NASCAR Season Preview

RACE SCHEDULES + PREDICTIONS + DRIVER STANDINGS // TOP PERFORMANCES

2014 SEASON PREVIEW

GEN-6

BY THE NUMBERS

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Jimmie Johnson

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POSTE R INSIDE

RACES TO SIXTH SPRINT CUP TITLE

JUSTIN ALLGAIER

CHOMPS INTO ROOKIE RACE

ELLIOTT, JUNIOR TEAM UP

CHAMPION CONTENDERS DILLON CRAFTON

LOOPIE AWARD WINNERS

FORMAT CHANGES FOR THE CHASE

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JIMMIE JOHNSON SPEEDS TOWARD SEVENTH TITLE, HISTORY JIMMIE JOHNSON IS speeding toward his seventh NASCAR championship on the main circuit, which would tie legends Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Johnson, 38, already is in the record book for winning five consecutive Sprint Cup titles, in 2006-2010. That is two better than Cale Yarborough (1986-78), the only other racer to exceed back-to-back titles. Last year Johnson snapped a two-year drought, winning again to get The King and The Intimidator into his sights. J.J. also reversed fortunes on the track at Daytona.

He won both races, starting with the 500. He had not won in his prior six tries.

Much is speculated about how NASCAR’s suddenly-new Chase format will affect Johnson versus other contenders. If implemented over the prior three seasons, Johnson would not have won whereas he won two of three times.

Instead, Tony Stewart in 2011, then Kyle Busch in ’12 and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in ’13 would have prevailed.

But hindsight is 20/20. Johnson already is a premier winner when it counts most, in the Chase, and will adapt such as winning once in each of three three-race playoff rounds to automatically advance.

Everyone knows ahead about the changes, and can adjust strategies per race and over the season.

Meticulous crew chief Chad Knaus and his driver Johnson are sharp tacticians, and get the most of a strong Hendrick Motorsport engine in the well-handling Lowe’s 48 Chevrolet SS on various tracks. Johnson is adept at reading situations and relaying them to Knaus, conserving horsepower and pit stops, staying in striking distance, and figuring when to turn it on in a race.

Johnson joked during the media tour in January he wondered if

CHAMPION CELEBRATION Johnson wins his 6th Sprint Cup Championship (Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR is changing the system to deny him from tying two icons with seven titles, and to usher in different champs. “It’s crossed my mind. I’m not going to lie.” But he backed off the verbal pedal, saying “NASCAR probably does care who wins the championship.

But they are not laying awake at night, wondering how to keep the 48 from winning. I don’t think NASCAR is picking on me, or trying to keep me from winning the championship.” Soon after hearing news of the new format, he texted “I’m good with change, and think this new points system will make for an exciting Chase.”

He tweeted to fans “a crash would end your championship run. (Yet) we need excitement in our sport to grow it. This might be it.” He later remarked “My opinion — and many share that opinion — is that something big needed to happen” to draw more fans and sponsors.

“Here it is, like NFL playoffs.”

If there ever was a dynasty to stymie or celebrate, his is it.

Few drivers have dominated the talented Cup field as Johnson has for so long. Both Petty (’71, ’72, ’74, ’75) and Earnhardt Sr. (’90, ’91, ’93, ’94) dominated for a half-decade (20 years apart), by winning four of five seasons. In poker terms, they were a card away from Johnson’s five-card (year) straight. Their seven trophies were spread over 16 and 15 seasons, respectively. Johnson won six in

"I’M GOOD WITH CHANGE, AND THINK THIS NEW POINTS SYSTEM WILL MAKE FOR AN EXCITING CHASE." eight years — half that time. Not yet 40, he seems in his prime and poised to star for another decade.

The reigning Daytona 500 champ has a supreme resume with 66 career Cup wins, 32 poles, 182 top fives (42%) and 272 top ten finishes (62.5%) in 435 starts.

He gets the checkered flag in one of every 15 Cup races, and 27.8 percent of the time in 2007 when he won 10 of 36 contests. He won eight times in 2004, seven each in ’08 and ’09, six in ’10 and ’13, five in ’06 and ’12, and four in ’05. He has averaged 5.5 victories per year, a start of 10.9 and finish of 11.6 over his career. His start of 10.28 and finish of 11.27 over the past decade is among his circuit-best stats, with only teammate Jeff Gordon close. His best average finish was 9.7 in ’06, and 9.8 last year. He reached 20 top tens in all 12 prior full-time Cup seasons.

He won the pole one of every six races, in ’08.

His sixth place finish in 2011 standings was his worst of those 12 years. He finished second in 2003 and ’04, both times behind Roush Racing Ford drivers (Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch). That launched a vibrant Ford-Chevy rivalry, which has shifted vastly to

JIMMIE JOHNSON , driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 9, 2013 in Watkins Glen, New York.

(Getty Images for NASCAR)

Chevy’s way. Johnson outdueled Kenseth, also in a Chevy, in the ’13 Chase and passed him in points with one race left. Thus, Johnson cruised to ninth place, and won the title. This year, he will gun it more as the four finalists essentially race each other within a full field to determine the champion.

Johnson was fifth in ’02 and ’05, and third in standings in 2012.

The Virgo does not rest on his laurels. “I let a lot of races slip away, that I shouldn’t have,” he said of the past season.

Johnson was the first racing driver to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, in 2009. He topped Forbes.com’s Most Inf luential Athletes list in 2011 and ’12. He co-hosted

ESPN’s SportsCenter on Nov. 19, 2013.

Johnson raced motorc ycles starting at age four, and stock cars in 1998. He lives in Charlotte.

He has been married for 10 years, and has two daughters. The native Californian as a teen starred in water polo, diving and swimming. In 2008 and ’09, he dropped body fat from 20 to eight percent with exercise and jogging. He improved stamina, strength and balance to counter his instinctively leaning left around ovals to offset tremendous G-force.

Johnson, if he prevails as top Sprint Cup driver two more seasons, will go down as NASCAR’s alltime champion. Many regard this as inevitable history in the making.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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2013 year in

January 14, 2013 – The NASCAR Fan and Media Engagement Center was unveiled at NASCAR’s Charlotte office. The first-of-its-kind resource enables NASCAR to better serve its industry, partners and fans through a cutting-edge technology platform that facilitates near realtime response and analytics of traditional, digital and social media.

1.14

review

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courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA via Getty Images

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March 1, 2013 – NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series raced for the first time on U.S. soil at Phoenix International Raceway, a first for one of NASCAR’s international touring series. Abraham Calderón won the 75-lap race.

June 7, 2013 – NASCAR unveiled the driver roster for the 2013 “NASCAR Next” class at Iowa Speedway: Jeb Burton, Chase Elliott, Gray Gaulding, Ryan Gifford, Cameron Hayley, Ben Kennedy, Dylan Kwasniewski, Brett Moffitt, Ryan Preece, Ben Rhodes, Kenzie Ruston, Michael Self and Daniel Suárez.

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august 11, 2013 – Tony Stewart missed his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race since joining the series in 1999 after breaking his leg during a sprint car event in Iowa.

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February 8, 2013 – Buck Baker, Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood made up the five legends of stock car auto racing enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, its fifth class.

February 24, 2013 – The Gen-6 race car hit the track for its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race. Revamped body styles put the “stock” back in stock car with distinctly different designs, reigniting rivalries between auto manufacturers. More than looks, the Gen6 was designed for close, tight racing.

February 18, 2013 – Danica Patrick made history capturing the Coors Light Pole Award for the Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to secure the top spot for any race in NASCAR’s premier series.

She went on to become the first female to lead laps at the Daytona 500 before finishing eighth.

april 14, 2013 – Kyle Larson captured his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway to become the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program to win at the national series level.

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July 24, 2013 – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series hit the dirt at Eldora Speedway for the inaugural MudSummer Classic after a 43-year dirt hiatus. Austin Dillon claimed the victory in front of a sold-out crowd.

august 11, 2013 – Tony Stewart missed his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race since joining the series in 1999 after breaking his leg during a sprint car event in Iowa.

august 17, 2013 – NASCAR Nationwide Series took on a fresh challenge in Nationwide Insurance’s backyard at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. AJ Allmendinger took the checkered flag, earning his second career NNS victory.

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September 13, 2013 – Under unprecedented circumstances, NASCAR announced following an exhaustive investigation into race manipulation from the regular season finale at Richmond International Raceway that Jeff Gordon would be added as the 13th driver to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

September 1, 2013 – The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series headed north of the border for its inaugural race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, where Chase Elliott won his first race in just his sixth series start.

September 17, 2013 – AOL On launched “FLAT OUT,” a documentary series co-produced by NASCAR Productions and Vuguru that featured an unscripted all-access look into the life of 18-year-old NASCAR driver Dylan Kwasniewski, following him on his quest to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship while he balanced family, friends and newfound celebrity status on and off the track.

OctOber 18, 2013 – Dylan Kwasniewski, an 18-year-old “NASCAR Next” driver, became the first driver to win titles in both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (2012) and East.

Kwasniewski joined Bobby Allison, Lee Petty and Mike Stefanik in an exclusive group of drivers who have notched championships in two different series in consecutive years.

OctOber 26, 2013 – Darrell Wallace Jr. won his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway, becoming the second African-American driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining trailblazer and NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Wendell Scott.

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November 9, 2013 – At Phoenix International Raceway during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, NASCAR surpassed more than five million competition miles across its three national series using Sunoco Green E15.

NOvember 17, 2013 – Jimmie Johnson was crowned the sport’s six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, the first driver to win six titles in an eight-year span. Johnson is now one series title away from tying Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt for the most all-time.

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COURTESY OF NASCAR MEDIA

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2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Honors Spectrum of Skills Flock, Ingram, Jarrett, Petty, Roberts Officially Enshrined DU R I NG A CE R E MON Y that celebrated ta lents a nd personalities from a wide array of eras and racing levels, five legends added their names – and astounding legacies – to the list of inductees to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Their induction – the fifth in the hall’s history – now puts the number of inductees at 25.

Those inducted into the NA SCA R Ha l l of Fa me in Charlotte, N.C., tonight included Maurice Petty, Fireball Roberts, Jack Ingram, Tim Flock and Dale Jarrett.

Maurice Petty, chief engine builder for Petty Enterprises, powered his brother R ichard Petty to most of his NASCAR premier series record 200 wins and all seven of his championships.

Petty, who has the honor of being the first engine builder inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, became the fourth member of the Petty family to be enshrined – joining Richard, father Lee Petty and cousin Dale Inman.

“It’s an honor and a privilege for me to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Petty said. “Who would have thought growing up that there would be guys, four of us, out of a small, rural country community that

would be in the (NASCAR) Hall of Fame.”

Glenn “Fireball” Roberts, who was inducted by his grandson Matt McDaniel, was considered by many as the first superstar of NASCAR. A seven-time winner at his home track of Daytona I nt e r n a t ion a l S p e e d w ay – including the 1962 Daytona 500 – Roberts earned his nickname as a hard-throwing pitcher in high school. Roberts passed away in 1964. “ We a re proud that our grandfather, who sacrificed his life to racing, is being honored by NASCAR, the organization that set the scene for a life well lived,” McDaniel said. “There is no doubt that our grandfather would have shared this special night with everyone who inf luenced and had an impact on him during his career, including his family, friends, colleagues and fans.”

Jack Ingram, arguably the greatest driver in NASCA R Busch (now Nationwide) Series history, won championships in two different series throughout his prolific career. From 197274, he won three consecutive Late Model Sportsman – the precursor to the current-day NASCAR Nationwide Series –

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NASCAR HALL OF FAMERS Leonard Wood, Maurice Petty, Junior Johnson, Dale Inman, Ned Jarrett, Dale Jarrett, Richard Petty, Bud Moore, Jack Ingram, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Allison, and Darrell Waltrip pose for a photo opportunity during the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 29, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

and two NASCAR Busch Series titles, including the inaugural championship in 1982. Overall, Ingram racked up more than 300 NASCAR wins and 12 track championships.

“I’m honored to be here tonight …it’s beyond words,” Ingram said. “This is a major lifetime achievement for me. While I’ve won driving the car, I had plenty of help and support along the way; otherwise I wouldn’t be here tonight.”

Tim Flock, another member of a successful racing family, raced during NASCAR’s formative years – and became only the second driver to win multiple championships. Along with titles in 1952 and ’55, Flock scored 18 victories in 1955 – a single-season record until Richard Petty broke it with 27 wins in 1967. Flock, with brothers Fonty and Bob and sister Ethel Mobley, are the only four siblings to start a NASCAR event (Daytona Beach & Road Course, July 10, 1949). Flock passed away in 1998.

“I bet my darling and all the passed drivers are having one huge race up in heaven tonight,” said Frances Flock, Tim’s widow.

“My darling passed away 16 years ago. He would be so proud and humbled to receive this honor tonight and is still remembered for his racing career.”

Few exceled on the big stage like Dale Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR premier series champion. Among Jarrett’s 32 career premier series victories were three Daytona 500 wins (1993, ’96 and 2000) and two Brickyard 400 victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (1996 and ’99). With his induction, Jarrett joins his father Ned as the fourth father-son combination in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The others are Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr., and Lee and Richard/ Maurice Petty.

“I’m honored to accept this induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Jarrett. “I have always considered it a privilege to represent NASCAR during my career. … I am honored that many of you could join me here tonight. Just know that if we worked together during my 31 years of driving or the last six years in the world of television, I have thought about you and appreciate the opportunity we had to work together. Your efforts and sacrifices are the reason I’m here tonight.”

Each of the five inductees had an inductor who officially welcomed them into the hall.

T he i nductors for t he f ive inductees: Maurice was inducted

by NASCA R Hall of Famer Richard Petty; Fireball Roberts was inducted by his former engine

builder Waddell Wilson; Jack Ingram was inducted by fellow competitor Harry Gant; Tim Flock was inducted by Humpy Wheeler, with whom he worked at Charlotte Motor Speedway for 30 years; and Dale Jarrett was inducted by country music superstar Blake Shelton, with whom he has been friends for the past decade.

Active drivers introduced each inductee video during tonight’s program. The list of drivers who participated: Aric Almirola for Maurice Petty; Jeff Gordon for Fireball Roberts; Jimmie Johnson for Jack Ingram; Kevin Harvick for Tim Flock; and Tony Stewart for Dale Jarrett.

Prior to tonight’s Induction Ceremony was the presentation of the second Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, awarded to Chris Economaki.

K now n a s the “Dea n of A me r ic a n Motor s p or t s ,” Economaki, who died in 2012 at age 91, was the editor, publisher and columnist for National Speed Sport News for more than 60 years, a weekly racing publication he began selling at race tracks at the age of 14. He began his television broadcast career with ABC in 1961 and with CBS Sports helped make the Daytona 500 one of racing’s marquee events. courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

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DALE JARRETT’S NASCAR Hall of Fame Credentials Earned As Late Bloomer 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Won Three Daytona 500s, Twice At Indy SUCCESS OFTEN COMES FOR THOSE WHO WAIT. That certainly can be said of Dale Jarrett, who didn’t reach the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series until age 30 and waited another four years for his first victory.

The second generation star, who’ ll be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 29, is among the sport’s ultimate late bloomers, winning the 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship at age 42 after 388 career starts. Only NASCAR Hall of Fame member Bobby Allison was older upon winning his first championship in 1983.

Jarrett, born Nov. 26, 1956, won 32 times – including at least one win every season between 1993 and 2003. He captured the first of three Daytona 500s in 1993, twice won the Brickyard 4 0 0 at I nd ia napol is Motor Speedway and also won Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Coca-Cola 600. Jarrett won three times at Darlington Raceway although the track’s historic Southern 500 eluded him.

In all, Jarrett won races on 13 superspeedways and three short tracks. He also won 11 times in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he finished no worse than

sixth in the points standings in six full seasons of competition.

Jarrett never intended to follow in the tire tracks of his NASCAR Hall of Fame father Ned Jarrett, NASCAR’s premier series champion in 1961 and 1965.

In fact, the younger Jarrett was headed for a golf scholarship at the University of South Carolina – and hopefully a PGA professional career – before the friends he hung out with in Hickory, N.C., built a stock car to race at the local NASCAR weekly track.

The group, which included future NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner, championship crew chief and television analyst Andy Petree, had a car but no engine.

Jarrett was able to buy one at a discount from a distant cousin of his mother, Martha. It also gave him the right to replace Petree in the driver’s seat.

“It was the first time he showed an interest in racing,” said the elder Jarrett, inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011.

“Once he drove the thing in the first race that was it.”

Ja rrett competed i n t he NASCAR Nationwide Series, along with his brother Glenn, now an MRN pit reporter and made his first premier series start in 1984

DALE JARRETT won 32 times – including at least one win every season between 1993 and 2003. (ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

driving a Chevrolet for Emanuel Zervakis at Martinsville Speedway where he finished 14th. He took over Eric Freedlander’s Chevrolet in 1987 replacing Tommy Ellis but success was minimal. Two seasons with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough’s Pontiac team weren’t much better although Jarrett did collect two top-five finishes in 1989.

Neil Bonnett’s injury in 1990 opened up the seat in the fabled Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Ford.

Jarrett finally broke through the following summer at Michigan International Speedway where his recorded margin of victory over Davey Allison – pre-electronic scoring – was listed at 10 inches.

