NASCAR Pole Position | October-November

FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY

It’s Playoff Time for Christopher Bell & Rheem Racing!

Christopher Bell left expectations in the dust by reaching the Championship 4 last year in just his third season in the Cup Series. Now he’s back to take on the best of the best. Remember, whether it’s Christopher on the track or our products in homes and businesses everywhere—with Rheem’s quick installations and rapid energy savings, Fast Runs in the Family.

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MY FAVORITE WITH Alex Bowman

Alex Bowman worked diligently for years to earn a spot with a top-tier NASCAR team. Now, the 30-yearold native of Tucson, Arizona, is in his sixth full season behind the wheel of a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Bowman is one of only a few drivers in NASCAR’s premier series backed throughout the full season by a single primary sponsor – Ally. It’s an honor the driver of the No. 48 car doesn’t take lightly.

Get to know Bowman, a seven-time Cup Series winner who is one of the most likable and personable drivers in the NASCAR garage area.

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

SUPER TROOPERS. I don’t have a specific reason, I just think it’s funny.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORKOUT?

I DON’T THINK I have a favorite – I do a lot of cardio training, so I have the endurance to race for a couple of hours, but I don’t think I necessarily have a favorite.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

TACOS. BEING from Tucson, I’ve had a ton of really good tacos, so that will always be my favorite.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF RACING MEMORABILIA?

MY FIRST NASCAR Cup Series win trophy from Chicagoland. It was a special moment for me and it proved to me that I have what it takes to compete at the top level and be successful.

WHO IWAS YOUR CHILDHOOD RACING HERO?

JEFF GORDON. Growing up, I liked watching him and my dad was a big Jeff Gordon fan, so it just came naturally to like him.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARTOON CHARACTER?

I SPENT SO MUCH time racing as a kid that I didn’t really watch a lot of cartoons. Whether I was helping my dad work on my race cars at home or at the track, I was a busy kid, so I didn’t spend a lot of time watching TV.

AUTHENTIC SIGNED

NASCAR MEMORABILIA

Check Out Matt Wheeler’s NASCAR Collection

Hi everyone, my name is Matt Wheeler, and I’ve been a NASCAR fan since 1998. The moment that hooked me was the 1998 Daytona 500, as an 8-year-old. I remember thinking you couldn’t get any cooler than Dale Earnhardt.

I started collecting early on and had a room full of stuff – mainly 1/64 die-cast cars, posters and magazines. Unfortunately, everything was stolen when I was 15 years old. I lost the passion and interest for years because of how hard it was to deal with losing part of my childhood.

Something changed when the pandemic hit. I caught myself falling in love with NASCAR again, and I had a brother buy me a Dale Earnhardt 1/24-scale die-cast car for my birthday. He told me I should start collecting again and that it would help me in coping with my loss.

Now, I have been able to replace a great portion of what was lost, and I have been able to make some amazing friends along the way.

Thank you, Pole Position for letting me share my story!

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THE WALL THAT EVERYONE calls “overwhelming” with my Earnhardt 1/64-scale die-casts and Winston Select posters. These are all very special to me.

THIS SHELF HAS SO MANY cool items like hats, pins, mugs, VHS tapes and smaller items that I’m running out of room for!

MY FAVORITE ITEM OF THE COLLECTION! A JR Motorsports jacket signed by Dale Jr., Kelley Earnhardt and all the JRM drivers.

HERE IS A GOOD PORTION OF MY EARNHARDT 1/24 die-cast cars. When I started collecting again three years ago, this was where I started.

HERE ARE SOME MORE 1/24 scale die-casts and other random things I’ve gathered from thrift stores and at different race tracks.

EDITOR’S NOTE: SHOUTOUT TO DOGLEG MEDIA FOR CONNECTING US WITH MATT.

SOCIAL-MEDIA SENSATION TONI BREIDINGER

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

With more than 1 million Instagram followers and 2.1 million TikTok followers, ARCA Menards Series driver Toni Breidinger is one of the sport’s most popular drivers.

As a result, the longtime racer from Hillsborough, California, has attracted a plethora of new companies to NASCAR, including Victoria’s Secret, FP Movement, Women’s Sports Foundation and more.

Breidinger, 23, is already one of the most recognizable drivers in the Toyota Driver Development program. With the manufacturer’s support, she believes her career is about to take off. Now, as she prepares for her future, she is working to attract new sponsors so she can advance to the next level of racing.

WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE TO HAVE SUCH A BUSY SCHEDULE THIS SEASON?

I love being busy with racing every single weekend. It’s been really great for me, and I can’t complain.

WHAT HAS THIS JOURNEY BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?

It’s been a roller coaster. I’ve been racing for so long, and I feel like people think I just popped up out of nowhere. I’ve been racing since I was 9 and I don’t have an ulterior motive to use racing to get famous or to get followers. Having a following is great and it does help with branding and sponsorships. It’s really fun to bring new fans to the sport, but it’s definitely not the reason why I race. I didn’t have any family that was in racing previously. I had to figure out things along the way and meet as many people in the sport as I could. It’s been difficult to navigate everything.

WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE TO INTRODUCE SOME PROMINENT COMPANIES TO RACING?

It’s been awesome to bring in Victoria’s Secret for the Truck Series races that I’ve had. We’ve worked with so many great brands like Hot Wheels and Free People. It’s been exciting to bring brands into the sport that haven’t been in the sport before, like Victoria’s Secret. It shows that there have been certain sponsors that have been in the sport for a really long time, but there aren’t as many sponsors that break into the sport. It’s cool to reach a different demographic where brands want to work with me and be on the car and support me.

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR YOU TO WIN AN ARCA RACE?

WHO’S BEEN YOUR

GO-TO PEER FOR ADVICE?

The past few years in the ARCA Series, I’ve leaned on my teammates. It depends on who my teammate is for the weekend. With the truck stuff, Corey Heim was my teammate at Venturini, so I was asking him a million questions. I felt most comfortable asking him questions that others I’d be like, “Is this stupid?” All of my teammates at Tricon have been helpful like Tanner Gray and Gus Dean in ARCA. Jesse Love is younger than me, but I’m still going to go to him to ask for advice. Jesse has been great, for sure. He knows a lot about the car, so it’s been great to work with him.

A win is what everyone is striving for. With this journey and how much work I’ve put into it, I definitely think I’ll be crying. It would help get me sponsorship to run a full season and push me forward in my career.

CAREER-WISE, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

In a perfect world, I would follow the ladder system. You don’t have to exactly follow it because I think everyone’s path is a little bit different. I definitely want to go to the Truck Series, accomplish something there and show some progress to where I feel like I can move up to the next level of the Xfinity Series.

I’m taking my time as much as possible, while pushing myself to get the best results. I don’t have an exact timeline. In a perfect case, you move up every couple of years when you feel like you’re ready. Everyone’s path is different.

Experience NASCAR Arcade Rush

BY JOSHUA LIPOWSKI

NASCAR Arcade Rush is a new, arcade-style video game - published by GameMill Entertainment and developed by Team6 Game Studios - that’s challenging and entertaining gaming enthusiasts. According to NASCAR, the game is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.

ABOUT THE GAME

The game showcases unique versions of licensed NASCAR tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Darlington Raceway and Martinsville Speedway.

It features different cars from different eras throughout the 75 years of NASCAR history. Customization options are included in the game as well, from car pieces to driver cosmetics.

There are single-player and both local and online multiplayer modes. The single-player modes that NASCAR mentioned are Quick Race, Career and Time Attack, while multiplayer features both local split screen and online multiplayer for up to 12 players.

While the base game sells for $49.99, players can choose the NASCAR Project-X Bundle for $59.99, which features a selection of playable customization options for the car.

THE TEAM BEHIND ARCADE RUSH

GameMill Entertainment has released multiple video game franchises. They range from Nickelodeon Kart Racer to the Little League World Series 2022 to Big Hero 6 Battle in the Bay. However, major racing series have partnered with GameMill as well. Monster Jam Crush It! was released in 2017, and, most recently, NHRA partnered with GameMill for NHRA Speed for All in 2022. Both games were developed by Team6. Founded in 2001, Team6 is based out of the Netherlands, and has partnered with GameMill on games such as Street Outlaws: The List and Street Outlaws 2: Winner Takes All.

NASCAR ARCADE IS AVAILABLE AT ALL MAJOR RETAILERS, WITH A BASE PRICE OF $49.99.

A COMPLETE HISTORY OF

THE EARLY YEARS

1984: RICHARD PETTY’S TALLADEGA

The first NASCAR video game was released in 1984 on the C64 and the Atari 8-bit. The gameplay is primitive to say the least, but the hardware or software did not yet exist to make realistic racing video games. It’s a very primitive title, but it’s where NASCAR gaming got its start.

1990: DAYS OF THUNDER

Days of Thunder has the distinction of being the first NASCAR game to be released on a Nintendo console. It’s based on the 1990 movie, Days of Thunder. Again, it runs into the same issues as Richard Petty’s Talladega as being very primitive, albeit on more recognizable hardware. It’s cool as a novelty, but we would have to wait a bit longer for a more realistic NASCAR gaming experience.

1991: BILL ELLIOTT’S

NASCAR CHALLENGE/BILL

ELLIOTT’S NASCAR FAST TRACKS

While there were other video games featuring NASCAR-like cars and even NASCAR drivers, this was the first to be officially licensed by NASCAR. Again, it’s on Nintendo Entertainment System hardware, so the gameplay is definitely from 1991. The game also is the first handheld NASCAR video game as its counterpart, Bill Elliott’s NASCAR Fast Tracks, was released on the Nintendo Game Boy.

THE MOVE TO 3D

1994: NASCAR RACING

There were NASCAR games, but this was the first true simulation 3-D NASCAR video game. The game was released in 1994 on PC and later on the PlayStation 1 in 1996. It was the first NASCAR game to feature basic things like 3-D car models and fully

rendered race tracks. The game showcased 25 licensed NASCAR drivers and nine different race tracks. It may seem vanilla to the modern audience, but this truly was a feat of game design back in 1994. Beforehand, racing video games were much more primitive, and now, NASCAR games actually looked like the NASCAR you would watch on TV. The game also featured a pretty realistic damage model for its time. Previously, car damage was all-but impossible to replicate on previous hardware. It also was the first NASCAR video game to feature a Championship season mode as well as online play through LAN connection.

It may seem vanilla to some today, but this game was the first of its kind. It was the first true simulation-style NASCAR video game, and that alone deserves recognition.

1995: KYLE PETTY’S NO FEAR RACING

After NASCAR Racing debuted in 1994, this game on old hardware was a step backward to say the least. It was not an officially licensed NASCAR console game, and it was put on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was back to the old dashboard view style video game, and it was definitely a style of game that was becoming outdated.

1996: NASCAR RACING 2 Papyrus and Sierra took the same formula from NASCAR Racing and expanded upon it for NASCAR Racing 2, which released exclusively on PC. It included more drivers and some tweaked gameplay, but, by and large, it was pretty similar to the original NASCAR Racing. It was all building toward something very special, however, as you will see later in this list.

THE MOVE TO 3D

WORDS: JOSHUA LIPOWSKI

1997: NASCAR 98

With Papyrus primarily focusing on developing NASCAR games for the PC, EA Sports developed NASCAR 98 as a console video game. This was happening as other sports were beginning to officially license their own video games more frequently.

EA Sports picked up the NASCAR license in 1997, and NASCAR 98 can best be described as a more casual sim-racing experience. While NASCAR Racing and NASCAR Racing 2 were both released on PC and heavily geared toward simulation, NASCAR 98 was a bit more of a casual experience.

It was also more easily accessible given that it was a console game. It is the first EA Sports NASCAR video game, and it definitely shows that given its age. However, the graphics and gameplay were very good for the time.

It was a great first step for EA into NASCAR, and that’s what this game really should be highlighted for. It started what arguably could be called the greatest NASCAR gaming franchise in history.

1998: NASCAR 99

NASCAR 99 was the sequel to NASCAR 98. Similar to NASCAR Racing 2 and NASCAR Racing, NASCAR 99 expanded upon what NASCAR 98 built. The new game now had 31 real life drivers and 17 NASCAR tracks, which was up from 24 drivers

and 10 tracks in the previous game.

1998: NASCAR RACING

1999 EDITION

NASCAR Racing 1999 edition was not as well received by critics as its predecessors, but it was the first NASCAR video game to feature all three NASCAR National Touring Series. Many may think that NASCAR Dirt to Daytona was the first to do that, but that is incorrect. Even if it’s not the most well-received, Papyrus still found a way to make this game unique.

1998: 3D-ULTRA NASCAR

PINBALL

The publisher of the NASCAR Racing series, Sierra, partnered with Dynamix to create a 3D-Ultra Pinball NASCAR game. It’s basically just pinball with a NASCAR skin, but it’s an interesting novelty to say the least. Soon, Sierra was back to publishing more NASCAR simulation video games.

1999: NASCAR REVOLUTION

In 1999, EA Sports decided to try to get into the NASCAR PC gaming space with NASCAR Revolution. The game was not exceptionally well-received, but it was not the last time EA Sports tried its hand at a PC NASCAR video game. After this, they left the PC NASCAR gaming up to Papyrus.

1999: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES RACING

Papyrus decided to do something different in 1999, and, instead of including the NASCAR Craftsman

Truck Series in its NASCAR Racing game, used it as an expansion to NASCAR Racing 3. It’s the first and thus far only NASCAR game to be centered around only a lower tier touring series. Given the fact that it is the only one, we probably will not see this again anytime soon.

1999: NASCAR RACING 3

Another addition to the NASCAR Racing Series by Papyrus. The game was stripped down some as it originally included just the NASCAR Cup Series before the Craftsman Truck Series expansion in 1999. Therefore, this release falls underneath the quality over quantity philosophy. To its credit, Papyrus never made a game surrounding more than just the Cup Series.

1999: NASCAR 2000

The final EA Sports NASCAR game to be exclusively released on the 64bit console generation was NASCAR 2000. The game also received a Windows and Game Boy Color port, which was a first for EA Sports’ main line NASCAR titles. Aside from that, this was a pretty standard 64bit NASCAR game, and we would have to wait until the next console generation for bigger changes.

1999: NASCAR CHALLENGE

The first exclusively handheld NASCAR video game was NASCAR Challenge. It was also the first NASCAR video game released by Hasbro Interactive, which would

later partner with Monster Games on the NASCAR Heat Series. Being a handheld game, it’s not too revolutionary. However, it is an interesting novelty.

2000: NASCAR RUMBLE

While NASCAR 2000 was EA Sports’ final simulation-style console video game in the 64-bit era, NASCAR Rumble was the last game EA itself published. This is an arcade-style NASCAR video game in which drivers can drive as licensed NASCAR drivers and cars, but they use power-ups and items similar to Mario Kart. It’s not exactly a kart racer, however, but it is an arcade-style console game that garnered good reception.

2000: NASCAR 2001

This was the first NASCAR console video game that was released on the PlayStation 2. However, even though it’s the first PS2 NASCAR game, there are not as many improvements as some may have expected. The game still did not include full, 43-car fields or even a career mode. For the first PS2 NASCAR game, it may not be as broad as some may have expected.

2000: NASCAR HEAT

The first NASCAR video game that Monster Games worked on. Instead of being released on the PS2 like NASCAR 2000, Monster Games elected to stay on the PS1, Game Boy Color and PC for its release. The game was not received exceptionally well, but it was a start for Monster Games

THE MOVE TO 3D

as the company began to work on competing with EA.

2000: NASCAR ARCADE

A new publisher, Sega, joined the NASCAR gaming fray in 2000 as they released NASCAR’s first Arcade Game. NASCAR arcade games are commonplace nowadays, but this was the first one released. Due to it being an arcade game, it’s not a game that has the same nostalgia factor as other NASCAR games on this list, but it’s still a part of NASCAR gaming history.

2000: NASCAR RACERS

NASCAR Racers was a licensed NASCAR TV show that ran for two seasons. The game was only released on PC and on the Game Boy Color, so, no console release likely hurt the game’s reach. There is not much out there on this game, and the show had a short run.

THE GOLDEN AGE

2001: NASCAR RACING 4

This was the game with which Papyrus really started to gain some traction. The quote on the box even highlights Dale Earnhardt Jr., noted NASCAR gaming enthusiast, “This is the sim we have been waiting for.” When you start to think about NASCAR PC simulations by Papyrus, this is the game that started to look like a Papyrus NASCAR game.

2001: NASCAR THUNDER 2002

The first game in the NASCAR

Thunder series, and the one with many firsts. It was the first console NASCAR game to include features such as a career mode and full, 43-car fields. It also was the first NASCAR game to include all 23 licensed NASCAR tracks.

For all intents and purposes, this was the first full NASCAR console video game. It was not quite as deep as its successors, but the game did improve on its predecessor in many ways. This included graphics, gameplay and features.

Simply looking at a screenshot shows that this game is leaps and bounds better looking than the previous games. However, the game is still not perfect.

The career mode is there, but players are only allowed to run in 12 races per season. This is strange, especially considering there is a single season mode in the game that allows players to play a full, 36-race season. However, it is a start, and it’s the first NASCAR console game to include such a mode.

This was the foundation upon which EA started building its next NASCAR games. While it’s not as deep as its successors, it still holds a very important place in NASCAR gaming history.

2001: NASCAR HEAT 2002

Monster Games made their sequel to NASCAR Heat with NASCAR Heat 2002, and the game is strange to say the least. It does license most

NASCAR tracks, but not all. The PS2 version includes only 24 drivers per race while the XBOX version includes 43 drivers per race. A strange difference between the two video games, especially considering EA Sports had full fields, but this game was a precursor to a special NASCAR game.

2002: NASCAR RACING

2002 SEASON Papyrus built off of its momentum from NASCAR Racing 4 and created NASCAR Racing 2002 season. This truly was the best NASCAR simulation of its time, and it may go down as one of the most underrated NASCAR video games of all time. The only reason for that is because of the Papyrus NASCAR game that succeeded it.

2002: NASCAR THUNDER 2003

NASCAR Thunder 2003 built upon the foundation of NASCAR Thunder 2002. The most glaring single player improvement is a much deeper career mode that allows a player to race a full season. The handling model may be tough to get used to for some, but it falls into the same category as NASCAR Thunder 2002, a game that was overshadowed by its successor.

2002: NASCAR DIRT TO DAYTONA

The NASCAR Heat games were the second tier of NASCAR console games for the most part, but

NASCAR Dirt to Daytona perfected something that NASCAR Racing 1999 Season tried to implement, but could not do properly. NASCAR Dirt to Daytona was the first NASCAR console game to include the NASCAR feeder system.

As opposed to the EA Sports Career Mode, which just included controlling a Cup Series team, NASCAR Dirt to Daytona allowed the player to work their way up through the feeder system. First starting in dirt stock cars, then working their way up into the modifieds.

From there, the player worked their way up to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series before finally making it all the way up to the Cup Series. The game does have some strange omissions, particularly not having all licensed NASCAR tracks.

Regardless, this is a game that is still beloved by many. Primarily because it implemented a feature that had never been done on a console game before. For many, this was the first time that they were able to work their way up through the NASCAR feeder system, and it gave people a good reason to buy this game over the EA Sports NASCAR games.

The release of this game kick started potentially the greatest run of NASCAR gaming ever seen. Following this game, Papyrus and EA Sports made arguably their best NASCAR video games.

WORDS: JOSHUA LIPOWSKI

2003: NASCAR RACING

2003 SEASON

Rarely is a game able to stand the test of time quite like NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. Part of it is being the final licensed NASCAR PC game released by Papyrus, but the other part of it is simply how great of a game it is.

It hits all of the points that a NASCAR simulation should, and it does incredibly well. Unsurprisingly, it is the highest rated NASCAR video game on Metacritic.

However, the game’s life has been extended not necessarily because of its value then, but because of how easily moddable it is. To this day, the modding community on NASCAR Racing 2003 is second to none. Tracks, drivers and cars from any era in NASCAR post-2003 can be found somewhere.

Lots of great NASCAR content has been derived from this game, including TNTMan93’s “Idiots of NR 2003” Series on YouTube. The game is still being played, modded and used to this very day in spite of the game being 20 years old!

The game features more improved features, including a deepened career mode featuring a new “Rivals” system and Lightning Challenges. There is also an incredible amount of Thunder Plates that can be earned throughout the game to get a slew of special paint schemes, fantasy tracks and drivers. However, the biggest thing this game added was online play. It was the first NASCAR console video game to have an online capability. Sure, online gaming was still relatively new in those days, but this was the first game to include it.

It’s the highest rated EA Sports NASCAR console video game on Metacritic, and it is easy to see why. However, this would be the beginning of the end of this “Golden Age” of NASCAR gaming as EA Sports took the NASCAR license exclusively following the release of the 2003 NASCAR games. With that being said, the follow-up would still turn a lot of heads.

THE EA EXCLUSIVE YEARS

2005: NASCAR 2005

CHASE FOR THE CUP

They took a page from the NASCAR Dirt to Daytona book, and EA included the NASCAR feeder system with one major difference. In place of the dirt stock cars, they would feature the NASCAR Xfinity Series, branded as the NASCAR National Series in the game. It still featured licensed drivers from the series though.

The career mode was revamped as well. There was still the option to be the owner of a team, but the mode was rebranded as “Fight to the Top.” It focused instead on a player working their way up through the NASCAR feeder system.

It did not have as many original ideas as previous games, but EA made good use of them. From here on out, it was only EA that was allowed to make NASCAR video games.

2005: NASCAR SIMRACING

With Papyrus now unable to create NASCAR simulations on PC, EA tried its hand at making one with NASCAR SimRacing. The game was received well, but it was the only one that EA ever made. It became the final licensed NASCAR game to be released on PC for almost a decade.

to work with their teammates.

The feature was highlighted on the player’s HUD with there being a D-pad looking thing in the bottom corner. There, the player could ask teammates to share draft, block or even swap cars. This was highlighted in the intro of the game where a player switches from a crashed Jimmie Johnson car to Jeff Gordon to win at Daytona.

The game also looked a bit different graphically and brand-wise with cover art. The Total Team Control aspect was interesting to players, but the game did not gain too many new features aside from that.

Unfortunately, that trend of video games, at least from a single player standpoint, continued with the following entries. However, NASCAR 06 was still well received, and it has had its following to this day.

2006: NASCAR 07

2003:

NASCAR THUNDER 2004

For many, this was the greatest NASCAR video game of all time. While NR 2003 is a huge game in its own right, the console entry of NASCAR Thunder 2004 reached a much wider audience when it was released.

Those who feared that EA was going to start downgrading its NASCAR games because of the company’s exclusive license had their fears mitigated by this game. NASCAR Thunder 2004 was obviously a tough video game to follow, but EA did a good job.

2006: NASCAR 06: TOTAL TEAM CONTROL

NASCAR 06: Total Team Control retained a lot of features from its predecessor, NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, but NASCAR 06 did include something new. The “Total Team Control” feature allowed drivers

This was the last NASCAR video game to be released exclusively on the sixth generation of consoles. The North American cover athlete was also an interesting choice in Elliott Sadler. The game did not garner too many notable new features following NASCAR 06. However, the move to the next generation of consoles was highly anticipated.

2007: NASCAR 08

NASCAR 08 was the first game on the seventh generation of consoles, but it was not received well. The Car of Tomorrow was featured, but none

THE EA EXCLUSIVE YEARS

of the manufacturer licenses were obtained for it. Therefore, every COT car in the game is just a generic COT. The game was actually received better on the previous generation of consoles oddly enough.

2007: EA SPORTS

NASCAR RACING

There is no official cover art for this game, as this was EA Sports’ first NASCAR arcade specific game. You can still find it in some arcades to this day. It was the first new NASCAR Arcade game since NASCAR Arcade by Sega in 2000, so it has an interesting novelty factor.

2008: NASCAR 09

NASCAR 09 was the last EA Sports NASCAR simulation video game. It was not necessarily well-known for its single player offering, but its multiplayer is looked back on fondly by many NASCAR gaming YouTubers. RealRadman looks back on this game quite fondly for what it did online. However, the single player was not great, and EA soon dropped NASCAR.

2009: NASCAR KART RACING

NASCAR’s run on EA Sports finished with a Mario Kart clone. NASCAR Kart Racing was released exclusively on the Nintendo Wii, and it was the first NASCAR console game to be released on a Nintendo home console since NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup. NASCAR Kart Racing actually features a teammate system, so

working together with a teammate helps a player earn more boosts. Long story short, it’s a typical kart racer.

THE EUTECHNYX YEARS

2011: NASCAR THE GAME

The next generation of NASCAR console video games fell to Eutechnyx as Activision took up publishing duties. NASCAR The Game: 2011 was very stripped down from its predecessors with a career mode that was just a single season and no Xfinity or Truck Series. The game also had issues at launch with a ton of glitches to its online play, but leagues like NORC and Full Throttle were able to find their footing eventually.

2011: NASCAR UNLEASHED

After NASCAR The Game 2011, Eutechnyx released NASCAR Unleashed, which is an arcade-style racing game. The game is pretty comparable to the old NASCAR Rumble game on the PS1, and NASCAR Unleashed functions pretty similar to that. It does feature a few licensed tracks with multiple layouts, including Daytona, Chicagoland and Martinsville among others.

2011: DAYS OF THUNDER: ARCADE

Another Days of Thunder game was released in 2011. An arcade variant and a console variant were released. The PlayStation 3 version included licensed NASCAR drivers and tracks,

which was strangely missing from the XBOX 360 version. This is curious especially because NASCAR games had previously been licensed on both systems. Regardless, few people bought this game, so very few even noticed.

2012: NASCAR THE GAME: INSIDE

LINE

NASCAR The Game: Inside Line was the second game released by Eutechnyx, and it improved on NASCAR The Game: 2011 in a lot of ways. The graphics were improved along with a deeper career mode. Online play was also improved, but there were still plenty of bugs, just like NASCAR The Game: 2011. This is the classic example of a game that has aged quite well. Metacritic has user scores for the game being only 4.0 for the XBOX 360 version and 5.0 for the PS3 version. The game is definitely far from a perfect one. The career mode is improved, but it has nowhere near the depth that the EA NASCAR games had. The online play was improved, but it did show some glitches and flaws. The AI in the game in single player also has some strange behaviors as well. What the game gets right, however, is its gameplay. The driving model and tire wear are about as realistic as any NASCAR has ever gotten. If running a race with tire wear and fuel consumption, you must manage your tires or sacrifice later in the run. There

is even a fuel save button on the controller input for the game. For all the hate this game got from the community back in the day, many now look back on it fondly. Especially the driving model after succeeding games struggled in that department.

2013: NASCAR THE GAME: 2013

For the 2013 season, Eutechnyx for some reason elected not to release a console game. Instead, they reworked Inside Line into a PC game. It is quite literally, NASCAR The Game: Inside Line on PC with 2013 drivers instead of 2012 drivers. Definitely a strange decision by both Eutechnyx and Activision.

2013: NASCAR: RED LINE

NASCAR: Red Line was NASCAR’s first mobile phone game. The game is essentially a reworked NASCAR career mode that is optimized for mobile phones. It was definitely the product of its time. It was time for NASCAR to get into mobile gaming, and this game accomplished that. Even if it was pretty forgettable.

2014: NASCAR ’14

By 2014, the rest of the gaming world had moved on to the eighth console generation, but Eutechnyx and new publisher Deep Silver did not. NASCAR ’14 was released in 2014 exclusively on the PS3 and XBOX 360. A curious move, and, soon afterward, Eutechnyx was done with NASCAR games.

JOSHUA LIPOWSKI

2015: NASCAR ’15

NASCAR ’15 was the last Eutechnyx game, once again on PS3 and XBOX 360. The new developers of the NASCAR video game series, Dusenberry Martin Racing, published this game based off of Eutechnyx’s version. DMI, as it was known at the time, took over the license from Eutechnyx as NASCAR ’15 was in development, so this game essentially was a placeholder until the next game could come out.

THE MODERN ERA

2016: NASCAR HEAT: EVOLUTION

DMI collaborated with Monster Games, the developers of NASCAR Heat and NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona, in 2016 to create NASCAR Heat: Evolution. The game was received absolutely horribly. From the glitchy online play to the lack of private lobbies, to terrible physics, and a lackluster career mode. For the first NASCAR video game on the eighth console generation, this was a major letdown to many.

2017: NASCAR HEAT MOBILE

NASCAR Heat Mobile was the first mobile game that DMI, which changed its name to 704 Games, released. It was available on IOS and Android, and it essentially is like a reworked career mode. It’s not too dissimilar of a concept to Eutechnyx mobile game NASCAR: Red Line, but it does include a home world similar to most mobile games. Again, a product of this current mobile game generation.

2017: NASCAR HEAT 2

NASCAR Heat 2 was a big improvement on NASCAR Heat: Evolution. The physics were improved, even though the driving model was still pretty heavily criticized. It also included the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series, and

it was the first game to do so since NASCAR 09. As a result, the career mode is similar to NASCAR Dirt to Daytona with drivers working their way up from the Truck Series all the way up to the Cup Series.

2017: NASCAR RUSH

NASCAR Rush is the second mobile game that 704 Games released, and it is NASCAR’s version of an “endless runner.” A player controls a car and swipes left or right to avoid traffic that you come upon. A pretty simple concept, but “endless runner” games were quite popular in the 2010s. NASCAR is a sport that translates easily to that, so 704 Games likely thought, why not?

2018: NASCAR HEAT 3

NASCAR Heat 3 continued to build from NASCAR Heat 2 with the addition of a fictional dirt series similar to NASCAR Dirt to Daytona. In addition, the career mode also allowed players to begin owning their own team in addition to just being a driver. Again, the driving model and physics were criticized along with the online mode, but it was beginning to regain some of the depth that many felt was lost following the “Golden Age” of NASCAR gaming.

2019: NASCAR HEAT 4

Likely the best of the four NASCAR games that 704 Games and Monster Games worked on together, NASCAR Heat 4 once again built a little bit more on the foundation NASCAR Heat 3 laid, particularly in the single player modes.

The career mode allowed players to start in any series they wanted among Cup, Xfinity, Trucks or the fictional Xtreme Dirt Tour. In single season mode, players now had the option to create a custom schedule. This included being able to run with or without the playoffs and included tracks that were

THE MODERN ERA

Truck and Xfinity Series exclusive.

The game is far from perfect, though. Like the general NASCAR Heat franchise, the online mode left something to be desired. A lot of the community that was on the older NASCAR console games had now moved on to iRacing since it was a more functional online mode.

The game also was criticized once again for physics and the driving model. The same complaints that plagued the previous games. However, it was the best 704 Games and Monster Games had put out there.

Soon thereafter, however, Motorsport Games entered the fray, and it invested in 704 Games. You know where I am going with this.

2020: NASCAR HEAT 5

As Motorsport Games got set to develop the first NASCAR game that would eventually end up on the ninth console generation, 704 Games hit copy and paste on NASCAR Heat 5. It is literally a reskinned NASCAR Heat

4 with updated rosters. However, this game is still on the minds of many to this day, and that is because of its terrible successor.

2021: NASCAR 21: IGNITION

Where to start with this game?

Many people were excited to see NASCAR gaming go to a big budget developer like Motorsport Games. The game would be developed on the powerful Unreal Engine, and people were excited to see what Motorsport Games had.

The game released, and it was awful. It was simply unfinished with a ridiculous amount of game breaking glitches at most tracks. There were even some strange settings problems on the track as well including not being able to turn off steering assist.

The way the AI went about pit strategy was completely broken. Caution flags were completely broken. Whenever a patch was made, it seemed there was another issue.

Unfortunately, this was the last main line console NASCAR game to be released as of this writing. NASCAR gaming has probably never hit a lower low than this game, and there is no timetable for when another NASCAR game will be released. Even though there was some content that was put out following this game.

2021: NASCAR HEAT

ULTIMATE EDITION +

Motorsport Games planned on releasing a separate NASCAR game on the Nintendo Switch in 2022, so they released NASCAR Heat Ultimate Edition+ exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. It’s basically NASCAR Heat 5 on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s nothing to write home about. With it being on less powerful hardware, it deals with many of the cut corners as the Nintendo Wii versions of the Eutechnyx NASCAR games did.

2022: NASCAR RIVALS

There was not a replacement to NASCAR 21: Ignition in 2022, but

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there was NASCAR Rivals on the Nintendo Switch. Like NASCAR Heat Ultimate Edition is NASCAR Heat 5 on the Nintendo Switch, NASCAR Rivals is NASCAR 21: Ignition on the Nintendo Switch. It gives NASCAR games to Nintendo Switch users, but the lack of a true NASCAR 21: Ignition replacement was still glaring on Motorsport Games.

2023: NASCAR

ARCADE RUSH

NASCAR Arcade Rush is the next licensed NASCAR video game that will be published by GameMill Entertainment. The game will include a few licensed tracks, but, for now, no licensed drivers. It will be interesting to see what this game becomes as it will obviously be an arcade racer. Will it be more like NASCAR Unleashed/NASCAR Rumble, or will there be more elements of NASCAR Kart Racing? Either way, it is a new NASCAR video game, regardless of it being an arcade game.

Experience the Thrills of Downtown Homestead

WHERE SMALL-TOWN CHARM MEETS BIG-CITY EXCITEMENT

When it comes to hidden gems that combine small-town charm with big-city amenities, Downtown Homestead in Homestead, Florida, stands out as a must-visit destination. Beyond the exhilarating race track, the heart of the city beckons with a plethora of activities that promise an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

DIVERSE ENTERTAINMENT AT SHOWBIZ CINEMAS

Excitement isn’t just confined to the tracks in Downtown Homestead; it extends to the state-of-the-art Showbiz Cinemas. Whether you’re a movie buff eager to catch the latest blockbuster, a gaming enthusiast looking to conquer arcade challenges, or a socialite seeking a vibrant bar scene, Showbiz Cinemas offers it all under one roof. With a fusion of cinematic entertainment, thrilling arcade games, bowling lanes, and a trendy bar serving delectable bites and drinks, Showbiz Cinemas is the perfect evening escape for families, friends, and solo adventurers.

LOSNER PARK: NATURE’S OASIS AND AUGMENTED REALITY ADVENTURES

For those seeking a blend of natural beauty and modern technology, Losner Park is a true urban oasis. Nestled in the heart of Downtown Homestead, this park boasts a playground that will delight the young ones and a sprawling landscape adorned with over 150 native species of flora and fauna. But that’s not all – Losner Park takes your experience to the next level with the Homestead Everglades Safari app. Embark on an augmented reality game reminiscent of the beloved Pokémon Go, where you can virtually “collect” fascinating Everglades animals while gaining knowledge about this unique ecosystem.

CYBRARIUM: WHERE KNOWLEDGE & TECHNOLOGY CONVERGE

Prepare to be amazed at the Cybrarium, the world’s first cyber library that brings fun back to literacy and learning. This innovative space is a haven for tech enthusiasts and knowledge seekers alike. Immerse yourself in the realm of virtual reality at dedicated stations or explore a treasure trove of books and digital content. The Cybrarium is a testament to Homestead’s commitment to blending

tradition with innovation, making it an essential stop for anyone curious about the cutting edge of technology and wholesome fun.

CULINARY DELIGHTS: A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY

After an eventful day exploring Downtown Homestead’s attractions, you’re sure to work up an appetite. The local dining scene doesn’t disappoint, offering a diverse array of culinary experiences that reflect the city’s vibrant cultural tapestry. Visit Chef’s on the Run for award winning mouthwatering burgers and Casita Tejas for authentic Mexican tacos. In the mood for classic Italian dishes? Head over the Mamma Mia for their delicious pizza and pasta. Savor the bold Jamaican flavors at Yardie Spice. Save room for dessert and visit La Michocana ice cream shop where you can sample classic flavors as well as unique finds like mango and chamoy or tequila pops!

Downtown Homestead is more than just a destination; it’s a captivating experience that marries the best of both worlds. From the electric ambiance of Showbiz Cinemas to the natural wonders and tech-powered adventures of Losner Park and the Cybrarium, this city radiates with excitement and innovation. The fusion of local culture and global influences shines through in the delectable offerings of its restaurants, making every meal a journey around the world.

It will be your guide to everything vibrant and captivating in the heart of Homestead and your one-stop destination to stay in the loop about all the fun-filled events, exciting activities, and thriving community life that makes Homestead truly special.

When you choose to explore Downtown Homestead, you’re embracing a travel experience that leaves a lasting imprint. So, pack your curiosity and embark on a journey to a place where small-town warmth meets big-city exhilaration. Whether you’re a solo traveler seeking inspiration, a family looking to create lasting memories, or a couple in search of a unique getaway, Downtown Homestead welcomes you with open arms and a promise of unending adventure. Come and uncover the vibrant tapestry that is Downtown Homestead – your next unforgettable destination.

ADAM PETTY’S DREAM CONTINUES TO IMPACT CHILDREN

BY DUSTIN ALBINO

It’s been 23 years since fourth-generation NASCAR racer Adam Petty lost his life in an accident at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, but his legacy continues to have a tremendous impact on children.

A visit to Camp Boggy Creek, a SeriousFun Children’s Network camp in Florida, by Adam Petty and his father, Kyle, inspired the young driver to make an impact on his community. He began developing plans for what would become Victory Junction.

When Adam Petty lost his life in 2000 at just 19 years old, the Pettys decided to go forward with his dream. Victory Junction was launched in 2002 in Randleman, North Carolina, and the camp opened two years later.

“When Victory Junction came along after (the Petty) family tragedy, the community rallied around founding a camp,” said Frances Beasley, chief development officer of Victory Junction. “They rallied around the idea of the camp, the kids the camp would serve. Over the last 20 years, the NASCAR community has supported us in many ways.”

Victory Junction has delivered more than 115,000 experiences to kids since the camp opened in 2004. The year-round facility for children with complex medical conditions provides transformative experiences in a medically safe environment at no cost to the families. For its traditional Sunday to Thursday summer camp, which can accommodate up to 128 campers, children ages 6 to 16 are eligible. For the camp’s family weekend, which accommodates up to 32 families, a camper can be as young as 3 years old.

Campers have come from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and four other countries.

Once at Victory Junction, children can participate in a multitude of activities, such as enjoying arts and crafts, soaring on a zipline, visiting the water park or playing indoor softball and kickball in the camp’s Superdome.

On Tuesday night during summer camp, Victory Junction hosts NASCARnival, where Kyle Petty and Adam Petty’s grandfather, Richard Petty, make plenty of appearances. “When Kyle and Richard come to camp, the kids are so excited! What’s so beautiful about that experience is Kyle and Richard always put the kids first. They talk with the kids (and volunteers) and ask about their week at Camp, they answer questions and always want to know how they’re doing. And, of course, they sign autographs and take tons of pictures.”

Another highlight of NASCARnival is that campers get up close and personal with drivers and pit crew members who demonstrate live pit stops. Joey Logano and his team members are frequent visitors to Camp – along with other Cup, Xfinity, ARCA and Truck series drivers and teams.

During NASCARnival, team members spend time in a dunking booth and volunteer to have pies thrown at them. Campers can also play carnival games, take a tethered hot air balloon ride, enjoy Krispy Kreme doughnuts and experience the thrill of performing a pit stop.

“(The team members) always have a great time,” Beasley noted. “They are big kids when they come to camp.”

The main objective is for the campers to have fun. Victory Junction strives to provide its special campers the opportunity to enjoy events in which they normally wouldn’t be able to participate.

Victory Junction’s goal this year is to raise $5.3 million to ensure the experiences are delivered at no cost. Visit victoryjunction.org for information on how to help.

JUNCTION kids

- Kyle Petty | Victory Junction Founder

Inside the gates of Victory Junction, many kids say that camp life is the best life. That’s because we provide a medically-safe environment where children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions can laugh, play, and discover all they can be, all at no cost to their families. Through our adaptive, intentional programming, campers can ride a horse, shoot a bullseye at archery, soar down a zipline, and so much more!

Victory Junction gives children with complex medical conditions the chance to experience adventure, find belonging, and build resilience, all while having a lot of fun and making life-long memories.

You can make a difference to help our campers live their best life. Make your gift at victoryjunction.org/donate.

We are never going to run out of who can benefit from VICTORY

RUBBIN’ IS RACING PODCAST RETURNS

BY JOSHUA LIPOWSKI

Daniel DiOrio, better known as “Spider,” is the co-host of the Rub bin’ is Racing podcast by Barstool Sports. DiOrio is relatively new to the sport, but his passion for NASCAR and his unique way of sharing it has caught the attention of a rapidly growing audience.

DiOrio seemed destined to work in sports media as he was born on the city line of Burlington and Bristol, Connecticut, where ESPN is headquar tered. NASCAR fandom eluded him, but his next door neighbor was a major fan and that meant NASCAR was always somewhat on his radar.

“I was kind of like a northeastern, ignorant sports fan. I liked basket ball. I liked baseball. I liked football,” DiOrio said about his upbringing.

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When college came about, DiOrio wanted to get some work experience in the sports media world. He transferred from St. Bonaventure University to Fordham University and started doing freelance work for ESPN as a runner.

An office manager position at Barstool Sports eventually opened, and DiOrio’s Fordham University roommate put in a good word for him.

That is how DiOrio got his start, and he was eventually able to attend a variety of incredible sporting events. One sport really stuck with him, however. After attending the Daytona 500, he was hooked on the sport a neighbor had told him about.

“My buddy that I grew up next door to in Burlington was spot-on,” DiOrio said, “He said, ‘You just need to go to a NASCAR race and see it for yourself, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.’”

Barstool Sports introduced the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast during the 2020 season as part of a new agreement with NASCAR. Driver Clint Bowyer and Barstool founder Dave Portnoy teamed up to record episodes with guests such as Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gluck and Chase Elliott, among others.

Then, COVID-19 hit and a combination of circumstances stopped the podcast after only six episodes. However, DiOrio did not want this to be the end of the podcast, of which he was the producer and what he called “third mic.”

He set out to find a way to keep NASCAR on the platform.

“I didn’t want to let our NASCAR partnership die.” DiOrio said.

He became acquainted with Michael McCarthy, also known as “Large,” and the two worked to keep NASCAR content on the platform. For a while, it was simply interviews with drivers here and there, and DiOrio credits NASCAR and those he knows within the industry for helping arrange those.

In late 2022, NASCAR officials approached DiOrio and McCarthy about reviving the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast.

Now, DiOrio hosts the weekly podcast with McCarthy. DiOrio loves helping the sport reach new fans, and he feels the multiple angles of NASCAR are what make the sport so unique.

“NASCAR is so cool and unique because it’s really a combination of so many different things,” DiOrio said, “It’s a combination of engineering, math, science, talent, skill and athleticism with these pit crew guys. There are so many angles to look at it from.”

DiOrio also likes to find unique ways to cover the drivers and the sport itself. He tries to differentiate his show from the normal questions and normal content typically seen in the NASCAR media.

“If you want a super intricate breakdown of the racing action, there are so many great places to get that. …” DiOrio said. “I feel as though there is an opportunity for a more casual approach, and that is what we are trying to build on.”

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I feel as though there is an opportunity for a more casual approach, and that is what we are trying to build on.

YOUTUBER CONSTRUCTS REPLICA TRACKS

BY CHRISTOPHER HANSEN

NASCAR fans know virtually every fact and detail about the sport’s top drivers, and in today’s digital universe it’s not only the television and radio media that share these racers’ incredible stories.

The last few years have seen the growth and maturity of NASCAR content creators, ordinary race fans filming and editing short-form or long-form projects that all share a common admiration for the sport.

One of those forms of content creation includes the art of stop motion. Stop motion in the realm of NASCAR content creation isn’t a new platform. In fact many creators, including Eric Estepp, host of The Out of The Groove show, launched YouTube channels with videos centered around stop motion races.

Gavin Beers, a NASCAR fan of 13 years and counting, recalls watching races with his family, especially his grandparents. In addition, he began collecting an assortment of NASCAR die-cast cars, which he says is something he loved as a kid.

“The 2013 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega when Kurt Busch flipped on the backstretch was my earliest memory with NASCAR,” said Beers.

On his grandparents’ TV, Beers watched in amazement as the No. 78 of Kurt Busch launched skyward before coming to rest atop the hood of Ryan Newman’s oncoming No. 39 car. Whether it was that accident or seeing the cars thunder around the 2.66-mile superspeedway, Beers became a NASCAR fan.

A few years removed from observing the melee at Talladega, Beers developed a new area of interest. As a youngster, he recalls watching old videos on his dad’s iPhone and being mesmerized by little cars that he thought had little engines making them go. Little did he know those videos would have a major impact on future projects of his own creation.

Starting in July 2018, Beers debuted his personal YouTube channel, taking on a new challenge of making NASCAR content and utilizing stop motion to enhance his YouTube videos.

This form of video production requires absolute precision to get even the most minute details correct.

“I filmed the races and then edited them all by myself,” said Beers. Occasionally, some of Beers’ friends assisted in his array of projects by providing color commentary and even pit road reporting. These elements added a level of authenticity to a stop motion race video, making viewers feel as though they’re watching a live NASCAR race broadcast.

From filming and editing together races utilizing the stop motion

format, Beers’ YouTube channel began gaining traction. With viewers eager to see more videos, Beers began planning future projects, with the hope of attracting a wider audience of NASCAR fans.

From his early days with stop motion, Beers gained knowledge from different YouTube channels featuring stop motion videos. Aflac Cup Series’ channel was his biggest inspiration noting, “That was the first YouTuber I watched, and he definitely got me hooked on stop motion and making these videos.”

From there, Beers proposed creating a replica of a current NASCAR track and hosting races with it for his personal channel. When it came to figuring out which track to construct, Beers’ heart was set on Pocono Raceway.

“In 2021, 10 years from when I went to my first race at Pocono is where I initially got the idea to make that my next big project,” he said. “Pocono is a very underrated track within the stop motion community, it’s not a short track or a superspeedway, it’s right in between the two and I thought it would be cool to combine everything.”

With any project, specifically a stop motion track based on a real-life NASCAR track, one needs plenty of materials to ensure overall accuracy. Over the course of several weeks, Beers steadily collected materials to begin the task of making his vision become reality.

“I love putting huge amounts of detail into things,” he noted. “I thought it would be cool to be able to do that with a race track.”

Some of the items used to construct the replica of Pocono Raceway included four pieces of wood, which Beers nailed to the floor of his attic, several pieces of Styrofoam and the correct paint color for the track banking. Additionally, using a satellite photo for the basic shape and track outline along with previous race photos he captured for the finer track details, Beers began constructing a smaller version of the Pocono track.

Along the way, some troubles arose. Beers said, “Finding the right paint color for the asphalt was one of the toughest parts.” It took approximately three to four weeks for him to secure the correct paint color for the track surface.

Throughout the entire construction process, Beers only lost motivation to complete the track one time saying, “I had a vision in my head of how certain things would turn out, and I couldn’t find the right things to work with.”

His work and determination paid off after eight to nine months of planning and construction.

“The most rewarding part of this entire project was the feedback from all my friends, family and other people who have watched my videos I made about the track,” said Beers.

Getting a scope of some additional projects he’s completed; Beers says his model of Darlington Raceway is the second most amount of detail that he’s put into constructing a NASCAR track after Pocono.

With his latest project comfortably in the rearview mirror, he has no signs of slowing anytime soon. Someday, Beers hopes to construct a road course or a short track to join his Pocono replica, saying, “Those track configurations aren’t seen as often with stop motion projects.”

Furthermore, he plans to debut a stop motion series on his YouTube channel in November.

A NATURAL PAIRING

In an age when sponsorships are often fleeting in the NASCAR Cup Series, William Byron and Liberty University are seemingly a match made in heaven. And that doesn’t appear likely to change anytime soon.

Since Byron joined NASCAR’s premier division with Hendrick Motorsports as a rookie in 2018, Liberty – one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the nation – has been a primary sponsor on Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet for 12 races each season, exactly one third of the Cup Series schedule.

Liberty University and Hendrick Motorsports announced in October 2021 that the two parties had entered a new five-year agreement for Liberty to remain a primary sponsor on Byron’s car for a dozen races annually through 2026 – extending a partnership that began in 2014 when the Charlotte, North Carolina native raced Late Model Stock Cars.

For Byron, the connection to Liberty is intensely personal as he’s been taking classes since enrolling in Liberty University Online Academy during his high school days. Later, as a college freshman in the fall of 2016, Byron lived on campus and attended in-person classes. He’s currently enrolled in Liberty University Online Programs, which offer him the flexibility to compete as a full-time driver at NASCAR’s highest level and pursue a degree in strategic communication.

“I still take classes throughout the year but usually during the (Cup Series) playoffs I take a break to be able to put all of my focus into the playoffs,” Byron said. “But after the season ends, I pick classes right back up. Right now, I’m more focused on racing, but there will be a time in my career that I will want to change my focus.

“Looking at people like Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson and how they had to find a life after racing, I feel like for me, having that outlook into my future gives me something to look forward to and gives me a great sense of confidence and accomplishment.”

Although Byron – who captured a NASCAR Cup Series-high five race wins during this year’s regular season – is largely consumed by racing, he returns to the Liberty campus whenever opportunity allows.

“I try to go back to Lynchburg at least once or twice during the year for convocation, football games, etc.,” Byron said. “I think what has impressed me the most is how much it has grown over the last decade. The variety of academic classes has grown, as has

the number of things you can do. It just impresses me how much they’ve grown, especially in connection to NASCAR and all the initiatives we’ve been able to showcase over the years.”

Since joining forces with Byron and Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty has benefited from the exposure that comes from aligning with an elite NASCAR team, and both have been a perfect fit for Liberty. They share the same values and are committed to the same mission that makes champions on the racetrack and champions in life.

Byron, for his part, just wants to be the best possible ambassador for Liberty, and that includes reaching not only prospective students but also the university’s 118,000 current students and more than 285,000 alumni.

“You’re representing a variety of people,” Byron said. “It’s not just that you’re representing one person, but a larger group – all of the people who attend Liberty University not only on campus but online too. Every person has a different perspective, and I represent that as well.”

Liberty and Byron have been a natural pairing since the earliest days of their relationship, due in large part to their shared beliefs.

“Aside from being a Christian, our moral values of doing the right thing align,” Byron said. “I live by devotionals, and I try to live my life by treating others fairly. I feel like that’s the way that Liberty students live as well. They try to treat other students in a fair way and treat each other well.”

Liberty’s steady support of Byron since 2014 has certainly treated him well, as it’s given him the resources necessary to climb the NASCAR ladder and become one of the Cup Series’ top drivers. Byron is currently enjoying by far the best season of his career in NASCAR’s premier division and is becoming a yearly contender for the sport’s biggest prize.

“It would mean the world to not only win the championship but to win it with Liberty and what they have meant for my career,” Byron said. “It would really come full circle from where I started with them.”

Liberty University is proud to sponsor William Byron and the LU24 Chevy Camaro, and we’re not only his sponsor — we’re also his school.

Liberty University Online Programs has given William the freedom and exibility to earn a degree while pursuing his NASCAR career. Liberty University o ers more than 700 programs of study on campus and online, from the certi cate to the doctoral level. Liberty also o ers exible, a ordable, and accredited online K-12 education at Liberty University Online Academy.

Whatever your educational need, Liberty has it all. Your future starts today.

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FUELING VICTORY

INSIDE THE DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP OF 23XI RACING & MONEYLION

One of several primary sponsors currently alignedwith23XIRacing,MoneyLioncouldn’t be more pleased to partner with the organization co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.

Not only is 23XI Racing giving the MoneyLion brand positive exposure through its on-track success, which includes the two-car team placing drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, but 23XI echoes the core values of MoneyLion – a leader in financial technology powering the next generation of personalized products and content, with a top consumer finance mobile app that isn’t just an app but a holistic financial ecosystem designed to empower, educate and elevate users toward their financial aspirations.

Specifically, MoneyLion offers a three-pronged approach to money management focused on providing premium financial products, tips for guided financial decision making, and a community for collective growth where like-minded people – all striving toward enriched financial well-being – come together. This collective approach fosters a shared learning experience, motivation and support.

“Our aim is to position MoneyLion as the go-to money app for NASCAR fans,” MoneyLion chief marketing officer Cynthia Kleinbaum Milner said. “We’re keen on cultivating a vibrant community of 23XI enthusiasts who aren’t just passionate about racing but also aspire to elevate their financial trajectories. This community is about mutual encouragement, where fans rally behind one another toward achieving financial freedom”

MoneyLion, which first joined forces with 23XI Racing last season, is a primary sponsor on both the No. 23 Toyota of Wallace and the No. 45 Toyota of first-year teammate Reddick.

“We sought a brand that personified inclusivity, had a zeal for conquering challenges and truly celebrated individual spirit and determination. 23XI Racing, with the formidable sports business prowess of co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, encapsulates these principles,” Kleinbaum Milner said. “The unparalleled skill and passion of drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, coupled with the unwavering commitment from both the crew on the track and the partnership staff, confirmed our belief. This is a team that not only shares our ethos but also consistently strives and delivers exceptional results for their partners.”

What does it mean to 23XI Racing to have MoneyLion represented on not one but both team cars?

Wallace and Reddick – two of NASCAR’s most talented, promising young drivers – and former driver Kurt Busch have all been to Victory Lane since MoneyLion joined 23XI Racing’s sponsorship lineup at the beginning of 2022. Most recently highlighted by

Reddick’s 2023 playoff victory at Kansas in the MoneyLion primary paint scheme.

“Since the inception of our partnership with 23XI Racing, we’ve been genuinely elated with the trajectory of success we’ve observed,” Kleinbaum Milner said. “Joining hands with such a dynamic racing team and being an integral part of multiple victories has undoubtedly been exhilarating. Beyond the thrill of the race track, what truly stands out is the marked surge in brand awareness and the exponential growth we’ve witnessed on our social media channels as a direct result of this alliance. …

“As we gear up for 2024, our ambition is clear: to craft the most fruitful season yet for both MoneyLion and 23XI Racing. The journey thus far has been incredibly rewarding, and the road ahead looks even more promising.”

The benefits of the MoneyLion/23XI Racing partnership are certainly mutual, as the sponsor’s support of the racing team and its drivers goes far beyond traditional sponsorship dollars.

For example, back in August, MoneyLion made a substantial monetary contribution to the Boys & Girls Club of America in Statesville, North Carolina, to help cover the cost of backpacks and supplies for children returning to school. The donation was part of a school supply dropoff initiative spearheaded by Wallace’s Live to Be Different Foundation and 23XI Racing.

Earlier in the year, MoneyLion launched a new “HotPass” platform that offers NASCAR fans and MoneyLion users exclusive access to cash prizes, 23XI driver autographs, 23XI driver meet & greets, custom-designed merchandise, race tickets, race-used items, pre-race pit passes and more.

“That’s what I appreciate about MoneyLion – they’re always open to doing different things and trying different things and finding the ones we should enhance and continue,” 23XI Racing president Steve Lauletta said.

ON A WING AND A PRAYER Hendrick Motorsports Rose from Humble Beginnings

BY BEN WHITE

Just after Thanksgiving of 1983, Geoff Bodine sat in a chair at City Chevrolet in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of four car dealerships owned by Rick Hendrick. Bodine wasn’t there to buy a car but was hoping to drive one.

Hendrick was forming a NASCAR Cup Series team with help from veteran crew chief Harry Hyde. Bodine, a modified veteran from Chemung, New York, who earned the 1982 Cup Series rookieof-the-year title, hoped Hendrick would hire him as his driver.

At the time, Hendrick had only two Cup Series race cars housed in a former boat shed that’s still part of the mammoth Hendrick Motorsports complex near Charlotte Motor Speedway. There were no sponsors on the red-and-white Chevrolet Monte Carlos but that didn’t bother Bodine. He saw nothing but potential, while Hendrick saw nothing but fear that his dream would fall apart before it ever got off the ground.

Ironically, Richard Petty expressed interest in becoming Hendrick’s driver. Country music star Kenny Rogers and his business manager, K.C. Spurlock, also wanted to join the team that would be known as All-Star Racing.

While Hendrick was in Germany on a business trip, Petty signed a deal to race a Pontiac for team owner Mike Curb. Rogers and Spurlock also got cold feet and backed away.

