Cup Category

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Matt DiBenedetto’s momentous first year with Wood Brothers Racing continued after a one-day turnaround puts him a bit closer of making the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with just Daytona (road course and oval) and the Dover doubleheader remaining in the regular season. Following a disappointing 15th in Saturday’s FireKeepers Casino 400, DiBenedetto’s second go around at Michigan International Speedway was more encouraging as he finished seventh in Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400. In what can be best described as a tough race that even DiBenedetto had himselfRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer For the first time in his entire NASCAR Cup Series career, Brad Keselowski finished last following a Lap 96 tangle with teammate Ryan Blaney in Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway. During the final stage, Keselowski got a push from Kevin Harvick going into Turn 1, allowing him to get by Denny Hamlin for the runner-up spot. This allowed Keselowski to quickly gain ground on his Team Penske teammate, who was leading the 156-lap event. Keselowski was on the bottom groove before his No.Read More
By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service Kevin Harvick’s victory in Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway gave the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford team a weekend race sweep and a whole lot of momentum as the NASCAR Cup Series closes out its regular season schedule at the end of this month. Harvick’s win is a series-best sixth of the season and 55th of his career – placing the 44-year old Californian 10th on the NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins list tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace.Read More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Martin Truex, Jr. had a eventful Saturday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway, finishing third in the FireKeepers Casino 400. The most notable highlight of Truex’s race-extended 161 laps took place on Lap 21 when a backstretch battle between rookie Tyler Reddick went wrong as contact between the two resulted Truex to have a flat tire and went off the pace in Turn 3. Truex was able to keep the No. 19 Auto Owners Insurance Toyota Camry off the wall, but was required to make an unscheduledRead More
By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service In ways both literally and figuratively the NASCAR Cup Series field saw red most of Saturday afternoon – Kevin Harvick’s red-colored No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, which dominated the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway – resulting in Harvick’s third Michigan win in the last four races and fourth of his career. Harvick’s red car was out front the majority of the afternoon – leading a race best 92 of the 161 laps – but five restarts in the final 30 laps  –Read More
By David Morgan, Associate Editor Normally Michigan International Speedway’s two annual NASCAR Cup Series races would take place roughly two months apart, but this year, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic means both races will take place over one weekend. Double the fun. The first race of the weekend on August 8 will be the rescheduled Firekeepers Casino 400, originally planned for June 7, with the Consumers Energy 400 taking place the following day on August 9. With these races taking place near the home of two of the three manufacturersRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer After three seasons, Erik Jones tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series will come to an end following the 2020 season. The confirmation of Jones no longer being welcomed in the No. 20 Toyota Camry was first confirmed Thursday by NASCAR Race Hub‘s Shannon Spake before JGR sealed its official fate to the public that 2021 will have a new driver a few hours later. “We appreciate all Erik has done for Joe Gibbs Racing over the past several year,” said Joe Gibbs.Read More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The final set of races have been confirmed by NASCAR Thursday with several changes to the playoffs and some series returning to race tracks once more or the first time in a long while. The Cup Series was the least affected with the announcement as all 10 playoff venues remain the same despite rumors of Las Vegas and Texas swapping dates due to the the former hosting the Electric Daisy Carnival. The quest for the championship will begin at Darlington Raceway (Sept. 6) and will wrapRead More
By David Morgan, Associate Editor Leavine Family Racing will end its 10-year run in the NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2020 season, team owner Bob Leavine said in a statement released on Tuesday. Citing the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on his team, Leavine noted that the organization would not be in a position to compete after this season, leading to the sale of the No. 95 team to a new owner and his exit from the sport when the final checkered flag falls at season’s end.Read More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer A day removed from capturing his 33rd career NASCAR Cup Series victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Brad Keselowski will stay with Team Penske for a 12th straight full season in 2021. Monday’s announcement confirmed the 2012 Cup champion will still be in the No. 2 Ford Mustang for at least one more season, ending the heavily publicized debate of whether or not Keselowski will stay or pursue a new career path by running for another race team. Team owner Roger Penske is pleased to keepRead More