NASCAR Pole Position - April-May 2022

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ROAR AUSTIN CINDRIC’S CUP SERIES CAREER STARTS WITH A DAYTONA 500 WIN

SEASON REWIND

WHY FANS LOVE

NOAH GRAGSON

1961

NASCAR LEGEND

ZANE SMITH

JUNIOR

LOVES HIS POOCHES

JOHNSON

MONDAY NIGHT RACING: A FUN ESPORTS ALTERNATIVE The New ROXOR is Here Welcome to the way, way off-road. Built to thrive where others won’t

DRIVERS

POSTERIZED

WALLACE // BLANEY // BRISCOE

Austin Dillon Q&A

NASCAR veteran Austin Dillon talks God, country and cowboys P. 36

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A MILLION

DOLLAR BILL?

From the legends who established the sport, to the new heroes fighting for a spot in the record books—there’s always something exciting to see at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Walk down Glory Road, drive our realistic racing simulator and take in the unbelievable racing moments that have shaped the sport. THIS IS OUR SPORT. THIS IS OUR HOUSE.

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TY

APRILMAY

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Monday Night Racing

Presented by Alka Seltzer

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Senior Salute

My Favorites

10

NASCAR Pets

11

Racing Jobs

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Retro Rewind

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NASCAR Home Tracks: Berlin Raceway

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Health & Wellness Presented by Slo-Niacin

YouTuber Eric Estepp’s Diary From The Clash

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Why Fans Love Noah Gragson

Presented by Prevagen

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A.J. Allmendinger Q&A

Backstory

60

Carson Hocevar Q&A

62

Don’t Call It A Throwback

66

Blast From The Past

Presented by K-Seal 30

NASCAR Builds

Presented by Forney Industries 32

Austin Cindric Q&A

36

Austin Dillon Q&A

38

NASCAR Drivers Posterized

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POLE POSITION 2022

Presented by Hempvana 68

Gone But Not Forgotten

Presented by Jockey

70

Favorite Finds

Mahindra Dives Into NASCAR

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Did You Know?

NASCAR Facts & Figures

D I E TA R Y S U P P L E M E N T

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Green Flag

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E H T N O IW 500

A N O T Y DA

SIO S E R P ’S E X U R E .

C I R D N C I N LE TE PI C T I T S U MP IE A ROOK PAINT A CO

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

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POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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D E E N S K C !

U O TR OVE TO L NASCAR DEFINED

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SON R E D N AN A

O CER B N E P S

JORD

DES O H R BEN

FITT F O M THAD

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GAN E E D AILIE

H POLE POSITION 2022

E SE N Y A IN W AUST

ITH

M ER S L D N CHA

ITH

SM ZANE

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IN HI AUST PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

PRESENTED BY

GREEN FLAG

PUBG MOBILE BACKS JOSH BERRY PUBG Mobile, one of the world’s most popular mobile games, partnered with JR Motorsports’ No. 8 team and driver Josh Berry for four NASCAR Xfinity Series races.

The PUBG Mobile Chevrolet raced at Auto Club Speedway, Phoenix Raceway and Circuit of The Americas and will be featured at Talladega Superspeedway (April 23).

PUBG Mobile is a battle royale mobile game developed by Lightspeed and Quantum

Studios of Tencent Games and KRAFTON Inc. and is based on PUBG: Battlegrounds.

“Mobile gaming has become so popular these days, so it’s great to showcase PUBG Mobile on our No. 8,” said Berry. “As a big gaming fan, I’m excited to be able to represent PUBG Mobile as it celebrates its fourth anniversary. Our goal is to get to Victory Lane with this partnership and connect PUBG mobile with a whole new and loyal fan base.”

Mahindra ROXOR to Sponsor Xfinity Series Race at Darlington

A

s part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR, Mahindra ROXOR has signed to sponsor

the May 7 NASCAR Xfinity Series race – the Mahindra ROXOR 200 – at legendary Darlington Raceway.

The new Mahindra ROXOR, a side-byside unlike any other, is a workhorse.

SPONSORED UP! // Spotlighting Team Partners

Since the launch in November 2021, the off-road vehicle is proving to be a popular alternative to conventional, plastic-bodied, light-duty SXSs that aren’t built to endure the rigors of heavy-duty, everyday work.

ERGODYNE SPONSORING JEB BURTON

DOMETIC SUPPORTS JAR JORDAN ANDERSON RACING

ATHLETIC GREENS JOINS KAULIG

has signed Dometic Corp. as

ATHLETIC GREENS – AND ITS

A NEW SPONSOR WILL

a primary sponsor for four

foundational nutrition drink

make its debut with Our

NASCAR Camping World

AG1 – has joined Kaulig

Motorsports and second-

Truck Series events and as an

Racing as the NASCAR team’s

generation driver Jeb Burton

associate sponsor for three

official nutrition partner.

at the Indianapolis Motor

NASCAR Xfinity Series races.

Speedway road course in July.

Ergodyne, a Klein Tools

“Dometic is proud to

AG1 empowers people to take ownership of their health

sponsor Jordan Anderson

through comprehensive and

company, will display its colors

Racing and we’re looking

convenient daily nutrition.

on Burton’s No. 27 Chevrolet

forward to engaging with our

The flagship product

for the NASCAR Xfinity Series

customers at the track,” said

combines more than nine

race at the historic speedway.

Sara Dover, Dometic’s brand

synergistic health products

Ergodyne will also be a full

manager/RV. “Obviously,

into one drink with 75 of the

season associate sponsor.

people love to travel with the

highest quality ingredients,

NASCAR circuit, and Dometic

and is designed to remove the

pioneered the development

is here to support them

friction of covering the daily

of products that protect and

however they get from race

nutritional needs of a

improve the lives of workers.

to race.”

modern diet.

Since 1983, Ergodyne has

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POLE POSITION 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

“It’s tough, but it is what it is. He’s definitely going to have to learn his lesson, you know what I mean.”

–RYAN SIEG AFTER HIS ON-TRACK INCIDENT WITH TY GIBBS DURING THE XFINITY SERIES’ ALSCO UNIFORMS 300 AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

RACE THROUGH * HEARTBURN Starts neutralizing acid in seconds

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MY FAVORITES MY FAVORITES WITH

TY DILLON

The unexpected return of Ty Dillon to the NASCAR Cup Series is one he still cannot stop smiling about.

The grandson of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress and brother of Austin Dillon joined Petty GMS Racing at the start of the season. The Next Gen car provided the perfect opportunity for Dillon to rejoin NASCAR’s premier series, and the racer from Welcome, North Carolina, is ready to show why fans should cheer for his No. 42 Chevrolet.

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? Remember the Titans.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? Post Hotel in Leavenworth, Washington

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR? Chris Pratt

WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO DRINK? Moscow Mule

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF RACING MEMORABILIA THAT YOU OWN? Helmets and suits from different times throughout my career

Anything cooked

by Haley Dillon (his wife)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Nobu

NASCAR PETS

Zane Smith Loves His Pooches

BY JARED TURNER

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Zane Smith and his girlfriend, McCall Gaulding, would be the perfect protagonists for the 2005 romantic comedy movie “Must Love Dogs.”

In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a NASCAR couple with a greater affinity for canines than these two.

“There’s not many people who love dogs more than me, but I would say she’s on par with me,” said Smith, a two-time Truck Series championship runner-up and the winner of this year’s season opener. “I’m happy I have a girl who loves dogs. That’s a big thing for me.”

Smith and Gaulding are the proud

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owners of a 5-year-old French Bulldog named Kygo and a 2-year-old Golden Retriever named Roxy.

“I love them to death,” Smith said. “I try to spend as much time as possible with them. I wish they could come to all the races with me. I like to consider them good luck charms, but I’m a huge fan of any dogs, really. I always have been since I was a little kid, and I’m very lucky I have two really good dogs.”

If he’s completely honest, though, Smith is a little partial toward his prized Golden Retriever.

“I would say Kygo likes, probably, my girlfriend more, and Roxy has to always be attached at the hip with me,” he said. “And I’m a huge Golden Retriever fan, so it’s a good thing dogs can’t read, because I would probably say Roxy’s my favorite.”

Despite having very different personalities according to their “dad,” the two animals coexist rather well.

“They’re honestly really good together,” Smith said.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

RACING JOBS

FOLLOWING A TIGHT SCHEDULE WHITE HAS BEEN GETTING DRIVERS PLACES FOR 29 YEARS

BY BEN WHITE

J

immy

White, public “In 1993, I went back down relations manager for to Daytona in January and Richard Childress RacFebruary and helped sign up ing drivers Sheldon Creed stations again for the coming and Austin Hill in NASCAR’s year. Then I went back home Xfinity Series, began his and was able to tag along career 29 years ago in a from where I lived in North much different way than his Carolina. MRN broadcast present role.

Busch Series (now Xfinity The Union Grove, North Series) races at Hickory MoCarolina, native graduated tor Speedway, Martinsville from Western Carolina UniSpeedway and various ones versity with a Bachelor of not too far from home, so Arts degree in English in there were about 14 or 15 1992. His hopes of finding a races I could volunteer to help way into NASCAR initially with to move equipment, tear rested upon a path through down the booth after races, radio broadcasts of races. work as a spotter in Turns “The motivation I had 1 and 2 with Joe Moore (reto go to college was to take tired from the booth as lead a job full time in racing, announcer in 2018.) I really whether that was in the enjoyed it.”

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER FOR RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING journalism side or the public White would pick up press relations side,” White said. kits given out in media cen“During my final semester of ters that included business college, I reached out to John cards with contact names McMullen, the president and of public relations firms general manager of Motor that represented drivers and Racing Network at the time. teams. He sent résumés to I asked for an internship. them until he was given a He said MRN had never job at D.K. Ulrich Racing with done that before but to let him think about it. A sponsor U.S. Air and driver Greg Sacks. White began his role as a public recouple of days later he called and said yes, that lations representative in the fall of 1993 and has been working with various they would do it and it would be fine.” teams for the past three decades.

White traveled to Florida in the fall of 1992 White has served in a media relations capacity for Brad Keselowski Racing, and worked in MRN’s office, located directly Darnell Communications and Roush Fenway Racing. He has also worked with behind pit road inside Daytona International Raybestos Brakes, Jasper Engines and Shell Oil. Speedway. He worked in their affiliate relations “In a nutshell, I’m responsible for making sure the drivers I work with know department helping to sign radio stations that where they are going, what they’re doing and how long they will be there,” wanted to carry race broadcasts. White also White said. “You always want to have plenty of time for practice and compeorganized old files and did other odd jobs. tition as well as debriefs with the crew chief. Everything competition-wise There was another fun part of the job away comes first. from the office that he really enjoyed.

“You make sure your sponsorship partners, whether it’s a suite appearance, “I was getting a feel for what the business meet-and-greet or meeting, remains a high priority. The media is also a high was like,” White said. “For a kid new to the job priority. So again, your three important pillars are competition, partners and market, having MRN on my résumé was huge the media. You put everything into the schedule, and you execute them. You do for obtaining what I wanted to do. that day to day and week to week throughout the season.”

Jimmy White

PHOTOGRAPHY: RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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RETRO REWIND

Racing on a Prayer

ALLISON ENTERED HIS FIRST NASCAR RACE IN 1961

BY BEN WHITE

W

hen Bobby Allison was 16 years old, the Miami native used shoe polish

to put a number on the doors and roof of his personal car, and the youngster went racing at nearby Hialeah Speedway. He raced using the name Bob Sunderman so his parents wouldn’t know what he was doing.

Allison eventually finished second in the national modified standings behind Johnny Roberts, beating such hot shoes as Red Farmer, Possum Jones and Bobby Johns. Allison was a also a contender at Hollywood, Palmetto and Medley Speedways and was quickly making a name for himself.

At the age of 23, Allison made his first NASCAR premier series start in February 1961 with the dream of making it big. He went to Daytona International Speedway with a 1961 Chevrolet Impala owned by brother-in-law Bob Stark with intentions of qualifying for the Daytona 500.

“As I remember it, we struggled with that old white Chevrolet to try to make it handle and never could get it right,” Allison recalled. “We tried everything we could possibly think of and the leaders would still fly by me like I was sitting still. It was one of those deals where I had to just drive as hard as I could and hope for a respectable finish if some of the other cars fell out.”

After his qualifying race, Allison received a call that his wife, Judy, was in

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labor with their first child. Davey Allison, a future 19-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, was born on Feb. 25, 1961. Bobby Allison traveled to the hospital in Hollywood, Florida, to be with his family and then returned to Daytona for the 500. On Feb. 26, Allison finished 31st in the 58-car field.

Over time, the 1983 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee won 85 races, including the Daytona 500 in 1978, 1982 and 1988. During a 25-year Cup Series career, he logged 718 starts, 336 top-five finishes, 446 top-10 results and 59 pole positions. His driving career ended on June 19, 1988, when he suffered a near-fatal accident at Pocono Raceway.

“Looking back, I would say that first year in the Grand National division, now the Cup Series, was interesting,” Allison said. “We didn’t have the best car by any means, and it was incredibly tough. I won $50 for my first start in that qualifying race and $650 for four starts that season. But I raced for 25 years and had a great career as a driver and at times was a driver-team owner. I’m especially proud of my time in NASCAR.” PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

NASCAR HOME TRACKS

Berlin Raceway Located 12 miles northwest of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Berlin Raceway has one of the largest and most devoted fan bases in American grassroots racing.

“This is our 72nd year of racing here and when you go back and look at the drivers who built Berlin Raceway – drivers like John Benson Sr., Eddie Vanderlaan, Fred Campbell, just to name a few – that’s really where it all started,” said Jeff Striegle, a 25-year NASCAR industry veteran who is in his second season as the track’s general manager. “They created a loyal fan base years and years ago, and that base of loyal race fans continues to grow each and every year.”

In addition to its regular Saturday night racing programs, the seven-sixteenths-mile paved oval showcases multiple touring series.

“We actually have 13 different divisions that will be competing here at Berlin Raceway in 2022,” said Striegle. “An example of that is the ARCA Menards Series on June 18.”

THE AUGUST 10 BATTLE AT BERLIN IS BERLIN RACEWAY’S MARQUEE EVENT. KIDS IN FREE

AWARD WINNER

BUSY SEASON

“WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW TRACKS IN THE

IN 2021, BERLIN RACEWAY EARNED $50,000

“WE OPEN UP ON APRIL 16 WITH THE

country that offers a free ticket to any

from Advance Auto Parts by accruing the most

Icebreaker and our schedule runs through Sept. 10,”

youngster from the age of 15 and below,”

fan votes out of six NASCAR-sanctioned short

Striegle noted. “We have 24 event nights, including

Striegle said. “That is something we are

tracks that were part of the final round of voting

two Wednesdays – Money in the Bank and Battle

introducing in 2022. We provide a lot of

in the Advance My Track Challenge.

at Berlin, two super late model shows. We have one

different kid-type things they can do,

“Having the opportunity to participate in the

weekend event, a Friday and a Saturday night and

whether it be the bounce house or the

Challenge was very exciting,” said Striegle. “To

that is when we are having the supermodifieds in

playground. We are also introducing a new

win it was not only a huge surprise, but also

town. We race primarily on Saturday nights.”

candy shack for the kids, but the goal is to

something that we took a lot of pride in and felt

make them fans of auto racing.”

very good about.”

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Visit berlinraceway.com for information and complete schedule details.

WORDS: KEITH WALTZ, PHOTOGRAPHY: BERLIN RACEWAY

PRESENTED BY

How Drivers Stay Physically Fit

BY JARED TURNER

H

ow do NASCAR drivers stay in prime

shape? It depends on which ones you ask. Nevertheless, a few common threads persist among drivers when it comes to the exercise regimens they pursue so they can bring their “A” game on Sundays. Up next are five of the most popular ways that drivers like to work out.

D I E TA R Y S U P P L E M E N T

RUNNING

MAINTAINING A STEADY HEART RATE IN THE RACE CAR IS A BIGGER PRIORITY THAN it’s ever been for NASCAR drivers, who realize that driving close to 200 mph has the potential to make their heart beat atypically fast. To prepare for this, drivers customarily run several miles a week.

LIFTING

TAKING THEIR CUE FROM NASCAR HALL OF FAMER MARK MARTIN, SOME OF TODAY’S NASCAR drivers are gym rats who devote extensive time to weightlifting. Whether it be through highly structured CrossFit routines or pushing barbells and dumbbells in a home gym, drivers see the benefit of building and maintaining muscle mass.

WALKING

IT MIGHT NOT BE AS SEXY AS SOME OF THE OTHER METHODS THAT NASCAR DRIVERS use to stay healthy, but regular walking – whether it be a stroll through their neighborhood or an intense 45-minute session on the treadmill – is one way competitors stay lean and keep their blood pumping.

BIKING

BIKING ON ROADS AND MOUNTAIN TRAILS IS A POPULAR PASTIME AMONG NASCAR drivers. Not only does it help them keep their legs and arms in tip-top condition, but it’s another way for some drivers – who ride together in groups – to compete with each other.

RACING

YES, RACING. ONE WAY MANY DRIVERS KEEP IN SHAPE IS BY RACING ON WEEKNIGHTS and off-weekends outside of NASCAR’s national series. A perfect example? Reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, who frequently competes in sprint car events – often with great success.

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Zane Smith: Effort = Results

BY JARED TURNER

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

Below is a breakdown of the foods Zane Smith enjoys eating for his three meals on a typical day.

BREAKFAST ■■ “My breakfast will be like a huge bowl of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, a banana, a kiwi. I just love fruits.”

LUNCH ■■ “I’ll try to have a higher-carb lunch just because it’s typically after a workout or I’ve

A

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship runner-up the past two

years, Zane Smith is clearly doing something right.

One of the secrets to his success? A steady workout regimen.

“Your health and your fitness and your preparation are huge for your outcome on race day,” said Smith, who kicked off the season by winning the Truck Series opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Smith, who says he became really serious about physical fitness around three years ago, gets most of his exercise through running, mountain biking and road biking.

He also incorporates some basic weight lifting and karting. Smith’s goal is to run between six and eight miles a week and go karting at least once a week, with biking and lifting mixed in.

“Most of our stuff during race season is cardio-based and focusing on a lower heart rate just because we’re putting ourselves in extremely high heart-rate situations,” Smith said. “So when you’re able to manage that and perform calmly, I think it’s the better route.”

Smith tries to work out no fewer than three days a week and pursues some of his most intense routines on off-weeks for the Truck Series. On race weeks, his toughest workouts usually come earlier in the week – and that’s by design.

“I want to be rested up and not wanting to take a nap on race day,” Smith said. “I want to be ready to go. During race week, exposing myself to heat is one of the main things, and keeping up with hydration and eating well. But the off-weeks are the most miserable ones because that’s your time to go hard.”

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done something where I’ve really been going.

I love Mexican food, honestly, and I love to get a California burrito. Sushi is great, too.”

DINNER ■■ “It’s kind of the same things – whether it’s chicken and vegetables or something chicken related that my girlfriend cooks. We always try to have spaghetti one night where we mix both of our families’ spaghetti recipes into one – and that’s probably my favorite dinner.

