SB Nation User Blog: 4ever3

Rethinking Kyle Busch

4ever3 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:24:47 -0000

Let me get this out there I am so happy that Kyle Busch was able to walk away from that last lap wreck. No true fan of the sport ever wants to see a driver get hurt in a race regardless of who they cheer for or not, if you do then you are not a true fan of the sport - just one sick individual.

I've also got to compliment Kyle on his refusal to comment about the wreck right after it happened - I mean haven't we all said something in the heat of the moment that we eventually ended up regretting? Kudos to him.

I know people, myself included, have been down on Kyle recently for his refusal to talk about things after a race, especially if it is one that didn't go his way, but I now realize what he is doing isn't selfish or immature but quite the opposite.

Kyle has been burned by both the media and fans about his comments in the past and by 'putting it on pause' for a day or two after a race allows him to cool off and get a better perspective on things (maybe even watch some replays). The people at JGR had to go through the growing pains of Tony Stewart and his often confrontational relationship with the media early in his Sprint Cup career and I'm sure they have been able to pass on some sound advice to Kyle so that Kyle doesn't have to experience what Tony did early on.

So my hat is off to Kyle and JGR for their handling of the media. Good stuff. So if you think Kyle's refusal to talk to the media after a race is immature and selfish think again, it is very mature and not selfish at all because he is taking his fans, sponsors, and racing organization into consideration by not talking to the media while he is still caught up in the heat of things. The man is a competitior and he is out there to win and sometimes it is hard to flip that internal switch off immediatly after something happens on the track.

It would be interesting to see what people would have thought of a young and brash Dale Earnhardt if he had as much media attention early in his career as young drivers like Busch, Logano, etc. have now. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

To be honest with you I wouldn't be surprised to see more drivers start doing what Kyle is doing now and you know what? Given the amount of coverage NASCAR gets in the mainstream media and the not so mainstreem, like this little ol'blog here, I can't blame them either. Can you?

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Reaches Midpoint

4ever3 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:10:22 -0000

Stewart’s Performance, Competitive Balance Highlight First Half

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 6, 2009) – Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart needed little time to grasp the driver-owner concept. At the season’s midpoint, he has already:

Won two races (Pocono and Daytona), becoming the first driver-owner to win a race since Ricky Rudd in 1998, and the first to win multiple races since Rudd in ’97;
Captured the points lead, the first driver-owner to do so since Alan Kulwicki in 1992;
Put both of his Stewart-Haas Racing cars in the top 12 in points.

Stewart’s surprising success highlights a season filled with compelling storylines. Competition is strong and balanced, as illustrated by the 11 different race winners this season. There were 12 different winners in all of 2008, including seven drivers who have yet to win this season. In other words, last year’s mark will likely be passed.

Some other statistics gleaned from the first half:

7 different teams represented in the current NASCAR Sprint Cup top 12
8 different Coors Light Pole winners
34 drivers with at least one top-10 finish
40 drivers have led at least one lap
Average Margin of Victory of 1.044 seconds
10 races with an MOV under 1 second
Average of 11 leaders per race
Average of 20 lead changes per race
Average of 22 green flag passes for the lead all around the track
Average of 3,038 green flag passes per race
52% of the cars finished on the lead lap
85% of the cars were running at the finish
All four manufacturers have won a race and are in the top 12

The above statistics are the reason for one of the most competitive, yet unpredictable seasons in recent memory:

There have been three first-time winners. Brad Keselowski, David Reutimann and Joey Logano all captured their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories. With his win at New Hampshire, Logano became the youngest winner in series history.
Mark Martin’s successful return to a full-time schedule has been one of the most intriguing stories thus far this season. His three victories tie him with Kyle Busch for the most in the series at the halfway point. Still, Martin is outside the Chase top-12 bubble, in 13th. He has eight more races to make a top-12 return.
In his third full season, Colombia-born Juan Pablo Montoya is looking more and more like a championship contender. With eight top 10s, he has already eclipsed his previous season-best total of six in 2008. Montoya currently sits 11th in the points, 86 points inside the Chase cut-off.
Four NASCAR Sprint Cup champions sit in the top-four in points, something that has never happened this deep into a season. Tony Stewart (2002 and ’05 champion), Jeff Gordon (1995, ’97, ’98, 2001), Jimmie Johnson (2006-08) and Kurt Busch (2004) rank in the top four.

But 18 more races remain, including NASCAR’s “playoffs” – the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which consists of the final 10 races of the season. A number of questions hang in the balance going into the second half:

Will Jimmie Johnson win an unprecedented fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship?
Who will be the top seed going into the Chase? Once the Chase starts, each driver in the top 12 will have his points reset to 5,000, with 10 additional bonus points added for each win during the first 26 races. Currently, Mark Martin and Kyle Busch lead the series in victories with three – and 30 potential bonus points.
Will Johnson and Matt Kenseth each make their sixth consecutive Chase? The two are the only drivers to earn a berth in every single Chase since its inception in 2004.
Will Carl Edwards pick up a win? Edwards has gone winless over the first 18 races since winning a series-high nine in 2008.
Will Richard Childress Racing have a second-half rebound? After putting three drivers in the Chase last season, all four of its teams are currently outside the top 12.

