver, who won last year’s regular-season finale at Daytona, says this week’s test days won’t necessarily replicate the superspeedway feel of a full 40-car field, but should provide some clues for what to expect performance-wise.

“I think, for me, just try to establish a baseline for those guys, try to try to make it a smooth test, try to gather data, information,” Byron said during Playoffs Media Day. “I think the best thing I can do is just be a good test driver. That’s what I’ve learned over the years is sometimes when I show up to test, with as young as I am I just try to go fast, and that’s not really the goal of a test. The goal is to try to gather information and help those guys gather a variety of information, and also gather your info and ideas and approach to things.

“So, I mean Daytona’s gonna be different, we’re going to be doing single-car runs obviously where you’re just really learning about the car there, I’m not really learning anything. Then when we get in the pack, maybe I’ll learn some things but still a pretty long ways away from being around a bunch of cars out there, so that’s going to be different.”

Additional tire tests are scheduled to be held at Darlington Raceway and on the newly reconfigured and repaved surface at Atlanta Motor Speedway later in the year, with dates to be announced later. Organizational tests are set for the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (Oct. 11-12), Charlotte’s oval layout (Nov. 17-18) and Phoenix Raceway (Dec. 7-8).

Posted on by Chase Wilhelm

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kyle Larson had nothing to lose.

With a 47-point cushion over the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 16 elimination line heading into Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Larson tried to send it in the final corner in an effort to take the race victory away from Denny Hamlin.

Carrying more speed than normal entering the turn, Larson purposely hit the wall, riding it through Turns 3 and 4 in an effort to reach Hamlin’s back bumper. In what he described as a video-game style move that was reminiscent of Carl Edwards’ attempt for the win against Jimmie Johnson in 2008 at Kansas Speedway, Larson fell just short of passing Hamlin while using up the right side of his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

RELATED: Official results | At-track photos

“Decided I would try to wall-ride and see what would happen,” Larson said. “He (Hamlin) started running a little bit safer line the last few laps and getting back to diamonding (the corner). I thought if I rode the wall, I could squeeze to his outside and who knows what would have happened after that down the frontstretch. I actually got to his bumper a little too early and he kind of protected the wall.”

“It was wild and I hope the fans enjoyed the desperation. Just came one spot short.”

For Larson, the risk was worth the potential reward. A race win would have added to his bonus points bucket. A complete botch wouldn’t have hurt much given the points he earned by winning Stage 2 and finishing second in Stage 1 to kick off the postseason at the 1.366-mile historic oval. A second place was where he was running regardless, so why not try?

RELATED: Playoff standings after Darlington

“Knowing how far above the cutline we were to start the race and finish in the top two in the stages and finishing second there at the end, I knew that I could go for broke a little bit more there the last handful of laps,” Larson said. “I was kind of hitting the wall every lap in (Turns) 3 and 4. I felt like if I got a flat and finished 25th, I was still going to be good in points. I would say I was a little bit more brave because of that.”

Larson
Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, wasn’t totally surprised with his last-lap decision behind the wheel.

“I don’t know that there’s really a better way to look at it than that,” Daniels told NASCAR.com. “He (Larson) knew how many laps were left in the race, so he knew that if he had a flat tire, he could probably ride it out to the end. I’m sure all that was going through his mind.”

Even playoff competitor Martin Truex Jr. took notice of the risky maneuver.

“I was asking him (Larson) if it was Nintendo or PlayStation,” Truex said with a laugh. “He definitely, the wall glue got him. He got stuck to the wall. … He got close. It was a valiant effort.”

Although the No. 5 incurred heavy right-side damage that will take some time to buff out, he still fared far better than his Hendrick Motorsports counterparts. After hitting the wall on Lap 16 and an engine issue before the green flag waved, Alex Bowman only managed a 26th-place finish. Chase Elliott smacked the wall on Lap 327 after contact with Christopher Bell, ending the night for the No. 9 with a finish of 31st. Finally, William Byron’s Lap 200 crash after a left-front inner valve stem was knocked out ended the No. 24 team’s night prematurely, finishing 34th.

RELATED: Bowman collects teammate Byron | Elliott heads to the garage

“On my end, just made way too many mistakes,” Elliott said. “That’s what you deserve when you make that many mistakes. Onward.”

With Hamlin locked into the Round of 12 with his Darlington triumph, Larson now has an 80-point cushion on the elimination line. As teammates and other playoff drivers struggled at Darlington, including Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch and Michael McDowell, crew chief Daniels and the team will continue to keep the blinders on like they have throughout the 2021 season.

