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Meet the ex-Secret Service and FBI guys who stop NASCAR’s fights from exploding

They would prefer to blend in. This is what their decades in law enforcement have ingrained in them. Strangers asking for a selfie is supposed to be a foreign concept; people shouldn’t know who they are. But NASCAR fans have come to recognize Allen Taylor and Stan Ruffin, whose job titles are simply “NASCAR security,” […]

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They would prefer to blend in. This is what their decades in law enforcement have ingrained in them. Strangers asking for a selfie is supposed to be a foreign concept; people shouldn’t know who they are.

But NASCAR fans have come to recognize Allen Taylor and Stan Ruffin, whose job titles are simply “NASCAR security,” though this underplays their importance. Through no fault of their own, they’ve found themselves in the middle of some of NASCAR’s most well-known driver confrontations in recent years.

Remember that post-race scrum at Kansas in 2023, when Ross Chastain clocked Noah Gragson with a right cross? It was Ruffin who grabbed Gragson’s arm in mid-swing before he could land a retaliatory punch that surely would’ve triggered a bigger melee. Ruffin was also in the middle of a brawl last year at North Wilkesboro — where NASCAR returns this weekend for its annual All-Star Race — between Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., with Ruffin forcefully pulling Stenhouse away after he punched Busch post-race.

And last fall, Taylor defused a potential powder keg when he walked with an irate driver down Martinsville’s pit road who seemed hellbent on expressing his anger with a Truck Series competitor following a key playoff race, only for the confrontation to never go beyond an exchange of words.

“A lot of times you can tell by their posture when they get out of the car; they’re slamming things,” said Taylor, who heads NASCAR’s security team. “It’s all about anticipating and seeing how they’re reacting. Because sometimes drivers are nice and calm and they go to the other driver, and then that’s when they blow up. Sometimes the blow-up doesn’t happen until the other person says something. It’s not always immediately that the fighting occurs. You just have to be aware.”

Although there is no overarching protocol on how Taylor, Ruffin and others within NASCAR’s security corps handle post-race confrontations, they try to apply a consistent methodology. They end up as part-bodyguard, part-referee and part-mediator.

“It’s just a natural thing for me,” Ruffin said. “I seem to always be around, and stuff gravitates towards me. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not.”

When races finish, Taylor and Ruffin will make their way over to any driver they feel may be inclined to confront another, either by their own instincts or with some direction from NASCAR officials in the scoring tower. And should that driver decide to start a confrontation, security will quickly move in.

These exchanges between drivers are often mild, with no one starring in a viral fight video. But occasionally, a flare-up occurs.

When this happens, Taylor and Ruffin’s extensive law enforcement background — each totaling nearly 30 years — proves invaluable. Taylor worked for the U.S. Secret Service, where his duties included a lengthy stint serving on the detail assigned to protecting the Obamas. There, he forged a tight bond with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. When Taylor was seeking a career shift in 2020 and curious about potentially working for NASCAR, Barack Obama made a personal call to then-NASCAR president Steve Phelps to encourage the league to hire his friend.

Ruffin worked as an FBI agent, where he worked on several high-profile cases ranging from 9/11 to white-collar crimes to kidnappings.

The preferred protocol with post-race fights is to allow the drivers to speak toe-to-toe without any crew members interjecting. Since many crew members are former college athletes and often significantly bigger than drivers, such a size discrepancy can lead to injuries, making it paramount to keep them on the periphery. NASCAR security also doesn’t want any law enforcement to become directly involved unless absolutely necessary, lest an overzealous driver or crew member accidentally strike them and potentially be subject to criminal charges.

Ideally, once drivers begin to jaw, they’ll say whatever needs to be said and then disperse. Of course, sometimes it can go in a much different direction. And it’s when things get physical that Taylor and Ruffin make their presence known.

“You can’t let the drivers get hurt,” Ruffin said. “Because if you go too far and a driver gets hurt, then it becomes, ‘Why didn’t you stop them?’

