Author Archives: Holly Cain NASCAR Wire Service

#NASCARGoesWest: Las Vegas

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Jimmie Johnson, the driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, gets into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

In the spirit of the “numbers game” that characterizes the Las Vegas area hosting NASCAR’s three national series this weekend, here are some jackpot trends and statistics to consider as NASCAR starts its three-race western swing (#NASCARGoesWest) with the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Continue reading →

Custer’s NASCAR Cup Series Debut

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Cole Custer, the driver of the #00 Haas Automation Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

This weekend marks the Cup debut for Xfinity Series championship contender Cole Custer, 20, who will drive the Rick Ware Motorsports No. 51 Ford on Sunday. He joins Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola in making his first Cup start at the famed 1.5-mile speedway. Continue reading →

Elliott Sadler: A Familiar Face in NASCAR Xfinity Series

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Elliott Sadler, the driver of the #1 OneMain Financial Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Only two weeks into the 2018 season and veteran Elliott Sadler is back where he feels most comfortable – leading the Xfinity Series championship standings. The four-time championship runner-up has not won a race at this week’s venue, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but he has back-to-back eighth-place finishes in his last two races here. He finished fifth in 2013 and his top showing was a third-place after qualifying on the pole in 2012. Continue reading →

Fast Fords Finding their Way to the Top Early in 2018

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Kevin Harvick, the driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Autotrader Ford, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, lead the field into turn one during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 25, 2018, in Hampton, Georgia. Photo – Kevin C Cox/Getty Images

“Crazy Fast.” That’s how Sunday’s third-place finisher Clint Bowyer described his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kevin Harvick’s day dominating the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and their Ford Fusion’s podium sweep. Continue reading →

Darrell ‘Bubba’ Wallace Jr. Races to Historical and Emotional Second-Place Finish in Daytona 500

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Darrell Wallace Jr., the driver of the #43 Click n’ Close Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 60th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2018, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Not two minutes after Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. sat down in the Daytona International Speedway media center to field questions about his historic and dramatic runner-up finish in the Daytona 500, his mom Desiree came toward the podium and he stood up to embrace her. Continue reading →