Chase Elliott's 2016 3M car revealed

By @GucciardoJoey

Chase Elliott's 2016 3M
Sprint Cup Series paint scheme.

Hendrick Motorsports has revealed Chase Elliott's 2016 3M paint scheme.

3M sponsored now-retired NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon for 10 races in the 2015 Sprint Cup Series season.

Here are some tweets from Hendrick Motorsports, Chase, and 3M as they revealed the paint scheme:

Almost time to unveil the @3M Chevy SS that @chaseelliott will drive next season! #3MRacing pic.twitter.com/PQNQIH9eDI

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 28, 2015

“@TeamHendrick: #3MRacing firesuit: ✔️ pic.twitter.com/ghyOc8zuiH” Pumped to rep the @3M colors this year!

— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) December 28, 2015

We're recapping the #3MRacing Chevy unveil! 👉 https://t.co/pnvx9cloPT pic.twitter.com/TJrZLAZdes

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 28, 2015

#3MRacing firesuit: ✔️ pic.twitter.com/fQlqMpEbqm

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 28, 2015

#3MRacing helmet: ✔️ pic.twitter.com/YtJFJVZrtD

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 28, 2015

Coming to a track near you! Excited to unveil @chaseelliott's car at today's @MilitaryBowl! #3MRacing pic.twitter.com/8qTZvFQGTZ

— 3M (@3M) December 28, 2015

.@chaseelliott’s @3M Chevy has been revealed! #3MRacing 📷: https://t.co/2nMLPaEgcS pic.twitter.com/uRbmsh2Nxb

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 28, 2015

Fire Destroys Talladega Short Track Control Tower

By @GucciardoJoey

The fire from the Talladega Short Track on Sunday
night.

A fire in the control tower and concession stand at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama, late Sunday night has left the main structure of the facility destroyed.

Despite the damage, the 25th annual Icebowl scheduled for Jan. 7-10 will still take place, track officials said in a statement.

The fire from the
Talladega Short Track on
Sunday night.

The fire was contained to just the control tower and concession stand building located at the start/finish line of the 1/3-mile clay oval. Track officials also stated a fire marshal has been on the scene to investigate the source of the blaze.

Track officials indicated that cleanup and rebuilding of the tower would begin immediately once the investigation is complete to ensure the track is ready for the Icebowl. Some fans and race competitors have already volunteered to help with those efforts.

Officials from the Southern All Stars (Dirt Late Model Touring Series) stated on their twitter page that track owner Lynn Phillips confirmed to them that the press box / officials tower (also concession stand) on the frontstretch “had burned to the ground” and was a “complete loss.” Phillips told SAS that “everything in the building was gone.”

Chase in the Chase

You've either heard or read by now that Chase Elliott is taking over the #24 in the Sprint Cup Series replacing Jeff Gordon. Chase has huge shoes to fill. Jeff is a 4-time Cup Champion with 93 wins in the Cup Series whereas Chase is an Xfinity Series Champion with just a few wins. The pressure is on for this 19-yr old kid to win races, get in the Chase for the Sprint Cup & contend for a championship. Think he can do it?

Brooks Wins Back-To-Back Michigan Titles

Crowned Kalamazoo Champ For Third Time

By Brooke Franceschini, NASCAR
December 18, 2015 - 12:00pm

Mike Brooks won his third consecutive Kalamazoo Speedway championship title and his second Michigan title. RW Motorsports Marketing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A season filled with bad luck couldn’t stop Mike “Bubba” Brooks from winning his third Speedway Outlaw Super Late Model Division championship at Kalamazoo Speedway, and his second NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Michigan title.

“This season was a rollercoaster ride,” Brooks said. “We had many ups and downs and we had more bad luck than other season. In 15 years of racing, I’ve clipped only one car until this year when I clipped three. It was a year of survival.”

En route to his third consecutive track title, Brooks collected three victories, seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. He won the track championship by just one point over Jeff Bozell.

“It’s surreal,” Brooks said. “Growing up seeing the different talent at the track, I never thought I’d win a title, let alone three.”

The 32-year-old, Kalamazoo, Michigan, native was nine points back headed into the season finale. Luck was on his side when points leader Mark Shook was involved in a wreck early on, which delivered Brooks the title.

Brooks is just the seventh driver in the storied history of Kalamazoo to win multiple track titles in the Outlaw Super Late Model Division and the first driver since Andy Bozell to win three consecutive championships in the track’s premier division history. Bozell, won eight consecutive titles from 1998-2005.

Despite winning the track title in 2013, Brooks came up a few points short of the Michigan title. He's swept the honors the last two seasons.

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division I drivers are ranked by their best 18 NASCAR points finishes in series-sanctioned events. Drivers receive two points for every car they finish ahead of – up to 18 cars – and three points for a win, with an addition two points available if the driver starts 10th or lower. Brooks finished 188th in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings.

U.S. state and Canadian province titles are determined by the drivers best 18 finishes within the state or province.

It’s Brooks’ perseverance on and off the track also led to his back-to-back Michigan championship title this year. 

“My mind was set on winning the Kalamazoo championship this season,” said Brooks. “But that goes hand-in-hand with winning the state and NASCAR titles. We had different expectations this year and we had to work a little harder.

“As a driver and owner, I also had another car competing. So it was double the work each week. But everything worked out for the best.”

Brooks started racing in pure stocks in 1998. He took 1999 of to fund and build his own factory stock and drove it from 2000-2003. He moved to limited late models from 2004-06. He then made his first venture into the Outlaw Super Late Model Division in 2007-08, and moved to modifieds in 2009-11. He won the modified division track championship in 2010. He returned to the Outlaw Super Late Model division in 2012.

“I grew up around racing, my dad got me into it,” Brooks said. “He raced for a bit and when he stopped racing, he began to work on cars.” 

Because his primary sponsor has two main products, Brooks’ race car is typically painted blue on one side and red on the other and has been nicknamed “The Flying Blueberry.” Leduc Farms of Paw Paw, Michigan, has two top brands: Leduc Blueberries and Leduc Strawberries, hence the differing colors and product sponsorship. The 59-year-old, 400 acre family farm is operated by second-generation owners Joe and Chantal Leduc. Most of the farm’s harvest goes to commercial clients. A retail store operates on site in season. Other sponsors include Spike’s Service and J.D. Byrider.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without my sponsors and crew,” said Brooks. “And of course my family, I can’t thank them enough for putting up with it.”

Established in 1982, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is NASCAR’s national championship program for weekly short track auto racing. In all, 58 paved and dirt tracks throughout the United States and Canada participate.

Connecticut-based Whelen Engineering is the series’ title sponsor. Whelen Engineering is a leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and emergency vehicle lighting. NASCAR tracks and pace cars across North American are among many showcases for Whelen products.

- Credit to NASCAR Home Tracks for this article.

Opinion: get rid of the Chase

The Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series has been around since 2004. To be perfectly honest, it needs to go. I have a few reasons as to why the Chase needs to be cut.

First of all, some fans aren't to pleased with the Chase since its inception in 2004. Some think it only favors one driver. Others think it's the best thing to ever happen to NASCAR. I agree with the fans that want it gone.

Second, drivers are taking too big a risk. The risk is greater when you have everything to lose. As in the case with Joey Logano, Matt Kenseth & Brad Keselowski, drivers are willing to intentionally wreck each other to gain the advantage & win a race & the championship.

What do you think?

Burnett, Cope Added to JTG Daugherty Racing Staff

By @GucciardoJoey

Jeff Curry / Getty Images

Starting in 2016, AJ Allmendinger will have a new crew chief atop his pit box. Also, JTG Daugherty Racing will have a new director of competition.

Burnett replaces the team’s former crew chief, Brian Burns. He received a mechanical engineering degree from UNC Charlotte. Burnett is also a former late model racer. Coipe is the new director of competition for the team.

The team made the announcement Thursday via news release.

"I know the quality of work they do and the level they hold themselves to," Burnett, a native of Fenton, Missouri said. "Also, working with AJ is going to be exciting for me. We kind of grew up with the same background. AJ obviously had a tremendous amount of talent and is very passionate and very vocal about his passion."

Burnett previously served as lead race engineer at Chip Ganassi Racing, working with drivers Jamie McMurray (2010-12), Juan Pablo Montoya (2013) and Kyle Larson (2014-15). It will be his first stint as crew chief. Burnett spent 10 years at Chip Ganassi Racing, where he also served as a 7-post analysis engineer, a lead team engineer and a data acquisition engineer.

"I'll make sure Randall has exactly what he needs to be competitive," Cope said. "It's going to be his first shot at being crew chief and he's the right guy for the position.

"I feel 100 percent in my heart that he is going to succeed and I'm going to help him succeed."

What to expect in 2016

What can we expect from the drivers & NASCAR themselves come 2016? Let's take a look:

Look for Joey Logano to build on his success from this year. With a little help from his teammate & crew he could possibly go all the way to the final four at Homestead.

Tony Stewart to find consistency once again behind the wheel. With a new crew chief & low downforce rules package, that shouldn't be a problem. He could also make it to the final four at Homestead & retire in fine fashion.

Danica Patrick to get top-10's. She had a few this year & if she stays consistent those top-10's could turn into wins.

Brian Scott to have success in the #9 Richard Petty Motorsports Cup car. It was announced today that he'd take over for Sam Hornish Jr next year. Can he get a few wins? We'll have to see.

