David Ragan Tag

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Correspondent BRISTOL, Tenn. – Journeyman driver David Ragan will step away from full-time competition following the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. The 33-year-old made the decision with a focus on spending more time with his family. Ragan has competed in NASCAR’s Premier Series full-time for 13 years. While he only visited victory lane twice, his accomplishments both around and off the track are greater than those on track. Ragan was one of several drivers that filled-in for Kyle Busch in 2015 following the viciousRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer It was “Damage Inc.” on the final lap of Sunday’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama that ended in violent blows for several drivers, putting a damper on what was considered a thrilling 188-lap race. The situation began to unravel once the red-flag was lifted due to a multi-car crash on Lap 182 that ended with Matt DiBenedetto plowing into the back end of Chris Buescher in Turn 2. This led to the race restarting with just four laps to go. The chaos began toRead More

By David Morgan, Associate Editor TALLADEGA, Ala. – Uncertainty surrounded the first day of on-track activity at Talladega Superspeedway, with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series getting their first glimpse at the new post-restrictor plate aero package that will be used at the 2.66-mile facility as well as Daytona for the foreseeable future. The new package features a tapered spacer instead of a restrictor plate, making it the first race since 1987 to feature the horsepower sapping device. To counteract the increase in horsepower, about 100 more than the teamsRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –  Shattered dreams and a wad of junked cars surrounded the garage area after an 21-car crash on Lap 191 brought out the first of two red flags during Sunday’s 61st Daytona 500. Heading into Turn 3, Matt DiBenedetto, who led a race-high 49 laps, was running in fourth when contact by Paul Menard caused a wicked ripple effect that went from a fierce and clean race, to an absolute barn burner. As cars tried to avoid the mess, some weren’t as fortunateRead More

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Correspondent *Editor’s note: Motorsports Tribune will be previewing the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season for the full-time drivers in the series leading into next month’s 61st running of the Daytona 500. Age: 33 Years in Cup: 12 Career Wins: Two Although the 2018 on-track results fail to show it, David Ragan had his best Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season since 2011 as the veteran driver finished 25th in the final championship standings. In 2018, Ragan earned just one top-10 finish, at the spring race at Talladega Superspeedway. The seasonRead More

By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor Matt Tifft is moving up to the big leagues in 2019 as Front Row Motorsports announced Tuesday that he would be joining the organization’s three-car effort in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the team’s No. 36 entry full-time. The 22-year old native of Hinckley, Ohio will be joined by David Ragan and Michael McDowell in the team’s other two Ford Mustangs. “Today is a huge moment in my career, announcing my move to the Cup series,” said Tifft. “This has been a dream ofRead More

By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor When the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Watkins Glen International, the races staged at the 2.45-mile road course in upstate New York have been known for both the hard racing and the violent crashes that come on the fast seven-turn layout. Back in August 2011, the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen delivered that and more. After getting delayed until Monday due to rain, Kyle Busch and AJ Allmendinger led the field to green for the first of 90 scheduled laps. AllmendingerRead More

By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor TALLADEGA, Alabama – Five years after pulling off the upset at Talladega for his last win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, David Ragan found himself in the hunt once more, scoring a sixth-place finish when the checkered flag flew over Sunday’s GEICO 500. “We had a fast car all weekend,” Ragan said. “We qualified 12th and if it wasn’t for my speeding penalty early I think we could have run in the top-15 all day. Kudos to the Front Row Motorsports guys forRead More

By: Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service TALLADEGA, Ala. – Joey Logano led a Ford feast on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, beating Kurt Busch to the checkered flag by .127 seconds to win the GEICO 500, the 10th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race of the season. Logano led the final 42-of-188 laps, a race-high 70 overall, and controlled the action after a 14-car wreck on Lap 166 thinned the field. Logano led the field to the green flag for the final restart on Lap 172 and stayed out front the restRead More