Martin Truex Sr Dies at 66

RIP – Prayers and Positive Thoughts

March 24, 1958 – January 17, 2025

 

Martin Truex Sr., the father of former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr., has died, Truex and his brother said in a statement. He was 66.

 

“We are devastated by the loss of our father,” Martin Jr and Ryan Truex said. “Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time.”

 

No details of Truex Sr.’s death were revealed.

 

Truex Sr. was a former driver in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series, where he made 15 starts from 1989 to 1998. His best finish was 12th at Nazareth Speedway in 1994. He retired early to advance the career of his two sons. His second son, Ryan, is the reserve and development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

 

Truex Sr. was one of the owners of the commercial fishing company Sea Watch International.

 

RIP Martin Truex Sr. 🕊️

The elder Truex raced in the NASCAR Busch North Series throughout the 1990s, winning once at New Hampshire in 1994. He also made 15 @NASCAR_Xfinity starts, and he set his sons Martin Jr. and Ryan up for big things. pic.twitter.com/Nq7ogd2HOi

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) January 17, 2025

We join the racing community in mourning the loss of longtime racer, Martin Truex Sr.

Our thoughts are with the Truex family.

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 18, 2025

RIP Martin Truex Sr.

Martin was a determined driver, who never was a dominant figure in the Busch North Series, but delivered a VERY satisfying underdog win in a nationally televised race at New Hampshire in 1994 pic.twitter.com/tfRWUpNjWS

— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) January 17, 2025

 

source: Yahoo Media

Congratulations Preece Family

Welcome to the #NASCAR Family Rebecca Marie 

 

 

Congratulations to Ryan Preece and his wife Heather, who welcomed their first daughter to the world earlier this week. 

 

“Welcome to the world, Rebecca Marie Preece!,” wrote Preece’s wife Heather on Instagram. “So thankful for @aussiedoula Debbie and the hospital staff for going above and beyond for us when baby girl decided it was go time. It is safe to say we have a Daddy’s Girl on our hands! *Born August 7th @ 5:30 AM* 6 pounds 10 ounces- 20 inches long.”

 

 

 

Nashville Superspeedway to Honor Carl Edwards

During Ally 400 Weekend

 

Carl Edwards executed six of his patented “Victory Backflips” with perfect precision during post-race celebrations at Nashville Superspeedway following some dominating performances at the D-shaped oval in the 2000s. Next weekend, officials from the all-concrete 1.3-mile track will host the Missouri native as a very special guest of the Ally 400 NASCAR weekend where his stellar record at Nashville Superspeedway will be celebrated.

 

Edwards, who shocked the racing community by becoming an early retiree in 2016 at age 36 with 28 Cup Series victories, was named one of NASCAR’s top 75 drivers during the sanctioning body’s yearlong 75th anniversary celebration. That honor from NASCAR was made possible by his remarkable record at Nashville Superspeedway, where he scored five NASCAR Xfinity Series wins (July 2011, April 2011, June 2007, April 2007 and June 2006) and one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory (August 2003) in his career at NASCAR’s largest concrete oval.

 

Edwards was so good at Nashville Superspeedway that in his 13 career Xfinity Series starts he posted 12 top-10 finishes and 11 top-five showings. His lone finish outside the top 10 was 13th.

 

Fans attending the event on June 25 will have several opportunities to see Edwards prior to the running of the Ally 400 that night.

 

Edwards will make an appearance at the fan zone stage where he will be interviewed by NASCAR personality Alex Weaver. He will also make a stop by the pre-race concert stage prior to country music star Parker McCollum’s performance. Edwards is scheduled to participate in official pre-race ceremonies and will make a special visit with guests in the Green Room Lounge, one of Nashville Superspeedway’s newly created VIP and premium experiences.

 

Away from the track, Edwards has been quite busy. He appeared on an episode of The Price is Right and guest-starred in an episode of the FOX drama series 24. He played in a celebrity softball game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis and made a cameo as a West Virginia state trooper in the film Logan Lucky. He has also appeared in several country music videos, most notably for Sara Evans’ song “Slow Me Down” and Justin Moore’s hit “Bait a Hook.” He was on Chicago Fire, co-hosted the Kelly and Regis Show, and many more.

 

We are thrilled to welcome six-time Nashville Superspeedway NASCAR winner Carl Edwards to the track for the #Ally400 June 25th!

For more info and to grab your race tickets to see the NASCAR Legend --> https://t.co/s7TUwl29C6 pic.twitter.com/YbsxqA5lqu

— Nashville Superspeedway (@NashvilleSuperS) June 16, 2023

 

source: Nashville Superspeedway Media

Truex Brothers Sweep Dover

It’s a Truex Takeover in Dover

 

You could say NASCAR’s stop at Dover (De.) Motor Speedway was “All in the Family;” a kin-to-win kind of weekend. Martin Truex Jr. answered his younger brother Ryan’s NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on Saturday with a win in Monday’s rain-delayed Wurth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race – the fourth win of his career at the one-mile oval he considers his “home track.”

