NASCAR on NBC podcast, Episode XXIV: Daniel Suarez

Daniel Suarez joined the NASCAR on NBC podcast to discuss his historic Xfinity Series victory at Michigan International Speedway.

Suarez became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national series, beating teammate Kyle Busch while overcoming a pit penalty and a broken gear in his No. 19 Toyota.

The victory was an extremely popular one for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who received congratulations from many NASCAR peers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Suarez also discussed:

–The satisfaction of besting Busch, the all-time winningest Xfinity Series driver;

–His humble approach to arriving in NASCAR;

–How he landed at JGR;

–His friendship with Haas F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez, a childhood friend.

You can listen to the podcast by clicking below or on the AudioBoom site or app and listen there. You also can download and subscribe to it on iTunes by clicking here. The free subscription will provide automatic downloads of new episodes to your smartphone. It also is available on Stitcher by clicking here.

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

Ben Kennedy sweeps Xfinity Series practice sessions at Iowa

Driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Ben Kennedy completed a sweep of the Xfinity Series’ two practice sessions at Iowa Speedway.

Kennedy, who will make his first start in the Xfinity Series on Sunday, completed the second session with a top speed of 133.809 mph.

The top five was filled out by Brendan Gaughan, Sam Hornish Jr., Erik Jones andAlex Bowman.

Brad Keselowski, one of two Sprint Cup drivers in the field, was eighth fastest.

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)

Former NASCAR Next driver set to make Sprint Cup debut at Sonoma

Dylan Lupton, who was selected to the NASCAR Next class of 2015-16, will seek to make his Sprint Cup debut next week at Sonoma Raceway for BK Racing.

He’ll drive a third entry for the team, the No. 93 car at Sonoma.

Lupton, 22, has 10 career Xfinity starts, including two this year. He finished a career-best ninth at Mid-Ohio in that series last year. He finished second in the points in 2014 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West standings.

2017 Daytona 500 tickets go on sale Monday

Tickets for the 59th annual Daytona 500 will go on sale at 9 a.m. ET, Monday, June 20.

Scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 26, fans will be able to see the follow up to the 2016 race, which featured the closest finish in race history between winner Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr.

Fans who attend “The Great American Race” can experience 101,500 new, wider seats, thousands of premium club seats, 60 luxury suites, social “neighborhoods” and three concourse levels that span the nearly mile-long frontstretch.

·    Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visitingwww.DAYTONA500.com.

·   Hospitality and premium seat packages, including the Rolex 24 Lounge, Harley J’s, Trioval Club and FANZONE/Pre-race wristbands are also available.

·   For all other Speedweeks events, children 12 and under are $10 in reserved stadium seating and free in general admission areas and in FANZONE.

·    Fans can also visit PrimeSport.com, the official ticket exchange and travel package provider of Daytona International Speedway, where they can find multiple options for tickets, lodging and hospitality.

NASCAR returns to Daytona well before then. It will hold the Coke Zero 400 on July 2 and will mark the return of NASCAR race coverage to NBC.