If not that, I love seafood. I try to have salmon once a week.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES, FREEPIK.COM

NASCAR INFLUENCERS

SEE MY L.A. COLISEUM YOUTUBER ERIC ESTEPP’S PHOTO DIARY FROM THE CLASH

The Busch Light Clash at the L.A. Coliseum was a whole new experience for NASCAR fans. With the historic stadium converted into a race track, and the first appearance of the Next Gen car, all eyes were on the West Coast to see what NASCAR had in store as we entered this exciting new era.

We asked YouTube content creator Eric Estepp, host of Out of the Groove, to share his photo diary of the event. With a huge crowd of new fans, veteran fans and a host of musical guests, there was a lot to take in at the track that weekend.

Come along, meet the fans, snap a selfie with the drivers and grab your seat for the inaugural Busch Light Clash at the L.A. Coliseum.

WE’RE HERE...

“Bright and early. Had to beat that L.A. traffic. Can’t wait to see NASCAR stock cars inside a historic stadium.

I never thought I’d see something like this in my lifetime.”

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SO ARE YOU!

“Been here five minutes and already spotted some members of the Groovy Gang. It’s great to see the online racing community represented on both coasts.”

FAMILY FUN

“This race is all about reaching new fans. I started watching as a kid and spent hours playing with toy cars.

And even now as an adult, not much has changed.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIC ESTEPP, GETTY IMAGES

GETTING READY

“Still hours from the green flag, but fans are already finding their seats. I can’t wait to see this place full for the main event.”

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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NASCAR INFLUENCERS

HEAD ON A SWIVEL

“You never know who might sneak up into the grandstands. Tyler Reddick had a swarm of fans trying to chase him down.”

AIR SUPPORT

“A Chick-Fil-A blimp? On a Sunday? The Clash was full of surprises.”

MEET THE CREW

“We all flew in front halfway across the country for this one. Racing is always better with friends. Great to see fellow YouTubers Danny B and Claudia on the West Coast.”

HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES

“Ice Cube, Pitbull and Lightning McQueen? NASCAR certainly delivered the star power.”

FUN FOR GROWN FANS

“You know NASCAR’s official beer sponsor had to have the adults covered. That’s why they call it the Busch Light Clash after all!”

THE CROWD

“That’s more like it! Ready for 150 laps of extreme, relentless short-track action.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY: PHOTOGRAPHY:ERIC GETTY ESTEPP IMAGES

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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IRACING

MONDAY NIGHT RACING UNIQUE LEAGUE OFFERS A FUN ESPORTS ALTERNATIVE

BY DUSTIN ALBINO

E

ver have a crazy idea you think could

transcend in a specific landscape?

That’s what Ford Martin came up with two years ago, when he co-founded Monday Night Racing.

Martin, whose day job is producing digital content for FOX Sports, wanted to bring iRacing to the limelight. After all, NASCAR on FOX was doing virtual iRacing every Sunday during the 10-week COVID-19 shutdown in 2020.

Monday Night Racing’s first event was in May 2020. Since then, four seasons have concluded, with the most recent wrapping up in the beginning of February. The league started as a way for people within the motorsports community to have fun. But quickly, it turned into a competitive outlet where even some “celebrities” compete.

“We just want to be something to grow sim racing,” Martin said. “I see the eNASCAR Series as NASCAR and us as SRX (Superstar Racing Experience). We’re all about having fun; these aren’t going to be the best drivers, there’s going to be some rough races, there’s going to be some fun races. We’re all here to have fun.”

Admittedly, Martin, who wasn’t an avid iRacer prior to kicking up Monday Night Racing, has gotten advice from people within the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series to help his league grow. At the same time, having drivers like Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Parker Kligerman and countless others spread the word has been beneficial.

“It was extremely important for them to be involved because those guys have helped lift us to the next level,” Martin said. “They see us as a league that they can come in and put aside the seriousness of everything going on in our lives and think about it as hopping on a video game with a bunch of buddies.”

Busch bought into the league so much that his Rowdy Energy was the title sponsor of the series’ most recent season.

“It’s been fun,” Busch said of joining the league. “(Martin) invited me to join the league a couple years ago before it took off – I feel like it’s taken off the last couple of years, which has been really good.

“Guys in there race hard and run hard for

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MONDAY NIGHT RACING BY THE NUMBERS ■■ In Monday Night Racing’s inaugural event, 2000 Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte and Regan Smith were notable NASCAR names to compete

wins. It’s a double-edge sword for me, there’s better competition but now I’m getting beat. But I did win a couple of times this year and ran up front a bunch when I was able to chime in.”

The field, which is made up of roughly 36 entries on a given Monday, competes on various race tracks in a plethora of different race cars. It operates similarly to how a NASCAR race is officiated with two major exceptions: Whenever there’s a caution, flag anyone who is one or more laps down can get one lap back; and each competitor also gets one quick reset.

While it’s a league in which to have fun, Martin wants to continue to grow his idea. That even includes the car/track combination, which has included IndyCar races at the virtual Talladega Superspeedway and super late models at the virtual Michigan International Speedway.

“We want to have it where it’s a good product and people can sit back and go, ‘This is an awesome product to watch,’” Martin added.

“We want to have combos where people are saying, ‘This is going to be crazy.’ The more you talk about this crazy combo and how fun it’s going to be, more people are going to want to turn into that broadcast and the drivers are going to promote it because they’re excited and more people are going to watch.”

Moving forward, Martin wants to continue to work with iRacing to help grow simulated stock car racing, as it’s currently broadcasted on Podium eSports. The series’ most recent championship event, in which participants competed in Xfinity Series cars at the virtual Auto Club Speedway, was the first time a live iRacing sim race has been in person, held at the Carolina Esports hub in Charlotte.

Ultimately, the aspirations for Monday Night Racing are high.

“We want to put this product on TV,” Martin said. “We want to be up there with Fortnite, Rocket League and Call of Duty, leagues that you see in major arenas. We want to grow our product and join those ranks of esports.”

in the ARCA race at the virtual Rockingham.

Speedway.

■■ In September 2020, broadcasters Allen Bestwick and the late Bob Jenkins called the series’ championship race at the virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

■■ With five wins, Red Bull athlete Shane Van Gisbergen has captured the most checkered flags in the series’ four seasons.

■■ Motorsports reporter Nick DeGroot, drivers Will Rodgers and Robby Lyons and experienced iRacer Adam Cabot have each won one of the MNR championships.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MONDAY NIGHT RACING

SENIOR SALUTE

PRESENTED BY

FOR THE RECORD

ERNIE IRVAN

1991 DAYTONA 500 WINNER

BY BEN WHITE

From 1987 through 1999, Ernie Irvan made his mark on the NASCAR Cup Series as the California native won 15 races, including the 1991 Daytona 500.

Irvan’s drive to succeed on the track also played a major role in his determination to recover from a severe head injury suffered during a practice session at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 20, 1994. Two years and one month later, Irvan beat the odds and returned to Victory Lane at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

In this exclusive interview with NASCAR Pole Position, Irvan talks about growing up in California, his early racing career, winning in the Cup Series, his miraculous recovery and his decision to retire from driving in 1999.

•• Despite missing

the final 11 races of the 1994 season due to injury, Irvan managed to finish the year second among drivers for most laps led, a testament to his dominance during the first half of the season.

24

POLE POSITION 2022

DO YOU REMEMBER THE VERY FIRST RACE YOU ATTENDED? Yes, I was 8 and it was a gokart race in California. I went there with my dad, Vic Irvan.

He passed away in 2009.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A RACE CAR DRIVER? It was because my dad was a race car driver. I grew up racing go-karts and later stock cars. If my dad had been a doctor, I probably would have gone into the medical field. I think that happens a lot. I think

people often follow in their mom or dad’s footsteps.

YOU FINALLY GET A NASCAR CUP SERIES RIDE IN MARC RENO’S CAR WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM DALE EARNHARDT. HOW DID THAT WORKOUT? The biggest thing was how the Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet sponsorship happened and how Ken Schrader brokered the deal. That was one of the major turning points in my career. Marc Reno and I were doing work for Earnhardt and

Schrader. We were working on trailers, anything they needed.

Kenny walked in the shop one day and said, “What are you doing with that car?” Marc told him I was going to drive it in the Cup Series race at Richmond and that we needed a sponsor.

So, Kenny and Earnhardt drove to Darlington the next day and he mentioned to him that we need a sponsor.

Earnhardt was opening his dealership in Newton, North PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

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SENIOR SALUTE Carolina, about that time so he agreed to sponsor us.

Schrader came back the next day and said, “Ok, I got you a deal.

Dale’s going to sponsor the car.

He’s not going to give you any money though.” (Laughter) We’re like, “How are we going to do that?” But Dale said, “I’m going to give you credibility.”

When you stand back and look at it, that was the smartest thing we ever did. We rolled into Richmond with a Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet-sponsored car on an open trailer. Everyone was saying, “Earnhardt is sponsoring that car?

This guy must be good!” So, it’s all about good impressions. Earnhardt saw way beyond everyone else.

YOU GOT YOUR FIRST WIN WITH MORGAN-MCCLURE MOTORSPORTS IN 1990 AT BRISTOL. WHAT DID THAT MEAN TO YOU? Oh, that was so awesome. Better than I ever imagined it could be. I never even imagined driving the No. 4 car. It was always a fast car.

Getting into Larry McClure’s car was like, “Wow, this is a lot easier than I thought.” It was a good car with a good motor, good crew that was all put together and that makes you go fast.

WE LOST DAVEY ALLISON IN JULY 1993 AND BY OCTOBER, YOU WERE DRIVING FOR HIS FORMER TEAM, ROBERT YATES RACING. THEN, IN AUGUST 1994, YOU WERE CRITICALLY INJURED AT MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY. MIRACULOUSLY, YOU RETURNED TO RACING AND FOUND YOUR WAY BACK TO VICTORY LANE. HOW TOUGH WAS THAT COMEBACK? Obviously, the comeback was God looking after me and helping me see the light about even coming back. There was no physical way I should have been able to do that, according to my doctors.

How did I do that? I’m not magic.

God had bigger plans for me. He allowed me to come back because

26

POLE POSITION 2022

PRESENTED BY

maybe someone needed to be taught through my experience about injuries or something.

It just so happened that I was able to come back and run well.

I owe a lot of it to Robert Yates and Texaco because they were the ones that said we’re going to have a car for you. If they hadn’t made up their minds that I was going to have a car to drive when I came back, I would have been sidelined wishing I could do it again.

WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND DURING THAT FINAL LAP WHEN YOU WON AT NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY IN 1996?

IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN EMOTIONAL FOR YOU. The whole time I raced I was always looking forward to the next race. I would say, “OK, we won that one. Yeah, that was really special but let’s go to the next one.” It was awesome to win but I was always looking forward to the next race.

THE DECISION TO RETIRE CAME IN 1999. DID YOU KNOW IT WAS TIME? I wasn’t ready but you know, I knew I had come back from the one really bad crash in 1994 and in my mind, I was trying to put the effort out but no one had ever come back from what I went through. I made the right decision. I was only about 70 percent when I came back the first time and the team was 130 percent. I wanted to watch my kids grow up. I had one miracle and I knew I didn’t need to push it.

YOU’VE HAD SUCH A UNIQUE CAREER AND FANS CONTINUE TO LOVE YOU. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR? I want to be remembered as someone who trusted God and drove every lap like it was going to be the last lap. That’s the way I drove. Sometimes it was good and sometimes it was bad.

No one ever said I was out there cruising.

PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

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BACKSTORY

PRESENTED BY

PRAYING FOR THE WIN CRAVEN EDGES BUSCH IN DRAMATIC FINISH

BY BEN WHITE

O •• Ricky Craven took

the checkered flag twice during his 278-race career in the NASCAR Cup Series. The first of his two victories came in the 2001 Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville.

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POLE POSITION 2022

ne of the greatest finishes in the history of legend-

ary Darlington Raceway came on March 16, 2003, between Ricky Craven, driving the No. 32 Pontiac owned by Cal Wells, and Kurt Busch, in the No. 97 Roush Racing Ford.

The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 featured 15 lead changes, including one that came a mere three feet from the finish line. The dramatic conclusion brought the 55,000 fans in attendance to their feet and left those watching on television in disbelief.

Busch took the lead from Jeff Gordon on lap 270 of 293.

He could see Craven filling his rearview mirror and coming fast. Craven also passed Gordon and was having an exceptional afternoon on the 1.366-mile track as he drew closer to Busch.

The two passed one another and got each other out of control. Each of the young drivers was determined to call the victory his own, no matter what it took. Beating doors and banging bumpers was just part of the game, and neither was shy about letting the other know their intentions.

Coming off of Turn 4 with the checkered flag in sight,

Craven went low and edged Busch by inches amid heavily damaged sheet metal and a cloud of smoke generated by contact between the two cars. The margin of victory was .0002 seconds.

While standing in Victory Lane, Craven said, “I knew there were none tougher than Darlington, so that’s the one I wanted to win the worst. Wow, this is sweet … it’s amazing that you can drive and pray at the same time, but I was doing it.”

In 2021, Craven reflected on his Darlington win, the biggest victory of his long racing career.

“What the Darlington win means to me is that I won a race that people remember,” Craven said. “For years, I raced against guys with tremendous talent, such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart.

“Although I won only two Cup Series races, at least I gave them something to remember me by, because the very best drivers won at Darlington. It’s a driver’s track that is ‘Too Tough to Tame’ as the slogan says. I’m humbled to say my name doesn’t belong with theirs, but I’m one of those that has won a race there.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

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FORNEY INDUSTRIES:

‘WE ARE FAMILY FIRST’

BY RACHEL BIGUM, FORNEY INDUSTRIES

Family companies rarely make it past the second generation.

I’m proud to be part of the third generation and look forward to our fourth.

Steve Anderson

PRES IDE NT & CEO OF FORNE Y IN DUSTRIES

F

or Forney Industries, being family-owned and operated isn’t just a privilege,

it’s a legacy almost a century in the making.

Steve Anderson is the president and CEO of Forney Industries and residing third generation of the company. His grandfather, J.D. Forney, started the welding and metalworking business in 1932. Steve’s son, Dane Anderson, is the fourth generation in charge of Operations and Business Administration.

This year, Forney Industries is celebrating 90 years of business. In honor of this milestone, Steve and Dane joined forces for a special interview.

“This company has such a rich history from the invention of the Instant Heat Soldering Iron, the first 110V welder, aviation, central vacuum systems, generators and plethora of other products and ideas,” Steve Anderson said. “Our founder’s incredible perseverance and ‘get-it-done’ attitude continues to live in the very backbone of this company.”

Forney stands apart from other companies because of its culture.

“We are family first. We care about our people,” Steve Anderson noted. “Our mission is helping every team member be better, and in turn they give back so much more. Without them, we are not a company. We encourage out-of-the-box thinking and it has paid us back in so many ways.”

Dane Anderson has achieved many things since joining his father at Forney Industries, in fact he always knew working at Forney was in the cards for him.

“It is hard to say when I knew I was going to work for the company, because it has always felt like my destiny. My first memories were at Forney when my father would set me on a box and push me down the conveyor belts,” Dane Anderson recalled. “My father always emphasized that I needed to work for other companies before I came back to Forney, and when he finally asked me to come back, I knew it was the right time. It is so exciting to be able to honor the generations before me and leave my mark on Forney Industries and the welding community.”

Ninety years of business is no small accomplishment – especially after the turbulent effects of a global pandemic and supply chain shortages, among other roadblocks.

Dane Anderson noted, “I think that Forney’s greatest achievement (in the past 90 years) has been the ability to stay resilient when the cards are stacked against us.

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POLE POSITION 2022

Forney is set to become a fourth-generation, family-owned company. Less than two percent of family-owned companies hit that mark. Also, Forney has stood the test of time. We were born in the heart of The Great Depression and continually prove to be unbreakable. We have mountains to climb, but what I know is that this company is built to withstand these challenges and come out even stronger.”

So, what’s the best part about working with your family?

“I’m impressed with Dane’s knowledge.

He might not have the years of experience I have, but I truly admire the way he interacts with people,” Steve Anderson said. “He is not afraid to make mistakes.

From a very early age, working with my father and grandfathers taught me the importance of a strong work ethic, and Dane clearly has that same drive.”

“The best part about working with my father is that most of the lessons I’ve learned, haven’t happened at work. Growing up around him, I’ve learned that ‘keeping your eye on the ball’ isn’t just about baseball.” Dane Anderson said. “Every day he provides me guidance on how to treat employees and customers like family.

I also love that he treats me as an equal and encourages me to give my input and opinion. They are extremely large shoes to fill, but with his mentoring I am hopeful to live up to them.”

Forney Industries remains rooted in its unwavering belief in the power of family, and looks forward to another 90 years of success and innovation.

PHOTOGRAPHY: FORNEY

DRIVER Q&A

Q&A WITH

AUSTIN CINDRIC

‘I JUST WANT TO CONTEND IN RACES’

A

ustin Cindric is touted as one of the best up-and-coming prospects in

NASCAR. This year, he’s made it to the top, competing in the NASCAR Cup Series for Team Penske. It didn’t take him long to be successful, winning the season’s first race, a big one at that, in the Daytona 500.

Cindric took the reins of the famed No. 2 car, replacing Brad Keselowski, who is in the midst of his first season as an owner driver at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. Cindric, the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, racked up 13 wins in 133 series starts. In each of his final two Xfinity Series seasons, he earned 26 top-10 finishes.

Despite being a rookie at the Cup Series level, Cindric has proven throughout his career that he’s an adaptable race car driver. Throughout his racing career, he’s competed in everything from the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races, as well as earning two wins in the IMSA Pilot Challenge Series. He’s also competed in the Pirelli World Challenge Series, Red Bull Global Rallycross and the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

While Cindric does have competition in the Cup Series’ rookie-of-the-year battle in Harrison Burton and Todd Gilliland, the full-time Team Penske driver is the odds-on favorite. Plus, he’s already got a win and all-but-locked into the postseason. But his main goal remains to be in contention.

Cindric discussed his transition to the Cup Series, going to high school with Burton and connecting with teammates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney.

32

POLE POSITION 2022

BY DUSTIN ALBINO

WITH THIS BEING YOUR FIRST FULL SEASON IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES, HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK YOU’LL HAVE TO EARN YOUR COMPETITORS’ RESPECT? That’s one I’m not in full control of and one I don’t spend too much time dwelling over. It’s something I have to be aware of. The reset button has been hit, and I’m at the bottom of the totem pole.

I have enjoyed my time in the Xfinity Series, going from the bottom to the top end of the spectrum, whether that’s from a reputation standpoint or from a competitive standpoint. I think the two are quite linear as far as being competitive and earning respect. I think that’s the first step of that, and that’s my job. As soon as I do my job, I think the rest will sort itself out.

