Race Recap: Kahne gets a big break, wins Coca-Cola 600

For Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle, the finish of Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 was a replay of the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Kahne took the checkered flag with Biffle chasing him for the final three laps, but what happened in the first 397 laps of the 400-lap marathon featured more subplots than an Agatha Christie novel.

Seizing the moment when Tony Stewart blew a tire while leading on Lap 397, Kahne streaked to the finish 10.203 seconds ahead of Biffle, who recovered from a loose wheel and a lost lap early in the race to claim the runner-up spot.

Kyle Busch ran third, despite a litany of problems that included a failing battery -- which the No. 18 team changed under caution on Lap 298 -- and a lost lap for an unscheduled pit stop when Busch thought he had a tire losing air. Busch extended his series points lead to 94 over sixth-place finisher Jeff Burton.

Gambling on fuel mileage after spending most of the race mired in traffic, Jeff Gordon ran fourth, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who survived a blown tire and getting hit from behind on Lap 297. Nursing his battered No. 88 Chevrolet to the finish, Earnhardt solidified his third-place standing in the points, 139 behind Busch.

Thanks to quick work in the pits on a gas-and-go stop on Lap 388, Stewart held a lead of more than five seconds over Kahne, but on Lap 397 Stewart blew a right front tire in Turn 1, surrendering the lead to Kahne less than a half-lap later.

“I was thinking second, and then I saw Tony slow up,” said Kahne, who won for the eighth time in his career and for the first time since October 2006 at Lowe’s. “I thought he was out of gas, and I couldn’t believe it.

“He went into Turn 1 and he was high (in the corner), and when I came off Turn 2 he was low and slow.”

Kahne is the sixth driver to win the Coca-Cola 600 and the all-star race in the same year and the first to do so since Jimmie Johnson in 2003.

Disappointed two weeks in a row, Biffle would have preferred a closer race at the end of the 600, but he took his second straight defeat to Kahne philosophically.

“Overall, I was probably more frustrated last week not getting the win, because I felt like I had the fastest car,” said Biffle, who is 11th in the Cup standings. “Tonight, I didn’t feel like I had the fastest car. I had a really good, solid car and just kept passing and got the track position where we were at the end.

“But I would have liked a chance to race Kasey. We got pretty fast there the last 50 laps of the race.”

The race changed dramatically on Lap 297, with Earnhardt in the lead and cruising, three seconds ahead of Stewart, his closest pursuer. As he rolled through Turn 3, however, the right rear tire on Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet blew, bouncing him off the Turn 4 wall. As Earnhardt slowed, J.J. Yeley plowed into the back of his car.

Earnhardt managed to stay on the lead lap, thanks to the work of his pit crew and a generous call from NASCAR, which opted to hold Earnhardt a lap for endangering a safety crew, then rescinded the penalty after a review of videotape.

“We got lucky at the end,” Earnhardt said. “Got gas and made it last. I don't know what happened getting in to (Turn) 3. I think we blew a right rear tire. I hate it for my guys. We were running really strong -- I sure want to get me a win here.”

Notes: Stewart finished 18th, the first car one lap down, and held on to the eighth spot in the Cup standings. ... Jimmie Johnson tumbled three spots to ninth in the points standings when his engine failed late in the race. He finished 39th with his first DNF of the season. ... Brian Vickers led four times for 61 laps, but a broken left rear wheel sent him hard into the Turn 2 wall on Lap 185. The tire bounced off the wall and into the infield, slightly damaging a camper. No one was hurt. ... David Ragan’s stay in the top 12 lasted one race. He finished 12th and dropped to 13th in the standings. Kahne moved back into the top 12 in 12th, 56 points ahead of Ragan.

Race Recap: Busch's Win Breaks Gibbs' NASCAR Nationwide Series Streak

As the second- and third-place finishing teams confronted each other in the pits, Kyle Busch was taking bows for his fourth NASCAR Nationwide Series victory of the year.

Busch won the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway under caution when Mike Wallace's wreck slowed the race after Busch had taken the white flag for a green-white-checkered-flag finish that took the event two laps beyond its posted distance of 200.

