Rookies make NASCAR history with weekend sweep of national series

If it wasn’t for quite a bit of fog, last weekend’s slate of NASCAR action likely wouldn’t have been that different from many race weekends the last two decades.

Fog forced NASCAR to halt the Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway 22 laps from its scheduled distance, giving the win to Chris Buescher, one of the Rookie of the Year contenders. That sealed a milestone that had never been accomplished since the Camping World Truck Series debuted in 1995.

Buescher’s win meant Rookie of the Year contenders in all three national series – Sprint Cup, Xfinity and the Camping World Truck Series – swept the weekend.

The feat was started by William Byron, who won in the Truck series. It was his fifth win of the year, which set a Truck series record for rookies. Later Saturday night, Erik Jones led 154 laps at Iowa Speedway en route to winning his third race of the year.

Then Buescher’s team gambled on Monday during pit stops, putting his No. 34 Ford out front just in time for fog to cover all of Turn 1.

Buescher was the first rookie contender to win a Sprint Cup race since Joey Logano did at New Hampshire in 2009. Before that it had only been four times since 2005: Kyle Busch at Phoenix (2005), Denny Hamlin in Pocono I and II (2006) and Juan Pablo Montoya at Sonoma (2007).

Buescher’s win was also his first Sprint Cup top-10 finish, which came a week after his career-best finish of 14th at Indianapolis. The Prosper, Texas, native is one of just five drivers to have earned their first top 10 via a win.

Before him it was Trevor Bayne (2011), Brad Keselowski (2009), Jamie McMurray (2002) and Mark Donohue (1973).

NASCAR Next’s Harrison Burton making ARCA debut this weekend

Harrison Burton, the son of former Sprint Cup driver and NBC Sports analyst Jeff Burton, will be the latest NASCAR Next member to make their ARCA Racing Series debut this weekend.

Burton, 15, will compete for Ranier Racing with MDM in Saturday’s ARCA 150 at Iowa Speedway. He will drive the No. 8 DEX Imaging car. Serving as his teammate will be former NASCAR Next member Kyle Benjamin.

Burton follows NASCAR Next members Ty Majeski and Nicole Behar who made their ARCA debuts last month at Madison International Speedway.

“I’m super excited to have the opportunity to run my first ARCA race with RRWMDM,” Burton said in a press release. “It’s going to be a learning experience for me. I will be learning a new car, team and race track, but I am nothing but confident that the guys at the shop and the team at the race track will give me an excellent car. I am looking forward to the weekend.”

Burton, who will also make his Camping World Truck Series debut in October at Martinsville Speedway, is currently competing in the K&N Pro Series East with HScott Motorsports. Through eight races in 2016, Burton is ninth in points with one top five and two top 10s.

NASCAR America: William Byron’s fast start leads to talk of bright future

The NASCAR America crew breaks downWilliam Byron‘s impressive Truck Series win at Iowa for his third win in nine races. All are in agreement that it won’t be long before we see the 18-year-old taking the next step.

Results from Sunday’s American Ethanol E15 250 Xfinity race at Iowa

Sam Hornish Jr. took a one-off race opportunity and made the absolute best of it, dominating en route to a win in Sunday’s American Ethanol E15 250 Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway.

It was Hornish’s first win since May 2014, which ironically enough also came at the .875-mile track in Newton, Iowa.

Here’s the results of Sunday’s race:

Suarez still No. 1 in Xfinity Series standings after Sunday’s race at Iowa

Daniel Suarez maintained his lead in the NASCAR Xfinity Seres standings after finishing fourth in Sunday’s American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway.

Suarez leads second-ranked Elliott Sadler by 21 points, followed by Ty Dillon (-35), Justin Allgaier climbed one spot to fourth (-68) andBrandon Jones climbed one spot to fifth (-73).

Erik Jones, who won the pole for Sunday’s race but had a disappointing finish due to fuel issues, dropped three places in the rankings, from fourth to seventh (-79).

Here’s an interesting twist: race winner Sam Hornish Jr., who has not raced since last November’s Sprint Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, jumped 86 places to rank 37th after Sunday’s race.

Here’s how the Xfinity Series standings look after Iowa:

NASCAR: No plans for Sprint Cup at Iowa Speedway; Xfinity-truck weekend ‘delivered’

NASCAR declared the first Camping World-Xfinity series doubleheader at Iowa Speedway as a resounding success, but the short track still isn’t necessarily in line for a Sprint Cup race.

“We’re happy with the status right now at Iowa,” NASCAR chief racing development officer Steve O’Donnell said Monday during his weekly interview on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. “We’ve signed multiple-year sanctions with the tracks. Could (a Sprint Cup race at Iowa) happen via the realignment process? Perhaps. But I see our schedule pretty tied up in terms of the Sprint Cup Series and for the foreseeable future.”

The 0.875-mile track had played host to 12 previous Xfinity races and nine prior truck events, but they all had been held separately prior to last weekend.

With NASCAR trending away from standalone Xfinity-truck doubleheader events – there are only five standalone Xfinity races this season, and Iowa has the only Xfinity-Truck weekend – O’Donnell said the oval in Newton, Iowa, occupies an important and unique place on the schedule.

“We believe that’s a unique part of each series,” he said. “Iowa certainly delivered for us. This is new with the combination Camping World-Xfinity package this weekend, which we thought was a success.”

Iowa Speedway held its first Xfinity and truck races in 2009. The track was bought by NASCAR in December 2013.

What rust? Hornish looks sterling, dominates Xfinity win at Iowa

Rust? What rust?

Despite not having been in a race car since last November, Sam Hornish Jr. proved Sunday he hasn’t forgotten how to win a race.

Filling in for the injured Matt Tifft (back issue) in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry, Hornish responded after a 210-day racing layoff to win Sunday’s American Ethanol E15 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway.

Hornish’s last race in any type of NASCAR race car was in the Sprint Cup season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16, 2015. He finished 25th in his final start of a one-year deal for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Hornish dominated Sunday’s event, leading 183 of 250 laps around the .875-mile track in Newton, Iowa. It was his fourth career win in NASCAR’s junior league.

Hornish is no stranger to success at Iowa Speedway. He won there in Spring 2014 and came back for an encore triumph on Sunday. It was Hornish’s eighth Xfinity start at Iowa. His record there now: two wins, six top-fives six and top-10s. His other two finishes were 12th (2012) and 24th (2011).

Ty Dillon finished second, followed by Brad Keselowski, Daniel Suarez and Alex Bowman.

Taking the next step up: Ben Kennedy to make Xfinity Series debut today in Iowa

Ben Kennedy will take the next step in his racing career on Sunday, making his first career start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway.

While Kennedy has 58 starts in the Camping World Truck Series under his belt – including a seventh-place finish in Saturday night’s Speediatrics 200 at Iowa – this will be his first go-round in the Xfinity Series.

Kennedy will be driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Ruud Chevrolet in the Xfinity event.

And while this is his Xfinity debut, Kennedy has looked like a series veteran thus far at Iowa. He led both practices Friday, and qualified sixth in Saturday’s qualifying session.

“Yeah, I’m pretty comfortable with it,” Kennedy said of his quick acclimation to an Xfinity car. “I kind of compare it to a K&N car in a way, just because you don’t have the downforce and side force that the trucks have. They drive so differently.

“My biggest difficulty wasn’t so much getting in an Xfinity car, but going from an Xfinity car to a Truck. It was just kind of a challenge for me, realizing how much deeper you have to drive into the corners and how much you have to tag it. I think we have a real good car and truck for this weekend and I’m looking forward to it.”

Kennedy, the grandson of late NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr., and the son of International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy, has high hopes for his inaugural Xfinity race.

“I’d be happy with a top-10 finish,” Kennedy said. “I’m not trying to do anything crazy here, obviously, but I’m going to give it 100 percent and I gave the guys 100 percent (Friday) in practice. It’s great to work with (crew chief) Danny Stockman and the entire team.

“This is an awesome opportunity for me with Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet and Ruud being on board. It’s a real fast car and I’m honored to be here. I’ve sat in an Xfinity car in the shop, but just to be able to have that experience with a very good team and fast cars is just a big honor for me.”

Kennedy has been a fast learner in an Xfinity car. Not only has he driven it like a veteran thus far this weekend, he has a mindset and strategy akin to a veteran, as well.

“You just have to attack the corners differently with a different mindset,” he said. “I got used to the Xfinity car pretty quick, I felt like. You just don’t have the sideforce to lean on (like a truck), so you’ve got to close up your entries and exits and drive a little bit straighter and the bumps are a little bit different seeing how the package underneath is (different between a Truck and Xfinity ride).

“I think once we get racing and everything and get acclimated, we’ll be fine. We did a 20-lap run in the Xfinity car (on Friday) and I learned more than I’ve learned in a long time just in that 20-lap run about different things and tools I can use inside the car and during the race as far as line, momentum and whatnot.

“As much different as they are, you still have to use the same principles as far as going between the Truck and Xfinity car, just seizing the momentum as much as possible. Sure, they have a lot of power, but at the same time you also have to keep that momentum going – and I think that’s what I learned quite a bit (Friday).”

Today’s Xfinity race at Iowa: Start time, weather, radio/TV info and lineup

With the Sprint Cup Series off, the Xfinity Series get to play on a Sunday. They’ll compete in the American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway.

Here’s all the info you need for today’s race.

(All times are Eastern)

START: Chris Schwarck Board Member of Absolute Energy and Big River Resources, will give the command for drivers to start engines at 1:37 p.m. Green flag is set to wave at 1:44 p.m.

DISTANCE: The race is 250 laps (218.75 miles) around the .875-mile oval.

PRERACE SCHEDULE: The Xfinity Garage opens at 10 a.m. The driver/crew chief meeting is at 12:15 p.m. Driver introductions are at 1:05 p.m.

NATIONAL ANTHEM: Specialist Mark Meier from the 34th Army Band, Iowa National Guard, will perform the anthem at 1:31 p.m.

TV/RADIO: FS1 will broadcast the race with its coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. (NASCAR RaceDay airs at 1 p.m.). Motor Racing Network’s broadcast on radio and at MRN.com begins at 1 p.m. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the MRN broadcast.

FORECAST: wunderground.com predicts a temperature of 88 degrees with a 0 percent chance of rain at the start.

LAST TIME: Ryan Blaney led 252 of the 260 laps in the August race that went beyond its scheduled distance of 250 laps. Regan Smith was second with Brian Scott third. Chris Buescher took the lead with two laps to go to win the May race. Chase Elliott was second with Erik Jones third.

STARTING LINEUP:

Ben Kennedy fastest in first Xfinity Series practice at Iowa

In his first career Xfinity Series practice session, Ben Kennedy was the fastest driver on the track.

Driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Kennedy took a speed of 132.448 mph to the top of the chart during the series’ first practice at Iowa Speedway.

Kennedy is making his Xfinity Series debut in the American Ethanol E15 250.

Following Kennedy was Sam Hornish Jr., who is competing in his first NASCAR race of the season. Hornish also had the best 10-lap average speed at 129.419 mph.

Filling out the top five was Elliott Sadler, Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez.

Speed chart

Christopher Bell fastest in final Truck practice at Iowa

The final Camping World Truck Series practice at Iowa Speedway was led by rookieChristopher Bell.

Bell put up a speed of 135.292 mph in the session as he recorded 35 laps around the short track.

The top five was filled out by Cameron Hayley, Ben Kennedy, Kaz Grala and Tyler Reddick.

