On Wednesday night, each of the 42 drivers entered into the 2023 Daytona 500 will take the track at Daytona International Speedway for qualifying for the Great...
NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart Will Race Full Season in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster
Feb 14, 2023
FILE - NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Tony Stewart poses for pictures prior to the induction ceremony in Charlotte, N.C., in this Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, file photo. Tony Stewart wants to set the record straight about two misconstrued recent business decisions. Fans have been critical of Stewart since the Truck Series was dropped from Eldora Speedway and because he didn't sign Kyle Larson to his NASCAR team. Stewart is adamant that he tried to sign Larson but couldn't get partner approval on the driver suspended for using a racial slur. And he insists he dropped NASCAR after he felt slighted that Bristol Motor Speedway was given a Cup race on dirt. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)
NASCAR legend Tony Stewart will look to conquer a different form of racing this year, as he announced Tuesday that he will run the full NHRA drag racing schedule in 2023.
Stewart noted that he will drive a Top Alcohol Dragster for McPhillips Racing and will be sponsored by Mobil 1, which previously sponsored him in NASCAR.
Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Stewart made his NHRA debut in October and finished in second, losing by just 0.0002 seconds.
While Stewart is best known for his exploits in NASCAR, he owns an NHRA team that has entries in Top Fuel and Funny Car. He said he wants to "keep learning about the sport and have the opportunity to go compete more this year with a team I really enjoy."
The 51-year-old Stewart made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 1999 and began as a full-time driver right out of the gates in the iconic No. 20 Home Depot car for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Over the course of an 18-year career with Joe Gibbs Racing and later his own Stewart-Haas Racing, Stewart won three NASCAR Cup Series points championships, making him one of only nine drivers to win at least three titles.
Stewart also won 49 career Cup Series races, placing him 15th on the all-time list.
Prior to making the switch to NASCAR, Stewart was an IndyCar star. He is the only driver in history to win championships in both NASCAR and IndyCar, where he won the league championship in 1997.
Stewart can add to his incredible resume with an NHRA title, although he said Tuesday that he is unsure how realistic of a goal that is in 2023:
"It's hard to sit there and know what expectations we should have for the year. I think as long as I keep learning more and more as I go by trying to be more consistent with driving the car, keep it in the groove, trying to stay consistent on reaction times and improve reaction times, those are all goals for me. I want to keep learning and get better every weekend and every race we go to."
Although Stewart retired as a NASCAR driver after the 2016 season, he has remained busy in retirement.
In addition to helping run his Stewart-Haas Racing team in NASCAR, Stewart owns teams in multiple other racing series and has continued to race in other smaller series, primarily in sprint cars.
Stewart was also inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2019, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020 and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2022.
His debut as a full-time NHRA driver will come next month at the the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
The Daytona Duels set the tone for the Daytona 500. The pair of qualifying races set the lineup from third to 40th place and they give the racers a chance to...
Conor Daly to Drive for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s NASCAR Team, Try to Make Daytona 500
Feb 7, 2023
THERMAL, CA - FEBRUARY 03: #20, Conor Daly of of the United States of America driving a Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing during day two of the NTT IndyCar Series Open Testing at The Thermal Club on February 3, 2023 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
IndyCar driver Conor Daly will be back driving for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s Money Team Racing.
The Money Team Racing announced the 31-year-old will drive the No. 50 car in select NASCAR Cup Series this season.
In a statement released Tuesday (via Dustin Long of NBC Sports), Mayweather said Daly will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500.
"The Money Team Racing shocked the world by making the Daytona 500 last year, and I believe in this team and know we will prepare a great car for this year's race," the boxing superstar said. "Like a fighter who's always ready to face the best, Conor has the courage to buckle into this beast without any practice and put that car into the field. Conor is like a hungry fighter and my kind of guy. I sure wouldn't bet against him."
The Money Racing Team's statement also noted Daly will compete in up to six additional Cup races this year, including the Circuit of the Americas on March 26 and Indianapolis road course on August 13.
Daly is one of at least six drivers competing for four open spots in the 2023 Daytona 500. He has limited experience on the NASCAR circuit with one race in the Xfinity Series in 2018 and Camping World Truck Series in 2021.
The Indiana native made his Cup debut at the Bank of American Roval 400 in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 9. He finished 34th in a 39-driver field.
Qualifying for the 2023 Daytona 500 will begin on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway.
Mayweather is a co-owner of the Money Racing Team that officially debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022 when Kaz Grala qualified for last year's Daytona 500.
