2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
| 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season | |||
| Previous: | 2015 | Next: | 2017 |
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The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the 68th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 45th modern-era Cup series season. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Sprint Unlimited, the Can-Am Duel and the Daytona 500. The season will end with the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kyle Busch entered as the defending champion.
The season also marks the second season of a new television contract. During the season, races will be broadcast in the United States by Fox Sports and NBC Sports.
The season will mark the final year of the partnership between Sprint Corporation and NASCAR[1] and the final season for three-time Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.[2]
Contents
Teams and drivers
Chartered teams
Non-chartered teams
Complete schedule
| Manufacturer | Team | No. | Race driver | Crew chief |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | The Motorsports Group | 30 | Josh Wise | Dave Fuge |
| Ford | Wood Brothers Racing | 21 | Ryan Blaney (R) | Jeremy Bullins |
| Toyota 2 Chevrolet 10 |
Premium Motorsports[4] | 98 | Cole Whitt | Mark Hillman |
Limited schedule
| Manufacturer | Team | No. | Race driver | Crew chief | Round(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing | 59 | Michael McDowell | Dave Winston | 1 |
| Hillman Racing | 40 | Reed Sorenson | Pat Tryson | 1 | |
| Premium Motorsports | 55 | 7 | |||
| Toyota | Michael Waltrip | 1 | |||
| Ford | Front Row Motorsports | 35 | David Gilliland | Joe Lax 1 Todd Anderson 1 |
2 |
| Toyota | BK Racing | 26 | Robert Richardson Jr. | Mike Ford | 1 |
| 93 | Matt DiBenedetto | Gene Nead | 1 | ||
| Ryan Ellis | Mike Ford | 3 |
Changes
Teams
- Michael Waltrip Racing ceased its operations after 2015, shutting down the No. 15 and No. 55 teams.[5] Waltrip made plans to run the Daytona 500 with sponsor Maxwell House. Waltrip will run the No. 83 for BK Racing in the Daytona 500 with DiBenedetto moving to the No. 93 in a third BK Racing car for the race. Waltrip also ran the Talladega race in May in his old No. 55 now running under the Premium Motorsports banner. This car had been the No. 62 in 2015.
- Wood Brothers Racing will return to full-time racing in 2016 for the first time since 2008.[6] Ryan Blaney will remain as driver, marking the first time the team would full-time with one driver since 2006.[6] The team ran 19 races in 2015.[6]
- Front Row Motorsports will downsize to two full-time teams in 2016, shutting down the No. 35 team. The team will also receive technical support as part of an alliance with Roush Fenway Racing.[7] The team would field the No. 35 car for David Gilliland in the Daytona 500 and GEICO 500.
- BK Racing will downsize to two full-time teams in 2016, shutting down the No. 26 team. The team would field the No. 26 car for Robert Richardson Jr. in the Daytona 500.
- Circle Sport and Leavine Family Racing merged to form Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing. The team will run the full 36-race schedule with the No. 95 in a Chevrolet, forming a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing.[8] The No. 33 team will shut down. Ty Dillon will again run five races with crew chief Todd Parrott, including the Daytona 500 with Michael McDowell driving the other 31 with crew chief Dave Winston. The team would field a second car in the Daytona 500 for McDowell.
- Premium Motorsports hired Mike Hillman to head up its operations in 2016, bringing over Mark Hillman – who served as the No. 40's crew chief – and most of the staff from the No. 40 team, therefore shutting that team down on a full-time basis. Premium Motorsports will run only one full-time team with Cole Whitt in the No. 98 in 2016, shutting down the No. 62. Whitt drove for Front Row Motorsports in the now defunct No. 35 in 2015. Hillman still ran the No. 40 with Reed Sorenson in the Daytona 500 and may do a partial schedule.
- Premium Motorsports leased their charter to HScott Motorsports No. 46 for the 2016 season.
- Stewart-Haas Racing announced early in the 2016 season that they will switch manufacturers from Chevrolet to Ford beginning in 2017.
Drivers
- Chase Elliott moves up from the Xfinity Series to the Sprint Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports, replacing Jeff Gordon in the No. 24, who retired after the 2015 season.[9]
- Clint Bowyer will replace Justin Allgaier in the HScott Motorsports No. 15 (renumbered from No. 51) for 2016, and then he will replace the retiring Tony Stewart in the No. 14 for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2017. Bowyer ran the No. 15 for the now closed Michael Waltrip Racing team in 2015. [10]
- Brian Scott will replace Sam Hornish, Jr. in the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 44 (renumbered from No. 9). Scott ran for Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series in 2015.[11]
- Chris Buescher moves up from the Xfinity Series to the Sprint Cup Series for Front Row Motorsports, replacing Brett Moffitt and other various drivers in the No. 34. Buescher ran six races in the No. 34 in 2015 and won the 2015 Xfinity Series Championship with Roush Fenway Racing in the No. 60. He is on loan from Roush Fenway Racing, with Roush providing additional technical support for him in 2016.[12]
- Landon Cassill will replace David Gilliland in the Front Row Motorsports No. 38. Cassill ran for Hillman Racing in the No. 40 in 2015.[13]
- Jeffrey Earnhardt will run at least 20 races in the No. 32 for Go FAS Racing. Bobby Labonte will continue to run the four restrictor plate races. The team had multiple drivers in 2015.[14]
- David Ragan will replace J. J. Yeley and Jeb Burton in the BK Racing No. 23. Ragan drove full-time for various teams – mostly in a substitute role due to injuries – in 2015, mostly for the now defunct Michael Waltrip Racing No. 55.
- Regan Smith will replace Alex Bowman in the Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 7. Smith ran for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series in 2015.
- On February 1, Tony Stewart was sent to the hospital after he injured his back in a non-racing accident in the desert.[15] Stewart-Haas Racing announced on February 4 that Stewart will miss the beginning of the season.[16][17] Nine days later, former Michael Waltrip Racing driver Brian Vickers was hired to take Stewart's place for the Daytona 500.[18] Vickers and Ty Dillon shared the car until Bristol. Stewart will return to the 14 car at Richmond. For Talladega, Stewart will practice and qualify the car, and then switch with Ty Dillon at the first opportunity during the race. Afterwards, Stewart will return full-time at Kansas.[19]
Crew chiefs
- Brian Pattie will take over crew chief duties on the No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford with Greg Biffle, replacing Matt Puccia. Pattie was the crew chief for the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 15 and No. 55 cars in 2015.[20]
- Matt Puccia will take over crew chief duties on the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford with Trevor Bayne, replacing Bob Osborne. Puccia was the crew chief on the No. 16, driven by Greg Biffle in 2015.
- Bob Osborne will take over crew chief duties on the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford with Chris Buescher, replacing Derek Finley. Osborne was the crew chief for Trevor Bayne in 2015.
- Chad Johnston will take over crew chief duties on the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with Kyle Larson, replacing Chris Heroy. Johnston was the crew chief for Tony Stewart in 2015.[21]
- Mike Bugarewicz will take over crew chief duties on the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with Tony Stewart, replacing Chad Johnston. Bugarewicz was the race engineer on the No. 4, driven by Kevin Harvick, the previous two years.[22]
- Billy Scott will take over crew chief duties on the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with Danica Patrick, replacing Daniel Knost. Scott was the crew chief for the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 15 and No. 55 cars in 2015.[23]
- Randall Burnett will take over crew chief duties on the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet with A.J. Allmendinger, replacing Brian Burns. Burnett was the team engineer on the No. 42, driven by Kyle Larson, in 2015.[24]
- Mike Wheeler will take over crew chief duties on the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Denny Hamlin, replacing Dave Rogers. Wheeler was the crew chief for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2015.[25]
- Dave Rogers will take over crew chief duties on the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Carl Edwards, replacing Darian Grubb. Rogers was the crew chief on the No. 11, driven by Denny Hamlin, in 2015.[25]
- Chris Heroy will take over crew chief duties on the No. 44 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford with Brian Scott, replacing Kevin Manion. Heroy was the crew chief for Kyle Larson in 2015.[26]
- Patrick Donahue will take over crew chief duties on the No. 23 BK Racing Toyota with David Ragan, replacing Joe Williams. Donahue was the crew chief for the third BK Racing car, the No. 26, in 2015.
- Wally Rogers will take over crew chief duties on the No. 32 Go FAS Racing Ford, replacing Clint Cram. Rogers was the crew chief for the part-time Leavine Family Racing No. 95 in 2015.
Manufacturers
- Furniture Row Racing will change its manufacturer to Toyota with a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing after being with Chevrolet since the team's inception in 2005.[27]
Rule changes
- 2016 saw the introduction of a charter system in a deal reached between NASCAR and the Race Team Alliance. Thirty-six teams would hold a charter, which guarantees them a spot in the field for all 36 races. To be eligible for a charter, a team had to be running full-time since the 2013 season. Charter owners may transfer their Charter to another team, for one full season, once over the first five years of the agreement.[28]
- Charter teams are held to a minimum performance standard. If a Charter team finishes in the bottom three of the owner standings among all 36 Charter teams for three consecutive years, NASCAR has a right to force the sale of the charter.[29]
- NASCAR also reduced the size of the Cup field from 43 to 40 cars.[29]
- Teams may sell their Charters on the open market before each season.[30]
- Organizations now have a hard cap of four cars; there will be no fifth car for rookie drivers.[30] For example, Joe Gibbs Racing had planned to run Erik Jones on a limited Cup schedule in addition to the full Xfinity Series schedule; if they want to run Jones in any Cup races, under this new rule they will have to farm him out to another team, likely Furniture Row Racing, who is seeking to add a second team in 2017.
- Due to the charters and reduction of field size, the qualifying procedures have been revised. The final four spots for non-chartered teams are determined by qualifying results. If qualifying is rained out, practice speeds will be used. If practice and qualifying are rained out, owner points will be used. For the Daytona 500 only, the final four teams are the highest non-charter finisher in each duel plus the two highest qualifiers that did not clinch a spot in the duel.[31]
- Due to the field shortening from 43 to 40 cars, the point system was revised to 1 point for 40th place up to 40 points for 1st place. All other bonuses points, including the win bonus and laps lead bonus points are the same.[31]
- 2016 also introduced the "Overtime Line" as a modification for the green–white–checker finish rule. After taking the green flag, if a caution appears before the leader has reached the overtime line, the restart will be waved off and another attempt will be made. There are an unlimited number of attempts for this, however once the leader reaches the line, the next flag will end the race. The placement of the overtime line will vary from track to track.[31]
Technical changes
All cars will run a digital dashboard starting in 2016. The dashboard is currently only providing information that was previously provided on manual gauges and lap times, but plans are to work in tire pressure readings and other telemetry to drivers, teams, and fans at home in the future.
At all tracks except Daytona and Talladega:
- The rear spoiler height has been reduced from 6 inches to 3.5 inches.
- The front splitter leading edge has been reduced from 2 inches to 0.25 inches.
- The radiator pan width has been reduced from 38 inches to 33 inches.
- Rear gear ratios will be adjusted to maintain 9,000 RPM maximum.
- For tracks shorter than 1.25 miles in length, the third gear ratio will be 1.38.
At Daytona and Talladega:
- Engine roller lifters will replace solid lifters, adding around 10 horsepower to each car.
- Restrictor plates will have the openings reduced from 29/32 inches to 57/64 inches to counter the horsepower increase.
- Starting at the July Daytona race, each car will run a standardized radiator & oil cooler system.
Safety enhancements at all tracks:
- There must be an on-board fire suppression system activation cable routed to the dash or right-hand side leg board.
- There must be a right-hand side double NACA duct to cool drivers at tracks where the side window is used.
