2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

American motorsport season April 2025 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2015 2014 2016 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champions Seasons thumb|Kyle Busch, the 2015 Sprint Cup Series champion thumb|Kevin Harvick, the 2015 Sprint Cup Series runner-up thumb|Jeff Gordon, who retired from full-time racing after the season, finished 5 points behind Kyle Busch in third place thumb|Martin Truex Jr., finished 11 points behind Kyle Busch in fourth place thumb|Brett Moffitt, rookie of the year. thumb|Chevrolet won the Manufacturer's championship with 15 wins & 1584 points, their 13th championship in a row. They wouldn't win again until 2021. The 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 67th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 44th modern-era Cup season. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Sprint Unlimited exhibition race, the Budweiser Duels, and the Daytona 500. The season ended with the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kyle Busch won the championship, despite missing the first third of the season due to severe leg injuries suffered in an Xfinity Series race at Daytona. Busch also became the first Toyota driver to win a Cup championship.Kyle Busch wins first Sprint Cup Series championship NASCAR.com November 22, 2015 http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/11/22/kyle-busch-sprint-cup-champion-2015.html November 22, 2015 November 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151123131225/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/11/22/kyle-busch-sprint-cup-champion-2015.html dead Brett Moffitt was named Rookie of the Year despite not running a full season. The season also marked the first season of a new television contract. During the season, races were televised in the United States on Fox, Fox Sports 1, NBC, and NBCSN. ESPN and Turner Sports, who televised races from 2007 to 2014, did not seek to renew their contracts with NASCAR following the completion of the 2014 season; this marked the end of a 31-year relationship between NASCAR and Turner's primary stations, TBS and TNT. In addition, it was the first season on the newly rebranded Fox Sports Racing in Canada and the Caribbean. On January 22, 2015, four-time champion Jeff Gordon announced that 2015 would be his final season as a full-time driver, but he did not rule out complete retirement. Chase Elliott replaced him in the No. 24 car for Hendrick Motorsports in 2016. Teams and drivers Complete schedule There were 43 full-time teams in 2015. ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberRace driverCrew chief Chevrolet Chip Ganassi Racing1Jamie McMurrayMatt McCallMatt McCall tapped as crew chief for Jamie McMurray http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/matt-mccall-tapped-as-crew-chief-for-jamie-mcmurray November 18, 2014 Motorsports.com November 18, 2014 February 20, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160220125721/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/matt-mccall-tapped-as-crew-chief-for-jamie-mcmurray/ dead 42Kyle Larson 35 1–5, 7–36Bianchi Jordan Kyle Larson named driver of No. 42 Cup car for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing https://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2013/8/30/4677326/2013-nascar-atlanta-motor-speedway-kyle-larson-earnhardt-ganassi-racing-juan-pablo-montoya October 15, 2013 SBNation August 30, 2013 Chris HeroyRegan Smith 1 6Pennell Jay https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/kyle-larson-sidelined-regan-smith-driving-chip-ganassi-racing-martinsville-speedway-032915 Regan Smith to drive for Larson, who fainted Saturday, at Martinsville Foxsports.com March 29, 2015 March 29, 2015 Furniture Row Racing78Martin Truex Jr.Cole Pearnhttp://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/pearn-takes-over-the-reins-at-frr Pearn takes over the reins at FRR motorsport.com December 3, 2014 December 3, 2014Germain Racing13Casey MearsAragon Dominic http://www.theracingexperts.com/mears-signed-through-2015.php Casey Mears signed through 2015 The Racing Experts August 8, 2014 August 8, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140809135358/http://www.theracingexperts.com/mears-signed-through-2015.php August 9, 2014 dead mdy-allBootie BarkerHendrick Motorsports5Kasey Kahnehttps://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/news/story?id=5082269 Kahne signs deal with Hendrick Motorsports ESPN April 14, 2012 July 22, 2012 Smith MartyKeith Roddenhttps://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/article/2014/11/19/Hendrick-Motorsports-realigns-No-5-team-personnel Hendrick Motorsports realigns No. 5 team personnel HendrickMotorsports.com November 19, 2014 November 19, 201424Jeff GordonAlan Gustafson48Jimmie Johnsonhttp://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/cup/11/20/jjohnson.lowes.hendrick.extension/index.html Johnson, Lowe's sign extension with Hendrick Turner Sports NASCAR November 20, 2009 July 18, 2014 Aumann, Mark https://web.archive.org/web/20100212010251/http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/cup/11/20/jjohnson.lowes.hendrick.extension/index.html February 12, 2010Chad KnausHendrick re-signs Gustafson, Knaus https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/news/story?id=5150854 Associated Press July 27, 2014 ESPN.com December 13, 201488Dale Earnhardt Jr.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2011-09-01/NASCARs-Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-signs-with-Hendrick-through-2017/50217628/1 NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs with Hendrick through 2017 USA Today September 1, 2011 July 18, 2014 Ryan, NateGreg IvesGreg Ives named Junior's crew chief in 2015 http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/7/30/dale-earnhardt-jr-greg-ives-new-crew-chief-no-88-team-hendrick-motorsports-sprint-cup-series.html NASCAR July 30, 2014 January 15, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160115135434/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/7/30/dale-earnhardt-jr-greg-ives-new-crew-chief-no-88-team-hendrick-motorsports-sprint-cup-series.html dead HScott Motorsports46Michael Annetthttp://www.hscottmotorsports.com/news-article/92/HScott_Expands_to_Two_Full_time_Teams_Competing_in_NASCAR_Sprint_Cup_Series HScott Expands to Two Full-time Teams Competing in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series HScott Motorsports January 27, 2015 January 27, 2015Jay Guyhttp://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/jay-guy-to-lead-michael-annett-and-pilot-flying-j-team/ Jay Guy to lead Michael Annett and Pilot Flying J team Motorsport.com, INC. February 4, 2015 Motorsport.com February 5, 201551Justin AllgaierSpencer Lee http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-ns/news/scott-reveals-his-plans-for-2015 Scott reveals his plans for 2015 Motorsport.com, Inc. December 12, 2014 Motorsport.com December 13, 2014Steve Addington JTG Daugherty Racing47A. J. AllmendingerBrian Burnshttp://www.jtgdaughertyracing.com/index.php/news/general-news/item/226-crew-chief-brian-burns-proudly-continues-his-journey CREW CHIEF BRIAN BURNS PROUDLY CONTINUES HIS JOURNEY JTG Daugherty Racing January 7, 2015 January 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150206050001/http://jtgdaughertyracing.com/index.php/news/general-news/item/226-crew-chief-brian-burns-proudly-continues-his-journey February 6, 2015 dead mdy-allRichard Childress Racing3Austin DillonGil Martin 15 1–15Slugger Labbe 21 16–36http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52606 RCR Announces Crew Chief Changes on Sprint Cup Programs Richard Childress Racing June 15, 2015 June 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150617040518/http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52606 June 17, 2015 dead mdy-all27Paul MenardGluck Jeff https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/05/24/paul-menard-richard-childress-racing/2358615/ Paul Menard re-signs with Richard Childress Racing USA Today May 24, 2013 July 18, 2014Justin Alexander31Ryan NewmanLuke Lambert 30 1–10, 17–36Todd Parrott 6 11–1633Ty Dillon 5 1, 11, 14–15, 36RCR and Yuengling Extend Partnership http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52394 Richard Childress Racing September 24, 2014 October 31, 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141031154321/http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52394 October 31, 2014 mdy-allTy Dillon and Cheerios Team Up for the 2015 Daytona 500 http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52474 Richard Childress Racing December 9, 2014 December 9, 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141209221245/http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52474 December 9, 2014 mdy-allTodd Parrott 9 1–3, 20, 26–27, 31, 34, 36Mike Chance 1 4Slugger Labbe 6 5, 10–11, 13–15Pat Tryson 6 6–9, 12, 16Gil Martin 1 17Paul Clapprood 13 18–19, 21–25, 28–30, 32–33, 35Brian Scott 10 3, 5, 10, 13, 17, 20, 26–27, 31, 34http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52506 Richard Childress Racing Partners with Albertsons Richard Childress Racing February 12, 2015 February 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150213065444/http://www.rcrracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=52506 February 13, 2015 dead mdy-allHillman-Circle Sport LLCMichael Annett 1 2http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/reversal-of-fortune/ Reversal of Fortune Spencer Lee Motorsport.com February 28, 2015 February 28, 2015 March 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150304070848/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/reversal-of-fortune/ deadAnnett & sponsor Pilot Flying J moved to the No. 33 at Atlanta after the No. 46 failed to qualify. "N"Alex Kennedy (R) 13 4, 6–9, 12, 16, 18, 21–22, 29–30, 33Derek White 1 19Travis Kvapil 2 23, 32Mike Bliss 2 24–25B. J. McLeod 1 28Ryan Ellis 1 3540Landon Cassillhttp://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/2/12/hillman-racing-partnership-rebranded-to-hillman-smith-motorsports.html HILLMAN RACING FORMS PARTNERSHIP, HAS NEW NAME NASCAR February 12, 2015 February 12, 2015 February 13, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150213041216/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/2/12/hillman-racing-partnership-rebranded-to-hillman-smith-motorsports.html deadMark HillmanStewart–Haas Racing4Kevin HarvickNewton David Kevin Harvick moving to Stewart–Haas Racing to rejuvenate career https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/9473087/kevin-harvick-moving-stewart-haas-racing-rejuvenate-career July 18, 2014 ESPNRodney Childers10Danica PatrickDaniel KnostDanica Patrick talks college football, new crew chief, Tony Stewart in Q&A at GoDaddy Bowl https://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/01/danica_patrick_talks_college_f.html Hicks Tommy AL.com Alabama Media Group January 4, 2015 January 5, 201514Tony StewartChad Johnston41Regan Smith 3 1–3February 20, 2015 Stewart–Haas Racing Names Regan Smith Interim Driver for No. 41 Team in Daytona 500 http://www.stewarthaasracing.com/media/index.php?fromNews=1&article=1768 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150221185305/http://stewarthaasracing.com/media/index.php?fromNews=1&article=1768 February 21, 2015 February 22, 2015 Stewart–Haas Racing mdy-allTony GibsonOctober 22, 2014 Stewart–Haas Racing Announces Personnel Swap Between Nos. 10 and 41 Teams http://www.stewarthaasracing.com/media/index.php?fromNews=1&article=1716 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141025021018/http://www.stewarthaasracing.com/media/index.php?fromNews=1&article=1716 October 25, 2014 October 22, 2014 Stewart–Haas Racing mdy-allKurt Busch 33 4–36 Tommy Baldwin Racing7Alex Bowmanhttp://www.catchfence.com/2015/sprintcup/01/27/alex-bowman-set-join-tommy-baldwin-racing/ Alex Bowman Set To Join Tommy Baldwin Racing Knight Chris Catchfence January 27, 2015 January 28, 2015 December 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221228114537/http://www.catchfence.com/2015/sprintcup/01/27/alex-bowman-set-join-tommy-baldwin-racing/ deadKevin Manion 10 1–10Tommy Baldwin Jr. 26 11–36http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=ef26668c-d9eb-4e07-ab2f-43ac0fbf5652&c=b44af990-4bf5-11e3-8a59-d4ae52a4597c&ch=b4cf6bd0-4bf5-11e3-8a9c-d4ae52a4597c https://web.archive.org/web/20160204220022/http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=ef26668c-d9eb-4e07-ab2f-43ac0fbf5652&c=b44af990-4bf5-11e3-8a59-d4ae52a4597c&ch=b4cf6bd0-4bf5-11e3-8a9c-d4ae52a4597c dead February 4, 2016 Baldwin Returns to Pit Box at Kansas Tommy Baldwin Racing May 5, 2015 May 5, 2015FordFront Row Motorsports34David Ragan 1 1Derrick FinleyJoe Nemechek 1 2http://teamfrm.com/?p=2548 Nemechek to Drive No. 34 CSX 'Play It Safe' Ford at Atlanta Front Row Motorsports February 26, 2015 February 27, 2015Brett Moffitt (R) 25 3–4, 11–15, 17–21, 23–31, 33–36http://teamfrm.com/?p=2559 Moffitt to Drive No. 34 for Three Races Front Row Motorsports March 4, 2015 March 4, 2015Chris Buescher 6 5–8, 10, 22http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/buescher-to-drive-the-no-34-ford-sprint-cup-car-at-fontana/ Buescher to drive the No. 34 Ford Sprint Cup car at Fontana Spencer Lee Motorsport.com, Inc. March 20, 2015 Motorsport.com March 20, 2015Reed Sorenson 1 9Justin Marks 1 16Josh Wise 1 3235Cole WhittPennell Jay Front Row Motorsports expands to three teams, adding Cole Whitt https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/front-row-motorsports-expands-to-three-teams-adding-cole-whitt-011615 Fox Sports Fox Sports January 16, 2015 January 16, 2015Randy Cox 38David GillilandSpencer Lee Wingo named crew chief at Front Row Motorsports http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/wingo-named-crew-chief-at-front-row-motorsports motorsport.com motorsport.com January 5, 2015 January 5, 2015Donnie WingoGo FAS Racing 32Bobby Labonte 4 1, 10, 17, 32http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2014/12/Bobby-Labonte-to-Race-for-GoFas-in-2015.aspx?adbid=10152959475509208&adbpl=fb&adbpr=47438839207&s_soc=social_20141210_37056147 Bobby Labonte to Race for GoFAS in 2015 Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network December 10, 2014 MRN.com December 10, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141214144424/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2014/12/Bobby-Labonte-to-Race-for-GoFas-in-2015.aspx?adbid=10152959475509208&adbpl=fb&adbpr=47438839207&s_soc=social_20141210_37056147 December 14, 2014 dead mdy-allPast Champions' provisional was used by Bobby Labonte at the Daytona 500 "N" Clinton CramMike Bliss 10 2–8, 12–13, 15http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Mike-Bliss-to-drive-for-Go-FAS-racing-in-2015-.html?soid=1118954248648&aid=Sv0512eszyA Mike Bliss Joins Go FAS Racing for 2015 Go Green Racing February 3, 2015 February 3, 2015Joey Gase 4 9, 11, 34–35http://www.joeygaseracing.com/track-notes/gase-to-makes-sprint-cup-season-debut-at-richmond/ Gase to Makes Sprint Cup Season Debut at Richmond Joey Gase PR April 16, 2015 April 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150507055257/http://www.joeygaseracing.com/track-notes/gase-to-makes-sprint-cup-season-debut-at-richmond/ May 7, 2015 deadTravis Kvapil 2 14, 21http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Travis-Kvapil-Axalta--We-Paint-Winners--400-Race-Advance.html?soid=1118954248648&aid=gPPiT8Z7aTw