Changes to the Chase

Today at the State of the Sport address, NASCAR announced the changes to the Chase for the Championship. Sixteen drivers will enter the Chase which will still start at Chicagoland in the fall. 15 of the top 16 will be race winners from the first 26 races that are in the top 30 in points. The 16th driver will be the points leader after the first 26 races if they do not have a win. Points will reset to 2,000 with 3 bonus points awarded for each race win. After Dover positions 13-16 will be eliminated from the Chase & points will reset to 3,000 for the top 12. After Talladega positions 9-12 will be eliminated & points will be reset to 4,000 for the top 8. After Phoenix positions 5-8 will be eliminated and points will reset to 5,000 for the top 4. In the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway the first of the remaining 4 drivers to cross the finish line will win the Sprint Cup.

FOX Sports Go to live stream Daytona 500

Fans who have the FOX Sports GO app on their phones, tablets & computers will be able to stream the Great American Race for the first time ever. Customers of participating video providers may access the live streams of the Daytona 500 through the FOX Sports GO app for iOS devices, as well as on desktops through FOXSportsGo.com.The popular NASCAR on FOX broadcast team of Mike Joy, NASCAR Hall-of-Fame driver Darrell Waltrip and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Larry McReynolds again call the race from the FOX Sports booth, while Tony Rivera, Luis Rodriguez and Diego Mejia call the action on-track all season long for FOX Deportes.Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip return trackside to the FOX Sports’ Hollywood Hotel, with Jeff Hammond providing special insider information from the garage and Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum in the pits.

 In 2014, FOX Deportes, the No. 1 U.S. sports network in Spanish, again offers coverage of 13 points-paying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, seven of which are carried live, including the DAYTONA 500.  In addition, FOX Deportes offers coverage of THE SPRINT UNLIMITED and DAYTONA 500 QUALIFYING.

Launched in October 2013, FOX Sports GO provides live streaming of FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, FOX Deportes and select FOX Sports broadcast events and programs so fans can take the games with them wherever they go. Subscribers of participating TV providers can enjoy access to live games and events through FOX Sports GO year-round.

To follow the event on Twitter, use the Hashtag #Daytona500 and follow @NASCARonFOX, @NASCAR and @DISUpdates.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Tonight Tim Flock, Jack Ingram, Dale Jarrett, Maurice Petty and Fireball Roberts will be inducted as the Class of 2014 to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The ceremony can be seen at 7pm/et on FOX Sports 1 & can be heard on on Motor Racing Network as well as the NASCAR SiriusXM Satellite channel.

Stewart to return at Daytona

Tony Stewart said his broken right leg will only be 65% healed by the time he's cleared to drive for Daytona Speedweeks, but the three-time NASCAR champion still believes he'll be fine once he gets back in the car. Stewart has a titanium rod in his leg, which will provide it enough strength to press the pedals -- which he said he's done "a million times already" in the race shop. But Stewart still won't be cleared to drive until Feb. 14, the day before NASCAR's season-opening Sprint Unlimited exhibition race. Because Stewart's leg isn't fully healed, the driver acknowledged there's a risk he could aggravate the injury to his leg, which he badly broke in an Aug. 5 sprint car crash in Iowa. But he cited injuries to Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. last season as proof healthy drivers can break bones, too. "This is an injury that's not healed 100% -- there's no bones about it," Stewart said before realizing he made a pun and chuckling. "But it is reality that it could get injured again." (USA TODAY 1-27-2014)

NASCAR Sprint Media Tour Live Video Schedule

Below is a schedule of live video conferences that will be streamed live at NASCAR.com

