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Jimmie Johnson Triumphs at Charlotte as Five Chase Drivers Fall on Hard Times

NASCAR NASCAR Wire Service Sprint Cup Series Track News

After Sunday’s victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson can proclaim justifiably ‘The Boys are Back in Town.’

But for five other Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, all of whom finished 30th or worse in the rain-delayed Bank of America 500, the race ended in a medley of dire straits.

Taking the lead from Matt Kenseth after a restart on lap 317 of 334, Johnson pulled away to win by 1.474 seconds over the driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Johnson put his No. 48 Chevrolet in Victory Lane for the third time this season, the eighth time at Charlotte – the third since the repaving of the track in March 2006 – and the 78th time in his career. Continue reading →

Rain Forces Postponement of Charlotte Chase Races to Sunday

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Photo - Getty Images
Photo – Getty Images

Persistent rain, a far-reaching effect of Hurricane Matthew, and a deteriorating forecast have forced postponement of the Bank of America 500 from Saturday night to Sunday at noon.

NBC will broadcast the first race in the Round of 12 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive for the Cure 300, originally scheduled for Friday night, will run after the conclusion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and will be televised on NBCSN. Continue reading →

Penske Teammates aren’t Worried about Lack of Practice Time at Charlotte

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Photo - Getty Images
Photo – Getty Images

With all track activity canceled because of rain on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway – a far-reaching effect of Hurricane Matthew – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers won’t have an opportunity to practice between Thursday evening’s knockout qualifying session and Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 (7 p.m. ET on NBC).

No problem, according to Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, both exuding confidence entering the first race of the Round of 12 in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. After all, both drivers spent the vast majority of Thursday’s opening practice in race trim, anticipating the rain. Continue reading →

Kyle Busch Optimistic about his Chances at Charlotte

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Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries/ABC Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 6, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo - Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries/ABC Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 6, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Kyle Busch has won a points race at every active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series track with only two exceptions: Pocono and Charlotte.

But that could change on Saturday night – at Charlotte, at least – If Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota lives up to the expectations of the defending series champion. Even though Busch has never won in 25 starts at Charlotte, he’s always been quick under the lights at the 1.5-mile track. Continue reading →