INSIDER
NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace not sharing details of last altercation with Aric Almirola
Read full article: NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace not sharing details of last altercation with Aric AlmirolaBubba Wallace refused to discuss the details of the physical altercation in late May that led to the suspension of Aric Almirola by Joe Gibbs Racing.
Noah Gragson to get 2nd chance in NASCAR after personal growth journey following suspension
Read full article: Noah Gragson to get 2nd chance in NASCAR after personal growth journey following suspensionNoah Gragson has spent the last five months working on personal growth and maturity after his โlikeโ of an insensitive meme of George Floyd nearly cost him his NASCAR career.
Truex wins pole at Martinsville as he again faces championship elimination in NASCAR playoffs
Read full article: Truex wins pole at Martinsville as he again faces championship elimination in NASCAR playoffsFor the third time in this yearโs playoffs, NASCAR regular season champion Martin Truex Jr. is facing elimination and wondering how his title chances have exploded spectacularly.
Elliott still looking for 1st 2023 win as he returns to home track in Atlanta
Read full article: Elliott still looking for 1st 2023 win as he returns to home track in AtlantaChase Elliott says he canโt rely on repeating last summerโs success, starting with his home track at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as his path to NASCARโs playoffs.
Josh Berry finally lands his big NASCAR break as Kevin Harvick's replacement in Cup Series
Read full article: Josh Berry finally lands his big NASCAR break as Kevin Harvick's replacement in Cup SeriesJosh Berry will take the final step in his long journey to the top of racing with Stewart-Haas Racing next season as the replacement for future NASCAR Hall of Famer Kevin Harvick.
Top teams not worried when NASCAR Cup Series takes only break in grinding schedule
Read full article: Top teams not worried when NASCAR Cup Series takes only break in grinding scheduleThe relentless grind of the NASCAR Cup Series pauses this week, and just about everybody involved with the cars is looking to take advantage.
William Byron wins at Las Vegas as Hendrick dominates
Read full article: William Byron wins at Las Vegas as Hendrick dominatesWilliam Byron took the lead on the second-to-last lap of overtime to win the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas and put an exclamation mark on a dominant day for Hendrick Motorsports.
Joey Logano beats Kyle Busch in overtime at Gateway
Read full article: Joey Logano beats Kyle Busch in overtime at GatewayJoey Logano jockeyed for the lead with Kyle Busch in overtime, got around him for good just before the white flag flew and cruised to the victory Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series debut at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Bowman edges Larson in OT to win NASCAR race at Las Vegas
Read full article: Bowman edges Larson in OT to win NASCAR race at Las VegasAlex Bowman beat NASCAR champion Kyle Larson in a door-to-door overtime battle at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that sent Hendrick Motorsports to victory lane for the second consecutive week.
Under darkness, Almirola pulls off shocker at New Hampshire
Read full article: Under darkness, Almirola pulls off shocker at New HampshireWith darkness closing in, Aric Almirola sprung to life late Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and pulled off a surprise for Stewart-Haas Racingโs first victory of the year.
Byron gives NASCAR another surprise winner at Homestead
Read full article: Byron gives NASCAR another surprise winner at HomesteadWilliam Byron was the third surprise winner through three races this season with his victory Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Byron controlled most of the final two stages at Homestead to win for the second time in 111 Cup starts. Byron entered the weekend as a 28-1 shot to win a race many expected would provide a return to normal for the racing series. The Roush Fenway Racing driver led five times for a total of 57 laps, but he started to fade "when as sunset neared. He ended up getting X-rays, which were negative, and was cleared to work the Cup Series event.
The Latest: Keselowski has no regrets about Daytona 500 end
Read full article: The Latest: Keselowski has no regrets about Daytona 500 endRacers crash during the last lap in the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. โ The Latest on the Daytona 500 (all times local):12:35 a.m.Brad Keselowski has no regrets about the way he handled the final lap of the Daytona 500. ___12:15 a.m.Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500 after Penske Racing teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski wrecked on the final lap. ___3:25 p.m.Derrike Cope was knocked out after only three laps, an ignominious end for the 62-year-old driver who won the 1990 Daytona 500. ___2 p.m.Bubba Wallaceโs car failed inspection twice for the Daytona 500 and will have to start at the back of the field. AdWallace drives a new entry owned by NBA great Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
Hiccup for Hendrick Motorsports ahead of Daytona 500
Read full article: Hiccup for Hendrick Motorsports ahead of Daytona 500Alex Bowman and William Byron were slated to lead the Daytona 500 field to green but that's in danger following Thursday night's qualifying races. Byron was collected in a crash in the second Duel and it ruined his Chevrolet. AdAustin Cindric and Kaz Grala both earned their first berths into the Daytona 500 by claiming the two available transfer positions in the Duels. He was the leader on the final lap of the second Duel until Dillon crossed to Wallaceโs inside and inched ahead. โWeโve got an incredible race car and I canโt wait for the Daytona 500.โ
Jones lands iconic No. 43 with Richard Petty Motorsports
Read full article: Jones lands iconic No. 43 with Richard Petty Motorsports43 next season for Richard Petty Motorsports, a pairing of a driver and a team both in need of fresh starts. 43 next season for Richard Petty Motorsports, a pairing of a driver and a team both in need of fresh starts. The loss of Wallace could have crippled RPM, the cash-strapped team co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty. Jones won rookie of the year in the Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series, as well as the Truck Series championship. Richard Petty took on a series of different investors beginning in 2009 for re-branded Richard Petty Motorsports, which last put the No.
Elliott wins at Roval as champ Busch bounced from playoffs
Read full article: Elliott wins at Roval as champ Busch bounced from playoffsChase Elliott won on the hybrid road course-oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Busch and three others were trimmed from title contention. Elliott, meanwhile, won for the second consecutive year at โThe Rovalโ and third time this season. โBest way to get into the next round is to win,โ Elliott said. Bowman battled anxiety through the race as he worried Kyle Busch would win and bump him from the playoffs. When Busch didn't pit, Bowman nervously asked his Hendrick Motorsports team if he was about to be eliminated.
NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off elimination
Read full article: NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off eliminationBusch doesn't need to win on the โRovalโ to advance, but there's only five races remaining for him to improve his season. The Sunday forecast calls for an 80% chance for rain and the road course portion of the Roval permits NASCAR to race in wet conditions. The Cup drivers have never before used rain tires in competition. NASCAR stopped the Xfinity Series race for about 40 minutes Saturday so its track dryers could push water off the racing surface. "What is the drainage like at that racetrack through the infield road course?
Talladega briefly stopped after 13-car crash and wall damage
Read full article: Talladega briefly stopped after 13-car crash and wall damageTALLADEGA, Ala. โ NASCAR's playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway was briefly red-flagged so a wall could be repaired after Kurt Busch went airborne in a 13-car crash. The melee Sunday required a welding truck go onto the track to repair a damaged section of the wall. Busch smashed into the outside wall, was hit from behind and his car launched over the car of Cole Custer. Busch, winner of last week's playoff race at his home track of Las Vegas, is the only driver already locked into the third round of the playoffs. โThat's the nature of the sport โ you are on top one week and the next week you are at Talladega,โ Busch said.
Kurt Busch ends 0-for-21 skid to finally win at home track
Read full article: Kurt Busch ends 0-for-21 skid to finally win at home trackLAS VEGAS โ Two decades of heartbreak at his home track finally ended for Kurt Busch when a little bit of luck fell his way at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Busch then took the checkered flag to the finish line and smacked it on each of the letters in Las Vegas. Kyle Busch appreciated the milestone his older brother achieved in finally winning at Las Vegas. Not only had Kurt Busch never won before at Las Vegas, but he had just five top-10 finishes before the win. โIt was pretty cool to finally see him get a victory here in Las Vegas and score a hometown win.
Harvick takes Southern 500 after leaders Elliott, Truex bump
Read full article: Harvick takes Southern 500 after leaders Elliott, Truex bumpHarvick didnt dominate the Southern 500 in his series-best eighth victory of the season. The leaders got tangled up there and the next thing you know we were racing for the win, Harvick said. PLAYOFF PUSHAlmiorola is now squarely on the bubble ranked 12th among the 16 drivers after the first playoff race. BLANEY PENALTYBlaney's title chances took a hit just hours before the first playoff race began. UP NEXTThe second playoff race is at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night.
Playoffs begin with 14 drivers chasing Harvick and Hamlin
Read full article: Playoffs begin with 14 drivers chasing Harvick and HamlinKevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin are expected to race head-to-head for the NASCAR Cup title when the 10-week playoff series begin Sunday at Darlington Raceway. That theoretically leaves the 14 other drivers racing for just two spots in the winner-take-all race. Busch joins his older brother, Kurt, Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer and DiBenedetto as drivers without a win as the playoffs begin. Logano won twice in the first four weeks of the season, while Elliott scored his two wins after racing resumed. Others have been labeled dark horses, but Truex has very quietly made himself a strong challenger to Harvick and Hamlin.
Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'
Read full article: Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Racing at Daytona International Speedway always comes with a hefty dose of drama. Nearly half the field is looking to clinch a postseason berth with a victory, including seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson. Crazy things will happen.Thats exactly what NASCAR envisioned when it moved Daytonas summertime extravaganza to the regular-season finale. Cup races at Daytona already were considered wild-card events in which just about anyone could end up in victory lane. Throw in the raised stakes, and it's sure to create an ultra-intense couple of hours on the track.
Harvick holds off Hamlin for Michigan doubleheader sweep
Read full article: Harvick holds off Hamlin for Michigan doubleheader sweepBROOKLYN, Mich. Kevin Harvick won just about everything he could in a stellar weekend at Michigan International Speedway, although fittingly, Denny Hamlin was the last driver to pressure him. Harvick held off Hamlin on Sunday to complete a doubleheader sweep in the NASCAR Cup Series. With NASCAR running an adjusted schedule because of the coronavirus, both Michigan races were held on the same weekend. That meant Harvick became the first driver since Richard Petty in 1971 to win back-to-back Cup races on consecutive days. Its been a long time since Ive raced back-to-back days, let alone in the Cup car, Harvick said.
Keselowski still seeking 1st win at home track in Michigan
Read full article: Keselowski still seeking 1st win at home track in MichiganKeselowski still hasn't won a Cup race in his home state, and it seems like every year that is a story when NASCAR comes to Michigan. I was actually talking to Joey Logano about it, because I won last weekend at his home track in New Hampshire. Normally, Michigan hosts races in June and August, but the pandemic pushed them both onto the same weekend this year. The races in Michigan always take on a special importance for Ford, which has swept the MIS Cup races each of the past two years. DOUBLEHEADERMichigan is set to become the second track in series history to run a doubleheader at the same facility on back-to-back days.
Dillon leads 1-2 RCR finish in Cup race before fans at Texas
Read full article: Dillon leads 1-2 RCR finish in Cup race before fans at TexasDillon raced to his third career win and first since Daytona at the start of the 2018 season. On the final restart, Dillon got a good jump and raced to the checkered flag ahead of his rookie teammate and some veteran drivers. After leading six times for 150 laps, both highs for the race, Blaney finished seventh. It was 30 degrees warmer than it was on March 29, when the race had been scheduled before the pandemic. The spectators were spread out along the frontstretch, which was fully shaded late in the race, and there were also people in about 40 suites.
