NASCAR Cup Series

Racing for a cause near and dear to the hearts of all at Tommy Baldwin Racing, both Dave Blaney and JJ Yeley's Chevrolets will be turned pink this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway

As we head into Charlotte, there is a birthday to note and a milestone to recognize. Dale Earnhardt Jr has celebrated his 39th birthday, and on Saturday night he will run in his 500th Cup start. It is a track he has yet to win on, a track that launched his Cup career back in 1999.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is the site of more than just good racing this weekend. Joining NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races is Friday’s final round of the year-long Freightliner Trucks Run Smart™ Hauler Challenge.

Kansas Recap: Denny Hamlin piloted the No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota to a 23rd place finish in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Starting the day in the 10th position and reaching as high as second place, pit strategy and caution flags down the stretch did not go in the FedEx team’s favor in a race that featured 15 yellow flags. Kevin Harvick claimed the checkered flag after starting the day on the pole.

Following the fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) event of the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship playoff, Toyota driver Matt Kenseth continues to lead the 13-driver field and sits three points ahead of second-place Jimmie Johnson. Kyle Busch ranks fifth in the standings, 35 points behind Kenseth, while Clint Bowyer is ninth -- 55 points behind the leader. Kenseth leads all drivers with seven wins in 2013.

Kenseth finished 11th at Kansas and maintained the lead in the Sprint Cup points standings. He leads Jimmie Johnson by three.

Sometimes I like surprises. You tune in a race hoping to be entertained, but not always expecting it. Kansas turned out to be that kind of race.

WINNER, WINNER: While Keselowski has yet to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS), he does own two career victories (2010 and 2012) in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the 1.5-mile oval.

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to today's NASCAR Cam teleconference with Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet for Stewart‑Haas Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Newman is 12th in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings with one win and 14 top‑10 finishes. He returns to Charlotte Motor Saturday on Saturday night, where he has a career‑best nine poles.

From rookies without a lap on the track to tried and true veterans, 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers spent 10 hours testing at Martinsville Speedway Tuesday in preparation for the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger on October 27.