Four finalists have been chosen for The NASCAR Foundation’s fifth annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide, which honors volunteers from across the country who dedicate themselves to children’s causes in their communities. Through December 3 at 11:59 p.m. ET, fans have the power to decide the winner by voting for their favorite champion for children at NASCAR.com/Award.
 
This year’s finalists include Bob Bowler of Special Olympics North Carolina, Stephanie Decker of Stephanie Decker Foundation, Carl Flatley of Sepsis Alliance and Jeff Hanson of Children’s Tumor Foundation. The national winner will be announced on Dec. 4 during the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN. 

Ray Evernham, a former modified racer who earned 47 victories and three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships as Jeff Gordon’s crew chief, received the prestigious Smokey Yunick Award prior to the Bank of America 500.

Legendary car owner and mechanic Henry “Smokey” Yunick, who passed away May 9, 2001, instituted the award in 1997 to annually recognize an individual who rose from humble beginnings to make a major impact on the motorsports industry.

Random thoughts for the fourth week of the NASCAR Chase, relishing the drama and wondering if Jimmie Johnson is going to play a pivotal role in the next seven weeks.

​Twelve move on. Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blixen!

No, it's not "The Night Before Christmas." It's Round Two, the Contender Round, in the 10 races of the Chase. Chase XII. The Dozen Cousins are Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and, finally, the wonderful, the talented Kevin Harvick, that wacky winner in Dover.

Every year when autumn rolls around and NASCAR’s top teams head to Dover, Delaware to race I unfailingly think back to the magical fall of 1991.

Just as resplendent as the forest foliage that year was Harry Gant, an immensely popular driver from Taylorsville, N.C.

Gant won four in a row 24 seasons ago,  and except for the failure of a 10-cent O-ring in his car’s braking system, he almost certainly would have made it five straight.

When news first emerged earlier in the week that Tony Stewart was going to formally announce his retirement, it gave people lots of time to think what they might want to say when ol' Smoke officially told the world.

An old friend, very invested in racing of all types and having worked with Stewart for years, didn't need the time. His initial reaction was dead-on and reminded me why Stewart held a special place with American race fans.

“I really like Tony, with all his foibles, he’s just a damn racer at heart … certainly AJ Foyt’s spiritual son,” he said, showing a picture he took in the early 80’s at Oskaloosa, Iowa after a young Stewart won his first major driving championship (Junior Rookie Class) at the IKF Speedway Grandnationals at Raah Speedway. “I wish that open wheel racing had not become such a low-rent mess when he was in it (and still is by the way). I would have liked to see him win the 500.”

For 17 years, Tony Stewart earned Sprint Cup victories, championships, respect and adoration with his passionate style of racing.

That gritty run to glory will soon end.

During a Wednesday press conference at the sprawling Stewart-Haas Racing shop in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the Indiana native confirmed that he will retire from the top level of NASCAR racing after the 2016 season. Clint Bowyer has been tabbed Stewart as the driver of No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet.

I was thinking about the New Hampshire Motor Speedway race, the Sylvania 300, this morning, and it occurred to me how much the Chase for the Sprint Cup changes everything.

If this had been the race at NHMS earlier in the season, it would have been, Well, you've got to give Kevin Harvick credit because he took a chance in the name of victory. He didn't pull it off, but it was a hell of an effort.

Now, however, it's the Chase. Did he lose his mind?