2015 AAA 400

February 2025 NAS AAA 400 http://www.nascar.com/content/dam/nascar/download-schedule/2015/nscs_2015_printable_schedule3.pdf 2015 NASCAR Schedule NASCAR Media Group, LLC. August 26, 2014 NASCAR.com September 28, 2015 April 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150404031856/http://www.nascar.com/content/dam/nascar/download-schedule/2015/nscs_2015_printable_schedule3.pdf deadhttp://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/dover-international-speedway.html Dover International Speedway NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013 NASCAR.com September 28, 2015http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6816&StatType=Entry+List Entry List Motor Racing Network September 28, 2015 MRN.com September 28, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150929035728/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6816&StatType=Entry+List September 29, 2015 dead mdy-allhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6816&StatType=Starting+Lineup Starting Lineup Motor Racing Network October 2, 2015 MRN.com October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003190341/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6816&StatType=Starting+Lineup October 3, 2015 dead mdy-allhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/09/AAA-400-1st-Practice-Speeds.aspx First Practice Results Motor Racing Network October 3, 2015 MRN.com October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004012803/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/09/AAA-400-1st-Practice-Speeds.aspx October 4, 2015 dead mdy-allhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/09/AAA-400-Final-Practice-Speeds.aspx Final Practice Results Motor Racing Network October 3, 2015 MRN.com October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151006194500/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/09/AAA-400-Final-Practice-Speeds.aspx October 6, 2015 dead mdy-allhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&RaceID=6816&YearID=44&StatType=Race+Results AAA 400 Results Motor Racing Network October 4, 2015 MRN.com October 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151005155344/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&RaceID=6816&YearID=44&StatType=Race+Results October 5, 2015 dead mdy-allhttp://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/29dov2015chase.pdf Points standings NASCAR Statistics October 4, 2015 Jayski.com October 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151005233254/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/29dov2015chase.pdf October 5, 2015 deadhttp://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/29dov2015racereport.pdf Manufacturer standings NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications October 5, 2015 Jayski.com October 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151007013816/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/29dov2015racereport.pdf October 7, 2015 dead 2015 10 04 2015 29 36 Kevin Harvick Victory Lane Dover 2015.jpg Kevin Harvick won the race Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware 1 1.6 400 400 640 Cloudy with a temperature of 62 F C; wind out of the northeast at 21 mph km/h on 119.870 mph km/h on Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing Qualifying rained out Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing 355 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing NBCSN Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte 1.8/3 (Overnight)http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/10/nascar-ratings-down-chase-cup-dover-overnights-nbcsn/ NASCAR Overnights Dip Below 2.0 Again, This Time at Dover Paulsen Sports Media Watch October 5, 2015 SportsMediaWatch.com October 6, 20152.1/4 (Final)http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/10/nascar-ratings-down-dover-least-watched-since-2001-nbcsn-chase-cup/ NASCAR's Downward Trend Continues at Dover Paulsen Sports Media Watch October 7, 2015 SportsMediaWatch.com October 9, 20153.2 Million viewers MRN Joe Moore, Jeff Striegle and Rusty Wallace Mike Bagley (Backstretch) The 2015 AAA 400 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held on October 4, 2015, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Contested over 400 laps on the 1 mile (1.6 km) concrete speedway, it was the 29th race of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, third race of the Chase and final race of the Challenger Round. Kevin Harvick won the race, his third of the season. Kyle Busch finished second. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jamie McMurray and Aric Almirola rounded out the top–five. With qualifying rained out, Matt Kenseth was awarded the first starting spot. He led 26 laps on his way to a seventh–place finish. Harvick led a race high of 355 laps on his way to winning the race. The race had 14 lead changes amongst three different drivers, as well as eight caution flag periods for 43 laps. This was the 31st career victory for Harvick, third of the season, first at Dover International Speedway and second at the track for Stewart–Haas Racing. The win secured his place in the Contender Round. Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray and Paul Menard didn't advance out of the Challenger Round. Chevrolet left Dover with a 45–point lead over Toyota in the manufacturer standings. The AAA 400 was carried by NBC Sports on the cable/satellite NBCSN network for the American television audience. The radio broadcast for the race was carried by the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Report Background thumb|left|Dover International Speedway, the track where the race was held. Dover International Speedway is a 1.000 mi km on oval track in Dover, Delaware. Matt Kenseth entered Dover with a six–point lead over Denny Hamlin.Thompson Rich Kenseth leads Chase after win at Loudon http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other/auto_racing/2015/09/kenseth_leads_chase_after_win_at_loudon September 29, 2015 Boston Herald Herald Media September 28, 2015 Carl Edwards and Joey Logano entered tied for third 10–points back.Coble Don Joe Gibbs has mixed emotions after latest win by his team http://chronicle.augusta.com/sports/nascar/2015-09-30/joe-gibbs-has-mixed-emotions-after-latest-win-his-team October 1, 2015 The Augusta Chronicle Morris News Service Morris Communications Company, LLC. September 30, 2015 Jimmie Johnson entered fifth 16–points back.Fleischman Bill Tony Stewart: 'Right time' to retire after 2016 season http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/bill_fleischman/20151001_Tony_Stewart___Right_time__to_retire_after_2016_season.html October 1, 2015 Philadelphia Daily News Philadelphia Media Network (Digital), LLC. October 1, 2015 Ryan Newman entered sixth 25–points. Kurt Busch entered seventh 26–points back.Palmer Tod Kurt Busch believes Kansas Speedway race is pivotal in Sprint Cup chase http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article37131621.html October 1, 2015 The Kansas City Star The Kansas City Star September 30, 2015 Kansas City, Missouri Brad Keselowski entered eighth 27–points back.Scott David Brad Keselowski is the first to fall on restart issue https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article36780348.html October 1, 2015 The Charlotte Observer The Charlotte Observer September 27, 2015 Loudon, New Hampshire Martin Truex Jr. entered ninth 28–points back.http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2015/09/30/truex-on-chase-youre-just-nervous-and-scared/ Truex on Chase: 'You're just nervous and scared' Long Dustin NBC Sports September 30, 2015 nascartalk.nbcsports.com September 30, 2015 Jeff Gordon entered 10th 31–points back.Thompson Rich NASCAR Notes: Gordon remains in Chase http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other/auto_racing/2015/09/nascar_notes_gordon_remains_in_chase September 29, 2015 Boston Herald Herald Media September 28, 2015 Jamie McMurray entered 11th 41–points back.http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/dale-earnhardt-jr-chase-for-sprint-cup-dover-international-speedway-hendrick-motorsports-092915 In danger of missing next Chase round, is Dale Jr. done for? Turner Jared Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. September 29, 2015 FoxSports.com September 30, 2015 Dale Earnhardt Jr. entered 12th 42–points back.Gregory Allen 5 Things from New Hampshire and NASCAR http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/things-from-new-hampshire-and-nascar/article_f960afc4-6634-11e5-9121-3fd4e6252f87.html September 29, 2015 Bristol Herald Courier BH Media Group Holdings, Inc. September 28, 2015 Kyle Busch and Paul Menard entered tied for 13th 43–points back.http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=101625 The Final Word – Kenseth Joins Hamlin At Loudon, Leaving The Rest To Scramble At Dover Thornton Rob USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties September 29, 2015 speedwaymedia.com September 29, 2015 Kevin Harvick entered 15th 65–points back.https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2572824-matt-kenseth-foils-kevin-harvicks-desperate-gamble-in-round-2-of-nascar-chase Matt Kenseth Foils Kevin Harvick's Desperate Gamble in Round 2 of NASCAR Chase Dutton Monte Bleacher Report, Inc. September 27, 2015 BleacherReport.com September 29, 2015 Clint Bowyer entered 16th 81–points back.http://motorsportsunplugged.com/nascar-the-mystifying-eclipse-of-clint-bowyer/ NASCAR: The Mystifying Eclipse of Clint Bowyer Bottano Ron Media Value, Inc. September 29, 2015 motorsportsunplugged.com September 30, 2015 Hurricane Joaquin In the week leading up to the race, the National Hurricane Center began tracking the development of a storm several hundred miles south-southwest of Bermuda.Blake Eric National Hurricane Center September 25, 2015 October 1, 2015 Tropical Weather Outlook http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2015/TWOAT.201509252338.txt .TXT Miami On September 30, the storm was upgraded to Hurricane Joaquin.Fox Ben Turnquest Ava Winton Tony Hurricane Joaquin gains force near Bahamas, heads toward US https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hurricane-warning-issued-bahamas-joaquin-approaches-34143344 October 1, 2015 ABC News Associated Press ABC News Internet Ventures September 30, 2015 New York City The forecast model from the National Weather Service had the storm potentially affecting the race weekend.http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/hurricane-joaquin-dover-international-speedway-chase-for-the-sprint-cup-weather-100115 Bleak weather outlook casts doubt on Dover race weekend schedule Turner Jared Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. October 1, 2015 FoxSports.com October 1, 2015 However, updated models had the storm avoiding landfall