Travis Kvapil No.32 Go Green Racing Ford Race Advance Go Green Racing June 2, 2015 June 3, 2015Boris Said 2 16, 22https://bangordailynews.com/2014/12/10/sports/maine-owned-nascar-team-replaces-terry-labonte-with-bobby-labonte-for-four-races/ Maine-owned NASCAR team replaces Terry Labonte with Bobby Labonte for four races Bangor Daily News Mahoney Larry Road course specialist Boris Said will also return to Go FAS Racing for the two road course races at Watkins Glen and Sonoma Raceway. December 10, 2014 December 11, 2014Will Kimmel 2 18, 31Wolkin Joseph http://frontstretch.com/2015/05/12/arca-series-veteran-will-kimmel-to-attempt-nascar-sprint-cup-series-debut/ ARCA SERIES VETERAN WILL KIMMEL TO ATTEMPT NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES DEBUT Frontstretch May 12, 2015 May 12, 2015Eddie MacDonald 1 19Josh Wise 8 20, 23–25, 27, 29–30, 36Knight Chris http://www.catchfence.com/2015/sprintcup/07/17/josh-wise-lands-cup-ride-for-brickyard/ Josh Wise Lands Cup Ride For Brickyard Frontstretch July 17, 2015 July 17, 2015 December 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221228114538/http://www.catchfence.com/2015/sprintcup/07/17/josh-wise-lands-cup-ride-for-brickyard/ deadJeffrey Earnhardt 2 26, 28Kyle Fowler 1 33 Richard Petty Motorsports9Sam Hornish Jr.Richard Petty Motorsports signs Sam Hornish Jr. for 2015 season https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/11663937/richard-petty-motorsports-signs-sam-hornish-2015 ESPN.com ESPN (via Associated Press) October 8, 2014Drew Blickensderfer 10 1–10Kevin Manion 26 11–36Ryan Nate https://nascartalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/05/kevin-manion-named-sam-hornish-jr-s-crew-chief-replacing-drew-blickensderfer/ Kevin Manion named Sam Hornish Jr.'s crew chief, replacing Drew Blickensderfer NBC Sports May 5, 2015 May 5, 201543Aric Almirolahttps://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/richard-petty-motorsports-aric-almirola-sign-three-year-extension-with-smithfield-foods-011514 Richard Petty Motorsports, Almirola sign 3-year extension with sponsor Fox Sports Associated Press July 18, 2014Trent OwensRoush Fenway Racing6Trevor BayneAlbert Zack Trevor Bayne to drive in Cup for Roush Fenway in 2015 http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/5/24/nascar-sprint-cup-series-roush-fenway-racing-adds-trevor-bayne.html NASCAR July 27, 2014 January 11, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160111191705/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/5/24/nascar-sprint-cup-series-roush-fenway-racing-adds-trevor-bayne.html deadBob Osbornehttp://www.roushfenway.com/?q=story/roush-fenway-racing-announces-2015-crew-chief-lineup Roush Fenway Racing Announces 2015 Crew Chief Lineup Roush Fenway Racing January 6, 2015 January 7, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150114211359/http://www.roushfenway.com/?q=story%2Froush-fenway-racing-announces-2015-crew-chief-lineup January 14, 2015 16Greg BiffleBruce Kenny Edwards out as Roush Fenway sets 2015 roster http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/7/27/sprint-cup-roush-fenway-racing-2015-team-carl-edwards-greg-biffle.html NASCAR July 27, 2014 July 30, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140730181959/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/7/27/sprint-cup-roush-fenway-racing-2015-team-carl-edwards-greg-biffle.html deadMatt Puccia17Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Nick SandlerTeam Penske2Brad Keselowskihttps://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/9759084/penske-racing-inks-brad-keselowski-miller-lite-2017 Penske extends Brad Keselowski deal Associated Press October 3, 2013 ESPN.com August 27, 2014Paul Wolfe22Joey LoganoTodd GordonToyotaBK Racing23J. J. Yeley 24 1-8, 10–24http://myemail.constantcontact.com/BK-Racing-Names-JJ-Yeley-as-the-Primary-Driver-for-the-No-83-Toyota.html?soid=1115188963405&aid=hgpDXdN7C1g BK Racing Names JJ Yeley as the Primary Driver for the 2015 Season BK Racing January 27, 2015 January 27, 2015http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/alex-bowman-out-j-j-yeley-in-at-bk-racing Alex Bowman out, J. J. Yeley in at BK Racing Spencer Lee Motorsport.com January 27, 2015 January 27, 2015Joe Williams 35 1–24, 26–36Patrick Donahue1 25Jeb Burton 12 9, 25–36 (R)26Jeb Burton 24 1–24 (R)Jerry Bonkowski http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/08/report-will-jeb-burton-get-sprint-cup-ride-with-bk-racing/ Confirmed: Jeb Burton to drive No. 26 Sprint Cup car for BK Racing NBCSports.com February 8, 2015 February 8, 2015Patrick Donahue 35 1–24, 26–36Joe Williams 1 25J. J. Yeley 11 25–27, 29–36Josh Wise 1 2883Johnny Sauter 1 1http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/johnny-sauter-to-run-for-bk-racing-at-daytona Johnny Sauter to run for BK Racing at Daytona Spencer Lee Motorsport.com February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015Doug Richert 28 1–22, 25–29, 33 Gene Nead 8 23–24, 30–32, 34–36Matt DiBenedetto (R) 35 2–36http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Matt-Dibenedetto-Joins-BK-Racing-s-Driver-Stable-Starting-at-Atlanta-Motor-Speedway.html?soid=1115188963405&aid=8_sNqM5Qih8 Matt Dibenedetto Joins BK Racing's Driver Stable Starting at Atlanta Motor Speedway BK Racing February 26, 2015 February 27, 2015Joe Gibbs Racing11Denny HamlinDave Rogershttp://joegibbsracing.com/2014/12/04/joe-gibbs-racing-announces-2015-crew-chief-lineup/ Joe Gibbs Racing Announces 2015 Crew Chief Lineup Joe Gibbs Racing December 4, 2014 December 4, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141208233221/http://joegibbsracing.com/2014/12/04/joe-gibbs-racing-announces-2015-crew-chief-lineup/ December 8, 2014 dead mdy-all18Matt Crafton 1 1Matt Crafton to sub for injured Kyle Busch http://www.racer.com/nascar/item/113686-nascar-matt-crafton-to-sub-for-injured-kyle-busch February 21, 2015 February 22, 2015 Racer Haymarket Publications https://web.archive.org/web/20150222065743/http://www.racer.com/nascar/item/113686-nascar-matt-crafton-to-sub-for-injured-kyle-busch February 22, 2015 dead mdy-allAdam StevensDavid Ragan 9 2–10http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/2/24/david-ragan-to-sub-for-kyle-busch-joe-gibbs-racing.html David Ragan to sub for Kyle Busch in No. 18 Toyota NASCAR Media Group, LLC. February 24, 2015 NASCAR.com February 25, 2015 March 3, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205347/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/2/24/david-ragan-to-sub-for-kyle-busch-joe-gibbs-racing.html deadErik Jones 1 11http://joegibbsracing.com/2015/04/30/erik-jones-to-pilot-the-no-18-mms-toyota-camry-starting-at-kansas-speedway/ Erik Jones to Pilot the No. 18 M&M'S® Toyota Camry Starting at Kansas Speedway Joe Gibbs Racing April 30, 2015 April 30, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150503012643/http://joegibbsracing.com/2015/04/30/erik-jones-to-pilot-the-no-18-mms-toyota-camry-starting-at-kansas-speedway/ May 3, 2015 deadKyle Busch 25 12–3619Carl Edwardshttp://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/8/19/carl-edwards-joe-gibbs-racing-announcement.html Carl Edwards to join Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015 Bruce Kenny NASCAR Media Group, LLC. August 19, 2014 NASCAR.com August 19, 2014 August 20, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140820211249/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/8/19/carl-edwards-joe-gibbs-racing-announcement.html deadDarian Grubb20Matt Kenseth 34 1–33, 36https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/11150208/matt-kenseth-gets-multiyear-extension-jgr JGR extends Matt Kenseth Ashenfelter Mark ESPN Internet Ventures June 28, 2014 ESPN.com July 1, 2014Jason RatcliffErik Jones 2 34–35Michael Waltrip Racing15Clint BowyerBrian Pattie 16 1–14, 16, 29Billy Scott 18 15, 17–28, 32-36 Dax Gerringer 2 30-31http://www.michaelwaltrip.com/news?n_id=708 CREW CHIEF, ENGINEERING REASSIGNMENTS Michael Waltrip Racing June 9, 2015 June 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150829224710/http://www.michaelwaltrip.com/news?n_id=708 August 29, 2015 dead55Michael Waltrip 2 1, 10Turner Jared Brian Vickers cleared to return to racing in early March https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/brian-vickers-cleared-to-return-to-sprint-cup-series-at-las-vegas-motor-speedway-012115 Fox Sports Fox Sports January 21, 2015 January 21, 2015Billy Scott 15 1–14, 16Brian Pattie 20 15, 17–28, 30-36 Dax Gerringer 1 29Brett Moffitt (R) 6 2, 5–9Brian Vickers 2 3–4David Ragan 26 11–36http://www.michaelwaltrip.com/news?n_id=629 David Ragan To Drive No.55 Michael Waltrip Racing April 28, 2015 April 29, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150918165450/http://www.michaelwaltrip.com/news?n_id=629 September 18, 2015 deadChevrolet 7 16, 21–23, 28, 34, 36 Ford 28 1–15, 17–20, 24–27, 29–31, 33, 35 Toyota 1 32 Phil Parsons Racing 11 1–11Premium Motorsports 24 12–31, 33–36Michael Waltrip Racing 1 3298Josh Wise 18 1–18Aragon Dominic https://www.theracingexperts.com/josh-wise-to-return-to-ppr.php Josh Wise to return to Phil Parsons Racing The Racing Experts December 1, 2014 December 2, 2014Wise will run a Chevrolet at Sonoma. http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2015/story/_/page/16-Sonoma-2015-Entry-List Sonoma Entry List Jayski's Silly Season Site June 25, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002075955/http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2015/story/_/page/16-Sonoma-2015-Entry-List October 2, 2015 dead Gene Nead 20 1–20Jay Robinson 1 21Scott Eggleston 4 22–25Zach McGowan10 26–31, 33–36 Bobby Kennedy 1 32Timmy Hill 6 19–20, 22–24, 27Reed Sorenson 5 21, 26, 29–31 T. J. Bell 1 25Ryan Preece 5 28, 33–36http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/preece-to-pair-with-tommy-baldwin-racing-for-cup-debut Preece to pair with Tommy Baldwin Racing for Cup debut Motorsport.com August 8, 2015 August 8, 2015 February 20, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160220125747/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/preece-to-pair-with-tommy-baldwin-racing-for-cup-debut/ deadMichael Waltrip 1 32Chevrolet 30 1–20, 22, 24–27, 29–31, 33, 35 Ford 4 21, 23, 28, 32 Toyota 2 34, 36Premium Motorsports62Brian Scott 1 1http://www.catchfence.com/2015/sprintcup/02/06/brian-scott-drive-62-chevrolet-richard-childress-racing-prepared-car-daytona-500/ Scott To Drive No. 62 Chevrolet In Richard Childress Racing Prepared Car For Daytona 500 Knight Chris Catchfence February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 December 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221228114533/http://www.catchfence.com/2015/sprintcup/02/06/brian-scott-drive-62-chevrolet-richard-childress-racing-prepared-car-daytona-500/ deadScott's Daytona car prepared by Richard Childress Racing. "N"Slugger Labbe 1 1Zach McGowan 7 2–8Scott Eggleston 14 9–21Wayne Carroll 14 22–36Brendan Gaughan 16 2–17http://www.premiummotorsports.net/brendan-gaughan-drive-full-time-nascar-sprint-cup-series-premium-motorsports/ Brendan Gaughan to drive full time in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Premium Motorsports Premium Motorsports February 6, 2015 March 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150218064125/http://www.premiummotorsports.net/brendan-gaughan-drive-full-time-nascar-sprint-cup-series-premium-motorsports/ February 18, 2015 dead mdy-all Reed Sorenson 8 18–20, 23–24, 27, 34, 36 Timmy Hill 10 21, 25–26, 28–33, 35 T. J. Bell 1 22 Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberRace driverCrew chiefRound(s)ChevroletHendrick Motorsports25Chase Elliotthttps://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/jeff-gordon-chase-elliott-hendrick-motorsports-2016-012915 It's official: Chase Elliott to replace Jeff Gordon in No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy Foxsports.com January 29, 2015 January 29, 2015Kenny Francis5 6, 9, 12, 20, 25Hillman-Circle Sport LLC39Travis KvapilMike Chance2 12–13 Team XTREME Racing44Reed Sorensonhttp://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=5822a6c0-abbc-4e7f-952a-d28c137205e7&c=&ch= Reed Sorenson Gets Xtreme for the Daytona 500 140 BUZZ February 9, 2015 February 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160204220022/http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=5822a6c0-abbc-4e7f-952a-d28c137205e7&c=&ch= February 4, 2016 deadPeter Sospenzo1 1Travis Kvapil3 3–5 The Motorsports Group30Ron Hornaday Jr.Ron Hornaday Signs As the Primary Driver for The Motorsports Group for 2015 Season: Mooresville, NC Jan. 21, 2015 http://www.themotorsportsgroup.com/news.html The Motorsports Group The Motorsports Group January 21, 2015 Mooresville, North Carolina January 21, 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150122041403/http://www.themotorsportsgroup.com/news.html January 22, 2015 mdy-allPat Tryson 2 1–2Dave Fuge 11 6, 8–9, 12–13, 18, 24–284 1–2, 6, 8Jeff Green3 9, 12–13Travis Kvapil5 18, 24–25, 27–28Josh Wise1 26FordLeavine Family Racing95Michael McDowellhttp://lfr95.com/news/?cid=62039 Leavine Family Racing extends relationship with Thrivent Financial Leavine Family Racing January 28, 2015 February 5, 2015Wally Rogers 14 1–3, 7–8, 10–12, 16–18, 20, 22, 24–25Kevin Walter 6 26–27, 30, 32, 34, 3620 1–3, 7–8, 10–12, 16–18, 20, 22, 24, 26–27, 30, 32, 34, 36Wood Brothers Racing21Ryan Blaneyhttp://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ryan-blaney-to-drive-the-no-21-wood-brothers-ford-in-2015 Ryan Blaney to drive the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford in 2015 Spencer Lee Motorsport.com, Inc. July 8, 2014 Motorsport.com August 1, 2014Jeremy BullinsSpencer Lee Bullins expected to join Ryan Blaney at Wood Brothers Racing http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bullins-expected-to-join-ryan-blaney-at-wood-brothers-racing/ motorsport.com motorsport.com November 25, 2014 Avondale, Arizona November 9, 201419 1, 3, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17–20, 23–25, 27, 30–32, 34, 36ToyotaRAB Racing29Justin Markshttp://nascartalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/10/justin-marks-in-for-daytona-triple-with-rab-win-tron/ Justin Marks in for Daytona "triple" with RAB, Win-Tron NBC Sports February 10, 2015 February 10, 2015 Chris EstradaMatthew Lucas1 1Reed Sorenson3 2–3, 5Premium Motorsports66Mike Wallacehttp://www.premiummotorsports.net/crazy-vapors-teams-mike-wallace-66-nascar-sprint-cup-series-team-daytona-500/ Crazy Vapors Teams up with Mike Wallace & The #66 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team for The Daytona 500 Premium Motorsports February 10, 2015 February 10, 2015 https://archive.today/20150213050509/http://www.premiummotorsports.net/crazy-vapors-teams-mike-wallace-66-nascar-sprint-cup-series-team-daytona-500/ February 13, 2015 dead mdy-allScott Eggleston1 1 Chevrolet2 2–3Tanner Berryhill1 4 Changes Teams Joe Gibbs Racing expanded to a four-car team with the addition of Carl Edwards in the No. 19, previously with Roush Fenway Racing in the No. 99 in 2014. HScott Motorsports expanded to a two-car team with the addition of Michael Annett in the No. 46, previously with Tommy Baldwin Racing in the No. 7 in 2014. Front Row Motorsports expanded to a three-car full-time team with the addition of Cole Whitt in the No. 35, previously with BK Racing in the No. 26 in 2014. Longtime NASCAR team owner and former Identity Ventures Racing partner Jay Robinson started Premium Motorsports. The team fielded the No. 62 Chevrolet for Brendan Gaughan while points and cars for the No. 62 came from the closed No. 36 team of Tommy Baldwin Racing after 2014. Gaughan left the team after Daytona in July with the season being finished with various drivers and various manufacturers. The team also fielded the No. 66 Toyota for Mike Wallace with owner points and cars for the No. 66 coming from the closed No. 66 Identity Ventures Racing team after 2014. However, Robinson shut the No. 66 team down due to lack of sponsorship and qualifying performance after 4 races, with Tanner Berryhill in a Chevrolet for the 4th race. After Talladega in May, Phil Parsons sold Phil Parsons Racing to Premium Motorsports due to sponsorship issues. Josh Wise left the team after Kentucky in July, with the season being finished with various drivers and various manufacturers. The Motorsports Group, a long-time Xfinity Series team, announces they would field a full-time Cup team, the No. 30 Chevrolet with Ron Hornaday Jr. as the primary driver. However, the team only ran part-time with Hornaday only attempting 4 races. 