“The Michigan race that he won against Davey Allison is still one of the most exciting races to the checkered flag and one of my most memorable races,” said NASCAR Hall of Fame member Glen Wood.

Jarrett spent the next three seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing where he was paired with brother-in-law Jimmy Makar. Their Daytona 500 victory in 1993 was JGR’s first in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“I remember just being amazed that as a young organization

trying to become established in a competitive sport like NASCAR, we were fortunate enough to land Jimmy Makar as our crew chief and Dale Jarrett as our driver,” Gibbs said. “Over the course of those first couple of seasons, we were really hoping for something special to help validate the work we were doing – especially to our sponsors. The win by Dale in the Daytona 500 was so special to us because it was our first win as an organization. I remember how excited we were, not only for JGR, but for Norm Miller and Interstate Batteries too, because like Dale, they took a big chance on us. The win really established us in the sport and we owe a lot to Dale.”

Jarrett finished fourth in the season championship but left the team a year later.

He took the wheel of Robert Yates’ No. 28 Ford in 1995 as the replacement for the injured Ernie Irvan. Things did not immediately go well. In fact, Jarrett expected to be fired after what the owner termed a lackluster season – one win and a 13th-place points showing. But Yates added a second team and put Jarrett in the No. 88 car with crew chief Todd Parrott

and the North Carolinian hit his stride winning 18 times over the next four seasons and never finishing outside the top three in the standings.

In his championship season, Jarrett took the points lead with a victory in the 11th race at Richmond and never gave it up.

Four wins overall – including Indianapolis – and top-10 finishes in the season’s final eight races secured the championship.

“It’s one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made,” said Yates of retaining Jarrett.

Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart won rookie of the year honors in Jarrett’s championship season. He remembers Jarrett as a tough but fair competitor.

“He was one of those guys that would race you hard when it was time to race hard and when it was early in the race and it didn’t mean much, then he knew how to be patient,” said Stewart. “He raced you the way your raced him. If you learned to be patient and race him with respect, he would do the same.

“He was a great champion; he was a great winner and a great ambassador for this sport.

He was one of the first guys [to congratulate me] when I won my first race at Richmond. He made you feel welcomed and you appreciated his friendship.”

Jarrett retired from competition in 2008 at the age of 51. He shares his father’s passion for broadcasting and currently is a NASCAR commentator for ESPN and ABC. The Jarretts are the third father and son duo to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame joining Lee and Richard Petty and NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr., the organization’s late chairman.

“This is very, very meaningful to be written about in the same paragraph as the Pettys and the Frances,” said Ned Jarrett.

“I felt Dale had the credentials to make it one day but I didn’t think it would be this early and I wasn’t sure I’d be here when it happened.” courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

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NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES STANDINGS RANK

+/-

DRIVER

POINTS

BEHIND

STARTS

WINS

TOP 5

TOP 10

POLES

EARNINGS

1

–

Jimmie Johnson

2419

Leader

36

6

16

24

3

$8,986,750

2

–

Matt Kenseth

2400

-19

36

7

12

20

3

$7,020,171

3

–

Kevin Harvick

2385

-34

36

4

9

21

1

$6,602,918

4

–

Kyle Busch

2364

-55

36

4

16

22

3

$6,917,310

5

–

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2363

-56

36

0

10

22

2

$5,903,433

6

–

Jeff Gordon

2337

-82

36

1

8

17

2

$5,891,614

7

+1

Clint Bowyer

2336

-83

36

0

10

19

0

$5,542,051

8

+1

Joey Logano

2323

-96

36

1

11

19

2

$5,671,817

9

-2

Greg Biffle

2321

-98

36

1

4

13

0

$4,865,039

10

–

Kurt Busch

2309

-110

36

0

11

16

1

$5,192,213

11

–

Ryan Newman

2286

-133

36

1

6

18

2

$5,603,716

12

–

Kasey Kahne

2283

-136

36

2

11

14

0

$5,372,229

13

–

Carl Edwards

2282

-137

36

2

9

16

2

$5,855,345

14

–

Brad Keselowski

1041

-1378

36

1

9

16

1

$6,449,770

15

–

Jamie McMurray

1007

-1412

36

1

4

9

1

$4,968,338

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES STANDINGS RANK

+/-

DRIVER

POINTS

BEHIND

STARTS

WINS

TOP 5

TOP 10

POLES

EARNINGS

1

–

Austin Dillon

1180

Leader

33

0

13

22

7

$1,148,654

2

–

Sam Hornish Jr.

1177

-3

33

1

16

25

4

$1,179,537

3

–

Regan Smith

1108

-72

33

2

8

19

0

$922,023

4

+1

Elliott Sadler

1090

-90

33

0

9

20

0

$960,432

5

-1

Justin Allgaier

1090

-90

33

0

6

16

1

$901,270

6

–

Trevor Bayne

1086

-94

33

1

7

21

1

$928,042

7

–

Brian Scott

1053

-127

33

0

3

13

1

$867,428

8

+1

Kyle Larson

1001

-179

33

0

9

17

0

$950,678

9

+1

Parker Kligerman

993

-187

33

0

3

13

0

$838,381

10

-2

Brian Vickers

970

-210

30

0

13

18

0

$856,177

11

–

Alex Bowman

884

-296

32

0

2

6

2

$792,207

12

–

Nelson Piquet Jr.

861

-319

33

0

0

5

0

$762,287

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES STANDINGS RANK

+/-

DRIVER

POINTS

BEHIND

STARTS

WINS

TOP 5

TOP 10

POLES

EARNINGS

1

–

Matt Crafton

804

Leader

22

1

7

19

0

$348,605

2

–

Ty Dillon

764

-40

22

2

9

12

1

$406,075

3

–

James Buescher

761

-43

22

2

4

14

2

$365,500

4

–

Johnny Sauter

732

-72

22

3

9

14

1

$432,770

5

–

Jeb Burton

731

-73

22

1

5

11

7

$357,540

6

–

Ryan Blaney

726

-78

22

1

8

13

2

$378,855

7

–

Brendan Gaughan

717

-87

22

0

10

13

0

$317,015

8

–

Darrell Wallace Jr.

704

-100

22

1

5

12

1

$307,445

9

–

Miguel Paludo

697

-107

22

0

4

11

0

$301,285

10

–

Timothy Peters

683

-121

22

2

4

11

0

$331,640

11

+2

John Wes Townley

641

-179

22

0

0

7

0

$254,700

12

–

Dakoda Armstrong

628

-176

22

0

1

3

0

$258,950

16 IWANNA速 FEBRUARY 18, 2014

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

02/20/14

FOX/ 6:30 PM

05/04/14

BUDWEISER DUELS

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

05/10/14

FOX/ 12:00 PM

KANSAS SPEEDWAY

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

05/17/14

FOX/ 2:30 PM

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

05/17/14

FOX/ 2:30 PM

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

FOX/ 12:30 PM

FOOD CITY 500

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

03/23/14

FOX/ 2:30 PM

AUTO CLUB 400 AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY

03/30/14

FOX/ 12:30 PM

STP 500

MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

04/06/14

FOX/ 12:30 PM

DUCK COMMANDER 500 TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

04/12/14

FOX/ 6:00 PM

BOJANGLES SOUTHERN 500 DARLINGTON RACEWAY

04/26/14

FOX/ 6:30 PM

TOYOTA OWNERS 400

RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

FOX/ 9:00 PM

SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE

KOBALT TOOLS 400

03/16/14

FOX/ 7:00 PM

SPRINT SHOWDOWN

MARCH PHOENIX RACE

03/09/14

FOX/ 7:00 PM

MAY KANSAS SERIES

DAYTONA 500

03/02/14

FOX/ 12:30 PM

AARON'S 499

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

02/23/14

IWANNA速 FEBRUARY 18, 2014 17

2014 SCHEDULE

05/25/14

FOX/ 5:30 PM

COCA-COLA 600

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

06/02/13

FOX/ 12:30 PM

JUNE DOVER RACE

DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

06/08/14

TNT/ 12:00 PM

POCONO 400 POCONO RACEWAY

06/15/14

TNT/ 12:00 PM

QUICKEN LOANS 400

MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

06/22/14

TNT/ 2:00 PM

TOYOTA/SAVE MART 350 SONOMA RACEWAY

06/28/14

TNT/ 6:30 PM

QUAKER STATE 400 KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY

18 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014 15

JIMMIE JOHNSON 2013 SPRINT CUP CHAMPION

AUSTIN DILLON

MATT CRAFTON

2013 NATIONWIDE SERIES CHAMPION

2013 CAMPING WORLD CHAMPION

2014 NATIONWIDE SERIES SCHEDULE 2014 CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE 02/22/14

DRIVE4COPD 300

Daytona International Speedway

ESPN/ 12:00 PM

03/01/14

MARCH PHOENIX RACE

Phoenix International Raceway

ABC/ 3:30 PM

03/08/14

BOYD GAMING 300

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

ESPN2/ 4:00 PM

02/21/14

NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES 250

Daytona International Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 7:00 PM

03/29/14

KROGER 250

Martinsville Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 2:30 PM

03/15/14

JEFF FOXWORTHY'S GRIT CHIPS 300

Bristol Motor Speedway

ESPN2/ 1:30 PM

05/09/14

SFP 250

Kansas Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:00 PM

03/22/14

MARCH AUTO CLUB RACE

Auto Club Speedway

ESPN/ 4:30 PM

05/16/14

NC EDUCATION LOTTERY 200

Charlotte Motor Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:00 PM

04/04/14

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS 300

Texas Motor Speedway

ESPN2/ 8:00 PM

05/30/14

LUCAS OIL 200

Dover International Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 5:00 PM

04/11/14

APRIL DARLINGTON RACE

Darlington Raceway

ESPN2/ 7:30 PM

06/06/14

WINSTAR WORLD CASINO & RESORT 400

Texas Motor Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:30 PM

04/25/14

TOYOTACARE 250

Richmond International Raceway

TBD/ 6:30 PM

06/14/14

GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK RACE

Gateway Motorsports Park

FOX Sports 1 / 8:00 PM

05/03/14

AARON’S 312

Talladega Superspeedway

ESPN/ 2:30 PM

06/26/14

UNOH 225

Kentucky Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 7:30 PM

05/18/14

MAY IOWA RACE

Iowa Speedway

ESPN/ 1:30 PM

07/11/14

AMERICAN ETHANOL 200

Iowa Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:00 PM

05/24/14

HISTORY 300

Charlotte Motor Speedway

ABC/ 2:30 PM

07/23/14

1-800-CARCASH MUDSUMMER CLASSIC

Eldora Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:30 PM

05/31/14

MAY DOVER RACE

Dover International Speedway

ESPN/ 2:00 PM

08/02/14

POCONO MOUNTAINS 125

Pocono Raceway

FOX Sports 1 / 12:30 PM

06/14/14

JUNE MICHIGAN RACE

Michigan International Speedway

ESPN/ 1:30 PM

08/16/14

MICHIGAN NATIONAL GUARD 200

Michigan International Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 12:00 PM

06/21/14

GARDNER DENVER 200 FIRED UP

Road America

ABC/ 2:30 PM

08/20/14

UNOH 200

Bristol Motor Speedway

FOX Sports 1 / 8:00 PM

06/27/14

JUNE KENTUCKY 300

Kentucky Speedway

ESPN/ TBD

iwanna.com

NASCAR 2014 SeASoN PReVIeW

IWANNA速 FEBRUARY 18, 2014 19

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

20 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

BY THE

R A C E RAC BERS NUM

t this g . I s n’ ghts I’m tellin i l h g t. r, hi h e s e t h i s s p o r i s n ew c a k at t h e “Loo me! I lov signed t eekend. ’t e o n w awes hoever d m ever y We have rst . fi W ‘e a .

I s u m s e ki yo d r a r s , s i n c yo u c a n ould ti n g a we sh n- 6]crea this in ye 4). When in tears e 0 It ’s [G acing like or t (in 20 ’s people se e r p r au s e n s e h i se th d t te a r s b e c u s t o na ck an e d in s s t a r t a r a ce t r a n , a n d i n a t b r i n g d e t e r m i h d o leave se they w , that ’s w racing an f u ed b e c a o t c r a s h at k i n d o g h t h ey e t r a c k , t n.” ac t h e r d p a ss i o YE R n a n OW ti o B I NThe No. 15 ta o – CL r of t y Toy e D r i v u r E n e rg o 5-h

17

Number of different winners this season, up from the 15 different winners last season. The modern era record for different winners in a season is 19.

5

Number of drivers who won in 2013 after going winless in 2012: Brian Vickers, Carl Edwards, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray and Martin Truex Jr.

19 3 11

Number of track qualifying records broken this season.

iwanna.com

The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “have distinctive body styling” increased from 35% to 86%**

86

Average number of leaders per race, up from 9.39 in 2012.

10

Average number of lead changes per race, up from 18.9 last season.

19.4

Number of track qualifying records broken by Jimmie Johnson this season, the series’ most

Number of drivers who led at least one lap, up from 42 last season.

46

Number of drivers who broke a track qualifying record this season.

The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “are cars that I would be interested in buying” increased from 49% to 76%**

76

Appeal (likeability) of the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series increased from 65% to 88%.**

88

The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “look similar to new cars in the showroom” increased from 28% to 83%.**

83

They are Jimmie Johnson (three), Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth (two each), Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Marcos Ambrose (one each).

971

Number of Green Flag Passes for the Lead, an increase from the 946 Green Flag Passes for the Lead in 2012.

79

The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “make me more interested in the car manufacturers” increased from 41% to 70%**

**Source: Official NASCAR fan Council, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen 6 Car Tracking Survey

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

iwanna.com

828-274-2222 864-293-7089

1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. T-tops, Maroon, automatic. Beautiful car, great shape. $13,900 864-304-7494

HOT DEALS on WHEELS! 2012 TRAVEL TRAILERS JAYCO SWIFT. 28’, One slide out, never slept in.

New condition. $13,750.

864-350-2687

2002 FORD E450 17 SEAT BUS. V10. Excellent inside and out. Ready to go, heavy duty wheel chair lift, New tires, chrome wheels. $5,600 864-508-0239

2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. 2 wheel drive w/Z71 towing pkg, 17k, new 17” tires, Like new/mint condition, trunk cover, louvers, tinted windows, $18,300 OBO 828-693-9236, 828-674-9116

2006 LEISURE TRAVEL 22’ FREE SPIRIT 210B. Mercedes Benz diesel engine, 20-25 mpg, 115,000 miles, Sirius radio, air suspension ride, back up camera, electric sofa/ bed, LP generator, custom window treatments, awning, HD TV/DVD player, dishes, cookery, cutlery, linens, fully furnished, many other extras. Excellent condition. $48,700.

706-863-0530

1996 HONDA ACCORD. green, 4 door, 5 speed, 1 previous owner, 188k miles. $3,200 828-215-8934, 828-216-1091

1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. LE. 2.2 liter engine, 4 cylinder, automatic, 4 door, black, nice car. Great gas mileage, runs great. $2,800 828-221-2939, 828-260-4035

1999 FORD ESCORT. Red, 5 speed, 4 cyl. sedan, 4 door, 2.0 L front wheel drive, 155k miles $2,500 828-215-8934, 828-216-1091

FORD F350 2002 Super duty, 5-speed.

7.3 dully. Utility bed.

Runs good. Light tan.

Good tires. $5,000.

828-606-4309

1997 FORD F150.

LARIAT 4X4, extra clean, one owner, well maintained, always used Mobile 1. not a ding or chip! Must see!

Can text or email photos.

Asking $5,900 collierwoodwork@yahoo.com 864-993-9658

2003 MONTANA MOUNTAINEER. 30', 5th wheel. 2 slide-outs, back glass window, electric jack, 2 recliners, separate bathroom/ toilet, one owner, shed kept. surround sound system, no leaks, large storage under bottom, clothes shoot. Motivated seller. Leave message. $17,000.00 OBO 864-578-3865

1966 FORD THUNDERBIRD. Needs painted. $2,800 864-879-6555

1973 LINCOLN. 4 door, beautiful, must see. $4,000 864-879-6555

1997 FORD RANGER. White, 5 speed, 4 cyl, standard cab, 2 wheel drive, new tires, mechanically sound. $2,200 828-215-8934, 828-216-1091

1966 FORD THUNDERBIRD. Hard top, PS, PB, automatic, 390 Holly 4 barrel, 127K miles, all chrome perfect, excellent interior, runs good. $5,500 Before 9pm.

828-803-4056

1997 LEXUS. COACH EDITION, LS 400.

Lady driven, 112k miles, new A/C and alternator.

Near perfect condition.

Beautiful. Must see to appreciate!!! $6,500 864-238-3459

1995 MERCEDES-BENZ 280C. Gold with tan interior, very nice vehicle, 230K miles, was daughter's car, nothing wrong with vehicle, daughter wanted Jeep. $3,500 828-551-2507

CHEVROLET MALIBU 1979, drag car, new 406 small block, JE pistons, eagle rods and much more, rust free, race ready. Call for detail. $9,500 864-876-2828

1970 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MK IV. Red and white.

Perfect shape. $4,600 864-879-6555

1997 FORD F450.

Super duty, 7.3 diesel.

Automatic, Dully, good tires. New 8' x 11' flat bed.

