NASCAR Cup Series

Trevor Bayne will make his 14th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) start at Talladega this weekend. In 13 previous starts at the Alabama track, Bayne has recorded a best finish of eighth in the Spring 201.

Mike Vogel, who can currently be seen on NBC’s new drama series, “The Brave,” has been named the honorary starter for the Oct. 22 Hollywood Casino 400. In his role on “The Brave,” Vogel stars as Captain Adam Dalton, the leader of an elite group of military professionals carrying out dangerous missions to keep the world safe.

Tickets to the 2018 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are now on sale to the public. Red Byron, Ray Evernham, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ken Squier and Robert Yates will be honored during this year’s ceremony set for Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. Induction ticket prices range from $45 for general seats to $350 for the Exclusive Driver Dinner Package (plus tax and applicable service fees).

Home is where the heart is. And for six-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., that place is Talladega Superspeedway – a track he considers a second home, with good reason. In addition to his six triumphs and record four consecutive victories (from 2001-2003) at the 2.66-mile facility, it’s his relationship with his fans, in a place that he himself, calls “Earnhardt Country,” that make his trips to NASCAR’s Biggest and Baddest track even more special.

The fastest and longest track in NASCAR, Talladega is an absolute must. It’s known for wild finishes — and crashes — and you are guaranteed to get an exciting and unpredictable race here. Even wilder may be the fans, who are always partying hard. And the National Motorsports Hall of Fame is here, so you have to check it out before you head home.

It was a home date for most of the teams as the next round of the Chase opened in Charlotte, North Carolina. Martin Truex, Jr.’s outfit hails out of Colorado, so for them every date finds them on the road. It is a road that could take them all the way to the championship.

Sitting in fourth in the playoff standings is Chase Elliott, who reeled off yet another runner-up finish at Charlotte on Sunday to score his sixth-career runner-up finish and 19th top-five finish in 71 Cup Series starts.

Martin Truex Jr.: Truex started 17th and Charlotte, but the handling on his No. 78 Toyota finally came around at the right time, and he pulled away to win the Bank Of America 500.

Friday was a beautiful day. Lots of nice sunshine and a nice breeze. Then Mother Nature stepped in. After watching weather forecasts of sunny weather and low chances of precipitation all week, Saturday turned harsh. I mean real harsh.

After a lackluster start to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway finally delivered a serviceable race. Unfortunately, any chance it had of being a great race was ruined by inconsistent NASCAR officiating.