Fan Voting Open For Most Popular Driver Among NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series And NASCAR Touring Series

4ever3 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:08:43 -0000

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (July 6, 2009) – Beginning today, fans can visit www.nascar.com and cast votes for the 2009 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

In addition, www.nascarhometracks.com will host the balloting for each of NASCAR’s regional touring series – the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Mexico Series and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

Last year – the first season NASCAR fans were asked to choose the most popular drivers in these series – more than 250,000 combined votes were cast among the eight series.

This year, fans also may “write in” their favorite driver if he/she is not among the nominees for a specific series. Fans should go to fanfeedback@nascar.com and submit their write-in vote.

Fans may vote or submit a write-in candidate once per day and are encouraged to vote throughout the season. Balloting ends Sept. 25 for the NASCAR Camping World Series East; Sept. 26 for both the NASCAR Camping World Series West and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series; Oct. 10 for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour; Oct. 18 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour; Nov. 22 for the NASCAR Mexico Series and Oct. 31 for both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Last year’s winners were: Brad Keselowski (NASCAR Nationwide Series); Johnny Benson (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series); Ricky Carmichael (NASCAR Camping World Series East); Moses Smith (NASCAR Camping World Series West); Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour); Bobby Hutchens Jr. (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour); Carlos Contreras (NASCAR Mexico Series) and DJ Kennington (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series).

Results will be announced at each of the respective series’ season-end banquets.

Clint Bowyer NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Interview – Daytona International Speedway

4ever3 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:05:44 -0000

You know it just means a lot to me to be able to win at Daytona

No doubt Clint Bowyer spiced up his Nationwide Series season by winning the Subway Jalapeno 250. Holding off Kyle Busch during a green white checkered flag finish, that quickly turned into a yellow flag finish, when a number of cars crashed.

Bowyer:

He tried to loosen me up, he gave me a big shove off in the three and I was loose, I was all over the place as hard as he was pushing me but I knew I had to protect the bottom and I was just trying to hold it down there as much as I could and try to protect that, that was my only line of defense.

And it was good enough for the 30 year old Kansas native to capture not only his first Nationwide Series win this season, but also the first for Richard Childress Racing. With five wins on the year already, Kyle Busch was the runner up for the third time in the last four races.

Busch:

You know, we make some adjustments to our car there throughout the pit stops, just little minor things trying to get more grip in it. Didn’t really seem to change it much but overall the car was really good on long runs, we seemed to be able to get up through there pretty well. The 29 was really good on the long runs as well too, he was about the best car and had the most motors so you know, unfortunately we had to settle for second tonight but it was a hard fought and well battled second so we’ll take it.

Finishing third was Carl Edwards.

There at the end I didn’t want that caution to come out because Clint was getting so loose. I thought man this is going to be good. I think Kyle was right behind me and I thought man if we could just get Clint moved over here it’s going to be to great but he ended up hanging on he did a really good job on that restart we just couldn’t get back up there and get with those guys from the outside lane but a real good night for us.

Then coming home forth, it was Joey Logano.

Logano:

It’s hard to get to the lead and it’s hard to pass the leader that’s just kind of how a lot of these things are. I haven’t figured out the whole draft thing, as far as getting myself into the lead. You know, I can get myself up to second, third but to get myself into the lead is, it takes a lot, I mean you don’t see many cars able to do that. You have to have a massive run of guys lining up with you to get up there. It takes the whole package to get up to the lead but I can push people pretty good with this car.

Fifth across the stripe was Kasey Kahne, he was followed by Brad Keselowski, then it was Brian Vickers seventh and in eighth the top finishing rookie Justin Allgaier.

Allgaier:

Got stuck in the middle there one time and moved way back and tried to fight our way back up through and unfortunately got caught on the wrong side of that restart there but all in all it was a great night just glad to get out here in one piece. This is the first resctrictor plate race we’ve been able to finish so just glad to get out in one piece.

David Ragan wound up ninth with Kevin Harvick rounding out the top ten. After 17 of 35 races that make up the 2009 Nationwide Series season, Kyle Busch has increased his lead over Carl Edwards to win 172 points. Brad Keselowski remains third minus 268. Now this year Clint Bowyer is sharing the Holiday Chevrolet ride with Jeff Burton and Stephen Light. And that trio had made a bet before the season started, whoever had the best results half way through the year, that driver would have his name above the door for all of the remaining races. So with the Daytona win, Bowyer won the wager.

Bowyer:

Guess we’ll see if Burton holds his end of the deal won’t we. Steve has always focused on the Nationwide idea but you know Jeff and I have been focused so much on our cup cars that we’ve kind of forgot about our little wager we got, now they’ve reminded me tonight. Then he kind of half way through the deal said, “Well I don’t think anybody ought to get it unless they win.” So to be able to cap that off with a win and who knows maybe he’ll be driving my car. Well it’s Richard’s with my name on it.

A full set of the pictures taken at Daytona International Speedway can be viewed athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/nationwide/sets/72157620912270417/

The Nationwide Series will return this week to the Chicagoland Speedway. Look for the audio interview following the Dollar General 300 presented by Coca-Cola July 10.

