Rainy Day at Daytona

The NASCAR Sprint Cup, and the Xfinity Series were hoping to get much needed practice time today at Daytona, but summertime Daytona, meant summertime storms. Xfinity cars were on track for about 30 minutes before rain hit. This would be the case for the rest of the day, until NASCAR cancelled all on track activities right before 7pm. The NASCAR Sprint Cup, and Xfinity Series qualifying will take place tomorrow afternoon, as well as the Subway Firecracker 250 Presented by Coca Cola tomorrow evening.

Erik Jones leads the 1st NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice at Daytona

NASCAR Xfinity Series practice took place Thursday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway. Cars were on track for roughly 30 minutes, before the red flag came out for rain. The practice session ended early for rain.  Erik Jones lead the way, with teammate Daniel Suarez in 2nd, Ty Dillon 3rd, Austin Dillon 4th, Justin Marks placed 5th, Brennan Poole was 6th fastest, Darrell Wallace Jr 7th, Joey Logano 8th, Justin Allgaier in 9th, and Aric Almirola rounded out the top 10 positions. Final practice takes place later today at 4pm ET.

Get to know NASCAR driver Julia Landauer

My 2nd Q&A continues this week, with NASCAR K&N Pro Series West driver Julia Landauer. Landauer currently drives the No. 54 Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing.

1. When did you get an interest in racing?
Julia: I started racing go-karts when I was 10 years old. My parents wanted something that allowed their daughters to compete against the boys. I loved it ever since.

2. What is your biggest win to date?
Julia: My first car win when I was 14 years old in the Skip Barber Series at VIR was huge. But I was also really proud of my first NASCAR win, which came in the limited late model at Motor Mile Speedway in 2015.

3. What's your pre-race ritual?
Julia: I like to visualize the track and do short sprints before a race.

4. Name one talent that you have which no one knows about?
Julia: I can juggle.

5. Favorite race track?
Julia: Road America is my favorite road course and Motor Mile is my favorite oval so far.

6.  Racing Hero Growing Up?
Julia: Paul Newman, Lyn St. James and Mark Martin

7. Which driver would you have liked to raced with from the past?
Julia: Mark Martin!

8. Do you enjoy day, or night races?
Julia: I like night races a little more, they're cooler and the track stays more consistent.

9. When do you think you'll like to be racing in the national series? Meaning Cup, Xfinity, or Trucks?
Julia: I hope to be in Trucks in the next few years.

10. Finally, what is one track you would like to race on that you've haven't yet?
Julia: Can't wait to get on Dover!

Briar's Top 5

1. Christopher Bell: It's been since Eldora, when the young teenager last went to victory lane. He's had a little bit of bad luck early in the year, but turned it around last night by winning.

2. Ben Rhodes: Although, he might've started the big crash in turn 3, Rhodes earned his best finish of the year placing in the 2nd position.

3. Erik Jones: His night looked liked it would end early as he got together with Cameron Hayley. But was able to bounce back, and finish in the top 5.

4. Daniel Hemric: Spun out early in the race, although Hemric rebounded to a top 3rd finish.

5. Kaz Grala: You've got to give a shout out to the young 17 year old, who drove a solid race all night, by missing the big crash at the end to go onto finish 5th.

Christopher Bell Scores 2nd career win at Gateway Motorsports Park

 The Nascar Camping World Truck Series, took place at the Gateway Motorsports Park on Saturday Night. But before anything could get started, mother nature canceled qualifying with rain showers in the area. Therefore, the starting lineup would be based on final practice speeds. This meant Ben Rhodes would be on the pole for the start of the race. Rico Abreu also had problems, as his clutch went to the floor. This made Abreu come to pit road at the start. After a hour long rain delay, the track was dried, and the trucks took the green flag.

