David Ragan took time out of his busy schedule at the shop to talk a little racing and about his expectations for Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend.
He also gives a little insight into his opinion on the new qualifying and Chase format changes in this Behind the Wheel interview with Anita Goodan:
The teams of Elliott Sadler, Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski were penalized after violations were found during inspection processes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Inspections of Elliott Sadler’s car, the No. 11 for Joe Gobbs Racing, found a weight attached in an unapproved location. Crew Chief Chris Gayle was fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31 Car Chief Todd Brewer was also placed on probation under the same time frame.
A post-race inspection after Saturday’s race found the No. 9 car of Chase Elliott exceeded the minimum front height. Crew Chief Greg Ives was placed on probation until Dec. 31.
In another post-race inspection Saturday, Brad Keselowski’s No. 22 car was found to have a shock absorber that exceeded maximum gas pressure. With that, Crew Chief Jeremy Bullins was fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
NASCAR has made modifications in the qualifying process effective immediately.
A group qualifying format was released at Phoenix International Raceway and through continued evaluation, officials have decided to make the following changes during qualifying including the breaks:NASCAR notified its teams this afternoon that effective immediately the following modifications apply to all elements of its national series qualifying including the breaks: Continue reading
Ryan Hess and Curtis Martin, Jr. have been reinstated after their successful completion of NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program.
On June 18, 2013, Ryan Hess, a former crew member in the Nationwide Series, violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing and Section 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the NASCAR Rule Book.
Curtis Martin, Jr., a former crew member in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, violated the same sections in the NASCAR Rule Book on Nov. 19, 2013.
He’s working hard to get some seat time this season after running a few races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013. Chad Hackenbract tells Anita Goodan what he’s been up to in this Behind the Wheel interview: Chad Hackenbracht Behind the Wheel
Kyle Larson is one of eight rookies vying for the Rookie of the Year status this season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and is one of the favorites for the title. He says he’s not feeling the pressure in this Behind the Wheel interview with Anita Goodan: Kyle Larson Behind the Wheel
He won it 10 years ago and he’s won NASCAR’s Great American Race for the second time in his career. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won Sunday’s Daytona 500 after leading the field to green following a late race caution which created a green-white-checkered finish.
It started out as an overcast afternoon at Daytona International Speedway, but by lap 38 the rain moved in and wouldn’t stop. Six hours and 22 minutes later, the field went back to green with cooler temperatures and three-wide racing for quite a few laps until different-sequenced pit stops thinned out the lanes of racing.
Thursday night’s Budweiser Duels sparked dreams for some and disappointment in others.
Joe Gibbs Racing was dominant as two of the organization’s drivers were in Victory Lane after both races.
Matt Kenseth was able to come away with the win in the first race, fighting off a charging Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne. All three were close to the finish line for the win but Kenseth was able to get across in winning fashion to claim the first victory of the evening.
He’s driving in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Turner Scott Motorsports this Friday and then he’ll race in the Daytona 500 in the Sprint Cup Series on Sunday in his full-time ride with BK Racing. Ryan Truex is looking for a trip to Victory Lane to start off the 2014 season right. Continue reading
Austin Dillon continues to make headlines as he wins the pole position for the Daytona 500.
Dillon has brought the No. 3 back to the Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing and proved that the return of the famous No. 3 when he posted the fastest lap times in pre-season testing and qualifying for the Great American Race.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was the first to go out and qualify where he sat at the top of the qualifying list until Greg Biffle bumped him off the provisional pole. It wasn’t long after that run when Dillon drove the No. 3 to the top with a speed of 196.02 mph.
Denny Hamlin has made it clear that he’s back and he’s ready to take this NASCAR season by storm.
Hamlin not only started on the pole, but he won all three segments in Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited at the Daytona International Speedway.
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, 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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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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
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.
