Speedway News (9924)
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Tony Stewart to Serve as Honorary Pace Car Driver for Ford EcoBoost 400 Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway
12 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffFrom winning championships at Homestead-Miami Speedway to joining the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Tony Stewart has been the epitome of success in motorsports. It’s only fitting that the three-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) champion will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the Ford EcoBoost 400 championship race on Sunday, November 17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stewart will lead the field to the green flag in a 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
Stewart, who will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January 2020, built a large portion of his resume at Homestead-Miami Speedway, having won three titles (2002, 2005, 2011). His first coincided with the initial year that the South Florida track served as the championship site. His 2011 championship is the closest margin in NASCAR history, as he edged Carl Edwards on tiebreakers after a stunning comeback win in the Ford 400 that year.
The Indiana native originally made a name for himself in USAC and IndyCar before transitioning into NASCAR. He is tied for the most MENCS wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway (3), which includes the first Cup race held at the venue in 1999.
Along with all his success at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Stewart has accomplished much more in motorsports, including an IndyCar title in 1997 and Rookie of the Year in MENCS in 1999. He also is a two-time winner of both the Brickyard 400 (2005, 2007) as well as the famed Chili Bowl (2002, 2007), which is an all-star Midget race in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Stewart is co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) with Haas Automation founder Gene Haas, and the team fields cars in the MENCS and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. As co-owner, Stewart helped guide Kevin Harvick to the 2014 MENCS title, the first year of the Championship 4 format. SHR has won 55 point-paying races in the MENCS.
“Having Tony Stewart drive the pace car on Sunday is what hosting the championship is about,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Al Garcia. “Stewart is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR and motorsports as a whole. He’s won in IndyCars, Sprint cars and much more and will always be known as having performed at the top level in multiple disciplines. We are thrilled that he will be a part of our championship race.”
HMS PR
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course announces 2020 racing schedule
12 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest Staff- Acura Sports Car Challenge (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event) – May 1-3
- Mid-Ohio 170 (NASCAR Xfinity Series event / ARCA Menards Series) – May 29-30
- Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association / TransAm) – June 26-28
- AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (AMA’s annual motorcycling celebration) – July 10-12
- The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (NTT IndyCar Series event) – August 14-16
- Acura Sports Car Challenge (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event) – May 1-3
- Mid-Ohio 170 (NASCAR Xfinity Series event / ARCA Menards Series) – May 29-30
- Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association / TransAm) – June 26-28
- AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (AMA’s annual motorcycling celebration) – July 10-12
- The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (NTT IndyCar Series event) – August 14-16
NBC 6 Anchor Roxanne Vargas to Serve as Honorary Starter for Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
12 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffKnown for getting everyone’s mornings started on WTVJ (NBC 6), Roxanne Vargas will take on a new kind of starter role at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Vargas will serve as the Honorary Starter for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ford EcoBoost 300 championship race on Saturday, November 16. As honorary starter, Vargas will wave the green flag at the start of the 200-lap race.
Vargas currently serves as the NBC 6 News’ weekday anchor as well as contributing to NBC 6’s sister station, Telemundo 51, with reports in Spanish. The South Florida native is a graduate of Florida International University and has been a part of the NBC 6 family since 2003.
Vargas is a two-time Emmy Award winner for her reporting and hosting on NBC 6. Among various distinctions, Vargas was voted “Best TV News Anchor” in 2018 and “Best TV Host” in 2012 by the Miami New Times. She has also been recognized by Save the Aqua Foundation for Women and was honored with the key to the City of Miami Beach in 2018.
“I am excited to be a part of one of South Florida’s biggest events,” said Vargas. “As a native of the area it’s a dream come true. It’s truly an honor to start a championship event of this magnitude.”
Tickets for 2019 Ford Championship Weekend, which consists of the Ford EcoBoost 200 (NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series championship race), Ford EcoBoost 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series championship race) and Ford EcoBoost 400 (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship race), are now available and can be purchased by calling (866) 409-RACE (7223) or visiting www.
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Tickets for the 62nd annual Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night, Aug. 29 – the historic first NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway – are now on sale.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400, which showcases the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series under the lights, is shifting to a new date in 2020, becoming the final race of the regular season. Every competitor who has not previously secured a playoff spot can clinch with a victory in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. In addition, every finishing position could impact whether or not a driver will earn a coveted spot in the NASCAR playoffs.
“With its new place on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the intensity of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be heightened as drivers put it all on the line to secure a playoff spot,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “Anything can happen at Daytona and race fans are going to want to be here to experience all the drama of the historic first regular season finale at the ‘World Center of Racing.’ ”
Tickets for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 start at $49 and children 12 and under are $20 in frontstretch reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. Other ticket options for the weekend include:
- Hospitality and premium seat packages, including the Rolex 24 Lounge, DAYTONA 500 Club, Harley J’s, Trioval Club and UNOH Fanzone/Pre-race.