Johnny Sauter was able to get in front of Rhodes on the backstretch, and would go onto led lap one. As Sauter tried to pull away, Rhodes, and Nemechek stayed in contention. The top three contenders would stay like this, until the first caution came out on lap 15. Jake Griffin of the #63 engine blows up causing the yellow flag. All the leaders stayed out as it was too early to pit under this yellow.

Sauter and Rhodes, took the restart on lap 24. Although, Sauter had another strong restart, and took the lead once again. But the caution waved one lap later, as the 51 of Erik Jones and Cameron Hayley make contact. Replays show that Jones got loose in turns 3 and 4, and both drivers ended up hitting the wall. This time all leaders make their pit stops under yellow, as most of them take four tires, and fuel.

Tyler Reddick and Daniel Hemric played strategy, as both of them stayed out for track position. Restart on lap 31, Reddick was able to pull away from Hemric. Lap 33 saw Matt Crafton and Christopher Bell, make little contact with each other. From lap 36-39, Sauter tried to take the top spot away from Reddick. But Sauter couldn't pull the pass off, as he would get loose, and gets passed by William Byron for 2^nd on lap 59. Just a few laps later, the caution clock expired for the first time of the night on lap 65. All the leaders came down pit road, and made their scheduled pit stops. Most of the field, take four tires, fuel, and air pressure adjustments. William Byron wins the race off pit road.

William Byron and Tyler Reddick, was on the front row for the lap 71 restart. Byron gets the advantage on the straightaway, with Matt Crafton following him close behind. But as they say “cautions breed cautions”, as the yellow waved again one lap later. Daniel Hemric spun in turn 4 after getting loose, and made minimal contact with the wall. None of the leaders pit and this would setup a restart on lap 78.

Byron and Crafton led the field down into turn 1. With the advantage of the high line, Byron took the lead off of turn 2. Byron started to check out a little bit, but Crafton started to reel him in on lap 96. The two battled for the lead, until the caution clock expired for the second time of the night on lap 113. Leaders came down pit road to make their pit stops. Sauter won the race off pit road as he only took two tires. Crafton had struggles with his pit stop, therefore dropping tons of positions.

Restart with 42 to go, Christopher Bell takes the lead for the first time of the night. One lap later, there would be a red flag for a crash involving Jennifer Jo Cobb, Austin Wayne Self, and Jordan Anderson. Cobb and Wayne Self crashed hard in turn 1. Both drivers were ok following the incident.

The red flag was lifted after a lengthy cleanup. The leaders took the restart four laps later with 37 to go. Bell got another good start, and got out in front of his teammate Byron. John Hunter Nemechek started to come into play with 34 laps to go, as he took second place from William Bryon. Nemechek kept trying to reel in Bell for the lead, until a caution came out with 17 to go. John Wes Townley spins out and makes contact with the wall.

The green flag went back in the air with 13 to go. Bell and Nemchek continued to battle it out for two laps, until there was a big crash in turns 3 and 4. This brought out another red flag. Replays show, that after the wild restart, Ben Rhodes had tons of momentum, and gave a little bump to Reddick causing the melee. Several trucks involving Crafton, Nemechek, Reddick, Spencer Gallagher, and others were involved. Some were able to get away with minor damage. Finally, after a little bit of cleanup the next restart came with 7 to go.

Rhodes and Bell was on the front row. But Bell gets out in front and takes the lead. Except another yellow was waved once more, as Gallagher and Townley make heavy contact. The contact was too severe ending their night early. But both were upset as the two started trading punches with each other. The fight went for a couple of minutes, until the Nascar officials stopped the two drivers. Townley and Gallagher were called to the Nascar hauler. After the completion of the red flag, this setup a two lap shootout to the finish.

Bell and Rhodes again was at the front of the field. Both of them battled for the lead, but Bell got the advantage off of turn 2. Bell would onto the top spot, and take the checkered flag at Gateway. Scoring his 2^nd career win in the truck series. This was also Kyle Busch Motorsports 50^th career win.

