NASCAR Cup Series

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A speech written by the late Robert Yates for his induction capped off the 2018 class's enshrinement into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Five NASCAR icons – two drivers, a crew chief/owner, an engine builder/owner and a broadcaster – 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.

Exactly one month from today, the green flag will wave over what is expected to be the youngest DAYTONA 500 field in NASCAR history. And today, NASCAR announced an update to the Sunoco Rookie of the Year points structure in all three national series, placing a brighter spotlight on some of those young stars.

Kelley Blue Book, the most trusted brand for car pricing, research, valuation and selling your car, has extended its relationship with 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports with a three-year contract renewal through the 2020 racing season.

Horizon Global Corporation (NYSE: HZN) has joined Team Penske with a new multi-year partnership beginning in 2018. Horizon Global towing and trailering brands REESE® and Draw-Tite® will serve as primary sponsors for the No. 2 Ford Fusion driven by Brad Keselowski in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) races this season at Martinsville Speedway in March and Richmond Raceway in September.  The No. 2 Ford will also carry the REESE branding as an associate sponsor throughout the 2018 MENCS season.

Coca-Cola, International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and NASCAR today announced an extension to each of its long-standing partnerships through 2023. Coca-Cola, an iconic global brand, will continue its deep-rooted history in the sport by engaging racing fans across NASCAR’s three national series and 12 ISC-operated race tracks.

When Glen Wood looks back on his time racing at Riverside International Raceway with the great Dan Gurney, who died Jan. 14 at the age of 86, it’s not so much about the four wins in five starts or the 540 laps led.

After partnering with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) for three seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), DC Solar is moving to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) for the 2018 season as a primary partner with both Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray. Wasting no time getting on track with Larson, the No. 42 Camaro will feature DC Solar as the primary partner for ‘The Clash at Daytona’, the season opening non-points race.

Entering his third fulltime season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Dawsonville, Georgia native Chase Elliott is getting an extra dash of goodwill from his home track as the 22-year-old driver seeks his first victory at NASCAR’s top level.

It is over. I am not just talking about my writing hibernation. It is not like I was just jumping at the bit to return, but sometimes you hear some news and you feel the need to say something, to make comment, to share your observations. Today is that day.