Sprint Cup Chase Bubble outlook entering the Southern 500

Thanks to Chris Buescher and Kyle Larson the next two weeks will be a lot more interesting.

With Larson’s win at Michigan and Buescher’s upset in the fog-shortened race at Pocono last month, there are only three spots left to be filled on the grid for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

At the most, two spots could potentially be filled by first-time winners in the Southern 500 or next week at Richmond.

Then comes the wrench named Buescher.

The rookie driver is only on the grid because he’s narrowly in the top 30 in points. Buescher is ahead of David Ragan by just seven points, down from 13 entering Michigan.

If the Front Row Motorsports driver falters further in the next two races, he could allow for at least four more drivers to point their way into the Chase.

Here’s a look at how the Chase bubble looks with and without Buescher in the top 30 in points.

While Buescher has said Darlington is his favorite track on the NASCAR circuit, he has not made a start there in the Sprint Cup Series. But in four starts there in the Xfinity Series, Buescher has one top five (2015).

The Southern 500 airs Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on NBC.

Report: Former Michigan president discusses departure from track

In a lengthy interview with the Detroit Free Press, former Michigan International Speedway president Roger Curtis answered questions sregarding his announced departure from the track on Tuesday and his future.

Curtis, who has been at MIS for a decade, said talks with International Speedway Corporation leading to the announcement had been going on for “several weeks probably.”

The news came two days after the track held its second NASCAR weekend of the year, which ended with Kyle Larson winning his first Sprint Cup race.

“ISC and I just decided that we’ve done a lot of great things here and it was time for those great things to continue,” Curtis told the paper. “But probably a good time to let someone else come in and take a fresh look at things. See how they take the track forward.”

While ISC searches for Curtis’ replacement, ISC chief operating officer Joie Chitwood will oversee operations at the 2-mile track.

Curtis arrived at MIS after serving as vice president of marketing at Auto Club Speedway and president of marketing at Richmond and Watkins Glen before that. Curtis said he knew what he was getting into at MIS as far as “traffic problems,” track conditions and fans.

“I did not know – would have made a lot of money if I did – that the entire country was going to go into as deep a recession as it did,” Curtis told the newspaper. “We knew the auto industry in Michigan was struggling a little bit and there was already starting to be some layoffs here and there. We thought as early as 2006 and 2007 we might have some regional issues. I had no idea we were going to have this massive, gargantuan recession worldwide. At Michigan, we were Ground Zero for it. We tried our best to navigate through there and I thought we did a really good job.”

You can read the rest of the lengthy interview with Curtis on his tenure at Michigan at the Detroit Free Press.

BETTY JANE FRANCE LEAVES LASTING LEGACY, IN NASCAR AND BEYOND

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Perhaps the only thing more striking about Betty Jane France than her perpetual smile was the vast size of her compassionate heart.

Married to the late NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr., Betty Jane was interested in more than just running the family's famous racing business, although she helped with that, too. She was equally as concerned with caring for the people in the business -- and beyond.

That was evident in the many personal relationships she held so dearly and the people she would touch through decades of devotion raising money for charitable works.

France, who passed away Monday, was the mother of NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy. She touched countless lives with her commitment to children's causes, such as the "Speediatrics" children's care unit at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach -- where a bronze statue of her likeness stands just outside the hospital tower that bears her family's name -- and at Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Florida.

Betty Jane France (right) with son Brian, Chairman & CEO of NASCAR, and his wife, Amy.

She also was named chairwoman of the NASCAR Foundation upon its inception in 2006, leading and shepherding the organization's massive good works, which includes donating $25 million to more than one million children over the past 10 years. And she is so aptly the namesake for the sport's prestigious Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award for outstanding charitable and volunteer efforts of NASCAR fans

On Thursday in Daytona Beach, France will be remembered for a life of philanthropy and compassion that literally touched thousands of souls and inspired countless more. Her legacy will be both celebrated and revered for the impact it has made and will inspire going forward.

"She was ahead of her time," said Rick Hendrick, the France family's longtime friend and NASCAR team owner. "Back then in the beginning, you just didn't see people reaching out with a cause or organizing everyone to get behind it. The money Betty Jane raised is one thing, but the awareness is sometimes more important than the money is. So she made a point to let people know there is a need there. She'd show up and be right in the middle of it, she didn't just let people use her name.

