#also one of the youngest polesitter

[chaoticlandworlder]

What is with the practically psychotic hate for Lance Stroll? I'm not even his fan- more indifferent- but the hate he gets is sickening. Like just see the recent 'Never have I ever' vid- so many top comments on youtube, instagram etc. are just spouting shit about him (attacking his looks, calling him window licker wtf etc.) based off the 'Never have I ever stood up someone question' (and of course they conveniently ignore all the other drivers that also said they have because it's trendy to hate on Stroll).

Of course, standing up someone sucks but first of all we have no context at all, and more importantly, it's clear the commenters don't actl give a shit about that because they're only hating on Stroll. This is literally just one instance of the way these F1 'fans' are so quick to seize any opportunity to put down Lance. Honestly, it's so off-putting, pathetic and sad.

[skitskatdacat63]

Please save me, I'm reading a reddit thread about Seb vs Max(bcs Tost said he thought Seb would win out), and none of these people know how good Seb was in his prime

[ryo-hirakawa]

basic post for if you want to get into superformula

superformula is the top flight of motorsport in japan, home to the fastest single seaters after f1. it's been around since 1973, which is quite a while!

4 races of the season may have passed but it is not too late and since there is increased interest this year i thought people might want to know, so...

the format

there are 22 cars and 2 groups of qualifying, Q1A and Q1B. the top 6 of each group then go on to fight for pole in Q2. each session is 7 min long.

the polesitter gets 3 points, starting p2 gets you 2 points, starting p3 gets you 1 point. this makes qualifying more important than other series imo

the races are typically 40ish laps; over 250km. you are given 2 sets of tyre compounds and you need to use both during the race, which means everyone must pit at some point. expect strategies like an f2 feature race.

the race winner gets 20 points. p2 gets 15, p3 gets 11, p4 gets 8, p5 gets 6. p6 down to p10 gets 5 to 1 point.

the drivers

they are mostly japanese, clearly. the radio and bulk of the onsite interviews are in japanese, but english comms will translate so i think it's not a problem. also the interviewer switches languages at the drop of a hat she's insane (in a good way).

i'm going to introduce the names you might have heard of in other series. but shoutout to tomoki nojiri, the current reigning champion.

ok. if you're reading this chances are you've heard of liam lawson (#15) and his exploits in this series thus far. one of marko's twinks-in-waiting and arguably the most promising one rn. has had a decent amount of lore in his career for his age thanks to dtm. and twitch 💀 bffs with yuki tsunoda and appeared on dts bc of it

ryo hirakawa (#20), the beloved little brother in the toyota gazoo racing #8, won le mans and the wec wdc as a rookie. youngest ever super formula driver. has come close, but has never won the championship. which he should bc he's won super gt and japan f3 already and if he wins this it's the japanese triple crown. bffs with nick cassidy of fe championship leader fame (sorry i had to mention it somehow)

kamui kobayashi (#7), who is somehow driving and being his own team principal in wec (where he coincidentally also drives a toyota #7). was in f1, has multiple wec titles to his name. but no super formula title either. in fairness i doubt it was ever his main focus. still fun to have him around.

if you've followed f2 since like 2018? you'll recognise some names such as nirei fukuzumi #12 (cousin nirei if you follow albon_pets, also has been sf vice-champion), nobuharu matsushita #50 (the embodiment of that tomato girl aesthetic on tiktok), giuliano alesi #36 (son of the jean alesi), and cem bolukbasi #55 (most recent f2 to sf grad alongside liam)

the calendar

ok there are only 5 races left.

sugo, 16-18 june

fuji, 14-16 july

motegi, 18-20 august

suzuka double header, 27-29 october

that's it! i'm new to this too tbh and i understand the timezones are pretty ass for people that aren't in the asia pacific region but i hope this helps you out regardless!

[dani-qrt]

Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kevin Harvick essentially told his fellow Monster Energy NASCAR Cup season dominator Kyle Busch: I’ll take your three race victories and raise you one. And after taking his fourth win last week at Dover, Harvick can expect that Busch will be ready to try and match the effort this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Harvick and Busch have won seven of the season’s first 11 races and the two former Cup champions have another four runner-up finishes between them too, dominating the 2018 season start in a way like no other in recent memory.

This week’s KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) presents an exceptionally good challenge for both Harvick and Busch, however, judging by their historical work on the 1.5-miler.

Harvick has a pair of wins (2013 and 2016) and has won three pole positions (2013-14) and is ranked second-best in terms of overall driver rating (106.4). Busch won at Kansas in 2016 — his 17th try. And while his average finish at the track is uncharacteristic 17.1 — he has vastly improved that number with five top-fives in the last six races.

Last year Martin Truex Jr. swept both Kansas race victories en route to the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

“Before three years ago, I’ve not had many opportunities to win at Kansas and hopefully we can get into Victory Lane there again this weekend with our M&Ms Carmel Toyota,” Busch said. “As you’ve seen so far this year, there are certain circumstances that can go against you and you just have to persevere and keep fighting until the checkered flag falls. We’ve won some races even though we hadn’t had the dominant car in a few of those.”

“I think we’re pretty equal, honestly,” Busch said. “I think I’ve got to give them the notch a little bit. I think they’re a little bit better than we are.

“… A lot of it all comes down to execution when things are this tight with the 4 (Harvick) and us. They were able to execute better at the start of the year on their streak and also last week. And we’ve been able to execute in order to get our wins.

“We haven’t been dominant each week, but we’ve been able to execute as a team — myself as a driver — to be able to get those wins.”

Up for grabs

The 37 Kind Days 250 (May 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) has historically been one of the most unpredictable events on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule.

With 15 different winners in 17 races and only three former winners — Kyle Busch, Matt Crafton and championship leader Johnny Sauter — in the field this weekend, it may again prove too tough to call. And that’s always a good thing.

Toyota-powered trucks have won the last five races with Busch and Crafton responsible for two trophies each during that span at Kansas.

Now steering a Ford, Crafton may well be in line to break that Toyota streak. He’s won twice and finished runner-up twice in the last five Kansas races.

A victory would certainly be a big boost to the two-time former series champion who is ranked sixth in the points standings. The championship chase is tight entering Friday night’s race — only 35 points separate Sauter from fifth-place Noah Gragson, a 19-year old who won the pole position last week at Dover, Del. and was runner-up at Atlanta earlier in the season.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: KC Masterpiece 400

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Date: Saturday, May 12

The Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 400 miles (400 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 80),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on lap 267)

What to Watch For: Jimmie Johnson boasts the best driver rating (107.7) at Kansas and is tied with Jeff Gordon for most wins (three). … Four of the sport’s biggest stars made their first Cup start at his 1.5-miler — Erik Jones (2015), Ryan Blaney (2014), Austin Dillon (2011) and Denny Hamlin (2005). … No driver has ever earned his first Cup victory at Kansas. … Ryan Blaney won his first career pole position here last May becoming the youngest driver (23) to start on pole. … The top-five starting positions have produced the most wins (46 percent). Five times in 24 races, the polesitter has won — the last being Martin Truex in Fall, 2017. … Brad Keselowski holds the record for victory from the farthest spot on the starting grid (25th in 2011). … Five drivers have two runner-up finishes at Kansas: Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards. … Four drivers have started all 24 Kansas races — Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman. … Truex swept the 2017 races at Kansas. He, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon are the only drivers to win consecutive races.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Next Race: 37 Kind Days 250

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

The Date: Friday, May 11

The Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 250 miles (167 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80), Final Stage (Ends on lap 167)

What to Watch For: Kansas Speedway has proven to be a hard venue to predict victory. There have been 15 different race winners in 17 races and 13 different pole winners. … Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch have each won twice and both are entered in Friday night’s race. … Crafton has a series best eight top-10 finishes. … The top-five drivers in the championships standings are separated by only 35 points. Johnny Sauter holds a 29-point lead over second place Grant Enfinger. Fifth place Noah Gragson is 35 behind Sauter. … Six drivers among the top-10 are 25 years old or younger — ranging from 25-year old Brett Moffitt who is third in the points to 19-year old Gragson who is fifth in the standings. … The race has been won from the pole position only twice. Busch won from pole in 2014 and Ron Hornaday did in 2008. … Front row starters, however, have won eight of the 17 races. … There are three former winners entered this weekend — Busch, Crafton and series points leader Johnny Sauter, who won at Kansas in 2010. … Brandon Jones will be making his first truck series start of 2018. … The late Ricky Hendrick won the inaugural truck race here in 2001.

—By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media.

The post Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2Ii5GjJ via Online News

[newestbalance]

Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kevin Harvick essentially told his fellow Monster Energy NASCAR Cup season dominator Kyle Busch: I’ll take your three race victories and raise you one. And after taking his fourth win last week at Dover, Harvick can expect that Busch will be ready to try and match the effort this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Harvick and Busch have won seven of the season’s first 11 races and the two former Cup champions have another four runner-up finishes between them too, dominating the 2018 season start in a way like no other in recent memory.

This week’s KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) presents an exceptionally good challenge for both Harvick and Busch, however, judging by their historical work on the 1.5-miler.

Harvick has a pair of wins (2013 and 2016) and has won three pole positions (2013-14) and is ranked second-best in terms of overall driver rating (106.4). Busch won at Kansas in 2016 — his 17th try. And while his average finish at the track is uncharacteristic 17.1 — he has vastly improved that number with five top-fives in the last six races.

Last year Martin Truex Jr. swept both Kansas race victories en route to the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

“Before three years ago, I’ve not had many opportunities to win at Kansas and hopefully we can get into Victory Lane there again this weekend with our M&Ms Carmel Toyota,” Busch said. “As you’ve seen so far this year, there are certain circumstances that can go against you and you just have to persevere and keep fighting until the checkered flag falls. We’ve won some races even though we hadn’t had the dominant car in a few of those.”

“I think we’re pretty equal, honestly,” Busch said. “I think I’ve got to give them the notch a little bit. I think they’re a little bit better than we are.

“… A lot of it all comes down to execution when things are this tight with the 4 (Harvick) and us. They were able to execute better at the start of the year on their streak and also last week. And we’ve been able to execute in order to get our wins.

“We haven’t been dominant each week, but we’ve been able to execute as a team — myself as a driver — to be able to get those wins.”

Up for grabs

The 37 Kind Days 250 (May 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) has historically been one of the most unpredictable events on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule.

With 15 different winners in 17 races and only three former winners — Kyle Busch, Matt Crafton and championship leader Johnny Sauter — in the field this weekend, it may again prove too tough to call. And that’s always a good thing.

Toyota-powered trucks have won the last five races with Busch and Crafton responsible for two trophies each during that span at Kansas.

Now steering a Ford, Crafton may well be in line to break that Toyota streak. He’s won twice and finished runner-up twice in the last five Kansas races.

A victory would certainly be a big boost to the two-time former series champion who is ranked sixth in the points standings. The championship chase is tight entering Friday night’s race — only 35 points separate Sauter from fifth-place Noah Gragson, a 19-year old who won the pole position last week at Dover, Del. and was runner-up at Atlanta earlier in the season.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: KC Masterpiece 400

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Date: Saturday, May 12

The Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 400 miles (400 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 80),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on lap 267)

What to Watch For: Jimmie Johnson boasts the best driver rating (107.7) at Kansas and is tied with Jeff Gordon for most wins (three). … Four of the sport’s biggest stars made their first Cup start at his 1.5-miler — Erik Jones (2015), Ryan Blaney (2014), Austin Dillon (2011) and Denny Hamlin (2005). … No driver has ever earned his first Cup victory at Kansas. … Ryan Blaney won his first career pole position here last May becoming the youngest driver (23) to start on pole. … The top-five starting positions have produced the most wins (46 percent). Five times in 24 races, the polesitter has won — the last being Martin Truex in Fall, 2017. … Brad Keselowski holds the record for victory from the farthest spot on the starting grid (25th in 2011). … Five drivers have two runner-up finishes at Kansas: Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards. … Four drivers have started all 24 Kansas races — Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman. … Truex swept the 2017 races at Kansas. He, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon are the only drivers to win consecutive races.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Next Race: 37 Kind Days 250

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

The Date: Friday, May 11

The Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 250 miles (167 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80), Final Stage (Ends on lap 167)

What to Watch For: Kansas Speedway has proven to be a hard venue to predict victory. There have been 15 different race winners in 17 races and 13 different pole winners. … Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch have each won twice and both are entered in Friday night’s race. … Crafton has a series best eight top-10 finishes. … The top-five drivers in the championships standings are separated by only 35 points. Johnny Sauter holds a 29-point lead over second place Grant Enfinger. Fifth place Noah Gragson is 35 behind Sauter. … Six drivers among the top-10 are 25 years old or younger — ranging from 25-year old Brett Moffitt who is third in the points to 19-year old Gragson who is fifth in the standings. … The race has been won from the pole position only twice. Busch won from pole in 2014 and Ron Hornaday did in 2008. … Front row starters, however, have won eight of the 17 races. … There are three former winners entered this weekend — Busch, Crafton and series points leader Johnny Sauter, who won at Kansas in 2010. … Brandon Jones will be making his first truck series start of 2018. … The late Ricky Hendrick won the inaugural truck race here in 2001.

—By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media.

The post Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2Ii5GjJ via Everyday News

[party-hard-or-die]

Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kevin Harvick essentially told his fellow Monster Energy NASCAR Cup season dominator Kyle Busch: I’ll take your three race victories and raise you one. And after taking his fourth win last week at Dover, Harvick can expect that Busch will be ready to try and match the effort this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Harvick and Busch have won seven of the season’s first 11 races and the two former Cup champions have another four runner-up finishes between them too, dominating the 2018 season start in a way like no other in recent memory.

This week’s KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) presents an exceptionally good challenge for both Harvick and Busch, however, judging by their historical work on the 1.5-miler.

Harvick has a pair of wins (2013 and 2016) and has won three pole positions (2013-14) and is ranked second-best in terms of overall driver rating (106.4). Busch won at Kansas in 2016 — his 17th try. And while his average finish at the track is uncharacteristic 17.1 — he has vastly improved that number with five top-fives in the last six races.

Last year Martin Truex Jr. swept both Kansas race victories en route to the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

“Before three years ago, I’ve not had many opportunities to win at Kansas and hopefully we can get into Victory Lane there again this weekend with our M&Ms Carmel Toyota,” Busch said. “As you’ve seen so far this year, there are certain circumstances that can go against you and you just have to persevere and keep fighting until the checkered flag falls. We’ve won some races even though we hadn’t had the dominant car in a few of those.”

“I think we’re pretty equal, honestly,” Busch said. “I think I’ve got to give them the notch a little bit. I think they’re a little bit better than we are.

“… A lot of it all comes down to execution when things are this tight with the 4 (Harvick) and us. They were able to execute better at the start of the year on their streak and also last week. And we’ve been able to execute in order to get our wins.

“We haven’t been dominant each week, but we’ve been able to execute as a team — myself as a driver — to be able to get those wins.”

Up for grabs

The 37 Kind Days 250 (May 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) has historically been one of the most unpredictable events on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule.

With 15 different winners in 17 races and only three former winners — Kyle Busch, Matt Crafton and championship leader Johnny Sauter — in the field this weekend, it may again prove too tough to call. And that’s always a good thing.

Toyota-powered trucks have won the last five races with Busch and Crafton responsible for two trophies each during that span at Kansas.

Now steering a Ford, Crafton may well be in line to break that Toyota streak. He’s won twice and finished runner-up twice in the last five Kansas races.

A victory would certainly be a big boost to the two-time former series champion who is ranked sixth in the points standings. The championship chase is tight entering Friday night’s race — only 35 points separate Sauter from fifth-place Noah Gragson, a 19-year old who won the pole position last week at Dover, Del. and was runner-up at Atlanta earlier in the season.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: KC Masterpiece 400

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Date: Saturday, May 12

The Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 400 miles (400 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 80),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on lap 267)

What to Watch For: Jimmie Johnson boasts the best driver rating (107.7) at Kansas and is tied with Jeff Gordon for most wins (three). … Four of the sport’s biggest stars made their first Cup start at his 1.5-miler — Erik Jones (2015), Ryan Blaney (2014), Austin Dillon (2011) and Denny Hamlin (2005). … No driver has ever earned his first Cup victory at Kansas. … Ryan Blaney won his first career pole position here last May becoming the youngest driver (23) to start on pole. … The top-five starting positions have produced the most wins (46 percent). Five times in 24 races, the polesitter has won — the last being Martin Truex in Fall, 2017. … Brad Keselowski holds the record for victory from the farthest spot on the starting grid (25th in 2011). … Five drivers have two runner-up finishes at Kansas: Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards. … Four drivers have started all 24 Kansas races — Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman. … Truex swept the 2017 races at Kansas. He, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon are the only drivers to win consecutive races.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Next Race: 37 Kind Days 250

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

The Date: Friday, May 11

The Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 250 miles (167 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80), Final Stage (Ends on lap 167)

What to Watch For: Kansas Speedway has proven to be a hard venue to predict victory. There have been 15 different race winners in 17 races and 13 different pole winners. … Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch have each won twice and both are entered in Friday night’s race. … Crafton has a series best eight top-10 finishes. … The top-five drivers in the championships standings are separated by only 35 points. Johnny Sauter holds a 29-point lead over second place Grant Enfinger. Fifth place Noah Gragson is 35 behind Sauter. … Six drivers among the top-10 are 25 years old or younger — ranging from 25-year old Brett Moffitt who is third in the points to 19-year old Gragson who is fifth in the standings. … The race has been won from the pole position only twice. Busch won from pole in 2014 and Ron Hornaday did in 2008. … Front row starters, however, have won eight of the 17 races. … There are three former winners entered this weekend — Busch, Crafton and series points leader Johnny Sauter, who won at Kansas in 2010. … Brandon Jones will be making his first truck series start of 2018. … The late Ricky Hendrick won the inaugural truck race here in 2001.

—By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media.

The post Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2Ii5GjJ via Breaking News

[dragnews]

Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kevin Harvick essentially told his fellow Monster Energy NASCAR Cup season dominator Kyle Busch: I’ll take your three race victories and raise you one. And after taking his fourth win last week at Dover, Harvick can expect that Busch will be ready to try and match the effort this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Harvick and Busch have won seven of the season’s first 11 races and the two former Cup champions have another four runner-up finishes between them too, dominating the 2018 season start in a way like no other in recent memory.

This week’s KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) presents an exceptionally good challenge for both Harvick and Busch, however, judging by their historical work on the 1.5-miler.

Harvick has a pair of wins (2013 and 2016) and has won three pole positions (2013-14) and is ranked second-best in terms of overall driver rating (106.4). Busch won at Kansas in 2016 — his 17th try. And while his average finish at the track is uncharacteristic 17.1 — he has vastly improved that number with five top-fives in the last six races.

Last year Martin Truex Jr. swept both Kansas race victories en route to the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

“Before three years ago, I’ve not had many opportunities to win at Kansas and hopefully we can get into Victory Lane there again this weekend with our M&Ms Carmel Toyota,” Busch said. “As you’ve seen so far this year, there are certain circumstances that can go against you and you just have to persevere and keep fighting until the checkered flag falls. We’ve won some races even though we hadn’t had the dominant car in a few of those.”

“I think we’re pretty equal, honestly,” Busch said. “I think I’ve got to give them the notch a little bit. I think they’re a little bit better than we are.

“… A lot of it all comes down to execution when things are this tight with the 4 (Harvick) and us. They were able to execute better at the start of the year on their streak and also last week. And we’ve been able to execute in order to get our wins.

“We haven’t been dominant each week, but we’ve been able to execute as a team — myself as a driver — to be able to get those wins.”

Up for grabs

The 37 Kind Days 250 (May 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) has historically been one of the most unpredictable events on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule.

With 15 different winners in 17 races and only three former winners — Kyle Busch, Matt Crafton and championship leader Johnny Sauter — in the field this weekend, it may again prove too tough to call. And that’s always a good thing.

Toyota-powered trucks have won the last five races with Busch and Crafton responsible for two trophies each during that span at Kansas.

Now steering a Ford, Crafton may well be in line to break that Toyota streak. He’s won twice and finished runner-up twice in the last five Kansas races.

A victory would certainly be a big boost to the two-time former series champion who is ranked sixth in the points standings. The championship chase is tight entering Friday night’s race — only 35 points separate Sauter from fifth-place Noah Gragson, a 19-year old who won the pole position last week at Dover, Del. and was runner-up at Atlanta earlier in the season.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: KC Masterpiece 400

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

Feb 16, 2018; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Date: Saturday, May 12

The Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 400 miles (400 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 80),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on lap 267)

What to Watch For: Jimmie Johnson boasts the best driver rating (107.7) at Kansas and is tied with Jeff Gordon for most wins (three). … Four of the sport’s biggest stars made their first Cup start at his 1.5-miler — Erik Jones (2015), Ryan Blaney (2014), Austin Dillon (2011) and Denny Hamlin (2005). … No driver has ever earned his first Cup victory at Kansas. … Ryan Blaney won his first career pole position here last May becoming the youngest driver (23) to start on pole. … The top-five starting positions have produced the most wins (46 percent). Five times in 24 races, the polesitter has won — the last being Martin Truex in Fall, 2017. … Brad Keselowski holds the record for victory from the farthest spot on the starting grid (25th in 2011). … Five drivers have two runner-up finishes at Kansas: Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards. … Four drivers have started all 24 Kansas races — Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman. … Truex swept the 2017 races at Kansas. He, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon are the only drivers to win consecutive races.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Next Race: 37 Kind Days 250

The Place: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kan.)

The Date: Friday, May 11

The Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 250 miles (167 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),

Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80), Final Stage (Ends on lap 167)

What to Watch For: Kansas Speedway has proven to be a hard venue to predict victory. There have been 15 different race winners in 17 races and 13 different pole winners. … Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch have each won twice and both are entered in Friday night’s race. … Crafton has a series best eight top-10 finishes. … The top-five drivers in the championships standings are separated by only 35 points. Johnny Sauter holds a 29-point lead over second place Grant Enfinger. Fifth place Noah Gragson is 35 behind Sauter. … Six drivers among the top-10 are 25 years old or younger — ranging from 25-year old Brett Moffitt who is third in the points to 19-year old Gragson who is fifth in the standings. … The race has been won from the pole position only twice. Busch won from pole in 2014 and Ron Hornaday did in 2008. … Front row starters, however, have won eight of the 17 races. … There are three former winners entered this weekend — Busch, Crafton and series points leader Johnny Sauter, who won at Kansas in 2010. … Brandon Jones will be making his first truck series start of 2018. … The late Ricky Hendrick won the inaugural truck race here in 2001.

—By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media.

The post Weekend preview: Harvick, Busch duel again at Kansas Speedway appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2Ii5GjJ via Today News

[jaeame-blog]

Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver on going vegan and his fears for the planet | Formula 1

So for the first time in 2017 F1 season, Sebastian Vettel will arrive on the race weekend not in lead of Championship as Lewis Hamilton won two back to back grand prixs to get ahead on points table. The Mercedes Formula 1 driver said: "It is something I have been going towards anyway. Vettel's 1:39.491 smashed the Marina Bay track record and came as a slight surprise, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull had held a comfortable advantage before Q3. This place is all about ramping it up, as Sebastian's just said, tell us why you couldn't find that step in the final run in Q3.

