Latest news with #XfinitySeries
New York Times
30 minutes ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR crew chief: How his one-off Xfinity cameo came to be
LONG POND, Pa. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been a driver, team owner, television analyst, podcast host, and corporate spokesman throughout his years in NASCAR. This weekend at Pocono Raceway, he's adding another role: crew chief for a team in Saturday's Xfinity Series race. 'I've sat on plenty of pit boxes, but it should be cool to see it from this perspective,' Earnhardt said. Advertisement Earnhardt is stepping into the role as fill-in crew chief for Connor Zilisch, driver of the No. 88 car fielded by JR Motorsports, the team Earnhardt co-owns. The team's regular crew chief, Mardy Lindley, is serving a one-race suspension after Zilisch's car was found to have two lug nuts unsecured following the Nashville race earlier this month. Even though Lindley will likely remain in communication with the team remotely, having someone on-site to lead the No. 88 team is a necessity. From Lindley's perspective, it made sense that the person should be Earnhardt, so Lindley reached out to gauge his interest. After thinking about it, Earnhardt took Lindley up on the offer. 'There's probably over 100 people at JR Motorsports that would have been more qualified, but Mardy asked me to do it,' Earnhardt said. 'So I was like, 'You must want me to do it.' … We got a great team and a great organization that can handle these types of challenges. Should be no problem.' New role for Dale Earnhardt Jr. this weekend: crew chief. Here he is talking to Connor Zilisch and Jamie McMurray. — Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) June 20, 2025 Earnhardt admits he previously has thought about serving as a crew chief, but the right circumstances never arose. With Pocono relatively straightforward in terms of strategy — such as when to pit and how many tires to put on — and with Earnhardt surrounded by a team that's won two races (one with Zilisch, one with Kyle Larson) this season, the time felt right. Pocono marks Earnhardt's first time as crew chief at the NASCAR series level, and it's at a track where he has two wins in NASCAR's premier Cup Series. He's quickly discovered how much he enjoys being more hands-on involved. Flanked by the No. 88 team's engineers, Earnhardt will be atop the pit box on Saturday. From this position, he'll lead the team by deciding what chassis adjustments to make, when Zilisch should pit, and other strategy calls that can make the difference between winning and losing. Advertisement 'It's way more fun than being the owner,' Earnhardt said. 'When you're the owner, you don't do anything, and there's nothing you provide of assistance during the race weekend. There's nothing that you do that makes or breaks a weekend or lifts a team's performance. And it sucks. 'I used to be a driver and have a role, and when you win, you get out (of the car) and go, 'I was part of that.' When you're the owner, you're just kind of standing there going, 'Good job, everybody.' But this is way more fun.' This week, Earnhardt attended the No. 88 team's Wednesday competition meeting where Zilisch, Lindley, spotter Josh Williams and the team's engineers extensively prepared for Pocono. During the meeting, Zilisch observed Earnhardt listening intently and writing in a notebook he brought. His boss also shared some key advice on how to best get around Pocono, one of NASCAR's most uniquely configured and challenging tracks (it's shaped like a triangle) and a place the 18-year-old Zilisch has never previously raced at. 'He talked about how to manage the runs,' Zilisch said. 'This is a track that's got a really long straightaway, so timing your side-drafts is important, and he gave me a few tips on that. I mean, it's not every day you get advice from a guy like him. So for him to be in there solely for you, it feels pretty cool.' After the competition meeting, Earnhardt went through pit practice on Thursday to get reps on what he'll need to do during pit stops. His duty is to stand behind the pit wall, assisting with the front tires that go on and off the No. 88 car — catching the right-front tire that's rolled to him, then rolling a new tire to the left-front changer. It's a job that may sound minor, but any tire that isn't controlled results in a penalty — a fact not lost on Earnhardt. Advertisement 'The toughest part is really just going to be getting involved in the pit stops,' Earnhardt said. 'That's a real job that could go bad; you don't want to be the guy (that makes a mistake). 'I feel like I've got an understanding of what to expect.' On Friday, Earnhardt was in the garage right when it opened, helping the team prepare its Chevrolet. He then accompanied the car as it went through technical inspection. It just so happened that the car failed to pass on its first attempt. Earnhardt reacted like most veteran crew chiefs do when they disagree with a NASCAR ruling. 'I got my opinions, but I'll keep it to myself 'til later today, once we get past (inspection),' Earnhardt said, laughing, 'then I can speak freely.' (Top photo of Dale Earnhardt Jr. at last weekend's Xfinity Series race in Mexico City:)
NBC Sports
10 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
How to watch Saturday's Xfinity race at Pocono: Start time, TV info and weather
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will return to Pocono Raceway for its longest race on the 2.5-mile track since 2019. Saturday's race is scheduled for 100 laps (250 miles) at Pocono, whose past five Xfinity Series races were scheduled for 90 laps. The Xfinity Series' 2016-19 races at Pocono were scheduled for 100 laps. Cole Custer won the June 1, 2019 race that was extended to 103 laps by a late caution flag. Custer also won the Xfinity race at Pocono last year but won't return to defend after moving back up to the Cup Series this season. Austin Hill (who won at the 2.5-mile track in 2023) is the only past Xfinity winner at Pocono in the field. Details for Saturday's Xfinity race at Pocono Raceway (All times Eastern) START: The command to start engines will be given at 3:29 p.m. ... The green flag is scheduled to wave at 3:40 p.m. PRERACE: The Xfinity garage will open at 8:30 a.m. ... Practice is at 10 a.m. ... Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 11:05 a.m. ... Driver introductions are at 3 p.m. DISTANCE: The race is 100 laps (250 miles) on the 2.5-mile track. STAGES: Stage 1 ends at Lap 25. Stage 2 ends at Lap 50. ENTRY LIST: Click here for the 38 cars entered at Pocono Raceway. TV/RADIO: CW will broadcast the race starting at 3 p.m. ... Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will have radio coverage. FORECAST: WeatherUnderground — A mixture of sunshine and clouds with a high of 82 degrees and winds from the west at 5 to 10 mph. It's expected to be 80 degrees with a 13% chance of rain for the start of the Xfinty Series race. LAST TIME: Cole Custer led the final nine laps to beat Justin Allgaier by 0.670 seconds on July 13, 2024.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
How to watch NASCAR live at Pocono in June 2025, weekend schedule
How to watch NASCAR live at Pocono in June 2025, weekend schedule NASCAR is ready for the upcoming action at Pocono Raceway, marking the 19th official race weekend of the 2025 Cup Series season. In 2024, Ryan Blaney beat Denny Hamlin for his second victory of the year. All three NASCAR levels will be on track in Pocono this weekend, so you won't want to miss the action! Below, you can find more details about the on-track action in Pocono this weekend! NASCAR live today: Pocono Raceway Here are the upcoming practice, qualifying, and race times for the current race weekend on the NASCAR schedule (all ET). Friday, June 20 Saturday, June 21 10:00 a.m.: Xfinity Series Practice (The CW App) 11:05 a.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying (The CW App) 12:35 p.m.: Cup Series Practice (Prime) 1:45 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Prime) 3:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Race - Explore the Pocono Mountain 250 (The CW) - Watch FREE on Fubo Sunday, June 22 2:00 p.m.: Cup Series Race - The Great American Getaway 400 (Prime) 2:00 p.m.: NASCAR Driver Cam - The Great American Getaway 400 (Max) - Watch NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Watch NASCAR at Pocono FREE on Fubo More: NASCAR Cup Series schedule: Start times, TV networks in 2025 We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Motorsports Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Friday schedule at Pocono Raceway
The Truck Series will take the spotlight Friday at Pocono Raceway, where the Xfinity garage also will be open. Trucks will be on track for practice at 12:35 p.m., followed by a 1:40 p.m. qualifying session to set the field for an 80-lap race. Advertisement The green flag will fall at 5:22 p.m. for the Truck Series. Corey Heim is the defending race winner. Cup Series team haulers will load in at Pocono at 3 p.m., but the garage won't open until Saturday when practice and qualifying will occur for Sunday's 400-mile race. NASCAR: NASCAR All-Star Race Good news, bad news for NASCAR Cup drivers ahead of Pocono weekend Denny Hamlin returns to the series this weekend after missing last weekend's race in Mexico for the birth of his son. Pocono Raceway Friday schedule (All Times Eastern) Garage open 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. — Truck Series 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Xfinity Series Track activity 12:35 - 1:30 p.m. — Truck practice (FS2) 1:40 - 2:30 p.m. — Truck qualifying (FS2) 5 p.m. — Truck race (80 laps, 200 miles; Stage 1 at Lap 20, Stage 2 at Lap 40; FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) Weather Friday: Sunshine and clouds mixed with a high of 76 degrees. Winds from the west to northwest at 10 to 20 mph. It's expected to 74 degrees with a 1% chance of rain at the start of the Truck Series race.
NBC Sports
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
NASCAR Friday schedule at Pocono Raceway
The Truck Series will take the spotlight Friday at Pocono Raceway, where the Xfinity garage also will be open. Trucks will be on track for practice at 12:35 p.m., followed by a 1:40 p.m. qualifying session to set the field for an 80-lap race. The green flag will fall at 5:22 p.m. for the Truck Series. Corey Heim is the defending race winner. Cup Series team haulers will load in at Pocono at 3 p.m., but the garage won't open until Saturday when practice and qualifying will occur for Sunday's 400-mile race. Dustin Long, Pocono Raceway Friday schedule (All Times Eastern) Garage open 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. — Truck Series 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Xfinity Series Track activity 12:35 - 1:30 p.m. — Truck practice (FS2) 1:40 - 2:30 p.m. — Truck qualifying (FS2) 5 p.m. — Truck race (80 laps, 200 miles; Stage 1 at Lap 20, Stage 2 at Lap 40; FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) Weather Friday: Sunshine and clouds mixed with a high of 76 degrees. Winds from the west to northwest at 10 to 20 mph. It's expected to 74 degrees with a 1% chance of rain at the start of the Truck Series race.
