NASCAR Cup Series

Ever wonder about those engineers atop the pit box next to the crew chiefs working away on their computers during the race? This week’s NASCAR Behind the Scenes focuses on one such engineer, Tom Gray, who works with Jeff Gordon’s Hendrick Motorsports Team 24.

“We have the Minions Camry and this is pretty cool. We’re going to have a little bit of fun with it. For me, this weekend is special. This is the site of my first win in NASCAR – the Truck Series and it was huge. Then my win in 2005 in the Xfinity Series and now NASCAR is going the direction I’ve been wanting to go for a while with a less downforce package and I’m excited to see how it runs. Hopefully it will be a good weekend.”

New Kentucky-Specific Rules Package To Debut This Weekend; Four More Track-Specific Packages Scheduled

This week the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series and the Camping World Truck Series travel to Kentucky Speedway for a tripleheader of racing action. The Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series practices, qualifying sessions and races will be televised on NBC Sports Live Extra.

One lucky person will win the trip of a lifetime, courtesy of Armour®, the makers of LunchMakers children's portable meals, savory frozen meatballs and sliced pepperoni. As part of the brand's primary sponsorship of the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) Sprint Cup Series team and driver Aric Almirola, Armour has launched a sweepstakes for race fans nationwide.

This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) makes its only stop of the season at Kentucky Speedway. Justin Allgaier will make his second NSCS start at Kentucky on Saturday night. In his first NSCS start at Kentucky last year, he finished 24th. Kentucky marks the final primary race for the Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) this season. However, F.O.E. will appear on the No. 51 Chevy as a co-primary for two remaining TBD races.

“You’ve almost got to wear a mouthpiece in the No. 47 Kroger/SCOTT Products Chevrolet SS at Kentucky Speedway because it is one of the roughest tracks we race on,” Allmendinger said. “There are bumps that are really harsh that jar your teeth out and make the car bounce a lot and then there are just wavy bumps. It’s bumpy for sure and the goal is to get your car working over the bumps. If you can do that, you should have a good car."

The Petty Family is saddened to hear of the recent health news of Buddy Baker. Baker raced for Petty Enterprises in 1971 and 1972, winning one race each season.

Test and Compete: Before the race this weekend at Kentucky Speedway, NSCS teams will be getting on track a bit earlier than usual for two practices on Wednesday to test a new aerodynamics package that will be run for this weekend’s race. The new package, which is meant to create less downforce and could help produce more side-by-side competition, includes a reduced spoiler height, reduced radiator pan and less overhang for the splitter.

KENTUCKY 10: Toyota drivers have visited victory lane at Kentucky Speedway 10 times in NASCAR competition. Two of four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at the 1.5-mile track have been won by Camry drivers – Kyle Busch (2011) and Matt Kenseth (2013). Former Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver Joey Logano won three consecutive NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) events at the track (2008, 2009 and 2010). Tundra drivers have tallied five Kentucky victories by Busch (2010 and 2014), Johnny Benson (2008), Todd Bodine (2010) and Mike Skinner (2007).