An Introduction To The Name Behind The NASCAR XFINITY Series

A release on NASCAR.com by Peter Intermaggio, Senior Vice President, Marketing Communications, Comcast. (Photo Getty Images/NASCAR)

McMurray et Larson démarrent bien 2015 en remportant les 24 H de Daytona

Congratulations à Jamie McMurray et à son équipe le Chip Ganassi Racing Team, ainsi qu'à son coéquipier Kyle Larson (Qui, pour sa deuxième participation seulement, remporte les prestigieuses 24 heures de Daytona! (ROLEX 24 hours of Daytona). Jamie rejoins ainsi AJ Foyt et Mario Andretti comme étant les seuls à avoir gagné les Daytona 500 et la course d'endurance des 24H de Daytona. Photo copyright: NASCAR, via Nascar Illustrated

Jeff Gordon: Fini la Nascar en 2016, mais...

Quelques heures seulement après l'annonce de l'arrêt de sa carrière à temps plein en NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Jeff Gordon a tenu une conférence de presse avec Rick Hendrick. Geoffrey Lettier, un des (trop) rares spécialistes de la NASCAR en France exprime: "Le quadruple champion de la Sprint Cup a indiqué qu'il pouvait très bien faire d'autres courses, pourquoi pas en Xfinity ou en Truck, mais aussi en endurance et pourquoi pas au Mans pour les 24 heures du même nom. Au cours de cette conférence, Jeff Gordon est revenu sur sa décision de prendre sa retraite, une décision réfléchie dans le courant de la saison 2014. Un choix motivé en partie par ses problèmes de dos."

Jeff Gordon dit “Je n'y ai pas pensé sérieusement avant le milieu de la saison 2014. Les douleurs au dos ont joué un rôle dans mon choix. Je ne vais plus courir, mais je ne vais pas partir à la retraite. J'ai beaucoup de choses de prévues. La retraite, c'est aller à la plage, boire du café, promener le chien, j'ai prévu de travailler.”

Rick Hendrick n'a pas souhaité évoquer l'avenir: “Jeff a franchi beaucoup de barrières pour aider les autres à venir dans ce sport. J'espère que les fans se souviendront de Jeff comme de quelqu'un qui a changé ce sport. Mais, il reste une saison à disputer, trente-six courses de championnat et un seul et même objectif pour les deux hommes, décrocher un titre, le cinquième pour Jeff Gordon son premier sous le format du Chase, un format qu'il a eu tant de mal à appréhender."

Photo Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images pour Nascar

 

 

Gordon découvre la NASCAR en 1991, lorsqu'il est admis en Busch Series. Il y court deux années et en profite pour battre le record du nombre de pôles au cours d'une saison, 11. Symboliquement, sa première participation à une course de la Winston Cup, les Hooters 500 de 1992, coïncide avec la dernière course de Richard Petty (légende de la NASCAR). En 1993, Gordon court sa première saison complète en Winston Cup pour Hendrick Motorsports, il y décroche le titre de Rookie of the Year et finit 14e au classement. En 1994, Jeff remporte sa première course aux Coca-Cola 600 sur le Lowe's Motor Speedway. Il remporte la même année sa course à domicile au Indianapolis Motor Speedway pour l'inauguration des Brickyard 400. 

En 1995, à l'âge de 24 ans, Gordon décroche le premier de ses quatre championnats de Winston Cup. Il gagne de nouveau le championnat NASCAR en 1997, 1998et 2001. Seuls trois pilotes ont gagné plus de 4 championnats : Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt (7 trophées chacun), et Jimmie Johnson (6 trophées).

 

Comcast’s XFINITY Brand to Become Only Third Title Sponsor of the Series ‘Where Names Are Made’

NASCAR and Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) announced today a historic agreement that will make Comcast’s XFINITY brand the title sponsor of what is now known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series through 2024. The 10-year term matches the longest single agreement around title sponsorship of any NASCAR national series in history, and is the longest entitlement sponsorship agreement in this series’ history.

 Beginning January 1, 2015, the property will be known as the NASCAR XFINITY Series. XFINITY will become only the third title sponsor in series history following Anheuser-Busch (26 years) and Nationwide Insurance (seven years). The agreement also makes XFINITY an Official NASCAR Partner in the multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) and broadband ISP categories.

