NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR can drive its fans crazy. I say its fans, as those not already invested could not care less what the sport does. For those of us who still do, another damned on the fly rule change is not what we were hoping for. The World 600, as it should be known unless you are devoted to Coca-Cola, will have not two but now three stages to pick up participation or pity points before the finish. Hallelujah!

One of the most memorable All-Star races occurred in 1992 when Davey Allison and Kyle Petty were contending for the win along with Dale Earnhardt who was in the lead. During the closing laps, Petty made contact with Earnhardt, who spun, setting up a battle between Allison and Petty.

NASCAR heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway this week for the Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Friday night and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race Saturday evening. Both events will be televised on FS1.

Kansas Recap: Denny Hamlin was forced to a 23rd-place finish at Kansas Speedway after being involved in a wreck with only three laps remaining in Saturday night’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at the 1.5-mile oval. The #11 FedEx Freight Toyota sustained damage to the right front during the incident, forcing Hamlin to pit for repairs right before a green-white-checkered finish under the lights.

Martin Truex Jr. outlasted Coors Light Pole winner Ryan Blaney to notch his second win of the season in last Saturday’s Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway. The No. 78 Furniture Row Racing driver led a race-high 104 laps and amassed five playoff points with the win. He leads the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with 15 playoff points – via his two victories and series-leading five stage wins – three more than Kansas runner-up Brad Keselowski’s 12.

Non-Points Race: It's a special week for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series as it heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the All-Star race weekend. Reddit, "the front page of the internet", will be represented on the No.32 Ford and driver Matt DiBenedetto as they compete in the Monster Energy Open, the race to gain entry into the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race.

Roush Fenway Racing returns home to Charlotte, N.C. as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) prepares for an All-Star weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, an event that Roush Fenway has won four times.

Truex Topping the Charts: Martin Truex Jr. drove the new 2018 Toyota Camry to victory lane for a second time this season at Kansas Speedway, capturing his ninth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) victory. Although Truex continues to remain second in the MENCS point standings, he’s at the top of the charts in numerous categories this season. Truex leads NASCAR’s premier series with the most playoff points (15), most stage wins (five) and most laps led (536) as he puts together what could be his most-successful season yet.

Driver Quote: “I can’t wait to get back on track this week in Charlotte,” said Bell. “We were here a few weeks ago testing, and I really feel like this team made a lot of progress and learned a lot during the test. Plus, it never hurts to get some extra seat time. I think this team has shown consistent improvement so far this season, and I look forward to building on that again this week.”

Stenhouse Jr. at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The driver of the No.17 Fastenal Ford qualified for the All-Star race after winning the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in May.