Author Archives: Steve Dando

Chase Elliott is Rising to Top with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR XFINITY Series

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Chase Elliott Photo - Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Chase Elliott Photo – Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

As a 19-year-old Georgia native, Chase Elliott is one of NASCAR’s brightest young stars. He’s consistently won at every level of motorsport from ARCA to the Camping World Truck Series.  As the son of NASCAR hall of fame driver Bill Elliott, winning may literally be in his DNA. As a racer, the young Elliott is mature, poised and humble. He is extremely honest with himself and is his own toughest critic.

This rare set of characteristics will serve him well in 2016, as he moves full-time into the Sprint Cup Series. Elliott is taking over driving duties in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet , now driven by four-time champion Jeff Gordon. He will have some big shoes to fill, but I feel the fast ‘young gun’ has the feet to fill them. Continue reading →

Darlington Raceway Celebrates their NASCAR History over Labor Day Weekend

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Photo – Getty Images

As the son of a history teacher and a fan of anything motorsport,  I find the idea of a ‘throw back’ Darlington race thrilling. This year’s race will feature  fourteen NASCAR Hall of Fame members in attendance, at least thirty-two retro inspired Sprint Cup cars, pit crews wearing and drivers wearing retro style clothing.  Goodyear Tire is even supplying a tire with the look of a ‘old school’ tire for the weekend. This race will be a ton of fun and I applaud the track, sponsors and drivers for putting on this retro themed event.

For  the first time since 2003, the Bojangles Southern 500 will be held on its traditional Labor Day weekend.   Continue reading →

What Fans Need to Know about Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

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For the 14th race of the Camping World Truck Series season, the drivers get down to business at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the Chevrolet Silverado 250. It is their only road course of the season. This world-class racetrack opened in 1961, with a win by Sir Sterling Moss – this is how corners 5A and 5B got their name – and has had no fewer than 16 formula 1 champions and ten Indy 500 winners that have graced the corners. Greats such as: A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Jackie Stewart and even ‘The King’ Richard Petty.

The track, a 2.459 mile, ten-turn asphalt road course has been host to: formula 1, IndyCar, United SportsCar and NASCAR.  2015 will be the Camping World Truck Series’ third visit to the track, which is one of the world’s fastest road courses. The inaugural race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was in 2013, becoming the first time in 13 years the series has raced on a road course. Continue reading →

Richmond 2013: The ‘Beginning of the End’ for Michael Waltrip Racing

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Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, speaks to the media during a press conference prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 21, 2015 Photo - Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, speaks to the media during a press conference before a practice session for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 21, 2015 Photo – Tom Pennington/Getty Images

A business-like, perhaps even somber, Clint Bowyer walked into the press room to discuss the closing of Michael Waltrip Racing at the end of the 2015 season. The 36-year-old driver, who is only eight months into a three-year contract is now a free agent. Bowyer feels that although the future holds a lot of unknowns, he appreciates his time at the company. Continue reading →