“Those drivers, especially the younger ones, are similar to my own kids where I was always breaking up fights. The younger ones often make me laugh as I’m trying to break them up. I jokingly tell (drivers) they get one move (be it a shove, a grab or punch) and that’s it.”

Leaning on their vast training, Taylor and Ruffin prefer to de-escalate any situation before it rises to punches being thrown and drivers needing to be physically restrained.

Last fall at Martinsville, Taylor walked nearly the entire length of pit road with driver Taylor Gray, who was upset with Christian Eckes after late contact cost Gray a win in a pivotal Truck Series playoff race. During that walk, Taylor repeatedly told Gray to maintain a level head. This is exactly what happened.

“I kept saying, ‘Think about what you are going to say, don’t do anything that you’re going to regret later. Just have a conversation,” Taylor said. “I kept repeating the same thing over and over. He wasn’t acknowledging it, but I was hoping that he was hearing me.

“You’re de-escalating, but it’s also more about communicating. My communication skills are honed in on and based on having to deal with audiences, having to talk to people and give them direction. Communication is the key in all these situations.”

Looking back months later, Gray says he doesn’t recall what Taylor said to him that frustrating night. Still, it’s hard to think that Taylor’s message didn’t resonate to some degree.

“He was trying to talk me off the ledge, for sure,” Gray said.

Following a rough-and-tumble Xfinity Series race this past spring at Martinsville, Ruffin found himself in a similar situation. Livid with Sammy Smith, Jeb Burton sought Smith out in the infield care center. With this environment considered a hospital, no misbehavior is tolerated, especially fighting. So Ruffin placed himself between the two drivers, then calmly explained to Burton that this was not the place for this and he needed to leave. Burton listened. And on his own accord, he later apologized to the care center staff.

“They did a good job of talking me off the ledge,” Burton said. “That’s not the guy I am, but I’m fired up and passionate about what I do.”

Tense situations can extend beyond the track, sometimes not even involving drivers — and it may require being mindful of a muffin whizzing by their head.

He laughs about it now, and so do Ruffin’s colleagues, who now affectionately refer to him as the “Muffin Man,” but at the moment, it was no joke.

Among NASCAR security’s many duties is having a presence at various events that go on during the week. This includes NASCAR playoff media day, as was the case last September at the Charlotte Convention Center. At some point, as Ruffin recalled, an uncredentialed man entered a private area NASCAR had sequestered off and refused to leave when asked.

After Ruffin was alerted, he began following the individual while maintaining a healthy distance, as he didn’t want to provoke him. The unwanted visitor eventually made his way into a hospitality room where he proceeded to grab various food items. It was then Ruffin intervened, instructing the individual to leave as he had overstayed his welcome. Ignoring the directive, the individual continued to wander around only to suddenly throw a muffin at the back of Ruffin’s head, missing him.

In this instance, Ruffin would’ve had justification to act forcefully. Yet, Ruffin maintained his composure.

“I picked up the muffin, handed it to him and said, ‘Sir, I believe you dropped your muffin,’” Ruffin said, shaking his head as he retells the story.

“It’s just a matter of trying to stay calm and calm the other person and not make the situation worse by giving them an opportunity to do what they came there to do. And I think he came there to fight. … You do everything you can to bring the tension down.”

Stan Ruffin and Joey Logano


Stan Ruffin accompanies Joey Logano to a Los Angeles Clippers game in 2022. Logano is one of many drivers who rely on Ruffin and Allen Taylor. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Many within the industry swear by Taylor and Ruffin. Defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano is adamant they are the first people he reaches out to whenever a potential security issue arises that falls within their realm, as was the case last year. Chastain is one of several drivers who says he owes them for jumping in to break up a fight before things went completely haywire.

“I’ve had a couple of moments where I’ve been very thankful,” Chastain said. “The way that group works, you don’t see them until you see him. They just have a way to navigate their garage silently, but they’re always there. They’re always around.”