 The Camping World Truck Series takes a week off next week, before they head to Kentucky Speedway on Thursday night July 7^th.

Get to know NASCAR driver Noah Gragson

 Noah Gragson, currently a driver in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West for team owner Jerry Pitts in the No.7 machine. Gragson recently won last Friday night at Stafford Motor Speedway. This will be our first part of the 10 questions series.

1. When did you get an interest in racing?
   Noah: Started racing at the age of 13, in the bandoleros at the bullring in Las Vegas. 
2. What is your biggest win to date?
   Noah: Biggest win to date is the most recent win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, at the Stafford Motor Speedway. 
3. What's your pre-race ritual?
   Noah: Haven't found nothing that works as far as consistency. I've tried the underwear, and shoes deal but it doesn't work. 
4. Name one talent that you have which no one knows about?
   Noah: Really good at making hot dogs. 
5. Favorite Race Track?
   Noah: Tucson Speedway, Meridian Speedway, and Sonoma Raceway. 
6. Racing Hero Growing Up?
   Noah: I wasn't a nascar fan growing up until I started racing. Always liked Travis Pastrana as a kid and once I started racing, I really liked Clint Bowyer.
7. Which driver would you have liked to raced with from the past?
   Noah: Probably Travis Pastrana, or Dylan Kwasniewski 
8. Day or night races?
   Noah: I like racing under the lights. 
9. When do you think you'll be racing in the NASCAR National Series?
   Noah: Hopefully in the next few years. 
10. Finally, What is one track you would like to race on that you've haven't yet?
    Noah: It'd be cool to race at the Darlington throwback weekend

  

Returning Veteran Wins at Iowa

Iowa Speedway, the home of the Nascar Xfinity Series on Sunday afternoon with Erik Jones on the pole. But there were some problems before the race started, this involved Brendan Gaughan, and Elliott Sadler sent to the rear for unapproved adjustments. There were more penalties for unapproved body modification. The pole sitter Jones and Brad Keselowski, was sent to the rear from the penalty mentioned above. As well as Ross Chastain sent to the rear with unapproved adjustments. There was going to be, a competition caution on lap 40 due to overnight track repairs. Sam Hornish Jr, and Daniel Suarez moved into the front row to take the green flag.

Suarez got the advantage in turn 3 and leads on lap 1. Erik Jones gaining ground early as he moved to the 22^nd spot on lap 4. The no.40 of Carl Long, went to the garage early on lap 11. Darrell Wallace. Jr, moved into the 7^th position on lap 14. 2^nd place Sam Hornish Jr, started to reel in race leader Daniel Suarez on lap 21. It would just be three laps later as Hornish Jr, takes the lead away from Suarez. Ray Black. Jr had problems early as he went to the garage on lap 28. With 5 laps to go until the competition caution, Erik Jones started to report that “was having fuel pressure problems”. The problems were severe enough to force Jones on pit road right before the caution. Shortly after, the competition caution came out on lap 40.

The leaders came down pit road with all drivers taking four tires, and fuel, adjustments. Suarez won the race off pit road, followed by Hornish.Jr, Justin Allgaier, Alex Bowman, and Ben Kennedy in the 5^th spot. B.J. McLeod was the beneficiary under this caution period. During the caution, Erik Jones was penalized for fueling too soon before the caution. Nascar rules state that you cannot pit before any competition caution. This would setup for a lap 48 restart.

Daniel Suarez and Sam Hornish.Jr, battled it out until Suarez took the lead. But Hornish Jr, would take the lead just 10 laps later having the better car. Then Hornish Jr started to pull away from the field on lap 61. Brendan Gaughan was gaining ground after starting in the rear, by moving all the way the up to the 13^th position. Lap 78 featured Bubba Wallace, moving in the 5^th spot after starting 12^th. More problems for Erik Jones as he pits on lap 84, for fuel this puts Jones 3 laps down. Ty Dillon gets passed by Brad Keselowski for the 6^th spot lap 89. 7 laps later the second caution came out for Ryan Preece, as he blew a tire and hits the wall off turn 4. Erik Jones went behind the wall to change the fuel cell.

On lap 100, the leaders came down pit road for their scheduled pit stops. Leaders ended up taking four tires and fuel. Suarez again wins the race off pit road, followed by his teammate Hornish Jr. Dakoda Armstrong is the beneficiary under this caution flag.

Restart lap 104, Saurez inside, and Hornish.Jr on the outside. But Suarez had a more stronger car than Hornish.Jr and took the lead. There was three wide action in the back featuring Ty Dillon, Brandon Jones, and Brad Keselowski. All three made it through for clean passes. Sam Hornish Jr and Daniel Suarez battled it out from lap 114-119, until Hornish took the lead away from Suarez. Lap 120, saw Paige Decker go to the garage. Four laps late the third caution came out, for Derrike Cope blowing a right front tire. BJ McLeod again is the beneficiary. This caused all kind of strategies to play out.

Allgaier won the race off pit road by taking two tires only, but got busted for speeding and was sent to the rear. Therefore allowing Bubba Wallace, and Brennan Poole restarting on the front row. Poole got out in front of Wallace.Jr, but Suarez with fresher tires takes the lead on lap 133. Blake Koch brought out the caution one lap later as he spins out on the frontstretch. Replays show that Koch checked up, as Wallace was slow on the outside, and Brendan Gaughan was committed to the bottom. The 78 of BJ McLeod was the beneficiary once more.

Lap 140, saw the next restart as Sam Hornish. Jr pulled away from Suarez. Hornish Jr drove away from the field, and lead for the next 53 laps until the 5^th caution flag waves. J.J. Yeley and Drew Herring make contact with each other. Yeley ended up hitting the outside wall. All the leaders pitted under the yellow, and Hornish. Jr won the race off pit road. Jeremy Clements is the beneficiary for this caution.

The race restarted with 51 to go, and Hornish Jr, was out in front for 20 laps until another yellow slowed his pace. Drew Herring was spun by Dakoda Armstrong off of turn 4. Brendan Gaughan got his lap back under the caution period. None of the leaders came down pit road. The next restart was with 27 to go. As Hornish. Jr takes the lead once again and pull away from the field. As it seemed Sam would drive away, Ty Dillon started to reel him in with 14 to go.

But it wouldn't be enough though for Dillon, as returning veteran Sam Hornish Jr wins the American Ethanol E15 250, presented by Enogen at Iowa Speedway. Ty Dillon was 2^nd, Brad Keselowski 3^rd, Daniel Suarez 4^th, and Alex Bowman rounded out the top 5. There was 6 cautions for 33 laps, and 4 leaders for 10 lead changes. This was Sam's 4^th career Xfinity Series win. The Nascar Xfinity Series is off next weekend, before returning to Daytona on July 1^st.

William Byron scores third career win at Iowa

The Nascar Camping World Truck Series headed, to Iowa Speedway Saturday night for the running of the Speediatrics 200. John Hunter Nemechek was on the pole and Cameron Hayley started 2^nd for Thorsport Racing. As the leaders took the green flag, it didn't take long for the action to heat up. The field was already three wide down the backstretch on lap 1. Ben Kennedy was making moves early as he moved into 2^nd on lap 2. Although some drivers like Matt Crafton, was falling back early to the 12^th position after starting in the top 10. Clair Decker went to the garage on lap 11, and was out for the rest of the race. Nick Drake would also scrape the outside wall on lap 14. Nemechek would go onto lead the first 50 laps before the caution came out.

As Parker Kilgerman cut a left rear tire down in turns 3 and 4, after making contact with Austin Wayne Self. The leaders headed down pitroad for four tires and fuel. Nemechek wins the race off pit road, followed by William Byron in 2^nd, and Cameron Hayley in 3^rd. During this caution, Daniel Suarez reported that “There was water leaking into the cab of his truck”. Nemechek and Byron led the field to the next restart.

