“Summer’s Five Things” is a daily column for NASCAR fans to catch up on the most recent, relevant, and need-to-know news and information in the sport! While mostly focused on NASCAR, this column may also feature other interesting and exciting moments from the world of motorsports. Enjoy!
- Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne teams penalized post-Pocono
The No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford driven by Kevin Harvick and the No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet driven by Kasey Kahne have both been penalized following last Sunday’s event at Pocono Raceway. Each team lost 10 driver and owner points for failing post-qualifying inspection three times. Both drivers were forced to start at the rear of the field for Sunday’s race and had their crew chiefs ejected from the racetrack.
According to NBC Sports, neither team is expected to appeal.
The penalty will hurt Harvick’s attempt to win the 15 Playoff points awarded to the driver leading the standings at the end of the regular season. Harvick remained in the second place spot in the standings but is 58 points behind current series leader Kyle Busch with only five races remaining in the regular season.
Kahne fell to 28th in points and, unless he is able to pull off an unlikely win, is not expected to make the Playoffs.
Other penalties announced by NASCAR:
David M. Little Jr. was indefinitely suspended for violating NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy.
Douglas E. Chouinard was indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating Sections 12.1.a; 2.11.a, which states “Any NASCAR Member charged with any violation of the law (misdemeanor and/or felony) shall notify NASCAR … prior to the next scheduled Event or within 72 hours of being so charged, whichever is earlier”, according to NBC Sports.
- NASCAR changes up inspection schedule for Watkins Glen
Rather than having post-qualifying inspection after qualifying on Saturday, all cars will be impounded and inspection will begin Sunday morning in a combined post-qualifying/pre-race inspection.
This was done in an effort to keep crews and other personnel at the track from having to stay later at night than necessary after it took teams multiple hours to get through inspection last weekend in Pocono.
Because of this rearranged schedule, the official starting lineup will not be released until late Sunday morning/early Sunday afternoon ahead of the race, which is scheduled to start at 2:30PM ET. Pit stall selections are also expected to take place a few hours after inspection begins.
The garage opens at 8:00AM ET on Sunday and the inspection process will begin shortly thereafter.
The reason the starting lineup won’t be known until the morning of the race is because, if a car fails inspection, they will have to start at the rear of the field. A second failure will result in the ejection of a crew member (this has typically been the car chief), and the third time will result in a 10-point penalty.
- Christopher Bell At Somewhat Of A Crossroads
During a teleconference on Wednesday, Christopher Bell says he has every intention of staying with Toyota Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing but feels now is the right time to move up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Unfortunately, it looks like it’s not going to be possible to do both for 2019.
“Going into next season, I am set for another year of Xfinity, and there are no holes in the Cup side, so that’s what makes it difficult,” said Bell. “But as far as what I need, honestly I don’t feel like I need another year of Xfinity. I think the best way for me to win at the Cup level is to get there and start trying at it.
Right now, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Cup Series team has all four spots filled (teams are not allowed to add a fifth) and none of the four drivers — Erik Jones, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Daniel Suarez — are expected to leave the team anytime soon, let alone at the end of this year.
When JGR decided to move Jones up to the Cup Series in 2017, they “loaned” him out to affiliate team Furniture Row Racing, then moved him over to JGR to replace Matt Kenseth in 2018. However, FRR downsized back to one team for 2018 and, while current driver Martin Truex Jr. has yet to sign a contract extension, he expects to be back with the team in 2019.
Team owner Joe Gibbs called into “The Morning Drive” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Tuesday and, when asked if Bell could follow a similar path to Jones, had this to say:
“Well, it’s so far in the future. I think that’s what we’re all right now planning and looking at. I think it’s kind of up in the air right now. We’re kind of set next year. We want to keep him in Xfinity next year. I think he may have a chance to race a few other things. I think that’s kind of our plan. A year away, a lot can happen in a year. We’re just glad that we’ve got him under our banner.”
For Bell, he is fully aware of the fact that he may not be able to have his cake and eat it too in the foreseeable future, so right now he will continue to do the best he can where he’s at.
“The biggest thing is I’ve learned throughout my years, and especially in NASCAR, is you are only as good as the race car that you sit in,” Bell continued. “Right now I’m at the best organization that I can be at, so I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else, honestly. Even if the Cup deal doesn’t work out for next year, which it looks like it’s not going to, I’m still going to be sitting in a really fast race car at a level in motorsports where I never really dreamed I’d be at. So I’m going to be thrilled either way. But I definitely ‑‑ like I said, I’m 23 years old. I feel like I’m at my prime, and I don’t want to waste another year if the opportunity comes to make the jump.”
Bell has won the last three XFINITY Series races and four races total in 19 events so far this season. If he wins this weekend in Watkins Glen, he will be the first driver to win four races in a row since Sam Ard in 1983. He is also on pace to tie Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle for the most wins in the XFINITY Series as a rookie with five.
“Well, it’s really, really cool to see the list of drivers that have won five races, and sitting here ‑‑ like I said, sitting here with just past halfway with four wins, I have a great opportunity to get five, and I think we have a great opportunity to get six or even more throughout the course of the year,” said Bell. “It would be really special to join that elite group of race car drivers that have won five, and I’ve got the best team in the business to go out and try and do it.”
In addition to his four victories, Bell currently leads the regular season standings by 16 points over second-place Elliott Sadler.
- SMI’s second quarter earnings tell an interesting story
As our own Caleb Whisler reported yesterday, Speedway Motorsports Inc. released their second quarter earnings:
- Five NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekends, three NHRA weekends, and one Verizon IndyCar series weekends were held at SMI facilities during the second quarter. Those tracks were Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway
- Second quarter revenues for SMI were $165.8 million with a net income of $31.9 million.
- Revenues feel 12.8 percent for April through June and were down 17.4 percent through June.
- Broadcast revenue is up 4 percent.
- Before taxes, income dropped 3.6 percent.
- 11 of SMI’s 13 Cup race sponsorships are already in place for 2019.
- The drop in revenue is expected to be a result of poor weather, “…changing demographics, evolving media content consumption, the lingering effects of lower consumer and corporate spending, and underemployment in certain demographic groups.”
Statement from Speedway Motorsports Chief Executive Officer and President Marcus Smith:
“‘Despite exceptionally bad weather, SMI’s second quarter and year-to-date results for 2018 were within our expectations. While adverse weather conditions have negatively impacted our admissions and certain revenue streams at all six of our NASCAR Cup weekends and certain smaller events, our results reflect higher sponsorship and ancillary broadcasting revenues on a comparable year-over-year basis. Our aggressive sales and marketing teams have sold all NASCAR Cup, Xfinity (except one) and Truck series entitlements for 2018, and many for several years beyond. We are increasingly optimistic that our innovative marketing strategies, including focus on broader use of our first class facilities in premium markets, are resulting in long-term opportunities for increased revenue streams and profitability. We continue to build financial strength through execution of our long-term strategic goals of debt reduction, share repurchases, and restrained capital spending, and benefit from lower cash taxes under the recently enacted federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.’”
- Smithfield Continuing Its Partnership With Aric Almirola
Adam Stern of the SportsBusiness Journal reported that Smithfield has extended its 30-race primary sponsorship for 2019 with Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford. However, they will end their partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports and driver Bubba Wallace at the end of this season.
Smithfield has been a sponsor of Almirola’s in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series since 2012, and followed him when he moved from RPM to SHR in 2018.
Smithfield and its affiliated brands have continued to appear as a sponsor on Wallace’s car in 2018, serving as the primary in five races so far this season.
Almirola has one top five and nine top 10s in 21 races so far this season and is currently 147 points above the playoff cutoff line with five races remaining in the regular season. Wallace, on the other hand, is in his rookie season and only has one top five and two top 10s in the same amount of races and is unlikely to make the Playoffs.
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You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram.
Summer’s Five Things: What You Need To Know For August 2, 2018
“Summer’s Five Things” is a daily column for NASCAR fans to catch up on the most recent, relevant, and need-to-know news and information in the sport! While mostly focused on NASCAR, this column may also feature other interesting and exciting moments from the world of motorsports. Enjoy!
The No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford driven by Kevin Harvick and the No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet driven by Kasey Kahne have both been penalized following last Sunday’s event at Pocono Raceway. Each team lost 10 driver and owner points for failing post-qualifying inspection three times. Both drivers were forced to start at the rear of the field for Sunday’s race and had their crew chiefs ejected from the racetrack.
According to NBC Sports, neither team is expected to appeal.
The penalty will hurt Harvick’s attempt to win the 15 Playoff points awarded to the driver leading the standings at the end of the regular season. Harvick remained in the second place spot in the standings but is 58 points behind current series leader Kyle Busch with only five races remaining in the regular season.
Kahne fell to 28th in points and, unless he is able to pull off an unlikely win, is not expected to make the Playoffs.
Other penalties announced by NASCAR:
David M. Little Jr. was indefinitely suspended for violating NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy.
Douglas E. Chouinard was indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating Sections 12.1.a; 2.11.a, which states “Any NASCAR Member charged with any violation of the law (misdemeanor and/or felony) shall notify NASCAR … prior to the next scheduled Event or within 72 hours of being so charged, whichever is earlier”, according to NBC Sports.
Rather than having post-qualifying inspection after qualifying on Saturday, all cars will be impounded and inspection will begin Sunday morning in a combined post-qualifying/pre-race inspection.
This was done in an effort to keep crews and other personnel at the track from having to stay later at night than necessary after it took teams multiple hours to get through inspection last weekend in Pocono.
Because of this rearranged schedule, the official starting lineup will not be released until late Sunday morning/early Sunday afternoon ahead of the race, which is scheduled to start at 2:30PM ET. Pit stall selections are also expected to take place a few hours after inspection begins.
The garage opens at 8:00AM ET on Sunday and the inspection process will begin shortly thereafter.
The reason the starting lineup won’t be known until the morning of the race is because, if a car fails inspection, they will have to start at the rear of the field. A second failure will result in the ejection of a crew member (this has typically been the car chief), and the third time will result in a 10-point penalty.
During a teleconference on Wednesday, Christopher Bell says he has every intention of staying with Toyota Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing but feels now is the right time to move up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Unfortunately, it looks like it’s not going to be possible to do both for 2019.
“Going into next season, I am set for another year of Xfinity, and there are no holes in the Cup side, so that’s what makes it difficult,” said Bell. “But as far as what I need, honestly I don’t feel like I need another year of Xfinity. I think the best way for me to win at the Cup level is to get there and start trying at it.
Right now, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Cup Series team has all four spots filled (teams are not allowed to add a fifth) and none of the four drivers — Erik Jones, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Daniel Suarez — are expected to leave the team anytime soon, let alone at the end of this year.
When JGR decided to move Jones up to the Cup Series in 2017, they “loaned” him out to affiliate team Furniture Row Racing, then moved him over to JGR to replace Matt Kenseth in 2018. However, FRR downsized back to one team for 2018 and, while current driver Martin Truex Jr. has yet to sign a contract extension, he expects to be back with the team in 2019.
Team owner Joe Gibbs called into “The Morning Drive” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Tuesday and, when asked if Bell could follow a similar path to Jones, had this to say:
“Well, it’s so far in the future. I think that’s what we’re all right now planning and looking at. I think it’s kind of up in the air right now. We’re kind of set next year. We want to keep him in Xfinity next year. I think he may have a chance to race a few other things. I think that’s kind of our plan. A year away, a lot can happen in a year. We’re just glad that we’ve got him under our banner.”
For Bell, he is fully aware of the fact that he may not be able to have his cake and eat it too in the foreseeable future, so right now he will continue to do the best he can where he’s at.
“The biggest thing is I’ve learned throughout my years, and especially in NASCAR, is you are only as good as the race car that you sit in,” Bell continued. “Right now I’m at the best organization that I can be at, so I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else, honestly. Even if the Cup deal doesn’t work out for next year, which it looks like it’s not going to, I’m still going to be sitting in a really fast race car at a level in motorsports where I never really dreamed I’d be at. So I’m going to be thrilled either way. But I definitely ‑‑ like I said, I’m 23 years old. I feel like I’m at my prime, and I don’t want to waste another year if the opportunity comes to make the jump.”
Bell has won the last three XFINITY Series races and four races total in 19 events so far this season. If he wins this weekend in Watkins Glen, he will be the first driver to win four races in a row since Sam Ard in 1983. He is also on pace to tie Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle for the most wins in the XFINITY Series as a rookie with five.
“Well, it’s really, really cool to see the list of drivers that have won five races, and sitting here ‑‑ like I said, sitting here with just past halfway with four wins, I have a great opportunity to get five, and I think we have a great opportunity to get six or even more throughout the course of the year,” said Bell. “It would be really special to join that elite group of race car drivers that have won five, and I’ve got the best team in the business to go out and try and do it.”
In addition to his four victories, Bell currently leads the regular season standings by 16 points over second-place Elliott Sadler.
As our own Caleb Whisler reported yesterday, Speedway Motorsports Inc. released their second quarter earnings:
Statement from Speedway Motorsports Chief Executive Officer and President Marcus Smith:
Adam Stern of the SportsBusiness Journal reported that Smithfield has extended its 30-race primary sponsorship for 2019 with Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford. However, they will end their partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports and driver Bubba Wallace at the end of this season.
Smithfield has been a sponsor of Almirola’s in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series since 2012, and followed him when he moved from RPM to SHR in 2018.
Smithfield and its affiliated brands have continued to appear as a sponsor on Wallace’s car in 2018, serving as the primary in five races so far this season.
Almirola has one top five and nine top 10s in 21 races so far this season and is currently 147 points above the playoff cutoff line with five races remaining in the regular season. Wallace, on the other hand, is in his rookie season and only has one top five and two top 10s in the same amount of races and is unlikely to make the Playoffs.
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If you would like to receive this column in your inbox, or if you want to connect with me, you may send an e-mail to [email protected].
You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram.