Ryan Blaney said Tuesday that Team Penske’s search for a new crew chief for his No. 12 Ford next season is still in progress.
Todd Gordon will step aside from that role next year, having announced June 28 that he would retire at the conclusion of the season, ending a 10-year run as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief for Roger Penske’s organization. Blaney did not provide a timetable for when the team would determine Gordon’s replacement, but said that preparations for next season are already underway.
“That search is still ongoing,” said Blaney, who is eighth in the Cup standings in his second season paired with Gordon. “It’s been trying to balance that out of focusing on this year, but then also you can’t just forget about next year. You’re always trying to … you need to prepare. You can’t wait until November, December and then try to do something. That’s still a work in progress.”
Blaney’s remarks came in an afternoon media availability ahead of Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the NASCAR Cup Series’ first race after a two-week break. Blaney has secured a spot on the provisional playoff grid based on his win at Atlanta Motor Speedway back in March. That victory was his second with Gordon atop the No. 12 team’s pit box.
Blaney says he has prospective candidates on his list who could step into the role, noting that replicating the calming influence of Gordon would be a positive attribute for his next crew chief to possess.
“There’s some people in mind that I think are really good fits,” Blaney said, “but who I’m looking for is someone … I thought me and Todd got along so well because we’re kind of, at the race track, we’re almost a yin and yang kind of thing. I can get fired up on the radio, and Todd is very calm and it evens itself out of those personalities when we’re doing our jobs. Someone like that.
“Like I said, that just is ongoing, but someone who can get me when tense situations do come up of getting me back where we need to be, and that’s how it always should be. You kind of have to have both of them. I think if you’re two people who clash a lot and have the same personalities, that can sometimes be good but sometimes it can be a little rough. That’s where I’d want it to start, and all the crew chiefs I’ve worked with have all been open-minded on really listening to your ideas and what you have to say about the race cars and integrating them, so that’s never been an issue. But that personality side that I talked about, for me personally, it’s big.”
SAN FRANCISCO, California and LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Logitech G, a brand of Logitech and leading innovator of gaming technologies and gear, is proud to announce that it has become an official partner of eNASCAR, and theLogitech G 923 will be the official wheel and pedal of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series™.
“We’re excited to team up with eNASCAR to upgrade the driving experience for the remainder of the 2021 season.” said Jim Hoey, global head of G Challenge at Logitech G. “Our TRUEFORCE technology taps into the physics of iracing providing a super realistic racing experience, and we know the drivers are going to love it.”
“Logitech has for many years been an ardent supporter of sim racing, and they have played a major role in elevating the profile of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series,” said Nick Rend, managing director of gaming and esports, NASCAR. “We’re excited to help them take a deeper dive into the world of eNASCAR as they continue to innovate around how partners activate in the sim racing space.”
As part of the collaboration with eNASCAR, Logitech G will also serve as the entitlement sponsor for the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series event, now called the Logitech G Challenge 100, at the virtual Michigan International Speedway on August 17. Logitech G will use this platform to promote its annual G Challenge event, with 2021 marking the fourth annual Logitech McLaren G Challenge. As a result of this agreement, this joint venture is now the largest global eRacing event.
In addition to the partnership with eNASCAR, Logitech G has established additional relationships in motorsports as virtual racing and simulation continues to be a key training technique for younger racers. Some of those relationships include William Byron and Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR Cup Series. Logitech G is the title sponsor of Bryon’s eRacing team – William Bryon eSports – which fields two cars in the Coca-Cola iRacing Series for Nick Ottinger and Logan Clampitt. The Brand also supports Formula 1 racing through relationships with McLaren and Lando Norris, and is shepherding the next generation of racers with a relationship through TRD (Toyota Racing Development) and its TD2 driver development program.
Ross Chastain will pilot Trackhouse Racing Team’s second car — the No. 1 Chevrolet — in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, the organization announced Tuesday. The deal is a multi-year agreement with Chastain also slated to drive the car in ’23.
