Sunday, Jun 04
Speedway Digest Staff

Speedway Digest Staff

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GMS Racing and the Wendell Scott Foundation are proud to unveil a special paint scheme for Rajah Caruth in a cooperative effort to promote the debut of a new children's book, Born Driven. Caruth will race the book-inspired paint scheme on his No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado RST in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Born Driven is based on the true story of the first African-American NASCAR Driver and Team Owner, Wendell Scott. The book follows Scott as a young boy facing the challenges of growing up in the South trying to chase his dream of becoming a professional race car driver. The uplifting story will teach children how having the persistence and willingness to make a difference can overcome seemingly impossible feats.

"In honor of my grandfather, Wendell Scott, I'm excited to introduce a new generation to his legacy as the first African American NASCAR Driver and Team Owner. As part of the mission of the Wendell Scott Foundation, our hope is that Born Driven will inspire today's youth with the message that anything is possible with enough drive and willpower." said Warrick Scott, CEO of the Wendell Scott Foundation.

Currently in a pre-sale phase, Born Driven will be made available for purchase at book retailers nationwide by late November, just in time for it to be the perfect Christmas gift idea for young race fans. A portion of all sales will be donated to the Wendell Scott Foundation, which provides job-skill training, STEM education opportunities, and mentoring to at-risk and underprivileged youth. Pre-orders can be made online at all major book retailers such as Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, Simon & Schuster, and more.

Joining Caruth as featured associate partners for Saturday's race at World Wide Technology Raceway will be iconic fashion retailer, Neiman Marcus; local Missouri-based HBCU, Lincoln University; and the racetrack's own Confluence Music Festival.

“It’s a true honor to represent the Scott name and Foundation every race weekend, and to do it specifically this weekend with the release of Born Driven, is a blessing! When I was a kid, I would always try to read as many NASCAR-related books as I could. I think it’s pretty obvious to say that reading those helped fuel my passion for the sport. I just couldn’t get enough of them. So to me, having a children’s book about Wendell Scott is really cool, and I think it will hopefully help to bring some young eyes into the mix. The Wendell Scott Foundation has done such a great job with showing kids that there are so many possibilities out there, which is something I admire very deeply. I also can’t wait to return to WWT Raceway with a little bit of vengeance in mind. We’ve clearly got the speed in our team and I think this type of track will suit us, so I’m excited for it.” exclaimed Caruth.

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series heads to the greater St. Louis area for the twelfth round of the 2023 season at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, June 3rd. Live coverage of the Toyota 200 will be broadcasted on FOX Sports 1 (TV), the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and Sirius XM NASCAR (Channel 90) at 1:30 PM ET. Follow GMS Racing on social media for continued partner updates and announcements.

GMS Racing PR

Noah Gragson, No. 42 Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

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START: 28TH

FINISH: 36TH

POINTS: 32ND

Noah Gragson suffered a mechanical failure at Lap 117 ending his day.

Post-Race Quotes: “Bummer day for the No. 42 Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevy team. We made it through the first stage clean. Something went through the radiator. We replaced the radiator and the motor blew up. Just frustrating. Thank you to Black Rifle Coffee Company and the Menusa family for coming out here. Wish we could have had a better run for them, but it was an honor to have GySgt. Menusa on the windshield. It makes this weekend all worth it. Wish we could have given him and his family a better run, but we’ll try again at St. Louis."

 

Erik Jones, No. 43 United States Air Force Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

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START: 26TH

FINISH: 32ND

POINTS: 27TH

Erik Jones finished the race 59 laps down due to an earlier incident where the No. 43 suffered damage to the radiator. The team replaced it and sent Jones back out for the remainder of the event.

Post-Race Quotes: “We had a fast No. 43 U.S. Air Force Chevy, but nothing to really show for it. Appreciate the U.S. Air Force and their support, as well as the family of Major Del Bagno. Just hate that we had the radiator issue, but hopefully we’ll go to St. Louis with the same speed and have a good day.

 

Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Club Wyndham Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

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START: 37TH

FINISH: 37TH

POINTS: 39TH

Jimmie Johnson was caught up in an accident on Lap 115 which ended his day.