Driving the No. 32 Braun Racing Toyota, Busch ended the four-race winning streak of the No. 20 Toyota that belongs to his full-time owner, Joe Gibbs. Denny Hamlin, who took a turn in the No. 20 on Saturday, finished second, followed by Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and polesitter Brian Vickers.

"Before the race, I said, hopefully we could have the Dollar General Toyota (Braun's car) come home in first place with him (Hamlin) the runner-up," Busch said.

He got his wish, but the real fireworks occurred between Hamlin and Keselowski under the final caution. Keselowski tapped Hamlin's Camry as the cars circled the track behind the pace car. Hamlin retaliated by turning right into Keselowski’s No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.

"What the hell did he do that for?" asked Earnhardt, Keselowski's car owner, after the race. "Brad bumped him just a little bit under caution, and Denny knocked the fender off his car. Now the car’s all tore up."

As Busch celebrated his 15th win in the series, crews from the two teams engaged in an angry confrontation on pit road, as NASCAR officials tried to keep the teams apart.

Hamlin complained that Keselowski had repeatedly failed to give him racing room earlier in the event.

"Give a guy two inches to let him clear, and don’t just hang onto my rear quarter panel," said Hamlin, who made it clear that his retaliation was for the bump under caution, not for the way Keselowski had raced him. "You throw a rock, I'm going to throw a concrete block back."

Keselowski, a full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, had a different perspective.

"I race one day a week, not two," he said. "I have 200 laps to prove myself, not 400. I have to make the most of every lap."

Committed to a fuel mileage strategy, Busch stayed out on old tires and inherited the lead, when the rest of the contending cars – with the exception of Greg Biffle’s No. 16 Ford – came to pits on Lap 163, after a wreck in Turn 3 involving Kelly Bires and Kasey Kahne caused the eighth caution of the race.

Two more quick cautions – one when Steve Wallace and Jason Leffler wreck in close quarters in Turn 4 and one for debris on Lap 181 – enabled Busch to save enough fuel to make it to the finish. But Busch still had to hold off the cars behind him.

With five laps left, Hamlin made a determined move to the inside of Busch's No. 32 Toyota, but Busch surged past his teammate from Joe Gibbs Racing and held him off until Josh Wise scraped the wall the bring out the 11th caution and set up the two-lap finishing dash.

Notes: Busch led 86 laps, the sixth time he's led the most laps in a NASCAR Nationwide Series event this year. … Keselowski's third-place finish was a career best. … Joe Gibbs Racing had won the previous six NASCAR Nationwide Series events, two by Busch in the No. 18 car, followed by four straight (Tony Stewart twice and Hamlin and Busch once each) in the No. 20. … Clint Bowyer finished sixth and saw his series points lead narrowed to 67 over second-place Busch.

Picks for THE RACES (Including Indy 500 and grand Prix)

Man so many races today so little time lets start out! Truck race my pick for that race will be Matt Crafton going back to back i nwins. NASCAR natiownide race we are sticking with Bryan Clasuon to grab his first wins 4th fastest in testing very qucik in practice he should be fast. The Grand Prix at Monte Carlo in F1 our winner will be Lweis Hamiltion. The Indy 500 will have a repeat winner in Helio Castronevs and our dark horse will be Graham Rahal. The Coca Cola 600 our winner will be Carl Edwards and out dark hosre will be David Ragan

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Test At Pocono Raceway

Two-Day Session Helps Teams Prepare For Both ’08 Pocono Events, Plus Those At Similar Tracks
Media Interview Opportunities Available Each Day


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2008) – Sandwiched between Sunday’s 49th annual Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and the Best Buy 400 at Dover International Speedway on June 1, next week’s two-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test at Pocono Raceway will allow teams to gather more crucial data on NASCAR’s new car.

The car – NASCAR’s now-generation race car – is in its first fulltime season. Teams used it in 16 of 36 events in 2007 and the Pocono 500 on June 8 marks the new car’s debut at that track. And with its distinct 2.5-mile, triangular layout, data mined at Pocono also aids prep work for July’s event at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“Pocono, with its unique three corner configuration, should provide the teams with a lot of new information as it relates to the new car,” said NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby. “It's yet another opportunity for the teams to work on their set-ups, collect new data and make some gains in improving performance.

