Nascar Race Today

The common thread throughout Saturday's NASCAR Night of Champion Touring Awards was of a dream realized.

From Lakeport, Calif., to San Sebasti�n, Spain, seven NASCAR drivers collected their series championship trophies and received their coveted championship rings from NASCAR President Mike Helton.

"To win this championship, to accomplish this goal, it means the world to me," said 22-year-old Ryan Preece, who became the youngest champion of NASCAR's oldest division, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

"Being part of this is amazing," said Ander Vilarino, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion. "I would have never imagined that one day I could say I'm a two-time NASCAR champion."

Preece and Vilarino were joined on the stage at the end of the night to show off their championship rings by NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Dylan Kwasniewski, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion Derek Thorn, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 champion Scott Steckly and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion George Brunnhoelzl III.

Brunnhoelzl won his fourth NASCAR tour championship, while Steckly picked up his third.

The 18-year-old Kwasniewski became the first driver to win NASCAR's K&N Pro Series West and East titles -- and he did so in consecutive seasons.

"The drivers who graced the stage truly reflect the depth, talent and diversity of NASCAR in the 21st century," said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. "And the seven NASCAR champions who were crowned embody the strength and future promise of our sport."

The championships were won in vastly different ways.

Brunnhoelzl used a mid-season run of three straight wins en route to his title, while Vilarino started off the season with a NASCAR touring-series record six straight wins. Steckly, on the other hand, finished outside the top 20 in the first two races and rallied by winning the finale to edge rival DJ Kennington by two points.

"This year has been amazing," Steckly said. "To race at this level and with other drivers who are such strong competitors is something I am very grateful for, and love doing."

The champions weren't the only ones to pick up hardware Saturday night.

In addition to the championship awards, each series rookie of the year was honored. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award winners were Jesse Little in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Dylan Lupton in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, Cole Powell in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Luke Fleming in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. Top rookie performers in three international series were Alex Guenette in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Santiago Tovar in Mexico's NASCAR Toyota Series and Yann Zimmer in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

The Most Popular Driver Awards for each series were also presented during the ceremony. The seven drivers honored with the prestigious award were Ben Kennedy in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Cameron Hayley of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, Guenette in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Pepe Monta�o of the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series, Freddy Nordstr�m from the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, Mike Stefanik from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Andy Seuss from the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. Monta�o and Nordstr�m were repeat winners from a season ago.

The top-10 drivers and car owners from each of NASCAR's touring series also were recognized during the gala.

"There are a lot of young faces here tonight that you will probably be seeing a lot more of in the future," continued Silbermann. "They are the new ambassadors of our sport -- fearless and very talented on the race track and eager to prove their mettle."

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CONCORD, N.C. - The 3 is back in Sprint Cup.

Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, will pilot a Sprint Cup car in 2014 with a slanted 3, a number and style made famous by seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt.

"Dale Earnhardt is smiling down," Childress said. "He would want to see this."

Childress made the announcement Wednesday that the 3 would return to Cup with Dillon with sponsorship from Dow and General Mills.

Earnhardt, who won six of his Cup titles at RCR, died in a crash on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Childress changed the car number to 29 the following week, when Kevin Harvick took over the ride, and the 3 has not been run in Cup since then.

Austin and Ty Dillon have used the RCR-styled 3 in development series, as has Earnhardt granddaughter Karsyn Elledge.

With the 23-year-old Austin, the 2013 Nationwide series champion, going full time in Cup in 2014, Childress had to make a decision on whether to return the 3 to NASCAR's biggest stage.

He has indicated all year he would do it and that fans had hoped to see Dillon in a 3 car in the 2013 Daytona 500, where Dillon drove a No. 33 car.

"With Austin running it in Nationwide as much as he did, it's kind of re-energized a lot of the fans," Childress said earlier this year. "The fans come up and the cards and the calls and the emails we get, when we said he was going to run the 33 at Daytona, overwhelmingly people wanted to see the 3."

Childress, who owns the trademark on the slanted 3 style, said only one of his family members or an Earnhardt family member would drive the 3.

"I do like running it, but you always question certain things every now and then when you think back about it and people say things," Dillon said earlier this year. "The great thing is I had a lot of support with it, especially lately. ... People come up to you and say, 'Man, we'd love to see you in the 3 in the Cup Series.'

"That's all I need to hear is a little bit of support here and there. Past that, it's a number and I have to give 110 percent if I'm in the 3 or not in the 3."

But Dillon's accomplishments in the 3 are special. In the Nationwide Series finale last month, Dillon was struggling and was in danger of losing the title. It was the second time in Dillon's career where he won a championship that came down to the wire, as did his 2011 truck title.

"I remember before that (truck) race was over, I looked up to the sky and said, 'Old pal, we need you,'" Childress said the night of the Nationwide title. "I did that again tonight. He came through."

Flowmaster becomes exclusive performance exhaust of NASCAR

NASCAR announced today a new multi-year agreement with Flowmaster designating it as the exclusive NASCAR Performance partner for performance exhaust system components, which include performance mufflers, catalytic converters, headers and installation accessories. Flowmaster will complement their category rights with participation in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Contingency Program. Flowmaster will leverage its new designation for exhaust system components and the power of NASCAR's intellectual property to activate at various retail and wholesale channels nationwide and at-track through aggressive customer hosting.

NASCAR fans are more likely to be do-it-yourselfers when it comes to automotive maintenance and repairs, including mufflers. According to independent research conducted by Scarborough (USA+ 2013 Release 1) among consumers who have a vehicle, NASCAR fans are approximately 50 percent more likely than non-fans to have had a muffler repair or service in the past year and are approximately 55 percent more likely to have either done the muffler repair or service themselves or have someone else do it for free.

"We're proud to welcome Flowmaster to the NASCAR family because they exemplify the type of reliability our fans have come to expect from NASCAR Performance partners," said Norris Scott, NASCAR vice president of partnership marketing. "NASCAR teams and contingency sponsors display a level of synergy and teamwork that is unparalleled and continues to be one of the major reasons companies choose to partner with NASCAR."

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Contingency Program strives to build strong relationships with high­-quality, performance-driven brands that are leaders in their respective categories and awards money to NASCAR teams after each race and at the end of each season. Flowmaster becomes the third new company this year to join the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Contingency Program, where companies have their sponsor decals on the front fender of competitor race cars.

"I can't wait until next February when the Flowmaster brand hits the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in NASCAR's premier series," said Flowmaster Chief Marketing Officer Nate Shelton. "We have been developing exhaust systems for 30 years and will continue to manufacture best-in-class exhausts and mufflers for NASCAR fans who demand performance from their car or truck."

Flowmaster is constantly developing the highest quality exhaust products at its state-of-the-art Research and Development Center in Santa Rosa, Calif., through innovation and decades of manufacturing experience. All Flowmaster mufflers and exhaust systems are developed and manufactured in the USA.

NASCAR announced today a new multi-year agreement with Flowmaster designating it as the exclusive NASCAR Performance partner for performance exhaust system components, which include performance mufflers, catalytic converters, headers and installation accessories. Flowmaster will complement their category rights with participation in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Contingency Program. Flowmaster will leverage its new designation for exhaust system components and the power of NASCAR's intellectual property to activate at various retail and wholesale channels nationwide and at-track through aggressive customer hosting.

NASCAR fans are more likely to be do-it-yourselfers when it comes to automotive maintenance and repairs, including mufflers. According to independent research conducted by Scarborough (USA+ 2013 Release 1) among consumers who have a vehicle, NASCAR fans are approximately 50 percent more likely than non-fans to have had a muffler repair or service in the past year and are approximately 55 percent more likely to have either done the muffler repair or service themselves or have someone else do it for free.

"We're proud to welcome Flowmaster to the NASCAR family because they exemplify the type of reliability our fans have come to expect from NASCAR Performance partners," said Norris Scott, NASCAR vice president of partnership marketing. "NASCAR teams and contingency sponsors display a level of synergy and teamwork that is unparalleled and continues to be one of the major reasons companies choose to partner with NASCAR."

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Contingency Program strives to build strong relationships with high�-quality, performance-driven brands that are leaders in their respective categories and awards money to NASCAR teams after each race and at the end of each season. Flowmaster becomes the third new company this year to join the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Contingency Program, where companies have their sponsor decals on the front fender of competitor race cars.

"I can't wait until next February when the Flowmaster brand hits the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in NASCAR's premier series," said Flowmaster Chief Marketing Officer Nate Shelton. "We have been developing exhaust systems for 30 years and will continue to manufacture best-in-class exhausts and mufflers for NASCAR fans who demand performance from their car or truck."

Flowmaster is constantly developing the highest quality exhaust products at its state-of-the-art Research and Development Center in Santa Rosa, Calif., through innovation and decades of manufacturing experience. All Flowmaster mufflers and exhaust systems are developed and manufactured in the USA.

Newly named president of Iowa Speedway calls post "a dream come true"

A new generation in NASCAR leadership formally took shape Thursday when 28-year old Jimmy Small was introduced as president of NASCAR's newly acquired facility, Iowa Speedway. Small, who holds an economics degree from Notre Dame, has charged up through the corporate ranks at NASCAR and calls his new post "a dream come true" while assuring he's up for the task after spending the last six years working in wide-ranging capacities for the sanctioning body. "I definitely feel I'm capable and ready to take on such a great responsibility," Small said, pointing to his experience working in NASCAR's Industry Services sector. "I was dedicated to learning every bit of the business from a team perspective while also focusing on the Industry Action Plan and how it would affect our sport for years to come. A lot of what I've focused on the Industry Action Plan was how to better the fan experience and I believe that I'm well-rounded in terms of my experience and knowledge of the sport and how it works." Small counts NASCAR's Executive Vice President for Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell and Vice President, Industry Services Jill Gregory among his mentors throughout his tenure.

O'Donnell said Thursday of Small, "Iowa is getting a great person and true innovator." Gregory spoke of Small's "passion" to lead the track into the future. Small was introduced to Iowans on Thursday in Des Moines and then headed to Newton for a special gathering for suite holders at the track. "It feels good to be able to tell people what I've been working on," he said. No doubt NASCAR is hoping to capitalize not only on Small's education pedigree and diverse experience within the sport, but on his ability to capture the next generation of fan and bring fresh innovative ideas to the promotion of this NASCAR facility. "This is part of the next era of NASCAR as far as focusing on the next generation of fan and certainly with my passion, my vision at my young age I'm able to speak to the younger fan," Small said. "I'm able to really relate to them not just from a marketing perspective, but from all different aspects of the sport of NASCAR. And I certainly hope to do that." In an interview this week, Small also named former Charlotte Motor Speedway promoter Humpy Wheeler and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage as trailblazers in the sport and people that he respected in terms of track promotion. But, Small said, he's eager to develop his own style. "It's a little early for me to project what our ethos will be here at the speedway, but I will say that what led to my appointment of this position was hard work and second of all, creativity," Small said. "I pride myself in being creative and finding new ways to promote this sport and some of that will be seen in the future. I'd like to say we'll push the envelope here," Small said. "One of the goals here with the acquisition of Iowa Speedway is to treat this as a proving ground not only from a fan engagement standpoint but from the promotional side as well. All that will ultimately be reliant on the market and what it dictates." Small reiterated the immediate goals of the track are to make its three major 2014 race weekends -- featuring NASCAR Camping World Truck, Nationwide, and K&N Pro Series along with an IndyCar event -- successful. He didn't rule out a Sprint Cup Series race at some point down the line at the 7/8-mile speedway, but told The Des Moines Register this week, that it would not happen in 2015. "You can never say never, but not for 2015," Small told the newspaper. "Our focus is going to be on the popular series we already have." In the long term, Small said, "the goals would be to be on cutting edge of promotion and creativity and everything involved there. "Hopefully we'll drive this sport to new boundaries and generate fan growth. "It's the biggest show in town and the fans have supported it since its inception which has been incredible."MORE:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- NASCAR has selected 28-year-old "rising star" Jimmy Small as the president of its newest acquisition, the Iowa Speedway.

The appointment of Small, a senior marketing manager for NASCAR, was announced Thursday at a press conference in Des Moines promoting NASCAR's purchase of the track last month.

Eric Nyquist, NASCAR's vice president for strategic development, said Small's energy and background in improving the fan experience, sponsor relations and ticket sales helped convince the organization to put him in charge of Iowa.

Small has been with NASCAR in a variety of capacities since 2008, most recently with team marketing services in the NASCAR Industry Services department.

"He's had a great track record," Nyquist said of Small. "He's stepping into quite an important role here, and I know that he's going to be quite a success...he loves racing and he's passionate about this opportunity."

NASCAR bought the short track just east of Des Moines from Featherlite Inc., founder Conrad Clement and his family, who owned it for two years. NASCAR is the Speedway's third owner since it opened in 2006 for $70 million.

Neither Nyquist nor Small would say how much NASCAR spent for the Iowa track, with Nyquist saying simply that it was a "fair price."

The Newton Daily News reported last week that NASCAR paid just $10 million for the track.

"We saw this as a very strategic play for us. To step in and take a facility that has performed well to date, and work with the city, the state, our partners, the fan base and our collective industry to take Iowa Speedway to another level," Nyquist said.

The Iowa Speedway is scheduled to host an IndyCar race and two NASCAR Nationwide series events in 2014, though it'll have just one NASCAR trucks race after hosting two in recent years.

NASCAR has been adamant that it has no immediate plans to award a Sprint Cup Series race to Iowa, which could threaten to stifle enthusiasm over NASCAR's involvement with the facility.

But Small pointed to strong ticket sales in previous years and the popularity of short-track racing Iowa - including the annual Knoxville Nationals sprint car championships - as proof that the track can remain viable for years to come.

"It's hard to go into specifics about how we keep (the fans) piqued, but I can tell you is that's what I get really excited about. Our goal with this acquisition and the operation moving forward is for Iowa Speedway to be the crown jewel, the race that all Nationwide competitors, Camping World trucks series competitors, K&N Pro Series competitors and IndyCar drivers circle on their calendars," Small said.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ? As the first step toward a bright future under new ownership, Iowa Speedway today welcomed Jimmy Small, a rising talent within the industry, as its new track president. Small's appointment at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines comes on the heels of NASCAR's announcement two weeks ago that it purchased the Speedway. Several of the sport's top executives along with state and local dignitaries were present for the announcement. "Jimmy's tireless dedication, energy and experience make him the ideal candidate for leading Iowa Speedway into this new era," said Eric Nyquist, NASCAR vice president, strategic development. "He has a strong background in identifying and creating fan experience improvements and defining best practices designed to help strengthen sponsor relations and ticket sales. In addition, he will have a great support structure at the Speedway and NASCAR."

Small, 28, joins the Speedway after six years with NASCAR in various business-building capacities. Most recently, he served as senior manager for team marketing services within the NASCAR Industry Services department out of the Charlotte, N.C., office. In that role, he was the business and marketing liaison with teams and drivers in all three national series. Additionally, he helped manage the implementation of the NASCAR Industry Action Plan (IAP), including several key initiatives targeting Event Management and Entertainment, Youth & Gen-Y Marketing and Driver Star Power. When Small started in the sport in 2008, he worked out of NASCAR's Daytona Beach, Fla., headquarters coordinating event weekends with tracks, television partners and teams. "I'm honored to be presented with this opportunity to help guide Iowa Speedway in the next chapter of its life," Small said. "We will continue fanning the intense passion for motorsports that is prevalent here, and do our best to showcase Iowa Speedway's fast, exciting short-track racing in creative, fan-friendly ways." Small is a Detroit native and graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He was named as a member of Sports Pro Magazine's The 10 NEXT Class of 2012, an honor recognizing 10 sports executives under the age of 30. The track currently is gearing up for its slate of three NASCAR race weekends during the 2014 season. The Speedway's season opens May 17-18, with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East versus West Challenge on Saturday night followed by a 250-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Sunday. The weekend of July 11-12, Iowa Speedway will host a Friday night NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event and an IndyCar Series race on Saturday. A second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East versus West Challenge race is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1 followed by another 250-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series event Saturday night. Season ticket holders may renew their tickets for the 2014 season, and will have an exclusive right to secure their current seats until Sunday, Jan. 5. All season tickets, with prices starting at $95, will include a guaranteed seat location, complimentary Casey's Fan Walk pass and an opportunity to participate in pre-race ceremonies. Season tickets, parking passes and onsite camping options are available online at www.iowaspeedway.com, or by calling the toll-free ticketing hotline, 866-RUSTY-GO (787-8946). Single-event tickets and weekend packages will become available on Monday, Jan. 6. Iowa Speedway's ticketing office, located at 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive in Newton, also will be open to assist customers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, holidays excepted.MORE:

CONCORD, N.C. - NASCAR officials asked Sprint Cup teams to try different aerodynamic and horsepower packages as they continued to look for the answer on how to improve racing on intermediate tracks.

