Road America 180 & Chevy Silverado 250 Race Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 28
2:30 PM, NXS Road America practice, NBCSN
4:30 PM, NXS Road America final practice, NBCSN

Saturday, August 299:30 AM, NCWTS Canada practice, FS1
11:30 AM, NCWTS Canada final practice, FS1
12:30 PM, NXS Road America qualifying, NBCSN
3:00 PM, NXS Road America race, NBCSN
5:30 PM, NCWTS Canada qualifying, FS2

Sunday, August 30
1:30 PM, NCWTS Canada race, FS1

Stewart moves wrongful death lawsuit to federal court

The wrongful death lawsuit filed against Tony Stewart by the parents of Kevin Ward Jr. was assigned to U.S. District Judge David Hurd on Monday after the Sprint Cup driver asked Friday for the case to be adjudicated in federal court rather than New York state court. There was no immediate response from Ward's legal team on whether it will challenge the federal court's jurisdiction and request to have it moved back into state court. The Ward family seeks unspecified damages related to their son's suffering, death and their own loss of economic support and services from their son. Stewart is scheduled to file his response to the lawsuit by Friday and an initial scheduling conference is set for Oct. 8.(ESPN)

NSCS Race Recap: Logano holds off Harvick to defend Bristol night race title

With Kevin Harvick hounding him mercilessly for 63 laps, Joey Logano kept his No. 22 Team Penske Ford out front after taking the lead on a Lap 438 restart and held on to win Saturday’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Successfully defending last year’s victory at Thunder Valley, Logano won his third race of the season, his second at the .533-mile short track and the 11th of his career.

Harvick recovered from two pit road speeding penalties to finish second, a mere .220 seconds behind Logano. Polesitter Denny Hamlin ran third, and Clint Bowyer got a much-needed fourth place result in his No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota.

It was a fascinating Chase over the final 63 laps, as Harvick would bury his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet into the corner at the top of the track, catch Logano in the turns and watch as Logano dived to the bottom on corner exit and pull away.

"There’s not much time to look in the rearview mirror, but I realized how different his line was than mine," Logano said. "He’d drive in so hard and almost get to my back bumper, and then I’d drive off really good.

"It’s kind of interesting to watch a race like that, when two cars are a similar speed, but in two completely different ways. That’s what’s so fun about Bristol is you can drive the car about five or six different ways and make it fast, so it’s fun to race here."

Harvick said Logano’s ability to diamond the corner gave the Ford an advantage when it came to working traffic.

"He was just one step ahead of me in traffic," Harvick said. "I couldn't get my car to rotate across the center like I needed it to, and every time I tried to force it, it would snap the back out. He was able to go in really high and before the center of the corner drive down the corner and I was just having to wait just a split second to be able to put the throttle back down, and I couldn't do that, that huge diamond all the way to the bottom like he could, and that was really beneficial for him through traffic…

"He was able to get those huge runs up off the exit of the corner and just stayed one step ahead of me through traffic, I felt like, and in clean air we probably were a little faster, but it didn't really matter. I had to be in front of him to show that."(Ried Spencer, NASCAR WireService)

Stewart loans plane to Wilson family

Tony Stewart loaned his plane and pilots to Stefan Wilson, brother of injured IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson, so Wilson could get from Indianapolis to his brother's side at a Pennsylvania hospital Sunday night. Justin Wilson was hit in the helmet by the flying nosepiece of Sage Karam's car during the race Sunday at Pocono Raceway and was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, PA. Wilson suffered a severe head injury and is in a coma in critical condition, according to the IndyCar Series. It is not unusual for Stewart to lend his plane to people in the racing industry amid a health crisis. Most of those acts go unpublicized at Stewart's request. He did not publicize his loaning of the plane and pilots Sunday night, but several in the IndyCar community sent out tweets thanking him.(ESPN)

Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Race Weekend Schedule

Wednesday, August 19
11:00 AM, NCWTS Bristol Final Practice, FS1
4:45 PM, NCWTS Bristol Qualifying, FS2
8:30 PM, NCWTS Bristol Race, FS1

Friday, August 21
9:30 AM, NXS Bristol Final Practice, NBCSN
11:30 AM, NSCS Bristol Practice, NBCSN
1:30 PM, NSCS Bristol Final Practice, NBCSN
3:30 PM, NXS Bristol Qualifying, NBCSN
5:30 PM, NSCS Bristol Qualifying, NBCSN
7:30 PM, NXS Bristol Race, NBCSN

Saturday, August 22
7:30 PM, NSCS Bristol Race, NBCSN

MWR & BOWYER AGREE TO SEPARATE AT SEASON’S END ORGANIZATION WILL NOT FIELD FULL-TIME CARS IN 2016

CORNELIUS, N.C. - Michael Waltrip Racing and Clint Bowyer have mutually agreed to separate at the conclusion of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Bowyer, currently 16th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase standings, will be free to pursue other career options in 2016 and beyond. MWR will continue to field the No. 15 and No. 55 Toyotas for the remainder of the 2015 season. Kauffman said MWR will not field a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup entry in 2016. 

 ROB KAUFFMAN: “MWR will race hard and compete for the remainder of the 2015 season. This decision was made after weighing several different options and scenarios. “I felt it was important to make an announcement as soon as we had clarity, so that is what we are doing today. I want to thank all of our staff, partners, sponsors and fans for all their effort and support over the years. “Clint Bowyer has done a lot for MWR since joining us in 2012 and we appreciate the energy and effort he has given the organization. After many discussions, Clint and I agreed we would go our separate ways at the end of the season and I wish him well in whatever direction he pursues.” 

 CLINT BOWYER: “I want to thank Michael, Rob and everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing that made these past four years special. After extensive discussions with Rob and MWR, we came to the point that we mutually agreed our paths in the future just didn’t align but I think we all agreed on the next steps in a very professional manner. I am looking forward to what future opportunities may come but for now we have a championship to pursue in 2015 and we owe it to every one of our sponsors, partners, employees and fans to deliver on and off the track.” 

 MICHAEL WALTRIP: “Rob joined MWR in 2007 and has helped give us the resources to build a competitive race team, and in 2012, Clint Bowyer took us to the doorstep of a championship. From where MWR started behind my house in Sherrill’s Ford to winning Sprint Cup races, poles and earning Chase berths, I am proud of what we accomplished. “My family has been a part of NASCAR for almost five decades and I plan on being a part of it for years to come. I would not have had the opportunity to start this journey without so many great partners, sponsors and employees and I want to thank each of them for making Michael Waltrip Racing a reality.”(MWR)

Danica Patrick press conference Tuesday

Stewart-Haas Racing has scheduled a press conference regarding Danica Patrick for Tuesday at 11:00am/et. Fox Sports' Tom Jensen tweeted, "Sources tell @NASCARONFOX she'll have a sponsor who is new to sport"and the "new sponsor could be for as many as 30 races, per sources.".
The press conference will be live streamed on NASCAR.com.

Stewart makes donation to Iowa family

A NASCAR superstar is helping out a grieving Iowa family after learning about a tragic accident that claimed the lives of three Iowa brothers last week. Jamie, Carson, and Christian Singletary were killed in an accident near New Sharon in Mahaska County last Thursday, when their vehicle collided with a truck. Several fundraising efforts have been set up to help the boys' family, like a GoFundMe page, a U.S. Bank account, and a community spaghetti supper. Now, they're also getting help from NASCAR legend Tony Stewart. Ralphi Munson's chance encounter with Stewart in the parking lot of the old Pamida in Knoxville Tuesday night led to a compassionate donation from the driver. Munson, a friend of the Singletary family, was planning to sell off four totes of racing memorabilia she has collected since 1982 and give the proceeds to the family. She says she was meeting a friend she plans to help during the Knoxville Nationals this week, showing some of the race programs in the totes and talking about what the money will be used for when Tony Stewart approached her and gave her $700 for the memorabilia. Munson says Stewart told her, "I overheard everything and I want to do this for the kids." Munson joked with him that the price didn't include the totes and she'd need those back. That's when Stewart called over to a friend and told him to bring more money. The total donation ended up being $1,400.(WHO-TV)

