Bayley Currey on Racing at Dover: “I’m thankful for another chance behind the wheel at Niece Motorsports,” said Currey. “I have some experience racing at Dover, so I’m hopeful that will help with the lack of track time prior to the race. Thanks to Al Niece and everyone at the team for the opportunity.”
Currey at Dover: Currey has one previous NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series start at Dover International Speedway, coming in 2018.
Currey has three NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the Monster Mile, with his most recent coming last fall.
About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2020, Niece Motorsports enters its fifth season in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel / lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.
For First Time Ever, Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be NASCAR Cup Series’ Final Race of Regular Season to set the Field for the 2020 Championship Playoffs
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 20, 2020) – Capturing another Daytona International Speedway winner’s trophy in next weekend’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Aug. 29) will have extra meaning to five former winners of the iconic 2.5-mile venue.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will serve as the final race of NASCAR’s regular season, and the “last-chance” event to make the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. This marks the first time in history that the Coke Zero Sugar 400 has served as the cut off race for the playoffs. Since 1959 the race had been run on July 4 weekend. For every driver who enters the race outside of the top 16, winning will be pretty much their only option in order to make the championship battle. It’s “Must Win” time.
Amazingly, five drivers who are currently (two races at Dover this weekend before heading to Daytona) on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, have hoisted Daytona trophies in NASCAR’s premier series, and the list reads like a “Who’s Who” in the sport. In order to guarantee a spot in the playoffs, they will need yet another piece of historic “World Center of Racing” hardware. They include:
· Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion is currently 17th in NASCAR Cup standings, winner of two DAYTONA 500s (2006, 2013) and one Coke Zero Sugar 400 (2013). He is the last driver to sweep both Daytona Cup races in a single season.
· Erik Jones, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; Currently 17th in NASCAR Cup standings, winner of the 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400
· Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet; Currently 24th in NASCAR Cup standings and pole sitter for this year’s DAYTONA 500, winner of the 2017 Coke Zero Sugar 400
· Ryan Newman, No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, currently 25th in NASCAR Cup standings, the 2008 DAYTONA 500 Champion
· Matt Kenseth, No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet; Currently 28th in NASCAR Cup standings, a two-time DAYTONA 500 Champion (2009, 2012)
Just because, however, the group of five have tasted victory at historic Daytona does not give them a distinct advantage. Throughout its history, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 has produced a host of first-time winners, dating back to just a year ago when Justin Haley stunned the motorsports world winning after the event was cut short due to inclement weather. Joining Haley are a host of well known – and some Hall of Famers – to get their initial NASCAR Cup Series win on Daytona’s high banks:
· Erick Jones (2018)
· Aric Almirola (2014)
· David Ragan (2011
· John Andretti (1997)
· Jimmy Spencer (1994)
· Greg Sacks (1985)
· Sam McQuagg (1966)
· AJ Foyt (1964)
That gives hope to others below the NASCAR Playoffs cutline like Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell, Ty Dillon, Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace, who finished second in the 2018. The field is wide open. Take your pick.
The full weekend schedule (2.5-mile tri-oval) includes:
o Friday, August 28 – Wawa 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SiriusXM and MRN); 250 miles (100 laps); NO FANS
o Saturday, August 29 – Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC, SiriusXM and MRN): 400 miles (160 laps)
A limited number of fans will get the opportunity to see the 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. The weekend kicks off on Friday, Aug. 28, with the stars off the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and by downloading Daytona International Speedway’s mobile app, for the latest Speedway news throughout the season.
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.
NASCAR is one of the most popular and most betted sports in the world. Thanks to the Internet, you can keep track and bet on NASCAR races online. Worldwide gamblers started preferring this new type of wagering. Online betting sites have had a massive spike in popularity since 2015 and since millions of NASCAR fans are more than willing to place their sport bets online, we wanted to check out some of the advantages and great features that these sites have. They will provide a good explanation as to how they became so successful and popular.