They didn't necessarily get an answer Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway - they will always be looking to improve the racing. But they hope they got enough feedback by word of mouth from the drivers as well as the data downloaded by sensors put on the cars in order to make an educated decision for the 2014 rules package.

No. 3 is back: Childress Racing returns Earnhardt number for Sprint Cup

NASCAR had the drivers run five races of 15 to 40 laps with different mechanical alignments. The final two alignments included drivers using a tapered spacer, which reduces horsepower by limiting airflow in the engine. That is possibly the most controversial idea. Drivers would prefer a full allotment of the approximately 850 horsepower the Cup cars generate.

The test was open to the public for viewing but media members were not allowed into the garage for the final two hours.

Drivers, crew chiefs and manufacturers met with NASCAR officials after each mini-race to discuss their views.

NASCAR officials hope to have a rules package done by next week. Although no more testing is planned, NASCAR might go to select tracks a day early next year to give teams more track time to test with the new technical specifications.

The focus is getting cars to be able to pass easier on the tracks where aerodynamics plays the biggest role - typically tracks 1.5 miles and 2 miles in length.

"What we're attempting to do here is to get closer competition and more passing, closer competition, the cars running closer in the pack, passing more with an eye for the fans," NASCAR vice president Gene Stefanyshyn said. "We're using various metrics to look at that, like the first-to-fifth time differentials, the time differentials between the 10 fastest laps, those types of things."

Four primary changes for 2014 were tested with all packages Wednesday:

* No minimum heights for the front and rear of the cars.

* Splitter with a square leading edge instead of curved.

* Side skirts with 4 inches of minimum clearance (was 4.5 inches for right side, 5 inches for left).

* A rear fascia 1.375 inches higher.

Then NASCAR mixed and matched those changes with several others during the test Wednesday.

* Use of the tapered spacer to reduce horsepower from approximately 850 to 750.

* A 9-inch-high rear spoiler, then a 8.375-inch high spoiler and then a 7.75-inch high spoiler. The spoiler used last year was 7.25 inches.

* A 1.5-inch-high roof strip.

* A 43-inch-by-13-inch radiator pan.

In the mini-races, there was some passing but nothing that appeared more dramatic than in recent races at CMS.

"You will never get 100 percent agreement on everything," Stefanyshyn said. "So really you're kind of looking for the 70 percent answer here that kind of leads you in the right direction."

CONCORD, N.C. - There were no official green or checkered flags, but NASCAR began racing toward the 2014 Sprint Cup season Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

During the final test of the Generation 6 car before finalizing rules for next season, 30 cars participated in four simulated races as NASCAR tried a variety of aerodynamic, engine and suspension combinations.

Vice president of innovation Gene Stefanyshyn said NASCAR was pleased by the turnout for the test, which is geared toward improving competition on 1.5-mile superspeedways. Six cars participated in a similar test in mid-October.

"It is different when you have 30 cars vs. the six, so it was important to come back with the field of cars that we did," vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said. "It gave us a different view on some of the answers ... with aerodynamics playing such a key role."

The first "race" was 30 laps (the final three were 40) and tested a package that Pemberton described as the "tightest," which was intended to measure the impact of a rear-oriented package in traffic. Kevin Harvick was the winner by 4.9 seconds over Ryan Newman, and Pemberton said drivers didn't like the handling as much while running behind another car, but conditions improved when out of line.

"That gives us direction to work in, and you can never have enough cars when you test things like this," Pemberton said.

The one constant during the four races was the elimination of minimum front height rules, a change that's expected to be implemented for 2014. Among the other items being tested Wednesday:

--Varying spoiler heights

--Roof strips

--A splitter with a square leading edge

--A trimmed rear fascia

--A tapered spacer that will reduce engine horsepower to about 750 (a reduction of about 80-90 hp)

Each of the four races was followed by meetings with crew chiefs, drivers and manufacturers.

Stefanyshyn said NASCAR would be finished with compiling and analyzing data by Thursday morning. Pemberton said NASCAR hopes to set the 2014 rules by next week.

Among the statistics being evaluated were the speed differentials from first to fifth and between the 10 fastest laps.

"We're attempting to get closer competition and more passing," Stefanyshyn said. "Running closer in the pack and more passing with an eye toward the fans."

One of the most iconic numbers in NASCAR is back in the big leagues as Richard Childress Racing announced Wednesday that Austin Dillon will drive the No. 3 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014.| Read the full story

Dale Earnhardt Jr. says 'The number is more of a bank that you just deposit history into.' | Read the full story

It made its debut in the third race of NASCAR's inaugural season, and was in use for every campaign after that until the Daytona 500 in 2001. It's been driven by eight men elected to the sport's Hall of Fame, and three others nominated for it. It's been piloted by a promoter, a car builder, a team owner, an open-wheel legend -- and of course, an Intimidator. | Read the full story

When he sees the No. 3 car driven by Austin Dillon roll onto the race track next season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Darrell Waltrip will be thinking of one person -- Dale Earnhardt. And the three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer doesn't think he'll be alone. | Read the full story

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France has announced the appointment of long-time auto industry executive Brent Dewar as Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR to strengthen its executive management team and accelerate a number of key growth initiatives. Dewar begins at NASCAR on January 6, 2014. Concurrently, NASCAR announced that Steve Phelps, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, has been promoted to executive vice president, while Steve O'Donnell, senior vice president, racing operations, has also been promoted to executive vice president. The company's general counsel, Gary Crotty, has been elevated to chief legal officer/general counsel. Mike Helton continues as NASCAR President with continued oversight of all racing operations. NASCAR's executive leadership restructuring reflects France's effort to make bold resourcing decisions that accelerate progress as the company focuses on announced changes in competition, research and development and on-going efforts to serve the current fan base and grow audience. The addition of Dewar, who has been consulting with NASCAR over the past year, will balance the responsibility across the executive leadership team and allow France to focus on setting the vision for NASCAR and driving key strategic growth initiatives and innovation across NASCAR. "In Brent Dewar, we will add a seasoned leader with deep experience in the automotive sector, plus intimate knowledge of and passion for NASCAR as well as various other forms of motorsports," France said. "Brent brings creativity, drive, intelligence, operational acumen and a clear understanding of our assets and challenges to NASCAR. He's a leader who's naturally collaborative, an essential trait as we work more closely with the OEMs, teams, tracks, broadcast partners and others to grow the sport over the next decade. "Steve Phelps and Steve O'Donnell have led critical evolutions in key areas of our business over the last several years with great success, and Gary Crotty continues to lead one of the best legal teams in all of sport," said France. "Their promotions are reflective of their achievements and the increased role they'll play in 2014 and the years ahead." In recent years, Dewar has worked in senior executive consulting roles at GreenOrder, Courland International and most recently has been managing partner at Whitby Advisors, the company through which he has consulted NASCAR on its wide-ranging initiative to transform its Competition model in the areas of governance, rules, deterrence / penalties and officiating / inspection.

Richard Childress brings back iconic No. 3 car for 2014 Sprint Cup Series season

One of the most iconic numbers in NASCAR is back in the big leagues as Richard Childress Racing announced Wednesday that Austin Dillon will drive the No. 3 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014. Dillon, last season's champion in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will pilot the number made famous by seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt. The No. 3 had been out of use in NASCAR's premier division since Earnhardt's death in a crash in the 2001 Daytona 500. The offseason move, announced at Charlotte Motor Speedway during Wednesday's testing session, falls under the heading of 'worst-kept secret' coming to light, with team owner Childress being purposely coy in recent months about returning the car number to Sprint Cup competition with his grandson at the wheel. Earnhardt won six of his titles in RCR's No. 3, and the number still holds a hallowed place among fans.

At the final race weekend of the year, Dillon openly talked about the significance of the number even as he closed in on his second NASCAR national series crown. "I feel the pressure of the number because I want to make it run well for the fans, keep it up front," Dillon said. "It's a very special number to our family. ... Having the opportunity, the equipment, that stuff is always going to be with me from the very beginning. The number is more for me, putting pressure on myself. I like doing that. It's something that pushes me. Not everybody can say they have a number that pushes them, and I can, so that's nice." Dillon, 23, has driven the No. 3 in winning Nationwide (2013) and Camping World Truck Series (2011) titles. He has made 13 Sprint Cup starts -- including 11 in 2013 -- without a top-10 finish, but will enter the series for his first full-time season in 2014. The No. 3 has been driven to victory 97 times in NASCAR's premier series, ranking it third on the all-time list behind No. 11 (203 wins) and No. 43 (198 wins). Childress adopted the number midway through his career as independent driver/owner in tribute to NASCAR Hall of Famer and fellow North Carolinian Junior Johnson. He kept the number when he hung up his driving gloves in 1981, shifting solely to team ownership. After teaming up briefly in the 1981 season, Earnhardt re-established his connection with Childress in 1984, setting the stage for one of the most successful partnerships in NASCAR history. Earnhardt scored all but nine of his 76 career victories at the Cup level driving Childress' No. 3, first in blue-and-yellow Wrangler Jeans livery and starting in 1988, in the black GM Goodwrench paint scheme with silver trim that would define one of the most recognizable and feared cars in stock-car racing. When Earnhardt died in the 2001 season opener, Childress' team returned to the track the following week with Kevin Harvick as his replacement in a white car with a black number 29. Harvick, who will join Stewart-Haas Racing next season, drove for RCR for 13 years in the No. 29 Chevrolet, but the car always competed with a small No. 3 decal in tribute to Earnhardt's legacy with the team.MORE:

The award-winning racer will co-host the show with Trace Adkins live on Fox Tuesday in Las Vegas.

When her agent pitches a new project, Danica Patrick usually makes her decisions on the spot - yes or no - with little hesitation. When the producers of the American Country Awards called and asked if she'd co-host the show, the NASCAR driver took her foot off the gas pedal.

"This is one of the first things where I said, `You know, let me think about that,'" Patrick said. "I just was nervous about doing it, and I kind of wanted to get a few people's opinion: Do you think I can handle this? But they made me feel really comfortable. A few months ago I met with the producers and they said it's going to be easy and you're going to have fun with it. Hopefully they're right."

Patrick will find out when she co-hosts the live Fox broadcast (8 p.m. EST) Tuesday night in Las Vegas with Trace Adkins. Taylor Swift leads all nominees with eight, while Blake Shelton and Florida Georgia Line are up for seven apiece during the fourth annual awards show.

Patrick knows all these names after an 18-month crash course in country music that's left her with the ability to name-check just about everybody in the genre. She says she never really gave country a chance growing up in northern Illinois with an avowed rock `n' roll fan for a dad. But Miranda Lambert changed all that.

Lambert invited Patrick to appear in the 2012 video for her hit "Fastest Girl in Town." It sounded like fun so Patrick signed up. But when she arrived, she was embarrassed to admit she wasn't familiar with Lambert's music.

"So I felt bad and I was like, `I should listen to some of her music,' so I got her new album and got her Pistol Annies album, and I was like, `Man, I think I like country music,'" Patrick said in a phone interview. "I was very ignorant about it, but now I know everything on the radio. I used to listen to more sort of pop, your Katy Perry, (pop) chart music. But now I look at the country top 20 and I know every single one and I know maybe two of them on the Top 20 pop chart. I would definitely say I've transitioned over."

She went on to pass a pop quiz on her favorites, listing Lambert's husband, Shelton, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, The Band Perry, Jake Owen and Lady Antebellum.

Patrick is trying something new in television as well. Long a popular personality and spokeswoman, the driver has done thousands of hours of interviews and commercial shots, and even co-hosted "The View," but acknowledges she's got a lot to learn - and precious few practice laps before the show starts.

"I don't think hosting dinner at my house really counts," Patrick said. "I'm looking forward to it, and with a guy like Trace who's done it for a few years and is such a cool, relaxed guy and so well-known and respected in the music industry, and he has a great personality. We're going to have fun."

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former Iowa Speedway minority owner Rusty Wallace said the track was struggling financially despite sellout crowds and strong local support, and the champion driver welcomes the stability that new owner NASCAR brings to the facility. "It was a nail-biter every single day up there financially, because it wasn't making money. I was just on the border. It was losing money, it was just hanging on for dear life," Wallace said Tuesday during a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "But everybody who sat in the grandstands to watch the (Camping World) Trucks saw this amazing race, and they saw the stands completely full, and they thought, 'Everything's great.' "But at the end of the day when it's all said and done, when everybody's in their car driving home, you could hear a pin drop, and we're adding the money up and it's like -- this is how much went out, and there's not enough coming in. Even though it was so great, it wasn't where it needed to be. The loan was super high on the race track, the interest rate was killer high. Stuff like that really hurt it."

NASCAR announced Nov. 27 that it had purchased the seven-eighths mile track in Newton, Iowa, which has 30,000 permanent seats and has hosted Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series events since 2009. During Champion's Week in Las Vegas, chairman Brian France called the facility an "attractive asset in a region of the country that is very NASCAR-centric," and said the purchase would "give some stability to a facility that needs that." Wallace, who designed the track and remains its public ambassador, said France visited the speedway for its Sept. 8 Truck Series race on the Sunday after the Sprint Cup Series regular-season finale at Richmond. He added that Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR's executive vice president, had also visited the track to see her son Ben compete in races. "We had other buyers that were interested in it, but it was just those deals weren't getting done timely enough," Wallace said. "I think what kind of got them so excited was, Brian heard about the track maybe being for sale, and he came out there on Sunday for our Truck race, after all the Richmond scandal was going on, that next day. He watched the race, and we had a great crowd, and everybody was all excited and pumped up, and he went, 'Wow.' "So then when they heard the track could be bought, I think (France) personally got excited about it. I watched their faces light up, and heard all the positive comments Brian said, and Lesa would say, and (NASCAR President) Mike Helton would say. It makes me feel really good. But it makes me feel great that the race track is in really good hands financially for the outcome of the track." Wallace was at the Hall of Fame to unveil the car in which he won his 50th race in 2000, which will be featured on the facility's revamped Glory Road 2.0 exhibit. The 1989 champion of NASCAR's premier series was originally a 10 percent owner of Iowa Speedway, and said his share was 5 percent at the time of the purchase by NASCAR. Iowa will host two Nationwide Series events, two K&N Pro Series events, and a Camping World Truck Series race in 2014. NASCAR said immediately after the purchase was announced that it had no plans to put a Sprint Cup race in Iowa next season or in the immediate future. Wallace thinks that will eventually change. "NASCAR's got to say what they're saying, but I don't have to. I can say, I think they're going to get one down the road. I know the fans want one bad," Wallace said. "But knowing how many seats are there, and knowing what's going on -- the thing's going to be great, and it's going to be big. But in order to take it to the next step and be really big, there's got to be some kind of state financial involvement in it. Because that race track brings in over $60 million a year in economic impact. There is no NFL or NBA right there. Our race track is the deal. It's real exciting. I just know what's got to happen to take it to the next step. But we all know, with the power of NASCAR and their expertise running race tracks, they'll make it good."MORE:

Nascar's annual season-ending Champions Week concluded in Las Vegas Friday night with a celebration of Jimmie Johnson's sixth Sprint Cup title. Speculation has already begun as to whether he can make it seven championships next year, which would put him among the sport's immortals.

Only Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt have won seven titles.

But Matt Kenseth, who finished runner-up to Johnson in the close 2013 points chase, humorously said he was ready for a changing of the guard.

"Winning that much has to be tiring," Kenseth said. "Go buy yourself an island somewhere, hang out with your family, find a new hobby, spend some of that money and enjoy yourself."

Johnson thanked Hendrick for creating "the winningest racing organization in Nascar history, by caring for the people you employ and treating us all like family."

In other racing news from this week:

■ Jean Todt was re-elected Friday to a second four-year term as president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the sanctioning body that oversees the conduct of major international motorsports series such as Formula One. Todt, a former executive at Peugeot and the Ferrari Formula One team, was unopposed after his lone challenger, David Ward, withdrew his candidacy.

■ Tony Stewart, out of racing since breaking his leg in a sprint car crash last August, warned his fellow Nascar Sprint Cup competitors that he plans to return in February, in time for the Daytona 500.

Stewart, who had been getting around with the help of a motorized cart, a cane and a heavy cast on his surgically reconstructed leg, emphasized his point by walking to the podium to accept the Myers Brothers Award from the National Motorsports Press Association in Las Vegas on Thursday. He said his leg would be healed well enough by Daytona.

■ Mazda collected two class wins - in the E2 and E3 classes - at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race in Northern California over the weekend, fielding race-prepped Mazda 6 Skyactiv-D diesel cars. Another diesel-powered Mazda 6 claimed a podium finish in the E1 class. Mazda also pitted its dealers against factory personnel, with the dealers beating the factory crew.

■ Philippe Favre, 51, a Swiss racing driver, was killed in a skiing accident in France on Saturday. A veteran of Le Mans and F.I.A. racing, he had competed alongside Christophe Ricard in the Le Mans Endurance Racing series from 2003-5. He also owned a company that taught endurance drivers.

CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR postponed its test to determine the 2014 Sprint Cup Series rules package until Wednesday as rain washed out the eight-hour session Monday and more wet weather is predicted for Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

About 30 teams are expected to test prospective packages with a mix of aerodynamic and horsepower modifications to the cars. NASCAR is looking for a better mix to enhance the racing at the 1.5-mile and 2-mile tracks.

NASCAR plans to use the data and feedback from the test to determine the rules for 2014. Among the changes to cars that NASCAR was expected to test were a larger rear spoiler, which would increase rear downforce, and a tapered spacer (think of it as a thicker version of a restrictor plate), which would limit air flow through the engine and decrease horsepower. "We're after some interesting changes to the rules packages," NASCAR Chairman Brian France said last week. "I'm liking what I'm seeing. It's tightening up competition, and that's hallmark. We wake up every day and try to do that."

Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau

The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards began with fireworks from host Jay Mohr and ended with an appreciation for family and fans and a nod to the Hall of Fame path set forth by the night's honoree, six-time champion Jimmie Johnson, who closed the night celebration the late Nelson Mandela.

Before Jimmie took the stage Friday night at Wynn Las Vegas three hours into awards, John Mellencamp opened the annual celebration with two of his hits, giving way to Jay, who proved that nobody was off limits from his pointed humor. (A big thanks to NASCAR for this report.)

The comedian took shots at everyone from future Hall of Famers Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon to this year's rookie candidates Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Acknowledging backlash on social media about his jabs at Danica, Jay backed off his monologue. Camera breakaways to Danica, who is co-hosting Tuesday's 2013 American Country Awards with Trace Adkins at Mandalay Bay Events Center, and her boyfriend Ricky showed that the couple was less than amused by the jokes Jay made at their expense.

"I know you aren't used to being this close to the front," Jay said of Danica's table toward the stage. And after further shots about them wrecking with each other, Danica used the opportunity to respond while accepting a Sprint Fan Choice Award for winning the pole position for the Daytona 500.

"I'm so fortunate to have so many fans, but it's pretty safe to say Jay Mohr is not one of them," she said. When Jay returned to the stage, he said that his Twitter feed had been blowing up about the Danica wisecracks.

Insisting that he wanted to set the record straight, Jay said, "I could not be a bigger Danica fan. I love Danica Patrick, so save your tweets, haters." Later, Clint Bowyer told media, "You better get your cameras out because Danica may kick his ass."

The laughs gave way to poignancy. The awards turned to more serious and respectful tributes to Jimmie's sixth championship run in eight years. Jimmie's team owner Rick Hendrick congratulated his "hero" Roger Penske for the Nationwide Series owners' championship and called Jeff his "biggest recruiter" for urging him to hire Jimmie.

Championship runner-up Matt Kenseth joked that Jimmie should "seriously contemplate retirement. Take up new hobbies! Enjoy yourself! We'll all chip in."

Jimmie, who partied after the awards at Surrender in the adjacent Encore with Dale, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin and singer Gavin DeGraw, was humbled by the words about him throughout the evening from Series sponsors, NASCAR execs and his competitors. When spoken of alongside the only other six-time champions, Hall of Famers Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt, Jimmie was moved.

"To do something only those two have done is crazy and wild, and we're all indebted to them," he said. Then after thanking his team, Rick, crew chief Chad Knaus (who sat with Jimmie's 3-year-old daughter Genevieve at the head table), fans and his family, Jimmie quoted from Mandela to end the evening.

"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way little else does," Jimmie said. "That's true. And that's NASCAR."

Comedian Jay Mohr tackled the season's biggest controversy and skewered some of NASCAR's biggest stars without mercy in a topical monologue

LAS VEGAS - NASCAR saluted immortality with a dash of irreverence Friday night at its 2013 Sprint Cup Series awards ceremony.

For the sixth time, the focal point was Jimmie Johnson, who is one championship short of tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the all-time mark.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver downplayed his achievements, though, in a typically humble champion's address at the Wynn ballroom. Johnson said he found comfort in Earnhardt's speech after his sixth title.

"He was just as nervous up here as the rest of us are, and that built a lot of comfort up here in me tonight," he said. "To do something only two men have done is crazy, wild and humbling, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity. We're all indebted to them for their contributions to the sport, so mad respect and props to them."

In a seven-minute speech, Johnson hardly focused on a season in which he notched six victories, his second Daytona 500 win and a payout of $5,226,405 from title sponsor Sprint.

"This was clearly a huge year professionally, but personally it was so much more," said Johnson, whose wife, Chandra, gave birth to their second daughter in September. "Being a parent is the greatest thing I've ever experienced in my life, and I love my girls so much."

He closed with a quote from Nelson Mandela, the human rights activist and Nobel Prize winner who died Thursday.

"Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does," Johnson said. "And that's NASCAR."

It was a rare instance of gravitas in a mostly light-hearted affair. Many Sprint Cup drivers said the ceremony's highlight was comedian Jay Mohr, who returned to host after a seven-year absence.

There were no sacred cows as Mohr tackled the season's biggest controversy and skewered some of the sport's biggest stars without mercy in a topical monologue:

--Mohr joked that a Wynn valet attendant tweeted that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wanted him to park his car in victory lane, but his GPS couldn't find it.

--There were several shots at Jeff Gordon being added as the 13th driver in this year's Chase after the team orders scandal at Richmond International Raceway, suggesting the four-time champion would be added to the Best Picture category in the Oscars. "I have breaking news right here in my earpiece," Mohr said. "This just in: Jeff Gordon has been added to the BCS championship game. It's going to be Jeff against Florida State."

Host Jay Mohr dons a championship ring hat during his salute to Jimmie Johnson Friday night.(Photo: Jared C. Tilton, NASCAR via Getty Images)

He later said Jimmie Johnson should consider retiring or, "do what Jeff Gordon did - win four (championships) and then quit."

--Clint Bowyer also was lampooned for his spin that started the chicanery at Richmond and that he initially defended staunchly as being unintentional. "Clint, Clint, Clint, how's that poison oak treating you, brother?" Mohr asked, referring to Bowyer's crew chief telling him to "itch" his arm just before the spin. "I guess I'm not the only bad actor here."

On Bowyer's recent engagement, Mohr said, "You're going to be great at marriage since you're already good at apologizing at things you may or may not have done."

--But the juiciest target was Danica Patrick, who was attending the ceremony with boyfriend and rookie of the year winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. "Danica, I hope you are not too uncomfortable tonight," Mohr said. "I know you're not used to being this close to the front."

The news drew steely glares from Stenhouse and Patrick, who returned fire while accepting a Sprint award later in the show. "I'd like to thank all of my fans, and I think it's pretty safe to say that Jay Mohr's not one of them."

The second half of the show began with an apology by Mohr, who said he "could not be more of a Danica Patrick fan," bringing smiles from Patrick and Stenhouse.

But Mohr's humor went over well, even with those who bore the brunt of it such as Earnhardt, Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick. Virtually all the top 10 drivers who were honored Saturday heartily endorsed the routine.