What are you hoping to see or expect from the drivers or NASCAR themselves in 2016?

Brian Scott to drive No. 9 for RPM in 2016

By @GucciardoJoey

Brian Scott will race Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 9 Ford in 2016, the team annnounced Friday.

“I am thrilled to go Sprint Cup Series racing full time next year and to do it with such an iconic team,” Scott said in a statement. “When you think NASCAR racing, you think Petty. I’m glad to now be a part of that legacy. I feel like we are in a good position to compete for the rookie of the year next year and continue the consistency that RPM built over the last few years."

Scott will replace Sam Hornish Jr. starting next season.

Team co-owner Richard Petty indicated recently that a decision on replacing Hornish would be sponsor-related. Hornish hasn’t had a sponsor but Scott has had backing from Shore Lodge.

“We’re happy to welcome Brian to the team,” Petty said. “Our team has worked very hard to continue our winning tradition and building consistency. We feel Brian is a great addition to that. He’s made a steady progression through the ranks, and now, we feel he’s ready to compete in the Sprint Cup Series."

Chris Buescher will move to Cup in 2016

By @GucciardoJoey

Chris Buescher

Chris Buescher, who is on loan to Front Row Motorsports, ran five additional Cup races with the team over the course of the season while campaigning for the XFINITY Series title with Roush Fenway Racing.

Now, Buescher will be racing in 2016 for Sprint Cup rookie-of-the-year honors.

Buescher, 23, made his Cup debut with the team at Auto Club Speedway in March after Brett Moffitt received a last minute call from Michael Waltrip Racing to drive the No. 55 Toyota. Buescher finished 20th.

Scott Graves, who led Buescher to the 2015 NXS championship, is expected to continue to be Buescher's Cup crew chief. Graves was promoted to crew chief in 2012 when he worked with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in Cup.

"Chris was on his game this year," team owner Jack Roush said after the No. 60 team wrapped up the title at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Scott, the crew chief, was on his game.  They managed not to ‑‑ they won two races and managed not to give up points on days when they weren't their best, and that is what got us to this point.

Both Buescher and Graves will remain under contract to Roush Fenway Racing.

FRM GM Jerry Freeze told Motorsport.com last month he was researching offers that would bring the team up to speed.

“There’s a lot of changes coming down the road with the Fords, and we need to adapt to that,” Freeze said.“So it will be a very busy off-season regardless of what we do. We just have to figure out what’s best for us."

SHR hires pit coach Walt Smith from MWR

By @GucciardoJoey

Stewart-Haas Racing hired former Michael Waltrip Racing pit coach Walt Smith for the 2016 season. According to SHR, he will join coordinator Joe Piette and coach Kevin Sharpe in their pit department.

Smith is an experienced coach who has spent time at Hendrick Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing and MWR.

He's joining a pit crew team at SHR that has won championships with Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick and back-to-back Mechanix Wear MVP awards with the Nos. 4 and 41 teams.

In 2014, the No. 4 team won Mechanix Wear Pit Crew of the Year Award, and this year, the No. 41 team won. The four pit crews named the best after each quarter of the season were eligible for the award. Those teams were:

1st quarter–#20 JGR
2nd quarter–#41 JGR
3rd quarter–#19 SHR
4th quarter–#22 Penske

The No. 41 would win the award.

Each quarterly winner received 5K dollars. The end of the year winner receives 100K. Congratulations to the #41 crew for this years MVPC.

Although it sounds vague, Smith will supposedly be helping out in SHR's pit crew department. It's vague because not many details were released. But we will continue to update this story if any updates on it were to be released.

GARAGE TALK: Dale Jr. wins MPD Award (Again) / Gordon honored at awards banquet by Tom Cruise

By @GucciardoJoey

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins 13th NMPA Most Popular Driver Award:

For the 13th time in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won NMPA'S Most Popular Driver Award in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"They work tirelessly to support our team, not only in voting for the Most Popular Driver but throughout the whole year," the Hendrick Motorsports driver said. "They're at the race track every week supporting us. I knew that they were going to fight hard to get us a 13th in a row, but you just never assume anything."

NASCAR fans cast 410,000 votes during the 11-week voting window that ended with the Sprint Cup Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22.

"I'm floored," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It makes me happy to be able to see that support and feel that love. It motivates our team, it really does. … I think their support and motivation has a direct effect on the performance of our team. When I see and feel their enthusiasm, when you talk and react on social media (or) whether it's at the race track in the grandstands before the race, it fires me up and I work harder. I try to go give the best I can with that motivation that they give and it does affect how we race.