Bodine had been at City Chevrolet since 10 a.m. and by late afternoon, Hendrick had tracked down Tim Richmond and informed

him the ride was going to Bodine. Richmond joined Hendrick in 1986.

Then a miracle happened. Bodine finished eighth in their unsponsored Chevrolet at Daytona. They were 13th at Atlanta, 25th at Bristol, 14th at North Wilkesboro and 35th at Darlington.

Then another miracle took place. A surprise victory came at Martinsville Speedway on April 29, 1984, with sponsorship from a life insurance company on the rear quarter panels. Hendrick learned of the win shortly after attending a church service in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Bodine won twice more that season.

Over nearly four decades, Hendrick Motorsports (renamed in 1985) has won 298 Cup Series races and 14 Cup Series championships. Also, the team has amassed 23 Xfinity Series wins, three Craftsman Truck Series titles and 26 Truck Series victories.

“I knew what Rick and Harry had as far as the team goes,” Bodine said in the “Hendrick Motorsports 20th Anniversary” book. “I knew in my heart that team could win races because I knew how determined they were to make it work. I knew I could win races. I just hadn’t had the chance to show it. We didn’t have a sponsor going into Daytona but I knew getting one was just a matter of time. The team was going to win races. We just had to show everyone how good we were.”

• Geoff Bodine won three races in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports’ inaugural NASCAR Cup Series season.

WINCRAFT: 30 YEARS OF NASCAR PRODUCTS

Established in 1961, WinCraft is a leading manufacturer of licensed and promotional products for retailers, professional sports teams, concessionaires, colleges, businesses, distributors, and schools.

Throughout 2023, WinCraft is celebrating its 30th year of working with NASCAR, while the sanctioning body marks its Diamond Anniversary.

“We started our NASCAR business 30 years ago with a handshake,” said John Killen, president and CEO of WinCraft. “We saw an opportunity to bring American-made products to NASCAR fans nationwide. I traveled to Charlotte to introduce WinCraft’s capabilities to all the NASCAR teams. The business was decentralized in the early ’90s, and spending time in Charlotte and at the tracks helped grow the opportunity.”

Other sports licensors with which WinCraft has partnered includes the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA and the Olympics. The company also has ties to more than 700 colleges.

Headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, WinCraft employs more than 600 people at its 10 facilities spread among Minnesota, Iowa and Florida.

The company’s NASCAR partnership blossomed during the early 1990s as stock car racing entered the American mainstream.

“Jeff Gordon entered the sport and things began to change

rapidly,” Killen recalled. “Much like the fans’ reaction to Brett Favre or Michael Jordan, Jeff brought a new level of attention to NASCAR. Driver merchandise was highly collectible and all these marquee drivers had a strong fan following.”

Other drivers like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott and Bobby and Terry Labonte also helped develop the NASCAR partnership.

“NASCAR has been a wonderful part of WinCraft’s business for three decades,” Killen noted.

Among its NASCAR merchandise, WinCraft’s most-popular items are flags, automotive accessories and license plates, from a product roster that also features decals, magnets, coolers, drinkware, lanyards, pennants, signs, clocks, wastebaskets and towels.

Killen points out that not only do the drivers generate solid sales numbers, but so do select race tracks and marquee events. This year, NASCAR’s line of 75th Anniversary products has been a big hit.

Moving forward, WinCraft hopes its partnership with NASCAR continues to grow.

“We want our NASCAR relationship to continue to represent quality and fan-favorite items that everyone can afford,” Killen said. “We believe it’s our responsibility to help fans celebrate their favorite driver, sport or team.”

FLAGS � LICENSE PLATES � DRINKWARE � DECALS � COLLECTOR PINS & MORE

AVAILABLE 24/7/365 ON STORE.NASCAR.COM

CONGRATULATES

ON 75 YEARS OF RACING ENTERTAINMENT

WinCraft celebrates 30 years as a NASCAR licensee, employing over 600 people, embracing domestic manufacturing and servicing fans nationwide.

THE NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

BY JARED TURNER

From the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series season of 1949 through 2003, the champion of the sanctioning body’s premier racing division was simply the driver who accumulated the most points over the entire season.

Then came 2004, the year everything changed. That’s when then-NASCAR chairman Brian France introduced what was initially known as the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup – a 10-race, season-ending playoff featuring the 10 drivers who amassed the highest point totals over the 26-race “regular season.”

Since 2004, NASCAR’s top series has continued to determine

its champion based on the outcome of a 26-race regular season, followed by a 10-race playoff, but the way drivers qualify for the playoffs and remain in championship contention during the playoffs has changed dramatically.

Also different these days is the number of drivers who are playoff eligible at the end of the regular season and the way points are awarded throughout the season, including in the final race.

But before taking a closer look at how the NASCAR Cup Series championship format has evolved in the past 20 years, let’s first consider why NASCAR decided to add a playoff in the first place .

THE IMPETUS FOR THE NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS

When Brian France rolled out the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup concept ahead of the 2004 season, the time seemed right for major change in the sport.

Not only did NASCAR’s premier division have a new title sponsor in Nextel that replaced R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which had been the sport’s primary backer since 1971, but NASCAR was looking for a spark on the heels of an anticlimactic 2003 season in which Matt Kenseth captured the Cup Series championship despite collecting only one win — which came early in the year.

It had also been several years since a Cup Series season had culminated in a super-close championship battle, which prompted France – the grandson of NASCAR founder William H.G. “Big Bill” France – to institute sweeping change in how the Cup Series crowned its champion.

Bear in mind, of course, that many of the

sport’s most legendary drivers – including Richard Petty, the late Dale Earnhardt, the late David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison – won all of their titles under a championship format that involved no playoff.

But France believed it was time to shake things up; Nextel was on board with his ideas, and with that came the beginning of a new era for the sport that has lasting implications even now, nearly two decades later.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS

The format of the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup – which later became known as the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and eventually, quite simply, the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs –couldn’t have been more straightforward.

The driver with the most points at the end of the regular season began the playoffs with 5,050 points, followed by

the second-place driver at 5,045 points, the third-place driver at 5,040 points, etc., all the way down to the 10th-place driver with 5,000 points.

Initially seeded seventh among the 10 playoff qualifiers and 35 points out of the championship lead, Kurt Busch won the opening race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and used that momentum as a springboard to a championship that he wasn’t favored to capture when the playoffs commenced.

And Busch didn’t just win the 2004 championship, he won it by a mere eight points – then the closest margin in the history of NASCAR’s premier division – as the battle for the title went down to the wire among Busch and Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon in the final race at HomesteadMiami Speedway.

The championship fight wasn’t nearly as climactic in either of the next two seasons, however, when Tony Stewart (35

points) and Johnson (56 points) prevailed by much more comfortable margins than Busch, whose championship points lead basically amounted to just two positions on the race track.

Looking to infuse more excitement into the playoffs, NASCAR tweaked the playoff format for its top division ahead of the 2007 campaign by expanding the field of championship contenders from 10 to 12 drivers and resetting each playoff driver’s point total to 5,000 points – plus 10 bonus points for every victory they earned during the regular season. As a result of this change, race wins took on additional importance and loomed larger in the ultimate championship outcome.

But after four more years of Johnson championships from 2007 through 2010 – a stretch in which Johnson became the first driver in NASCAR history to win four, and then five, consecutive Cup Series titles – the sanctioning body modified the playoff format for the second time in its

seven-year existence.

Beginning in 2011, the championship field consisted of the 10 drivers with the most points at the end of the regular season, plus two “wild card” drivers. These last two drivers were those outside of the top 10 with the most wins, as long as they finished the regular season no worse than 20th in the standings.

If no driver in points positions 11-20 went to Victory Lane during the regular season, the 11th- and 12th-place drivers in points would make up the remainder of the playoff field. Along with this change in playoff format, NASCAR greatly simplified the way points are awarded in each race.

Abandoning the convoluted points structure that had been in place since 1975, NASCAR announced the winner of each race would collect 43 points for finishing first. In addition, the top finisher would earn three bonus points for winning. Meanwhile, the race runner-up would earn 42 points for finishing second, third-place would get 41 points, etc., all the way down to one point for the driver who finished last.

In addition, competitors could earn one point for leading a lap and another point for leading the most laps, with 48 points being the maximum number of points available to a driver (if they won and led the most laps).

Also new in 2011, NASCAR revealed that drivers would carry three bonus points into the playoffs for each regular season victory (instead of the previous 10 points) and be seeded accordingly, but the 11th- and 12thplace drivers – the “wild cards” – would receive no bonus points for wins.

While the revised format produced mixed results over its three-year existence, it did yield what remains the closest championship battle in NASCAR history when Tony Stewart beat Carl Edwards for the 2011 Cup Series title on the basis of a tiebreaker. The two drivers both finished the season with 2,403 points, but Stewart was crowned champion by virtue of having five wins to Edwards’ one. Essentially, it all came down to the final race at HomesteadMiami Speedway where Stewart edged Edwards, the runner-up, for the win.

That one position on the race track was ultimately the difference between who came out on top. However, despite the newfor-2011 format delivering a championship tussle for the ages, it was short-lived.

The current NASCAR Cup Series Championship Trophy design was introduced in 2017 and is now known as The Bill France Cup to honor the legacy of the sport’s founding family.

NASCAR411

In 2014, NASCAR made its most sweeping changes yet to the playoff structure and the way it crowns the Cup Series champion. This happened with the expansion of the playoff field from 12 to 16 drivers, all seeded based on number of regular season wins, which continued to be good for three bonus points entering the playoffs.

An arguably even bigger twist that originated in 2014 was the inclusion of three elimination rounds. These three rounds – originally known as the Challenger Round, Contender Round and Eliminator Round, respectively – were and continue to be followed by a one-race, “winner-take-all” championship event where four drivers known as the Championship 4 compete straight up for the title. The highest finisher among the quartet of finalists is declared the champ, regardless of where they finish in the race.

However, in each of the nine seasons since NASCAR adopted a playoff elimination format and Championship 4 race for its top series, the champion has always won the final event, with the other championship finalists typically not far behind in the finishing order – making for several drama-filled finales.

Since 2014, a win in any playoff round has automatically advanced a driver to the next round, and four drivers have been eliminated in each round leading up to the championship race, which HomesteadMiami Speedway hosted from the inception of the playoffs in 2004 through 2019.

Beginning in 2020 – and continuing through at least 2024 – Phoenix Raceway has served as the site of the championship round.

NASCAR most recently made major adjustments to the Cup Series playoff format in 2017, thanks in large part to the debut of stage racing whereby most races are broken into three distinct stages separated by competition caution periods.

The winner of each of the first two stages collects one “playoff point” and each race winner pockets five playoff points, making a total of seven playoff points up for grabs in the vast majority of the races. The driver with the most playoff points at the end of the regular season enters the playoffs atop the standings, followed by the driver with the second highest playoff

point total, etc. Aside from playoff points, all 16 drivers start the playoffs with a baseline of 2,000 points.

Drivers can continue to pile up playoff points through the first three rounds, adding to their regular season playoff point totals. Playoff points spill over to each new round – except the championship round – if a driver remains in the championship hunt.

The driver who leads the standings after 26 races is designated the “regular season champion” and starts the playoffs with an extra 15 playoff points by virtue of this accomplishment. The rest of the top-10 drivers in points at regular season’s end are awarded playoff points on a 10-98-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.

The regular season champion is the driver who’s accrued the most “race points” – not playoff points – over the first 26 events. In races that have three stages, a driver can leave with a maximum of 60 race points – 40 for the race win and 10 for winning each of the first two stages. Race points are handed down to the top 10 finishers in each of the first two stages on a descending 10-1 scale. The second-place finisher at day’s end gets 35 race points, with third-place collecting 34, fourth-place being awarded 33, etc., all the way down to the 36th-place finisher. Drivers who come home in positions 36-40 all earn one race point for their finish (NASCAR reduced the size of the field for a Cup Series race from 43 drivers to 40 drivers in 2016.).

Since 2017, the first three playoff rounds leading up to the championship round have been known as the Round of 16, Round of 12 and Round of 8, respectively.

As has been the case since 2014, the playoff field is made up of full-time drivers who win at least one race in the regular season. If there are fewer than 16 different winners in the first 26 events, the rest of the playoff field – or grid, as it’s sometimes known – is filled out by the drivers who finished the regular season highest in points but failed to find their way to Victory Lane. Similarly, those who advance from one playoff round to the next are a combination of drivers who’ve won a race in the previous round and drivers who didn’t win in the last round but finished the round with the highest point totals.

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WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

A LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST TITLE FOR SOME OF NASCAR’S LEGENDARY DRIVERS.

Lee Petty Wins 1st Title

In only its sixth season as a sanctioning body, NASCAR saw many drivers struggle to find a place in the sport. Some had difficulty with various rule changes and stepped away at times during the season. That left the door open for Petty and Thomas to shine and they logged seven and 12 wins, respectively, during the eight-month season.

Petty fell shy of Thomas by five in the win column. Still, his 24 top-five finishes and 32 top-10 results paved the way to his first of three NASCAR Cup Series championships. Petty ended up with a 283-point advantage over Thomas when the season ended at North Carolina’s North Wilkesboro Speedway on Oct. 24.

Thomas, the 1951 and 1953 champion, logged 19 top-five results and 27 top-10 finishes in 34 starts, but he was running at the finish in only 24 races. Thomas’ biggest victory of the season came in the Southern 500 at South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway.

Petty’s most significant triumph of 1954 was in the 160-lap season-opening event on the beach and road course in Daytona Beach, Florida. It came after apparent winner Tim Flock was disqualified for an illegal carburetor.

On June 13, NASCAR sanctioned its first road course event on the airport tarmac in Linden, New Jersey, with Al Keller winning the race in a Jaguar.

Interestingly, Buck Baker, Dick Rathmann, Hershel McGriff, Keller, Jim Paschal, Curtis Turner, Gober Sosbee, John Soares and Danny Letner all enjoyed at least one victory each over the course of the season.

SEASON RECAP

DATE CIRCUIT

February

February

March

March 21

March

March

April 4

Wilkesboro Speedway Dick Rathmann

April 18 Orange Speedway Herb Thomas

April 25 Central City Speedway Gober Sosebee

May 2 Langhorne Speedway Herb Thomas

May 9 Wilson Speedway Buck Baker

May 16 Martinsville Speedway Jim Paschal

May 23 Sharon Speedway Lee Petty

May 29 Raleigh Speedway Herb Thomas

May 30 Charlotte Speedway Buck Baker

May 30 Carrell Speedway John Soares

June 6 Columbia Speedway Curtis Turner

June 13 Linden Airport Al Keller

June 17 Williams Grove Speedway Herb Thomas

June 19 Hickory Speedway Herb Thomas

June 25 Monroe County Fairgrounds Lee Petty

July 3 Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Herb Thomas

July 4 Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Herb Thomas

July 10 Santa Fe Speedway Dick Rathmann

July 11 Grand River Speedrome Lee Petty

July 30 Morristown Speedway Buck Baker

August 1 Oakland Stadium Danny Letner

August 13 Charlotte Speedway Lee Petty

August 22 Bay Meadows Speedway Hershel McGriff

August 29 Corbin Speedway Lee Petty

September 6 Darlington Raceway Herb Thomas

September 12 Central City Speedway Hershel McGriff

September 24 Charlotte Speedway Hershel McGriff

September 26 Langhorne Speedway Herb Thomas

October 10 Memphis-Arkansas Speedway Buck Baker

October 17 Martinsville Speedway Lee Petty

October 24 North Wilkesboro Speedway Hershel McGriff

PRESIDENT: DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER NO. 1 SONG: “LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT” BY KITTY KALLEN NO. 1 BOX OFFICE: ON THE WATERFRONT

BEST DRIVER

DRIVING HIS OWN PETTY ENGINEERING

Oldsmobile, Lee Petty relied on consistency at the front of the field to score seven victories and his first-career NASCAR championship. The Level Cross, North Carolina, native is known as the first NASCAR driver to rely on racing alone as his livelihood. He kept his cars clean and away from crashes on the track to keep repairs down. His smooth driving style kept him in contention throughout the 37-race season.

BEST RACE

AT GEORGIA’S LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY

on March 21, 1954, Herb Thomas edged Buck Baker and Dick Rathmann in a threewide photo finish. Thomas and Baker were eventually put a lap down for not falling to the rear of the field after pitting under caution. Rathmann was penalized for receiving fuel while on the race track. When many more drivers were found in violation of the rules, NASCAR officials dropped all penalties and declared Thomas the winner.

TOP CARS

LEE PETTY’S 1954 PETTY Engineering No. 42

Oldsmobile 88 won seven series races as Petty claimed his first NASCAR championship.

Herb Thomas’ 1954 Smokey Yunick-owned No. 92 Hudson Hornet topped 12 races with Thomas finishing second in the point standings.

Lee Petty and Herb Thomas, two of NASCAR’s early stars, proved they were the top championship contenders of the 1954 Cup Series season, winning a combined 19 of 37 races.

Richard Petty Claims First Title

In 1964, Richard Petty and his familyowned team, Petty Enterprises, proved best, collecting the coveted NASCAR Cup Series championship after logging nine wins, 37 top-five results, 43 top-10 finishes and eight pole positions in 61 starts.

BEST DRIVER

DRIVING NO. 11

Fords for a pair of owners, Ned Jarrett won 15 of 59 races during the 1964 NASCAR Cup Series season. He was consistently the best driver with 40 top-five finishes and 42 top-10 results as well as nine pole positions. Jarrett’s quest for a third series championship was derailed by failing to finish 23 races, primarily due to a rash of engine failures.

BEST RACE

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Nov. 10 Concord International Speedway Ned Jarrett

Nov. 17 Augusta International Raceway Fireball Roberts

Dec. 1 Jacksonville Speedway Wendell Scott

Dec. 29 Savannah Speedway Richard Petty

Jan. 19 Riverside International Raceway Dan Gurney

Feb. 21 Daytona International Speedway Junior Johnson

Feb. 21 Daytona International Speedway Bobby Isaac

Feb. 23 Daytona International Speedway Richard Petty

Mar. 10 Richmond Raceway David Pearson

Mar. 22 Bristol Motor Speedway Fred Lorenzen

Mar. 28 Greenville-Pickens Speedway David Pearson

Mar. 30 Bowman Gray Stadium Marvin Panch

Apr. 5 Atlanta Motor Speedway Fred Lorenzen

Apr. 11 Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Marvin Panch

Apr. 12 Orange Speedway David Pearson

Apr. 14 Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Ned Jarrett

Apr. 16 Columbia Speedway Ned Jarrett

Apr. 19 North Wilkesboro Speedway Fred Lorenzen

Apr. 26 Martinsville Speedway Fred Lorenzen

May 1 Savannah Speedway LeeRoy Yarbrough

May 9 Darlington Raceway Fred Lorenzen

May 15 Langley Field Speedway Ned Jarrett

May 16 Hickory Speedway Ned Jarrett

May 17 South Boston Speedway Richard Petty

May 24 Charlotte Motor Speedway Jim Paschal

May 30 Greenville-Pickens Speedway LeeRoy Yarbrough

May 31 New Asheville Speedway Ned Jarrett

Jun. 7 Atlanta Motor Speedway Ned Jarrett

Jun. 11 Concord International Speedway Richard Petty

Jun. 14 Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville Richard Petty

The 1964 season actually began in November 1963 with four races being run before the new year. The series also visited the serpentine circuit in Riverside, California, prior to the prestigious Daytona 500 in February. Petty, at the young age of 26, won at Savannah Speedway on Dec. 29 and then collected the first of seven Daytona 500 victories at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.