Max and Daniel have been showing great speed around the streets of Singapore all weekend, and indeed we've topped every session apart from the final one that counts in Q3, where Sebastian put in a great lap. Q: Max, almost, almost that first pole, almost the first ever teenage Formula One polesitter. Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, three points adrift after Hamilton won the previous two races, seized pole position with a blistering late lap under the floodlights at the Marina Bay circuit.However, it must be reiterated that how Felipe Massa will spend his 2018 is not yet known; he has interest in remaining in Formula 1, but he also has Formula E aspirations. Toyota would be open to talks with McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso about a Le Mans 24 Hours drive next year should it continue in the World Endurance Championship.

The message was loud and clear: we love noise. The 18-year-old made history in June when he became the youngest F1 rookie to reach the podium with a third-place finish in Azerbaijan.German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia Ferrari reacts while standing on top of his car after taking pole position in the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 16 September 2017. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas had an even tougher time of it.

[footballleague0]

Red Bull in a promising position to fight Ferrari

Max Verstappen believes Red Bull is in a promising position to challenge polesitter Sebastian Vettel for victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, after securing second and third on the grid.

The Dutchman followed up on an encouraging Friday — as Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo topped both practice sessions — to lead the way in final practice before posting the fastest time in the first two segments of qualifying.

However, it was Vettel who stole the show in Q3 with two blistering laps as he denied Verstappen his first pole position in Formula One by 0.3s. In doing so, Vettel also defended his own record of being the youngest-ever polesitter in the sport, with Verstappen, who turns 20 at the Malaysian Grand Prix, aiming to become the first teenager to start a grand prix from the very front of the grid.

“I think I did just not as much Sebastian,” Verstappen admitted. “I think all in all the whole weekend was good progression, getting better and better. Qualifying also is just constant improvement, even though the whole weekend we were a bit down on power, I don’t know why we couldn’t really solve it.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

“We lost a bit of top speed there so that’s not ideal but at the end of the day to be second here on this track is very promising and we are not too far off. So I can be quite happy with this qualifying.”

A recurring theme of qualifying in 2017 has been Mercedes’ and Ferrari’s ability to unleash greater performance from their power units in Q3, while Red Bull has often fallen back down the order in the final part of qualifying.

When asked how much extra power Red Bull was able to extract in Singapore, Verstappen replied: “Maybe not as much! A little bit, fine-tuning, but we still have to work hard to improve. We are still not where Ferrari or Mercedes is.”

Vettel heads into Sunday’s race looking to restore the championship lead he lost in Monza, with closest title rival Lewis Hamilton starting from fifth as Mercedes struggled around the tight and twisty Marina Bay Street Circuit. Verstappen insists he will not change his approach to fighting Vettel for the win just because the German is battling for the title.

“You always go for it if there is a gap and if it’s possible, but if not then you just settle down and get into the race. Like Sebastian said, it’s a very long race so a lot of things can happen.”

The post Red Bull in a promising position to fight Ferrari appeared first on Daily Star Sports.

from http://ift.tt/2xaA24B from http://ift.tt/2w0UhyR

[giantsfootball0]

Red Bull in a promising position to fight Ferrari

Max Verstappen believes Red Bull is in a promising position to challenge polesitter Sebastian Vettel for victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, after securing second and third on the grid.

The Dutchman followed up on an encouraging Friday — as Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo topped both practice sessions — to lead the way in final practice before posting the fastest time in the first two segments of qualifying.

However, it was Vettel who stole the show in Q3 with two blistering laps as he denied Verstappen his first pole position in Formula One by 0.3s. In doing so, Vettel also defended his own record of being the youngest-ever polesitter in the sport, with Verstappen, who turns 20 at the Malaysian Grand Prix, aiming to become the first teenager to start a grand prix from the very front of the grid.

“I think I did just not as much Sebastian,” Verstappen admitted. “I think all in all the whole weekend was good progression, getting better and better. Qualifying also is just constant improvement, even though the whole weekend we were a bit down on power, I don’t know why we couldn’t really solve it.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

“We lost a bit of top speed there so that’s not ideal but at the end of the day to be second here on this track is very promising and we are not too far off. So I can be quite happy with this qualifying.”

A recurring theme of qualifying in 2017 has been Mercedes’ and Ferrari’s ability to unleash greater performance from their power units in Q3, while Red Bull has often fallen back down the order in the final part of qualifying.

When asked how much extra power Red Bull was able to extract in Singapore, Verstappen replied: “Maybe not as much! A little bit, fine-tuning, but we still have to work hard to improve. We are still not where Ferrari or Mercedes is.”

Vettel heads into Sunday’s race looking to restore the championship lead he lost in Monza, with closest title rival Lewis Hamilton starting from fifth as Mercedes struggled around the tight and twisty Marina Bay Street Circuit. Verstappen insists he will not change his approach to fighting Vettel for the win just because the German is battling for the title.

