Monthly Archives: October 2016

Gordon Enjoys – Perhaps – his Last Run at Martinsville

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Photo - Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Jeff Gordon doesn’t plan to race again in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car – unless team owner Rick Hendrick twists his arm.

But Gordon hopes circumstances won’t force him into another substitute role. Competing in place of ailing Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the last time this season, Gordon finished sixth on Sunday in his Martinsville swan song.

“Well, I had a lot of fun out there,” Gordon said after the race. “It’s great to be here in front of all these awesome short track and Martinsville NASCAR fans. It’s just a special place to me, and I had a lot of fun and had a great car. This No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet was really good. I knew we didn’t have the short-run speed for some of those Gibbs cars…

“I would rather have won. I felt like we had a fourth-or-fifth-place car the run before that (last run), so I always wanted to get the most out of it. I was a little disappointed it didn’t take off there at the last yellow, but very proud of this team proud of my performance. Best finish I’ve had in this car (subbing for Earnhardt). Good way to finish my run this year in the No. 88 Chevy.”

Notice Gordon said “my run this year” and not “my career.”

Jimmie Johnson’s Win at Martinsville Brings Talk of Seventh Title to Forefront

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Mr. Martinsville is back – and with him, a realistic shot at a record-tying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Winless at the 0.526-mile short track since the spring race of 2013, Jimmie Johnson ended his “drought” on Sunday with a victory in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 and earned a berth in the Championship 4 race, set for Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In winning for the ninth time at Martinsville, the fourth time this season and the 79th time in his career, Johnson didn’t take the lead until he passed Denny Hamlin for the top spot on lap 409 of 500. Continue reading →

Johnny Sauter Holds Off Chase Elliott to Advance to Championship Race

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With a finish that was the diametric opposite of his last run at Martinsville Speedway, Johnny Sauter punched his ticket to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship race with a victory in Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 200 at the 0.526-mile short track.

After a restart with 18 laps left, Sauter, who finished last at Martinsville in April, held off pole winner Chase Elliott, beating the No. 71 Chevrolet driver to the finish line by 0.316 seconds. Continue reading →

NBCSN Presents First Race in NASCAR Sprint Cup Playoff Round of 8

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NASCAR SPRINT CUP PLAYOFF ROUND OF 8 SUNDAY AT 12:30 P.M. ET

NBC Sports kicks off its second consecutive standalone Sprint Cup coverage Friday with Sprint Cup practice at 11 a.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. An on-site edition of NASCAR America from Martinsville Speedway wraps up the day at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Saturday’s coverage includes practice at 9 a.m. ET on CNBC, followed by final practice at noon ET on NBCSN. Race Day coverage begins on NBCSN with NASCAR America at 12 p.m. ET followed by Countdown to Green at 12:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage of the first playoff race in the Round of 8 begins at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The checkered flag is immediately followed by an on-site post-race show, as well as a trackside edition of Victory Lap beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Race announcer Rick Allen calls this weekend’s action alongside analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton. Pre- and post-race coverage is handled by host Krista Voda, and analysts Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett. Marty Snider, Mike Massaro, Dave Burns and Kelli Stavast report from pit road. Rutledge Wood contributes to NBCSN’s coverage Friday and Sunday.

One More Time!

Dale Earnhardt Jr Returns to NBCSN Broadcast Booth for Martinsville

After  last week’s successful visit as a guest analyst in the NBCSN broadcast booth in Talladega, Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns this Sunday to lend his knowledge as an analyst during NBCSN’s coverage from Martinsville Speedway. Earnhardt will again work alongside his former crew chief Steve Letarte, race announcer Rick Allen and fellow analyst Jeff Burton.

NBC Sports Network

Hamlin Hopes to Lock Up Championship 4 Berth

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Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

Denny Hamlin’s championship aspirations came 0.006 seconds away from evaporating at Talladega last Sunday. Fortunately for the No. 11 Toyota driver, he beat Kurt Busch to the finish line by 0.006 seconds (approximately two feet) for a third-place result that earned him the final spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Round of 8 over Austin Dillon.

Now holding the same amount of points as the remaining eight Chase-eligible drivers, Hamlin is back at square one heading into Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at his hometown track – and also one of his best tracks – Martinsville Speedway at 1 pm ET on NBCSN. Continue reading →