"People can give money or give a check, but when you walk in and see the situation first-hand, the faces of the people you touched, you know the stories. That means something to you and that really needs to be your legacy in life, that you are a caring, giving person that looked after others.

"I'd think that would be the legacy you'd want to live by.  And she did."

Like Hendrick, legendary team owner Richard Childress was also a decades-long friend of the Frances, having come from the same part of North Carolina -- the city of Winston-Salem -- as Betty Jane herself. Childress and his wife, Judy, and the Frances traveled together frequently over the years and were close confidantes.  

"She's going to be missed so greatly not only for all her giving, but the kindness she shared with everyone anytime you met her," Childress said. "She was the kindest, classiest lady I've ever met.

"Even in the hard times, she managed to pull that Betty Jane smile out."

As much as she considered all of NASCAR to be her dear family, France was particularly proud of her own. Daughter Lesa France Kennedy runs the family's International Speedway Corporation, and son Brian is NASCAR's Chairman & CEO, just as his father and grandfather were before him.

"Last night, the NASCAR family lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend and the light that guided the sport's charitable arm," Brian France said Tuesday. "My mother taught us incredible values, that of love, patience, compassion and joy. She embraced life every day, and nothing fueled her passion more than children. Her unmatched efforts in building The NASCAR Foundation improved the lives of millions of children throughout this country. And because of that, her legacy will live forever.

"My father leaned on my mother throughout his life, relying on her wisdom and calming demeanor to help grow the sport of NASCAR. She was there, every step of the way. When we lost my father (in 2007), her positive presence remained, as she used her immense skill to grow NASCAR's heart and soul, The NASCAR Foundation.

"Our family thanks you for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. My mother was a special woman, and an impressive person, and she will be dearly missed."
 

Betty Jane France surprised grandson Ben Kennedy by celebrating with him at the shop following his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway.

As timing would somehow graciously have it, one of the final things France did was celebrate her grandson Ben Kennedy's maiden NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory two weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Kennedy's win marked the first time a member of the France family has won a NASCAR national series race. Last week Betty Jane France flew up to the team's North Carolina shop to revel in the moment with her grandson.

"What was really special was my mom and my grandma and a bunch of other people coming up to surprise me," Kennedy said. "I was totally surprised. I kind of thought my mom might come, but I had no idea my grandma was going to be there, so to have her there to help celebrate at the victory dinner was something I'll never forget.

"It was really special to not only see her but on such a very high note in such great spirits."

Kennedy proudly acknowledges and appreciates what France's leadership has meant to the sport he so loves. But she was first and foremost a loving, encouraging grandmother to him.

"At the end of the day, she's family and meant a lot to me, my mom and my uncle and my entire family," Kennedy said. "It's definitely unfortunate to lose her, but we all know she's in a better place and I'm so thankful for having the time I got to spend with her throughout my life. I'm 24 years old now and I got to spend 24 years around her and getting to know her.

"She was always smiling, always in a good mood. I can't even really think of a moment she wasn't in a good mood or having a good time. And she was so funny. She could carry on for hours making everyone around the table laugh. She was always in good spirits. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile on her face at some point."

It's a shared sentiment by all those that interacted with France.

Some of her longtime friends may remember her life-changing time as "Miss Bowman Gray" -- a 1957 competition which qualified her to enter a "Miss NASCAR" contest. She had been recruited by none other than a young Bill France Jr., who signed her up for the competition shortly after meeting her.

They dated, and married seven months later.

And as the story famously goes, France's father "Big Bill" France told people that Betty Jane "didn't win 'Miss NASCAR,' but she did win NASCAR."

"Actually, both Bill Sr. and my Bill picked that phrase up and would use it. They both thought it was so endearing," Betty Jane said in Herb Branham's book, "Bill France Jr.: The Man Who Made NASCAR."

Endearing would be an appropriate word to describe Betty Jane France as well. She was endearing and engaging -- important attributes in a life so often spent bettering the lives of others.

"She was very elegant, very respectful and never met a stranger," said NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton, who had also known France for years. "I think there's a lot of things that we take for granted today that Betty Jane was very impactful in creating, like a culture of NASCAR in the days of growing the sport. She was very much alongside Bill Jr. on a lot of steps along the way.

"Betty Jane was very significant in keeping us all planted and reminding us to be good citizens in the community we were in and inside our organizations."

As Hendrick described her, "She was such a real positive person and I never heard her talking about the down times, or woe is me. She saw everything through a positive light and she had a big heart that wanted to take care of others."

If there is a common theme in remembering France, it was her genuine zest for life. She showed how a smile can ease a heart and make a friend. She showed that generosity and concern could make a true difference.

In that regard, Betty Jane France made a true difference that will carry long into the future, both inside NASCAR and beyond.

FULL SCHEDULE FOR DARLINGTON AND CANADIAN TIRE

The NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series will gather for a doubleheader showing at Darlington Raceway this weekend while the Camping World Truck Series makes a stop at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Check out the full schedule below.

Note: All times are ET
FRIDAY, SEPT. 2:
ON TRACK: DARLINGTON
-- noon-1:25 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
-- 1:30-2:25 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
-- 2:30-3:25 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
-- 3:30-4:55 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)

GARAGECAM (Watch live)
-- 11:30 a.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series
-- 1 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

PRESS CONFERENCES (Watch live)
-- 10:30 a.m.: Elliott Sadler
-- Noon: Chase Elliott
-- 12:15 p.m.: Joey Logano
-- 2:35 p.m.: Carl Edwards

SATURDAY, SEPT. 3:
ON TRACK: DARLINGTON
-- 11:45 a.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
-- 1:45 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
-- 3:30 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 (147 laps, 200.8 miles), NBC/NBC Sports App (Follow live)

ON TRACK: CANADIAN TIRE
-- 9:30-10:25 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series first practice (Follow live)
-- 11:35 a.m.-12:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice (Follow live)
-- 5:45 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying, FS2 (Follow live)

PRESS CONFERENCES (Watch live)
-- 11 a.m.: NMPA/Sprint Most Popular Driver announcement
-- 2:45 p.m. approx: Post-NSCS qualifying
-- 5:15 p.m. approx.: Post-NXS race

SUNDAY, SEPT. 4:
ON TRACK: DARLINGTON
-- 6 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 (367 laps, 501.3 miles), NBC/NBC Sports App (Follow live)

ON TRACK: CANADIAN TIRE
-- 2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chevrolet Silverado 250 (64 laps, 157.37 miles), FS1 (Follow live)

PRESS CONFERENCES (Watch live)
-- 3 p.m.: Darrell Waltrip
-- 3:15 p.m.: Mark Martin
-- 3:30 p.m.: Barry Williams
-- 10:30 p.m. approx.: Post-NSCS race

Xfinity and Truck Series warning and penalty report

NASCAR has fined Camping World Truck Series driver Spencer Gallagher $5,000 following the series’ race at Michigan International Speedway for approaching the track surface after exiting his wrecked car.

Gallagher left his No. 23 truck after a Lap 76 incident with Christopher Bell, whose truck he approached. Gallagher said he was concerned for Bell’s safety.

NASCAR also issued a written warning to the No. 18 Xfinity series team of Joe Gibbs Racing during the race weekend at Road America.

The No. 18, which was driven by Owen Kelly, failed pre-race laser inspection twice and received its fourth warning. A team loses pit selection after a fourth warning. There was only one inspection period prior to qualifying before cars were impounded.

NASCAR issues warnings to 10 Sprint Cup teams for Michigan inspection issues

Ten NASCAR Sprint Cup teams received warnings for inspection issues last weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Those that received warnings were:

Josh Wise’s team failed the Laser Inspection Station three times before qualifying for its first warning. The team also will be docked 15 minutes of practice time this weekend at Darlington Raceway.

Michael McDowell’s team failed the Laser Inspection Station three times before qualifying for its fourth warning and lost its pit stall pick for that race. The team also will lose 15 minutes of practice time at Darlington. McDowell’s team also failed the Laser Inspection Station twice before the race. That marks the team’s first warning toward the new set of four that determines when a team loses its pit stall pick.

Regan Smith’s team received its third warning after failing the template inspection before qualifying at Michigan. The team received its fourth warning after failing the Laser Inspection Station twice before the Michigan race. Smith’s team will lose its pick of pit stalls for this weekend’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Brad Keselowski’s team received its third warning for failing the Laser Inspection Station twice before last weekend’s race at Michigan.