 The announcement was made during an event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame – where the sport’s history is celebrated every day – and was the first series entitlement sponsorship ever announced at the venue.

 XFINITY is Comcast’s residential service brand and is the nation’s largest video and high-speed Internet provider. The company has increased Internet speeds for existing customers 13 times in 12 years and recently introduced XFINITY on the X1 Entertainment Operating System. The company also offers XFINITY On Demand, the most robust video on demand platform in the world. Comcast serves business and residential customers in 39 states and Washington, D.C.

 “We’re proud to welcome XFINITY to the NASCAR community as title sponsor of the NASCAR XFINITY Series for the next decade,” said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman & CEO. “NASCAR and XFINITY are each leader brands with much in common. Both are focused on innovation and have products built for speed. Together, we will work to take this series to new heights and elevate one of the most unique and powerful partnerships in all of sports.”

 What will soon be known as the NASCAR XFINITY Series is the property where names are made and is like nothing else in major pro sports. It features the most talented young drivers regularly competing side-by-side against NASCAR’s biggest and brightest stars.

“Technology lives at the heart of NASCAR, just as it does for XFINITY,” said Dave Watson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Comcast Cable. “NASCAR provides an exciting environment in which to showcase our video and Internet products and we look forward to further enhancing the fan experience at home, at the track and on the go for years to come.”

The series also has a large, highly engaged and technology-connected television audience. It races in some of the nation’s largest markets – from Chicago to Los Angeles to Miami – and at the sport’s biggest and most iconic tracks – from Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, to Talladega Superspeedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

According to NASCAR Fan Engagement Tracker 2013 (commissioned by NASCAR and conducted by Toluna), NASCAR fans spend an average of four-and-a-half hours each week watching NASCAR on television and an additional two-and-a-half-hours each week following the sport on digital platforms.

XFINITY is among the premier sponsors in sports today and a robust sponsorship activation program is part of the new agreement with NASCAR, with aggressive planning already underway.

Comcast’s involvement with NASCAR is expanding rapidly. In addition to the NASCAR XFINITY Series announced today, Comcast’s NBC Sports unit will begin broadcasting NASCAR race events in July 2015.

After a successful seven-year run as series entitlement sponsor, Nationwide Insurance pivoted its marketing programs to become a NASCAR team sponsor next season. Nationwide also is the official auto, home, life and business insurance partner of NASCAR.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series will make its return to Richmond International Raceway for the Virginia529 College Savings 250 on September 5, and will be aired on ESPN2. The first race of the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series season, and of the new partnership, will be during Daytona Speedweeks on February 21, 2015, at the famed Daytona International Speedway.

 

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and follow NASCAR at www.Facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.

 

About Comcast Cable

Comcast Cable is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. Comcast has invested in technology to build an advanced network that delivers among the fastest broadband speeds, and brings customers personalized video, communications and home management offerings. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

 

 

AN OFFICIAL NASCAR RELEASE

Logo copyright: Nascar

Comedian, Actor Jay Mohr To Host The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards; Lady Antebellum, Aloe Blacc And Nashville’s Lennon And Maisy To Perform

Official release of NASCAR:

" The slogan is as recognizable as any: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

 

But NASCAR will make an exception on Dec. 5 when it gives audiences a front row seat as Jay Mohr, Lady Antebellum, Aloe Blacc and Lennon and Maisy take the stage at the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™show from the Wynn Las Vegas^® live on FOX Sports 1.

 

This year, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will honor 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, as well as celebrate the other Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ Challengers. FOX Sports 1 will provide coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will begin coverage at 8 p.m. ET.

 

Mohr will serve as the host for the second consecutive year. The actor, comedian, radio host and best-selling author has one of the most expansive backgrounds in show business. After landing his dream job at "Saturday Night Live" and launching his career in film alongside Tom Cruise in "Jerry Maguire," Mohr appeared in approximately 200 network television episodes and more than 25 feature films. Additionally, his national radio show, "Jay Mohr Sports," is syndicated in more than 155 markets across the U.S. With a career in entertainment that spans over three decades, Mohr has become an artist who knows no limits, making him the perfect person to help celebrate NASCAR’s most prominent drivers. 

 

"This is my fifth time hosting the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and I’m honored to share the stage once again with some of the most talented athletes in the world," said Mohr. "This has been an incredibly exciting year for NASCAR and it’s not every day that you get to be a part of a defining moment in the history of a sport."

 

Keeping his NASCAR performance streak rolling following his act at NASCAR’s season-opening, crown jewel eventthe 2014 DAYTONA 500^® at Daytona International Speedway^®, Blacc will kick off the musical entertainment for the night with the soulful selection that has "woken up" audiences around the world. The singer / songwriter collaborated as vocalist and co-writer on well-known DJ/producer Avicci’s 2013 track "Wake Me Up," which topped the charts in more than 100 countries across the globe, before releasing his third album "Lift Your Spirit" in March 2014. The rapper-turned-singer uses his surging popularity to affect social change and to deliver messages of positivity and passion.

 

Later in the evening, the seven-time GRAMMY™ Award winning trio Lady Antebellum will keep the audience rocking with a new song from their fifth album entitled "747." The 11-song disc has already spawned the PLATINUM certified multi-week chart-topping smash hit "Bartender," and its new single "Freestyle" is quickly climbing the charts. The new album follows over 11 million albums sold worldwide, nine trips to No. 1 on the country radio charts, six Platinum singles and "Vocal Group of the Year" honors from both the CMA and ACMs three years in a row. Lady Antebellum just wrapped their headlining "TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR," which hit 80 cities in Canada and the U.S. over the course of the year, and delighted both fans and critics with the "Dallas Morning News" declaring, "Lady Antebellum shows off its warranted leap to superstardom." For more information visit: www.ladyantebellum.com.

 

Additionally, 15-year-old Lennon Stella and her 10-year-old sister Maisy Stella from ABC’s hit drama "Nashville" will perform. The daughters of the recording duo Brad and MaryLynne Stella, Lennon and Maisy’s musical roots run deep. In 2013, the sisters had a show-stopping performance of "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers on "Nashville," which quickly entered the top 40 of Billboard’s "Hot Country Songs" list. Later that same year, Lennon and Maisy performed at the CMA Awards™ and presented Taylor Swift with her Pinnacle award. They also performed at The White House this year and sang alongside cast members from "Degrassi," Magic Johnson, Martin Sheen, The Band Perry, and J.R. Martinez at "We Day Minnesota" last month.

 

This year’s talent will join the esteemed list of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards show artists from previous years, which include chart-topping singers, such as John Mellencamp, Phillip Phillips, Sara Bareilles, Dierks Bentley and Kid Rock.

 

"The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards present the opportunity to spotlight the biggest names in NASCAR, and we are thrilled to augment that star power with some of the most popular personalities in the entertainment industry," said Zane Stoddard, NASCAR vice president of entertainment marketing and content development. "This year’s line-up is sure to add to what has been one of NASCAR’s most climactic racing seasons ever."

 

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information, visit www.nascar.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.

 "

Kevin Harvick's NSCS Championship Tour In Los Angeles: Les photos

Harvick, en tant que champion 2014 des NASCAR Sprint Cup Series était à Vegas, pour la traditionnelle tournée du champion, la "NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Tour In Los Angeles" Toutes les photos sont copyrightées Nascar et/ou Jared C.Tilton, Getty Images for Nascar:

NASCAR 2014: Quelques photos post-saison

La saison est finie, mais en attendant les célébrations de Vegas, quelques photos des "congés" de ces messieurs ou d'heureux évènements: (Copyright Getty Images for Nascar, Père Noel (c) Laposte.net)

Classement général final de la Sprint Cup 2014

Avec l'aimable autorisation, et par Frédéric Thévenin: Touts droits réservés à Thévenin Frédéric

 

 

 

Pourquoi Denny Hamlin sera sacré champion 2014 en Sprint Cup?

