NASCAR Bits and Pieces (NB&P)

Remember, my content has moved!

2011-12-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

Hey gang...

This is a reminder that I have moved my content to the following domain, which is part of my larger, all-in-one website:

http://nascar-bits-and-pieces.com/

Tell me what you think? Good, bad, want it all back in one place here?

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Watkins Glen Resched To Monday

2011-08-14T20:44:00.001-07:00

Hey gang, with Sunday's race being delayed by rain... if it's not raining Monday morning (8/15), the Watkins Glen race will be taking place at 10 AM Eastern. DVR time!!!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. on SPEED TV Tonight

2011-08-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be on NASCAR Race Hub tonight on SPEED chatting with Steve Byrnes.
In the chat, they touch on a few thing, like the kind of season Dale is having, his old ways and some interesting perspectives he has.

Jr. touched on how, despite people are calling this his comeback season, he really doesn't equate the word comeback to the year. He says he understands that the media has to spin things up to make them interesting, but he doesn't subscribe to the practice.

He says he doesn't feel like a celebrity or anything like that, but as he starts to get asked questions in interviews, he becomes more guarded as an interview wears on. He gets guarded because he worries about getting too comfortable with what he says and replies with.

Dale Jr. has also toned down the partying days. At least a little bit. He used to pull all-nighters often, but not so much so now.

Dale also noted how a driver's performance is directly related to how well the car is doing. He says in most cases, it's the car that is the primary factor, not the driver.

If you catch this article today (8/11/11), you can catch Dale Earnhardt Jr. on SPEED's NASCAR Race Hub tonight.

[speedtv.com]

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NASCAR Nationwide Series "Subway Jalapeno 250" - A few Words

2011-07-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

Check out what I had to say about the final laps of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

In a nutshell, it was classic restrictor-plate racing and we almost had ourselves a historic setting win... almost dang it!

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The Coca-Cola 600 Closing Laps and Race Finish

2011-05-29T21:07:00.001-07:00

The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway had been preceded by the Indianapolis 500 race which had its own exciting finish. But tonight, after NASCAR having it's longest race ever, The Coca-Cola 600 definitely had a surprise and its own exciting finish to compare against the Indy 500.

It was definitely a long race, starting a bit after 3 p.m. and finishing up just before 8 p.m., but the closing 20 laps developed its own sort of drama.

Head on over to my entire article at Brusimm.com, and read about NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 race.

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Kyle Busch Statement Released From His PR Camp

2011-05-24T16:09:00.001-07:00

Below is a statement released from Kyle Busch's camp in regards to his speeding ticket that he received today:

Statement from Kyle Busch

"Today I received a traffic citation in Iredell County. I was test driving a new sports car and I got carried away. I went beyond the speed I should have been going on a public road. I apologize to the public, my fans, sponsors, and race teams for my lack of judgment. I take responsibility for my actions and I can assure you that something like this will never happen again. I thank the Iredell County Sheriff's Department and all law enforcement for the hard work they do every day to protect the public and to enforce the laws in a fair and equitable manner."

KBM Press

Kyle Busch Caught Speeding - Big Time

2011-05-24T15:55:00.001-07:00

Kyle Busch, the wheel-man of all wheel men to date, has been busted for speeding. Speeding!!!

He was pulled over by an Iredell County Sheriff for doing 128 in a 45 zone. This was on Perth Road between Troutman and Mooresville. Those kinds of speeds, per the law, become a reckless driving ticket for most folks!

Ya know, I would have thought that he gets that out of his system over the weekends, but if it's in your blood, so be it!

My next question is this: Is this something NASCAR would care about? I ask because sometimes they take actions on events outside of the track. I doubt they will, but hey, we'll see.

[Charlotte Observer]

Martinsville TV Sched, Top-12 Points Bubble and Top-35 Owners Drain

2010-03-26T19:08:00.001-07:00

The Atlanta TV Schedule, some Driver Ratings and an Opinion

2010-03-05T09:31:00.001-08:00

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A quick LVMS race recap, Carl is a Dad, and an Observation on SIRIUS

2010-03-02T10:07:00.001-08:00

Auto Club Speedway Notes for Cup and Nationwide and more

2010-02-21T16:33:00.001-08:00

An almost live recap of the Auto Club 500 (I was typing as I watched it, then tried to set everything in past tense. That ain't easy!) I also chat about the humorous perspective of Brendan Gaughan and I look at the Stator Bros 300 from Saturday.

SIRIUS Driver2Crew for Fontana, the Auto Club 500 Race Lineup and some Olympics Grumbling

2010-02-20T15:54:00.001-08:00

I have the list of SIRIUS channels and what drivers will be covered, the line up for the Auto Club 500, set up by rows.
I also grumble a bit about NBC's tape delay of the Olympics. No, it's not NASCAR related, but it is sports-like, so it sort of qualifies!

Jamie McMurray Victory Tour, Predicting Jr's Year + Keep the wing?

2010-02-18T06:51:00.001-08:00

Photos have been released to the press of Jamie McMurray's visit to San Francisco during a Daytona 500 victory lap of sorts, I chat out my thoughts on Dale Earnhardt Jr doing well this year, and there's chatter about keeping the wing on the COT, for certain races!

Digger on Fox, Daytona and the Daytona 500 Lineup

2010-02-14T09:04:00.000-08:00

Today, I talk about Fox's DIGGER cam and what I think was the Goof Fox (Dave Hill) made naming it that... I've got the lineup for the Daytona 500 and I start my review of the race early... and I'll add details after the fact....

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Bruce

The 2010 Sprint Cup Girls, A Non-Fan Teaser, and A Rule Change

2010-02-12T10:36:00.001-08:00

Today I bring you a new and updated article on the 2010 Sprint Cup Girl Squad.. a couple of pictures from the Gatorade Duel finishes - something for the non-fan to chew on. I've got the starting line-up for the Daytona 500 in a unique, life-like rendition and there's a new take on the Green - White - Checkered rules this year that was just changed right before the Daytona qualifying runs!

Have fun!

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Bruce

Top-35 Thoughts Owners Points and the ARCA Danica Race

2010-02-10T09:35:00.001-08:00

I think It's Time To Move

2009-10-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

(5/1/09. Updated 10/2/09) So what do you think? I hinted at it for some time now and it's time to move off my "Blogger" platform and head to somewhere that I have a bit more control over. (No, no... no shots against Blogger. It's taken good care of me these last few years.)

I've snagged myself a domain and I developed my blog over there under WordPress

So what do you say? Shall we all have a moving in party and head over to my new place and check it out?

Then let's head on over to(NBaP) NASCAR Bits And Pieces.com! Shall we? (Be warned, the link is a category link to a larger website!

UPDATE!: 10/2/09 - I had to move from my hosted dot com site to another location again because the shared servers on GoDaddy were performing poorly as I filled up my site with content.

It ticked me off that site visitors had to hit a link a WAIT. That should not be what web surfing is all about. So I've moved... again. Sigh.

As far as I know, this potentially, will be my last move. I hope.

NASCAR Rev'd Up Event For All-Star Week

2009-05-01T03:31:00.000-07:00

"NASCAR Rev'd Up", is a six-hour event highlighted by a concert with Everfine/Atlantic recording group O.A.R., will kick off activities for NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race week in Charlotte, N.C. The event, which is free to the public, will take place Wed., May 13 between 3rd and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte from 4-10 p.m.

This year, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is being held for the 25th time. Rev'd Up will mark the first time that the all-star week will open with a concert.

The event features driver appearances, show cars and interactive displays, culminated by the O.A.R. concert. Performing as special guests will be Charlotte band Simplified.

SPEED will broadcast its show 'Countdown to All-Star' beginning at 8 p.m. (ET) on May 13 from the concert venue, with guest appearances from several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. "NASCAR Rev'd Up" leads off a four-day period heading into the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, set for Sat. May 16 at 7 p.m. at Lowe's Motor Speedway, broadcast live and exclusive on SPEED. Here's a schedule of events for all-star week:

* Wednesday, May 13, 4-10 p.m. in uptown Charlotte: "NASCAR Rev'd Up" featuring a concert by O.A.R. (free admission).

* Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena: NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge Presented by Craftsman (for tickets go to www.pitcrewchallenge.com or www.ticketmaster.com). SPEED will televise beginning at 9 p.m. (ET).

* Friday, May 15: NASCAR Day, an opportunity for fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country to make donations to the NASCAR Foundation to raise funds for its Family of Charities in an effort to help thousands of children live better lives (for more information go to foundation.nascar.com).

* Friday, May 15, 6:15 p.m., Lowe's Motor Speedway: NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Qualifying (for tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com). SPEED will televise beginning at 5 p.m. (ET).

* Friday, May 15, 8 p.m., Lowe's Motor Speedway: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (for tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com). SPEED will televise beginning with pre-race coverage at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

* Saturday, May 16, 7 p.m., Lowe's Motor Speedway: 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (for tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com). SPEED will televise beginning at 7 p.m. (ET).

Packing

2009-04-30T05:33:00.001-07:00

Man, do I hate packing and moving. It's such a pain to try and get everything in all the right spots at your new place.

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Bruce

David Poole Has Passed Away

2009-04-28T14:13:00.001-07:00

It is with a saddened heart that I must report that David Poole succumbed to a heart attack at his home Tuesday.

He was in his 13th year of covering NASCAR.

I've had opportunity to talk with David on several occasions because he took the time for the little guy. We started exchanging emails and then as I pestered the crap out of him with questions, I asked if I could interview him. Without hesitation, he said sure, and gave me his home phone number. He was my first NASCAR interview.

He could be harsh but only if you were on the other side of the argument because once he made his mind up, he dug in and never wavered unless you could downright prove to him where he was being silly.

Whenever I had a question or curiosity, he always had the time. Farewell buddy. I'll miss our intermittent chats and your perspectives.

RIP David and my condolences to his family and friends.

There's more info over on the paper / website he worked for, ThatsRacin.

NASCAR To Penalize Drivers For Playing Within The Rules

2009-04-28T12:03:00.001-07:00

As Brad Keselowski said in a post race interview of the NASCAR Talladega race last weekend,

"I was not going to allow myself to be in that same spot as Regan was last year and I just held my ground. I was here to win … and put these guys (his team) in victory lane. … I'm sorry it caused a wreck and sorry for those that are hurt. But that's just the situation with the rules and the way it is"

Yet drivers under stand the rule, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. said in the same post race set of press interviews:

"I kind of like the yellow line rule. I think that the drivers have begun to understand what it means. I think that you can't necessarily blame what happened at the finish of the race on the yellow line rule. Guys have been running over each other for years. So I mean, guys get into each other way before we had yellow line rules."

But now NASCAR is considering enforcing penalties on excessive blocking or aggressive type driving? You have got to be kidding me?

A: First NASCAR enforces a rule saying you can't go below the yellow line at plate races. Fair enough.

B: Drivers have the chance to not get penalized if they do cross the line. Fair enough.

C: Some drivers have been penalized for not self-enforcing the "out" of the rule of furthering their position. Fair enough.

D: Jr. once got a position from going below the line. They made an exception due to circumstances. Fair enough? Curious actually.

E: Last year we watched Regan Smith get forced below the yellow line on the last lap and not back off on his momentum. He got penalized for that severely. Fair? No. Consistent rule enforcement? I don't know. See "D". But Regan bowed to the yellow line beast because he was concerned about wrecking Stewart, who, it seemed, did intentionally mean to block Smith. (But that's another story altogether.)

F: The message was clearly sent by NASCAR, as Smith noted last year. Don't go below the yellow line. Which was implied, and never really denied by NASCAR that if that's the case, you need to go for the win, then obviously someone is going to get hurt because someone will get wrecked. NASCAR was put on notice. (How's that working for you NASCAR?)

G: Brad Keselowski, per Carl Edwards, did everything right. He defended his position, he had the momentum, and Carl didn't see that. Brad wanted his win, and of course, Regan Smith was on his mind. Carl came down on Brad and Brad held his ground.

By NASCAR's very own rules and their enforcement of the rules on previous efforts, there's question as to who gets leniency and who doesn't. The question or fact remains that NASCAR's rules forced the situation that happened last weekend.

Now, they are reportedly looking to come down on aggressive driving / blocking in these races? Are you EFFING kidding me? Why don't we just put the drivers in solar powered soap box derby cars and keep the speeds to about 40 mph? How'd that work for you NASCAR?

No, instead, NASCAR should actually put into affect the "Last Lap, Anything Goes" rule. Remember how all the drivers were under the assumption that anything goes on the last lap due to a statement made by a Truck Series official? I think they need to bring back the exception that NASCAR denied that they had.

This last lap, or last 1/2 lap exception would not hurt anyone. The yellow line rule is in affect to keep people from being on the apron doing 200 mph where cars can't hold their line. When they're down there and lose their line, they can cause a wreck. Fair enough. But once everyone has passed the start / finish line at the checkers, they back off and slow down. The speeds aren't there and they aren't packed up tightly. It's at this time that the apron would not be the danger it normally presents during the race.

So let them have their free-for-all in that last 1/2 to 1/4 lap NASCAR. You would then still have fantastic racing and fantastic finishes, allowing the drivers do what they do best - race to the line. Put the intensity back in the finishes NASCAR. You owe us that after creating the situation that occured last weekend with your yellow line rule.

Ragan Wins First NASCAR Nationwide Race At Talladega

2009-04-25T18:06:00.001-07:00

And where did he come from?

Admittedly, I never noticed David Ragan back there behind Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr.. All I can say is that I was intently watching Newman and Jr.. I was waiting to see who was going to wreck who, or if they'll both be so defensive that they end up outside the top 5.

I've seen Dale Jr. try to make a last second pass at a plate track and watch it NOT work for him at all, so I sat apprehensively as those last 3 laps boiled down.

We listened during the final caution lap between his spotter and himself:

Spotter: "I know you know this, but the 33 is real strong by itself. Just a little information for ya."
Dale Jr.: "He ain't leading the race for nuthing."
Spotter: "Ya, 10-4, I gotchya."
Dale Jr.: "He just..., let me handle it. Don't try and talk me out of nuthin."

Ah, the ever terse and delightful Dale Jr. under pressure.

When they took off, Dale Jr. pushed Newman hard, trying to put distance between them and the rest of the pack. For one lap it looked like it was working but then the rest of the pack tightened up and it was the usual scatter pack coming for that much coveted win spot.

The last 1/4 lap, Jr. made his move and Newman blocked with his fender. They both got just a bit out of wack and then from behind them, David Ragan charged through those two and took the win from Newman.

I'm not saying David Ragan is like the Intimidator, but damn, that pass from nowhere reminded me of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s last win here at Talladega.

Congrats to David Ragan and the UPS Racing team.

Did anyone notice after the race during interviews, you can hear the winning team doing their "Wooos" for the photo ops? On cue almost evey 90 seconds or so, Woo!.

Has Goodyear Fixed The Indy Tire Problem?

2009-04-24T19:27:00.001-07:00

Today I heard that Goodyear was still testingtires for Indianapolis that will last more than 12 laps. For some reason, I presumed that they would have gotten this under wraps by now, but apparently they have not. Silly me.

As you remember, last years race was a debacle as the field had to pit every 10 laps. Thus making the race nothing but a series of trophy dashes.

It would seem that Goodyear is still trying to fix the problem and they haven't found the correct mix of compounds yet. This means that today, right now, they still have tires that only last 10-12 laps, per repetitive tire tests.

Not good gang. If Goodyear needs 30 days to make a batch of tires for a race and they're running out of time.

I'm betting that right now, if they don't get the correct compound, they'll probably go to a very hard tire that doesn't wear / blow as fast. This will keep the cars out there longer, but the grip will suck and the drivers will have to adapt and slow way down to keep the cars in their repsective lanes.

Double Duty At 'Dega - Who's Nuts Enough? (With TV Times)

2009-04-24T10:21:00.001-07:00

Whose brave enough to do attempt the "double duty" at Talladega this weekend?

Brad Keselowski
Brian Vickers
Carl Edwards
Clint Bowyer
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
David Ragan
David Reutimann
Eric McClure
Joe Nemechek
Joey Logano
Kyle Busch,
Michael McDowell
Michael Waltrip
Matt Kenseth
Ryan Newman

The brave souls that do qualify will be pulling

117 laps on Saturday (Aaron's 312 - 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday ABC ) and
312 laps on Sunday (Aaron's 499 - 1 p.m. ET, FOX).

We here at NBaP is tired just thinking of that!

Are Ch 11 Papers Being Drawn Up For Chrysler?

2009-04-23T15:11:00.001-07:00

In a shocking, and yet, not surprising move, the Govt. started drawing up Chapter 11 docs for Chrysler. Or at least that's what the New York Times is reporting.

General Motors Corp. on Thursday did announce plans to shut down 13 assembly plants in North America for "multiple weeks" in the summer to minimize the amount of unsold inventory as they face slowed demand of their product.

All the while they are still trying to negotiate with their creditors in how best to handle the debt.

Meanwhile, NBaP noted that a New York Times article that went to print which is citing anonymous sources that it said possessed "direct knowledge of the action," said the U.S. Treasury is preparing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that could come as early as next week.

They're (Chrysler) is also looking to submit a restructure plan by April 30th in order to qualify for additional bail out money.

So despite the stories and worry, right now there are several viable options on the table that everyone is looking at and no one is writing anyone off yet.

But you can't help but wonder if the big C goes under the Ch 11 gun, what does that mean to our sport? And who's next, if anyone?

All we can do is hold our breath and wait. And hope they pull it all together.

For more details check out the Market Watch article.

Of course, I have to taunt you that speaking of change, change is coming to NBaP! Keep your eyes open! You may even miss it at first!

Truck Series Raybestos Rookie Standings

2009-04-23T13:12:00.001-07:00

We already have four races in the books and the competition for top rookie honors is heating up.

While Canadian J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 7 Mammoet Chevrolet) maintained his slim point lead following Martinsville, the rest of the class is right behind him and waiting for him to slip just one little mis-step.

Washington native Tayler Malsam is only four points behind Fitzpatrick. Malsam heads to Kansas with a little experience, having competed in last year's ARCA race, where he came in 14th, despite being involved in an accident.

Tied with Malsam is James Buescher (No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford). The 19-year-old comes off a strong run at Martinsville where he finished 11th, his best finish so far this year.

Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:

1	J R Fitzpatrick	42
2	Tayler Malsam	38
3	James Buescher	38
4	Ricky Carmichael	37
5	Johnny Sauter	32
6	Chase Austin	16
7	Brent Raymer	12
8	Chris Jones	5

Probably The Most Exciting Race Weekend Coming Up

2009-04-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

The following is written as a rough perception of how restrictor plate racing is. It's not meant to be the end-all of info on the issue. This is an emotionally based article. Have fun and I hope this is helpful to some.

4 Words:

Talladega. (That's pronounced Tal-A-Day-Ga) LOL.

But for some, this is one of the 4 of the most exciting races to watch all year long. It's a restrictor plate race, which means NASCAR has sanctioned the addition of a component to limit how much "go juice" (gas) one can pump into the carburetor. This limits the speeds of the cars.

The Down Side:

That means that they can't get going so fast that they don't become airplanes. I've watched these cars hit 200+ mph and then do a nose lift and go tumbling. No fun for the driver, the cars around them, or the fans. Hence, this safety measure.

The Up Side:

With limited fuel flow, the drivers need to stay as close as possible to the car in front of them to stay within a competitive distance to the other car. It's called drafting and there are advantages to drafting.

A car by itself can run about 160 - 170. Cars that are drafting together can run around 190 mph. Because they need to draft to keep competitive, you'll usually see the majority of the pack side by side throughout the day. Drafting also is a nasty little trick for passing other cars because you're not using as much HP to keep up with the guy in front, so you have a few extra horses to zip out and around the guy in front of you... if others follow you. Otherwise, you stick your nose out there, and the line of drafting cars just pass your a** up as you sit helplessly and watch!

Of late, during races the drivers have been more patient and string out, but as you hit the last 60 laps or so, everyone starts to play chess, trying to jockey for that one position that you can draft from and slingshot around the car in front of you for that win in that magic final lap.

Drivers Hate It:

Drivers don't think it's racing. They sit around all day driving 200 mph in close knit packs less than a few feet apart as the car jostles from the wind, trying to avoid the big wreck. The big wreck happens when someone blows a tire usually, or if someone does something stupid to cause issues because they get impatient.

Either of those tend to happen when you pack a bunch of win-hungry drivers together.

I think it is racing. Why? Because we inevitably see the more skilled drivers at the front of the pack at the end of the day. If front runners were more random, I'd agree with the "It's not racing" statement. So to me, it is racing.

Fan Intensity:

I have to say, it's one of the more edge-of-your-seat events on TV. In car camera shots or bumper cam shots are very telling in what the drivers have to deal with while they look like they're putting around the track, lap after lap. Hard core fans don't like the cam shots. At times, I love them. It says it all.

In the end, of the cars left running, usually the best car out there is competing for the win if they don't get outwitted in the draft game. If you're driver moves too soon, he gets left behind. If he waits too late, there isn't enough time to make up for it.

What other race will you see the top 30-35 cars go across the start-finish line in under 1, maybe 2 seconds?

That's why it's so fun to watch.

Some New Starters Hitting Talladega In The Nationwide Series

2009-04-22T07:56:00.001-07:00

Several drivers are aiming making their first NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the 2009 year.

Ryan Newman (No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet),
Kerry Earnhardt (No. 31 Chevrolet, owned by Stanton Barrett),
Bobby Gerhart (No. 275 Chevrolet, owned by Bob Schacht) and
Justin Hobgood (No. 91 Chevrolet, owned by Randy Humphrey).

Earnhardt attempted to compete earlier in the season but was unable to earn a starting spot.

Meanwhile, 22 drivers have competed in all seven Nationwide Series races this season. The highest positioned driver who has not competed in all seven is Joey Logano (No. 20 GameStop Toyota).

There are 47 drivers hitting the timing lights for the 43 starting spots in this weekend's Nationwide race.

Among those looking to make the field on speed are

Scott Wimmer (No. 40 StopRepairBills.com Chevrolet; 31st in car owner points),
Jeff Green (No. 05 31W Insulation; 32nd),
Brian Keselowski (No. 26 Schweitzer Tile Dodge; 33rd),
Kenny Hendrick (No. 42 Dodge, owned by Chip Ganassi; 34th) and
John Wes Townley (No. 09 Zaxby's Ford; 35th).

Owners Points - Nationwide Series

2009-04-22T07:34:00.001-07:00

Despite the different drivers that have wheeled the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet, the teamwork has paid off in getting the car near the front of the point standings. The car is only nine points out of the point lead, behind the Joe Gibbs owned No. 18 Toyota and six cars are within 77 points of the No. 18 machine.

Ryan Newman will be the fourth driver to compete this season in the No. 33, which has five top 10s and sat on the pole for the Camping World 300 at Daytona International Speedway. This will be Newman's first NASCAR Nationwide Series race of 2009 and first time in a Nationwide race at Talladega.

While KHI is second, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owners hold first, four of the top five and seven of the top 10 spots in Nationwide owner points. The two other series-only regulars that hold spots are the No. 38 Braun Racing Toyota (eighth) and the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (ninth).

NASCAR Nationwide Series Car Owner Standings

     Owner                  No.    Points
1   Joe Gibbs              18      1,075
2   Delana Harvick       33      1,066
3   Jack Roush            60      1,028
4   Jack Roush            16      1,015
5   Richard Childress    29      1,014
6   Joe Gibbs               20      998
7   Jack Roush             6       949
8   Ralph Braun          38      932
9   Dale Earnhardt Jr. 88      898
10 Todd Braun              32      891

Stewart Creeping Ever Close To That Owner / Driver Win

2009-04-21T15:36:00.001-07:00

Sept. 27, 1998.

Yep. That's the last time a driver-owner won an event in a Cup Series race and it was Ricky Rudd at Martinsville Speedway.

yet after just 8 races in his new team, Tony Stewart in the No. 14 Old Spice Chevrolet would seem to be creeping ever closer to that first victory. As it stands, Tony heads to the wreck fest potential, Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, 4th in the series points.

Talladega is one of NASCAR's fastest tracks, the 2.66-mile Talladega tri-oval. Ironically enough, it is also where Stewart's last previous NASCAR Sprint Cup win occurred.

At the moment, he's starting to be compared to Alan Kulwicki in his slow, methodical approach to that front points spot and NBaP is impressed. Which means, for the first time since Alan Kulwicki's magical march to the series title in 1992, the words "driver-owner" and "championship" are compatible when used in the same sentence.

"This is the best start to the season that I've ever had in my career," Stewart said. "The last three weeks have just been amazing. I mean, it's been so much fun. We've been in contention. We've led laps. We're doing everything right. It's just a matter of time.

"We are consistent now and that's the way you've got to be. We're just clicking them off one at a time here. I don't think any of us would have predicted we would be in the top five in points."

Probation For Thumpin' And Bumpin

2009-04-21T15:29:00.001-07:00

NASCAR announced today that it has placed Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Casey Mears on probation for the next six races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of their on-track incident last Saturday at the conclusion of the race at Phoenix International Raceway.

If you recall, Jr got spun and it would seem to be that he blamed Mears. Then he spun Mears on the cool-down lap. Then Mears warmed up the cool-down lap by thumpin' Jr. back.

Kids, kids, kids.

Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 team and Mears, driver of the No. 07 team, both violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing; hitting another competitor's car after the race had concluded) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.

The probation takes effect beginning with this weekend's event at Talladega Superspeedway.

Susan G. Komen and NASCAR Day

2009-04-20T06:43:00.001-07:00

The NASCAR Foundation has announced that NASCAR Day will "Go Pink" through a joint partnership with FOX Sports Supports and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® April 24-26.

Celebrated on May 15, NASCAR Day is an opportunity for fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country to donate to The NASCAR Foundation to raise funds to help thousands of children live better lives.

Through the partnership between The NASCAR Foundation, FOX Sports Supports and Komen for the Cure, a portion of the net proceeds raised through the program will benefit Komen for the Cure, supporting its promise to save lives end breast cancer forever. Specifically, the money raised will support the Susan G. Komen Scholarship Fund – a fund specifically designed for children whose mothers have lost their battle against cancer.

The NASCAR Foundation also announced that APlus at Sunoco, the official pit stop of NASCAR, will be the official "pin stop" for NASCAR Day pins this year. Fans will be able to visit participating locations to make a donation. Anyone making a donation of $5 or more will receive a collectible lapel pin.

NBaP thinks that since NASCAR fans do have a great reputation for supporting causes that our sport looks to support, we should make the fan base proud and do what we can for this great cause. There's a ton more info at the NASCAR news link at NASCAR.com.

Allmendinger Signs Contract

2009-04-18T09:22:00.001-07:00

If you're an Allmendinger fan, rejoice!

A.J. Allmendinger signed a contract with Richard Petty Motorsports that lasts through the 2010 season.

Up until now, 'Dinger has been driving under a creative contract, dependent on sponsors and performance. He's proven the performance part. (NBaP would love to see him in top tier equipment!) And up until recently, was guaranteed a ride up until Richmond with a new sponsor signing on until then.

It seems that all the chatter about the possibility of 'Dinger headed looking at a ride with an American Formula One team, or other NASCAR teams that started inquiring into his availability cranked the interest up a notch from RPM.

Regardless, the Los Gatos, CA native (He's nearly my neighbor!) has himself a ride for a while. Way to go A.J.!

Source: ESPN

Change is in the Wind!

2009-04-17T07:17:00.001-07:00

If NASCAR can change car templates, maybe I can make some changes too!

Stick around NBaP and find out soon what's in the wind for NASCAR Bits and Pieces.

Winning At Every Track: Jeff Gordon

2009-04-17T04:02:00.000-07:00

Jeff Gordon, is now 21 of 22 and is closing in to join some all time greats.

With Gordon's win at Texas, he now has a win at 21 of the active 22 tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule.

The only track he needs a win at now is Homestead-Miami Speedway -- the site of the season finale Ford 400 -- and that will complete the active track win sweep.

NBaP is amazed at this endeavor, being that only three drivers have won at every active track in a given season's schedule:

Richard Petty,
David Pearson and
Cale Yarborough.

Petty boasted a win at every track run from 1981-1985.

Pearson had a win at every track from 1976-78 and again from 1982-85.

Yarborough also did it from 1981-85.

Regardless of whether you are a Jeff Gordon Fan or not, I think it's a worthy, professional endeavor and we should root for achievement, if nothing else.

Headed To Phoenix: Whose Perfect, Whose Headed For 4?