Monday, Jan. 27 

1:15 – 2:30 pm — Stewart-Haas Racing

3:15 – 4:30 pm — Leavine Family Racing; JTG Daugherty Racing

Tuesday, Jan. 28

8:30 – 9:45 am — Chip Ganassi Racing w/ Felix Sabates

10:30 – 11:45 am — Richard Childress Racing

3:15 – 4:15 pm — Furniture Row Racing

5:00 – 6:30 pm — Hendrick Motorsports

Wednesday, Jan. 29

8:30 – 9:45 am — Roush Fenway Racing

10:30 – 11:45 am — Richard Petty Motorsports

1:00 – 2:15 pm — Front Row Motorsports; Wood Brothers Racing

3:00 – 4:15 pm — Team Penske

9:00 pm — NHOF Induction Ceremony Post Event Press Conference

Thursday, Jan. 30

8:30 – 9:45 am — Michael Waltrip Racing

10:30 – 11:45 am — Joe Gibbs Racing

1:00 – 3:00 pm — NASCAR 

NASCAR reinstates Ty Norris

NASCAR announced today that it has reinstated Ty Norris, who was suspended indefinitely following the actions of Michael Waltrip Racing at the fall race in Richmond in 2013. Norris, an executive with MWR remains on NASCAR probation for an indefinite period of time. Norris made the following statement today "I appreciate NASCAR s action today and respect their position. I am focused forward and dedicated to the success of Michael Waltrip Racing and the continued growth of a sport that has been my home for the past 24 years."

Luke Bryan To Headline The DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan will electrify the crowd during the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, the prelude to the start of the "The Great American Race" at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 23rd. Bryan will perform several of his hits on pit road of the "World Center of Racing" prior to the start of the 56th annual DAYTONA 500 – the prestigious season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. All race fans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the DAYTONA 500 can enjoy Bryan’s DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show up close as well as driver introductions.

New NASCAR National Series Qualifying For The Coors Light Pole Award Unveiled

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2014) – In a move aimed toward enhancing the fan experience watching at the track and at home, NASCAR has announced a new group qualifying format for its three national series that is more compelling, more closely emulates actual on-track competition and underlines the sport’s on-going commitment to innovation.

 

At tracks measuring 1.25 miles in length or larger, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of three rounds:

• The first qualifying elimination round will be 25 minutes in duration and includes all cars / trucks. The 24 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap from the first qualifying round will advance to the second round.
• The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
• The second qualifying elimination round will be 10 minutes in duration and the 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap time will advance to the third and final round. The fastest remaining cars / trucks earn positions 13th through 24th based on their times posted in qualifying in descending order.
• The third and final qualifying round will be five minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.
• There will be a five-minute break between each qualifying round.

 

At tracks measuring less than 1.25 miles, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of two rounds:

•  The first qualifying elimination round will be 30 minutes in duration and includes all cars / trucks. The 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap time from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and final round.
• The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
• There will be a 10-minute break between the two qualifying rounds.
• The second and final qualifying round will be 10 minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time posted will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.

 

The new qualifying format does not apply to the Daytona 500, which will preserve its historic and unique qualifying format. Additionally, it does not apply to non-points NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events or the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway.

 

NASCAR previewed the concept of group qualifying with its national series teams late last fall and expects the new format will be a well-received improvement by its fans, competitors, tracks, sponsors and media partners.

 

“We believe the timing is right for a new qualifying format across our three national series,” said Robin Pemberton, vice president for competition and racing development. “This style of group qualifying has all the makings of being highly competitive and more engaging to our fans in the stands and those watching on television and online. For the drivers and teams, we believe this new qualifying will fuel even greater competition leading into the events. Additionally, it provides our tracks, broadcasters and other key partners with a greater opportunity to develop more entertaining content for our race weekends.”

Byrnes is back.

NASCAR on Fox personality Steve Byrnes took medical leave in September 2013 from his on screen duties for Fox Sports 1. Byrnes tweeted Monday afternoon, "My Radiologist called this afternoon. Great news...scans look good! Thank you all for you support, prayers and kindness. We are humbled!!!". Fellow NASCAR on Fox personalities have posted pictures with Byrnes from the RaceHub promo shoots. He will return to RaceHub next week and plans to be in Daytona for SpeedWeeks.

Bowman, Truex to drive for BK Racing

Alex Bowman and Ryan Truex will be driving for BK Racing for the 2014 Sprint Cup season. Bowman will pilot the newly renumbered #23 Dr. Pepper Toyota. Ryan Truex will pilot the # 83 Toyota. Both drivers tested with the BK Racing teams during Preseason Thunder testing earlier this month. Bowman and Truex will join a very exciting battle for the 2014 Sunoco Rookie of the Year title.

