NASCAR

Joey Gase went to extreme measures to let Dawson Cram know he wasn't happy about being turned around and sent into the wall at Richmond Raceway.

After Cram wrecked Gase's vehicle, Gase ripped the bumper off his car and threw it at Cram's car in a clear moment of frustration:

Joey Gase THREW HIS BUMPER at Dawson Cram! 😳

🎥 : @NASCAR_Xfinity pic.twitter.com/FE5p6tzuA1

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 30, 2024

"I think him just not having his head screwed on right," Gase said on FS1 (h/t On3.com). "You know, I gave the kid his first opportunity ever in Xfinity, and I know [team owner] Johnny Davis is in the business of wrecking race cars, and we're definitely not. We're a small team and racing hard for the lucky dog, and apparently he just didn't know how to lift. Maybe his throttle stuck, I don't know."

Gase reiterated his displeasure with how things played out with a post on X:

Thanks @dawsoncram41 , hope you appreciate your souvenir pic.twitter.com/RryAHA6nFA

— Joey Gase Racing (@JoeyGaseRacing) March 30, 2024

NASCAR will review Gase's bumper throw and plans "to have a conversation with him about it," according to Jonathan Fjeld of KOB4. It's unclear if he'll face any punishment.

NASCAR confirmed they will review Joey Gase's bumper cover throw this week and plan to have a conversation with him about it.

Xfinity Rulebook Section 8.3.5. is relevant here. It specifies what a driver can/can't do after they get out of the car following an incident. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/IPovirqjVB

— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) March 30, 2024

Cram, who races for JD Motorsports, previously raced for Emerling-Gase Motorsports, which was co-owned by Gase and Patrick Emerling, who joined the team in 2021.

Emerling left Gase's team this year, which is why it is now known solely as Joey Gase Motorsports.

Prior to Saturday's race at Richmond, Gase had competed in just two races this season. He finished 29th at Atlanta Motor Speedway and 30th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Gase, who competes part-time in the Xfinity Series, has been splitting driving duties with Frankie Muniz, who has made limited starts for Gase's team this year.

Meanwhile, Cram's best finish this season came at Phoenix Raceway earlier this month when he finished 28th. He has never won a race in his career nor finished in the top 10.

The Xfinity Series will head to Martinsville Speedway in Virginia next weekend.

The legend of the moonshine cave at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina may finally have confirmation.

The track released a statement Thursday saying a sinkhole unveiled a potential moonshine cave underneath the frontstretch grandstands.

"When we began renovating and restoring North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2022, we'd often hear stories of how an old moonshine still was operated here on the property under the grandstands," said Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations and development at Speedway Motorsports. "Well, we haven't found a still (yet), but we've found a small cave and an interior wall that would have been the perfect location to not only make illegal liquor, but to hide from the law as well. We don't know how people would have gotten in and out, but as we uncover more, there's no telling what we might find."

Moonshiners and NASCAR have a storied relationship dating back to the Prohibition Era. Junior Johnson, a member of the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame, was a famous bootlegger in the South during his time as one of the sport's premier drivers.

"Moonshiners put more time, energy, thought and love into their cars than any racer ever will," the late Johnson said. "Lose on the track and you go home. Lose with a load of whiskey and you go to jail."

For years, there had been rumors of a still located in the depths of North Wilkesboro Speedway but no confirmation. North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted NASCAR Cup Series races from 1951-1996 before being taken out of the circuit. It was brought back into NASCAR lore last year when the track became the new home of the All-Star Race.

The area impacted by the sinkhole has led to the removal of about 600 seats, and track officials will quickly move to make repairs ahead of the May event.

"Now we have a race before the race," Swift said. "The area that's been affected by the sinkhole is a frontstretch grandstand area with some of the best views of the track. We'll have a lot of work to get done before NASCAR All-Star Race Week."

Rajah Caruth became the third Black driver to ever win a NASCAR national series race when he took home the Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 on Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

History is made in Las Vegas!

Rajah Caruth becomes the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace. pic.twitter.com/pBKQrkltIi

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 2, 2024

He will never forget his first!

Repost to congratulate @rajahcaruth_ on winning his first career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race! pic.twitter.com/JMHt1FmBBX

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 2, 2024

Father and son. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bhmr0pg0Ox

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 2, 2024

Rajah Caruth is a NASCAR race winner! pic.twitter.com/YlBlcV1S6N

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 2, 2024

The 21-year-old Caruth, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, drives the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports.

The Washington, D.C. native also didn't encounter too much stress down the stretch, comfortably holding off Tyler Ankru in second and Corey Heim in third.

REPOST TO CONGRATULATE RAJAH CARUTH ON HIS FIRST CAREER NASCAR TRUCK SERIES WIN! pic.twitter.com/zfsdaoPDbX

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2024

He spoke with FOX Sports' Josh Sims afterward:

"Surreal ... I can't believe it."

Talking with @rajahcaruth_ after his first career NASCAR Truck Series victory in Las Vegas. @NASCARonFOX pic.twitter.com/gPvGRbMXUQ

— Josh Sims (@JoshRSims) March 2, 2024

Wendell Scott is the first Black driver to ever win a NASCAR national series race after he took top honors in the 1964 Jacksonville 200.

Bubba Wallace then followed Scott. He is a six-time Craftsman Truck Series winner and also finished first twice in the NASCAR Cup Series, most recently at the 2022 Hollywood Casino 400.

Wallace congratulated Caruth after the big win.

What a massive win for the little bro!

What a monumental win for our sport!

Proud is an understatement!

LFG!!!!!!! @rajahcaruth_

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) March 2, 2024

Caruth, who got his start on the ARCA Menards series in 2021, made four appearances in the Truck series in 2022 before racing on the circuit full time in 2023. He drove the No. 24 Chevy for GMS Racing and finished 16th in the standings.

This year has gotten off to a great start for Caruth, who began the year with his highest-ever finish (third) at the Fresh From Florida 250. Caruth then took eighth at the Fr8 208 before earning top honors on Friday evening.

Up next for Caruth is the Weather Guard Truck Rrace at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 16.

After an exciting first week of the NASCAR Cup Series at the Daytona 500 last week, the Ambetter Health 400 didn't disappoint.

Daniel Suárez beat Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide photo finish Sunday night to claim his first victory of the season and the second of his Cup Series career.

Suárez led for just nine laps on Sunday, beating the runner-up Blaney by a 0.003-second margin. Busch was 0.007 seconds back from Suárez in third place.

3-WIDE AT THE LINE! WHAT A FINISH. Repost to congratulate Daniel Suárez on his Atlanta Motor Speedway WIN! pic.twitter.com/RdewRqJiwg

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 26, 2024

THAT'S HOW CLOSE IT WAS!

Daniel Suarez beats Ryan Blaney at the line to WIN at @ATLMotorSpdwy! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/XqWS183NO3

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) February 26, 2024

Just behind the trio that provided one of the most exciting finishes in recent years, Austin Cindric placed fourth and Bubba Wallace finished in fifth place.

While the final lap of the race provided some thrills for fans, the race was marred by caution flags throughout. Just like the Daytona 500 last week, an early crash occurred, this time in just the second lap. A collision in the outside lane led to a 14-car pile-up, though Josh Williams was the only car that had to exit at that point. From there, several other caution flags slowed things down.

In last week's Daytona 500, William Byron took home the victory just seconds before the caution flag after a wreck right before the finish line.

Byron, who had a breakthrough season in 2023, sits atop the Cup Series standings with 77 points. Suárez and Busch sit just behind him in second and third, respectively.

If the first two races of the season are any indication of what this year's Cup Series will be like, fans are in for an exciting year.

The 2024 NASCAR season officially started on Monday afternoon, as William Byron secured a victory in an eventful Daytona 500.

OFFICIAL: @WilliamByron was the leader at the time of caution.

He wins the 66th running of the #DAYTONA500! pic.twitter.com/PMIyF0TdVZ

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2024

A leap into the history books! #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/Mbf3uzrgLo

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2024

Byron won his first Daytona 500 and his 11th career race in the NASCAR circuit. It also represented his first victory since Sep. 2023 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The Great American Race was originally scheduled for Sunday, although it was postponed due to a combination of rainfall on Saturday along with an inclement weather forecast for the following day.

Here are the results as well as a brief recap of the race.

Daytona 500 Results

1. William Byron
2. Alex Bowman
3. Christopher Bell
4. Corey LaJoie 
5. Bubba Wallace
6. A.J. Allmendinger
7. John Hunter Nemecheck
8. Erik Jones
9. Noah Gragson
10. Chase Briscoe

Full leaderboard available at NASCAR.com

The race started off with a small wreck, as the fifth lap contained a crash. Harrison Burton got hit by John Hunter Nemechek after he was bumped by Brad Keselowski. Carson Hocevar and Jimmie Johnson were also involved.

Early trouble. Harrison Burton takes a big hit. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/AkfbtBYNe8

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2024

Another look at what happened. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/T11LKJOz2r

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2024

The middle of the race was mostly clean compared to past years, as Chase Elliot narrowly earned a victory in Stage 1. Stage 2 included another close finish, as a late-corner move from Ryan Blaney allowed him to move in front of teammate Austin Cindric to win the second stage.

Ryan Blaney wins Stage 2! #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/gplARzQrAV

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2024

Fans were beginning to wonder if the "Big One" would occur as the race started to draw to a close, although it happened with eight laps remaining.

The big one. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/vXnqYcoMKI

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 20, 2024

There's trouble at the front of the field! #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/6wVECKKWY1

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2024

Alex Bowman gave a shove to his teammate Byron, who then bumped into Keselowski and spun him into the outside lane before multiple cars were collected. 18 total cars were involved and included drivers such as Blaney, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano. Logano led for a race-high 45 laps before the crash.

Another wreck occurred just as Byron's No. 24 car received the white flag, although it was determined that the lap was completed to give the 26-year-old the victory under caution.

William Byron wins the Daytona 500! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/bmofJSB6k3

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 20, 2024

Byron's triumph gave Hendrick Motorsports its first win in the Daytona 500 since Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2014.

The 2024 NASCAR season officially began on Monday with the Daytona 500, and things kicked off with a rousing starting command from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson:

Engines fired! Dwayne @therock Johnson gives the starting command for the 2024 #DAYTONA500 on FOX! @XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/ZPNm8FsItZ

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2024

Monday's race was originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, but it was pushed back due to inclement weather at Daytona International Speedway.

The Rock has been busy in recent weeks. On Jan. 23, he was appointed to the board of directors of TKO Group, the publicly traded company that owns WWE and the UFC.

He recently got involved in the main-event picture for WrestleMania 40 by starting a rivalry with Cody Rhodes, who is set to challenge his cousin Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at the marquee event in April.

"IF YA SMELLLLL WHAT #THEBLOODLINE IS COOKIN' ☝️🩸✊@TheRock promises to do everything he can to make sure @CodyRhodes leaves #WrestleMania empty handed. #TheBloodline is back. 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/SITh3wwdVe

— WWE (@WWE) February 17, 2024

Fans have surely enjoyed this string of appearances from The Rock, and it doesn't look like he's slowing down anytime soon.

The 2024 NASCAR season will have to wait one more day before it officially commences.

Per ESPN, the season-opening Daytona 500 was postponed on Sunday and rescheduled to Monday at 4 p.m. ET due to inclement weather that brought "two days of rain" to Daytona International Speedway.

ESPN noted that there were already "heavy doubts" that the Daytona 500 would take place at its original start time on Sunday afternoon, as Saturday's final practice for the event and the scheduled Xfinity Series race were both canceled. The Xfinity Series race will now be held at 11 a.m. ET on Monday.

This is the first time a Daytona 500 has been postponed for a full day since 2012. In 2020, the race was halted due to rain after 20 laps and resumed the next day.

The early call on Sunday to cancel the Daytona 500 continues an effort by NASCAR to avoid forcing fans to sit through unpleasant weather conditions while waiting for a decision. Earlier this month, the exhibition Clash at the Coliseum was moved up one full day due to poor weather in the Los Angeles area.

Team Penske's Joey Logano, the 2015 Daytona 500 winner, won the pole position for this year's Daytona 500 on Wednesday night. Hendrick Motorsports drivers had won the pole at Daytona in eight of the last nine years, but the team's highest qualifier this time around was Kyle Larson in third.

2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is starting from the 35th position as he looks to become the first driver to win the event in back-to-back years since Denny Hamlin did so in 2019 and 2020.

NASCAR announced Saturday that stock car racing legend and NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough died at the age of 84.

Yarborough was a three-time champion of what is now known as the NASCAR Cup Series, as well as a four-time winner of the Daytona 500.

Born in Timmonsville, South Carolina, in 1939, Yarborough went on to become one of the winningest drivers in NASCAR history, leading to his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France honored Yarborough on Sunday in a statement:

"Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen. His combination of talent, grit and determination separated Cale from his peers, both on the track and in the record book. He was respected and admired by competitors and fans alike and was as comfortable behind the wheel of a tractor as he was behind the wheel of a stock car. On behalf of the France family and NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cale Yarborough."

Yarborough's 83 career race wins at the highest level of stock car racing are tied with fellow legend Jimmie Johnson for sixth on the all-time list behind only Richard Petty, David Pearson, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip.

He is also one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win at least three Cup Series titles in a row, doing so from 1976 to 1978. Johnson is the other with five in a row from 2006 through 2010.

Yarborough is also second in NASCAR history in Daytona 500 wins, as his four victories trail only Petty's seven.

In 1957, Yarborough made his debut for the Grand National Series, which was the precursor to the NASCAR Cup Series, and he remained an active driver through 1988.

His first win came in 1965 at Valdosta Speedway at the age of 26, and he won his final race 20 years later when he was victorious in the 1985 Miller High Life 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

After retiring in 1988 with 83 wins, 319 top-10 finishes and 69 poles to his credit, Yarborough primarily focused on being a NASCAR team owner.

Yarborough ran his team from 1986 until he sold it in 2000 with his lone win coming courtesy of driver John Andretti in the 1997 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Driver Kevin Harvick will no longer shake and bake on the racetrack since he recently retired from NASCAR, but he reportedly found quite the home to enjoy his new free time.

According to Jenna Martin of the Charlotte Business Journal (h/t ESPN), Harvick purchased the 12,042-square home that was used as the fictional residence for Ricky Bobby, played by actor Will Ferrell, in the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

He purchased the home for $6.75 million.

The mansion, which is located in Cornelius, North Carolina, features six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, an infinity pool with a hot tub, two docks, a boat lift, a beach area and a putting green.

But it is surely most famous for its appearance in the Talladega Nights movie, where Ferrell's character is a NASCAR driver who lives by the motto "if you ain't first you're last."

The only question now for Harvick to figure out is which of the many rooms in the house will be best used as a movie room to show the film.

It was a long wait, but Ryan Blaney finally found himself atop the mountain Sunday.

The NASCAR veteran won his first Cup Series Championship at the Phoenix Raceway, edging out a loaded Championship 4 field of Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and William Byron in an intense battle.

YOUNG RYAN @BLANEY IS CHAMP RYAN BLANEY!

HE WINS THE TITLE IN 2023! pic.twitter.com/dSoCobRoFY

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 5, 2023

THE CHAMPION IS HERE!

Repost to congratulate @Blaney on his first Cup championship! pic.twitter.com/R7r0Qz9M4B

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 5, 2023

The final lap moment Ryan @Blaney became a #NASCAR Cup CHAMPION! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GwEtLZnnzs

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 5, 2023

Ryan @Blaney ON TOP OF THE CAR!

He is a @NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION!!! pic.twitter.com/j3Qyn9OfiX

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 5, 2023

While Blaney didn't manage to win Sunday's race—that honor going to Ross Chastain, who had an incredible end to the season—he did end up finishing in second and beating out Larson and Byron—who were both in contention throughout the afternoon.

Unfortunately, Bell didn't manage to finish the race as his car gave out about halfway through the 312 laps.

It was a back-and-forth race between the trio of Blaney, Byron and Larson—all of whom had the title in their hands at one point during the contest. Larson gave Blaney the biggest test late, leading the pack at one point before ultimately finishing in third as he just couldn't catch the No. 12 car again.

Byron dominated the early portion of the race but wound up in fourth place

Blaney ended the year with three wins, seven top-five finishes and 17 top-10s. It'd have been hard to imagine he'd be in this position after some difficulties early in the summer.

But now, he's on top of the NASCAR world.

Following up Joey Logano's championship in 2022, Team Penske now has back-to-back titles—four total. Three of those championships have come in the last six years.