Friday, February 29, 2008
Picks for Vegas
Here are my famous picks. Nationwide pole winner Kyle Busch racewinner David Stremme. Sprint Cup Polesitter will be David Reutmann and racewinner will be Tony Stewart.
All Bets Are Off: NASCAR In Vegas Is The Definitive Sure Thing
Note: Media outlets may use this column in their publications, free of charge.
Some events on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series schedule are referred to as "destination races."
The reasons are self-explanatory. When fans visit venues such as Martinsville, Darlington or Talladega, the races and the events surrounding them can literally be the only game in town.
Other areas offer a "Bright Lights, Big City" aspect, with many entertainment options often encouraging fans to transform their race weekend into a week-long vacation.
Infineon Raceway, for example, offers the opportunity to visit California's scenic wine country during the month of June.
Fans preferring their beverages with a little more malt than grape can either celebrate or drown their sorrows, depending on the ever-unpredictable fortune of the Cubs, with the Wrigley Field Bleacher Bums when the series visits Chicago in July.
Far and away the favorite vacation destination on the circuit, however, is Las Vegas.
The appeal of the Las Vegas Strip cannot be over-exaggerated. It defines glitz and glamour; it is the power company’s dream date, visible even from outer space.
For the NASCAR fan, Las Vegas is the ultimate combo platter of fun, where you can get some Reutimann with your roulette and a side order of blackjack with your Biffle.
In fact, you could almost compare the overall race weekend experience to a round of the hottest game going, Texas Hold 'Em.
Your initial hand determines whether you start the game from a position of strength with a pair of aces, or find yourself at the rear of the field with an unsuited two and three. Regardless, you must play the hand you’re dealt, for that is the nature of the game.
What happens next is a combination of luck, skill and proper decision-making ability.
In the early going, some merely choose to check, sitting back and watching their fellow competitors patiently while trying to figure out what they may or may not be hiding.
Others are more aggressive players, willing to take a larger chance on a lesser hand and fearlessly attempting to bluff their way to the front in the process.
This is a strategy that sometimes pays off, depending on nerve, the ability to correctly read the competition, and the quality of one’s poker face.
The game changes as additional cards are revealed and new decisions are made. What begins as the worst hand imaginable can be transformed into a winner by the simple luck of the draw and the skill of the player.
Those same aces that appeared to be such clear winners in the early stages of the game may find themselves defeated by nothing more than a random pair of twos, as a combination of small developments during the game can ultimately lead to the full house otherwise known as victory lane.
In NASCAR’s version of a casino, there is little room for the half-hearted player. Every game is no-limit; every player goes all in on every hand. They know that only one can triumph on any given Sunday, but all are willing to take the gamble. Forty-two will lose, but in the end, everybody wins.
Even in Las Vegas, it is still possible to find a sure thing.
Some events on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series schedule are referred to as "destination races."
The reasons are self-explanatory. When fans visit venues such as Martinsville, Darlington or Talladega, the races and the events surrounding them can literally be the only game in town.
Other areas offer a "Bright Lights, Big City" aspect, with many entertainment options often encouraging fans to transform their race weekend into a week-long vacation.
Infineon Raceway, for example, offers the opportunity to visit California's scenic wine country during the month of June.
Fans preferring their beverages with a little more malt than grape can either celebrate or drown their sorrows, depending on the ever-unpredictable fortune of the Cubs, with the Wrigley Field Bleacher Bums when the series visits Chicago in July.
Far and away the favorite vacation destination on the circuit, however, is Las Vegas.
The appeal of the Las Vegas Strip cannot be over-exaggerated. It defines glitz and glamour; it is the power company’s dream date, visible even from outer space.
For the NASCAR fan, Las Vegas is the ultimate combo platter of fun, where you can get some Reutimann with your roulette and a side order of blackjack with your Biffle.
In fact, you could almost compare the overall race weekend experience to a round of the hottest game going, Texas Hold 'Em.
Your initial hand determines whether you start the game from a position of strength with a pair of aces, or find yourself at the rear of the field with an unsuited two and three. Regardless, you must play the hand you’re dealt, for that is the nature of the game.
What happens next is a combination of luck, skill and proper decision-making ability.
In the early going, some merely choose to check, sitting back and watching their fellow competitors patiently while trying to figure out what they may or may not be hiding.
Others are more aggressive players, willing to take a larger chance on a lesser hand and fearlessly attempting to bluff their way to the front in the process.
This is a strategy that sometimes pays off, depending on nerve, the ability to correctly read the competition, and the quality of one’s poker face.
The game changes as additional cards are revealed and new decisions are made. What begins as the worst hand imaginable can be transformed into a winner by the simple luck of the draw and the skill of the player.
Those same aces that appeared to be such clear winners in the early stages of the game may find themselves defeated by nothing more than a random pair of twos, as a combination of small developments during the game can ultimately lead to the full house otherwise known as victory lane.
In NASCAR’s version of a casino, there is little room for the half-hearted player. Every game is no-limit; every player goes all in on every hand. They know that only one can triumph on any given Sunday, but all are willing to take the gamble. Forty-two will lose, but in the end, everybody wins.
Even in Las Vegas, it is still possible to find a sure thing.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
NASCAR Announces Comprehensive 2008 Television Coverage For Camping World Series
24 Races In NASCAR Developmental Series
HDNet Coverage Kicks Off March 29 at All American Speedway
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2008) – Millions tuned in Sunday for the Daytona 500 to watch drivers like Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and David Gilliland – all of whom used the NASCAR Camping World Series to help launch their careers. NASCAR fans will get the opportunity to see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars of tomorrow throughout the 2008 season thanks to a comprehensive television broadcast schedule announced today by NASCAR for its developmental series.
The 2008 schedule features television coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series live on HDNet and enhanced replays on SPEED.
“This year all the thrills and excitement of the NASCAR Camping World Series will be available to NASCAR fans across the countrty,” said NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Operations George Silbermann. “They will be able to catch all the action as the NASCAR stars of tomorrow battle it out from coast to coast.”
The television schedule allows fans across the country to see some of the top future talent in NASCAR. The NASCAR Camping World Series races on a variety of top short tracks, speedways and road courses across the country, and features a championship schedule on both the East and West Coast.
High definition pioneer HDNet will broadcast 16 races, continuing a partnership with NASCAR that began five years ago and provided the NASCAR Camping World Series with its first live television package. HDNet coverage will begin March 29 with the NASCAR Camping World Series opener at All-American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. It includes the first eight races of the NASCAR Camping World Series West season, as well as the season-finale Oct. 18 at the new Kern County track in Bakersfield, Calif. The NASCAR Camping World Series East broadcast schedule on HDNet will pick up with the July 19 race at Music City Motorplex in Nashville and run through the final seven races of the season, culminating with the live broadcast at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway Sept. 28.
HDNet’s broadcast schedule will also include the mid-season combination race between the East and the West at Iowa Speedway May 18. Last year, viewers watched then 16-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Joey Logano out-race 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick in a thrilling back-and-forth, race-long duel.
"HDNet is proud to continue this successful partnership with the NASCAR Camping World Series," said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. "NASCAR's stars of tomorrow have given us some great action over the years and we can't wait to offer race fans more of the same on HDNet this season!"
In addition, SPEED’s enhanced replays will carry 24 races as part of its Racing Across America series, re-airing all 16 of HDNet’s live events while originally producing eight others.
SPEED will provide coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series East opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C. on April 19. SPEED will also broadcast the NASCAR Camping World Series East races from South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as well as the NASCAR Camping World Series West second race at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.
SPEED’s schedule also includes live coverage of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. A date and site for the prestigious event, which has grown into the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing’ in just five short years, will be announced at a later date.
“Being able to show 24 races from the NASCAR Camping World Series, including the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, gives SPEED the opportunity to offer NASCAR fans a look into the future,” said Rick Miner, SPEED SVP of Production & Network Operations. “Saturday night short tracks are the heart of all forms of racing. This is where tomorrow’s NASCAR stars get their start.”
In addition to coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series, SPEED will air enhanced replays of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at New Hampshire International Speedway on June 28 and the combination event with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Sept. 21.
About NASCAR Camping World Series
The NASCAR Camping World Series is the top level of the NASCAR Developmental Series and is made up of two regional tours, the East and West, competing with identical race cars. The cars are similar in appearance and design to those cars used in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The cars are powered by 350 to 358 cubic-inch V-8 engines. The series travels to many of NASCAR’s most historic short tracks as well as making several appearances in combination events with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
About HDNet
HDNet is your exclusive, high-definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report”, “NASA on HDNet” (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010), and, “Dan Rather Reports” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, NASCAR Camping World Series, boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.
Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.
About SPEED
SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 74 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit www.SPEEDtv.com.
For additional information, contact:
Jason Christley, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 947-6788, jchristley@nascar.com
Colette Carey, HDNet (303) 542-5576, ccarey@hd.net
Erik Arneson, SPEED, 704/731-2189, earneson@speedtv.com
2008 NASCAR Developmental Series Broadcast Schedule
Date Track Division Network
Sat., March 29 All-American Speedway, Roseville, Calif. NCWS West HDNET
Thurs., Apr. 10 Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway NCWS West HDNET
Sat., Apr. 19 Thunderhill Raceway, Kyle, Texas NCWS West HDNET
Sat., April 19 Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway NCWS East SPEED*
Sun., May 18 Iowa Speedway NCWS Combination Race HDNET
Sat., May 31 South Boston (Va.) Speedway NCWS East SPEED*
Sat., June 7 Colorado National Speedway NCWS West HDNET
Sun., June 8 Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International NCWS West SPEED*
Sat., June 21 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif. NCWS West HDNET
Fri., June 27 New Hampshire Motor Speedway NCWS East SPEED*
Sat., June 28 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Whelen Modified SPEED*
Fri., July 4 Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway NCWS West HDNET
Fri., July 11 Douglas County Speedway, Roseburg, Ore. NCWS West HDNET
Sat., July 19 Music City Motorplex, Nashville, Tenn. NCWS East HDNET
Sat., July 26 Adirondack International Speedway, Beaver Falls, N.Y. NCWS East HDNET
Sat, Aug. 16 Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Conn. NCWS East HDNET
Sat. Aug. 16 Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway NCWS West SPEED*
Sat, Aug. 23 Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Fri., Sept. 12 New Hampshire Motor Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Fri., Sep. 19 Dover International Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Sun., Sep. 21 Martinsville (Va.) Speedway Whelen Modified combination race SPEED*
Sun., Sep. 28 Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Sat., Oct. 18 Kern County, Bakersfield, Calif. NCWS West HDNET
TBA NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown SPEED
*Races will air on delay only. All HDNet races will air live and re-air on SPEED. Please check local listings for broadcast times.
HDNet Coverage Kicks Off March 29 at All American Speedway
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2008) – Millions tuned in Sunday for the Daytona 500 to watch drivers like Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and David Gilliland – all of whom used the NASCAR Camping World Series to help launch their careers. NASCAR fans will get the opportunity to see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars of tomorrow throughout the 2008 season thanks to a comprehensive television broadcast schedule announced today by NASCAR for its developmental series.
The 2008 schedule features television coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series live on HDNet and enhanced replays on SPEED.
“This year all the thrills and excitement of the NASCAR Camping World Series will be available to NASCAR fans across the countrty,” said NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Operations George Silbermann. “They will be able to catch all the action as the NASCAR stars of tomorrow battle it out from coast to coast.”
The television schedule allows fans across the country to see some of the top future talent in NASCAR. The NASCAR Camping World Series races on a variety of top short tracks, speedways and road courses across the country, and features a championship schedule on both the East and West Coast.
High definition pioneer HDNet will broadcast 16 races, continuing a partnership with NASCAR that began five years ago and provided the NASCAR Camping World Series with its first live television package. HDNet coverage will begin March 29 with the NASCAR Camping World Series opener at All-American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. It includes the first eight races of the NASCAR Camping World Series West season, as well as the season-finale Oct. 18 at the new Kern County track in Bakersfield, Calif. The NASCAR Camping World Series East broadcast schedule on HDNet will pick up with the July 19 race at Music City Motorplex in Nashville and run through the final seven races of the season, culminating with the live broadcast at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway Sept. 28.
HDNet’s broadcast schedule will also include the mid-season combination race between the East and the West at Iowa Speedway May 18. Last year, viewers watched then 16-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Joey Logano out-race 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick in a thrilling back-and-forth, race-long duel.
"HDNet is proud to continue this successful partnership with the NASCAR Camping World Series," said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. "NASCAR's stars of tomorrow have given us some great action over the years and we can't wait to offer race fans more of the same on HDNet this season!"
In addition, SPEED’s enhanced replays will carry 24 races as part of its Racing Across America series, re-airing all 16 of HDNet’s live events while originally producing eight others.
SPEED will provide coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series East opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C. on April 19. SPEED will also broadcast the NASCAR Camping World Series East races from South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as well as the NASCAR Camping World Series West second race at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.
SPEED’s schedule also includes live coverage of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. A date and site for the prestigious event, which has grown into the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing’ in just five short years, will be announced at a later date.
“Being able to show 24 races from the NASCAR Camping World Series, including the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, gives SPEED the opportunity to offer NASCAR fans a look into the future,” said Rick Miner, SPEED SVP of Production & Network Operations. “Saturday night short tracks are the heart of all forms of racing. This is where tomorrow’s NASCAR stars get their start.”
In addition to coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series, SPEED will air enhanced replays of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at New Hampshire International Speedway on June 28 and the combination event with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Sept. 21.
About NASCAR Camping World Series
The NASCAR Camping World Series is the top level of the NASCAR Developmental Series and is made up of two regional tours, the East and West, competing with identical race cars. The cars are similar in appearance and design to those cars used in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The cars are powered by 350 to 358 cubic-inch V-8 engines. The series travels to many of NASCAR’s most historic short tracks as well as making several appearances in combination events with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
About HDNet
HDNet is your exclusive, high-definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report”, “NASA on HDNet” (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010), and, “Dan Rather Reports” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, NASCAR Camping World Series, boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.
Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.
About SPEED
SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 74 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit www.SPEEDtv.com.
For additional information, contact:
Jason Christley, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 947-6788, jchristley@nascar.com
Colette Carey, HDNet (303) 542-5576, ccarey@hd.net
Erik Arneson, SPEED, 704/731-2189, earneson@speedtv.com
2008 NASCAR Developmental Series Broadcast Schedule
Date Track Division Network
Sat., March 29 All-American Speedway, Roseville, Calif. NCWS West HDNET
Thurs., Apr. 10 Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway NCWS West HDNET
Sat., Apr. 19 Thunderhill Raceway, Kyle, Texas NCWS West HDNET
Sat., April 19 Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway NCWS East SPEED*
Sun., May 18 Iowa Speedway NCWS Combination Race HDNET
Sat., May 31 South Boston (Va.) Speedway NCWS East SPEED*
Sat., June 7 Colorado National Speedway NCWS West HDNET
Sun., June 8 Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International NCWS West SPEED*
Sat., June 21 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif. NCWS West HDNET
Fri., June 27 New Hampshire Motor Speedway NCWS East SPEED*
Sat., June 28 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Whelen Modified SPEED*
Fri., July 4 Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway NCWS West HDNET
Fri., July 11 Douglas County Speedway, Roseburg, Ore. NCWS West HDNET
Sat., July 19 Music City Motorplex, Nashville, Tenn. NCWS East HDNET
Sat., July 26 Adirondack International Speedway, Beaver Falls, N.Y. NCWS East HDNET
Sat, Aug. 16 Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Conn. NCWS East HDNET
Sat. Aug. 16 Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway NCWS West SPEED*
Sat, Aug. 23 Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Fri., Sept. 12 New Hampshire Motor Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Fri., Sep. 19 Dover International Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Sun., Sep. 21 Martinsville (Va.) Speedway Whelen Modified combination race SPEED*
Sun., Sep. 28 Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway NCWS East HDNET
Sat., Oct. 18 Kern County, Bakersfield, Calif. NCWS West HDNET
TBA NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown SPEED
*Races will air on delay only. All HDNet races will air live and re-air on SPEED. Please check local listings for broadcast times.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Pre-Race Driver Rating Analysis Johnson Looks For Four-Peat
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2008) – In both races this season, the top-five finishing order looked very similar to the pre-race Driver Rating top five at each track – further suggesting pre-race Driver Rating is an excellent race analyzing tool.
Daytona 500
Pre-Race
Driver Finish DR Rank
Ryan Newman 1 4
Kurt Busch 2 3
Tony Stewart 3 1
Kyle Busch 4 8
Reed Sorenson 5 40
Auto Club 500
Pre-Race
Driver Finish DR Rank
Carl Edwards 1 6
Jimmie Johnson 2 2
Jeff Gordon 3 12
Kyle Busch 4 3
Matt Kenseth 5 1
The stat should bode well for Johnson, Gordon, Busch, Kenseth and Stewart, who rank one through five in the pre-race Driver Rating for Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Driver Rating is an amalgam of the following statistics: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish).
But over the last three Las Vegas races, there hasn’t been good news for anyone but Johnson. Johnson, winner of three consecutive LVMS races, has excelled at the 1.5-mile track. Below are his race-by-race stats over the streak:
Jimmie Johnson at Las Vegas (Last Three Races)
Date Finish ARP DR FL LT15
3/05 1 4 140.5 72 256
3/06 1 5 122.3 12 264
3/07 1 6 138.2 60 229
Total 1 5.1 133.7 149 749
ARP: Avg. Running Position DR: Driver Rating
FL: Number of Fastest Laps LT15: Laps in the Top 15
**** Check out nascarmedia.com’s new driver-by-driver race logs for all season-to-date stats and individual race-by-race stats at Las Vegas. ****
But it’s not as if Johnson was on an island every race. The competition – mostly from Gordon, Kyle Busch, Stewart and Kenseth – has been close. Below are the combined/average stats from the four drivers at Las Vegas during Johnson’s three-race win streak:
Jeff Gordon
Driver Rating: 114.1
Avg. Running Position: 8.1
# of Fastest Laps: 66
Laps in the Top 15: 748
Kyle Busch
Driver Rating: 108.7
Avg. Running Position: 7.1
# of Fastest Laps: 49
Laps in the Top 15: 746
Matt Kenseth
Driver Rating: 104.5
Avg. Running Position: 12.7
# of Fastest Laps: 39
Laps in the Top 15: 494
Tony Stewart
Driver Rating: 100.9
Avg. Running Position: 9.7
# of Fastest Laps: 39
Laps in the Top 15: 640
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
There’s more good news for Gordon and Kenseth – and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The three marquee drivers are all outside the top 12 in points, but inside the top 12 in Driver Rating. If 2008 is anything like 2007, that could mean a lot.
Last year after two races, nine drivers in the top 12 of season-to-date Driver Rating made the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – and six of those drivers were not in the top 12 in points:
2007 Points After Driver Rating
Drivers Points Race #2 After Race #2
Jimmie Johnson 1 15 10
Jeff Gordon 2 3 9
Clint Bowyer 3 6 8
Matt Kenseth 4 12 1
Kyle Busch 5 9 6
Tony Stewart 6 21 4
Kurt Busch 7 19 7
Jeff Burton 8 2 2
Carl Edwards 9 26 13
Kevin Harvick 10 4 3
Martin Truex Jr. 11 38 25
Denny Hamlin 12 18 14
Daytona 500
Pre-Race
Driver Finish DR Rank
Ryan Newman 1 4
Kurt Busch 2 3
Tony Stewart 3 1
Kyle Busch 4 8
Reed Sorenson 5 40
Auto Club 500
Pre-Race
Driver Finish DR Rank
Carl Edwards 1 6
Jimmie Johnson 2 2
Jeff Gordon 3 12
Kyle Busch 4 3
Matt Kenseth 5 1
The stat should bode well for Johnson, Gordon, Busch, Kenseth and Stewart, who rank one through five in the pre-race Driver Rating for Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Driver Rating is an amalgam of the following statistics: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish).
But over the last three Las Vegas races, there hasn’t been good news for anyone but Johnson. Johnson, winner of three consecutive LVMS races, has excelled at the 1.5-mile track. Below are his race-by-race stats over the streak:
Jimmie Johnson at Las Vegas (Last Three Races)
Date Finish ARP DR FL LT15
3/05 1 4 140.5 72 256
3/06 1 5 122.3 12 264
3/07 1 6 138.2 60 229
Total 1 5.1 133.7 149 749
ARP: Avg. Running Position DR: Driver Rating
FL: Number of Fastest Laps LT15: Laps in the Top 15
**** Check out nascarmedia.com’s new driver-by-driver race logs for all season-to-date stats and individual race-by-race stats at Las Vegas. ****
But it’s not as if Johnson was on an island every race. The competition – mostly from Gordon, Kyle Busch, Stewart and Kenseth – has been close. Below are the combined/average stats from the four drivers at Las Vegas during Johnson’s three-race win streak:
Jeff Gordon
Driver Rating: 114.1
Avg. Running Position: 8.1
# of Fastest Laps: 66
Laps in the Top 15: 748
Kyle Busch
Driver Rating: 108.7
Avg. Running Position: 7.1
# of Fastest Laps: 49
Laps in the Top 15: 746
Matt Kenseth
Driver Rating: 104.5
Avg. Running Position: 12.7
# of Fastest Laps: 39
Laps in the Top 15: 494
Tony Stewart
Driver Rating: 100.9
Avg. Running Position: 9.7
# of Fastest Laps: 39
Laps in the Top 15: 640
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
There’s more good news for Gordon and Kenseth – and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The three marquee drivers are all outside the top 12 in points, but inside the top 12 in Driver Rating. If 2008 is anything like 2007, that could mean a lot.
Last year after two races, nine drivers in the top 12 of season-to-date Driver Rating made the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – and six of those drivers were not in the top 12 in points:
2007 Points After Driver Rating
Drivers Points Race #2 After Race #2
Jimmie Johnson 1 15 10
Jeff Gordon 2 3 9
Clint Bowyer 3 6 8
Matt Kenseth 4 12 1
Kyle Busch 5 9 6
Tony Stewart 6 21 4
Kurt Busch 7 19 7
Jeff Burton 8 2 2
Carl Edwards 9 26 13
Kevin Harvick 10 4 3
Martin Truex Jr. 11 38 25
Denny Hamlin 12 18 14
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Statistical Advance: Analyzing the UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
This Sunday is Round 3 for the “new car” competing in each of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season – and so far, some telling trends have developed.
Trend 1: Tight and varied competition up front. There were a record number of lead changes (33) at the Auto Club Speedway last weekend, which followed a Daytona 500 that challenged the race record for lead changes (42) and leaders (16).
Trend 2: New Victory Lane appearances: In 2007, Chevrolets dominated the “new car” races, winning 13 of the 16. This season, the Chevrolets have thus far been shut out, with a Dodge (Ryan Newman) and a Ford (Carl Edwards) grabbing the checkered flags.
These recent trends may be helping the field catch reigning series champion Jimmie Johnson – winner of the last three races at Las Vegas.
Johnson has been a one-man wrecking crew at Vegas, notching series-highs in Driver Rating (133.7), Average Running Position (5.1) and Fastest Laps Run (149) during his win streak.
But will the “new car” even the playing field this weekend like it did the previous two?
The most likely candidates to dethrone Johnson are teammate Jeff Gordon and former teammate Kyle Busch. Both have won races in the new car, and both have solid statistics at Las Vegas.
In the past three Vegas races, Gordon has a Driver Rating of 114.1 and an Average Running Position of 8.1 He finished second there last season. Points leader Kyle Busch has a Vegas Driver Rating of 108.7 and an Average Running Position of 7.1.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2007 Top 12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Driver
Races
Poles
Wins
Top Fives
Top 10s
DNFs
Average Finish
Driver Rating
1
Kyle Busch
4
0
0
2
3
1
13.8
123.3
2
Ryan Newman
7
1
0
1
4
1
18.7
100.9
3
Tony Stewart
9
0
0
4
6
0
11.2
101.2
4
Kurt Busch
7
0
0
1
2
1
17.6
79.4
5
Carl Edwards
3
0
0
0
1
0
15.3
105.0
6
Kasey Kahne
4
2
0
2
2
2
19.8
106.7
7
Kevin Harvick
7
0
0
1
2
0
15.7
90.8
8
Jimmie Johnson
6
0
3
3
4
0
6.0
107.4
9
Greg Biffle
4
1
0
0
2
1
17.5
97.9
10
Jeff Burton
10
0
2
3
6
0
11.0
85.3
11
Brian Vickers
3
0
0
0
0
1
29.3
80.9
12
Martin Truex, Jr
2
0
0
0
0
0
16.0
85.3
Selected Driver Highlights – Las Vegas Motor Speedway-specific
Note: All driver statistics that follow are from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Loop Data statistics – Driver Rating, Average Running Position, etc. – in this release, however, cover the last three races at Las Vegas. NASCAR’s scoring loops began collecting data for statistical purposes in 2005.
Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)
• Two top 10s
• Average finish of 17.5
• Average Running Position of 11.8, seventh-best
• Driver Rating of 95.5, seventh-best
• 27 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.735, seventh-fastest
• 543 Laps in the Top 15 (67.5%), tied for seventh-most
Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Chevrolet)
• Two wins, three top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 11.0
• Average Running Position of 11.1, fifth-best
• Driver Rating of 93.6, ninth-best
• 26 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most
• 206 Green Flag Passes, second-most
• 644 Laps in the Top 15 (80.1%), fourth-most
• 135 Quality Passes, third-most
Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 17.6
• Average Running Position of 11.5, sixth-best
• Driver Rating of 94.1, eighth-best
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.426, ninth-fastest
• 582 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), sixth-most
Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)
• Two top fives, three top 10s
• Average finish of 13.8
• Average Running Position of 7.1, second-best
• Driver Rating of 108.7, third-best
• 49 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
• Green Flag Speed of 162.170 mph, third-fastest
• 746 Laps in the Top 15 (92.8%), third-most
• 132 Quality Passes, fourth-most
Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
• One win, five top fives
• Average finish of 12.9
• Average Running Position of 8.1, third-best
• Driver Rating of 114.1, second-best
• 66 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
• 200 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most
• Average Green Flag Speed of 162.484 mph. second-fastest
• 748 Laps in the Top 15 (93.0%), second-most
• Series-high 153 Quality Passes
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 6.5
• Average Running Position of 13.0, ninth-best
• Driver Rating of 91.7, 10th-best
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.415 mph, 10th-fastest
• 349 Laps in the Top 15 (65.0%), 12th-best percentage
• 71 Quality Passes (35.5 per race), seventh-most per race
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)
• Three wins, four top 10s
• Average finish of 6.0
• Series-best Average Running Position of 5.1
• Series-best Driver Rating of 133.7
• Series-high 149 Fastest Laps Run
• Series-fastest Average Green Flag Speed of 163.075 mph
• Series-high 749 Laps in the Top 15 (93.2%)
• 139 Quality Passes, second-most
Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford)
• Two wins, four top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 7.6
• Average Running Position of 12.7, eighth-best
• Driver Rating of 104.5, fourth-best
• 39 Fastest Laps Run, tied for fourth-most
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.862 mph, fifth-best
Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota)
• Four top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 11.2
• Average Running Position of 9.7, fourth-best
• Driver Rating of 100.9, fifth-best
• 39 Fastest Laps Run, tied for fourth-most
• 205 Green Flag Passes, third-most
• Average Green Flag Speed of 162.147 mph, fourth-fastest
• 640 Laps in the Top 15 (79.6%), fifth-most
• 126 Quality Passes, fifth-most
At Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
History
• The first NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a NASCAR Camping World Series, West race won by Ken Schrader on Nov. 2, 1996.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on March 3, 1998 – won by Mark Martin.
• The first NASCAR Nationwide Cup race was held on March 16, 1997 – won by Jeff Green.
• The first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race was won by Jack Sprague on Nov. 3, 1996.
Notebook
• There have been 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• Seven drivers have participated in all 10 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek.
• Dale Jarrett won the inaugural Coors Light Pole (Feb. 27, 1998).
• Mark Martin won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race (March 1, 1998).
• Seven drivers have posted poles, led by Dale Jarrett, Kasey Kahne and Bobby Labonte (two each).
• Six different drivers have won, led by Jimmie Johnson (three).
• Only three of the 10 races have been won from a top 10 starting position and none have been won from the pole.
• Four of the 10 races have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started was 25th by Matt Kenseth in 2004.
• There has been one green-white-checkered finish: 2006 (270/267).
• Jimmie Johnson has won the past three NASCAR Sprint Cup races. The most recent driver to win four consecutive races at a track was Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Talladega (fall 2001-fall 2003). The most recent driver to win four straight in the same event was Jeff Gordon in the Southern 500 at Darlington (1995-98).
• Roush Fenway Racing had five drivers finish in the top 10 in the inaugural Las Vegas 400 in 1998. Five of the 10 race winners at Las Vegas were driving for Roush Fenway at the time: Mark Martin (1998), Jeff Burton (1999 and 2000), and Matt Kenseth (2003 and 2004).
The Local Flavor
• There have been 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Nevada.
• All-time, 19 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series have their home state recorded as Nevada.
• There have been three race winners from Nevada in NASCAR’s three national series:
Driver
NSCS
NNS
NCTS
Kurt Busch
17
2
4
Kyle Busch
4
11
6
Brendan Gaughan
0
0
8
Las Vegas Speedway Data
Race # 3 of 36 (3-2-08)
Track Size: 1.5 miles
• Race Length: 267 laps/400.5 miles
• Banking/Corners: 20 degrees
• Banking/Frontstretch: 9 degrees
• Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Driver Rating at Las Vegas
Jimmie Johnson 133.7
Jeff Gordon 114.1
Kyle Busch 108.7
Matt Kenseth 104.5
Tony Stewart 100.9
Mark Martin 97.0
Greg Biffle 95.5
Kurt Busch 94.1
Jeff Burton 93.6
Denny Hamlin 91.7
Note: Driver Rating compiled from 2005-2007 races (3 total) at Las Vegas.
Qualifying/Race Data
2007 pole winner: Kasey Kahne (184.856 mph, 29.212 seconds)
2007 race winner: Jimmie Johnson (128.183 mph, 3-11-07)
Track qualifying record: Kasey Kahne (184.856 mph, 29.212 seconds,
3-9-07)
Track race record: Mark Martin (146.554 mph, 3-1-98)
Estimated Pit Window: Every 50-55 laps, based on fuel mileage.
Trend 1: Tight and varied competition up front. There were a record number of lead changes (33) at the Auto Club Speedway last weekend, which followed a Daytona 500 that challenged the race record for lead changes (42) and leaders (16).
Trend 2: New Victory Lane appearances: In 2007, Chevrolets dominated the “new car” races, winning 13 of the 16. This season, the Chevrolets have thus far been shut out, with a Dodge (Ryan Newman) and a Ford (Carl Edwards) grabbing the checkered flags.
These recent trends may be helping the field catch reigning series champion Jimmie Johnson – winner of the last three races at Las Vegas.
Johnson has been a one-man wrecking crew at Vegas, notching series-highs in Driver Rating (133.7), Average Running Position (5.1) and Fastest Laps Run (149) during his win streak.
But will the “new car” even the playing field this weekend like it did the previous two?
The most likely candidates to dethrone Johnson are teammate Jeff Gordon and former teammate Kyle Busch. Both have won races in the new car, and both have solid statistics at Las Vegas.
In the past three Vegas races, Gordon has a Driver Rating of 114.1 and an Average Running Position of 8.1 He finished second there last season. Points leader Kyle Busch has a Vegas Driver Rating of 108.7 and an Average Running Position of 7.1.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2007 Top 12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Driver
Races
Poles
Wins
Top Fives
Top 10s
DNFs
Average Finish
Driver Rating
1
Kyle Busch
4
0
0
2
3
1
13.8
123.3
2
Ryan Newman
7
1
0
1
4
1
18.7
100.9
3
Tony Stewart
9
0
0
4
6
0
11.2
101.2
4
Kurt Busch
7
0
0
1
2
1
17.6
79.4
5
Carl Edwards
3
0
0
0
1
0
15.3
105.0
6
Kasey Kahne
4
2
0
2
2
2
19.8
106.7
7
Kevin Harvick
7
0
0
1
2
0
15.7
90.8
8
Jimmie Johnson
6
0
3
3
4
0
6.0
107.4
9
Greg Biffle
4
1
0
0
2
1
17.5
97.9
10
Jeff Burton
10
0
2
3
6
0
11.0
85.3
11
Brian Vickers
3
0
0
0
0
1
29.3
80.9
12
Martin Truex, Jr
2
0
0
0
0
0
16.0
85.3
Selected Driver Highlights – Las Vegas Motor Speedway-specific
Note: All driver statistics that follow are from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Loop Data statistics – Driver Rating, Average Running Position, etc. – in this release, however, cover the last three races at Las Vegas. NASCAR’s scoring loops began collecting data for statistical purposes in 2005.
Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)
• Two top 10s
• Average finish of 17.5
• Average Running Position of 11.8, seventh-best
• Driver Rating of 95.5, seventh-best
• 27 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.735, seventh-fastest
• 543 Laps in the Top 15 (67.5%), tied for seventh-most
Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Chevrolet)
• Two wins, three top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 11.0
• Average Running Position of 11.1, fifth-best
• Driver Rating of 93.6, ninth-best
• 26 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most
• 206 Green Flag Passes, second-most
• 644 Laps in the Top 15 (80.1%), fourth-most
• 135 Quality Passes, third-most
Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 17.6
• Average Running Position of 11.5, sixth-best
• Driver Rating of 94.1, eighth-best
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.426, ninth-fastest
• 582 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), sixth-most
Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)
• Two top fives, three top 10s
• Average finish of 13.8
• Average Running Position of 7.1, second-best
• Driver Rating of 108.7, third-best
• 49 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
• Green Flag Speed of 162.170 mph, third-fastest
• 746 Laps in the Top 15 (92.8%), third-most
• 132 Quality Passes, fourth-most
Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
• One win, five top fives
• Average finish of 12.9
• Average Running Position of 8.1, third-best
• Driver Rating of 114.1, second-best
• 66 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
• 200 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most
• Average Green Flag Speed of 162.484 mph. second-fastest
• 748 Laps in the Top 15 (93.0%), second-most
• Series-high 153 Quality Passes
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 6.5
• Average Running Position of 13.0, ninth-best
• Driver Rating of 91.7, 10th-best
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.415 mph, 10th-fastest
• 349 Laps in the Top 15 (65.0%), 12th-best percentage
• 71 Quality Passes (35.5 per race), seventh-most per race
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)
• Three wins, four top 10s
• Average finish of 6.0
• Series-best Average Running Position of 5.1
• Series-best Driver Rating of 133.7
• Series-high 149 Fastest Laps Run
• Series-fastest Average Green Flag Speed of 163.075 mph
• Series-high 749 Laps in the Top 15 (93.2%)
• 139 Quality Passes, second-most
Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford)
• Two wins, four top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 7.6
• Average Running Position of 12.7, eighth-best
• Driver Rating of 104.5, fourth-best
• 39 Fastest Laps Run, tied for fourth-most
• Average Green Flag Speed of 161.862 mph, fifth-best
Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota)
• Four top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 11.2
• Average Running Position of 9.7, fourth-best
• Driver Rating of 100.9, fifth-best
• 39 Fastest Laps Run, tied for fourth-most
• 205 Green Flag Passes, third-most
• Average Green Flag Speed of 162.147 mph, fourth-fastest
• 640 Laps in the Top 15 (79.6%), fifth-most
• 126 Quality Passes, fifth-most
At Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
History
• The first NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a NASCAR Camping World Series, West race won by Ken Schrader on Nov. 2, 1996.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on March 3, 1998 – won by Mark Martin.
• The first NASCAR Nationwide Cup race was held on March 16, 1997 – won by Jeff Green.
• The first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race was won by Jack Sprague on Nov. 3, 1996.
Notebook
• There have been 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• Seven drivers have participated in all 10 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek.
• Dale Jarrett won the inaugural Coors Light Pole (Feb. 27, 1998).
• Mark Martin won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race (March 1, 1998).
• Seven drivers have posted poles, led by Dale Jarrett, Kasey Kahne and Bobby Labonte (two each).
• Six different drivers have won, led by Jimmie Johnson (three).
• Only three of the 10 races have been won from a top 10 starting position and none have been won from the pole.
• Four of the 10 races have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started was 25th by Matt Kenseth in 2004.
• There has been one green-white-checkered finish: 2006 (270/267).
• Jimmie Johnson has won the past three NASCAR Sprint Cup races. The most recent driver to win four consecutive races at a track was Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Talladega (fall 2001-fall 2003). The most recent driver to win four straight in the same event was Jeff Gordon in the Southern 500 at Darlington (1995-98).
• Roush Fenway Racing had five drivers finish in the top 10 in the inaugural Las Vegas 400 in 1998. Five of the 10 race winners at Las Vegas were driving for Roush Fenway at the time: Mark Martin (1998), Jeff Burton (1999 and 2000), and Matt Kenseth (2003 and 2004).
The Local Flavor
• There have been 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Nevada.
• All-time, 19 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series have their home state recorded as Nevada.
