NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series adopts Chase format for 2016

Erik Jones won the truck series championship in 2015.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 19, 2016) – Using the overwhelming success of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format introduced in 2014 as a guidepost, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France announced today the implementation of a playoff system in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

On the heels of a 2015 Chase that saw the highest season-finale viewership in nearly a decade, record-breaking page views on NASCAR.com and unparalleled volume on social media, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will each feature a seven-race Chase to decide its respective championships starting in 2016. The announcement was the first of a number of racing innovations presented by NASCAR on Tuesday.

"Fans, partners and the industry have embraced the new Chase format like nothing we’ve seen in the sport’s history," said France. "Winning never has been this important, and the excitement generated the past two seasons in the Sprint Cup Series has led to this implementation of the Chase format in all three national series. Competition in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will undoubtedly elevate to new heights and shine a spotlight on the rising stars of our sport."

The NASCAR XFINITY Series, where "Names Are Made," and the rugged NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will implement seven-race, three-round Chase formats with unique characteristics but very much in the same spirit of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. All three series will conclude the Chase with a Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to crown a champion. However, all three will begin at different tracks: Chicago (Sprint Cup Series), Kentucky (XFINITY Series) and New Hampshire (Camping World Truck Series)

Drivers still must declare a series in which they will earn points, and will only be eligible to compete for a championship in that series. The 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers who qualified for the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be ineligible to compete in the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES CHASE

The seven-race NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase will begin at Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 24, and feature 12 drivers and two elimination rounds, with four drivers competing in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

A win in the first 26 races all but guarantees a driver entry into the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, provided the driver is in the top 30 in points and has attempted to qualify for each race. Drivers who win two Dash 4 Cash bonuses are also all but guaranteed a Chase berth.

The first round, called the Round of 12, consists of the races at Kentucky, Dover and Charlotte. All drivers will start with their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 26 races. If a driver wins a race in the Round of 12, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions (1-8) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

Each driver who advances to the Round of 8 (Kansas, Texas, Phoenix) then will have their points reset to 3,000. Drivers who win a race in the Round of 8 automatically advance to the Championship 4. The remaining available positions (1-4) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

The four drivers who advance to the Championship 4 at Homestead will have their points reset to 4,000. The highest finishing Championship 4 driver will be crowned the NASCAR XFINITY Series champion.

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES CHASE

The seven-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase will begin at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. It will feature eight drivers and two elimination rounds, with four drivers competing in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. A win in the first 16 races all but guarantees a driver entry into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, provided that the driver is in the Top 30 in points and has attempted to qualify for each race.

The first round, called the Round of 8, consists of the races at New Hampshire, Las Vegas, and Talladega. All drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 16 races. If a driver wins a race in the Round of 8, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions (1-6) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

Each driver who advances to the Round of 6 (Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix) then will have their points reset to 3,000. Drivers who win a race in the Round of 6 automatically advance to the Championship 4. The remaining available positions (1-4) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

The four drivers who advance to the Championship 4 at Homestead will have their points reset to 4,000. The highest finishing Championship 4 driver will win the championship.

All rules outlined above also apply to both series’ owner championship structure.

- NASCAR

Harvick on Dillon Brothers: "They've had everything fed to them with a spoon"

Love it when Kevin Harvick rolls out some nice quotes

Kevin Harvick's impending departure from Richard Childress Racing has been amicable. Emphasis on the past tense, please. Because it's not in the present tense any longer.

Harvick, who was racing in Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race, crashed with Ty Dillon with 11 laps to go after the two made contact. Dillon is Childress's grandson and drives for RCR in the Truck Series. RCR is the only Sprint Cup Series team that Harvick has driven for until next season, when he'll be with Stewart-Haas Racing.

After the crash, Harvick, who was driving for NTS Motorsports Saturday, stopped in Dillon's pit stall, where he was confronted by Dillon's crew -- and even had a sledgehammer thrown at his truck. Then, when he climbed from his battered truck in the garage, he had this to say:

“(Dillon) just dumped me," Harvick said. "Exactly the reason why I’m leaving RCR because you’ve got those kids coming up and they’ve got no respect for what they do in this sport and they’ve had everything fed to them with a spoon."

