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NOAH GRAGSON GETS GREEN LIGHT TO RACE IN CUP SERIES DEBUT

by MikeFebruary 9, 2021

Now retired from NASCAR racing, Brendan Gaughan has handed off his superspeedway driving duties to a fellow Las Vegas resident.

When the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet takes to the track this week, Noah Gragson will be behind the wheel, preparing for his NASCAR Cup Series debut in Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). (more…)

For Chase Elliott, the Best Title Defense is a Good Offense

by MikeFebruary 9, 2021

Chase Elliott may be the defending champion in the NASCAR Cup Series, but protecting his status isn’t remotely close to his focal point entering the 2021 season. (more…)

Howie DiSavino III Brings Confidence Into ARCA Superspeedway Debut

by MikeFebruary 9, 2021

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla: When it comes to superspeedway racing, confidence is always a good thing.

For ARCA Menards Series driver Howie DiSavino III, confidence is on his side ahead of Saturday afternoon’s Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Undoubtedly, the 2021 ARCA season opener will be the biggest race of DiSavino’s career, but that does not seem to faze the AM Racing development driver one bit.

“It’s important for me to do well at Daytona this weekend,” said DiSavino. “I really want to give this AM Racing team some momentum.

“Kevin (Cywinski), Jamie (Jones) and everyone on this No. 32 Chevrolet are going to Daytona with the mindset of winning the race and I think we can do that – I just need to do my job and have a little luck along the way.

“I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity to compete on this big stage,” added DiSavino. “It’s a very humbling moment for me and my family, but once I climb into the car on Saturday, I can’t treat it as the biggest race or biggest chance of my career – I just have to treat it as another race.”

That cool, calm demeanor could be the winning ticket for DiSavino aboard Kevin Cywinski’s No. 32 Bud’s Heating & Air Conditioning | Front Runner Boats Chevrolet. Of course, AM Racing (formerly WinTron Racing) is no stranger to Daytona’s victory circle.

Cywinski alongside crew chief Jamie Jones have been fielding the No. 32 Chevrolet for several years around the 2.5-mile superspeedway and while also having fast race cars, when the payday window opened, they always found themselves collected in someone else’s mishap.

DiSavino isn’t thinking about the dreaded “Big One” this weekend, because chances are there will be nothing he can do to prevent being collected. What he can do is act off instinct and the guidance of his spotter, Tyler Monn.

To help prepare DiSavino for his superspeedway debut, the Chesterfield, Va. native participated in the open ARCA Menards Series test at Daytona last month with Jones and Monn by his side.

“I learned a lot at the test,” added DiSavino. “It certainly can be intimidating, but I felt like we made the best of the test for sure. We made adjustments throughout the two days and my comfort level was really at its best on Saturday and I feel like I’ve done my part studying up on the prior races since the test that will all help with the cause and our goal.

As DiSavino prepares for his sixth career ARCA Menards Series race, he knows he doesn’t have to go far outside his circle for advice on how to conquer Daytona.

DiSavino’s manager is former ARCA Daytona winner and former series champion Austin Theriault who captured both crowns during the 2017 season. Theriault has not only been instrumental in mentoring his young driver in the car but out of the seat too.

Former ARCA winner Joey Coulter has also played an important part in coaching Howie, in preparation for the biggest race of his career.

“Having them (Austin and Joey) is going to help me with my learning curve as I continue to climb the ranks. I’m glad they are on my side,” sounded DiSavino.

“Hopefully, our race ends with a strong finish and something to be proud about looking ahead to the rest of 2021.”

Bud’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Front Runner Boats and KEES Vacation will support DiSavino in 2021.

Additional details on DiSavino’s 2021 program are forthcoming.

For more on Howie DiSavino III, please visit howiedisavino.com, like him on Facebook (Howie DiSavino III Racing), follow him on Twitter (@hdisavino) and Instagram (HowieDiSavino).

For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing) or follow them on Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

The Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2021 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Fri., Feb. 12 with a one-hour session from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Group qualifying is set for race day, Sat., Feb. 13 at 8:30 a.m. The season-opener for the 69^th consecutive ARCA season is set to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

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NXS Daytona International Speedway – Brandon Jones – No. 19 Menards/Jeld-Wen Toyota Supra

by MikeFebruary 9, 2021

Brandon Jones and the No. 19 Menards/Jeld-Wen team charge into Daytona for the 2021 Xfinity Series season kickoff this Saturday. Jones finished 2020 with his personal best performance with a career-high three wins and his first career Truck Series win while notching a career-high 10 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. (more…)

Max Gutiérrez Wins 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Opener at New Smyrna

by MikeFebruary 9, 2021

NEW SMYRNA, Fla: Taking advantage of a second overtime restart at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway, 2020 NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series champion Max Gutiérrez stole the victory from Taylor Gray and Sammy Smith with a three-wide pass coming to the checkered flag in Monday night’s Jeep Beach 175. (more…)

Daytona 500 Will Be Broadcast Live on SiriusXM

by MikeFebruary 8, 2021

NEW YORK – February 8, 2021 – SiriusXM will offer race fans comprehensive coverage of the 63^rd running of the Daytona 500 on February 14, including the live race broadcast and in-car audio from some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the news and events of NASCAR’s Speedweeks leading up to race day. (more…)

FedEx Racing Express Facts – Clash at Daytona

by MikeFebruary 8, 2021

Denny Hamlin and the FedEx Racing team return to begin their 2021 NASCAR Cup Series campaign this Tuesday with the 35-lap Busch Clash on the Daytona International Speedway road course. A three-time winner of the event on the Daytona oval (2006, 2014 and 2016), Hamlin is one of only six drivers to win both the Clash and DAYTONA 500 during the same Speedweeks. His only previous start on the infield road course yielded a second-place finish. (more…)

Matt DiBenedetto Ready to Hit the Road (Course) at Daytona

by MikeFebruary 8, 2021

Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed to Daytona International Speedway, where they will kick off their 2021 Cup Series campaign with Tuesday night’s Busch Clash on the track’s infield road course. Once that checkered flag falls the action shifts to the 2.5-mile superspeedway for the Daytona 500 festivities that culminate with the Great American Race on Feb. 14. (more…)

Daytona 500: Martin Truex Jr. / No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry

by MikeFebruary 8, 2021

Martin Truex Jr. owns three top-five finishes and five top-10s in 31 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Daytona International Speedway. In the series’ most recent race on the 2.5-mile superspeedway, Truex led 14 laps and ended up fourth. Truex is also a former DAYTONA 500 pole winner after recording the fastest lap in qualifying back in 2009. (more…)

Middletown, CT’s Joey Logano Drives From 19th to 3rd in Dirt Modified Debut at Volusia County!

by Lou ModestinoFebruary 8, 2021

Night #4 of the 50th DIRTcar Nationals was all about appreciation for each and every one of the 96 UMP Modified drivers signed-in for competition; everyone got to form-up in the four-wide salute to the fans and race a 15-lap Feature for $700-to-win and a chance to stand in Victory Lane, front and center on the DIRTVision cameras. (more…)