3 other drivers also attempted races in 2015. Drivers Sam Hornish Jr. replaced Marcos Ambrose in the No. 9 car, when he left Richard Petty Motorsports to return to racing in V8 Supercars in Australia, a series in which he won in 2003 and 2004. Trevor Bayne began racing full-time in the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing car as the team discontinued the No. 99 formerly driven by Carl Edwards. Although 2015 is the first season that Bayne declared his eligibility for the Sprint Cup series, NASCAR ruled that he is ineligible to run for Rookie of the Year consideration due to "too many accumulated starts". Bayne ran part-time for Wood Brothers Racing in the No. 21 from 2011 to 2014.#6 NASCAR Team News and Links http://www.jayski.com/news/teams/story/_/page/6-Roush-Fenway-NASCAR-Team-News Jayski's Silly Season Site February 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150207102636/http://www.jayski.com/news/teams/story/_/page/6-Roush-Fenway-NASCAR-Team-News February 7, 2015 dead Alex Bowman replaced Michael Annett in the Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 7. He drove the No. 23 for BK Racing in 2014. Matt DiBenedetto moved up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the No. 83 for BK Racing after running for The Motorsports Group in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2014. However Johnny Sauter ran the Daytona 500. J. J. Yeley replaced Alex Bowman in the BK Racing No. 23 after running part-time for various teams in 2014. After Bristol in August, BK Racing would swap drivers and Jeb Burton would switch to the No. 23 while Yeley moved to the No. 26 Jeb Burton would run full-time in the No. 26 car for BK Racing after running in the Truck Series in 2014, replacing Cole Whitt. After Bristol in August, BK Racing would swap drivers and J. J. Yeley would switch to the No. 26 while Burton moved to the No. 23 Bobby Labonte replaced his older brother Terry Labonte for Go FAS Racing's No. 32 in the four restrictor plate races. Ryan Blaney ran part-time for Wood Brothers Racing in the No. 21, replacing Trevor Bayne. Chase Elliott ran a limited 5 race schedule for Hendrick Motorsports, piloting the No. 25 NAPA Auto Parts sponsored Chevrolet. Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 for Joe Gibbs Racing, suffered a broken leg during the Xfinity Series race held the day before the Daytona 500 and missed the first 11 races of the season. Matt Crafton was named his replacement for the 500, and David Ragan was tapped to serve as the team's interim driver from Atlanta until Talladega. Erik Jones was his replacement in the No. 18 at Kansas. Brian Vickers missed the first two races of the season due to health issues. Michael Waltrip drove the car in the Daytona 500 and Brett Moffitt did in Atlanta. Vickers' return to NASCAR didn't last very long and he was sidelined again after competing in two races. He would be out the rest of the season. Moffitt took over the No. 55 and declared his candidacy for Rookie of the Year. Waltrip again drove the No. 55 at Talladega and David Ragan filled in for the rest of the season starting at Kansas, after he was no longer needed in the No. 18 with Kyle Busch returning from injury. After David Ragan was loaned to Joe Gibbs Racing and later Michael Waltrip Racing, Front Row Motorsports' No. 34 car was filled by Joe Nemechek, Brett Moffitt, Chris Buescher, and Reed Sorenson. Moffitt was named the team's primary driver starting at Charlotte, with Justin Marks driving the car at Sonoma and Chris Buescher driving it at Watkins Glen. Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 for Stewart–Haas Racing, was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for his role in a domestic incident involving his former girlfriend. Regan Smith replaced him for the Daytona 500 and the races held in Atlanta and Las Vegas. Busch was reinstated and returned to the car in the Phoenix race. Kyle Larson missed the March Martinsville race after fainting in an autograph session the day before the race, requiring a stay in the hospital that night. Regan Smith replaced him in the No. 42. Matt Kenseth was suspended after he intentionally wrecked Joey Logano in the Chase race at Martinsville. Erik Jones ran in the No. 20 at Texas and Phoenix. Kenseth would return to the No. 20 at Homestead. Crew chiefs Adam Stevens took over crew chief duties on the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Kyle Busch, replacing Dave Rogers. Stevens was the crew chief for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series car in 2014. Darian Grubb took over crew chief duties on the new No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Carl Edwards. Grubb was the crew chief for Denny Hamlin in 2014. Dave Rogers took over crew chief duties on the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Denny Hamlin, replacing Darian Grubb. Rogers was the crew chief for Kyle Busch in 2014. Greg Ives took over crew chief duties on the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with Dale Earnhardt Jr., replacing Steve Letarte, who retired. Ives was the crew chief for the JR Motorsports No. 9 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Chase Elliott in 2014. Keith Rodden took over crew chief duties on the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with Kasey Kahne, replacing Kenny Francis. Rodden was the crew chief for Jamie McMurray in 2014. Matt McCall took over crew chief duties on the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with Jamie McMurray, replacing Keith Rodden. McCall was the team engineer on the No. 31, driven by Ryan Newman in 2014. Cole Pearn took over crew chief duties on the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet with Martin Truex Jr., replacing Todd Berrier. Pearn was the team's lead race engineer in 2014. Nick Sandler took over crew chief duties on the No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., replacing Mike Kelley. Sandler was the No. 99 team head engineer in 2014. Bob Osborne took over crew chief duties on the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford with Trevor Bayne, replacing Jimmy Fennig in the No. 99. Jay Guy was the crew chief of the new No. 46 HScott Motorsports Chevrolet with Michael Annett. Guy was the crew chief on the Front Row Motorsports No. 34 and No. 38 in 2014. Randy Cox was the crew chief of the new No. 35 Front Row Motorsports Ford with Cole Whitt. Cox was the crew chief for Whitt on the BK Racing No. 26 in 2014. Donnie Wingo took over the crew chief of the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford with David Gilliland, replacing Jay Guy. Wingo was the crew chief for Trevor Bayne in the part-time Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 in 2014. BK Racing Director of Research and Development, Doug Richert, was temporarily the crew chief of the No. 83 BK Racing Toyota with Matt DiBenedetto, replacing Joe Williams. Gene Nead would later take over after leaving Premium Motorsports/Phil Parsons Racing midway through the 2015 season. Joe Williams took over the crew chief of the No. 23 BK Racing Toyota with J. J. Yeley (later Jeb Burton), replacing Dave Winston. Williams was the No. 83 crew chief in 2014. Patrick Donahue took over the crew chief of the No. 26 BK Racing Toyota with Jeb Burton (later J. J. Yeley), replacing Randy Cox. The No. 33 Circle Sport Chevrolet had various crew chiefs throughout 2015. The No. 62 and 98 Premium Motorsports cars had various crew chiefs throughout 2015. Jeremy Bullins took over the crew chief of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford with Ryan Blaney, replacing Donnie Wingo. Bullins was the crew chief of the Team Penske No. 22 NASCAR Nationwide Series car in 2014. Kenny Francis was the crew chief of part-time Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with Chase Elliott. Francis was Kasey Kahne's crew chief in 2014. Kevin Manion took over crew chief duties on the No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford with Sam Hornish Jr. after Talladega in May, replacing Drew Blickensderfer. Manion was the crew chief on the No. 7 up until that point in the season. Tommy Baldwin Jr. took over crew chief duties on the No. 7 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet with Alex Bowman after Talladagea in May, replacing Kevin Manion after he left to take over the No. 9. After Pocono in June, Michael Waltrip Racing swapped its two crew chiefs, with Billy Scott moving from the No. 55 to the No. 15 and Brian Pattie moving from the No. 15 to the No. 55 Slugger Labbe took over crew chief duties on the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with Austin Dillon after Michigan in June, replacing Gil Martin. Kevin Walter took over crew chief duties of the part-time No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Ford with Michael McDowell after Darlington in September, replacing Wally Rogers. Rule changes Pre-season Sources:http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/9/23/nascar-national-series-2015-rules-package-fact-sheet.html Fact sheet: 2015 rules package NASCAR.com NASCAR Media Group, LLC September 23, 2014 February 8, 2015http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/02/nascar-issues-several-rule-updates-for-coming-season/ Dustin Long NASCAR issues several rule updates for coming season MotorSportsTalk NBC Sports February 2, 2015 February 8, 2015http://racing.ap.org/article/nascar-sets-testing-ban-includes-daytona-500-0 Jenna Fryer NASCAR sets testing ban that includes Daytona 500 AP Sports Associated Press September 23, 2014 February 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224209/http://racing.ap.org/article/nascar-sets-testing-ban-includes-daytona-500-0 March 3, 2016 dead Private testing is banned starting at the conclusion of the 2014 season. Testing will only be permitted during NASCAR and Goodyear sanctioned tests. Further, there was not a pre-season test at Daytona in 2015. A violation of this rule will be a P6 penalty. Only drivers licensed and approved for Sprint Cup competition will be permitted to participate in tire testing. At road courses, it is now permissible to run qualifying and race sessions under wet-weather conditions. Goodyear will supply wet-weather tires for use in Sprint Cup competition and teams will be required to bring cars with windshield wipers, defoggers, and wet-weather racing capabilities. Tapered spacers will be installed in the engines to reduce horsepower from 850 to 725. Flat valve lifters will be replaced with roller valve lifters. Lower differential gear ratios (higher gears) will also be mandated targeting a reduction from a 9,500 rpm max to a 9,000 rpm max. Rear spoiler height will be reduced from 8 inches to 6 inches. Teams will have the option of installing a driver adjustable track bar. The radiator pan will be decreased from 43 inches to 38 inches. The minimum weight of the car has been reduced by 50 lb to 3,250 lb. NASCAR has approved a new brake caliper system for 2015 and issued a new parts approval process. Teams are not allowed to alter the side skirts of their cars during the race. At tracks where aerodynamics were important in 2014, many teams would pull the side bodywork of the car during early pit stops. The practice, officially known as vertical rocker panel extensions, was used to limit airflow underneath the vehicle. An automated electronic pit road officiating system will be implemented after extensive testing during the 2014 Chase, eliminating the need for human officials to stand in the pit lane. If a vehicle has to pit outside its assigned pit box and the crew starts removing tire(s), the team can reinstall the tire(s) before moving the car back into its assigned pit stall to avoid penalties. Additional crew member(s) assisting from an adjacent pit box may be counted towards the limit of seven over the wall. Crew member interference with other teams' pit stops may lead to a penalty. Rules with refueling have been clarified. Refueling can begin once the car comes to a complete stop and can continue when it starts leaving provided equipment and/or the fueler does not leave the pit box. Further, no equipment may be tossed or thrown over the wall at any time. Weight ballasts must be in block form with a five-pound minimum for each block. NASCAR no longer will penalize or monitor missing lug nuts during pit stops, leaving the teams to self-police lug nuts. Qualifying session length times will be shortened. At short tracks and intermediates, the three sessions will be 15 minutes, 10 minutes, and 5 minutes in length. Road courses will consist of a 25-minute and a 10-minute session. Restrictor plate qualifying will consist of three 5-minute sessions as was used at the fall 2014 Talladega race. NASCAR will use an electronic data log and capture system to increase efficiency of pre-race inspections. In-season changes Following disastrous crashes at Daytona 500 qualifying, NASCAR implemented a single-car two round qualifying system for restrictor plate races. In round 1, each car goes out one at a time for one warm-up, one timed, and one cool down lap. NASCAR will release the next car to begin their lap while the current car is finishing their timed lap with the goal to have the next car start their timed lap no more than 20 seconds after the previous car finishes. The top 12 cars from round 1 will make a second run in the same format to determine the starting lineup for positions 1–12, with positions 13–43 (as well as any DNQs) determined by round 1 result. In an effort to increase competition, NASCAR made rule changes specific to the races at Kentucky, Darlington, Indianapolis, and the August Michigan race.New rules coming at several tracks this season Kentucky and Darlington ran a lower downforce package, featuring a shorter spoiler (reduced from 6 inches to 3.5 inches in height for Kentucky, reduced further to 3 in for Darlington), a shorter splitter (reduced by 1.25 inches at Kentucky and 0.25 inches at Darlington), and a shorter radiator pan (reduced from 38 in to 25 in for both races). Indianapolis and the August Michigan race ran a high drag package, featuring a taller spoiler (9 in. height vertically with a 1 in wicker bill on the top of the spoiler), a 43 in radiator pan, and a 2 in spoiler extension. After complaints of overheating at the Indianapolis event, NASCAR mandated additional cooling holes in the right side window for the Michigan event. Due to concerns about drafting at