Christopher Bell was making his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start today at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Needless to say, it was an impressive debut, but it didn't come without adversity.
On the second lap, Bell was turned by Ryan Reed, therefore causing him to spin out on the front stretch. The no.18 Sirius XM Toyota went sliding through the grass. With some concern, the team thought there would be damage to the splitter. However, there was no damage done to the splitter, but Bell had to rebound from the back.
Bell would fight tight conditions all day long after being in the back. With multiple cautions late, Bell was able to catch up toward the front end of the pack. Late in the going, Bell was in the top 10, before eventually getting in the top five.
Nonetheless, after being the first caution early, Bell rebounded and finished fourth in his Xfinity Series debut at Charlotte.
Christopher Bell Quote
"JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) brought a really fast SiriusXm Camry today, just really thankful to be in this No.18 car. We had to fight through a lot of adversity there, we had a lot of issues there. We would start passing guys and we'd have to go back and start at the tail. I'm glad it was 200 laps because we used every single bit of it. We didn't have a lot of luck on the restarts at the beginning of the race starting on the bottom, but we got the luck when we needed it at the end."
Bell's next race is slated for Iowa in June.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Austin Dillon Rebounds After A Start Violation
After starting on the front row, Austin Dillon came across some controversy on the start. It was ruled a violation by NASCAR. This meant Dillon had to be sent to the back, however, a caution that came out on lap two saved him. He still had to be sent to the rear before the restart.
With a strong car, Dillon worked his way up to 13th midway during the first stage. Although, another break for Dillon came on lap 20 where a caution came out once again. Dillon came back from the rear to finish seventh in stage one.
Dillon stayed up front for majority of stage two. He would end up finishing third. When the caution came out with 42 laps to go, most of the field came down pit road for tires and fuel, including Dillon. Dillon was able to win the race off pit road.
Dillon and Kevin Harvick would be on the front row for the restart with 37 laps to go. He held on to the lead before the restart with 14 laps to go, where the car began to slip a bit. However, Dillon rebounded after a start violation to finish in the third position.
Austin Dillon Quote
"We did a really good job adjusting the car over the course of the race. The Rheem Chevrolet really came to us at the end when the clouds came in. I hate that we weren't able to visit Victory Lane today for our pit crew, especially. They did such a good job today. So did my crew chief, Randall Burnett. We had a few restarts there but we were in a Penske sandwich and couldn't do much about it. I got hit on the restart and it just wasn't enough to carry me in Turn 1. I had a lot of fun today. I'm proud of this RCR XFINITY Series program."
Dillon led once for 20 laps in today's race.
With a strong car, Dillon worked his way up to 13th midway during the first stage. Although, another break for Dillon came on lap 20 where a caution came out once again. Dillon came back from the rear to finish seventh in stage one.
Dillon stayed up front for majority of stage two. He would end up finishing third. When the caution came out with 42 laps to go, most of the field came down pit road for tires and fuel, including Dillon. Dillon was able to win the race off pit road.
Dillon and Kevin Harvick would be on the front row for the restart with 37 laps to go. He held on to the lead before the restart with 14 laps to go, where the car began to slip a bit. However, Dillon rebounded after a start violation to finish in the third position.
Austin Dillon Quote
"We did a really good job adjusting the car over the course of the race. The Rheem Chevrolet really came to us at the end when the clouds came in. I hate that we weren't able to visit Victory Lane today for our pit crew, especially. They did such a good job today. So did my crew chief, Randall Burnett. We had a few restarts there but we were in a Penske sandwich and couldn't do much about it. I got hit on the restart and it just wasn't enough to carry me in Turn 1. I had a lot of fun today. I'm proud of this RCR XFINITY Series program."
Dillon led once for 20 laps in today's race.
Kevin Harvick Finishes Runner Up In Hisense 4K Tv 300 At Charlotte
Before entering Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick was 0 for 27 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Harvick was looking to pick up his first win at the track. After starting in the fifth position there was some hope that he may finally get his first checkered flag at Charlotte.
After early cautions in stage one, Harvick dominated the stage by leading the majority of the laps. In fact, after surviving wild excitement, Harvick went on to win stage one. Harvick continued to dominate early in the race by winning the race off pit road.
When stage two began, Harvick was not the leader as Denny Hamlin and eventual race winner Ryan Blaney stayed out. By not making much noise in stage two, Harvick did finish in the top five in the stage.
It wasn't until 71 laps to go where Harvick was on the front row with Blaney for the restart. Blaney was able to jump out front, while Harvick slipped back just a bit, but kept close behind the leader in case anything should happen. With 55 laps to go, Harvick began reeling in the race leader Blaney. It wasn't until 42 laps to go, where a caution came out and gave Harvick a chance to come down pit road for adjustments.
Harvick would restart on the front row alongside Austin Dillon with 37 laps to go. Like there was early in the race, cautions once again became an issue late in the race with 25 laps or less remaining. With 14 laps to go for a restart, Harvick jumped to the lead and started to check out just a tad. However, with seven laps to go, a caution came out once again to bunch the field up.
The race went back green with three laps to go and Harvick needed to fend off a strong car of Ryan Blaney. He did so for a lap, until Blaney took the lead from Harvick in turn two. After leading the race three times for 58 laps, Harvick had to settle for a runner up spot.
Kevin Harvick Quote
"If I could do the (final restart) again I would probably do it differently. I felt like the 12 (Blaney) had the best car on the restarts. He was the one who helped us get the lead. Just wasn't able to get going through one and two. I needed to be clear by the time I got to three and four. I hadn't been taking the top but I felt if the 12 and 22 got paired on the top, I would be in double trouble. I had a heck of time today. All in all, I just got beat there by the 12. He did a good job all day there on the restarts. I'm really proud of everybody on the team. We ran well and lead a bunch of laps."
Harvick now has 181 top five's.
His next race is currently scheduled for Kentucky Motor Speedway in July.
After early cautions in stage one, Harvick dominated the stage by leading the majority of the laps. In fact, after surviving wild excitement, Harvick went on to win stage one. Harvick continued to dominate early in the race by winning the race off pit road.
When stage two began, Harvick was not the leader as Denny Hamlin and eventual race winner Ryan Blaney stayed out. By not making much noise in stage two, Harvick did finish in the top five in the stage.
It wasn't until 71 laps to go where Harvick was on the front row with Blaney for the restart. Blaney was able to jump out front, while Harvick slipped back just a bit, but kept close behind the leader in case anything should happen. With 55 laps to go, Harvick began reeling in the race leader Blaney. It wasn't until 42 laps to go, where a caution came out and gave Harvick a chance to come down pit road for adjustments.
Harvick would restart on the front row alongside Austin Dillon with 37 laps to go. Like there was early in the race, cautions once again became an issue late in the race with 25 laps or less remaining. With 14 laps to go for a restart, Harvick jumped to the lead and started to check out just a tad. However, with seven laps to go, a caution came out once again to bunch the field up.
The race went back green with three laps to go and Harvick needed to fend off a strong car of Ryan Blaney. He did so for a lap, until Blaney took the lead from Harvick in turn two. After leading the race three times for 58 laps, Harvick had to settle for a runner up spot.
Kevin Harvick Quote
"If I could do the (final restart) again I would probably do it differently. I felt like the 12 (Blaney) had the best car on the restarts. He was the one who helped us get the lead. Just wasn't able to get going through one and two. I needed to be clear by the time I got to three and four. I hadn't been taking the top but I felt if the 12 and 22 got paired on the top, I would be in double trouble. I had a heck of time today. All in all, I just got beat there by the 12. He did a good job all day there on the restarts. I'm really proud of everybody on the team. We ran well and lead a bunch of laps."
Harvick now has 181 top five's.
His next race is currently scheduled for Kentucky Motor Speedway in July.
