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NASCAR appeal officer upholds decision to revoke Austin Dillon's playoff berth after win at Richmond
Read full article: NASCAR appeal officer upholds decision to revoke Austin Dillon's playoff berth after win at RichmondAustin Dillon’s overly aggressive victory at Richmond Raceway won’t land him a spot in the Cup Series playoffs.
NASCAR regular-season title and playoff spots at stake down the stretch at Daytona and Darlington
Read full article: NASCAR regular-season title and playoff spots at stake down the stretch at Daytona and DarlingtonNASCAR has just two races remaining in the regular season and a pair of competitions are on the line.
Tyler Reddick wins rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Michigan, his 2nd victory of 2024
Read full article: Tyler Reddick wins rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Michigan, his 2nd victory of 2024Tyler Reddick took the lead on a restart in the second overtime to win at Michigan International Speedway, opening up another spot for a driver in NASCAR’s playoffs.
NASCAR Cup race at Michigan suspended until Monday after rain, rain wouldn't go away
Read full article: NASCAR Cup race at Michigan suspended until Monday after rain, rain wouldn't go awayNASCAR suspended the FireKeepers 400 until Monday, running out of time Sunday to run a race that was delayed and interrupted by rain.
NASCAR revokes Dillon's playoff eligibility; driver keeps controversial Richmond win
Read full article: NASCAR revokes Dillon's playoff eligibility; driver keeps controversial Richmond winNASCAR has ruled that Austin Dillon’s win at Richmond Raceway will not count toward eligibility for the Cup Series playoffs.
Dillon spins Logano on final lap, prevails in overtime at Richmond for first victory in 2 years
Read full article: Dillon spins Logano on final lap, prevails in overtime at Richmond for first victory in 2 yearsAustin Dillon raced to his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in nearly two years, sending Joey Logano into a spin on the final lap to win in overtime at Richmond.
Joey Logano, Michael McDowell lead Ford sweep of Daytona 500 front row. Hendrick is locked out
Read full article: Joey Logano, Michael McDowell lead Ford sweep of Daytona 500 front row. Hendrick is locked outFord has swept the front row in qualifying for the Daytona 500 with former race winners Joey Logano and Michael McDowell shocking powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports.
Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once enemies, now winning NASCAR combination
Read full article: Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once enemies, now winning NASCAR combinationRichard Childress and Kyle Busch were hardly on good terms 12 years ago, when they got into a fight after a Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway.
Tickets on sale for 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway
Read full article: Tickets on sale for 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International SpeedwayTickets are on sale now for one of the biggest events of the year at Daytona International Speedway, the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400.
Buescher wins Bristol; Harvick, Busch, RCR out of playoffs
Read full article: Buescher wins Bristol; Harvick, Busch, RCR out of playoffsChris Buescher closed out a bizarre first round of NASCAR’s playoffs in which none of the title contenders won a race by becoming the 19th winner this season with his victory Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Busch leaving Gibbs, Toyota to drive for Childress in 2023
Read full article: Busch leaving Gibbs, Toyota to drive for Childress in 2023Kyle Busch will move to Richard Childress Racing next season, ending a 15-year career with Joe Gibbs Racing because the team could not come to terms with NASCAR’s only active multiple Cup champion.
Wallace holds off boss, title contenders to win at Kansas
Read full article: Wallace holds off boss, title contenders to win at KansasBubba Wallace won his second career NASCAR Cup Series race and denied the playoff field of an automatic spot in the next round for the second straight week when he held off championship contenders Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell to win at Kansas Speedway.
Martinsville: Byron races to NASCAR Cup-leading 2nd victory
Read full article: Martinsville: Byron races to NASCAR Cup-leading 2nd victoryWilliam Byron took the lead on pit road after Stage 2 pit stops and held it pretty much the rest of the way at Martinsville Speedway to become the first repeat winner this season in NASCAR’s Cup Series.
Keselowski seeks another title round in final Penske season
Read full article: Keselowski seeks another title round in final Penske seasonBrad Keselowski is in the final two races of his NASCAR career with Team Penske and would love nothing more than to close his 12-year run with another Cup championship.
Denny Hamlin wins Southern 500 to open NASCAR Cup playoffs
Read full article: Denny Hamlin wins Southern 500 to open NASCAR Cup playoffsDenny Hamlin held off Kyle Larson after their cars hit nose to tail racing to the finish line Sunday night in the Southern 500 to open the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berth
Read full article: Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berthRyan Blaney won for the second consecutive week when the race Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway ended under caution in overtime with a typical fiery finish.
Blaney takes lead on final restart, holds on to win Michigan
Read full article: Blaney takes lead on final restart, holds on to win MichiganRyan Blaney took the lead from William Byron on a late restart and bobbed and weaved his way across the final seven laps to win at Michigan International Speedway.
Hendrick trio sets pace at re-opened Nashville Superspeedway
Read full article: Hendrick trio sets pace at re-opened Nashville SuperspeedwayWilliam Byron, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott paced the first ever Cup Series practice at Nashville Superspeedway in yet another display of how dominant Hendrick Motorsports is right now.
Rain swamps Bristol dirt track; NASCAR to try again Monday
Read full article: Rain swamps Bristol dirt track; NASCAR to try again MondayNASCAR canceled all Sunday activity because even if Bristol's converted dirt track could eventually be readied for night racing, the entire facility was a swampy mess. The first Cup Series race on dirt since 1970 was rescheduled for 4 p.m. Monday; trucks were set to run at noon. He openly fretted that a bad show at Bristol would damage the future of NASCAR dirt racing — and NASCAR itself seemed to admit it was a valid concern. Stewart, who has insisted Eldora can successfully host the Cup Series, declined to comment Sunday when reached by The Associated Press. “People need to understand this is not how dirt racing is and I think they need to try and appreciate how hard this is to pull off.
What a Mess: NASCAR worried about first Bristol dirt race
Read full article: What a Mess: NASCAR worried about first Bristol dirt raceAdBristol also made a bold change this year by converting its facility into a dirt race as part of radical changes to the 2021 schedule. NASCAR needed a major shakeup and the dirt race joined an influx of road courses and new venues for the most adventurous schedule in sport history. So when NASCAR broadcast partner Fox pushed for a dirt race on the Cup schedule, Speedway Motorsports said Bristol would be the guinea pig. “That's probably the most uncomfortable I've ever been in a race car,” said Kevin Harvick, running his first Truck Series race since 2015. The first NASCAR Cup Series points-paying sanctioned race in the inaugural 1949 season was on dirt at Charlotte (Old) Speedway.
NASCAR's 'unique' winners already altering playoff landscape
Read full article: NASCAR's 'unique' winners already altering playoff landscapeChristopher Bell celebrates at the finish line after winning the NASCAR Cup Series road course auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)HOMESTEAD, Fla. – NASCAR’s postseason landscape has been altered after just two Cup Series races. “The number of unique winners is really going to change how many cars get in on points, right? Although Bell drives for powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing, he was a rookie for that top team and in his second full season in the Cup series. The Cup Series opened on a superspeedway, then raced on a road course, and now heads to an intermediate track. Whether that’s different markets, different racetracks, it has to be different from year to year.
Allmendinger back at Daytona in 1st Cup race since 2018
Read full article: Allmendinger back at Daytona in 1st Cup race since 2018Allmendinger will run his first Cup race since the 2018 season finale in Kaulig's first Cup race not at a superspeedway. The longshot Daytona 500 win earned McDowell his first playoff berth and FRM now is positioned to build a once unthinkable cushion. This road course race was added to NASCAR's schedule in December because COVID-19 restrictions would not allow a stop at Fontana, California. AdThe Daytona road course was wedged into the open slot, creating two weekends of very different racing that very much suits Furniture Row. Dillon missed the Cup race in August because he'd received a positive COVID-19 test.
Michael McDowell beats 100-1 odds for upset Daytona 500 victory
Read full article: Michael McDowell beats 100-1 odds for upset Daytona 500 victoryDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Michael McDowell was glued to Brad Keselowski’s bumper, watching and waiting for his chance to win the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin was trying for a record third-consecutive Daytona 500 victory, and the team he started with Michael Jordan was debuting with driver Bubba Wallace. Kyle Larson was back after nearly a year in exile for using a racial slur, and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott was going for his first Daytona 500 win. And all the way at the back of the field, 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope made what he said would be his final NASCAR start. “I wanted to make the pass to win the Daytona 500 and it ended up really bad,” Keselowski said.
