Stock Car Gazette e-zine for Monday, 5/4/09
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Day one of being a member of the army of the unemployed… got to sleep ’til 8… much better than 4:45 previously, but I still think I’d rather be working. Check out all the NASCAR news in today’s Stock Car Gazette… |
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Day one of being a member of the army of the unemployed… got to sleep ’til 8… much better than 4:45 previously, but I still think I’d rather be working.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Track Trash – Ruff Tuff Richmond
by: Boyd McPherson
Photo by Icon Sports Media
Another great short track Sprint Cup race at Richmond. Although it started off a bit boring things heated up at about mid-way and it turned out to be a darn fine race. Read more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3582
For more Track Trash, please visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/track-trash
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N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
Kyle Busch sweeps at Richmond on 24th birthday
Houston Chronicle – United States
He then won Friday night’s Nationwide Series race at RIR. “It’s an awesome win for us,” Busch said. “It’s really exciting to win on my birthday and to have …
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/car/6405219.html
Stewart and Newman advancing their cause
http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/8427.html
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Raines May Fill In For Andretti
Tony Raines said Saturday that he would be surprised if he is not in the No. 34 NASCAR Sprint Cup car for Front Row Motorsports next week at Darlington Raceway while John Andretti attempts to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Team owner Bob Jenkins has said that Raines would likely fill that seat for the events at Darlington and Lowe’s Motor Speedway while Andretti is in Indianapolis. Raines competes for the team in the Nationwide Series and has run in select Cup races for the team this year.
Keselowski Has All-Star Ride
Phoenix Racing plans to field a car for Brad Keselowski in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in two weeks, crew chief Marc Reno said Saturday at Richmond International Raceway. Keselowski became eligible for the main event when he won the Aaron’s 499 last week at Talladega Superspeedway. Although he won in a Phoenix Racing car, Keselowski indicated Friday that he wasn’t sure who would enter a car for him in the all-star event. But Hendrick Motorsports Vice President Doug Duchardt said Saturday that Hendrick would not field a fifth car in the event for Keselowski. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said that the team could have a fifth car since it was a non-points event and it would not count against Keselowski’s seven races for the team as a development driver.
Penske Thinks Dodge Will Stay
Roger Penske says that he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Dodge’s future in NASCAR beyond this year after hearing public comments from Chrysler executives supporting the program after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday. The filing includes motions for a quick sale of a majority of Chrysler assets to Fiat SpA. Fiat has a long history in racing as the parent company of Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. Penske said he has not talked with Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne about the NASCAR program.
Hornish Earns Best Finish
Penske Racing’s Sam Hornish Jr. bumped into a few people along the way, but held on for a career-best sixth-place finish in Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Crown Royal/Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Hornish was officially listed in the lap 307 crash after making contact with Marcos Ambrose, but he also bumped into Richard Childress Racing’s Kevin Harvick right before Harvick crashed with a cut tire. That actually seemed to be the theme of the race – one couldn’t finish really well unless he’d had contact with another driver somewhere along the way. Hornish, in his second season of Cup, was pleased with the overall effort.
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Kyle Busch wins at Richmond: #18-Kyle Busch won the Crown Royal Presents The Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway for his 3rd win of 2009 and the 15th of his career. With the win on his 24th birthday, he is the youngest driver ever to reach 15 Cup wins. He also won the Nationwide Series race Friday night, making it is his second weekend sweep (he did it last year in Chicago). #14-Tony Stewart finished second, followed by #31-Burton, #39-Newman, #5-Martin, #77-Hornish, #26-McMurray, #24-Gordon, #07-Mears, and #42-Montoya. #88-Earnhard Jr. finished 27th. #48-Johnson battled brake problems all night and finished 36th. There were 15 cautions (which ties the record at Richmond) for 79 laps and 21 lead changes among 8 leaders.
