Posted on by Staff Report

The Allgaiers have welcomed a second baby girl into their family as both Justin and Ashley Allgaier revealed the birth of Willow Leigh Allgaier on social media Wednesday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/AshleyAllgaier/status/1397601693211238415

Justin Allgaier, who drives JR Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series, is already a two-time winner through 11 races this season. Daughter Harper, who is known to design a helmet or two for the driver known as ‘Lil’ Gator, is now a big sister for the Allgaier bunch.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR issued an indefinite suspension Wednesday to Eddie D’Hondt, spotter for the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team, after details surfaced regarding his recent arrest in Catawba County, North Carolina.

D’Hondt was arrested May 12, according to Hickory (N.C.) Police Department records. Records in Catawba District Court show two court dates listed for D’Hondt related to two misdemeanor cases — a June 7 date for N.C. Statute 14-23.6(A), battery of an unborn child and June 30 under Statute 14-33(C)(2), assault on a female.

NASCAR officials said that D’Hondt violated Sections 12.8.1.e (Member Conduct Guidelines) and 2.11 (Required Notice) in the NASCAR Rule Book.

Section 12.8.1.e states, in part, that member actions that could result in a fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination, include: “Being charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations (e.g. Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Assault), or having had determinations rendered by criminal or civil authorities that in NASCAR’s judgement necessitate action. NASCAR will not pre-judge guilt or innocence in the criminal or civil legal system, or the guilt or innocence of the Member, but rather review each matter in its own context and circumstances and with regards to its potential effects upon the sport.”

Section 2.11 states: “Any NASCAR Member charged with any violation of the law (misdemeanor and/or felony) shall notify NASCAR … prior to the next scheduled Event or within 72 hours of being so charged, whichever is earlier.”

Hendrick Motorsports also suspended D’Hondt and issued the following statement Wednesday morning: “We became aware of the situation this morning and have immediately and indefinitely suspended Mr. D’Hondt’s role with our company. We are taking this matter very seriously and will continue to seek additional information about the alleged incident.”

Hendrick Motorsports did not immediately announce a replacement spotter for the No. 9 team in this weekend’s events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but team roster pages updated Thursday morning listed Trey Poole in the role. Poole, Elliott’s cousin, also served as an additional spotter for the No. 9 team at last weekend’s event at Circuit of The Americas.

D’Hondt has been a spotter for Chase Elliott since his rookie Cup Series season in 2016. He also is listed as a spotter in the Xfinity Series for the JR Motorsports No. 7 team and driver Justin Allgaier, and in the Camping World Truck Series for the Hattori Racing Enterprises No. 16 team and driver Austin Hill.

D’Hondt was previously a Cup Series spotter for Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch.

Posted on by Pat DeCola

Ah, the Coca-Cola 600. Drink it in, NASCAR’s backyard crown jewel always goes down smooth.

One of the sport’s most storied races, 600 miles of pure synergy between car, driver and perspiration over the course of a blistering North Carolina evening sunset tends to see the cream rise to the top. A look back at the history of winners of stock-car racing’s longest event shows a litany of superstars and champions, with a few surprises sprinkled in (such as Casey Mears in 2007; Austin Dillon’s first win in 2017).

RELATED: Drivers to score first win in Coca-Cola 600 | See every Coca-Cola 600 winner

With the 2021 running of NASCAR’s marathon race right around the corner, NASCAR.com’s Pat DeCola and Chase Wilhelm make their picks for the driver most likely to win this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 — who hasn’t yet.

Read on and be sure to tune in to see 400 laps around Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET (FOX, PRN, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio).

DeCOLA: Let’s see … cream rising to the top, superstar, champion, hasn’t won the Coca-Cola 600 before. By default, the answer here on paper has to be Chase Elliott, no?

