“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!
- NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France Steps Down Following Arrest
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France was pulled over in Long Island, New York on Sunday night for missing a stop sign. France was subsequently arrested with charges of aggravated driving while under the influence and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
According to a release from the Sag Harbor Village Police, the controlled substance France was in possession of was oxycodone.
France released the following statement on Monday:
“I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”
NASCAR announced that current Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Jim France will assume the role of interim chairman and CEO effective immediately.
- Chase Elliott Still on “Cloud 9” Following First Career Victory
The morning after earning his first career win at Watkins Glen International, Chase Elliott took to social media to express his excitement.
This was following a rather wild night where he returned to his hometown of Dawsonville, Georgia to a hero’s welcome, courtesy of Ryan Blaney.
A couple of his biggest fans had an opportunity to share their excitement as well..
3. Ty Dillon is an American Ninja Warrior
Germain Racing driver Ty Dillon decided to physically challenge himself away from the track by competing on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.
How did it go?
Well, we’ll let Ty tell you for himself…
Let’s just say, Dillon’ may be able to handle wheels on the racetrack, but off the racetrack…
Dillon finished 23rd in Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen International. His best finish of the season was at Daytona International Speedway a few weeks ago, where he finished sixth, his only top-10 run of 2018 after 22 races.
- Some Good News for NASCAR TV Ratings
In a year that has seen a lot of bad news for NASCAR on the TV ratings front, this week actually saw an increase from last year to this year:
Granted, this year’s race was on over-the-air channel NBC while last year’s race was on NBCSN, a channel that usually requires a premium subscription for cable or satellite packages. Still, it serves as a bright point in a season that has not had very many.
The news wasn’t just good for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
The XFINITY Series also saw an increase…
- Trevor Bayne Expresses Some Candid Thoughts About Current Situation
At the beginning of the season, Trevor Bayne was expected to spend his fourth full-time season as the driver of the No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing.
Instead, in late April, RFR made the announcement that NASCAR veteran Matt Kenseth would be returning to the track after spending the first 12 races of the season sitting on the sidelines (he was released from Joe Gibbs Racing in favor of Erik Jones at the end of 2017). The move was made to gain the feedback of a veteran for a once-great race team that has struggled to be competitive in the last few years.
With Bayne and Kenseth now sharing the same ride, the 27-year-old driver acknowledges that being out of the racecar still doesn’t sit well with him.
“I’m still not very happy about being out of the race car, but for us as a family, we just have to take advantage of it,” Bayne told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “You can’t fight against it.”
Bayne and wife Ashton have two children, and recently moved their family from Charlotte to Knoxville, Tennesse, Bayne’s hometown.
This is where he spends his time when he’s not at the racetrack.
“We’ve tried to make the most of that and not sit here and live in this place of just anger and frustration,” said Bayne.”
“For the rest of the year, we’ve realized, ‘OK, we’ve got what we’ve got. We’ve got seven races left. Make the most of them. Go out and do all I can. Learn what I can. And then enjoy the time off that we have.”
Bayne has competed in 14 races this season to Kenseth’s eight, though the two have had similar results.
Neither driver has earned a top 10 so far this season. Kenseth’s best finished was a 13th at Pocono Raceway in June, while Bayne’s best result was a 12th-place result at Texas Motor Speedway in April. Bayne’s average finish is 24.6 and Kenseth’s is 22.5.
As of right now, Bayne is unsure of his plans for 2019. Though he currently has a contract that includes sponsorship from AdvoCare through 2019, that plan certainly changed this season and could next year as well.
“I want to be in a race car every weekend,” he said. “I’m still trying to figure out what that looks like next season. We don’t have plans yet but we’re working toward that.”
~~
If you would like to receive “Five Things” in your inbox, or just connect with me, you may send me an e-mail at [email protected].
You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram.
Summer’s Five Things: What You Need To Know For August 7, 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!
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France was pulled over in Long Island, New York on Sunday night for missing a stop sign. France was subsequently arrested with charges of aggravated driving while under the influence and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
According to a release from the Sag Harbor Village Police, the controlled substance France was in possession of was oxycodone.
France released the following statement on Monday:
“I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”
NASCAR announced that current Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Jim France will assume the role of interim chairman and CEO effective immediately.
The morning after earning his first career win at Watkins Glen International, Chase Elliott took to social media to express his excitement.
This was following a rather wild night where he returned to his hometown of Dawsonville, Georgia to a hero’s welcome, courtesy of Ryan Blaney.
A couple of his biggest fans had an opportunity to share their excitement as well..
3. Ty Dillon is an American Ninja Warrior
Germain Racing driver Ty Dillon decided to physically challenge himself away from the track by competing on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.
How did it go?
Well, we’ll let Ty tell you for himself…
Let’s just say, Dillon’ may be able to handle wheels on the racetrack, but off the racetrack…
Dillon finished 23rd in Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen International. His best finish of the season was at Daytona International Speedway a few weeks ago, where he finished sixth, his only top-10 run of 2018 after 22 races.
In a year that has seen a lot of bad news for NASCAR on the TV ratings front, this week actually saw an increase from last year to this year:
Granted, this year’s race was on over-the-air channel NBC while last year’s race was on NBCSN, a channel that usually requires a premium subscription for cable or satellite packages. Still, it serves as a bright point in a season that has not had very many.
The news wasn’t just good for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
The XFINITY Series also saw an increase…
At the beginning of the season, Trevor Bayne was expected to spend his fourth full-time season as the driver of the No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing.
Instead, in late April, RFR made the announcement that NASCAR veteran Matt Kenseth would be returning to the track after spending the first 12 races of the season sitting on the sidelines (he was released from Joe Gibbs Racing in favor of Erik Jones at the end of 2017). The move was made to gain the feedback of a veteran for a once-great race team that has struggled to be competitive in the last few years.
With Bayne and Kenseth now sharing the same ride, the 27-year-old driver acknowledges that being out of the racecar still doesn’t sit well with him.
“I’m still not very happy about being out of the race car, but for us as a family, we just have to take advantage of it,” Bayne told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “You can’t fight against it.”
Bayne and wife Ashton have two children, and recently moved their family from Charlotte to Knoxville, Tennesse, Bayne’s hometown.
This is where he spends his time when he’s not at the racetrack.
“We’ve tried to make the most of that and not sit here and live in this place of just anger and frustration,” said Bayne.”
“For the rest of the year, we’ve realized, ‘OK, we’ve got what we’ve got. We’ve got seven races left. Make the most of them. Go out and do all I can. Learn what I can. And then enjoy the time off that we have.”
Bayne has competed in 14 races this season to Kenseth’s eight, though the two have had similar results.
Neither driver has earned a top 10 so far this season. Kenseth’s best finished was a 13th at Pocono Raceway in June, while Bayne’s best result was a 12th-place result at Texas Motor Speedway in April. Bayne’s average finish is 24.6 and Kenseth’s is 22.5.
As of right now, Bayne is unsure of his plans for 2019. Though he currently has a contract that includes sponsorship from AdvoCare through 2019, that plan certainly changed this season and could next year as well.
“I want to be in a race car every weekend,” he said. “I’m still trying to figure out what that looks like next season. We don’t have plans yet but we’re working toward that.”
~~
If you would like to receive “Five Things” in your inbox, or just connect with me, you may send me an e-mail at [email protected].
You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram.