Daily Archives: September 5, 2013

NASCAR Nationwide Series Marks 1000th Race at Richmond

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1982 - Dale Earnhardt: Leave it to a legend to start a new era right. Dale Earnhardt (center) earned his way into victory lane following the Goody's 300 on February 13, 1982 in Daytona Beach, Florida - the first race in what is now known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Photo - ISC Archives via Getty Images

1982 – Dale Earnhardt: Leave it to a legend to start a new era right. Dale Earnhardt (center) earned his way into victory lane after the Goody’s 300 on February 13, 1982 in Daytona Beach, Florida – the first race in what is now known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Photo – ISC Archives via Getty Images

Elliott Sadler’s No. 11 Toyota to Honor NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Jack Ingram

On February 13, 1982, Dale Earnhardt crossed the finish line first in the Goody’s 300 at Daytona International Speedway to win the inaugural race in what is now known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Twenty-three champions and 136 race winners later, NASCAR’s second level premier series approaches a historic milestone – its 1,000th race, on September 6th at Richmond International Raceway – 7:30pm ET on ESPN, MRN, Sirius XM, channel 90.  Continue reading →

Sprint Cup Chase Tracker – Atlanta

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ChaseTrackerAtlanta300x400The clock is ticking down on the last Race to the Chase at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night, September 7th – coming up this weekend. One last chance for eight drivers to grab a Wild Card spot for the 2013 ten-race Chase for a Sprint Cup championship.

After the race at Atlanta, six competitors have claimed their place in the Chase’s top-ten including, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth. Seventh-place Dale Earnhardt Jr faces the least pressure among non-qualifiers, needing only a finish of 32nd or better in the 400-lap race at Richmond to enter the post season competition.

Joey Logano, Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch complete the provisional top-ten – 16, 14 and six points ahead of 11th place Jeff Gordon. Each with one victory, Logano and Biffle have some Chase insurance as potential Wild Cards if they should fall out of the top-ten. 

This week’s Sprint Cup Chase tracker analyzes driver Race to the Chase average-finishes – Kentucky to Atlanta – and their more recent five-race average-finishes – Pocono to Atlanta. And as in previous Chase Tracker posts, there are a few surprises in store. 

Wild Card Contenders

Richmond is all about which drivers will secure their place in the Chase by grabbing a Wild Card in the last race of the regular season. And it is certainly a tight competition this year and several drivers moving between the top-ten and chasing a Wild Card spot.  

Kasey Kahne with two wins, holds the first Wild Card ticket into the post-race season and is just ten points away from tenth-place qualification. Will he race his way into tenth-place at Richmond, leaving another open Wild Card spot for those outside the top-ten? Kahne is definitely one to keep an eye on throughout Richmond’s night of racing on Saturday. If Kahne does move into the top-ten, his two wins will give him a better Chase starting spot at Chicagoland. 

Martin Truex Jr holds the second Wild Card for the Chase and is only 15-points away from the top-ten. His third-place finish at Atlanta, after finishing 35th at Bristol certainly moves his team in the right direction heading into the last race of the regular season. Truex could also race his way into the top-ten at Richmond, leaving his Wild Card spot for another contender. Continue reading →