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Oct. 4, 2015

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

DOVER, Del.—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.’”

Harvick won the race and secured his first Sprint Cup title by a half-second over Ryan Newman.

But there was one major difference between last year’s must-win race and the one on Sunday. Phoenix is Harvick’s best track. At Dover, on the other hand, he had never won before and had posted just four top-five finishes in 29 previous starts.

As fast as Harvick’s No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet was, however, none of the statistics mattered. After a restart with 24 laps left, he pulled away to a 2.639-second victory over Kyle Busch, who likewise secured a berth in the 12-driver Contender Round with his second-place run.

Nor did the stats help Jimmie Johnson, whose shocking ouster from the playoffs took place at the Monster Mile where he holds a record 10 victories. The six-time series champion took his No. 48 Chevrolet to the garage on Lap 106 after a rear axle seal failed.

Johnson lost 36 laps while his team replaced the rear end housing and was credited with a 41st-place finish, leaving him 12 points shy of the Chase cutoff, which came down to a tiebreaker for the 12th and final spot between third-place finisher Dale Earnhardt Jr. and fourth-place Jamie McMurray.

Joining Johnson and McMurray on the Chase sidelines were Paul Menard (25th Sunday) and Clint Bowyer, who like Harvick faced a win-or-bust scenario at the one-mile concrete track.

Narrowed to 12, the field for the Contender Round now includes Challenger Round winners Matt Kenseth (Chicago), Denny Hamlin (New Hampshire) and Harvick, as well as Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Newman and Earnhardt.

But on Sunday, Harvick showed his hand as the speed horse in the Chase, just as he was last year. Harvick’s car was fast last week at New Hampshire, but he ran out of fuel while leading with three laps left to create the must-win scenario at Dover.

“Anytime you can go through moments like this and gain some momentum and prove to yourself that you can do things like this, there’s no way you can’t be stronger,” Harvick said. “I’m just so proud of those guys and so proud of our fans and everybody for all their support all week. There it is—stay the course.”

Kyle Busch conceded Harvick’s victory was bad news for everyone else still in the Chase.

“The way he ran today—hell, yeah,” Busch said. “That was a guy that we wanted to knock out. That’s a guy that can win all these races, and you don’t want to have to compete against a guy like that.

“But that’s why they’re as good as they are, and they were last year’s champion, so they’re going to have an opportunity to continue on. We’ll see what happens. There’s still two more rounds to figure out who’s going to make it to Homestead.”

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DIS_100315_11Oct. 3, 2015

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

DOVER, Del.—Regan Smith charged from fourth to first during a restart on Lap 121 and stayed there for the rest of the Hisense 200 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Dover International Speedway Saturday, posting his second victory of the season and working his way back into championship contention.

After a 31-minute rain delay, Smith passed Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and leader Elliott Sadler on the restart on Lap 121 of 200, staved off intense pressure from Hamlin midway through the final green-flag run and pulled away as the Joe Gibbs Racing teammates battled for second place.

Without a concrete deal in place for next season, Smith won for the first time at the Monster Mile—in fact, the 80 laps he led were the first circuits he had ever spent out front at Dover. The victory was the sixth of Smith’s career, and all of them have come under the JR Motorsports banner.

Hamlin won the fight for the runner-up spot, crossing the finish line .703 seconds behind Smith. Busch led a race-high 110 laps and came home third, followed by Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson.

Austin Dillon ran sixth, one spot ahead of Chase Elliott, who moved into second place in the series standings, 24 points behind leader Chris Buescher, who finished eighth on Saturday. Smith, who rallied from a flat tire in the first third of the race, took over third in points, 36 behind Buescher.

“I knew the car was fast, but I didn’t know it was that fast until we got out in clean air,” Smith said in Victory Lane. “This wasn’t a Hail May. We came from the back to the front and just had a fast race car.

“If we can keep doing that every week, and get another win or two here or there, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m trying to figure out some things for next year, so wins never hurt—that’s never a bad thing going forward.”