“And, there are some small features of Pocono that teams can transform to getting ready for running at the Brickyard later this summer.”

Next week’s session is the series’ sixth NASCAR-sanctioned test of 2008.

“The Pocono test is very important," said Steve Letarte, crew chief for Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet), the defending champion of the Pocono 500. "It's a very 'travel' sensitive track with three very unique corners.”

Tuesday’s session begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Wednesday’s session runs from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with a noon-1 p.m. lunch break.

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES INTERVIEW SCHEDULES

All interviews (tentative and subject to change) take place in the infield media center. Teleconference capability and transcripts will be available for Wednesday’s midday interview session. Audio from both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s sessions will be available at NASCAR’s media-only web site – www.nascarmedia.com.

Tuesday, May 27

Pre-Practice – Jimmie Johnson, 11:20 a.m.; Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch 11:45 a.m.

Post-Practice – Jeff Gordon, 7:10-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 28

Lunch – Greg Biffle, approximately noon; Martin Truex Jr., approximately 12:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPANT INFORMATION:
1-888-699-8040 (Domestic)
(719) 457-2729 (International)
Meeting ID or Reference: 4677423

TELECONFERENCE REPLAY:
1-888-203-1112 (Domestic)
(719)-457-0820 (International)
Replay passcode: 4677423

Fast Facts

What: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing

Where: Pocono Raceway

Track Layout: 2.5-mile triangular layout

Times: Tuesday, May 27 from 12:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.; Wednesday, May 28 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with a lunch break from noon-1 p.m. All times ET

Who: 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams

Track Contact: Bob Pleban, (570) 646-2300 bpleban@@poconoraceway.com

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. announced today that H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, chief operating officer and president of Speedway Motorsports and president and

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. announced today that H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, chief operating officer and president of Speedway Motorsports and president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway, is retiring from both positions following the Coca-Cola 600.

A decision will be made on Wheeler's successor in the near future by the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. board of directors.

"'Humpy' Wheeler is a true legend in motorsports and his contributions will be missed," said Bruton Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports. "His career with Lowe's Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. has been filled with many innovative promotions and I am sure that he will be remembered as one of the greatest promoters in racing history."

"While it is with sadness that I announce my retirement from Speedway Motorsports and Lowe's Motor Speedway, it is time for me to move on to other things," said Wheeler. "I have devoted my entire life to racing and I don't intend on leaving it, just serving it in different ways.

"I have made arrangements with a well-known author to co-write a unique book interweaving my various experiences in the sport with the wonderful human drama and rich characters that abound in it," Wheeler added.

"I will resume the 'Humpy Show' on SPEED Channel and look forward to being chairman of the Charlotte Regional Partnership in 2009. I also look forward to other endeavors, including lecturing and working with the motorsports management program at Belmont Abbey College."

Born in Belmont, N.C., Wheeler attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship and graduated in 1961 with a degree in journalism. In addition to football, Wheeler was an outstanding amateur boxer, compiling a 40-2 record including a dozen Golden Gloves Championships.

Prior to joining Lowe's Motor Speedway, Wheeler worked as a sports writer, a real estate manager and a dirt track promoter. He served in a variety of executive positions in the racing division at Firestone Rubber & Tire Co. from 1964 through 1971. He joined the speedway in 1975 and has been general manager since 1976. He was named president in 1980.

During his 33 years at the speedway, Wheeler worked closely with longtime colleague Smith to set the industry standard for motorsports entertainment and to build Lowe's Motor Speedway into the showplace of NASCAR facilities.

In April 2006, Wheeler joined an elite group of those who shaped motorsports history when he was inducted into the prestigious International Motorsports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame; the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame; and the North Carolina Public Relations Hall of Fame.

"I am grateful to the fans, the staff, the media, the sponsors and everyone who has helped me throughout my racing career," Wheeler said. "I have been blessed with a wonderful family and many close and dear friends who I hope to spend more time with.

"The people I've met along the way-from the Salt Flats of Bonneville, to Indianapolis, to my early dirt-track days, to the wild ride of NASCAR to the top-have furnished me with experiences beyond my wildest dreams. For a boy from the little town of Belmont, N.C., who dreamed of a racing career, I can only say that it ain't over yet.