Then there are fans, many of whom have come to recognize Taylor and Ruffin. The two are now regularly spotted at the track and approached to chat or take a selfie — or to bust their chops for prematurely breaking up a fight the fan wanted to see unfold.

“Obviously we know it’s good advertising, good TV,” Taylor said of driver skirmishes. “And, obviously, people like to see disagreements and, unfortunately, the fight. But I think the drama behind it and having the discussion, I think can be just as entertaining as not having an actual fight.”

Said Ruffin: “It’s kind of weird. This weekend alone, I’ve already taken six selfies. Some tell me I need to handle (fights) like hockey, but I don’t know anything about what the hockey rules are.”

(Top photo of the altercation between Taylor Gray and Christian Eckes at Martinsville last year; Stan Ruffin has sunglasses on his head, and Allen Taylor is next to him in the dark blue NASCAR jacket: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)





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Michigan International Speedway weekend schedule, TV info for NASCAR Cup, Truck, ARCA

Michigan International Speedway will play host to the Cup, Truck and ARCA series this weekend as NASCAR racing on the 2-mile oval returns to June for the first time in six years. Since dropping to one annual Cup race weekend in 2020, Michigan had held its races in August. The most recent winner of a […]

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Michigan International Speedway will play host to the Cup, Truck and ARCA series this weekend as NASCAR racing on the 2-mile oval returns to June for the first time in six years.

Since dropping to one annual Cup race weekend in 2020, Michigan had held its races in August. The most recent winner of a late spring race at the track was Joey Logano on June 10, 2019.

NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to one of its fastest tracks this weekend with a trip to Michigan International Speedway.

The ARCA, Truck and Cup series will be racing at Michigan this weekend on three consecutive days. Saturday will mark the first Truck race at Michigan since Zane Smith won on Aug. 7, 2020.

Tyler Reddick won last August’s Cup race at Michigan. Connor Zilisch is the defending winner of the ARCA event.


Michigan International Speedway schedule

(All Times Eastern)

Friday, June 6

Garage open

  • 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. — Cup Series
  • 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. — Truck Series
  • 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. — ARCA

Track activity

  • 1 – 1:50 p.m. — Truck Series practice
  • 2 – 2:50 p.m. — ARCA practice
  • 3:05 – 3:25 p.m. — ARCA qualifying (FS1)
  • 5 p.m. — ARCA race (100 laps, 200 miles; FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Saturday, June 7

Garage open

  • 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Cup
  • 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. — Truck

Track activity

  • 8:05 – 9 a.m. — Truck qualifying (FS1)
  • 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. — Cup practice (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
  • 10:40 – 11:30 a.m. — Cup qualifying (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
  • 12 p.m. — Truck race (125 laps, 250 miles, Stage 1 at Lap 30, Stage 2 at Lap 60; Fox, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Sunday, June 8

Garage open

  • 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. — Cup

Track activity

  • 2 p.m. — Cup race (200 laps, 400 miles, Stage 1 at Lap 45, Stage 2 at Lap 120; Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Weekend weather

Friday: Cloudy with a high of 76 degrees and winds from the east-northeast at 5 to 10 mph. It’s expected to be 74 degrees with a 6% chance of rain at the start of the ARCA race.

Saturday: Cloudy with a high of 76 degrees and light winds. It’s expected to be 71 degrees with a 2% chance of rain at the start of the Truck race.

Sunday: Partly cloudy with a chance for a shower or thunderstorm and a high of 77 degrees and winds from the south at 5 to 10 mph. It’s expected to be 74 degrees with a 15% chance of rain at the start of the Cup race.