on the Eastern U.S. seaboard and moving out into the North Atlantic.Hartnell Neil Hurricane pounds Bahamas, unlikely to be big threat to U.S. East https://www.reuters.com/article/us-storm-joaquin-idUSKCN0RV3NW20151002 October 2, 2015 Reuters Reuters Thomson Reuters October 2, 2015 Nassau, Bahamas Nevertheless, heavy rain was expected to affect the Dover area.Borenstein Seth Dishneau David East Coast likely to dodge hurricane, but flooding looms http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1297b9a75a6b4dd2a73c5536a910f171/east-coast-braces-more-heavy-rain-approaching-hurricane October 2, 2015 Associated Press Associated Press AP News October 2, 2015 Washington, D.C. and Chincoteague, Virginia https://web.archive.org/web/20151003130518/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1297b9a75a6b4dd2a73c5536a910f171/east-coast-braces-more-heavy-rain-approaching-hurricane October 3, 2015 Restart zone At the request of the drivers, on the Thursday before the race, NASCAR announced that the restart zone would be expanded from 70 ft m to 140 ft m.http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/10/1/nascar-doubles-restart-zone-dover-races.html NASCAR doubles restart zone for Dover NASCAR Media Group, LLC. October 1, 2015 NASCAR.com October 1, 2015 Drivers were pleased with this change.November 2025 Chase-clinching scenarios The following scenarios were in play for this race. Regardless of another driver's finish Carl Edwards would clinch a spot in the Contender Round if he finished 32nd or better with no laps led, 33rd if he led a lap or 34th if he led the most laps.http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/9/29/chase-clinching-scenarios-for-dover-challenger-round.html Chase-clinching scenarios for Dover NASCAR Media Group, LLC. September 29, 2015 NASCAR.com September 30, 2015 Joey Logano would clinch by finishing at least 31st or better, 32nd with a lap led or 33rd with most laps led. Jimmie Johnson would clinch if he finished 25th or better, 26th if he leads a lap or 27th if he leads the most laps. Ryan Newman would clinch if he finished 16th or better, 17th if he led a lap or 18th if he led the most laps. Kurt Busch would clinches if he finished 15th or better, 16th if he led a lap or 17th if he led the most laps. Brad Keselowski would clinch if he finished 14th or better, 15th if he led a lap or 16th if he led the most laps. Martin Truex Jr. would clinch if he finished 13th or better, 14th if he led a lap or 15th if he led the most laps. Jeff Gordon would clinch if he finished 10th or better, 11th if he led a lap or 12th if he led the most laps. Must win Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, Paul Menard, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer controlled their destinies only if they won. Otherwise, as would turn out to be the case for Earnhardt and Busch, they were dependent on other non-clinched drivers having bad point days. Entry list The entry list for the AAA 400 was released on Friday, September 25 at 2:27 p.m. Eastern time. Forty-four cars were entered for the race. The four driver changes for this race were J. J. Yeley returning to the No. 26 BK Racing Toyota, Josh Wise returning to the No. 32 Go FAS Racing Ford, Alex Kennedy returning to the No. 33 Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet for the first time since Watkins Glen and Reed Sorenson returning to the No. 98 Premium Motorsports Ford. The threat of rain forced The Motorsports Group to withdraw its No. 30 Chevrolet entry from the race. Because of the withdrawal, all 43 cars remaining entered cars made the race. No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 2 Brad Keselowski (PC3) Team Penske Ford 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 4 Kevin Harvick (PC1) Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 7 Alex Bowman Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 9 Sam Hornish Jr. Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 14 Tony Stewart (PC4) Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 20 Matt Kenseth (PC6) Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 23 Jeb Burton (R) BK Racing Toyota 24 Jeff Gordon (PC7) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 26 J. J. Yeley (i) BK Racing Toyota 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 32 Josh Wise Go FAS Racing Ford 33 Alex Kennedy (R) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 34 Brett Moffitt (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 35 Cole Whitt Front Row Motorsports Ford 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 40 Landon Cassill (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 41 Kurt Busch (PC5) Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 48 Jimmie Johnson (PC2) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 51 Justin Allgaier HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 55 David Ragan Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 62 Timmy Hill (i) Premium Motorsports Chevrolet 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet 83 Matt DiBenedetto (R) BK Racing Toyota 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 98 Reed Sorenson Premium Motorsports FordOfficial initial entry listOfficial final entry list Key Meaning (R) Rookie (i) Ineligible for points (PC#) Past champions provisional Qualifying thumb|right|Matt Kenseth led the field to the green flag. Because inclement weather forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying, along with the Friday practice session, the lineup was set by points.Gelston Dan Rain at Dover washes out qualifying; Kenseth on pole http://racing.ap.org/article/rain-dover-washes-out-qualifying-kenseth-pole October 3, 2015 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports October 2, 2015 Dover, Delaware https://web.archive.org/web/20151003132842/http://racing.ap.org/article/rain-dover-washes-out-qualifying-kenseth-pole October 3, 2015 As a result, Matt Kenseth was given the first starting spot.Gluck Jeff Matt Kenseth on pole after Dover qualifying rained out https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/10/02/rain-sprint-cup-series-qualifying-aaa-400/73203136/ October 3, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. October 2, 2015 Dover, Delaware He said that everybody "would have liked to get on the track today and get some practice. I know there are some things we wanted to work on and try to improve from the spring for this race. I think everybody wanted to get on the track. I think it’s one of the advantages of leading the points – obviously if it rains you get a good starting spot and pit stall. Glad we’re starting in the front, but still would have liked the track time.”http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Rain-Cancels-Friday-Activities-at-Dover.aspx Rain Cancels Friday Activities at Dover Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network October 2, 2015 MRN.com October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003181955/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Rain-Cancels-Friday-Activities-at-Dover.aspx October 3, 2015 dead mdy-all Starting lineup Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer 1 20 Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 2 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 3 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 4 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 5 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 6 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 7 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 8 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 9 78 Martin Truex Jr.Martin Truex Jr. started the race from the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments.Motor Racing Network Motor Racing Network MRNRadio 650737075269042176 .@MartinTruex_Jr will go to the back of the field after unapproved adjustments were discovered on the car. #AskMRN October 4, 2015 October 4, 2015http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-sends-truex-to-the-rear-after-apparent-body-manipulation/ NASCAR sends Truex to the rear after apparent body manipulation DeGroot Nick Motorsport.com, Inc. October 4, 2015 Motorsport.com October 4, 2015 October 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151006190005/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-sends-truex-to-the-rear-after-apparent-body-manipulation/ dead "N" Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet 10 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 11 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 12 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 13 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 14 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 15 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 16 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 17 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 18 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 19 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 20 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 21 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 22 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 23 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 24 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 25 14 Tony Stewart Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 26 9 Sam Hornish Jr. Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 27 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 28 55 David Ragan Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 29 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 30 51 Justin Allgaier HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 31 35 Cole Whitt Front Row Motorsports Ford 32 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 33 40 Landon Cassill (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 34 34 Brett Moffitt (R) Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet 35 7 Alex Bowman Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 36 33 Alex Kennedy (R) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 37 83 Matt DiBenedetto (R) BK Racing Toyota 38 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 39 23 Jeb Burton (R) BK Racing Toyota 40 98 Reed Sorenson Premium Motorsports Ford 41 32 Josh Wise Go FAS Racing Ford 42 26 J. J. Yeley (i) BK Racing Toyota 43 62 Timmy Hill (i) Premium Motorsports ChevroletOfficial starting lineup Practice First practice Kasey Kahne was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 22.429 and a speed of 160.506 mph km/h on.http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/kasey-kahne-leads-abbreviated-cup-practice/ Kasey Kahne leads abbreviated Cup practice Spencer Lee Motorsport.com, Inc. October 3, 2015 Motorsport.com October 3, 2015 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 22.429 160.506 2 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 22.438 160.442 3 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 22.460 160.285Official first practice results Final practice Kevin Harvick was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 23.072 and a speed of 156.033 mph km/h on.http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2015/10/03/harvick-fastest-in-final-sprint-cup-practice-shortened-by-rain/ Harvick fastest in final Sprint Cup practice shortened by rain Long Dustin NBC Sports October 3, 2015 nascartalk.nbcsports.com October 3, 2015 Dover, Delaware The session only lasted 15 minutes before rain cut it short.http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/happy-hour-cut-short-by-more-rain-at-dover/ Happy Hour cut short by more rain at Dover Spencer Lee Motorsport.com, Inc. October 3, 2015 Motorsport.com October 4, 2015 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 23.072 156.033 2 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 23.075 156.013 3 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 23.109 155.783Official final practice results Race First half Start Under cloudy Delaware skies, Matt Kenseth led the field to the green flag at 2:51 p.m. It only took until lap 3 for the first caution of the race to come out.http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/10/5/rundown-analysis-of-all-43-cars-dover.html Rundown: Analysis of all 43 cars at Dover Gilder Kellie V. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. October 5, 2015 NASCAR.com October 6, 2015 This was when Josh Wise made contact with Jeb Burton in turn 1 and sent him spinning.2015 AAA 400 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOp1EW4vm5k October 12, 2015 Sprint Cup Series Sprint Cup Series NBC Sports NBCSN Dover, Delaware October 4, 2015 67 2:51 p.m. en The race restarted on lap 7. Just 10 laps later, Kenseth pulled to a one-second lead over his teammate Denny Hamlin. This lead began shrinking over the next six laps to just a quarter of a second over Kevin Harvick, who eventually took over that position on lap 25. As Harvick stayed out in front, he pulled to a two-second lead over Kenseth. The second caution of the race flew on lap 41. This was a scheduled competition caution for all the rain that the state of Delaware had throughout the entire weekend. Harvick swapped the lead with Kenseth on pit road and Hamlin exited with the lead. It was short-lived, as he and Jimmie Johnson were both tagged for speeding on pit road and restarted from the tail-end of the field. This would give the lead back to Harvick. The race restarted on lap 46. Harvick pulled to a five-second lead over Kyle Busch after 40 laps. After falling to the back on the restart for the speeding penalty, Hamlin was put down a lap by Harvick on lap 90. Jimmie Johnson made an unscheduled stop on lap 103 for an issue with the drive line.http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/jimmie-johnson-facing-possible-elimination-after-drive-line-issue/ Jimmie Johnson facing possible elimination after drive line issue Spencer Lee Motorsport.com, Inc. October 4, 2015 Motorsport.com October 5, 2015 October 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151005222633/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/jimmie-johnson-facing-possible-elimination-after-drive-line-issue/ dead They couldn't fix it on pit road and he took the car to the garage. Following the race, he said that it was "tough having a very inexpensive axle seal be the culprit and take your championship hopes away. It's racing. I’ve had mechanicals take me out of championships growing up that led to some success for myself and I’m sure helped me with a championship or two. It’s just part of racing. It just shows how critical everything is on a race team. And how important every component is and you can’t take anything for granted. Heartbreaking for sure, but I don’t know what else we can do about it we just have to go on and try to win races and close out the season strong.”https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/jimmie-johnson-s-chase-hopes-end-with-dover-problems-233142186.html Jimmie Johnson's Chase hopes end with Dover problems Bromberg Nick Nick Bromberg NBC Sports Network, Stats LLC, Opta. October 4, 2015 sports.yahoo.com October 5, 2015 Debris on the front stretch brought out the third caution of the race on lap 111. The debris came from the No. 83 car of Matt DiBenedetto. Harvick swapped the lead with Busch on pit road, but exited with the lead. Second quarter The race restarted on lap 118. Harvick once again pulled away from the field and began putting cars several of laps down. After 30 laps, he had lapped over half the field at least once. After 60 laps, he lapped everyone up to Brad Keselowski, who sat in 14th place. The fourth caution flew on lap 193 when Jeb Burton suffered a right-front tire blowout and slammed the wall in turn 2.http://brock.lastcar.info/2015/10/jeb-burton-not-jimmie-johnson-last-for.html Jeb Burton - Not Jimmie Johnson - Last For The First Time At Dover Beard Brock LASTCAR October 4, 2015 brock.lastcar.info October 5, 2015 He would go on to finish last. Harvick and Kyle Busch swapped the lead on pit road, but exited with the lead.http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2015/10/04/nascar-at-dover-harvick-dominating-at-mid-point-johnson-in-jeopardy/ NASCAR at Dover: Harvick dominating at