Cindric starts new season with big Xfinity win at Daytona
Read full article: Cindric starts new season with big Xfinity win at DaytonaAustin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Austin Cindric launched his bid for a second consecutive Xfinity Series title with a victory in Saturday night's season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Cindric makes his Cup Series debut Sunday in the Daytona 500. “What a way to start the season,” Cindric said. Cindric won the Xfinity Series debut on Daytona’s road course last August as well as a rallycross event early in his career. The 22-year-old has this final season in Xfinity before moving next year to Cup to drive for Penske-supported Wood Brothers Racing.
Drivers competing in the 2021 Daytona 500
Read full article: Drivers competing in the 2021 Daytona 500Austin Dillon (3) takes the checkered flag to win the second NASCAR Daytona 500 duel qualifying auto race Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 40 drivers competing in the 2021 Daytona 500, in order of starting position:___No. This is his 20th Daytona 500; he was hired days after Earnhardt's death. Son of two-time Daytona 500 champion and Hall of Fame driver Bill Elliott. Finished a career-best seventh in the 2017 Daytona 500, but has been 27th, 28th and 19th since. McLeodBORN: Nov. 17, 1983AdHOMETOWN: Wauchula, FloridaCREW CHIEF: Frank KerrSPONSOR: NASCAR HeatsTWITTER: @bjmcleod78NOTEWORTHY: Owner-driver racing in his third Daytona 500.
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 Wallace’s inside and inched ahead. “We’ve got an incredible race car and I can’t wait for the Daytona 500.”
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 “The Roval” and third time this season. “Best way to get into the next round is to win,” 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 “Roval” 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?
Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladega's longest race
Read full article: Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladega's longest raceDenny Hamlin (11) races William Byron (24) and Matt DiBenedetto (21) to the finish line during the YellaWood 500 NASCAR auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Talladega, Ala. Hamlin won. His sweeping three-wide pass in triple overtime Sunday brought an end to the sloppiest race of the season. “To win the championship, you have to win the last race and you have to get to the last race. But Talladega's finish line is unusually close to Turn 1 and Elliott had not made it there before a crash behind him. DiBenedetto was initially denied his first career victory a year ago by Hamlin the same week DiBenedetto learned he was out of a job.
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 – 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. “It was pretty cool to finally see him get a victory here in Las Vegas and score a hometown win.
NASCAR: Keselowski dominates in playoff win at Richmond
Read full article: NASCAR: Keselowski dominates in playoff win at RichmondRICHMOND, Va. – Brad Keselowski entered NASCAR's playoffs certain he has as good a chance at the Cup championship as favorites Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin. His confidence was correct as Keselowski indeed won Saturday night at Richmond, the second playoff race, and advanced into the second next round. Harvick, the title favorite, won last week’s opener to earn the automatic berth into the second round. Harvick, Hamlin and Keselowski are the only drivers locked into the next round of the playoffs. Harvick finished seventh.
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.
NASCAR drivers cautious of COVID-19 as playoffs begin
Read full article: NASCAR drivers cautious of COVID-19 as playoffs beginCHARLOTTE, N.C. NASCAR has decided it will not grant COVID-19 relief during the playoffs, meaning a positive coronavirus test will end a driver's championship bid. The playoffs begin Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina without a safety net for the 16 participants during the pandemic. Jimmie Johnson and Austin Dillon both missed one race during the season following a positive COVID-19 test and earned zero points. NASCAR made no changes for the 10-race playoff series, so missing a race would would effectively end a driver's championship chances. Johnson was not suffering symptoms but was tested after his wife received a positive test; Dillon was experiencing mild symptoms.
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.
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.
Denny Hamlin wins on a long day at Homestead
Read full article: Denny Hamlin wins on a long day at HomesteadHOMESTEAD, Fla. Denny Hamlin found the magic at Homestead-Miami Speedway, once again. Hamlin went to the lead for the final time with 30 laps left and held off Chase Elliott for his record-tying NASCAR Cup Series victory at Homestead. At Homestead, he led 137 of 267 laps on the 1 1/2-mile track in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. Most of those fans were gone when Hamlin drove under the checkered flag at 10:46 p.m., ending the marathon day. Austin Dillon had a day hell never forget, though his seventh-place finish wasnt even close to the most significant development.