Post-Race quotes: “I just didn’t know we were put in that three-wide situation. There were a bunch of us cars that were wrecked and just trying to limp it home. Unfortunately I ended up in a situation I wasn’t aware of and got turned around. It’s a bummer for the Murphy family, the family of Sgt. Frederick and for the No. 84 Club Wyndham Chevy team.”

LMC PR

Camping for the Father’s Day 100 weekend featuring the ASA STARS National Tour/ASA Midwest Tour is on sale now.

Spots will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis in the infield starting Friday, June 16. Camping will be open until the conclusion of Sunday’s event on June 18, when the camping lot must be cleared.

Camping will be $50 for one night and $75 for two nights plus an infield or grandstand ticket. All camping spots are primitive. Camping passes can be purchased by calling the Track Enterprises office at (217)-764-3200.

Camping for the Clean Harbors 175 weekend, featuring the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on Sunday, August 27 will open up soon. More information will be released at a later date.

The Father’s Day 100 is a co-sanctioned event between the ASA STARS National Tour and the ASA Midwest Tour, marking the return of ASA to the Mile for the first time since August 2004. The tour will be joined by the Midwest Truck Series, Mid-American Racing Series, Vores Compact Touring Series, and the Upper Midwest Vintage Series.

Click here to purchase tickets for the Father’s Day 100.

The Father’s Day 100 from the Milwaukee Mile will be broadcasted live on RacingAmerica.TV, MidwestTour.TV, and TrackTv.com on Sunday, June 18.

ASA STARS PR

There is a storm brewing and heading East right in the path of the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday night, June 13 when the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series hosts the AMOSIL USAC Non-Wing National Sprint Car Tour and the 358 NASCAR Modifieds in this always popular double-header event.   This will mark the 16th Annual USAC Eastern Storm and the event is presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings.

 

The top drivers of USAC will be in town to chase the $6,000 payoff in the 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic.   The 358 Modfieds are also on the program chasing a $3,000 to win payoff or $5,000 for a first time Thunder on the Hill Modified feature winner in the Pioneer Pole Building 30 lap main event.   GT Radiators has posted a $100 bonus for the Modified heat and consolation winners.   Gates open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM.

 

Advance tickets for the Tuesday, June 13 event are available by calling 443 513 4456.  Please speak clearly and provide your first and last name and the number of tickets you need. Tickets may be paid for and picked up at the WILL CALL window on race night.   Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM. Advance tickets orders can be processed up to the day before the race. We apologize, but advance tickets will NOT be available on race day.    Adult admission tickets are $30, children 6 to 11 are $10 and children 5 and under will be admitted free.   The Pit fee is $40 and a license is not required.

 

The USAC National Sprint Car Tour expects to provide a talented field to include  C.J. Leary, Justin Grant, Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon,  Robert Ballu, Kyle Cummins, Kevin Thomas Jr.,  Jake Swanson, and Chase Stockon just to name a few.

 

Local drivers Briggs Danner, Tim Buckwalter, Alex Bright and Steven Drevicki are expected to be strong contenders to collect the $6,000 top prize.   So remember, don’t count out any of these local non-wing stars to steal the show.

 

A talented  358 Modified roster is expected for this event.   The modifieds will qualify through a series of qualifying events, leading up to the 30 lap PPB feature.   Likely contenders for the modifieds include Brett Kressley, Craig VonDohren,  Jeff Strunk, Billy Pauch Jr., Rick Laubach,  and Jared Umbenhauer just to name a few. 

Continued support of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is provided by NAPA Auto Parts, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment in Fleetwood, PA , Pioneer Pole Buildings,  HVAC Distributors and  Rich Mar Florist.   These sponsors play a key role in the on-going success of the Thunder Series.

2023 NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES

Associate Sponsors  Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, Rich Mar Florist,  HVAC Distributors, Pioneer Pole Buildings, GT Radiators.

