Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
Sharp redesign is a boost for 2016 Lincoln MKX
In the world of automobiles, an old, outdated look and style can be fatal to a vehicle.
So after nine years in its original form, the Lincoln MKX was among the vehicles most in need of a new look.
Thankfully it got a full refresh for the 2016 model year, and the results are a strong competitor in the midsize luxury sedan field.
A more modern look, better engine options and overall improvement in quality of materials make the vehicle finally feel like it belongs in this class. Here’s a full report on my time in the MKX.
Win a 2017 Mustang GT in Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes
One lucky winner will drive away with a 2017 Ford Mustang GT plus $5,000 in Ford Performance Parts in the eighth-annual Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes Presented by Motorcraft.
Contestants 18 years or older can enter online for a chance to win at www.Mustang50Fever.com now through noon ET on Dec. 1, 2016, or at Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing’s midway display at select NASCAR Sprint Cup races and automotive and Ford enthusiast events. Entries are limited to one per person.
Audi announces details, pricing for 2017 Audi Q7
The 2017 Q7 introduces Audi’s new SUV design language to both exterior and interior features, debuting an all-new lightweight, multi-material body and chassis. Through a combination of clean and simple lines, and innovative technology, the Q7 interior offers drivers and passengers alike an exceptional driving experience. Expertly-crafted double inlay dash design, available customizable ambient interior LED lighting and available segment-exclusive Bang & Olufsen® 3D Advanced Sound System further enhances the luxury of the interior. The Bang & Olufsen system delivers an impressive, life-like musical experience through 23 speakers including two retractable acoustic lenses all powered by a 23-channel amplifier with an output of 1,920 watts.
A Bose 3D Sound System is also available, which includes 19 speakers, a 15-channel amplifier and 558 watts to deliver acoustic accuracy and impact. While the exterior dimensions have remained similar to the outgoing model, the all-new Q7 offers substantially more interior room for passengers with seating for up to seven standard. With exceptionally competent dynamics, driver assistance systems and connectivity, the Q7 sets the benchmark for the luxury SUV segment.
Roger Penske looks back on his 50 years in the racing business
Roger Penske, owner of Team Penske, is celebrating his 50th Anniversary in motorsports. He held a Q&A session as part of the annual Charlotte Media Tour to talk about his career and other topics.
ROGER PENSKE, Owner, Team Penske – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN LOOKING AT 50 YEARS IN MOTORSPORTS? “I think about all the great people that have worked for the company and have driven these race cars. We’ve had 85 drivers in our 430 wins and, to me, it’s all about those guys that have put their necks on the line and the crew chiefs. I think tonight at our 50th Anniversary we’ll have 3,200 years of service at Penske Racing represented, so that, to me, is low turnover and great results.”
IS THERE A MOMENT THAT IS QUINTESSENTIAL OF TEAM PENSKE OVER THOSE 50 YEARS? “You have to think about the first time we won the Indy 500. That’s pretty special when you think about 1972, but each one of those victories – the 16 that we’ve had – are something special, the Sprint Cup championship, the Sebring 12-Hour race, and just on and on and on. The Daytona 500s. I don’t really have a favorite because each time we win that’s my favorite day because, as I said to someone else, that’s my fishing trip on the weekends when I go to the races.”
HOW SPECIAL IS THE DAYTONA 500 IN YOUR GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS? “When you think about Daytona my first entry as a car owner was back in the early sixties with a Corvette at Daytona for the 24 Hours and we won in class, if you can believe it. I remember, I think the sponsorship was $2500, so to think you were there in that class win with a Corvette and coming back and winning both with Ryan and Joey was something special because it means so much to see what Daytona means to NASCAR.”
New Ford Fusion looks to contend for Sprint Cup title in 2016
History is repeating itself when it comes to preparing the new NASCAR Fusion for its competition debut in February at Daytona Speedweeks.
Much like three years ago, when NASCAR allowed manufacturers to include more brand-specific characteristics, Ford once again used the talents of its designers to ensure the same eye-catching components on the 2017 Ford Fusion production car are included on the new racing version. This latest iteration marks the third major body change for Fusion, and represents another step toward keeping “stock” a relative part of stock car racing.
The result of the efforts of designers and engineers is an aggressive-looking new race car capable of producing 750 horsepower at 9,000 rpm under the current rules package.
NASCAR announces race start times, channels for 2016 season
Here's all the info you need to watch/listen to Sprint Cup action in 2016.
===
2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule
2016 Audi A6 has the chops to battle with top luxury sedans
Let’s be honest. When you get into the luxury realm of the modern-day automobile, they’re all pretty nice. The look and feel and style may vary, and people may be brand-loyal, but in the end it’s hard to find a dog in the bunch. But within this elite group, some vehicles still do tend to shine a bit brighter than others. Some of it can be explained by specs and performance numbers, but often it’s just something you feel when you look at a particular vehicle and get behind the wheel that draws you in.
One such vehicle that I would put in this category is the 2016 Audi A6, a midsize sedan that I would put up against any vehicle in its class. I recently spent a week in the A6, and I’m back with a full report on what makes it reach those heights.
RHA’s T10i headphones offer bold design, stellar sonic experience
On the one hand, headphones are a pretty simple thing; you plug them in your ears and listen to music. Not too complicated.
But the reason there are hundreds of sets of headphones made by a variety of manufacturers at a variety of prices is that not everyone does it the same way. And some companies do a better job than others and getting you the quality sound you are seeking.
One brand whose stature is rising is Scotland-based RHA, and they’ve ventured boldly into high-end headphone territory with the T10i offering, which sell for about $200.
The question, of course, is whether they merit that price, and after some time testing out a set of RHA T10i headphones I’m here with the full details of my experience.
XFINITY Dash 4 Cash events add heat races; Caution Clock introduced for Truck Series
NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell announced today several racing-related innovations to the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, beginning with the 2016 season, designed to ignite and energize the growth of each series.
In the NASCAR XFINITY Series, where “Names Are Made,” each event in the popular Dash 4 Cash program now will be comprised of Two Heats and a Main. Drivers who win two of the four Dash 4 Cash bonuses available also are all but guaranteed a spot in the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase.
In addition, the rugged NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races now will feature a Caution Clock, which will be triggered at the start of each green-flag run. When the green flag is displayed, 20 minutes will be placed on the clock. If/when the clock expires, a caution will be thrown.
“These innovations contain the elements of racing that our fans want the most,” said O’Donnell. “The enhancements put a premium on in-race strategy, and will create an unprecedented level of excitement as teams make tactical decisions that could impact their spot in the Chase.”
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES DASH 4 CASH
The NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash will be comprised of Two Heats and a Main at four tracks: Bristol Motor Speedway (April 16), Richmond International Raceway (April 23), Dover International Speedway (May 14) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 23).
Qualifying for each Dash 4 Cash event will set the 40-car field and the starting positions for the Two Heats with the fastest qualifier awarded the Coors Light Pole Award. Odd-numbered qualifiers (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) will start in the first Heat in respective order, while even-numbered qualifiers (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) will start the second Heat in respective order.
The Two Heats will set the starting positions for the Main with the top two NASCAR XFINITY Series regulars in each Heat becoming eligible for the Dash 4 Cash bonus. The highest finishing driver among the four Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers will be awarded a $100,000 bonus. If any driver wins two of the four Dash 4 Cash bonuses available, he/she is all but guaranteed a spot in the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase. In short, two Dash 4 Cash bonuses are equivalent to one race win in the new NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase format.
Drivers must have declared to earn NASCAR XFINITY Series points in order to be eligible for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash bonus.
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES CAUTION CLOCK
A Caution Clock will be utilized in each NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event (except for Eldora Speedway). The clock will be set to 20 minutes and triggered at the start of each green-flag run during race events. When the clock counts down to zero, a caution flag then will be displayed and no beneficiary will be awarded. A caution occurring before time expires resets the clock when the subsequent green flag is displayed and the first truck a lap down will be the beneficiary.
The caution clock will be turned off with 20 laps to go at all events in the series, with the exception of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Pocono Raceway, where the clock will be turned off with 10 laps remaining.
-- Press release courtesy of NASCAR
NASCAR expands Chase format to Xfinity, Truck series
Using the overwhelming success of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format introduced in 2014 as a guidepost, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France announced today the implementation of a playoff system in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
On the heels of a 2015 Chase that saw the highest season-finale viewership in nearly a decade, record-breaking page views on NASCAR.com and unparalleled volume on social media, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will each feature a seven-race Chase to decide its respective championships starting in 2016. The announcement was the first of a number of racing innovations presented by NASCAR on Tuesday.
“Fans, partners and the industry have embraced the new Chase format like nothing we’ve seen in the sport’s history,” said France. “Winning never has been this important, and the excitement generated the past two seasons in the Sprint Cup Series has led to this implementation of the Chase format in all three national series. Competition in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will undoubtedly elevate to new heights and shine a spotlight on the rising stars of our sport.”
The NASCAR XFINITY Series, where “Names Are Made,” and the rugged NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will implement seven-race, three-round Chase formats with unique characteristics but very much in the same spirit of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. All three series will conclude the Chase with a Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to crown a champion. However, all three will begin at different tracks: Chicago (Sprint Cup Series), Kentucky (XFINITY Series) and New Hampshire (Camping World Truck Series)
Drivers still must declare a series in which they will earn points, and will only be eligible to compete for a championship in that series. The 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers who qualified for the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be ineligible to compete in the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES CHASE
The seven-race NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase will begin at Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 24, and feature 12 drivers and two elimination rounds, with four drivers competing in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
A win in the first 26 races all but guarantees a driver entry into the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, provided the driver is in the top 30 in points and has attempted to qualify for each race. Drivers who win two Dash 4 Cash bonuses are also all but guaranteed a Chase berth.
The first round, called the Round of 12, consists of the races at Kentucky, Dover and Charlotte. All drivers will start with their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 26 races. If a driver wins a race in the Round of 12, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions (1-8) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.
Each driver who advances to the Round of 8 (Kansas, Texas, Phoenix) then will have their points reset to 3,000. Drivers who win a race in the Round of 8 automatically advance to the Championship 4. The remaining available positions (1-4) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.
The four drivers who advance to the Championship 4 at Homestead will have their points reset to 4,000. The highest finishing Championship 4 driver will be crowned the NASCAR XFINITY Series champion.
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES CHASE
The seven-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase will begin at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. It will feature eight drivers and two elimination rounds, with four drivers competing in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. A win in the first 16 races all but guarantees a driver entry into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, provided that the driver is in the Top 30 in points and has attempted to qualify for each race.
The first round, called the Round of 8, consists of the races at New Hampshire, Las Vegas, and Talladega. All drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 16 races. If a driver wins a race in the Round of 8, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions (1-6) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.
Each driver who advances to the Round of 6 (Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix) then will have their points reset to 3,000. Drivers who win a race in the Round of 6 automatically advance to the Championship 4. The remaining available positions (1-4) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.
The four drivers who advance to the Championship 4 at Homestead will have their points reset to 4,000. The highest finishing Championship 4 driver will win the championship. All rules outlined above also apply to both series’ owner championship structure.
The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular season will kick off with the 58th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Daytona International Speedway. The Great American Race® will be broadcast live on FOX, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.
-- Press release courtesy of NASCAR
News Categories
Popular Tags
Search Reviews by Make
AutoTechReviews is your home for In-depth reviews of the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs; information on all the emerging vehicle technology; and breaking news from the world of NASCAR and other motorsports.