Thursday, September 29, 2016

Get To Know NASCAR Driver David Levine

Our weekly series of questions returns this week with NASCAR driver David Levine. Levine currently, drives part time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and part time in the ARCA Racing Series.

1. When did you get an interest in racing?
David: I've always been interest in racing. I can remember when I was very young watching NASCAR races with my dad on the couch. For my 11th or 12th birthday, my dad took me to a go-kart track and that was it. I haven't stopped since.

2. If you weren't racing what would your career choice be?
David: Racing is a tough sport to make it in. Unfortunately, it is all about who have the right amount of funding. If you can't come up with the money to race, it is very hard to make it in the sport. That's the situation I've been in this season. I started thinking about what I want to do to earn a living in case I cannot make it back into racing soon. I just got my real estate license for the state of North Carolina. Hopefully I can start working soon. I think it is going to be a ton of fun helping people find the new home of their dreams. One way to find out!

3. Do you have a pre-race ritual? If so, what is it?
David: I've got a few pre-race rituals. I've got a few exercises and stretches I do in the trailer before intros to warm up and get ready. Then before getting in the car, I always say a prayer with my girlfriend asking for safety during the race. That always helps calm my nerves before strapping into the car. Once I'm in the car and ready to roll off I always put my left glove on first. I don't know why I always put the left one on first, but I've been doing it for years. Why change it?

4. Name one talent that you have which no knows about?
David: I don't really know. That's a good question. I don't know. I guess, I'm pretty good at playing video games. Does that count?

5. Favorite Race Track?
David: There are so many tracks that I love. My favorite track that I've raced is a toss up between Road America or Homestead Miami Speedway. Road America is my home-track and I always get to see family and friends up there. Homestead is just so cool! You're right up against the fence and you're hauling you know what. They're both completely different tracks but they're both so awesome.

6. Racing Hero Growing Up?
David: Jeff Gordon

7. Which driver would you have liked to raced with from the past?
David: I would have loved the chance to race with some of NASCAR's past superstars. Petty or Earnhardt. I think I could learn so much from being on the track with them.

8. Day Or Night Races?
David: Night races

9. If you had a chance to design a racetrack somewhere. Where would it be and Why?
David: I would love to make one in my backyard, but that might not be possible. Ideally, I would find a place that's big enough to build a fast but technical road course with bits of other tracks all stuck together. Somewhere close to home, or somewhere that's easily accessible for other drivers and teams. I know how hard it is to get to a few tracks and I wouldn't want that.

10. Finally, what's one track that you would like to race on, that you haven't yet?
David: I would love to run some WEC races at the tracks in Europe, but if I had to only pick one track on the schedule it would be Le Mans.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Briar's Top 5 From The Truck Race At New Hampshire

1. William Byron- Byron continues an impressive season by scoring win #6 today at New Hampshire. With that, he is locked into the next round of The Chase.

2. Christopher Bell- Bell continued KBM's dominance by finishing second. He almost stole a win away from teammate Byron late in the going.

3. Matt Crafton- Crafton had a solid performance today with a third place finish. Despite not having the best handling truck.

4. John Hunter Nemechek- Nemechek rebounded from spinning out early on in the race, to come back, and finish in the top 10.

5. Tyler Reddick- With Reddick not having a strong year, he was able to finish in the top 5. Nice work by the no.29 team of Brad Keselowski Racing.

Honorable Mention: Jordan Anderson- Yes the results might not show, but the dedication and determination will. Anderson was not scheduled to run this race due to sponsorship lacking, but with the help a fund me page, and thousands of fans donating whatever they can. He was able to run the UNOH 175. Kudos to Anderson and the fans by keeping him out there on the track. Anderson just might be a new fan favorite after today.

William Byron Dominates In First Truck Chase Race At New Hampshire

The first chase race of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series took place today at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. William Byron started on the pole, with Timothy Peters alongside in second.

Byron and Peters led the field to green, Byron was able to get out in front, with the high line advantage. Byron led lap 1, but a caution flew early for the no.10 of Caleb Roark, who spun off of turn 4 and hit the water barrels on the entrance of pit road.

The restart came on lap 10, Byron once again got out front as teammate Christopher Bell followed in hot pursuit. As soon as that happened, another caution came out for a crash on the backstretch. The 63 of Akinori Ogata got loose off of turn 2, and got into the 49 of Josh Wise causing damage to both trucks.

Byron and Bell took the restart on lap 15, Byron with a strong truck was able to drive away. Timothy Peters also took second position away from Bell. As it looked like the race started to get in a green flag run, a caution came out on lap 24 for chaser Daniel Hemric. Hemric cut a left rear tire down, and spun out in turn 1, which brought out the 5th caution of the day. Chaser Ben Kennedy pits under caution for tires and fuel. Hemric reported he was loosing breaks.

The green flag came back out on lap 29. Byron as he's shown early, got out with the lead down the backstretch. Troubles continued for Hemric as he brought his truck behind the wall. The intensity settled down just a little bit until lap 51, as John Hunter Nemechek spun out in turn 3 and brought out the caution. Leaders came down pit road, Christopher Bell took two tires, and won the race off pit road. The rest of the field played different strategy, as Byron lost a few positions by taking four tires.

Cody Coughlin stayed out and took the restart on lap 56. Although, it didn't take long for Byron to regain the lead once more. Just a couple of laps later, Cole Custer goes around in turns 1 and 2, to bring out another yellow. Replays show that Custer got loose underneath a truck, which caused Custer to spin out.

Bell and Coughlin led the field to green on lap 62. Bell goes to the top, with Byron running him down. Byron took the lead again on lap 69. The race went green for 33 laps until the caution clock expired on lap 102. This caution brought the leaders down pit road once again. Byron took four tires, and won the race off pit road.

Restart with 67 to go, Byron checked out on the field, and continued his domination. 7 laps later, Stewart Friesen spun in turn 4, to bring out the caution once more.

Byron took the green flag with 57 to go. The race went green for 10 laps, until Austin Wayne Self spun in turn 1 and hit the wall, which brought out the 8th caution of the race.

Byron and Bell led the field to green with 40 to go. Byron had no troubles getting out front by passing his teammate for the lead. With the a long green flag run, Daniel Hemric finally came down pit road, and put his truck behind the wall. With 3 laps to go, Christopher Bell started to close in on race leader William Byron, as Byron was running into lap traffic. Byron was able to fend off a late charge by Bell to win the first truck chase race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

This was Byron's 6th win of the year, and is now locked into the next round of The Chase.

Byron led 2 times for 161 laps.

There were 8 cautions for 41 laps, along with 3 leaders for 3 lead changes.

Chasers Results
2nd) Christopher Bell
3rd) Matt Crafton
5th) Timothy Peters
9th) John Hunter Nemechek
10th) Johnny Sauter
11th) Ben Kennedy
28th) Daniel Hemric

The Chase continues next Saturday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the DC Solar 350.


Thursday, September 15, 2016

Briar's Top 5 From The ARCA Race At Chicagoland

1. Chase Briscoe: Briscoe continues a great season by earning his 5th win of the year. He ultimately wrapped The Bill France 4-Crown Championship as well.

2. John Wes Townley- Townley didn't have the best car tonight, but was able to bring home a second place finish.

3. Kyle Weatherman- Weatherman with an impressive fourth place finish tonight. A solid drive by the no.10 team.

4. Christopher Bell- Bell tried to steal the win away from Briscoe late in the going, but came up short as he finished third.

5. Austin Cindric- Cindric tried to play strategy with 32 to go by pitting hoping for green flag pit stops, but a caution came out one lap later, which really hurt the 99 team.

Honorable Mention: Ty Majeski- Majeski also went all out by taking two tires on the last restart of the night. Although his car couldn't hold up with everyone else who had four fresher tires. Majeski also had the save of the night when he made contact with Cindric. Majeski's car went around in turns 3 and 4, but was able to save his car, barely avoided contact with Cindric's car. Nice driving by Majeski, which by the way came home in the 8th position after all that.

Chase Briscoe Scores 5th Win Of The Year

The ARCA Racing Series came to play at Chicagoland Speedway tonight for the Scott 150. Chase Briscoe who had been dominant all season was looking for his 5th win of the year, and hoped to lock up the Bill France 4-Crown Championship tonight as well.

Before the race started, 9 cars had to go to the rear for in-line time qualifying. Those cars were the 99 of Austin Cindric, 9 of Thomas Praytor, 14-Dustin Knowles, 23-Chris Bailey Jr, 34-Morgen Baird, 11-Ed Pompa, 0-Brad Smith, 6-Josh Williams, and the 1 of Rick Tackman.

Shane Lee on the pole and Chase Briscoe led the field to green for 100 laps of racing. There were problems early as Myatt Snider in the no.22 missed a shift on the start, which jacked everyone up on the start. Briscoe jumped to the lead early and led lap 1, but a caution comes out the next lap for the no.52 of Matt Kurzejewski who had a side window blown out.

Briscoe selected the outside, and Lee was on the inside, as the green came back out on lap 7. Briscoe again was able to get the advantage on Lee. Lee tried to reel in Briscoe on lap 18, but the lead started to stabilize just a tad.

Myatt Snider's night continued to get worse, as he ended up having rear end issues and would go behind the wall. Official reports were he had a right rear drive plate broken. Kurzejewski had more problems too, as his window was missing again.

Shane Lee tracked down Chase Briscoe and took the lead on lap 27, due to Briscoe being stuck behind the lapped car of A.J. Fike. Kurzejewski spun off of turn 4 onto the grass, to bring out a caution on lap 28. Problems occurred on pit road for the 32 of Shane Lee and the 51 of Chad Finley. Both had slow pit stops and lost several positions. Chase Briscoe won the race off pit road, but Austin Cindric stayed out, which ultimately put him at the front.

Restart on lap 34, Cindric and Briscoe led the field into turn 1. Both of the leaders went side-by-side, but Chad Finley made it three wide for the lead. Although, Finley started to drift back, as his left rear tire was loose. Shane Lee took second from Cindric on lap 41. Briscoe the leader tries to check out, but Lee continued to reel in him. Kurzejewski went bad to worse, as he had a broken axel on his car. And the 8 of Brandon Jones was off the pace due to transmission problems.

Strategy began to take place with 32 to go as the 99 of Cindric made a pit stop. As the race seemed to calm down, the 32 of Shane Lee cut a right rear tire down with 28 to go. Lee was running in the second position at the time. This caution shook everything up. Briscoe the leader came down pit road, but over shot his line. ARCA officials made him back up to be in the pit box. Ty Majeski won the race off pit road by taking two tires only.

Majeski and Brent Sherman led the field with 20 to go. Sherman just like Snider spun his tires on the restart, which jacked everybody up. Christopher Bell caught Majeski and took the lead on the backstretch. Briscoe rebounded from his pit stop troubles, and passed Bell for the lead with 15 to go. Majeski who could only hang on at this point, got bumped into John Wes Townley, but Majeski saved his car from any contact with the wall. Problems continued for Majeski, as Cindric bumped him in turns 3 and 4. Majeski got sideways with his car and almost made contact with Cindric, though, Majeski was able to avoid collision with Cindric.

With all the excitement behind the race leader, Chase Briscoe rebounded from his pit road problems to win the SCOTT 150 at Chicagoland Speedway.

This was Briscoe's 5th win of the year, and Cunningham Motorsports 7th win of the season.

With this win, Briscoe was able to capture The Bill France 4-Crown Championship.

The ARCA Racing Series goes to Kentucky Motor Speedway next Saturday night for The Crosley 150. Live on FS2.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Briar's Top 5 From The Camping World Truck Series Race At Bristol

1. Ben Kennedy: Kennedy ran up front for most of the night until taking the lead with 20 to go. He held on to score his first career win.

2. Brett Moffitt: Moffitt did a nice job tonight staying out of trouble and keeping his truck clean. He made things interesting by using a little bit of his bumper to Kennedy. But played nice and came home a solid second place finish.

3. Daniel Hemric: Hemric troubles started with practice in the morning. Hemric had wrecked and brought out a backup truck. He rebounded to a third place finish.

4. William Byron: Byron had fallen back to the low 20's in one part of the race, but with the help of cautions, he came back and finished in the top 5.

5. Johnny Sauter: Sauter basically came out of nowhere and had a nice finish of 5th. Wasn't even a contender for the race, but a solid points night for the no.21 GMS Racing team.

Honorable Mention: Daniel Suarez: Gotta feel bad for the youngster. Had a good truck tonight and led 3 times for 77 laps, but blew a right front tire with 14 to go. The damage was significant enough where he was out for the rest of the race.

Ben Kennedy Wins Wild UNOH 200 At Bristol Motor Speedway

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series headed to Bristol Motor Speedway tonight for the annual UNOH 200. The start was delayed due to rain and lightning in the area. With that in mind, NASCAR issued a competition caution on lap 40. There were also some drivers sent to the back for unapproved adjustments. These included Austin Cindric for Brad Keselowski Racing, and Parker Kligerman for Ricky Benton Racing. Rico Abreu went to the rear as well for being in a back-up truck.

The UNOH 200 shortly got underway, with Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez leading the field into turn 1, but pole sitter Reddick got the advantage and led lap 1. Suarez took the lead back a few laps later with Ben Rhodes following behind. Rhodes then started to close in on Suarez at lap 17. 10 laps later, a caution came out for drizzle/moisture on the track.

Restart lap 35, Suarez gets out in front, but teammate Christopher Bell and Ben Rhodes followed in hot pursuit. The competition caution came out five laps later on lap 40. Most of the leaders came down pit road for four tires and fuel.

Bell and Suarez took the green flag on lap 46. Both of them battled side-by-side, until Bell gets the advantage on the backstretch. The race went green for a few laps until lap 52, when Cole Custer made contact with Ben Kennedy and Custer went spinning in turns 1 and 2. This brought out the third caution of the race.

Restart lap 58, Bell and Suarez once again were the leaders. Bell was able to get away from Suarez as Cameron Hayley passed Suarez for second position. A few laps later, a caution came out on lap 62 for Tommy Joe Martins spinning in turn 4. Bryce Napier of the 49, and Matt Mills of the 07 was also involved as well.

After a long caution, Bell took the green flag on lap 71, and jumped to a big lead down the backstretch. Hayley and Suarez would stay right behind the leader Bell. There were problems for race contender Matt Crafton. Crafton had lost oil pressure and went behind the wall. Shortly after halfway, Christopher Bell continued to set a blistering pace, having only 20 trucks on the lead lap. With lap traffic getting in the leaders way, Suarez started to reel in his teammate on lap 124. Early contender Ben Rhodes was out of fuel one lap later.

Cameron Hayley cut a flat left front tire on lap 133 and brought out the fifth caution. Race leaders, Bell and Suarez pitted under caution along with others as well. Jesse Little of the 81 had problems, and was penalized for speeding on pit road. Ben Rhodes who had issues on lap 125 reported there was motor problems. This ended up putting him behind the wall.

Bell and Suarez lead the field to the green with 58 to go. But the leader Bell gets loose under Suarez, and spins off turn 2, which brought out the 6th caution of the night. Suarez was on the front row again with 52 to go, but this time had five time winner William Byron on the outside. Suarez was able to get in front, as Ben Kennedy followed closely behind. As the race laps started to click away, the action began to intensify. Bell tried to make it three wide under Kaz Grala and Bryce Napier, but all three of them make contact, as Napier was the unfortunate bystander and ended up in the wall. Therefore the 7th caution came with 38 to go. Cameron Hayley pitted too soon under caution and went to the rear of the field.

Just like the last restart, Byron and Suarez lead the field to green with 32 to go. But another caution came out with 28 to go, as Jordan Anderson went spinning around. Hayley continued to have problems and came down pit road to examine them.

Restart with 23 to go, Byron gets really high in the turn, and this allowed Suarez to take the lead once more. Byron regained his loose truck and took the lead back three laps later. Byron once again got too high, and this allowed Kennedy in the 33 to take the lead. Brett Moffitt also took second place and tried to run down Kennedy. But Suarez who had a dominating truck, had a right rear tire blow out with 14 to go.

Kennedy and Moffitt took the green flag with 7 laps left. Kennedy jumps to the lead, but Moffitt hung in there and stayed in contention. Moffitt put a bumper to Kennedy with a few laps remaining, but Kennedy held off a hard charging Moffitt for his first career win.

There were 9 cautions for 55 laps, with 5 leaders among 7 lead changes.

Ben Kennedy led 1 time for 20 laps to score his first career win.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Michigan International Speedway next Saturday on August 27.