Official Release

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Quick Lane team will close out the 2018 season in the Ford 400 at one of Menard’s favorite tracks, Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Tony Gibson, acting crew chief for MENCS championship contender Kevin Harvick, participated in a NASCAR teleconference Wednesday morning to discuss the upcoming Ford Championship weekend from the perspective of the No. 4 Jimmy John’s Ford team.

Todd Gordon, crew chief for MENCS championship contender Todd Gordon, participated in a NASCAR teleconference Wednesday morning to discuss the upcoming Ford Championship weekend from the perspective of the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford team.

Richard Childress Racing's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Homestead-Miami Speedway ... Homestead-Miami Speedway is one of the few race tracks where team owner Richard Childress has yet to earn a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory. Richard Childress Racing entries have finished second on four occasions: 2003 (Kevin Harvick), 2008 (Harvick), 2009 (Jeff Burton) and 2014 (Ryan Newman). In 60 starts, RCR has earned nine top-five and 24 top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile, progressively-banked oval with drivers Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Green, Harvick, Newman, Paul Menard and Mike Skinner. Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway are the other tracks on the current Cup Series schedule where RCR is still on the hunt for hardware.

Fontaine on Racing at Homestead: “I can’t believe the end of the season is here,” said Fontaine. “It’s been an incredibly humbling season driving for Niece Motorsports and we’ve had a lot to be proud of.

“This weekend is going to be an emotional one for me, with it being my last race as a full-time competitor and I wouldn’t want to be heading to Homestead driving for my last win with anyone else, but Kevin (Meendering, crew chief) and my guys. I owe my last few years of success to all of them, Dale and Kelley. Thank you. And, thank you to all of my fans. My career wouldn’t have been what it is if it wasn’t for them. Let’s go get one more victory.” – Elliott Sadler

Self on Racing at Homestead: “Homestead is a blast,” said Self. “It’s a fast race track with plenty of room to race. It’s also one of those tracks that is really temperature sensitive. We’ll practice and qualify during the day, but run at night, so we have to make sure we’re doing our part to keep our No. 22 GO TEXAN | AM Technical Solutions Chevrolet Silverado adjusted accordingly.

News and notes: The NASCAR Xfinity Series will head south to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season finale. Four drivers will battle for the title and a champion will be crowned. It has been a year of positive growth for Spencer Boyd in his rookie campaign with SS Greenlight Racing. When the checkered flag falls this weekend, Boyd will have officially completed his first full time year in NASCAR. "I'm excited to wrap up my rookie year at Homestead," says Boyd. "One thing everybody loves about Homestead is the multiple grooves you can run and getting up next to those blue walls. It's been a dream come true this year and I'm ready to finish out this 2018 season on a high note."

Jimmie Johnson on his final race with Lowe's and No. 48 team crew chief Chad Knaus: "Man, I want to win this year. I want to win with Lowe’s on the car and I want to win with (No. 48 team crew chief) Chad (Knaus). So, that’s our top priority. Seeing that (rookie) paint scheme is going to trigger emotions from myself and I’m sure our fans. So many good years with that paint scheme and victories and such. I think this weekend’s definitely going to be an emotional one.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) will head to Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway this weekend for the 2018 season finale. USAC Champion Chris Windom will be behind the wheel of the No. 54 Baldwin Brothers Racing / Central Abrasives Toyota Tundra in Friday's 200 mile race.