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What to lookout for in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup playoff race at Homestead

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What to lookout for in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup playoff race at Homestead

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The Cup playoffs move to South Florida and much will be at stake in the middle race of the Round of 8.

Joey Logano’s victory last week at Las Vegas advanced him to the Championship 4. That leaves seven drivers for the final three spots in the title race.

Here is what to watch for in Sunday’s race (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC) at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The Cup playoffs move to South Florida and much will be at stake in the middle race of the Round of 8.

Joey Logano’s victory last week at Las Vegas advanced him to the Championship 4. That leaves seven drivers for the final three spots in the title race.

Here is what to watch for in Sunday’s race (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC) at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

1. Playoff field split

The gap between those in a transfer spot and those below the cutline has split the field in terms of potential strategy.

Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and William Byron are in a transfer spot heading into Homestead.

Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, reigning champion Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott are all below the cutline. Hamlin is the closest at 27 points out of a transfer spot.

Blaney and Elliott both say they are in a must-win situation to advance. While Hamlin and Reddick concede it’s possible to advance on points, their focus is on winning.

Bell (2023), Larson (2022) and Byron (2021) have won the past three races at Homestead. Bell noted that all three have to be concerned about points because at least one of those three will need to advance via points to the title race. Bell is 42 points above the cutline, Larson is 35 points above it and Byron is 27 points above the cutline.

“Plus 42 (points) sounds great until you realize every time someone wins, that cutline shrinks more, more and more, or that gap to the cutline,” Bell said. “You’re never safe and it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a battle all the way until the checkered flag at Martinsville and, you know, everybody knows how important those wins are.”

2. What next?

Tyler Reddick, who is 30 points below the cutline, was asked this weekend if he felt he still had a chance to advance to the title race via points.

“If we have pretty calm races from here to the last lap of Martinsville, I would say it’s probably too great a deficit,” he said, “but I feel like every freaking race in this playoffs, something crazy has happened, so I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Reddick, who will start from the pole, is right about the chaotic nature of these playoffs.

Last week at Las Vegas, his car rolled over after triggering a crash that included fellow playoff drivers Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney. Joey Logano, who advanced to this round after Alex Bowman’s disqualification, won that race.

These playoffs also have seen much of the field wreck at Talladega, Kyle Larson have bad races in the first two races before later winning in the same round, and various pit road woes by multiple drivers.

In this race last year, Larson ran into the barrels at the entrance of pit road. Also, Bell rallied from deep in the field to win.

So, it makes one wonder what’s to come in this race.

3. Seeking to regain strength

While Denny Hamlin has scored top-10 finishes in four top 10s in the last five races, those have not been smooth runs for the Joe Gibbs Racing team.

Pit road problems have cost him spots in two of the last four races (Kansas and Las Vegas). He has scored one point in the last seven stages. Hamlin has led only five laps in the playoffs.

“It’s certainly not the best time to not be on our A-game, all around, myself included,” said Hamlin, who is 27 points below the cutline. “The good news is, we still have a chance even this late in the game.”

What will it take to turn around his fortune?

“We have to perform like we’re capable of, and we just haven’t shown that in quite some time,” Hamlin said. “So, where do I start? I make sure no matter what, I’m giving the team the information they need. I make sure I’m putting in the work during the week to get better. I make sure that, you know, I execute on the race track and give the team a better opportunity to succeed. There’s lots of things in my bucket of improvement that I need to get out.”

As for the pit crew? The team has not made any changes to the unit.

“You ride with the group you got,” Hamlin said. “They’re certainly in a slump, for sure. But, we got to ride it out and feel like that’s the best group we can put on pit road. … They were the best pit crew for the first quarter of this year. But, certainly, it’s been a lot of different issues on pit road. Pretty much most times we come down (pit road), it’s been different things, so can’t really pinpoint one consistent problem we’ve had. So, just have to see where it goes.”

4. Team Penske’s teamwork

One of the points made this season is how much closer Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and their teams have been working together this season. That’s not to say there were issues in the past, it’s just that the working relationship is better than ever.

“The two teams definitely work a lot together lately on performing setups,” Logano said. “ … I think Blaney and I work really well together off the racetrack and on the racetrack. And that relationship has only grown even more so after his championship, which I think is great. And it seems like we’ve been able to really be open with each other.”

Team Penske has won the past two Cup championships. Logano won the title in 2022 and Blaney won it last year.

With Logano already in the title race, the focus turns to getting Blaney back to the championship event.

“I think Joey and I work really well together and we always have,” Blaney said. “I feel like that’s just gotten better year after year. I feel like as you get older, he and I became the two veteran guys on the Penske side over there, It’s like, alright, we have to really rely on each other, how do we really kind of take the reins.”

 

 

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Tony Stewart Becomes Nascar President After Several Mess By Steve Phelps which Leads to

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Tony Stewart Becomes Nascar President After Several Mess By Steve Phelps which Leads to

The recent announcement of Tony Stewart as the new president of NASCAR comes at a pivotal moment for the sport, following various controversies and challenges during Steve Phelps’ tenure. Known for his fierce competitive spirit and deep understanding of NASCAR, Stewart’s appointment signals a shift toward a leadership style that prioritizes both driver concerns and a return to traditional racing values. Stewart’s reputation as a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and team owner brings credibility to his new role, and many fans and insiders are optimistic that he can guide the organization through its current difficulties.

Under Steve Phelps, NASCAR saw several ambitious changes aimed at expanding its fan base and modernizing the sport. These included efforts to diversify its audience, such as scheduling races in new markets, embracing digital technology, and updating rules to make racing more exciting. However, while these moves aimed to attract new fans, they often drew criticism from long-time followers and drivers alike, who argued that the changes undermined NASCAR’s heritage and disrupted the sport’s traditional appeal. Decisions such as the Next Gen car’s introduction, controversial officiating calls, and the handling of safety concerns sparked debate and frustration among many fans and participants.

Safety, in particular, became a flashpoint under Phelps’ administration, especially after incidents that raised concerns about the Next Gen car’s structural issues. Drivers openly expressed fears regarding their safety on the track, and some criticized NASCAR’s perceived inaction. Stewart, as someone who has experienced the dangers of racing firsthand, has been vocal about driver safety and is expected to address these concerns as a top priority. His influence could prompt faster responses to safety issues, restoring trust among drivers.

Additionally, Stewart’s background as a team owner and a former driver provides him with a unique perspective that could enhance NASCAR’s decision-making process. His leadership style, characterized by his hands-on approach and no-nonsense attitude, may help NASCAR strike a better balance between innovation and tradition. Fans and teams alike are hopeful that Stewart’s leadership will steer NASCAR in a direction that honors its roots while embracing necessary changes responsibly. His presidency could mark a new chapter for the sport, one focused on revitalizing its foundation and addressing the complex issues that have divided its fan base in recent years.

 

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Famous NASCAR Hall Of Famer Passes Away As Family Releases Emotional following……..

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Famous NASCAR Hall Of Famer Passes Away As Family Releases Emotional following……..

Bobby Allison, a towering figure in NASCAR and a venerated member of the sport’s history, has passed away at the age of 86. A founding member of the “Alabama Gang” and a 1983 premier-series champion, Allison’s storied career spanned nearly three decades.

Born on December 3, 1937, in Miami, Florida, Bobby Allison’s fascination with racing began at a young age. Despite early resistance from his parents, Allison pursued his passion, starting his racing career in 1955 at Hialeah, Florida. Eventually, he relocated to Hueytown, Alabama, where he, alongside his brother Donnie and friend Red Farmer, became known as the “Alabama Gang.” The group quickly established themselves as prominent figures in the racing community.

Throughout his storied career, Bobby Allison secured 85 official race victories, placing him fourth on NASCAR’s all-time win list. His accomplishments were solidified with his induction into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in 2011. With 718 career starts, he ranked 14th in series history, and his 336 top-five finishes were second only to Richard Petty. Allison also marked NASCAR history with 446 top-10 finishes and 59 pole positions.

Among his significant achievements were three Daytona 500 victories in 1978, 1982, and 1988. His 1988 win was particularly memorable, as he finished ahead of his son Davey, marking the first one-two father-son finish in the Daytona 500.

Beyond his remarkable wins, Bobby Allison was no stranger to infamous incidents on the racetrack. During the 1979 Daytona 500, he was involved in a post-race altercation with Cale Yarborough.

Allison also experienced tremendous personal loss when his career was halted by a severe crash at Pocono Raceway in 1988, resulting in serious head injuries and memory loss. This crash robbed him of the memories of his last victory and curtailed his racing days. Family tragedies further shadowed his legacy; the loss of his younger son Clifford in a 1992 Michigan racing accident, followed by the devastating helicopter crash death of his son Davey in 1993 at Talladega.

In recognition of his enduring contributions, a 2024 ruling by NASCAR acknowledged a disputed 1971 victory, further affirming his fourth-place standing on the all-time wins list.

The family of Bobby Allison has issued the following statement, via NBC Sports:

“With deep sadness, the family of Bobby Allison announces his passing at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2024, surrounded by family. He had been in declining health over the past few years but continued to give back to the sport he loved.

“Bobby was the ultimate fan’s driver. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his fans and would stop to sign autographs and have conversations with them everywhere he went. He was a dedicated family man and friend, and a devout Catholic.”

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Danica Patrick takes a cheeky jibe at Kamala Harris after Donald Trump wins US presidential elections

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Danica Patrick takes a cheeky jibe at Kamala Harris after Donald Trump wins US presidential elections

Danica Patrick shared her thoughts on the aftermath of Donald Trump winning the recently-concluded US presidential elections. The 42-year-old seemingly took a jibe at the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

Former NASCAR driver Patrick was vocal in her support and campaigned for President-elect Trump. The 2008 Indy Japan 300 winner also said that this was the first time she voted in any presidential election.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Stewart-Haas Racing driver wrote about what she expects to see following Trump’s return to the Oval Office. Patrick wrote:

“Grab your popcorn! We still have the Diddy list, mass government firings, angry libs making videos to show how mad they are, celebs leaving the country, a riveting final speech by Kamala, the view, and so much more!”

Ahead of the election results, the Wisconsin native gave an update on the on-ground rally in Michigan and flying in ‘Trump force 1’. Patrick wrote on X:

“It’s 12:42am as I write this. • @realDonaldTrump is on stage at his 4th rally of the day here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The energy he has is truly unreal… Somehow that passion has led me all the way to November 4th…. riding on Trump force 1 for the final evening of the campaign…. Talking about race cars with @realDonaldTrump while we flew to the last rally.”

“I really think that when you are in alignment with yourself and speaking truth about something you are passionate about… it gives you energy. And he[Donald Trump] is passionate about YOU and this country! He doesn’t need this job, he wants this job. And no one has had their will tested more than him. We are all one vote away from a different reality than the one we are living in. Please wake up, the golden age awaits”

“We’re living in Good vs Evil” – Danica Patrick at a Trump political rally

First-time voter Danica Patrick said in a rally for Donald Trump that wearing “proud America” these days is considered a political stand and not love for her country.

Patrick said at a political rally for the Republican nominee in Lititz, Pennsylvania:

“I want to wear a t-shirt that says proud American and it doesn’t say it isn’t telling people that I’m making a political stand about being a Republican. When I was a kid, I wore this cool leather jacket with an American flag on the back and USA down the arm. Somebody out there has had that, right? If I wore that today, I’d be making a political stand. Why is that happening? Why is that not just being an American?”

She added:

“We’re not living in a time of Republican-Democrat. We’re living in Good versus Evil. We’re living in Right versus Wrong.”

Following her full-time retirement from NASCAR in 2017, Patrick remained in touch with the motorsports world by joining the Sky Sports F1 broadcasting team. She has also ventured into entrepreneurship and owns a vineyard in Napa Valley, California, and an athleisure clothing line.

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