The NASCAR Thread

[JB400]

Here's the 2016 Sprint Cup schedule with starting times and TV networks:

(All Times Eastern)

Feb. 13 – Sprint Unlimited (Daytona International Speedway) ... 8 p.m. ... Fox

Feb. 14 – Daytona 500 qualifying ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

Feb. 18 – Duel qualifying races at Daytona ... 7 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Feb. 21 — Daytona 500 ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

Feb. 28 – Atlanta ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

March 6 — Las Vegas ... 3:30 p.m. ... Fox

March 13 — Phoenix ... 3:30 p.m. ... Fox

March 20 — Auto Club Speedway ... 3:30 p.m. ... Fox

March 27 – Easter (off weekend)

April 3 – Martinsville ... 1 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

April 9 – Texas ... 7:30 p.m. ... Fox

April 17 – Bristol ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

April 24 – Richmond ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

May 1- Talladega ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

May 7 – Kansas ... 7:30 p.m. .. Fox Sports 1

May 15 – Dover ... 1 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

May 20 – Sprint Showdown at Charlotte ... 7 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

May 21 – Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte ... 7 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

May 29 – Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte ... 6 p.m. ... Fox

June 5 – Pocono ... 1 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

June 12 – Michigan ... 1 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

June 19 – Father's Day (off weekend)

June 26 – Sonoma ... 3 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

July 2 — Daytona ... 7:45 p.m. ... NBC

July 9 – Kentucky ... 7:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

July 17 –  New Hampshire ... 1:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

July 24 – Indianapolis ... 3 p.m. ... NBCSN

July 31 – Pocono ... 1:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

Aug. 7 – Watkins Glen ... 2:30 p.m. ... USA Network

Aug. 14 – Off weekend

Aug. 20 – Bristol ... 8 p.m. ... NBCSN

Aug. 28 – Michigan ... 2 p.m. ... NBCSN

Sept. 4 – Darlington ... 6 p.m. ... NBC

Sept. 10 – Richmond ... 7:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

Sept. 18 – Chicagoland (first race in Chase) ... 2:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

Sept. 25 – New Hampshire ... 2 p.m. ... NBCSN

Oct. 2 – Dover ... 2 p.m. ... NBCSN

Oct. 8 – Charlotte ... 7 p.m. ... NBC

Oct.16 – Kansas ... 2:15 p.m. ... NBC

Oct. 23 – Talladega ... 2 p.m. ... NBCSN

Oct. 30 – Martinsville ... 1 p.m. ... NBCSN

Nov. 6 – Texas ... 2 p.m. ... NBC

Nov. 13 – Phoenix ... 2:30 p.m. ... NBC

Nov. 20 – Homestead ... 2:30 p.m. ... NBC

[JB400]

Trucks:

(All times listed are Eastern)

Feb. 19 – Daytona ... 7:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Feb. 27 – Atlanta ... 4:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

April 2 – Martinsville ... 2.30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

May 6 – Kansas ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

May 13 – Dover ... 5:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

May 20 – Charlotte ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

June 10 – Texas ...9 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

June 18 – Iowa ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

June 25 – Gateway ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

July 7 – Kentucky ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

July 20 – Eldora ... 9 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

July 30 – Pocono ... 1 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Aug. 17 – Bristol ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Aug. 27 – Michigan ... 1 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Sept. 4 – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park ... 2:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Sept. 16 – Chicagoland ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Sept 24 – New Hampshire ... 1 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Oct. 1 – Las Vegas ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Oct. 22 – Talladega ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

Oct. 29 – Martinsville ... 1:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Nov. 4 – Texas ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Nov. 11 – Phoenix ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Nov. 18 – Homestead-Miami ... 8 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

[JB400]

Xfinity

(All times listed are Eastern)

Feb. 20 – Daytona ... 3:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

Feb. 27 – Atlanta ... 1:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

March 5 – Las Vegas ... 4 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

March 12 – Phoenix ... 2:30 p.m. ... Fox

March 19 – Auto Club Speedway ... 4 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

April 8 – Texas ... 8:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

April 16 – Bristol ... 12:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

April 23 – Richmond ... 12:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

April 30 – Talladega ... 3 p.m. ... Fox

May 14 – Dover ... 2 p.m. ... Fox

May 28 – Charlotte ... 2:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

June 4 – Pocono ... 1 p.m. ... Fox

June 11 – Michigan ... 1:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

June 19 – Iowa ... 1:30 p.m. ... Fox Sports 1

July 1 – Daytona ... 7:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

July 8 – Kentucky ... 8:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

July 16 – New Hampshire ... 4 p.m. ... NBCSN

July 23 – Indianapolis ... 3:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

July 30 – Iowa ... 8 p.m. ... NBCSN

Aug. 6 – Watkins Glen ... 2 p.m. ... CNBC

Aug. 13 – Mid-Ohio ... 3:30 p.m. ... USA

Aug. 19 – Bristol ... 7:30 p.m. ... USA

Aug. 27 – Road America ... 3 p.m. ... NBCSN

Sept. 3 – Darlington ... 3:30 p.m. ... NBC

Sept. 9 – Richmond ... 7:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

Sept. 17 – Chicagoland ... 3:30 p.m. ... NBC

Sept. 24 – Kentucky ... 8 p.m. ... NBCSN

Oct. 1 – Dover ... 3 p.m. ... NBCSN

Oct. 7 – Charlotte ... 8 p.m. ... NBCSN

Oct. 15 – Kansas ... 4 p.m. ... NBCSN

Nov. 5 – Texas ... 3:30 p.m. ... NBC

Nov. 12 – Phoenix ... 3:30 p.m. ... NBC

Nov. 19 – Homestead ... 3:30 p.m. ... NBCSN

[TruckDriver]

MRN's Barney Hall Passes Away

http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/01/MRNs-Barney-Hall-Passes-Away.aspx

CONCORD, N.C. - Hall of Fame broadcaster Barney Hall, a cornerstone of MRN's NASCAR coverage since the network's founding in 1970, died Tuesday from complications following a recent medical procedure. He was 83.

At the time of his death, Hall was in the company of long-time companion Karen Carrier – the love of his life.

Hall was born on June 24, 1932, in Elkin, N.C., the town he called home his entire life. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy and served four years of active duty, during which Hall launched his radio career. He would return to his hometown and work as a disc jockey at radio station WIFM for 13 years.

Hall was widely known for his calm voice and unmatched storytelling. He was part of MRN's award-winning race coverage since the network's debut in 1970. Prior to that, Hall served as Bristol Motor Speedway's first public address announcer, called his first Daytona 500 in 1960 and missed only four broadcasts in the 57-year history of "The Great American Race."

One of those was the "500" won by Matt Kenseth in 2012, when illness sidelined Hall. But as NASCAR returned to Martinsville Speedway one month later, fans once again heard a comforting, familiar voice over the airwaves.

Barney was back in the booth.

Hall remained an integral part of the network's NASCAR coverage throughout the next two years. On July 6, 2014, he worked his final race - calling Aric Almirola's rain-shortened win at Daytona International Speedway, which returned the iconic No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports entry to Victory Lane.

Hall's voice was heard on a number of special broadcasts in the months that followed. The National Motorsports Press Association named Hall its Broadcaster of the Year in 2014. He and MRN producer Darrell Smith teamed up to win another NMPA award in 2015. Barney was inducted into that organization's Hall of Fame in 2007.

In May 2012, NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame jointly announced the creation of a new award to honor the media's contributions to the success of the sport. It carried the names of two legendary MRN broadcasters: Barney Hall and Ken Squier, who were also the first recipients.

Hall was recently recognized by the Motor Racing Network with an appreciation award for his 45 years of service.

Mr. Hall is survived by Karen Carrier, the love of his life for 35 years, an aunt and several cousins.

The Motor Racing Network family wishes Barney Hall Godspeed.

[TruckDriver]

Injured Tony Stewart to miss start of final NASCAR season

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/injured-tony-stewart-miss-start-final-nascar-season-185835673--nascar.html

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Tony Stewart will miss the start of his final NASCAR season after fracturing his back in an accident on an all-terrain vehicle, Stewart-Haas Racing said Thursday.    
The three-time NASCAR champion sustained a ''burst fracture of the L1 vertebra'' when he crashed on an ATV Sunday and he had surgery Wednesday, the team said. A timetable for Stewart's return has not been determined, but SHR said he is expected to make a full recovery and race this year.

Drivers report to Daytona next week to begin preparations for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 21. An interim driver for the No. 14 Chevrolet was not named Thursday.

Denny Hamlin in 2013 suffered a compression fracture to the same L1 vertebra and missed four races. But even after his return, he struggled with back pain the rest of the season.

Stewart will miss what was expected to be his final Daytona 500. He is 0-17 in the prestigious race and spoke last month about how it's one of the few glaring holes on his resume. Stewart, who turns 45 in May, plans to retire from NASCAR competition at the end of this year.

Stewart was with Greg Biffle and other NASCAR personalities on the ATV outing in the Southern California desert when he crashed. The team said he was awake and alert as he was taken to a hospital and he was able to move all of his extremities.

Stewart flew to North Carolina late Tuesday and remained hospitalized Thursday following his surgery.

Biffle was not present when Stewart crashed but told SiriusXM's NASCAR channel that ''we started kind of hearing bits and pieces that he hurt his back.''

''I do know the people that helped him ... (said) he was walking and moving all of his extremities, but he was in a lot of pain,'' Biffle said.