And don’t forget, Nationwide’s Media Team will be Twittering from Chicago. You can follow the Team’s whereabouts on the track at Twitter/Nationwide (http://twitter.com/Nationwide ). If there is a picture of someone or something you would like to see trackside, send your request to http://twitter.com/Nationwide The team will try its best to get the shot. Pictures will be posted at http://www.twitpic.com/photos/nationwide

Race day Open Thread: Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola | Daytona International Speedway

4ever3 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:50:22 -0000

Hello everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been around here lately - this is starting to sound like a broken record I know - but I'm still not feeling to well. It's like dominoes once I get over something, another thing rears its ugly head.

Anyway here is your starting line-up.

POS CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR SPEED TIME BEHIND

1 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Burger King N/A N/A N/A

2 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont N/A N/A N/A

3 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's N/A N/A N/A

4 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite N/A N/A N/A

5 99 Carl Edwards Ford Subway N/A N/A N/A

6 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Office N/A N/A N/A

7 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet U.S. Army N/A N/A N/A

8 18 Kyle Busch Toyota Interstate Batteries N/A N/A N/A

9 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M Scotch-Brite N/A N/A N/A

10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford R+L Global Services N/A N/A N/A

11 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet Carquest / Kellogg's N/A N/A N/A

12 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target N/A N/A N/A

13 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Budweiser N/A N/A N/A

14 00 David Reutimann Toyota Aaron's Dream Machine N/A N/A N/A

15 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Cheerios / Hamburger Helper N/A N/A N/A

16 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Caterpillar N/A N/A N/A

17 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull N/A N/A N/A

18 47 Marcos Ambrose Toyota Kingsford / Clorox / Bush's Beans N/A N/A N/A

19 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet National Guard "Serving America" / Amp Energy N/A N/A N/A

20 07 Casey Mears Chevrolet Jack Daniel's N/A N/A N/A

21 20 Joey Logano* Toyota The Home Depot N/A N/A N/A

22 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Irwin Marathon Saw Blades N/A N/A N/A

23 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Stanley Tools N/A N/A N/A

24 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker N/A N/A N/A

25 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Mobil 1 N/A N/A N/A

26 43 Reed Sorenson Dodge U.S. Air Force N/A N/A N/A

27 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Pennzoil Platinum N/A N/A N/A

28 96 Bobby Labonte Ford Academy Sports + Outdoors N/A N/A N/A

29 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts N/A N/A N/A

30 44 A.J. Allmendinger Dodge Paralyzed Veterans of America N/A N/A N/A

31 6 David Ragan Ford UPS N/A N/A N/A

32 12 David Stremme Dodge Penske Racing N/A N/A N/A

33 98 Paul Menard Ford Johns Manville / Menards N/A N/A N/A

34 7 Robby Gordon Toyota Mapei / Menards N/A N/A N/A

35 34 John Andretti Chevrolet Taco Bell N/A N/A N/A

36 09 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet Miccosukee Resort & Gaming N/A N/A N/A

37 82 Scott Speed* Toyota Red Bull N/A N/A N/A

38 171 David Gilliland Chevrolet TRG Motorsports N/A N/A N/A

39 187 Joe Nemechek Toyota NEMCO Motorsports N/A N/A N/A

40 66 Dave Blaney Toyota Prism Motorsports N/A N/A N/A

41 36 Patrick Carpentier Toyota Tommy Baldwin Racing N/A N/A N/A

42 37 Tony Raines Dodge Gander Mountain / Remington N/A N/A N/A

43 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Companies N/A N/A N/A

Did Not Qualify

44 113 Max Papis* Toyota GEICO - - -

45 64 Mike Wallace Toyota Fred's Hometown Discount Store - - -

+ Set by Owner Points
* Denotes Rookie

POS	CAR	DRIVER	MAKE	SPONSOR	SPEED	TIME	BEHIND
1	14	Tony Stewart	Chevrolet	Burger King	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	DuPont	N/A	N/A	N/A
3	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	Lowe's	N/A	N/A	N/A
4	2	Kurt Busch	Dodge	Miller Lite	N/A	N/A	N/A
5	99	Carl Edwards	Ford	Subway	N/A	N/A	N/A
6	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	FedEx Office	N/A	N/A	N/A
7	39	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	U.S. Army	N/A	N/A	N/A
8	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	Interstate Batteries	N/A	N/A	N/A
9	16	Greg Biffle	Ford	3M Scotch-Brite	N/A	N/A	N/A
10	17	Matt Kenseth	Ford	R+L Global Services	N/A	N/A	N/A
11	5	Mark Martin	Chevrolet	Carquest / Kellogg's	N/A	N/A	N/A
12	42	Juan Montoya	Chevrolet	Target	N/A	N/A	N/A
13	9	Kasey Kahne	Dodge	Budweiser	N/A	N/A	N/A
14	00	David Reutimann	Toyota	Aaron's Dream Machine	N/A	N/A	N/A
15	33	Clint Bowyer	Chevrolet	Cheerios / Hamburger Helper	N/A	N/A	N/A
16	31	Jeff Burton	Chevrolet	Caterpillar	N/A	N/A	N/A
17	83	Brian Vickers	Toyota	Red Bull	N/A	N/A	N/A
18	47	Marcos Ambrose	Toyota	Kingsford / Clorox / Bush's Beans	N/A	N/A	N/A
19	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet	National Guard "Serving America" / Amp Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A
20	07	Casey Mears	Chevrolet	Jack Daniel's	N/A	N/A	N/A
21	20	Joey Logano*	Toyota	The Home Depot	N/A	N/A	N/A
22	26	Jamie McMurray	Ford	Irwin Marathon Saw Blades	N/A	N/A	N/A
23	19	Elliott Sadler	Dodge	Stanley Tools	N/A	N/A	N/A
24	1	Martin Truex Jr.	Chevrolet	Bass Pro Shops / Tracker	N/A	N/A	N/A
25	77	Sam Hornish Jr.	Dodge	Mobil 1	N/A	N/A	N/A
26	43	Reed Sorenson	Dodge	U.S. Air Force	N/A	N/A	N/A
27	29	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	Pennzoil Platinum	N/A	N/A	N/A
28	96	Bobby Labonte	Ford	Academy Sports + Outdoors	N/A	N/A	N/A
29	55	Michael Waltrip	Toyota	NAPA Auto Parts	N/A	N/A	N/A
30	44	A.J. Allmendinger	Dodge	Paralyzed Veterans of America	N/A	N/A	N/A
31	6	David Ragan	Ford	UPS	N/A	N/A	N/A
32	12	David Stremme	Dodge	Penske Racing	N/A	N/A	N/A
33	98	Paul Menard	Ford	Johns Manville / Menards	N/A	N/A	N/A
34	7	Robby Gordon	Toyota	Mapei / Menards	N/A	N/A	N/A
35	34	John Andretti	Chevrolet	Taco Bell	N/A	N/A	N/A
36	09	Brad Keselowski	Chevrolet	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming	N/A	N/A	N/A
37	82	Scott Speed*	Toyota	Red Bull	N/A	N/A	N/A
38	171	David Gilliland	Chevrolet	TRG Motorsports	N/A	N/A	N/A
39	187	Joe Nemechek	Toyota	NEMCO Motorsports	N/A	N/A	N/A
40	66	Dave Blaney	Toyota	Prism Motorsports	N/A	N/A	N/A
41	36	Patrick Carpentier	Toyota	Tommy Baldwin Racing	N/A	N/A	N/A
42	37	Tony Raines	Dodge	Gander Mountain / Remington	N/A	N/A	N/A
43	78	Regan Smith	Chevrolet	Furniture Row Companies	N/A	N/A	N/A

Did Not Qualify
44	113	Max Papis*	Toyota	GEICO	-	-	-
45	64	Mike Wallace	Toyota	Fred's Hometown Discount Store	-	-	-

Some things to talk about:

Will Jr make the chase?

What about that whole Mayfield thing?

How about Logano? Good call by Zippy.

I'll try and check in later - if I'm not sleeping that is.

The Chase for The Chase is on

4ever3 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:59:20 -0000

Warning: You are now entering The Chase for The Chase portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

With just nine races left, the competition to get into the top 12 in owner points is heating up and one of those tracks that could be a wild card for a lot of teams hanging around 12th place is Daytona.

The Coke-Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway tomorrow night could be a Chase changer for many teams.

With the cars running so close to one another because of the horsepower-robbing restrictor plates, this race has the potential to drastically change the hopes of some Chase chasers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is about 300 points out of 12th.

Running well in one race isn't going to get you in The Chase when you are 300 points out like Earnhardt, but running badly in one of the remaining nine races can kill your hopes of getting in -- especially if you crash out of it early, which can happen at Daytona.

Joey Logano's first Cup win last week in New Hampshire marks another race won by fuel mileage management. Fuel mileage and rain-shortened events have played an important role this season and I wouldn't be surprised if either one of those things present themselves again tomorrow night.

Speaking of Logano, if his nickname is Sliced Bread, then does that make his crew chief Greg Zipadelli's new nickname Butter? Because I think that, once Logano gets a year or two under his belt at Joe Gibbs Racing, he and Zipadelli will be JGR's Bread and Butter, if you know what I mean.

It is hard to predict who will be in contention for the win on tomorrow night at Daytona. Let's put it this way, if your favourite driver is running within a half second of the leader on the last lap, then he has a chance to win the race provided that, when he swings out to make the pass, someone goes with him because two cars will run faster than one due to the aerodynamic properties of these racing machines.

Given the pressure to get into the top 12, I would be watching those drivers from about fifth to 20th in the standings. That's where the real racing will be, and I would imagine the fourth of July fireworks display at the end of the race might pale by comparison to the fireworks that could explode on the track between those drivers still in the hunt to make The Chase.

Race Day Open Thread: Lenox Industrial Tools 301 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway

4ever3 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:47:25 -0000

The field was set by Owner Points this week:

POS CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR SPEED TIME BEHIND

1 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Old Spice / Office Depot N/A N/A N/A

2 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont N/A N/A N/A

3 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's / Kobalt Tools N/A N/A N/A

4 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite N/A N/A N/A

5 99 Carl Edwards Ford Aflac N/A N/A N/A

6 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Haas Automation N/A N/A N/A

7 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Ground N/A N/A N/A

8 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M N/A N/A N/A

9 18 Kyle Busch Toyota Interstate Batteries N/A N/A N/A

10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Dewalt N/A N/A N/A

11 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet Carquest / Kellogg's N/A N/A N/A

12 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target N/A N/A N/A

13 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Budweiser N/A N/A N/A

14 00 David Reutimann Toyota Aaron's Dream Machine N/A N/A N/A

15 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Lenox Industrial Tools N/A N/A N/A

16 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet The Hartford N/A N/A N/A

17 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull N/A N/A N/A

18 47 Marcos Ambrose Toyota Little Debbie / Kingsford / Clorox N/A N/A N/A

19 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Irwin Vise-Grip N/A N/A N/A

20 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet National Guard / Amp Energy N/A N/A N/A

21 07 Casey Mears Chevrolet Jack Daniel's N/A N/A N/A

22 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet TomTom N/A N/A N/A

23 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Best Buy N/A N/A N/A

24 20 Joey Logano* Toyota The Home Depot N/A N/A N/A

25 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil N/A N/A N/A

26 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Penske Truck Rental / AAA N/A N/A N/A

27 43 Reed Sorenson Dodge McDonald's McCafe N/A N/A N/A

28 96 Bobby Labonte Ford Ask.com N/A N/A N/A

29 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts N/A N/A N/A

30 44 A.J. Allmendinger Dodge Berlin City Auto Group N/A N/A N/A

31 6 David Ragan Ford UPS N/A N/A N/A

32 12 David Stremme Dodge Penske Racing N/A N/A N/A

33 98 Paul Menard Ford Moen / Menards N/A N/A N/A

34 7 Robby Gordon Toyota Robby Gordon Motorsports N/A N/A N/A

35 34 John Andretti Chevrolet Taco Bell N/A N/A N/A

36 09 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet Miccosukee Resort & Gaming N/A N/A N/A

37 82 Scott Speed* Toyota Red Bull N/A N/A N/A

38 171 David Gilliland Chevrolet TRG Motorsports N/A N/A N/A

39 187 Joe Nemechek Toyota NEMCO Motorsports N/A N/A N/A

40 66 Dave Blaney Toyota Prism Motorsports N/A N/A N/A

41 36 Patrick Carpentier Toyota Tommy Baldwin Racing N/A N/A N/A

42 37 Tony Raines Dodge Long John Silver's N/A N/A N/A

43 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Companies N/A N/A N/A

Did Not Qualify

44 51 Dexter Bean* Dodge LiveWire Energy - - -

45 127 Ted Christopher Toyota Kirk Shelmerdine Racing - - -

46 64 Mike Wallace Toyota Gunselman Motorsports - - -

+ Set by Owner Points
* Denotes Rookie

POS	CAR	DRIVER	MAKE	SPONSOR	SPEED	TIME	BEHIND
1	14	Tony Stewart	Chevrolet	Old Spice / Office Depot	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	DuPont	N/A	N/A	N/A
3	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	Lowe's / Kobalt Tools	N/A	N/A	N/A
4	2	Kurt Busch	Dodge	Miller Lite	N/A	N/A	N/A
5	99	Carl Edwards	Ford	Aflac	N/A	N/A	N/A
6	39	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	Haas Automation	N/A	N/A	N/A
7	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	FedEx Ground	N/A	N/A	N/A
8	16	Greg Biffle	Ford	3M	N/A	N/A	N/A
9	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	Interstate Batteries	N/A	N/A	N/A
10	17	Matt Kenseth	Ford	Dewalt	N/A	N/A	N/A
11	5	Mark Martin	Chevrolet	Carquest / Kellogg's	N/A	N/A	N/A
12	42	Juan Montoya	Chevrolet	Target	N/A	N/A	N/A
13	9	Kasey Kahne	Dodge	Budweiser	N/A	N/A	N/A
14	00	David Reutimann	Toyota	Aaron's Dream Machine	N/A	N/A	N/A
15	31	Jeff Burton	Chevrolet	Lenox Industrial Tools	N/A	N/A	N/A
16	33	Clint Bowyer	Chevrolet	The Hartford	N/A	N/A	N/A
17	83	Brian Vickers	Toyota	Red Bull	N/A	N/A	N/A
18	47	Marcos Ambrose	Toyota	Little Debbie / Kingsford / Clorox	N/A	N/A	N/A
19	26	Jamie McMurray	Ford	Irwin Vise-Grip	N/A	N/A	N/A
20	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet	National Guard / Amp Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A
21	07	Casey Mears	Chevrolet	Jack Daniel's	N/A	N/A	N/A
22	1	Martin Truex Jr.	Chevrolet	TomTom	N/A	N/A	N/A
23	19	Elliott Sadler	Dodge	Best Buy	N/A	N/A	N/A
24	20	Joey Logano*	Toyota	The Home Depot	N/A	N/A	N/A
25	29	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	Shell / Pennzoil	N/A	N/A	N/A
26	77	Sam Hornish Jr.	Dodge	Penske Truck Rental / AAA	N/A	N/A	N/A
27	43	Reed Sorenson	Dodge	McDonald's McCafe	N/A	N/A	N/A
28	96	Bobby Labonte	Ford	Ask.com	N/A	N/A	N/A
29	55	Michael Waltrip	Toyota	NAPA Auto Parts	N/A	N/A	N/A
30	44	A.J. Allmendinger	Dodge	Berlin City Auto Group	N/A	N/A	N/A
31	6	David Ragan	Ford	UPS	N/A	N/A	N/A
32	12	David Stremme	Dodge	Penske Racing	N/A	N/A	N/A
33	98	Paul Menard	Ford	Moen / Menards	N/A	N/A	N/A
34	7	Robby Gordon	Toyota	Robby Gordon Motorsports	N/A	N/A	N/A
35	34	John Andretti	Chevrolet	Taco Bell	N/A	N/A	N/A
36	09	Brad Keselowski	Chevrolet	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming	N/A	N/A	N/A
37	82	Scott Speed*	Toyota	Red Bull	N/A	N/A	N/A
38	171	David Gilliland	Chevrolet	TRG Motorsports	N/A	N/A	N/A
39	187	Joe Nemechek	Toyota	NEMCO Motorsports	N/A	N/A	N/A
40	66	Dave Blaney	Toyota	Prism Motorsports	N/A	N/A	N/A
41	36	Patrick Carpentier	Toyota	Tommy Baldwin Racing	N/A	N/A	N/A
42	37	Tony Raines	Dodge	Long John Silver's	N/A	N/A	N/A
43	78	Regan Smith	Chevrolet	Furniture Row Companies	N/A	N/A	N/A

