tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603313454008838202024-03-14T09:02:56.789-04:00Your NASCAR NewsJay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-79961598003311896242012-06-12T22:41:00.001-04:002012-06-12T22:45:57.222-04:00Your NASCAR News Video Blog: Pocono Recap, What Does the Future Hold For Joey Logano & Kurt Busch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is this week's Your NASCAR News video blog. I discuss this past weekend's race at Pocono, and some of the biggest stories to emerge from the weekend. I'll also talk about how Joey Logano's win could have harmed Kurt Busch's future in the Sprint Cup Series. Finally, we look ahead to this weekend's race at the newly repaved Michigan International Speedway.<br />
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While this blog was recorded earlier Tuesday afternoon, it was announced later in the day team owner James Finch will keep Kurt Busch in the seat of the No. 51 car for now. After their "come to Jesus" meeting, Finch said the team has obstacles they need to work through, but ultimately they are both racers and they would move forward and try to attract sponsors.<br />
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Finch told NASCAR Sirius/XM radio Busch has "some issues he says he's going to get squared away," and admitted if that did not happen, he would move on to look for other drivers.Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-47761647153110868382012-06-05T20:28:00.001-04:002012-06-05T20:28:40.728-04:00Your NASCAR News Video Blog: Dover Recap, Kurt Busch Suspension, Pocono Preview<br />
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In this week's Your NASCAR News video blog we discuss Jimmie Johnson's dominant performance at Dover, Kurt Busch's suspension and look ahead to this weekend's race at Pocono. </div>
<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-22905593800507755072012-05-31T15:01:00.001-04:002012-05-31T15:01:09.842-04:00Pennell’s Picks: Fantasy NASCAR Trends at Dover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you play fantasy NASCAR?<br />
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Each week I will break down the favorites and darkhorse picks over at Athlon Sports. Here's a brief preview of this week's piece. Be sure to click on the link below to read the full article.<br />
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The two-week homestretch in Charlotte is now in the books and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the Monster Mile in Dover, Del., for Sunday’s FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks.<br /><br />Not only is Dover one of the most demanding tracks on the NASCAR schedule, it also kicks off the seven-week summer stretch that takes the series to the newly-repaved tracks of Pocono and Michigan, the road course in Sonoma, night races at Kentucky and Daytona, then to New Hampshire before another break in the action.<br /><br />Teams will be looking to build momentum towards the Chase for the Sprint Cup during this time. Some will try to maintain their spot in the top 10 in points, while those just on the outside will be looking to claw their way in.<br /><br />At the same time, for those well outside the top 10, the name of the game is “Win, Win, Win.” The Wild Card aspect of the Chase will play a major role in the coming weeks as drivers and teams look to win their way into a spot in the championship battle.<br /><br />First, those teams will have to conquer the Monster and survive Sunday's 400 miles around the high-banked concrete oval — which is no simple task … unless you drive with the Roush Fenway brigade.</blockquote>
<br />FULL ARTICLE: <a href="http://bit.ly/KgXBvA" style="color: red;">http://bit.ly/KgXBvA</a>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-16078097939656466732012-05-29T23:12:00.002-04:002012-05-29T23:12:41.438-04:00VIDEO: Coca-Cola 600 Race Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my first attempt at a video blog. As the weeks go
on, I will fine tune the process of recording these videos. I encourage
your comments, questions and even criticism on this project. Thanks
again for following along.<br />
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- Jay W. Pennell (@jaywpennell)Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-64723252818146692862012-05-20T13:26:00.001-04:002012-05-20T13:26:47.223-04:00Jeffrey Earnhardt To Make MMA Debut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fourth generation NASCAR driver Jeffrey Earnhardt is used to fast-paced action and big hits, but on Tuesday evening, the 23-year-old will climb into a caged ring for his Mixed Martial Arts debut. <br />
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Earnhardt will square off Tuesday night in Charlotte against 40-year-old Chris Faison, a Muay Thai fighter with a 0-3 record. A former wrestler in high school, Earnhardt started training in December and has now trained every day for the past four months. A Jiu Jitso fighter in the ring, he is optimistic about his chances in his first big fight. <br />
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While he has shown up to tracks with a few bumps and bruises, his MMA training is also showing its benefits inside the race car. The young driver could certainly feel the difference after making his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start a few weeks ago at Talladega. <br />
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Always an intense race, Earnhardt said his recent training inside the ring and in the gym made him feel more comfortable and more relaxed inside the car, adding he felt he could have run an entire race after climbing out of the car. <br />
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"After getting punched in the head, going 200 mph is nothing after that," he said.<br />
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Jeffrey has the full support of his father, Kerry, as well as his aunt Kelly, but he has not talked to Dale Jr. about it. <br />
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His famous uncle said on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway he thinks it's awesome his young nephew is venturing into the world of MMA. Although he used to box with his friends in his younger days, do not expect Earnhardt Jr. to join his nephew in the ring any time soon. <br />
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Working with Fight Lab Promotions, Earnhardt hopes to bring the world of MMA cage fighting to race tracks in the near future. The original idea for this week's fight was to host it at Charlotte Motor Speedway, however plans were unable to come together.<br />
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"We've talked about possibly having fights at Talladega, maybe at Michigan," he said. <br />
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A Charlotte Motor Speedway representative said they have kicked around the idea of hosting an MMA event during race weekends, but indicated they swayed more towards the professional wrestling angle. <br />
While Earnhardt is dedicated to his training and fighting, he wants his fans to know he does not plan on letting his hobby hurt his career behind the wheel. <br />
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"My main priorities are racing, to get my career going," he said. "I'm not giving up on racing."<br />
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If you are in the Charlotte area this week, check out Jeffrey's MMA debut at Coyote Joe's Tuesday, May 22. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the action begins at 7 p.m. For tickets and information, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.fightlabpros.com/" style="color: red;">www.fightlabpros.com</a>. <br />
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<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-10024188166691080402012-05-18T13:44:00.000-04:002012-05-20T13:34:54.442-04:00Kurt Busch Attempts To Defend Darlington Actions, Says NASCAR Fans Want WWE-Type Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Less than a week after yet another post-race meltdown, Kurt Busch held an unannounced media session behind his Phoenix Racing hauler at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Although the former Sprint Cup Series champion had a new sponsor aboard his car this weekend (Monster Energy announced a one-race deal), none of the questions focused on the team's new colors. <br />
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Instead, the focus of Friday's short media session was solely on the post-race dust-up with Ryan Newman and his Stewart-Haas Racing crew members, and the $50,000 fine levied by NASCAR. <br />
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Standing behind his hauler, Busch appeared hostile and agitated as he fielded questions. The 2004 champion contended he had no issue with either Newman or his crew late in the race. <br />
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However, Busch sped through the No. 39 pit box in close proximity to the crew members - the reason for the post-race altercation. <br />
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"I just wanted to finish on the lead lap, I was trying to get off pit road as quick as I could," he explained. "Newman, he left a good 10-seconds before us and I had no reason to think any crew guys were in danger. One guy has a problem with it and it escalates from there."<br />
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In addition, when the field came to pit road at the end of the race, Busch made contact with Newman's car on pit road - something he attributed to taking his helmet off as drivers were checking up. <br />
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That escalation led to a shoving match between the two teams. NASCAR hit Busch with a $50,000 fined and placed him on probation until July 25. <br />
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Following the incident, Newman told SI.com's Dustin Long he believed Busch's actions were due to a "chemical imbalance" and he simply "blew a fuse again." Thursday night at the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge, Newman did not back down from those comments when speaking with Sporting News' Bob Pockrass. <br />
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Busch, however, took issue with his former teammate's comments, saying they are no longer friends. <br />
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"Newman and I were friends. We were great teammates, and he needs to check his trophy case on the Daytona 500 trophy I helped him get years ago," Busch said. "We've always been great friends. There was no need for his comments afterwards. He knew that his Southern 500 didn't go the way he wanted it to. At the end of the night, everybody's hot and pissed off. The Daytona 500 is a big race, but Darlington is just as big of an event, and a lot of people get excited for it."<br />
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Busch believes Newman's comments came after a frustrating finish, saying they were "out of line" as well.<br />
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"I think we're both looking at the same scenario coming up here in the next few summer months," he said, hinting towards the fact both drivers are free agents possibly courting the same rides and sponsors.<br />
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When asked if Newman's comments were an attempt to discredit him through the media, Busch suggested the drama was "WWE-type action" which was "good for our sport."<br />
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Busch said he did not feel he drove through the No. 39 team's pit box recklessly, and that was not the only reason he was fined by NASCAR. "I closed the door abruptly when I left the NASCAR hauler, and they didn't like that."<br />
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Through his many run-ins with NASCAR, Busch admitted it is likely he has "a bigger strike zone" than other drivers, but does not approach things any differently. <br />
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"The fans, I heard them cheer louder than when Jimmie Johnson pulled into Victory Lane when the crew guy came over agitated and knocked a (NASCAR) official on top our hood," he said. "That's when the crowd reacted the most. So, you tell me if (the fans) want WWE. This is fun, this is entertainment right guys? This is why you guys are all here suffocating me at the back of this hauler."<br />
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With that, Busch ended his media session. Leaving more questions than answers, not helping his cause in any way.Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-85510596177476151952012-02-23T18:13:00.001-05:002012-02-23T18:13:23.800-05:00Field Set For 2012 Daytona 500<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The field is finally set for the 54th running of the Daytona 500, following Thursday Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying races.<br />
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Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle were able to avoid trouble Thursday afternoon and maintain their front row starting spots. Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth will make up the second row after scoring wins in their respective Duel races.<br />
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Among those able to race their way into Sunday's Daytona 500 are Michael McDowell, Robby Gordon, Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Take a look at the unofficial starting lineup for Sunday's race:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Carl Edwards</li>
<li>Greg Biffle</li>
<li>Tony Stewart</li>
<li>Matt Kenseth</li>
<li>Dale Earnhardt Jr.</li>
<li>Regan Smith</li>
<li>Marcos Ambrose</li>
<li>Jimmie Johnson</li>
<li>Jeff Burton</li>
<li>Elliott Sadler</li>
<li>Michael McDowell</li>
<li>Joey Logano</li>
<li>Kevin Harvick</li>
<li>Kyle Busch</li>
<li>AJ Allmendinger</li>
<li>Jeff Gordon</li>
<li>Robby Gordon</li>
<li>Ryan Newman</li>
<li>Jamie McMurray</li>
<li>Kasey Kahne </li>
<li>Ricky Stenhouse Jr.</li>
<li>Mark Martin</li>
<li>Trevor Bayne</li>
<li>Dave Blaney</li>
<li>Brad Keselowski</li>
<li>Martin Truex Jr.</li>
<li>David Ragan</li>
<li>Kurt Busch</li>
<li>Aric Almirola</li>
<li>Clint Bowyer</li>
<li>Danica Patrick </li>
<li>Bobby Labonte</li>
<li>Denny Hamlin</li>
<li>Joe Nemechek</li>
<li>David Stremme</li>
<li>Casey Mears</li>
<li>David Gilliland</li>
<li>Tony Raines</li>
<li>Juan Pablo Montoya</li>
<li>David Reutimann</li>
<li>Paul Menard</li>
<li>Landon Cassill</li>
<li>Terry Labonte</li>
</ol>
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<b>Did Not Qualify</b>: Bill Elliott, Robert Richardson Jr., Kenny Wallace, Mike Wallace, Michael Waltrip, J.J. Yeley</div>
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Danica Patrick will start her first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from the rear of the field Sunday after going to a back up car following her hard crash in Thursday's first Gatorade Duel. </div>
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Teams will be allowed to change engines following Thursday's qualifying races, but will start in the rear of the field if an engine change is made Friday or Saturday. </div>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-39003011736935578252012-02-23T17:45:00.000-05:002012-02-24T01:42:33.920-05:00Matt Kenseth Gives Roush Fenway Racing First Gatorade Duel Win<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Heading into Thursday's second Gatorade Duel 150, team owner Jack Roush had two cars on the front row of the Daytona 500, but had never been to victory lane in a Thursday qualifying race.<br />
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While Daytona 500 pole-sitter Carl Edwards was able to make it through the first 150-mile race unscathed, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle diced it up for the win in the day's second event.<br />
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Biffle led the majority of the event, which was remarkably calmer than the first race, but lost the lead to Kenseth coming to the white flag.<br />
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Holding off hard charges from behind, Kenseth was able to take the checkered flag and give Roush his first Gatorade Duel win, and place three of his cars in the top four starting spots in the Great American Race.<br />
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After riding around single-file for much of the event, the top-five began jockeying for position with two laps to go.<br />
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As Biffle held on to the top spot, the lapped cars of Clint Bowyer and Bobby Labonte made a charge on the inside line to the back bumper of Regan Smith in second. Their move allowed Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson to jump to the high side and lock in a two-car tandem.<br />
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Coming to the white flag, Biffle jumped from the bottom lane to block the tandem of Kenseth and Johnson, but was unable to hold them off, as Kenseth dove to the bottom as the leaders took the white flag.<br />
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With Kenseth out front and Biffle headed to the back of the pack, Johnson looked to the outside of Kenseth for the lead down the backstretch. Kenseth was able to successfully block the No. 48 car's charge, allowing Smith to get under Johnson as they headed towards the corner. Johnson moved down the track, made contact with Smith, and killed all the momentum either driver had to challenge for the win.<br />
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Kenseth crossed the stripe for the win, followed by Smith, Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Biffle.<br />
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“We just had a big run there," Kenseth said. "Jimmie Johnson gave me a huge push there and that really worked nice for me the whole race there. Without that push it would have never gotten done. Greg lost his drafting partner. We were able to separate him and the 78 and we had such a huge run that Greg was kind of a sitting duck. I was going so fast with Jimmie’s push that we were able to make it past.”<br />
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Finishing fifth, Biffle believe the the Kenseth-Johnson tandem would stall on the high side.<br />
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"I wasn’t sure I was gonna stay committed to the bottom, but at the last minute I decided to jump up there and try it, but Matt is pretty smart," he said. "He was pretty far up. He wasn’t coming down close to us to where if I would have moved I could get in front of him. I had to move three lanes to get in front of him, so he did the right thing.”<br />
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Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek were both able to race their way into Sunday's Daytona 500, with finishes of 12th and 17th, respectively.<br />
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For Blaney, the successful result was vindication for he efforts to get Tommy Baldwin Racing locked into the top-35 in Owner Points in 2011, only to have those points given to Danica Patrick.<br />
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"It's big for anybody, big for me, but especially the team," Blaney said. "Flawless race car, and it could run up front...Just a relief."<br />
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Nemechek battled overheating and fuel pressure issues throughout the 150-mile event, but by working with teammate Bill Elliott in the tandem draft he was able to be the second-highest among those needing to race their way into the Daytona 500.<br />
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"You talk about stress in your life, oh my gosh," Nemechek said. "Just incredible...What a relief. There have been a lot of TUMs taken this week."<br />
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Despite the hype and hope surrounding Kenny Wallace's attempt at making the Daytona 500, an issue with fuel pressure early in the race had the RAB Racing car off the pace and left out of the draft. Wallace fell multiple laps down and finished 21st out of 24 drivers.<br />
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"We ran great, and then all of sudden we lost a fuel pump, never lost one before," a clearly disappointed Wallace said following the race.Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-20944849080701497492012-02-23T16:04:00.002-05:002012-02-24T01:57:00.394-05:00Tony Stewart Wins First Gatorade Duel, Danica Patrick Takes Huge Hit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Defending series champion Tony Stewart wasted no time taking new crew chief Steve Addington to victory lane, claiming his first victory of the year in Thursday's first Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying race.<br />
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Holding off a charge down the backstretch as the caution came out behind him, Stewart earned his 17th career victory at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marcos Ambrose, Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards rounded out the top-5.<br />
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While Stewart was celebrating his win in victory lane, Danica Patrick was being evaluated in the medical center following a hard hit on the final lap.<br />
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Running in the back of the draft, Patrick's car was sent sliding down the backstretch after contact with Aric Almirola. Shedding very little speed, Patrick made hard contact with the right front of the car, lifting three wheels off the ground.<br />
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Despite the hard hit she was able to walk away from the wrecked race car, but will have to go to a back up car for Sunday's Daytona 500.<br />
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"I mean I just got hit,"she said. "We were just running on the bottom lane and I’m betting it was a chain reaction from the outside it looked like. Guys get so close on their side drafting that they are touching you sometimes and I’m sure that at times, maybe in that situation it was a hitting side draft. It was probably just a chain reaction and I will go look at it and see if I can fix something or change something I am doing out there.<br />
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"Overall, I’m just very disappointed that the car got crashed with two corners to go," she said. "It’s not how we wanted to roll into Sunday. We wanted to just be cool calm and collected with no damage. I guess that maybe that back-up car is fast. We weren’t super excited after qualifying. Maybe this is a blessing in big disguise.”</div>
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See Patrick's wild ride here: <a href="http://www.nascar.com/video/post-race/final-laps/120223/cup-duel1-high-final/index.html"><span style="color: red;">http://www.nascar.com/video/post-race/final-laps/120223/cup-duel1-high-final/index.html</span></a><br />
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After smoking heavily on the initial start of the race, Robby Gordon was able to race his way into Sunday's race following a ninth-place finish. When the first caution of the day came out for an incident between David Gilliland, Juan Pablo Montoya and Paul Menard, Gordon was able to hit pit road and climb back into contention.<br />
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Along with Gordon, Michael McDowell was also able to race his way into the biggest race of the year with a sixth-place finish, thanks to a lot of help from Trevor Bayne.<br />
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"Phil Parsons Racing is a small team," McDowell said.. "We’ve got six guys back at the shop that worked really hard in the off-season to give us a fast car and it’s just cool to be able to carry the Curb-Agajanian brand, the 98 car, and to have K-LOVE radio – a Christian radio network on the car – and to have Curb Records as well is a good start for us. This is the start of big things for us.”<br />
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Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip looked as if he was going to be able to race his way into Sunday's main event, but wrecked as he attempted to transition back onto the track after a pit stop late in the race.<br />
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"I just went the wrong way and lost the car," Waltrip said. "I feel like I let everybody down. I raced my way to the front and then I let them down. It's just really hard. I don't know what to say -- it's just sad. Thankful to my team and Aaron's for giving me the opportunity and hate that I let everybody down."<br />
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Always looking for a way to make money, Robby Gordon said following the Duel he would be willing to sell his spot in the Daytona 500 to Waltrip. "Hell yeah, (the ride) is for sale," he said.<br />
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<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-83961106730723562112012-02-20T14:30:00.000-05:002012-02-24T02:18:06.327-05:00NASCAR Speedweeks At Daytona: Week One Wrap Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The short, but busy off-season officially came to an end this weekend, as the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hit the track for the first time since the dramatic finish to the 2011 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway.<br />
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This weekend began with Budweiser Shootout practice, Daytona 500 qualifying practice, the ARCA Series race, the Budweiser Shootout, and Sunday's qualifying session to set the front row for next week's main event.<br />
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Just days into the season and the biggest stories emerging were failed inspections, the return of pack racing, the strength of the Fords, and the reassurance that Kyle Busch is in a league of his own, at times, behind the wheel of a race car.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b><u>Failed Inspections</u>:</b><br />
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The controversy got underway quickly, when the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 car failed initial Daytona 500 inspection. </div>
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While their Budweiser Shootout car made it through NASCAR technical inspection fine, NASCAR took issue with the C-Post section of the car - the sheet metal that runs from the roof down to the rear fender, adjacent to the rear windows. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo courtesy of Joey Meier Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/2spotter" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">@2spotter</span></a>)</td></tr>
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Former crew chief and FOX analyst Larry McReynolds explained the C-Post area is "the last part of the car the air sees before it reaches the rear spoiler. Anything you can do to deflect air away from the rear spoiler helps straightaway speed."<br />
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The team was forced to cut massive amounts of sheet metal from the car, which promptly found its way to the NASCAR hauler for further inspection. While Johnson was focused on his Budweiser Shootout car, the team was scrambling to put their primary car for the Daytona 500 back together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo courtesy of David Newton Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/DNewtonespn" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">@DNewtonESPN</span></a><span style="color: red;">)</span></td></tr>
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This is not the first time crew chief Chad Knaus has come under the suspect eye of NASCAR officials. One of the best in the business, Knaus has been notorious throughout his career for pushing the NASCAR rule book to the edge, often crossing the line in NASCAR's opinion.<br />
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In 2006, Knaus was sent home from Daytona after the No. 48 failed post-qualifying inspection. Darian Grubb stepped in to fill the void left by Knaus' suspension and led Jimmie Johnson to the win in the Daytona 500.<br />
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According to Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition for NASCAR, Knaus was not suspended in this instance because the infraction was found in pre-qualifying inspection. However, fines and penalties are expected to be announced in the days following the Daytona 500.<br />
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The No. 48 team was not the only organization to have issues going through technical inspection, however. One of the fastest cars all weekend, Greg Biffle's No. 16 was sent through pre-qualifying inspection a second time Sunday afternoon. The issue was resolved and Biffle posted the second-fastest lap of the session.<br />
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Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 15 team failed post-qualifying inspection when the car failed to meet the minimum height in the front end of the car. Although the car passed pre-qualifying inspection, the front shocks did not rebound enough after the run to meet the height sticks. Bowyer's qualifying time was disallowed and he will start his Gatorade Duel race from the rear of the field.<br />
