Month: August 2024

NASCAR expert Taylor Kitchen clarified that Kyle Busch’s loss at Daytona should not be blamed on Parker Retzlaff. She emphasized that the Beard Motorsports driver was in a position where he couldn’t have assisted the Richard Childress Racing driver, as Christopher Bell was already positioned on the inside line behind Busch’s #8 Chevy.

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 marked the 25th race in the Cup Series and was filled with numerous collisions and cautions during its second and final stages. This led to Busch and Harrison Burton securing the front-row positions, with Bell and Retzlaff right behind them.

As Busch crossed the white flag in the lead, he was on the verge of clinching his first victory of the season, with Burton trailing in second. However, Burton received a push from Retzlaff’s #62 Chevy, which helped him gain momentum against the two-time Cup Series champion. Despite Busch’s efforts to use the draft, he couldn’t create enough distance to reclaim the lead from Burton’s #21 Ford.

Consequently, the WBR driver secured his playoff spot, while the RCR driver found himself in a must-win situation to qualify. In light of the playoff implications, an X (formerly Twitter) user commented.

Chevy/RCR expressed frustration towards Parker Retzlaff on Saturday night at Daytona for not assisting Kyle Busch in securing the victory.

In response, Taylor Kitchen pointed out the order of the overtime restart, stating:

“The choose order was Kyle Busch, Harrison Burton, Christopher Bell, and then Parker Retzlaff. Bell opted for the inside line right behind Busch. At that moment, there was really nothing Parker Retzlaff could have done to aid the No. 8 without compromising the safety of his fellow competitors and the integrity of his own position in the race.”

If Kyle Busch does not qualify for the playoffs, it will mark the first time since his full-time entry into the series in 2005 that he won’t be contending for the Cup Series title.

“I didn’t plan on pushing a Ford to victory,” Parker Retzlaff remarked regarding the last-lap situation at Daytona.

According to Taylor Kitchen, Parker Retzlaff was in a position where he couldn’t safely assist Kyle Busch in winning. The rookie Cup Series driver, who was participating in his second race at Daytona, faced criticism for his actions on the final lap. However, many within the NASCAR community came to his defense, including Denny Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart, Jeff Gluck from The Athletic, and the iconic Dale Earnhardt Jr., among others.

Retzlaff elaborated on his last-lap maneuver, expressing his disappointment with how the race ended. The 21-year-old emphasized his desire to secure the best possible outcome for his sponsor, FunkAway, especially since the Coke Zero Sugar 400 marked their inaugural Cup Series event. He shared his thoughts during an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio:

“I didn’t intend to push a Ford to victory, but FunkAway has been my supporter for the past two years in NASCAR, and this was their first Cup race. I wanted to do everything I could to deliver a strong result and make a name for myself. The way the race concluded wasn’t what I had hoped for, pushing a Ford, but I also didn’t want to compromise a good result for FunkAway, given their support.” [00:19]

In other news, the Final Appeals Officer has confirmed Austin Dillon’s penalty, putting both RCR drivers in a must-win scenario, though only one can advance to the playoffs.

Daniel Suarez  was sworn in this week and became a  citizen of the United  States, then  he was treated to a  surprising confession  by his  mother

The Monterrey,  Mexico, resident was told that he  was almost  American  by birth. Suarez’s parents flirted with the idea of  moving to America  before his  birth in 1992  and gave birth  to the future NASCAR star  in the  United States.

The problem was that the cost was too  prohibitive, so the idea was  abandoned. “In Mexico, I  don’t know  how expensive it was, but it was  cheaper,” Suarez  said with a laugh. “It’s really funny how my parents,  before I was born,  thought that if I was born in the United States, I  would have more opportunities. They  didn’t.”And now I  think I did it my  way Suarez actually made his  way and was one of 48 citizens representing 28 countries  to take the oath at the  local US Citizenship and Immigration Services  office in Charlotte, North  Carolina.

“The most special  thing is seeing so many people  out there,” Suarez said Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
I  didn’t expect to see so many  people.

His girlfriend, Julia Piquet, members of his Trackhouse Racing  team and even NASCAR president Steve Phelps were among  those in attendance to see Suarez, 32, complete his journey  to become a US citizen  (will have dual  citizenship). with Mexico). Phelps was a surprise guest and delivered the keynote  address at the naturalization  ceremony. “I didn’t think  a lot of people  would really  care,” Suarez said.

“A lot of people were really interested in it.” Suarez never  considered becoming an American citizen  because he grew up in Mexico. He just wanted to  race. His father packed his car and trailer with  karting  equipment of Suarez for the  United States the first time  they  went to Las Vegas for an  event.At just 12 years old, Suarez finished strong enough to  entertain the idea  that he  might have some sort of racing career.

While the  young Suarez  had a passion for stock cars, Alejandro Suarez knew he needed to raise the  large amount of money needed to support this  expensive new venture. He sold his  car restoration business and  Suarez’s stock car career  quickly took off in Mexico. Suarez  competed in  the NASCAR Mexico  Series (he won five times in 2014) and  the low-level  NASCAR K&N Pro  East Series, and  became a  teenage sensation  in his home country. After a move to the  United States  – which included  an internship in Buffalo, New York  – he landed a  position in NASCAR.

He won the  title of the second division of the Xfinity Series  in 2016  – El campeon!  – and became the first foreign  national champion  of the NASCAR  series. Suarez has two career Cup wins  – including the closest finish ever at Atlanta Motor Speedway. As he  climbed the NASCAR ranks, Suarez  focused first  on his career  rather than  his citizenship. “It wasn’t a dream  for me,” Suarez said.  “I came to this country to  compete and  be in the competition. I  worked hard to  take the next step and be more competitive. In  the blink of an eye,  I’ve been  here  for 12  years.”How Suarez has grew up, he  understood the  importance of becoming a  citizen.About six years ago, Suarez  decided to start the process that would make him an  American.He was  interviewed by his team in April  during the Dover race weekend  his citizenship test on  Monday.

He  pressed.”If something bad happened to  me on the  road, an  accident. , something, with a green  card could  be deported at any  time,” said Suarez. “I felt  that it was the right time to start this process.  Little by little I have more and more  responsibility in my life. It was the right time to feel more  secure, to feel that I belong  here.” He will get married next month in Brazil and  maybe , in the next few years,  he will start a  family.

First he  must go to the  altar.” At the moment, I  can ” Do not leave the  country “, said Suarez. “I don’t have my green card and I  don’t have my American  passport. Julia was working  hard trying to  get my American passport  so I can get married next month in Brazil. I  said, “Hey, if you want to marry me,  you have to help  me.”

Harrison Burton’s racing career has just taken a significant leap forward, thanks to a surprising victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. This win has transformed Burton’s season, moving him from a challenging position near the bottom of the Cup Series standings into the center of crucial contract negotiations with Kaulig Racing for the 2025 season.

This unexpected triumph has not only revitalized Burton’s confidence but has also dramatically increased his visibility within the NASCAR community. Previously struggling to establish himself, this victory comes at an ideal moment, thrusting him into the limelight as he contemplates his next career moves.

Kaulig Racing, recognized for its competitive spirit and ambitious expansion plans in NASCAR, has expressed strong interest in signing the young driver. Chris Rice, President of Kaulig Racing, confirmed in an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that they are actively engaged in talks with Burton, as reported by Motorsports Wire.

The timing of this opportunity seems perfect for both Burton and Kaulig Racing. The team has potential openings in their NASCAR Xfinity Series and possibly in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025. Specifically, the No. 16 car in the Xfinity Series is available, and there are questions surrounding the future of the No. 31 car in the Cup Series, particularly with Daniel Hemric’s status uncertain. Burton could be an excellent fit for one of these seats, providing him with a fresh start and an opportunity to build on his Daytona success.

Burton reflected on his emotional victory at Daytona during an interview with NASCAR.com, saying, “I cried the whole victory lap. I obviously got fired from this job and wanted to do everything for the Wood Brothers I could. They’ve given me an amazing opportunity in life, and to give them the 100th [win] on my way out is amazing. We’re in the playoffs now. Let’s go to Darlington and see what happens.”

This win not only enhances Burton’s reputation but also makes him a more appealing option for potential sponsors, further increasing his value to teams like Kaulig Racing. As a Cup Series winner, Burton now has the momentum to shape a successful future in NASCAR, with contract discussions likely to attract considerable attention.

As Burton sets his sights on Darlington and beyond, the question remains: could he become the newest addition to Kaulig Racing’s lineup? One thing is clear—his NASCAR journey just became a lot more intriguing. Stay tuned as this story unfolds.

Starting strong in the Cup Series is no easy feat. When Kyle Larson debuted in 2013, his early performance was underwhelming, lacking both top-five and top-ten finishes. However, with persistence and the right team, Larson’s fortunes changed dramatically, especially after joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2020. Martin Truex Jr.’s career trajectory was similar—his first decade in the series was mostly forgettable until a pivotal move to Furniture Row Racing transformed his career. These stories suggest that finding the right team can be crucial for a driver’s success, and this might also be true for Zane Smith.

Despite being a rookie in the Cup Series, Smith has shown promise this year, including a top-ten finish in Michigan. He narrowly missed out on a victory in Nashville, finishing just seconds behind Joey Logano. Meanwhile, rumors are swirling about Smith’s future, alongside speculations that Riley Herbst might join 23XI Racing.

So, is Zane Smith on the verge of joining a new Cup Series team? Jerry Freeze, the general manager of Front Row Motorsports (FRM), hinted at this possibility last month, saying, “We’ve still got really fond feelings for Zane. He did a phenomenal job for two years with our Truck team.” Smith indeed made a strong impression during his time in the Craftsman Truck Series, winning the championship in his first season with FRM in 2022. He then transitioned to a part-time Cup Series schedule in 2023 but later moved to Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 season, in collaboration with Spire Motorsports.

However, neither Trackhouse nor Spire has a place for Smith next year—Trackhouse is bringing in Shane van Gisbergen, and Spire has signed Michael McDowell. This situation opens the door for Smith to potentially return to his Truck team at FRM. A recent social media post from a NASCAR insider supported this idea, suggesting that Smith might land in FRM’s third car. This speculation is further fueled by Freeze’s ongoing confidence in the 25-year-old driver.

Riley Herbst finds himself in a similar situation as a free agent. The Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) driver is searching for a ride in 2025 after a mixed four-year stint in the Xfinity Series with SHR. While Herbst struggled in his first two seasons, failing to win any races but making the playoffs, his fortunes shifted last year when he claimed his first victory in Las Vegas. This year, Herbst added another win to his record, beating his standout teammate Cole Custer at Indianapolis, which led to rumors about him potentially joining 23XI Racing. A NASCAR insider recently hinted that Herbst already has a ride and charter lined up.

Jerry Freeze has similarly hinted at a potential 2025 Cup ride for Zane Smith at FRM. He described Smith as a rising star, stating, “If Zane were to be a free agent for next year, I think that’s something that we would certainly be interested in for sure. I don’t know if he is, but we really believe in Zane’s talent, and I think he’s going to be a star. Everybody’s gotta go through that learning curve in the Cup Series.” Denny Hamlin also shares this belief in Smith’s potential.

Although Smith’s rookie season has been challenging, with eight finishes outside the top 30 in the first 18 races, he has shown improvement. Notably, his runner-up finish in Nashville and a top-ten finish at Michigan International Speedway demonstrate his potential.

As Denny Hamlin expressed confidence in Riley Herbst, he also seems to believe in Zane Smith’s abilities. Hamlin noted that Smith has already made significant progress during his first season and that his potential is high. He predicted that, with more experience, Smith could reach new heights in the coming years.

Despite setbacks with Trackhouse and Spire, Zane Smith’s future appears promising. If rumors are true, his former team, FRM, is ready to welcome him back.

Part of the experience of a NASCAR race is hearing the  roar of the  engine, the roar of  every car approaching, and  its roar as it  goes over 150 mph.

NASCAR  presents its first electric  car race saturday. in  Chicago, but  don’t roar when the  race commissioner says  “drivers, start your  engines.
” It’s buzz.North America’s largest motor series  has partnered with Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota and electrification company ABB to  showcase a high-performance electric vehicle and gauge  interest  of customers in electric  racing. they want to represent electric  vehicles and  electrification more  broadly, in racing as cool, fun and accessible, said Riley Nelson,  NASCAR’s chief sustainability officer.

The Associated Press  gave a first look at the $1.5 million prototype. The only person  to have driven it so far is semi-retired NASCAR driver David Ragan. He said the  noise and smell are unlike anything he’s experienced since he took his first steps on the track at the age of 11. He felt the brakes. In gasoline cars, the sound and smell  of the  engine and the  heat  of the exhaust  overshadow everything else. But after hundreds of laps, this  time, Ragan’s ears  stopped ringing. It was really  crazy, he  said. Unlike typical sports coupes, the new car is actually a  shared vehicle.

A  large rear wing  makes it aerodynamic enough to be a  racing car. It accelerates almost twice as fast as  the best gasoline racing cars and can stop almost  instantly. But  his lap time at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia was two-tenths of a second slower because  he runs slower  because of his heavier weight. Ragan said  she could go even faster;  it wasn’t pushing  this particular vehicle to its limits.  The risk is for  the race, not  the test, he  said.

Eric Warren, who heads global motorsports  for General Motors, said market research showed that more than half of avid NASCAR fans surveyed would be more interested in  buying an electric vehicle if  exposed to  it. One of the main  messages is  to pay attention to energy and  optimism, he  said. “We’re committed to electric  vehicles,” Warren said.  “The motorcycle provides a great platform to discuss  many of  these concepts and educate  the fans.  It is a laboratory for us to  test new technologies and learn  to educate.” Burned gas pollutes the air and produces carbon dioxide, which warms the  air atmosphere and leads to more extreme  weather conditions.Burning a gallon produces about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide, according to the  US Energy Information Administration.  Buying food uses thousands of  liters of water in a weekend.

The event would certainly be quieter with more electric cars,  although many fans love the roar of  the engines when the green flag  drops. If NASCAR  moves to electric racing, John Probst,  NASCAR’s senior vice president and  director of race development, said he thinks they could reinvent the fan experience. One option could be a  DJ.”Our goal  is to entertain our  fans,” he said. 
“If our fans tell us  that’s what they want to see, we know how to create a  series  of races for almost anything. NASCAR is not the first motorsports organization to  venture into electric car racing. Formula E is an all-electric racing series that started  ten years ago, but its fan base is  much smaller than  that of NASCAR.The new car is part of a  wider sustainability  plan. from NASCAR.

  ABB is now  NASCAR’s official electrification partner. It will help NASCAR  generate more electricity from renewable  sources. NASCAR also  has 15 tracks  in the  United States, many  of them along major  highways.
  ABB plans to install its  electric vehicle charging stations  on these tracks and connect them to the grid. They will be compatible with  mainstream electric cars and  accessible to  everyone, not just  racing fans. By 2028, NASCAR says it will introduce sustainable racing fuel, recycle at all events and use 100% renewable electricity  in facilities. the tracks  you own. By 2035, it aims to  reduce operating emissions to  “net zero”.Therefore, the number 35 appears on the  car in black and  white, with ABB.
The  body is made  of plant materials, a  linen composite  from the Swiss company Bcomp,  instead of the typical carbon fiber  composite NASCAR is also exploring  hydrogen-powered cars. IMSA,  NASCAR’s sports car  series, is switching to hybrid engines in 2023.

A competing  racing series, IndyCar, will debut its hybrid engines this weekend in Ohio. Formula 1 plans to use sustainable fuel in all cars  from 2026 as part of new engine  regulations.

Ford Performance alone has built  the last eight  electric demonstration vehicles in four  years.”Fans want to have  a connection or  a relationship  with the  race car,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports.  . “As more and more customers  buy fully electric vehicles,  we believe there will  be an increasing number of people  who want to watch  fully electric  racing.”

Sales of electric  vehicles in the United States rose 7%  overall during the first half of the year, according to preliminary  figures released Tuesday by Motorintelligence.com.

Electric vehicles accounted for 7.6% of the  US new vehicle market,  roughly the same  percentage as  all of last  year. Michael  Plaster, executive vice president of ABB, hopes  that children who see the new car at NASCAR events  can ask questions about  the transition to a future that runs on clean  electricity and  that one day  they will be able to work on  products and  electrical solutions.

ABB is investing billions to  expand its  operations in the United States. In terms of getting interest and attention, and having the forum to talk about this whole energy transition, I  can’t think of a better way to do  it,” said Michael Plaster. Climate and environment coverage of Associated  Press receives financial support from  several private  foundations.

AP is solely responsible for all content. Find  AP’s standards for working with  philanthropic organizations, a list of supporters and  coverage areas at AP.org.

Bubba Wallace is  preparing to become a father and he and his wife, Amanda Carter, are expecting their first child.  At Dale  Jr.’s dismissal, the 30-year-old NASCAR driver  spoke about how  he feels as  he approaches fatherhood.

“I’ve been  very calm and composed and collected about it. Amanda,  he going through  a lot of ups and downs and just the excitement of motherhood for her, feeling the baby  move,” Wallace said.
“She loves  it, thinks  it’s the coolest thing ever.  We are five weeks  pregnant and  it is crazy to think  that she is starting to feel  pain and  pressure in certain areas. Now  he’s worried  and thinks, “Oh my  God, if I  made a wrong  move, will the baby  come now?”

He thinks a lot about everything.” He asked me a  few weeks  ago: “Are you  excited? I said, “Look, there’s a lot going on right  now, I’m definitely going to be excited when  the little  guy is  here.” “Don’t get me wrong,  I’m excited to be a dad, but it takes a lot  to get excited.  We both  love the process.  It’s strictly  on  the stomach. That’s all. He didn’t gain weight  anywhere. She’s crazy and said  it might change in the last  two weeks.  It’s been  great watching her grow and  she’s enjoying the whole process.

Wallace and Carter announced the pregnancy in  April and the baby is due in October. The couple got engaged in 2021 and  married on  December 31,  2022 in North Carolina. In an interview with PEOPLE, Carter talked about the first time she met  Wallace when she was in high  school. “We were in  high school Spanish class  and we  were sitting next to each  other,” Carter recalls. “I don’t remember  our first  date, but he  was always  trying to cheat. We were friends. There  were three or four of us  who did all  the projects together and he always  tried to cheat  in my exams because  he was much smarter than  him!”
Wallace added:  “He wasn’t really good at Spanish and  he was trying to  take the easy  way out and  he wasn’t moving. She  didn’t move. »As Wallace  prepares to  become a father, he will look to  earn a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs on Sunday when he  races in the Southern 500 at Darlington.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has some interesting things to say about manufacturers  during NASCAR Cup Series  racing on high-speed roads. On  Dale  Jr.’s download podcast, Earnhardt expressed his feelings about the manipulation  he’s seen with manufacturers at tracks like Talladega and  Daytona.“There are a lot of people  who really believe in  loyalty and  do everything you can  do

The manipulation  of the production by  the teams and  the manufacturer  fields in the races at Daytona and Talladega  is out of  control,” Earnhardt said.  “It was even more  visible a  few years  ago. Remember, they  trained together and everything was so orchestrated. It was  mixed.” 

He destroyed the races at Daytona and Talladega when the manufacturers were all trying to  conspire and work against each  other.”When Joe Gibbs Racing  started  working together and  going to before the  pack and throughout the  race, it  was absorbed as a  pilot, it  is absorbed as a  viewer, unless you  are a  fan of Gibbs.
 
The discussion comes after Harrison Burton won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona  last weekend he  didn’t push Kyle Busch (another  Chevrolet driver) to  victory in the  details, I  think that’s not what I wanted to happen at the end of the  race”, Retzlaff. he said. “I  didn’t necessarily want to push a Ford to  win, but FunkAway has supported me  the last two  years of racing in NASCAR and  this was their first Cup race.
I wanted to do everything in my power to give  a good result and  try to  get my name  out there.” Like I said,  finishing the race  was not  the way I wanted to work  pushing a  Ford. But I also  didn’t want to give up everything  that FunkAway has done for me and  everything that I would like to show  in return.”

It all comes down to this moment. As the 2024 regular season draws to a close, we gear up for the final clash. The Cook Out Southern 500 is just around the corner, and the atmosphere in the Cup Series garage is electric. With only three playoff spots left after Harrison Burton’s recent victory, a staggering 15 drivers are vying for a win to secure their place in the postseason.

Darlington Raceway will serve as the backdrop for this thrilling late-season spectacle. This iconic event is a must-see, as the egg-shaped oval has been the stage for numerous unforgettable moments in NASCAR history. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an exhilarating journey as we explore what’s in store for the upcoming race.

Cook Out Southern 500: Key Highlights to Anticipate

Known as the ‘Track Too Tough to Tame,’ Darlington has been a staple in the NASCAR calendar. The Cook Out Southern 500 has a rich history, dating back to its inaugural race in 1950. With over 20 degrees of banking in every turn, this 1.33-mile asphalt oval consistently showcases the talents of the sport’s elite. In fact, in 14 of the last 17 Southern 500 races, the victor has boasted at least 25 career wins. Now, let’s dive into all the exciting details surrounding this legendary race.

With Leigh Diffey joining forces with Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton in the NBC Sports broadcast booth, fans are in for an exhilarating experience. Practice kicks off on August 30th at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 1:20 p.m. ET. Then, on the big day, September 1st, the excitement builds with the countdown to the green flag starting at 5:30 p.m. The Southern 500 will officially begin at 6 p.m., with a 20% chance of rain looming. Viewers can catch all the Cup events on USA Network, and NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass has shared the complete schedule on Twitter.

Darlington Raceway offers a variety of thrilling ticket options for fans eager to attend. Reserved grandstand seats are available, along with a Pre-Race Experience pass. Weekend packages that cover both Saturday and Sunday events for the Southern 500 are also on offer. Families can take advantage of 4-pack deals, while college students can join the fun for just $25.

This weekend, 37 drivers will showcase their skills at Darlington, including 34 full-time competitors and a few familiar faces. Xfinity star Shane van Gisbergen, who will be a full-time Cup driver next season, is set to make his sixth start. Additionally, Kaz Grala returns to the No. 15 car for Rick Ware Racing, and Timmy Hill will be behind the wheel of the No. 66 for MBM Motorsports.

The drivers will be divided into two groups, each receiving 20 minutes of practice time. Following that, they will engage in two rounds of qualifying. Among the favorites, Denny Hamlin stands out with four wins in South Carolina, including three Southern 500 trophies. Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Erik Jones also have multiple victories under their belts. However, the rivalry is expected to heat up between points leader Tyler Reddick and defending champion Kyle Larson.

In addition to the thrilling races on the track, fans can look forward to a nostalgic experience off the track.

Honoring a Darlington Icon

This past New Year’s Eve marked the loss of a NASCAR icon who made a significant impact on the Lady in Black. Cale Yarborough, a five-time winner of the Southern 500 (1968, 1973, 1974, 1978, and 1982), held the record until Jeff Gordon surpassed it with his sixth win in 2007. Yarborough’s legacy is proudly displayed in the Cup Series garage at Darlington. For this year’s Southern 500, fans will have the chance to see his Oldsmobile Cutlass, the very car he drove to his third consecutive championship in 1978, showcased in the Fan Fest area. Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett will take the wheel of this iconic vehicle to lead the pace car at the start of Sunday night’s race.

This heartfelt tribute to the NASCAR legend has touched many. “It’s going to be really special to see Daddy’s car on the track again,” shared Yarborough’s daughter, Julie.

Bubba Wallace, a driver for 23XI Racing, also expressed his admiration for this historical moment. “It’s pretty special to hear and see how much the sport has evolved and changed,” Wallace noted. “From scheduling to fans, it’s definitely nice to take a trip down memory lane.” Indeed, witnessing the 83-time NASCAR winner’s classic ride while current drivers compete for the Southern 500 title promises to be a remarkable experience.

Clearly, this weekend is packed with exciting opportunities for NASCAR enthusiasts. Visit Darlington Raceway’s website to grab your tickets and join in on the fun!