2014 Fedex 400 Benefiting Autism Awareness Weekend Schedule

Friday, May 30
11:00 AM - 12:20 PM Fedex 400 PRACTICE (FS1)
12:40 PM Lucas Oil 200 QUALIFYING (FS1)
3:40 PM Fedex 400 QUALIFYING (FS1)
5:30 PM APPROX. 2014 Lucas Oil 200 (FS1)

Saturday, May 31
9:30 - 10:20 AM Fedex 400 PRACTICE (FS1)
10:40 AM Buckle Up 200 QUALIFYING (ESPN2)
12:30 - 1:20 PM Fedex 400 FINAL PRACTICE (FS1)
2:00 PM 2014 Buckle Up 200 Presented by Click It or Ticket (ESPN)

Sunday, June 1
1:00 PM 2014 Fedex 400 Benefiting Autism Awareness (FOX)

ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO TRACK

2014 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Weekend Schedule

Thursday, May 22nd
2:30 - 3:50 PM Coca-Cola 600 PRACTICE (FS1)
4:00 PM-5:00 PM History 300 PRACTICE (FS1)
5:30 PM-6:50 PM History 300 FINAL PRACTICE (FS1)
7:10 PM Coca-Cola 600 QUALIFYING (FS1)

Saturday, May 24
9:30 - 10:20 AM Coca-Cola 600 PRACTICE (FS1)
10:40 AM History 300 QUALIFYING (ESPN2)
1:00 - 2:00 PM Coca-Cola 600 FINAL PRACTICE (FS1)
2:45 PM 2014 History 300 (ABC)


Sunday, May 25
6:00 PM 2014 Coca-Cola 600 (FOX)

(ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO TRACK)

2015 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Announced

NASCAR announced the inductees who will comprise the 2015 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The five-person group - the sixth in NASCAR Hall of Fame history - consists of Bill Elliott, Fred Lorenzen, Wendell Scott, Joe Weatherly and Rex White. In addition, NASCAR announced that Anne B. France won the inaugural Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Next year's Induction Day is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, broadcast on NBC Sports Network from Charlotte, NC. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in a closed session in Charlotte to vote on both the induction class of 2015 and the Landmark Award. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France made the announcements this afternoon in the NASCAR Hall of Fame's "Great Hall."
Next year's class was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, which for the first time included the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion - in this case, Jimmie Johnson. The panel also included representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders and a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com - which counted for the 54th and final vote. In all, 54 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jerry Cook and Robert Yates). The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.
Voting for next year's class was as follows: Bill Elliott (87%), Wendell Scott (58%), Joe Weatherly (53%), Rex White (43%) and Fred Lorenzen (30%). The next top vote-getters were Jerry Cook, Robert Yates and Benny Parsons.
Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, in order of votes received, were Wendell Scott, Bill Elliott, Benny Parsons, Rex White and Terry Labonte.(NASCAR)

Dogecoin and reddit to sponsor the #98 and Wise at Talladega

One week after voting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Josh Wise and the #98 Phil Parsons Racing team into the All-Star Race, the Dogecoin and reddit communities kicked off another collective effort in support of Wise's NASCAR team. This time, the group focused on primary sponsorship for a second Sprint Cup Series race. With their fundraising goals met in less than a week, Dogecoin and reddit will again sponsor Wise's #98 Ford Fusion at Talladega Superspeedway on October 19. With widespread demand for the Dogecoin shirts worn by the Phil Parsons Racing team throughout the Talladega Superspeedway and Sprint All-Star race weekends, the team agreed to not only produce similar t-shirts, but also to utilize the proceeds of the sales for another primary race sponsorship. Needing to sell at least 5,000 t-shirts, they were able to meet their goal within just six days to confirm sponsorship for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway later this year. Earlier this year, reddit user and tech fan Denis Pavel noticed a plain black car with a driver he felt 'raced the wheels off the car' during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The lack of sponsorship caused Pavel to think of some of the significant fundraisers that he's witnessed on the reddit platform, and drove the 16-year-old to utilize the Dogecoin currency to raise sponsorship funds for Wise. Setting and exceeding their goal within the opening week, Dogecoin and reddit partnered with Phil Parsons Racing for the May race at Talladega Superspeedway.(Phil Parsons Racing)

Internet voters have new target in Most Popular Driver award

Now that a pair of websites found a loophole to manipulate the voting in last week’s Sprint All-Star race, they now have set their goals for a loftier goal – taking down Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Most Popular Driver award.

Dogecoin and reddit.com, fresh off a stunning victory that earned Josh Wish a spot in the sport’s all-star race last Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, already are laying out plans to flood the internet with votes for a driver who’s never had a top-10 finish in 79-career starts.

By using steps to get around the intended format to vote for the all-star race, a group of fans were able to rig the vote – one fan voted as many as 82,000 times – to get a starting spot in the all-star race. According to reddit.com, it boasted of being able to get its “shibes” to get Wise 98,000 votes in the final 11 hours of the balloting.

The same web site now wants Wise to beat Earnhardt, who’s won the most popular vote for 11 consecutive years. According to reddit.com, Wise supports the project.

The voting format for the most popular driver award was posted on the web site, with suggestions of how to beat the intended system again. (Florida Times Union)

Special website follows Kurt Busch's attempt at 'the double'

Join Kurt Busch as he becomes the 4th NASCAR driver ever to attempt the "Double" - racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. By pledging a small amount for every lap Kurt completes, you can ride alongside the Outlaw as he helps to provide assistance to our brave men and women of the Armed Forces when they need it most.
Kurt Busch isn't the only one doing the double this Memorial Day weekend. Country music star Brantley Gilbert will be attending the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 as part of the sponsorship of Indy rookie, Sage Karam, and then fly to Charlotte to perform a pre-race concert for the Coca-Cola 600.
Basis will be with Kurt Busch every step of the way - literally - as he prepares for 1,100 miles of grueling, intense racing. Fans will be able to see his progress as he focuses on getting in tip-top shape, ensuring the right amount of rest for recovery and keeping things under control with his frequent heart rate checks. Basis is a revolutionary wrist-based device that tracks physiological data like heart rate, sweat level, skin temperature and movement 24/7. Basis is the world's most advanced health tracker and will be tracking Busch's progress, including his races and workouts, leading up to this epic racing challenging. You can check out Basis, info on donating by laps to Armed Forces Foundation and follow Busch at kurtbuschdouble.com.

Earnhardt Jr. not in a rush to push Elliott to Cup

Dale Earnhardt Jr met with media on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was asked about Chase Driver who drives for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series:

Q) REGARDING CHASE ELLIOTT, DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO SPEED UP HIS PREP BASED ON WHAT HE HAS BEEN DOING, OR DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN HIS PREP?

Earnhardt Jr.: "I don't think you do either one. I think you just set a plan from the start, and you stick with it. We have like a two-year plan I suppose, that he runs in the Nationwide Series and I think you just stick with the plan regardless of the success he is having. You have the commitments in line with sponsors and what have you, so I think it will suit him well to relax and not have to worry about that and just follow the plan that he has had in front of him from the start. He is really young too, so he has a lot of time on his hands and time to get to Cup level to realize that potential, one day. But yes, I think he can just sit there and relax knowing what we tried to set out to do from the start and not really adjust."(Team Chevy)

McMurray snatches victory from Edwards, Harvick in Sprint All-Star Race

Streaking away from an intense battle with polesitter Carl Edwards to open the final 10-lap segment Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Jamie McMurray won the Sprint All-Star Race—and the million-dollar-plus prize that goes with the victory—for the first time in his career.
 
McMurray held off fast-closing Kevin Harvick, who crossed the finish line .696 seconds behind the race winner.
 
Matt Kenseth ran third, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Edwards and four-time Sprint All-Star Race winner Jimmie Johnson.
 
Earlier in the day, McMurray’s son carter had asked the driver what his plans for the day were.
 
"He asked me what I was going to do today, so I asked him what he was going to do today," said McMurray, who has tallied two of his seven Sprint Cup victories in points races at Charlotte. "And he said, ‘Oh, I’m going to play in my sandbox. What are you going to do, Dad?’
 
"I said, ‘I’m going to race for a million bucks, Carter.’ It’s so cool that we were actually able to win."
 
The advantage McMurray opened after his breathtaking three-lap battle against Edwards gave him enough margin to hold off Harvick, who was closing fast in the final laps.
 
"It was three or four of the hardest laps I've ever driven in my racing career," McMurray said.
 
It was first-year crew chief Keith Rodden’s strategy, however, that put McMurray in position to win. After a pit stop on Lap 26, McMurray didn’t take four tires again until the break between the final two segments, and on that final stop, superb work by his crew got him off pit road second and in a position to challenge Edwards for the lead.
 
"Keith Rodden made some great calls tonight," said team owner Chip Ganassi, a Sprint All-Star Race winner for the first time. "The call was really made in segment 2 (the Lap 26 stop for tires) for him to be able to win the race."
 
That call enabled McMurray to get by with two tires or to stay out between segments until the final stop.
 
"Keith did an unbelievable job," McMurray said. "He was a huge secret in the garage (as an engineer at Hendrick Motorsports), and I’m so glad that I get the opportunity to work with him. We’ve had good cars all year long. We had some bad luck.
 
"But this is one of those races that makes up for a lot of bad times." (NASCAR Media)

Bowyer, Allmendinger & Wise Advance to All-Star Race

Clint Bowyer won the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and will transfer to the Sprint All-Star Race. A.J. Allmendinger finished 2nd and will also transfer. Josh Wise, who finished 18th, won the Sprint Fan Vote and will transfer to the All-Star race.
Mears finished third followed by Ambrose, Almirola, Larson, Bowyer, Stenhouse Jr., Dillon, Menard and Patrick.
Ambrose and Stenhouse Jr. made contact early in the race, causing Ambrose to spin. Larson lost use of 3rd gear which made restarts tough for the rookie.
The Sprint All-Star Race starts tonight at 7pm et & can be seen on Fox Sports 1 or heard live on MRN.

NASCAR will implement its automated pit road officiating technology

In yet another nod to the priority NASCAR has placed on innovation, NASCAR Executive Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell spoke in Boston at the Front End of Innovation, a cross-industry conference bringing together industry executives, practitioners, academics and experts in innovation, product development and research and development. Joining leaders and innovators from best-in-class companies such as Walt Disney, Procter and Gamble, MasterCard, IBM and Microsoft, O'Donnell today presented a case study on the Air Titan 2.0 drying technology, as well as provided an update on NASCAR's technology-driven pit road officiating system. O'Donnell touched on these and other initiatives spearheaded by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and borne out of the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C., including safety and competition enhancements, as well as fan engagement and event experience.
"Innovation helps drive NASCAR, and it is central to the sport's evolution," said O'Donnell, who last year spoke at both the Harvard Business School's Cyberposium and the World Innovation Convention in Cannes, France. "There are several examples of it improving the sport, none more recent - and impressive - than Air Titan 2.0. The next wave of NASCAR innovation is the pit road officiating technology, which will increase the overall quality of in-race officiating."
Beginning in 2015, NASCAR will implement its automated pit road officiating technology - becoming the first sport to use technology to officiate each of its events. This technology will be used on every lap, in every race, O'Donnell announced. Testing of this technology is currently underway. This innovative pit road technology will employ numerous video cameras, which will be mounted to inspect and gather data - in real time - from all areas of pit road. Following O'Donnell's overview of the new system, he discussed future incarnations, including the use of the collected data to improve the fan experience while in the stands at-track or watching at home on television.(NASCAR)

2014 Sprint All-Star Race Weekend Schedule

Friday, May 16th
12:05 - 1:40 PM NSCS FINAL SPRINT SHOWDOWN - PRACTICE (FS1)
1:50 - 3:15 PM NSCS FINAL SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE- PRACTICE (FS1)
4:10 PM NSCS SPRINT SHOWDOWN, QUALIFYING (FS1)
7:15 PM The 2014 SPRINT SHOWDOWN (FS1)
8:30 PM APPROX. 2014 NC Education Lottery 200 (FS1)

Saturday, May 17th
7:10 PM NSCS SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE, QUALIFYING-IMPOUND (FS1)
9:00 PM APPROX. The 2014 SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE (FS1)

Sunday, May 18th
1:00 PM (2:00 PM/ET) 2014 Get To Know Newton 250 (ESPN)

ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO EACH TRACK!

Darius Rucker, Luke Kuechly Added to Lineup At NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

The best of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are no strangers to sharing the spotlight when they take to the high banks of Charlotte Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, with celebrities from the world of sports and music often adding to the star-studded affair. This year will be no different as Charlotte Motor Speedway welcomes country music superstar Darius Rucker and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly. A Grammy-Award-winning musician and avid sports fan, Rucker will take the stage to perform the national anthem before the green flag falls on NASCAR's blockbuster all-star event. Rucker burst onto the music scene as front man for the popular group Hootie & The Blowfish before branching out into a solo career. Since 2008, Rucker has made himself at home on the country music charts with hits like "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," "It Won't Be Like This for Long," "Alright," "Comeback Song" and a cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel."

Kuechly, the Panthers leading tackler for the last two seasons and the 2013 Associated Press Defensive Player of the year, will lead the field in the official Toyota Camry pace car as honorary pace car driver at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. In his rookie season, Kuechly, the ninth overall draft pick out of Boston College, made an immediate impact by leading the NFL in tackles an earning 2012 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Tickets can be purchased online atcharlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).(CMS)

Indy 500 practices underway for Kurt Busch

The runs Kurt Busch had made up to Sunday in the #26 Suretone Honda for Andretti Autosport were solely single-car runs, where he had a chance to acclimate simply to the nature and handling of the lighter, less powerful IndyCar compared to the heavier, more brutal and higher horsepower NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. Sunday marked Busch's first chance to run in traffic, in dirty air, in a moment he appreciated. He banked 31 laps on the day, with his fastest on lap 29 of 220.352 mph good for P12 on the time sheets. "It was a nice rookie day to go play in traffic," said the 2004 Sprint Cup champion. "The Andretti Autosport guys ramped up where we are with the levels, to get in dirty air. Today was a nice shakedown, and the second run was a baseline run. It was nice to have a champion, Ryan Hunter-Reay, take me around, and then with Munoz and E.J. Viso. It's just neat to move to the next step, which is to go out there in dirty air and draft with teammates." Busch described the difference of running in traffic in NASCAR versus traffic in IndyCar as "times 10," in IndyCar, so he could easily catch the car in front of them. With less horsepower, it's a lot to digest. Busch and the rest of the five-car Andretti Autosport effort resume practice on Monday.(NBC Sports)

5-hour ENERGY 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation Fast Facts

Jeff Gordon won the 4th Annual 5-hour ENERGY 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior
Foundation, his 89th victory in 736 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.This is his first victory and eighth top-10 finish in 2014.This is his third victory and 12th top-10 finish in 17 races at Kansas Speedway.Kevin Harvick (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 17 races at Kansas Speedway. It is his fifth
top-10 finish in 2014.Kasey Kahne (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 14 races at Kansas Speedway.Kyle Larson (12th) was the highest finishing rookie.Jeff Gordon leads the point standings by 15 points over Matt Kenseth.Danica Patrick posted her best career finish (7th) in tonight's race.