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<b><u>Pack Racing Is Back</u>:</b><br />
After nearly two seasons of two-car tandem drafting on the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega, NASCAR listened to the complaints of the fans and attempted to return to the more traditional pack racing.<br />
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In an attempt to break up the tandems, NASCAR made a series of rule changes leading into speedweeks, including opening the restrictor plate to allow for more horsepower, lowering the rear bumper by two inches, mandating the location of the grille opening at the front of the car, as well as eliminating driver-to-driver radio communication during the race.<br />
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The result was seen right away in Budweiser Shootout practice Friday evening. While some drivers were hesitant at first, the pack racing returned. The cars were not able to stay nose-to-tail for long without overheating, and the tandem was not able to pull away from the pack as it had in the past.<br />
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One of the biggest results of the return to pack racing is the return of the 'Big One' style wreck. With tandem racing, the potential danger of a wreck was always present, but more on a small scale - one or two car incidents. With the field bunched tightly together, two- and three-wide, with little visibility and no communication, the potential for large multi-car wrecks is always present.<br />
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That became evident when Kurt Busch was turned by Tony Stewart during Friday night's Budweiser Shootout practice.<br />
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As Busch moved up the track to avoid the car of Martin Truex Jr., Stewart was unable to anticipate the move and did not follow Busch's No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet. With Stewart's nose on the left rear bumper, Busch could do nothing as the rear of the car spun around and triggered the first 'Big One' of speedweeks. When the smoke cleared, Busch, Stewart, AJ Allmendinger, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski were all involved.<br />
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The pack was back, but so was the potential for a lot of torn up equipment, and nothing displayed that better than Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout - the first non-points race of the 2012 season.<br />
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The racing throughout the event featured two-, three-, and even four-wide racing, with drivers able to make moves on their own, without the help of a tandem partner. The racing was exciting for the fans and the drivers, as they were able to determine their fate more than in the past.<br />
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The result was also a number of large crashes, one of which sent 20-year veteran Jeff Gordon on his roof for the first time in his NASCAR career.<br />
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Most of the wrecks were triggered in the same fashion Friday's practice wreck began, with one driver attempting to push another with his nose on the left rear of the front car's bumper.<br />
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While the pack racing returned, the two-car tandem was not entirely eliminated. With the rules limiting the air intake to the engines, drivers were not able to push for long without the engine overheating. However, with only a handful of laps to go, drivers threw caution to the wind and let the engines run hot.<br />
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Overall, however, the drivers seemed to be pleased with the return of pack racing, but explained it would be a challenge to balance the loose race cars, the engine temperature and avoiding mistakes in the pack.<br />
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“I think the biggest problem is the tandem racing has been so easy for these guys to stay attached that some of them haven’t raced in pack racing," Kevin Harvick said. "You get those big runs and things are going to happen a lot faster than they used to. (Drivers) are just going to have to be a little more patient.”<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Fords Fast Yet Again</u><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span><br />
Last year's Daytona 500 was a showcase of Ford power under the hood. With overheating playing such a crucial role in last year's event, Ford teams seemed to be able to stay cool and push in the tandem for more consecutive laps than the other manufacturers. This was evident when Ford took the first three spots in the 500.<br />
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While the tandem drafting is not playing as prominent a role this year, the Fords again showed up in style during the weekend's practice and qualifying for next Sunday's Daytona 500.<br />
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The evidence was clear during each qualifying lap, as many Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota cars began to shoot water out of the overflow (a sign of overheating) on their second lap. On contrary, most Ford teams were able to keep the engines cool enough for the entire qualifying run.<br />
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Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle made it an all Ford front row, while the 'Blue Ovals' took six of the top 10 spots.<br />
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“What a way to start the season," Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing, said. "This is a testament to all of the hard work Jack and his organization have put in during the off-season, and the dedication Doug Yates and the Roush Yates engine shop has displayed throughout this transition to electronic fuel injection. Our Fords are fast. We’ve shown that all week and today our teams were rewarded with the front row. Today is a day for all Ford fans to be happy and celebrate, and I know everyone at Ford is going to enjoy this week leading up to the Daytona 500.”<br />
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While the front row is locked into their positions, the rest of Sunday's field will be set by a pair of qualifying races on Thursday afternoon. Edwards and Biffle will remain on the front row regardless of where they finish in their duel race, so long as they do not need a back-up car.<br />
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<b><u>Kyle Busch In A Class Of His Own</u>:</b><br />
There are few people in this world that are simply oozing talent. Kyle Busch seems to be one of those people.<br />
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Busch's performance and drive in Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout was one that will be talked about in NASCAR highlight reels for years to come.<br />
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After Friday's wreck in practice, Busch was forced to start from the tail-end of the field when the green flag flew for the first 25-lap segment, despite drawing the second starting spot the night before.<br />
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By the end of the first segment, Busch was already up to fourth. With a strong car underneath him, Busch also showcased his talent behind the wheel on Lap 48, when contact with Jimmie Johnson sent the No. 18 sliding down the track in a shower of sparks. Using incredible car control, Busch was able to hang on to the car and keep going.<br />
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With the race coming to a close, Busch again raced his way to the front in an attempt to chase down leader Tony Stewart. With Jeff Gordon pressuring from behind, Busch was again sent down the track in a shower of sparks. While Busch was able to save the car from major damage, Gordon moved up the track and triggered yet another 'Big One' style wreck.<br />
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With the race moved into a Green-White-Checkered finish, Busch was not out of contention. Restarting eighth, the No. 18 M&M's Toyota was able to find the No. 14 of Stewart and tandem draft their way to the front of the field.<br />
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As the pair came off the final corner, Busch made his move to the outside coming through the tri-oval. Using a strong side-draft from Stewart's car, Busch was able to surge ahead and score the win by only 0.013 seconds - the closest finish in Budweiser Shootout history.<br />
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More impressive than the photo-finish at the end, was Busch ability to save the race car not once, but twice. Few drivers, past or present, are capable of that type of car control at that type of speeds. Instead of over-correcting and wrecking the car, Busch was able to hold a tight wheel and drive away from major damage.<br />
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"Stab and steer - that's what you do - and some braking," Busch said when asked how he saved the car. "There were brakes involved too."<br />
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The impressive performance was evident throughout the garage as well. Both Stewart and Johnson complimented Busch's saves while inside the car, and team president J.D. Gibbs said he thought they had to "pack it up" on two different occasions.<br />
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"I'm going to have to go back and watch that on tape again just to appreciate it," Gibbs said. "It's one of those things that you just need to take the time to evaluate it and realize what it was. I would say that whoever the driver was that could do that - you just need to appreciate it. I think having it be Kyle (Busch) and our guy really was impressive and it means a lot for the whole M&M's team and our guys - it was special."<br />
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"I was right behind him when he had the deal in (turns) one and two," Stewart said. "He had to catch it three times before he saved it. You get 3400 pounds moving like that, to catch it once was pretty big, to get away from it and catch it again was big, and the third time was big. That's three big moments in one corner and he never quit driving. There's a lot of guys that wouldn't have caught that. He did a fantastic job with that save."<br />
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Busch may have caught the attention for all the wrong reasons in the past - he was suspended by NASCAR for one race in last year's Chase - but there is no doubt the younger Busch brother is beaming with talent behind the wheel. While fans boo and jeer, and critics call for him to mature on and off the track, Busch continues to prove he is one of the best drivers in NASCAR history.<br />
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</div>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-86232739309000245612012-02-07T12:01:00.001-05:002012-02-07T12:01:23.804-05:00NASCAR Association With The WWE Is Not Such A Bad Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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NASCAR got some television time Monday night when 2011 Sprint Cup Series runner-up Carl Edwards made an appearance on the WWE's Monday Night Raw. </div>
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On a segment taped prior to last week's Raw event, Edwards was shown asking WWE Superstar John Cena to be the honorary started of this year's Daytona 500.<br />
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Some in the industry feel that any association with professional wrestling is a bad move and potentially damages the reputation of the sport, even going as far as to say it was "never a good thing."</div>
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While some may fear aligning too closely with the WWE could bring into question the legitimacy of NASCAR, they fail to see the larger picture, the similarities between the two industries and a potential to grow the fan base. </div>
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Is is truly such a bad thing if the WWE and NASCAR have a business-to-business relationship?<br />
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Of course the WWE is staged and ultimately decided prior to the event. NASCAR is in no way either of those things. Sure, there are questionable calls here and there, controversy from time to time, but few in their right mind can honestly say they believe NASCAR is rigged.<br />
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If it was, do you think Dale Earnhardt Jr. would have just one win since leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc.? </div>
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What the critics fail to realize is both industries are built around the personalities of their stars, and the devotion of the fans. NASCAR is a team effort, but ultimately the driver is the star. Once fans find their favorite driver, they're typically a fan for life. Much is the same when it comes to the WWE.<br />
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When drivers are introduced each week, fans rise to either cheer for their favorite or jeer the guy they do not like. WWE Superstars are treated with in the same manner, for most you either love them or hate them. Bristol Motor Speedway has even taken this similarity a step further, hosting driver introductions much like WWE stars are introduced. Does, "Kyle Busch is an ass!" ring a bell?</div>
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Perhaps more importantly, many of the WWE's loyal fan base falls into the ever important 18-34 male demographic - with 74 percent of the audience 21 years or older, according to Nielsen Media Research - each week broadcasting to an estimated 12 million fans.<br />
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The relationship is also one that has been going on for some time. Charlotte Motor Speedway has used wrestling icon Ric Flair to promote the Sprint All-Star Race, WWE stars such as Cena and Stone Cold Steve Austin have been to multiple NASCAR races, while Edwards and Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Kyle Busch and Joey Logano have all been guest hosts on Monday Night Raw.</div>
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When Edwards first hosted Monday Night Raw in 2010, it was just days before the season-opening Daytona 500. Burning donuts in the parking lot in his No. 99 Ford, the car drove into the arena - packed full of potential or current fans - revved its engine and stopped as Edwards' was introduced. Instead, a midget wrestler named Hornswaggle in Edwards' garb climbed from the cockpit. </div>
