Author Archives: NASCAR Wire Staff Report

Hemric, Nemechek on Verge of Chase Elimination

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Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

Daniel Hemric and John Hunter Nemechek have plenty of work to do to advance in the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase.

The two drivers are each 15 points below the cutoff line heading into the final race of the Chase’s Round of 8 – Saturday’s Fred’s 250 at Talladega Superspeedway at 1 pm ET on FOX. If they cannot make up the ground at Talladega, they will be dropped from the championship hunt.

Hemric boasts five top-three finishes in his last six starts, including two runner-up showings, but lost ground in the Chase with his 28th-place performance at New Hampshire in that stretch. In his lone start at Talladega last season, he placed 28th. Continue reading →

Rookie Sensation Elliott Needs Win at Talladega

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Photo - Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Photo – Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Positioned last on the Chase Grid, a hefty 25 points below the cutoff line in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Chase Elliott needs a win in the worst way.

The problem: He’s never visited Victory Lane in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

To advance in his quest for the championship, Elliott virtually must earn his first win in Sunday’s Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway at 2 pm  ET on NBCSN. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year frontrunner finished fifth from the pole at the 2.66-mile behemoth in his lone start there in May. Although Elliott hasn’t won a race, he’s shown he’s a contender every week and had near misses in both Michigan races and at Pocono in June. Continue reading →

PEAK Becomes Title Sponsor of NASCAR Mexico Series

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Steve O’Donnell (NASCAR, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer) and Daniel Suarez (NASCAR XFINITY Series, No. 19 ARRIS Toyota with Joe Gibbs Racing) pose during the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series announcement at the InterContinental Presidente Hotel in Mexico City on October 18, 2016. Photo - Getty Images

Steve O’Donnell (NASCAR, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer) and Daniel Suarez (NASCAR XFINITY Series, No. 19 ARRIS Toyota with Joe Gibbs Racing) pose during the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series announcement at the InterContinental Presidente Hotel in Mexico City on October 18, 2016. Photo – Getty Images

NASCAR announced on Tuesday, a multi-year agreement with Old World Industries (OWI) to make PEAK title sponsor of the NASCAR Mexico Series, which will run a full slate of races in 2017 and ensuing seasons.

The NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series will kick off with an exhibition race on Dec. 3-4 in Mexico City. Its tenth season will begin in 2017 with a full championship schedule that will be announced at a later date. Continue reading →

Chase Elliott Reflects on Rookie Sprint Cup Season before Crucial Mid-Way Point in The Chase

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Photo - Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

All eyes were on rookie NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, Chase Elliott, before he ever gripped the wheel of the famed No. 24 Chevrolet this season. As the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott and the successor of four-time champion Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports in the 24, the shadows of past racing legends and fan expectations loomed for the young talent even during his reign as the 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion.

The younger Elliott grew up racing go-karts and late models while watching his father compete in NASCAR-sanctioned events long after his 1988 championship. But for the 20-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia, native, the realization that the baton had officially been passed didn’t set in until he headed to Daytona International Speedway in early 2016. Continue reading →

Harvick Needs Stellar Performance at Kansas

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Photo - Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

It’s happened again.

Kevin Harvick finds himself in poor position in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup following his 38th-place finish at Charlotte, caused by a blown engine.

He’s been able to overcome Chase adversity by winning in a dire situation in each of the past three seasons: New Hampshire this year, Dover last season when he finished championship runner-up and Phoenix in 2014 on his way to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Continue reading →