 

Truex, who started 17th in the 36-car field after qualifying was cancelled due to weather, methodically worked his way forward in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. The 42-year-old New Jersey native finally took the lead for the first time with 69 laps remaining and led all but one of those final laps to claim his first points-paying victory of the season, ending a 54-race winless streak.

 

He and his JGR pit crew ultimately had to earn the win with pit strategy and pit execution. On a pit stop during the race’s final caution period, Truex’s team opted to put only right-side tires on his Toyota. With the quick stop, he was able to beat the field back out to the track and then on the ensuing re-start – with seven laps to go – hold off a hard-charging Ross Chastain, whose No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet had taken four fresh tires on the stop.

 

Martin Truex Jr. wins Dover for the FOURTH TIME! 2007, 2016, 2019, and 2023 🏆 Congratulations, @MartinTruex_Jr and @Ryan_Truex on dominating the @MonsterMile. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/QMJBdpzrFN

— Bass Pro Shops (@BassProShops) May 1, 2023

“It feels incredible,’’ Truex said. “I feel like we’ve been close a bunch of times, that’s for sure. Felt today, with that caution, what’s going to happen here and then good call by [crew chief] James [Small] to take two (tires) and then I was able to get a pretty good re-start.

 

“Just thanks to everybody that stuck with me. … we knew we could do this. We’ve shown we can lead laps and have dominated races and it just never all came together. I’ve said we just had to keep doing what we were doing and not overthink it.’’

 

“It’s just special, you know,’’ Truex said. “This is a special place. Good day for my family and to see Ryan win Saturday he’s worked so hard for so long to get good opportunities and it’s awesome.

 

“And then for us, we’ve given away a few here over the years so it’s nice to see it come around our way. Just excited and had a hot rod. Just needed to get it out front.”

 

This win marks the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Truex’s 32nd career win and first since a victory at Richmond, Va. on Sept. 11, 2021. Snapping the streak and sharing Dover’s Victory Circle with his younger brother, Ryan, truly made the week for the veteran.

 

𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗘𝗫 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥.

The Truex brothers combined for 192 laps led on their way to the weekend sweep! It was the 13th time brothers have swept a race weekend.@Ryan_Truex | @MartinTruex_Jr | Graphic by FRG Designs pic.twitter.com/uveO0yuxDX

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) May 3, 2023

Thirty-One year old Ryan Truex led a dominating 124 of the 200 laps on Saturday. He swept both stage wins and ultimately took the checkered flag an impressive 4.8-seconds ahead of the field to claim his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in the ‘A-GAME 200.’

 

“I’m just so thankful, all these fans, my team, they really stuck behind me,” said a smiling and emotional Truex, who becomes the 13th different NASCAR Xfinity Series driver to claim his first win at Dover.

 

“Most people didn’t believe in me, and I still did – my girlfriend, my family, my parents, my brother did. I’m just so thankful to be here.

 

“I felt like with 20 to go, I was just waiting for something to happen,’’ he continued, ‘just praying, please God keep everything straight and let’s get to the end of this. What a car, what an amazing Toyota Supra. I’m speechless.

 

“I thought I’d be more emotional right now, but when I crossed the flag I couldn’t even talk on the radio and I’m not an emotional guy. This is for everyone that doubted me.”

 

 

source: NASCAR Media Truex Sweep
(photo by Rolando @RTR_Graphics97)

ARCA Daytona Road Course Event

UPDATE:  The Race started after an over three hour delay

UPDATE: This Event is under a weather delay due to Lightning Strikes.

ARCA Menards Series

• Next Race : General Tire 100
• The Place : Daytona International Speedway Road Course
• The Date : Friday, August 14
• The Time : 5 p.m. ET
• TV : Broadcast live on MAVTV and streamed live on NBC Gold TrackPass
• Distance : 101.8 miles (28 laps)

Michael Self leads during the Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire for the ARCA Menards
Series at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. (Kyle Zedaker/ARCA Racing)

NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway announced a new twist to the storied, high-banked tri-oval/infield road course with the addition of a chicane at the exit of the NASCAR turn four that will provide competitors with yet another passing zone. The new chicane now creates a 14-turn, 3.61-mile layout (from the 3.56-mile/12 turn) on the storied DAYTONA Road Course, which, for the first time in history, will play host to NASCAR’s three top national series, along with the ARCA Menards Series. 

