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.