NASCAR's Kyle Busch Detained in Mexico in January After Gun Found in Bag at Airport
Feb 7, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Kyle Busch (#8 Richard Childress Racing BetMGM Chevrolet) at fanfest before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum on February 5, 2023, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch was detained by authorities in Mexico last month after a handgun was found in his luggage at an airport.
Per TMZ Sports, Busch said that the incident occurred at the end of his vacation with his wife Samantha in late January. He said he didn't realize until going through the security screening that he accidentally had the firearm in his bag. While he has a valid permit for concealed carry in the U.S., Mexican authorities detained him.
"I was not aware of Mexican law and had no intention of bringing a handgun into Mexico," he said in a statement on Monday. "When it was discovered, I fully cooperated with the authorities, accepted the penalties, and returned to North Carolina."
In a statement released on Friday, prosecutors in Quintana Roo declared that the defendant, identified only as "Kyle Thomas 'B'" from the state of Nevada, has received a fine and a sentence of three-and-a-half years in prison following an investigation into the Jan. 27 incident.
However, Busch's statement on Monday did not discuss any prison sentence.
"I apologize for my mistake and appreciate the respect shown by all parties as we resolved the matter," the 37-year-old said. "My family and I consider this issue closed."
On Sunday, Busch placed third in the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum in Los Angeles. Next up on the Cup Series schedule is the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 16.
NASCAR Legend Kevin Harvick to Retire from Full-Time Racing After 2023 Season
Jan 12, 2023
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 30: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 BOOsch Light Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 30, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick announced Thursday he will retire at the end of the 2023 season:
"Come November, when the checkered flag drops on the season finale in Phoenix, it will also be my final race as a NASCAR Cup Series driver," Harvick said in the video. "It's time to call time."
Harvick is heading into his 23rd season in the sport, notably replacing Dale Earnhardt after the legend's fatal crash in 2001. The 47-year-old is now ready to step away to spend more time with his family.
"It's great to be able to go out on your own terms and plan it how you want it to go, but the biggest thing that sticks out to me is my kids," he told Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press. "Being home with them and seeing the impact that you have with them when you are home, being able to be part of that daily process and be that father figure, it's just time."
Harvick has 60 career victories in the Cup Series, ranking ninth all time. He won the 2014 championship in a season in which he won five races, including the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The veteran is perhaps best known for his consistency year-after-year, reaching the NASCAR playoffs in each of the last 13 seasons with 10 top-five finishes in this stretch. He won two races in 2022 to help him get back to the postseason, although he lost in the round of 16 and finished in 15th place.
Outside of the Cup Series, the driver found a lot of success in what's now known as the Xfinity Series, earning championships in 2001 and 2006. He also regularly competed in the Camping World Truck Series and has 14 career wins in the circuit.
"With championships across several NASCAR series and a NASCAR Cup Series win total that ranks in the top 10, Kevin Harvick's legacy as one of the all-time great drivers is secure," NASCAR President Steve Phelps said in a statement.
Harvick is likely to have a future in broadcasting after his racing career, having already made guest appearances on Fox Sports while anchoring "drivers only" broadcasts. He and his wife, DeLana, also run the KHI Management sports marketing agency.
Actor Frankie Muniz to Drive Full-Time in NASCAR-Owned ARCA Series
Jan 11, 2023
NAME THAT TUNE: Frankie Muniz in the NAME THAT TUNE episode airing Tuesday, April 5 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Lorraine OSullivan / FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
Longtime actor Frankie Muniz is testing himself with a new challenge and bringing his talents to the racetrack.
According to TMZ Sports, Muniz revealed on Wednesday that he will be a full-time driver in the NASCAR-owned ARCA Series this year. The 30-year-old will be driving Rette Jones Racing's No. 30 Ford Mustang when the 2023 season kicks off on Feb. 18 at Daytona International Speedway.
"I look forward to not only demonstrating my ability on the track and just how serious how I am in progressing in my racing career, but also showing my son and family what it is to chase your dreams and re-invent yourself," Muniz said.
Best known for his lead role on the television series Malcolm in the Middle, Muniz is a lifelong fan of professional racing. In recent years, he's posted pictures to social media of himself behind the wheel.
Muniz has the full confidence of his new racing team, as Ford Performance Motorsports official Mark Rushbrook called him "a skilled and enthusiastic racer." He also received a glowing endorsement from Rette Jones Racing co-owner Terry Jones.