⚡️ TGIF! IT'S RACE DAY!! ⚡️

We're at the @DISupdates road course!

Set your reminders for tonight at 5pm ET to watch LIVE on @MAVTV | @_TrackPass! #ARCAMenards | @siouxchief showdown pic.twitter.com/dOeDcdmsX6

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) August 14, 2020

The General Tire 100 at the DAYTONA Road Course (5 p.m., MAVTV / TrackPass / MRN) will be the 12th race of the ARCA Menards Series. Road course races tend to bring out new faces to the series, and the ARCA Menards Series is no different.

Canadian Andrew Ranger, a three-time NASCAR Pinty’s Series champion, is the only driver to win more than one ARCA Menards road course race. He dropped in and swept the events at New Jersey Motorsports Park from 2011-14. Ranger won four of his five road-course starts in the series including his 2011 debut at New Jersey.

Parker Chase hopes to follow in Ranger’s ‘Tire Tracks.’ Chad Bryant Racing announced Parker, 19, will pilot the team’s No. 22 VerticalBridge/Enertech Resources Ford. The Texas native, who has driven several late model events for the team as a development diver, is coming off his first IMSA podium in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series at Wisconsin’s Road America. Chase also competed on Kyle Busch’s team in the 2020 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in the GTD Series. 

We’re going @ARCA_Racing! Joining @ChadBryantRace this weekend in the #22 Vertical Bridge Ford Fusion at @DISupdates road course. Can’t wait to hop in this thing pic.twitter.com/Y0GyIhSUQD

— Parker Chase (@parker_chase19) August 11, 2020

ARCA’s first road course race was October 19, 1958 at Meadowdale International Raceway outside of Chicago, Illinois. Fred Lorenzen was the winner. Meadowdale held two more races, in 1960 and 1964, won by Nelson Stacy and Elmer Musgrave, respectively.

Other winners include:

• Ken Schrader (Heartland Park),
• Darrell Waltrip (Heartland Park)
• Jack Bowsher (Mid-Ohio)
• Justin Allgaier (New Jersey)
• Patrick Long (New Jersey)
• Casey Roderick (New Jersey)
• Kyle Weatherman (New Jersey)
• Parker Kligerman (New Jersey)
• Justin Marks (Palm Beach International)
• Chris Buescher (Road America)
• AustinTheriault (Road America)
• Bob Schacht (St. Louis International)
• Scott Lagasse (Streets of Des Moines)
• Curtis Turner (Virginia International Raceway)
• John Finger (Watkins Glen).

Justin Marks won the only ARCA Menards Series road course race in the rain, in 2010 at Palm Beach.

Click Here for Event Entry List

Pro Drivers Plunge into Esports

Technology and the booming eSports industry is helping to fill the void created by the shutdown in sports over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The inaugural event had a combined total of 12.1 million minutes watched on “The Race” YouTube channel – that’s a combined total of 23 years of total content consumed. The massive fan engagement featured nearly 30,000 combined comments and millions of impressions on social media.

And you thought you had to watch old YouTube videos to see these guys race again!
The Race All-Star Esports Battle ⭐️#LegendsTrophy 🏆

💻 Watch on Saturday: https://t.co/WdVqh7S2NG

🇬🇧16:00 | 🇪🇺17:00 | 🇺🇸➡️12:00
🇺🇸⬅️ 9:00 | 🇦🇺 3:00 | 🇧🇷13:00#TheRaceMustGoOn || #LegendsTrophy pic.twitter.com/8aKIQAWk8R

— The Race (@wearetherace) March 27, 2020

These events were created following the cancellation of the opening round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in Australia. Other major motorsports championships including the NASCAR, Formula E, IndyCar, and the World Endurance Championship have also been shut down due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

The second event one week later using the Indianapolis road course featured the racing return of Nico Hulkenberg following his F1 exit, and was won by another Esports big name in van Buren.

Rudy van Buren is back for more, along with his World’s Fastest Gamer successor James Baldwin.

The format will be the same as last week with three heats – two for real-world pro drivers and one for sim racers – before last-chance qualifier and a grand final featuring five Esports racers against the pros.

Arrow McLaren SP’s rising IndyCar star Patricio O’Ward and FIA Formula 3 racer Sophia Florsch are among the new additions for The Race All-Star Esports Battle 3, running alongside the brand new Legends Trophy event.

The grid is bustling with a strong list of real-life racers including Juan Pablo Montoya and his son Sebastian, Formula E points leader Antonio Felix da Costa and fellow series challenger Maximilian Gunther and the top real-life racer from the last race, Daniel Juncadella.

This is amazing! 73-year-old two-time F1 world champion @emmofittipaldi will be doing the @wearetherace All-Star Esports Battle this weekend 😲👏 https://t.co/7TLpOJZ9s1

— WTF1 (@wtf1official) March 26, 2020

The Race All-Star Battle – Round 3 + Legends Trophy

• When: March 28, 4PM UK time
• Where to watch: Live on The Race’s YouTube channel

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2. Atlanta Motor Speedway Adds Hand Washing Stations
3. Schedule for Atlanta's #NASCAR Triple-Header
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Cole Custer Wins the Gold Monster at Dover

Cole Custer was the golden winner at Dover International Speedway, winning on his 100th NASCAR Xfinity Series career start. The No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang won the Golden Miles Monster trophy on the 50th Anniversary of the Dover International Speedway.

“Congratulations Cole, Tony, Gene, and the No. 00 crew,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Our Ford Performance teams were fast in qualifying, going 1 through 3. Cole drove a great race and his team put him in position to capture the win. It’s great to see all three Ford Mustang drivers in the Playoff hunt and running strong.”

The weekend started off fast with the Ford Mustangs going 1, 2, 3 in qualifying. Chase Briscoe won his second career pole and marked the 130th NXS pole for Roush Yates Engines. Austin Cindric and Custer took P2 and P3 respectively.

Who wants a @FordPerformance @roushyates valve cover? 🙋🙋‍♂️ Here’s your chance to win one from @ColeCuster and @StewartHaasRcng’s #DriveSober200 race-winning FR9 carb engine:

1️⃣ Retweet
2️⃣ Tag friend
3️⃣ Follow @RKLeSolutions pic.twitter.com/EaFbuacO8I

— Doug Yates (@Yates_Doug) October 5, 2019

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

1. #NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Series Facts
2. Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval Saturday Photos
3. Eleven-Year-Old Supports Victory Junction with Hand Drawn RPM Bubba Poster
4. Charlotte Roval Weekend Race Schedule
5. Kurt Busch's Ex-Girlfriend Get Prison Time for Fraud and Tax Evasion

But first, let me take a selfie. 🤳 Well deserved, @ColeCuster. Well deserved.#Dover50 | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/OxupUqz1Eb

— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) October 7, 2019

NASCAR Weekend Recap - Dover

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

I am sure NASCAR Race Mom was not the only fan on ‘pins and needles,’ hoping to see Aric Almirola nab his second career win on Sunday at Dover International Speedway. Fifty laps to go; twenty-laps to go; nine laps to go . . . . . But alas, it was not meant to be.

Instead, the bell in his hometown rang as Chase Elliott captured his second career MENCS checked flag.

When a late-race caution was shown with less than ten laps to go, Elliott became the leader when crew chief Alan Gustafson made a gutsy strategy call to not pit while many of the other leaders came to pit road for fresh tires.

The green flag waved with three laps to go, and Elliott maintained his lead and began pulling away. Then yet another caution was displayed, which brought out a red flag and sent the race into overtime.

Elliott led the field to the overtime restart and grabbed the lead as the field raced through turns one and two. Despite not having fresh tires, Elliott’s NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 proved to be too strong for the field to overcome as he raced to his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory.

Chase credits his trying times for allowing him to grow as a person and a race car driver. “It definitely makes you learn for sure, and it makes you appreciate a day like today more, I can assure you if last year wouldn’t have happened, I wouldn’t appreciate it as much as I do today,” Elliott said. “When you have those hard days, that certainly makes you learn and gives you no choice but to grow up a little bit.”

With the win, Elliott and the NAPA team secured their spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 8 beginning in three weeks at Martinsville Speedway.

#MENCS Playoff Standings
Round of Twelve

1. Chase Elliott
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Kyle Busch
4. Martin Truex Jr.
5. Joey Logano
6. Kurt Busch
7. Brad Keselowski
8. Ryan Blaney
9. Aric Almirola
10. Clint Bowyer
11. Kyle Larson
12. Alex Bowman

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Christopher Bell drives full time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, piloting the No. 20 Toyota. Not only did he win the race at Dover, the win was Bell’s sixth of the season and gave him sole possession of 'the most wins in a season for a rookie.'

“It’s a credit to my team,” Bell said. “As a race car driver, you’re only as good as your race car.

Really fortunate to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing.

My crew chief and team work their butts off and bring really face cars to these tracks. Makes my job easy.”

He passed three drivers for most rookie wins: Greg Biffle won five races in 2001, as did Kyle Busch in 2004 and Carl Edwards in 2005.

Bell is the 2017 Truck Series champion, and a favorite to become the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity champ as well. However, with the currant system . . . . anything is possible.

