Motorsports FanHouse

Live Chat With Dale Jarrett

Holly Cain — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:10:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Indianapolis Motor Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS -- He's won the Brickyard 400 two times, so he knows what it takes to succeed at Indy. He's current ESPN race analyst Dale Jarrett, and he'll be chatting live with FanHouse.

NASCAR's 1999 Cup champion joined us for a live chat from Indianapolis. Ask Dale any question you want, from his pick to win the Allstate 400 to ... well, that's up to you.

Check out the chat wrap after the jump.

Also, don't forget that myself (Holly Cain) and blogger Geoffrey Miller will be checking in all weekend live from Indy with race coverage, behind-the-scenes reports, and more.

We also chatted with Jimmie Johnson and Sam Hornish Jr. earlier today. Stay with FanHouse all weekend for great NASCAR coverage.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;altcast_code=a8f9658d77&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Dale Jarrett Live Chat&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Live Chat With Dale Jarrett originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chat with Jimmie Johnson, Sam Hornish Jr., Dale Jarrett on Friday

Holly Cain — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Dave Blaney, Jimmie Johnson, Sam Hornish Jr., Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Join FanHouse for a NASCAR "Chat with Champions" on Friday from the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, site of this week's AllState 400 at the Brickyard.

Jimmie Johnson, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion and defending AllState 400 winner, will chat live at 11:15AM Friday, followed by 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr., at 12:15 PM ET.

Two-time Brickyard 400 winner Dale Jarrett, NASCAR's 1999 Cup champion and current ESPN race analyst, will chat at 4:30 PM ET.

NASCAR's visit to racing's hallowed Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the most anticipated events on the schedule, and FanHouse has you covered. In addition to the interactive chats, Holly Cain will provide on-site coverage beginning Thursday with Geoffrey Miller joining her on race day.

Chat with Jimmie Johnson, Sam Hornish Jr., Dale Jarrett on Friday originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jarrett Finally Drives the Truck

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip Racing, Sprint Cup

While he didn't race it, Dale Jarrett finally hopped into the big, brown UPS truck Saturday prior to the Sprint All-Star Race XXIV during driver introductions.

Watch below as Jarrett takes the mammoth vehicle for a low-speed lap around the speedway:

I suppose you could say this is my way of honoring the former Sprint Cup champion who finished his career with an impressive 32 race wins in NASCAR's top series. Among those, were wins at Daytona, Charlotte, Darlington, and Indianapolis -- some of the sport's crown jewels.

Frankly, I know for a fact that I just simply couldn't write a a story about Jarrett that matches with some of the best stories that NASCAR writers can do, so I'll take my humble dose and let them tell the story of his incredible career.

Here's a few of my favorites from around the Web:

"Patience Has Its Rewards, Jarrett Finds"
- David Poole, Charlotte Observer

"Final Run: Jarrett Expects Emotion Outing"
- Rea White, NASCAR Scene

"Jarrett leaving behind Hall of Fame Career"
- NASCAR on FOX crew, FOX Sports

Here's to you, DJ.

Video: Jarrett Finally Drives the Truck originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 20 May 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Dale Jarrett's 1993 Daytona 500 Win

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:32:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Bristol Motor Speedway, Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Videos, Michael Waltrip Racing, Sprint Cup

With Dale Jarrett racing in his final points-paying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway, plenty of memories come flooding back about his storied NASCAR career.

The top of that list? The "Dale and Dale Show" from the 1993 Daytona 500. Watch below as his father, Ned Jarrett, calls his son (Green No. 18 car) to victory past Dale Earnhardt and others -- and try not to smile as he crosses the finish line.

That moment, with Ken Squier stepping out of his role in CBS booth in play-by-play to allow Ned to seemingly instruct his son to victory in the sport's biggest event, is definitely one of the tops in Daytona 500.

One championship, 32 wins, 288 Top-10s, 16 poles -- all impressive for a driver who had even more class than his statistics will ever show. And don't forget about his marquee wins of two Daytona 500s, two Brickyard 400s and a Coca-Cola 600.

When Jarrett hangs up the driving gloves of the No. 44 UPS Toyota after Sunday's Food City 500, NASCAR will lose yet another of the tremendous guiding influences this sport has had from the drivers seat.