"I appreciate it, especially when the chips are down. When the chips are down it makes you work harder because you know you've got a lot of people counting on you. If you didn't have a lot of people in your corner it would be easy to give up when the chips are down. But it helps me push harder when things aren’t going our way to try to find a way to make things work. I really appreciate it. You never take it for granted."

pic.twitter.com/vZ3PJ6AC93

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 5, 2015

This was the 63rd season that NASCAR has used the NMPA Sprint Most Popular Driver Award.


"NASCAR fans are the greatest in all of sports," said NMPA President Brian Nelson, "and I'm delighted that Sprint and the NMPA have given them an opportunity to voice their support. The fans spoke loud and clear, and it's obvious they support Dale Jr."

2015 Las Vegas Awards Recap:

Jeff Gordon does a burnout on the Las Vegas Strip
during the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series awards
banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Before we even say anything about the awards ceremony for the Sprint Cup Series this year, the highlight of the banquet had to be Tom Cruise introducing Jeff Gordon at the event.

"When you are treated to excellence every day for 23 years, that doesn't go away easily," Cruise said to Gordon.

"He felt as comfortable discussing a championship with George Bush as breaking down Homestead with Kyle Busch, as at-ease with discussing SNL skits with Jimmy Fallon as racing door-to-door with Jimmie Johnson,'' Cruise said. "And with that, he brought joy to millions, used his immense and deserved popularity for the betterment of the world both at home and abroad. 

"Transcendence. Few reach it. He did."


"And although many of us want to say we'll miss you, what we really mean is we thank you," Cruise also said.

"I knew that it was going to be a rough night, but that made it tougher," Gordon said.

"Thank you so much for choosing me as your driver," a tearful Gordon said. "I'm so proud to say I drove for one car owner, the best car owner, my entire Sprint Cup career."


"Am I going to miss it? There's no doubt."

Boys have it: how far is too far?

Ten years ago, NASCAR came up with the "boys have it" rule. Retaliate on the track & there will be no consequences. But now were ten years removed from it & that now begs the question of how far is too far? As in, how far is a driver willing to go to win or gain the advantage over his/her opponent. I see the drivers now risking their own lives. For what? Bragging rights? It isn't enough to show up, log a few laps & then go home & the end of the race & think you did a good job. Everything to gain & nothing to lose. Risk everything for nothing seems to be the new motto nowadays. So what now? Will we see more payback in the coming years or will drivers not be willing to risk getting themselves hurt to win or lose. You decide.

Smokin' Aces: Life as a NASCAR gas man

By @GucciardoJoey

Have you ever wondered what it's like to live the life of a NASCAR gas man?

Well, us here at The Ultimate NASCAR Blog were given a pretty good idea of what it's like, thanks to Tony Stewart's gas man Jamie 'Ace' Keener.

Here's a video from 'Mobile 1: The Grid' of Keener.

'Mobile 1: The Grid' will be making other videos showing many other aspects of Tony Stewart's pit crew. We are hoping to obtain some of those videos from them as well.

Rule Exemption

Kyle Busch won the the race & the Cup championship last Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Many fans are extremely upset while others are extremely happy. Why are some upset? Because some believe he shouldn't have been allowed in the Chase. He had to win a race & be in the top-30 to make the Chase but nascar waived the rule that he had to make every race to be in the Chase. Kyle missed 11 races after breaking his right leg & fracturing his left foot at a Daytona Xfinity race in February. He won 4 races after coming back in May. Rule exemptions have been given to a few drivers within the last few years. What's your thoughts? Should Kyle Busch have been given the rule exemption or not?

Lanpher Doubles Up In Maine

The 17-year-old Lanpher secured his first NASCAR championships in 2015.
Jamie Williams/Finish Line Photography

Captures First Career Beech Ridge, State NASCAR Titles

By Jason Cunningham, NASCAR
November 23, 2015 - 3:45pm

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In a sport where it is common for one team to help out another in need, Reid Lanpher went the extra mile in the finale at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.

In the closest race for a state championship in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series during the 2015 season, Lanpher entered the finale at the Scarborough, Maine, oval with a 10-point lead on Garrett Hall. The challenger wrecked his car in practice, but in an act of exceptional sportsmanship, Lanpher offered his backup car to Hall to be able to compete in that night’s feature.

“Garrett is a great competitor. He always runs me clean and he was a very talented driver as a rookie this year,” said Lanpher, a 17-year-old racer from Manchester, Maine.

“As soon as he wrecked we went right down and offered it to him. We were more than happy to do it.”

As it turned out, Lanpher’s generosity nearly cost him the crown.

“We were eight positions apart at the end of the race, so nobody really knew (who won the state title),” Lanpher said. “Come Monday morning we were calling NASCAR to figure out who the champion was. It was pretty cool how close it was.”

In fact, it couldn’t have been any closer. Lanpher and Hall ended up tied in NASCAR state points at 378. NASCAR U.S. state and Canadian province championships are determined by the best 18 finishes at tracks within the respective state or province. Lanpher was awarded the Maine championship on a tiebreaker by virtue of his four wins on the season to zero for Hall.

The good karma didn’t hurt either.

In addition to his first career state championship, Lanpher also outdistanced Hall for Beech Ridge’s Division I title by final score of 763-737. A high school senior, Lanpher posted seven top fives and 12 top 10s in 15 starts in addition to his four checkered flags.

It was a midseason streak of success that positioned Lanpher for the titles. His first win didn’t come until the ninth feature of the season on July 25, but it began a run of victories in four of six races during the second half behind the wheel of his No. 59 Mission Trailers/Team EJP Racing Chevrolet.

Lanpher took some satisfaction in his accomplishments due to the level of competition that is featured weekly at the .333-mile asphalt oval. In 2015 Lanpher was one of eight different winners in the track’s headlining pro series late model division.

“Beech Ridge is probably one of the toughest weekly divisions out there,” Lanpher said. “It’s crazy how competitive it is. There so little separation. The handicap system definitely also makes it a challenge every week.”

Lanpher’s achievements have not been limited to the racetrack either. He was a member of the Maranacook High School boys soccer team that captured two state titles and recorded a 50-game winning streak. He is a member of National Honor Society and is simultaneously working to complete an associate’s degree at Thomas College in addition to his high school diploma. Lanpher intends to continue his higher education upon graduation next spring.

As for racing in 2016, the plan is still coming together. He is leaning towards returning to defend the Beech Ridge championship and hopes to branch out even more than he did this past season for some of the bigger late model and touring series events.

The support for Lanpher’s 2015 titles came from Scott’s Recreation and Docks.com in addition to his primary sponsors Mission Trailers and Team EJP Racing. Jason Ricker was the team’s crew chief while Lanpher’s father, Scott, was his spotter. The rest of the support staff and crew members included Lanpher’s mother Holly, sister Emily, girlfriend Alexa Perkins, Tommy Ricker, Erin Collomy, Jason Collomy, Larry Collomy, Wayne Ladd, Mike DiBaise and John Jacques.

Lanpher will now be honored for his Beech Ridge and Maine crowns along with other track and state/province champions from across North America as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards on Dec. 11 at the Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Beech Ridge held its own 2015 Awards Banquet on Nov. 14 and recognized Lanpher’s accomplishments as well as that of its other four Whelen All-American Series weekly divisions.

Established in 1982, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is NASCAR’s national championship program for weekly short track auto racing. In all, 58 paved and dirt tracks throughout the United States and Canada participated in 2015.

Connecticut-based Whelen Engineering is the series’ title sponsor. Whelen Engineering is a leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and emergency vehicle lighting. NASCAR tracks and pace cars are among the many showcases for Whelen products.

- Credit to NASCAR Home Tracks for this article.

Garcia Celebrates First Mexico Championship

Ruben Garcia and his team celebrate in Victory Lane following the 2015 NASCAR Mexico Series championship Sunday.
OCESA

NASCAR Next Driver Collects Title; Lopez Wins At Tuxtla

OCESA
November 22, 2015 - 5:44pm

BERRIOZÁBAL, Chiapas, Mexico – The day after turning 20, rising NASCAR star Rubén García Jr. completed his birthday weekend in style as he celebrated the 2015 NASCAR Mexico Series championship.

The Mexico City driver drove the No. 88 Canels/Scotiabank/HDI Toyota to a fifth-place finish in the season-ending Red Co 240 at Súper Óvalo Chiapas to cap the five-race Desafio with the Mexico's national championship.

Rogelio López earned his series-high 24th career victory, beating runner-up Rubén Pardo and third-place Rodrigo Perralta to the Red Co 240 checkered flag. Luis Felipe Montaño and García finished with fourth and fifth, respectively.

García had three wins and 13 top-five finishes in 15 races. He won the first race of the Desafio, and held first-place throughout the five-race playoff. He entered the finale with a nine-point lead over Rubén Rovelo, who finished 14th, and 27 over 2013 champion Peralta. The fourth championship contender – 2007 champion Rafael Martinez – finished 18th. García finished with 1,213 points, 18 ahead over Rovelo, 27 over Peralta and 42 in front of Martinez.

Santiago Tovar finished sixth  Sunday, followed by Antonio Pérez, Homero Richards, Jorge  Contreras Jr. and James Nides.

The young Garcia has become the ninth champion of NASCAR Mexico, joining Carlos Pardo (2004), Jorge Goeters (2005 and 2012), Rogelio Lopez (2006), Martinez, Antonio Pérez (2008), Germán Quiroga (2009-11), Peralta and Abraham Calderon (2014).

García even surpassed his father, Ruben Garcia Sr., who finished second in the series in 2006 – the year before it became sanctioned by NASCAR.

The path of Garcia Jr. began as champion of NASCAR Mexico's V4 series in 2011, and followed with rookie of the year honors in 2012. He finished fourth in the championship in 2013 and second last year. In 2013, he was selected as a member of the NASCAR Next class, an industry-initiatve to spotlight the sport's rising young stars.

García will join NASCAR's other six touring series champions on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the NASCAR Touring Series Night of Champions Awards at the Charlotte Convention Center/NASCAR Hall of Fame.

- Credit to NASCAR Home Tracks for this article.

Kyle Busch comes back from injury to win first Sprint Cup championship

From Jeff Gluck at USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Busch celebrates in after winning the Ford
EcoBoost 400 and his first NASCAR Sprint Cup
championship.
(PHOTO: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Here's what you need to know from the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday night:

CHAMPION AND RACE WINNER: Charlie Brown finally got to kick the football. Kyle Busch, in his 11th full season, won his first career NASCAR championship on Sunday night -- and in the most unlikely of years. This time, there was no piano to drop out of the sky and ruin his playoff in an odd way. No, Busch had to overcome his greatest obstacles early in the year. Busch broke his right leg and left foot in a horrifying crash the day before the Daytona 500 -  nine months ago - then missed 11 races as he learned to walk again. He returned in May, won four races and got himself in the top 30 to qualify for the Chase, then survived each round until finishing ahead of Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. to win the title.

"This championship is for my wife, my family, everyone who sacrificed so much this year to get me here," said Busch. "(Crew chief) Adam Stevens is my hero."

Busch passed Brad Keselowski with seven laps to go on the final restart and held off a charging Harvick in the closing laps. Harvick, the reigning champion who was trying to go back-to-back for the first time since Jimmie Johnson, finished second; Gordon was sixth in his final Cup race; Truex Jr. was 12th.

"We were definitely a little bit off tonight, and we never really found anything that really helped the car," Harvick said. "I thought at the end, we might do better than that. The 18 car just had us beat all night. I just couldn't find anywhere that would make the car better. ...

"To come back from everything's that he's come back from - that's a great comeback story from where he was after Daytona."

Busch joins brother Kurt as champion. Kurt Busch won his title in 2004. Kyle Busch gave team owner Joe Gibbs his fourth NASCAR title, one more than the number of Super Bowls he won.

GORDON: In his final Cup race, Gordon never really got going. He didn't have the speed or handling to keep up with Busch and Harvick and finished sixth. Gordon made his way to Busch, embraced him and congratulated him.

TV CONTROVERSY: NBC made the decision to stick with the race instead of going to its NFL pre-game broadcast at 7 p.m. ET, igniting Twitter with angry NFL fans and thrilled NASCAR fans. NBC Sports Network, which usually would pick up broadcasts that run over, is not available in as many homes.

MULTI-CAR CRASH: With 222 laps to go, Clint Bowyer appeared to get loose and triggered a multi-car crash on the backstretch. Bowyer turned right into Dale Earnhardt Jr., who suffered significant damage along with Aric Almirola, David Ragan and Casey Mears. “Just disappointing,” Bowyer said.

OIL ON THE TRACK: Just a dozen laps into the race, Denny Hamlin’s car suddenly shot out flames and oil, but NASCAR did not initially call a caution. Drivers frantically reported oil on the track and Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Sam Hornish Jr. all hit the wall before a caution was called. Hamlin went to the garage to investigate the issue.

STAR POWER: The grand marshal and national anthem singer are often the biggest stars at the track – but not when it’s Gordon’s final race (sorry, Hoda Kotb and Zach Levi). Gordon was accompanied by racing luminaries Mario Andretti and Lewis Hamilton, who was attending his first NASCAR race.

WEATHER: A line of storms rolled through roughly one hour before the start of the race, which delayed the green flag by about 90 minutes. The race finally began at 4:50 p.m. Eastern.

Ford EcoBoost 400

Sunday's results from the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway (start position in parentheses):
1. (3) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 267 laps, 43 points.
2. (13) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 267, 42.
3. (8) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 267, 43.
4. (2) Joey Logano, Ford, 267, 41.
5. (23) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 267, 40.
6. (5) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 267, 38.
7. (19) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 267, 37.
8. (15) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 267, 36.
9. (12) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 267, 35.
10. (1) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 267, 34.
11. (7) Carl Edwards, Toyota, 267, 34.
12. (11) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 267, 32.
13. (22) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 267, 31.
14. (10) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 267, 30.
15. (21) Greg Biffle, Ford, 267, 29.
16. (4) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 267, 28.
17. (6) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 267, 0.
18. (26) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 267, 26.
19. (18) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 267, 25.
20. (20) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 266, 24.
21. (17) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 266, 23.
22. (16) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 266, 22.
23. (25) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 266, 0.
24. (35) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 266, 20.
25. (28) Sam Hornish Jr., Ford, 266, 19.
26. (33) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 265, 18.
27. (38) David Ragan, Toyota, 265, 17.
28. (40) Cole Whitt, Ford, 265, 16.
29. (36) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 265, 15.
30. (39) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 264, 14.
31. (42) Brett Moffitt, Ford, 264, 13.
32. (41) David Gilliland, Ford, 264, 12.
33. (29) Michael McDowell, Ford, 264, 11.
34. (31) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 264, 0.
35. (34) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 263, 0.
36. (30) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 263, 8.
37. (37) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 263, 7.
38. (43) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 262, 6.
39. (32) Josh Wise, Ford, 247, 5.
40. (9) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 241, 4.
41. (14) Aric Almirola, Ford, 209, 3.
42. (27) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 104, 2.
43. (24) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 45, 1.

———

Race Statistics
Average Speed of Race Winner: 131.755 MPH.
Time of Race: 3 hours, 2 minutes, 23 seconds.
Margin of Victory: 1.552 seconds.
Caution Flags: 7 for 30 laps.
Lead Changes: 18 among 8 drivers.

Lap Leaders: J.Logano 1-19; Ky.Busch 20-35; J.Gordon 36-44; K.Harvick 45-90; K.Larson 91-92; J.Logano 93-138; Ky.Busch 139; C.Edwards 140-144; J.Logano 145-151; C.Edwards 152-154; Ky.Busch 155-168; M.Truex Jr. 169-171; B.Keselowski 172-214; Ky.Busch 215-216; B.Keselowski 217-257; Ky.Busch 258; B.Keselowski 259-260; Ky.Busch 261-267.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led): B.Keselowski, 3 times for 86 laps; J.Logano, 3 times for 72 laps; K.Harvick, 1 time for 46 laps; Ky.Busch, 6 times for 41 laps; J.Gordon, 1 time for 9 laps; C.Edwards, 2 times for 8 laps; M.Truex Jr., 1 time for 3 laps; K.Larson, 1 time for 2 laps.

Wins: J.Logano, 6; Ky.Busch, 5; J.Johnson, 5; M.Kenseth, 5; D.Earnhardt Jr., 3; K.Harvick, 3; Ku.Busch, 2; C.Edwards, 2; D.Hamlin, 2; J.Gordon, 1; B.Keselowski, 1; M.Truex Jr., 1.

Final top 16 in Points: 1. Ky.Busch, 5,043; 2. K.Harvick, 5,042; 3. J.Gordon, 5,038; 4. M.Truex Jr., 5,032; 5. C.Edwards, 2,368; 6. J.Logano, 2,360; 7. B.Keselowski, 2,347; 8. Ku.Busch, 2,333; 9. D.Hamlin, 2,327; 10. J.Johnson, 2,315; 11. R.Newman, 2,314; 12. D.Earnhardt Jr., 2,310; 13. J.McMurray, 2,295; 14. P.Menard, 2,262; 15. M.Kenseth, 2,234; 16. C.Bowyer, 2,175.

ORTHO Will Not Sponsor Greg Biffle In 2016

By @GucciardoJoey - Taken From NASCAR.com

The Ortho brand of Scotts Miracle-Gro will not return as primary sponsor of Greg Biffle's No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in 2016, the organization and team confirmed Friday.

 

"We have enjoyed a long-standing and greatly productive working relationship with Ortho and the Scotts' brand," RFR President Steve Newmark said in a statement. "Over the course of the last decade they -- at different times -- have been able to successfully activate various marketing platforms through our partnership. 

 

"They had great success activating around Greg and the No. 16 team and I think all of us enjoyed the 'What's Buggin' Biffle' promotion. However, their marketing strategy for '16 will take them in a different direction. We would of course welcome working with them again in the future and look forward to that possibility."

 

Various Ortho schemes -- including Bug-B-Gone, Fire Ant Killer and Home Defense -- covered Biffle's car for 15 races in 2015. Previously, Scotts had sponsored cars for Roush Fenway Racing from 2005-11.

 

Company spokesman Chris Strunk provided the following statement to SportsBusiness Daily: "We evaluate our sponsorship portfolio on an annual basis and have decided not to renew our partnership agreement with Roush Fenway Racing. Roush Fenway and Greg Biffle have been terrific partners, and we wish them the best. We are extremely appreciative of their participation and support of the Ortho brand."

Wood Bros. Racing Going Full-Time In Sprint Cup In 2016

By @GucciardoJoey

Wood Brothers Racing driver Ryan Blaney races in the 2015
Bojangles' Southern 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at
Darlington Raceway.

Homestead, FL -- Wood Brothers Racing, one of the longest-existing teams in NASCAR history, and has 98-career Sprint Cup victories has announced that they will field a full-time car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2016.

Ryan Blaney will drive the team's No. 21 Ford. Blane made 15 starts with the team this season as he heads into Sunday's Sprint Cup Series finale, the Ford EcoBoost 400.

"These are the guys that made it happen, Ford Motor Company," co-team owner Eddie Wood said. "It is just a lot of people that have been working on this for a long time and we are really proud of our association and heritage with Ford Motor Company. We have been racing Ford Motor Company products for 65 years and we are really looking forward to next year and getting started with that."

Wood Brothers Racing will continue to have a technical alliance with Team Penske.

"It is what you dream of as a kid," Blaney, 21, said. "I have been fortunate enough to get great opportunities and meet great people being with Team Penske in 2012 which led to the Wood Brothers this year and then beyond for next year.

"Obviously it is a little overwhelming right now … knowing what is going to come but I am excited for it. I don't get excited about a lot of things and maybe I don't show it but I am really excited about this program for next year and having the opportunity."

It will be the first time since 2008 that the team, founded by team owner Glen Wood in 1953, has attempted to run the entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. That season, three drivers, Bill Elliott, Marcos Ambrose and Jon Wood, split the driving duties, although Johnny Sauter made one attempt, failing to qualify at Las Vegas. The team's last full-time Sprint Cup season with a single-driver for came in 2006 with veteran Ken Schrader.

"We were in Pocono … testing for the Pocono race on May 28, 2008," Wood said. "At about noon that day Mr. Ford called me looking for a phone number. I hadn't talked to him in a while and he said, 'I haven't heard from you in a while, why haven't you called?' I told him we had been running so poorly that I had really just been ashamed. He says, 'So, you are saying this 21 is broken?' and I said, ‘Yeah, it is broken right now.'


"So he said we were going to see about that, that we would fix that. From that day until now, it has been just like this. He put some things in motion that started to help like increased engineering and just more of everything. There were some Ford Motor Company people that … moved in with us and helped get us straightened out and three years later we win the Daytona 500 (with driver Trevor Bayne). You can never give up."

Wood Brothers. Racing's biggest victory this decade has to be their 2011 Daytona 500 victory with Trevor Bayne behind the wheel.

SNAPSHOT: Miami

From NASCAR.com

Race day info
What: 17th annual Ford EcoBoost 400.
When: Sunday, Nov. 22
Where: Homestead-Miami Speedway, 1.5-mile oval in Homestead, Florida
Green flag time: 3:15 p.m. ET (NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Forecast: Cloudy, high of 82 degrees, 80 percent chance of rain and possible thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service
National anthem: Zachary Levi, actor ("Chuck," "Heroes Reborn")
Grand marshal: Hoda Kotb, co-host of NBC's "Today."
Distance: 400.5 miles, 267 laps.
Pit road speed: 45 mph. 
Caution car speed: 55 mph.
 
On the front row
1. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (176.655 MPH)
2. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford (176.263 MPH)
 
Fastest in practice
First practice: Carl Edwards, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (175.143 MPH).
Second practice: Kyle Larson, No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet (176.010 MPH).
Final practice: Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford (175.404 MPH).
 
Key story lines
1. Truex Jr. and Sherry Pollex already winners
2. Homestead could be 'fairy-tale' ending for Gordon
3. Harvick focused on title -- not verbal jabs
4. Kyle Busch signs contract extension with JGR

 
Former winners in the field
Greg Biffle (3), Tony Stewart (3), Carl Edwards (2), Denny Hamlin (2), Kurt Busch(1), Jeff Gordon (1), Kevin Harvick (1), Matt Kenseth (1).

They said it: Championship 4 final practice edition
Kyle Busch: "Really pleased with it -- it's definitely one of the best race cars I've had here for sure. It does the things that I think that it needs to do so hopefully I’m right and hopefully we’ve got a good race car for tomorrow."
 
Jeff Gordon: "The very first run that final practice was great. I felt really good about it. We've got a few things on the longer run that I felt like we can work on. The second run was so-so. The track definitely lost some grip. I think we have a good indication what the track conditions are going to be like in the race, so that is all really valuable information that we can put into our database and make adjustments and hopefully good decisions for (Sunday)."
 
Rodney Childers, crew chief for Kevin Harvick: "The car seems to have had pretty good speed. Definitely a lot better than what we were here last year. The guys did a good job. Kevin learned a lot running the top up against the wall. I feel like we got a lot of good information with those long runs. We will make a few adjustments for the race to try to keep the car tightened up and hopefully be good."
 
Martin Truex Jr.: "We haven't made any gains on it. It's been a frustrating day. We have been struggling with the car and we really haven't hit on anything that helped it. So we are going to go in there and work on it right now and hopefully come up with something for (Sunday)."