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NASCAR Penalty Report: Nashville Superspeedway (2025)

NASCAR crew chief suspended after Nashville Superspeedway Over the weekend, Nashville Superspeedway hosted a triple-header race weekend. The 1.33-mile welcomed the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series. View the NASCAR penalty report after Nashville below. After the Xfinity race, Daniel Dye was issued a DQ. NASCAR stated, “The No. 10 car has been […]

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NASCAR crew chief suspended after Nashville Superspeedway

Over the weekend, Nashville Superspeedway hosted a triple-header race weekend. The 1.33-mile welcomed the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series.

View the NASCAR penalty report after Nashville below.

After the Xfinity race, Daniel Dye was issued a DQ. NASCAR stated, “The No. 10 car has been disqualified following post-race inspection at Nashville Superspeedway due to failing rear heights.”

Connor Zilisch drove to a 2nd place finish in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race. However, after the finish the car was found with two loose lug nuts.

Crew chief Mardy Lindley has been suspended for 1 race. JR Motorsports has also been fined $10,000.

NASCAR Xfinity Series
Penalties

Driver/Team: Connor Zilisch No. 88

Date: 5/31/2025 (race)

Level: Safety

Infraction: Sections 8.8.10.4a: Tires and Wheels Note: Lug nut(s) not properly installed.

Penalty: The team has been fined $10,000. The crew chief has been suspended from the next NASCAR Xfinity Series event. (The crew chief suspension has been deferred. Mardy Lindley will serve the suspension at Pocono.)

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Nashville SuperSpeedway | NASCAR



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A Legacy Without a Crown: Can Hamlin Rewrite His NASCAR Fate? – Speedway Digest

Denny Hamlin has built a NASCAR career defined by excellence, longevity, and perseverance. A product of Chesterfield, Virginia, Hamlin’s rise from local short tracks to the national spotlight has cemented his place among the sport’s elite. With 56 Cup Series wins, three Daytona 500 trophies, and numerous playoff runs, Hamlin is already a Hall of […]

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Denny Hamlin has built a NASCAR career defined by excellence, longevity, and perseverance. A product of Chesterfield, Virginia, Hamlin’s rise from local short tracks to the national spotlight has cemented his place among the sport’s elite.

With 56 Cup Series wins, three Daytona 500 trophies, and numerous playoff runs, Hamlin is already a Hall of Fame lock. Yet, one missing piece continues to haunt his legacy — a Cup Series championship. As he pushes into his mid-40s, time becomes both his fiercest rival and his most urgent motivator.

Chesterfield Roots and Early Ascent

Hamlin’s journey began far from the glitz of Daytona or Charlotte. Born on November 18, 1980, in Tampa, Florida, but raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, his racing story started at just 7 years old in go-karts. The young Hamlin quickly developed a natural feel for speed and competition.

By his teenage years, he was a dominant presence in late model stock car events throughout Virginia, earning a name on the Old Dominion’s racing scene and catching the attention of major teams.

Joe Gibbs Racing and Day-One Loyalty

Denny Hamlin’s connection to Joe Gibbs Racing is among the most enduring partnerships in NASCAR. Since going full-time in the Cup Series in 2006, Hamlin has driven exclusively for JGR, a rarity in a sport often defined by team changes. His debut season shocked the NASCAR world — winning Rookie of the Year honors and grabbing two wins, including a sweep at Pocono.

That trust was solidified by FedEx, his longtime sponsor, which has remained his primary backer since his very first Cup Series race. Few other drivers in history can claim such unbroken loyalty from both team and sponsor.

The 2010 Heartbreak

Hamlin’s 2010 campaign remains the most agonizing “what if” of his career. After winning eight races that season and entering the final event at Homestead with the points lead, Hamlin was poised to dethrone the dominant Jimmie Johnson.

However, early contact with Greg Biffle’s car sent him spinning and ultimately doomed his title hopes. Johnson surged ahead to win his fifth consecutive championship, while Hamlin was left devastated. It was the closest he’s ever come to the mountaintop — and it still stings.

Daytona Dominance

Though the Cup Series title has evaded him, Hamlin’s resume features one of NASCAR’s most prestigious accomplishments — three Daytona 500 wins. He first conquered the Great American Race in 2016 with a photo-finish victory over Martin Truex Jr.

He returned to win again in 2019 and successfully defended his crown in 2020. These victories placed him in elite company and solidified his reputation as a clutch superspeedway racer, especially on the sport’s grandest stage.

Remarkable Consistency Since 2006

Since becoming a full-time Cup Series driver in 2006, Hamlin has won at least one race in every season except 2018. His longevity is almost unmatched in the modern era. With 56 career Cup Series wins as of June 2, he has surpassed legends like Mark Martin — a fact that cements his statistical legacy.

Notably, no other driver with that many wins has failed to win a championship, making his career both historic and uniquely bittersweet.

Championship-Caliber Playoff Runs

Hamlin has made the Championship 4 — NASCAR’s version of the Final Four — on multiple occasions. In 2014, he fought through to Phoenix but fell short. In 2019 and 2020, he returned to the final round, only to watch other drivers seize the crown.

Despite these near-misses, his repeated presence in the playoff climax proves his elite status year after year. Yet, each trip to the finale without a win deepens the ache of incompletion.

The Weight of Time

Now 44 years old, Hamlin is fully aware of the ticking clock. He has publicly acknowledged that only a few years remain in his competitive driving career. While still physically capable and mentally sharp, the emergence of younger stars and changing team dynamics add urgency to every race.

The “championship or bust” narrative becomes louder with every passing season. Each opportunity now carries the weight of finality — the sense that the next misstep could be the last shot lost.

Co-Owner Ambitions With 23XI Racing

While chasing his own title, Hamlin has also embraced a leadership role in shaping the future of NASCAR. As co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, Hamlin has taken a major step into team ownership.

The team, which fields cars for drivers like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, represents a significant commitment to growing the sport’s diversity and competitiveness. Hamlin’s dual roles as driver and owner highlight his ambition to leave a broader legacy in NASCAR beyond personal accolades.

Among the Greats Without a Title

Despite all his accomplishments, Hamlin joins a list of elite talents who never reached the championship summit. Mark Martin won 40 races and was a five-time runner-up in points but never sealed the deal. Carl Edwards came within a tiebreaker of winning in 2011. Junior Johnson, a legendary figure and Hall of Famer, captured 50 wins without ever securing a title.

Ricky Rudd, another Virginia native, won 23 races and ran nearly every week of his career without hoisting the championship trophy. Hamlin’s inclusion in this group is both an honor and a burden — a reminder that sometimes greatness and the ultimate reward don’t always align.

Hometown Faith and Virginia Pride

Hamlin’s roots in Chesterfield, Virginia continue to be a core part of his identity. He proudly represents his state, and the fans who grew up watching him rise from dirt tracks to the national spotlight have never wavered in their support.

For those who’ve followed his journey from the local circuits to NASCAR’s biggest stages, the latest Virginia sportsbook deals offer a chance to back their hometown hero as he continues his pursuit of that elusive Cup Series championship. Whether he finally secures the title or not, Hamlin’s roots in Virginia remain a defining part of his legacy.

The 2025 Season So Far

As of June 2025, Hamlin has already added two victories to his storied career, proving that he’s still a contender even in his early 40s. His racecraft remains sharp, and he continues to guide Joe Gibbs Racing’s younger drivers with his wealth of experience.

However, the question lingers: Can he maintain this level of performance through the high-stakes playoff rounds? The pressure is immense, and the expectations are unforgiving. Every lap feels more meaningful. Every race might be the last shot at rewriting the ending of his storied narrative.

The Final Push

Denny Hamlin’s legacy is already built — 56 Cup Series wins, three Daytona 500 trophies, an unbroken career with Joe Gibbs Racing, a loyal fan base in Virginia, and undeniable influence as a driver-owner. He is, without debate, one of NASCAR’s all-time greats. But one final chapter remains unwritten.