- Tickets for the Coca-Cola 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Friday, August 28 start at $40 and children 12 and under are $10 in reserved seating and free in general admission areas.
DIS PR
Speedway Motorsports Receives 2019 President’s Veterans Recognition Award from Coca-Cola
11 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffIn honor of its unwavering commitment to saluting the United States Armed Forces, Speedway Motorsports was named the recipient of the 2019 President’s Veterans Recognition Award from Coca-Cola.
The prestigious award was presented at The Coca-Cola Company’s annual Veterans Day Celebration in Atlanta to Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith, who accepted the accolades on behalf of Speedway Motorsports’ eight world-class motorsports entertainment facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.
“It is a tremendous honor to receive the President’s Veterans Recognition Award from such an organization as well-respected as Coca-Cola,” Smith said. “Our company prides itself on offering unmatched experiences for veterans, active-duty military guests and their families. Our initiatives are simply an effort to say ‘thank you’ to our heroes in the U.S. Armed Forces. Because of what they do, we get to do what we do. This award is a credit to the never-ending support for our military from the Speedway Motorsports family, and we are humbled by this recognition.”
Among Speedway Motorsports’ military support programs, the newly created Welcome Home Patriots initiative is designed to improve the lives of servicemen and servicewomen after active duty. The program salutes, engages and enables members of the U.S. Armed Forces as they transition to civilian life. Additionally, Speedway Motorsports offers military discounts at all eight venues and promotes discounted ticket purchases at Charlotte Motor Speedway through the speedway’s unique Patriot Partners program – which has distributed more than 100,000 NASCAR event tickets to military bases and the USO since the program’s inception in 2010.
As part of an unrivaled pre-race spectacle prior to the iconic Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the nation’s largest military salute with thousands of active-duty troops and family members representing all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces in attendance. The salute annually includes unique experiences including pre-race military exercise demonstrations, a 600-troop march and Gold Star family hospitality. In 2019, the speedway also hosted ‘Mission 600’, an interactive series of educational visits by Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin to mid-Atlantic regional military bases.
“Speedway Motorsports is a leader in serving those who serve. They do incredible work to support service members and veterans of our U.S. Armed Forces,” said Jim Dinkins, president, Coca-Cola North America. “We have a long history of partnering together on events like the Coca-Cola 600, and it’s an honor to celebrate their accomplishments with this award.”
Additional Speedway Motorsports military initiatives include New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Send a Soldier program – which provides soldiers with tickets to New Hampshire’s races – as well as Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Folds of Honor-sponsored NASCAR race and recognition of the Folds of Honor Military Scholarship recipient.
Texas Motor Speedway annually hosts a First Responder and Military Appreciation Night for the July 4 holiday weekend, while Kentucky Speedway has donated significant funding to the USO as well as partnered with the Kentucky National Guard and branches of the U.S. Armed Forces to salute military members on race weekends.
Among other initiatives, Bristol Motor Speedway’s long-standing relationship with the Tennessee Army National Guard led to honoring one of their soldiers with a trip to America’s Night Race and a pre-event lunch with hundreds of his peers in Nashville. The short track also honors veterans through its “Prisoner of War Chair” near the start finish line flag stand that sits empty at all times to honor those military members who never returned from their duty.
Sonoma Raceway, honored veterans during its June NASCAR race weekend by hosting a large display featuring vintage U.S. military tanks, while more than 3,000 veterans and their families attended each of Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR weekends through its Welcome Home Troops program in 2019. The speedway also hosted swearing-in ceremonies for new U.S. Air Force recruits at each event.
Collectively, the speedways also express exemplary support of the U.S. Armed Forces through military flyovers, static displays and band performances along with employment of veterans and National Guard members on NASCAR race weekends.
Speedway Motorsports is the first sports entertainment company to receive the President’s Veterans Recognition Award in the 20 years it has been presented.
SMI PR
Championship 4 Drivers Set for Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway
11 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffChampions in each of NASCAR’s three national series will be crowned this weekend, November 15-17, during Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Following the conclusion of the Round of 8 at ISM Raceway, the Championship 4 field in each series has now been determined and the battle for a championship all comes down to the season’s final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In each of the series, there are fascinating narratives that will help set the stage for one of the most intriguing race weekends NASCAR fans have ever seen. The following is information on the Championship 4 drivers from each of NASCAR’s three national series:
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400
Sunday, November 17, 3:00 p.m. ET on NBC
Kyle Busch, driver of the No.18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
· Fifth consecutive year in Championship 4
· Won 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400 and 2015 Monster Energy Series championship
· Accumulated four victories this season
· Compiled 16 top-5 and a series-high 26 top-10 finishes this year
Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
· Second appearance in Championship 4 (2014, 2019)
· Scored six wins this season
· Holds Homestead-Miami Speedway record with three career Ford EcoBoost 400 poles
· Two-time Ford EcoBoost 400 winner (2009, 2013)
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 car for Stewart-Haas Racing (Ford)
· Fifth appearance in Championship 4 (2014-15, 2017-19)
· 2014 Ford EcoBoost 400 winner and 2014 Monster Energy Series champion
· Visited Victory Lane four times this season
· Posted 14 top-5s and 25 top-10s this season
Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota
· Won 2017 Ford EcoBoost 400 and 2017 Monster Energy Series championship
· Fourth year competing in Championship 4 (2015, 2017-19)
· Scored series-best seven wins this season
· Amassed 14 top-5 and 23 top-10 showings this season
NASCAR Xfinity Series Ford EcoBoost 300
Saturday, November 16, 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN
Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 car for JR Motorsports (Chevrolet)
· Third appearance in Championship 4 (2016-17, 2019)
· One win this season
· Scored 16 top-5 and 24 top-10 finishes this season
Christopher Bell, driver of the No. 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
· Won the 2017 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Championship
· Leads the Xfinity Series with eight wins this season
· Posted 19 top-5 and 20 top-10 finishes in 2018
Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 car for Stewart-Haas Racing (Ford)
· Won the 2017 Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
· Amassed a 23 top-10 finished in 2018
· Won seven Xfinity Series race this season
Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 2 car for Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
· Won the 2018 Ford EcoBoost 300 and NASCAR Xfinity Series championship
· Compiled series-high 23 top-5 and 26 top-10 finishes this season
· Won five Xfinity Series races this season
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200
Friday, November 15, 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1
Matt Crafton, driver of the No. 88 truck for ThorSport Racing (Ford)
· Third appearacne in Championship 4 (2016-17, 2019)
· Two-time NGOTS champion (2013-14)
· Won 2015 Ford EcoBoost 200
Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 45 truck for Niece Motorsports (Chevrolet)
· Making first appearance in Championship 4
· Won three NGOTS races this season
· Series-high 18 top-10 finishes this season
Stewart Friesen, driver of the No. 52 truck for Halmar Friesen Racing (Chevrolet)
· First Championship 4 appearance
· Scored two wins this season
· Amassed 12 top-5 and 15 top-10 finishes this year
Brett Moffitt, driver of the No. 24 truck for GMS Racing (Chevrolet)
· 2018 Ford EcoBoost 200 winner and NGOTS champion
· Claimed series-high four victories this season
· Accumulated 12 top-5 and 16 top-10 showings in 2019
Tickets for 2019 Ford Championship Weekend, which consists of the Ford EcoBoost 200 (NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series championship race), Ford EcoBoost 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series championship race) and Ford EcoBoost 400 (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship race), are now available and can be purchased by calling (866) 409-RACE (7223) or visiting www.
HMS PR
62nd Annual Coke Zero Sugar 400 Tickets On Sale Tuesday, Nov. 12
11 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffTickets for the 62nd annual Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night, Aug. 29 – the historic first NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway – will go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400, which showcases the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series under the lights, is shifting to a new date in 2020, becoming the final race of the regular season. Every competitor who has not previously secured a playoff spot can clinch with a victory in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. In addition, every finishing position could impact whether or not a driver will earn a coveted spot in the NASCAR playoffs.
“With its new place on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the intensity of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be heightened as drivers put it all on the line to secure a playoff spot,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “Anything can happen at Daytona and race fans are going to want to be here to experience all the drama of the historic first regular season finale at the ‘World Center of Racing.’ ”
Tickets for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 start at $49 and children 12 and under are $20 in frontstretch reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. Other ticket options for the weekend include:
- Hospitality and premium seat packages, including the Rolex 24 Lounge, DAYTONA 500 Club, Harley J’s, Trioval Club and UNOH Fanzone/Pre-race.
- Tickets for the Coca-Cola 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Friday, August 28 start at $40 and children 12 and under are $10 in reserved seating and free in general admission areas.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat, and by downloading Daytona International Speedway’s mobile app, for the latest Speedway news throughout the season.
DIS PR
Candi Carpenter to Perform National Anthem Prior to Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
11 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffAdding to the aura of Ford Championship Weekend, Homestead-Miami Speedway announced today that Candi Carpenter will be performing the national anthem prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 championship race on Sunday, November 17.
Carpenter, a native of Lansing, Michigan, released her first single, “Burn the Bed” in 2016, which reached No. 56 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Carpenter recently released a new single, “The Astronaut,” which was produced by Grammy Award winner Brandi Carlile. This year, Carpenter has also performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and the Newport Music Festival.
“I’m thrilled to be performing the National Anthem at the Ford EcoBoost 400,” said Carpenter. “I am truly honored to be a part of this historic event and can’t wait to see who will be crowned the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion!”
Tickets for 2019 Ford Championship Weekend, which consists of the Ford EcoBoost 200 (NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series championship race), Ford EcoBoost 300 (NASCAR XFINITY Series championship race) and Ford EcoBoost 400 (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship race), are now available and can be purchased by calling (866) 409-RACE (7223) or visiting www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com
HMS PR
Tickets on sale for two great weekends of racing at MIS
11 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffThe 2020 racing season at Michigan International Speedway will feature intense action on the track and non-stop entertainment in the campgrounds and fan plaza. Tickets are on sale now to both race weekends at NASCAR’s Most Entertaining Track. Fans can purchase tickets and campsites at www.mispeedway.com or by calling 888-905-7223.
“We are excited for the 2020 season to showcase all we have planned for our fans,” MIS President Rick Brenner said. “We will continue to add entertainment and family activities to the campgrounds and fan plaza to make it a memorable weekend. It is going to be a cannot-miss event in 2020 and we cannot wait for all of our fans to join us.”
Tickets start at $39 for the FireKeepers Casino 400 on June 7 and the Consumers Energy 400 on Aug. 9. Fans can find the perfect campsite for their families and friends in any of the different campgrounds at the track starting at $160. Campers have the option to move into select campgrounds on Thursday of race week starting at $130.
Kids 12 and under are admitted free on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, kids 12 and under tickets start at $20. Kids 12 and under can attend three days of NASCAR action for just $20, ensuring families a weekend of fun at affordable prices.
Any guest who purchases a kids 12 and under ticket to the FireKeepers Casino 400 on June 7 or the Consumers Energy 400 on Aug. 9 will automatically receive a Free Pit and Driver Introduction Pass added to their order courtesy of Henry Ford Health System.
Sunday ticket holders can stick around on Saturday after the NASCAR XFINITY Series LTi Printing 250 on June 6 and the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race on Aug. 8 for a post-race concert. Guests can enjoy the free fireworks show that lights up the sky. The concert will feature food and beverages for fans to enjoy, making it the place to be after the on-track action concludes.
NASCAR provides fans the most access of any professional sports and Michigan International Speedway continues that tradition. Fans who purchase a Pit and Driver Introduction Pass can walk on pit road during the weekend and get an up close look at the cars on race morning. Those fans can even stand right on the track during driver introductions and sign the start/finish line.
Fans who purchase tickets or campsites now, can begin making their summer plans. Fans can order online at www.mispeedway.com or talk directly to a ticket service representative at 888-905-7223.
MIS PR
Denny Hamlin secures his title shot with victory in ISM Raceway's Bluegreen Vacations 500
11 Nov 2019 Written by Speedway Digest StaffIn what looked like the possible end of any championship dreams for Denny Hamlin going into the Bluegreen Vacations 500, Hamlin dominated the competition Sunday afternoon at ISM Raceway and locked in his spot in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4.
“I can’t believe it,” Hamlin said following his sixth victory in 2019, his second at ISM Raceway and the 27th of his career. “This race team worked so hard this whole year. They deserve to be there. I put them in a bad hole last week.
“I told them today in the meeting, I said ‘I’m going to give everything I’ve got to make up for the mistake I made last week.’ That’s all I got.”
Hamlin led a race-high 143 laps and built a strong lead until John Hunter Nemechek hit the wall in Turn 1 to bring out the fifth and final caution and brought the cars together for a restart with three laps remaining. After struggling with restarts for the entirety of the race, Hamlin punched his steering wheel in disdain.
Under caution, Hamlin’s team took two tires, as did the team for Ryan Blaney, and the two lined up side-by-side for what would be the final restart of the race, and Hamlin’s best. After Hamlin secured the lead, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch made a move on Blaney to take second and put a buffer between the two.
Busch also locked in his spot in the Championship 4 with his second-place finish. They’ll be joined by Kevin Harvick and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr as the four battle it out at Homestead-Miami Speedway next Sunday for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
NASCAR will return to ISM Raceway March 6-8, 2020. Tickets are on-sale now for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 Speed Fest and are available at ISMRaceway.com, by calling 866-408- RACE (7223), or by visiting the ISM Raceway ticket office during regular business hours.
ISM Raceway PR
