In what is considered a stunning move, NASCAR has revoked Austin Dillon's automatic berth into the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series playoff field for his moves on the final lap Sunday at Richmond Raceway.
Dillon won the race following a last-lap incident where he turned Joey Logano and then hooked Denny Hamlin to take the checkered flag and what he thought was an automatic playoff berth that goes with a regular-season win.
NASCAR will not strip Dillon of the win, but it won't allow him to use the win for an automatic playoff berth. Dillon was also docked 25 points in the standings and his spotter, Brandon Benesch, was suspended for three races.
NASCAR rules allow for that decision as the playoff eligibility requirements state: "Race finishes must be unencumbered by violation(s) of the NASCAR Rules or other action(s) detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR."
NASCAR also issued a $50,000 fine to Logano for smoking his tires as he drove by Dillon's crew and family on pit road following the race. Logano said he will not appeal the fine.
RCR will appeal the penalty, and any decision by NASCAR's appeals panel would be made before the regular-season finale Sept. 1 at Darlington.
The unique RoofTec NHRA Competition Eliminator Cash Clash is back, with competitors in the category getting the chance to compete in a pair of major specialty races with a combined $125,000 in total purses.
The first takes place at the world’s biggest drag race, the prestigious 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals on Aug. 28-Sept. 2 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis, continuing at the NHRA Nevada Nationals on Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The bonus-earning opportunities for the Competition Eliminator racers are made possible through the efforts of Rodger Brogdon and his RoofTec brand. The specialty races also continue to bring a bigger spotlight for the category, which is Brogdon’s goal for these big-money shootouts.
"We wanted to give the teams participating an extra means of earning more money, which has provided a lot of excitement around what we are doing here," Brogdon said. "We debuted this race-within-a-race, and it created all the excitement we expected and then some. It created a buzz for Competition Eliminator and was a hit for the racers."
At the prestigious Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, the RoofTec Indianapolis Comp Cash Clash winner will get $30,000, while the Las Vegas RoofTec Comp Cash Clash will feature $50,000 in base earnings.
To compete in the RoofTec Comp Cash Clash events, racers must be in the top 16 in points before the event that hosts the special race-within-a-race.
Through six races in the RoofTec Competition Eliminator bonus, Texas-based Rick Brown leads the standings heading into the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Taylor Chomiski is only one point behind and defending RoofTec Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund champion Chase Williams is third, just 12 points behind Brown.
"It's been a great year," said Brown, 72, who races a B/Pro Stock Truck Automatic Chevrolet S-10. "I'm feeling very fortunate I can still do it. Any way you look at what Rodger Brogdon has done for Competition Eliminator is incredible."
Fifty-time NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national event winner Jeff Taylor, who has competed in numerous specialty events, has been thoroughly impressed by the RoofTec Comp Cash Clash events.
"It's huge, the money is crazy and the racing is the toughest that there is because you've got the best, top cars there in the freaking world. They're running for it," said Taylor, who is seeded No. 9 heading into Indianapolis. "You got the best drivers; you got the fastest cars. So, it takes a lot of work to win. I mean, nobody's ever won two in the same year. That should say something right there."
“This bonus program from RoofTec and Rodger Brogdon has brought a tremendous amount of excitement for the Competition Eliminator category, and we’re thrilled to see it continue in 2024,” NHRA Director of Advertising/Sponsorship Sales Jeff Morton said. “It’s a terrific addition to the world’s biggest drag race in Indy and we’re excited to see these standout Comp racers compete for big money at the bonus event in Las Vegas as well.”
The following drivers will compete in the second annual RoofTec Comp Cash Clash on Friday, Aug. 30 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. First-round pairings will be determined using a chip draw.