Advantages of Online Sportsbooks
The first advantage that comes by betting online is that you can do it from the comfort of your home. This makes the process far more efficient and saves a lot of time. Because each second matters in sports, betting on NASCAR races online is far a greater option than visiting land-based bookies.
Next up, these sites offer far more betting options for the players and have better odds. To add to that, these sites have tons of bonuses and promotions available for the registered players. Welcome bonuses, free bets, bonus on winnings, etc. can be claimed. The process of registration is pretty simple as well – all you have to do is fill out an online form. The process lasts just a minute.
Finally, these sites are completely secure to play at and players have a certain level of anonymity. All winnings are transferred directly to the player’s account in a matter of days. There are plenty of methods and accepted currencies at betting sites, which means that they are extremely flexible.
Thanks to the use of AI, admins have made sure that the chances of being scammed online are slim to none. Betting sites use military-grade SSL-encryption software. This technology takes the data from players and turns it into an unbreakable code.
Sportsbooks sites are also optimized for mobile use which means that you can place bets on-the-go as well. All you need is a stable Internet connection on your phone and you are ready to play.
Martin Truex Jr. takes the checkered flag for his victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Dover International Speedway on May 6, 2019. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images.
NASCAR heads to Dover International Speedway with six races on the schedule including doubleheaders for the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday and Sunday. The NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series East will start off the weekend’s activities Friday afternoon.
The starting lineup was based on finishing position from the previous race (50%), ranking in team owner points (35%) and the fastest lap from the previous race (15%).
For the second Xfinity race on Sunday, the lineup will be based on Saturday’s finishing order with a top-15 invert. The second Cup Series race on Sunday will also be based on Saturday’s finishing order, but with a top-20 invert.
Friday, Aug. 21
11:30 a.m.: ARCA Menards Series East Practice – No TV
2 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series East General Tire 125 – TrackPass/MRN
5 p.m.: Truck Series KDI Office Technology 200 (Stages 45/90/200 Laps = 200 Miles) FS1/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Truck Series Pole: Brett Moffitt
Saturday, Aug. 22
12:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Drydene 200-Race 1 (Stages 45/90/200 Laps = 200 Miles) NBCSN/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Xfinity Series Pole: Austin Cindric
4 p.m.: Cup Series Drydene 311-Race 1 (Stages 70/185/311 Laps = 311 Miles) NBCSN/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Cup Series Pole: Chase Elliott
Sunday, Aug. 23
1:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Drydene 200-Race 2 (Stages 45/90/200 Laps = 200 Miles) NBCSN/MRN
4 p.m.: Cup Series Drydene 311-Race 2 (Stages 70/185/311 Laps = 311 Miles) NBCSN/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
In this edition of ‘First Seasons” Speedway Media caught up with NHRA driver, Ron Capps, who ranks second on the all-time wins list in the Funny Car division.
During the interview, the Don Schumacher Racing driver reflected on his first season in NHRA, which occurred in 1995 when Capps drove a Top Fuel dragster on a part-time basis for the legendary Roger Primm. During the interview, the San Luis Obispo, California native details his first victory, why it put him on the map, and what, if anything, he wishes he could have done differently.
SM: You began racing Top Fuel in 1995 for Roger Primm 25 years ago at the age of 30. What was it like making your debut in NHRA during that time period as well as getting connected with Primm who gave you that opportunity?
RC: “For me, I grew up as a crew member working on them (Top Fuel dragsters),” Capps said. “You know, always wanting to drive, but obviously, I didn’t have wealthy parents or anyone I could go to for sponsorship to try and get a ride. So, I had to sort of wait and hope to get a chance, which was hard to come by at that time.”
“The fact I worked on them, it drew the attention of Roger (Primm, Team Owner), but more importantly, his crew chief who took a liking to me. That was basically my chance to get my (NHRA) license. When I was first asked to get my license, that’s just a small step. It’s not a guaranteeing (you a ride). So for me working on them, being a crew member on the road, driving the truck, I think that all really helped my learning curve.”
