Monthly Archives: February 2017

Ford Looks Fast in Opening Daytona 500 Practice

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Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Clint Bowyer, who is back in a competitive car at Stewart-Haas Racing, was tenth fastest on Saturday. With SHR switching to Ford from Chevrolet this season, the Ford armada has grown substantially, potentially to the point of challenging the Toyota gang that dominated Speedweeks last year.

In fact, Fords posted the two fastest times in Saturday’s marathon practice session, with Joey Logano (193.116 mph), Aric Almirola (193.054 mph) and Brad Keselowski (193.046 mph) topping the speed chart.

“In all honesty, I’ve never been that fast in qualifying here in Daytona in my whole career,” Logano said after the session. “I feel like I’ve never had a shot at it, but now I feel like I’m closer than ever.

“I feel like I’m kind of in new territory, plus I think some of these other guys sandbag a lot, so tomorrow will be the telltale sign.”

Tom Hessert Grabs Pole Position for Today’s ARCA Season Opener at Daytona

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ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards veteran Tom Hessert, in the No. 25 Andrews-Renton Coil Spring/Venturini Motorsports Toyota, won the General Tire Pole Award Friday afternoon at Daytona Int’l Speedway for today’s Lucas Oil Complete Engine Treatment 200 Driven by General Tire.

Hessert, in the sixth qualifying group, was the last car off pit road among his six-car pack. His strategy was to lay way back in order to get a run. It worked.

“Being in the back of group was obviously advantageous, so we could sit way back and get a run,” said Hessert. Hessert was so far back he seemed in danger of losing the draft altogether.

“I was worried about that….we were at least a couple hundred yards back. I was worried we weren’t going to get there, but the car did what it was supposed to do and we got it done.

“This is obviously a great start to the weekend for us. I want to thank Venturini Motorsports and all my guys on the crew…our sponsors Andrews, Renton Coil Spring, Musselman’s Apple Sauce.”

Hessert circled the 2.5-mile track in 48.143 seconds, an average speed of 186.943 mph. Friday’s pole award was Hessert’s fifth of his career and third since joining Venturini Motorsports in 2016.

Set to make his 180th career ARCA start, Hessert has notched 6 career victories to go along with 53 top-five and 106 top-ten finishes throughout his career. Already a restrictor-plate winner at Talladega in 2013, the 30-year old driver hopes to complete the sweep and park his Andrews Toyota in Daytona’s famous Victory Lane this afternoon.

Venturini Motorsports entering its 35th year of ARCA Series competition, looks to return to Daytona’s Gatorade Victory Lane for the second time in the past four years. In 2013, driver John Wes Townley delivered the team’s sole Daytona victory. VMS, the well-known ARCA fixture has compiled 43 series victories overall – 30 wins coming since 2007.

Today’s Lucas Oil Complete Engine Treatment 200 Driven by General Tire is live on FS1, with live coverage beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern. In addition, arcaracing.com will feature live timing and scoring and live chat. Local radio affiliate WNDB will also provide live audio coverage of the race, which will be streamed live over arcaracing.com.

Venturini Motorsports

Déjà vu Would be Just Fine with Denny Hamlin

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 17: A detail of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, driven by Denny Hamlin during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash on February 17, 2017 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Photo – Getty Images

Denny Hamlin wouldn’t mind at all if history repeated itself during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.

Hamlin won the Advance Auto Parts Clash, and eight days later, the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota followed up with his first Daytona 500 victory, a breathtaking affair that saw Hamlin beat fellow Camry driver Martin Truex Jr. to the finish line by 0.010 seconds, a margin of roughly six inches.

Hamlin is well aware that winning The Great American Race back-to-back is one of the toughest feats in motorsports, so tough that only three drivers have accomplished the feat: Richard Petty (1973-1974), Cale Yarborough (1983-1984) and Sterling Marlin (1994-1995). Continue reading →

Alex Bowman Happy to be Aligned with Hendrick

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Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash on February 17, 2017 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

After a stellar performance as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. last year, Alex Bowman got several offers of NASCAR rides – but none that could induce him to leave Hendrick Motorsports, where he spends most of his time driving a simulator. Continue reading →

NASCAR Cracks Down on Inspection ‘Gamers’

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It’s a given that a smart NASCAR crew chief will push the limits of the rules – and find loopholes in existing legislation wherever they’re available.

Between seasons, however, NASCAR has gone a long way to close a loophole in the inspection process. This year, if a car fails at any stage of pre-qualifying or pre-race inspection, the team must take the car back to the garage, return to specifications and start the entire process over again. Continue reading →