Runs good. White.

180k miles. $5,000.

828-606-4309

1999 YAMAHA VSTAR 650.

15200k miles. Orange.

Runs good. $3,200 828-400-9585

2003 SAAB 93.

202 Turbo, silver 4 door automatic, loaded, car fax available, 166k miles. $3,500 828-215-8934, 828-216-1091

ADVERTISE HERE! Call Classifieds Dept.

1990 NISSAN 300ZX. Twin turbo, approx.

500+ RWHP on pump, body has approx. 115K miles, engine was swapped with 5K miles with JDM engine with only 3K miles.

All work was done by legendary 300ZX Chin Vong in Livonia, MI. Call for detail list for other upgrades, $12,950.

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Classifieds Dept.

IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014 21

NASCAR 2014 SeASoN PReVIeW

22 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

iwanna.com

nascar purchases IOWA SPEEDWAY In a strategIc move designed to expand its commitment to enhancing event experiences and fan engagement, as well as solidify the future of one of the premier racing and entertainment facilities in the midwest, nascar announced today that it has purchased Iowa speedway. the agreement, finalized today under a wholly-owned subsidiary, Iowa speedway, LLc, is effective immediately.

“Iowa speedway is a great entertainment facility with a very bright future,” said eric nyquist, nascar vice president, strategic development. “the facility has the support of the region, it’s positioned well in the heart of the midwest, and year in and year out it provides great short-track racing action for motorsports fans. “nascar ownership will allow us to draw on the entire resources of our company. It also provides us with the opportunity to execute first-hand a number of entertainment ideas and engagement opportunities with fans – much of which we have outlined repeatedly as the core of our Industry action Plan.” the facility, located 30 miles east of Des moines in newton, features a fast, .875-mile asphalt paved tri-oval designed by nascar Hall of Famer rusty Wallace. the speedway released its 2014 schedule earlier this month, encompassing three weekends, one each in may, July and august. the

2014 IOWA SPEEDWAY EVENT SCHEDULE >> saturday, may 17 – nascar K&n Pro series east vs. West challenge >> sunday, may 18 – nascar nationwide series >> Friday, July 11 – american ethanol 200, nascar camping World truck series >> saturday, July 12 – Iowa corn Indy 300, Indycar series >> Friday, august 1 – nascar K&n Pro series east vs. West challenge >> saturday, august 2 – nascar nationwide series schedule will include two nascar nationwide series races, a combination nascar camping World truck series and Indycar series weekend, plus two additional nascar K&n Pro series support races. nascar has no plans for Iowa speedway to host a nascar sprint cup series race next year or in the immediate future. nascar will host a special event in Des moines on thursday, Dec. 12, to outline additional details on the purchase and plans for the future. Information on this event will be announced soon. the 2014 Iowa speedway

season opens may 17-18, with the nascar K&n Pro series east versus West challenge on saturday night. the stars and cars of the nascar nationwide series then will battle on sunday in a 250lap, high-speed contest. the race marks the only sunday afternoon event of the season at Iowa speedway. the new nascar camping World truck series / Indycar series race weekend at Iowa speedway is slated for July 11-12. the nascar camping World truck series will race Friday night and feature short-track racing action that has become

synonymous with the series in the american ethanol 200. the first-ever Iowa corn Indy 300 will follow on saturday night. on Friday, aug. 1, a second nascar K&n Pro series east versus West challenge race will be held followed by a second nascar nationwide series 250-lap event on saturday under the lights. season ticket holders may renew their tickets for the 2014 season, and will have an exclusive right to secure their current seats until Dec. 14. all other seats are available for purchase immediately, with season ticket prices starting at $95. all season

tickets will include a guaranteed seat location, complimentary casey’s Fan Walk pass and an opportunity to participate in pre-race ceremonies. season tickets, parking passes and onsite camping options are available online at www.iowaspeedway. com, or by calling the toll-free ticketing hotline, 866-rUstYgo (787-8946).

Iowa speedway’s ticketing office, located at 3333 rusty Wallace Drive in newton, also will be open to assist customers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. saturday, holidays excepted.

by NASCAR MEDIA

iwanna.com

NASCAR 2014 SeASoN PReVIeW

IWANNA速 FEBRUARY 18, 2014 23

24 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

TITLE TIME IS NOW FOR DALE EARNHARDT JR.

DA L E E A R N H A R DT J R . looks to take his career to the cha mpionship level in “ life after 40,” after a top-five Cup season which would have been a championship one under the new rules.

“It’s bold, aggressive,” he said of the new Chase format, which advances race winners to a series of rounds down to four finalists.

The champion is whomever of the four does best in the finale, the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead, Fla. “The higher pressure situation is tougher on some guys’ psyche.

But that’s what needs to happen.”

Now-bearded Dale Jr. remains the sport’s most worshipped driver, continuing his late father’s legacy. “Junior” snapped Bill Elliott’s mark, in receiving the Spring Cup Series Most Popular Driver award for the 11th straight year. On the track, he won the Busch (now Nationwide) Series title, in 1998 and ’99.

He wants Cup supremacy, which his father reached seven times to tie Richard Petty. Junior’s Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) teammates Jimmie Johnson (six) and Jeff Gordon (four) are active career leaders. “It ticks me off

but motivates me” seeing HMS teammates in “videos holding trophies, and celebrating wins,” Earnhardt said. “I’m ready to win races. We’re a good enough team to do it. We are peaking at the right time, to compete for a championship.”

He turns 40 on Oct. 10. By then, merely six races will remain and he hopes to be in striking distance of the title in his final season with Steve Letarte as crew chief. In an omen, Earnhardt drives car no. 88 he secured rights to from another Dale — newlyenshrined Hall of Famer Jarrett.

Earnhardt enters 2014 with confidence from a strong finish to ’13, in the Army National Guard Chevrolet SS. He was in the top five in five Chase races, and in the top 10 in eight of the final nine.

He finished fifth in the points standings.

This was his best in seven years, since 2006 when he ended in the top five for the third time in four seasons. His peak was third, in 2003. But he slipped in 2007-10, to 16th, 12th, 25th then 21st. He since rebounded to seventh, 12th and then fifth in making the Chase for three consecutive years

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

iwanna.com

DALE JR. Geico 400 Practice (Thinkstock, Getty Images)

for the first time. He has been in HMS’ all-star stable since 2008, and is turning around his success.

Taking more checkered flags is pivotal with the Chase advancing race winners to the next round.

Earnhardt notched six of his 19 career victories in 2004, but no more than one in the ensuing nine seasons. Since 2007, he has won merely twice. Both times were at Michigan, on Father’s Day. Further, he has never had more than two poles in a year.

Though he often leads races, he needs to fend off challengers better. Consider this stat for 2013: His average start was 13.9, he was eighth in mid-race, yet finished at 12.6 for an average running position of 11.5. He surpassed his career average finish of 14th.

Yet t he ma i n rea sons he would have won last year is he ran consistently well enough to make the top four, heading to Homestead. Then, he did the best among those four. He finished third (Denny Hamlin won), outdoing Johnson (ninth) as well as Gordon and Kevin Harvick.

Johnson ended with the most overall points, to win the title.

Under new rules, Junior would have secured the fourth slot in the Final Four, the one via points.

Gordon, Johnson and Harvick each won in the prior Chase phase, automatically qualifying them.

Matt Kenseth and Junior did not win. Kenseth’ bad Phoenix race would have done him in,

the third/“Eliminator” round. dropping him behind Junior in points. Gordon had fewer points than Kenseth, but as a race winner would have ousted him.

The Daytona 500 on Feb. 23 gives a peek into whose engines are running strongest despite restrictor plates, which cars handle smoothest, and how aggressively drivers go after the checkered flag. Junior won the 500 in 2004, and finished second in three of the past four years. A year ago, he was on Johnson’s tail ready to slingshot past him, but Johnson held him off on the final lap to win. Placing second “felt great,” but Junior wants to “turn the corner” into Victory Lane. “We’ve had close runs,” Letarte said. If he paces horsepower to be strong late, “he’ll break through.” Junior does better on flat, short tracks and intermediate tracks. He won two poles last year.

He consistently finishes strong, season-long. He had 10 top five finishes in ’13, and half were second place. His top fives has neared 30 percent of finishes in the last two seasons. Better yet, last year his 22 top tens (out of 36 starts, for 61%) was his best yet in his 15 Cup seasons. He had 20 in the prior year. He finished in the top 10 in 204 of 505 Cup starts since 1999, for a 40 percent career clip.

Credit his career comeback to Letarte, who helped Gordon win his four Cup trophies. Letarte got

“I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CALL MYSELF A CHAMPION IN THIS SPORT. THAT WOULD DEFINITELY COMPLETE MY CAREER.” Junior to join post-race analysis sessions, rather than rush to sponsor activities. He helped “Little E” mature, not go full-tilt and crash, and regain confidence and zest. This gives urgency to win the title now, since Letarte after this season becomes an NBC racing analyst. No successor has been announced. A constant is again sharing the garage with Johnson, exchanging setup data and strategic planning.

Junior reportedly did not mesh with earlier crew chiefs such as Tony Eury Sr., and credited his “rift” with stepmother Teresa Earnhardt who inherited Dale Earnhardt, Inc. for her not letting him take his longtime number 8 with him. So, 88 was next best.

DHI is now out of Cup racing.

Junior is part owner of JR Motorsports. Its Nationwide Series drivers are Regan Smith, and now Bill’s son Chase Elliott, 18.

When Kannapolis native Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was 16, he was merely 5-foot-3. That foiled his dreams to play pro football, for the Redskins. Now the lanky six footer is about to race in stock racing’s Super Bowl — the Daytona 500 as a pivotal first step.

“Winning a championship is my ultimate goal.

“I want to be able to call myself a champion in this sport. That would definitely complete my career.”

by PETE ZAMPLAS

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

iwanna.com

IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014 25

GREG BIFFLE READY TO MAKE RIPPLES IN CUP RACE

GREG BIFFLE has long been overshadowed on Roush Fenway Racing by flamboyant Carl Edwards and intense Matt Kenseth, but has been the top driver for the Cup circuit’s premier Ford team.

Biffle, 44, is Jack Roush’s elders wheelman, a fixture since 1996 and in Cup racing since 2002. Yet RFR contracts are up after this season for Biffle and Edwards.

There is talk they could move on as Kenseth did, leading the circuit with seven wins for Joe Gibbs Racing. He won once more than all Ford Cup drivers combined.

Roush Fenway Racing Pres. Steve Newmark said he wants to re-sign both. “They’ve spent their careers at Roush, and we hope they retire (here). They’ve been actively involved in a lot of the changes going on. So they’re pretty optimistic about the future.”

Biffle is confident. “I feel like this year we’re really aligned well.

Maybe the new (Chase) format will play into our hands. We’ve been able to make the Chase five of the last six years, and want to make a strong run at the title this year.”

Biffle won titles with RFR in Nationwide (then Busch, in ’02) and Truck (2000) circuits, and was top rookie in both series.

Only Biffle and rookie Austin Dillon can get NASCAR’s triple crown, by winning a Cup title.

Biffle came close. He was second in Cup points in 2005 on a tiebreaker ahead of Edwards, and led the circuit with six victories. Biffle finished third overall in 2008.

He won two races in each of five seasons, and 19 overall.

Last year Biffle finished well back in the Chase, in ninth, with merely four top-fives and 13 top10 finishes. As the 26-race regular season closed, he felt “we are right where we need to be.” Not so, as the Fords waned in Chase contests.

Biffle topped Roush drivers, but Penske’s Joey Logano in eighth was the best of all Ford drivers.

Still, this was Biffle’s seventh top 10 finish in standings, in 12 full-

time Cup seasons. And his victory at Michigan in June was Ford’s 1,000th in NASCAR’s top three circuits. Biffle’s 55 career wins across NASCAR’s three national series ties him for 15th with Rusty Wallace and Ron Hornaday Jr. Biff le’s average finish of 15.19 since 2004 is comparable to Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin.

Biffle, a Washington State native, drives the no. 16 Ford Fusion with 3M in its eighth year as main sponsor. He is in his fourth season with Matt Puccia as crew chief.

Quiet-natured Biffle could relate to the late George Harrison, the shy “Other Beatle.” Biffle often takes a back seat to Roush teammates. Two won back-toback titles — Kenseth in 2003, then Kurt Busch in 2004. Volatile Busch left Roush after one more season. He has since scraped metal with Kenseth and Biff le, and long with Tony Stewart. Edgy Kenseth had crashing feuds with Kevin Harvick, Stewart and once even Jeff Gordon. Edwards once grabbed Harvick’s neck after a race, and even shoved then-teammate Kenseth in ’07.

Flamboyant Edwards does backward flips after winning a race, and had a cameo role on the hit series “24.” Edwards (twice)

“I FEEL LIKE THIS YEAR WE’RE REALLY ALIGNED WELL. MAYBE THE NEW (CHASE) FORMAT WILL PLAY INTO OUR HANDS.” and Mark Martin (five times) have multiple Cup runner-up seasons.

Martin was Roush’s first superstar, in 1988-2006 but ousted after NASCAR’s limit of four Cup cars per team forced Roush to drop a car. Roush now fields three teams, and hopes nose modification improves Fusion aerodynamics in turns.

Last year Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kenseth’s replacement, was rookie of the year and made headlines with his romance with Danica Patrick. The owners make news, with Jack Roush ripping some NASCAR changes and John Henry (of the Fenway part) win-

GREG BIFFLE Sprint Cup Series, Sonoma 2013

(NASCAR Media via Getty Images)

ning the ‘13 world championship with his Boston Red Sox. Even Biffles’s wife Nicole Lunders, whom he met in 1998 and married in 2007, has overshadowed him. In a confrontation of drivers’ fiancees, Lunders charged to the steps of the trailer of the future Eva Busch right after a race in which Kurt Busch crashed Biffle.

She lashed out about Busch’s dangerous move.

These days, she is best known for managing their Greg Biffle Foundation to help save pets.

Biffle said with a straight face

that he married Lunders midweek between races, since “Jack (Roush) will not give me a weekend off.”

Biffle, though uncredited, was in a scene of the 2006 comic film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. His four television appearances include cooking steak with Paula Deen, and racing a lawnmower race as himself in the CBS comedy Yes, Dear in 2005.

Greg Biffle enjoys deep sea fishing. This season, he will fish for the Sprint Cup and triple-crown history.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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duck commander SIGNS TEXAS DUCK CommanDer, t h e brand of the best-selling duck calls and name of the thriving family-owned company led by the robertson clan of a&e’s “Duck Dynasty” fame, has signed a multi-year agreement to serve as title sponsor of the annual spring naSCar Sprint Cup Series race at Texas motor Speedway.

The largest-attended, single-day sporting event annually in Texas with estimated average crowds in excess of 150,000 will be known as the Duck Commander 500 with this year’s edition scheduled for Sunday, april 6. The two sides agreed to a three-year deal with a renewal option for an additional

DuCk CoMMANDER CEo

Willie robertson

three years, but no financial terms of the agreement were announced.

“This is perhaps the most unique sponsorship in professional sports because not only does this come with special branding, it comes with celebrity spokespeople that are followed by tens of millions of people every week,” Texas motor Speedway President eddie Gossage said. “Fans will see members of the robertson Family and cast of Duck Dynasty and

all the rest during Duck Commander 50 0 week here at Texas motor Speedway and we have produced some awesome merchandise that both race fans and Duck Commander fans will love. This marriage is perfection.”

“We’re excited about the partnership for the Duck Commander 500, being aligned with naSCar, and to have our brand associated with an event of this magnitude, “ shared Duck Commander Ceo Willie robertson.

“We are all big fans of naSCar and have been all our lives. It’s especially exciting to see our brand join to make it an awesome experience for the fan base and we can’t think of a better place than our neighbor at the Texas motor Speedway.”

W hi le the robertson fami ly emerged in the public eye and garnered immense popularity through a&e’s “Duck Dynasty” reality show that premiered in 2012, the Duck Commander brand has been the foundation of the family business of duck calls since patriarch Phil robertson founded the company in 1972 in West monroe, La. Duck Comma nder ha s since f lourished into a million dollar business with Willie robertson, one of Phil’s four sons, serving as the Ceo of the enterprise that now encompasses more than 1,000 Duck Commander products and a powerful stable of licensees. This race entitlement diversifies Duck Commander’s business portfolio and will be unique in structure as the company will utilize their exclusive licensees to fund this sponsorship for

the exposure and opportunities to align their product with their brand.

The Duck Commander brand also will enjoy a substantial product presence on its race weekend and throughout the year at Texas motor Speedway. an extensive line of Duck Commander 500 merchandise will be sold at track and in the Speedway World souvenir store year-round in addition to being available through Duck Commander retail partners.

Uncle Si’s TeaTm will be introduced and sold at track in single-serve options in both the sweet and unsweetened varieties. Texas motor Speedway also will look to integrate products such as Duck Commander Family Foods’ BBQ sauce, salsa and beef jerky with the speedway signature concession items.

The robertson family members also will have a strong presence on their race weekend, with several attending as well as having various VIP or honorary roles such as Grand marshal or Honorary Starter.

Tickets for the Duck Commander 500 officially go on sale Friday, Feb. 14. Fans interested in purchasing tickets prior to that date can do so by securing season tickets or by joining the Texas motor Speedway Fan Club.

Fan club members will be eligible for a special Duck Commander 500 presale event that begins 9 a.m. CT Friday.

For those interested in the Fan Club, please visit texasmotorspeedway. com/fan-zone/join about Duck Commander: Duck Commander is a family-owned and operated business that was established

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in 1972 by Phil robertson and based in West monroe, Louisiana.

What once began as a duck call centered company has grown into a multi-million dolllar empire with Phil’s four sons, Willie, Jase, Jep, and alan, and their wives at the helm. Duck Commander products, which now include much more than just duck calls, have been sold in all fifty states and in several countries and encompasses lifestyle brands including Duck Commander d u c k- h u nt i n g m e r c h a n d i s e , Buck Commander deer-hunting merchandise, Duck Girl apparel, Duck Commander Wine, and more. each of the Duck Commander brands was created with a focus on bringing family together. It is their motto of faith, family, and ducks that has resonated with fans at their speaking engagements and on the no.1 cable show “Duck Dynasty.”

Their perseverance, business savvy and knack for storytelling also landed them at the top of the new York Times’ Best Sellers list three times with titles “The Duck Commander Family,” “Happy, Happy, Happy: my Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander,” and “Si-cology.” Last fall the family celebrated their first venture into music with a no. 1 debut of their holiday album Duck The Halls: a robertson Family Christmas.

For more information, please visit duckcommander.com courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA and TExAS MoToR SpEEDwAy MEDIA RElATIoNS

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NEW NASCAR NATIONAL SERIES QUALIFYING FOR THE COORS LIGHT POLE AWARD UNVEILED FORMAT DESIGNED TO ENHANCE FAN EXPERIENCE, BROADCAST AND DIGITAL CONTENT In a move aImed toward enhancing the fan experience watching at the track and at home, naSCaR has announced a new group qualifying format for its three national series that is more compelling, more closely emulates actual on-track competition and underlines the sport’s on-going commitment to innovation. at tracks measuring 1.25 miles in length or larger, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole award will consist of three rounds: ◆ The first qualifying

elimination round will be 25 minutes in duration and includes all cars / trucks. The 24 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap from the first qualifying round will advance to the second round. ◆ The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order. ◆ The second qualifying elimination round will be 10 minutes in duration and the 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap time will advance to

the third and final round. The fastest remaining cars / trucks earn positions 13th through 24th based on their times posted in qualifying in descending order. ◆ The third and final qualifying round will be five minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order. ◆ There will be a five-minute break between each qualifying round. at tracks measuring less than 1.25 miles, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole award will consist of two rounds: ◆ The first qualifying elimination round will be 30 minutes in duration and includes all cars / trucks. The 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap time from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and final round. ◆ The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their

DANICA wins 500 Pole

times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order. ◆ There will be a 10-minute break between the two qualifying rounds. ◆ The second and final qualifying round will be 10 minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time posted will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.

The new qualifying format does not apply to the daytona 500, which will preserve its historic and unique qualifying format. additionally, it does not apply to non-points naSCaR Sprint Cup Series events or the naSCaR Camping World Truck Series event at eldora Speedway. naSCaR previewed the concept of group qualifying

with its national series teams late last fall and expects the new format will be a well-received improvement by its fans, competitors, tracks, sponsors and media partners.

“We believe the timing is right for a new qualifying format across our three national series,” said Robin Pemberton, vice president for competition and racing development. “This style of group qualifying has all the makings of being highly competitive and more engaging to our fans in the stands and those watching on television and online. For the drivers and teams, we believe this new qualifying will fuel even greater competition leading into the events. additionally, it provides our tracks, broadcasters and other key partners with a greater opportunity to develop more entertaining content for our race weekends.”

For more details on the new qualifying formal, please visit naSCaRmedia.com for a Fact Sheet / FaQs or visit naSCaR.com. Please note that the official title of the award in the naSCaR Camping World Truck Series is the Keystone Light Pole award.

by NASCAR MEDIA

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RICKY STENHOUSE JR. REIGNING TOP ROOKIE EAGER FOR MORE SUCCESS WITH ROUSH AND WITH DANICA RICKY STENHOUSE JR. looks to stay out of the stink house that has plagued recent Cup rookie trophy winners, and instead advance to NASCAR’s penthouse of Chase contenders..

He won t wo Nationw ide titles in a row, before winning the Sprint Cup Series’ Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 with the premier Ford team of Roush Fenway Racing. Now he is reunited with his Nationwide crew chief, Mike Kelley, in place of Scott Graves.

Stenhouse finished the season in the top 20 in Cup standings, in the Nationwide Insurance no.

17 Fusion. That puts him at good odds to make the Chase, which starts out with 16 drivers. He finished third on the Talladega Superspeedway last fall, and had two other top-10 finishes in 36 starts. He won the pole at Atlanta.

He earned $5.4 million.

“We slowly but surely got a little bit better throughout the season,” Stenhouse said. “Coming in, I didn’t expect to run top 10 every week. But we were getting better, qualifying better, having runs up front, leading laps. I thought we had a chance at winning some races, at least being in contention.”

His Cup debut was in 2011, finishing 11th at Charlotte in a Wood Brothers Fusion. In ‘12, he won six Nationwide races

among 19 top-five finishes plus four poles. His average finish was 5.8. He was the Nationwide top rookie in 2010, despite crashing in five of his first 12 races. He had 16 top fives with two series wins in ’11. Back in 2007, he the U.S. Auto Club (USAC) top rookie in national sprint and midget divisions, driving for Tony Stewart’s TSR team.

Stenhouse ascended to Cup racing full-time in 2013, after three Nationwide seasons and back-toback titles. He took over RoushFenway’s 17 Ford made famous

by Matt Kenseth, who bolted to Joe Gibbs Racing. Sponsors this year are Zest, Fifth Third Bank and Nationwide which will be lead sponsor for seven of his Cup contests including the Daytona 500 for the first time in 15 years as a NASACAR sponsor.

Stenhouse is intent on again “creating something magical together” with his sponsor, and likely with someone else as well. The Mississippi native often wears cowboy boots and hat, but is a celebrity for whom he accompanies to rodeos and bull rider events. More than his rookie honor, many envy 26-year-old Stenhouse even more for his publicized romance with brains-and-beauty Danica Patrick.

Patrick, 31, was Stenhouse’s stiffest competition for top rookie. She

NASCAR AWARDS Vegas 2013 Ricky Stenhouse, Danica Patrick (NASCAR Getty Images)

publicly acknowledges her beau drives faster on the race track but, whenever she closes in on him he lets her go by as she does for him.

“He doesn’t put up a fight. I don’t see us putting up a huge battle.

But I’m guessing — I mean as we keep getting better over the years — we’re going to have to race each

“YOU JUST CAN’T PICK WHEN LOVE HAPPENS – AND WITH WHOM.” other harder, because they’re going to be for better spots.”

If he ever were to bump and wreck her, however accidentally, “he’d better have a really good, ‘I’m sorry,’” Patrick quipped.

T h at s e em s up h i s a l le y, considering he grew up in the town of Olive Branch, MS. Stenhouse, though, said he does not go easy on her. “People always say you will wreck your mom to win a race. If you go out, you want every spot on the racetrack. So I’m going to go out and race everybody with the same respect. You’re not going to go crash them on purpose. But I’m definitely going to race hard.”

Stenhouse finished 19th in Cup standings, Patrick 27th (ahead of merely three others who started all 36 races) with merely one top 10 finish. Yet she made early headlines, securing the Daytona 500 pole. She said they avoided talking about the rookie award. “We talked a lot more about the cars, the team ... what happened that day. He spent a lot of time trying to cheer me up, after I was so disappointed after (poorly) qualifying or after a race.” Stenhouse said “we joked a little bit about it. We definitely wanted to focus all our efforts on the racetrack.”

Their romance went public a year ago in January, 2013 just after she filed to divorce physical therapist Paul Hospenthal. The divorce was finalized that April.

Reportedly, a prenuptial pact preserved Patrick’s reported $18 million fortune.

D at i n g a not her d r i ver i s “unique,” Patrick told USA Today.

“But you just can’t pick when love happens — and with whom.”

Stenhouse said “we’re enjoying it. It has been a little easier than we thought” given scrutiny of celebrities. They reportedly met each other’s parents last year, and were living together in her Chicago apartment and in the room he rented near Charlotte.

She said she hangs her clothes on his racing simulator, in a spare room. They have shared two motor homes at race tracks each weekend, with one for her to cook in. They acknowledge being together for golfing, cross-fit training and shopping.

Patrick said so much time together is good, and “we’re worse apart. Stenhouse jested “we’re apart for at least four hours on Sundays.”

Perhaps longer, if Stenhouse is tied up in race victory interviews.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

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CARL EDWARDS

EAGER TO FLIP FORTUNES

FORMAT CHANGES

2014 SEASON PREVIEW

FOR THE CHASE

AUSTIN DILLON TO JOIN RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING’S LINEUP IN 2014 AUSTIN DILLON, a champion in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will compete full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2014 driving for Richard Childress Racing.

Dillon joins Paul Menard, who w i l l d rive t he No. 27 Menards Chevrolet with crew chief “Slugger” Labbe, and Ryan Newman, who will drive the No. 31 Caterpillar/Quicken Loans/ Wix Filters Chevrolet with crew chief Luke Lambert, as full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers under the RCR banner in 2014. The

Welcome, N.C., organization has invested significant resources in its competition and engineering departments to prepare for the 2014 season. Many of these changes were spearheaded by the additions of Dr. Eric Warren (director of competition) and Mark McCardle (director of racing operations) to the organization, along with the recent addition of Mike Coughlan (technical director).

Dillon’s program will be led by crew chief Gil Martin, a 13-year veteran of the organization who led Kevin Harvick to six chase berths. It also marks the highly anticipated return of the No. 3 to

The iconic No. 3 Chevrolet makes its highly anticipated return to the NSCS, the first time it’ll race in NASCAR’s premier series since Dale Earnhardt’s fatal accident on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Reigning NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) champion Austin Dillon will pilot the ride, and looks to become the first driver to win championships in all three of NASCAR’s national series.

Two-Time NASCAR Champion will Drive No. 3 Dow/Cheerios Chevrolet SS in 2014. (Getty Images for NASCAR) Sprint Cup Series competition.

Dow and General Mills’ Cheerios brand will be the primary brands featured on the No. 3 Chevrolet SS throughout the season.

“My grandfather and everyone at RCR have done a great job of not pushing me too quickly into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said Dillon. “I feel like I’ve been able to spend adequate

“IT DIDN’T MATTER WHAT CAR NUMBER I GOT, [BECAUSE] WITH MY FAMILY BACKGROUND, THERE WAS GOING TO BE PRESSURE. I’M A COMPETITIVE PERSON AND I THINK THAT NUMBER WILL PUSH ME A LITTLE.” time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series preparing for this next step in my career. I am thrilled to be making this move with partners

like Dow and Cheerios, along with some long-time partners who have supported me and RCR throughout my career. I am truly grateful and looking forward to this opportunity.”

The program between RCR and Dow is driven by several Dow businesses that are directly involved in R&D projects and strategic business and relationship opportunities unique to the NASCAR community. “ We see t h i s a s a g reat opportunity to partner with a historic team like R ichard Chi ldress R acing that is s y nony mou s w it h s uc c e s s , integrity and championships, and a championship driver in Austin Dillon,” said Joe Harlan, executive vice president of Dow. “Austin’s winning passion is representative of Dow. Our employees and customers were very supportive of our debut into our partnership with RCR during 2013 and they are looking forward to continued involvement with Austin next year. Dow’s technology-focused, market-driven, customer-centric organization aligns perfectly with the performance-driven values of RCR and NASCAR. We look forward to being a part of Austin’s rookie NASCAR Sprint Cup

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Series season and continued success in NASCAR.” General Mills is entering its 17th year in NASCAR and its sixth year with RCR. They began their association with Dillon last year when the Minneapolis, MN.based company used its Honey Nut Cheerios brand to help Dillon make his inaugural Daytona 500 start. Today, Cheerios launched the @CheerThe3 communities on Facebook and Twitter so fans can access exclusive content and share their excitement around Austin and

the No. 3 race team.

“With Austin Dillon’s success in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, we’re proud to continue our support of Austin, a proven winner and passionate driver,” said Greg g Dorazio, manager of shopper marketing and motorsports for General Mills. “He shares many of the same values as the Cheerios brand and has a bright future in the sport. We’re excited to join him in this next step in his career. We’re also proud to continue

our partnership with RCR and continue our heritage in the sport.”

I n a dd ition to Dow a nd Cheerios, several long-time partners associated with RCR and Dillon will join him as he moves to fulltime competition in the Sprint Cup Series including Realtree Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, American Ethanol and the University of Northwestern Ohio.

For additional information on today’s announcement, and all that’s happening at RCR, please visit rcrracing.com. courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

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No. 3 Moments in History

PAUL GOLDSMITH in the No. 3 Smokey Yunick Pontiac heading into the beach north turn on Feb. 23, 1958. He went on to win this Grand National stock car race, which was the last raced on the sands. (ISC Archives via Getty Images)

1959 FIRECRACKER 250 (Daytona International Speedway): 2014 NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts found Victory Lane in his third start in the No. 3 on July 4 in dominating fashion.

He started on the pole and paced the field for 84 of the 100 laps before cruising to the finish line 57 seconds in front of runner-up Joe Weatherly. He only made one more start in the No. 3 car, in which he had three poles in four starts.(ISC Archives via Getty Images)

AUSTIN DILLION WITH RICHARD CHILDRESS (Getty Images for NASCAR)

>> ABOUT RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING: R ichard Chi ldress R acing (r c r r a c i n g . c o m ) h a s e a r n e d more than 20 0 victories and 15 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series

and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Its 2014 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Dow/ Cheerios Chevrolet), 2011 Brickyard 400 champion Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet) and 2008 Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar/Quicken Loans/ Wix Filters Chevrolet). Its Nationwide

Series program includes Brian Scott (No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet), 2012 Camping World Truck Series rookie of the year Ty Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/WESCO/Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet), Brendan Gaughan (No. 62 South Point Hotel and Casino Chevrolet) and a multi-driver lineup with the No. 33 Menards Chevrolet team.

1984 TALLADEGA 500 (Talladega Superspeedway): Before the No. 3 became the iconic black Goodwrench-sponsored car, Dale Earnhardt drove the No. 3 Chevrolet carrying a yellow-and-blue paint scheme and Wrangler Jeans as the primary sponsor. It was in the yellow-andblue Wrangler Jeans Chevrolet that Earnhardt posted his first win in the No. 3 in the 1984 Talladega 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. With more than six laps to go, Earnhardt ran second behind race leader Terry Labonte. As the lead pack entered turn 3 on the final lap, Earnhardt went high and passed Labonte in the No. 44 Chevrolet, ultimately beating Buddy Baker, who finished second, and Labonte by 1.66 seconds.

(Photo by Dozier Mobley/Getty Images)

1994 AC-DELCO 500 (Rockingham Speedway): With a race-high 108 laps led and two races to go in the 1994 season, Dale Earnhardt clinched his seventh and final championship (his sixth in the No. 3 race car) at Rockingham Speedway, tying Richard Petty for the most titles. Earnhardt would go on to win the championship by 444 points over Mark Martin. In the race, he paced the field for the final 77 circuits before holding off Rick Mast at the finish line by 0.060 seconds. (Photo by Bill Hall/Getty Images)

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COURTESY OF NASCAR MEDIA

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OH SO CLOSE IN ’13; WINS LEADER MATT KENSETH WANTS IT ALL

M AT T K E NSET H CA M E within 19 points of his first Sprint Cup title in his first Joe Gibbs Racing season, and he is eager to climb one more rung to NASCAR’s pinnacle now that the new Chase format rewards race winners.

Kenseth, who turns 42 on March 10, won a career-best seven races to lead Cup drivers. He led the standings with four Chase playoff races to go, but struggled in two and finished second to champ Jimmie Johnson.

But Kenseth stands as good a chance as any to win it all this season, now that the new Chase system gives race winners bonus points and essentially an automatic bid into the expanded 16-driver playoff. All race winners should make it, since only in 1961 and 2003 have more than 15 drivers won in the first 26 Cup

contests.

A good omen for Kenseth is that last year he won the pole at Homestead, Fla. and finished second. This time, that final race decides the title between the four finalists. He excels on the halfdozen intermediate-length (1.5mile) tracks that dominate the 10-race Chase and quest to make the Final Four, winning on four of them in ’13. He finished in the top five one out of three races (12 of 36), thus steamrolling in points.

Kenseth won the 2003 Cup crown, and was runner-up in 2006 and ‘13. These were among his six top-five Cup seasons and ten topten campaigns, from 2002-2013.

After finishing sixth in his first Cup race, in 1998 for Bill Elliott Racing, Kenseth joined Roush in ’99. He raced Cup full-time in 2000-2012, before going to Gibbs last year. He won the Daytona 500

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

MATT KENSETH (Getty Images for NASCAR)

in ’09 and ’12. He has 31 career Cup wins, 28 in Nationwide. He still does double duty. He has three IROC victories.

