2015 IWANNA NASCAR Season Update

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KEVIN HARVICK

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LAST SEASON BEHIND WHEEL

2015 MID-SEASON uPDATE

Martin truex Jr. WELL-DESERVED POCONO WIN HIGHLIGHTS BREAKTHROUGH SEASON

SPRINT CUP RACE RECAPS IN PICTURES

SerieS StandinGS

TO DATE RESULTS

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PIT ROAD TECHNOLOGY

HOW NASCAR IS COMBINING AUTOMATED PENALTY DETECTION AND HUMAN CONFIRMATION TO MONITOR PIT ROAD

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KEY VIOLATIONS MONITORED

Pitting Outside The Box Over The Wall Too Soon Equipment Violations

DIaNa DaVIs paTrIcIa DuLa murIeL HaNeY pam HeNsLeY rIcK JeNKINs LYNN JOHNsON rOberTa LLOYD rOse LuNsFOrD amaNDa NuNN KImberLY WHITe

Too Many Crew Members Over The Wall Driving Through Too Many Pit Boxes Uncontrolled Tire

STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY

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aNgeLa FrIZZeLL

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960GB = 240 total RAM

40TB = of storage

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MARTIN TRuEx, JR kEVIN hARVICk JIMMIE JOhNSON JOEY LOgANO CARL EDWARDS ARIC ALMIROLA DALE EARNhARDT, JR PAuL MENARD BRAD kESELOWSkI

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NASCAR 2015 Mid-Season Update

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martin truex, jr affixing his winner decal at Pocono (Jeff Zelevansky/NASCAR via Getty Images)

“I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now.

Never give up!”

Martin Slays Goliaths: Truex surges into second in points after Pocono win martin truex Jr. is making a meteoric rise in his belated breakthrough season, with record-tying top-ten consistency and his Pocono victory showing a low-funded team can slay the Goliaths.

The last time a single-car team won the Cup was 23 years ago, in 1992, with the late Alan Kulwicki behind the wheel. One-car operations have finished in the top 15 only three times in this millennium’s decade and a half.

Yet Truex can buck odds and history, and ironically earn a ride with a much better-funded team after his contract expires later this year. He looms as the top-rated and most coveted free agent. “We’re as good as anyone out there,” Truex proclaimed.

“We went head-to-head with the big guys, the 48 (Jimmie Johnson) and the 4 (Kevin Harvick), the guys to beat. We’ve been right there, toe-to-toe.”

Truex’s first Cup victory in two seasons and third in his decade-long career vaulted him into second place in Cup standings. He finished just ahead of leader Harvick in the race.

Then he slashed the gap from 39 to 15 points at 576-561, after finishing third June 14 in the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan

International Speedway.

The Pocono win clinches a 15car Chase berth for Truex. He was the 10th different driver to win a Cup race this year. He outdid rivals in four restarts in the final 40 laps, varying tactics.

“We picked the right gear ratio for restarts here, and that is critical.” He was circling much faster than 78 rpm, in the no. 78 Chevrolet. He opened a 2.75-second lead, with 12 laps to go.

Winning at Long Pond, Pa. fits Truex’s longshot journey, rising in his 10th full-time season.

Truex was due victory. He led the most laps for the fourth consecutive Cup contest. Truex is the first Cup driver since Richard Petty in 1969 to register top ten finishes in 14 of the first 15 Cup races.

Truex’s 35th birthday is June 29. He is a classic late bloomer.

He was the top Cup prospect, after taking titles in the junior (now Xfinity) circuit in 2004 and ’05 when winning 12 times for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Chance2 (now JR) Motorsports. Junior relates to belated success, to “how difficult it is to get in the right situation. He’s got a team that believes in him. They’ve come a long way. They’re doing some pretty cool stuff being

that far (based in Denver) out of the inner circle. Hats off to them. Truex is a hell of a race car driver.”

But first, Truex struggled with Ganassi Racing, winning only at Dover in 2007. He qualified for the Chase in 2012 and won at Sonoma in 2013, with Michael Waltrip Racing. But “Spingate” decimated MWR, costing sponsor NAPA and Truex’s ride after 2013. NASCAR cast Truex out of the Chase, ruling that at Richmond his MWR teammates manipulated the outcome with Clint Bowyer purposely spinning for a caution and Brian Vickers pitting. This helped Truex win a points tiebreaker with Ryan Newman.

Truex promptly landed a twoyear deal with Furniture Row that is up this year. He succeeded Kurt Busch, who went to new Stewart-Haas Racing.

This year is a rebound from 2014, when Truex with a weak engine led one lap all season.

The Furniture Row/Visser Precision Cup car Truex steers is the lone one owned by furniture baron Barney Visser of Denver, Colo. Truex is placing Furniture Row at NASCAR’s elite table.

But money limits might catch up. The mostly-plain black car

lacks independent sponsorship.

Team G.M. Joe Garone said keeping Truex likely requires a major sponsor and perhaps a shift from Chevy, which he said focuses on its main teams.

Still, this season soared with technical support of Richard Childress Racing. “We’ve had a great season,” Truex said. “We have had everything it has taken to win races. I’ve gotten used to disappointment ... where it didn’t go your way, even though you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Awesome, awesome, awesome!” was the goateed Jersey native’s reaction on team radio, upon crossing the Pocono finish line. He tweeted “I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now. Never give up!”

He kept going after losing his Cup ride, and as longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex battled stage III (of four) ovarian cancer with major surgery and chemotherapy. “It’s helped me appreciate the things I do have,” Truex said. “Sherry showed me what she was made of. If she can do that — I can do this. People got insight into what I’m made of, which is cool. Sucks I had to show it. But it’s definitely a humbling feeling to have the respect of the great people in this garage

area.” He said challenges “make you pretty damned proud of what you’ve accomplished. This is easily the biggest win of my career.”

“He’s been through a lot of stuff — both inside the car and outside the car — the last several years,” his long-time friend and real estate partner Earnhardt said after spraying victor Truex with Diet Mountain Dew. Jimmie Johnson added, “he’s had to overcome more personally and professionally than probably anybody sitting in a seat right now.” Rival Harvick said, “You have to be super-happy for Sherry and Martin. To see them have that bright spot is something I think the whole garage supports.”

Johnson describes Truex as a popular, persevering driver always “with a smile on his face” and relentless “effort.” Truex told the A.P. that more critical than winning races and titles is “the legacy you leave, and how people look at the person that you are.”

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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NASCAR 2015 Mid-Season Update

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2015 race recaps courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA via Getty Images Jimmie Johnson holds off Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson on a G-W-C finish to capture his 74th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. Johnson only led 23 laps, and didn’t take the top spot until he beat race runner up Harvick to the stripe for a restart on Lap 383. Kyle Larson ran third, followed by Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola.

iwanna.com Martin Truex Jr. snaps a 69-race winless streak with his win at Pocono. Truex avoided the need to hold off Kevin Harvick when Danica Patrick (whose crash brought out a caution on Lap 135) went spinning for a second time, right through the entry of pit lane.

Starting 24th in a backup car, Kurt Busch fought his way to the front of the field through intermittent rain showers and won Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway when a deluge halted the race after 138 of a scheduled 200 laps. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second when NASCAR red-flagged the event for the fourth time. Martin Truex Jr. was credited with third, followed by Matt Kenseth and Penske teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski.

Kurt Busch wins at Michigan when rain halts race SUNDAY, JUNE 14

quicken loans 400

michigan international speedway

Martin Truex Jr. wins at Pocono Raceway SUNDAY, JUNE 7

axalta “we paint winners” 400 Pocono Raceway

Jimmie Johnson Wins 10th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race At Dover

Hamlin holds off Harvick for Sprint AllStar Race victory SATURDAY, MAY 16

SPRINT all star race

SUNDAY, MAY 31

FEDEX 400

DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Fuel strategy gives Carl Edwards first win at Charlotte SUNDAY, MAY 24

COCA-COLA 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway

With 3 laps left and Kevin Harvick glued to his tail, Denny Hamlin moved his car up a lane in the corner and took Harvick’s line away, the No. 4 Chevrolet to lose momentum.

Danica Patrick lost 32 laps for repairs. Greg Biffle, brushed the Turn 4 wall twice during the first segment and was never a factor thereafter.

Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch & Denny Hamlin spent most of the race in front but none of that mattered when Carl Edwards got 62 laps out of his last tank of fuel & took the checkered flag 4.785 seconds ahead of Greg Biffle, also on a fuel-saving strategy. The victory was Edwards first of the season, his first for Joe Gibbs Racing, his first at Charlotte, and the 24th of his career.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. celebrated a 0.159-second victory over Jimmie Johnson. Points leader Kevin Harvick, racing with a mangled hood after an early accident, was eighth. Jeff Gordon was penalized for going too fast on pit road. Trevor Bayne lost control of his No. 6 Ford triggering a crash that affected 14 cars.

Biffle, Bowyer, Patrick take different routes into Sprint All-Star Race FRIDAY, MAY 15

SPRINT SHOWDOWN CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Greg Biffle led every lap of the cautionfree first 20-lap segment. Clint Bowyer needed an early caution in the 2nd segment to validate crew chief Brian Pattie’s four-tire call. Biffle and Bowyer earned the two transfer spots into the All-Star Race. Ninth-place finisher Danica Patrick also made the field as the first multiple winner of the Sprint Fan Vote.

Joey Logano maintained the race lead through Lap 94, when Kurt Busch challenged and inherited the lead on Lap 95. The end of the race was a 26lap shootout between Busch, Jamie McMurray, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Logano. Harvick ended second followed by Johnson.

After Ricky Stenhouse Jr. clipped the outside wall and brought the final caution, Jimmie Johnson made a split second decision not to pit.

It ended up being the right choice. With 6 to go, the race became a 3-driver affair as Johnson, Earnhardt and Harvick edged to the front.

Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 Chevrolet was fastest on the track for most of the race - it led a race-best 95 laps, but fell behind after final pit.

Johnson secures 3rd win of the season SATURDAY, MAY 9

spongebob squarepants 400 kansas SPEEDWAY

Kurt Busch dominates to win, seals Chase berth

Dale Earnhardt Jr. captures sixth career Sprint Cup victory at Talladega SUNDAY, MAY 3

GEICO 500 Talladega Superspeedway

Texas tussle of champions: Johnson outduels Harvick to win Texas

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

TOYOTA OWNERS 400

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

duck commander 500 texas motor

Richmond International Raceway

speedway

Kenseth breaks 51-race drought with win at rain-soaked Bristol SUNDAY, APRIL 19

FOOD CITY 500 Bristol Motor Speedway

In an overtime race (the longest in Bristol’s history) Matt Kenseth crossed the finish line .287 seconds ahead of Jimmie Johnson, who survived 2 wrecks. Brad Keselowski lost control on Lap 18, causing Joey Logano to slam into him. Kevin Harvick was unable to avoid David Ragan’s wrecked car and spent 43 laps in the garage for repairs, ending the race in 38th place.

Jimmie Johnson took the lead on Lap 321 of the scheduled 334 when he drove under and past Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick. The final 14 laps featured a battle between Johnson and Harvick, who finished second despite scraping the Turn 4 wall on Lap 331.

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NASCAR 2015 Mid-Season Update

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NASCAR 2015 Mid-Season Update

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Denny Hamlin holds off Brad Keselowski for Martinsville win SUNDAY, MARCH 29

STP 500

Martinsville Speedway

In his 1st win of the season, Denny Hamlin took the lead for good on Lap 473 of 500, passing teammate Matt Kenseth for the top spot. Two laps later, Brad Keselowski surged past Kenseth and tracked down Hamlin, setting up a breathtaking battle in the closing laps. Keselowski could have won by wrecking Hamlin but chose not to win with his bumper.

Harvick rides to 4th straight Phoenix win SUNDAY, MARCH 15

campingworld.com 500

Phoenix International Raceway

Benefitting from a four-tire call on the last lap of regulation and 2 opportune cautions that extended the event 9 laps beyond its scheduled distance, Brad Keselowski passed polesitter Kurt Busch on the final lap (209) and pulled away to win his first race of the season. Trying to make one last desperation run at Keselowski, Busch scraped the wall in the final corner allowing Kevin Harvick to pass him for the runner-up spot.

