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NASCAR playoffs roll into Talladega with cloud of lawsuit hanging over sport
Read full article: NASCAR playoffs roll into Talladega with cloud of lawsuit hanging over sportIt’s most fitting that NASCAR this weekend races at Talladega Superspeedway, site of one of the first major disputes between drivers and the top stock car series in the United States.
Front Row buys NASCAR charter to expand to 3 Cup Series cars in '25, does not disclose seller, price
Read full article: Front Row buys NASCAR charter to expand to 3 Cup Series cars in '25, does not disclose seller, priceFront Row Motorsports has purchased a charter that will expand the NASCAR team to three cars in the Cup Series in 2025.
MJ for the win: Reddick pulls off a Talladega buzzer-beater for Michael Jordan
Read full article: MJ for the win: Reddick pulls off a Talladega buzzer-beater for Michael JordanTyler Reddick stole a victory at Talladega Superspeedway when front-runner Michael McDowell, swerving up and down the track trying to block Brad Keselowski, wound up crashing with the finish line in sight.
Daniel Suarez edges Blaney, Busch in thrilling 3-wide finish to claim Cup Series win at Atlanta
Read full article: Daniel Suarez edges Blaney, Busch in thrilling 3-wide finish to claim Cup Series win at AtlantaDaniel Suarez edged Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide finish to win a crashed-filled NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Michael McDowell finally wins first NASCAR Cup Series pole in Atlanta in 467th career start
Read full article: Michael McDowell finally wins first NASCAR Cup Series pole in Atlanta in 467th career startMichael McDowell says his first NASCAR Cup Series pole in his 467th career start wasn't a surprise.
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.
Hamlin wins at Bristol as reigning NASCAR champion Joey Logano eliminated from playoffs
Read full article: Hamlin wins at Bristol as reigning NASCAR champion Joey Logano eliminated from playoffsDenny Hamlin won NASCAR’s playoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway while two former champions were eliminated Saturday night.
McDowell dominates Brickyard 200 for 2nd NASCAR crown jewel victory
Read full article: McDowell dominates Brickyard 200 for 2nd NASCAR crown jewel victoryMichael McDowell raced to his second NASCAR crown jewel victory Sunday, dominating the Brickyard 200 — and putting himself in the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Elliott advances in NASCAR playoffs with Talladega victory
Read full article: Elliott advances in NASCAR playoffs with Talladega victoryChase Elliott raced his way into the next round of the playoffs with a victory Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway in the first clean race yet of this year’s postseason.
Jones holds off ex-JGR teammate Hamlin to win at Darlington
Read full article: Jones holds off ex-JGR teammate Hamlin to win at DarlingtonErik Jones took the lead when Kyle Busch’s engine blew up, then pulled away from Denny Hamlin after a final restart 20 laps from the end to win the opening NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Darlington Raceway on Sunday night.
Larson wins rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen
Read full article: Larson wins rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Watkins GlenKyle Larson beat Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott on a restart with five laps to go and won the weather-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen International on Sunday.
Briscoe races to first Cup win, pulls away late in Phoenix
Read full article: Briscoe races to first Cup win, pulls away late in PhoenixChase Briscoe raced to his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, executing two great restarts over the final 20 laps to pull away from Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.
Truex leads 1-2-3 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing at Richmond
Read full article: Truex leads 1-2-3 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing at RichmondMartin Truex Jr. assumed the lead when Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch was penalized with about 50 laps to go and won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.
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.
Chase Elliott wins rain-shortened NASCAR Cup debut in Austin
Read full article: Chase Elliott wins rain-shortened NASCAR Cup debut in AustinChase Elliott raced to a short and slippery victory Sunday as rain spoiled the end of NASCAR’s debut at the Circuit of the Americas, where drivers struggled to navigate the winding course in the first rain race in Cup Series history.
One year later, NASCAR reflects on a COVID-changed sport
Read full article: One year later, NASCAR reflects on a COVID-changed sportLarson wasn't sure he'd race in NASCAR again until Rick Hendrick took a chance on a him. Last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Larson raced to his first NASCAR victory since he was reinstated from a nearly yearlong suspension. He was hired by Hendrick Motorsports when NASCAR said the suspension would lift at the start of this year. KEEP IT COOLLast year's spring race in Phoenix was a hot one, with temperatures pushing close to 90 degrees. ... Jason Biggs, host of “Cherries Wild” on NASCAR broadcast partner Fox, is the grand marshal.