WHAT’S THE TOUGHEST THING ABOUT MOVING TO A NEW SERIES? I think it’s the competitors, and that’s what makes NASCAR unique. Not only are you racing against 30 or 40 other drivers, which is a higher car count than most series, but you’re also racing against 30 or 40 drivers within a couple feet, within a couple of inches for the entire event.

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DRIVER Q&A series, or even Rallycross, you’re going to have some close moments and tight racing, but usually once a position is established, that’s it. You’re not racing the same guy for a while; you’re not racing multiple drivers for a long period of time. For me, that’s what makes NASCAR so much more social from a competitive standpoint than any other form of racing. I’ve enjoyed learning that, it’s very different. I feel like that’s one of the hardest things I had to adjust to, and it’s made me better in other types of racing when I’ve gone back and done other things. It’s made me quite comfortable in uncomfortable situations in racing scenarios.

YOU AND HARRISON BURTON WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER. WHAT WAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM GROWING UP? Harrison and I knew each other. We’re both kids in racing families going to the same school. He’s Jeff Burton’s kid, I watched NASCAR, so I knew who he was.

We got to know each other, but we didn’t really race each other at all growing up. It wasn’t until ARCA, trucks and Xfinity that we raced against each other. It was funny because Harrison and I are very different students.

I had very strict guidelines from my mom on what grades were expected from me.

And with as much school as I missed, I perhaps raised my teachers’ expectations for when Harrison got to those same classes two years later. I may have made things a little harder for him. I’ll text back and forth with some of my old teachers and they get to watch us both in Cup this year.

WHAT WAS THE PUNISHMENT IF NOT AN A? You don’t get to go racing if your grades aren’t good. That’s enough motivation and all you need to hear.

HOW WELL DO YOU MESH WITH THE PENSKE VETERANS JOEY LOGANO AND RYAN BLANEY? Joey has been a great mentor as far as paying attention. Some weekends I might be struggling, and he would just walk over to the Xfinity hauler and say, “What can I help you with?” I would say, “That’s kind of an insult, but yeah, I need help.”

Ryan was actually at my first ever ARCA test. He shook the car down when I went to Iowa. Ryan and I hit it off pretty well, we have a lot of common interests. I feel like he’s really grown into a leadership role with the team. He found himself in a very similar position as I am when he went full-time Cup racing in 2016, as far as having two veteran teammates and being able to lean on them and have them as gauges. I think the best thing in racing you can have is really competitive teammates because it forces you to step up your own game and push yourself along.

MENTALLY, WHAT WILL YOU CONSIDER A SUCCESSFUL ROOKIE CAMPAIGN? I just want to contend in races. I think growth is important and working together as a team is important. My long-term plan is to be in this sport for a while and try to figure out how to do that as best as possible and be successful. I’m not going to say, “Hey, I want to win X amount of races, I want to be in the playoffs, I want to win rookie of the year.” I just want to contend in races, whether that’s get a top-five on a consistent basis, contending for wins throughout the year.

DISCOUNT TIRE WILL BE ON YOUR CAR IN SELECT RACES. YOU’VE WORKED WITH THEM IN THE PAST, BUT WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE REPRESENTING SUCH A LARGE BRAND? Discount Tire has been a key partner for our NASCAR program at Team Penske. You look at them and think of the Xfinity Series program. They moved to the Cup side a couple years ago.

We had a happy hour celebrating the owners’ championship, which in all honesty was a bittersweet moment for me because we won the owners’ championship, but that also meant I finished second in the drivers’ standings. Michael Zuieback from Discount Tire came out to our happy hour and talked to everybody and got us fired up because he’s someone who enjoys racing but he’s also a great leader for Discount Tire.

I think there are a lot of similar values for Discount Tire as well as Team Penske.

It’s fun to see a partnership and collaboration work so well, not just from a business or sponsorship perspective but from an idea’s perspective. That’s exciting for me to represent such a recognizable brand and hopefully get a lot of success in the future together.

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POLE POSITION 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

DRIVER Q&A

Q&A WITH

AUSTIN DILLON

‘GOD, COUNTRY AND COWBOYS’

G

rowing up around a grandfather – legendary NASCAR team

owner Richard Childress – who one could argue is the embodiment of a cowboy, NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon embraced the cowboy and western lifestyle from his youth.

Now a 31-year-old competing in NASCAR’s premier division for his grandfather’s team, Dillon has continued to immerse himself in cowboy culture – whether it be his proclivity for sporting a cowboy hat at the race track or his affinity for professional bull riding.

Earlier this year, Professional Bull Riders officials announced Dillon would oversee the Carolina Chaos – one of eight teams participating in the PBR Team Series, a new league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games beginning this June.

The Chaos will represent Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is near Dillon’s hometown of Lewisville, North Carolina, and the same city where his famous grandfather spent his earliest days in racing at fabled Bowman Gray Stadium.

36

POLE POSITION 2022

BY JARED TURNER

The Chaos – run by Richard Childress Racing, with Dillon as its general manager – will host a competition at Wake Forest University’s Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as part of the PBR Team Series’ inaugural 10-event regular season.

In the following Q&A, Dillon talks about why he decided to pursue this new venture, his love of the cowboy lifestyle and much more.

WHAT CONVINCED YOU TO TAKE ON YOUR ROLE WITH THE CAROLINA CHAOS? My grandfather and I had talked with Sean (Professional Bull Riders CEO and commissioner Sean Gleason) a couple times … and we thought it was very awesome and something we would want to be a part of when it all came to fruition. I love sports in general.

I keep up with football, baseball, basketball and NASCAR and PBR. Having met friends in the PBR industry, like Cooper Davis and Luke Snyder, I think it just all kind of ties together with stuff that we love – God, country and cowboys.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN DUTIES AS GM? I have a budget I have to stick to. Our owner is the PBR, so they’ll be keeping up with what we’re spending and then, obviously, I’ll be trying to keep all the riders healthy and happy. …

We’re running the team basically. What does that entail? We’ve got some of the guidelines, but it’s a new league and a learning process, and hopefully we learn the fastest.

HOW MANY PBR EVENTS DO YOU ANTICIPATE ATTENDING WITH YOUR BUSY RACING SCHEDULE? It’s going to be tough. I’ll have a live feed for some of them that I’ll be able to watch at the track. We race on Sundays, and they ride on Sundays, but I’m going to try to attend some Thursday/Friday events when we don’t have Cup practice. My grandfather and my business manager are also involved in this, so they’ll be going to some events.

HOW DID YOU COME TO LOVE THE COWBOY LIFESTYLE? I think it’s my grandpa. From an early age on, my grandfather has pushed me, and I’ve watched John Wayne movies since I was a kid. My grandfather has taken me out to Montana to hunt, fish and ride horses. I remember riding horses in our backyard, getting horse lessons, getting bucked off a horse and told to get back on the horse when I was just a little kid. It’s just those building blocks of life around the outdoors and cowboys, because my grandfather is a cowboy in my mind.

The cowboys I’ve been around with PBR, man, they’re different. They’re unbelievable. Everybody just looks at what they are as tough, but a lot of them are God-fearing men that set good examples, and they’re super-polite, good ole boys that just want to go out and ride some rank bulls and have a little fun and meet some good people in the process.

HOW IS ACE (AUSTIN’S NEARLY 2-YEAR-OLD SON) DOING? He’s doing good. He loves the car side of things. I can’t wait to get him to (PBR Ring of Honor inductee) Jerome Davis’ ranch up the road (in Archdale, North Carolina) and let him see a bull for the first time, but he’s been around race cars. He was around race cars in his momma’s belly. So he’s not scared of noise. I actually got scared at one point because I cranked up my truck, and it backfired, and he didn’t even flinch. I was like, ‘Man, is my guy’s hearing OK?’ But he can hear. He listens when I say no, and he cries a little bit. We’re working to see the things he likes, and it’s awesome to just be his dad.

WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE OF PARENTING? Just all the things you’ve heard growing up from your parents coming to fruition. I think that’s one part of it, and then just the process of it – learning to embrace it and love it and love God’s greatest blessing, which is creating life. Once you see it all happen and you BEST go it, D R I Vthrough ER HARRY there’s GANT, nothing driving like it.the No. 33 Skoal Bandit HOW MUCH ARE Oldsmobile for Leo AFYOU MOTIVATED Jackson recorded TER ARacing, DISAPPOINTING five wins and 17 top-10 2021? finishes in 29 starts A lot.

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The competition is stout at the top level of motorsports, so we’ve got a lot “Mr. September.”

GantI’m as motivated of work ahead of us, and I’ve ever been.

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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

MAHINDRA DIVES INTO NASCAR ‘OFFICIAL TRACTOR OF TOUGH’ BACKS SHR’S NO. 14 CAR

BY JARED TURNER

P

art of Mahindra Group’s automotive we are at the right point in time to really take that big leap forward. and farm sector, the world’s No. 1 sell“If you look at the NASCAR viewer and fan, he’s highly commiting farm tractor company, Mahindra ted to the sport. He’s committed to the brands that work with the Ag North America and its Mahindra Tracsport, and we think that the sport, with the new (Next Generation) tors brand dipped its proverbial toe into the car and the way things are happening, this will continue to be world of motorsports before this year. a premier sport in the country. We are honored to be part of that But with Mahindra Tractors now in its journey.” first year as an anchor sponsor of a NASBased out of Houston, Texas, Mahindra Ag North America ofCAR Cup Series team – the No. 14 Stewartfers a range of tractor models from 20-125 horsepower, implements Haas Racing team of driver Chase Briscoe and the ROXOR side-by-side. Mahindra makes its farm equipment – the agricultural equipment company easy for first-time tractor owners to operate, and the equipment is has jumped into the proverbial deep end. heavy-duty enough to tackle the tough jobs of rural living, farming And its leadership couldn’t be any more and ranching. Mahindra dealers are independent, family-owned pleased. businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“For us, this was the Holy Grail. It’s been Briscoe and team owner Tony Stewart have already been featured in multiple television ads for the popular brand. something that we’ve been building toward for, I would say, 27 years, because we “Being part of something that’s kind of a national campaign started off as a small niche company,” said is something I’ve never done before, so it’s cool to have the TV Viren Popli, the president and CEO of Macommercials, be a part of that, see the process that goes in behind hindra Ag North America and Mahindra it,” Briscoe said. “There’s a ton of things they’re doing behind the Automotive North America. “I think today scenes, not only on the race track. So for me, that’s been something

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POLE POSITION 2022

that’s kind of been new. I haven’t had a lot of partners do that kind of activation, so it’s been fun to be a part of that process.”