Kevin Harvick dominates at Las Vegas SUNDAY, MARCH 8

kobalt 400 las vegas MOTOR SPEEDWAY

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4-tire call propels Brad Keselowski to surprise victory at Fontana SUNDAY, MARCH 22

auto club 400 auto club SPEEDWAY

Kevin Harvick lead 224 of 312 laps with a string of 7 straight Top 2 finishes, the longest since Richard Petty rattled off 11 consecutive topresults in 1975. Dale Earnhardt Jr. blew a right rear tire & slammed the wall on Lap 180.

Once Kevin Harvick got to the front of the field from his 18th-place starting spot, he was untouchable. Even with a disquieting vibration on the final green-flag run—and a left-rear tire that shredded during his celebratory burnout—Harvick had enough of a working margin to hold off runner-up Martin Truex Jr. by 1.640 seconds.

Jimmie Johnson didn’t take the lead until Lap 198 of 325, but from then on, his No. 48 lead six times for 92 laps. After Johnson took the top spot, a massive nine-car wreck in Turn 3 slowed the field for the 10th time. The race produced 28 lead changes among 12 different drivers, though Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano combined to lead 292 of 325 laps. For the 2nd straight week, Jeff Gordon was the victim of a late wreck.

Jimmie Johnson starts from the back and dominates late SUNDAY, MARCH 01

QUICKTRIP 500

ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Logano caps spectacular race with Daytona 500 victory.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22

DAYTONA 500

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Joey Logano won the 57th Daytona 500 under caution, when a multicar wreck on the backstretch forced NASCAR to wave the yellow flag as Logano led the field into the final corner on the second lap of a G-W-C finish. Polesitter Jeff Gordon, racing in his last Daytona 500, was a victim of the wreck.

Gordon dominated early, leading a race-high 87 laps, but dropped to 33rd at the finish.

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[2015

STANDINGS]

STATISCAL SERVICES courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA (AS OF 6/24/15)

[ 2015 Sprint Cup TOP 5 TOP 10 POLES

Standings] EARNINGS

RANK

+/-

DRIVER

POINTS

BEHIND

STARTS

WINS

1

--

KEVIN HARVICK

576

Leader

15

2

10

13

1

$4,840,151

2

--

MARTIN TRUEX JR.

561

-15

15

1

5

14

0

$2,668,758

3

+1

JOEY LOGANO

520

-56

15

1

8

11

4

$4,015,820

4

+1

DALE EARNHARDT JR

508

-68

15

1

8

9

0

$3,171,955

5

-2

JIMMIE JOHNSON

506

-70

15

4

9

10

0

$3,718,871

6

--

BRAD KESELOWSKI

480

-96

15

1

3

9

0

$2,790,295

7

--

JAMIE MCMURRAY

464

-112

15

0

2

7

0

$2,426,215

8

+1

MATT KENSETH

456

-120

15

1

5

9

2

$2,835,930

9

-1

KASEY KAHNE

447

-129

15

0

2

5

1

$2,175,249

10

--

JEFF GORDON

434

-142

15

0

2

8

3

$2,835,180

11

+1

KURT BUSCH

426

-150

12

2

5

7

3

$1,935,170

12

-1

PAUL MENARD

421

-155

15

0

2

4

0

$1,962,550

13

--

DENNY HAMLIN

412

-164

15

1

3

6

1

$3,429,537

14

+2

CARL EDWARDS

401

-175

15

1

1

2

0

$2,042,873

15

-1

ARIC ALMIROLA

401

-175

15

0

1

1

0

$2,350,110

RANK

+/-

DRIVER

POINTS

BEHIND

STARTS

WINS

TOP 5

1

–

CHRIS BUESCHER

528

Leader

14

2

8

10

0

$595,522

2

–

TY DILLON

499

-29

14

0

3

10

0

$470,036

3

--

CHASE ELLIOTT

485

-29

14

0

6

11

0

$516,957

4

--

REGAN SMITH

466

-62

14

0

5

9

0

$483,007

5

–

DARRELL WALLACE JR.

462

-66

14

0

1

5

1

$456,699

6

–

ELLIOTT SADLER

447

-81

14

0

1

6

0

$424,951

[ 2015 Xfinity TOP 10 POLES

Standings] EARNINGS

7

–

BRIAN SCOTT

430

-98

14

0

2

10

0

$445,881

8

+1

BRENDAN GAUGHAN

419

-109

14

0

2

7

0

$456,581

9

-1

RYAN REED

410

-118

14

1

1

1

0

$474,849

10

--

DANIEL SUAREZ

407

-121

14

0

1

5

0

$431,847

11

--

JEREMY CLEMENTS

366

-162

14

0

0

1

0

$397,137

12

–

DAVID STARR

342

-186

14

0

0

1

0

$401,480

Standings] EARNINGS

RANK

+/-

DRIVER

POINTS

BEHIND

STARTS

WINS

[ 2015 Camping World TOP 5 TOP 10 POLES

1

–

MATT CRAFTON

370

Leader

9

3

7

8

0

$294,557

2

–

TYLER REDDICK

358

-12

9

2

6

7

0

$285,437

3

+1

ERIK JONES

344

-26

9

1

5

6

3

$269,585

4

-1

JOHNNY SAUTER

327

-43

9

0

4

7

0

$182,035

5

–

JOHN WES TOWNLEY

294

-76

9

0

1

4

0

$169,999

6

+1

SPENCER GALLAGHER

288

-82

9

0

1

3

0

$166,374

7

+2

TIMOTHY PETERS

283

-87

9

0

1

5

0

$154,637

8

--

DANIEL HEMRIC

282

-88

9

0

1

5

0

$154,069

9

-3

CAMERON HAYLEY

280

-90

9

0

2

3

0

$153,787

10

--

BEN KENNEDY

269

-101

9

0

1

4

1

$159,973

11

--

RAY BLACK JR

257

-113

9

0

1

1

0

$154,426

12

--

JUSTIN BOSTON

255

-115

9

0

0

4

0

$142,806

14 IWANNA速 06.30.15

NASCAR 2015 MID-SEASON UPDATE

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2015 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE

2015 CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

SAT, JUL 4

SUBWAY FIRECRACKER 250

Daytona International Speedway

NBCSN/ 7:30 PM

FRI, JUL 10

JULY RACE AT KENTUCKY

Kentucky Speedway

NBCSN/ 7:30 PM

SAT, JUL 18

LAKES REGION 200

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

NBCSN/ 4:00 PM

SAT, JUL 25

LILLY DIABETES 250

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

NBC / 3:30 PM

FRI, JUNE 19

AMERICAN ETHANOL 200

Iowa Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:30 PM

SAT, AUG 1

US CELLULAR 250

Iowa Speedway

NBCSN/ 8:00 PM

THU, JULY 9

UNOH 225

Kentucky Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 7:30 PM

SAT, AUG 8

ZIPPO 200

Watkins Glen International

NBCSN/ 3:00 PM

WED, JULY 22 1-800-CARCASH MUD SUMMER CLASSIC

Eldora Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 9:00 PM

SAT, AUG 15

NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL 200

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

NBCSN/ 3:30 PM

SAT, AUG 1

POCONO MOUNTAINS 150

Pocono Raceway

FOX Sports 1 / 1:00 PM

FRI, AUG 21

FOOD CITY 300

Bristol Motor Speedway

NBCSN/ 7:30 PM

SAT, AUG 15

CAREERS FOR VETERANS 200

Michigan International Raceway

FOX Sports 1 / 1:00 PM

SAT, AUG 29

ROAD AMERICA 180 FIRED UP

Road America

NBCSN/ 3:00 PM

WED, AUG 19 UNOH 200

Bristol Motor Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:30 PM

SAT, SEP 5

VFW SPORT CLIPS HELP A HERO 200

Darlington Raceway

NBC / 3:30 PM

SUN, AUG 30

CHEVROLET SILVERADO 250

Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

FOX Sports 1 / 1:30 PM

FRI, SEP 11

VIRGINIA 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS 250

Richmond International Raceway

NBCSN/ 7:30 PM

FRI, SEP 18

SEPTEMBER RACE AT CHICAGOLAND

Chicagoland Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:30 PM

SAT, SEP 19

JIMMY JOHN'S FREAKY FAST 300

Chicagoland Speedway

NBCSN/ 6:00 PM

SAT, SEP 26

UNOH 175

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 1:00 PM

SAT, SEP 26

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM 300

Kentucky Speedway

NBCSN/ 8:00 PM

SAT, OCT 3

RHINO LININGS 350

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 10:00 PM

SAT, OCT 3

HISENSE 200

Dover International Speedway

NBCSN/ 3:30 PM

SAT, OCT 24

FRED'S 250

Talladega Superspeedway

FOX / 1:00 PM

FRI, OCT 9

DRIVE FOR THE CURE 300

Charlotte Motor Speedway

NBCSN/ 8:00 PM

SAT, OCT 31

KROGER 200

Martinsville Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 1:30 PM

SAT, OCT 17

KANSAS LOTTERY 300

Kansas Speedway

NBCSN/ 4:00 PM

FRI, NOV 6

WINSTAR WORLD CASINO 350

Texas Motor Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:30 PM

SAT, NOV 7

O'REILLY AUTO PARTS CHALLENGE

Texas Motor Speedway

NBC / 3:30 PM

FRI, NOV 13

LUCAS OIL 150

Phoenix International Raceway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:30 PM

SAT, NOV 14

NOVEMBER RACE AT PHOENIX

Phoenix International Raceway

NBCSN/ 4:00 PM

FRI, NOV 20

FORD ECOBOOST 200

Homestead-Miami Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:00 PM

SAT, NOV 21

FORD ECOBOOST 300

Homestead-Miami Speedway

NBC / 2:45 PM

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2015 SCHEDULE SUNDAY, JULY 5

NBC/7:45PM

COKE ZERO 400

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, JULY 19

NBCSN/ 1:30PM

NEW HAMPSHIRE 301

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, JULY 26

NBCSN/3:30PM

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

NBCSN/3:00PM

SEPTEMBER CHICAGOLAND CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

NBCSN/2:00PM

SYLVANIA 300

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

AAA 400

NBCSN/2:30PM

DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

'YOUR HERO'S NAME HERE' 400 AT THE BRICKYARD

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

NBC/7:00PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 NBCSN/1:30PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 NBC/ 2:15 PM

POCONO RACEWAY

KANSAS SPEEDWAY

BANK OF AMERICA 500

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

PENNSYLVANIA 400

HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

NBCSN/2:00PM

CHEEZ-IT 355 AT THE GLEN WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16

NBCSN/1:30PM

NBCSN/2:30PM

ALABAMA 500

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 NBCSN/1:15PM

MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

GOODY'S HEADACHE RELIEF SHOT 500

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

PURE MICHIGAN 400

NBCSN/7:30PM

IRWIN TOOLS NIGHT RACE

MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

NBC/2:00PM

AAA TEXAS 500

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 NBC/2:30PM

NBC/7:00PM

BOJANGLES' SOUTHERN 500

PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

DARLINGTON RACEWAY

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

QUICKEN LOANS RACE FOR HEROES 500

NBCSN/7:30PM

FEDERATED AUTO PARTS 400 RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 NBC/3:00PM

FORD ECOBOOST 400 HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

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NASCAR 2015 Mid-Season Update

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Kevin Harvick Keeps Finishing First or Second, Leads in Points in Bid for Repeat kevin harvick is leading the pack, in his quest to repeat as Cup champion for StewartHaas Racing.

Harvick has accumulated the most (576) points of all Cup drivers, after the first 15 of 36 races.

Harvick, who does not turn 40 until Dec. 8, hopes by then he has two trophies in a row.

He was first known as the driver who by tragic fate inherited Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s car, after Senior’s death crashing into a wall on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Harvick raced 13 years for Richard Childress Racing, finishing in the top five in Cup standings six times including his last year with RCR in 2013. He was third.

By then, his contract expired, and he joined Stewart-Haas in 2014. He promptly won his first Cup title, by winning the grand finale at Homestead, Fla. over Ryan Newman and two other finalists.