 

Tuesday, June 13   7:30 PM

Pioneer Pole Buildings Night

USAC Non-Wing National Tour

The Eastern Storm Jesse Hockett Classic  40 laps

Plus 358 Modifieds*  PPB $2,000 first time Modified Winners Bonus

 

Tuesday, June 27  7:30 PM

HVAC Distributors Partners for Success Night

PA 410 Sprint Speed Week

The Hodnett Cup  $10,000 to win  35 laps

Plus 358 Modifieds*  PPB $2,000 first time Modified Winners Bonus

 

Tuesday, July 25 7:30 PM  (rain date: Wednesday, July 26 7:30 PM)

Levan Machine & Truck Equipment present:

    The Rich Mar Florist

High Limits 410 Sprints 40 laps

    $23,023 To Win

*NASCAR points

 

Grandview Speedway Contact Information   Track Phone:   610-754-7688

GPS USERS: 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505

Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA

 

Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456 

Series Website: http://www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com

Track Website: http://www.grandviewspeedway.com

Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill

Grandview Speedway PR

There’s no denying that NASCAR is one of the most exciting and thrilling sports out there. With drivers who are willing to put everything on the line in order to win, it’s no surprise that the sport has such a passionate following around the world. If you’re looking for an exciting new casino game, then look no further than this list of racing-themed games!

Green Light Slot by Real Time Gaming

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It has five reels and 20 paylines and was developed by Real Time Gaming. Moreover, if you land some green light symbols on reels, get ready for some serious prizes, as it is one of the highest-paying symbols in the game.

The Wild Chase: Tokyo Go Slot by Quickspin

The Wild Chase: Tokyo Go by Quickspin is a 5-reel, 76-259 payline slot that offers players a chance to win big. The main characters in this game are racers from all over the world who have come together for the ultimate race around Tokyo's streets. The game offers a bonus round where you can earn up to 10 free spins with an increased multiplier, and it features an impressive and modern design with a theme of racing in the streets of Tokyo.

The wild symbol in this game is its logo, and it substitutes for other symbols except for scatters (which trigger free spins). You can also get free spins when three or more scatter symbols appear anywhere on reels 2, 3 and 4 during any spin (including those triggered via bonus rounds).

Drive: Mayhem Multiplier Slot by NetEnt

Drive: Mayhem Multiplier by NetEnt is a NASCAR-themed game that features five reels and three stakes. For example, if you bet on all three lines with a single credit, you will receive 15x your stake amount as a line multiplier - which can, by the way, reach 120x.

If you're looking for an exciting racing experience that doesn't require too much investment in terms of money and time spent playing the game, this could be just what you need! The minimum bet to play Drive: Mayhem is 0.01 credits, while its maximum can reach 2,500 credits per spin. As such, even if it's not one of the most popular slots around -- which it definitely should be -- there are still plenty of good reasons why players enjoy this one so much...

Mega Moolah 5: Reel Drive Slot by Microgaming

Mega Moolah 5: Reel Drive by Microgaming is five reels and a progressive jackpot. This game features free spins, scatter symbols, and a bonus round. The gameplay is similar to other progressive slot games in that you can win millions of dollars from just one spin of the reels!

Like other casino games on this list, this one has an element of racing involved in it as well. The jackpot counts millions of dollars (as well as some smaller prizes), so if you're looking for something exciting and new, then this may be right up your alley!

Autodromo Slot by Novomatic

Autodromo Slot by Novomatic is a slot game with a racing theme. Developed by a popular developer Novomatic, this game features five paylines and has wild symbols, scatter symbols and free spins features. The max bet stands at 10,000 coins, while the smallest bet you can place is 40. With 10,000 coins wagered on all five paylines in Autodromo Slot by Novomatic, you could win 750,000 coins in return!

The game has a beautiful design, and the symbols are clearly visible. The soundtrack will make your heart beat faster, so you can get proper hype while playing Autodromo. There are multiple wilds in this game: two of them appear on the first reel and another two on reels 2 to 4. They will substitute for any other symbol except scatter symbols.

Macau Racing Slot by Red Tiger Gaming

Macau Racing Slot is a video slot game with a racing theme. It has five reels and 20 paylines. The game features symbols of fast race cars, trophies and checkered flags, as well as the background of Macau City's skyline.

This game offers up to 888x for a single payout when you land two bonus symbols on adjacent reels on any active line during the Free Games feature round. A minimum stake in the slot of 0.20 credits is made by betting only 0.01 credits per spin (20 paylines x 0.01 credits). The maximum bet size is 60 credits per spin (3 credits per line).

