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2014 NASCAR RCA Cup Series (Johnsonverse) | |||
Previous: | 2013 | Next: | 2015 |

Tony Stewart, the 2014 champion.
The 2014 NASCAR RCA Cup Series was the 66th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 43rd modern-era Cup season. The season began at Sonoma Raceway, with the Toyota/Save Mart 350, followed by a two-week stop at Daytona International Speedway with the Busch Clash, Gatorade 125's, and the Daytona 500. The season ended with the Los Angeles Times 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway.
This season marked the first season of the Strictly Stock Car (SSC), which replaced the fourth-generation car used from 1990 to 2013, as well as the final season for Jeremy Mayfield.
Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing claimed the drivers' championship and owners' championship, while Chevrolet won the manufacturer's championship over Dodge; in a shocking upset, Ford only managed a single points win, while Toyota only won the Busch Clash, the first Gatorade 125, and several qualifying heats and B-Mains. Kyle Larson was named Rookie of the Year.
Teams, drivers, and manufacturers[]
Manufacturers[]
Company | Marquee | Model | Status |
---|---|---|---|
General Motors | Chevrolet | Camaro | Full factory support |
Impala | Full factory support | ||
SS | Full factory support | ||
Ford Motor Company | Ford | Fusion | Full factory support |
Taurus | Full factory support | ||
Mustang | Full factory support | ||
Roush Mustang | Full factory support | ||
Shelby Mustang | Full factory support | ||
Chrysler Corporation | Dodge | Charger | Full factory support |
Challenger | Full factory support | ||
Avenger | FINAL YEAR, full factory support | ||
Dart | Full factory support | ||
Toyota Motor Corporation | Toyota | Camry | Full factory support |
Avalon | Full factory support |
Complete schedule[]
Manufacturer | Team | No. | Race driver | Crew chief | Model | Primary Sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet | Earnhardt-Childress Racing * | 01 | Brad Keselowski | 2014 Impala | U.S. Army | |
3 | Jeffrey Earnhardt (R) | Wrangler | ||||
8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | National Guard | ||||
38 | Kelley Earnhardt | Pennzoil | ||||
81 | Martin Truex Jr. | Bass Pro Shops | ||||
Furniture Row Racing | 78 | Regan Smith | Cole Pearn | 2014 Impala | Furniture Row | |
Germain Racing | 30 | Aric Almirola | Bootie Barker | 2014 Impala | GEICO | |
Hendrick Motorsports | 5 | Kyle Larson (R) | Alan Gustafson | 2014 Camaro | Farmers | |
24 | Jeff Gordon | Steve Letarte | Axalta | |||
25 | Shane Hmiel | Lowe's | ||||
52 | Casey Atwood | Chad Knaus | M&M's | |||
HScott Motorsports | 51 | Alex Bowman (R) | Nick Harrison
Jimmy Elledge |
2014 SS | Marvel Comics | |
Stewart-Foyt Racing | 4 | Kevin Harvick | 2014 Camaro | Budweiser | ||
10 | Kyle Busch | Tony Gibson | Valvoline | |||
14 | Tony Stewart | Greg Zipadelli | Home Depot | |||
Tommy Baldwin Racing | 36 | Landon Cassill | Tommy Baldwin Jr. | 2014 SS | various | |
Dodge | AK Racing | 7 | James Kulwicki | 2014 Avenger | Zerex by Valvoline | |
11 | Jamie McMurray | Microsoft | ||||
Andretti Autosport | 27 | Kurt Busch | 2014 Challenger | DHL | ||
Bill Davis Racing | 22 | Renee Walters | 2014 Charger | Caterpillar | ||
23 | Scott Wimmer | |||||
Chip Ganassi Racing | 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 2014 Challenger | UAW-Delphi | ||
41 | Emily Senn | Target | ||||
46 | Bryan Clauson | Tums | ||||
Elliott-Evernham Motorsports | 9 | Kasey Kahne | 2014 Dart | Coors Light | ||
13 | Jerry Nadeau | Nickelodeon | ||||
94 | Casey Elliott | Flonase | ||||
Moroso-Rudd Racing | 82 | Denzel Lane (R) | 2014 Charger | Mountain Dew | ||
83 | Michelle Basone | Tide | ||||
84 | Boston Reid | RCA | ||||
Petty Enterprises | 43 | Adam Petty | Mike Shiplett | 2014 Challenger | STP | |
44 | Chad McCumbee | Kevin Buskirk | McDonald's | |||
Team Penske | 02 | Joey Logano | 2014 Challenger | Verizon | ||
2 | James Buescher | Miller Lite | ||||
Team SABCO | 40 | Jane Brewer | 2014 Charger | Kmart | ||
42 | Blaise Alexander | Juicy Fruit | ||||
45 | Alana Houston | UPS | ||||
Ford | Allison-Yates Racing | 28 | Jeremy Mayfield | Jimmy Fennig | 2014 Fusion | Texaco/Havoline |
88 | Stephen Leicht | Citi Financial | ||||
98 | Ryan Newman | AT&T | ||||
Brett Favre Racing | 15 | Parker Kligerman | 2014 Taurus | Nike/Sony | ||
90 | Katrina Goode | FujiFilm | ||||
FAS Lane Racing | 32 | Jane Ritter | Frank Stoddard | 2013 Fusion | Federated Auto Parts | |
Front Row Motorsports | 34 | David Ragan | Jay Guy | 2014 Mustang | various | |
35 | David Gilliland | Love's Travel Stops | ||||
Roush Racing | 6 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Drew Blickensderfer | 2014 Roush Mustang | Best Buy | |
16 | Greg Biffle | Donnie Wingo | 3M | |||
99 | Carl Edwards | Bob Osborne | Office Depot | |||
Wood Brothers Racing | 21 | Trevor Bayne | Donnie Wingo | 2014 Shelby Mustang | Motorcraft | |
Toyota | Joe Gibbs Racing * | 18 | Matt Kenseth | Mike Ford | 2014 Camry | DeWalt Tools |
19 | Kelly Watson | Circuit City | ||||
20 | Denny Hamlin | Steve Addington | FedEx | |||
80 | Michael McDowell | Darian Grubb | Rheem | |||
JTG Daugherty Racing | 47 | Marcos Ambrose | Todd Berrier | 2014 Avalon | Kroger | |
Michael Waltrip Racing * | 00 | Brian Vickers | Rodney Childers | 2014 Camry | Aaron's Dream Machine | |
17 | Clint Bowyer | NAPA Auto Parts | ||||
Swan Racing | 37 | Johanna Long | Steve Lane | 2014 Avalon | Petco | |
Team Red Bull | 85 | Ryan Truex (R) | Jimmy Elledge | 2014 Avalon | Red Bull | |
86 | Cole Whitt (R) | Ryan Pemberton | Red Bull |
Limited schedule[]
Manufacturer | Team | No. | Race driver | Crew chief | Model |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet | Beard Motorsports | 75 | Clay Rogers | Darren Shaw | 2013 SS |
Team XTREME Racing | 144 | J.J. Yeley | Walter Giles
Joe Lax Steve Lane |
2014 Impala | |
Timmy Hill | Peter Sospenzo | ||||
Tommy Baldwin Racing | 37 | Bobby Labonte | Tommy Baldwin Jr. | 2014 SS | |
Dave Blaney | Zach McGowan | ||||
Mike Bliss | |||||
Dodge | HScott Motorsports | 52 | Bobby Labonte | Jimmy Elledge | 2014 Dart |
Leavine Family Racing | 95 | Michael McDowell | Wally Rogers | 2014 Challenger | |
RAB Racing | 29 | Joe Nemechek | Chris Rice
Matt Lucas |
2013 Avenger | |
Matt Crafton | |||||
Randy Humphrey Racing | 77 | Dave Blaney | Peter Sospenzo | 2013 Dart | |
Nelson Piquet Jr. | Steve Lane | ||||
Joe Nemechek | |||||
Corey LaJoie | |||||
Team Penske | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Jeremy Bullins | 2014 Charger | |
Juan Pablo Montoya | Greg Erwin | ||||
Ford | Front Row Motorsports | 135 | Eric McClure | Todd Anderson
Derrick Finley |
2014 Mustang |
Blake Koch | |||||
David Reutimann | |||||
Roush Racing | 6 | Ryan Reed | Bob Osborne | 2014 Roush Mustang | |
Toyota | BK Racing | 93 | Morgan Shepherd | Rick Ren | 2014 Avalon |
Mike Bliss | Doug Richert | ||||
Johnny Sauter | |||||
J.J. Yeley | |||||
Clay Rogers | |||||
Identity Ventures Racing | 49 | Mike Wallace | Scott Eggleston | 2014 Camry | |
87 | Joe Nemechek | ||||
Morgan Shepherd | |||||
Timmy Hill |
Lend-Lease entries[]
Manufacturer | Team | No. | Race Driver | Model | Rounds |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schedule[]
The final calendar was released on October 15, 2013, comprising 43 races, as well as two exhibition races. The schedule also includes two Gatorade 125's, which are the qualifying races for the Daytona 500. The main change was the removal of Kentucky Speedway, long considered the worst track on the circuit, in favor of Walt Disney World Speedway, a fifth restrictor-plate track on the schedule that had already been a staple on the USAC schedule. Also, the first race at Denver International Speedway was replaced with an event at Road America, marking the first Cup Series event at the track since 1956.
No. | Race title | Track | Date | TV |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Toyota/Save Mart 350 | Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma | January 26 | WBC |
Busch Clash | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 7 | WBC | |
Gatorade 125's | February 13 | WBC | ||
2 | Daytona 500 | February 16 | WBC | |
3 | Subway Fresh Fit 400 | Rockingham Speedway, Rockingham | February 23 | WBC |
4 | San Jose 500 | San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy | March 2 | WBC |
5 | Kobalt 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas | March 9 | ESPN |
6 | Food City 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol | March 16 | TNN |
7 | TranSouth Financial 400 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | March 23 | ESPN |
8 | STP 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway | March 30 | TNN |
9 | Texas 400 | Texas World Speedway, College Station | April 6 | WBC |
10 | Auto Club 400 | Auto Club Speedway, Fontana | April 13 | WBC |
11 | Harley-Davidson 250 | Road America, Lake Elkhart | April 20 | WBC |
12 | Toyota Owners 400 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond | April 26 | TNN |
13 | Aaron's 499 | Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln | May 4 | WBC |
14 | Wells Fargo 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | May 11 | ESPN |
RCA Open | Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola | May 15 | TNN | |
RCA All-Star Challenge XXX | May 17 | WBC | ||
15 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | May 25 | WBC |
16 | FedEx 400 | Dover International Speedway, Dover | June 1 | TNN |
17 | Pabst Blue Ribbon 400 | The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis | June 8 | ESPN |
18 | Motorcraft 400 | Nazareth Speedway, Nazareth | June 15 | WBC |
19 | Budweiser 400 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | June 22 | WBC |
20 | Big Hero 6 500 | Walt Disney World Speedway, Lake Buena Vista | June 28 | ESPN |
21 | Coke Zero 400 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | July 5 | WBC |
22 | Camping World RV Sales 301 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon | July 13 | WBC |
23 | Music City USA 420 | Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville | July 20 | TNN |
24 | Crown Royal Presents The John Wayne Walding 400 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway | July 27 | WBC |
25 | Gobowling.com 400 | Pocono Raceway, Long Pond | August 3 | ESPN |
26 | Cheez-It 355 at The Glen | Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen | August 10 | ESPN |
27 | Pure Michigan 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn | August 17 | TNN |
28 | Irwin Tools Night Race | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol | August 23 | TNN |
29 | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | August 31 | WBC |
30 | Federated Auto Parts 400 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond | September 6 | TNN |
31 | MyAFibsStory.com 400 | Chicago Motor Speedway, Cicero | September 14 | ESPN |
32 | Tyson Holly Farms 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | September 21 | WBC |
33 | AAA 400 | Dover International Speedway, Dover | September 28 | TNN |
34 | Hollywood Casino 400 | Kansas Speedway, Kansas City | October 5 | TNN |
35 | Bank of America 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | October 11 | WBC |
36 | GEICO 500 | Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln | October 19 | WBC |
37 | Iowa Corn 400 | Iowa Speedway, Newton | October 26 | TNN |
38 | Oral-B USA 500 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton | November 2 | ESPN |
39 | Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 | Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale | November 9 | TNN |
40 | Ford EcoBoost 400 | Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead | November 16 | WBC |
41 | Google Cardboard 500 | San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy | November 23 | WBC |
42 | Sprite 500 | Denver International Speedway, Denver | November 30 | WBC |
43 | Los Angeles Times 500 | Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario | December 7 | WBC |
Changes[]
New Car[]
For more, see Strictly Stock Car (Johnsonverse).
