Tag Archives: Kentucky Speedway

O’Donnell ‘a Little Disappointed’ in Keselowski’s Post-Race Comments

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Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell responded to Brad Keselowski’s Saturday comments following a wreck at Kentucky Speedway, saying he was “a little disappointed” in the remarks from the 2012 series champion.

Keselowski, after a wreck that ended his night early, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio he was “frustrated” after his early exit.

“I am probably as much frustrated with myself as I am frustrated with the situation and frustrated with the sport that we can’t design a better car than this that you can race without having to do everything on the restart,” he said at the time. “That is all part of it I guess. It is where we are right now.”

“I was a little disappointed in the comment for sure,” O’Donnell told hosts Mike Bagley and Pete Pistone. “Brad’s a leader in our sport. I understand it was heat of the moment, but definitely disappointing to see that.”

The Generation-6 stock car was introduced for the 2013 season, with key improvements from its predecessor in the way of brand identity, safety enhancements and total weight.

NASCAR has experimented with different rules packages since the introduction in an effort to produce the best side-by-side racing. Currently, the 2017 rules package focuses on a further reduction of downforce (namely a smaller spoiler) and additional safety enhancements.

“My immediate (feedback) is Brad Keselowski had input on this rules package,” O’Donnell said. “I think he was frustrated, he had a tough night. The cars are supposed to be hard to drive. These are the best drivers in the world.

“I chalk that up with frustration, heat of the moment. But, yeah, we always work on improve the racing. We are working, as we always do, with the industry to put together what could be that future car, but that’s down the road. That’s years in the making.”

Later, Keselowski backed off his initial statements, sending a message on social media following Saturday’s race.

The Tire Dragon is the Lap Leader at Kentucky Speedway

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The Tire Dragon similar to this one used at Kansas Speedway was used overtime at Kentucky Speedway this weekend Photo – Getty Images

Kentucky Speedway had the ‘Tire Dragon’ working overtime on Saturday.

The unique vehicle, whose purpose is to put an extra layer of rubber on the asphalt racing surface, worked the middle groove before Saturday’s rain-delayed Alsco 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race. Continue reading →

Kyle Larson’s Versatility Impresses Ricky Stenhouse Jr

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Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, waits for the start of practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2017 in Sparta, Kentucky. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. come to NASCAR racing from similar backgrounds – specifically, open-wheel sprint cars.

And both Larson and Stenhouse have two victories so far this season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Larson at the two two-mile tracks (Fontana and Michigan) and Stenhouse at the two restrictor-plate superspeedways (Talladega and Daytona). Continue reading →

Martin Truex Jr. Survives Overtime Restart on Old Tires to Win at Kentucky

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After all was said and done, the dominant car won the race – but not without extreme complications.

With just over a lap to go in Saturday night’s Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, Martin Truex Jr. held a lead of more than 15 seconds over second-place Kyle Larson, with only eight cars remaining on the lead lap. Continue reading →

Kyle Busch Outruns Charging Ryan Blaney for 88th NASCAR XFINITY Win

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As Kyle Busch spun his No. 18 Toyota wildly during his celebratory burnout at Kentucky Speedway, the right rear tire exploded with an audible pop after it hit the drain below the apron.

It was an astute call by crew chief Eric Phillips that enabled Busch’s tires to survive long enough to win Saturday afternoon’s rain-delayed Alsco 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at the 1.5-mile track. Continue reading →