For race results, awards and more on the Richmond Race Results Page.(5-2-2009)
http://www.jayski.com/stats/2009/results/10rir2009results.htm
UNOFFICAL Driver Points Standings [after Richmond, race 10 of 36]:
1) #24-Jeff Gordon 1441 [1 win]
2) #2-Kurt Busch 1431 -10 [1 win]
3) #14-Tony Stewart 1402 -39
4) #11-Denny Hamlin 1321 -120
5) #18-Kyle Busch 1314 -127 [3 wins]
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson 1290 -151 [1 win]
7) #31-Jeff Burton 1257 -184
8) #33-Clint Bowyer 1212 -229
9) #99-Carl Edwards 1204 -237
10) #39-Ryan Newman 1198 -243
11) #16-Greg Biffle 1193 -248
12) #17-Matt Kenseth 1187 -254 [2 wins]
Contenders for the top-12/chase:
13) #00-David Reutimann 1156, 31 points out of 12th
14) #42-Juan Montoya 1152, -35
15) #5-Mark Martin 1126, -61
16) #83-Brian Vickers 1118, -69
17) #9-Kasey Kahne 1106, -81
18) #88-Dale Earnhardt 1100, -87
For drivers and owners points standings, see the Drivers/Owners Points Standings
http://www.jayski.com/stats/2009/points/10rir2009points.htm
Race Fast Facts – Richmond:
Kyle Busch won the CROWN ROYAL Presents The Russ Friedman 400, his 15th victory in 160 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2009.
This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in nine races at Richmond International Raceway.
Tony Stewart (second) posted his 15th top-10 finish in 21 races at Richmond International Raceway. It is his seventh top-10 finish in 2009.
Jeff Burton (third) posted his 14th top-10 finish in 30 races at Richmond International Raceway.
Joey Logano (19th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Jeff Gordon leads the point standings by 10 points over Kurt Busch.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-2-2009)
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Darlington:
33) #98-Menard/Yates: 839, +140
35) #7-Gordon/Robby Gordon: 768, +69
34) #34-Andretti/Earnhart Ganassi: 743, 44 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed but are close to the top-35:
36) #82-Speed/Red Bull: 699, 44 points out of 35th
37) #71-Gilliland/TRG: 640, -103
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.(5-2-2009)
http://www.jayski.com/stats/2009/points/10rir2009points.htm
Busch wants 200 wins: With his Nationwide Series win at Richmond thrown into the tally, #18-Kyle Busch has 50 wins across NASCAR’s top three divisions including the Cup and Truck series. When he was reeling off victories at a record pace last season, Busch said that 200 in his career was his goal. But even he knows despite flying high now that might be a lofty expectation. “It could if I can keep this pace up,” he smiled. “But I know the older I get I’ll start slowing down some way. You know, hopefully I can achieve that goal. It would be sure nice to get that. I know it’s not 200 Cup victories like Richard Petty has. It will still be a phenomenal mark for me. I don’t know how long I’ll be in the Truck Series or Nationwide Series, but hopefully for as long as [owner] Joe [Gibbs] will let me in the Truck Series, and as long as there’s a Nationwide car at Joe Gibbs that we can run, I’ll be there running races and fulfilling some duties and deals there.”(CBS Sports)(5-4-2009)
Did Not Finish Streak and stats: #33-Bowyer has been running at the finish in 83 consecutive races, the longest current streak and the new modern era record, next up is #78-Regan Smith at 46 [but has not run all the races]. The all-time record for the longest streak of NOT having an DNF is 84 races held by Herman Beam from April 30, 1961 thru March 10, 1963 [Beam didn't run all the races, but didn't DNF in 84 straight consecutive races that he ran]. Kevin Harvick holds the modern era (1972-present) record at 81 [he also has the 3rd longest at 58], then Jeff Gordon at 56 and Dale Earnhardt at 53 [Indy in 1996 thru Martinsville in the spring of 1998.(5-4-2009)
Roger Penske denied on Saturday a report that Chrysler will pull its support from NASCAR after this season. The Sports Illustrated report came on Friday after Chrysler announced it would file for bankruptcy protection and form a partnership with Italian automaker Fiat SpA. "Chrysler guys contacted us and said they were going to continue to support NASCAR," said Penske, the owner of Penske Racing and several Chrysler dealerships. "Hopefully, they can do that based on what the government allows them to do. We're cautiously optimistic right now.'" Penske is a close friend of Chrysler chairman Robert Nardelli, who reportedly will step down after the bankruptcy process is complete. Although the manufacturer has cut some financial support, he has been given no indication that it will pull out of the sport.(ESPN.com)(5-3-2009)
Army Official says sponsorships worth money: The U.S. Army will pay Stewart-Haas Racing $11.6 million to sponsor Ryan Newman's #39 car for 23 races this season, and the Army official who oversees it says the money is worth it. Army and National Guard (#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.) were the only branches of the military that served as primary sponsors for cars in Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway. Lt. Gen. Benjamim Freakley said the Army looks at different ways to determine if the sponsorship is worthwhile but admits it comes down to one thing. "At the end of the day, for the Army, it's does someone join the Army or not," Freakley said. He said 41 people agreed Saturday at the Army's booth at the track to be interviewed by an Army recruiter. "That's powerful," Freakley said. Army sponsorship is a year-to-year agreement. Because Congress controls the money that goes to the military, the budget can fluctuate from year to year. That, Freakley says, makes it challenging to do multi-year deals. He said he won't know his budget until this summer. He said he and his group have started to assess the sponsorship and what they want to do for 2010 but no decisions have been made. (Hampton Roads)(5-3-2009)
John Andretti goes skydiving: Despite having competed in NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA, John Andretti experienced a new type of speed this week. The driver of the #34 Window World Chevy performed a tandem skydive with the elite Golden Knights Parachute Team. For Andretti, it was a thrilling way to kickoff a month that promises even more excitement. Andretti and Window World CEO Todd Whitworth were invited to be guests of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. Each individual was paired with an instructor and experienced the thrill of skydiving from 13,500 feet. Andretti still has more to look forward to. After competing in this weekend's Crown Royal 400, Andretti turns his focus to open-wheel racing. Andretti will drive the #43 Window World/Richard Petty Motorsports/Dreyer and Reinbold Racing Honda-Dallara in the Indy 500.(Breaking Limits PR)(5-3-2009)
Congrats - Marty Smith: ESPN's Marty Smith, lovely wife Lainie and big brother Cambron welcomed Amelia Joy Smith to the world at 7:56pm/et on April 30th. "Mia" weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz and is 21 inches long.(5-2-2009)
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Courtesy of Racin' Today
http://www.racintoday.com
Flag to Flag: Richmond - http://www.racintoday.com/archives/3180
Kyle Busch Is Also Winning Over The Fans - http://www.racintoday.com/archives/3195
Woody: Mark Martin A Miracle In The Making? Maybe
He’s up. He’s down. He’s up. He’s down. Mark Martin’s Comeback Season reads like the diary of an elevator operator in the Empire State Building. One minute he’s enjoying a bright and …
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/3022
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Your ad could be displayed here... very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Courtesy of That's Racin'
http://www.thatsracin.com
Rivals getting it: Kyle Busch getting it done
At just 24 - and just barely - Kyle Busch now has 50 NASCAR wins, 15 in Cup, 19 in Nationwide and 13 in the Truck series. He is fifth in points in the Cup standings, 127 behind leader Jeff Gordon, and once again on track to contend for a championship.
http://www.thatsracin.com/115/story/8433.html
Need to wrestle race tickets? Speedway's got your guy
Fans looking for tickets for May's race weeks at Lowe's Motor Speedway can buy them Monday from three of the track's special ticket agents.
http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/8306.html
Mark Martin rebounds well
Mark Martin went from last to a chance for a win in a week.
http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/8441.html
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N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Sponsorship announcement for Johnny Davis Motorsports: Johnny Davis Motorsports will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 5 to announce a new team sponsor.(Hufco Promotion / Johnny Davis PR), been told that the sponsor is Sundrop Soda for a number of races.(5-3-2009)
"Helping Others" campaign for Smith-Ganassi Racing with Evander Holyfield: Smith-Ganassi Racing with Evander Holyfield announced today they will be sporting a very colorful tie-dye paint scheme to raise awareness of Bluegrass musician Barney Barnwell's plight at Darlington Raceway during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday, May 8. Barnwell is well-known Bluegrass musician and singer with the Plum Hollow Band, who has fallen on hard times after being diagnosed with throat cancer. "The current conditions for soliciting marketing partners for the race team is certainly difficult," said Eddie Smith, team owner. "Given the current economic conditions, we made the decision to try to get the word out about others who need assistance while we continue to work toward securing marketing partners for the race team". Barney and his wife, Debby, will be at the race in Darlington with team principal and four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and West Coast "Custom Car Builder" Bo Huff.(Smith-Ganassi Racing PR)(5-3-2009)
NASCAR takes 6 Nationwide engines after Richmond race: NASCAR took six engines from Nationwide Series teams to test on the dynamometer, series director Joe Balash said Friday night following the Lipton Tea 250 at Richmond International Raceway. Engines represented six engine builders as they were taken from the cars of #20-Joey Logano (Joe Gibbs Racing), #38-Jason Leffler (Triad Racing Technologies), #29-Jeff Burton (Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies), #88-Brad Keselowski (Hendrick), #12-Justin Allgaier (Penske) and #16-Matt Kenseth (Roush-Yates). NASCAR occasionally takes engines to test horsepower and see if any rule changes need to be made. Balash said the group tested four restrictor-plate engines last week after Talladega. Those tested engines came from the cars of #81-D.J. Kennington (Ernie Elliott engines), #60-Carl Edwards (Roush-Yates), #33-Kevin Harvick (Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies) and #20-Joey Logano (JGR). Balash said he was pleased with the results of that test.(Scene Daily)(5-1-2009)
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C A M P I N G * W O R L D * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Buescher to make 2nd ARCA start at Kentucky: NCWTS Rookie James Buescher is entered as driver of the #32 Wolf Pack Rentals Toyota for Win-Tron Racing in the Drive Smart Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, May 9, 2009. This is the second ARCA series start for Buescher in 2009. He won the ARCA season opener at Daytona and is scheduled to run a total of five races this season with this this team.(ARCARacing.com)(5-3-2009)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Belmont Bros Unite Again; Kevin Belmont Returns
MOORESVILLE NC (5-4-09) - After a seven year hiatus, Kevin Belmont will be back in the driver's seat for the Drive Smart Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 at Kentucky Speedway this Saturday, May 9. Additionally, Belmont plans to compete in the remainder of the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season.
Brothers Andy & Kevin Belmont are not strangers to working as a team in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Not only did Kevin drive for Andy Belmont Racing (ABR), but he served as Andy's crew chief during the 2001 season with Andy finishing third in driver's points.
"I'm really happy to be back with Andy Belmont Racing & the ARCA RE/MAX Series," Kevin said.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7920
Win-Tron Racing, Venturini Motorsports; Car Owners Creating Opportunity, Chasing Championships
TOLEDO OH (5-3-09) – Every driver aspires to be a champion – so much so that we sometimes lose sight of the car owners, who, not only field the equipment, but also have title hopes of their own.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7919
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Courtesy of USAR
http://usarprocup.com
Drew Herring Riding The Wave After First Pro Cup Series Win
Concord, NC – May 1, 2009 – USARacing Pro Cup Series driver, Drew Herring, is on top of his game after pulling off a spectacular win in the Sunoco 250 at South Georgia Motorsports Park on April 25. The 21-year-old Benson, NC native captured the Strutmasters.com pole and became the seventh different winner in as many races after leading 137 laps and earning his very first victory in the USARacing Pro Cup Series.
A week has passed but Herring is still riding high on a performance which has boosted him to the top seat in the Pro Cup Series point standings.
Read more – http://usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=3016
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C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
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Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB/050209.html
Whatever It Takes: Do All Drivers Have That Attitude?
by Brenda Benedict
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RF/050309.html
Busch Dazzles Richmond Crowd With Birthday Victory
by Ron Felix
The Nascar Insiders
The NASCAR Week That Was: April 26-May 2
It was an odd week in the world of NASCAR news. The race (or rather the finish) at Talladega looked to be the story of the week.
http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/050409.html
Treating The Parents To A Sprint Cup Race
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/MP/050409.html
Kyle Busch Loves To Fan The Flames
by Matthew Pizzolato
RaceTalkRadio.com:
The Omnipotent Stomper by Dennis Michelsen
http://www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id262.htm
The Nascar Insiders
I Love Darlington
With Richmond in the rear view, we now focus our attention this week to night racing at Darlington
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/kV_Ckk_3rgA/
Earnhardt Jr. struggles while Busch triumphs in Richmond
Nos. 18 and 88 never had a chance to relive last season’s “spin and run” by Busch from 2008′s spring race and Earnhardt’s inevitable retaliation five months later in the fall.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/050409Lintner.asp
Richmond International Raceway…. Doing It For the Fans
As the spring race at Richmond International Raceway usually coincides with the first weekend in May, it is also the sometimes the unfortunate recipient of some of Mother Nature’s best work…better known as: April showers bring May flowers.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/050409Taylor.asp
Birthday Bash for Busch
Kyle Busch picks up his birthday wish on his 24th year of living by winning the Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/050209Finnegan_Cup.asp
Side-By-Side Commercial Issue Now On Full Boil
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/side-by-side-commercial-issue-now-on.html
SPEED TV Rides To The Rescue In Richmond
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/speed-tv-rides-to-rescue-in-richmond.html
Almost All The Pieces In Place For ESPN
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/almost-all-pieces-in-place-for-espn.html
NASCAR TV And “Square-Booty” Not Mixing Well On TV
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/04/nascar-tv-and-square-booty-not-mixing.html
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm
MONDAY, MAY 4
5:00P-6:00 espn2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
TUESDAY, MAY 5
5:00P-5:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
5:00P-5:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
THURSDAY, MAY 7
5:00P-5:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
Jayski does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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