these events, NASCAR also implemented the single-car qualifying system used at restrictor plate events for these two events. Goodyear was unable to change their tire compounds in time for Kentucky, Indianapolis, and Michigan, but was able to bring a softer tire to complement the package to the Darlington event. After the Darlington event, NASCAR and its teams suggested a similar package to that used at Darlington would be used for the majority of 2016 races.Larry McReynolds: Low-downforce aero package a home run for NASCAR | FOX Sports Starting at Watkins Glen, teams have the option of using a digital dashboard. The dashboards will be heavily regulated by NASCAR as to what can and cannot be displayed. The first team to use the digital dashboard was Kurt Busch at Darlington. The digital dashboards will be mandated in 2016.Digital dash debuts at Darlington with Kurt BuschNASCAR Sprint Cup teams test digital dashboard Starting at the fall Richmond race, NASCAR began to closely review restarts due to drivers jumping the restart. On October 20, 2015, NASCAR announced that they will reduce the number of green-white-checkered attempts from 3 attempts to 1 starting at the Chase race at Talladega. This rule will only be used for races at Daytona and Talladega. This led to the addition of the "overtime line" starting in 2016 at all tracks. Schedule The final calendar was released on August 26, 2014,http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/8/26/2015-nascar-schedule-release-sprint-cup-series-darlington-bristol.html NASCAR reveals 2015 schedules for national series NASCAR Official Release August 26, 2014 NASCAR.com August 27, 2014 August 27, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140827080712/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/8/26/2015-nascar-schedule-release-sprint-cup-series-darlington-bristol.html dead comprising 36 races, as well as two exhibition races. The schedule also includes two Budweiser Duels, which are the qualifying races for the Daytona 500. Key changes from 2014 include: The Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, which traditionally ran on Labor Day Weekend until 2003, returned to its traditional spot in the schedule in 2015.https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/11414383/darlington-raceway-gets-labor-day-weekend-back-next-year Darlington regains Labor Day event McGee Ryan Associated Press August 26, 2014 ESPN.com August 27, 2014 live https://web.archive.org/web/20140827023127/http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/11414383/darlington-raceway-gets-labor-day-weekend-back-next-year August 27, 2014 The race at Atlanta Motor Speedway moved to the second race of the season, while the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway (often plagued by bad weather) moved from March to April. This created a three-race "west coast swing" for the third through fifth races of the season, wherein the events at Las Vegas, Phoenix and Auto Club (Fontana) now happened consecutively (as opposed to being broken up by a trip back east to Bristol). The Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway moved to Sunday night at the request of NBC for the re-launch of its coverage. This also removed a conflict with an Independence Day fireworks special traditionally aired by the network.Macy's July 4th Fireworks Ratings Cool, Fox's Baseball Hits Home Run https://deadline.com/2015/07/macys-july-4th-fireworks-ratings-mlb-baseball-fox-the-millers-the-mccarthys-nbc-1201470837/ Patten Dominic Penske Business Media, LLC. July 5, 2015 Deadline July 10, 20152015 Coke Zero 400 to be on Sunday night, July 5, on NBC http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140826/SPORTS/140829530 Kelly Godwin August 26, 2014 July 6, 2015 Daytona Beach News-JournalDaytona President Explains Why Coke Zero 400 Is On Sunday http://beyondtheflag.com/2015/07/04/daytona-president-explains-why-coke-zero-400-is-on-sunday/ Olmstead Christopher Time Inc. July 5, 2015 FanSided July 6, 2015 July 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150706142009/http://beyondtheflag.com/2015/07/04/daytona-president-explains-why-coke-zero-400-is-on-sunday/ dead A third off-week is added in between the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol and the Bojangles' Southern 500 due to the calendar. The second off-week has been moved to late-June between the Michigan and Sonoma races instead of the usual late-July break between New Hampshire and Indianapolis. This is to accommodate a Fox scheduling conflict where the U.S. Open and the FIFA Women's World Cup Round of 16 are on the same weekend. Charlotte and Kansas swap Chase race dates. The mandate of standardized start times was quietly abolished, with some races (especially in the second half of the season) occurring later in the afternoon than normal.2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup race start times announced https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/01/27/2015-nascar-sprint-cup-race-times-announced-brickyard-400/22408211/ February 15, 2016 USA Today No. Race numberRace titleTrackDateTime (ET)Sprint UnlimitedDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 14 8:00 PMBudweiser DuelsFebruary 19 7:00 PM1Daytona 500February 22 1:00 PM2Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 1 1:00 PM3Kobalt 400Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las VegasMarch 8 3:30 PM4CampingWorld.com 500Phoenix International Raceway, AvondaleMarch 15 3:30 PM5Auto Club 400Auto Club Speedway, FontanaMarch 22 3:30 PM6STP 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayMarch 29 1:00 PM7Duck Commander 500Texas Motor Speedway, Fort WorthApril 11 7:30 PM8Food City 500Bristol Motor Speedway, BristolApril 19 1:00 PM9Toyota Owners 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondApril 26† 1:00 PM10GEICO 500Talladega Superspeedway, LincolnMay 3 1:00 PM11SpongeBob SquarePants 400Kansas Speedway, Kansas CityMay 9–10 7:30 PMSprint ShowdownCharlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 15 7:00 PMNASCAR Sprint All-Star RaceMay 16 9:00 PM12Coca-Cola 600May 24 6:00 PM13FedEx 400 benefiting Autism SpeaksDover International Speedway, DoverMay 31 1:00 PM14Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400Pocono Raceway, Long PondJune 7 1:00 PM15Quicken Loans 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 14 1:00 PM16Toyota/Save Mart 350Sonoma Raceway, SonomaJune 28 3:00 PM17Coke Zero 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 5 7:45 PM18Quaker State 400Kentucky Speedway, SpartaJuly 11 7:30 PM195-hour Energy 301New Hampshire Motor Speedway, LoudonJuly 19 1:30 PM20Crown Royal presents the Jeff Kyle 400Indianapolis Motor Speedway, SpeedwayJuly 26 3:30 PM21Windows 10 400Pocono Raceway, Long PondAugust 2 1:30 PM22Cheez-It 355 at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 9 2:00 PM23Pure Michigan 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 16 2:30 PM24Irwin Tools Night RaceBristol Motor Speedway, BristolAugust 22 7:30 PM25Bojangles' Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonSeptember 6 7:00 PM26Federated Auto Parts 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 12 7:30 PMChase for the Sprint CupRound of 1627myAFibRisk.com 400Chicagoland Speedway, JolietSeptember 20 3:00 PM28Sylvania 300New Hampshire Motor Speedway, LoudonSeptember 27 2:00 PM29AAA 400Dover International Speedway, DoverOctober 4 2:30 PMRound of 1230Bank of America 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 11† 12:30 PM31Hollywood Casino 400Kansas Speedway, Kansas CityOctober 18 2:15 PM32CampingWorld.com 500Talladega Superspeedway, LincolnOctober 25 2:10 PMRound of 833Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayNovember 1 1:15 PM34AAA Texas 500Texas Motor Speedway, Fort WorthNovember 8 2:00 PM35Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500Phoenix International Raceway, AvondaleNovember 15 2:30 PMChampionship 436Ford EcoBoost 400Homestead-Miami Speedway, HomesteadNovember 22 3:00 PM†: The Toyota Owners 400 and Bank of America 500 were postponed a day because of persistent rain.Jensen Tom https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/richmond-international-raceway-rain-weather-update-toyota-owners-400-sprint-cup-race-042515 Update: Rain forces postponement of Sprint Cup race at Richmond Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. April 25, 2015 FoxSports.com April 25, 2015 Season summary Race reports Speedweeks 2015 Speedweeks 2015 started with the Sprint Unlimited. Matt Kenseth won the Sprint Unlimited ahead of Martin Truex Jr. and Carl Edwards in a crash-filled race that saw only 12 of 25 cars finish the race. Following the race, tension arose between Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano over how Logano was racing Harvick in the later part of the race.http://racing.ap.org/article/matt-kenseth-wins-sprint-unlimited-daytona Matt Kenseth wins Sprint Unlimited at Daytona Fryer Jenna The Associated Press February 14, 2015 racing.ap.org February 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150215182829/http://racing.ap.org/article/matt-kenseth-wins-sprint-unlimited-daytona February 15, 2015 dead Top ten results (Unlimited): #20 - Matt Kenseth #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #19 - Carl Edwards #13 - Casey Mears #42 - Kyle Larson #22 - Joey Logano #24 - Jeff Gordon #18 - Kyle Busch #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #10 - Danica Patrick Qualifying for the front row of the Daytona 500 took place the following day. Jeff Gordon won the pole for his 23rd and final Daytona 500. His teammate Jimmie Johnson joined him on the front row by qualifying second. Group qualifying was used for the first time, and a multicar crash occurred from Reed Sorenson and Clint Bowyer making contact, which also involved Bobby Labonte, J. J. Yeley, and Denny Hamlin.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/02/Jeff-Gordon-Wins-Daytona-500-Pole.aspx Daytona 500 Pole to Gordon Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network February 15, 2015 MRN.com February 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124162822/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/02/Jeff-Gordon-Wins-Daytona-500-Pole.aspx November 24, 2015 dead mdy-all The following Thursday, the Budweiser Duels took place to set the remainder of the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. The first duel race was won by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who held off pole-sitter Gordon to take the win.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/02/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Takes-First-Duel.aspx Earnhardt Jr. Takes First Duel Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network February 19, 2015 MRN.com February 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150220070305/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/02/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Takes-First-Duel.aspx February 20, 2015 dead The second duel race was won by Johnson from the pole. During the race, an incident occurred between Hamlin and Danica Patrick which resulted in a confrontation between the two following the race.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/02/Second-Budweiser-Duel-to-Jimmie-Johnson.aspx Second Duel to Johnson Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network February 19, 2015 MRN.com February 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150220072623/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/02/Second-Budweiser-Duel-to-Jimmie-Johnson.aspx February 20, 2015 dead Top ten results (Duel 1): #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #24 - Jeff Gordon #22 - Joey Logano #14 - Tony Stewart #15 - Clint Bowyer #4 - Kevin Harvick #5 - Kasey Kahne #1 - Jamie McMurray #40 - Landon Cassill #35 - Cole Whitt Top ten results (Duel 2): #48 - Jimmie Johnson #18 - Kyle Busch #19 - Carl Edwards #16 - Greg Biffle #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #21 - Ryan Blaney #44 - Reed Sorenson #66 - Mike Wallace #51 - Justin Allgaier #10 - Danica Patrick The Friday before the Daytona 500, Kurt Busch was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR following possible charges of domestic violence against his former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll. Regan Smith would replace Kurt Busch in the Daytona 500.Moody Dave Dave Moody (sportscaster) BREAKING NEWS: Kurt Busch Suspended By NASCAR https://motorsports-soapbox.blogspot.com/2015/02/breaking-news-kurt-busch-suspended-by.html GodfatherMotorsports.com Godfather Motorsports February 20, 2015 February 20, 2015 The day before the race, Kurt's younger brother Kyle Busch broke his right leg and fractured his left foot in an accident in the Alert Today Florida 300 Xfinity Series race where he hit a wall without a SAFER barrier. Matt Crafton replaced Kyle Busch for the Daytona 500, making his Cup debut.Gluck Jeff Matt Crafton will drive for Kyle Busch in Daytona 500 https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/02/21/matt-crafton-will-drive-for-kyle-busch-in-daytona-500/23817149/ February 21, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. February 21, 2015 Daytona Beach, Florida Round 1 - Daytona: Daytona 500 thumb|right|Joey Logano celebrates winning the Daytona 500. Jeff Gordon started on the pole and led the most laps, but was involved in a late wreck. Another wreck occurred on lap 41 involving Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth.http://nascartalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/22/stewart-kenseth-blaney-in-first-wreck-of-daytona-500/ Stewart, Kenseth, Blaney in first wreck of Daytona 500 Bonkowski Jerry NBC Sports February 22, 2015 nascartalk.nbcsports.com February 23, 2015 Brad Keselowski lost an engine with 40 laps to go and caused Jamie McMurray and Ryan Newman to collide with each other.https://nascartalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/22/brad-keselowski-blows-engine-with-40-laps-to-go-at-daytona-mcmurray-newman-involved/ Brad Keselowski blows engine with 40 laps to go at Daytona; McMurray, Newman involved (VIDEO) Estrada Chris NBC Sports February 22, 2015 nascartalk.nbcsports.com February 23, 2015 Joey Logano would score his first Daytona 500 win on a two lap dash to the finish.Joey Logano wins Daytona 500 https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/12365361/joey-logano-captures-daytona-500-roger-penske February 22, 2015 ESPN.com News Services Associated Press ESPN Internet Ventures February 22, 2015 Daytona Beach, Florida Top ten results: #22 - Joey Logano #4 - Kevin Harvick #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #11 - Denny Hamlin #48 - Jimmie Johnson #13 - Casey Mears #15 - Clint Bowyer #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #5 - Kasey Kahne #16 - Greg Biffle Round 2 - Atlanta: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 After a delayed start due to rain, Joey Logano led the field to green. Kevin Harvick dominated the first half of the race but would end up finishing second. Jeff Gordon was involved in a multicar accident with Denny Hamlin, Jamie McMurray, and Ryan Newman. Gordon had hit a wall without a SAFER barrier and pointed the issue out to NASCAR.James Brant Gordon, Hamlin slam unprotected walls in Atlanta crash https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/03/01/jeff-gordon-denny-hamlin-jamie-mcmurray-crash-atlanta-safer-barriers/24230403/ March 1, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. March 1, 2015 Hampton, Georgia Jimmie Johnson would go on to win the race.