Posted on by Terrin Waack

Welcome to NASCAR, Antonio Williams.

The NFL running back released a video on Twitter late Thursday night that shares his backstory and reasons for partnering with Joe Graf Jr., driver of the No. 07 SS Green Light Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Their relationship began before the 2021 season began in February, as Williams became an official investor in Graf’s racing career.

The 2-minute video closed with: “YEAR OF THE UNDERDOGS. TO BE CONTINUED.” Friday afternoon, Williams and Graf announced Z Grills will sponsor Graf for several races this season, beginning at Phoenix Raceway on March 13.

RELATED: NFL’s Alvin Kamara supportive of NASCAR’s push for inclusion

Watch Williams’ full video below.

A product of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Williams joined the Buffalo Bills in 2020. He was released on Aug. 5 — the day after his grandfather died, he shares in the video.

“Two uppercuts back to back,” Williams said. “Twenty-two years old, chasing a dream. But man, I was hurting. All I wanted to do was be around my family at that point.”

As he drove from New York to North Carolina, Williams thought about his grandfather’s legacy.

“His love for NASCAR, me growing up with him watching it continued to flash over and over in my head,” Williams said. “With the platform I have from the NFL, I knew I had a shot of getting something done I probably couldn’t have done before. I wanted to continue his push and love for NASCAR by finding a way to join the sport, and that led to this connection with Joe. That’s what started all this — the continuation of my grandfather’s legacy, the start of a great friendship and partnership and the growth of hunger to get back in Buffalo and get on the field.”

The Bills have since re-signed Williams.

Graf is two races into his second full-time season. He finished 11th in the opener at Daytona International Speedway, then 20th on the Daytona Road Course. He has one career win the ARCA Menards Series from 2018 at Berlin Raceway in Michigan.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ next event is Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway — the Contender Boats 250 at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Graf will fire off from the 16th starting position.

Williams isn’t the first non-NASCAR public figure to recently join the sport. NBA legend Michael Jordan and Grammy-winning superstar Armando Perez — a.k.a. Pitbull — are both team co-owners in the NASCAR Cup Series. NFL running back Alvin Kamara has sponsored an entry in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, as well. They’re all new for 2021.

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 26, 2021) – NASCAR announced today a multiyear partnership with DoorDash, the nation’s leading last-mile logistics platform, that will designate it as the “Official On-Demand Delivery Platform of NASCAR.” The wide-ranging agreement will span across the sanctioning body and 11 NASCAR-owned facilities.

Over the course of their partnership, DoorDash and NASCAR, two of the fastest-growing brands with Gen Z consumers*, will collaborate meaningfully to empower local communities. Additionally, DoorDash will look to deepen its connection with race fans by bringing the DoorDash experience to NASCAR tracks over the coming years through highlighting local restaurants within racing communities.

2021 Feb26 Doordashsign Main“DoorDash is a category leader and one of the fastest growing brands in the country, their expanded presence in NASCAR underscores the incredible momentum being generated around this historic season,” said Frank Kelleher, senior vice president and chief sales officer, NASCAR. “Together, NASCAR and DoorDash are committed to giving back to the communities in which we race while drastically improving the fan experience at our facilities.”

DoorDash entered the sport in 2020 by announcing a partnership with NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and a founding partnership of 23XI Racing. The DoorDash logo is prominently featured on the hood of the No. 23 DoorDash Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, seen during the first two points races of the season at Daytona International Speedway.

“This partnership enables us to expand our engagement and build a further connection with the racing community, while activating against our values of diversity and empowering local communities,” said Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, DoorDash’s VP, Marketing. “We are committed to leveraging our platform and resources to create a more inclusive environment for racing fans in the coming years and look forward to working with NASCAR to create unique and authentic experiences for fans and food-lovers alike.”

As part of the relationship, DoorDash will also activate across NASCAR’s rapidly growing social and digital platforms. Additionally, eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series broadcasts will integrate DoorDash branding throughout the remainder of its season. DoorDash also joins the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council, bringing together an exclusive group of Official NASCAR Partners to construct business-to-business opportunities and co-marketing programs.

*Source: Morning Consult, 2020

Tune-in to the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN.

Posted on by Staff Report

The NASCAR Cup Series is heading to Miami! Join us this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on FOX for the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR RaceDay pre-race action begins at 2 p.m. on FS1 before switching the coverage over to FOX at 3 p.m.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 267 laps with Stage 1 ending on Lap 80 and Stage 2 on Lap 160.

