Larson Attempts to Extend Points Lead at Auto Club, Notch First Win

Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 18, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Kyle Larson achieved a couple of “firsts” when he notched his third straight runner-up in last weekend’s race at Phoenix. He became the first NASCAR Drive for Diversity alum to top the points standings, as well as the first Chip Ganassi Racing driver to lead the standings this late in the season since 2002.

On Sunday, he’ll attempt to notch his first win of the season in the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California at 3:30 pm ET on FOX – the third and final stop of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ “NASCAR Goes West.” Continue reading

Erik Jones Scores First Top-Ten in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Erik Jones, driver of the #77 5-hour Energy Extra Strength Toyota, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 18, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Erik Jones’ No. 77 Furniture Row Racing team did everything right in Sunday’s Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway—except for predicting how many cars would take two tires versus four on the final pit stop before overtime.

Jones was running fifth when a melted bead caused Joey Logano’s right front tire to explode and sent the No. 22 Ford of the polesitter into the turn one wall on lap 307 of a scheduled 312. Jones took four tires under the ensuing caution and restarted 14th. Continue reading

Strategy Pays Off for Stenhouse, Too

Photo – Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Though Ricky Stenhouse Jr. didn’t win Sunday’s Camping World 500 at Phoenix by staying out on old tires—as Ryan Newman did—the driver of the No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford did hold onto fourth-place during a two-lap overtime.

That Stenhouse was able to score his eighth career top-five is emblematic of improved performance at Roush Fenway Racing, but Stenhouse says there’s still work to do. Continue reading

After a Strong Start, Logano’s Day Ends at Turn One Wall

AVONDALE, AZ – MARCH 19: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, wrecks during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 19, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Joey Logano started Sunday’s Camping World 500 from the pole and led 82 laps, but his race ended suddenly and dramatically when his right front tire blew as the No. 22 Ford approached turn one on lap 307 of a scheduled 312. Continue reading

Ryan Newman Breaks Drought with Late-Race Strategy at Phoenix

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When the winner of Sunday’s Camping World 500 was announced, officials might have thought for a moment that they got the wrong envelope, à la Warren Beatty at the Oscars.

But, no, there was no mistake. Ryan Newman was the unexpected winner of the fourth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race of the season after a late caution gave his No. 31 Richard Childress Racing team the chance to break a drought dating to 2013. Continue reading