nASCAR Drive for Diversity
Awards Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion Leaders
Ten Individuals and Organizations Recognized Across the NASCAR
Industry
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February
2, 2023) – Today
NASCAR will host the 15th annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards in celebration
of diversity and inclusion advocates and trailblazers throughout the sport. For
the first time, the event takes place in Los Angeles, Ca.
Ten
individuals and organizations whose efforts are making a difference both on and
off the racetrack will receive awards. Drivers, pit crew members, partners,
industry leaders and NASCAR executives will be in attendance.
“We continue
to make significant progress in increasing diversity and inclusion across our
sport, a collective effort made possible thanks to those receiving awards today,”
said NASCAR President, Steve Phelps. “Their contributions are helping drive our
sport forward, and these awards celebrate the passion and commitment of leaders
who are bolstering our efforts to build a more inclusive NASCAR culture.”
The NASCAR
Drive for Diversity Awards honors deserving awardees who are setting an example by
advocating for diversity and inclusion across the NASCAR industry.
The 2023
NASCAR Drive for Diversity Award recipients are as follows:
Crew Member Award: Chris
Justice
Chris Justice
is an 18-year veteran of the sport who began his career with the inaugural NASCAR
Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program class as a tire carrier. He now
shares his knowledge with the new generation of pit crew recruits while serving as
an IT specialist for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Developmental Series Driver
Award: Nick Sanchez
Nick Sanchez earned an ARCA Menards Series championship with Rev Racing in
2022.The NASCAR Drive for Diversity alum is advancing to the NASCAR Craftsman
Truck Series in 2023. Sanchez will pilot the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet for Rev
Racing with its technical alliance partner, Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM).
Off-track Sanchez works with the De Moya Foundation to introduce new fans to
NASCAR.
Sam Belnavis Industry
Ambassador Award: Jamie Little
Jamie Little made history in
2021
as the first female broadcaster to
serve as lap-by-lap announcer for a national racing series. A veteran motorsports
reporter, Little joined FOX NASCAR in 2015 to cover pit road for the NASCAR Cup
Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. In 2023, Little embarks on her ninth DAYTONA 500
and also elevates to a part-time play-by-play schedule for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN
Truck Series for FOX Sports.
Institution Award:
Sports Biz Camps
Sports Biz Camps provides high school and college students access to sports
careers through education and engagement with industry professionals. Sports Biz
Camps has worked with NASCAR since 2019 to provide students fellowship and
shadowing opportunities within the motorsports industry.
National Series Driver Award:
Daniel Suárez
In 2022, Daniel Suárez made history as the first Mexican-born driver to win a
NASCAR Cup Series race. A graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program,
Suárez continues to be both an ambassador for the sport, the Mexican American and
broader Hispanic community. He has carried the Daniel's Amigos campaign with him
for several years, winning support of the initiative at each stop.
Outstanding Intern Award:
Susan Wong
Susan Wong
participated in the 2022 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program. The Arizona State
University student spent her summer with NASCAR’s content team where she created
original social media marketing strategies for Tik Tok, introducing the sport to
new fans.
Partner Award: Advance Auto
Parts
In 2022,
Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider and the
Official Auto Parts Retailer of NASCAR, served as the primary sponsor of the
Advance Auto Parts Drive for Diversity Combine, adding key support to programming
focused on advancing careers and increasing diverse representation across the
industry. The entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS)
and Advance My Track Challenge, Advance has dedicated its resources to developing
NASCAR at the grassroots level.
Team Award: 23XI Racing
23XI Racing debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021 with Bubba Wallace behind the
wheel of the No. 23 Toyota. The team was
established in part with the
goal of helping to create a more diverse fan base and workforce that better
represents the makeup of the communities in which they live and race.
Since then, the team, owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, has worked with
several partners to create initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion.
23XI Racing is also dedicated
to fostering the advancement of those interested in motorsports. Through the SPEED
Institute, 23XI Racing’s educational and professional development initiative, the
team has also worked to help provide tuition support and internship opportunities
for college-aged students.
Track Award: Daytona
International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway has continued to lead the way in engagement and
commitment to community, building relationships that are inclusive of its local
market and bringing a major positive impact to the surrounding area. In addition
to ongoing partnerships with local schools and businesses in support of diverse
communities, the speedway has provided a pace car for the CommUNITY Rainbow Run, a
4.9K benefiting the onePULSE Foundation and National Pulse Memorial & Museum.
Young Racer Award: Nathan Lyons
The 13-year-old, originally from Texas, attended his first NASCAR race at age six
through the Speeding to Read program at Texas Motor Speedway, which sparked a love
for the sport. Nathan Lyons moved to Concord, N.C., to pursue his dream to race in
NASCAR and had five top 10 finishes in the 2022 Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor
Speedway. Lyons was selected to the 2023 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver
Development Team.
NASCAR Fan Rewards Launches as
Part of 75th Anniversary Season
Program is First of its Kind
Currently Offered by a Major Sports League
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Jan. 31,
2023) –
NASCAR is
home to the most loyal and passionate fans in all of sports, and now fans are
being rewarded for that loyalty. As part of its 75th Diamond Anniversary season,
NASCAR has launched NASCAR Fan Rewards, a free program that rewards fans for
simply engaging with the sport they love.
“Our fans are
the reason we race week in and week out, so we wanted to show our appreciation by
creating this free program that rewards them for doing what they’re already doing
– connecting with the sport they love,” said Pete Jung, NASCAR senior vice
president and chief marketing officer. “The best part is, the more fans engage,
the more rewards they will earn towards things such as merchandise, gift cards and
even race tickets.”
There is no
cost to join the rewards program. Fans can visit
nascar.com/fanrewards, create an account and start earning points towards
rewards immediately. For those fans who already have a NASCAR.com account, they
can simply opt-in to NASCAR Fan Rewards via their profile page. Once points are
earned, fans can redeem them for items such as race tickets, VIP experiences,
autographed merchandise and gift cards, or even donate to the NASCAR Foundation.
Some ways to
earn points towards rewards include:
-
Watching Races from Home:
Fans can check in on the NASCAR.com (desktop, mobile app, or mobile web)
leaderboard during any CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Xfinity Series, or Cup Series race
-
Attending NASCAR Races:
Fans can check in from the NASCAR Track app
-
Playing NASCAR Fantasy Live
-
Participating in Weekly
Trivia:
Available via the NASCAR Fan Rewards dashboard each week
-
Purchasing Race Tickets and
Camping:
Points are earned automatically when fans purchase tickets or camping at any
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Xfinity Series, or Cup Series race
-
Visiting the NASCAR Hall of
Fame
-
Purchasing Merchandise from
the NASCAR.com Shop
To help launch the program and generate awareness among fans, NASCAR and Spire
Motorsports will collaborate to showcase a special NASCAR Fan Rewards paint scheme
on the No. 77 Chevrolet driven by Ty Dillon during the Busch Light Clash at the
Coliseum on Feb. 5.
For further
information on the NASCAR Fan Rewards program and a full list of ways to earn
points and rewards, visit
nascar.com/fanrewards.
The NASCAR
Cup Series hits the track for the first time in 2023 at the Busch Light Clash at
the Coliseum this Sunday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR
Radio. Tickets begin at $65, and kids 12-and-under are $10. Fans can get tickets
now by visiting
www.nascarclash.com. Then, the regular season gets underway with the 65th
running of the DAYTONA 500®, the Great American Race, on Sunday, February 19 at
2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
UNOH Fanzone passes are still
available at
www.daytona500.com or by calling 1-800-PIT-SHOP.
NASCAR Fan Rewards Launches as Part of 75th
Anniversary Season
Program is First of its Kind Currently Offered
by a Major Sports League
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Jan. 31,
2023) –
NASCAR is
home to the most loyal and passionate fans in all of sports, and now fans are
being rewarded for that loyalty. As part of its 75th Diamond Anniversary season,
NASCAR has launched NASCAR Fan Rewards, a free program that rewards fans for
simply engaging with the sport they love.
“Our fans are
the reason we race week in and week out, so we wanted to show our appreciation by
creating this free program that rewards them for doing what they’re already doing
– connecting with the sport they love,” said Pete Jung, NASCAR senior vice
president and chief marketing officer. “The best part is, the more fans engage,
the more rewards they will earn towards things such as merchandise, gift cards and
even race tickets.”
There is no
cost to join the rewards program. Fans can visit
nascar.com/fanrewards, create an account and start earning points towards
rewards immediately. For those fans who already have a NASCAR.com account, they
can simply opt-in to NASCAR Fan Rewards via their profile page. Once points are
earned, fans can redeem them for items such as race tickets, VIP experiences,
autographed merchandise and gift cards, or even donate to the NASCAR Foundation.
Some ways to
earn points towards rewards include:
-
Watching Races from Home:
Fans can check in on the NASCAR.com (desktop, mobile app, or mobile web)
leaderboard during any CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Xfinity Series, or Cup Series race
-
Attending NASCAR Races:
Fans can check in from the NASCAR Track app
-
Playing NASCAR Fantasy Live
-
Participating in Weekly
Trivia:
Available via the NASCAR Fan Rewards dashboard each week
-
Purchasing Race Tickets and
Camping:
Points are earned automatically when fans purchase tickets or camping at any
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Xfinity Series, or Cup Series race
-
Visiting the NASCAR Hall of
Fame
-
Purchasing Merchandise from
the NASCAR.com Shop
To help launch the program and generate awareness among fans, NASCAR and Spire
Motorsports will collaborate to showcase a special NASCAR Fan Rewards paint scheme
on the No. 77 Chevrolet driven by Ty Dillon during the Busch Light Clash at the
Coliseum on Feb. 5.
For further
information on the NASCAR Fan Rewards program and a full list of ways to earn
points and rewards, visit
nascar.com/fanrewards.
The NASCAR
Cup Series hits the track for the first time in 2023 at the Busch Light Clash at
the Coliseum this Sunday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR
Radio. Tickets begin at $65, and kids 12-and-under are $10. Fans can get tickets
now by visiting
www.nascarclash.com. Then, the regular season gets underway with the 65th
running of the DAYTONA 500®, the Great American Race, on Sunday, February 19 at
2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
UNOH Fanzone passes are still
available at
www.daytona500.com or by calling 1-800-PIT-SHOP.
Jimmie Johnson, Mike
Rockenfeller and Jenson Button to pilot the Garage 56 entry in this year’s 24
Hours of Le Mans
January 28,
2023
By Holly Cain
NASCAR Wire
Service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie
Johnson, long-time sports car star Mike Rockenfeller and former Formula One
champion Jenson Button will comprise the highly-anticipated driver lineup for the
NASCAR Garage 56 project at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The announcement was made Saturday morning at Daytona International
Speedway in the hours before the 61st Annual Rolex 24 at Daytona IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship season-opener.
The Garage 56 project is a joint effort by NASCAR, Hendrick
Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear for the grand endurance race’s
100th anniversary celebration at its June 10-11 running.
“Since the beginning of the Garage 56 project, it has been our goal
to partner with the top racers in the world to represent us in Le Mans,’’ NASCAR
Chairman and CEO Jim France said. “The lineup of Jimmie, “Rocky” and Jensen is
everything we could have dreamed of – three elite drivers who have won at the
highest levels of motorsports worldwide.
“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of NASCAR, we are honored to
have these world-class champions help bring the sights and sounds of a NASCAR race
car to fans in Le Mans and across the world.’’
Johnson, 47, is a seven-time champion and 83-time race winner in
the NASCAR Cup Series and now co-owner (and part-time driver) of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
in the NASCAR Cup Series. He will be making his Le Mans debut, although he has
competed in 16 sports car races over the last two decades in the IMSA ranks with
podiums at the Rolex 24 in 2021 and a runner-up showing at Motul Petit Le Mans
just last November.
“When Rick [Hendrick] called, I couldn’t resist the opportunity,’’
Johnson said. “It’s been a big dream of mine to go to Le Mans and experience what
it’s all about and to have the experience I’ve had here. I know how special this
event [Rolex 24] is and I’m sad I’m not out there today. To know I’m going to Le
Mans with this great group of drivers, this great team, the collaboration between
GM and NASCAR, everybody involved, it’s really a special, special opportunity.’’
Rockenfeller, 39, is not only the true sports car veteran of the
group but the German driver is a former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner both overall
(2010) and in the GT Class (2005). He’s also a past Rolex 24 at Daytona winner
(2010) and has been the lead test driver for this Garage 56 project.
“It’s just an incredible group of partners in this project and to
be involved from day one is a great honor and a lot of fun,’’ Rockenfeller said.
“I can’t wait to share the car with these two teammates.’’
Button, 43, won the 2009 Formula One world championship and has 15
F1 career grand prix victories. After attending a practice session to watch
Johnson and Rockenfeller in the car in Sebring, Fla. – purely as a spectator – he
said the idea was floated for him to be a third driver only in December, 2022. He
had raced previously against Rockenfeller and is a longtime friend of Johnson’s.
He competed at Le Mans in 2018 and is not only eager but optimistic about this
next opportunity.
“I finished my F1 career and I look for new challenges and this is
definitely an exciting challenge and to work alongside these two, you can see
there’s some good banter already,’’ Button said, as the trio joked with one
another on stage at the announcement.
“I think it shows that teamwork we will need to go to Le Mans and
to perform as we would like. Very excited to work with this all-star team.
Jordan Taylor, a four-time champion in the IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship and current Chevrolet Corvette factory driver will serve as
a back-up driver and will join Rockenfeller in the program’s test program that
will continue next week at Daytona International Speedway.
Chad Knaus, Hendrick Motorsports’ Vice President of Competition and
Johnson’s former championship crew chief, said there is actually a rather
aggressive test schedule upcoming before Garage 56 goes overseas for competition.
After the car’s test at Daytona next week, it will run multiple endurance tests,
including one at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway in late February. The idea,
Knaus assured, is to be competitive.
Judging by the smiles and positive reception to the news at Daytona
on Saturday morning, there is a lot of interest in Garage 56. A lot of expectation
and a lot of hope.
“I would suggest if there ever was such a thing as an all-star team
in motorsports, this project is the absolute poster of that,’’ IMSA President John
Doonan said.
“It first started with Jim France’s vision then it started almost a
year ago in a conversation with Rick Hendrick. And the organization, it’s just
unbelievable to have Chad Knaus and Greg Ives involved in this. And you couple
that with what Chad and Jimmie accomplished over 15 seasons, seven championships
83 wins twice here on this stage in 06 and 2013, unbelievable.
“And then you go on to Mike Rockenfeller, a Le Mans winner with
unbelievable endurance sports car experience and a world champion from Formula
One, it’s exactly what the vision was to put NASCAR on a global stage and bring
drivers from so many different disciplines.’’
Hurley x NASCAR Collaborate to
Launch Line of Beach and Surf Apparel
Daytona
Beach, Fla. (Jan. 26. 2023) – NASCAR and Hurley, the iconic action-sports brand,
announced today a collaboration that will deliver a brand-new collection of men’s
and women’s beach and surf apparel. Two racing themed product lines will drop
during NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season in 2023, with the first available now on
Hurley.com,
and another dropping prior to the NASCAR
Darlington Throwback Weekend in April.
“Hurley is one of the most
influential brands in the world when it comes to action-sports and beach apparel,”
said Megan Malayter, NASCAR managing director of licensing and consumer products.
“As two companies who were born on the beach, we’re thrilled to be collaborating
with Hurley to bring this exclusive Hurley x NASCAR collection to fans in 2023.”
Hurley was founded
in Huntington Beach in 1999 on the principle of empowering and fueling the voice
of the next generation. Through the lens of inclusion, Hurley has partnered with
the world’s best surfers, skateboarders, snowboarders, musicians and artists, and
is an iconic global youth culture brand with roots sunk deep in beach lifestyle.
“We’re excited to
bring the Hurley energy that has solidified its stake in surf, snow and skate to a
new audience through the Hurley x NASCAR collection. Racing and surfing take
dedication, commitment and drive and have many of the same key attributes. We have
fused the two as one in the latest Hurley x NASCAR collection while taking our
brand trackside,” said Ralph Gindi, COO and co-founder of Bluestar Alliance,
parent company of Hurley.
Hurley has developed
cutting-edge, fashionable beachwear for both collections including items such as
board shorts, swimwear, athleisure, tees, hats and woven tops. The first line of
product, which dropped today, will feature designs that reflect an authentic 1990s
feel. The second line will appropriately carry a look that represents vintage
NASCAR, drawing on the rich history of the sport’s quintessential branding.
One of Hurley’s feature athletes is NASCAR’s own
Noah Gragson, who will pilot the No. 42 Chevrolet for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in 2023.
Hurley, as well as several of its athletes, will be on site at Daytona
International Speedway for the DAYTONA 500, giving fans the opportunity to
purchase items from the collection in person. Follow all of the excitement here
https://www.instagram.com/hurley/.
The 2023
NASCAR Cup Series season begins with the 65th running of the DAYTONA 500®, the
Great American Race, on Sunday, February 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and
SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. UNOH Fanzone passes
are still available at
www.daytona500.com
or by calling 1-800-PIT-SHOP.
####
Cabo
Wabo Tequila: The First Official Tequila Sponsor of NASCAR
Multiyear
agreement cements the brand’s status as Official Tequila of Daytona International
Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and
Talladega
Superspeedway
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – (Jan. 24,
2023)
– Cabo Wabo, an unquestionably Mexican tequila made with an undeniable American
attitude, is now officially a NASCAR partner.
NASCAR and
Campari America announced today that Cabo Wabo Tequila is the first-ever “Official
Tequila Sponsor of NASCAR.” As part of a wide-ranging, multiyear agreement, Cabo
Wabo Tequila becomes the Official Tequila of Daytona International Speedway,
Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
“Cabo Wabo’s
reputation for doing things bigger, bolder and better perfectly aligns with the
spirit of our sport,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer
Jeff Wohlschlaeger. “We welcome Cabo Wabo Tequila to the NASCAR family as we begin
the celebration of our 75th Anniversary season.”
For Cabo Wabo Tequila,
celebration isn’t possible without its unmatched commitment to excellence. A
super-premium tequila born in the agave fields of Mexico and praised in bars and
backyard barbeques across America, Cabo Wabo is Thick Cut tequila made using 100%
Blue Weber Agave. Each sip evokes full-on agave flavor thanks to the purposefully
thicker cut distillate of agave used to deliver a more unfiltered, raw
agave-forward taste. It’s this unmistakable taste that goes with an unmistakable
American attitude – one that cuts no corners and makes no apologies, inspiring all
to revel in the good life.