- Seat belt restraint systems must meet increased specifications.[32]
Other changes:
- All track bar and wedge wrenches must be painted yellow.[33]
- NASCAR has changed inspection methods, reducing pre-race inspection time but increasing the amount of time teams have to present their cars for pre-qualifying inspection. In addition, NASCAR will utilize new inspection methods aided by Microsoft Surface tablets to further increase efficiencies.[34]
Schedule
The final calendar – comprising 36 races, as well as exhibition races, which are the Sprint Unlimited, Can-Am Duel qualifying duel races for the Daytona 500[35] and the Sprint All-Star Race – was released on October 26, 2015. With the schedule announcement also came the announcement of NASCAR securing a five-year contract with each track to continue to host races over the next five seasons.[36] Key changes from 2015 include:
- The Easter off-week is placed late-March between Fontana and Martinsville, instead of the mid-April break between Martinsville and Texas as in recent years.
- The Coke Zero 400 at Daytona will return to its usual Saturday night date.
- The spring race at Richmond will move from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon.
- Michigan and Bristol swap their August race dates.
- The third off-week has been moved to mid-August between Watkins Glen and Bristol, instead of the usual late-August break between Bristol and Darlington. This has been done so as to avoid a scheduling conflict with the 2016 Summer Olympics being hosted on NBC. The aforementioned Olympics conflict will force one race occurring during the games (Watkins Glen) to be moved to USA, marking the first time USA has broadcast a NASCAR Cup race since the 1984 UNO Twin 125s. (The other race occurring during the games, at Bristol, will still air on NBCSN.)
- The first race at Dover and the Memorial Day week swapped dates, so the last race before the All-Star Race is Dover instead of Kansas.
- In the Chase for the Championship, the three rounds preceding the final race, originally named the Challenger, Contender and Eliminator rounds, were simply renamed the Round of 16, the Round of 12 and the Round of 8 respectively.
Season summary
Race reports
Speedweeks 2016
Speedweeks 2016 started with the 2016 Sprint Unlimited. Denny Hamlin led the most laps and won his third career Sprint Unlimited, followed by Joey Logano, Paul Menard, Kyle Larson, and Casey Mears. The race saw several multicar crashes, including one that sent the race into overtime. During the overtime period, a clean restart occurred before another multicar crash caused the race to end under yellow.[37]
Qualifying for the front row of the Daytona 500 took place the following day. Rookie Chase Elliott won the pole, becoming the youngest Daytona 500 pole winner ever at the age of 20 years, 2 months, and 17 days. Matt Kenseth joined Elliott on the front row by qualifying second.[38]
The following Thursday, the 2016 Can-Am Duels took place to set the remainder of the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the most laps and won the first duel race. The second duel race was won by Kyle Busch ahead of a last-lap crash that involved multiple drivers including Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., and polesitter Kenseth.[39]
Round 1: Daytona 500
Elliott started on pole, but was taken out of contention by an early spin through the grass that destroyed the front end of his car. Several other small wrecks occurred throughout the race including a spin by Brian Vickers that caused Trevor Bayne and Carl Edwards to make contact, a single-car wreck that sent Earnhardt into the wall, and a wreck between Danica Patrick and Greg Biffle. Denny Hamlin led the most laps, with the four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers and Truex Jr. up front for most of the race. On the last lap, Hamlin passed Kenseth for the lead and beat Truex Jr. to the line in a photo-finish, which was the closest margin in Daytona 500 history.[40]
Round 2: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500
Kurt Busch started on pole after his younger brother Kyle Busch's pole-winning qualifying time was disallowed, resulting in him starting in the rear. The race used the new low downforce package and saw few caution flags. Kenseth led several laps but went two laps down after a miscommunication following a pit road penalty. Kevin Harvick led the most laps but Johnson took the lead after pitting early during the final round of green-flag pit stops. After a cut tire from Ryan Newman sent the race into overtime, Johnson would win the race under caution after a multicar wreck occurred following a clean restart. The win was the 76th career win for Johnson, tying Dale Earnhardt.[41]
Round 3: Kobalt 400
Kurt Busch led the field to green after a brief delay due to rain showers. The race was plagued by high winds, with a sandstorm hitting the track at one point. Jimmie Johnson led the most laps in the race. A few wrecks occurred including one involving Regan Smith and Kyle Larson and a multicar wreck that took Matt Kenseth and Chase Elliott out of contention. Kyle Busch had the lead in the closing laps, but was passed by Brad Keselowski, who went on to win the race. Keselowski was followed by Joey Logano, Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Austin Dillon.[42]
Round 4: Good Sam 500
Kyle Busch started from the pole and led the early part of the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, and Kevin Harvick also led throughout the race, with Harvick leading the most laps. The race saw several drivers have tire issues from melted tire beads including Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Kasey Kahne. Kahne's crash into the wall sent the race into overtime, where Harvick beat Edwards in a photo-finish, followed by Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Earnhardt, Jr. Harvick won his 8th career race at Phoenix.[43]
Round 5: Auto Club 400
Austin Dillon started the race from the pole. A number of drivers had tire issues throughout the race, including Kyle Larson, who crashed into the inside wall hard. Another incident occurred with Kasey Kahne and Danica Patrick got together, sending Patrick into the wall. Kevin Harvick led the most laps in the race. The race went into overtime after Kyle Busch got into the wall from a blown tire. In the overtime finish, Jimmie Johnson scored his 77th career win, ahead of Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.[44]
Round 6: STP 500
Joey Logano started on the pole and led early before fading. A few incidents occurred during the race including an early spin by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin getting into the wall. Kyle Busch led the most laps and went on to win the race, his first career win at Martinsville and completing the weekend sweep as he won the Camping World Truck Series race the day before. Kyle Busch was followed by A.J. Allmendinger, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, and Brad Keselowski.[45]
Round 7: Duck Commander 500
Carl Edwards led the field to green after a two-hour delay from rain. Martin Truex, Jr. led the most laps in the race. Late in the race, a 13-car wreck occurred when Austin Dillon spun and caused a chain reaction that collected several drivers including Paul Menard, Ryan Newman, Trevor Bayne, Brian Vickers, and Brian Scott. During the final caution, Truex, Jr. stayed out while several other drivers came to pit road for fresh tires. On the restart, Kyle Busch was able to get around Truex, Jr. and win the race, his second straight Cup win and second consecutive weekend sweep as he won the Xfinity Series race the night before. Kyle Busch was followed across the finish line by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson, and Chase Elliott.[46]
Round 8: Food City 500
Carl Edwards started the race from pole position as Dale Earnhardt Jr. went two laps down early after not being able to get going at the initial start. Matt Kenseth led several laps in the early part of the race. Kyle Busch experienced tire issues, a spin, and pit-road speeding penalties before a cut right-front tire sent him hard into the wall a little past halfway, ending his race. Kenseth also had a right-front tire issue that sent him into the wall and knocked him out of contention. Kyle Larson experienced a broken track bar that left him multiple laps down. Denny Hamlin and Aric Almirola both got into the wall late in the race in separate crashes. Edwards would go on to lead the most laps and win the race, his first of the season. Edwards was followed by Earnhardt, Jr. (who rebounded from his early issues), Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott, and Trevor Bayne. BK Racing driver Matt DiBenedetto recorded a career best finish of 6th.[47]
Round 9: Toyota Owners 400
Kevin Harvick started from pole after qualifying was rained out and the field was set by practice speeds. The race saw long green-flag runs in the early part of the race. Several drivers rotated the lead throughout the race, including Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, and Kurt Busch. In the later part of the race, a few incidents occurred including a cut tire from Tony Stewart, who made his first start of the season after missing the first eight races due to an offseason back injury, and a wreck from Brian Scott. In the closing laps, Kyle Busch held the lead with Edwards close behind. On the final lap, Edwards did a "bump and run" move to take the lead from Kyle Busch and score his second straight win. Kyle Busch finished second, followed by Johnson, Kasey Kahne, and Harvick.[48]
Round 10: GEICO 500
Chase Elliott was on pole position for the race. The race was threatened by rain and featured intense racing and numerous multicar wrecks. Early in the race, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. got loose and collected Kasey Kahne. Under this caution, Ty Dillon relieved Tony Stewart, who made his second start of the season since returning from a back injury. Near the middle of the race, a 7-car wreck occurred that saw Chris Buescher flip multiple times. Carl Edwards got into Earnhardt, Jr., causing serious damage to both cars. Kahne would also be involved in a second wreck. Toward the later part of the race, several crashes occurred, including "The Big One", which involved 21 cars, and a hard wreck involving Danica Patrick and Matt Kenseth that saw Kenseth go airborne and ride along the infield wall upside down. Brad Keselowski won the race as a multicar wreck occurred coming to the checkered flag that involved Kevin Harvick and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., among others.[49]
Round 11: Go Bowling 400
Martin Truex, Jr. started on pole and dominated the race, leading 172 laps. However, a loose wheel following a green-flag pit stop took him out of contention for the win. Late in the race, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Larson were involved in a wreck battling for position near the front of the field. Under this caution, Kyle Busch stayed out while other drivers came to pit road for fresh tires. In the closing laps, Kyle Busch was able to hold off Kevin Harvick on older tires and win the race, his third win of the season and first career win at Kansas. Harvick finished second, followed by Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, and Ryan Blaney.[50]
Round 12: AAA 400 Drive for Autism
Kevin Harvick won the pole after qualifying was rained out and the starting order was set by first practice speeds. Harvick led before and after the competition caution on lap 40. Others such as Kyle Larson and Martin Truex Jr. led during the race. Early in the race, several single-car wrecks occurred that involved drivers including Matt DiBenedetto, Austin Dillon, and Michael Annett. The race was nerve rattling towards the end. Brad Keselowski ran into the lapped car of Austin Dillon while leading, cutting down his tire. Tony Stewart blew his engine and spilled oil on the track. On a restart with 46 laps to go, leader Jimmie Johnson could not get going and bunched up the field, causing a large wreck which involved 18 cars. Carl Edwards crashed into the inside wall on the following restart. The race restarted again with 35 laps to go and the end came down to a battle between Matt Kenseth and Kyle Larson. Larson came close numerous times to get the lead, but Kenseth put the block on Larson and won his first race of the season.[51]
Exhibition: NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
In the Sprint Showdown, which was postponed from Friday evening to Saturday morning due to rain, Ryan Blaney was black flagged for jumping a restart near the end of the first 20-lap segment, allowing Trevor Bayne and Chase Elliott to battle to the finish, with Bayne edging Elliott at the line to advance to the All-Star race. Austin Dillon started off leading the second 20-lap segment, but Greg Biffle took the lead five laps in and pulled away from the field to win and advance. Kyle Larson led the final 10-lap segment and battled with Chase Elliott before edging out Elliott to win and advance. Elliott and Danica Patrick finished first and second in the Fan Vote to advance, bringing the field up to 20 cars.[52]
Kevin Harvick won the pole for the All-Star Race after the field was set by owner points due to qualifying being rained out. Harvick led much of the first 50-lap segment but gave up the lead to make the required green-flag pit stop. Everyone made the stop except Matt Kenseth, who was leading when Jamie McMurray spun out with five laps left in the segment and was unable to make his stop. He was penalized one lap for failing to stop, creating a scoring confusion that occurred when NASCAR allowed cars trapped one lap down by Kenseth, who were now on the tail-end of the lead lap, to pit in front of new leader Carl Edwards. Some of those cars came off pit road behind the leaders, one lap down, and were originally scored on the lead lap. However, the issue was corrected and those cars were sent to the rear. Brad Keselowski lead to green on the start of the second 50-lap second, which required a green-flag pit stop before lap 85. A few laps into the segment, a caution came out for water in turn two, and Kevin Harvick made several pit stops due to what appeared to be fuel pump problems. When the race restarted, Chase Elliott attempted to make his required pit stop, causing Matt Kenseth to slow up and get turned into the wall, collecting Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne. Greg Biffle's car was also damaged after clipping Elliott's right rear. After the restart, everyone else made the required green-flag stops, and Kyle Busch, who assumed the lead after pit stops, received a speeding penalty and dropped to 13th. Keselowski assumed the lead, but lost it to Kyle Larson took the lead from Keselowski, who won the second segment. A random draw of 9, 10, or 11 at the end of the segment determined that the top 11 cars had to pit for four tires. This gave the lead to 12th-place Jimmie Johnson for the final segment, with Kyle Busch lining up alongside. On the restart for the final segment, Kyle Larson took the lead back from Johnson and began to pull away from the field, but was caught by Joey Logano. Larson and Logano ran side-by-side until the two made contact sending Larson into the wall. Logano continued on to win ahead of teammate Brad Keselowski.[53]
