This Weekend in NASCAR – Texas Storylines

Texas Motor Speedway is the host for this weekend’s NASCAR national series action with night races for the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Friday and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Saturday. The fast 1.5-mile oval has 24-degree banking in the turns. It is located in the northernmost portion of Fort Worth, TX. The NASCAR camping World Truck Series is off until May 6 at Kansas Speedway.

This weekend’s storylines follow…

Busch Clocks In First At Martinsville, Readies For Texas

Kyle Busch earned his first win of the season and his first career checkered flag at Martinsville Speedway when he led 352 of 500 laps on his way to Victory Lane in Sunday’s STP 500. Busch virtually guarantees himself a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup as the fifth different driver to win this season (Jimmie Johnson, 2; Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin).

The only current NSCS tracks where Busch hasn’t won are Kansas, Pocono and Charlotte. He has visited Victory Lane at every current XFINITY Series track at which he has at least one start except Watkins Glen. The Las Vegas native has 35 career NSCS wins.

Busch leads all drivers with five top-five finishes this season. He ranks tied with Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards for the most top 10s with five.

The No. 18 Toyota driver will go for his second straight win in Saturday’s Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. on FOX). In the last four races at TMS, he has the best average finish (3.7).

Johnson Texas Ranger: No. 48 Chevrolet Driver Goes For Fourth Straight Win In Lone Star State

Chuck Norris wears Jimmie Johnson pajamas.

The No. 48 Chevrolet driver is the real Texas Ranger.

Johnson boasts the track records at Texas Motor Speedway in wins (6) top 10s (19), average finish (8.4), laps led (1,023) and driver rating (108.0). He ranks tied with Matt Kenseth for the most top fives with 13.

In Saturday’s Duck Commander 500, Johnson will go for his fourth consecutive victory in the Lone Star State. He has won five of the last seven races at Texas Motor Speedway, including four of the last five.

Winning again will be a tough task for Johnson. In the Texas race last fall, he had to run down a dominant Brad Keselowski car with four laps remaining. He also has to contend with Kevin Harvick, who leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 18 top-two finishes at intermediate tracks since 2015 (Johnson ranks second with 10).

Through the first six races of this season, Johnson is the only two-time winner (Atlanta, Auto Club).

Dallas Star: Kenseth Can Turn Around Season At Fort Worth

By Matt Kenseth’s standards, the 2016 season hasn’t started very well.

In the first six races he only has one top 10 (seventh at Phoenix), despite leading laps in five of the six races this season (for a total of 144).

Luckily for Kenseth, his panacea has arrived – Texas Motor Speedway.

In 26 starts at the 1.5-mile track, Kenseth owns two wins, 13 top fives (tied for first in course history with Jimmie Johnson) and 17 top 10s.

Loop data indicates Kenseth has been the victim of bad luck and his performance will improve. Though he ranks 14th in points, his 97.9 driver rating and 10.4 average running position rank sixth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Cowboy Up: Dillon Leads RCR Into Texas

Austin Dillon continued his strong start last Sunday to what looks like will be a career season.

He placed fourth in the STP 500 after starting 29th. Dillon now has a career-high two top fives on the season. His four top 10s are one less than his career-best mark of five set last year.

And the NASCAR season is only six races old.

Dillon wasn’t the only bright spot for his Richard Childress Racing team at “The Paperclip.” His teammates Paul Menard and Ryan Newman finished eighth and 10th, respectively, for their first top 10s of the season.

Dillon leads the RCR contingent to Texas Motor Speedway where he finished a track career-best 11th last fall. He will attempt to improve on his eighth-place position on the Chase Grid.

Team Penske Tries To Continue Texas Success

The Team Penske tandem of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano will try to continue its strong performance at Texas Motor Speedway in Saturday’s Duck Commander 500.

Keselowski led a record 312 of 334 laps in last year’s fall race at TMS, but he was passed by Jimmie Johnson with four go-arounds remaining, and finished second.

In his last seven starts at the 1.5-mile track, Keselowski claims six top-10 finishes, including a top-five showing in each of his last three races there.

Logano visited Victory Lane at Texas in the 2014 spring race and is the only driver not named Jimmie Johnson to take the checkered flag there since Kyle Busch in spring of 2013.

If Saturday’s contest comes down to a late caution, don’t be surprised to see Logano in the mix again. He is the fastest active driver on restarts at Texas (180.190 mph).

’Dinger Zings To Top Finish At Martinsville

AJ Allmendinger scored his best finish since his 2014 win at Watkins Glen when he placed second on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 47 Chevrolet driver trailed winner Kyle Busch by a mere 0.663 seconds.

“Well, I was hoping for one more spot, but man that was a lot of fun,” Allmendinger said. “I passed Jimmie Johnson like five times at Martinsville. That is pretty freaking cool. I just can’t thank everybody on this team enough.”

The result marked the fourth time in his career Allmendinger has finished in the top 10 in two consecutive races. He has never placed in the top 10 three times in a row – a feat he will attempt to achieve in Sunday’s Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Allmendinger jumped seven spots from 19th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings to 12th following the race.

Right On Target: Larson Logs Third-Place Paperclip Finish

Kyle Larson did at Martinsville what the North Carolina basketball team struggled to do on Monday night.

He rebounded.

Two weeks after placing 39th at Auto Club due to a wreck, Larson finished third at Martinsville, moving up 14 spots from his 17th starting position.

Prior to Sunday, the NASCAR Next and Drive for Diversity (operated by Rev Racing) alumnus never finished higher than 19th at Martinsville in four previous starts there. His Sunday showing was his top effort this year since finishing seventh in the Daytona 500.

“In the past it’s been my worst race track on the schedule, so to get a top-three finish here feels great, feels like a win to be honest, and hopefully this is a good momentum shift that we need,” Larson said. “We’ve been struggling all year long so far and been working hard, but it hasn’t paid off.”

The No. 42 Chevrolet driver will attempt to build momentum at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend. He struggled at TMS last season with finishes of 25th and 37th, respectively, but placed fifth and seventh at the 1.5-mile oval in 2014.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Fan Vote Now Open
NASCAR fans are invited to cast their votes for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 by participating in the annual Fan Vote on NASCAR.com/halloffame.

Fans are encouraged to vote for five of the 20 nominees for the Class of 2017. The top-five vote-getters, as voted upon by the fans, will make up one of the ballots from the Voting Panel that will be used to tabulate the results for the NHOF Class of 2017 on Voting Day, Wednesday, May 25.

Voting is open now and closes at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, May 23.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Etc.

Back In Texas: Buescher Readies For Second Start At Hometown Track

Chris Buescher, a native of Prosper, Texas, returns to his hometown track for his first start there as a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. Buescher placed 30th at Texas last spring, moving up 10 spots from his 40th starting position in only his third NSCS start. The 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion currently ranks fourth in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings.

Six Texans have won a NSCS race: Terry Labonte (22), Bobby Labonte (21), A.J. Foyt (7), Billy Wade (4), Bobby Hillin Jr. (1) and Johnny Rutherford (1).

Did You Know?

In its infield, Texas Motor Speedway can fit the stadiums of both of the Lone Star State’s NFL Football teams (Cowboys, Texans), its two MLB teams, its three NBA squads, and Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. The infield spans 84 acres and houses the Guinness World Record-recognized world’s largest TV – “Big Hoss.”

Suárez Rides To Texas Anticipating To Build On His Early Momentum

After a two week hiatus, the NASCAR XFINITY Series is back in action Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 (8:30 p.m. ET. on FS1). One driver especially excited to get back to racing is series standings leader Daniel Suárez. Suárez holds a 10-point lead over second-place Elliott Sadler and a 19-point lead over third-place Justin Allgaier.

“I’m excited about going to Texas and getting back in my Toyota this week,” Suárez said. “We were so close to the win in Fontana and all I could think about over the break was getting back on the track with my guys.”

Over the past three races, Suárez has extended his points lead from three points to eight to 10 over Sadler in second and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Suárez, 24, is a graduate of the NASCAR Next and Drive for Diversity (operated by Rev Racing) programs. Now piloting the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Suárez has posted one pole, three top fives, five top 10s and a series-leading 4.8 average finish in the first five races of the season.

Comparing Suárez’s start to the starts of the last five champions in their respective championship-winning seasons – Daniel Suárez, 4.8 average finish (2016); Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 6.2 (2012); Chris Buescher, 7.8 (2015); Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 8.2 (2011); Chase Elliott, 8.8 (2014) and Austin Dillon, 9.8 (2013) – Suárez’s start (the first five races) is better, and in most cases, far better, than those of the last five series title winners.

Suárez has made two series starts at Texas, posting one top 10 and an average finish of 12.0. In his last race at Texas, he started fifth and finished sixth.

“I enjoy racing at Texas (Motor Speedway) and I think our mile-and-a-half program at JGR is really strong,” Suárez said. “I’m excited to hit the track and continue to build on the momentum from the start of the year.”

Sadler Can Rely On Experience To Catch Suárez

JR Motorsports driver Elliott Sadler (second, -10 points) is in the best position to catch the series standings leader Daniel Suárez, and this weekend’s stage, Texas Motor Speedway, is as good as any to do it.

Sadler’s tenure within NASCAR has been lengthy, and with it has come some undeniable experience. To put in perspective the age gap between Sadler and Suárez, Sadler started racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 1995 at the ripe age of 20, three years after Suárez was born (1992).

But Sadler isn’t letting the youthfulness of his competitors get the best of him, in five starts this season he has posted two top fives, five top 10s and an average finish of 6.8.

Sadler has made 16 starts at Texas, posting two poles, three top fives, nine top 10s and an average finish of 12.4. In four of his last five starts at Texas he has finished inside the top 10.

Chase Bubble Could Bounce This Weekend At Texas

The NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase will kick off at Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 24. Twelve drivers will compete in an elimination-style, seven-race, three-round Chase. Below is a look at the six drivers sitting on the bubble of the Chase cutoff line heading into Texas this weekend.

In:

10. Brennan Poole (+22) – Poole, a Woodlands, Texas native, drives the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 48 Chevrolet this season with crew chief Chad Norris. Poole, 24, is 22 points ahead of the Chase cutoff line after posting one top 10 and an average finish of 15.0 through the first five races of 2016. He made his series debut at Texas last season, starting 22nd and driving up to a 13th-place finish.

11. Blake Koch (+14) – Koch hails from West Palm Beach, Florida and drives the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet with crew chief Chris Rice. Koch currently is inside the Chase cutoff by one point over 12th-place Jeb Burton. Koch has posted one top-10 and four top-20 finishes this season. Koch has made 10 series starts at Texas, recording four top-25 finishes. Last fall he logged a 21st-place finish – his career-best at Texas.

12. Jeb Burton (+13) – Burton sits teetering on the Chase cutoff line, one point behind 11th-place Blake Koch and 13 points ahead of 13th-place Dakoda Armstrong. Burton, from Halifax, Virginia, drives the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer this season. In five starts in 2016, he has posted one top-10 and four top-20 finishes. This weekend will be his series track debut at Texas, but don’t count him out just yet. On the first two 1.5-mile tracks this season, he did well, finishing 10th at Atlanta and 17th at Las Vegas.

Out:

13. Dakoda Armstrong (-13) – Armstrong is the first driver outside of the Chase cutoff line looking in. Just 13 points separate him from 12th-place Jeb Burton. He is piloting the No. 28 JGL Racing Toyota with crew chief Steven Lane. Armstrong, 24, from New Castle, Indiana, has posted two top 20s and an average finish of 19.4 this season. He has four series starts at Texas where he’s recorded one top 10 and average finish of 16.5.

14. Jeremy Clements (-17) – Clements has to face an uphill climb being 17 points behind the cutoff line to the 2016 NXS Chase. Clements, 31, from Spartanburg, South Carolina, drives the No. 51 Jeremy Clements Racing Chevrolet with his father Tony Clements serving as crew chief. He has an average finish of 20.2 this season with a best finish of 15th (Daytona). He has made 14 starts at Texas, posting an average finish of 25.3.

