For the first time since it joined Trackhouse Racing in 2022, the Kubota Tractor Corporation's orange paint scheme will adorn Daniel Suárez's No. 99 Chevrolet in a NASCAR Cup Series race.

Suárez will drive the Kubota Chevrolet in Sunday's 500-mile race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

Kubota and Trackhouse Racing announced in November that Ross Chastain and Suárez would carry the Grapevine, Texas company's paint scheme in seven races in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season.

With the sponsorship, Kubota became the Official Tractor Company of Trackhouse Racing. Chastain has driven the Kubota scheme five times in 2023 and will again at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on Oct. 22.

“I feel like I am joining a new family,” said Suárez who became the first Mexican driver to win a NASCAR Xfinity title in 2016 and a Cup race in 2022. “Ross has told me so many good things about Kubota and their equipment, so I’m looking forward to joining him in Kubota Country.”

Kubota is the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota-engineered and manufactured machinery and equipment, including a complete line of tractors of up to 200 Gross hp* performance-matched implements, compact construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, hay tools, commercial turf products and utility vehicles.

If history is any indicator, Suárez should have the Kubota Chevrolet at the front of the field in Texas. He has top-12 finishes in four of the last six races at the 1.5-mile oval.

Suárez has a busy weekend planned in Texas in addition to racing. On Saturday at 5 p.m. CDT he'll appear at Portillo’s for autographs and pictures. The event at 4560 Destination Drive, The Colony, Texas, is open to fans. He'll also appear at the Chevrolet display at the race track on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

USA Network will televise Sunday's race at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Trackhouse Racing PR

TO THE TOP One year ago, Richard Childress Racing and Tyler Reddick took Chevrolet to its 16th NASCAR Cup Series win at Texas Motor Speedway – making the Bowtie brand the winningest manufacturer in NASCAR’s top series at the track. Hendrick Motorsports contributed to 10 of those victories, including Chevrolet’s first NCS win at the 1.5-mile oval with Terry Labonte (1999). Seven-time NCS champion Jimmie Johnson is attributed with seven NCS victories at Texas Motor Speedway – a series-leading record that still stands today.

GM PR

Denny Hamlin has displayed a knack for winning NASCAR Crown Jewel races during his distinguished career in the Cup Series. On Saturday night at iconic Bristol Motor Speedway, where so much NASCAR history has been made since it arrived on the Cup Series schedule in 1961, Hamlin scored his latest major victory by claiming a third Bass Pro Shops Night Race trophy.

For those who are keeping count, of Hamlin’s 51 career Cup victories nine have been Crown Jewel races, including three Daytona 500s, three Bristol Night Races, two Southern 500s and one Coca-Cola 600.

When veteran NASCAR official Mike Forde introduced Hamlin’s winning crew chief Chris Gabehart to the media in the post-race news conference, he asked him to give an opening statement, “from your view atop the pit box, winning one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels, the Bristol Night Race.”

Gabehart, like so many other drivers, crew chiefs and team owners who have an affinity for the unique short track that races like a superspeedway, gave a familiar answer: “Yeah, it’s not a secret, it’s my favorite race. I’ll go ahead and say it. What a fantastic atmosphere, just electric. It represents everything that is quintessential about stock car racing – short track, high banks, action everywhere. I say it all the time, what I love so much about this track is it shows you just how hard it is to drive these race cars. It’s amazing to watch these guys do what they do. My favorite track. Won another Bristol Night Race. Super pumped and proud of this team, no doubt.”

Team owner Joe Gibbs echoed those comments: “I think for our whole sport, if you ask NASCAR fans across the country, they’re going to rate this place as one of the absolute favorites, the place where they like to come. I remember all the way back to Dale Jarrett, I asked him what racetrack he liked the best. He said Bristol. The sense of speed. I think it’s really hard. It’s hard on machine and driver. For Denny to be as good as he is here, I think it says a lot for the talent of a driver to be able to come to Bristol and have success. We just think it’s a special place. Really appreciate something like tonight where we do run good.”

Hamlin, who received plenty of boos from the thousands of fans in the stands immediately after the race, said their passion is what fuels him.

“At some point I’ve got to realize that I’m probably not going to win the most popular driver award…They think (the boos) bother me, but clearly it’s having an opposite effect,” said Hamlin, who punched his ticket to the Round of 12 Playoffs with the victory and feels like his team is peaking at the right moment and this could be the year that they finally win a Cup Series championship.

“That’s why I love this track, it doesn’t matter if it’s cheers or boos, you’ve earned the right to be on that stage for that given moment, for that interview, or whatever it might be,” Hamlin continued. “It’s gratifying. I’m a person that feeds off that energy because I know my hard work has paid off… to just have the electricity, that’s fun. This is really a fun moment in sports. It’s really fun in NASCAR to have that many passionate fans one way or another. It’s good for the sport.”

DALE JR. RIDES AGAIN: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he was more nervous before last Friday’s Food City 300 than he had been at any time in his career as a race car driver.

First, he wondered if he still had what it takes to master Bristol’s all-concrete high banks. Then he had some anxiety about the number of Xfinity Series cars trying to qualify for the race. He said he had never posted a DNQ and didn’t want to start now.

His questions were quickly answered though, as he qualified 15th in his sleek looking blue and yellow No. 88 Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Chevy. Then he gave fans quite a show in the race, as the NASCAR Hall of Famer turned back the clock by leading and running in the top five for most of the night before an electrical fire with 29 laps to go forced him to park his car early. His 30th place finish didn’t tell the whole story.

“I just know one thing — I didn’t cause no problems tonight for nobody,” Earnhardt Jr. said with a smile. “That was a big deal for me. I didn’t wanna come in here and screw up somebody’s championship. Everybody would be like, ‘That damn Junior don’t need to be out there.'”

He didn’t have much time to be dejected about his final finish position because after a quick trip to the care center to examine his right heel and lower leg, he had to put his team owner hat on and was quickly whisked away on the winning car of Justin Allgaier to celebrate with his JRM teammates in Bristol’s unique elevated Victory Lane. He literally climbed aboard Allgaier’s red No. 7 JRM Chevy and rode up the ramp while hanging on to the window and roof of the car.

“I’m real happy for Justin,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Winning at Bristol is such an amazing accomplishment for any driver. This kind of ranks up there with Darlington in terms of being a driver’s race track. You’ve got to be tough and move around and defense and be on the offense and gotta (have your) head on a swivel out there. All the good drivers seem to do well and figure this place out. It’s not a place where you get any flukes. Proud for him.”

The final stats will show that Earnhardt Jr. led 47 laps of the race and was in the top three for most of the race, sending whispers all through the facility: “Could Dale Jr. actually win this race tonight?” The entire Colosseum was buzzing about an Earnhardt victory. But alas, it wasn’t to be.