“You always go for it if there is a gap and if it’s possible, but if not then you just settle down and get into the race. Like Sebastian said, it’s a very long race so a lot of things can happen.”

The post Red Bull in a promising position to fight Ferrari appeared first on Daily Star Sports.

from https://dailystarsports.com/2017/09/16/red-bull-in-a-promising-position-to-fight-ferrari/ from https://dailystarsports.tumblr.com/post/165404010651

[jaeame-blog]

Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver on going vegan and his fears for the planet | Formula 1

Toyota would be open to talks with McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso about a Le Mans 24 Hours drive next year should it continue in the World Endurance Championship. So for the first time in 2017 F1 season, Sebastian Vettel will arrive on the race weekend not in lead of Championship as Lewis Hamilton won two back to back grand prixs to get ahead on points table. However, it must be reiterated that how Felipe Massa will spend his 2018 is not yet known; he has interest in remaining in Formula 1, but he also has Formula E aspirations. Q: Max, almost, almost that first pole, almost the first ever teenage Formula One polesitter.

Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, three points adrift after Hamilton won the previous two races, seized pole position with a blistering late lap under the floodlights at the Marina Bay circuit. When Formula One switched to a smaller, quieter engine, many fans reacted as if they had just switched to spec Toyota Priuses. Max and Daniel have been showing great speed around the streets of Singapore all weekend, and indeed we've topped every session apart from the final one that counts in Q3, where Sebastian put in a great lap.This place is all about ramping it up, as Sebastian's just said, tell us why you couldn't find that step in the final run in Q3. Vettel's 1:39.491 smashed the Marina Bay track record and came as a slight surprise, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull had held a comfortable advantage before Q3.

The Mercedes Formula 1 driver said: "It is something I have been going towards anyway. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas had an even tougher time of it.The message was loud and clear: we love noise. Felipe Massa says he will be supporting McLaren in the Singapore Grand Prix, in the hope it can take points off Williams's Formula 1 rivals in the constructors' championship.

[jaeame-blog]

Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver on going vegan and his fears for the planet | Formula 1

This place is all about ramping it up, as Sebastian's just said, tell us why you couldn't find that step in the final run in Q3. Felipe Massa says he will be supporting McLaren in the Singapore Grand Prix, in the hope it can take points off Williams's Formula 1 rivals in the constructors' championship. Q: Max, almost, almost that first pole, almost the first ever teenage Formula One polesitter. Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, three points adrift after Hamilton won the previous two races, seized pole position with a blistering late lap under the floodlights at the Marina Bay circuit.

Toyota would be open to talks with McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso about a Le Mans 24 Hours drive next year should it continue in the World Endurance Championship. However, it must be reiterated that how Felipe Massa will spend his 2018 is not yet known; he has interest in remaining in Formula 1, but he also has Formula E aspirations. The Mercedes Formula 1 driver said: "It is something I have been going towards anyway.German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia Ferrari reacts while standing on top of his car after taking pole position in the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 16 September 2017. Lewis Hamilton says he is is aiming to become a vegan in an attempt to pursue the healthiest possible lifestyle and avoid damaging the planet.

Vettel's 1:39.491 smashed the Marina Bay track record and came as a slight surprise, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull had held a comfortable advantage before Q3. When Formula One switched to a smaller, quieter engine, many fans reacted as if they had just switched to spec Toyota Priuses.The message was loud and clear: we love noise. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas had an even tougher time of it.

[jaeame-blog]

Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver on going vegan and his fears for the planet | Formula 1

When Formula One switched to a smaller, quieter engine, many fans reacted as if they had just switched to spec Toyota Priuses. The message was loud and clear: we love noise. German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia Ferrari reacts while standing on top of his car after taking pole position in the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 16 September 2017. The Mercedes Formula 1 driver said: "It is something I have been going towards anyway.

Toyota would be open to talks with McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso about a Le Mans 24 Hours drive next year should it continue in the World Endurance Championship. However, it must be reiterated that how Felipe Massa will spend his 2018 is not yet known; he has interest in remaining in Formula 1, but he also has Formula E aspirations. This place is all about ramping it up, as Sebastian's just said, tell us why you couldn't find that step in the final run in Q3.Felipe Massa says he will be supporting McLaren in the Singapore Grand Prix, in the hope it can take points off Williams's Formula 1 rivals in the constructors' championship. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas had an even tougher time of it.

Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, three points adrift after Hamilton won the previous two races, seized pole position with a blistering late lap under the floodlights at the Marina Bay circuit. Lewis Hamilton says he is is aiming to become a vegan in an attempt to pursue the healthiest possible lifestyle and avoid damaging the planet.The 18-year-old made history in June when he became the youngest F1 rookie to reach the podium with a third-place finish in Azerbaijan. Q: Max, almost, almost that first pole, almost the first ever teenage Formula One polesitter.

