NASCAR: 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup/XFINITY/ Camping World Truck Series season thread:

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Saturday Schedule at Dover (adjusted as needed)

09:30 am: XFINITY: One Main Financial 200 Qualifying FS1
11:00 am: MENSC: AAA Drive for Autism 400 final practice FS1;
12:30 pm: XFINITY: One Main Financial 200 FS1

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Cup start time was set at 2 pm all they need is 240 for an official race.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Camping World to transfer sponsorship to Gander Outdoors (same common ownership) Truck Series gets 3rd series sponsor after 2018; Gander Outdoors adds title sponsorship for Pocono weekend in July 2019;

CWTS branding to be changed to GOTS (Gander Outdoors Truck Series), so all new thread updates must reflect the new branding.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

In other news:

It appears you will likely not be seeing Trevor Bayne driving the next 5 races as this weekend begins the evaluation process of the #6 Ford.... Matt Kenseth's return role expands past this weekend; and at least through Michigan will Kenseth be evaluating the car; Bayne will be at Kansas but what role he plays the next 5 weeks starting Saturday has not been determined;

any potential sale of the corporation and transfer of ownership away from the way NASCAR has been run, the France family remains steadfast in running the franchise just as they have since its founding after Reuters announced a potential sale of the corporate entity broke yesterday; an internal memo from Communications Director Brett Dewar stated that NASCAR, NOR ISC, are commenting or any rumor at this time... the memo simply states that the corporation is dedicated as it always has to the long-term direction of said corporation.... that has not changed and is not expected to change short-term independent of those "rumors";

38 entries now posted for Saturday's KC Masterpiece 400 @ Kansas Speedway;

XFINITY teams preparing for Charlotte; will not race this week;

30 entries for the final ever CWTS race aka the 37 Kind Days 250 at Kansas Speedway; (see the previous post for more info on why it's been worded that way)

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Dover penalties announced:

19-Suarez- L1 Penalty Violation: Rear window support bracket to Deck lid post race; Scott Graves fined 50K; Todd Brewer (car chief) suspended 2 races; team loses 20 owner/driver points;

14-Bowyer- L1 Penalty Violation: Rear Window rigidity failure post race; Mike Bugarewicz 50 K Fine; Car Chief Jerry Cook suspended 2 races, team loses 20 owner/driver points;

3-Austin Dillon-L1 Penalty Violation: Unapproved Splitter; Justin Alexander 25K Fine; Car Chief Greg Ebert suspended for Kansas weekend;

41-Kurt Busch: Lug nut violation; Billy Scott fined 10K;

XFINITY Dover Penalties:

7-Allgaier- L1 Penalty Violation: Truck trailer arm spacer/pinion shims post race; Jason Burdette suspended 2 races; team loses all points from Stages, and 25 owner/driver points; team will not appeal violation;

3-Jeb Burton: Unapproved splitter violation: Nick Harrison 10K Fine; Car Chief Michael Searce suspended 1 race;

CWTS:

4-Todd Gilliland- Lug Nut violation; Wes Ward 10K Fine;

NASCAR:

Michael Haden: suspended indefinitely after brawl post Dover Qualifying Saturday

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Today's "Fast Friday" Schedule from Kansas Speedway:

09:30 am: CWTS: 37 Kind Days 250 practice FS1;
11:30 am: CWTS: 37 Kind Days 250 2nd Practice FS1;
12:30 pm: MENSC: KC Masterpiece 400 practice FS1;
02:00 pm: MENSC: KC Masterpiece 400 2nd practice FS1;
05:00 pm: CWTS: 37 Kind Days 250 Qualifying FS1;
06:30 pm: MENSC: KC Masterpiece 400 Qualifying FS1;
08:00 pm: CWTS: 37 Kind Days 250 FS1

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

CWTS: 37 Kind Days 250 @ Kansas Speedway on FS1:

Pole:18-Gragson;

Stage 1: 40:18-Gragson;

Stage 2: 80:18-Gragson;

Stage 3: 87/167:18-Gragson;

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

MENSC: KC Masterpiece 400 @ Kansas Speedway on Saturday night on FS1:

Pole: 4-Harvick;

Stage 1: 80: 12-Blaney;

Stage 2: 160: 42-Larson;

Stage 3 107/267: 4-Harvick;

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

17 drivers are eligible for the Monster Energy All Star race; 5 more will be eligible between the Open and Fan vote;

36 entries posted for Friday's NC Education Lottery 200 @ CMS

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Larson's rear window gets hammered by NASCAR, EVEN IF the 12 car did the damage at Kansas; 50K Fine for Crew Chief Chad Johnston; 2 race suspension for Car Chief David Bryant, and loss of 20 owner/driver points;

22-Logano tagged for lug nut violation; Crew Chief Todd Gordon 10K Fine

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

XFINITY Major update:

JGL Racing has apparently switched the 24 car to a multi-driver profile; Kaz Grala was released effective yesterday after the original contract was signed in February

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Qualifying Tire rule eliminated for MENSC.... rule had been you had to start on the tires you qualify on....

 

[awfulwaffle]

Harvick looks unstoppable this year.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Hertz joins Hendrick/24/Byron for 2 year contract;

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Friday's All Star Schedule is out:

10:30 am: CWTS: NC Education Lottery 200 practice FS1;
11:30 am: MENSC: All Star Open practice FS1;
12: 15 pm: MENSC: All Star Race practice FS1;
01:00 pm: MENSC: All Star Open final practice FS1;
01:45 pm: MENSC: All Star Race final practice FS1;
02:30 pm: MENSC: All Star Pit Speed practice FS1;CCD;
04:30 pm: CWTS: NC Education Lottery 200 Qualifying FS1;CCD;
06:00 pm: MENSC: All Star Qualifying (Open 1st) FS1; Open Q CCD;
08:30 pm: CWTS: NC Education Lottery 200 FS1

Rain/weather impacts All Star practice as of 11:30; CMS in holding pattern as of 2:35; Open Qualifying now canceled....; Cleared weather as of 6:30 pm;

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

CWTS: NC Educational Lottery 200 @ Charlotte Motor Speedway on FS1;

Pole: None (weather) awarded to 21-Sauter by owner points;

Stage 1 40:16-Moffitt;

Stage 2 80:8-JH Nemechek;

Stage 3: 64/134:21-Sauter;

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

MENSC: All Star Open @ Charlotte Motor Speedway on FS1:

Pole: 10-Almirola;

Stage 1 20: 88-Bowman;

Stage 2 20/40:19-Suarez;

Stage 3 40/50:47-Allmendinger;

Fan Vote: 9-Elliott;

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

MENSC: All Star Race @ Charlotte Motor Speedway on FS1;

Pole: 6-Kenseth;

Stage 1 20:4-Harvick;

Stage 2 20/40:18-Kyle Busch;

Stage 3 40/60:4-Harvick;

Stage 4: 60/70:4-Harvick;

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Chase Elliott now in the GMS 23 XFINITY car for at least 5 races with Hooters sponsorship beginning at CMS, includes Pocono, Chicagoland, Daytona, & Bristol;

Kaz Grala's season will continue, although not with JGL Racing, as a new team has been formed; Fury Race Cars with Shane Wilson heading the crew chief role, will enter Grala for the next 4 races in the #61 Ford; JGL is suspending the 24 entry for sponsorship issues

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Memorial Week update as we head toward the 600;

41 entries for the Coca Cola 600 now updated/released;

Thorne Energy joins LFR/95/Kahne as sponsor;

XFINITY:

43 entries now updated/released;

Billy Wilburn interim crew chief for Jason Burdette for the 7-Allgaier next two races;

Brandon Hightower returns to the JP 55 @ CMS;

NASCAR:

2019 Hall of Fame Induction announcement tomorrow on NASCAR America (NBCSN)

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

2019 Hall of Fame Induction class announced:

Davey ALLISON;

Jeff GORDON;

Alan KULWICKI;

Roger PENSKE;

Jack ROUSH;

Jim HUNTER elected as Landmark Award recipient;

Jeffrey Earnhardt returns to Premium Motorsport's 55 entry for the Coca Cola 600;


XFINITY:

Phantom Fireworks begins 5 race sponsorship with Kaulig Racing/11/Ryan Truex at CMS;

JP Motorsports crew member Michael Hayden had indefinite suspension from Dover revised to a 1K fine pending reinstatement course completion;

CWTS:

Max McLaughlin to make series debut for Niece Motorsports at Eldora (#38);

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Charlotte Motor Speedway schedule (subject to change):

Thursday:

02:30 pm: MENSC: Coca Cola 600 practice FS1;
04:00 pm: XFINITY: ALSCO 300 practice FS1;
06:00 pm: XFINITY: ALSCO 300 2nd practice FS1;
07:00 pm: MENSC: Coca Cola 600 Qualifying FS1;

Saturday:

09:00 am: MENSC: Coca Cola 600 practice FS1;
11:00 am: MENSC: Coca Cola 600 final practice FS1;
01:00 pm: XFINITY: ALSCO 300 FS1;

Sunday:

6:00 pm: MENSC: Coca Cola 600 FOX

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

XFINITY: ALSCO 300 @ Charlotte Motor Speedway on FS1;

Pole:22-Keselowski;

Stage 1 45:18-Kyle Busch;

Stage 2 45/90:18-Kyle Busch

Stage 3 110/200: 22-Keselowski;

Race Notes: a 1 hour weather hold with 27 laps remaining and other committments forced the race to be transferred from FS1 TO FS2 at 4pm

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

MENSC: Coca Cola 600 @ Charlotte Motor Speedway on FOX;

Pole: 18-Kyle Busch;

Stage 1 100:18-Kyle Busch;

Stage 2 100/200:18-Kyle Busch;

Stage 3 200/300:18-Kyle Busch;

Stage 4 300/400:18-Kyle Busch;

Notes: 4 team fails pre-qualifying inspection 3 times, Car Chief Robert "Cheddar" Smith suspended for race, 30 minute practice hold Saturday;

XFINITY Driver Brandon Jones wins ARCA'S return to CMS;

Saturday update: opening Cup practice was cancelled.... weather..... however, XFINITY DAY at Charlotte did start as scheduled;

Kyle Busch becomes 1st driver ever to win at every track past, present, or future.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

JGL Racing update: why the decision to cease operations of the 24 entry after 10 races now revealed:

54 yr old owner James Whitener revealed he is battling liver cancer since prior to the 2018 season, and has now been placed on the transplant list; team had privately been discussing this since Vegas and officially became public after Dover, hence why JGL Sold three cars, and why the 24 team and its crew were transferred to the Fury Race Cars team and renumbered 61 to continue Kaz Grala's season as originally intended, now JGL continues to operate the 28 entry for Dylan Lupton but is the future past 2018 for JGL is unknown