SPRINT CUP At Kentucky

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

New Kentucky-Specific Rules Package To Debut This Weekend; Four More Track-Specific Packages Scheduled

A new aerodynamic rules package designed to lower downforce will be implemented by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams at Kentucky this weekend.

The new aerodynamic package calls for teams to use a 3.5-inch spoiler, instead of a 6-inch one. It also features a radiator pan reduction from 38 inches to 25 inches. The splitter will have 1.75 inches less overhang than what was used in the first 17 races this season.

On Tuesday, NASCAR Executive President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell announced the sanctioning body has updated track-specific rules packages for four upcoming races - Indianapolis, Michigan, Darlington and Richmond.

“I think all of this shows that we remain committed to putting the best racing on in the world.” O’Donnell said. “And each of these, including Kentucky this weekend, I think shows everybody that we've got several components that make up a rules package each week, and they can certainly be adjusted, and we will do that if we can do something that we believe will improve the racing for the fans at each track.”

The Missing Link: Gordon Gears Up For Last Chance To Complete Sweep Of Tracks

Jeff Gordon has won at 22 of the 23 tracks on the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit – all except Kentucky. It remains the lone hole in his incredible career. In fact, he’s won at 24 different tracks, with victories at Rockingham and North Wilkesboro as well, both of which are no longer on the schedule. Claiming wins at every NASCAR track in which one has competed is unprecedented. Gordon can become the first by visiting Victory Lane in Saturday’s Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network). He may not have a win, but is one of four drivers who have scored a top 10 in every race the 1.5-mile oval that has hosted since 2011.

Keselowski Cruises At Kentucky

The University of Kentucky basketball team rarely loses in the Bluegrass State.

Neither does Brad Keselowski.

Keselowski’s two victories are the most at Kentucky Speedway, which will host its fifth-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday. The No. 2 Ford driver is also the defending race-winner. He took the checkered flag from the pole at Kentucky last season, leading 199 laps in the process.

A win at Auto Club Speedway in March locked up a spot for Keselowski in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Since then, it’s been a mostly up-and-down campaign. Currently seventh in the driver points standings, Keselowski will look to use Kentucky as a springboard to a second series championship.

Rated R For Restricted: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Continues Restrictor-Plate Dominance

Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his 10th career restrictor-plate race on Monday morning at Daytona International Speedway to join Jeff Gordon (12) and his father NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt (11) as the third driver with double-digit plate wins.

Both of Earnhardt’s wins this season have come at restrictor-plate tracks. The No. 88 Chevrolet driver ranks tied for second in victories with defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and 2004 champion Kurt Busch.

Earnhardt is currently third on the Chase Grid, the same position as his highest career finish (2003).

Danica Patrick Makes 100th Start

Danica Patrick will make her 100th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start in Saturday’s Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway, becoming the first female to reach the milestone.

Patrick’s six top-10 finishes are the most all-time among female drivers. She is also the only female driver to earn a NSCS Coors Light Pole Award (2013 Daytona 500).

On the season, Patrick ranks 20th in the driver points standings.

The No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing driver is one of 16 female drivers who have competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Busch Continues Quest For Chase Berth

Following the birth of his son in May, Kyle Busch is looking forward to another “berth” this year.

A berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Busch secured his win at Sonoma and now has to make his way into the top 30 of the point standings at the conclusion of the September race at Richmond.

Currently, Busch ranks 37th in the driver points standings, 128 points behind Cole Whitt for 30th with nine races left. On Sunday, Busch battled from two laps down to finish 18th at Daytona. If the 30th position continues on its current pace, Busch will need to average a finish of 13th over the next nine regular season races to earn a top 30 spot.

A race at Kentucky could help Busch’s Chase chances, as he boasts more top-five finishes at the 1.5-mile track than any other driver (three). He won the inaugural race there in 2011.

Chase Watch

Nine races remain until the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Chances for spots in NASCAR’s playoffs are dwindling, and a number of big names are still looking for their first win of 2015, including Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Aric Almirola, Greg Biffle and AJ Allmendinger, all of whom made last year’s Chase.

This weekend, Kevin Harvick can clinch a top 30 spot. That, combined with his multiple wins which guarantees him to be among the top 16 winners, will officially clinch a spot in the Chase, assuming he starts the remaining races in the regular season. With a 48-point victory, Dale Earnhardt Jr. could also clinch, but would need lots of help to clinch a top 30 spot.

Here’s a look at the current Chase Grid:

The top 10 are virtually locked in with a win.

1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4. Kurt Busch 5. Joey Logano 6. Martin Truex Jr. 7. Brad Keselowski 8. Matt Kenseth 9. Denny Hamlin 10. Carl Edwards 11. Jamie McMurray (+85) 12. Jeff Gordon (+59) 13. Kasey Kahne (+55) 14. Paul Menard (+39) 15. Ryan Newman (+31) 16. Clint Bowyer (+24)

On the outside looking in are Aric Almirola (-24), Kyle Larson (-70) and Greg Biffle (-73).

History Lesson: Corbin, The Home of KFC … And Petty Dominance

Long before Kentucky Speedway, there was Corbin Speedway.

Corbin, a small town 150 miles south of Sparta (home of Kentucky Speedway), is best known as the home of Colonel Harlan Sanders and the birthplace of his Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Not as well known is the fact that it hosted Kentucky’s only NASCAR Sprint Cup race in the series’ first 60 years.

Like most tracks of its day, Corbin Speedway was a half-mile dirt track. The NASCAR Grand National race in 1954 was a 100-miler, same as most races on the schedule that season.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty was chasing his first NASCAR championship, after finishing runner-up in 1949 and 1953.  He entered the race in first place, leading fellow Hall of Famers Buck Baker and Herb Thomas.

Petty emerged victorious – his sixth win of the season – and all but wrapped up his first championship. He left Corbin 534 points ahead of Baker with just seven races remaining.  He finished the season with seven wins, a career-high at the time, and a feat he matched two other times – in his two other championship seasons (’58, ’59).

While Petty, the sport’s Most Popular Driver at the time, was the fan favorite, there was also a local hero in the field. Corbin-native Bub King finished 18th in the race, his final of 35 career NASCAR starts.