“Our mindset all year has been to focus on our race and that’s really it right now,” Daniels said. “Certainly, if things were to drastically change and we had to start worrying about points, then we would. But we’re very fortunate to be in this spot. I think the best thing we can do right now is stay in our lane, focus on our races and try to execute.”

Posted on by Staff Report

After the opening race of the Round of 16 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race, here’s a brief look at the playoff picture. There are two races remaining in the Round of 16 before the field is whittled to 12, with four drivers eliminated from the postseason following the Sept. 18 race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Winner

Denny Hamlin avoided the pitfalls that jolted several contenders and shook up the first race of the Cup Series Playoffs, locking up a clutch first victory of the season in the Cook Out Southern 500. His fourth triumph at Darlington Raceway gave him an automatic berth in the Round of 12. He led 146 of the 367 laps to win NASCAR’s oldest 500-mile race for a third time.

RELATED: Unofficial results | At-track photos

Who’s hot

Kyle Larson. The regular-season champion led a race-high 156 laps and backed up his status as a Cup Series Playoffs favorite. He wound up second to a strong Joe Gibbs Racing driver for the second consecutive Darlington race.

Martin Truex Jr. The No. 19 driver rallied twice from trouble — overcoming an unscheduled stop for a loose wheel and later a pit-road speeding penalty — to finish fourth. The result marked Truex’s first top-five effort in a month.

Who’s not

Kyle Busch. Busch was out shortly after Stage 2 set sail, his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota making significant contact with the Turn 2 wall. After a check at the infield care center, Busch was critical of his team’s performance, absolving Austin Dillon — the other driver involved in the incident — from blame. He’s won multiple times at Richmond and Bristol — the next two races on the schedule — but he’ll be entering those events at a deficit after finishing 35th.

William Byron. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was among the first playoff-eligible drivers to find trouble, clipping Alex Bowman on Lap 14 after his teammate slowed with a wall scrape. Byron was able to recover and be competitive for a time, but a broken valve stem and downed tire sent him hard into the wall on Lap 200.

Michael McDowell. The Daytona 500 winner acknowledged his playoff underdog status entering the final 10 races, and an early exit in the Darlington opener has him fenced into a virtual must-win scenario. His No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford ended the day on the wrecker’s hook after heavy contact with the inside wall, completing just 30 laps and finishing last in the 37-car field.

BUBBLE WATCH

Rank Driver Points to cutoff
9. Christopher Bell +5
10. Chase Elliott +4
11. Aric Almirola +3
12. Tyler Reddick 0
——– ELIMINATION LINE ———-
13. Alex Bowman 0
14. Kyle Busch -2
15. William Byron -9
16. Michael McDowell -20

Next race

The NASCAR Cup Series travels to Richmond Raceway for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders on Sept. 11 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Who it favors

Kyle Busch. He leads active drivers with six wins, 18 top fives and an average finish of 6.8 at the 0.75-mile track. The only active driver with more top-10 finishes at Richmond is Kevin Harvick, who has 26 to Busch’s 24. But Harvick holds a 40-31 advantage over Busch in number of starts at Richmond.

Who it hurts

Michael McDowell. His average finish of 31.9 at Richmond is the worst among this year’s playoff drivers. McDowell’s best finish at Richmond was 12th in 2016 for Leavine Family Racing. Since moving over to Front Row Motorsports, his best finish has been 21st in 2019.

Posted on by Reid Spencer

DARLINGTON, S.C. – Holding off regular-season champion Kyle Larson throughout a thrilling final green-flag run in Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Denny Hamlin is winless in 2021 no more.

Hamlin maintained control of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota as Larson buried his No. 5 Chevrolet into Turns 3 and 4 on the final lap. Larson gave Hamlin a tap, but Hamlin blocked the top lane and got to the finish line .212 seconds ahead of the runner-up.

“He drove it in past the limit of the car and tires,” Hamlin said of Larson’s banzai charge. “I knew he was coming. I was a little conservative on that last lap because I had that four-car-length lead.”

RELATED: Race results | At-track photos

The victory was Hamlin’s first of the year after a winless 26-race regular season. He won for the fourth time at Darlington and for the 45th time in his career to earn an automatic berth into the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

“Yeah, it was a matter of time,” Hamlin said of the long-awaited win. “We can’t just keep leading inside 10 laps to go every week and not get a win.”

Hamlin kept Larson at bay over the final two restarts but couldn’t pull away to a comfortable lead.