Round 13: Coca-Cola 600
Martin Truex, Jr. started the race from the pole and dominated, leading 392 of 400 laps en route to his first win of the season. Truex, Jr. set the record for most laps led in a race at Charlotte and most miles led in a NASCAR race by leading for 588 miles. A few incidents happened during the race including a cut tire from Kasey Kahne early in the race, a pit-road penalty for Joey Logano, and a cut tire that sent Kyle Busch into the wall late in the race. Truex, Jr. was followed across the finish line by Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski.[54]
Results and standings
Races
Drivers' Championship
(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by final practice results or 2015/16 Owner's points. * – Most laps led.
. – Eliminated after Round of 16 . – Eliminated after Round of 12 . – Eliminated after Round of 8
| Pos. | Driver | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | MAR | TEX | BRI | RCH | TAL | KAN | DOV | CLT | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | KEN | NHA | IND | POC | GLN | BRI | MCH | DAR | RCH | CHI | NHA | DOV | CLT | KAN | TAL | MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 6* | 7 | 1* | 2* | 17 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 15* | 2 | 457 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Kurt Busch | 10 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 30 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 421 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Jimmie Johnson | 16 | 1 | 3* | 11 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 23 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 25 | 3 | 409 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Kyle Busch | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 25 | 1* | 1 | 38 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 33 | 405 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Carl Edwards | 5 | 5 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 1* | 1* | 35 | 11 | 28 | 18 | 404 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Brad Keselowski | 20 | 9 | 1 | 29 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 1* | 10 | 6 | 5 | 404 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Martin Truex Jr. | 2 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 32 | 18 | 6* | 14 | 9 | 13 | 14* | 9 | 1* | 381 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Chase Elliott (R) | 37 | 8 | 38 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Joey Logano | 6 | 12 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 25 | 38 | 22 | 9 | 373 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Matt Kenseth | 14 | 19 | 37 | 7 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 36 | 7 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 347 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | 1* | 16 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 39 | 12 | 20 | 6 | 31 | 37 | 7 | 4 | 345 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Austin Dillon | 9 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 24 | 4 | 19 | 26 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 33 | 12 | 344 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 36 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 40 | 15 | 32 | 14 | 341 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Jamie McMurray | 17 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 23 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 4 | 26 | 21 | 19 | 318 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Ryan Blaney (R) | 19 | 25 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 19 | 29 | 11 | 28 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 309 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Ryan Newman | 11 | 24 | 13 | 39 | 14 | 10 | 17 | 9 | 18 | 28 | 7 | 16 | 10 | 309 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | A. J. Allmendinger | 21 | 27 | 14 | 17 | 8 | 2 | 22 | 19 | 25 | 14 | 8 | 23 | 16 | 308 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 22 | 10 | 12 | 37 | 5 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 26 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 299 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Trevor Bayne | 28 | 22 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 27 | 15 | 5 | 17 | 10 | 25 | 10 | 25 | 291 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Kasey Kahne | 13 | 23 | 10 | 22 | 28 | 22 | 8 | 17 | 4 | 39 | 16 | 4 | 22 | 290 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Kyle Larson | 7 | 26 | 34 | 12 | 39 | 3 | 14 | 35 | 15 | 29 | 35 | 2 | 13 | 271 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | Paul Menard | 18 | 18 | 15 | 38 | 15 | 8 | 26 | 15 | 22 | 26 | 40 | 11 | 17 | 257 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | Greg Biffle | 34 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 37 | 12 | 39 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 27 | 29 | 11 | 245 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Danica Patrick | 35 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 38 | 16 | 21 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 13 | 21 | 236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | Clint Bowyer | 33 | 35 | 22 | 31 | 18 | 25 | 38 | 8 | 33 | 7 | 19 | 12 | 23 | 229 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Aric Almirola | 12 | 15 | 24 | 13 | 21 | 40 | 24 | 34 | 21 | 27 | 18 | 31 | 26 | 228 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | Landon Cassill | 23 | 36 | 28 | 25 | 16 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 27 | 11 | 31 | 19 | 27 | 216 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Casey Mears | 32 | 14 | 23 | 35 | 17 | 31 | 23 | 24 | 29 | 33 | 21 | 26 | 30 | 195 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | Brian Scott (R) | 24 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 12 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 22 | 24 | 29 | 190 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 | David Ragan | 29 | 32 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 33 | 39 | 23 | 34 | 29 | 17 | 31 | 171 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 | Regan Smith | 8 | 34 | 25 | 28 | 23 | 34 | 31 | 37 | 32 | 32 | 23 | 39 | 28 | 161 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32 | Michael McDowell | 15 | 33 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 24 | 29 | 31 | 21 | 28 | 20 | 34 | 161 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | Matt DiBenedetto | 40 | 29 | 31 | 20 | 27 | 29 | 34 | 6 | 30 | 36 | 30 | 40 | 32 | 150 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | Chris Buescher (R) | 39 | 28 | 26 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 21 | 34 | 37 | 24 | 18 | 37 | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35 | Tony Stewart | 19 | 6 | 12 | 34 | 24 | 111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36 | Cole Whitt | DNQ | 37 | 39 | 36 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 28 | DNQ | 18 | 39 | 27 | 35 | 108 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37 | Michael Annett | 27 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 36 | 38 | 32 | 37 | 36 | 108 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 38 | Brian Vickers | 26 | 36 | 13 | 7 | 37 | 86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 39 | Josh Wise | DNQ | 39 | 35 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 33 | 39 | DNQ | 36 | 36 | 38 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 | Jeffrey Earnhardt (R) | 38 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 38 | 35 | 39 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | Michael Waltrip | 30 | 12 | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 42 | Bobby Labonte | 31 | 19 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 43 | David Gilliland | DNQ | 17 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 44 | Reed Sorenson | DNQ | 37 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 33 | 38 | 40 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | Robert Richardson Jr. | 38 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ineligible for Sprint Cup driver points | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | Driver | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | MAR | TEX | BRI | RCH | TAL | KAN | DOV | CLT | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | KEN | NHA | IND | POC | GLN | BRI | MCH | DAR | RCH | CHI | NHA | DOV | CLT | KAN | TAL | MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM | Pts | |
| Ty Dillon | 25 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 25 | QL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joey Gase | 32 | 36 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ryan Ellis | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturers' Championship
| Pos | Manufacturer | Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 8 | 553 |
| 2 | Chevrolet | 3 | 522 |
| 3 | Ford | 2 | 476 |
|
Source:[55]
|
|||
Media coverage
In the United States, Fox and NBC will continue to broadcast the season. The first 16 events will be broadcast on either Fox or Fox Sports 1,[56] and the final 20 events will be shared between NBC and NBCSN.[57] However, the Watkins Glen race will be aired on USA Network due to NBC focusing on the 2016 Summer Olympics.[58]
See also
- 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series
- 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
- 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
- 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
- 2016 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
- 2016 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
- 2016 NASCAR Pinty's Series
- 2016 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
Notes
- ^1 The Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway was postponed from May 20 to May 21 because of inclement weather.[59]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