A victory for Smith was not even a remote consideration when a light rain began falling shortly after the halfway point, with the race already under caution for a wreck involving Stanton Barrett and Cale Conley on Lap 106.

Sadler, whose 2016 move to JR Motorsports was announced on Friday, took two new tires under the yellow and was first off pit road, leading the race and praying for a monsoon. But the rain abated, depriving Sadler of a going-away present to Roush Fenway Racing, the organization he will leave at season’s end.

“I’ve never had much luck with the rain,” Sadler said ruefully. “I’ve always been on the wrong side of that, going back to the 2009 Daytona 500 (where Sadler was fifth with a chance to win when the race was called because of rain after 152 laps).”

Note: Ty Dillon cut a tire and hit the outside wall on Lap 24, resulting in a 28th-place finish. He slipped from second to fourth in the series standings, 39 points back of Buescher.

Byron notches K&N East title; D4D member Cabre wins first race
For William Byron, an extra day was worth the wait at the Monster Mile.

After the Drive Sober 125 was postponed Friday due to inclement weather, and the start was delayed again Saturday morning, the 17-year-old NASCAR Next member from Charlotte, N.C., was finally able to drive his No. 9 Liberty University Chevrolet to a ninth-place finish and raise the 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship trophy Saturday afternoon at Dover International Speedway.

The rain delay didn’t slow down Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Collin Cabre, as the 21-year-old from Tampa scored his first career victory.

Cabre became the sixth different driver from the NASCAR Drive For Diversity program to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race and gave Rev Racing, which has fielded the competition team for the program since 2010, its 17th win.

Cabre’s No. 2 UTI/NTI Toyota crossed the finish line 6.454 seconds in front of series veteran Eddie MacDonald’s Chevrolet.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Race – Hisense 200
Dover International Speedway
Dover, Delaware
Saturday, October 03, 2015

1. (8) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 200, $49402.
2. (7) Denny Hamlin(i), Toyota, 200, $35586.
3. (2) Kyle Busch(i), Toyota, 200, $34950.
4. (1) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 200, $30183.
5. (15) Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 200, $22698.
6. (5) Austin Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 200, $21077.
7. (6) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 200, $27457.
8. (3) Chris Buescher, Ford, 200, $28315.
9. (10) Elliott Sadler, Ford, 200, $25816.
10. (13) Daniel Suarez #, Toyota, 200, $27362.
11. (9) Darrell Wallace Jr. #, Ford, 199, $25158.
12. (19) JJ Yeley, Toyota, 199, $25031.
13. (11) Ben Rhodes, Chevrolet, 199, $24931.
14. (16) Ryan Reed, Ford, 199, $24803.
15. (23) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 198, $25328.
16. (14) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 198, $24652.
17. (21) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 196, $24576.
18. (22) David Starr, Toyota, 196, $24526.
19. (26) Mario Gosselin, Chevrolet, 195, $24475.
20. (20) Dakoda Armstrong, Ford, 195, $24925.
21. (17) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 194, $24369.
22. (27) Eric McClure, Toyota, 190, $24263.
23. (24) Blake Koch, Toyota, 187, $24186.
24. (28) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 187, $24111.
25. (36) Mike Harmon, Dodge, 185, $18210.
26. (30) Ryan Ellis(i), Chevrolet, 132, $24009.
27. (32) Harrison Rhodes #, Chevrolet, Suspension, 126, $23959.
28. (4) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 115, $23883.
29. (25) Cale Conley #, Toyota, Accident, 103, $23808.
30. (34) Stanton Barrett, Ford, Accident, 100, $24057.
31. (12) Brian Scott, Chevrolet, Accident, 80, $23701.
32. (35) Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, Accident, 79, $23640.
33. (38) Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, Suspension, 72, $17575.
34. (33) Josh Reaume #, Dodge, Parked, 72, $23540.
35. (40) Timmy Hill(i), Chevrolet, Brakes, 39, $17499.
36. (29) TJ Bell(i), Toyota, Suspension, 38, $21806.
37. (18) Ross Chastain #, Chevrolet, Accident, 23, $20806.
38. (39) Dexter Bean, Chevrolet, Suspension, 17, $13806.
39. (37) Carl Long, Chevrolet, Suspension, 10, $12806.
40. (31) Jeff Green, Toyota, Suspension, 4, $11806.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 105.156 mph.
Time of Race: 1 Hrs, 54 Mins, 07 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.703 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 4 for 29 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: 0; K. Busch(i) 1-29; J. Yeley 30-31; K. Busch(i) 32-112; E. Sadler 113-120; R. Smith 121-200.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): K. Busch(i) 2 times for 110 laps; R. Smith 1 time for 80 laps; E. Sadler 1 time for 8 laps; J. Yeley 1 time for 2 laps.
Top 10 in Points: C. Buescher – 1,018; C. Elliott – 994; R. Smith – 982; T. Dillon – 979; E. Sadler – 908; D. Wallace Jr. # – 907; D. Suarez # – 886; B. Scott – 870; B. Gaughan – 864; R. Reed – 765.

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Elliott Sadler to Drive OneMain Financial Chevrolet in NASCAR XFINITY Series

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 2, 2015) – JR Motorsports announced today a key component of the company’s future with the addition of OneMain Financial and driver Elliott Sadler to its NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) program for 2016. Sadler will compete full-time for JRM next season and pilot the OneMain Financial Chevrolet Camaro in pursuit of the NXS championship.

In addition to its season-long primary placement, OneMain Financial will also receive associate branding on all JRM team cars for the full season. Crew chief duties and car number for the OneMain Financial Chevrolet Camaro are still being determined.

“We are very pleased to welcome OneMain Financial and Elliott into the JR Motorsports family,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, co-owner and general manager of JRM. “Elliott has raced a few times for us in the past, and now together with OneMain Financial, we’re thrilled to put together a championship-caliber team for him in 2016. Off-track, JRM is looking forward to developing a mutually beneficial partnership with OneMain Financial and one that will help further their brand.”

OneMain Financial has been helping people realize their financial goals and dreams since 1912. The company is a well-established sponsor in NXS competition and embarks on its 13th year in the sport and sixth year partnering with Sadler.

“We are delighted to continue our commitment to racing as one of the longest running primary sponsors in the NASCAR XFINITY Series,” said Mary McDowell, OneMain Financial CEO. “To say we are excited about partnering with JR Motorsports in 2016 is an understatement. Not only will Elliott Sadler continue to represent our brand while driving for us again, but JRM has a number of unique platforms and assets which will prove valuable to our employees, customers and brand.”

A veteran racer from Emporia, Va., Sadler has 14 victories to his credit across NASCAR’s top-three series. Sadler has been an NXS regular since 2011, twice producing runner-up finishes in the championship point standings (2011-12). Along with 10 victories at the NXS level, he holds 66 top-five and 144 top-10 finishes with 16 poles.

“It’s an honor to be in the position to represent JR Motorsports and OneMain Financial on and off the track next season,” Sadler said. “I’ve known Kelley and Dale Jr. a long time, and I respect their passion and desire to win in this business. I’m proud to partner with OneMain Financial and continue our longstanding relationship.”

Although 2016 marks Sadler’s debut as a full-time JRM driver, he’s certainly familiar with competing under the company’s banner. In 2010, Sadler made four starts for JRM in NXS competition, earning a best finish of seventh at Michigan International Speedway.