[jaeame-blog]

Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver on going vegan and his fears for the planet | Formula 1

German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia Ferrari reacts while standing on top of his car after taking pole position in the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 16 September 2017. When Formula One switched to a smaller, quieter engine, many fans reacted as if they had just switched to spec Toyota Priuses. Lewis Hamilton says he is is aiming to become a vegan in an attempt to pursue the healthiest possible lifestyle and avoid damaging the planet. Max and Daniel have been showing great speed around the streets of Singapore all weekend, and indeed we've topped every session apart from the final one that counts in Q3, where Sebastian put in a great lap.

The 18-year-old made history in June when he became the youngest F1 rookie to reach the podium with a third-place finish in Azerbaijan. Felipe Massa says he will be supporting McLaren in the Singapore Grand Prix, in the hope it can take points off Williams's Formula 1 rivals in the constructors' championship. Vettel's 1:39.491 smashed the Marina Bay track record and came as a slight surprise, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull had held a comfortable advantage before Q3.So for the first time in 2017 F1 season, Sebastian Vettel will arrive on the race weekend not in lead of Championship as Lewis Hamilton won two back to back grand prixs to get ahead on points table. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas had an even tougher time of it.

Q: Max, almost, almost that first pole, almost the first ever teenage Formula One polesitter. Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, three points adrift after Hamilton won the previous two races, seized pole position with a blistering late lap under the floodlights at the Marina Bay circuit.Toyota would be open to talks with McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso about a Le Mans 24 Hours drive next year should it continue in the World Endurance Championship. The message was loud and clear: we love noise.

[jaeame-blog]

Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver on going vegan and his fears for the planet | Formula 1

This place is all about ramping it up, as Sebastian's just said, tell us why you couldn't find that step in the final run in Q3. Felipe Massa says he will be supporting McLaren in the Singapore Grand Prix, in the hope it can take points off Williams's Formula 1 rivals in the constructors' championship. So for the first time in 2017 F1 season, Sebastian Vettel will arrive on the race weekend not in lead of Championship as Lewis Hamilton won two back to back grand prixs to get ahead on points table. Vettel's 1:39.491 smashed the Marina Bay track record and came as a slight surprise, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull had held a comfortable advantage before Q3.

Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, three points adrift after Hamilton won the previous two races, seized pole position with a blistering late lap under the floodlights at the Marina Bay circuit. German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia Ferrari reacts while standing on top of his car after taking pole position in the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 16 September 2017. However, it must be reiterated that how Felipe Massa will spend his 2018 is not yet known; he has interest in remaining in Formula 1, but he also has Formula E aspirations.The Mercedes Formula 1 driver said: "It is something I have been going towards anyway. The 18-year-old made history in June when he became the youngest F1 rookie to reach the podium with a third-place finish in Azerbaijan.

Lewis Hamilton says he is is aiming to become a vegan in an attempt to pursue the healthiest possible lifestyle and avoid damaging the planet. When Formula One switched to a smaller, quieter engine, many fans reacted as if they had just switched to spec Toyota Priuses.The message was loud and clear: we love noise. Toyota would be open to talks with McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso about a Le Mans 24 Hours drive next year should it continue in the World Endurance Championship.

[jaeame-blog]

Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver on going vegan and his fears for the planet | Formula 1

Toyota would be open to talks with McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso about a Le Mans 24 Hours drive next year should it continue in the World Endurance Championship. Q: Max, almost, almost that first pole, almost the first ever teenage Formula One polesitter. The 18-year-old made history in June when he became the youngest F1 rookie to reach the podium with a third-place finish in Azerbaijan. The message was loud and clear: we love noise.

Felipe Massa says he will be supporting McLaren in the Singapore Grand Prix, in the hope it can take points off Williams's Formula 1 rivals in the constructors' championship. Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, three points adrift after Hamilton won the previous two races, seized pole position with a blistering late lap under the floodlights at the Marina Bay circuit. The Mercedes Formula 1 driver said: "It is something I have been going towards anyway.This place is all about ramping it up, as Sebastian's just said, tell us why you couldn't find that step in the final run in Q3. Vettel's 1:39.491 smashed the Marina Bay track record and came as a slight surprise, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull had held a comfortable advantage before Q3.

Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas had an even tougher time of it. German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia Ferrari reacts while standing on top of his car after taking pole position in the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 16 September 2017.However, it must be reiterated that how Felipe Massa will spend his 2018 is not yet known; he has interest in remaining in Formula 1, but he also has Formula E aspirations. Lewis Hamilton says he is is aiming to become a vegan in an attempt to pursue the healthiest possible lifestyle and avoid damaging the planet.