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No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang: Cole Custer Coca-Cola 600 Race Advance
charlotte motor
FOX AND FOX DEPORTES PRIMED FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF LIVE NASCAR ACTION BEGINNING WITH SUNDAY’S COCA-COLA 600
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – FOX NASCAR is live from Charlotte Motor Speedway for four consecutive days during Memorial Day Weekend beginning with the 61st running of the COCA-COLA 600, NASCAR’s longest race, on Sunday, May 24 (6:00 PM ET on FOX and FOX Deportes), followed by on-track action through Wednesday, May 27.
Continuing a tradition that started in 2009, FOX NASCAR honors American service members who have fallen in the past year with “FOX Sports Remembers” during Sunday’s COCA-COLA 600 broadcast. The tribute features a running scroll on-screen listing the name of every U.S. service member who lost his or her life at home or abroad since last year’s Memorial Day Weekend race.
Mike Joy, Jeff Gordon and Larry McReynolds call Sunday’s COCA-COLA 600 from the FOX Sports studios in Charlotte. Reporters Jamie Little and Regan Smith cover the action live from the track. FOX Deportes broadcasters, play-by-play announcer Tony Rivera and analyst Jessi Losada, are live from the FOX Deportes studios in Los Angeles. A special edition of NASCAR RACE HUB airs on Sunday (5:30 PM ET on FOX) immediately prior to the race, while FS1 airs qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 live at 2:00 PM ET on Sunday.
For the first-ever scheduled NASCAR race on Memorial Day, Adam Alexander, Jamie McMurray and NASCAR CUP SERIES driver Clint Bowyer call Monday’s NASCAR XFINITY SERIES race from the Charlotte studio with at-track reporting by Matt Yocum. The race airs live on FS1 at 7:30 PM ET, preceded by NASCAR RACE HUB at 6:30 PM ET on FS1. Rivera and Losada are on the call for FOX Deportes from Los Angeles.
On Tuesday, May 26, at 8:00 PM ET on FS1, the NASCAR GANDER RV & OUTDOORS TRUCK SERIES returns to action at Charlotte. Vince Welch, Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip call the action from the Charlotte studio with Alan Cavanna reporting from pit road. Rivera and Losada have the call from the FOX Deportes studios.
For Wednesday’s 300-mile NASCAR CUP SERIES encore, Joy, Gordon and McReynolds are back in the studio for the call on FS1 (8:00 PM ET) with Welch reporting from the track. NASCAR RACE HUB airs on FS1 at 7:00 PM ET. FOX Deportes offers live coverage with Losada and Rivera calling the race.
Following Charlotte, NASCAR heads to Bristol Motor Speedway, followed by Atlanta Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Additional race date announcements are forthcoming.
| DATE | RACE | SERIES | NETWORK | TIME (ET) | |
| Saturday, May 30 | Bristol 1 | Xfinity | FS1/FOX Deportes | 3:30 PM | |
| Sunday, May 31 | Bristol 1 | Cup | FS1/FOX Deportes | 3:30 PM | |
| Saturday, June 06 | Atlanta | Trucks | FS1 | 1:00 PM | |
| Saturday, June 06 | Atlanta | Xfinity | FOX | 4:30 PM | |
| Sunday, June 07 | Atlanta | Cup | FOX/FOX Deportes | 3:00 PM | |
| Wednesday, June 10 | Martinsville 1 | Cup | FS1/FOX Deportes | 7:00 PM | |
| Saturday, June 13 | Miami | Trucks | FS1 | 12:30 PM | |
| Saturday, June 13 | Miami | Xfinity | FOX | 3:30 PM | |
| Sunday, June 14 | Miami | Xfinity | FS1 | 12:00 PM | |
| Sunday, June 14 | Miami | Cup | FOX/FOX Deportes | 3:30 PM | |
| Saturday, June 20 | Talladega | ARCA | FS1 | 2:00 PM | |
| Saturday, June 20 | Talladega | Xfinity | FS1 | 5:30 PM | |
| Sunday, June 21 | Talladega 1 | Cup | FOX/FOX Deportes | 3:00 PM |
About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing FOX Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes. FOX Sports’ digital properties include FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, which provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content, instant scores, stats and alerts to iOS and Android devices. Additionally, FOX Sports and social broadcasting platform Caffeine jointly own Caffeine Studios which creates exclusive eSports, sports and live entertainment content. Also included in FOX Sports’ portfolio are FOX’s interests in joint-venture business Big Ten Network, a licensing and commercial relationship with The Stars Group that created the FOX Bet sports betting platform and the FOX Sports Super 6 free-to-play game, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.