"I look forward to addressing the crowd for the last time at Lowe's Motor Speedway Sunday during my 32nd Coca-Cola 600, and thanking them for being there because without them we have nothing," Wheeler concluded.

"We owe Humpy a tremendous debt of gratitude for all he has done for Speedway Motorsports and Lowe's Motor Speedway," said Smith. "We wish him all the best in any future endeavors and hope that he and his wife Pat have a great retirement with their family."

About Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its 600 Racing subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. The Company also equally-owns Motorsports Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway Corporation to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports merchandise. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.speedwaymotorsports.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, particularly statements with regard to the Company's future operations and financial results. There are many factors that affect future events and trends of the Company's business including, but not limited to, consumer and corporate spending sentiment; air travel; governmental regulations; military actions; national or local catastrophic events; the success of and weather surrounding NASCAR, IRL, NHRA and other racing events; our relationship with NASCAR and other sanctioning bodies; the success of expense reduction efforts; capital projects; expansion; economic conditions; stock repurchases; financing needs; insurance; litigation; taxes; oil and gas activities and associated profitability; geopolitical situations in foreign countries; and other factors outside of management control. These factors and other factors, including those contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from management's views and expectations. Inclusion of any information or statement in this news release does not necessarily imply that such information or statement is material. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly revised or updated forward-looking information, and such information included in this news release is based on information currently available and may not be reliable after this date.

In the Loop

Johnson Looks to Break Out of “Slump”


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 21, 2008) – You know you’ve got a track figured out when consecutive finishes of 10th and 14th are considered a slump.

That’s the situation for Jimmie Johnson going into Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. Johnson was his normally strong self at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2007, but didn’t come away with his usual top-five finish. In fact, he did everything but come away with a top-five finish. Take a look at his statistics from the two 2007 races:

Johnson at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (2007)
Date Finish ARP FLR LT15 DR
5/07 10 6.2 70 88.8% 121.1
10/07 14 7.1 72 83.1% 116.3
Total 12.0 6.7 142 86.0% 118.7
ARP: Average Running Position
FLR: Fastest Laps Run
LT15: Percentage of Laps in the Top 15
DR: Driver Rating

In most years, those numbers would have probably equaled victory. Compare those stats to his 2005 season at LMS, when he swept.

Johnson at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (2005)
Date Finish ARP FLR LT15 DR
5/05 1 7.8 24 88.0% 127.0
10/05 1 13.9 9 72.3% 101.7
Total 1.0 10.9 33 80.2% 114.4

In each of the above categories – except for the average finish – Johnson was better at LMS in 2007 than in 2005. In other words, there’s no slump at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for Johnson – just a product of the two-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion setting the bar so high.

Statistically, Johnson is peerless at Lowe’s Motor Speedway over the last three year (six races). His numbers in key stats all rank first, and often trump those of the second-place driver:

Jimmie Johnson at LMS (2005-2007)
Driver Rating: 120.2
Avg. Running Position: 7.5
Fastest Laps Run: 246
Laps in the Top 15: 88.6%/1,956
Quality Passes*: 345
*Quality Passes: Passes of cars in the top 15 under green flag conditions

2nd-Place Driver in Key Stats at LMS
Driver Rating: Kyle Busch, 94.3
Avg. Running Position: Mark Martin, 11.9
Fastest Laps Run: Kasey Kahne, 163
Laps in the Top 15: Mark Martin, 75.4%/1,664
Quality Passes: Kyle Busch, 279

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The performance of Kyle Busch also will be an interesting factor. In eight career LMS races, Busch has only two top-10 finishes – and neither were in the Coca-Cola 600. In fact, he’s struggled in the 600 in his career. Take a look at his last three Coca-Cola 600s:

Busch at Coca-Cola 600 (2005-2007)
Date Finish ARP FLR LT15 DR
5/05 25 11.8 20 71.0% 97.8
5/06 38 15.8 5 67.3% 79.0
5/07 30 15.7 10 60.0% 88.2
Total 31.0 14.4 35 66.1% 88.3
ARP: Average Running Position
FLR: Fastest Laps Run
LT15: Percentage of Laps in the Top 15
DR: Driver Rating

