NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR today announced several initiatives and procedural updates for the 2019 season, which officially opens this weekend at Daytona International Speedway with an action-pack Sunday double-header -- Daytona 500 Busch Pole Award Qualifying (12:10 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and the Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona (3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Five of NASCAR’s legendary competitors – three drivers and two owners – were enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, tonight during the Induction Ceremony held in the Crown Ball Room at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Martin Truex Jr. will make his official debut with Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2019 DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway.

On the heels of marketing partner JACOB Companies returning to Rick Ware Racing (RWR) for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season, the team announced today it has signed Tioga Trading Company as an associate marketing partner beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500 on Sun., Feb. 17.

In a seamless transition, Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) has promoted lead engineer Derek Stamets to crew chief of the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team and driver Bubba Wallace. Stamets is a veteran of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and within RPM where he has been a lead engineer since 2012.

AmericanTrucks.com (AT) setup the Positive Payload program to support non-profit organizations using pickup trucks in field work that leverages the building trades. This January, the aftermarket auto parts retailer has selected two more charities to receive a $2,000 award through their grant program. Established in 2017, the list of organizations benefiting from the program has grown to include Habitat for Humanity’s Philadelphia chapter, and Water Mission International.

Multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Jake Owen will perform the DAYTONA 500 Pre-Race Show prior to the 61st running of “The Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 17 (FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Daytona International Speedway.

Gander RV, the Official RV & Outdoor Company of NASCAR, will serve as the title sponsor for the 150-mile qualifying races for the DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway, part of DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth.

M&M’S® announced today that the newest addition to the chocolate aisle – M&M’S Chocolate Bars – will be featured on the iconic No. 18 M&M’S Toyota for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series opening race in Daytona Beach, FL. The new treat from M&M’S, which hit shelves late last year, will grace the No.18 M&M’S Chocolate Bar Toyota driven by 2015 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Kyle Busch, at four races during the 2019 season.

Fans arriving early for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 5 will receive a special Monster Mile 50th Anniversary diecast car, track officials announced today.