The 28-year-old currently drives the No. 42 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing. Trackhouse revealed it had purchased Ganassi’s NASCAR operations back on June 30, a transaction that included its two Cup Series charters. That left Chastain’s future in question, but not anymore.
“Excitement is always the name of the game with an announcement like this, but it’s more than excitement for just another team,” Chastain told reporters after the Tuesday announcement. “I’ve been now, crazy enough, in this sport for 10 years. … It’s more than just another team. I’ve been fired and I’ve left teams and done a lot of things and could do a lot of things better but to bring it all full circle with somebody I’ve known my entire life in the sport and do it with a group that just truly feels like more than a team, that’s what made this process of getting in this car so much easier.”
Upon learning of the CGR sale, Chastain texted longtime acquaintance and Trackhouse co-owner Justin Marks and simply said, “I want this.”
There were some formalities to iron out of the past month, but the two sides were eager to work out a deal together as Trackhouse continues its march toward the future with exciting, young talent.
“I know for myself and I think I can speak for Justin that we wanted it. And whether or not it all worked out — we had to work through the other stuff — but fundamentally down to the core of it, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” Chastain said.
Through 22 races this 2021 season, Chastain has tallied two top-five runs – a career-best mark in 101 starts overall. He was the runner-up at Nashville Superspeedway on June 20, another career high. He also has six top 10s and is averaging a 17.8 finish. Chastain sits four spots below the NASCAR Playoffs cutline, out by 144 points with four races remaining until the postseason begins.
After a pair of near full-time Cup seasons in 2018-19 behind the wheel of the No. 15 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet, the 2020 season saw him take on a brief stint as a fill-in for Ryan Newman while the veteran recovered from injuries sustained in a last-lap crash in the season-opening Daytona 500. He also drove the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevy part-time last year, with a best finish of 16th in the summer race at Daytona International Speedway.
Chastain previously raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series. He has two wins in the Xfinity Series and three in the Camping World Truck Series. He was the ’19 Camping World Truck Series runner-up before placing seventh in Xfinity points last year driving for Kaulig Racing.
With the move, Chastain gains Daniel Suarez as a teammate in place of Kurt Busch, whose 2022 plans are still up in the air. Suarez handles Trackhouse’s sole Cup Series car right now – the No. 99 Chevy. He’ll return to the team next season, that has already been made clear.
“Trackhouse, we’re trying to build something real special for the future and that means recognizing talent that sort of is at a point in their career where they’ve got experience but they’re young and still building their career. That’s what we feel we have with Daniel and now for sure we have with Ross,” said Marks. “He’s got a number of Cup starts under his belt. Just like Daniel, when he’s been sitting in race-winning equipment, he’s gotten the job done. That is a talent and a skill that is independent of just how fast you can go. … We’ve got two closers on this team now.”
Trackhouse, co-owned by Marks and Grammy winner Pitbull, is currently in its first Cup Series season.
Marks talked at length about the kind of driver and person Chastain is, and how much he appreciates the hurdles that the old-school racer has had to overcome in his career to this point. It’s a notion that Marks and Pitbull have embraced thoroughly, and that general underdog, us-against-the-world vibe has been evident from Day 1 at Trackhouse.
It’s what makes this union the perfect fit.
“He’s got a lot of fight and a lot of want in him. And I tell people this: there’s a real nuance when you’re looking at drivers and you’re trying to determine what skill set they’ve got and what kind of potential they have and to me, I’m a huge fan of people that have had to work hard against adversity and against odds to try to get where they’ve gotten in their careers. I think it’s that fight and those years of working hard towards something when it’s been difficult along the way that pays dividends at the Cup level.”
Chastain will make his Trackhouse debut in the 2022 Daytona 500 on February 20.
After a thrilling inaugural race at Lancaster Speedway, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour blazes back to Stafford Motor Speedway for the 30th annual GAF Roofing 150 presented by Riverhead Building Supply on Friday night (9:15 p.m. ET, TrackPass).