Opinion on the Chase

NASCAR has received a wide variety of criticism over the past week following the story posted by Jim Utter from the Charlotte Observer reporting that NASCAR was considering changing the Chase for the Sprint Cup. When the Chase debuted back in 2004, the first 10 in points along with anyone else within 400 points of the leader was eligible to win the championship. This changed in 2007, where the top 12 were entered in the Chase & 10 point bonuses were awarded for a race win. In 2011 NASCAR introduced the "wild card" where Chase positions 11 & 12 were awarded to the drivers who won the most races, but could not place in the top 10 in points. In 2013 NASCAR had to alter the Chase as a result of the actions of Michael Waltrip Racing, Penske Racing & Front Row Motorsports. These alterations removed Martin Truex Jr and added Ryan Newman along with a 13th driver Jeff Gordon.

Fast forward to today & NASCAR is evaluating new Chase scenarios. This will be the 5th chase revision in its 10 years in existence. While I do applaud NASCAR for trying to create the most exciting season finale every year, it is becoming a little ridiculous. NASCAR is the only major Motorsport that uses a "playoff" format to determine their champion. I think that they should just race all year with the same points, no resets or seeding by race wins or wildcard entries, as it had been done until 2004. If NASCAR does reset the points, do so for the whole field, that allows for a very wide variety of possible Sprint Cup Champions. If NASCAR wants to provide excitement to draw in fans, create exciting racing, the Gen-6 car is a great thing... keep developing it so that every single lap provides excitement.

 NASCAR stated on 1/18/2014 that they are discussing possible changes with industry stakeholders & an announcement on the changes & their decision on the future of the Chase will occur following the discussions.

NBC team taking shape

Key members of the team calling NASCAR action for NBC in 2015 have been announced recently. Current Fox Sports reporter Rick Allen will switch to NBC to call play-by-play. Driver turned analyst and respected figure in the garage Jeff Burton will provide a driver point of view. Joining them in the booth will be current crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports for the 88 car, Steve Letarte. Mike Massaro will switch from his studio role at ESPN to a studio role at NBC. Dave Burns will also be leaving ESPN to work on NBC's pit road team. NBC will broadcast the final portion of the season for the Sprint Cup & Nationwide Series from 2015 to 2024.

2014 Preseason Thunder Updates

Day 2

• Rain has delayed the morning session, NASCAR has extended today's testing until 9 pm eastern time.
• As of 1 pm cars are on the track!
• So far RCR & JGR own the top 5 spots on the leaderboard followed by Danica Patrick in 6th & Jimmie Johnson in 7th.
• The night session is now underway. Cars will be on track until 9 pm & it can be seen on FOX Sports 1.

Day 1

• Morning testing was delayed because of rain, but track crews currently have Air Titian track driers working on drying out the track surface.
• Update: Testing for Day 1 has been canceled, activities for Day 2 are still on schedule.

Stay tuned & check back throughout the day for updates of the Preseason Testing from Daytona International Speedway

Fox Sports 1 to Air 2014 NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona

From Jan, 9-11 the NASCAR on FOX team will bring viewers over 12 hours of coverage from Daytona International Speedway. The Sprint Cup Series & Nationwide Series will be participating in preseason testing from the 2.5 tri-oval in Daytona Beach, Fl. Jan 9th & 10th will feature the Sprint Cup test with Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy call the action from the booth , with Bob Dillner and Matt Yocum reporting from the pits and Jeff Hammond reporting from the garage. Rick Allen and analyst Hermie Sadler will speak with drivers, crew chiefs & other team members from a set setup in the garage. NASCAR Nationwide Series tests air on FOX Sports 1 from 3:00pm/et to 7:00pm/et on Saturday, Jan. 11, with Allen, Hammond and Phil Parsons in the booth, and Sadler, Dillner and Ray Dunlap reporting from the pits.