Restart on lap 54, Byron gets the advantage off the backstretch, and takes the lead away from Nemechek. Timothy Peters makes a little contact with Kaz Grala on lap 56, and has left front corner damage. Nemechek would start to fall back a little bit, as Kennedy had a stronger truck and passed him for 2^nd place. Meanwhile, Byron started to check out from the field leaving everyone in his dust.

On lap 84 Ben Rhodes and Cameron Hayley, made it three wide on the backstretch for fourth place. As there were exciting side by side battles, the caution clock expired shortly after halfway. The clock was used for the first time of the night. William Byron lead the field down pit road for pit stops. Byron's team was strong enough to get him out in front. Austin Wayne Self would be the beneficiary under the caution. This would setup for a lap 110 restart.

Byron and Nemechek were on the front row once again. The two raced side-by-side for a lap until Byron got ahead of Nemechek. Shortly after, the leader started to drive away from the field. After several laps under green, another caution came out on lap 147. As Kaz Grala cut a tire down off of four, and made contact with the wall. The race was nearing it's end and some drivers would play strategies for track position. The first five cars did just that, as Tyler Reddick won the race off pit road by taking two tires only. William Byron stalled trying to leave his pit box. There was troubles for John Hunter Nemechek on pit road. Nemechek had to come down again, because he didn't all his lugnuts on the tire. Which is a mandatory rule by NASCAR. Jordan Anderson was the beneficiary for this caution.

The race went back green with 44 to go, Tyler Reddick and Ben Kennedy battled hard out front. Although, Reddick was able to pull away from Kennedy. But there were some problems with the restart, as NASCAR was checking it for review. Two laps later the restart was ruled clear. There were 22 laps of racing, before the next caution came out with 22 to go. Tommy Joe Martins and Derek Scott Jr wrecked in turns 1 and 2. This would setup a short red flag for a lengthy cleanup. Rico Abreu had problems with his truck as he had water and steam coming out. The red flag was lifted, and went back to caution with 15 to go.

Restart with 13 to go, Reddick got the advantage due to momentum for the lead from the highline. As the race started to wine down, the action started to intensify. Ben Rhodes, Tyler Reddick, and Cole Custer made it three wide on the backstretch. Custer was able to get out in front of the action with 11 to go. But Byron with fresher tires took the lead with 9 to go. But the caution came out with 8 to go, for an accident involving Caleb Holman. This setup a two lap shootout to the finish.

 William Byron and Cole Custer made up the front row for the restart. Custer tried everything he could for the win. But in the end it was, William Byron scoring his third career victory at Iowa Speedway. There was 5 cautions for 39 laps, and 4 leaders for 4 lead changes. Cole Custer was 2^nd, followed by Cameron Hayley in 3^rd, Ben Rhodes 4^th, and Tyler Reddick rounded out the top 5. The Nascar Camping World Truck Series heads to Gateway International Speedway next Saturday night.

Joe Gibbs Racing sweeps Xfinity Series Qualifying at Iowa.

 It's another 1-2-3 sweep in qualifying for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series. This time with Erik Jones earning his 6^th pole for the season, last week's Daniel Suarez starts 2^nd, and returning Xfinity veteran Sam Hornish Jr qualified in the 3^rd spot. JR Motorsports drivers Justin Allgaier, and Elliott Sadler round out the top 5 starting spots respectively. Ben Kennedy making his Nascar Xfinity Series debut, for Richard Childress Racing qualified in the 6^th spot. Brad Keselowski, the only cup driver in the field starts 7^th. Ty Dillon in the 8^th position, Alex Bowman 9^th, and Brandon Jones rounds out the top 10 starting positions.

