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Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series™, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour™), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series™) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series™, NASCAR Mexico Series™, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series™). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).


Denny Hamlin dominates Bristol Night Race and advances to the Round of 12

 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

 

September 16, 2023 

By Reid Spencer 

NASCAR Wire Service 

 

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Denny Hamlin landed a knockout punch in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

NASCAR Cup Series regular-season champion Martin Truex Jr. survived to fight another round. 

Bubba Wallace rescued himself from the brink of elimination from the series Playoffs and advanced to the Round of 12 by four points. 

Kevin Harvick, winner of the first elimination Playoff in 2014, won’t be around to fight for the title in his final season of Cup racing. He joins defending champion Joey Logano on the outside looking in for the final seven Playoff races. 

Despite a strong run on Saturday night, Michael McDowell didn’t get the win he needed to advance, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. likewise fell by the wayside in a car that couldn’t compete for a top-five position. 

Taking the lead off pit road on Lap 366 of 500, Hamlin beat Kyle Larson to the finish line by 2.462 seconds. Hamlin led the final 135 laps in the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 142 overall, and second only to the 187 circuits led by pole winner and third-place finisher Christopher Bell. 

Led by Hamlin, all five Toyota drivers in the Playoffs advanced to the next round. 

Can't thank this whole FedEx team enough,” said Hamlin, who won for the third time this season, the third time at Bristol and the 51st time in his career. “They've really kicked ass this whole first round. Really amazing how our team has been. So happy about the way we're running. Can't wait to keep going. 

“It's our year. I just feel like we've got it all put together. We've got the speed (at) every single type of race track. Nothing to stop us at this point.” 

Chris Buescher followed Bell to the stripe, as the top four finishers all will race in the Round of 12. Brad Keselowski and William Byron (eighth and ninth Saturday) also advanced, as did 23XI Racing teammates Wallace and Tyler Reddick (13th and 14th), Truex (19th), Kyle Busch (20th), Ryan Blaney (22nd) and Ross Chastain (23rd). 

Wallace finished 14th, a lap down, but the eight points he gained by running third in Stage 1 proved decisive. Only 10 cars finished on the lead lap, the last of whom was Stenhouse, who ended the Round of 16 in 15th, seven points behind Wallace. 

Wallace was greeted with a chorus of boos when he climbed from his car, as was Hamlin. 

Like Coco Gauff said, all they're doing is adding fuel to the fire—I love it,” said Wallace, who drives for Hamlin and co-owner Michael Jordan at 23XI. “I love where I'm at with this team. Wish my mom, dad, sister were here to celebrate with me.”  

“I'm mentally exhausted. I'm wore out. Gave it our all there. Battled hard and executed. That's what you got to do. We know next week's a reset. We just got to go out and have some fun, work our asses off. Thank you to the ones that believe in me. Keep it going. Yeah, on to next week.” 

A vicious wreck on the backstretch cost Joey Logano a chance to advance to the Round of 12—the first time under the elimination format that a defending championship has exited the Playoffs in the opening round. 

Logano was a lap down, running toward the back of the pack, when Corey LaJoie went three-wide underneath the Chevrolet of Erik Jones and lost control of his No. 7 Chevrolet. LaJoie’s car swept up the track into the path of Logano, Justin Haley and Ryan Newman, all of whom were knocked out of the race in the accident. 

“Yeah, I saw the smoke,” said Logano, who was credited with a 34th-place finish and missed the Round of 12 by four points. “I saw the 7 spinning. (Spotter) Coleman (Pressley) was saying, ‘He’s coming up.  He’s coming up’ as I was on the brakes to try to pull onto the bottom.   

“I think it was Newman behind me, but I think someone hit him behind him, and it was just kind of a chain reaction into it. Once I got hit, I was like, ‘Shoot, I’ve got to go up now,’ because I couldn’t make the bottom, so I committed to that and the hole closed up. 

“Obviously, it’s a real bummer. You get out of the race like that and you’re behind the wall and you’re in denial for a minute. You don’t want to believe that it happened, and you want to think that it’s fixable, but the car was tore up too bad.” 

Harvick fought an ill-handling car from the outset and finished 29th, five laps down. Like Logano, he finished four points behind Wallace in the battle for the final spot in the Round of 12. 

We've been like that all year,” Harvick said. “We've been hit-or-miss. Tonight, we just missed by a mile. I've had some good days and bad days, but that's definitely the worst one I've had with fenders on it. 

Ty Gibbs finished fifth after leading 102 laps. McDowell ran sixth, followed by Chase Elliott, Keselowski, Byron and Stenhouse. 

 

--30-- 

 

NASCAR Cup Series Race - Bass Pro Shops Night Race

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol, Tennessee

Saturday, September 16, 2023

 

          1. (2)  Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota, 500.

          2. (36)  Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet, 500.

          3. (1)  Christopher Bell (P), Toyota, 500.

          4. (20)  Chris Buescher (P), Ford, 500.

          5. (8)  Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 500.

          6. (4)  Michael McDowell (P), Ford, 500.

          7. (7)  Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 500.

          8. (6)  Brad Keselowski (P), Ford, 500.

          9. (3)  William Byron (P), Chevrolet, 500.

          10. (25)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P), Chevrolet, 500.

          11. (16)  Carson Hocevar(i), Chevrolet, 499.

          12. (17)  Ryan Preece, Ford, 499.

          13. (13)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 499.

          14. (9)  Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota, 499.

          15. (12)  Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota, 499.

          16. (30)  Todd Gilliland, Ford, 499.

          17. (18)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 499.

          18. (26)  Aric Almirola, Ford, 499.

          19. (5)  Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota, 498.

          20. (15)  Kyle Busch (P), Chevrolet, 498.

          21. (24)  Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 498.

          22. (11)  Ryan Blaney (P), Ford, 498.

          23. (23)  Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet, 498.

          24. (31)  Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 497.

          25. (10)  Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 497.

          26. (35)  JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 495.

          27. (14)  Chase Briscoe, Ford, 495.

          28. (32)  Harrison Burton, Ford, 495.

          29. (21)  Kevin Harvick (P), Ford, 495.

          30. (22)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 491.

          31. (34)  BJ McLeod(i), Chevrolet, 490.

          32. (29)  Austin Cindric, Ford, 488.

          33. (33)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, Accident, 263.

          34. (28)  Joey Logano (P), Ford, Accident, 262.

          35. (19)  Justin Haley, Chevrolet, Accident, 261.

          36. (27)  Ryan Newman, Ford, Accident, 260.

 

Average Speed of Race Winner:  94.99 mph.

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 48 Mins, 20 Secs. Margin of Victory:  2.437 Seconds.

Caution Flags:  6 for 53 laps.

Lead Changes:  10 among 6 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   C. Bell (P) 1-71;C. LaJoie 72-119;C. Bell (P) 120-178;K. Larson (P) 179-198;C. Bell (P) 199-255;T. Gibbs # 256-353;D. Hamlin (P) 354;T. Gibbs # 355-358;D. Hamlin (P) 359-364;C. Buescher (P) 365;D. Hamlin (P) 366-500.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Christopher Bell (P) 3 times for 187 laps; Denny Hamlin (P) 3 times for 142 laps; Ty Gibbs # 2 times for 102 laps; Corey LaJoie 1 time for 48 laps; Kyle Larson (P) 1 time for 20 laps; Chris Buescher (P) 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 20,7,23,24,45,1,6,5,19,54

Stage #2 Top Ten: 20,54,5,11,42,34,17,24,41,9


Christopher Bell wins third straight Playoff pole in Bristol qualifying 

Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

September 15, 2023 

By Reid Spencer 

NASCAR Wire Service 

 BRISTOL, Tenn. – For Christopher Bell, Friday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session brought an unprecedented accomplishment. 

For Martin Truex Jr., Bell’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, it brought a sense of relief—if that’s possible for a driver trying to climb above the cut line in the series Playoffs. 

In the final round of time trials at the 0.533-mile short track, Bell turned a lap in 15.109 seconds (126.997 mph), edging another teammate, Denny Hamlin, by 0.008 seconds (126.930 mph) for the top starting spot in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night race, whose starting time was moved up to 6:35 p.m. because of the potential for rain later in the evening. 

That performance in the money round gave Bell an unprecedented sweep of the pole positions in the first three Playoff races of 2023. The Busch Light Pole Award was Bell’s fifth of the season, his first at Bristol and the ninth of his career. 

“It doesn’t get much closer than that—that’s crazy tight,” Bell said of his margin over Hamlin. (But) 500 laps (on Saturday) is an awfully long time. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that qualifying means nothing for the race.” 

Bell knows whereof he speaks. After winning poles at Darlington and Kansas in the first two Playoff races, Bell finished 23rd and eighth, respectively. As a result, he has a 13-point margin over Truex, the first driver below the current cutoff for the Round of 12. 

Truex (126.154 mph) qualified fifth behind fellow Playoff drivers Bell, Hamlin, William Byron (126.345 mph) and Michael McDowell (126.220 mph). That’s a boon for the regular-season champion, who trails 12th-place Kevin Harvick by seven points and 11th-place Joey Logano by 12. 

On Saturday night, Harvick will start 21st and Logano 28th as they battle to advance to the Round of 12. 

Bell was happy to see Truex set up a potential good run with his fifth-place qualifying effort. 

“I think Bristol probably owes him one,” Bell said. “Hopefully, we can get all three of these JGR Camrys into the next round. I certainly know that we have the speed to do it… Martin put himself in a good spot, so hopefully he can make it happen.” 

Brad Keselowski qualified sixth, followed by Chase Elliott, whose No. 9 Chevrolet is part of the owners’ championship contest, even though Elliott failed to make the drivers’ Playoff. Ty Gibbs qualified eighth, followed by Playoff driver Bubba Wallace and Corey LaJoie.  


Tyler Reddick wins overtime thriller at Kansas to advance in NASCAR Cup Playoffs

 

 Sean Gardner/Getty Images

September 10, 2023

 

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – With a bold move to the front of the field in overtime, Tyler Reddick won Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 and left his car owner frustrated at the end of the second NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Kansas Speedway.

 

Reddick beat Joe Gibbs Racing driver and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin to the finish line by 0.327 seconds. Hamlin led 63 laps and was more than two seconds ahead of Reddick when Playoff driver Chris Buescher blew a right rear tire on Lap 261 of a scheduled 267 to cause the ninth and final caution.

 

Diverging strategies then gave Reddick the opening he needed to gain automatic entry into the Playoffs’ Round of 12. Daniel Suarez stayed out on 31-lap-old tires and inherited the lead. Erik Jones, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano made two-tire stops and restarted second, third and fourth.

 

Reddick restarted on the bottom of the third row and surged forward while Hamlin hung back in the top lane. After the field rounded Turn 4 on the restart Lap, Reddick shot to the bottom of the track and took the lead right before the start/finish line.

 

On the final circuit, third-place finisher Erik Jones moved up the track on the backstretch to block Hamlin’s progress for a moment, and that gave Reddick all the breathing room he needed to secure his second victory of the season, his first at 1.5-mile Kansas and the fifth of his career.

 

“Just an outstanding job by this whole 23XI team,” Reddick said, after climbing out of the window of his No. 45 Toyota during his celebratory burnout. 

 

“We had really good pace, but just couldn't get ahead of Denny there, but chaos ensued, people stayed out, some took two tires, and the bottom lane opened up. Pretty crazy.”

 

Beaten by a car he owns, Hamlin took the defeat philosophically. The second-place run leaves him 49 points ahead of teammate Martin Truex Jr., the first driver below the current Round of 12 cut line.

 

“Well, the 5 (Kyle Larson, behind Hamlin in the top lane for the final restart) was just laying back so much,” Hamlin said. “I was trying to back up to him. Should have just kind of focused forward probably.

 

“It gave the 45 (Reddick) an opportunity to get up there in front of us. Just kind of sleeping on the restart, looking in the rear view instead of looking in the front.

 

“Just another really, really fast car—just didn't need that caution at the end.”

 

Larson finished fourth after leading a race-high 99 laps and winning the first stage. Logano came home fifth, thanks to the two-tire call by crew chief Paul Wolfe. Chase Elliott was sixth, followed by Kyle Busch, pole winner Christopher Bell and Brad Keselowski, who won the second stage.

 

The race, however, had dire consequences for Playoff drivers now in danger of elimination next Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

 

Disaster struck Regular Season Champion Martin Truex Jr. before the race was four laps old. As the field was working Lap 4, Truex started to slow on the backstretch and then slammed the wall in Turn 3, the result of a cut tire.

 

With the suspension on his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota damaged beyond repair, Truex retired to the garage in 36th place and fell seven points below the cut line for the Round of 12. 

 

“Just unfortunate and very unlucky,” Truex said after exiting the infield care center. “I took off really tight, and I knew something was up, and then cut a right rear. Not really sure what happened, obviously, but it blew in the worst place possible. 

 

“I hate it for my guys. We had an awesome Bass Pro Toyota Camry. We were going to have a great day, just not sure what we need to do to get some luck here.” 

Bubba Wallace was next to have his hopes of advancement to the Round of 12 suffer a crippling blow. Wallace was running second on Lap 108 when his right rear tire exploded, sending his No. 23 Toyota hard into the outside wall. 

 

Wallace brought the car to pit road to repair a bent right rear toe link and lost three laps in the process. After a second trip to pit road, he was five laps down in 34th place and could recover only to 32nd by the end of the event.

 

Now 14th in the Playoff standings, Wallace leaves Kansas 19 points behind Kevin Harvick in 12th. 

 

After two brushes with the outside wall, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. came home 23rd and is 22 points behind Harvick. Michael McDowell dropped 40 points below the cut line with a 26th-place result and realistically needs a victory at Bristol to advance to the Round of 12.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Race - Hollywood Casino 400

Kansas Speedway

Kansas City, Kansas

Sunday, September 10, 2023

 

                1. (5)  Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota, 268.

                2. (14)  Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota, 268.

                3. (19)  Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 268.

                4. (2)  Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet, 268.

                5. (11)  Joey Logano (P), Ford, 268.

                6. (4)  Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 268.

                7. (35)  Kyle Busch (P), Chevrolet, 268.

                8. (1)  Christopher Bell (P), Toyota, 268.

                9. (12)  Brad Keselowski (P), Ford, 268.

                10. (23)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 268.

                11. (20)  Kevin Harvick (P), Ford, 268.

                12. (17)  Ryan Blaney (P), Ford, 268.

                13. (6)  Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet, 268.

                14. (36)  Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 268.

                15. (9)  William Byron (P), Chevrolet, 268.

                16. (15)  Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 268.

                17. (25)  Aric Almirola, Ford, 268.

                18. (28)  Ryan Preece, Ford, 268.

                19. (26)  Chase Briscoe, Ford, 268.

                20. (21)  Carson Hocevar(i), Chevrolet, 268.

                21. (30)  Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 268.

                22. (24)  Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 268.

                23. (16)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P), Chevrolet, 268.

                24. (27)  Cole Custer(i), Ford, 268.

                25. (32)  Todd Gilliland, Ford, 267.

                26. (7)  Michael McDowell (P), Ford, 267.

                27. (13)  Chris Buescher (P), Ford, 267.

                28. (33)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 267.

                29. (34)  Sheldon Creed(i), Chevrolet, 266.

                30. (22)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 266.

                31. (18)  Austin Cindric, Ford, 266.

                32. (10)  Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota, 264.

                33. (8)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 259.

                34. (31)  JJ Yeley(i), Ford, DVP, 212.

                35. (29)  Harrison Burton, Ford, DVP, 175.

                36. (3)  Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota, Accident, 3.

 

Average Speed of Race Winner:  125.212 mph.

Time of Race:  3 Hrs, 12 Mins, 38 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.327 Seconds.

Caution Flags:  9 for 45 laps.

Lead Changes:  19 among 10 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   C. Bell (P) 1-9;K. Larson (P) 10-39;A. Almirola 40-42;K. Larson (P) 43-66;B. Wallace (P) 67-69;K. Larson (P) 70-109;J. Yeley(i) 110;K. Larson (P) 111-114;C. Elliott (P) 115-131;K. Larson (P) 132;C. Elliott (P) 133-162;B. Keselowski (P) 163-171;D. Hamlin (P) 172;B. Keselowski (P) 173-186;D. Hamlin (P) 187-215;C. Bell (P) 216-221;D. Suarez 222-230;D. Hamlin (P) 231-263;D. Suarez 264-266;T. Reddick (P) 267-268.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Kyle Larson (P) 5 times for 99 laps; Denny Hamlin (P) 3 times for 63 laps; Chase Elliott (P) 2 times for 47 laps; Brad Keselowski (P) 2 times for 23 laps; Christopher Bell (P) 2 times for 15 laps; Daniel Suarez 2 times for 12 laps; Bubba Wallace (P) 1 time for 3 laps; Aric Almirola 1 time for 3 laps; Tyler Reddick (P) 1 time for 2 laps; JJ Yeley(i) 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 5,23,20,1,12,45,11,6,9,4

Stage #2 Top Ten: 6,11,9,4,45,43,12,22,17,20

 


 

Christopher Bell claims pole position for second straight NASCAR Cup Playoff race

 Sean Gardner/Getty Images

September 9, 2023

 

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Christopher Bell earned a second chance on Saturday.

 

For the second straight NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race, Bell will start from the pole position after a blistering lap at 180.276 mph (29.954 seconds) in the final round of qualifying for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Bell beat last Sunday’s Darlington winner Kyle Larson (179.826 mph) by 0.075 seconds to win his fourth Busch Light Pole Award of the season, his second at Kansas and the eighth of his career.

 

After starting from the top spot in last Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500, Bell suffered a litany of issues—from a slow first pit stop to hard contact with the outside wall to a five-car wreck that collected his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota late in the race.

 

As a result of his 23rd-place finish in the Round of 16 opener, Bell came to Kansas 12th in the Cup standings, just one point ahead of Bubba Wallace in 13th. The pole position at the 1.5-mile speedway gives him a chance at redemption.

 

“That was a lot of fun,” Bell said. “Qualifying here is very intense. That’s certainly all we had. I felt very good in practice today in race trim. Week after week we come to the race track with cars that are capable of racing for wins…

 

“(Winning the pole) definitely takes a little bit of pressure off. If you’ve got a fast car, you can just go out there and run your pace. Clean air feels a lot better than being back in the pack.”

 

Martin Truex Jr. qualified third at 178.767 mph, followed by Chase Elliott (178.648 mph) and Tyler Reddick (178.495 mph).

 

Bell knew a sub-30-second lap was a possibility after seeing Ross Chastain turn the fastest circuit of the day in the first round of time trials in 29.925 seconds (180.451 mph). Chastain was sixth fastest in the final round at 178.324 mph.

 

But how does a driver eliminate the sorts of mistakes that cost him dearly in the first Playoff race?

 

“Controlling what you can control,” Bell said. “I don't know how many people, but (there’s) a handful of people on the team that just have to control what they can control, and I’m a big part of that equation. 

 

“So last week, I made a mistake early in the race that ruined our finish and, yeah, that was me not doing my job, and I'm glad I get another opportunity this week to try.”  

 

Michael McDowell, the only Ford driver to make the final round, will start seventh, with Austin Dillon eighth.

 

William Byron was ninth fastest in the final round, but he’ll start the race from the rear of the field after his crew made an unapproved adjustment to fix a suspension issue that surfaced during Saturday’s practice.

 

Wallace will take the green flag from the 10th position. 

 

Playoff driver Kyle Busch will start from the rear of the field for the second straight race after a flat tire sent him into the outside wall during practice, necessitating repairs to his No. 8 Chevrolet, which did not make a qualifying run. 

 

Ty Gibbs suffered a similar fate during practice and will start from the rear in a backup car. 

