Austin Dillon Prevails as Truck Series Reaches Major Milestone

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The milestone 500th race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series produced important ‘firsts’ for two key figures on the winning team.

When Austin Dillon took the checkered flag in Saturday’s UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, he delivered the first victory in the series to both team owner Maurice Gallagher of GMS Racing and to crew chief Shane Huffmann.

Dillon pulled away after a restart on lap 167 of 175, a resumption that followed the sixth caution of the race, for Tyler Reddick’s spin off turn two on lap 161. Dillon, who had stayed out on older tires while most other lead-lap trucks came to pit road under caution on lap 142, crossed the finish line 1.054 seconds ahead of two-time defending series champion Matt Crafton. Continue reading

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: Federated Auto Parts 400

The Place: Richmond International Raceway

The Date: Saturday, Sept. 12

The Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBCSN, 7 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 300 miles (400 laps)

Chase Clinch Scenarios for Richmond

Jamie McMurray will lock up his first career Chase berth simply by starting the race on Saturday night. For three others, it’s a little tougher – but certainly doable. Ryan Newman clinches by finishing 31st or better; Jeff Gordon by finishing 17th or better; and Paul Menard by finishing ninth or better – and that’s all regardless of who wins the race. If there’s a repeat winner, the scenarios become less daunting. For winless drivers beyond Menard, there will be some frayed nerves. If there’s a repeat winner, Clint Bowyer is in good shape, needing only a finish of 28th or better. For those winless drivers lower in points than Bowyer, a Richmond win is realistically the only path to the Chase.

Here’s a full look at the Chase clinch scenarios for Saturday night’s race:

Regardless of Who Wins at Richmond…

Jamie McMurray clinches by starting the race.

Ryan Newman clinches by finishing 31st or better; 32nd with at least one lap led; or 33rd with the most laps led.

Jeff Gordon clinches by finishing 17th or better; 18th with at least one lap led; or 19th with the most laps led.

Paul Menard clinches by finishing ninth or better; tenth with at least one lap led; or 11th with the most laps led. Continue reading

NASCAR XFINITY Series Virginia529 College Savings 250 at Richmond Preview

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NASCAR XFINITY Series

Next Race: Virginia529 College Savings 250

The Place: Richmond International Raceway

The Date: Friday, Sept. 11

The Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBCSN, 7 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 187.5 miles (250 laps)

Buescher Commands Championship Lead with Nine Races Remaining

After watching his point lead dwindle for three consecutive weeks in August, Roush Fenway Racing’s Chris Buescher needed to turn up the heat at Darlington.

And he succeeded.

Buescher placed fifth for his 11th top-five this season, while his closest championship contender – Ty Dillon – finished 15th. He now leads second-place Dillon by 29 points and third-place Chase Elliott by 35 points.

On Friday, the 22-year-old Texan returns to the site of his worst finish of the 2015 season – Richmond International Raceway where he finished 20th in April – for the Virginia529 College Savings 250. In four career starts at Richmond, Buescher has two top-ten finishes with a best result of seventh last spring. 

Meet Virginia: Sadler, McClure Right at Home at RIR

Local fans will likely cheer for two drivers entered in the Virginia529 College Savings 250 who have their home state recorded as Virginia – Elliott Sadler and Eric McClure.

Sadler, currently fifth in the XFINITY Series standings, hails just down the road from Richmond International Raceway in Emporia, Virginia. He is searching for his first win this season, but has four top-five and 12 top-ten finishes in 24 starts. Sadler has never won a national series race in his home state. In 24 XFINITY Series starts at Richmond, he claims two top-five and ten top-ten finishes.
McClure calls Chilhowie, Virginia home. He has competed in all 24 XFINITY Series races this season with a highest finish of 17th at Daytona. Continue reading

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: Bojangles’ Southern 500

The Place: Darlington Raceway

The Date: Sunday, Sept. 6

The Time: 7 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBC, 7 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 501.3 miles (367 laps)

 

Darlington Not ‘Too Tough to Tame’ for Gordon

Making his last start at Darlington Sunday in the Bojangles’ Southern 500, Jeff Gordon will attempt to add to his active record of seven wins at the track ‘Too Tough To Tame.’ Continue reading

Matt Kenseth Cruises to Dominant Sprint Cup Victory at Michigan

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From Matt Kenseth’s point of view, the competition package NASCAR used at Michigan International Speedway could well have had a big, bright bow on it.

The Coors Light Polesitter for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Kenseth quickly exhibited his mastery of the high-drag aerodynamic package, leading 146 of 200 laps in winning for the third time this season, the third time at Michigan and the 34th time in his career.

The 2003 premier series champion had to survive a restart with 13 laps left, after Jimmie Johnson spun off turn four to cause the eighth and last caution of the race. With a push from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, Kenseth cleared Kevin Harvick after the lap 187 restart and went on to win by 1.722 seconds. Continue reading