Patrick Emerling took home the checkered flag last week at his home racetrack and enters Friday as the defending winner at Stafford, winning the April 30 event earlier this year.
Stafford’s history is well documented. Built as a horse track in 1870, the dirt half-mile oval began hosting auto racing following World War II and welcomed modifieds as early as 1952. The track was finally paved in 1967 and hosted weekly NASCAR-sanctioned races through 2020, including tour races since 1985.
The late, great Ted Christopher is listed as the all-time record holder for feature wins at the northeastern Connecticut racetrack with an astounding 131 victories. Woody Pitkat, who enters this week’s contest eighth in points, sits second at Stafford with 78 feature wins, two of which were wins on the tour.
Along with the tour’s usual suspects, Ryan Preece will join the series for the sixth time this season. Preece led 13 laps in April’s Spring Sizzler but came away 17th after contact between him and Ronnie Silk sent them and others spinning while battling for the lead.
GAF Roofing 150 Presented By Riverhead Building Supply
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Patrick Emerling led 30 of the final 31 laps en route to the win last weekend at Lancaster Speedway and is locked in a tight battle for the points with Justin Bonsignore, who finished second in a photo finish one week ago.
Six races remain before the 2021 modified champion is crowned, and the season finale will come at Stafford on Sept. 25, adding even more emphasis on Friday night’s action.
In April, Matt Swanson led 84 of the 130 laps of the rain-shortened 49th annual Spring Sizzler but was caught in a Lap 111 crash that ended his night early. Emerling spun at lap 96 but found himself celebrating in victory lane with only seven laps led after dicing through the wreck that eliminated Preece, Silk, Anthony Nocella and Justin Bonsignore. Under that yellow, Mother Nature canceled the final 20 laps.
Preece returns to the circuit with eight wins at Stafford under his belt, his most recent coming in September 2018. In fact, Preece has won three of his last five entries at Stafford, a track which sits just 45 minutes northeast of his hometown of Berlin, Connecticut.
Silk has had three straight strong runs on the tour but only two top fives to show for it. Last week at Lancaster, Silk had another top-five performance going but was caught up in the Lap 141 crash that took out eight cars, relegating Silk to a 12th-place finish. Silk took home a Stafford win in September 2020 and has three career wins at the half-mile.
Doug Coby returns to Stafford with a fantastic resume and strong momentum, bringing the experience of 12 modified tour victories in 59 starts along with him. Coby started from behind one week ago at Lancaster and needed his shifter replaced before even taking the green flag, which set him back two laps. He rebounded to finish ninth, but two straight races with mechanical troubles – a failed engine at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17 – coupled with a missed race in May have almost certainly dashed Coby’s chances of a seventh modified tour championship this season.
Bonsignore, meanwhile, finds himself on a hot streak. The Holtsville, New York, native has finished inside the top three in six of this year’s eight races, including two consecutive second-place finishes. Locked in a tight battle with Emerling for the championship, it’s clear this fight may continue into September. But Bonsignore has yet to win at Stafford Motor Speedway, only coming as close as second four times in 39 starts and most recently in 2019. The only other track on the tour where Bonsignore has that many starts is Thompson Speedway, a track where he’s won 12 times and which isn’t on the 2021 calendar.
Other drivers on this week’s entry list include Chuck Hossfeld, who won at Stafford in 2008; 2017 winner Eric Goodale; 2018 winner Kyle Bonsignore; and 2019 winner Craig Lutz.
RACEDAY SCHEDULE: Friday, Aug. 6 — Garage opens: 1:15 p.m. ET; Practice: 3:45-4:45 p.m.; Qualifying: 6:20 p.m.; Race: 9:15 p.m.
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the GAF Roofing 150 Presented By Riverhead Supply Building is limited to 28 starters including provisionals. The field will be set by qualifying (1-22) and provisional process per the entry blank (23-28) for the GAF Roofing 150 Presented By Riverhead Supply Building. 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 eleven (11) 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 four (4) tires, any position. To utilize the fourth (4th) change tire, the team will have to take a practice tire purchased at Stafford Motor Speedway and turn in by the conclusion of practice.
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.
Name: Deke Current City: Annapolis, Maryland Member Since: 2020
Getting to KNOW Deke: Q. How did you first become interested in NASCAR? “Back in 2015, I asked about ten of my friends if they would be interested in a NASCAR fantasy league. Most of us knew nothing about the sport, but after watching the Daytona 500 we were HOOKED! We have since become huge fans, all with our own favorite drivers and have been to races in Michigan, Dover, Daytona and Richmond.”
Q. What is your favorite part about NASCAR? “I love the driver personalities and merchandise (and I collect all of it!). I love how teams and drivers adapt from race to race. Most of all I love the smell of burning rubber and exhaust on Sunday afternoons at the racetrack.”
Q: What is your favorite NASCAR memory? “My first race, Dover 2015 in the fall. It was a playoff race and I’ll never forget the people, the sights and the smells of that weekend. A close second was the first time I arrived at Daytona International Speedway — just seeing the grandstands in person was epic.”
Q: Do you have a favorite in any of the following categories? Current Driver: “Alex Bowman.” Past Driver: “Dale Earnhardt Jr.” Up and Coming Driver: “Sam Mayer.” Team: “Hendrick Motorsports.” Track: “Road America.”
Q. What do you like to do in your free time? “Corner flagging at Road America and Blackhawk Farms, iRacing leagues, and working in the garage.”
FROM ALL OF US AT NASCAR, WE THANK DEKE FOR HIS CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM HIM IN 2021!
Look for Deke on the Official NASCAR Fan Council page on NASCAR.COM.
PLANO, Texas – Toyota Racing is proud to announce the establishment of the Dream Experiential Endowment in partnership with Bubba Wallace’s Live to be Different Foundation.
As a continuation to the Toyota Racing ‘Dream’ commercial that took to the air waves around the 2021 Daytona 500, Toyota will team with the Live to Be Different Foundation, led by Toyota driver Bubba Wallace, to allow students who dream of working within the world of motorsports, a chance to experience that dream.
“The opportunity to establish this experiential endowment is something our team has worked towards since the release of ‘The Dream’ earlier this season,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager of motorsports and assets for Toyota Motor North America. “This film was something we were all extremely proud of and served as a small reminder for everyone to find their dream and pursue it regardless of the challenges that might be in their path. The establishment of the Toyota Racing Dream Experiential Endowment is a way for us to bring the message of the film to life and in partnership with Bubba’s Live to be Different Foundation, we can ensure that those who want to pursue a career outside the cockpit in motorsports can have a chance to experience that dream.”
The message within the film is that anyone from any background should have the chance to pursue their dream no matter the obstacles they might be facing. Wallace serves as the primary motivator within the film where a young African American girl is pursuing her dream of becoming a race car driver and seeks motivation following a setback on the race track, this message aligns with the mission of Wallace’s Foundation — to breathe new life into individuals striving to achieve their goals, no matter their age, skin color, disabilities or ambitions.
“To have the chance to partner with Toyota on this experiential endowment and give people with a dream to work in motorsports the chance to live that experience in really something special,” said Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 Camry for 23XI Racing. “It’s really cool to be a part of things like ‘The Dream’ and now this initiative that aligns with my own beliefs and how I want to influence the next generation. ‘The Dream’ showed others, no matter the circumstances or who you are, to keep fighting and follow your dreams. It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it. To now have my foundation partnering with Toyota to bring ‘The Dream’ to life is pretty incredible.”
By working with various organizations around the country, Toyota Racing will identify a minimum of four participants per year and arrange for them to spend a finite amount of time with a Toyota race team or TRD-related organization to experience the dream they have to pursue a career in the world of motorsports.
The initial group of recipients will be chosen in the coming weeks and begin their experience during late summer of the 2021 racing season.
Applicants looking to be considered can submit a resume along with a 500-word maximum essay explaining their dream to work in motorsports to [email protected].
It’s the season of change in NASCAR. We’re talking Silly Season, of course! With all sorts of driver, owner and team changes happening for 2022, it’s tricky to keep track of it all—especially when Internet rumors abound. Now it’s your turn to add to the noise with our latest generator: the Silly Season Simulator. Just press the button and you’ll be presented with a totally fabricated rumor that you can share with all your friends online. And if it comes true, guess what? You’ll look like a total genius!
2021 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season stretch run
Watkins Glen | Indianapolis | Michigan | Daytona
Everything you need to know for the four NASCAR Cup Series races in August — the final four chances to punch a postseason ticket before the 2021 NASCAR Playoffs begin Sept. 5.
Go Bowling at The Glen
Where: Watkins Glen International, a 2.45-mile road course located in Watkins Glen, New York Date: Sunday, Aug. 8, 3 p.m. ET TV/Radio: NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race Distance: 90 laps, 220.5 miles Stages: Stage 1 – 20 laps | Stage 2 – 20 laps (ends at Lap 40) | Final Stage – 50 laps (scheduled to end at Lap 90) Defending winner: Chase Elliott
Most wins among active drivers: Elliott (2), Kyle Busch (2)
Best average finish: Erik Jones (6.3)
Verizon 200 at the Brickyard
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.439-mile infield road course located in Speedway, Indiana Date: Sunday, Aug. 15, 1 p.m. ET TV/Radio: NBC/NBC Sports App, PRN/IMS Radio Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race Distance: 82 laps, 200 miles Stages: Stage 1 -15 laps | Stage 2 – 20 laps (ends at Lap 35) | Final Stage – 47 laps (scheduled to end at Lap 82) Defending winner: Kevin Harvick (oval layout)
Most wins among active drivers: New layout
Best average finish: First race on new layout
*There will be practice Saturday and qualifying Sunday morning.
FireKeepers Casino 400
Where: Michigan International Speedway, a 2-mile oval located in Brooklyn, Michigan
Date: Sunday, Aug. 22, 3 p.m. ET TV/Radio: NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race Distance: 200 laps, 400 miles Stages: Stage 1 – 60 laps | Stage 2 – 60 laps (ends at Lap 120) | Final Stage – 80 laps (scheduled to end at Lap 200) Defending winner: Kevin Harvick
Most wins: Harvick (5)
Best average finish: Chase Elliott (7.7)
Coke Zero Sugar 400
Where: Daytona International Speedway, a 2.5-mile superspeedway located in Daytona Beach, Florida Date: Saturday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m. ET TV/Radio: NBC/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race Distance: 160 laps, 400 miles Stages: Stage 1 – 50 laps | Stage 2 – 50 laps (ends at Lap 100) | Final Stage – 60 laps (scheduled to end at Lap 160) Defending winner: William Byron
Most wins: Denny Hamlin (3)
Best average finish: Austin Dillon (14.8)
Five to watch
Here are five big story lines we’ll be following: one for each race and one overarching story line.
1. Watkins Glen: After a year away from the facility, NASCAR makes its long-awaited return to The Glen — and no driver will be happier to see it than Chase Elliott. The reigning Cup champion is the only winner at the New York track since Martin Truex Jr. won in 2017 and has a pair of road-course wins to his credit already this season. After a slower than usual start to the year, it’s not impossible that he positions himself as the title favorite once again coming out of this four-race stretch. If anyone is able to topple Elliott, these races offer strong chances for a wild-card winner to really shake things before the postseason field locks in. Several winless drivers around or below the cutline have looked sporty at times at the several road courses we’ve been to. If we’ve learned anything from this season, it’s to expect the unexpected, and it would be a surprise if we don’t see at least one new winner in this stretch.