Ryan Newman’s team received its third warning for failing the Laser Inspection Station twice before last weekend’s race at Michigan.

Chase Elliott’s team received its third warning after failing the Laser Inspection Station twice before qualifying.

Michael Annett’s team received its third warning after failing the Laser Inspection Station twice before qualifying.

Kasey Kahne’s team received its second warning after failing the Laser Inspection Station twice before qualifying at Michigan.

Trevor Bayne’s team received its fourth warning after failing template inspection twice before qualifying at Michigan. The team lost its pit stall pick at Michigan.

Kyle Larson’s team received its second warning after failing template inspection twice before qualifying at Michigan.

How Sprint Cup stars fared in their first 100 starts

Probably the only person more relieved than Kyle Larson after his win Sunday at Michigan was team owner Chip Ganassi.

“I remember when I got into this business, James Finch told me it took a hundred races before these guys could figure it out,” Ganassi said. “Thank God we beat the triple digit by one.”

Larson, who earned his first Sprint Cup win, was seven days away from making his 100th career start in NASCAR’s premier series.

The 24-year-old driver made his first foray into the series on Oct. 12, 2013 in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 51 for HScott Motorsports, Larson finished 37th after engine failure on Lap 247.

Larson has 15 top fives, 35 tops 10s, 350 laps led and one pole (Pocono, Aug. 2014). He also has 13 DNFs. Larson’s win gives him an average finish of 16.5 heading into his 100th start, Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

“We’ve been close a few times throughout my Sprint Cup career,” said Larson, who finished second four times before his triumph. “To finally put it all together and get a win, it’s awesome. Glad to get it before my hundredth start next week.”

Here’s a look at how some of Larson’s young peers and a few NASCAR legends fared in their first 100 starts.

Austin Dillon

Career starts: 109

First start: 2011 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (Finished 26th, two laps down)

100th start: 2016 FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (Started and finished eighth)

Stats in first 100 starts: two poles, five top fives, 16 tops 10s, 52 laps led and five DNFs

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Career starts: 136

First start: 2011 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Finished 11th)

100th start: 2015 Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (Finished 21st, four laps down)

Stats in first 100 starts: one pole, three top fives, nine top 10s, 36 laps led and six DNFs

Kyle Busch made his 100th Sprint Cup start in 2007 at Watkins Glen International. Busch still drove for Hendrick Motorsports. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Kyle Busch

Career starts: 414

First start: 2004 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Finished 40th, crash)

100th start: 2007 Centurion Boats at Watkins Glen International (Finished seventh)

Stats in first 100 starts: Four wins, two poles, 24 tops fives, 43 top 10s,  1,107 laps led and 15 DNFs

Brad Keselowski

Career starts: 257

First start: 2008 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway (Finished 19th, two laps down)

100th start: 2012 Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (Started and finished 15th)

Stats in first 100 starts: Six wins, two poles, 14 top fives, 25 tops 10s, 598 laps led and eight DNFs

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Career starts: 595

First start: 1999 Coca-Cola 600 (Finished 16th, three laps down)

100th start: 20o2 Mountain Dew 500 (Finished 16th)

Stats in first 100 starts: Six wins, five poles, 18 top fives, 30 top 10s, 1,919 laps led and 15 DNFs

Jimmie Johnson made his 100th Sprint Cup Series start on Sept. 4, 2004 at Auto Club Speedway (Photo by Gavin Lawrence/Getty Images).
Jimmie Johnson

Career start: 531

First start: 2001 UAW-GM Quality 500 at Charlotte (Finished 39th, crash)

100th start: 2004 Pop Secret at Auto Club Speedway (Finished 14th)

Stats in first 100 starts: 10 wins, seven poles, 35 top 10s, 57 top 10s,  2, 481 laps led and 12 DNFs

Tony Stewart

Career starts: 606

First start: 1999 Daytona 500 (Finished 28th, 19 laps down)

100th start: 2001 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carolina Speedway (Finished seventh)

Stats in first 100 starts: 12 wins, four poles, 38 top fives, 64 top 10s,  2, 795 laps led and 10 DNFs