NASCAR Cup Series

For nearly 40 years, when the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) has visited Talladega Superspeedway, either Dale Earnhardt Sr. or Earnhardt Jr. have been amongst the many different drivers on the starting grid. With almost 80 Talladega starts and 16 wins between them – the Earnhardt name has become synonymous with the 2.66-mile race track in Talladega, Alabama, helping the pair establish an incredible legacy at the historical venue.

Richard Petty Motorsports, Richard Petty and the Petty family are saddened to hear of the passing of Robert Yates.

Race fans will see a burst of pink pacing Talladega Superspeedway during the Oct. 15th Alabama 500Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) event, a critical race for drivers vying for a championship in NASCAR’s playoffs, which is also Chevy driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final ride around the famed 2.66-mile venue.

Chip Gaines, who co-stars with his wife Joanna on HGTV's hit television show Fixer Upper, has been named as the honorary pace car driver for the AAA Texas 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race Sunday, Nov. 5, at Texas Motor Speedway.

“Robert Yates excelled in multiple NASCAR disciplines, earning the respect of an entire industry and an everlasting place in the hearts and minds of the NASCAR fanbase. His excellence spanned decades, from the 1983 championship powered by his engines and the 1999 title captured by the cars he owned, both of which helped earn him a deserved spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

“Our sport lost one of the most inventive minds and kindest personalities in Robert Yates. I’m glad I got to know him and proud our race team was able to honor him this year at Darlington. He leaves a strong legacy that is carried on by his son, Doug, and all of their employees at Roush Yates Engines. While Robert will certainly be missed, he will always be remembered.”

Robert Yates, a name known around the garage for decades sadly lost his battle with cancer Monday. Many of the sports biggest stars drove for the iconic engine builder and owner, names like Dale Jarrett, Bobby Allison,  Ricky Rudd, and Davey Allison each drove for Yates during their career in Nascar.

Racing is not foremost on my mind today, but Sunday in Dover early in the afternoon it was all that mattered for a few drivers. Ten looked rather comfortable when they determined which dozen would advance on the championship trail, with six others vying for two remaining spots.

Kyle Busch: Busch started second at Dover and passed Chase Elliott with two laps to go to win at Dover. "I stood for the American flag," Busch said, "but I was sitting for the checkered flag."

We all have waited for the moment that the iconic number 24 rolls back into victory lane with rising star Elliott aboard. With 40 laps remaining we all thought this would finally be the moment that he scores his first victory in the Monster Energy Cup Series.