Comme nous allons le voir, Hamlin, au delà des statistiques, se place juste grand favori devant Harvick, pour une question de détails. Et l'on a bien vu dans l'avant dernier round du chase que les détails, ça compte. Demandez à Jeff Gordon: 1 point, c'est un détail. Mais le dépassement de Newman à Phoenix est passé du statut de simple détail à guillotine pour Gordon. Photo Getty Images for DennyHamlin.com. Regardons:

 

1 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota)

A Homestead-Miami Speedway:

·         2 victoires, 4 tops 5, 5 top 10s

·         Moyenne au finish de 11.2 sur 9 courses

·         Position moyenne en course de 14.0

·         Driver Rating: 93.4

·         88 meilleurs temps au tour

·         Meilleur de la série sur les dépassements sous drapeau vert: 826 "Green Flag Passes"

·         1,406 tours dans le Top 15 (58.5%)

-         AGFS: >161.890 Mph

 

2 - Joey Logano (No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford)

Homestead-Miami Speedway:

·         1 top 10; 1 pôle

·         Finish moyen de 20.8 en 5 courses

·         Position moyenne en course de 19.5

·         Driver Rating de 71.2

 

3 - Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet)

Homestead-Miami Speedway:

·         1 top 5, 4 tops 10s

·         Finish moyen de 17.0 en 12 courses

·         Position moyenne en course 13.8

·         Driver Rating de 84.8

·         696 dépassements sous vert

·         1,520 Tours dans le Top 15 (63.2%)

·         426 "Quality Passes" (Dépassements dans le top 15 sous vert), 3ème meilleur de tout temps

 

4 - Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet)

 

Homestead-Miami Speedway:

·         5 tops 5, 11 top 10s

·         Average finish de 8.1 en 13 épreuves

·         Position moyenne en course de 10.9

·         Driver Rating de 99.1

·         83 meilleurs temps au tour

·         681 dépassements sous drapeaux certs

·         Vitesse moyenne sous drapeau vert de 161.857 mph

·         1,805 tours en le Top 15 (75.1%)

·         398 "Quality Passes"

Anecdotes:

Denny Hamlin a remporté en 2009 la course en partant de la 38ème place sur la grille de départ, c'est le record ici. 

Roush Fenway Racing mène dans le nombre de victoire à Homestead avec 7, l'écurie de la Joe Gibbs Racing avec 5. La JGR EST l'écurie de Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin est le vainqueur en titre ici, et chez Joe Gibbs, dès le début de saison, un travail de fond à été effectué pour gagner ici, au cas où. L'opportunité se présentant, Hamlin a toutes les cartes en main pour remporter Homestead. Un titre de champion clefs en mains, en quelque sorte. Il y possède, avec Kevin Harvick, les meilleures statistiques des 4. 

Kevin Harvick a lui aussi une chance d'être titré, eu égard aux performances de cette saison. Mais, même s'il a toujours été "placé" à Miami, il n'y a jamais remporté la moindre victoire, alors qu'Hamlin y a gagné deux fois.

En cas de raté de ces deux-là, Ryan Newman (le 3ème meilleur de tout temps ici sur les dépassements - Tiens, tiens - ) pourrait profiter du gâteau. Logano, lui, n'à qu'un finish moyen au dela de la 20ème place, et bien qu'ayant déja signé la pôle ici, seuls 18% des vainqueurs partant de la première ligne visitèrent -donc- la Victory Lane.  

Dur choix entre Harvick et Hamlin, mais, hors contexte statistique, et au vu des essais faits chez JGR pour cette course, Hamlin à nos faveurs pour gagner cette course MAIS si lui ou Harvick pêchent par stress, enthousiasme, crevaison ou ne remportent pas la course, Ryan Newman pourrait bien se saisir de cette unique occase pour chopper un titre..

Et comme le disait Hamlin sur son site après Phoenix:

"Personne ne nous attendait ici, alors, on ira à Miami sans pression, pour s'amuser, mais on on fera tout pour remporter le titre"

Harvick, roi du désert à Phoenix

Kevin Harvick a remporté hier soir de main de maître l'épreuve de NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, se qualifiant ainsi pour la finale à Miami-Homestead, accompagné d'un Denny Hamlin revenu de très loin, à l'instar de Logano et d'un plus qu'étonnant dans sa régularité Ryan Newman, qui, sur un dépassement osé et autoritaire sur Larson, prive Jeff Gordon de finale dans les 300 derniers mètres.

