NASCAR news ticker February 2023: Busch and Nemechek win in Fontana
Here you find our NASCAR news ticker for February 2023 – Latest news: Kyle Busch and John Hunter Nemechek took victory at Auto Club Speedway
February 27, 2023: Busch and Nemechek won in Fontana (NCS & NCTS)
Kyle Busch won the final race on the two-mile configuration of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. The new Childress driver edged out Ross Chastain, who had previously topped both stages. That gives Busch wins at Fontana with every team he has raced for in his career: Hendrick, Gibbs and Childress. John Hunter Nemechek then won the postponed NASCAR Xfinity Series race.
February 20, 2023: Stenhouse Jr. won the Daytona 500 (NCS)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the 2023 Daytona 500, with the JTG Daugherty driver narrowly edging out Joey Logano in the second Overtime. The race was decided by a yellow flag after Kyle Larson hit the wall hard on the final lap. The stage winners were Brad Keselowski and Ross Chastain. Logano leads the overall standings after the season opener. The two overtime attempts made it the longest Daytona 500 in history.
February 19, 2023: Last lap crash and video decision (NXS)
Austin Hill won the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Saturday’s race was decided by video evidence after a caution on the final lap. The reason: Austin Hill and Sam Meyer made contact, whereupon Meyer was thrown through the air and then onto the roof. According to NASCAR, Hill was in first place at the time of the yellow flag. Hill and Justin Allgaier won the stages.
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February 18, 2023: Zane Smith wins Trucks season opener in Daytona (NCTS)
Zane Smith won the opening race of the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway. The race on Friday night had to be stopped early due to rain in Florida. The first Stage went to Christian Eckes, the second segment was won by Tyler Ankrum. In the second stage there were two major accidents in which numerous trucks were damaged. The race ended on lap 79 of 100 scheduled laps.
February 17, 2023: NASCAR unveils the Le Mans livery and specs (S)
NASCAR has unveiled the livery for the next-gen car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The specs have also been announced:
Length: 195.4” / 4,961 mm
Width: 78.6” / 1,996.4 mm
Height: 50.4” / 1,280 mm
Wheelbase: 110” / 2,794 mm
Weight: 2,960 lbs / 1,342 kg
Spoiler: 6” / 152.4 mm
Body: 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 composite symmetric body featuring integral flap systems, camera mounts and dive planes
Underwing: Full carbon undertray w/Le Mans spec splitter, engine panel and rear diffuser
Chassis: Steel tubing w/bolt-on front and rear clips and front/rear bumpers
Transaxle: 5-speed paddle shift sequential with ramp and plate differential
Suspension (Front and rear): Double wishbone billet aluminum control arms w/adjustable coil over shock absorbers
Steering: Rack and pinion
Wheels: Dry Fronts – BBS-G56 forged aluminum 18” x 12.5” / 462 mm x 317.5 mm, Dry Rears – BBS-G56 forged aluminum 18” x 13.5” / 462 mm x 342.9 mm, Wets – BBS-G56 forged aluminum 18” x 12” / 462 mm x 304.8 mm
Tires: Dry Fronts – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 365/35R18 (day / night), Dry Rears – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 380/35R18 (day / night), Wets – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 365/35R18 (inter / full)
** Cured in-tire, passive TPMS system, Powered by Goodyear Sightline
Brakes: Six piston monobloc front calipers / four piston monobloc rear calipers – heavy duty carbon disc packages
Front Brake Rotors: 15” x 1.57” / 381 mm x 40 mm carbon disc w/titanium bell
Rear Brake Rotors: 14” x 1.26” / 355.6 mm x 32 mm carbon disc w/titanium bell
Engine: NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet R07 cast iron small block V8
Engine displacement: 358 cu in / 5.8 L
Induction system: Naturally aspirated
Fuel system: Fuel injection
Oil system: Dry sump
Engine cooling: Air exits radiator through hood louvers
Exhaust: Split-side exit exhaust
Fuel cell: 34 gallons / 127 L (Total Excellium Racing 100)
February 17, 2023: This is how the Duels in Daytona went (NCS)
The duels in Daytona are in the books and the winners are Joey Logano and Aric Almirola. Two open teams had pack their stuff: Chandler Smith failed to qualify, being beaten by Zane Smith in the first race. In the second duel, Austin Hill was involved in an accident by Kyle Busch, so Conor Daly made it to the Daytona 500. But the lattter also had problems with his car.
February 16, 2023: This is the grid for the 2023 Daytona 500 (NCS)
This weekend, as usual, after the winter break, the new NASCAR season will start with the Great American Race and the entry list holds some surprises. In addition to the 36 teams with charter contracts that have a guaranteed starting spot in the field, we find in the list six more teams that will fight for the remaining four starting spots in the famous Daytona 500.
n addition to Chandler Smith (Kaulig Racing), Austin Hill (Beard Motorsports), Zane Smith (Front Row Motorsports), and Conor Daly (TMT Racing) will we also see Travis Pastrana (23XI Racing) and the seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson (Legacy Motor Club) in the entry list without a charter contract.J ohnson and Pastrana already qualified for the Daytona 500 last night in qualifying with their fast laps, and the remaining two grid spots will be contested in the Duels.
February 16, 2023: Chevrolet signs two drivers for long-term (NCS)
As part of NASCAR Speedweeks in Daytona, two contract extensions were signed at Chevrolet. Alex Bowman will initially stay with Hendrick Motorsports in the legendary number 48 up to and including 2026. His long -term sponsor “Ally” will continue to be on board for the next four years as well. The Mexican Daniel Suarez will also stay with Trackhouse Racing until further notice. The 31-year-old has been driving for the newly founded team since 2021 and wants to build on the success of the previous season in the future. Both drivers each won a race last year and look to extend their winning rate in 2023.
February 7, 2023: No NASCAR racing in Fontana in 2024 (NCS)
Things have been quiet around the reconfiguration of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, but the planned reconfiguration from a 2-mile oval into a short track will go ahead as planned. However, construction is taking longer than scheduled, so there will be no racing at the California track in 2024. In 2023, the last race will be held on the current layout.
February 6, 2023: Martin Truex Jr. wins the Clash (NCS)
Martin Truex Jr. won the first NASCAR race of 2023, breaking his winning streak that began in 2021. The JGR driver won the non-regular season race at the LA Coliseum. The championship begins on February 19, 2023, with the Daytona 500 in Florida.
February 1, 2023: NASCAR announces new rules (all)
NASCAR has made the following rule changes for the 2023 season: There are no more stage breaks on road courses (exceptions are Portland, Road Atlanta and Mid-Ohio in the Xfinity and Truck series). Wall rides à la Ross Chastain are prohibited. Rain tires will be introduced on select short tracks. Lost-wheel penalties are adjusted (caution – start from the rear of the field; under green – drive-through penalty). Top-30 rule for playoffs is eliminated (top-20 for Xfinity and Trucks). The Choose Rule is also used on Superspeedways and dirt tracks.
NCS = NASCAR Cup Series; NXS = NASCAR Xfinity Series, NCTS = NASCAR Craftman Truck Series; O = Others