“NASCAR
fans are known for the same brand loyalty as our beloved Cabo Wabo Tequila fans,”
said Campari America’s Vice President of Marketing Andrea Sengara. “Like our
tequila, NASCAR
fans live unapologetically and expect nothing but greatness from their race day,
and their race day drinks. With this partnership, we’re delivering on both and
giving fans a new way to bring the bold to their favorite sport.”
Fans will
quickly notice Cabo Wabo’s bold attitude at some of NASCAR's biggest events,
including the DAYTONA 500. Throughout the season, the brand will activate via
branded on-site experiences, presenting sponsorships of concerts, a consumer
sweepstakes, racing-themed digital and social media content, and more.
Cabo Wabo is
all about living, working and playing hard. That’s why the brand is giving fans 21
and older a new way to level up their race watching experience either at the
track, or from the comfort of their own home with a Cabo Wabo Smokeshow. The Cabo
Wabo Smokeshow combines the bold flavors of Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila with
smokiness of Montelobos Espadin Mezcal and is served over ice with a lime wheel
garnish.
The NASCAR
season begins Sunday, Feb. 5, with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, an
exhibition featuring the sport’s biggest stars and performances by international
superstars Cypress Hill and Wiz Khalifa. Two weeks later, on Feb. 19, the regular
season begins with the DAYTONA 500. Both races will air live on FOX. Whether
watching a race on T.V., or live at the track, Cabo Wabo reminds you to always
drink responsibly. The brand
recognizes that sometimes the boldest thing we can
do is take our foot off the gas. It is encouraging fans to downshift every once in
a while and hydrate in between drinks with a “Make the Pitstop” onsite experience
featuring complimentary water and co-branded reusable water bottles.
To learn more
about Cabo Wabo Tequila,
click here.
Matt
Kenseth, Kirk Shelmerdine, Hershel McGriff inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame
January 20,
2023
By Reid
Spencer
NASCAR Wire
Service
CHARLOTTE – On Friday night at
the Charlotte Convention Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame welcomed a formidable
champion of the stock car racing’s premier division, one of the NASCAR Cup Series’
most successful modern-era crew chiefs and a driver who competed in NASCAR events
during seven different decades as the Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Matt Kenseth, the 2003 NASCAR
Cup Series champion; Kirk Shelmerdine, who guided Dale Earnhardt Sr. to four Cup
titles; and Hershel McGriff, who won four Cup races in 1954 and competed in NASCAR
racing in 2018 at age 90 were inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony in
the Crown Ballroom.
In addition, NASCAR Vice
Chairman Mike Helton, a fixture in the sport for nearly five decades, was honored
with the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
In 18 full-time seasons at
NASCAR’s highest level, Kenseth won 39 races, tied with Hall of Famer Tim Flock
for 21st all-time. Driving for team owner and Hall of Famer Jack Roush, Kenseth
was the last champion of the Winston Cup era.
In fact, Kenseth is credited,
perhaps facetiously, with prompting NASCAR’s move to a Playoff format in 2004.
Kenseth won his title the year before with a single victory and wrapped up the
championship in the season’s penultimate race.
But his consistency that season
was the factor that sustained his title run. Kenseth scored 25 top 10s in 36
races, ran second three times and led the Cup standings after each of the final 33
races of the season.
A driver known for his tenacity,
Kenseth also won the Daytona 500 twice—in 2009 and 2012—and claimed victory 29
times in 288 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts.
In 2013, Kenseth moved from
Roush Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, won seven Cup races in his first season
with his new team and finished second in the final standings for the second time
in his career.
Kenseth’s wife Katie Kenseth and
his father Roy Kenseth performed the induction honors.
“I always looked at my career as
a ladder,” said Kenseth, who led Modern-Era balloting with 69 percent of the vote.
“You start at the bottom, and you hope you climb your way to the top. My ladder
had hundreds and hundreds of rungs on it, and without any of them—bottom, middle
or top, wherever you sit—I wouldn’t be standing here without any of you.
“So, really, from the bottom of
my heart, thank you all.”
Shelmerdine’s star shone
brightly during a relatively short tenure as a top-level crew chief. After a
three-year stint with driver James Hylton, Shelmerdine moved to Richard Childress
Racing. In 1983, at age 25, he got his first Cup victory—and the first-ever
victory for Childress—with driver Ricky Rudd on the road course at Riverside,
Calif.
The following year, Shelmerdine
was paired with the driver who would help to define his career. With driver Dale
Earnhardt at RCR, Shelmerdine won twice in 1984, four times in 1985 and five times
in his first championship season in 1986.
Three more championships with
Earnhardt would follow—in 1987, 1990 and 1991. All told, Shelmerdine won 46 races
as a Cup crew chief, two with Rudd and 44 with Earnhardt.
After the 1992 season,
Shelmerdine left RCR to pursue a career as a driver that led to 26 Cup starts and
three victories in the ARCA Menards Series. He returned to the crew chief role for
one season in 1996, leading David Green’s Xfinity Series campaign. Green won twice
and finished second to Randy LaJoie in the final standings.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. inducted
Shelmerdine and credited the crew chief with putting his seven-time champion
father “on the path to greatness.”
Shelmerdine, who was named on 52
percent of the Modern-Era ballots credited Hylton, Childress and Earnhardt Sr.
with the success that earned him a place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“What makes a great crew chief?”
Shelmerdine asked rhetorically. “It’s simple—a great driver. We all knew Dale.
What else can you say about him? I’m not sure. I think very few people knew how
sensitive he really was—I mean all the senses.
“When he and I got together, we
just kind of clicked intuitively on how to talk about the car and what he needed
to do all those things he could do… We all loved old Ironhead, and sometimes even
we thought he was magic.”
McGriff’s storied NASCAR career
began in 1950 when he raced his own car in the Southern 500 at newly built
Darlington Raceway.
That was the first of 87 NASCAR
Cup Series starts and the first chapter in a stock car racing tenure that wouldn’t
end until 2018 (for the time being), when McGriff made the last of his 271 NASCAR
ARCA Menards Series West starts at Tucson Speedway—at age 90, as the oldest driver
to race in NASCAR-sanctioned competition.
McGriff, who turned 95 in
December, collected all four of his Cup wins in 1954, driving for car owner Frank
Christian, but his greatest success came on the West Coast, where he won 34 times
in what is now the ARCA Menards Series West.
During his varied career,
McGriff also raced twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1976 in his own car and in
1982 in the so-called “Snowplow Camaro” fielded by car owner Billy Hagan, with
Dick Brooks as his co-driver.
At Friday night’s induction
dinner, team owner Richard Childress revealed that he and McGriff had struck a
deal for Childress to prepare a car for McGriff after he turns 100.
“We shook on it,” Childress
said.
McGriff was inducted by longtime
friend, 96-year-old Ray Park.
“My speech shouldn’t be too
long, because most of the people I have to thank are dead,” said McGriff, who
received 31 percent of ballots cast in the Pioneer category, edging A.J. Foyt for
the honor. “But I truly can't express in words what this means to me.
“I grew up loving to drive. I
started at seven years old with a cart that was pulled by a goat that I bought
from my uncle for $4… at 14, I was just starting eighth grade, and I was the only
person in school who had a car—including the teachers and the principal.”
For those who wanted to learn
more about his life, McGriff suggested that they read his book, “which hasn’t been
written yet.”
“But it’s on my bucket list,”
McGriff added.
Helton has earned universal
respect as a larger-than-life figure in the NASCAR garage. In a racing career that
started with a stint as public relations director at Atlanta Motor Speedway,
Helton advanced to the role of NASCAR President in 2000—as the first person
outside the France family to hold that position.
Helton, who now serves as Vice
Chairman of NASCAR, has long been an advocate for enhanced safety measures on the
competition side of the sport.
“I’ve always been better at
celebrating all the other people’s accomplishments and contributions to NASCAR,”
Helton said. “So, this is a bit humbling to me. But it’s much appreciated, and
it’s overwhelming, and I’m not too sure that I’ve gotten my head wrapped around it
completely.
“But it’s special. This Hall is
special. This evening is an example of how special our history and our heritage
and our future is built, and it’s been over the moon for me.”
As part of the ceremonies, the
late T. Taylor Warren became the first photojournalist honored with the Squier-Hall
Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.
Warren began photographing race
cars at the Milwaukee Fairgrounds in 1948, and it was his finish-line photo of the
1959 Daytona 500 that helped decided the winner of the inaugural Great American
Race. Warren’s daughter Diana accepted the award on his behalf.
Elton Sawyer Named NASCAR Sr. Vice
President of Competition
-
Miller Named Competition Strategist After More Than 40 Years In
Motorsports
-
Probst Promoted to Chief Racing Development Officer
-
Jacuzzi, Patalak, Thomas Promoted to Vice President
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 18,
2023)
– NASCAR today announced that Elton Sawyer has been named its Senior Vice
President of Competition, replacing Scott Miller, who will assume the newly formed
role of Competition Strategist within the NASCAR Competition team after a more
than 40-year career in motorsports.
NASCAR also
announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its
Competition leadership team. John Probst has been promoted to NASCAR Chief Racing
Development Officer; Dr. Eric Jacuzzi has been promoted to NASCAR Vice President,
Vehicle Performance; Dr. John Patalak has been promoted to NASCAR Vice President,
Safety Engineering; and Brandon Thomas has been promoted to NASCAR Vice President,
Vehicle Design.
“Elton Sawyer
has shown incredible versatility throughout his four-plus decades in motorsports,”
said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Chief Operating Officer. “Following his lengthy
driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and
here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. He will excel in this role, and we look
forward to watching him continue to grow the Competition team during this crucial
era in our sport’s history.
“We are
thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to remain a key part of the NASCAR
Competition team. When he joined NASCAR in 2016, Scott lent immediate credibility
to the position. A trusted voice in the garage, Scott used his decades of
experience to lead our Competition team to new heights during a time that saw a
new race format, a new playoff format and a new race car. The mark he leaves on
the organization is significant.
“John
Probst’s leadership and tireless devotion in the development of the Next Gen car
over the last three years has been extraordinary. This project was among the most
challenging and important endeavors in NASCAR history, and leaders like Probst,
Dr. Eric Jacuzzi, Dr. John Patalak, Brandon Thomas and many others worked
incredibly hard to not only put this car on the race track, but to make it a
success for our industry and our fans.”
Sawyer joined
NASCAR in February of 2015 as managing director of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck
Series. Most recently, he held the role of NASCAR vice president, technical
inspection and officiating, a role he assumed in 2016. In that capacity, Sawyer
oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official training and
development.
In his new
role, Sawyer will oversee all aspects of on-track competition, inspection, rule
development and officiating, focusing specifically on NASCAR’s three national
series – the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck
Series.
“I have been
a proud member of this extraordinary team for eight years, and I look forward to
continuing to help grow the outstanding competition we’ve seen over the last
several seasons,” Sawyer said. “NASCAR racing has been my life for decades. I have
a deep passion for the sport, and am honored to be in a position to help shepherd
the Competition team during these exciting times.”
Sawyer began
his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. He
debuted on the NASCAR national series scene in 1983, racing in what is now the
NASCAR Xfinity Series. Prior to joining NASCAR, Sawyer served as Director of Team
Operations for IMSA’s Action Express Racing. He has also previously held
competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports.
Miller has
decided to step down from his post after seven seasons leading NASCAR’s at-track
competition team, an era that included transformative growth and some of the
strongest competition in the sport’s history.
“After more
than 40 years around race cars week after week, it’s time to step back and look at
the next chapter of my life in motorsports,” Miller said. “I’m thankful to the
France Family and everyone at NASCAR for the opportunity they gave me seven years
ago, and I appreciate the chance to stay in the fold to help however and wherever
I can. We have a strong team at NASCAR, and I’m excited to remain a part of it.”
Joining
NASCAR in December of 2015, Miller will remain with the sanctioning body as its
Competition Strategist. In this capacity, Miller’s focus will center on a several
‘big picture’ special projects such as the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, the
NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and the Chicago Street Course
race, as well as long-lead planning around NASCAR Competition strategy.
Probst, who
most recently held the title of Senior Vice President of Racing Innovation,
oversaw the development and evolution of the Next Gen race car, a groundbreaking
innovation that produced several on-track competition superlatives – including a
record-tying 19 different race winners during its debut season. Probst joined
NASCAR in 2016, providing senior oversight of an engineering group that develops
and incorporates new technology into all aspects of NASCAR competition. Prior to
NASCAR, Probst spent 10 years as the Technical Director for both Chip Ganassi
Racing (2011-16) and Red Bull Racing (2006-11). Probst began his career as an
engineer for Ford Motor Company in 1994.
Jacuzzi, who
manages aerodynamic engineering for NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after
working as a computational aerodynamicist for Corvid Technologies and assigned to
Richard Childress Racing. Since joining NASCAR in 2014, Jacuzzi has led the team
tasked to design the aerodynamic elements of the race vehicles for all three
national series – including the Next Gen car – as well as the Garage 56 car
scheduled to run in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Patalak, who
has worked at the NASCAR R&D Center since 2005, oversees NASCAR’s safety team,
researching, developing and approving driver and vehicle safety systems. In this
role, Patalak also investigates all crashes and driver protection issues. Prior to
NASCAR John worked for an engineering consulting firm specializing in vehicle
crashworthiness and occupant protection.
Thomas joined
NASCAR in 2019 following time as a crew chief and engineer with Richard Childress
Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Petty Enterprises, Red Bull Racing and Hall of Fame
Racing. Brought to NASCAR to help shepherd the Next Gen project, Thomas led the
day-to-day management of the Next Gen car since the beginning of the development
cycle in 2019.
NASCAR and Rev
Racing Reveal 2023 Drive for Diversity Driver Development Class
Eight Drivers will
Participate in the Program
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 13,
2023) –
NASCAR and Rev Racing announced today the next generation of drivers participating
in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program.
Following a national and
international search, eight talented drivers were selected to the newest
class after participating in the Advance Auto Parts Drive for Diversity Combine.
Lavar Scott, Andrés Pérez de
Lara, Jaiden Reyna and Justin Campbell are returning to Rev Racing for the 2023
season. Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastián López Falcón, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons
will make their debut in 2023.
Nick Sanchez, who participated
in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program in 2022 and won the
ARCA Menards Series Championship with Rev Racing last year, is advancing to the
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Sanchez will pilot the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet
for Rev Racing with its technical alliance partner, Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM).
Rajah Caruth also graduated
from the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program and will be
competing full time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driving the No. 24 for
GMS Racing. Caruth is a prominent iRacer who made his transition to the racetrack
in 2019.
“We’re excited to welcome our
newest class of drivers and be a part of their growth and development,” said
Jordan Leatherman, NASCAR’s Director, Diversity and Inclusion. “We’re proud to see
Nick Sanchez and Rajah Caruth graduate from the program and start a new chapter in
the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Their success reflects their talent and hard
work.”
Drivers were selected after
participating in the Advance Auto Parts Drive for Diversity Combine held in
November of 2022 in Charlotte and South Boston, Va. Participants from the United
States and Mexico were evaluated by judges from across the NASCAR industry. Each
driver was assessed in different areas from physical fitness and on-track
performance to media and marketing skills.
“We
are extremely energized by the talent we saw this past November at the
Combine,”
said Max Siegel, Rev Racing Owner.
“We look forward to the season ahead and
developing this amazing class of incoming drivers. This year’s class represents a
talented pipeline of NASCAR’s future stars. Our entire Rev Racing organization is
committed to being a championship contending team and one of the premier
development programs in NASCAR. We couldn’t be more proud of our accomplishments
last season and of Nick and Rajah’s growth. We remain especially thankful to
Chevrolet and Gainbridge for investing in Rev’s growth into the truck series with
Nick Sanchez. This will be a pivotal year for our organization and this next class
of drivers.”
The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program was created in 2004 to
develop and train ethnically diverse and female drivers both on and off the track.
NASCAR Cup Series drivers Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suárez and Kyle Larson are alumni
of this program, which is operated by Rev Racing in Concord, N.C.
Suárez made history in 2022 becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a race
in the NASCAR Cup Series. A trailblazer in NASCAR, Suárez also made his mark in
the sport when he won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2016. In 2023,
Suárez enters his third season driving for Trackhouse Racing, a team owned by
Justin Marks and Pitbull.
Wallace is the first Black driver to win multiple Cup Series races. In 2021 he
became the first Black driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race in almost 60 years.
In 2023, Wallace enters his third season with the 23XI Racing team owned by
Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
Larson is the
first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program to win a NASCAR Cup
Series championship. The
Northern California native of Japanese descent won the 2012 K&N Pro Series (now
ARCA Menards Series) Championship with Rev Racing.
Currently, he’s the only Asian-American driver competing regularly in NASCAR Cup
Series.
The 2023 class features the following drivers:
Andrés Pérez de Lara - ARCA
Menards Series: The Mexico City, Mexico, native, 17, returns to Rev Racing after
competing in the NASCAR México Series and NASCAR México Challenge categories. He
is 2022’s NASCAR México Challenge champion.
Lavar Scott - ARCA Menards
Series East:
The 19-year-old from Carney’s Pointe, N.J., returns to Rev Racing after securing
1st place at Hickory Motor Speedway and his first career win in the NASCAR Truck
México Series at Autódromo de Querétaro in Mexico in 2021.
Justin Campbell - NASCAR
Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model: The 17-year-old Griffin, Ga., native
returns to Rev Racing for his third season after earning two top 5s and two top
10s in the 2022 Cook Out Summer Shootout in the
semi-pro division.
Jaiden Reyna - NASCAR Advance
Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model:
The Cornelius, N.C., native, 16, returns to Rev Racing after securing two 1st
place finishes at Lincoln Speedway in the young lion division. Reyna also finished
a career high 2nd place at Florence Motor Speedway in the late model division.
Paige Rogers - NASCAR Advance
Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model:
The 19-year-old from Fort Wayne, Ind., will make her debut with Rev Racing in
2023. Rogers is the 2021 runner-up in the
O’Reilly Auto Parts
Late Model Sportsman division at Corrigan Oil Speedway.
Caleb Johnson - INEX Legend Car
Series: The Denver, Co., native finished 5th in the
Carolina Pro Late Model Series point standings. The 14-year-old also has an
iRacing background.
Nathan Lyons - INEX Legend Car
Series: The 13–year-old originally from Texas, moved to Concord, N.C.,
to pursue his dream to race in NASCAR. Lyons had five
top 10 finishes in the 2022 Cook Out Summer Shootout Outlaw Series at Charlotte
Motor Speedway.
Eloy Sebastián López Falcón -
INEX Legend Car Series:
The Oaxaca, Mexico, native will make his debut with Rev Racing in 2023. The
17-year-old is 2022’s NASCAR Truck México Series champion.
NASCAR
Statement from Steve Phelps ON
Kevin Harvick'S RETIREMENT
“With championships across several NASCAR series and a NASCAR
Cup Series win total that ranks in the top 10, Kevin Harvick’s legacy as one of
the all-time great drivers is secure. Beyond his success inside a race car, Kevin
is a leader who truly cares about the health and the future of our sport – a
passion that will continue long after his driving days are complete. On behalf of
the France Family and all of NASCAR, I congratulate Kevin on a remarkable career
and wish him the best of luck in his final season.” – Steve Phelps, NASCAR
President
Kevin Harvick announces his
retirement following the 2023 NASCAR season
January 12,
2023
By Holly Cain
NASCAR Wire
Service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Two
decades of competition, 60 NASCAR Cup Series wins, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series
championship trophy and a pair of NASCAR Xfinity Series titles to his name, driver
Kevin Harvick announced Thursday that he will retire from full-time NASCAR Cup
Series competition at the end of the 2023 season, leaving an important and
long-lasting impact on the sport that reaches well beyond the driver’s seat.
Harvick’s arrival into NASCAR’s
big leagues in 2001 represented a huge career opportunity for the young
Californian but came with the emotional and daunting responsibility to follow the
late legend Dale Earnhardt at Richard Childress Racing. Then 25-year-old answered
that big-time challenge winning his first NASCAR Cup Series race in Earnhardt’s
car only three weeks after Earnhardt’s passing and Harvick being tabbed to drive
the car (the team’s Chevrolet number changed from #3 to #29).
The effort and success under
intense circumstances was a sign of things to come from the Bakersfield, Calif.
native whose emotional and clutch performance that debut season came to
characterize Harvick’s moxy throughout a decorated career. The 47-year-old has
become known as “The Closer” for being at the right place at the right time –
arguably both on-track and off-track as a vocal spokesman for competitors.
And now after 23 seasons, the
driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford will close the pages on a remarkable,
certain Hall of Fame career.
“There is absolutely nothing
else in the world that I enjoy doing more than going to the racetrack and I’m
genuinely looking forward to this season," Harvick said. “But as I’ve gone through
the years, I knew there would come a day where I had to make a decision. When
would it be time to step away from the car?
“I’ve sought out people and
picked their brains. When I asked them, when they knew it was the right time, they
said, ‘it’ll just happen, and you’ll realize that’s the right moment. You’ll make
a plan and decide when it’s your last year.’
“It’s definitely been hard to
understand when that right moment is because we’ve been so fortunate to run well.
But sometimes there are just other things going on that become more important and
for me, that time has come."
NASCAR President Steve Phelps
said of Harvick’s news Thursday, “With championships across several NASCAR series
and a NASCAR Cup Series win total that ranks in the top-10, Kevin Harvick’s legacy
as one of the all-time great drivers is secure.
“Beyond his success inside a
race car, Kevin is a leader who truly cares about the health and the future of our
sport – a passion that will continue long after his driving days are complete. On
behalf of the France Family and all of NASCAR, I congratulate Kevin on a
remarkable career and wish him the best of luck in his final season."’
Harvick and his wife DeLana have
two young children already aspiring to follow in their father’s footsteps. Son
Keelan, 10, races karts internationally and daughter Piper, 5, drives a go-kart as
well, seemingly eager to participate in the family’s decorated legacy as well.
Stepping away from his own
racing schedule will allow Harvick the chance to travel and guide them. He leaves
the sport eager to immerse himself in his young family’s priorities.
“In the last year, I think I’ve
seen Keelan race three times while he’s been in Europe," Harvick said. “I go to
the go-kart track with Piper, and she makes twice as many strides in a day while
I’m there than she would in a day I’m not there. It takes a lot of time to
organize the level of racing they’re doing and to be around that is important to
me."
Being able to help his children
work their way through the ranks is important to Harvick. He grew up in a
working-class neighborhood in Bakersfield, Calif. – a town that appreciated the
sport of auto racing; although at the time it was a legitimate challenge to make
it in the world of big-time stock car competition on the other side of the
country.
Harvick was a hard-worker,
however, with an uncommon focus and so much natural talent that he quickly found
his way into the NASCAR rank-and-file 3,000 miles away.
After starring in NASCAR’s
Southwest Tour and winning the 1998 ARCA Menards Series West championship, he
raced in both the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series (then
called the Busch Series) before getting the call from Childress to take over
Earnhardt’s seat.
In a span of three weeks in
February-March 2001, Harvick was hired to drive in the NASCAR Cup Series, got
married to his longtime love DeLana and then won his first NASCAR Cup Series race
at Atlanta Motor Speedway in one of the most emotional and memorable moments in
all of NASCAR history.
“Dale’s passing changed our
sport forever and it changed my life forever and the direction it took," Harvick
said. “It took me a long time to really get comfortable to really even think about
what that happened that day.
“The significance and the
importance of keeping that car on the racetrack and winning that race early at
Atlanta – knowing now what it meant to the sport and just that moment in general
of being able to carry on, was so important."
Harvick won 23 races with
Childress from 2001-2013 and two Xfinity Series title in that span (2001 and 2006)
before moving to Stewart-Haas Racing where he made an immediate impact. Harvick
earned the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championship in his first year with the NASCAR
Hall of Famer Stewart’s team. He would go on to win multiple races in all but one
season, highlighted by a single-season career-high nine victories in 2020.
He also has 47 NASCAR Xfinity
Series wins and 14 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victories – one of the few
competitors to earn double-digit wins in all three premier NASCAR series.
“I competed against Kevin for a
long time, and I was so happy to finally have him a part of our race team,"
Stewart said. “He’s incredibly reliable – consistent and calculated on track with
a drive to always be better. That’s what you want in a teammate. He knows what he
needs to be successful and his will to win helped elevate our entire company."
It's the kind of praise Harvick
has heard throughout his career and bountifully so with Thursday’s news.
Rodney Childers has been
Harvick’s crew chief their entire tenure at Stewart-Haas Racing – the duo earning
37 NASCAR Cup Series wins, 25 pole positions, 366 top 10s, a pair of Brickyard 400
wins, two Southern 500 trophies and an All-Star race victory. And Childers was
understandably poignant upon Harvick’s announcement on Thursday.
“He gave me a chance of a
lifetime," Childers posted of Harvick on social media. “In that chance our
relationship has never wavered. It’s been easy, every day. We’ve talked every day
for 9 years. Our passion and push to be the best has never changed. And isn’t
going to change. We still want to win every single week that we show up. …
“But most of all, we became
brothers. Best friends. He taught me to be a better person, smarter, more
intelligent. And most of all we learned what good people with the same goals can
do if they really want it. Our team is our backbone, and they have believed from
day one.
“…. This year is going to be
fun, and we are going to race like hell."
Harvick’s former teammate at
Richard Childress Racing, Jeff Burton said, “From teammates to friends, Kevin
Harvick and I have been through it all together.
“He scratched his way into this
sport & proved himself as a leader and a champion. I’m looking to watching him in
his final season & see where this next chapter takes him. Thank you for
everything!”
Harvick’s final season begins
with the Busch Light Clash at the L.A. Coliseum on Feb. 5 and his team owner
Stewart has nothing but high hopes for “The Closer” to close out his championship
career.
“I want Kevin to savor every lap
this season, to compete like hell and to take it all in," Stewart said. “He’s made
all of us at Stewart-Haas Racing incredibly proud and we want to make his last
season his best season."
NASCAR Announces
Partnership With RealResponse
Safe and
confidential reporting service for NASCAR
Industry
launched this fall
Daytona Beach, FL and Charlotte, NC (December 15, 2022) –
NASCAR and RealResponse, the award-winning reporting platform for
athletic teams and organizations, today announced a partnership that
provides NASCAR and national series industry members with a safe and
anonymous tool to secure feedback, report concerns and seek assistance
from professionals in countless areas of expertise.
RealResponse is the industry leader in providing a platform for safe and
secure feedback, monitoring and anonymous reporting. The partnership
will provide any NASCAR national series team member with the ability to
confidentially reach out to express concerns or report issues via a
customized communication tool. NASCAR personnel receive the encrypted
and anonymous messages directly and designate a subject matter expert to
respond immediately to the concern.
Concerns can range from competition-based items such as gambling or
integrity, safety and security, abuse or harassment, or for seeking
mental health support. The identity of the industry member reaching out
is protected through the RealResponse reporting program, ensuring
anonymity.
“NASCAR wanted to be proactive in providing a tool for industry members
such as drivers, crew and other team personnel to safely reach out for
help,” said Meghan Miley, Managing Director of Racing Operations for
NASCAR. “In partnering with RealResponse, we now have a confidential
method for reporting. We don’t have a limit to the types of reports
industry members can submit, and we can ensure their privacy as they
reach out for anonymous support at any time.”
RealResponse was launched in 2016 by former NCAA Division I
student-athlete David Chadwick, who saw a need for athletes to have a
safe and confidential way to bring feedback to their athletic
administration. Today, numerous sport governing bodies, organizations
and teams such
MLB,
the NFLPA and NFL teams, USA Swimming and other Olympic organizations,
the National Women’s Soccer League, and a multitude of colleges and
universities work with RealResponse to provide the same service.
“We are honored to engage in this historic partnership with NASCAR,”
said David Chadwick, Founder and CEO of RealResponse. “NASCAR executives
recognize the responsibility to make the sport of racing safer, more
inclusive and more valuable in the eyes every stakeholder involved in
the sport. Their embrace of RealResponse sends a clear message that the
health and safety of its community members away from the track is as
important as safety of drivers on race day."
The program was introduced to the NASCAR national series teams in
October.
December
14, 1947 december 14th 2022 nascar celebrates 75 years

On December 14, 1947,
Bill France Sr. gathered 35 of the most influential figures in racing at
Daytona’s Streamline Hotel to share his vision of a more prosperous
future for their beloved sport.
As ‘Big Bill’ set the
foundation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing into
motion that day, he was quoted as telling the group:
“Stock car racing has
got distinct possibilities for Sunday shows and we do not know how big
it can be if it’s handled properly… It can go the same way as big car
racing (Indianapolis), I believe stock car racing can become a
nationally recognized sport by having a National Point Standing. Stock
car racing as we’ve been running it is not, in my opinion, the answer…
We must try to get track owners and promoters interested in building
stock car racing up. We are all interested in one thing — that is
improving the present conditions. The answer lies in our group right
here today to do it.”
75 years later,
NASCAR teammates are gathering across the country to commemorate the
sport’s founding moment and celebrate its continued evolution, and we’d
be remiss if we didn’t also thank each of you for your dedication to
covering this sport.
Without the tireless
work of the media past and present, there’s quite literally no way
NASCAR would have grown into what it is today.
NASCAR fetes its
national champions in Nashville awards ceremony
December 1, 2022
By
Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It
wouldn’t be a stretch to say that deuces were wild on Thursday night at
the Music City Center, where NASCAR honored the champions of its top
three national series at the annual NASCAR Awards.
Headlining the event
was NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano, who drives the No. 22 Ford
for Team Penske. The title was Logano’s second, following the
championship he won for team owner Roger Penske in 2018.
Logano also made a
two-time winner of crew chief Paul Wolfe, who earned his first title a
decade earlier while on the pit box for Brad Keselowski.
Logano won two of the
10 Playoff races—the first Round of 8 race at Las Vegas to guarantee a
spot in the Championship 4 as well as the race that decided the title,
the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix.
The 2022 champion
ended the season with four wins—in addition, his victory on the
exhibition Clash at the Coliseum, the competitive debut of NASCAR’s new
Next Gen Cup race car.
“22 in ’22,” Logano
said, repeating the motto that had driven his race team throughout the
season.
Introduced by friend
and IndyCar legend Mario Andretti, Logano paid homage to his team owner
and his parents.
“Mom, Dad… Letting me
chase my dreams means so much,” said Logano, 32.
He congratulated
Penske for winning both the Cup Series and IndyCar championships in the
same season.
“That’s never happened
before, guys,” said Logano, who ended his speech with advice for young
drivers.
“Coming from a guy
that has made plenty mistakes in front of a lot of people… plenty of
them still remind me of my mistakes,” said Logano, the youngest driver
to win a Cup race at 19 years, 35 days. “No regrets.
“I challenge you to
take risks, make the big moves, stand up for what’s right. Because it’s
not about winning or losing, it’s about winning and growing. I hope
everyone has a Merry Christmas.”
Penske described
Logano as “the leader on the track and off the track. Obviously, we’ve
signed him up for five more years.”
Wolfe was just as
effusive in his praise.
“Joey—he’s the guy
that motivates us all,” said Wolfe, who contrasted his first
championship with Keselowski with the current title.
“Ten years ago… that
first one was so early in my career I didn’t know any better,” Wolfe
said.
In addition to
recognizing the accomplishments of each of the 16 Playoff drivers, the
NASCAR Awards also honored NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Ty Gibbs and
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Zane Smith.
Gibbs won the Xfinity
Series title at Phoenix, picking up his seventh victory of the season in
the process. But hours later, Gibbs’ father, Coy Gibbs died in his sleep
at age 49.
When Ty Gibbs took the
stage at the Music City Center, he was greeted with a standing ovation.
“Wow! Thank you. It
means a lot,” Gibbs said. “Thank you for all the claps. Thank you for
all the support. I really appreciate it.”
Team owner Joe Gibbs,
Ty’s grandfather, echoed the sentiment.
“Thanks so much for
the way you’ve reached out in these last few weeks for our family,” Joe
Gibbs said.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR
senior vice president of racing development and strategy, introduced
Zane Smith with high praise.
“At such a young age
(23), one can’t help but feel like we’re watching a future NASCAR
superstar writing the beginning of his story,” Kennedy said.
Smith’s parents were
in Phoenix to watch the driver of the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
win his fourth race of the season and the accompanying title.
“I’m still not sure if
my mom was more excited to see me win or get a picture with Jeff Gordon
after the race, since she’s always told me that was her dream,” Smith
quipped. “So, I’m happy we were both able to accomplish our dreams that
night.”
Ralph Maccarone was
honored as the winner of the prestigious Betty Jane France Humanitarian
Award. In 2012, Maccarone founded Who We Play For to inspire and empower
schools, sports clubs and communities to provide heart screenings for
all student athletes and students.
Team owner Justin
Marks, who fields cars for Playoff drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel
Suarez, was honored with the Myers Brothers Award for outstanding
contributions to stock car racing. Marks’ Trackhouse Racing enjoyed a
breakout season, with Chastain winning twice and Suarez once—and
Chastain leaving an indelible mark on the sport with his eye-popping
high-speed trip around the Martinsville wall to earn a spot in the
Championship 4.
For the fifth straight
year, Chase Elliott won the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, the only
significant honor in the sport determined sole by vote of the fans.
Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, won the award a record 16 times. Dale
Earnhardt Jr. was voted Most Popular Driver for 15 seasons.
Noah Gragson was the
NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Most Popular Driver, and Hailie Deegan earned the
honor in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Jes Ferreira from CSM
Production was honored as the winner of the Comcast Community Champion
of the Year award for her commitment as the single parent of two adopted
children.
Advance Auto Parts Named 2022 NASCAR Marketing
Achievement Award Recipient
Company
continues to expand its presence, dedicating resources to grassroots
racing
Daytona Beach, FL
(December 1, 2022) –
Advance Auto Parts, the “Official Auto Parts Retailer of NASCAR”, will
be awarded the 2022 Marketing Achievement Award today at the NASCAR
Industry Awards Reception during NASCAR Champion’s Week in Nashville.
In
their third season as an Official Partner, Advance has demonstrated
their commitment to grassroots racing, supporting drivers and tracks in
local communities across the United States and Canada. The entitlement
partner of the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS), Advance most
recently partnered with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver
Development Combine, developing new storytelling opportunities and
helping to livestream the event for the first time in program history.
“Advance Auto Parts is very honored to receive this award,” said Jason
McDonell, executive vice president of merchandising, marketing and
e-commerce at Advance. “Since becoming a partner of NASCAR, our team has
been focused on supporting grassroots racing through programs like
Advance My Track Challenge and the Drive for Diversity Combine. As the
Official Auto Parts Retailer of NASCAR, we look forward to our continued
partnership, leading programs that advance local racing while serving as
the auto parts provider of choice for race fans.”
For a
second season, Advance promoted the “Advance My Track Challenge,”
focusing on local race tracks and communities to raise awareness of and
celebrate grassroots racing. Through a consumer voting program, the
organization awarded Jennerstown Speedway a $50,000 prize, distributing
6,000 tickets to local Advance stores for free admission to the
speedway’s celebration event. The program generated more than 220
thousand impressions on NASCAR.com and NASCAR social media channels.
“Since
becoming an official partner, Advance Auto Parts has been a big
supporter of grassroots racing, raising awareness of local racing
communities and providing young drivers with the opportunity to showcase
their talent,” said Michelle Byron, vice president, partnership
marketing at NASCAR. “After the 2022 Advance Auto Parts Drive for
Diversity Combine, we’re thrilled to see what’s next as they continue to
find creative ways to grow their presence in the sport.”
After
introducing a new brand campaign in June with their No. 1 fan Ed Vance,
Advance hosted Ed at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International
Speedway and captured live content with him throughout the weekend. In a
matter of months, Ed quickly began to be recognized at tracks, becoming
a staple character among race fans.
Closing out the year, Advance served as the primary sponsor of the
NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Combine, continuing to
expand its presence in the sport. Advance was on-site throughout the
event, capturing content as drivers prepared for and participated in the
combine. Through their sponsorship, the company gave NASCAR the ability
to evaluate additional drivers for the combine as the league also
selected additional winners compared to previous years.
This
is the first time Advance has been awarded the NASCAR Marketing
Achievement Award. Previous winners include: Anheuser-Busch, Comcast;
Coca-Cola; Fox Sports and NBC Sports; Mars, Incorporated; Mobil 1; and
Toyota.
NASCAR’s Champion’s
Week in Nashville will air Saturday, December 3 at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock.
For more information, please visit nascar.com/championsweek.
NASCAR Champion's Week at Nashville
Notebook
Notebook Items:
-
Joey Logano looking forward to
contributing to the Champion's Diary
-
Kyle Busch wants to be the NASCAR
version of Tom Brady
-
Ross Chastain still smiling, still
taking it in
-
Eleventh-hour dramatics may have
hurt Christopher Bell in season finale
-
Ryan Blaney is making a list and
checking it twice—with his crew chief
-
Ty Gibbs emotional Championship Week
December 1, 2022
By
Holly Cain and Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service
Joey Logano looking forward to
contributing to the Champion's Diary
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Newly-crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano
spoke with the media gathered in downtown Nashville Thursday morning for
the highly-anticipated NASCAR Awards Ceremony scheduled for later that
evening and televised Saturday evening at 8 p.m. ET on PEACOCK.
Among
the things Logano said he was most looking forward to as champion was
the chance to both read and contribute again to the “Champion’s Diary” –
a private record of handwritten notes passed on yearly from one NASCAR
Cup Series champion to the next. It’s a tightly-guarded tradition and
one that Logano – now a two-time series champion - wishes had started
decades ago.
“I
can’t wait to read it again," the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford
said with a huge smile.
“Some
are kind of quick and simple, but it’s very interesting to read it and
it’s cool because it’s a real secret. It’s kind of like an unwritten
rule, you can’t take pictures of it and post it. It’s a thing that only
the championship drivers know and have read and seen and heard the
stories. It’s a cool thing.
“Every
time I get it, I’m so nervous. I’m like, don’t spill anything on this.
Don’t lose it. It would suck to be the guy who loses the book. It would
really be bad. I get nervous, I put it in the safe right away. I won’t
see this for a year, that’s what I do."
As of
Thursday morning, Logano had not received the book yet from 2021 series
champion Kyle Larson, who conceded last week, that he had not crafted
his message to Logano quite yet. Kevin Harvick, the 2014 series
champion, smiled when asked about the tradition, saying he’s glad the
champions have not shared details of the various messages inside the
book.
The
tradition began when 2010 champ Jimmie Johnson, now a seven-time NASCAR
Cup Series champion, first left a message for 2011 champion Tony
Stewart. Stewart passed along words for 2012 champion Brad Keselowski
and so on and so forth ever since.
“It’s
a congratulatory message from one champion to the next, it’s kind of
that passing the torch of ‘great work this year, great job,’ two-time
series champion Kyle Busch said, recalling specifically the message he
left for 2020 champion Chase Elliott.
“I
remember him from him being a little kid," Busch said. “Honestly, I
remember watching him on TV being a little kid with his dad (NASCAR Hall
of Famer Bill Elliott), like [Kyle’s son] Brexton is now."
“I
think Jimmie did a great thing getting it started," Busch said, adding
with a grin. “It probably definitely should have started 30 years prior
at least. It would have been a lot of good stories, I’m sure. It would
have been pretty cool."
Kyle Busch wants to be the NASCAR
version of Tom Brady
After
a year that can be described conservatively as tumultuous, two-time
NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch is ready to take the next step in
his career.
Busch
is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, where he spent 15 full seasons, to drive a
Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
“It’s
obviously been a challenging… not just this year, but the last little
while… so it’s kind of maybe a blessing in disguise,” said Busch, who
explored various options for 2023 after his sponsor, M&M’s, declined to
return to the No. 18 JGR Toyota after this year. “Honestly, it just
might be time for a fresh start—something new and something different.
“I’m
kind of looking at it as the Tom Brady/Peyton Manning aspect, where they
left great teams, great organizations where they won championships, and
they went on to win championships somewhere else.”
Busch
arrived at his Champion's Week question-and-answer session at the Music
City Center wearing the championship rings he won in 2015 and 2019, one
on each hand.
“If
you’ve got it, you might as well wear it,” Busch said. “You’re not going
to wear it getting into a race car, so you might as well wear it at the
functions where you can show people what they’re going after…
“Again, I’m going to go back to the Brady/Manning theory where, yes,
I’ve done it before at one place. I want to do it again somewhere
else.”
Ross Chastain still smiling, still
taking it in
Even
in the immediate moments after Ross Chastain finished out the 2022
championship finale - finishing runner-up to new NASCAR Cup Series champ
Joey Logano in the race – the 29-year-old Floridian insisted he was
absolutely thrilled with the season.
The
driver of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet earned his first two
career NASCAR Cup Series victories (at Circuit of The Americas and
Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway) and was a legitimate championship threat
the entire season from Daytona to Phoenix.
And,
when he had to do something drastic to earn one of only four
championship berths in the Phoenix title race, Chastain performed a move
on the last half of the last lap at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway to take
that position. Still needing to make up positions on the final lap, he
turned his Chevy into the outside wall and floored it – riding the wall
and passing five cars to earn the final Playoff transfer position by a
single-point over veteran Denny Hamlin and setting a track record in his
wake.
Although Logano dominated the season finale en route to his second
series title, Chastain secured career-highs in wins (2), top-fives (15)
and top-10s (21). He led 692 laps in 2022 after leading only 76 laps in
his previous five years racing in the series.
It all
made for quite the “Cinderella story” for a young driver in his first
year with a competitive team in NASCAR’s premier series - a racer from
tiny Alva, Florida where his family operates a watermelon farm starring
on the world stage.
Yet,
Chastain said with a smile Thursday, his return home to his Florida farm
property in the weeks immediately after the season was a lot less
glamorous than many would have expected. He acknowledged, however, his
work in 2022 raised the interest level of those he grew up with and has
absolutely gained a lot of fans thanks to his performance all season and
certainly with his "Martinsville Miracle."
Chastain was with his younger brother Chad Chastain at a race recently –
helping work on the car and then spotting for Chad during the race. He
said he appreciated the number of people approaching him for attaboys
and handshakes even if he had to remind them, he was working the race.
He still hasn’t had a chance to read or even answer all the texts he’s
received post-Martinsville.
Back
at home in rural Southwestern Florida, however, Chastain is afforded the
chance to relax and take it all in.
“It’s
just home so people that I know were just like, great season, let’s go
to lunch," Chastain recalled with a smile. “Nothing too crazy. They want
to talk about Martinsville and talk a little about the win at COTA and
Talladega, but pretty normal. It’s the most normal of any place I go."
Eleventh-hour dramatics may have
hurt Christopher Bell in season finale
With
two victories in must-win situations in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series
Playoffs, Christopher Bell stole his share of headlines and earned a
spot in the Championship 4.
But
his last-minute heroics—particularly in the Round of 8 elimination race
at Martinsville Speedway—may have put the driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs
Racing Toyota at a disadvantage compared with series champion Joey
Logano, who won the first Round of 8 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
and had two extra weeks to prepare for the Championship Race at
Phoenix.
“That’s very interesting, because I had the exact same circumstances in
my two Xfinity years,” said Bell, who competed for the NASCAR Xfinity
Series title in 2018 and 2019. “My first year I didn’t make it till the
last race at Phoenix, and then in my second year, I won the first race
at Texas.
“It
definitely changes your mind-set and your preparation for the event.
Joey had multiple weeks to prepare for that event (the season finale).
The car, I’m assuming, was sitting there getting all the Phoenix tune-up
on it, where our car… I don’t know… I definitely did not think it was a
disadvantage for him to be able to focus on that for a number of
weeks.”
Winning at Martinsville, however, had its own rewards for Bell—not the
least of which is the grandfather clock trophy that goes with the
victory.
“The
house that I live in, we’ve just tried to keep my special trophies
there, and the Martinsville clock is one that got to (be there),” Bell
said.
Ryan Blaney is making a list and
checking it twice—with his crew chief
After
two enjoyable weeks in the off-season, Ryan Blaney was eager to return
to racing. Because he’s not scheduled for any offseason testing,
however, the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford won’t be back in his
car until February.
That
doesn’t mean Blaney can’t work on ways to improve from a season where he
qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on points and finished
eighth in the final standings.
“I
make a list at the end of the year,” Blaney said. “OK, what did we do
well? What did we struggle with? And like what are your goals to get
better? What do you really want to improve?
“Me
and (crew chief) Jonathan (Hassler) sat down last week and went through
our list of notes, and like where do we want to get better and improve
at, and what did we do well and can still build off of?
“That
stuff to me is always really helpful. You look back on the year, and
you’re like, ‘Well, we screwed up in this situation. Let’s jot that down
and let’s try to figure out a different way. If that comes up again,
let’s change it.’”
One
race Blaney would like to change is the season-opening Daytona 500,
where he had a chance to win on the last lap but finished fourth as
rookie teammate Austin Cindric took the checkered flag.
“The
one that stings the most is the 500, because we’ve been so close to that
that thing for years,” Blaney said. “That one stings the most, but I try
to get over that stuff really quick.”
Ty Gibbs emotional Championship
Week
Wearing his new, sparkling NASCAR Xfinity Series champion’s ring and
sporting a pair of stylish sneakers, 20-year-old Ty Gibbs offered smiles
and cherished recollections of his 2022 championship season.
He
calmly asked reporters to focus on the racing topic, saying he did not
feel comfortable yet responding to questions about the tragic loss of
his father, Joe Gibbs Racing Vice Chairman Coy Gibbs, 49, who passed
away in his sleep in Phoenix after Ty’s impressive championship trophy
hoist there just hours earlier.
“I’ve
been doing good, thank you for asking, definitely appreciate you guys,"
Gibbs said addressing the subject immediately. “Right now I’m not going
to touch on that subject at all, just going to stick with the racing
questions."
Gibbs
said he had been absolutely committed to coming to Nashville to
celebrate his and the team’s achievement. Only two weeks ago, the JGR
team – owner by his grandfather, NASCAR Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs –
formally announced that Gibbs will drive the No. 54 Toyota in the NASCAR
Cup Series fulltime in 2023.
“Definitely going to be fun," said Gibbs, speaking with the media for
the first time since his championship press conference on Nov. 5. He
said he’s devoted a lot of time to learning the NASCAR Cup Series car on
the SIM and feels the 15 races he got to compete in during 2022 filling
in for the injured Kurt Busch in the 23XI Racing Toyota will be a
substantial boost to his rookie season next year.
“Definitely a huge benefit for sure," Gibbs said. “I’m very thankful to
be put in that opportunity. Again, thank you to (team co-owners) Denny
(Hamlin) and Michael (Jordan) for the opportunity. It was really cool.
Of the
unexpected chance to get some seat time in the Cup car in advance of is
move up to the series, Gibbs said, “Going back and forth and double-duty
and racing for the championship in one series, it was a lot, but I did
feel like I got comfortable with it (Cup car). I’m thankful to have had
the experience."
THE
LEGACY CONTINUES: GOODYEAR AND NASCAR ANNOUNCE THE CONTINUATION OF A
HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP
Nashville, Tenn. (December 1, 2022) –
With one of the longest-running relationships in racing history, The
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and NASCAR today announced a new
multi-year agreement renewing Goodyear’s position as the exclusive tire
for NASCAR’s top three national series.
The agreement continues Goodyear’s designation as the “Official Tire of
NASCAR,” as well as the title sponsor of the annual Goodyear 400,
NASCAR’s Official Throwback Weekend Cup Series race at Darlington
Raceway.
“From our manufacturing plants to offices around the world, racing is
ingrained in our culture, and the importance of our relationship with
NASCAR is reflected in the quality, performance and engineering we put
into every Goodyear Eagle race tire,” said Richard J. Kramer, chairman,
chief executive officer and president at Goodyear. “Our performance on
the racetrack plays an active role in the success of the sport and
inspires the development of our consumer tires, fueling our commitment
to take performance and innovation to the next level.”
For nearly 70 years, NASCAR has served as a proving ground for
generations of Goodyear Racing tire engineers, innovating, preparing and
supplying tires that meet the most grueling and demanding conditions at
the track. The
unique technology that withstands and performs in race conditions also
informs development and differentiates Goodyear’s consumer tires.
“Goodyear has been a trusted partner to the NASCAR industry since 1954,
playing a critical role in our shared pursuit to deliver the best racing
in the world,” said Steve Phelps, president of NASCAR. “For more than 25
years, Goodyear Eagle tires have been the only component that connects
the stock car to the racetrack. Our continued partnership will allow us
to push boundaries and innovate our racing product for generations to
come.”
Goodyear and NASCAR’s nearly 70-year relationship is built on shared
values of competition and innovation. As the sport evolved, so have
Goodyear Eagle race tires, leading to the introduction of new tire
technology like the racing slick in 1972, the radial tire in 1989, the
multi-zone tread design in 2013 and the development of the 18-inch
Goodyear Racing Eagle tire used on NASCAR’s Next Gen stock car.
Fittingly, Darlington Raceway – one of the Cup Series’ oldest active
tracks – is also home to the Goodyear 400 and many of Goodyear’s
milestones in innovation, including the brand’s first official NASCAR
tire test in 1954.
Goodyear produces more than 100,000 tires for NASCAR’s top three series
every year, and each one is hand-built by Goodyear associates in Akron,
Ohio – Goodyear’s global headquarters. To learn more about Goodyear
Racing, visit
www.Goodyear.com/Racing.
NASCAR Champion's
Week at Nashville Preview
November 30, 2022
By
Holly Cain
NASCAR Wire Service
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –
Celebrating a season full of first-time winners, a popular repeat
champion and all the makings of a bright future, the NASCAR industry
arrives in Nashville, Tenn. this week to officially crown Team Penske’s
Joey Logano as the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and highlight a year
of big personalities and high achievement on track.
The NASCAR Awards and
Champion Celebration will be held Thursday night at Nashville’s Music
City Center and streamed on NBC’s Peacock Saturday at 8 p.m. ET with
country music star Erin Kinsey headlining the evening’s entertainment.
The 2018 champion
Logano, who now joins Kyle Busch as the only multi-time NASCAR Cup
Series champions among active drivers, will be feted along with NASCAR
Xfinity Series champion Ty Gibbs and Camping World Truck Series champ
Zane Smith.
The Most Popular
Driver from each series – as selected in a fan vote – will also be
revealed in what is always a highly-anticipated evening of celebration.
Chase Elliott, the 2020 season champion, is the four-time defending
winner of the award in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“We are delighted to
bring the celebration to Nashville once again, as the city’s energy and
passion for motorsports never cease to amaze us," NASCAR’s Senior Vice
President, Chief Marketing Officer Pete Jung said in announcing the
return of the awards event to Nashville for the third year.
From historic venues
like the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame to
honky-tonks and famous barbeque at every corner – Nashville has quickly
proven to be a favorite for both the NASCAR industry and the sport’s
loyal fans, so many show up hoping to meet their favorite drivers – all
eager to celebrate a remarkable 2022 season.
Logano, 32, driver of
the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, dominated the Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series
finale at Phoenix Raceway – leading 187 of the 312 laps - to claim his
second series title – besting the Championship 4 of Trackhouse Racing’s
Ross Chastain, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell and Hendrick
Motorsports' Elliott. It marked the first time either Chastain or Bell
had earned a place in the Final 4 – both advancing thanks to clutch
performances in the dramatic penultimate race of the schedule at
Martinsville, Va.
Similarly, Gibbs, the
20-year-old driver of the No. 54 JGR Toyota, led a race best 125 of the
200-laps at Phoenix to definitively claim his first major NASCAR title
in just his first fulltime Xfinity Series season. JR Motorsports
teammates Noah Gragson, Justin Allgaier and Josh Berry rounded out the
foursome who advanced to the final round.
Smith, 23, who drives
the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford, took his first NASCAR
championship in the Camping World Truck Series after finishing runner-up
for the big trophy in the last two seasons. Kyle Busch Motorsports’
Chandler Smith and ThorSport Racing teammates Ben Rhodes – the 2021
series champion – and Ty Majeski rounded out the series’ title
contenders.
The championship races
in all three national series proved as compelling and exciting as the
season they capped providing a lot of eager anticipation for this week’s
opportunity to celebrate.
The NASCAR Cup Series
saw 19 different winners in the debut of the Next Gen car – the most
diverse winner’s slate since 2001, tying a modern-day record. It notably
included a remarkable five first-time race winners, including Chastain,
his Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suarez, Team Penske rookie Austin
Cindric, who won the season-opening Daytona 500, Richard Childress
Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe.
It all bodes well for
the competitive future of the sport with so much to celebrate this week
in Nashville – a rare repeat champion in Logano and a pair of young,
first-timers in Gibbs and Smith. Strike up the band and cue the talent,
Music City is ready. And so is NASCAR.
Rising
Music Star Erin Kinsey to Perform at The 2022 NASCAR Awards

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 28, 2022)
– Rising country music artist Erin Kinsey will take the stage to help
NASCAR celebrate a 2022 season highlighted by breakthrough moments from
many young stars of its own.
The RECORDS Nashville singer-songwriter
will perform her debut hit single, “Just Drive,” which has been featured
on SiriusXM The Highway “On The Horizon” and amassed more than 40
million streams and views to date, during the NASCAR Awards and Champion
Celebration invite-only event this Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Music City
Center in downtown Nashville.
"Getting the opportunity to perform at
the NASCAR Awards is such an honor, especially with it being in
Nashville,” says Kinsey. “As a bit of a speed demon myself, I really
admire the amazing drivers who have made incredible careers out of
driving fast! This is also my first tv performance, so I am just so
excited to get to play a small role in such a huge night for NASCAR.
Congratulations to all the winners!”
While Kinsey’s first-ever televised
performance marks an exciting career milestone, it will not be her first
time gracing the stage at a NASCAR event. The 22-year-old Texas native
also performed the National Anthem prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race
at Texas Motor Speedway this past May.
Fans can tune in to watch the 2022
NASCAR Awards, including Kinsey’s performance, when it airs Saturday,
Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock. In addition to two-time Cup Series
champion Joey Logano, NASCAR will also honor first-time Xfinity Series
champion Ty Gibbs and first-time Camping World Truck Series champion
Zane Smith as part of the celebration.
For more information on Champion’s Week,
please visit
www.nascar.com/championsweek.
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