A new car, known officially as the Strictly Stock Car (SSC), was introduced in 2014. Visually, the car is the same as the fourth-generation car used from 1990 to 2013, as car rules had been tightened in 1990 to ensure the cars look like their street-faring counterparts. The changes are mainly internal, with such as crash-absorbing foam in the driver's-side door, moving the driver's seat slightly towards the center, and a larger fuel tank to cut down on fuel mileage races.
Rules changes[]
Beginning this year, NASCAR eliminated traditional single car qualifying in its top 3 series for all races except the Daytona 500 and non-points events. Qualifying will now be done with heat races. Qualifying will consist of all entered cars in 4 heat races. The first and third races determine the inside row, while the second and fourth races determine the outside row. Starting positions in heat races are based on practice times. On the day before the race, a B-main race is held, with the top three finishers moving on to the main race. A system involving groups of cars being released at five-second intervals was used at Sonoma Raceway, Riverside International Raceway, and Watkins Glen International in 2013.
In addition, results would once again list the model year of the cars.
NASCAR introduced the Lend-Lease Program (not to be confused with a World War II-era program of the same name), allowing one-off and local entries into races. These homegrown entries often use cars straight from the showroom, as well as older car models, since there are no rules mandating that Lend-Lease teams use the SSC; the rules forbid the use of hatchbacks, vans, minivans, SUVs, pickup trucks, convertibles, cars with a rotary engine, hybrids, electrics, open-wheeled cars like Indy cars or Formula 1 cars, Daytona or Le Mans Prototypes, Whelen Modified cars, dirt stocks, super stocks, mini stocks, supercars, exotics, really old cars (the rulebook specifically calls out the Ford Model T and any AMC cars except AMC Javelins that had run in NASCAR in the 1970s), steam-powered cars, horse-drawn chariots (a rule added after an amusing incident at the 2015 Southern 500 where a driver attempted to enter a replica Roman chariot drawn by a horse, which was rejected on animal welfare grounds; the incident quickly became an internet meme, with many fans jokingly calling for a "NASCAR Chariot Series", a chariot was added in Ultimate NASCAR as a joke in 2016), race horses in general, anything remotely resembling a go-kart (several ignorant drivers tried entering go-karts with nitrous bottles attached so they could remain competitive; all were rejected on safety grounds), drag racers (again, ignorant drivers have tried entering ex-NHRA and NASCAR Powerade Drag Series cars, all of which were rejected for having absolutely no handling to speak of at speed, and having an unfair aerodynamic advantage), and anything remotely resembling a potential lemon. For example, at the Daytona 500, one entry was a 1990 Ford Thunderbird driven by Bill Elliott, who managed to take the car (still wearing its original colors, which caused some confusion since this meant there were two cars numbered 9 in the race; the WBC broadcast cleared the confusion by using the old Melling Racing number font for Elliott, while Kasey Kahne used the modern Evernham font) to a 6th-place finish. In another example, a two-car team using Plymouth Superbirds (one of them having been driven by Richard Petty) entered the Aaron's 499; one car driven by Kyle Petty was involved in the "big one", while the other, driven by owner Cale Yarborough, cruised to a 4th-place finish; Yarborough felt he could have won the race had he replaced the engine, as it was still the same Plymouth engine built in 1970. Despite criticisms regarding the use of first-generation Aero Warriors, NASCAR has done nothing, with Tim Johnson saying he loves the variety of cars.
Broadcasting[]
Starting this season, Dale Jarrett succeeded the retiring Benny Parsons as a color commentator in WBC's booth A.
Other changes[]
NASCAR restructured the penalties and appeals system allowing penalties to be more consistent. The appeals process also makes NASCAR's basis for issuing the penalty public at the first appeal instead of the last. After a six-hour delay at Chicagoland, NASCAR will now make the Air Titan available at all RCA Cup Series races and accompanying races at no extra charge. The Air Titan has also been improved to Air Titan 2.0 shortening track drying time even further.
