Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
As predicted the weather played havoc with this past weekend’s race activities. Both Nationwide and Sprint Cup series teams and drivers were able to participate in their one and only practice session on Friday. However, Friday qualifying sessions were canceled and both races were postponed until Sunday with the Cup race set to run first.
The starting lineup for both races were set according to owner points, which meant Joey Logano was not able to make his Cup debut in the 02 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. It does look like he will be able to attempt to qualify for this weekend’s race in Loudon, N.H. (more…)
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
As the revolving door of NASCAR spins, there is at least one door that is closed in order for a new door to be opened.
Tony Stewart made it official Thursday. He’ll be part owner (50 percent) of HAAS CNC Racing and he’ll drive for his new team, Stewart-HAAS Racing when this season is over. This also meant he’d return to Chevrolet.
The announcement had been inevitable since all the talk was started, but more when Joe Gibbs Racing announced Wednesday that they would let Stewart out of his contract after the current season. Stewart’s contract was signed until the end of 2009.
During Thursday’s press conference, the worried, or rather disgusted look that was apparent on Stewart’s face since the middle of March was gone. He smiled and chuckled as he made the announcement. (more…)
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
The weekend started a day, or rather night, earlier than usual, with a Cup practice session, both Nationwide practice sessions and Cup qualifying.
During qualifying, Ryan “Rocketman” Newman was able to put his No. 12 Alltel Dodge on the pole and starting second, beside him, was Elliott Sadler in the No. 19 Best Buy Dodge. Sadler and his Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) teammate, Kasey Kahne, No. 9 Budweiser Dodge, teams brought brand new cars to the track. A fact that was evident, with Kahne sitting fifth in the lineup.
Carl Edwards, No. 99 Aflac Ford, and Mark Martin, No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet, rounded out the top five. However, the three Dodges wouldn’t fair very well in Saturday’s race. (more…)
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Wednesday, April 9th, 2008
The Samsung 500 at the Great American Speedway — apparently the new name for Texas Motor Speedway — wasn’t the best race, so far, this season. Not much happened during the race.
That wasn’t the same for Sprint Cup qualifying two days before.
Michael McDowell, driver of the No. 00 Aaron’s Toyota, began his first lap in his qualifying attempt. As he turned into the corner, it appeared the car got loose and he over-corrected it by “hooking to the right,” said McDowell on The Today Show Monday. In doing so, he went straight into the wall.
Due to the tremendous amount of speed, once the car initially hit the wall, it flew up and barrel-rolled several times. “I counted seven,” (more…)
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Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
An off weekend means, not only was I bored, but I have a chance to review the first five races of the season.
I have been very pleased with the racing, so far. I think this new car, respectfully the Car of Today (no longer should it be called the Car of Tomorrow), is worth the aggravation it brought last year. The racing has improved, maybe that isn’t just due to the new car, but nonetheless it has been enjoyable to watch.
The race finishes, most of them, have been spectacular. (more…)
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Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
Last Thursday, all the 53 drivers entered into the Daytona 500 — the Great American Race — competed in two separate qualifying races — the Gatorade Duels. Only four were able to race their way into the Daytona 500 (John Andretti, Dale Jarrett, Kenny Wallace, and Brian Vickers).
The first duel win went to Dale Earnhardt Jr. who dominate the race and was able to secure his win thanks to Reed Sorenson, driver of the No. 41 Target Dodge, who help push him and keep in first position. This left everyone, including myself, to speculate whether he’d win the 500 or not. I was leaning towards the yes, as were many others that I talked with.
The second duel was won by Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota. This gave Toyota their first Cup win and momentum for the 500. Despite Hamlin being the first Toyota winner, he wasn’t the one everyone was eying for the first coveted win. (more…)
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