"So, I cut him slack all day and, you know, he just dive-bombs me in there, dumps me. I’ve got to thank all these Anderson Syrup guys for everything that they do (Harvick's race sponsor). It’s a shame you’ve got to get taken out by some rich kid like that.”

Read More Here....Yahoo! Sports

LVH Odds to Win Smith's 350 Truck Race at Las Vegas

James Buescher is 5/1 to win Saturday night in Las Vegas 

SMITH'S 350
LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

TY DILLON 7-2
JAMES BUESCHER 5
RYAN BLANEY 5
MATT CRAFTON 7
JEB BURTON 7
MIGUEL PALUDO 10
ROSS CHASTAIN 12
TIMOTHY PETERS 12
BRENDAN GAUGHAN 12
JOHNNY SAUTER 12
DARRELL WALLACE JR 20
JOEY COUTLER 20
GERMAN QUIROGA 25
JUSTIN LOFTON 40
JOHN WES TOWNLEY 50
RON HORNADAY JR 50
DAKODA ARMSTRONG 60
CHAD HACKENBRACHT 100
RYAN SIEG 100
FIELD 100

RACE MATCHUPS

TY DILLON -155
JAMES BUESCHER +135

JAMES BUESCHER -110
RYAN BLANEY -110

MATT CRAFTON -120
JEB BURTON EVEN

TIMOTHY PETERS -110
BRENDAN GAUGHAN -110

ROSS CHASTAIN -110
JOHNNY SAUTER -110

JOEY COULTER -110
DARRELL WALLACE JR -110

Buescher favored to win Saturday’s Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

James Buescher favored in Vegas (Getty)

LAS VEGAS – The race and sports book at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has selected James Buescher as the favorite to win Saturday’s Smith’s 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Buescher is a four-time winner this year and is only four points behind standings leader Ty Dillon.
Speaking of Dillon, he is listed as second-favorite – at 9-2 – although he never has turned a lap at LVMS. Dillon has one win this season, at Atlanta in August.

Past winner Todd Bodine (2005) down on the list this year at 40-1. Hometown hero Brendan Gaughan, who won here in 2003, is listed at 8-1. Last year’s Smith’s 350 winner, Ron Hornaday, is on the board at 25-1.

JAMES BUESCHER – 7-2
TY DILLON – 9-2
TIMOTHY PETERS – 6-1
MATT CRAFTON – 10-1
PARKER KLIGERMAN – 6-1
JOEY COULTER – 10-1
JOHNNY SAUTER – 8-1
NELSON PIQUET JR. – 8-1
BRENDAN GAUGHAN – 8-1
RON HORNADY JR. – 25-1
JUSTIN LOFTON – 20-1
DAVID MAYHEW – 25-1
TODD BODINE – 40-1
GRANT ENFINGER – 60-1
MIGUEL PALUDO – 60-1
JASON WHITE – 60-1
CALE GALE – 60-1
FIELD (all others) – 60-1

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers will sign autographs in the Neon Garage in the infield of the superspeedway from 6-7 p.m. on Friday following the final practice session.

The Smith’s 350 is slated to start at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, with Sylvania SilverStar zXe Global RallyCross Championship action on the schedule at approximately 8:30 p.m. Spectator gates will open at 3 p.m.

Tickets for the Smith’s 350 and GRC event may be purchased at the LVMS ticket office, online at www.LVMS.com or by calling (702) 644-4444. Follow LVMS on Facebook and Twitter.

-- Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR

        

NASCAR Parks Kyle Busch for Entire Texas Weekend

Associated Press

Kyle Busch will not be allowed to race in the Sprint Cup or Nationwide races at Texas after he deliberately wrecked championship contender Ron Hornaday Jr. in the Truck Series race.

NASCAR President Mike Helton announced the decision Saturday after a meeting with Busch and Joe Gibbs, his Sprint Cup and Nationwide car owner. Even under the policy of "Boys, have at it," NASCAR determined Busch went too far.