RELATED: Homestead-Miami weekend schedule | See every Homestead-Miami winner

WHO’S ON THE POLE THIS SUNDAY?

Last summer, Denny Hamlin led 137 laps in the 2020 Dixie Vodka 400 en route to a dominating victory. This year, he gets to start right where he left off. Without qualifying for this weekend’s race, Hamlin and the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team’s metrics earned them their first Busch Pole Award of the season. See the full starting lineup.

BUY TICKETS

Limited tickets and special offers are on sale now for this weekend’s slate of races. Want to be a part of the race weekend? Visit the Homestead-Miami Speedway ticket site or sign up to participate virtually by using the NASCAR Mobile App.

MARVELOUS IN MIAMI

Only six active Cup Series drivers have made their way to Victory Lane at the South Florida track and just Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin have multiple wins there. Like Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick each raced their way to title-winning victories in Miami. Kurt Busch also has a win at the 1.5-mile track. In fact, Kurt Busch is the only of those drivers to win on the track prior to its repave in 2003.

Will one of these drivers continue the exclusive trend or will an outside contender have something to say about it? Perhaps another young star?

ODDS
Hamlin’s hot start to 2021 has the veteran leading the books at 5-1 heading into the weekend, according to BetMGM’s NASCAR betting odds. Chase Elliott at 11-2, Kevin Harvick at 6-1, Martin Truex Jr. at 7-1 and Kyle Larson at 17-2 fall in just behind to round out the top five.

RULES PACKAGE

The rules package for intermediate-sized tracks will be in effect with a tapered spacer used to set a target of 550 horsepower. The cars will use aero ducts in addition to other aerodynamic devices to increase downforce. 

GOODYEAR TIRES

Cup Series teams have 10 sets of Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials for the 400.5-mile race. One of the most high-wear tracks on the circuit, Homestead-Miami presents an interesting challenge to teams looking to gain position on tire strategy throughout the race.

“Homestead has produced some of the best racing we have seen in NASCAR over the past several years,” said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing.  “As we have all seen, tires wear significantly at Homestead.  That leads to some cars being fast at the beginning of the run, while others are faster at the end of the run.  That’s all based on a driver’s ability to manage his tires – some guys are just better at that than others.”

NUMBERS TO KNOW

— This is the third time in Cup series history that the first two races of the season were won by first-time winners. The other two were in the first two years of the sport (1949, 1950).

— Of the drivers to win in the last six Miami races, only Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart are a current crew chief pairing. The duo won from first at Miami in 2020, making it the third time the race winner started on the pole.

— Alex Bowman and Martin Truex Jr. have both finished top 10 in the last four 1.5-mile races, the longest active streaks.

— Four of Ryan Preece’s seven career top-10 finishes have come in the last 10 races and he has already scored 74 points in 2021, a tally it took him eight races to reach a season ago.

Stats provided by Racing Insights 

FANTASY LIVE

Another week means another chance to beat the competition and show off your crew chief instincts. Take control of your very own team each week with NASCAR Fantasy Live — it’s free to play! Learn everything you need to know at fantasygames.nascar.com.­

2021 fantasy points leaders: Denny Hamlin (104), Joey Logano (85) and Kevin Harvick (75).

ALSO ON NASCAR.COM

Get additional camera views by logging on to NASCAR Drive, where each week a select number of in-car cameras will be available – as well as a battle cam and an overhead look.

New for this season, NASCAR has partnered with LiveLike to add fan engagement in the NASCAR Mobile App. Log in to the mobile app during the race for polls, quizzes, the cheer meter and more – and see instant results from NASCAR fans like you.

 

Posted on by Terrin Waack

Don’t be fooled: Steve Letarte has no intentions of returning atop the pit box full time.

The only reason he agreed to do so this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway is that friends at Spire Motorsports asked for his help. Ryan Sparks, crew chief of Spire’s No. 7 entry in the Cup Series, will be sidelined due to NASCAR’s COVID-19 protocols for Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400 (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Somebody else needed to help driver Corey LaJoie with the team’s Chevrolet at the track.

“While I guess I’m given this title of crew chief; I don’t want to diminish the role that all the crew chiefs throughout the garage area do 24/7, 365 to do their jobs,” Letarte said Thursday during a Zoom teleconference. “I’m by no means the crew chief of the 7 car. I’m filling in for one race and one day. It’s Ryan Sparks’ team. It’s Ryan Sparks’ car. It’s Ryan Sparks’ setup. All I’m really doing is managing the day and managing the race for Corey.”

