Joey Logano Wins at Charlotte to Advance in NASCAR’s Chase

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Congratulations, Joey Logano. You just drew the first get-out-of jail-free card for Talladega.

With a dominating victory in Sunday’s rain-delayed Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Logano punched an early bird ticket to the Eliminator Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Now Logano can take a carefree trip to unpredictable Talladega two weeks hence. The same can’t be said for three of the sports superstars. Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch all had major issues at Charlotte and will have to rebound in the remaining two races of the Contender Round to keep their title hopes alive.

Logano’s No. 22 Team Penske Ford led 227 of the 334 laps and crossed the finish line 0.703 seconds ahead of Kevin Harvick, who posted his 11th runner-up finish of the season to go with three victories.

The win was Logano’s fourth of the season, his first at Charlotte and the 12th of his career. Most important, however, was the free pass into the Eliminator Round. Continue reading

Kevin Harvick Dominates Dover to Preserve Sprint Cup Title Hopes

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By Jove, he’s done it again!

Forced to win at Dover International Speedway to keep his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship hopes alive Sunday, Kevin Harvick did just that, dominating Sunday’s AAA 400 to stave off elimination from the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

In a virtual carbon copy of last year’s Chase race at Phoenix, where the 2014 premier series champion had to win to advance to the Championship Round at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Harvick led 355 of 400 laps – a career best at any track – in winning for the third time this year and the 31st time in his career.

“I think we’re better than we were last year, just because of the experiences and things that we’ve had,” Harvick said after the race. “I think when we look at everything that’s gone on over the last couple of years, it’s just been a lot of fun.

“So, it’s just that never-quit attitude. That’s what (team co-owner) Tony Stewart said when we went to Homestead last year. He said, ‘Whatever you do, do not quit until they throw that checkered flag.’”

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: AAA 400

The Place: Dover International Speedway

The Date: Sunday, Oct. 4

The Time: 2:30 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBCSN, 2 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 400 miles (400 laps)

 

Harvick on the Ropes Heading into Dover

Defending champion Kevin Harvick has two options heading into Sunday’s AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway – the first cutoff race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – win or go home.

The No. 4 Chevrolet driver ranks 15th out of 16 drivers on the Chase Grid and sits 23 points below 12th-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the cutoff line. He mathematically can still make the Contender Round on points, but it would be a tough task, requiring him to jump three drivers.

Basically, if Harvick doesn’t visit Victory Lane, he is out of NASCAR’s playoffs as one of the four winless drivers lowest in points. 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 Camping World Truck Series UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Preview

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NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Next Race: UNOH 175

The Place: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

The Date: Saturday, Sept. 26

The Time: 1 p.m. (ET)

TV: FS1, 12:30 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 185.15 miles (175 laps)

 

Truck Series Set to Run 500th Race

311888The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will run its 500th race this weekend – Saturday’s UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Camping World Truck Series began in 1995 and is in its 21st season of operation. Ron Hornaday Jr. has won the most Camping World Truck Series championships with four and 51 races. Mike Skinner earned the first series titles driving for legendary owner Richard Childress. Throughout its existence, many NASCAR stars have started their careers in the Camping World Truck Series, including Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Challengers Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Jamie McMurray and Brad Keselowski. Continue reading