NASCAR Cup Series

RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 31 GRAINGER CHEVROLET SS, met with media and discussed his success at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, his thoughts on traction compound, what the team needs to do to prepare for the playoffs, and more.

Aric Almirola returns to the seat of the No. 43 Smithfield Ford Fusion for his first action since suffering a T5 vertebra fracture at Kansas Speedway in May. Almirola addressed his return to the car this weekend at New Hampshire as part of his media availability Friday afternoon.

Kyle Larson topped the chart in first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Fusion, returns to his home track at New Hampshire in search of a his third career win at the track. Logano has enjoyed success over the years at the Magical Mile, including six top-5 and eight top-10 finishes.

NASCAR announced today that Brent Dewar is being elevated to the position of President of NASCAR effective immediately. Dewar, who joined NASCAR as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2014, becomes only the fourth person in the sport’s history to hold the designation of President of NASCAR.

But did you know that the first race at New Hampshire was also Davey Allison’s final race? He finished third, behind Wallace and Mark Martin, scoring his sixth top five of ’93. The following day Allison lost his life in a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway.

When Aric Almirola suffered an acute compression fracture to his T5 vertebra during an accident at Kansas Speedway back in May, the expectation was that the veteran driver for Richard Petty Motorsports would be sidelined anywhere from eight to twelve weeks. After a grueling rehab process that included physical therapy and swimming, Almirola had just one step left to go before he could return.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the XFINITY Series travel to New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend. Saturday night will feature the XFINITY Series Overton’s 200 while the Cup Series closes out the competition Sunday afternoon with the Overton’s 301. Both races will be broadcast on NBCSN.

Loudon, New Hampshire is where they hand out a lobster to the winner. Okay, it is not as cool as Dover's Miles the Monster trophy, with a diecast of the winning car held aloft in its mighty hand. No grandfather clock like they award at Martinsville, or the six-shooters of Texas, and that sweet Les Paul guitar for races in Nashville. On the positive side, you can not eat any of those other awards.

Erik Jones and the No. 77 5-hour ENERGY Extra Strength Toyota Camry team have hit their stride as the second half of the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season begins with Sunday’s Overton’s 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.