NASCAR Xfinity Series
Round of Eight

1. Christopher Bell #
2. Justin Allgaier
3. Daniel Hemric
4. Cole Custer
5. Elliott Sadler
6. Tyler Reddick #
7. Matt Tifft
8. Austin Cindric # 

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

The NASCAR Truck Series had a weekend off. However, they will join the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega next weekend.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Round of Eight

1. Justin Haley
2. Grant Enfinger
3. Johnny Sauter
4. Noah Gragson
5. Brett Moffitt
6. Matt Crafton
7. Ben Rhodes
8. Stewart Friesen

# = Rookie

K&N Pro Series East

Harrison Burton, the defending series champion took his No. 12 Rudd Toyota to the top of charts during the second of three qualifying groups. The pole marks the fourth in his K&N Pro Series career. The ‘Crosley 125’ was scheduled to take the green flag that evening. 

Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, NASCAR and Dover International Speedway officials postponed Friday evening’s race to Saturday, Oct. 6. 

NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series points leader Ruben Garcia Jr.’s took the lead after a battle with Todd Gilliland which ended with Gilliland making hard contact with the front-stretch wall. From there, Garcia set sail around the Monster Mile, becoming the third Rev Racing driver to win at Dover. (Bubba Wallace 2011 - Collin Cabre - 2015). His victory moved Garcia up into third place in the final championship standings.

Last year we dominated the race; we just came eight laps short with a problem tire so it is really really cool to come back and finally win this race; it is a really cool race track. It is one of those places that will give you enough experience for your plans in the future and it gives you a lot of exposure in front of Xfinity and the Cup garage. So I hope this can build some momentum for us. . . . .

After his eleventh-place finish on Saturday morning, seventeen-year-old Tyler Ankrum was officially crowned with the 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title.

“Every single season you come with high expectations for yourself,” said Ankrum, who had an average finish of 4.8. “Sometimes they don’t come out the way you want, but everything that we dreamt of this year has exceeded more than our expectations. I’m ecstatic.”

Ankrum and DGR-Crosley will be honored along with NASCAR K&N Pro Series East top finishers and special awards winners at the NASCAR Awards Charlotte on Friday, Dec. 7.

The ‘Crosley 125’ will air on NBCSN on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. ET.

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Rest in Peace My Friend and NASCAR Enthusiast - Mary Frances Molzon Dixon - Founder of MDR Motorsports

Nothing Great Was Ever Achieved Without Enthusiasm (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

When I first ‘met’ Mary, I thought to myself . . . . WoW here is a woman whose interest and pleasure in NASCAR rivals my own. We started conversating via Facebook, Telephone and Emails back in 2016. I introduce Mary to my work as ‘NASCAR Race Mom,’ and before I even knew it, we were collaborating on an article about NASCAR Driver Joey Gase and his new sponsor Mobile Grilling System. Not only did we work well together . . . we were having creative fun as part of her MDR Motorsports

MDR Motorsports: Making Dreams Reality through Motorsports. This is Mary's group dedicated to bringing our most-desired racing dreams into reality. 

"Right now is the 'dreaming' part...we will figure out the 'how' of them becoming reality as we go along! I feel by building a racing team, we can help everyone's dreams happen...whether your dream is to be ON a racing team, drive, display your business, be a photographer or reporter, or be part of 'insider' fan events." Mary

Glad we could take our friend Mary Dixon around the track one last time yesterday pic.twitter.com/U4u4EP1bBy

— Joey Gase Racing (@JoeyGaseRacing) May 27, 2018

As a team, we got involved with a movie that Rookie Garrett Smithley was appearing in . . . ‘A Veteran’s Homecoming’ which is devoted to reducing suicide in veterans. Mary even arranged the opportunity for an interview with Santiago Cirilo, the US Army Infantry Veteran who wrote, and acted in this project.

One of my favorite MDR Motorsports missions was Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) awareness with Jerry Nadeau, a driver who was in a coma for three weeks after a 2003 crash at Richmond. Although he recovered from his head, lung, and rib injuries, he never raced again.

Thanks to Mary Frances – my smiling face was featured on Joey Gase’s Xfinity Camaro. This project was in cooperation with NASCAR OFF TRACK FB Group and "Caring Hands Village LLC" of North Carolina.

That is me bottom middle in the red cowboy hat.

Our last labor of love was providing regular newsletters for Xfinity Driver, Chad Finchum. So many collaborations and wonderful memories.

However, Mary’s greatest skill was her ability to bring people together and create productive friendships. Last year Mary, knowing that I would be attending the year-end Monster Energy Awards ceremonies, asked if I could help her friend, a photographer, get her media credentials for the event.

If you knew Mary, you recognized how hard it was to say no to this NASCAR Force of Nature. So that is how I got to meet and work with Shannon Kelly.

My NASCAR sidekick, Mary Frances Molzon Dixon reached the checkered flag in her race on this earth much too early. I will always remember her as full of energy, unstoppable, unchallengeable, and unforgettable.

Mary Frances Molzon Dixon

May 10 the earthly chapter of life of Mary Frances Molzon Dixon was brought to a close surrounded by her family in her home.

Mary was born on May 3, 1952, in Lake County, to Robert and Dorothy (nee Lewis) Molzon. She graduated from Chardon High School and then pursued a B.S. in Business Administration from Morehead State University.

For almost 30 years, Mary was a dedicated and trusted Employee Benefits Coordinator at Geauga/University Hospitals. She had always been passionate about helping others feel and become their best, and shared her knowledge of health and clean living through the Shaklee Corporation for the past 30-plus years.

Her genuine interest in others — lifelong friends or perfect strangers — was evident through the connections she built in the NASCAR community. “I really loved our MDR Motorsports group because it represented the chance for everyone to find out what it’s like to be a part of NASCAR.”

Mary was passionate about fundraising, charity work and affording others an opportunity to see and feel what it was like behind the scenes of NASCAR.

Nothing meant more to Mary than spending time with her granddaughters since the moment they entered the world. She nurtured their ability to create, explore and learn.

Mary is survived by her husband, James Dixon; son-in-law, Casey Snobl; two cherished granddaughters, Sophia Skyy and Mya James; sisters Janet (Gary) Tipton, Dot (Joe) Maggi, Roberta (Antwon) Prather; brother-in-law, Rick (Marge) Dixon; sister-in-law, Judy Wright; many very special nieces, nephews, cousins; and her devoted daughter, Melody, who never left her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Dorothy; and sister Carol Molzon.

Mary led her life chasing experiences and engaging in meaningful conversations with others. As only she could express her love was for:

“Philosophical discussions

Music

Traveling

Learning

Surprises

Butterflies

Sunsets

Watching the waves Walks in the woods”

A celebration to honor Mary’s life will be held the evening of July 7 at 42nd Street in Virginia Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the SPCA of Virginia Beach. (Their website link is www.vbspca.com and the mailing address is 3040 Holland Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.)

Her smile, her laugh and positive energy will live on through her family, friends and all who were touched by her!

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NASCAR’s Acquisition of ARCA

Interview with Jim France and Ron Drager

Ron Drager, President of ARCA, and Jim France, Vice Chairman and
Executive Vice President, NASCAR, signing the agreement to officially
welcome ARCA to the NASCAR family in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In a move designed to strengthen a relationship that dates back more than 60 years, NASCAR announced today the acquisition of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).

Both NASCAR and ARCA, a Midwest-based sanctioning body for stock car auto racing, share a long history: ARCA founder John Marcum raced against Bill France Sr. and worked as a NASCAR official. More recently, the series has provided a valuable platform for talented drivers looking to make it to NASCAR’s national series.

Jim France Quote

(Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Of NASCAR, a member of NASCAR's founding family)

Thanks, everyone, for allowing us to have a few minutes of your time here for what for me and I think for Ron (Drager) also is probably one of the most exciting announcements that we've had in our lifetime.

We've worked together over the years for a long time. As a young kid, I used to spend a lot of time sitting in his grandmother's lap in Daytona. Mildred and John Marcum were partners and friends with my mom and dad in the early days of stockcar racing.

The ARCA organization has been closely associated with NASCAR before there was a NASCAR and before there was an ARCA. Today it's an exciting time that we're making a formal joining of the two organizations.

It's I think a big moment for stockcar racing in America. We've worked together closely for 70 plus years in one form or another. Ron and I have worked together, known each other, through basically all of our motorsports careers.

It's fantastic that we're going to be working together going off into the future here. Both organizations have a great history, great championships. We share a lot of teams and drivers over the years. That will continue in a major way.

A lot of people may not realize this, but Ron and ARCA have been at the forefront of some of the development of trying to bring some efficiencies and cost savings for motorsports teams, stockcar teams in America. NASCAR has a similar effort going. Ron has been a leader in that area. It really allows both companies to go forward working together to try and improve the economics for our teams and our series.

The ARCA Racing Series will continue to operate under its current structure through the 2019 season. This year’s schedule of 20 races includes nine events at NASCAR national series venues, and three others at NASCAR Whelen All-American Series tracks – illustrating the bond between the two sanctioning bodies.

Ron Drager Quote

(President of ARCA, and Grandson of ARCA founder John Marcum)

"We are proud of the history and tradition of the ARCA Racing Series and the relationship we’ve built over six decades with NASCAR," said Ron Drager, ARCA president and grandson of John Marcum. "We look forward to the opportunity to be more fully integrated with NASCAR and help shape the future of our sport."

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

About ARCA

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading and most versatile auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers nearly 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.

Ron Drager, President of ARCA, and Jim France, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, NASCAR, signing the agreement to officially welcome ARCA to the NASCAR family in Daytona Beach, Florida on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. 

Source: NASCAR PR

Jim France, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of NASCAR,
Lesa France Kennedy, Vice Chairperson and ISC Chief Executive Officer
and Ron Drager, President of ARCA at NASCAR headquarters following
the signing of the acquisition agreement on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series Will Feature a New Format at Bristol Motor Speedway

Most NASCAR Fans are aware that two great series will roll into Bristol this weekend. However, many racing enthusiasts do not realize that on Saturday, they can experience two exciting events.

After the Xfinity race this Saturday, fans are encouraged to ‘stick around’ for the future stars of NASCAR who will take to the track in the second part of Bristol Motor Speedway’s doubleheader afternoon.

Further, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series visit to Bristol Motor Speedway on April 14 will receive a 25-lap increase. As part of the lap increase, the ‘Zombie Auto 150’ will now provide the crowd with what promises to be a dramatic closing 50-lap shootout to determine the race winner!

The increased laps are part of an initiative by the NASCAR K&N Pro Series to enhance driver development, competition and excitement in the entry-level developmental touring series and for it to mirror the new stage-racing format employed by NASCAR's top three touring circuits.

After 100 laps, all teams will be provided with a controlled five-minute pit stop to service their cars before the final 50 laps.

The Zombie Auto 150 is part of the Food City 500 weekend, which is showcased with the NASCAR XFINITY Series Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300, also on April 14, and the marquee Food City 500 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series race on Sunday, April 15.

About Bristol Motor Speedway
51 Speedway Blvd., Bristol, TN 37620

• Track: 0.533-mile concrete oval
• Degree of banking in corners: Variable (24 to 28 degrees)
• Degree of banking in straights: Variable
• Frontstretch (5 to 9 degrees)
• Backstretch (4 to 8 degrees)
• Straightaway length: 650 feet long
• Racing surface width: 40 feet wide

News & Notes

‘Eddie Mac’ Back Behind The Wheel

Eddie MacDonald

Nobody in the field has more experience at Bristol than Eddie MacDonald, who won the 2014 race there and has five top 10s in six starts at “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”

MacDonald will return to Bristol, but instead of his familiar No. 71, the Rawley, Massachusetts, native as been announced as the driver of Calabrese Motorsports’ No. 43 Calabrese Auto Group Toyota.

Gragson Back For More

Noah Gragson

With the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series off this weekend, Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Noah Gragson is looking to add more hardware to his trophy collection. The NASCAR Next alum had six K&N Pro Series wins before moving up and will jump in the No. 54 Switch Toyota for Bristol.

The Las Vegas driver has a start at Bristol in the K&N Pro Series and one on the Camping World Truck Series.  

Todd Gilliland piloted the No. 54 to Victory Lane in the K&N Pro East opener at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway in February.

Number Crunching

David & Todd Gilliland

Gilliland will be at Bristol, but sporting a new number. The NASCAR Next alum will be in the No. 98 Mobil 1 Toyota for his father’s team. He’ll be teammates with Gragson and Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Tyler Ankrum. Meanwhile, Tyler Dippel has moved over to the No. 41 TyCar Toyota, and Mark Rette has tabbed Canadian Grant Quinlan to fill the void in the No. 30 JRI Shocks Ford.

Rev Looks To Get Back On Track

Rev Racing had a tough opening race, with Ryan Vargas bringing home a team-best 12th-place. They’ll look to rebound at Bristol, where Ruben Garcia Jr. finished second to Harrison Burton last season. Garcia had his opening night cut short by an electrical issue.

#KNEast Heads To High Banks Of @BMSupdates https://t.co/fBSIhYogNA @BMR_NASCAR Drivers Ready To Tackle Iconic Half-Mile Track pic.twitter.com/3E1ahb3SBs

— Bill McAnally Racing (@BMR_NASCAR) April 10, 2018

BMR Trio Ready

Gilliland isn’t the only driver coming to Thunder Valley on a winning streak. Derek Kraus, who won the K&N Pro Series West opener at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, California, last month, leads a trio of Bill McAnally Racing drivers to Tennessee.

Kraus, 16, will be joined by 20-year-old Cole Rouse and 16-year-old Hailie Deegan.  Rouse finished second at New Smyrna and third at Kern this year, while Deegan is coming off a seventh-place run at Kern.

International Representation

The K&N Pro Series race at Bristol has always attracted a strong international contingent, dating back to the inaugural event in 2012, won by Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr. In addition to 2015 NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series champion Garcia, Saturday’s field will include Mexico’s Juan Manuel Gonzalez and Brazilian Marcos Gomes. Gonzalez, who made his K&N Pro Series debut at New Smyrna, will pilot the No. 5 Illux/Telcel/NextGen Toyota. The 18-year-old also ran the NASCAR FedEx Challenge Series opener last month at Monterrey. Gomes, 33, is from Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, where he was the 2015 Stock Car Brasil champion.

Air Date: The Zombie Auto 150 airs on NBCSN-Friday, April 20 at 1 a.m.

You Can “Watch” The Race Live Here

Click Here for Zombie Auto 150 Entry List

Tickets are available for the Zombie Auto 150 by calling the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket center at (423) 989-6900 or by visiting www.BristolTix.com.

Wow! What a final two laps at New @newsmyrnaspdway !
Two #NASCARNext stars battling for the 🏁 pic.twitter.com/GtwT0OUj76

— NASCAR Home Tracks (@NASCARHomeTrack) February 12, 2018

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#RIPBarryDodson - Winning #NASCAR Cup Crew Chief

Barry Dodson, age sixty-four passed away Wednesday. Dodson had been battling some health issues and had a pacemaker inserted last year to help deal with heart problems.

“Barry’s death leaves us with heavy hearts and we’re really going to miss him,” his brother, John Dodson, told Motorsport.com. “He touched a lot of people in the sport of NASCAR and really put a lot into everything he did in the sport. “We love him and we’re all really going to miss him.”

Dodson was known as a savvy crew chief who led NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace to his lone premier series championship in 1989. Barry had nineteen Cup Series wins as a crew chief for Wallace, Tim Richmond and Darrell Waltrip.

“In my opinion, he was one of the greatest crew chiefs ever in the history of NASCAR. He worked for Raymond Beadle, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and myself."

"One of the reasons I loved Barry so much is that Barry guided me personally to a lot of victories and to a championship. In ’89, it was such a magical year.” Rusty Wallace

Our thoughts & prayers are with Barry Dodson’s family. Barry was an incredible leader & one of our sport’s best crew chiefs. We had a lot of success together & had a lot of fun too. If it weren’t for Barry, I likely wouldn’t be where I am today. He will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/2TrpuRb0JS

— Rusty Wallace (@RustyWallace) December 21, 2017

Trent Owens, is Barry’s stepson and serves as crew chief at JGT Daugherty Racing with driver Chris Buescher.

With sadness, my brother and sisters dad Barry Dodson went to join them in heaven this morning. He missed his children so much. He was a great and loving step father, and had much to do with my own career path, BD will be greatly missed 🙏 ❤️

— Trent Owens (@wtrentowens) December 20, 2017

Barry Dodson's speech at the 1989 Winston Cup awards banquet, receiving an award for being the champion crew chief.

Barry Dodson's speech at the 1989 Winston Cup awards banquet, receiving an award for being the champion crew chief. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/WVtqC8LXav

— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) December 21, 2017

Family statement from Barry’s brother, John Dodson

“Barry’s passing leaves us all with heavy hearts. He left his mark in the NASCAR history books and he served the sport with a passion that few will ever match. We love him and we miss him. “

NASCAR Statement on the Passing of Barry Dodson

"Barry Dodson’s talent as a crew chief was evident, winning a championship in 1989 and a number of races throughout a career that lasted parts of three decades at the top levels of the sport. His extraordinary skills around a racecar were rivaled only by his passion for the sport, and his perseverance in the face of adversity. NASCAR extends its condolences to the family and friends of Barry Dodson. He will be missed."

Sad to hear of the passing of Barry Dodson. He was always incredibly nice to me, from the day I met him. I will never forget how caring and supportive he was.

— Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 21, 2017

One of the unsung heroes of ur sport passed away today, Barry Dodson worked for me for a short period of time, I’m sorry to hear about his passing, he was a great guy, RIP my dear old friend, God Bless and praying for his family!

— Darrell Waltrip (@AllWaltrip) December 21, 2017

Sad 😞 to hear of the passing of my first Crew Chief in my Nascar career, Barry Dodson. I started working with him right after the death of his 2 kids in a car accident. I think now he can finally have the peace that he longed for, back with Trey and Tia 🙏 #BarryDodson #Nascar https://t.co/x3cnwV5TmB

— David Hamm 🇺🇸 (@dhammiam) December 21, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with TO and the entire Dodson family. Barry was a true racer. https://t.co/om1yq2e2Oq

— Richard Petty Motorsports (@RPMotorsports) December 21, 2017

So sorry to hear of the passing of Barry Dodson. He was one of the people that made me feel welcomed in the Cup garage from my very first day there. He will be missed.

— Jeff Burton (@JeffBurton) December 21, 2017

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