NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News and Notes – Friday, June 17, 2016

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F4R-SCS-News-Notes

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams are on a well-deserved break this weekend and will return to action Sunday, June 26th at Sonoma Raceway for the Save Mart 350. Television coverage starts at 2 pm ET on FOX Sports 1 with the green flag waving at around 3 pm ET for 110 laps covering 218.9 miles on the California road course. Radio coverage is on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

Logano Captures First Win of Season; Becomes Tenth Different Race Winner

Joey Logano led 138-of-200 laps on his way to Victory Lane in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway for his first win of the 2016 season.
The No. 22 Team Penske Ford driver became the tenth different winner in 15 races this year and posted a near-perfect 149.2 driver rating. His triumph marked the 100th victory for Roush-Yates Engines. Continue reading

Strong Weekend for Tony Stewart Thwarted by Crash

Photo - Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Looking the best since returning to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series scene last month, Tony Stewart saw a strong run in Monday’s Axalta ‘We Paint Winners’ 400 come to a crashing halt just past the halfway point.

Stewart, who started a season-best sixth easily contended for a top-ten finish, but following a debris caution in turn two on Lap 88, his strong day quickly unraveled. Continue reading

Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kyle Busch Prevail in Can-Am Duel at Daytona

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Retaking the lead with five laps left in the first of Thursday night’s Can-Am Duel 150-mile qualifying races, Dale Earnhardt Jr. cruised to a dominating victory and grabbed the third staring spot for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

In the second Duel, reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kyle Busch took the checkered flag under caution after a wild last-lap wreck took out the cars of Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, AJ Allmendinger and Danica Patrick and damaged the No. 41 Chevrolet of Kurt Busch.

Kenseth will go to a backup car and start from the rear in the Daytona 500, surrendering the second starting spot he earned during last Sunday’s time trials. Continue reading

Brian Vickers: The Forgotten Michael Waltrip Racing Driver

Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

Since Michael Waltrip Racing announced they were closing their doors back in August, we knew a lot of crew members and other employees would be out of work once the season ended. The organization allowed drivers Clint Bowyer and David Ragan to find rides elsewhere even during the season. So far, Bowyer has signed a one-year deal with HScott Motorsports in 2016 while being the replacement driver in waiting for Tony Stewart in 2017. As of now, Ragan is still looking for a new ride. 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