“We got to the white (flag), and I was like, ‘Well, I haven’t been able to gain on him now, I’m going to try something,'” Larson said of the desperation try he labeled a “video-game move.” “Honestly, got to his bumper too quick. I was hoping he was going to run that diamond to kind of be safe and I could skirt to his outside, but gave everything I had.

“I didn’t want to wreck him. I just wanted to try to get to his outside there, but he did a great job not really making any mistakes during the last run, and I was having to push really hard in second to try and just stay with him.”

RELATED: Kyle Larson analyzes his last-lap move | Denny Hamlin reacts to first win of 2021

Larson led 156 of the 367 laps to Hamlin’s 146. Hamlin won the first stage and Larson the second.

Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. caught a break when Ryan Blaney spun in Turn 4 on Lap 318 while the two JGR drivers stayed on the track trying to stretch the cycle of pit stops. Truex beat Hamlin off pit road but was flagged for speeding, and Hamlin held the top spot the rest of the way.

Non-Playoff driver Ross Chastain finished third, followed by Truex, who recovered from the penalty and an earlier loose wheel to run fourth. Playoff drivers Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano were fifth through eighth, respectively, but for other title hopefuls, the race brought disaster.

Two-time series champion Kyle Busch suffered an early exit and a blow to his hopes of winning a third title. Contact with the No. 3 Chevrolet of Austin Dillon sent Busch’s No. 18 Toyota rocketing into the outside wall in Turn 2, causing irreparable damage.

Busch fell out in 35th place and now faces an uphill battle to advance to the Round of 12.

“It wasn’t the 3’s (Dillon’s) fault,” Busch said. “Just take our lumps, you know. We were running like (crap), and that’s what you get when you run like (crap). Shouldn’t be there.”

RELATED: Kyle Busch wrecks in Stage 2 | William Byron out after wreck

Three-fourths of the Hendrick Motorsports armada took a major hit as well. Alex Bowman scraped the wall on Lap 14 and stayed on the track, hoping to make it to the competition caution on lap 25. But a tire rub proved disastrous, sending Bowman’s Chevy into the Turn 4 wall, and damage the No. 24 Camaro of teammate William Byron in the process. 

Bowman was able to continue and finished 26th, but Byron wasn’t as fortunate. After recovering to run in the top 10, Byron cut a left front tire on Lap 200, crashed hard into the Turn 1 wall and exited the race with a 34th-place finish. 

“That was a big hit,” Byron acknowledged. “It looked like on that (previous) pit stop, it looked like we dropped the jack and the left front was still finishing up. I took off and everything felt OK. I went to pass the No. 00 (Quin Houff) or somebody down the frontstretch and was just about to turn into (Turn) 1 and the left front went down. 

“There was nothing we could do. The guys did an awesome job to fix it. We were running like top-12, I think, even with all the (earlier) right rear damage, and it’s just terrible. I don’t know, man. That sucks.”

Reigning series champion Chase Elliott fell out in 31st place after slamming the outside wall on Lap 327 in a three-wide melee in Turn 1 with Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell.

RELATED: Chase Elliott hits wall late in race | Michael McDowell exits early

An early wreck put a dagger to Michael McDowell’s slim championship chances. On Lap 31, McDowell’s No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford broke loose behind Erik Jones’ Chevrolet in Turn 2, smacked the outside wall and careened nose-first into the inside SAFER barrier.

McDowell exited the race, his car destroyed and his title hopes hanging by a thread.

“The 43 (Jones) kind of got everybody jammed up,” McDowell said after exiting the infield care center. “I think he started on the front there without tires, which is a tough spot to be in, and I just went three-wide underneath him and just got into the patch (of new asphalt in Turn 2) with my left sides just a little bit low.  

“I got loose enough into the wall and that was about it. I’ll have to see the replay, but just heartbreaking for everybody on this Front Row team. We had high hopes coming into the Playoffs and this is not how we wanted to start it.”

Bowman, Kyle Busch, Byron and McDowell fell below the current cut line for the Round of 12. Elliott leaves Darlington 10th in the Playoff standings.

The Cup Series’ next race is the Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders, scheduled Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Richmond Raceway. Two events remain in the three-race Round of 16, the opening elimination phase of the 10-race postseason.

Note: Post-race inspection confirmed the No. 11 Toyota of Hamlin to be the race winner. There were no issues. The Nos. 3 (Austin Dillon), 4 (Kevin Harvick), 19 (Martin Truex Jr.) and 42 (Ross Chastain) will be brought back to the R&D Center for further inspection and engine dyno.

Contributing: Staff reports