2020 Racing News...

[4me2c]

Off to a Sad Start :

"Former racecar driver John Andretti died at the age of 56 on January 30th after a three-year battle with colon cancer. He was the nephew of Mario Andretti, and he had raced for NASCAR legends Cale Yarborough and Richard Petty."

"Update on 2/6/2020:

Andretti's life was celebrated on Feburary 6th during a public church service in Indianapolis before a hearse took him for one last lap of Indianapolis Motor Speedway on its way to a private family burial service."


https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/0l0Lp/s3/nascar-indycar-driver-john-andretti-dies-after-three-year-cancer-battle.jpg

[4me2c]

https://www.motorious.com/articles/news/397522/automotive-hall-fame-jay-leno?utm_medium=email&utm_source=speeddigital&sslid=MzcwMTIzMjW0tDA0AAA&sseid=MzIwMLW0tDQztAAA&jobid=b2cd2379-ffa0-4882-8394-9a1da5616da3

"Few are so honored as to be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, but among the four new members this year will be comedian and car nut Jay Leno. While for a long time people pretty much just knew him as a talk show host and funny man, it gradually came out that Leno was amassing a humongous collection of some extremely rare, interesting cars from Jaguars to Fords and well beyond. He even has a fair number of motorcycles.

For Leno, his love of cars started in his childhood, the same as most of us. And while he fed that passion throughout his prosperous career, including while acting as host of The Tonight Show, his retirement from that role allowed him to really lean into his car passion."


https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/XPokk/s3/watch-jay-leno-s-garage-updates-on-restorations.jpg

[4me2c]

"President Donald Trump was named grand marshal of Sunday's Daytona 500 in Florida.

He will get to announce the traditional command for the competitors to "start your engines". He is also reportedly planning to ride around the Daytona International Speedway for a lap in his armored limousine 'The Beast' ahead of the race."...!


https://meaww.com/donald-trump-becomes-1st-president-named-daytona-500-grand-marshal-the-beast-limo-will-make-lap?fbclid=IwAR1YXRKsmIRipokGT0LfZMXzHn0d45nDQ7hrp 700s0rewDxaFhWLmkaxsBg

The "Beast" : https://pisco.meaww.com/e3dc59a6-27a0-459f-89a4-e7f7d6e2ffc4.jpg

[crazed 9.6]

"President Donald Trump was named grand marshal of Sunday's Daytona 500 in Florida.

He is also reportedly planning to ride around the Daytona International Speedway for a lap in his armored limousine 'The Beast'
OMG !!!
We need Kenseth back on the track for this !!!

[4me2c]

Update on Newman :


https://www.yahoo.com/gma/daytona-500-driver-ryan-newman-serious-condition-following-121800022--abc-news-topstories.html

[4me2c]

By
Team Release NASCAR.com February 23, 2020 at 1:55 PM

Roush Fenway Racing President Steve Newmark held a press conference Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which he began by reading a statement from driver Ryan Newman. The statement in full is below.

“I’m sorry that I can’t be at the track in person, but I asked Steve to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude for all the support that was shown last week to both me and my family. The outpouring of emotion from not only the NASCAR community, but across the country has been truly humbling.

“I want to personally thank everyone, including the man upstairs, for their support, encouragement and the numerous offers of assistance. We always say that the NASCAR community is one big family and never has that been more evident to me than after seeing this family rally together and provide the comfort and support that has been shown to my family and me over the past few days. The calls and visits from the NASCAR executives and my friends and competitors has been truly uplifting.

“I want to thank everyone involved in my care, especially the staff at Halifax Medical Center, where I am convinced I received the best care available. I’m confident the efforts of each of those trained professionals played a major role in where I’m sitting today. And to the entire NASCAR organization, led by Jim France, thanks for being by my side the entire time. You truly stepped up to support me unconditionally when it mattered most.

“Most importantly, I have to thank the guys back at the Roush Fenway Racing shop that built me a car not only fast enough to lead the final seconds of the Daytona 500, but strong enough to do its job under great distress, allowing me to survive such an accident. I am truly indebted to each of you and it is unlikely I will ever be able to properly express to you how much the diligent effort with which you conduct your craftsmanship has affected me and my family. I hope you took pride in the photograph of me walking out of the hospital hand-in-hand with my daughters on Wednesday. Thank you. I can’t wait to get back in your race car.

“I was fortunate to avoid any internal organ damage or broken bones. I did sustain a head injury for which I’m currently being treated. The doctors have been pleased with my progression over the last few days.

“Again, I want to thank each of you, from my partners, teammates and competitors and each and every fan across the country. Thank you everyone for the unparalleled concern and unwavering support. And to the media, who has acted with such respect and class during this time.

“I have spoken with Jack Roush and he has assured me that the No. 6 car will be waiting and ready for my return. I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel and battling for another race win in the Roush Fenway Ford.” :cool:

[4me2c]

By
Staff Report NASCAR.com March 11, 2020 at 8:54 AM

Ryan Newman said Wednesday morning that he’s “thankful for so many people” as well as the safety enhancements made during his time in NASCAR as he recovers from his last-lap wreck in the season-opening Daytona 500.

Newman’s appearance on NBC’s TODAY show in New York City marked his first sit-down interview since suffering serious injuries Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway. The 42-year-old driver briefly answered questions on his way through the garage last weekend at Phoenix Raceway.

“It’s still humbling to watch (the wreck) and know that I am sitting here without a headache, which is amazing,” Newman said Wednesday. “It’s just a miracle on so many levels. I’m thankful for so many people for prayers, and for all the things that went into me being safer in that situation. … The angels aligned and held a really good grip.”

“It’s not just me,” Newman added when asked about his personal commitment to safety over the years. “There’s a whole group at NASCAR that’s done a great job, from the tracks to the safety personnel, the drivers inside the cars, the cockpits, the containment seats that we have. There are so many levels of things that happened in the last 20 years that I’ve been part of the sport that helped me be able to sit here today.”

Newman was starting his 19th full-time season in NASCAR’s top division at the time of his crash. He spent less than two days in the hospital before his release, walking out of Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach with his daughters by his side.

Newman has missed the last three NASCAR Cup Series races and was not on the initial entry list for this Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (2 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM). Xfinity Series regular Ross Chastain is currently scheduled to drive the Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 Ford this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The Roush Fenway Racing driver said Wednesday that he’s been diagnosed with a bruised brain and was unconscious in his car for a period after the wreck. While his timetable to return to the track remains uncertain, Newman reiterated he hopes to return as soon as he is cleared.

“I love it,” Newman said of his desire to race. “It’s been a little bit painful to be out of the race car and to not be doing what I’ve done for so many years. I’ve been racing since I was 4, 4-and-a-half years old. It’s just kind of who I am.” :cool:

[4me2c]

NASCAR timeline, schedule updates, track messages in response to coronavirus

" By Staff Report NASCAR.com March 17, 2020 at 11:10 AM

This is your hub for NASCAR news and information in regards to the coronavirus outbreak and its impact in the sport. Bookmark this page and check back often for updates.
THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

In response to public health officials’ advice regarding the outbreak of coronavirus in the United States and abroad, NASCAR postponed race events through May 3. No makeup dates have been announced, but NASCAR officials said the intention is to run a 36-race schedule this year. The next NASCAR national series events are scheduled for Martinsville Speedway (May 9) when the NASCAR Cup Series is set to be on the track under the lights."

Much More infro here :


https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2020/03/17/nascar-timeline-schedule-updates-track-messages-covid-19/

[4me2c]

Just got this in Me Inbox :

By
NASCAR Statement NASCAR.com April 17, 2020 at 1:00 PM

“NASCAR is postponing the scheduled events on May 8-9 at Martinsville Speedway. Our intention remains to run all 36 races, with a potential return to racing without fans in attendance in May at a date and location to be determined. The health and safety of our competitors, employees, fans and the communities in which we run continues to be our top priority. We will continue to consult with health experts and local, state and federal officials as we assess future scheduling options.” :cool:

[4me2c]

"TRACK/OTHER RESPONSES

• NASCAR R&D Center: The NASCAR Research & Development Center is printing face shields for local hospitals and doctors to help protect medical professionals as they treat COVID-19. Right now, hospitals in North Carolina and Georgia will be receiving masks that are made at the Concord, North Carolina, facility. NASCAR’s senior director of aerodynamics and vehicle performance, Eric Jacuzzi, explained the process to NASCAR.com’s Alex Weaver in this video.

• Charlotte Motor Speedway: In partnership with the speedway, Atrium Health has created a Coronavirus Testing Center at zMAX Dragway, part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex. The remote testing site provides a convenient location for residents of northern Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties to have their tests performed, when ordered by their physician. Testing for COVID-19 is conducted without patients having to get out of their cars, which reduces the possibility of infecting other patients and healthcare workers. Tests are administered by appointment only from your physician."

More Thru this Link :
https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2020/03/17/nascar-timeline-schedule-updates-track-messages-covid-19/

[4me2c]

Looks like Darlington gets the Nod :

By
Brad Norman NASCAR.com April 30, 2020 at 2:57 PM

NASCAR is scheduled to make its return to racing on Sunday, May 17, at Darlington Raceway with a NASCAR Cup Series race that will serve as the first of seven races over an 11-day span at two different race tracks throughout May, the sanctioning body announced Thursday.

The race at the historic South Carolina track will be held without fans in attendance and is slated to be NASCAR’s first on-track action in more than two months as the sport and world in general have been on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The May 17 race is a 400-miler, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, live on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. It also is the first of three races at the track, including a second Cup Series race held midweek under the lights three days later.

