David Gilliland says this is the most optimistic he’s been at the start of a NASCAR season. Gilliland and his team are looking to capitalize on the changes to the qualifying and Chase formats and take the racing world by storm. Listen to what he has to say about the upcoming season: David Gililand Behind the Wheel
Bob Pockrass Gives Views on Qualifying, Chase Formats
Bob Pockrass, a motorsports journalist with Sporting News, has been working hard in the sport for most of his life. He offers his opinion on the qualifying and Chase formats and which drivers he believes have the most to prove in the 2014 season: Bob Pockrass Behind the Wheel
Sprint Unlimited to Spark 2014 Season
Drivers will start their engines to kick of the activities at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 15 in the annual Sprint Unlimited.
The 75-lap format will be decided by fan vote. Fans can cast votes up until Saturday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. ET. The voting categories include race format, starting order and restart order for the final segment. Votes can be submitted by using the NASCAR official app, NASCAR MOBILE or at NASCAR.com/SprintUnlimited.
Dakoda Armstrong Talks Nationwide Series Opportunity
Dakoda Armstrong says he’s ready to tackle the Nationwide Series after finishing 12th in the standings in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In this interview, he talks about his opportunity with Richard Petty Motorsports and his preparations for the season. Listen here Dakoda Armstrong Behind the Wheel
Driver Announcements are Made as Racing Season Revs Up
Several teams have reported new drivers in the seats of race cars for the 2014 season.
Jeb Burton will drive the No. 13 Toyota for ThorSport Racing. Burton will drive in the season-opening ARCA Series series race on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway and in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race a week later. The rest of Burton’s 2014 program will be determined depending on sponsorship. Burton was left without a ride at Turner Scott Motorsports after his primary sponsor defaulted on a payment.
Dylan Kwasniewski will pilot the No. 31 Rockstar Energy Drink Chevrolet Camaro for Turner Scott Motorsports in 2014. Kwasniewski is a champion in the both the K&N East and West Series. He will run a full-time schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Pat Tryon will be Kwasniewski’s crew chief.
NASCAR Penalty Structure, Appeals Process Revised
It will send a clear message that rules violations will not be tolerated.
That’s what NASCAR Executive Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell made clear when the newly released enhancements to the sport’s penalty structure and appeals process were announced early Tuesday.
It’s called NASCAR’s Deterrence System and it clearly explains what disciplinary action will be taken depending on a technical infraction. Infractions will be listed from warnings to six penalty levels.
Matt Kenseth Ready to Start 2014 NASCAR Season
He gives his views on the new qualifying format, the new Chase format and reveals some advice for up-and-coming drivers. Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, tells WKVI’s Anita Goodan, he’s ready for the 2014 season. Listen here: Matt Kenseth on Behind the Wheel
Turner Scott Motorsports Will Continue Despite Sponsor Default
Arrowhead, the primary sponsor of Jeb Burton’s No. 4 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) entry, has defaulted payment to the team. This will cause a loss of Burton’s truck team and the loss of 20 percent of the current Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) workforce.
Ryan Blaney’s Race Load Increases with Team Penske
He’s got a full-time ride in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Brad Keselowski Racing and that’s just the beginning for Ryan Blaney in 2014.
It was announced this week that Blaney, 20, will compete in 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series races for Team Penske and also drive two races in the Sprint Cup Series.
NASCAR Media Week News Briefs
It was a rather busy week for race teams and the press as media week commenced on Monday. Press conferences with Stewart-Hass Racing, Leavine Family Racing, Front Row Motorsports, Team Penske, Richard Petty Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Furniture Row Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, and Richard Childress Racing. Martin Truex, Jr. was the only driver on at the scene in Charlotte this week. He Skyped his media obligation from Anguilla. Being that it was snowing in Charlotte, reporters and his Colorado teammates from Furniture Row Racing were jealous of Truex’s on-location report.
Chase Changes Will Challenge Contenders
(Click on image to enlarge)
NASCAR is listening to the fans and its Chairman and CEO Brian France announced changes to the Chase format that he says is “simpler” and will emphasize the importance of winning. Continue reading
Qualifying Changes for the 2014 NASCAR Season
NASCAR officials Wednesday announced a new format for qualifying to “enhance the fan experience” when watching the event on TV and the track.
This season qualifying will feature a group qualifying format.
Race Teams Welcome Sponsors for 2014 Season
It’s been a busy off season for teams and owners as sponsorships get into line for the upcoming season.
It was announced Tuesday that Love’s Travel Stops will expand its partnership with Front Row Motorsports. The primary sponsorship is slated for 14 races in the 2014 season, which is a significant increase. from last season. The sponsor will be on David Gilliand’s No 38 at the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and for 13 other races in the season.
Preseason Thunder Spurs Anticipation for 2014 NASCAR Season
Is it time for the 2014 NASCAR season to start yet? A lot of fans get antsy for the new racing season when the calendar page turns over for another year and the Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway did nothing but whet the appetite of the fans.
Kenny Wallace Talks Racing and New Book
He races cars and tells you how to keep up with maintenance on your own car. NASCAR driver and analyst, Kenny Wallace, talks racing and about his new book, “Kenny’s Garage” in this interview session with WKVI Behind the Wheel Producer, Anita Goodan: Kenny’s Garage
Local NASCAR Driver Returns to Midwest for Short Track Roundtable
It’s where the love of racing begins for most drivers and fans: the short track.
NASCAR’s David Stremme will be at the Double Tree Inn in South Bend, Indiana on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. ET where he will meet with short track drivers, owners, workers, and more to help improve the sport at a local level.
“Things just change and adjusting to them is the biggest thing,” said Stremme. “As humans, we want things faster. There’s more technology now so there’s a lot more things for us to do. We’re going to see what everybody can do from racers to owners to sponsors to fans. We’re going to have a lot of different people there so we’ll see what we can get out of it.”
Rain Forces Cancellation of Testing at Daytona
Testing at Daytona was rained out Thursday. Teams will have extra track time tomorrow and hopefully the rain is done.
Here are a few things I learned today:
Tony Stewart told reporters today that he’ll return to the No. 14 in February but doesn’t think he’ll be 100%.
A Change in Manufacturer Points System in 2014
NASCAR has restructured the manufacturers points system which will make it a little easier to understand while still making it competitive.
The system will mirror the owner championship points structure. Points will be awarded to the single highest finisher for each car manufacturer in each championship event according to the finishing position awarded for each race.
Rusty Wallace to Take Old Ride around Daytona
To help commemorate the 25th anniversary of Rusty Wallace’s 1989 championship and the approaching 40th anniversary of the original Miller Lite beer, Wallace will drive the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford during a test session at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, Jan. 9.
NASCAR News Briefs
Sam Hornish, Jr. will be driving in seven races this season for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he will pilot the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota. His first race will be May 3 at Talladega Super Speedway. He will also participate in races at Road America, Chicagoland Speedway, Mid-Ohio, Kentucky Speedway and both races at Iowa Speedway. Kyle Busch will drive in the remaining 26 races of the season with Adam Stevens calling the shots from atop the pit box. Hornish spent the past two seasons driving the No. 12 Ford for Penske Racing in the Nationwide Series.
