Official Release

The cars returned to Michigan International Speedway when five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams took to the track for a Goodyear tire test.

The two-time Xfinity champion has nine career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) starts at Talladega with an average finishing position of 12.1.

Majeski on Talladega “This will be my first start at Talladega and my first restrictor plate race. In practice we are going to draft early and then try to get in some single car runs. It’s a big field with no Cup drivers, so my plan is to just be smart and try and learn as much as I can. I’ll have to learn how the car handles and see how it plays out with the pack. Hopefully we can avoid any accidents and be around at the end, it will be important to get all the laps in.”

Reed made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the fall of 2016 at Talladega Superspeedway. Reed earned the respect of his peers by running a clean race. Reed started 18th, completed all 192 laps and crossed the finish line 26th.

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CAMARO ZL1 participated in the two-day Goodyear tire test at Michigan International Speedway. TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR SEASON AND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING BACK TO MICHIGAN: “Yeah, our season has been a little bit of a roller coaster so far. We didn’t really start the year how we needed to with our new Camaro ZL1. We have definitely made a lot of progress with that. That has been a big positive for us. I feel like all four Hendrick Motorsports cars have gotten better each and every week. We have had some really good runs and we have had some really bad runs like last week (at Richmond). "

Roush Fenway Racing announced today that Matt Kenseth, the 2003 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, is returning to the organization and will share driving duties with Trevor Bayne in the No. 6 Ford Fusion. In addition, Wyndham Rewards was introduced as a sponsor for the organization. Below is a transcript of the on-stage Q&A session with participants, which included NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Co-Owner Jack Roush, RFR President Steve Newmark, and Wyndham executive Eliot Hamlisch

Richard Childress Racing's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Talladega Superspeedway ... Richard Childress began his driving career at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969 and is in a tie for the most all-time car owner victories at the storied Alabama-based race track with 12 wins. Dale Earnhardt visited Victory Lane nine times, while Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer swept the 2010 events at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. Bowyer added to the Welcome, N.C.-based organization's total by claiming RCR's 100th Cup Series win when NASCAR's senior series visited the facility in October 2011. In 172 starts, RCR also has four pole awards, 42 top-five, 69 top-10 finishes and has led 1,843 laps of competition

CHECK OUT THAT SPECIAL PAINT: This weekend at Talladega, Kasey Kahne will run a special Procore Safety Qualified paint scheme aboard his No. 95 Camaro ZL1.

Talladega Preview: The series travels to Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday’s 500-mile race on the Alabama tri-oval. Hamlin has secured five top-five and nine top-10 finishes at the Superspeedway in 24 starts, and he captured his first and only win at the 2.66-mile track in spring 2014, marking his first points-paying restrictor plate victory.

Who said you can’t go home? NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth will return to the organization where he began his storied NASCAR career, piloting Roush Fenway’s flagship No. 6 Ford Fusion for a part of the 2018 season. Kenseth will also have a new home away from home, with the team announcing a multi-year partnership with Wyndham Rewards®, the award-winning loyalty program of Wyndham Hotel Group, as a new primary on the No. 6.