Sunday, July 31, 2016

HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA TEAM UP FOR “CAR WASH AND RIDE”



In Homestead-Miami Speedway’s continual commitment of giving back to the community, the Speedway partnered with Special Olympics Florida- Miami-Dade County to bring back the “Car Wash and Ride” charity event to the track on Sunday. Participants from around South Florida were welcomed to the Speedway to experience the extraordinary opportunity of driving their vehicle around the same 1.5-mile oval that hosts NASCAR’s championship races each November, along with getting their car washed in the track’s infield.

Car club racing enthusiasts, along with casual South Florida drivers were treated to a first-hand run of the track as they dashed through the straightaways and maneuvered the Speedway’s unique progressive banking. Proceeds from the event benefitted Special Olympics Florida- Miami-Dade County and Homestead-Miami Speedway’s charitable outreach program, Driving for a Cause. Since its inception in 2013, Driving for a Cause has awarded grants to more than a dozen organizations that focus on youth and education programs in South Florida.

“This was a car-lover’s dream,” said Hope Jacobson, a volunteer with Special Olympics Florida Miami-Dade County for more than 40 years. “Homestead-Miami Speedway has been a great host and partner, and fundraisers like this really help our 5,400 athletes. You talk about training for life and a meaning to life, it’s very special to a lot of these people. They train year-round and it gives many of them a true meaning to life.”

“Through the years, the Car Wash and Ride has always been a great way to bring together the South Florida community for a special cause, and experience our championship track first-hand,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “The turnout this year was positively overwhelming, and it was great to see so many people come out and support all the organizations in this event.”

Car Wash and Ride participants also made donations to two other South Florida organizations—Farm Share and Gotsneakers. Farm Share, South Florida’s local food bank, gathered more than 307 pounds of nonperishable food items, which will later be distributed to those in need. Gotsneakers, a local sneaker recycling organization, collected used sneakers, which were donated by Sunday’s participants.

Monday, July 25, 2016

RACE RECAPS- INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY


RACE RECAPS

CROWN ROYAL PRESENTS THE COMBAT WOUNDED COALITION 400 AT THE BRICKYARD
Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Indianapolis, Indiana
Sunday, July 24, 2016

Race Winner: Kyle Busch
Age: 31
Team: No. 18 – Skittles Toyota
Owner: Joe Gibbs Racing
Crew Chief: Adam Stevens

IN THE WORDS OF THE WINNER – “No, I guess I didn’t (on if he expected to be as dominant as he was today). I hoped it would be like that and be that good. This Skittles Camry was awesome, I can’t thank everyone from Skittles enough and everyone from M&M’s and their 75th anniversary year this season with us. Of course Interstate Batteries. This Toyota was awesome today, it was just so fast and able to get out front and stay out front. Not even some of my teammates could challenge. This was hooked up and on rails. I can’t say enough about Sprint and everything they’ve done for our sport. Of course the fans – thank everyone for being here and everyone watching on TV – you guys are awesome. We appreciate all of our partners at Joe Gibbs Racing. Adam Stevens (crew chief) and these guys are a phenomenal group and I’m proud to be with them. It’s fun to come out here and have such a dominant piece at Indy. They don’t come along often so I was just hoping I didn’t screw it up.”
-       Kyle Busch

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·       Kyle Busch won the 23rd Annual Crown Royal Presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon. For Busch, it was his 38th win in 410 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. 
 
·         Busch won the poles for the XFINITY and Sprint Cup Series races this weekend in Indianapolis and both races as well, becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to achieve that sweep at any venue.
 
·         For Busch, it was his fourth victory of the season, tying him with Brad Keselowski for the most Sprint Cup wins in 2016.  It was Busch’s first win since May 8 at Kansas.
 
·         It was Busch’s second straight win and 10th top-10 finish in 12 races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 
·         Busch led for 149 of the 170 laps of today’s overtime race, marking the most-ever in a Sprint Cup series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 
·       Kevin Harvick (671) leads the 2016 Sprint Cup points standing by 24 points over Brad Keselowski (647).  The following are the top-5 drivers in points through the first 20 races:

 
Driver                                           Wins                           Points
1.    Kevin Harvick                              1                                  671          
2.    Brad Keselowski                         4                                  647                                  
3.    Kurt Busch                                   1                                  627                            
4.    Joey Logano                                1                                  606         
5.    Kyle Busch                                  4                                  601                             

·      Ten drivers have qualified for the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, a list which includes Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr., all of who have taken checkered flags this year. Tony Stewart, who won at Sonoma on June 26, would also qualify so long as he finishes in the top-30 in points after the season’s 26 regular season races. Stewart currently sits in the 27th spot with 317 points, seven ahead of Casey Mears (310), who is in 28th, 12 in front of Landon Cassill who is in 29th (305) and 39 points in front of 30th place David Ragan (278 points, 30th).  The Chase culminates with the Ford EcoBoost 400 championship race on November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

·         In 11 Sprint Cup starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kyle Busch has posted four  top-10 finishes and two top 5s, including a win in the 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400, giving him the 2015 Sprint Cup championship.
 
·       Starting this year, the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series will feature championship races at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19 (NXS) and November 18 (NCWTS).  Four drivers will compete amongst a full field for their respective title. Below is a race recap from Saturday’s XFINITY Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Camping World Truck Series was held on Wednesday of this past week:
 
·        Kyle Busch won the 5th Annual Lilly Diabetes 250 XFINITY Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon. It is his 83rd victory in 322 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.  It was his 7th win and 11th top-10 in the XFINITY Series this year.
 
·         Busch has now won three races in-a-row for the second time this year, the first driver ever to accomplish this feat in the XFINITY Series.
 
·        Justin Allgaier (fifth) won the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash bonus of $100,000.
 
·         Daniel Suarez (604) leads the point standings by 14 points over Elliott Sadler (584).
 
·       Through 18 races this season in the XFINITY Series, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez and Elliott Sadler have qualified for the 2016 XFINITY Series Chase following their victories. Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin have also won an XFINITY Series race this season but are ineligible for the XFINITY Series Chase due to their full-time status in the Sprint Cup Series. Sam Hornish Jr. is also ineligible because he is not a full-time driver in the XFINITY Series.

Monday, July 18, 2016

RACE RECAPS- NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY



RACE RECAPS

NEW HAMPSHIRE 301
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, New Hampshire
Sunday, July 17, 2016

Race Winner: Matt Kenseth
Age: 44
Team: No. 20 – Dollar General Toyota
Owner: Joe Gibbs Racing
Crew Chief: Jason Ratcliff

IN THE WORDS OF THE WINNER -- ““You’re always pleased to be in Victory Lane. The farther down the road you get, the better they feel for sure. Thanks to everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing – I’ve said it a million times, but I’m blessed with this opportunity to be over here with the guys I get to work with and my great sponsors – Dollar General and of course can’t do it without Toyota, TRD (Toyota Racing Development), Interstate Batteries, WileyX, Gatorade. Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) and the team over there made great, great adjustments today. I didn’t do a very good job qualifying and after round one today it was pretty much money, we just had to get there. It was a fun day.”
-       Matt Kenseth

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·         Matt Kenseth won the 24th Annual New Hampshire 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon. For Kenseth, it was his 38th win in 597 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. 
 
·         It is Kenseth’s second victory and eighth top-10 finish in 2016. With the win, Kenseth becomes the fifth driver with multiple wins this season. Kenseth also won at Dover International Speedway on May 15.
 
·         In his 17-year career, this is Kenseth’s first victory in the month of July as a Sprint Cup Series driver.
 
·         It is Kenseth’s third victory and 18th top-10 finish in 33 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
 
·         Tony Stewart (second) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 34 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
 
·         Through Stewart’s 11 races this season, he has five top-10 finishes along with three top-5s in the last four races.
 
·          Joey Logano (third) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 16 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
 
·         For Logano, it is his 12th top-10 and eighth top-5 showing in 19 races this season, including six top-10s in the last seven races.
 
·         Kevin Harvick finished fourth in the New Hampshire 301, giving him 15 top-10 and eight top-5 finishes on the year.
 
·         Greg Biffle (fifth) had his best showing of the year. It is his third top-10 of the season, all coming over the course of the last three races.
 
·         Kevin Harvick (636) leads the 2016 Sprint Cup points standing by 14 points over Brad Keselowski (622).  The following are the top-5 drivers in points through the first 19 races:
 
Driver                                           Wins               Points
1.    Kevin Harvick                             1                      636
2.    Brad Keselowski                        3                      622
3.    Kurt Busch                                  1                      602
4.    Carl Edwards                              2                      587
5.    Joey Logano                               1                      571



·         Ten drivers have qualified for the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, a list which includes Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr., all of who have taken checkered flags this year. Tony Stewart, who won at Sonoma on June 26, would also qualify so long as he finishes in the top-30 in points after the season’s 26 regular season races. Stewart currently sits in the 28th spot with 287 points, three ahead of Landon Cassill (284), who is in 29th, and 13 points in front of David Ragan (274 points, 30th).  The Chase culminates with the Ford EcoBoost 400 championship race on November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

·         In 16 Sprint Cup starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Matt Kenseth has posted four top-5 finishes and eight top 10s, including a win in the 2007 Ford 400. In 2003, Kenseth celebrated his first title at Homestead-Miami Speedway after being crowned the Winston Cup Series champion.


Starting this year, the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series will feature championship races at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19 (NXS) and November 18 (NCWTS).  Four drivers will compete amongst a full field for their respective title. Below is a race recap from this weekend’s XFINITY Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Camping World Truck Series was off this weekend:

·         Kyle Busch won the 27th Annual AutoLotto 200 XFINITY Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon. It is his 82nd victory in 321 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
 
·         Erik Jones (second) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 2016. He was also the highest finishing rookie.
 
·         Daniel Suarez leads the point standings by 15 points over Elliott Sadler.
 
·         Through 17 races this season in the XFINITY Series, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez and Elliott Sadler have qualified for the 2016 XFINITY Series Chase following their victories. Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin have also won an XFINITY Series race this season but are ineligible for the XFINITY Series Chase due to their full-time status in the Sprint Cup Series. Sam Hornish Jr. is also ineligible because he is not a full-time driver in the XFINITY Series.
 
·         The following are the points leaders in the Camping World Truck Series through 10 races:


Camping World Truck Series

Driver                                           Wins                    Points
1.    William Byron                             4                                 263
2.    Matt Crafton                                2                                 250
3.    Daniel Hemric                             0                                  221
4.    Timothy Peters                             0                                 216
5.    Johnny Sauter                           1                                  204
6.    John Hunter Nemechek          1                                  192
7.    Tyler Reddick                              0                                  192
8.    Christopher Bell                        1                                 191
 
·         Through 10 races this season in the Camping World Truck Series, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Matt Crafton, John Hunter Nemechek and Johnny Sauter have qualified for the 2016 Camping World Truck Series Chase following their victories. Kyle Busch has also won a Camping World Truck Series race this season but is ineligible for the Camping World Truck Series Chase due to his full-time status in the Sprint Cup Series.

Monday, July 11, 2016

RACE RECAPS- KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY



RACE RECAPS

Quaker State 400
Kentucky Speedway – Sparta, Kentucky
Saturday, July 9, 2016

Race Winner: Brad Keselowski
Age: 32
Team: No. 2 – Miller Lite Ford
Owner: Team Penske
Crew Chief: Paul Wolfe

IN THE WORDS OF THE WINNER -- “We almost didn’t, but I’ve got to give credit to my guys, the Roush Yates Engine shop, and everybody at Ford.  We knew the fuel mileage.  We went out and we set a really fast pace there on that restart and was just using fuel, and then it became obvious that you were gonna have to save fuel at the end, but I already used so much.  It’s a testament to our guys to have the fuel mileage that we did to be able to get back what I burnt early in the run and get the Miller Lite Ford in Victory Lane.  It’s number four this year.  Gosh, that’s great.  Usually these repaves are kind of my Achilles heel, but to get a win here at Kentucky.  I know it’s been a good track for us in the past, but this isn’t the same Kentucky, I can tell you that.  These cars were tough to drive today, but a good tough.  This was a hard-fought battle and I’m really proud of everybody on the 2 crew to get win number four and take that first place.”
-       Brad Keselowski

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·         Brad Keselowski won the 6th Annual Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway Saturday night. For Keselowski, it was his 21st win in 251 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.  It is his fourth victory of 2016, the third-most wins in a season for Keselowski (6 in 2014, 5 in 2012).