Christopher Bell – No. 95 Rheem Toyota Camry Preview – Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
No. 95 Rheem Toyota Camry News and Notes:
- 600 Miles at Charlotte: Christopher Bell, a rookie contender in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), will make his first Cup start at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) in the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season for the series. The 600 miles that make up the Coca-Cola 600 is a challenge for all drivers, but Bell knows his way around the 1.5-mile track at CMS.
- Bell at Charlotte: Bell has three NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts at CMS earning two top-five and two top-10 finishes. Last year at CMS Bell dominated early in the race, earning the pole position and leading 33 of 45 laps in the opening stage before a flat tire ended his day early in stage two.
- NASCAR Salutes: Christopher Bell will carry the name of Sergeant Jerry L Ganey Jr. on the windshield header of his No. 95 Rheem Toyota Camry this Sunday for the Coca-Cola 600 in honor of Memorial Day weekend as a part of NASCAR Salutes. Ganey Jr. was assigned to the 648th Engineer Battalion, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Statesboro, GA, and was killed Aug. 3, 2005 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his armored personnel carrier as he was conducting a dismounted security patrol in Baghdad.
- Darlington Recap: Christopher Bell started 24th for the Wednesday night race at Darlington Raceway and went on to earn his best finish of the season. The No. 95 team steadily made adjustments on Bell’s Toyota all night and Bell was sitting just outside the top 10 when the rains came, and the race was called. Bell finished 11th, his best finish through six races this season.
- RACE INFO: The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway begins at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24, 2020. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, Sirius XM 90, and PRN Radio.
Bell’s Career NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 33 | 5.0 | 12.7 |
Bell’s 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21.3 | 25.2 |
Bell’s Career NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 74 | 16 | 41 | 46 | 12 | 2920 | 6.4 | 10.2 |
From the Cockpit:
Christopher Bell: “I’m pretty anxious about the Coke 600 this weekend. Obviously, it’s a really long race, so I’m trying to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be. I just want to do a good job. I want to make sure I see the end of the race; after this one, the rest of them are going to feel short. It’s also an honor to pay tribute to the brave men and women who protect our country’s freedom. I’m proud to have Sergeant Ganey Jr. riding along with me on Sunday.”
About Rheem
Founded in 1925, Rheem® innovates all-new ways to deliver just the right temperature while saving energy, water and supporting a more sustainable future. Today, Rheem is America’s #1 water heating brand, and its products are available in more than 50 countries. Paloma Co., Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan, acquired the iconic Rheem brand in 1988, and today the company’s portfolio of premium brands include Rheem®, Raypak®, Ruud®, Eemax®, Richmond®, Splendid®, Solahart® and EverHot™ as well as commercial refrigeration brands Russell®, Witt®, ColdZone® and Kramer®, which are part of the Heat Transfer Products Group (HTPG®) division.
*All are Trademarks of Rheem Manufacturing Company.
About Leavine Family Racing
Leavine Family Racing is an organization competing in the NASCAR Cup Series focused on growing competitively and providing results-driven partnerships for its sponsors. The single-car team was founded in 2011 by Bob and Sharon Leavine, two individuals who are passionate about NASCAR and started the team to make a positive impact on the sport and community. Christopher Bell will pilot the No. 95 Toyota Camry for the team starting with the 2020 season. In alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota Racing Development, the team operates out of their Concord, N.C.-based race shop with a veteran group of racing personnel driven by their desire for progress. For more information, please visit www.LFR95.com.
Wood Brothers Racing: A Memorial Day Weekend Tradition
Fresh off a ninth-place finish at Darlington Raceway on Wednesday night, Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Menards/FVP team head to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Cup circuit’s annual Memorial Day weekend tradition – the Coca-Cola 600.
DiBenedetto, who enters the weekend ninth in the Cup standings, said he’s expecting to run well in his first start there in the iconic No. 21 Mustang.
“It’s a fun place to race,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
DiBenedetto, driving for another team last year, had a fast car in for the Monster Energy Open that preceded the All-Star race at Charlotte, finishing fourth. He said he can build on that as well as his second-place finish earlier this year at a similar track – Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“We were fast at the end at Las Vegas, so I feel good about that,” he said. “And Greg (Erwin, crew chief) and the people on the team feel good about the car and the set-up.”
The Wood Brothers will be making their 117th start at Charlotte, where they have six wins, 24 top-five and 39 top-10 finishes. They also have 19 poles, including 13 in a row from 1973-1979.
As part of NASCAR’s and Charlotte Motor Speedway’s annual 600 Miles of Remembrance, each car in the Coca-Cola 600 will carry the name of a service member who died serving their country.
This year, the Menards/FVP Mustang will carry the name of Air Force Major Lucas F. Gruenther, who was an F-16 Flight Lead and the Chief of Flight Safety for the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base in Italy.
As Chief of Flight Safety, he developed and executed all aspects of the wing commander’s flight safety mishap prevention and response program. He was responsible for conducting mishap investigations and safety inspections. Additionally, Major Gruenther directed various working groups, wrote and maintained the wing Mishap Response Plan, and coordinated safety concerns on all matters relating to airfield construction and maintenance.
Major Gruenther earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2003, where he was a Distinguished Graduate and member of the Parachute Team, the “Wings of Blue.”
He had more than 400 combat hours, including his service in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Major Gruenther, from Twain Harte, Calif., died Jan. 28, 2013, from injuries suffered when he ejected from his F-16 during a nighttime training flight.
He is survived by his daughter Serene Gruenther, who was born on February 7, 2013, just after he died, and his wife of seven years, Cassy Gruenther. He also is survived by his mother Romel Mathias, and numerous other relatives and friends.
Qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 2:05 p.m., and the race is set to start just after 6 p.m., also on Sunday, with TV coverage on FOX.
There will be no practice, and fans will not be allowed at the track.
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Menards
A family owned company started in 1958, Menards is headquartered in Eau Claire, WI. Menards has more than 300 retail stores located throughout the Midwest in the states of IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI and WY. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader. It’s famous slogan “Save Big Money at Menards” is widely known and easy to remember. For more information, visit Menards.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.
Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Matt DiBenedetto in the famous No. 21 racer.
Martin Truex Jr. – No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry Preview – Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry News and Notes
- TRUEX AT CHARLOTTE: Martin Truex Jr. has three wins in 27 career NASCAR Cup Series starts on the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval layout. The Mayetta, New Jersey native has posted seven top-five results in the past eight races on the track’s 1.5-mile configuration, including four consecutive finishes of third or better. He has led more than 100 laps in three of the past four Coca-Cola 600s, including last season when he led 116 laps and won the race after overcoming an early tire issue and having to make a daring four-wide pass in the closing laps.
- ELITE COMPANY: Truex is one of only three active drivers with multiple Coca-Cola 600 wins. After securing his second victory in the crown jewel event last May, he joined Jimmie Johnson (four wins) and Kevin Harvick (two wins) as the only active drivers to accomplish the fete more than once.
- NASCAR’S RETURN TO RACING: The No. 19 team picked up their first two top-10 finishes of the season as the NASCAR Cup Series returned to action Sunday and Wednesday at Darlington Raceway. He claimed top-three stage finishes in three of the four stages and finished sixth and 10th in the races, respectively.
- STAGE SUCCESS: Truex leads all NASCAR Cup Series drivers in stage points earned through the season’s first six races. After earning 17 stage points Wednesday night at Darlington Raceway, Truex has now accumulated 67 stage points this season. Those points account for 37.4% of his 179 total points scored so far.
- TSGT JOHN A CHAPMAN: Truex and the No. 19 team will honor Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman this Memorial Day weekend. Sergeant Chapman, a native of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, was a highly decorated combat controller who served in the United States Air Force. In 2018, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Takur Ghar during the War in Afghanistan. He is the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War and the first Air Force combat controller to earn the Air Force Cross in any war in history. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal with one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four devices, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with three devices, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbon, and the Air Force Training ribbon.
- BASS PRO SHOPS: A longtime supporter of Truex and NASCAR, Bass Pro Shops will be featured as primary sponsor of the No. 19 Camry for the Coca-Cola 600. Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more.
- RED, WHITE AND BLUE: Truex’s No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Camry will feature a red, white and blue design for this weekend’s race to honor the United States military and Bass Pro Shops’ relationship with the United Service Organizations (USO).
- JGR AT CHARLOTTE: Joe Gibbs Racing has earned seven victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including the past two Coca-Cola 600s. Overall, the organization has tallied 51 top-five finishes, 78 top-10s, 10 pole awards and 3,673 laps led at the 1.5-mile quad-oval. Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart join Truex on the list of drivers to take JGR to victory lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- TUNE IN: Coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway begins Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN Radio and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry
After two races back, what do you expect going into the 600 this weekend?
“The 600 is always a special race and an important weekend for our sport around Memorial Day weekend. Obviously, the circumstances are a lot different this year with everything that’s going on, but that doesn’t change the challenge the race presents going from day to night and 600 miles. It is difficult to keep up with the changes the track goes through as the sun goes down, but that’s what makes it fun. It’s an honor to have won this race twice now and we’re excited to get to the track Sunday for another chance to get it done.”
Truex NASCAR Cup Series Stats at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oval)
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | ||||||||
| 27 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 972 | 16.8 | 14.1 |
Truex 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | ||||||||
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 16.2 | 19.0 |
Truex NASCAR Cup Series Career Stats
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | ||||||||
| 519 | 26 | 102 | 207 | 19 | 8,937 | 14.4 | 15.8 |
About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”
Kyle Busch / No. 54 App State Class of 2020 Toyota Supra Preview Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
No. 54 APP State Class of 2020 Toyota Supra News and Notes:
- BUSCH AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: For his third NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) start of the 2020 season, Kyle Busch will make his 26th career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The veteran driver has eight wins, 18 top-five finishes, 21 top-10 finishes and two pole positions at the 1.5-mile oval. He also has a starting average of 8.4 and a finishing average of 6.6.
- 2020 NXS STATS: In two NXS starts this season, Busch has two second-place finishes, one pole and has led 123 laps of competition.
- 2020 KYLE BUSCH NXS SCHEDULE: Busch will run five races in the NXS this season. The five races include: March 7 at Phoenix Raceway, May 21 at Darlington Raceway, May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, June 20 at Chicagoland Speedway, July 18 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and August 15 at Watkins Glen.
- BUSCH’S CAREER TOTALS IN THE NXS: Busch has 96 wins, 68 poles, 218 top-five finishes, 256 top-10s and 19,626 laps led in 354 career NXS starts. His most recent NXS win came in September at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Busch’s most recent pole, the 68th of his career, also came in September at Indy.
- 209 and Counting: Busch enters Monday night’s race at Charlotte with 209 career wins among NASCAR’s top three divisions – Cup (56), Xfinity (96) and Truck (57) – following his Truck Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway back in February.
- JGR AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has 96 total starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In those starts, the team has earned eight wins, 37 top-five finishes, 56 top-10 finishes and six pole starting positions. The team has led 1,742 laps, completed 18,457 of 19,187 attempted laps (96.2%) and earned an average start of 10.6 and an average finish of 12.1. Kyle Busch leads the team with five wins followed by Mike Bliss, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin with one win each.
- THIS WEEK ON THE NO. 54 SUPRA: This week, the No. 54 will honor the graduating class of 2020 from Appalachian State University.
- RACE INFO: The Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2020. Coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1, PRN Radio and SIRIUS XM Channel 90.
Busch Career Xfinity Series Stats at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 25 | 8 | 18 | 21 | 2 | 1,381 | 8.4 | 6.6 |
Busch 2020 Season NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 123 | 8.8 | 13.2 |
Busch Career NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 354 | 96 | 218 | 256 | 68 | 19,626 | 7.5 | 9.0 |
Riley Herbst – No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota Supra Preview (NXS) – Charlotte Motor Speedway
No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota Supra News and Notes:
- HERBST AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: For the sixth race of the 2020 season, Riley Herbst will make his first-career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While this will be his first start at the track in the Xfinity Series, Herbst has two starts at the track in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Series. In those two starts, Herbst has a best finish of second in 2018.
- JGR AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has 96 total starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In those starts, the team has earned eight wins, 37 top-five finishes, 56 top-10 finishes and six pole starting positions. The team has led 1,742 laps, completed 18,457 of 19,187 attempted laps (96.2%) and earned an average start of 10.6 and an average finish of 12.1. Kyle Busch leads the team with five wins followed by Mike Bliss, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin with one win each.
- DARLINGTON RECAP: With the Xfinity Series retuning to the track for the first time following a two-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, teams unloaded at Darlington Raceway for the fifth race of the season. Starting the race from the fifth position for his first appearance at the 1.366-mile track, Herbst spent most of the day learning how to maneuver around the historic track. Poised for a solid top-15 finish, contact with the wall in the closing laps slowed the Monster Energy Supra. Herbst was able to hold on for an 18th-place finish at the South Carolina track.
- POINTS STANDINGS: Following his 18th-place finish at Darlington Raceway, Herbst remains 11th in the Xfinity Series point standings, 95 points out of first place.
- THIS WEEK ON THE NO. 18 SUPRA: This week, Monster Energy will serve as the primary partner for the No. 18 Toyota Supra team.
- RACE INFO: The Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2020. Coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1, PRN Radio and SIRIUS XM Channel 90.
Herbst Career Xfinity Series Stats at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Herbst 2020 Season NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8.0 | 14.2 |
Herbst Career NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 15 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 9.9 | 15.3 |
From the Driver’s Seat: Riley Herbst
You get to race again on Monday. Are you excited for Charlotte?
“I’ve actually seen Charlotte – been around that place. I’m looking forward to that. Still with no practice or qualifying, I think that’s going to benefit me because we are equipped and we have a really good setup for Charlotte. We are not behind the eight ball because me and Harrison (Burton) have actually been to Charlotte, so we will be ready to go.”
Erik Jones – No. 20 DEWALT ATOMIC Thank You Heroes Toyota Camry Preview (NCS) – Charlotte Motor Speedway
No. 20 DEWALT ATOMIC Thank You Heroes Toyota Camry News and Notes:
- JONES AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: Erik Jones will make his fifth Cup Series start at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend for the Coca-Cola 600. In his previous four starts at the track in the Cup Series, Jones best finish is seventh during his first appearance in the Coca-Cola 600 in 2017. In addition to his Cup starts, Jones has five Xfinity Series starts at the track earning a best finish of second in 2015. In his lone Truck Series start at track, Jones led 88 laps before falling to second to Kasey Kahne in one of the closest finishes in Truck Series history.
- JGR AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has 130 total starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Cup Series competition. In those starts, the team has earned seven wins, 51 top-five finishes, 78 top-10 finishes and 10 pole starting positions. The team has led 3,673 laps, completed 45,352 of 47,107 attempted laps (96.3%) and earned an average start of 12.1 and an average finish of 11.7. Bobby Labonte leads the team with two wins followed by Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex, Jr. all with one win each.
- STARTING LINEUP: For the first time since returning to racing, the NASCAR Cup Series will qualify to set the field for the Coca-Cola 600. Prior to Sunday’s race, teams will qualify starting at 2 p.m. ET.
- THIS WEEK ON THE NO. 20 CAMRY: This weekend, the No. 20 Toyota Camry will carry the familiar black and yellow DEWALT paint scheme featuring DEWALT ATOMIC. The No. 20 Camry will also feature a “Thank You Heroes” message on the car to honor those that have been fighting and continue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic around the United States and the world.
o The ATOMIC Compact Series ™ is an addition to the 20V MAX* system, which is DEWALT’s largest cordless platform with 200+ products.
- Where Size Meets Power, the ATOMIC™ Compact Series combines performance and durability in a compact format for a variety of applications.
- 600 MILES OF REMEMBRANCE: Continuing NASCAR’s tradition of honoring fallen military members during Memorial Day weekend, Jones will carry Richmond, VA native Private First Class Leslie D. Jackson of the United States Army on the No. 20 Camry. Private First Class Jackson was assigned to A Company, 115th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX, and was killed May 20, 2004, when her military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device as she was returning to Camp Eagle in Baghdad.
- POINTS UPDATE: With his fifth-place finish in the Toyota 500(k) at Darlington Raceway, Jones gained two positions in the point standings to secure the 15th position.
- DARLINGTON – TOYOTA 500(k) RECAP: Earning the 13th starting position for the Toyota 500(k), Jones was forced to drop to the back of the field before the green flag due to an unapproved adjustment on the starting grid. Focused on the leaders and improving the tight-handling condition of the No. 20 Camry, Jones was able to move in to the top 20 on lap 30 and cracked the top 10 at the start of stage two. Continuing to improve throughout the race, Jones took the lead on lap 134 and led 27 laps before contact with the wall changed the handling of his car. During the closing laps, Jones slipped to fifth before a late race caution waved and before NASCAR could restart the race, rain forced the race to end 20 laps short. Jones was credited with a fifth-place finish.
