Keselowski, Stewart Penalized

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Two NASCAR drivers have been penalized with heavy fines and probation in post-race actions after the conclusion of the race Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Behavioral penalties were issued where Brad Keselowski was fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Nov. 12. Tony Stewart was fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the same duration.

According to NASCAR officials, the pair violated two sections in the 2014 rule book: actions detrimental to stock car racing and a behavioral penalty that involved post-race incidents.

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OPINION: NASCAR’s Chase Format Creates Pressure, Drama

Posted on Author WKVI
A general view during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
A general view during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

It wasn’t until Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 that I realized how much this new Chase format may be getting to some drivers and teams.

The tempers boiled between Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth after Kevin Harvick won the race and moved onto the eliminator round of the Chase.

With 63 laps to go on a restart lap, Matt Kenseth had a big run and Keselowski snuck up in front of him which caused Kenseth to smack into the wall. That incident caused Kenseth to drop from fourth to 18th and deeper in the field.

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Kyle Larson Victorious in History 300

Posted on Author WKVI
Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 ENOES Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images
Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 ENOES Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Kyle Larson was the man to beat Saturday afternoon as he took his No. 42 into Victory Lane in the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series.

He had been running in the five all afternoon but put the moves on Brad Keselowski on lap 119 and took the lead. Lapped traffic had closed the gap between the leader Keselowski and a charging Kyle Larson. In a daring move, Larson squeezed his Chevy close to the wall making it three-wide as Keselowski ran the bottom line to get around a lapped car. It appeared Larson didn’t lift the throttle and powered to the front where he stayed until the checkered flag was displayed.

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Jimmie Johnson Gets First Victory of the Season, Kurt Busch has Memorable Day

Posted on Author WKVI
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Patriotic Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

It had been since November at Texas Motor Speedway when Jimmie Johnson last saw Victory Lane but he familiarized himself with the routine when he won Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The 2013 champion started the race from the pole and his determination didn’t waiver until he was the first to see the checkered flag. A late-race caution helped stack up the field and it was Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon at the point with 17 laps left in the 400-lap race. Kenseth was able to power to the front while Gordon slipped back and Johnson capitalized on Gordon’s change of track position.

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The Indy 500 Weekend is Here!

Posted on Author WKVI

The Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, but activities have been ongoing for a month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Qualifying occurred for the 33 drivers involved in the event last week which found Ed Carpenter with the top speed. He will start on the pole position the 98th running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. This is the second consecutive time he’ll begin in the first position for the Indy 500.

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Jamie McMurray is the 2014 Sprint All-Star Winner

Posted on Author WKVI
allstar_mcmurray_051714
Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 Bass Pro Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images

Jamie McMurray raced his way to $1 million in Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.

Jamie McMurray was tough to beat in the last ten laps of the Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. McMurray’s crew laid down a fast, mandatory and final pit stop and he was second out of the pits prior to the last segment. Carl Edwards was the leader at the start and he and McMurray had a side-by-side battle for the lead for about a lap-and-a-half. McMurray finally powered to the front and set sail. Kevin Harvick was able to close in to a .78 deficit but that’s as good as he could do.

McMurray was a $1 million winner.

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Kyle Busch Dominates NCWTS Race, Wins under Caution

Posted on Author WKVI
Kyle Busch, driver of the #51 Hiring Our Heroes/Toyota Care Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 16, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Kyle Busch, driver of the #51 Hiring Our Heroes/Toyota Care Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 16, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

It was a wild night in Concord, North Carolina for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ (NCWTS) North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It was a no-brainer for Kyle Busch who had the pole for Friday night’s race and stayed out front for almost the entire race. Joe Nemecheck did not pit after a caution and restarted in the lead on lap 98 and led four laps. The rest was all Kyle Busch as he wins his third race in three starts in 2014 for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

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Ryan Blaney is Looking Forward to Another Double-Duty Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney

NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney had a pretty good showing at Kansas Speedway in two different series last weekend and he’s going for the double again this weekend.

Blaney raced in his first Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday night where he had a strong finish in the No. 12 SKF Ford for Team Penske in the Sprint Cup Series. It wasn’t the finish he was looking for in the Cup car rolling in 27th at the line, but he brought the car back to the garage in one piece.

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Gen-6 Test a Success at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Posted on Author WKVI

NASCAR TestingIt was music to the ears of race fans to hear the cars back on the track Wednesday after the NASCAR season ended on Nov. 17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

This wasn’t specifically a race, but a test to gather data for the development of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series intermediate-track package for 2014.

Sixteen race teams and 30 drivers were on hand to test several changes to the Gen-6 car. Officials believe that the changes will enhance racing.

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NASCAR Test Sees Red Flag, Test Moved to Wednesday

Posted on Author WKVI

A test session for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams at Charlotte Motor Speedway was postponed Monday due to rain. The test will begin on Wednesday when inclement weather is expected to cease.

Cars will be on the track from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. The purpose of the test is to see how a taller spoiler and changes to the splitter will affect racing in the 2014 season. Experts believe the changes will slow down the cars.

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