John Hunter Nemechek had the best 10-lap average at 131.415 mph.

The first session was led by Ben Rhodes. The ThorSport Racing rookie was 19th fastest in the second session.

Speed chart

Weekend schedule for NASCAR at Iowa Speedway

With the Sprint Cup Series taking the week off, the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series have the spotlight to themselves this weekend at Iowa Speedway.

The Xfinity Series will race on Sunday in the American Ethanol E15 250 Presented by Enogen. Saturday night, the Camping World Truck Series holds the Speediatrics 200.

Here’s the schedule for the weekend, including TV and radio info.

All times are Eastern.

Friday, June 17

noon – 9 p.m.  – Truck series garage open

1:30 – 9 p.m. – Xfinity garage open

3 – 4:25 p.m. – Truck practice (Fox Sports 2)

4:30 – 5:55 p.m. – Xfinity practice (FS2, moves to Fox Sports 1 at 5 p.m.)

6 – 6:55 p.m. – Final Truck practice (FS1)

7 – 7:55 p.m. – Final Xfinity practice (FS1)

Saturday, June 18

11 a.m. – Truck garage opens

2 – 8 p.m. – Xfinity garage open

4:45 p.m. – Truck series qualifying; multi-truck/three rounds (FS2)

6:15 p.m. – Truck driver-crew chief meeting

6:45 p.m. – Xfinity qualifying; multi-car/three rounds (FS2, moves to FS1 at 7 p.m.)

8 p.m. – Truck driver introductions

8:30 p.m. – Speediatrics 200; 200 laps, 175 miles (Fox Sports 1, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Sunday, June 19

10 a.m. – Xfinity garage opens

12:15 p.m. – Driver-crew chief meeting

1 p.m. – Driver introductions

1:30 p.m. – American Ethanol E15 250; 250 laps, 218.75 miles (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

NASCAR’s Friday schedule at Iowa Speedway

Both the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series begin preparing for their races at Iowa Speedway today. Here’s the full schedule for Friday, including radio and TV info.

All times are Eastern.

noon – 9 p.m.  – Truck series garage open

1:30 – 9 p.m. – Xfinity garage open

3 – 4:25 p.m. – Truck practice (Fox Sports 2)

4:30 – 5:55 p.m. – Xfinity practice (FS2, moves to Fox Sports 1 at 5 p.m.)

6 – 6:55 p.m. – Final Truck practice (FS1)

7 – 7:55 p.m. – Final Xfinity practice (FS1

Sam Hornish Jr. filling in for injured Matt Tifft in Iowa Xfinity race

Sam Hornish Jr. will make his return to NASCAR racing a little bit sooner with Matt Tifft having to sit out this weekend’s Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway due to a “disc condition” in his back.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced Tuesday that Tifft, who was supposed to drive the No. 18 Toyota in the American Ethanol E15 250, would be replaced by Hornish. Hornish hasn’t raced anything since the 2015 Sprint Cup finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Last week, Richard Childress announced Hornish would drive its No. 2 Xfinity car for the July race at Iowa and at Kentucky Speedway in September.

Of Hornish’s three Xfinity wins, one was at Iowa in 2014.

Tifft also was supposed to drive in the Camping World Truck Series’ Speediatrics 200 at Iowa in Red Horse Racing’s No. 11. The team has not yet announced plans for a substitute driver.

Tifft, a member of the current NASCAR Next class, has competed in six Xfinity race this season, including three in the No. 18 car. His best result is eighth at Talladega and Dover.

Xfinity preliminary entry list for Iowa

Sprint Cup drivers Brad Keselowski andJosh Wise are among the 42 entries on the preliminary list for this weekend’s Xfinity race at Iowa Speedway.

The race will be Sunday. The Sprint Cup Series is off this weekend.

Daniel Suarez, who scored his first series win last weekend at Michigan International Speedway, seeks his second consecutive victory.