Two-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has spent a lot of time sampling the 3.192-mile (5.141-kilometer), 16-turn road course on a simulator.
Monday, October 31, 2011
ESPN?s Nicole Briscoe gives heartfelt sendoff to Dan Wheldon
Just before Sunday's Talladega race, ESPN aired a series of remembrances of Dan Wheldon, who died last week in an IndyCar race in Vegas. The presentation was heartfelt, touching and a good reminder of how fragile life can be. And it concluded with Nicole Briscoe, wife of driver Ryan Briscoe, offering an emotional on-air eulogy to Wheldon.
Briscoe could barely keep her emotions in check, and her quavering voice was a wrenching counterpoint to the images of Wheldon onscreen. It was a fine, if painful, moment in racing broadcast history.
Briscoe could barely keep her emotions in check, and her quavering voice was a wrenching counterpoint to the images of Wheldon onscreen. It was a fine, if painful, moment in racing broadcast history.
Knaus told Johnson to damage ?Dega car if he won; NASCAR is now getting involved
Add another log to the bonfire of off-track controversy coming out of Talladega.
Just before the Good Sam's 500 began at Talladega on Sunday, 48 team crew chief Chad Knaus leaned into Jimmie Johnson's car and gave him some curious instructions. And while this kind of thing goes on all the time, what made this moment different is that it was broadcast on NASCAR.com's RaceBuddy, recorded by an enterprising fan, and posted on SB Nation.
What were those instructions? This: "If we win this race, you have to crack the back of the car," Knaus said. "Got it?"
"Really?" Johnson replied.
"Yes," Knaus continued. "Got it? You don't have to have to hit it hard, you don't have to destroy it. But you've gotta do a donut and you've gotta hit the back end, or somebody's gotta hit you in the ass-end or something. OK?"
The idea is this: Knaus was concerned that bump-drafting could push the car beyond NASCAR's engineering tolerances. Given the 48 team's history of getting just a bit fancy with the rules, there was legitimate concern that they could be docked points despite running a completely legal car. The car which Johnson drove on Sunday was the same one which won at Talladega in the spring.
"If you have significant damage back there from the bumping and the contact, you're fine and NASCAR knows that's happened within the window of racing," Johnson told ESPN's Nicole Briscoe on Wednesday. "You come back with the car moved around and you're outside of where the tolerances are, you've got an issue.�So Chad was just making sure that I was aware of that."
Tempting as it may be for some to blame Knaus for this and accuse him of cheating ... well, I guess he kind of is, technically speaking, but this could well be more a "you can't fire me, I quit" sort of situation. Everyone in the garage observed what happened to Clint Bowyer last year at Loudon when his car was found to be out of tolerances by hundredths of an inch�?�a season-killing penalty. And you don't need to be a mechanical engineer to understand that having another car hammer on your bumper for 500 miles might possibly affect your car's shape.
[Video: Jimmie Johnson's five-year NASCAR reign may be ending]
On the other hand, if someone had indeed made minor, extralegal adjustments to a car ? affecting downforce by adjusting alignment, say ? whacking the back end of the car into the Talladega retaining wall would do a very good job of covering those tracks. Just saying. (Knaus, when asked by SB Nation if there was something untoward on the back of the car, replied, "I don't think that's a fair assessment." He noted that the car was inspected three times prior to the Talladega race.)
Bottom line, we could be talking about more of those unintended consequences that always seem to well up whenever you've got a radical departure from the norm, as 2x2 racing certainly is. Even so, NASCAR officials made it known that they will be taking a closer look at what Knaus may or may not have been implying.
"We became aware of this piece of audio this morning and certainly want to get all the facts before making an opinion and reaching any conclusions," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "We'll visit with the parties and pull all the facts together best we can. While Talladega is done and the No. 48 was not the winning or random car, we certainly have an interest in getting the facts straight on behalf of the balance of the competitors."
No telling how this could shake out, but you can bet that crew chiefs are going to be paying a lot closer attention to when they are and aren't being recorded.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? DailyMeal: Eight great NFL stadiums for beer fanatics
? Brian Kelly wants controversial changes to Notre Dame Stadium
? Former NBA players who have gone broke
Just before the Good Sam's 500 began at Talladega on Sunday, 48 team crew chief Chad Knaus leaned into Jimmie Johnson's car and gave him some curious instructions. And while this kind of thing goes on all the time, what made this moment different is that it was broadcast on NASCAR.com's RaceBuddy, recorded by an enterprising fan, and posted on SB Nation.
What were those instructions? This: "If we win this race, you have to crack the back of the car," Knaus said. "Got it?"
"Really?" Johnson replied.
"Yes," Knaus continued. "Got it? You don't have to have to hit it hard, you don't have to destroy it. But you've gotta do a donut and you've gotta hit the back end, or somebody's gotta hit you in the ass-end or something. OK?"
The idea is this: Knaus was concerned that bump-drafting could push the car beyond NASCAR's engineering tolerances. Given the 48 team's history of getting just a bit fancy with the rules, there was legitimate concern that they could be docked points despite running a completely legal car. The car which Johnson drove on Sunday was the same one which won at Talladega in the spring.
"If you have significant damage back there from the bumping and the contact, you're fine and NASCAR knows that's happened within the window of racing," Johnson told ESPN's Nicole Briscoe on Wednesday. "You come back with the car moved around and you're outside of where the tolerances are, you've got an issue.�So Chad was just making sure that I was aware of that."
Tempting as it may be for some to blame Knaus for this and accuse him of cheating ... well, I guess he kind of is, technically speaking, but this could well be more a "you can't fire me, I quit" sort of situation. Everyone in the garage observed what happened to Clint Bowyer last year at Loudon when his car was found to be out of tolerances by hundredths of an inch�?�a season-killing penalty. And you don't need to be a mechanical engineer to understand that having another car hammer on your bumper for 500 miles might possibly affect your car's shape.
[Video: Jimmie Johnson's five-year NASCAR reign may be ending]
On the other hand, if someone had indeed made minor, extralegal adjustments to a car ? affecting downforce by adjusting alignment, say ? whacking the back end of the car into the Talladega retaining wall would do a very good job of covering those tracks. Just saying. (Knaus, when asked by SB Nation if there was something untoward on the back of the car, replied, "I don't think that's a fair assessment." He noted that the car was inspected three times prior to the Talladega race.)
Bottom line, we could be talking about more of those unintended consequences that always seem to well up whenever you've got a radical departure from the norm, as 2x2 racing certainly is. Even so, NASCAR officials made it known that they will be taking a closer look at what Knaus may or may not have been implying.
"We became aware of this piece of audio this morning and certainly want to get all the facts before making an opinion and reaching any conclusions," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "We'll visit with the parties and pull all the facts together best we can. While Talladega is done and the No. 48 was not the winning or random car, we certainly have an interest in getting the facts straight on behalf of the balance of the competitors."
No telling how this could shake out, but you can bet that crew chiefs are going to be paying a lot closer attention to when they are and aren't being recorded.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? DailyMeal: Eight great NFL stadiums for beer fanatics
? Brian Kelly wants controversial changes to Notre Dame Stadium
? Former NBA players who have gone broke
Ferrari upbeat about chances despite Massa crash
Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso is upbeat about his victory chances in the Indian Grand Prix after a strong qualifying performance on Saturday, while teammate Felipe Massa crashed out.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series notebook
Rick Huseman remembered with a Memorial Race and fundraiser; title battles down to the wire.
Build A Brand-New 1965 Mustang Convertible With A Ford-Approved Body Shell
It’s now possible to build a brand new ’64½, ’65 or ’66 Ford Mustang convertible from the wheels up using this latest Ford-approved and officially licensed body shell. Unveiled today ahead of its public debut at next week’s 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, the new body shell...
Dale Jr. on his ?Dega fame: ?The Earnhardt family?s legacy?
When you leave Interstate 20 and descend into the madness that is Talladega, the only thing more prevalent than campfire smoke is the endless wave of Earnhardt flags, logos, t-shirts and love. "Dale Jr. sucks," so often a rallying cry at other tracks, may very well get you killed at Talladega. And Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a very good idea why.
"The success my father had here," he said on Friday afternoon. "He did a lot of things in the sport that paved the road for me ... I know deep down inside I owe a great debit and a lot of credit to him for where I am and who I am in the sport and how I am perceived, the path that I have been given and what I have done with it and what I have accomplished with it. I think he was a legend here and won a lot of races and was very good at plate racing. He was real easy to cheer for when you came here."
And so is Junior. Whenever he takes a lead at Talladega, the roars almost certainly register on a seismic level. And the other drivers know it: "Even if you don't see it physically with your eyes you sense it," Jeff Gordon said. "You know how excited they get around here when Junior is leading and battling for the win."
While Junior hasn't had much success getting to victory lane of late, to Gordon, that's not the issue; the dedication of his fans is. "This is the die-hards of the die-hards in our sport," he said. "When you look at the history of our sport this fan base is what made the sport. I think Junior really symbolizes that and where the sport has come from. I think he's still able to carry that on and maintain that."
Just imagine what the reaction will be should he actually win on Sunday. It could happen, you know.
"The success my father had here," he said on Friday afternoon. "He did a lot of things in the sport that paved the road for me ... I know deep down inside I owe a great debit and a lot of credit to him for where I am and who I am in the sport and how I am perceived, the path that I have been given and what I have done with it and what I have accomplished with it. I think he was a legend here and won a lot of races and was very good at plate racing. He was real easy to cheer for when you came here."
And so is Junior. Whenever he takes a lead at Talladega, the roars almost certainly register on a seismic level. And the other drivers know it: "Even if you don't see it physically with your eyes you sense it," Jeff Gordon said. "You know how excited they get around here when Junior is leading and battling for the win."
While Junior hasn't had much success getting to victory lane of late, to Gordon, that's not the issue; the dedication of his fans is. "This is the die-hards of the die-hards in our sport," he said. "When you look at the history of our sport this fan base is what made the sport. I think Junior really symbolizes that and where the sport has come from. I think he's still able to carry that on and maintain that."
Just imagine what the reaction will be should he actually win on Sunday. It could happen, you know.
BOBBY THERRIEN FIRST TO ENTER 2011 BOND/WIX TIGER TOUR
Waterbury, VT ? American Canadian Tour (ACT) Tiger-Sportsman driver Bobby Therrien from Hinesburg, VT was the first to file a full entry for the 2011 BOND/WIX Tiger Tour.
The 2011 tour has been expanded to five 100-lap events. The Sportsman division has been in existence at home track Thunder Road in Barre, VT since 1964. For many northeast fans, the division is considered the most competitive weekly division in the Northeast. Most of the past and many of today?s stars of the American Canadian US Tour have been graduates of the Sportsman division.
The 2011 tour has been expanded to five 100-lap events. The Sportsman division has been in existence at home track Thunder Road in Barre, VT since 1964. For many northeast fans, the division is considered the most competitive weekly division in the Northeast. Most of the past and many of today?s stars of the American Canadian US Tour have been graduates of the Sportsman division.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Franchitti?s dominance like Johnson?s NASCAR run ? The Associated Press
Franchitti’s dominance like Johnson’s NASCAR run – The Associated Press
CBC.ca
Franchitti's dominance like Johnson's NASCAR runThe Associated Press(AP) ? Jimmie Johnson has won five consecutive championships, yet doesn't always get the proper recognition ? both in NASCAR and across all professional sports ? for such a remarkable feat. The same could be said about Dario Franchitti. …Ed Carpenter Wins At Kentucky SpeedwayMotor Authority
all 371 news articles »
CBC.ca
Franchitti's dominance like Johnson's NASCAR runThe Associated Press(AP) ? Jimmie Johnson has won five consecutive championships, yet doesn't always get the proper recognition ? both in NASCAR and across all professional sports ? for such a remarkable feat. The same could be said about Dario Franchitti. …Ed Carpenter Wins At Kentucky SpeedwayMotor Authority
all 371 news articles »
Talladega practice: So, you like 2�2 racing?
After practice at Talladega, it's immediately clear that the 2x2 racing so loathed by so many fans isn't going anywhere, at least not entirely. While drivers did report some overheating of engines after running a few paired-up laps, cars were able to sync up and run in tandem as in past years. Here's a breakdown of the pairings:
Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle
Matt Kenseth and David Ragan
Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard
Kyle Busch and Joey Logano
Kurt Busch and Regan Smith
Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte
Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin
Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski and Dave Blaney
Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers
Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer
AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose
David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr.
Edwards and Biffle posted the fastest time, with Martin and Gordon second and Ambrose and Allmendinger third. Kahne and Vickers were the only other pair to top 197 mph in testing.
"As weird as the two-car racing is, I believe it's safer than the big packs," Carl Edwards said afterward. "That's not because there are fewer wrecks. It's because there are fewer cars that can be involved in the wreck." Edwards has more experience with potentially catastrophic wrecks at Talladega than most, having been involved in a spectacular wreck in 2009 that injured several fans.
"I think if we went back to the pack," Edwards added, "NASCAR would have to slow it down more."
[For the sticklers among you, that photo is from Thursday's fuel injection testing. Same basic philosophy applies.]
Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle
Matt Kenseth and David Ragan
Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard
Kyle Busch and Joey Logano
Kurt Busch and Regan Smith
Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte
Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin
Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski and Dave Blaney
Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers
Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer
AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose
David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr.
Edwards and Biffle posted the fastest time, with Martin and Gordon second and Ambrose and Allmendinger third. Kahne and Vickers were the only other pair to top 197 mph in testing.
"As weird as the two-car racing is, I believe it's safer than the big packs," Carl Edwards said afterward. "That's not because there are fewer wrecks. It's because there are fewer cars that can be involved in the wreck." Edwards has more experience with potentially catastrophic wrecks at Talladega than most, having been involved in a spectacular wreck in 2009 that injured several fans.
"I think if we went back to the pack," Edwards added, "NASCAR would have to slow it down more."
[For the sticklers among you, that photo is from Thursday's fuel injection testing. Same basic philosophy applies.]
BOBBY THERRIEN FIRST TO ENTER 2011 BOND/WIX TIGER TOUR
Waterbury, VT ? American Canadian Tour (ACT) Tiger-Sportsman driver Bobby Therrien from Hinesburg, VT was the first to file a full entry for the 2011 BOND/WIX Tiger Tour.
The 2011 tour has been expanded to five 100-lap events. The Sportsman division has been in existence at home track Thunder Road in Barre, VT since 1964. For many northeast fans, the division is considered the most competitive weekly division in the Northeast. Most of the past and many of today?s stars of the American Canadian US Tour have been graduates of the Sportsman division.
The 2011 tour has been expanded to five 100-lap events. The Sportsman division has been in existence at home track Thunder Road in Barre, VT since 1964. For many northeast fans, the division is considered the most competitive weekly division in the Northeast. Most of the past and many of today?s stars of the American Canadian US Tour have been graduates of the Sportsman division.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Green Flag with Ben Ashline
Ben Ashline, of Pittston, ME likes to go fast, especially driving the #15 DS Norton Construction late model. Which has been tearing up the track at Oxford Plains Speedway and in the American Canadian Tour. Ben had an up and down 2010 season with some big wins and some big wrecks.
RPM. What are you plans for the 2011 Race Season?
Ben. Right now, our plans are to run oxford plains speedway for points. Our goal is the championship. We are going to try to make an attempt to qualify for four American Canadian tour races if our budget permits it at that time, We are going to attempt to qualify for the td bank 250, and we are hoping to get an invite to the invitational race at Loudon.
RPM. What are you plans for the 2011 Race Season?
Ben. Right now, our plans are to run oxford plains speedway for points. Our goal is the championship. We are going to try to make an attempt to qualify for four American Canadian tour races if our budget permits it at that time, We are going to attempt to qualify for the td bank 250, and we are hoping to get an invite to the invitational race at Loudon.
Who?s the NASCAR driver in the new ?Bait a Hook? video?
Justin Moore's got a new song out called "Bait a Hook," and it's all about a guy who's all slick and citified and not even country enough to, well, bait a hook. Who better to capture that all-swagger, no-Southern than a modern-day NASCAR driver? Watch and see which driver fits the bill ... or so it seems:
Tags: Bait a Hook, Justin Moore, Justin Moore Videos
Tags: Bait a Hook, Justin Moore, Justin Moore Videos
Mike Hull's blog: Defining "validation"
Chip Ganassi Racing boss relates new car test, preparations for Las Vegas and more.
Hamilton sets early Indian GP pace
Lewis Hamilton waited until the last possible moment to lead the way in an eventful first free practice session for the Indian Grand PrixRed Bull looked to have made the perfect start to the weekend, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber having covered the first and second positions in the final moments, but that was until Hamilton's charging 1m26.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Webber: Safety must always improve
Mark Webber insists that all of the drivers in Formula 1 must contribute to improving safety in motorsport after the "reminder" provided by the accidents that cost the lives of IndyCar ace Dan Wheldon and MotoGP star Marco Simoncelli in the last two weeks.
NASCAR penalizes three teams for Talladega infractions
NASCAR handed down stiff penalties to three Sprint Cup Series teams for rules violations that were discovered during last Friday's opening day inspection at Talladega Superspeedway.
Audi Celebrates Building 10 Million A4 And 80 Mid-Size Cars
Coinciding with the reveal of its facelifted 2013 Audi A4 range, the automaker from Ingolstadt has announced that it’s reached a new milestone concerning its popular mid-size model. Factoring in the original four generations of the Audi 80 first launched in 1972, plus the four-generations of its successor, the A4, Audi can now lay claim to...
Fire erupts in garage after Talladega race
TALLADEGA, Ala. ? Moments after the Sprint Cup race ended Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, dark smoke billowed from the Furniture Row Racing hauler after a fire erupted on the ground between the truck and the trailer. One of the team members was removing the fuel probe from a fuel can when it ignited.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
2012 NASCAR Nationwide schedule
The entire 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series scheduleFebruary 25 Daytona International SpeedwayMarch 3 Phoenix International RacewayMarch 10 Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayMarch 17 Bristol Motor SpeedwayMarch 24 Auto Club SpeedwayApril 13 Texas Motor SpeedwayApril 27 Richmond International RacewayMay 5 Talladega SuperspeedwayMay 11 Darlington RacewayMay 20 Iowa SpeedwayMay 26 Charlotte Motor SpeedwayJune 2 Dover International SpeedwayJune 16 Michigan International SpeedwayJune 23 Road AmericaJune 29 Kentucky SpeedwayJuly 6 Daytona International SpeedwayJuly 14 New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayJuly 22 Chicagoland SpeedwayJuly 28 Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayAugust 4 Iowa SpeedwayAugust 11 Watkins Glen InternationalAugust 18 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, MontrealAugust 24 Bristol Motor SpeedwaySeptember 1 Atlanta Motor SpeedwaySeptember 7 Richmond International RacewaySeptember 15 Chicagoland SpeedwaySeptember 22 Kentucky SpeedwaySeptember 29 Dover International SpeedwayOctober 12 Charlotte Motor SpeedwayOctober 20 Kansas SpeedwayNovember 3 Texas Motor SpeedwayNovember 10 Phoenix International RacewayNovember 17 Homestead-Miami Speedway
Sprint Cup Driver Wins NNS Race
Welcome NASCAR race fans to my NASCAR blog. Friday night the NASCAR Nationwide Series raced the Dollar General 300 Miles Of Courage race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Earlier on Friday, Coors Light Pole Qualifying took place. 33 Paul Menard was fastest in practice and came out last for qualifying. And captured [...]
Who?s the NASCAR driver in the new ?Bait a Hook? video?
Justin Moore's got a new song out called "Bait a Hook," and it's all about a guy who's all slick and citified and not even country enough to, well, bait a hook. Who better to capture that all-swagger, no-Southern than a modern-day NASCAR driver? Watch and see which driver fits the bill ... or so it seems:
Tags: Bait a Hook, Justin Moore, Justin Moore Videos
Tags: Bait a Hook, Justin Moore, Justin Moore Videos
Martin, JJ lead solid Hendrick effort at Talladega
For the first time since Dan Wheldon's fatal accident, the focus was back on the race track.
Will Power's Injury Status Updated After Las Vegas Crash
Will Power knew something was wrong. Even after doctors at University Medical Center in Las Vegas returned the two-time IZOD IndyCar Series championship runner-up to the track after evaluation Sunday a week ago, he continued to suffer upper back pain. Power was one of three drivers to take to the air in a 15-car pileup on the 11th lap of a 200-lap...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Katie Kenseth breaks shoulder blade
Katie Kenseth, the wife of Sprint Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth, fractured her shoulder blade and sustained other "bumps and bruises," according to a message posted on Matt Kenseth's Twitter account late Monday night. Katie Kenseth was injured earlier Monday while practicing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in a Bandolero car in preparation for the "Better Half Dash," a 25-lap race featuring the wives and girlfriends of NASCAR drivers. The race is scheduled to run prior to the Oct. 15 Bank of America 500 at CMS. For a story on the incident, including photos from the scene go here.
Darlington Aims to Please NASCAR Fans
Darlington Raceway hopes to bring more families back to NASCAR by expanding youth discounts for next year’s racing season. Darlington will offer half-price seating for youths 17 and under at the Showtime Southern 500 in May and free tickets to its Nationwide and Camping World Truck series events, track spokesman Jake Harris told The Associated [...]
Pattie Petty diagnosed with Parkinson's
Pattie Petty, philanthropist and wife of retired NASCAR driver and TV analyst Kyle Petty announced late Tuesday she has been diagnosed with and is receiving treatment for Parkinson?s Disease. Petty, 60, suspected she had Parkinson?s in early 2010 when she began experiencing resting tremors and aching muscles ? two symptoms her father suffered in the early stages of his 15 year battle with the disease. A doctor in Nashville, TN, confirmed her concerns giving her an initial diagnosis based on her distinctive outward symptoms and started her on anti-Parkinson?s drugs last summer. ?After watching my father live with Parkinson?s, it was not a surprise when I was told that I may be suffering from this disease as well,? she said. ?I followed my doctor?s advice and began a series of medications, so that I could continue my plan of working a couple of weeks a month in Kansas City laying the ground work to open Victory Junction Midwest.? Victory Junction Midwest is slated be the sister camp to Victory Junction in Randleman, N.C., a camp for chronically ill children started by Petty and her husband in honor of their oldest son Adam who died in a NASCAR practice session in 2000. Pattie Petty is the tenth person at The University of Kansas Hospital to undergo a breakthrough test to diagnose Parkinson?s disease and other tremors. The FDA earlier this year approved DaTscan, a test that uses a radioactive imaging drug injected into the bloodstream for the purposes of detecting dopamine transporters (DaT) in the brain. The University Of Kansas Hospital is the first in the region to offer DaTscan. The test confirmed Monday that Pattie has Parkinson ?s disease.
ACT CANADIAN STARS TO INVADE NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY IN FEBRUARY
Waterbury, VT ? Quebec City racer Donald Theetge might have been the first Canadian to enter the American Canadian Tour (ACT) Goodyear Speedweek Cup event to be held at the New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, but the Canadian competitor list continues to lead the way toward the first-ever ACT events to be held during the World Series of Asphalt Short Track Racing in New Smyrna. The two 100-lap main events will be held on Sunday, February 13th and Monday, February 14th.
While many head to Daytona during Speedweeks in February, most asphalt short track fans can be found each night from February 10th-19th during the 10 days that is the World Series of Short Track racing in nearby New Smyrna, FL. The tradition of northern competitors heading to Florida from the days of Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Bugsy Stevens and a host of the greatest from the Northeast Modified division to Late Model Canadian great Jr. Hanley--- New Smyrna has always been the place to be during the heart of the northern winters.
While many head to Daytona during Speedweeks in February, most asphalt short track fans can be found each night from February 10th-19th during the 10 days that is the World Series of Short Track racing in nearby New Smyrna, FL. The tradition of northern competitors heading to Florida from the days of Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Bugsy Stevens and a host of the greatest from the Northeast Modified division to Late Model Canadian great Jr. Hanley--- New Smyrna has always been the place to be during the heart of the northern winters.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Pocky's Paddock: If Steve Addington leaves Penske, who replaces him as Kurt Busch's crew chief?
Steve Addington says he plans to be Kurt Busch?s crew chief at Penske Racing again next year, but few would blame him if he decides he doesn?t want the job for a third season.
It?s not that Addington can?t take some of the outbursts and insults that frequently fly from Busch, it?s a matter of not having to deal with it.
It?s not that Addington can?t take some of the outbursts and insults that frequently fly from Busch, it?s a matter of not having to deal with it.
NHRA US MAC Tools Nationals ? O?Reilly Raceway Park
Wanted to throw these videos up real quick of John Force, and Ashley Force running qualifying night at ORP.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series win ? AutoWeek
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series win – AutoWeek
USA Today
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series winAutoWeekFour-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. got his record-extending 50th Camping World Truck Series win in Saturday night's Kentucky 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Driving for the lame-duck Kevin Harvick Inc. team, he led four times for 42 of the 150 laps …Hornaday picks up 50th career Trucks Series winUSA Today
Ron Hornaday holds off Austin Dillon to win 50th race of his careerWashington PostRon Hornaday Jr. wins 50th in TrucksESPNSan Francisco Chronicle -SportingNews.com -RacingNation.comall 317 news articles »
USA Today
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series winAutoWeekFour-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. got his record-extending 50th Camping World Truck Series win in Saturday night's Kentucky 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Driving for the lame-duck Kevin Harvick Inc. team, he led four times for 42 of the 150 laps …Hornaday picks up 50th career Trucks Series winUSA Today
Ron Hornaday holds off Austin Dillon to win 50th race of his careerWashington PostRon Hornaday Jr. wins 50th in TrucksESPNSan Francisco Chronicle -SportingNews.com -RacingNation.comall 317 news articles »
Robby Gordon Sues ExtenZe For Non-Performance
There?s irony and there?s IRONY, and this story clearly falls into the latter category. Robby Gordon, NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner and racer of all things with four wheels, alleges that male-enhancement pill maker ExtenZe failed to rise to the occasion and pay him for their Sprint Cup sponsorship. ExtenZe, on the other hand, claims [...]
After Phoenix test, drivers wary of new track surface
NASCAR drivers completed a two-day test of the resurfaced Phoenix track this week, and, well ... the polite thing to say is that opinions are "mixed."
Because no one knows exactly how the surface will play out, many observers are targeting the Phoenix race as even more of a potential wild card for the Chase than Talladega; at least with Dega you know that if you stay out in front, you're not going to get collected in a pack-swallowing Big One. At Phoenix? When you don't know the best line, or even if there's more than one line, racing becomes a gamble at every turn.
Universally, drivers agreed that the track needs more rubber, and accordingly, Phoenix will be running cars from the Richard Petty Experience around the track between now and the November race date to help rubber in the track. ("Rubber in" is one of those great NASCAR expressions which you have to be very careful using in non-NASCAR company, like "wedge in the left rear.")
Anyway, where were we? Oh, yeah, Phoenix. Some of the drivers were optimistic: "I think so far the track is great," Kasey Kahne said after the testing. "I think it's smooth, it's going to be different. It's going to be kind of exciting to see how it races, which is pretty cool. I'm looking forward to that."
Others were diplomatic: "Whenever you introduce something new like this new surface and new track layout, there are going to be guys that figure it out quickly and there are going to be guys that struggle," Carl Edwards said. "The way the surface is, it's unforgiving so there could be some accidents and things happen that we don't usually see at Phoenix."
And still others were brutally honest: "There hasn't been enough rubber or laps put on the race track to really know what it's going to be, but right now it's not very good," David Reutimann said. "Not very good at all, but it's a new race track and we're hoping once it get some rubber on it and we all get to work on our cars a bit it'll continue to get better."
The big fear, of course, is that there will only be one racing line, and that passing will be so difficult we'll get the dreaded train-car effect. Until the green flag drops, there'll be a lot of praying and hoping and guessing.
So, yes, basically nobody knows anything yet. But hey, at least the testing drew more fans than Dover. At least there's that.
Because no one knows exactly how the surface will play out, many observers are targeting the Phoenix race as even more of a potential wild card for the Chase than Talladega; at least with Dega you know that if you stay out in front, you're not going to get collected in a pack-swallowing Big One. At Phoenix? When you don't know the best line, or even if there's more than one line, racing becomes a gamble at every turn.
Universally, drivers agreed that the track needs more rubber, and accordingly, Phoenix will be running cars from the Richard Petty Experience around the track between now and the November race date to help rubber in the track. ("Rubber in" is one of those great NASCAR expressions which you have to be very careful using in non-NASCAR company, like "wedge in the left rear.")
Anyway, where were we? Oh, yeah, Phoenix. Some of the drivers were optimistic: "I think so far the track is great," Kasey Kahne said after the testing. "I think it's smooth, it's going to be different. It's going to be kind of exciting to see how it races, which is pretty cool. I'm looking forward to that."
Others were diplomatic: "Whenever you introduce something new like this new surface and new track layout, there are going to be guys that figure it out quickly and there are going to be guys that struggle," Carl Edwards said. "The way the surface is, it's unforgiving so there could be some accidents and things happen that we don't usually see at Phoenix."
And still others were brutally honest: "There hasn't been enough rubber or laps put on the race track to really know what it's going to be, but right now it's not very good," David Reutimann said. "Not very good at all, but it's a new race track and we're hoping once it get some rubber on it and we all get to work on our cars a bit it'll continue to get better."
The big fear, of course, is that there will only be one racing line, and that passing will be so difficult we'll get the dreaded train-car effect. Until the green flag drops, there'll be a lot of praying and hoping and guessing.
So, yes, basically nobody knows anything yet. But hey, at least the testing drew more fans than Dover. At least there's that.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
2013 Ford B-Max Spy Video
We’ve seen plenty of spy shots of the upcoming 2013 Ford B-Max, and even been presented with a near production ready concept earlier this year, but here’s a new spy video showing the compact MPV in a whole new light. It’s unclear whether the B-Max will join its C-Max big brother in U.S. showrooms but there are several telling...
Racing at Talladega much safer than Indy cars on ovals, NASCAR drivers say
In the days leading up to the IndyCar Series finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the concerns that drivers expressed about the race were similar to the talk that typically surrounds NASCAR racing at Talladega, site of this weekend?s Sprint Cup race.
Join us for the latest Yahoo! Sports NASCAR chat, Wednesday at 1 ET
Time again for another Yahoo! Sports NASCAR chat! Join us on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET to talk about whatever's on your mind racing-wise, from the Chase to Dan Wheldon. See you here!
Can You Name The Racer By His Helmet?
OK, sports fans, here?s a challenge for you. Without going to the internet, how many of the helmets below can you associate with the racers who wore them? I?m going to make it particularly hard by mixing up the racing series; some are from F1, some are from IndyCar (and its predecessor, Champ Car), and [...]
Friday, October 21, 2011
Bobby Unser blames formula for Wheldon accident
Three-time Indianapolis 500 champion and former commentator Bobby Unser says myriad factors created a "perfect storm" that led to the accident that took the life of Dan Wheldon.
Rick Huseman, 1973-2011
Defending Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro 4 Unlimited champion Rick Huseman of Riverside, Calif, was killed in a plane crash near Barstow, Calif. on Sunday. Also on board the private plane was his brother Jeff.
Keselowski: I still have a lot to prove
There's pressure and then there's pressure. Brad Keselowski is making his first appearance in the Chase for the Sprint Cup in just his second full season of running in the series. That sounds like a lot of pressure. But as Keselowski pointed out this week, that pales in comparison to what it took for him to make it to this level in NASCAR and he hopes that journey has prepared him for the journey which lies ahead in the next 10 races. "There was a lot of pressure (when I started out). Quite honestly, I look back earlier at launching my career and think about how much harder they were than what this is. To me this is a cakewalk. I mean, I know it?s not going to be easy to win the Chase but from a pressure standpoint I really don?t feel any. I felt pressure when I got the opportunities to drive for Dale Jr., to drive for Rick [Hendrick], and drive for Roger Penske and Miller Lite. That was the pressure to me, was kind of proving that we belong," Keselowski said. "I think of the last two weeks and hopefully the last two seasons that I?ve been able to somewhat prove that. And now it?s out there just doing what we do, trying to get a nice smooth rhythm just like Kurt (Busch) talked about. I still have a lot to prove, don?t get me wrong, but the hardest pressure point was trying to prove that I even deserved a shot, so very thankful for the opportunities that I have now and hopefully, those moments are what will make me even more prepared for this moment here.?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Behold the greatest Hot Wheels track in human history
This, friends, is some fun: a 2,000-foot-long Hot Wheels track that goes up and down multiple stories, through 14 rooms of a house, outdoors and back in again, and even over a hot tub. You know, just like NASCAR used to do it. (For perspective's sake, if we use the typical 1/64 ratio of Hot Wheels cars, this is the equivalent of a 24-mile-long race track.)
This is a charitable effort designed to raise money for "Hope for Gabe," a charitable foundation to help fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. More details at this link and in the video itself.
Great track, great cause, great video. Sure hope those kids clean up that mess they've made.
-For more motorsports news, follow Yahoo! Sports' From The Marbles on Facebook, on Twitter at @jaybusbee, and now on Google+.-
This is a charitable effort designed to raise money for "Hope for Gabe," a charitable foundation to help fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. More details at this link and in the video itself.
Great track, great cause, great video. Sure hope those kids clean up that mess they've made.
-For more motorsports news, follow Yahoo! Sports' From The Marbles on Facebook, on Twitter at @jaybusbee, and now on Google+.-
Charlotte Motor Speedway to offer the ?funnel bacakonator? and Danica Patrick-inspired healthy menu items
Talk about a tale of two extremes.
Charlotte Motor Speedway has unveiled new concession items in advance of Saturday night's Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup race, including healthy options in the name of Danica Patrick and the "funnel bacakonator," which, yes, combines funnel cake and bacon.
"Danica Patrick's Fit Fuel Menu" will feature items like turkey and veggie burgers, fruit and vegetables, trail mix and healthy energy bars. Never mind that Patrick will actually be racing across the country in the Izod IndyCar Series season finale on Sunday, her final race as a full-time driver in the IndyCar Series.
[Rewind: Food items only sports fans would love]
Across the country from the Danica menu, nutritionally speaking, there's the funnel bacakonator, which is a funnel cake covered in bacon pieces and strawberry and chocolate sauces. Chocolate and bacon? Sure. But strawberry and bacon? That may be a new one.
For those who think the idea of funnel cake and bacon is a bit much (who would think that?), the track will also offer a burger with pimento macaroni and cheese and crumbled pork rinds. Behold:
The guess here is that the line for the funnel bacakonator and the mac and cheese burger will be significantly longer than the line for the Danica-inspired food. You just don't go to a race for healthy food, even if it has Danica Patrick's name on it. Though I'm not sure anyone has ever gone to a race in the name of a bacon-topped funnel cake either.
[Rewind: 15 athlete-food endorsements that didn't work]
So how unhealthy are these behemoths? Based on some quick back-of-the-napkin estimates, we're putting the funnel bacakonator at 1,300 calories and 77 grams of fat, while the mac-and-cheeseburgers weigh in at an estimated 763 calories and 34 grams of fat apiece. Yep, polish off one each of these and you're done for the day, healthfully speaking. And you probably ought to jog a few laps around the track before you leave.
(Going to the race Saturday night? Tweet us or email us a picture if you choose to take on funnel bacakonator. We'd love to hear your reviews.)
-For more motorsports news, follow Yahoo! Sports' From The Marbles on Facebook or on Twitter at @nickbromberg.-
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? The happiest sports place on Earth
? Struggling college football power bans social media
? Winner crowned in National Beard and Moustache Championships
Charlotte Motor Speedway has unveiled new concession items in advance of Saturday night's Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup race, including healthy options in the name of Danica Patrick and the "funnel bacakonator," which, yes, combines funnel cake and bacon.
"Danica Patrick's Fit Fuel Menu" will feature items like turkey and veggie burgers, fruit and vegetables, trail mix and healthy energy bars. Never mind that Patrick will actually be racing across the country in the Izod IndyCar Series season finale on Sunday, her final race as a full-time driver in the IndyCar Series.
[Rewind: Food items only sports fans would love]
Across the country from the Danica menu, nutritionally speaking, there's the funnel bacakonator, which is a funnel cake covered in bacon pieces and strawberry and chocolate sauces. Chocolate and bacon? Sure. But strawberry and bacon? That may be a new one.
For those who think the idea of funnel cake and bacon is a bit much (who would think that?), the track will also offer a burger with pimento macaroni and cheese and crumbled pork rinds. Behold:
The guess here is that the line for the funnel bacakonator and the mac and cheese burger will be significantly longer than the line for the Danica-inspired food. You just don't go to a race for healthy food, even if it has Danica Patrick's name on it. Though I'm not sure anyone has ever gone to a race in the name of a bacon-topped funnel cake either.
[Rewind: 15 athlete-food endorsements that didn't work]
So how unhealthy are these behemoths? Based on some quick back-of-the-napkin estimates, we're putting the funnel bacakonator at 1,300 calories and 77 grams of fat, while the mac-and-cheeseburgers weigh in at an estimated 763 calories and 34 grams of fat apiece. Yep, polish off one each of these and you're done for the day, healthfully speaking. And you probably ought to jog a few laps around the track before you leave.
(Going to the race Saturday night? Tweet us or email us a picture if you choose to take on funnel bacakonator. We'd love to hear your reviews.)
-For more motorsports news, follow Yahoo! Sports' From The Marbles on Facebook or on Twitter at @nickbromberg.-
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? The happiest sports place on Earth
? Struggling college football power bans social media
? Winner crowned in National Beard and Moustache Championships
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series win ? AutoWeek
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series win – AutoWeek
USA Today
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series winAutoWeekFour-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. got his record-extending 50th Camping World Truck Series win in Saturday night's Kentucky 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Driving for the lame-duck Kevin Harvick Inc. team, he led four times for 42 of the 150 laps …Hornaday picks up 50th career Trucks Series winUSA Today
Ron Hornaday holds off Austin Dillon to win 50th race of his careerWashington PostRon Hornaday Jr. wins 50th in TrucksESPNSan Francisco Chronicle -SportingNews.com -RacingNation.comall 317 news articles »
USA Today
NASCAR: Ron Hornaday Jr. collects 50th Truck Series winAutoWeekFour-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. got his record-extending 50th Camping World Truck Series win in Saturday night's Kentucky 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Driving for the lame-duck Kevin Harvick Inc. team, he led four times for 42 of the 150 laps …Hornaday picks up 50th career Trucks Series winUSA Today
Ron Hornaday holds off Austin Dillon to win 50th race of his careerWashington PostRon Hornaday Jr. wins 50th in TrucksESPNSan Francisco Chronicle -SportingNews.com -RacingNation.comall 317 news articles »
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tony Eury Jr. not planning to move to Cup with Danica Patrick
CONCORD, N.C. ? JR Motorsports co-owner Tony Eury Jr. has no plans to be the crew chief for Danica Patrick in the Sprint Cup Series.
Eury Jr. will remain the crew chief for Patrick and the No. 7 Nationwide Series car next season, which will be the first full season for Patrick in NASCAR after running 13 races in 2010 and 12 in 2011.
Eury Jr. will remain the crew chief for Patrick and the No. 7 Nationwide Series car next season, which will be the first full season for Patrick in NASCAR after running 13 races in 2010 and 12 in 2011.
ACT NEW SMYRNA FIELD ADDS FORD POWER WITH LATEST ENTRIES
Waterbury, VT ? The battle for the Goodyear Speedweeks Cup just got tougher with the announcement from the American Canadian Tour (ACT) that three of the powerhouse Ford teams in ACT will make the trip to the sunshine state for the first ever New Smyrna Speedway (NSS) World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.
Joey Polewarcyzk, Jr. (Pole) from Hudson, NH was the hottest driver on the ACT at the end of 2010. His wins at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) ACT Invitational last September were followed up with a $15,000 payday at the Peoples United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT. Pole finished the touring season with a stunning performance in the 150-lap closer at the Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut.
Joey Polewarcyzk, Jr. (Pole) from Hudson, NH was the hottest driver on the ACT at the end of 2010. His wins at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) ACT Invitational last September were followed up with a $15,000 payday at the Peoples United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT. Pole finished the touring season with a stunning performance in the 150-lap closer at the Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut.
Video: Can anyone keep Jimmie Johnson from Cup No. 6?
With two straight strong weeks and some of his best tracks still ahead, Jimmie Johnson looks primed to make a strong, even decisive, run at Cup No. 6, like it or not. But is that a certainty? The Yahoo! Sports' Jays, Hart and Busbee, debate the issue here, as well as the possibility of a Chase spoiler. And what the heck's up with Kyle Busch? Watch, debate, decide. Enjoy!
Jimmy Spencer suggests Junior is acting like he?s ready to retire
When a sport's most popular figure returns to success after a period of futility, the logical assumption is to figure that he's ready to hang it up, right?
Well, according to Jimmy Spencer, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s actions lead him to believe that Junior wants to retire.
From Spencer's column on Speedtv.com:
One week after asking on his team radio at Dover whether the Washington Redskins had won their football game that day, Dale Jr. got out of his car at Kansas Sunday and gave a very disappointing interview. The media asked him about his day and he said he was more worried about his Fantasy Football League. What?! Where is his focus and where are his priorities?
However, Spencer may be getting some incorrect information on this one. A look back at the official transcript from after the race shows no references to anything related to football and actually may show the opposite of what Spencer contends. For example, Junior gave a three paragraph answer to a question about air pressures.
Junior did ask about his fantasy team over the radio during the race, but let's be honest: drivers talk about a lot of things during races, and especially during caution periods. And asking about the Washington Redskins isn't a new phenomenon either -- Junior has been asking about the team during races for virtually his entire career.
If you care more about your fantasy football team than you do about racing, it's probably pretty hard to expound about tires and air pressures. And besides, if you were asked about your season's performance hundreds of times a season, you'd probably change it up with a sarcastic or frustrated answer once in a while, right?
If Junior truly didn't care about making the Chase or winning races, it's doubtful that this career resurgence wouldn't have happened this season. For as good as the partnership between Steve Letarte and Junior has been, it can't all be Letarte. Plus, now that Junior is back in the Chase, he's still not winning. That�drought that was once an monkey on his back that's now become bigger than Charlotte's HD screen.
"Well (this season's) an improvement, we want to win races, and it is going to be a disappointment if we do not win a race," Junior said Thursday. "We are happy with the gains that we have made, and I think that the team and Steve (Letarte, Crew Chief) expect more and I do too. We are happy that we gained but we are not winning enough races and running as well as we would like to. That is what we will work on."
So, do you think Junior's acting like he wants to get out, or is Spencer reading way too much into Junior's radio transmissions?
Well, according to Jimmy Spencer, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s actions lead him to believe that Junior wants to retire.
From Spencer's column on Speedtv.com:
One week after asking on his team radio at Dover whether the Washington Redskins had won their football game that day, Dale Jr. got out of his car at Kansas Sunday and gave a very disappointing interview. The media asked him about his day and he said he was more worried about his Fantasy Football League. What?! Where is his focus and where are his priorities?
However, Spencer may be getting some incorrect information on this one. A look back at the official transcript from after the race shows no references to anything related to football and actually may show the opposite of what Spencer contends. For example, Junior gave a three paragraph answer to a question about air pressures.
Junior did ask about his fantasy team over the radio during the race, but let's be honest: drivers talk about a lot of things during races, and especially during caution periods. And asking about the Washington Redskins isn't a new phenomenon either -- Junior has been asking about the team during races for virtually his entire career.
If you care more about your fantasy football team than you do about racing, it's probably pretty hard to expound about tires and air pressures. And besides, if you were asked about your season's performance hundreds of times a season, you'd probably change it up with a sarcastic or frustrated answer once in a while, right?
If Junior truly didn't care about making the Chase or winning races, it's doubtful that this career resurgence wouldn't have happened this season. For as good as the partnership between Steve Letarte and Junior has been, it can't all be Letarte. Plus, now that Junior is back in the Chase, he's still not winning. That�drought that was once an monkey on his back that's now become bigger than Charlotte's HD screen.
"Well (this season's) an improvement, we want to win races, and it is going to be a disappointment if we do not win a race," Junior said Thursday. "We are happy with the gains that we have made, and I think that the team and Steve (Letarte, Crew Chief) expect more and I do too. We are happy that we gained but we are not winning enough races and running as well as we would like to. That is what we will work on."
So, do you think Junior's acting like he wants to get out, or is Spencer reading way too much into Junior's radio transmissions?
Rick Huseman, 1973-2011
Defending Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro 4 Unlimited champion Rick Huseman of Riverside, Calif, was killed in a plane crash near Barstow, Calif. on Sunday. Also on board the private plane was his brother Jeff.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Katie Kenseth breaks shoulder blade
Katie Kenseth, the wife of Sprint Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth, fractured her shoulder blade and sustained other "bumps and bruises," according to a message posted on Matt Kenseth's Twitter account late Monday night. Katie Kenseth was injured earlier Monday while practicing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in a Bandolero car in preparation for the "Better Half Dash," a 25-lap race featuring the wives and girlfriends of NASCAR drivers. The race is scheduled to run prior to the Oct. 15 Bank of America 500 at CMS. For a story on the incident, including photos from the scene go here.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: AAA 400 at Dover ? Race Line-Up ? Auto Racing Daily
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: AAA 400 at Dover – Race Line-Up – Auto Racing Daily
Auto Racing Daily
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: AAA 400 at Dover – Race Line-UpAuto Racing DailyTruex, a non-Chase driver, became the 17th different pole winner in NASCAR's premier series this season. His first and only Sprint Cup race win so far came in June 2007 at Dover. MiamiHerald.com Chase drivers will make up four of the five spots behind …NASCAR: Dover a vital stopThe Virginian-Pilot
Truex crashes NASCAR Chase party by taking pole at DoverKansas City StarStewart digs hole in Dover qualifyingAtlanta Journal ConstitutionUSA Today -New York Times -AutoWeekall 360 news articles »
Auto Racing Daily
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: AAA 400 at Dover – Race Line-UpAuto Racing DailyTruex, a non-Chase driver, became the 17th different pole winner in NASCAR's premier series this season. His first and only Sprint Cup race win so far came in June 2007 at Dover. MiamiHerald.com Chase drivers will make up four of the five spots behind …NASCAR: Dover a vital stopThe Virginian-Pilot
Truex crashes NASCAR Chase party by taking pole at DoverKansas City StarStewart digs hole in Dover qualifyingAtlanta Journal ConstitutionUSA Today -New York Times -AutoWeekall 360 news articles »
Travis Pastrana Breaks Ankle, Foot In X-Games Crash
This just in: freestyle motocross is a dangerous sport, and it?s best not to participate when you?ve got your NASCAR Nationwide debut coming up in a few days. That?s advice that adrenaline junkie Travis Pastrana didn?t heed, and the result is a broken right ankle and foot, and torn ligaments in his hand. The damage [...]
Video: Can anyone keep Jimmie Johnson from Cup No. 6?
With two straight strong weeks and some of his best tracks still ahead, Jimmie Johnson looks primed to make a strong, even decisive, run at Cup No. 6, like it or not. But is that a certainty? The Yahoo! Sports' Jays, Hart and Busbee, debate the issue here, as well as the possibility of a Chase spoiler. And what the heck's up with Kyle Busch? Watch, debate, decide. Enjoy!
Monday, October 17, 2011
A Visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
As painful as it may be to admit, the biggest spectator sport in the United States is in fact, NASCAR. With crowds averaging around 99,000 per event, the NASCAR faithful have cemented themselves in automotive history as the uber fans of American motor sports. As most of you know NASCAR got its roots from the [...]
Recession-Proof Your Projects at Auto Parts Swap ?n Sell
Vernon, CT (December 31, 2010): Whether your passion is for custom cars, imports, hot rods, or race cars, the annual Autoparts Swap ?n Sell provides viable and affordable options to all automotive enthusiasts even in this difficult economic climate. On Saturday, January 22 and Sunday, January 23, 2011, Start/Finish Production will host the annual Autoparts Swap ?n Sell at the Eastern States Exposition ?Home of the Big E? in West Springfield, MA.
This indoor, all-automotive swap meet and flea market provides affordable alternatives to help keep automotive projects on track. With a host of private vendors offering pre-owned merchandise and regional wholesalers and retailers offering affordable pricing, the event is sure to meet the needs of all gear heads. Vendors will occupy over three-acres of exhibit space and will feature everything from common to hard-to-find parts and accessories, tools, safety equipment and much more. The variety of goods available at the annual Autoparts Swap ?n Sell is unrivaled; making this event a must for any automotive enthusiast.
This indoor, all-automotive swap meet and flea market provides affordable alternatives to help keep automotive projects on track. With a host of private vendors offering pre-owned merchandise and regional wholesalers and retailers offering affordable pricing, the event is sure to meet the needs of all gear heads. Vendors will occupy over three-acres of exhibit space and will feature everything from common to hard-to-find parts and accessories, tools, safety equipment and much more. The variety of goods available at the annual Autoparts Swap ?n Sell is unrivaled; making this event a must for any automotive enthusiast.
Darrell Waltrip loses his freaking mind in V8 Supercar at Bathurst
This is some fun video: Darrell Waltrip, who's allegedly a three-time NASCAR champion but you couldn't prove it here, riding at Bathurst as part of the Bathurst 1000 in Australia. He was on board as a commentator, and oh my heavens, the commentating that was going on here! If you're not a DW fan, this will annoy you but also delight you. Just watch it.
[Hat tip to Rick Tallman and highflyjet for sending along this one.]
[Hat tip to Rick Tallman and highflyjet for sending along this one.]
SceneDaily.com Power Poll: Jimmie Johnson leaps ahead of Carl Edwards with win at Kansas
On the strength of his victory Sunday at Kansas Speedway, Jimmie Johnson swapped places with Carl Edwards at the top of this week?s SceneDaily.com Power Poll. Johnson moved up from second with his second victory of the year and his second consecutive top-two finish. Johnson finished second the previous week at Dover.
Happy Hour: Is Junior Nation driving up ratings?
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/ one-liner at nascarmail@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
Fuel mileage races are all the rage these days. Ever run out of gas while driving? I did, once. On my prom night. AFTER I had dropped off my date. That's what you call poor race strategy, friends. Another time, the car was on fumes and started that "I'm out of gas, you're screwed" hitch-and-wobble ... and then I crested a hill and rolled, bone-dry tank and all, right up to a gas pump. I felt like standing on the hood and spraying champagne in celebration after that.
Not coincidentally, we'll talk of fuel mileage today. But first, another theory on why NASCAR ratings are up of late ...
Even though I don't like to admit it, I'm pretty surprised you haven't hit on another major reason why ratings are up this year compared to last year...the 88. Whether you love him or recognize he's not a very good driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the most popular driver. The fact he's running well (saving gas) and actually in the Chase (rather than back in the 20s) is certainly a reason why a lot more people are watching this year. Agreed?
? Tony Manns
Excellent point, and I deserve to get hollered at by a Junior fan for that oversight. (What do you think that hollering would sound like ... ?) Junior's resurgence has indeed helped spur more interest in the sport. People who aren't Junior fans lose their minds over this, but the truth is the truth: The man drives eyeballs. (Not literally. Just an expression. Though that'd be a hell of a plot for a horror flick.) People want to see what he's doing, and when he's running well, they'll keep up and tune in.
Which brings up a point: Do you tune out if your driver is out of the mix, either in the course of a race or the course of a season? If your guy goes behind the wall in lap 20, are you done for the day? Or do you hang out and watch to see how the rest of the race plays out? That's one of the big knocks against the Chase, that fans of certain drivers don't have anything to root for, but then again the Super Bowl and World Series seem to do OK with only two teams participating and everybody else at home watching.
____________________
In regards to all the hue and cry over boring fuel mileage races I offer a simple, and perhaps goofy, solution: scheduled yellow flag pit stops.
NASCAR knows the fuel window at each track and how many stops it will take to complete a normal, scheduled lap race. So throw a yellow at the end of each fuel window. This would almost eliminate the fuel mileage question from racing (unless a race goes to all three green-white checkered attempts, possibly). It would completely alter team strategy, allowing cars to RACE EACH OTHER, rather than racing the fuel tank capacity and would present a mad spectacle of ALL 43 cars coming to pit road on each scheduled stop. Teams could always pit anytime they want to additionally for any other reason. Positions could still be gained on pit road by crews that perform better than the others.
A crazy idea? Or could it work?
? Kris Tufts
Yes, it's a crazy idea. Yes, it could work, and you wouldn't have to do it at the end of every fuel window, just the last one. But I don't want it to. I appreciate everyone's desire to see a race run under green with full fuel, but here's the thing: A key part of racing is the strategic planning involved in working backward from the finish. If your crew chief can't remember to carry the one when he's calculating how much fuel he's got left, it's not the job of the other cars to sit around and wait for him to catch up. Run what you brung, and run it the whole race at your own pace.
Now, I understand this runs counter to the whole philosophy of the start of the Chase, which is in effect a giant caution flag for the entire season to bunch the field up. And I know that I'm probably a hypocrite for favoring the Chase and not favoring this idea. But I see it thusly: The Chase allows plenty of time for strategy and screwups. Throwing a yellow for fuel with, say, 25 laps left doesn't.
So, yeah, good idea but I respectfully disagree. Though I will say I like the idea of 43 cars on pit road at once. We need a camera just to catch every bit of drama that goes on there every week.
____________________
I just wanted to give a hats off to Kurt Busch for his Dover win. But more importantly, kudos to him and Jimmie Johnson for a good clean end to the race. I'm sure there were plenty of times when some vehicular weight could have been thrown around a little, but it was nice, clean, and refreshing to see. Grats both for a good finish to the race!
? Charles
Upstate NY
Seconded. I know there are the bloodthirsty types who want carnage at every turn; we have people who pray to the sweet baby Jesus on the chat every week for someone to put Kyle Busch into a wall. But friends, that's the equivalent of kneeing someone in the nethers when they're going up for a dunk, or drilling a fastball into their ear-hole: Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. Plus, the fact that Kurt outran Jimmie straight-up could have future impacts on the Chase. I don't think Kurt is anywhere near inside Jimmie's head, but I do think he left a "HELLO MY NAME IS KURT" nametag in there somewhere.
____________________
Jay, I'm a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan. I would like to see him win a championship, but I would rather see him and Kyle become rivals. Not wrecking each other, but the two of them every week, door-to-door for the win. That would help NASCAR, the good-vs.-bad, but also clean hard racing and a little bump-and-run. Then NASCAR would have it all: the rivalry, "boys have at it," and Junior winning. Junior Nation would be in heaven.
? Randy Braud
The rivalry aspect would be outstanding, yeah. I think we're getting there; we just need more guys to step up on a consistent basis. Here's where having all the players on the field every week hurts NASCAR: While you only get Lakers-Celtics or Bulldogs-Gators or Yankees-Red Sox a few times a year (or once, in football), here you've got rivalry every week, and you can't sustain that over a long season. There'll be weeks when the drivers aren't anywhere near each other, or both finish around 15th and don't mess with one another. Not that it can be changed, it's just another obstacle to overcome to having perpetual rivalries. Too much of a good thing can be too much of a good thing.
____________________
Not to be rude to the media people, but am I the only one that enjoys seeing Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart getting ticked off at the media? Yes it may be rude, but there is absolutely no reason for NASCAR to fine them as a reader last week suggested. Emotion is emotion and I like the drivers showing it, even if Busch knew he was wrong about being in Jimmie's head.
? Mark Smith
Taking myself out of the equation, I love seeing drivers go off on the media, and I love it when the media goes back at the drivers. I too love seeing some emotion. What does stink is when it's an unequal playing field, when the driver has a microphone and the media member doesn't, or when the driver can walk away and thus screw over the other media members looking for a story.
Really, though, it's about professionalism; it's possible to speak your mind without being a clown about it. Still, bottom line, I get the idea that the media cares a lot more about this story than regular fans, which is fine. Agree?
Next up: more lookalikes!
____________________
I was in England for a wedding last month and discovered my girlfriend's cousin, named Nick Maggs, looks a LOT like Clint Bowyer. I had just put a couple of pictures together to show the family what I was talking about. Clint Bowyer is not exactly a household name in the United Kingdom.
? Dale Renner
That dude needs to come over here and do one interview AS Clint Bowyer, full firesuit and everything.
Postrace reporter: Clint, looked a little rough out there today. How was your car handling?
British Bowyer: Blimey, guvnah! Me lorry was shimmyin' like the Queen Mum on three spots o'tea! Pip pip cheerio!
(Yes, my entire concept of British culture is shaped by Monty Python and "Oliver Twist." But I think British Bowyer could become a new character 'round these parts.)
____________________
After seeing you drop Matt Kenseth in the rankings from 5th to 9th, following a 5th place finish at Dover might I add, I'd like to remind you of one very important piece of information: RK-741. This is the chassis that put on one of the most dominating performances of the year at Texas. Lead the most laps and was the class of the field during the 600 before it turned into a fuel mileage race. Was top 2 at Chicagoland, again derailed by fuel mileage. I don't know if they will bring this chassis to Kansas, but you can bet it will be a force at Charlotte, Texas, and Homestead. Pencil him in for a 3rd, or even 4th 'W' before season end. Consider yourself in the loop.
? Ned
Waterloo, IL
Considered. And thank you. Upon reflection, I did drop Kenseth a bit much in this week's Power Rankings. And you Kenseth fans, you guys are freaking murderous. Kyle Busch gets called everything short of a serial killer, and his fans are all, "whatever, dude. Rowdy ROOLZ!" But you even hint that Kenseth is a touch, shall we say, restrained, and man, the Kensethian Horde is on you like a school of purple, 17-branded piranha.
We close with a theory on media bias:
____________________
I'm not sure this will get into print, but here goes. I can't help but noticing week in and week out that whenever there is some sort of list that has Kyle Busch tied with someone else, he is always last. When the Chase began, you put him behind Kevin Harvick, even though NASCAR had seeded him #1. Do you have some problem with Kyle ? If that is the case you can count on my boycott of all things Yahoo! Sports.
? Mary D
Remember the golden rule around these parts, friends: Whoever your favorite driver is, I hate him. And whoever your favorite driver's most bitter rival is, I love him. This applies to every single one of you.
Nah, come on. I've been called a Kyle lover, a Jimmie lover, a Dale lover ... never a Robby Gordon lover, so I've got to work on that ... everybody sees bias where they want. I live in Atlanta, and friends of mine who work on the local newspaper here say that fans will literally measure the column inches dedicated to the Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and will scream if they're out of whack. So no, we don't have a problem with Kyle. But if you do want to boycott Yahoo! Sports, I'd recommend the golf blog. The guy that runs that place hates NASCAR. True story.
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at nascarmail@yahoogroups.com, find us on Facebook right here, or hit us up on Twitter at @jaybusbee. Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Brett Favre far from effusive about play of Packers' Rodgers
? The absurdly premature Week 5 NFL playoff picture
? Rolex is first big sponsor to return to Tiger Woods' side
Fuel mileage races are all the rage these days. Ever run out of gas while driving? I did, once. On my prom night. AFTER I had dropped off my date. That's what you call poor race strategy, friends. Another time, the car was on fumes and started that "I'm out of gas, you're screwed" hitch-and-wobble ... and then I crested a hill and rolled, bone-dry tank and all, right up to a gas pump. I felt like standing on the hood and spraying champagne in celebration after that.
Not coincidentally, we'll talk of fuel mileage today. But first, another theory on why NASCAR ratings are up of late ...
Even though I don't like to admit it, I'm pretty surprised you haven't hit on another major reason why ratings are up this year compared to last year...the 88. Whether you love him or recognize he's not a very good driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the most popular driver. The fact he's running well (saving gas) and actually in the Chase (rather than back in the 20s) is certainly a reason why a lot more people are watching this year. Agreed?
? Tony Manns
Excellent point, and I deserve to get hollered at by a Junior fan for that oversight. (What do you think that hollering would sound like ... ?) Junior's resurgence has indeed helped spur more interest in the sport. People who aren't Junior fans lose their minds over this, but the truth is the truth: The man drives eyeballs. (Not literally. Just an expression. Though that'd be a hell of a plot for a horror flick.) People want to see what he's doing, and when he's running well, they'll keep up and tune in.
Which brings up a point: Do you tune out if your driver is out of the mix, either in the course of a race or the course of a season? If your guy goes behind the wall in lap 20, are you done for the day? Or do you hang out and watch to see how the rest of the race plays out? That's one of the big knocks against the Chase, that fans of certain drivers don't have anything to root for, but then again the Super Bowl and World Series seem to do OK with only two teams participating and everybody else at home watching.
____________________
In regards to all the hue and cry over boring fuel mileage races I offer a simple, and perhaps goofy, solution: scheduled yellow flag pit stops.
NASCAR knows the fuel window at each track and how many stops it will take to complete a normal, scheduled lap race. So throw a yellow at the end of each fuel window. This would almost eliminate the fuel mileage question from racing (unless a race goes to all three green-white checkered attempts, possibly). It would completely alter team strategy, allowing cars to RACE EACH OTHER, rather than racing the fuel tank capacity and would present a mad spectacle of ALL 43 cars coming to pit road on each scheduled stop. Teams could always pit anytime they want to additionally for any other reason. Positions could still be gained on pit road by crews that perform better than the others.
A crazy idea? Or could it work?
? Kris Tufts
Yes, it's a crazy idea. Yes, it could work, and you wouldn't have to do it at the end of every fuel window, just the last one. But I don't want it to. I appreciate everyone's desire to see a race run under green with full fuel, but here's the thing: A key part of racing is the strategic planning involved in working backward from the finish. If your crew chief can't remember to carry the one when he's calculating how much fuel he's got left, it's not the job of the other cars to sit around and wait for him to catch up. Run what you brung, and run it the whole race at your own pace.
Now, I understand this runs counter to the whole philosophy of the start of the Chase, which is in effect a giant caution flag for the entire season to bunch the field up. And I know that I'm probably a hypocrite for favoring the Chase and not favoring this idea. But I see it thusly: The Chase allows plenty of time for strategy and screwups. Throwing a yellow for fuel with, say, 25 laps left doesn't.
So, yeah, good idea but I respectfully disagree. Though I will say I like the idea of 43 cars on pit road at once. We need a camera just to catch every bit of drama that goes on there every week.
____________________
I just wanted to give a hats off to Kurt Busch for his Dover win. But more importantly, kudos to him and Jimmie Johnson for a good clean end to the race. I'm sure there were plenty of times when some vehicular weight could have been thrown around a little, but it was nice, clean, and refreshing to see. Grats both for a good finish to the race!
? Charles
Upstate NY
Seconded. I know there are the bloodthirsty types who want carnage at every turn; we have people who pray to the sweet baby Jesus on the chat every week for someone to put Kyle Busch into a wall. But friends, that's the equivalent of kneeing someone in the nethers when they're going up for a dunk, or drilling a fastball into their ear-hole: Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. Plus, the fact that Kurt outran Jimmie straight-up could have future impacts on the Chase. I don't think Kurt is anywhere near inside Jimmie's head, but I do think he left a "HELLO MY NAME IS KURT" nametag in there somewhere.
____________________
Jay, I'm a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan. I would like to see him win a championship, but I would rather see him and Kyle become rivals. Not wrecking each other, but the two of them every week, door-to-door for the win. That would help NASCAR, the good-vs.-bad, but also clean hard racing and a little bump-and-run. Then NASCAR would have it all: the rivalry, "boys have at it," and Junior winning. Junior Nation would be in heaven.
? Randy Braud
The rivalry aspect would be outstanding, yeah. I think we're getting there; we just need more guys to step up on a consistent basis. Here's where having all the players on the field every week hurts NASCAR: While you only get Lakers-Celtics or Bulldogs-Gators or Yankees-Red Sox a few times a year (or once, in football), here you've got rivalry every week, and you can't sustain that over a long season. There'll be weeks when the drivers aren't anywhere near each other, or both finish around 15th and don't mess with one another. Not that it can be changed, it's just another obstacle to overcome to having perpetual rivalries. Too much of a good thing can be too much of a good thing.
____________________
Not to be rude to the media people, but am I the only one that enjoys seeing Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart getting ticked off at the media? Yes it may be rude, but there is absolutely no reason for NASCAR to fine them as a reader last week suggested. Emotion is emotion and I like the drivers showing it, even if Busch knew he was wrong about being in Jimmie's head.
? Mark Smith
Taking myself out of the equation, I love seeing drivers go off on the media, and I love it when the media goes back at the drivers. I too love seeing some emotion. What does stink is when it's an unequal playing field, when the driver has a microphone and the media member doesn't, or when the driver can walk away and thus screw over the other media members looking for a story.
Really, though, it's about professionalism; it's possible to speak your mind without being a clown about it. Still, bottom line, I get the idea that the media cares a lot more about this story than regular fans, which is fine. Agree?
Next up: more lookalikes!
____________________
I was in England for a wedding last month and discovered my girlfriend's cousin, named Nick Maggs, looks a LOT like Clint Bowyer. I had just put a couple of pictures together to show the family what I was talking about. Clint Bowyer is not exactly a household name in the United Kingdom.
? Dale Renner
That dude needs to come over here and do one interview AS Clint Bowyer, full firesuit and everything.
Postrace reporter: Clint, looked a little rough out there today. How was your car handling?
British Bowyer: Blimey, guvnah! Me lorry was shimmyin' like the Queen Mum on three spots o'tea! Pip pip cheerio!
(Yes, my entire concept of British culture is shaped by Monty Python and "Oliver Twist." But I think British Bowyer could become a new character 'round these parts.)
____________________
After seeing you drop Matt Kenseth in the rankings from 5th to 9th, following a 5th place finish at Dover might I add, I'd like to remind you of one very important piece of information: RK-741. This is the chassis that put on one of the most dominating performances of the year at Texas. Lead the most laps and was the class of the field during the 600 before it turned into a fuel mileage race. Was top 2 at Chicagoland, again derailed by fuel mileage. I don't know if they will bring this chassis to Kansas, but you can bet it will be a force at Charlotte, Texas, and Homestead. Pencil him in for a 3rd, or even 4th 'W' before season end. Consider yourself in the loop.
? Ned
Waterloo, IL
Considered. And thank you. Upon reflection, I did drop Kenseth a bit much in this week's Power Rankings. And you Kenseth fans, you guys are freaking murderous. Kyle Busch gets called everything short of a serial killer, and his fans are all, "whatever, dude. Rowdy ROOLZ!" But you even hint that Kenseth is a touch, shall we say, restrained, and man, the Kensethian Horde is on you like a school of purple, 17-branded piranha.
We close with a theory on media bias:
____________________
I'm not sure this will get into print, but here goes. I can't help but noticing week in and week out that whenever there is some sort of list that has Kyle Busch tied with someone else, he is always last. When the Chase began, you put him behind Kevin Harvick, even though NASCAR had seeded him #1. Do you have some problem with Kyle ? If that is the case you can count on my boycott of all things Yahoo! Sports.
? Mary D
Remember the golden rule around these parts, friends: Whoever your favorite driver is, I hate him. And whoever your favorite driver's most bitter rival is, I love him. This applies to every single one of you.
Nah, come on. I've been called a Kyle lover, a Jimmie lover, a Dale lover ... never a Robby Gordon lover, so I've got to work on that ... everybody sees bias where they want. I live in Atlanta, and friends of mine who work on the local newspaper here say that fans will literally measure the column inches dedicated to the Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and will scream if they're out of whack. So no, we don't have a problem with Kyle. But if you do want to boycott Yahoo! Sports, I'd recommend the golf blog. The guy that runs that place hates NASCAR. True story.
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at nascarmail@yahoogroups.com, find us on Facebook right here, or hit us up on Twitter at @jaybusbee. Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Brett Favre far from effusive about play of Packers' Rodgers
? The absurdly premature Week 5 NFL playoff picture
? Rolex is first big sponsor to return to Tiger Woods' side
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Play "Hide and Tweet" with Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya
Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing needs help in finding its NASCAR drivers, Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya. Well, not the real drivers, but cut-outs of each of them. The cut-outs will be photographed around the Charlotte area this week and if race fans can guess correctly where they are appearing, they can win driver apparel. Beginning today, the team will kick-off the ?Hide and Tweet? contest across their social media platforms. Each day this week, two photographs will be released on Facebook and promoted on Twitter, and fans will have the opportunity to guess which local landmark the drivers are visiting. Fans will be allowed to submit their answers on the team?s Facebook page and the first person to guess where they were will win driver merchandise compliments of the team. The contest will run twice per day through Saturday's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In order to participate in the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing ?Hide and Tweet? contest, fans can ?Like? its Facebook page and ?Follow? @EGRTeams on Twitter.
Mike Brudenell: NASCAR Chase should shift gears, hit the road in 2013 ? Detroit Free Press
Mike Brudenell: NASCAR Chase should shift gears, hit the road in 2013 – Detroit Free Press
Yahoo! Sports
Mike Brudenell: NASCAR Chase should shift gears, hit the road in 2013Detroit Free PressI swear I mentioned a season or two back that the NASCAR Chase for the Championship should include a road course, perhaps even a triathlon event. With NASCAR's release of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule last week, some folks in higher places than …FOX Sports ExclusiveFOXSports.com
NASCAR unveils 2012 schedule, no mention of Danica Patrick: A fan's reactionYahoo! SportsNASCAR fans can view Phoenix International Raceway's revamped track TuesdayAZ Central.comHNN Huntingtonnews.net -WhoWon.com -Bleacher Reportall 13 news articles »
Yahoo! Sports
Mike Brudenell: NASCAR Chase should shift gears, hit the road in 2013Detroit Free PressI swear I mentioned a season or two back that the NASCAR Chase for the Championship should include a road course, perhaps even a triathlon event. With NASCAR's release of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule last week, some folks in higher places than …FOX Sports ExclusiveFOXSports.com
NASCAR unveils 2012 schedule, no mention of Danica Patrick: A fan's reactionYahoo! SportsNASCAR fans can view Phoenix International Raceway's revamped track TuesdayAZ Central.comHNN Huntingtonnews.net -WhoWon.com -Bleacher Reportall 13 news articles »
Dale Junior talks radio chatter
Team radio communications have made their way into many storylines this season in NASCAR, especially when a driver and crew chief are sniping at each other, or a driver is venting his displeasure at an ill-handling car. Exchanges over the radio between five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief Chad Knaus in last weekend's race at New Hampshire have been a topic of conversation this week. On Friday, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was asked his take on team communications being on the open airways. Here was his response: ?That?s sort of the nature of the way the networks want to provide the sport to the fans and that?s something that the media wants to cover. So I?ve kind of gotten used to it," Earnhardt said. "But I remember when you used to have a hard time getting a scanner or being able to listen to the teams or even when I was going to the races with Daddy, it was like pulling teeth trying to get a radio so I could listen to what they were doing. And nowadays it?s all sort of out there and in front of everybody. "Every driver and crew chief have their times where they are going to say and do some things that they would rather not be public, but under the circumstances you really could care less at the moment. But yeah, I would rather the public and the media not know what we were talking about on our radios but that?s not the way the world works today. And so you have to understand and accept that. And I think it?s good because it makes you be a better person. It makes you control yourself better. "Had we not have such freedom as we do today, who knows what kind of asses we?d be? I get a little bit more coverage than most guys, from what I?ve listened to. I?ve never crossed some of the lines these other guys cross, but that?s just the way it goes.?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Matt Kenseth solidifies Chase contender status with Charlotte win
Exit Jimmie Johnson and enter Matt Kenseth?
No, we're still not counting the five-time champion out, but Matt Kenseth lept to the top of the Chase contender list with his win in the Bank of America 500 on Saturday night. Kenseth beat Kyle Busch on two late restarts, the second with 12 laps to go and pulled away for his third win of the season.
Save for an early race sequence where he was shuffled outside of the top 10 because of pit strategy, Kenseth was near the front of the field all night and led 46 laps. Now, the man who won the last non-Chase era championship in NASCAR is third in the points standings, seven points behind points leader Carl Edwards and two points behind Kevin Harvick.
And that's not a fluke either; Kenseth has been one of 2011's best drivers. So it's not a stretch by any means to think that he could outrun Harvick and his Roush teammate over the last five races.
Kenseth's average finishes at the last five tracks:
Talladega: 19.3 average finish, 0 wins, 6 top 10s in 23 starts
Martinsville: 15.8, 0, 7-23
Texas: 9.0, 2, 12-18
Phoenix: 17.2, 1, 8-18
Homestead: 18.8, 1, 4-11
They're not flashy, but Kenseth won in dominating fashion at Texas in the spring and was very good at Daytona in the summer, pushing David Ragan to the finish line. With repeat restrictor plate performance and Texas domination, Kenseth could be the one everyone's going after at Homestead.
Would that get him a sponsor for 2012?
No, we're still not counting the five-time champion out, but Matt Kenseth lept to the top of the Chase contender list with his win in the Bank of America 500 on Saturday night. Kenseth beat Kyle Busch on two late restarts, the second with 12 laps to go and pulled away for his third win of the season.
Save for an early race sequence where he was shuffled outside of the top 10 because of pit strategy, Kenseth was near the front of the field all night and led 46 laps. Now, the man who won the last non-Chase era championship in NASCAR is third in the points standings, seven points behind points leader Carl Edwards and two points behind Kevin Harvick.
And that's not a fluke either; Kenseth has been one of 2011's best drivers. So it's not a stretch by any means to think that he could outrun Harvick and his Roush teammate over the last five races.
Kenseth's average finishes at the last five tracks:
Talladega: 19.3 average finish, 0 wins, 6 top 10s in 23 starts
Martinsville: 15.8, 0, 7-23
Texas: 9.0, 2, 12-18
Phoenix: 17.2, 1, 8-18
Homestead: 18.8, 1, 4-11
They're not flashy, but Kenseth won in dominating fashion at Texas in the spring and was very good at Daytona in the summer, pushing David Ragan to the finish line. With repeat restrictor plate performance and Texas domination, Kenseth could be the one everyone's going after at Homestead.
Would that get him a sponsor for 2012?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. fights inconsistency on way to 14th-place finish
Dale Earnhardt Jr. fought an inconsistent car throughout the Hollywood Casino 400 as he wound up 14th Sunday at Kansas Speedway.
The inconsistency likely came from trying to find the right air pressure in the tires, and just how the car reacted on different sets of rubber.
The inconsistency likely came from trying to find the right air pressure in the tires, and just how the car reacted on different sets of rubber.
Few surprises unveiled in release of 2012 NASCAR schedule
NASCAR released its 2012 Sprint Cup schedule at noon on Wednesday in a flurry of publicity and a Twitter live Q&A, of all things, and for those fans who are sick of change, this was your moment: the 2012 sked looks almost exactly like the 2011 one.
Sure, there are a few dates changed here and there. The Daytona 500 will run on Feb. 26, the first time it hasn't run on Presidents Day weekend in four decades. Phoenix and Vegas will run a week later. Daytona's summer event and Kentucky will switch dates. And Texas will run a week later in the spring.
Kansas Speedway is the only real change; as it's undergoing a repaving next year, its spring date moves from June to April, and its fall date will be switched with that of Talladega.�Here is the�complete 2012 Cup schedule:
2/18 Daytona International Speedway (Shootout) FOX
2/19 Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500 Qualifying) FOX
2/23 Daytona International Speedway (Duel) SPEED
2/26 Daytona 500 FOX
3/4 Phoenix International Raceway FOX
3/11 Las Vegas Motor Speedway FOX
3/18 Bristol Motor Speedway FOX
3/25 Auto Club Speedway FOX
4/1 Martinsville Speedway FOX
4/14 Texas Motor Speedway FOX
4/22 Kansas Speedway FOX
4/28 Richmond International Raceway FOX
5/6 Talladega Superspeedway FOX
5/12 Darlington Raceway FOX
5/19 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (Charlotte Motor Speedway) SPEED
5/27 Charlotte Motor Speedway FOX
6/3 Dover International Speedway FOX
6/10 Pocono Raceway TNT
6/17 Michigan International Speedway TNT
6/24 Infineon Raceway TNT
6/30 Kentucky Speedway TNT
7/7 Daytona International Speedway TNT
7/15 New Hampshire Motor Speedway TNT
7/29 Indianapolis Motor Speedway ESPN
8/5 Pocono Raceway ESPN
8/12 Watkins Glen International ESPN
8/19 Michigan International Speedway ESPN
8/25 Bristol Motor Speedway ABC
9/2 Atlanta Motor Speedway ESPN
9/8 Richmond International Raceway ABC
9/16 Chicagoland Speedway ESPN
9/23 New Hampshire Motor Speedway ESPN
9/30 Dover International Speedway ESPN
10/7 Talladega Superspeedway ESPN
10/13 Charlotte Motor Speedway ABC
10/21 Kansas Speedway ESPN
10/28 Martinsville Speedway ESPN
11/4 Texas Motor Speedway ESPN
11/11 Phoenix International Raceway ESPN
11/18 Homestead-Miami Speedway ESPN
Broadcast-wise, we're looking at a similar routine as well: the first 13 races on Fox, the next six on TNT, and the final 17 on ESPN/ABC. Speed will cover the Duels at Daytona and the All-Star Race. There are no start times yet; those will be announced later.
Also later will be the Nationwide and Trucks schedules, which are likely to have more significant changes than the Sprint Cup level.
Food for thought: it's less than five months to the 2012 Daytona 500.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Wife of NASCAR champ injured in charity race wreck
? Foul-ball flub earns dad death stare
? DDid potion from MLB manager's wife trigger epic comeback?id
Sure, there are a few dates changed here and there. The Daytona 500 will run on Feb. 26, the first time it hasn't run on Presidents Day weekend in four decades. Phoenix and Vegas will run a week later. Daytona's summer event and Kentucky will switch dates. And Texas will run a week later in the spring.
Kansas Speedway is the only real change; as it's undergoing a repaving next year, its spring date moves from June to April, and its fall date will be switched with that of Talladega.�Here is the�complete 2012 Cup schedule:
2/18 Daytona International Speedway (Shootout) FOX
2/19 Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500 Qualifying) FOX
2/23 Daytona International Speedway (Duel) SPEED
2/26 Daytona 500 FOX
3/4 Phoenix International Raceway FOX
3/11 Las Vegas Motor Speedway FOX
3/18 Bristol Motor Speedway FOX
3/25 Auto Club Speedway FOX
4/1 Martinsville Speedway FOX
4/14 Texas Motor Speedway FOX
4/22 Kansas Speedway FOX
4/28 Richmond International Raceway FOX
5/6 Talladega Superspeedway FOX
5/12 Darlington Raceway FOX
5/19 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (Charlotte Motor Speedway) SPEED
5/27 Charlotte Motor Speedway FOX
6/3 Dover International Speedway FOX
6/10 Pocono Raceway TNT
6/17 Michigan International Speedway TNT
6/24 Infineon Raceway TNT
6/30 Kentucky Speedway TNT
7/7 Daytona International Speedway TNT
7/15 New Hampshire Motor Speedway TNT
7/29 Indianapolis Motor Speedway ESPN
8/5 Pocono Raceway ESPN
8/12 Watkins Glen International ESPN
8/19 Michigan International Speedway ESPN
8/25 Bristol Motor Speedway ABC
9/2 Atlanta Motor Speedway ESPN
9/8 Richmond International Raceway ABC
9/16 Chicagoland Speedway ESPN
9/23 New Hampshire Motor Speedway ESPN
9/30 Dover International Speedway ESPN
10/7 Talladega Superspeedway ESPN
10/13 Charlotte Motor Speedway ABC
10/21 Kansas Speedway ESPN
10/28 Martinsville Speedway ESPN
11/4 Texas Motor Speedway ESPN
11/11 Phoenix International Raceway ESPN
11/18 Homestead-Miami Speedway ESPN
Broadcast-wise, we're looking at a similar routine as well: the first 13 races on Fox, the next six on TNT, and the final 17 on ESPN/ABC. Speed will cover the Duels at Daytona and the All-Star Race. There are no start times yet; those will be announced later.
Also later will be the Nationwide and Trucks schedules, which are likely to have more significant changes than the Sprint Cup level.
Food for thought: it's less than five months to the 2012 Daytona 500.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Wife of NASCAR champ injured in charity race wreck
? Foul-ball flub earns dad death stare
? DDid potion from MLB manager's wife trigger epic comeback?id
128 in a 45 mph Zone: Way to go Kyle Busch!
One would think that when your day job consists of driving around banked ovals doing 200 mph that maybe, just maybe, you’d see fit to back it down a little on the street. Apparently NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch doesn’t think so however as he was recently clocked doing 128 mph in a 45 mph zone [...]
Friday, October 14, 2011
New driver autograph sessions a hit among fans at many tracks
CONCORD, N.C. ? In an effort to provide race fans with additional opportunities to get close to their favorite drivers, NASCAR officials, participating tracks and Sprint Cup drivers began a program of at-track autograph sessions earlier this year.
It?s one of several initiatives this season by NASCAR and its tracks to help make the sport more fan-friendly and offer fans more value for their money.
It?s one of several initiatives this season by NASCAR and its tracks to help make the sport more fan-friendly and offer fans more value for their money.
Trucks head to Las Vegas
This race will also run in the afternoon. The series had run at nighttime here from 2003-10.
Starting lineup for Sprint Cup Bank of America 500 at Charlotte
CONCORD, N.C. ? Tony Stewart, a two-time Chase race winner this season, will start on the pole when Saturday night?s Bank of America 500 gets under way at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Four races into the Chase, Keselowski is still hanging around
The time has passed to ask whether or not Brad Keselowski is legitimate. That answer is overwhelmingly, yes.
Now it's time to ask another question: Is he going to be one of the likely handful of drivers with a mathematical chance at a championship at Homestead?
As of now, the answer to that is in the yes column, too. Keselowski's third-place finish�in Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 cut his deficit to points leader Carl Edwards down�to 11 points, and he's fourth in the standings, ahead of drivers like Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.
"Another solid day for us thus far," Keselowski said. "Makes you kick yourself that last week at Dover we had troubles we did because we've had top-5 cars each and every week, we're executing very well as a group and as a team. Just the things that we can control we're doing very well."
That trouble at Dover was when the team had a problem with the power steering, leading to a 20th-place finish. But before that, Keselowski was fifth at Chicago and second at Loudon.
"You know, last year we weren't a good team," Keselowski said. "We were always our worst at the end, and that's not what it takes.� And I don't know why that was, but that's just the way it kind of works out sometimes.�This year it seems like as a group we're just clicking.�It really hurts after last week because I felt like this is the only week we've had that was a bad finish, and something happened that was outside of their control."
Clicking enough to continue to stay at the top of the standings? Right now, they're as good a bet as any.
Now it's time to ask another question: Is he going to be one of the likely handful of drivers with a mathematical chance at a championship at Homestead?
As of now, the answer to that is in the yes column, too. Keselowski's third-place finish�in Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 cut his deficit to points leader Carl Edwards down�to 11 points, and he's fourth in the standings, ahead of drivers like Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.
"Another solid day for us thus far," Keselowski said. "Makes you kick yourself that last week at Dover we had troubles we did because we've had top-5 cars each and every week, we're executing very well as a group and as a team. Just the things that we can control we're doing very well."
That trouble at Dover was when the team had a problem with the power steering, leading to a 20th-place finish. But before that, Keselowski was fifth at Chicago and second at Loudon.
"You know, last year we weren't a good team," Keselowski said. "We were always our worst at the end, and that's not what it takes.� And I don't know why that was, but that's just the way it kind of works out sometimes.�This year it seems like as a group we're just clicking.�It really hurts after last week because I felt like this is the only week we've had that was a bad finish, and something happened that was outside of their control."
Clicking enough to continue to stay at the top of the standings? Right now, they're as good a bet as any.
Darlington Aims to Please NASCAR Fans
Darlington Raceway hopes to bring more families back to NASCAR by expanding youth discounts for next year’s racing season. Darlington will offer half-price seating for youths 17 and under at the Showtime Southern 500 in May and free tickets to its Nationwide and Camping World Truck series events, track spokesman Jake Harris told The Associated [...]
General Mills to stay with RCR and move to Jeff Burton
General Mills will be staying with Richard Childress Racing and moving into a role with Jeff Burton's No. 31 car in 2012.
Cheerios, a General Mills' brand, has been Clint Bowyer's main primary sponsor for the past three seasons, but won't be sponsoring Burton in 2012. Instead, General Mills will advertise Wheaties in "key races" in what's termed a multi-year "co-primary" partnership.
Before moving to RCR, General Mills had been with Petty Enterprises.
General Mills' role with RCR was unclear heading into 2012 given Clint Bowyer's departure for Michael Waltrip Racing, a move that will be official on Friday. Sponsorship had been touted as a main factor in negotiations between Bowyer and Childress, and given that it's been widely reported that Bowyer had partnered with 5 Hour Energy for his 2012 ride, General Mills' return may mean that sponsorship difficulties were hardly a reason at all.
RCR will likely field three full-time cars in 2012, with Budweiser (and others) on Kevin Harvick's hood�and Menards on the hood of Paul Menard's No. 27.
Cheerios, a General Mills' brand, has been Clint Bowyer's main primary sponsor for the past three seasons, but won't be sponsoring Burton in 2012. Instead, General Mills will advertise Wheaties in "key races" in what's termed a multi-year "co-primary" partnership.
Before moving to RCR, General Mills had been with Petty Enterprises.
General Mills' role with RCR was unclear heading into 2012 given Clint Bowyer's departure for Michael Waltrip Racing, a move that will be official on Friday. Sponsorship had been touted as a main factor in negotiations between Bowyer and Childress, and given that it's been widely reported that Bowyer had partnered with 5 Hour Energy for his 2012 ride, General Mills' return may mean that sponsorship difficulties were hardly a reason at all.
RCR will likely field three full-time cars in 2012, with Budweiser (and others) on Kevin Harvick's hood�and Menards on the hood of Paul Menard's No. 27.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Video: Who are the biggest surprises of the Chase so far?
We're two races into the Chase, and the three guys atop the standings (that would be Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski) aren't the three guys we expected (that would be Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon). So which of these three is the biggest surprise? Do all of them have what it takes to sustain? Check out some chatting from Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR dudes, the Jays Hart and Busbee, and offer up your own thoughts below. Go!
NASCAR Race Review: Geico 400
Welcome NASCAR race fans to my NASCAR blog. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts the Chase for the Sprint Cup at the ChicagoLand Speedway this year with the Geico 400. Coors Light Pole Qualifying took place on Saturday, with 17 Matt Kenseth capturing the Pole position with a speed of 183.243 mph and 29.469 seconds [...]
NASCAR to take a look at Menard spin
JOLIET, Ill. - NASCAR President Mike Helton said on Friday the sanctioning body will "take another look" at the spin by driver Paul Menard that brought out the final caution of last Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Richmond, Va.o The caution allowed the field to be bunched up one final time. Jeff Gordon, who was leading at the time of the caution, came out second behind Menard's teammate, Kevin Harvick, following a round of pit stops. Harvick went on to win the race. Helton and NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp confirmed no driver or crew chief complained about the caution to NASCAR officials after the race. Gordon was the first to raise the idea the caution may have been intentional, during his postrace comments Saturday night and again on Thursday. Harvick and Kyle Busch sit atop the Chase standings entering Sunday's 10-race playoff opener at Chicagoland Speedway.
What NOT To Do To Your Porsche Cayman S
If you own a Porsche Cayman S, you are probably very proud of it, and justifiably so. You might even have the urge to personalize it a bit to make it more "yours." That's all well and good. But please, for the love of all that's fast and beautiful, do NOT do this to it. Ever. Seriously. Never, ever do this, or anything like it. We don't care if...
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Carl Edwards hopes to learn from speeding penalty, believes this is his best chance to win Chase
Carl Edwards heads to his home track this weekend tied for the lead in the Chase For The Sprint Cup.
Leading the Cup standings is nothing new for him as he has spent about half the season on top, but this is the first time he has led during the Chase.
Leading the Cup standings is nothing new for him as he has spent about half the season on top, but this is the first time he has led during the Chase.
Column: Not so fast with the Vettel-mania
Should Red Bull designer Adrian Newey somehow mislay his genius between now and the start of the next Formula One season, all those likening Sebastian Vettel to legendary drivers like Ayrton Senna or speculating that he could overtake Michael Schumacher's records of seven world titles and 91 race wins are going to feel pretty stupid.
Richard Petty Motorsports Callin it Quits?
RPM may not run past Martinsville. The house of cards is finally falling for George Gillett’s Richard Petty Motorsports. The assembly line from Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates engines has stopped running to RPM. Engines have been picked up, cars have been repossessed, and sources on both sides — RPM and RFR — say [...]
Brad Keselowski dominates, again, in the Nationwide Series
This season, the Nationwide Series has become something akin to picking a name out of a hat for the race winner. A hat that has three names in it.
Those names are Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. After Keselowski's dominating win at Kansas Speedway in the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, the trio has combined to win the last six Nationwide races and 19 of the season's 30 events. Overall, Cup drivers have won 26 Nationwide�races in 2011.
Keselowski whupped the field Saturday ? at one point he had a 10-second lead�? and while he had to worry about Edwards (who else?) after the final restart, he pulled away once he passed him. (Busch wasn't entered in Saturday's race.)
Elliott Sadler, who finished third, gained two points on points leader Ricky Stenhouse�? the only Nationwide regular to win multiple races�? and is now 20 points behind Stenhouse with five races to go in the season.
Danica Patrick started 15th, ran around there most of the day and finished where she started. Patrick's final IndyCar race is next weekend at Las Vegas, before she returns to the Nationwide Series for the final three races of the�season in preparation for her full-time move to the series in 2012.
Those names are Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. After Keselowski's dominating win at Kansas Speedway in the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, the trio has combined to win the last six Nationwide races and 19 of the season's 30 events. Overall, Cup drivers have won 26 Nationwide�races in 2011.
Keselowski whupped the field Saturday ? at one point he had a 10-second lead�? and while he had to worry about Edwards (who else?) after the final restart, he pulled away once he passed him. (Busch wasn't entered in Saturday's race.)
Elliott Sadler, who finished third, gained two points on points leader Ricky Stenhouse�? the only Nationwide regular to win multiple races�? and is now 20 points behind Stenhouse with five races to go in the season.
Danica Patrick started 15th, ran around there most of the day and finished where she started. Patrick's final IndyCar race is next weekend at Las Vegas, before she returns to the Nationwide Series for the final three races of the�season in preparation for her full-time move to the series in 2012.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Vettel tops Button for Japanese GP pole
Sebastian Vettel put himself in perfect position to clinch his second straight Formula One world championship by winning the pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
Dodge Awards New Challenger to NASCAR?s Brad Keselowski.
Being a race car driver definitely comes with some stellar perks. For one, it’s a dream job as you make your living ripping around the best race tracks in the country. Then there’s the fame, the money and the girls, which also help lend to the jobs appeal. It’s a pretty good gig if you [...]
Reed Sorenson surprised over dismissal, lands ride with MacDonald Motorsports at Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Kan. ? Reed Sorenson landed a last-minute ride for the Nationwide Series race Saturday at Kansas Speedway in a wild week that saw him removed from his Turner Motorsports ride despite being third in the standings.
Kurt Busch outruns Jimmie Johnson at Dover
Kurt Busch probably wouldn't have had it any other way.
Busch beat Jimmie Johnson off two late-race restarts to win the AAA 400 at Dover on Sunday and closed within nine points of new points leaders Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards.
On the final restart with 35 laps to go, Johnson spun his tires and that allowed Busch to immediately pull away and over the closing laps, Johnson was able to run with Busch, but not get any closer.
The racing between the two over the final stages was clean, adhering to the pledge that was made after Richmond when Busch and Johnson got together twice, the latest chapter to their rivalry that started in earnest in 2010.
And while Busch got the satisfaction of beating Johnson straight up, not once, but twice, it wasn't a lost cause by any means for the No. 48 team. Johnson's second place finish moved him from 10th to fifth in the points standings, four points behind Busch and 13 behind Harvick and Edwards.
Edwards looked to be the car to beat during the first half of the race, but a speeding penalty during a cycle of green flag pit stops ruined his chances for a win. The pass-through penalty knocked Edwards a lap down, and while he was fast enough to work his way through the field after getting the Lucky Dog, he was only able to keep pace with Busch and Johnson at the end of the race.
Tony Stewart, who entered the race as the points leader after winning the first two races of the Chase at Chicago and New Hampshire, struggled mightily all day and finished 25th. Stewart and his crew could never get the car to turn through the middle of the corner and spent most of the day one or more laps down. Stewart, who started the day seven points ahead of Harvick, is now nine back after Harvick's 10th place finish.
Busch beat Jimmie Johnson off two late-race restarts to win the AAA 400 at Dover on Sunday and closed within nine points of new points leaders Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards.
On the final restart with 35 laps to go, Johnson spun his tires and that allowed Busch to immediately pull away and over the closing laps, Johnson was able to run with Busch, but not get any closer.
The racing between the two over the final stages was clean, adhering to the pledge that was made after Richmond when Busch and Johnson got together twice, the latest chapter to their rivalry that started in earnest in 2010.
And while Busch got the satisfaction of beating Johnson straight up, not once, but twice, it wasn't a lost cause by any means for the No. 48 team. Johnson's second place finish moved him from 10th to fifth in the points standings, four points behind Busch and 13 behind Harvick and Edwards.
Edwards looked to be the car to beat during the first half of the race, but a speeding penalty during a cycle of green flag pit stops ruined his chances for a win. The pass-through penalty knocked Edwards a lap down, and while he was fast enough to work his way through the field after getting the Lucky Dog, he was only able to keep pace with Busch and Johnson at the end of the race.
Tony Stewart, who entered the race as the points leader after winning the first two races of the Chase at Chicago and New Hampshire, struggled mightily all day and finished 25th. Stewart and his crew could never get the car to turn through the middle of the corner and spent most of the day one or more laps down. Stewart, who started the day seven points ahead of Harvick, is now nine back after Harvick's 10th place finish.
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