The round of 12 gets underway Sunday in the Monster Energy Cup playoffs. FOX's Matt Napolitano has more: It's down to a dozen in the quest for the Cup as the top circuit returns to Charlotte for the Bank of America 500 Sunday. Kyle Busch entering this race weekend in quest of his third straight win, but says momentum doesn't mean anything in the playoffs: (Busch) "There's a lot of racing to go. You know, I think week to week you can probably change your favorite." Busch trailing the leader Martin Truex Jr. by 18 points in the playoff standings. This as one of the final 12 speaks out on pay for drivers. Denny Hamlin sounding off during the week that salary should be on the level of athletes in leagues like the NBA and the NFL: (Denny Hamlin) "They're risking their life each and every weekend, and they're on the road just, you know, just like everyone else is each and every weekend." Hamlin speaking with Sirius XM NASCAR Radio there, calling for more revenue from NASCAR's TV deal to be shared with teams. This as NASCAR unveiled rule changes for 2018 to cars that will see the addition of radiators and common flat splitters for all races, and efforts to increase down-force and horsepower for competitors. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

FOX in the Fast Lane Podcast

Kyle Busch Rides Hot Streak into Charlotte

The Monster Energy Cup playoffs get underway this weekend. FOX's Matt Napolitano has this week's "FOX in the Fast Lane": The playoffs are here and the round of 16 hits Chicagoland first Sunday for the Tale of the Turtles 400. Previous champions and young guns in the pack with some taking part in a NASCAR media luncheon in New York City Thursday. With 10 races between them and the Monster Energy Cup, drivers like Kyle Busch, third in the point standings, are looking to keep consistent: (Busch) "I think the biggest thing is just to stick with what you know. Keep doing what you've done to get you this far and to get you to this point. We've had a good regular season. We've had fast cars. We've been up front and led a lot." While up and comers like Ryan Blaney are taking their first playoff run one race at a time starting at the tri-oval in Illinois: (Blaney) "We've already run pretty good at Chicago. We actually had a shot at winning this race last year and ended up fourth, I think so. I think I'm very optimistic about it. Mile-and-a-half tracks seem to be very good for us." Martin Truex Jr. enters the playoff standings with the lead as the round of 16 runs from Chicagoland Sunday through Dover on October 1st before some drivers miss the cut. Fox in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. FOX's @MattNapolitano with @keselowski & @KyleBusch at a #NASCAR media luncheon in NYC on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/VIO90U9xJQ -- FOX News Radio (@foxnewsradio) September 15, 2017 Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Consistency is Key for Kyle Busch as NASCAR’s Playoffs Begin

One last race under the lights before the start of the Monster Energy Cup playoffs. FOX's Matt Napolitano reports: Another go under the lights Saturday night for the Cup series at Richmond Raceway for the Federated Auto Parts 400. With three spots still up for grabs in the playoffs, drivers sitting on the outside looking in in the standings like Erik Jones are hoping to grab that checkered flag at America's premier short track: (Jones) "Obviously, we're gonna be pushing hard, and there's gonna be times throughout the night where I'm sure we're going to be taking chances that we wouldn't take." And drivers like Denny Hamlin who have clinched a spot are just looking to keep the momentum going: (Hamlin) "We know every point is super critical, so you don't take anything for granted." Both drivers appearing on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Speaking of Hamlin, his win last weekend at Darlington has been encumbered and he's been docked 25 driver's points due to an L-1 penalty assessed to the No. 11 team with crew chief Mike Wheeler suspended two races for a rear suspension violation in post-race inspection. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team was also handed a post-race penalty for lug nuts not properly installed. Crew chief Greg Ives will sit out the action at Richmond. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Denny Hamlin Remains Focused Headed into Richmond

The Monster Energy Cup series returns this weekend for night racing at Darlington. FOX's Matt Napolitano with "FOX in the Fast Lane": After a weekend away, the Cup series heads to Darlington with two races to go before the start of the playoffs. They'll go under the lights Sunday night at the track too tough to tame for the Bojangles Southern 500. Only three spots are up for grabs in the Monster Energy Cup playoffs. Chase Elliott among those drivers on the bubble. This as Hendrick Motorsports announced a reshuffling in the numbers for 2018, with Elliott set to now drive the No. 9 for the team. Elliott says teammate Dale Jr. had a hand in making No. 9 a reality: (Elliott) "I think he had done a little persuading himself to Mr. Hendrick too and, you know, really, I didn't really expect any of it to happen." Elliott carrying on the legacy of his dad, Bill, with the No. 9, but who will take over behind the wheel of the No. 24 once driven by Jeff Gordon? Well, that will be William Byron: (Byron) "I've got a great opportunity at Hendrick Motorsports to succeed and a lot of great resources, so there's some pressure there, but there's also a lot of excitement." Byron and Elliott speaking with Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Hendrick Motorsports is Reshuffling Car Numbers for 2018

The Cup series goes under the lights Saturday night at Bristol. FOX's Matt Napolitano previews this weekend's big races in this "FOX in the Fast Lane": With three races to go before the start of the Cup playoffs, the Monster Energy Series hits the short track at Bristol Motor Speedway for this season's bass pro shops NRA night race. Though Dale Earnhardt Jr. has only once twice in his career at Thunder Valley. The night race at Bristol has a special meaning to him dating back to his childhood: (Earnhardt Jr.) "As a 12 to 15-year-old kid, this place was just the ultimate playground and we enjoyed coming here." Jr. sits in 22nd in the Monster Energy Cup standings, but his first win of 2017 could elevate him into a playoff spot. Multiple drivers are hoping for that opportunity to strike Saturday night at Bristol, like Erik Jones: (Jones) "We got three more shots at it before the Chase, so hopefully we can do it." Jones will have his crew chief Chris Gayle back atop the pit box after his two race suspension. This as Joe Gibbs Racing has transferred management responsibility for Jones and Martin Truex Jr's pit crews to furniture row racing. However, JGR will still be responsible for training those crew members. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News.

Dale Earnhardt Jr: Bristol is the “Ultimate Playground”

The Monster Energy Cup Series returns to Michigan this weekend. FOX's Matt Napolitano speeds in with "FOX in the Fast Lane": Four races to go before the start of the Cup playoffs and drivers head back to Brooklyn... Michigan that is, for the Pure Michigan 400 Sunday. This as Hendrick Motorsports announced a shakeup in their 2018 team with Kasey Kahne leaving the No. 5 Chevy at the end of the season and 19-year-old William Byron stepping behind the wheel next year: (Byron) "Opportunities like this, you never know when they're gonna come, and I feel like I can learn on the fly." Byron with three wins so far in X-Finity Series action for Junior Motorsports. He'll get to drive the new Chevy model for Hendrick next season as the automaker unveils the Camaro ZL1, which will replace the current SS on NASCAR's top circuit. Byron following in similar footsteps to Joey Logano, who got his big break at age 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing: (Logano) "It's a good little mix, I think they've got over there with some younger guys, really young guys, and a very great champion." Byron joining Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott and 7-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson to make up the 2018 Hendrick Motorsports cup series squad. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

‘HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU KID’… NASCAR’s William Byron to Join Hendrick Motorsports

The Cup Series returns to the road course Sunday at Watkins Glen. FOX's Matt Napolitano with "FOX in the Fast Lane": With five races to go before the playoffs, the Monster Energy Cup series turns left and right this weekend for the "I Love New York 355" at the Glen. Kyle Busch comes to the road course after finally getting his first win of the season at Pocono as he trails Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson in the point standings: (Busch) "We normally tend to fly under the radar most times, but it's not one that I need to go out and beat our chest to say that." Meantime, Erik Jones and the No. 77 team being hit with an l-1 penalty this week. after a rear suspension violation deducting 25 Cup points from Jones in the standings. And new rules coming to NASCAR just in time for Sunday's race, including the overtime line being pushed to the start finish line at all tracks. NASCAR senior vice president of competition Scott Miller explains to Sirius XM NASCAR Radio: (Miller) "As opposed to some random location at each track, it would enhance the fan experience." This will make the procedure for overtime similar to the green-white-checkered restart rules. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Kyle Busch “Flying Under the Radar” Down the Stretch

The Monster Energy Cup Series packs up for the Poconos this weekend. FOX's Matt Napolitano with your preview in 'FOX in the Fast Lane': With six races to go before the start of the Cup championship playoffs, drivers get ready to go racing at the Tricky Triangle for the Overton's 400 at Pocono Raceway Sunday. A race Brad Keselowski won back in 2011. Big news for the driver of the No. 2 Ford this week as it was announced he signed a multi-year extension with Team Penske. Keselowski appearing on FOX Sports 1: (Keselowski) "Team members and all kinds of things that come together to make a race team get to the race track, so I was glad to get it done and hopefully we can in the next few years get another championship." Keselowski's crew chief Paul Wolfe getting a multi-year extension as well and he'll have a new teammate on the Cup circuit next season... Ryan Blaney: (Blaney) "We announced today that I'll be driving the 12 car for Team Penske next year, so I'm real excited about that." Blaney announcing on Facebook Live that he will join Team Penske next season to drive the No. 12 Ford. Paul Menard will take over Blaney's current spot behind the wheel of the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Brad Keselowski’s New Deal

The Monster Energy Cup series hits the brickyard this weekend at Indianapolis. FOX's Matt Napolitano has "FOX in the Fast Lane": The Cup series goes racing at Indy Sunday for the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the country music superstar telling Kix 92.1 he's still shocked that a race is named after him: (Gilbert) "It's pretty nuts, right? Hell, I'd have been happy with tickets." Gilbert will not only attend, but perform for fans in the pre-race celebrations. Hendrick Motorsports making a major announcement Thursday that Alex Bowman will take over behind the wheel of the No. 88 next season, replacing the retiring Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bowman and Jeff Gordon filled in for Dale Jr. last season and Gordon tells Sirius XM NASCAR Radio the decision was a no brainer: (Gordon) "I think Alex proved himself last year when he got in the car." Nationwide and Axalta will return to sponsor the 88 next year and crew chief Greg Ives will helm the team in 2018. Meantime, Kurt Busch and Daniel Suarez's teams have been assessed penalty for lugnuts not properly installed last weekend at New Hampshire. Both crew chiefs fined $10,000 ahead of Sunday's racing at Indy. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Dale Jr’s Replacement Has Been Named Ahead of Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

One last go around for Dale Jr. at Daytona this weekend. FOX's Matt Napolitano has 'FOX in the Fast Lane': The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series goes under the lights Saturday for the Coke Zero 400, marking Dale Earnhardt Jr's final cup race at Daytona. With 160 laps ahead Saturday, many believe that the No. 88 Chevy is the one to beat and that includes fellow drivers like Kurt Busch: (Busch) "He's gonna be elbows out, sleeves rolled up going hard and he will be the car to beat this weekend." Meantime, Kurt's brother, Kyle's No. 18 Toyota team has been penalized post-Sonoma for not properly installing lug nuts. His crew chief Ben Beshore has been suspended one race. And Chase Elliott is going to be behind the wheel the No. 24 Chevy a little while longer, signing a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports through 2022: (Elliott) "You know I owe so much to Mr. Hendrick and what he's done for me." Elliott will try for that first career win at Daytona Saturday. The young gun has impressed with three pole positions and 27 top ten finishes since joining the Monster Energy Cup Series last season. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @Matt Napolitano

Dale Jr’s Last Hurrah at Daytona

The Monster Energy Cup Series gets ready for the road course. FOX's Matt Napolitano reports: The Monster Energy Cup Series goes left as well as right this weekend as they hit the road course at Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota Save-Mart 350 Sunday. Kyle Larson taking over the points lead last weekend with a win at Michigan. His team owner Chip Ganassi tells Sirius XM NASCAR Radio that the steps are in place to make a playoff run: (Ganassi) "We're making solid steps. We know where we came from, so if we have to, we can go back to that point." There will be a new face behind the wheel of the No. 43 for Sonoma. Road course ringer Billy Johnson will drive the No. 43 replacing Aric Almirola, who is still recovering from his injury. Meantime, Chase Elliott is still search of that elusive first career win. The driver of the No. 24 Napa Chevy isn't letting the pressure get to him: (Elliott) "You can think about it and worry about it all you want. But I mean really, the people who run good, the people who are putting themselves in position are going to win." While the Monster Energy Series heads out west, the X-Finity and Camping World Truck Series will visit the course racing at Iowa Speedway. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Kyle Larson’s Poised for a Playoff Run

They'll be racing in Detroit this Father's Day weekend. FOX's Matt Napolitano has your 'FOX in the Fast Lane': The Monster Energy Cup Series heads to Michigan for a race weekend honoring dad. The Fire Keepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway takes place on Father's Day. Drivers are talking dad heading into Sunday's race, including Ryan Blaney, who says what his father, former NASCAR driver Dave Blaney means to him: (Blaney) "He's my hero for sure and he'll always be the greatest race car driver in my mind and the one who got everything started for me and who helped me along the way and we really wouldn't be anywhere without him." Blaney fresh off a win at Pocono last weekend will try for another checkered flag Sunday as his owners the Wood Brothers look for their 100th Cup win. Meantime, Monster Energy Cup points leader Martin Truex Jr. will be throwing on the blue Auto Owners Insurance paint scheme on the No. 78 for Michigan and that scheme has brought him luck with two wins, a poll and two Top-10 finishes: (Truex Jr.) "That coupled with a racetrack that's been good to us makes it fun and definitely looking forward to having a great weekend." FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

Ryan Blaney Looks for Two Cup Wins in a Row, Says Dad, Dave is his “Hero”

Another win for Jimmie Johnson this weekend at Pocono Raceway would put him in some elite company. FOX's Bob Mortali reports: I'm Bob Mortali. This week's Monster Energy Series race is the Pocono 400. And it's an opportunity for Jimmie Johnson to inch higher on the all-time career victories list. Johnson's win last Sunday at Dover tied him with his idol Cale Yarborough at 83 apiece. That's good for sixth all time. Johnson's next victory will surpass Cale and and even him up with both Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip in fourth. Jeff Gordon is third with 93 wins. Meantime, crew chief Adam Stevens and two pit crew members have been suspended for four races after a tire came off Kyle Busch's car last Sunday. And rookie Darrell "Bubba" Wallace makes his series debut driving Richard Petty's old No. 43: (Wallace) "Not trying to set the world on fire. Just relax, take what the car will give you, don't tear it up and if we're a top 15 car then take a top 15. If we're 25th, you gotta take what the car will give you and build off of it." Courtesy Sirius X-M NASCAR Radio and Velvetta Shells and Cheese will be a new sponsor for Ryan Newman's No. 31 car. That's FOX in the Fast Lane I'm Bob Mortali, FOX News.

Jimmie Johnson Looks to Move Up on Career Wins List at the Pocono 400

If NBA and NHL Finals aren't enough to get your blood pumping, NASCAR is revving up for this weekend, as well. FOX's Chris Hoenig previews: The Monster Energy Cup Series tackles the monster mile with the Triple-A 400 drive for autism. Green flag on FOX Sports 1 set for 1 PM Eastern on Sunday at Dover. Stage 1 will end after lap 120, stage 2 after lap 240. Regan Smith will be back behind the wheel of the No. 43 Ford, filling in for the injured Aric Almirola for the second-straight week. Meanwhile, NASCAR fined crew chief Rodney Childers $10,000 after a post-race inspection found one improperly installed lug-nut on Kevin Harvick's No. 4 Ford after last weekend's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. Austin Dillion won that race, but it was second-place finisher Kyle Busch who drew the headlines for his rather short post-race interview: (Busch) "I'm not surprised by anything. Congratulations."  During testing Wednesday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the 2015 Cup champ wondered why some people's frustrations draw such surprising reactions: (Busch) "Bill Belichick gets it differently than anybody else, but we also sometimes are more successful than others too." Or as the Patriots coach might say: On to Dover. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Chris Hoenig. Follow Chris Hoenig on Twitter: @Chris_Hoenig

Kyle Busch Eyes First Place Finish at Dover Following Charlotte Mic Drop

Plenty of patriotic paint jobs in Charlotte this weekend. FOX's Chris Hoenig has this week's NASCAR preview: This weekend, just as it is every Memorial Day weekend, it'll be 600 miles of remembrance for NASCAR, with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. Green flag set for Sunday at 6 PM Eastern on FOX. 400 laps around the mile-and-a-half oval. Jimmie Johnson has the most Memorial Day wins of any active driver with four career Coca-Cola 600 victories. He likes that they've added an extra groove to the track this weekend for more side-by-side racing: (Johnson) "Charlotte Motor Speedway works as hard as they possibly can to put on a great show. They're open-minded to any and every idea. But mile-and-a-halves do put on a certain style of racing."  Remember, there's an extra stage in this race, so bonus points for whoever leads after laps 100, 200 and 300. Regan Smith will be behind the wheel of the No. 43 Ford as Aric Almirola continues to recover from his broken back. No word who will drive the car after this. Almirola is expected to be out between two and three months. Also a big weekend for IndyCar. The Indy-500 set for Sunday afternoon. FOX in the Fast Lane, I'm Chris Hoenig, FOX News. Follow Chris Hoenig on Twitter: @Chris_Hoenig

Jimmie Johnson Seeks Fifth Coca-Cola 600 Victory

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