NASCAR races don’t play out on paper, however, but Elliott still makes a fine choice to pick up his first crown jewel of any kind this weekend. Not only is the No. 9 Chevrolet driver the defending series champion, he’s also the most recent Cup Series race winner after claiming the inaugural Circuit of The Americas trophy this past weekend. The victory was his first of the season and it came amidst a four-race streak with an average finish of 4.0. He also happens to have the good fortune of driving for the season’s best team in Hendrick Motorsports, which has won five of the season’s 14 races so far.

OK, that all sounds great, but how is he at Charlotte? Glad you asked.

Elliott is the most recent winner on the oval configuration at the Concord, North Carolina track, winning on a steamy Thursday night in late May last year just days after placing second in the 2020 Coca-Cola 600. Over the past five races there on this layout, the 12-time Cup winner has averaged, again, a 4.0 finish, on top of leading double-digit laps in five of the last seven.

Needless to say, the notebook that the 25-year-old champ and crew chief Alan Gustafson will be bringing to the track this weekend is likely already about flawless. Given that there’s actually going to be a practice session for this race, expect any hiccups in the No. 9’s setup for Sunday to be ironed out fairly quickly. It seems borderline impossible that — barring incident, it is a long race after all — Elliott won’t be at least in contention for the win.

And who better to bring home Hendrick’s 269th all-time Cup trophy and break the longstanding Petty Enterprises mark of 268?

RELATED: Hendrick Motorsports Wins by driver

WILHELM: A champion is a fine pick, but I’m going to go with some hometown cooking for Sunday night’s 600-miler.

Charlotte native William Byron is having a fantastic year in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. His consistency has been unmatched, as his streak of top 10s ended last Sunday at Circuit of The Americas at 11 with an 11th-place finish. New crew chief Rudy Fugle has been exactly what Byron needed to propel him into potential championship contention.

Byron also owns two top starting spots at the Charlotte oval, with the first coming in the 2019 Coca-Cola 600 and the second in the series’ last trip on the oval in 2020. Byron was able to turn 2019’s pole run into his only top-10 finish there in four career starts — a ninth-place result.

Although the stats from a driver at Charlotte specifically could make a better case, I’m focusing on Byron’s recent results this season and the determination he’ll bring to earn victory in one of NASCAR’s biggest races at his home track. I think Byron’s drive and motivation to reach Victory Lane on Sunday night outweighs it all.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR officials announced a penalty Tuesday to the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet for a lug-nut violation after Saturday’s Pit Boss 250 Xfinity Series race at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

RELATED: Xfinity Series standings

The infraction fell under Section 10.9.10.4 in the NASCAR Rule Book, with the team’s car found with a single unsecured lug nut in a post-race check. The team’s crew chief Alex Yontz was fined $5,000.

Driver Justin Haley piloted the ride to a ninth-place finish in the race, his seventh top 10 of the season.

Posted on by Staff Report

The 2021 NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola campaign is more than just a military appreciation platform — it’s a campaign that salutes heroes next door. Each week, NASCAR.com will highlight multiple individuals who have made a difference with their service both in the military and to their communities.

In the latest profiles, NASCAR.com is highlighting three 2020 USO Service Members of the Year: SGT Mary Ehiarinmwian (USO Soldier of the Year), PO2 Andrew J. Fleming (USO Coast Guard Guardsman of the Year and Sgt Nolan P. McShane (USO Marine of the Year).

RELATED: Learn more about NASCAR Salutes | Archer, Rahman’s actions save lives

Smoy Army 2020 Sgt Ehiarinmwian Photo
SGT Mary Ehiarinmwian/Photo courtesy of USO

SGT Ehiarinmwian was driving to conduct Physical Readiness Training (PRT) at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. On her way to PRT, she was unknowingly driving behind a vehicle of a soldier from the same unit when that vehicle suddenly lost control and rolled over several times before coming to a rest, upside down, on a steel property gate – almost impaling the driver.

She pulled her vehicle over and rendered assistance, seeing if the driver was injured before pulling the driver from the smoking vehicle and getting him to safety. Ehiarinmwian stayed with the driver until medical assistance arrived on site. She currently serves with the U.S. Army’s 523rd Engineer Support Company and is from St. Robert, Missouri.

PO2 Fleming was conducting on-water booming operations off the coast of Georgia in his role as a marine science technician when a report of a capsized recreational finishing vessel came over his radio. He quickly directed his workboat to respond to assist in the recovery of two mariners from the capsized vessel. Upon his arrival at the scene, Fleming was able to pull the mariners from the water. One was unconscious and he successfully performed CPR and was able to resuscitate. While everyone was en route to Station Brunswick, he noticed the second mariners was showing signs of hypothermia and shock. Fleming moved quickly to remove the mariner’s soaked outer clothing and wrapped him in his own jacket to retain body heat as they made their way to the station.

Smoy Coast Guard 2020 Fleming Usophoto
PO2 Andrew J. Fleming/Photo courtesy of USO

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fleming led the efforts to establish protocols for Sector New York’s remote facility inspection program. This helped to safeguard branch personnel from exposure to the virus and planned operations to ensure that the 200 facilities within the area of responsibility remained compliant with protocols. He serves in the U.S Coast Guard’s Sector New York and is from Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Sgt McShane (pictured above) was honored for his quick thinking during a training exercise in Twentynine Palms, California. In the course of the exercise, a Marine become severely wounded and McShane moved quickly to control the chaotic site, while confirming tourniquet placement and inspecting the pressure dressings on the wounded Marine. His calmness, leadership and tactical knowledge were vital in stabilizing the Marine prior to the air medical evacuation to the local hospital. He currently serves with the U.S. Martine Corps’ 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The details of the honorees brave actions were provided by the USO.

Posted on by Press Release

ATTLEBORO, Mass. — All NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour teams will carry the name of a fallen hero on their roof decal this Saturday, May 29, at Jennerstown Speedway. As part of a partnership with Operation Vet NOW Inc. (OVN), JDV Productions — led by Josh Vanada — and NASCAR, the fourth race of the Whelen Modified Tour season will be the Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV.

The race — which comes on Memorial Day weekend — will honor those lost fighting in war for the freedoms of the United States of America, and beyond. Some of the heroes that will be on the Modifieds hit close to home for the drivers — with some carrying the name of their lost family members.

The list of heroes includes members of the Air Force, Marine’s, Army and Navy, with a mix of Captains, Majors, Staff Sergeants, Corporals, Master Sergeants, Sergeant 1st Class, Warrant Officers, Seaman, Lieutenant’s and more. The list includes heroes who earned the Medal of Honor, Silver Star and Bronze Star — and some who were a Prisoner of War or Missing in Action. It should be a special day for all involved. As the race day draws near, promoters have come together to release a list of the fallen heroes that will be honored on Saturday (see below).

RELATED: PIT BOX: Wide-open race on tap for Jennerstown Speedway

J.B. Fortin, who is in the middle of his third straight year of full-time Whelen Modified Tour racing, returns to Jennerstown for the third time in his career, looking to earn his first top-10 at the Pennsylvania oval. Fortin will carry the name of Air Force Airman First Class Gerard J Fortin — his grandfather — for Saturday’s event.

It’s a special moment for J.B. and the entire Fortin family. His father, John Fortin Sr., is coming off a win in NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series action at Riverhead Raceway last weekend, and the entire team is ready to honor their family member with a strong run in his honor.

“It’s big for me, and it would mean a lot to me to go out there and have a good run, especially on a weekend like this,” J.B. Fortin said. “My grandfather was my best friend when I was younger… we were inseparable. I actually have a tattoo with the Air Force symbol on my arm with his name on it. He never really got to see me race, moving down to Florida before I really got going. When NASCAR approached me and asked what name I would like to carry, I told them right away I was using my grandfather. No doubt about it.”

As previously released, two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore will carry the name of Air Force Staff Sergeant David Weiger, and Weiger’s family will also be in attendance on Saturday’s as a Gold Star Family. Both of Weiger’s parents, and his brother, will be at Jennerstown Speedway to watch Bonsignore wheel the No. 51 Phoenix Communications machine.

Jon McKennedy, driving for Tommy Baldwin Racing, will carry the name of Army Sergeant Jason McClary — while McClary’s brother will be in attendance. The Wing Man & Name sake of Army Warrant Officer James L Darcy will be at the track, with Ron Silk carrying his name on top of his Kevin Stuart Motorsports No. 85 for the 150-lap affair.

Craig Lutz, Tyler Rypkema and six-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby will carry the name of a hero who earned the Medal of Honor — the highest honor in the United States military from 1863 to current — with just over 3,500 awarded the honor.

Additional names may be added to the list if additional entries are received prior to race day. As of Tuesday, May 25, 23 cars are entered for the Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV.

Operation Vet NOW Inc. (OVN), a non-profit organization established to reduce veteran suicide and improve the overall wellness of veterans, regardless of era served, through innovative outreach experiences. OVN concentrates on veterans who suffer from the invisible injuries of PTSD, TBI, combat and transition stress issues, and mental health concerns, stemming from military service, connecting them to heal their mind, body and soul.

RELATED: Justin Bonsignore To Carry Fallen Service Member Staff Sergeant David Wieger’s Name at Jennerstown Speedway

As part of a one-day show, the Jennerstown local Late Models and Modifieds will also join the action. Practice begins at 2:45 p.m. for local divisions, with the only Whelen Modified Tour practice of the day set from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole qualifying, which will be single-car time trials, is set for 5:45 p.m. Following tour qualifying, local divisions will race, and the green flag in the Jennerstown Salutes 150, presented by DGV, will drop at 7:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are $30 for adults, with advance tickets now on sale at JDVProductions.com. A discounted ticket of $27 will be offered for Active Duty Military and Veterans. Tickets will also be available at the gate on the day of the race. Pit passes will be sold at the track only and are also available to the general public. There are no capacity restrictions in place for the event. The race will also air to a live audience on NBC Sports Gold through their TrackPass platform, which will include a special opening ceremony.

For more information on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, visit nascar.com. For more information on JDV Productions, visit JDV Productions on Facebook and follow at JDVProductions.com.

CONFIRMED FALLEN HEROES ON WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR CARS AT JENNERSTOWN:

01 — Melissa Fifield — Air Force Captain Frederick A Reid
07 — Patrick Emerling — Air Force Major James A Crew
1 — Woody Pitkat — Marine Staff Sergeant Robert L Babula
2 — Chuck Hossfeld — Private 1st Class Marine Paul A Gilbert
5 — Kyle Ebersole — Lance Corporal Marine Abram Howard
7 — Jon McKennedy — Army Sergeant Jason McClary
10 — Doug Coby — Air Force Master Sergeant John Chapman
14 — Scott Wylie — Army First Lieutenant James R Kalsu
22 — Kyle Bonsignore — Lance Corporal Marine Joshua T Twigg
32 — Tyler Rypkema — Army Sergeant 1st Class Randall Shughart
34 — JB Fortin — Air Force Airman First Class Gerard J Fortin
36 — David Sapienza — Air Force Staff Sergeant Dashawn Briggs
45 — Timmy Catalano — Army Sergeant First Class Brent Adams
46 — Craig Lutz — Army Private 1st Class Melvin Brown
51 — Justin Bonsignore — Air Force Staff Sergeant David Wieger
54 — Tommy Catalano — Army Sergeant First Class Justin K Bluementhal
58 — Eric Goodale — Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy
64 — Timmy Solomito — Air Force Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchin
77 — Max McLaughlin — Navy Seaman Ralph L Hann
78 — Walter Sutcliffe — Army Specialist Christopher A Golby
82 — Anthony Nocella — Army Staff Sergeant Stevon Booker
85 — Ron Silk — Army Warrant Officer James L Darcy

 

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Due to logistical challenges resulting from the ongoing pandemic, NASCAR has shifted the second race in the Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, originally scheduled to take place in Ontario, Canada at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, to Darlington Raceway. The race will be the first of a Sunday Playoffs doubleheader at Darlington and will begin at its originally scheduled time (Sunday, Sept. 5, 1:30 p.m. ET, FS1). The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will kick off its 10-week playoff run later that evening (6 p.m. ET, NBCSN).

RELATED: Camping World Truck Series schedule

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will open a trio of races at The Lady In Black on Labor Day Weekend when cars hit the track on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Darlington Raceway also hosted all three NASCAR national series for Throwback Weekend, May 7-9. In the Friday night NASCAR Camping World Truck Series affair, Sheldon Creed took home his first victory of 2021 after outdueling Ben Rhodes on the final two restarts of the race.

The Camping World Truck Series Playoffs get underway at World Wide Technology Raceway on Friday, Aug. 20 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular season continues this Friday, May 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET from Charlotte Motor Speedway, airing live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The NASCAR Cup Series highlights Memorial Day Weekend festivities at Charlotte Motor Speedway when the world’s best drivers compete in one of NASCAR’s most storied races, the Coca-Cola 600, on Sunday, May 30 at 6 p.m. ET, live on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Posted on by Terrin Waack

AUSTIN, Texas — NASCAR managed Mother Nature’s temper Sunday the best it could.

As the Cup Series made its race debut at the Circuit of The Americas’ 3.41-mile road course, it also took on its first true rain race in the modern era. Teams were equipped with proper wet-weather tires, but the circuit’s 20 turns were still slippery given the amount of water sustained. And the required windshield wiper couldn’t do much to help visibility issues if teams chose to turn it on.

The EchoPark Texas Grand Prix ultimately ended prematurely, as Chase Elliott was named victor with 14 laps remaining in the 68-lap event.

“I would kind of own the fact that maybe we did let it go a little too long there before we did something,” said Scott Miller, NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition. “But it’s a learning experience for all of us. We will learn. We will be better next time.”

RELATED: Chase Elliott wins rain-shorted COTA debut

Officials threw the yellow flag for safety on Lap 54 and quickly changed it to red for track-drying purposes. The race was called not long after the volume of water was deemed too much to continue.

Overall, there were five cautions for 13 laps. That doesn’t seem like much, considering one was for a car stalling early and two were for stage breaks. The initial cause for concern were the wrecks in Stage 2.

On Lap 19, there were two incidents. Christopher Bell ran into the rear of Ryan Blaney, and Bubba Wallace crashed into the back of Kevin Harvick.

“We don’t have any business being out in the rain, period,” Harvick said in the garage. “All I can say is this is the worst decision that we’ve ever made in our sport that I’ve been a part of, and I’ve never felt more unsafe in my whole racing career, period.”

Said Miller post-race: “Harvick has his right to his opinion. I don’t think that’s probably an opinion that’s universally shared among the drivers, and we certainly don’t want to put anybody in harm’s way out there. It’s a tough job for us to balance — a competitive event, a good show for the fans and the drivers’ best interest.”

Cole Custer and Martin Truex Jr. were then involved in a Lap 25 accident that saw Truex’s car get lifted and Custer’s car set fire. Truex bumped the rear of Michael McDowell after he checked up, which slowed Truex to a point where Custer drove into him.

McDowell (seventh) and Blaney (17th) went on to complete the race. Truex, Custer, Harvick, Bell and Wallace had their days cut short and made up the 35th through 39th finishing positions in order. They were all able to exit their vehicles under their own power and were also evaluated at the infield care center before being released.

“If you get in a crash, you’re going to say that, and rightfully so,” third-place Joey Logano said of Harvick’s comments. “They have a point. You can’t see and you crash, it becomes dangerous, yes. … Just like your superspeedway stuff. There is no difference, right? There’s moments where it’s just dangerous, and we need to continue to look to find ways to be better at it.”