Did Not Qualify
44	51	Dexter Bean*	Dodge	LiveWire Energy	-	-	-
45	127	Ted Christopher	Toyota	Kirk Shelmerdine Racing	-	-	-
46	64	Mike Wallace	Toyota	Gunselman Motorsports	-	-	-

Questions to consider:

Will Sorenson be able to translate his good practice times into a strong run?

Will Kyle Busch be able to carry the momentum from his win in Nationwide into a win today?

Will Denny Hamlin and the rest of the #11 Fed Ex team keep heading in the right direction as far as strong finishes go?

Will Dale Jr finally start clicking on the track with his new Crew Chief?

Catch you all later today.

New Hampshire Preview

4ever3 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:40:29 -0000

Can you believe that there are only 10 more races left until the Chase? Sort of like a Chase for the Chase for some of those drivers sitting just outside the top 12 in points like last week’s winner Kasey Kahne who is just 3 points out of 12 th which is currently occupied by Juan Montoya.

The first of these 10 races will be The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this Sunday.

Last week's road race in California was an entertaining one with Kasey Kahne holding off Tony Stewart on 3 re-starts late in the race to get the win. With Kahne's win Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) made its first trip to victory lane this season and RPM had 3 of its four teams finish in the top 10 too. It looks like the engineers at RPM have the road courses figured out, now they have to take that momentum and carry it into New Hampshire this weekend.

New Hampshire is a fast and flat 1-mile oval where there is only 12 degrees of banking in the corners so look for teams to get creative with their cars by having bigger brake packages similar to what you would see at short tracks or road courses as well as different shock packages on their cars.

Although I would hope that they wouldn’t get too aggressive with their shocks because that would really abuse the front right tire and the last thing you need at New Hampshire is for that tire to go flat when you are in a corner the results could be fatal.

Drivers to look out for here at this track are the usual ones; Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Mark Martin and Carl Edwards but I would also keep an eye out Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr who both run well here.

In the "where did he come from?" category I wouldn’t be surprised to see Stewart’s teammate Ryan Newman in the hunt as well as Richard Childress Racing’s Jeff Burton or Kevin Harvick who are both currently in a slump right now but have a history of running well at New Hampshire.

Now that summer is finally here things are starting to heat up and so are things in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there are only about 400 points between 5th and 20th in points so the real racing is going to happen between these drivers over the next 10 races. ‘The Chase’ for The Chase is about to begin and I can’t wait to see what the next 10 races will bring.

Race Day Open Thread: Toyota/SaveMart 350 | Infineon Raceway

4ever3 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:06:27 -0000

The race day feature is back. Here is the starting line-up:

POS CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR SPEED TIME BEHIND

1 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull 93.678 76.475 Leader

2 18 Kyle Busch Toyota M&M's / Transformers 93.415 76.690 -0.215

3 47 Marcos Ambrose Toyota Little Debbie / Kingsford / Clorox 93.138 76.918 -0.443

4 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Office Depot / Old Spice 93.039 77.000 -0.525

5 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Budweiser 92.991 77.040 -0.565

6 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet GE Reveal 92.981 77.048 -0.573

7 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Haas Automation 92.947 77.076 -0.601

8 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Stanley Tools 92.941 77.081 -0.606

9 08 Boris Said Ford Carter / Simo Racing 92.938 77.084 -0.609

10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Dewalt 92.922 77.097 -0.622

