NASCAR Cup Series

Stewart-Haas Racing announced today that Aric Almirola will be the driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Foods Ford Fusion for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Co-owner Tony Stewart and Almirola were part of a press conference today at the race shop to discuss the move.

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS AT PHOENIX: Hendrick Motorsports has earned 10 wins, 11 pole positions, 45 top-five finishes and 79 top-10s at Phoenix International Raceway. Those 10 wins are spread among six drivers, with Jimmie Johnson accounting for four. Dale Earnhardt Jr. recorded the organization’s most recent Phoenix victory in November 2015.

CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 7, 2017) – Roush Fenway Racing has been recognized for outstanding achievement by the prestigious MarCom Awards. The team has been awarded a pair of MarCom Awards for its marketing and communications efforts in 2017.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Phoenix this weekend with our EcoBoost Ford. We made some really good progress here in the spring and I am confident that we can continue that this weekend and contend for another strong finish on Sunday.”

“It’s really cool to be able to honor Robert (Yates) with our car this weekend.  He’s meant so much to NASCAR, and to have him ride along with us this weekend will be really special for everyone at the shop and Doug.

The Series heads West to Phoenix Raceway for the final cut-off race in the NASCAR Playoffs that will narrow the Championship field down to four contenders who will race for a title in Miami. Hamlin enters Sunday’s 312-lap race fifth in the NASCAR Playoffs standings, 19 points below the Championship 4 cut-off line. In 24 starts at Phoenix Raceway, Hamlin owns one win, 10 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. He suffered a flat right-rear tire during his last visit to the desert earlier this season, but rallied to score a 10th-place finish.

Furniture Row Racing announced that Auto-Owners Insurance has increased its 2018 primary sponsorship package from six to eight races on Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 Toyota Camry.

Team Penske and Alliance Truck Parts announced today that the commercial transportation parts company has agreed to a multiyear extension that will continue its relationship with the No. 2 Ford Fusion team and driver Brad Keselowski through the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season and beyond. Alliance Truck Parts will again be featured as the primary sponsor for six MENCS races on the No. 2 Ford next season and will serve as an associate sponsor on the car for the remaining events in 2018.

The youngest NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series champion. The youngest driver to win four Trans-Am championships. And the 2016 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award winner.

The final race in the Round of 8 takes place on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway with one spot in the Championship 4 still up for grabs. Ford’s Kevin Harvick secured one spot with his victory last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, but Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney are both still in the hunt. Here’s a look at each driver’s situation, along with some of Ford’s past successes at PIR.