The NASCAR K&N Pro Series Trophy from Iowa Speedway for the winner of the East meets West combination event on Friday, July 26, 2019. Photo – Jay Husmann for Fan4Racing Blog and Radio
Unlike other sports, division rivalries are rare in auto racing. But the NASCAR K&N Pro Series has changed that, bringing the West and East together for combo events annually. With two of these joint events on the 2019 schedule, the first being at Iowa Speedway for the Casey’s General Store 150 for the 17th time, the potential impact on the respective championship campaigns is tremendous, not to mention the bragging rights that go along with it. At least until the second combo event in August at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.
(L-R) MSgt Craig Thurman chats with Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher with JTG Daugherty Racing about their partnership and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Camping World 400 race at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, June 30, 2019. Photo – Jay Husmann for Fan4Racing Blog and Radio
Jay Husmann spoke with MSgt Craig Thurman along with Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece with JGT Daugherty Racing at Chicagoland Speedway. Listen to Fan4Racing NASCAR & Race Talk Review on Monday, July 1, 2019, to hear the audio of their conversation.
Thanks to a partnership between the USO (United Service Organizations) and Maxwell House, United States Air Force MSgt Craig Thurman visited Chicagoland Speedway for the Camping World 400 as a VIP. Maxwell House sponsored the JTG Daugherty Racing No. 37 Chevrolet ZL1 Camaro of Chris Buescher in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series while the USO is an associate sponsor on both team cars, the No. 47 Kroger’s machine of rookie Ryan Preece as well. That deal included MSgt Thurman’s name on the right side just like the driver’s name on the left side.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr speaks with the media at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, June 29, 2019, prior to the Camping World 400 practice session. Photo – Jay Husmann for Fan4Racing Blog and Radio
Roush Fenway Racing driver, Ricky Stenhouse Jr picked up his first NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series win at Talladega in the spring of 2017 and followed it up with another victory at Daytona in July that same year. Since then, the No. 17 Fastenal Ford has been considered a favorite on the superspeedways but the Roush Fenway team is looking to elevate their entire program back to their championship contending form. It just takes steps and time.
Matt DiBenedetto on Pit Road at Chicagoland Speedway before the Camping World 400 NASCAR Cup Series practice on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Photo – Jay Husmann for Fan4Racing Blog and Radio.
Following the 2018 race season, Matt DiBenedetto’s fourth year competing at NASCAR’s top level, the Monster Energy Cup Series, he chose to leave the team he was with to essentially become a free agent. DiBenedetto had no other deal lined up or guaranteed but was placing a bet on himself that someone would pick him up. That team was the No. 95 of Leavine Family Racing, an organization that was looking to make some major changes to include a possible manufacturer change from Chevrolet to Toyota and an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing. When all the T’s were crossed and the I’s dotted, Matt DiBenedetto was set to embark on the best opportunity of his career.
Zane Smith driver of the No. 8 at JR Motorsports at Chicagoland Speedway, talking with his crew chief during Xfinity Series qualifying for the Camping World 300 on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Photo – Jay Husmann for Fan4Racing Blog and Radio
The NASCAR Xfinity Series has seen multiple drivers split seat time in a car, and even chase the owner’s championship. Normally it’s done with a rotation of Monster Energy Cup Series drivers and a veteran crew chief. JR Motorsports is choosing a different path for the drivers of the No. 8. While they have used a couple of Cup drivers like Chase Elliott and Ryan Preece, most of the schedule is covered by developing drivers like Jeb Burton, Ryan Truex, and Zane Smith, in the car for the Camping World 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday.