Luckily, Jarrett will make one more start at the Sprint All-Star Race in May and will then take over a full-time role in the ESPN broadcast booth so he won't be entirely gone from the sport

What's your favorite Dale Jarrett moment? His first win at Michigan over Davey Allison? His win in the 1996 Daytona 500? His incident with Shane Hmiel?

Video: Dale Jarrett's 1993 Daytona 500 Win originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vegas Vacation? Not for Past Champions

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, NASCAR Crashes, Sprint Cup

It wasn't a particularly good weekend at Las Vegas for former champions of the Sprint Cup series in the UAW-Dodge 400.

Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Dale Jarrett, and Matt Kenseth all had trouble at some point during the event that saw a record 11 cautions.

Defending two-time champion Jimmie Johnson was just horrendous all day.

The highest-finishing past champ was Bobby Labonte in the 17th-position. The rest are counted down by their finishing position:

20th - Matt Kenseth, No. 17 USG Sheetrock Ford

Kenseth had a very decent run going Sunday and looked to be the more-dominant of the Roush Fenway group through the middle parts of the race. His trouble came after contact with Gordon off of turn 2 with four laps remaining.

Gordon's No. 24 got tight, slid up the track, and barely clipped Kenseth's rear, spinning the No. 17 from 2nd-place. Kenseth saved the car with two flat tires, pitted and would up 20th after leading 70 laps.

29th - Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowes Chevrolet

Terrible wouldn't even begin to describe the type of handling that Johnson experienced Sunday at Las Vegas. Crew chief Chad Knaus threw two or three kitchen sinks at the car throughout the race and nothing worked.

By the time it was all over, Johnson found himself two laps down and basically running a glorified testing session and pit stop practice. Of all the finishers, this could be the most shocking with the brutal consistency were used to from Johnson & Co.

35th - Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Dupont/Nicorette Chevrolet

Gordon's day at Vegas was starting to make us believe that despite the suspension problem at Daytona, 2008 was going to be another impressively consistent season in the Sprint Cup series for the 4-time champ. He led 19 laps and spent little time out of the Top-5.

That was the case, at least, until Gordon and Kenseth got together off of turn 2. It ended with Gordon finishing 35th after one of his hardest crashes ever, and also left the No. 24 22nd in the season standings.

38th - Kurt Busch, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge

The Las Vegas native was hoping to win his first race at his home track Sunday after starting 9th on the grid. On lap 53 though, things started to go south for Busch.

The No. 2 was cited for being too fast on pit road during green flag stops and had to serve a pass-through penalty, dropping Busch a lap down. He eventually fought back towards the front until lap 255 -- just 12 from the finish. Busch exploded a right front tire and pounded the wall off of turn 4.

The impact completely destroyed Busch's front-end and right side.

39th - Dale Jarrett, No. 44 UPS Toyota

Jarrett, the 1999 champion, certainly hasn't started his final five races very well and that didn't change at Las Vegas. He'll be hanging up the wheel for good after the Sprint Showdown in May, and two late crashes at Vegas and California have taken him out of those events.

Sunday, Jarrett wasn't having an incredibly stellar day, but with 36 laps to go he got loose in turn 1, slid up, and hit the wall with the rear-end. It was enough to end the run for Jarrett who wrecked very similarly in California.

43rd - Tony Stewart, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota

The last time that Stewart finished 43rd was in the 2007 Daytona 500. That crash, while hard, didn't leave as much of an impact on the two-time champion.

Stewart wrecked hard on Saturday during the Nationwide Series event and bruised up his foot a little bit. On Sunday, another exploded right-front tire shot Stewart straight in to the turn 3 wall with a jarring impact. Stewart was left a little bit dazed and felt some pain in his lower back, but by the time he was released from the infield care center, he was feeling better.

Stewart was definitely sore on Monday, but he managed to participate in the Phoenix test sessions for Sprint Cup teams.

Vegas Vacation? Not for Past Champions originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rain Friday Would Create Top-35 Havoc

Geoffrey Miller — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Kurt Busch, Sprint Cup

Last season, a number of drivers were burned by the combination of the Top-35 rule and rain on the day of qualifying for several NASCAR Sprint Cup events.

Case in point? Boris Said.

