Author Archives: NASCAR Wire Staff Report

Rookie Daniel Suarez’s Top-Ten Streak Ends at Michigan

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Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Surfboard/McAfee Toyota, pits during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 13, 2017, in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Coming into this weekend, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Daniel Suarez was on a streak of four consecutive top-ten finishes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and was looking to make it five. Unfortunately, his day was cut short after tangling with Kasey Kahne late in the race. Continue reading →

Michigan’s Erik Jones Ponders a Win at his Home Track

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Erik Jones, driver of the #77 5-hour ENERGY Extra Strength Toyota, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 12, 2017, in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Of course, Erik Jones thought about it. How could he not?

With the race halted by a red flag for a little over five minutes with just two green flag laps left in the Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, Jones let his mind wander to what it would be like to win the race. Continue reading →

DiBenedetto will Return to Go Fas Racing in 2018

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Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Matt DiBenedetto will return to the No. 32 Go Fas Racing Ford, he and team general manager Mason St. Hilaire announced on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. Amid a flurry of silly season moves, this is the rare one that affords a driver and his team to build on consistency.

“Our business model, in the beginning, was be able to survive,” St. Hilaire said. “We had a revolving door of drivers for a long time, and it kept the doors open, and it kept people working, and I wouldn’t take it back for anything.”

Still, working with DiBenedetto and crew chief Gene Nead has given the team stability, and with that stability has come improvement. The team’s average finish this year (26.1) is more than six spots better than the team’s historical average.

The team has its first two top-tens this season–in the season opening Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400.

“We had some little growing pains and had a couple little issues happen a few (races) in a row, but we’ve had that speed there all year and the more we go along, the more that we’re prepared and keep bringing better race cars to the racetrack,” DiBenedetto said.

By Matt Crossman

NASCAR Wire Service

Kyle Larson’s Action-Packed Schedule isn’t Slowing

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Kyle Larson, the driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 11, 2017, in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

After a dominating win on Wednesday night at Knoxville Nationals, Kyle Larson faced a dilemma. He had qualified for the prestigious A-main finals of one of the premiere dirt races in the world. The problem was the race was set for Saturday night, and his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series forbids him from racing on dirt the day before he has to drive the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, be it qualifying, practice or the race. Continue reading →

Joey Logano and his Wife Brittany are Looking Forward to being Parents

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Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, walks through the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 11, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Joey Logano is on the outside looking in of the playoffs, and as such he has a lot on his mind. Shocks, springs, camber, downforce, diapers, dump trucks, ice cream cravings … Continue reading →