Harvick led 2,137 total laps in 2014, becoming merely the third Cup driver to top the 2,000 mark since 2000, and far exceeding his prior best of 895 laps in 2006. Harvick clearly is a roaring frontrunner again this season.

He has led for 116 or more laps five times, another time for 91 laps. Most impressively, he led at Phoenix for 224 of 312 laps — which is 72 percent of the time.

So dominant from start to finish, he has led there for more than 200 laps in three of his last four wins there.

Harvick is a longtime friend of team co-owner Tony Stewart; both are feisty. Stewart, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick also drive for Stewart-Haas. Busch won in a backup car in a rainshortened race at Michigan June 14, when Harvick led the most laps. Busch moved to 11th in points, far ahead of teammates

Patrick (19th) and Stewart (26th) but well behind team pace-setter Harvick.

Harvick is one of merely three multiple-race winners as of mid-June, with two victories and 30 in his Cup career. Kurt Busch won at Michigan, to equal Harvick’s two wins. Harvick won back-to-back at Phoenix in the Cobalt 400 at Las Vegas, then the CampingWorld.com 500 at Phoenix for his fourth win in a row there and seventh overall. Jimmie Johnson leads the circuit as of mid-June, with four victories.

But Harvick has come so close, so often in the no. 4 Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet.

Amazingly, he was runner-up in eight of the first Cup 14 races — starting with Daytona then Atlanta, where he led the most laps but was outdone by Johnson. Those runner-up finishes enabled him to tie a Cup record, with a sensational tally of top two finishes in 10 of the first 14 contests.

“It’s almost scary how well things are going,” Harvick said.

“You don’t want to talk about it too much, because you want (to avoid a jinx and) it to keep going. But I’m just really proud of these guys on this team, and everything that they do.”

No one else reached doubledigits in top-fives, through 15 races. He has 13 top tens, and fell behind Martin Truex Jr.’s record pace after finishing 29th at Michigan. Yet he still leads in points. His other finish outside the top 10 was 38th at Bristol.

Many credit crew chief Rodney Childers, for getting the most out of the car and Harvick when it counts most including pulling away on restarts after cautions. “The restarts were just really slippery,” Harvick said of his Phoenix win. “You

Kevin harvick (NASCAR via Getty Images)

had to really maintain your entrance speed, and really slide the thing through the center of the corner to try to help keep it pointed up off.”

A week earlier at Vegas, he persevered despite radioing his crew he suspected a tire was getting flat. “I don’t really know what was going on with our tires in the last 20 laps or so,” he said. “Luckily, we were able to hang onto it. We had a big enough lead, that we could pace ourselves and keep the lead.”

Ultra-competitive, hot-tempered Harvick wishes he could reach Victory Lane more often.

He led briefly at Michigan June 14, in a rain-shortened race

which had a handful of rain delays. He was very flustered when racing resumed, despite rain still falling: “It was a downpour,” he said on his team radio.

“It was raining when we came to the green. They can see the freakin’ sky — you know what I mean?!”

A week earlier at Pocono, the Bakersfield, Calif. native was runner-up to Martin Truex who is on his tail in the points race. In this race roles reversed, as Harvick pursued Truex. He slashed the 1.7-second lead in half during the final 14 laps, gaining a tenth of a second per lap.

But Harvick was plagued by poor gear ratios, as his third

gear wasn’t conducive for restarts and he could not overtake Truex in the end. “We just couldn’t go on restarts,” Harvick said. “We would lug really bad in third gear, and have to go into defense mode.”

Such misfortune and/or Jimmie Johnson’s greater ability to find the checkered flag this year may keep Harvick from a repeat.

But if “Happy Harvick” is still in the running on the final lap at Homestead with the title on the line, he assuredly will go all out and have a tremendous chance to win it all.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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Cook, Isaac, Labonte, Smith, Turner Comprise Hall’s Seventh Class

Jerry cook

Any trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame puts fans face-to-face with some of the sport's most remarkable artifacts, stories and legends.

F

ive more of those all-timers will live on forever, as NASCAR announced the inductees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

The five newest members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame to be inducted on January 22, 2016, are O. Bruton Smith, Terry Labonte, Curtis Turner, Jerry Cook and Bobby Isaac. In addition, NASCAR announced that Harold Brasington won the second ever Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

JERRY COOK Jerry Cook made his name in modifieds, winning six NASCAR

Modified championships, including four consecutively from 1974-77. All the while, he was vying with another driver from his hometown of Rome, New York, nine-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans, for supremacy in NASCAR’s open-wheel realm.

After retiring from racing in 1982, Cook stayed with the sport and helped shape the series known today as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

Cook served as the series’ director when it began in 1985 and remains with NASCAR as competition administrator.

BOBBY ISAAC Bobby Isaac’s uncanny skill at drawing speed from a race car puts him on a short list of NASCAR legends. His 49 career poles ranks 10th all time. Maybe more impressive: Isaac captured 19 poles in 1969, which still stands as the record for poles in a single

BoBBy IsAAc

terry lABonte

season. Isaac began racing in NASCAR’s premier series in 1961. He finished runner-up in the series standings in 1968 behind NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson. In 1969, he finished sixth in the standings after posting 17 wins and those 19 poles. In 1970, Isaac won the championship posting 11 victories, 32 top fives and 38 top 10s in 47 starts. Isaac won 37 races in NASCAR’s top series, ranking 19th on the alltime list.

TERRY LABONTE Terry Labonte is a twonickname NASCAR star.

Early in his career he was known as the “Iceman” for his coolness under pressure.

But his demeanor belied his determination. Later in his career he became known as the sport’s “Iron Man” thanks to 655 consecutive starts in NASCAR’s premier series, a record which stood until

o. Bruton sMIth

2002. Winning two premier series championships, in 1984 and ’96, is impressive; the 12-year gap distinguishes Labonte further. No other driver has won his first two championships that far apart and Labonte is one of only six drivers with championships in two decades. Labonte’s stellar career is tucked between perfect bookends – his two Southern 500 wins, in 1980 and 2003. His 361 top-10 finishes ranks 10th all time.

O. BRUTON SMITH O. Bruton Smith, executive chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., promoted his first stock car race in Midland, North Carolina at the age of 18. Smith’s early endeavors included operating the National Stock Car Racing Association – seen as an early competitor to NASCAR – and building Charlotte Motor Speedway.

CMS became the foundation

curtIs turner

of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which currently owns eight NASCAR tracks hosting 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, the NASCAR Sprint AllStar Race and additional highprofile motorsports activities.

Smith took SMI public in 1995, the first motorsports company to be traded at the New York Stock Exchange. He was inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame and National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame, both in 2006; and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007.

CURTIS TURNER Called by some the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing,” Curtis Turner was among the fastest and most colorful competitors in the early years of NASCAR premier series racing. Turner competed in NASCAR’s first “Strictly Stock” race in 1949 in Charlotte and was the only driver to win a NASCAR premier series race in a Nash. He posted his first of 17 career victories in only his fourth start on Sept. 11, 1949, at Langhorne (Pennsylvania) Speedway. Although many of Turner’s victories came on short tracks and dirt ovals – much of his career pre-dated NASCAR’s superspeedway era – he won the 1956 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and the first American 500 at Rockingham Speedway in 1965. He remains the only series driver to win two consecutive races from the pole leading every lap. He also won 38 of 79 races in which he competed in the NASCAR Convertible Division.

COURTESY OF NASCAR MEDIA & ISC ARCHIVES/GETTY IMAGES

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nAscAr hAll of fAMe lAndMArk AwArd for outstAndIng contrIButIons to nAscAr:

1950 - FirST SOuThErn 500 (via DarlingtonRaceway.com)

hArold BrAsIngton, a South Carolina businessman, believed in Bill France’s fledgling NASCAR business, created the sanctioning body’s first superspeedway – a one-of-a-kind egg-shaped oval, paved on an old cotton and peanut field.

Expecting 10,000 fans to show up at Darlington Raceway’s first competition on Labor Day of 1950, 25,000 spectators showed up for the inaugural Southern 500 – NASCAR’s first 500-mile race. Darlington’s success inspired Brasington to extend his reach north -- to North Carolina. He employed his track building and promoting expertise, helping in the creation of Charlotte Motor Speedway and building North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.

SEA

RCH

NASCAR 2015 MID-SEASON UPDATE

20 IWANNA® 06.30.15

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Bill elliott relives naSCar’s Greatest, improbable Comeback Victory - 1985 Winston 500 at talladega Celebrates 30th anniversary of Overcoming 5-mile Deficit under Green Flag Conditions to Win aSCar Hall of Fa m e d r ive r Bi l l elliott turned back t he pages of history in may at talladega Superspeedway, reliving the day when he and his iconic no. 9 thunderbird stunned the racing world with the greatest, improbable comeback win in naSCar history. the Sunday, may 3, GeiCO 500 marked the 30th anniversary of elliott’s amazing run in the 1985 Winston 500 where he made up over a 5-mile deficit – without the benefit of a caution period – to capture the impossible triumph. elliott, with smoke billowing from under his Ford’s hood, was within a few hundred yards of going two laps down to the leaders on the 2.66-mile track after taking an unscheduled pit stop to make repairs to an oil fitting line. the cool, calm elliott didn’t sweat it, climbing all the way back to the front and rocketing to Gatorade

Victory Lane.

So how did elliott celebrate his tremendous 30-year accomplishment? He donned a helmet, fired up the engine of the famed red, white and gold Ford that made him a legend, and made hot laps around naSCar’s biggest and baddest track. the car’s engine hadn’t been cranked since the car was put on display at the nearby international motorsports Hall of Fame in 1986. “it felt like a million bucks (being back in his historic car),” said elliott, who made five laps around the track, then drove to Gatorade Victory Lane and was presented a replica trophy from 30 years ago. “i really miss the competitive side of racing week-in and week-out. i ran so many laps around this race track and tested here so many times in my career. it feels like it was yesterday i was racing here. “the car actually drove surprisingly well. i don’t know

in 1987 BiLL ELLiOTT became the fastest man in naSCar when he ran 212.809 mph, the official naSCar Qualifying record. today’s photo includes miss international motorsports Hall of Fame Shane Denney. (Photo courtesy of ISC)

how fast i went – couldn’t see for some dirt blowing in my eyes (laughing). i think that is the way i drove here in ’85 - with my eyes closed most of the race, so i was right at home. i wanted to go faster but the oil temp went up a bit and i said ‘it (engine) isn’t going to live long.’”

When asked if he wanted to come out of retirement to compete at talladega again, elliott joked, “i want to come back next Sunday (for the GeiCO 500). “Don’t tell anyone. i hope the car gets through inspection.” that unexpected 1985 pit stop, which occurred on lap 48 after elliott had already led 25 laps, lasted one minute and nine seconds, putting the Dawsonville, Ga, native within shouting distance of falling two laps down.

He began his march up the

leaderboard by turning laps nearly a second faster than the leaders, banking that his brother’s (ernie elliott) prepared engine would last. ninety-seven laps later on lap 145, he passed Cale Yarborough down the alabama Gang Superstretch for the lead. “i will never forget that day in 1985,” said elliott, who would top the scoreboard 35 of the last 44 circuits, including the final 20. “i remember coming down pit road and our guys dealing with the oil line issue. We went back out and ran wide open and i was totally shocked the motor lived all day long….totally shocked.

We were a bunch of misfits put together, 12 of us total on the team, and that included the motor shop and the chassis shop. most of the guys who pitted the car came in on weekends. We all had a good understanding of the race cars, though. it seems like it was yesterday.”