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With the crowd already drawn in by the car and the subsequent joke, Edwards was introduced by one of the WWE divas and walked to the ring by another set of girls. The Sprint Cup Series driver looked at home in the squared circle, jumping to the turnbuckles to salute the fans, then climbing atop the ropes and pulling off his signature back flip. </div>
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Taking the mic, Edwards quickly won over the crowd and promoted the upcoming Daytona 500. </div>
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Fast-forward to Monday night, and Edwards was once again making an appearance on Raw, again doing donuts in the parking lot. This time, it was really Edwards who climbed from his car and met his friend, and WWE Superstar, John Cena. </div>
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"This is huge," Edwards said. "I am honored to come here on behalf of NASCAR and everyone at the Daytone 500 to invite you, John Cena, to be the honorary starter, to wave the green flag for the 54th running of the Daytona 500 on February 26."</div>
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"I'm starting the race?" Cena said. "Yes, I'll definitely be there." </div>
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(See the video here: <a href="http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-02-06/cena-daytona-500-starter"><span style="color: red;">http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-02-06/cena-daytona-500-starter</span></a>)</div>
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With Edwards, a "familiar sight" to the WWE fans, inviting one of the industry's biggest stars "on behalf of NASCAR" to be the honorary starter to the season's biggest race, the potential for crossover fans flipping on the broadcast of the race is probably pretty high, even if it is just to see their favorite wrestler wave the green flag. </div>
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Those same WWE fans, who may have never seen a race in their life, may stay tuned in to watch Edwards and the rest of the 42 drivers throughout the course of the race. </div>
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Now would that be such a bad thing?</div>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-16496661273033810202012-02-06T10:57:00.000-05:002012-02-06T11:56:39.202-05:00Kenny Wallace Sees Flaws With NASCAR Nationwide Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Kenny Wallace heads to Daytona set to begin his 23rd year in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. His illustrious career dates back to 1988 when he made his first start for Dale Earnhardt Inc. at Martinsville, at the age of 24.<br />
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Now, Wallace is a series veteran and scheduled to make his 523rd career start in Daytona. Through his years in the sport, he has seen and learned a lot as the Nationwide Series has grown, contracted and morphed into the series it is today.<br />
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Always outspoken and never one to hold his tongue, Wallace sees a major flaw in the make up of the Nationwide Series - and it is not the Sprint Cup Series drivers.<br />
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While the 2011 season was dominated by Sprint Cup Series drivers - only five Nationwide Series regulars scored wins (one of which being Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne) - Wallace believes there is a high level of talent among the Nationwide Series drivers.<br />
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By eliminating Sprint Cup drivers from competing for the title, it has allowed the Nationwide Series drivers to thrive and make a name for themselves, away from the spotlight of the double-duty drivers. He said NASCAR's decision last year to limit each driver to competing for the championship in one series was a positive step to fixing a mistake NASCAR made "a long time ago."<br />
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"When you have Sam Hornish Jr. going against Justin Allgaier and Elliott Sadler and Danica Patrick, it's a star-studded cast," he said. "You're starting to see a good mixture of drivers that maybe weren't ready for Sprint Cup, maybe didn't make it. You look at Sam Hornish, he was a good Sprint Cup driver, but he lost his sponsorship. Here he has an opportunity to come down and get more time before he goes back up. You look at Elliott Sadler, who is a Sprint Cup winner - this is a really good mixture of drivers going for the championship.<br />
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"You have an Indianapolis 500 winner (Hornish) going for the championship. It's going to be a pretty exciting year when you look at the people running for the championship."<br />
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So what is the major flaw Wallace sees in the Nationwide Series if it is not the Sprint Cup Series drivers?<br />
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"One thing that keeps getting under my skin is that people keep saying Cup drivers come in and take everything, well that's not true," he said. "The Cup drivers do not come in and take everything, it's the Cup car owners. Roger Penske, Jack Roush, Rick Hendrick. That's one thing that I don't know if we're ever going to fix.<br />
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"It never was the Cup drivers. It's the Cup car owners," he went on to say. "These guys are coming in with a massive amount of money and research. They're just bringing their Cup teams, their Cup know-how and they're just tearing up the Nationwide Series."<br />
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While he is not a fan of the Sprint Cup Series owners dominating the Nationwide Series, he is not in favor of NASCAR stepping in and placing a limit on the amount of money a team can spend in the series, explaining that would be "getting into communism."<br />
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That being said, Wallace would like to see NASCAR move towards a spec motor and spec tires for the series, thus lowering the costs associated with not only running, but competing for wins. With the way things work now, independent car owners are incapable of keeping up with the Cup car owners in terms of research and development, engines, technology, tires and manpower.<br />
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"We have got to get these costs down where Robbie Benton (Wallace's current team owner) can compete. We've seen too many independent car owners fail in the Nationwide Series," he said. "They've all failed. All of them. You look at BACE Motorsports. You look at Greg Pollax's PPC. All of the original Nationwide car owners have failed because they're trying to keep up with the Cup car owners.<br />
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"The key to it is to bring in the cost of that car down so low so that the normal millionaire can compete," Wallace said. "If you tell Roger Penske that you can't buy any more than six tires and they're only going to cost this much, the motors are going to cost this much. Where the normal car owner gets beat is these great Cup car owners spend more money on their motors, they bring in their Cup teams for pit stops, they bring in their engineering."<br />
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Despite his team's disadvantages, Wallace was still able to have one of his best seasons in recent memory in 2011. Returning to RAB Racing in 2012, the veteran is optimistic about his chances at an even better season this year.<br />
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In addition, Wallace and RAB Racing will attempt to make the Daytona 500, using the equipment acquired from the now-defunct Red Bull Racing - the same car Brian Vickers qualified ninth with at Talladega, to be exact.<br />
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Through his long career in the Nationwide Series, Wallace has become a student of the sport. Often criticized for his wild and often eccentric actions off the track, he is as serious as he is zany when it comes to his views on the future of the sport. And perhaps it is time to take him seriously.<br />
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<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-15261876809130340232012-01-30T12:18:00.000-05:002012-01-30T12:18:03.859-05:00Kurt Busch Working To Rebuild Career In 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The 2011 season was one of the most tumultuous years in Kurt Busch’s NASCAR career. The former Sprint Cup Series champion scored two victories and qualified for the Chase, yet had hostile incidents with his team throughout the course of the year and had confrontations with the media on multiple occasions.<br />
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The obviously talented driver had an obvious problem controlling his temper and his anger, both in and out of the car. Enough so, that an amateur video of a confrontation with veteran ESPN reporter Dr. Jerry Punch landed the driver in hot water with both NASCAR and Penske Racing.<br />
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It was not long before Penske Racing announced it had “mutually agreed” to a split with the driver, leaving Busch looking for a ride – and a second chance.<br />
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That second chance has come in the form of James Finch’s Phoenix Racing.<br />
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Busch will pilot the No. 51 Chevrolet for the 2012 season thanks to a “handshake deal” between owner and driver. Busch is looking for a second chance, and Finch is simply looking for the chance to compete.<br />
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Understanding the consequences of his actions last season, Busch is taking this reality check as an opportunity to grow both as a driver and a person.<br />
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“I’ve been up, I’ve been down,” Busch said. “A guy that I’ve always looked up to, Mark Martin, he said just draw a line and try to stay in the middle. It’s funny how times where I get excited and drag myself back in a hole. Yeah, I’ve got to work my way out of this (situation). But it’s going to be fun because I don’t shy away from challenges.”<br />
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Working with a smaller organization such as Finch’s team, Busch contends “there is only one way to go, and that’s up.”<br />
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With limited resources at their disposal, Busch understands the team may struggle throughout the year, but also has a shot at times as well, especially at tracks such as Daytona, Talladega and Bristol.<br />
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One of those opportunities may very well come in the season-opening Daytona 500. In preseason testing, Busch was among the fastest cars in the two-car draft, reaching speeds of 206 mph at times. Given the style of racing and the Hendrick horsepower under the hood, Busch has a solid shot at the win in Daytona.<br />
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Busch admitted after not hearing from Finch right away, he worried Rick Hendrick had expressed concern about Busch driving his equipment. Through a long-standing agreement, Phoenix Racing receives Hendrick Motorsports chassis, motors and information.<br />
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Yet when asked about Busch’s worries, Hendrick said he had no role in the discussion to add Busch to the Phoenix Racing roster.<br />
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“James Finch is a customer, just like Tony Stewart is, and they don’t have to ask me what they do,” he said. “Somebody had said I blackballed Kurt, and I never even talked to James, James never talked to me. So, when Kurt asked about it, I said, ‘Hey, I don’t have anything to do with that and I sure don’t have any problem with you.’<br />
“If I was James Finch, I’d put the best driver I could put in the car. I think James Finch did, and I think they’ll run really well.”<br />
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Hendrick explained having Busch behind the wheel of his equipment would prove beneficial in the long run. Much like when Tony Stewart beat all four Hendrick cars using Hendrick equipment, Hendrick pointed out, “Kurt Busch might beat us with our own stuff.”<br />
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“It only makes you better,” Hendrick said. “If they start beating us real bad, I think I’ll hear some grumbling. I’m happy for James, and Kurt. I think Kurt has made some mistakes, and admitted it. He’s got to step back and prove himself. James has been in the sport a long time and he deserves to run good. If I was James Finch, I’d put the best shoe in (the car). There’s no substitute for talent in the seat, I don’t care what you’ve got. You’re not going to win if you don’t have someone that can drive it, and you know (Kurt) can drive it.<br />
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“I guarantee you James Finch can handle him,” he said. “It might be something for Saturday Night Live, but he will handle it. You don’t have to worry about it. It might be a show, but he’ll handle it.”<br />
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Busch will certainly be keeping busy this year, racing full-time for Finch in the Sprint Cup Series, as well as running over 20 Nationwide Series races with his brother Kyle at Kyle Busch Motorsports.<br />
The key to a solid, quiet year for Busch, he says, is the type of people he surrounds himself with.<br />
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“That business is going to keep me busy, but you’ve got to surround yourself with good people to make it all come together,” he said. “You can’t do it on your own. That’s what we’re trying to do.”<br />
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<br /></div>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-17873999638343088182012-01-26T19:05:00.000-05:002012-01-27T01:13:09.353-05:002012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thursday afternoon the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour wrapped up with NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France's annual state of the sport address at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. However, the week was full of team visits, sponsor announcements, some baby news and an over-use of the word "excited."<br />
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There is a lot to work through from this week's Media Tour in Charlotte, and over the coming days and weeks, stories gathered from the numerous interviews and announcements will be coming your way. <br />
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For the time being, here are some of the biggest highlights from the week:<br />