ROOFTEC COMP CASH CLASH QUALIFIERS FOR TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
1. Rick Brown
2. Taylor Chomiski
3. Chase Williams (defending RoofTec Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund Champion)
4. Don Thomas (defending RoofTec Cash Clash champion)
5. Rodger Brogdon
6. Adam Hickey
7. David Triplett
8. Glen Treadwell
9. Jeff Taylor
10. Jason Grima
11. Kayla Mozeris
12. Clint Neff
13. Scott Linder
14. Greg Kamplain
15. Cali Neff
16. Jarrod Granier
ALTERNATES
Kevin Carter
Steve Basgall
Allen Wilson
Brian Wegner
Ashton Hudson
Brooke Heckel
For more information, visit www.https://www.compeliminatorbonusfund.com/. For more information on NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
The Short Track Super Series heads South to Georgetown Speedway on Tuesday, August 27 for the 10th annual ‘Blast at the Beach.’ The STSS Modifieds go for 35 laps and a $6,000 top prize in Round No. 7 of the NJ Quality Drywall South Region and Round No. 16 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship. The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman are also on the docket, going for 25 laps and a $2,000 payday in Round No. 6 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region point battle.
Kaulig Racing and Strive, a financial services firm on a mission to maximize value for its clients through an unapologetic embrace of capitalism, meritocracy, and innovation, are excited to announce a 2024 NASCAR season partnership.
Strive, an Ohio-based firm, co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, has accumulated over $1.5 billion in assets under management since launching its first fund in 2022. The company manages a variety of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with an investment philosophy focused on maximizing shareholder value and pushing back against ESG, DEI, and other value destructive initiatives. The company also manages investment options in the Strive Pooled Employer Plan (Strive PEP) and, in response to significant demand for expanded financial services following the early success of Strive’s asset management platform in the United States, plans to launch Strive Wealth Management.
“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Kaulig Racing for the rest of the 2024 NASCAR season,” said Strive CEO Matt Cole. “Strive’s commitment to pro-American principles aligns perfectly with what NASCAR fans believe in – and could be looking for when they need help managing their hard-earned savings. We look forward to seeing the Strive car on the track later this year.”
As part of this partnership, Strive will be the primary sponsor of AJ Allmendinger’s No.13 car for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR fans have the chance to help Strive decide which paint scheme will hit the track at Talladega. Fans can check out the eye-catching options and cast their votes by visiting kauligracing.com/strive.
“We’re super excited to partner with another Ohio-based company in Strive,’’ said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “Its excellence-focused approach in asset management falls in line with our thought process here at Kaulig Racing and all Kaulig companies.”
Allmendinger and the No. 13 Strive Chevrolet will take to Talladega’s high-banks for the Geico 500 on Sunday, October 6 at 2 p.m. ET with coverage on NBC. Strive will also be featured as an associate partner on Daniel Hemric’s No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 car throughout the remainder of the 2024 season.
– The F/A Products Maynard Troyer Classic IV set to take place on Friday, August 30 at Spencer Speedway in Williamson, N.Y., and it’s going to be a night “where every lap counts” and extremely lucrative for asphalt Modified racing in the Western Region of New York and Pennsylvania. Long-time friend of Troyer, Tom Forgione has stepped up once again to remain the Race of Champions Modified Series race title sponsor through his F/A Products Engine and Performance Parts brand.
Forgione and the Troyer family will be adding to the overall purse as well providing racers other incentives. Their contribution will once again be increased from the 2024 event. The F/A Products decal will be mandatory on each car participating in the MTC IV for the additional support.
“This is a great fit for our performance business,” offered Forgione. “It is a wonderful way to honor my friend Maynard’s huge impace on the sport. We have seen tangible results on our investment in this from the last couple of years. I would like to thank all of the fans, racers and everyone involved for their support. This is going to be a special night once again and we are looking forward to it.”
Forgione is a former Modified driver and Spencer Speedway regular as well as a former racer in IMSA with a Ford Mustang. Maynard Troyer’s last competitive race occurred with Forgione in 1989 as co-driver during events at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) and at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. Forgione still competes today in the HTA (Historic Trans Am Series).
Kenny Troyer has been soliciting money to supplement the purse throughout the year and creating new and innovative ideas like the “Invader Bonus” eligible to “new teams” competing in the event. Troyer’s efforts continue to help build the tradition of the event. Each season the bar has been raised to new heights in regard to available money for the competitors. Scott Hossfeld will once again present the event champion with a ring signifying the victor’s accomplishments. Len Kasper, author and local racing historian will once again be on hand for this year’s “Classic” to speak with fans and competitors and support the event as well help drive an “unofficial racer’s reunion” at Spencer Speedway.
