{"id":7504,"date":"2017-03-05T08:50:32","date_gmt":"2017-03-05T14:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=7504"},"modified":"2017-03-05T09:30:14","modified_gmt":"2017-03-05T15:30:14","slug":"monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/05\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_7506\" style=\"width: 614px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7506\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/05\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview\/atlantams\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?fit=604%2C402&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"604,402\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"AtlantaMS\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NASCAR travels to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the Fold of Honor QuikTrip 500.  Photo by Mike Haag \/ RacedaySA.com&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?fit=604%2C402&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7506\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7506\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?resize=604%2C402\" alt=\"\" width=\"604\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?w=604&amp;ssl=1 604w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7506\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NASCAR travels to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the Fold of Honor QuikTrip 500. Photo by Mike Haag \/ RacedaySA.com<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>ATLANTA &#8211; The <strong>Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/strong> Fold of Honor QuikTrip 500 will be held Sunday at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.atlantamotorspeedway.com\">Atlanta Motor Speedway<\/a>. &nbsp;The follow is a race preview courtesy of NASCAR.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Next Race: Fold of Honor QuikTrip 500<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Date: Sunday, March 5<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Time: 2:30 p.m. ET<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">TV: FOX, 2:30 p.m. ET<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Distance: 500.5 miles (325 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 85),<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Stage 2 (Ends on lap 170), Final Stage (Ends on lap 325)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Milestone Alert: 2,500th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Sunday\u2019s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway marks the 2,500th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. Below are some stats from the first 2,499 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race was held at Charlotte Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 19, 1949 \u2013 the race was won by Jim Roper (Lincoln)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">186 drivers have won a race&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The series has competed on 156 different tracks<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">234 different drivers have won a Coors Light Pole<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">2,536 drivers have made a start<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_7510\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7510\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/05\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quicktrip-500-practice-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?fit=2953%2C1970&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2953,1970\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;9&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 03:  Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Ford, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1488544920&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Ford, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7510\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7510\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_KuBusch_030317.jpg?w=2000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7510\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Ford, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Busch Wins DAYTONA 500<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">After finishing runner-up in the DAYTONA 500 three times (2003, 2005, 2008), Kurt Busch won his first Great American Race by leading only the final lap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion is the 15th title-winner to visit Victory Lane in the DAYTONA 500. Busch\u2019s triumph also marked the first DAYTONA 500 win for owner Tony Stewart and crew chief Tony Gibson.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">&#8220;There is nothing predictable about this race anymore, and the more years that have gone by that I didn\u2019t win I kept trying to go back to patterns that I had seen in the past,&#8221; Busch said of the race, which featured three lead changes on the final three laps. &#8220;My mirror fell off with 30 laps to go, and I couldn\u2019t even see out the back. It just got crazy and wild, and I am so proud of all the drivers at the end. We put on a show for a full fuel run, and nobody took each other out, and it was one of the smartest chess games I have seen out there.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7511\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7511\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/05\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quicktrip-500-practice-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?fit=3070%2C2047&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3070,2047\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;9&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 03:  Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 BassProShops\/TRCKRBTS Toyota, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1488544920&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 BassProShops\/TRCKRBTS Toyota, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7511\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7511\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Truex_030317.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 BassProShops\/TRCKRBTS Toyota, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Busch\u2019s win was also the first for Ford with Stewart-Haas Racing. Coincidentally, his primary sponsor is Monster Energy and he won the first-ever Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Busch will go for his second consecutive win in Sunday\u2019s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX) \u2013 a track where he&#8217;s won three times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Youths Put On Show in DAYTONA 500<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Many of the young drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series shined in Sunday\u2019s 59th running of the DAYTONA 500. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Ryan Blaney, 23, finished second and scored points in all three stages (finishing third in Stage 1 and 10th in Stage 2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Joey Logano, 26, came in sixth and posted a second-place finish in Stage 2.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Kyle Larson, 24, finished 12th after running out of gas with the lead on the final lap. He scored points in the first two stages (placing sixth in Stage 1 and eighth in Stage 2).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Coors Light Pole Award winner Chase Elliott, 21, paced the field five times for 39 laps and led the field for the majority of Stage 3 (23 of the final 26 laps) until he also ran out of fuel and was passed by Martin Truex Jr. with three laps remaining. He finished 14th.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">If Elliott wins at Atlanta, he would top Kyle Busch as the youngest Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victor at the 1.5-mile track. Busch was 22 years, 10 months, 7 days old when he visited Victory Lane at the 1.54-mile track on March 9, 2008.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Parity Abundant At DAYTONA 500<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The top 13 finishers in the DAYTONA 500 all came from different teams: 1. Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing; 2, Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing; 3. AJ Allmendinger, JTG Daugherty Racing; 4. Aric Almirola, Richard Petty Motorsports; 5. Paul Menard, Richard Childress Racing; 6. Joey Logano, Team Penske; 7. Kasey Kahne, Hendrick Motorsports; 8. Michael Waltrip, Premium Motorsports; 9. Matt DiBenedetto, Go FAS Racing; 10. Trevor Bayne, Roush Fenway Racing; 11. Brendan Gaughan, Beard Motorsports; 12. Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing; 13. Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">NASCAR Set To Debut Lower Downforce Package At Atlanta<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">This season, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series continues last year\u2019s efforts of lessening aerodynamic forces from the cars. These efforts make the car harder to driver, which emphasizes the drivers\u2019 ability to get the most out of the car. Below are the changes under the 2017 rules package, which decreased downforce from 2,100 pounds last year to 1,600 pounds:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Spoiler height decrease from 3.5 inches to 2.375 inches<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Outboard regions of the splitter are reduced by 3 inches<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Deck fin is tapered to match spoiler height<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Drivers must start the race on the tires used in qualifying<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_7509\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7509\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/05\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quicktrip-500-practice\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?fit=3264%2C2176&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,2176\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;9&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 03:  Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe&#039;s Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1488544860&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe&amp;#8217;s Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7509\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7509\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Johnson_030317.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7509\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe&#8217;s Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\"><strong>Johnson Goes For Sixth Atlanta Victory<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Active Atlanta wins leader Jimmie Johnson will go for his sixth victory at the 1.54-mile track this weekend. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The seven-time champion boasts five wins, 14 top fives and 16 top 10s in the Peach State. He also owns the top average running position (8.7) and driver rating (107.1), as well as the third-best average finish (9.6) at AMS.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Johnson has won the most recent two Atlanta races. Both were held in February\/March after the race was moved from Labor Day weekend for the 2015 season. The last driver prior to Johnson to win at Atlanta was his teammate Kasey Kahne in 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Hotlanta: Elliott Takes Home Track Looking For First Win<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">A native of Dawsonville, Georgia, Chase Elliott will take the wheel in his home state this weekend for Sunday\u2019s Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7508\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7508\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/05\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-practice\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?fit=3360%2C2240&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3360,2240\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;13&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D Mark IV&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 04:  Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 4, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1488628500&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 4, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7508\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7508\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Elliott_Practice_030417.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7508\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 4, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Elliott finished eighth in his only start there as a rookie last season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The No. 24 Chevrolet driver is holding his Chase U program at AMS this weekend. Fans currently enrolled in college can buy a $24 ticket for a seat in the Lower Winners Grandstand, free parking at the race and admission into the exclusive Chase U tailgate party taking place from 10 a.m. to noon on the day of the race. The tailgate will include complimentary food and beverage for each ticketholder, live music, tailgate games, a Daytona USA racing simulator and a free-entry cornhole tournament with prizes and awards. Elliott will make an appearance at the party for a special Q&amp;A session with tailgate attendees and will take time afterwards to meet with fans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Kahne Hopes He\u2019s Able At One Of His Top Tracks<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Kasey Kahne has failed to win a race in his last 84 starts. On Sunday, he returns to the site of his last victory \u2013 Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kahne came up clutch at the Georgia track on Aug. 31, 2014, leading 24 laps and making the playoffs in a &#8220;win-or-go-home&#8221; situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">In 20 Atlanta starts, Kahne claims three wins, seven top fives and nine top 10s. He\u2019s led 353 laps at the 1.54-mile track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, etc.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Ty Cunningham To Serve As Grand Marshal For Folds Of Honor QuikTrip 500<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Acclaimed television personality and designer Ty Pennington will serve as grand marshal for Sunday\u2019s Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. An Atlanta native and alumnus of The Art Institute of Atlanta, Pennington has starred in the shows &#8220;Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,&#8221; &#8220;American Dinner Revival,&#8221; &#8220;Trading Spaces,&#8221; and &#8220;On the Menu.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7507\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7507\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/05\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-preview\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-folds-of-honor-quicktrip-500-qualifyiing\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Award_030317-e1488725349212.jpg?fit=625%2C430&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,430\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 03:  Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John&#039;s Ford, poses with the track pole award after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Daniel Shirey\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1488563580&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 - Qualifyiing&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 &amp;#8211; Qualifyiing\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John&amp;#8217;s Ford, poses with the track pole award after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.  (Photo by Daniel Shirey\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Award_030317-e1488725349212.jpg?fit=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Award_030317-e1488725349212.jpg?fit=640%2C441&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7507\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7507\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AMS_MENCS_Award_030317-e1488725349212.jpg?resize=625%2C430\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"430\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John&#8217;s Ford, poses with the track pole award after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; ATLANTA &#8211; The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Fold of Honor QuikTrip 500 will be held Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. &nbsp;The follow is a race preview courtesy of NASCAR. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Next Race: Fold of Honor QuikTrip 500 The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway The Date: Sunday, March 5 The Time: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[52,384,16],"class_list":["post-7504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-atlanta-motor-speedway","tag-folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AtlantaMS.jpg?fit=604%2C402&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-1X2","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7504"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7526,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7504\/revisions\/7526"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}