The May schedule also includes the crown jewel Coca-Cola 600 in its traditional Memorial Day Weekend home for the 60th consecutive season, plus midweek races in prime time.

[4me2c]

Below are the races announced Thursday:
Date Series Venue Distance Network Start
Sunday, May 17 Cup Series Darlington Raceway 400 miles FOX 3:30 p.m. ET

Tuesday, May 19 Xfinity Series Darlington Raceway 200 miles FS1 8 p.m. ET

Wednesday, May 20 Cup Series Darlington Raceway 500 kilometers FS1 7:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, May 24 Cup Series Charlotte Motor Speedway 600 miles FOX 6 p.m. ET

Monday, May 25 Xfinity Series Charlotte Motor Speedway 300 miles FS1 7:30 p.m. ET

Tuesday, May 26 Gander Trucks Charlotte Motor Speedway 200 miles FS1 8 p.m. ET

Wednesday, May 27 Cup Series Charlotte Motor Speedway 500 kilometers FS1 8 p.m. ET

“NASCAR and its teams are eager and excited to return to racing, and have great respect for the responsibility that comes with a return to competition,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community. We thank local, state and federal officials and medical experts, as well as everyone in the industry, for the unprecedented support in our return to racing, and we look forward to joining our passionate fans in watching cars return to the track.”

NASCAR officials have collaborated with public health officials, medical experts and local, state and federal officials to create a comprehensive plan to ensure the health and safety of competitors and surrounding communities at the above events. All races will be strictly tailored, in every way, to follow specific guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Event procedures will be significantly modified in accordance with CDC, OSHA and state and local government recommendations — including hosting one-day shows at the above tracks, which are all within driving distance of North Carolina race shops to minimize travel and time spent in a community.

There will be no practice sessions for any event, and qualifying will only be held for the Coca-Cola 600.

Other adjustments include mandating the use of protective equipment, health screenings for all individuals before entering the facility and maintaining social distancing protocols throughout the event.

Of note, the May 17 race — and then the May 20 Cup Series race at Darlington — will not replace the scheduled Southern 500 on Labor Day Weekend, the opener of the NASCAR Playoffs. NASCAR intends to keep its 10-race postseason format and tracks involved unchanged, but the situation remains fluid.

No dates beyond May 27 have been announced, but NASCAR officials have said on multiple occasions that the sanctioning body intends to run a full 36-race NASCAR Cup Series slate in 2020.

Additional schedule updates specific to tracks that have had races postponed, and are not part of this new May schedule, will be revealed at a later date. :cool:

[4me2c]

NASCAR’s most recent race of the 2020 season saw Joey Logano win his second event of the year at Phoenix Raceway on March 8, the fourth race weekend of the season.

The series was slated to visit Atlanta Motor Speedway the following weekend, but worldwide impact from the novel coronavirus led to NASCAR postponing the Atlanta weekend and the ensuing race weekend, scheduled to be at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In response to public health officials’ advice regarding the outbreak of coronavirus in the United States and abroad, ensuing races scheduled for Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, Dover International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway later were postponed as well.

[dara]

Next group of races announced:

https://i.imgur.com/VJgqxhU.png

All races without fan attendance

[4me2c]

Surprise :


https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2020/05/14/ryan-newman-recovery-miracle-darlington-raceway-return/

..."NASCAR medically cleared Newman three weeks ago – just three days before the sanctioning body released its return-to-racing schedule. Newman, along with the Cup Series as a whole, will make an official comeback in Sunday’s The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

The 42-year-old could not be more excited to get back inside his No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford.

“I’m hoping to do every lap,” Newman said, “and then one more after that.”...!

[4me2c]

Fun Fact :

— The last time NASCAR’s top series embarked on a schedule of four races in an 11-day span came in August 1971. Richard Petty swept all four, winning at the Albany-Saratoga Fairgrounds; Islip, New York.; Trenton, New Jersey; and Nashville on the way to his third of seven series championships.

'Nother One :

ACTIVE DARLINGTON WINNERS

Jimmie Johnson (three); Denny Hamlin (two); Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr. (one each).

[crazed 9.6]

Richard Petty did so well in his career is because he had corporate sponsors while his fellow drivers struggled to gain any sponsers at all and when Chevy and Ford automakers puled out of Grand National racing (known as nascar today), Dodge stayed in as a sponser and Petty won races.

So there you all go.. that was the secret to Petty's success :eek:

[dara]

Its going to be a bit sad for racing fans next Sunday, Monaco is cancelled, and the Indy 500 delayed until August. Coca Cola 600 will be the only major race, but again without fans.

[4me2c]

Its going to be a bit sad for racing fans next Sunday, Monaco is cancelled, and the Indy 500 delayed until August. Coca Cola 600 will be the only major race, but again without fans.

and On Local Fox Channels = FTA/OTA...!!! and That is :cool: