Joe Gibbs Racing

Fun Facts about the Charlotte Race

Boris — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:36:00 +0000

This week’s infographic looks at what makes the Coca-Cola 600 special as the longest race in NASCAR and one of the biggest weekend’s in racing, plus some fun facts about Joe Gibbs Racing’s 2013 season so far.

Matt Kenseth Voted First Quarter Driver of the Year

Boris — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:42:22 +0000

NASCAR’s Matt Kenseth crushed the opposition to win the first quarter DRIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2013.

The 2003 Sprint Cup Champion scored twice the points of his nearest rivals in a vote by an elite panel of American broadcasters and journalists

In racing terms Kenseth rolled off the hauler quickly in his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing. In the first quarter ending May 12th he scored three wins (Las Vegas, Kansas and Darlington), two poles and led 781 laps.

The usually droll Wisconsin native was moved and a little surprised when he heard the news. “It’s always an honor whenever you’re selected for any kind of award from the media or the fans,” Kenseth said. “I never even thought of receiving this award, so it’s pretty cool to have been selected for this.

There’s really not a lot that I can take credit for though because it’s truly a testament to everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and how fast the cars are that they’ve given us to start the season off with. I feel like all three of our JGR teams have been fast and competitive at every track this year and capable of winning each week. We have a really great group and I think that we learn a lot and work together in order to be successful,” he added.

Barry Schmoyer, President of the DRIVER OF THE YEAR Foundation, noted “usually it takes a little while for a team to jell, but, Kenseth and the entire JGR team behind him have hit the ground running – running for another Sprint Cup Championship.”

In the voting Kenseth, who drives the No. 20 Dollar General/Home Depot Husky Toyota Camry, had ten first-place ballots and totaled 110 points according to the DRIVER OF THE YEAR points system. Canada’s James Hinchcliffe, who drives the Go Daddy Dallara-Chevrolet for Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar series, had one first-place vote and tallied 55 points.

Kyle Busch, one of Kenseth’s teammates, a threat to win on any NASCAR track finished third with two first-place votes and 50 points. Takuma Sato, the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race, also had one first-place vote.

A total of 15 drivers scored points in the first quarter voting.

In its’ 47th year, the DRIVER OF THE YEAR title is unique. The panel of 18 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. determines the winner. Four panelists did not vote this time. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Kenseth will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a race weekend at to be determined.

President of the DRIVER OF THE YEAR Foundation is Barry Schmoyer, businessman and sportsman of Sarasota, Florida.

Further information on the award may be obtained from DRIVER OF THE YEAR Foundation, PO Box 49827, Sarasota, Florida 34230 or from (941) 379-2318 or email: barrydoty@yahoo.com

M&M’S ‘M’Prove America NASCAR wrap – Time Lapse of Kyle Busch’s Racecar

Boris — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:47:39 +0000

Kyle Busch and M&M’s are running a special ‘M’Prove America paint scheme to support Habitat for Humanity.

Original Wrap Time: 2hr and 21min

The All-Star Race Report

Boris — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:25:19 +0000

The annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race featured five race segments this year for a total of 90 laps. The first four segments were 20 laps each with a 10-lap sprint to the finish. Under the rules for this year’s race teams would come down pit road prior to the final 10-lap sprint in order of their average finish in the first four segments of the race. How they came off pit road would determine how they would line up for the final restart.

Kyle Busch began the night from the third position in his No. 18 Snicker Bites Toyota and proved to have one of the fastest cars on the track. He would run second to his brother Kurt on the opening 20-lap segment but then led the field for both the second and third segments. The fourth segment proved a bit more eventful however as Busch came down pit road for four fresh tires while several other teams took only two. The Snickers Bites Camry would restart the fourth segment in the fourth position and Busch would get bumped around on the restart with a bump from behind courtesy of the 22 car that then sent Busch into the side of the 39 car. Fortunately there was no significant damage and Busch was able to rally to finish fourth in the segment which tied his brother for an average best finish in each segment of second. Kyle would come down pit road in second since his brother had the better finish in the fourth segment which proved to be the tiebreaker. The No. 18 Toyota would come back out third for the final restart of the night and the 10-lap dash to the finish. Unfortunately with so many hungry teams fighting for the win, Busch would once again get contact on the restart losing a couple positions. He would drive back up to third at the finish.

Denny Hamlin started his No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota in seventh position and battled with the handle on his car back in traffic. Hamlin was fairly consistent while running the top ten for much of the night as he would complete the opening segment in ninth and then run seventh and eighth in the second and third segments respectively. The fourth segment was not as good however as he dropped back to finish it in 14th unsure if there might be an issue in the engine. He would come down pit road prior to the final 10-lap segment in ninth and his FedEx Crew would give him two more spots allowing him to restart in seventh. Hamlin would manage to pick up an additional spot on the final laps to finish sixth.

Matt Kenseth started the No. 20 Home Depot Husky in 16th and was able to crack the top ten in the opening segment but his car proved a bit tough to handle for most of the night. Crew chief Jason Ratcliff and The Home Depot Husky team would make adjustments to help his Camry turn better and the improvement was shown through results as Kenseth managed to come down pit road in 13th prior to the final 10-lap segment. The No. 20 team put together a fast stop which allowed Kenseth to restart 10th on the final green flag and with an improved car he was able to earn a ninth-place finish in the race.

Jimmie Johnson would win his record-setting fourth NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Kyle Busch would tie his brother Kurt for most laps led on the night with 29 as each won two of the first four segments. There were seven cautions for 17 laps including a 41 minute red flag stoppage for rain on lap nine.

The All-Star Race Explained

Boris — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:36 +0000

This week’s infographic tries to answer some of the key questions about the All-Star race. Who is in the race? How do you get in the race? What does this race look like?