Since the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series has the weekend off, I’ve split up the PixelatedPICK this weekend between the Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series.
Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, Bill Elliott was my Saturday pick in the Xfinity Series race at Road America. Bill had an up and down day, including some significant contact midway through the race that affected the car’s performance. A late race spin sent him to the back, but he fought back and finished 20th.
Bill Elliott finished 20th at Road America on Saturday.
Moving to Sunday, the truckers head north of the border to race once again at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. This race marks the first race in round one of the 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs.
My PixelatedPICK for this race is Noah Gragson. The Las Vegas born racer competes for Kyle Busch Motorsports and is in this year’s playoffs thanks to his win at Kansas back in May. With the win, and 22 playoff points, Gragson is seeded third in the championship standings coming into the weekend. Kyle Busch Motorsports has previously won in Canada with driver Erik Jones during the 2015 campaign. Gragson is looking for a strong start into this season’s playoffs with a solid run in Canada.
“We’ve got some good tracks coming up. We have Canada and then Vegas. Those are two really good tracks for us — we led laps there last year and finished second and then went to Vegas earlier this year and had a pretty strong run — led some laps as well. Really pumped up to get to those first two tracks and then you have the wildcard — Talladega. That one — that’s an odd ball. The first two hopefully we can pick up a win and lock ourselves in. I feel really comfortable with my Kyle Busch Motorsports Safelite AutoGlass team going into the playoffs.”
Gragson has won twice at Miller Motorsports Park.
Although Gragson is more well known for his super late model prowess, he has three previous road course victories in the K&N Pro Series before making the jump up to trucks.
“I think I’m a regular racer — NASCAR driver — who really enjoys going to the road courses. Some guys they don’t like going to the road course because it’s different, but I love out braking people, downshifting, upshifting, going left and right and sawing on the wheel. It’s a lot of fun the road courses, I picked it up quick racing Legend Cars and have really enjoyed it ever since. Won three K&N road-course races – actually in a row, within eight days. So, I’ve run up front — finished second to Chase Elliott at Sonoma in the K&N race, he passed me with two to go. Really feel comfortable going into the road-course race, it’s a lot of fun and I’m ready to get out there and shift some gears.”
This weekend, Gragson has had solid speed. He topped the leaderboard in the first practice session, then followed that up with seventh in practice two. In qualifying, Gragson was within a half second of pole sitter Ben Rhodes and line up on the outside of row number one. In comparison, third place qualifier Myatt Snider was well over a second behind Rhodes.
Gragson crashes at Dover in May.
Gragson has been solid throughout the season, but notably has run into trouble in the late stages of races, most notably contact with outside wall after a failed attempt at side-drafting Johnny Sauter with two laps to go at Dover in May.
Dramatics aside, Gragson has been very consistent this year, scoring six top fives and twelve top tens in 15 of the 16 races run this season. He qualified, but was unable to compete in Pocono due to illness. Despite missing the race, his overall performance this year has shown him to be a contender week in and week out, making him a sure fire favorite this weekend.
Each week PixelatedSPEED will pick one driver, or team, as the PixelatedPICK. No fantasy rosters, leagues, budgets, or any of that other inflated fantasy stuff... just one driver... win or lose... for the fun of it! If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED
Bill Elliott will pilot the number 23 car at Road America.
In 1983, Bill Elliott scored his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, at the now defunct and long buried road course, Riverside International Raceway. It was the first of 44 wins in a career spanning over four decades.
He won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship and has two Daytona 500 victories plus a Brickyard 400 to his credit. Oh, by the way, he won the Winston Million in 1985 with victories at Daytona, Talladega and Darlington.
Awesome Bill from Dawsonville is also the fastest driver to ever qualify for a NASCAR race, after hitting over 212 mph at Talladega in 1987.
Elliott stepped away from full time racing following the 2003 season but has continued to dabble with part time entries in the Cup Series.
This weekend, the 16-Time Most Popular Driver straps into the number 23 IMS Connect Chevy for GMS Racing at Road America in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, only a couple of weeks after son Chase Elliott scored his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win at the road course in Watkins Glen, NY.
In truth, Elliott does not have the pedigree in the Xfinity Series. He’s been out of NASCAR’s top three series for a number of years, and in 43 starts only has one win. But that doesn’t matter.
Having Bill Elliott entered into this weekend’s race is a boon for the sport. Building on the momentum of his son’s first win, the connections of both Elliott’s first wins being a road courses, the rise in popularity of NASCAR road course racing and the fact that this is an off week for the Cup Series all factor into making this a huge storyline to follow, even if his chances of winning are slim.
Elliott can have a great showing at the Wisconsin road course, however. GMS Racing has proven to produce quality race cars and has shown glimpses of success in the Xfinity Series while being the reigning Champions in the Truck Series and strong contenders to repeat. The team is in the midst of moving up to the Cup Series and has a multitude of talented employees lead by veteran racer Mike Beam.
Oh, and they’ve got Bill Elliott racing for them this week… who is pretty darn Awesome, indeed.
So, this week’s pick to win is an Xfinity Series special with Bill Elliott to win at Road America.
Each week PixelatedSPEED will pick one driver, or team, as the PixelatedPICK. No fantasy rosters, leagues, budgets, or any of that other inflated fantasy stuff... just one driver, win or loose... for the fun of it! If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED
Could Kyle Busch Motorsports make the jump up to the NASCAR Cup Series? There is a theory out there in rumorville that says it can.
While this is pure speculation, it is an interesting theory and peaked my interest. A user in the NASCAR Reddit community put this out there, and claims to have a source in the garage area. To reiterate, this is not fact at this time, but simply something to think about during this busy silly season.
Here is what we already widely know.
A few days ago, news about the possible departure of Kurt Busch from Stewart Hass Racing emerged as well as rumblings about the possible shutdown of Furniture Row Racing after sponsor 5 Hour Energy announced that they would be leaving at the end of the season.
For Kurt, the popular rumor at present is that he leaves SHR, and takes sponsor Monster Energy to Chip Ganassi Racing, supplanting Jamie McMurray in the number 1 car.
Martin Truex Jr.’s deal is more up in the air. He said during media availability this week that he is unsure of his status with Furniture Row Racing, stating that sponsorship was the key. Meanwhile, FRR owner Barney Visser issued a statement saying that the team would in fact be in business for 2019. However, as the conclusion of the season draws near, Truex, the 2017 Cup Series Champion, remains unsigned for next year.
A possible spot for Truex to land would be the number 95 car at Leavine Family Racing, after the departure of Kasey Kahne who announced his retirement following the season. Leavine has announced that they are moving away from Chevy next year and are highly thought to be going to Toyota. This keeps Truex in the Toyota camp.
But Truex isn’t the only driver that could be on the way to LFR. Joe Gibbs Racing is yet again in a situation where they have more drivers in their stable than they have cars to fill. Many in the garage have begun trying to see where Christopher Bell could fit in the Cup roster in 2019. One thought is as a potential candidate for the LFR 95 car. This is unlikely, however, as Bell told the media that he will continue to drive for JGR in the Xfinity Series next season.
Now that you have the current known rumors, let’s start venturing out a bit with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
The KBM rumor sees Kyle Busch leaving Joe Gibbs Racing and starting a new Cup team under the KBM banner alongside brother Kurt. Did I forget to mention that this is technically a contract year for Kyle? It is, and while a re-signing is still the most plausible scenario, it makes this theory possible.
Such a move wouldn’t be the first time the brothers have raced under the same banner in NASCAR. In 2012, KBM fielded a full time entry in the Nationwide Series that both Kyle and Kurt shared, with Kurt garnering a victory for the team at Richmond. The KBM Nationwide Series effort proved to not be the success that either Busch was searching for, plus there was strong rumor that Joe Gibbs was very unhappy having Kyle competing against him at that time. This led to KBM dissolving their Nationwide program. Granted, for this theory to work, Joe Gibbs would need to be onboard with having KBM competing against him, but in this grand era of technical alliances, this doesn’t seem to be an issue.
Speaking of alliances, we got alliances. Should Furniture Row Racing fold, we could see that alliance move over to Kyle Busch Motorsports and perhaps an additional deal with Leavine Family Racing for Christopher Bell.
With Kyle driving for his own team, under this scenario we could see Martin Truex going to the 18 car with Joe Gibbs.
Charters? We got charters. Under this scenario KBM would pick up the charter from Furniture Row, and possibly a second from the sale of BK Racing.
