The Sprint Cup Series’ summer hiatus happens to fall on Father’s Day weekend. Instead of being at the track, drivers and teams have scattered to their homes, local dirt tracks or even Chicagoland Speedway for the rain delayed Xfinity Series race.
In honor of Father’s Day, here’s a look at what it means for NASCAR’s stars and how they’re spending the day with their dads and families or passing on racing to their children.
All quotes are from team press releases unless otherwise noted.
Matt Kenseth
Today Matt Kenseth will watch his son Ross Kenseth make his Xfinity Series debut at Chicagoland Speedway.
Kyle Busch
“My father (Tom Busch), he’s probably number one,” Busch said. “He and my mom just taking all of their resources and money and everything to help Kurt (Busch) and I get farther along in our careers in Las Vegas through Dwarf cars, Legends cars, Modifieds, whatever it was. Modifieds was about as far as we could go as a family – that was all we could afford.
“Then, past that was Jerry Spilsbury – he used to own an air conditioning company back in Las Vegas and he had a Late Model team out at the speedway the year before I ran. It was a one-car team and then, the year I ran, we actually became a three-car team. Jerry spent a lot of money, employed my father and just allowed me to succeed in winning 10 of 15 Late Model races (when Kyle was 15) – we finished second in three, third once and broke a rear-end gear in the other one while leading. We were plenty fast and through racing that car that year, I think a lot of people took notice that Kurt Busch’s little brother back in Vegas was pretty good, and that’s all history now.”
Tony Stewart
“Probably the first 10 years of my life in racing, we (he and father Nelson) raced together with our go-karts. I would say probably our greatest memory is the first Grand Nationals that we went to in Iowa together. We won out there, and I think it was about 4 o’clock in the morning when we finally finished. I was 12 years old, so it was way past my bedtime, but it was the first time I had seen that much excitement in my father’s face. I guess he realized more at the time what we had accomplished than what I realized had happened.”
Happy Fathers Day to my 77yr old father Nelson, who is racing today for the 3rd straight night this week. Get you some Pop! Love you
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) June 21, 2015
Danica Patrick
“Father’s Day, just like Mother’s Day, is a very important day to love and take a moment to share that in a special way to your dad. Fathers are super important no matter what you’re doing and where you’re at, whether you’re in NASCAR or not. I know that definitely in racing there are a lot of dads who have played a big part in helping get their child to the level they’re at.
“My dad (T.J. Patrick) was definitely a huge part of me getting to where I am in racing. Aside from that, dads are just important, in general. It’s a nice day to get a card and write something special, say something special or do something special for your dad.”
Jeff Gordon
Gordon is already passing on his love of racing to his kids. Here, Gordon is seen earlier this week with his daughter, Ella, in her own quarter-midget racecar.
ICYMI: Ella got behind the wheel of her pink piranha quarter midget. Family photos -> http://t.co/2oqr7Hrweh. #Team24 pic.twitter.com/YkWd2YlpBy
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) June 15, 2015
On Saturday, Gordon visited his old stomping grounds in California, including the quarter-midget track he first raced on.
Visiting Rio Linda in Sacramento where it all started for @JeffGordonWeb! pic.twitter.com/ZvKLQSp6zE
— Ingrid Vandebosch (@ivandebosch) June 20, 2015
Chase Elliott
While it won’t be on Father’s Day, it was announced this week that Chase Elliott, the son of Bill Elliott, would sport a special paint scheme in this year’s Southern 500. Elliott, racing in his last Sprint Cup race of 2015 before taking over the No. 24 from Gordon next year, will have a paint scheme resembling the one used by Bill Elliott when he won the “Winston Million” at Darlington Raceway in 1985.
AJ Allmendinger
Happy father's day to all the dads especially to the best dad in the world @dingersdad. So lucky for everything my dad has done for me.
— AJ Allmendinger (@AJDinger) June 21, 2015
Matt Crafton
Happy Father's Day. Especially this one that made it all possible for me. https://t.co/gfAoKBuNrW
— Matt Crafton (@Matt_Crafton) June 21, 2015
Kevin Harvick
Happy Father's Day to the best daddy in the world! We love you @KevinHarvick! pic.twitter.com/aS4SutNdkt
— DeLana Harvick (@DeLanaHarvick) June 21, 2015
Casey Mears
Happy Fathers Day to this guy! #rogermears https://t.co/Z2EEWYHiiR
— Casey Mears (@CJMearsGang) June 21, 2015
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Happy Fathers day to my dad and all the dads. My dad has taught me so much about life and racing. Love you dad!! pic.twitter.com/uaroDmnuR3
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) June 21, 2015
Terry Labonte
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Especially mine. Tex is the best!!! pic.twitter.com/GzeZvOWTot
— Kristy Labonte (@KristyLabonte) June 21, 2015
Clint Bowyer
Happy Fathers Day @clintbowyer! Cash and I love you like crazy, even thou you are still bed hungover… https://t.co/MGF5aC67bD
— Lorra Bowyer (@LorraBowyer) June 21, 2015
Brian Vickers
Happy Fathers Day to my Dad and all the Fathers out there who do so much to support their kids! pic.twitter.com/q8QVpBOEPC
— Brian Vickers (@BrianLVickers) June 21, 2015
Justin Allgaier
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.... After having a child of my own, it makes me realize… https://t.co/gsdF7bGMo5
— Justin Allgaier (@J_Allgaier) June 21, 2015
Joe Nemechek
Happy #FathersDay to the men who have guided us, supported us and taught us this sport that we love. #NASCARDad pic.twitter.com/fXMloOUPz4
— Joe Nemechek (@FrontRowJoe87) June 21, 2015
Jeb Burton
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there especially this one! @WardBurtonWBWF pic.twitter.com/lKfd9DWzrQ
— Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) June 21, 2015
Check back for more throughout the day....