The main obstacle here: Drivers couldn’t see well, especially when at full speed with rooster tails. Miller said NASCAR is already thinking about ways to solve that problem — such as looking into where the water is emanating from and seeing if there’s a way to cut the spray down.

RELATED: NASCAR explains why it called the race early

Hydroplaning was another topic of discussion, but that has to do with standing water more than anything and goes back to judgement calls by NASCAR.

Miller does not envision what happened Sunday preventing NASCAR from racing in the rain again. There are five more road-course stops left on the schedule, starting with Sonoma Raceway in two weeks, and that’s where rain-racing opportunities could soon arise.

“All the time, I say this is the safest sport when it comes to automobile racing,” Logano said. “No. 1. NASCAR is No. 1. But we’re that way because of that mentality to be better, better and better.”

Posted on by Staff Report

Jennerstown Speedway returned to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule last year for the first time in 15 years, and immediately proved to be the wild card track on the slate.

Not only were there two different winners, eight different drivers scored a top five and 15 different drivers walked away from the Pennsylvania track with at least one top 10.

Eric Goodale and Patrick Emerling head to the fourth race of the 2021 season tie atop the championship standings, but averaged a 14.5 finish at Jennerstown last year with a best run of 12th by Emerling in the second race.

What does that all mean for Saturday night’s Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV? The first of two trips to western Pennsylvania could further shake up an already unpredictable championship race.

RELATED LINKS:

The race will take on special significance as part of Memorial Day weekend. In special partnership with Operation Vet NOW Inc., event-promoter JDV Productions will honor those lost serving the country in war, while also keeping in mind those who are currently serving, or suffering from effects from war, including but not limited to PTSD, TBI, mental health, and combat and transition stress issues.

The race will include special appearances by Gold Star Family members and each NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars will each carry the name of a veteran lost in war.

RELATED: Justin Bonsignore To Carry Fallen Service Member Staff Sergeant David Wieger’s Name at Jennerstown Speedway

Fans can attend the race (buy tickets) as well as watch the race live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.

Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Just two drivers – Craig Lutz and Justin Bonsignore — walked away from Jennerstown with a pair of top five finishes. Fittingly, each visited Victory Lane. Bonsignore lead all 133 laps in the opener, crossing the finish line 1.1776 seconds ahead of runner-up Lutz. Bonsignore led the first 110 laps of the return before Lutz got past him. Bonsignore faded to fifth, and Lutz held off Dave Sapienza in a late sprint to the finish.

Jennerstownsalutes150logofinal

Fast forward to the return to the track, and the two drivers responsible for winning nine of the 14 races from Aug. 31, 2019, through last year have yet to break through this season.

Lutz has had tough luck this year, and will look to Jennerstown to get that turned around. Bonsignore watched a win at his home track, Riverhead Raceway, slip away to Doug Coby in the closing laps.

Just 14 points separate Goodale and Emerling from sixth-place Tommy Catalano.

Among that group is Kyle Bonsignore and Coby. On the outside looking in are a trio of expected championship contenders in Jon McKennedy (eighth, 26 points back), Ron Silk (10th, 34 points out) and Lutz (12th, 44 points behind). Silk was sixth in the 2020 opener and then notably elected to skip the return trip. He wound up rebounding from a slow start to the season with top three runs in the final five races.

That

RACING REFERENCE:

RACE FACTS

RACE Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV
PLACE Jennerstown Speedway in Jennerstown, Pa.
DATE Saturday, May 29, 2021
TIME 7:15 p.m. ET
TV/LIVE STREAM TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold (live) / NBCSN – (Thursday, June 3, 5 p.m. ET)
TRACK LAYOUT 0.522-mile paved oval
LAPS 150
MILES 78.3
EVENT SCHEDULE Saturday, May 29 — Garage opens: 1:15 p.m. ET; Practice: 3:30-4:30 p.m.; Qualifying: 5:45 p.m.; Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV: 7:15 p.m.
TWITTER @NASCARRoots, @jtownspeedway, @_TrackPass

RELATED:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV is limited to 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 Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV. 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.

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 rollover to the next event and will continue to rollover 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 Terrin Waack

AUSTIN, Texas — For 21 seasons, Petty Enterprises’ record 268 NASCAR Cup Series win remained untouched.

On Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports notched its own 268th victory to tie Petty Enterprises for most all-time at the sport’s top level. The driver of the team’s No. 9 Chevrolet, Chase Elliott, equaled out the playing field when he was declared victor of the rain-shortened Circuit of The Americas race in Austin, Texas. It marked Hendrick Motorsports’ fifth triumph in 2021.

“The boss has been on us heavy about that record,” Elliott said. “He wants that record, so super glad that we could help with that.”

RELATED: Chase Elliott wins rain-shortened COTA race

Rick Hendrick’s Hendrick Motorsports has fielded entries since 1984. Richard Petty’s Petty Enterprises competed from 1949-2008; its last win was in 1999.

Hendrick has 13 titles, with the latest coming in 2020 by Elliott, while Petty’s 10th and final was in 1979 by The King, himself. Both organizations were home to a seven-time champion — Petty and Jimmie Johnson.

Petty Enterprises set the bar. Hendrick Motorsports met it.

“I really don’t know what to say other than Richard Petty and that organization have been the backbone of the sport,” Hendrick said. “Richard has done so much. It’s quite an honor to even be in the same series with him.

“Never thought we’d get here, but real proud of the guys.”

COTA was Elliott’s first win of the season. The additional four in-house victories are split among his three teammates — Alex Bowman (two), William Byron and Kyle Larson, who placed second to Elliott at COTA.

Bowman actually led Hendrick Motorsports’ first-ever 1-2-3-4 finish last week at Dover International Speedway. That has only ever happened three other times in the sport’s history, once in the modern era.

“I think it’s the best it’s ever been for us, to have a balance of four cars that are running that well,” Hendrick said. “We usually had one or two — Jeff’s domination, Jimmie’s dominating.”

Jeff Gordon stands as Hendrick Motorsports’ winningest driver with 93 to his name. Johnson then follows with 83. Both spent their entire career with Hendrick.

Elliott is then tied with Terry Labonte for third-most at 12 wins.

RELATED: All of Hendrick Motorsports’ wins by driver

Elliott’s recent trophy actually achieved yet another milestone, this one for Chevrolet. The manufacturer now has 800 wins — the series’ best mark by 92 (Ford).

“They’re a great partner to me personally,” Elliott said. “They’ve played a massive role in the success of Hendrick Motorsports, past and present. A great group to work with, so super proud of them.

“Obviously there’s a lot of guys — a lot more guys than me — that have contributed to that banner.”

Chevrolet’s 400th, 500th, 600th and 700th milestone victories were thanks to Hendrick Motorsports drivers. Labonte tallied No. 400 at Richmond Raceway in 1994, Gordon hit 500 at Watkins Glen International in 2001, Kyle Busch notched 600 at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2007, and Johnson grabbed 700 at Texas Motor Speedway in 2012.

In fact, every Hendrick Motorsports win was powered by a Chevrolet, dating back to Geoffrey Bodine’s first trip to Victory Lane in 1984 at Martinsville Speedway.

“The support from Chevrolet has been awesome all these years,” Hendrick said. “They’ve always been there. I appreciate that a bunch. You stick with a manufacturer, you go through times where you think your car is not as good, then you hit a streak and you get it all figured out.”

Hendrick Motorsports currently seems to have it all figured out with Chevrolet. All four of its drivers are provisionally locked into the playoffs with 14 races down and 12 to go in the regular season. No chance any one of them is taking his foot off the gas either; a crown jewel awaits.

The annual Coca-Cola 600 is Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM).

“Man, I don’t know,” Hendrick said. “It would sure be nice to win another one in Charlotte. That would be the place to really break the record.”