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<b>Monday: </b><br />
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<li>Danica Patrick announced she would skip the Indianapolis 500 this year to run the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway for Stewart-Haas Racing. She also firmly believes she has a shot to win the Daytona 500, channeling Trevor Bayne's unexpected win in last year's race.</li>
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<li>Joe Gibbs Racing introduces Darian Grubb and Jason Ratcliff as new crew chiefs on their Sprint Cup Series teams. Grubb, Ratcliff and Dave Rogers are working closely together to provide a new direction for the organization as a whole. </li>
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<li>Clint Bowyer will not let new owner Michael Waltrip drive one of his dirt cars. "You used to be a good driver, now you're a good owner," Bowyer joked. "Let's stick with that." </li>
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<li>Mark Martin is extremely comfortable with his schedule at Michael Waltrip Racing and eager to help the team grow. He explained that in the future he could be interested in helping a smaller team with their growth in the sport outside the race car. </li>
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<b>Tuesday: </b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Team owner Chip Ganassi was clearly upset with his team's performance in 2011, saying it was "pathetic" give the "ability and resources" within the team. Despite the poor performances of both cars in the stable, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing has a full line of sponsorship lined up for both the No. 1 of Jamie McMurray and the No. 42 of Juan Pablo Montoya</li>
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<li>Charlotte Motor Speedway may have three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events throughout the year, but the calendar is stacked full with other events - 114 in all. Along with the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Coca-Cola 600 and Bank of America 500, the track will play host to a Fan Appreciation Day on March 17, as well as a Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home event on March 21. For a full list of events, head over to <a href="http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/</span></a></li>
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<li>Roush Fenway Racing drivers Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards were the first no-shows of the week. Kenseth was dealing with a family issues, while Edwards was on vacation. </li>
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<li>Team owner Jack Roush is very eager to win his 300th NASCAR race, which will happen the next time one of his cars goes to Victory Lane. </li>
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<li>Roush Fenway Racing has poured a lot of resources into the No. 16 team with driver Greg Biffle, after a disappointing performance in 2011. With the contraction at the team, Biffle will now enjoy many elements from the now-defunct No. 6 team, as well as increased engineering. </li>
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<li>Ford became the first of the four manufacturers to unveil their new 2013 car design for the Sprint Cup Series. The new Ford Fusion is sleek, sexy and looks like a race car. "This thing is bad ass," Greg Biffle said. The other manufacturers are also working on their new cars, with their announcements taking place in the coming weeks.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Nationwide Series veteran Kenny Wallace will attempt to make the Daytona 500 with RAB Racing, using former Red Bull equipment. Running for the Nationwide Series title, Wallace would also like to see NASCAR limit the involvement of Sprint Cup Series teams in the Nationwide Series to allow for better parity among the teams. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The fallout from Kurt Busch's departure from Penske Racing has taught the former champion that he was "doing a lot of things wrong" over the past few seasons. Teaming up with James Finch's Phoenix Racing, Busch understands his chances for success are still high at tracks like Daytona, Talladega and Bristol, but there will be struggles throughout the year as well. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Wednesday:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Kentucky Speedway spent about $10 million to improve the parking and traffic situation at the track that marred the speedway's inaugural race in 2011. Track owner Bruton Smith said thanks to the work the facility is better prepared, and ready for a second chance at its inaugural race. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Regan Smith recently shot a video in Colorado with professional skiers, in which he drove the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet through the snowy mountains of Colorado. During the first day of shooting, Smith wrecked the left side of the car, but was able to finish the project. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Furniture Row Racing's competition director Mark McArdle is confident in his team's ability to improve upon 2011. A lot of that confidence comes from the team's partnership with Richard Childress Racing. "Think of Furniture Row as the fourth car in the RCR operation," he said. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Not even Kasey Kahne can get out of jury duty. The newest Hendrick Motorsports driver was unable to attend the team's media day event as he was in his third day of jury duty. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Rick Hendrick is extremely confident in his organization's ability to contend in 2012. The long-time owner explained he expected all four of his cars to make the Chase and one of them to win the title, otherwise he would be disappointed, saying he "never had all four teams this strong."</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Dale Earnhardt Jr. asked crew chief Steve Letarte to stay hard on him this year, explaining he was worried his crew chief would become too comfortable with him and not keep the pressure on. Earnhardt Jr. explained he wanted Letarte to serve as a "field general" on team and expected the results to show. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Those at Hendrick Motorsports are already benefiting from the addition of crew chief Kenny Francis. One of the hardest working and most respected crew members in the garage, Francis has already been able to contribute significantly to the entire organization in their short time together. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Drag racing a V-6 Ford Mustang at the zMAX Dragstrip is pretty bad ass.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>NASCAR is to eliminate the practice of issuing secret fines to drivers. Any fines handed out from the sanctioning body will be made public.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Richard Childress was on a charity fishing trip, becoming the fourth no-show of the Media Tour. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Elliott Sadler will compete in the Daytona 500 for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 33 car with Kroger and General Mills as the sponsor. Brendan Gaughan will pilot the No. 33 for the next four races of the season with South Point Casinos on the hood. Gil Martin will serve as crew chief for all five races. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The final piece of the puzzle came together about Kevin and DeLana Harvick's decision to give up Kevin Harvick, Inc. when Kevin announced his wife was 14 weeks pregnant with the couple's first child. Don't expect to see DeLana in a firesuit anytime soon.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Friday:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Walmart will sponsor veteran Bill Elliot in the No. 50 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7. This will mark the first time the major retailer will sponsor a car in the Sprint Cup Series. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Brad Keselowski is comfortable leading the Penske Racing organization, saying sometimes you have to "step up in the pocket" and take charge. Both he and crew chief Paul Wolfe inked contract extensions at the end of the 2011 season, while Miller-Coors extended their partnership with the team as well. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>NASCAR admits it would like to return to the traditional pack racing at Daytona and Talladega and eliminate the tandem draft utilized in recent races. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's president, competition and racing development, explained the rules will not be able to "totally eliminate" the two-car draft, and that it "will be a tool" used by the drivers. NASCAR has also eliminated driver-to-driver in-car communication that has allowed the tandem drafting to flourish.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The use of electronic fuel injection (EFI) will eventually make its way into the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>While the practice of secret fines has ended, Brian France explained fines will still occur if someone makes disparaging remarks about the sport. "If you challenge the integrity of the sport, we'll deal with that," he said. "We have to deal with that."</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps feels the lack of consistent sponsors on a car "clearly hurts" the casual fans of the sport. With sponsorship deals now coming in blocks of races, color schemes and sponsorship for one driver often changes multiple times a year. Phelps said they are working with teams, tracks and broadcast partners to build on the identity of the drivers, and that NASCAR would also increase the use of drivers in their promotional content. </li>
</ul>
<div>
Look for more in-depth stories on these topics, and many more, in the coming days and weeks as the official start to the 2012 NASCAR season quickly approaches. </div>
</div>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-54344705373745506042012-01-26T18:59:00.004-05:002012-01-26T18:59:44.432-05:00Furniture Row Racing: Think Of Us As Fourth RCR Car<br />
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<br />
The Furniture Row Racing operation is perhaps the most unique in all of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Unlike the other full-time operations, Furniture Row’s "home base" is located in Denver, Colo. – a far cry from Race City, U.S.A.<br />
<br />
Yet despite their separation for the rest of the sport, the team has been able to find success at the highest level of American motorsports. A lot of that success, though, is thanks to their partnership with Richard Childress Racing, a theme that echoed throughout their stop on the Sprint Cup Media Tour.<br />
<br />
“Our relationship with RCR couldn’t possibly be any closer,” Competition Director Mark McArdle said. “Every aspect of their activities get communicated to us real time.”<br />
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That includes a constant and instantaneous sharing of information at the shops, during practice sessions and during races.<br />
<br />
“They essentially operate as an open book for us,” McArdle added. “I think the easiest way to think about it now that RCR has retracted down to three cars is to think of Furniture Row Racing as essentially the fourth car in their stable, in the perspective of sharing technical information.”<br />
<br />
McArdle said the biggest advantage the team gains through its partnership with RCR can sometimes be difficult to see, but gives them the feel of a multi-car organization.<br />
<br />
“If you’re stuck on island as a one-car team – with only your input, with only your DNA and only your own thought process to carry you forward – it’s very easy to get off on the wrong path,” he said. “What’s beneficial about essentially being part of a four-car team is we can instantly share information.”<br />
<br />
Along with that “open book” policy, McArdle said the second most beneficial aspect of the partnership is the simple “assurance” that they have quality equipment, the same used by Kevin Harvick and the rest of the RCR drivers.<br />
<br />
However, according to members of both teams, the relationship is not as one-sided as you might believe.<br />
<br />
“They have a great group of people over there,” said RCR Vice President of Competition Mike Dillon. “Their engineering staff is super strong; we lean on them too. They’re great people and it means a lot.”<br />
<br />
Dillon explained the distance between to two organizations – over 1,500 miles – can actually be an advantage in creating such a strong partnership.<br />
<br />
“That probably makes it easier,” Dillon explained. “They don’t have people leaving them. When people move out there to work for them, they’re going to be there. So, when you’re sharing information with them you’re not worried about them carrying it to other teams.”<br />
<br />
Regan Smith, driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet, explained the relationship has “always been close.”<br />
<br />
“Personally, I don’t compare it to any other relationship (in the garage), because I think ours is more open than anybody else is out there and continues to get that way,” he said. “We’ve grown as a team to the point<br />
where they’ll come to us and say, ‘We need that part or piece, and you guys make it. Can you get your guys to make it for us?’ That was the moment, for me, when I realized this thing is working now, this is how we want it to be."<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-24726441629736014312012-01-26T18:50:00.000-05:002012-01-26T18:51:08.510-05:00Sadler And Gaughan To Split RCR's No. 33 In First Five Races<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Richard Childress Racing announced on Wednesday driver Elliot Sadler will run the No. 33 Chevrolet in the season-opening Daytona 500 with sponsorship from General Mills and Kroger.<br />
<br />
After that event, Brendan Gaughan will climb behind the wheel of the No. 33 for the next four races with backing from South Point Casinos. Nationwide Series team manager Gil Martin will serve as crew chief for the car during the first five events.<br />
<br />
Using the 2011 owner points, the No. 33 team will be locked into those first five races of the season and run the distance in each.<br />
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"It's great to be back in the Daytona 500," said Sadler, who is running for the Nationwide title full-time with RCR and feels he has a second shot at winning the Great American Race - the Virginian was leading in 2009 moments before Matt Kenseth blew by in a rain-shortened finish. "When we started putting this program together, the first thing that came to mind is how strong RCR's plate program has always been. We're going to go out and have a legitimate chance to win the race. Speedweeks can't get here soon enough!"<br />