* * * * * * * * * * * *


Loop Data Defined: NASCAR statistics generated from electronic scoring loops embedded around each track hosting races in NASCAR’s three national series – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News & Notes - Lowe's

Driver Named Mears Is Defending Champion — In Charlotte
Kahne Looks For Follow-Up To All-Star Win
Strategy A Key In NASCAR’s Longest Race
Hornish, Allmendinger Boosted By All-Star Efforts
600 Has Legacy Of Historic ‘Firsts’
Mears And Memorial Day Weekend A Perfect Historical Match

Through the years, the name Mears has become synonymous with auto racing success on Memorial Day weekend. Rick Mears started that, with a record four victories in the Indianapolis 500. Last year, the family legacy was embellished with a monumental NASCAR win, as Casey Mears (No. 5 Kellogg’s/ CARQUEST Chevrolet) — Rick’s nephew — captured his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory, winning the Coca-Cola 600.

Consider it a sign of the times: A Mears as a defending stock car race champion.

Casey Mears is part of a growing number of former open-wheel racers now in NASCAR. Prior to coming to NASCAR in 2002, he showed promise in off-road, Indy Lights and the CART Series.

”Going into the 600, I am just real excited,” Mears said. “To come back and be able to defend a title for the first time at one of the biggest races of the year, being the month of May ... I think we have a great shot at it and I am looking forward to it. One of the real cool things from a team standpoint, coming back to Lowe’s we are bringing the 500th chassis that Hendrick Motorsports has built. That is a big deal and a big milestone for the team. It would be great to have a victory with that car.”

Kahne Hoping All-Star Momentum Leads To Chase Berth

The pressure is off.

Sort of.

Kasey Kahne got his first victory for one of the most recognizable sponsorships in all of sports this past Saturday night, as he brought the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge into Victory Lane, winning the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Kahne also made some history in the process. Because he hadn’t won a series race in 2007 and thus far in 2008, he wasn’t in the All-Star field – until the annual fan vote, which places one driver in the All-Star race, went his way. Kahne then became the first All-Star champion who made the race via the fan vote.

The All-Star victory ended Kahne’s winless streak that dated to October 2006 — when he won at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

But since the All-Star event is a non-points race, technically, the winless streak lives.

Technicalities, though, have little to do with confidence, and Kahne’s just received a major boost.

“As far as us coming out and winning the 600, we got some work to do,’ Kahne said. “We have to keep working hard and doing the right things. But [the All-Star win] shows that our cars are not as far off [as I thought].

“I’m already looking forward to next weekend’s 600.”

Kahne, another former open-wheel racer who shifted personal gears and came to NASCAR, challenged for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title in 2006, winning six events and finishing eighth in series points.

Even though he has yet to win a points race in awhile, Kahne has run respectably this year. He comes into the 600 only two points out of 12th place, the cut-off for eligibility into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

NASCAR’s “Endurance” Race Puts Emphasis on Strategy

NASCAR’s longest race — Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway — is also, arguably, its most unique.

In addition to the out-of-the-ordinary distance, the event has a split personality, as it starts in the afternoon and ends under the lights.

Translation: What works set-up wise at 5:30 might not work at 10 p.m.

Driver — and pit crew — fitness also comes into play.

Four hundred laps equals 600 miles at the 1.5-mile venue, so all the above variables evolve with time and track conditions.

Which means patience and a flexible, long-term plan are key.

The green flag drops during the last few hours of daylight. A significant portion of the race takes place during twilight. It ends well into Sunday evening after the track surface has cooled and grip has increased.

Pit crews stay busy with adjustments that reflect driver preferences amid conditions. And pit stops, ever crucial, must maximize opportunity.

That was the scene in 2007, when defending Coca-Cola 600 winner Casey Mears and then-crew chief Darian Grubb paired a good performance with a calculated gamble. Near the end, they played fuel-mileage, staying on track while other teams pitted, and beat everyone else.

Mears’ current crew chief, Alan Gustafson, anticipates accruing more data with NASCAR’s new car; teams tested at Lowe’s on May 5-6.

“With this car, we’re not really sure,” Gustafson said. “We haven’t had that many situations with the changing track conditions. I think adjustability is the key. Throughout the test we tried some theories out so we knew what we could change from day to night.”

Hornish, Allmendinger, Also Riding Wave Of Momentum

The 2006 Indianapolis 500 champion Sam Hornish Jr. (No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge), predicted by many to be the most promising of all the former open-wheel racers who have come to NASCAR, is coming off his best NASCAR effort thus far — a seventh-place finish in the prestigious NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. That run followed a second-place finish in the All-Star preliminary event — the NASCAR Sprint Showdown, which sent its top-two finishers into the main event.

AJ Allmendinger (No. 84 Red Bull Toyota) won the Showdown, then finished 17th in the All-Star race. For Allmendinger, a five-time winner in the Champ Car Series, it was also a career highlight as far as NASCAR goes.

Both drivers will need whatever momentum the All-Star race provided, going into the Coca-Cola 600. Neither are guaranteed a starting spot, as their teams are outside the top 35 in car owner point standings.

Hornish is 36th.

Allmendinger is 40th

“Momentum is a huge tool,” said Hornish’s crew chief Chris Carrier. It’s the best or worst tool there is in any competitive sport. Now we’ve got some momentum on our side. That’s what we’ve been looking for all year, to try to get a little bit of that and now we’ve got some of it.”

Added Hornish: “We keep trying to advance all the time and we think we’re heading in the right direction.”

Allmendinger, in his second season of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing, said the Showdown victory felt, to him, like winning the Daytona 500.

“We definitely learned a lot about what the race track might do,” Allmendinger said. “We’ll assess what we learned and make those adjustments coming back for the 600. It all starts again … got to qualify to get in the show.”

Allmendinger’s All-Star performance wrapped up an eventful week for Team Red Bull. Last Thursday, the pit crew for Brian Vickers (No. 83 Red Bull Toyota) won the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge.

NASCAR CAM: Mark Martin Video, Transcript Available On NASCARMedia.com

This week on the NASCAR CAM Video Teleconference, Mark Martin fielded media questions as he and the No. 8 U.S. ARMY Chevrolet team prepare for the Coca Cola 600 this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

On the challenges of preparing for the Coca-Cola 600: “Well you know Lowe’s Motor Speedway has always been one of the moodiest personalities as far as the pavement goes I think of any place that I have ever raced.

“And so the additional twist from day to night, practicing now and racing then, and qualifying there. Just all that movement adds a lot to the stress levels of the crew chiefs and folks like Tony Gibson and all. But it’s really a lot of fun.

“It is perfect to have the All-Star race the week before the 600 because it gives you really the best practice possible for the 600. With the 600 starting in the day light and going into the night and lasting well into the night most of the time.

“It gives you an opportunity to practice during the day, and you get plenty of day time practice, but it gives you the chance to race under race conditions into the night the week before the 600. So it is a good thing for all the teams.

“It is the greatest venue in motorsports in my opinion. So I go to Lowe’s with enthusiasm.

On the biggest change he has seen come down from NASCAR over the years: “Well the first thing that comes to my mind is the SAFER Barrier although the HANS Device is more significant at the bottom line for safety. But believe me that SAFER Barrier, it’s a whole different world hitting that compared to what we used to hit back in the day.”

For the complete transcript and downloadable video of the NASCAR CAM Video Teleconference, visit NASCARMedia.com.

Longest Race Has Made For Lasting Memories

When Casey Mears got his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup victory in last year’s Coca-Cola 600, it added to the race’s legacy as a milestone-maker.

Since the race’s 1960 inception, many drivers who would go on to become big-time stars have either debuted at the 600, or gotten their first victory in the event.

