Sports Business Journal's Adam Stern tweeted today that Eldora Speedway, the famed Rossburg, Ohio dirt track will not return to competition in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2021. The track hosted the only nationally sanctioned NASCAR dirt competition annually since 2013. No additional news is available at this time regarding a return to NASCAR in the future. It was announced that Eldora will be included in the SRX racing series schedule in 2021 season.

Stevenage England's Lewis Hamilton continued the greatest season of his career on Sunday by winning the DHL Turkish Grand Prix. Earlier this year, Hamilton surpassed all-time winning driver Michael Schumacher's career win total, and with the win in Istanbul, Hamilton clinched his record tying seventh championship in the famed Formula 1 circuit. The championship is Hamilton's fourth consecutive, a record only matched by Shumacher and the late Argentinean racer Juan Manuel Fangio who won 1954-1957. An additional record was reached by Mercedes who has now won their 7th consecutive constructor's championship. While the championship has been declared, three events remain in the 2020 season. Hamilton, the 35 year old will be entered in all three remaining events and looks to win his fifth consecutive title in 2021.

-- Daytona International Speedway Press Release -- NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway today announced the criteria for eligibility for NASCAR Cup Series drivers to compete in one of the most unique and anticipated events in all of motorsports – the historic 2021 Busch Clash At DAYTONA on the iconic DAYTONA Road Course. Set for Tuesday, Feb. 9, under the lights, the 2021 Busch Clash At DAYTONA will mark the first time in history the traditional exhibition-style event will tackle the track’s 14-turn, 3.61-mile road course, which was introduced for the first time ever to NASCAR’s top three national series this past August. The 43rd Annual Busch Clash At DAYTONA, which kicks off DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth, will be held on the same course (with the lone addition a NASCAR fourth-turn chicane) of as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the DAYTONA 200, North America’s premier races for sports cars and motorcycles, respectively. Due to the pandemic, NASCAR adjusted the format for setting the field for a majority of its races in 2020. As such, the eligibility for next season’s Busch Clash At DAYTONA – which has long been tied to Busch Pole Award wins in the previous season – will have a new look. The eligibility requirements for the 2021 edition are: 2020 Busch Pole Award winners Past Busch Clash Winners who competed full-time in 2020 DAYTONA 500 Champions who competed full-time in 2020 Former DAYTONA 500 Busch Pole Winners who competed full-time in 2020 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Race winners 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Stage winners In contrast to the tightly packed competition on the Speedway’s famed 2.5-mile high-banked-tri-oval, the reimagined Busch Clash, which was held for the first time at Daytona in 1979, will utilize approximately three-quarters of the tri-oval along with the challenging infield portion of the road course. That translates into 14 turns instead of the usual four. "The excitement by both the drivers and our fans leading up to the 2021 Busch Clash At DAYTONA is unprecedented," said Speedway President Chip Wile. "NASCAR’s initial visit to the DAYTONA Road Course in August delivered big time, with incredible competition, adding to the legacy of the famed road course made famous with sports cars and motorcycles. "Having the Busch Clash At DAYTONA on Tuesday night also adds to the anticipation of an action-packed Speedweeks calendar. With the talent level in the field, the race will now clearly have its own look and feel during DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth in 2021 and beyond." The 24 drivers eligible to compete in the ’21 Busch Clash include: Aric Almirola Ryan Blaney Alex Bowman Clint Bowyer Chris Buescher Kurt Busch Kyle Busch William Byron Cole Custer Matt DiBenedetto Austin Dillon Ty Dillon Chase Elliott Denny Hamlin Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson Erik Jones Matt Kenseth Brad Keselowski Joey Logano Ryan Newman Tyler Reddick Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Martin Truex, Jr. Tickets for the Busch Clash, as well as the 63rd annual DAYTONA 500 (Sunday, Feb. 14) – in which Denny Hamlin goes for a record third straight triumph in the Great American Race – can be purchased online at www.daytona500.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase tickets and multi-day packages with a "fresh look" for Speedweeks Presented by Advent Health: Tuesday, Feb. 9: 43rd Annual Busch Clash At DAYTONA (DAYTONA Road Course under the lights) Wednesday, Feb. 10: DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger Thursday, Feb. 11: Duel At DAYTONA qualifying races Friday, Feb. 12: NextEra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race Saturday, Feb. 13: NASCAR Racing Experience 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) and Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire (ARCA Menards) doubleheader Sunday, Feb. 14: DAYTONA 500, The Great American Race Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook Instagram for the latest Speedway news throughout the season. — Daytona International Speedway —

-- Roush Fenway Racing Press Release -- New Eligibility Requirements Announced by NASCAR for Historic 2021 Event CONCORD, N.C., (Nov. 17, 2020) – Roush Fenway teammates Ryan Newman and Chris Buescher will compete in the 2021 Busch Clash exhibition event at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course as part of Daytona Speedweeks. The field for the event was announced Tuesday, as NASCAR detailed new eligibility requirements for the exhibition event at ‘The World Center of Racing’. Newman, who will make his 17th start in the Clash format, is eligible by way of his victory in the 2008 Daytona 500. Buescher, who will make his second appearance in the Clash, is eligible by way of his stage win at Talladega Superspeedway in October, one of the new eligibility requirements for the 2021 event. The newly announced eligibility requirements for the 2021 edition are: 2020 pole winners, past Clash winners who competed full time in 2020, Daytona 500 Champions who competed full time in 2020, Former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full time in 2020 and 2020 NASCAR Playoff drivers, race winners and stage winners. New to the Clash in 2021 is also the track layout, which will feature the Daytona Road Course, a departure from the tradition 2.5-mile superspeedway track in previous events. As part of the schedule changes in 2020 due to implications from COVID-19, the NCS made a rare third visit to Daytona, hitting the road course in August for the first time in the series’ history. Buescher, a polished road racer in his young career, drove to a fifth-place result while Newman finished 19th. Roush Fenway has one win in the Clash format after NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin won the event back in 1999. Newman – who enters his 21st season in the Cup Series – sat on the pole for the 2020 Clash after a random draw, and Jack Roush has six poles overall in the event. The number of laps for the 2021 Clash is still yet to be determined, but will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9, with timing and TV coverage also TBD. The Clash is the kickoff for an action-packed week of racing in Daytona, which features the Duels on Thursday, Feb. 11, leading up to the 63rd Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 14. About Roush Fenway Racing Roush Fenway Racing is one of the most successful teams in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Cup Series. Set to begin its 34th season in 2021, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning Social Media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram, and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.

-- Press Release : Fox Sports -- CHARLOTTE, N.C. – First it was the Indianapolis 500. Then the DAYTONA 500. And in 2021, it’s the ARCA Menards Series play-by-play role, as FOX NASCAR’s Jamie Little makes broadcasting history by becoming the first woman named as the television voice of a national motorsports series. FOX Sports today announces Little will handle play-by-play duties for the series beginning with the season-opener from Daytona in February. Little, entering her 20th year of broadcasting in 2021, teams with analyst Phil Parsons and reporter Kate Osborne for FOX Sports’ slate of ARCA Menards Series races on FS1. Her FOX NASCAR pit reporting duties, held since 2015, also will continue in 2021. This move furthers a string of broadcasting “firsts” Little has accomplished. She was the first female pit reporter for the television broadcast of the Indianapolis 500 (2004), and in 2015, she became the first female pit reporter to cover both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 for network TV’s live, flag-to-flag race coverage. In addition, Little was the first female to cover a televised Supercross and motocross event and was one of the first female reporters in X Games history. Fox Sports names Jamie Little play-by-play announcer for 2021 ARCA Menards Series Fox Sports names Jamie Little play-by-play announcer for 2021 ARCA Menards Series “I am beyond excited and humbled to be offered this role for the ARCA Menards Series,” Little said. “Although I’ve always preferred to be viewed as a motorsports broadcaster and not solely as a female broadcaster, it is an honor to be the first in this role. I definitely don’t take for granted being the first at anything. I know it can open other opportunities for women in the future, and I hope the younger girls aspiring to cover racing see the sky is the limit.” Little first got a taste of the play-by-play role at Michigan International Speedway in June 2018, filling in during two NASCAR Xfinity Series practice sessions on FS1. Since joining FOX Sports, Little also has covered pit road for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, among multiple other reporting and hosting responsibilities. Prior to her time at FOX Sports, Little spent 13 years at ESPN/ABC as a reporter for NASCAR (2007-14), the IndyCar Series (2004-14), Winter X Games and Summer X Games telecasts. “We are excited for Jamie to be joining the ARCA Menards Series booth,” said Brad Zager, Executive Producer, EVP | Head of Production & Operations, FOX Sports. “She is such a valued member of FOX Sports’ racing coverage, and this is the natural next step for her, given her broadcasting skills and her passion for and knowledge of racing.” For additional information, please visit FOX Sports Press Pass. About FOX Sports: FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century Fox’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FS1, FS2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App and FOX Sports GO. Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network. Source: FOX Sports

AJ Appeal - Chip Ganassi racing returns to endurance racing, this time in pursuit of their 8th IMSA championship, and 9th Rolex 24 at Daytona victory. They announced yesterday that they would be returning to the DPi class in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship representing the Cadillac brand. No official owrd on which drivers will be in their lineup at this time. "We can’t wait to get back to IMSA and fight for the overall win after several years competing in the GTLM class," Ganassi said. "Our relationship with General Motors has expanded from the NASCAR Cup Series and we couldn’t be happier. Partnering with Cadillac is a tremendous opportunity for our team and we want to start delivering for them in January at the Rolex 24 At Daytona." "We are very excited to welcome Chip Ganassi Racing to the Cadillac competition family," Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey said. "Their success across many forms of racing, including sports cars, will be a great addition to our IMSA WeatherTech lineup. Chip’s pedigree at winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona eight times, as well as their championships in this form of racing, gives Cadillac another stalwart team to compete for the 2021 IMSA DPi championship."

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--Press Release From Michael Shank Racing-- Second consecutive IMSA championship as MSR closes four year run with the Acura NSX GT3, looks forward to next chapter in DPi with Acura Sebring, Fla. (14 November 2020) – Meyer Shank Racing closed out its four year IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class campaign with a second consecutive IMSA Championship title on Saturday night at Sebring International Raceway. Mario Farnbacher, Matt McMurry and Shinya Michimi brought home the No. 86 Acura NSX GT3 third after a hard fought run in Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The full team effort earned xx points towards the 2020 championship, securing the second straight title for the Ohio-based team. McMurry also made history after provisionally becoming the youngest IMSA competitor to win back-to-back championships (2019 LMP2 championship & 2020 GTD championship). Meyer Shank Racing developed the Acura NSX GT3 ahead of its 2017 IMSA debut, raced to the first ever North American win in Detroit in 2017 for the platform and now has added a second championship title to their brand’s success in just its fourth season of IMSA GTD competition. Meyer Shank Racing has claimed seven victories, seven pole positions and 23 podium finishes since debuting the Acura NSX GT3 in 2017. A whirlwind 2020 IMSA season saw the No. 86 Acura NSX GT3 go from a strong 14-point championship lead after claiming victory during the six hour race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. But the following three races were a tough pill to swallow as the MSR Acura sustained contact from other competitors and took the Farnbacher-McMurry-driven Acura out of contention, sliding down to fourth in the championship standings. But persevering with a big win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca brought the No. 86 Acura back in the championship fight heading into the final round at Sebring. The 3.74-mile circuit has proven to be a difficult match over the years for the Acura NSX GT3, but Meyer Shank Racing did everything in its power to prepare a race car that would make it the end of the most grueling race of the season with strong race pace through all segments of the day to night race. Starting from eighth, it was a matter of staying in contention and fighting through high heat temperatures. Michimi made it through a tough double stint to start the race and McMurry brought the Acura up to third during his stint behind the wheel. Running with quick and consistent pace in fourth, the 86 Acura was in a strong position heading into the second half of the race. As Farnbacher began his stint just before the halfway mark, the target on the back of the Acura once again appeared as the 2019 champion was hit from behind going into Turn 1. The contact sent Farnbacher in a 360 spin, but quick handwork by Farnbacher left the Acura unscathed and back in the fight. Although still managing rapidly deteriorating tires, once the sun set the No. 86 Acura picked up pace. With three hours remaining Farnbacher had advanced six positions from the start to settle into second place. With two hours and 40-minutes remaining – a typical IMSA sprint race length – McMurry joined the fray for one final stint and kept the Acura clean. A nail-biter final hour of the race saw one final caution period which bunched the field back together. But, Farnbacher’s final stint saw him advance to third where he claimed a thrilling podium finish. The third place result gave Meyer Shank Racing the IMSA GTD driver and team championships as well as giving Acura the manufacturer championship. Team Quotes: Michael Shank: “What a way to leave the Acura NSX program, with two years on top! Acura and HPD brought us in to run this car at a high level, and we did it. We won two championships and missed the third (2018) by one point, so that’s a dominant program. But my stomach hurts from all the stress. This was really hard on everyone today, but the guys stayed on the horse and they fought through it. The drivers did an excellent job and the crew work was great, the pit stops were flawless.” Mario Farnbacher: “I started with the team as the third driver in 2018 and got the full-season drive last year and we won the championship, so to do it again this year, with Acura and HPD and Meyer Shank Racing, it’s amazing. We have an amazing crew as well. It hurts a little bit, that this program is ending, but a new chapter will open next year. It’s great to finish the season with the championship, and with a podium in this race!” Matt McMurry: “It feels absolutely amazing to win the championship with Meyer Shank Racing. This year has been such an experience getting to work with Mario and the entire MSR crew. This race was not easy on us and we fought tooth and nail to get this result. To close out the year with a podium finish and the GTD championship is such an amazing feeling.” Shinya Michimi: “It’s awesome that we were able to get a good result as well as get the championship for Matt and Mario, they’ve worked so hard this year. For them to do that, for the team to get another championship in their final year with the car is so important. I’ll definitely remember this year; it was my first semi-full-time drive here and I’ve looked to IMSA for a really long time. It’s a dream come true to run this race, I can’t thank Mike, Acura, HPD and AutoNation enough for the opportunity and for supporting this car. It’s been a surreal year.”

--Press Release From Michael Shank Racing-- Cameron brings championship winning knowledge of the Acura ARX-05 to MSR Pataskala, Ohio (16 November 2020) – After securing its second IMSA championship, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) looks forward to the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Meyer Shank Racing is pleased to announce that Dane Cameron has joined the team to share the full-season driving duties with Oliver Pla starting with the 2021 Rolex 24 At Daytona in January. The three-time (2014/GTD, 2016, 2019) IMSA WeatherTech Champion brings three years worth of experience with the Acura ARX-05 to the effort as he and MSR join forces in 2021. Having been a part of the development program for the Acura DPi since its inception in 2018, Cameron has captured three victories onboard the Acura ARX-05 and nine podium finishes. The 2019 season saw Cameron claim the championship title after scoring three victories and four podiums. “I’m excited to join Meyer Shank Racing and continue my relationship with Acura and HPD,” said Cameron. “I have a lot of experience with the ARX-05 and I know that car inside and out. It’s been really fun to be a part of the development of that car from the very beginning. It’s proven to be a race winner and a championship winner in 2019. I will certainly do my best to bring everything that I’ve learned about this car to the team and make sure that MSR and everyone gets up to speed quickly.” Cameron and Shank have been IMSA regulars competing in the same events for several seasons, but the tie-up marks the first opportunity for the two to work together as the Ohio-based team once again looks to fight for overall victories in 2021. “I’ve known Mike (Shank) for quite a while now in IMSA but I haven’t had the opportunity to drive for him,” continued Cameron. “I admire Mike’s passion for the sport. We’ve always talked about putting a program together and it’s cool that we finally worked it out and I’ll get to drive for him next year with the Acura DPi.” “We’re very excited to have Dane join us next year,” said Shank. “He’s proven that he is a top contender in one of the toughest classes out there. Just like what we (MSR) did with the Acura NSX, he did for the Acura ARX-05. He developed that car and made it a championship winning car. We’re happy to have him onboard and hopefully work towards bringing home another championship for Acura.” Cameron and Pla are set to drive the full 2021 IMSA season with MSR also having announced AJ Allmendinger’s return to the Rolex 24 for the 15th year.

- Joe Gibbs Racing Press Release -- DANIEL HEMRIC JOINS JOE GIBBS RACING XFINITY SERIES TEAM IN 2021 29-year-old driver to compete fulltime in No. 18 Toyota Supra HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2020) – Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that Daniel Hemric will drive the team’s No. 18 Toyota Supra fulltime in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021. The Kannapolis, North Carolina native has become a mainstay in NASCAR in recent years with 175 career starts across the three national series. Hemric’s Xfinity Series resume includes an impressive 30 top-five finishes and 51 top-10s in 87 starts and a pair of Championship 4 appearances in 2017 and 2018. “It’s been quite a roller coaster ride for me over the last few years, but I can’t say how thankful I am for the opportunity to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Hemric. “Their reputation speaks for itself. I know they have high expectations for me, as I do as well, and I could not be more excited to chase the Xfinity Series championship with them next season.” Most recently, Hemric competed in the Xfinity Series on a part-time basis in 2020. In 21 starts this year, he earned seven top-five finishes and 12 top-10s and ended the season strong with four top-five finishes in his last five starts – all coming during the Xfinity Series Playoffs. The 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year joins Harrison Burton and Brandon Jones in the team’s three fulltime entries competing for the Xfinity Series championship. In 2020, Burton and Jones combined to claim seven of the team’s eight victories. “We’re excited to have Daniel join our Xfinity Series team,” said Steve de Souza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing. “He has proven the ability to run up front and we believe his experience and consistency will be a benefit to our overall program. We look forward to him competing with Brandon (Jones) and Harrison (Burton) for wins and contending for a championship.” Sponsorship and team personnel details will be announced at a later date.

By Justin Segar - It's Chase Elliott's world, and we're all living in it. After a dominant performance Chase Elliott wins the race, and the 2020 Cup Series Championship. Phoenix Raceway hosted the championship race for the first time in the tracks history, and I do not think that it lived up to expectations, nor did it live up to the standard of a championship race. It was incredibly hard to pass, and it made the race come down to the race off of pit road, and restarts. Although the stages don't matter much at all for those in the Championship Four Chase Elliott destroyed the field after he started in the back for failing pre race inspection twice. The remaining three drivers in the Championship Four largely controlled the race especially Joey Logano who lead basically the entire stage. Brad Keselowski's biggest struggle during the race showed up early, his pit crew being a tad slow on pit road. Stage Two changed up the Championship Four contenders. It evolved into a two man race between Chase Elliott, and Brad Keselowksi. Brad Keselowksi had a wild last lap pass to beat Chase Elliott in stage two. Joey Logano started to fall behind the leaders, but still looked like a threat. However it also became more and more apparent Denny Hamlin would not have the speed to win, unless there was a crazy late race restart. Stage Three was the Chase Elliott show... once he grabbed the lead he set sail and never looked back. The race never really looked all that competitive, and up until stage three it was a very clean race, and that trend continues into stage three. Chase Elliott simply drove away and earned his championship. The biggest story line outside of the Championship Four was Jimmie Johnson finishing fifth in his final Cup Series race. Chase's championship and Jimmie's retirement from full time Cup racing it felt like a changing of the guard moment, and NASCAR is starting its next era with Chase Elliot as the sports biggest star.

