By: Kelly Crandall | 10 hours ago The impending split of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus is not because something is broken, insists the duo at the center of it.“It’s not like we’re trying to kill each other; that’s not where this is,” Knaus said Thursday. “It’s an opportunity for growth for both of us. We’ve lasted longer than the average length of a marriage in the United States. We’ve worked really hard. In order to be committed in a team-oriented environment for that long, there’s a lot of deep digging that you have to get through, and we’ve done that, and we’ve put forth the effort, and it’s time right now to do something different.More NASCAR!

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“We have a young driver in William Byron. We’ve got growth within the company. We’ve got a fairly young crew chief in Kevin [Meendering, who will take over on Johnson’s No.48] that needs an opportunity. There’s a lot of things that are falling at the right place right now. Jimmie and I, we love each other. We fight like brothers which has been perfectly documented. It’s perfectly fine; we’re okay with that. We’ve answered way harder questions than this before. It’s just the right time for everybody.”Driver and crew chief alike repeatedly mentioned personal growth and the timing during the informal gathering at the Hendrick campus. The Nos. 24 and 48 teams are largely expected to stay together next year: the crew chiefs will swap, but the crews, car and equipment will remain more or less where they are.A lot of “very open conversations” and discussions had taken place around the decision to separate Johnson and Knaus, and both said making the call ultimately came down to team owner Rick Hendrick and what Hendrick Motorsports wanted.“It hasn’t been a short-term decision or something that just happened in the recent time,” said Johnson. “It’s been an ongoing conversation that we’ve all had. The timing, just the way that it worked out, [is] this is the week that it’s coming out to the public and we’re announcing it. Over the years, we’ve certainly had our heated moments, but the commitment we’ve had to one another, our relationship and the success of the team; we’ve invested a lot in that and put a lot of time in it.“The decision to split up… it took a long time to make that decision as well. It’s not something that was like ‘OK, yeah that’s what we’re going to do.’ We put a lot of thought into it, worked on it, and I think that we have a really strong plan moving forward.”The longest running crew chief and driver relationship in NASCAR, the 17-year pairing of Johnson and Knaus has delivered enormous success. Winners in all of the significant events on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, 81 total victories and a record-tying seven championships, Johnson and Knaus rose to the top together and understood the expectation that they would remain together until the very end.Both recently signed deals to continue competing through the 2020 season, and when asked why they didn’t stick it out until then, both again said it was about timing. Johnson noted discussions along those lines did take place, but said at some point it’s about going with your gut and “it just feels right.”“We both are fierce competitors and want to win,” said Johnson. “The last two years, although we did win three races last year, the year ended, it was difficult. This year has been tough, as you guys all know and have lived with us. We’re fierce competitors, we both want to win races, we both want to win championships, and we acknowledge the fact that we’ve had a hell of a run. It’s been a long, amazing run of 17 years.“Sometimes, change brings new opportunity. Change brings excitement, a new breath of fresh air, a spark. Whatever it might be, that opportunity is now here for us. We’ve been highly committed to each other, this team and our relationship, but it’s just to the point where we feel like change is the next step, and potentially the next step for our next level of greatness as individuals.” With six races left this season, the No. 48 team is still focused on ending a 53-race winless streak dating back to June 2017.“I want to stay with the 48 and ride this thing out for the rest of the year,” said Knaus. “I think we are at the point that we can still go out there and win races. The team is just starting to really get rolling. “So, yeah, we’re sticking this thing out. We can win a race or two before the end of the year, starting this weekend.”
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Jimmie Johnson is racing in 2019 24 hours of Daytona!
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/a...ml#post9413492

By: Kelly Crandall | October 9, 2018 8:44 AM Kasey Kahne’s full-time NASCAR career is over.Kahne has not competed for Leavine Family Racing since Darlington Raceway, when he became so ill that he needed immediate attention afterward, and then sought medical advice during the week. Kahne revealed he has been battling severe dehydration issues that surface deep into a race.

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Looking to get back behind the wheel before the season ended, Kahne had a private test at Charlotte last week. After not being cleared for Dover, he now reveals he has not been cleared for the remaining six races.

“To say I’m disappointed after receiving the results that I was not medically cleared for the remainder of the season following a test session at Charlotte Motor Speedway last week is an understatement,” Kahne . “It was my hope that everything would go well and I would be able to finish out the season strong in the No.95 for Leavine Family Racing. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

“Out of the race car I am perfectly healthy, I feel great, and the doctors have determined that I have no underlying health problems. My body just can’t handle extended periods of time in the race car and we weren’t able to control the sweat ratio to keep me hydrated enough to prevent any permanent damage to my body.

“NASCAR has been a great home to me for 15 years and I wish the No.95 the best of luck these last few races. I am looking forward to getting back in a sprint car soon. With much shorter races and open cockpits, there is no issues with my health or hydration with that type of racing. “See you all soon at the dirt tracks, and thank you for sticking with me over the years.”

Kahne joined LFR this season. The 38-year-old announced in August he was stepping away from full-time NASCAR racing at the end of the season.Regan Smith has driven the car for the last five weeks with his best result being 12th at Las Vegas and three top-20 finishes. Smith is on the entry list for this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.

By: RACER Staff | October 25, 2018 10:54 AM Veteran engineer Ron Ruzewski has been appointed Team Penske Managing Director as part of a reorganization of the team’s IndyCar and IMSA programs.Ruzewski, who will report directly to team president Tim Cindric, will oversee Penske’s IndyCar and IMSA teams in this new role, which was created ahead of the retirement of longtime Penske executive Clive Howell, who will walk away at the end of 2018 after 39 years with the organization.In addition, Kyle Moyer and Jon Bouslog have both been promoted to General Managers within the team. Moyer, who most recently held the role of Competition Director, will run Penske’s three-car IndyCar program, while Bouslog, who was previously Team Manager, will head Penske’s two-car Acura DPi program in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.“It’s hard to imagine Team Penske without Clive Howell as he has played such a key role in creating the culture that we refer to as the Penske Way,” said Cindric. “That said, one of our biggest strengths has been the depth we have throughout the organization. Ron, Kyle and Jon have nearly 50 years of collective experience with Team Penske. Their leadership will continue to bring continuity to our programs and we are confident in their ability to build on what has already been achieved.”Team Penske produced six wins and eight pole positions in the 2018 IndyCar Series, including the team’s 17th Indianapolis 500 victory. Acura Team Penske returned to sports car competition this season and the team earned six podium finishes and three pole positions in 2018, highlighted by a one-two finish in May at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

By: Chris Medland | November 5, 2018 6:31 AM Rob Smedley has announced he will leave Williams at the end of the 2018 season in order to spend more time with his family.Formerly Felipe Massa’s race engineer at Ferrari, Smedley moved to Williams at the same time as the Brazilian in 2014 but took on the role of head of performance engineering. Having finished ninth in the constructors’ championship in 2013, the team enjoyed a much more successful run under new power unit regulations, finishing third in each of the next two seasons.However, fifth-place finishes in 2016 and 2017 have been followed by an uncompetitive season this year, with Williams at the bottom of the constructors’ standings, and 44-year-old Smedley says the time is right for him to take a break from Formula 1.“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Williams,” Smedley said. “The team has been through great change since I joined in 2014 and it has been a pleasure to have played a part in that. Williams is a very special team within the F1 community and I’m certain that with all the talent that we have here they will go on and do better things.“The team will always remain close to my heart. After 20 years in Formula 1, however, I feel it’s the right time to reflect on things and evaluate what the next move is. I’m thoroughly looking forward to spending more time with my family before deciding on future opportunities.”

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Deputy team principal Claire Williams paid tribute to Smedley for moving to Williams when the team was struggling, with the 2013 points tally of five the joint-lowest in its history.“It has been a pleasure having Rob in our team for the last four years and we will miss him both personally and professionally,” Williams said. “He agreed to join us at a time when our performance was low, and we are grateful that he saw the potential for us to turn things around at that time.“During his time with us, he has made a significant contribution to the team through his role, but he’s also been just a great person to have at Grove, inspiring many with his enthusiasm and passion for Formula 1.“Rob’s been in the sport a long time, so we totally understand and respect his decision to take some well-deserved time out to spend with his wife and boys. We wish him all the best and thank him wholeheartedly for the time, passion and fighting spirit he’s given to Williams.”

By: Chris Medland | November 15, 2018 7:15 AM Renault Sport Racing — the French manufacturer’s racing arm, including its Formula 1 team — will have a new president from next year when Thierry Koskas replaces Jerome Stoll.Stoll has been president of Renault Sport Racing since March 2016 but will turn 65 next year and is to be replaced by 54-year-old Koskas on January 1, 2019. In the role, Koskas will report directly to Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive officer of Groupe Renault.

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“After a season marked by the progress of the Renault Sport Formula 1 team, Thierry Koskas will aim to continue with Cyril Abiteboul, managing director of Renault Sport Racing, the work started by Jerome Stoll and bring the team to the highest level of the discipline,” Renault said in a statement. “He will also ensure that Formula 1’s contribution to Renault’s brand awareness worldwide is strengthened.”Koskas has been a member of the Renault Executive Committee since the start of 2016, and was most recently holding the position of executive vice president, sales and marketing of Groupe Renault. Prior to that the Frenchman was in charge of Renault operations in Argentina while also previously leading the development of its zero emissions line.Renault has been making steady progress since its return to Formula 1 as a full constructor in 2016, and is set to finish fourth in the constructors’ championship this season if it can defend a 24-point advantage over Haas in the final race in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

By: Kelly Crandall | 19 hours ago Kurt Busch confirmed through his social media channels Sunday night he is not returning to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2019. The team and its co-owner Tony Stewart subsequently offered salutes to Busch the same way (see below).“I would like to thank Stewart-Haas for 5 fantastic years driving the #41,” wrote Busch. “I will miss everyone, especially the crew chiefs I worked with, Daniel Knost, Tony Gibson & Billy Scott, I love you guys. The stats add up… 6 wins, 11 poles, 37 top 5’s, 90 top 10’s & more than 1,900 laps led. Unfortunately, it’s not in the cards for me to stay. I’m looking forward to the future & new opportunities ahead!”Since the summer, Busch has been rumored to be heading to Chip Ganassi Racing to replace Jamie McMurray.Last week during NASCAR’s Champion’s Week banquet, Busch said he hoped to have an announcement on his future soon and he does expect to be in a car next year.“But yet there are other ambitions I have, there are other people in my life that are very important, such as my wife Ashley, and things we want to do together as a family,” said Busch. “But we’ll see how things play out.”Busch ended the 2018 season with one win, the summer Bristol race, five poles, and 22 top-10 finishes. In the championship standings, Busch made the playoffs but was eliminated before the championship round and finished seventh in the standings. The 2019 season would be Busch’s 19th full season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

By: Kelly Crandall | December 9, 2018 9:58 AM Brett Moffitt officially accepted the Truck Series championship trophy and ring Saturday night in Charlotte, closing the book on an improbable season with the No. 16 team.Moffitt delivered six race wins and the title to Hattori Racing Enterprises in a year in which the team faced week-to-week uncertainty about its future. Funding shortfalls plagued the Shige Hattori-owned team, but the group made it to Homestead where they beat Noah Gragson, Justin Haley and Johnny Sauter for the title.

As of now, though, Moffitt is out of a ride. The two sides revealed earlier this week there was no realistic scenario to remain together and without enough funding, a full-season program for Moffitt could not be guaranteed.So after sitting at the head table during the awards banquet having praised heaped upon him by his peers, Moffitt was asked numerous questions about his future — including whether a championship trophy would make him a hot commodity to other teams.

“Maybe,” he said. “I’m still waiting on a job offer, so, I don’t know. I have to think it helps, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t solve all the issues and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”“I totally get Shige’s decision — it’s a business, and he’s got to be successful with his business,” Moffitt said. “I’m glad to have been a part of it, and I’m glad to have helped build it to a point where it is now, and I wish him and Scott (Zipadelli, crew chief) and everybody else the best next year.

“Obviously, I would love to be working with them again. We had a ton of success. Every time I get with Scott we have a ton of success. I don’t know why, I don’t know how. But in the future, I hope our paths cross again and we can go win more races and championships.”

HRE expects to have an announcement in the first few weeks of January about its 2019 plans. Amid reports that Moffitt will be replaced by a driver who can bring funding, the new champion was asked if there was frustration on his part about drivers who have money being able to displace those who have achieved success in the same ride.“Hell yeah, it’s extremely frustrating,” he said. “It’s the climate that we’re at right now, though.”

Even so, Moffitt seemed bothered by the negativity sent Hattori’s way on that subject. Moffitt noted the reason he had the opportunity to succeed this year was how invested Hattori was in the program, and his commitment to not only running the full season but fielding a winning team.

“He could have taken money this year and been in a different situation and he didn’t — he invested fully in me and Scott and the race team and it all paid off,” Moffitt said. “Now looking forward, does it stress me out? Yeah, but so far everything’s worked out in my career. It’s not been a dream or easy ride but everything’s worked out. I’m going to keep pushing and we’re going to keep digging and something will work out.”

By: Kelly Crandall | January 3, 2019 8:52 AM Roush Fenway Racing will not have an Xfinity Series program this year, team president Steve Newmark confirmed Wednesday night.Newmark told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio all focus and resources would go exclusively toward their Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series program with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the incoming Ryan Newman. Roush went winless in 2018 and did not have a car in the playoffs.RFR fielded two cars last year in the Xfinity Series. Ryan Reed was a full-time contender in the No. 16 and finished 11th in points. Ford development drivers Ty Majeski, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Cindric split duties in the No. 60 car.

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Reed does not have a contract for 2019 after his sponsor, Lilly Diabetes, announced in October they were ending their sponsorship at the end of the season. Briscoe and one of his sponsors, Nutri Chomps, signed with Stewart-Haas Racing while Cindric will stay in-house at Team Penske.The door isn’t shut on RFR fielding a team again in the future, but given the circumstances stepping away, for now, makes sense. And Newmark admitted sponsorship was one factor in the decision.“For better or worse that’s the way NASCAR is structured right now and sponsorship is the lifeblood for the teams,” Newmark said. “My hope is that at some point in time we continue to evolve to a model that moves a little bit away from that. But that was just a factor. We had a great run with Lilly Diabetes, five full seasons, we handled the Ford driver development program last year and the Xfinity Series is something that Jack [Roush, team owner] has always been passionate about.“It’s a fantastic series, but when we look at where we are and what we needed to focus on, we just felt like that all the resources should be dedicated to Cup. We’ve always used Xfinity as a feeder series … for Cup, and when we look at our drivers, we’ve got those guys locked up, and we think that they’re going to be with us for a number of years. We look at the engineering talent, we look at our crew chiefs, and we kind of felt like we had all the pieces of the puzzle in place and so really what we need to do is go out and execute at the Cup level and we’ll see where we end up in Xfinity in the future.”Roush first fielded an Xfinity Series car in 1993 with Mark Martin. The organization has run 1,698 races with 137 wins and five championships between Greg Biffle (2002), Carl Edwards (2007), Stenhouse (2011-12), and Chris Buescher (2015).