The race will be run 60-laps with an unheard of $11,000-to-win for an event of this type. The Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series will run a 36-lap race on this evening as well. More details in regard to this race will be announced in the near future. The “Rocket Performance” 602 Sportsman Modifieds racing for 16-laps in tribute to Maynard Troyer’s traditional number “6”.
The gates open at 5:00 pm at Spencer Speedway for fans, with qualifying to follow at 7:15 pm on Friday, August 30.
All Race of Champions “Family of Series” events will be streamed on RoCModifiedSeries.TV powered by Racing America. For more information in regard to the Racing America streaming platform visit; offer.racingamerica.com/race-of-champions/. Subscribing provides fans who “tuned in” to every Race of Champions Modified Series event in 2023 well over a $100 discount to purchase and subscribe for the entire year featuring all Race of Champions Series races, plus access to 200+ live short track races from tracks across North America as well as expanded media coverage including NASCAR and more than 10 years of short track racing archives. (www.racingamerica.tv)
Where: Spencer Speedway, Williamson, N.Y.
When: Friday, August 30, 2024. Grandstands open at 5:00 pm, Qualifying at 7:15 pm; all racing to follow.
Tickets: $27 General Admission; $22 for Seniors/Military (65 years and older and Military with proper identification); Children 15 to 10 years of age will be $17; Children 10-and-under will be Free for this event.
Directions: The track is located just fifteen minutes east of Rochester, N.Y. at 3020 Route 104, Williamson, N.Y. 14589
What: The Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series Maynard Troyer Classic V.
More Information: www.rocmodifiedseries.com
The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with primary marketing partners Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Racing America, Airport Collision, Rocket Performance, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com and Speed Sport. The 72nd and 74th annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2024 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.
National Debt Relief becomes first official debt relief partner of NASCAR
Today, NASCAR announced that National Debt Relief has become an Official Partner of NASCAR. The official multi-year partnership makes National Debt Relief the first-ever Debt Relief Partner of NASCAR and builds on the official partnership with the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, which was announced in June.
“Over the course of our 76-year history, NASCAR has taken great pride in putting our fans first and consistently offering one of the most unique and fan-friendly experiences in all of sports,” said Michelle Byron, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Partnership and Licensing Officer. “The approach in prioritizing our fans aligns perfectly with the mentality of National Debt Relief, an organization that tailors its support to fit the needs of consumers. Because of this, National Debt Relief is a perfect fit as an Official Partner of NASCAR.”
As NASCAR’s Official Debt Relief Partner, National Debt Relief will have a presence at NASCAR events, including signage; NASCAR-themed advertising in race telecasts, as well as investments on NASCAR digital platforms and Motor Racing Network. Prominent at-track branding will begin this weekend at Richmond Raceway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Clean Harbors 250 (Saturday, Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and the NASCAR Cup Series’ Cook Out 400 (Sunday, Aug. 11, 6 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
“We’re ecstatic to further our partnership with NASCAR as an Official Partner and are looking forward to building stronger relationships with NASCAR fans, especially those dealing with overwhelming debt and are in need of relief,” said Alex Kleyner, National Debt Relief Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “As U.S. households continue to be saddled with record amounts of debt, this partnership will allow us to bring attention to debt settlement as a growing solution that can help people become debt-free faster and get their financial lives back on track.”
Since 2009, National Debt Relief has successfully helped hundreds of thousands of people resolve their debt and reclaim their independence. Their highly rated, unique Whole Human Finance approach to debt relief not only helps their clients become debt-free, but also supports them with financial literacy and skill development, as well as emotional support throughout their debt journey, empowering them to resolve their debt and confidently build a more secure financial future. To learn more, visit NationalDebtRelief.com or call 1-800-718-0487 for a free consultation with a Certified Debt Specialist.
Four weeks remain in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season and things will be busy on the track as far as who will make the playoffs.
Cup drivers will navigate Richmond, Michigan, Daytona and Darlington before the field of 16 playoff drivers is set. Twelve drivers have locked themselves in with at least one victory this year (Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez), with four spots remaining.
Beyond the main point of interest of who makes the playoffs and who doesn't, here are four major storylines to watch over the next month:
1. Silly season continues
Most teams should be finalizing plans over the next month or so on what their 2025 rosters will look like.
Cup teams that currently have openings include: Spire, Front Row, Kaulig and Rick Ware Racing. And, assuming they each add a third team, Trackhouse and 23XI Racing.
