The Daytona 500 returns on Sunday as fans are once again filled with anticipation for NASCAR’s biggest race of the year! We so often see surprising winners, astonishing finishes, and the race always seems to deliver. This was especially true last year. After going winless in 357 races throughout his career, NASCAR driver, Michael McDowell, won the 2021 Daytona 500 in dramatic fashion. Despite not having the best car and only leading for part of the final lap, McDowell avoided the eight-car fiery crash at the end and won the sport’s…
Category Archives: NASCAR
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Expected Surprises at Daytona
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Joy and Sorrow
Continue ReadingThis year’s Daytona 500 proved to be very memorable and packed with a wide range of emotions. After rain delays pushed the race’s finish to Monday evening, Denny Hamlin pulled out the win for the second year in a row and the third time in his career. It was a wild and tight finish with Hamlin finishing .014 seconds ahead of Ryan Blaney for the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history. The race included two red flag stoppages, two overtimes, and a frightening wreck on the final lap involving Ryan…
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A Day of Honor at the Daytona 500
Continue ReadingSunday’s Daytona 500 finished as one of the most memorable, inspiring, and emotional races in NASCAR history. J.D. Gibbs, the eldest son of Joe Gibbs and the Co-Founder and former President of Joe Gibbs Racing, passed away on January 11th at the age of 49. He had a long and challenging battle with a degenerative neurological disease. The NASCAR family used the “11th” lap of this race to honor, recognize, and remember J.D. “11” was the number he wore in college at William & Mary, as well as, the number…
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Sure He’ll Say He’ll Help
Continue ReadingI caught the end of the Coke Zero 400 Saturday night, and witnessed the drama of multiple wrecks and restarts leading up to an overtime win for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Before the final lap started, the NBC broadcast was able to get audio from David Ragan, who was starting overtime out in front. His crew chief asked, “Does the 17 want to help” and Ragan responded, “Sure he’ll say he’ll help. That’s pretty much the best shot we’ve got. As long as he’ll push us, I think that’s our best bet.” With the…
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Leading for Only Two Laps
Continue ReadingAfter 600 miles and just enough fuel left in his tank, Austin Dillon won the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday night – his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win of his career. Dillon drove the No. 3 Chevrolet into Victory Lane for the first time since the late Dale Earnhardt won his last race on October 15, 2000. Being a significant win for Dillon (grandson of owner Richard Childress), he made this comment following the race: “I can’t believe it. I was just really focused on those last laps. My fiancée…
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Winning With No Rear-View Mirror
Continue ReadingThe 59th running of the Daytona 500 took place on Sunday with Kurt Busch pulling out the victory. Making a strategic pass on the final lap, the veteran driver won his first Daytona 500 on his 16th attempt. This was a big moment for Busch when you consider how he’s been on and off the track over the years. Foxsports.com writer Joe Menzer wrote, “Busch left the 2.5-mile Superspeedway Sunday evening as a Daytona 500 champion, his transformation from a frequently troubled, often angry driver into something better, more at ease with himself…
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“I Don’t Want to Drive Slow”
Continue ReadingJoey Logano is one of the top drivers in NASCAR. He won a series-high six races in 2015, the Sprint All-Star Race a few weeks ago, and his first points-race (the FireKeepers 400) over the weekend. NASCAR has implemented a rules package for certain races this year, with the goal to decrease corner speeds to allow more passing, and so far Logano has thrived. Embracing this style of racing, Logano said, “You’re just right on that ragged edge, and that’s awesome. I don’t want to drive slow. That ain’t no fun….