- RACE INFO: The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2020. Coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET on FOX, Sirius XM Channel 90 and PRN Radio.
Jones Career NASCAR Cup Series Stats at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15.8 | 20.8 |
Jones 2020 Season NASCAR Cup Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 17.2 | 15.3 |
Jones Career NASCAR Cup Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 117 | 2 | 25 | 52 | 2 | 609 | 13.4 | 15.9 |
From the Driver’s Seat: Erik Jones
How does this solid start bode well for you as we head into Charlotte?
“I think it’s good. We’ve done a good job at these first two with no practice. I think we can continue down that path. I’ve been putting a lot of work in the simulator and been trying to get things close for when we fire off on race day in the race. It’s been paying off. I’m going to continue that trend. Hopefully, we can keep bringing good cars to the track to start the race and I’ll keep having shots to go out and win. Charlotte’s been good to us. We’ve had some issues there, but we’ve had some really fast cars. Hopefully, we can finish a few spots better than we did at Darlington.”
About DEWALT
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Roush Fenway Weekly Advance | Charlotte 1
NASCAR’s return to racing continues Memorial Day weekend with the running of the prestigious Coca-Cola 600. Roush Fenway has 20 wins all-time at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including four in the Coke 600. Chris Buescher – who will pilot the Fifth Third Ford – is coming off a sixth-place run in this race a year ago while Ryan Newman –piloting the Roman Ford – has nine-career poles at the 1.5-mile track, the most of any active driver in NASCAR.
Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.5-Mile)
Coca-Cola 600
Sunday, May 24, 2020 | 6 p.m. ET
FOX, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90
- Ryan Newman, No. 6 Roman Ford Mustang
- Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fifth Third Ford Mustang
NASCAR Returns to Action
- NASCAR continues its historic return to racing Sunday with the prestigious Coca-Cola 600, the third of four NASCAR Cup Series events over a 10-day span. The NCS will return to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Wednesday for a 310.6-mile event, which is set for 8 p.m. ET.
- Despite heavy rain in the Darlington area on Wednesday, NASCAR was able to get an official race in under the lights for the Cup Series’ sixth points race of 2020.
- Four weeks of NASCAR action were completed prior to the hiatus with races at Atlanta, Homestead, Texas, Bristol, Richmond, Talladega, Dover and Martinsville postponed.
Wednesday Recap, Sunday Preview
- With rain in the area through much of the night Wednesday, a bold strategy call put Newman in the lead just past halfway Wednesday night, before he overcame an unlucky pit road incident to record a 14th-place finish in a rain-shortened 208-lap race.
- The same strategy call put Buescher just behind teammate Newman for a restart just past halfway in Wednesday’s event at Darlington, with the race ultimately running 208 laps before rain cut it short. Buescher later missed pit road on a pit stop and got one of his laps back, before recording a 23rd-place finish.
- After two straight events with no qualifying, the field for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 will be set by qualifying, which is slated for 2 p.m. ET (FS1).
Roush Fenway in the 600
In 102 NCS starts in the famed Coca-Cola 600, Roush Fenway Racing has visited victory lane four times and recorded 23 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes. Jeff Burton leads the way with two Coke 600 victories for Jack Roush, while Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth have one each.
Golden Sombrero
Roush Fenway won a record four-consecutive Coca-Cola 600’s from 1999-2002 with drivers Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin. During that span, Roush Fenway led 427 laps, including 201 of 400 laps in the 1999 event.
2006 Dominance in the Coca-Cola 600
Roush Fenway had its best overall outing in the Coca-Cola 600 in 2006, when its five entries averaged a 5.4 finish. Roush Fenway Fords finished third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth, while leading 52 laps in the event. In 2002, Roush Fenway posted a one-two finish in the event with Martin and Kenseth battling feverishly for the win and combining to lead 67 laps in the race (with Martin taking the win).
Tale of the Tape
Roush Fenway has started 210 NCS races at Charlotte, recording eight total wins with 46 top-five and 79 top-10 finishes. RFR Fords have an average finish of 16.3 with 2627 laps led all-time.
600 Miles of Remembrance
To align with the nation’s spirit of Memorial Day, the NASCAR industry will come together to honor and remember the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom. Each driver/team entry into the Coca-Cola 600 will display a fallen service member name on the windshield header decal of the racecar.
Buescher will carry the name of SPC Anthony Kinslow, a native of Phoenix who was based in Fort Carson, Colorado, in the U.S. Army. Kinslow was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He was killed June 13, 2005, when his military vehicle came under a grenade attack while he was conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.
Newman will carry the name of Nathan Bruckenthal, a native of Stony Brook, N.Y., who enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on Jan. 5, 1999. He was later assigned to Tactical Law Enforcement Detachment South, LEDET 403, at Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Florida, and deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On April 24, 2004, while serving as part of Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia aboard USS Firebolt, Petty Officer 3rd Class Bruckenthal, a damage controlman, and two U. S. Navy sailors were killed in the line of duty while conducting maritime intercept operations in the North Arabian Gulf. Bruckenthal and six other coalition sailors attempted to board a small boat near the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal. As they boarded the boat, it exploded. Bruckenthal later died from the wounds he sustained in the explosion. Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guard member killed in action since the Vietnam War.
Roush Fenway Charlotte Wins
1992-2 Martin Cup
1995-2 Martin Cup
1998-2 Martin Cup
1999-1 Burton Cup
2000-1 Kenseth Cup
2001-1 Burton Cup
2002-1 Martin Cup
2011-2 Kenseth Cup
1993-2 Martin NXS
1995-2 Martin NXS
1996-1 Martin NXS
1996-2 Martin NXS
1998-1 Martin NXS
1999-1 Martin NXS
2000-1 Burton NXS
2001-2 Biffle NXS
2002-2 Burton NXS
2006-1 Edwards NXS
2011-1 Kenseth NXS
2011-2 Edwards NXS
2011-2 Edwards NXS
2015-1 Buescher NXS
Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Report – Darlington
Track: Darlington Raceway
Race: Toyota 200
Date: May 21, 2020
____________________________________
No. 22 MoneyLion Ford Mustang – Austin Cindric
Start: 7th
Stage 1: 5th
Stage 2: 8th
Finish: 4th
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 147/147
Laps Led: 0
Point Standings (behind first): 3rd (-26)
Notes:
- Austin Cindric scored a fourth-place finish in the rain-delayed Toyota 200 Thursday evening at Darlington Raceway, NASCAR’s first Xfinity Series race in more than 72 days during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cindric passed Noah Gragson with two laps to go to score his third top-five and fourth consecutive top-10 finish. The driver of the No. 22 MoneyLion Ford Mustang holds firm to third-place in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver standings, 26 markers behind leader Chase Briscoe.
- Cindric started seventh in the 147-lap, 200-mile race after the lineup was set per random draw. During the first 45-lap stage, Cindric battled a tight Ford Mustang and finished Stage 1 in fifth position. He pitted on lap 47 for four tires, fuel, and adjustments to aid his tight-handling Mustang and restarted sixth when the race went green on lap 50.
- Stage 2 was uneventful for the Mooresville, N.C. native. The 45-lap segment ran caution free and Cindric, who ran inside the top-10 throughout the stage, was credited with an eighth-place finish when the stage ended on lap 90.
- The third and final stage ran caution free until lap 133, setting up a short run to the finish. Crew chief Brian Wilson called Cindric to the pits one last time for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. Cindric used the fresh tires and adjustments to his advantage, passing Gragson for fourth place less than two miles from the checkered flag.
- The NASCAR Xfinity Series is back in action May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway at 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on FS1 and PRN.
Quote: “I think it was definitely a three-part afternoon. Obviously, we did a good job of at least unloading close enough. We had a little bit of a hiccup there with a tach that didn’t work, so I wasn’t able to quite maximize pit road speed today. Finishing fourth today, I thought we did overachieve a little bit. I thought we were just outside of being a top five car, but as a team I think we did a great job of making our car better throughout the race from the first lap to every change and so on, so I’m proud of that. I think that’s a team effort and it’s good to get back in that kind of rhythm, and I guess the third part — restarts are fun, restarts are crazy. After I cleared the nine there for fourth I think for the next three laps all I did was watch Chase try and win the race. With as much that’s going on in his life that’s a big moment for him and his family and being friends with him that’s pretty cool to see. Obviously, if I can’t win I want another Ford to win, so I’m glad we were able to push him there.”