 

Playoff drivers starting outside the top 10 include: Joey Logano 11th, Brad Keselowski 12th, Chris Buescher 13th, Denny Hamlin 14th, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 16th, Ryan Blaney 17th and Kevin Harvick 20th.

 

Elliott and Dillon are the only drivers in the top 10 not competing for the drivers’ championship, though Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet is running for the owners’ title.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying - Hollywood Casino 400

Kansas Speedway

Kansas City, Kansas

Saturday, September 9, 2023

 

                1. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota, 180.276 mph.

                2. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet, 179.826 mph.

                3. (19) Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota, 178.767 mph.

                4. (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 178.648 mph.

                5. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota, 178.495 mph.

                6. (1) Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet, 178.324 mph.

                7. (34) Michael McDowell (P), Ford, 178.271 mph.

                8. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 178.200 mph.

                9. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet, 177.778 mph.

                10. (23) Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota, 177.421 mph.

                11. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford, 0.000 mph.

                12. (6) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford, 0.000 mph.

                13. (17) Chris Buescher (P), Ford, 0.000 mph.

                14. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota, 0.000 mph.

                15. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                16. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                17. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford, 0.000 mph.

                18. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford, 0.000 mph.

                19. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                20. (4) Kevin Harvick (P), Ford, 0.000 mph.

                21. (42) Carson Hocevar(i), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                22. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                23. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                24. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                25. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford, 0.000 mph.

                26. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 0.000 mph.

                27. (51) Cole Custer(i), Ford, 0.000 mph.

                28. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford, 0.000 mph.

                29. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford, 0.000 mph.

                30. (31) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                31. (15) JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 0.000 mph.

                32. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 0.000 mph.

                33. (77) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                34. (78) Sheldon Creed(i), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                35. (8) Kyle Busch (P), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

                36. (54) Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 0.000 mph.


Kyle Larson wins Cook Out Southern 500 to advance in NASCAR Cup Playoffs 

James Gilbert/Getty Images)

DARLINGTON, S.C.—Welcome back, Kyle Larson.  The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion held off a desperate charge from fellow Playoff driver Tyler Reddick at sold-out Darlington Raceway to claim victory in Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 and earn an automatic berth in the Round of 12. 

Larson entered the Playoff opener with an undistinguished average finish of 17.5 in his previous six races, but he weathered a transmission momentary stuck in neutral and a disconcerting brush with the wall to register his third victory of the season, the 22nd of his career and his first at the famed Lady in Black. 

 

Yeah, finally from start to finish,” Larson said of his ability to put together a complete race. “Eighteenth to third in the first stage, I didn't think that was possible. Our race car was really good when the sun was out. Just had to work on it.  

 

“I messed up once and it got hung in neutral, and I slid and hit the wall, and I think bent the toe link a little bit, so it was kind of a struggle from there. Definitely had to fight it more than I was earlier, but we kept our heads in the game. That was really important. This race is all about keeping your head in it… 

 

“What a great way to start the Playoffs, and hopefully we can keep it going.” 

 

Larson took the lead for the first time during a quick pit stop on Lap 313 and held it for the final 55 circuits. Reddick rolled off pit road second but couldn’t find a way past the race winner. 

 

Kyle and I were pretty close the majority of the day, honestly, and he just got ahead of us there on pit road, but all in all, this is the day that we needed to have,” said Reddick, who led 90 laps and crossed the finish line .447 seconds behind Larson. 

 

“Really just thankful for the hard work from my pit crew, from the team, everyone at the shop. Days like this, with a car like this, we haven't been able to get a second-place finish out of it, so really glad we were able to do that, and it was a really good points day on top of that, as well.” 

 

Chris Buescher ran a mistake-free race and finished third, followed by William Byron, who charged forward from his 23rd starting position. Ross Chastain ran fifth, with Brad Keselowski and Bubba Wallace behind him, as Playoff drivers claimed the top seven positions. 

 

While Larson leaves Darlington with guaranteed admission to the Round of 12, Byron, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, leads the Playoff standings by one point—over Larson. Reddick is 15 points behind Byron, followed by Buescher and Denny Hamlin, who trail by 18 points. 

 

Catastrophes proved the undoing of several Playoff drivers who showed excellent speed but succumbed to a variety of pit road mistakes and errors in judgment. 

 

Hamlin led 177 laps, swept the first and second stages and dominated the race—until he made an extra green-flag pit stop on Lap 274, believing he had a loose wheel. Hamlin lost a lap and any chance he had of starting the Playoffs with a victory. Hamlin’s night got worse when he was collected in a five-car wreck on Lap 330. He finished 25th. 

 

After Hamlin’s demise, Kevin Harvick was chasing Reddick for the lead. Harvick steered his car toward pit road on Lap 309, causing Reddick to check up in front of Ryan Newman in an attempt to duplicate Harvick’s maneuver. Newman spun in Turn 4, causing the sixth caution, and the red light indicating a closed pit road caught Harvick just before he reached the entry line. The resulting penalty sent Harvick to the back of the field for a restart on Lap 317, with no time to recovered past 19th. 

 

A driver with no margin for error entering the Round of 16, Michael McDowell didn’t have the speed to stay on the lead lap, but his Waterloo came in the same Lap 330 wreck that involved Hamlin and fellow Playoff driver and pole winner Christopher Bell. McDowell’s No. 34 Ford was too badly hurt to continue, and he fell out of the race in 32nd place. 

 

McDowell heads to next Sunday’s Playoff race at Kansas Speedway in 16th place, 19 points behind Bell in 12th. 

 

Late in the first stage, Bell slammed the outside wall and damaged the suspension on his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, ruining any chances of victory.  

 

“I just got in the marbles and fenced it hard,” Bell radioed to his team. 

 

After the stage break, Bell dropped precipitously through the field and was soon lapped by leader Denny Hamlin. 

 

“The toe is messed up—I’m having to turn the wheel a lot,” Bell radioed to crew chief Adam Stevens. 

 

Bell, who finished a lap down in 23rd, wasn’t the only Playoff driver who fell victim to mistakes in the first stage, which ran under the green flag from start to finish. Joey Logano scraped the wall at the apex of Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 86.  

 

His No. 22 Ford bit the wall again on Lap 115—the final circuit of Stage 1—when the No. 23 Toyota of Wallace spun underneath him in Turn 4 and knocked the right rear of Logano’s car into the fence, after Hamlin had taken the green/checkered flag to win the stage and the accompanying Playoff point. 

 

Martin Truex Jr. (who finished 18th) lost four spots after brushing the wall late in the stage and ran 17th in the first segment. Truex’s problems multiplied in Stage 2 when he had to make an unscheduled pit stop because of a loose wheel and lost two laps. 

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (16th) lost a lap serving a pass-through penalty for speeding on pit road during his first green-flag pit stop, as mistakes began to shape the Playoffs—as they invariably do.  

 

NASCAR Cup Series Race - Cook Out Southern 500

Darlington Raceway

Darlington, South Carolina

Sunday, September 3, 2023

 

          1. (18)  Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet, 367.

          2. (3)  Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota, 367.

          3. (8)  Chris Buescher (P), Ford, 367.

          4. (23)  William Byron (P), Chevrolet, 367.

          5. (27)  Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet, 367.

          6. (5)  Brad Keselowski (P), Ford, 367.

          7. (19)  Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota, 367.

          8. (13)  Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 367.

          9. (4)  Ryan Blaney (P), Ford, 367.

          10. (20)  Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 367.

          11. (11)  Kyle Busch (P), Chevrolet, 367.

          12. (6)  Joey Logano (P), Ford, 367.

          13. (16)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 367.

          14. (10)  Aric Almirola, Ford, 367.

          15. (12)  Chase Briscoe, Ford, 367.

          16. (25)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P), Chevrolet, 367.

          17. (15)  Carson Hocevar(i), Chevrolet, 367.

          18. (31)  Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota, 367.

          19. (7)  Kevin Harvick (P), Ford, 367.

          20. (28)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 367.

          21. (17)  Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 367.

          22. (22)  Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 367.

          23. (1)  Christopher Bell (P), Toyota, 366.

          24. (29)  Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 366.

          25. (2)  Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota, 366.

          26. (30)  Todd Gilliland, Ford, 366.

          27. (35)  Ryan Newman, Ford, 365.

          28. (34)  Ryan Preece, Ford, 364.

          29. (26)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 364.

          30. (33)  JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 362.

          31. (14)  Austin Cindric, Ford, 361.

          32. (9)  Michael McDowell (P), Ford, Accident, 329.

          33. (24)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, Accident, 322.

          34. (21)  Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, Accident, 320.

          35. (32)  Harrison Burton, Ford, Accident, 318.

          36. (36)  BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, Engine, 210.

 

Average Speed of Race Winner:  120.906 mph.

Time of Race:  4 Hrs, 8 Mins, 47 Secs. Margin of Victory:  .447 Seconds.

Caution Flags:  8 for 51 laps.

Lead Changes:  13 among 7 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   C. Bell (P) 1-33;J. Yeley(i) 34;T. Reddick (P) 35-62;D. Hamlin (P) 63-67;C. Bell (P) 68-71;T. Reddick (P) 72-91;D. Hamlin (P) 92-150;T. Reddick (P) 151-153;C. Bell (P) 154-156;D. Hamlin (P) 157-269;K. Harvick (P) 270;C. LaJoie 271-273;T. Reddick (P) 274-312;K. Larson (P) 313-367.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Denny Hamlin (P) 3 times for 177 laps; Tyler Reddick (P) 4 times for 90 laps; Kyle Larson (P) 1 time for 55 laps; Christopher Bell (P) 3 times for 40 laps; Corey LaJoie 1 time for 3 laps; Kevin Harvick (P) 1 time for 1 lap; JJ Yeley(i) 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 11,45,5,4,12,6,9,20,17,10

Stage #2 Top Ten: 11,5,43,45,24,8,12,3,6,47

 

Christopher earns pole position for first NASCAR Cup Playoff race at Darlington 

 

James Gilbert/Getty Images

DARLINGTON, S.C. – After edging Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin by .026 seconds in Saturday’s time trials, Christopher Bell will lead the field to green in the first NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race of 2023—Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 

 

Bell navigated the venerable 1.366-mile speedway in 29.065 seconds (169.193 mph) to claim his third Busch Light Pole Award in the last eight races and first at the Track Too Tough to Tame. Hamlin clocked in at 169.169.042 mph to earn the outside starting spot on the front row. 

 

After earning four poles in 2022, the debut year of NASCAR’s Next Gen Cup car, Bell turned in performances in time trials he considered sub-par in the first half of 2023. 

 

“After we got through the first probably five to eight races this year, we were wondering what happened,” Bell said, “because last year we made the final round a lot, the majority of the time, and at the beginning of this year, we were really struggling. 

 

“My team, (crew chief) Adam Stevens, my engineers have put a lot of emphasis on qualifying the last couple of months, and it’s really showed. We’ve been able to be in the hunt a lot more, make that final round, and it really helps out on Sundays when you get a good pit stall selection. 

 

“At certain racetracks, qualifying’s a really big deal, and this is one of them.” 

 

It was a unique qualifying session that featured seven Fords, three Toyotas and no Chevrolets in the final 10. For the first time since the 1982 Southern 500, no Chevrolet drivers will take the green flag in the top 10 (though in fairness, five General Motors products—Buicks and Pontiacs—started in the top 10 for that race). 

 

With Tyler Reddick qualifying third at 168.972 mph, the three Toyotas will start at the front of the field, followed by the seven Fords, led by Ryan Blaney (168.273 mph) and Brad Keselowski (168.227 mph). 

Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell and Aric Almirola claimed positions six through 10 on the grid, respectively. Almirola is the only non-Playoff driver in the top 10.  

 

Reddick posted the fastest lap of the day (170.750 mph) in the Group B session of Round 1, when cloud cover moved in and cooled the track. All five Group B drivers were faster than the top five Group A drivers in the opening round. 

 

Bell, however, thought he had an advantage as a member of Group A because it gave him more time to cool his tires between rounds. 

 

Despite shiners, Preece is fit and ready to go after Daytona wreck 

 

A week after his violent wreck at Daytona International Speedway, Ryan Preece met with reporters outside his transporter at Darlington Raceway, primarily to reaffirm that he was unhurt and ready to race in Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 (6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 

 

As Preece stood on the steps of his hauler taking questions from the assembled media, he removed his sunglasses to reveal striking purple bruises beneath his eyes—the most visible after-effects of his tumbling No. 41 Ford, which spun in mid-air, barrel-rolled through the infield on the Daytona backstretch and came to rest upright in the grass. 

 

“I’m good, I’m OK, I’ve got no broken bones, I’m not sore,” Preece said. “I wasn’t sore after it—a little bit of bruising, but nothing too crazy.” 

 

That’s when Preece revealed his two “shiners.”  

 

“They aren’t bad,” Preece said. “I going to put an end to it right now. What I want you all to know is that racing in general—whether you’re racing a sprint car or a modified or anything—is dangerous. There’s consequences to everything.  

 

“But what we do as race car drivers is respect one another to not put ourselves in positions to be like that. I’m fine. My vision’s perfect—everything about it. They don’t hurt. They look bad to you guys, but you look at a 410 (sprint car) driver after some flips—they get this. It’s from spinning in the air and all that, the blood flow, whatever. I’m not a doctor… 

 

“What I can tell you is I went through all the tests. I feel fine. If I didn’t feel fine, I wouldn’t be in this car this weekend.” 

 

Shuttering of GMS Racing’s truck series team will add critical mass to Legacy Motor Club 

 

Legacy Motor Club, a collaborative effort of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, GMS Racing’s Maury Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, has been through a turbulent first season, to say the least. 

 

The team’s on-track struggles were exacerbated by the suspension and dismissal of driver Noah Gragson for “liking” a meme on social media that made light of the murder of George Floyd. 

 

The one constant within all the distraction has been defending Cook Out Southern 500 winner Erik Jones, who has posted three of his five top-10 finishes of 2023 in the last 10 races. 

 

Gallagher announced in August that he planned to shutter his GMS Racing NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team at the end of the season, and Jones believes that move may increase the critical mass of the Legacy Cup organization. 

 

“We’re going to absorb a large amount of that personnel into the Cup side, which is a huge resource in itself,” Jones said Saturday at Darlington Raceway. “We needed to add some people on the competition side, on the shop floor and even probably upstairs.  

 

“So people coming over is going to be a big resource in itself. As far as the financial gain from it – I don’t think a lot is going to change on that side of things. Maury is very dedicated in what he’s putting into this race team, even before that move.  

 

“But I think on the personnel side, absorbing those guys into the shop for day-to-day procedures and what we do to prepare cars is going to be the biggest gain for us.”  

 

Josh Harris named new president of Darlington Raceway 

 

NASCAR industry veteran Josh Harris will succeed Kerry Tharp as president of Darlington Raceway, NASCAR track officials announced Saturday morning at the 1.366-mile speedway. 

A native of Harrisville, Miss., Harris currently serves as Darlington’s vice president of business operations. 

 

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Josh since I left Darlington,” said Chip Wile, NASCAR senior vice president, chief track properties officer, who served as Darlington Raceway president from 2013-2016. “He and I started at Daytona International Speedway at the same time… 

 

“I’ve had so much respect for Josh and know that he’s ready for this role.” 

 

Harris brings a decade’s worth of NASCAR experience to his new job as Darlington’s 10th president. He started his career in racing in 2012 as ticketing manager at Talladega Superspeedway. Subsequently, he served as NASCAR’s Southeast Region vice president of ticketing and guest services and Southeast Region vice president of client and event experience. 

 

“It means a lot to me, personally and professionally,” Harris said of his new position. “Kerry and Chip, following in their footsteps, is something I’m honored to do.  

 

“As we look back on the 2020 season and the impact that we had with COVID, Kerry’s leadership—along with the state of South Carolina—to be able to bring NASCAR racing back, and for us to continue to have those two race dates, I think it just shows the commitment this state has to this race track and our sport. 

 

“And I look forward to getting to know all those leaders in our community and our state and working with them to make sure Darlington Raceway continues to drive forward and be a leader in our sport and put on two great events every year.” 

 

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying - Cook Out Southern 500

Darlington Raceway

Darlington, South Carolina

Saturday, September 2, 2023

 

          1. (20) Christopher Bell (P) @, Toyota, 169.193 mph.

          2. (11) Denny Hamlin (P) @, Toyota, 169.042 mph.

          3. (45) Tyler Reddick (P) @, Toyota, 168.972 mph.

          4. (12) Ryan Blaney (P) @, Ford, 168.273 mph.

          5. (6) Brad Keselowski (P) @, Ford, 168.227 mph.

          6. (22) Joey Logano (P) @, Ford, 168.152 mph.

          7. (4) Kevin Harvick (P) @, Ford, 168.129 mph.

          8. (17) Chris Buescher (P) @, Ford, 167.962 mph.

          9. (34) Michael McDowell (P) @, Ford, 167.893 mph.

          10. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford, 167.231 mph.

          11. (8) Kyle Busch (P) @, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          12. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 0.000 mph.

          13. (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          14. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford, 0.000 mph.

          15. (42) Carson Hocevar(i), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          16. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          17. (54) Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 0.000 mph.

          18. (5) Kyle Larson (P) @, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          19. (23) Bubba Wallace (P) @, Toyota, 0.000 mph.

          20. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          21. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          22. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          23. (24) William Byron (P) @, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          24. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          25. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P) @, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          26. (77) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          27. (1) Ross Chastain (P) @, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          28. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          29. (31) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

          30. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 0.000 mph.

          31. (19) Martin Truex Jr. (P) @, Toyota, 0.000 mph.

          32. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford, 0.000 mph.

          33. (15) JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 0.000 mph.

          34. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford, 0.000 mph.

          35. (51) Ryan Newman, Ford, 0.000 mph.

          36. (78) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.


 

Buescher leads 1-2 finish for RFK Racing, Wallace clinches Playoff berth in Daytona cutoff race

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Aug. 26, 2023

 

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – When owner/driver Brad Keselowski pushed Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing teammate Chris Buescher to victory in overtime on Sunday night, it was ecstasy for Bubba Wallace and the epitome of frustration for Chase Elliott.

 

Buescher picked up his third victory of the season in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the regular-season finale for the NASCAR Cup Series, but not until Ryan Preece’s horrific barrel-roll wreck on the backstretch forced three extra laps.

 

With Buescher’s repeat win, Wallace clinched the 16th and final spot in the series Playoffs on points. Hemmed in by an armada of Fords after the overtime restart on Lap 162, Elliott—whose only path to the Playoffs was victory on Sunday—couldn’t move forward.

 

Kevin Harvick blocked Elliott in the bottom lane, and Aric Almirola and Joey Logano on the outside prevented Elliott from making a move to the top. Elliott came home fourth behind Buescher, Keselowski and Almirola, but NASCAR’s most popular driver and 2020 series champion will miss the Playoffs for the first time in his Cup career. 

 

Buescher restarted second and Keselowski third on Lap 162. Keselowski quickly locked onto Buescher’s bumper and pushed him to the lead. A lap later Buescher secured his fifth career victory and first at Daytona by .098 seconds over his teammate.

 

“That's as much Brad's win as ours right there,” Buescher said. “That was the right help, aggressive, sticking with us. I was waiting for him to do something there coming to the finish. I figured we'd be side by side. Looked like it stalled out a little behind there.

 

“Just so thankful for Brad for all those pushes at the right time. Found each other here and there throughout the race, lost each other, and got back on it when it counted.”

 

The 1-2 finish was the first for RFK Racing since Carl Edwards and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. claimed the top two spots for owner Jack Roush at Bristol in 2014. 

 

Wallace claimed his Playoff spot with a 12th-place finish, because—thankfully from his point of view—no winless driver below him in the standings was able to knock him out of the top 16 by winning. 

 

“That was the most stressed, but also the most locked in I've ever been,” said Wallace, who entered the race with a 32-point edge over Ty Gibbs for the final Playoff berth. “Knowing that this place is mostly out of your control, I just tried to focus on doing the things that I could do. Missing that wreck (a pileup in Turn 4 on Lap 95) was massive. 

 

“Proud to be locked into the Playoffs. 23XI Racing, third year in, getting both cars in the Playoffs. We've gone through a lot of trials and tribulations. So proud of the effort we put in.”

 

Elliott, who missed seven races during the regular season—six with injury and one on suspension—took his failure to make the postseason with grace.

 

“Yeah, I really liked where we were before the caution (for Preece’s accident),” he said. “Honestly, after the restart there, we had the bottom lane that we wanted. I knew the 6 (Keselowski) was going to go with the 17 (Buescher). I thought the 4 (Harvick) was going to take the bottom, and they did. We really had all the help we could ask for behind.

 

“I couldn't stay locked onto Kevin like I needed to to surge the bottom lane forward. Brad and Chris were there. Just had a good enough hold on that top lane, and they could kind of control each of them. Yeah, it's a bummer, for sure. Hate the season has worked out like it has. The good news is the car got in in the owners’ points. That's a big deal.”

 

The wreck that forced the overtime was breathtaking in its magnitude. As the pack of cars cleared Turn 2 on Lap 156, Preece’s Ford turned sideways on the backstretch and slammed into Stewart-Haas Racing teammate and pole winner Chase Briscoe’s Mustang in the bottom lane.

 

The contact launched Preece’s car high into the air, and it barrel-rolled more than a half-dozen times before it landed on its roof and bounced upright. Preece got out of his car and stood talking to medical personnel before being placed on a stretcher and taken to a local medical facility for further evaluation.

 

If Preece’s accident was a lasting image from the race, so was the action that preceded it. 

 

Despite rapid-fire exchanges of the lead throughout the second stage, the race ran caution-free except for the Stage 1 break—until the final corner of the final lap of Stage 2.

 

That’s when the No. 54 Toyota of Ty Gibbs, fighting for the stage win, broke loose after a bump from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell as the cars raced through Turn 4, turned down into the No. 12 Ford of Ryan Blaney and ignited a wreck that involved 16 of the 39 cars that started the race.

 

Blaney and Gibbs shot side-by-side into the outside wall, and the cars behind them were helpless to avoid the melee. Gibbs’ Camry was eliminated, ruining any outside chance he had of overtaking Bubba Wallace for a Playoff spot.

 

Gibbs took the disappointment philosophically.

 

“I felt like I was getting a great push,” Gibbs said. “I feel like all of our teammates were working really well together tonight. I may have got a push in a bad spot, but we were going for the stage win. I want to thank Christopher for all of the pushes he gave me—I really do.”

 

Other casualties of the wreck included AJ Allmendinger, defending race winner Austin Dillon, Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton, all of whom were trying to force their way into the Playoffs with a victory.

 

Elliott, on the other hand, was masterful in weaving his way through the chaos unscathed, finishing the stage seventh behind winner Keselowski. Elliott, however, couldn’t parlay that adroit driving into the victory he needed.

 

Joey Logano finished fifth, followed by Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Harvick and Corey LaJoie.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Race - Coke Zero Sugar 400

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Florida

Saturday, August 26, 2023

 

          1. (11)  Chris Buescher, Ford, 163.

          2. (12)  Brad Keselowski, Ford, 163.

          3. (2)  Aric Almirola, Ford, 163.

          4. (23)  Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 163.

          5. (14)  Joey Logano, Ford, 163.

          6. (31)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 163.

          7. (18)  Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 163.

          8. (27)  William Byron, Chevrolet, 163.

          9. (10)  Kevin Harvick, Ford, 163.

          10. (37)  Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 163.

          11. (30)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 163.

          12. (4)  Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 163.

          13. (39)  Michael McDowell, Ford, 163.

          14. (26)  Austin Hill(i), Chevrolet, 163.

          15. (36)  Chandler Smith(i), Chevrolet, 163.

          16. (15)  Christopher Bell, Toyota, 163.

          17. (25)  Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 163.

          18. (24)  Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 163.

          19. (33)  JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 163.

          20. (22)  Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 163.

          21. (28)  Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 163.

          22. (29)  Josh Berry(i), Chevrolet, 163.

          23. (38)  BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 163.

          24. (13)  Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 163.

          25. (20)  Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 163.

          26. (19)  Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 162.

          27. (7)  Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 161.

          28. (3)  Harrison Burton, Ford, 160.

          29. (17)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 160.

          30. (1)  Chase Briscoe, Ford, Accident, 156.

          31. (9)  Ryan Preece, Ford, Accident, 155.

          32. (35)  Todd Gilliland, Ford, Overheating, 131.

          33. (21)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, Accident, 102.

          34. (32)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, Accident, 96.

          35. (5)  Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, Accident, 94.

          36. (8)  Ryan Blaney, Ford, Accident, 94.

          37. (16)  Austin Cindric, Ford, Accident, 94.

          38. (6)  Riley Herbst(i), Ford, Accident, 94.

          39. (34)  Brennan Poole(i), Ford, Accident, 93.

 

Average Speed of Race Winner:  158.389 mph.

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 34 Mins, 22 Secs. Margin of Victory:  .098 Seconds.

Caution Flags:  3 for 18 laps.

Lead Changes:  22 among 17 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   C. Briscoe 1-22;D. Hamlin 23-34;M. Truex Jr. 35-37;J. Logano 38-46;A. Allmendinger 47-49;C. Elliott 50-51;A. Allmendinger 52-54;R. Chastain 55-57;A. Allmendinger 58-59;R. Chastain 60-75;R. Blaney 76-79;R. Stenhouse Jr. 80;A. Almirola 81-83;H. Burton 84-87;D. Suarez 88;H. Burton 89;K. Busch 90-94;B. Keselowski 95-100;W. Byron 101;M. Truex Jr. 102;C. Briscoe 103-147;K. Harvick 148-161;C. Buescher 162-163.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Chase Briscoe 2 times for 67 laps; Ross Chastain 2 times for 19 laps; Kevin Harvick 1 time for 14 laps; Denny Hamlin 1 time for 12 laps; Joey Logano 1 time for 9 laps; AJ Allmendinger 3 times for 8 laps; Brad Keselowski 1 time for 6 laps; Kyle Busch 1 time for 5 laps; Harrison Burton 2 times for 5 laps; Martin Truex Jr. 2 times for 4 laps; Ryan Blaney 1 time for 4 laps; Aric Almirola 1 time for 3 laps; Chris Buescher 1 time for 2 laps; Chase Elliott 1 time for 2 laps; Daniel Suarez 1 time for 1 lap; William Byron 1 time for 1 lap; Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 19,20,4,54,22,23,2,11,14,99

Stage #2 Top Ten: 6,8,99,48,24,45,9,3,1,22

 


Chase Briscoe wins Busch Light pole for high-stakes regular season finale at Daytona

 

 

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Aug. 25, 2023

 

By HOLLY CAIN

NASCAR Wire Service

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe claimed the Busch Light pole position in Friday evening’s qualifying session for Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale (7 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Daytona International Speedway.

 

Briscoe’s No. 14 SHR Ford just edged 2014 Daytona summer race winner and SHR teammate Aric Almirola in the final qualifying run of the afternoon with a lap of 181.822 mph around the 2.5-mile Daytona high banks – a difference of less than two-tenths of a second between the two. It’s Briscoe’s first pole position of the season and second in his three-year tenure in NASCAR’s premier series.

 

It certainly comes at a crucial time in the season with one position still to be settled for the 16-driver Playoff field that begins its 10-race run to crown a NASCAR Cup Series champion next week at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. The outside pole position equaled the Florida-native Almirola’s best qualifying effort of the season – which came this spring at the other superspeedway in Talladega, Ala.

 

“It’s exciting,’’ Briscoe said. “To be able to win the pole at Daytona is special no matter what car you’re driving. To be able to say I’m leading the field to green in a Cup race at Daytona is a pretty cool thing to be able to say. It’s a testament, honestly, to everybody at Stewart-Haas. It’s no secret, it’s been a rough season for us and to have all four cars in the Top-10 and to lock out the front row is super important for us and a turning point and hopefully one of us can win tomorrow.

 

“You can start on the pole and be 30th by lap 20 there are so many variables,’’ Briscoe conceded. “But I will say with this new car, track position is more crucial than ever before.

 

“Being on the pole,’’ he added, “you have a great opportunity from the standpoint of starting position, but you just have to go execute … and that’s what we have to focus on.’’

 

Wood Brothers Racing’ Harrison Burton, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs rounded out the Top-10 – four of the five drivers at the head of the grid needing a victory Saturday night to move into Playoff contention.

 

Without a new season winner, Wallace could potentially point his way into the title chase. He currently holds a 32-point advantage on the Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Gibbs. Of course, a win is his ticket through too.

 

Equally as compelling a story as those that qualified well were the handful of Playoff hopefuls who will have to start deeper in the field.

 

Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suarez, who is 17th in the standings – just behind Gibbs - qualified 22nd. And seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver Chase Elliott will roll off 23rd in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Elliott is currently ranked 19th in the Playoff standings – a healthy 101 points back after missing seven races due to a combination of injury and a one-week suspension from NASCAR.

 

“I still don’t think it matters a whole lot,’’ Elliott said of qualifying at Daytona. “I do think track position matters at some point during the day and we saw that in the [Daytona] 500 here. I crashed there early on, but the part of the race I was in I felt like everybody was stuck. We couldn’t go anywhere. I was looking around and there were times during the race I was like, he’s trying to go forward and can’t.

 

“I think the more the cars are the same as time has gone on, it’s hard to be different. … then it puts all the emphasis on the little stuff. How fast are your pits stops? How much gas you got in it? How good’s your restart? All the itty-bitty little things become much larger pieces of the puzzle when the cars are just more and more the same, especially when you’re running around here wide open.’’

 

“There’s still a little bit of a difference,’’ he added. “whether it’s the driver, the car or a combination of both I still think a guy can make himself stand out.’’

 

Ford dominated the qualifying session with seven cars among the 10 that advanced to the Final Round. NASCAR Xfinity Series’ regular Riley Herbst qualified sixth fastest in the No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford. Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was seventh fastest, followed by the Fords of Penske Racing’s Ryan Blaney and the SHR teammates Ryan Preece and Kevin Harvick.

 

Among the grid’s Top-10 only, Larson and Blaney have victories. Harvick is the only other driver among that group to have secured his Playoff bid – pointing his way in. The retiring driver of the No. 4 SHR Ford still hasn’t scored a win in his farewell season.

 

“It would definitely shake up the Playoff field for sure and everybody loves an underdog,’’ Briscoe said of possibly winning from pole Saturday night.

 

Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin qualified their Toyotas 13th and 19th, respectively. Truex leads Hamlin by 39-points in a duel for the Regular Season Championship, which gives the champ a 15-point bonus for the Playoff.

 

Defending Coke Zero 400 race winner, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon will start 21st.

 


NASCAR Cup Series TEXAS

Cup Playoffs reset for the Round of 12 opener at Texas

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders show up at Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (3:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) so competitively balanced even they can’t predict an odds-on favorite as they start the Playoffs’ three-race Round of 12.

 

Toyota drivers Tyler Reddick (Kansas) and Denny Hamlin (Bristol, Tenn.) and Chevrolet’s Kyle Larson (Darlington, S.C.) won races in the opening three-race Playoff round to pad their place in the overall standings, but it’s Hendrick Motorsports William Byron and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. who hold just the slightest edge atop the championship order as the series starts this elimination round.

 

Byron, a series-best five-race winner in the No. 24 Chevrolet, and Truex, the Regular Season Champion and three-race winner in the No. 19 Toyota arrive in Fort Worth tied for the Playoff lead – a slim four-point edge on JGR’s Hamlin and a 13-point advantage on 2021 series champion, Hendrick’s Kyle Larson.

 

23XI Racing’s Reddick, the defending Texas winner, holds the eighth place – and final transfer position for this round – only 22 points behind Byron and Truex. Yet Reddick also holds only a tenuous advantage on the four drivers now needing to race their way into the eight-driver field that will advance to the next Playoff round.

 

Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and RFK Racing's driver/owner Brad Keselowski are a slight three points behind Reddick. Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney is six points back and Bubba Wallace – Reddick’s 23XI Racing teammate who is making his NASCAR Cup Series Playoff debut – is only 14 points below the cutoff line heading to the Lone Star state.

 

Statistically speaking, it’s been a fine Playoff start after a fine regular season run in particular, for the Hendrick Motorsports drivers Larson and Byron.

 

Larson’s 2.33 average finish in the opening three Playoff races is second all-time to Greg Biffle (1.67 in 2008) in a three-race Playoff span. He last won at Texas in 2021 leading a dominating 256 of the 334 laps – eclipsing Jimmie Johnson’s 255 laps led in a 2013 victory – and setting the stage for what would be his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. Larson’s 13 top-five finishes are most in the series this season and he and Byron are tied for most top-five finishes (three) at 1.5-mile tracks.

 

Byron, who is turning in a career year of his own, boasts the most laps led (877) overall and has the best average finish (5.25) and most laps led (277) specifically on 1.5-mile tracks this season. 

 

“I’m looking forward to Texas," Byron, 25, said. “It will be hot there and slick, which will lead to guys making mistakes. We just need to not be one of them and stay head of all that. We need to try to win it or at least maximize our points day.

 

“You have to take advantage of every opportunity you get if you want to run for a championship. There are only 12 cars left. You need to execute. This is the time to really show what you have."

 

Byron and Larson can count on last week’s race winner Denny Hamlin having a say in all that. The three-time Daytona 500 winning veteran is still competing for his first series title in a sure-bet Hall of Fame career. He is one of only four current Playoff drivers (also including Larson, Reddick and Kyle Busch) to win a Playoff race at Texas. And his three Texas trophies are second only to the four-time winner Busch among active drivers. Kevin Harvick, who has been eliminated from Playoff contention, also has three wins on the Fort Worth high banks.

 

Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota, has scored top-10 finishes in the last three Texas races and brings a lot of momentum into the race weekend with his victory last week. Like others in the field, he’s intent on a good weekend at Texas because the next two races in this Playoff round – at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and Charlotte ROVAL – are typically a lot less predictable competitively.

 

“Our mindset is that we want to get the work done early in this round and not be sweating points going into the ROVAL," Hamlin said.

 

Of note, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney will make his 300th career NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend – marking the 100th driver to do so in the sport’s history.

 

Practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying start at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday to set the starting field.

 

 

 

Twelve drivers have advanced to the next round of the Playoffs

Following the dramatic conclusion of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway, four competitors were eliminated from the postseason; including last season’s Cup Series champion and Team Penske driver Joey Logano, veteran Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick in his final season before retirement, 2023 DAYTONA 500 winner and JTG Daugherty Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and veteran Front Row Motorsport’s driver Michael McDowell.

 

Now, the remaining 12 postseason contenders that have advanced to the second round of the Playoffs, prepare for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway this Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – the first race of the Round of 12.

 

One caveat to note, is this season’s Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race has been shortened by 100 miles, from 500 to 400, which could play a role on Sunday.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Outlook Following Race No. 29

Rank

Driver

Points

Race Wins

Stage Wins

Playoff Pts

+ / - Cutoff

1

William Byron (P)

3,036

5

8

36

25

2

Martin Truex Jr. (P)

3,036

3

6

36

25

3

Denny Hamlin (P)

3,032

3

7

32

21

4

Kyle Larson (P)

3,023

3

4

23

12

5

Chris Buescher (P)

3,021

3

1

21

10

6

Kyle Busch (P)

3,019

3

2

19

8

7

Christopher Bell (P)

3,016

1

4

16

5

8

Tyler Reddick (P)

3,014

2

4

14

3

9

Ross Chastain (P)

3,011

1

5

11

-3

10

Brad Keselowski (P)

3,011

0

5

11

-3

11

Ryan Blaney (P)

3,008

1

3

8

-6

12

Bubba Wallace (P)

3,000

0

0

0

-14

13

Joey Logano

2,071

1

3

8

Eliminated from the Playoffs

14

Kevin Harvick

2,071

0

1

4

15

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

2,068

1

0

5

16

Michael McDowell

2,059

1

2

7

 

Round of 12 Clinch Scenarios: Texas Motor Speedway

Following an intense NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 elimination-race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Playoffs rerack as the Round of 12 gets underway at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

With this weekend’s race being the first of the Playoffs’ Round of 12, the clinch scenarios are quite simple.

 

Already Clinched

No drivers have clinched a spot in the eight-driver field of the next round.

 

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Martin Truex Jr., William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace

 

Heading into this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the entire NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 field is only separated by 36 points. Currently Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. are tied atop the reseeded postseason points with 3,036 points each, but Byron holds the tiebreaker of better finishes in the Round of 16. Last season’s Texas winner and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick currently sitting in the eighth and final transfer spot on points to the Round of 8 and holds a three-point edge on Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain in the ninth position – the first spot outside the next round’s cutoff.

 

Texas Motor Speedway is a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

The inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs was in 2004 and Texas Motor Speedway was added to the postseason schedule in 2005 – at the time replacing Darlington Raceway – and ever since the 1.5-mile track has been hosting Playoff events (2005-2023). This weekend’s race will be the 19th NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race for the speedway, and the 2023 season marks the second time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 has opened at Texas Motor Speedway (race No. 30 of the season) with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Texas Motor Speedway is the seventh different track to host the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Kansas Speedway (2004, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014), Talladega Superspeedway (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012), Auto Club Speedway (2009, 2010), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2015, 2016, 2017), Dover Motor Speedway (2018, 2019) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2020, 2021).

 

Texas Motor Speedway has occupied three spots on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs schedule throughout the years. From 2005 – 2020, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the eighth race in the Cup Series Playoffs (Race No. 34 of the season). Then in 2021, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the seventh race in the Playoffs (Race No. 33), and then starting last season (2022-2023), Texas has hosted the fourth race in the Playoffs (Race No. 30).

 

All the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff action begins this weekend with practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying on Saturday, September 23 at 12:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network.

 

Reddick is one 15 different drivers to win the fourth race of the Playoffs

A total of 15 different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, led by Jimmie Johnson with three postseason victories (2009, 2011, 2016). Team Penske’s Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with two wins (2014, 2015), and the most recent winner of the fourth race in the Playoffs is 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick, who won the event last season driving for Richard Childress Racing.

 

This weekend, four of the 15 drivers that have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are active in the 2023 Playoffs – Tyler Reddick (2022 Texas), Denny Hamlin (2021 Las Vegas), Kyle Larson (2019 Dover) and Martin Truex Jr. (2017 Charlotte).

 

Fourth Race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs - Race Winners

Track

Playoff Race Winners

Date

Texas

Tyler Reddick

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Las Vegas

Denny Hamlin

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Las Vegas

Kurt Busch

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Dover

Kyle Larson

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Dover

Chase Elliott

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Charlotte

Martin Truex Jr

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Charlotte

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Charlotte

Joey Logano

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Kansas

Joey Logano

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Kansas

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Talladega

Matt Kenseth

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Kansas

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Auto Club

Tony Stewart

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Auto Club

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Talladega

Tony Stewart

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Talladega

Jeff Gordon

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Talladega

Brian Vickers

Sunday, October 8, 2006

Kansas

Mark Martin

Sunday, October 9, 2005

Kansas

Joe Nemechek

Sunday, October 10, 2004

 

Four current postseason contenders are former winners in Texas’ Playoff race

A total of nine different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Texas Motor Speedway, led by Jimmie Johnson with five postseason Texas victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with three Texas Playoff wins (2017-2019) and Tyler Reddick (2022), Kyle Larson (2021), Kyle Busch (2020) and Denny Hamlin (2010) are the four former Texas Playoff race winners still competing in this season’s Playoffs.

