News from around NASCAR - April 28 2007

With four wins in four races and six drivers sitting in the top 10 in championship points, Toyota's current domination of the Craftsman Truck Series is obvious.

Earlier this month, the sanctioning body disallowed an intake manifold that Toyota had been running all season in its trucks and Busch cars (Toyota uses the same engine in each) after chassis dynamometer tests revealed the manufacturer had a "significant" horsepower advantage with the part, according to Craftsman Truck Series director Wayne Auton.

ESPN
~~~

Cup Standings, as they are right now:
1 -- Jeff Gordon
2 -- Jeff Burton
3-- Matt Kenseth
4 -- Jimmie Johnson
5 -- Denny Hamlin
6 +1 Kyle Busch
7 +2 Tony Stewart
8 -- Carl Edwards
9 -3 Clint Bowyer
10 +1 Mark Martin, 405 pts behind 1st. FULL Points Standings
~~~

No matter where you look, there are varying opinions on the contract negotiations between DEI and Dale Earnhardt Jr. When there's news, you'll hear it from me!!
~~~

David Hyder, one of two Michael Waltrip Racing employees suspended by NASCAR in a cheating scandal at Daytona in February, parted ways with the team on Friday. "As of this morning, Michael Waltrip Racing and David Hyder have ended their employment relationship," Waltrip said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. AP Sports
~~~

Tony Stewart Regrets wrestling remark
Before he was allowed in the racetrack, NASCAR made sure Tony Stewart knew the rules. Summoned to a 6 a.m. meeting Friday morning with top series officials, the two-time champion retracted every bit of the sharp rant he launched against NASCAR while admitting he damaged the sport's credibility by likening it to professional wrestling. AP Sports NASCAR.com
~~~

Michael Waltrip thinks the qualifying process needs to have a change! (It's not what you might think!!) Waltrip wants the non-qualifiers to make their qualifying laps after the top 35 are done. His point is to take away an advantage a team might have on weather changes. ESPN.com
~~~

Montoya fined for obscene gesture
Juan Pablo Montoya was fined $10,000 by NASCAR on Wednesday for making an obscene gesture on live television last week. Montoya, who was also placed on probation through the end of the year, waved a finger at a camera following practice last week at Phoenix International Raceway. Team officials have maintained the gesture was made in fun and he was unaware the camera was providing a live feed. (Where multiple networks have multiple cameras at all times on all on track action??!!) Sports Illustrated
~~~

Mike Skinner sets his sights on another NASCAR first
Mike Skinner has established a trail of firsts in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series.
He won the first race in series history in 1995. He won the series’ first championship. And he was the first to win $1 million.
Saturday, when Skinner climbs into his Toyota Tundra for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway, he’ll try to become the first in series history to win four consecutive races. thatsracin.com
~~~

Ricky Hendrick Memorial Charity Ride set May 6 thatsracin.com
~~~

Hernandez, Carmichael Claim Successful Results for Ginn Racing Development Teams

Ginn Racing development drivers Jesus Hernandez and Ricky Carmichael each enjoyed a successful weekend of racing in their respective divisions.

Hernandez, 26, finished fifth in Thursday night's NASCAR Grand National Division West Series event at Phoenix International Raceway & Carmichael, 27, finished seventh in a 50-lap super late model race Saturday night at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.
CircleTrackplus.com
~~~

April 29 is Dale Earnhardt's birthday. Happy Birthday Dale.. you are missed by many. With that being said, Go Junior!! Kick their arses!