NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: Hollywood Casino 400

The Place: Kansas Speedway

The Date: Sunday, Oct. 18

The Time: 2:15 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBC, 1:30 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 400.5 miles (267 laps)

 

Logano Advances to Eliminator 8 Round with Win at Charlotte

Joey Logano led 227-of-334 laps on his way to Victory Lane in Sunday’s Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway to become the first driver to advance to the Eliminator 8 Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The No. 22 Ford driver becomes a member of the Eliminator 8 by winning the Contender Round opener for the second straight season. Last year, he won the first Contender Round race at Kansas Speedway – the site of Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400. In 12 starts at Kansas, Logano owns one win, four top-fives and four top-tens. He has logged a top-five showing in his last four starts at the 1.5-mile track.

Logano’s checkered flag was his first at Charlotte. His previous best Queen City finish was third in 2011.

On the season, Logano ranks tied with Kevin Harvick for the Sprint Cup Series lead in top-tens with 24. His five Coors Light Pole Awards are the most in the series. Continue reading

Fuel Shortage Puts Harvick in Dire Straits, Kenseth in Victory Lane

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Kevin Harvick clarified his championship status on Sunday—but not the way he had planned.

After dominating the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for most of the afternoon, Harvick ran out of fuel while leading on lap 298 of 300, handing the top spot and the victory to Matt Kenseth, who joined teammate Denny Hamlin as an automatic qualifier for the Contender Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Despite leading 216 laps on Sunday, Harvick, the defending series champion, heads to next Sunday’s Chase race at Dover almost certainly needing a victory at a track where he has never won, to escape the Challenger Round of the Chase and keep his title hopes alive.

Kenseth, who came to pit road for fuel and tires on lap 239, triumphed for the fifth time this season (tops in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series), for the second time at the Magic Mile and for the 36th time in his career. He finished 8.941 seconds ahead of Hamlin, who nursed his car to a runner-up finish despite a late-race issue with the right front wheel. Continue reading

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: Sylvania 300

The Place: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

The Date: Sunday, Sept. 27

The Time: 2 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBCSN, 1:30 p.m. (ET)

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 317.14 miles (300 laps)

 

Gordon Set to Become NASCAR’s All-Time Consecutive Starts Leader

When Jeff Gordon starts his engine in Sunday’s Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, he will pass Ricky Rudd as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series consecutive starts leader by beginning his 789th straight race.

NASCAR’s new Iron Man has not missed a start since making his series debut at Atlanta on Nov. 15, 1992 – a span of 22 years, 10 months and 12 days. 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 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