MIAMI: Weekend schedule | Betting odds | Paint schemes

LaJoie is in his third full-time season at the sport’s top level, but this is his first year with Spire. He finished ninth in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway two weeks ago and then 31st at the Daytona Road Course last week.

Letarte joined as a consultant at Spire when co-owners Jeff Dickerson and T.J. Puchyr decided to upgrade into a two-car organization for 2021. The shop now houses the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolets. Letarte’s full-time job is with NBC Sports as an analyst.

NBC Sports takes over NASCAR coverage June 20 at Nashville Superspeedway.

“I don’t believe I’m going to carry a lot of knowledge from the booth to the pit box,” Letarte said. “What I’m really looking forward to — to be 100 percent honest — is everything I’m reminded and perhaps learn from the pit box that I can carry into the booth. I think that’s the direction information will flow.”

Letarte was a crew chief from 2005-14, with nine full-time seasons. He worked with Jeff Gordon (not during any of his four championship runs), Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Regan Smith (just two starts as a fill-in for Earnhardt in 2012). Letarte tallied 10 wins with Gordon and five with Earnhardt.

That was 218 races ago. Letarte is for sure going to be in communication with Sparks since he’s allowed to chat from home.

“Look, it has been six years,” Letarte said. “The sport has moved weekly, monthly, yearly. It moves so fast. This is more of a race-management role. I’m going to be leaning on Ryan and what he feels the correct adjustments match up with his car. The most important thing is to make sure I don’t create any story lines.”

Posted on by Reid Spencer

Though only 22 years old, Santino Ferrucci already has a long history in motorsports, but none of that experience has come in stock cars.

A professional driver since age 14, Ferrucci spent two years as a test driver for the Haas F1 team, before turning to IndyCar full-time in 2019. That same year, he finished seventh in the Indianapolis 500 to earn Rookie of the Year honors.

In 2020, he ran fourth in the Indy 500. His only experience in a full-bodied car, however, was a super late model test for Fury Race Cars last year. Nevertheless, Ferrucci will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in Sam Hunt Racing’s No. 26 Toyota in Saturday’s Contender Boats 250 (4:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

RELATED: Santino Ferrucci joins Sam Hunt Racing for 2021 limited schedule

Last Saturday, Ty Gibbs won the Xfinity Series race on the Daytona Road Course in his first start in the series, but Gibbs had winning experience in stock cars in the ARCA Menards Series. Ferrucci doesn’t have that luxury. 

“It’s tough showing up at Homestead cold turkey,” said Ferrucci, who will compete in the next five Xfinity races. “But my knowledge as a race car driver will always remain from everything I’ve done in my career—how to look at building cars, how to set cars up, my feelings from driving, my knowledge of how to do pit stops, how to race. None of that will go away, which is nice.”

RELATED: Homestead-Miami weekend schedule

Ferrucci won’t even get a chance to drive the car until Saturday, though he has spent time in the Toyota simulator.

“I’ve only got to sit in the car a bunch of times,” Ferrucci said during a video conference with reporters on Tuesday. “I don’t even have my firesuit yet. It’s kind of a funny process, but we don’t have too many expectations going into Homestead. 

“You just want the car to come back in one piece, log some laps for us. We have five in a row, so there’s no sense in throwing away your first race trying to do something spectacular. It’s all about trying to be consistent and building up to it slowly.”

Ty Gibbs won’t be racing at Homestead this week. Another Ty — Ty Dillon — will be behind the wheel of the No. 54 Toyota Supra, assuring that Joe Gibbs Racing will have plenty of firepower. JGR’s Harrison Burton won the first of two races in one Homestead weekend last season, with the schedule compressed after a 10-week hiatus forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Burton’s most formidable competition is likely to come from Team Penske’s Austin Cindric, who opened the defense of his 2020 series championship with a victory on the Daytona oval and ran second to Gibbs on the road course. As the current series leader, Cindric will start from the pole in Saturday’s race.

Posted on by Reid Spencer

Denny Hamlin had a chance to make history in the 2021 Daytona 500.

A victory in The Great American Race would have given the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota an unprecedented three straight. Hamlin ran well, sweeping the first two stages, but he was in fifth place when a last-lap caution made a winner of opportunistic Michael McDowell.

As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400 (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Hamlin has a shot at another record. With three victories at the 1.5-mile track, he is tied with Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart for most wins at the venue, which has hosted Cup events since 1999.

MIAMI: Weekend schedule | Paint schemes | Betting odds

Boosting his chances, Hamlin expects the season’s first race on an intermediate speedway to run closer to last year’s form than either the Daytona 500 or the Daytona Road Course event, both of which produced first-time winners (McDowell and Christopher Bell). Kevin Harvick led the series with nine Cup victories last year, followed by Hamlin with seven.

“I think it will be more status quo on where we were last year,” Hamlin said. “That doesn’t mean me and Kevin, since it’s a mile-and-a-half, that we are going to dominate. With the mid-tier teams, this is where the resources that they don’t have will come into factor a little bit more.

“I don’t think I would call the 20 car (Bell) mid-tier, and I don’t think I would call the 34 (McDowell) a shock, because we were at a superspeedway. I think the winners list is like, ‘Oh wow, where (are) our superstars?’ But we are about to get into a chunk of the season where you are going to start to see some of your normal winners in the bracket.”

Also arguing in Hamlin’s favor is his starting spot. With fifth- and third-place finishes, paired with his strength in the stages of the first two races, Hamlin leads the series standings and will start from the pole at Miami. That’s exactly where Hamlin started last year, when he collected his third win at the track.

In fact, seven of the winners in 22 Homestead-Miami Cup races have started from the front row, three from the pole and four from the second spot. That’s good news for Joey Logano, whose victory at Homestead in 2018 locked up the series championship. Logano starts second on the grid Sunday.

Nor can you ignore the “rim riders” who have had success running the wall at the 1.5-mile track. Tyler Reddick finished fourth at Miami last year after claiming back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series titles by winning at the track. Kyle Larson, notorious for running the wall, has three top-five finishes in seven starts there.

ANALYSIS: Why Tyler Reddick could make it three first-time winners in a row 

Posted on by Track Release

CONCORD, N.C. — Continuing to build upon one of the most anticipated weeks of the 2021 NASCAR schedule, Speedway Motorsports announced EchoPark Automotive, Pit Boss® Grills and FEVO as the official entitlement partners for NASCAR’s inaugural May 21-23 race events at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

“The first-ever NASCAR at COTA race week is one of the most anticipated events on the revolutionary 2021 NASCAR schedule,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “We are proud to announce new partnerships with EchoPark Automotive, Pit Boss® Grills and FEVO. These innovative, dynamic companies join us as entitlement partners to introduce NASCAR fans around the world to Circuit of The Americas.

“From fans to drivers to business partners, we’ve seen a surge of excitement around COTA since the race week was first announced last fall,” added Smith. “EchoPark, Pit Boss® and FEVO are best-in-class brands that will help us create an experience like no other when stock car racing stampedes to Austin in May.”

EchoPark Fuels Excitement with Cup Series Race Sponsorship

Headlining the can’t-miss weekend, EchoPark Automotive will be the title sponsor for the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race contested on the world-renowned road course. The EchoPark Texas Grand Prix will be the grand finale for a weekend of white-knuckled, edge-of-your-seat racing and provide the fast-growing automotive retailer a national sports marketing platform.

EchoPark Automotive specializes in pre-owned vehicle sales providing below-market pricing, high-quality vehicles and an unmatched guest experience. EchoPark now operates 19 locations across 10 states, including six retail centers in Texas.

Through the partnership, EchoPark receives naming rights to the inaugural event, as well as entitlement for the NASCAR on FOX FS1 broadcast. The pre-owned vehicle retailer will also receive signature signage at the circuit, VIP dignitary roles and premium hospitality to entertain select customers and business partners. EchoPark will also execute a national in-store campaign to promote NASCAR’s first trip to Austin, Texas.

“Bringing NASCAR to Circuit of The Americas is a ground-breaking move by Speedway Motorsports,” said Sonic Automotive and EchoPark Automotive President Jeff Dyke. “Like our high-speed growth and revolutionary approach to pre-owned vehicle sales through EchoPark, this race will be history-in-the-making and we are proud to put our name on it.”

“Just like the committed fanbase of NASCAR racing, EchoPark is building a strong foundation of loyal guests across the United States, many of whom return for a second or third vehicle,” added Dyke.

“The EchoPark Texas Grand Prix will put a national spotlight on EchoPark and the race. It will be a sports experience like no other, similar to the unparalleled guest experience at our retail stores and at EchoPark.com.”

Pit Boss® Grills Named Entitlement Sponsor for Xfinity Series Showdown

Pit Boss® Grills has secured entitlement rights to the Pit Boss 250 scheduled for Saturday, May 22. The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) showdown will feature NASCAR’s rising stars battling for the first time on the grueling 3.41-mile long, 20-turn circuit. As the fastest-growing brand in the grilling industry, Pit Boss® Grills offers the best value per square inch in the pellet grill market with a distinctly customer-driven approach, like the over-the-top value fans will receive on a full-throttle Saturday at COTA highlighted by the Pit Boss 250.

The Dansons, Inc. subsidiary will also receive premium suite-level hospitality for entertaining guests and signature display and promotional opportunities on property throughout the race weekend.

Through the agreement, Pit Boss® Grills also becomes the official grill of Speedway Motorsports (SM) with exclusive promotional rights plus display opportunities at all SM sports entertainment venues.

“Pit Boss® is blessed to partner with Speedway Motorsports and Circuit of The Americas for the Pit Boss 250 this May,” said Dansons President Jeff Thiessen. “Race fans love barbecue and wood pellet grilling. As the official grill of NASCAR and now Speedway Motorsports, we are proud to bring these audiences together. Not only is Austin one of the barbecue capitals of the world, but it is also a community where Pit Boss® already has a distinct and established relationship. Also, like Dansons, both NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports are proud family-owned businesses, making this partnership a natural fit.”

“Speedway Motorsports owns and operates tracks in key markets for our company, including Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee, as well as, in emerging regions for our brand in California and Nevada,” Thiessen added. “Our company is truly blessed to be aligned with a family-owned business of this caliber and we believe this partnership is a win-win for both parties. We cannot wait to see what 2021 has in store for our companies.”

FEVO to Kick Off the Weekend with FEVO Friday

Speedway Motorsports also announced that the weekend will kick off with FEVO Friday. Fans will be treated to a full day of on-track action as drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series turn their first-ever laps on the winding COTA course. FEVO Friday will also feature two practice sessions for the IMSA-sanctioned Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Series. FEVO Friday is part of a larger partnership that establishes FEVO as the exclusive group ticketing platform for Speedway Motorsports across its nationwide group of speedways.

“FEVO is thrilled to welcome Speedway Motorsports to our community and we’re looking forward to bringing in countless groups of fans to attend events for years to come,” said Ari Daie, President and CEO for FEVO. “Not only has Speedway Motorsports proven to consistently set the standard when it comes to owning and operating sports entertainment venues, but their vision for the future of motorsports is admirable and we’re happy to be an integral part of it.”

The May 21 FEVO Friday schedule of premier NASCAR and IMSA Series practice sessions is a prelude to the jam-packed, May 22 Saturday schedule consisting of NCS practice, plus NXS qualifying and the Pit Boss 250 NXS race, as well as NCWTS and Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series qualifying and races. Sunday, May 23, will be the culmination of the weekend featuring NCS qualifying, a second Lamborghini race and the first NCS race, the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix, in COTA’s illustrious history. Announcements regarding on-track timing for the complete weekend schedule will be made at a later date.

TICKETS:

Single-day general admission tickets start at just $25 for FEVO Friday, $30 on Saturday and $70 on Sunday. Three-day packages for adults start at only $99. Kids 12 and under get in free on Friday and Saturday and for just $10 on Sunday.

Fans can purchase tickets online at NASCARatCOTA.com or by calling the ticket office at (833) 450-2864.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with NASCAR at COTA and get the latest news by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

Posted on by Terrin Waack

Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell have set an early tone for 2021. NASCAR’s two winners so far are both first-time Victory Lane visitors in the Cup Series, and they just so happened to double-down in Florida at Daytona International Speedway (oval vs. road course). It marked the first time in the sport’s modern era (1972-present) a duo of first-time winners kicked off a season.

Dating back to the overall start – NASCAR held its first race in 1949 – there have only been two other instances where the schedule opened up with a pair of first-timer winners, and that was in 1949 and 1950, when every winner was basically a first timer.

MIAMI: Weekend schedule | Betting odds | Paint schemes

Fast forward to the present, the series returns to the Sunshine State this Sunday for its Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and it’s not out-of-this-world crazy to think yet another first-timer breaks through.

Hey, Tyler Reddick. Pressure is on.

The two-time Xfinity Series champion is in his second season at the Cup Series level, driving the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, and should have all the justifiable confidence heading to Miami. His two titles were won at the 1.5-mile track in back-to-back years (2018-19). His other Xfinity shot there was a fourth-place result in 2017, and he still led a second-best 18 laps.

Then, from his Camping World Truck Series days (2014-16), Reddick has two additional top-five finishes (second and third) and then a top-10 finish (sixth, in his first Miami start).

Yes, the Xfinity and Truck Series ranks are very different from the Cup Series.

So, in his one Miami start so far against NASCAR’s best, Reddick accomplished a fourth-place showing, even leading twice for three circuits. Denny Hamlin (first), Chase Elliott (second) and Ryan Blaney (third) – Elliott, the 2020 champion; all, 2020 race winners – finished ahead of him. Reddick’s average running position was 3.9.

MRN: Tyler Reddick looks to bounce back  

After starting from the 24th position, Reddick was third at the end of Stage 1 and second at the end of Stage 2. That, paired with his final finish, produced his best 2020 points day (50).

Fourth overall matched his second-best performance on the year. His top was a runner-up finish at Texas Motor Speedway, a 1.5-mile track like Miami. Throughout 2020, there were 11 events on that track length. Reddick ranked tied for 12th in top fives (two) and tied for 11th in top 10s (four) among all full-time drivers. He then came in tied for 13th in points (283) and posted an average finish of 14.8.

Reddick’s odds to win Miami are 25-1, according to BetMGM, which is tied for ninth-best among Sunday’s field. That’s better than the odds McDowell and Bell faced entering their recent victories. McDowell was 66-1 for the Daytona 500. Bell was 50-1 for the Daytona Road Course.

Again, it’s not astronomically crazy to think NASCAR could see yet another first-time winner this weekend in the state of Florida. It would just casually be a first since the inaugural season’s completion there are three at the very beginning of the year.

Posted on by Data Skrive

Riley Herbst finished fifth in the BrakeBest Brake Pads 159 At DAYTONA Presented by O’Reilly at DAYTONA Road Course Friday. Herbst did not add any points to his season total as he has declared for the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Herbst started in 25th position and led one lap in the race. The fourth-year driver has accumulated two top-five and four top-10 finishes in his career.

Riley Herbst Driver Page | NASCAR Results | NASCAR Standings

Herbst made his career debut at DAYTONA Road Course in Saturday’s race.

The Las Vegas, Nevada native began the race 11 spots behind his career mark of 13.9, but finished six places ahead of his career average of 10.7.

Herbst’s fifth-place finish was against a field of 40 drivers. The race endured 10 cautions and 20 caution laps. There were nine lead changes.

Ben Rhodes brought home the win in the race, and Sheldon Creed took second. John H. Nemechek crossed the finish line third, with Todd Gilliland taking fourth place. Herbst rounded out the top five.

After John H. Nemechek won Stage 1, Raphael Lessard drove the No. 24 car to the win in Stage 2.

Posted on by Staff Report

Bristol Motor Speedway will hold heat races Saturday and practices Friday as part of its NASCAR dirt-race weekend, the track announced Wednesday. On March 27, both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will conduct four, 15-lap heat races to determine the starting lineup for each main race. On March 26, both series will hit the track for practice sessions that fans can buy tickets to attend.

RELATED: Cup Series schedule | Buy tickets for Bristol

The Bush’s Beans Qualifying heat races for Sunday’s Food City Dirt Race in the Cup Series will be held that Saturday at 6, 6:15, 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. ET. The heat races for Saturday’s Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt for the Camping World Truck Series will be held at 4:30, 4:45, 5 and 5:15 p.m. ET. The Truck race is scheduled for later Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and a limited amount of tickets are still available.

NASCAR will announce more details on the format at a later date.

Friday’s Bush’s Beans practice sessions will feature both series in action and a limited number of tickets available for $15 each in the socially distanced grandstand. The Cup Series cars will be on the track at 4:05 p.m. ET and 6:35 p.m. The Truck Series will take centerstage at 3:05 p.m. and 5:35 p.m.

Friday’s practices and Saturday’s qualifying heat races will all lead up to Sunday’s running of the Food City Dirt Race (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). It’ll mark the first time the Cup Series has run on dirt since September of 1970.

MORE: Photos of Bristol’s transformation to dirt