2. Indianapolis: You want to talk about wild cards? How about tossing in a new layout right before the playoffs start at one of the most historic race tracks in the world that almost none of the drivers have raced at before? While it will feel different to not see a Brickyard race run on the traditional layout, it’s inarguable that the intensity and excitement levels for this race will be ramped up to a 10. Kevin Harvick has been the man to beat here lately, but will that translate to the road course? The Cup Series so rarely has two road-course races in back-to-back weeks, so we could see a lot of the same faces running well in each — and potentially who could look to clinch a Round of 8 spot in a couple of months at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. One driver to watch could be Chase Briscoe, despite an underwhelming rookie season so far. Stewart-Haas Racing found its footing to close out the last race before the break and Briscoe, a strong road racer, won the Xfinity Series race on this layout last summer.
3. Michigan: Speaking of SHR, everything on paper points to this being Harvick’s race to lose. Everything our eyes have shown us this year, however, is that if he doesn’t win this race it’s hard to see the nine-time 2020 winner visiting Victory Lane this season. The team has, self-admittedly, struggled this year, but if there’s any driver who can put together a late postseason push, it’s Harvick. If one of Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers didn’t win one of the first two races back, look for the group to potentially reassert its dominance here. Kyle Larson once won three straight Michigan races in his Ganassi days and Chase Elliott rattled off a trio of runner-ups to start his career there. Worth noting: The last time a current Joe Gibbs Racing driver won at Michigan was Kyle Busch in 2011. Team Penske‘s Joey Logano himself has three wins there since leaving Gibbs before the 2013 season.
4. Daytona: And it all comes down to Daytona. The track is the great equalizer and its placement as the regular-season finale is just perfect. There will likely be 15-plus winless drivers in the top 30 in points looking to punch their ticket to the postseason with a last-ditch win under the lights at Daytona, and it’s going to be a must-see night of stock-car racing. We already saw one miracle happen at the World Center of Racing in this year’s 500 and it sure feels like something similar could happen again in this one. Don’t forget, Denny Hamlin — who has been the unquestioned best driver at the track in recent years — could still be looking for his first win of 2021 by then. William Byron clinched his berth with a Daytona win last summer, teeing up the drama for the playoffs — who might be this year’s spoiler?
5. As you can tell by now, these four races are crucial. The playoff field could look considerably different a month from now, and it should set the bar high for the excitement we’re bound to see in this year’s playoffs. Could we also see a driver with a statement to make — i.e. Matt DiBenedetto or Brad Keselowski — pick up a win and jolt his season in the final races in his current ride? Could we see another team emerge as the top dog after Hendrick ruled the bulk of the regular season? Could we see a shift in power with the break allowing for extra R&D time and different teams finding speed? Will more Silly Season news drop in the coming weeks? There’s just so much going on, and it’s a good thing we had this break to give the garage a chance to catch its collective breath, because we’re in for a thrill of a ride down the stretch.
Staples from the break
Our biggest pieces during the off weeks. Get caught up quickly right here.
•Power Rankings: Potential free agents for 2022 Cup rides | Scope the ranks •Off-week reflections: Highlights from 2021 season — so far | Read more
• Fantasy: Who you should use and where for the final four races | Read more
• Debate: Who will win first, Denny Hamlin or Kevin Harvick? | Read more
• Handing out the hardware: Cup superlatives at the break | Read more
• Playoff Watch: How the postseason picture looks | Read more
• Bubble Watch: Which remaining tracks stand out for cutline drivers | Read more
Get in on the action
Think you know NASCAR? Put your mettle to the test with gaming, fantasy.
• Betting odds for 2021 Cup Series championship | See the odds
• Case for betting Martin Truex Jr. to win the title | Read more
• NASCAR, Penn National Gaming expand strategic alliance | Read more • One-stop shop for NASCAR betting information | Check it out • Take a shot at winning cash prizes with the free-to-play Jackpot Races app | Hit the jackpot
• Full guide to 2021 NASCAR Fantasy Live game | Get the FAQ
Silly Season in full swing
Dontre Graves | NASCAR Digital Media
The 2022 Cup garage is starting to take shape. Keep up with the latest happenings here.
