Matt Kenseth Dominates at Richmond as Chase Field is Set

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Joe Gibbs Racing brought guns to a knife fight on Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.

But Joe Gibbs Racing’s Matt Kenseth did his teammates one better — he brought a howitzer.

Leading 352 of 400 laps in a race he owned from the outset, Kenseth pulled away from Kyle Busch after a restart with 18 laps left and won the Federated Auto Parts 400 by 0.951 seconds over his teammate.

Kenseth’s fourth victory of the season, tying him for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series lead with Jimmie Johnson and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch, meant the 16 drivers who started the race in playoff-eligible positions stayed there. 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

Darlington Raceway Celebrates their NASCAR History over Labor Day Weekend

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Photo – Getty Images

As the son of a history teacher and a fan of anything motorsport,  I find the idea of a ‘throw back’ Darlington race thrilling. This year’s race will feature  fourteen NASCAR Hall of Fame members in attendance, at least thirty-two retro inspired Sprint Cup cars, pit crews wearing and drivers wearing retro style clothing.  Goodyear Tire is even supplying a tire with the look of a ‘old school’ tire for the weekend. This race will be a ton of fun and I applaud the track, sponsors and drivers for putting on this retro themed event.

For  the first time since 2003, the Bojangles Southern 500 will be held on its traditional Labor Day weekend.   Continue reading

Brendan Gaughan is Aiming to Make History with Back-to-Back Victories at Road America

Photo - Courtesy of Road America
Photo – Courtesy of Road America

Will Brendan Gaughan defy the history of five different winners in five races at Road America this weekend to become first NASCAR XFINITY Series driver with back-to-back wins?

There is plenty of evidence that says Gaughan’s chances of winning the Road America 180 Fired Up by Johnsonville are in his favor with the state of Wisconsin becoming his ‘happy place.’

As the 2014 defending winner, Gaughan has some impressive victories in the state, making him the envy of the series drivers racing at Road America this weekend. Gaughan has victories at three major venues in Wisconsin with different configurations between the tracks making those wins an amazing accomplishment.
Continue reading

Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Night Tools Race at Bristol Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: IRWIN Tools Night Race

The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway

The Date: Saturday, Aug. 22

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

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

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 266.5 miles (500 laps)

 

Straight Outta Michigan: Kenseth Shows He’s Championship Contender

Matt Kenseth is showing the speed of bona fide Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship contender.

The No. 20 Toyota driver notched his second win in the last three races after visiting Victory Lane at Michigan International Speedway. On Kenseth’s way to the win – he led 146 of 200 laps – the most led on a track longer than a mile since Jimmie Johnson paced the field for 255 go-arounds at Texas on November 3, 2013. Kenseth’s three victories are the third-most in the Sprint Cup Series. He has nine bonus points for the Challenger Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup (one for each win) and ranks third on the Chase Grid. Continue reading