Harvick, Hamlin still predictable Cup favorites at hot Texas
Read full article: Harvick, Hamlin still predictable Cup favorites at hot TexasFORT WORTH, Texas Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin can easily be considered favorites for the first summertime race at Texas, even in this unpredictable and unprecedented NASCAR Cup season. There are no rules changes from last year for the aerodynamic or engine packages used at Texas, where Hamlin won in the spring before Harvick won his third consecutive fall race there. We will take into account weather and all that stuff to figure out what kind of car we need to take to that race track to be successful, said Hamlin, who won both Texas races in 2010. Harvick, who has an 88-point lead over Brad Keselowski this season, paced a 1-2-3 finish for Stewart-Haas Racing at Texas last November. When Harvick takes the green flag Sunday, he will become the 18th driver to make his 700th career Cup Series start.
Wallace crashed out of chance of racing for $1 million prize
Read full article: Wallace crashed out of chance of racing for $1 million prizeBRISTOL, Tenn. Bubba Wallace was wrecked out of the qualifying race for NASCARs annual All-Star event, ruining his shot of racing for the $1 million prize. One driver advanced into the All-Star race through a fan vote and Wallace had been leading when results were last updated by NASCAR a week ago. Aric Almirola advanced by winning the first stage, William Byron for winning the second stage and Matt DiBenedetto for winning the third stage. Crowd estimates for that event have been around 10,000 spectators, but the NASCAR race would likely be the largest sporting event in the United States since March. Meanwhile, Martin Truex Jr. failed inspection twice and forfeited the top starting spot in the All-Star race.
NASCAR Cup rookie Cole Custer wins in upset at Kentucky
Read full article: NASCAR Cup rookie Cole Custer wins in upset at KentuckySPARTA, Ky. Cole Custer became the first rookie winner in the NASCAR Cup Series in nearly four years, surging to the lead in a four-wide, final-lap scramble Sunday at Kentucky Speedway. The victory was the first by a series rookie since Chris Buescher at Pocono on Aug. 1, 2016. Making his 20th series start, the 22-year-old Custer celebrated with a frontstretch burnout as his crew happily ran to greet him. That didn't last long as Truex quickly stalked him on the last-stage restart and took over on 181 in hopes of his third Kentucky win in four years. Truex settled for watching Custer take the win.
Wallace, NASCAR's agent of change, doing 'what feels right'
Read full article: Wallace, NASCAR's agent of change, doing 'what feels right'(AP Photo/John Bazemore)LONG POND, Pa. Being an agent of change in NASCAR cuts both ways for Bubba Wallace. To others, the 26-year-old Wallace represents something else entirely and he has seen plenty of haters out on social media over his career. Its just what I feel in my heart, what feels right, Wallace said Friday. Its not like I wanted to be in this position or asked to be in this position, Wallace said. Lets get away from what happened at Talladega, Wallace said.
Keselowski wins 600 to extend Johnson's losing streak
Read full article: Keselowski wins 600 to extend Johnson's losing streakKeselowski extended Jimmie Johnson's losing streak to 102 races by holding off the seven-time NASCAR champion in overtime early Monday to win the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race on the NASCAR schedule. It was the first win for Keselowski this season, his first Coca-Cola 600 victory and the first win at this event for Ford since 2002. I wanted to win the 600 my whole life and wanted to win in front of everybody, Keselowski said. But almost two hours after the race, NASCAR disqualified Johnson because his Chevrolet failed post-race inspection. I was a lap-and-a-half away from winning the 600, Elliott said.
NASCAR picks up at tricky Darlington after 10-week hiatus
Read full article: NASCAR picks up at tricky Darlington after 10-week hiatusFILE - In this May 11, 2012, file photo, drivers take the green flag for the start of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. NASCAR will re-fire the engines moments after mask-clad drivers climb into their cars at Darlington Raceway. (Tyler Barrick/Pool Photo via AP, File)DARLINGTON, S.C. NASCAR will not be as you remember it when racing returns at old egg-shaped Darlington Raceway. He tested at Darlington shortly before the season was suspended and determined then he was fit to race again. Busch and Hill are adding Xfinity Series races at Darlington and Charlotte, and a Truck Series race at Charlotte to their calendar. His only victory so far this season was the Truck Series race at home track Las Vegas.