NASCAR XFINITY Series News and Notes – Friday, June 24, 2016

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NASCAR XFINITY Series teams are taking a well-deserved break this weekend and will return to action next Friday, July 1st for 100 laps covering 250 miles in the Subway Firecracker 250 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. This marks the season debut for NBC Sports Network as they begin coverage at 7 pm ET with a green flag around 7:30 pm ET. Radio coverage is available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

Chase Outlook: The Skinny on Where the Winners Shake Out

A little down time due to the off-weekend provides the perfect setting to take a look ahead at the three drivers who have raced their way into the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase with wins – Erik Jones, Daniel Suárez and Elliott Sadler.

If the XFINITY Series Chase were to start today, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Erik Jones would be seeded in the No. 1 position. Jones is now seventh in the standings but has two wins at Bristol and Dover this season, giving him six bonus points once the Chase begins. JGR’s Sunoco Rookie candidate, Jones, has been quite impressive this season, posting five poles and a series leading eight top-fives. NASCAR Season-To-Date Loop Data also paints a more detailed picture of Jones’ success this season. He ranks second in driver rating (106.7), fourth in average running position (9.477) and third in fastest laps run (204 laps, 9.1%). Continue reading

Dominant Performance Leads Sam Hornish Jr to Victory at Iowa Speedway

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Sam Hornish Jr., who hadn’t been in a car in 210 days, gave himself the perfect Father’s Day present on Sunday – a dominant victory in the sixth annual NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen at Iowa Speedway.

Hornish, who last competed in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race last November at Homestead-Miami Speedway, received a call Monday from Joe Gibbs Racing to substitute for injured driver Matt Tifft. He made the most of the opportunity, picking up his fourth career XFINITY Series win and second at Iowa. Overall, it was JGR’s ninth triumph in 14 races this season. Continue reading

2014 Iowa Speedway Winner Sam Hornish Jr Returning to Newton

Photo - Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Hornish Jr. will look to defend his win against a stacked field in the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen 

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sam Hornish Jr. will make his way back to the world’s only 7/8-mile oval this weekend looking to repeat his 2014 win against another stacked field. Hornish Jr., driving the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18, will race in the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen on Sunday, June 19. It’ll be his first NASCAR race of 2016. 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

Joey Logano Completes Weekend Sweep with Sprint Cup Win at Watkins Glen

 

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A week after running out of fuel while leading with three laps left at Pocono, Joey Logano finished off an unprecedented weekend sweep at Watkins Glen International with his first road course victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Pressuring race leader Kevin Harvick over a 30-lap green-flag run to the finish of Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 at The Glen, Logano made the winning pass through the last two corners at the 2.45-mile road course as Harvick ran out of fuel in turn six. Continue reading