Some significant series debuts (with finish in parentheses) include:

Dale Earnhardt, 1975. (22nd)
Janet Guthrie, 1976. (15th)
Dale Earnhardt Jr., 1999 (16th)
Michael Waltrip, 1985. (28th)
Elliott Sadler, 1998. (42nd)
As far as first career victories coming in the Coca-Cola 600, consider these classics:

1961, David Pearson: Pearson, the 1960 Rookie of the Year, could not land a ride for the 1961 season. That year, car builder Ray Fox had a powerful Pontiac prepared for the 600 at the race track then known as Charlotte Motor Speedway. Fox’s regular driver Darel Dieringer was unable to compete due to a conflict with a tire company, with which he had a contract. Fox needed a driver immediately. Joe Littlejohn, a famed racer and promoter, heard of Fox’s plight and sought out Pearson, who was doing roofing work at the time. Pearson climbed down from the rooftop and ended up winning the 600 by more than two laps. Pearson went on to win three championship and a total of 105 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, second all-time only to Richard Petty’s 200 victories.
1994, Jeff Gordon: Gordon came to NASCAR competition via the Midwestern, open-wheel ranks of USAC. Gordon electrified the racing world by winning a Daytona 500 qualifying race in his first premier series start. He went on to win the 1993 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award that year. In May 1994. Gordon came to Charlotte and promptly put his Rick Hendrick-owned Chevrolet on the pole with a new track record. Gordon led the first lap of the 600, but dropped back and played it safe, knowing this would be a long race and an event with high attrition. Gordon did not take the lead until Lap 300 of the 400-lap event, and then for only two laps. He took only two tires on the last pit stop, giving him great track position. Gordon made his way to the front again for the final time on Lap 392 and beat Rusty Wallace to the line by nearly four seconds. Gordon has 81 career victories and four NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.
1995, Bobby Labonte: The younger brother of 1984 series champion Terry Labonte was in his third full-time season, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Labonte qualified second in the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet. He ended up winning by 6.28 seconds — ahead of his brother. Labonte won the 2000 series championship and has 21 series victories.
2000, Matt Kenseth: In his first full-time season for Jack Roush Racing, Kenseth qualified the No. 17 DEWALT Ford 21st. Remarkably, after 400 laps and 600 miles, Kenseth nipped runner-up Bobby Labonte — who was en route that year to the series championship — by a mere 0.573 seconds. Kenseth, the 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup titlist, has 16 series victories.
In The Loop: Johnson Always A Statistical Favorite At LMS

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota) has made headlines this season. As has Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet), Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota), Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) and Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet).

But one driver has inexplicably flown under the radar, and become the quietest two-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion ever.

Somehow, even with a win at Phoenix International Raceway, Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) has lurked in the background of 2008. And it’s not as if he’s had a poor season. Actually, he’s had a number of solid runs, as his sixth-place position in the standings would confirm.

Figure on that ending this weekend. Statistics suggest a breakout for Johnson at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, where he’s won five times.

Johnson, who’s finished outside the top 10 only twice in 13 LMS races, holds series-high marks in Driver Rating (120.2), Average Running Position (7.5), Fastest Laps Run (246), Laps in the Top 15 (1,956/88.6%) and Quality Passes (345).

As impressive is how those numbers compare to the second-place driver in each category:

Driver Rating: Johnson leads Kyle Busch (94.3) by 25.9 points.

Average Running Position: Johnson leads Mark Martin (11.9) by 4.4 positions.

Fastest Laps Run: Johnson leads Kasey Kahne (163) by 83 fastest laps.

Laps in the Top 15: Johnson leads Martin (1,664) by 292 laps.

Quality Passes: Johnson leads Kyle Busch (279) by 66 passes.

But if not Johnson, then whom?

Carl Edwards combines past LMS success with a incredible record on intermediate tracks with the new car. Edwards’ three ‘08 wins – Auto Club Speedway, Las Vegas and Texas – have all come on similar layouts.

At LMS, Edwards has finished outside the top 10 only once (15th in last year’s Coca-Cola 600) and has two third-place finishes. In his LMS career, Edwards has a Driver Rating of 88.6, an Average Running Position of 15.0, 41 Laps in the Top 15.

Of course, there’s also Kyle Busch, winner of two of the last three races this season. Though his finishes at LMS haven’t been all that solid – his average is 25.9 – his statistics have.

Over the past six LMS races, Busch has a Driver Rating of 94.3 (second-best), an Average Running Position of 14.4 (fourth), 116 Fastest Laps Run (third), an Average Green Flag Speed of 177.051 mph (second), 1,504 Laps in the Top 15 (third) and 279 Quality Passes (second).

Top 35: There’s Notoriety On The Wrong Side Of The Bubble

There are some illustrious racing resumes on the “wrong side” of the top 35 bubble this week.

Teams that are in the top 35 of the car owner point standings are guaranteed starting spots each week.

Those outside the top 35 must rely on qualifying speeds to make the field.

A look at positions 36-40 this week shows both a former Indianapolis 500 champion and a two-time Daytona 500 titlist on the outside looking in — Sam Hornish and Sterling Marlin.

Hornish drives the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge for Roger Penske; Marlin is substituting for another former Indy 500 champ, injured Dario Franchitti, in the No. 40 Wii Fit Dodge owned by Felix Sabates.

Dave Blaney, in the No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota of Bill Davis, has the 35th and final locked-in spot this week.

Two teams that are safe this week nonetheless occupy what could be called a precarious perch.

Regan Smith, in the No. 01 Principal Financial Group-DEI Chevrolet owned by Teresa Earnhardt, is 34th but only 11 points ahead of Blaney.

Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip, the driver/owner of the No. 55 NAPA Toyota, is 33rd but only 27 in front of Blaney.

NSCS, Etc.

Memorial Day Salute: Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 pre-race entertainment will feature an active and patriotic “Salute The Troops” theme. Among the planned activities are the presentation of 1,500 soldiers, plus an assault demonstration.

Participating troops hail from Fort Bragg and represent the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the United States Airborne Army Special Operations Command and the North Carolina National Guard.

The 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus will perform, as will the Golden Knights — the U.S. Army Parachute Team.

Members of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group, which advocates for Prisoners of Wars and those Missing In Action, will ride a parade lap and make a special POW/MIA flag presentation. Also scheduled to appear — and perform — are NHRA Funny Car legend John Force, 200 bagpipers and Toyota’s Tundra Monster Truck.

Honorary Officials: U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, a Salisbury, N.C., native, will serve as Sunday’s honorary race director. Richard Thompson, the speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, will serve as Sunday’s honorary starter.

Country-music artist Darryl Worley will sing the National Anthem.

Dr. William K. Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., will deliver Sunday’s invocation.

And Dr. Robert H. Schuller, founder of the Orange Grove, Calif.-based Crystal Cathedral church, will led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Up Next: Monstrous Time Set For Dover International Speedway

Dover International Speedway is called the “Monster Mile.” They even have a mascot to prove it. That would be “Miles” (shown at left).

The mascot, and the track’s nickname, are based on the hard reality of racing at Dover’s one-mile concrete oval, which is fast and challenging, likened by some as a “big Bristol.”

Next up on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule is the first of two 2008 races at Dover — the Best Buy 400.

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) is the defending champion. Truex’s win last year was his first in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and helped fuel his charge to an eventual berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Truex finished 11th in the final 2007 points.

Truex hasn’t won since last year’s Dover spring race. He considers Dover his “home track” because of the speedway’s relative closeness to his hometown of Mayetta, N.J.

He comes into Dover 15th in points, only 36 behind 12th-place David Ragan (No. 6 AAA Insurance Ford).

The Race: Coca-Cola 600
The Place: Lowe’s Motor Speedway
The Date: Sunday, May 25
The Time: 5:30 p.m. (ET)
The Track: 1.5-mile oval
The Distance: 600 miles/400 laps
TV: FOX, 5 p.m. (ET)
Radio: PRN, SIRIUS Satellite Radio
2007 Winner: Casey Mears
2007 Polesitter: Ryan Newman
Series Standings
Driver Points
1 Kyle Busch 1,690
2 Jeff Burton 1,611
3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1,556
4 Denny Hamlin 1,500
5 Clint Bowyer 1,490
6 Jimmie Johnson 1,442
7 Carl Edwards 1,400
8 Tony Stewart 1,397
9 Kevin Harvick 1,396
10 Jeff Gordon 1,326
11 Greg Biffle 1,308
12 David Ragan 1,266