Formula X Slot by IGT

Formula X Slot is a 5-reel, 25-pay line game with a progressive jackpot, free spins and bonus rounds. The game also has wilds, scatters and multipliers. The maximum jackpot is $50,000.00, and betting sizes go from $0.01 to a maximum of $250 per spin (1 coin). Coin bet ranges go from 0.01 to 1 with ten coins per line!

The racing theme is incorporated into this slot through its symbols which include cars, the track itself, racing flags, and helmet visors worn by drivers who participate in these competitions. There are also various other accessories, including tires used during races.

Midnight Racer Slot by Saucify

If you're a fan of racing, or if you have been looking for a way to combine the thrill of car racing with casino entertainment, then Midnight Racer is exactly what you need. This slot with a 5-reel 3-row set-up and 30 pay lines offers excellent payouts and fast-paced gameplay. The minimum wager in Midnight Racer is 0.30, and the maximum is 37.50 coins per spin.

The jackpot payout in Midnight Racer can reach as high as 7000 coins! And there are also wilds and free spins to help boost those winnings even more! If you want to get behind the wheel (metaphorically) and head out onto the track yourself instead of just watching from home (or wherever else), then this is definitely worth checking out!

Harrison Burton steered the No. 21 DEX Imaging Mustang clear of several late-race incidents to post an 18th-place finish in Monday’s rain-delayed Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It was his second top-20 finish in a row and his sixth in the 14 races run this season.

Burton and the No. 21 team were racing to honor the memory of the late Sgt. Shawm Dunkin who was on his second tour of duty in Iraq on Feb. 19, 2007, when he died from injuries suffered when his vehicle was struck by a bomb.  

Burton lined up for Monday’s marathon from 13th place as the starting spots were determined by metrics after rain on Saturday washed out both practice and qualifying.

He was running 20th when the Competition Caution flag flew at Lap 35 and 25th when the first of three Stages ended a Lap 100.

In the second Stage, he ran as high as third place while running long on a pit-stop sequence at the midpoint but ended that 100-lap segment in 26th place, one lap off the pace.

He and the DEX Imaging team were able to use the wave-around in the third Stage to rejoin the lead lap and wound up 21st at the 300-lap mark.

The final 100 laps of the race saw Burton and the DEX Imaging team work their way forward and were able to line up 12th for a restart with just under 40 laps left to run.

But a car spun sideways and into Burton’s path on the restart. He pitted for new tires and rejoined the race in 27th place.

Several caution flags ensued and Burton steered clear of contact and worked his way back into the top 20.

He held on for 18th place as his Ford teammate Ryan Blaney, whose No. 21 Team Penske crew shares a technical alliance with the Wood Brothers team, took his Mustang to Victory Lane. Blaney’s win gives team owner Roger Penske wins in both of the Memorial Day classics – the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 – in the same year, a first for Penske.

Up next for Burton and the Wood Brothers team is the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis.

WBR PR

The Speedway World Cup returns this year after a six-year gap between the last one. Poland defended their title in 2017 and they will be bidding to become the first country in history to win the tournament for a record-extending ninth time when they host the tournament in July.

Poland recently won the FIM European Team Speedway Championship in Germany. Bartosz Zmarzlik, Szymon Wozniak, Dominik Kubera and Jaroslaw Hampel combined for success, with Zmarzlik and Wozniak top scoring for their team with 13 points each.

The reigning world champions dominated the European event, finishing with 49 points. Their nearest pursuits were Denmark who ended the competition in second place with 35 points.

Poland Has Automatic Spot in World Cup Final

As the hosts of the 2023 World Cup, Poland will receive an automatic spot in the final. As we explored here at the Speedway Digest before, this means Poland will not need to qualify for one of the two semi-final events across the schedules for the week. Their team is likely to include the four European Team Speedway Championship winners and then they must decide who to include as their fifth rider who will act as the first reserve.

Given their record in this tournament, Poland is considered the team to beat again this year. As of the 19th of May, they are the odds-on favourites at 2/5 with Betway to lift the trophy in front of their home supporters.

Should Poland prevail again, they will get the chance to win World Cup number 10 in 2026. The FIM has announced the event will now take place every three years following the relaunch of the competition.