·         Keselowski becomes the first driver to win four races in the Sprint Cup Series this year. It is Keselowski’s 12th top-10 and eighth top-5 finish through 18 races this season.

·         This is Keselowski’s second consecutive win in as many weeks, also winning the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway last weekend.

·         It is Keselowski’s third victory and fifth top-10 finish in six races at Kentucky Speedway.

·         Carl Edwards (second) posted his third top-10 finish in six races at Kentucky Speedway. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2016.

·         Ryan Newman (third) had his best showing of the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season. It is his third top-10 finish in six races at Kentucky Speedway.

·         Kurt Busch finished fourth at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, giving him his 15 top-10 and six top-5 finish this season.

·         Tony Stewart (fifth) posted his fourth top-10 and second top-5 showing through 10 starts this season.

·         Jeffrey Earnhardt (28th) was the highest finishing rookie.

·         Kevin Harvick (599) leads the 2016 Sprint Cup points standing by 4 points over Brad Keselowski (595).  The following are the top five drivers in points through the first 18 races:


Driver                                           Wins               Points
1.    Kevin Harvick                               1                      599
2.    Brad Keselowski                          4                      595
3.    Kurt Busch                                    1                      583
4.    Carl Edwards                                2                      566
5.    Joey Logano                                 1                      533

·         Ten drivers have qualified for the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, a list which includes Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr., all of who have taken checkered flags this year. Tony Stewart, who won at Sonoma on June 26, would also qualify so long as he finishes in the top-30 in points after the season’s 26 regular season races. Stewart currently sits in the 30th spot with 248 points, 31 points ahead of Brian Scott (217), who is in 31st, and seven points in front of Regan Smith (210 points, 32nd).  The Chase culminates with the Ford EcoBoost 400 championship race on November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

·         In eight career Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Keselowski has recorded three top-10 finishes and two top 5s.  He celebrated the Sprint Cup Series title following the 2012 Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.


Starting this year, the XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series will feature championship races at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19 (NXS) and November 18 (NCWTS).  Four drivers will compete amongst a full field for their respective title. Below is a race recap from this weekend’s XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series races at Kentucky Speedway:

·         Kyle Busch won the 16th Annual Alsco 300 XFINITY Series race at Kentucky Speedway Friday night. It is his 81st victory in 320 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.

·         It is Busch’s fifth victory and ninth top-10 finish in 2016. It is also Busch’s second victory and seventh top-10 finish in nine races at Kentucky Speedway.

·         Daniel Suarez leads the XFINITY Series points standings by nine points over Elliott Sadler.

·         William Byron won the 6th Annual Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 Camping World Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway Thursday night. It is his fourth victory in 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.

·         It is Byron’s fourth victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2016. It is also Byron’s first victory and first top-10 finish in two races at Kentucky Speedway.

·         Byron's victory was the 51st for Kyle Busch Motorsports. KBM passed Roush Fenway Racing for the Camping World Truck Series record.

·         William Byron leads the Camping World Truck Series points standings by 13 points over Matt Crafton.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

RACE RECAPS- DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY


Race Recap

Coke Zero 400
Daytona International Speedway – Daytona, Fla.
Saturday, July 2, 2016

Race Winner: Brad Keselowski
Age: 32
Team: No. 2 – Detroit Genuine Parts Ford
Owner: Team Penske
Crew Chief: Paul Wolfe

IN THE WORDS OF THE WINNER -- “Those guys were doing a heck of a job.  Kyle (Busch) and Kurt (Busch) worked together really well, and my teammate Joey Logano was a huge part of this today.  We had two great cars here with Team Penske and worked together really well.  Joey has won here and he’s really a pro, especially on that restart.  He gave me that push I need to get to the front and here we are at Daytona in Victory Lane.  I don’t care if it’s not the 500.  It’s Daytona.  This is huge.  I love this place and here we are in Victory Lane with the Detroit Ford.” 
-       Brad Keselowski

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·         Brad Keselowski won the 35th annual Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway Saturday night. For Keselowski, it was his 20th win in 250 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.  It is his third victory of 2016, tied for his third-most wins in a season (6 in 2014, 5 in 2012, 3 in 2011).
 