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Jimmie-Johnson-Wins-Folds-of-Honor-QuikTrip-500.aspx Johnson Back in Victory Lane Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network March 1, 2015 MRN.com March 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150302225938/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Jimmie-Johnson-Wins-Folds-of-Honor-QuikTrip-500.aspx March 2, 2015 dead Top ten results: #48 - Jimmie Johnson #4 - Kevin Harvick #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #22 - Joey Logano #20 - Matt Kenseth #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #47 - A. J. Allmendinger #55 - Brett Moffitt #2 - Brad Keselowski #31 - Ryan Newman Round 3 - Las Vegas: Kobalt 400 Jeff Gordon won the pole but started from the rear in a backup car. Gordon drove to the front but was collected in a wreck with Jeb Burton after Jimmie Johnson got into the wall. Late in the race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took 2 tires on pit road while Kevin Harvick would take 4 tires. Harvick was able to get around Earnhardt Jr. and score the win.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Kevin-Harvick-Wins-Kobalt-400-at-Las-Vegas.aspx Harvick Hits Vegas Jackpot Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network March 8, 2015 MRN.com March 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150311191007/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Kevin-Harvick-Wins-Kobalt-400-at-Las-Vegas.aspx March 11, 2015 dead Top ten results: #4 - Kevin Harvick #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #31 - Ryan Newman #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #11 - Denny Hamlin #47 - A. J. Allmendinger #2 - Brad Keselowski #42 - Kyle Larson #20 - Matt Kenseth #22 - Joey Logano Round 4 - Phoenix: CampingWorld.com 500 Kevin Harvick started on the pole and dominated the race to score his second straight victory and his fourth straight win at Phoenix. Harvick was followed by Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, and Kurt Busch. Kurt Busch made his return to NASCAR following a three-race suspension.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Kevin-Harvick-Wins-Camping-World-500-at-Phoenix.aspx Harvick Stays Hot in Phoenix Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network March 15, 2015 MRN.com March 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150320051355/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Kevin-Harvick-Wins-Camping-World-500-at-Phoenix.aspx March 20, 2015 dead Top ten results: #4 - Kevin Harvick #1 - Jamie McMurray #31 - Ryan Newman #5 - Kasey Kahne #41 - Kurt Busch #2 - Brad Keselowski #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #22 - Joey Logano #24 - Jeff Gordon #42 - Kyle Larson Round 5 - Fontana: Auto Club 400 Kurt Busch was on the pole and dominated the race. During a green-white-checker finish, Brad Keselowski was able to get around Kurt Busch on the last lap and score the win. Kurt Busch finished third, having been passed by Kevin Harvick for second. Harvick brought his streak of finishing first or second up to eight races dating back to the previous season.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Brad-Keselowski-Wins-Auto-Club-400.aspx Last Lap Win For Keselowski Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network March 22, 2015 MRN.com March 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150325002911/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Brad-Keselowski-Wins-Auto-Club-400.aspx March 25, 2015 dead Top ten results: #2 - Brad Keselowski #4 - Kevin Harvick #41 - Kurt Busch #27 - Paul Menard #31 - Ryan Newman #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #22 - Joey Logano #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #48 - Jimmie Johnson #24 - Jeff Gordon Round 6 - Martinsville: STP 500 Joey Logano started from the pole. Denny Hamlin would come back from a pit road penalty for an uncontrolled tire and score his fifth win at Martinsville, finishing ahead of Brad Keselowski, Logano, Matt Kenseth, and David Ragan. Kevin Harvick finished eighth, ending his streak of top-two finishes. Chase Elliott made his Cup debut, finishing 38th after being involved in a wreck.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Denny-Hamlin-wins-the-STP-500-at-Martinsville-Speedway.aspx Five for Hamlin at Martinsville Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network March 29, 2015 MRN.com March 29, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150331013220/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/03/Denny-Hamlin-wins-the-STP-500-at-Martinsville-Speedway.aspx March 31, 2015 dead Kyle Larson missed the race after fainting during an autograph signing the day prior and was replaced by Regan Smith.Hembree Mike Kyle Larson out for Martinsville race https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/03/29/kyle-larson-fainted-out-martinsville-race/70625766/ March 28, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. March 28, 2015 Ridgeway, Virginia Top ten results: #11 - Denny Hamlin #2 - Brad Keselowski #22 - Joey Logano #20 - Matt Kenseth #18 - David Ragan #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #10 - Danica Patrick #4 - Kevin Harvick #24 - Jeff Gordon #1 - Jamie McMurray Round 7 - Texas: Duck Commander 500 Kurt Busch sat on the pole. Jimmie Johnson would pass Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick on the final restart with 20 laps to go to score his second win of the season and his fifth win at Texas. Johnson was followed by Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/04/Jimmie-Johnson-Wins-Duck-Commander-500-at-Texas-Motor-Speedway.aspx Johnson Takes Texas Again Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network April 11, 2015 MRN.com April 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150414055741/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/04/Jimmie-Johnson-Wins-Duck-Commander-500-at-Texas-Motor-Speedway.aspx April 14, 2015 dead Top ten results: #48 - Jimmie Johnson #4 - Kevin Harvick #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #22 - Joey Logano #2 - Brad Keselowski #1 - Jamie McMurray #24 - Jeff Gordon #5 - Kasey Kahne #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #19 - Carl Edwards Round 8 - Bristol: Food City 500 thumb|right|Matt Kenseth celebrating his win in the Food City 500 Matt Kenseth started the race on the pole. The race was red flagged 22 laps in due to rain.http://nascartalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/19/bristol-race-delayed-by-rain-after-22-laps-kevin-harvick-is-leading-the-food-city-500-in-support-of-steve-byrnes/ Bristol race delayed by rain after 22 laps; Kevin Harvick is leading the Food City 500 in Support of Steve Byrnes Ryan Nate NBC Sports April 19, 2015 nascartalk.nbcsports.com April 20, 2015 During the red flag, Denny Hamlin would be unable to continue in the race due to neck spasms and would be replaced by Erik Jones, who made his unofficial Cup debut.https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/12723973/denny-hamlin-replaced-erik-jones-suffering-neck-spasm-food-city-500 Denny Hamlin removes self from Food City 500 after suffering neck spasm Pockrass Bob ESPN Internet Ventures April 19, 2015 ESPN.com April 20, 2015 After the race resumed, Kevin Harvick would go on and lead the most laps but would be collected in a wreck with David Ragan that was triggered after Jimmie Johnson and Jeb Burton got into each other.https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/jimmie-johnson-kevin-harvick-bristol-motor-speedway-wreck-041915 Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick involved in Bristol wreck Pennell Jay Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. April 19, 2015 FoxSports.com April 20, 2015 Kenseth would win the race in a green-white-checker finish following a red flag from more rain.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/04/Matt-Kenseth-Ends-Drought-with-Food-City-500-Win.aspx Kenseth Back in Victory Lane Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network April 19, 2015 MRN.com April 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150423000306/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/04/Matt-Kenseth-Ends-Drought-with-Food-City-500-Win.aspx April 23, 2015 dead Top ten results: #20 - Matt Kenseth #48 - Jimmie Johnson #24 - Jeff Gordon #17 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #31 - Ryan Newman #14 - Tony Stewart #42 - Kyle Larson #51 - Justin Allgaier #10 - Danica Patrick #3 - Austin Dillon Round 9 - Richmond: Toyota Owners 400 The race was supposed to be held Saturday night but was postponed until Sunday afternoon due to rain. Joey Logano started from the pole position. Kurt Busch took the lead from Logano after a competition caution and dominated the race, scoring the win. Kurt Busch was followed by Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, and Logano.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/04/Kurt-Busch-Wins-Toyota-Owners-400.aspx Richmond All Kurt Busch Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network April 26, 2015 MRN.com April 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150427163058/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/04/Kurt-Busch-Wins-Toyota-Owners-400.aspx April 27, 2015 dead mdy-all Top ten results: #41 - Kurt Busch #4 - Kevin Harvick #48 - Jimmie Johnson #1 - Jamie McMurray #22 - Joey Logano #5 - Kasey Kahne #20 - Matt Kenseth #24 - Jeff Gordon #15 - Clint Bowyer #78 - Martin Truex Jr. Round 10 - Talladega: GEICO 500 Jeff Gordon won the pole for the race, with qualifying using single car runs instead of group qualifying.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Jeff-Gordon-Wins-80th-Career-Pole-in-GEICO-500-Qualifying-at-Talladega-Superspeedway.aspx Gordon Wins 80th Career Pole Wackerlin Jeff Motor Racing Network May 2, 2015 MRN.com May 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021118/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Jeff-Gordon-Wins-80th-Career-Pole-in-GEICO-500-Qualifying-at-Talladega-Superspeedway.aspx May 6, 2015 dead The race saw multicar accidents including one on lap 47 that collected 15 cars and a spin by Carl Edwards on the final lap. Dale Earnhardt Jr. would win the race ahead of Jimmie Johnson, scoring his sixth win at Talladega.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-GEICO-500-at-Talladega-Superspeedway.aspx Talladega Six Pack for Dale Jr. Wackerlin Jeff Motor Racing Network May 3, 2015 MRN.com May 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150505062604/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-GEICO-500-at-Talladega-Superspeedway.aspx May 5, 2015 dead Top ten results: #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #48 - Jimmie Johnson #27 - Paul Menard #21 - Ryan Blaney #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #9 - Sam Hornish Jr. #31 - Ryan Newman #4 - Kevin Harvick #11 - Denny Hamlin #98 - Josh Wise Round 11 - Kansas: SpongeBob SquarePants 400 Joey Logano started the race from the pole. The race was red flagged on lap 98 due to rain. Martin Truex Jr. led the most laps but had to make a late pit stop for fuel, which gave the lead to Jimmie Johnson. Johnson would go on to score his third victory of the season, finishing ahead of Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr., making it the third time this season that the three of them finished 1-2-3. Erik Jones made his official Cup debut and ran up front until he hit the wall with 73 laps to go.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Jimmie-Johnson-Wins-SpongeBob-SquarePants-400.aspx Kansas Belongs to Johnson Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network May 10, 2015 MRN.com May 10, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150512181447/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Jimmie-Johnson-Wins-SpongeBob-SquarePants-400.aspx May 12, 2015 dead Top ten results: #48 - Jimmie Johnson #4 - Kevin Harvick #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #24 - Jeff Gordon #22 - Joey Logano #20 - Matt Kenseth #2 - Brad Keselowski #41 - Kurt Busch #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #31 - Ryan Newman Exhibition - Charlotte: NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race In the Sprint Showdown held the day prior, Greg Biffle won the first segment while Clint Bowyer won the second segment in order to advance to the Sprint All-Star Race. Danica Patrick would win the fan vote in order to participate in the Sprint All-Star Race.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Clint-Bowyer-Greg-Biffle-Danica-Patrick-Earn-All-Star-Spots.aspx Bowyer, Biffle, Patrick Earn All-Star Spots Singler John Motor Racing Network May 15, 2015 MRN.com May 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150518103940/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Clint-Bowyer-Greg-Biffle-Danica-Patrick-Earn-All-Star-Spots.aspx May 18, 2015 dead Top ten results (Showdown): #15 - Clint Bowyer #16 - Greg Biffle #27 - Paul Menard #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #9 - Sam Hornish Jr. #25 - Chase Elliott #3 - Austin Dillon #6 - Trevor Bayne #51 - Justin Allgaier #10 - Danica Patrick Denny Hamlin started the race on the pole. Kasey Kahne would pass Hamlin for the lead and win the first segment. Brad Keselowski would hold the lead throughout the second and third segments. Kurt Busch would take the lead in the fourth segment. After mandatory pit stops, Hamlin would lead the final 10 laps in the fifth segment and win the Sprint All-Star Race. Kyle Busch made his return to NASCAR following the injuries he sustained in the Xfinity Series race at Daytona.Gluck Jeff Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR's All-Star Race https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/05/16/nascar-sprint-all-star-race/27464837/ May 17, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. May 17, 2015 Concord, North Carolina Top ten results: #11 - Denny Hamlin #4 - Kevin Harvick #41 - Kurt Busch #24 - Jeff Gordon #20 - Matt Kenseth #18 - Kyle Busch #5 - Kasey Kahne #22 - Joey Logano #2 - Brad Keselowski #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Round 12 - Charlotte: Coca-Cola 600 Matt Kenseth started the race from the pole. Jimmie Johnson spun twice during the race, with the second occurrence involving him hitting the pit wall and ending his race. Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. had the strongest cars, but Carl Edwards was able to stretch his fuel mileage at the end of the race and score his first win with Joe Gibbs Racing. Edwards was followed by Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kenseth, and Truex Jr.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Carl-Edwards-Wins-Coca-Cola-600.aspx Edwards Wins Coca-Cola 600 Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network May 24, 2015 MRN.com May 25, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150525183126/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Carl-Edwards-Wins-Coca-Cola-600.aspx May 25, 2015 dead Top ten results: #19 - Carl Edwards #16 - Greg Biffle #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #20 - Matt Kenseth #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #31 - Ryan Newman #2 - Brad Keselowski #11 - Denny Hamlin #4 - Kevin Harvick #41 - Kurt Busch Round 13 - Dover: FedEx 400 thumb|right|Martin Truex Jr. leads the FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway in May Denny Hamlin won the pole for the race. Martin Truex Jr. led the most laps, with Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick also leading laps throughout the race. After multiple late cautions and a green-white-checker finish, Johnson was able to win the race, his fourth win of the season and tenth at Dover. Johnson became one of five drivers to have at least ten wins at a single track.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Jimmie-Johnson-Gets-10th-Dover-Win-in-FedEx-400-Benefiting-Autism-Speaks.aspx Johnson Gets 10th Dover Win Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network May 31, 2015 MRN.com May 31, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150602024508/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/05/Jimmie-Johnson-Gets-10th-Dover-Win-in-FedEx-400-Benefiting-Autism-Speaks.aspx June 2, 2015 dead Top ten results: #48 - Jimmie Johnson #4 - Kevin Harvick #42 - Kyle Larson #5 - Kasey Kahne #43 - Aric Almirola #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #1 - Jamie McMurray #27 - Paul Menard #15 - Clint Bowyer #24 - Jeff Gordon Round 14 - Pocono: Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 Kurt Busch was on the pole position. Martin Truex Jr. led the most laps for the fourth straight race and went on to score his first win of the season and his first victory since 2013. Truex Jr. was followed by Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, and Kurt Busch.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/06/Martin-Truex-Jr-Wins-Axalta-We-Paint-Winners-400-at-Pocono-Raceway.aspx Truex Jr. Back in Victory Lane Wackerlin Jeff Motor Racing Network June 7, 2015 MRN.com June 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150609231016/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/06/Martin-Truex-Jr-Wins-Axalta-We-Paint-Winners-400-at-Pocono-Raceway.aspx June 9, 2015 dead Top ten results: #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #4 - Kevin Harvick #48 - Jimmie Johnson #22 - Joey Logano #41 - Kurt Busch #20 - Matt Kenseth #1 - Jamie McMurray #42 - Kyle Larson #18 - Kyle Busch #11 - Denny Hamlin Round 15 - Michigan: Quicken Loans 400 Kasey Kahne started the race from the pole. The race saw four red flags due to rain. During the race, Kevin Harvick fell two laps down after a flat tire and Kyle Busch finished last after hitting the wall. After the fourth red flag, the race was called and Kurt Busch was awarded the win, his second of the season. The remainder of the top five included Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, and Joey Logano.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/06/Kurt-Busch-Wins-Rain-Shortened-Quicken-Loans-400-at-Michigan.aspx Kurt Busch Wins in Michigan Rain Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network June 14, 2015 MRN.com June 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150616092757/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/06/Kurt-Busch-Wins-Rain-Shortened-Quicken-Loans-400-at-Michigan.aspx June 16, 2015 dead Top ten results: #41 - Kurt Busch #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #20 - Matt Kenseth #22 - Joey Logano #2 - Brad Keselowski #1 - Jamie McMurray #27 - Paul Menard #6 - Trevor Bayne #15 - Clint Bowyer Round 16 - Sonoma: Toyota/Save Mart 350 thumb|right|Kyle Busch celebrates his victory in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 A. J. Allmendinger started on the pole but would finish 37th after an issue with the fuel system on his car. Jimmie Johnson led the most laps in the race. On a late caution on lap 100, Kyle Busch pitted for four tires while Johnson stayed out. Kyle Busch was able to get around Johnson and score his first win of the season. Kurt Busch finished the race in second, making it the first time the Busch brothers both finished in the top two in a race.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/06/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Toyota-Save-Mart-350-at-Sonoma-Raceway.aspx Kyle Busch Shines at Sonoma Wackerlin Jeff Motor Racing Network June 28, 2015 MRN.com June 29, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150701030424/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/06/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Toyota-Save-Mart-350-at-Sonoma-Raceway.aspx July 1, 2015 dead Top ten results: #18 - Kyle Busch #41 - Kurt Busch #15 - Clint Bowyer #4 - Kevin Harvick #22 - Joey Logano #48 - Jimmie Johnson #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #5 - Kasey Kahne #31 - Ryan Newman #9 - Sam Hornish Jr. Round 17 - Daytona: Coke Zero 400 Dale Earnhardt Jr. started the race from pole after qualifying was rained out and the field set by practice speeds. The start of the race was delayed four hours by rain, running early into the following Monday. Several multicar accidents occurred throughout the race. Earnhardt Jr. dominated the race and took the win in a green-white-checker finish as "The Big One" happened at the finish line, resulting in Austin Dillon flying into the catchfence. Dillon was uninjured in the wreck save for some bruises.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-Coke-Zero-400-at-Daytona.aspx Earnhardt Jr. Wins at Daytona Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network July 6, 2015 MRN.com July 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150707115004/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-Coke-Zero-400-at-Daytona.aspx July 7, 2015 dead This was Jimmie Johnson's last second-place finish. Top ten results: #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #48 - Jimmie Johnson #11 - Denny Hamlin #4 - Kevin Harvick #41 - Kurt Busch #24 - Jeff Gordon #3 - Austin Dillon #31 - Ryan Newman #6 - Trevor Bayne #15 - Clint Bowyer Round 18 - Kentucky: Quaker State 400 Kyle Larson was on the pole after qualifying was rained out. The race saw the debut of a new rules package that reduced the downforce of the cars, which allowed for more side-by-side racing and passing. Kyle Busch dominated the race and got by Joey Logano with 19 laps remaining to score his second win of the season. Logano finished second, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, and Matt Kenseth. All four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers finished the race in the top five led by Kyle Busch.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Quaker-State-400-at-Kentucky-Speedway.aspx Busch Scores Max Points at Kentucky Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network July 11, 2015 MRN.com July 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150714071207/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Quaker-State-400-at-Kentucky-Speedway.aspx July 14, 2015 dead Top ten results: #18 - Kyle Busch #22 - Joey Logano #11 - Denny Hamlin #19 - Carl Edwards #20 - Matt Kenseth #2 - Brad Keselowski #24 - Jeff Gordon #4 - Kevin Harvick #48 - Jimmie Johnson #41 - Kurt Busch Round 19 - Loudon: 5-hour Energy 301 thumb|right|The 5-hour Energy 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July Carl Edwards started the race on the pole. Brad Keselowski went on to lead the most laps in the race. Kyle Busch made a pit stop under green flag conditions shortly before a caution came out. The leaders pitted, while Kyle Busch took over the race lead and went on for his second straight win and third of the season. Kyle Busch was followed by Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Kyle-Busch-Wins-5-Hour-Energy-301-at-New-Hampshire-Motor-Speedway.aspx Busch Scores Second Straight Win Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network July 19, 2015 MRN.com July 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150721082007/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Kyle-Busch-Wins-5-Hour-Energy-301-at-New-Hampshire-Motor-Speedway.aspx July 21, 2015 dead Top ten results: #18 - Kyle Busch #2 - Brad Keselowski #4 - Kevin Harvick #22 - Joey Logano #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #20 - Matt Kenseth #19 - Carl Edwards #3 - Austin Dillon #24 - Jeff Gordon #41 - Kurt Busch Round 20 - Indianapolis: Brickyard 400 Carl Edwards won the pole for the race.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Carl-Edwards-Wins-Brickyard-Pole.aspx Edwards Wins Brickyard Pole Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network July 25, 2015 MRN.com July 25, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150728040341/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Carl-Edwards-Wins-Brickyard-Pole.aspx July 28, 2015 dead The race featured a higher drag rules package intended to increase passing and drafting. Jeff Gordon was caught up in a wreck with Clint Bowyer, ending his chance to win his final Brickyard 400. Kyle Busch passed Kevin Harvick on a restart with 8 laps left in the race and was able to survive two restarts, including a green-white-checker finish, to win the race. This was Kyle Busch's third straight win and fourth in the past five races, moving him closer to the top 30 in points, which he needed to be in to be eligible for the Chase. Kyle Busch also completed a weekend sweep as he won the Xfinity Series race the day before. Joey Logano finished in second, followed by Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., and Denny Hamlin.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Brickyard-400.aspx Busch Sweeps Indy Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network July 26, 2015 MRN.com July 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150728040358/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Brickyard-400.aspx July 28, 2015 dead Top ten results: #18 - Kyle Busch #22 - Joey Logano #4 - Kevin Harvick #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #11 - Denny Hamlin #15 - Clint Bowyer #20 - Matt Kenseth #41 - Kurt Busch #42 - Kyle Larson #2 - Brad Keselowski Round 21 - Pocono: Windows 10 400 Kyle Busch started the race from the pole position. Early in the race, Kasey Kahne hit the pit road wall and Kevin Harvick blew an engine. Toward the end of the race, several drivers gambled on fuel mileage. Joey Logano was leading but ran out of fuel with two laps to go. Kyle Busch took the lead and came to the white flag, but ran out of fuel on the final lap. Matt Kenseth was able to pass Kyle Busch and take the win, his second win of the season.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Matt-Kenseth-Wins-Windows-10-400-at-Pocono-Raceway.aspx Kenseth Prevails at Pocono Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network August 2, 2015 MRN.com August 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150805073551/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/07/Matt-Kenseth-Wins-Windows-10-400-at-Pocono-Raceway.aspx August 5, 2015 dead Top ten results: #20 - Matt Kenseth #2 - Brad Keselowski #24 - Jeff Gordon #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #16 - Greg Biffle #48 - Jimmie Johnson #47 - A. J. Allmendinger #15 - Clint Bowyer #14 - Tony Stewart #19 - Carl Edwards Round 22 - Watkins Glen: Cheez-It 355 at The Glen A. J. Allmendinger started on the pole, but his day was plagued with a poor-handling car and his engine shutting off and not refiring on lap 51. Several wrecks and incidents happened throughout the race. Toward the end of the race, Kevin Harvick was leading but stretching his fuel mileage. Harvick ran out of fuel on the final turn and was passed by Joey Logano for the win. Logano completed a weekend sweep as he won the preceding day's Xfinity Series race. Kyle Busch passed Harvick for second and cracked the top 30 in points. Harvick ended up finishing the race in third.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/08/Joey-Logano-Wins-Cheez-It-355-at-Watkins-Glen-International.aspx Logano Sweeps Watkins Glen Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network August 9, 2015 MRN.com August 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150812192604/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/08/Joey-Logano-Wins-Cheez-It-355-at-Watkins-Glen-International.aspx August 12, 2015 dead Top ten results: #22 - Joey Logano #18 - Kyle Busch #4 - Kevin Harvick #20 - Matt Kenseth #41 - Kurt Busch #15 - Clint Bowyer #2 - Brad Keselowski #19 - Carl Edwards #9 - Sam Hornish Jr. #48 - Jimmie Johnson Round 23 - Michigan: Pure Michigan 400 Matt Kenseth dominated the race by winning the pole, leading the most laps, and scoring his third win of the season. Kenseth was followed by Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Austin Dillon (who had a career-best finish), and Denny Hamlin. During the race, Clint Bowyer was spun by Ryan Newman and hit the walls while Jimmie Johnson cut a tire and had multiple pit road issues.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/08/Matt-Kenseth-Masters-Michigan-International-Speedway-for-Third-Win.aspx Kenseth Masters Michigan for Third Win Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network August 16, 2015 MRN.com August 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150820010600/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/08/Matt-Kenseth-Masters-Michigan-International-Speedway-for-Third-Win.aspx August 20, 2015 dead Top ten results: #20 - Matt Kenseth #4 - Kevin Harvick #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #3 - Austin Dillon #11 - Denny Hamlin #19 - Carl Edwards #22 - Joey Logano #31 - Ryan Newman #2 - Brad Keselowski #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Round 24 - Bristol: Irwin Tools Night Race thumb|right|Joey Logano celebrates winning the Irwin Tools Night Race. Denny Hamlin started from the pole position. During the race, several incidents occurred, such as Matt Kenseth losing an engine and Kyle Larson hitting the wall. Drivers also had issues on pit road throughout the race. Joey Logano held off Kevin Harvick in the closing laps and won the race, his third of the season and second consecutive in the summer Bristol race.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/08/Joey-Logano-Wins-IRWIN-Tools-Night-Race-for-Second-Straight-Season.aspx Bristol Belongs to Logano Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network August 22, 2015 MRN.com August 31, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150826012912/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/08/Joey-Logano-Wins-IRWIN-Tools-Night-Race-for-Second-Straight-Season.aspx August 26, 2015 dead Top ten results: #22 - Joey Logano #4 - Kevin Harvick #11 - Denny Hamlin #48 - Jimmie Johnson #15 - Clint Bowyer #2 - Brad Keselowski #19 - Carl Edwards #18 - Kyle Busch #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #31 - Ryan Newman Round 25 - Darlington: Bojangles' Southern 500 Brad Keselowski began the race from the pole. The race utilized the low downforce package. In addition, to celebrate the return of Darlington to Labor Day weekend, several drivers ran throwback paint schemes. The race saw a record of 18 cautions, including several single car spins, and saw a lot of battles for position. Carl Edwards came back from two laps down to battle Keselowski and Kevin Harvick for the lead. After a late caution, Edwards got the lead on pit road and went on to win his second race of the season. The top five was rounded out by Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Harvick.