Trackhouse appears to be leaning toward Shane van Gisbergen in its Cup car, while 23XI is the most likely landing spot for Riley Herbst, who brings with him additional Monster Energy money to a program that already has a relationship with the brand.
Justin Haley, who drove for Spire in its first season in 2019 and pulled off the upset at Daytona by staying out when the rains came, could very well return to Spire. He'd replace Corey LaJoie, who would be a candidate to swap spots with him at Rick Ware Racing.
Zane Smith, currently with Trackhouse on loan to Spire, could return to Front Row. The team also has talked with Sam Mayer, who has some funding.
The Kaulig openings and RWR could be dependent on sponsorship. Whether any of their current Cup drivers return is to be determined. AJ Allmendinger has consistently said he would do what Kaulig wants him to do and has not ruled out a return to Cup.
2. Charter negotiations
The teams gave NASCAR a counteroffer a few weeks ago and there doesn't seem like there has been many, if any, conversations between NASCAR and the teams as far as any significant negotiations.
While the hope was that a deal could be done early in the summer, it now looks like the fall is more likely.
Whether the teams can get anything that they are looking for remains to be seen. They want charters to be permanent and want a higher percentage of television and other media rights and ancillary revenues.
The next hurdle for the teams could be this: With the current television package being a seven-year deal (2025-2031), do they sign a deal just for seven years and not hold out for anything long-term? That might be better than trying to negotiate for a deal that goes longer — and teams could hope that NASCAR Chairman Jim France, at age 79, potentially hands over NASCAR to his nephew, Ben Kennedy, before the next deal is negotiated (and Kennedy potentially being more amenable to team owner's requests).
As first reported by the SportsBusiness Journal, teams potentially could decide not to participate in the next installment of the Netflix series about the sport, hoping to use that as leverage to get some concessions from NASCAR as far as the charter agreement.
Radioactive: Indianapolis – "It ain't over" | NASCAR on FOX
3. 2025 schedule announcement
Remember back in May when there were rumblings the schedule could come out sooner rather than later?
Well, it turns out that later was the answer.
It should be this month. Emphasis on should.
Gateway is most likely headed to the playoffs, as is Darlington and possibly also New Hampshire. Atlanta (already announced) is back in the summer, Watkins Glen possibly goes back to the summer and Homestead possibly to the spring.
Mexico City? Depending on the week, it is either nearly a sure thing or questionable. If it does happen, the track likely to lose a date would be Richmond. Emphasis on likely.
Iowa (new in 2024), Chicago street course (with an agreement with the city that can be canceled up until January) and COTA (leased by Speedway Motorsports for NASCAR races) are expected to return to the Cup schedule.
While there has been some buzz about Rockingham, it is not expected to be on the Cup schedule. Possible other national series racing there is more likely.
4. Richmond and tires
NASCAR will allot teams two sets of softer tires for this weekend at Richmond, the same "option" tire at North Wilkesboro that never wore out as quickly as expected. But Richmond is a much harsher surface than the repaved North Wilkesboro.
Teams had nine sets (eight sets of stickers and a set of scuffs from qualifying) of the standard tire in the spring and will only have seven sets (six stickers and one set of scuffs) of the standard tire to go along with the two softer sets for this 400-lap event.
When teams tested with the softer tire at Iowa earlier this year, they barely lasted 15 laps. So teams still aren't sure how many laps they can get with them before they start to lose significant time (or worse) because of wear.
NASCAR hopes to give teams 45 minutes of practice Saturday at Richmond so they can see how much the softer tire wears (and how faster it will go). That obviously is weather permitting, and tropical storm Debby might not be all that permitting in the area Saturday.
Whether NASCAR would use the softer tire at any playoff races remains to be seen. Richmond won't be the only track where teams could be scratching their heads on tires as the series heads to the playoffs. At a Bristol tire test last month, drivers had the same issues of the tires wearing out quicker than expected that occurred in the spring. While it was first thought it was temperature that impacted the tire in the spring, now maybe it is the combination of the Bristol concrete and the resin used that resulted in the unique durability issues.
But if all teams know what they're facing, they potentially can race with that in mind. Whether NASCAR gives them extra sets than originally planned is still to be determined.