Sponsors? We got sponsors. This rumors sees Monster Energy coming over with Kurt from Stewart Hass, and Kyle seeing a larger participation from the partnerships he as already formed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Off base? Probably. Like I said from the start, this is purely speculation; a complete what if scenario. ESPN’s Bob Pockrass reported on his Twitter account that that KBM is not going Cup racing.
“Talked to a person in the know last night and was told KBM not going Cup racing,” tweeted Pockrass.
While unlikely, I hope this theory gets folks talking about the addition of Kyle Busch Motorsports into the Cup Series. Having KBM as a mainstay in the Truck Series has been a huge positive mark to the sport; just look at all the talent that has passed through that team and ended up in Cup; Erik Jones, Bubba Wallace come to mind.
The NASCAR Cup Series needs more teams, and needs them now. With field sizes dwindling, it’s imperative that new owners enter the top tier series. I’m not stating this as a fan of any particular team either. I’d love to see ThorSport make an entrance, or JR Motorsports. There are plenty of teams out there, just not many opportunities for those teams to get to the top step. Of the possible teams that could make that step, however, Kyle Busch Motorsports seems poised to be the most viable.
There must be something strange in the water as this week three of racing’s big names all announced there departures from the sport. Also, the silly season rumor mill continues to churn as questions arise about the reigning Cup Series Champion’s future. Plus, trophies!
Kasey Kahne to Retire at the end of 2018 Season
The biggest story of the week in the NASCAR world had to be Kasey Kahne’s surprise announcement that he will be stepping away from full time NASCAR racing after the conclusion of the 2018 season.
Kahne moved over to the number 95 Leavine Family Racing stable after six years, and lackluster results, at Hendrick Motorsports. The Enumclaw, WA native has decided that he’s had enough of the Cup Series grind and is ready to pursue other things in life.
“It’s all that I really think about when we are having fun, when we’re — whatever it may be — I’m still there. I’m still thinking about racing, and I think it just gets to be a lot. Twenty-five years later, it’s just a lot, and it will be nice to not have that on my mind full-time. So that’s kind of my biggest reason is just to think more about him (son, Tanner), think about other things in life and things that I want to do, achieve, and just not be so deep into racing for a little bit.”
Aside from time with his family, Kahne is going to be able to spend more time with his World of Outlaws sprint car team. Kasey Kahne Racing recently scored a huge victory with driver Brad Sweet at the Knoxville Nationals.
“I feel like I’ll definitely do a little bit more. Our teams are very good,” said Kahne.
“Last week with Brad Sweet winning the Knoxville Nationals was a huge part for KKR. It was a dream for a lot of us to win that race. It was special to be there and cheer him on.”
“I still love that race. And that’s where I started or where I learned how to drive. I could see myself doing 40-50 sprint car races next year.”
Kahne, a former USAC Champion, began his NASCAR Cup Series career in 2004 with Evernham Motorsports. After winning the Rookie of the Year title that year, he went to score his first victory in 2005 at Richmond before scoring six wins in 2006.
Kahne has won the Coke 600 twice, and won last year’s Brickyard 400.
Elliott Sadler to Retire at the End of 2018 Season
Emporia, VA’s Elliott Sadler announced this week that after a span of over two decades, he will be ending his full time NASCAR career at the end of this season.
Sadler began racing in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1995, running four season before moving up to the Winston Cup Series in 1999 with Wood Brothers Racing. His first Cup Series win came in 2001 at Bristol; the first win for the Wood Brothers in eight years.
Sadler moved to Robert Yates Racing in 2003, picking up a victory at Texas in 2004. He continued to race in the Cup Series for Yates, Evernham, and Petty Motorsports through the 2009 season.
In 2010, Sadler and sponsor One Main Financial began racing for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. After the shutdown of KHI, Sadler continued on under the Richard Childress Racing banner for the next two seasons before taking his sponsor with him to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2013. Sadler spent the 2015 season racing for Roush Fenway Racing.
In 2016, Sadler moved to JR Motorsports, and has been a championship contender ever since.
Sadler was named the Grand Marshall of the Xfinity Series race at Bristol this past week, and gave one the best commands to start a race seen in recent years.
Truex Switching Teams in ‘19 Possible
As the 2018 NASCAR silly season ramps up, rumors have began circulating around the future of 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion Martin Truex Jr.
It was announced a couple of weeks ago that Furniture Row Racing sponsor 5 Hour Energy would be leaving at the end of the year, leaving about half of the number 78 car’s 2019 season open and without sponsorship. FRR owner Barney Visser has stated that he does not wish to once again fund the team out of his own pocket, has he had done since the founding of the team in 2005. However, in a statement released this week, he said that the team will continue in 2019.
"Furniture Row Racing continues to develop sponsorship opportunities for 2019 and beyond. ... Furniture Row Racing not fielding a team in 2019 is not an option and we have every intention of continuing to build on our success for years to come."
Even so, Truex has yet to sign a new contract for next season. When asked about how sure he was about his return to the 78 team next season, he couldn’t answer with confidence.
"That's hard to put a number on," Truex said after practice at Bristol Motor Speedway. "Honestly, I really don't know. I think in another week or two, I'll have a better answer for you, a better percentage.
"Right now, we need sponsorship. That's as simple as it gets. So it's hard to say. Is there a 50 percent chance we get that in a couple weeks or is there a 100 percent chance or is there 2 percent, I don't know. I can tell you that everything really is based upon that."
Should Truex be unable to come to terms at Furniture Row, there are rumors circulating about where he could land, including the soon-to-be vacated seat in the number 95 at Leavine Family Racing after Kasey Kahne retires at the end of this season.
Regular Season Trophies Unveiled
NASCAR unveiled the trophies to be presented to each series’ regular season champions earlier this week.
The two foot trophies feature an engraved spire for each of the various series’ regular season races. This accolade is presented to each regular season champion alongside the other, more pivotal award, 15 additional playoff points.
The first driver to receive his trophy was Johnny Sauter after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Bristol on Thursday and claiming the 2018 regular season title.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will crown it’s regular season champion at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis while the Xfinity Series will conclude their regular season the following week in Las Vegas.
Glenn Jarrett Signs Off at Michigan
Glenn Jarrett, son of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Ned Jarrett, and brother of NASCAR Champion Dale Jarrett, hung up his microphone following the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan.
Jarrett is a former NASCAR driver himself, having run 10 races from 1978 to 1983. He then moved to the NASCAR Busch Series, making 67 starts from 1983 to 1993.
Jarrett is most well known as a pit report for TNN Motorsports through the 1990s and early 2000’s. Following the end of the TNN era, Jarrett moved on to SPEED Channel. Jarrett was a common go-to reporter when networks needed an extra hand during weekends where the same network carried events in multiple locations.
Glenn Jarrett finished out his career as a reporter for the Motor Racing Network.
Jarrett offered his appreciation to the racing community on his Twitter account.
Low Entry Count Forces Cancellation of Berlin 251
The week started without the annual Battle at Berlin 251. This event has traditionally been contested the Monday following the Cup race at Michigan but this was canceled due to a low entry count.
Berlin Raceway officials cited the low entry counts to the abundance of other races in the area, including the Kalamazoo Klash, and the upcoming championship runs causing teams and drivers to rethink making the trip to Marne, Michigan this year.
“Thanks to everyone for all the comments and well wishes last night...the fans, the drivers and team members,my comrades at MRN and everyone involved in our sport made this an incredible ride...I'm a lucky guy..I will miss all of you.”
The Digest is a weekly recap of top stories and tidbits from the previous week in the world of motorsports. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation.
"From design to the racetrack, Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet are giving you an inside look at how a race car comes to life."
Today, Hendrick Motorsports announced the launch of a new web show called "Life of a Race Car." The six part series will feature the life cycle of a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Chevy Camaro ZL1.
The show will air exclusively on Facebook Watch, starting on Thursday, August 23rd.
This is not the first time Hendrick Motorsports has brought original content to Facebook and streaming partners.
In 2017, Hendrick Motorsports partnered with Rated Red to produce a mini-series centered around the then lineup of Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, and Chase Elliott. The series was called "Road to Race Day and was featured on the now defunct Go90 streaming network owned by Verizon Wireless.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I plan on providing reactionary coverage of each episode during the run. I really enjoyed "Road to Race Day" and feel like this type of content has been missing in the NASCAR TV landscape since the demise of the Speed Channel.