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/09/Carl-Edwards-Wins-Bojangles-Southern-500-at-Darlington-Raceway.aspx Edwards Darlington Winner Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network September 6, 2015 MRN.com September 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150909021733/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/09/Carl-Edwards-Wins-Bojangles-Southern-500-at-Darlington-Raceway.aspx September 9, 2015 dead Top ten results: #19 - Carl Edwards #2 - Brad Keselowski #11 - Denny Hamlin #22 - Joey Logano #4 - Kevin Harvick #41 - Kurt Busch #18 - Kyle Busch #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #42 - Kyle Larson Round 26 - Richmond: Federated Auto Parts 400 In the last race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Joey Logano started from the pole. The four Joe Gibbs Racing cars ran strong throughout the race, with all four cars in the top four spots at one point. Matt Kenseth led the most laps and went on to his fourth win of the season. Kenseth was followed by Kyle Busch, Logano, Aric Almirola, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Despite the fourth-place finish, Almirola was the first driver below the cutoff line for the Chase.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/09/Kenseth-Dominates-Richmond.aspx Kenseth Dominates Richmond Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network September 12, 2015 MRN.com September 13, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150915153423/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/09/Kenseth-Dominates-Richmond.aspx September 15, 2015 dead Top ten results: #20 - Matt Kenseth #18 - Kyle Busch #22 - Joey Logano #43 - Aric Almirola #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #11 - Denny Hamlin #24 - Jeff Gordon #2 - Brad Keselowski #48 - Jimmie Johnson #15 - Clint Bowyer Round 27 Joliet: myAFibRisk.com 400 For the first race in the Challenger Round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Kevin Harvick was awarded the pole after qualifying was rained out. Denny Hamlin was involved in a spin on lap 2 but worked his way back to the front. On a restart, Chase contenders Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick made contact, with Harvick cutting a tire and hitting the wall to finish 42nd. On a late caution, Hamlin opted to stay out while most of the leaders came to pit road. Hamlin was able to get the lead on the restart and win the race, his second of the season and securing a spot in the next round of the Chase. After the race, Harvick confronted Johnson and attempted to shove him before he was restrained.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/09/Hamlin-Kicks-Off-Chase-With-Chicagoland-Win.aspx Hamlin Rebounds to Win Chicago Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network September 20, 2015 MRN.com September 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024146/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/09/Hamlin-Kicks-Off-Chase-With-Chicagoland-Win.aspx September 24, 2015 dead Top ten results: #11 - Denny Hamlin #19 - Carl Edwards #41 - Kurt Busch #31 - Ryan Newman #20 - Matt Kenseth #22 - Joey Logano #42 - Kyle Larson #2 - Brad Keselowski #18 - Kyle Busch #43 - Aric Almirola Round 28 - Loudon: Sylvania 300 Carl Edwards was on the pole position. During the race, Chase contenders had trouble including Kyle Busch, who hit the wall after cutting a tire, and Brad Keselowski, who was black flagged for jumping a restart. Kevin Harvick dominated the race and led the most laps but was trying to save fuel to make it to the finish. Harvick ran out of fuel with 3 laps to go and Matt Kenseth passed him to win the race, his fifth win of the season that would advance him to the next round of the Chase.Gluck Jeff Matt Kenseth wins at New Hampshire as Kevin Harvick runs out of gas https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/09/27/matt-kenseth-wins-sylvania-300-new-hampshire-motor-speedway/72933618/ September 27, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. September 27, 2015 Loudon, New Hampshire Top ten results: #20 - Matt Kenseth #11 - Denny Hamlin #22 - Joey Logano #16 - Greg Biffle #19 - Carl Edwards #48 - Jimmie Johnson #24 - Jeff Gordon #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #5 - Kasey Kahne #31 - Ryan Newman Round 29 - Dover: AAA 400 thumb|right|Kyle Busch leads the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway in October For the final race in the Challenger Round, Matt Kenseth started the race on the pole as both practice and qualifying were rained out and he was the points leader.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 Kevin Harvick dominated the race and went on to win his third race of the season. With the win, Harvick was able to advance to the next round of the Chase as he was in a must-win situation following his poor finishes at Chicagoland and New Hampshire. Jimmie Johnson broke a rear axle on lap 100 and spent time in the garage for repairs, finishing 41st. Following the race, Jamie McMurray, Johnson, Paul Menard, and Clint Bowyer were eliminated from the Chase.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 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 Top ten results: #4 - Kevin Harvick #18 - Kyle Busch #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #1 - Jamie McMurray #43 - Aric Almirola #5 - Kasey Kahne #20 - Matt Kenseth #17 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #42 - Kyle Larson #22 - Joey Logano Round 30 - Charlotte: Bank of America 500 This race marked the beginning of the Contender Round of the Chase. The race was planned to be run on Saturday night but was postponed to Sunday afternoon because of rain. Matt Kenseth led the field to the green flag and was strong in the early part of the race. Kenseth would later fall back and hit the wall multiple times, ending the race in 42nd. Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson had a collision coming to pit road under caution. Dale Earnhardt Jr. got into the wall and fell off the lead lap. Joey Logano dominated the later part of the race and went on to score the win, advancing to the Eliminator Round.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Joey-Logano-Wins-Bank-of-America-500-at-Charlotte-Motor-Speedway.aspx Logano Conquers Charlotte Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network October 11, 2015 MRN.com October 11, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151013040932/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Joey-Logano-Wins-Bank-of-America-500-at-Charlotte-Motor-Speedway.aspx October 13, 2015 dead Top ten results: #22 - Joey Logano #4 - Kevin Harvick #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #11 - Denny Hamlin #41 - Kurt Busch #19 - Carl Edwards #3 - Austin Dillon #24 - Jeff Gordon #2 - Brad Keselowski #43 - Aric Almirola Round 31 - Kansas: Hollywood Casino 400 Brad Keselowski started the race from the pole. During the race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. struggled with a loose wheel. Matt Kenseth led the most laps in the race. In the closing laps, Joey Logano caught up to Kenseth and battled him for the win. With 4 laps to go, Logano spun Kenseth, setting up a green-white-checker finish. Logano continued on and won his second straight race, putting Kenseth into a must-win situation at Talladega to advance. Kenseth felt that Logano was wrong for spinning him.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Joey-Logano-Wins-Hollywood-Casino-400.aspx Logano Repeats at Kansas Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network October 18, 2015 MRN.com November 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124111927/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Joey-Logano-Wins-Hollywood-Casino-400.aspx November 24, 2015 dead Top ten results: #22 - Joey Logano #11 - Denny Hamlin #48 - Jimmie Johnson #5 - Kasey Kahne #18 - Kyle Busch #41 - Kurt Busch #21 - Ryan Blaney #19 - Carl Edwards #2 - Brad Keselowski #24 - Jeff Gordon Round 32 - Talladega: CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega thumb|right|Joey Logano celebrates winning the CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega For the final race in the Contender Round, Jeff Gordon won the pole position. For this race, NASCAR announced that there would only be one attempt at a green-white-checker finish instead of the usual three. During the race, Denny Hamlin had a loose roof escape hatch door and was forced to make repairs, putting him off the lead lap. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a strong car and was contending with Joey Logano for the win late in the race. The race went to a green-white-checker finish after Jamie McMurray blew an engine. On the attempted restart, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Larson wrecked and the restart was waved off. On the restart, Kevin Harvick was losing an engine and caused a large wreck, resulting in the race to end under caution. NASCAR had determined that Logano was ahead of Earnhardt Jr. at the moment the caution came out, and Logano was declared the winner, sweeping all three races in the Contender Round. Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Earnhardt Jr., and Matt Kenseth were the four drivers eliminated from the Chase.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Logano-Sweeps-Contender-Round.aspx?&YearID=44 Logano Sweeps Contender Round Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network October 25, 2015 MRN.com November 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124141118/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Logano-Sweeps-Contender-Round.aspx?&YearID=44 November 24, 2015 dead Top ten results: #22 - Joey Logano #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #24 - Jeff Gordon #2 - Brad Keselowski #19 - Carl Edwards #27 - Paul Menard #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #15 - Clint Bowyer #17 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #41 - Kurt Busch Round 33 - Martinsville: Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 This race kicked off the Eliminator Round of the Chase. Joey Logano started the race from the pole and would dominate most of the race.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Jeff-Gordon-Wins-Goodys-Headache-Relief-Shot-500.aspx Gordon Wins at Martinsville Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network November 1, 2015 MRN.com November 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124135604/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Jeff-Gordon-Wins-Goodys-Headache-Relief-Shot-500.aspx November 24, 2015 dead With 66 laps to go, Chase contenders Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch along with Matt Kenseth were involved in a wreck.Albert Zack Luck runs dry for Chase hopefuls at Martinsville http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/11/1/chase-contenders-difficulties-martinsville-speedway-kurt-busch-brad-keselowski.html NASCAR.com NASCAR Media Group, LLC. November 2, 2015 Ridgeway, Virginia November 1, 2015 Following this, Kenseth, who was laps down, intentionally wrecked race leader Logano on lap 454 as revenge for the incident at Kansas two weeks prior.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Matt-Kenseth-Crashes-Into-Joey-Logano-at-Martinsville.aspx Logano: 'A Complete Coward Move' Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network November 1, 2015 MRN.com November 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124151215/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/10/Matt-Kenseth-Crashes-Into-Joey-Logano-at-Martinsville.aspx November 24, 2015 dead After Logano was wrecked, Jeff Gordon would take the lead and continue on to win his 93rd and final career victory ahead of Jamie McMurray. With the win, Jeff Gordon would become one of the four drivers to race for the championship at Homestead, doing so in the final race of his full-time race. Following the race, Kenseth would be suspended for two races for intentionally wrecking Logano, with Erik Jones replacing Kenseth for those two races.Scott David Final appeals of NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth's 2-race suspension denied https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article43197972.html November 5, 2015 The Charlotte Observer The McClatchy Company November 5, 2015 Top ten results: #24 - Jeff Gordon #1 - Jamie McMurray #11 - Denny Hamlin #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #18 - Kyle Busch #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #31 - Ryan Newman #4 - Kevin Harvick #5 - Kasey Kahne #14 - Tony Stewart Round 34 - Texas: AAA Texas 500 Brad Keselowski started on pole and led 312 of the 334 laps in the race. Chase contender Joey Logano spun from a cut tire 10 laps into the race and suffered major damage to his car, forcing him into a must-win situation at Phoenix. A number of other drivers suffered tire issues in the race including Chase contender Kevin Harvick. In the final laps of the race, Jimmie Johnson battled Keselowski for the lead, passing him with 3 laps to go. Johnson went on to win the race, his sixth win at Texas. Keselowski finished in second, followed by Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Carl Edwards.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Jimmie-Johnson-Gets-Sixth-Texas-Win.aspx Johnson Gets Sixth Texas Win Pistone Pete Motor Racing Network November 8, 2015 MRN.com November 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151110195550/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Jimmie-Johnson-Gets-Sixth-Texas-Win.aspx November 10, 2015 dead Top ten results: #48 - Jimmie Johnson #2 - Brad Keselowski #4 - Kevin Harvick #18 - Kyle Busch #19 - Carl Edwards #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #41 - Kurt Busch #78 - Martin Truex Jr. #24 - Jeff Gordon #1 - Jamie McMurray Round 35 - Phoenix: Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 In the final race of the Eliminator Round, Jimmie Johnson started from the pole. The start of the race was delayed by rain. Kevin Harvick dominated most of the race.Pistone Pete Earnhardt Jr. Reigns at Phoenix http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117200843/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500.aspx November 17, 2015 dead During a round of green flag pit stops, the caution came out for a wreck involving Joey Gase. At the moment of caution, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was determined to be the leader. During the caution, it started to rain and the race was eventually red flagged. The race never resumed and Earnhardt Jr. was declared the winner, the 26th and final victory of his Cup Series career.Spencer Lee Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins rain-shortened Cup race http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-rain-shortened-cup-race/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 Following the race, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. advanced to race for a championship at Homestead while Carl Edwards, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Kurt Busch were eliminated from the Chase. Top ten results: #88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #4 - Kevin Harvick #22 - Joey Logano #18 - Kyle Busch #48 - Jimmie Johnson #24 - Jeff Gordon #41 - Kurt Busch #11 - Denny Hamlin #2 - Brad Keselowski #43 - Aric Almirola Round 36 - Homestead: Ford EcoBoost 400 Denny Hamlin started the race from the pole position, while championship contenders Kyle Busch started 3rd, Jeff Gordon 5th, Martin Truex Jr. 11th, and Kevin Harvick 13th.Pockrass Bob Kyle Busch (3rd) top championship contender in qualifying; Jeff Gordon 5th https://www.espn.com/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14180955/denny-hamlin-takes-season-ending-homestead-pole-kyle-busch-jeff-gordon-start-top-five ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures November 20, 2015 Homestead, Florida November 20, 2015 Through most of the race, Kyle Busch ran ahead of the other three championship contenders.Pistone Pete Kyle Busch Winner and Champion http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Ford-EcoBoost-400-Sprint-Cup-Championship.