"The responsibility that over the past two or three seasons we've given back to the drivers came I think with a very clear understanding that there could be a line that got crossed," Helton said. "And as annoying as the comments that I've made personally in the past about we'll know it when we see it might have been, we saw it last night."

Busch left the NASCAR hauler through an exit away from the media.

"This is a tough situation for us and basically what we're trying to do is go through it the right way," Gibbs said. "Everybody here with our race team is trying to meet with everybody that was affected by this and obviously we've got a lot of work to do there and a lot of people to see. But we're going to be try to go through this and try to handle everything in the right way."

Gibbs said he met with Busch in the driver's motor home, but didn't share what was said.

"It's one of those personal conversations you have when a real tough situation like this comes up," Gibbs said.

Busch is the first driver since Robby Gordon in August 2007 to be parked for a Cup race for actions in another NASCAR race the same weekend.

Michael McDowell will take over for Busch in the Cup race Sunday, and Denny Hamlin took over the Nationwide seat Saturday.

Gordon wasn't allowed to drive in a 2007 Cup race at Pocono after an incident during the Nationwide race at Montreal.

Kevin Harvick, the owner of Hornaday's truck, was kept out of the Cup race in Martinsville in 2002 for actions related to a truck race there the previous day.

Hornaday was knocked out of Friday night's truck race on the 14th of 148 laps when Busch retaliated for contact between them by pushing the four-time champion into the wall. The trucks made contact after trying to go three-wide around a slower truck and both then brushed the wall.

Busch got behind Hornaday and kept pushing until the No. 33 truck wound up in the wall.

"I lost my cool, no doubt about it. I've been wrecked four weeks in a row, and I've had enough of it, and I retaliated," Busch said by his hauler after the wreck Friday night. "So it's certainly my fault for doing that. If everybody wants to say, 'Hornaday is racing for a championship, roll over,' that's not my fashion. That's not anybody else's fashion out here."

Hornaday dropped from third to fourth in points, his margin increasing from 15 to 48 with only one race left.

Busch and Harvick were fined and placed on probation for an altercation following the Cup race at Darlington in May.

The two made contact during that race and Harvick wrecked with teammate Clint Bowyer. Afterward, Harvick climbed from his car and threw a punch into Busch's window before Busch used his car to bump Harvick's out of the way.

Officials radioed each man's crew during a later race at Pocono, when Harvick forced Busch down the track while the two were fighting for position.

In May, Busch was ticketed in North Carolina for driving 128 mph in a 45 mph zone in a bright yellow 2012 Lexus. He later pleaded guilty to speeding and no contest to reckless and careless driving, and lost his driver's license for 45 days. He was fined $1,000, sentenced to 30 hours of community service and put on one year of unsupervised probation .

During the Cup race in Texas last fall, Busch was penalized three laps — the first for speeding on pit road and two more for flashing an obscene gesture through his windshield at the NASCAR official who signaled the infraction while standing in front of Busch's car.

Busch Wrecks Hornaday in Truck race

Kyle Busch Takes a Beating From Richard Childress Racing Following Kansas Truck Race

Yahoo Sports

Joey Colter put a late move on Kyle that Kyle didn't like

After Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway, word spread that Richard Childress and Kyle Busch were involved in an altercation in the garage.

Speed pit reporter Ray Dunlap tweeted that Childress "put a whipping" on Busch after the race.

Hot news from the track. Grandpa Childress put a whipping on Kyle Busch in the truck garage. Look for big sun glasses on kubu sun.

Shortly thereafter, SPEED Center, SPEED's racing recap show, posted this on Facebook:

CHILDRESS vs. KYLE BUSCH: multiple witnesses tell SPEED there was a physical confrontation between Richard Childress and Kyle Busch after today's NASCAR Truck Series race

NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said that the sanctioning body was looking into reports of the altercation.

Busch was battling Childress driver Joey Coulter for fifth place late in the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250. The racing seemed clean as Coulter and Busch didn't make contact as they were side by side, but Busch gave Coulter a door slam after the race, potentially sparking what has been reported.