• There have been three race winners from Nevada in NASCAR’s three national series:
Driver
NSCS
NNS
NCTS
Kurt Busch
17
2
4
Kyle Busch
4
11
6
Brendan Gaughan
0
0
8
Las Vegas Speedway Data
Race # 3 of 36 (3-2-08)
Track Size: 1.5 miles
• Race Length: 267 laps/400.5 miles
• Banking/Corners: 20 degrees
• Banking/Frontstretch: 9 degrees
• Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Driver Rating at Las Vegas
Jimmie Johnson 133.7
Jeff Gordon 114.1
Kyle Busch 108.7
Matt Kenseth 104.5
Tony Stewart 100.9
Mark Martin 97.0
Greg Biffle 95.5
Kurt Busch 94.1
Jeff Burton 93.6
Denny Hamlin 91.7
Note: Driver Rating compiled from 2005-2007 races (3 total) at Las Vegas.
Qualifying/Race Data
2007 pole winner: Kasey Kahne (184.856 mph, 29.212 seconds)
2007 race winner: Jimmie Johnson (128.183 mph, 3-11-07)
Track qualifying record: Kasey Kahne (184.856 mph, 29.212 seconds,
3-9-07)
Track race record: Mark Martin (146.554 mph, 3-1-98)
Estimated Pit Window: Every 50-55 laps, based on fuel mileage.
Sprint cup news and notes
Johnson The Favorite As Series Heads To Las VegasIn The Loop: A Trio Who Could Challenge JohnsonNext Up: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tests At Phoenix
Quadruple: Johnson Eyes Fourth Consecutive Las Vegas Win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 26, 2008) — Given today’s ultra-competitive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, it’s not often that drivers dominate certain race tracks.
Behold the exception: Reigning and two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) hopes Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be his fourth consecutive win there.
Johnson also has dominated at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, another 1.5-mile layout. He swept both events there in 2004 and ’05, and has won three consecutive Coca-Cola 600s at Lowe’s — from ’03 through ’05.
Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont-Nicorette Chevrolet) is the last driver to win the same event four consecutive times. Gordon did it in the fall event at Darlington Raceway (1995-98).
January Test Data Provides Road Map For Las Vegas Preps
Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marks another significant milestone for NASCAR’s new race car. The now-generation car will compete for the first time on a 1.5-mile track, an event presaged by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ two-day test there in late January. Reaction was positive.
“Teams came out of there with high marks on the new car, the way it handled and they really liked the tire package,” said Brett Bodine, NASCAR’s Director of Cost Research. “We feel like the education process for the teams really went to another level after that test, with them coming out of there with a really good feeling about the car and what they learned.”
Teams used the new car in 16 of 36 events last season. It will run fulltime in 2008; in fact, the season’s first four events come at tracks where the new car races for the first time — Daytona International Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Las Vegas and Atlanta Motor Speedway.
In The Loop: Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch All Las Vegas Contenders
Most of the stories this weekend will revolve around one central figure – Jimmie Johnson. The topic will either be A) Can Johnson win his fourth consecutive race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway? Or B) Who can knock off Johnson from the Las Vegas pedestal?
As tough as it would seem, Johnson absolutely can pull off the incredible four-in-a-row feat. He’s been phenomenal over his streak: A Driver Rating of 133.7, an Average Running Position of 5.1, 149 Fastest Laps Run and average Green Flag Speed of 163.075 mph, 749 Laps In the Top 15 and 197 Laps Led. All those numbers are by far the tops in the series at Las Vegas over the last three races.
But there are four other drivers who own Las Vegas Driver Ratings that eclipse the 100-point barrier. And three own at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup title — Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart (No 20 Home Depot Chevrolet) and Matt Kenseth (No. 17 USG Ford).
Gordon, who finished second in last season’s race, might have the best shot at ending the No. 48 team’s dominance. He has a Driver Rating of 114.1 (second-best), an Average Running Position of 8.1 (third), 66 Fastest Laps Run (second) and 748 Laps in the Top 15 (second). He leads the series in Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green) with 153.
Another Las Vegas contender is Stewart, who finished seventh last year and has two top 10s in the last three Vegas races. Stewart has a Driver Rating of 100.9 (fifth) and an Average Running Position of 9.7.
Also watch for Kenseth to have a strong run. Kenseth, always a threat on 1.5-mile layouts, is the last driver not named Jimmie Johnson to win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He won in both 2003 and 2004, and since then has three consecutive finishes in the top 10. Kenseth has an Average Running Position of 12.7 (eighth), a Driver Rating of 104.5 (fourth) and 39 Fastest Laps Run (tied for fourth).
Arguably, Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota) has been the strongest driver over the first two races of the 2008 season. That consistency should continue at Las Vegas, where Busch has three consecutive top-10 finishes – including results of second (2005) and third (2006).
At Vegas, Busch has a Driver Rating of 108.7 (third), an Average Running Position of 7.1 (second), 49 Fastest Laps Run (third) and 746 Laps in the Top 15 (third).
Pit Stop: Series Teams Test At Phoenix Before Heading To Atlanta
Following Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400, NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will stop next Monday and Tuesday for a two-day test at Phoenix International Raceway.
It’s one of five NASCAR-sanctioned tests selected by teams for 2008 (not including the annual Preseason Thunder test at Daytona International Speedway). Teams already tested at Las Vegas and Auto Club Speedway and will test at Pocono Raceway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway later this year.
Phoenix data will be applicable at similar tracks such as Richmond International Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“Whenever teams test, it usually helps the back half of the field more than the front,” said Brett Bodine, NASCAR’s Director of Cost Research. “The Las Vegas/Phoenix combination week will certainly improve the competition for future races.”
Off The Track: Special Events, Entertainment for the UAW-Dodge 400
Given that one of the world’s entertainment hubs sits just a few miles south of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, fans should expect to see — and hear — stars this weekend.
The quiet stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series lead off, with team haulers scheduled for a Thursday parade down Las Vegas Boulevard, known as “The Strip.”
Transporter drivers will stage their trucks at 2:30 p.m. PT just south of the Russell Road-Las Vegas Blvd. intersection, parading north for five miles in the middle lane. A left turn on Sahara Avenue takes them to Interstate 15 for the short drive to the track.
Carol Linnea Johnson, who stars in “Mama Mia!” at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, will sing Sunday’s National Anthem.
Blue Man Group, which can be seen at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, will perform Saturday and Sunday in the Neon Garage; also during Sunday’s pre-race show.
Country music artist Jason Michael Carroll will perform Sunday morning in the midway behind the main grandstands.
And as they did prior to the 50th Daytona 500 two weeks ago, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, from next-door Nellis Air Force base, will perform Sunday’s flyover.
Clock Ticks For Teams Flirting With Top-35 Cut-Off; 2008 Points Are Criteria After 5th Race
Tick, tick, tick ...
For those NASCAR Sprint Cup teams residing in the proximity of the 35th position in car owner points, the pressure is already being felt.
For the first five races of the 2008 season, the top 35 teams in the final 2007 owner points are assured starting spots. Beginning with this season’s sixth race, March 30 at Martinsville Speedway, the 2008 points determine the weekly top-35 guarantees. Teams outside the top 35 will have to qualify based on pole day
This week, the 35th spot belongs to the No. 40 Target Dodge team owned by Felix Sabates, with driver Dario Franchitti, last year’s winner of the Indianapolis 500 AND the IndyCar Series championship. The No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge team owned by Roger Penske, is 33rd. That team’s driver is Sam Hornish Jr., who won the Indy 500 in 2006 and the IndyCar Series title in 2001, ’02 and ’06.
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Owner Points – After 2 Races
Position Points Team Owner Driver
30th 158 No. 6 Ford Mike Dee David Ragan31st 157 No. 11 Toyota J.D. Gibbs Denny Hamlin32nd 156 No. 7 Dodge Robby Gordon Robby Gordon33rd 152 No. 77 Dodge Roger Penske Sam Hornish Jr.34th 140 No. 70 Chevrolet Margaret Haas Jeremy Mayfield
35th 136 No. 40 Dodge Felix Sabates Dario Franchitti
36th 128 No. 28 Ford Doug Yates Travis Kvapil37th 127 No. 22 Toyota Bill Davis Dave Blaney38th 122 No. 01 Chevrolet Teresa Earnhardt Regan Smith39th 113 No. 21 Ford Glen Wood Bill Elliott40th 110 No. 45 Dodge Kyle Petty Kyle Petty
60 Years Of NASCAR (1948-2008) Includes 1955 Race In Las Vegas
There have been 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway — and 11 overall, counting a somewhat-forgotten desert classic held in the autumn of 1955.
The date was Oct. 16. The place was Las Vegas Park Speedway, a one-mile dirt track.
Norm Nelson, driving a Chrysler for legendary car owner Carl Kiekhaefer, won the dirt-track race at Las Vegas Park Speedway.
The event, was the 43rd of the 45-race season. Scheduled for 200 laps, it was shortened to 111 due to darkness. That problem was caused in part by a 12-car accident early in the race.
Up Next: The Kobalt Tools 500 At Atlanta Motor Speedway
After two early-season West Coast events, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns east for next Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
As in Las Vegas, Jimmie Johnson will be the pre-race favorite based on last year’s season sweep at Atlanta. He’ll be looking for his third consecutive win there, overall.
Reigning Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman (No. 12 Alltel Dodge) is the defending pole winner for the March event.
2008 SCHEDULE, POLESITTERS, RACE WINNERS
DATE
RACE
FACILITY
2008 POLESITTER
2008 RACE WINNER
Feb. 9
Budweiser Shootout at Daytona*
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
Kurt Busch
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Feb. 14
Gatorade Duel at Daytona
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
Johnson/Waltrip
Earnhardt/Hamlin
Feb. 17
Daytona 500
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
Jimmie Johnson
Ryan Newman
2/24
Auto Club 500
Auto Club SpeedwayLos Angeles, CA
Jimmie Johnson --X
Carl Edwards
March 2
UAW-Dodge 400
Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas Vegas, NV
March 9
Kobalt Tools 500
Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta, GA
March 16
Food City 500
Bristol Motor SpeedwayBristol, TN
March 30
Goody's Cool Orange 500
Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville, VA
April 6
Samsung 500
Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, TX
April 12
Subway Fresh Fit 500
Phoenix International RacewayPhoenix, AZ
April 27
Aaron's 499
Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega, AL
May 3
Crown Royal Presents "Your Name Here" 400
Richmond International RacewayRichmond, VA
May 10
Dodge Challenger 500
Darlington RacewayDarlington, SC
May 17
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge*
Lowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte, NC
May 25
Coca-Cola 600
Lowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte, NC
June 1
Dover 400
Dover International SpeedwayDover, DE
June 8
Pocono 500
Pocono RacewayLong Pond, PA
June 15
Michigan 400
Michigan International SpeedwayBrooklyn, MI
June 22
Toyota/Save Mart 350
Infineon RacewaySonoma, CA
June 29
Lenox Industrial Tools 301
New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayLoudon, NH
July 5
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
July 12
Chicagoland 400
Chicagoland SpeedwayJoliet, IL
July 27
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayIndianapolis, IN
August 3
Pennsylvania 500
Pocono RacewayLong Pond, PA
August 10
Centurion Boats at The Glen
Watkins Glen InternationalWatkins Glen, NY
August 17
3M Performance 400
Michigan International SpeedwayBrooklyn, MI
August 23
Sharpie 500
Bristol Motor SpeedwayBristol, TN
August 31
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 500
Auto Club SpeedwayFontana, CA
Sept. 6
Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Richmond International RacewayRichmond, VA
Sept. 14
Sylvania 300
New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayLoudon, NH
Sept. 21
Dover 400
Dover International SpeedwayDover, DE
Sept. 28
Kansas 400
Kansas SpeedwayKansas City, KS
Oct. 5
AMP Energy 500
Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega, AL
Oct. 11
Bank of America 500
Lowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte, NC
Oct. 19
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 500
Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville, VA
Oct. 26
Pep Boys Auto 500
Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta, GA
Nov. 2
Dickies 500
Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, TX
Nov. 9
Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil
Phoenix International RacewayPhoenix, AZ
Nov. 16
Ford 400
Homestead-Miami SpeedwayMiami, FL
> *--Non-championship event. X--Qualifying canceled, field set by rule book.
The Race: UAW-Dodge 400The Place: Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayThe Date: Sunday, March 2The Time: 4:30 p.m. (ET)The Track: 1.5-mile ovalThe Distance: 400 miles/267 lapsTV: FOX, 3:30 p.m. (ET)Radio: MRN, SIRIUS Satellite Radio2007 Winner: Jimmie Johnson2007 Polesitter: Kasey Kahne2008 PointsRk Driver Points 1 Kyle Busch 335 2 Newman 329 3 Stewart 316 4 Kurt Busch 299 5 Edwards 296 6 Kahne 294 7 Harvick 268 8 Johnson 267 9 Biffle 26210 Burton 26111 Vickers 25712 Truex 253Pre-Race Schedule: Friday—Practice, noon-1:30 p.m.; Qualifying, 3:40 p.m. Saturday—Practice, 10:30-11:15 a.m.; Final Practice, 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
Quadruple: Johnson Eyes Fourth Consecutive Las Vegas Win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 26, 2008) — Given today’s ultra-competitive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, it’s not often that drivers dominate certain race tracks.
Behold the exception: Reigning and two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) hopes Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be his fourth consecutive win there.
Johnson also has dominated at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, another 1.5-mile layout. He swept both events there in 2004 and ’05, and has won three consecutive Coca-Cola 600s at Lowe’s — from ’03 through ’05.
Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont-Nicorette Chevrolet) is the last driver to win the same event four consecutive times. Gordon did it in the fall event at Darlington Raceway (1995-98).
January Test Data Provides Road Map For Las Vegas Preps
Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marks another significant milestone for NASCAR’s new race car. The now-generation car will compete for the first time on a 1.5-mile track, an event presaged by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ two-day test there in late January. Reaction was positive.
“Teams came out of there with high marks on the new car, the way it handled and they really liked the tire package,” said Brett Bodine, NASCAR’s Director of Cost Research. “We feel like the education process for the teams really went to another level after that test, with them coming out of there with a really good feeling about the car and what they learned.”
Teams used the new car in 16 of 36 events last season. It will run fulltime in 2008; in fact, the season’s first four events come at tracks where the new car races for the first time — Daytona International Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Las Vegas and Atlanta Motor Speedway.
In The Loop: Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch All Las Vegas Contenders
Most of the stories this weekend will revolve around one central figure – Jimmie Johnson. The topic will either be A) Can Johnson win his fourth consecutive race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway? Or B) Who can knock off Johnson from the Las Vegas pedestal?
As tough as it would seem, Johnson absolutely can pull off the incredible four-in-a-row feat. He’s been phenomenal over his streak: A Driver Rating of 133.7, an Average Running Position of 5.1, 149 Fastest Laps Run and average Green Flag Speed of 163.075 mph, 749 Laps In the Top 15 and 197 Laps Led. All those numbers are by far the tops in the series at Las Vegas over the last three races.
But there are four other drivers who own Las Vegas Driver Ratings that eclipse the 100-point barrier. And three own at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup title — Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart (No 20 Home Depot Chevrolet) and Matt Kenseth (No. 17 USG Ford).
Gordon, who finished second in last season’s race, might have the best shot at ending the No. 48 team’s dominance. He has a Driver Rating of 114.1 (second-best), an Average Running Position of 8.1 (third), 66 Fastest Laps Run (second) and 748 Laps in the Top 15 (second). He leads the series in Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green) with 153.
Another Las Vegas contender is Stewart, who finished seventh last year and has two top 10s in the last three Vegas races. Stewart has a Driver Rating of 100.9 (fifth) and an Average Running Position of 9.7.
Also watch for Kenseth to have a strong run. Kenseth, always a threat on 1.5-mile layouts, is the last driver not named Jimmie Johnson to win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He won in both 2003 and 2004, and since then has three consecutive finishes in the top 10. Kenseth has an Average Running Position of 12.7 (eighth), a Driver Rating of 104.5 (fourth) and 39 Fastest Laps Run (tied for fourth).
Arguably, Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota) has been the strongest driver over the first two races of the 2008 season. That consistency should continue at Las Vegas, where Busch has three consecutive top-10 finishes – including results of second (2005) and third (2006).
At Vegas, Busch has a Driver Rating of 108.7 (third), an Average Running Position of 7.1 (second), 49 Fastest Laps Run (third) and 746 Laps in the Top 15 (third).
Pit Stop: Series Teams Test At Phoenix Before Heading To Atlanta
Following Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400, NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will stop next Monday and Tuesday for a two-day test at Phoenix International Raceway.
It’s one of five NASCAR-sanctioned tests selected by teams for 2008 (not including the annual Preseason Thunder test at Daytona International Speedway). Teams already tested at Las Vegas and Auto Club Speedway and will test at Pocono Raceway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway later this year.
Phoenix data will be applicable at similar tracks such as Richmond International Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“Whenever teams test, it usually helps the back half of the field more than the front,” said Brett Bodine, NASCAR’s Director of Cost Research. “The Las Vegas/Phoenix combination week will certainly improve the competition for future races.”
Off The Track: Special Events, Entertainment for the UAW-Dodge 400
Given that one of the world’s entertainment hubs sits just a few miles south of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, fans should expect to see — and hear — stars this weekend.
The quiet stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series lead off, with team haulers scheduled for a Thursday parade down Las Vegas Boulevard, known as “The Strip.”
Transporter drivers will stage their trucks at 2:30 p.m. PT just south of the Russell Road-Las Vegas Blvd. intersection, parading north for five miles in the middle lane. A left turn on Sahara Avenue takes them to Interstate 15 for the short drive to the track.
Carol Linnea Johnson, who stars in “Mama Mia!” at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, will sing Sunday’s National Anthem.
Blue Man Group, which can be seen at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, will perform Saturday and Sunday in the Neon Garage; also during Sunday’s pre-race show.
Country music artist Jason Michael Carroll will perform Sunday morning in the midway behind the main grandstands.
And as they did prior to the 50th Daytona 500 two weeks ago, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, from next-door Nellis Air Force base, will perform Sunday’s flyover.
Clock Ticks For Teams Flirting With Top-35 Cut-Off; 2008 Points Are Criteria After 5th Race
Tick, tick, tick ...
For those NASCAR Sprint Cup teams residing in the proximity of the 35th position in car owner points, the pressure is already being felt.
For the first five races of the 2008 season, the top 35 teams in the final 2007 owner points are assured starting spots. Beginning with this season’s sixth race, March 30 at Martinsville Speedway, the 2008 points determine the weekly top-35 guarantees. Teams outside the top 35 will have to qualify based on pole day
This week, the 35th spot belongs to the No. 40 Target Dodge team owned by Felix Sabates, with driver Dario Franchitti, last year’s winner of the Indianapolis 500 AND the IndyCar Series championship. The No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge team owned by Roger Penske, is 33rd. That team’s driver is Sam Hornish Jr., who won the Indy 500 in 2006 and the IndyCar Series title in 2001, ’02 and ’06.