The somber-acting, hard-wired Wisconsin native was a “big cheese” with Roush Fenway and Ford. But he was overshadowed by a bigger celebrity, in charismatic Carl Edwards. Some felt there was not room for both egos.

Kenseth drives the no. 20 Toyota Camry, filling big shoes by the pedals. Tony Stewart drove the 20 car to Cup titles in 2002 as a Pontiac, then as a Chevrolet in 2005. After Gibbs switched to Toyota, Stewart left and still races a domestic brand (a Chevy) for his Stewart-Haas Racing. In

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KENSETH DRIVES THE NO. 20 TOYOTA CAMRY, FILLING BIG SHOES

BY THE PEDALS. TONY STEWART DROVE THE 20 CAR TO CUP TITLES IN 2002 AS A PONTIAC, THEN AS A CHEVROLET IN 2005. it, he won his third Cup title in 2011. Kenseth replaced young Joey Logano, who now races for Team Penske. Kenseth again has a brash teammate, in Kyle Busch.

Kenseth’s previous best Cup wins were five in 2000, when he beat Dale Earnhardt, Jr. as top rookie and won the Coca Cola 600, and four in ’06. The 2003 season closed the legacy of Winston as series sponsor, and

pre-playoff era. Kenseth won the trophy. Consistently good, he compiled 25 top 10 finishes — tied for most in the new millennium (since 2000).

Yet he was ripped for merely having one win and one pole. He sapped title drama, by leading for an unprecedented 33 weeks and clinching a week early. He buried second-place Johnson by 90 points.

That season sparked onset of the Chase, AKA “The Matt Kenseth Rule,” to emphasize wins more and cluster contenders closer by resetting points.

In sharp contrast a decade later, in 2013, Kenseth just missed the title despite reaching Victory Lane seven times starting in Las Vegas. He won on Bristol’s short track. He notched his first Cup win at Darlington. When he won at Loudon, Conn., Kenseth joined Richard Petty as the only driver to win in his 500th career start.

A shadow clouded his second win, at Kansas in April. His engine failed inspection. One of eight magnetic steel rods connecting the piston with the crankshaft was slightly lightweight. On the surface, it seemed a minor oversight rather than blatant cheating for a competitive edge.

Kenseth was penalized 50 driver points initially, but only 12 after an appeal. Thus, he fell from eighth to 14th place, but two weeks later was bumped up from 11th to fourth. His win counted. Crew chief Jason Ratcliff was still suspended for one race. Gibbs had 50 owner points docked. Engine builder Toyota publicly took blame for failing to recheck vendor parts, and was suspended for seven races and penalized five manufacturer points. Still, Toyota finished a close second to Chevy, largely due to Kenseth’s prowess.

Kenseth is married, and has three children. His car sponsor is Dollar General. The intense taskmaster has commanded many dollars in racing earnings, and hopes to become NASCAR’s five-star general by winning his battle with Johnson and other fellow superstars.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

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EnhancEmEnts to nascaR PEnalty stRuctuRE, aPPEals PRocEss announcEd

Deterrence, AppeAl chAnges AimeD towArD Better effectiveness, more trAnspArency As part of its wide-ranging i n it i a t i ve s to t r a n s f or m it s competition model, NASCAR today announced enhancements to its penalty structure and appeals process beginning this season.

In addition to these changes, NASCAR also announced the appointment of a Final Appeals Officer for the sport.

“NASCAR’s Deterrence System is designed to help maintain the integrity and competitive balance of our sport while sending a clear message that rules violations will not be tolerated,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president of racing operations. “This is a more transparent and effective model that specifically spells out that ‘X’ infraction equals ‘X’ penalty for technical infractions.

“At the same time, we believe the Appeals process allows a fair opportunity for our NASCAR Members to be heard, and have penalty disputes resolved by an impartial, relevant group of people with the ability to handle the complexities inherent in any appeal.

This system has been tailored specifically to fit the needs of our sport.”

Bryan Moss, former president at Gulfstream Aerospace, has been selected as the Final Appeals Officer. Moss will hear matters on appeal from the lower three-member

Appeals Panel, and serve as the last decision on penalty disputes for the sport.

>>nascaR’s dEtERREncE systEm NASCAR’s Deterrence System is easily understood and specifically lays out exactly what disciplinary action will be taken depending on the type of technical infraction listed from warnings to six penalty levels in ascending order. Some of the Deterrence System elements include: The system starts with warnings (W) issued for very minor infractions, then are grouped into six levels – P1 (least significant) to P6 (most significant). Lower P levels list penalty options from which NASCAR may select (fines or points) while higher P levels are an all-inclusive combination of multiple penalty elements (points and fine and suspension, etc.).  At the highest three levels of the system, if a rules infraction is discovered in post-race inspection, the one or more additional penalty elements are added on top of the standard prescribed penalty.  Repeat offenses by the same car are addressed via a “recurrence multiplier,” i.e. if a P4 penalty was received and a second P4 or higher infraction occurs in the same season, the subsequent penalty increases 50% above the normal standard.  Suspensions are explained in

greater detail.  Behavioral infractions are still handled on case-by-case basis and are not built into the W, P1-P6 structure.

The 2014 Rule Book will explain how and why NA SCA R issues penalties as well as the factors considered when determining a penalty. The Rule Book also will detail the types of infractions that fall within each level by citing examples that are included but not limited to: Warnings are issued instead of penalties for certain types of minor, first-time infractions.  P1 penalties may result from multiple warnings to the same team.  P2 penalties may include but are not limited to violations such as hollow components, expiration of certain safety certification or

improper installation of a safety feature, or minor bracket and fasteners violations. P3 penalty options may include but are not limited to violations such as unauthorized parts, measurement failures, parts that fail their intended use, or coil spring violation. P4 level infractions may include but are not limited to violations such as devices that circumvent NASCAR templates and measuring equipment, or unapproved added weight .  P5 level may include but are not limited to violations such as combustion-enhancing additives in the oil, oil filter, air filter element or devices, systems, omissions, etc., that affect the normal airflow over the body.  P6 level may include but are

not limited to violations such as affecting the internal workings and performance of the engine, modifying the pre-certified chassis, traction control or affecting EFI or the ECU.

>>thE national motoRsPoRts aPPEals PanEl T he ne w A pp e a l s pro c e s s continues to provide two tiers for resolving disputes. On the first level before a three-member Appeals Panel, NASCAR has the burden of showing that a penalty violation has occurred. On the second and final level, only a NASCAR Member is allowed to appeal and they have the burden of showing the Final Appeals Officer that the panel decision was incorrect.

Some other Appeals changes include:  C le a r l y id e nt i f y i n g t he procedural rights of NASCAR Members  Detailing responsibilities of parties throughout the process Allowing parties the option to submit summaries on issues before the Appeals Panel Allowing NASCAR Members named in the penalty to be present during the entire hearing Appeals Administrator is not allowed to be present during panel deliberations  Creating a clear Expedited Appeals Procedure when necessary  Changing the name of the Appeals Panel to The National Motorsports Appeals Panel

by NASCAR MEDIA

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42 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

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CARL EDWARDS EAGER TO FLIP FORTUNES ON TRACK CARL EDWARDS HOPES to get to do more victory backflips this year, and reach the final four of the new Chase format for a shot at his elusive first title.

Edwards t w ice wa s series runner-up, to Jimmie Johnson in 2008 when winning a series-best nine times and in 2011 when Tony Stewart broke the tie by having won more often. Edwards won

CARL EDWARDS Chicago (NASCAR via Getty Images)

four races in ’05, his first full-time Cup year. He tied teammate Greg Biffle for second in points, but was third after the tie-breaker. He was fourth in 2010, and ninth in ‘07.

“Our whole team our mission is to win the championship,” he said this preseason. “We want to take this group up here and at the shop, and put Fords in Victory Lane but —more importantly — win championships with our cars.”

Last year was extra disappointing for Edwards. He won two races, snapping a 70-race winless drought. He was second in points mid-way, then passed slumping Johnson after winning

the 26th race (at Richmond) to close the regular season.

However, points were reset to 2000 for all 13 Chase qualifiers.

Before 2011, they were clustered close but not equal. Any big points edge evaporates, emphasizing the 10-race Chase playoff. Then car malfunctions cost Edwards. He was 35th due to a loose rear wheel at Dover, then his engine conked out while leading at Texas. He stumbled from first to last (13th) in the expanded Chase field. He missed the last 10-team Chase, in 2012.

In the new Chase format, to reward wins there are bonuses

“THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO TO RACE HARDER IS BASICALLY START RUNNING INTO PEOPLE.” of three points per win to start playoffs on top of equalized points. Points are evened after each of three elimination (by four drivers) rounds, but with bonuses for laps led. Si xteen drivers winners initially qualify — all race winners along with top pointgetters among non-winners in the top 30. Winning a Chase race puts a driver into the next round. The

CARL EDWARDS NASCAR Indy July 2013 (NASCAR via Getty Images)

NASCAR 2014 SeASoN PReVIeW

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last round pits four finalists, with the best finisher among them in the finale at Homestead winning the title.

Since Edwards often runs among leaders, if he avoids dreadful finishes he has a good shot of making the Final Four and then winning the finale. He led 524 total laps in 12 races last year, his first with veteran Jimmy Fennig as his crew chief.

Deciding the title in the last race could be “spectacular” drama, Edwards said. But he wisely cautions it could backfire for the Cup trophy to hinge on one race between the top four, unless only they were on the track. Instead, a driver’s teammate could knock out the other three title contenders.

Or, a mishap could decide it. “You don’t want someone to win 35 races,” Edwards said in jest, “have a blown tire in one race (the finale), and not be the champion.”

He said the “worst” scenario is if the dominant series frontrunner wins early Chase contests, slips out of the top four after miscues in a few races, and wins Homestead but not the title.

Edwards is wary that with wins advancing a racer to the next round, it could spur dangerous passes and crashes. “The only thing we can do to race harder is basically start running into people,” he said. “We’re already racing as hard as we can, without wrecking. Maybe people would start really being vicious.” Times to back off are when “having nothing for the guy up front.

Reasoning that fourth is better than racing ‘balls out,’ wrecking, and finishing 30th.”

The best solution for more passing is improved design of the Generation 6 (Gen-6) Cup car that debuted in ‘13, he said. Until standard aerodynamics improve, it is tough to pass cars lined up in traffic, he said. “The guy in front of me is making a wake in the air, and he’s ruining my aerodynamic advantage. So even if my car is faster, I can’t get to him because I lose the ability to ‘corner fast.’ So no matter how much you make a position or win worth, if you can’t get to the guy” then passing lags.

Edwards has 21 Cup victories (two more than Biffle), and 101 top-fives in 10 Cup seasons for nearly one every third race. He

makes the top 10 in more than half of starts (173 of 337). He logged 19 top fives and exceeded 25 top tens, in ’08 and ’11. His career average finish is 13th, similar to Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth.

Edwards is hailed for pushing his car to the limit, not beyond it.

He won the 2007 Busch (now Nationwide) series by nearly 800 points, and finished in the top three in all six seasons. He also excelled in racing trucks, on the

side. His Cup car sponsors are Aflac, Fastenal, Kellogg’s, Subway and UPS. After he wins races, the muscular 6-foot-1 Missourian routinely parks the 99 Ford Fusion at the startfinish line then does a backflip off of the top of his door. He sounded ready to flip off Biffle last summer, after Biff le won at Brooklyn, Mich. Charismatic Edwards’ selfcenteredness flashed, in a tactical clash. Concerned Johnson was

IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014 43

closing on his lead, Biffle refused to slow to let Edwards draft so air pressure would blow debris off his car’s nose grill. Edwards had radioed his spotter to ask Biffle to slow, later saying it was his “job” to do. But Biffle estimated Edwards trailed him by 25 car lengths, so slowing would cost the victory. He noted Edwards could have slowed for Biffle to lap him, then draft.

Edwards instead pitted to get debris removed, and finished eighth.

I rate a f ter wa rd , E dwa rds q u i p p e d B i f f l e “a i n’t o u r tea mmate.” Tea m co-owner Jack Roush sided with Biff le.

This further fueled speculation Edwards or Biff le might bolt from Roush, once their deals expire after this season. Joe Gibbs Racing pursued Edwards, until he re-upped in 2011. Roush Fenway Racing hopes both racers excel and return, helping restore Ford glory.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

44 IWANNA速 FEBRUARY 18, 2014

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KYLE LARSON ROOKIE STAR IS NEW FACE OF NASCAR DIVERSITY K Y LE LAR SON IS EAGER to prove his hype as the next Jeff Gordon all-around racer, premier rookie of the year candidate, and face of NASCAR racial diversity.

C h ip G a n a s s i a nd Fe l i x Sabates are turning him loose full-time, in the no. 42 Target Chevrolet for Sprint Cup in place of talented but erratic Juan Pablo Montoya. Larson will again run in Nationwide for Turner Scott Motorsports, but likely only in same-track contests.

The car has Target’s red bullseye on its hood, symbolizing the rookie’s pressure to realize his phenomena l potentia l. “I’m definitely confident,” Larson said.

“It’s going to be a blast racing with Austin (Dillon, top Nationwide driver in 2013) all year long for that (rookie) title,” Larson said.

“If I could beat him in that battle, I think it would say a lot about myself and the team.” But above all, he said, I’d like to be in the top 15 each race and just be competitive, battling on the lead lap and maybe click off a win.” He eyes several Nationwide victories.

Baby-faced and often-grinning Larson, 21, is a bright new face for his team and sport. Larson, whose mother is Japanese-American, is the first NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) graduate to

land a full-time Cup ride. He is both the first D4D alumnus and Asian-American honored as Sunoco Rookie of the Year in a national series, as top Nationwide newcomer last year.

He is a good fit on a team Cuban immigrant Felix Sabates started 25 years ago, and in which fellow IndyCar owner Chip Ganassi bought a majority stake in 2001. That season, team star Sterling Marlin was third in Cup standings. It has been downhill since. The team is again called Chip Ganassi Racing With Felix Sabates, after five years as Earnhardt Ganassi Racing until Teresa Earnhardt sold her interest. Ganassi and Sabates lost the Earnhardt name, but hope to launch a new legend in Larson.

Boosting horsepower and hopes is that Hendrick Motorsports supplies CGR with strong engines, for the second year. Thus, Larson like Dillon is much better funded and equipped than most rookies.

Crew chief Chris Heroy worked for Hendrick, and sees Larson as having Jimmie Johnson and Gordon-like poise and confidence.

“He’s a centered person. He’s got an honesty about him, an innate confidence that I don’t think can be rattled. He can admit a fault, which is a nice trait. But he’s not

going to break himself down.”

Larson finished eighth in Nationwide standings in ’13, logging 17 top-10 finishes and nine top-fives. He debuted as a close runner-up on Bristol’s hectic short track. Yet eight times, he finished 30th or worse. Greater consistency is crucial. Despite ups and downs and racing stock cars for merely two seasons, the fast learner gets his big chance.

His truck win at Rockingham was the first by a D4D grad in a national series. His sprint car dirt track pedigree harkens to Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.

Larson wants to race in both the Indianapolis 500 then Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on Memorial Day, as those two did. They say Larson adjusts well to various cars and tracks. Larson has won more than 200 races in USAC Silver Crown, sprint car and Midget races. The California native won the K&N Pro East title in his first try, in ’12.

Larson got a busy start, in late January. He won the Chili Bowl’s sprint Midgets race of champions. Then he debuted in sports cars, in the Rolex 24 (hour) at Daytona endurance contest.

He displayed patience in traffic, avoiding bumps.

Larson got a taste of the big time last year, making four Cup starts for Phoenix Racing. He was 15th in the seasonal finale, on Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Then in December at Charlotte, he ran in the top two in many mini-races to test Gen-6 Cup a e ro d y n a m ic p a c k a g e s f or NASCAR. “Being out front, I got nervous seeing Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. catching me toward the end,” Larson said. “I think that will help me. I won’t be so nervous, because I’ve already been in that situation.”

He is also learning Cup car setup. “Each adjustment to the rules package, my team was on top of it,” he said. “I learned how to do the restarts, with extra horsepower I’m not real used to.” He is also avoiding to drive as deep into the

KYLE LARSON at 2014 Preseason Thunder In January (Getty Images for NASCAR)

corner as he did in Nationwide, before easing the throttle. In Nationwide he generally used each race’s first half to learn the track and his car, assessing it and relaying to his crew for in-race adjustments.

The team hopes for less erratic finishes. The 42 car finished in the top 10 ten times in the past two seasons. Driver Montoya was top rookie in 2007 and eighth in standings in 2009. But in six of his seven Cup seasons, he finished 25th or worse in at least 11 races.

His deal was not renewed. So he is back in Indy racing, for Team Penske.

The 42 car originally was Joe Nemechek ’s, as no. 87. Jamie McMurray drove it to top rookie honors, in 2003. He is back in CGR’s main car, the no. 1 McDonald’s/Cessna. He won at Talladega, in ’13.

Heroy was crew chief for Kyle Busch’s rookie season in 2005.

