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NASCAR: Top Stories of the Week Heading to Dover

By Trevor Grasso

Jun 2, 2017; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Regan Smith (left) talks with car owner Richard Petty (right) during the practice for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Regan Smith (left) talks with car owner Richard Petty (right) during the practice for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 28, 2017; Concord, NC, USA; Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) in turn 4 during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Concord, NC, USA; Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) in turn 4 during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

NASCAR invades Dover this weekend for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism as drivers look to conquer the Monster Mile. Let’s look at some of the top stories from the week.

Following the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Dover for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism. This week, there was one minor penalty handed out to a top team. Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks to build on momentum from last week. Richard Petty Motorsports announced a familiar face will be filling in for Aric Almirola. And an iconic car made it back to victory lane for the first time in over 15 years. Let’s take a look at each story.

The No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing team penalized

It was a slow week in terms of NASCAR dealing out penalties. They did, however, hand out one penalty to the No. 4 team of Stewart-Haas racing. Kevin Harvick‘s ride was caught with an improperly installed lug nut in post-race inspections.

Crew chief Rodney Childers was hit with a $10,000 fine due to a safety violation. The infraction holds what we can consider a minor penalty. Harvick will not be docked any points and no suspensions will be handed out.

Harvick started the Coca-Cola 600 on the pole. It was his third pole of the season. He ended up finishing the longest race of the season in 8th place. Currently, Harvick sits in 4th in the Cup Series standings and has yet to earn a victory in 2017.

May 25, 2017; Concord, NC, USA; Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) during qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Concord, NC, USA; Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) during qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Dale Jr. looking to build on a top 10 run

In our weekly Dale Jr. update, we look into the No. 88’s second top 10 finish of 2017. Following a 5th place finish at Texas, Jr. posted finishes of 38th, 30th, 22nd and 20th before finishing 10th last week.

The final season hasn’t been great. Dale Jr. has been frustrated with his finishes. His fans are no different. But JR Nation joins Dale in hoping this top 10 at Charlotte will jump-start this last run of races. He will put his 2016 finish of 32nd out of his mind as he tries to win at Dover for the first time since 2001.

That win was a memorable one in the highly decorated career. The Cup Series’ favorite young star prevailed in the first race following the 9/11 attacks which was held at Dover. In total, Dale Jr. has posted 12 top 10’s with a track average of 16.2. Can Dale Jr. use the Monster Mile to continue to build some momentum?

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