Season summary[]
Results[]
No. | Race title | Pole Position | Most laps led | Winner | Make/Model |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Toyota/Save Mart 350 | Kyle Busch | Carl Edwards | Carl Edwards | Roush Mustang |
Busch Clash | Denny Hamlin | Denny Hamlin | Denny Hamlin | Toyota Camry | |
Gatorade 125's | Austin Dillon | Matt Kenseth | Matt Kenseth | Toyota Camry | |
Martin Truex Jr. | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | James Kulwicki | Dodge Avenger | ||
2 | Daytona 500 | Austin Dillon | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
3 | Subway Fresh Fit 400 | Brad Keselowski | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet Camaro |
4 | San Jose 500 | James Kulwicki | Tony Stewart | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
5 | Kobalt 400 | Joey Logano | Brad Keselowski | Danica Patrick | Chevrolet Camaro |
6 | Food City 500 | Denny Hamlin | Matt Kenseth | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
7 | TranSouth Financial 400 | Matt Kenseth | Jimmie Johnson | Kyle Larson | Dodge Challenger |
8 | STP 500 | Kyle Busch | Jimmie Johnson | Kurt Busch | Chevrolet Camaro |
9 | Texas 400 | Jeff Gordon | Danica Patrick | Danica Patrick | Chevrolet Camaro |
10 | Auto Club 400 | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet Camaro |
11 | Harley-Davidson 250 | Tony Stewart | Danica Patrick | James Kulwicki | Dodge Avenger |
12 | Toyota Owners 400 | Kyle Larson | Jeff Gordon | Joey Logano | Dodge Charger |
13 | Aaron's 499 | Brian Scott | Greg Biffle | Austin Dillon | Chevrolet Camaro |
14 | Wells Fargo 400 | Kyle Busch | Tony Stewart | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
RCA All-Star Challenge XXX | Carl Edwards | Jamie McMurray | Adam Petty | Dodge Challenger | |
15 | Coca-Cola 600 | Jimmie Johnson | Jimmie Johnson | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet Camaro |
16 | FedEx 400 | Brad Keselowski | Adam Petty | Austin Dillon | Chevrolet Camaro |
17 | Pabst Blue Ribbon 400 | Denny Hamlin | Brad Keselowski | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet Camaro |
18 | Motorcraft 400 | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | James Kulwicki | Dodge Avenger |
19 | Budweiser 400 | Jamie McMurray | A.J. Allmendinger | Danica Patrick | Chevrolet Camaro |
20 | Big Hero 6 500 | Danica Patrick | Tony Stewart | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
21 | Coke Zero 400 | David Gilliland | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
22 | Camping World RV Sales 301 | Kyle Busch | Brad Keselowski | Brad Keselowski | Dodge Charger |
23 | Music City USA 420 | Kyle Busch | Adam Petty | Blaise Alexander | Dodge Charger |
24 | Crown Royal Presents The John Wayne Walding 400 | Kevin Harvick | Kasey Kahne | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet Camaro |
25 | Gobowling.com 400 | Kyle Larson | Jeff Gordon | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet Camaro |
26 | Cheez-It 355 at The Glen | Jeff Gordon | A.J. Allmendinger
Jeff Gordon |
A.J. Allmendinger | Chevrolet SS |
27 | Pure Michigan 400 | Jeff Gordon | Joey Logano | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet Camaro |
28 | Irwin Tools Night Race | Kevin Harvick | Jamie McMurray | Joey Logano | Dodge Charger |
29 | Southern 500 | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
30 | Federated Auto Parts 400 | Brad Keselowski | Brad Keselowski | Brad Keselowski | Dodge Charger |
31 | MyAFibsStory.com 400 | Kyle Busch | Kevin Harvick | Kyle Larson | Dodge Challenger |
32 | Tyson Holly Farms 400 | Tony Stewart | Tony Stewart | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
33 | AAA 400 | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet Camaro |
34 | Hollywood Casino 400 | Kevin Harvick | Joey Logano | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet Camaro |
35 | Bank of America 500 | Kyle Busch | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet Camaro |
36 | GEICO 500 | Brian Vickers | Adam Petty | Josh Wise | Dodge Charger |
37 | Iowa Corn 400 | Jamie McMurray | Austin Dillon | Austin Dillon | Chevrolet Camaro |
38 | Oral-B USA 500 | Matt Kenseth | Jimmie Johnson | Adam Petty | Dodge Challenger |
39 | Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 | Denny Hamlin | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet Camaro |
40 | Ford EcoBoost 400 | Jeff Gordon | Kevin Harvick | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet Camaro |
41 | Google Cardboard 500 | Casey Elliott | James Kulwicki | Casey Elliott | Dodge Charger |
42 | Sprite 500 | Tony Stewart | Kyle Larson | Blaise Alexander | Dodge Charger |
43 | Los Angeles Times 500 | Danica Patrick | Danica Patrick | Danica Patrick | Chevrolet Camaro |