Inside Circle Track

Ben Beshore adapting to the pressure of being Kyle Busch’s crew chief

Being selected to serve as a crew chief for one of NASCAR’s top organizations would no doubt be a dream come true for many aspiring team members. But at the same time, there is immense pressure that comes along with that role. And more, being named as the pit boss for one of the biggest stars in the sport’s history adds even more to the weight of the assignment. That is the position Ben Beshore has found himself in since being named as the team leader for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota. Heading up any of the crews…

NASCAR’s delayed caution call in Kansas opens door for criticism

No professional sporting organization wants to be seen as manipulating the outcome of its events. And typically, the harshest of penalties are often doled out by the various leagues when it is believed that anyone has acted in a way that will bring about an artificial result. Recall, for example, the instance in which Michael Waltrip Racing had one of its drivers intentionally spin to bring out a caution so that another of its drivers could make the NASCAR Playoffs(Chase). One of MWR’s cars was ultimately barred from the Chase and huge fine was handed down to the company as…

Pre-race Information for the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway

The Race: Buschy McBusch Race 400 The Track: Kansas Speedway is a 1.5-mile D-shaped oval with progressive banking of 17-20 degrees in the turns. Race Distance: 400.5 miles/267 laps Stages: Stage 1 will end at lap 80; Stage 2 will end at lap 160; the checkered flag will wave on lap 267 Time: 3:00PM(eastern) TV Coverage: FS1 Radio Coverage: MRN Starting Lineup: 1. Brad Keselowski(2), 2. William Byron(24), 3. Michael McDowell(34), 4. Kevin Harvick(4), 5. Matt DiBenedetto(21), 6. Austin Dillon(3), 7. Ryan Blaney(12), 8. Christopher Bell(20), 9. Kyle Busch(18), 10. Cole Custer(41), 11. Tyler Reddick(8), 12. Ryan Preece(37), 13. Bubba…

Matt DiBenedetto remaining focused and not stressing over 2022 status

Some NASCAR Cup Series drivers are uncertain as to whether or not they will be returning to their current rides in 2022. However, Matt DiBenedetto does not find himself in that situation as he knows he will not return to the seat he now occupies. At the same, however, the 29-year-old racer does not know exactly where he will be next season. DiBenedetto is currently the driver of the famed No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, which has an alliance with powerful Team Penske Racing. But at the end of this campaign, the Grass Valley, CA native will yield that…

Christopher Bell seeking more consistency as season progresses

Christopher Bell came to the NASCAR Cup Series with as much fanfare as any rookie driver in recent memory. However, the 2020 season spent in the Leavine Family Racing Toyota did not pan as many had thought it would. The driver who had amassed 16 career wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the early part of his career was only able to manage a 20th place result in the final standings in the No. 95 car with no wins and only seven top-10 finishes. But for his second full season at the NASCAR Cup Series level, the 26-year-old racer…

Talladega has the potential to further cloud the NASCAR Playoffs picture

Anyone who has watched NASCAR Cup Series racing for very long knows that some of the most unpredictable races on the entire schedule are those contested at the Talladega Super Speedway. The threat of the “Big One” that could, on any lap, eliminate or damage half the field in an instant can take favorites out of the race and place unexpected drivers at the front of the field. And more, the draft can favor or discard a driver who looks like a sure winner just yards from the checkered flag. As a result, there is always the potential for a…

Photos from the Richard Childress Racing Museum

My sons and I recently visited the Richard Childress Racing Museum adjacent to the RCR race shops in Welcome, NC. Here are some photos from our visit: Richard Allen is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association Respond to this piece on Twitter –> @RichardAllenIDR or on Facebook –> InsideCircleTrack/Facebook

Turn 2 Blog: Rain tires on ovals? NASCAR races too long?

*Turn 2 Blog is a regular feature on InsideCircleTrack.com. Here, site operators Michael Moats and Richard Allen take turns offering their thoughts on the NASCAR and pavement short track racing topics of the day. Richard: It was another weekend and another weather interrupted race for NASCAR as the “Blue Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500” originally scheduled for this past Saturday night at the Martinsville Speedway was halted after just 42 laps when the rain came. This occurred one day after the “Cook Out 250” NASCAR Xfinity Series race was also hampered by precipitation. And more, the much anticipated “Food City…

Photos from the NASCAR Hall of Fame

My sons and I visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte on April 6, 2021. Here are some photos from our visit: Richard Allen is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association Respond to this piece on Twitter –> @RichardAllenIDR or on Facebook –> InsideCircleTrack/Facebook

Mike Marlar explains the challenges and fulfillment of racing in NASCAR

For the second time in his career, Mike Marlar parlayed his racing skills into a NASCAR opportunity on dirt. The Winfield, TN native scored a top-5 finish in the Eldora Dirt Derby at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway back in 2019 driving a Camping World Truck Series entry for Josh Reaume. Two weekends ago, the 43-year-old driver not only competed in the NCWTS event at the Bristol Motor Speedway but also made his first start in the NASCAR Cup Series main event on his home state track. Marlar has also made one NASCAR start on pavement when he took the green flag…