Ryan Blaney Wins Hisense 4K TV 300 After Starting In The Back
The NASCAR Xfinity Series returned to action at Charlotte Motor Speedway after two weeks off. 45 laps made up stage one and two, while 110 laps made up the final stage.
Justin Allgaier and Austin Dillon were on the front row after qualifying earlier this morning. Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski was sent to the rear after unapproved adjustments.
After three early cautions in stage one, the race finally got a long green flag run after lap 25 restart. Harvick, with a strong car, held on to the lead and won the first stage. Blaney was fourth, Austin Dillon after a start violation was seventh and Keselowski was ninth. Harvick won the race off pit road after pit stops.
Stage two began on lap 52 with Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney on the front row. After the restart, Blaney was able to get the lead from Hamlin. On lap 68, however, Blaney started to report there was a "loose wheel." Although, with those tire reports, Blaney held on and went on to win stage two.
Lap 97 began stage three with Hamlin and Blaney again out front. After the restart, Darrell Wallace Jr jumped to second. With just a few laps of green, a caution came out on lap 107 for Spencer Gallagher, who spun around in turn two. Another restart came with 93 laps to go, this time Wallace Jr took the lead away from Blaney. Howver, Blaney retook the lead on lap 112.
Another caution prompted the field to slow once again on lap 123. This made the drivers come down pit road for adjustments. With a fast pit stop, Blaney was able to win the race off pit road.
With 71 laps to go, Blaney and Harvick were leading the field. Blaney checked out early, but Harvick began reeling him in with 55 laps to go. Denny Hamlin who was up toward the front earlier in the race, had started to report that his car was "blowing up."
A big break came for most of the field, as a caution came out with 42 laps to go for Brennan Poole that hit the wall off turn four. This time Austin Dillon won the race off pit road.
Like it was at the start of the race, there were plenty of cautions toward the end of the race. Though, the race winning restart came with three laps to go. Ryan Blaney and Kevin Harvick, the two that were up front all race long were one-two. The field was side-by-side all the way until turn three one lap later. This saw Blaney take the lead in turn two and held off Kevin Harvick to win his fourth career NASCAR Xfinity Series win.
Ryan Blaney Quote
"It's pretty neat to win here... We had a really awesome car all day. We had to start in the back and I thought that was pretty impressive thing to do get up front. After we got the lead, we were able to control the race. I lost the lead there on the last pit stop. We had a good pit stop, I just kind of got boxed in. We didn't get the angle there and that was on me. Luckily, we were able to get back up front and give ourselves a shot. Starting third, we only had a couple of laps to get back up front and try and make it happen. We were really good on restarts all day. So, my hat's off to the Penske group."
There were 13 lead changes among seven leaders.
There were 12 cautions for 52 laps.
Blaney led four times for 107 laps.
This was his fourth career NASCAR Xfinity Series win and his first of the season.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series continues next week by going to Dover International Speedway for the running of the OneMain Financial 200.
Justin Allgaier and Austin Dillon were on the front row after qualifying earlier this morning. Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski was sent to the rear after unapproved adjustments.
After three early cautions in stage one, the race finally got a long green flag run after lap 25 restart. Harvick, with a strong car, held on to the lead and won the first stage. Blaney was fourth, Austin Dillon after a start violation was seventh and Keselowski was ninth. Harvick won the race off pit road after pit stops.
Stage two began on lap 52 with Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney on the front row. After the restart, Blaney was able to get the lead from Hamlin. On lap 68, however, Blaney started to report there was a "loose wheel." Although, with those tire reports, Blaney held on and went on to win stage two.
Lap 97 began stage three with Hamlin and Blaney again out front. After the restart, Darrell Wallace Jr jumped to second. With just a few laps of green, a caution came out on lap 107 for Spencer Gallagher, who spun around in turn two. Another restart came with 93 laps to go, this time Wallace Jr took the lead away from Blaney. Howver, Blaney retook the lead on lap 112.