“We had a positive wire short up in the top of the dash, and the casing on the wire melted down onto the leg brace and caught the foam in the leg brace and the cloth cover of the leg brace on fire, so it burnt the leg off my uniform,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “It was like another lap, and I was probably gonna be blistered up. But, no burns on my leg. Just barely escaped. I was disappointed to have to get out. We were gonna run fourth or better.”

NIGHT RACE NATIONAL ANTHEM TRADITION IS SO SPECIAL: One of the special traditions of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is the annual National Anthem performance by the Motor Racing Outreach children’s choir. The group of children have sang the anthem to kick off the Night Race since 2002 and a host of drivers’ children have been members of the group. Some of those children who have participated over the years are all grown up and are racers now themselves, including Jeb Burton, Harrison Burton, Chase Elliott, John Hunter Nemechek and Todd Gilliland, to name a few. Drivers whose children are currently in the choir and performed on Saturday are Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Corey LaJoie, Michael McDowell and Joey Logano, among others.

BMS NEIGHBORHOOD HEROES HAS BIG ORANGE FLAVOR: BMS honored eight Neighborhood Heroes on Saturday during pre-race ceremonies and of the five who were present to walk across the stage and wave to fans included Sullivan County Sherriff’s Officers Rick Rumley and Jacob Hulse and three University of Tennessee Volunteer athletes who attended high schools in communities around Bristol Motor Speedway, including Lady Vol Softball player Camryn Sarvis and Volunteer Baseball players Kirby Connell and Colby Backus. Three of the honorees were from the football realm and were not able to attend the race festivities due to prior gridiron commitments, including Tennessee State University head football coach Eddie George and Vol linemen Dayne Davis and Austin Lewis.    

Each year during America's Night Race the BMS Neighborhood Heroes program recognizes first responders, military members, educators, athletes and others in our regional communities who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their professions to make significant impacts in the lives of others.

DALE JR. SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS GET TO MEET THE LEGEND: There were more than 170 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship applicants this year and the committee was able to narrow the list down to six finalists where ultimately two winners were selected. The winners, Caleb Kent of nearby Happy Valley High School in Watauga, Tenn., and Jamie Sullivan of the University of Northwestern Ohio, were the winners and were recognized and presented plaques on Friday during pre-race ceremonies for the Food City 300, which Dale Earnhardt Jr. was a participant. Following the presentation, the two winners were able to meet Dale Jr. and get a quick photo with the NASCAR Hall of Famer for which the scholarship is named.

Kent, who has his own motorsports podcast and is a part of the announcing team for both football and basketball at Elizabethton High School, plans to pursue a career in broadcasting. He was able to meet and spend some time with NASCAR journalists Jeff Gluck and Bob Pockrass in the BMS Media Center prior to receiving his award.

Sullivan, a Florida native who lives in the Charlotte area, is also wanting to pursue a career in marketing and communications in professional motorsports. She is already a Monster Truck driver and has worked on a pit crew for an ARCA team.

BMS PR

Shasta Speedway hosts the $3,000 to win Shasta 125 for Super Late Models on October 14! The annual post-season event features North State Modifieds, Bombers, and Hornets also competing. Friday’s action features practice action from 4pm to dark as well.

The Super Late Model event will follow Shasta Speedway rules and have a $100 entry fee. The event pays $3000 to win, $2000 for second, $1500 for third, and $1000 down to 20th position. Last year’s Shasta 125 saw Coquille, Oregon’s David Miller claim the coveted victory. Hoosier Tires pre-orders close on October 6th.

Bombers will be a 40-lap feature utilizing Shasta rules, paying $500 to win. The Hornet event will be open to all varieties of Hornets, B4s, and Roadrunners. Drivers can utilize their local track rules when competing in this special 30-lap Open Show.

North State Modifieds compete all over Northern California with this Shasta Speedway round serving as the season-finale.

Shasta Speedway PR

A mere half position separates first from second in the 2023 Virginia Triple Crown points standings as the final race in the prestigious series of Late Model Stock Car races looms this Saturday night with the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

This year marks the 10^th season of the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown, featuring three famed short tracks in Langley Speedway, South Boston Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. The driver with the best average finish across the three races takes home the $7,000 payout for the Triple Crown. Second place earns $2,000 and third receives $1,000.

Meanwhile, the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 will have the largest purse in the race’s history, with $125,000 to be distributed across the field of drivers. A number of local businesses in the Martinsville-Henry County region chipped in to raise the pot this year, including Hitachi Energy, Danville Toyota, The Lester Group, MaxPro and B99.

That additional prize money will be distributed for finishing positions sixth on through the rest of the field.

Brendan “Butterbean” Queen, who took the win in the second race of the series at Langley Speedway on July 22, has a 1.5 average finish through the opening two races after finishing second at South Boston Speedway on July 1. Bobby McCarty, who won the opening race at South Boston and finished third at Langley, has an average finish of 2.0 to sit in second in the standings.

“We couldn’t have scripted a better lead-in to the finale of the Virginia Triple Crown with a pair of drivers so closely matched at the top of the standings,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “With a Grandfather clock, the richest payout that NASCAR’s biggest Late Model Stock Car race has ever seen, and the Triple Crown on the line, fans are sure to see fireworks on Saturday night with all that these drivers have to race for.”

Trevor Ward (third at South Boston, seventh at Langley) is third with an average finish of 5.0, Brandon Pierce (ninth at South Boston, fourth at Langley) is fourth at 6.5 for an average finish, and Logan Clark (seventh at South Boston, 10^th at Langley) rounds out the top five hopefuls with an average finish of 8.5.

McCarty claimed the win in the Thunder Road 200 at South Boston after Carson Kvapil was disqualified during post-race inspection. Queen took the win in the Hampton Heat 200 at Langley over recently crowned NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series champion Connor Hall – ending a streak of 11 straight wins that Hall had going at his home track.

An all-star field of Late Model Stock Car drivers will contend for the famed clock this Saturday night, led by Queen, McCarty and Hall. Additionally, two-time Weekly Series national champion Peyton Sellers will be back to defend his ValleyStar Credit Union 300 title and claim a second Grandfather clock.

Sellers is also the reigning Virginia Triple Crown champion and a four-time winner of the title, having also won in 2013, 2014 and 2018. However, he currently sits seventh in points after a 17^th-place result at South Boston and an eighth-place finish at Langley.

Carson Kvapil, Landon Huffman, Carter Langley, Kade Brown, Kaden Honeycutt, Kyle Dudley, and previous ValleyStar Credit Union 300 race winners Mike Looney and Landon Pembleton are all also expected to be key contenders.

Friday, Sept. 22, features practice and qualifying for the current field of 87 entries, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Then the ValleyStar Credit Union 300, the nation’s biggest, richest and most prestigious NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race and the Virginia Triple Crown finale, will return for an evening of intense competition on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Prior to this weekend’s action, fans will have the opportunity to drive 8-10 laps in their personal vehicles around Martinsville’s historic half-mile for a donation of $25. All proceeds will support the local Martinsville-Henry County YMCA.

Tickets to the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 are available for purchase via phone at 877-RACE-TIX or online at martinsvillespeedway.com.

Stay connected to Martinsville Speedway on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the NASCAR Tracks App.

NASCAR PR

With a robust setup provided by his Setzer Racing and Development team, Phillips capitalized on a solid practice effort to set the fastest time of the day to earn his seventh Carolina Pro Late Model Series pole of the season.

In traditional Late Model fashion, the series drew an invert, with Phillips drawing eighth and sending him outside the fourth row for the 100-lap dash to the checkered flag.

Throughout the race, Phillps put on a clinic, delivering fast lap times while exercising incredible patience as he worked through the race contenders and lapped traffic. With plenty of laps left, Phillips found his No. 6 Setzer Racing and Development Chevrolet back at the front – taking the lead and sailing to his sixth triumph of the season – matching former competitor Carson Kvapil, who also scored a whopping six wins during his season.

"All the Glory to God," said Phillips. "I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many great people, including everyone at Setzer Racing and Development. They gave me a great race car, and despite battling through traffic, we just took our time and picked up one car at a time.

"Thankfully, we could return to the lead and bring the checkered flag home."

CitruSafe®, The Racing Warehouse, Ross & Witmer Inc. and Simpson Race Products all served in partnership roles at Orange County Speedway and assisted in making his return trip to Victory Lane possible.

“I cannot continue to thank my partners, CitruSafe®, The Racing Warehouse, Ross & Witmer Inc. and Simpson Race Products, for all of their continued support,” sounded Phillips. “Without them, I know being able to get to the track would be incredibly difficult. I am proud to represent them and look forward to the chance of putting them in Victory Lane again in a couple of weeks.”

With six defying victories in his rookie season in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series, Phillips is on track to bring home the series' championship in early November when he participates in the annual Fall Brawl at the historic Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

"I feel like our team is in a good place ahead of the Fall Brawl in November," added Phillips. "We have worked extremely hard this year, and it really has been the dream season, but we will put the exclamation point on 2023 with the championship in November.

"While we do not really have anything to worry about, I'll feel relieved when we take the checkered flag at Hickory. I'll never be able to thank Brandon and Dennis Setzer enough for their leadership and for bringing me fast race cars to the track each week. Hopefully, we can close out the season with our seventh win of the season and hoist that series trophy.

Details on Phillips 2024 racing schedule will be released in due course.

Find out more on George Phillips, please visit his website GeorgePhillipsRacing.com, or follow him on Instagram @GeorgePhillipsRacing and X | Twitter @GeorgePRacing.

George Phillips PR

Race: Andy's Frozen Custard 300 Date: Saturday, September 23 Time: 3:30PM ET | 2:30PM CT Track: Texas Motor Speedway Distance: 200 laps / 300 miles Stage Duration: Stage 1: 45 laps, ends Lap 45 Stage 2: 45 laps, ends Lap 90 Final Stage: 110 laps, ends Lap 200 Broadcasting: USA | Performance Racing Network | SiriusXM NASCAR Ch. 90   Practice (NBC Sports App) Date: Saturday, Sept. 23 Time: 10:30AM ET | 9:30AM CT   Qualifying (NBC Sports App) Date: Saturday, Sept. 23 Time: 11:00AM ET | 10:00AM CT Format: Single Vehicle | One Round

PARKER CHASE Starts: 0 Wins: 0 Top-5's: 0 Top-10's: 0 Best Start: N/A Best Finish: N/A   SAM HUNT RACING Starts: 4 Wins: 0 Top-5's: 0 Top-10's: 0 Best Start: 27th Best Finish: 19th

SHR PR

With the NAPA Fall Final at Stafford Speedway fast approaching on Saturday, September 23^rd, Matt Hirschman has filed an entry for the race and he will be looking to get his #60 The Florida Connection machine back to its winning ways after finishing 4^th in the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler®.

“I hope we can be in contention for the win,” said Hirschman.  “We won the Sizzler® last year and didn’t run as well at the Fall Final and then this year in the Sizzler we were competitive but we weren’t really a winning car.  I’m hoping we can improve on those last couple starts at Stafford and be in winning contention like we were at the Sizzler® 2 years ago.”

The NAPA Fall Final will mark Hirschman’s second start after suffering a broken wrist on August 16^th in a race at Thompson Speedway.  Hirschman ran in a Race of Champions event this past Sunday at Lake Erie Speedway and ran the full 250 lap distance to finish second.  The 250-lap event was a great test for Hirschman and other than some general soreness, he is ready to tackle the half-mile Stafford Speedway.

“I just raced Sunday in the R.O.C. at Lake Erie and finished second,” said Hirschman.  “That race went well and now I’m looking forward to Stafford this weekend and the Fall Final.  Returning at the 4 week mark was a best case scenario for me and I was able to meet that criteria and come back.  That race was a 250 lap race and one of the longer races of the season so I was a little tired and sore afterwards, but no issues and I should only improve from here I hope.  I have to thank all my sponsors and supporters.  We’ve had a little bit of time off and missed a few races but I’m looking to finish the season strong and represent my team and sponsors.”

In order for Hirschman to be among the contenders for the NAPA Fall Final checkered flag and the $15,000 payday that comes with it, he will have to no doubt beat Woody Pitkat and Ron Silk with Silk going for 3 wins in a row at Stafford while Pitkat is also looking for his third consecutive victory at Stafford.

“I would say the Vegas odds would be in both of their favor with Silk winning the Sizzler® and the Fall Final last year and Pitkat has won the most Open 80 races at Stafford the last 2 years,” said Hirschman.  “They have better odds than I do for the Fall Final but I don’t think the odds were necessarily in my favor when we won the Sizzler® a couple of years ago and we were able to come out on top.  So I know that we can do it but it’s not going to be easy.”

While the majority of the NAPA Fall Final field have raced this season at Stafford either weekly or in open modified competition, Hirschman has only made one start at the beginning of the season in the NAPA Spring Sizzler®.  Although he might be behind, he doesn’t think his lack of track time will negatively affect him. 

“With the time of the year the weather is different and track time is always a good thing, but I don’t think it will be a determining factor in who wins the Fall Final,” said Hirschman.  “It’s going to be a little bit of a different ballgame than the Friday night Open 80 races.  I think it’s just a matter of executing the day and making the right adjustments to give yourself a car that can contend for the win.  Start to finish we have to be mistake free and put ourselves in a good position.  Track position is going to be important with being at or near the front for the entire race being to your benefit.  We had a respectable finish in the Fall Final last year but we never really got all the way to the front and into winning contention.  The goal is to get ourselves into winning contention and see how we stack up. It’s all about executing the day from start to finish. That’s what it takes to win.”

The NAPA Fall Final is set for Saturday, September 23rd with a rain date of Sunday, September 24th.  Tickets are available now online at StaffordSpeedway.com/tickets and tickets will also be available for purchase at the admission gates.  Tickets for the NAPA Fall Final are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission, $10.00 for kids ages 6-14, kids 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult, and reserved seating is priced at $35.00 for all ages.  Pit passes are $45.00 with a valid 2023 Stafford Competition License and $50.00 without a Stafford license.   If you are unable to attend the event, tune into the live stream on FloRacing, the official streaming partner of Stafford Speedway.

For more information, visit staffordspeedway.com, follow Stafford Speedway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783.

Stafford Speedway PR

NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400

The Place: Texas Motor Speedway

The Date: Sunday, September 24

The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $8,955,060

TV: USA, 3 p.m. ET

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 400.5 miles (267 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 80),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 267)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Andy’s Frozen Custard 300

The Place: Texas Motor Speedway

The Date: Saturday, September 23

The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $1,377,593

TV: USA, 3 p.m. ET

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 300 miles (200 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Next Race: Love’s RV Stop 250

The Place: Talladega Superspeedway

The Date: Saturday, September 30

The Time: 1 p.m. ET

The Purse: $779,790

TV: FS1, 12 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 250.04 miles (94 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 94)

NASCAR Cup Series

Twelve drivers have advanced to the next round of the Playoffs

Following the dramatic conclusion of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway, four competitors were eliminated from the postseason; including last season’s Cup Series champion and Team Penske driver Joey Logano, veteran Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick in his final season before retirement, 2023 DAYTONA 500 winner and JTG Daugherty Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and veteran Front Row Motorsport’s driver Michael McDowell.

Now, the remaining 12 postseason contenders that have advanced to the second round of the Playoffs, prepare for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway this Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – the first race of the Round of 12.

One caveat to note, is this season’s Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race has been shortened by 100 miles, from 500 to 400, which could play a role on Sunday.

Round of 12 Clinch Scenarios: Texas Motor Speedway

Following an intense NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 elimination-race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Playoffs rerack as the Round of 12 gets underway at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

With this weekend’s race being the first of the Playoffs’ Round of 12, the clinch scenarios are quite simple.

Already Clinched

No drivers have clinched a spot in the eight-driver field of the next round.

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Martin Truex Jr., William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace

Heading into this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the entire NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 field is only separated by 36 points. Currently Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. are tied atop the reseeded postseason points with 3,036 points each, but Byron holds the tiebreaker of better finishes in the Round of 16. Last season’s Texas winner and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick currently sitting in the eighth and final transfer spot on points to the Round of 8 and holds a three-point edge on Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain in the ninth position – the first spot outside the next round’s cutoff.

Texas Motor Speedway is a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

The inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs was in 2004 and Texas Motor Speedway was added to the postseason schedule in 2005 – at the time replacing Darlington Raceway – and ever since the 1.5-mile track has been hosting Playoff events (2005-2023). This weekend’s race will be the 19th NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race for the speedway, and the 2023 season marks the second time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 has opened at Texas Motor Speedway (race No. 30 of the season) with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Texas Motor Speedway is the seventh different track to host the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Kansas Speedway (2004, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014), Talladega Superspeedway (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012), Auto Club Speedway (2009, 2010), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2015, 2016, 2017), Dover Motor Speedway (2018, 2019) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2020, 2021).

Texas Motor Speedway has occupied three spots on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs schedule throughout the years. From 2005 – 2020, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the eighth race in the Cup Series Playoffs (Race No. 34 of the season). Then in 2021, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the seventh race in the Playoffs (Race No. 33), and then starting last season (2022-2023), Texas has hosted the fourth race in the Playoffs (Race No. 30).

All the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff action begins this weekend with practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying on Saturday, September 23 at 12:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network.

Reddick is one 15 different drivers to win the fourth race of the Playoffs

A total of 15 different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, led by Jimmie Johnson with three postseason victories (2009, 2011, 2016). Team Penske’s Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with two wins (2014, 2015), and the most recent winner of the fourth race in the Playoffs is 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick, who won the event last season driving for Richard Childress Racing.

This weekend, four of the 15 drivers that have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are active in the 2023 Playoffs – Tyler Reddick (2022 Texas), Denny Hamlin (2021 Las Vegas), Kyle Larson (2019 Dover) and Martin Truex Jr. (2017 Charlotte).

Four current postseason contenders are former winners in Texas’ Playoff race

A total of nine different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Texas Motor Speedway, led by Jimmie Johnson with five postseason Texas victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with three Texas Playoff wins (2017-2019) and Tyler Reddick (2022), Kyle Larson (2021), Kyle Busch (2020) and Denny Hamlin (2010) are the four former Texas Playoff race winners still competing in this season’s Playoffs.

Title Town: Drivers that go on to win the title after a victory from this weekend’s race

Three times the winner of the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title in the same season: 2009, 2016 and 2017.

• In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway and went on to win his fourth-straight series title in the same season (2006-2009). The victory was his second of four wins during his postseason run that year.

• In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oval) and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series title that same season (2006-2010, 2013, 2016). The win was Johnson’s first of three that postseason.

• In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win the series title that same season. It was his first of three wins that postseason run.

Three times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race has gone on to win the title later that same season: 2007, 2011 and 2013.

• In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the eighth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title later that season (2006-2007). The Playoff win at Texas was his third of four consecutive victories in the 2007 Playoffs – the only driver to win four straight in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix).

• In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fifth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Stewart’s fourth of his record setting five NASCAR Cup Series Playoff wins in a single postseason run in 2011 (Chicago, New Hampshire, Martinsville, Texas, Homestead-Miami) – Larson’s five Playoff wins last year tied Stewart’s record. 

• In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his sixth NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Johnson’s second postseason victory (Dover, Texas) in 2013.

Postseason Spoiler: Playoff drivers don’t always win these Playoff races

Three times a non-Playoff driver has won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 2004, 2006 and 2022.

• In 2004, Joe Nemechek won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Kansas Speedway, he was ranked 21st in the point standings at the time of the victory.

• In 2006, Brian Vickers won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway, he was ranked 16th in points at the time of the victory.

• In 2022, Tyler Reddick won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway. Reddick had qualified for the postseason but was eliminated from the Playoffs in the Round of 16, he was ranked 13th in points at the time of the victory.

Four times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at Texas Motor Speedway: 2006, 2014, 2015 and 2022.

• In 2006, Tony Stewart was ranked 11th in the point standings at the time of his Texas Playoff race win.

• In 2014, Jimmie Johnson was ranked 11th in points at the time of his Texas Playoff win. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.

• In 2015, Jimmie Johnson was 12th in points at the time of the win. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 16.

• In 2022, Tyler Reddick was 13th in points at the time of the victory at Texas. Reddick had made the Playoffs in 2022, but was eliminated in the Round of 16.

The worst finish by a driver in the fourth NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race that later went on to win the series title that same season was the 24th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2006 at Talladega Superspeedway.

The worst finish by a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoffs race that later went on to win the title that same season was a 38th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2009. Last season, Joey Logano finished runner-up in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win the title later that year.