mid-point; Johnson in Jeopardy Bonkowski Jerry NBC Sports October 4, 2015 nascartalk.nbcsports.com October 4, 2015 Second half Halfway thumb|right|Kyle Busch leading the field following a restart The race restarted on lap 206. Debris on the front stretch brought out the fifth caution on lap 232. Harvick and Busch swapped the lead on pit road. This time, however, Busch took just right-side tires and exited with the lead. Hamlin was tagged for speeding on pit road and restarted from the tail-end of the field. The race restarted on lap 237. Harvick didn't waste any time passing the third and second–place cars. He drove under Busch in turn 2 to retake the lead on lap 249. The sixth caution flew on lap 312 when A. J. Allmendinger got loose and spun out in turn 4 while trying to get on pit road. Harvick and Busch again swapped the lead on pit road, but Harvick exited with it. With the stop being outside the 85-lap fuel window, most of the cars on the lead lap began shutting off their engines to conserve fuel. Fourth quarter thumb|right|Kevin Harvick, seen here at the 2015 Daytona 500, scored his 31st career victory at Dover. The race restarted with 84 laps to go. The seventh caution of the race flew with 47 laps to go for a single-car wreck in turn 1. Brett Moffitt suffered a right-front tire blowout and slammed the wall. Matt Kenseth opted not to pit under the caution and assumed the lead. The race restarted with 42 laps to go. Kenseth was no match for Kevin Harvick on old tires and lost the lead to Kevin. The eighth caution of the race flew with 29 laps to go for fluid on the track. The fluid came from the No. 40 car of Landon Cassill after his engine blew up. The race restarted with 24 laps to go. Kevin Harvick drove on to score his 31st career victory. While Jamie Mcmurray, Jimmie Johnson, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer were the 4 drivers eliminated from the chase.Gelston Dan Harvick dominates in must-win race to advance in Chase http://racing.ap.org/article/harvick-dominates-must-win-race-advance-chase October 4, 2015 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports October 4, 2015 Dover, Delaware https://web.archive.org/web/20151005144200/http://racing.ap.org/article/harvick-dominates-must-win-race-advance-chase October 5, 2015 Post-race Driver comments Harvick said that he was "just so proud of everybody from Stewart–Haas Racing to do everything that we’ve done the last three weeks, really. Obviously we weren’t in a great position coming in to today. That’s what these guys are made of and that’s what teamwork is all about."http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Kevin-Harvick-Wins-AAA-400-to-Advance-to-Contender-Round.aspx Harvick Dominates Dover to Advance Mays Robbie Motor Racing Network October 4, 2015 MRN.com October 4, 2015 Dover, Delaware https://web.archive.org/web/20151005144146/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Kevin-Harvick-Wins-AAA-400-to-Advance-to-Contender-Round.aspx October 5, 2015 dead mdy-all Following his runner-up finish, Kyle Busch said that the day was "really good...for us. I can't say enough about this entire Interstate Batteries team. They did a great job today. Adam Stevens gave me a great piece and when you look at the amount of practice time we had, it was pretty hard to figure out what you had. We had a second–place car and we finished second with it; nothing to hang our heads about."http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/kyle-busch-makes-up-the-difference-keeping-his-chase-hopes-alive/ Kyle Busch makes up the difference, keeping his Chase hopes alive DeGroot Nick Motorsport.com, Inc. October 4, 2015 Motorsport.com October 5, 2015 Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished third and advanced to the Contender Round on a tiebreaker.Hembree Mike Dale Earnhardt Jr. barely advances in Chase for the Sprint Cup https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/10/04/dale-earnhardt-jr-chase-for-sprint-cup-dover-speedway-nascar/73353622/ October 4, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. October 5, 2015 Dover, Delaware After the race, he said that the closing laps weren't "nerve-wracking at all. You're either going to make it or you ain't. I'm going to try put together the best lap I can put together, and drive the car as hard as you can without over-driving it. You can't really worry about the big picture because you have to concentrate on running the lap. This place is so technical that you just have to concentrate on every corner and the mistake you made on the last one and how you make a better corner the next time through there. That's all you really worry about."http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/dale-earnhardt-jr-jamie-mcmurray-aaa-400-dover-advances-to-next-chase-round-sprint-cup-100415 Earnhardt Jr. advances to next Chase round by besting McMurray Pennell Jay Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. October 4, 2015 FoxSports.com October 5, 2015 Jamie McMurray failed to make the Contender Round on a tiebreaker with a fourth–place finish.Gluck Jeff Kevin Harvick wins at Dover; Jimmie Johnson eliminated from Chase https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/10/04/kevin-harvick-wins-aaa-400-dover-international-speedway-chase-sprint-cup-elimination/73343006/ October 4, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. October 5, 2015 Dover, Delaware After the race, he said that he was "driving so hard those last few laps, and it’s just hard to make up any ground. And it seemed like our car was maybe better on stickers,” McMurray explained. “We haven’t run this well, honestly. We talked earlier today about that. So, I’m thrilled with our performance today. It’s frustrating that we weren’t able to make it to the next round, but it was a good day for the Nature Made car. We just needed one more point.”http://www.popularspeed.com/mcmurray-johnson-among-first-chase-eliminations/ McMurray, Johnson Among First Chase Eliminations Crandall Kelly Popular Speed October 4, 2015 popularspeed.com October 5, 2015 thumb|Almirola finished fifth, his best position so far this season After driving under the radar to a fifth–place finish, Aric Almirola said that his team did "a really good job. We just struggled with getting the car in the race track most of the day and right there at the end four tires paid off for us. That was some really good adjustments by Trent and the guys and the pit crew did a good job getting me off pit road and just a really solid day for us.”http://www.popularspeed.com/aric-almirola-quietly-races-his-way-to-a-top-five-finish-at-dover/ Aric Almirola Quietly Races His Way to a Top-Five Finish at Dover Marquis Andy Popular Speed October 4, 2015 popularspeed.com October 5, 2015 Martin Truex Jr. drove from the rear of the field to an 11th–place finish.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Challenging-Day-For-Truex-Jr.aspx Challenging Day For Truex Jr Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network October 4, 2015 MRN.com October 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151006055706/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Challenging-Day-For-Truex-Jr.aspx October 6, 2015 dead mdy-all He said after the race that he didn't have "a great day...It wasn’t a great weekend. We have been struggling trying to get the thing turning. All in all we had good speed when we would get track position. We would lose track position and being in long lines on the restarts when we couldn’t really go anywhere. It was really difficult to pass today. We had good speed out front, top five speed and then just never really could get back there once we got back in traffic.” A 12th–place finish was enough for Jeff Gordon to advance into the Contender Round.Tresolini Kevin NASCAR fans treasure last glimpse of Gordon at Dover http://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/motor/nascar/2015/10/04/nascar-fans-treasure-last-glimpse-gordon-dover/73334410/ October 4, 2015 The News Journal Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. October 5, 2015 Dover, Delaware subscription After the race, he said that making it involved "a lot of hard work. I'm proud of these guys. We fought hard and that's what we've been doing all year long. It hasn't been pretty. We've had a lot to overcome and we never give. That was pretty much what he had today, we survived and made it through."http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/jeff-gordon-hendrick-motorsports-chase-sprint-cup-dover-aaa-400-survive-advance-100415 Survive and advance: Jeff Gordon does just that in AAA 400 at Dover Pennell Jay Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. October 4, 2015 FoxSports.com October 5, 2015 After a 14th–place finish wasn't enough to get Clint Bowyer into the Contender Round, he said after the race that his "5-Hour Energy Toyota was good today, I’d say a top-five car. We just had some bad luck with that loose wheel early on. We got two laps down, but were able to make those up. No one had anything for that 4 car (Harvick), though.”http://autoracingdaily.com/kevin-harvick-wins-at-dover-to-advance-in-chase/ Kevin Harvick wins at Dover to advance in Chase Vincent Amanda Auto Racing Daily October 4, 2015 autoracingdaily.com October 5, 2015 Following his 25th–place finish that kept him from advancing to the Contender Round, Paul Menard said that it "was not a good day for us at Dover. We fought handling all day and found out there was a mechanical issue there near the end. We gave it our all and I'm proud that we got here. Hate that we don't get to compete further into the Chase, but we will work for a win and to advance our spot from where we are.”http://www.theracingexperts.com/comments-round-1-2015.php Comments from the four eliminated drivers Aragon Dominic The Racing Experts October 4, 2015 theracingexperts.com October 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151005214901/http://www.theracingexperts.com/comments-round-1-2015.php October 5, 2015 dead mdy-all Race results Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Laps completed Points 1 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 400 48 2 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 400 43 3 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 400 41 4 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 400 40 5 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 400 39 6 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 400 38 7 20 Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 400 38 8 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 400 36 9 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 400 35 10 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 400 34 11 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet 400 33 12 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 400 32 13 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 400 31 14 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 400 30 15 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 400 29 16 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 400 28 17 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 400 27 18 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 400 26 19 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 399 25 20 9 Sam Hornish Jr. Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 398 24 21 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 398 23 22 55 David Ragan Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 398 22 23 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 398 21 24 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 397 20 25 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 397 19 26 14 Tony Stewart Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 396 18 27 51 Justin Allgaier HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 395 17 28 35 Cole Whitt Front Row Motorsports Ford 394 16 29 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 394 15 30 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 394 14 31 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 393 13 32 7 Alex Bowman Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 393 12 33 98 Reed Sorenson Premium Motorsports Ford 391 11 34 83 Matt DiBenedetto (R) BK Racing Toyota 391 10 35 26 J. J. Yeley (i) BK Racing Toyota 390 9 36 32 Josh Wise Go FAS Racing Ford 389 8 37 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 387 7 38 33 Alex Kennedy (R) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 386 6 39 62 Timmy Hill (i) Premium Motorsports Chevrolet 380 5 40 40 Landon Cassill (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 365 4 41 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 364 3 42 34 Brett Moffitt (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 346 2 43 23 Jeb Burton (R) BK Racing Toyota 186 1Official AAA 400 results Race statistics 14 lead changes among 3 different drivers 8 cautions for 43 laps Time of race: 3 hours, 20 minutes, 13 seconds Average speed: 119.870 mph km/h on Kevin Harvick took home $263,590 in winnings Lap Leaders Laps Leader 1-23 Matt Kenseth 24-41 Kevin Harvick 42 Matt Kenseth 43-112 Kevin Harvick 113 Kyle Busch 114-195 Kevin Harvick 196 Kyle Busch 197-232 Kevin Harvick 233-247 Kyle Busch 248-312 Kevin Harvick 313 Kyle Busch 314-354 Kevin Harvick 355 Kyle Busch 356-357 Matt Kenseth 358-400 Kevin HarvickTotal laps led Leader Laps Kevin Harvick 355 Matt Kenseth 26 Kyle Busch 19 Race awards Coors Light Pole Award: No winner 3M Lap Leader: Kevin Harvick (355 laps) American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Kevin Harvick Duralast Brakes "Bake In The Race" Award: Matt Kenseth Freescale "Wide Open": Jamie McMurray Ingersoll Rand Power Move: Aric Almirola (7 positions) MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Hendrick Engines, #4 Mobil 1 Driver of the Race: Kevin Harvick (149.7 driver rating) Moog Steering and Suspension Problem Solver of The Race: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (crew chief Greg Ives (0.132 seconds)) NASCAR Sprint Cup Leader Bonus: No winner, rolls over to $20,000 at next event Sherwin-Williams Fastest Lap: Matt Kenseth (Lap 9, 22.471, 160.206 mph km/h on) Sunoco Rookie of The Race: Matt DiBenedetto Media Television NBCSN covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, 2006 race winner Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast handled pit road on the television side. NBCSNBooth announcersPit reporters Lap-by-lap: Rick AllenColor-commentator: Jeff BurtonColor-commentator: Steve Letarte Dave BurnsMike MassaroMarty SniderKelli Stavast Radio MRN had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Joe Moore, Jeff Striegle and three–time Dover winner Rusty Wallace called the race from the booth when the field was racing down the front stretch. Mike Bagley called the race from the turn 3 stands when the field was racing down the backstretch. Alex Hayden, Winston Kelley and Steve Post handled pit road on the radio side. MRN Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters Lead announcer: Joe MooreAnnouncer: Jeff StriegleAnnouncer: Rusty Wallace Backstretch: Mike Bagley Alex HaydenWinston KelleySteve Post Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos Driver Points 10px 1 Matt Kenseth 3,000 10px 2 2 Joey Logano 3,000 (–0) 10px 1 3 Denny Hamlin 3,000 (–0) 10px 1 4 Carl Edwards 3,000 (–0) 10px 4 5 Martin Truex Jr. 3,000 (–0) 10px 1 6 Kurt Busch 3,000 (–0) 10px 3 7 Jeff Gordon 3,000 (–0) 10px 8 Brad Keselowski 3,000 (–0) 10px 4 9 Kyle Busch 3,000 (–0) 10px 4 10 Ryan Newman 3,000 (–0) 10px 1 11 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3,000 (–0) 10px 1 12 Kevin Harvick 3,000 (–0) 10px 8 13 Jamie McMurray 2,098 (–902) 10px 1 14 Jimmie Johnson 2,086 (–914) 10px 1 15 Paul Menard 2,075 (–925) 10px 16 Clint Bowyer 2,048 (–952) thumb|right|Matt Kenseth left Dover tied for the points lead with 11 other drivers. Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos Manufacturer Points 10px 1 Chevrolet 1,273 10px 2 Toyota 1,228 (–45) 10px 3 Ford 1,200 (–73) Note: Only the first sixteen positions are included for the driver standings. Note "N" References 2 Sprint Cup Series 2015 2015 Sylvania 300 2015 Bank of America 500 AAA 400 AAA 400 Category:NASCAR races at Dover Motor Speedway