Le record de drapeaux jaunes fut atteint hier ici, à Phoenix, preuve s'il en est, de l'énervement présent dans les équipes. Les autres éliminés sont un transparent Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, puni par Dieu sans doute pour son comportement, et un Matt Kenseth, qui, on se le demandait encore, n'avait finalement pas trop sa place en finale (Aucune victoire cette saison).

"Je suis très fier de cette équipe et de la Stewart-Haas Racing pour le travail accompli", commente le vainqueur du jour. "Les deux dernières semaines ont été très bonnes pour nous. Et je n'avais pas le choix, je devais gagner pour me qualifier"

 

Pos.	Dép.	Num	Pilotes	Constructeur	Tours	Points	Statut
1	3	4	Kevin Harvick	Budweiser Chevrolet	312	48	-
2	7	24	Jeff Gordon	Axalta Chevrolet	312	42	-
3	5	20	Matt Kenseth	Dollar General Toyota	312	41	-
4	2	2	Brad Keselowski	Miller Lite Ford	312	40	-
5	1	11	Denny Hamlin	FedEx Ground Toyota	312	40	-
6	4	22	Joey Logano	Shell Pennzoil Ford	312	39	-
7	10	41	Kurt Busch	Haas Automation Chevrolet	312	37	-
8	16	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet	312	37	-
9	28	16	Greg Biffle	Sherwin Williams Ford	312	35	-
10	21	9	Marcos Ambrose	Stanley Ford	312	34	-
11	20	31	Ryan Newman	CAT Mining Chevrolet	312	33	-
12	14	78	Martin Truex Jr.	Furniture Row Chevrolet	312	32	-
13	8	42	Kyle Larson *	Target Chevrolet	312	31	-
14	19	1	Jamie McMurray	Liftmaster Chevrolet	312	30	-
15	13	99	Carl Edwards	Fastenal Ford	312	29	-
16	24	47	AJ Allmendinger	GLAD Trash Bags Chevrolet	312	28	-
17	18	17	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Cargill/Fry s Ford	312	27	-
18	23	43	Aric Almirola	Farmland/Folds of Honor Ford	312	26	-
19	9	55	Brian Vickers	Aaron s Dream Machine Toyota	312	25	-
20	29	14	Tony Stewart	Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet	312	24	-
21	22	5	Kasey Kahne	Farmers Insurance Chevrolet	312	23	-
22	32	10	Danica Patrick	GoDaddy Chevrolet	312	22	-
23	11	27	Paul Menard	Richmond/Menards Chevrolet	312	21	-
24	34	38	David Gilliland	Long John Silvers Ford	312	20	-
25	35	34	David Ragan	Taco Bell Ford	312	20	-
26	30	7	Michael Annett *	Accell Construction Chevrolet	311	19	-
27	26	33	Ty Dillon(i)	Charter Communications Chevrolet	310	0	-
28	33	36	Reed Sorenson	Flasr.com Chevrolet	310	16	-
29	38	40	Landon Cassill(i)	Newtown Building Supplies Chevrolet	310	0	-
30	41	83	JJ Yeley(i)	Dumb & Dumber To Toyota	309	0	-
31	31	95	Michael McDowell	KLOVE Radio Ford	309	13	-
32	37	23	Alex Bowman *	Dumb & Dumber To Toyota	308	12	-
33	42	32	Joey Gase(i)	Zimmer.com Ford	308	0	-
34	6	18	Kyle Busch	Banfield Pet Hospital Toyota	308	10	-
35	12	13	Casey Mears	GEICO Chevrolet	305	9	-
36	43	66	Mike Wallace(i)	Toyota	303	0	-
37	27	51	Justin Allgaier *	BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet	302	7	-
38	25	3	Austin Dillon *	Cheerios Chevrolet	283	6	-
39	15	48	Jimmie Johnson	Lowe s Patriotic Chevrolet	235	5	Accident
40	17	15	Clint Bowyer	5-hour Energy Toyota	211	4	Accident
41	36	98	Josh Wise	PPR98 Chevrolet	204	3	Accident
42	40	26	Cole Whitt *	16T fuelxx/Tapout Muscle Recovery Toyota	147	2	Accident
43	39	37	Mike Bliss(i)	Chevrolet	16	0	Freins

(*) Pilote rookie cette saison.
(i) Pilote ne marquant pas de points dans cette série.