LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — With rain falling, Brad Keselowski led a Team Penske front-row sweep and won the pole at Pocono Raceway.
NASCAR suspends 3 crew chiefs for infractions at Charlotte (The Associated Press)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has suspended three Sprint Cup Series crew chiefs for infractions at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Since economic downtown, NASCAR fighting to get fans back (The Associated Press)
At the zenith of its popularity a decade or so ago, many NASCAR tracks could count on sellout crowds for every Sprint Cup Series race. Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell equated the present challenge of attracting fans to NASCAR’s formative years. Overnight ratings are down by double digits for seven of the 13 Sprint Cup races so far this year, and six hit a multi-year low.
Jimmie Johnson: Martin Truex Jr. ‘was just playing with us’ (The Associated Press)
Jimmie Johnson knows what it’s like to have a dominant car at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Truex shattered a NASCAR record for miles led in a race with 588. Truex also set a record for most laps led at the Coca-Cola 600.
Martin Truex Jr. dominates NASCAR race in Charlotte (The Associated Press)
Martin Truex Jr. didn’t avoid ladders or black cats, never worried about cracking mirrors or stepping on cracks. Especially when things have gone as wrong as they had for Truex and his single-car Furniture Row team the past year. Kevin Harvick was second, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch.
Greenwood proud to add voice to Charlotte, NASCAR salute (The Associated Press)
Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem was almost lost to bad timing. Greenwood was at Charlotte Motor Speedway to sing his anthem, ”God Bless The USA” before the start of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night. ”It wasn’t necessarily on the shelf,” Greenwood said.
Hamlin outduels Larson, Logano to win Charlotte Xfinity race (The Associated Press)
It looked for a moment as if Kyle Larson would get his revenge on Joey Logano for beating him out last weekend to win the Sprint Cup All-Star race. Hamlin passed Larson and Logano in overtime to win the Xfinity Series race Saturday on a hot and slick racetrack at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Larson and Logano, who were running 1-2, elected to stay on the track while Hamlin pitted for four tires.
Logano looks to continue CMS dominance at Coca-Cola 600 (The Associated Press)
Joey Logano has shown he has a pretty good feel for the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Logano looks to complete a ”Joey sweep” at CMS at the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night after winning last October’s 400-mile playoff race and the Sprint Cup All-Star race here last weekend. Logano is eighth in the Sprint Cup point standings and has three top-five finishes in 12 races, but he is still searching for his first points race victory of the season.
Improving Larson looks for first Cup win at Coca-Cola 600 (The Associated Press)
Kyle Larson believes he’s on the verge of kicking in the door and getting his first NASCAR Sprint Cup win. Larson finished second two weeks ago at Dover, then had a chance to win the All-Star exhibition race at Charlotte Motor Speedway last weekend before losing control of his car and hitting the wall following a challenge from Joey Logano. ”It would mean a lot to get it anywhere, but especially here at Charlotte, close to home,” Larson said of his first Sprint Cup win.
Martin Truex Jr. twins pole for Charlotte’s NASCAR race (The Associated Press)
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr. won the pole Thursday night for the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race of the year.
NASCAR tweaks rules to lower downforce at 2 more track (The Associated Press)
NASCAR will make more aerodynamic changes to promote improved competition at upcoming races at Michigan and Kentucky. The changes to the rear spoiler, front splitter and rear deck fin will help NASCAR continue to reduce downforce and sideforce as it attempts to put the handling of the cars back in the hands of the drivers. NASCAR has been tweaking the package at the request of the drivers, who overwhelmingly favor less downforce.
Parsons, Martin, Hendrick selected to NASCAR Hall of Fame (The Associated Press)
To Benny Parsons, auto racing was everything. From driving to announcing, he was an icon in the sport and became one of the most beloved figures in the NASCAR community. Parsons, who died in 2007 at age 65, was rewarded for his accomplishments and impact on the sport when he was selected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
Despite confusion, NASCAR got a memorable All-Star Race (The Associated Press)
Say this about NASCAR’s confusing and chaotic Sprint All-Star Race: At least it was entertaining. The latest running of NASCAR’s annual showcase was lambasted by drivers and fans for its new format, yet it still produced one of the most memorable all-star races in a very long time.
Joey Logano beats Larson in unusual All-Star race (The Associated Press)
Joey Logano snatched the lead away from Kyle Larson with two laps remaining Saturday night to win the $1 million exhibition event. Although he didn’t win, Larson was the star of the day. ”Larson is a hard racer.
Crafton beats Busch, wins 2nd straight Trucks Series race (The Associated Press)
Now that he has won back-to-back Trucks Series races for the first time in his career, Matt Crafton is hoping for more. Crafton beat Kyle Busch by a convincing margin at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, setting him up for a huge season. ”It feels very good,” Crafton said.
Larson edges out Elliott to earn spot in All-Star race (The Associated Press)
Kyle Larson knew he wasn’t winning the fan vote to get into the Sprint All-Star race. Larson, who received some criticism for racing clean and not doing enough to beat Matt Kenseth on the final lap at Dover, was extremely aggressive coming down the stretch. ”I’m sure Chase is upset with me and has all of the reason in the world to be, but hey, we are racing for a million bucks and I haven’t had a chance to do that before,” Larson said.
Rain washes out all track activity Friday for All-Star race (The Associated Press)
Rain washed out all track activity Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which will now try to cram it’s All-Star weekend into one day. The steady showers forced NASCAR to call off the scheduled Sprint Showdown, a race that will send five drivers not already qualified for the All-Star race, into the main event. NASCAR set the showdown field by points.
Harvick told Kahne he wasn’t after his job at Hendrick (The Associated Press)
As rumors swirled that Kevin Harvick planned to leave Stewart-Haas Racing, he took Kasey Kahne aside and promised him he wasn’t after his job. Harvick said Friday that SHR held a two-year option on him that the team always planned to exercise. It finally put to rest rumors that Harvick planned to jump ship and replace Kahne at Hendrick Motorsports.
Kevin Harvick signs extension to stay with Stewart-Haas (The Associated Press)
Stewart-Haas Racing has signed Kevin Harvick to a long-term contract extension, ending speculation that the 2014 Sprint Cup champion wanted to leave. The team announced the signing on Thursday, two days after Harvick sniped on social media about the gossip suggesting he was planning to exit the organization. The speculation began when SHR said earlier this season it will move to Fords next year.
Panthers TE Olsen to drive pace car at NASCAR All-Star race (The Associated Press)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen received his certification to the drive the pace car this Saturday night at the Sprint Cup All-Star race, although not without a little scare first.
NASCAR punishes Kahne for post-race inspection failure (The Associated Press)
NASCAR has fined the crew chief for driver Kasey Kahne as a part of a slew of penalties levied against the Hendrick Motorsports team for failing post-race inspection. Crew chief Keith Rodden was fined $25,000, Kahne was docked 15 points in the standings, and the No. 5 team lost 15 points in the owners’ standings. The No. 5 Chevrolet did not meet specifications on NASCAR’s laser platform post-race at Dover International Speedway.
NASCAR champion Johnson gets animated for Nickelodeon (The Associated Press)
From cars to cartoons, Jimmie Johnson’s next dash at the track comes in animated form.
Column: Larson races clean at the expense of his 1st Cup win (The Associated Press)
It might be hard to believe that the ending of a low-level race three years ago had such a profound effect on Kyle Larson that it might have cost him his first Sprint Cup victory. Larson was the next big thing when he arrived at Daytona International Speedway in 2013 for his first full season at NASCAR’s national level. By the end of the week, Larson said, he realized the trophy was not worth the perception of being a dirty driver.
NASCAR tweaks rules for All-Star race to promote more passes (The Associated Press)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR is implementing a few tweaks meant to improve the racing before Saturday night’s $1 million All-Star event.
Kenseth holds off Larson for thrilling victory at Dover (The Associated Press)
Matt Kenseth had eluded the wreckage that turned Dover into a junkyard. ”He was all over me,” Kenseth said. Twenty-one years older that Larson, Kenseth used some of his veteran experience to find the high groove on the mile concrete track and surge to victory Sunday in the wreck-filled race at Dover International Speedway.
Erik Jones wins Xfinity race at Dover for $100,000 bonus (The Associated Press)
Erik Jones won the Xfinity Series race Saturday at Dover International Speedway and took a $100,000 bonus from the series’ Dash-4-Cash program. Four drivers were eligible for the bonus Saturday, and Jones won it for the second time this season. Jones led a race-high 76 laps in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and he was cruising to the win until a caution came out with 11 laps remaining because Brendan Gaughan spun.
Jimmie Johnson looks to extend track dominance at Dover (The Associated Press)
Jimmie Johnson fell in love with Dover the first time he turned a lap at the track in the late 1990s. Johnson’s 2015 championship hopes were over at Dover not because of a wreck, a blown engine or a mistake on pit road. Johnson has a record 10 wins at Dover, dominating the mile concrete track like no other driver.
Crafton wins NASCAR Truck Series race at Dover (The Associated Press)
Matt Crafton had long considered the menacing Miles The Monster trophy the coolest in the series. Snapping a winless streak at Dover International Speedway that stretched 15 years, Crafton held off Daniel Suarez down the stretch and raced to a Truck Series victory Friday. The 39-year-old Crafton was 0 for 15 at Dover.
Harvick takes pole when rain wipes out Dover qualifying (The Associated Press)
DOVER, Del. (AP) — Kevin Harvick has won the pole at Dover International Speedway after rain wiped out qualifying Friday.
Stewart involved in 3-car wreck at start of NASCAR practice (The Associated Press)
Tony Stewart suffered his first serious hit since his return from a back injury during in a fiery three-car wreck at practice Friday at Dover International Speedway that also involved Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Danica Patrick. Patrick’s No. 10 dumped oil on the track, spun and the rear of her Chevrolet burst into flames. Stewart was behind her and the No. 14 hit the oil and smacked the wall.
Kyle Busch’s crew chief suspended for lug nut violation (The Associated Press)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has suspended Kyle Busch’s crew chief and tire changer for one race for violating the lug nut policy during the team’s win at Kansas last weekend.
Column: NASCAR needs to take stand on North Carolina’s law (The Associated Press)
Pat McCrory likes to spin a tale meant to illustrate his love for high octane and burned rubber. It was 30 years ago, when the future governor of North Carolina was a 19-year-old who drove a ’72 Fiat. McCrory says he saw the back gate had been left open at Charlotte Motor Speedway, so he slipped on in and watched David Pearson win the World 600.
Axalta becomes final sponsor of Daytona Rising (The Associated Press)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Axalta Coating Systems is the final sponsor of Daytona International Speedway’s massive redevelopment project.
Kyle Busch keeps Joe Gibbs Racing at front of Sprint Cup (The Associated Press)
At the season-opening Daytona 500, Joe Gibbs Racing proved it was unquestionably the fastest, from Denny Hamlin taking the checkered flag to its quartet of cars leading more than three-quarters of the race. After watching Kyle Busch drive away from Kevin Harvick to win Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway, Gibbs drivers have won six times in the first 11 races. Everybody on the team has a win except Matt Kenseth, and the former series champion finished a season-best fourth at Kansas.
Kyle Busch finally gets first Sprint Cup win at Kansas (The Associated Press)
Kyle Busch has seemingly dozens of reasons to despise Kansas Speedway, from the two times he crashed out of Chase races to the innumerable misfortunes in other series. Busch sailed away from Kevin Harvick after a late wreck collected several of the leaders Saturday night, and finally won a NASCAR Sprint Cup race at one of three tracks that had eluded him. ”This is a place that’s been tough on me over the years, and probably almost caused me to go into retirement,” Busch said, laughing.
18-year-old William Byron wins Truck race at Kansas Speedway (The Associated Press)
William Byron survived the chaos at Kansas Speedway for his first Truck Series victory Friday night, then ran into a rather unexpected problem when the 18-year-old finished a victory lap. Pretty cool for team owner Kyle Busch, too, who doused him once they reached Victory Lane. Byron had built a nearly 5-second lead before Tyler Reddick spun with four to go, bunching the field up for a green-white-checkered finish.
Truex nabs pole for Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway (The Associated Press)
Martin Truex Jr. will start on the pole Saturday night in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway. Truex turned a lap of 190.921 mph in the final round of qualifying Friday night, earning his first pole since April 2012 at Texas and giving himself some confidence at a track he’s come to love. ”Feels good to get another pole.
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