•Key players: See the movers and shakers of free agency | See more • Return to The King?: Erik Jones hopeful on RPM return | Read more • Winners get hired: Steve Letarte on Matt DiBenedetto’s situation | Watch the video • New owner in town: Brad Keselowski headed to Roush Fenway in driver-owner role | Read more • Taking their time: Roush, Keselowski set for full transition but not soon | Read more
• In limbo: What’s next for Ryan Newman in ’22? | Read more
• Track that: Keep tabs on the 2022 Silly Season driver chart | Read more
Catch the pack
Read up on all the headlines from the week leading up to Sunday’s race.
• No. 3 for No. 22: Loganos reveal third child on the way | Read more
• Penalty: Nos. 9, 48 in Cup get L1-level penalties after New Hampshire | Read more
• The race is on: How Kyle Larson caught Denny Hamlin in points battle | Read more • Position to win: Pit-crew development leaves lasting mark with athletes | Read more
• New vets: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney must increase leadership roles a Penske | Read more
• Xfinity Series Playoff Watch: Analyzing the projected field | Read more
• Camping World Truck Series Playoff Watch: How it looks before regular-season finale | Read more
@nascarcasm’s corner
• Pros & Cons: A two-week break in the season | Read more • Cup Series Silly Season Trivia Quiz | Take the quiz • Are NASCAR drivers gymnasts? | Read more • Olympic pictograms interpreted for NASCAR | See them • GIF Council: How drivers are spending their vacation | See the GIFs
• All-NASCAR Olympic team | See the team
• Old tweets: How drivers are (probably) spending time off | See the tweets
Monday, August 2
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features — Part 1, FS1
Tuesday, August 3
4 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Race Hub Game Night — Part 2, FS2 (re-air)
5 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features — Part 1, FS2 (re-air)
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features — Part 2, FS1
Wednesday, August 4
6 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features — Part 1, FS2 (re-air)
7 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Features — Part 2, FS2 (re-air)
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Women in Wheels, FS1
Thursday, August 5
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
7 p.m., Renegades: The Bad Boys of NASCAR, FS1 (re-air)
Friday, August 6
5 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
6 p.m., ARCA Menards Series: Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen, FS1
On MRN
6 p.m., ARCA Menards Series Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen
Saturday, August 7 2 a.m., ARCA Menards Series: Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen, FS1 (re-air)
4 a.m., ARCA Menards Seres: Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen, FS2 (re-air)
6 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive — Road Courses, FS2 (re-air)
6:30 a.m., ARCA Menards Series: Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen, FS1 (re-air)
8:30 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive — Road Courses, FS1 (re-air)
9 a.m, NASCAR Classics: 1986 Budweiser at the Glen, FS1 (re-air)
11:30 a.m., NASCAR Raceday: Watkins Glen, FS1
12:30 p.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: United Rentals 176, FS1
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Countdown to Green, CNBC/NBC Sports App
4 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200, CNBC/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN3)
9:30 p.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: United Rentals 176, FS2 (re-air)
11:30 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive — Road Courses, FS2 (re-air)
On MRN
noon, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series United Rentals 176
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200
Sunday, August 8 1:30 a.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: United Rentals 176, FS1 (re-air)
7 a.m., ARCA Menards Series: Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen, FS2 (re-air)
9 a.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: United Rentals 176, FS2 (re-air)
11:30 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive — Road Courses, FS1 (re-air)
12:30 p.m., NASCAR Raceday: Watkins Glen, FS1
2 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series Countdown to Green, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
3 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Go Bowling at The Glen, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Canada: TSN3, 5)
8 p.m., IMSA Auto Racing SportsCar Championship, NBCSN
On MRN
2 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen
Patrick Emerling christened Lancaster Speedway with a victory for the ages.
After a late-race restart pitted the western New York native against Justin Bonsignore, his nearest threat for the championship, Emerling fended off a fierce charge on the final corner to win the inaugural Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on Saturday night.
