2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series
The 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 34th season of the 2nd tier NASCAR Xfinity Series, a professional stock car racing tour in North America. It began with the Alert Today Florida 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, and ended with the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 21. Chase Elliott entered the 2015 season as the defending series champion. Chris Buescher won the championship.
The 2015 season marked two major changes; Comcast's cable brand Xfinity replaced Nationwide Insurance as title sponsor of the series,[1] while Fox, Fox Sports 1, NBC and NBCSN broadcast the series' races, replacing the ESPN networks and ABC.
Teams and drivers
Complete schedule
Limited schedule
Driver and team changes
- Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, and 2014 K&N Pro Series East champion Ben Rhodes moved to the No. 88 with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for JR Motorsports. Kahne also drove a single race in the No. 5.
- Austin Dillon ran the majority of the Xfinity races for RCR in the No. 33. Brandon Jones ran part-time.
- With Turner Scott Motorsports disbanding, Kyle Larson and ARCA Racing Series driver Brennan Poole shared the No. 42 Camaro under the Chip Ganassi Racing banner, while Dylan Kwasniewski left the team.
- Daniel Suárez began running a full schedule in 2015 for Joe Gibbs Racing.
- Elliott Sadler ran the full 2015 schedule with Roush Fenway Racing in the No. 1.
- Darrell Wallace, Jr. moved up from the Camping World Truck Series to run the full 2015 schedule with Roush Fenway Racing in No. 6, replacing Trevor Bayne.
- Athenian Motorsports's Xfinity program switched to Chevrolet and moved up full-time, with John Wes Townley running at least 18 races. Dylan Lupton, runner up in the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, drove the No. 25 Chevrolet in 7 races.
- Eric McClure departed TriStar Motorsports for a full-time seat with JGL Racing. McClure used the number 24, which he previously used with Front Row Motorsports and Team Rensi Motorsports, while the team switched to Toyota. McClure would return to TriStar after 9 races with JGL, bringing the No. 24 with him, at which time Mike Bliss departed the team; McClure inherited his owner points (JGL retained the owner points McClure scored in the first nine races and reassigned them to the No. 26) while the No. 19 was reassigned to the start-and-park team and Jeff Green.
- Cale Conley ran the full season for TriStar Motorsports after running part-time with Richard Childress Racing in 2014. Conley replaced McClure in the No. 14 Camry. However, Conley failed to complete the season after sponsorship dried up.[77]
- Blake Koch started running full-time for TriStar in the No. 8 Camry after running the team's 10, 44, and 91 cars in 2014.
- David Starr ran full-time for TriStar Motorsports in the No. 44 Toyota after running 13 races for the team in 2014.
- Ross Chastain started racing full-time JD Motorsports in the No. 4 Chevrolet, replacing Jeffrey Earnhardt. Earnhardt would move to Viva Motorsports, splitting the ride with Jamie Dick.
- Harrison Rhodes competed for Rookie of the Year honors with JD Motorsports, driving the No. 0 Chevrolet.
Schedule
The Buckle Up 200 at Dover International Speedway in May
The Hisense 200 at Dover International Speedway in October
The 2015 schedule was announced on August 26, 2014.
No. |
Race title |
Track |
Date |
1 |
Alert Today Florida 300 |
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach |
February 21 |
2 |
Hisense 250 |
Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton |
February 28 |
3 |
Boyd Gaming 300 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas |
March 7 |
4 |
Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 |
Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale |
March 14 |
5 |
Drive4Clots.com 300 |
Auto Club Speedway, Fontana |
March 21 |
6 |
O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 |
Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth |
April 10 |
7 |
Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 |
Bristol Motor Speedway, Tennessee |
April 18 |
8 |
Toyota Care 250 |
Richmond International Raceway, Richmond |
April 24 |
9 |
Winn-Dixie 300 |
Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln |
May 2 |
10 |
3M 250 |
Iowa Speedway, Newton |
May 17 |
11 |
Hisense 300 |
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord |
May 23 |
12 |
Buckle Up 200 |
Dover International Speedway, Dover |
May 30 |
13 |
Great Clips 250 |
Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn |
June 13 |
14 |
Owens Corning AttiCat 300 |
Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet |
June 21† |
15 |
Subway Firecracker 250 |
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach |
July 4 |
16 |
Kentucky 300 |
Kentucky Speedway, Sparta |
July 10 |
17 |
Lakes Region 200 |
New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon |
July 18 |
18 |
Lilly Diabetes 250 |
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway |
July 25 |
19 |
U.S. Cellular 250 |
Iowa Speedway, Newton |
August 1 |
20 |
Zippo 200 at the Glen |
Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen |
August 8 |
21 |
Nationwide Children's Hospital 200 |
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington |
August 15 |
22 |
Food City 300 |
Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol |
August 21 |
23 |
Road America 180 fired up by Johnsonville |
Road America, Elkhart Lake |
August 29 |
24 |
VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 |
Darlington Raceway, Darlington |
September 5 |
25 |
Virginia529 College Savings 250 |
Richmond International Raceway, Richmond |
September 11 |
26 |
Furious 7 300 |
Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet |
September 19 |
27 |
VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 |
Kentucky Speedway, Sparta |
September 26 |
28 |
Hisense 200 |
Dover International Speedway, Delaware |
October 3 |
29 |
Drive for the Cure 300 |
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord |
October 9 |
30 |
Kansas Lottery 300 |
Kansas Speedway, Kansas City |
October 17 |
31 |
O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge |
Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth |
November 7 |
32 |
DAV 200 Presented by Great Clips |
Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale |
November 14 |
33 |
Ford EcoBoost 300 |
Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead |
November 21 |
†: The Owens Corning AttiCat 300 was postponed a day because of persistent rain.[78] |
Results and standings
Races
Drivers' championship
(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by final practice results or rainout. * – Most laps led. 1 – Post entry, driver and owner did not score points.
Owners' championship (Top 15)
(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by final practice results or rainout. * – Most laps led.
Manufacturers' championship
See also
References
- ↑ Bromberg, Nick (September 3, 2014). "It's official: Xfinity Series to replace Nationwide Series in 2015". From the Marbles. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ↑ "A Great American Day at the Races with Charlie's Soap and Derrike Cope". Derrike Cope Racing. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ↑ Associated Press (December 11, 2014). "Ganassi and Harry Scott to field 1 Xfinity entry". USA Today. Charlotte, North Carolina: USA Today. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ↑ "HScott Motorsports with Chip Ganassi Expands Partnership with ENEOS on Larson's No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro in NASCAR XFINITY Series". HScott Motorsports. February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ↑ "HScott Motorsports with Chip Ganassi Partners with DC Solar Solutions for the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series Season". HScott Motorsports. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ↑ Knight, Chris (March 14, 2015). "Strong XFINITY Debut Adds Two Additional Races For Brennan Poole". Catchfence. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ↑ "HScott Motorsports with Chip Ganassi Announces Justin Marks to Compete in Two NASCAR XFINITY Series Road Course Races". HScott Motorsports. May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- 1 2 "Harrison Rhodes to drive full time for JD Motorsports in 2015". Harrison Rhodes PR. January 18, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ↑ "G&K SERVICES RETURNS AS CASSILL SPONSOR". JD Motorsports. December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
- 1 2 Knight, Chris (January 26, 2015). "Ross Chastain Lands New Ride For 2015". Catchfence. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
- ↑ "Jeremy Clements Racing announces plans for 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series". Catchfence. January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ↑ "Gase Back With Jimmy Means Racing in 2015". Joey Gase PR. January 13, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ↑ "REGAN SMITH STAYING WITH JRM IN 2015". NASCAR. October 1, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- 1 2 Turner, Jared (December 3, 2014). "JR Motorsports names two new crew chiefs, will field three full-time cars". Foxsports.com. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- 1 2 "Ernie Cope to Crew Chief Chase Elliott in 2015". JR Motorsports. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ Albert, Zack (October 26, 2014). "Goody's expands support of Dale, Jr., JRM". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- 1 2 "JRM and Pinnacle Foods Extend Sponsorship Agreement". JR Motorsports. October 8, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ↑ "Hunt Brothers Pizza Returns as Primary Sponsor of Kevin Harvick in Four 2015 NASCAR Races". Hunt Brothers Pizza. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Ben Rhodes to Join All-Star Lineup in JRM's No. 88 Chevrolet". JR Motorsports. December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- 1 2 "KING AUTOSPORT FIELDING TWO XFINITY CARS AT DAYTONA". NASCAR. February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Jimmy Weller to run limited NASCAR XFINITY Series schedule in 2015". Jimmy Weller PR. February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Scott extends partnership with Richard Childress Racing". Motorsport.com. November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Mike Hillman, Jr. to Lead No. 2 XFINITY Series Team". Richard Childress Racing. November 25, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ↑ "RCR and Yuengling Extend Partnership". Richard Childress Racing. September 24, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- 1 2 "RCR swaps No. 3 and No. 33 NASCAR XFINITY Series crew chiefs". Richard Childress Racing. June 24, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- ↑ "Austin Dillon and Rheem Team for 2015 Xfinity Series". Richard Childress Racing. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Menards to Continue Partnership with RCR's No. 33 NXS Team". Richard Childress Racing. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ↑ "RCR Adds Brandon Jones to Its 2015 Driver Lineup". Richard Childress Racing. November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
- ↑ "RCR and South Point Hotel and Casino Extend Partnership". Richard Childress Racing. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Sieg returns to NASCAR Xfinity Series action with Uncle Bob's Self Storage". RSS Racing. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- 1 2 Spencer, Lee (December 15, 2014). "Kerr takes reins of No. 43 XFINITY team". Motorsport.com. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
- ↑ "OneMain Financial to Sponsor Roush Fenway Racing No. 1 Ford Mustang and Elliott Sadler in 2015". Roush Fenway Racing. October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 "Roush Fenway Racing Announces 2015 Crew Chief Lineup". Roush Fenway Racing. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- 1 2 Bruce, Kenny (December 18, 2014). "Darrell Wallace, Jr. heads to Roush Fenway Racing". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Announce Multi-Year Renewal of Drive to Stop Diabetes Program with Roush Fenway and Ryan Reed". Roush Fenway Racing. October 8, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Team Penske Extends Agreement with Joey Logano". Team Penske. September 25, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Wood Brothers Racing Forms Alliance with Team Penske; Selects Ryan Blaney to Drive Famous No. 21 Car in". Wood Brothers Racing. August 14, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
In addition to driving the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion for the Wood Brothers, Blaney will drive a Team Penske Mustang in the 2015 Nationwide Series.
- 1 2 Pennell, Jay (January 5, 2015). "Eric McClure joins JGL Racing for 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series season". Fox Sports (Fox Broadcasting Company). Retrieved January 5, 2015.
- ↑ Estrada, Chris (August 19, 2014). "NASCAR: Mexican rising star Daniel Suarez moving up to Nationwide". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Joe Gibbs Racing Announces 2015 Crew Chief Lineup". Joe Gibbs Racing. December 4, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ↑ "Jones to Run Full-Time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Part-Time NASCAR XFINITY Series Schedule in 2015". Joe Gibbs Racing/Kyle Busch Motorsports. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ↑ Estrada, Chris (January 26, 2015). "NASCAR: GameStop in for 10 races on Erik Jones' XFINITY ride with Gibbs". MotorSportsTalk (NBC Sports). Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Reser's Fine Foods Returns to Sponsor Matt Kenseth in 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series". Joe Gibbs Racing. February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Sport Clips Haircuts Expands Partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2015 Season". Joe Gibbs Racing. January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Hisense Partners with Joe Gibbs Racing and Charlotte Motor Speedway". Joe Gibbs Racing. February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Joe Gibbs Racing Selects Ross Kenseth to Drive No. 20 Camry at Chicago". Joe Gibbs Racing. April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
- ↑ "David Ragan Will Fill in For Kyle Busch in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Behind Wheel of No. 18 M&Ms Crispy Toyota Starting in Atlanta". Joe Gibbs Racing. February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
In addition, JGR announces that Erik Jones will pilot the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota in the NASCAR XFINITY Series this weekend in Atlanta.
- 1 2 3 "Drivers Confirmed to Pilot No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota in Upcoming NASCAR XFINITY Series Events". Joe Gibbs Racing. March 3, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Blake Koch Returns to TriStar Motorsports with a New Car Number in 2015". TriStar Motorsports. January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "BLISS TO RETURN TO TRISTAR MOTORSPORTS". nascar.com (NASCAR). January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ↑ "TriStar Motorsports adds Cale Conley to the Driver Lineup for the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series Season". TriStar Motorsports. December 11, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ↑ "TriStar Motorsports and Scott Lagasse Team Up to Promote the "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow" Campaign at Daytona International Speedway". TriStar Motorsports. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ↑ "McClure Returns to TriStar Motorsports". Team McClure Inc. May 8, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ "TriStar Motorsports and Zachry Group Sign a Multi-Year Deal to Build Presence in NASCAR with David Starr". TriStar Motorsports. February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Carlos Contreras inicia su preparación rumbo a la temporada 2015". Digitall Post. November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Enrique Contreras III hará su debut en Xfinity Series en Phoenix" [Enrique Contreras III will debut in Xfinity Series in Phoenix]. Mundo NASCAR (in Spanish) (WordPress). March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ↑ "Anthony Kumpen To Debut In XFINITY Series". hometracks.nascar.com. June 7, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
- 1 2 "MBM Motorsports Announces Daytona Plans". Catchfence. February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Athenian Motorsports, LLC Set to Run Chevrolet Camaros Full-Time in NASCAR Xfinity Series & Silverados in Entire Camping World Truck Series Season in 2015". Athenian Motorsports. November 21, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ↑ "LUPTON LANDS PARTIAL XFINITY SERIES RIDE". NASCAR. February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Alex Bowman to drive the Zaxby's Chevrolet in Michigan NXS Race". Athenian Motorsports. June 4, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
- ↑ "CorvetteParts.net Renews Partnership with Billy Boat Motorsports". Billy Boat Motorsports. February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Deese Racing Enterprises Ready for NASCAR XFINITY Series Debut". Catchfence. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Mike Affarano Motorsports Teams Up with Johanna Long". Mike Affarano Motorsports. January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ↑ "NEMCO Motorsports Targets for Ace Finish at Daytona with Joe Nemechek". NEMCO Motorsports. February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Team Kapusta Racing to Make NASCAR Debut at Phoenix with Olé Energy Drink". Catchfence. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Jeffrey Earnhardt Moves to Viva Motorsports". Viva Motorsports. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Season Debut for Dick in Vegas". Viva Motorsports. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Brandon Gdovic to Make Xfinity Debut". Viva Motorsports. April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ↑ O'Brien, Marty (June 29, 2015). "Gloucester's Rick Gdovic purchases team in NASCAR's Xfinity Series". Daily Press. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- 1 2 "Aric Almirola and Sam Hornish, Jr. to Race XFINITY Races". Richard Petty Motorsports. February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- 1 2 "Richard Petty Motorsports Drivers Aric Almirola and Sam Hornish, Jr. to Drive Biagi-DenBeste No. 98 Ford Mustang in 10 XFINITY Series Races". Richard Petty Motorsports. April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ↑ Bonkowski, Jerry (April 24, 2015). "Due to heart surgery, Mike Wallace to be replaced by brother Kenny next week at Talladega". NASCAR Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ↑ "Kyle Fowler to Pilot No. 26 PowerAll Toyota for JGL Racing at Charlotte". Integrity Sports Marketing. May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ↑ "CJ Faison to make NASCAR XFinity Series Debut". CJ Faison PR. May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Estrada, Chris (February 10, 2015). "Justin Marks in for Daytona "triple" with RAB, Win-Tron". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ↑ Bonkowski, Jerry (October 28, 2015). "Lack of funding brings premature end to Xfinity season for Cale Conley". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ↑ Jensen, Tom (June 20, 2015). "RAIN POSTPONES XFINITY SERIES RACE TO SUNDAY". NASCAR. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
- ↑ McFadin, Daniel (November 21, 2015). "Kyle Larson wins Xfinity finale as Chris Buescher claims series title". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 4, 2015.