NASCAR Cup Series

The first practice for the Budweiser Duels got under way and it wasn't without excitement as the session was highlighted by two big wrecks.

“That’s just not how you wanted to start the day out. We’ve still got a lot of racing left to do and we had a good car. The guys worked so hard on it. I just hate it for everyone on this Aaron’s team who put so much into that car. Fortunately we’ve got another backup. I haven’t seen the replay yet -- I think the 26 (Cole Whitt) -- I don’t know if he just lost it."

Trevor Bayne, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, received minor nose damage to his car during a multi-car accident in today’s first practice session. The team is currently making repairs and the car will run in tomorrow’s Duel.

"The whole thing happened so quick. I hadn’t even made half a lap. The field had just gone by me. I, actually, as the field was going by me, I came on the radio and I said, ‘Alan (Gustafson), do we want to be in the middle of this because it looks like a debris big mess’.

With me being a long-suffering, reluctant, and tragic NASCAR fan myself, having both watched this series and perfected the art of swearing at TV sets for at least a couple of decades now, the France Cartel’s constant monkeying with the cars themselves, rules and rule enforcement (or lack thereof if you happen to drive for a particular, four-car, and ridiculously-dominant Chevy team)

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion, was involved in a multi-car accident during today’s first practice session at Daytona International Speedway and will be forced to a back-up for tomorrow’s Duel event.

A number of the greatest drivers to ever turn a lap on the oval at Phoenix International Raceway will return to the Valley of the Sun to help kick off the track’s 50th anniversary season, PIR President Bryan R. Sperber announced today.

Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion, held a Q&A session this afternoon before practice for Sunday’s Daytona 500. He spoke about a variety of topics with members of the media.

Longwood, Fla. based company, Insurance Office of America (IOA), has partnered with the Tommy Baldwin Racing's (TBR) No.7 Pilot Flying J Chevy SS as an associate sponsor for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duels and the 56th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

"For my family, this is the biggest race in the world and the most special place in the world. This is 20 years since they (Morgan-McClure Motorsports) won it, this year. For us, growing up, Daytona was everything. So, the opportunity to have a chance to compete in the Daytona 500 would be a lifelong dream.