“So, I remember getting a phone call from Roger, he had narrowed his list down to 20 drivers that were very experienced and big-name drivers. I didn’t think I had a shot at it (driving for Roger), but as the list got smaller, my name kept popping up. To get that phone call was definitely a dream come true.”
SM: At 30-years-old in your first season, did you feel as though it was the right time to break into the sport? Most drivers start at a much younger age.
RC: “That was the other thing,” he said about wanting to race in NHRA. “I had kind of been around a little bit and I got a late start (on racing). I don’t think my path would have happened if it was one small little thing changed for something I did or didn’t do. It was almost, I couldn’t think I would do it again (my career) if I wanted to growing up. Things happen for a reason.”
“I was a crew member and I had just married my wife. I was traveling around a little bit, but I wanted to go on the road and hit all the races one time in my life. She allowed me to do that in our first year of marriage. That sort of gave me a chance where I met that crew chief and gave me a shot of getting my license. To be honest with you, I felt like I was 18–years-old (despite being 30). Being on the road traveling and driving a Top Fuel dragster, and going to races like Atlanta and Indianapolis, places I read about growing up as a kid.”
“You know, my dad drove when I was a kid, but he never did it (NHRA) professionally. Going to every race with my dad as a kid just as a hobby, I never in my imagination would drive for Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme who was one of my ultimate heroes growing up. So, I didn’t feel 30 (years old), I just felt like a rookie.
Photo Courtesy of Don Schumacher Racing
SM: While entering the ‘95 season, do you remember having any high expectations for that year? Was a win on your radar considering your rookie status? What were your expectations as the season began and did those expectations change as the season progressed?
RC: “I think for sure, we exceeded our expectations,” Capps said about his rookie season. “Our rookie year, we didn’t have full-time crew members. We had a few of them, but a lot of them were fly in guys. People who had regular jobs. We were a part-time team, but one of the reasons Roger hired me was because he wanted to get a sponsor.”
“His family was involved in casinos, so we had money from his family, but he wanted to get a legitimate sponsor. So, he wanted to use me in the car, to sort of be a marketability part of it. We didn’t hit every race but ventured out to the east coast because we talked to NCI, which was a huge telephone communications business back then. And at the time, we were only going to hit four or five races.”
“Well next thing you know, we go to Atlanta, and we’re in the final round as a rookie in an unsponsored car and I’m up against a McDonald’s car in the final round of the Southern Nationals. That just doesn’t happen as a rookie, especially for a team that wasn’t funded. That put us on the radar. We were just lucky to qualify for these races. That was our goal, not to tear anything up. Then later that year, I ended up winning the Seattle race. Low and behold, we beat that McDonald’s car that beat us in Atlanta. So, yes, we exceeded our expectations by miles.”
SM: You made your NHRA debut at Phoenix in ‘95. What was it like in the weeks leading up to that event? Were you starting to feel anxious or nervous about getting to the track? What did you do to prepare for your debut?
RC: “We were supposed to start at the Winternationals in Pomona, California, two weeks before that (Phoenix), as that was the second of the race of the season,” Capps said. I was bummed we missed our first race, but I understood the owner didn’t want to rush things.”
“The Phoenix race was our initial debut. Yeah, I was a nervous wreck. In fact, I still hadn’t driven the car under power and kept my foot down to the finish line because I wasn’t quite used to the massive amounts of g-force and speed. In addition, we didn’t have a lot of parts, so I was trying to be careful. I knew if I went out there, didn’t pay attention, and blew it up, that would mean we didn’t get to go to some races back east.”
“On top of that, we qualified and I had Joe Amato, who at the time was ‘Mr. Top Fuel.’ He had won everything, set every record, and that’s who we ended up racing in the first round and I ended up beating him. That ended up being a fantastic start.”