The road course ace has tried to gather together sponsorship and a quality team together to compete in a handful of races every year, and his current situation has No Fear Energy Drink as the sponsor with support from Roush Fenway Racing.

That combination had Boris on the pole for last year's Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July -- until a rain storm canceled qualifying midway through the session, sending Boris home instead of into a race on the following night.

Friday, rain is possible and the NASCAR Scene has developed a list of go-homers in the event of rain. From the Scene:

The top 35 in owners points from 2007 are locked into the field. If qualifying is canceled, the first 35 positions are allocated by owners points from last year for the first five races of the season.

Barring any teams having missed the entry list deadline, the remaining eight spots would be allocated like this:

The 36th spot would go to Kurt Busch (Penske Racing) because he won a race last year. Busch is not in the top 35 in owners points from last year because the team transferred those points to Sam Hornish. The next two positions would go to past champions Dale Jarrett (Michael Waltrip Racing) and Bill Elliott (Wood Brothers Racing).

Because this is one of the first five races of the season, the next spots are filled by anyone in the top 35 in this year's owners points. That would put Red Bull Racing's Brian Vickers, MWR's David Reutimann and MWR's Michael Waltrip in the field.

The next spots would be based on qualifying attempts, with ties broken by current owners points. That would put Front Row Motorsport's John Andretti and Furniture Row's Joe Nemechek in the field.

Missing the race would be Furntiure Row's Kenny Wallace, Red Bull Racing's AJ Allmendinger, BAM Racing's Ken Schrader, Gillett Evernham Motorsports' Patrick Carpentier, Front Row Motorsports' Kevin Lepage, Bill Davis Racing's Mike Skinner and E&M Motorsports' Burney Lamar.

So there you have it. Print this article out and if it rains on Friday afternoon during Sprint Cup qualifying, you'll have the insiders knowledge.

Qualifying starts at 6:30pm/ET Friday.

Rain Friday Would Create Top-35 Havoc originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Waltrip Racing Cars Will Have Gold Wheels for Start of 50th Daytona 500

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:10:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, Toyota, Daytona Int'l Speedway, Michael Waltrip Racing, David Reutimann, Sprint Cup

Check out all of the NASCAR Fanhouse Daytona Speedweeks Coverage.
On Sunday, stop by for the live blog of the 50th Daytona 500 at 3:00pm/ET.

Last year, Michael Waltrip and his race team, Michael Waltrip Racing, faced one of most-publicized cheating scandals in NASCAR history. An illegal additive in Waltrip's No. 55 had set his team on its collective ear, and proved to be a barometer of the season MWR would have.

2008, though, is a much different story.

Waltrip put his No. 55 NAPA Toyota on the outside of the front row for Sunday's 50th-running of the Daytona 500 and his teammates, David Reutimann and Dale Jarrett, secured starting positions in the event.

The team has sported silver wheels for the past year and in all on-track activities during the 2008 Daytona Speedweeks. Sunday though, that will change.

Michael Waltrip and his three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will pay tribute to the golden anniversary of the Daytona 500 on Sunday by starting the 50th running of The Great American Race sporting specially-designed gold wheels.

Following the 200-lap event, the wheels will be autographed and sold to raise money for charities supported by the France family.

[...]

The Waltrip teams will run the gold wheels only for the start of the race, moving back to their traditional chrome wheels after the first round of pit stops.

I don't think I can remember too many cars in history that have sported gold wheels, but if anyone in the NASCAR garage would do this, it'd be Waltrip.

With only 12 of these wheels available for auction, I'd imagine the price will be pretty steep, and if one of the MWR cars wins on Sunday -- it wouldn't be as surprising as you'd think -- expect that price to raise ten-fold.

Michael Waltrip Racing Cars Will Have Gold Wheels for Start of 50th Daytona 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daytona Testing Part II: Maybe Dale Jarrett Won't Need Past Champion Provisional

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jarrett, Toyota, Daytona Int'l Speedway, Michael Waltrip Racing, Sprint Cup, NASCAR Testing

Click for previous NASCAR Testing posts from Daytona.

It's been a long time in the NASCAR world since we've seen two Dales lead at the top of any list statistically.

