Smith takes Nationwide points lead to Darlington

Spending the past five seasons in Sprint Cup, Smith returned to Nationwide full-time this year, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, which is co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Smith won the 2012 Nationwide season-finale at Homestead, Fla. in his stellar debut with JRM. It was also his first win in the series.

Nationwide teams preparing for another wild race at Talladega

The race here two years ago featured a track-record 56-lead changes, 11 cautions and two red flags for extensive cleanup efforts. Kyle Busch was involved in a 21-car accident late in the race, but he somehow bounced back to win it. The event was extended with two green-white-checkered finishes. Busch propelled to the lead on the final lap when Joey Logano bumped him to the front. He remained the leader when the race ended under caution for an accident.

NASCAR suspends, fines two RCR crew members

NASCAR suspended and fined two crew members from Richard Childress Racing on Tuesday for their involvement in a physical altercation that occurred after Friday night's Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway.

Jeffrey Earnhardt looking forward to first start with JRM

The 23-year-old Earnhardt is scheduled to make his 16th career Nationwide start but his first for JRM. He has five starts this season, driving the No. 79 Ford for Go Green Racing. His career-best finish in NASCAR's second-tier series is 19th, which came in the July 2011 race at Daytona.