 

Texas Motor Speedway Playoffs Race Winners

Track

Playoff Race Winners

Date

Texas

Carl Edwards

Sunday, November 6, 2005

Texas

Tony Stewart

Sunday, November 5, 2006

Texas

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Texas

Carl Edwards

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Texas

Kurt Busch

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Texas

Denny Hamlin

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Texas

Tony Stewart

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Texas

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Texas

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Texas

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Texas

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Texas

Carl Edwards

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Texas

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Texas

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Texas

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Texas

Kyle Busch

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Texas

Kyle Larson

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Texas

Tyler Reddick

Sunday, September 25, 2022

 

Title Town: Drivers that go on to win the title after a victory from this weekend’s race

Three times the winner of the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title in the same season: 2009, 2016 and 2017.

 

  • In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway and went on to win his fourth-straight series title in the same season (2006-2009). The victory was his second of four wins during his postseason run that year.

 

  • In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oval) and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series title that same season (2006-2010, 2013, 2016). The win was Johnson’s first of three that postseason.

 

  • In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win the series title that same season. It was his first of three wins that postseason run.

 

Three times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race has gone on to win the title later that same season: 2007, 2011 and 2013.

  

  • In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the eighth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title later that season (2006-2007). The Playoff win at Texas was his third of four consecutive victories in the 2007 Playoffs – the only driver to win four straight in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix).

 

  • In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fifth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Stewart’s fourth of his record setting five NASCAR Cup Series Playoff wins in a single postseason run in 2011 (Chicago, New Hampshire, Martinsville, Texas, Homestead-Miami) – Larson’s five Playoff wins last year tied Stewart’s record. 

 

  • In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his sixth NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Johnson’s second postseason victory (Dover, Texas) in 2013.

 

Postseason Spoiler: Playoff drivers don’t always win these Playoff races

Three times a non-Playoff driver has won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 2004, 2006 and 2022.

 

  • In 2004, Joe Nemechek won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Kansas Speedway, he was ranked 21st in the point standings at the time of the victory.

 

  • In 2006, Brian Vickers won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway, he was ranked 16th in points at the time of the victory.

 

  • In 2022, Tyler Reddick won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway. Reddick had qualified for the postseason but was eliminated from the Playoffs in the Round of 16, he was ranked 13th in points at the time of the victory.

 

Four times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at Texas Motor Speedway: 2006, 2014, 2015 and 2022.

 

  • In 2006, Tony Stewart was ranked 11th in the point standings at the time of his Texas Playoff race win.

 

  • In 2014, Jimmie Johnson was ranked 11th in points at the time of his Texas Playoff win. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.

 

  • In 2015, Jimmie Johnson was 12th in points at the time of the win. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 16.

 

  • In 2022, Tyler Reddick was 13th in points at the time of the victory at Texas. Reddick had made the Playoffs in 2022, but was eliminated in the Round of 16.

 

The worst finish by a driver in the fourth NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race that later went on to win the series title that same season was the 24th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2006 at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

The worst finish by a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoffs race that later went on to win the title that same season was a 38th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2009. Last season, Joey Logano finished runner-up in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win the title later that year.

 

Challenges Ahead: Playoff competitors prepare for Texas

The stage is set for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway and another great weekend of racing action on the 1.5-mile high-speed oval is on tap as the series jumps into the Round of 12 with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Texas Motor Speedway has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series 42 times producing 25 different Busch Light Pole winners and 22 different race winners. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway was on April 6, 1997, and the race was won by Jeff Burton in a RFK Racing Ford (125.111 mph). The first NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway was held on November 6, 2005, and the race was won by RFK Racing driver Carl Edwards (151.055 mph). 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick is the most recent points-paying race winner at Texas Motor Speedway, grabbing the checkered flag in last season’s Playoff race.

 

A total of 25 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Texas Motor Speedway, and six of the 25 NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway pole winners are active this weekend. Kurt Busch leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Texas with three (Spring 2015, Playoffs 2017, Spring 2018). Kevin Harvick (2017, 2019), Brad Keselowski (2015, 2022) and Martin Truex Jr. (2007, 2012) lead all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series poles at Texas Motor Speedway with two each.

 

Active Texas Pole Winners (6)

Poles

Season

Brad Keselowski

2

2022, '15

Kevin Harvick

2

2019, '17

Martin Truex Jr

2

2012, '07

Ryan Blaney

1

2018

Austin Dillon

1

2016

Kyle Busch

1

2013

 

Victory Lane is a hot ticket at Texas Motor Speedway and a total of 22 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at the 1.5-mile speedway, and seven of the 22 Cup Series Texas winners are active this weekend. Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with seven victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 sweep and 2017) in 35 starts. Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with four victories (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020).

 

Active Texas Race Winners (7)

Wins

Seasons

Kyle Busch

4

2020, '18, '16, '13

Denny Hamlin

3

2019, '10 sweep

Kevin Harvick

3

2019, '18, '17

Tyler Reddick

1

2022

Kyle Larson

1

2021

Austin Dillon

1

2020

Joey Logano

1

2014

 

Last season’s NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race winner, Tyler Reddick, returns to Texas to defend his win and get his second postseason victory of 2023 (Kansas). Reddick has made four career starts at Texas Motor Speedway posting one win (2022), two top fives and three top 10s. He has led 75 laps and has an average finish of 6.750 at the Fort Worth track. 

 

If Reddick were to win this weekend, he would become the fourth different driver to win consecutive points-paying races at Texas Motor Speedway; joining Jimmie Johnson (2014 Playoff race and 2015 sweep), Carl Edwards (2008 sweep) and Denny Hamlin (2010 sweep).

 

Wild Cards: Round of 12 tracks offer a slew of tests for Playoff competitors

Tabbed by many of the competitors this season as the ‘Wild Card’ round, the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 offers a bevy of challenges for the drivers and teams as they try to navigate through the next three races at vastly different racetracks.

 

Texas Motor Speedway is first up, and this 1.5-mile track is unlike any other on the schedule. The facility is located in Fort Worth, Texas, just outside of Dallas and boast 20 degrees of banking in Turns 1 and 2 and 24 degrees of banking in Turns 3 and 4. This weekend’s race the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will be 400.5 miles (267 laps) and will be broken up into three stages. The first two stages will be 80 laps each and the final stage will be 107 laps. Though probably considered the most-tame of the three tracks this round, Texas is still unpredictable and has seen six different winners in the last six races – Denny Hamlin (03/2019), Kevin Harvick (11/2019), Austin Dillon (7/2020), Kyle Busch (10/2020), Kyle Larson (10/2021), and Tyler Reddick (2022).

 

Talladega Superspeedway is next on the Playoff schedule following Texas, the behemoth 2.66-mile superspeedway is one of the most unpredictable on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. With 33 degrees of banking in all four turns, Talladega produces some of the closest racing action the series has to offer. Next weekend’s race the YellaWood 500 on October 1 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will be 500.08 miles (188 laps) and will be broken up into three stages. The first two stages will be 60 laps each and the final stage will be 68 laps. Much like Texas, Talladega has produced seven different winners in its last seven Cup races – Ryan Blaney (10/2019), Denny Hamlin (10/2020), Brad Keselowski (04/2021), Bubba Wallace (10/2021), Ross Chastain (04/2022), Chase Elliott (10/2022) and Kyle Busch (04/2023).

 

The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL is scheduled for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 elimination-race in two weeks, cutting the postseason’s 12-driver field down to eight competitors. Though a road course, the Charlotte ROVAL is as unpredictable with its NASCAR Cup Series finishes as Talladega. The 17-turn course spans the infield and parts of the oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway making it a unique challenge for the Playoff competitors. The Bank of America ROVAL 400 on October 8 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will be 252.88 miles (109 laps) and will be broken up into three stages. The first two stages will be 25 laps each and the final stage will be 59 laps. Since joining the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2018, the ROVAL has produced four different winners in its five races – Ryan Blaney (2018), Chase Elliott (2019, 2020), Kyle Larson (2021) and Christopher Bell (2022).

 

Texas native Chris Buescher is one to watch this weekend

Hailing from Prosper, Texas, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher is definitely giving the fans from Texas something to cheer for this season. The 30-year-old has put up three wins (Richmond, Michigan and Daytona) this year and is ranked fifth in the Playoff standings heading to his home track of Texas Motor Speedway for the Round of 12 opener.

 

Buescher is having a career season and looks to be a real contender for the championship this season. In 29 starts he has collected three wins, eight top fives and 14 top 10s. He has led 232 laps and has an average finish of 12.1 on the season. 

 

Buescher has made 13 series starts at Texas posting an average finish of 23.3. Buescher’s best finish at his home track is 15th back in 2018. 

 

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

 

Country music star Jelly Roll named Grand Marshal at Texas - Five-time CMA nominee, eight-time People’s Choice Country Award nominee and three-time CMT award winning artist Jelly Roll, the breakthrough singer/songwriter who burst upon the country music scene with his massive hit “Save Me” as well as back-to-back #1 singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need A Favor,” will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

Originally from Antioch, Tenn., Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) earned numerous milestones this year including a 44-date sold-out Backroad Baptism Tour, multi-week, multi-platinum, multi-genre #1 singles, and the biggest Country album debut in Billboard Consumption chart history with the release of his album “Whitsitt Chapel” in June, which debuted Top 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

Complete dignitaries list for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400:

  • Grand Marshal: Three-time CMT Music Awards winner Jelly Roll.
  • Honorary Starter: Texas Rangers Chief Jason Taylor.
  • Official Pace Car Driver: Sports entertainment TV personality Sage Steele.
  • National Anthem: Fort Cavazos 1st Calvary Band.
  • God Bless America: U.S. Marine veteran Don Graves.
  • Invocation: Ret. Lt. Col. Caroline “Blaze” Jensen.
  • Flyover: USAF C-5M Super Galaxy - 433rd Airlift Wing from Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Complete dignitaries list for Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 Xfinity Series Playoff race:

  • Grand Marshal: Andy’s Frozen Custard Chief Executive Officer Andy Kuntz accompanied by his wife, Dana.
  • Honorary Starter: Andy’s Frozen Custard’s newest franchisee from Iowa, Brandon Pratt.
  • National Anthem: Country music singer Alex Hall.
  • Flyover: one CH-47 Chinook and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas.

 

Big Hoss to become bigger in time for NASCAR weekend - It’s not easy to improve on a Guinness World Record achievement, but Texas Motor Speedway will do just that when it installs a new state-of-the-art Big Hoss TV screen at the Fort Worth facility in time for the Sept. 23-24 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Playoff weekend. The new and improved Big Hoss TV, located above Big Frig’s Burnout Alley on the speedway’s backstretch, will be a DigiLED Vision Ultra screen provided by Argyle, Texas-based GoVision. It will be 10% larger (22,692 sq. ft. to 20,660 sq. ft.), have 22% more pixels (8,236,800 total pixels to 6,405,120 total pixels), have 20% higher resolution (16mm to 20mm), and will be 16% brighter (7,000 nits calibrated brightness to 6,000 nits calibrated brightness).

 

The multi-million-dollar Big Hoss TV upgrade continues Texas Motor Speedway’s ongoing commitment to enhance the race fan’s overall experience. Last year’s No Limits Next projects included three open-air bars on the main concourse and, in the grandstands, increased legroom, drink rails, and the 3,000-foot wooden belly-up that extends from Turn 4 to Turn 1.

 

“As the saying goes, ‘everything’s bigger in Texas’, so it’s only fitting for Big Hoss to get bigger in advance of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith.

 

Big Hoss TV was unveiled on March 19, 2014, and received certification from the Guinness World Records on April 6, 2014, as part of the pre-race ceremonies for that afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Its 20,660-square-foot screen was recognized as the World’s Largest HD LED Video Board. GoVision is a premier provider of large-scale LED video displays renowned for its unique ability to provide “Experience Unrivaled” in live sporting, music, and corporate events – both through its rental of large-scale LED video displays and fixed installations like Big Hoss.

 

“GoVision is proud to provide this great upgrade to Big Hoss TV,” said Chris Curtis, GoVision’s Founder & Chairman. “Our new technology will return it to its rightful place among the best, brightest and biggest screens in the world. It’s another milestone moment for the unrivaled team at GoVision.”

 

Hutch Games Teams Up with NASCAR to Unleash a New Standalone Mobile Game - Hutch, the renowned automotive mobile game developer behind hit titles such as F1 Clash and Top Drives, has announced a new partnership with NASCAR. The partnership will see Hutch develop a new standalone title for mobile, combining the studio’s expertise in creating automotive games with NASCAR’s world renowned brand.

 

NASCAR, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is the sanctioning body for the No.1 form of motorsports in the United States and one of the most recognized motorsports organizations in the world. Offering fans high speed, side-by-side racing with thrilling passing and aggressive strategy, NASCAR has reached a diverse global audience. With millions of fans worldwide and a rich history of high- octane racing, NASCAR is a perfect match for Hutch’s game development pedigree.

 

Hutch will lead development of the new title in collaboration with NASCAR, working closely to build the ultimate mobile experience for fans around the globe. The new game, due to be fully revealed in due course, will leverage Hutch’s extensive development experience with licensed IPs to bring fans their dream game on mobile.

 

Peter Stott, Game Director at Hutch says: “The NASCAR brand is an ideal fit for Hutch. Our passion for motorsports and drive to create-genre defining experiences for mobile will enable us to deliver for the many global fans of the sport. That same passion forms the foundation of our relationship with NASCAR, which will fuel our ability to make another hit Hutch title. We’re proud to be able to work with another key automotive licensor, continuing our rich history of partnered game development.”

 

Nick Rend, Managing Director, Gaming and Esports at NASCAR says: “At NASCAR, our number one priority is engaging our fans and bringing them the best experiences possible whether they’re at the track or in digital spaces where they like to spend time. We want to deliver our fans around the world a unique, immersive mobile gaming experience. Hutch, with its expertise in the automotive genre and track record of creating fun and popular games, is the perfect partner to make this happen.”

 

Find out more about Hutch here: Website – https://www.hutch.io/

 

Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum returning in 2024 - NASCAR isn’t just returning to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2024. It’s adding more racing to a power-packed lineup. NASCAR announced this week that a NASCAR Mexico Series race on Sunday, Feb. 4, will precede its season-opening exhibition featuring the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series, the third-annual Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. That means fans can enjoy two great races in one day inside “The Greatest Stadium in the World.”

“This is a tremendous win for our fans and our sport,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “Not only will the fans see the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series in action, they will also bear witness to the talent and skill that is found within the NASCAR Mexico Series. I can’t think of a better way to begin our 2024 season.”

 

NASCAR has opened its season with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum for the past two years. Joey Logano won the inaugural event in 2022, while Martin Truex Jr. hoisted aloft the 2023 trophy beneath the Olympic cauldron in February. Now a NASCAR Mexico Series driver will also have an opportunity to celebrate a triumph inside an international stadium that’s hosted two Super Bowls, two Olympics, a World Series and countless other major events over the past 100 years.

 

“This is an incredible honor for the NASCAR Mexico Series and its drivers,” said Jimmy Morales, President and General Manager of the NASCAR Mexico Series. “The competition in our series is always intense, but I know our drivers will want nothing more than to become the first Mexican driver to win inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This is going to be a race we will not soon forget.”

 

The roots of the NASCAR Mexico Series were planted in 2004, and three years later, it became NASCAR’s first internationally sanctioned series. It competes on tracks throughout nine major cities in Mexico, providing racing fans with some of the most intense stock car racing on the planet. Current NASCAR Cup Series star and 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Daniel Suárez began his stock car racing career in the NASCAR Mexico Series in 2008, and other NASCAR Mexico Series alumni like Max Gutierrez and Andres Perez de Lara are working their way up the NASCAR touring ladder.

 

The list of NASCAR Mexico Series drivers competing at the Coliseum on Feb. 4 will be announced at a later date, along with the full day’s schedule of racing and entertainment. NASCAR on FOX will once again broadcast the Busch Light Clash to set the stage for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. The NASCAR Mexico Series race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 3 in Mexico, and available pan regionally on Claro Sports and the D Motors channel on DirecTV.

 

NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for this season – Below is a look at some of the anticipated NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for as the 2023 season closes out its final seven races.

 

Starts

Drivers that are expected to make milestone starts during this season are:

 

Ryan Blaney – 300th NASCAR Cup Series start – Texas Motor Speedway (9/24)

 

Blaney will become the 100th different driver to make 300 or more starts in the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend. Blaney, at the age of 29 years, 8 months, 23 days come this Sunday, will become the fifth youngest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to make their 300th career start, behind Joey Logano (26 years old), Kyle Busch (27), Richard Petty (28) and David Ragan (29 years, 4 months, 10 days).

 

Erik Jones – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start – Talladega Superspeedway (10/1)

 

Daniel Suarez – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

 

Ryan Preece – 150th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

 

Ty Gibbs – 50th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

 

Denny Hamlin – 650th NASCAR Cup Series start – Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 400th NASCAR Cup Series start – Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

 

Driver Wins

Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in career wins with 63, followed by Kevin Harvick (60), Denny Hamlin (51), Brad Keselowski (35), Martin Truex Jr. (34), Joey Logano (32), and Kyle Larson (22).

 

Organization Wins

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 300, Hendrick Motorsports currently sits at 299 team wins at NASCAR’s highest level – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Hendrick Motorsports will look for their 300th victory this weekend at Bristol. Wood Brothers Racing is also on the cusp a milestone victory in the NASCAR Cup Series and will look for their 100th NASCAR Cup Series win this weekend.

 

Hendrick Motorsports leads all active NASCAR Cup Series organizations in wins with 299, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing (207), RFK Racing (141), Team Penske (137), Richard Childress Racing (116), Wood Brothers Racing (99), Stewart-Haas Racing (69), Trackhouse Racing (5), 23XI Racing (5), Front Row Motorsports (4), JTG Daugherty Racing (2), Kaulig Racing (1), Spire Motorsports (1).

 

Manufacturer Wins

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 850, Chevrolet currently has 846 wins – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Ford has the second most wins all-time in the Cup Series at 712 and Toyota has the fifth-most all-time at 179 (behind Dodge at 213 and Plymouth at 189).

 

Car Number Wins

No. 99 car’s next win will be its 50th in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 


 

 

A hotly contested NASCAR Cup Playoffs heads to Texas

 

September 19, 2023

 

By Holly Cain

NASCAR Wire Service

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - With the first round of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs complete the series begins the next round of three races Sunday afternoon with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway (3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) – a venue with an impactful history and a track always expected and primed to play a major role in the championship run.

 

The high-banked 1.5-miler outside Fort Worth has held various significant places on the NASCAR calendar in its 42-race history and this weekend gives the official green flag to the Playoff’s Round of 12. 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick is the defending Texas winner – earning the trophy last year when driving for Richard Childress Racing.

 

In fact, the last three Texas race winners – Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson and Reddick – are still among the Playoff hopeful. Last weekend’s Bristol, Tenn. winner Denny Hamlin is the only other Playoff competitor with a NASCAR Cup Series victory at the track. Busch’s four wins are most in the field. Hamlin and Kevin Harvick – who has been eliminated from Playoff contention - are second among active drivers with three Texas trophies; Harvick scoring his wins in three consecutive Playoff races (2017-19).

 

Richard Childress Racing's Kyle Busch won at Talladega this Spring. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is the defending ROVAL race winner and adding Reddick’s win in the 2022 Texas Playoff race – means all three of this upcoming round’s most recent races have been won by current Playoff drivers.

 

The Texas track opened in 1997 but did not gain a second date until 2005 when the NASCAR Cup Series raced there in both the Spring and then the Fall Playoff run. Since 2021, the NASCAR Cup Series presence in the Lone Star state again has featured a single race annually – the green flag coming during this crucial Playoff portion of the schedule.

 

Hamlin’s victory in the famed Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway “Night Race” on Saturday certainly places him in prime competitive form for this next Playoff round, which includes races at diverse venues including Texas, the 2.6-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and the Charlotte ROVAL road course.

 

Hamlin’s swept the 2010 races at Texas and added a Spring win in 2019. He has a pair of Talladega victories too.

 

With the win at Bristol and the championship standings re-set for the new round, Hamlin is ranked third – a slight four points behind Hendrick Motorsports William Byron and Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, the Regular Season Champion Martin Truex Jr. who are tied for the lead coming into Texas.

 

Hamlin already has a slight “head start” for the weekend’s race, joining drivers Joey Logano and Daniel Suarez for a Goodyear tire test at Texas Motor Speedway earlier in the season.

 

“I feel pretty good about it," Hamlin allowed. “I feel like that tire is very, very different. I think it probably could catch a few teams off guard and not be what they expected, ‘cause it is very different.

 

“We at least, kind of have a baseline of what that is and we’re going to start to work on it to try to put a fast car on the track next week too. I feel like we’re in as good a spot as anyone going into next week."

 

The Hendrick Motorsports’ driver Larson shows up in Dallas/Fort Worth ranked fourth in the championship, only 13 points off the lead, followed by RFK Racing driver Chris Buescher, RCR’s Busch, JGR’s Bell and 23XI Racing’s Reddick.

 

The four drivers needing to improve their position in this Playoff round to advance are Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, RFK’s Brad Keselowski, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney and 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace, who is only 14 points behind Reddick at the cut-off line. The top eight Playoff drivers following the Oct. 8 Charlotte ROVAL race will advance to the penultimate round and then ultimately decide the four-driver Championship field.

 

When it comes to Texas, it’s hard not to consider Busch a favorite. Not only does he boast three NASCAR Cup Series wins, but the two-time series champion also has a track record 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series wins at Texas and five NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series trophies as well.

 

Reddick, Bell, Blaney, Keselowski and Larson all have won NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Texas. Byron and Bell have also won NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events there.

 

Of note, Sunday afternoon’s race marks the first scheduled 400-mile NASCAR Cup Series race in Texas Motor Speedway’s history

 

“I think the biggest thing is it helps the transition from day into evening a little bit," the defending race winner Reddick said of the change in miles.

 

“We won’t run as long, but I don’t think on paper it changes anything. If it’s a wild chaotic race like we saw on occasion last year on a lot of mile-and-a-halves, depending on who has an issue or makes a mistake, the control of the race shifts. I don’t think it’s gonna go that way."

 

Qualifying will be two rounds of single-lap speed and take place Saturday at 1:20 p.m. ET.

 

 

 


 

NASCAR Shifts Bristol Cup Series Race Start Time to 6:30 p.m. ET

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2023) – NASCAR today announced that the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 16, will now start at 6:30 p.m. ET – advancing one hour from the original 7:30 p.m. ET start time – due to forecasted inclement weather. The broadcast networks for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race remain unchanged – USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

Green flag for the final race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.

 

For tickets to Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race, visit BristolMotorSpeedway.com. Bristol Motor Speedway parking lots will open at 11 a.m. ET. Grandstand gates will open at 1 p.m. ET and the NASCAR Cup Series garage will open at 2:30 p.m. ET.


 

NASCAR Cup Series bristol

 

Playoff contenders face Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol 

At a track as unpredictable as Bristol, the only thing guaranteed this weekend is four drivers will be eliminated from the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Tensions are high, the point standings are tight, and once the stadium lights illuminate the ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile’ expect nothing less than the greatest stock car drivers in the universe to battle it out in spectacular fashion in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, this Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With this weekend’s highly anticipated event serving as the elimination race for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16, a lot is on the line for the postseason contenders. Two Playoff drivers have locked themselves into the Round of 12 by virtue of their wins in the first two races of the Round of 16 – Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson (Darlington) and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick – leaving 10 spots still up for grabs on Saturday.

 

The 2023 season marks the fourth-time Bristol Motor Speedway has hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and this Saturday’s race is just the fourth Cup Series postseason event at the 0.533-mile track all-time (2020-2023). From 2004-2019, Bristol Motor Speedway was scheduled as the 24th race of the regular season. Bristol Motor Speedway is the fifth different track in NASCAR Cup Series postseason history to host the third race of the Playoffs; joining Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005), Kansas Speedway (2006–2010), Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017) and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (2018-2019).

 

A total of 15 different drivers have won the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2021), led by Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013), Greg Biffle (2007, 2010), Tony Stewart (2006, 2009) and Kevin Harvick (2015, 2020) with two wins each.

 

In total, non-Playoff drivers have won the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs four times – twice at Kansas (Tony Stewart was 11th in points in 2006 and Greg Biffle was 14th in points in 2007), once at Talladega (Dale Jarrett was 14th in points in 2005), and once at Bristol Motor Speedway (Chris Buescher was 21st in points in 2022). A non-Playoff driver has not won a Playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019) or at Dover Motor Speedway (2011 – 2017) when they were scheduled as the third race in the Playoffs.

 

Third Race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs - Race Winners

Track

Playoff Race Winners

Date

Bristol

Chris Buescher

Saturday, September 17, 2022

Bristol

Kyle Larson

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Bristol

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, September 19, 2020

Charlotte RC

Chase Elliott

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Charlotte RC

Ryan Blaney

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Dover

Kyle Busch

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Dover

Martin Truex Jr

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Dover

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Dover

Jeff Gordon

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Dover

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Dover

Brad Keselowski

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Dover

Kurt Busch

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Kansas

Greg Biffle

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Kansas

Tony Stewart

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Kansas

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Kansas

Greg Biffle

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Kansas

Tony Stewart

Sunday, October 1, 2006

Talladega

Dale Jarrett

Sunday, October 2, 2005

Talladega

Dale Earnhardt Jr

Sunday, October 3, 2004

 

In total, the winner of the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title four times; en yet is has only happened once (2021) since the elimination-style format was instituted in 2014. In 2021, Kyle Larson won the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway and went on to win his first series title. His Bristol Playoff victory was the first of a record tying five postseason wins in a single Playoff run (Bristol, Charlotte RC, Texas, Kansas, Phoenix) – tying NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, who put up five Playoff wins in his 2011 championship run.

 

When the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019) and Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005) hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, none of the event winners went on to win the title in the same season.

 

When Dover Motor Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2011-2017), two drivers won the event and went on to win the title in the same season. In 2012, Brad Keselowski won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover and went on to win his first series title. It was Keselowski’s lone win during the 2012 Playoffs. In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover and went on to win his sixth series title. It was his first of two Playoff wins that season (Dover-2, Texas-2).

 

When Kansas Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2006-2010), only one driver won the event and went on to win the title in the same season. In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won the third race of the Playoffs at Kansas and went on to win his third consecutive title. It was his first of three Playoff wins that season (Kansas, Martinsville-2, Phoenix-2).

 

The worst finish by a driver in the third NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race that went on to win the series’ title that same season was: 

 

  • At Bristol Motor Speedway (2020-2022): In 2022, Joey Logano finished 27th at Bristol Motor Speedway, the third race of the Playoffs, and went on to win the title later that season.

 

  • At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019): In 2019, Kyle Busch finished 37th at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

 

  • At Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017): In 2011, Tony Stewart finished 25th at Dover Motor Speedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

 

  • At Kansas Speedway (2006-2010): In 2006, Jimmie Johnson finished 14th at Kansas Speedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

 

  • At Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005): In 2004, Kurt Busch finished fifth at Talladega Superspeedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

All the NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity at Bristol Motor Speedway begins this weekend with practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying, and both events can be viewed on USA at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 15.

 

NASCAR Cup Series prepares for ‘The Last Great Colosseum

Consistently named as one of their favorite tracks by the NASCAR Cup Series drivers, Bristol Motor Speedway is a one-of-a-kind place that has produced some great racing over the years. Looking back, there have been 122 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying races at Bristol Motor Speedway since the first race in 1961, two races each season until 2021-2023 when the track replaced their spring date with the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt track.

 

The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway was on July 30, 1961. The inaugural pole at Bristol was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen and the race was won by Jack Smith (with relief from Johnny Allen). A total of 42 competitors battled for 500 laps (250 miles) with fans seeing seven lead changes among five leaders. All of the NASCAR Cup Series races at Bristol have been scheduled for 500 laps, except for both races in 1976 and the second in 1977, which were 400 laps each.

 

A total of 52 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway, and nine of the 52 Cup Series Bristol pole winners are entered this weekend. NASCAR Hall of Famers Mark Martin (1989, 1993, 1995 sweep, 1996 sweep, 2001, 2009 sweep) and Cale Yarborough (1969, 1970, 1973 sweep, 1975, 1977 sweep, 1980 sweep) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Bristol Motor Speedway with nine poles each. Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Bristol Motor Speedway with four (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019).

 

Active Bristol Pole Winners (9)

Poles

Seasons

Denny Hamlin

4

2019, '15, '14, '13

Ryan Newman

3

2011, '04, '03

Kyle Busch

2

2018, '13

Aric Almirola

1

2022

Chase Elliott

1

2019

Kyle Larson

1

2018

Erik Jones

1

2017

Kevin Harvick

1

2014

Joey Logano

1

2010

 

A total of 44 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Bristol Motor Speedway, and 21 of the 44 have won multiple times. Seven of the 44 NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Motor Speedway race winners are entered this weekend, and all seven are Playoff drivers. NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Bristol Motor Speedway with 12 victories in 52 starts; including eight straight (1978, 1979, 1981 sweep, 1982 sweep, 1983 sweep, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1992). Kyle Busch leads all NASCAR Cup Series active drivers in wins at Bristol with eight victories in 33 starts (spring 2007, 2009 sweep, fall 2010, Spring 2011, fall 2017, spring 2018, spring 2019).

 

Active Bristol Winners (7)

Wins

Seasons

Kyle Busch

8

2019, '18, '17, '11, '10, '09 sweep, '07

Brad Keselowski

3

2020, '12, '11

Kevin Harvick

3

2020, '16, '05

Denny Hamlin

2

2019, '12

Joey Logano

2

2015, '14

Chris Buescher

1

2022

Kyle Larson

1

2021

 

RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher is the most recent winner at Bristol Motor Speedway, taking the checkered flag by .458-second over second-place Chase Elliott last season. This year, Buescher will look to defend his win and if he accomplishes the feat, he will become the 12th different driver to win consecutive Cup Series races at the 0.533-mile track; joining Fred Lorenzen (1963-1964 sweep), David Pearson (1968 sweep), Bobby Allison (1972 sweep), Cale Yarborough (did it twice-1974 sweep and four straight from 1976-1977), Richard Petty (1975 sweep), Dale Earnhardt (also did it twice-1985 sweep and 1987 sweep), Alan Kulwicki (1992 sweep), Rusty Wallace (2000 sweep), Kurt Busch (2003 sweep and 2004 Spring race), Kyle Busch (2009 sweep and Fall 2017-Spring 2018) and Brad Keselowski (Fall 2011-Spring 2012).

 

Clinch Scenarios: Last chance to make the Playoffs’ Round of 12

This weekend’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway will bring the first round of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs to a close and four drivers will be eliminated from the postseason bringing the 16-driver field to 12. With two drivers locked-in and moving on, that leaves 10 positions still up for grabs this weekend at the ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile’.

 

Already Clinched

The following two drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver field of the next round: Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick.

 

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 11th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano or Kevin Harvick.

 

  • Denny Hamlin: Would clinch with 7 points
  • William Byron: Would clinch with 15 points
  • Brad Keselowski: Would clinch with 23 points
  • Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 31 points
  • Kyle Busch: Would clinch with 32 points
  • Ross Chastain: Would clinch with 38 points
  • Chris Buescher: Would clinch with 43 points
  • Christopher Bell: Would clinch with 43 points
  • Joey Logano: Would clinch with 44 points
  • Kevin Harvick: Would clinch with 49 points
  • Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
  • Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: Could only clinch with help
  • Michael McDowell: Could only clinch with help

 

If there is a new winner from Martin Truex Jr. or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 10th winless driver in the standings.

 

  • Denny Hamlin: Would clinch with 12 points
  • William Byron: Would clinch with 21 points
  • Brad Keselowski: Would clinch with 29 points
  • Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 37 points
  • Kyle Busch: Would clinch with 38 points
  • Ross Chastain: Would clinch with 44 points
  • Chris Buescher: Would clinch with 49 points
  • Christopher Bell: Would clinch with 49 points
  • Joey Logano: Would clinch with 50 points
  • Kevin Harvick: Would clinch with 55 points
  • Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
  • Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: Could only clinch with help
  • Michael McDowell: Could only clinch with help

 

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Bubba Wallace, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael McDowell

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 28

Rank

Driver

Points

Race Wins

Stage Wins

Playoff Pts

+ / - Cutoff

1

Kyle Larson (P)

2,117

3

4

23

In On Wins

2

Tyler Reddick (P)

2,111

2

4

14

In On Wins

3

Denny Hamlin (P)

2,105

2

7

27

49

4

William Byron (P)

2,097

5

8

36

41

5

Brad Keselowski (P)

2,089

0

5

11

33

6

Ryan Blaney (P)

2,081

1

3

8

25

7

Kyle Busch (P)

2,080

3

2

19

24

8

Ross Chastain (P)

2,074

1

5

11

18

9

Chris Buescher (P)

2,069

3

1

21

13

10

Christopher Bell (P)

2,069

1

2

14

13

11

Joey Logano (P)

2,068

1

3

8

12

12

Kevin Harvick (P)

2,063

0

1

4

7

13

Martin Truex Jr. (P)

2,056

3

6

36

-7

14

Bubba Wallace (P)

2,044

0

0

0

-19

15

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P)

2,041

1

0

5

-22

16

Michael McDowell (P)

2,023

1

2

7

-40

 

Can’t Eliminate This: Previous drivers that have raced their way into the Round of 12

Since the introduction of the ‘elimination-style’ format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2014, several drivers have raced their way into the Round of 12 in the third and final cutoff race of the Round of 16.

 

2014: Heading to Dover Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2014, Denny Hamlin was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings and six points back from the Round of 12 cutoff. Hamlin finished 12th at Dover and advanced on points, knocking A.J. Allmendinger (23rd-place finish at Dover) out of the Playoffs.

 

2015: Heading to Dover Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2015, Kevin Harvick was ranked 15th in the Playoff standings, 23 points back from the Round of 12 cutoff and Kyle Busch was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings just one point behind the Round of 12 cutoff. Kevin Harvick won the race at Dover and automatically advanced to the next round. Kyle Busch finished second at Dover and advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Jamie McMurray (fourth-place finish at Dover) and Jimmie Johnson (41st-place finish due to mechanical issues at Dover) out of the Playoffs.

 

2016: Heading to Dover Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2016, Austin Dillon was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings just five points back from the Round of 12 cutoff. Kyle Larson was ranked 12th in the Playoff standings coming into Dover. Dillon finished eighth at Dover and advanced on points knocking Kyle Larson (25th-place finish at Dover) out of the Playoffs.

 

2017: The four drivers below the Round of 12 cutline heading into the third race of the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Dover Motor Speedway – Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon, Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch – all failed to advance to the Round of 12 and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Dover race.

 

2018: Heading to the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2018, Clint Bowyer was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings and four points back from the Round of 12 cutoff. Bowyer finished third at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL and advanced on points knocking Austin Dillon (39th-place finish at the Charlotte ROVAL due to an incident) out of the Playoffs.

 

2019: Heading to the Charlotte ROVAL (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2019, Clint Bowyer was ranked 14th in the Playoff standings, four points back from the Round of 12 cutoff and Alex Bowman was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings just two points behind the Round of 12 cutoff. Bowyer finished fourth and Alex Bowman finished second at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Both drivers advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Kyle Larson (13th-place finish at Charlotte) and Aric Almirola (14th-place finish at Charlotte) out of the Playoffs.

 

2020: The four drivers below the Round of 12 cutline heading into the third race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway – William Byron (-3), Cole Custer (-8), Matt DiBenedetto (-25) and Ryan Blaney (-27) – all failed to advance to the Round of 12 and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Bristol race.

 

2021: Heading into Bristol Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2021, Aric Almirola was ranked 11th in the Playoff outlook, up three points on the Round of 12 cutline. Kurt Busch was ranked in the 12th and final position to advance on points to the Round of 12, and he was tied with 13th place Alex Bowman; followed by Tyler Reddick in 14th (-5 points), William Byron in 15th (-18) and Michael McDowell in 16th (-38). Byron finished third and Bowman finished fourth at Bristol, and both drivers advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Aric Almirola (18th-place finish), Kurt Busch (19th-place finish) out of the Playoffs. Reddick (12th-place finish) and McDowell (24th-place finish) also failed to advance to the next round.

 

2022: Heading to Bristol Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2022, Tyler Reddick was ranked 11th in the Playoff outlook, and he was tied with 12th place Austin Cindric, and they were two points up on 13th place Kyle Busch. Rounding out the top 16 was Austin Dillon in 14th (-3 points), Chase Briscoe in 15th (-9) and Kevin Harvick in 16th (-35). Briscoe finished 14th and Cindric finished 20th at Bristol, and both drivers advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Tyler Reddick (25th-place finish) out of the Playoffs. Busch (34th-place finish), Dillon (31st-place finish) and Harvick (10th-place finish) also failed to advance to the next round.

 

Pressure packed weekend for Harvick, Truex, Wallace, Stenhouse and McDowell

Bristol Motor Speedway, a high-banked, concrete, 0.533-mile short track, is one of the most challenging venues on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, and this weekend the famous short track deemed ‘The Last Great Colosseum’ will host the Playoff’s Round of 16 elimination race. Below is a look at the Playoff contenders teetering the Round of 12 cutoff line and their career performances at Bristol.

 

Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford) is currently in the 12th and final transfer position on points. Harvick holds a mere seven point advantage over 13th place Martin Truex Jr., who won the regular season championship earlier this season. After finishing 19th at Darlington and 11th at Kansas, Harvick is looking to advance out of the Round of 16 for the ninth time in his postseason career this weekend at Bristol. Last season was the first time he had failed to advance out of the Round of 16.

 

This season, Harvick has put up six top fives and 12 top 10s in 28 starts. He has led 123 laps, his average finish is 13.9, and his season-to-date Driver Rating is 82.5.

 

At Bristol Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick has been elite. In 42 career starts he has collected three wins, 14 top fives, 22 top 10s and one pole. He has the third-best average finish among active drivers at 13.9. Plus, he ranks in the top-five in several pre-race Loop Data categories - Average Running Position of 11.764 (fourth-best), Driver Rating of 97.8 (fourth-best), 1,068 Fastest Laps Run (second-best), 11,927 Laps in the Top 15 (70.0%, series-most), 1,098 Quality Passes (series-most).

 

“Bristol, the night race, especially, is a place that just has a special feel,” said Kevin Harvick. “Being in the Playoffs now and being a part of that event for a long time just gets you jacked up as a driver. It’s just a very intense place to race. It’s an intense place to just make laps, honestly. As you get into that race and understand the magnitude of the situation, especially with Bristol being in the Playoffs, it’s something that I just think is very challenging and exciting to be a part of.”

 

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) finds himself 13th in the Playoff point standings after winning the Regular Season Championship but finishing 18th at Darlington and 36th at Kansas to start the Round of 16. Now, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran is seven points behind Kevin Harvick in the 12th and final transfer spot on points. Truex is looking to advance to the Round of 12 for the seventh time in his career; every previous instance of him making the postseason in the elimination-style format he has advanced out of the Round of 16.