It was the first superspeedway victory of Petty’s career. Having suffered a horrendous crash during a qualifying race prior to the 1961 Daytona 500, Lee Petty entered only two races in 1964 and retired from driving to concentrate on his son’s championship effort. Richard Petty’s brother, Maurice, built engines for the team’s Plymouths with strength enough to win seven additional short-track races.

Ned Jarrett, driving the No. 11 Fords owned by Charles Robinson (4 races) and Bondy Long (55 race), entered 59 races that season, winning 15 times. His biggest victory came June 7 at Atlanta Motor Speedway over Petty after leading 66 of 267 laps. Petty bested Jarrett in the championship standings by 5,302 points at season’s end.

Tragically, NASCAR stars Joe Weatherly, Fireball Roberts and Jimmie Pardue died in crashes. Weatherly lost his life in Riverside, California, on Jan. 19. Roberts was involved in a multi-car crash at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24 and succumbed to his injuries on July 2. Pardue died after crashing during a tire test at Charlotte on Sept. 22.

ON JULY 4, A.J. FOYT and Bobby Isaac exchanged the lead 16 times in the final 56 laps of the 160-lap Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Driving a Dodge owned by Ray Nichels, Foyt claimed the win after passing Isaac just before reaching the startfinish line to record his first of seven NASCAR triumphs. Foyt’s victory was marred by the announcement that Fireball Roberts had died after a lengthy hospital stay.

TOP CARS

RICHARD PETTY’S NO. 43 Petty Enterprises Plymouth won nine times in 1964 with 43 top-10 finishes and eight pole positions in 61 starts.

Ned Jarrett’s 1964 No. 11 Long/Robinson Ford went to Victory Lane 15 times and had 42 top10 results in 59 races.

Jun. 19 Chattanooga International Raceway David Pearson

Jun. 21 Birmingham International Raceway Ned Jarrett

Jun. 23 Valdosta 75 Speedway Buck Baker

Jun. 26 Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Richard Petty

Jul. 4 Daytona International Speedway A.J. Foyt

Jul. 8 Old Dominion Speedway Ned Jarrett

Jul. 10 Old Bridge Speedway Billy Wade

Jul. 12 Bridgehampton Raceway Billy Wade

Jul. 15 Islip Speedway Billy Wade

Jul. 19 Watkins Glen International Billy Wade

Jul. 21 Lincoln Speedway David Pearson

Jul. 26 Bristol Motor Speedway Fred Lorenzen

Aug. 2 Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville Richard Petty

Aug. 7 Rambi Raceway David Pearson

Aug. 9 Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Ned Jarrett

Aug. 13 Dog Track Speedway Ned Jarrett

Aug. 16 West Virginia International Speedway Richard Petty

Aug. 21 Columbia Speedway David Pearson

Aug. 22 Bowman Gray Stadium Junior Johnson

Aug. 23 Roanoke Raceway Junior Johnson

Sept. 7 Darlington Raceway Buck Baker

Sept. 11 Hickory Speedway David Pearson

Sept. 14 Richmond Raceway Cotton Owens

Sept. 18 Old Dominion Speedway Ned Jarrett

Sept. 20 Orange Speedway Ned Jarrett

Sept. 27 Martinsville Speedway Fred Lorenzen

Oct. 9 Savannah Speedway Ned Jarrett

Oct. 11 North Wilkesboro Speedway Marvin Panch

Oct. 18 Charlotte Motor Speedway Fred Lorenzen

Oct. 25 Harris Speedway Richard Petty

Nov. 1 Augusta Speedway Darel Dieringer

Nov. 8 Jacksonville Speedway Ned Jarrett

PRESIDENT Lyndon B. Johnson

NO. 1 AT THE BOX OFFICE Mary Poppins

NO. 1 SONG

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles

POP CULTURE

The Warren Commission concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President Kennedy.

GALLON OF GAS 30 Cents

1964

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Pearson’s First Title

Drivers David Pearson and James Hylton proved best during the 49-race NASCAR Cup Series season of 1966. Pearson logged 15 victories and the championship, while Hylton challenged with 20 top-five finishes.

Having been in NASCAR’s premier division for only five seasons, Pearson, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, had one of his best rides with team owner Cotton Owens, also based in the same city.

Pearson drove Owens’ white-and-red No. 6 Dodge in 42 of 49 races but managed to post enough top finishes to score his first-career championship. Ironically, all of his victories that year came on short tracks throughout the Southeast and New England. Pearson logged 25 top-five finishes and fell out of only nine events due to mechanical issues.

Pearson’s biggest victory of the season came at Virginia’s Richmond Raceway in the Capital City 300 on Sept. 11, 1966, where he led 242 of 300 laps.

Hylton, his closest championship rival, had served as a crew chief for Rex White in 1960 before fielding and driving his own Dodge. The native of Inman, South Carolina, was able to build his season on consistent top-five and top-10 finishes en route to his best championship finish to date. Hylton also finished second in points to Richard Petty in 1967.

Sadly, Hylton was killed in a highway accident in 2018 while traveling home form Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway, a track where he won in 1972.

BEST DRIVER

DAVID PEARSON, wheeling the No. 6 Dodge owned by Cotton Owens, logged a season-high 15 victories, double the amount of wins by any other driver. His smooth driving style allowed him to save his equipment until the final laps before making his charge to the front. Short tracks proved to be where Pearson shined. His strategy of laying back prompted media outlets to dub him “The Silver Fox” as his hair turned gray during later years.

BEST RACE

ON AUG. 27, 1966, newcomer Bobby Allison battled veteran Curtis Turner in a crowd-stirring, car-smashing event at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Turner hooked Allison’s Chevrolet and spun him out on lap eight of 250. Allison returned the favor, spinning Turner on lap 98. Turner waited on Allison to come back by, but Allison crashed into Turner again. The two made contact twice more before being separated by NASCAR officials.

TOP CARS

DAVID PEARSON drove Cotton Owens’ white-and-red No. 6 Dodge to 15 NASCAR Cup Series victories during the 1966 season. James Hylton’s No. 48 Hylton Racing Dodge had no victories but was a consistent second-place finish in NASCAR Cup Series points.

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Nov. 14 Augusta Speedway Richard Petty

Jan. 23 Riverside International Raceway Dan Gurney

Feb. 25 Daytona International Speedway Paul Goldsmith

Feb. 25 Daytona International Speedway Earl Balmer

Feb. 27 Daytona International Speedway Richard Petty

March 13 Rockingham Speedway Paul Goldsmith

March 20 Bristol Motor Speedway Dick Hutcherson

March 27 Atlanta Motor Speedway Jim Hurtubise

April 3 Hickory Motor Speedway David Pearson

April 7 Columbia Speedway David Pearson

April 9 Greenville-Pickens Speedway David Pearson

April 11 Bowman Gray Stadium David Pearson

April 17 North Wilkesboro Speedway Jim Paschal

April 24 Martinsville Speedway Jim Paschal

April 30 Darlington Raceway Richard Petty

May 7 Langley Field Speedway Richard Petty

May 10 Middle Georgia Raceway Richard Petty

May 13 Starlite Speedway Darel Dieringer

May 15 Richmond Raceway David Pearson

May 22 Charlotte Motor Speedway Marvin Panch

May 29 Dog Track Speedway David Pearson

June 2 New Asheville Speedway David Pearson

June 4 Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Elmo Langley

June 9 Smoky Mountain Raceway David Pearson

June 12

Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Richard Petty

June 15 Beltsville Speedway Tiny Lund

June 25 Greenville-Pickens Speedway David Pearson

July 4 Daytona International Speedway Sam McQuagg

July 7 Old Dominion Speedway Elmo Langley

July 10 Bridgehampton Raceway David Pearson

July 12 Oxford Plains Speedway Bobby Allison

July 14 Fonda Speedway David Pearson

July 16 Islip Speedway Bobby Allison

July 24 Bristol Motor Speedway Paul Goldsmith

July 28 Smoky Mountain Raceway Paul Lewis

July 30 Fairgrounds Speedway Richard Petty

Aug. 7 Atlanta Motor Speedway Richard Petty

Aug. 18 Columbia Speedway David Pearson

Aug. 21 Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Darel Dieringer

Aug. 24 Beltsville Speedway Bobby Allison

August 27 Bowman Gray Stadium David Pearson

Sept. 5 Darlington Raceway Darel Dieringer

Sept. 9 Hickory Motor Speedway David Pearson

Sept. 11 Richmond Raceway David Pearson

Sept. 18 Orange Speedway Dick Hutcherson

Sept. 25 Martinsville Speedway Fred Lorenzen

Oct. 2 North Wilkesboro Speedway Dick Hutcherson

Oct. 16 Charlotte Motor Speedway LeeRoy Yarbrough

Oct. 30 Rockingham Speedway Fred Lorenzen

PRESIDENT Lyndon B. Johnson

POP CULTURE

Screen actor Ronald Reagan is elected Governor of California.

Superstars Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett retired from driving at the end of the 1966 season, each having 50 wins to their credit. Johnson said years later, “Had I known we were tied, I would have raced a little longer so I could have gotten ahead of him. 1966

NASCARLEGENDS

Yarborough’s First Title

Cale Yarborough and Richard Petty proved they were the top championship contenders of the 1976 NASCAR Cup Series season as the superstars combined to win 12 of the 30 series races.

Heading into his fourth season with team owner Junior Johnson, Yarborough was poised to finally collect his first NASCAR Cup Series championship in his 18th year of competition at stock car racing’s highest level.

The Timmonsville, South Carolina, resident had built a strong relationship with Johnson, a former driver with 50 NASCAR Cup Series victories of his own. The two motorsports icons joined forces prior to the 1973 season.

Yarborough won 14 times during the team’s first two seasons, but he faced many disappointments through engine failures and crashes during the 1975 campaign. The championship chemistry finally came together in 1976, however, producing nine victories, 22 top-five finishes and 23 top-10 result along with two pole positions.

Yarborough’s biggest triumph that year came at Daytona International Speedway on July 4, 1976, as he beat David Pearson to the checkered flag by eight seconds. Another of his superspeedway victories came on Sept. 16 at Dover International Speedway when he outran Petty after starting from the pole.

With legendary crew chief Herb Nab at his side, Yarborough finished 195 points ahead of Petty in the season’s official point standings. Yarborough’s Chevrolets were equipped with engines built by Robert Yates, a future championship Cup Series team owner and Hall of Fame inductee.

Yarborough added Cup Series championships in 1977 and 1978 and scored 55 of his 83 career victories with Johnson’s operation before leaving at the end of the 1980 season to run select events.

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Jan. 18 Riverside International Raceway David Pearson

Feb. 15 Daytona International Speedway David Pearson

Feb. 29 Rockingham Speedway Richard Petty

March 7 Richmond Raceway Dave Marcis

March 14 Bristol Motor Speedway Cale Yarborough

March 21 Atlanta Motor Speedway David Pearson

April 4 North Wilkesboro Speedway Cale Yarborough

April 11 Darlington Raceway David Pearson

April 25 Martinsville Speedway Darrell Waltrip

May 2 Talladega Superspeedway Buddy Baker

May 8 Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville Cale Yarborough

May 16 Dover International Speedway Benny Parsons

May 30 Charlotte Motor Speedway David Pearson

June 13 Riverside International Raceway David Pearson

June 20 Michigan International Speedway David Pearson

July 4 Daytona International Speedway Cale Yarborough

July 17 Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville Benny Parsons

August 1 Pocono Raceway Richard Petty

August 8 Talladega Superspeedway Dave Marcis

August 22 Michigan International Speedway David Pearson

August 29 Bristol Motor Speedway Cale Yarborough

Sept. 6 Darlington Raceway David Pearson

Sept. 12 Richmond Raceway Cale Yarborough

Sept. 19 Dover International Speedway Cale Yarborough

Sept. 26 Martinsville Speedway Cale Yarborough

Oct. 3 North Wilkesboro Speedway Cale Yarbrough

Oct.10 Charlotte Motor Speedway Donnie Allison

Oct. 24 Rockingham Speedway Richard Petty

Nov. 7 Atlanta Motor Speedway Dave Marcis

Nov. 21 Ontario Motor Speedway David Pearson

BEST DRIVER

CALE YARBOROUGH, DRIVING THE NO. 11 CHEVROlet owned by Junior Johnson, logged nine victories and secured his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. Yarborough’s win total included consecutive victories at Richmond, Dover, Martinsville and North Wilkesboro. His average start of fifth and average finish of eighth proved he was a consistent frontrunner. David Pearson actually won more races, 10, but was not a title threat as he only ran 22 of the series’ 30 events.

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Newcomer Dale Earnhardt Surprises

Kannapolis, North Carolina, won five races on short tracks and superspeedways.

After earning NASCAR’s rookie-of-theyear award in 1979, second-generation driver Dale Earnhardt enjoyed one of his best seasons the following year. His No. 2 Rod Osterlund-owned entries were being tuned by veteran crew chief Jake Elder and running strong. Earnhardt and Elder were contenders at every event that season and they went to Victory Lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Cale Yarborough, driving for legendary car owner Junior Johnson, had won consecutive championships in 1976, ’77 and ’78 and he wanted a fourth title on his résumé. It was Earnhardt, however, who prevailed, leading the point standings throughout the 29-race season other than being second following the season-opening Daytona 500.

Yarborough logged six victories with 22 top-10 results, but crashes and engine issues in four of the 31 events kept him behind Earnhardt throughout the year with no real opportunities to close the gap. From the beginning of the season, Earnhardt faced criticism from other drivers for racing too aggressively. Many of the top stars of the era had discussions with him about toning down his often rough style of driving. Still, he won races and held his own, especially when the win was in sight.

Earnhardt capped his first of seven NASCAR Cup Series titles by finishing fifth in the season finale at California’s Ontario Motor Speedway. His consistent 19 topfive finishes and 24 top-10 results were enough to keep Yarborough’s effort’s solidly at bay.

BEST DRIVER

CALE YARBOROUGH, switching between an Oldsmobile and a Chevrolet owned by Junior Johnson, put together a strong season under the direction of crew chief Tim Brewer. The No. 11 team was either running up front or dealing with mechanical issues. Yarborough won six times and was in the title hunt for most of the season, but too many DNFs, including a cylinderhead issue at Richmond Raceway in the fall, ended his hopes of a fourth championship.

BEST RACE

ON APRIL 13, DAVID Pearson joined forces with team owner Hoss Ellington and won the Rebel 500 at Darlington Raceway, a track where he enjoyed so much success while driving for Wood Brothers Racing. The native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, led 99 of 367 laps on the tricky 1.366-mile oval as he held off Benny Parsons in the M.C. Anderson Racing Chevrolet by 3.3 seconds to seal his 10th-career victory at the track.

TOP CARS

SWITCHING BETWEEN an Oldsmobile and a Chevrolet, Cale Yarborough won six races for team owner and former driver Junior Johnson.

Dale Earnhardt wheeled the No. 2 entries owned by Rod Osterlund to five victories, 19 top-five finishes and 24 top-10 results.

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Jan. 13 Riverside International Raceway Darrell Waltrip

Feb. 17 Daytona International Speedway Buddy Baker

Feb. 24 Richmond Raceway Darrell Waltrip

March 9 Rockingham Speedway Cale Yarborough

March 16 Atlanta Motor Speedway Dale Earnhardt

March 30 Bristol Motor Speedway Dale Earnhardt

April 13 Darlington Raceway David Pearson

April 20 North Wilkesboro Speedway Richard Petty

April 27 Martinsville Speedway Darrell Waltrip

May 4 Talladega Superspeedway Buddy Baker

May 10 Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Richard Petty

May 18 Dover International Speedway Bobby Allison

May 25 Charlotte Motor Speedway Benny Parsons

June 1 Texas World Speedway Cale Yarbrough

June 8 Riverside International Raceway Darrell Waltrip

June 15 Michigan International Speedway Benny Parsons

July 4 Daytona International Speedway Bobby Allison

July 12 Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Dale Earnhardt

July 27 Pocono Raceway Neil Bonnett

Aug. 3 Talladega Superspeedway Neil Bonnett

Aug. 17 Michigan International Speedway Cale Yarborough

Aug. 23 Bristol Motor Speedway Cale Yarborough

Sept. 1 Darlington Raceway Terry Labonte

Sept. 7 Richmond Raceway Bobby Allison

Sept. 14 Dover International Speedway Darrell Waltrip

Sept. 21 North Wilkesboro Speedway Bobby Allison

Sept. 28 Martinsville Speedway Dale Earnhardt

Oct. 5 Charlotte Motor Speedway Dale Earnhardt

Oct. 19 Rockingham Speedway Cale Yarborough

Nov. 2 Atlanta Motor Speedway Cale Yarborough

Nov. 15 Ontario Motor Speedway Benny Parsons

During 1980, Dale Earnhardt showed tremendous talent by becoming NASCAR’s Cup Series champion in only his second full season. The native of

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Gordon Beats Earnhardt

Cup Series titles for himself and Hendrick Motorsports.

After arriving on the scene in 1992, Gordon, a former USAC open-wheel racer, steadily found his place in the NASCAR Cup Series, winning his first race in the 1994 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He also topped the inaugural Brickyard 400 that year, establishing himself as an up-and-coming star.

In 1995, it was as if a switch had been flipped. Gordon and crew chief Ray Evernham had found the magic, and they made winning look commonplace. Gordon had finally found the consistency he needed to contend on a weekly basis, not just during the select big events in which he excelled the previous season.

Gordon began the schedule 22nd in points after finishing outside the top 20 in the Daytona 500. A win at Rockingham Speedway the next week moved him to seventh, followed by a drop to 13th after a fuel pump failed at Richmond.

From there, Gordon was able to maintain his place among the top 10 in points. He assumed command in the championship battle after winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 9 and never looked back.

Dale Earnhardt, driving the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, led a portion of the season in points but ultimately finished second, 34 markers behind Gordon. Earnhardt logged five wins with 23 top-10 finishes. DNFs at both Michigan races severely impacted his title hopes.

1995

BEST DRIVER

JEFF GORDON, DRIVER OF THE NO. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, won seven NASCAR Cup Series races with six coming on superspeedways and one on a short track. His Concord, North Carolinabased team owned by Rick Hendrick and led by crew chief Ray Evernham was strong both on the track and in the pit area. Gordon’s 5.0 average start and 9.5 average finish were enough for the native of Vallejo, California, to secure his first Cup Series championship.

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Feb. 19 Daytona International Speedway Sterling Marlin

Feb. 26 Rockingham Speedway Jeff Gordon

March 5 Richmond Raceway Terry Labonte

March 12 Atlanta Motor Speedway Jeff Gordon

March 26 Darlington Raceway Sterling Marlin

April 2 Bristol Motor Speedway Jeff Gordon

April 9 North Wilkesboro Speedway Dale Earnhardt

April 23 Martinsville Speedway Rusty Wallace

April 30 Talladega Superspeedway Mark Martin

May 7 Sonoma Raceway Dale Earnhardt

May 28 Charlotte Motor Speedway Bobby Labonte

June 4 Dover Motor Speedway Kyle Petty

June 11 Pocono Raceway Terry Labonte

June 18 Michigan International Speedway Bobby Labonte

July 1 Daytona International Speedway Jeff Gordon

July 9 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Jeff Gordon

July 16 Pocono Raceway Dale Jarrett

July 23 Talladega Superspeedway Sterling Marlin

Aug. 5 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Dale Earnhardt

Aug. 13 Watkins Glen International Mark Martin

Aug. 20 Michigan International Speedway Bobby Labonte

Aug. 26 Bristol Motor Speedway Terry Labonte

Sept. 3 Darlington Raceway Jeff Gordon

Sept. 9 Richmond Raceway Rusty Wallace

Sept. 17 Dover Motor Speedway Jeff Gordon

Sept. 24 Martinsville Speedway Dale Earnhardt

Oct. 1 North Wilkesboro Speedway Mark Martin

Oct. 8 Charlotte Motor Speedway Mark Martin

Oct. 22 Rockingham Speedway Ward Burton

Oct. 29 Phoenix Raceway Ricky Rudd

Nov. 12 Atlanta Motor Speedway Dale Earnhardt

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BEST RACE

DRIVING THE NO. 5 HENDRICK Motorsports Chevrolet, Terry Labonte won the Goody’s 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway by crashing across the startfinish line after being punted by Dale Earnhardt in the No. 3 RCR Chevrolet. Labonte crashed into the wall but was able to drive his badly damaged car into Victory Lane. Seeing that he wasn’t going to win, Earnhardt tagged Labonte’s rear bumper and sent him spinning under the checkered flag.

TOP CARS

JEFF GORDON’S NO. 24

Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet notched seven wins with 23 top-10 finishes in 31 series starts.

The No. 3 RCR Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt went to Victory Lane five times and had 23 top-10 results.

Driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon recorded seven victories, 23 top-10 finishes and eight pole positions en route to the first NASCAR

Stewart Becomes a NASCAR Champ

Driving the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac, former open-wheel sensation Tony Stewart, from Columbus, Ind., recorded three wins and had 21 top-10 finishes en route to his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Stewart came to NASCAR in 1995 through the Xfinity Series after a very successful open-wheel career that included championships in midget, sprint car and Indy car competition. His next quest was NASCAR and thanks to an opportunity provided by legendary NFL coach turned race team owner Joe Gibbs, Stewart would try his hand at the heavier stock cars of the NASCAR Cup Series circuit.

Stewart warmed up with the Xfinity Series cars from 1995 through 1998 in select events before tackling the Cup Series full time in 1999. The results were impressive, as he won three times that season at Richmond, Phoenix and Homestead

Three more victories came in each of the 2000 and 2001 seasons, setting the stage for a possible championship run in 2002. Stewart and crew Greg Zipadelli felt they were ready for the daunting challenge as long as their equipment held together. That wasn’t the case, however, during the season-opening Daytona 500 as Stewart’s engine expired, leaving him with a 42ndplace finish.

Steadily, Stewart and his team dug themselves out of the hole with wins at Atlanta in March, Richmond in May and Watkins Glen in August. With his second-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 6, Stewart gained the points lead and held it for the remaining six races.

His eighth-place finish at Phoenix and 16th at Homestead in the final two races helped to ice the title with a 63-point advantage over Mark Martin.

BEST DRIVER

TONY STEWART, driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot Pontiac, won three NASCAR Cup Series races and had 21 top-10 finishes in 36 races. Getting off to a slow start, Stewart and his JGR crew worked race by race to improve their performance and managed to build their way into the championship hunt. With less than 10 races remaining, they took the points lead and held it until the final checkered flag.

BEST RACE

ON OCT. 13, JAMIE McMurray, a relative unknown in Cup Series circles, filled in for the injured Sterling Marlin and drove the No. 40 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge to Victory Lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was only McMurray’s second series start but he drove like a seasoned veteran, leading 96 of 334 laps. McMurray went on to win Cup Series races at Daytona, Talladega, Indianapolis and again at Charlotte during his career.

TOP CARS

TONY STEWART’S NO. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot Pontiac recorded three Cup Series wins and had 21 top-10 finishes in 36 starts. The No. 6 Roush Racing Viagra Ford driven by Mark Martin posted one win and 22 top-10 results during the 2002 season.

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Feb. 17 Daytona International Speedway Ward Burton

Feb. 24 Rockingham Speedway Matt Kenseth

March 3 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sterling Marlin

March 10 Atlanta Motor Speedway Tony Stewart

March 17 Darlington Raceway Sterling Marlin

March 24 Bristol Motor Speedway Kurt Busch

April 7 Texas Motor Speedway Matt Kenseth

April 14 Martinsville Speedway Bobby Labonte

April 21 Talladega Superspeedway Dale Earnhardt Jr.

April 28 Auto Club Speedway Jimmie Johnson

May 5 Richmond Raceway Tony Stewart

May 26 Charlotte Motor Speedway Mark Martin

June 2 Dover Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

June 9 Pocono Raceway Dale Jarrett

June 16 Michigan International Speedway Matt Kenseth

June 23 Sonoma Raceway Ricky Rudd

July 6 Daytona International Speedway Michael Waltrip

July 14 Chicagoland Speedway Kevin Harvick

July 21 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Ward Burton

July 28 Pocono Raceway Bill Elliott

Aug. 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Bill Elliott

Aug. 11 Watkins Glen International Tony Stewart

Aug. 18 Michigan Int’l Speedway Dale Jarrett

Aug. 24 Bristol Motor Speedway Jeff Gordon

Sept. 1 Darlington Raceway Jeff Gordon

Sept. 7 Richmond Raceway Matt Kenseth

Sept. 15 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Ryan Newman

Sept. 22 Dover Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

Sept. 29 Kansas Speedway Jeff Gordon

Oct. 6 Talladega Superspeedway Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Oct. 13 Charlotte Motor Speedway Jamie McMurray

Oct. 20 Martinsville Speedway Kurt Busch

Oct. 27 Atlanta Motor Speedway Kurt Busch

Nov. 3 Rockingham Speedway Johnny Benson

Nov. 10 Phoenix Raceway Matt Kenseth

Nov. 17 Homestead-Miami Speedway Kurt Busch

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2002

Johnson’s First Title

BEST DRIVER

JIMMIE JOHNSON, driving the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, ranked as the best driver of the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season by way of consistent finishes during the 36race campaign. Tied with Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart with five victories each, Johnson’s number of top-10 finishes (24) was slightly better than those of his rivals. Johnson showcased his ability by winning NASCAR’s most prestigious races, while also collecting a victory at Martinsville Speedway.

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Feb. 19 Daytona International Speedway Jimmie Johnson

Feb. 26 Auto Club Speedway Matt Kenseth

March 12 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

March 20 Atlanta Motor Speedway Kasey Kahne

March 26 Bristol Motor Speedway Kurt Busch

April 2 Martinsville Speedway Tony Stewart

April 9 Texas Motor Speedway Kasey Kahne

April 22 Phoenix Raceway Kevin Harvick

May 1 Talladega Superspeedway Jimmie Johnson

May 6 Richmond Raceway Dale Earnhardt Jr.

May 13 Darlington Raceway Greg Biffle

May 28 Charlotte Motor Speedway Kasey Kahne

June 4 Dover International Speedway Matt Kenseth

June 11 Pocono Raceway Denny Hamlin

June 18 Michigan International Speedway Kasey Kahne

June 25 Sonoma Raceway Jeff Gordon

July 1 Daytona International Speedway Tony Stewart

July 9 Chicagoland Speedway Jeff Gordon

July 16 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Kyle Busch

July 23 Pocono Raceway Denny Hamlin

Aug. 6 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

Aug. 13 Watkins Glen International Kevin Harvick

Aug. 20 Michigan International Speedway Matt Kenseth

Aug. 26 Bristol Motor Speedway Matt Kenseth

Sept. 3 Auto Club Speedway Kasey Kahne

Sept. 9 Richmond Raceway Kevin Harvick

Sept. 17 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Kevin Harvick

Sept. 24 Dover International Speedway Jeff Burton

Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth proved they were the top championship contenders during the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season as they combined to win a quarter of the 36 races.

In his fifth full season with Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson showed he and his Chad Knaus-led team had matured into championship material. The fact he was driving the powerful No. 48 Chevrolet produced a feeling that the young, up-and-coming superstar was set to strike NASCAR Cup Series gold.

Kenseth, driving the No. 17 Roush-Fenway Racing Ford, won the Cup Series championship in 2003 and felt the organization was poised for another title. He and crew chief Robbie Reiser had worked together on the short tracks in their native Wisconsin and the two formed a potent combination.

Through the tutelage of four-time Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, Johnson had become a force and was on the verge of greatness. The native of El  Cajon, California, was identified by Gordon years earlier as possessing the talent to became a NASCAR Cup Series champion.

During the 2006 season, Johnson recorded five victories, 13 top-five finishes, 24 top-10s results and earned one pole position to best Kenseth in the final standings by 56 points.

Kenseth ended the year with four victories, 15 top-five finishes and 21 top-10 results. Johnson would go on to collect six additional championships, including five in a row through 2010.

Johnson’s biggest victory of 2006 came in the seasonopening Daytona 500. He also won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Additional wins at Las Vegas, Talladega and Martinsville had the No. 48 team atop the Cup Series standings at season’s end.

BEST RACE

HIS BRICKYARD 400 victory at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway gave Jimmie Johnson a pair of crown jewel wins on the season. He charged forward from the 38th starting position to become only the second driver (Dale Jarrett in 1996) to win both the Brickyard 400 and the Daytona 500 in the same season. Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick challenged during the closing laps, but they could not match the horsepower under the hood of Johnson’s Chevrolet.

TOP CARS

JIMMIE JOHNSON’S NO. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet visited Victory Lane five times during the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Kasey Kahne was the season’s top winner with six victories in the No. 9 Dodge owned by former crew chief Ray Evernham.

Oct. 1 Kansas Speedway Tony Stewart

Oct. 8 Talladega Superspeedway Brian Vickers

Oct. 14 Charlotte Motor Speedway Kasey Kahne

Oct. 22 Martinsville Speedway Jimmie Johnson

Oct. 29 Atlanta Motor Speedway Tony Stewart

Nov. 5 Texas Motor Speedway Tony Stewart

Nov. 12 Phoenix Raceway Kevin Harvick

Nov. 19 Homestead-Miami Speedway Greg Biffle

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2006

Kyle Busch Breaks Through

The younger of the racing Busch brothers grew up in Las Vegas where he won more than 65 Legend Car races and two track titles before graduating to Late Model competition. At the age of 16, Busch began competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving for Roush Racing.

He made his Cup Series debut in 2004 with team owner Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports. At the time, Busch was tabbed by many industry insiders as NASCAR’s next superstar. However, of his six starts that year, all were superspeedway events and all produced finishes outside the top 25.

The next season, Busch won both Cup Series races at Auto Club Speedway. All told through 2007, he claimed four wins with the Hendrick organization Busch joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008 and began a long tenure of success, winning 25 Cup Series races leading up to the 2015 season.

After being sidelined for the first 11 races of 2015, Busch rebounded to score four victories in the regular season.

During the final race of the Chase at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Denny Hamlin started on the pole, while Busch lined up third, Jeff Gordon fifth, Martin Truex Jr. 11th, and Kevin Harvick 13th.

Busch led the other championship contenders as Brad Keselowski dominated the lap count. A debris caution late in the race shuffled the running order, giving Busch the lead. Busch held off Harvick to win both the race and the championship.

2015

BEST DRIVER

JOEY LOGANO, DRIVER OF THE NO. 22 Team Penske Ford, won six races and had 28 top-10 finishes. Logano’s triumph in the Daytona 500 started the year, and he followed it with victories at Watkins Glen, Bristol, Charlotte, Kansas and Talladega during the second half of the schedule. His average start of 6.9 and average finish of 9.2 set the stage for a respectable season, but four finishes outside the top 35 derailed his title hopes.

SEASON RECAP

DATE LOCATION WINNER

Feb. 22 Daytona International Speedway Joey Logano

March 1 Atlanta Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

March 8 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Kevin Harvick

March 15 Phoenix Raceway Kevin Harvick

March 22 Auto Club Speedway Brad Keselowski

March 29 Martinsville Speedway Denny Hamlin

April 11 Texas Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

April 19 Bristol Motor Speedway Matt Kenseth

April 26 Richmond Raceway Kurt Busch

May 3 Talladega Superspeedway Dale Earnhardt Jr.

May 9 Kansas Speedway Jimmie Johnson

May 24 Charlotte Motor Speedway Carl Edwards

May 31 Dover Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

June 7 Pocono Raceway Martin Truex Jr.

June 14 Michigan International Speedway Kurt Busch

June 28 Sonoma Raceway Kyle Busch

July 5 Daytona International Speedway Dale Earnhardt Jr.

July 11 Kentucky Speedway Kyle Busch

July 19 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Kyle Busch

July 26 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Kyle Busch

Aug. 2 Pocono Raceway Matt Kenseth

Aug. 9 Watkins Glen International Joey Logano

Aug. 16 Michigan International Speedway Matt Kenseth

Aug. 22 Bristol Motor Speedway Joey Logano

Sept. 6 Darlington Raceway Carl Edwards

Sept. 12 Richmond Raceway Matt Kenseth

Sept. 20 Chicagoland Speedway Denny Hamlin

Sept. 27 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Matt Kenseth

Oct. 4 Dover Motor Speedway Kevin Harvick

Oct. 11 Charlotte Motor Speedway Joey Logano

Oct. 18 Kansas Speedway Joey Logano

Oct. 25 Talladega Superspeedway Joey Logano

Nov. 1 Martinsville Speedway Jeff Gordon

Nov. 8 Texas Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson

Nov. 15 Phoenix Raceway Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Nov. 22 Homestead-Miami Speedway Kyle Busch

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BEST RACE

THE SOUTHERN 500 AT legendary Darlington Raceway featured a record 18 caution flags along with several outstanding arguments over racing real estate. Carl Edwards came back from two laps down to battle Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick for the lead. After a late caution, Edwards got the lead on pit road and went on to win his second race of the season. It was Edwards’ only victory at the 1.336-mile track.

TOP CARS

KYLE BUSCH, DRIVING THE NO. 18 JOE Gibbs Racing Toyota, won five times and had 16 top-10 finishes in 25 starts.

Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 StewartHaas Racing Chevrolet recorded 28 top-10 finishes, including three Cup Series wins in 36 races.

Despite missing 11 races due to leg injuries suffered in the season-opening NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Kyle Buch advanced through the Cup Series playoffs and claimed his first premier series title by winning the season finale.

FOR THE RECORD

Q&A WITH RICHARD CHILDRESS FROM

POPCORN AND PEANUTS TO CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHIES

BY BEN WHITE

Of all the prominent figures throughout NASCAR history, Richard Childress has one of the most unique backgrounds.

The native of Winston Salem, North Carolina, was first exposed to NASCAR racing as a child during the early 1950s, selling concessions at his hometown track, Bowman Gray Stadium, before embarking on his own driving career.

A business decision eventually led to him putting a young charger named Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel of his race car. The rest is an incredible journey that took Childress to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

with them and started going to the Myers Brothers shop, Billy and Bobby Myers, off of Waughtown Street. We’d ride in the back of a race car with them to the stadium and we’d go up there and work.

HOW MUCH DID YOU MAKE PER BAG OF POPCORN OR PEANUTS SOLD?

I think it was maybe two pennies per bag sold, if I remember correctly. I think it was a penny for the popcorn. I liked the peanuts because I could make more money. It was easier for a kid to carry the peanut box.

WHO WAS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE DRIVER AT BOWMAN GRAY?

I liked watching the Myers brothers race, but I really liked Curtis Turner the best. I liked his lifestyle and hanging out and watching him and the way he acted and everything. I liked Curtis and he was the one I watched all the time.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO DRIVE AT BOWMAN GRAY AND THEN EVENTUALLY RACE IN THE CUP SERIES?

I drove in the claiming cars. Then, I worked my way up to dirt cars and then went to 311 Speedway (in Pine Hall, North Carolina) and Stokesdale (North Carolina), and then the modifieds at South Boston (Virginia) Speedway. In 1969, NASCAR came up with the Grand-American division and I raced there. I bought an old Camaro for $400 and that opened the door to race in the Cup Series when drivers had

HOW DID YOU GET TO BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM AS A CHILD?

The first time I went there to the stadium, my stepfather took us. It was myself and my brother. We walked up to the gate and they let us in. We sat there and saw all these kids selling popcorn and peanuts and so we said we’d come back next week and get a job. We were probably 7 or 8 years old at the time. Maybe I was 9.

We had to walk through the woods the next time and that was four to five miles. We lived off of Salem Lake Drive. We’d come out at Reynolds Park and walked down the hill. We walked back at night. Seven- and 8-year-old kids can’t do that today.

We found the Swaim brothers, and their dad knew some racers and we started going

the tire dispute in September 1969 at Talladega Superspeedway.

I always had a dream of running a Cup Seres car. I got a 1971 Chevelle that had burned that I rebuilt. I started my first official Cup Series race at South Boston in 1971 and Benny Parsons won that race. Knowing I was running with the Cup regulars was a pretty special deal.

YOU WERE CONSIDERED AN INDEPENDENT DURING YOUR DRIVING CAREER IN THE CUP SERIES, SOMEONE THAT DIDN’T HAVE FACTORY BACKING. FROM 1969 UNTIL 1981, YOU HAD SIX TOP-FIVE FINISHES AND 76 TOP10 RESULTS 285 IN STARTS. NOT BAD FOR DOING IT ON YOUR OWN.

All of us independents worked together. We traveled together. I think back to James Hylton, Elmo Langley, David Sisco, Dave Marcis, Coo Coo Marlin, so many of those guys that made it work with little money. Dave won races and Coo Coo won a 125-mile race at Daytona one year. That whole group was really close. We pitted together and worked together and helped each other. We worked together to save money to stay alive.

YOU TURNED YOUR CAR OVER TO DALE EARNHARDT IN 1981. TOGETHER, YOU WON SIX CUP SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS AND 67 RACES BEFORE HIS DEATH IN 2001. SHARE SOME GOOD THOUGHTS THAT COME TO MIND ABOUT HIM?

When I think back on the really good times with Dale, there are so many. We had great hunting and fishing trips that we shared together. He loved to play tricks on people and if you ever had a chance to play a trick on him, it was always fun. We would go to a test at a race track and then we would go somewhere and have fun. There were plenty of times when we did that.

TALK ABOUT PACING THE FIELD IN THE NO. 29 CAR AT ATLANTA. HOW EMOTIONAL WAS THAT?

It was emotional. Kevin Harvick was a key player in keeping RCR alive after Dale died. I don’t know where we would be today without Kevin Harvick, truthfully, because he was only 25 or 26 years old at the time. I couldn’t think of anybody we could have put in that car at that time that could have kept us going. He went right out and won Cup races and won Xfinity championships. The one thing I regret is we didn’t win the Cup Series championship with him. We were right there for several years with him and didn’t win it.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ONCE YOU STEP AWAY FROM THE SPORT?

I don’t want to be remembered for wins or championships, or any of that. I’d like to be remembered as being an honest guy that did whatever I could to make our sport better and safer.

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Q&A WITH JUSTIN MARKS

RACER GUIDES TRACKHOUSE FROM CONCEPT TO CONTENDER

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

Justin Marks simply gets it. He understands how to modernize not only Trackhouse Racing, but all of NASCAR. Trackhouse originated as a concept for Marks, who spent more than a decade trying to make it as a NASCAR driver himself. The journeyman racer had a vision to better the sport, and he’s become a household name thanks to his unique take on the future of NASCAR.

Compared to the other NASCAR Cup Series teams, everything besides the race cars themselves is different for Trackhouse, whose ownership group includes music icon Pitbull. Marks believes his drivers, Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez, have what it takes to compete for championships year-in and year-out. While Chastain has become the face of the organization, Suarez remains the team leader.

And, of course, Project 91 has been the talk of the season with New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen winning for Trackhouse in the streets of Chicago.

Now, Marks is focused on growing the business to ensure that Trackhouse will stay in NASCAR for decades to come. So far, it’s been an incredible journey.

As a racer himself, Marks understands what he needs to do to get this team to the top. Thanks to the marketability of its two drivers, Trackhouse is set with core sponsors that continue to back the team. Next year, they’ll welcome Anheuser-Busch to the fold on Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet.

Trackhouse debuted in 2021, and here’s what Marks had to say about taking his vision from concept to reality.

WHAT HAS THE JOURNEY BEEN LIKE WITH TRACKHOUSE?

In some ways, it’s like watching your kid grow up. I continually pinch myself that we’re at this level now with the partners that we have. It seems like it was just yesterday when this was a concept on a white board and this whole Trackhouse thing was just an idea.

What I think about is I walk around the shop and see 147 people working for this company. I have a lot of gratitude that a lot of people believed in this vision and thought it was possible to have a new team with a unique vision and unique storytelling. I’m learning a lot as we go, but it’s been an incredible three years.

Daniel was someone who we wanted to anchor the birth of this company around. He checked a lot of the important boxes for us. He was experienced in the Cup Series, he’s a winner, he knows how to get the job done, he’s hungry, he’s very focused, he’s one of the most dedicated drivers in this garage and he has a great story. That’s ultimately what we want to do is tell great stories. He came from Mexico, didn’t speak the language and he’s the only Latin driver in the Cup Series. It’s just a perfect scenario for what Trackhouse is.

AT THIS

POINT, HAVE YOU MET YOUR ORIGINAL EXPECTATIONS?

I think we’ve exceeded our expectations. It goes to the power of this group and how everyone has bought into it. Everybody’s excited to be part of something that’s new and unique. The expectations weren’t necessarily about on-track success, but it was about telling a great story that inspires and captures the attention of fans and partners. This is such a partner-driven business, and the fact that we’ve gone out and told this story so successfully means that we have partners like Jockey, Kubota and Anheuser-Busch is coming on board next year. These are huge global brands, and that means they want to take this ride with us.

When you lay out expectations to start a team – this is a very expensive business to run – and so much of this business relies on corporate sponsorship, the expectations were to go out and tell something unique and be a differentiator from the other teams and add value proposition for our corporate partners. That has resonated with these brands and they’ve made investments in us.

DID THE ACQUISITION OF CHIP GANASSI RACING HELP WITH THAT?

One-hundred percent. That’s been the single biggest piece of business that this company has done to allow us to do what we’re doing on the race track right now. I got very lucky that I had a relationship with someone in this garage area who was ready to pass the torch. The fact that Chip Ganassi Racing was a key partner with Chevrolet and we maintained that relationship with ECR gives us a huge competitive advantage.

There’s data sharing, the fact that GM believes in us, supports us and invests in us has given us a tremendous opportunity to immediately be competitive on the race track. I go back to the CGR acquisition and I don’t think much of this is possible without that.

YOU HAVE TWO SOLID DRIVERS IN ROSS CHASTAIN AND DANIEL SUAREZ. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO THE ORGANIZATION?

One of the things I told Ty (Norris) in the very beginning, when we started forming this, is we have to do everything we can to get the best drivers that we can. At the end of the day, you have 147 people and millions of dollars in sponsorship with big support from GM, but it’s one guy alone in a car with a steering wheel. That guy needs to get the job done.

Then, we bring in Ross and we just believe in Ross’ potential and what he’s capable of doing. We’re giving him everything he needs around him to be successful.

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU ABOUT SHANE VAN GISBERGEN RETURNING?

I’m excited about it. I’m a fan of global motorsports. I’m not just a fan of NASCAR. I watch everything. There’s just so much talent out there. I really believe in the direction the sport is going, becoming more diverse and more international. We’re more technologically relevant with this new car. It opens up a door to talent around the world. Now, talent can come into the sport and do things like what we saw at Chicago.

That’s a pet project of mine. The fact that everybody in the company rallied around it and supported it – it wasn’t just an afterthought to satisfy Justin’s passion project – they put out an effort that could go out and win. It was an amazing moment because you can take an idea and concept and fly to the very top.

AND BECAUSE OF THIS, YOU MADE HIGHLIGHTS LITERALLY AROUND THE WORLD.

That’s been the coolest part about it is the reaction from around the world. It gives credibility to the concept of Project 91. Formula 1 is paying attention to it and plenty of companies around the world. It was a great day, and we’re excited to bring him back. I think it would be a great future for NASCAR if we have more international drivers telling these great stories to help elevate the sport to more international relevancy. We hope SVG can do that for us.

WHAT’S THE STATUS OF RELOCATING THE TEAM TO NASHVILLE?

That was the goal from day one. We were going to build or buy a facility in Nashville and put an all-points bulletin out to the industry to attract great talent. That all changed when we acquired CGR. I couldn’t just uplift the things that were happening in that building and move it to Nashville. We would have had a lot of attrition and we would’ve lost people.

We’re centering our growth outside of the NASCAR industry in Nashville. We are a Tennessee company and our corporate offices are in Nashville. There’s a lot of opportunities coming out of Nashville for Trackhouse in other industries besides racing that complement our racing activities really well like music, events and consumer packaged goods. There’s a lot of opportunity because the brand has a lot of momentum. If you invest in these things and you have a race team, you have a branding amplification monster to promote and grow those businesses.

Q&A with Matt Tifft

FORMER DRIVER ADAPTS TO OWNERSHIP ROLE

BY DUSTIN ALBINO

It wasn’t long ago that Matt Tifft was on the fast track to a promising career as a NASCAR Cup Series driver.

The native of Fairfax, Virginia, had spent two seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, splitting time between Joe Gibbs Rac ing and Richard Childress Racing. His best finish came in 2018 at Road America when he finished second to Justin Allgaier. For the 2019 campaign, Tifft found himself at the Cup Series level in a third Front Row Motorsports entry. He battled Daniel Hemric and Ryan Preece for rookie-of-the-year honors but was unable to complete the season.

At Martinsville Speedway in October, Tifft had a seizure in the team’s hauler. He was diagnosed with epilepsy.

Now 27 years old, Tifft has faced plenty of battles since then, but most importantly he’s healthy.

In 2020, he joined forces with fellow racer and good friend B.J. McLeod to field upstart Live Fast Motorsports. Compared to its initial season, the No. 78 NASCAR Cup Series team has closed the gap on its competition, despite operating with limited resources

Tifft recently sat down with NASCAR Pole Position for a Q&A session in which he talks about his role as a team owner, testing a late model and the possibility of resuming his NASCAR career.

NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO, YOU AND B.J. MCLEOD FORMED LIVE FAST MOTORSPORTS. HOW HAS THAT CUP SERIES TEAM PROGRESSED?

It’s been interesting. Overall, I think it’s been a progression of following the times, changing with the Next Gen car. Back in 2021, our first year, the landscape of NASCAR was so different. We had an average finish of 28th or something like that, and back then, we didn’t have the team that we do now. That number has improved steadily every year as sponsors and drivers have come in.

The big thing is keeping up with the changes in the sport. Last season was a tough year in the first year of the Next Gen car. The biggest change for us was, as the field got tougher, some things ramped up on the competition side where if you were a couple of tenths (of a second) off in the Gen 6 era, it didn’t really matter because you could keep up with the pace of some guys. Now, you’re on your own island.

Going into this year, we made some changes. We moved to the Chevy camp and teamed with ECR. I think we’ve seen a lot of progression. Being a small team, there’s always the challenges of making changes and keeping up. We’ve seen some progress. There are still challenges needed in some areas, but it’s been going well.

As a competitor, is it where we want to be? Probably not, but it’s been a fun process and challenging at times. It’s been a good experience.

HOW DID YOU AND MCLEOD BECOME FRIENDS?

I went to the Finish Line School at New Smyrna Speedway in 2010. I wanted to learn how to drive a stock car and a lot of drivers in the Xfinity and Truck Series had gone through that school. I went there and B.J. was an instructor and I had an enjoyable time. From that, I ended up driving Speedweeks in B.J.’s late model. I kept up the friendship and had my first Truck Series start with him.

WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE INVOLVED IN THE OWNERSHIP SIDE OF NASCAR?

As a driver, I think I’ve been coined as someone who came in with money. And for a while, that was probably true. However, toward the end of my career, to keep going I had to find sponsorship at the Cup Series level.

I got involved with board meetings and sitting in those marketing meetings, figuring out how to get a good (return on investment) for companies that might come into the sport. That was a big interest of mine, how to get into that and start a company and a race team from the ground up.

Starting the team, we had no sponsors and nothing behind it. Corvette Parts had a prior relationship with B.J. and they signed up right away, but otherwise, we didn’t have much going on and learned over the years how to cultivate sponsorship. Beyond that, just learning how to manage the race team from the parts and people side of it.

HOW

ARE YOU FEELING FROM A HEALTH STANDPOINT?

It’s been good. For a while, it was a bit rough. I haven’t had a seizure in years, but it sucks going through that. It’s been documented by me, but I’ve been quiet – it’s

nice to give people some insight, but some stuff is personal. Going through all the medical stuff was rough, but in the middle of it I went through a divorce. That stuff gets tough when you’re going through all of that.

Luckily, I’ve had a cool series of events over the last year in getting healthy, my personal life has gotten really good, and doctors have worked with me a ton. My physical health is great; I’m doing more training and I’m stronger than I ever was during my Cup Series career.

TELL US ABOUT TESTING A LATE MODEL EARLIER THIS YEAR.

It was whenever they had the CARS Tour race at Hickory Speedway. It was the week leading up to it. It was exciting, but a lot of emotions. Once I got in, my first lap, I didn’t go at pace lap speed or anything; it was somebody else’s car. The guy I was doing the test with had sold the car. The first lap, he wanted me to get in and get comfortable. And by then, I was like, “Screw this, I’m going.” My first lap was at speed. I don’t know if he wasn’t happy about it, but he wasn’t expecting it. If I’m getting back in, let’s go.

The biggest thing was, you hear quarterbacks and a lot of ballplayers talk about the speed of the game when they’ve been out for a bit. That was a two-day test, and the first day was fast moving for me. I couldn’t quite get the consistency, I wasn’t arching the corners like I needed to. By the end of the day I had figured that out and thought of coming back the next day.

The second day I came back and it was consistent. We tried some shock changes and had a normal test day like at any other point in my career. It took a minute to get back into a rhythm, but it was a lot of emotion. By the second day, it was a “let’s get ready for a race” kind of feeling.

WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT TO GET BACK INTO A RACE CAR?

I had no thoughts of doing a race at that point. It was just to get in and do it. I think after everything that happened medically, personally and professionally, I wanted to prove to myself that I could drive again. But also, I wondered if I would like it again. I wanted to check that box because when you have something like what happened in October 2019, you don’t know what that will mean.

It’s not like I got to hang up my helmet on my own terms. It was so unexpected, and I wanted the feeling of doing it. I wanted to go do that test and say, “I did it.” I didn’t care if I ran five laps, 50 or 500 that day, I just wanted to do it for me.

DO YOU ASPIRE TO RESTART YOUR NASCAR DRIVING CAREER?

I would love to go back, but if I’ve learned one thing it’s that life is extremely unpredictable. Anytime you think it’s going the way you want, it can go off course.

At this point, I certainly would not stick my hand up and say, “I want to be a full-time Cup driver.” Absolutely not. But would I like to go try it one day and attempt it years down the road? If I can and get cleared, yeah, I would try a one-off and see how it feels and make a choice from there.

Q&A WITH DENNY HAMLIN DRIVER, TEAM OWNER AND PODCAST HOST

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

Denny Hamlin was once a NASCAR phenom, a young driver who was expected to dominate the sport for years to come. That early analysis was spot-on.

Now 42, Hamlin is one of the sport’s premier drivers. He’s raced for Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 team throughout his Cup Series career, and that is unlikely to change before he hangs up his helmet.

With 50 Cup Series victories as of Aug. 25, Hamlin is a shoe-in NASCAR Hall of Famer. He’s captured three Daytona 500 wins, a Coca-Cola 600 triumph and three Southern 500s victories. Few drivers can say they’ve won each of those crown jewel races, let alone multiple times.

Now, as Hamlin’s driving career winds down, he’s started writing the next chapter of his NASCAR life. As co-owner of 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, Hamlin has brought new energy to the Toyota camp with two additional full-time cars. With Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick as the team’s drivers, Hamlin has also become a mentor. And, of course, Hamlin is now a podcast host. “Actions Detrimental” with Dirty Mo Media – owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. – has become a hit. It’s an outlet for Hamlin to show who he truly is on and off the track, and he’s loving every minute of it.

YOU HAVE THIS PODCAST, “ACTIONS DETRIMENTAL.” WHAT HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE?

It’s been really fun. I had the group supporting it from the get-go. Usually, these things take years to really build an audience. We hope to keep building it and educating fans about our sport.

WHY IS YOUR PODCAST SO DIFFERENT?

I just think it’s good that I get to see so many different sides of the sport. For such a long time, I’ve seen how the sport has transitioned with ownership, different CEOs and presidents. You just have to get educated on it and you talk about it. You let people hear and understand things that they don’t normally see when they see us going around in circles on Sunday.

WHY WAS IT THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOU TO HAVE A PODCAST?

Dale Jr. put it best to me. He said, “I think you’re misunderstood and, at times, people just take a small bit or quote from a media session and they write an article about it. It’s different when you can

explain yourself and set the narrative.” He thought there would be a good opportunity for me to do that, and it’s something I love doing. I love the sport and I want it to grow. I wouldn’t do it if I thought it was work. He convinced me that it won’t take a bunch of time and said, “Why not do it on my own platform?” I’ve been really surprised about the continued audience that listens week-in and week-out, and it continues to grow.

YOU’VE SAID THAT TRACK POSITION MEANS MORE THAN EVER AND IT’S HARDER TO PASS. WHY IS THAT?

It’s the Next Gen in general. Average finish is up two to three points more than what people’s normal average finish is. A lot of it is when you have a speeding penalty, you don’t come back from it. You just get stuck in the back. A lot of that has to do with passing. The cars have gotten closer and the competition has gotten closer. You can be fast this week and slow next week. You don’t have the car potential to get that back.

WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE MANAGING YOUR TIME AS AN OWNER AND A DRIVER?

I feel like I’m managing it well. There are weeks where I do get pretty exhausted with it – all of it – to be honest with you. I’m still pretty driven because of the competition side, knowing every seven days I have a shot to win. When I see solid performances from 23XI, that makes me feel pretty good about the time and effort I’m putting in because it’s reaping the benefits.

HOW IS IT WORKING WITH MICHAEL JORDAN AS YOUR CO-OWNER?

It’s surreal. I have to kind of remind myself at times that he’s a business partner, not only a friend of mine. We’re working on a lot of good stuff for next year. We just had a couple of meetings this week about some brand stuff. He’s been really great because he’s allowed me to do what we feel like I’m best at and what he’s best at. His team is really hands on with the business side of the team and I’m hands on with the competition side.

WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE TO ADD A THIRD CAR FOR A FEW RACES?

It hasn’t been terribly hard. We have tremendous depth on our team. We have five previous crew chiefs on our roster, and we’re still a fairly small team. It’s been a little bit of an undertaking, but with enough time and preparation, we feel good about it.

WHAT HAS COACH GIBBS’ BEST ADVICE BEEN SINCE YOU STARTED THIS JOURNEY?

The biggest thing is he’s been one of my best mentors since early in my career. My team wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for Joe Gibbs. Having his blessing and having him help us along the way like when NASCAR comes up with a safety update, he has our cars in

the fab shop. I think his best advice has been to make the sponsors happy. Do what you need to do to keep the sponsors on the car because that’s what keeps the business going.

YOU HAD A NEW SPONSOR WITH MAVIS FOR A FEW RACES DURING THE SUMMER. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WELCOME A NEW COMPANY INTO THE SPORT?

It’s been all FedEx all the time for me. It’s different and people are saying that the teal car stands out. Mavis has really grown from the last six months to a year, and this is the next part of their journey in the growing process. Being out here at a NASCAR race, this is their base and their customers. We’re really excited to have them on board, especially for five straight races, so you can build that brand equity. We’re already starting to see it.

My daughter mostly can’t get used to it. Every FedEx truck that goes by, she says, “FedEx, FedEx, FedEx.” I’ve had that for so many years and it’s great to build that brand equity in our sport and to see what it’s done. We have new partners like Mavis and SportClips, and they’re helping us keep this thing going.

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU FOR THIS PART OF YOUR CAREER, KNOWING YOU CAN GO OUT ON TOP?

That’s what I want to do – I want to stay competitive. It would be really challenging for me to come to a race track knowing I can’t win. If I start to feel that way, that’s not a good sign. Right now, I feel as strong in my team as I ever have and I feel as fast as I’ve ever been. I understand that father time is undefeated, for sure. There will be a moment when it falls right off, but it ain’t going to be today or tomorrow.