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network November 23, 2015 Homestead, Florida November 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151123231118/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Kyle-Busch-Wins-Ford-EcoBoost-400-Sprint-Cup-Championship.aspx November 23, 2015 dead Brad Keselowski led the most laps and held the lead going toward the end of the race when a debris caution came out, with the leaders coming to pit road. On the restart, Kyle Busch and Harvick got around Keselowski.Turner Jared Questionable late-race caution costs Keselowski shot at Homestead win https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/brad-keselowski-homestead-finish-late-race-caution-team-penske-paul-wolfe-sprint-cup-112315 FoxSports.com Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. November 23, 2015 Homestead, Florida November 23, 2015 Kyle Busch held off Harvick to win both the race and the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. Top ten results: #18 - Kyle Busch #4 - Kevin Harvick #2 - Brad Keselowski #22 - Joey Logano #42 - Kyle Larson #24 - Jeff Gordon #20 - Matt Kenseth #41 - Kurt Busch #48 - Jimmie Johnson #11 - Denny Hamlin Results and standings Races No. Race number Race Pole position Most laps led Winning driver Manufacturer Winning manufacturer Report 001 Sprint Unlimited Paul Menard Martin Truex Jr. Matt Kenseth Toyota Report 002 Budweiser Duel 1 Jeff Gordon Matt Kenseth Dale Earnhardt Jr. ChevroletReport 003 Budweiser Duel 2 Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 01 1 Daytona 500 Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Joey Logano Ford Report 02 2 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Joey Logano Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report 03 3 Kobalt 400 Jeff Gordon Kevin Harvick Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Report 04 4 CampingWorld.com 500 Kevin Harvick Kevin Harvick Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Report 05 5 Auto Club 400 Kurt Busch Kurt Busch Brad Keselowski Ford Report 06 6 STP 500 Joey Logano Kevin Harvick Denny Hamlin Toyota Report 07 7 Duck Commander 500 Kurt Busch Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report 08 8 Food City 500 Matt Kenseth Kevin Harvick Matt Kenseth Toyota Report 09 9 Toyota Owners 400 Joey Logano Kurt Busch Kurt Busch Chevrolet Report 10 GEICO 500 Jeff Gordon Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Report 11 11 SpongeBob SquarePants 400 Joey Logano Martin Truex Jr. Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report 11a NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Denny Hamlin Brad Keselowski Denny Hamlin Toyota Report 12 12 Coca-Cola 600 Matt Kenseth Martin Truex Jr. Carl Edwards Toyota Report 13 FedEx 400 Denny Hamlin Martin Truex Jr. Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report 14 Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 Kurt Busch Martin Truex Jr. Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Report 15 Quicken Loans 400 Kasey Kahne Kevin Harvick Kurt Busch Chevrolet Report 16 Toyota/Save Mart 350 A. J. Allmendinger Jimmie Johnson Kyle Busch Toyota Report 17 Coke Zero 400 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Report 18 Quaker State 400 Kyle Larson Kyle Busch Kyle Busch Toyota Report 19 5-hour Energy 301 Carl Edwards Brad Keselowski Kyle Busch Toyota Report 20 Brickyard 400 Carl Edwards Kevin Harvick Kyle Busch Toyota Report 21 Windows 10 400 Kyle Busch Joey Logano Matt Kenseth Toyota Report 22 Cheez-It 355 at The Glen A. J. Allmendinger Kevin Harvick Joey Logano Ford Report 23 Pure Michigan 400 Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth Toyota Report 24 Irwin Tools Night Race Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch Joey Logano Ford Report 25 Bojangles' Southern 500 Brad Keselowski Brad Keselowski Carl Edwards Toyota Report 26 Federated Auto Parts 400 Joey Logano Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth Toyota ReportChase for the Sprint CupChallenger Round 27 myAFibRisk.com 400 Kevin Harvick Kyle Busch Denny Hamlin Toyota Report 28 Sylvania 300 Carl Edwards Kevin Harvick Matt Kenseth Toyota Report 29 AAA 400 Matt Kenseth Kevin Harvick Kevin Harvick Chevrolet ReportContender Round 30 Bank of America 500 Matt Kenseth Joey Logano Joey Logano Ford Report 31 Hollywood Casino 400 Brad Keselowski Matt Kenseth Joey Logano Ford Report 32 CampingWorld.com 500 Jeff Gordon Dale Earnhardt Jr. Joey Logano Ford ReportEliminator Round 33 Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Joey Logano Joey Logano Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Report 34 AAA Texas 500 Brad Keselowski Brad Keselowski Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report 35 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 Jimmie Johnson Kevin Harvick Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet ReportChampionship 36 Ford EcoBoost 400 Denny Hamlin Brad Keselowski Kyle Busch Toyota Report Drivers' Championship List of NASCAR points scoring systems (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by final practice results or owner's points. * – Most laps led. . – Eliminated after Round of 16 . – Eliminated after Round of 12 . – Eliminated after Round of 8 Pos. Position Driver DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL KAN CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY KEN NHA IND POC GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH CHI NHA DOV CLT KAN TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM Pts Points scored 1 Kyle Busch INQ 11 36 9 43 1 17 1* 1 1 21 2 11 8* 7 2 9* 37 2 20 5 11 5 4 4 1 5043 2 Kevin Harvick 2 2* 1* 1* 2 8* 2 38* 2 8 2 9 2 2 29* 4 4 8 3 3* 42 3* 2 2 5 14 42 21* 1* 2 16 15 8 3 2* 2 5042 3 Jeff Gordon 33* 41 18 9 10 9 7 3 8 31 4 15 10 14 21 16 6 7 9 42 3 41 17 20 16 7 14 7 12 8 10 3 1 9 6 6 5038 4 Martin Truex Jr. 8 6 2 7 8 6 9 29 10 5 9* 5* 6* 1* 3 42 38 17 12 4 19 25 3 28 9 32 13 8 11 3 15 7 6 8 14 12 5032 Chase for the Sprint Cup cut-off Pos. Position Driver DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL KAN CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY KEN NHA IND POC GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH CHI NHA DOV CLT KAN TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM Pts Points scored 5 Carl Edwards 23 12 42 13 13 17 10 24 19 32 20 1 19 15 12 40 41 4 7 13 10 8 6 7 1 11 2 5 15 6 8 5 14 5 12 11 2368 6 Joey Logano 1 4 10 8 7 3 4 40 5 33 5 13 11 4 5 5 22 2 4 2 20* 1 7 1 4 3 6 3 10 1* 1 1 37* 40 3 4 2360 7 Brad Keselowski 41 9 7 6 1 2 5 35 17 22 7 7 12 17 6 19 29 6 2* 10 2 7 9 6 2* 8 8 12 16 9 9 4 32 2* 9 3* 2347 8 Kurt Busch QL 5 3* 14 14 15 1* 12 8 10 31 5 1 2 5 10 10 8 37 5 20 14 6 15 3 19 17 5 6 10 34 7 7 8 2333 9 Denny Hamlin 4 38 5 23 28 1 11 261 22 9 41 8 21 10 11 18 3 3 14 5 22 27 5 3 3 6 1 2 18 4 2 37 3 38 8 10 2327 10 Jimmie Johnson 5 1 41 11 9 35 1* 2 3 2 1 40 1 3 19 6* 2 9 22 15 6 10 39 4 19 9 11 6 41 39 3 18 12 1 5 9 2315 11 Ryan Newman 38 10 3 3 5 27 12 5 11 7 10 6 18 39 18 9 8 20 11 11 23 15 8 10 13 20 4 10 19 15 11 12 7 22 11 16 2314 12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3 3 4 43 6 36 3 16 14 1* 3 3 14 11 2 7 1* 21 5 22 4 11 10 9 8 5 12 25 3 28 21 2* 4 6 1 40 2310 13 Jamie McMurray 27 40 11 2 21 10 6 14 4 11 13 19 7 7 7 11 15 14 26 16 15 40 16 11 14 13 16 14 4 12 24 39 2 10 15 13 2295 14 Paul Menard 25 13 12 14 4 23 41 11 15 3 18 14 8 31 8 13 16 15 25 14 11 13 12 24 26 26 17 15 25 36 19 6 15 13 13 21 2262 15 Matt Kenseth 35 5 9 16 31 4 23 1 7 25 6 4 39 6 4 21 23 5 6 7 1 4 1* 42 21 1* 5 1 7 42 14* 26 38 7 2234 16 Clint Bowyer 7 24 21 24 30 13 22 12 9 30 21 20 9 22 10 3 10 19 34 6 8 6 41 5 17 10 19 26 14 11 40 8 43 15 23 43 2175 Bowyer was penalized 25 points for an illegal quarter panel in Chicagoland. 17 Aric Almirola 15 11 26 19 11 12 19 13 20 15 11 17 5 43 22 14 34 12 15 38 18 16 14 17 11 4 10 43 5 10 24 16 16 18 10 41 940 18 Kasey Kahne 9 14 17 4 17 11 8 37 6 34 17 12 4 13 15 8 32 27 19 24 43 42 15 16 12 18 24 9 6 43 4 19 9 20 26 19 939 19 Kyle Larson 34 26 8 10 26 QL 25 7 12 42 15 25 3 8 17 15 39 35 31 9 12 12 13 41 10 12 7 17 9 21 29 24 19 37 21 5 872 20 Greg Biffle 10 25 14 27 32 19 17 30 21 37 12 2 17 12 36 27 20 16 27 19 5 14 23 25 18 31 21 4 13 24 17 20 26 19 25 15 869 21 Austin Dillon 14 39 20 15 16 41 20 10 27 35 22 16 33 19 20 17 7 25 8 25 13 36 4 13 22 27 43 22 23 7 41 14 18 11 20 14 832 22 A. J. Allmendinger 20 7 6 17 34 43 21 34 13 17 14 29 24 38 23 37 21 26 13 23 7 24 28 26 23 24 36 23 30 16 27 36 11 17 24 20 758 23 Casey Mears 6 15 25 20 23 15 27 36 30 28 19 23 27 16 13 38 11 23 16 20 28 18 42 23 29 21 20 18 24 18 23 31 17 26 22 42 754 24 Danica Patrick 21 16 27 26 19 7 16 9 25 21 27 22 15 37 16 24 35 34 24 27 16 17 25 27 42 19 26 40 21 19 22 27 40 16 16 24 716 Patrick was penalized 25 points, for running into David Gilliland on purpose under caution at Martinsville in November 25 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 29 36 29 12 15 40 15 4 28 26 24 37 37 42 25 20 19 11 17 35 41 34 26 21 38 16 18 13 8 13 13 9 39 21 41 22 712 26 Sam Hornish Jr. 12 21 24 40 43 32 26 19 35 6 16 24 22 41 26 10 30 22 29 17 39 9 18 18 28 28 30 20 20 17 28 17 28 24 31 25 709 27 David Ragan 17 18 22 21 18 5 13 41 23 38 33 41 13 23 35 39 12 18 18 21 17 23 18 40 40 17 15 41 22 37 25 30 25 23 18 27 701 28 Tony Stewart 42 30 33 39 14 20 24 6 41 19 39 21 16 21 28 12 14 33 20 28 9 43 21 19 15 29 25 11 26 26 35 25 10 42 27 29 695 29 Trevor Bayne 30 19 28 28 29 18 18 28 24 41 31 27 43 24 9 23 9 13 32 40 40 22 22 15 35 23 28 16 31 22 18 21 31 39 34 18 655 30 Justin Allgaier 37 20 31 18 12 42 39 8 18 23 30 43 42 20 27 35 18 24 40 37 24 19 29 12 33 25 23 39 27 40 26 42 13 28 17 36 588 31 Cole Whitt 22 37 32 25 24 22 35 27 36 13 35 28 26 28 32 22 25 37 28 33 27 21 27 29 43 38 29 24 28 38 33 22 20 27 33 28 553 32 David Gilliland 11 22 23 29 35 25 28 18 31 20 32 33 25 27 42 43 40 29 21 29 33 33 32 36 27 33 32 28 30 27 36 32 24 29 30 32 533 33 Alex Bowman DNQ 23 43 30 33 37 33 20 32 16 43 26 20 26 41 31 24 31 42 43 25 29 31 32 24 37 37 42 32 32 31 33 22 41 38 26 437 34 Brett Moffitt (R) 8 37 32 22 28 29 17 29 34 31 28 30 33 27 32 33 34 31 34 30 36 35 31 27 42 30 32 35 30 36 31 422 35 Matt DiBenedetto (R) DNQ DNQ 35 42 31 34 21 37 18 25 34 32 32 39 29 26 42 35 32 29 26 30 33 25 36 39 30 34 29 30 40 30 35 28 37 399 36 Michael Annett 13 29 39 42 38 39 40 23 33 29 23 32 41 34 30 33 37 30 36 30 26 31 35 43 39 43 34 29 37 25 34 DNQ 23 31 32 30 398 37 Josh Wise DNQ 32 34 36 36 30 38 39 42 10 28 35 40 29 34 28 31 43 DNQ 37 35 DNQ DNQ 33 31 36 DNQ 29 39 254 38 Jeb Burton (R) DNQ 35 40 34 39 29 DNQ 42 38 DNQ 42 DNQ 30 33 37 32 36 41 41 DNQ 35 39 33 DNQ 31 39 38 33 43 41 37 DNQ 27 32 39 DNQ 216 39 Michael McDowell 31 27 30 31 22 DNQ 36 30 34 DNQ DNQ 31 20 31 42 DNQ 31 28 34 33 213 40 Alex Kennedy (R) 38 33 37 33 39 36 25 40 38 28 38 34 33 120 41 Reed Sorenson 32 DNQ DNQ Wth DNQ 34 36 DNQ DNQ 34 DNQ DNQ 41 40 33 35 38 DNQ DNQ 74 42 Bobby Labonte 24 27 43 23 60 43 Michael Waltrip 26 36 13 58 44 Ryan Preece 32 42 36 37 38 35 45 Brian Vickers 15 41 32 46 Will Kimmel 38 39 11 47 Mike Wallace 36 DNQ DNQ Wth 8 48 T. J. Bell DNQ 37 7 49 Eddie MacDonald 37 7 50 Kyle Fowler 41 3 51 Ron Hornaday Jr. DNQ 42 Wth DNQ DNQ 2 Tanner Berryhill (R) DNQ 0 Ineligible for Sprint Cup driver points Pos. Position Driver DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL KAN CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY KEN NHA IND POC GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH CHI NHA DOV CLT KAN TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM Pts Points scored Ryan Blaney 39 19 42 4 42 24 DNQ DNQ 23 12 24 22 30 DNQ 14 7 43 43 17 Brian Scott DNQ QL 13 27 43 38 42 36 22 22 12 14 Erik Jones 40 12 19 Landon Cassill 43 43 35 22 25 21 32 43 26 39 29 39 23 25 31 36 13 28 30 26 14 35 36 38 20 30 27 38 40 23 43 34 21 25 35 35 Ty Dillon 28 26 18 14 23 J. J. Yeley 40 34 36 31 37 26 43 32 QL 14 37 38 29 36 38 41 33 39 43 39 30 30 38 34 34 34 35 35 33 42 38 29 33 29 34 Regan Smith 16 17 16 16 Chase Elliott 38 16 18 18 41 Matt Crafton 18 Johnny Sauter 19 Chris Buescher 20 24 30 25 24 37 Boris Said 26 32 Brendan Gaughan 28 38 37 41 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 40 DNQ DNQ 34 40 DNQ DNQ 28 Justin Marks DNQ 30 Mike Bliss 31 DNQ 33 40 34 36 31 DNQ 35 40 37 32 Travis Kvapil DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 35 DNQ 32 40 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 35 Joe Nemechek 33 B. J. McLeod 34 Joey Gase 43 38 DNQ 42 Jeffrey Earnhardt 40 35 Timmy Hill 38 41 36 38 43 39 DNQ DNQ 41 36 39 DNQ DNQ 41 36 43 Derek White 39 Jeff Green 40 DNQ DNQ Ryan Ellis 40 Pos. Position Driver DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL KAN CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY KEN NHA IND POC GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH CHI NHA DOV CLT KAN TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM Pts Points scored1 Due to neck spasms Denny Hamlin was not able to contest all 500 laps, during the first early red flag he got out of his car and was replaced by Cup debutant Erik Jones. Since Hamlin started the race, he is officially credited with the 26th-place finish. Manufacturers' Championship Pos Position Manufacturer Wins Points 1 Chevrolet 15 1584 2 Toyota 14 1516 3 Ford 7 1498Source:2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Manufacturer Standings & Stats http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2015/story/_/page/2015-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-Manufacturer-Standings Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures December 28, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151213110026/http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2015/story/_/page/2015-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-Manufacturer-Standings December 13, 2015 dead Media coverage In the United States, NBC Sports returned to covering NASCAR for the first time since the end of the 2006 season. Fox Sports returned for their coverage of NASCAR for the 15th-year in a row and as the lone incumbent from 2014. As in their prior arrangement, Fox covered the first half of the season while NBC covered the second half, which includes the Chase for the Sprint Cup. While still dividing the coverage of the Daytona races between the two networks, the nature of the split was changed. Fox retained its exclusive rights to the Daytona 500 while NBC gained exclusive rights to the Coke Zero 400. Under the previous Fox/NBC contract, Fox televised the Daytona 500 in odd numbered years (2001, 2003, 2005) while NBC did so in even numbered years (2002, 2004, 2006). Under the old arrangement, the network that did not air the Daytona 500 would air the Coke Zero 400. See also Sports 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West 2015 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 2015 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour 2015 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series 2015 NASCAR Mexico Series 2015 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Notes "N" References 30em Category:NASCAR Cup Series seasons *