15. Ryan Sieg (-22) – Tucker, Georgia’s Ryan Sieg sits 15th in the standings, 22 points back from the Chase cutoff line. Sieg, 28, drives the No. 39 RSS Racing Chevrolet with crew chief Kevin Starland. He has posted three top-20 finishes and an average finish of 21.2 in five races this season. Sieg has made four series starts at Texas where he owns an average finish of 20.8.

Joe Gibbs Atop The Owners Points Through Five Races

On the fenders of the supremely hot Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs rode to the top of the NASCAR XFINITY Series car owner points standings just five races into the season. A mere six points separates Gibbs’ first-place No. 18 Toyota team from second-place Richard Childress’ No. 2 Chevrolet team.

Gibbs is on the hunt for a NASCAR XFINITY Series-record fifth owner championship.

JGR’s No. 18 team opened the season with Texas wheelman and former series champ Bobby Labonte at Daytona. Since then, Kyle Busch has been behind the wheel. In five starts, the No. 18 JGR team has posted three wins and four top fives. This weekend, Busch will be back in the seat to try to add to his series record seven wins at Texas Motor Speedway.

Austin Dillon will pilot the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing this weekend at Texas. Dillon has made seven starts at the 1.5-mile oval where he claims five top fives, seven top 10s and an average finish of 4.9.

NASCAR Texas Ties: Poole, Starr Back Home In Lone Star State

NASCAR national series racing has roots in Texas that date back to the 1960s. The very first NASCAR national series race in Texas was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event held at Texas World Speedway in 1969 won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Isaac. A total of 105 NASCAR national series races among three tracks have been held in the state of Texas: Texas Motor Speedway (96), Meyers Speedway (one) and Texas World Speedway (eight). The NASCAR XFINITY Series has held 30 races in the state of Texas, all at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS). Mark Martin won the first NASCAR XFINITY Series race held at TMS in 1997.

A total of 82 drivers who have competed in at least one NASCAR national series race have their home state recorded as Texas. Of the 82 Texas drivers, 19 have competed in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. Of the 19, only five Texas natives have won in the NASCAR XFINITY Series: Terry Labonte (11 wins), Bobby Labonte (10), Chris Buescher (three), Bobby Hillin Jr. (two) and James Buescher (one). Two drivers from Texas have won the NXS championship – Bobby Labonte (1991) from Corpus Christi and Chris Buescher (2015) from Prosper.

This weekend, two drivers from the great state of Texas are entered to compete in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 on Friday night – Brennan Poole (The Woodlands) and David Starr (Houston).

Poole will handle the No. 48 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet and Starr will pilot No. 44 TriStar Motorsports Toyota.

Sunoco Rookie Of The Year Contender Erik Jones Calls Texas A Favorite Track

While his teammates have been the talk of the series – Kyle Busch winning three straight races and Daniel Suárez extending his points lead – Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Erik Jones has been quietly making the uphill pilgrimage through the NASCAR XFINITY Series driver standings. This weekend, Jones returns to Texas Motor Speedway, a track that he says, has quickly grown dear to him.

“Texas Motor Speedway has quickly become one of my favorite tracks with a lot of great memories, from receiving my diploma at driver intros to winning my first XFINITY race,” Jones said. “It’s a place I’ve really enjoyed racing from the start and definitely one I’ve had circled on my calendar as one where we could get a win. It’s a fun place, a place where we can put on a show for the fans and that makes it a lot of fun for the drivers.”

Jones captured his first series career win at Texas last season. He returns this weekend to defend his win and get his first victory in 2016.

The 19-year-old Michigan native is currently seventh in the series standings on the strength of three top fives in the first five races of 2016.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Etc.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender Brandon Jones’s No. 33 Chevrolet will be sponsored by the Texas Rangers for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 on Friday. Jones will sport a Texas Rangers firesuit, while his car will be wrapped in the team’s logo with baseballs on the door. The 19-year-old threw the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Rangers game with the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Wednesday.