Two-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch puts aside problems, focuses on Darlington win to reach playoffs
7 months ago

Two-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch puts aside problems, focuses on Darlington win to reach playoffs

Associated Press  

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kyle Busch has experienced a maddening, frustrating season so far that’s left the two-time Cup Series champion on the outside of a 12th straight NASCAR playoff appearance. “But that’s something that we can’t change.” Busch, who has not won in 46 races, nearly clinched his spot at Daytona last week, but lost out on a wild, final lap duel with Harrison Burton. “We’ll look to make that our motivation.” That won’t be easy at Darlington, where Busch had a seventh-place finish here in May 2023, his best showing since leaving Joe Gibbs Racing two seasons ago to join car owner Richard Childress. “Didn’t expect to be in this position.” Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain, both playoff drivers a year ago, are 17th and 18th on the grid with hopes to qualify on points Wallace got a boost heading into Sunday by winning the Southern 500 pole.

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History of this topic

AUTO RACING: Bell takes the overtime win in Atlanta while Palou sets up for a three-peat in IndyCar
1 month, 1 week ago

AUTO RACING: Bell takes the overtime win in Atlanta while Palou sets up for a three-peat in IndyCar

Associated Press  

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Site: Austin, Texas. Last race: Christopher Bell took his only lead in the final lap of the race, rallying past Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson in a stunning overtime win. Last race: Austin Hill captured his third straight win in Atlanta, leading the pack in 146 of the 163 laps. …

NASCAR heads into 2025 with plenty of storylines, none bigger than a lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan
1 month, 3 weeks ago

NASCAR heads into 2025 with plenty of storylines, none bigger than a lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan

Associated Press  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR has no shortage of storylines headed into its 76th season and the biggest one is the federal court showdown between the stock car series and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Jordan’s 23XI Cup Series team that he co-owns with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin didn’t like the terms of the take-it-or-leave-it charter offer …

NASCAR Cup Series playoff outlook after Atlanta: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney lead the field
6 months, 3 weeks ago

NASCAR Cup Series playoff outlook after Atlanta: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney lead the field

New York Times  

HAMPTON, Ga. — The big patch of gray tape across the door covering a gaping hole offered a surefire indicator of a day gone wrong. Blaney was enthused because his championship title defense took a big step forward in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He leaves Atlanta 45 points clear of the provisional cut line …

NASCAR Playoffs: Don’t look for surprises in the postseason as power programs dominate field
7 months ago

NASCAR Playoffs: Don’t look for surprises in the postseason as power programs dominate field

Associated Press  

DARLINGTON, S.C. — NASCAR’s regular season finished with a pair of surprises in winless drivers Harrison Burton and Chase Briscoe pulling off unexpected victories at Daytona and Darlington. Don’t look for more stunners when the playoffs start next week and NASCAR’s power programs, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske, dominate the grid with 11 of the 16 drivers …

2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: All 16 drivers and their chances to win the title
7 months ago

2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: All 16 drivers and their chances to win the title

New York Times  

DARLINGTON, S.C. — As the checkered flag of Sunday’s marathon Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway ended the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the “Lady in Black” put her own imprint on the playoff grid. Chase Elliott Rank: Seventh Playoff points: 14 Wins: One Best championship finish: First Why he can win: A year after failing to win a race and …

NASCAR at Darlington odds and expert predictions: Playoff position and regular season championship on the line
7 months ago

NASCAR at Darlington odds and expert predictions: Playoff position and regular season championship on the line

New York Times  

This is it, folks. A stunner at Daytona last week means a few NASCAR star drivers — Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain — are facing elimination and their final chance to hoist themselves above the cut line. We discuss the playoff picture, what chance drivers on the cut line really have, who we can expect to win the regular season …

2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule to shake up playoff tracks and more: Sources
7 months ago

2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule to shake up playoff tracks and more: Sources

New York Times  

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series will see the addition of two new venues, notable changes to the 10 tracks that determine the championship and multiple date changes within its regular season, according to a copy of the final version of the schedule obtained by The Athletic and verified by multiple sources briefed on the matter. Bowman Gray last hosted a …

NASCAR finalizing deal to add Mexico City to Cup Series in ’25 for first points race outside U.S. in 67 years: Sources
7 months, 1 week ago

NASCAR finalizing deal to add Mexico City to Cup Series in ’25 for first points race outside U.S. in 67 years: Sources

New York Times  

NASCAR is finalizing a deal to stage a Cup Series race in Mexico City in 2025, according to sources briefed on the decision but not authorized to speak publicly, bringing its premier circuit outside the U.S. for the first time in 67 years. According to those sources, the deal could be announced as soon as Tuesday in Mexico City at …

Former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. is nearly a lock to make the playoffs. It’s shaky for others
7 months, 1 week ago

Former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. is nearly a lock to make the playoffs. It’s shaky for others

Associated Press  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Martin Truex Jr. should feel safe heading to Darlington Raceway for the Cup Series’ regular-season finale. Truex has a strong grasp on one of the remaining three, so NASCAR essentially has two bids up for grabs at the “Track Too Tough to Tame.” It will make for an intriguing race next weekend, with Ty Gibbs, Chris …

Frustrated amid a winless season, two-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch says he ‘could legit win Daytona’
7 months, 1 week ago

Frustrated amid a winless season, two-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch says he ‘could legit win Daytona’

Associated Press  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Busch is masking his disappointment. “We could legit win Daytona,” Busch confidently said Thursday during a Zoom call, pointing to a 12th-place finish at the famed speedway in February, strong runs at similar tracks in Atlanta and Talladega and even a fourth-place showing last week at Michigan. “But I’ve been down before, although probably never …

NASCAR regular-season title and playoff spots at stake down the stretch at Daytona and Darlington
7 months, 1 week ago

NASCAR regular-season title and playoff spots at stake down the stretch at Daytona and Darlington

Associated Press  

BROOKLYN, Mich. — NASCAR has just two races remaining in the regular season and a pair of competitions are on the line. Tyler Reddick earned his second win of the season Monday at Michigan International Speedway, giving him the points lead in a closely contested, four-driver race for the regular-season championship. Reddick moved past Larson into the top spot in …

NASCAR Cup Series, Truck Series fire back up after 2 weeks off, F1, Larson wins in Sprint Cars
7 months, 3 weeks ago

NASCAR Cup Series, Truck Series fire back up after 2 weeks off, F1, Larson wins in Sprint Cars

Associated Press  

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Cook Out 400. Fast facts: NASCAR returns from a two-week, mid-summer break with the Olympics finishing up in Paris this weekend.. P oints leader Kyle Larson wasn’t going to stop racing despite NASCAR’s break and won a pair of sprint car races at Pevely, Missouri last weekend.. There are four races left in NASCAR’s …

Kyle Larson celebrates NASCAR playoff waiver with another win and the Cup Series points lead
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Kyle Larson celebrates NASCAR playoff waiver with another win and the Cup Series points lead

Associated Press  

SONOMA, Calif. — The Indianapolis 500 is over and the worried wait to see if Kyle Larson’s participation in that event would cost him a shot at winning a NASCAR championship has been resolved. “I didn’t see it affecting the majority of the team,” said Gordon, who added Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels allowed the Hendrick executives to handle …

Kyle Larson claims another NASCAR Cup win on his home track at Sonoma
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Kyle Larson claims another NASCAR Cup win on his home track at Sonoma

LA Times  

Kyle Larson celebrated NASCAR approving his participation in the playoffs with his third Cup victory of the season — a Sunday win at his home track. “So I was like, ‘Well, man, these guys are going to have to pit another time, maybe?’ Then we said we had to go race and pass these guys, I got a bit nervous.” …

Kyle Larson wins NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Kyle Larson wins NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway

New York Times  

SONOMA, Calif. — At this time last week, Kyle Larson had no idea whether he’d be eligible for NASCAR’s championship playoffs this fall. Larson blew past both controversy and the entire Cup field Sunday at Sonoma Raceway, using fresher tires to win at his home track for the second time. 🍷 pic.twitter.com/Osju9DhghD — NASCAR June 9, 2024 It was also …

Kyle Larson wins at Las Vegas for third time in his NASCAR Cup career
1 year, 1 month ago

Kyle Larson wins at Las Vegas for third time in his NASCAR Cup career

LA Times  

Kyle Larson won his second consecutive race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday to keep Chevrolet undefeated and give Hendrick Motorsports its second victory in the first three NASCAR Cup Series races of the season. Larson won for the third time in his career at Las Vegas, where in 2021 he got his first win driving for Hendrick following …

Suarez takes aim on NASCAR Cup Series championship run following important win in Atlanta
1 year, 1 month ago

Suarez takes aim on NASCAR Cup Series championship run following important win in Atlanta

Associated Press  

HAMPTON, Ga. — Daniel Suarez knows he will return to Atlanta Motor Speedway as a playoff contender on Sept. 8. Suarez also can count on retaining his spot on Trackhouse Racing’s team when the NASCAR Cup Series makes its 2025 stops in Atlanta. Suarez finished strong in his Chevrolet to narrowly beat Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in the closest …

Kyle Larson hoping to get the jump on weather and rivals in the Daytona 500
1 year, 1 month ago

Kyle Larson hoping to get the jump on weather and rivals in the Daytona 500

LA Times  

Kyle Larson hopes to break his 0-10 streak at the Daytona 500. “The Indy 500 is the biggest race in the world and you want to compete in the big ones,” Larson said. “I’ve always wanted to do the double because it’s a cool thing to try and accomplish, to finish both races in two different types of cars, two …

NASCAR Cup Series Championship: Our experts predict a winner, pick their favorite moments of the season and more
1 year, 5 months ago

NASCAR Cup Series Championship: Our experts predict a winner, pick their favorite moments of the season and more

New York Times  

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race is this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Jeff: Though NASCAR’s playoff format is complicated for newbies, the championship race is pretty simple: Whichever one of the four eligible drivers finishes ahead of the others is the champion. Jordan: Jeff’s detailed synopsis is excellent, so here is the Cliff Notes version: whomever is the highest finisher …

Top 5, Homestead: NASCAR playoffs get shaken up, track proves its worth again
1 year, 5 months ago

Top 5, Homestead: NASCAR playoffs get shaken up, track proves its worth again

New York Times  

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Five thoughts after Sunday’s Round 3 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway … 1. “You know if you have one bad race, especially in the Round of 8, you’re cooked,” Hamlin said. “There’s just so many variables involved in racing — in the mechanics of your car alone, let alone the other 38 cars out …

Top 5, Texas: Loyal fans, a key late spin, Kyle Larson’s crash, Hendrick’s 300th W
1 year, 6 months ago

Top 5, Texas: Loyal fans, a key late spin, Kyle Larson’s crash, Hendrick’s 300th W

New York Times  

FORT WORTH, Texas — Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway … 1. Taking Stock This season, Oakland A’s fans have held some “reverse boycotts” in which they show up in large numbers to remind everyone they support the team — even if they dislike the team owner. • If JJ Yeley doesn’t spin: …

2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: All 16 drivers and their chances to win the title
1 year, 7 months ago

2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: All 16 drivers and their chances to win the title

New York Times  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bubba Wallace is in, Chase Elliott is out. William Byron Rank: First Playoff points: 36 Wins: Five Best championship finish: Sixth Why he can win: There is a lot to like about Byron’s chances. Denny Hamlin Rank: Third Playoff points: 25 Wins: Two Best championship finish: Second Why he can win: The reasons are similar to …

Unapologetic Hamlin says NASCAR’s point system encourages in-race urgency and aggression
1 year, 8 months ago

Unapologetic Hamlin says NASCAR’s point system encourages in-race urgency and aggression

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — Denny Hamlin is not offering any apologies for the move he made last weekend at Pocono that caused Kyle Larson to hit the wall and let Hamlin sail on to victory. Larson, who said things are “fine” between he and Hamlin after they exchanged text messages Friday night, agreed that the point system encourages the aggressive approach …

Chase Elliott’s return highlights NASCAR Cup racers’ stop at Sonoma road course
1 year, 9 months ago

Chase Elliott’s return highlights NASCAR Cup racers’ stop at Sonoma road course

Associated Press  

SONOMA, Calif. — Chase Elliott is back from his suspension with an urgency to get in the win column and a few regrets about the state of his season so far. I feel like the objective is pretty straightforward for us.” At least the Cup Series’ most popular driver excels on road courses like Sonoma Raceway, where he has four …

Kyle Busch holds off Denny Hamlin for NASCAR Cup Series win outside St. Louis
1 year, 9 months ago

Kyle Busch holds off Denny Hamlin for NASCAR Cup Series win outside St. Louis

Associated Press  

MADISON, Ill. — Kyle Busch had been in and out of his car through a lengthy weather delay. Must have seemed like Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Race at World Wide Technology Raceway would never end. “Those last three or four or however many restarts, I thought that was pretty tough, but I knew he would do his job.” The win …

Ross Chastain learning to handle role as villain as NASCAR heads to Darlington
1 year, 10 months ago

Ross Chastain learning to handle role as villain as NASCAR heads to Darlington

Associated Press  

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Ross Chastain thinks things went too far last week in punching Noah Gragson in the pits at Kansas. “I’ve seen nothing from Ross that he is a dirty race driver whatsoever,” said Jarrett, who’ll be honored by Chastain’s car with a throwback, brown-and-white UPS paint scheme. “Guys on the opposite side of the track are saying it’s …

2023 NASCAR Driver Tiers, post-Talladega: Speedway chaos shakes up rankings
1 year, 11 months ago

2023 NASCAR Driver Tiers, post-Talladega: Speedway chaos shakes up rankings

New York Times  

Every week during the NASCAR Cup Series season, The Athletic will assess how full-time drivers stack up against one another. Although one good or bad week isn’t necessarily going to dramatically affect a driver’s ranking, there will be occasions where a driver may jump up considerably — for instance, someone unexpectedly winning a race, as we saw in the season-opening …

Top 5, COTA: NASCAR’s road-course restarts, Tyler Reddick and the ringers
2 years ago

Top 5, COTA: NASCAR’s road-course restarts, Tyler Reddick and the ringers

New York Times  

AUSTIN, Texas — Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR race at Circuit of the Americas … 1. Reddick explained it this way: He doesn’t have a certain driving style at road courses — primarily because each track is different — but rather a “method of approach.” In his head, he has a “ranking system” to identify the most important factors of …

AUTO RACING: NASCAR Texas-bound; IndyCar heads to Detroit
3 years, 9 months ago

AUTO RACING: NASCAR Texas-bound; IndyCar heads to Detroit

Associated Press  

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race Site: Fort Worth, Texas Schedule: Sunday, Open race, 6 p.m., and All-Star Race, 8 p.m. Track: Texas Motor Speedway Race distance: 50 laps, 75 miles; 100 laps, 150 miles Last year: Chase Elliott won the All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Online: http://www.nascar.com NASCAR XFINITY SERIES Alsco …

NASCAR's Kyle Larson wins first race since his nine-month ban for uttering a racial slur on live TV
4 years ago

NASCAR's Kyle Larson wins first race since his nine-month ban for uttering a racial slur on live TV

Daily Mail  

Nearly 11 months after being suspended and fired for saying a racial slur on live television, NASCAR driver Kyle Larson won Sunday's Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, and was quickly congratulated by the circuit's only black driver, Bubba Wallace. Nearly 11 months after being suspended and fired for saying a racial slur on live television, NASCAR driver Kyle Larson won …

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