Nascar SCS Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Spdwy Sunday November 16 on ESPN at 3:00 PM ET

Nascar ^

[mabarker1]

• Wood Brothers, Trevor Bayne, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Up for One Last Race: Trevor Bayne is hoping to give Eddie and Len Wood one more trip to victory lane this Sunday at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead, his last in the iconic #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion. Bayne gave NASCAR's oldest team it most recent visit to victory circle at the 2011 Daytona 500 as a 20-year-old rookie. Next year, Bayne takes the reins of the #6 AdvoCare Ford for a full-time Sprint Cup ride out of the Roush Fenway Racing stable. "To drive that 21 car has been incredible," Bayne said. "They have given me so much support over the last four years. They've made it possible for me to get to a place where I could have this new opportunity. It's been such a ride with the 21 guys, and they've become part of the family, and I've become part of their family. You think about the history that we've had together over the last four years. When I told them in May about the announcement I was about to make in Charlotte, they told me how much they're behind me and how much they've appreciated what we've done together. I was actually standing beside the trailer talking to them and they pointed up to the Daytona 500 sticker and said 'that's one thing that will never change right there. You got your first one here. I don't care if you get 25 more, this was your first one and we're so glad we were able to be a part of it.'
  "Ultimately the goal at the end of the day was for me to be a full-time Sprint Cup driver for Jack Roush," he said. "The Wood Brothers played such a big part of my career and I couldn't be more thankful for that." Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing, also looks back on the team's Trevor Bayne era fondly. "It's been a really good relationship," Wood said. "We knew going in it might be a short-term deal, but we were lucky - lucky for us, maybe not so lucky for them - we got to keep Trevor for four years. Trevor Bayne will always be a part of our family. And we will always share that great Daytona 500 moment together. It's something that will always be so special for all of us. We will always be Trevor Bayne fans, so we are happy he is getting his shot to race for the Sprint Cup Championship. We are going to do everything in our power to get him to victory lane one more time in the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion."(Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing)(11-14-2014)

[mabarker1]

X8 Energy Gum to sponsor Moffitt at Homestead: X8 Energy Gum will sponsor The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series #66 team with Brett Moffitt driving the Toyota Camry at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "We are excited to have Brett Moffitt on team X8! He is young and focused with a great future ahead of him - a lot like our company. We're also honored to be working within the sport of NASCAR. We love this organization and its fans." Said X8 Brands Co-founder and CEO, Robert DiMarco. Though this is X8 Energy Gum's inaugural race, they know they will be back for more. Promoting their product to NASCAR patrons that will appreciate the sustained boost of energy and endurance in an all-natural gum. X8 Energy Gum will be keeping their fans posted on race day via Twitter. They will be posting pictures of the event, as well as reporting on Brett Moffitt's performance. Founded in 2012, X8 Energy Gum's patented formula has a special blend of ingredients that make this unique gum a great alternative to those energy boosting drinks and gels. The delivery system for this "energy gum" also makes this the perfect partner for athletes that want a pre-workout, endurance enhancer and recovery aid all in a quick acting, convenient gum.(PR)(11-14-2014)

*************************************

Coming next: The Patch...

[mabarker1]

• New trophy for the FORD EcoBoost 400: It's a trophy Henry Ford himself would love. The winner of this Sunday's Ford EcoBoost 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be taking home a trophy, but in this case, the new trophy represents a unique part of Ford Racing history. For the first time, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Ford Racing collaborated on a special race winner's trophy unlike any other in the sport. The trophy features an exact replica of the steering wheel of Henry Ford's first race car - the 1901 Sweepstakes racer - which is on display at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. Mr. Ford drove Sweepstakes to an upset victory in his one and only race on Oct. 10, 1901, a win that helped attract the investors who would help him start Ford Motor Company in June, 1903. "We're pleased that the winner of the Ford EcoBoost 400 will get such a unique trophy," said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors and great-grandson of Henry Ford. "The steering wheel visually represents the start of the Ford Racing program 113 years ago, and the winner of it will need to do the same thing great-grandfather did that day - defeat the best drivers in America." In addition to the steering wheel on the top, the base of the trophy features a plaque that includes an engraving of Henry Ford and his riding mechanic - Spider Huff - in action from 1901.(Ford Racing)(11-14-2014)

[mabarker1]

Chase Elliott ready for Cup but: Chase Elliott hasn't turned 19 yet, and the Nationwide Series champion already could be ready for a Sprint Cup ride. Even Rick Hendrick, who has Elliott under contract, thinks in some ways Elliott was ready to run at least some Cup races before he earned his first Nationwide win in April. "I told the guys before he ever ran this year, I said I believe I can put him in the World 600 (at Charlotte), and he'd finish 15th because he's just that smooth and fast and knows how to use his head," Hendrick said. But Hendrick has no room to put Elliott in a Cup car for 2015. And he knows that for a young driver, defending the Nationwide title won't be a bad thing. "I think we have got to wait a little bit longer, but he's really impressed me," Hendrick said. So expect Elliott, who turns 19 later this month, to run a full season for JR Motorsports next season as part of the original two-year deal with sponsor NAPA Auto Parts. He also could run a select number of Cup events, a maximum of seven with Hendrick Motorsports but no limit if Hendrick allows him to run for another organization. The big question is where Elliott will race in 2016. Kasey Kahne's contract is up after 2015. Jeff Gordon hasn't said when he will retire, but there is sponsorship signed on his car through 2016. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson aren't going anywhere. "I don't know what tomorrow brings so I have no idea what the future has in store for myself or our team or whatever," said Elliott, son of former Cup champion Bill Elliott. "The biggest thing is just make the most of what is going on right now and let it figure itself out. Me thinking about or worrying about it ain't going to change it. So the best thing I can do is just focus on what is going on on the racetrack and make sure your mind is there 100% each weekend. Hopefully next season we're able to go and have the same result and championship with some more wins."(Sporting News)(11-14-2014)

[Covenantor]

Are those decals?

This has got to be the world’s cheesiest trophy ever.

[mabarker1]

Not sure but I was wondering the same thing.

It looks like Contact paper “wood” to Me also...

[Chode]

gonna be a short steep learning curve next year

[mabarker1]

Huge Manatee Pool Races to replace Cup Qualifying at Homestead-Miami! Teams will be required to "procure" 1 live manatee from the wild and bring it back to the Hotel Pool for 3 heat races and a feature to determine starting positions for Sundays Cup Championship Race.

PETA has already filed for an Injunction...

[mabarker1]

Yes it will. I think He will find that “We are not in Kansas anymore Toto”

[tubebender]

Had many trees fall on you this year?

[tubebender]

So give us your real opinion of the race format Mr Revenge…

[NormsRevenge]

winner gets 10 points a race ,, ya finish less than 10th, zero. no bonus for laps led or qualifying. all this rounds stuff is circus jumbo mumbo..

perhaps it would be befitting that a non winner wins it all,, RocketMan!! and new Dad.

[mabarker1]

TRUCK RACE ON NOW FS1 PING!!!

[SgtBob]

I’m on the truck race. Heater man came out this evening...still no heater...none til Monday, maybe.

[MtnClimber]

No trees have fallen this year. Have just gotten the main trees cut up from those that fell last year just after the flooding. Still cutting up branches.

[mabarker1]

Homestead Miami Speedway

(NASCAR Statistics)

How are pit stall's chosen? by qualifying results, the 1st choose their stall and so on.
If a car/driver has to go to the rear of the field before the start of the race due to driver change, backup car,
engine/transmission change, etc they do NOT lose their pit stall selection

Pitstalls in PDF
Qualifying Results / Starting Lineup
Race Info / Rundown Page

[mabarker1]

France: "modest to zero" changes Chase format changed planned: In Brian France's estimation, the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format introduced this year has struck a perfect balance between winning and consistency in determining the series champion. At the same time, France said, the new system, featuring an expanded 16-driver field and eliminations after every third race, has elevated interest in the sport. "It's exceeded what I had hoped for, and it's done precisely what we thought we wanted to do, which was recalibrate competition-or winning, rather-and still have a strong place for consistency and all the rest, but recalibrate that balance," NASCAR's chairman and CEO said Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in his "State of the Sport" question-and-answer session with reporters. "It's only year one, but clearly we're on our way." France said any changes to the format would be "modest to zero," and he doesn't have an issue with the possibility of Ryan Newman winning the Sprint Cup championship in Sunday's Ford EcoBoost 400 without winning a race. "Well, we would like that," France said. "The best team will win on Sunday. What I mean, though, is any format that we've ever had always has the possibility that somebody might win the championship without winning an event, short of us-which we're not going to do-making it a hard prerequisite that you have to win a race to qualify. That takes it out of balance, frankly." (NASCAR Wire Service)(11-15-2014)

[mabarker1]

Wallace wins at Homestead, Crafton takes the title: #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. won the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 200 at the Homestead Miami Speedway on Friday. #42-Kyle Larson, who started from the pole and led 96 of the 134 laps, finished second. #17-Timothy Peters, #51-Kyle Busch #29-Ryan Blaney, #19-Tyler Reddick, #9-Ty Dillon, #8-Joe Nemechek, #88-Matt Crafton, and #98-Johnny Sauter closed out the top 10.
With his ninth place finish, Crafton became the first driver to win back-to-back truck championships. He ended the season with a 21-point lead over #29-Ryan Blaney.
There were 7 caution flags for 28 laps and 13 lead changes among 5 leaders.
Complete results are on the Homestead race results page (pdf).(11-14-2014)