2009-04-16T06:12:00.001-07:00

Jimmie Johnson is going to try and make it four-in-a-row at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday night.

NBaP doesn't have to look far to see who the last driver to win four-in-a-row was. It was Johnson, himself when he won four straight at Lowe's Motor Speedway from 2004-2005.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series record for most consecutive wins at a track is 7, held by both Richard Petty (Richmond, 1970-73) and Darrell Waltrip (Bristol, 1981-84).

At Phoenix, five drivers have posted multiple victories at Phoenix – each time in consecutive races:

Davey Allison (1991-92),
Jeff Burton (2000-01),
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003-04),
Kevin Harvick (both 2006) and
Jimmie Johnson (2007-08).

If you're a fan of the new Loop Data from 2005 and on:

Two drivers have scored a perfect Driver Rating of 150.0 at Phoenix.

2005: Kurt Busch posted the very first 150.0, leading 219 of 312 laps in his only Phoenix win.
2006: Kevin Harvick completed the season sweep of Phoenix, leading 252 laps to score a perfect Driver Rating.

Pocono Raceway is the only other track where two perfect Driver Ratings have been recorded (both by Kurt Busch, 2005 and '07).

Surprisingly, Johnson has not had a perfect Driver Rating at Phoenix. In his November win last season, Johnson posted a near-perfect Driver Rating of 149.9, leading 217 laps of the 313 laps and tallying 66 Fastest Laps Run.

NBaP was wondering if Jimmie Johnson has ever scored a perfect Driver Rating, and he sure has. It was at Auto Club Speedway race last season.

Truck Series Looking Ahead To Kansas

2009-04-16T04:21:00.000-07:00

There may be a Dorothy in Kansas, though she's not the one that went flittering about in a hurricane, but there is a storm brewing, and looking at Kansas in the form of the NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES.

The NCWTS Teams are looking forward to the next event in the schedule, the April 25 O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway.

The track does not have a repeat winner ... yet and Victory Lane has seen winners of all experience levels, from Raybestos rookie-of-the-year contender Ricky Hendrick in 2001to three-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. a year ago.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 marks the first opportunity of the season for Midwestern fans to see the series “up close and personal.” The race traditionally has been among the best-attended “stand-alone” races on the schedule and continues a Kansas City NCWTS tradition extending back to the inaugural season of 1995.

NBaP sends out a thanks to the Kansas fans for keeping it alive and well there.

Meanwhile we have a former champion battle brewing at the front.

Three of the top four in current championship standings are former NCWTS champions including Hornaday and Mike Skinner, who have battled for wins and titles in 155 races over the past 15 seasons.

1	Kyle Busch	682	Leader
2	Todd Bodine	644	-38
3	Ron Hornaday	611	-71
4	Mike Skinner	606	-76
5	Matt Crafton	561	-121
6	Terry Cook	528	-154
7	Johnny Benson	515	-167
8	Chad McCumbee	505	-177
9	Timothy Peters	503	-179
10	Rick Crawford	496	-186

Their records head-to-head are identical: 25 wins apiece. The two battled down to the wire in 2007 with Hornaday edging his rival for the championship by 52 points.

The two are separated by just five points entering the Kansas race. And if NBaP had a guess to make, that separation will be even closer, if you count paint and sheet metal!

A Quality Chat With Jeff Burton

2009-04-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Jeff Burton is a classic fan favorite. At least he is here at NBaP. He's been around long enough to know what it takes. He's adapted well enough to stay in contention, and it's just great to see all his hard work get rewarded every now and then and not watch Jeff fade into obscurity like some other drivers may have with time.

Earlier this week, Jeff Burton sat down with the press to chat about a few things. Let's see what he had to say on a few different subjects:

Coming to Phoenix, Jeff has won twice here so you would think it's a good track for Jeff. Despite that, he has some concern being as the team has not done as well as they need to. They're hoping to turn the tables this week for the 12th place sitting team.

His Take On The Economy
It's not as bad as they initially worried it might be, Jeff's take is that sometimes people just have to

"..buy milk first before rather than going to a race, and that's OK. That's a decision people should make."
Regardless, he knows the sport has lot of loyal fans, and he appreciates that.

His take on Marco Ambrose as a driver.
He said he hasn't had a lot of interaction with him but added that everyone is impressed with what he's been able to do this year as far as running competitively, barring engine issues.

Like any rookie, he's feeling his way through it and he thinks what Marcos has done is good.

NBaP LOL Moment:

Jeff was asked if he could understand Marcos when he talks with him.

Jeff said "I grew up with Ward, so I can understand pretty much anybody."

About drivers reaching out to more fans:
A lot boils down to how much time the drivers have to spend. The sponsors have always been the driving force behind the fan interaction with autograph sessions, sweepstakes and other things. Now that racetracks are stepping up to the plate and holding fan events. Everyone needs to do as much as possible on a race weekend to make the experience fun for everyone.

On the lug nut issues at Texas, where lug nuts are falling off because of the new
stud rule, gluing issue.

"Well, the stud length rule, the theory behind that, is that if you don't have enough threads on the nut side of the wheel, it's dangerous. The problem is the more threads there are, the longer it takes to tighten it up. In a competitive-based business, when our tire changers are paid and given the charge to do it quicker than the next guy, making it take longer – it doesn't make it safer. In some ways that can actually make it less safe because you have to stay on the lug nut longer."
He feels the idea behind the rule is sound, but the practice of isn't working out quite yet.

Yet, he doesn't lose sleep over the impact the issue can have on him. His focus is abut the things he can control such as getting on pit road, getting on good, putting the car where he needs to put it and all the other driving parts to the equation.

Otherwise, he says his guys work exceptionally hard and he feels like he's in good hands.

About Sponsors Demanding More For Their Money These Days

Jeff replied, "It's a buyer's market. I don't care what you're buying, except for maybe handguns and ammunition, it's a buyer's market."

His take is that corporate America is really smart and that's why they're where they're at. They're always gonna be looking for added value, there's no question about it.

And with that, teams need to be proactive in what they offer, but it's a fine line between getting a great deal and pricing yourself out of the position to be competitive.

Having "owned" Phoenix earlier this decade, does he think that if they unload a halfway decent car, can he contend for the win?
He feels they can contend for the win and it will take the entire team to do it.

"I can't just sit back and say, I've won her before, you just got to give me a good car. Getting a good car has a lot to do with the driver's input, what the driver thinks he needs out of the car. There's a lot to it other than unloading it. I believe we can go to Phoenix and compete at a high level and contend for a win."

On The Challenges Of RCR Adding A Fourth Team
It's been very difficult, having to build 25% more cars and have more employees. Despite new issues from having four teams, he feels that ultimately it will make them stronger.

Does a racecar driver have to ignite the fire in their belly or does it burn constantly?

He says everyone is human and they have their up and down days. There's even different times in your life or in your day even where you're not as motivated as others. He feels it's important to stay focused.

Despite getting older, he hasn't lost the competitive edge everyone says would happen. Yet he can't predict anything.

"I may only go to Phoenix for three or four more years. I don't know. I want to go for 10 more years, but I don't know if I'll be able to."
"I'm more motivated today than I was when I was 18 because I understand how special it is. I've lost it, and now I have it back. I want to make sure that I don't lose it again."

Is Joey Logano Meeting Expectations?

2009-04-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

The following NBaP article is a guest column by Cathy Elliott.

Too Early To Judge Joey

Once in a while, a random comment can serve as a humdinger of a reality check.

I heard Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, doing a radio interview. One of the hosts of the show asked him what he was planning to do on one of the all-too-rare days off allotted to NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers over the course of the grueling, 36-event race season.

"I'm just going to be a kid," Logano said.

Well, that sounded a little bit odd. If you ask most of the guys on the circuit, they might say they hoped to take the boat out for an afternoon or two, maybe relax a couple of days and enjoy the feeling that only comes with having absolutely nothing to do, and some period of time in which not to do it.

They might spend some time going over the books of the various business endeavors they're involved in. Someone might even get married; you never know. But why in the world would anyone say his goal was to make every possible effort to act like a kid?

Oh. The light bulb just went off. Logano wants to act like a kid, because he is one.

Logano has been in the news lately more than he would have liked, for the wrong reasons. The driver who was given the nickname "Sliced Bread" (as in, the best thing since ...) is already feeling the hungry dogs of doubt nipping at his heels.

He's hanging on to a spot in the top 35 for dear life -- currently, he is in the 35th position in the driver standings -- and some naysayers are already showing signs of changing that "Sliced Bread" designation to "Toast." They haven't gone that far yet, but you can tell they're really, really tempted.

After a disappointing 38th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway on April 5, various Internet "experts and insiders" declared that JGR was considering replacing Logano in the car.

Is it just me, or are we being a tad hasty -- one might even say immature -- with this rush to judgment? Joey Logano is 18 years old. I have sweatshirts that are older than that, and they're not even all that ratty.

It might not be such a bad idea to try and gain a little bit of adult perspective here.

Joey Logano was born in the year 1990. The number one movie at the box office that year was "Home Alone." Think about this, people. He's younger than Macaulay Culkin. A lot younger. Yikes.

The top pop song in 1990 was "Hold On," by Wilson Phillips. 1990 also happened to be the year that Milli Vanilli was stripped of their Grammy award after it was revealed that, well, they didn't actually sing. The Grammy folks are picky about that stuff.

Wilson Phillips' last Top 40 hit was "Give It Up" in 1992. Logano was probably learning to say things like "No!" and "Mine!" about that time.

The San Francisco 49ers were Super Bowl champions in 1990, and the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series. Dale Earnhardt was the Cup Series champion, with Mark Martin, Geoffrey Bodine, Bill Elliott, Morgan Shepherd, Rusty Wallace, Ricky Rudd, Alan Kulwicki, Ernie Irvan and Ken Schrader rounding out the top 10.

The number one TV show that year was "Cheers." Logano can vote, and could serve his country in the military, but he is years away from being able to belly up to the bar with Norm and Cliff to shoot the breeze with Sam Malone over a couple of beers.

Let’s stop worrying about what Logano hasn’t done (so far), and talk for a moment about what he has.

At the age of 7, Logano won his first Eastern Grand National championship in the junior stock car division. He followed it up with a junior Honda Division championship in 1998 and in early 1999 a late modified division championship.

At the age of 10, he set a record 14-race Legends car winning streak at Atlanta Motor Speedway. At age 12, he won the Southeast-based Pro Legends national championship.

In 2007, at age 16, Logano won five races, three poles, and had 10 top 5s and 10 top 10s on his way to the Camping World East Series championship.

Last year at Kentucky Speedway, in his third start, Logano made history by becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Nationwide Series race.

The bottom line here is that if you're going to hold up a yardstick, make sure you're using the proper standards of measurement when you're wielding it. I surely am glad nobody examined me under the microscope and potentially put my career on the line after just seven weeks on the job. That's kind of harsh, unless maybe you're a brain surgeon or something like that.

The comedian Paula Poundstone once said that adults are always asking kids what they want to be when the grow up because they’re looking for ideas. I propose that we give this kid a break, because wouldn’t you really love to be Joey Logano when you grow up?

I know I would.

A Battle Is Taking Place At The Top

2009-04-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

A classic battle looks like it's starting to take shape at the top of the NASCAR Cup standings since four of the top five drivers in the current standings are former NASCAR Sprint Cup champions.

This is just about as good as it gets for it being this early in the season. Then again, we here at NBaP know it is early in the season and we've seen what happens as things hit the final leg of the season! (Can we say Kyle Busch?)

In these top 5, we have four-time champion (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001) Jeff Gordon leading the pack.

Three-time series champion Jimmie Johnson.

The 2004 champion Kurt Busch, who didn't make much noise last year after all his owner points were wasted on Sam Hornish.

The ever hungry two-time (2002 and 2005) champ, Tony Stewart is fifth in points. With Tony sitting up top like this, and doing as well as he is, I am a betting man that he is very hungry to make point and prove that new teams are viable for contention when they're done right.

The total number of points separating Gordon from Stewart is a mere 216.

The EGR No. 8 Is No More

2009-04-13T04:15:00.000-07:00

Lack of performance has driven the final nail in the coffin of the ill-fated No. 8 Chevy of EGR and operations have been suspended.

The No. 8 had one heck of a legacy.

The No. 8 legacy is one we will all remember as it started out under the driving guidance of Dale Earnhardt Jr and team owner vision of Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Since Sr's passing things have changed. The team is no longer what it was and has been absorbed into another team. (I don't care what order the names are in, if you need to join up with another entity to survive, you have been absorbed.)

Last Monday operations of the No. 8 under EGR were suspended.

NBaP is sad for Almirola and the team. Whether Almirola needed to do better, or he needed better equipment, it's moot now. So is pointing fingers at who or what helped precipitated it. For the moment, the shop is quiet while EGR attempts to stir up a sponsor.

Despite this, EGR says there are no changes planned for the No. 42 or No 1 cars.

No 8 on-track Image Cr: Getty Images for NASCAR, Red No. 8: ActionDiecast. (Though diecasts are from ACTION, I get all my non-Elite diecasts from Racing USA.)

Allmendinger Gets Even More Chances

2009-04-12T04:03:00.000-07:00

In January of 2009, I wrote that A.J. Allmendinger had 8 starts lined up with the No. 44 Petty Dodge entry.

Now, he's got even more chances.

Due to the performance levels he's demonstrated with the No. 44 car, the team has been able to sign on Hunt Brothers Pizza, keeping 'Dinger in the car through September. Look out Richmond, here we come.

NBaP is pretty excited for A.J.. He's got talent and the obvious ambition and motivation to take a decent car and put it up there in all our faces, for all to see. Including potential sponsors.

CONGRATS 'Dinger! Keep it up and nail even bigger sponsors.

Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR

Does Nashville Have Busch’s Number?

2009-04-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Kyle Busch comes to Nashville off his win last week at Texas – his 23rd in 143 career races.

His last win moves him up to seventh all-time – and he’s back to within striking distance of standings leader Carl Edwards at 38 points out. But does he have any real momentum on his side? Maybe not if he lets it haunt him that he’s never won at Nashville.

Nashville looks like his thorn in Kyle Busch’s side.

He has only one top-10 finish in six tries, which was a sixth-place in his first race there in 2004. Last year he captured the pole and led a race-high 125 laps but a self-inflicted wound, a spin on Lap 62, took him out of contention and he finished 16th.