Biffle Wants to Remain With Roush

Greg Biffle has no desire to leave Roush Fenway Racing when his contract expires at season’s end.
"No, not a bit," Biffle said Friday at Kansas Speedway when asked if he was looking outside of the Roush organization. "Absolutely, 100 percent 'No.' "
Biffle said earlier this week on SIRIUS/XM NASCAR Radio’s "Dialed In" that negotiations are continuing with current sponsor 3M to extend the company’s deal to back Biffle’s No. 16 Ford. While nothing is imminent in terms of finalizing a new contract, Biffle says talks are continuing in the right direction.
"We have a great relationship. They're very happy with the program," said Biffle. "There is a bunch of new people trying to get their arms around all of the business. They've got a lot of business units inside that '3M' ... which likes having all these sponsors in the garage part of one company. This is a big deal for them."
While Biffle is adamant about his desire to remain with RFR and the positive direction of the 3M negotiations, he reiterated what he said earlier this week: he’s not losing any sleep over his future, which may or may not involve Roush.
"My concentration is coming here and figuring out with (crew chief Matt) Puccia how we get this car as fast as we can get it, qualify up front and try to win this race," said Biffle. "That's my focus and ultimately, I’ve got options. This isn’t the only place, you know. "I'm gonna have a job.
"Is it a distraction? No." (Pete Pistone, MRN)

2014 5-Hour Energy 400 at Kansas Speedway Weekend Schedule

Friday, May 9
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 5 Hour Energy 400 PRACTICE (FS1)
1:30 - 2:20 PM 5 Hour Energy 400 FINAL PRACTICE (FS1)
5:40 PM 5 Hour Energy 400 QUALIFYING (FS1)
7:30 PM (CWTS) 2014 SFP 250 (FS1)

Saturday, May 10
6:30 PM 2014 5 Hour Energy 400 (FOX)

ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO TRACK

Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards part of two-day tire test at Dover

In addition to today’s NASCAR Nationwide Series test at Iowa Speedway, several teams from across all three NASCAR national series are taking part in a two-day tire test for Goodyear that began this morning at Dover International Speedway. Sprint Cup drivers Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing), Martin Truex Jr. (Furniture Row Racing), and Carl Edwards (Roush Fenway Racing) are involved in the session. Nationwide drivers Ty Dillon (Richard Childress Racing) and Elliott Sadler (JGR), as well as two teams from the Camping World Truck Series (the No. 29 from Brad Keselowski Racing and No. 51 from Kyle Busch Motorsports), are at Dover, too. Goodyear says that Busch, Truex and Edwards will be running both days, while Dillon and Sadler will get one day each.(NBC Sports)

GM Starts Work on New Performance and Racing Center

General Motors today began construction of a state-of-the-art facility for race engine design and development, as well as an electric motor laboratory and gear center. GM’s continued investment in motorsports comes from the time-tested belief that racing is the ultimate proving ground for much of the technology that applies to the vehicles GM sells. “The GM Performance and Racing Center, or GMPRC, will continue to develop some of the world’s winningest race engines for Chevrolet and Cadillac,” said Steve Kiefer, vice president of GM Global Powertrain. “Connecting our race engineers with our global powertrain engineering teams will improve our customers’ powertrains in terms of efficiency, reliability and durability. The center will also provide exciting career opportunities for our engineering organization.” Engineers and technicians from GM’s race engineering center in Wixom, Mich. will move to the new facility in mid-2015. The relocation will centralize North American powertrain engineering expertise for production engines as well as advanced and racing propulsion programs. Condensing the engineering to one large space is an excellent way to develop race-bred engineers whether they work on production or performance vehicles. This centralization of talent will provide more collaboration opportunities between racing and production engineers already at GM Powertrain Engineering headquarters and development lab, one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the world. The move will include about 100 employees who work on powertrain racing development, electric motors and in the gear center. The new building is expected to be opened and in use by mid-2015 and completed by early 2016. “The GM Performance and Racing Center will serve as a resource to help our race teams and drivers continue to win races and championships,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “It will also help advance technical sharing between racing and production engine programs.” The GMPRC is part of a $200 million investment GM announced last January to build a new 138,000 sq.-ft. test wing. At that time, the company announced work at four remote locations would consolidate on the Pontiac campus, helping to reduce development timing for GM’s next-generation advanced propulsion technologies. When the moves are complete, about 400 jobs will be added to the Pontiac campus. Engineers at the GMPRC will work on powertrain-related projects for GM’s involvement in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Verizon IndyCar Series, TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Pirelli World Challenge, NHRA (COPO Camaro Program) and Global Rally Cross.

MWR announces extensions with Bowyer & Pattie

Michael Waltrip Racing announced yesterday it has signed multiyear contract extensions with sponsor 5-hour ENERGY, driver Clint Bowyer and crew chief Brian Pattie to race its #15 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series starting in 2015. The trio joined MWR in 2012 and has scored three wins and earned two Chase berths including a runner-up finish in 2012. "This is big news for all of us," said Bowyer, an eight-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. "It creates great stability and excitement about what the next few years can bring. MWR is my racing home and continuing this relationship with 5-hour ENERGY was a high priority. It's time to put the paperwork in a drawer and focus on winning."
"Since the first day 5-hour ENERGY, Clint and Brian showed up at MWR, we have been a contender for wins and championships. I am so thankful that we get to continue and add to what we have built," said co-owner Michael Waltrip. "I am most happy for the employees of MWR who are the foundation of everything we do."
The familiar red, black and yellow brand colors of 5-hour ENERGY will adorn the #15 in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup events each year starting in 2015. Additional primary partners on the #15 include PEAK and AAA Mid-Atlantic. "We have clearly aligned ourselves with one of the most competitive and energetic drivers in racing and we felt it was really important for us to continue the equity we have built over the past three years," said Scott Henderson, president of 5-hour ENERGY. "We love Clint, the people at MWR and the sport of NASCAR. The extension decision was also based on our racing program's success with our sales team and all of our participating retailers." Bowyer celebrates his 300th start Sunday at Kansas Speedway.(MWR)

Kyle Busch cited for speeding

Kyle Busch was issued a speeding citation on April 29 in Denver, NC on suspicion of traveling 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. According to the police report, the stop happened in front of Beach's Grocery. Busch said he thought the speed limit was 55 mph. The officer commented in the police report that Busch had a "disrespectful attitude." He was driving a Lexus sedan when he was stopped around 7:45 pm. This is not Busch's first documented driving incident. In 2006, he was ticketed for reckless driving after he "chirped" his tires while pulling out of a Richmond, Va., gas station and into a fast-food restaurant next door. Busch was cited for careless and reckless driving and speeding in 2011 when he was stopped in Iredell County for going 128 mph in a 45 mph zone.(WWOC)

NASCAR and Camping World Announce Landmark Extension

NASCAR announced today it has reached a seven-year agreement with Camping World to remain the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series through 2022. The new deal ensures that Camping World will own exclusive rights as title sponsor for a total of 14-consecutive years, equaling the longest entitlement sponsorship in the history of the national series, which is celebrating its 20th season.    

 

The renewed partnership aligns two brands in the midst of significant growth. Since originally becoming series entitlement sponsor in 2009, Camping World has expanded its number of stores by 35 percent, resulting in the company eclipsing $3 billion in annual revenue.

 

“The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has one of the most consistent and durable audiences in all of sports, averaging approximately 800,000 or more television viewers per event over the past six years,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. “Camping World’s seven-year continued commitment to our sport demonstrates its confidence in our on-track product and strength of our brand loyal fan base.”      

 

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series features some of the toughest and most competitive racing in the sport. The series has helped catapult the careers of many of the sport’s most popular and successful drivers, such as Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski. Currently, the series houses a young crop of stars that are talented, dynamic and diverse including Ben Kennedy, German Quiroga Jr. and Darrell Wallace Jr. 

 

“Camping World and NASCAR are mutually invested in the growth of a national series that is celebrated for its exciting brand of racing and the most loyal fan base in the country,” said Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis. “Six years ago we felt strongly that the sponsorship would dramatically increase our customer base and it’s delivered. We expect to see continued success in the coming years.”

 

NASCAR fans are outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy a variety of activities. According to Experian Consumer Research, NASCAR fans are 40 percent more likely than non-fans to go camping. When it comes to camping gear, NASCAR fans are at least 50 percent more likely than non-fans to have tents, lanterns, and other camping equipment.

 

The new deal provides Camping World exclusive rights to market its Good Sam Roadside Assistance program as the Official Roadside Assistance of NASCAR. With a network that includes 40,000 tow and service providers in North America, Good Sam Roadside Assistance has provided roadside services to more than two million stranded motorists in the past 30 years.

 

Additionally, the new agreement provides official NASCAR status to two growing automobile companies; CarCash as the Official Auto Buying Service of NASCAR, and AutoMatch USA, as the Official Pre-owned Automobile Retailer of NASCAR. CarCash, featured on Season 1 of CNBC’s The Profit, purchases used cars from individuals in return for immediate cash. AutoMatch USA, featured on Season 2 of CNBC’s The Profit, specializes in the sale of foreign and domestic pre-owned cars of all makes and models.

 

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will make its return to Kansas Speedway with the running of the SFP 250 on May 9 and will air on FOX Sports 1. (NASCAR Media)

Hamlin Wins at Talladega

Denny Hamlin won for the first time this season, holding off Greg Biffle to claim Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway under caution. Since placing second in the season-opening Daytona 500, Hamlin had just one other top-10 finish (sixth at Bristol) in the first nine Sprint Cup Series races of the year. Biffle finished second, while Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers and AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top five. After starting 35th, Biffle forged his way to the front on Lap 57 and led a race-high 58 laps. Joey Logano, already a two-time winner this season, was also strong early, leading 25 of the first 52 laps. Logano was towed to the garage after being collected by a wreck on the 175th lap involving Jimmie Johnson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Kurt Busch, David Ragan, Michael McDowell and Reed Sorenson were also involved. Early in the day, a three-wide battle for the lead resulted in Brad Keselowski wrecking onto the apron after a nudge from the No. 10 of Danica Patrick. Keselowski found a line in the middle and had just pulled ahead of Patrick past the start/finish line. He attempted to maneuver his No. 2 Ford into the low line heading into Turn 1 when the two cars made contact, sending Keselowski spinning wildly onto the oversized apron and bringing out the caution on Lap 14. Keselowski's car also touched off a 14-car wreck with 50 laps to go in the race. Frontrunners Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart and pole-winner Brian Scott were among the drivers collected. Caution also waved for an incident involving Justin Allgaier on Lap 187 of 188, but since Hamlin had crossed the start-finish line entering Lap 188, he was declared the winner.

The Sprint Cup Series returns to the track Saturday night for the 5-Hour Energy 400 at Kansas Speedway. (NASCAR)

Sadler Wins Wild One in Talladega

Elliott Sadler stormed to victory Saturday afternoon in the NASCAR Nationwide Series' Aaron's 312, fending off his challengers after a late-race restart atTalladega Superspeedway.

The win was Sadler's 10th in the series, first of the season and first on the 2.66-mile track. He led nine times for 40 laps in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota and was just 0.125 seconds ahead of runner-up Chris Buescherin a characteristically close-quarters finish that has become the track's trademark.

"We just got on the inside line there and we just had to make some good moves," Sadler said. "The sea kind of opened up for us. This means a lot to me to be able to get these guys to Victory Lane. To do it at Talladega -- everybody always asks me about flipping at Talladega. Now we won one at Talladega so it feels a lot better."

Buescher, who crossed under the white flag in a near dead-heat alongside Sadler, was a career-best second place in just his 17th Nationwide start. Regan Smith, David Raganand Sam Hornish Jr. completed the top five.

A late flurry of crashes whittled the field of contenders, including a wreck involving six cars at the front that triggered a red flag with 112 of the 117 laps complete. Ryan Blaneycollided with leader Sadler and smacked the outside wall in Turn 3. Kasey Kahne andJeremy Clements absorbed the most damage, with rookie Chase Elliott -- the Nationwide Series points leader -- and Ryan Sieg also involved.

That caution period forced a restart with three laps left, setting up the dramatic finish.

"It was wild, that's for sure," Buescher said. "It was just a matter of holding on to what we had at that point. I didn't want to do anything crazy. Regan Smith pushed me great right there at the end. That's about all you can ask for because I'm still very new to this speedway racing, so to be able to pull off a second is really cool to me."

The first one-third of the race ran relatively cleanly until a four-car wreck brought out the second caution flag to slow the pace. James Buescher spun in Turn 3 off the front bumper of Blaney in the 42nd lap, collecting rookiesDarrell Wallace Jr., Ryan Reed and Dylan Kwasniewski in the aftermath. Reed had led the first 29 laps before the first caution period -- for debris -- flew to jumble the field.

A 10-car wreck in the 60th lap knocked out more contending drivers, including Brian Scott, who led six times for 10 laps. Scott's No. 2 Chevrolet was turned sideways after a bump from Trevor Bayne, and the ensuing melee snared all the Richard Childress Racing cars -- Scott, Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan -- plus Kyle Larson, Reed, Chad Boat, Robert Richardson Jr., Joey Gaseand Mike Harmon.

"Anybody that's done superspeedway racing knows you can't do that," Scott said of Bayne's contact with his car's bumper entering the turn. "Stupid move halfway through the race. There's no need for it. ... It's unfortunate when you're a victim of stupidity."

Elliott finished 19th -- the next-to-last driver on the lead lap -- and retained the lead in Nationwide standings by just one point over Sadler.

Nine race fans settle over Speedway accident

Nine fans injured when a race car flew into a safety fence and sprayed debris in the grandstands at Daytona International Speedway last year have reached a settlement with the track. International Speedway Corp. will not release the amount of the settlement with the nine claimants represented by the Morgan & Morgan law firm, said Lenny Santiago, ISC senior director of public relations. Santiago declined to reveal details in the interest of the privacy of the fans involved. "I can say that we have reached settlements with several claimants related to the incident, but, as has been our practice throughout, we are not going to discuss any of the details," Santiago said. At least 28 spectators were injured including 14 who were taken to local hospitals when Kyle Larson's car crashed into the fence and sprayed a tire and other debris into the grandstands during the Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 on Feb. 23, 2013. Andrew Felix, an attorney with Morgan & Morgan, said the settlement covered all of the people represented by the personal injury firm, but he also declined to reveal the amount or any other details.(Daytona Beach News Journal)

Talladega Superspeedway honors the legendary 'Alabama Gang'

The Alabama Gang and Talladega Superspeedway have always been linked together. Now, it’s official – The Gang’s All Here!

NASCAR’s Biggest, Baddest and Most Competitive track on the planet announced today that the back straightaway will forever be known as “The Alabama Gang Superstretch”, paying tribute to the original members – racing legends Bobby and Donnie Allison, and Red Farmer, all of whom have played a significant role in the track’s history and are today huge supporters of the 2.66-mile venue.

For this weekend’s Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega, The Alabama Gang Superstretch name will be displayed in huge, block lettering midway down the outside retaining wall of the backstretch, which measures over 4,000 feet. The monumental, new addition to the track will “stretch” more than 200 feet. 

The trio will serve in “official” capacities during what will be a busy and exciting Saturday at the track. The Allisons will serve as the Grand Marshal’s for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 ARCA race, while Farmer will be the Honorary Starter from atop the flag stand. The ARCA race kicks off a full day of activity which also includes the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series all-new Coors Light “Knockout” group qualifying for the Aaron’s 499, plus the Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series event.

“No honor is too big for The Alabama Gang,” says Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “What we are doing in naming The Alabama Gang Superstretch is unprecedented in our sport. During our events, from TV cameras and still photography, fans will be able to see this accolade for some of our favorite people in the world. The gang has meant so much to NASCAR, Talladega Superspeedway and the state of Alabama, and this is just a small token of our appreciation.”

“This place is special,” said Bobby of the speedway. “We (The Alabama Gang) have always felt like we were a part of it.”

“When you won Talladega, there was something extra special about it,” added Donnie. “It was a huge deal to us, our family and friends.”

“We made each other the best we could be since we raced against each other in the early years,” quipped Farmer of he and the Allisons. “We liked racing against each other, and Talladega was the ultimate place to race.” (Talladega Superspeedway)