His margin of victory was 1.72 seconds ahead of a pack of cars, including Kyle Petty, who edged Yarborough at the finish line for second. elliott averaged a then record of 186.288 mph in the race, which only had two cautions, both late in the event. the trip to Gatorade Victory Lane was his first at talladega, and he would add to his legacy two years later with another victory. His thoughts after that day in the Winner’s Circle were as follows: “i about kissed everything good bye because i didn’t know what happened when it started missing there (and engine started smoking),” the 16-time naSCar most Popular Driver said that momentous day in 1985. “But, they raised the hood and got it fixed faster than i thought they would. it felt like i sat there six or 10 laps. i worked my tail off to try and keep up. i just kept on digging. this old car kept on digging. i want to thank the good Lord for making up

those laps. the old car just held together and worked.” the triumph made elliott 2-for-4 in his quest to win the Winston million, the first year of a $1 million bonus program for a driver winning three of the four “Crown Jewel” races in naSCar during one single season. He opened the year with a win in the Daytona 500 and backed that up at talladega, and in the process won a $100,000 bonus. He would experience trouble at Charlotte’s Coca-Cola 600 but pulled off the $1 million dollar feat with a win in Darlington raceway’s Southern 500, the anchor event. as a result, he became known as “million Dollar Bill” and became the first naSCar driver to adorn the cover of Sports illustrated (Si) magazine. the 1985 talladega win was one of many accomplishments for elliott at naSCar’s most Competitive track. in addition to his two victories, he had four runner-up efforts. He is the all-time leader in pole positions at tSS with eight, including six straight with sweeps in 1985, ’86 & ’87. each of those years, the top qualifying speed was a new naSCar official qualifying record that would be eclipsed the following year. His 1987 pole result of 212.809 mph still stands today as the official fastest ever. as for the rest of that magical 1985 season, elliott would win 11 superspeedway races and 11 pole positions before finishing a disappointing runner-up to Darrell Waltrip in the battle for the naSCar Sprint Cup Series Championship. He would capture that elusive championship three years later in 1988. courtesy of nAScArMEDiA

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maryn Winters, 8, Wins race Car Design Contest

Kansas girl’s winning design raises $3,460 for Juvenile Diabetes research aryn Winters, an 8-year-old entering third grade from Basehor, Kan., 8, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (t1D) at age 4, has won the race Car Design Contest for JDrF, hosted by motorcraft & Quick Lane tire and auto Centers. maryn’s colorful design – which features children holding balloons that spell out “HOPe” and “JDrF,” a rainbow and flowers – was selected from 10 finalists by the Ford Customer Service Division, JDrF and Wood Brothers racing, owners of the motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion in the naSCar Sprint Cup Series. “ i a m s o e xc it e d a b o ut winning this contest,” said maryn whose design raised $3,460 at fordracecar.jdrf.org during the contest. “i entered last year and couldn’t wait to design another car this year. this is awesome!”

When asked about her design, maryn said, “i drew the kids because they are the other kids i have met that are fighting this disease everyday like me. the rainbow is a sign of hope. the balloons are for hope for a cure.” the contest started in march with close to 50 children ages 5-18 living with t1D from around the country raising money at www.FordraceCar.jdrf.org.

Ford dealership Victory Ford of Bonner Springs, Kan., assisted maryn in her fundraising efforts during the final phase of the contest. maryn’s winning design will be the paint scheme for the Wood Brothers’ no. 21 Ford Fusion for the Crown royal 400 at the Brickyard at the indianapolis motor Speedway, Ju ly 26, 2015. She a nd her family will experience a trip of a lifetime, seeing the car that she designed race at the famed indiana speedway in person. “ We ’r e e xc it e d t o h av e

maryn’s beautiful design on our car at the Brickyard,” said eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers racing. “as a team and as a family we get tremendous satisfaction from being able to contribute to JDrF’s cause of eliminating type 1 diabetes.” every child who entered the contest raised money for JDrF by asking their friends and family to “vote” with donations. the money raised, more than $39,000 thus far, will help to continue JDrF’s efforts to turn ty pe O ne i nto ty pe none through the support of research.

“Congratulations to maryn for winning the race Car Design Contest for JDrF hosted by motorcraft & Quick Lane,” said mary Lou Quesnell, director of marketing for Ford Customer Service Division. “not only is she a talented artist as evidenced by her race car design, but is a great ambassador for JDrF and its effort to create a world without t1D. We can’t wait to

TunE in juLY 26 to see Winter’s winning design on the no. 21 Ford Fusion at the indianapolis motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of jdrf.org)

see her design running at the Brickyard.” t1D is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulinpro duc i ng b e t a c el l s i n t he pancreas, rendering millions of americans dependent on insulin injections and 24/7 vigilance to survive.

F o r d m o t o r C o m p a n y ’s

relationship with JDrF spans three decades. in 2008, motorcraft and Quick Lane racing joined the effort. in five years, the race car design contest has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for JDrF, the world’s leading charitable funder of t1D research. courtesy of jDrF.OrG

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NASCAR 2015 Mid-Season Update

Master tactician

Jimmie Johnson Leads in Victories, is Eager to Reclaim Throne Jimmie Johnson leads Cup drivers with four victories in the first 15 contests, as he looks to reclaim the championship.

Johnson seeks his seventh Cup title. He won five in a row in 2006-10, then again in 2013.

The Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff finale is Nov. 22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

It is a winner-take-all, among the four finalists after earlier eliminations. Thus, a driver who repeatedly wins has an advantage. That buoys well for Johnson. He won four of the first 13 Cup contests for Hendrick Motorsports, in the 48 Chevrolet. Johnson prevailed

twice in three weeks — May 9 at Kansas, then two weeks later in the FedEx 400 on May 31 for his 74th NASCAR victory and record-tying 10th Cup win at Dover.

“You can’t dream that big,” Johnson said. “I’m just blown away and honored by the success — what we’ve done with our opportunity” in 14 Cup seasons. He has 301 top-ten Cup finishes and 33 poles.

Staying on the track and running ahead instead of pitting was crucial in three of Johnson’s four victories. On Dover’s high banked one-mile track, he and rival Kevin Har-

vick kept racing while other contenders put on fresh tires.

They finished one-two. They “did just fine on old tires, and held those guys off,” Johnson said.

Cars had to be sponged off during a rain delay of over two hours in the SpongeBob SquarePants 400 at Kansas Speedway, where Johnson won for a record-tying third time.

He thus won a Cup race on a 1.5-mile track for the third time this year, and a record 23rd time overall. In a restart with 12 laps to go, while others pitted Johnson stayed on the Kansas track. He radioed to

IWANNA® 06.30.15 23

crew chief Chad Knaus, “Man, I feel like gambling.”

That tactic also worked in Johnson’s initial victory, in week two, in the rain-delayed Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta. He started 37th. He zoomed ahead with 15 laps left, on a restart caused by an eight-car pileup. “Track position there at the end set things in place,” he said, helping him fend off Dale Earnhardt Jr. then reigning Cup champ Kevin Harvick.

Johnson also won the Duck Commander 500 at Texas; the next Cup race there, on Nov. 8, is the middle of three races in the pivotal Chase Eliminator Round. He is that track’s alltime winner with five, and two in a row. After a late restart, Johnson passed two drivers including Harvick to seize the lead. He was able to “reboot, relax and get back into the swing of things” after an off week before this race.

Johnson has nine top-five finishes and another top ten, in the first 14 races. His average finish of 11.6 is bloated by three finishes of 35th or worse.

Yet it still outdoes his average start of 14.9. He started in the top five merely four times. He

is a superb finisher, as he led more than 50 laps in only two of the first 15 races. His finishes in weeks seven through 11 were first, second, third, second and first. Then after an off week in Charlotte, he won at Dover. A week alter, he was third at Pocono and gained places in the end despite a cut tire.

Yet Johnson then slipped two spots to fifth in points after a 19th at Michigan. His three lowest finishes by far were 41st at Las Vegas after two wall crashes, 40th at Charlotte, and 35th in Martinsville.

His other non top-ten finish was 11th, in week four.

Still, he was only 14 points out of third. And he leads the Chase standings, thanks to his four victories.

Lowe’s remains his main sponsor. Kobalt Tools sponsors him for four races. Hendrick Motorpsorts teammate Jeff Gordon owns the 48 car that Johnson drives.

Johnson faces another milestone, as he will turn 40 on Sept. 17. By then he hopes to be firmly in the thick of the Chase playoffs.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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NASCAR 2015 Mid-Season Update

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FOX Sports South’s EMMY AwardWinning Series DRIVEN Continues with Matt Crafton: Born to Race Catch up with Crafton and family with new programming RIVEN – Matt C ra f ton : B or n to Race chronicles the l i f e a n d h u m bl e upbr i ng i ng of NA SC A R Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driver Matt Crafton, and what led him to become the successful driver he is today.

Crafton is the defending twotime NCWTS champion, and the first driver ever to win backto-back championships in the Series. He is the current points leader for the 2015 season on the strength of 3 wins in 8 races.

“I’m j u st a rac e r, a nd I absolutely love to race,” said

Crafton. “I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do.”

The show will explore the professional racing career of Danny Crafton – Matt’s father – in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series, and how their small, family-owned automotive shop in Tulare, CA helped fund the racing dreams of both father and son.

“Growing up, I didn’t have e ve r y t h i ng g ive n t o me,” said Crafton. “It was always scratching by to try to get to the next race.”

At the age of 7, Matt began racing go-karts, and he has

not stopped racing to this day.

Today, Crafton holds the record for the most consecutive starts by a driver in the NCWTS – a streak that is still active. The show will take viewers on a journey through Crafton’s 16year career as a driver in the NCWTS and t he consistent improvements he made on his way to the top of the standings.

DRIVEN – Matt Crafton: Born to Race will also be available on FOX Sports GO, a free mobile app t hat w i l l prov ide l ive streaming video of DRIVEN in addition to other FOX Sports programming. FOX Sports GO is

ncwTS driver MaTT crafTon at Texas Motor Speedway in June.

(Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway) available for iOS, Android, select Windows devices, Fire Tablets, Fire Phones, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, and on desktops at FOXSportsGO.com.

D e b ut i n g o n F OX S p o r t s South in 2012, DRIVEN is an award-winning original series featuring stories of dedication, focus and success both on and off the field of play. DRIVEN will continue next month with

an episode centered on Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer John Smoltz, followed by episodes about the 1990 National Champion Georgia Tech football team, Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Francis, Atlanta Hawks legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Famer Danny Manning. courtesy of naScarMedia

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26 IWANNA® 06.30.15

1957: Bill france Sr & Jr & contractor with Daytona

plans (RacingOne Multimedia)

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wendell ScoTT in car #34 (NASCAR via Getty Images)

1998: dale earnhardT

wins at Daytona

(NASCAR via Getty Images) red Byron (NASCAR via Getty Images) 1979: richard peTTy sets record with 7 championship wins (NASCAR via Getty Images)

Key MoMents in nasCar history 2009: JiMMie JohnSon sets record with 4 consecutive championships (NASCAR via Getty Images)

1950: Johnny ManTZ at Darlington (RacingOne/Getty Images)

One of the most popular sports in the United States, NASCAR has a rich history steeped in tradition. The following are some of the more important moments in the history of stock car racing’s governing body.

1

deceMBer 1947: By late

1947, stock car racing was growing in popularity, and tracks were struggling to handle the crowds and cars. Recognizing this and other issues, including less than trustworthy promoters who would often leave events before paying drivers, facing his sport, Bill France, Sr. organized a meeting in Daytona Beach, Fla. France, Sr. gathered owners, drivers and even mechanics at the Streamline Hotel, setting the foundation for NASCAR. Within months, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing would form.

2

feBrUary 1948: Behind the

wheel of his Ford Modified, Red Byron wins the first sanctioned NASCAR race on a beach course in Daytona.

3

SepTeMBer 1950: Darling-

ton International Raceway becomes the first asphalt super speedway to host a NASCAR event. Driving a 1950 Plymouth owned by France, Sr., Johnny Mantz won the 500-mile event.

4

JUly 1952: The first NAS-

CAR competition to take place outside of the United States is held on a dirt track in Stamford Park, Ontario, Canada.

The 200-mile event was won by Buddy Shuman and marked the only victory of Shuman’s career.

5

feBrUary 1959: The first Daytona 500 is held at what is now the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The event, which remains the sport’s most prestigious race, coincided with the opening of the speedway. Lee Petty won the race, which featured a prize of just more than $19,000. By 2013, when Jimmie Johnson won his second Daytona 500, the winner’s purse had ballooned to more than $1.5 million.