The sport’s history books are filled with near-misses, but Hamlin still holds the pen. Whether 2025 becomes the year he finally conquers the summit or ends as another haunting “almost,” fans and rivals alike know they’re watching something rare — a champion in every sense, except the one that shines the brightest.



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Carson Hocevar will try to “round the edges off” after clashing with rivals

As most of the garage looks forward to Michigan, for some, thoughts remain focused on a controversial incident at Nashville when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. went spinning off the nose of Carson Hocevar, suffering his first DNF of the season. Stenhouse was obviously frustrated as he was inside the provisional playoff grid on points before the […]

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As most of the garage looks forward to Michigan, for some, thoughts remain focused on a controversial incident at Nashville when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. went spinning off the nose of Carson Hocevar, suffering his first DNF of the season.

Stenhouse was obviously frustrated as he was inside the provisional playoff grid on points before the wreck. For most drivers, this issue wouldn’t raise many eyebrows, but Hocevar has been ruffling feathers throughout the 2025 season. At Nashville, he went on to finish second, knocking on the door of his first NASCAR Cup Series victory.

Keeping the speed while smoothing out the edges

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Images

On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Jeff Dickerson, who co-owns Hocevar’s No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, offered some insight into the issue. 

“Behind the wheel, he’s doing everything that we’ve asked of him,” said Dickerson.

“I don’t want to slow him down. I mean, we can’t slow him down. We feel like the whole series has kind of looked at us for a few years and been like, ‘what the hell are those guys doing over at Spire?’ Well, now we’re up there. So why would I want to slow that down?”

With that being said, Dickerson admitted that there are some things Hocevar can clean up behind the wheel, saying, “There are some things l’d like him to — maybe round out a couple of the edges. But I don’t want to slow him down. I don’t want him running into the #47 [Stenhouse] there. I want them to cut him a break and let him back in and, you know, kind of show that maturity. But when you look at it, you’re just like, man. I mean, he doesn’t have a ton of laps, you know, still in the Cup car. Over time, he’ll learn to — he’s got to get his nose out of there, not because it was something that he did ‘wrong.’ It was just, why go out of your way to make an enemy that you don’t need to?”

Dickerson went on to praise Stenhouse and the work Hyak Motorsports have done this year as a single-car effort, calling the driver of the #47 a “good friend.”

Hocevar talks about finding the right balance

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

Fresh off of winning the Money in the Bank 150 super late model race, Hocevar joined SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Wednesday, echoing the comments of his team boss.

“I look at Jeff [Dickerson] for not just race car advice, but, like, life advice and everything else in between,” said Hocevar. “So, like, he’s lived it. And he said so many times, I think he said on the DBC [Door Bumper Clear podcast], ‘you can figure it out on your timeline, or my timeline, and l’d like to do my timeline, because I think it’s going to be quicker.’ So yeah, we look, we’ve done it a lot.  We work a lot. Me, Tyler Green [spotter] and Luke Lambert [crew chief], we always sit down. We go through so much stuff.

“They give me all every info they can find, and we work nonstop about just our communication, how we can get better, how we can race others, how we can race ourselves, teammates, everything, right?

Hocevar says several “massive people in the sport” have reached out to him to help the 22-year-old on his journey. He repeated what Dickerson said about wanting to keep the same level of performance without angering as many people.

“We don’t want to change … you don’t want to change. And you know, lose our edge. But, as Jeff had told me multiple times, let’s just round the edges off and have less moments of that and more moments of passing the other 25 cars without hitting them.”

NASCAR now heads to Michigan — Hocevar’s home track. He will be competing in both the Truck and Cup Series races with Spire Motorsports.