<br />
While Sadler will run his 13th Daytona 500, Gaughan will run the next four Sprint Cup Series events. Already slated to run 10 Nationwide Series and eight races in the Camping World Truck Series for RCR, Gaughan is mirroring Sadler and attempting to climb his way back to the top. A former Sprint Cup Series driver, Gaughan has spent the last eight seasons racing in the<br />
Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, but jumped at the opportunity to join a high quality race team, knowing he was climbing into solid, proven equipment.<br />
<br />
“This, for me, is the dream come true of a second chance,” he said. “You don’t normally get them. If you do get them, they’re normally not of this caliber. You’ve usually got to do something on that’s in that little bit lower-tier to come out and shock the world. To be able to come out with a team that’s close to the Chase, in it, just barely out of it this year, a crew chief with four Cup wins last year with the organization, for me, this is the chance I’ve waited eight years for."<br />
<br />
“I always said, if I ever go back it’s going to be more on my terms and the right opportunity. I think I waited just about right.”<br />
<br />
A lot has changed in the eight years since Gaughan last competed in the Sprint Cup Series full-time. But he feels his experience with the Nationwide Series car, and some testing in Cup - he even ran a race for TRG Motorsports - plus the high quality of the team have him prepared to make a return.<br />
<br />
“The biggest thing that gives me confidence," he explained. "Is Shane Wilson (crew chief on Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 car) was in the shop yesterday and he said, ‘This car was built for you."<br />
<br />
While he is open to more Sprint Cup races if the proper funding comes about, Gaughan is content with his schedule and committed to working his way up within a proven organization - although he won't rule out any possibility.<br />
<br />
“Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered,” he said. “All I’m looking forward to is four races. I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘If we get a top-5, we can get it!’ Nope. If I get top-5, I’m going to sit here and cry my ass off. It’s going to be phenomenal for me to get it. I’m going to do every bit I can in those four (races).”Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-16637968796667676302012-01-26T18:46:00.000-05:002012-01-26T18:46:01.164-05:00Harvicks Expecting<br />
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<br />
Speculation raged late last season after the surprising merger of Kevin Harvick Inc. with Richard Childress Racing. Many pointed to potential marital problems between owners, not to mention husband and wife, Kevin and DeLana, as the "real" reason for the changes.<br />
<br />
Yet, when asked about life after KHI Wednesday on the Media Tour, Harvick set things straight on why the couple decided to give up control of the company they had built from the ground to become a championship-caliber team - and the answer produced a surprise for most everyone in the room.<br />
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“For me and my wife, to not have the race team this winter has been pretty different,” Harvick said when asked about not having to worry about running a team this offseason. “As we worked through a lot of things, basically what we’ve got to do is go on vacation, we got to try to learn how to be normal, and DeLana is 14 weeks pregnant.”<br />
<br />
A shock to most in the crowd, including those within RCR, Harvick’s announcement cleared the air on the couple’s decision last year to merge their organization with RCR.<br />
<br />
“I think this is the last piece," the driver confirmed. "Where everybody can finally put all the pieces together and say, ‘Oh, I guess it all adds up, I guess they wanted to move to a different phase of their life and do<br />
something different.’”<br />
<br />
The baby is due midsummer, roughly a month before the Chase for the championship and, without KHI has changed DeLana's role from business owner to expectant mother. But now that DeLana is carrying their first child, don’t expect to see her donning a firesuit anytime soon.<br />
<br />
“You might not ever see her in a firesuit again, to be honest with you,” Harvick said, beaming with a smile. “You might have seen the last days of that. I guess that’s still to be determined, but you won’t (see it) any<br />
time soon.”<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-2307630377042924122012-01-26T18:41:00.000-05:002012-01-26T18:41:02.859-05:00Michael Waltrip Racing Boasts New Driver Lineup, Expects To Contend In Chase<br />
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<br />
Michael Waltrip enjoys the spotlight, and Monday’s Sprint Media Tour stop at Michael Waltrip Racing was no different. Instead of the normal press conferences where owners tout the talents of their drivers, Waltrip hosted a talk show-style event where he interviewed his new team.<br />
<br />
The over-the-top owner prodded Clint Bowyer about letting him run a dirt car, which Bowyer laughingly declined. Waltrip then played the age card with 53-year-old Mark Martin, saying when he gets out of the car and Mark gets in he likes to say, “Out with the old and in with the older.” He then pointed out Martin Truex, Jr. had done a lot of the hard work in paving the way at MWR, to which Truex told his new teammates, “I took all the lumps for you guys.”<br />
<br />
All kidding aside, MWR is in a no-excuse year with new drivers Martin and Bowyer joining the team, pairing with the "veteran" Truex who endured an up-and-down year in 2011. But new technology, new chassis and a partnership with Toyota Racing Development have the organization poised to move into<br />
that next level of Sprint Cup Series organizations in 2012.<br />
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“The hopes have been replaced with confidence that we can contend, we can win and we can earn a spot in the Chase,” Waltrip said, claiming the team’s partnership with TRD has elevated MWR into the top tier.<br />
<br />
After a rough few years in the sport, MWR has honed its technology and the resources at its disposal to run consistently week-in and week-out.<br />
<br />
“I feel like we have the best I’ve ever seen in the engineering department,” Truex, who joined the team in 2010, said. “Our simulation stuff is second to none. You can ask anyone in the garage, they’ll tell you<br />
that. We have a lot of things going for us, and we need to make it happen now.”<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-14962445745686513742012-01-26T18:32:00.000-05:002012-01-26T18:32:36.540-05:00Bold But Breathtaking Move: Ford Unveils 2013 Ford Fusion Body Style<br />
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<br />
Ford took a bold step Tuesday afternoon on the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour when it unveiled the new 2013 Ford Fusion body style at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The first manufacturer to debut the new design, Ford’s announcement drew NASCAR brass, Ford design team members and Sprint Cup Series drivers.<br />
<br />
Focusing on making the car look more like the product sold in the showroom and parked in the driveways, Ford made a concerted effort to produce a sleek, eye-catching car, while remaining in the limits placed on them by NASCAR.<br />
<br />
The entire process of developing a new body style began when Ford introduced the Mustang into Nationwide Series competition. Jamie Allison, the Director of Ford Racing, called the use of the Mustang in the series a “tipping point in the sport” that generated tremendous excitement within the company and with fans in the stands.<br />
<br />
Originally planning on introducing the Mustang as the next Sprint Cup Series model, Allison explained that decision was scrapped once they saw the design of the 2013 production model Fusion.<br />
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“For many years, we kind of lost our way. This is car racing, and the cars on the track need to look like the cars in people’s driveway, and that is what this car is,” he said. “Hats off to NASCAR, because without NASCAR’s leadership, this would not be possible. It took them ensuring the four manufacturers were working together, and building on the competition that exists. NASCAR led and we the manufacturers stepped up to give the fans what they want, which is a car that they love and a car that looks like a car in their driveway.”<br />
<br />
The process of making the cars look like the production models, while remaining competitively equal was not a simple task. Each manufacturer met with NASCAR to determine common areas for each of their individual cars.<br />
<br />
The group agreed on common specifications for the A-pillar, back to the rear spoiler, down to the door posts, then worked on the tail, rocker panels, wheel arches and lower air dams. Aside from these areas, each individual manufacturer has been able to mold the car to their own brand identity.<br />
<br />
“From time to time we did our meetings and brought everybody back to make sure that nobody was getting too far out or that there wouldn’t be too much of a deficit,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said. “We also encouraged them quite a bit to get all their identity that they could in the race car and we would do what we do best, which was regulate and make sure everybody has a fair shot and an even playing field. As much as we all worked together, we worked independently because we didn’t want to stifle any of the manufacturer’s ideas that they had about putting the brand identity into the cars.”<br />
<br />
The interesting turn of events here is NASCAR’s concerted effort to put the “stock car” back in NASCAR. Just a short time ago, NASCAR scrapped the idea of brand identity for a safer car that was simple to inspect on a common template.<br />
<br />
Drivers and fans alike bemoaned the design, lamenting it was more of a spec race car and a departure from the glory days of NASCAR.<br />
<br />
“For the Car of Tomorrow a couple of years ago, (NASCAR) decided they didn’t really care what the manufacturers wanted,” Roush said. “They wanted the cars to look the same so they were easily inspected and maintain the aero balance. It was only after they got the resistance to the car from the fans, the criticism of the car from the consumers, that they decided maybe they had gone too far.”<br />
<br />
Greg Biffle admitted many of the drivers felt the pain of fans, believing they had gone from “a cool race car” to a car that was not as cool or sleek when the switch was made to the current body style.<br />
<br />
“(The fans) aren’t going to be complaining about that thing,” he said with a smile. “This looks like a race car. This thing is bad ass.”<br />
<br />
While Ford’s dramatic announcement created buzz and excitement, a lot of work still has to take place before the body style is officially approved by NASCAR. Changes could still be made to the model unveiled Tuesday, but the overall design of the car should remain the same.<br />
<br />
Team owner Jack Roush explained there are a total of three 2013 Ford Fusions already produced, but the third was at the wind tunnel with NASCAR.<br />
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“We’ve got to get the templates finally solidified, as far as what NASCAR wants the car to be. This is a 90% car here that we have today,” he said. “When we get past the NASCAR approval, we’ll be building cars so they’ll be track testing and verifying the function of various things in the car by the third or fourth quarter of next year.”<br />
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Regardless, Biffle and teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hit the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway to show off their new rides.<br />
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“It’s great to see them on the track on a beautiful sun-shining day here in Charlotte,” team owner Jack Roush said. “It has been six months of hard work for the engineers in Dearborn (Mich.) and the technicians in the race shops here in North Carolina have put in on these cars.”<br />
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There is no word as to when Chevrolet, Dodge or Toyota plan on unveiling their new designs. Dodge is expected to stick with the Charger, Toyota is expected to remain with the Camry, but it is believed Chevrolet will introduce an entirely new model to both consumers and NASCAR.<br />
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“The other manufacturers have got cars that they’re as excited as we have,” Roush said when asked if the early debut put the pressure on Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota. “It’s a great opportunity for all manufacturers to carry their brand identity to their race cars.”Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-25328786282636532882012-01-26T18:12:00.002-05:002012-01-26T18:17:14.247-05:00Dialing It In: Close-Knit Group Of Racers Sets Stewart-Haas Apart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Note: This story was originally published on <a href="http://frontstretch.com/"><span style="color: red;">Frontstretch.com</span></a>. Please be sure to visit their site.)<br />
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Stewart-Haas Racing has a lot going for it these days.<br />
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Tony Stewart and his No. 14 team put on a clinic during the 2011 Chase, charging to the championship, then brought in proven crew chief Steve Addington to lead the way in 2012. Ryan Newman’s No. 39 team has been able to attract multiple sponsors new to the organization and NASCAR itself, paired with a crew returning virtually intact for the coming season. Newcomer Danica Patrick is slated to race ten Sprint Cup Series events, bringing with it the publicity and hype surrounding her that will lead to millions in additional sponsorship and exposure.<br />
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Yet, perhaps the best thing SHR has going for it in 2012 isn’t its past on-track success; it’s the present, off-track camaraderie within the team itself. Unlike many Sprint Cup Series organizations, Stewart-Haas is a small, close-knit group of people with one common interest – racing.<br />
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“It’s a smaller group, which allows you to be a race team, for a lack of a better way of saying it,” said Vice President of Competition Matt Borland. “We’ve managed to build a group of people that love racing. They’re not doing it because it’s a job or because it’s a management experience. They want to win, they want to go race.”<br />
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For Borland, that love of the sport comes right from the top in team owner Tony Stewart. Not only does Stewart give back to racing, in all forms as the owner of multiple racetracks, he is always competing in something on wheels when not focusing on the NASCAR side of things.<br />
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“Tony is an incredible leader, yet he doesn’t say a whole lot of words,” Borland said. “He draws people to have that same passion for racing. That has helped our program get better faster.”<br />
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Along with the tight-knit group of people, perhaps one of the biggest advantages for Stewart-Haas is their information and engine sharing program in place with Hendrick Motorsports. While larger teams concern themselves with building motors and chassis, Borland explained their team is able to, in a way, “ignore engines completely.”<br />
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“We’re able to trust completely in Hendrick,” Borland said. “They’re the best at what they do. They provide us great motors, so we focus on things other than motors. Same thing on the chassis side, they build the best chassis out there.”<br />
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“It frees your people up to think about aero, all those other little parts of these cars that get you just that little bit better.”<br />
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Joining Stewart-Haas after years at Joe Gibbs Racing, new Director of Competition Greg Zipadelli has also noticed the solid chemistry. He said the smaller group of people in the shop makes it “easier to get things done.”<br />
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“There’s more racers because of the amount of the people there,” he explained. “The systems work pretty good. Joe Gibbs Racing had gotten so big, the systems were bigger, it took more to get things through, but they could do more in a shorter amount of time when needed. There’s a balance there in our sport of not taking the racing out of racing, but yet still being efficient at what you do in getting a very good product out there to race week-in and week-out.”<br />
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For Addington, the biggest difference he has noticed since joining has been the people within the organization.<br />
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“Every guy in (the shop) has worked on short track cars, late models or Saturday night stuff, even in the engineering department,” he said. “That’s the key, this is a group where the engineering department has respect for the group that goes to the track every week, and the guys that go to the track every week have respect for the engineering department.”<br />
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That environment of mutual respect allows guys from various departments to bounce ideas off each other, finding answers quickly that produce better race cars. Ultimately, though it creates an environment where work is fun, employees enjoy what they do and the product shows once on the track.<br />
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It’s a model they hope will continue to bring home championships in 2012.Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-46324067625744733452012-01-26T16:10:00.001-05:002012-01-26T16:11:22.624-05:00Pocono Raceway Founder Dr. Joe Mattiolo Passes Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dr. Joe Mattioli was a figure in NASCAR that stood above many others. The founder of Pocono Raceway, Doc Mattioli and his family have been a staple in NASCAR for many years and have contributed to the sport in innumerable ways.<br />
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Mattioli had been battling a lengthy illness, and had in the past year stepped aside from the day-to-day role of running the racing facility he created. Thursday, surrounded by his friends and family, Doc Mattioli lost his battle. He was 86.<br />
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The news came Thursday afternoon, as NASCAR's Brian France and Mike Helton were wrapping up a media question and answer session.<br />
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"The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true icon in our sport, Dr. Joe Mattioli," France said in a statement. "Doc’s relationship with my family reaches three generations, all the way back to my grandfather. His passion for the sport will live on in the hearts of his family and our fans. His contributions to our sport are wide-spread. We have lost a great leader – and a great person. NASCAR offers its deepest condolences to his wife Rose and the entire Mattioli family."Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-91160717690035469712012-01-24T16:37:00.000-05:002012-01-25T01:12:49.853-05:00Ganassi Calls 2011 Performance “Pathetic” And Expects Success After Changes<br />
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Team owner Chip Ganassi was straight and to the point Tuesday morning when discussing the disappointment in his organization’s 2011 performance.<br />
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Ganassi opened his session of the Media Tour on Tuesday by thanking the media in attendance and saying, “I hope it’s the last time I have to say we finished 21st and 27th in points last year.”
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The 2010 season was a benchmark for the organization, in which Jamie McMurray won three races, including the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400, and Juan Pablo Montoya went to Victory Lane at Watkins Glen.<br />
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The 2011 season, however was a much different story. Collectively, the pair scored only four top-five and 12 top-10 finishes, never went to Victory Lane and were never a factor in the Chase discussion.<br />
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“It’s pretty obvious what spurred (the changes),” Ganassi said. “We were 21st and 27th in the points. That’s pathetic for a team with our ability and our resources.”<br />
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During the off-season, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing underwent a host of major changes within the shop, which saw long-time team manager Tony Glover, competition director Steve Hmiel, and lead engineer Ed Natham released from the team. EGR brought in John Probst to fill the role of head engineer on the team in October, while Max Jones was hired in December to become the new team manager. In addition, Chris Heroy, formerly with Hendrick Motorsports, was hired as crew chief for Montoya’s No. 42 team.<br />
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“I think we’ve got the right people, I know it’s very early, but you can see the changes,” Montoya said. “You can see there’s a direction moving forward. The team is heading somewhere that is good.”<br />
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Ganassi was clear that if the changes made during the off-season do not produce the desired results, more changes were possible down the road. Team co-owner Felix Sabates pointed out the changes will not produce results right away, but said both the No. 1 and the No. 42 teams need to be strong right out of the gate and assess their program by the fourth race of the year.<br />
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“One of the problems we’ve had in the past, was we kept people too long,” Sabates said. “That’s not going to happen again.”<br />
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According to Sabates, the turning point last year came when Montoya struggled on the road course at Sonoma in June and finished 22nd. For McMurray, the frustrations culminated in May or June when he and Montoya collectively went to their team owner to voice their concerns.<br />
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“It’s really hard as a driver to go into someone like Chip and say, ‘Hey, this is what we think is wrong,’ because we’re not there every day,” McMurray said. “When drivers go and complain, a lot of what they’re complaining about is what people are telling them at the track.”<br />
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However, for Ganassi, that timing was simply a culmination of driver feedback, poor results and frustration.<br />
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“When you have a year like we had last year, you obviously have to make big changes,” Ganassi said. “You look from time to time at yourself and at your management team, the way you’re operating and you try to weigh all factors. I don’t know when it actually hit me, per say, but when it did hit me my mind was made up. Once I made the decision in my own mind, it didn’t take long to carry it out.”<br />
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Crew chief Kevin ‘Bono’ Manion explained the entire team has a new look to it, as well as a new approach to building cars in the shop. Much like Sabates, Manion believes the changes currently taking place in the shop will not produce results for “six to eight months.”<br />
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“I think we’ve got the right people, I know it’s very early, but you can see the changes,” Montoya said. “You can see there’s a direction moving forward. The team is heading somewhere that is good.”<br />
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<br />Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-34821776741883981502012-01-23T16:38:00.001-05:002012-01-25T01:13:50.593-05:00Joe Gibbs Racing Crew Chiefs Working Closely To Move Team Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The NASCAR off-season saw a number of changes take place throughout the sport, and Joe Gibbs Racing is no exception.<br />
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Long-time crew chief Greg Zipadelli departed for Stewart-Haas Racing, while Mike Ford was replaced as crew chief atop Denny Hamlin’s pit box.<br />
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With Zipadelli gone for SHR, JGR opted to promote Jason Ratcliff from the Nationwide side of the organization to work with Joey Logano in the Sprint Cup Series. Ratcliff certainly knows how to win races in the Nationwide Series. In the past three years, the No. 18 car under Ratcliff’s direction scored back-to-back owner championships, 30 wins, 68 top-five, and 85 top-10 finishes.<br />
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Replacing Ford on the No. 11 team is championship winning crew chief Darian Grubb. Joining the organization after his title run with Tony Stewart, Grubb brings confidence, experience and a championship ring to the table.<br />
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After adding two new faces to the Sprint Cup organization, the Gibbs crew chiefs have been working hard during the off-season to mold a solid direction forward for the team. While crew chief Dave Rogers admitted the trio of crew chiefs are still “on our honeymoon,” he indicated the communication has been “very open.”<br />
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“I think we’re challenging each other, and most importantly, giving direction to this shop,” Rogers said.<br />
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“The last couple weeks we have done nothing but performance meetings, which are brainstorm sessions” he said. “Where do we have to be in six months? Where do we need to be in two years? Jason, Darian and I all seem to have a common thought process of what makes a race car go fast. Through that, we are able to make some changes fundamentally in the shop, help organize people with what type of projects we want to work on, and how we want our race cars to go.”<br />
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While Ratcliff has found success in the Nationwide Series, he is a rookie when it comes to running a Sprint Cup team. Despite his inexperience, he hopes to bring a simplistic approach to the organization on a whole.<br />
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“You can be really overwhelmed with how technical this sport can be, and how that has grown over the last five years is phenomenal,” he said. “You can get caught in that pretty quick and overlook the simple approach, the things that got us here. Those simple things will always work.”<br />
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With Grubb and Ratcliff joining the Sprint Cup organization so late in the off-season, Rogers admitted it would take some time before new cars and new ideas start to show up at the track, but the final product could look much different. <br />
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One of the most important parts of this process has been the feedback provided by JGR drivers Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. At the end of 2011, Hamlin often called for major changes within the organization, while Busch saw things much differently. By gathering their feedback and working closely together, all three drivers have already seen improvement.<br />
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“It’s very hard to pinpoint one thing that’s wrong with your race car,” Logano said. “All three of us drive differently, so there could possibly be three separate issues that are there. You’ve got to look at every bit of it, and try to find something, and work on all of them and hit on something eventually. We all put our two cents in it and sometimes we agree with each other, sometimes we don’t, but I value Kyle and Denny’s opinions as much as I value my own opinion and we look at it all equally.”<br />
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“All I can do is give the best feedback I can to these guys to send them in the right direction,” Hamlin said. “Hopefully that’s the right direction at the end when all is said and done. Just looking at some of the changes that have taken place in the off-season, I feel like a lot of things that I've said we should improve in this area or that area, is starting to really get a lot of attention right now.”<br />
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Team owner Joe Gibbs and team president J.D. Gibbs are not absent from this process either. On the contrary, the pair take a hands-on approach to the decisions that dictate the future of the team. Grubb explained this was one of the best things he has noticed in his short time at the organization.<br />
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“I think it’s good that (Joe and J.D. Gibbs) talk to everybody, communicate with everybody – competition side, engineering side, drivers, crew chiefs,” Busch said. “We all talk about it and figure out what’s best for Joe Gibbs Racing and how to make all of us the most competitive.”