This is yet another setback in the final stages of one of the most storied careers in racing. Stewart has slumped since breaking his leg in a 2013 sprint car accident. A year later, he missed three races while in seclusion after his car struck and killed a fellow driver at a dirt track in New York. Stewart was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, but faces a civil suit from the family of Kevin Ward Jr.

He has not won a race since 2013, before he broke his leg, and was 28th in the final Sprint Cup standings last year. He had just three top-10 finishes and 24 laps led, both career lows, and readily admitted his confidence was shot.

A crew chief change was made for this season - the fourth different team leader Stewart will have since he won the 2011 title - and he hoped a new NASCAR rules package would better fit his driving style and make him competitive in this final hurrah.

No matter what happened this year, Stewart insisted last month this will be his final NASCAR season.

''If it's a terrible year, I'm not going to sit there and go, 'Wow, that defined my career,' because the stats will show what we did over 18 years,'' Stewart said. ''I think no matter how the season goes, I'm going to be able to say I had a successful run in the Sprint Cup Series.''

[JB400]

Looks like the charter system is a go.

[TruckDriver]

Won't really change anything though other then the name.

[TruckDriver]

Brian Vickers filling in for Tony in he 500.

[JB400]

Race on Fox tonight

[TruckDriver]

Race on Fox tonight

Watching now. I actually think Jeff Gorden is doing a good job in the booth. Of course, it is better then listening to Larry Mac all the time  

I was watching some of the practice sessions so I seen J.G. for a few hours now.

[A383Wing]

the Waltrip duo needs to go away from the booth...

[JB400]

I'll agree, Jeff is doing great.  I think they should ask Ward Burton to announce.  He'd be a great commentator.

[JB400]

Well, Johnson done a great job tonight.  Jr. did too.

[Chargen69]

Brian Vickers filling in for Tony in he 500.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bedoqs7t3JQ


picking up right where he left off

[thedodgeboys]

My take on the new na$car...

The new charter system isn't that big of a deal unless your the wood brothers, maybe they can buy one next year.
The rich get richer as we all know. (Right Rob Kofman)

To bad for Tony I bet if he could he would just walk away now and not even try to return to cup racing. Bickers is a good choice to bad it sounds like he won't get to run all the races thanks to Childress trying to get his grandson a cup ride...(working the basspro sponsor angle)

I haven't watched the bud wreck fest yet, not sure I will...

Yah for Chase Elliott what a way to start your cup career I hope it's a great year for him.(FYI he won the pole for the 500)

The twin 125's (I know they are 150 duels now) should be boring as ever with only one of the 4 cars able to advance into the 500 in each race... 44 entered in a field of 40 cars instead of 43 cars 4 will go home 2 locked in on time and the top finisher in each test (duel) advances everyone else are just making laps.

I hope DW hangs it up next year...

Chase formats for everyone...

Heat races in the exfinity series could be entertaining but what about limited appearance from cup regulars?

Don't even get me started on the truck series count down clock...

[TruckDriver]

Can Am Dual's tonight

Danica crashed again breaking in her new sponsor  

Was very happy to see J.J. in it too    

Although it sucked Kenseth & Truex were in it  

[A383Wing]

[41husk]

Can Am Dual's tonight

Danica crashed again breaking in her new sponsor  

Was very happy to see J.J. in it too    

Although it sucked Kenseth & Truex were in it  

Now that was funny

[TruckDriver]

Second half of the truck race tonight was a demo derby, holy crap! The last crash had one flip 13 times before stopping. Been a long time I seen anything flip like that at any track. Driver walked away unhurt  

Congrats to Johnny Sauter on the win!  

[JB400]

I missed the 2nd half of the truck race.  From what I seen of it, they didn't even need the caution clock.  Prof. MW was annoying as ever.

I did manage to watch Chase Elliot win the Xfinity race today.  That was alright.  He beat out Logano at the finish.  Hope he learned a few things for tomorrow.

[TruckDriver]

You're right about the truck race. I fell asleep during the middle of the Xfinity race for about 50 laps. And what I did see was super boring 

Here is the end of the truck race with the flip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq1Z6YzlqoU

[nvrbdn]

ok with the Hamlin Truex race at the end. very few moments in this one.

  norm for the 10.    fan was upset with the 88 mishap    Kenseth just goofed up.

[Aero426]

Jap cars were running 1,2,3,4,5 on the inside line with just a few laps to go.  

Great finish.   NASCAR has to be happy that their preferred partner at Daytona won.  

[JB400]

That was a great race.  JJ's crew flubbed up, and Jr. raced like he did a couple years ago, with the resulting finish.  I'm especially glad the Hamlin didn't just settle for 4th, but am surprised that Kyle didn't step out to make a move forward.  Next race at Atlanta will be interesting with the new rules package.  It's supposed to be the low down force package they had at Kentucky and Chicago last year.

[thedodgeboys]

Yawn....