Pure Michigan 400 Race Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 14
11:00 AM, NSCS Michigan Practice, NBCSN
1:30 PM, NCWTS Michigan Final Practice, FS1
1:30 PM, NXS Mid-Ohio Practice, NBCSN
5:00 PM, NSCS Michigan Qualifying, NBCSN

Saturday, August 15
8:30 AM, NSCS Michigan Final Practice, CNBC
9:30 AM, NCWTS Michigan Qualifying, FS1
11:30 AM, NSCS Michigan Final Practice, CNBC
1:00 PM, NCWTS Michigan Race, FS1
3:30 PM, NXS Mid-Ohi Race, NBCSN

Sunday, August 16
2:30 PM, NSCS Michigan Race, NBCSN

NASCAR May Run The Boot in Future Races

NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development officer Steve O'Donnell stated on Sunday and reiterated on Tuesday on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio that NASCAR has been in talks with Watkins Glen International in regards to running the boot section of track. The boot is a section on track used by the Tudor Sportscar Series and various other series that run at WGI. It would extend the length of the track by almost 1 mile. With the repave project the bumpy boot section of track can now be reconsidered for NASCAR's use. O'Donnell also stated that it is not something that would occur in 2016, but that if NASCAR, WGI & NBC determine it will provide a better experience that they are open to running the full course in the future.

Buddy Baker dies at 74

Buddy Baker, a former Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee, has died after a brief battle with lung cancer. Baker was 74. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio announced Baker passed away early Monday morning. Baker stepped down from his role as co-host of "The Late Shift" for the station last month when he announced he had a "huge tumor" in his lung that was inoperable. Baker won 19 races in what is now the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, including the 1980 Daytona 500. He made his series debut in 1959 and ran his final Cup race was in 1992. Among his victories were the 1970 Southern 500, and the Coca-Cola 600 in 1968, 1972 and 1973. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers in 1998. Baker was the first driver to exceed 200 mph on a closed course when he did it in 1970 at Talladega Superspeedway.(Associated Press)

NASCAR prepared to run in the rain at Watkins Glen

For the second time this season, NASCAR will bring a new rain package to a road course for the Sprint Cup tour. Last September, the sanctioning body introduced new rules for racing in inclement weather. While it seldom rains at Sonoma, the chance to use windshield wipers, de-foggers, a rear flashing light and rain tires with the cars will be more likely this weekend at Watkins Glen. Last Wednesday, NASCAR sent out a bulletin to the teams updating Rule 10.13 Inclement Weather Race Procedures (Road Course Events). According to the note, should it rain, it will be up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Managing Director to determine whether the track surface is "dry, wet or damp". At that point in the race, teams will be able to use "mandated or approved use of "wet" or "dry" condition equipment during competition."

Should the race start in "wet" weather conditions (10.13.2) the cars will (.a) start on the grid in "dry equipment configuration. After the series director declares "a 'wet' weather start (when the track surface is entirely covered with moisture)," the drivers will take a pace lap behind the caution car, (c) "return to their assigned pit stall and "install rain tires, front windshield wiper(s), and activate the rear flashing light for the Race.

According to the NASCAR Rulebook section 10.13.3, for race starts under "damp" conditions (when only portions of the track are wet), once the course has been deemed "damp" by the series director and after the pace lap, the cars (.c) "will return to their assigned pit stall and may elect, at the team's discretion, to install the rain tires and/or front windshield wiper(s). The rear flashing light must be activated for the Race under "damp" conditions.(Motorsport)

Cheez-It 355 at the Glen Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 7
11:30 AM, NSCS Watkins Glen Practice, NBCSN
1:00 PM, NXS Watkins Glen Practice, NBCSN
3:30 PM, NXS Watkins Glen Final Practice, NBCSN
4:30 PM, NSCS Watkins Glen Final Practice, NBCSN

Saturday, August 8
11:00 AM, NXS Watkins Glen Qualifying, CNBC
1:00 PM, NSCS Watkins Glen Qualifying, NBCSN
3:00 PM, NXS Watkins Glen Race, NBCSN

Sunday, August 9
2:00 PM, NSCS Watkins Glen Race, NBCSN

NOTE: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will be racing on Friday August 7th, that race will be shown at a future date on NBCSN

Kyle Busch skipping Watkins Glen XFINITY race

Kyle Busch won't compete in that event this week as he continues to recover from injuries he suffered at the start of the season. Boris Said will drive Busch's car in the Xfinity race. Busch broke his right leg and left foot in a crash in the season-opening Xfinity race at Daytona International Speedway in February. The only road course he has run this year was at Sonoma Raceway, winning the Sprint Cup race there. Busch was scheduled to compete in the Xfinity race at Watkins Glen this weekend but car owner Joe Gibbs said the decision was made to change his schedule. "He feels like Watkins Glen is more of a challenge than Sonoma," Gibbs said. "I feel like there's times when I get out of the car just putting weight back in my feet sometimes it hurts after race days and stuff like that," he said. "With Watkins Glen coming up (this) week, that's going to be another hard one to get through. That's going to be a tough challenge for myself and the left foot, but we'll make it and I'm sure we'll be okay just like Sonoma. It will be sore on Monday afterwards and we'll continue to ice it and make it feel better."(NBC Sports)

NSCS Race Recap: Matt Kenseth Wins At Pocono As Kyle Busch Runs Out Of Fuel

LONG POND, Pa. – Matt Kenseth, the unexpected winner of Sunday’s Windows 10 400 at Pocono Raceway, had to do a double take.

So did second and third-place finishers Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gordon.

Kenseth got a gift on the final lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race when Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch ran out of fuel halfway through the final lap at the 2.5-mile triangular track.

Seeking his fourth straight victory in the series, Busch didn’t save quite enough fuel on the last green-flag run to complete the 160-lap event, but he still gained 10 points toward his goal of reaching the top 30 in the series standings.

Busch, who finished 21st after getting a push toward the finish line from Reed Sorenson, is now 13 points behind 30th-place David Gilliland. Busch has five races to crack the top 30 to become eligible for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Because Busch was pushed by another car, he did not get credit for completing the final lap, but that did not affect his finishing position.

Collectively, the top three finishers led seven laps. Joey Logano, who handed the lead to Busch when the No. 22 Team Penske Ford ran out of fuel with fewer than three laps left, led 97.

But Kenseth wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially after the driver of the No. 20 JGR Toyota did what others failed to do—save enough gas to get to the finish. Kenseth’s second victory of the season locked him into the Chase.

"There’s nothing like wins," said Kenseth, who collected his first victory at Pocono and the 33rd of his career. "We had a lot of wins in 2013 and were pretty spoiled and last year we had a big dry spell, and this year we were able to win Bristol.

"We’ve been up front a lot, so just really, really thankful to be with these guys and to get the win. I never thought I’d ever win at Pocono, and I never ever thought I’d win a fuel mileage race, so we did both today."

Despite coming tantalizingly close to a fourth straight win, Busch was philosophical about the near miss.

"Man, that’s a bummer," said Busch, who ran out of fuel on the Long Pond straightaway approaching the Tunnel Turn, less than a mile-and-a-half from the finish line. "I wish I would’ve saved a little more there that last run.

"I wish I would’ve known that the 22 (Logano) was that far away from making it. He was way far away from making it. Man, that was just a shame that we weren’t able to get it done there."

Busch took a moment to reflect on what might have been. The empty fuel tank also cost him entry into the top 30.

"We would be celebrating a win and a Chase berth," he said ruefully. "We got greedy. I don’t know how greedy, but that’s the position we’re in.(Ried Spencer, NASCAR Media)