“IT’S GOING TO BE A BLAST RACING WITH AUSTIN ALL YEAR LONG FOR THAT (ROOKIE) TITLE.” Joining Busch, Larson is the sixth current Cup driver to reach the top series after fewer than two Nationwide seasons. Another driver so-so in Nationwide was Johnson, at 10th then eighth. Yet he did better piloting stronger Cup engines, finishing fifth as a rookie in 2002 with a record-tying three wins. Another good precedent for Larson is that, in 2006, Rookie of the Year Denny Hamlin finished third in Cup points while also racing Nationwide full-time.

Larson hopes with such double duty, he swiftly learns the ropes and soon puts Ganassi and Sabates back on the Chase map.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

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History of the No. 9 in the ELLIOTT FAMILY

Chase Elliott is going to carry the No. 9 in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series, the same number his dad Bill Elliott carried for much of his career. courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA via Getty Images

CHASE RECOGNIZES THAT the No. 9 is a very meaningful number, to himself and his family. Chase has driven the No. 9 car throughout his career as NASCAR Next driver, winning in the Camping World Truck Series and the K&N Pro Series East. The No. 9 started its Elliott family tradition in the ‘80s. The late ‘80s for Bill Elliott was a little before Chase Elliott’s time, but the 2001, 2002 Evernham Motorsports days are where Chase says he found his connection with the No. 9, and that is why he has always stuck with the number.

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48 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

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FIREBALL ROBERTS Was a Pathfinder into NASCAR Superspeedway Era Flat-Out Racing Style, Daytona Success Excited Legions Of Fans TO HIS LEGION OF FANS, Edward Glenn Roberts Jr. was known as “Fireball.” His friends, however, simply called the pioneer NASCAR premier series racing star “Glenn.”

Legend has it that Roberts, the 1962 Daytona 500 winner, acquired his nick name as a fastball-throwing baseball pitcher.

Others, including Roberts’ family, disputed the story, noting that the teen’s alleged American Legion baseball team – the Zellwood Mud Hens – never existed. Fellow competitors said the moniker

mirrored the Daytona Beach, Fla., driver’s devil-may-care approach to stock car racing.

R o b e r t s w a s n’t a f r a i d o f anything – especially the towering banks of the brand-new Daytona International Speedway, where he won seven points-paying races from the superspeedway’s opening in 1959 through 1963. He also captured Darlington Raceway’s Southern 500 in 1958 and 1963.

“I’m going to run the hell out of ’em every lap,” said Roberts in a February 1964 Sports Illustrated interview with Barbara Heilman.

FIREBALL ROBERTS set consecutive Daytona 500 qualifying records from 1960 - 1962. (ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

“I’ve never won a race stroking.”

And win Roberts did. Over 15 seasons he won 33 of 207 premier series starts beginning with an Aug. 13, 1950, victory at Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsboro, N.C., a 0.90-mile dirt track. Roberts, driving an Oldsmobile, defeated Curtis Turner. He posted at least one victory in nine consecutive seasons (1956-64) topped by eight wins in 1957 behind the wheel of Peter DePaolo’s factory-backed No. 22 Ford.

Roberts never came close to running a full season’s schedule but finished among the top five in points three times; his highest was a runner-up finish in 1950. He also won 32 poles tying him with Fred Lorenzen and Jimmie Johnson for 21st on the all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career poles list.

Roberts’ last victory came Nov. 17, 1963, on a three-mile road course in Augusta, Ga. Driving a Holman-Moody Ford, Roberts finished a lap ahead of teammate Dave MacDonald. Ironically, the pair would perish in separate, May 1964 accidents – MacDonald in the Indianapolis 500 and Roberts succumbing to burns suffered during the then-named World 600 a week earlier at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Roberts died July 2, 1964, at the age of 35.

Roberts was born Jan. 20, 1929, in Tavares, Fla., and raised in Apopka near Orlando. His family moved to Daytona Beach, where he graduated from Seabreeze High School, a few miles from Daytona

International Speedway. Roberts attended the University of Florida where he studied mechanical engineering leaving early after deciding that modified stock car racing would become his profession.

His 1939 Ford coupe, carrying the No. 11 and dubbed “White Lightning,” was a frequent winner on central Florida tracks. Roberts competed on the Daytona Beach & Road Course in 1947 and won a 150-mile modified race there the following year. The 4.17mile circuit became Roberts’ introduction to NASCAR’s Strictly Stock – now NASCAR Sprint Cup – division. On Feb. 5, 1950, Roberts completed eight of 48 laps in a Hudson finishing 33rd and won $25.

Roberts’ Hillsboro victory was his last until 1956 when he was signed by Ford’s DePaolo. He won 13 races in the No. 22 Ford before Ford Motor Co. and the other Detroit automakers exited racing at the conclusion of the 1957 season.

The car itself became as famous as its driver with roots musician and songwriter John Hiatt later penning “Fireball Roberts” for his The Open Road album.

“Got a 57 Ford, babe Painted Fireball Roberts, white and red Got a 57 Ford, baby I haven’t run my last race, darlin’ But sometimes wish I did” Roberts switched to Chevrolet in 1958, won six times and was voted Florida’s Professional Athlete of the Year – a first for a race car driver.

The inaugural 1959 Daytona

500 truly ushered in NASCAR’s superspeedway era and with it came Roberts’ teaming with crew chief Henry “Smokey” Yunick and Daytona auto dealer Jim Stephens. The trio won the track’s first Firecracker 250 (now the Coke Zero 400) and defended the victory in 1960. Roberts set consecutive Daytona 500 qualifying records from 1960 through 1962.

Roberts was 13 laps away from winning in 1961 when the engine in his car expired, handing the win to teammate Marvin Panch in the 1960 Pontiac Roberts had driven in the previous year’s Daytona 500. The following year, he won the Daytona 500 by outdueling NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty. The race was Roberts’ last with Yunick. He returned to Daytona in July with Banjo Matthews calling the shots and became the first driver to score a season sweep at the high-speed track.

Driving for the Holma nMoody Ford team, Roberts won four races during the 1963 season – including his second Southern 500 five weeks after suffering spinal injuries in a spectacular, roll-over crash at Bristol Motor Speedway.

In NASCA R’s early eras, drivers didn’t contemplate racing into their 40s like today. By 1964, with a lucrative personal services contract in hand to represent a major brewing company, Roberts announced he would compete in just a few more races before retirement – including Charlotte’s 600, the major event he’d been unable to win.

Seven laps into the race, Roberts hit the wall attempting to avoid an accident involving NASCAR Hall of Famers Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett. The No. 22 Ford overturned and caught fire.

Roberts, who declined to soak his driver uniform in flame retardant chemicals because the fumes worsened an asthma condition, suf fered critica l burns that ultimately were fatal.

Tens of thousands of fans mourned Roberts’ passing. He was called a pathfinder of the superspeedway era and arguably stock car racing’s first superstar.

“It was like awaking to find a mountain suddenly gone,” wrote Charlotte newspaper columnist Max Muhlman. courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

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Eligible Models: Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry Year: 2013 Engine: Cast-iron 358 cubic-inch (max.)

V8 with aluminum cylinder heads Horsepower*: 850@9000 RPM Compression Ratio: 12:1 Torque: 550 ft/lb@ 7,500 RPM

NASCAR 2014 SeASoN PReVIeW

Top Speed: 200 MPH (est.)

Transmission: 4-Speed Fuel: Sunoco Green E15, a 15 percent ethanol blend; 17.75-gallon capacity Front Suspension: Independent coil springs; Upper, lower “A” frames Rear Suspension: Trailing arms, oil springs, panhard bar

Chassis: Rectangular steel tubing with integral roll cage Body length: 196.5 inches Body width: 77.0 inches Height: 54 inches Weight: 3,300 pounds without driver Rear Spoiler: 61 inches wide by 7 1/4 inches high*

IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014 49

Gear Ratio: 3.60 to 6.50 Wheel Base: 110 inches Wheels: Steel 15” x 9.5” Tread Width: 61.5 inches maximum Front Brakes: Disc Rear Brakes: Disc *Specifications may vary for restrictor-plate tracks SOURCE: NASCAR

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50 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

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NASCAR ANNouNCeS ChASe FoR The NASCAR SpRiNT Cup ChAmpioNShip FoRmAT ChANge NASCAR ANNouNCed A new championship format today that will put greater emphasis on winning races all season long, expands the current Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field to 16 drivers, and implements a new round-byround advancement format that ultimately will reward a battletested, worthy champion.

“We have arrived at a format that makes every race matter even more, diminishes points racing, puts a premium on winning races and concludes with a best-of-the-best, first-to-

the-finish line showdown race – all of which is exactly what fans want,” said Brian France, NASCAR chairman and Ceo. “We have looked at a number of concepts for the last three years through fan research, models and simulations, and also maintained extensive dialogue with our drivers, teams and partners. The new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be thrilling, easy to understand and help drive our sport’s competition to a whole new level.”

>> ChANgeS ANNouNCed by FRANCe To The ChAmpioNShip FoRmAT iNClude: ◆ A victory in the first 26 races all but guarantees a berth in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – a change that will put an unprecedented importance on winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race all season long ◆ expanding the Chase field from 12 to 16 drivers, with those drivers advancing to what now will be known as the NASCAR Chase Grid ◆ The number of championship drivers in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship will decrease after every three Chase races, from 16 to start in the Chase Grid; 12 after Chase race No. 3; eight after Chase race No. 6; and four after Chase race No. 9 ◆ The first three races of the Chase (27-29) will be known as the Challenger Round; races 30-32 will be known as the Contender Round; races 33-35 will be the eliminator Round and race No. 36 will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship ◆ A win by a championshipeligible driver in any Chase race automatically clinches the winning driver a spot in the next Chase round ◆ Four drivers will enter the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship with a chance

at the title, with the highest finisher among those four capturing the prestigious NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

>> eligibiliTy FoR The ChASe FoR The NASCAR SpRiNT Cup The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races continues on page 52

dRiveRS exCiTed AbouT New ChASe FoRmAT twitter was abuzz with drivers welcoming change Despite criticism from some, drivers, teams, sponsors and others in the NASCAR world reacted with praise and excitement after the new Chase Cup format was revealed January 30th. The format expands the Chase field to 16 drivers and places more emphasis on winning races. Here’s a peek at some popular tweets after the announcement.

JeFF goRdoN @Jeffgordonweb Winning has always been important in @NASCAR @Sprint Cup but wow just became THE way to win championship! Exciting! http://nas.cr/pSbG 3:07 Pm - 30 Jan 2014 STewART-hAAS RACiNg

@stewarthaasrcng Emphasis on winning in 2014. No problem. SHR’s driver lineup has 95 point-paying Sprint Cup wins among them. #NASCAR 2:22 Pm - 30 Jan 2014

KuRT buSCh @Kurtbusch Looking fwd 2 @NASCAR new chase format. Emphasis on winning is GREAT! It’s going to be critical 2 also win in the 1st 3 races of the #chase 2:14 Pm - 30 Jan 2014 bRAd KeSelowSKi @keselowski I like the higher emphasis on winning and the cream will still rise... @metalligimp: @Keselowski what do you think of the new points system? 1:47 Pm - 30 Jan 2014 RogeR CuRTiS @misroger “@p_west97: This change is so intriguing.

“Ecstatic” doesn’t even cut it. So ready for this season” great job @NASCAR 1:53 Pm - 30 Jan 2014 Jimmie JohNSoN @Jimmie Johnson A big day in the world of @nascar, I’m good with change and think this new points system will make for an exciting #Chase. #se7en 6:06 Pm - 30 Jan 2014 dAvid RAgAN

@davidragan Being a driver and most importantly a Big Fan of @NASCAR racing. I am excited to hear the new Chase format. EVERY race is now a game changer 3:59 Pm - 30 Jan 2014

ChiCAgolANd SpeedwAy @chicagolndspdwy Winning is more important than ever at @ chicagolndspdwy. A new era in #NASCAR begins today: http://bit.ly/1hT49xt 3:40 Pm - 30 Jan 2014 JoSh wiSe @Josh_wise These changes @NASCAR is making are awesome. There is no doubt that the #Chase is going to be exciting! 2:15 Pm - 30 Jan 2014

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52 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

continued from page 50 will earn a spot in the NASCAR Chase Grid – provided they have finished in the top 30 in points and attempted to qualify for every race (except in rare instances). The 16th Chase position will go to the points leader after race No. 26, if he/she does not have a victory. In the event that there are 16 or more different winners over 26 races, the only winless driver who can earn a Chase Grid spot would be the points leader after 26 races.

If there are fewer than 16 different winners in the first 26 races, the remaining Chase Grid positions will go to those winless drivers highest in points. If there are 16 or more winners in the first 26 races, the ties will first be broken by number of wins, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver points.

As was implemented in 2011, prior to the start of the Chase, all Chase Grid drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 26 races.

>> Chase for the NasCar spriNt Cup struCture After the third Chase race, the Chase Grid will be left with 12 drivers. After the sixth Chase race, the field will drop to eight drivers, and following the ninth Chase race, only four drivers will remain in championship contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title.

The first round (races 27-29) will be called the Challenger Round. If a driver in the Chase Grid wins a Challenger Round race, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The

remaining available positions 1-12 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 3,000.

The second round (races 3032) will be called the Contender Round. Likewise, if a driver in the top 12 in points wins a race in the Contender Round, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-8 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 4,000.

The third round (races 33-35) will be called the Eliminator Round. If a driver in the top eight in points wins a race in the Eliminator Round, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-4 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 5,000.

Additionally, drivers who are eliminated in the Contender and Eliminator Rounds will have their points readjusted.

Each eliminated driver will return to the Chase-start base of 2,000 (plus any regular season wins bonus points), with their accumulated points starting with race No. 27 added. This will allow all drivers not in

top 4 active drivers with the best average finishes at chase tracks

To the right are the top four active drivers with the best average finishes at the 10 Chase tracks – each driver has made more than one start at the tracks.

raNK

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contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title to continue to race for the best possible season-long standing, with final positions fifth-through-16th still up for grabs.

>> four DriVers, first-to-thefiNish ChampioNship fiNale The 36th and final race of the season will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

Simply stated, the highest

DriVer

fiNish

raNK

CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY

finisher in that race among the remaining four eligible drivers will win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.

Bonus points for laps led will not apply in the season finale, so the official finishing position alone will decide the champion.

Note: All rules outlined above also apply to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner championship structure. courtesy of Nascar media

DriVer

fiNish

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

1

TONY STEWART

8.5

1

RICKY STENHOUSE

2

JIMMIE JOHNSON

8.9

2

BRAD KESELOWSKI

14.2

3

KEVIN HARVICK

9.9

3

DAVID RAGAN

14.2

4

CLINT BOWYER

10.0

4

DALE EARNHARDT

14.6

9.0

1

JIMMIE JOHNSON

5.3 6.8

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

8.0

MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

1

DENNY HAMLIN

2

JIMMIE JOHNSON

9.2

2

JEFF GORDON

3

JEFF GORDON

10.6

3

DENNY HAMLIN

8.1

4

TONY STEWART

11.9

4

BRAD KESELOWSKI

10.4

DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

1

JIMMIE JOHNSON

8.7

1

MATT KENSETH

8.3

2

CARL EDWARDS

10.0

2

JIMMIE JOHNSON

8.7

3

JEFF GORDON

11.6

3

DENNY HAMLIN

10.7

4

GREG BIFFLE

12.3

4

KEVIN HARVICK

12.3

1

JIMMIE JOHNSON

7.5

1

JIMMIE JOHNSON

6.3

2

BRAD KESELOWSKI

10.3

2

DENNY HAMLIN

10.9

3

GREG BIFFLE

10.3

3

JEFF GORDON

11.5

4

JEFF GORDON

10.6

4

TONY STEWART

12.0

KANSAS SPEEDWAY

PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

1

KASEY KAHNE

11.4

1

CARL EDWARDS

6.6

2

JIMMIE JOHNSON

11.6

2

KEVIN HARVICK

8.1

3

CARL EDWARDS

11.8

3

MARTIN TRUEX, JR.

9.2

4

DENNY HAMLIN

13.2

4

JEFF GORDON

10.6

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DRIVING NEW TRUCKS, YOUTH IS SERVED IN NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES

NASCAR NEXT DRIVERS TOP PRESEASON THUNDER SPEED CHARTS AT DAYTONA BRAND-NEW Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota trucks made their debuts on Monday at Daytona International Speedway.

It’s safe to say that they suit the NASCAR Next generation just fine..

NASCAR Next drivers Jeb Burton and Ben Kennedy drafted their way to the top of the speed charts during NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Preseason Thunder at Daytona testing. Burton churned a blistering lap of 191.144 mph, just

slightly better than Kennedy’s 190.925. Both were driving next generation Chevrolet Silverados for Turner Scott Motorsports.

“I’m excited,” said Burton, who is preparing for his second full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

“I think it could be an advantage for us. I feel like our guys are working really hard with this new body style in the wind tunnel and testing a lot trying to make it better. I’m really excited to be back with these guys. My

team is pumped up. We’re ready to go.”

Twenty trucks recorded times during an extended test session Monday. Teams were granted an extra 45 minutes to test their trucks in the draft, as weather threatened to impact Tuesday’s track time. They made the most of that time, as a 10-truck draft finished off Monday’s action in high-speed style.

John Wes Townley (190.917 mph), Matt Crafton (190.634) and Darrell Wallace Jr. (190.577) rounded out the speed chart’s top five. Testing concluded Tuesday with a rain-shortened afternoon session and NASCAR officials were pleased with what they saw from the Chevrolet Silverados, Ford F-150s and Toyota Tundras.

“I think we’ve had a good test down here with all three series,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition and racing development. “The Sprint Cup Series session was a nice long day but it nonetheless was a good test; the

THE #28 FDNY RACING CHEVROLET driven by Ryan Ellis sits in the garage during NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 14, 2014. (NASCAR MEDIA via Getty Images)

Nationwide Series had obviously the best overall test in terms of timing and cooperation from the weather; and it looks like everybody with the Camping World Truck Series came down prepared, which is good to see.”

The 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series begins its season on February 21 with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM

NASCAR Radio.

Series champion Matt Crafton is back to defend his championship and the Preseason Thunder test whetted his appetite for the action that awaits in 2014.

“It’s just always a hope or a prayer that you could possibly get here and be able to race here, and now that I’m doing it, it’s just a blessing to be able to do what I do and get paid to do what you love to do,” Crafton said. “I’ve got the best job in the world.” courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

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justin allgaier CHOMPS INTO ROOKIE RACE

CAMPING WORLD

2014 SEASON PREVIEW

TOP PERFORMANCES

MATT CRAFTON CROWNED CAMPING WORLD SERIES CHAMP MATT CRAFTON FINISHED 21st to clinch the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship by 40 points over Ty Dillon in the season finale Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-

Miami Speedway.

The championship is a first for Crafton, a California native.

The season championship is also the first for his team, ThorSport Racing. Kyle Busch held off a hard

charging Ryan Blaney by a margin of 0.081 seconds to win the Ford EcoBoost 200.

The thrilling race saw 13 lead changes and eight yellow flags, including an incident involving

Crafton’s No. 88 Idea Door / Menards Toyota, complicating his attempt to secure the Owners Championship. Crafton’s 21st place finish lef t ThorSport Racing tied with Kyle Busch

Motor Sports, which captured the championship by virtue of having more race wins on the season.

A disappointed Crafton said, “We wanted to get to victory lane continues on page 58

58 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

"It’s been the greatest year of my lIfe so far, to have a baby and wIn a nasCar ChampIonshIp."

NASCAR 2014 SeASoN PReVIeW

NNS NCWTS 2013 Banquet (NASCAR via Getty Images)

courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

continued from page 57 and get the owners championship.

It’s a shame. We were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Ryan Blaney captured Rookie of the Year honors, leading 67 laps and nearly stealing the victory from Busch. Blaney, 19, is the youngest rookie to win the award.

Cra f ton , k now n a s “M r.

Consistency” on the track, lived up to his name by having 19 top-ten finishes and six top-five finishes this year. He also became the first driver to complete every lap in a season.

The ThorSport team a lso showed remarkable consistency -its drivers lead the standings every week since the start of the year.

It began with Johnny Sauter for the first three weeks, before Matt Crafton took over for the rest of the season.

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Crafton was elated at the way his year turned out, “It’s been the greatest year of my life so far, to have a baby and win a NASCAR championship. Nobody can ever take that away from you.”

The championship means just as much to the owners as it does to Crafton. The win tonight marks the first championship for ThorSport Racing and its owners, Duke and Rhonda Thorson. The victory is the culmination of years of perseverance and some luck from the Sandusky, Ohio based team that ended its best year to date. After the race, Crafton praised Duke and his team, “Guys are coming to Ohio to work with us. This win shows that you don’t need to be in North Carolina to win a championship.”

by NASCAR MEDIA

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COURTESY OF NASCAR MEDIA

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MAURICE PETTY Created Horsepower that Powered a NASCAR Dynasty Known As ‘Chief,’ Petty Crafted Winners From Engines of Humble Origin MAURICE “CHIEF” PETTY has been proclaimed as the “silent” figure at Petty Enterprises.

Yet his value as the team’s engine builder cannot be overstated.

Petty, a self-taught mechanical magician, squeezed horsepower – and longevity – out of engines designed not for high-speed competition but daily use on America’s highways.

His creations supplied the horsepower that propelled his older brother R ichard Petty to a majority of his record 200 NASCAR premier series victories, plus his seven NASCAR premier series championships and seven Daytona 500 victories.

Father Lee Petty, Buddy Baker, Jim Paschal and Pete Hamilton also won with his engines. He was the crew chief for 1970 Daytona 500 Hamilton, who also swept that season’s two races at Talladega Superspeedway.

Maurice Petty’s induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 29 closes the circle for stock car racing’s first dynasty. He joins earlier inductees Richard Petty; Lee Petty, the organization’s patriarch and two-time premier series champion; and cousin/crew chief Dale Inman.

“He (also) drove the truck and worked as a tire changer,” said Richard Petty. “He was the complete package. We just had our own little part and we kept to it. We were all successful. We didn’t think about it at the time, we were too busy getting ready for the next race. But, I guess now they have recognized us for everything.

It was just a real team effort by all of us.”

Each of the four contributed strengths that made the sum much greater than the individual parts, according to Kyle Petty, son of Richard Petty and a onetime Petty

NASCAR HALL OF FAME

Richard Petty, Maurice Petty, Aric Almirola (Getty Images for NASCAR)

Enterprises driver who now does television commentary.

“It shows that none of them probably could have accomplished any of this without the other,” he said in an interview published by ESPN following Maurice Petty’s Hall of Fame election.

“Maurice and the Pettys kept their cars to a very, very high standard,” said former Petty Enterprises crew member Robin Pemberton, now NASCA R’s vice president of competition and racing development in an inter view publ ished by the Charlotte Observer in May 2013.

“They never had mechanical failures. The old saying was that there’s a right way, a wrong way and the Petty way of doing things.”

As an engine builder, the now 74-year-old Petty had few peers.

“There were no computers; no engineers,” said Leonard Wood, the NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief for the rival Wood Brothers organization. “What you came up with, you came up with yourself.

You didn’t want anyone else to have it. He’s probably kept some of those secrets up until now.”

Petty doesn’t disagree.

“When you did something to get competitive, everybody didn’t know about it,” he said several years ago. “Even the people that worked for you didn’t know. You did it in the middle of the night.”

Although Petty ultimately built race-winning engines for Chr ysler, Ford and Genera l Motors cars, he was best known for his work on the Chrysler hemi power plant – to the point that fellow competitors complained that the manufacturer gave Petty Enterprises an advantage when the NASCAR rule book stipulated parts should be available to all.

Petty responded that he’d be happy to provide a Petty engine for anyone who had $6,500 to spend.

“I wasn’t the brains behind it and the motor was around since the ‘50s,” he said in an article published in 2013 by the Greensboro News & Record. “Lee raced a hemi in ’52 and ’54. Back then, it had to be a production road engine before you could put it in. I first got my hands on one in 1963.

“We didn’t have a dyno or anything. You just built it and crossed your fingers.”

Petty, who overcame polio as a child, had a brief driving career running 26 premier series races with seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes between 1960 and 1964. A 1961 Daytona 500 accident effectively ended Lee Petty’s driving career and to keep the business afloat, he decided that Richard should drive and Maurice would work behind the scenes.

“Richard had his job to do and I had mine to do,” said Maurice Petty in an article published by AL.com upon his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2011. “Lee told us what he wanted us to do and that’s what we did.”

Petty attended King’s Business College in Greensboro, N.C. where he learned basic business accounting, marketing and sales.

That came in handy when dealing with Detroit executives and NASCAR’s first corporate team sponsors, including STP’s Andy Granatelli. He negotiated the STP contract that resulted in enough money for wind tunnel testing and computer controlled machining. courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

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NASCAR DRive FoR DiveRSity SeleCtS 2014 ClASS

NASCAR ANd Rev RACiNg Select Six Promising drivers For Academy-Style Program NASCAR drive for diversity (d4d), the leading youth development program for multicultural and female drivers, will head into the 2014 season with one of the most well-rounded and accomplished rosters in program history.

The 2014 class is led by daniel Suarez, who contended for two NASCAR touring series championships last year, and Ryan gifford, who is coming off a successful 2013 season, in which he earned his first NASCAR win and made his NASCAR national series debut. They will be joined by a group of talented newcomers looking to make their mark in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen AllAmerican Series.

“NASCAR is committed to providing training, competition

experience and mentoring to drivers who without a doubt demonstrate the potential to compete at the highest levels of our sport through the academy-style program,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “We look forward to another successful racing season with the drive for diversity team.” in addition to Suarez and gifford, Sergio Peña returns to the program in which he earned three wins and finished fifth in NASCAR K&N Pro Series east points in 2011. They’ll be joined in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series ranks by Jay Beasley. Beasley won the 2013 NASCAR Whelen AllAmerican Series Super Late Model track championship at The Bullring at Las vegas Motor Speedway and the series’ Nevada championship. devon Amos, who drove with Rev Racing’s Legends program last year, and Paige decker will compete for the

team in Late Models in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

“Our goal is to keep building upon our successes with every new class we select,” said Max Siegel, CeO of Rev Racing. “We are excited with the momentum built in 2013 with several d4d career milestones. This year’s class has a tough job ahead of them and we look forward to providing them with all the tools necessary to reach individual and collective successes across the board.” d4d saw one the strongest pool of applicants the program has ever seen this year. Nearly 100 drivers, representing 14 states and Mexico, applied for an opportunity to try out for a spot with Rev Racing at the annual d4d Combine – a three-day tryout where drivers’ undergo physical assessments and are evaluated on on-track abilities by executives across the industry. in 2013, d4d saw the impressive rise of graduates Kyle Larson and darrell Wallace Jr. Wallace became the first AfricanAmerican to win a national series victory in nearly 50 years at Martinsville in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. And Larson, whose meteoric rise through the ranks solidified d4d as a driving powerhouse for developmental athletes at NASCAR, earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as well as became the first d4d participant to secure a full-time ride in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.

Larson was also the first d4d driver

to secure a national series victory.

>> Rev RACiNg DRiveRS iN the NASCAR K&N PRo SeRieS iNCluDe: Daniel Suárez: The Monterrey, Mexico, native is a member of the NASCAR Next program and joins Rev Racing for the second season.

The 22-year-old finished third in the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series east championship standings and was the championship runnerup in the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series in 2013. He recorded his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series east win last July at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.

Ryan Gifford: Another member of the NASCAR Next program, the 24-year-old from Winchester, Tenn., garnered his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series east win last season at Richmond (va.) international Raceway. in 2010 at Martinsville (va.) Speedway, he became the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series east pole position. Additionally, he made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut last August at iowa Speedway, finishing ninth driving for Richard Childress Racing.

Jay Beasley: This 21-year-old from Las vegas won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model track championship at The Bullring at Las vegas Motor Speedway and the series’ Nevada championship on the strength of eight victories in 14 starts. He also earned the 2013 Wendell Scott

Trailblazer Award as a result of his early success on the track.

Sergio Peña: With three career NASCAR K&N Pro Series east wins to his credit, the 21-year-old from Winchester, va., has a pair of top-10 finishes in points for 201112 while collecting 19 top 10s in 39 NASCAR K&N Pro Series east career starts.

>>DRiveRS ComPetiNg iN the NASCAR WheleN All-AmeRiCAN SeRieS iNCluDe: Paige Decker: From eagle River, Wis., the 20-year-old driver competed in her Super Late Model at tracks throughout the Midwest.

Devon A mos: Competi ng mostly in a Legends car in 2013, the 22-year-old from Rio Rancho, N.M., scored a seventh-place finish in his stock car debut last summer at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series east kicks off its 2014 season at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16. Two days later, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the UNOH Battle At The Beach will take place on the .37-mile short track situated on the Superstretch at daytona international Speedway. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers will compete primarily at Hickory Motor Speedway, where the season is scheduled to get underway on March 8. courtesy of NAScAR meDiA

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‘IRON MAN’ JACK INGRAM’S Career Spanned Multiple Racing Eras Asheville Native Won 3 NASCAR Sportsman Titles, 2 NASCAR Nationwide Championships W H E N T H R E E -T I M E NASCAR Late Model Sportsman national champion Jack Ingram was told the here, there and everywhere competition would transition into a more compact tour of 29 races in 1982, the Asheville, N.C., driver figuratively licked his chops in anticipation.

Later nicknamed “The Iron Man,” Ingram had run 86 races throughout the southeast – sometimes three and four times a week in as many different states – when he won the 1972 NASCAR

Late Model Sportsman national title.

“When they made it to where you only had to go to 30 race tracks, it was like a vacation for us,” said Ingram of the then NASCAR Busch Series, now the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “I really liked the idea … it worked out well for me.”

Yes it did.

Ingram captured the inaugural 1982 championship over crosstown rival Sam Ard with seven victories and 23 top-five and

“He was a no-nonsense, get-inyour-face, hard-nosed, fenderscraping racer who took no prisoners on the track.”

wins first championship NASCAR Nationwide Series 1000th race 1982 JACK INGRAM

(ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

24 top-10 finishes. He finished second to Ard in 1983-84 and fashioned a second title in 1985 w ith f ive w ins. A t wo-race suspension kept Ingram from collecting a third championship the following season in which he finished third.

Over nine seasons as a fulltime competitor, Ingram finished outside the top five in points just twice. He ultimately competed in 275 races winning 31, the latter figure a record until broken by Mark Martin in 1997. Ingram remains fifth in all-time NASCAR Nationwide Series victories.

Ingram won at least one race in six consecutive seasons along with five career poles.

All but two of those victories came on short tracks leading to Ingram calling himself, only halfjokingly, “the best short-track racer ever.”

Ironically, Ingram’s best racing

memory was his victory in the 1975 Daytona Permatex 300, a race broadcast by ABC’s “Wide World of Sports.” Because the event was televised – a rarity in those years, especially for a late model sportsman event – Ingram received congratulatory letters from throughout the U.S. and even from fans in foreign countries.

Ingram’s car had two crew chiefs, NASCAR Hall of Famer Ju n ior Joh n son a nd B a njo Matthews. “We got a big crack in the top of the windshield, a big hole,” said Ingram. “They were going to black flag me. Junior said he would fix it and they believed Junior. Now, he didn’t fix it but he taped it up and they let me finish the race and we won and that was the best time of my whole racing career.”

That NASCAR Nationwide Series total doesn’t include the dozens of NASCA R pointspaying late model sportsman features Ingram won during the 1960s and 1970s driving his No. 11 J.W. Hunt-sponsored Chevrolets on weekly tracks – many of them long-shuttered.

It was not uncommon for a driver and a single crew chief /

mechanic to race in Virginia on a Friday night, tow to Tennessee for a Saturday show and finish the weekend in North Carolina.

Ing ram won 15 races and finished among the top five in 67 starts during his 1972 championship season. A year later, he won a second title by concentrating on national championship-designated events, winning 11 of 18 starts. His third crown was a runaway as Ingram held a 2,000-point edge over the late Butch Lindley at season’s end.

“One weekend, we ran Langley, Richmond, Manassas (Va.) and Kingsport (Tenn.) in the same car; maybe on the same set of tires,” said fellow competitor Jimmy Hensley of a typical weekend in NASCAR’s late model sportsman years. “Jack raced for a living. I’d work all day and race all night.

“He was tough to beat. He had good ability and was very competitive. He finished most of the races and rarely had breakdowns.”

Ingram also competed in 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events between 1965 and 1981 with a best finish of second to Richard Petty on Sept. 8, 1967, at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

“Jack’s record was phenomenal because he was the driver, crew chief, car owner and chief bottle washer on his team for most of his career,” said Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s late vice president of

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

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who took no prisoners on the track.

“He raced other drivers however they raced him. Sort of ‘You wanna beat and bang? I’ll beat and bang with you. You want to race hard but

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“He was very dedicated to the sport

… dedicated his life to it and even after he quit driving he continued to help others along the way,” said NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett in a 2013 interview with NASCAR.

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I n g ra m wa s n a me d one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998. courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

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communications on Ingram’s 2007 induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. “He was a no-nonsense, get-in-your-face, hard-nosed, fender-scraping racer

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Seventh AnnuAl #loopieS Jimmie Johnson Piles It On; Jeff Gordon Earns Coveted Lifetime Achievement Award SOmEtImE In thE mIddLE of november, as nASCAR prepared for its 2013 culmination, the good folks at Oxford announced “selfie” as their word of 2013.

Well, since then, a new word has taken the sports world by storm: Loopie. As in: Statistically based awards using nASCAR’s Loop data. One day, Oxford will wait until the end of december to make its announcement.

A quick primer on the Loopies: nASCAR’s Integrated marketing Communications squad dug through, deciphered and deliberated on pages upon pages of Loop data statistics to come up with one final batch of awards. And here they are.

Last but not least, we have the Loopies. the envelopes please…

most improved driver award1 Points position … wins … top 10s … laps led. these are the factors most often used to determine most Improved driver. not here.

We use driver rating, the ultimate picture painter when deciding upon a driver’s year-over-year performance. And the winner of this year’s most Improved Loopie: Kurt Busch, who finished 2012 with a driver rating of 71.0. this year, that number ballooned to 93.0, an increase of 22.0 – the largest in the nASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Interestingly, second and third on that list were Joey Logano (an increase of 12.8 points) and matt Kenseth (11.0). that means the top three were all drivers who just completed their first full season with a new team.

