So far this year, Trevor Bayne is off to a solid start with finishes of third, seventh and a pair of eighth place finishes in the Nationwide Series. For the driver of the No. 6 AdoCare Ford Mustang, it's an okay start to a year - but at least it's consistent.
Ryan Newman’s short tenure with Richard Childress Racing has been acceptable, and while winning a race would almost guarantee them a Chase berth, the No. 31 team continues to bank on consistent finishes and reliable results to be granted a spot in this year’s Chase – however, they’re holding a free and loose attitude heading to Auto Club Speedway this weekend.
Kenseth conquered Knockout Qualifying and drove his No. 20 Dollar General Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to first place at Auto Club Speedway, earning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Coors Light Pole Award with a speed of 187.315 mph. It was his 12th career pole and his first pole at this track.
Matt Kenseth and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) won the pole for this Sunday's Auto Club 400. It is the 2003 series champion's 12th career pole and his first at this speedway. For JGR, it will be their 74th time leading the field to the green flag. Brad Keselowski will start alongside; the fourth week in succession that he's qualified 2nd or higher.
The NASCAR K&N East Series heads to Greenville, South Carolina this Saturday to perform the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 100 at Greenville Pickens Speedway (GPS).
Four winners, three of whom sit atop our leader board. As important as victories are this season in determining the Chase contenders, it would be hard to include Kevin Harvick among the best under normal circumstances.
With four races in the books at four different race tracks, the contenders for this year's Nationwide Series Championship are beginning to get clearer with each week that passes by. With that said, it's time to take a closer look at five of the drivers who have risen to the top of the crop so far this year.
Bristol Motor Speedway is known for being one of the toughest tracks on the circuit - rookie or not. Some of the rookies had a rough go at it - even a discussion of toilet paper broke out - while others, managed to survive. Larson and Dillon are showing early that they're leading the rookie class this year, as expected.
Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse, is currently in a battle to qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series Chase, which will begin at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 6.
It was just three years ago that one of the sport’s most iconic venues, North Wilkesboro Speedway, was revived to welcome NASCAR back to its hallowed grounds.
