Elton Sawyer: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Racing Legend Denny Hamlin Sick of NASCAR Playoffs, NBC Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver and co-owner of 23XI Racing, sharply criticized NASCAR’s playoff system on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast Monday, following the Brickyard 400 weekend.

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NASCAR Xfinity Driver Austin Hill Makes Braindead Mistake

SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Austin Hill’s aggressive move in Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has sparked controversy, landing him a five-lap penalty and a probable suspension from NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition, Elton Sawyer, known for his stern “Sawyer Strikes” disciplinary approach.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / June 8

Elton Sawyer issues warning to NASCAR Cup Series drivers ahead of green flag at Michigan

Before the start of today’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan, Elton Sawyer made sure to issue a warning to the drivers. In the Truck Series race, there were some restarts that did not go according to plan.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / June 1

NASCAR horsepower debate: Manufacturers pushing investment into consumer V8 engines

It was a little more than a year ago that Elton Sawyer put a wet blanket on NASCAR horsepower increases in the Cup Series. However, things have started to change.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / May 27

NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer: More horsepower in Next Gen car is ‘on the table’

NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer said Tuesday that increasing horsepower in the Next Gen car is “on the table.” Several drivers have implored NASCAR to add more horsepower and according to Sawyer, conversations are underway with its engine builder.

NASCAR News / Racing America on SI / May 27

NASCAR Executive Says Power Bump 'Something We're Discussing Daily'

Horsepower. It’s been a buzz word in NASCAR for quite some time now. According to Senior Vice President of Competition for NASCAR, Elton Sawyer, the sanctioning body is not only listening but actively discussing the possibility of bumping up the horsepower for the NASCAR Cup Series vehicles.

NASCAR News / Field Level Media / May 2

Thrills on tap as Cup Series visits Texas Motor Speedway

There were plenty of numbers to come out of Austin Cindric's victory last weekend at Talladega, but it was another Sunday when NASCAR felt it had to defend the quality of its superspeedway product.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / April 29

NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer defends quality of racing after Talladega: ‘67 lead changes among 23 different drivers’

One of the common complaints about modern superspeedway racing is drivers’ inability to pass within the pack. That showed itself in Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, in which multiple drivers said they were gridlocked and unable to pull out of line to make a run.

NASCAR News / Racing America on SI / April 15

Sawyer: NASCAR 'Not Going to Sleep On' Short Track Woes; Open to Ideas

“We’re all in this together, and we all want the same thing. We all want the best product and the best racing on the racetrack, and if someone has an idea,

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / April 2

NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer recaps ‘disaster’ Martinsville Xfinity race, will meet with drivers at Darlington

This past Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Martinsville featured 14 cautions and 102 caution laps. The race has widely been panned by NASCAR veterans, who took issue with the lack of respect on the racetrack.

Elton Sawyer sends warning to Cup Series drivers after Truck, Xfinity races at Martinsville

The NASCAR weekend at Martinsville has not been the best example of racing ever. Elton Sawyer is stepping in a bit today. Before today’s Cook Out 400, Sawyer gave a message to the Cup Series field.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / March 25

NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer explains Chase Elliott pit road penalty at Homestead

On Lap 169 of Sunday’s race at Homestead, NASCAR assessed a penalty to Chase Elliott for not entering pit road in a single-file line. Elliott and crew chief Alan Gustafson argued the penalty with NASCAR, but to no avail.

NASCAR News / The Spun / February 25

NASCAR SVP Elton Sawyer Hints At Big Change To Finishes

The outrage over the controversial finish to Sunday's Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway this week has NASCAR fans once again questioning the racing authority's rulebook.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 23

Elton Sawyer admits NASCAR should have thrown caution amid Atlanta Xfinity Series final lap wreck

Last night during the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta, officials decided not to throw the caution flag as the field wrecked on the backstretch. For the second week in a row, drivers raced to the line at the end of a race.

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NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 20

NASCAR official touches on Parker Kligerman DQ at Daytona, the appeal, Elton Sawyer disappointment

Parker Kligerman‘s disqualification at the Daytona Truck Series race last weekend didn’t sit well with the NASCAR community. On the Hauler Talk podcast, Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of Racing Communication, shared his thoughts on the Kligerman being disqualified after winning the race.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 18

Daytona 500: Elton Sawyer addresses NASCAR decision not to throw caution flag on last lap

NASCAR’s senior vice of competition Elton Sawyer knows NASCAR drivers and fans are wondering why a caution flag was not thrown during the final lap of the Daytona 500.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 18

Elton Sawyer reacts to Ryan Preece Daytona crash, explains NASCAR response

Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition, is looking into the violent wreck involving Ryan Preece at the Daytona 500. On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio this week, Sawyer said NASCAR has begun taking a second look at the Preece car as it went airborne at Daytona for the second time in three years.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 18

NASCAR SVP Elton Sawyer speaks out about Kyle Busch Daytona 500 controversy

Elton Sawyer, NASCAR‘s senior vice president of competition, said Tuesday that the Damaged Vehicle Policy controversy involving Kyle Busch late in Sunday’s Daytona 500 was a “misunderstanding” on Busch’s part.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 18

Denny Hamlin called Elton Sawyer, disagrees with Kyle Busch about Daytona 500 controversy

Kyle Busch had some pointed criticism for NASCAR after Sunday’s Daytona 500, feeling he was robbed of the chance to return to the race after the multi-car wreck with 15 laps to go.

NASCAR News / Athlon Sports / November 13

Larry McReynolds Fires Shot at Fans, Elton Sawyer and NASCAR

Larry McReynolds is known as "America's Crew Chief." In that role, he regularly shares his opinion on what's happening in the NASCAR landscape during his daily show on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. On Tuesday, he and show co-host Danielle Trotta recapped the Championship 4 weekend in Phoenix.

NASCAR News / Racing America on SI / November 12

Elton Sawyer: NASCAR "All Ears" on Possible Ideas to Tweak Playoff Format

In the weeks leading up to, and during Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway, the hot-button topic of discussion has surrounded the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs format, and whether it's an adequate way to crown a champion.

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / November 5

NASCAR's Martinsville manipulation penalties are not enough

On Tuesday, NASCAR's sanctioning body handed out penalties to several teams after their roles in manipulating the finish of Sunday's Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR penalizes teams, suspends crew members for Martinsville incident

NASCAR only has itself to blame for playoff officiating controversies

Groundhog Day? Ryan Blaney's playoff run shaping up like 2023

Christian Eckes looks to cap season with Truck Series championship

Ty Majeski aims to be latest surprise ThorSport Racing champion

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / November 5

NASCAR penalizes teams, suspends crew members for incident at Martinsville

Following the controversial final laps of Sunday's Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR has handed out steep penalties to several of the parties involved.

NASCAR's Martinsville manipulation penalties are not enough

Controversial officiating decision decides NASCAR's Championship Four field

NASCAR only has itself to blame for playoff officiating controversies

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NASCAR News / Yardbarker / October 6

NASCAR: We will take 'much deeper dive' into damaged vehicle policy

NASCAR exec: We will take 'much deeper dive' into controversial damaged vehicle policy

One week after NASCAR's controversial Damaged Vehicle Policy was at the center of water cooler fodder for frustrated fans, it was once more thrust into the limelight at the Talladega Superspeedway.

Talladega win proves Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s worth as NASCAR Cup Series driver

Watch: 'The Big One' strikes late in Talladega playoff race

Watch: Hard crash takes out defending NASCAR champion in Talladega playoff race

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The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Racing America on SI / September 24

Elton Sawyer: NASCAR "Baffled" with Lack of Tire Wear at Bristol

Last Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway played out in a drastically different way than anybody expected, based on notes from the track's Spring event.

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 11

Elton Sawyer speaks on possible penalties after Richmond finish

Elton Sawyer speaks on possible penalties after controversial Richmond finish

It's safe to say that Sunday's controversial NASCAR finish at Richmond is garnering a lot of attention.

Watch: Leaders wreck on final lap in crazy NASCAR finish

NASCAR must send a message: Strip Austin Dillon of blatantly dirty Richmond win

Past precedent points to penalty for Austin Dillon, but will NASCAR follow through?

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The 'NASCAR Cup Series winner' quiz

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / May 28, 2024

Elton Sawyer explains what led to NASCAR calling off Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte

NASCAR made the decision to call off Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after completing just 249-of-400 laps. Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Tuesday that simply put, too much rain fell at a time where the race would’ve gone well past 2 a.m.