NASCAR Wrecks - What Boris Said Is Working!

 

Boris Said and No Fear Racing Look to the Brickyard 400

Coming off a Bud Pole win and a highly impressive fourth place finish in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, No Fear Racing now prepares to head into the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 6. Race number 21 of the 36-round 2006 Nextel Cup Series, the Brickyard will mark the third start for the SoBe/No Fear Energy Ford Fusion.

"After the success we were fortunate enough to experience at Daytona, the expectations placed on both the team and myself are pretty high now," says Boris Said, driver of the #60 Ford.

"Going into Indy, with all its history - I mean they've been racing cars there since 1911 - and all the excitement that place generates is going to be an incredible experience. The competition will also be fierce. There will be so many good cars and drivers trying to qualify that our first goal is to just make the race. If we can do that, it'll be a successful weekend."

###########################

Watch Boris Boogie at Indy and The Glen
Get your Cheap Nascar Nextel Cup Tickets Now

###########################

Rooting Said and the No Fear Racing organization on will be the thousands of new fans the small, underdog team made by not only win the pole at Daytona, but coming within two laps of winning the Pepsi 400. Conjuring up the catchy phrase, "sell more cases, do more races" immediately after winning the Bud Poll Award with a speed of 186.142, legions of fans and the national press picked up on the fledgling team's plight and the phrase seemingly became a part of NASCAR popular culture.

"The response to the "sell more cases, do more races" line I stumbled on was overwhelming and phenomenal," offers Said. "NASCAR fans are the most loyal and supportive in all of sports and I think they picked up on the fact that we are a small team doing the best we could with the limited resources we had. I'm amazed at how much attention we received from the press, and from what I am told, Pepsi and Sobe received thousands of E-mails from fans asking how they could buy cases of SoBe/No Fear Energy and help support our team. I'd really like to take this moment and thank the fans and all the press people who have helped us out. It's our goal to become a full-time NASCAR Nextel Cup team and with the support of the fans and press, we just might pull it off in 2007." more on what Boris Said is working

NASCAR analyst Parsons has lung cancer

 

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Benny Parsons has beaten the odds before, rising up from the foothills of North Carolina to a job driving taxis and then all the way to the top of NASCAR. Now he'll try to win an even bigger battle _ this time with cancer.

Parsons, the 1973 champion and current NASCAR commentator on NBC and TNT, was diagnosed with cancer in his left lung and began treatment Wednesday.

"It is winnable," said Parsons, affectionately known throughout NASCAR as "BP."

"But positive attitude is very important in this _ you need to think you can win before you will win, and I will do it. I've got races to see won and champions to see crowned, and I've got granddaughters to see raised."

Parsons said he'd never really been sick before, but began having trouble breathing a few months ago. It led him to the family physician, who diagnosed the cancer two weeks ago. more on Benny Parsons

Dale Jr. Outside Looking In!

 

Dale Jr. on outside of the top 10
Lee Spencer - Sporting News NASCAR News Wire

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Don't feel too sorry for Dale Earnhardt Jr. - not yet.

This week his social calendar is chock-full with events that most single 30-somethings could only dream about. There's the Budweiser appearance in Las Vegas, the Hooter's contest he's judging and the "Talladega Nights" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre tomorrow night in Hollywood. Not a bad gig if you can get it.

##################

Limited Edtion Dale Earnhardt Jr. Collectibles
==> Custom NASCAR Diecast 1/24

################

Then there's his full-time job -- as Driver 8. That hasn't been going so well lately. Before New Hampshire, Earnhardt was third in points, quite a departure from a year ago when he had just one win to his credit and a revolving door for crew chiefs. Then came engine failure number one and ... zap! In an instant NASCAR's favorite son plummeted to seventh in points, 361 markers out of first.

But the problems didn't stop there. At Pocono, Earnhardt was tapped from behind by Dave Blaney and went slam-bang into the Long Pond straightaway wall. The brew crew repaired the No. 8 Chevrolet and the driver returned to the track only to have the engine crank break 19 laps into his second run. Earnhardt was scored "DNF by accident" when for a second consecutive week -- the third time this season -- his engine puked. The points reflected the engine failure. more on Dale Jr. from the Sporting News

Edwards, Bowyer furious with Stewart after bump

 

Two-time Cup champion refuses to apologize to young drivers
By David Newton, NASCAR.COM

LONG POND, Pa. -- Tony Stewart was laughing and joking after returning to the top 10 in Nextel Cup points with Sunday's seventh-place finish at Pocono Raceway.

The two drivers he took out on Lap 31 did neither.

Clint Bowyer, who was seventh when Stewart turned into him coming down the front straightaway of the 2.5-mile track, tried to confront the defending Cup champion on pit road but was stopped near the front of Stewart's car.

##############################

Nextel Cup Takes A Well Deserved Week Off
Then It's On To Indianapolis And Watkins Glen
Get Your Tickets Now!
Cheap NASCAR Nextel Cup Tickets

###############################

Carl Edwards, who was caught up in Bowyer's spin, threatened to give Stewart an "ass-whooping" over his car radio before settling for a verbal assault with reporters outside his hauler.

"Man, I've got to choose my words carefully," said Edwards, not easily angered. "Let me just say this: If it weren't for respect of the sport and the people watching and his team and everything, he'd be out there bleeding right now. more on Tony Stewart not practicing what he preaches

Pocono Gets Swept By Happy Hamlin

 

Hamlin sweeps his way into the Chase
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily

This guys for real. Denny Hamlin again dominated at Pocono Raceway Sunday winning the Pennsylvania 500 and completing a sweep of both events in 2006.

In June Hamlin was forced to battle his way through the field after blowing a tire early in the race.

Sunday there was no such dramatic story for Hamlin.

Hamlin led from the pole, pulled out to a significant lead, and never looked back leading the most laps on the day, 151 to score his 2nd win of the year.

“Our FedEx Chevy was just so good that no matter what we did – two tires, four tires, no tires – it was the best car on the racetrack,” Hamlin said. “We unloaded real good and stayed strong through Sunday.”

##############################
Nextel Cup Takes A Well Deserved Week Off
Then It's On To Indianapolis And Watkins Glen
Get Your Tickets Now!
Cheap NASCAR Nextel Cup Tickets
###############################

Behind him though the drama was intense though as for the second week in a row the point standings from third place back were scrambled. The biggest losers were Greg Biffle and Dale Earnhardt Junior who finished 43rd for the second straight week.

Biffle came to pit road on Lap 107 when he thought he had a tire going down. His crew changed tires found nothing wrong with the ones that had just came off, and Biffle reentered the race, struggling the rest of the day and finished 24th. He now sits 12th in the points, 506 out of first place. more on Denny Hamlin winning Pocono

Tony Stewart - "What, me worry?"

 

ATLANTA (July 19, 2006) - Taking a page from MAD magazine's Alfred E. Neuman, two-time and reigning NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Tony Stewart enters Pocono (Pa.) Raceway - site of Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 - with a "What, me worry?" attitude after falling out of the top-10 in points for the first time in 15 races.

The driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing is unconcerned about his negative point drop, simply because there are seven more races before the Chase for the Championship begins Sept. 17 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon.

First up in the seven remaining races is Pocono, where Stewart has a win, a pole, four top-fives and 10 top-10s in 15 career starts. And at the six other venues - Indianapolis, Watkins Glen (N.Y.), Michigan, Bristol (Tenn.), California and Richmond (Va.) - Stewart has totaled nine wins, two poles, 25 top-fives, 37 top-10s and a whopping 2,255 laps led in 69 starts.

##################

Looking for Tony "Smoke" Stewart diecast cars?
Custom NASCAR Diecast 1/24

################


And since winning is the goal of Stewart and Co. each time they unload at a Nextel Cup race, their strategy doesn't change even if their point standing has.

You're out of the top-10 in points for the first time since Atlanta, 15 races ago. With only seven races remaining before the cutoff for the Chase for the Championship, is there any concern that you may not make the Chase?

"Let's not overreact, because we're not. We're barely out of the top-10 (11 points separate Stewart from 10th place Greg Biffle), and it's not like we're not running well, because we are. We've just had some circumstances that haven't gone our way. You'll have that. We were fifth in points seven races ago, so who's to say we won't be fifth in points or better seven races from now? more on Tony Stewart making the chase

Hamlin Happy Winning Pole, Ready For Sweep

 

SWEEPER Hamlin wins pole for Pennsylvania 500
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily

Get the brooms ready.

Denny Hamlin will race at Pocono Raceway Sunday for only the second time in his career. The last visit here, he started on the pole and staged an amazing comeback to win.

Sunday, he’ll start on the pole again after running a Lap of 169.827 miles per hour Friday to win the pole for the Pennsylvania 500.

################

Check out the custom NASCAR Nextel Cup Denny Hamlin Diecast Car
Click Here Now ==>>Custom NASCAR Diecast 1/24

################

After the his win here in June which came only two days after seeing the track for the first time, Hamlin admitted that he’d used a video game to help him gain an edge. The first question of everyone’s mind Friday was if he had used the game again.

“No, I didn't have enough time to do it this week,” Hamlin said. “Actually, we ran faster, so maybe I need to stay off of it.” more on Hamlin's sweep attempt

At 59, Darrell Waltrip FINALLY Gets To Race "The Dream Machine"

 

Racing to win, not just riding around
Darrell Waltrip / AllWaltrip.com

In the family circle of approved tracks, Martinsville Speedway was the only one on the list. My wife Stevie and the girls are pretty comfortable with me racing there.

Any time you get in a race car or go on a race track, there's danger, and the unexpected could always happen. We're all pretty confident and comfortable when we go to Martinsville. I know the track. I've raced there so much through the years and run the truck there the past few years. I feel very confident.

# # # # #
(advertisement)

At 59, Darrell Waltrip finally gets to drive the Aaron's Dream Machine.
Find the Custom Diecast Cars you are looking for.
Custom NASCAR Diecast 1/24

# # # # #

At 59 years of age, I'm not getting any younger, and it's hard to stay in shape and keep up my enthusiasm unless I know I'm going to get to race. Knowing that I'm going to get to race, I've been in the gym. I work out a lot and try to maintain my weight. It's really good for me physically to get in a car or truck and race occasionally. It gives me something to look forward to. I'd run the truck or race something every week if my family was OK with it. I can still git 'r done.

I'll keep racing until I realize that I can't do it anymore. There's going to be a time in my life when I'm going to say I just don't feel like racing. But as long as I still have that competitive fire burning inside of me, and I'm physically able and mentally sharp, I'll keep going to these race tracks. I tested at Caraway Speedway on Tuesday, and I'm as fast as anybody there. I get around the race track better than anybody else. I've still got my skills. more on Darrell Waltrip driving the Dream Machine

Gordon Determined To Race Past Dale Sr.

 

Gordon eyeing better finish at Pocono than last time
By Mark Ashenfelter
Special to ESPN.com

Jeff Gordon's last visit to Pocono Raceway was memorable for all the wrong reasons. A failed brake rotor late in the race led to arguably the hardest hit of his career, leaving his Chevrolet a battered mess.

The good news for Gordon was that he walked away unscathed, except in the points standings after finishing 34th that day. Gordon's won twice since then (Sonoma and Chicagoland), but still sits just ninth in the standings heading into Sunday's Pennsylvania 500.

# # # # # # #
(advertisement)

Will Juan Pablo Montoya Race At Watkins Glen?
Look for the announcement soon and get your tickets now!
Click here for ==> Cheap NASCAR Nextel Cup Tickets

# # # # # # #

There's really no margin for error as the drivers sitting third through 12th are separated by 154 points. While Gordon figures Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson and second-place Matt Kenseth are locked into the Chase for the Nextel Cup field at this point, no one else is secure.

"There are about 12 guys fighting for the last eight spots, and that's too many to worry about," Gordon said. "And we never want to focus on what they're doing or where they're running during a race. We must focus on things we can control, and that's getting the best finish possible for us." read more on Jeff Gordon getting more aggressive

Pinky Up - Montoya Has Sponsorship For The Glen!

 

Bully Hill Vineyards Interested In Sponsoring Montoya At The Glen

Watkins Glen International has partnered with Bully Hill Vineyards to work on a potential sponsorship opportunity for Chip Ganassi Racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya for the upcoming Zippo 200 NASCAR Busch Series race on August 12.

"When the announcement was made regarding Montoya's involvement with NASCAR we thought; what better place for him to race, than right here at The Glen," stated Craig Rust, President of Watkins Glen International. "We hope Juan Pablo makes his NASCAR debut here in 2006 and is able to take advantage of Bully Hill's generous offer."

"Juan Pablo Montoya is an iconic figure, and his entry into NASCAR will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on the sport," comments Lillian Taylor, owner of Bully Hill Vineyards. "We would be proud to have him represent our winery at The Glen."

# # # # # # #
(advertisement)

Will Montoya Race Through The Historical Twisted Turns Of Watkins Glen?
You Are Going To Be There, Aren't You ?
Click here for ==> Cheap NASCAR Nextel Cup Tickets

# # # # # # #

Although an announcement regarding Montoya's NASCAR debut has not been made, Watkins Glen International has been contacted by members of the Columbian press for media credentials anticipating a possible track debut at The Glen. Montoya's history at The Soul of American Road Racing includes a 6th place finish in the open-wheel cockpit of a Barber SAAB Pro Series race in 1994. During the 15 lap Skip Barber support race, he reached speeds of 103.751 mph driving for Nectar/Autoniza/Avianca Airline.

Founded in 1967 by maverick winemaker Walter S. Taylor, Bully Hill Vineyards has grown to become the largest selling family owned winery in the Finger Lakes. Located in Hammondsport, NY Bully Hill has developed a reputation for both innovative winemaking and marketing, as evidenced by the winery's unique products and long involvement with motorsports. Bully Hill Vineyards has been actively involved in motorsports since 1996 with their initial sponsorship of the NASCAR Featherlite Modified event at Watkins Glen International.

NASCAR racing returns to Watkins Glen International in less than one month, featuring the cars and stars of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. The Zippo 200 NASCAR Busch Series race is also back for a second year on Saturday, August 12 with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series taking center stage on Sunday, August 13th. The Rolex Sports Car Series also returns for a second time this season on Friday, August 11 for the Crown Royal 200 race. Information on tickets can be found on TheGlen.com or by calling 866-461-RACE. (Watkins Glen International Raceway)

No M&M's For Sadler's Move To Evernham Motorsports

 

Pondering Pocono?

Watkins Glen Is Just A Few Weeks Away!
Click Here for Cheap NASCAR Nextel Cup Tickets

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Last Lap: NASCAR confusion for Ford
Sadler's move to No. 19 latest in long line of Ford defections
By Marty Smith, NASCAR.COM

Though he denies any contact with Ray Evernham, Elliott Sadler will drive the No. 19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge in 2007, multiple sources close to Robert Yates Racing have confirmed.

Contrary to recent speculation, M&Ms, Sadler's current primary sponsor at Yates, will not accompany him to Evernham, those same sources say.

A rather substantial -- and seemingly unnoticed -- subplot to this development is the loss of yet another marquee driver by Ford Motor Company to a rival manufacturer.

Since 2000 seven drivers, including three of Ford's last four champions, have defected either to Dodge or Toyota, and another retired. A fourth champion, Alan Kulwicki, died in a plane crash in 1993, a year after he won the title. more on Elliott Sadler leaving Robert Yates Racing

Who's In and Who's Out of the Chase

 

Race to the Chase Rundown: Pocono

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 17, 2006) – The following is a rundown of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Top 10 heading into Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway, the fourth event in the “Race to the Chase,” the 10 events preceding the “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.”

The Pennsylvania 500 (1:30 p.m. EDT on TNT) is the 20th of 36 races on the series’ schedule. The first 26 races of the season will determine the drivers involved in the third annual Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup contested over the final 10 races. Drivers who are in the top 10 or within 400 points of the standings’ leader after those 26 races will vie for the 2006 series title in the “Chase.” read more on who's in and whose out of the chase

Forget Gordon And Kenseth, This Week It's Stewart And Newman

 

Sunday NASCAR Notebook: Stewart vs. Newman
Written by: Ben Blake, RACER Magazine

As noted in this space, NASCAR fans and media have the attention span of a six-year-old. What happened seven days ago is forgotten a week later, as all eyes turn to the newest skyrocket.

The bust-up involving Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon at Joliet a week ago was topic du jour when teams arrived here at New Hampshire Friday. Kenseth, who lost the Joliet race when clobbered from behind by Gordon with five laps to go, was not inclined to forgive.

After 3 hours, 12 minutes and 51 seconds Sunday, the Kenseth/Gordon issue had faded to a matter between those two pugilists alone, and both were on best behavior, although at times they got close enough together to stage a reprise.

No, attention now has turned to the incident between Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman on Lap 91, causing a wreck which put both men out of contention. Stewart, in the eyes of many, had the fastest car in the field, and Newman, though fading at the time, was the pole-winner. more on the "Smoke" and "Rocket" NASCAR Wreck

Kyle Busch Wins in Overtime At New Hampshire

 

Kyle Busch – Shake Rattle and Roll with 8 Extra To Go By Mike Finnegan

Today’s Lenox Industrial Tools 300 came down to fuel mileage and pit stop strategy as Kyle Busch who started 4th had enough gas to last 8 extra laps past the 300 scheduled laps as we had a GREEN-WHITE-CHECKERED finish with two to go to win the race.

The clean up from the incident of Clint Bowyer and 3rd place starter Brian Vickers tangled in the back straight. The clean up crew had to come out with sweepers to clean up the mess and put us to lap 303. As the cars lined up to go to the green flag, Robby Gordon checked up and Michael Waltrip rear-ended him causing Waltrip to blow his radiator. This added several more laps to the fuel starved cars and we finally went green on lap 306.

Elliott Sadler was running second place when this happened, but ran out of fuel and had to pit, leaving Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards to fight for the lead. This coming from a hard fought day where many of the leaders including Busch hitting the outside turn two and turn four wall and many each other. Read more about the NASCAR Wrecks and Kyle Busch's win at New Hampshire (speedwaymedia.com)

24 Will Tie 3 Winning 76th!

 

Gordon right on No. 3’s tail
Next victory will tie him with Earnhardt, which four-time champion considers an honor.
By JIM PEDLEY - The Kansas City Star

The Jeff Gordon haters threw garbage at the track after the four-time champion executed an ultimately forgettable bump-and-win move on Matt Kenseth last week.

You’ve got to wonder what they might throw today should Gordon win the Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

You can bet it won’t be accolades. A victory today would be the 76th of Gordon’s career. Most significantly, it would move him into a tie on the all-time list with Dale Earnhardt, the driver whose famously loyal fans seem to hate Gordon the most.

In talking about getting No. 76, Gordon made it perfectly clear that he is in no way an Earnhardt hater.

On the contrary. He paid major respect to Earnhardt, saying that he, too, considered Earnhardt an icon. read more on Gordon tying Earnhardt Sr.

NASCAR Nextel Cup Team Offers 'Mucho Dinero' For Danica Deal

 

Danica Patrick Says NASCAR Option Still Open
Written by: Jeff Olson, RACER Magazine

Danica Patrick said Friday she has received a preliminary offer from a NASCAR Nextel Cup team for the 2007 season and doubts an IRL IndyCar Series team can match the money being discussed. However, she also said she prefers to stay in open-wheel racing, and that preference could play a part in her decision.

“The money doesn‘t really matter,” Patrick said after qualifying at Nashville. “If the top teams came to me, no matter what the number was, and I thought I had a chance to win, I‘d really think about it. Winning is what puts me in headlines.”

Meanwhile, IRL team owner Michael Andretti indicated he might - given the right circumstances - be interested in hiring Patrick, but echoed her sentiment that not many open-wheel teams are able to generate the sponsorship money to pay multi-million dollar retainers. more on Danica's deal

Newman Nudges Burton For New Hampshire Pole

 

FINALLY
Newman scores the pole at New Hampshire
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily

It used to be that everyone expected Ryan Newman to win the pole. So much so that he had earned the nickname “Mr. Friday”. But it had been some time since Newman had lived up to those expectations. His 2006 season has been a depressing one so far, he has 3 DNF’s currently sits 18th in points. Newman also hadn’t won a pole since Dover in June.

Newman has returned to New Hampshire, the site of his last victory (last September), hoping to try and salvage a season that no doubt he’d rather forget.

Newman made a step in the right direction Friday laying down a lap of 129.683 miles per hour in 29.370 seconds around the 1.058-mile New Hampshire International Speedway, to win the pole for Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 300. more on Newman winning the pole

Stewart Set Up To Win New Hampshire

 

How good was Tony Stewart last year at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon?

After leading 405 of an available 600 laps to finish first and second, respectively, in the two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races held at New Hampshire, Stewart proved to be wicked good.

The driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing made New Hampshire his personal playground en route to securing his second Nextel Cup championship. And staying true to The Home Depot's ad campaign of how the No. 20 team's home improvement projects help them perform on the race track, crew chief Greg Zipadelli and crew members from Joe Gibbs Racing are building a playground on Thursday in nearby Nashua with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization, to ensure that their New Hampshire success continues.

And while Zipadelli and Co. create a playspace at the YMCA of Greater Nashua's Camp Sargent, Stewart will hone his driving techniques on New Hampshire's 1.058-mile oval in a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car.

The 2,610-pound, open-wheel, closed cockpit race car is a staple of New England motorsports, but far different from the familiar orange and black Chevrolet Monte Carlo Stewart typically pilots. Nonetheless, track time is track time, and Stewart plans to make the most of it. more on Tony Stewart at New Hampshire

Chip Ganassi and Juan Pablo Montoya..." I want to kick everyone’s butt there!"

 

WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR JUAN PABLO NOW IN 2006?

CHIP GANASSI - "We all read yesterday and heard the news that McLaren and Ron Dennis had released Juan. Interestingly as I’m sure many of these sports writers understand there are different levels of being released. Are you released fully and completely on day one? Is it shake hands, see you later, get on with your life or is it something where he’s going to be released to do some testing? Is he going to be released to do some racing?

We’re still walking through the mechanics of that. I’m sure there’s still some papers that have to be signed and some release documents and everything. While he has been released from his driving duties with McLaren, I think there’s still some paperwork that’s probably being exchanged right now. I certainly don’t want to speak for him or McLaren, but I would characterize it as while he was certainly released there’s probably going to be some kind of conditional release.”

WHAT IS JUAN PABLO BRINGING TO YOUR TEAM?

“I think you have to understand. This deal sort of looked very quick to a lot of people in the last less than a week, and in a way it was. In a way also, I guess I’ve been working on it since he did leave the team. Maybe we’ve been working on for about six years I guess since we last saw him in one of our cars. What does he bring to the team?

He brings a lot of excitement, a lot of ability, a lot of attitude. I haven’t really given that whole Hispanic thing a thought yet…. What I want to do, I want to win races. We’ve always had great drivers available to us to drive and this sort of says what our team is doing is right and the way we’re going about it is right. So he brings some validation as well I think.” the rest from Ganassi and Montoya

Trouble On The Horizon For NASCAR Nation

 

Trouble looms for NASCAR
by Mark DeCotis

There is a problem looming on the horizon for NASCAR, darkening the sky like an approaching thunderstorm and roiling the air like a tropical storm.

And unless the sanctioning body gets a handle on it, ill winds could be blowing for years to come. That was the assessment of Nextel Cup driver Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing, speaking with reporters Tuesday.

Alluding to the arrival of four Toyota teams plus an unspecified number of other outfits featuring high-profile drivers unknown to the fan base and media, Burton portended hard times for existing teams unless they hunker down, retain good people and generally keep their houses in order.

The problems don't stop there.

NASCAR's increasing popularity in the racing community is placing a premium on skilled drivers and the like. That is creating a dearth of experience that will result in increasing payroll bills and more seasoned drivers finding seat time in place of the young guns who had been the rage. more on trouble in NASCAR

Frustrated Danica Not Sure About NASCAR

 

Danica's NASCAR comments come after frustrating IndyCar season
By A.J. Perez, USA TODAY

A season's worth of setbacks and upcoming free agent status has IRL IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick thinking about something she never gave that much thought to — NASCAR.

"It's important for me to know what's out there and who is interested in me and who will give me the best chance to win," she told USA TODAY in a phone interview from Los Angeles, where she will be presenter at the ESPY Awards being taped Wednesday night. "NASCAR is so big, how can you ignore it?"

Patrick, 24, says it's been a "frustrating" and "confusing" season as Rahal Letterman Racing has struggled mightily. A year after capturing three poles and leading the Indy 500, Patrick has struggled along with her team's two other drivers who only have two top-five finishes among them.

"My priorities haven't changed," says Patrick, whose contract is up at the end of the season. "I still want to be a winning IndyCar driver. If I'm given an opportunity to drive for an IndyCar team and win races, I'm going to do it." more on Danica Patrick considering NASCAR

600th Start For Mark Martin This Weekend At New Hampshire

 

CONCORD, N.C. (July 10, 2006) - Mark Martin will make his 600th consecutive Cup start this weekend when the green flag drops on Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. The run is currently the longest running streak in NASCAR and the fifth longest of all-time.

Ironically, Martin made his 500th consecutive start in 2003 at New Hampshire in September. Martin’s streak dates back to Feb. 14, 1988 when he first teamed with Jack Roush in the Daytona 500. Martin finished 41st that day; humble beginnings for what would become one of the most successful partnerships in NASCAR history.

Nineteen years, 35 wins, 41 poles and 366 top-10 finishes later, Martin is scheduled to make his 600th consecutive start this Sunday.Martin ran his first Cup race in 1981, running a total of five races, while winning two poles and earning a pair of top-10 finishes. The following year he ran a full season. Martin was unable to find adequate sponsorship and ran only a handful of Cup races from 1983-87, before hooking up with Roush in 1988.

“The first thing that comes to mind is that I’ve been around for a long time,” laughed Martin. “But really, I’ve been fortunate in a lot of ways. I’ve never had a sick day. I’ve never had big enough tragedy to keep out of the seat and I’ve been able to go to work and do my job for a long time.

“It says a lot for those around me over the years that have also worked really hard to make that be able to happen. It says a great deal about Jack Roush, who basically gave me a second chance and a great opportunity to pursue my dreams and fortunately for us, we’ve been doing that ever since.” read more from Roush Racing

Gordon to Kenseth - Hey Matt, Remember This?

 

By Linda Przygodski - Motorsport.com

Just when Matt Kenseth thought it was safe to have Jeff Gordon on his back bumper he learned that sometimes paybacks are hell. Kenseth was within a few laps of the win, when Gordon dumped him to make the pass for the lead.

Kenseth got loose and spun into the infield grass, causing a caution and a green/white/checkered finish. While the race fans at Chicagoland greeted Gordon's win with a cacophony of boos as trash rained down from the grandstands. Gordon was not that apologetic.

"I certainly didn't mean to wreck him but I didn't mind moving him out of the way either," commented Gordon. read more Jeff Gordon's Bump and Win

Danica Patrick Coming To NASCAR?

 

JOLIET, Ill. -- Danica Patrick could become the next star driver to defect from another major racing series to NASCAR.

"I'm trying to get her here [into NASCAR]," said T.J. Patrick, father of the woman who dazzled the motor racing world last year by nearly winning the Indianapolis 500, but has struggled with a mediocre Indy Racing League car ever since.

T.J. Patrick, who has managed his daughter's career since her childhood, was at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, holding exploratory talks with some Nextel Cup teams and sponsors about the possibility of Danica leaving the IRL for NASCAR as early as next yearHer contract expires with the IRL's Rahal-Letterman Racing team, co-owned by TV comic David Letterman, at the end of this season.

In addition to considering NASCAR, the Patricks are negotiating with other IRL teams -- and appear unlikely to renew with Rahal-Letterman next year. more on Danica Patrick to NASCAR

Montoya Moves From Formula One To NASCAR

 

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) -- Why on Earth would Juan Pablo Montoya trade Monte Carlo and Melbourne for Darlington and Martinsville - and likely take a pay cut in the process?

The Formula One star said he's looking for a more enjoyable atmosphere and a new racing challenge, and thinks he'll find it in NASCAR next year.

"It's not how many millions you're making or how much money you're making," Montoya said at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday. "It's a matter of, three years down the line, are you going to be excited at what you're doing or not? And three years down the line, when I look at my career, I'll be a lot happier doing this." More on Juan Pablo Montoya

You Must First Finish To Finish First!

 

A little known NASCAR record is being re-written each race.

Week after week the pole sitter finishes the race. The pole sitter has been running at the end of the last 66 races. The last time a driver started on the pole and failed to finish the race was in 2004, at Michigan when Jimmie Johnson lost an engine after 81 laps.

The old record for the number of consecutive races in which the pole sitter did not suffer a DNF was 36 races, set back in the 1998 to 1999 seasons. During the 2002 season, the record was almost threatened, but the pole sitters fell short after 24 races. Prior to the 1998/1999 streak, the longest run was 17 races back in 1979 and 1980.

The current streak is not only the new record at 66 races, but is now only 6 races shy of doubling the old record of 36 races. more DNF's from Itpicks.com

Burton's Best At Chicagoland

 

Burton wins Second Bud Pole
By Dan Sipocz - Cup Scene Daily.

Veteran driver Jeff Burton won his fourth career Bud Pole and second of the season Friday at Chicagoland Speedway.

Making his appearance near the middle portion of the qualifying session, Burton threw down a spectacular lap besting points leader Jimmie Johnson. Burton’s lap of 181.647 was good enough to hold off a charge by Brian Vickers by only half a tenth of a second.

“This feels really good. I’m proud of everyone at RCR,” said Burton. “Everyone on all the teams are doing a great job and all the cars are driving great.”

The rest of the top ten has five Chevrolets, two Dodges, and two Fords. Vickers came in second with Kasey Kahne third. Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Bobby Labonte, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, and J.J. Yeley round out the qualifying run-down. (more on Burton's pole win)

UPS ups The Big Brown Truck To Jarrett Thru 2008

 

UPS announced a two-year agreement with Michael Waltrip Racing to sponsor driver Dale Jarrett in a Toyota Camry for the 2007 and 2008 seasons of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

The announcement at the Chicagoland Speedway comes after Jarrett agreed earlier this year to move to the Waltrip organization and race a Camry starting with the 2007 Daytona 500.

"Dale Jarrett has been an outstanding ambassador for the UPS brand both on and off the track and we expect more great things to come as we join him at Michael Waltrip Racing as the sponsor of his Toyota Camry," said Patrick Guilbert, vice president of sponsorships for UPS.

"Since our relationship with Dale began in 2001, his contributions have helped UPS build a powerful sponsorship program that resonates with our employees, customers and NASCAR fans alike."

The decision to join Michael Waltrip Racing places UPS among the first sponsors to adorn a Toyota Camry in 2007, which is the manufacturer's inaugural season in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

"The UPS name also is synonymous with speed and that's what Michael Waltrip Racing intends to deliver to UPS and Dale with the new UPS Toyota Camry," said owner Michael Waltrip.

"From a business perspective, the addition of UPS expands our resources, which enables us to build the best teams and in turn grow our organization at a pace that will enhance our ability to win races."

UPS will continue its sponsorship of Dale Jarrett and Robert Yates Racing through the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season.(UPS Site)

Brew Crew Goes For Two At Chicagoland!

 

Quotes from: DALE EARNHARDT JR. :

On being the defending race winner at Chicago:

“That was a cool win for us last year, because we had struggled so bad at tracks like Chicago… To win there was a huge boost to our confidence. Our car was great that day. I hope we bring a car back as good as that one, because it was just awesome. It was fun winning a race with (Dale Earnhardt Inc. technical director) Steve Hmiel (serving as interim crew chief at the time). I’ve had so much respect for Steve for years, and to win a race with him on my pit box was pretty special. But the best part was to get a win with that team – that group of guys. They had been beaten up by the critics and a lot of fans last year. I had told them going in there was going to be a lot of pressure when they put on those red Budweiser uniforms, but I never thought it was going to be as cruel as it was for them. That win will always be for them.” click here for more from Dale jr.

It's NBC's Turn For Nextel Cup Coverage!

 

NBC, TNT taking over race telecasts - SCENEDAILY .

Turner Network Television, a partner with NBC for NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch series racing for the second half of the season, will take over the telecasts from Chicagoland Speedway this weekend.

TNT will air eight Nextel Cup races and 14 Busch Series events over the second half of the year. Fox and FX completed their telecasts of the first half of the season last weekend at Daytona. (More On NBC's Cup Coverage)

Tony Stewart Slaps Pepsi

 

Joseph Foster - (Insider Racing News) on Tony Stewarts win last weekend in Daytona:

Chris Economaki had it right when he called Tony Stewart “America’s Racer”.

Stewarts Saturday victory in the Pepsi 400 was popular with the Daytona fans, as the two-time NASCAR champion became one with the masses.

The spin doctors were quick to say Stewart slammed the Pepsi brand by disallowing valuable television time in the Pepsi sponsored victory lane.

If that is the case, Coke owes Stewart a “chug point” multiplier.

No matter how you splice it, Tony Stewart lived up to the Economaki brand -- and gained a galaxy of new fans, all partying like rock stars due to his crushing victory.

Tony Stewart: "They may call this the Pepsi 400, but Coca-Cola still tastes a hell of a lot better".