Busch is on probation through June 15 in all NASCAR series for an incident with Kevin Harvick -- a Childress driver in the Sprint Cup Series -- at Darlington when Busch ran into Harvick's car after Harvick got out to confront him on pit road after the race.


Another account of the action Jim Pedley at RacinToday.com

Kansas City, Kan. – The Twitter universe flared up Saturday evening with reports that NASCAR team owner Richard Childress and driver Kyle Busch got into a physical altercation following the Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway.

One tweet had Childress punching Busch in the face.

An unidentified crew member from another truck team told RacinToday.com that rookie driver Joey Coulter and Busch got into the fight and that Coulter had Busch in a “headlock and was pounding him pretty good.”

NASCAR public relations staffer Kerry Tharp said that NASCAR is looking into the reports.

Busch and Coulter, who drives a Richard Childress Racing truck, got into an on-track altercation during the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250.

Busch apparently did not like the move which Coulter used to get past him late in the race. He gave Coulter’s car a bump on the cool-down lap.

The anger then carried over into the infield after the race, according to the Twitter and other reports.


Another account of the blows by Jeff Gluck from SBNation.com

Kyle Busch was put into a headlock and punched several times by famed team owner Richard Childress before falling to the ground, according to several people with direct knowledge of an altercation that occurred after the Kansas Truck Series race on Saturday.

Busch, who had raced hard with Richard Childress Racing's Joey Coulter late in the event, was confronted by Childress in the garage following the race.

According to several sources, Childress removed his watch and handed it to grandson Austin Dillon before walking up to Busch.

Childress apparently didn't like what he heard from Busch upon speaking with the driver, and the 65-year-old grandfather placed Busch in a headlock and punched him two or three times.

Busch then went to the ground in a defensive position to avoid further injury, but Childress attempted to punch Busch again after he rose.

SPEED's Ray Dunlap reported Busch may have suffered a black eye in the incident.

This obviously isn't the first time Busch has had an issue with someone related to Richard Childress Racing. Busch has found himself in several disagreements with RCR's Kevin Harvick, including a notable incident at Darlington in which Busch moved Harvick's car on pit road to try and avoid getting punched.

We'll obviously keep you up to date as more details about this story come in from those in Kansas.


More Info on the bout from Jim Utter of ThatsRacin.com

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – NASCAR officials are investigating a physical altercation involving team owner Richard Childress and driver Kyle Busch in the garage area following Saturday’s Truck series race at Kansas Speedway.

According to a member of a Truck team who asked not to be identified, Childress took off his jewelry before approaching Busch in the garage area and struck him with his fist.

The two were separated, traded insults and then Childress grabbed Busch in a headlock and struck him again before the incident was broken up.

The crew member said Childress initiated the incident.

Officials with Busch's team and Richard Childress Racing declined to comment on the incident.

Sara Peters, the wife of Truck series driver, Timothy Peters, posted a message on her Facebook account indicating Childress had struck Busch after the race. The post was quickly removed.

The cause of Childress’ frustration was likely tied to the end of the race, during which one of Childress’ drivers, Joey Coulter, and Busch bumped each other while battling for fifth place on the final lap.

Coulter finished in that position, but on the cool-down lap, Busch ran into the right side of Coulter’s truck.

“I learned a ton (riding) behind (Busch) and I know why those guys keep saying what they do. That was really awesome racing him,” Coulter said after the race.

“I hate we got together on the last lap. I had never gotten tight next to somebody, so I was underneath him expecting to get loose, and I get tight and we kind of got together.”

In interviews on pit road, in the media center or on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio following the race, Coulter indicated no animosity.

Busch and Childress’ Sprint Cup driver, Kevin Harvick, were both placed on probation following a post-race incident on pit road at Darlington, S.C., last month.


Sunday Morning Article From the Kansas City Star

Kyle Busch and Richard Childress met again on Sunday morning.

NASCAR summoned Kyle Busch, his car owner, Joe Gibbs, and Childress of Richard Childress Racing to its hauler at 8:30 a.m. and discussed the altercation between Busch and Childress after Saturday’s Camping World Trucks Series race.

None of the parties would comment after about 30 minutes.

NASCAR president Mike Helton was to meet with reporters at 9:15.

Busch was out of the hauler within five minutes and did not bear any scars or bruises as he walked quickly to his motor home.

Childress and Gibbs said they would issue statements later in the day.


NASCAR Penalizes Richard Childress For Actions At Kansas Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 6, 2011) – NASCAR has fined owner Richard Childress $150,000 and placed him on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing – involved in an altercation in the garage area) of the 2011 NASCAR rule book. The violation occurred following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race June 4 at Kansas Speedway.
The probation includes all NASCAR-sanctioned events.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM NASCAR

The penalty we have announced today for Richard Childress reflects NASCAR’s response to the incident at Kansas Speedway on Saturday. We feel this action is appropriate and are confident all parties involved understand our position on this matter and will move forward appropriately.

Las Vegas Hilton Super Book Odds To Win NASHVILLE Nationwide & Truck Races

Edwards is the second choice to win this week at Nashville (Getty)

NASCAR - Nationwide Series
NASHVILLE 300
Nashville Superspeedway
Lebanon, TENNESSEE
Saturday, April 23rd, 2011
12:15 PM - ESPN 2

Kyle BUSCH 8/5
Carl EDWARDS 7/4
Brad KESELOWSKI 6/1
Joey LOGANO 7/1
Elliott SADLER 20/1
Justin ALLGAIER 20/1
Reed SORENSON 20/1
Trevor BAYNE 25/1
Ricky STENHOUSE 20/1
Austin DILLON 30/1
David REUTIMANN 20/1
Aric ALMIROLA 20/1
Jason LEFFLER 50/1
Brian SCOTT 100/1
Steve WALLACE 100/1
Michael ANNETT 300/1
Josh WISE 300/1
FIELD 40/1

Austin Dillon is the fifth choice to win at 8/1 this week (Getty)

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
BULLY HILL VINEYARDS 200
Nashville Superspeedway
Lebanon, TENNESSEE
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
5:20 PM - SPEED

Kyle BUSCH 5/4
Todd BODINE 7/2
Elliott SADLER 7/1
Ron HORNADAY JR 5/1
Austin DILLON 8/1
Johnny SAUTER 8/1
Matt CRAFTON 12/1
Timothy PETERS 25/1
Travis KVAPIL 25/1
James BUESCHER 40/1
Brendan GAUGHAN 75/1
Cale GALE 75/1
Nelson PIQUET JR 100/1
Justin LOFTON 100/1
Ricky CARMICHAEL 100/1
FIELD 40/1

NASCAR Trucks: Las Vegas Hilton Super Book Odds To Win Vegas Truck Race

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway welcomes the NASCAR Truck Series this Saturday night where the hard type of racing these trucks produce always gives fans a great show. As with all the Vegas motor sports events, such as the March Cup and Nationwide dates and the two NHRA races, Vegas remains unique to any other stop on their tours because of the betting.

The Las Vegas Hilton Super Book is the only book in town that has booked every truck race this season, but others are sure to offer the odds as well this week. The action at the track all starts Saturday morning beginning with practices at 9 am, qualifying at 3 pm and the race itself at 6:30 pm. It’s one day in and out event.

Over at the Stratosphere on Friday, they have all the top drivers signing autographs for free beginning at 7pm. One special guest signing will be Jeffrey Earnhardt, the son of Kerry and grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt will be driving the No. 47 truck this weekend.

LAS VEGAS HILTON SUPER BOOK ODDS TO WIN
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES
SMITH'S 350
LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

TODD BODINE 5-2
RON HORNADAY JR 7-2
AUSTIN DILLON 6
JOHNNY SAUTER 7
TIMOTHY PETERS 10
ARIC ALMIROLA 10
MATT CRAFTON 10
BRIAN ICKLER 12
KEN SCHRADER 15
MIKE SKINNER 15
JAMES BUESCHER 18
NELSON PIQUET JR 40
JUSTIN LOFTON 40
JASON WHITE 50
TAYLER MALSAM 75
RICK CRAWFORD 100
DAVID STARR 100
RICKY CARMICHAEL 100
JEFFREY EARNHARDT 500
FIELD 40