 

This season, Truex has posted three wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s and one pole in 28 starts. He has led 832 laps, his average finish is 12.5, and his season-to-date Driver Rating is 95.3.

 

At Bristol Motor Speedway, Truex is still looking for his first career win on the historic half-mile. In 32 career starts he has put up two top fives and four top 10s. His average finish of 20.7 is 26th-best. In addition, he has some strong stats in the pre-race Loop Data at Bristol - Average Running Position of 15.955 (15th-best), Driver Rating of 82.1 (13th-best), 543 Fastest Laps Run (sixth-best), 8,626 Laps in the Top 15 (53.8%, sixth-most), and 1,007 Quality Passes (sixth-most).

 

“Bristol hasn’t been my favorite place, but we’ve had some good runs there, too,” said Martin Truex Jr. “I think we’ve been competitive there over the years. It’s a place that’s tight and things happen fast there, so you have to be on your toes. Always really excited to be a part of how great the crowd is there, and the fans love that place. Bass Pro Shops is the sponsor there again and they do a lot of cool stuff for the fans. Hoping we can have a strong run there for them and get to the next round of the Playoffs. We’ll see how it plays out.”

 

Bubba Wallace (No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota) currently resides in the 14th position in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs point standings, in his first career appearance in the postseason. Wallace is 19 points behind Kevin Harvick in the 12th and final transfer spot on points to the Round of 12.

 

This season, Wallace has amassed four top fives and seven top 10s in 28 starts. He has led 162 laps, his average finish is 17.0, and his season-to-date Driver Rating is 77.7.

 

At Bristol Motor Speedway, Wallace generally runs mid-pack at the high-banked half-mile. In eight career NASCAR Cup Series starts at the .533-mile track, he has posted just one top-10 finish (10th in 2020).

He ranks one spot ahead of Martin Truex Jr. in average finish (20.6, 25th-best) at Bristol. But he ranks in the mid-20s in pre-race Loop Data at Bristol - Average Running Position of 20.312 (20th-best), Driver Rating of 64.0 (24th-best), 25 Fastest Laps Run (22nd-best), 1,312 Laps in the Top 15 (32.8%, 23rd-most), 154 Quality Passes (22nd-most).

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet) holds the 15th position in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff standings after finishing 16th at Darlington and 23rd at Kansas. The Mississippi native is 22 points back from the Round of 12 cutline heading into this weekend at Bristol. This is his second career appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017, 2023), and he is looking to advance out of the Round of 16 for the second time in his career.

 

This season, Stenhouse Jr. has gathered one win (Daytona 500), two top fives and seven top 10s in 28 starts. He has led 25 laps, his average finish is 16.9, and his season-to-date Driver Rating is 66.8.

 

Bristol Motor Speedway is one of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s best tracks on the schedule. In 18 career starts he has collected four top fives and six top 10s. He has average finish of 18.278 (20th-best). Plus, he ranks in the top 20 in several pre-race Loop Data categories - Average Running Position of 19.639 (19th-best), Driver Rating of 71.2 (16th-best), 177 Fastest Laps Run (13th-best), 3,493 Laps in the Top 15 (38.8%, 13th-most), 567 Quality Passes (11th-most).

 

Michael McDowell (No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford) rolls into Bristol this weekend in the 16th and final NASCAR Cup Series Playoff position after finishing 32nd at Darlington and 26th at Kansas. With a mountain of points (-40 points) between himself and the Round of 12 cutline, McDowell arrives at Bristol knowing he will need to win to advance. This is McDowell’s second NASCAR Cup Series Playoff appearance, and if he does advance, it would be the first time in his postseason career he has accomplished the feat.

 

This season, McDowell has posted one win, two top fives and six top 10s in 28 starts. He has led 92 laps, his average finish is 19.2, and his season-to-date Driver Rating is 67.6.

 

At Bristol Motor Speedway, McDowell has struggled to make his way to the front in the past. In 23 career starts he has put up just one top-10 finish (10th in 2020). He has an average finish of 28.826 (37th-best) at the .533-mile track. This weekend will be a challenge for McDowell as the pre-race Loop Data has him ranked outside the top-25 in several key categories - Average Running Position of 29.313 (35th-best), Driver Rating of 45.4 (33rd-best), 9 Fastest Laps Run (26th-best), 593 Laps in the Top 15 (5.2%, 35th-most), 66 Quality Passes (27th-most).

 

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

 

NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for this season – Below is a look at some of the anticipated NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for as the 2023 season closes out its final eight races.

 

Starts

Drivers that are expected to make milestone starts during this season are:

Martin Truex Jr. 650th NASCAR Cup Series start – Bristol Motor Speedway (9/16) – Truex will become the 28th different driver all-time to start 650 or more races in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Ryan Blaney – 300th NASCAR Cup Series start – Texas Motor Speedway (9/24)

Erik Jones – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start – Talladega Superspeedway (10/1)

Daniel Suarez – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

Ryan Preece – 150th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

Ty Gibbs – 50th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

Denny Hamlin – 650th NASCAR Cup Series start – Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 400th NASCAR Cup Series start – Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

 

Driver Wins

Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in career wins with 63, followed by Kevin Harvick (60), Denny Hamlin (50), Brad Keselowski (35), Martin Truex Jr. (34), Joey Logano (32), and Kyle Larson (22).

 

Organization Wins

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 300, Hendrick Motorsports currently sits at 299 team wins at NASCAR’s highest level – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Hendrick Motorsports will look for their 300th victory this weekend at Bristol. Wood Brothers Racing is also on the cusp a milestone victory in the NASCAR Cup Series and will look for their 100th NASCAR Cup Series win this weekend.

 

Hendrick Motorsports leads all active NASCAR Cup Series organizations in wins with 299, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing (206), RFK Racing (141), Team Penske (137), Richard Childress Racing (116), Wood Brothers Racing (99), Stewart-Haas Racing (69), Trackhouse Racing (5), 23XI Racing (5), Front Row Motorsports (4), JTG Daugherty Racing (2), Kaulig Racing (1), Spire Motorsports (1).

 

Manufacturer Wins

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 850, Chevrolet currently has 846 wins – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Ford has the second most wins all-time in the Cup Series at 712 and Toyota has the fifth-most all-time at 178 (behind Dodge at 213 and Plymouth at 189).

 

Car Number Wins

No. 99 car’s next win will be its 50th in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

Grammy-nominated band Midland to perform pre-race concert at Bristol – Grammy-nominated country music group Midland will perform the pre-race concert to jump start the popular Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, Sept. 16 (7:30 p.m., USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

Midland will take the pre-race stage inside The Last Great Colosseum at 5:30 p.m. ET for a 45-minute set that will lead into Bristol’s highly-anticipated pre-race ceremonies. Midland, from Dripping Springs, Texas, is a powerhouse trio that plays ‘neotraditional country.’ The band is comprised of front man and lead vocalist Mark Wystrach, lead guitarist/vocalist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy. Midland’s three studio albums have produced seven chart-topping songs, including the Grammy Award nominated “Drinkin’ Problem.”

 

This is the third time that Midland has performed at a NASCAR race. The band also sang in March 2022 before the Echo Park Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas and played earlier this year before the NASCAR All-Star Race at the revitalized North Wilkesboro Speedway.

 

Michael Buffer and Joey Chestnut to make special appearances at Bristol - A pair of icons in sports and entertainment – Michael Buffer and Joey Chestnut – will make special appearances at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Saturday, Sept. 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

Legendary ring announcer Buffer, who rose to prominence with the trademarked catchphrase ‘LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE ®,’ will once again take over the mic during Bristol’s tradition-rich driver introductions. Buffer will host the proceedings while each driver will introduce themselves as their choice in music plays in the background. Buffer’s intros will lead the elevated pre-race ceremonies right up to the green flag for the NASCAR Round of 16 Playoff race. Buffer will culminate his efforts with his signature throwdown mantra followed by his epic phrase, “This is Bristol!” as only he can deliver. This will be the ninth time that Buffer has served in this role during Bristol’s pre-race ceremonies.

 

Competitive eating superstar Chestnut, who is a 16-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion, including this past summer’s event at Coney Island in Brooklyn, will visit Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time in a guest-dignitary role. During his daylong visit on Saturday, Chestnut will make a variety of suite appearances and also visit with Trackside Live hosts Kenny Wallace and John Roberts on the Food City Fan Zone Stage where he will participate in a Wing Eating contest. Chestnut also will make a special appearance on the main stage during pre-race ceremonies.

 

 


 

Weekend Preview: Bristol Motor Speedway

 

September 13, 2023

 

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

 

Martin Truex Jr. faces uphill fight to avoid elimination from NASCAR Cup Playoffs 

 

Two races into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, we have a certain degree of clarity.

 

Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick have earned spots in the Round of 12 with their respective victories at Darlington Raceway and Kansas Speedway.

 

With hard-fought finishes of 11th and seventh in the first two Playoff races—both from the back of the pack because of brushes with the wall in practice—Kyle Busch is 24 points above the current cut line for the Round of 12 coming to arguably his best track for Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

With a pair of top-10 runs and a stage win at Kansas, RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski currently is the top Ford driver in the Playoffs, 33 points above the Round of 12 cut line.

 

With results of 32nd at Darlington and 26th at Kansas, Michael McDowell is 16th in the standings, 40 points below the cutoff and almost certainly in need of a victory at Bristol to advance to the Round of 12.

 

That said, there also is considerable uncertainty.

 

For Martin Truex Jr., the first two races of the Playoffs have been an unmitigated disaster. A loose wheel at Darlington led to an 18th-place finish—and that was the good news. After cutting a tire on Lap 4 at Kansas, Truex shot into the Turn 3 wall and finished 36th, dropping seven points behind Kevin Harvick for the last berth in the Round of 12.

 

Now Truex must fashion a strong run at a track that has not been kind to him in the past. In 32 starts at Bristol, Truex has posted two top-fives and four top 10s for an average finish of 20.8—though he did finish seventh from the pole in the 2021 Night Race. 

 

“The points situation is the same as every other race,” Truex said. “This weekend, we just need to qualify the best we can, run up front and hope for good things to happen, but we really just have to control what we can control…

 

“Bristol hasn’t been my favorite place, but we’ve had some good runs there, too. I think we’ve been competitive there over the years… Hoping we can have a strong run there and get to the next round of the playoffs. We’ll see how it plays out.”

 

Harvick, on the other hand, has a formidable record at Thunder Valley. The driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford has three victories at the track, the last coming in 2020. Harvick has finished in the top-10 in 10 of his last 13 races on Bristol’s concrete surface.

 

Accordingly, he seems well-equipped to protect his seven-point edge in the first elimination race of 2023.

 

“I think the thing that people kind of lose track of in these Playoffs, and especially in this particular instance with Bristol, is that a lot of your strategy is dictated off of what happened the first two weeks,” said Harvick, who is retiring from Cup Series racing at the end of the season. “Last year for us, going into Bristol we needed to win because of what happened at Darlington when the car caught on fire, and then you were behind right off the bat. 

 

“The ‘just survive’ strategy at Bristol is great as long as you’re up in the points or in the middle of the pack in the points. But if you’re in the bottom third of those points, you’ve got to make some stuff happen and try to get points in the stages and try to win the race.”

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs set to begin at Thunder Valley

 

John Hunter Nemechek is ready for the next step in his career, but he still has unfinished business in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

 

Announced recently as the new driver for Legacy Motor Club in the NASCAR Cup Series next year, Nemechek enters the Xfinity Series Playoffs as the top seed. Having accumulated six victories and 49 Playoff points during the regular season, Nemechek comes to Bristol with a significant cushion.

 

But no driver can feel complacent as the Xfinity Series Playoffs begin in Friday’s Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Unlike fellow Playoff driver Justin Allgaier, who has 10 top fives and a victory in 22 Bristol starts, Nemechek doesn’t have a lengthy Xfinity Series history at Thunder Valley. The driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota finished fifth and third, respectively, in his last two Bristol starts, but he hasn’t raced there in the series since 2019.

 

Nevertheless, Nemechek will be disappointed if he doesn’t make a deep run in the Playoffs.

 

“I think the way that we’ve run this year, the speed that we’ve had, we want to make it to the final four and definitely feel like we have a shot to do so,” Nemechek said. “We just can’t beat ourselves to get there…

 

“Our strong point has been being able to have speed and win races this year, and I’m looking forward to doing so in the Playoffs.”

 

Corey Heim leads NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers into Round of 8

 

As NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers enter the second elimination round of their Playoffs, the race for the Championship 4 couldn’t be much tighter.

 

Corey Heim tops the Playoffs standings, but he’s only 24 points ahead of eighth-place Nick Sanchez entering Thursday’s UNOH 200 Presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway (9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Interestingly, Heim leads the standings without posting a victory in the Round of 10. Ty Majeski won at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Grant Enfinger took the checkered flag at the Milwaukee Mile, and Christian Eckes triumphed in dramatic fashion at Kansas Speedway.

 

"It's exciting, but you know at the same time the job is not finished,” Eckes said during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “I came here to win a championship, and that's what I want to do. So, we have a lot more work to do to get there, but the job's not finished.”

 

Eckes has a best finish of eighth in two starts at Bristol. Enfinger, on the other hand, has a more extensive and thoroughly impressive record at Thunder Valley. 

 

In six career starts at the .533-mile high-banked short track, Enfinger has never finished outside the top 10. He boasts a best result of second in 2021 and an average finish of 5.2.

 

“Our GMS team puts a lot into every race, but we’ve put everything we have into Bristol,” Enfinger said. “It’ll be important to have speed, but it’s just as important to have a truck that you can drive hard every lap. 

 

“Everything happens so fast at Bristol, so you have to be on your game all race long. GMS Racing has had a lot of success at Bristol in the past, and we’re hoping to add to that on Thursday.”

 

--30--


 

 

Which Kansas Speedway will greet Kyle Busch in NASCAR Cup Playoffs’ second race?

 

Once upon a time, Kyle Busch considered Kansas Speedway a “jinx” track.

 

He finished 37th in his debut race at the 1.5-mile speedway in 2004. A decade later, Busch scored his first top-five at the track, and it wasn’t until 2016 that he found Victory Lane. 

 

Busch’s win that year marked the completion of a dramatic turnaround at a speedway he couldn’t solve early in his career. It was part of a streak of five straight top fives and eight straight top 10s, transforming Kansas from a track Busch dreaded to one he relished.

 

Lately, though, the track has been trending back toward the “jinx” category, leaving it a matter of conjecture as to which Kansas will greet Busch when he returns for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 (3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

After a gritty 11th-place finish in last Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Busch enters the second Playoff race of 2023 seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, 20 points above the current cutoff for the Round of 12.

 

“Overall, it was just nice to get an 11th-place finish… for what looked like was going to be a 20th,” said Busch, who had to start the Darlington race from the rear after slapping the wall in practice, necessitating repairs to his car. “Definitely not a day that we wanted but just survived with what we could there. 

 

“Really proud of everyone at RCR and ECR (Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines) for fighting hard all day long. The pit crew had some really good stops today and got us some spots on pit road. We had issues, some self-inflicted and some with our strategy with just the luck of the draw with how the cautions fell…

 

“At least we get to live to fight another day.”

 

A 20-point margin is tenuous, however, considering that Busch has finished 26th and 35th in his last two starts at the track, the latter of which was his first run with his new Richard Childress Racing team. 

 

Then again, Busch picked up his first victory in the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.—like Kansas a downforce track.

 

And Busch’s situation is far less perilous than those of the drivers who occupy positions 11 through 15 in the Playoff standings—Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, Kevin Harvick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., respectively.

 

Between Logano in 11th and Stenhouse in 15th, there’s a six-point spread, providing the opportunity for considerable movement at Kansas.

 

Having escaped Darlington with a 16th-place finish, Stenhouse feels the final two tracks in the first round (Kansas and Bristol) are more to his liking.

 

“If we do our job, I feel like we can transfer through rounds,” Stenhouse said. “We’re focused on the first round. We’ll see where we end up after Bristol Motor Speedway and figure it out from there on out.

 

“Darlington was probably the least of the best tracks for us. I’ve run good at Kansas before, and Bristol is my favorite track by far.”


NASCAR Cup Series KANsAS SPEEDWAY

 

Kansas Speedway marks the midway point of the Playoffs’ Round of 16

After an eventful NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs opener at the historic Darlington Raceway, the 16 postseason contenders turn their attention to the only 1.5-mile track in the round - Kansas Speedway - for the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday, September 10 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson is the first Playoff driver to earn his spot in the Round of 12 with his victory last weekend at Darlington, leaving 11 spots still up for grabs, as the series heads to Kansas for the second of three races in the Round of 16. Four drivers will not move on to the Round of 12, and the contenders currently under the cutline heading into this weekend are 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace (-1 point), Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick (-2 points), JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (-4 points) and Front Row Motorsports’ Michael McDowell (-19 points). Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is currently in the 12th and final transfer spot on points.

 

The 2023 season marks the second-time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ second race has been hosted by Kansas Speedway. Kansas (2022-2023) is the fourth different track in NASCAR Cup Series history to host the second race of the Playoffs; joining Dover Motor Speedway (2004-2010), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2011–2017) and Richmond Raceway (2018-2021).

 

A total of 14 different drivers have won the second race of the Playoffs, led by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson with three wins (2005, 2009, 2010); followed by Kyle Busch (2017, 2018), Matt Kenseth (2013, 2015) and Martin Truex Jr. (2019, 2021) with two victories each.

 

Race No. 2 Of The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs - Race Winners (2004-2022)

Date

Track

Playoff Race Winners

Sunday, September 26, 2004

Dover

Ryan Newman

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Dover

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Dover

Jeff Burton

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Dover

Carl Edwards

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Dover

Greg Biffle

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Dover

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Dover

Jimmie Johnson

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Loudon

Tony Stewart

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Loudon

Denny Hamlin

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Loudon

Matt Kenseth

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Loudon

Joey Logano

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Loudon

Matt Kenseth

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Loudon

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Loudon

Kyle Busch

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Richmond

Kyle Busch

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Richmond

Martin Truex Jr

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Richmond

Brad Keselowski

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Richmond

Martin Truex Jr

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Kansas

Bubba Wallace

 

Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, Kansas Speedway has participated in the postseason each year, and moving to the second race last season marked the seventh different positions on the Playoff schedule the track has occupied:

 

  1. From 2004, 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2014 Kansas Speedway hosted the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  2. From 2006-2010 Kansas Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  3. From 2015-2016 Kansas hosted the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  4. Then in 2012, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Kansas Speedway hosted the sixth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  5. In 2020, Kansas Speedway hosted the seventh race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  6. In 2021, Kansas Speedway hosted the eighth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  7. Since 2022, Kansas Speedway has hosted the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

A total of 14 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Kansas Speedway:

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race Winners - Kansas Speedway (2004-2022)

Date

Track

Race Winners

Race No.

Sunday, October 10, 2004

Kansas

Joe Nemechek

30

Sunday, October 9, 2005

Kansas

Mark Martin

30

Sunday, October 1, 2006

Kansas

Tony Stewart

29

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Kansas

Greg Biffle

29

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Kansas

Jimmie Johnson

29

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Kansas

Tony Stewart

29

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Kansas

Greg Biffle

29

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Kansas

Jimmie Johnson

30

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Kansas

Matt Kenseth

32

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Kansas

Kevin Harvick

30

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Kansas

Joey Logano

30

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Kansas

Joey Logano

31

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Kansas

Kevin Harvick

31

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Kansas

Martin Truex Jr

32

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Kansas

Chase Elliott

32

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Kansas

Denny Hamlin

32

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Kansas

Joey Logano

33

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Kansas

Kyle Larson

34

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Kansas

Bubba Wallace

27

 

Team Penske’s Joey Logano leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff wins at Kansas Speedway with three postseason victories (2014, 2015, 2020); followed by four other drivers with multiple Kanas Playoff wins: Tony Stewart (2006, 2009), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2011), Greg Biffle (2007, 2010) and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick (2013, 2016). 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace is the most recent Playoff race winner at Kansas Speedway (2022).

 

Winning the second the race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has been a springboard for a few competitors throughout the years. When Dover Motor Speedway hosted the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2010), twice the winning driver went on to win the series title that same season – Jimmie Johnson (2009 and 2010). When New Hampshire Motor Speedway moved to the second race in the Playoffs (2011-2017), only one driver won the event and went on to win the title that same year – Tony Stewart (2011). Stewart won five races in the 2011 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (a series-record tied with Kyle Larson, 2021). None of the Playoff race winners at Richmond Raceway (2018-2021) went on to win the title in the same season.

 

Twice the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway has gone on to win the title that same season. In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won the Kansas Speedway NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race from the pole, leading 124 laps, and then went on to win his third consecutive series title later that season. Kansas was the third race of the Playoffs in 2008. The Kansas win was the first of three Playoff wins for Johnson en route to the 2008 title. Then in 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won the Kansas Speedway NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race from the pole, leading 91 laps, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series title later that season. Kansas was the sixth race of the Playoffs in 2017. The Kansas win was the second of four Playoff victories for Truex en route to the championship in 2017.

 

Last season, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the first non-Playoff driver to win the second race on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ schedule (2004-2022). Wallace was ranked 20th in the standings at the time of the win.

 

Four non-Playoff drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway. In 2004, Joe Nemechek became the first non-Playoff driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway. He was ranked 21st in the point standings at the time of the win. In 2006, NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway and was ranked 11th in point standings at the time of the victory – the first spot outside the postseason. In 2007, Greg Biffle won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway and was ranked 14th in points at the time of the win. And last season Bubba Wallace added his name to the list with his victory at Kansas Speedway; he was ranked 20th in points.

 

The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway by a driver that went on to win the championship later that same season was 17th by last season’s champion Team Penske’s Joey Logano. The Kansas Playoff race was the second race of the 2022 postseason schedule.

 

The worst finish by a driver in the second race on the NASCAR Cup Playoffs schedule that went on to win the title that same season was: 

 

  • At Dover Motor Speedway (2004-2010) – the 2005 series champion Tony Stewart finished 18th.
  • At New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2011-2017) – the 2015 series champion Kyle Busch finished 37th.
  • At Richmond Raceway (2018-2021) – the 2018 series champion Joey Logano finished 14th.

All the NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity at Kansas Speedway gets rolling with practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying on Saturday, September 9 from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

Playoff Round of 12 Clinch Scenarios: Kansas Speedway

Californian Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team can sleep easy over these next two weeks after taking the win in the Playoff Round of 16 opener at Darlington Raceway last Sunday. With Larson clinching his spot in the next round, only 11 of the 12 spots remain as the NASCAR Cup Series arrives at Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400 (Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) – one of two chances left to clinch a spot in the Round of 12.

 

Already Clinched

The following driver has clinched a spot in the 12-driver field of the next round: Kyle Larson.

 

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 11th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain or Joey Logano.

William Byron: Would clinch with 53 points (55 points if Reddick, Buescher, Hamlin or Truex Jr. wins, needs help if Busch, Keselowski, Blaney, Chastain or Logano win).

 

    • Tyler Reddick: Could only clinch with help
    • Chris Buescher: Could only clinch with help
    • Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
    • Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
    • Kyle Busch: Could only clinch with help
    • Brad Keselowski: Could only clinch with help
    • Ryan Blaney: Could only clinch with help
    • Ross Chastain: Could only clinch with help
    • Joey Logano: Could only clinch with help

 

If there is a new winner from Christopher Bell or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 10th winless driver in the standings.

 

    • William Byron: Could only clinch with help
    • Tyler Reddick: Could only clinch with help
    • Chris Buescher: Could only clinch with help
    • Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
    • Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
    • Kyle Busch: Could only clinch with help
    • Brad Keselowski: Could only clinch with help
    • Ryan Blaney: Could only clinch with help
    • Ross Chastain: Could only clinch with help

 

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, Kevin Harvick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael McDowell.

 

Playoff Bubble: Outside Looking In After One Race

With just two races to go in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 16, tensions are rising as only one of the 16-drivers this postseason have locked themselves into the next round – Kyle Larson.

 

Currently Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron holds the top spot in the Playoff standings after 2023 Regular Season Champion, Martin Truex Jr., struggled at Darlington dropping him to sixth in the postseason points. Byron is 45 points up on the Round of 12 cutoff, while Truex is 25 points above the cutline.

 

Four drivers are outside the Playoffs Round of 12 cutoff and chasing Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell in the 12th and final transfer position to the next round on points - 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace (-1 point), Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick (-2 points), JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (-4 points) and Front Row Motorsports’ Michael McDowell (-19 points).

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 27

Rank

Driver

Points

Starts

Race Wins

Stage Wins

Playoff Pts

+ / - Cutoff

1

Kyle Larson (P)

2,074

27

3

3

22

In On Wins

2

William Byron (P)

2,075

27

5

8

36

45

3

Tyler Reddick (P)

2,060

27

1

4

9

30

4

Chris Buescher (P)

2,057

27

3

1

21

27

5

Denny Hamlin (P)

2,057

27

2

7

27

27

6

Martin Truex Jr. (P)

2,055

27

3

6

36

25

7

Kyle Busch (P)

2,050

27

3

2

19

20

8

Brad Keselowski (P)

2,048

27

0

4

10

18

9

Ryan Blaney (P)

2,046

27

1

3

8

16

10

Ross Chastain (P)

2,043

27

1

5

11

13

11

Joey Logano (P)

2,033

27

1

3

8

3

12

Christopher Bell (P)

2,031

27

1

2

14

1

13

Bubba Wallace (P)

2,030

27

0

0

0

-1

14

Kevin Harvick (P)

2,029

27

0

1

4

-2

15

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P)

2,027

27

1

0

5

-4

16

Michael McDowell (P)

2,012

27

1

2

7

-19

 

Of the four drivers below the Round of 12 cutline, Front Row Motorsports’ Michael McDowell has the biggest hill to climb as he is currently 19 points behind Christopher Bell in 12th. McDowell has made 24 series starts at Kansas posting a best finish of 13th in 2021. Just above McDowell is JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse in 15th, only four points behind Bell in 12th place. Stenhouse has made 21 series starts at Kansas but has just one top-10 finish (eighth). The next two drivers below the cutline Wallace (-1) and Harvick (-2) are former winners at Kansas. Bubba Wallace won this event last season and veteran Kevin Harvick has won at Kansas three times (2013, 2016, 2018).

 

Top 16 Playoff Driver’s Cup Series Career Performances at Kansas Speedway

 

Rank

Driver

Races

Poles

Wins

Top Fives

Top 10s

DNFs

Average Finish

Driver Rating

 

 
   

1

William Byron

11

1

0

2

7

2

14.0

88.7

   

2

Kyle Larson

17

0

1

6

9

2

13.5

101.7

   

3

Tyler Reddick

8

1

0

0

3

1

18.8

88.5

   

4

Chris Buescher

15

0

0

0

3

2

18.3

66.1

   

5

Denny Hamlin

30

0

4

12

13

2

12.9

93.8

   

6

Martin Truex Jr

30

2

2

10

17

1

12.1

101.1

   

7

Kyle Busch

31

0

2

10

14

5

16.2

91.9

   

8

Brad Keselowski

27

1

2

7

13

1

12.4

90.1

   

9

Ryan Blaney

17

1

0

3

7

2

16.4

94.2

   

10

Ross Chastain

9

0

0

1

3

1

18.8

68.1

   

11

Joey Logano

28

2

3

8

11

4

16.7

87.6

   

12

Christopher Bell

7

1

0

2

4

1

16.1

90.8

   

13

Bubba Wallace

11

0

1

2

3

2

20.3

72.3

   

14

Kevin Harvick

35

5

3

12

19

2

9.9

105.4

   

15

Ricky Stenhouse Jr

21

0

0

0

1

3

19.7

70.5

   

16

Michael McDowell

24

0

0

0

0

7

27.5

47.8

   

 

Looking to this weekend at Kansas Speedway, half (eight) of the 16-driver Playoff field are former winners at the 1.5-mile track; including Denny Hamlin (four wins), Joey Logano (three wins), Kevin Harvick (three wins), Martin Truex Jr. (two wins), Kyle Busch (two wins), Brad Keselowski (two wins), Bubba Wallace (one win) and Kyle Larson (one win).

 

The Rundown: NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway

A staple in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason since the inception of the Playoffs in 2004, Kansas Speedway has provided some great side-by-side racing and this weekend’s Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday, September 10 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, shouldn’t disappoint.

 

Groundbreaking for Kansas Speedway was held on May 25, 1999 and the official opening of the 1.5-mile paved four-turn track was in 2001 with the first events being an ARCA Menards Series race and an ARCA Menards Series West race on the same day – June 2. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was on September 30, 2001 and the race was won by Hendrick Motorsport’s driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon.

 

For the most part Kansas Speedway has remained unchanged since it was built, but did undergo a repave during the 2012 season, between the April and October events, adding variable banking in the corners (17 to 20 degrees).

 

In total there have been 35 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, one event from 2001 - 2010 and two races per year since 2011. The 35 Cup races have produced 19 different pole winners and 18 different race winners.

 

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Kansas Speedway with five poles (fall 2013, 2014 sweep, spring 2018 and spring 2019). A total of nine of the 19 NASCAR Cup Series Kansas Speedway pole winners are active this weekend.

 

Active Kansas Pole Winners (9)

Poles

Seasons

Kevin Harvick

5

2019, '18, '14 sweep, '13

Martin Truex Jr

2

2017, '16

Joey Logano

2

2018, '15

William Byron

1

2023

Christopher Bell

1

2022

Tyler Reddick

1

2022

Ryan Blaney

1

2017

Brad Keselowski

1

2015

AJ Allmendinger

1

2012

 

Of the 18 different NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Kansas Speedway, 11 have won multiple races at the 1.5-mile track. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Kansas Speedway with four victories (2012, 2019, 2020, 2023). A total of nine of the 18 NASCAR Cup Series Kansas Speedway winners are active this weekend.

 

Active Kansas Race Winners (9)

Wins

Seasons

Denny Hamlin

4

2023, 2020, 2019, 2012

Joey Logano

3

2020, 2015, 2014

Kevin Harvick

3

2018, 2016, 2013

Kyle Busch

2

2021, 2016

Brad Keselowski

2

2019, 2011

Martin Truex Jr

2

2017 sweep

Bubba Wallace

1

2022

Kyle Larson

1

2021

Chase Elliott

1

2018

 

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin is the most recent winner at Kansas Speedway, taking the series-lead in wins at the 1.5-mile track back in May.

 

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

 

NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for this season – Below is a look at some of the upcoming anticipated NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for as the 2023 season closes out its final nine races.

 

Starts

Drivers that are expected to make milestone starts during this season are:

 

Chase Briscoe – 100th NASCAR Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway (9/10)

 

Justin Haley – 100th NASCAR Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway (9/10)

 

Martin Truex Jr. – 650th NASCAR Cup Series start at Bristol Motor Speedway (9/16)

 

Ryan Blaney – 300th NASCAR Cup Series start at Texas Motor Speedway (9/24)

 

Erik Jones – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway (10/1)

 

Daniel Suarez – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

 

Ryan Preece – 150th NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

 

Ty Gibbs – 50th NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

 

Denny Hamlin – 650th NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 400th NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

 

Car Numbers that are expected to make milestone starts during this season are:

 

No. 2 car – 2,000th NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway (10/1)

 

No. 19 car – 1,600th NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway (10/1)

 

No. 10 car – 1,500th NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway (10/1)

 

No. 99 car – 1,200th NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

 

Wins

 

Driver Wins

Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in career wins with 63, followed by Kevin Harvick (60), Denny Hamlin (50), Brad Keselowski (35), Martin Truex Jr. (34), Joey Logano (32), and Kyle Larson (22).

 

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 300, Hendrick Motorsports currently sits at 298 team wins at NASCAR’s highest level – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Note: HMS has 347 wins across all national series, which is second-most all-time.

 

Organization Wins

Hendrick Motorsports leads all active NASCAR Cup Series organizations in wins with 298, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing (206), RFK Racing (141), Team Penske (137), Richard Childress Racing (116), Wood Brothers Racing (99), Stewart-Haas Racing (69), Trackhouse Racing (5), 23XI Racing (4), Front Row Motorsports (4), JTG Daugherty Racing (2), Kaulig Racing (1), Spire Motorsports (1).

 

Wood Brothers Racing is looking for their 100th NASCAR Cup Series win this weekend at Kansas.

 

Manufacturer Wins

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 850, Chevrolet currently has 846 wins – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Ford has the second most wins all-time in the Cup Series at 712 and Toyota has the fifth-most all-time at 177 (behind Dodge at 213 and Plymouth at 189).

 

Car Number Wins

No. 2 car’s next win will be its 100th in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

No. 3 car’s next win will be its 100th in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

No. 99 car’s next win will be its 50th in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

Laps Led

Drivers that can possibly reach a milestone in laps led this season are listed below:

 

Active Lap Leaders

Led

Next Milestone

Laps Led Needed

Kyle Busch

19,141

20,000

859

Kevin Harvick

16,024

16,500

476

Denny Hamlin

13,920

14,000

80

Martin Truex Jr

12,125

12,500

375

Brad Keselowski

9,166

9,500

334

Joey Logano

8,432

8,500

68

Kyle Larson

7,108

7,500

392

Chase Elliott

4,941

5,000

59

Ryan Blaney

3,489

3,500

11

William Byron

2,482

2,500

18

Alex Bowman

1,288

1,500

212

Ross Chastain

1,249

1,500

251

Aric Almirola

1,071

1,500

429

Christopher Bell

990

1,000

10

Tyler Reddick

978

1,000

22

Erik Jones

820

1,000

180

Chris Buescher

582

1,000

418

AJ Allmendinger

575

1,000

425

Ricky Stenhouse Jr

547

1,000

453

Note: The lap leaders listed above are all active and have led at least 500 laps.

 

Toyota Invitational at Kansas Speedway’s Putting Pit Stop Set for Friday, Sept. 8 - Media are invited to play Kansas Speedway’s new Putting Pit Stop miniature golf course and challenge their skills against Toyota Racing NASCAR and ARCA Menards Series drivers in the inaugural Toyota Invitational on Friday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. CT at Kansas Speedway’s Putting Pit Stop in the Cabo Wabo Tequila Fan Walk. Several drivers will participate; including John Hunter Nemechek, NASCAR Xfinity Series, Connor Mosack, NASCAR Xfinity Series & ARCA Menards Series, Tanner Gray, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Taylor Gray, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Toni Breidinger, ARCA Menards Series, Jesse Love, ARCA Menards Series & NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

 

Please RSVP to NASCAR Track Communications Director Matt Humphrey (mhumphrey@nascar.com) by Wednesday, Sept. 6, if you would like to participate.

 

KC Pioneers, eNASCAR to host 3v3 Rocket League Tournament at Kansas Speedway - Building on a partnership with the Kansas City Pioneers and eNASCAR, Kansas Speedway announced today that it will host a 3v3 Rocket League Tournament presented by Army National Guard on Sunday, Sept. 10. The esports tournament, with a prize pool of $2,000, will be held in the Kansas Speedway midway. It is free to enter and open to all, although space is limited. The event begins at 10 a.m. and will conclude just before the green flag drops on the Hollywood  Casino 400 at 2 p.m. Gamers can register for the tournament using this link.

 

“We’re thrilled to further our partnership with the Kansas City Pioneers and eNASCAR to put on an exciting experience for gamers and our fans,” said Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren. “The 3v3 Rocket League Tournament will bring yet another thrilling addition to our midway before the Hollywood Casino 400.”

 

As part of eNASCAR’s involvement, professional eNASCAR drivers Wyatt Tinsley and Derek Justis from the Kansas City Pioneers will be in attendance. Both drivers currently compete in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, the sport’s highest level of iRacing. The 3v3 Rocket League Tournament presented by Army National Guard comes in the second year of an alliance created to introduce an entirely new demographic to the traditional powerhouse sport of NASCAR.

 

“There is no question that there are unavoidable threads of similarity and intersection between the virtual and online sport of eNASCAR/iRacing and the visceral, very real, and traditional sport of NASCAR,” said Pioneer’s Chief Marketing Officer Sam Kulikov. “It’s exciting to be a catalyst in using those threads to bring the gamer audience into traditional motorsports and vice versa. eNASCAR and the Kansas Speedway have been perfect partners in making that a reality.”

 


 

Joe Gibbs Racing Playoff drivers are poised for a turnaround at Kansas

 

September 5, 2023

 

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

 

After a miserable night at Darlington Raceway, three Joe Gibbs Racing Playoff drivers—Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr.—need to rebound in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

The Southern 500 weekend started with promise for the JGR NASCAR Cup Series contingent. Bell won the pole for last Sunday’s Playoff opener, edging Hamlin for the top starting spot. 

 

Bell led the first 33 laps, but his race started to unravel during the first cycle of green-flag pit stops. A 15-second stay in his pit stall dropped Bell to eighth in the running order, and subsequent hard contact with the outside wall, followed by a late wreck, dropped him to 23rd at the finish and squarely in the danger zone when it comes to advancement into the Round of 12.

 

After falling to 12th in the Playoff standings, just one point ahead of fellow Toyota driver Bubba Wallace in 13th, Bell expects to have a top-flight car at Kansas, where Toyota drivers have won four of the last five races and six of the last eight.

 

Bell has four top 10s in seven starts at Kansas, including fifth and third-place results in last year’s races. But the driver of the No. 20 Camry can’t afford a disaster like the one he experienced in this year’s spring race. Bell crashed out in last place (36th).

 

“We have speed,” Bell said after the Southern 500. “We’ve had speed a lot, and I know that in Kansas we’re going to be fast again. That’s been a really good track for Toyota. I know that we have the speed to do it—we’ve just got to put it all together.”

 

Hamlin likewise needs to put together a complete race. The driver of the No. 11 Toyota won the first two stages at Darlington, picked up two additional Playoff points and actually improved his position above the Round of 12 cut line to 27 points.

 

Thinking he had a loose wheel, however, Hamlin brought his car to pit road on Lap 274. The team could find nothing wrong, and the prospect of a victory and automatic advancement to the Round of 12 were gone.

 

“It’s really tough to tell,” Hamlin said of his car’s mysterious malady. “It looked like the left rear was still tightening as we were going. It’s close enough to where it didn’t matter. What I felt, (like) I was in a crash. I had to bring it in and just turned the day upside down.” 

 

The day got worse when Hamlin was collected in a late five-car crash. He finished 25th. But Hamlin goes to Kansas as the winner of the most recent race there—the May 7 Advent Health 400. His last four finishes at the track have been no worse than fifth.

 

“We think we’re going to win every week,” Hamlin said. “There’s not one week where I show up and I don’t think I’m going to win. But you’ve got to play the game, and sometimes when you play the game it doesn’t work out the way you planned. 

 

“I’m happy about the speed the car had (at Darlington) and the restarts that I had. The things I had to work on I felt like I really did well. It’s part of the process. We move on and if we advance, all we really lost out on is points for the next round, so we’ll see.”

 

Despite a 31st-place qualifying effort, Truex had excellent speed to start Sunday’s race. By the second cycle of green-flag pit stops in Stage 1, he had advanced 16 positions to 15th, but an unscheduled pit stop for a loose wheel initially cost him two laps and mired the No. 19 Camry in traffic.

 

Truex fought back for an 18th-place, lead-lap finish, but at Kansas, he can’t afford the sort of points erosion that dropped him from a tie for first in the standings to sixth place.