Deep in the desert of Arizona, there was a championship feel in the air as NASCAR's three National touring series all crowned a new champion. This championship weekend started off with the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck series. This was really the only true "night" race of the weekend, which added a special intensity to the championship race. It proved to be Grant Enfinger vs. GMS in the championship hunt. Zane Smith, Brett Moffitt, and Sheldon Creed, all GMS drivers, joined Enfinger as contenders for the title. Who would prevail and become the 2020 Truck series champion? The race started out with Enfinger, with his championship competitors in toe, leading the field to green. By the end of the first lap, Enfinger was already at the bottom of the championship 4. Zane Smith got out to an early lead over his two GMS championship competitors. Smith held on to lead the majority of the laps in Stage 1 and win the stage. However, no points were awarded to any of the championship drivers during the stages. Creed, Moffitt, Enfinger, Crafton, Rhodes, Ankrum, Eckes, Friesen, and Kraus finished stage 1 behind Smith in the Top 10. Sheldon Creed got ahead of his GMS teammate and took an early lead in Stage 2, but it was Brett Moffitt who took the lead and did not let go. Ben Rhodes was the first driver to get up and break the Championship 4's stranglehold on the Top 4 spots. Rhodes made it past his teammate, Enfinger, and had almost made it past Sheldon Creed for 3rd when Stage 2 ended. Brett Moffitt went on to win Stage 2 with Z. Smith, Creed, Rhodes, Enfinger, Friesen, Ankrum, Lessard, Eckes, and Mayer all earning a Top 10 in the stage. Brett Moffitt was on the fast track to continue his dominance throughout the final stage. Carson Hocevar brought out the caution at lap 103 after spinning into the wall coming off Turn 2. This allowed Grant Enfinger, who had not been a threat all night, to get off pit cycle and take 4 fresh tires. Grant Enfinger slowly started to gain spots, but it wasn't nearly enough to catch Brett Moffitt. Moffitt pulled out to nearly a 5 second lead over the field. It appeared to be Moffitt's championship for the taking. Unfortunately, Moffitt's worst nightmare came true as the caution came out with 3 laps to go, forcing NASCAR overtime. Moffitt, in the lead, and Enfinger, having no sets of tires left, had no choice but to stay our. For Creed and Zane Smith, the opportunity arose for them to take tires. Zane Smith opted to take 4 tires while Sheldon Creed took 2. The final restart was about as chaotic as it could get without causing another caution. Moffitt and Enfinger's older tires just could not hold on to the lead. Sheldon Creed came charging to the front with Smith right behind him. Sheldon Creed pulled away from Smith and went on to grab the win and the championship. It was Creed's 5th win of the season, a series best. This is Sheldon Creed's first championship in only his second full-time season in the Truck Series. Z. Smith, C. Smith, Eckes, Lessard, Friesen, Rhodes, Ankrum, Gilliland, and Moffitt all finished the season with a Top 10 finish. Enfinger (13th) was the only Championship 4 driver to finish outside the Top 10. This race was a great start to championship weekend in the desert. Congratulations to Sheldon Creed for capturing his first NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series championship.

-- Per NHRA Press Release -- NHRA officials have announced a 22-race 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule. Details on Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying days as well as special exhibitions and specialty series that compete at national events will be announced in coming weeks. NHRA enters 2021 with a new sponsor on its premier professional series -– Camping World, the nation’s largest retailer of recreational vehicles (RVs), RV accessories, and RV-related services –- and an extended partnership with FOX Sports including amped-up coverage. All 22 events in this extreme sport series will be aired exclusively on FOX Sports with select events on the FOX broadcast network. In 2021 NHRA will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Fans will experience special treats and features along the tour to commemorate this important milestone and honor the NHRA’s vast history. “We are grateful to the loyal NHRA fans and other members of the racing community who have stuck with us during the trying times of the 2020 season,” said NHRA President Glen Cromwell. “We’re looking forward to an exciting season of championship drag racing with fans in 2021. Thank you to our fans, racers, track operators, and partners for your continued support and cooperation.” For the first time, the NHRA season will kick off on the east coast with the 52nd annual Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway on March 12-14. The traditional series opener, the 61st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, will move to April 9-11 in 2021, starting a unique three-week spring stretch on the West Coast. The Winternationals will be followed by the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, the first of two four-wide events during the 2021 campaign, and the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, April 23-25. NHRA’s famed Western Swing, the popular three-race summer tradition, includes thrilling events at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., and Pacific Raceways in Seattle over consecutive weeks. The sport’s biggest race, the historic NHRA U.S. Nationals, will stay in its traditional place over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 1-5, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoff system, with the top 10 racers in each professional category competing for a championship over the final six races, will lead into the 2021 season finale, the 56th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals slated for November 12-14 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. One facility, Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, is not holding any drag racing events at its facility in 2021, so it is not included on the schedule. 2021 NHRA CAMPING WORLD DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE NHRA CAMPING WORLD SERIES REGULAR SEASON March 12-14Amalie Motor Oil NHRA GatornationalsGainesville, Fla.March 26-28NHRA Southern NationalsAtlantaApril 9-11Lucas Oil NHRA WinternationalsPomona, Calif.April 16-18Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide NationalsLas VegasApril 23-25NHRA Arizona NationalsPhoenixMay 14-16NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide NationalsCharlotte, N.C.May 21-23Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationalsHouston, TexasJune 4-6Virginia NHRA NationalsRichmond, Va.June 11-13NHRA New England NationalsEpping, N.H.June 24-27Summit Racing Equipment NHRA NationalsNorwalk, OhioJuly 16-18Dodge Mile-High NHRA NationalsDenverJuly 23-25NHRA Sonoma NationalsSonoma, Calif.July 30-Aug.1Flav-R-Pac Northwest NationalsSeattleAug. 13-15Menards NHRA Heartland NationalsTopeka, Kan.Aug. 19-22- Lucas Oil NHRA NationalsBrainerd, Minn.Sept. 1-5NHRA U.S. NationalsIndianapolis NHRA CAMPING WORLD COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP Sept. 10-12NHRA NationalsReading, Pa.Sept. 17-19NTK NHRA Carolina NationalsCharlotteSept. 24-26NHRA Midwest NationalsSt. LouisOct. 7-10NHRA FallNationalsDallasOct. 29-31Dodge NHRA NationalsLas VegasNov. 12-14Auto Club NHRA FinalsPomona, Calif.

- PRESS RELEASE : Meyer Shank Racing -- Helio Castroneves set for six INDYCAR races with MSR as Harvey aims to build on an encouraging 2020 season Pataskala, Ohio (10 November 2020) – Less than four years after making its Indianapolis 500 debut, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is pleased to announce that the team has grown its IndyCar program ahead of the 2021 season. Meyer Shank Racing driver Jack Harvey will return for his second full-season behind the wheel of the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM IndyCar for the full 17-race campaign. For the first time in his young IndyCar career, Harvey will have a teammate for six races in 2021, as Helio Castroneves has signed with the team to race the No. 06 MSR IndyCar entry. Castroneves will run six races – the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (August 14), The Grand Prix of Portland and the season-ending race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The expanded program comes just one month after MSR announced its partnership with Liberty Media Corporation which had made a minority investment in the team, which is attributed to the Formula One Group. MSR and Harvey first paired in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 and built a six-race program for the 2018 season, growing to a 10-event 2019 campaign before making a full-season run in 2020. That same approach is being utilized as the team continues to grow for 2021. “We’re really excited to have Helio come onboard with us next year,” said Mike Shank. “The idea to start off with six races for the second IndyCar was another strategic plan. As I’ve always said in the past, we will never bite off more than we can chew. It’s always been one of our goals to expand the IndyCar program, and this is the best way that we can start that. Of course the goal is to have two full-season cars.” The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner’s arrival marks the continued growth for the Ohio-based team. With two consecutive decades of IndyCar competition under his belt, Castroneves will bring a wealth of knowledge to MSR. The affable Brazilian has previous experience with the team, having raced for MSR’s sports car program in the 2007 Rolex 24 At Daytona. The move also sees Castroneves return to Honda power, having won 12 races onboard a Honda-powered IndyCar. “I’m super excited to be joining Meyer Shank Racing for six IndyCar races next year,” said Castroneves. Mike (Shank) and I know each other from a long time ago and I raced with the team at Daytona. Now, with Jim (Meyer), Mike and Jack (Harvey), all three of us I feel like we have great potential. I can’t thank enough Team Penske for all of these years with them, but now it’s a new chapter in my life and I’m excited to join MSR and an incredible group of friends.” Ready to contest his second full-season IndyCar campaign, Harvey is eager to build on the results and pace that he has shown over the last four IndyCar seasons. Having scored his first IndyCar podium in 2019 and two front row starts in 2020, Harvey plans to go for overall wins this coming season. “I’m really excited to build on the progress that we made this year and bring that into 2021,” said Harvey. “We’ve had so much potential, but had such bad luck in so many of the races this year that I’m just excited to start fresh. I’m confident that next year we can push for some podiums and race wins based off of the pace that we had this year. Having Helio, he will be a fantastic addition to the team. He’s a three-time Indy 500 winner and he’s a living legend really, so it’s pretty great that I will get to work with him and be teammates with someone who has that level of experience. I see this as a way to strengthen the team. I’m excited to get going again and 2021 cannot come soon enough.” The team recently broke ground on a new 45,000 square foot facility in Pataskala, Ohio, and will continue to develop its competition programs under the relentless leadership of team co-owners Shank and Jim Meyer. “Having a guy like Helio on the team will be a big asset for us,” said Shank. “He’s a proven race winner and brings a ton of knowledge to the team. He’s someone that we will be able to learn from. This past season was definitely a tough one for us, but Jack (Harvey) proved that he has the pace to be running up front, and going into 2021 we certainly aiming to get back up on the podium.” In addition to growing its IndyCar program, the 2021 race season will also see the Ohio-based team also continue its relationship with Acura and HPD to field the Acura ARX-05 DPi in IMSA WeatherTech series competition.

Phoenix, Arizona The NASCAR championship seasons have formally ended. After what felt like to many in the industry to be the longest season ever as in ran in conjunction with the Covid-19 epidemic, NASCAR managed to return to competition this summer before any major sport. Three winner-takes-all events were held last weekend at Phoenix and three historic champions were crowned. Sheldon Creed won the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series Championship after rushing from 8th to 1st in NASCAR Overtime on Friday night. Our team covered the final laps of the event during our live Racing Refresh weekly production. This is his first championship in NASCAR, and second truck-based championship as he also is a past champion in Robby Gordon's truck circuit. In the Xfinity Series, the winningest driver on the circuit was not the winner, as would be the case in the Cup Series. Chase Briscoe was not able to pull off the feel-good story by winning at Phoenix, instead his rival and fellow Ford driver Austin Cindric won the title under the Team Penske banner. Cindric managed to pass Justin Allgaier with under 2 laps remaining to win. NASCAR's most popular driver won big on Sunday. Chase Elliott was not always the fastest car, but managed to lead many laps throughout the event. Despite failing pre-race inspection and starting from the rear, his crew is just as deserving for the win. They made no mistakes through the event during pit stops managed to come out first on nearly every pitting cycle. Brad Keselowski appeared to be the fastest car on the track for much of the second half of the event, but several mistakes on pit road resulted in the #2 Ford team not being in contention at the end of the event. This is the first national touring championship for Creed and Cindric, and the second title for Elliott. Elliott also won the NASCAR Xfinity title in 2014. NASCAR will resume to on-track competition after the new year rings. The first points-paying event is the 2021 Daytona 500 on February 14th.