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Owner Points – After 2 Races
Position Points Team Owner Driver
30th 158 No. 6 Ford Mike Dee David Ragan31st 157 No. 11 Toyota J.D. Gibbs Denny Hamlin32nd 156 No. 7 Dodge Robby Gordon Robby Gordon33rd 152 No. 77 Dodge Roger Penske Sam Hornish Jr.34th 140 No. 70 Chevrolet Margaret Haas Jeremy Mayfield
35th 136 No. 40 Dodge Felix Sabates Dario Franchitti
36th 128 No. 28 Ford Doug Yates Travis Kvapil37th 127 No. 22 Toyota Bill Davis Dave Blaney38th 122 No. 01 Chevrolet Teresa Earnhardt Regan Smith39th 113 No. 21 Ford Glen Wood Bill Elliott40th 110 No. 45 Dodge Kyle Petty Kyle Petty
60 Years Of NASCAR (1948-2008) Includes 1955 Race In Las Vegas
There have been 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway — and 11 overall, counting a somewhat-forgotten desert classic held in the autumn of 1955.
The date was Oct. 16. The place was Las Vegas Park Speedway, a one-mile dirt track.
Norm Nelson, driving a Chrysler for legendary car owner Carl Kiekhaefer, won the dirt-track race at Las Vegas Park Speedway.
The event, was the 43rd of the 45-race season. Scheduled for 200 laps, it was shortened to 111 due to darkness. That problem was caused in part by a 12-car accident early in the race.
Up Next: The Kobalt Tools 500 At Atlanta Motor Speedway
After two early-season West Coast events, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns east for next Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
As in Las Vegas, Jimmie Johnson will be the pre-race favorite based on last year’s season sweep at Atlanta. He’ll be looking for his third consecutive win there, overall.
Reigning Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman (No. 12 Alltel Dodge) is the defending pole winner for the March event.
2008 SCHEDULE, POLESITTERS, RACE WINNERS
DATE
RACE
FACILITY
2008 POLESITTER
2008 RACE WINNER
Feb. 9
Budweiser Shootout at Daytona*
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
Kurt Busch
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Feb. 14
Gatorade Duel at Daytona
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
Johnson/Waltrip
Earnhardt/Hamlin
Feb. 17
Daytona 500
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
Jimmie Johnson
Ryan Newman
2/24
Auto Club 500
Auto Club SpeedwayLos Angeles, CA
Jimmie Johnson --X
Carl Edwards
March 2
UAW-Dodge 400
Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas Vegas, NV
March 9
Kobalt Tools 500
Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta, GA
March 16
Food City 500
Bristol Motor SpeedwayBristol, TN
March 30
Goody's Cool Orange 500
Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville, VA
April 6
Samsung 500
Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, TX
April 12
Subway Fresh Fit 500
Phoenix International RacewayPhoenix, AZ
April 27
Aaron's 499
Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega, AL
May 3
Crown Royal Presents "Your Name Here" 400
Richmond International RacewayRichmond, VA
May 10
Dodge Challenger 500
Darlington RacewayDarlington, SC
May 17
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge*
Lowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte, NC
May 25
Coca-Cola 600
Lowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte, NC
June 1
Dover 400
Dover International SpeedwayDover, DE
June 8
Pocono 500
Pocono RacewayLong Pond, PA
June 15
Michigan 400
Michigan International SpeedwayBrooklyn, MI
June 22
Toyota/Save Mart 350
Infineon RacewaySonoma, CA
June 29
Lenox Industrial Tools 301
New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayLoudon, NH
July 5
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400
Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL
July 12
Chicagoland 400
Chicagoland SpeedwayJoliet, IL
July 27
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayIndianapolis, IN
August 3
Pennsylvania 500
Pocono RacewayLong Pond, PA
August 10
Centurion Boats at The Glen
Watkins Glen InternationalWatkins Glen, NY
August 17
3M Performance 400
Michigan International SpeedwayBrooklyn, MI
August 23
Sharpie 500
Bristol Motor SpeedwayBristol, TN
August 31
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 500
Auto Club SpeedwayFontana, CA
Sept. 6
Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Richmond International RacewayRichmond, VA
Sept. 14
Sylvania 300
New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayLoudon, NH
Sept. 21
Dover 400
Dover International SpeedwayDover, DE
Sept. 28
Kansas 400
Kansas SpeedwayKansas City, KS
Oct. 5
AMP Energy 500
Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega, AL
Oct. 11
Bank of America 500
Lowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte, NC
Oct. 19
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 500
Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville, VA
Oct. 26
Pep Boys Auto 500
Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta, GA
Nov. 2
Dickies 500
Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, TX
Nov. 9
Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil
Phoenix International RacewayPhoenix, AZ
Nov. 16
Ford 400
Homestead-Miami SpeedwayMiami, FL
> *--Non-championship event. X--Qualifying canceled, field set by rule book.
The Race: UAW-Dodge 400The Place: Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayThe Date: Sunday, March 2The Time: 4:30 p.m. (ET)The Track: 1.5-mile ovalThe Distance: 400 miles/267 lapsTV: FOX, 3:30 p.m. (ET)Radio: MRN, SIRIUS Satellite Radio2007 Winner: Jimmie Johnson2007 Polesitter: Kasey Kahne2008 PointsRk Driver Points 1 Kyle Busch 335 2 Newman 329 3 Stewart 316 4 Kurt Busch 299 5 Edwards 296 6 Kahne 294 7 Harvick 268 8 Johnson 267 9 Biffle 26210 Burton 26111 Vickers 25712 Truex 253Pre-Race Schedule: Friday—Practice, noon-1:30 p.m.; Qualifying, 3:40 p.m. Saturday—Practice, 10:30-11:15 a.m.; Final Practice, 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
Nationwide news and notes
It’s A First: Crew Chief Cindy Woosley Set To Make History This Weekend“Nationwide Insurance Mobile Experience” Debuts At Las Vegas
Toyota Tag-Team: Stewart, Busch Showing Early-Season Strength
So much for the restrictor plate-only win theory.
Tony Stewart (No. 20 Old Spice Toyota) has won four races in his NASCAR Nationwide Series career, three of those at Daytona International Speedway including the 2008 season opener.
But he stepped outside the box this past Monday at Auto Club Speedway, winning his first series race without a restrictor plate.
His two-race winning streak is the first in the series since Kevin Harvick (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet) won last summer at Montreal and Watkins Glen.
Stewart’s chances at three straight are pretty good, too, considering his recent series results.
He’s coming off a perfect 150.0 Driver Rating at California, only the seventh driver to do so in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
He finished third in this event last year with a perfect view of the thrilling finish between defending race winner Jeff Burton (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet) and his current teammate and Las Vegas native Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota).
And the hot start by second-year manufacturer Toyota certainly doesn’t hurt Stewart’s chances, nor those of his teammate Busch or the other four Toyota drivers entered in the event.
In fact, Busch’s start has bordered on historic. He leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings and is second in the NASCAR Nationwide Series rankings heading to his home track.
Woosley First Female Crew Chief In NASCAR National Series History
Cindy Woosley didn’t set out to be a pioneer. She’ll be the first to tell you she’s “all about the cars.”
But this weekend at Las Vegas, a woman who has always had an affinity for working on cars, has worked as a sheet metal fabricator as well as a skilled home builder, will add another line to her resume – the first female crew chief in NASCAR national series history.
Woosley will lead the No. 01 Lori Morgan LLC Chevrolet of JD Motorsports with Kertus Davis as the driver at Las Vegas.
She moved to the top of the pit box following a six-race suspension imposed on regular crew chief Gene Allnut, who was one of five crew chiefs suspended due to a rule violation at Daytona.
A native of Kentucky, Woosley has been with the team since last year and has been involved in racing for two seasons.
Familiar Territory: NASCAR Veteran Mike Bliss Right Back In Top-10 Mix
It hasn’t taken long for Mike Bliss (No. 22 Supercuts Dodge) to get back in the NASCAR Nationwide Series groove.
Ranked eighth in the series standings, Bliss has improved his finish in the season’s first two races: 17th at Daytona and 13th Monday at California.
The NASCAR national series veteran driver – who won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2002 and has 384 combined starts in NASCAR’s three national series – is back full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the first time since 2004.
He finished fifth in the standings that season after a 10th-place ranking in 2003, his first full season in the series.
Last year, the 42-year-old native of Milwaukie, Ore., competed in 23 races for Fitz Motorsports and posted three top fives and eight top 10s, including a runner-up finish at Memphis Motorsports Park.
His results propelled the team to an 11th-place finish in the owner points, its highest ranking ever.
Owner Armando Fitz moved quickly to secure Bliss for full-time duty this season. He also kept crew chief Paul Wolfe in the fold and the two are meshing well early. Bliss has also recently been joined on the team by another NASCAR veteran, Kenny Wallace (No. 36 Shark Energy Drink Dodge).
Bliss has run well at Las Vegas regardless of the series. In two NASCAR Nationwide Series starts he has a pole, a fifth-place and 12th-place finish. He has four top fives in six career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts and finished 16th in his lone NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at the track.
In The Loop: Las Vegas Is Becoming Burton’s Personal Playground
Jeff Burton wants to change the Sin City slogan a bit. Make it “Whatever happens in Vegas, happens everywhere else.”
If that were the case, Burton would come close to winning everywhere, every time.
Burton has raced at Las Vegas seven times to the tune of three wins, five top fives and six top 10s. Last season, Burton racked up one of the most dominating performances of the year.
He scored a stellar Driver Rating of 139.5, an Average Running Position of 3.8, 41 Fastest Laps Run and 195 Laps in the Top 15. That all spells “jackpot.”
Reigning series champion Carl Edwards (No. 60 Roush Fenway Ford) has also proved lucky at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Though he hasn’t won, he’s never finished outside the top 10 in any of his three visits to the 1.5-mile track. Probably his best chance at a Victory Lane visit came in 2005 – he started from the pole, led 125 of the 200 laps and earned a Driver Rating of 140.1. Oddly, he finished seventh that race – his worst finish of his three starts.
Overall at Las Vegas, Edwards has a Driver Rating of 115.5, an Average Running Position of 6.8, a series-high 581 Laps in the Top 15 (95.9%) and a series-high 59 Fastest Laps Run.
A key “dark horse” this weekend may be David Stremme (No. 64 Atreus Homes & Communities Chevrolet), who is driving for Rusty Wallace Racing. At Las Vegas, Stremme has finished in the top five in all three of his appearances. It’s arguably his most successful track – the three top fives account for 20 percent of his career top fives in the series (he also has three top-fives in four races at The Milwaukee Mile).
What makes Stremme’s performances even more impressive at Las Vegas is that each race featured a number of double-duty drivers.
In his last two starts – finishes of third and fifth – Stremme compiled a Driver Rating of 110.1, an Average Running Position of 6.5, 60 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green) and 379 Laps in the Top 15 (94.8%). NASCAR Nationwide Series Coverage At Las Vegas
ESPN2 continues its coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with live racing from Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday, March 1, beginning at 4 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown.
Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lead announcer for ESPN2’s coverage, joined in the booth for analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett, one of the founding drivers of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion crew chief Andy Petree.
Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, while two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion crew chief Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN DISH Tech Center.
Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty, a former winning team owner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, in the ESPN pit studio.
NASCAR Countdown and the race will be simulcast on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband sports network, and on ESPN Deportes, the domestic Spanish-language network.
ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.
The Director’s Take: Fuel And Tire Strategies In Play At Las Vegas
“We’re coming back to Las Vegas not long after it was one of the Preseason Thunder test stops for the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash says when sizing up Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“Teams will have a good indication of what they’ll need for the event based on being able to test at the track just last month.
“One of the big changes teams will see this weekend will again result from the introduction of the tapered spacer. It will change the way the drivers roll through the corners and also affect strategy on how they race the event because their corner entry and exit speeds will be different than previous races at this track.
“Fuel and tire strategies will also be different this year due to the smaller fuel cell. We’re at 17.75 gallons in each of our three national series as opposed to the 22-gallon cells we had across the board in years past.
“The crew chiefs will also need to recalculate their strategy as to when they put on fresh tires. Due to that combination, we may see an increase in fuel-only stops this year.”
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Most Wins: Jeff Burton (3)Most Poles: Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin (2)Quick Fact: Three different manufacturers have won the last three races at Las Vegas.
NNS Etc.
Las Vegas is the first of 19 scheduled trackside appearances for the “Nationwide Insurance Mobile Experience,” which will be located in the frontstretch display lot between the start/finish line and Turn 4.
The 75'x75' NASCAR Nationwide Series-branded interactive display is focused on educating race fans about the series and its drivers, while reenforcing Nationwide Insurance's relationship with the Series and its product offerings.
The display features various interactive activities including NASCAR Nationwide Series racing simulators along with Motorcycle and ATV simulators, the NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Match Game, a green screen imaging station, a Nationwide Insurance Prize Wheel, the Nationwide 'Up to Speed Challenge' as well as the Nationwide show car and a driver autograph session on Saturday before the Nationwide race. What’s quickly becoming an annual affair in Las Vegas, the Raybestos Rookie Cooking Challenge will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28 at the ESPN Zone located at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip from 2-4 p.m. MST.
NASCAR Nationwide Series rookies Cale Gale (Kevin Harvick Inc.), Landon Cassill (JR Motorsports) and Michael McDowell (Michael Waltrip Racing) will take part in the event. Chefs from the ESPN Zone will coach the drivers as they each prepare a meal that will be judged by members of the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club. Brad Coleman (No. 27 Scott’s Bath-Von’s Ford) took the crown last year.
Once he crossed the 100-mile mark in Monday’s race at California, Kevin Harvick officially logged 45,000 miles in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition since his first start in 1999. … Las Vegas was the site of Richard Childress Racing driver Scott Wimmer and his wife Jody’s wedding. They were wed Jan. 10, 2004 at Bellagio.
Rank Driver Points 1. Bryan Clauson 25 2. Dario Franchitti 21 3. Brian Keselowski 10 4. Cale Gale 9
Results following Stater Bros. 300 at Auto Club Speedway.
Tony Stewart’s two-race winning streak has Toyota atop the Bill France Performance Cup standings heading to Las Vegas.Chevrolet is the leading manufacturer at LVMS with six wins including last year’s victory. Ford has four wins while Dodge has one.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its annual appearance at Atlanta Motor Speedway next Saturday, March 8. The Nicorette 300 will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race begins at 2 p.m. ET.Jeff Burton is the defending race winner and has won the last two races at the 1.5-mile track. Kyle Busch has won two consecutive poles.
The Race: Sam’s Town 300
The Place: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The Date: Saturday, March 1
The Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Distance: 300 miles/20 0laps
TV: ESPN2, 4 p.m. ET
Track Layout: 1.5-mile oval
2007 Winner: Jeff Burton
2007 Pole: Kevin Harvick
2008 Standings
1 Stewart 3852 Ky Busch 3553 Edwards 2894 Reutimann 2815 Harvick 2706 Ragan 2707 Earnhardt Jr. 2668 Bliss 2419 Leffler 23610 Bowyer 231
Schedule: Friday—Practice 10:30-11:50 a.m.; Final Practice 1:45-3:30 p.m. Saturday—Qualifying, 9:05 a.m. (Impound).
Toyota Tag-Team: Stewart, Busch Showing Early-Season Strength
So much for the restrictor plate-only win theory.
Tony Stewart (No. 20 Old Spice Toyota) has won four races in his NASCAR Nationwide Series career, three of those at Daytona International Speedway including the 2008 season opener.
But he stepped outside the box this past Monday at Auto Club Speedway, winning his first series race without a restrictor plate.
His two-race winning streak is the first in the series since Kevin Harvick (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet) won last summer at Montreal and Watkins Glen.
Stewart’s chances at three straight are pretty good, too, considering his recent series results.
He’s coming off a perfect 150.0 Driver Rating at California, only the seventh driver to do so in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
He finished third in this event last year with a perfect view of the thrilling finish between defending race winner Jeff Burton (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet) and his current teammate and Las Vegas native Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota).
And the hot start by second-year manufacturer Toyota certainly doesn’t hurt Stewart’s chances, nor those of his teammate Busch or the other four Toyota drivers entered in the event.
In fact, Busch’s start has bordered on historic. He leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings and is second in the NASCAR Nationwide Series rankings heading to his home track.
Woosley First Female Crew Chief In NASCAR National Series History
Cindy Woosley didn’t set out to be a pioneer. She’ll be the first to tell you she’s “all about the cars.”
But this weekend at Las Vegas, a woman who has always had an affinity for working on cars, has worked as a sheet metal fabricator as well as a skilled home builder, will add another line to her resume – the first female crew chief in NASCAR national series history.
Woosley will lead the No. 01 Lori Morgan LLC Chevrolet of JD Motorsports with Kertus Davis as the driver at Las Vegas.
She moved to the top of the pit box following a six-race suspension imposed on regular crew chief Gene Allnut, who was one of five crew chiefs suspended due to a rule violation at Daytona.
A native of Kentucky, Woosley has been with the team since last year and has been involved in racing for two seasons.
Familiar Territory: NASCAR Veteran Mike Bliss Right Back In Top-10 Mix
It hasn’t taken long for Mike Bliss (No. 22 Supercuts Dodge) to get back in the NASCAR Nationwide Series groove.
Ranked eighth in the series standings, Bliss has improved his finish in the season’s first two races: 17th at Daytona and 13th Monday at California.
The NASCAR national series veteran driver – who won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2002 and has 384 combined starts in NASCAR’s three national series – is back full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the first time since 2004.
He finished fifth in the standings that season after a 10th-place ranking in 2003, his first full season in the series.
Last year, the 42-year-old native of Milwaukie, Ore., competed in 23 races for Fitz Motorsports and posted three top fives and eight top 10s, including a runner-up finish at Memphis Motorsports Park.
His results propelled the team to an 11th-place finish in the owner points, its highest ranking ever.
Owner Armando Fitz moved quickly to secure Bliss for full-time duty this season. He also kept crew chief Paul Wolfe in the fold and the two are meshing well early. Bliss has also recently been joined on the team by another NASCAR veteran, Kenny Wallace (No. 36 Shark Energy Drink Dodge).
Bliss has run well at Las Vegas regardless of the series. In two NASCAR Nationwide Series starts he has a pole, a fifth-place and 12th-place finish. He has four top fives in six career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts and finished 16th in his lone NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at the track.
In The Loop: Las Vegas Is Becoming Burton’s Personal Playground
Jeff Burton wants to change the Sin City slogan a bit. Make it “Whatever happens in Vegas, happens everywhere else.”
If that were the case, Burton would come close to winning everywhere, every time.
Burton has raced at Las Vegas seven times to the tune of three wins, five top fives and six top 10s. Last season, Burton racked up one of the most dominating performances of the year.
He scored a stellar Driver Rating of 139.5, an Average Running Position of 3.8, 41 Fastest Laps Run and 195 Laps in the Top 15. That all spells “jackpot.”
Reigning series champion Carl Edwards (No. 60 Roush Fenway Ford) has also proved lucky at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Though he hasn’t won, he’s never finished outside the top 10 in any of his three visits to the 1.5-mile track. Probably his best chance at a Victory Lane visit came in 2005 – he started from the pole, led 125 of the 200 laps and earned a Driver Rating of 140.1. Oddly, he finished seventh that race – his worst finish of his three starts.
Overall at Las Vegas, Edwards has a Driver Rating of 115.5, an Average Running Position of 6.8, a series-high 581 Laps in the Top 15 (95.9%) and a series-high 59 Fastest Laps Run.
A key “dark horse” this weekend may be David Stremme (No. 64 Atreus Homes & Communities Chevrolet), who is driving for Rusty Wallace Racing. At Las Vegas, Stremme has finished in the top five in all three of his appearances. It’s arguably his most successful track – the three top fives account for 20 percent of his career top fives in the series (he also has three top-fives in four races at The Milwaukee Mile).
What makes Stremme’s performances even more impressive at Las Vegas is that each race featured a number of double-duty drivers.
In his last two starts – finishes of third and fifth – Stremme compiled a Driver Rating of 110.1, an Average Running Position of 6.5, 60 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green) and 379 Laps in the Top 15 (94.8%). NASCAR Nationwide Series Coverage At Las Vegas
ESPN2 continues its coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with live racing from Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday, March 1, beginning at 4 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown.
Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lead announcer for ESPN2’s coverage, joined in the booth for analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett, one of the founding drivers of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion crew chief Andy Petree.
Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, while two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion crew chief Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN DISH Tech Center.
Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty, a former winning team owner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, in the ESPN pit studio.
NASCAR Countdown and the race will be simulcast on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband sports network, and on ESPN Deportes, the domestic Spanish-language network.
ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.
The Director’s Take: Fuel And Tire Strategies In Play At Las Vegas
“We’re coming back to Las Vegas not long after it was one of the Preseason Thunder test stops for the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash says when sizing up Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“Teams will have a good indication of what they’ll need for the event based on being able to test at the track just last month.
“One of the big changes teams will see this weekend will again result from the introduction of the tapered spacer. It will change the way the drivers roll through the corners and also affect strategy on how they race the event because their corner entry and exit speeds will be different than previous races at this track.
“Fuel and tire strategies will also be different this year due to the smaller fuel cell. We’re at 17.75 gallons in each of our three national series as opposed to the 22-gallon cells we had across the board in years past.
“The crew chiefs will also need to recalculate their strategy as to when they put on fresh tires. Due to that combination, we may see an increase in fuel-only stops this year.”
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Most Wins: Jeff Burton (3)Most Poles: Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin (2)Quick Fact: Three different manufacturers have won the last three races at Las Vegas.
NNS Etc.
Las Vegas is the first of 19 scheduled trackside appearances for the “Nationwide Insurance Mobile Experience,” which will be located in the frontstretch display lot between the start/finish line and Turn 4.
The 75'x75' NASCAR Nationwide Series-branded interactive display is focused on educating race fans about the series and its drivers, while reenforcing Nationwide Insurance's relationship with the Series and its product offerings.
The display features various interactive activities including NASCAR Nationwide Series racing simulators along with Motorcycle and ATV simulators, the NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Match Game, a green screen imaging station, a Nationwide Insurance Prize Wheel, the Nationwide 'Up to Speed Challenge' as well as the Nationwide show car and a driver autograph session on Saturday before the Nationwide race. What’s quickly becoming an annual affair in Las Vegas, the Raybestos Rookie Cooking Challenge will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28 at the ESPN Zone located at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip from 2-4 p.m. MST.
NASCAR Nationwide Series rookies Cale Gale (Kevin Harvick Inc.), Landon Cassill (JR Motorsports) and Michael McDowell (Michael Waltrip Racing) will take part in the event. Chefs from the ESPN Zone will coach the drivers as they each prepare a meal that will be judged by members of the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club. Brad Coleman (No. 27 Scott’s Bath-Von’s Ford) took the crown last year.
Once he crossed the 100-mile mark in Monday’s race at California, Kevin Harvick officially logged 45,000 miles in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition since his first start in 1999. … Las Vegas was the site of Richard Childress Racing driver Scott Wimmer and his wife Jody’s wedding. They were wed Jan. 10, 2004 at Bellagio.
Rank Driver Points 1. Bryan Clauson 25 2. Dario Franchitti 21 3. Brian Keselowski 10 4. Cale Gale 9
Results following Stater Bros. 300 at Auto Club Speedway.
Tony Stewart’s two-race winning streak has Toyota atop the Bill France Performance Cup standings heading to Las Vegas.Chevrolet is the leading manufacturer at LVMS with six wins including last year’s victory. Ford has four wins while Dodge has one.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its annual appearance at Atlanta Motor Speedway next Saturday, March 8. The Nicorette 300 will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race begins at 2 p.m. ET.Jeff Burton is the defending race winner and has won the last two races at the 1.5-mile track. Kyle Busch has won two consecutive poles.
The Race: Sam’s Town 300
The Place: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The Date: Saturday, March 1
The Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Distance: 300 miles/20 0laps
TV: ESPN2, 4 p.m. ET
Track Layout: 1.5-mile oval
2007 Winner: Jeff Burton
2007 Pole: Kevin Harvick
2008 Standings
1 Stewart 3852 Ky Busch 3553 Edwards 2894 Reutimann 2815 Harvick 2706 Ragan 2707 Earnhardt Jr. 2668 Bliss 2419 Leffler 23610 Bowyer 231
Schedule: Friday—Practice 10:30-11:50 a.m.; Final Practice 1:45-3:30 p.m. Saturday—Qualifying, 9:05 a.m. (Impound).
Truck series news and notes
For Billy Ballew Motorsports, It’s One (Good) Race At A Time
Atlanta businessman Billy Ballew has his team exactly where he hopes it will be at the conclusion of the season – atop the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owners Championship standings.It won’t be easy despite having the services, at least for part of the season, of Auto Club Speedway winner Kyle Busch (No. 51 San Bernardino County 200).Busch won for the seventh time in a Ballew truck and in just the team’s second start with a Toyota.Ballew is what in another era would be called an independent. He puts together sponsorship on a race-by-race basis and pays Busch out of his own pocket.To win a title against the giants of the series would be the classic David defeating Goliath.Ballew, however, believes it can be done.“Our guys have proven over and over that they can be competitive anywhere they race,” said Ballew of the team headed by crew chief Richie Wauters.“I am fortunate to be surrounded by people that have so much talent and who work so well together.”Up next is Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 7 where Busch has won twice including last fall’s race.
NASCAR Craftsman Trucks A Series For All Ages
Experience may pay dividends in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in which each of the past four champions had passed their 40th birthdays.But don’t look now: Youth is gaining. Three members of the current top 10 – including championship leader Busch – are in their twenties.Todd Bodine (No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota) won the Daytona season opener at age 43. Busch turned the tables in Fontana at age 22.Consider that drivers representing five different decades of age placed among the top 10 of Saturday’s San Bernardino County 200.Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-way Freight Toyota) was the youngest at age 19 and is believed to be the first teenager to record a top-10 finish in the series since Busch – at age 16 years four months – placed ninth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October 2001.Two competitors who have celebrated their 50th birthdays had solid days, as well. Ted Musgrave (No. 59 Team ASE Toyota) finished sixth to record his seventh consecutive top 10 at Auto Club Speedway.Musgrave is 52.Mike Skinner (No. 5 Toyota Tundra Toyota) finished eighth.Among the top 10, teens had one finisher; 20s two; thirties, one; forties four and fifties two.
Drivers finishing in the top 10 of last Saturday’s San Bernardino County 200 represented five different decades in age. The oldest in each decade:Driver Finish AgeColin Braun 9th 19Phillip McGilton 10th 29Travis Kvapil 7th 32Ron Hornaday Jr. 4th 49Ted Musgrave 6th 52
Etc. & Quotable
Kvapil Snaps Streak … Perhaps it was fitting that Travis Kvapil (No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford) would finish seventh to end a six-race streak during which no Roush Fenway Racing entry had finished among the top 10. Kvapil had posted the organization’s last top 10, a victory in September at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Tapered Spacer Gets A-OK … The San Bernardino County 200 marked the first time that a tapered spacer between carburetor and intake manifold had been required in a non-Daytona/Talladega event. Ron Hornaday Jr., who finished fourth in the No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet, had praise for the device that reduces horsepower as a cost-cutting initiative. “These things are fun to drive,” said the 2007 champion. “It’s back in the driver’s hands again.”
Busch Sets Several Records … The Busch brothers, Kyle and Kurt, now are the only siblings to win series races at two tracks. The pair previously counted victories at Dover International Speedway. Busch’s seventh victory matched Mark Martin’s record for series wins by a current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver.
Billy Ballew On Kyle Busch … “I am just awed by his ability. He has accomplished so much in his 22 young years and to think that he has only just begun to show behind the wheel is incredible.”Cook Clicks With Wylers. … Terry Cook had gone seven races without a top five but finished fourth at Fontana in his second ride in the No. 60 Wyler.com Toyota. His best Auto Club Speedway finish, sixth, came in 200l.
In The LoopThus far in the young NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, two drivers stand out among the rest – Kyle Busch and Todd Bodine. The two flip-flopped first and second positions in the first two races of the season with Busch turning in a dominating performance last Saturday at the Auto Club Speedway.Busch scored a near-perfect Driver Rating of 148.6, an Average Running Position of 2.7, had 39 Fastest Laps Run and ran 98 of the 100 laps in the top 15.With the dominating performance, Busch took the overall series points lead.But statistically, NASCAR Craftsman Truck mainstay Todd Bodine has been a shade better than the NASCAR Sprint Cup regular.Bodine holds the top marks in Driver Rating (130.6), Average Running Position (2.7) and Laps Led (74).Busch holds the edge in Fastest Laps Run (44) and Laps in the Top 15 (197 for a percentage of 98.5). Busch’s season Average Running Position is 4.9 and his Driver Rating is 124.2.Within striking distance of the season’s first two winners is Johnny Benson (No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota). Benson, who leads the series with 109 Green Flag Passes, has an Average Running Position of 7.6 (third best), a Driver Rating of 101.8 (third), eight Fastest Laps Run (third) and has run 85 percent of the laps in the top 15.
This Week’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Leaders(Through two races of the 25-race season)
Points leader – Kyle Busch (365)
Driver Rating – Todd Bodine (130.6)
Winnings – Todd Bodine ($141,400)
Laps led – Todd Bodine (74)
Victories – Todd Bodine, Kyle Busch (1)
Keystone Light Poles – Erik Darnell (1)
Top-five finishes – Three drivers with two
Top-10 finishes – Three drivers with two
Raybestos Rookie Leader – Brian Scott (1 point over 3 drivers)
Races led – Mike Skinner (18)
Weeks in Top 10 – Nine drivers tied with 19
Freshman Class Continues To Roll
Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates occupied two spots in the top 10 at Auto Club Speedway as they did the previous week in Daytona.This time it was Colin Braun and Phillip McGilton (No. 22 3Wide Life Toyota) leading the way.Braun, ninth, bounced back from an accident-related 31st-place finish while McGilton, 10th, posted his second performance of 12th or better.Both drivers and Justin Marks (No. 9 Crocs Toyota) trail Raybestos leader Brian Scott (No. 16 Shark Energy Drink/Albertsons Chevrolet) by a single point.Seven drivers comprise the current rookie of the year field. Donny Lia (No. 71 TRG Racing Chevrolet) joined the field at Auto Club Speedway.
Up Next:
Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts the first of two 2008 events on March 7. The race kicks off the third NASCAR national series “tripleheader” of the season.Mike Skinner is the defending winner of last year’s American Commercial Lines 200, the second leg of a three-victory streak to begin the 2007 season.Atlanta is one of the series’ fastest tracks with Rick Crawford holding the one-lap record at 182.735 mph.
Two-For-Two For Toyota
Toyota won back-to-back for the first time at Auto Club Speedway and for the second time in 2008. The truck maker holds an eight point lead over Ford in a quest for a third Manufacturers’ Championship.
2008 Manufacturers' Championship Point StandingsToyota 18Ford 10Chevrolet 9Dodge 7
FAST FACTS
Next Race: American Commercial Lines 200The Place: Atlanta Motor SpeedwayThe Date: March 7, 2008The Time: 9 p.m. ETThe Distance: 202.2 miles / 130 lapsTV: SPEED, 8:30 p.m. ETTrack Layout: 1.54-mile banked paved speedway2007 Winner: Mike Skinner2007 Polesitter: Mike Skinner
Series Standings1 Ky. Busch 3652 T. Bodine 3453 J. Benson 3404 D. Starr 2845 R. Crawford 2816 P. McGilton 2617 C. McCumbee 2558 D. Setzer 2549 R. Hornaday Jr. 25310 S. Compton 250
Atlanta businessman Billy Ballew has his team exactly where he hopes it will be at the conclusion of the season – atop the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owners Championship standings.It won’t be easy despite having the services, at least for part of the season, of Auto Club Speedway winner Kyle Busch (No. 51 San Bernardino County 200).Busch won for the seventh time in a Ballew truck and in just the team’s second start with a Toyota.Ballew is what in another era would be called an independent. He puts together sponsorship on a race-by-race basis and pays Busch out of his own pocket.To win a title against the giants of the series would be the classic David defeating Goliath.Ballew, however, believes it can be done.“Our guys have proven over and over that they can be competitive anywhere they race,” said Ballew of the team headed by crew chief Richie Wauters.“I am fortunate to be surrounded by people that have so much talent and who work so well together.”Up next is Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 7 where Busch has won twice including last fall’s race.
NASCAR Craftsman Trucks A Series For All Ages
Experience may pay dividends in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in which each of the past four champions had passed their 40th birthdays.But don’t look now: Youth is gaining. Three members of the current top 10 – including championship leader Busch – are in their twenties.Todd Bodine (No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota) won the Daytona season opener at age 43. Busch turned the tables in Fontana at age 22.Consider that drivers representing five different decades of age placed among the top 10 of Saturday’s San Bernardino County 200.Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-way Freight Toyota) was the youngest at age 19 and is believed to be the first teenager to record a top-10 finish in the series since Busch – at age 16 years four months – placed ninth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October 2001.Two competitors who have celebrated their 50th birthdays had solid days, as well. Ted Musgrave (No. 59 Team ASE Toyota) finished sixth to record his seventh consecutive top 10 at Auto Club Speedway.Musgrave is 52.Mike Skinner (No. 5 Toyota Tundra Toyota) finished eighth.Among the top 10, teens had one finisher; 20s two; thirties, one; forties four and fifties two.
Drivers finishing in the top 10 of last Saturday’s San Bernardino County 200 represented five different decades in age. The oldest in each decade:Driver Finish AgeColin Braun 9th 19Phillip McGilton 10th 29Travis Kvapil 7th 32Ron Hornaday Jr. 4th 49Ted Musgrave 6th 52
Etc. & Quotable
Kvapil Snaps Streak … Perhaps it was fitting that Travis Kvapil (No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford) would finish seventh to end a six-race streak during which no Roush Fenway Racing entry had finished among the top 10. Kvapil had posted the organization’s last top 10, a victory in September at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Tapered Spacer Gets A-OK … The San Bernardino County 200 marked the first time that a tapered spacer between carburetor and intake manifold had been required in a non-Daytona/Talladega event. Ron Hornaday Jr., who finished fourth in the No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet, had praise for the device that reduces horsepower as a cost-cutting initiative. “These things are fun to drive,” said the 2007 champion. “It’s back in the driver’s hands again.”
Busch Sets Several Records … The Busch brothers, Kyle and Kurt, now are the only siblings to win series races at two tracks. The pair previously counted victories at Dover International Speedway. Busch’s seventh victory matched Mark Martin’s record for series wins by a current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver.
Billy Ballew On Kyle Busch … “I am just awed by his ability. He has accomplished so much in his 22 young years and to think that he has only just begun to show behind the wheel is incredible.”Cook Clicks With Wylers. … Terry Cook had gone seven races without a top five but finished fourth at Fontana in his second ride in the No. 60 Wyler.com Toyota. His best Auto Club Speedway finish, sixth, came in 200l.
In The LoopThus far in the young NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, two drivers stand out among the rest – Kyle Busch and Todd Bodine. The two flip-flopped first and second positions in the first two races of the season with Busch turning in a dominating performance last Saturday at the Auto Club Speedway.Busch scored a near-perfect Driver Rating of 148.6, an Average Running Position of 2.7, had 39 Fastest Laps Run and ran 98 of the 100 laps in the top 15.With the dominating performance, Busch took the overall series points lead.But statistically, NASCAR Craftsman Truck mainstay Todd Bodine has been a shade better than the NASCAR Sprint Cup regular.Bodine holds the top marks in Driver Rating (130.6), Average Running Position (2.7) and Laps Led (74).Busch holds the edge in Fastest Laps Run (44) and Laps in the Top 15 (197 for a percentage of 98.5). Busch’s season Average Running Position is 4.9 and his Driver Rating is 124.2.Within striking distance of the season’s first two winners is Johnny Benson (No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota). Benson, who leads the series with 109 Green Flag Passes, has an Average Running Position of 7.6 (third best), a Driver Rating of 101.8 (third), eight Fastest Laps Run (third) and has run 85 percent of the laps in the top 15.
This Week’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Leaders(Through two races of the 25-race season)
Points leader – Kyle Busch (365)
Driver Rating – Todd Bodine (130.6)
Winnings – Todd Bodine ($141,400)
Laps led – Todd Bodine (74)
Victories – Todd Bodine, Kyle Busch (1)
Keystone Light Poles – Erik Darnell (1)
Top-five finishes – Three drivers with two
Top-10 finishes – Three drivers with two
Raybestos Rookie Leader – Brian Scott (1 point over 3 drivers)
Races led – Mike Skinner (18)
Weeks in Top 10 – Nine drivers tied with 19
Freshman Class Continues To Roll
Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates occupied two spots in the top 10 at Auto Club Speedway as they did the previous week in Daytona.This time it was Colin Braun and Phillip McGilton (No. 22 3Wide Life Toyota) leading the way.Braun, ninth, bounced back from an accident-related 31st-place finish while McGilton, 10th, posted his second performance of 12th or better.Both drivers and Justin Marks (No. 9 Crocs Toyota) trail Raybestos leader Brian Scott (No. 16 Shark Energy Drink/Albertsons Chevrolet) by a single point.Seven drivers comprise the current rookie of the year field. Donny Lia (No. 71 TRG Racing Chevrolet) joined the field at Auto Club Speedway.