 

Fortunately, Truex has an excellent record at the 1.5-mile speedway on the Kansas side of the Missouri River. He has two victories and 906 laps led, and he comes to Kansas with finishes of ninth or better in his last eight races there—all good omens for a driver trying to preserve his status in the top 12.

 

 


 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Media Day Notebook

getty images

Notebook Items:

  • Lack of 2024 contract doesn’t dismay Denny Hamlin as NASCAR Cup Playoffs begin
  • Kyle Busch would love to deliver a championship to his new team
  • William Byron is buoyed by previous victories at five Playoff tracks
  • Brad Keselowski has neither the time nor the inclination to relax

 

August 31, 2023

 

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

 

Lack of 2024 contract doesn’t dismay Denny Hamlin as NASCAR Cup Playoffs begin

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Denny Hamlin enters the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs without a contract to drive next season, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have job security.

 

Though Hamlin expressed emphatically his desire to return to No. 11 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing, he does have other options—namely the 23XI Racing team he owns with NBA superstar Michael Jordan.

 

“I have a race team—I always have options,” Hamlin bantered on Thursday during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Media Day at the Charlotte Convention Center. “If you’re just a driver, you’re at the mercy of whoever will hire you. 

 

“I will hire me. And I should be the highest-paid driver in the deal.”

 

Hamlin’s 23XI team currently fields cars for Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, both of whom qualified for the Cup Series postseason, which starts Sunday with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 

 

A third car at the organization might be a possibility in 2024 if Hamlin can’t come to terms with JGR.

 

“If an apocalypse comes, yeah,” Hamlin quipped. 

 

Apocalypse aside, the first order of business is the Playoffs. Hamlin has been tantalizingly close to the title on several occasions. In 2010, under what was then the 10-race Chase format, he led the standings entering the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway but lost out to Jimmie Johnson’s record fifth straight Cup title.

 

Since the introduction of the elimination Playoff format in 2014, Hamlin has qualified for the Championship 4 Round four times, with a best finish of third in 2014 and 2021.

 

“I should have won in 2010,” Hamlin said. “I (screwed) that up pretty bad. Certainly, Jimmie got in my head there, and I just second-guessed what had made me successful the whole time.”

 

In 2021, Hamlin was chasing JGR teammate Martin Truex Jr. for the lead late in the Championship 4 race at Phoenix.

 

“And the caution came out,” Hamlin recalled. “And (Kyle) Larson went from fourth to first on the pit stop. “I would say that, in 2019, when we put the piece of tape on the car, I was running Kyle Busch down at the end. 

 

“I was a couple seconds back from him—it was Homestead—but I hadn’t even pushed yet. I was just waiting, waiting, waiting… and then all of a sudden we put the tape on the car, and we blow up.

 

“There’s like a five-way tie (for closest call to the title).”

 

Kyle Busch would love to deliver a championship to his new team

 

Richard Childress Racing has long been one of the marquee teams in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

RCR has accounted for six championships at NASCAR’s highest level, all of them fashioned by driver Dale Earnhardt Sr.

 

The organization, however, hasn’t reached the pinnacle of the sport since Earnhardt won his final title in 1994. Kyle Busch would like nothing better than to end the drought in his first year with NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress.

 

“It would be phenomenal—it would be awesome,” Busch said. “That’s what we all strive for. I don’t care what team I’m at, I’m going to go try to win a championship, right?

 

“But to have the history and the legacy of RCR and everything that they’ve done over the years—with Earnhardt and with the other drivers that have been there… yeah, it’s been a little quiet lately, but that would be nice to shake that up.

 

“I feel like when you’re in the final four, that is a championship season. You’ve just got to go out and execute in that last race, and there are so many things that can go against you in that last race to not let you win a championship, but that’s a title season.”

 

A two-time Cup champion, Busch has won three times in his first year with Childress, but that’s below the benchmark he sets for himself.

 

“(Five) is always my number,” Busch said. “Anytime you look at a championship season of a driver, they’ve got around five wins. That’s been a good year. You can always bank yourself as being a championship guy if you’ve got five wins…

 

“So, let’s win two of these final 10, and then we’ll really have something to talk about.”

 

William Byron is buoyed by previous victories at five Playoff tracks

 

Of William Byron’s nine career victories, five have come at tracks that appear in the 10-race NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, starting with Darlington, which hosts the postseason-opening Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday (6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

In addition to the Track Too Tough to Tame, Byron has victories in the Next Gen car at Martinsville (Round of 8 elimination race), Las Vegas (Round of 8 opener) and Phoenix (Championship 4 race). His victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Round of 8 second race) came in 2021 in the Gen 6 iteration of NASCAR’s Cup car.

 

Bottom line? Byron has victories at the final four tracks in the Playoffs.

 

“I didn’t know that stat,” said Byron, who enters the postseason with 36 Playoff points, tied for most with Martin Truex Jr. “It’s nice to know that a lot of the tracks line up well for us. It’s a comforting thing to know that. But I don’t want to think too far ahead and get too excited about Vegas or even Phoenix, because we’re not there yet.

 

“So, we’ve got to get there first and hopefully this first round goes smooth and we don’t have too many headaches at night and can get through it.”

 

Byron doesn’t have a victory at any of the tracks in the Round of 12, and Talladega is particularly concerning.

 

“Talladega’s a weak track for us right now, admittedly,” said Byron, who leads the series with five victories this season. “We didn’t feel great about how Daytona went (last Saturday). We finished eighth but didn’t have a lot of up-front speed.

 

“So, we’ve just got to hopefully work on Talladega. The (Charlotte) Roval (Round of 12 elimination race) I feel good about, because we just won a road course race (at Watkins Glen).”

 

Brad Keselowski has neither the time nor the inclination to relax

 

When Brad Keselowski signed on as a co-owner/driver at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing last year, he joined a company that had been floundering.

 

From 2015 through 2021, the company founded by NASCAR Hall of Famer Jack Roush had won two races—both on superspeedways and both by 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who has since moved on to JTG-Daugherty Racing.

 

RFK picked up one victory last season in the person of Chris Buescher, who has added three wins to his column this season. Both RFK cars—those of Buescher and Keselowski—have qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs this year.

 

But Keselowski isn’t satisfied. Asked whether he thought the organization was ahead of the schedule he envisioned when he joined the company, he replied emphatically, “Oh, no. Gosh, I wanted to be here last year. 

 

“But that’s not where we were. That’s not what we were prepared for. The good news is we’re here now, and we still have a lot of potential.”

 

Keselowski has to balance family life and his work as both an owner and a driver with heading a 3D-printing company he founded in 2019. He doesn’t care that his duties don’t give him time to relax.

 

“I don’t want to relax,” Keselowski said. “I don’t want to be on vacation. I want to win. I want to be a part of fixing this. That’s the juice for me. Being on the beach or whatever, that’s not fun. 

 

“Fun for me is turning around a company and seeing guys like Chris Buescher be successful, seeing a new pit crew guy come in or a mechanic who’s never won a race or a new partner come into the sport and have their first chance in Victory Lane.

 

“That’s better than any vacation I’ll ever go on.”

 


 

 

NASCAR Cup Series  darlington

 

Darlington Raceway jump starts the 20th season of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

Another spectacular regular season has concluded in the NASCAR Cup Series, the 16-driver Playoff field is set and jump starting the postseason action this year is the ‘Track Too Tough To Tame’ – Darlington Raceway.

 

The 2023 season marks the 20th year the NASCAR Cup Series has crowned its champion in a Playoff format, and just the fourth-time the postseason has opened at Darlington Raceway (2020-2023). Racing at the historic ‘Lady In Black’ is a contest unto itself, but the competitors vying for this season’s title are ready for the challenge in this year’s Cook Out Southern 500 on September 3 at 6 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Schedule

Track

Race Name

Date

Darlington Raceway

Cook Out Southern 500

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Kansas Speedway

Hollywood Casino 400

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bass Pro Shops Night Race

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Texas Motor Speedway

AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Talladega Superspeedway

YellaWood 500

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course

Bank of America ROVAL 400

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

South Point 400

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Homestead-Miami Speedway

NCS Race at Homestead-Miami

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Martinsville Speedway

Xfinity 500

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Phoenix Raceway

NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Sunday, November 5, 2023

 

Darlington Raceway is the fourth different track to host the first race of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason. New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosted the first race of the Playoffs from 2004–2010, then Chicagoland Speedway held the first race of the Playoffs from 2011–2017 and Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted the first event of the Playoffs from 2018-2019.

 

Prior to the 2020 season, Darlington Raceway had hosted just one other Playoff race, the penultimate event in the inaugural Playoffs in 2004. The race was won by seven-time series champion and former Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson.

 

The winner of the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title that same season four times. In 2004 (inaugural Cup Playoffs), Kurt Busch won the opening race of the Playoffs at New Hampshire and went on to win the title. In 2011 (race was delayed until Monday due to rain), NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart won his first race of the season at Chicago to open the Playoffs. Stewart went on to set the record for the most wins in a Playoff run with five victories and the title – a feat Kyle Larson matched in 2021. In 2012, Brad Keselowski won the Playoff race at Chicagoland Speedway and went on to win the title. And in 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won the Playoff race at Chicagoland Speedway to open the Playoffs and went on to win the championship that same season.

 

First Race Of The Playoffs - Race Winners

Track

Playoff Race Winners

Date

New Hampshire

Kurt Busch

Sunday, September 19, 2004

New Hampshire

Ryan Newman

Sunday, September 18, 2005

New Hampshire

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, September 17, 2006

New Hampshire

Clint Bowyer

Sunday, September 16, 2007

New Hampshire

Greg Biffle

Sunday, September 14, 2008

New Hampshire

Mark Martin

Sunday, September 20, 2009

New Hampshire

Clint Bowyer

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Chicago

Tony Stewart

Monday, September 19, 2011

Chicago

Brad Keselowski

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Chicago

Matt Kenseth

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Chicago

Brad Keselowski

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Chicago

Denny Hamlin

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Chicago

Martin Truex Jr

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Chicago

Martin Truex Jr

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Las Vegas

Brad Keselowski

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Las Vegas

Martin Truex Jr

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Darlington

Kevin Harvick

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Darlington

Denny Hamlin

Sunday, September 5, 2021

Darlington

Erik Jones

Sunday, September 4, 2022

 

The worst finish in the opening race of the Playoffs by a driver that went on to win the NASCAR Cup Series title was Jimmie Johnson’s 39th-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to open the 2006 postseason. The worst finish in the opening Playoff race at Chicago for a driver that went on to win the title was Jimmie Johnson’s 12th-place finish in 2016. The worst finish in the opening race of the Playoffs at Las Vegas by a driver that went on to win the title was Kyle Busch’s 19th-place finish in 2019. And the worst finish in the opening race of the Playoffs at Darlington Raceway by a driver that went on to win the championship was Chase Elliott’s 20th-place finish in 2020. The last two seasons, Kyle Larson (2021) and Joey Logano (2022) finished second at Darlington Raceway to open the Playoffs and went on to win the title.

 

Last season, Erik Jones became the first non-Playoff driver to win the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

Since the inception of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs in 2014 (last eight seasons), entering the Playoffs as the No. 1 seed has been the most successful seeding, producing four championships among three drivers – Kyle Busch (2015, 2019), Martin Truex Jr. (2017) and Kyle Larson (2021). Hendrick Motorsport’s driver William Byron enters this season’s Playoffs as the No. 1 seed with 36 Playoff points at his side. Last season’s champion, Joey Logano started the 2022 Playoffs as the second seed. The deepest seed that an eventual champion has started in the Playoffs was seventh, by Kevin Harvick in 2014 and Joey Logano in 2018.

 

Historically iconic Darlington Raceway is a challenge for the competitors

Darlington Raceway is the perfect stage for 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ opener, the Cook Out Southern 500 (Sunday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The historic 1.366-mile, egg-shaped, paved oval has hosted 124 NASCAR Cup Series races dating back to 1950, and with its rich tradition of history it has become one of the most iconic tracks on the schedule.

 

Originally, the raceway was built as a 1.25-mile paved superspeedway in 1949-1950 and hosted the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history and the first on asphalt on September 4, 1950. A total of 75 cars competed in the inaugural event and Curtis Turner won the pole at 82.034 mph, and the race was won by Johnny Mantz (Plymouth, 75.250 mph). The race took 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds to complete. This weekend’s race will be exactly 73 years since the inaugural event held in 1950.

 

Since then, Darlington Raceway has undergone some changes through the years. In 1953, the track was re-measured to 1.375-miles. Then in 1970, the track was re-configured to 1.366-miles following the spring race of that season. The track was repaved in 1995 and then again prior to the 2008 season. Over the years the historic facility has become known amongst its competitors as ‘the track too tough to tame’.

 

In total, the 124 NASCAR Cup Series races has produced 53 different pole winners and 53 different race winners. NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the series in poles at Darlington with 12 (1967, ’70, ’72, ’73 sweep, ’75 sweep, ’76 sweep, ’77, ’78 and ’82). Pearson’s 12 Darlington poles are tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough (12 poles at Daytona) for the second-most poles all-time at a single track in the NASCAR Cup Series. Pearson also holds the NASCAR Cup Series record for most poles at a single track with 14 poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

A total of six of the 53 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Darlington Raceway are active this weekend, led by Kevin Harvick (2014, 2017) and Joey Logano (2022 sweep) with two poles each.

 

Active Darlington Pole Winners

Poles

Seasons

Joey Logano

2

2022 sweep

Kevin Harvick

2

2017, 2014

Martin Truex Jr

1

2023

William Byron

1

2019

Denny Hamlin

1

2018

Brad Keselowski

1

2015

 

NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson also leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Darlington Raceway with 10 wins (1968, ’70, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76 sweep, ’77, ’79, 80); followed by fellow Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt with nine wins and Jeff Gordon with seven. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in victories at Darlington Raceway with four triumphs (2010, 2017, 2020, 2022). Of the 53 NASCAR Cup Series Darlington Raceway race winners, 29 have multiple wins and eight are active this weekend.

 

Active Darlington Race Winners

Wins

Seasons

Denny Hamlin

4

2021-2, 2020-2, 2017, 2010

Kevin Harvick

3

2020-3, 2020-1, 2014

Erik Jones

2

2022, 2019

Martin Truex Jr

2

2021, 2016

William Byron

1

2023

Joey Logano

1

2022

Brad Keselowski

1

2018

Kyle Busch

1

2008

 

This weekend’s Cook Out Southern 500 will be 367 laps (501.3 miles) and will be broken up into three stages. The first stage will be 115 laps, the second stage will be 115 laps and the final stage will be 137 laps.

 

A total of 20 different starting positions on the grid at Darlington Raceway have resulted in victories in the NASCAR Cup Series. The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (21) than any other starting position at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series. The outside front row (second-place) has produced the second-most wins (18). The front row starting positions combined have produced 31.4% of the race winners at Darlington Raceway with 39 wins coming from the two spots.

 

A total of 12 different drivers have won from the pole at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series. NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins from the pole at Darlington Raceway with four wins (1971, 1972, 1976 sweep). Kevin Harvick (2014) and Joey Logano (2022) are the only active drivers to win from the pole at Darlington Raceway. The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Darlington is 43rd by Johnny Mantz in 1950 – the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event held at the historic raceway.

 

Quick Rundown: NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs format is competed over the final 10 races and includes 16 drivers and four rounds – the Round of 16, the Round of 12, the Round of 8 and the Championship 4.

 

An overview:

  • A victory in the first 26 races all but guarantees a berth in the 10-race Playoffs.

 

  • The number of Playoff drivers in contention for the championship will decrease after every three Playoff races, from 16 to start; 12 after race No. 3; eight after race No. 6; and four after race No. 9.

 

  • The first three races (27-29) will be known as the Round of 16; races 30-32 will be known as the Round of 12; races 33-35 will be Round of 8; and race No. 36 will be the Championship 4 Round.

 

  • A win by a championship-eligible driver in any Playoff race automatically clinches the winning driver a spot in the next Playoff round.

 

  • Four drivers will enter the Championship Race with a chance at the title, with the highest finisher among those four capturing the prestigious NASCAR Cup Series championship.

 

Eligibility For The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

  • The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races will earn a spot in the Playoffs – provided they have attempted to qualify for every race (except in rare instances).

 

  • The 16th Playoff position will go to the points leader after race No. 26 if he/she does not have a victory. In the event that there are 16 or more different winners over 26 races, the only winless driver who can earn a Playoff spot would be the points leader after 26 races.

 

  • If there are fewer than 16 different winners in the first 26 races, the remaining Playoff positions will go to those winless drivers highest in points. If there are 16 or more winners in the first 26 races, the ties will first be broken by number of wins, followed by points.

 

  • Prior to the start of the Playoffs, all Playoff drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with all Playoff points added to their total. Those Playoff points will stay with the driver as long as he/she remains in the Playoffs (except for the Championship 4 Round race).

 

Playoff Structure

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are an elimination-style format that is broken up into four rounds. After the third Playoff race, there will be 12 drivers. After the sixth Playoff race, the field will drop to eight drivers, and following the ninth Playoff race, only four drivers will remain in championship contention.

 

  • Round of 16: The first round (races 27-29 at Darlington, Kansas, Bristol) is the Round of 16. If a Playoff driver wins a race in this round, the driver automatically advances to the next round (Round of 12). The remaining available positions 1-12 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each driver will then have their points reset to 3,000, with any awarded Playoff points added.

 

  • Round of 12: The second round (races 30-32 at Texas, Talladega, Charlotte RC) is the Round of 12. Likewise, if a driver in the top 12 in points wins a race in this round, the driver automatically advances to the next round (Round of 8). The remaining available positions 1-8 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each driver will then have their points reset to 4,000, with any awarded Playoff points added.

 

  • Round of 8: The third round (races 33-35 at Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, Martinsville) is the Round of 8. If a driver in the top eight in points wins a race in this round, the driver automatically advances to the next round (Championship 4). The remaining available positions 1-4 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 5,000.

 

  • Additionally, drivers who are eliminated in the Round of 16, Round of 12 and Round of 8 will have their points readjusted. Each eliminated driver will return to the Playoff-start base of 2,000 with any awarded Playoff points and any accumulated points starting with race No. 27 added. This will allow all drivers not in contention for the title to continue to race for the best possible season-long standing, with final positions fifth-through-16th still up for grabs.

 

Championship Finale

  • The 36th and final race of the season will be the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, which will feature the Championship 4 Round. Simply stated, the highest finisher in that race among the remaining four eligible drivers will win the NASCAR Cup Series title.

 

  • Playoff points for stage wins will not apply in the season finale, so the official finishing position alone will decide the champion.

 

  • Note:  All rules outlined above also apply to the owner championship structure.

 

Scouting the Playoff field at Darlington

Darlington Raceway is set to kick off the 20th running of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2023) in this Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at 6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

Since the inception of the postseason in 2004, 47 different drivers have qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; including this season’s 16-driver field. Only one driver this season is making his Playoff career debut in the NASCAR Cup Series – Bubba Wallace. Veterans Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are making their NASCAR Cup Series record 17th Playoff appearance – the most all-time.

 

In total 10 different drivers have won the championship since the inception of the Playoffs in 2004. This season, seven former NASCAR Cup Series champions make up the 16-driver Playoff field (active champions that are in the Playoffs are bolded in the chart below); Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch (2015, 2019) and Team Penske’s Joey Logano (2018, 2023) are the only active competitors with multiple NASCAR Cup Series championships.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Era Champions (2004-2022)

Rank

Titles

Drivers (10)

Years

1

7

Jimmie Johnson

2016, ‘13, ’10, ‘09, ‘08, ‘07, ‘06

2

2

Joey Logano

2023, '18

   

Kyle Busch

2019, '15