• Homestead Race Fast Facts:
  Darrell Wallace Jr. won the 19th Annual Ford EcoBoost 200, his fifth victory in 44 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
  This is his fourth victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2014.
  This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in two races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  Kyle Larson(i) (second) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It is his first top-10 finish in 2014.
  Timothy Peters (third) posted his fifth top-10 finish in eight races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  Tyler Reddick (sixth) was the highest finishing rookie.
  Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 21 points over Ryan Blaney.
  This is the 15th win for Toyota in 2014 - tieing the manufacturer's most wins a single season (2010).
  Most wins all-time in a single season in the NCWTS is 18 by Chevrolet in 1996.
  (NASCAR Statistics)(11-14-2013)

• Championship Fast Facts:
  Driver Champion: Matt Crafton
  Team: # 88 Menards Toyota
  Matt Crafton won his second consecutive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. He is the first driver in series history to win back-to-back championships (2013-2014).
  Crafton is the 13th different driver to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, and the fourth to win multiple series titles. 2013 marked Crafton's 15th year competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He leads the series in consecutive starts with 337.
  Crafton finished 21 points ahead of second-place Ryan Blaney.
  Crafton finished the 2014 season with two wins, 13 top fives, 17 top 10s, and an average finish of 7.0.
  Crafton's 2014 Season-To-Date Loop Data: Driver Rating (106.0); Average Running Position (6.504).

[Chode]

wonderful...

[mabarker1]

• Congresswoman calls for NASCAR to suspend Kurt Busch UPDATE2: A congressional lawmaker is calling on NASCAR to suspend driver Kurt Busch from Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway until the recent domestic accusation against him is fully resolved, SI.com has learned. In a letter addressed to NASCAR president Mike Helton and Stewart-Haas owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), called the charges made by Patricia Driscoll, Busch's former domestic partner, "horrifying."
  "But despite the severity of the criminal allegations against Mr. Busch," Speier writes, "I am disappointed to see that NASCAR and Stewart-Haas Racing have not taken any action. Your response to these serious allegations has been totally inadequate." Speier has also asked to be looped into the internal investigations of NASCAR and SHR, and for "a history of sanctions levied by NASCAR and racing teams for domestic violence incidents brought to your attention over the last five years."(in part from Sports Illustrated)
  UPDATE: NASCAR chairman Brian France said Friday that no action will be taken against the Sprint Cup driver. France confirmed Friday that Rep. Jackie Speier sent a letter to NASCAR president Mike Helton and to Stewart-Haas Racing saying she was "disappointed" that Busch hadn't been suspended until the matter is resolved. Busch has not yet been arrested or charged with any crime. "We are watching that case carefully," France said Friday. "It's under review by law enforcement and others. They haven't made a decision on that regarding Kurt. Until they make judgments on that investigation, it wouldn't be right to intervene before it's completed." NASCAR has rules covering inappropriate or criminal behavior away from arenas, but it does not have a policy addressing domestic violence on its own. The rule book has a section covering violations and disciplinary action, including penalties that can be determined "by the gravity of the violation and its effect on ... the interests of stock car racing and NASCAR." France said Friday that NASCAR is sensitive to the issue of domestic violence. "You can expect our policies to reflect the understandable awareness that that's not going to be tolerated," France said. "How any league handled some of this is one thing. It's pretty clear when you see what's happening around the country that our policy will reflect the significance and importance that it should."(ESPN)(11-14-2014)
  UPDATE2: "If every time somebody made an allegation against a congresswoman or a congressman, and they were then to be suspended from their office until the investigation was concluded, we'd have an empty Capitol building," Busch lawyer Rusty Hardin said in a phone interview with Sporting News. "While that might please the public to have that building be empty, it certainly wouldn't be fair to the person the charge or allegation was made against." Hardin said that while domestic violence is a serious issue, with no charges filed Busch should be allowed to do his job and Speier's letter was "inappropriate."
  "He not only has adamantly denied it, but when the investigation is concluded, I think people are going to realize it is a fabricated charge," Hardin said. "I don't know where in the world this congresswoman thinks we've moved to where you start punishing people just because somebody makes an allegation. ... For a congresswoman to make these kind of statements is just ludicrous. I hope she's in the minority and everybody will wait to find out what the true story is. When they do, they'll find out that this didn't happen. We're not going to participate in it, we're not going to try every charge (in public). But when a congresswoman sends a letter like this, I feel compelled to remind everybody we still have due process and presumption of innocence in this country even if she doesn't recognize it." Obviously pleased with the decisions by NASCAR and the team to let Busch race, Hardin said he has been in arbitration all week and Busch will talk to Dover police investigators in the "near future. I hope we can do it outside the glare of public media. But, I can assure you, he's cooperating fully and in the near future will be visiting with them."(Sporting News)(11-15-2014)