2020 ISCRA Can-Am Cup Series

The 2020 ISCRA Can-Am Cup Series season is the 48th season of the ISCRA Can-Am Cup Series, as well as the first Cup season of the 2020s. The season began on February 23rd, 2020, with the Armory Digital 500, and will end on November 22nd, 2020, with the ASUS Dark Knight 500.

This season will mark the debuts of Ryan Schultz, Bora Eun-Yeong, and Evelyn Watts, as well as the final season for Robbie McCall, the 2014 Cup champion. This is the first Cup Series season without David Frazier and Corey Hawkins since 2002 and 2012 respectively.

Teams

 * On December 19th, 2019, Augusta Motorsports announced that it would sell its No. 86 owners points to Rensen Racing for the 2020 season.

Drivers

 * On November 11th, 2019, SC-Kroger Racing announced that Evelyn Watts would replace the retiring David Frazier in the No. 54 Dodge for the 2020 season and beyond.
 * On December 12th, 2019, Ross Castillo Racing announced that Kara McCarty would replace Kendall Nicholson in the No. 85 Ford for the 2020 season.
 * On December 14th, 2019, Robbie McCall announced that the 2020 season would be his last in ISCRA competition.
 * On December 18th, 2019, Barnett Racing announced that Bora Eun-Yeong would replace Dakota Hartley in the No. 38 Toyota for the 2020 season. Eun-Yeong will race for Rookie of the Year honors.
 * On December 19th, 2019, Augusta Motorsports announced that Dakota Hartley would replace Kara McCarty in the No. 29 Toyota for the 2020 season. The team also announced that Nikki Santerre would drive the No. 98 Toyota for the team full-time in 2020, competing for Rookie of the Year honors.
 * On December 22nd, 2019, Corey Hawkins announced that he would retire immediately from ISCRA competition after being severely injured during the 2019 Firecracker 400. Markus Theiss, his replacement for the rest of the 2019 season, will return to the car for 2020 and compete for Rookie of the Year honors.
 * On January 16th, 2020, Rensen Racing announced that Ryan Schultz would replace Daniel Ellsworth in the No. 10 Chevrolet for the 2020 season. Schultz will carry sponsorship from Rogue Energy.

Sponsorship

 * On November 25th, 2019, Burke Racing announced that Mint Mobile would sponsor Julia Kitt for 18 races in 2020.
 * On December 18th, 2019, Caldwell Racing Team announced that Tanner Walton would be sponsored by Target for 30 races in the 2020 season. Shure will return for the other six races.
 * On December 20th, 2019, Augusta Motorsports announced that Nikki Santerre would be sponsored by Geico for the entirety of the 2020 season.
 * On December 29th, 2019, 3M announced that they would immediately terminate their sponsorship of Steven Merzlak Racing and Ayane Nakano as they re-allocate their spendings and business model. Nakano will be sponsored by Siemens, Kenworth, and Wilwood for the 2020 season.
 * On January 5th, 2020, Halko Brothers Racing announced that Colin Spears would be sponsored by DEX Imaging for six races in 2020.

Can-Am Shootout
The Can-Am Shootout is a 20-lap exhibition race open to any driver that has won the pole in the previous season, as well as former champions and Armory Digital 500 winners that did not won a pole. Duke Tillman was awarded the pole for this race. Eva Martinez would win this race by 0.0003 seconds over Lucas Malone, making it the closest margin of victory in the history of ISCRA.

Top-ten results

1. 20 - Eva Martinez

2. 73 - Lucas Malone

3. 16 - Casey Dawson

4. 35 - Krista Noel

5. 7 - Ayane Nakano

6. 21 - Devin Sawyer

7. 87 - Bryce Lancaster

8. 77 - Charlotte Beliveau

9. 4 - Benjamin Price

10. 41 - Alex Pearson

Armory Digital 500
The 2019 Armory Digital 500 was held at Armory Digital Superspeedway on February 17, 2019. Eva Martinez won the pole the week prior, during the time trials that precede the Can-Am Shootout. Alex Pearson beat Lindsey Blackwell to the line to win his first Armory Digital 500 by 0.19 seconds.

Top-ten results

1. 41 - Alex Pearson

2. 1 - Lindsey Blackwell

3. 35 - Krista Noel

4. 60 - Andrew McConnell

5. 7 - Ayane Nakano

6. 77 - Charlotte Beliveau

7. 70 - Craig Thornton

8. 11 - Wayne Clark

9. 92 - Kyle Slater

10. 59 - Maxwell Johnson

Failed to qualify: Alan Irvine (No. 62), Brianna Palmer (No. 39), Kara McCarty (No. 85), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Travis Wilson (No. 95)


 * This is the first Armory Digital 500 win for Steven Merzlak Racing, as well as the first for Toyota since Wayne Clark won the race in 2013.
 * This race saw 92 lead changes, which surpasses the ISCRA record of 83 that was set at Talladega Superspeedway in 2002.

CreditOne Bank 500
The CreditOne Bank 500 was held February 23rd at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Alex Pearson won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 70 - Craig Thornton

2. 35 - Krista Noel

3. 41 - Alex Pearson

4. 1 - Lindsey Blackwell

5. 2 - Skye Thompson

6. 20 - Eva Martinez

7. 92 - Kyle Slater -1

8. 19 - Shane Harvey -1

9. 27 - Robin McKee -1

10. 16 - Casey Dawson -1

Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Travis Wilson (No. 95)


 * Cloudy and cold conditions at the track resulted in Alex Pearson turning a pole speed of 207.314 mph, the fastest qualifying lap on any ISCRA track since Chuck Magnum's 213.702 mph lap at Talladega Superspeedway in 1986.
 * Craig Thornton snapped a 66-race winless streak with this win.
 * This race saw 46 lead changes, a new record for Cup racing at Atlanta.

Albertson's 400
The Albertson's 400 was held March 7th at Kentucky Speedway. Wayne Clark won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 41 - Alex Pearson

2. 87 - Bryce Lancaster

3. 92 - Kyle Slater

4. 4 - Benjamin Price

5. 59 - Maxwell Johnson

6. 7 - Ayane Nakano

7. 5 - Duke Tillman

8. 21 - Devin Sawyer

9. 42 - Jeff Chandler

10. 73 - Lucas Malone

Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Alan Irvine (No. 62), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Nikki Santerre (No. 98)


 * Pearson was able to charge from a 36th-place starting position to win the race. This is the lowest starting position for a winner in Kentucky Speedway's history.

Rebel 400
The Rebel 400 was held March 15th at Darlington Raceway. Alex Pearson won the pole. Maxwell Johnson held off his teammate Shane Harvey to win his first career ISCRA race.

Top-ten results

1. 59 - Maxwell Johnson

2. 19 - Shane Harvey

3. 87 - Bryce Lancaster

4. 92 - Kyle Slater

5. 77 - Charlotte Beliveau

6. 1 - Lindsey Blackwell

7. 11 - Wayne Clark

8. 4 - Benjamin Price

9. 41 - Alex Pearson

10. 20 - Eva Martinez

Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Alan Irvine (No. 62), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Kara McCarty (No. 85), Will Harrison (No. 45)


 * This race would see two flips, something not seen at all at Darlington in over thirty years. The first one was on lap 3, when Craig Thornton was shunted by Travis Wilson, rolled twice, and landed on the hood of Connor Montgomery. The second occurred on lap 75, when Duke Tillman was T-boned by Ryan Schultz in turn 3, toppling the car and leaving it on its roof.

Food City 500
The Food City 500 was held March 22nd at Bristol Motor Speedway. Markus Theiss won the pole, the first of his career.

Top-ten results

1. 20 - Eva Martinez

2. 16 - Casey Dawson

3. 77 - Charlotte Beliveau

4. 21 - Devin Sawyer -1

5. 17 - Brett Callahan -1

6. 7 - Ayane Nakano -1

7. 52 - Markus Theiss -1

8. 87 - Bryce Lancaster -1

9. 1 - Lindsey Blackwell -2

10. 85 - Kara McCarty -2

Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Alan Irvine (No. 62), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Travis Wilson (No. 95)


 * After a caution came out during green flag pit cycles, most of the field would be trapped a lap down. This allowed drivers like Brett Callahan and Kara McCarty to capitalize on pit strategy, allowing them to both score top tens in this race.
 * After 351 races, this would be Brett Callahan's first top five in his Cup Series career.

Crown Royal 400
The Crown Royal 400 was held March 28th at Richmond Raceway. Krista Noel won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 7 - Ayane Nakano

2. 52 - Markus Theiss

3. 2 - Skye Thompson

4. 11 - Wayne Clark

5. 27 - Robin McKee

6. 16 - Casey Dawson

7. 35 - Krista Noel -1

8. 41 - Alex Pearson -1

9. 87 - Bryce Lancaster -1

10. 42 - Jeff Chandler -1

Failed to qualify: Adam Carpenter (No. 32), AJ Foster (No. 81), Alan Irvine (No. 62), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brianna Palmer (No. 39), Julia Kitt (No. 28), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Shawn Coleman (No. 55)


 * After failing to qualify for this race, Julia Kitt was fired by Burke Racing due to her poor performance. Joey Pollard would replace Kitt in the No. 28 for the rest of the 2020 season.
 * Only one car would fail to finish this race - Scott Haines lost an engine on lap 140, relegating him to a 39th-place finish.

Astro Gaming 400
The Astro Gaming 400 was held April 5th at Auto Club Speedway. Markus Theiss won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 4 - Benjamin Price

2. 27 - Robin McKee

3. 70 - Craig Thornton

4. 2 - Skye Thompson

5. 77 - Charlotte Beliveau

6. 73 - Lucas Malone

7. 52 - Markus Theiss

8. 19 - Shane Harvey

9. 16 - Casey Dawson

10. 59 - Maxwell Johnson

Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Alan Irvine (No. 62), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Brianna Palmer (No. 39), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Shawn Coleman (No. 55), Will Harrison (No. 45)
 * Joey Pollard's debut with Burke Racing ended with a 23rd place finish.

Rockingham 400
The Rockingham 400 was held April 12th at North Carolina Speedway. Wayne Clark won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 2 - Skye Thompson

2. 1 - Lindsey Blackwell

3. 41 - Alex Pearson

4. 21 - Devin Sawyer

5. 7 - Ayane Nakano -1

6. 52 - Markus Theiss -1

7. 35 - Krista Noel -1

8. 16 - Casey Dawson -1

9. 4 - Benjamin Price -1

10. 92 - Kyle Slater -1

Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Shawn Coleman (No. 55)
 * This race ended under caution after Shane Harvey wrecked Markus Theiss coming to the white flag, nearly taking out leader Thompson. After the race, Theiss approached Harvey on pit road and punched him in the face before being restrained by ISCRA officials. Neither driver would be punished in this ordeal.

Toco 500
The Toco 500 was held April 19th at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeff Chandler won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 20 - Eva Martinez

2. 60 - Andrew McConnell

3. 2 - Skye Thompson

4. 92 - Kyle Slater

5. 28 - Joey Pollard

6. 21 - Devin Sawyer

7. 59 - Maxwell Johnson

8. 11 - Wayne Clark -1

9. 9 - Robbie McCall -1

10. 35 - Krista Noel -1

Failed to qualify: Alan Irvine (No. 62), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Travis Wilson (No. 95)
 * The big one struck on lap 64, claiming eighteen cars. With most of the field taken out early, the race became one of attrition and fuel strategy.
 * Joey Pollard was able to stretch a tank of fuel 32 laps and score his first top five since the 2017 ASUS Dark Knight 500.
 * An unfortunate incident unfolded on lap 28, when AJ Foster ran over his teammate Kara McCarty as she tried to come down pit road. Foster would be involved in the big one and finish 34th, while McCarty was able to finish 16th despite losing an engine on lap 159.

Gibson 500
The Gibson 500 was held April 25th at Nashville Superspeedway. Charlotte Beliveau won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 4 - Benjamin Price

2. 52 - Markus Theiss

3. 11 - Wayne Clark

4. 77 - Charlotte Beliveau

5. 42 - Jeff Chandler

6. 21 - Devin Sawyer

7. 73 - Lucas Malone

8. 5 - Duke Tillman

9. 20 - Eva Martinez

10. 87 - Bryce Lancaster

Failed to qualify: Alan Irvine (No. 62), Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Travis Wilson (No. 95), Will Harrison (No. 45)

Pennzoil 400
The Pennzoil 400 was held May 3rd at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ayane Nakano won the pole. Charlotte Beliveau stretched her final fuel run over 75 laps to win by nearly a lap.

Top-ten results

1. 77 - Charlotte Beliveau

2. 27 - Robin McKee

3. 52 - Markus Theiss

4. 35 - Krista Noel

5. 73 - Lucas Malone

6. 59 - Maxwell Johnson -1

7. 16 - Casey Dawson -1

8. 2 - Skye Thompson -1

9. 70 - Craig Thornton -1

10. 11 - Wayne Clark -1

Failed to qualify: Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brianna Palmer (No. 39) Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Nikki Santerre (No. 98)

3M 400
The 3M 400 was held May 10th at Michigan International Speedway. Devin Sawyer won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. 41 - Alex Pearson

2. 70 - Craig Thornton

3. 16 - Casey Dawson

4. 7 - Ayane Nakano

5. 27 - Robin McKee

6. 42 - Jeff Chandler

7. 4 - Benjamin Price

8. 92 - Kyle Slater

9. 73 - Lucas Malone

10. 66 - Chris Howard

Failed to qualify: Failed to qualify: AJ Foster (No. 81), Alan Irvine (No. 62), Bora Eun-Yeong (No. 38), Brianna Palmer (No. 39) Brian Greenwood (No. 86), Nikki Santerre (No. 98), Travis Wilson (No. 95), Will Harrison (No. 45)
 * Shane Harvey was involved in a hard crash on a lap 49 restart that left him with a broken left index finger. He would not miss any time due to this injury.