Before agreeing to a multi-year sponsorship of Briscoe and SHR, the organization co-owned by three-time Cup Series champion Stewart and businessman Gene Haas, representatives from Mahindra Tractors met with several Cup Series teams. After each team made a pitch for why it would best serve the company’s sponsorship goals, the choice was obvious.

“Tony and I spent an evening together, and by the end of the day, we were very clear that we both wanted to work together and with each other, because we both see the vision and the values of both our organizations about hard work, about our values of integrity, growth, toughness,” Popli said. “These values all aligned and were very strongly in place. I believe that with Stewart-Haas Racing’s energy and tough attitude and what we bring to the table, we can make great things happen.”

Along with being impressed by Stewart and all that he’s accomplished as both a driver and team owner, Popli believes in Briscoe – a third-generation racer who, like Stewart, began his racing career on dirt tracks in and around Indiana and came up through the open-wheel ranks of sprint cars and midgets on his way to NASCAR. “Chase Briscoe and Tony Stewart are relatable men of great character who have worked hard to get where they are today,” Popli said. “Like our dealers, they have a tough work ethic and the drive to be successful. We are proud to have them representing the brand. In fact, Tony is already a Mahindra owner and has been putting his 5145 tractor to good use on his ranch in Indiana.”

Briscoe doesn’t own a Mahindra tractor – yet.

“I’ve gotta get some more land first,” the second-year Cup Series driver said. “I don’t have the most land in the world, but whenever we do, we’ll definitely be getting one. That’s for sure.”

In the meantime, Briscoe couldn’t be any happier to have a sponsor that bills itself as the “Official Tractor of Tough” on the No. 14 SHR car, which Stewart famously drove to his third and final Cup Series championship in 2011 and campaigned for eight seasons before hanging up his driving helmet at the end of 2016.

“Their slogan goes really well with what the 14 car kind of identifies as,” Briscoe said of Mahindra Tractors. “The 14 car and that number has always been a tough number, a tough team, somebody that will always kind of find that extra grit – we might do a little bit harder work than the next guy. To have a partner like that with a slogan like that just really fits our team mold, and I think it’s special and, hopefully, something fans can see as authentic.

“I feel like the 14 team – even before I was driving – just scratched and clawed and was obviously tough on the race track but also off the race track, and I think it’s pretty neat to have a slogan like that.”

Briscoe appropriately started the 2022 season by scoring a career-best third-place finish at the Daytona 500 in his first official race with Mahindra Tractors on board.

“Any time you can just be running at the end of the 500, I feel like it’s a special opportunity, and it was only my second one, so to have a shot at the win with a green-white-checkered finish is always cool – and especially when you have a new partner like Mahindra Tractors,” Briscoe said. “Any time you have a new partner on your car, you want to do good and have a good first race – and especially at a big one like the Daytona 500.

“It was cool to see their excitement before the race, but then after the race, to really see how happy and excited they were and how they’re looking forward to the future was really neat.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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FAN FAVORITES TOP 5 REASONS …

Why Fans Love Noah Gragson

BY JARED TURNER

N

oah Gragson might not ever win an award for

being NASCAR’s most courteous or calmest driver, but if you’re looking for someone who’s willing to be his true self and wear his emotions on his sleeve, he’s your guy.

Up next are the top five reasons why fans love Gragson, one of the top drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

1

HE DRIVES FOR DALE EARNHARDT JR.

Gragson’s boss and team owner is none other

than NASCAR’s 15-time most popular driver, who is the owner and founder of JR Motorsports. Just the simple fact that Gragson competes in Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned equipment is enough reason for many NASCAR fans to support him.

2

HE’S BRUTALLY HONEST

Fans are tired of drivers who act and sound like

robots because they’re worried about offending a sponsor or fellow competitor. With Gragson, you get a driver who isn’t afraid to speak his mind – even if he ruffles a few feathers in the process.

3

HE DOESN’T MIND A GOOD FIGHT

Gragson has been involved in more than one post-race altercation with another driver since joining the Xfinity Series full time in 2019. Among the drivers he’s come to blows with are Harrison Burton and Daniel Hemric. If you’re into drivers who like to scrap, you’ll appreciate Gragson.

4

Gragson is willing to do whatever it takes

5

Fierce as he might be on the track, Gragson

HE’S AGGRESSIVE

to win, including bumping another driver out of the way. Gragson took it even a step further in the summer of 2020 when he wrecked teammate Justin Allgaier with five laps remaining to win at Bristol.

HE’S THE FUNNIEST GUY IN THE ROOM

loves to cut up and have fun. A notorious prankster and practical joker, Gragson is the kind of guy you always want to keep your eye on because you never know when he might catch you off guard.

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DRIVER Q&A

Q&A with

A.J. ALLMENDINGER

‘I’M ALWAYS IMPROVING AS A PERSON’

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

A

.J. Allmendinger has only one speed and it’s flat-out,

both as a race car driver and in his day-to-day life.

Once a top open-wheel prospect, Allmendinger is now a veteran driver for Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He’s not only fortunate for the opportunity to compete for a Xfinity Series championship, but he believes year No. 2 with Kaulig Racing means even greater expectations.

Allmendinger, now 40, is still as energetic as he was when he first entered NASCAR. But there is something different about the Californian. He is more experienced and can analyze a situation better than anyone in the garage.

While Allmendinger’s journey to the Xfinity Series was anything but traditional, he’s OK with the way things have played out. The former Cup Series regular wasn’t happy riding around in the middle of the field. When his full-time Cup Series career ended in 2018, he settled for life with NBC Sports as an analyst.

But once a race car driver, always a race car driver.

Now, Allmendinger is the veteran face of the Xfinity Series. He is the driver who young racers can go to for advice, something he never expected would happen. However, he loves the opportunity to guide others, including the next generation of drivers at Kaulig Racing.

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POLE POSITION 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

HOW HAVE YOU DEVELOPED AS A LEADER FOR KAULIG RACING? I think I’m always working on it. I’m very critical of myself.

People tell me I need to be easier on myself, but I never will be. I always expect myself to be the best and uplift the team I’m on. I have to work on not letting the bad be too bad.

Where I’m at in my career and my life, I can have a different perspective than younger guys coming up and trying to make a name for themselves. I can be a little bit more at ease. There’s always room for improvement. I’m always improving as a person.

It’s more of a one race at a time outlook. I hope that puts me into a more at-ease nature.

AFTER YOUR INITIAL CUP SERIES EXPERIENCE, DID YOU EXPECT YOU’D GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN NASCAR RACES? It’s really strange because when I was done at the end of 2018, I didn’t know what to expect or what I actually wanted. It wasn’t like I ended that year saying, “I need to find another opportunity.” I did the deal with NBC Sports to do broadcasting and commentating, and I thought that’s my next path in life.

I got the call from Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice, and I didn’t expect it. They asked me to run a few road courses and a few superspeedways and I said sure. There was something about the atmosphere – about Matt and Chris especially – and the team itself that I grew to love very quickly. I thought we helped each

other because it helped bring a new lease on driving a race car and the enjoyment of it, and I felt like I helped improve their program.

2020 happened and we ran more races because of COVID, and we won races. It’s been a fun run quite honestly, because I truly never expected it.

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR YOU TO WIN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP? The way the championships are done now, it’s done to bring tension, anticipation and high energy into the championship with four drivers in the three main series at one race track. I look at it – it’s the ultimate goal – but I don’t want to say if we don’t win the championship, it’s not a successful year.

In theory, we can win 20 races but if it’s not the right race, you’re not the champion. I felt like it was cool last year to win the regularseason championship. As we got later in the season and closed the points gap down from Austin Cindric, we got together in the last corner at Bristol, and it meant a lot to me to win the regular-season championship.

That’s over a 26-race period, and that means you’re the best team and driver. It’s trying to build to Phoenix, and hopefully you get there. At the end of the day, I don’t want that one race to dictate the year. I want us to have a great year.

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DRIVER Q&A

Q&A with

CARSON HOCEVAR

TEENAGE RACER HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

F

ew people knew the name Carson Hocevar when

the late model racer roared onto the NASCAR scene. But the teenager is now a rising star in the Camping World Truck Series, piloting Niece Motorsports’ No. 42 Chevrolet.

Hocevar split time with Ross Chastain in one of Niece Motorsports’ trucks during the 2020 campaign and showed enough promise that he was promoted to the role of full-time driver last year. While he fell short of claiming rookie-of-the-year honors, Hocevar proved his value as a race car driver.

The Michigan native is setting himself up for success, saying this team needs to get to the Championship 4 or else this season may be considered a failure. Led by crew chief Cody Efaw, Hocevar believes this is a group that is ready to win.

Hocevar’s laid-back personality combined with a driving style similar to Chastain’s have made him a fan favorite before he turns 20. It’s a young talent like this who makes the Camping World Truck Series so exciting to watch.

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POLE POSITION 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

COMING OFF A SOLID 2021 SEASON, WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE YEAR AHEAD? I’m excited to have another shot at it. We’re the same team and the same program. We have a lot more knowledge and we’ve upgraded the trucks, as well as myself as a race car driver.

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED AS A DRIVER LAST SEASON? It’s a combination of things – I don’t think it’s just one thing. I learned the little details of what it takes to make these trucks go around. It’s a lot of instinct. If you have to think about the truck, you’re already behind the people who are doing it off of instinct. You need to have a quick reaction time, rather than thinking about it going into the corner. I’ve been able to naturally come into my own, think about the dirty air and what it takes to make these things go fast. I can piece together a lap at a time, and that’s the biggest lesson.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS SEASON? Our expectation is to get in another playoff run and, hopefully, a Championship 4 effort. That’s definitely on our radar. It would be a pretty big disappointment – a failure – if we don’t get to the final four. It’s tough. There are a lot of new things in the trucks with new bodies, bump stops allowed and everybody is on almost an even playing field. We can take what we learned last year and beat everybody this year.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE PART OF NIECE MOTORSPORTS? It’s pretty big to know where the team was at the beginning of last year to this year. We have four full-time trucks, knowing I’m the guy to determine what direction we’re going in and seeing the progress, it’s nice to see my feedback and ideas are progressing to make the trucks better. Hopefully, that line of progression keeps going forward and up.

AS A YOUNG DRIVER, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE NASCAR RANKS? I need to win a lot of races. I hope I’m lucky to have a big Fortune 500 company that wants to pay me. That’s the biggest thing. Winning a race solves all first-world problems. That’s my focus. If a sponsor and team wants to believe in me down the line, I won’t hold my head down if I win races and there’s no opportunities. I need to do everything I can on the track and let everything else take care of itself.

WHAT’S IT LIKE FOR YOU TO BE A RACE CAR DRIVER AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE WITH A FULL-TIME RIDE? It’s been very humbling. There’s a lot of work that goes into this.

It’s not a 9-to-5 at the desk, but there’s a good bit of preparation, trying to be around the guys as much as possible, trying to work out, look at data, be in the simulator and it’s just a privilege to do this. It consumes my life and to have this opportunity – my job at the shop is to make everybody happy and enjoy the work day as the comedian in the shop – that’s my life.

NASCAR HISTORY: SPONSORSHIPS OF THE PAST

DON’T CALL IT RED BYRON, NASCAR’s first Cup Series champion, was sponsored by his team owner, Raymond Parks. Parks’ company sold and serviced novelty machines, such as gambling machines, prize machines, cigarette machines, gumball machines, and was based out of Atlanta. Parks, like so many in the North Georgia mountains, once ran moonshine and used the money to get his business started. Byron (right) is standing alongside his Ford with engine builder and crew chief Red Vogt.

a

DRIVER: RED BYRON SPONSOR: PARK’S NOVELTY MACHINE CO.

JOE WEATHERLY (12) and JACK SMITH (47) lead the way with EDUARDO DIBOS (37) and TOM PISTONE (59) in pursuit. Their cars are sponsored by a local dealership in the Daytona Beach, Florida, area; Air Lift shocks, a nationally known company in the late 1950s; Pure Gasoline, widely known in the South, and Rupert Belts, manufacturer of fan belts and hoses. The sponsors featured were the first automotive companies to support NASCAR racing

b

DRIVERS: BILLY WADE, BOBBY ISAAC, MARVIN PANCH SPONSORS: BRISTOL LINCOLN MERCURY, DODGE, ENGLISH MOTORS

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POLE POSITION 2022

A THROWBACK DRIVERS: JOE WEATHERLY, JACK SMITH, EDUARDO DIBOS, TOM PISTONE SPONSORS: AIR LIFT SHOCKS, PURE GASOLINE, RUPERT BELTS

DRIVER: BOBBY ISAAC SPONSOR: K&K INSURANCE BILLY WADE (1), BOBBY ISAAC (26) and MARVIN PANCH race at Bristol Motor Speedway in 1963.

Wade’s car features Bristol Lincoln Mercury on its quarter panels while Isaac has backing from Dodge and Panch carries support from English Motors. During the early 1960s, cars would arrive at the track and be met by a sign painter. Many cars arrived without a sponsorship deal in place and would be lettered in the garage.

c

In 1968, BOBBY ISAAC sat on pit road at Daytona International Speedway during a break from driving the Nord Krauskopf-owned Dodge, with sponsorship from Krauskopf’s K&K Insurance Co. The insurance business was one of the very first companies to come to NASCAR that was not of an automotive nature. Most sponsorships from the beginning in 1948 consisted of oils, fuels, tires, wiper blades and wheels – items that would service the automotive industry.

D

PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

WORDS: BEN WHITE

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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NASCAR HISTORY: SPONSORSHIPS OF THE PAST DRIVER: CURTIS TURNER SPONSOR: PURE GASOLINE CURTIS TURNER’S No. 133 modified entry for beach racing was sponsored by Pure Gasoline as the decal indicates. Turner won 17 Cup Series races during his career. His modified, as well as other cars that raced on the beach, often carried the name of a fuel or lubricant brand that was given to the team in exchange for advertisement on their cars. Hardly ever was money exchanged during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

E

TERRY LABONTE wheeled Stratagraph-sponsored cars owned by Billy Hagan from 1978 through 1993. Stratagraph specialized in underwater oil exploration and Hagan used his company to help fund his racing operation, including Labonte’s short-track program that eventually became his early NASCAR Cup Series efforts. The smaller sponsorship led to the 1984 Cup Series championship as well as bigger sponsorships in their later years together. Labonte won a second championship with Rick Hendrick in 1996.

f

WENDELL SCOTT, driving his own No. 34 Chevrolet, carries sponsorship for the 1972 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The sponsorship came from local businessman Richard Howard, who was also president of the 1.5-mile track in Concord, North Carolina. Not only did Howard own various businesses, he also fielded the No. 12 Chevrolet driven that season by Bobby Allison. Scott, a native of Danville, Virginia, finished 22nd in the 40-car field.

g

DRIVER: WENDELL SCOTT SPONSOR: HOWARD FURNITURE

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POLE POSITION 2022

DRIVER: TERRY LABONTE SPONSOR: STRATAGRAPH

DRIVER: FIREBALL ROBERTS SPONSOR: FISH CARBURETORS

DRIVER: RICHARD PETTY SPONSOR: PATTERSON MOTORS During a NASCAR modified event in the late 1950s, FIREBALL ROBERTS stands alongside engine builder Ray Fox. Fish Carburetors sponsored the driver and team in both the modified and NASCAR Cup Series divisions that season. Roberts also drove the M-1 Fish Carburetor Buick on the Beach and Road Course at Daytona in 1958, starting seventh and finishing ninth. The carburetor company was very prominent among all racing divisions during that era.

h

RICHARD PETTY carried sponsorship from Patterson Motors in many of the races during the 1964 NASCAR Cup Series season before major sponsorship came to Petty Enterprises through STP in 1971. Just as many teams did during the early 1960s, major car manufacturers would select dealerships and place their names on the quarter panels of prominent cars when the NASCAR Cup Series drivers would visit various regions of the country.

i

PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

WORDS: BEN WHITE

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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LEGEND PROFILE

PRESENTED BY

NASCAR Legend: Junior Johnson

Junior Johnson won 50 NASCAR Cup Series races, the most by any driver who never claimed a series title. The biggest victory of his Hall of Fame career came in the 1960 Daytona 500.

BY BEN WHITE

Born June 28, 1931, in Ronda, North Carolina, the fourth of seven children, Johnson’s family was known for being heavily involved in the illegal whiskey business since the 1800s.

His father, Glenn Johnson, was a lifelong bootlegger and spent more than half his life in prison for making and selling moonshine. The Johnson homeplace was frequently raided by revenue agents.

Junior Johnson began helping with the family business as a youngster. He also spent one year in an Ohio prison in 1956 for having an illegal still but was never caught hauling moonshine on mountain roads throughout North Carolina.

Johnson’s racing career was just beginning when he went to prison. During his first full season in 1955, he won five races and finished sixth in points. Over the next 10 years, Johnson logged 45 additional victories, including the 1960 Daytona 500, which he won driving a car owned

by John Masoni and prepared by Raymond Fox. Johnson’s victories included 11 superspeedway triumphs and 39 short-track wins. He retired from driving in 1966 and forged a second career as a car owner at NASCAR’s highest level.

Johnson was instrumental in bringing R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. to NASCAR as a series sponsor, saving the sport in 1971.

From 1967 through 1995, Johnson’s teams earned six NASCAR Cup Series championships with drivers Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip, as well as 132 Cup Series victories over a 30-year period with a variety of drivers.

Johnson died on Dec. 19, 2019, at the age of 88.

“I certainly feel that I gave a lot more to stock car racing than I took away from it.”

–JUNIOR JOHNSON

BEST SEASON JOHNSON LOGGED 13 OF HIS 50 NASCAR CUP Series wins during the 1965 season. His biggest victory that year came on May 8 at Darlington Raceway. Johnson was the driver to beat during the 54-race season, notching 18 top-five finishes while driving a Ford he fielded himself.

RECORD SETTER AS A DRIVER IN NASCAR, JOHNSON COMPLETED 51,988 laps and led 13,021 of them. His highest rank in the points was seventh in 1955, his third year of NASCAR competition. His highest season in winnings came in 1960 – the year he won the Daytona 500 – when he banked $38,989.