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<br /></div>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-12436430804067461132012-01-21T20:57:00.000-05:002012-01-25T01:14:37.860-05:00NASCAR Preview Brings Drivers To The Fans<br />
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The Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame were abuzz Saturday afternoon, as the 2012 NASCAR Preview brought the stars of NASCAR to the fans a month before the season officially kicks off in Daytona.<br />
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The day was full of autograph sessions with drivers from NASCAR’s top-three divisions, as well as NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees and media personalities The drivers ranged from 2011 Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, to young Nationwide Series stars such as Timmy Hill and Blake Koch.<br />
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Fans could be heard bragging about short conversations they had with the drivers, the smiles they got and the perfect autograph on that hero card or souvenir. One teenage girl boasted to her father how Danica Patrick liked her new Stewart-Haas Racing t-shirt featuring Patrick's No. 10 Sprint Cup car.<br />
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"They're just really friendly, they're excited," Patrick said of the NASCAR fans in attendance. "You just really get that sense of care from many of them, and they're all wearing your shirts. They're just really into it. That's a good feeling for a driver, an athlete in general, to see someone cheering for you and your sport, and you're just part of something really big."<br />
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A number of tracks were also on hand Saturday, promoting their events and providing fan giveaways. Among those, was Bristol Motor Speedway. The track hosted a car unveiling and after party with the ever-popular Patrick in advance of their St. Patrick's Day Nationwide race.<br />
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Along with the autograph sessions and interactive events, fans were also able to enjoy things often held away from the public’s view. Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty rekindled memories of that famous day in 1993 in which The King made his final career start, just as Gordon was making his first.<br />
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Petty got a chuckle out of the crowd by describing a young Jeff Gordon as a "pipsqueak of a guy" who "looked about 14 years old."<br />
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Following the conversation, Gordon unveiled his DuPont paint scheme for 2012, commemorating the 20th anniversary of his partnership with the company.<br />
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Tony Stewart joined NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director Winston Kelley to unveil a new exhibit in the Great Hall honoring Stewart's dramatic 2011 championship win. Stewart donated his firesuit, gloves, helmet and shoes worn during last year's season finale at Homestead, along with the check he was presented on stage, a champagne bottle and cork, as well as the tuxedo he wore to the awards banquet.<br />
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Walking around the convention center, fans posed next to the number of 2012 Sprint Cup Series cars, with new paint schemes and driver/team combinations drawing the most attention, as well as the three 2011 series champion cars and trophies.<br />
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Mainly absent from the event, however, were race cars from NASCAR's other divisions, namely the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.<br />
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While a number of Nationwide drivers were in attendance signing autographs, there were only two 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series cars on display - one of which being Tony Stewart's No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.<br />
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Aside from the 2011 championship truck of Austin Dillon, there were no CWTS vehicles at the event.<br />
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According to a NASCAR spokesperson, Sprint Cup Series teams received the initial invites, with involvement coming on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to limited space at the convention center and various building codes, the idea was to bring as many cars as possible for fans to enjoy.<br />
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Following the inaugural event, NASCAR will examine its success through fan feedback and evaluate what changes, if any, need to be made in the future.Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3360331345400883820.post-55768698314962688032012-01-11T13:43:00.007-05:002012-01-25T01:53:59.388-05:002012 NASCAR Season Ready To Get Underway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_t_Sy1Vmx1oCncspDg9USL4U52wlviPKGIVm3txtMrj28QmzivUDstRgNy0u90W2iY1DY9vAhJWvUaCEGUnQnALZW87h9lW2t7BESjMnGquCtxq9JtUfD4uiCF0aXgj2kXinvMERyYc/s1600/Daytona+testing.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696488860996040738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_t_Sy1Vmx1oCncspDg9USL4U52wlviPKGIVm3txtMrj28QmzivUDstRgNy0u90W2iY1DY9vAhJWvUaCEGUnQnALZW87h9lW2t7BESjMnGquCtxq9JtUfD4uiCF0aXgj2kXinvMERyYc/s320/Daytona+testing.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 178px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
The dust has officially settled on the 2012 NASCAR off-season as drivers, teams and media outlets make their way to Daytona Beach, Fla. for this weekend's preseason testing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. <br />
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Hitting the track for an official test for the first time since the dramatic season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, teams will be testing new rides, new relationships and new rules.</div>
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Teams will be testing new rules put in place by NASCAR in the hopes of breaking up the two-car tandem drafting. NASCAR has implemented smaller radiators, a smaller overflow tank and a smaller spoiler, among other things. </div>
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Here is a look at the new rules package teams will be testing this weekend:</div>
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<li>Smaller radiators (maximum of 2 gallon capacity)</li>
<li>Smaller overflow tank (maximum capacity of 1/2 gallon)</li>
<li>Radiator inlet is moved up closer into the front center bumper area</li>
<li>Rate reduction in the springs - softer springs</li>
<li>Smaller rear spoiler</li>
<li>Base line restrictor plate of 29/32 inch (1/64 inch larger than 2011 Daytona 500 plate)</li>
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Fans can follow along the action this weekend in Daytona by watching live coverage on SPEED, while SPEEDTV.com will also provide free streaming access from 9 a.m. until Noon Thursday through Saturday. </div>
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The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will have a much different look in 2012, as a number of drivers, crew chiefs, spotters and sponsors have moved around during the short off-season. The changes came early and often this off-season, making it tough to keep track of all that was going on. <br />
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So, here is a brief run down of the changes for the 2012 season:</div>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/McDonald's/Belkin/Liftmaster/Banana Boat Chevrolet (New sponsors)<br /><b>Driver:</b> Jamie McMurray<br /><b>Crew Chief:</b> Kevin "Bono" Manion<br /><b>Team Manager:</b> Max Jones (Previously held by Tony Glover)</li>
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<li><b>Car:</b> No. 5 Farmers Insurance/Quaker State Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver: </b>Kasey Kahne (Moved from Red Bull Racing)<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Kenny Francis (Moved from Red Bull Racing)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver:</b> Danica Patrick<br /><b>Crew Chief:</b> Greg Zipadelli<br /><b>Note:</b> Patrick and the No. 10 team will run 10 races for Stewart-Haas Racing, including the Daytona 500, Darlington and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 11 FedEx Toyota (Will use Toyota Racing Development for engines)<br /><b>Driver: </b>Denny Hamlin<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Darian Grubb (Moved from Stewart-Haas Racing)<br /><b>Spotter: </b>Chris Lambert (Moved from Red Bull Racing No. 83 team)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 13 GEICO Ford (was Toyota)<br /><b>Driver: </b>Casey Mears<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Bootie Barker</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 14 Office Depot/Mobile 1 Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver: </b>Tony Stewart<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Steve Addington (Moved from Penske Racing)<br /><b>Director of Competition:</b> Greg Zipadelli (Moved from Joe Gibbs Racing, will also serve as crew chief to Danica Patrick)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota<br /><b>Driver: </b>Clint Boywer (moved from Richard Childress Racing)<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Brian Pattie (Former crew chief at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing)<br /><b>Spotter: </b>Ty Norris</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 17 Best Buy/Valvoline Ford (Best Buy moved from Richard Petty Motorsports)<br /><b>Driver: </b>Matt Kenseth<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Jimmy Fennig</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 18 M&M's/Combos/Snickers/Pedigree/Doublemint/Interstate Batteries Toyota<br /><b>Driver: </b>Kyle Busch<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Dave Rogers<br /><b>Spotter: </b>Todd Hirscham (Moved from Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 team)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 20 Home Depot/Dollar General (Dollar General new to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2012)<br /><b>Driver: </b>Joey Logano<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Jason Ratcliff (Moved up from Nationwide Series with JGR)<br /><b>Spotter: </b>Rocky Ryan (Moved from Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 team)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge<br /><b>Driver: </b>AJ Allmendinger (Moved from Richard Petty Motorsports)<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Todd Gordon (Moved up from Nationwide Series with Penske Racing)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 24 AARP Drive to End Hunger/DuPont Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver: </b>Jeff Gordon<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Alan Gustafson<br /><b>Spotter: </b>Eddie D'Hondt (Moved from Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 team)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver: </b>Kevin Harvick<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Shane Wilson (Previously crew chief for Clint Bowyer's No. 33 team at RCR)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 31 Caterpillar/Wheaties/General Mills/BB&T Chevrolet (Wheaties/General Mills/BB&T moved from now defunct No. 33 team)<br /><b>Driver: </b>Jeff Burton<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Drew Blickensderfer (Moved from Roush Fenway Racing)</li>
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<li><b>Car:</b> No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford<br /><b>Driver: </b>David Ragan (Moved from Roush Fenway Racing)<br /><b>Crew Chief:</b> Jay Guy</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 35 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver: </b>David Reutimann (Reutimann moved from Michael Waltrip Racing, will run partial schedule)<br />C<b>rew Chief: </b>Tommy Baldwin Jr.</li>
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<li><b>Car:</b> No. 38 ModSpace/Taco Bell/Long John Silver's Ford<br /><b>Driver: </b>David Gilliland<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Derrick Finley (Interim crew chief/Competition director)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 39 U.S. Army/Tornados/Quicken Loans (new)/Outback Steakhouse (new)<br /><b>Driver: </b>Ryan Newman<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Tony Gibson</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 42 Target Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver: </b>Juan Pablo Montoya<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Chris Heroy (Moved from Hendrick Motorsports, where he was an engineer)<br /><b>Team Manager:</b> Max Jones</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 43 Smithfield Ford<br /><b>Driver: </b>Aric Almirola (Moved from JR Motorsports Nationwide Series team)<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Greg Erwin (Starting his first full year with the team)<br /><b>Spotter: </b> Tyler Green (Moved from JR Motorsports No. 88 team as Almirola's spotter)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 51 TAG Heuer Eyeware (Budweiser Shootout sponsor) Chevrolet<br /><b>Driver: </b>Kurt Busch (Moved from Penske Racing)<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Nick Harrison<br /><b>Spotter: </b>Steve Barkdoll (team general manager)</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota (Changed from No. 00)<br /><b>Driver: </b>Mark Martin/Michael Waltrip (Martin moved from Hendrick Motorsports)<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Rodney Childers</li>
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<li><b>Car: </b>No. 99 Fastenal/Best Buy/UPS/Aflac/Scotts/Subway/Kellogg's Frosted Flakes/Cheez-It Ford<br /><b>Driver: </b>Carl Edwards<br /><b>Crew Chief: </b>Bob Osborne</li>
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This massive upheaval during the off-season cost many in the sport their jobs, including a handful of race-winning drivers. Brian Vickers and David Ragan are still without a ride as the season opening events near, while Landon Cassill is also on the market after Phoenix Racing announced the addition of Kurt Busch.</div>
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In addition, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland and J.J. Yeley also have uncertain futures, as Front Row Motorsports has yet to officially announce their driver lineup for the 2012 season. </div>
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Check back throughout the week to follow the action from Daytona. </div>
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<br /></div>Jay W. Pennellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10224127651773085783noreply@blogger.com0