Another caution prompted the field to slow once again on lap 123. This made the drivers come down pit road for adjustments. With a fast pit stop, Blaney was able to win the race off pit road.
With 71 laps to go, Blaney and Harvick were leading the field. Blaney checked out early, but Harvick began reeling him in with 55 laps to go. Denny Hamlin who was up toward the front earlier in the race, had started to report that his car was "blowing up."
A big break came for most of the field, as a caution came out with 42 laps to go for Brennan Poole that hit the wall off turn four. This time Austin Dillon won the race off pit road.
Like it was at the start of the race, there were plenty of cautions toward the end of the race. Though, the race winning restart came with three laps to go. Ryan Blaney and Kevin Harvick, the two that were up front all race long were one-two. The field was side-by-side all the way until turn three one lap later. This saw Blaney take the lead in turn two and held off Kevin Harvick to win his fourth career NASCAR Xfinity Series win.
Ryan Blaney Quote
"It's pretty neat to win here... We had a really awesome car all day. We had to start in the back and I thought that was pretty impressive thing to do get up front. After we got the lead, we were able to control the race. I lost the lead there on the last pit stop. We had a good pit stop, I just kind of got boxed in. We didn't get the angle there and that was on me. Luckily, we were able to get back up front and give ourselves a shot. Starting third, we only had a couple of laps to get back up front and try and make it happen. We were really good on restarts all day. So, my hat's off to the Penske group."
There were 13 lead changes among seven leaders.
There were 12 cautions for 52 laps.
Blaney led four times for 107 laps.
This was his fourth career NASCAR Xfinity Series win and his first of the season.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series continues next week by going to Dover International Speedway for the running of the OneMain Financial 200.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Top Five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rankings After Kansas
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returned to Kansas Speedway last night after a five week hiatus. As always, the truck series didn't disappoint. There was drama and action all night long. There were 11 cautions for 46 laps, with six of them coming in stage one. After all said and done in the heartland, who topped this weeks top five?
1. Ben Rhodes- Oh so close, but not close enough. It was a should've, would've, could've night for Rhodes. Rhodes pulled away from Kyle Busch on a restart late in the going and started to pull away for the win. However, it was heartbreak for Rhodes as his engine blew up with eight laps to go. Rhodes ended up 23rd after leading four times for 25 laps.
2. Kyle Busch- Busch had the truck to win but he had to work hard for it, especially late in the going. If it wasn't for Rhodes' motor problem, Busch would not have won the race. However, Busch got lucky in Kansas and won his 47th career truck series win. His second track win at Kansas Speedway.
3. Christopher Bell- Bell had a great truck in the early run but couldn't rally late. After starting on the pole and leading the race four times for 37 laps, Bell ended up finishing fourth.
4. Johnny Sauter- Sauter was quietly racing in the top 10 all night and was in position for the win, after Rhodes blown an engine. Had a caution come out with three to go, Sauter might've gotten around Busch for the win, but had to settle for second place. Nonetheless, a great night for Sauter and the GMS Racing Team.
5. John Hunter Nemechek- After a top 10 run at Daytona, Nemechek crashed out at Atlanta and had problems at Martinsville regulating him to a 28th place finish. Nemechek had a great run last night at Kansas by coming home in third. A much needed top five after two bad races this season.
Honorable Mention- A shout out to Ryan Truex and the Hattori Racing Team. Truex scored another top 10 finish this season, his second last night at Kansas.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday May 19th for the N.C. Education Lottery 200.
1. Ben Rhodes- Oh so close, but not close enough. It was a should've, would've, could've night for Rhodes. Rhodes pulled away from Kyle Busch on a restart late in the going and started to pull away for the win. However, it was heartbreak for Rhodes as his engine blew up with eight laps to go. Rhodes ended up 23rd after leading four times for 25 laps.
2. Kyle Busch- Busch had the truck to win but he had to work hard for it, especially late in the going. If it wasn't for Rhodes' motor problem, Busch would not have won the race. However, Busch got lucky in Kansas and won his 47th career truck series win. His second track win at Kansas Speedway.
3. Christopher Bell- Bell had a great truck in the early run but couldn't rally late. After starting on the pole and leading the race four times for 37 laps, Bell ended up finishing fourth.
4. Johnny Sauter- Sauter was quietly racing in the top 10 all night and was in position for the win, after Rhodes blown an engine. Had a caution come out with three to go, Sauter might've gotten around Busch for the win, but had to settle for second place. Nonetheless, a great night for Sauter and the GMS Racing Team.
5. John Hunter Nemechek- After a top 10 run at Daytona, Nemechek crashed out at Atlanta and had problems at Martinsville regulating him to a 28th place finish. Nemechek had a great run last night at Kansas by coming home in third. A much needed top five after two bad races this season.
Honorable Mention- A shout out to Ryan Truex and the Hattori Racing Team. Truex scored another top 10 finish this season, his second last night at Kansas.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday May 19th for the N.C. Education Lottery 200.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Kyle Busch Wins Toyota Tundra 250 After Ben Rhodes Has Trouble Late
Whenever, Kyle Busch is entered in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, you expect him to get win. Sometimes the driver dominates the race or gets lucky and stills one away. This time Busch was lucky enough to steal one away.
Christopher Bell earned the pole while Matt Crafton was alongside in second.
40 laps made up stage one, 80 laps in stage two and race ended on lap 167 in stage three.
It was a slow start for the first stage of the night. Six cautions slowed the race in the early going, in fact there was only five laps of green flag racing. Busch started third and led majority of the stage before finally win the first stage. Christopher Bell, Johnny Sauter, John Hunter Nemechek, Matt Crafton, Ryan Truex, Ben Rhodes, Chase Briscoe, Grant Efinger and Brett Moffitt rounded out the top 10 to earn playoff points.
The green flag went back out on lap 47 for the start of stage two. After a caution filled race in stage one, there were some green flag laps ran until lap 53, where a tire carcus came off Noah Gragson's no.18 Kyle Busch Motorsports truck to bring out another caution.
Christopher Bell and Grant Enfinger took the restart on lap 57. It wasn't until lap 71 where Busch retook the lead from Bell in turn four. Busch held on to win stage two.
Stage three began on lap 86. It didn't take long for a caution to come out as Travis Miller spun in turn two one lap later. With 76 laps to go for the restart, Ben Rhodes and Kyle Busch were on the front row. Busch grabbed the lead before heading down the backstretch.
Busch continued to lead until 66 laps to go, when Rhodes started to battle side-by-side with the leader. Pit stops began, however, as Busch pitted with 41 laps to go. On the same lap, a caution was brought out by Ross Chastain when his right front tire went down and he smacked the wall. Rhodes would bring down the other lead lap trucks who did not pit and made a pit stop. This meant Kyle Busch would be the leader for the restart.
With 36 laps to go, Busch and Rhodes were on the front row. Both of them were battling hard, before Matt Crafton spun off turn four in to the grass to bring out the caution with 34 laps to go.
The race started to heat up with 29 laps to go for the restart. The leaders continued to battle side-by-side before Rhodes took the lead from Busch with 25 laps to go. Drama was heated up even more as Matt Crafton had a right rear tire go soft with eight laps to go.
As it looked liked Rhodes had this race won, his truck would blow up as a piece of debris went through the radiator with seven laps to go. After the heart breaker for Rhodes, Busch inherited the lead with five laps to go and stole the win away.
There were four leaders among 15 lead changes.
There were 11 cautions for 46 laps.
Busch led seven times for 91 laps.
Busch also swept all three stages.
This was Busch's first truck win of the year and his 47th career win in the series.
This was Busch's second career track win at Kansas Speedway.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series continues next week as the series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday May 19th for the N.C. Education Lottery 200.
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