LASER-FOCUSED TALENTED

DRIVEN

DEDICATED STRONG-WILLED KNOWN FOR HIS PAST LIFE AS A MOONSHINE RUNNER IN Wilkes County, North Carolina, added to the lore of outlaw turned racer and drew fans to the tracks to watch him drive. When Johnson retired from driving and became a car owner, he looked for wheelmen who were as fearless as he was.

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POLE POSITION 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

SEASON REWIND

1961 | A FIGHT TO THE FINISH

BEST DRIVER

BY BEN WHITE

driving a Ford owned by

Ned Jarrett and Rex White used talent on the short tracks to become the championship contenders during the 1961 NASCAR Cup Series season, collecting a combined eight victories throughout the 52-race premier series schedule.

Jarrett, a native of Newton, North Carolina, had competed in NASCAR’s premier series for eight seasons before making a championship bid in 1961. Team owner B.G. Holloway fielded the No. 11 Chevrolet with Bud Allman serving as chief mechanic, a position known today as crew chief, for 46 of 52 races on the schedule.

Jarrett visited Victory Lane only once, topping Jim Paschal in a 100-mile event on June 4 at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in Birmingham. His championship season was sealed by consistency through 29 top-five finishes and 34 top-10 results.

White, driving his own No. 4 Chevrolet, won seven races in 47 starts that season, logging 29 top-five results and 38 top-10 finishes. The Taylorsville, North Carolina, native employed Louis Clements, grandfather of current Xfinity Series competitor Jeremy Clements, as his chief mechanic. Even though their number of wins was far greater than Jarrett’s, the team came up 840 points short under the system NASCAR used that year.

Races of 249 miles or less were awarded 50 points to the winner. Races of 250 to 399 miles awarded 100 points to the winner. Races lasting 400 miles or longer awarded 150 points to the winner. White failed to finish seven times during the season as the number of laps completed was also a factor in determining the championship.

White’s wins came at Bowman Gray Stadium (3) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway (2); Asheville-Weaverville (N.C.) Speedway; and Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

JOE WEATHERLY, Doc White and a Pontiac owned by Bud Moore, won nine NASCAR Cup Series races during the 1961 season. The Norfolk, Virginia, native opened the season with a victory in the final event at the Charlotte Fairgrounds. He also won at Daytona, twice at Charlotte Motor Speedway and on short tracks in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Hillsboro, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia; Martinsville, Virginia; and Bristol, Tennessee.

BEST RACE ON MAY 6, 1961, young Fred Lorenzen, driving a Holman Moody Ford, and veteran Curtis Turner, in the Wood Brothers Racing Ford, battled for the win in the Rebel 300, bumping an estimated 50 times in the final 20 laps.

Turner blocked Lorenzen numerous times while shaking fists at one another until Lorenzen faked high and went low. Lorenzen held a six-car length lead with

DATE

November 6 November 20 February 24 February 24 February 26 March 4 March 5 March 12 March 26 April 1 April 2 April 3 April 9 April 16 April 20 April 22 April 23 April 30 May 6 May 21 May 21 May 21 May 27 May 28 June 2 June 4 June 8 June 10 June 17 June 23 June 24 July 4 July 9 July 20 July 22 July 29 August 6 August 9 August 13 August 18 August 27 September 4 September 8 September 10 September 10 September 17 September 24 October 1 October 15 October 22 October 28 October 29

LOCATION

Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway Park Daytona International Speedway Daytona International Speedway Daytona International Speedway Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Marchbanks Speedway Atlanta Motor Speedway Greenville-Pickens Speedway Orange Speedway Bowman Gray Stadium Martinsville Speedway North Wilkesboro Speedway Columbia Speedway Hickory Motor Speedway Richmond Raceway Martinsville Speedway Darlington Raceway Charlotte Motor Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Riverside International Raceway Ascot Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Alabama State Fairgrounds Greenville-Pickens Speedway Bowman Gray Stadium Norwood Arena Hartsville Speedway Starkey Speedway Daytona International Speedway Atlanta Motor Speedway Columbia Speedway Rambi Raceway Bristol Motor Speedway Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville Bowman Grady Stadium Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Southside Speedway South Boston Speedway Darlington Raceway Hickory Motor Speedway Richmond Raceway Sacramento Fairgrounds Atlanta Motor Speedway Martinsville Speedway North Wilkesboro Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Greenville-Pickens Speedway Orange Speedway

WINNER

Joe Weatherly Lee Petty Fireball Roberts Joe Weatherly Marvin Panch Cotton Owens Rex White Fireball Roberts Bob Burdick Emanuel Zervakis Cotton Owens Rex White Fred Lorenzen Rex White Cotton Owens Junior Johnson Richard Petty Junior Johnson Fred Lorenzen Richard Petty Joe Weatherly Lloyd Dane Eddie Gray David Pearson Jim Paschal Ned Jarrett Jack Smith Rex White Emanuel Zervakis Buck Baker Junior Johnson David Pearson Fred Lorenzen Cotton Owens Joe Weatherly Jack Smith Jim Paschal Rex White Junior Johnson Junior Johnson Junior Johnson Nelson Stacy Rex White Joe Weatherly Eddie Gray David Pearson Joe Weatherly Rex White Joe Weatherly Joe Weatherly Junior Johnson Joe Weatherly

two laps remaining and maintained it until crossing under the checkered flag.

TOP CARS Ned Jarrett’s No. 11 blue-and-white Chevrolet Impala owned

by B.G. Holloway – a onerace winner.

Rex White’s No. 4 goldand-white Chevrolet Impala – winner of seven races.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

SEASON RECAP

PRESIDENT

John F. Kennedy N O . 1 AT T H E B O X O F F I C E

West Side Story NO. 1 SONG

“Tossin’ and Turnin’”

by Bobby Lewis

1961

P O P C U LT U R E

Navy Commander Alan B. Shepard Jr. rockets 116.5 miles up into space.

GALLON OF GAS

31 Cents

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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NASCAR HISTORY

T O N T U ON E B

N E T T O G R O F G

Over the years, many competitors have left their marks on the sport through perseverance, dedication, desire and even antics, and each of them deserves to be remembered as a part of NASCAR history.

BY BEN WHITE A TIM RICHMOND: Best known for driving the No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Richmond won 13 races during his NASCAR Cup Series career. He was also crowned co-driver of the year with Dale Earnhardt in 1986.

B JOHNNY ALLEN: The Greenville, South Carolina, native started 173 NASCAR Cup Series races from 1955 to 1967. His lone victory came at Bowman Gray Stadium in 1962.

C JACK SMITH: Smith made 264 NASCAR Cup Series starts from 1949 to 1964, winning 21 times. The Georgia native logged 95 top-five finishes.

D JACK INGRAM: A two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, Ingram made 19 starts in NASCAR’s Cup Series. He recorded one top-five finish and four top-10 results.

E MARSHALL TEAGUE: A NASCAR driver from 1949 to 1952, Teague won seven Cup Series races in only four seasons. He lost his life in an open-wheel practice session at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 11, 1959.

F RALPH EARNHARDT: NASCAR’s 1956 National Sportsman champion, Ralph Earnhardt started 51 Cup Series races. He passed away on Sept. 26, 1973, at his Kannapolis, North Carolina, home due to a heart attack.

G BOB WELBORN: Welborn raced in NASCAR’s premier series from 1952 to 1964. He also won three consecutive Convertible Series championships from 1956 to 1958.

H JOE LEE JOHNSON: Johnson won two NASCAR Cup races between 1956 and 1962. His victories came at Nashville in 1959 and in the inaugural Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte the following year.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

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POLE POSITION 2022

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Wow Your Friends with These NASCAR Facts and Figures NASCAR POLE POSITION

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THE CREW

PUBLISHER: CRAIG BARONCELLI COMMERCIAL VICE PRESIDENT: DAVID WATSON DIRECTORS: JUSTIN HAND, MARK MORALES CONTENT CREATIVE DIRECTOR: JOE RABUCK DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR: NICOLE COOPER DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR: JOSH MULL EXECUTIVE EDITOR: ERIC ESTEPP COPY EDITOR: KEITH WALTZ CONTRIBUTORS: JARED TURNER, KEITH WALTZ, BEN WHITE, JOSEPH WOLKIN, JERRY BONKOWSKI, DUSTIN ALBINO SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS: AIDAN ANDERSEN, ETHAN ANDERSEN, SHOGUN SPECIAL THANKS TO: GREG CARTY, ANDREW ENGEL (NASCAR)

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

BY BEN WHITE Driving a car owned by Petty Enterprises and built to be raced on dirt short tracks, Marvin Panch topped the 1966 Coca-Cola 600 at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Bobby Allison won the Rebel 500 and Southern 500 at South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway in 1975, driving a red, white and blue American Motors Matador for team owner Roger Penske.

Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough swept floors at the legendary Holman Moody operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, before Ford hired him to drive for the team in 1963.

The famed Wood Brothers Racing team visited Dover Motor Speedway’s Victory Lane for the first time on May 20, 1979, with Neil Bonnett driving. The one-mile track opened on July 6, 1969.

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On Sept. 6, 1965, Ned Jarrett beat Buck Baker to the checkered flag by 14 laps to win the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. It’s a record that may never be broken.

In 1993, Rusty Wallace, driving the No. 2 Pontiac for Team Penske, walked away uninjured from two vicious flips – one at Daytona International Speedway and the other at Talladega Superspeedway.

Before Jeff Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994, the former resident of Pittsboro, Indiana, set out to build a career as an Indy car driver.

Mark Martin finished second in points five times during 31 NASCAR Cup Series seasons. He ended up among the top five in points 12 times but never won the series title.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: NASCAR HALL OF FAME

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