WHO’S UP? FIRST TIME WINNERS WELCOME

Ty Dillon

June 27, 2014 – Of Kentucky Speedway’s 15 previous NASCAR Nationwide Series races, five were won by first-time winners, David Gilliland (2006), Stephen Leicht (2007), Joey Logano (2008), Austin Dillon (2012) and Ryan Blaney (2013). That begs the question: Which lucky hopeful will be number six?

Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate, Ty Dillon tops the list of possible first-time winners. Dillon has been consistent this season posting 10 top-10 finishes in 14 starts. Though this will be Dillon’s series debut at the track, his team’s experience at Kentucky might give him the edge. The No. 3 team swept both races in 2012 from the Coors Light pole, and has yet to finish worse than sixth at the 1.5-mile speedway.

Another Sunoco Rookie standout the cusp of victory is Chris Buescher. Despite missing the season-opener at Daytona, he is eighth in the series standings after posting five top-10 finishes this season including a runner-up finish at Talladega. Two of his five top 10s were on 1.5-mile speedways (ninth at Las Vegas and Charlotte). His average finish in 13 starts this season in 14.2.

Despite a slow start, Dylan Kwasniewski could surprise this weekend. A champion in both the K&N Pro Series East and West, Kwasniewski is currently 12th in the NNS standings with one pole and one top-10 finish.

NASCAR

 

SPRINT CUP CONTINGENT TO RUN WITH K&N WEST AT SONOMA

Austin Dillon

June 19, 2014 – The 34th running of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday will have a star-studded field expected to include a handful of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. As of Monday, the Sprint Cup representation includes Michael Annett, Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. among the 33 entries for the Carneros 200. They’ll have to compete with season points leader Greg Pursley, who has posted five road-course wins during his career. The last two Sprint Cup competitors to win at Sonoma in a K&N West car were Joey Logano in 2011 and David Gilliland in 2012.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will be in action on the opposite coast Saturday with the Visit Hampton VA 175 at famed Langley Speedway. Each of the series’ three previous trips to the Hampton, Va. oval has featured different winners, including current NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie Dylan Kwasniewski a year ago.

Saturday’s NASCAR regional touring series slate also includes the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Waterford Speedbowl for the Mr. Rooter 161. The Connecticut shoreline short track has produced a different winner in 15 of the 19 all-time events there, including NASCAR Next driver Ryan Preece last year. The 161 scheduled laps is a tribute to the late Hall of Fame member Richie Evans, who drove a No. 61 modified throughout his career.