·         This is Keselowski’s first win and fourth top-10 finish in 15 races at Daytona International Speedway.  It was his 10th top-10 finish of 2016 and his seventh in the top-5, including his fourth top-5 finish in the last five races.
 
·         Tonight’s win marked Keselowski’s fifth victory in a restrictor plate race, with each of the previous four coming at Talladega Superspeedway.
 
·         Keselowski led 115 of the 161 laps of tonight’s race, including each of the final 17.
 
·         The win for Keselowski represented the 100th Cup win for Team Penske in this, the 50th anniversary of the organization.
 
·         Kyle Busch (second) posted his eighth top-10 showing in 23 races at Daytona International Speedway.  It was his 11th top-10 finish of 2016 and his 10th in the top-5.
 
·         Trevor Bayne (third) posted his best finish of the year, surpassing his previous high of 5th at Bristol on April 17.  In fact, today’s finish was his third top 5 in 111 career Sprint Cup races.  His best finish occurred on February 20, 2011 when he won the Daytona 500.
 
·         Joey Logano (fourth) compiled his fourth straight top-5 finish.
 
·         Four of the top five drivers in tonight’s race were Ford drivers, a group which also included Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (fifth), who tied a season-high finish tonight that he also attained on March 26 at Auto Club Speedway.
 
·         Ryan Blaney (14th) was the highest finishing rookie tonight. 
 
·         Kevin Harvick (565) leads the 2016 Sprint Cup points standing by 15 points over Brad Keselowski (551).  The following are the top five drivers in points through the first 17 races:


Driver                                           Wins               Points
1.    Kevin Harvick                             1                      565
2.    Brad Keselowski                        3                      551
3.    Kurt Busch                                  1                      545
4.    Joey Logano                               1                      531
5.    Carl Edwards                              2                      527

·         Ten drivers have qualified for the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, a list which includes Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr., all of who have taken checkered flags this year. Tony Stewart, who won at Sonoma on June 26, would also qualify so long as he finishes in the top-30 in points after the season’s 26 regular season races. Stewart currently sits in the 30th spot with 212 points, three ahead of Brian Scott (209), who is in 31st, and nine points in front of Regan Smith (203 points, 32nd).  The Chase culminates with the Ford EcoBoost 400 championship race on November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
 
·         In eight career Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Keselowski has recorded three top-10 finishes and two top 5s.  He celebrated the Sprint Cup Series title following the 2012 Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Starting this year, the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series will feature championship races at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19 (NXS) and November 18 (NCWTS).  Four drivers will compete amongst a full field for their respective title. Attached is a race recap from this weekend’s XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway.  The Camping World Truck Series was off this weekend (Please refer to the attached race recap graphic for more information):


·         Aric Almirola won the 15th annual Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola XFINITY race at Daytona International Speedway.  Almirola won in a green-white checkered finish, NASCAR’s overtime format.  The win was the second with which Almirola has been credited in the XFINITY series and his first since June 23, 2007 in Milwaukee.
 
·         Prior to Friday, Almirola’s most recent victory in any series occurred in 2014 Coke Zero 400 Sprint Cup race on July 6.
 
·         The following are the points leaders in the Camping World Truck Series through nine races:


Camping World Truck Series
 
Driver                                           Wins                    Points
1.    William Byron                          3                                 226
2.    Matt Crafton                             2                                  225
3.    Timothy Peters                          0                                  221
4.    Daniel Hemric                           0                                  216
5.    Johnny Sauter                         1                                  204
6.    John Hunter Nemechek          1                                  192
7.    Ben Kennedy                             0                                  192
8.    Tyler Reddick                             0                                  191
9.    Christopher Bell                       1                                  185