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LOCAL MOTORSPORTS: Malvern Bank 360’s at Shelby Speedway | Sports

HARLAN – The Malvern Bank 360’s with MSTS Winged Sprints were on hand to entertain the fine crowd of fans who attended another great race night at SCS. A total of 111 cars were checked in which included our 5 regular weekly classes and we had a fun and exciting night of action. Things got […]

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HARLAN – The Malvern Bank 360’s with MSTS Winged Sprints were on hand to entertain the fine crowd of fans who attended another great race night at SCS. A total of 111 cars were checked in which included our 5 regular weekly classes and we had a fun and exciting night of action.

Things got underway with Keast Motors IMCA Sport Mods. Heats were taken by Hayden Hillgartner and Kevin Zeitner. In the feature Jim Blazina used his front row start to take the lead and looked good in one of his best runs at SCS. But Cody Olsen who was in hot pursuit, was involved in a accident in turn 4 putting him to the tail of the field. Blazina continued his lead for a time but as the laps wound down newcomer Dylan Cherry of Galva, KS was able to pass Blazina and pick up the win in his first time ever at SCS. Blazina was second Devyn Petersen captured third, Joe Hendricks finished fourth in a great run for Joe and Josh Thomsen rounded out the top five.

In Murphy Equipment IMCA Stock Cars heats were Carson Reinig, Riley Christensen and Austin Meiners. Feature action saw Tyson Partridge take the lead early with Bob Walker in pursuit. Austin Meiners came from his fourth starting spot to get the lead. Meiners who has never won at SCS went on with a strong run for the win. Braden Richards was second closing in, third was taken by Dustin Reeh, fourth to Partridge and Mike Albertsen finished fifth

Then the Malvern Bank 360 Sprints took to the track Heat winners were Alex Vande Voort, Justin Jacobsma and Chase Brown. The Dash was won by Jacobsma. A big Thank You to Performance Grading for the $500 prize donation for the Dash. In an exciting Feature event Sam Henderson picked up the $2000 prize money for winning the feature. Chase Brown captured second place Vande Voort third, Chase Porter finished fourth and Stuart Snyder in fifth place.

Next up KNOD IMCA Hobby Stock action saw heats won by Jeff Fink and Dayton Ullrich. In yet another great race Jeff Fink emerged as the winner with Joel Magee finishing second in a good run, third place went to Colby Christensen who gained 11 spots coming through the pack, fourth to Ullrich and Jason Tetzlaff placed fifth.

Next were the Sorensen Equipment IMCA Late Models. SCS has some of the best Late Model racing to be had anywhere. Heat winners were Jordan Krug, Jarrett Getzschman and Brett Hopp. In a fantastic feature Allan Hopp picked up the feature at the checkered flag nipping second place Jordan Krug, Zach Zeitner finished third , Micah Brown in fourth and Logan Cloudt in fifth. This was a great win for Hopp as he came from the 8th starting position and the finish had everybody on the edge of their seats.

Lastly The Atlantic Bottling Coca-Cola IMCA Sport Compacts we had another great field of cars. Heats were taken by. John Logan, Caine Mahlberg and Zach Day. Feature action saw Jim Cahill as the early leader of the race but Braxton Wallace was able to get the lead and looked like he was going to win. But Caine Mahlberg was able to run him down and pick up yet another win. Wallace finished second, Tanner Hoffman third, Andrew Rolf fourth and Zach Day rounded out the top 5.

It truly was a fun night of racing action. Be on hand next week June 7 for Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Stock Cars and Sport compact action. Late Models are off. Then on Sunday we will have our first of two Figure 8 races at SCS. Racing will be at 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and watch replays on IMCA.TV.



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Ryan Blaney races to first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the year at Nashville | Sports

LEBANON (AP) — Ryan Blaney and Team Penske have been fast with his No. 12 Ford Mustang this year only to have races slip away when it mattered most. Not Sunday night. Blaney ran away down the stretch for his first Cup Series victory of the year Sunday night at Nashville Superspeedway, then he celebrated […]

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LEBANON (AP) — Ryan Blaney and Team Penske have been fast with his No. 12 Ford Mustang this year only to have races slip away when it mattered most.

Not Sunday night.

Blaney ran away down the stretch for his first Cup Series victory of the year Sunday night at Nashville Superspeedway, then he celebrated with a burnout in front of the roaring fans after what he called a rough year.

“I’m ready to go celebrate,” Blaney said.

The 2023 Cup champ had been racing well with five top-five finishes over the first half of this season. He finally got to victory lane for his 14th career victory and first since Martinsville in November after leading a race-high 139 laps.

“I never gave up hope that’s for sure,” Blaney said. “We’ve had great speed all year. It just hasn’t really been the best year for us as far as good fortune. But (No.) 12 boys are awesome. They stick with it no matter how it goes.”

He became the ninth different winner this season and the fifth driver to win in as many races at Nashville. He also gave Team Penske a second straight Cup win at Nashville’s 1.33-mile concrete track.

Blaney, who started 15th, quickly drove his way to the front as he won the second stage. He easily held off Carson Hocevar by 2.83 seconds. Hocevar matched his career-best finish at Atlanta in February after complaining during the race that his No. 77 Chevrolet was undriveable.

“Either I’m really dramatic or they’re really good on adjustments,” Hocevar said. “Probably a little bit of both, but, yeah, proud of this group proud of this car. A place that is really, really difficult to pass, we’re able to go 26th to second.”

Denny Hamlin finished third in his 700th career Cup Series race, matching the third-place finish by Jeff Gordon at Darlington in 2013 for the best finish in a driver’s 700th race. Joey Logano, who won here last year, was fourth and William Byron fifth.

Hamlin was hoping for one more caution that never came after seven cautions for 35 laps.

“Just couldn’t run with the 12 (Blaney) there in the super long run,” Hamlin said. “After 40 laps, I could maintain with him. But then after that, he just pulled away and stretched it on us.”

There was a sprint to the finish under green forcing teams and drivers to pick and choose went to pit. Blaney had led 107 laps when he went to the pits under green flag on lap 248. Hamlin took the lead before going to pit road on lap 256.

Crew chief Jonathan Hassler said they decided on Blaney’s fifth and final pit stop trying to make sure he could get back out into the cleanest air possible.

“It was really nice just to finish off a race,” Hassler said.

Brad Keselowski had the lead when he went to the pits on lap 269. Blaney took the lead for the final 31 laps.

Waiting on a call

Hamlin raced Sunday night hoping to take advantage of his starting spot spot beside pole-sitter Chase Briscoe. Whether Hamlin would chase his third win this season had been in question with his third child, a boy, due the same day.

Hamlin practiced and qualified well, so he drove his No. 11 Toyota even as Joe Gibbs Racing had Ryan Truex on standby in case Hamlin got the call that his fiancee was in labor. Hamlin won the first stage and survived the final stretch without water or fresh air.

Tyler Reddick beat his boss Hamlin, a co-owner of his 23XI Racing team, to new parent status, which Reddick announced on social media earlier Sunday.

His family welcomed their second son at 2:20 a.m. on May 25, then Reddick followed up hours later by finishing 26th in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.

Early night

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. didn’t finish his first race this year. He was the first out when Hocevar tapped his No. 47 Chevrolet, spinning Stenhouse into the wall between Turns 3 and 4 for the second caution of the race on lap 106.

Punishment and more penalties possible?

AJ Allmendinger started at the back of the field and served a stop-and-go penalty after the green flag for an unapproved adjustment to the splitter during Saturday’s practice. His No. 16 Chevrolet was sent back to the garage and then the scanning station before practice and qualifying.

The No. 66 Ford of Chad Finchum failed inspection twice leading to engineer Austin Webb’s ejection. The Garage 66 team also lost pit stall selection.

Up next

NASCAR heads to Michigan International Speedway for the Cup Series on June 8.



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