"He's had a hell of a night," Bowyer said. "I don't know who's writing his stuff, but I'm impressed. Danica's going to kick his (butt)."

In his speech, Gordon cracked he omitted a joke because he thought it wasn't funny but should have included it because "Jay Mohr's been doing it for years."

The four-time champion later said Mohr was a good friend who did well and added he liked when the NASCAR industry could laugh at itself.

"We're a sport that just doesn't get it sometimes," Gordon said. "I don't think Jay Mohr expects everyone in this audience to laugh, because some of those things are sort of true. That's the tough part about being a comedian and why I don't put jokes into my speech."

Joey Logano said Mohr was "hilarious, the best part of the show" and took his own shot at Tony Stewart, who had accused Logano of having a privileged upbringing after a March altercation at Auto Club Speedway.

"All you guys have silver spoons," Logano told the crowd. "I'm confused that Tony Stewart's not here giving you a hard time about that."

Mohr's humor seemed infectious as many drivers' speeches were filled with quips. Among the best were from Matt Kenseth, who finished runner-up in the standings despite a series-high seven wins.

"Jimmie, I hope you seriously contemplate retirement," Kenseth said. "Buy yourself an island. Take up some new hobbies. Enjoy yourself! We'll all chip in."

NASCAR has tweaked its Hall of Fame eligibility rules and selection process as it starts to put together its sixth induction class.

The main change is with driver eligibility. Previously, only drivers who had been retired for at least three years were eligible.

But with many star drivers still racing periodically, NASCAR added exceptions to allow any 55-year-old driver who had raced in NASCAR for 10 years to be eligible or any driver who had competed in NASCAR for 30 years to be eligible.

MORE: France was angry over Richmond | Owens: Johnson the best ever | NBC broadcast team

That has added several star drivers who will now be eligible for the 2015 class, including former Cup champions Terry Labonte and Bill Elliott as well as Mark Martin.

PHOTOS: Year in Review: NASCAR's biggest moments

NASCAR also will reduce the number of nominees from 25 to 20. The panel that chooses the nominees will now meet in-person and debate prior to voting rather than just by doing it by mail as in the past.

NASCAR will continue to induct five members each year. The five people who receive the most votes - each of the voting panel picks five in no specific order - get into the hall of fame.

NASCAR Vice President Brett Jewkes said that NASCAR will revisit its selection process in another five years.

Dale Jarrett highlights the next hall class to be inducted in January, joing Tim Flock, Maurice Petty, Fireball Roberts and Jack Ingram.

Jimmie Johnson will be honored Friday night for winning his sixth Sprint Cup championship this season.

Johnson's sixth title in eight years puts him one away from matching Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt and has sparked debate about whether he now rivals the two legends as the greatest NASCAR driver ever.

There really is no debate. Whether he ties Petty and Earnhardt or not, Johnson already has established himself as the best driver the sport has ever seen.

MORE: Sprint Cup team grades | NBC names broadcast team | Advice for Jeff Burton | NASCAR vs. F1

Petty and Earnhardt each were great in their own way. Petty arguably is the most important figure in NASCAR history. Along with founder Bill France Sr., no one has done more to put the sport on the map and get it to where it is today.

Earnhardt was the most polarizing figure in the sport's history, energizing the fan base and attracting an enormous following. In fact, no one knew how big and influential he really was until his death in 2001. Like Petty, he was directly responsible for the growth of NASCAR as a national sport.

PHOTOS: Johnson's season | Year in Review: NASCAR's biggest moments | NASCAR families

For years, they have been the central figures in NASCAR's hottest and longest running debate: Which one is NASCAR's greatest driver? Is it Petty with his 200 wins, seven championships and worldwide notoriety? Or Earnhardt with seven titles and his magical presence and dominating performance in the boom years of the '80s and '90s?

But Johnson has surpassed them both by dominating the most competitive era in NASCAR history and winning six championships under the sport's most challenging format.

Longtime fans, of course, will disagree, arguing that no one will ever match the greatness of Petty and Earnhardt. Indeed, they currently are the most accomplished drivers in the sport, both hall of famers, and always will be considered untouchable among their legions of fans.

But Johnson will soon match Earnhardt in victories (76) and likely will tie and possibly surpass both in championships, laying claim to the undisputed title as greatest ever. But based on what he has done in the past decade, I believe he's already there.

Consider:

* Johnson is the only driver in NASCAR history to win five straight championships and one of only two to win three straight. Petty (twice) and Earnhardt (three times) each won back-to-back titles, but never three in a row.

Johnson also has been more dominant during his reign, winning six championships in eight years. Earnhardt's best streak was six titles in nine years (86-94), while Petty's was five in nine years (71-79).

* Johnson's reign has come in the most competitive era in NASCAR history. There is little arguing that point.

Not only are there more competitive teams now but there are more winning teams and drivers. When Petty won his first championship in 1964, only seven different drivers won races that year. When he won again in 1975, only five drivers won races.

The most drivers that won races during one of Petty's championship seasons was 12 in 1967 and '71 - an era when drivers still ran 40 or more races in a season.

Earnhardt's championships came against 14 winning drivers twice, and 13 once. But there were at least 12 winners in each of Johnson's six championship seasons, including 16 in 2007 and 17 this season.

During Johnson's six championship seasons, there were an average of 14 winners per season, compared to 11.8 during Earnhardt's championship years and just 8.7 during Petty's.

* You could also argue that Earnhardt and Johnson have beaten better title contenders, overall, than Petty. Three of Petty's seven championships came against James Hylton (twice) and Dave Marcis, who won a grand total of seven races between them. Petty's biggest rival and greatest challenger - David Pearson - never ran the full Cup schedule and didn't compete for the title after 1969.

It wasn't until the modern era (starting in 1972), that Petty faced stiff competition, beating such greats as Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip for the championship. Petty won three championships from 1972-79, but he also lost the title four times - three to Yarborough and once to Benny Parsons.

Earnhardt beat a variety of top contenders, including Yarborough, Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Ricky Rudd, Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin, for the championship.

Johnson also has beaten a variety of challengers, including Matt Kenseth (twice), Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Martin and Denny Hamlin.

* Johnson's 66 career victories compare favorably to Petty and Earnhardt based on the era he has raced in.

No one will ever match Petty's 200 career wins, of course. But the majority of those came in the 1960s (101) or before the modern era (140), when drivers ran 40-50 races a season, and Petty almost always ran more events than anyone else.

Perhaps most impressively, Petty's 200 wins came in 1,184 career starts for a winning percentage of 16.8, second only to Pearson's 18.2.

Earnhardt won 76 races in 676 starts, or 11.2 percent of his races. He dominated the late-80s and early-90s, winning 53 races from 1986-95.

Johnson already has 66 career wins in just 435 starts, a winning percentage of 15 percent.

* Johnson also rivals Petty and Earnhardt in terms of signature victories and dominating certain tracks.

Petty, of course, dominated at Daytona, where he won the Daytona 500 a record seven times and has a record 10 points victories.

But he won the Southern 500 only once and had only three wins at Darlington. He won five times at Charlotte, but won the Coca-Cola 600 only twice. Petty's dominance came on the short tracks - many which don't exist anymore - where he scored a record 15 wins at Martinsville and 13 at Richmond.

Earnhardt also dominated several tracks, winning nine races each at Bristol, Darlington and Atlanta and 10 at Talladega. And though he only won the Daytona 500 once, he did have some big-event victories, including three Southern 500s, three Coca-Cola 600s and the Brickyard 400 once.

By comparison, Johnson already has racked up several big victories, including two Daytona 500 wins. He has won the Brickyard 400 a record four times, the Coca-Cola 600 three times and the Southern 500 once. He also has four all-star race wins, one more than Earnhardt.

* Johnson's six championships have come under a more difficult championship format.

This is a debate that will rage for decades and one that sets off longtime fans who believe the season-long points format was more difficult and more significant than the Chase, which was implemented in 2004 and has played into Johnson's hands.

Earnhardt won all seven of his championships under NASCAR's traditional, season-long points system. Quite simply, points were accumulated in each race and the driver with the most at the end of the season was crowned the champion.

Petty won all seven titles under that basic format, running 40 to 60 races a year prior to 1972 and 28 to 31 from '72 until his last championship in '79. But his first three championships came under a different system. For instance, he won his first championship with 40,252 points accumulated in 61 races.

Johnson has won all six of his championships during the Chase, an intense 10-race shootout that has featured anywhere from 10 to 13 drivers. With points reset after the 26-race regular season, the pressure is much more intense during the Chase, as it is just to make the playoffs.

Petty battled through just two close championship races, beating Bobby Allison by 128 points in 1972 - the first season of the modern era and new points system - and Darrell Waltrip by just 11 in 1979. Under the old, wacky system, he won his first two titles by 5,302 and 6,028 points. Even during the modern era, Petty sometimes didn't have much competition, winning by 567 points in 1974 and 722 in 1975.

Earnhardt had two really close battles, holding off Cale Yarborough by 19 points for his first title in 1980 and Mark Martin by 26 in 1990. But he also wrapped up the title early in four of his seven championship seasons, including margins of 489 points in 1987 and 444 in 1994.

Under the Chase format, Johnson has had relatively close battles each season. His largest margin was 141 points over Mark Martin in 2009, his closest 19 points over Kenseth this year. But he also had close down-to-the-wire battles with Jeff Gordon in 2007 and Denny Hamlin in 2010.

Johnson's fifth straight championship in 2010 put him in the conversation about NASCAR's greatest driver. His sixth title seals the debate.

NASCAR and Formula 1 will battle for racing supremacy in Texas as the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix race in Austin will be run on Nov. 2, the same day as the Sprint Cup race in Fort Worth.

Originally, the Formula 1 race was one week later but Formula 1 announced a change in its schedule Wednesday after dropping three previously tentatively scheduled events.

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Texas Motor Speedway, where NASCAR will hold the eighth race of its 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup, is about 220 miles from Circuit of the Americas.

The announced attendance for the Formula 1 race at COTA last November was 113,162. TMS does not announce attendance figures but it is reducing its grandstand capacity to 112,552 for 2014 with infield admission also available.

"It's a foolish move by Formula 1," TMS President Eddie Gossage said in a statement Wednesday. "Our two NASCAR Sprint Cup races draw the two largest crowds in Texas sports. It isn't the smartest move to try to compete with that.

"I'm sure regardless of what they say publicly, the folks at the Austin track are pulling their hair out over this one. They don't have any say over their date."

The Formula 1 race the last two years has conflicted with NASCAR's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"Due to the large number of NASCAR events scheduled annually, there will occasionally be overlaps with events at Circuit of The Americas, and that will happen next year," COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein said in a news release. "However there are few similarities between a NASCAR race and the Formula 1 weekend we have developed. The F1 USGP is a massive, fun and entertaining experience that has performed well against all kinds of competition.

"Many members of the public were concerned that our first F1 race fell on the same date as the season-ending NASCAR race in Florida, and it proved to be a non-issue. Ultimately, we see this as a great opportunity to draw sports fans from around the world to Texas and to proving again that Austin is the place to enjoy premium racing and entertainment."

In 2014, the NASCAR race will be televised on ESPN while the Formula 1 race will be on NBC. Starting in 2015, NBC will have rights to both events, which at least would likely mean different starting times if they ran on the same day.

NASCAR will honor Jimmie Johnson and his sixth Sprint Cup championship over the next three days in Las Vegas.

Championship week will begin with a fan event today at 4:30 p.m. ET at the Fremont Street Experience. The free event includes drivers walking down a red carpet and signing autographs for fans, followed by an event that typically takes on a game show format.

The rest of the main weekend activities will be streamed on NASCAR.com, starting with the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday.

MORE: Biggest surprises | Biggest disappointments | Banquet should stay in Vegas | Who drivers should thank

That event will be followed by the NASCAR victory Lap with the 13 Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers driving show cars down The Strip. There typically is a burnout or two. That event starts at 6:30 p.m. ET Thursday.

PHOTOS: NASCAR's biggest moments

Following the parade of cars, the drivers will take part in the "NASCAR After The Lap" event at the Palms Casino Hotel. That event, an unscripted and no-holds-barred event that sometimes features some good-natured digs at the champion, starts at 8 p.m. ET. Both the th eparade and the "NASCAR After the Lap" will be streamed on the NASCAR website.

Finally, NASCAR will have its awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Friday, where the top 10 drivers will be honored. The event - hosted by comedian Jay Mohr with musical performances by John Mellencamp, Dierks Bentley and Sara Bareilles - will be streamed on NASCAR's website with the radio broadcast streamed on Motor Racing Network as well as SiriusXM. Fox Sports 2 coverage, which will be on a delay, begins at 9 p.m. ET, with replays on Fox Sports 1 at 1 a.m. ET Saturday and noon Sunday.

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS -- Jeff Burton became NBC Sports Group's first hire for the broadcast booth when the network decided the respected driver was a must-have analyst for its upcoming NASCAR coverage.

NBCUniversal has the exclusive rights to the final 20 Sprint Cup Series races and final 19 Nationwide Series events beginning in 2015 and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content also beginning in 2015. The network last covered NASCAR between 2001 and 2006.

The multiyear hiring of Burton was announced Tuesday in Las Vegas at the Motorsports Marketing Forum, the official kick-off of NASCAR's Champion's Week.

"Jeff Burton was always the first person we would seek out when there was breaking news or an issue that needed to be covered throughout our previous contract with NASCAR, so he was the first person we called for this role," said NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood.

"His insights, keen observations and many trophies have earned the respect of everyone involved with the sport," Flood added. "He will be an outstanding analyst, and has everyone here looking even more forward to getting started."

Burton's career as a full-time driver is ending in 2014. The 21-time Sprint Cup winner parted ways with Richard Childress Racing at the end of the season, and Ryan Newman is replacing him at RCR.

He's not done in the car, though. Michael Waltrip Racing said Monday Burton will be a test driver for the team in 2014 and drive in select races. Flood said Burton will split his time in 2014 with MWR and contributing to NASCAR programming on NBC Sports Network.

"This is an exciting new challenge and I am thrilled to be joining the NBC Sports family," said Burton. "I will prepare for each race as if I were driving in it, and I look forward to sharing my experience, views and insights with all the dedicated and passionate NASCAR fans."

Known as "The Mayor" throughout the NASCAR garage, Burton, 46, has long taken a leadership role among drivers and has been outspoken on many topics. His opinions are found to be knowledge-based and based on a desire to do what's best for the auto racing industry.

Burton said it will be a transition to the television booth, where he can speak freely about drivers he's been racing against since 1988.

"I'm used to having to be a little more diplomatic ... because when you're racing against people, you essentially live with them," he said. "You've got to make sure you can get along, and I think that's still got to continue. But at the same time, you've got to call it the way you see it."

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2013) -- Tony Stewart fans have spoken, and they've made it clear that they cannot wait to see the driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet back on the track, even if it is on the cover of a video game. NASCAR announced today that fans worldwide have cast more than 700,000 votes in the "Drive for the Cover" campaign, ultimately selecting three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Stewart to appear on the cover of NASCAR '14. Stewart has appeared on the cover of the officially licensed NASCAR game twice before, but this is the first time he was selected by fans.

"Being selected by the fans to be on the cover of NASCAR '14 is a huge honor," said Stewart, co-owner and driver for Stewart-Haas Racing. "It's been a long couple of months, but my fans' passion has been one of the driving factors in helping me rehab and my ability to prepare for returning to the race car in February."

It was clear early on that Stewart was going to be hard to defeat. During the five-week contest, conducted entirely on Facebook, Stewart dominated each round of the competition. Stewart's closest opposition came in the final round against another fan favorite, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. Stewart accumulated nearly one-fifth of all the votes cast during the "Drive for the Cover" campaign.

"In the midst of a racing season cut short by injury, the number of fans who voted for Tony speaks volumes about the excitement surrounding his return," said Blake Davidson, NASCAR vice president of licensing and consumer products. "For a campaign that was heavily driven by social media, the more than 700,000 votes cast in the 'Drive for the Cover' campaign is a testament to the social media prowess of our industry and fans."

NASCAR '14 is scheduled for release in early 2014 on the PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, for the suggested retail price of $49.99. Stay tuned for the official release date and a first look at the game soon.

It's NASCAR Sprint Cup banquet week, which means it's time for drivers to make speeches that are part thanks to their team, sponsors and family, part comedy and part improvisation.

Typically, the speeches are well scripted, sometimes by the driver and sometimes by a representative of his team. NASCAR puts time limits on them, and some drivers stick to them and some don't.

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Here are some suggestions for people these drivers need to thank.

Stenhouse will have one of the first speeches of the week Thursday when he accepts the Sprint Cup rookie of the year award.

So how will he include girlfriend Danica Patrick, whom he beat for the award, into his speech?

Maybe he should say: "Thanks, honey, for losing to me most weeks."

Nah, that sounds a bit too condescending and might not make his girlfriend too happy.

Maybe it should be: "Thanks, honey, for the awesome meals you cooked for me during the season. And thanks for not putting a laxative in them."

That way he acknowledges their relationship, compliments his popular girlfriend and thanks her all in one breath.

One of the other major speeches Thursday will be delivered by championship crew chief Chad Knaus.

Knaus should start off by saying: "I need to thank Jimmie Johnson, Chandra Johnson, Jimmie Johnson, Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson and the rest of the team."

That would give the proper credit to the person most responsible for their six championships together.

Johnson will thank his boss, Rick Hendrick. He will thank Knaus. He will thank his team and his sponsor and his family.

But one guy he really needs to thank, as he often does, is Jeff Gordon.

Gordon was the driver who saw him test at Darlington Raceway years ago and thought that Hendrick really needed to hire Johnson, who had not exactly had a great record in the Nationwide Series.

So maybe Johnson should end his speech like this: "Thanks, Jeff, for endorsing me for this ride. And thanks for struggling so much in the last decade so that I could win six titles."

Hendrick needs to thank Geoff Bodine.

It was Bodine who won that first race for Hendrick at Martinsville Speedway in 1984 when Hendrick wasn't sure he would be able to afford to continue racing if the team wasn't successful.

While Hendrick can be stubborn and loves racing enough that he probably would have found a way to continue, that victory helped keep the doors open at Hendrick Motorsports and set the foundation for what is now one of the sport's powerhouses.

Kenseth should thank the Roush Fenway Racing marketing department for being unable to land him sponsorship for 2013. That sparked his decision to go to Joe Gibbs Racing and have a breakout season.

Harvick should thank Richard Childress for being supportive at times when he could have easily told Harvick to pack it up and hit the road. Instead, Childress stuck by Harvick through some tough times and through their final season together and they finished third in the standings for the third time in the last four years.

Busch should thank his wife, Samantha. Not that he won't or doesn't thank her enough already, but her influence has played a key role in his success, according to many who have worked with him.

He needs to thank NASCAR for not having a "podium" for the top three finishers each week, where he would have had to be in victory lane and watch the winning driver celebrate. Earnhardt would have had to do that seven times this season, including four times in the final 10 races.

Gordon needs to thank Brian France, of course. Without France, there's no decision to add a 13th driver - Gordon - to the Chase field after the shenanigans at Richmond. Without that move, Gordon would have finished no better than 13th.

Bowyer needs to thank his girlfriend for accepting his marriage proposal so he will have something positive to talk about during championship weekend rather than the Richmond controversy and his disappointing season.

Logano probably needs to thank AJ Allmendinger, whose drug policy violation resulted in Logano landing at Penske Racing. And he needs to thank the whole committee at Penske that chose to hire him.

He should thank NASCAR for not forgetting about him at the banquet. He is the top-10 driver who made the least noise in 2013.

He needs to thank everyone and anyone who helped him stay out of trouble and confrontations with the media this year. Busch handled himself reasonably well and it paid off with a Chase appearance and a better ride for next season.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR Digital Media entered uncharted territory on Jan. 3, 2013, when it flipped the switch on a brand new digital experience and suite of mobile apps. Now, nearly 11 months and a full NASCAR racing season later, the new digital platform is registering an 11 percent year-over-year increase in monthly unique visitors, highlighted by the platform's mobile capabilities. "NASCAR has made a concerted effort to leverage technology in everything we do in an attempt to enhance competition and bring fans closer to the sport they love," said Marc Jenkins, vice president of NASCAR Digital Media. "We designed and built our new digital platform with this in mind, utilizing cutting edge technology to enhance the user experience and maximize engagement. In just one year, the numbers reflect that NASCAR's digital platform has become a destination our fans are able to enjoy regardless of where they are and what device they are using."

Furthermore, NASCAR Digital Media's two new mobile apps, NASCAR Mobile '13 and NASCAR RaceView Mobile '13, saw a total of 2.4 million downloads worldwide. Through its first full season, the new digital platform also boasts: ? 7.2 million average monthly unique visitors; ? An increase of 24 percent in race-day visits year-over-year; ? An increase of 35 percent in race-day visits during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup yearover-year; ? More than 34 percent of NASCAR.com traffic via mobile devices; ? More than 50 percent increase in NASCAR FANTASY LIVE registrations year-over-year; and ? Nearly 60 million total cross-platform video views. With the 2013 season now in the rearview mirror, NASCAR Digital Media has shifted its focus to finding new ways to enhance and optimize the digital platform for 2014. "One of our primary goals in year one was to maximize the fan experience throughout the race weekend, and we believe we made significant strides toward that in 2013," Jenkins said. "Moving forward, we'll be sharpening our focus on how to further engage and more deeply interact with fans, as well as make content easier to find during the week." NASCAR.com has already been fitted with a new navigation bar, which houses top news, videos and race information all in one place, allowing fans to more easily find the content they are looking for. In 2013, the News and Media section, located just below the fold on the homepage, will also undergo major changes this offseason. Changes will include a reorganization and reprioritization of the latest and most popular news, stories, social media information, race highlights and short-form video features. In addition to a cleaner look, the News and Media page will group content vertically by sections. Once re-launched, this highly trafficked section will feature a more user-friendly design for easier navigability, allowing for deeper engagement of the very best NASCAR content. Other changes coming before 2014 Speedweeks include an enhanced 'hero' (main image and accompanying story link on the homepage), appointment viewing of original content, better interactivity between stories and video and new versions of both mobile apps. The 2014 NASCAR season officially gets underway with the 56th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Daytona International Speedway. The Great American Race will air live on FOX, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

Industry veteran Jeff Behnke named Charlotte-based VP of NASCAR production

NBC is in the initial stages of assembling the team that will begin broadcasting NASCAR events in 2015, and the first major addition is someone well familiar with the world of stock car racing. Jeff Behnke, who worked in NASCAR production for over two decades during a long tenure at Turner Sports, on Monday was named to head the day-to-day operations of the group that will air races on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Behnke, who will carry the title of vice president of NASCAR production, will operate out of Charlotte, N.C., marking the first time the head of a network's NASCAR production team will be based in the sport's hub.

"Jeff Behnke's talent, creativity and experience make him the kind of leader that we want on our team," Sam Flood, executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network, said in a release. "Jeff is going to add a great deal to our partnership with NASCAR, and I am thrilled to welcome him to the NBC Sports family." Behnke's expertise covers all aspects of production, including live remotes, studio broadcasts and on-air talent acquisitions. Behnke, who has amassed a record of leading production teams covering NASCAR as well as several other sports, will work closely with Flood during the lead-up to NBC Sports Group's highly anticipated return to NASCAR. "It's an honor and a privilege to join NBC Sports," said Behnke, an Emmy Award winner who will start in his new position in January. "I'm looking forward to this opportunity to be a part of NBC's history of excellence in sports television and unmatched leadership." Prior to joining NBC Sports Group, Behnke served as executive producer of Turner Sports for seven years, where he coordinated and provided strategic direction for all productions and personnel covering NASCAR, NBA, Major League Baseball and several of golf's major championships. Behnke's appointment to executive producer was the culmination of a 27-year run at Turner that included more than two decades of NASCAR production experience. Behnke began his production career at ABC, where he worked on a variety of events including the Indianapolis 500. This past July, NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached a comprehensive agreement that grants NBC Universal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series events, select NASCAR Regional and Touring Series events, and other live content beginning in 2015. With this partnership, NBC's 20 Sprint Cup race schedule includes a designation as the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The season finale will return to network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Of NBC Sports Group's 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with 13 airing on NBC Sports Network. Four of NBC Sports Group's 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series races will air on NBC, with 15 airing on NBC Sports Network.MORE: