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2020 Formula One schedule finalized

By
Andrew Kim
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More than a month after a delayed start, the ongoing 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship season, celebrating its 70th anniversary of the first F1 season, has a full schedule implemented and established.

This season, 17 Grand Prix races will make up the overall schedule as Istanbul, Turkey; Sakhir, Bahrain; and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates will conclude the season with a four-race stretch, starting in mid-November through mid-December.

For the first time since May 2011, Formula One will be returning to Intercity Istanbul Park in Turkey for the Turkish Grand Prix on November 15. Two weeks later, the sport will run a pair of races on consecutive Sundays at Sakhir’s Bahrain International Circuit on November 29 and on December 6 for the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Sakhir Grand Prix. Finally, the season will cap off at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 13.

The back-to-back races at Bahrain International Circuit marks the second time this season where a Formula One track will host two Grand Prix races at in the midst of the schedule shakeup. On August 2 and 9, F1 raced twice at the United Kingdom’s Silverstone Circuit for the British Grand Prix and the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

Formula One has been racing at Bahrain since 2004 (minus the 2011 season that was cancelled due to the Bahraini anti-government uprising/protests). The sport has also been racing at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit since 2009 and as the season finale, except from 2011 to 2013 that occurred at Brazil.

The final four-race stretch to this season and of the finalized schedule will occur two weeks after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Italy, which will occur on November 1. In the wake of the finalized 2020 F1 season, the sport confirmed that the Chinese Grand Prix, which was previously postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has been cancelled for this season. China joins a host of other nations/countries that includes Australia, Canada, United States of America, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Monaco, Azerbaijan, France, Singapore and the Netherlands that will not host a Grand Prix race this season.

“We are proud to announce that Turkey, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will be part of our 2020 season,” Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula One, said. “This year has presented Formula 1 and the world with an unprecedented challenge and we want to pay tribute to everyone across Formula 1, the FIA, the teams, and our partners who have made this possible. While we are all disappointed that we have not been able to return to some of our planned races this year we are confident our season has started well and will continue to deliver plenty of excitement with traditional, as well as new, races that will entertain all our fans.”

Formula One also disclosed in a released statement that a number of races in 2020 will allow a limited number of fans in attendance while the sport continues to work with each promoter to finalize the capacity/hospitality details. In addition, F1 will continue to work with all promoters and local authorities in determining travel restrictions and health procedures to ensure the safety of all individuals due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic globally.

The 2020 Formula One season was scheduled to start in March, but it was delayed through the beginning of July due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, six races of this season are complete. Following the latest Grand Prix event at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which occurred on August 16, the reigning six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton leads the drivers’ standings by 37 points over Max Verstappen and 43 over teammate Valtteri Bottas, all of whom are the only race winners through the first six F1 races thus far. Charles Leclerc, Lance Stroll, Alexander Albon and Lando Norris are among the remaining 17 competitors who trail in the drivers’ standings by 87 points or more. In addition, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team powered by Mercedes engines, the reigning eight-time drivers’ and six-time constructors’ championship team, leads the constructors’ standings by 86 points over Aston Martin Red Bull Racing powered by Honda engines, 158 over BWT Racing Point F1 Team powered by BWT Mercedes engines, 159 points over McLaren F1 Team powered by Renault engines and 160 over Scuderia Ferrari powered by Ferrari engines.

The 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship season will resume on August 30 at Stavelot’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Walk-On’s to Race Under the Lights at Daytona with Gray Gaulding

By
Official Release
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Fort Worth, TX. (August 25, 2020) – Standout Management Group (SMG) and NASCAR driver Gray Gaulding are excited to announce the return of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux as primary sponsor for No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro racing this coming Friday under the LED lights at Daytona International Speedway. 

“We’re super excited to sponsor Gray and the No. 07 Walk-On’s Chevrolet Camaro at the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 this Friday, August 28th at Daytona. A walk-on plays for the love of the game, so Gray’s passion on the track is a perfect fit” stated Brandon Landry, Founder and CEO. 

“It is such an honor to have the support of a great brand like Walk-On’s to believe in me along with Bobby Dotter and SS Greenlight Racing”, said Gray Gaulding. “Brandon Landry and his own journey of being a basketball walk-on at LSU and chasing and achieving his dream to create a successful business is someone that I really look up to. Brandon is proof that hard work and determination pays off and as a NASCAR walk-on I plan to keep grinding every day towards becoming the best professional driver that I can be.” 

“I am so pumped to get back in the car on Friday night under the lights at Daytona and show everyone what walk-ons like me are capable of doing. We had a great showing last month at Talladega finishing 8th, but I think as history has shown anything can happen at Daytona. I plan to give my best representing the Walk-On’s brand and all those who believe in chasing dreams!” 

In addition to Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, PaniniAmerica.net, Kuykendall Hearing Aid Centers and latest associate sponsor Refi4Cash.com will also be along for the ride on Friday night. Make sure to catch all the race action on NBCSN starting at 7:30 PM Eastern Time Friday. 

About Walk-On’s Success in sports and success in life often come from similar paths. Brandon Landry has turned the traits he learned as a college basketball walk-on into virtues that he shares freely with everyone on the Walk-On’s team as part of his life’s calling. Today, with over 100 locations in the works across 15 states, the sky is the limit. Walk-On’s operates with a mission of delivering a memorable game day experience with a taste of Louisiana created by an All-American team. Brandon regularly and proudly shares his goal with everyone on his team – To Win! For more information, visit www.walk-ons.com. 

About SMG Standout Management Group is a sports and entertainment talent management and activation agency headquartered at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. SMG is considered an “outside of the box” company that works with clients and sponsor partners to provide “stand out” experiences leveraging the motorsports, music, and other professional sports platforms. SMG uses advanced technology solutions and processes to provide highly effective and measurable results. For more information, visit www.standoutmg.com.

FAS Joins Nemechek in Daytona for Last Chance at the Playoffs

By
Official Release
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Nemechek on Daytona:

“I think this weekend at Daytona is going to be intense for sure. Everyone is going to be driving as hard as they can, making moves that they might not have at Talladega or the previous Daytona race, since it’s everyone’s last shot to get into the Playoffs. It’s going to be a fun race, but you’ve got to keep your nose clean and not get caught up in a wreck in order to make it to the end. I’m sure with it being the cutoff race, there will be even more wrecks.

“We have FAS back on our No. 38 Ford Mustang this weekend. They’ve been a great supporter and I’m proud to represent them on track. I know my team will set up a great car as we head into the weekend. We will do everything we can during the race to set ourselves up for the end and get into a position to win and make it into the Playoffs.”

NGROTS Advance: Tanner Gray – World Wide Technology Raceway

By
Official Release
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Track: World Wide Technology Raceway, 0.8-mile oval
Race: 14 of 23
Event: WWT Raceway 200 (200 miles, 160 laps)

Schedule:
Sunday, August 30
12:00 p.m…………..Race (FS1)
(all times ET)

Tanner Gray, No. 15 Ford Performace F-150

Although Tanner Gray has no prior starts at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (NGROTS), he did race there twice last year. He made one start in the ARCA Menards Series finishing 17th after handling issues, and one start in what was the NASCAR K&N East Series where he finished 15th after an accident. This time Gray is hoping for better results in his No. 15 Ford Performance F-150.

In 13 Truck Series races this season, the rookie has two top-five, four top-10 finishes and has led four laps. He finished 17th last weekend at Dover (Del.) International Speedway after a pit road penalty cost him a potential top-10 finish.

The DGR-Crosley team is bringing the same No. 15 Ford Performance F-150 to Gateway that Gray raced at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June where he finished 12th. Anthony Alfredo also raced this truck at Gateway last year and finished 12th.

The WWT Raceway 200 from World Wide Technology Raceway will be run on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 12 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on FS1. The 200-lap race will be broken into three segments with stage-ending cautions on laps 55 and 110.

Gray on WWT Raceway: “Gateway is a challenging track. I’ve been there twice and didn’t have great results, but we qualified well in both starts there. If we can unload with a good set-up and have a mistake-free race, I think we can have a solid finish there. I’ve watched a lot of film from last year’s truck race and spent some time on the Ford Performance simulator, so hopefully we can regain the momentum we had earlier this month and get back on track.”

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Dover

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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DOVER, DELAWARE - AUGUST 23: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 311 at Dover International Speedway on August 23, 2020 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Kevin Harvick: Harvick led 223 of 311 laps to win the Drydene 311 at Dover.

“It’s always cool to win at Dover,” Harvick said. “And the ‘Miles The Monster’ trophy is the best trophy in NASCAR. It’s also useful on lonely days. When I get lonely, I sit that trophy on the couch and pretend I’m having a conversation with Bruton Smith.

“I clinched the regular season. The regular season doesn’t mean that much to me, but to old farts like Tony Stewart, ‘regular season’ means you’re on the toilet three times a day.

2. Denny Hamlin: An unscheduled pit stop cost Hamlin any chance for completing the Dover weekend sweep. Instead, he finished 19th while the main rival Kevin Harvick took the win.

“I had a loose wheel,” Hamlin said. “So, it appears the only thing ‘tight’ were the nerves of the crew member responsible. We can’t have crucial mistakes like that. Maybe that crew member should be cut loose.”

3. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex finished second on Sunday at Dover, matching his Saturday result. He is fourth in the points standings, 196 behind Kevin Harvick.

“I really wanted both those wins,” Truex said. “So to come up short both times is gut-wrenching. So, instead of the ‘Double-Dover,’ I’m ‘doubled over.'”

4. Chase Elliott: Elliott started on the pole at Dover, but trouble struck early on lap six, when contact between Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. caused Elliott to hit the rear of Kyle Busch. Elliott finished 39th.

“This season,” Elliott said, “it’s not often you find yourself behind Kyle Busch. Last year, when Kyle won the championship, many people found themselves behind him. Who else may have found themselves behind Kyle at other points in time? State troopers.”

5. Joey Logano: Logano finished sixth at Dover, claiming his 13th top-10 of the year.

“I caused major problems for other cars when I made contact with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.,” Logano said. “It was my mistake, so I take all the blame. And I have no problem taking all the blame when I’m at fault, on the one condition that punishment doesn’t come courtesy of Matt Kenseth.”

6. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski came home eighth at Dover.

“While we were racing at Dover,” Keselowski said, “the Indianapolis 500 was running at The Brickyard. Indy car speeds were approaching 240 miles per hour, so if its speed your comparing, Indy cars have our ‘milk.'”

7. Ryan Blaney: Blaney finished 12th at Dover and is now seventh in the points standings, 203 out of first.

“Erik Moses was named president of Nashville Speedway,” Blaney said. “He became the first black track president in NASCAR history. Many NASCAR fans honored the announcement by flying their Confederate flags upside down.”

8. Aric Almirola: Almirola led 22 laps at Dover and finished seventh.

“I clinched a spot in the championship playoffs,” Almirola said. “That’s an accomplishment. And that calls for a clenched fist. I’ll let those who haven’t clinched clench their sphincters.”

9. Kyle Busch: Busch finished 11th at Dover and clinched a spot in the championship round.

“I’m just glad I don’t have to go to Daytona to clinch a spot,” Busch said. “So, for probably the first time this year, you could say the No. 18 team is ‘locked in.'”

10. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer finished 16th at Dover.

“I haven’t officially clinched a spot in the playoffs,” Bowyer said. “But it would take an act of God for me not to make the playoffs. So, I’m praying that God doesn’t act. I don’t know if that makes me a Christian or a heathen.”

Sato’s two 500 wins places him in legend status at Indy

By
Joseph Shelton
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Takuma Sato during the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday, August 23, 2020 -- Photo by: Matt Fraver

It’s easy to establish Takuma Sato as a good, but not great NTT IndyCar Series driver. He came into the series in 2010 and floundered a little with KV Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at first. Sure, he earned the respect and admiration of us all in his valiant 2012 Indy 500 effort, attempting to pass eventual winner Dario Franchitti in the first turn of the last lap only to go full send into the wall. But he didn’t find Victory Lane until 2013’s Long Beach event driving for A.J. Foyt Racing.

He didn’t win again until his brief stay at Andretti Autosport in 2017, when he claimed his first Indy 500, and the next season saw him back at RLL, where he’s finally flourished by winning four more times since. He’s steadily gotten better – not great, but better – and there’s a very real chance he could find himself in title contender territory before too long.

In a sense, he’s like NASCAR’s Sterling Marlin in that he excels at certain places but has won elsewhere on occasion. However, Indy is to Sato what Daytona was to Marlin – a racetrack where he can truly shine.

For starters, there’s the two victories in the 500, as well as the 2012 attempt. However, there’s also is spirited 2019 effort, where the results will show that he finished third behind Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi. But what the cards won’t show initially is that a second pace-lap issue forced him to go a lap down, and at one point he was running in dead last. However not only was Sato able to get himself back on the lead lap, he even contended for the lead as late as lap 176 of the 200-lap event.

These show that he’s acclimated well to the speedway no matter who he is driving for. However, there’s also the fact that not only is he the first non-Caucasian driver to win the 500 and multiple times to boot (one of only 20 drivers to do so), he’s the first driver from the continent of Asia to do so. His victories have been a great way to bring other ethnicities into the sport, and they help shine a positive light on the sport of IndyCar.

There’s also the matter of how quickly Sato has taken to open wheel racing. On one hand, there’s 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon, who has been winning races and championships since before Sato burst onto the scene in 2010. Graham Rahal earned his first series win in 2008 at St. Petersburg. In contrast, Sato was a champion cyclist before beginning his Formula One career in 2002, with a lukewarm career there before racing full-time in IndyCar in 2010.

None of these statistics place him in the same category as say, Dixon or Will Power, or for that matter even Rahal, Unser, Foyt, or even Mario Andretti territory. He’s far from that at this point in his career considering he only holds six IndyCar wins and a best points finish of eighth in 2017. But unlike Andretti, Dixon, or Power, Sato is a two-time Indy 500 champion. That puts him in an elite category of open wheel stars over the last 100+ years. Put that together with how much he’s matured over the last 10 years and the far-reaching effects of his wins in the 500, and it’s easy to see that there’s more that goes into a legend than just statistics.

For all we know Sato may just continue to be a perennial challenger, occasionally making his way to Victory Lane here and there. He’s fearless behind the wheel, there’s no doubt about that. That hasn’t translated into great results, but a win is a win. Those stay in the record books for years to come. The effects of those wins? Those last longer and reach further. There’s no a shadow of a doubt that for the time being, Sato is definitely an Indy 500 legend.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Power Rankings – Dover

By
Briar Starr
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Brett Moffitt and Ryan Sieg lead the field to start the NASCAR Xfinity Series Drydene 200 at Dover International Speedway on August 23, 2020. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.

Dover International Speedway held two NASCAR Xfinity Series races this past weekend for a doubleheader weekend, with both races making up the originally postponed Spring and Fall events.

Justin Allgaier ended up snapping a winless streak dating back to Phoenix of 2019 and with one of his best races of the season to date. Meanwhile, Chase Briscoe continued his hunt for eight wins that he set out at the beginning of the year, winning the Sunday event for his sixth victory of the year.

But where did everyone else wind up?

Here’s a look at this week’s Power Rankings following the Dover doubleheader.

  1. Chase Briscoe – After a forgettable Daytona Road Course race, Briscoe bounced back this weekend by placing 10th in Saturday’s race and leading 107 laps in Sunday’s race en route to victory. The Indiana native also won the second stage in Sunday’s race and gained substantial bonus points. Briscoe is solidly in the Playoffs and could very easily reach eight victories before the season is said and done.

    Previous Week Ranking – Fifth
  2. Justin Allgaier – It’s been a whirlwind of a season for Allgaier, who has been up and down throughout the year with five DNFs. However, Allgaier had a solid weekend at the “Monster Mile” by winning Saturday’s race (finishing third in Stage 1 and winning Stage 2). In addition, he led 120 of 200 laps, the most out of any driver in the race. When Sunday rolled around, Allgaier looked to continue his winning ways. He managed stage finishes of second twice, led 19 laps, and ultimately gained his 12th top-10 finish of the season, finishing seventh. It was a bounce-back weekend for the JR Motorsports driver.

    Previous Week Ranking – Not Ranked
  3. Austin Cindric – A pair of top-five finishes for the No. 22 Penske team, finishing second and third respectively in both races. Cindric led a combined 50 laps, won Stage 1 in Saturday’s race, and managed stage finishes in the top-10 for Sunday. Despite his winning streak being broken this weekend, Cindric is still riding high after a mid-season momentum. After the Dover races, Cindric has earned 15 top-five finishes.

    Previous Week Ranking – First
  4. Noah Gragson – A respectable weekend in the No. 9 JR Motorsports camp, finishing fourth in Saturday’s race and sixth in the Sunday outing. The Las Vegas native was able to lead a combined effort of 38 laps. Gragson sits third in the points standings, 97 points behind championship points leader Cindric. Gragson could easily be a dark horse favorite for the championship if he continues to have consistent finishes. However, once the Playoffs begin consistent finishes won’t be enough to advance into the next rounds. Gragson will have to start winning again if he wants to be in the Championship Round at Phoenix.

    Previous Week Ranking – Second
  5. Riley Herbst – Herbst had an uneventful but consistent weekend with finishes of sixth and ninth. No laps were led but he brought home a clean No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota Camry for his 12th top-10 of the season. It was a much needed finish after a few weeks of bad luck.

    Previous Week Ranking – Fourth

Fell Out

  1. Brandon Jones – It was a mixed bag of results for Brandon Jones following the Dover weekend. Jones wound up 16th in Saturday’s outing but bounced back to a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s race. Despite quality stage finishes in Saturday’s race, Jones could only place seventh on Sunday.

    Previous Week Ranking – Third

PRESSURE-PACKED LAST CHANCE! Coke Zero Sugar 400 Will Serve as Final Race to Set the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

By
Official Release
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Johnson, Byron and DiBenedetto on Bubble; Others Hoping for a Win to Play Spoiler Role 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 24, 2020) – Words and phrases that are guaranteed to be heard this week for the cut-off race for the 2020 NASCAR Playoffs – Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Raceway – include: “Intense. Pressure-Packed. No Holding Back. Desperation. Aggression. All-Out. Must Win.” At the top of the list, “Must See!”

For thirteen drivers, there is no worry as they have already qualified for the 16-team postseason. For the rest, get ready! Veteran Clint Bowyer sits 14th, 57 points above the cut line, but by no means does is he safely in. For three drivers, however – Matt DiBenedetto (15th, +9), William Byron (16th, +4) and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, two-time DAYTONA 500 champion Jimmie Johnson (17th, -4), they are absolutely on the bubble, and the pressure is already there.

“I am going to sit and hope and pray all week that we can just come out of there clean and make the playoffs,” said DiBenedetto, who has seen his fair share of bad luck at Daytona’s 2.5-mile tri-oval, but did had an eighth-place result a year ago in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. “I have crashed in the back (of the pack), the middle, running second multiple times. On the bottom (of the track), the middle, the top. You name it and I have been minding my own business and gotten wiped out. So, sometimes it doesn’t really matter how smart you race and all the things you do right, even if you are running first or second.

“Your whole season and year falls for us on Daytona as a cut-off and that is the last situation you want to be in. It is tough. There are some good guys that are battling – Jimmie Johnson, William Byron and some tough competitors, and a couple of surprise winners this year. That bumps us back further and that has been a perfect storm of things lining up for us to really fight this next week.”

Just a good finish may not be enough, either, since points will also be awarded at the conclusion of the first two stages of the event. It will prompt not only the Bowyer, Byron, Johnson and DiBenedetto to race as hard as they can for the full 400 miles, but also those further below the cutline, searching for their first win of the season and automatic playoff berth.

“It’s going to be insane,” Byron, driver of the famed No. 24 Chevrolet, said of what awaits at Daytona. “You have to race aggressively at Daytona, you have to go for the stage points, hopefully get five or six – 10 would be awesome – and then you can kind of live with the result at the end of the race. It’s good to be on the good side I guess. There’s a guy within reach…really two spots up for grabs. Hope Jimmie and I can get those spots.”

“Studying, worrying – any of that isn’t going to make a difference,” said Johnson, who won the 2013 Coke Zero Sugar 400, completing a DAYTONA sweep that season. “So, go down there (to Daytona), say a few prayers, maybe say a prayer per lap and see how that plays out I guess. We’ll race hard and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”

A limited number of fans will get the opportunity to see the much-anticipated Coke Zero Sugar 400. Fans can get tickets, which start at $49 (both races included) for adults and $10 for kids 12 years old and younger, by visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or calling 1-800-PIT-SHOP. It marks the first time in history that the summertime classic, normally run around July 4th since 1959, will serve as the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff cut-off race.

While a lot of the focus may be on Johnson, Byron and DiBenedetto, not completely out of the playoff picture via points is 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400 winner Erik Jones (-50) and Tyler Reddick (-69).

“This isn’t over for us yet,” said Reddick, pilot of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. “We still have one more chance to make the playoffs at Daytona International Speedway, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

On the other side of the coin, locked in, are regular season champion Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Martin Truex, Jr., Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, along with Austin Dillon and Cole Custer. Dillon and Custer are actually 18th and 19th in the point standings, respectively, but won races this season to make it into the playoffs.

Here is a quick snapshot of those on the bubble or below the cut-off line (but within the top 30 in the championship point standings), focusing on their NASCAR Cup Series performances on the storied 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.

Currently above the Playoff Cutline:

·         Clint Bowyer: 29 starts, 4 top-5 finishes; 6th in 2020 season-opening DAYTONA 500

·         Matt DiBenedetto: 10 starts, 3 top-10 finishes; best 8th in 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400

·         William Byron: 5 starts, runner-up in 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Currently Below the Playoff Cutline:

·         Jimmie Johnson: 37 starts, 3 wins (2006, 2013 DAYTONA 500; 2013 Coke Zero Sugar 400), 12 top-5 finishes

·         Erik Jones: 7 starts, 1 win (2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400)

·         Tyler Reddick: 2 starts, 27th– and 28th-place results; Sunoco Rookie of Year candidate

·         Christopher Bell: 1 start, 21st in 2020 season-opening DAYTONA 500; Sunoco Rookie of Year candidate

·         Chris Buescher: 9 starts, 3 top-5s (including 3rd in 2020 season-opening DAYTONA 500)

·         Bubba Wallace: 6 starts, runner-up in 2018 DAYTONA 500 to Austin Dillon

·         Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.: 16 starts, 1 win (2017 Coke Zero Sugar 400), 2020 DAYTONA 500 Busch Pole Award winner

·         Michael McDowell: 18 starts, 5 top-10 finishes with best of 4th in 2017 Coke Zero Sugar 400

·         Ryan Newman: 37 starts, 1 win (2008 DAYTONA 500), 7 top-5 finishes (5th in 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400)

·         John Hunter Nemechek: 1 start, 11th in 2020 season-opening DAYTONA 500; Sunoco Rookie of Year candidate

·         Ty Dillon: 9 starts, 3 top-10 finishes with a best 4th in 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400

·         Matt Kenseth: 36 starts 2 wins (2009, 2012 DAYTONA 500); 6 top-five finishes

·         Corey Lajoie: 7 starts, 6th place in 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400; 8th in 2020 season-opening DAYTONA 500

·         Ryan Preece: 3 starts, 8th place finish in 2019 DAYTONA 500

The above shows 17 competitors gunning for three playoff positions. DiBenedetto sums it up best when talking about Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400.

“”I don’t know what to expect actually at these things but if I were a guessing man I would say probably quite a bit more chaotic and a whole lot of desperation because this is the last attempt or opportunity for a whole lot of people to make the playoffs,” he was quick to say.” A lot of people can win at Daytona so I would assume it might be quite chaotic.”

The full weekend schedule (2.5-mile tri-oval) includes:

  • Friday, August 28 – Wawa 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SiriusXM and MRN); 250 miles (100 laps); NO FANS
  • Saturday, August 29 – Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC, SiriusXM and MRN): 400 miles (160 laps)

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of “The Great American Race” – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the “World Center of Racing,” boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

How Safe Are Motorcycle Leggings?

By
SM
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Cruising around on the bike is one of the best feelings around. With the wind blowing past your hair as you easily pass standstill traffic gives you a massive sense of freedom and excitement. Nipping around town, commuting to work, or only taking the bike out on nice weekends, one thing you always do is gear up first. Struggling with clunky thick armored trousers and leathers are now a thing of the past with the relatively new motorcycle leggings. Comfortable, strong fabric that can be worn under regular trousers or on their own means no more wrestling into your big bulky gear but how safe are they? This article will go through the materials used and extras available for your motorcycle gear to let you know how safe motorcycle leggings are.

Material

Motorcycle leggings have a sleek look that is a far cry away from bulky leather and denim systems. These leggings are ideal if you are riding slow around town,  or spend your time sitting on a café racer or a bobber. They are constructed with Kevlar which is woven into the fabric. The Kevlar is spread across all of the leggings, but it is particularly focused on areas where you are likely to have an impact if you fall. Areas such as hips and knees have more of this woven padding than your calf or your thigh. This gives you a streamlined look that isn’t far off what you wear on a daily basis. 

Leggings Versus Jean

Kevlar jeans are a recent development in the motorcycle protection world, they aren’t as well established as the tried and tested leather, but they are a close second. Again, these are ideal if you are riding a slower bike and have no intention of putting your knee down. Jeans are bulkier than leggings, but they do wear better. This is simply down to the fact that they are made out of denim. In the event of an accident, the denim will last longer than the leggings will. This reduces the chances of abrasions and cuts. Most new leggings are abrasion-proof, especially the newer versions, but they aren’t as durable as denim. 

Leggings Versus Leather

There is a reason that leather is the go-to for motorcycle protection. It is one of the most versatile and durable fabrics out there, plus it is also 100% waterproof. If you are on the back of or riding a fast bike, you want the best protection you can get and leather will give this to you. Leggings certainty have their place, but if you are wanting to ride fast on unyielding roads, then leggings shouldn’t be your first choice, leather should. Read more on https://www.ridezza.com/product-category/leggings/

When To Wear Leggings

Leggings are ideal if you want to look good when you get off your bike, especially when you’re wearing stylish and functional options from Ryderwear. They are less padded than leather and a lot of the leggings now come in fashion cuts. This means that you can jump off your bike and go shopping like you normally would. Before you gear up, it would be best to check the weather. Leggings are best suited to warm, dry weather. Wet weather doesn’t make them less effective, but it reduces the comfort of your ride. There isn’t much worse than having to peel yourself out of soaking wet motorcycle gear and Kevlar leggings also take a long time to dry. 

Are They Safe?

Motorcycle leggings now come with durable Kevlar lining that reduces the chances of road rash and deep abrasions in the event of an accident. They can’t protect from broken bones, but they can vastly reduce the chances of missing skin. When it comes to comparing them against the tried and tested leather outfits, they don’t match the same safety standard. However, you can increase how safe your motorcycle leggings are. Not all of them come with hip pads as standard, so if you want to make them safer, then purchase the additional hip pads. This makes sure that you are getting the maximum safety, whilst making sure you look good all at the same time. 

Final Thoughts

Motorcycle leggings are becoming more and more popular as they look like normal leggings that you wear on a daily basis. Before you settle on a pair, think about the type of riding that you do. If you are thinking of fast, open road riding where you can get your knee down, then you want to dress for the slide, rather than the ride, so in this case, leather would be more appropriate. If you are on a slower bike and bobbing around town, then leggings are the way forward. 

Four Takeaways from the NASCAR Truck Series race at Dover

By
Briar Starr
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During the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series KDI Office Technology 200 at Dover International Speedway on August 21, 2020. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.

The NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series continued their march to the Playoffs last Friday at Dover International Speedway.

Surprisingly, there is just three races left in the regular Truck Series season. It’s a little hard to believe the season is starting to wind down considering all that has happened this year with the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of the year. But, NASCAR has made a solid effort by getting most of the races in and just 10 Truck Series races left in the 2020 season.

GMS Racing is currently the team to beat with rookie Zane Smith winning again for the second time this year. The team has a combined four wins with Sheldon Creed and Smith having a pair of victories. Remarkably, 2018 Truck Series champion Brett Moffitt and another rookie Tyler Ankrum, currently don’t have wins but have been close multiple times.

Even though GMS has been the talk of the garage as of late, there are other story lines that are worth mentioning following Dover.

Here are this week’s Four Takeaways.

  1. Johnny Sauter Has Solid Run – It’s been a dismal couple of weeks for Johnny Sauter’s No. 13 ThorSport team. An engine failure at Texas and a crash at Michigan has put the Wisconsin native in a must-win situation with three races left. A 71 point deficit is just too much to make up in over those races, so Sauter will need a victory if he wants to make the Playoffs. Nonetheless, he scored a respectable finish of sixth at one of his favorite racetracks.
  2. Carson Hocevar Gains Career Day – Coming into the Dover race, Hocevar’s best finish in the Truck Series was 23rd last year at Phoenix. On Friday, the Niece Motorsports driver cut that in half and earned a career-best of 12th. Not a bad outing in his fourth series start.
  3. Teammate Battles – A heated battle occurred between Kyle Busch Motorsports drivers on Lap 89 caused a multi-truck incident. Chandler Smith who was back in the No. 51 was underneath his teammate Christian Eckes in the No. 18 and they made contact with each other. Unfortunately for the Georgia native, Smith received the worst of the damage and as a result, he finished 20th two laps down after having a strong truck earlier in the race and leading 50 laps.
  4. Playoffs – The season has gone by in a hurry, but the playoffs are inching ever so closley. Currently, five drivers are locked in based on wins, but three additional drivers (Brett Moffitt, Eckes, and Ben Rhodes) are safely locked in on points if they have clean races. Where it really gets interesting is ninth to 11th. Tyler Ankrum is ninth with nine points above the cut line and Todd Gilliland is sitting in the last playoff position in 10th, four points in. Realistically, Derek Kraus would be the only driver outside the cut line that could point his way in. Kraus is sitting 11th, just four points out. Every other driver including Tanner Gray, Johnny Sauter, and Raphael Lessard are too far back to even have a chance. The only thing those three drivers could do is win, but only one driver will be the winner. One thing’s for sure, the points battle will be an interesting story to follow at the final race of the regular season.
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