Daytona 500 Tag

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Back at Sonoma Raceway two years ago, at the first-ever race I was credentialed to cover a NASCAR Cup Series race for this website I still proudly write for, Kyle Larson was the focal point of unnecessary controversy. Why? It’s because Larson’s passion for dirt racing (sprint and midgets), like wanting to run for the World of Outlaws championship in the future, was more apparent than his main driving profession which is stock car racing. Larson said some aren’t as open minded of versatile racers andRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Editor’s note: Motorsports Tribune will be previewing the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season for the full-time drivers in the series leading into February’s running of the Daytona 500. Age: 29 Years in Cup: Seven Career Wins: Two Austin Dillon’s 2019 campaign can be described as ambivalent. On one side, his playoff streak of three consecutive snapped as he struggled finding consistency on race days as shown with a dip on his average finish from 17.5 in 2018 to 19.5. Add insult to injury, he failed toRead More

By David Morgan, Associate Editor The list of drivers and teams with their sights set on making it into the field for the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 continues to grow. On Friday, two more drivers announced their intentions to compete in the Great American Race. First came the announcement from David Ragan, who retired from full-time racing in the NASCAR Cup Series last year. The 34-year old native of Unadilla, Georgia will pilot the No. 36 Ford Mustang in the Great American Race, with sponsorship from Select BlindsRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer NASCAR’s workhorse Ross Chastain will reunite with Chip Ganassi Racing for two NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning in the 62nd Daytona 500. Like last year with Jamie McMurray, Ganassi will be preparing Chastain’s No. 77 AdventHealth Chevrolet, but it’ll technically be listed under the Spire Motorsports banner. Spire are the most recent race winning team at the “World Center of Racing” when Justin Haley won last July’s rain shortened race. Thursday’s announcement was part of a major unveil by primary sponsor AdventHealth, taking place at DaytonaRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Juan Pablo Montoya is arguably the top-five, maybe top-three greatest drivers of the last 30 years. This isn’t a damn joke. I’m serious when I say this tremendous compliment. I’ve said it over the past half decade that he is a legend in the world of motorsports and quite frankly one of the best versatile drivers that doesn’t get the respect he deserves. After he and Team Penske co-driver Dane Cameron won their first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the DPi category Saturday at the MotulRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Like many racing fans across the country, I saw the NASCAR documentary Blink of an Eye, which is based on the 2011 autobiography about Michael Waltrip, at my movie theater which is literally a two-minute walk from home. After the roller coaster ride about Waltrip’s career leading up to the ill fated 2001 Daytona 500 and the aftermath of Dale Earnhardt’s death, I hate to be that guy, but the Paul Taulieb film had several production flaws. Let’s begin with audio. It started with the tragicRead More

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Correspondent DARLINGTON, S.C. – With two marquee wins, Denny Hamlin’s legacy has been firmly cemented in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. With two wins in the Daytona 500 and the Bojangles Southern 500, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has equaled a select few, Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Cale Yarborough in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Hamlin has the opportunity this weekend to inch closer to Gordon’s three Daytona 500 and six Southern 500-win mark. Last year, he finished thirdRead More

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 David Morgan, Associate Editor DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – “It’s the most emotional and the biggest win I’ve ever had in my life, in anything,” Joe Gibbs said after the 61st running of the Daytona 500. Less than a month after the loss of J.D Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing came into the 2019 season with a motto: “Do It for J.D.” And they executed that almost to perfection Sunday, with Denny Hamlin capturing his second victory in the Great American Race, followed by Kyle Busch and Erik Jones securing a podiumRead More