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34d1ae54-2695-4ebd-b9a5-10feb8374142DOVER, Del. (Oct. 2, 2015) – HScott Motorsports announced today that Clint Bowyer and 5-hour ENERGY will join the team for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
Bowyer and 5-hour ENERGY have been partners for four seasons, winning three races and finishing runner-up in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. Starting with the Feb. 21, 2016, Daytona 500, Bowyer will race Chevrolets for HScott in a technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.
“I am very thankful for the continued support and commitment from 5-hour ENERGY, and for Harry Scott Jr. for putting this opportunity together,” said Bowyer. “My relationship with everyone at 5-hour ENERGY is something I hold with great value. There have been some real unknowns for my career in the past couple of months, but I’m happy that my future is secured and full speed ahead.”
HScott Motorsports has competed full time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for two seasons, fielding Chevrolets with Hendrick Motorsports support. HScott Motorsports team owner Harry Scott Jr., said this is a watershed moment for his young organization.
“This is a really important step for HScott Motorsports and one I felt our team needed to take to elevate to the next level of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition,” said Scott. “Clint is a proven winner and Chase participant. For us to compete at a higher level we needed all of the right elements to come together. I believe those elements came together with the driver in Clint, sponsorship from 5-hour ENERGY and the extended relationship with Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas. This opportunity has brought an unprecedented level of excitement to our entire organization.”
“Clint has been a big part of our marketing program the past four seasons and has been incredible with our retailers and customers,” said Manoj Bhargava, founder of Living Essentials, the parent company of 5-hour ENERGY. “Anytime there is change there is opportunity to make the program even stronger, and that is our intent with our new partnerships.”
Bowyer, 36, is a 10-year veteran with eight victories, two pole positions, 58 top-five finishes and 163 top-10s in Sprint Cup competition. Earlier this week, Stewart-Haas Racing announced that Bowyer will drive SHR’s No. 14 Chevrolet in 2017 replacing Tony Stewart who’ll retire at the end of the 2016 season. Michael Waltrip Racing, Bowyer’s team for the past four seasons, announced in August that it would not field full time Cup teams in 2017.

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DS_100215_01Oct. 2, 2015

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

DOVER, Del. – A hard, steady rain at Dover International Speedway made Matt Kenseth’s life easier—and Kevin Harvick’s challenge even more difficult than it otherwise might have been.

With a massive East Coast storm forcing cancellation of all of Friday’s track activity at the Monster Mile, including NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying, Kenseth will start on the pole for Sunday’s AAA 400, the elimination race for the Challenger Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup (2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN).

The series leader, Kenseth already has earned a spot in the Chase’s Contender Round by virtue of last Sunday’s victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

On the other hand, with the field ordered by owner points according to rainout rules, Harvick will start 15th in a race he almost certainly must win to keep his hopes of winning back-to-back series championships alive.

After an early wreck and a 42nd-place finish in the Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway, Harvick ran out of fuel while leading with three laps left at New Hampshire and finished 21st, leaving him 23 points out of 12th place in the standings, the last transfer position for the next round.

Even though the rain put him on the pole, Kenseth would have preferred to have practiced on Friday, especially in light of the suspension issues that relegated him to a 39th-place finish in the May 31 event at Dover.

“I think we all would have liked to get on the track today and get some practice,” Kenseth said on Friday at Dover. “I know there are some things we wanted to work on and try to improve from the spring for this race.

“I think everybody wanted to get on the track. I think it’s one of the advantages of leading the points – obviously, if it rains, you get a good starting spot and pit stall. Glad we’re starting in the front, but still would have liked the track time.”

The qualifying cancellation means the 16 Chase drivers will start from the top 16 positions on the grid. Denny Hamlin, who punched his ticket to the Contender Round with a win at Chicagoland, will start on the front row beside his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.

Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson are third through fifth on the grid, respectively, for Sunday’s race. “Bubble” drivers Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Paul Menard, all of whom are within a two-point range in the standings, will start 11th through 14th, respectively.

“We’ll be ready; we’ll be prepared and we won’t start as far forward as we have here in years past,” said Busch, who blew a right front tire at New Hampshire, crashed and finished 37th. “Typically we’re a top-five qualifier. … We’ll make do.”

Busch feels his team’s level of readiness coming to the track this season will stand him in good stead.

“I think, for my guys, we’ve been really, really good this year of unloading and having some strong cars and some good speed right off the truck,” Busch said. “I’d actually look forward to no practice time here. I think that would be really good for the 18 team.”