Challenges Ahead: Playoff competitors prepare for Texas

The stage is set for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway and another great weekend of racing action on the 1.5-mile high-speed oval is on tap as the series jumps into the Round of 12 with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Texas Motor Speedway has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series 42 times producing 25 different Busch Light Pole winners and 22 different race winners. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway was on April 6, 1997, and the race was won by Jeff Burton in a RFK Racing Ford (125.111 mph). The first NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway was held on November 6, 2005, and the race was won by RFK Racing driver Carl Edwards (151.055 mph). 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick is the most recent points-paying race winner at Texas Motor Speedway, grabbing the checkered flag in last season’s Playoff race.

A total of 25 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Texas Motor Speedway, and six of the 25 NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway pole winners are active this weekend. Kurt Busch leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Texas with three (Spring 2015, Playoffs 2017, Spring 2018). Kevin Harvick (2017, 2019), Brad Keselowski (2015, 2022) and Martin Truex Jr. (2007, 2012) lead all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series poles at Texas Motor Speedway with two each.

Victory Lane is a hot ticket at Texas Motor Speedway and a total of 22 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at the 1.5-mile speedway, and seven of the 22 Cup Series Texas winners are active this weekend. Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with seven victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 sweep and 2017) in 35 starts. Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with four victories (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020).

Last season’s NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race winner, Tyler Reddick, returns to Texas to defend his win and get his second postseason victory of 2023 (Kansas). Reddick has made four career starts at Texas Motor Speedway posting one win (2022), two top fives and three top 10s. He has led 75 laps and has an average finish of 6.750 at the Fort Worth track. 

If Reddick were to win this weekend, he would become the fourth different driver to win consecutive points-paying races at Texas Motor Speedway; joining Jimmie Johnson (2014 Playoff race and 2015 sweep), Carl Edwards (2008 sweep) and Denny Hamlin (2010 sweep).

Wild Cards: Round of 12 tracks offer a slew of tests for Playoff competitors

Tabbed by many of the competitors this season as the ‘Wild Card’ round, the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 offers a bevy of challenges for the drivers and teams as they try to navigate through the next three races at vastly different racetracks.

Texas Motor Speedway is first up, and this 1.5-mile track is unlike any other on the schedule. The facility is located in Fort Worth, Texas, just outside of Dallas and boast 20 degrees of banking in Turns 1 and 2 and 24 degrees of banking in Turns 3 and 4. This weekend’s race the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will be 400.5 miles (267 laps) and will be broken up into three stages. The first two stages will be 80 laps each and the final stage will be 107 laps. Though probably considered the most-tame of the three tracks this round, Texas is still unpredictable and has seen six different winners in the last six races – Denny Hamlin (03/2019), Kevin Harvick (11/2019), Austin Dillon (7/2020), Kyle Busch (10/2020), Kyle Larson (10/2021), and Tyler Reddick (2022).

Talladega Superspeedway is next on the Playoff schedule following Texas, the behemoth 2.66-mile superspeedway is one of the most unpredictable on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. With 33 degrees of banking in all four turns, Talladega produces some of the closest racing action the series has to offer. Next weekend’s race the YellaWood 500 on October 1 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will be 500.08 miles (188 laps) and will be broken up into three stages. The first two stages will be 60 laps each and the final stage will be 68 laps. Much like Texas, Talladega has produced seven different winners in its last seven Cup races – Ryan Blaney (10/2019), Denny Hamlin (10/2020), Brad Keselowski (04/2021), Bubba Wallace (10/2021), Ross Chastain (04/2022), Chase Elliott (10/2022) and Kyle Busch (04/2023).

The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL is scheduled for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 elimination-race in two weeks, cutting the postseason’s 12-driver field down to eight competitors. Though a road course, the Charlotte ROVAL is as unpredictable with its NASCAR Cup Series finishes as Talladega. The 17-turn course spans the infield and parts of the oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway making it a unique challenge for the Playoff competitors. The Bank of America ROVAL 400 on October 8 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will be 252.88 miles (109 laps) and will be broken up into three stages. The first two stages will be 25 laps each and the final stage will be 59 laps. Since joining the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2018, the ROVAL has produced four different winners in its five races – Ryan Blaney (2018), Chase Elliott (2019, 2020), Kyle Larson (2021) and Christopher Bell (2022).

Texas native Chris Buescher is one to watch this weekend

Hailing from Prosper, Texas, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher is definitely giving the fans from Texas something to cheer for this season. The 30-year-old has put up three wins (Richmond, Michigan and Daytona) this year and is ranked fifth in the Playoff standings heading to his home track of Texas Motor Speedway for the Round of 12 opener.

Buescher is having a career season and looks to be a real contender for the championship this season. In 29 starts he has collected three wins, eight top fives and 14 top 10s. He has led 232 laps and has an average finish of 12.1 on the season. 

Buescher has made 13 series starts at Texas posting an average finish of 23.3. Buescher’s best finish at his home track is 15th back in 2018. 

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

Country music star Jelly Roll named Grand Marshal at Texas - Five-time CMA nominee, eight-time People’s Choice Country Award nominee and three-time CMT award winning artist Jelly Roll, the breakthrough singer/songwriter who burst upon the country music scene with his massive hit “Save Me” as well as back-to-back #1 singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need A Favor,” will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Texas Motor Speedway.

Originally from Antioch, Tenn., Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) earned numerous milestones this year including a 44-date sold-out Backroad Baptism Tour, multi-week, multi-platinum, multi-genre #1 singles, and the biggest Country album debut in Billboard Consumption chart history with the release of his album “Whitsitt Chapel” in June, which debuted Top 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Complete dignitaries list for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400:

• Grand Marshal: Three-time CMT Music Awards winner Jelly Roll.
• Honorary Starter: Texas Rangers Chief Jason Taylor.
• Official Pace Car Driver: Sports entertainment TV personality Sage Steele.
• National Anthem: Fort Cavazos 1^st Calvary Band.
• God Bless America: U.S. Marine veteran Don Graves.
• Invocation: Ret. Lt. Col. Caroline “Blaze” Jensen.
• Flyover: USAF C-5M Super Galaxy - 433^rd Airlift Wing from Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Complete dignitaries list for Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 Xfinity Series Playoff race:

• Grand Marshal: Andy’s Frozen Custard Chief Executive Officer Andy Kuntz accompanied by his wife, Dana.
• Honorary Starter: Andy’s Frozen Custard’s newest franchisee from Iowa, Brandon Pratt.
• National Anthem: Country music singer Alex Hall.
• Flyover: one CH-47 Chinook and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 1^st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas.

Big Hoss to become bigger in time for NASCAR weekend - It’s not easy to improve on a Guinness World Record achievement, but Texas Motor Speedway will do just that when it installs a new state-of-the-art Big Hoss TV screen at the Fort Worth facility in time for the Sept. 23-24 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Playoff weekend. The new and improved Big Hoss TV, located above Big Frig’s Burnout Alley on the speedway’s backstretch, will be a DigiLED Vision Ultra screen provided by Argyle, Texas-based GoVision. It will be 10% larger (22,692 sq. ft. to 20,660 sq. ft.), have 22% more pixels (8,236,800 total pixels to 6,405,120 total pixels), have 20% higher resolution (16mm to 20mm), and will be 16% brighter (7,000 nits calibrated brightness to 6,000 nits calibrated brightness).

The multi-million-dollar Big Hoss TV upgrade continues Texas Motor Speedway’s ongoing commitment to enhance the race fan’s overall experience. Last year’s No Limits Next projects included three open-air bars on the main concourse and, in the grandstands, increased legroom, drink rails, and the 3,000-foot wooden belly-up that extends from Turn 4 to Turn 1.

“As the saying goes, ‘everything’s bigger in Texas’, so it’s only fitting for Big Hoss to get bigger in advance of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith.

Big Hoss TV was unveiled on March 19, 2014, and received certification from the Guinness World Records on April 6, 2014, as part of the pre-race ceremonies for that afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Its 20,660-square-foot screen was recognized as the World’s Largest HD LED Video Board. GoVision is a premier provider of large-scale LED video displays renowned for its unique ability to provide “Experience Unrivaled” in live sporting, music, and corporate events – both through its rental of large-scale LED video displays and fixed installations like Big Hoss.

“GoVision is proud to provide this great upgrade to Big Hoss TV,” said Chris Curtis, GoVision’s Founder & Chairman. “Our new technology will return it to its rightful place among the best, brightest and biggest screens in the world. It’s another milestone moment for the unrivaled team at GoVision.”

Hutch Games Teams Up with NASCAR to Unleash a New Standalone Mobile Game - Hutch, the renowned automotive mobile game developer behind hit titles such as F1 Clash and Top Drives, has announced a new partnership with NASCAR. The partnership will see Hutch develop a new standalone title for mobile, combining the studio’s expertise in creating automotive games with NASCAR’s world renowned brand.

NASCAR, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is the sanctioning body for the No.1 form of motorsports in the United States and one of the most recognized motorsports organizations in the world. Offering fans high speed, side-by-side racing with thrilling passing and aggressive strategy, NASCAR has reached a diverse global audience. With millions of fans worldwide and a rich history of high- octane racing, NASCAR is a perfect match for Hutch’s game development pedigree.

Hutch will lead development of the new title in collaboration with NASCAR, working closely to build the ultimate mobile experience for fans around the globe. The new game, due to be fully revealed in due course, will leverage Hutch’s extensive development experience with licensed IPs to bring fans their dream game on mobile.

Peter Stott, Game Director at Hutch says: “The NASCAR brand is an ideal fit for Hutch. Our passion for motorsports and drive to create-genre defining experiences for mobile will enable us to deliver for the many global fans of the sport. That same passion forms the foundation of our relationship with NASCAR, which will fuel our ability to make another hit Hutch title. We’re proud to be able to work with another key automotive licensor, continuing our rich history of partnered game development.”

Nick Rend, Managing Director, Gaming and Esports at NASCAR says: “At NASCAR, our number one priority is engaging our fans and bringing them the best experiences possible whether they’re at the track or in digital spaces where they like to spend time. We want to deliver our fans around the world a unique, immersive mobile gaming experience. Hutch, with its expertise in the automotive genre and track record of creating fun and popular games, is the perfect partner to make this happen.”

Find out more about Hutch here: Website – https://www.hutch.io/

Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum returning in 2024 - NASCAR isn’t just returning to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2024. It’s adding more racing to a power-packed lineup. NASCAR announced this week that a NASCAR Mexico Series race on Sunday, Feb. 4, will precede its season-opening exhibition featuring the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series, the third-annual Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. That means fans can enjoy two great races in one day inside “The Greatest Stadium in the World.”

“This is a tremendous win for our fans and our sport,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “Not only will the fans see the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series in action, they will also bear witness to the talent and skill that is found within the NASCAR Mexico Series. I can’t think of a better way to begin our 2024 season.”

NASCAR has opened its season with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum for the past two years. Joey Logano won the inaugural event in 2022, while Martin Truex Jr. hoisted aloft the 2023 trophy beneath the Olympic cauldron in February. Now a NASCAR Mexico Series driver will also have an opportunity to celebrate a triumph inside an international stadium that’s hosted two Super Bowls, two Olympics, a World Series and countless other major events over the past 100 years.

“This is an incredible honor for the NASCAR Mexico Series and its drivers,” said Jimmy Morales, President and General Manager of the NASCAR Mexico Series. “The competition in our series is always intense, but I know our drivers will want nothing more than to become the first Mexican driver to win inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This is going to be a race we will not soon forget.”

The roots of the NASCAR Mexico Series were planted in 2004, and three years later, it became NASCAR’s first internationally sanctioned series. It competes on tracks throughout nine major cities in Mexico, providing racing fans with some of the most intense stock car racing on the planet. Current NASCAR Cup Series star and 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Daniel Suárez began his stock car racing career in the NASCAR Mexico Series in 2008, and other NASCAR Mexico Series alumni like Max Gutierrez and Andres Perez de Lara are working their way up the NASCAR touring ladder.

The list of NASCAR Mexico Series drivers competing at the Coliseum on Feb. 4 will be announced at a later date, along with the full day’s schedule of racing and entertainment. NASCAR on FOX will once again broadcast the Busch Light Clash to set the stage for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. The NASCAR Mexico Series race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 3 in Mexico, and available pan regionally on Claro Sports and the D Motors channel on DirecTV.

NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for this season – Below is a look at some of the anticipated NASCAR Cup Series milestones to watch for as the 2023 season closes out its final seven races.

Starts

Drivers that are expected to make milestone starts during this season are:

Ryan Blaney – 300th NASCAR Cup Series start – Texas Motor Speedway (9/24)

Blaney will become the 100th different driver to make 300 or more starts in the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend. Blaney, at the age of 29 years, 8 months, 23 days come this Sunday, will become the fifth youngest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to make their 300th career start, behind Joey Logano (26 years old), Kyle Busch (27), Richard Petty (28) and David Ragan (29 years, 4 months, 10 days).

Erik Jones – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start – Talladega Superspeedway (10/1)

Daniel Suarez – 250th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

Ryan Preece – 150th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

Ty Gibbs – 50th NASCAR Cup Series start – Martinsville Speedway (10/29)

Denny Hamlin – 650th NASCAR Cup Series start – Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 400th NASCAR Cup Series start – Phoenix Raceway (11/5)

Driver Wins

Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in career wins with 63, followed by Kevin Harvick (60), Denny Hamlin (51), Brad Keselowski (35), Martin Truex Jr. (34), Joey Logano (32), and Kyle Larson (22).

Organization Wins

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 300, Hendrick Motorsports currently sits at 299 team wins at NASCAR’s highest level – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Hendrick Motorsports will look for their 300th victory this weekend at Bristol. Wood Brothers Racing is also on the cusp a milestone victory in the NASCAR Cup Series and will look for their 100th NASCAR Cup Series win this weekend.

Hendrick Motorsports leads all active NASCAR Cup Series organizations in wins with 299, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing (207), RFK Racing (141), Team Penske (137), Richard Childress Racing (116), Wood Brothers Racing (99), Stewart-Haas Racing (69), Trackhouse Racing (5), 23XI Racing (5), Front Row Motorsports (4), JTG Daugherty Racing (2), Kaulig Racing (1), Spire Motorsports (1).

Manufacturer Wins

Closing in on NASCAR Cup Series win number 850, Chevrolet currently has 846 wins – the most all-time in the Cup Series. Ford has the second most wins all-time in the Cup Series at 712 and Toyota has the fifth-most all-time at 179 (behind Dodge at 213 and Plymouth at 189).

Car Number Wins

No. 99 car’s next win will be its 50th in the NASCAR Cup Series.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Xfinity Series Playoffs continue in the Lone Star State

The NASCAR Xfinity Series kicked off the 2023 Playoffs last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, and the opening race saw JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier take the checkered flag. With the win, Allgaier clinched his spot in the Playoffs’ Round of 8, which will start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 14.

The Xfinity Series now heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 on Saturday, September 23 at 3:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Although the Fort Worth track has been on the Xfinity Series Playoff circuit since its inception in 2016, this will be the first time the track will play host to the second race of the postseason. Texas has occupied four different spots on the Playoff schedule. Prior to this season Texas Motor Speedway hosted the fourth race in the Playoffs (or the Round of 8 opener) from 2016 – 2020, and then the third race of the Playoffs in 2021 and the postseason opener in 2022.

In total, the 1.5-mile Texas track has hosted 44 Xfinity Series races, producing 24 different race winners and 26 different pole winners. Six races have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Ryan Blaney in 2016.

NASCAR Cup Series star Kyle Busch has made quite the name for himself at Texas Motor Speedway, holding the record in almost all categories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series – most wins (10), poles (four), top fives (17), top 10s (18), lead lap finishes (20), and laps led (1,795).

There are only two previous winners entered in this weekend’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300, and both happen to be Playoff drivers – Cole Custer, who snagged his win in 2018, and John Hunter Nemechek, who took the checkered flag in 2021.

Xfinity Series drivers will have an action-packed Saturday as they hit the track for practice at 10:35 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 11:05 a.m. ET on September 23 (streamed on the NBC Sports App).

Clinch Scenarios: The Playoff run continues

Justin Allgaier clinched hit spot in the Round of 8 with his win at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend, leaving 11 drivers competing for the seven remaining spots. Let’s take a look at clinch scenarios heading into the weekend:

Already Clinched

The following driver has clinched a spot in the 8-driver field of the next round: Justin Allgaier.

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 7th winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among John Hunter Nemechek, Cole Custer, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric or Sammy Smith.

• John Hunter Nemechek: Would clinch with 45 points (46 points if Austin Hill or Chandler Smith wins; 47 points if Daniel Hemric; 49 points if Sammy Smith wins)
• Cole Custer: Could only clinch with help
• Austin Hill: Could only clinch with help
• Chandler Smith: Could only clinch with help
• Daniel Hemric: Could only clinch with help
• Sammy Smith: Could only clinch with help

If there is a new winner from Sheldon Creed or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 6th winless driver in the standings.

• John Hunter Nemechek: Would clinch with 49 points
• Cole Custer: Could only clinch with help
• Austin Hill: Could only clinch with help
• Chandler Smith: Could only clinch with help
• Daniel Hemric: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: John Hunter Nemechek, Cole Custer, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric, Sammy Smith, Sheldon Creed, Jeb Burton, Sam Mayer, Parker Kligerman, Josh Berry

Scouting the Playoff field at Texas

The NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers range in experience at Texas Motor Speedway, from veterans to rookies, so let’s take a look at how they’ve performed on the 1.5-mile track.

Justin Allgaier: Already clinched into the Round of 8, Allgaier heads to Texas with 25 starts under his belt. In those 25 starts, he’s posted five top fives, 13 top 10s, and has led 226 laps. His best finish was runner-up in 2021.

John Hunter Nemechek: Currently sitting in second in the Playoff standings, Nemechek heads into the weekend with five Texas Motor Speedway starts, posting one win (2021), three top fives, four top 10s, and has led 158 laps.

Cole Custer: Third in the Playoff standings, Custer has made six starts at the 1.5-mile Texas track, posting one win (2018), four top fives, five top 10s, and has led a total of 16 laps.

Austin Hill: Heading to Texas fourth in the standings, Hill will be making his fifth start on the track. In his four previous starts, he’s posted two top fives, two top 10s, and has led 17 laps. The 29-year-old will be sure to push for the win as he posted a runner-up finish in last year’s Texas Playoff race.

Chandler Smith: In his rookie season in the Xfinity Series, Smith sits in fifth in the Playoff standings. He will be making his series debut at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend.

Daniel Hemric: The 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, Hemric, heads into the weekend sixth in the Playoff standings. He’s made eight starts at Texas Motor Speedway, posting three top fives, four top 10s, and has led 161 laps. In 2021, he posted a runner-up finish at the track.

Sammy Smith: The 19-year-old rookie currently sits in seventh in the Playoff standings. He will be making his series debut at the 1.5-mile Texas track this weekend.

Sheldon Creed: Currently eighth in the Playoff standings, Creed heads to the lone star state with two starts under his belt, posting one top 10 finish.

Jeb Burton: He heads to Texas for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 ninth in the overall standings. He’s made 10 starts at Texas Motor Speedway, posting one to five, three top 10s, and has led 12 laps.

Sam Mayer: In his second Xfinity Series Playoff appearance, Mayer sits in 10th in the Playoff standings. In his three starts at the track, he’s posed one top-five and two top-10 finishes.

Parker Kligerman: In the 11th Playoff spot, Kligerman heads back to Fort Worth, Texas after a 10-year hiatus. He’s made three starts at the track, most recently in 2013 where he posted a 12th-place and 13^th-place finish, respectively.

Josh Berry: In the final Playoff spot, Berry heads to Texas Motor Speedway with three starts on his resume, posting two top 10s and having led 46 laps.

NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.

Layne Riggs to make Xfinity Series debut at Texas – Kaulig Racing will be tapping 21-year-old Layne Riggs for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. He will get behind the wheel of the No. 11 Chevrolet for his debut in the series.

Although this will be his first stint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he has made a total of six starts in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, posting one top five and two top 10s.

“I’m so excited to be making my first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Texas Motor Speedway with a team that has had success in the Xfinity Series,” said Riggs. “I am super thankful to Jeff Coffey at Infinity Communications along with the whole Kaulig Racing organization for giving me this opportunity. I am so ready to get on track.”

Daniel Dye to make three Xfinity Series starts in 2023 – Daniel Dye, who is in his rookie season in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, will be making three Xfinity Series starts this season behind the wheel of the No. 44 Chevrolet with Alpha Prime Racing.

Dye will kick off his three-race stint this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway then will continue on to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, before closing out his Xfinity Series run at Phoenix Raceway.

"I'm really looking forward to making my Xfinity debut with Tommy Joe Martins and everyone at Alpha Prime," said Dye. "It's a great opportunity to compete at the next level and get a feel for what the Xfinity car is like before hopefully getting more opportunities in the future."

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series begins preparations for wild Talladega race

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will have a week off to regroup and go over strategy before the competitors head to none other than Talladega Superspeedway for the Love’s RV Stop 250 (Saturday, September 30 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio).

The 2.66-mile superspeedway has hosted 17 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races since its inaugural CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event on October 7, 2006 – a race won by Mark Martin driving the No. 6 Roush Racing (now known as RFK) Ford. Notably, there have been 12 different race winners and 15 different pole winners.

Talladega has participated in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs since its inception in 2016. The 2023 season marks the third time the superspeedway has hosted the fifth race in the Playoffs (2021, 2022, and 2023). This is the third different spot that Talladega has resided on the Playoff schedule. In 2016, 2017, 2018, the track played host to the third Playoff race. In 2019, it moved to host the fourth race, but moved back to the first-round elimination race in 2020.

All 7 previous Playoff races at Talladega have been won by non-Playoff drivers.

After a swift week break, the drivers will kick off their fifth Playoff weekend with qualifying at 9:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, September 30.

Corey Heim punches his ticket to Championship 4 Round with Bristol win

Christian Eckes was dominant in Thursday’s UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway, sitting on the pole, sweeping Stage One and Stage Two, and leading 150 of 200 laps. But, with five laps to go, it was Regular Season Champion Corey Heim who made a late-race pass on Eckes to take the checkered flag.

The driver of the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra TRD Pro claimed the victory by 0.218 seconds, marking his third NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory of the season, his first at Bristol, and the fifth of his career in 38 races. The 21-year-old will get to breathe a little easier as the competitors head to Talladega next weekend knowing the win secured him the first spot in the Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway on November 3.

Although Eckes, the driver of the No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet, was in complete control of the race until he ran into lapped traffic with under 10 laps remaining, he managed to cross the finish line behind Heim – his ninth top-five finish this season. The 22-year-old is one point behind Corey Heim in the point standings.

As for the other NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff contenders in the Round of 8, Bristol was kind to most of them: Enfinger (third), Hocevar (fourth), Rhodes (seventh), Sanchez (ninth), Majeski (19th), and Smith (24th).

Playoff Clinch Scenarios: Three spots left heading to Talladega

With one race down in the Round of 8, here is a look at the clinch scenarios for the 8-driver field heading to Talladega:

Already Clinched

The following driver has clinched a spot in the 4-driver field of the next round: Corey Heim.

Can clinch via points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 3rd winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Christian Eckes or Carson Hocevar.

• Christian Eckes: Could only clinch with help
• Carson Hocevar: Could only clinch with help

If there is a new winner from Grant Enfinger or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 2nd winless driver in the standings.

• Christian Eckes: Could only clinch with help

Can clinch via win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Christian Eckes, Carson Hocevar, Grant Enfinger, Zane Smith, Ben Rhodes, Nicholas Sanchez, Ty Majeski.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Etc.

Carson Hocevar to get back behind the wheel of No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet in NASCAR Cup Series at Texas and Talladega – On Sunday, Legacy Motor Club announced NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff contender and standout driver Carson Hocevar would be back behind the wheel of the No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for two additional events in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

The 20-year-old driver has served as the interim driver for the last several Cup races at Darlington, Kansas, and Bristol. The Portage, Michigan native has scored three finishes inside the top-20 with his best finish last weekend at Bristol (11th).

“I’m so happy it’s going well with Carson,” seven-time Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson said. “I’m really impressed with how he drives the car to the limit and stays within his own means. That’s a skill usually developed over time and often through making mistakes. As we all know, he’s a young guy, just starting off on his Cup journey.”

Rackley W.A.R. to make driver change for the last three remaining races of 2023 – Following Bristol, Rackley W.A.R. announced that a new driver will get behind the wheel of the No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet for the remainder of the season. The team, in its third year as a full-time CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team, made history this season becoming the first Tennessee-based CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to make a run for the Playoffs. The team was eliminated from the Round of 10 at Kansas Speedway.

NASCAR PR

Over $15,000 in additional bonus money is on the line this coming Saturday, September 23 at Macon Speedway’s BRANDT Season Championship featuring the 5^th Annual Diane Bennett Memorial with the Tom Bennett Giveback. Over $11,000 of the money will go to drivers in each of the seven divisions, while the rest will go to lucky fans/sponsors who donated for lap sponsorships. The event will be presented by the night’s sponsor, Decatur Building Trades.

The on-track action will honor the late Diane Bennett, a longtime scorer at the speedway as well as Tom Bennett, longtime race supporter, driver, car owner, and racing promoter. Every single position between 1^st-15^th in all seven divisions will receive bonus money, thanks to many great racing supporters.

For those who love to race as well as those who love to watch it, Saturday night will be a great night to come out to the track.  Seven divisions are on the ticket, racing in honor of Diane Bennett, a scoring official at the track for over 30 years.  Bennett passed away in 2015 and the family stepped forward to put the event together for her memory.  Diane’s husband, Tom, passed away in the past year and the race will now honor him as well. The couple’s daughter, Kellie, has put together an amazing list of donors/sponsors that have stepped forward to sponsor feature positions, creating impressive payouts for the night.

The Decatur Building Trades Big Ten Pro Late Model 40-lap feature will pay at least $1195 to win, not counting the $50 per lap led money which totals $2,000. In addition, there are $200 fast time, $100 hard charger, $100 last running car, and $100 tuff luck bonuses. The Red’s Place Modified feature will pay at least $1,650 to win plus lap leader $50 bonuses ($1,500 possible), a $100 fast time award, and a $200 bonus to the last running Modified.

Additional bonus money for the other divisions adds up to the following: DIRTcar Pro Mods ($1,050), DIRTcar Street Stocks ($815), Hornets ($745), Winged Micros by Bailey Chassis ($470) and Weddle Performance Engines Sportsman ($700). In addition to money added to the payouts, there are several special bonuses such as fast qualifier, hard charger, etc.

Point leaders coming into the event are Braden Johnson of Taylorville, IL (Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models), Tim Luttrell of Riverton, IL (Red’s Place Modifieds), Dalton Ewing of Decatur, IL (DIRTcar Pro Mods), Bobby Beiler from Blue Mound, IL (DIRTcar Street Stocks), Wes O’Dell of Springfield, IL (Weddle Performance Engines Sportsman) and Tristin Quinlan of Decatur, IL (Hornets).

Pit gates will open Saturday at 4:00, grandstands at 5:00, hotlaps start at 6:00, and racing will take the green at 7:00.  Grandstand admission is $15, while kids 11 and under are free.

Macon Speedway PR