NASCAR still working on international date for 2025 schedule
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff schedule is likely to see Talladega Superspeedway, one of NASCAR’s most intimidating tracks, move into the semifinal round, according to a tentative schedule obtained by The Athletic.
As The Athletic previously reported, Darlington, Gateway and New Hampshire will shift from hosting regular-season races to playoff events. These three venues are replacing Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Homestead-Miami, all of which will move to the regular season.
NASCAR continues to have ongoing discussions with race promoters in both Mexico City and Montreal, with the former considered the proverbial leader in the clubhouse. Should NASCAR finalize a deal with Mexico City, the tentative date is listed as June 8, 2025, though circumstances could necessitate a different spot on the calendar. A race at Montreal would likely need to be slated later in the year.
Donate at the 19th annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, drive Dover Motor Speedway’s Monster Mile on Wednesday, Sept. 11
Dover Motor Speedway will once again pay tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with the annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive on Wednesday, Sept. 11 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
This marks the 19th consecutive year that Dover Motor Speedway and the Blood Bank of Delmarva have partnered together for this event, dating to 2006. For the second time in the blood drive’s history, registrants will have the opportunity to drive on the famous Monster Mile, the high-banked oval which has hosted NASCAR events every year since 1969.
REGISTRATION INFO: Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or visit https://donate.bbd.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/10256 to book an appointment. Remember to only schedule an appointment if you are feeling healthy and fever free.
Registrants should be aware of the following procedures as they make their way in and around Dover Motor Speedway:
ENTERING THE PROPERTY: Guests should use the Speedway’s Leipsic Road entrance, near the Monster Monument (not the entrance to Bally’s Dover off of Rt. 13), to access the event. Suggested GPS address to help with guidance: 99 Plaza Drive, Dover, DE 19901.
WAIVERS: Before entering the start-finish line gate, guests will be asked to sign a Speedway-issued waiver to drive their vehicle on the Monster Mile racing surface and a Blood Bank-issued waiver in order for their photo to be taken.
DONATION AREA: Guests will enter the Speedway near the start-finish line and make their way to the NASCAR Cup Series garage between Turns 1 and 2. After their donations, guests will exit the garage area near Turn 2 then make their way back around the track toward the frontstretch exit where they entered.
In appreciation to those who donate, regular drawings will take place to award tickets for next year’s BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover Motor Speedway, an annual 200-lap/mile event featuring some of America’s top up-and-coming drivers.
Blood from volunteer donors is needed every two seconds to help meet the daily transfusion needs of cancer and surgery patients, accident and burn victims, newborns and mothers delivering babies, sickle cell anemia patients, and many more.
Per America’s Blood Centers, 62 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate (204.9 million people) but only 3 percent of Americans do so each year.
Private equity firms and sports funds have been circling NASCAR in recent months looking at possible investments, driven by momentum around sports overall, racing specifically, and the relatively low cost of team charters.
Trackhouse Entertainment Group became the latest team to accept private equity last month when it announced a deal with former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund, which acquired what it called a significant minority stake in the company.
Other firms also are said to be in the mix, and NASCAR has proposed rules for its next governing agreement around private equity investments.
“Other pro sports team owners are now looking at NASCAR, as team values are still very low especially compared to other sports,” Andrew Murstein, the former majority owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, wrote in a text message. “Savvy investors like Marc Lasry have sold their interests in the NBA and have invested in NASCAR as they feel it has a lot more upside.”
The exploration by private equity firms has industry executives wondering if one could persuade Dale Earnhardt Jr. to take his JR Motorsports team to NASCAR’s premier Cup Series if the firm puts up the price of a charter. JR Motorsports now competes only in NASCAR’s secondary Xfinity Series.
Among those who have kicked the tires on investing in NASCAR include the Steinbrenner family, sources said. George Michael Steinbrenner IV and Julia Steinbreinner, children of late New York Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner, have been involved in IndyCar, in which they have invested in a team run by Andretti Autosport.
NASCAR declined to comment, but a person familiar with the sanctioning body’s thinking cautioned that charter negotiations are ongoing and fluid, so plans could change. NASCAR is proposing a seven-year renewal of the charter agreement with a seven-year option. Teams wanted the charters to become