The second round of preseason Sprint Cup testing at Daytona International Speedway changed that Monday morning as soon-to-be-retired Dale Jarrett topped all drivers on the speed chart. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s new Hendrick ride was second fastest.

Jarrett's lap time of 184.987mph not only paced the Monday morning single-lap session, but also bested Jimmie Johnson's best single-lap time from the first round of testing a week ago at DIS.

Running fast in qualifying trim for Jarrett is going to be especially crucial for Daytona and the four remaining races he plans to race into this season. The No. 44 Michael Waltrip Racing entry failed to make 12 races.

Jarrett, despite being a past champion, will not always be able to fall back on the guaranteed spot in a race for a past champ because of an owner points swap at Penske racing that allowed Kurt Busch's points from a year ago to be transferred to Sam Hornish Jr.'s new ride.

Busch, the 2004 champ, would automatically be in the field of a race because his championship was more recent. Jarrett finished outside the Top-35 in points last season, leaving him as a go-fast-or-go-home car if Busch needs a provisional.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was nearly a tenth of a second off the pace of Jarrett at 184.646mph for second place on the morning chart. Rookie and 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti was third, Jarrett's other No. 44 was fourth, and Tony Stewart was fifth in his first outing under the Toyota banner.

Testing continues through Wednesday afternoon with over 50 different cars already have taken the track. Stay with NASCAR Fanhouse for continued updates!

Daytona Testing Part II: Maybe Dale Jarrett Won't Need Past Champion Provisional originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jarrett to Replace Ousted Wallace in Booth

tallglassofmilk — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, NASCAR Media Watch

Guess what, fans? ESPN really does listen to us! Or ... maybe they just listen to their own broadcasts and realize how painful they are all on their own.

Rusty Wallace is out! Out I say! Done deal. My source actually used the word "fired!"

I'll tell ya what ... I don't care if he was fired, quit or otherwise. I'd just like to wish him good riddance. One Answer this... reader suggests that ESPN will shift Wallace back to the IRL booth. Good for him--they can have him.

Wallace will be replaced by the retiring Dale Jarrett, who drove circles around his fellow former champion in the booth this season.

Never thought I'd say it .. Thank you, ESPN!

Update: Daly Planet has also received a confirmation that Rusty is out.

Update: Official Comment from ESPN

"Rusty Wallace is our guy. We have a long-term contract with him. He's the voice of NASCAR on ESPN."
NORBY WILLIAMSON - ESPN Executive Vice President, Studio and Remote Production

That's disappointing. I should like to withdrawal my thanks and hope that Mr. Williamson is just saying that 'cause he has to and that he'll be telling us something different at a later date.

Jarrett to Replace Ousted Wallace in Booth originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jarrett to Retire After Six Races in 2008?

tallglassofmilk — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:43:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Nextel Cup

1999 Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett is expected to announce later this week that he will run six races in 2008. Or ... uh ... as many as he can get in before running out of championship provisionals

Part of me wishes that Jarrett had retired in the #88 rather than having such a dismal last full-time season with Michael Waltrip Racing. But it was cool he postponed his retirement to race awhile longer and help his good friends The Waltrips get their team up and running.

In making a decision about his future, Jarrett considered the advice he received earlier this year from Hall of Fame quarterback and former NASCAR team owner Terry Bradshaw:

"He said, 'Look, make sure you drive as long as you want to and as long as you can, because once you're out, nobody has ever gone back and done anything good, whether it's your sport or his sport or football.' I took that into consideration. I thought that was pretty good advice."

Good advice indeed. Where was Bradshaw when Michael Jordan retired the first time? And second ...

All the free time Jarrett had on his hands this season afforded him the opportunity to test his skills in the broadcast booth. Fans loved him. We would like to see him spend the rest of his semi-retirement there. You listening, ESPN? Bump Rusty. Give us some DJ.

Dale Jarrett Career Stats / Accomplishments
1999 Winston Cup Championship
1998 Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers
1996 Daytona 500 Winner
First Race: 1984 Sovran Bank 500 (Martinsville)
First Win: 1991 Champion Spark Plug 400 (Michigan)
Last Win: 2005 UAW Ford 500 (Talladega)
Career: 32 Wins, 163 Top 5s, 260 Top 10s, 16 Poles in 659 starts

Jarrett to Retire After Six Races in 2008? originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jarrett Will Be Back, Rudd Won't

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 01:11:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Ford, Toyota, Roush Fenway Racing, Nextel Cup, Ricky Rudd, Yates Racing, NASCAR Silly Season

Dale Jarrett hasn't had the best of years -- by far.