Kyle Larson celebrates return with 1st win since suspension
Read full article: Kyle Larson celebrates return with 1st win since suspensionLAS VEGAS – Kyle Larson wasn't sure he'd ever race again in NASCAR, and if he could, he didn't know who would even hire him. On Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Larson raced to his first NASCAR victory since he was reinstated from a nearly yearlong suspension. “Thanks Mr. H. for believing in me,” Larson radioed to boss Rick Hendrick after crossing the finish line. Larson is considered one of the top talents in NASCAR but won just six times in six seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing. “He got in a great car, he's a great driver and he's going to make things happen,” runner-up Brad Keselowski said.
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.
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.
Bell snags first Cup victory in another surprise Gibbs win
Read full article: Bell snags first Cup victory in another surprise Gibbs winBell won in his second race driving for Joe Gibbs Racing to give the team a pair of surprising victories at Daytona International Speedway. Ty Gibbs, the 18-year-old grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, won the Xfinity Series race Saturday night in his first career national series start. “I've prepared my whole life for this moment to race in the Cup Series, last year was such a learning curve for me. Kevin Harvick finished sixth and AJ Allmendinger, in his first Cup race since the 2018 season finale, finished seventh. It was the highest finish in three Cup races for Kaulig Racing, an Xfinity Series team formed in 2016 that wants to be full-time Cup next season.
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.
Bubba Wallace becomes first Black driver to lead lap at Daytona 500
Read full article: Bubba Wallace becomes first Black driver to lead lap at Daytona 500Bubba Wallace checks his helmet before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bubba Wallace ran into trouble early and late in his first Daytona 500 driving for Michael Jordan. He still came out of NASCAR's marquee race with another milestone, becoming the first Black driver to lead a lap in the Daytona 500. Wallace dipped to the low line late in the second stage to grab the lead on lap 129 in the No. Wallace got caught up in a fiery, chaotic last lap and finished 17th in a race won by Michael McDowell. Wallace had a solid first two-thirds of the rain-delayed race at Daytona International Speedway after a tumultuous start in Jordan's debut race.
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.
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. – 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 Wallace’s 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.
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.
Road king: Elliott wins at Daytona for 3rd straight on road
Read full article: Road king: Elliott wins at Daytona for 3rd straight on roadNASCARs most popular driver won the Cup Series road course race at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, holding off hard-charging Denny Hamlin following a late restart and notching his third consecutive victory away from ovals. The 24-year-old Elliott also won on road courses at Charlotte and at Watkins Glen last year. Elliott, Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. had the cars to beat. Making up that kind of ground on a 14-turn, 3.61-mile road course was a nearly impossible tough task, especially considering Elliott was turning mistake-free laps at the front of the field. Newman was one of the few Cup drivers with experience on Daytonas road course.
Unpredictability ahead as NASCAR gets on Daytona road course
Read full article: Unpredictability ahead as NASCAR gets on Daytona road courseNASCAR takes to the retooled road course at Daytona this weekend for what surely will be a unique unprecedented, really experience for dozens of drivers who have only raced it online. The Xfinity Series race is Saturday, followed a day later by the Truck Series and the Cup Series. Both ran the Rolex 24 endurance race on the road course in January. Kenseth and Ryan Newman have victories on the Daytona road course, each winning IROC races in the mid-2000s. While Busch and Allmendinger surely provided teammates help learning the tracks nuances, many teams eager to gain an advantage turned to road course experts for assistance this week.
Leavine Family Racing to close at end of 2020 season
Read full article: Leavine Family Racing to close at end of 2020 seasonCHARLOTTE, N.C. – Leavine Family Racing has sold its NASCAR team but will finish the season with driver Christopher Bell. Team owner Bob Leavine made the announcement Tuesday, saying he could not risk his 41-year-old construction business by continuing to fund the team. Leavine is the second team owner to close its doors after aligning with Joe Gibbs Racing. Leavine Family Racing has competed in NASCAR since 2011, making its debut with David Starr at Texas Motor Speedway. Leavine Family Racing is winless in 240 Cup starts.
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.