ARCA Racing Series Corrigan Oil 200 at Michigan International Speedway

ARCA Racing Series Corrigan Oil 200 at Michigan International Speedway

Qaulifying was canceled due to time restraints, therefore Myatt Snider started on the pole. But he crashed during the session, and had to bring out a backup car. The team elected Snider to drop to the rear of the field before the race. That would mean Chase Briscoe, and Dalton Sargeant would be on the front row.

The race soon got underway and it was all Chase Briscoe. On the same lap the 51, of Chad Finley spun off of four onto the pit lane. Finley got the car going, and would not have to bring out a caution. Meanwhile Briscoe got out to a big lead, but was soon challenged by Brandon Jones. On lap 11, the 65 of Jeff MacZink had a blend line violation. MacZink would have to serve a pass through penalty. And the 0 of Richard Hauck also came down to pit road for problems.

Briscoe and Jones pulled away from the field, while everyone else had to hold onto their positions. But the 98 of Brady Boswell came down pit road due to rising temperatures on lap 28. It was reported that Boswell had debris on his grill. Boswell would catch a break though, as a caution came out on lap 29. This caution was for Dustin Knowles who cut a left front tire. The whole field came down pit road, and most of the leaders pitted for four tires. Brandon Jones won the race off pit road, as Briscoe stalled during his pit stop. Kyle Weatherman in the 58 was the free pass.

Other problems occurred on pit road, as the 01 of Travis Braden had trouble with his air hose. Weatherman, who got the free pass came on pit road too. Reports were Weatherman had a lose spark plug. This would put Kyle Weatherman in the back for the restart.

Restart on lap 36, Brandon Jones selected the outside lane while Chase Briscoe chose the inside lane. It wouldn't take Jones long though as he was able to get out in front. Briscoe continued to fight back and battle side by side with Jones. But on lap 39, the caution came out for Myatt Snider who hit the wall off of turn two. Replays show that Snider got lose and just lost the car. On the same caution, the 19 of David Sear's engine blows up. During the lap 36-39 period, Matt Kurzejewski had problems with his 52. Although he was able to get the car going again.

On this caution period, Kurzejewski brought the machine down for four tires and fuel. A crew member crawled in the window, to see if there was any lose wiring in the car. Matt had reported that “he had a bad vibration”. There were other drivers who pitted during this yellow as well. Josh Williams of the #6 machine, and the 58 of Kyle Weatherman. Sarah Cornett-Ching would be the beneficiary of the free pass.

Restart on lap 44, Brandon Jones and Chase Briscoe was back it for the lead. These two would battle back and forth for many laps to come. On lap 50, Tom Hessert of the 25 machine pitted for two left side tires. Two laps later Hessert wold have to serve a drive through penalty. The race would calm down for just a little bit. Then with 42 to go, Hessert again was too fast exiting pit road, and would have to serve another drive through penalty. On the same lap, Dalton Sargeant had damage to his left rear. Tom Hessert would continue to have problems, as he brought the car to the garage with 38 to go. Josh Williams also came down for service with 34 to go. But Williams would end up going to the garage with 25 to go.

As the race started to wine down with 22 laps to go, the action was about to pick up. Leaders Brandon Jones, and Chase Briscoe came to pit road to top it off with four tires and fuel. Briscoe pitted for right side tires, while Jones pitted for four tires and fuel. Dalton Sargeant pitted as well, but was too fast on pit road. Meanwhile Brady Boswell, and Matt Kurzejewski took the top spots. But both had to pit with 10 to go. Kyle Weatherman on the other hand, was trying to stretch his fuel out and win the race. Unfortunately, with three laps to go Weatherman ran out of gas before turn three. This would hand the lead to Brandon Jones.

Finally after the crazy strategies, and great racing Brandon Jones wins the Corrigan Oil 200 at Michigan. This would be his third ARCA Racing Series career win. Chase Brisoce was 2^nd, followed by Kyle Benjamin in 3^rd, Travis Braden in 4^th, and Matt Tifft rounded out the top 5. ARCA Racing Series returns to Madison International Speedway on June 19.