NASCAR Cup Series

Daytona International Speedway today announced a multi-year partnership extension with The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), one of the world’s largest retailers. As part of the partnership, Kroger will serve as the presenting sponsor of DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Day and conduct in-store consumer activation programs across multiple grocery store locations to promote the DAYTONA 500.

Martin Truex Jr. continues to be a force in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship with eight of 10 playoff races completed.

While Jimmie Johnson is a champion, six-times in fact, as well as the race winner from this past weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, he and his wife Chandra are also champions off the track with their foundation’s funding of local school initiatives.

STANDINGS UPDATE: With his sixth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend, Earnhardt Jr. picked up two spots to ninth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings. While he’s no longer in championship contention after getting knocked out of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Talladega Superspeedway, Earnhardt could still finish as high as fifth in the final standings.

No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota driver David Ragan visits Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday for the next-to-last race in the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. This marks Ragan’s first race at Phoenix driving a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota. He finished 21st in March driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Joey Logano: Logano blew a left-rear tire on lap 4, and the resulting damage sent the No.22 to the garage for major repairs. He finished 40th, 60 laps down, and will need a win at Phoenix to be among the final four eligible to win the Cup at Homestead.

Bayne previously raced at Phoenix in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, making 10 starts and recording one top-five finish, six top-10 finishes and has an average finish of 13.1. Bayne finished in the top 10 in six consecutive races at Phoenix from Nov. 2011 to Nov. 2014.

“I always look forward to coming out to Phoenix. Phoenix is a tough one-mile track, but it’s a lot of fun to race there. We had a solid run there earlier this year so hopefully we can have another strong showing in our Cargill/Sam’s Club Ford. Our team has been strong with our short track program this season.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series travels to Phoenix International Raceway for this weekend’s penultimate race of the season.

Aric Almirola is still has a seven point advantage for the top non-Chase spot in the Championship Point Standings. Looking for the best points finish they can, the No. 43 U.S. Air Force team will look to compete up front this weekend.