SM: Later on that season, you achieved your first win at Seattle. What does that victory still mean to you to this day and have you ever had a chance to go back and watch that specific victory? Do you feel like the victory put you on the map in the NHRA world?
RC: “Oh yeah, without a doubt,” he said regarding the Seattle victory putting him on the NHRA map. “That caught the eye of John Force, who at the time wanted to hire me to be his team driver, which didn’t end up happening. However, what entailed was the fact of John Force started talking about me and put me in a Funny Car. All that talk with the media, all the magazines, it drew the attention of Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme.”
“I think his ears (Prudhomme) perked up and he heard Force talking about me. So, Prudhomme started watching me a little bit. Obviously, he was the one I went to go work for, and Force hired Tony Pedregon. But in reality, all things worked out in the long run. I was driving for one of my heroes.”
“But yes, that win at Seattle put me on the map for sure to what we were doing as a part-time team. The firesuit I had on was a plain white suit and the patches were sewed by my mom. I didn’t have a sponsor. I borrowed money from my mom and dad because I couldn’t afford to buy one (firesuit) when I first started. So, I still look back to this day about that race.”
Photo Courtesy of Don Schumacher Racing
SM: Was there ever any point in the season you and Primm felt you were capable of winning races?
RC: “The Southern Nationals event in Atlanta, several months before that, definitely showed we could (make it to the finals), without having all the parts, we showed we could consistently put pressure on other teams and getting to that final round was huge,” he said.
“The Atlanta race was in May back then and the Seattle race in July. One of the biggest things about getting to the final round of Atlanta was most of our races were on TNN (The Nashville Network, a cable channel that broadcast races). There were only four or five races that were put on ABC and that was one of them, the Atlanta race. You couldn’t have picked a better race.”
“When the race came out a couple of weeks later and they (TNN) aired it, the amount of coverage it (race) got was 10 times bigger than any other race. That race was a huge race to show what we did.”
SM: I’m sure a lot of seasons are a blur to you but are there any fond memories that you still remember to this day about your rookie season in either Top Fuel or Funny Car? If so, what memory sticks out the most?
RC: “One thing that people forget, when Don Prudhomme hired me in ’97 my rookie year in Top Fuel to drive the Cophenhagen car, we didn’t qualify or race on Sunday (Winternationals) which was a huge blunder,” Capps said. “That also marked Chevrolet’s first appearance in drag racing. So a lot of people forget that. (Not qualifying) was humbling for sure.”
SM: Did you ever think when you came into this sport in ’95 that you would have championships, multiple race wins, and have the second most race victories?
RC: “No, not even,” he said about his success. “I only dreamed about having one Wally (NHRA’s trophy). And now, we just won our 65th, which is crazy. At that time, I was just happy with racing.”
SM: Some racers have a memorabilia collection and some don’t. Are you a guy that collects your own merchandise? If so, what do you have in your collection that reminds you of your rookie season?
RC: ” I do have a collection,” he said. “I normally wouldn’t of, but my parents and my wife’s parents make sure to collect stuff which is cool because through all of this COVID stuff our front room in our house is full of stuff for what fans have given me, what we kept.”
“The pictures I have of my rookie year, especially the one in Seattle of me holding the trophy up in the winner circle with the firesuit and no sponsors on it. That race was run on a Tuesday because it rained on Sunday. My wife and the team owner both flew back home. I beat Kenny Bernstein on Monday, but it rained right after that round. Not only we won the race, but we did it on a Tuesday. So that’s probably one of the crazier stories.”
SM: Wrapping it up, it’s been 25 years since your first season in NHRA. What would a 55-year-old Ron Capps tell a 30-year-old Ron Capps, if you had the ability to time travel? Is there anything you would do differently?
RC: “I don’t know if I would want to tell my younger self anything,” Capps said. “I think things have worked out well. Probably. if more than anything, relish the kids when they’re younger because you travel so much, and I had missed so much. I would love to have them back at a younger age. I sort of took it for granted early on of winning races, taking pictures with my kids in the winner circle. I would definitely relish those moments a little bit more.”
A significant milestone is in the making for Kevin Harvick approaching this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series doubleheader races at Dover International Speedway. By the time the Cup Series completes both Dover races on August 22 and 23, Harvick will move into fifth place on the all-time consecutive starts list with 665 consecutive starts.
Harvick’s previous 663 consecutive starts spans all the way back to April 2002 at Talladega Superspeedway, where he returned from a one-race suspension following an on-track altercation with Coy Gibbs in the NASCAR Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway. From April 2002 at Talladega to November 2013 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he made 424 consecutive starts in the No. 29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. During his consecutive streak span with RCR, Harvick achieved 21 victories, six poles, 93 top-five results, 192 top-10 results and over 4,000 laps led. His best points result during his time with RCR was third place, which he achieved in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
From February 2014 at Daytona International Speedway through August 2020 at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course, Harvick’s streak of consecutive starts continued when he made the move to Stewart-Haas Racing to drive the No. 4 car. Through 239 consecutive starts with SHR, Harvick achieved 32 victories, 26 poles, 121 top-five results, 172 top-10 results and over 10,000 laps led. In 2014, Harvick captured his first NASCAR Cup Series championship in his first season with SHR after winning the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.
Following the first 23 Cup races of this season, where Harvick has won six races and is the current regular-season points leader, he is tied with seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson with 663 consecutive starts. In addition to surpassing Johnson and moving into the top five in the all-time Cup consecutive starts list, Harvick is the leading active Cup competitor with the most consecutive starts among the current Cup field. Johnson’s streak came to an end in July when he tested positive for COVID-19 symptoms and was unable to compete at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a race that was ironically won by Harvick.
With Harvick set to achieve 665 consecutive starts following this weekend, he continues to trail Jeff Gordon (797), Ricky Rudd (788), Bobby Labonte (704) and Rusty Wallace (697) for the most consecutive starts as a Cup Series competitor.
Catch Harvick’s milestone starts at Dover International Speedway on August 22 and 23, with both races to air at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
BERLIN TEMPELHOF AIRPORT, GERMANY - AUGUST 08: Maximilian Günther (DEU), BMW I Andretti Motorsports, 1st position celebration during the Berlin ePrix III at Berlin Tempelhof Airport on Saturday August 08, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)
Continuing on a day of multiple announcements in the FIA ABB Formula E world is the BMW i Andretti Motorsport team.
With former team driver Alexander Sims leaving for Mahindra Racing, BMW i Andretti Motorsport announces they confirmed Maximilian Gunther for the 2021 season. The season will mark Gunther’s second with BMW i Andretti.
“I am delighted to continue racing for BMW i Andretti Motorsport in Formula E, and to go in pursuit of titles with them,” Gunther said. “I have felt right at home from the moment I was included in the squad of BMW works drivers last year. I am very happy to remain a part of the BMW family. We have made it onto the podium three times in our first year together, twice as winners. In the Drivers’ Championship, we were in contention for second place until the final race. That shows how strong our package was. Formula E will be promoted to FIA World Championship status next season, and the first World Championship title is extra motivation for us. We will continue to work hard and do all we can to continue to make a statement and enjoy more success next year.”
Gunther is coming off finishing ninth in the championship season points standings along with two victories at the Santiago and Berlin E-Prix’s.
Jens Marquard, BMW’s Group Motorsport Director, says the team is excited about having Gunther for another season and also comments on Sims exit.
“I’m delighted to take on the next Formula E season with Maximilian Günther. It is incredibly valuable for the team to have a driver so focussed, professional and fast despite his young age at BMW i Andretti Motorsport. His two victories this season in Santiago and Berlin were real highlights. Maximilian will build on the experience gained in Season 6. The team and he will be even better in tune with each other. All this will hopefully lead to even more success on the racetrack,” said BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “As far as the departure of Alexander Sims is concerned, the key thing for me is that we go our separate ways in Formula E by mutual agreement. We had two great seasons together. Alexander has matured from a rookie to a winner at BMW i Andretti Motorsport. It was a great pleasure to watch him during his big weekend in Diriyah. We regret that we won’t race together next season, wish him all the best for the next chapter in his Formula E career and look forward to the sporting contest on the track.”
BMW i Andretti Motorsport will announce their full driver lineup in due time.
Mahindra Racing announced Wednesday afternoon they have signed former BMW i Andretti driver Alexander Sims for the FIA ABB Formula E season seven in 2021.
“I’m delighted to be joining Mahindra Racing and continuing my Formula E campaign,” Sims said in a press release. It is an exciting opportunity to bring on the team’s package and challenge for strong results. Promoting sustainability and electric mobility is important to me personally and competing in Formula E provides a strong, innovative and forward-looking platform to raise awareness. I want to thank BMW i Andretti Motorsport for all its support during the past two seasons and wish them well for the future. It’s been a huge learning curve coming into Formula E – it’s such a different discipline in motorsport and brings with it great new challenges. I’m excited to continue learning and to use my knowledge to support Mahindra Racing in the upcoming season.”
The London, England native brings tons of racing experience to Mahindra having competing in Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship in 2008, also achieved the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, a highly respected award in the motorsport industry. In addition, Sims raced in sports cars and has seen numerous success by winning the 24 hours of Spa in 2016, honors in British GT Championship in 2015 and the 2017 ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race that takes place in Nürburgring.
Sims has competed in the electric series since 2014, Formula E’s first season. Since then, he’s obtained 24 starts over the past two years as his first ride was in season five. He scored a victory this past year at the season race in Riydah.
CEO and Team Principle Dilbagh Gill commented on the Sims announcement.
“I’m thrilled on behalf of the whole team to welcome Alexander,” Gill said. “I’m extremely excited about working with him and the prospect of what we can achieve together is motivating. In Alexander we have proven racing talent plus someone that embodies what Mahindra Racing stands for with his principles in the areas of electrification and sustainability. He is an intellectual driver, a very nice guy, and a team player; I’m enthused about what season 7 will bring and look forward to announcing Alexander’s team-mate in due course. At the same time, I would like to pay tribute Jerome (D’Ambrosio), who leaves us after two years with the team. We have had some great moments together and I wish him all the very best as he moves on to new endeavors. He is a class act and I look forward to seeing what he does next.”
The team confirmed Gill’s announcement that Jerome D’ Ambrosio will not be returning next season.
In D’Ambrosio’s time with Mahindra, he scored a victory in Marrakesh and scored the podium in his debut with Mahindra as well.
Mahindra Racing plans to announce their full driver line up at a later date.
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota and his crew chief Adam Stevens pose with the trophy after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images.
A significant milestone is in the making for Adam Stevens, crew chief for Kyle Busch and the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry team in the NASCAR Cup Series. By the time the Cup Series completes its upcoming doubleheader races at Dover International Speedway on August 22 and 23, Stevens will reach 200 starts as a Cup crew chief.
A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, who raced in late models throughout high school and college, and whose father raced dune buggies and dirt late model cars, Stevens’ career in working with racing cars started off as a designer for Petty Enterprises after graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After working for Petty Enterprises for three seasons, he joined Joe Gibbs Racing and worked as a race engineer for Tony Stewart, crew chief Greg Zipadelli and the No. 20 Home Depot team. Stevens worked with Stewart from 2005 to 2008, winning the 2005 Cup title with Stewart, and continued working with JGR’s No. 20 Toyota team as a team engineer from 2009 and 2010 with Joey Logano.
In 2011, Joe Gibbs Racing fielded three cars for the Xfinity Series season and Stevens was named crew chief for the team’s No. 20 Toyota Camry team driven by a number of competitors, including Logano, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Truex. In April, Stevens achieved his first NASCAR win as a crew chief when Hamlin won at Richmond. From 2011 to 2014, Stevens won 31 NASCAR Xfinity Series career races as a crew chief with drivers Hamlin, Logano, Kyle Busch and Sam Hornish Jr. between the Nos. 18, 20 and 54 operations. During his four-year span as an Xfinity crew chief, Adams worked with 12 competitors.
In 2015, JGR underwent major changes to its driver-crew chief pairing for its Cup and Xfinity Series program. As part of the changes, Stevens graduated to the NASCAR Cup Series and was named crew chief for Kyle Busch and the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry team. A day prior to the 2015 Daytona 500, however, Busch suffered a massive compound fracture in his lower right leg, a small fracture in his left foot and a sprained left finger after being involved in a multi-car wreck in the Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, where he made head-on contact into a concrete barrier installed with no SAFER barriers. As a result, with Busch out of the early portions of the season due to his injuries, Stevens worked with Matt Crafton, David Ragan and Erik Jones for the first 11 races of the season. In May, Busch was medically cleared to return behind the wheel of the No. 18 Toyota and was also granted an injury waiver to make the Playoffs if he won and gained enough points to remain within the top-30 mark by Richmond in September. Following his first four Cup races with Busch, Stevens achieved his first Cup victory as a crew chief when Busch won at Sonoma Raceway the following race.
Following the win at Sonoma, Busch and Adams stormed out of the gate as they won three consecutive races over the summer (Kentucky Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway). With five additional top-10 results to go along with four regular-season victories, Busch was able to earn enough points to make the Playoffs. Throughout the Playoffs, Busch was consistent and was able to earn a spot in the Championship Round at Homestead-Miami Speedway. During the finale, Busch took the lead on a late restart and was able to claim his first NASCAR Cup Series championship after winning the finale. The championship was not only the first for Busch, but it was also the fourth for Joe Gibbs Racing, the first for Toyota and the first for Adam Stevens in his rookie season as a Cup crew chief.
For the first 11 races of the 2016 Cup season, Busch and Adams won three races (Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway) and achieved nine top-five results. Following Busch’s victory at Kansas in May, however, the No. 18 team was issued a P3-level penalty as a result of an infraction with the No. 18 Toyota’s lug nuts discovered during post-race inspection. As a result, Stevens was fined $20,000 and suspended for one race along with front tire changer Josh Leslie while veteran Todd Berrier filled in as an interim crew chief. When Adams returned atop the pit box at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600 in May, he and Busch achieved seven top-10 results and won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the second year in a row as they both qualified for the Playoffs. Throughout the Playoffs, Busch was consistent as he earned eight top-10 results and made the Championship Round at Homestead with an opportunity to defend the title from the previous season. During the finale, however, Busch and Adams concluded the season in third place in the final standings after Busch finished in sixth place, five spots behind race winner and the champion Jimmie Johnson.
In 2017, Adams was atop the No. 18 pit box for 32 of the season’s 36-race schedule. In May, Adams and Busch captured the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and in Busch’s 12th attempt to win NASCAR’s annual event. In June, following the 12th race of the season at Dover, Stevens was suspended for the upcoming four races due to a safety violation, where a left-rear tire came off of Busch’s car and rolled on the track as Busch was exiting his pit stall and heading back on the track under cautious pace. This was a result of Busch’s car being dropped off the jack with no lug nuts being safely secured on the left-rear tire. Engineers Ben Beshore and Jacob Canter served as interim crew chiefs before Stevens returned atop the pit box at Kentucky Speedway in July. Three races later, Stevens and Kyle Busch achieved their first victory of the season at Pocono Raceway. The combo would win four more races, make the Playoffs and make it all the way through to the Championship Round at Homestead, where they settled in the runner-up spot behind Martin Truex Jr., crew chief Cole Pearn and Furniture Row Racing. By the time the 2017 concluded, Stevens surpassed 100 races as a Cup crew chief.
From 2018 to 2019, Stevens was atop the No. 18 pit box for the entire 36-race schedule. With Kyle Busch remaining as driver of the No. 18 Toyota, the combo achieved 13 wins, five poles, 39 top-five results, 56 top-10 results and back-to-back regular-season titles. In addition, Busch and Stevens claimed their second Cup championship in 2019 after winning the finale at Homestead and capping off a dominating season for Joe Gibbs Racing, which achieved its fifth Cup career title after winning 19 races throughout the 2019 season. By then, Adams also achieved his 27th Cup career win as a crew chief.
This season, through the first 23 Cup races of this season and in his sixth season as a Cup crew chief, Adams and Busch have earned one stage win, 10 top-five results, 12 top-10 results, 211 laps led and an average result of 15.1. With Busch still pursuing his first Cup victory of the season, they are in 10th place in the regular-season standings and are 100 points above the top-16 cutline to make this year’s Playoffs with three regular-season races remaining.
Catch Adams’ milestone start in the second Dover International Speedway race of a doubleheader weekend on August 23 at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
America’s Leading Home Improvement Media Destination Ready to Race into Fall Home Improvement Season
CHARLOTTE (August 19, 2020) – Motorsports’ leading fan driving experience – the NASCAR Racing Experience, – announced today they are partnering with the Money Pit Media – producers of the country’s top home improvement radio show, podcast, and website – to offer one lucky fan the ultimate racing experience.
“We are excited to join forces with The Money Pit to provide an incredible racing experience to one of their loyal fans,” said Kurt Weinhart of Driving 101, which operates NASCAR Racing Experience, Mario Andretti Racing Experience, and Richard Petty Driving Experience. “The grand prize winner will have an opportunity to race in an actual NASCAR stock car at one of our 13 nationwide speedways – the same tracks where the stars of NASCAR compete.”
NASCAR Racing Experience offers drivers the opportunity to race with no lead car or riding instructor, creating the most realistic racing experience available. No racing experience is required!
Consumers can enter The Money Pit’s “REV YOUR ENGINES” Sweepstakes between August 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 by visiting www.moneypit.com/sweepstakes. Fans can enter once per day and even earn bonus entries by visiting the NASCAR Racing Experience website or subscribing to The Money Pit Podcast, which Apple Podcasts ranks as the #1 Best Home & Garden Podcast of All Time.
“We know our fans and followers love horsepower when it comes to tools, so we’re giving them an opportunity to experience a whole different kind of horsepower,” said Tom Kraeutler, CEO of The Money Pit and lead anchor. “With just a few clicks on our website, they could find themselves behind the wheel of an actual NASCAR stock car racing at more than 100 miles per hour.”
About Money Pit Media: Money Pit Media is a multi-platform home improvement media and content production company. Our media assets include The Money Pit, the nation’s largest home improvement radio show and podcast, a vibrant website for home improvement enthusiasts, and cross-promotional relationships with some of the nation’s most successful media companies. We educate, inspire and guide home enthusiasts to help them build confidence in the projects they want to get it done. We also connect home improvers to our client partners in a way that’s most helpful for them and profitable for our partners. Visit www.moneypitmedia.com to learn more.
About NASCAR Racing Experience: NASCAR Racing Experience is the leading experiential racing company in North America, offering the most realistic racing programs available to motorsports fans nationwide. There’s no lead car to follow and drivers race without an instructor alongside. The drivers compete in real NASCAR race cars driven by NASCAR drivers including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip, among others.
Reservations can be made at www.NASCARRacingExperience.com Gift Cards are available for any amount and never expire. The customer service department is available seven days a week. NASCAR Racing Experience programs are conducted at 13 racetracks across the United States and Mario Andretti Racing Experience is held at 15 racetracks, and both offer a vast array of corporate outings and motorsports themed events. For more information call 704-886-2400 or visit www.NASCARRacingExperience.com.