6

deceMBer 1963: Wendell

Scott wins a NASCAR race at Jacksonville Speedway, becoming the first African-American in NASCAR history to win a premier division race.

7

noveMBer 1979: Richard

Petty, the son of inaugural Daytona 500 winner Lee Petty, wins his seventh series championship, a record at the time. Dale Earnhardt would later tie Petty, and both men still hold the record today.

8

feBrUary 1998: Racing in

his twentieth Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt wins his first one, snapping a 59-race winless streak in the process.

9

2003: Brian France, the grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr., takes over as American CEO and Chairman of NASCAR, taking over the position from his father.

10

2004: The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup is announced. This announcement gave the sport

a postseason similar to a playoff. Since 2008, this has been referred to as the “Chase for the Sprint Cup,” a name change made necessary by the merger of NEXTEL and Sprint.

11

noveMBer 2009:

Jimmie Johnson becomes the first driver to win four consecutive championships. Johnson would add to his legend the following season by winning his fifth consecutive championship and then again in 2013 by winning his sixth overall championship, leaving him one shy of the all-time record of seven championships held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

courtesy of MeTro creaTive connecTion

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Joey loGano (NASCAR via Getty Images)

- WINASTRACKER OF 06/25/15 JIMMIE

JOHNSON

-4-

ATLANTA, TEXAS, KANSAS & DOVER

KEVIN

HARVICK

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LAS VEGAS & PHOENIX

KURT

BUSCH

“that is really amaZing. the daytona 500. oh my god. are you Kidding me?”

Ford phenoM joey Logano Wins daytona, is third in points

-2-

RICHMOND & MICHIGAN

JOEY

LOGANO

-1-

DAYTONA

MARTIN

TRUEX JR

-1-

POCONO

DALE

EARNHARDT JR

-1-

TALLADEGA

JOEY LOGANO, Ford’s widegrinning top driver in Cup points this year and last season, roared to Victory Lane at Daytona and is third in points and tops for many fans.

The affable young phenom, who has a cameo in the ‘Sharknado 3’ movie, is a popular pursuit of autograph seekers.

Just make sure you have the right lanky Penske Ford Fusion driver. “My “Joey” signature is terrible,” his teammate Brad Keselowski said. He confesses he might sign for Logano, when mistaken for him. “People run up to me saying, ‘Joey! Joey!’

So I just sign ‘Joey.’ I get called ‘Joey’ a lot. Joey and I scratch our heads at that, because he gets called ‘Brad.’ Other than maybe being skinny and tall, we have zero resemblance. So I always think it’s funny.” Logano is sixfoot-one and weighs merely 140 pounds.

More pertinent numbers are 22 on his flaming yellow-red

Shell/Pennzoil car, and 520 which is his points total as of mid-June. He trailed only defending champ Kevin Harvick and upstart Martin Truex Jr. He drew closer to the lead, going from 79 down to 56 after finishing fifth at Michigan (MIS).

He and Dale Earnhardt Jr. both leapfrogged Jimmie Johnson after that race, on June 14. Logano has led more (194) Cup laps than anyone at MIS and nearly twice as many as the next racer, since driving for Penske in 2013.

Middletown, Conn. native Logano turned 25 on May 24.

He has run extremely well this season. He finished in the top five in eight (tied for third most) of the first 15 races, and top ten in 11 (third most) of them.

He already has nine Cup victories in a half-decade, with none bigger than taking the checkered flag in the Great American Race to ignite this season. “That is really amazing.

The Daytona 500. Oh my God.

Are you kidding me?,” he said.

“I was so nervous pretty much the whole race. We worked so hard in the offseason. Superspeedways are my weakest race track. We worked so hard at them. I couldn’t be more proud.” A helpful change was NASCAR’s new rules further restricting horsepower and downforce series-wide, relegating Cup cars to a much looser, less-performing Xfinity level.

Logano is a record-setter. He was the youngest ever to win a Cup race when prevailing at Loudon, N.H. a month after his 19th birthday in 2009. He was Sunoco Rookie of the Year in ’09. Last year Logano won (in order) at Texas, Richmond, Bristol, New Hampshire, and Kansas. He was the first to reach the Eliminator Round. He registered 16 top-five and 22 top-ten finishes in 36 races in 2014.

Logano has been the top Ford driver for two consecutive seasons, emerging as an elite title

contender. He finished eighth in Cup series points in 2013, his Penske Racing debut after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing. He was fourth overall last year, when he won five Cup races. He would have been series champ under the prior Chase rules.

Logano is making his mark for good causes, off the track.

He helped launch a Midwest fundraiser for Paralyzed Veterans of America that starts July 1. He and Earnhardt are among nominees for 2015 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards that air July 16. Children can vote until July 9 for winners. Logano is in the Favorite Newcomer category. Others include NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., baseball slugger Jose Abreu, NBA star Andrew Wiggins, and golfer Jordan Spieth. by peTe ZaMplaS

BRAD

KESELOWSKI

-1-

FONTANA

MATT

KENSETH

-1-

BRISTOL

DENNY

HAMLIN

-1-

MARTINSVILLE

CARL

EDWARDS

-1-

CHARLOTTE

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Jeff Gordon Drives Indy 500 Pace Car Five-time Brickyard winner lead pack for 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 ive-time Brickyard 400 winner and four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon will drive a Corvette Z06 pace car for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 mile race, May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

It is the 13th time a Corvette has served as the official pace car, dating to 1978, and the 26th time a Chevrolet has led t he pack for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Corvette has served as the pace car more

than any other vehicle in the race’s history.

Gordon, who grew up in nearby Pittsboro, Ind., is no stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1994 he won the inaugural Brickyard 400 – the first-ever NASCAR race at the Brickyard, and has visited the winner’s circle there four more times. That makes him one of only two five-time winners at Indy in any series. Michael Schumacher won five Formula One races there.

“It’s great to have Jeff Gordon

honorary pace car driver Jeff Gordon poses with wife Ingrid Vandebosch & children Ella Sophia and Leo Benjamin before the start of the 99th running of the Indy 500 on May 24. (Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

serve as this year’s pace car driver,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. “He is a tr ue c ha mpion who has ea r ned the respect and admiration of competitors and race fans alike. It will be very special to have Jeff lead the Indy 500 field to the green flag, behind the wheel of the most powerful and capable production car ever from Chevrolet – on a day he’ll also be competing in the Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

Wit h 6 5 0 s up e r c h a r g e d horsepower, a seven-speed manual transmission and a track-capable chassis system, Gordon will have no trouble keeping in front of the race field in the production-spec Corvette Z06. Featuring an Arctic White exterior and Adrenaline Red interior, only its unique Indy graphics package and safety strobe lights distinguish it from other production models.

“Indy is hallowed ground for racers like me and I couldn’t

be more thrilled to drive the Corvette Z06 pace car around the track that helped drive my success over the years,” Gordon said. “The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most celebrated races of the year and an event I always dreamed of racing while growing up in California and in nearby Pittsboro. I’ve won five NASCAR races at IMS and the track will always be a special place for me, so to be able to participate in such a historic day will be something I remember for the rest of my life.”

Like Gordon, Chevrolet has a long, shared heritage with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500mile race, and the Chevrolet brothers – company co-founders Louis, Arthur and Gaston – all competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920.

“Jeff is a great choice to lead this year’s starting 33 drivers in Indianapolis 500 to the green flag,” said J. Douglas Boles,

president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Jeff has such a strong connection to the state of Indiana and t he Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his appearance in the Corvette Z06 pace car reinforces Chevrolet’s important place in the past, present and future of the Indianapolis 500 as well. We also look forward to seeing him back here on July 26, to see if he can make it six wins for the Crown Royal 400 at the Brickyard.”

“Jeff Gordon is a NASCAR legend, a n icon of global motorsports and has a special history of success racing at The Brickyard in Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte,” said Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. “This is a unique honor for him to be r ecog n i z ed i n t h i s way by our partners at Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The day certainly will be another special one in the storied history that Jeff already has written at Indianapolis and Charlotte.” courtesy of NASCARMEDIA

about the Corvette Z06 The Z06 rejoined the Corvette lineup for 2015 as the most capable model in the iconic car’s 62-year history. It stretches the performance envelope for Corvette with unprecedented levels of aerodynamic downforce – and it is the first Corvette Z06 to offer a supercharged engine, an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission and, thanks to a stronger aluminum frame, a removable roof panel.

The new LT4 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 650 horsepower (485 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque (881 Nm) at 3,600 rpm – making the 2015 Corvette Z06 the most powerful production car ever from General Motors and one of the most powerful production cars available in the United States. With the available Z07 package, its capability enables:  0-60 mph acceleration in 2.95 seconds with the eight-speed automatic & 3.2 seconds with the seven-speed manual transmission  Quarter-mile times of 10.95 seconds at 127 mph with the eight-speed & 11.2 seconds at 127 mph with the seven-speed transmission  Lateral acceleration of 1.2 g  60-0 mph braking in only 99.6 feet – best of any production car tested by GM

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Adjusting to Toyota & Gibbs in post-Roush era Carl Edwards was the marquee free agent driver entering this season, but apart from a win at Charlotte he seems still adjusting to handling a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing after a decade in a Roush Ford.

Edwards has merely two topten finishes with one (a win)

a top-five, in his first 15 races in the no. 19 Arris Camry. His average start is 9.3; his average finish of 18.1 is nearly twice as bad. This indicates a challenge with in-race handling in traffic.

He has the fewest points of any Cup race winner this season. The victory guarantees

carl edwards at Bristol in April (NASCAR via Getty Images)

him a slot in the Chase, unless more than 16 drivers win a race — and ten have already won. He is merely 14th best in points, tied with Aric Almirola with 401, but ahead of him on the tiebreaker by virtue of winning a race.

Edwards passed Almirola and Ryan Newman after finishing 12th at Michigan on June 14.

Edwards and Almirola trail leader Kevin Harvick by 175 points. However, they are merely 33 points out of the top 10 with Jeff Gordon in 10th. And just ahead of them, in 13th, is Edwards’ JGR teammate Denny Hamlin. Gibbs has three Cup titles but none in the last 10 years, nor since shifting to Toyota in 2008.

Edwards’ high point was winning the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway May 24, for his 24th career Cup victory and first for Gibbs and first in Concord. For once, he both had the car and drove it well. He started third. He led for 25 laps, most importantly on the final one to take the checkered flag.

Martin Truex Jr. led for 131 laps, and Kurt Busch and Hamlin also often led. Thanks to crew chief Darian Grubb’s call, Edwards was among four who pitted with 62 laps remaining and stretched fuel the rest of the way. Former Roush teammate Greg Biffle, the race runner-up, caught up to Edwards before losing fuel pressure with two laps to go and fell five seconds back. “I made a decision that I was going to try and beat Carl,” Biffle said. “I got pretty close.”

Edwards enjoyed this victory backflip more than most. “It’s so cool to get this win — we’ve had such bad luck,” he said. “This is

truly a gift. I took advantage of it to win. And we’ll get better.”

Yet so far, his only other top 10 was 10th at Texas. He qualified second for the Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 at Pocono June 7, but finished a disappointing 15th. He has started in the top five in five races including at MIS and also at Bristol, where he led for 86 laps (his most in any Cup race) but finished 24th.

Recently, Edwards stepped up in his return in a Toyota to Brooklyn, Mich. where he and the Fords have excelled on the home track of domestic automakers. He led nearly one-third of the way — for 41 of the 138 laps — in the rain-shortened Quicken Loans 400. That was second most behind Kevin Harvick’s 63 laps led, with all others in single digits.

Edwards in pre-Michigan interviews was gracious about Roush Fenway Racing (RFR), which he left after 11 seasons for Gibbs. He said of RFR “they don’t quit. They’re the toughest guys in the world. They will keep working ... I always expect them each week to come back and be faster and faster. They’re great competitors.”

He added about MIS, where he won twice in Cup races but not since 2008, it felt “strange to come here to this race, and not be driving for Jack Roush. Because we put so much emphasis on this event for so many years.

There’s always been a lot of pride driving for Jack here. For the domestic car manufacturers, this is their backyard. They bring their best stuff.”

Edwards turns 36 on Aug. 15.

He has often knocked on the door of a Cup title. He finished

“For us, the win was just a huge gift... now we can relax and focus on getting better results.” in the top five in points in four of his 11 prior Cup seasons, and was runner-up in 2008 and 2011.

He led the series in wins with nine, in 2008. In ’11, he tied Tony Stewart who had more victories to earn the title. Edwards was third (again losing a tiebreaker) in 2005, and fourth in ’10. He was among point leaders early last season, won two races and reached the Chase semifinal round of eight drivers.

Rule revisions already made and looming affect Edwards and others. He said about high speeds yet corner maneuvering at MIS, “it really doesn’t matter to any of us if we’re going 200 mph down the straightaway — as long as we have to get in that corner and slide the car and brake, and use our skill set to get through the corner.”

He spoke about rumored changes to the new Cup Car as early as July 11 at Kentucky, to ease downforce to result in more passing. “I’d be in favor of anything that makes the cars able to race around each other, and to put more speed into the driver’s hands. Everyone wants this thing to be the best possible show for the fans, and I don’t think NASCAR is scared to make changes. I think it’s cool that they’ve been talking with the drivers more ... I think we’re heading in the right direction.”

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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Phoenix International Raceway To Be Renamed Jeff Gordon Raceway On November 15 For The Quicken Loans Race For Heroes 500 hoenix International Raceway will officially be renamed Jeff Gordon Raceway on Nov. 15, 2015 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500, PIR President Bryan R. Sperber announced today.

The race is the semifinal race for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and will be Gordon’s last Sprint Cup Series race at the track as a full-time competitor.

“Jeff has had an amazing career in NASCAR, both as

a tremendously successful competitor and as an incredible ambassador for the sport,” Sperber said. “When we thought about how to recognize his accomplishments for the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500, we knew we had to put together a celebration that was bigger than anything we’ve done in the past. It doesn’t get bigger than renaming the race track and Jeff Gordon is a person who is truly deserving of that honor.”

The renaming of the track will be a way for all PIR fans to celebrate the importance Gordon had on the track, the fans and the sport as a whole. It is the first time that a track has been renamed for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

“It’s an honor to have the track named after me, even if only for a day,” said Gordon.

“What a cool gesture by Bryan Sperber, his staff and ISC. I’ve had some great moments at Phoenix International Raceway, and this will just add to the many great memories I have of racing in Phoenix.”

PIR will also release a series of five individual trading cards featuring Gordon’s image and key moments throughout his 24-year career at PIR. A limited number of each card will be randomly distributed to ticket holders both with their ticket mailing and at the gates each day during the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 race weekend. Fans will have the opportunity to trade with each other at locations on the Fan Midway throughout the weekend in order to collect the complete set.

Leading up to the race, PIR will present 24 Moments of Greatness on its social media channels highlighting some of the track’s and fans’ favorite

Jonathan Ferrey/NASCAR via Getty Images)

moments with Jeff Gordon.

In addition, the event will be commemorated with an official logo displayed throughout the track, and fans will be able to purchase apparel online and on race weekend through a partnership with Fanatics, the market leader for licensed sports retail.

Gordon has four career wins at PIR, including three in NASCARsanctioned races. Each of his wins represented a significant moment to the track’s history. On Nov. 6, 1999, he raced to victory in the inaugural Xfinity Series race at Phoenix, before tying the legendary Dale Earnhardt with his 76th career Sprint Cup Series win on April 21, 2007. Forever

etching his name into PIR history, Gordon kicked off the repaving of the track by digging the first piece of pavement following his win on Feb. 27, 2011. His 23 top-10 finishes at Phoenix is a track record, and he will tie Mark Martin for the record for most Sprint Cup Series starts at PIR in November when he makes his 34th start.

In January of 2015, Gordon announced that the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season would be his last. The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will join the FOX broadcast team full-time in 2016 as race analyst. courtesy of NASCARMEDIA

JEFF GORDON’S CAREER NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES STATISTICS AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY: Category

Gordon

pir rank

record holder

Top-10 finishes

23

1

Jeff Gordon, (23)

Races

33

2

MARK MARTIN, (34)

10,137

2

MARK MARTIN, (10,477)

Lead-lap finishes

25

2

MARK MARTIN, (30)

Top-5 finishes

12

T-2

JIMMIE JOHNSON, (14)

Poles

3

T-2

RYAN NEWMAN, (4)

WINS

2

T-3

KEVIN HARVICK, (7)

Average start (min. 5 races)

10.8

3

RUSTY WALLACE, (8.1)

Average finish (min. 5 races)

10.9

T-6

ALAN KULWICKI, (5.2)

Laps led

442

9

Laps completed

KEVIN HARVICK, (1202)

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NASCAR’s future is bright ...and young

rico abreu

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17 / Boca Raton, Fl @Rico_Abreu

17 / otis orchards, WA @NicoleBehar33

Nicole behar

Kyle Benjamin

A 2014 USAC national champion and winner of the 2015 Chili Bowl, he has two top-10 finishes in three K&N Pro Series East starts, his first season racing in stock cars.

Tied the series record for highest finish by a female driver in just her fifth K&N West start with her second place mark at Irwindale Event Center, and has top-10 finishes in four of six West starts.

T his Roush F enway Racing developmental driver earned his first K&N Pro Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway, and is the youngest race winner in ARCA history.

james bickford

William Byron 17 / charlotte, nc @WilliamByron

17 / ladera ranch, ca @colecuster00

The 2014 K&N West Sunoco Rookie of the Year earned his first win at State Line Speedway last season and finished fifth in the season championship.

With a win at Greenville Pickens Speedway and three top 10 finishes, he sits atop the K&N Pro East season championship standings.

He holds the records for youngest pole award & race winner in both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series & NASCAR’s touring series, and led late in the Truck race at Martinsville Speedway earlier this season.

Ruben Garcia Jr.

Austin Hill 21 / winston, ga @_AustinHill

18 / sherrill’s ford, nc @jesselittle97

The runner up in last season’s NASCAR Mexico Series season championship, he had one win and 10 top-10 finishes there while also competing in three NASCAR XFINITY Series races.

Had three consecutive K&N East wins, in the final two races in 2014 & the 2015 season opener a t New Smy r na Speed way where he captured his first pole award and led every lap.

Had a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, four top-five & 10 top-10 finishes in 2014 to finish 4th in the season standings.

Won the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway in his 2015 K&N East debut.

Dylan Lupton

John Hunter Nemechek

Dalton Sargeant

Was the 2 014 K& N Wes t championship runner up with a win at Kern County Speedway & registered 14 top-10 finishes; made his NASCAR XFINITY Series debut at Phoenix International Raceway in March.

Earned six top-10 finishes in 10 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts in 2014, and won the prestigious Snowball Derby Late Model race at Five Flags Speedway in December.

Has a w in a t Ker n C oun t y Raceway Park in t he Wes t this season, and four top-five finishes in five combined East and West races.

17 / easley, sc @kylebenjamin71

New NASCAR Next Class Already Making Mark on Track

F

ive of the six NASCAR K&N Pro Series race winners in 2015 are 21 years old or younger. The championship points leaders in both the East and West are 17 and 16, respectively. And a 17-year-old just became the highest-finishing female in the 61-year history of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.

It is fitting that as fans celebrate Jeff Gordon’s final year of competition, the ranks of NASCAR are filled with young drivers battling to one day fill that void. And on Tuesday, in a building that honors the sport’s history, NASCAR introduced some of those potential future stars of the sport.

During a ceremony at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, 12 drivers were formally announced as the newest NASCAR Next class, a group of up-and-coming talent that joins the industry program aimed at spotlighting NASCAR’s emerging stars.

“The NASCAR Next initiative spotlights the future of NASCAR, a collection of promising young talent who have shown the potential to one day reach the highest level of our sport,” said Jill Gregory, NASCAR senior vice president for Industry Services. “Alumni – and current members – of the NASCAR Next program are achieving success at the national series level, and we are confident that this class will build upon that foundation of excellence for many seasons to come.”

Now in its fifth season, the career résumé of NASCAR Next alumni is impressive,

highlighted by Chase Elliott’s 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series championship, Kyle Larson’s 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, and Cole Custer’s September 2014 win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, making him the youngest winner in NASCAR national series history.

Of the 28 drivers previously selected for the program, 21 have raced in one of NASCAR’s three national series (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), and 11 are competing full-time there in 2015.

The team was selected through an evaluation process that included input from industry executives and veteran racers.

Drivers must be between the ages of 15-25, have tangible and expressed goals in eventual competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and demonstrate the potential to realize that goal.

Each driver in NASCAR Next must be actively competing in a NASCAR touring or weekly series – NASCAR K&N Pro Series East or West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series or NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitors also are eligible provided they are not slated to run a full season in their respective series. courtesy of Nascar media

17 / napa, Fl @Bickford_James

19 / mexico city, mexico @rubengarcia4

21 / wilton, ca @LuptonDylan

17 / mooresville, nc @JHNemechek

cole custer

Jesse Little

17 / boca raton, fla @DaltonSargeant

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NASCAR Diversity Internship Program Welcomes 2015 Class Top College Students to Gain Valuable Experience Working Across Motorsports Industry we n t y o f t h e b e s t and brightest college students from across the country descended on Charlotte Motor Speedway in May as the sport introduced the 2015 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) class at NASCAR Sprint All-Star Weekend. .

The interns come to NASCAR from as far north as the University of Minnesota and as far south as the University of Puerto Rico, and will take part in the 10-week, paid program, created to expose

multicultural college students to employment opportunities within America’s number one motorsport.

As the NDIP grows in popularity, so has the number of internship roles at NASCAR and other companies within the industry, in the areas of engineering, finance, marketing, licensing and public relations. Hendrick Motorsports, Rev Racing, Pocono Raceway and Switch, a marketing agency, are among the companies participating in 2015.

kyle larsen poses with the 2015 NDIP class at NASCAR Sprint All-Star Weekend.

(Lauren Houston/NASCAR)

“Since 2000, the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program has grown to become one of the premier internships in sports,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “For NASCAR, the program is an important part of our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”

Nearly 300 interns have participated in the NDIP since its inception, and many secured full-time jobs in motorsports following their internships. Recent graduates have found roles at NASCAR, International Speedway Corporation, Octagon and Toyota, among other companies tied to the industry.

“The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program has

proven to be an effective pipeline for hiring top talent across the industry,” said Paula Miller, NASCAR senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “We have several former interns who now have key roles in helping to grow our sport.”

Pedro Mojica, a graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio, completed his NDIP internship in 2014 and now works full-time as an engineer for Toyota Racing Development.

“As an intern, I had the opportunity to become immersed in the world of NASCAR – a sport I was passionate about,” said Mojica, who also participated in the NASCAR Mentorship Program.

“The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program provided me with a platform to launch my

career in motorsports.”

Several former interns are now employed at NASCAR within multiple business units, including: Brandon Thompson, director, racing operations; Marvin Aylor Jr., manager, marketing; Lauren Houston, senior account executive, multicultural development; Kathryn Lee, senior coordinator, events; Jusan Hamilton, account executive, industry services; Ade Herbert, coordinator, communications; Jason Simmons, licensing assistant; and Cameron McCarty, pit road technician.

The class includes the following students from colleges and universities across the country:

Kent Booze - Dartmouth College Karl Bostick - Elon University Adrienne Bright - Central Michigan University Nichole Dominguez - University of Central Florida Sydnei Fryson - Hampton University James Harris - UNC Charlotte Zubin Jhambani - Syracuse University Giridhar Kathiresan - UNC Charlotte Victoria Kim - Penn State University Jordan Leatherman - Oklahoma State University Yuyi Li - Duke University Bice Lizza - Penn State Jade McCrary- Florida A&M University Cole McGinnis - University of Iowa Jasmine Neely - UNC Chapel Hill Hakeem Onafowokan - University of Minnesota Alexandre Pendegrass - Howard University Keyzza Plaza - University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Tonya Vanderpool - University of Central Florida Ashleigh Young - Oklahoma State University courtesy of NASCARMEDIA

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Toyota Mirai Takes to the Track

Mirai is the first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle to pace a NASCAR race hen the Mirai hit the field back in April at Toyota O w ners 40 0 i n Richmond, it served as the first hydrogen-fueled vehicle to pace a NASCAR race. It lead the Sprint Cup Series field to the green flag emitting only water out of its tailpipe along the way.

“Having a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle pace the Toyota Owners 400 is a historic moment for both Toyota and NASCAR and we’re proud it’s the Toyota Mirai,” said Ed Laukes, vice president of marketing, performance and guest experience, Toyota Motor

Sales, U.S.A. “Bringing the Mirai to Richmond to pace this important race is another way for Toyota to showcase our innovation and environmental leadership.”

The Mirai is a fourdoor, mid-size sedan with performance to pace the 43-car NASCAR field at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) while using no gasoline and emitting nothing but water vapor. The groundbreaking fuel cell electric vehicle is powered by hydrogen, refuels in about five minutes and travels up to 300 miles on a full tank. It will arrive first to

buyers in California later this year.

The Mirai was tested and approved by NASCAR to pace the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race after a test session at RIR. In the test session, the Mirai met NASCAR’s performance requirements to pace the 400mile NSCS race.

There is Toyota precedent

bringing hybrid and alternative fuel technology to track. The Toyota Camry Hybrid earned praise as the first hybrid vehicle to pace a full NASCAR race when the hybrid vehicle was used for the Coca Cola 600 in May 2009.

From fuel-efficient vehicles to developing groundbreaking technologies, Toyota is proud to be at the forefront of

environmental sustainability – and the Mirai pace car showcases this commitment.

Toyota has more than 2 million hybrid vehicles on U.S. roads – more than any other manufacturer – and continues to develop new breakthroughs in plug-in, electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. courtesy of NAScArmEDiA

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aric almirola is in Chase Hunt, Seeks Repeat Win in Daytona in July ARIC ALMIROLA is among several drivers on the bubble, lodged in 15th place as he goes for the 16-car Chase.

Almirola drives Richard Petty Motorsports’ famed 43 that Petty himself drove. He finished 22nd and a lap off of the lead at Michigan on June 14, leaving him 15th in points.

Of course, those winning a race automatically qualify. Any remaining berths go by points.

Almirola squeezed into the Chase last year, when he won a race and went on to finish 16th in the final ranking. He has kept improving in standings by twos, from 20th in 2012 to 18th then to 16th. He is slightly better yet, rating 15th in approaching the mid-point of 2015 which is his fourth Cup season.

Though Almirola has not yet won a Cup contest in 2015, he did reach Victory Lane in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in July of last year. That race is upcoming, and he is gunning for a repeat. “We’ve tasted what we’re capable of,” he said of that conquest. “It’s made us hungry ... to reach our maximum potential and make the Chase again.”

The win was the no. 43 car’s first Cup triumph of the new millennium, on the 30th anniversary of the Petty team’s last win at Daytona which was The King’s 200th Cup victory.

The 43 is now a Ford Fusion, with Smithfield Foods as main sponsor. In 2013, Almirola notched a career-best six toptens and the most in a row in the 43 since Bobby Hamilton

“We’ve tasted what we’re capable of. It’s made us hungry to reach our maximum potential and make the Chase again.”

Aric Almirola at Daytona in February (NASCAR via Getty Images)

drove it in 1996.

In his first 15 starts of this year, the longtime Tampa, Fla. resident’s sole top-five and top10 finish was on Dover’s highbanked track in the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks.

Lapped early due to handling woes, Almirola kept afloat by twice earning the “lucky dog” free pass back onto the lead lap as the highest-scored lapped car. “Every time we would get the lucky dog, I had to start dead last and after 30-40-50 laps the leaders were right back on me,” he noted.

He was eager to stay on that lead lap, and then move up. He did. He kept ahead of leader Kevin Harvick, to avoid getting lapped again. Then the fifth caution came out, on lap 376. “That was the big break for us,” he said. “We raced and stayed on the lead lap, and when the caution came out, we got a chance to restart with the leaders.” He said by staying in contention, “I earned my money today — that is for sure.” He car was “a handful most of the day. It started off extremely tight. (Crew chief) Trent Owens and the guys made really good adjustments on the car, and got it better and better.” His RPM crew has been “working their guts out trying to bring better cars to the race track, week in and week out.”

He accelerates well on intermediate, 1.5-mile tracks. Three of his first five career top-five finishes were on short tracks.

Almirola studied mechanical engineering. That helps him understand technical details of race cars. He said a challenge for his team is adjusting better to varying types of tracks, to run more consistently well.

Next-best this year were four Cup finishes of 11th to 15th.

His average finish is 17.3, outdoing his average start of 24.7.

Aric and Janice Almirola have two young children. He was an early prospect in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program in 2004 to advance minorities. Cuban-American Almirola, 30, is called “The Cuban Missile.” He hopes to make his mark again in Victory Lane, and to land back into the Chase.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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HOT DEALS on WHEELS! 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SPRINGER. 100th anniversary edition.

Detachable windshield, back rest. Bags, engine guard.

Gun metal blue. Only 4200 miles. $12,000 firm. j.allen.stone@gmail.com 864-845-6022

2012 FORD FUSION SE. 4-door, automatic, cold A/C, all power, 69k miles. Extra Clean, clean title. Trade-ins welcome! $11,500.

864-787-0418.

F-SERIES DUMP TRUCK. Holds 11 tons. Single axle.

18k original miles. Great condition. New tires.

8 speed transmission.

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1986 HONDA GOLD WING. Excellent condition, 42k miles, new tires, matching helmets. Lots of extras. Wine berry in color.

Call for details. $3,695 864-214-5750

2007 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE. CONVERTIBLE. Blue. Light gray, heated, leather seats. CD, automatic. Garage kept.

Excellent shape. 8000 miles. Paid $42,000 new, asking $27,000 Edneyville.

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2004 PHOENIX CRUISER 29 FT. E450, gas, Ford chassis, only 30,500 miles, 2 slides, Onan generator, 6 new tires, non-smokers, excellent condition. $34,995.

828-683-9185

1979 CHEVROLET C10/K10.

4x4, 1 owner, low miles, too much to list. Call for details. $6,500 or trade of fishing boat of equal value.

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1968 BUICK SKYLARK. 4 door, runs and drives.

New paint. $4,300 OBO. Trades are welcome.

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2007 29' JAYCO JAY FLIGHT. Like new. Has slide-out, new awning, heat and air, and cover.

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1974 JEEP CJ-5.

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2000 BMW Z3 ROADSTER. 2.3, 6-cylinder, 5-speed.

White, black top, red leather. 75k miles. New tires, brakes, battery, a/c. Always garaged. Must see! $9,000 864-230-7890

1995 BMW K75. Red, ABS, low seat, heated grips, hard bags, Moto lights, hyperlights, windshield, hand protectors, tank bag, 57k miles. Excellent condition. $3,650 864-230-7890

2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. Garage kept, 1750 miles, not a scratch like new. Silver in color. $15,500 Firm.

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1952 JEEP. M38 Willis.

All original in excellent condition with 30 caliber machine gun. Includes everything. Call for details. $14,900 828-855-7671

2008 CADILLAC DTS. 58,000 miles, pearl white, chrome rims, luxury II package, excellent condition, garage kept. $15,500 864-373-5834

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2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON HD CUSTOM SOFTAIL. New constructions, custom build, 127ci, 6 speed, drag style belt drive, 2-in-1 pipe. $11,000 OBO. 904-910-5096

1986 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. Super extra clean, old ladies Florida car 85-200 miles. White and charcoal interior. $4,000 Firm.

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1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. 427. 435 hp, tri power.

Frame off restoration just completed. $27,900.

864-304-4825

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NASCAR & Hendrick Motorsports Team With Microsoft to Drive Technology & Innovation Across the Sport Dale Jr.’s No. 88 Chevrolet to Feature Windows 10 Paint Scheme global leader in technology and innovation, Microsoft has ramped up its i nvo l v e m e n t i n NA S C A R with new multi-year official ag re ement s w it h bot h t he s a nc t ion i ng b o dy a nd 11t i me NASCAR Spr i nt Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports. The collaborations desig nate M ic rosof t a s a n Official Technology Partner o f NA S C A R a n d a m a j o r technology partner of Hendrick Motorsports.

Both NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports will adopt the Windows 10 platform and Microsoft Azure to deliver technology solutions to help improve performance on and off the track. In addition, Microsoft will support the upcoming launch of Windows 10 with primary sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Chevrolet SS at Sonoma Raceway on June 28 and Pocono Raceway on August 2. Windows 10 will be the Official Operating

System of Hendrick Motorsports.

“NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports are perpetual innovators in motorsports,” said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President, Developer Experience and Evangelism at Microsoft. “This sport demands constant innovation, to have its boundaries pushed, so that the sport delivers the exciting experiences expected by fans. The Windows mobile

the #88 chevy will feature a Microsoft/ Windows 10 paint scheme (Photo courtesy of Hendricks Motorsports)

inspection application we launched last year is a great example of how innovative solutions can push boundaries and make the racing experience even better. We’re looking forward to the next solutions that we can deploy with both NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports to push each of our

organizations forward.”

Microsoft will utilize twotime Daytona 500 champion Earnhardt as a spokesperson to promote Windows 10, which will be available July 29 as a free upgrade for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices.* In addition, its new multi-year partnership with Hendrick Motorsports will incorporate technology solutions and training across the team, including competition, business and IT functions.

“I’m a big technology user and really enjoy Microsoft products,” said Earnhardt, who is NASCAR’s 12-time most popular driver. “Kicking off the Hendrick Motorsports relationship with Windows 10 is a unique opportunity, and there’s no doubt our ongoing technical partnership will help us raise the bar in many areas. It’s great to see Microsoft is having such a positive experience with NASCAR and wants to do more across the sport. We’re excited to be a part of that.”

The announcement was made in advance of Microsoft’s participation at the NASCAR Fuel For Business (NFFB) Council™ meeting taking place on June 25 in San Francisco, with Microsoft serving as the presenting sponsor. These quarterly meetings are designed as forums where Official NASCAR Partners meet and do business with one another.

The worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential, Microsoft becomes the latest blue-chip brand to join NASCAR as an Official Partner.

According to a recent analysis of sponsors currently in the sport, one-in-four FORTUNE 500 companies are now invested in NASCAR. courtesy of NASCARMEDIA

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Dale JR &

oCtoBeR 21, 2001

thRouGh the yeaRs

apRil 21, 2002 AARON’S 499 time: 3:08:41 laps leD: 133 maRGin: .060 sec points: 185

While his dad may hold the record for most wins at Talladega Superspeedway, Dale Jr. is no slouch himself. In honor of Junior picking up his sixth career win at Talladega this past May, here’s a look back at his Talladega wins over the years.

oCtoBeR 6, 2002

may 3, 2015 GEICO 500

time: 3:08:08 maRGin: .158 sec laps leD: 67 points: 48

oCtoBeR 3, 2004 EA SPORTS 500

time: 3:11:12 laps leD: 78 maRGin: .117 sec points: 165

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apRil 6,2003 AARON’S 499 time: 3:27:28 laps leD: 34 maRGin: .125 sec points: 180

EA SPORTS 500 time: 2:43:22 laps leD: 56 maRGin: .118 sec points: 185

EA SPORTS 500 time: 3:02:45 laps leD: 67 maRGin: .388 sec points: 185

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paul menaRD ContenDs FoR Chase FielD, RaCinG FoR ChilDRess PAUL MENARD may be oftenovershadowed, but he is on pace for his finest Cup year, in driving for Richard Childress Racing.

Menard is 14th in Cup points, as of mid-June, and hopes to make the 16-car Chase field. He is outdoing his two more talkedabout RCR teammates, veteran Ryan Newman (who is in 16th place) and heralded second-year Cup prospect Austin Dillon who is 23rd in the fabled 3 car that Dale Earnhardt Jr. made famous.

