Race Weekend Central

Michael Waltrip Plans to Race 2016 Daytona 500

Duck Commander 500 Practice

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

While Michael Waltrip Racing may be shutting down at the end of 2015, fans can still expect to see Michael Waltrip in the Great American Race. As reported by ESPN, Waltrip plans to compete in the 2016 Daytona 500, with support from Maxwell House that was announced in April. The announced plans come despite MWR closing its doors following this …

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NASCAR Places Cole Pearn on Probation Following Dover Infractions

2015 Kentucky Cup Martin Truex Jr Cole Pearn Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

NASCAR’s penalized another Chase team following an infraction at Dover. NASCAR placed Cole Pearn, crew chief for Martin Truex Jr., on probation until Dec. 31, three days after finding Truex’s right-rear quarterpanel flared out during a visual inspection before Sunday’s AAA 400. While Truex’s No. 78 car passed initial inspection, it was sent back through the line and …

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Clint Bowyer Appeal: Penalties Upheld

2015 Chicago Cup Clint Bowyer Danica Patrick Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

While Clint Bowyer was being introduced as the driver of the No. 14 car starting in 2017, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel heard and decided on an appeal by Bowyer’s team for infractions that occurred at Chicagoland Speedway two weeks ago. The verdict? Upheld. Michael Waltrip Racing appealed the penalties — a P4 that brought about …

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Tony Stewart Retiring After 2016, Clint Bowyer Will Replace

2015 Pocono Cup Tony Stewart Car Cia

(CIA Stock Photography, 2015)

Wednesday, Tony Stewart made it official: he will retire from NASCAR Sprint Cup competition following the conclusion of the 2016 season. The announcement was made at 1 p.m. during a special press conference held at the Stewart-Haas Racing shop. “It was a choice that was 100% mine,” he said. “I had more people try to …

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4 Burning Questions at New Hampshire: Will Kevin Harvick Play Nice?

2015 Richmond Ii Cup Kevin Harvick Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

1. WHO CAN BEAT JOE GIBBS RACING? Following the first race of the Chase, Joe Gibbs Racing is sitting pretty. The team’s four cars are sitting first through fourth in points, injured driver Denny Hamlin is through to the next round by virtue of his win at Chicagoland and they have won nine of the …

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Sport Clips Doubles Sponsorship of Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards in the garage during Sprint Cup practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

It’s no secret that Carl Edwards is a sponsor’s dream, which also means it’s no surprise that he secured more funding on Wednesday. Sport Clips, whose commitment to Edwards stood at two races for 2015, doubled their sponsorship of the No. 19 Toyota, according to a release by Joe Gibbs Racing. The haircut salon chain, …

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Clint Bowyer’s Chase Takes Hit with Chicagoland Penalty

2015 Chicago Cup Clint Bowyer Danica Patrick Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

Four teams were penalized following the Chicagoland race weekend and one’s Chase hopes now hinge upon winning one of the next two races. Clint Bowyer’s No. 15 team was assessed a P4 penalty for an infraction relating to the track bar. Bowyer team violated rule that prohibits beveled washers and/or other components that allow track …

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TaxSlayer Returning to JR Motorsports in 2016

2015 Watkins Glen Nxs Regan Smith Racing Cia

(Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography, 2015)

JR Motorsports sewed up more support for 2016 on Wednesday. The team announced it has re-signed TaxSlayer, longtime team partner, to a 10-race deal in 2016. The company will serve as primary sponsor for the races on the team’s No. 7 and No. 88 cars during the Xfinity Series season. No driver lineups were announced. …

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Travis Pastrana Returning to NASCAR for 2015 Rhino Linings 350 at Las Vegas

Atlanta Trucks 2015 James Buescher Mike Neff

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Travis Pastrana is returning to NASCAR. Pastrana, an 11-time X-Games gold medalist, has signed a one-race deal with NTS Motorsports to run its No. 31 in the Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas in October, ESPN reports. The truck will be sponsored by GunBroker and will run alongside teammate Daniel Hemric in the …

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ISC Will Not Take Over Laguna Seca

Logo Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.svg

International Speedway Corp. will not take over Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the Monterey Herald reported Wednesday. According to Monterey County Supervisor Dave Potter, ISC declined to make a proposal on the track, a 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course located in south central California. The announcement came during a 90-day due diligence phase undertaken by ISC and …

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4 Cup Teams Penalized, Lose Chicagoland Practice Time

Jeb Burton Darlington Cup Retro 2015 Mike Neff 120

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

NASCAR announced late Tuesday it will dock four teams of practice time during this weekend’s myAFibRisk.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway for infractions occurring during last weekend’s even at Richmond International Raceway. Jeb Burton and his No. 23 BK Racing Toyota will lose 30 minutes of practice Friday for multiple infractions. The team was late to both …

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Christopher Bell Running 4 More Races for Kyle Busch Motorsports

2015 Eldora Cwts Christopher Bell Woohoo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(NASCAR via Getty Images)

Kyle Busch Motorsports and Christopher Bell are coming back for more. The team announced Wednesday that it has extended Bell’s 2015 Camping World Truck Series schedule by four races, which will be his first NASCAR starts since winning the Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway two months ago. Bell, who has already run three races this season …

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