Emerling grew up in Orchard Park, New York, just 30 minutes south of New York International Raceway Park where the track sits. The hard charger excelled late and led the final 30 laps en route to his second tour victory of 2021 to reclaim the series points lead.
“I was like a kid in a candy store all day,” Emerling said. “Having a Whelen Modified Tour race at one of my home tracks in western New York is absolutely incredible. We had a great car all day. Great long run speed and the crew here did an excellent job.”
After a significant multi-car crash brought out the red flag within the final 10 laps, Emerling led Bonsignore back to the green flag with five laps to go. Emerling got the jump and knew he had to maintain the bottom line. Bonsignore knew his best shot would be jumping to the outside in Turns 3 and 4.
Bryan Bennett
Bonsignore was right and rocketed alongside Emerling’s No. 07 car. The two made contact, but at the line, it was Emerling eking out the victory by 0.045 seconds.
“I was just going to hold the bottom,” Emerling said. “When you’re on the bottom, you have control. I wasn’t going to let him get underneath and then I opened up the top there. He got a decent run but we were just able to edge him a little bit there.”
Bonsignore, who entered the night with a 10-point lead over Emerling, put his class on full display by congratulating Emerling’s team on its way to Victory Lane before eventually seeking Emerling out himself, showing his respect after a hard-fought race.
“Congrats to Patrick,” Bonsignore said. “I mean, it sucks to lose, especially (to) the guy you’re battling in points, but a hometown guy at his home track with this crowd? Can’t thank Mikey Myers and his whole staff (enough) who put this whole show on.”
Jon McKennedy began the night on the pole and was untouchable for the first 90 laps despite best efforts from Bonsignore and Max McLaughlin. Eventually, though, Bonsignore reeled in McKennedy and made the pass for the lead on Lap 91 in the midst of a long green-flag run that followed an early caution at Lap 28.
Not long after Bonsignore set sail in the lead, Emerling’s car seemingly came to life. The long-run speed of the No. 07 allowed Emerling to erase a 1.14-second deficit in just 10 laps before leapfrogging Bonsignore into the top spot. Bonsignore was attempting to lap another driver when he caught the marbles in Turn 2, allowing Emerling to pass through cleanly on the inside for the lead.
The last 26 laps of the contest, however, became suddenly filled with cautions. On Lap 124, Scott Wylie and Walter Sutcliffe Jr. tangled in Turns 1 and 2 to bring out the second yellow flag of the evening.
Under that caution period, the leaders all came to pit road. Emerling maintained his lead but Bonsignore lost considerable track position and came out mired in the middle of the top 10.
“Picked a bad time to have our worst pit stop probably in five years,” Bonsignore said. “The guys always are balanced out … so we’ll win and lose as a team tonight.”
Then the cautions kept coming.
One lap after the restart, McKennedy and Anthony Nocella made contact entering Turn 1 and sent both cars sideways at the front of the field. Eric Goodale suffered significant damage while Andy Jankowiak and J.B. Fortin also got collected.
The ensuing restart on Lap 141 was no better. Chuck Hossfeld seemed to suffer a right-front suspension issue entering Turn 1 and clipped the back bumper of Silk’s No. 85 machine. Silk attempted to make the corner but was caught on the outside three-wide and triggered a pile-up that gathered up Tommy Catalano, Ken Heagy, Timmy Solomito, Mike Leaty and Nocella.
At the checkered flag, McLaughlin finished third behind Emerling and Bonsignore while McKennedy and Goodale rounded out the top five.
Tyler Rypkema came home sixth ahead of Hossfeld and Fortin, who completed the lead-lap finishers. Doug Coby finished ninth, one lap down, after starting the race two laps down — the six-time champ needed his shifter replaced before the field took the green flag. Rounding out the top 10 was Kyle Bonsignore.
The victory for Emerling inches him closer to the points lead one race after losing the top position to Bonsignore. That battle, with Bonsignore currently six points ahead, will heat up as the tour heads to Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday, Aug. 6, for its next contest.