Then he also has to keep an eye towards Carl Edwards. Edwards has been given the nickname of “Concrete Carl” thanks in large part to basically owning the track.

He’s the all-time leader in wins with three and has finished out of the top five only once – last June when he was 13th.

Nationwide Stand Alone Season Commences

2009-04-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

What in the blazes are we at NBAP's talking about, a stand alone Nationwide season?

Nashville Superspeedway hosts the traditional start of what is referred to as the stand-alone season, the first of nine such races on the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.

The race at Nashville brings a bit more to the table, too.

It’s Nationwide’s inaugural “Dash 4 Cash” race where eligible drivers (full time series regulars and part-time or limited series-only regulars) can pocket a $25,000 bonus with a win.

Other Dash 4 Cash tracks are Kentucky Speedway, Iowa Speedway and Memphis Motorsports Park.

Image: Brad Kesolowski practicing at Nashville. Photo Credit: Dak Dillon for NASCAR

Lowe's Motor Speeway Donating From Ticket Sales

2009-04-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

Lowe’s Motor Speedway will honor Autism Awareness Month by contributing $10 from every ticket that was sold to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 from April 3 – April 11, to Autism Speaks.

“Autism affects millions of families around the world, including many of our great fans,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “We’ve worked with local non-profit groups that help children with autism and their families through Speedway Children’s Charities. Now we’ve decided to significantly expand those efforts to help Autism Speaks increase awareness of the disorder and raise funds to help find a cure.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s contribution will help fund autism research, awareness, advocacy and family services.

NBaP thinks this is a great gesture on the part of the track to help with this issue. If you feel there is more you would like to do, please visit their site and discover what different ways you can contribute to Autism Speaks causes.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks funds more than $30 million each year in new autism research, in addition to supporting the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, Autism Clinical Trials Network, Autism Tissue Program and a range of other scientific and medical programs.

Is Radio Chatter Allowable, When You're Tight In Turn Two?

2009-04-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

The other weekend the rule was passed down, no, reinforced that radio traffic will remain public domain between teams.

It was reinforced because after the public airing of their "spirited debate", because Kurt Busch was inquiring about it as he was having terse words with Roger Penske at Martinsville.

Sorry for the redirect, but you can read the rest of the article on my new site location , Radio Chatter in NASCAR.

NASCAR Sponsors In the Light!

2009-04-07T11:33:00.001-07:00

I was perusing an article about some corporations that aren't "green" and noticed a few sponsors from our favored sport on the list!! dOh!

It's noted that a majority of America's largest companies have become part of the "green" movement in the way they approach business these days. Yet some despite their spin of green, from installing solar panels, using eco-friendly supplies or materials, they still have their issues with their products and pollution.

AOL Money did a snippet on the 10 most polluting companies and there are a few familiar names out there!

On the sad side of things, one of our major sport sponsors, Jeff Gordon's sponsor, DuPont, is No. 4 on the list of most pollutive (I think I just made up a word!) in the country! They even had to fork out in December of 2005 a settlement with the EPA of $16.5 million. Ouch, that's about a year of hood sponsorship!!

No 6 on the list is Waste Management!
No 8, BP
GM was No. 10.

Ouch. But then again, I'm thinking that solar car races just aren't that exhilarating to watch... never mind the cloudy days!!!

Camping World Is Going Where?

2009-04-04T12:30:00.001-07:00

Not sure how or what, but on Sirius Satellite this morning he was asking if anyone had heard that NASCAR was looking for a replacement series sponsor in the Truck series.

He had no concrete information, and was just inquiring with his co-host if he had heard anything, because Nate had heard some unverified whisperings.

That would be nuts if that were the case, but not a total surprise.

If anyone's heard anything (I did a quick search about and found nothing), leave a note here at NASCAR Bits and Pieces. (NBaP)

NNS Top 30 After Texas

2009-04-02T04:28:00.000-07:00

NBaP used to cover the top 35 each week in Cup... did we set a trend or are we just oblivious to the rest of the world in our tizzy to chase news? OK, don't answer that.

A lot will be determined at Texas in regards to who will have to qualify on time or be locked into the NASCAR Nationwide Series 300 at Nashville the following week.

But don't look now, but a top-10 finish at Texas doesn't automatically guarantee a starting position at Nashville.

The O'Reilly 300 will be the last race in which teams finishing in the top 30 in the 2008 owner point standings will be guaranteed a starting spot. After Texas, the top 30 in the 2009 owner points will be guaranteed starters.

Currently, teams occupying positions 25-30 are separated by only 24 points, and 32-37 are separated by 44 points. That's 12 positions separated by 64 points.

NASCAR Nationwide Series
Positions 25-37

Rk. Owner No. Pts
25. Johnny Davis 23 352
26. Bob Germain 15 348
27. Cindy Shepherd 89 337
28. Pat MacDonald 81 331
29. Lori Morgan 01 331
30. Charlie Shoffner 61 328
32. Chip Ganassi 42 325
34. Dusty Whitney 26 292
35. Jimmy Means 52 271
36. Wayne Day 05 268
37. Jay Robinson 09 261

When the top drivers like Carl Edwards gets his 1,000 point lead, this just might be the tight points event of the series! NBaP can't wait!

Tony Stewart On Where He And His Team Are At

2009-04-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, Tony Stewart sat down with some media members via teleconference and fielded some questions. The following are excerpts from that interview with Tony Stewart

On his new team: He's pretty happy with how things are going. Especially with the great day they had at Martinsville, both teams finishing in the top 10.

Not knowing when the organization was going to hit its stride, but they did right off the bat was a great thing. Obviously he's overlooking the bad luck Ryan's had, and focused on the fact that he's had a 7th- and a 6th-place run consecutively.

He feels they clicked sooner than anticipated.

NBaP Warning: It's a long read folks but I didn't want to leave too much out. Get some coffee and kick it a few!

On thinking more as an owner than a driver when racing:
TONY STEWART: I haven't. I catch myself worrying sometimes about where Ryan is, you know, with some of the bad luck he had early in the year and that's probably the only difference between what I normally would do and what we're doing now.

For the most part, I stay strictly in that driver mode and concentrating on what I've got to do to get to the front.

On feeling any pressure to not get involved in the controversies that come along during race weekends?
TONY STEWART: If anything, it's made me feel like I could get involved in them if I chose to.

It's been easy to kind of stay out of the controversy. We've got enough stuff to keep us busy that I think it's a little better to put it all in perspective and realize that some of those controversies aren't worth the time and effort.

On the idea of building a Cup team from scratch, like Michael Waltrip Racing, and on the improvement from MWR:
TONY STEWART: Definitely seen a great improvement. With Reutimann and Marcos, they have had two great weekends in a row.

I can't honestly imagine building an organization from scratch. I don't think I would have tried to take that on.

On where the 20 car is now in points, feeling bad for them? Has Joey called for comfort?
TONY STEWART: He hasn't. But I feel bad for those guys because I know they deserve better than that. It's just a matter of time before Joey hits his stride and gets used to being in a Cup car full-time.

He's more than capable of doing it. He's going to hit his stride soon. You can see his confidence building every week.

On the rush or feeling of satisfaction out of having a business success (wins):
TONY STEWART: I am proud of our guys. I've left Martinsville after a third-place finish and left mad 'cause I knew we had a shot at winning the race or a shot at at least a better finish than a third. This weekend a third was like a win to us. A year from now it won't necessarily be like that. I think we'll constantly adjust the yardstick as far as where we expect to be.

But six races in, to have a top-three run like that, then to find out Ryan had a 6th-place run, I felt that was an awesome accomplishment for a young team to be able to do that in just six races.

On comparing winning a race yourself as a driver vs being an owner.
TONY STEWART: A win is more of an individual feeling, whereas a team owner you're happy for the whole organization.

Being a car owner has helped put it in perspective, that it's not just a personal accomplishment.

On feeling if he and Darian have broken each other in yet?
TONY STEWART: I think so. Every week we have spent more time with each other. The one thing that's happened from day one is we felt very comfortable around each other. So from that side, it's been really easy.

At the racetrack, obviously it's taken me a little bit of time to get used to his package, the cars that we're bringing to the racetrack. But every week that we go out and have a good run, I gain that much more confidence in him, in that relationship that we have, with the communication just getting stronger and stronger each week.

NBaP: I told ya it was a long read!

On the government involvement with GM and if he thinks it's going to impact the sport:
TONY STEWART: I don't know honestly. I know that talking to the people at Chevrolet they're very committed to the racing program. They realize the value of it with not only the rest of corporate America but what it does to our nation. It still goes back to 'win on Sunday, sell on Monday.' This is a sport that's been good for the auto industry and vice versa.

I know it's a tough time for them, but they're very committed to not only the racing product, but also the products that they build for the Americans out there in tough times. I'm very confident that the racing side is going to be fine.

On how he looks at the new loop data and their performance potential at Texas:
TONY STEWART: We're pretty comfortable with it right now in all honesty. I mean, we've been to California, which was two-mile. We've been to Vegas, a mile-and-a-half. I feel like our superspeedway program is really good. Our mile-and-a-half package is really good, even though we've really ran one of 'em.

I've got a lot of confidence going into this weekend. Texas is a track that I really enjoy. It's a lot of fun. I feel like we're gonna have a good run this weekend. I have that gut feeling.

On whether they've set goals with the team and if so, where are they with those goals right now:
TONY STEWART: Honestly, we didn't. We go to the racetrack with the attitude that we're going to try to get a hundred percent out of whatever we've got that weekend. I think when we sat down early in the year, you look at everything on paper, and it's supposed to be successful. All the pieces are in place. I feel like all the right people are there, all the right tools are there. So on paper it's supposed to work. It's just a matter of how soon are all the personalities going to click with each other. You start building momentum.

On the recent success being a morale booster back at the shop:
TONY STEWART: It is. You know, perfect example was yesterday. (Monday) We have our competition meetings on Monday. Ryan and I are both there, both the crew chiefs. Bobby Hutchins, our competition director is there. The atmosphere at the shop was unbelievable. Since I've joined that organization, I've not seen everybody in such a good mood and the morale so high. It's a good feeling.

On whether it's too early or just about time to size up where everybody is?
TONY STEWART: I think it's starting to shape up, at least who has the opportunity to be in the Chase. I'm not sure it's an accurate assessment of who's a championship contender or not. I think by now we're all starting to get an idea of who the contenders to be in the Chase are.

I think the next three or four weeks will be an indication of who those people are really going to be that are really solid to be in the Chase this year.

On being a satellite teams and what they might be doing different or better than other teams:
TONY STEWART: I don't know honestly (laughter). It's the first time I've done this. You know, I feel like the biggest key to making all this work is having the right key people in the right places and having the right tools in place.

I feel like Haas Automation, Haas CNC Racing did a great job of building a foundation long before I got there. I can't take credit for all of it. I think what we were able to do, what I brought to the table, was helping to attract some other people that they weren't able to attract in the past that helped make the difference and take it from a team that, you know, kind of was so-so to now a team that can run in the top 10 I feel like consistently.

Megan Fox, trying to figure out if the Ford Transformer is a Toyota or a Chevy!
Just because you've lasted this long reading the article!

On any discernible difference driving a Toyota to a Chevy?
TONY STEWART: It is feeling-wise. It's not so much physically as much as it is in your mind. I'm proud to be back in an American car. That being said, I mean, the physical part of it is it's a motor difference really and decal package. You know, there's that feeling and pride of knowing that you're in an American car, that we're out there racing with some of the best manufacturers in the world. So that sense of pride is the biggest difference.

On the differences between Atlanta and Texas, since they both look the same:
TONY STEWART: They're night and day, in all honesty. I'm not sure that everybody realizes, even though if you looked at the top of the tracks, there's shaped almost identical. But Texas is built quite a bit different than Atlanta is and Charlotte. What most people don't realize is the bottom of the racetrack, the apron, is paved all the way to the inside wall. That's different to what you see at Atlanta, Charlotte, some of these other places. The reason, that's what the IndyCar track was supposed to be. IndyCars were intended to run on the apron. That was going to be their racetrack. The transitions going into the corners and coming off the corners are a little more abrupt and later. The banking comes in a lot later, then it falls off a lot earlier than we have at the other tracks. That's to accommodate what was going to be the IndyCar track. That poses its own unique challenges.

But obviously the grip level at Atlanta is a lot less than what we have at Texas, too. But that's what makes Atlanta so much fun. But, you know, Texas every year that we go through, it's getting better and more worn in to where the groove moves around the racetrack and cars are running from the bottom to the top. At least from a drivers standpoint, we enjoy that part of it. We enjoy not having to be line committed. Helps us out on the aero side. We can help ourselves out as drivers versus just being stuck behind somebody.

On if running Nationwide races are beneficial anymore?
TONY STEWART: I don't think you learn a ton. I mean, you might learn some stuff air pressure-wise. Aside from that, as far as the actual setup of the chassis, they're night and day different now between the two series. I don't think you learn as much as you used to.

On any doubts going into Cup team Ownership:
TONY STEWART: I was eager. I mean, I don't think if I didn't have the background of ownership with the USAC side, the World of Outlaw teams, I don't think I would have been as comfortable making the adjustment to the Cup side. But it's having a great owner like Joe Gibbs that I learned from for 12 years, being in his organization, having that experience at a smaller level.

On the (premature) idea of expanding to 4 teams:
TONY STEWART: I'm not sure we've got that far yet. Obviously when we had our first meetings with Joe Custer, he filled us in on their intentions to be a four-car team eventually.

My opinion on it right now is I don't want us to try to expand until we get two cars really successful. I don't want to expand till we know that they both have an opportunity to win a championship. Once we get to that point, then I feel comfortable expanding the operation.

Question: This was a long read. Should NBaP have broken this up into more than one article? Thanks for coming by.

Upcoming Nationwide Texas Race

2009-04-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

NBaP see's that Texas Motor Speedway hosts the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the first of two events at the 1.5-mile track located in Ft. Worth.

ESPN2 will carry the O'Reilly 300 live on April 4 beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET with the NASCAR Countdown pre-race show. Race coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET.

Kyle Busch swept both races at Texas last year but he'll have to fend off the challenge of Kevin Harvick, who will not only have come off his first win of the season in the previous race at Bristol, but is the all-time winner in series races at Texas (four).

In fact, prior to his Bristol win last week, Harvick's last series victory was at Texas in the fall race in 2007.

Texas Fast Facts

Next Race: O'Reilly 300
The Place: Texas Motor Speedway
The Date: Saturday, April 4
The Time: 3 p.m. ET
The Distance: 200 laps / 300 miles
TV: ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET
Radio: Sirius NASCAR Radio / PRN
2008 Race Winner: Kyle Busch
2008 Polesitter: Kevin Harvick (via final 2008 owner points; qualifying was rained out)

Event Schedule (all times CT):
Thursday
Practice 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.;
Final Practice 1-2:00 p.m.;
Qualifying 6:05 p.m.

Is Jeff Gordon Headed To Victory Lane?

2009-04-01T03:33:00.000-07:00

Jeff Gordon has come close to Victory Lane in 2009 and come close last year. Close doesn’t cut it.

Gordon’s winless drought reached 47 races after Martinsville, but it looks like he's headed there soon.

Through six races this season, Gordon leads the series in top fives (four), top 10s (five), has a Driver Rating (119.6), Average Running Position (5.4) and Fastest Laps Run (191).

Of course, as if that's not bad enough, Texas is one of only two tracks at which Gordon has yet to win (Homestead-Miami Speedway is the other).

In 16 starts at Texas Gordon has scored a top-10 finish in half of them. He has six top fives, including two runner-up finishes.

Since the inception of Loop Data in 2005, Gordon has an Average Running Position of 15.4, a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 57.3% and 97 Fastest Laps Run at Texas.

So? What do you think? He might be able to do it. I do think he's destined to a victory this year... it's just a matter of where.

Harvick Wins Truck Race

2009-03-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

Kevin Harvick got by the indomitable Kyle Busch for the lead with 10 laps to go Monday and held on to win the Kroger 250 Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

Driving his own No. 2 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet, Harvick obtained his fourth career truck win in his 97th start in an event that had been postponed because of rain on Saturday.

"I was able to get to his bumper there and just kind of get him up about half a groove and got up under him." said Harvick, who ran the final 185 laps, including one extra lap because of a green-white-checkered-flag finish, on one tank of fuel.

Busch was subsequently penalized for a commitment line violation when he intentionally ran against the inside backstretch wall under caution in an attempt to straighten out a fender that was bashed in. Busch led a race-high 139 laps and finished 17th.

KHI's Ron Hornaday finished second, and Mike Skinner, Johnny Benson and polesitter Rick Crawford rounded out the top five.

The race had 13 cautions, the first on Lap 1.

After the fifth caution, Busch needed less than three laps to dispose of Jason White and take the lead on Lap 102. Busch held the spot until Harvick moved underneath him in the final laps.

Busch remained the series points leader over Todd Bodine, who finished 18th after being involved in two separate accidents, including one with two laps to go that forced the race to finish under caution.

Busch, who is running a partial schedule, won't compete in the series' next race, April 25 at Kansas Speedway.

Notes: Mike Bliss finished 15th in his 200th truck start. ... Ken Schrader finished 10th for his first top-10 since a fourth-place finish last year at Martinsville. ... James Buescher, who turned 19 last week, finished 11th, the highest finish among the six rookies in the race.

Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

Upcoming Nationwide Races

2009-03-30T04:23:00.000-07:00

April 4 at Texas will kick off a string of six consecutive race weekends for the Nationwide series, this will be the longest running race string of the season thus far.
And all upcoming races will be on different types of tracks.

Following Texas, the last of three consecutive events, are races at the 1.33-mile concrete Nashville Superspeedway (April 11), the 1-mile Phoenix International Raceway (April 17), the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway (April 25), the .75-mile Richmond International Raceway (May 1) and the 1.366-mile Darlington Raceway (May 8).

The series' next break will come during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend.

Nice... NBaP likes the Natiowide events... it breaks up that long weekend wait until Cup Sunday (Or Saturday) and they're short and fun races!!

source: NASCAR

Digger Cam - We Finally See It!

2009-03-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Ever since its inception, I've been wondering what the "Digger" cam looked like.

Check it out over at my new location, in the article titled This Is Fox's Digger Cam.

It's Clear and 70 AT Martinsville

2009-03-29T10:46:00.001-07:00

It's time for some Cup Racing.
The trucks have been postponed until Monday.

To my newsletter readers... oops. You don't get my posts until the next day.
So my newsletter that came out Sunday morning said it was raining.

My bad.
It was an emotional post and I should have indicated it was Saturday, and it was the Trucks.

Hope I didn't throw anyone off.

--
Bruce

It's Raining At Martinsville

2009-03-28T11:40:00.001-07:00

So much for DVD'ing the race to watch later!
It's pouring (or has) there on Saturday.
Does NBaP smell sick time coming up Monday?

Truck Series At Martinsville

2009-03-27T04:09:00.000-07:00

Martinsville Speedway will host the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this weekend. After that, they take a break then head off to Kansas looking for Toto at the Kansas Speedway for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 on Saturday, April 25.

Defending race winner Ron Hornaday Jr. led 136 of 167 laps on his way to Victory Lane. He was also the first to win from the pole. NBaP kind of roots for Ron since we hail from the same region!

Fast Facts From Martinsville (Is there any such thing as a slow fact?)

The Race: Kroger 250
The Place: Martinsville Speedway
The Date: Sat., March 28, 2009
The Time: 2 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 250 laps / 131.5 miles
TV: FOX, 2:00 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SIRIUS XM. Listen locally on WZBB-FM 99.9.
Track Layout: .526-mile oval
2008 Winner: Dennis Setzer
2008 Pole: Jack Sprague
Schedule:
Friday—Practice, 11-11:50 a.m.; 1:45 - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday—Qualifying, 9:10 a.m.

2009 Driver Standings Truck Series
Driver Points
1 Kyle Busch 560
2 Todd Bodine 535
3 Mike Skinner 441
4 Ron Hornaday Jr. 436
5 Chad McCumbee 426
6 Matt Crafton 423
7 Terry Cook 413
8 TJ Bell 412
9 Timothy Peters 406
10 David Starr 384

Are There Any Takers At Martinsville?

2009-03-27T03:56:00.000-07:00

Statistically, the Jimmie Johnson-Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports tandem is the clear favorite to outperform most others this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.

But statistically, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin – are no slouches at the Virginia short track either.

Of the two, Earnhardt has scored top-10 finishes in three of the last four races there, and since the inception of Loop Data, ranks high in a number of key statistics.

Earnhardt has the 4th best Driver Rating of 102.4, and an Average Running Position of 10.4, which is also 4th on the list. But I'm not too worried about him this week. NBaP doesn't think he's got it together to conquer this track. At least not from the way things are looking lately.

Though Earnhardt has never won here, Martin has two Martinsville wins, but has finished out of the top 10 in his last three Martinsville races, with his last top five finish coming in the spring race of 2005.

Since 2005, he has a Driver Rating of 78.2, an Average Running Position of 17.0.

Stats say look out for Tony Stewart though.

Stewart has a Driver Rating of 113.7, and an Average Running Position of 7.4.

Stewart won in 2006, breaking up the win streek that Gordon and Johnson were buliding.

Actually, Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Rusty Wallace are the only other drivers to win since 2003.

Bristol - Reflecting On Last Week

2009-03-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Bristol confuses me.

Before they repaved it into the banked mini-monster-superspeedway that it is today, it was relatively flat. Flat and harmful. It only had one groove and bumpers were the main course on this menu when looking to pass other drivers during the race.

By the end of the race, there was a lot of E-Bay sheet metal looking for buyers and nary a car came off the track not looking like... well, like it was at Bristol, or just came off a demolition derby.

But the reconfiguration has me stymied.

The first race I watched after the reconfiguration, I liked it.

Suddenly we had some racing where they could play with each other, side by side. Now the race finished in under 6 hours. That is awesome in and of itself. OK, NBaP is joking about the "under 6 hours" thing, but sometimes it felt like it.

I really don't mind not seeing a caution every 15 to 30 laps.

But the flare that WAS Bristol is gone.

No one came off the track pissed off. No one was called to the hauler. Most of the cars were only rumpled, and not crumpled.

WTH is that about?

It's still a cup race and all, but now, it looks like we only have Martinsville to give us the old style skill and bumper driving.

I wonder when they're going to bank the paperclip? I hope never.

Kyle Busch Still Has To Beat The Paperclip

2009-03-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Kyle Busch won last week at the mini-superspeedway called Bristol. He's now fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings. But Martinsville looms over him like Jason from Friday the 13th does over most of his victims.

Kyle Busch in the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota has had three top fives and four top 10s in eight Cup starts there.

NASCAR Loop Data statistics for Martinsville says Busch has an Average Running Position of 14.9, with his best finishes a pair of fourths in 2007.

He finished 38th there last spring and 29th last fall, both due to brake problems. They've done some testing over at Little Rock to "get our brakes squared away" and they believe they ahve fixed the problem.

THat's bad news for the rest of the field.

If he masters this place, and NBaP has no doubt he will, then we be headed for trouble.

Who Is Mr. Martinsville

2009-03-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

So do you think is Mr Martinsville? Jimmy Johnson, the reigning three-time series champion or Jeff Gordon, the four-time series champion.

They both love the place and both have fond memories of the place.

NBaP thinks that they should have a 25 lap trophy dash with just those two on track. Hmm, maybe even mix in a little Kyle Busch and see who wrecks who!

But seriously, more than likely we'll see any of these three up front at Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500.

Gordon and Johnson have won the last 9 of 12 races here at Martinsville. I don't think we'll ever forget that finish in the spring of 2007. I mean how can we, we see it every week in ads.

They rank one-two in the NASCAR Loop Data category, Driver Ratings.
Johnson is ranked at 124.7.
Gordon is ranked at 124.0.

But Gordon leads all active drivers with seven wins and seven poles at Martinsville.

Do you dare hit the betting window on this one?

Media Voting on Truck Series Champ and Rookie

2009-03-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

We the media have voted in the first-ever poll to predict who they thought would be the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion and Raybestos Rookie of the Year.

The results are in.

The media, including NBaP, are claiming that Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 VFW/Longhorn Chevrolet) will be the champion come Homestead. Hornaday edged Todd Bodine (No. 30 Germain Toyota) in the poll.

Johnny Benson (No. 1 Red Horse Racing Toyota) isn’t predicted to grab a historic back-to-back championship as they have him slated to finish third.

Mike Skinner (No. 5 Bad Boy Mowers Toyota), Matt Crafton (No. 88 Menards Chevrolet), Kyle Busch (No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts/NOS Energy Drink Toyota), Rick Crawford (No. 14 Circle Bar Truck Corral/International Engine Ford), Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-Way Freight Ford), Terry Cook (No. 25 Harris Trucking Toyota), and Chad McCumbee (No. 07 SS Green Light Racing Chevrolet) rounded out the top 10.

In the rookie corner, the media claim Rick Carmichael (No. 4 Oakley/Moster Energy Drink Chevrolet) will be the series’ Raybestos Rookie of the Year.

So say we all!

Kroger 250 Truck Race Look At Martinsville

2009-03-26T03:58:00.000-07:00

Next Race: Kroger 250
The Place: Martinsville Speedway
The Date: Sat., March 28, 2009
The Time: 2 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 250 laps / 131.5 miles
TV: FOX, 2 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SIRIUS XM. Listen locally on WZBB-FM 99.9.
Track Layout: .526-mile oval
2008 Winner: Dennis Setzer
2008 Polesitter: Jack Sprague
Schedule: Friday—Practice, 11-11:50 a.m.; 1:45 - 3:30 p.m. Saturday—Qualifying, 9:10 a.m.
Track Contact: Mike Smith, (276) 956-7232 or mksmith@martinsvillespeedway.com

2009 Driver Standings
Driver Points
1 Kyle Busch 560
2 Todd Bodine 535
3 Mike Skinner 441
4 Ron Hornaday Jr. 436
5 Chad McCumbee 426
6 Matt Crafton 423
7 Terry Cook 413
8 TJ Bell 412
9 Timothy Peters 406
10 David Starr 384

Johnny Benson On The Outside, Looking In

2009-03-25T04:05:00.001-07:00

Johnny Benson, the defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, sits 29 points out of the top 10 – a position he and everyone else did not figure to be in at the close of 2008.

Now, after three races, his next race to regain standings prominence is Martinsville – and the last time the series visited the short track, Benson won.

So optimism is high. Benson has been solid at Martinsville since the inception of Loop Data in 2005. In his last eight races there, Benson has a Driver Rating of 90.5, an Average Running Position of 12.8, 59 Fastest Laps Run and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 66.8%.

But there’s a snag. David Starr, who is 10th in points, ranks above Benson in almost every key statistical category. Starr, who won at this race in 2006, has a Martinsville Driver Rating of 92.6, an Average Running Position of 12.6, 60 Fastest Laps Run, a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 65.7% and has been passed only 74 times in the last eight races, the fewest of any driver during that span.

Starr struggled during the last Martinsville race, finishing 33rd, but has finished in the top 10 in four of the last six Martinsville races.

NBaP likes both drivers, but I think we have to pull for the classic fave of Johnny Benson!

Kerry and Jeffrey Earnhardt join Rick Ware Racing

2009-03-25T04:05:00.000-07:00

NASCAR Bits and Pieces (NBaP) see's that Kerry and Jeffrey Earnhardt have joined Rick Ware Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Kerry will debut April 4th at Texas Motor Speedway in the No 31 Chevrolet. His son Jeffrey, 19, is scheduled to make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut May 30 at Dover International Speedway.

Kerry is the son of seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt. Kerry has 70 career starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with three top fives and six top-10 finishes. He competed full time in 2002, finishing 22nd in points. He last raced in the series in 2008.

Jeffery has raced in the NASCAR Camping World Series East where he was fifth in the standings as a rookie in 2007 and finished 15th last year. NASCAR Bits and Pieces hopes that Jeffery has some of that fire that Dale Sr. has!

Both father and son will be paired with former NASCAR champion crew chief Paul Andrews until they do battle at Atlanta Motor Speedway this fall. At that juncture, Clyde McCloud will serve as crew chief for the younger Earnhardt.

Atlanta also will highlight three Earnhardts in series competition. Jeffrey's uncle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., a two-time series champion, also is slated to compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race there.

Jeffrey will race a progressive schedule this year, running seven events from a 1-mile track to a 2-mile oval as he prepares for the 2010 season and a Raybestos Rookie of the Year campaign.

The Earnhardts will be driving in events when Stanton Barrett will be competing in IRL races. The No. 31 will be the organization's primary car and the No. 41 Chevrolet will be the second car for races in which Barrett, Tim Andrews, Travis Kittleson, Tim Brown (seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified track champion) or Jeffrey compete.

NBaP hopes that Kerry can do something this time around. We've liked Kerry and have pulled for Kerry but it just hasn't panned out. The last time we saw Kerry race was at Irwindale in the Allstar Race and we watched him get lapped, and lapped and well, it was a bummer.

Good luck to all the Earnhardt's and BRING IT JEFFREY!!!

Truck Series Rookies

2009-03-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

Though none of the eight Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates are in the top 10, four are showing veteran like promise.

J.R. Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick is 25 points outside the top 10 in 11th.
He has a Driver Rating of 77.4, an Average Running Position of 16.6, eight Fastest Laps Run and has 17 Laps Led, which is tops among rookies. He is also the only rookie to score a top-five finish this year – he finished fourth at Daytona.

Tayler Malsam
Malsam is 13th in points.
He has a Driver Rating of 75.7, an Average Running Position of 15.7 and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 52.1%.

Prepare to be confused:

Though he's 19th in points, James Buescher has been the top rookie. He has the 12th-best Driver Rating (78.1), the 13th-best Average Running Position (15.1) and an 11th-best Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 62.1%.

Then there's Ricky Carmichael, who is making the transition from motocross.

Carmichael, 8th in points, has a Driver Rating of 77.5, an Average Running Position of 13.7, five Fastest Laps Run and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 65.5%.

Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year Standings after three races of the 2009 season:
1. J.R. Fitzpatrick 33
2. Ricky Carmichael 30
3. Tayler Malsam 28
4. James Buescher 27
5. Johnny Sauter 24
6. Chase Austin 16
7. Brent Raymer 6
8. Chris Jones 5

source: nascar press release

Kenny Wallace Eyeing Top 5 In NNS

2009-03-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

It may be the same old thing for some of the top 10 drivers in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings like Carl Edwards (No. 60 Scott�s/Save-A-Lot Ford) leading for the second straight week and into the series' next race at Texas.

But there are some new top 10 drivers who haven't been there in awhile.

Kenny Wallace (No. 28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet) hasn't been in the top 10 since 2006. Currently, he's ninth. It's also the first time Jay Robinson Racing has had a driver crack the top 10 in its 10-year history.

Go Kenny!!! NBaP is rooting for you!

Skinner In Good Position After Abrupt Start

2009-03-21T04:39:00.000-07:00

Following a bumpy 2008 season, 2009 is quite different for Mike Skinner (No. 5 EXIDE Batteries Toyota). Up until late January, Skinner wasn’t even sure if he was going to have a ride this season. Now he finds himself sitting third in points with the support of his new Randy Moss Motorsports team.

Before the team could even start the season, a lot had to be done in a small period of time including a switch to Toyota.

“My team found out I was going to drive for them two-and-a-half weeks before the season started,” Skinner said. “They had to change manufacturers, get Daytona trucks ready and get California trucks ready in a short amount of time.”

“My team did a fantastic job of getting everything done and giving me a fast, competitive truck to drive in the first three races of this season. It says a lot about Eric (Phillips, crew chief), David (Dollar, co-owner), Randy (Moss, co-owner) and all of these guys. I couldn’t be more excited. You can get up in the morning and dread going to the race track or you can get up and be excited to go to the race track. I’m definitely excited to head to the race track each week"

That, is what makes a champion. That is perseverance. Dedication. Now, we see how they make it work and if lady luck will smile on them or not!

source: nascar media center.

Let The Juniors Joke

2009-03-20T23:17:00.001-07:00

Guest Column By Cathy Elliott

Just five races into the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and we're already discussing the interpersonal skills of the two juniors, Dale Earnhardt and his crew chief, Tony Eury.

I suppose the most recent springboard for this topic came at Atlanta, when Junior commented to Eury on the radio that if his wheel came off as the result of a mistake earlier in the race, he was going to take a hammer to the head of every member of his pit crew. It was one of those funny comments, like "Point that finger at me one more time and I'll bite it off," that in some societies are known as ... jokes.

This in turn set off the inevitable flurry of remarks from the millions of armchair and barstool NASCAR experts out there, who really want to believe that all that's holding Junior back from regular visits to Victory Lane is the seemingly contentious relationship between the driver and his crew chief. If Eury doesn't have the ability to settle his driver down during a race, they ask, how can he possibly guide Junior to a win?

This seems ridiculous to me. I'm far from a mechanical expert -- I just learned how to spell carburetor last year -- but if memory serves, Junior made the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2008 and won one race more than four-time champion Jeff Gordon did. Are we really so ready to throw in the towel because his season has gotten off to somewhat of a bumpy beginning? Is finger-pointing ever the answer to anything?

And perhaps most importantly, when did we lose our collective sense of humor?

In the excellent but mostly depressing movie "Gran Torino," there's a memorable scene where Clint Eastwood's character, along with a friend from the neighborhood barbershop, attempts to teach a young boy "how men talk to each other."

I can't go into too much detail, because the movie is rated R and this column is not. But when I tell you the scene included a few hand gestures that could be described as "suggestive" and more than a few words that could be described as "profane," you probably get the picture. And the soundtrack.

In essence, this scene was a more adult version of the name-calling contests most of us engaged in with our siblings as kids. Strangely, verbal missiles like "scab eater" and "cheese breath," which merited a good stern talking-to from Mom back in the 1970s, don't seem to pack the same punch they had back then.

But no matter. The point is that we interact differently with our friends and family members than we do with casual acquaintances or strangers. Little girls might hug one another on the playground, while their male counterparts are more likely to playfully shove one another around. This isn't intended as a gender-biased observation. It's just that in my own personal experience, these are often the patterns we follow when we communicate.

So if I told my brother I was going to whack him upside the head with a hammer, it would be an expression of affection. But if I said the same thing to the guy who owns the insurance agency around the corner, it would constitute a threat, and likely would involve the cops. It's all about the context.

When you think about it, NASCAR gives fans a wonderful and largely unprecedented gift by allowing us the ability to monitor our drivers' radio frequencies during races. Do we really want our teams to resort to communicating by way of some type of encrypted signals that we are unable to access?

All that would accomplish is to turn NASCAR crew chiefs into some version of football coaches, hiding their faces behind those silly clipboards. That's a bleak prospect, indeed.

Perhaps instead of using what we hear as the basis for trying to get guys fired based on our opinions of their communication skills, we should adopt a policy of keeping our own mouths shut about what comes out of theirs. Sanctioned eavesdropping isn't all that common, you know. One man's belligerence may well be another man's banter. "Sweetheart" and "scab eater" could be interchangeable, according to the speaker and the circumstances.

We need to take off the headsets if we can't take a joke.

source: nascar press

Shell Gasoline Ad with Kevin Harvick

2009-03-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

My Tight in Turn Two buddy, Charlie Turner got his hands on the new shell ad with Kevin Harvick!

Go on over and say hi to Charlie for me! Bump Linkin with Kevin Harvick.

While you're at it, check out my new site at NASCAR Bits and Pieces.com

NASCAR, Our Country And Our Flag

2009-03-19T06:27:00.001-07:00

Today, I thought I'd share an [edited] email I received from a reader who made an observation about a specific part of the pre-race ceremonies that we watch on television:

Hi Bruce

I just want to say something that should be evident to all that love our Country and Flag.

This scene is weekly and does not specifically point to any one person. But to illustrate my example, the other week at Atlanta, Jeff Gordon was standing next to a two star General while the Star Spangled Banner and the Flag was being honored . The General was saluting and Jeff was in a complete DAZE , looking disgusted and with his hands to his side. I am a retired disabled Veteran and I find this scene to be so disgusting I can hardly hold my composure. I would consider Jeff Gordon a nincompoop or a disrespectful idiot to not Honor our Flag or anyone else in NASCAR for that matter, standing around ignoring the most respectable symbol we have in our Country.

Enough said. I hope you can let someone in NASCAR know exactly how I and many, many more feel about this unsightly scene.

Thank you
Louis A. S., Tsgt USAF Retired

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and observations on this issue Louis.

I've seen what you say quite a few times with different drivers and I think they've gotten too comfortable with the process at the beginning of an event. Yet I don't care how many times they have to do this, this is where they set an example for others, or set their own image as they show their respect for our nations flag.

Get on the ball guys, we and all of America are watching. Set an example.

The 3's of Nationwide - Can We Make it Four?

2009-03-12T03:36:00.000-07:00

So we all know I've been a respectful fan of the No. 3. It's a number set for eternity in many a fans mind, no matter what anyone else does with it. But here's a twist of the No. 3 from the Nationwide Series:

After three races, there have been three different winners:

Tony Stewart at Daytona;
Kyle Busch at Auto Club Speedway;
Greg Biffle at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

We've had three different pole winners:

Kevin Harvick at Daytona;
Carl Edwards at ACS and;
Scott Speed at Las Vegas.

We've had three different point leaders in the series:

Stewart after Daytona,
Busch after California and currently
Edwards after Las Vegas.

It's the first time Edwards has led the standings since his 2007 title.

Finally, there have been three different owner standings leaders:

The No. 80 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet after Daytona;
the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet following ACS and the current leader
the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford.

I hope their next race doesn't make this all 4's. I ain't got nothin' for ya if that happens.

- Bruce

source: NASCAR press release

Doing Good Does No Good

2009-03-11T14:37:00.001-07:00

Let's just start out from where I'm coming from:

Jimmy Watts, the crew member for the No. 47 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series who went tire chasing across the infield last Sunday, has been suspended from the next four Cup races, or until April 22. (Which ever comes first! I really hope you know that's a joke.)

Obviously it's for rule violations during last Sunday's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway as he violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing*) and 9-15-U (crew members must not go on the race track for any reason while the cars are racing or while the cars are running under the yellow flag or the red flag, unless otherwise directed to do so by a NASCAR official). Watts has also been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.
*It only would have been detrimental to Jimmy if he got hit!

Here's the sucker punch: His crew chief, Frank Kerr, has been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Sections 12-1 and 9-4-A (crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of the team).

Dang!

So I get (I'm presuming here) where Jimmy was coming from. He was truly worried about the tire causing issues. Maybe he was having flashbacks to many many years ago when a flying tire killed someone at Indianapolis Speedway. There have been more instances than I care to ponder, from flying tires.

1987: A loose wheel was hit and flew into the stands of the Indianapolis Speedway, killing Lyle G. Kurtenbach, who was sitting in the top row of grandstand K. I remember that one... and it was not pretty because the tire continued it's flight behind the stands.
1998: 3 dead at the U.S. 500
1999: 3 dead at the Visionaire 500

So in retrospect, maybe Watts should have been given a warning instead. More than likely, nothing would have happened, and then again, maybe he was thinking if he went and got the tire, no penalty would be brought forth because of it. Hard to say, but ouch.

No good deed goes unpunished people.

Next time, yell out a heads up, and duck Jimmy!

Kurt, Not Kyle Busch Has A Perfect Day

2009-03-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

With Kurt Busch's dominance in the KOBALT Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, his performance scored him a perfect Driver Rating of 150.0 for the day.

This is Busch's fourth perfect Driver Rating since Loop Data statistics started to be collected in 2005. He's also the only driver to have more than one "perfect" day.

During Sunday's Atlanta race, Busch had

Laps Led (234),
Average Running Position (1.5) and
Fastest Laps Run (81).

Busch's other perfect Driver Ratings were in his Pocono Raceway wins in 2005 and 2007 and at Phoenix International Raceway in 2005.

The other "perfect" ratings in the Cup Series since 2005 were

Tony Stewart 8/14/05 Watkins Glen
Kevin Harvick 11/12/06 Phoenix
Clint Bowyer 9/16/07 New Hampshire
Jimmie Johnson 8/31/08 Auto Club

So in your eyes, though Kurt Busch put in quite the performance, do you agree that he had a perfect day? That is, aside from his painting the wall a few times with Miller blue?

Dale Jr's Ex On TV?

2009-03-10T03:05:00.000-07:00

This is a snapshot of Dale Earnhardt's ex-girlfriend, Kortnie Coles, who is now in a reality show and at her first opportunity had to share her "experience" with the audience of being his ex.

If you want to read more about her latest endeavor, check out my entertainment blog, Cinema Static.

Atlanta Motor Speedway Truck Series Bits

2009-03-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

The Race: American Commercial Lines 200
The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway
The Date: Sat., March 7, 2009
The Time: 2 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 200.2 miles / 130 laps
TV: SPEED, 1:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SIRIUS XM. Listen locally on WEKS-FM 92.5
Track Layout: 1.54-Mile oval
2008 Winner: Kyle Busch
2008 Pole: Ron Hornaday, Jr.
Schedule:
Friday: Practice 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.; 1:30 - 2:50 p.m.;
Saturday: Qualifying, 9:35 a.m.

source: nascar press release

The Truck Series at Atlanta

2009-03-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Billy Ballew, the owner of the No. 15 and No. 51 Toyota trucks, has a condominium at Atlanta Motor Speedway? He's had it since 1994 and it has been the party house after his victories over the last two years with driver Kyle Busch.

That would be a blast to own a condo at a track! Few neighbors, great views and a few times a year, your condo association treats you to NASCAR races as part of the association dues! Can you imagine pulling your chair up to your window and watching it all, while you have the TV or the radio on in the background? Too cool.

~

Did you know that Rick Crawford will be making his 300th career start in the Truck Series on Saturday night. This will make him the series' start leader.

Crawford has also spent all of his 13 seasons with Mitchell and Circle Bar Racing. Now that's like a flashback to the days before musical chairs with the contracts kicked in! Crawford has five wins, 72 top fives, 150 top 10s, and five poles.

“As I look back, I think I’m proudest of the fact that I’ve reached 300 with one owner and one manufacturer,” Crawford said. “Mr. Mitchell and I have one of the longest driver-owner relationships in the sport. He’s much more than an owner to me, he’s made me part of his family and I could not be here without him.”

~

Todd Bodine (No. 30 Germain Toyota) and Kyle Busch are off to identical starts compared to last year. They're one-two in point standings, respectively.

Matt Crafton (No. 88 Menards Chevrolet) is third while Timothy Peters (No. 17 Toyota) makes his debut in the top 10 in the standings. Peters and his Premier Racing team have collected top-10 finishes in the season’s first two races.

Also new to the top 10 are T.J. Bell (No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota) and rookie-of-the-year contender J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 7 Mammoet Chevrolet). After an 11th-place finish at Daytona and a fifth at Auto Club Speedway, Bell sits sixth in the standings.

~

This is Matt Crafton's favorite track because of the ability to run 2 and three wide. He realizes handling is pretty important here because the tires wear out quickly.. so keep your eyes on Matt and see if he takes advantage of this unique comfort zone of enjoying the venue he's racing on!

~

Wonding how the rookies are doing? Check out the NASCAR Raybestos Rookie Contender standings after two races of the 2009 season:

1. J.R. Fitzpatrick 26
2. Ricky Carmichael 22
3. Tayler Malsam 17
4. James Buescher 17
5. Chase Austin 16
6. Johnny Sauter 15

~

Kyle Busch at Atlanta in the Truck Series:
In the last four races, Kyle Busch owns series-high statistics in
Driver Rating (131.2),
Average Running Position (3.4) and
Laps in the Top 15 percentage (97.9%).

He's also posted 84 Fastest Laps Run.

Busch’s prime competition this weekend is expected to be Todd Bodine and Ron Hornaday Jr. – both past winners at Atlanta.

~Bruce

A Quick Question About the Vegas Race

2009-03-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Food for thought:

I'm on the bubble about this one though I'm leaning towards the drivers being responsible since they are the consummate professionals, but who's to blame for all the speeding penalties at Vegas last week?

NASCAR for limiting track practice, aside from the race weekend?
Vegas for moving that cursed limit line?
Or the drivers? Shouldn't they have made the appropriate mental adjustments and played it according the the changing playing field? IE: moving line?

There were an awful lot of foul ups last weekend and I sure was surprised, with Jeff Gordon paying a pretty hefty price for his snafu.

As far as track practice goes, wow, I think it's affecting Jr., but then again, it could be something else.

Any thoughts on any of these issues? Anyone? Someone?

Notable Driver Stats at the Kobalt 500

2009-03-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

Career milestones this week at Atlanta include:

Bobby Labonte will be making his 550th start in the Cup Series.
Jeff Gordon is looking to add to his 20,006 career laps led total — currently seventh on the all-time list.
Clint Bowyer has the active "running at the finish record" (76) — second on the all-time list. His last DNF was at Phoenix in November, 2006.

News and Notes for the Upcoming Atlanta Race

2009-03-05T09:44:00.000-08:00

Let's take a look at a few things that might be eye catchers at the track!

Georgia natives at the track this weekend: David Ragan (Unadilla) – No. 6 driver
Reed Sorenson (Peachtree City) – No. 43 driver
Brian Taylor (Cuthbert) – No. 14 mechanic
Shannon Keys (Byron) – No. 8 front tire carrier
Adam North (Sonoraville) – No. 31 jack man
Dion Williams (Atlanta) – No. 5 rear tire carrier
Dwayne Moore (Griffin) – No. 55 rear tire carrier
Jason Jones (Rhine) – No. 5 pit support
Matt Skeen (Stone Mountain) – No. 88 pit support

Atlanta Motor Speedway is in its 50th season of hosting NASCAR events and Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 will be the 100th race in the series.

Michael Waltrip Racing Is In Our Face!
The biggest surprise of the season, though it's only been a couple of races, is that both Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota teams are in the top 12.

David Reutimann comes to Atlanta 5th in the standings while Michael Waltrip is 12th.

Michael has also made a promise to all of us out here in the land of fans: He said that if his results do not improve this year, he would retire at season's end!

Do You Think You'd Ever See the No 20 Toyota 32nd in Points?
There are only two races to go before the weekly 35 guaranteed starting spots will be based on this season's car owner points and for some, there are a few surprises sitting out there.

The No. 20 Toyota driven by Joey Logano is 32nd.
The No. 39 Chevrolet driven by Ryan Newman is 33rd.
The No. 5 Chevrolet driven by Mark Martin is 34th.

I'm not sure which one I'm surprised more by! Probably the Mark Martin bit.

Source: NASCAR Media, (Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)

Fast Facts For Atlanta, NASCAR Cup Series

2009-03-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

The Race: KOBALT Tools 500
The Date: Sunday, March 8
The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway; 1.54-mile tri-oval
The Time: 2 p.m. ET
The Distance: 325 laps/500.5 miles
TV: FOX , 1:30 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN and Sirius Satellite; (Local PRN affiliate WEKS-FM 92.5)
2008 Polesitter: Jeff Gordon
2008 Winner: Kyle Busch
Schedule: (All times local ET)
Friday—Practice, 3-4:30 p.m.;
Qualifying, 6:45 p.m.
Saturday—Practice, 11-11:45 a.m.;
Final Practice, 12:20-1:20 p.m.

-Bruce

Imagine Kyle Busch As Your Best Man?

2009-03-05T07:38:00.000-08:00

For some, Kyle Busch is 'Da Man of today. For others, he's 'Da best man for the day!

Check out fans Damon and Heather Landry getting married at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Kyle Busch looking on as the Best Man... now would that not be cool? Not to mention that awesome wedding picture backdrop!

(Photo Credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

DIGGER, Stay In The Fraking Hole, Here In Turn Two

2009-02-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

Tight In Turn 2 is kicking it back in gear. It may not be the weekly thing we had last year, but when something is burning our butts, it's gonna show up here! Today, I'm dragging Digger over the coals, because frankly, I'm insulted by FOX if they think I like this crap. It's not as bad as say, ABC heading off to America's Funniest Videos with just a few laps to go, but if they keep hitting me up with this cartoon puke, it will soon overtake that infamous moment in television history.

~~~~~~~
Let's hit Turn Two now, shall we?:

FOX is interesting. The group that telecasts the sporting events likes animated characters to boost up their sporting events. When FOX took over Soccer, a soccer fan said the telecast got all glitzed up and it hasn't been the same since.

Now with Digger seeming to get more air time, I am forced to suffer through these bits of cartoon FOX is shoving down our throats. Why? It's one thing when FOX has their football robot in the lower left corner. That's fine. It doesn't get out there and dance around on screen during the plays or when someone gets hurt. Digger, on the other hand tends to show up during racing scenes and accidents when they make Digger do cute things while race cars are wrecking. Digger trivializes the moment and the announcers have to jump in on the bandwagon and boost the gopher. Gads, I hope they're getting hazard pay, or stupid pay or whatever pay for doing that extra bit.

Digger is the name of the damn camera under the track. It has no purpose, no story, no redeeming feature or a place in this sports telecast except to show some pretty neat undercarriage shots when the cars do get that low. I'll give it that.

But what has me wondering is if FOX is worried about their ratings.

We have a ton more coverage of Digger. Yet from what I can tell, not a lot of people really like it. In fact I'm 2 for 2 in changing my channel to the Sci-Fi Channel and watching that rather than the rest of the pre-race show. Cripes, The Sci-Fi Channel should thank FOX. Digger makes them look good.

Now I've said this before, from both angles: FOX Looks like they're adding glitzy cute girls to their promo shots at the front of the show in mock victory lap scenes. I've never found it to be a good thing when a show adds a hottie to the cast. It usually means something bad is happening with the ratings. On the flip side, I am not technically complaining about having to see the girls on my TV screen.

Back on Track:

Personally, I'd like to see the actual tech behind the Digger 'Cam. If it's what I suspect it to be, it can be pretty cool. But FOX, leave us alone. Put your cheap Caddyshack mimic on the Cartoon Network and let us watch NASCAR, for real. If we need cartoon violence, we'll just replay Jimmy Spencer popping Kurt Busch in his car. OR watch wrestling on the Sci-Fi Channel.

Charlie from On Pit Row Has this to say about the issue:

I had fun during the race telecast from Auto Club Speedway, watching the race, while monitoring things on Twitter. There were a ton of negative - and often humorous - Tweets about Digger. I didn't see much positive. In fact, I don't remember anything pro-gopher.

I wonder if the producer of Fox' NASCAR broadcast was around, or is a disiple of, the original Tracy Ullmann Show. That's where, many moons ago, a little annimated short called the Simpsons got it's start. Maybe Digger will move on to bigger and better things. We can hope, at least.

Charlie Turner

~

Since Charlie was so nice to participate here, we chatted a little bit over on his site about Dale Earnhardt Jr and if he's in trouble already, this early in the season. See what we have to say over on On Pit Row.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Tidbits

2009-02-25T04:10:00.000-08:00

Here are some tidbits about Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Some History
• The first ever NASCAR race was a NASCAR Camping World Series, West. That was won by Ken Schrader on Nov. 2, 1996.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on March 1, 1998. Mark Martin won that one.
• The first NASCAR Nationwide Series race was on March 16, 1997, won by Jeff Green.
• The first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race was won by Jack Sprague on Nov. 3, 1996.

Notebook
• There have been 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• Five drivers have participated in all 11 races:
Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin.
• Eight drivers have poles, led by Dale Jarrett (Who won the inaugural pole), Kasey Kahne and Bobby Labonte (two each).
• Seven different drivers have won here. Jimmie Johnson has three.
• Only four of the 11 races have been won from a top-10 starting position and none have been won from the pole.
• Four of the 11 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 at Las Vegas: 2006 (270/267).
• Qualifying has never been canceled at Las Vegas.
• Matt Kenseth has a 9.0 average finish in nine Las Vegas races, the best of any driver with more than three starts. He has been running at the finish in all nine of those races and has finished on the lead lap in eight. Kenseth has also led 438 laps at Las Vegas – 179 more than any other driver.
• Roush Fenway Racing had five drivers finish in the top 10 in the inaugural Las Vegas 400 in 1998. In five of the 11 races, the winner at Las Vegas was driving for Roush at the time: Mark Martin (1998), Jeff Burton (1999 and 2000) and Matt Kenseth (2003 and 2004).

Driver Rating at Las Vegas
Jimmie Johnson - 112.0
Jeff Gordon - 111.4
Kyle Busch - 109.8
Matt Kenseth - 107.8
Greg Biffle - 100.2
Mark Martin - 96.8
Jeff Burton - 95.4
Tony Stewart - 92.9
Carl Edwards - 92.3
Kurt Busch - 89.9
Note: These Driver Ratings are compiled from only the last 4 races, from 2005-2008 races, since the inception of Loop Data.
.

Can Kenseth Get His Own Three-Peat?

2009-02-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

After winning the first two races of the season, Matt Kenseth joined an exclusive list. Before Matt, a driver won the first two races only four times. The most recent was 1997 when Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500 and at Rockingham.

Right now, no driver has ever won the first three races of the season.

Among the previous four, only Gordon won the championship in the season that he opened with two consecutive wins.

Kenseth like Vegas. He might have a shot at this 3-peat! He has two wins at Las Vegas (2003-2004) and has led 438 laps there, more than any other driver.

Since 2005, at Las Vegas, Kenseth has a Driver Rating of 107.8, with an Average Running Position of 10.8 and 90 Fastest Laps Run. All those rank in the top five in the series.

Source: NASCAR Media.

Jack Does Take His Hat Off!

2009-02-24T11:51:00.000-08:00

I guess we found out when Jack does actually take the hat off!!!

CA Grand Marshalls

2009-02-18T04:53:00.000-08:00

Emmy-nominated actor Hugh Laurie, the brutally honest doctor who combines an unconventional approach to his cases with flawless instincts in FOX's hit medical drama, "House" will serve as Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway on Feb. 22.

As Grand Marshal, Laurie’s role at one of the largest single-day sporting events in California, will be to give the command of “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines,” to the 43-car field of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event televised on FOX.

He better do a good job at it!

ALSO:

Multi-platinum singer/songwriter and country superstar Billy Ray Cyrus, whose new studio album “Back to Tennessee” hits stores on March 31, will serve as Grand Marshal for the Stater Bros. 300 NASCAR Nationwide series race as well as perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the San Bernardino County 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event, both scheduled for February 21 at Auto Club Speedway.

NASCAR Teleconference - Matt Kenseth and Jack Roush

2009-02-17T20:34:00.000-08:00

Matt Kenseth joined the media from New York City, in the middle of his media tour for the Daytona 500 champ and Jack from Roush Fenway Racing in Concord.

On Matt Kenseth returning to NYC as a champion. Last time in '03 he was doing it as a series champ and he said he's having a lot of fun with the 500 victory tour except for the fact that he's doing this teleconference from outside his room in the Waldorf because they turned their keys off. (Waldorf? Dudes, the economy is in the tank! Waldorf?)

He said it's also very humbling when your friends and peers call to congratulate.

Jack Roush said it's pretty different than he expected to be a Daytona 500 winning car owner. He reflected on his coming into NASCAR and how surprised he was at the pomp and circumstance about the enshrinement of the car in the Daytona 500 Experience, since it's quite the emotional event.

This is his 22nd effort at the Daytona trophy and he had just put it out of his mind at this point, well that is until last weekend.

Good 'ol Jack isn't Jack if he isn't taking a shot at NASCAR when he said he was surprised they called the race on rain because the call came hours earlier than he expected. Bruce says: I have to disagree with that one myself. I was watching the radar and had they waited, it would have been an easy 90 minutes before it even stopped raining and who knows how long to dry the track.

Jack said that the good thing about the Daytona winning car enshrinement process is that with the standardization of the COT, it doesn't impact the team as much to have the car taken away.

Winning the 500 does not take any pressure off any other event for the team. It might put a little spring in everyone's step but everyone still needs to perform, regardless. This is only one race.

Source: NASCAR Media

Matt Kenseth's Rain Win and What I Thought About The Show

2009-02-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

Last night I woke up with the flu. I had been feeling not quite right so I got up at around 4 am. I tuned into the Daytona Nationwide race repeat again and then from about 5 a.m. on SPEED had nothing but Daytona coverage.

I was fine with that. I'm laid out on the couch passing out here and there. I finally got to the FOX pre-race show and it was OK... nothing new.. well, not too much new.

They're using the same theme song from last year that annoyed my wife a lot. But I have to wonder if they're worried about their TV ratings.

Did you notice the mock victory lane celebrations in the show opening and the driver is surrounded by four really nice looking young girls in tight tee-shirts and short shorts? It's getting cheap about the lot... though I am not complaining.

Then there was the line that DW tossed out there about Chris Myers:

Chris is from Hollywood Fl., lives in Hollywood, CA; works in the Hollywood Hotel and works with Hollywood Hammond.

I bet he thought he was funny. I didn't. Someone said that exact thing on SIRIUS Satellite Radio a few weeks ago. Bad move DW... if you're using writers, they need to be fired. If you did that, you need writers.

But when they got to the animated schtick of Digger and friends, I lost it. They wasted my time with that stupidity and I just left the show.

I like the premise that they named the techonology they use to film from under the track surface as Digger. Cute. But giving it a comic book and cartoon that we have to suffer through just put me over the edge. I left and didn't come back until the green flag. Now maybe my patience is a little thin because I'm sick but I've had it with Digger. Cute, but intolerable. Don't shove that crap down my throat. Let me go find it for myself. UPDATE: See What The Digger Camera Looks Like.

As I wrap up this article, they're under a rain delay with 48 laps to go. If anyone has looked at weather.com and seen the radar, they've got at least an hour of rain and it looks heavy at times. Give it up folks. It looks like Matt Kenseth has this one in the bag. The wet paper bag.

Ah, just as I finished that paragraph, the race was called. There is some sense. Now I don't have to sit around in the rain delay.

I hate a non-racing win, but it is what it is. Right gang?

Did Jason Leffler Get The Harsh Stick?

2009-02-14T20:24:00.001-08:00

Jason Leffler. He's a great racer. Gets his nose in there and takes the chances necessary to win... if only. Instead, he gets his nose in there and things just happen that some don't like.

Do you know what one of my memories of Leffler is? When he managed (Not intentionally) to take out the entire DEI entourage in the summer Daytona race really endeared him to many. Actually, it may have made him many fans to take out Teresa's team in one fell swoop. LOL.

Did he do something intentional today in the Nationwide Daytona race? I can't tell. The replays just didn't seem to show me anything concrete yet NASCAR seems to think he did and held him in-check for 5 laps. Wow... there's no coming back from 5 laps, that's for sure.

Me, I think they need yet one more rule for the system: Be penalized by the number of cars you take out or involve in your antics. Yes, I'm evil yet practical. The driver will decide how many laps he's held!

Your take? Did Jason Leffler do a bad thing, or was it just a racing incident?

Should the Top-35 Rule Be Modified? Maybe Top-25?

2009-02-12T13:49:00.001-08:00

I'm watching the Gatorade Duels and Gatorade's new stupid ad. The recap ad sucks the most as everything is out of context, so it makes even less sense. The G ads make me need my B. As in Budweiser or Amp!! Who the H*** do they think they are marketing to? Have NASCAR fans become bee-bop dance fans? I think Gatorade has seriously goofed in who ever or what ever yahoo they hired to spin their product.

Anyway,

While I was watching the Duels, I came across an interesting article on how NASCAR is reevaluating the Top-35 owners points rule.

The article goes on to mention how the 35th spot in owners points has become a marketable commodity. The bubble spot gives a team a guaranteed starting spot in the next race, or the first 6 races of the next season. The spot has a lot of focus from the media, including myself so it has some notoriety in the coverage. IE: How often would we have read about Kyle Petty or Sam Hornish Jr. without the bubble spot?

As far as the top-35 rule goes, it's based on owners points for the car. But owners points can differ a bit from drivers points. A team can get a minimal number of points for just trying to qualify but I don't think these meager scraps make a car competitive in the owner points standings.

So what do they have in mind for rule changes? Not sure yet. They have vowed to look it over.

Me? I don't know what to say. Don't change the owners points. Let that just keep on rolling along so we can have the owners standings race for the year end owners championship.

Car points are fine, but it's the driver that got the car there. Do we keep the top-35 points with the car / owner, or give it to the driver and let the driver position in standings determine the top-35. But then if a driver switches teams, then what? If the top-35 points start "guarantee" stays with the driver, this would make the driver himself more marketable to the teams. It would give them pause in the idea of letting a driver go.

It could minimize the musical cars that starts up, unless the driver drops out of the top 35. But if their driver falls out of the top 35, who would be available to actually get themselves back into the top-35? This process I am tossing around would actually force a team to dig in and get more behind their driver than just up and toss him because of some bad luck or a few bad days.

Yes, teams are the ones that get the drivers there, but it is a team sport and if they are behind their driver, then the rewards are going to be the same.

Heck, you know what? Let's make this whole process even more interesting. Let's make the guaranteed starting spot go with the driver points. Then, let's raise it from the top-35 to the top-25. Now qualifying will be more interesting!

Yes, the top-35 rule gets a name driver in the field no matter what. But they're going to have the points to support themselves in the process, so I'm not sure that would be a valid concern any more. If a driver doesn't make it, guess what? Who ever doesn't make it, the entire team HAS to be required to stick it out during the whole weekend in an autograph or fan event tent. So no matter what happens, the fans still win.

Right now, 81% of the 43 car field has got it on easy street for getting into the next race. How's that a competition?

Anyone else have any ideas we can pitch to the NASCAR CEO's?

John Wes Townley Approved For Daytona

2009-02-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

John Wes Townley's performance in the ARCA Daytona race on February 7th helped NASCAR make a decision. That decision is to approve John to be able to drive at Daytona in the Nationwide event.

John steps back into his car and is ready to compete on Saturday.

His stand in (Wouldn't that be a sit-in?), Travis Kvapil, is available to anyone needing a driver for the weekend folks!!

Source: ARCA Racing.com,

For The Consummate Jason Keller Fan

2009-02-12T06:33:00.001-08:00

So how does Jason Keller feel about headed to Daytona in this new 2009 racing season? Check out a few quotes:

Jason Keller's Race Outlook

"Usually by now you've done some testing, know where you stand and can make adjustments. Without the testing it is tough to determine how fast you are and where you stand compared to other teams. We've made a lot of changes since the end of last season and all of our numbers from the wind tunnel look better than ever. As a team we've made a lot of improvements to the cars and I have a lot of confidence in my Crew Chief Todd Gordon and the entire crew on the No. 27 Kroger Racing Ford Fusion. We head into this race with a very positive attitude and we're looking to leave Daytona one step in the right direction of our ultimate goal; competing for a championship this season."

Jason Keller on the Entire Team Being on the Same Page

"As a veteran of this series I realize the importance of having the support of a great sponsor that understands what it takes to be successful on and off the track and after working closely with the folks at Kimberly-Clark this off-season I know that we have that. Everyone involved with our team is on the same page and we've made great strides in improving our cars this off-season in an effort to improve our performance on the track and we're ready to reap the rewards of our entire team's efforts and compete for a championship."

It's the same tale told as anyone else this year. No testing has made this a grab bag of a guessing game going into the gates of Daytona. Jason has been an icon of the sport to me for some time now and I enjoy watching him apply his skills to the wheel.

Good luck this year Jason.

Check Out The Fantasy League Over -On Pit Row-

2009-02-09T17:30:00.001-08:00

There's a new fantasy game in town and it's called One and Done, NASCAR Fantasy game from OnPitRow.com.

It's simple. Pick a driver each week (They break the season into 13,13 and 10 race games). You can only take a driver once, in any of the segments / games.

There are some fantastic prizes with this fantasy league. First place is a Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure, for each segment! Despite the prizes, the league is free and sign up takes under a minute.

So go on over and check it out at http://onpitrow.com/fantasy/!

I'm signing up, but I'm probably gonna kick your butt!!! See ya there!

UPDATE: 2/10/09: If some of you headed over there, you might have found some technical difficulties in signing up.

The site is now up and running... so come on over so I can kick your ***!!!!

500 Front Row Set

2009-02-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

Martin Truex Jr. and Mark Martin are on the front row of the Daytona 500.

In both of these x-DEI drivers cases, the change would appear to have done them well.

Truex didn't leave DEI. DEI merged with Ganassi, now EGR, I can't help but think this helped boost Truex to the pole position. (His 2nd in this race) Yet, DEI always had a grip on restrictor racing and maybe this was a boost for Ganassi.

With Mark Martin having left DEI for the Hendrick stable, this too looks like Martin is benefiting from the change as this is his first career front row start.

All good moves for both it would seem. BTW: Ryan Newman made an impressive appearance, being third in the qualifying sprints. It looks like Bill Elliott may be locked into the race also, per the FOX telecast.

Image cr: Getty Images for NASCAR

Is It Time To Run The Gatorade Duels On The Weekend?

2009-02-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

As I watch the qualifying run for the Daytona 500, presently Martin Truex (pole) and Mark Martin on the front row as I write this.

I realize that if I want to watch the Gatorade Duels live, I need to figure out something out work wise so I can do this.

With NASCAR changing the practice rules, the drivers had a lot of time to make public appearances in the preceding weeks, I have to wonder if it's time to change the race schedule also?

What I mean by that is rather than having the qualifying runs today, should they have had them last weekend? In this way, we get our racing back on TV a week earlier. But more importantly, could they run the Gatorade Duels on a Saturday so we don't have to either play hooky, take a long lunch, or risk watching the streamed event at work?

I know I'm bucking tradition, but NASCAR is already doing that as they change the rules and cars and what not. I think it's time they think of the viewing audience for this one. I also think they should think of their precious advertisers return on the their dollar. I'd think it would be higher on a weekend than it would be during the week.

I'd like the Duels on a weekend. What do you think?

The 2009 Budweiser Shootout Observations - Kevin Harvick Wins

2009-02-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

The Budweiser Shootout started out with a bit of a fizzle as the broadcast was a little blotchy on my end of my Comcast cable transmission in the Bay Area.

Dierks Bentley's song seemed to not be connected with FOX so we experienced what felt like someone at the track was holding up their cell phone so we can catch the experience.

The track itself seemed to be having issues as the National Anthem was cutting in and out.

During the Anthem, I believe we got a sample of Scott Speed's attitude as he had a sort of mocking attitude to the snaggy Anthem transmission that got caught on camera. Nice start so far.

I think Scott Speed will be the new wildcard this year, if what I've read in the past is any indicator of things to come.

Ahh... the Shootout starts and we have NASCAR racing back on our TV's for the 2009 season.

The first caution involved Logano, Speed, Ragan, R. Gordon. There was a lot of checking up that seemed a bit dangerous as cars started to accordian a bit for a few laps before this incident.

Ad Opinion:
The Kasey Kahne GPS ad was pretty funny, and one of my perennial favorites, the Mikey fan asking Michael Waltrip to sign his simulated wrecked diecasts.

I can't mock that too much as I've done that with a Ryan Newman diecast from '01, '02. I towed an Alltel diecast behind my truck. These things handle as well as the real cars! After one sharp turn, I had myself my Ryan Newman superspeedway raced diecast. (He used to get caught up in everything at the superspeedways. I was frustrated.)

New Rules, An Opinion:
I get the new rules NASCAR have dispatched on the sport. They want all the manufacturers represented. And by setting the rule to the top "x" of cars for each manufacturer gets some folk in the race that shouldn't be. Then of course, NASCAR recognized a slight shortcoming and had to add a gimme type of rule to allow Tony Stewart to be in the race.

I still sit in shock watching last years Daytona 500 winner, Ryan Newman, sitting on the sidelines watching the race while some new drivers that shouldn't even be near this race are in it.

As my wife puts it, (A live fan perspective) That's f****ing bull**** with all these new rules. It should be the driver, not the car that gets in this race. Oh, wait, she's not a fan anymore after all the new rules that pop up every year.

In-Race Opinion:
Is it me, or was the track excessively bumpy tonight? Or has it just been that long since we've seen a race? Nah, these cars ARE much more jumpier than they used to be. I don't remember so many near accidents in a race, as they've been having every lap it seems.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that after a few laps the cars got real loose. It seemed that way throughout the field.

Meanwhile, David Stremme in Ryans old No. 12 Dodge seems to be in it a lot as Stremme takes out Greg Biffle with 3 laps to go. If this race is any indicator, this driver placement of Stremme may not pan out as well as I had hoped for him. This was the third altercation for Stremme tonight.

By virtue of a multi car wreck in the last lap of the race, Kevin Harvick gets himself past Jamie McMurray just before the yellow flag as Jeff Gordon got into the 07 car that took the rest of the field out.

Congratulations to Kevin Harvick, being in the right spot at the end of the race.

Image credit: Jerry Markland of Getty Images

Extraneous Budweiser Shootout Tidbits

2009-02-06T04:26:00.000-08:00

Here's some Budweiser Shootout Tidbits for you:

• 91 drivers have participated in the Budweiser Shootout;
42 of those drivers have participated in two or less; 28 in only one.

• There have been as few as seven drivers in one race, (1981) and a high of 23 in 2008.
(Which will be broken this year)

• Whose competed the most times in the Budweiser Shootout?:

Bill Elliott (23)
Mark Martin (21)
Rusty Wallace (19)
Ken Schrader (18)
Geoffrey Bodine (16)
Ricky Rudd (16)

• Whose competed in the most consecutive number of Shootouts?
Mark Martin has appeared in 20 straight events from 1989-2008.
Unfortunately, Mark will not compete in this year’s race.
With that, the active lead will be taken over by Jeff Gordon with 16 (including this year’s event).

• How many multiple winners have there been?
There have been seven multiple winners in the Budweiser Shootout:

Tony Stewart has won three of the last eight Budweiser Shootouts (2001, 2002 and 2007).
Dale Earnhardt won six of the 23 races between 1979 and 2001. His six victories came in 12 appearances.
Dale Jarrett won in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
The other multiple winners: Neil Bonnett (1983 and 1984), Ken Schrader (1989 and 1990), Jeff Gordon (1994 and 1997) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003 and 2008).
Bonnett, Schrader and Stewart are the only drivers to win back-to-back races.

• Who won the Shootout in their first appearance in the race?

Buddy Baker (1979),
Dale Earnhardt (1980),
Jeff Gordon (1994),
Dale Jarrett (1996) and
Denny Hamlin (2006)

• How often has the winner gone on to win the Daytona 500?:

Bobby Allison (1982)
Bill Elliott (1987)
Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000)
Jeff Gordon (1997)

• Do you know how many drivers won from the pole?

Darrell Waltrip (1981),
Bill Elliott (1987) and
Ken Schrader (1989).

Budweiser Shootout Manufacturer Win Stats

2009-02-05T04:48:00.000-08:00

Budweiser Shootout Manufacturer Recap

Manu: Victories, Last Victory, Driver
Chevrolet 17 2008 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ford 7 2004 – Dale Jarrett
Buick 2 1982 – Bobby Allison
Oldsmobile 2 1980 – Dale Earnhardt
Pontiac 2 2002 – Tony Stewart
I bet Tony wants to change that stat!)
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