Up Next:
Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts the first of two 2008 events on March 7. The race kicks off the third NASCAR national series “tripleheader” of the season.Mike Skinner is the defending winner of last year’s American Commercial Lines 200, the second leg of a three-victory streak to begin the 2007 season.Atlanta is one of the series’ fastest tracks with Rick Crawford holding the one-lap record at 182.735 mph.
Two-For-Two For Toyota
Toyota won back-to-back for the first time at Auto Club Speedway and for the second time in 2008. The truck maker holds an eight point lead over Ford in a quest for a third Manufacturers’ Championship.
2008 Manufacturers' Championship Point StandingsToyota 18Ford 10Chevrolet 9Dodge 7
FAST FACTS
Next Race: American Commercial Lines 200The Place: Atlanta Motor SpeedwayThe Date: March 7, 2008The Time: 9 p.m. ETThe Distance: 202.2 miles / 130 lapsTV: SPEED, 8:30 p.m. ETTrack Layout: 1.54-mile banked paved speedway2007 Winner: Mike Skinner2007 Polesitter: Mike Skinner
Series Standings1 Ky. Busch 3652 T. Bodine 3453 J. Benson 3404 D. Starr 2845 R. Crawford 2816 P. McGilton 2617 C. McCumbee 2558 D. Setzer 2549 R. Hornaday Jr. 25310 S. Compton 250
Points
Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 along with other notable drivers, going into the UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2.
1 – Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 123.32008 Rundown• Two top fives• Average finish of 4.0• Led two races for 100 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Two top fives, three top 10s• Average finish of 13.8 • Finished ninth in last year’s Vegas race• Led two of four races for five lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Series-best Average Running Position of 5.5
2 – Ryan Newman (No. 12 alltel Dodge)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.92008 Rundown• One win, two top 10s• Average finish of 5.5• Ended an 81-race winless drought with win at the Daytona 500• Led two races for 11 laps Las Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook:• One top five, four top 10s; one pole• Average finish of 18.7 • Finished eighth last season• Led four of seven races for 98 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 376 Laps in the Top 15, tied for fifth-most
3 – Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 101.22008 Rundown• One top five, two top 10s• Average finish of 5.0• Led one race for 16 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Four top fives, six top 10s• Average finish of 11.2• Finished seventh last season• Led four of nine races for 179 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 393 Laps in the Top 15, third-most
4 – Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 79.42008 Rundown• One top five• Average finish of 7.5• Led one race for nine lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook:• One top five, two top 10s• Average finish of 17.6 • Finished 26th last season• Led four of seven races for 52 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Improved a series-high 15 “Closer” positions in the final 10% the races
5 – Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 105.02008 Rundown• One win• Average finish of 10.0• Led one race for 64 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • One top 10• Average finish of 15.3• Finished sixth last season• Led one of three races for three lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Series-high 76 Fastest Laps Run
6 – Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 106.72008 Rundown• Two top 10s• Average finish of 8.0• Led two races for two lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Two top fives; two poles• Average finish of 19.8• Finished 35th last season• Led three of four races for 57 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Average Running Position of 7.2, second-best
7 – Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.82008 Rundown• One top 10• Average finish of 11.0• Led one race for one lapLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • One win, two top 10s• Average finish of 15.7• Finished 27th last season• Led one of seven races for 43 laps Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 319 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most
8 – Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 107.42008 Rundown• One top five• Average finish of 14.5• Led two races for 77 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Three wins, four top 10s• Average finish of 6.0• Won the last three races at Las Vegas• Led all six of his races for 210 laps Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Average Running Position of 8.5, third-best
9 – Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.92008 Rundown• One top 10• Average finish of 12.5• Led two races for 16 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Two top 10s• Average finish of 17.5• Finished 16th last season• Led two of four races for 58 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 218 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), second-most
10 – Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.32008 Rundown• 66 consecutive races in the top 12 of the series standings, longest current streak in the series• Average finish of 12.5• Led two races for 11 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook:• Two wins, three top fives, six top 10s• Average finish of 11.0 • Finished 15th last season• Led five of 10 races for 209 laps Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 449 laps run on the lead lap, third-most
11 – Brian Vickers (No. 83 Red Bull Toyota)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 80.92008 Rundown• Average finish of 11.5Las Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Average finish of 29.3• Finished 22nd last season• Led one of three races for one lapSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Fourth-fastest Speed in Traffic (speed when within one car length of another car)
12– Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.32008 Rundown• One top 10• Average finish of 13.0Las Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Average finish of 16.0 • Finished 12th last season• Led one of two races for two lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Improved 14 “Closer” positions in the final 10% the races, second-most
14 – Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 106.02008 Rundown• One top five• Average finish of 21.0• Led two races for 73 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • One win, five top fives• Average finish of 12.9 • Finished second last season• Led four of 10 races for 198 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Average Running Position of 8.5, fourth-best
Chase ContendersThe Top 12 … And Beyond Following Race 2 of 36
Weeks Rank Season In Last DriverDriver Points Wins Top 12 Week Rating 1. Kyle Busch 335 0 2 4 123.32. Ryan Newman 329 1 2 1 100.93. Tony Stewart 316 0 2 3 101.24. Kurt Busch 299 0 2 2 79.45. Carl Edwards 296 1 1 18 105.06. Kasey Kahne 294 0 2 6 106.77. Kevin Harvick 268 0 1 13 90.88. Jimmie Johnson 267 0 1 25 107.49. Greg Biffle 262 0 2 9 97.910. Jeff Burton 261 0 2 11 85.311. Brian Vickers 257 0 2 12 80.912. Martin Truex Jr. 253 0 1 19 85.3 ___________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL DRIVERS
13. Elliott Sadler 241 14. Jeff Gordon 221 15. Matt Kenseth 220 16. Bobby Labonte 218 17. Reed Sorenson 212 18. David Reutimann 203 19. Clint Bowyer 202 20. Scott Riggs 200 21. David Gilliland 191 22. Jamie McMurray 187 23. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 186 24. Mark Martin 185 25. Dale Jarrett 184 26. Paul Menard 179 27. J.P. Montoya 170 28. J.J. Yeley 164 29. Michael Waltrip 160 30. David Ragan 158 31. Denny Hamlin 157 32. Robby Gordon 156 33. Sam Hornish Jr. 152 34. Jeremy Mayfield 14035. Dario Franchitti 136 36. Travis Kvapil 128 37. Dave Blaney 127 38. Regan Smith 122 39. Kyle Petty 110 40. John Andretti 106 41. Joe Nemechek 101 42. Casey Mears 95 43. Bill Elliott 85 44. Kenny Wallace 34
Note: The first 26 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season determine which 12 drivers qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, contested over the final 10 races of the season.
1 – Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 123.32008 Rundown• Two top fives• Average finish of 4.0• Led two races for 100 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Two top fives, three top 10s• Average finish of 13.8 • Finished ninth in last year’s Vegas race• Led two of four races for five lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Series-best Average Running Position of 5.5
2 – Ryan Newman (No. 12 alltel Dodge)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.92008 Rundown• One win, two top 10s• Average finish of 5.5• Ended an 81-race winless drought with win at the Daytona 500• Led two races for 11 laps Las Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook:• One top five, four top 10s; one pole• Average finish of 18.7 • Finished eighth last season• Led four of seven races for 98 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 376 Laps in the Top 15, tied for fifth-most
3 – Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 101.22008 Rundown• One top five, two top 10s• Average finish of 5.0• Led one race for 16 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Four top fives, six top 10s• Average finish of 11.2• Finished seventh last season• Led four of nine races for 179 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 393 Laps in the Top 15, third-most
4 – Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 79.42008 Rundown• One top five• Average finish of 7.5• Led one race for nine lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook:• One top five, two top 10s• Average finish of 17.6 • Finished 26th last season• Led four of seven races for 52 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Improved a series-high 15 “Closer” positions in the final 10% the races
5 – Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 105.02008 Rundown• One win• Average finish of 10.0• Led one race for 64 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • One top 10• Average finish of 15.3• Finished sixth last season• Led one of three races for three lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Series-high 76 Fastest Laps Run
6 – Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 106.72008 Rundown• Two top 10s• Average finish of 8.0• Led two races for two lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Two top fives; two poles• Average finish of 19.8• Finished 35th last season• Led three of four races for 57 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Average Running Position of 7.2, second-best
7 – Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.82008 Rundown• One top 10• Average finish of 11.0• Led one race for one lapLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • One win, two top 10s• Average finish of 15.7• Finished 27th last season• Led one of seven races for 43 laps Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 319 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most
8 – Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 107.42008 Rundown• One top five• Average finish of 14.5• Led two races for 77 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Three wins, four top 10s• Average finish of 6.0• Won the last three races at Las Vegas• Led all six of his races for 210 laps Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Average Running Position of 8.5, third-best
9 – Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.92008 Rundown• One top 10• Average finish of 12.5• Led two races for 16 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Two top 10s• Average finish of 17.5• Finished 16th last season• Led two of four races for 58 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 218 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), second-most
10 – Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.32008 Rundown• 66 consecutive races in the top 12 of the series standings, longest current streak in the series• Average finish of 12.5• Led two races for 11 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook:• Two wins, three top fives, six top 10s• Average finish of 11.0 • Finished 15th last season• Led five of 10 races for 209 laps Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• 449 laps run on the lead lap, third-most
11 – Brian Vickers (No. 83 Red Bull Toyota)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 80.92008 Rundown• Average finish of 11.5Las Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Average finish of 29.3• Finished 22nd last season• Led one of three races for one lapSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Fourth-fastest Speed in Traffic (speed when within one car length of another car)
12– Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.32008 Rundown• One top 10• Average finish of 13.0Las Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • Average finish of 16.0 • Finished 12th last season• Led one of two races for two lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Improved 14 “Closer” positions in the final 10% the races, second-most
14 – Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 106.02008 Rundown• One top five• Average finish of 21.0• Led two races for 73 lapsLas Vegas Motor Speedway Outlook: • One win, five top fives• Average finish of 12.9 • Finished second last season• Led four of 10 races for 198 lapsSeason-to-Date Loop Data Highlight• Average Running Position of 8.5, fourth-best
Chase ContendersThe Top 12 … And Beyond Following Race 2 of 36
Weeks Rank Season In Last DriverDriver Points Wins Top 12 Week Rating 1. Kyle Busch 335 0 2 4 123.32. Ryan Newman 329 1 2 1 100.93. Tony Stewart 316 0 2 3 101.24. Kurt Busch 299 0 2 2 79.45. Carl Edwards 296 1 1 18 105.06. Kasey Kahne 294 0 2 6 106.77. Kevin Harvick 268 0 1 13 90.88. Jimmie Johnson 267 0 1 25 107.49. Greg Biffle 262 0 2 9 97.910. Jeff Burton 261 0 2 11 85.311. Brian Vickers 257 0 2 12 80.912. Martin Truex Jr. 253 0 1 19 85.3 ___________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL DRIVERS
13. Elliott Sadler 241 14. Jeff Gordon 221 15. Matt Kenseth 220 16. Bobby Labonte 218 17. Reed Sorenson 212 18. David Reutimann 203 19. Clint Bowyer 202 20. Scott Riggs 200 21. David Gilliland 191 22. Jamie McMurray 187 23. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 186 24. Mark Martin 185 25. Dale Jarrett 184 26. Paul Menard 179 27. J.P. Montoya 170 28. J.J. Yeley 164 29. Michael Waltrip 160 30. David Ragan 158 31. Denny Hamlin 157 32. Robby Gordon 156 33. Sam Hornish Jr. 152 34. Jeremy Mayfield 14035. Dario Franchitti 136 36. Travis Kvapil 128 37. Dave Blaney 127 38. Regan Smith 122 39. Kyle Petty 110 40. John Andretti 106 41. Joe Nemechek 101 42. Casey Mears 95 43. Bill Elliott 85 44. Kenny Wallace 34
Note: The first 26 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season determine which 12 drivers qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, contested over the final 10 races of the season.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tony Stewart does it agian!
Tony Stewart his skills after running a cup race finsihing 7th he wins another natiownide race 4th of his carer 1st on a track besides Daytona. Based on owner's points from last yera he lined up 2nd and lead from the start leading a commanding 136 laps of 150. Kyle Busch finished 2nd Kevin Harvick 3rd David Reutmann 4th and Carl Edwards rounds out your top five. Also Making his first tsart of the year Stephen Leight who won in the series last yera got a top ten in his new ride at Richard Childress racing hoping to impress sposnors for the 2008 season.
Carl Edwards wins the cup race
FONTANA, Calif. – Carl Edwards might adopt the old Mama's and Papa's song, “Monday, Monday... so good to me!”
He won Monday's postponed NASCAR Sprint Cup race after two days of trying at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California.
Edwards took the lead for the final time with 14 laps to go and drove away from runner-up Jimmie Johnson and third-place finisher Jeff Gordon.
The 500-mile race over the rain-swept, two-mile track tried the patience of NASCAR's finest drivers and teams. They started the event Sunday afternoon and didn't finish until Monday afternoon. Mother Nature, indeed, threw unpredictable knuckleballs at the teams throughout the weekend.
One of numerous storms forced a halt to the event after 87 laps Saturday night and all attempts to dry the track failed, forcing officials to postpone the conclusion until Monday.
Sunshine finally broke through and Edwards wound up at the end of a rainbow in victory lane.
He raced with the leaders throughout the race and chased Johnson down after a caution flag with 19 laps remaining bunched the field.
The 11th caution of the day was caused by Jeremy Mayfield, and both Johnson and Gordon beat Edwards out of the pits after changing four tires. The Missouri native ran high, wide and handsome through the turns over the final laps, reeling in Johnson. NASCAR's defending champion actually wore out his right rear tire trying to stay ahead.
Finishing fourth behind Edwards, Johnson and Gordon was young Kyle Busch, who won the Craftsman Truck race Friday night, and was a factor in Monday's race. Matt Kenseth finished fifth, trailed by Martin Truex, Jr., Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman.
Rain created problems throughout the weekend with NASCAR's Nationwide Series event postponed from Saturday until after the Sprint Cup race Monday.
The delayed start was further delayed once they cranked the cars after Michael Waltrip's machine spewed oil on the track, forcing cleanup crews back on the track again.
Gordon jumped out front at the start and sped away to a three-second lead. Denny Hamlin spun and smacked the retaining wall to bring out the afternoon's first caution period.
On the restart, Johnson was out front briefly before Gordon took over again.
Just one lap later, a multi-car crash knocked several contenders out of the race. Casey Mears lost control of his Chevy between turns three and four and slid across in front of teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr., knocking Earnhardt into the outside wall. Sam Hornish, Jr., plowed into Mears' car, turning it on its side. Reed Sorensen was also involved.
Quick work by the Speedway safety crew doused a flash fire on Mears' car. None of the drivers were injured.
NASCAR stopped the race (red flag) to clean up the track. After an hour delay to repair seeping problems on the track, the race was restarted with Gordon still in the lead. Only 24 laps had been completed.
On the restart, it was Gordon, Johnson, Stewart, Kahne, Biffle, Edwards, Burton, Montoya, Ragan and Newman.
Johnson passed Gordon on lap 34 for the lead. Gordon took it back just a few laps later.
Another caution slowed the field at lap 43. On this restart, Gordon shot to the front like a rocket. Edwards moved past Johnson for second.
Joe Nemechek had a flat tire and spun just two laps after the restart, bringing out the fifth caution flag.
Robby Gordon spun a few laps later to bring out the sixth caution period. Elliott Sadler spun to avoid Gordon and hit the outside wall.
Biffle held the lead on the restart with Johnson in tow. Gordon was third and Kyle Busch fourth. A seventh caution slowed the field at 83 laps when raindrops pelted the cars. NASCAR put the red flag out for the second time when the track became totally wet at 87 laps. A wet track delayed the continuation of the race until Monday.
He won Monday's postponed NASCAR Sprint Cup race after two days of trying at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California.
Edwards took the lead for the final time with 14 laps to go and drove away from runner-up Jimmie Johnson and third-place finisher Jeff Gordon.
The 500-mile race over the rain-swept, two-mile track tried the patience of NASCAR's finest drivers and teams. They started the event Sunday afternoon and didn't finish until Monday afternoon. Mother Nature, indeed, threw unpredictable knuckleballs at the teams throughout the weekend.
One of numerous storms forced a halt to the event after 87 laps Saturday night and all attempts to dry the track failed, forcing officials to postpone the conclusion until Monday.
Sunshine finally broke through and Edwards wound up at the end of a rainbow in victory lane.
He raced with the leaders throughout the race and chased Johnson down after a caution flag with 19 laps remaining bunched the field.
The 11th caution of the day was caused by Jeremy Mayfield, and both Johnson and Gordon beat Edwards out of the pits after changing four tires. The Missouri native ran high, wide and handsome through the turns over the final laps, reeling in Johnson. NASCAR's defending champion actually wore out his right rear tire trying to stay ahead.
Finishing fourth behind Edwards, Johnson and Gordon was young Kyle Busch, who won the Craftsman Truck race Friday night, and was a factor in Monday's race. Matt Kenseth finished fifth, trailed by Martin Truex, Jr., Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman.
Rain created problems throughout the weekend with NASCAR's Nationwide Series event postponed from Saturday until after the Sprint Cup race Monday.
The delayed start was further delayed once they cranked the cars after Michael Waltrip's machine spewed oil on the track, forcing cleanup crews back on the track again.
Gordon jumped out front at the start and sped away to a three-second lead. Denny Hamlin spun and smacked the retaining wall to bring out the afternoon's first caution period.
On the restart, Johnson was out front briefly before Gordon took over again.
Just one lap later, a multi-car crash knocked several contenders out of the race. Casey Mears lost control of his Chevy between turns three and four and slid across in front of teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr., knocking Earnhardt into the outside wall. Sam Hornish, Jr., plowed into Mears' car, turning it on its side. Reed Sorensen was also involved.
Quick work by the Speedway safety crew doused a flash fire on Mears' car. None of the drivers were injured.
NASCAR stopped the race (red flag) to clean up the track. After an hour delay to repair seeping problems on the track, the race was restarted with Gordon still in the lead. Only 24 laps had been completed.
On the restart, it was Gordon, Johnson, Stewart, Kahne, Biffle, Edwards, Burton, Montoya, Ragan and Newman.
Johnson passed Gordon on lap 34 for the lead. Gordon took it back just a few laps later.
Another caution slowed the field at lap 43. On this restart, Gordon shot to the front like a rocket. Edwards moved past Johnson for second.
Joe Nemechek had a flat tire and spun just two laps after the restart, bringing out the fifth caution flag.
Robby Gordon spun a few laps later to bring out the sixth caution period. Elliott Sadler spun to avoid Gordon and hit the outside wall.
Biffle held the lead on the restart with Johnson in tow. Gordon was third and Kyle Busch fourth. A seventh caution slowed the field at 83 laps when raindrops pelted the cars. NASCAR put the red flag out for the second time when the track became totally wet at 87 laps. A wet track delayed the continuation of the race until Monday.
Revised Schedule: Auto Club 500 Postponed Until Monday
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 500 has been postponed until Monday morning. The race will resume at 10 a.m. PT on FOX. The NASCAR Nationwide Series Stater Bros. 300. will run approximately one hour following the conclusion of the Auto Club 500 on ESPN2.
The Auto Club 500 was red-flagged after 87 laps due to inclement weather. Efforts to dry the track were halted at 11 p.m. PT. The race will resume with Lap 88 Thrn the nationwide race will begin imedately after the Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 500 was red-flagged after 87 laps due to inclement weather. Efforts to dry the track were halted at 11 p.m. PT. The race will resume with Lap 88 Thrn the nationwide race will begin imedately after the Auto Club 500
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Kyle Busch wins the Truck race , Nationwide race rained out and my picks for the cup race
Kyle Busch shows his skills off agian winning the truck rce at a track where when he was 16 got kicked out ue to NASCAR changing their age c hange. The Nationwide race got rained out so it will start 1 hour after the cup race. This will be yough on double duty drivers I pick Carl Edwards to win the Auto Club 500.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
picks for Truck race and Nationwide race
I have thought about it long and hard and I have these picks. For the truck race I pick Erilk Darnell to pick. Got his first Truck win at kanas and should be strong. For the Nationwide race I pick Jason Leffler to win.
Friday, February 22, 2008
NASCAR is one doggone good sport
Whoever coined the sentiment that the race does not always go to the swiftest probably feels a little bit smug when NASCAR brings its horsepower to restrictor plate tracks such as Daytona and Talladega. There may be a clear favorite or frontrunner, and history sometimes does repeat itself, but it is virtually impossible in the beginning to guess who, in the end, will be the winner.
The opening race of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season on February 17 is a prime example. Few prognosticators predicted that Ryan Newman would win his first Daytona 500 that day, but that's exactly what happened.
This principle is not specific to NASCAR. A few days earlier and a few dozen degrees colder, another type of underdog made a statement of his own when a beagle was declared Best in Show by the Westminster Kennel Club for the first time in the competition's history.
Most of the official oddsmakers probably didn't see that one coming as the hound is not one of the more glamorous breeds, but on that day, beagles were the best.
There are plenty of obvious jokes to be made here, like how the week of February 12 was virtually a dog and pony show, and how there were many hot dogs but only one top dog. While the Westminster Dog Show and the Daytona 500 may seem on the surface to have absolutely nothing in common, there are actually a number of parallels to be drawn.
Both events are at the very pinnacle of their genres. Each incorporates preliminary levels of qualification prior to the main event. Both feature a wide variety of competitors with an array of different attributes, but one common goal.
They all want to win; the desire is fierce, and manifests itself in many unique ways.
There are those who live for the hunt. While generally not large in size, they are brave and tough, with lively, energetic personalities. They are intensely enthusiastic but can sometimes be on the rambunctious side, requiring an owner with a firm hand. As you can see, this almost perfectly describes Kyle Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya, Denny Hamlin ... and rat terriers.
Others, while generally friendly and gregarious, are known to be fiercely loyal and passionately committed to their tasks. Efforts have been made to work their aggression out, but they are prone to flashes of willfulness. Competitors fitting this category include Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick ... and bulldogs.
Strikingly sleek and athletic, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson personify the face of contemporary racing. They are pack-oriented and work well in groups. They are extremely friendly toward strangers and popular with children. They are among the fastest creatures on earth. Interestingly, this description also applies to greyhounds.
Top 10 lists may vary, but one name is invariably at the top of each and every one as the most popular. Characterized by affability, intelligence and boundless energy, appreciation and praise always elicit a positive response from this list-topper. He can be somewhat boisterous, but is considered one of the most dependable in his class. He, of course, is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ... and the Labrador retriever.
The beagle also makes all the top 10 lists, but he is usually somewhere near the middle of the pack. Beagles are known for being low-key; in fact, the most famous beagle in history – Snoopy – played sidekick to Charlie Brown's superstar status.
The secret to the beagle's popularity lies in his dependability. He may not be the most flamboyant, but he always tries his hardest, and accepts the outcome, whatever it may be, with equanimity and an even temper. While he may not spend a lot of time jumping up and down like some of his livelier companions, he is always fun to watch.
Since he won the Daytona 500, some have criticized Ryan Newman for not seeming excited enough about the win, but I can guarantee you that, for that one day at least, Newman was the happiest guy in the country.
Excitement doesn't always have to equal excitability, and just because Newman doesn't express his feelings more doesn't mean he feels them any less. He simply got to work, got down to business, and got the job done – quietly. The fact that he chose to enjoy his fireworks after the race instead of during it didn't make them any less spectacular.
Every dog deserves to have his day. Even Snoopy, remember, had the chance to kick the Red Baron's rear spoiler every now and again.
The opening race of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season on February 17 is a prime example. Few prognosticators predicted that Ryan Newman would win his first Daytona 500 that day, but that's exactly what happened.
This principle is not specific to NASCAR. A few days earlier and a few dozen degrees colder, another type of underdog made a statement of his own when a beagle was declared Best in Show by the Westminster Kennel Club for the first time in the competition's history.
Most of the official oddsmakers probably didn't see that one coming as the hound is not one of the more glamorous breeds, but on that day, beagles were the best.
There are plenty of obvious jokes to be made here, like how the week of February 12 was virtually a dog and pony show, and how there were many hot dogs but only one top dog. While the Westminster Dog Show and the Daytona 500 may seem on the surface to have absolutely nothing in common, there are actually a number of parallels to be drawn.
Both events are at the very pinnacle of their genres. Each incorporates preliminary levels of qualification prior to the main event. Both feature a wide variety of competitors with an array of different attributes, but one common goal.
They all want to win; the desire is fierce, and manifests itself in many unique ways.
There are those who live for the hunt. While generally not large in size, they are brave and tough, with lively, energetic personalities. They are intensely enthusiastic but can sometimes be on the rambunctious side, requiring an owner with a firm hand. As you can see, this almost perfectly describes Kyle Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya, Denny Hamlin ... and rat terriers.
Others, while generally friendly and gregarious, are known to be fiercely loyal and passionately committed to their tasks. Efforts have been made to work their aggression out, but they are prone to flashes of willfulness. Competitors fitting this category include Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick ... and bulldogs.
Strikingly sleek and athletic, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson personify the face of contemporary racing. They are pack-oriented and work well in groups. They are extremely friendly toward strangers and popular with children. They are among the fastest creatures on earth. Interestingly, this description also applies to greyhounds.
Top 10 lists may vary, but one name is invariably at the top of each and every one as the most popular. Characterized by affability, intelligence and boundless energy, appreciation and praise always elicit a positive response from this list-topper. He can be somewhat boisterous, but is considered one of the most dependable in his class. He, of course, is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ... and the Labrador retriever.
The beagle also makes all the top 10 lists, but he is usually somewhere near the middle of the pack. Beagles are known for being low-key; in fact, the most famous beagle in history – Snoopy – played sidekick to Charlie Brown's superstar status.
The secret to the beagle's popularity lies in his dependability. He may not be the most flamboyant, but he always tries his hardest, and accepts the outcome, whatever it may be, with equanimity and an even temper. While he may not spend a lot of time jumping up and down like some of his livelier companions, he is always fun to watch.
Since he won the Daytona 500, some have criticized Ryan Newman for not seeming excited enough about the win, but I can guarantee you that, for that one day at least, Newman was the happiest guy in the country.
Excitement doesn't always have to equal excitability, and just because Newman doesn't express his feelings more doesn't mean he feels them any less. He simply got to work, got down to business, and got the job done – quietly. The fact that he chose to enjoy his fireworks after the race instead of during it didn't make them any less spectacular.
Every dog deserves to have his day. Even Snoopy, remember, had the chance to kick the Red Baron's rear spoiler every now and again.
Sprint cup in La
New Car Ready For West Coast DebutKenseth Eyes Third Consecutive California VictoryHendrick Motorsports Seeks California Rebound
New Year Plus New Car Equals Close Competition
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 19, 2008) — If last week’s season-opening Daytona 500 is any barometer, expect more “raciness” in this Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
NASCAR’s new car, beginning its first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, promises a ramped-up competitive environment along with significant safety boosts and cost-containment measures.
Certainly last week’s Daytona 500 was one of the most competitive in the race’s 50-year history — winner Ryan Newman (No. 12 Alltel-SAMSUNG HDTV Dodge) took the lead on the last lap.
The event’s 42 lead changes were the most since 2001 (49) and the fifth time since 1972 that a Daytona 500 produced 40 or more lead changes.
Also consider that 16 drivers led at least one lap, the second-highest total in Daytona 500 history. Only the 2006 race had more leaders (18).
And the new car begins 2008 by racing at four consecutive tracks for the first time, including California, where series teams tested on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
“I’m looking forward to these cars because everyone is so close,” said Carl Edwards (No. 99 DISH Network Ford) during the test, which was preceded by a two-day test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “I believe that opens the opportunity for the drivers to be able to make a little bit bigger difference. I think that’s going to be a pretty good thing.”
“I think you're going to see a lot of people moving around,” said Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet) at the preseason test, of Sunday’s Auto Club 500. “I think this car, even at Las Vegas, you could move around and make time. You're just going to see a lot of different grooves develop as the race goes on.”
Three-Peat: Kenseth Looks For Third Consecutive California Win
It shouldn’t surprise if Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Carhartt Ford) makes a winning move in the final laps of Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
The 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion is pursuing his third consecutive victory in the track’s February event.
NASCAR Loop Data statistics illustrate his excellence there. Kenseth leads several key pre-race categories for California, including Driver Rating (113.9), Average Running Position (7.242) and Fastest in Turn 1 (179.453 mph).
And although he didn’t get the finish he wanted in last week’s Daytona 500 — Kenseth finished 36th after damaging contact with Roush Fenway Racing teammate David Ragan (No. 6 Southern California Insurance Ford) — he ran up front for much of the race and led one lap.
Kenseth also was second-fastest during the Thursday night, Jan. 31 session of last month’s California test, while teammate Carl Edwards led two of the five sessions.
“It's one we certainly look forward to,” Kenseth said. “You look forward to trying to get some momentum back after our disappointing Daytona 500. So hopefully it will be all right.” Hendrick Motorsports Looking To Erase Daytona 500 Disappointment
After a disappointing Daytona 500 performance, Hendrick Motorsports looks to rebound in Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
Just as they did last year.
The dominant NASCAR Sprint Cup organization in 2007, Hendrick opened 2008 with similar expectations, plus a media consensus as preseason favorites.
Reigning and two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) won the Daytona 500 pole while newest teammate and fan-favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet) won the non-points Budweiser Shootout the week prior to the Daytona 500.
Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Cromax Pro Chevrolet), last year’s series runner-up, sought his fourth Daytona 500 victory. Casey Mears (No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet), poised for a breakout year with new crew chief Alan Gustafson, played the dark-horse role.
But only Earnhardt finished inside the top 10 at Daytona — ninth. Suspension problems relegated Gordon to 39th. A late-race spinout put Johnson in 27th. Mears, running in the top five with five laps remaining, finished 36th after hitting an outside wall.
Fast-forward to California, where Hendrick teams hope to duplicate last season’s West Coast panacea — a rebound that followed similarly frustrating results in the 2007 Daytona 500.
Gordon was Hendrick’s highest finisher in last year’s “Great American Race” — 10th. Mears finished 20th. Then-teammate Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota) finished 24th while Johnson finished 39th following an accident.
Here’s the precedent: Seven Chevrolets finished in the top 10 of last year’s Auto Club 500 at California, including three HMS drivers.
Gordon finished second behind winner Matt Kenseth. Johnson finished third and Busch finished ninth. Mears finished 31st.
The Penske Racing Way: Daytona 500 Winner Ryan Newman’s Back …
Ryan Newman’s last-lap victory last Sunday represents more than a one-race triumph in the 50th Daytona 500 — significant though it is.
It also may function as his re-introduction to contender status, a label many media and fans affixed to Newman from the start.
The 2002 NASCAR Sprint Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year, Newman began his series career the same season as reigning and two-time champion Jimmie Johnson.
Both young drivers excelled immediately — Johnson, in his and Newman’s seventh season, has yet to finish outside the top five — but Newman has endured a rockier path, of late.
After consecutive top-10 finishes from 2002-2005, Newman dipped to 18th in ‘06 and 13th in ‘07, noticeable because of his early exploits.
Nicknamed “Rocketman,” Newman set the rookie record for poles in a season (six) in ’02. He also led the series with 11 poles in ’03, nine poles in ’04 and eight poles in ’05.
He also had a series-high eight wins in ’03.
Recent struggles, coupled with major Penske Racing changes — the departure of crew chief Matt Borland in late 2006 and the arrival of teammate Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge) to begin the ‘06 season — also impacted Newman’s team.
However, a good relationship with Busch and the 2008 addition of new crew chief Roy McCauley have proven positive factors. Busch, who finished as Daytona 500 runner-up, powered Newman across the finish line, helping the South Bend, Ind., native to grab his 13th career victory and break an 81-race winless streak.
“It's a life-changing experience,” Newman said. “I'm trying to do my best to represent NASCAR and all the people that have made the difference in my life to get to this point.”
… Thanks To An Image-Changing Boost From Teammate Kurt Busch
“Redemption” may prove to be the longest-lasting effect of Penske Racing’s 1-2 finish in last Sunday’s 50th Daytona 500.
Not only did winner Ryan Newman crack a career-long winless streak, teammate Kurt Busch’s unselfish nudge-to-victory may have spiffed up the latter’s image.
Busch, the sometimes-controversial 2004 series champion, jumped behind Newman during last Sunday’s last-lap scramble at Daytona International Speedway.
Rather than make it a three-wide dash for the win, he chose to help Newman and finish second, ensuring team owner Roger Penske’s first Daytona 500 victory.
“I think Kurt said it best, he was happy to see me in Victory Lane,” Newman said. “It was as if he won, even though he didn't. If the roles were reversed, I would feel the same way.”
“Kurt gave me a great push, was the perfect teammate, the perfect time. Sometimes it takes that. “
The finish was especially gratifying for Busch, who raced from a 43rd-place start to finish second. He also battled distraction; specifically, an alternation with another former champion, Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet), during a Budweiser Shootout practice session the previous week, that earned both drivers a six-race probation from NASCAR.
In The Loop: Former Champions Johnson And Kenseth Seek California Rebound
Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth can chalk up their poor finishes in the Daytona 500 to first race jitters. But only if they continue their dominance at California Speedway.
The two suffered uncharacteristic poor finishes last Sunday, but past California performances suggest a strong rebound this weekend.
Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Johnson finished a disappointing 27th, but has been dominant at the 2-mile track.
He won his second California race last September, and since 2005, has a Driver Rating of 111.3 (second-best), an Average Running Position of 7.7 (second-best), 99 Fastest Laps Run (fourth), the fastest Average Green Flag Speed at 172.261 mph and a series-high 1,381 Laps in the Top 15 (91.8%).
Kenseth fared even worse at Daytona, finishing 36th. But if his past California success continues, the ship should be righted quickly.
Since 2005 – a span that includes two wins and five top 10s – Kenseth has a series-best Driver Rating of 113.9, a series-best Average Running Position of 7.2, 89 Fastest Laps Run (sixth), an Average Green Flag Speed of 172.195 mph (second) and 1,332 Laps in the Top 15 (88.5%).
Also look for a strong performance out of Kyle Busch, who had an incredible weekend at Daytona, but nothing to show for it. Busch finished in the top five in all three of NASCAR’s national series races last weekend, but never entered Victory Lane. The trip to California might cure some of that frustration.
Busch’s first career win took place at California – the victory earned him the record for youngest driver ever to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, an accolade he still holds – and he has scored five consecutive top-five finishes at California.
Since 2005, Busch has an average Driver Rating of 109.3 (third), an Average Running Position of 9.5 (fourth), 102 Fastest Laps Run (third) and a third-best 1,259 Laps in the Top 15 (83.7%).
Happy For “The Captain”: NASCAR’s Richard Buck Pays Tribute To Former Boss
Team owner Roger Penske’s first Daytona 500 victory — courtesy of driver Ryan Newman — has resonated through the motorsports world.
Particularly accomplished in open-wheel competition, Penske had won many NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as a stock-car team owner. But he’d never won the race — the Daytona 500 — until last Sunday.
A 13-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Penske is beginning his 25th season in NASCAR. And many former, as well as current, employees are happy for him, including Richard Buck, NASCAR’s Director of Touring Series.
“I hear that Ryan had to buy a new suit,” said Buck, who worked for Penske’s open-wheel teams from 1985 through 1996. He served as the crew chief on five of Penske’s Indianapolis 500-winning teams, working with drivers such as Rick Mears, Al Unser Sr., Al Unser Jr., Paul Tracy, Danny Sullivan and Emerson Fittipaldi.
“That was one of those small things. You always had to get that suit out, dust it off.”
He cites teamwork as Penske’s key.
“He’s a fierce competitor,” says Buck, now in his third season with NASCAR, of Penske, “but genuine, caring — wrapped up in one great guy.”
History On The Move: NASCAR’S 60th Anniversary, California-Style
Although California Speedway marks its 11th birthday this season, NASCAR’s competitive presence in the Golden State extends back to 1951 — NASCAR’s fourth year of existence.
As the sanctioning body celebrates its 60th season in 2008, consider that 15 California tracks have hosted events throughout the years.
And that Sunday’s Auto Club 500 will be the 120th NASCAR event in the state of California.
In April 1951, Marshal Teague won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event in California, at Gardena’s Carrell Speedway, a dirt track.
In the 1960s, California native Dan Gurney, an open-wheel and sports-car star, won five times at Riverside International Raceway, driving for two historic NASCAR organizations — Holman-Moody and the Wood Brothers.
In the 1970s, the legendary A.J. Foyt won the first Ontario Motor Speedway events, in 1971-72.
In the 1980s, Tim Richmond won four times at Riverside (twice in 1982, then in 1986-87).
In the 1990s, another California native — Jeff Gordon — rose to prominence, winning two of the first three races at California Speedway (1997 and 1999).
This decade, another California native — Jimmie Johnson, also Gordon’s teammate — has two California Speedway wins.
In fact, no other state boasts as many current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers.
Including Johnson and Gordon, seven California natives will compete this weekend at California — Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears, Robby Gordon (No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge), David Gilliland (No. 38 Freecreditreport.com Ford) and AJ Allmendinger (No. 84 Team Red Bull Toyota).
Jeff Gordon hails from Mission Viejo, Johnson from El Cajon, Harvick and Mears from Bakersfield, Robby Gordon from Orange, Gilliland from Riverside and Allmendinger from Los Gatos.
Other California natives attempting to qualify for Sunday’s Auto Club 500 include Burney Lamar (No. 08 Rhino’s Energy Drink Dodge) and Mike Skinner (No. 27 Bill Davis Racing Toyota).
Off The Track: Special Events, Entertainment For Auto Club 500
Celebrities are no stranger to California Speedway, located only 50 miles from the world’s entertainment capital, Los Angeles.
Perhaps the newest is California native Kina Grannis, who will sing the National Anthem prior to Sunday’s Auto Club 500.
Grannis, who hails from Mission Viejo, won the recent Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” music challenge. She’s also a University of Southern California graduate.
Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Brad Garrett, of FOX’s “Til Death” comedy, will serve as Sunday’s Grand Marshal. Garrett also played Robert on “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
The legendary blues-rock band ZZ Top, still comprised of original members Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, will be featured at a pre-race concert on Sunday.
On Saturday, George Thorogood and the Destroyers will perform at the Miller Lite Rock ‘n Racing Show following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series doubleheader.
That concert will take place in the Opportunity, California FanZone.
On Wednesday, Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman will appear at California Speedway Day in L.A. at Hollywood & Highland Center. He’ll be welcomed by City of Los Angeles officials, who will proclaim Wednesday, Feb. 20 as California Speedway Day in L.A.
NSCS, Etc.
Back On Track … Although he’s completed only one of 36 events in 2008, it’s clear Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be a threat with his new team, Hendrick Motorsports.
Aside from winning the season’s non-points precursor, he also finished ninth in last Sunday’s Daytona 500 — the highest Hendrick finisher.
Back On Track, Part II … Six Dodge teams finished in the top 10 of the Daytona 500, including winner Ryan Newman and runner-up Kurt Busch.
That’s happened only two other times — most recently in 1969 and before that, in 1967.
Back On Track, Part III … Despite a difficult first season in 2007, Toyota teams look ready to flex their competitive muscle in 2008.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) won his Gatorade Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500 while teammate Tony Stewart won the season-opening NASCAR Nationwide event.
Stewart was Toyota’s highest Daytona 500 finisher — third. Teammate Kyle Busch was fourth, and led a race-high 86 laps.
Triple-Duty Man … Busch will be busy this week at California Speedway, competing in Saturday’s scheduled NASCAR Craftsman Truck and NASCAR Nationwide Series doubleheader along with Sunday’s Auto Club 500.
Milestone … Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s Mark Martin (No. 8 Principal Financial Group Chevrolet) is scheduled to make his 700th career start this Sunday
Top 12 Driver Press Conferences … Each event weekend, the top 12 drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings are available to the media at designated times. This week’s schedule for the top 12 drivers in the series standings is available at NASCAR’s media-only web site — http://www.blogger.com/.
Up Next: The UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Following Sunday’s event at California Speedway, NASCAR Sprint Cup teams head five hours northeast, across the Nevada state line and the Mojave Desert, to the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
That’s where Jimmie Johnson is the logical favorite for the UAW-Dodge 400 on Sunday, March 2. He’s won the last three consecutive races at Las Vegas, and seeks his fourth victory.
Kasey Kahne is the event’s defending pole winner.
The Race: Auto Club 500The Place: California SpeedwayThe Date: Sunday, Feb. 24The Time: 4 p.m. (ET)The Track: 2-mile ovalThe Distance: 500 miles/250 lapsTV: FOX, 3:30 p.m. (ET)Radio: MRN, SIRIUS Satellite Radio2007 Winner: Matt Kenseth2007 Polesitter: Jeff Gordon2008 Points 1 Newman 190 2 Kurt Busch 175 3 Stewart 170 4 Kyle Busch 170 5 Sorenson 160 6 Kahne 151 7 Sadler 150 8 Earnhardt Jr. 143 9 Robby Gordon 14210 Biffle 13911 Labonte 13012 Burton 129
New Year Plus New Car Equals Close Competition
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 19, 2008) — If last week’s season-opening Daytona 500 is any barometer, expect more “raciness” in this Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
NASCAR’s new car, beginning its first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, promises a ramped-up competitive environment along with significant safety boosts and cost-containment measures.
Certainly last week’s Daytona 500 was one of the most competitive in the race’s 50-year history — winner Ryan Newman (No. 12 Alltel-SAMSUNG HDTV Dodge) took the lead on the last lap.
The event’s 42 lead changes were the most since 2001 (49) and the fifth time since 1972 that a Daytona 500 produced 40 or more lead changes.
Also consider that 16 drivers led at least one lap, the second-highest total in Daytona 500 history. Only the 2006 race had more leaders (18).
And the new car begins 2008 by racing at four consecutive tracks for the first time, including California, where series teams tested on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
“I’m looking forward to these cars because everyone is so close,” said Carl Edwards (No. 99 DISH Network Ford) during the test, which was preceded by a two-day test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “I believe that opens the opportunity for the drivers to be able to make a little bit bigger difference. I think that’s going to be a pretty good thing.”
“I think you're going to see a lot of people moving around,” said Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet) at the preseason test, of Sunday’s Auto Club 500. “I think this car, even at Las Vegas, you could move around and make time. You're just going to see a lot of different grooves develop as the race goes on.”
Three-Peat: Kenseth Looks For Third Consecutive California Win
It shouldn’t surprise if Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Carhartt Ford) makes a winning move in the final laps of Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
The 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion is pursuing his third consecutive victory in the track’s February event.
NASCAR Loop Data statistics illustrate his excellence there. Kenseth leads several key pre-race categories for California, including Driver Rating (113.9), Average Running Position (7.242) and Fastest in Turn 1 (179.453 mph).
And although he didn’t get the finish he wanted in last week’s Daytona 500 — Kenseth finished 36th after damaging contact with Roush Fenway Racing teammate David Ragan (No. 6 Southern California Insurance Ford) — he ran up front for much of the race and led one lap.
Kenseth also was second-fastest during the Thursday night, Jan. 31 session of last month’s California test, while teammate Carl Edwards led two of the five sessions.
“It's one we certainly look forward to,” Kenseth said. “You look forward to trying to get some momentum back after our disappointing Daytona 500. So hopefully it will be all right.” Hendrick Motorsports Looking To Erase Daytona 500 Disappointment
After a disappointing Daytona 500 performance, Hendrick Motorsports looks to rebound in Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
Just as they did last year.
The dominant NASCAR Sprint Cup organization in 2007, Hendrick opened 2008 with similar expectations, plus a media consensus as preseason favorites.
Reigning and two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) won the Daytona 500 pole while newest teammate and fan-favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet) won the non-points Budweiser Shootout the week prior to the Daytona 500.
Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Cromax Pro Chevrolet), last year’s series runner-up, sought his fourth Daytona 500 victory. Casey Mears (No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet), poised for a breakout year with new crew chief Alan Gustafson, played the dark-horse role.
But only Earnhardt finished inside the top 10 at Daytona — ninth. Suspension problems relegated Gordon to 39th. A late-race spinout put Johnson in 27th. Mears, running in the top five with five laps remaining, finished 36th after hitting an outside wall.
Fast-forward to California, where Hendrick teams hope to duplicate last season’s West Coast panacea — a rebound that followed similarly frustrating results in the 2007 Daytona 500.
Gordon was Hendrick’s highest finisher in last year’s “Great American Race” — 10th. Mears finished 20th. Then-teammate Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota) finished 24th while Johnson finished 39th following an accident.
Here’s the precedent: Seven Chevrolets finished in the top 10 of last year’s Auto Club 500 at California, including three HMS drivers.
Gordon finished second behind winner Matt Kenseth. Johnson finished third and Busch finished ninth. Mears finished 31st.
The Penske Racing Way: Daytona 500 Winner Ryan Newman’s Back …
Ryan Newman’s last-lap victory last Sunday represents more than a one-race triumph in the 50th Daytona 500 — significant though it is.
It also may function as his re-introduction to contender status, a label many media and fans affixed to Newman from the start.
The 2002 NASCAR Sprint Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year, Newman began his series career the same season as reigning and two-time champion Jimmie Johnson.
Both young drivers excelled immediately — Johnson, in his and Newman’s seventh season, has yet to finish outside the top five — but Newman has endured a rockier path, of late.
After consecutive top-10 finishes from 2002-2005, Newman dipped to 18th in ‘06 and 13th in ‘07, noticeable because of his early exploits.
Nicknamed “Rocketman,” Newman set the rookie record for poles in a season (six) in ’02. He also led the series with 11 poles in ’03, nine poles in ’04 and eight poles in ’05.
He also had a series-high eight wins in ’03.
Recent struggles, coupled with major Penske Racing changes — the departure of crew chief Matt Borland in late 2006 and the arrival of teammate Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge) to begin the ‘06 season — also impacted Newman’s team.
However, a good relationship with Busch and the 2008 addition of new crew chief Roy McCauley have proven positive factors. Busch, who finished as Daytona 500 runner-up, powered Newman across the finish line, helping the South Bend, Ind., native to grab his 13th career victory and break an 81-race winless streak.
“It's a life-changing experience,” Newman said. “I'm trying to do my best to represent NASCAR and all the people that have made the difference in my life to get to this point.”
… Thanks To An Image-Changing Boost From Teammate Kurt Busch
“Redemption” may prove to be the longest-lasting effect of Penske Racing’s 1-2 finish in last Sunday’s 50th Daytona 500.
Not only did winner Ryan Newman crack a career-long winless streak, teammate Kurt Busch’s unselfish nudge-to-victory may have spiffed up the latter’s image.
Busch, the sometimes-controversial 2004 series champion, jumped behind Newman during last Sunday’s last-lap scramble at Daytona International Speedway.
Rather than make it a three-wide dash for the win, he chose to help Newman and finish second, ensuring team owner Roger Penske’s first Daytona 500 victory.
“I think Kurt said it best, he was happy to see me in Victory Lane,” Newman said. “It was as if he won, even though he didn't. If the roles were reversed, I would feel the same way.”
“Kurt gave me a great push, was the perfect teammate, the perfect time. Sometimes it takes that. “
The finish was especially gratifying for Busch, who raced from a 43rd-place start to finish second. He also battled distraction; specifically, an alternation with another former champion, Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet), during a Budweiser Shootout practice session the previous week, that earned both drivers a six-race probation from NASCAR.
In The Loop: Former Champions Johnson And Kenseth Seek California Rebound
Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth can chalk up their poor finishes in the Daytona 500 to first race jitters. But only if they continue their dominance at California Speedway.
The two suffered uncharacteristic poor finishes last Sunday, but past California performances suggest a strong rebound this weekend.
Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Johnson finished a disappointing 27th, but has been dominant at the 2-mile track.
He won his second California race last September, and since 2005, has a Driver Rating of 111.3 (second-best), an Average Running Position of 7.7 (second-best), 99 Fastest Laps Run (fourth), the fastest Average Green Flag Speed at 172.261 mph and a series-high 1,381 Laps in the Top 15 (91.8%).
Kenseth fared even worse at Daytona, finishing 36th. But if his past California success continues, the ship should be righted quickly.
Since 2005 – a span that includes two wins and five top 10s – Kenseth has a series-best Driver Rating of 113.9, a series-best Average Running Position of 7.2, 89 Fastest Laps Run (sixth), an Average Green Flag Speed of 172.195 mph (second) and 1,332 Laps in the Top 15 (88.5%).
Also look for a strong performance out of Kyle Busch, who had an incredible weekend at Daytona, but nothing to show for it. Busch finished in the top five in all three of NASCAR’s national series races last weekend, but never entered Victory Lane. The trip to California might cure some of that frustration.
Busch’s first career win took place at California – the victory earned him the record for youngest driver ever to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, an accolade he still holds – and he has scored five consecutive top-five finishes at California.
Since 2005, Busch has an average Driver Rating of 109.3 (third), an Average Running Position of 9.5 (fourth), 102 Fastest Laps Run (third) and a third-best 1,259 Laps in the Top 15 (83.7%).
Happy For “The Captain”: NASCAR’s Richard Buck Pays Tribute To Former Boss
Team owner Roger Penske’s first Daytona 500 victory — courtesy of driver Ryan Newman — has resonated through the motorsports world.
Particularly accomplished in open-wheel competition, Penske had won many NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as a stock-car team owner. But he’d never won the race — the Daytona 500 — until last Sunday.
A 13-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Penske is beginning his 25th season in NASCAR. And many former, as well as current, employees are happy for him, including Richard Buck, NASCAR’s Director of Touring Series.
“I hear that Ryan had to buy a new suit,” said Buck, who worked for Penske’s open-wheel teams from 1985 through 1996. He served as the crew chief on five of Penske’s Indianapolis 500-winning teams, working with drivers such as Rick Mears, Al Unser Sr., Al Unser Jr., Paul Tracy, Danny Sullivan and Emerson Fittipaldi.
“That was one of those small things. You always had to get that suit out, dust it off.”
He cites teamwork as Penske’s key.
“He’s a fierce competitor,” says Buck, now in his third season with NASCAR, of Penske, “but genuine, caring — wrapped up in one great guy.”
History On The Move: NASCAR’S 60th Anniversary, California-Style
Although California Speedway marks its 11th birthday this season, NASCAR’s competitive presence in the Golden State extends back to 1951 — NASCAR’s fourth year of existence.
As the sanctioning body celebrates its 60th season in 2008, consider that 15 California tracks have hosted events throughout the years.
And that Sunday’s Auto Club 500 will be the 120th NASCAR event in the state of California.
In April 1951, Marshal Teague won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event in California, at Gardena’s Carrell Speedway, a dirt track.
In the 1960s, California native Dan Gurney, an open-wheel and sports-car star, won five times at Riverside International Raceway, driving for two historic NASCAR organizations — Holman-Moody and the Wood Brothers.
In the 1970s, the legendary A.J. Foyt won the first Ontario Motor Speedway events, in 1971-72.
In the 1980s, Tim Richmond won four times at Riverside (twice in 1982, then in 1986-87).
In the 1990s, another California native — Jeff Gordon — rose to prominence, winning two of the first three races at California Speedway (1997 and 1999).
This decade, another California native — Jimmie Johnson, also Gordon’s teammate — has two California Speedway wins.
In fact, no other state boasts as many current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers.
Including Johnson and Gordon, seven California natives will compete this weekend at California — Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears, Robby Gordon (No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge), David Gilliland (No. 38 Freecreditreport.com Ford) and AJ Allmendinger (No. 84 Team Red Bull Toyota).
Jeff Gordon hails from Mission Viejo, Johnson from El Cajon, Harvick and Mears from Bakersfield, Robby Gordon from Orange, Gilliland from Riverside and Allmendinger from Los Gatos.
Other California natives attempting to qualify for Sunday’s Auto Club 500 include Burney Lamar (No. 08 Rhino’s Energy Drink Dodge) and Mike Skinner (No. 27 Bill Davis Racing Toyota).
Off The Track: Special Events, Entertainment For Auto Club 500
Celebrities are no stranger to California Speedway, located only 50 miles from the world’s entertainment capital, Los Angeles.
Perhaps the newest is California native Kina Grannis, who will sing the National Anthem prior to Sunday’s Auto Club 500.
Grannis, who hails from Mission Viejo, won the recent Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” music challenge. She’s also a University of Southern California graduate.
Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Brad Garrett, of FOX’s “Til Death” comedy, will serve as Sunday’s Grand Marshal. Garrett also played Robert on “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
The legendary blues-rock band ZZ Top, still comprised of original members Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, will be featured at a pre-race concert on Sunday.
On Saturday, George Thorogood and the Destroyers will perform at the Miller Lite Rock ‘n Racing Show following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series doubleheader.
That concert will take place in the Opportunity, California FanZone.
On Wednesday, Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman will appear at California Speedway Day in L.A. at Hollywood & Highland Center. He’ll be welcomed by City of Los Angeles officials, who will proclaim Wednesday, Feb. 20 as California Speedway Day in L.A.
NSCS, Etc.
Back On Track … Although he’s completed only one of 36 events in 2008, it’s clear Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be a threat with his new team, Hendrick Motorsports.
Aside from winning the season’s non-points precursor, he also finished ninth in last Sunday’s Daytona 500 — the highest Hendrick finisher.
Back On Track, Part II … Six Dodge teams finished in the top 10 of the Daytona 500, including winner Ryan Newman and runner-up Kurt Busch.
That’s happened only two other times — most recently in 1969 and before that, in 1967.
Back On Track, Part III … Despite a difficult first season in 2007, Toyota teams look ready to flex their competitive muscle in 2008.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) won his Gatorade Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500 while teammate Tony Stewart won the season-opening NASCAR Nationwide event.
Stewart was Toyota’s highest Daytona 500 finisher — third. Teammate Kyle Busch was fourth, and led a race-high 86 laps.
Triple-Duty Man … Busch will be busy this week at California Speedway, competing in Saturday’s scheduled NASCAR Craftsman Truck and NASCAR Nationwide Series doubleheader along with Sunday’s Auto Club 500.
Milestone … Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s Mark Martin (No. 8 Principal Financial Group Chevrolet) is scheduled to make his 700th career start this Sunday
Top 12 Driver Press Conferences … Each event weekend, the top 12 drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings are available to the media at designated times. This week’s schedule for the top 12 drivers in the series standings is available at NASCAR’s media-only web site — http://www.blogger.com/.
Up Next: The UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Following Sunday’s event at California Speedway, NASCAR Sprint Cup teams head five hours northeast, across the Nevada state line and the Mojave Desert, to the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
That’s where Jimmie Johnson is the logical favorite for the UAW-Dodge 400 on Sunday, March 2. He’s won the last three consecutive races at Las Vegas, and seeks his fourth victory.
Kasey Kahne is the event’s defending pole winner.
The Race: Auto Club 500The Place: California SpeedwayThe Date: Sunday, Feb. 24The Time: 4 p.m. (ET)The Track: 2-mile ovalThe Distance: 500 miles/250 lapsTV: FOX, 3:30 p.m. (ET)Radio: MRN, SIRIUS Satellite Radio2007 Winner: Matt Kenseth2007 Polesitter: Jeff Gordon2008 Points 1 Newman 190 2 Kurt Busch 175 3 Stewart 170 4 Kyle Busch 170 5 Sorenson 160 6 Kahne 151 7 Sadler 150 8 Earnhardt Jr. 143 9 Robby Gordon 14210 Biffle 13911 Labonte 13012 Burton 129
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