NASCAR: 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup/XFINITY/Camping World Truck Series season thread:

[CHRDANHUTCH]

good morning and welcome to the brand-new season thread as we start with Speedweeks 2017 @ the Daytona International Speedway (for those of us tired of snow-mageddon 17);

as some of you are now aware, a lot of changes have occurred since Homestead in November:

a) Monster Energy taking title sponsorship;

b) the retirements of Tony Stewart, Brian Scott, AND THEN THE SUDDEN shock of the off-season, Carl Edwards, stepping away from the sport, despite al l rumors to the contrary, as to whether he returns in 2018, or not;



so here's the latest update as we open Speedweeks 2017 @ Daytona:

TV Schedule:

5pm: MENCS: Advance Auto Parts Clash @ Daytona: opening practice FS1;
6:30: MENCS: Advance Auto Parts Clash 2nd practice FS1;

Advance Auto Parts Clash @ Daytona (2/18) FS1

Entry list:

1-McMurray: McDonald's Big Mac/Grand Mac/Mac Jr Chevy;
2-Keselowski: SKF Ford;
3-A-Dillon: Dow Chevy;
4-Harvick: Busch Beer Ford;
10-Patrick: Tax Act Ford;
11-Hamlin: FedEx Express Toyota;
18-Ky-Busch: M& M's Toyota;
19-Suarez: ARRIS Toyota;
20-Kenseth: Interstate Batteries Toyota;
22-Logano: Shell/Pennzoil Ford;
24-Elliott: NAPA Chevy;
37-Buescher: Kroger/Click List Chevy;
41-Ku-Busch:HAAS Automation/Monster Energy Ford;
42-Larson: Credit One Chevy;
48-Johnson: Lowe's Chevy;
78-Truex, Jr.: 5 hour ENERGY Extra Strength Toyota;
88-Bowman: Nationwide Chevy;

Entry list for the Daytona 500: 42 entries for 40 spots;

Notables:

7-Sadler (TBR-Open team);
15-Waltrip (final career start);
23-Gase;
32-DiBenedetto;
33-J-Earnhardt;
37-Buescher; (16 charter);
51-Hill;** open;
55-Sorenson;**open;
75-Gaughan;**-open;
83-LaJoie; **-open;
95-McDowell;
96-Kennington** (new team/open);

Inspection procedures streamlined into 2 level structure from 6, no warnings for season;

Level 1: INFRACTIONS include: missing 3+ lug nuts; failure of weights/heights/laser/chassis/gear ratio/fuel could result in a 10 to 40 pt penalty; a 3 race suspension of a crew chief and a $25-75K fine;

Level 2 INFRACTIONS add in the following: traction control, unapproved engine/tires/or electronics; this level infraction will now be assessed a 75 pt penalty/6 race suspension/$100-200K fine;

post qualifying inspection violations will result in a time disallowed; post-race will be assessed a L1 Violation a 35 pt penalty/$65k fine/3 race suspension;

ARRIS extends contract w/ JGR/19/Suarez; will increase sponsorship from 17 to 22 races;

SHR vs. Nature's Bakery legalities continue: NB to countersue SHR; however, Aspen Dental upping commitment from 4 to 10 races for 10-Patrick;

Stages set for all three national series;

Click to read more...

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Day 2 of SPEEDWEEKS 2017:

TV:

12 Noon: MENSC: Daytona 500 practice FS2
12:30: MENSC: Daytona 500 practice FS1;
2:30: MENSC: Daytona 500 practice FS1;
4 pm: ARCA Daytona FS1;
6pm: RACEDAY for the Advance Auto Parts Clash FS1;
8pm: Advance Auto Parts Clash@ Daytona FS1

Lineup for the Clash (set by crew chief blind draw);

2-Keselowski;
11-Hamlin;

1-McMurray;
3-A-Dillon;

78-Truex, Jr.;
48-Johnson;

4-Harvick;
88-Bowman;

22-Logano;
41-Ku-Busch;

42-Larson;
10-Patrick;

18-Ky-Busch;
24-Elliott;

20-Kenseth;
19-Suarez;

37-Buescher;

News:

Concussion protocol expanded between NASCAR/AMR;

ALL DRIVERS WILL NOW BE EVALUATED even if the car is damaged/goes behind wall/garage ;

Tide returns to JGR/20/Kenseth FOR 3 races: Phoenix/Indianapolis/Charlotte Chase);

Greg Biffle has exhausted all offers to race in 2017 on a full-time basis; joining NBC as driver analyst for NASCAR America beginning in March;

CWTS:

Brett Moffitt joins RHR (#7);

Today in History:

17 years ago, NASCAR history changed w/ the loss of 7 TIME Champion/LEGEND/Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt, never forgotten/always honored

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Weekend/Holiday update:

Weather pushed the Clash until Sunday Morning on FS1; 22-Logano survives; JJ/Kurt Busch/Larson and Truex, Jr. tested the new concussion protocol system;

for the 2nd straight season, 24-Elliott DOMINATES Qualifying for the 59th Daytona 500;

88-Dale Jr recovers from 5th concussion and 7 months away to lock in 2nd; will wait a couple of months on extending contract;

of the 6 open teams, the 7 of Sadler and the 75 of Gaughan will also be locked in based off speed from qualifying, as they were the 2 fastest, the 55 of Sorenson could lock in on speed should the 75/7 IMPROVE THEIR POSITION on Thursday, AND COULD potentially lock the 96 of Kennington in;

38 FRM/Ragan adds Camping World (title sponsor of Trucks) for 9 races/Jacob Companies for 6 events

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Midweek update:

NASCAR Media Day TODAY FS1;

RDS/TSN extending broadcast contracts;

Cam Am Duel 1 (7pm Thursday FS1);

24-Elliott (locked in to front row/pole);
2-Keselowski;
78-Truex, Jr.;
4-Harvick;
20-Kenseth;
18-Kyle Busch;
17-Stenhouse, Jr.;
19-Suarez;
22-Logano;
6-Bayne;
27-Menard;
1-McMurray;
43-Almirola;
34-Cassill;
32-DiBenedetto;
37-Buescher;
75-Gaughan (locked in to race);
72-Whitt;
55-Sorenson;
23-Gase;
83-LaJoie;

Cam Am Duel 2 (9pm FS1);

88-Earnhardt, Jr. (locked in to front row);
14-Bowyer;
11-Hamlin;
5-Kahne;
31-Newman;
13-Ty Dillon;
48-Johnson;
42-Larson;
21-Blaney;
77-Jones;
41-Kurt Busch;
10-Patrick;
3-Austin Dillon;
47-Allmendinger;
95-McDowell;
38-Ragan;
15-Waltrip;
7-Sadler (locked in to race);
96-Kennington;
33-J-Earnhardt;
51-Hill;

XFINITY:

46 entries for Powershares QQQ 300;

CWTS:

42 entries for Next Era Energy Resources 250

 

[Coors9]

Way to go Chase.......Awesome Elliott blood line.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Weekend Schedule:

TV:

Noon: XFINITY: Powershares QQQ 300 Opening practice FS1;
1 pm: MENSC: Daytona 500 practice 4 FS1;
2 pm: XFINITY: Powershares QQQ 300 Happy Hour FS1;
3 pm: MENSC: Daytona 500 practice 5 FS1;
4:30: CWTS: NextEra Energy 250 Qualifying;
7 pm: CWTS: CWTS Setup FS1;
7:30 CWTS: NextEra Energy 250 FS1;

Saturday:

10:30: XFINITY: Powershares QQQ 300 Qualifying FS1;
1 pm: MENSC: Daytona 500 "Happy Hour" FS1;
3 pm: XFINITY: Powershares QQQ 300 FS1;

Sunday:

11 am: NASCAR Raceday FS1;
1 pm: Daytona 500 Pre-Race FOX;
2 pm: Daytona 500 FOX;

News:

59th Daytona 500 field set;

Elliott/Hamlin split duels/championship points to both;

Field is as follows:

Row 1:

24-Elliott;
88-Earnhardt, Jr.;

Row 2:

1-McMurray;
11-Hamlin;

Row 3:

4-Harvick;
14-Bowyer;

Row 4:

2-Keselowski;
41-Kurt Busch;

Row 5:

20-Kenseth;
3-Austin Dillon;

Row 6:

6-Bayne;
10-Patrick;

Row 7:

43-Almirola;
31-Newman;

Row 8:

22-Logano;
42-Larson;

Row 9:

72-Whitt;
13-Ty Dillon;

Row 10:

19-Suarez;
38-Ragan;

Row 11:

18-Kyle Busch;
95-McDowell;

Row 12:

17- Stenhouse, Jr.;
48- Johnson* backup car to rear;

Row 13:

32-DiBenedetto;
5-Kahne;

Row 14:

34-Cassill;
96-Kennington;

Row 15:

23-Gase;
15-Waltrip;

Row 16:

83-LaJoie;
33-Jeffrey Earnhardt;

Row 17:

27-Menard*-backup car/rear;
77-Jones;

Row 18:

78-Truex, Jr. ** inspection height failure/rear;
21-Blaney;

Row 19:

37-Buescher**-inspection height failure/rear;
47-Allmendinger**-inspection height failure/rear;

Row 20:

75-Gaughan;
7-Sadler;

DNQ:

55-Sorenson;
51-Hill;

News:

Cars 3 signs marketing agreement ahead of release 6/16; Voiceovers:

Darrell Waltrip;
Jeff Gordon;
Chase Elliott;
Darrell Wallace, Jr.;
Ryan Blaney;
Daniel Suarez;

Hamlin/Fed Ex extend contracts w/ JGR; PARTNERSHIP enters 13th season;

SUBWAY signs 4 race deal (Auto Club/Charlotte 600/ Coke Zero 400/Talledega); Suarez signs personal services contract-commercial;

BUBBA Burger JOINS RWR/51 for multiple race sponsorship at Auto Club;

XFINITY Headlines:

Kettelle Roofing joins JDM/Keller Racing;

Fitzgerald Glider Kits reups w/ Penske; 2 Cup races on the 2; primary sponsorship for 3 on the 22 and a truck race on the BKR 19;

Menards renews w/ RCR for fifth year on the 2/33;

NEXTEER Auto renews w/ 33-Brandon Jones;

BJ McLeod sets driver lineup: Cliff King in the 78; Jeff Green in the 8; and David Starr in the 99;

Sport Clips/VFW extend title sponsorship at Darlington through 2020;

CWTS Headlines:

Thorsport announces Safelite Auto Glass moving to the 27 of Ben Rhodes (98 team);

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

another driver/sponsor extension:

Joey Logano/Shell/Pennzoil now signed through 2022 on the 22 Penske Ford;

XFINITY:

77 AND 93 entries withdrawn from entry list leaving 44 as the final total for the Powershares QQQ 300 (Practice live on FS1)

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

CWTS: NextEra Energy 250

Pole/Race to 33-Kaz Grala (1st career win/youngest driver in series history);

the damaged vehicle policy got its first test tonight, as 12 trucks ended up either damaged or had the 5 minute clock expire;

the Stages were both won by 21-Sauter;

a few incidents as well an 8 truck incident of lap 2; a 2 truck incident at the end of stage 1 between the 4 of Bell and 7 of Moffitt...

and another multi-truck incident at the end, one which saw the 88 of Crafton flip once over/around before landing right side up.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

XFINITY: Powershares QQQ 300

A rougher day for the XFINITY cars than the trucks, as only 5 cars weren't involved in either wrecks or contact;

Brandon Jones won his 1st career pole; Ryan Reed won his 2nd career race for Roush Fenway in the last 3 seasons, both at Daytona.

 

[ObscureAlien]

not sure how i feel about the rule changes, will try to catch most of the races in the beginning to see if i like it

 

[awfulwaffle]

I hate pre-race, pre-game, etc. of any sport so much. Just tell me the time the flag will drop, the puck will drop, etc. '

In regards to the changes, I like the concept. I hope it pans out. Should make it more interesting to have the different segments, instead of people possibly(like at Talledega), just sitting back and waiting for "the big one". Also, could have an effect on pit strategy if it's coming up to an end of a certain segment.

 

[awfulwaffle]

Wow, there is a yellow at the end of each stage?! I didn't realize that. That is STUPID! They should let the race continue.

 

[awfulwaffle]

Interesting, a group of 5 cars pitted lap 18, so they should be able to make it on fuel to the end. The pack is catching up to them though. Interesting, one of the effects of the new change.

 

[awfulwaffle]

Kyle Busch wins the 1st stage, Harvick 2nd. Harvick only took 2 tires on his pit stop, and started out front with the green flag after the caution. I imagine if he had taken 4 tires he would have won the first stage.

 

[awfulwaffle]

Red flag in segment 2, Dale Jr. was involved(thank god, can't stand him). Cmon Harvick!

 

[Cody Webster]

Red flag in segment 2, Dale Jr. was involved(thank god, can't stand him). Cmon Harvick!

Can't stand Dale Jr but likes Harvick, lol

 

[awfulwaffle]

Harvick wins stage 2! 2nd place in stage 1. Solid start so far.

 

[awfulwaffle]

Can't stand Dale Jr but likes Harvick, lol

Ha, I basically can't stand Jr. because EVERYONE likes him. It's kind of annoying. I'm always about going against the norm. I grew up on Earnhardt because my grandpa loved him, and once Harvick took over(unfortunate how he took over), my allegiance was with Harvick. Been a fan from day 1.

 

[Smoke]

NASCAR being NASCAR with these ridiculous rule changes. Garbage organization.

Races were long enough before with all the ghost cautions. Now there are more.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

It just isn't Daytona day without memories of ol' Jaun Pablo and the jet dryer.

 

[Smoke]

I wonder if they've met the quota for crashed race cars?

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

This race is garbage

 

[awfulwaffle]

This race will never end.

 

[Smoke]

I think Jamie McMurray has single handedly destroyed over half the field.

Impressive.

 

[EC09]

It just isn't Daytona day without memories of ol' Jaun Pablo and the jet dryer.

I think this is one of the best 500s in recent memory. I still think about it from time to time. And it ended at what, midnight?

Daytona 500 should always be in primetime. Got me to watch.