"Without a doubt, we believe in Frankie's ability and commitment, and with Mark's leadership, we believe that he will quickly adapt on track and contend for a championship in his rookie season," he said.
The racing world will surely be eyeing Muniz to see if he fulfills Jones' prediction, and the Emmy Award nominee is surely used to being under the spotlight.
NASCAR at Phoenix 2022 Results: Joey Logano Wins to Capture 2nd Career Championship
Nov 7, 2022
Joey Logano during the NASCAR Series auto race Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Joey Logano is the NASCAR Cup Series champion for the second time in five years, and he capped off his phenomenal 2022 season in style.
All Logano needed to do to win the title was finish better than fellow playoff finalists Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain at the NASCAR Cup Series Championship on Sunday.
But he left no doubt as to who this year's champion was by placing first at Phoenix Raceway to cement his second-ever Cup Series title and fourth victory this season.
Ryan Blaney took second in the race, one spot ahead of Chastain in third. Bell finished 10th, and Elliott took 28th after spinning out early in Stage 3.
It was an emotional day in Phoenix after news emerged that Coy Gibbs, the co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, died overnight at the age of 49. A pre-race moment of silence honored his memory.
Hard to blame Ross Chastain for that incident. Looking at the replay it appears Chastain was already to Chase Elliott's inside when Elliott turned down.
With that, Logano and Team Penske emerged victorious. This also marked the second Cup Series title for crew chief Paul Wolfe, who won with Keselowski in 2012.
Closing Notes on Playoff Participants
Logano previously won in 2018, when he earned three race victories and 26 top-10 finishes.
Bell came in as a big underdog in just his third NASCAR Cup Series season, but he's steadily risen from 20th in 2020 to 12th in 2021 before the top-four finish this year.
Chastain arguably came in as the biggest longshot of them all having never finished higher than 20th in four full-time NASCAR Cup Series seasons.
But he forced his way into the championship conversation thanks to a pair of wins and one of the most incredible maneuvers in NASCAR history.
Elliott, the regular-season champion, was looking for his second title in three years.
In the end, it was Logano who emerged as this year's champion.
Fans won't have to wait too long for the beginning of the 2023 season, which will start February 5 with the Daytona 500.
NASCAR Monster Cup Winner 2022: Joey Logano Tops Final Chase Standings and Grid
Nov 6, 2022
Joey Logano during the NASCAR Series auto race Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
For the second time since 2018, Joey Logano is the king of NASCAR.
Logano finished first at the Phoenix Raceway's NASCAR Cup Series Championship on Sunday, besting the Championship 4 field of Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain and Chase Elliott and winning the title in style.
Chastain finished third, Bell 10th and Elliott 28th on the afternoon.
It was a fantastic season for Logano, who finished with four overall wins, including two in the playoffs. He was one of 19 different race winners in what was a dramatic, parity-filled NASCAR season.
Despite that parity, however, Logano came into the day with the utmost confidence.
"I knew going into this thing that we were going to win the championship," he said in his post-race interview. "I told the guys we were the favorite from Daytona, and we truly believed it, and that's the difference. Man, it's like I said, I had a good team with a bunch of confidence, and we had all the reason in the world to be confident."
"Man, this is what it's all about," Logano added. "When you're a kid ... my dream was to win Cup championships. Here we are with two of them. It just means so much, it's so special."
Kyle Busch is the only other active multi-championship driver in the Cup Series.
Joey Logano's path to Cup Series success certainly wasn't linear, but it's indisputable that he's living up to the phenom billing he had as a teenager.
In 2005 I interviewed a 16-year-old Joey Logano for a piece on SpeedChannel. It was about “future stars of @NASCAR ”…I would say I nailed it! Congrats champ! @joeylogano 🍻
Team Penske completed its first-ever season with both IndyCar and NASCAR champions after Will Power won the former in September. It's Team Penske's third-ever NASCAR title.
Logano finished the year on a dominant note, leading 186 of 312 laps.
It was a tougher day for Elliott, who was spun out by Chastain in the final stage and fell out of contention.
Only Chastain among the title contenders truly challenged Logano on the day, but Sunday belonged to Logano. He was more than ready to meet the moment.
"I don't want to be comfortable," he told ESPN's Ryan McGee last week when asked if he would try to treat this final race like any other Sunday on the track. "The added pressure and intensity, that's how you find a different level out of yourself. Winning championships is why I do this. It's why I've always done it. So, none of this should feel normal because you're living that dream."
Four NASCAR Cup Series drivers will battle it out for a championship on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Only one will emerge from the desert with a title....