The Herbst Family Legacy

RILEY VEERS FROM OFF-ROAD RACING ROOTS

BY DUSTIN ALBINO

When NASCAR fans see or hear the name Herbst, they likely are only familiar with Riley Herbst, a 24-year-old Xfinity Series driver from Las Vegas. In reality, the Herbst name has been ingrained in motorsports for more than four decades and the family is synonymous with off-road desert racing.

It all started with Riley’s grandfather, Jerry Herbst. According to Riley, the family patriarch began off-road racing after he rented a rev-master buggy and drove the tourist attraction vehicle through the mountains of the Southwest.

Jerry Herbst won his first Baja 500 in 1970 in the unlimited Class 1.

“You either love off-road racing and the desert or you just don’t get it and don’t understand it,” said Troy Herbst, Riley’s father. “We’ve always loved the enjoyment of racing. It’s hard to explain to people because they look at you like you’re crazy. We enjoy the high speed and traveling across the desert, the pre-running and the thought process.”

Desert racing is what unites the Herbsts, and they are considered the first family of the sport. Troy Herbst began racing at age 15 with his brothers, Ed and Tim. Together, they created Terrible Herbst Motorsports and competed in Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts (SCORE) Class 1, enjoying immediate success. Today, the

team has more than 200 victories.

SCORE consists of a multitude of different classes, including spec trucks, trophy trucks and motorcycles. Riley Herbst’s cousins, Thor and Pierce, currently compete in spec trophy trucks and they won this year’s San Felipe 250, the SCORE International season opener.

During a seven-year period in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Troy Herbst won six SCORE championships.

DASHING THROUGH THE DESERT

This year’s SCORE International series is comprised of four events: the San Felipe 250, Baja 500, Baja 400 and Baja 1000. Every three years, the Baja 1000 runs down the Baja peninsula, beginning in La Paz and ending in Ensenada. Such is the case this year and Riley and Troy Herbst will be co-drivers, along with Jordan Dean, during the Nov. 13-18 event.

More than a month before each event, the sanctioning body sends teams a GPS map of the rout. The teams must download the GPS data and begin pre-running the course. Pre-running is the equivalent of practice in NASCAR, though the co-driver is taking detailed notes.

“When you’re doing that, you’re writing down notes for holes, bumps, all types of obstacles,” Troy Herbst explained. “You have a co-rider who’s taking notes and writing stuff down because it’s easy to do when there’s nobody in front of you. But when there’s dust in front of you and you can’t see, running 100 mph, you need to know exactly where you’re at.”

The course is the primary challenge, presenting numerous terrain and environmental changes along the way. It will go from warm temperatures and the beach, to mountains and freezing temperatures where there’s fog. Once the race starts – with vehicles departing at timed

intervals – teams don’t stop unless they experience a mechanical failure or make a pit stop.

Troy Herbst has amassed seven Baja 500 class wins and three overall victories. He also has a pair of overall wins in the Baja 1000. The entire Herbst family was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

RACING UNITES THE FAMILY

Riley Herbst and his cousins, Thor and Pierce grew up together, and Riley remembers thinking everybody’s father was a race car driver.

“I was immersed in racing from the time I can remember, just going to the desert with my dad, watching him race and practice,” Riley Herbst said. “All three of us thought that everybody did that when they were 5; we didn’t understand that it was just us.”

Thor Herbst, who is 3 months younger than Riley, recalls being exposed to multiple forms of racing at a young age. He calls it “interesting” to have grown up in a racing family, as he also began racing go-karts and trophy karts.

The duo became friends with Zane Smith, whose dad, Mike, helps run Terrible Herbst Motorsports in Huntington Beach, California.

Riley Herbst believes off-road racing is motorsports’ best-kept secret. There are hundreds of thousands of people scattered throughout the desert to watch the races. The best thing, according to Herbst, is there’s no admission fees.

“You just show up with your family and watch off-road trucks fly by you,” he said.

The Herbsts are passionate about racing and not much else. The trio of cousins were told early on they could race anything they wanted aside from dirt bikes.

“We had our choice of the litter of what we wanted to race,” Riley Herbst noted. “I remember getting home from racing or my dad’s race, we would sit on the couch and watch Jimmie Johnson win every NASCAR race. That’s what I grew up doing.”

The cousins wanted to be race car drivers from the time they could walk. When Riley Herbst decided to pursue a racing career, it was time for the conversation that parents in the racing industry have with their children.

“I told Riley that he was going to miss birthdays, anniversaries, school and dances,” Troy Herbst said. “He said he wanted to go racing. We just support him. We have a great company and a great business, and he loves NASCAR.”

Riley Herbst was a solid student in Las Vegas but didn’t like school. He wasn’t allowed to race, however, if there was a C grade

or lower on his report card. He was more of an 80s student, hovering around the B range.

Following his junior year of high school, Riley Herbst moved to North Carolina to pursue NASCAR. In a way, he was forced out, but he also wanted to compete in more races than what SCORE had to offer. He wanted racing to be his livelihood.

“I got a phone call from the principal and head chaplain of my high school letting me know I wasn’t allowed back at school for the spring semester because I had missed too many days of school,” he said.

Moving away from his family was a challenge for Riley Herbst. He had friends close by in Zane Smith and Noah Gragson, but being more than 2,000 miles away from his family was new. It made him grow up quickly.

“It’s like going to college a year before you’re supposed to cross the country,” Herbst said. “But college kids go to school, and we had to chase a career and work. Every night, it was the three of us and we had no idea what we were doing.

“We were 17, 18 years old, going to get pizza and playing Xbox until midnight and adjusting to life without parents was the craziest thing. We had to learn that the hard way because then the alarm clock called, and we had to get up. We started cutting down our Xbox time.”

Riley Herbst began his stock car tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing, competing in two ARCA Menards Series seasons before transitioning to full-time competition in 2020. In 2021, he moved to Stewart-Haas Racing to drive the No. 98 Ford.

Troy Herbst, who is a partner to nearly 200 Terrible Herbst convenience stores in the Southwest, has missed just one of his son’s NASCAR races – he was competing in the Baja 500 – when his son finished runnerup at Kentucky Speedway in 2020.

“He’s matured a ton,” Troy Herbst said about his son. “We might have been a little premature to move him up the way we did, but opportunities were there and we had a lot of discussions about it. There’s no reason why he doesn’t have a whole bunch of wins right now. There’s a lot of little reasons, but with the way he started off the season, he was a rocket ship.”

Riley Herbst simply wants to make his family proud.

“My grandpa started racing to bring his boys together, to bring his family together,” Riley Herbst explained. “My two cousins race, my uncle still races, my dad doesn’t race as much anymore because he travels every week to come support me. I know my grandfather would appreciate getting the family back together and going to compete at the highest level.”

B.J. McLeod

RACING DREAMS AND THE CAN THAT STARTED IT ALL

Every legend has an origin, and for B.J. McLeod it began with a Willy’s Jeep – rusted bolts and all. This wasn’t just any Jeep; it was his dad’s, and B.J. had dreams of getting his hands on it.

“Can I put a tag on it?” the youngster asked his father.

A simple question set off a chain of events. With a nod, his dad passed him a can of PB B’laster. A spray here, a moment’s patience there and those stubborn bolts gave way. That unassuming can was B.J.’s introduction to PB B’laster, a product destined to intertwine with his racing narrative.

B.J. McLeod has always been about speed, cars and competition. Racing became his heartbeat. He started competing on four-wheelers at 2½ years old and went on to win hundreds of go-kart races. B.J. eventually graduated to Super Late Model competition in his home state of Florida, establishing himself as a favorite to win at every track.

But there was an obstacle to overcome.

“I had to figure out how to afford to keep racing,” B.J. recalled, emphasizing the challenges and drive behind his passion.

Fortunately, B.J. had a secret weapon under the hood of his race car; engines meticulously crafted by his father.

“Often, I felt like we showed up with the best power,” B.J. proudly shared.

Father and son quickly made their mark among the best Super Late Model racers in the Southeast.

But the relationship with B’laster didn’t stop at the local short tracks.

As B.J.’s driving career accelerated, so did his love for classic vehicles, customization and motorsport-related hobbies. Enter his 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible. A true beauty, with a custom blacked-out rebuild that looks like it can step into any DC Comic movie and hang.

Badass as it may be, age still fights metal. Yet, with B’laster, every door and hood hinge was lubricated and rejuvenated, breathing new life into a vintage marvel.

And for those quieter moments away from the roaring tracks during the weekend?

B.J. finds solace in his RC cars, zipping around a hand-built dirt track in his backyard. But this is no ordinary track. Equipped with a paddock, lights, full track prep equipment, as well as an entire garage bay dedicated to the cars, this RC playground is unrivaled.

B’laster plays its part here, too – cleaning and shielding the cars from the relentless dirt as crew members and friends come by for a pseudo “league night” every week. A testament to the product’s versatility.

From a rusty Jeep to the grand tracks of NASCAR, B.J.’s journey is one of dreams, dedication and the thrill of the race. Today, as the Live Fast Motorsports No. 78 Camaro comes flying by, there’s a legacy under the hood. A story of a father and son, their shared dreams and the magic of a B’laster can that began it all.

Next time the roar of engines fills the air, remember – behind every great racer is a tale of passion, hard work, and perhaps, a trusty can of PB B’laster.

DON’T BUST YOUR KNUCKLES…

PB B’LASTER REVS UP SUPPORT OF MOTORSPORTS

pullers, to midget racers, it is hard not to notice that red scheme when you see it. It’s refreshing to see a brand getting into motorsports, not only at the top level but at the grassroots, too.

“The grassroots aspect is one that we can relate to. Our brand is built on that gritty, get-your-hands-dirty type of persona, and grassroots embodies that to a T,” explained Pindor. “We are a national brand, but it took a lot of time and hard work to get there. We started with just PB B’laster as the key item in our portfolio of products and have grown to include over 20 different performance chemical offerings. This is what we feel grassroots is all about, starting out with what you’ve got and growing to be your best while remembering where you are from.”

Ever avoided a busted knuckle thanks to the power of PB B’laster? Most “Rust Belt Warriors” will vouch that they have. Not sure what a Rust Belt Warrior is? Well, let’s take a dive into the B’laster brand, which produces the No. 1 selling penetrant, PB B’laster.

Sure, PB B’laster is an iconic product within the world of mechanics, but recently it has been revving engines in the motorsports community.

“B’laster has always had a place in motorsports. It just makes sense for us to spend our energy in that space,” President and CEO Randy Pindor said when asked about the company’s heavy involvement. “The B’laster brand leans heavily into the DIY side and heavily on the professional side of mechanics, and a lot of racers are working on their cars whenever they aren’t on the track. Similarly to our products, which are designed for DIYers and professionals alike, racers range from beginners to professionals, and we are happy to provide performance chemicals that are sure to help them reach their full potential.”

B’laster and motorsports go hand in hand.

“The racing community is a loyal one, and we have received a great response from them in our involvement,” said Pindor. “We are definitely going to keep growing our relationship with the racing community.”

Fasten your seat belts because it sounds like B’laster is sticking with motorsports.

There is no doubt NASCAR fans have seen B.J. McLeod in the No. 78 B’laster Chevy Camaro, but this isn’t the only place race fans will find B’laster cars on the track.

Along with its Team Live Fast partnership, B’laster also supports local racers across the country. From NHRA drivers, to tractor

These local sponsorships have not gone unnoticed, either. With so many people recognizing B’laster’s support within the community, racers can appreciate when a brand takes the time to support the smaller teams.

“So for us, the grassroots connection is one that we hope to never lose.” Pindor added.

B’laster was born and bred in the heart of the Rust Belt, Cleveland, Ohio, which is where the term “Rust Belt Warriors” originated.

“You don’t have to live in Cleveland, however, to be a Rust Belt Warrior,” explained Pindor. “A Rust Belt Warrior is anyone who has a passion for weekend wrenching and working on cars. The Rust Belt Warriors is a community of DIYers and mechanics alike whose favorite thing to do is get their hands dirty in the garage at every chance they can get.”

Pindor himself is a Rust Belt Warrior, and not just because he lives in the Rust Belt. In his time off, don’t be surprised if Pindor is working on a project car or starting a new DIY project in the garage. By now, most of us have probably heard the slogan “Don’t Bust Your Knuckles, Bust Your Nuts,” and Pindor was the catalyst behind the catchphrase of PB B’laster.

“Don’t Bust Your Knuckles, Bust Your Nuts is something that anyone who has ever wrenched on cars can relate to. … We have all had ‘that moment’ where you’re struggling with a fastener and the wrench slips, leaving you with a busted knuckle,” said Pindor. He is right, this is something with which anyone who has worked in a garage can relate.

Pindor continued, “There is a feeling of pride you get when you are working on your favorite project car, having done it with your own hands. Our audience knows what I am talking about. Now, we just have less knuckle-busting and more nut-busting thanks to PB!”

We can all agree that B’laster has made a huge impact on not only the nut-busting community but the motorsports community, as well.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

ON THE RACE TRACK, AND IN YOUR HOME

State Water Heaters is excited to partner with Jeb Burton on the race track and the whole Burton family on their outdoor TV show Crossroads with the Burtons. Just like Jeb Burton knows the value of high performing equipment on the track, we know the importance of high performing equipment in your home. Our ProLine® water heaters are designed to provide tough, commercialgrade performance that your family can rely on.

Jeb Burton

No. 27 State Water Heaters Chevrolet Camaro

COOL STUFF FOR RACE FANS

Slime Licker® Squeeze™

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Ooey Gooey Butter Cakes

OOEY GOOEY BUTTER CAKES ARE a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether enjoyed as a prerace treat or as a post-race reward, Ooey Gooey Butter Cakes are the perfect way to satisfy your cravings.

Originating in St. Louis, the bottom layer is a delicious buttery yellow cake, while the top layer is a rich mixture of cream cheese, sugar, and egg. With eight different flavors available, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

So why not treat yourself to the deliciousness of an Ooey Gooey Butter Cake? Head to your local convenience store and grab a stack for race day – keep them for yourself or share with your racing friends.

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Joe’s Hand Cleaner

JOE’S CITRUS BLUE HAND

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Cleaner is a waterless hand cleaner specially formulated with d’Limonene solvent. This solvent is derived from nature’s fruit to give you a completely safe way to clean and condition the hands. This amazing hand cleaner contains lanolin, petroleum jelly, and skin emollients to keep the hands and skin pliable and feeling great. Its distinctive blue color and fresh citrus scent bring a new level of cleaning the smell of work off your hands.

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NASCAR POLE POSITION

AN OFFICIALLY LICENSED

PUBLICATION OF NASCAR

23110 STATE ROAD 54, SUITE 293

LUTZ, FL 33549

EMAIL: INFO@AE-ENGINE.COM

WEB: POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM; AE-ENGINE.COM

THE CREW

PUBLISHER: CRAIG BARONCELLI

COMMERCIAL

VICE PRESIDENT: DAVID WATSON

DIRECTORS: MARK MORALES, ROWLAND GEORGE, RICH ALLEN, ARNOUT KOK

CONTENT

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: JOE RABUCK

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR: NICOLE COOPER

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR: JOSH MULL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: ERIC ESTEPP

COPY EDITOR: KEITH WALTZ

EDITORIAL: CODY WILLIAMS, MATT SMITH, JOSHUA LIPOWSKI, CHASE HOLDEN,

TANNER SHUTZE, GREG MATHERNE

SOCIAL MEDIA: JOEY STONE, PAIGE MARTIN, EVAN LIU

CONTRIBUTORS: JARED TURNER, KEITH WALTZ, BEN WHITE, JOSEPH WOLKIN, DUSTIN ALBINO

STAFF ASSISTANTS: AIDAN ANDERSEN, ETHAN ANDERSEN, SHOGUN

CONTENT CREATOR ACADEMY: COLE FETTERMAN

SPECIAL THANKS TO: ANDREW ENGEL (NASCAR)

A.E. ENGINE SPECIFIES THAT POST-PRESS CHANGES MAY OCCUR TO ANY INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION AND TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOODS OR SERVICES ADVERTISED.

NASCAR® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR STOCK CAR AUTO RACING, INC.

MAIL ORDER: TO RECEIVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE, SEND A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $30.95 TO: A.E. ENGINE, 23110 STATE ROAD 54, SUITE 293, LUTZ, FL 33549. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RETURN MAILING ADDRESS AND AN EMAIL ADDRESS AND MAKE THE CHECK PAYABLE TO A.E. ENGINE.

ONLINE ORDER: SUBSCRIPTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL COPIES CAN BE ORDERED ONLINE AT POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM.

DISTRIBUTION: IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OR AN ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN DISTRIBUTING COPIES OF NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE, PLEASE CONTACT CRAIG BARONCELLI AT CB@AE-ENGINE.COM.

SALES INQUIRIES: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING OR WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE CONTACT DAVID WATSON AT DKW@AE-ENGINE.COM.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. (OH YEAH!)

IN HIS OWN WORDS

PETTY COMES FROM BEHIND IN 1979

THE KING EDGES D.W. FOR SEVENTH CUP SERIES TITLE

BY RICHARD PETTY AS TOLD TO BEN WHITE

Putting that last championship together in 1979 was a great deal.

The championship we won before that was in 1975. Cale Yarborough was in Junior Johnson’s cars then and he was a tough competitor. They won championships in 1976, 1977 and 1978, so they were on top all those years. We ran behind Cale for three years and finished second to him in ’76 and ’77 and was sixth in points in ’78.

In ’78, we weren’t winning races. We made a switch from Dodge to Chevrolet in midseason, and weren’t as competitive as we had been before so we were going off the hill, so to speak.

Then in 1979, we won the Daytona 500 to start the season, but we were way behind in points to Darrell Waltrip and the DiGard team he was driving for with five or six races to go. We just went ahead and ran our races and concentrated on that more than worrying about was Darrell was doing.

I think Darrell lost the championship more than anything because he got to watching us and what we were doing more than concentrating on his racing. We didn’t worry about him. We just went out and raced as hard as we could and took what we could get.

We wound up the season at Ontario, California, and had just enough points to win the championship. In the very last

race, Darrell was given five points for leading the race when he stayed out one time and didn’t pit. By doing that, he got back in some traffic at the end. We finished in the top five (fifth) and he finished behind us (eighth). We had enough points to take the championship (by only 11 points).

It was really great because we really weren’t at the top of our game that year, but we were still able to take our seventh championship.

(Laughter) Seven championships is a bunch. There aren’t but two other guys (Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson) that have gotten there so far. I’ve said this many times; I joke with Dale Inman (his cousin and longtime crew chief) all the time and say that without him, I would have won 400 races instead of 200. But seriously, it’s never been “I” won seven championships and 200 races. It’s “we” won seven championships and 200 races with a lot of great and very talented and dedicated people helping us.

Back then, we generally had to have a better year all year long than anyone else. Things weren’t looking good for us with five races to go in 1979, but we didn’t give up. We raced the best that we could (four top-five finishes and a win at Rockingham, North Carolina, in the final five races) and came out with a championship.

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