11 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 92.909 77.108 -0.633

12 20 Joey Logano* Toyota The Home Depot 92.865 77.144 -0.669

13 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 92.829 77.174 -0.699

14 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet Carquest / Kellogg's 92.796 77.202 -0.727

15 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M Post-it 92.740 77.248 -0.773

16 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil 92.733 77.254 -0.779

17 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target 92.655 77.319 -0.844

18 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Mobil 1 92.648 77.325 -0.850

19 66 Dave Blaney Toyota Prism Motorsports 92.498 77.450 -0.975

20 44 A.J. Allmendinger Dodge Best Buy 92.484 77.462 -0.987

21 07 Casey Mears Chevrolet Jack Daniel's 92.433 77.505 -1.030

22 7 Robby Gordon Toyota Menards / Jim Beam 92.432 77.506 -1.031

23 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Irwin Vise-Grip 92.372 77.556 -1.081

24 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Office 92.358 77.568 -1.093

25 96 Bobby Labonte Ford Ask.com 92.355 77.570 -1.095

26 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Cheerios / Hamburger Helper 92.305 77.612 -1.137

27 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 92.302 77.615 -1.140

28 43 Reed Sorenson Dodge Valvoline 92.054 77.824 -1.349

29 09 Ron Fellows Chevrolet Miccosukee Resort & Gaming 92.043 77.833 -1.358

30 98 Paul Menard Ford Johns Manville / Menards 91.988 77.880 -1.405

31 187 Joe Nemechek Toyota NEMCO Motorsports 91.933 77.926 -1.451

32 171 David Gilliland Chevrolet Adobe Road Winery 91.850 77.997 -1.522

33 113 Max Papis* Toyota GEICO 91.777 78.059 -1.584

34 99 Carl Edwards Ford Aflac 91.750 78.082 -1.607

35 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Amp Energy / National Guard 91.509 78.287 -1.812

36 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Caterpillar 91.436 78.350 -1.875

37 204 P.J. Jones Toyota Jim Beam / Menards 91.425 78.359 -1.884

38 55 Patrick Carpentier Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 90.907 78.806 -2.331

39 12 David Stremme Dodge Penske Racing 90.901 78.811 -2.336

40 6 David Ragan+ Ford UPS 90.813 78.887 -2.412

41 34 John Andretti+ Chevrolet Taco Bell 90.788 78.909 -2.434

42 00 David Reutimann+ Toyota Aaron's Dream Machine 90.603 79.070 -2.595

43 102 Brandon Ash Dodge Efusjon Energy Club 91.098 78.641 -2.166

Did Not Qualify

44 82 Scott Speed* Toyota Red Bull 90.979 78.743 -2.268

45 127 Tom Hubert Toyota Lilly Trucking of Virginia 90.978 78.744 -2.269

46 37 Chris Cook Dodge Long John Silver's 90.429 79.222 -2.747

47 36 Brian Simo Toyota California Outdoor Heritage Alliance 82.246 87.104 -10.629

+ Set by Owner Points
* Denotes Rookie


POS	CAR	DRIVER	MAKE	SPONSOR	SPEED	TIME	BEHIND
1	83	Brian Vickers	Toyota	Red Bull	93.678	76.475	Leader
2	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	M&M's / Transformers	93.415	76.690	-0.215
3	47	Marcos Ambrose	Toyota	Little Debbie / Kingsford / Clorox	93.138	76.918	-0.443
4	14	Tony Stewart	Chevrolet	Office Depot / Old Spice	93.039	77.000	-0.525
5	9	Kasey Kahne	Dodge	Budweiser	92.991	77.040	-0.565
6	1	Martin Truex Jr.	Chevrolet	GE Reveal	92.981	77.048	-0.573
7	39	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	Haas Automation	92.947	77.076	-0.601
8	19	Elliott Sadler	Dodge	Stanley Tools	92.941	77.081	-0.606
9	08	Boris Said	Ford	Carter / Simo Racing	92.938	77.084	-0.609
10	17	Matt Kenseth	Ford	Dewalt	92.922	77.097	-0.622
11	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	Lowe's	92.909	77.108	-0.633
12	20	Joey Logano*	Toyota	The Home Depot	92.865	77.144	-0.669
13	24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	DuPont	92.829	77.174	-0.699
14	5	Mark Martin	Chevrolet	Carquest / Kellogg's	92.796	77.202	-0.727
15	16	Greg Biffle	Ford	3M Post-it	92.740	77.248	-0.773
16	29	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	Shell / Pennzoil	92.733	77.254	-0.779
17	42	Juan Montoya	Chevrolet	Target	92.655	77.319	-0.844
18	77	Sam Hornish Jr.	Dodge	Mobil 1	92.648	77.325	-0.850
19	66	Dave Blaney	Toyota	Prism Motorsports	92.498	77.450	-0.975
20	44	A.J. Allmendinger	Dodge	Best Buy	92.484	77.462	-0.987
21	07	Casey Mears	Chevrolet	Jack Daniel's	92.433	77.505	-1.030
22	7	Robby Gordon	Toyota	Menards / Jim Beam	92.432	77.506	-1.031
23	26	Jamie McMurray	Ford	Irwin Vise-Grip	92.372	77.556	-1.081
24	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	FedEx Office	92.358	77.568	-1.093
25	96	Bobby Labonte	Ford	Ask.com	92.355	77.570	-1.095
26	33	Clint Bowyer	Chevrolet	Cheerios / Hamburger Helper	92.305	77.612	-1.137
27	2	Kurt Busch	Dodge	Miller Lite	92.302	77.615	-1.140
28	43	Reed Sorenson	Dodge	Valvoline	92.054	77.824	-1.349
29	09	Ron Fellows	Chevrolet	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming	92.043	77.833	-1.358
30	98	Paul Menard	Ford	Johns Manville / Menards	91.988	77.880	-1.405
31	187	Joe Nemechek	Toyota	NEMCO Motorsports	91.933	77.926	-1.451
32	171	David Gilliland	Chevrolet	Adobe Road Winery	91.850	77.997	-1.522
33	113	Max Papis*	Toyota	GEICO	91.777	78.059	-1.584
34	99	Carl Edwards	Ford	Aflac	91.750	78.082	-1.607
35	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet	Amp Energy / National Guard	91.509	78.287	-1.812
36	31	Jeff Burton	Chevrolet	Caterpillar	91.436	78.350	-1.875
37	204	P.J. Jones	Toyota	Jim Beam / Menards	91.425	78.359	-1.884
38	55	Patrick Carpentier	Toyota	NAPA Auto Parts	90.907	78.806	-2.331
39	12	David Stremme	Dodge	Penske Racing	90.901	78.811	-2.336
40	6	David Ragan+	Ford	UPS	90.813	78.887	-2.412
41	34	John Andretti+	Chevrolet	Taco Bell	90.788	78.909	-2.434
42	00	David Reutimann+	Toyota	Aaron's Dream Machine	90.603	79.070	-2.595
43	102	Brandon Ash	Dodge	Efusjon Energy Club	91.098	78.641	-2.166

Did Not Qualify
44	82	Scott Speed*	Toyota	Red Bull	90.979	78.743	-2.268
45	127	Tom Hubert	Toyota	Lilly Trucking of Virginia	90.978	78.744	-2.269
46	37	Chris Cook	Dodge	Long John Silver's	90.429	79.222	-2.747
47	36	Brian Simo	Toyota	California Outdoor Heritage Alliance	82.246	87.104	-10.629

I know I won't be around for the start but I'll try to get there for the end. Some points to ponder:

Man, can you believe Scott Speed's qualifying effort? I feel for him right now as he is supposed to be a road race ringer and here he is watching the race like the rest of us - on the outside looking in.

How about Vickers' pole run?

Do you think there might be a Canadian 1-2 finish? Could you imagine if it indeed did happen?

How about Carl's Nationwide win last night? Cool.

I'm glad that Johnny Benson is making a good recovery from the injuries he sustained in a race last weekend.

Hornaday had a great run in the truck race didn't he?

Remember to comment and comment often.

Happy Father's Day to you Dads out there.

Road Courses Are a Gas

4ever3 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:26:07 -0000

It's Father's Day tomorrow and there is no better thing to do with your dad, especially if he is a NASCAR lover, than sit down and watch the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway.

When I first started to get interested in NASCAR I hated the road courses like Infineon but as my knowledge and appreciation of the sport grew, so did my love of road courses.

There are a lot of technical driving skills needed to perform well on a road course.

Instead of hating road courses, I now wish there were a few more road races on the NASCAR schedule, with one being in The Chase.

I hope this upcoming race will have as an exciting ending as last weekend's race at MIS. I turned the TV on with about 20 laps left in the race and watched Johnson and Biffle fight it out for the lead only to have Johnson run out of gas with one lap left and then Biffle doing the same thing shortly after handing the first place spot and the eventual win to Mark Martin. Martin knew he had a fast car but put it in conservation mode to save gas so he could get a good finish and stay in the top 12 of the standings.

Biffle and Johnson just raced each other too hard and burned up their fuel while Martin stayed his course and conserved his fuel right up to the checkered flag.

Fuel mileage races are starting to become more common place this year and I wouldn't be surprised if this weekend's race came down to fuel mileage as well.

The drivers to watch this week are Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson but I would also keep an eye on Juan Montoya, Mark Martin, Kyle Busch and the Australian driver Marcos Ambrose.

One thing about road courses is that some teams decide to sit their regular drivers and bring in road racing "ringers" like Canadian Ron Fellows who will be in No. 09 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming car owned by James Finch with technical support from Hendrick Motorsports.

Other road course experts who will be in this race are Brian Simo, Boris Said, Max Papis, P.J. Jones and, the other Canadian in the field, Patrick Carpentier.

Out of this group I'd be watching Carpentier because he will be replacing NASCAR regular Michael Waltrip in his No. 55 NAPA Toyota which is a good car to be in.

Honestly, it really wouldn't surprise me to see a Canadian sweep of the top two spots in tomorrow's race. That would be cool. In fact that would be a great Father's Day treat.

- original source thespec.com