Great Britain Vying for Maiden World Cup Victory

As we've explained previously on Speedway Digest, despite being one of the leading speedway teams for some time in the sport, Great Britain has yet to win the World Cup in its current format. They finished second in 2004 and 2016, while in 2006 they were third, but those are their best results in the event.

GB will be buoyed by their success at the 2021 Speedway of Nations success in Manchester. As reported by the BBC, They defeated Denmark 6-3 in the Grand Final Qualifier and then in the Grand Final, they got the better of Poland 5-4 in a close encounter for the gold medal.

Tai Woffinden is set to captain the Great Britain team once again. He has a wealth of experience racing in Poland, so that is going to prove invaluable as GB look to upset the hosts and get pick up the biggest success in the history of British speedway racing.

Denmark Second Most Success Nation in World Cup History

With World Cup wins in 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2014, Denmark is the second most successful speedway nation of all time. They have consistently been in contention for major events over the last few years. As a rider, Nicki Pedersen has won four World Cup trophies, he will now be bidding to prevail as the manager of his country. He was named as Hans Nielsen’s replacement last December. Despite the new role, he will continue to ride for Denmark.

Leon Madsen is the Denmark rider who has shone in individual events over the last couple of years. He will be supported in a strong Danish team by Mikkel Michelsen and Anders Thomsen.

Australia Looking to Complete World Cup Hat-Trick

As we highlighted in the points standing at Speedway Digest before, in its latest format, Australia was the first winner of the Speedway World Cup in 2001. The team of Jason Crump, Todd Wiltshire, Craig Boyce, Ryan Sullivan and Leigh Adams edged Poland to victory in the standings that year. Twelve months later in Peterborough, they defended their crown.

It has been 22 years now since Australia’s last triumph, so they will be keen to put that right when they feature in the latest renewal. Jason Doyle is the rider a lot of the Aussie hopes will rest upon due to his experience. Jack Holder and Max Fricke will be doing all they can to also help their nation lift the trophy.

The 2023 Speedway World Cup starts on the 25th of July and will run through to the final on the 29th of July. Wroclaw’s Olympic Stadium will host each of them events, with nine countries involved in the competition.

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 MENARDS / DURACELL FORD MUSTANG

START - 21ST  STAGE ONE - 19TH   STAGE TWO - 21ST  STAGE THREE - 13TH   FINISH - 31ST

 

RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric was credited with a 31st-place finish after an early departure in Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the No. 2 Menards/Duracell Ford Mustang. After practice and qualifying went awash Saturday evening, the starting lineup for the longest race of the season was set based on NASCAR’s metric, which lined Cindric up 21st for the start. During a competition caution on Lap 35, Cindric was scored 25th and pitted for service to aid the balance. Cindric returned to pit road following a caution on Lap 74 and again at the conclusion of Stage 1 after finishing 19th. The Team Penske driver reported to his team that the car was tighter in Turn 1 and Turn 2,and headed to pit road for four tires and adjustments. Unfortunately, the No. 2 car was penalized for vehicle interference and had to restart at the tail. Rain moved into the area on Lap 158, bringing out the red flag. After a 30-minute red flag, a series of cautions ensued, and Cindric returned to the attention of the Menards pit crew for four tires and fuel on Lap 76, but unfortunately had to pit again for the crew to tighten the right-rear tire. The 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion finished Stage 2 21st. The No. 2 Ford Mustang restarted 20th and reported early in the segment that the car was tight firing off. Cindric moved up the charts, running as high as 12th before slipping to 13th at the end of Stage 3. The sophomore NASCAR Cup Series driver took the green flag 13th for the restart, but was unfortunately tagged from behind on Lap 371, sending the Menards/Duracell Mustang into the wall on the backstretch, collecting significant damage.


CINDRIC'S THOUGHTS: “You’re patient for 550 miles, why be patient for the last 40? I probably could have helped myself there by not drifting up the racetrack and knowing my own strength and weaknesses. It’s just unfortunate to get so close to the end of this race and not being able to finish it last year and the same with this year. I felt we had a lot of positives from today – some really good pit stops. We had good speed at times, but just having to put the whole race together as a team. I made some mistakes today and unfortunately not to be able to finish it off.”

 

 

 

 
 

 

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 BODYARMOR CHERRY LIME FORD MUSTANG

START - 8TH  STAGE ONE - 3RD  STAGE TWO - 5TH  STAGE THREE - 1ST  FINISH - 1ST

 

RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney captured Team Penske’s third Coca-Cola 600 victory Monday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, marking the first time Team Penske has won the Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500 in the same season. Blaney snapped a 59-race winless streak by leading a race-high – and career-high - 163 laps en route to his eighth-career win. The crown jewel victory also marks the first for Jonathan Hassler as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief. Blaney took his first lead of the afternoon on lap 41 before settling into third in the latter stages of Stage 1 but battled with the No. 24 and No. 20 for the stage win before taking third in the opening stage. After continuing to run third for most of the Stage 2, Blaney brought the No. 12 to pit road for a scheduled green flag stop on lap 147 before the race went under the red flag on lap 155 for rain. Following a 30-minute delay, Blaney battled side-by-side with the No. 45 for the top spot before regaining the lead once again. However, teams on fresher tires made their way to the front, shuffling him back to fifth, where Blaney ultimately finished Stage 2. Blaney made his way back to the lead on lap 227 by making his way around the No. 4 with a big run off turn 4 and continued to lead while making the high line work. After the caution flag flew on lap 274, Blaney made a trip to pit road for four tires and a round of adjustments to address a loose-handling condition that set in on the long run. Despite battling back-and-forth with the No. 45 during the ensuing laps, Blaney prevailed to pick up the stage win in Stage 3. After coming off of pit road second during the stage break, Blaney once again regained the lead on the restart on lap 307. The final caution flag of the night waved on lap 374 on the opening lap of the restart where Blaney was scored the leader over the No. 24. The field took the green for the final time with 20 laps to go and Blaney stretched his lead lap-after-lap, culminating in his eighth-career NASCAR Cup Series victory.

BLANEY'S THOUGHTS: “Obviously a big weekend for Team Penske. Watching the Indy 500 yesterday, how that played out, and watching Josef win his first one and watching Mr. Penske win No. 19, that's really cool to see. Especially when that stuff happens, you're like, well, the pressure is on for us to try to sweep the weekend, especially in two really big races. That was the goal, and fortunately we executed well enough to get it done. I'm really looking forward to talking to Roger here after I get done and back to the bus because I haven't congratulated him enough, and I'm looking forward to hearing his voice. A big weekend, and obviously winning the 600 is massive. I grew up coming here watching my dad race for a long time as a kid. It's just what we did every summer. Really cool, and it was cool for my parents to be here as well. So that was a special moment. Fun night, that's for sure. Monday races seem to go really well for me. I don't know what it is, but definitely a fun night.”

 

 

 

 
 

 

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

START - 17TH  STAGE ONE - 21ST  STAGE TWO - 4TH  STAGE THREE - 11TH  FINISH - 21ST

 

RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano battled a loose-handling Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang from the onset of Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600, but the No. 22 team went to work on the handling following a 21st-place finish in Stage 1. Following a four-tire stop with a round of adjustments at the stage break, Logano worked his way back into the top-15 by lap 112 before green-flag pit stops began to cycle. After a 30-minute rain delay, the No. 22 team brought Logano to pit road under caution for a two-tire stop but suffered from a pit road penalty for equipment interference, relegating him to the tail end of the field. Logano used the No. 22 team’s off-sequence pit strategy to work his way up into the top-10 by the end of Stage 2, resulting in a fourth-place finish. He made his way up to second in the running order following the restart to begin Stage 3, but Logano began to suffer from a loose-handling condition through the corners as he was shuffled out of the top-10. Logano rallied for an 11th-place in Stage 3 and made his way back into the top-10 by the halfway mark of the final stage but was collected in the last caution of the night when the No. 5 went around on the exit of turn 2. Despite a pair of trips to pit road for four fresh tires and repairs to the nose and splitter, the No. 22 team was able to keep Logano on the lead lap and took the checkered flag 21st.


LOGANO'S THOUGHTS: “Tough night for the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang team. We struggled with the balance and unfortunately couldn't miss the late accident and got damage. So happy for Team Penske, Josef, and Ryan on a weekend sweep."

 

 

 

WHAT'S NEXT: The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Worldwide Technology Raceway on Sunday, June 4 for the Enjoy Illinois 300. Coverage of the event will be carried on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 3:30 pm E.T.

Team Penske PR

Ryan Blaney’s 639-day wait between NASCAR Cup Series victories came to an emotional end on Monday, when Blaney dominated one of racing’s crown jewels: the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

Blaney led 163 of 400 laps in capturing a career-defining win – his second at Charlotte, after the 2018 Bank of America ROVAL™ 400. The driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford was a shock winner nearly five years ago, but no one who witnessed Monday’s race could be surprised by the outcome. Blaney started eighth, flexed his muscle early and emerged as the man to beat in the final 100 laps.

Stage 4 became a battle for survival, as a spate of cautions and aggressive moves from those chasing Blaney turned up the excitement – but Blaney held his nerve over the final 20 laps. He beat polesitter William Byron to the finish by .663 seconds, with two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner Martin Truex Jr. third, Bubba Wallace fourth and Tyler Reddick fifth.

Kyle Busch was sixth with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. seventh, Chris Buescher eighth, Austin Dillon ninth and Zane Smith 10th. 

While Monday’s race was kind to a third-generation star seeking a long-awaited victory, fate did not shine as brightly on several favorites. Defending race winner Denny Hamlin was involved in a crash with Chase Elliott on Lap 185 that knocked both front-runners out of the race. 

Kyle Larson, chasing his second Coca-Cola 600 win in three years, was in the hunt with 25 laps to go after having bounced off the wall earlier in the race but avoiding any serious damage. 

Larson’s bid for victory came to a sudden conclusion when he got loose in Turn 2, spun sideways and suffered race-ending damage in a multi-car accident that also collected Ty Gibbs and Joey Logano.

Seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson – going for a record-tying fifth Coca-Cola 600 win – made his first Charlotte start in three years, but fell out of the race after an accident on Lap 164 and finished 37th.

The race was slowed by 16 cautions for 83 laps. Byron won Stage 1, Chris Buescher won Stage 2 and Blaney captured Stage 3. Blaney’s win was the eighth of his Cup Series career and it marked the first in NASCAR Cup Series competition for his crew chief, Jonathan Hassler.

RYAN BLANEY, NO. 12 TEAM PENSKE FORD (RACE WINNER): “I might shed a tear. Man, this is such a cool weekend. Obviously, Memorial Day weekend means a lot. Growing up here, watching my dad (Dave Blaney) racing here, to just run this race, let alone win it, I can’t believe it. A big weekend for Team Penske. I watched the Indy 500 (Sunday) and how that played out, and watched Josef (Newgarden) win his first one. Seeing (Team Owner Roger) Penske winning (Indianapolis 500) No. 19 was a really cool scene. 

“I thought, ‘Alright, the pressure’s off, now we can try to sweep.’ That’s the goal. Fortunately, we executed well enough to get it done. I’m looking forward to talking to Roger. … I figured there was going to be a yellow (at the end of the race). We survived another restart. I wanted green-flag runs, because our car was good on green-flag runs. I thought there was going to be a yellow and I’d have to fend him off on a restart again but fortunately, it went green (to the finish). We did a great job tonight. From the drop of the green flag, we were hooked up. We also did a great job of adjusting to the race track as it got darker, as the track temperature cooled off."

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET (RUNNER-UP): “I thought (Blaney) was that strong. He and the Toyotas, I think the JGR guys and the No. 45 (Reddick), were all strong in the middle to the end of a run – really, any time they would get around us. We just needed a little bit. Our car was good, we could move around and get to the top five, but we’d kind of just stay there and not have enough pace to really get further than that, so that’s the way it goes sometimes. We’ll keep working.”

MARTIN TRUEX JR., NO. 19 JOE GIBBS RACING TOYOTA (THIRD-PLACE FINISHER): “We got some track position, drove up there, had a shot at winning Stage 3 and felt really good at what we had there. We got some damage, at some point (on the splitter), in the final stage on a restart, the car got really tight from there, and we just had to crunch it from there. I wish I knew what could’ve been. I felt really good about the car from Stage 3, but all in all it was a good night, a lot of points. We have a lot of speed in our Bass Pro Camry. It went well, we just needed to execute a bit better and to not get that damage.”

TICKETS:
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