Matt Tifft Undergoing Surgery for Brain Tumor

Photo - Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

David Ragan substituting for Matt Tifft in Daytona International Speedway XFINITY Series event

NASCAR driver, Matt Tifft, who was recently sidelined due to back issues, now has another medical issue keeping him away from the track. Joe Gibbs Racing issued a medical update on their driver, indicating Tifft will undergo surgery for removal of a low-grade glioma in the brain.

The slow-growing tumor was found during treatment and evaluation for a recent disc condition in his back. Tifft will undergo surgery and rehabilitation soon and once cleared by physicians, he will return to racing. The Joe Gibbs Racing rookie is anxious to return to the race track as soon as possible.

Taking Tifft’s place in the No. 18 for the XFINITY Series race this weekend at Daytona International Speedway is David Ragan,

Wishing Matt Tifft a speedy recovery and hope to see him at the track again soon.

Lesa France Kennedy Named One of ADWEEK’s 30 Most Powerful Women in Sports

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Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation and Vice Chairperson of NASCAR, was named one of ADWEEK’S ’30 Most Powerful Women in Sports’ in their July issue, on newsstands June 27.

The inaugural ’30 Most Powerful Women in Sports’ list is presented in ADWEEK’S annual Sports Issue. Kennedy is featured along with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Danica Patrick, and other elite athletes, league executives, sports media personalities and sports marketing executives.

“Being chosen along with such an incredible group of women is testament to the relevancy and popularity of NASCAR and motorsports,” said Kennedy. “I’m particularly pleased to be joined by NASCAR driver Danica Patrick who is inspiring the next generation of women drivers and competitors. A profound thank you to the ADWEEK team.”

Kennedy’s vision led the $400 million reimagining of Daytona International Speedway into the world’s only motorsports stadium, revolutionizing the sport and fan experience. The stadium was named Sports Facility of the Year at SportsBusiness Journal’s 2016 Sports Business Awards and Kennedy received accolades asForbes’ Most Powerful Woman in Sports for 2015, as well as being inducted as a member of the 2016 Cynopsis Sports Hall of Fame. Kennedy is also leading a legacy project with the development of ONE DAYTONA, a 300,000-square-foot preeminent retail, dining and entertainment destination set to open in 2017 across from the Speedway.

International Speedway Corporation

Seven for ‘16: Brashear, Childress, Gabelich, Ganassi, McClelland, Posey, Sweikert to be Inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on Wednesday Night

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28th Annual Induction Ceremony Presented By Bridgestone Makes Daytona Beach Debut

The Shores Resort & Spa To Host Milestone Event

Tuesday Heroes Of Horsepower Reception In Hall’s Home At Daytona International Speedway

Wednesday Inductee Lunch Hosted By Toyota At Speedway’s Stadium Toyota Injector

Hall Opens To Public On Sunday, As Part of Speedway’s Fan Tours

A monumental week for the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) is on tap, highlighted by Wednesday night’s 28th Annual MSHFA Induction Ceremony Presented by Bridgestone at The Shores Resort & Spa. Continue reading

NASCAR Updates Sprint Cup Series Race Eligibility

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Photo - Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Photo – Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Chase Provisional Implemented for Open Teams 

NASCAR has announced updated procedures for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race eligibility and new provisional starting guidelines for races during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Starting with Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway (7:45 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), current year owner points will replace practice speeds for determining race eligibility and starting position in the event adverse conditions prevent Coors Light Pole qualifying from taking place. Starting in 2017, for the second and third events of the season, practice speeds for Open teams will remain the criteria used to determine race eligibility. Continue reading

NASCAR Industry to Salute U.S. Military Units with NASCAR XFINITY Series Tribute at Daytona International Speedway

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Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

NASCAR: An American Salute Continues Independence Day Weekend; Speedway to Host Medal of Honor Recipients, Active Service Members and Veterans

In a show of appreciation for the United States Armed Forces, NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers will bear the names of active military units and installations on their race car windshields during Friday’s Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Marine Raider Battalion and the USS New York (LPD-21) are among the military units and installations from all five branches that will replace the ‘XFINITY’ header on NASCAR XFINITY Series cars. Continue reading