Least improved driver award2 this is what makes the Loopies unique. not every award is coveted. Like this one. this one goes to the driver who had the biggest drop in driver rating. the unlucky winner: denny hamlin.

In 2012, he chipped in an excellent driver rating of 100.9. this season, it fell to 82.4, a difference of 18.5.

no need to worry for hamlin, however. he heads into 2014 hot. three of his last four finishes were in the top 10 (including his season-finale win at homesteadmiami Speedway), and two of those resulted in a driver rating over 100. We believe Vegas has posted him as even money for the most Improved Loopie in 2014.

Jimmie Johnson Lifetime achievement award3

A new award, this one goes to the driver who has assembled a career that most resembles that of Jimmie Johnson, one of the all-time nASCAR legends. the winner: Jimmie Johnson. With its inception in 2005, Loop data is now nine years old. during that span, Johnson has posted otherworldly stats – and he doesn’t show signs of slowing down. A few superlatives: Series highs in career driver rating (105.9), fastest laps run (8,071), laps in the top 15 (75,070) and average running position (10.206). Additionally, this year, he set Chase for the nASCAR Sprint Cup records in driver rating (125.8), average running position (5.165) and laps in the top 15 (3,001).

proJect makeover award4 this goes to the driver who switched teams in 2013, and became a completely different competitor. Congratulations, matt Kenseth. here’s why: Kenseth ranked second in laps led with 1,783. his average rank in the five seasons prior to 2013 was 9.8. (Another fun fact: his 1,783 laps led were more than his laps led total in the previous four seasons, combined.)

it’s go time award5 this one goes to the top “closer” in the nASCAR Sprint Cup Series. the “closer” stat measures the positions gained or lost in the

last 10 percent of races. And the Loopie goes to: dale Earnhardt Jr., who improved 68 positions over the final 10 percent of races this year, tops in the series. that accounts for almost two positions per race, and the reason for his career-high 22 top-10 finishes. In eight races this season, Earnhardt came from outside-to-inside the top 10 with 10 percent of the laps remaining.

no, reaLLy, it’s go time, why aren’t you going? award6

probably trending in a city near you

the inception of Loop data in 2005, he is second in fastest laps run (5,006), average running position (11.9), laps in the top 15 (70,985) and percentage of laps run on the lead lap (89.4 percent). In addition, only three drivers have posted a 90+ driver rating each year from 2006 to present in nASCAR Sprint Cup competition: Gordon, and the two previous winners (Johnson and Busch).

And that’s that. Congratulations to all our winners, even those who didn’t want a Loopie.

Seven years are now in the books. three more, and the Loopies will be eligible for induction into the nASCAR hall of Fame. courtesy of Nascar media

While statistics like average finish and laps led tell fans what a driver did, Loop data tells them how and why a driver did it. here’s a possible explanation of why the winner of this award went otherwise winless this season for the first time since 2009. the unfortunate winner: Clint Bowyer. the reason: he lost 67 positions in the final 10 percent of races, the second highest figure in the series. that means a very strong season could have been that much better. On the bright side, he did win this Loopie.

stefan kretschmann Lifetime achievement award7 nothing pleases an awards show crowd – and dictates a standing ovation – like a Lifetime Achievement Award. that’s why the Loopies have two of them this year. (It’s been seven years of this … we do what we gotta do.) A quick explanation on the namesake of this award: Stefan Kretschmann works for our good friends at Stats, LLC in Chicago, and is considered the godfather of Loop data. the formulas that make Loop data so interesting and invaluable are his brainchild. Prior winners of this prestigious award included Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. the winner this year … Jeff Gordon. If not for Johnson, Gordon would lead almost all key Loop data categories. Since

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most oval nascar tracks are banked at various degrees to create greater momentum and velocity through the turns.

Banking on the 23 tracks that host nascar sprint cup series races range from a relatively steep 36 degrees at talladega superspeedway, to a somewhat flat 12 degrees at martinsville speedway. “progressively banked” oval tracks, such as Bristol motor speedway, feature a racing surface that gradually increases in degrees of banking - 24 to 30 degrees - as the track gets closer to the outside retaining wall. this permits cars in the longer outside lanes to maintain higher speeds through the corners than those in the shorter inside lanes, resulting in more competitive racing.

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(NASCAR via Getty Images)

source: nascar

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JUSTIN ALLGAIER “LITTLE GATOR” TO CHOMP INTO ROOKIE OF YEAR RACE

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

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JUSTIN ALLGAIER NASCAR Nationwide Iowa Friday August 2013 (NASCAR via Getty Images)

“LITTLE GATOR” JUSTIN ALLGAIER of Phoenix Racing, racing a Hendrick Motorsports engine in the no. 51 Chevrolet, heads the “best of the rest” posse behind Sunoco Rookie of the Year co-favorites Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson.

T he eig ht f i rst-yea r Cup drivers include Michael Annett of Tommy Baldwin Racing, Ryan Truex (Martin’s brother) and A lex Bowman in BK Racing (replacing Travis Kvapil and David Reutimann), and Swan Racing’s Parker Kligerman and Cole Whitt. BK and Swan has Toyotas, the others Chevrolets.

Whitt ran seven Cup races for Swan late last season, helping replace David Stremme. He won

the 2008 national midget crown.

Truex started three Cup races for Phoenix in 2013. He won K&N Pro East titles in 2009 and ’10.

Dillon won the NASCA R Nationwide Series (NNS) last year, with 22 top-10s but no wins. The 2012 truck champ now seeks to become the first to win NASCAR’s top three circuits.

He drives his grandfather Richard Childress’s fabled black no. 3. It was retired for 13 years, since Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s fatal crash in it at Daytona in the 2001 opener.

Larson, Chip Ganassi’s new star, was Nationwide’s top rookie in ’13 and eighth in the series.

Allgaier was fifth, Kligerman ninth and Bowman 11th. Annett was fifth in 2012, and has 163

Nationwide starts.

This current rookie crop is deemed the most talented in many years. Rookie winners in the new millennium’s first decade were (in order): Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya, Regan Smith then Joey Logano in 2009.

B u t r o o k i e c o mp e t i t i o n dropped, amidst the recession a nd tea m cutback s. Recent winners were Kevin Conway in ’10, Andy Lally in ’11, then Stephen Leicht in ’12. All three no longer have Cup rides. Last year, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. beat out his girlfriend, Danica Patrick for the prize while finishing 19th overall.

A classic upset in the rookie race was in 1973, when unknown L ennie Pond topped hy ped Darrell Waltrip. Allgaier, 27, has the talent to pull it off. He is the full-time driver of the Brandt Chevrolet that he piloted for four Cup races last season. He was ARCA R/MA X champion in 2008, then Nationwide Rookie of the Year in 2009.

He has finished in the top six in all five of his Nationwide seasons. His best was third, in 2011. Allgaier has merely three NNS career wins, a win in each of the last three seasons along with four career poles. But he avoids wrecks, and consistently finishes in the lead pack. He registered 16 top-10 finishes in ’13.

"THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME AND I INTEND TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT." He shined for both Team Penske and Turner Scott Motorsports, whose co-owner Harry Scott Jr. purchased Phoenix Racing last fall from James Finch largely to take Allgaier full-time to NASCAR’s ultimate level.

“Justin has worked extremely hard to get to this level, and he is ready to take the next step,” Scott said. “Working with Competition Director and Crew Chief Steve Addington, I think the no. 51 can turn some heads.” Addington is a major force. He was crew chief for Tony Stewart for the past two years and, earlier, for Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch. Running with a Hendrick-supplied engine gives Allgaier a chance to finish in the top 20, and land a gig with a bigger team, many NASCAR pundits believe.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Allgaier stated, “and I intend to make the most of it ... to compete against the best drivers in the world.” He knew Addington when they hung out at the house of Allgaier’s prior crew chief, Jimmy Elledge. “Their personalities are very similar. That helps me out tremendously, because I have a leg

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

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up on getting to know him. So that lets me focus on what we need to do as a unit, to put the best race car on the race track.”

Allgaier debuted in NASCAR in 2005, in the Camping World Truck Series. He raced at age five in quarter midgets, winning five titles and more than 100 races.

At 13, he raced UMP late model stock cars. At 16, he debuted in Arca for Ken Schrader. He set an ARCA track record at Springfield, in ’05, also racing trucks and competing in Jack Roush’s “Driver X: The Race For The Ride” TV show.

The 5-foot-6 Riverton, Ill.

FOX SPORTS GO TO LIVE STREAM DAYTONA 500 FIRST TIME EVER ‘THE GREAT AMERICAN RACE’ CAN BE VIEWED LIVE ON MOBILE DEVICES

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, FOX Sports GO, the app that provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content, is set to offer live, streaming coverage of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 23. FOX Sports GO features two separate live streams of the 56th running of the Great American Race: the customary FOX Sports broadcast in English and the FOX Deportes telecast in Spanish.

“We’re giving fans the ability to watch the biggest race of the year wherever they go,” said Eric Shanks, President and COO, FOX Sports. “We’re also making the mobile experience more user friendly by streaming the race through FOX Sports GO and adding the FOX Deportes stream for our Spanish-speaking audience.”

Customers of participating video providers may access the live streams of the Daytona 500 through the FOX Sports GO app for iOS devices, as well as on desktops through FOXSportsGo.com.

The popular NASCAR on FOX broadcast team of Mike Joy, NASCAR Hall-of-Fame driver Darrell Waltrip and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Larry

McReynolds again call the race from the FOX Sports booth, while Tony Rivera, Luis Rodriguez and Diego Mejia call the action on-track all season long for FOX Deportes.

Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip return trackside to the FOX Sports’ Hollywood Hotel, with Jeff Hammond providing special insider information from the garage and Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum in the pits.

In 2014, FOX Deportes, the No. 1 U.S. sports network in Spanish, again offers coverage of 13 points-paying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, seven of which are carried live, including the DAYTONA 500. In addition, FOX Deportes offers coverage of THE SPRINT UNLIMITED and DAYTONA 500 QUALIFYING. Launched in October 2013, FOX Sports GO provides live streaming of FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, FOX Deportes and select FOX Sports broadcast events and programs so fans can take the games with them wherever they go. Subscribers of participating TV providers can enjoy access to live games and events through FOX Sports GO year-round.

To follow the event on Twitter, use the Hashtag #Daytona500 and follow @NASCARonFOX, @NASCAR and @DISUpdates. courtesy of NASCAR MEDIA

native is called “Little Gator,” for being short but a ferocious competitor. He is married, with one daughter.

He just got his ’14 Cup ride Jan. 21. He debuted in Cup racing last September at Chicagoland, finishing 27th in rain. He was in the top 20 at Kansas, before blowing a tire. The 51 car finished 30th in owner standings in ’13,

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with multiple drivers.

This is the on ly Cup car solely sponsored by agricultural companies. The main sponsor i s f a r m s p e c i a lt y pr o d u c t retailer Brandt Consolidated of Springfield, Ill., 13 miles from where Allgaier grew up. Brandt has sponsored him since 2011, and will do so for 21 Cup races this year. Redhead Allgaier sports a

red Brandt-marked fire suit. Other sponsors include National FFA (Future Farmers of America).

Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Cup champ, will race part-time in Phoenix’s no. 52 car with Jimmy Elledge shifting from the 51 car to be his crew chief. Labonte has won 21 Cup races in 22 seasons, and raced once for Phoenix last season.

by PETE ZAMPLAS

NASCAR 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

72 IWANNA® FEBRUARY 18, 2014

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Late Start No Road Block to NASCAR Stardom for TIM FLOCK Pioneer Competitor Won Two Titles, Excelled On Daytona’s Beach & Road Course

BY CONTEMPORARY STANDARDS, Julius Timothy “Tim” Flock was a late bloomer.

Flock was 24 years of age when he competed in his first stock car race in 1948.

But the Fort Payne, Ala., native, who raced out of Atlanta, was a quick study finishing second in NASCAR’s inaugural season of modified stock car competition. Flock, along with older brothers Fonty and Bob, were among the field of 33 drivers competing in the organization’s first Strictly Stock – now NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – race at Charlotte, N.C., in June 1949.

Tim Flock won the premier series championship in 1952 and again in 1955 to become NASCAR’s second two-time champion. He competed in 187 races over 13 seasons winning 39 times. Flock’s best year was 1955 in which he won 18 races and 18 poles driving the famed No. 300 Chrysler 300 for outboard motor manufacturer Carl Kiekhaefer.

In an era of rough and tumble competition – mostly on dusty and often rutted dirt surfaces – Flock was known for his precise driving skills.

“To me, he was a cool

customer,” said NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, who broke Flock’s season victory record in 1967. “You would see a bunch of them drivers running sideways. Tim would just be running around.

“When the race was over, Tim won. Those other guys were still running sideways.”

Flock retired after the 1961 season and spent 30 years in marketing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, dying in 1998 at age 73.

“He was truly one of the heroes of his day,” said the late Bill France Jr., then NASCAR’s president upon Flock’s passing.

Flock was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998. He previously was enshrined in the International Motorsports, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and National Motorsports Press Association and Georgia Racing halls of fame.

The Flock clan – eight sons and daughters of textile worker Lee Flock and his wife, Maudie – lived on the edge to say the least.

Lee Flock was a tightrope walker and bicycle racer. Older brother Carl raced speed boats. Sister Reo was a dare-devil parachutist,

TIM FLOCK won the NASCAR Cup Series title in 1952 and 1955, when he won a record 18 times. (ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

who got paid $50 a jump at fairs and airshows. Bob and Fonty Flock hauled moonshine for an uncle, Peachtree Williams, one of the region’s highest-producing bootleggers. Another sister, Ethel

Mobley, also raced stock cars.

The family moved to Atlanta after Lee Flock’s death while Tim Flock was a young child.

Both Bob and Fonty – whose given name was Truman Fontell

– were dead-set against their younger brother driving race cars, as was their mother.

Tim Flock accompanied his siblings to a race in North Wilkesboro, N.C., where another competitor asked the younger Flock to “hot lap” his modified – which he did and a career was born.

Ultimately, Tim Flock out-classed his racing siblings.

Fonty Flock won 19 Strictly Stock races between 1950-56 and finished second in the 1951 championship standings. Bob Flock, who began racing before World War II, won four times and was third in NASCAR’s first premier series campaign in 1949. Four Flocks competed in the July 1949 Daytona Beach & Road Course race in which Mobley finished 11th in her husband Charlie’s Cadillac beating two or her three brothers. Tim finished second.

The Flocks were part of a so-called “Georgia Gang” that featured prominently in NASCAR’s pioneer era.

Driving for Dawsonville, Ga.’s Ted Chester, Tim Flock won the 1952 championship in a Hudson Hornet despite breaking an axle and flipping the car in the season’s final race at West Palm Beach, Fla. “I bet I’m the only driver who has won the championship on his head,” Flock said in an article penned by Brandon Reed for GeorgiaRacingHistory.com.

In 1953, Chester, a one-time race promoter, bought a Rhesus monkey in an Atlanta pet shop.

He named the primate “Jocko,” installed a seat in the race car and taught the monkey to pull a chain that opened a trap door built into the car’s firewall so that Flock could check tire wear.

“I thought Ted had been hittin’ the jug too much. He couldn’t be serious. But the more I got to thinking about it, the more I liked it,” said Flock in Larry Fielden’s book, Tim Flock, Race Driver. Flock and Jocko won a race together at Hickory, N.C., but the pairing was short-lived. A few weeks later, at Raleigh (N.C.)

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Speedway, the monkey was hit in the head by a pebble, let out a scream and landed on Flock’s back.

“It was hard enough to drive those heavy old cars back then under normal circumstances but with a crazed monkey clawing you at the same time, it becomes nearly impossible,” said Flock, who had to pit to remove his frightened passenger.

Flock sat out most of the 1954 season after an apparent Daytona victory was overturned due to a carburetor infraction.

He went to Florida the following February without a ride but was hired by Kiekhaefer after being overheard saying about the Chrysler 300 that, “If I had that car, I’d win this race again this year.” He shattered the qualifying record by nearly seven miles per hour, finished second but got the victory when the Buick of fellow 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Fireball Roberts was disqualified for an engine infraction.

He won two premier series races on the 4.1-mile Beach & Road Course, both for Kiekhaefer. Flock was the only driver to win on every NASCAR division there – Strictly Stock, convertible and modified stocks.

Flock finished ninth in the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959 driving a Ford Thunderbird.

Flock’s last victory came in 1956 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., where he drove a Mercury for Bill Stroppe.

Along with contemporary Curtis Turner, Flock faced a lifetime ban from NASCAR in 1961 for supporting a driver’s union. He was reinstated in 1965 but did not return to competition in the premier series. His last driving appearance came in a 1991 Winston Legends race on a 0.25mile track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Tim was a great ambassador for racing,” said his widow, Frances Flock. “He would sign autographs and stop to talk to people. If somebody wrote Tim a letter, he would write them back. He was always such a gentleman.” courtesy of Nascar media

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Tell us who will win the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway for a chance to win 2 tickets to the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday May 25th.

Voting will begin on Monday, February 17th and end Saturday March 15th. You can vote once every day. Each vote will count as an entry to win.

All voters who pick the winning driver will be placed in a random drawing for the prize of 2 tickets to the race in Charlotte on May 25th.

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