Menard finished eighth at Michigan on June 14, placing more than twice as well as his 17th-place start. This was his third top-ten, and second eighth

place in three weeks. The earlier one was in the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks, on Dover’s high-banked track. But in between, he finished 31st at Pocono to stumble out of 11th place.

His best by far was finishing third at Talladega Superspeedway, in the GEICO 500 May 3.

That marked the third time in four races he started in the top 10. He was runner-up at Talladega, back in 2008 when he also notched a pole at Daytona. This year, his lone lap lead was in the Duck Commander 500 at Texas.

Yet that ended up his worst finish of 2015, in 41st place.

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PAUl mENArD (NASCAR via Getty Images)

Menard’s best Sprint Cup season finish so far was 16th, in 2012. He is now slightly ahead of that pace. His sole Cup victory was the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis, in 2011. He has by midJune run 306 Cup races over 12 seasons since 2003, when driving for Andy Petree Racing that was based in nearby East Flat Rock.

His first full-time Cup ride was in 2007, with Ginn Racing.

Bumping with Tony Stewart triggered one of Stewart’s many feuds, and this rip: “You can have your father buy your ride, and write DEI a big check. But you can’t buy talent. And that’s what John Menard’s been good

at his whole life is just buying success. He’s bought his son a Nextel Cup ride. And he’s just got enough talent to just be in the way most of the time.”

Menard piloted a Ford for Yates Racing in 2009, then for a year with Richard Petty Motorsports after their merger. He moved to RCR in 2011, into the 27 car. Menard raced in the no.

90 Daytona Prototype for Spirit of Daytona Racing, in the Rolex 24 hours at Daytona in 2010.

Menard earned two wins in his first 193 starts in 11 years in the junior (now Xfinity) circuit, where he drives the 33 Camaro for Childress. His career also

includes 10 wins driving on ice, legends cars on short tracks, and ARCA. The bearded Menard turns 35 on Aug. 21. He and his wife Jennifer have a year-old daughter.

They live in Charlotte, by Childress’ base. Menard grew up in Eu Claire, Wisc., where at age 8 he won the Briggs Junior Karting Class Championship. His father, John Menard Jr., started the Menard’s home improvement store chain in the Midwest. The 27 Chevrolet SS’s main sponsors include Quaker State, Moen and Menard’s.

by PETE ZAmPlAS

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NASCAR & NASCAR Digital Media Partner with DraftKings to Fuel Daily Fantasy Sports Games

Innovative Gameplay Will Give Fans the Opportunity to Win Exclusive Prizes ASCAR® is entering the rapidly growing daily fantasy sports space by selecting industry leader, DraftKings, as its “Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner.” Through the threeyear agreement, DraftKings will have an exclusive license to develop NASCAR-branded games across the daily fantasy

sports category.

Daily fantasy sports games on DraftKings will give players a one-of-a-kind event experience.

DraftKings will have access to a direct data feed from NASCAR Digital Media that contains real-time statistics. The unique content offering of up-to-theminute information on races and drivers for daily fantasy sports

games will bring players closer to the sport in an unprecedented way. What’s more, daily fantasy sports games and statistics will be offered on DraftKings’ mobile applications, giving NASCAR fans the only on-thego daily fantasy and content platform.

“Pursuing ways to connect with our fans on a daily basis

while enhancing their viewing experience has been paramount to NASCAR, and fantasy sports is a core tenet of that strategy,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “We are committed to growing our fan base, increasing engagement and diversifying our audience and partnering with DraftKings will strongly support

all of these efforts.”

In each game, participants are assigned a fixed salary cap they can use to draft their entire roster, comprised of f ive NASCAR Sprint Cup SeriesTM drivers.

Scoring categories in DraftKings NASCAR daily fantasy sports games will include finishing position, fastest laps, laps led, position differential and passing differential. NASCAR games on DraftKings will provide fans the opportunity to win one-ofa-kind NASCAR prizes and VIP experiences.

“We’re thrilled to partner with NASCAR to bring auto racing enthusiasts across the country an unmatched fan experience,” said Jason Robins, CEO and cofounder of DraftKings. “We’re always exploring new avenues for innovation and stats from NASCAR Digital Media’s direct data feed that we will provide to our players is another example of DraftKings’ commitment to incorporating new technologies for the benefit of the fan.”

DraftKings will offer t wo different types of NASCARthemed games – a free game for casual players and paid games for avid followers of the sport.

In addition to daily fantasy auto racing, DraftKings also offers daily fantasy sports games in major professional and college sports. More information on Dra f t K i ng s NASCA R da i ly fantasy sports games is available at www.draftkings.com. courtesy of NAScArmEDiA

Launched in April 2012, Bostonbased DraftKings, Inc. is a leading online gaming destination where players engage in daily fantasy sports competitions across fantasy professional baseball, football, golf, basketball, hockey, soccer, and mixed martial arts, and college football and basketball. DraftKings offers free and pay contests every day that award cash prizes. For more info, visit DraftKings at www.draftkings.com

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keseloWski is neWly a FatheR, same FieRCe CompetitoR BRAD KESELOWSKI is a new father, and the same fierce competitor and candid chatter.

Keselowski, 31, is exploring a new role as a parent along with girlfriend Paige White.

She gave birth in May. “I’m learning the skills,” he said.

“I’m having a lot of fun, holding a baby girl in my hand.”

He is often on his cell phone reading books and magazines.

His top hobby is playing Madden video football.

He wishes for more spare time. “It’d be awesome to make the money I make now, but still have the tons of free time those guys had” 20 years ago in NASCAR. “The drivers were making money, they had very few commitments and the sport had a lot of positive energy. I wish I was around in that era. Right now, the money is offset by more demands. So the ‘work-to-life’ balance is quite a bit poorer.”

Still, Keselowski loves toiling as a Cup contender. He stayed sixth in points with 480 in mid-June, after he finished sixth at his home track at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Penske Ford Fusion teammate Joey Logano was just ahead, in fifth. Logano is third in points, but only 40 ahead of the next trio including Keselowski in the 2 Miller Lite.

Keselowski finished in the top ten in two out of every three races — 10 of his first 15 starts.

The 2012 Sprint Cup Series champion already made the Chase, by winning the road race at Fontana, Calif. in March. He had four fresh tires put on late, then the last of two cautions generated nine bonus laps. He zoomed by pole-sitter Kurt Busch on the final lap, for his first lead and to win. He called it a “driver’s dream ...

Wow!” Still hungry, “we’d like to knock off a few more” and “accumulate wins, with all-out racing.”

Keselowski won a series-best six Cup races and the most poles in 2014. He finished in the top five in standings for the third time in four seasons.

“Whenever you don’t win, it’s a disappointment,” he said.

“Racing is kind of like hitting in baseball. If you could hit .300, you’d be a superstar; .400 and you go into the Hall of Fame. In racing, those numbers are even lower. Everything has to come together. If one piece is the slightest amount off, you don’t win. That speaks volumes to how strong the competition is.”

He aims to “constantly find the weakest part of my game, refine it and move on.” He sees progress. “New stuff on the car seems to be working,” he said.

“I always want more power, and more aero(dynamics) than the competition.”

Keselowski still yearns for his first Cup win at MIS. “Winning at your hometown track is like winning the Daytona 500.”

He won two Xfinity races at MIS. The first time “in Victory Lane, my eyes were like saucers. ‘I just won at Michigan.’

It’s the one track my parents would take me to — because the drive wasn’t so far.” He worked for his father Bob’s race team, at 16. He pried from the floor sticky tobacco chew errantly spit at the small trash can. “Ugh!,” he recalled, “Spit and chew was all over. It was just gross.”

The Rochester Hills, Mich. native is the first Michiganian to win a Cup title. He did so in a Dodge, for Penske. He has run Cup full-time throughout this half-decade. He is proud of his Great Lakes State roots.

He is an avid, lifelong fan of

“I’m doIng everythIng I can to WIn thIs champIonshIp, racIng at 100%. and that’s not somethIng I’m goIng to be ashamed for.” the Detroit Tigers and Michigan Wolverines football. “Go Tigers!” was how he ended a recent TV interview on Fox Sports Detroit. Ahead of the MIS race he appeared at the Detroit Lions football training camp, tasted “a brat and some beer” at a Tigers game, and playfully challenged heralded Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio (the race grand marshal) in a racing simulator.

But growing up he never worshipped athletes, nor sought autographs. “I hold two beliefs. One is you shouldn’t idolize another man. An autograph always feels like that to me. But the second is if I could make someone’s day — especially if it doesn’t hurt my own — then I should do it.

That makes me feel good. I’m essentially an entertainer.”

The man sharing Honest Abe’s Feb. 12 birthday entertains with candid quips in tweets to fans, media interviews and VIP fan gatherings.

He tweeted “so many athletes are vanilla because it’s easy, and it allows you to focus on other aspects of your life.

That’s a tremendous tragedy.”

He said “I love it when people ask great questions.” If roles

BrAD KESEloWSKi and girlfriend Paige White after winning at Auto Club Speedway in March. (Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images)

reversed, rather than seek an autograph “I’d want to talk to them. I’d want to know what makes them tick, or how they’ve been successful. That’s a real interaction. It’s not just like, ‘Here, sign my stuff.’”

“Brash Brad” also entertains by “not backing down” from racing confrontations on and off-track nor criticism, such as at the third from final race in 2015 at the Texas 500 Nov. 2.

He banged Jeff Gordon’s car to charge up front, after a yellow flag. Gordon was fighting mad, right after the race. “We had to scratch our way back into it” versus faster cars, Keselowski explained. “I’m doing everything I can to win this championship, racing at 100 percent.

And that’s not something I’m

going to be ashamed for.”

He said he tries to realize a legitimate complaint and “maybe concede that I could have handled it better. But “I’m not going to apologize, when I don’t feel like I’ve done anything wrong.”

Keselowski cites a “powerful Winston Churchill quote about if you have enemies, that’s probably a good thing.

That means you stood up for yourself at some point in your life, and what you believed in.

I believe in the things that I’m doing. I believe in the people that I’m around, the way I live my life.”

by PETE ZAmPlAS

BrAD KESEloWSKi and Team Penske teammate Joey Logano wreck early at Bristol this past April. (Brian Lawdermilk/NASCAR via Getty Im-

ages)

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Actor/Comedian David Spade to Serve as Grand Marshal for the 57th Annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola “Joe Dirt 2” Star to Give Command, “Drivers, Start Your Engines!” ctor, comedian and writer David Spade, who stars in Crackle’s upcoming original movie “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser” will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 57th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday night, July 5 at Daytona International Speedway (TV – NBC; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM).

In this sequel to the popular Columbia Pictures comedy “Joe Dirt,” Spade returns as the mullet-headed hero in this first ever made-for-digital sequel to a major motion picture that also stars Christopher Walken, Brittany Daniel and Patrick Warburton. “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser” will be released on the streaming network July 16.

As the Grand Marshal for the Coke Zero 400 Powered

By Coca-Cola, Spade will give the command “Drivers, start your engines.” Along with the starting command, Spade will also attend the driver’s meeting, participate in prerace ceremonies and ride in one of the Grand Marshal cars during the pace laps prior to the green flag of the 160-lap, 400-mile race.

“We’re excited to welcome David Spade as Grand Marshal for the Coke Zero 400 Powered

By Coca-Cola,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood said.

“His starting command, which will be delivered in front of thousands of fans and millions more watching on NBC, will begin an exciting night of

NASCAR racing on the high banks.”

To view the trailer of “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser,” visit Crackle or check out the movie through its social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.

Spade, who was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1990-1996, has starred in several hit comedies including “Tommy Boy,” “Black Sheep” and “Grown Ups” as well as on the ensemble CBS sitcom “Rules of Engagement.”

The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 3-5. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered

By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and

actor david spade reprises his role of Joe Dirt on July 16. Spade will

serve as Grand Marshal in Daytona on July 5. the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR XFINITY Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at www. daytonainternationalspeedway. com.

Fans can follow NASCAR and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtag #NASCAR and #COKEZERO400.

Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International

Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest for the latest news all season long. Fans can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising. com. courtesy of NASCARMEDIA

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