That, though, doesn't mean the Cup Champ is going to step out of the driver seat of the No. 44 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota before his contract is up at the end of 2008.

"I'm very fortunate to have a sponsor that's very committed to our program, and I'm fortunate as a driver that they built their marketing program around me, and so that's very good," he said. "Do they want to do better? Sure. We all do. They're no different than anyone else, but never has there been anything said about making a change or doing anything different."

UPS really should be given a pat on the back for their support of Jarrett. Can the man still wheel a race car? Definitely. Can he make hilarious commercials? He can act in them, I suppose.

And they realize that Toyota will make some nice strides in 2008 with the Car of Tomorrow.

Rudd One and Done

As for Jarrett's old car and teammate, Ricky Rudd has deciding to hang it up again next year.

Though contemplating full retirement, Rudd hasn't taken his name away from anything, other than saying he won't be back at Yates and that he is tired of the daily grind.

Isn't that we he left the sport for a year ago?

Jarrett Will Be Back, Rudd Won't originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 01:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MWR Denies '08 Downsizing, Retirement

Geoffrey Miller — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:22:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, NASCAR Rumors, Pit Crews, David Reutimann

Michael Waltrip Racing denied today a report from RacingOne that Dale Jarrett would be out of the ride in 2008 and that UPS was already packing up. (Heh, get it?)

The original report about DJ from International Speedway Corporation affiliate RacingOne:

Toyota is expected to pair down Michael Waltrip racing from a three-car effort to a two-car squad, shifting some of that support to JGR's three-car team of Busch, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin. Dale Jarrett is said to be seriously considering retirement, trading in his helmet for a microphone as a television analyst, which would leave MWR with Waltrip and David Reutimann.

There must be something to the rampant rumor that Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing are forming a partnership for '08, you'd think.

Anyways, this race fan would be more than happy to have Dale Jarrett replace Rusty Wallace in the ESPN booth. MWR's words with ESPN (via Jayski) didn't sound like that was even feasible:

on Wednesday's NASCAR Now [ESPN2] Angelique Chengelis reported that Michael Waltrip Racing's Ty Norris said there was absolutely no morsel of truth to the rumor about MWR scaling back to two teams or Dale Jarrett leaving, plus Norris was at a UPS Sponsor summit and that UPS says things are going well

Other than the language use of 'morsel', you've gotta wonder what exactly happens at a "sponsor summit".

Could it potentially be the spot where the big brown truck gets to films commercials for so many pictures?

Imagine the possibilities with Dale Jarrett, a big brown truck, and an impressive advertising firm.

"Wait 'til you see his sister!"

MWR Denies '08 Downsizing, Retirement originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blaney on Pole and Other Toyota Qualifying Surprises

tallglassofmilk — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Toyota, NASCAR Awards, Nextel Cup, Michael Waltrip Racing, Dave Blaney

Toyota is celebrating a Nextel Cup milestone today: their first Bud Pole Award.

Dave Blaney put the manufacturer on top of the New Hampshire International Speedway scoring pylon today and became the first driver outside the top 35 in points to nab the pole.

Blaney has qualified for more races than any other Toyota driver, but he doesn't seem to know what to do once he gets there and can't seem to climb his way into the top 35. Kyle Petty's trying to help him out by sitting out a few.

Brian Vickers, who I had previously named as Toyota's emerging star, has qualified on time for 9 races and made Sunday's Lenox Industrial Tools 300 his tenth. Unfortunately, he got a post-qualifying surprise when his time was disallowed after the #83 car failed inspection. He'll join Red Bull teammate A.J. Allmendinger on the couch.

Per usual, Michael Waltrip and Dale Jarrett will be sitting this one out, but MWR's David Reutimann is in starting 17th.

And in another qualifying surprise, Blaney's teammate Jeremy Mayfield qualified for his sixth race. Remember when he was, like, a chase contender?

One man's loss is another man's gain.
Since Vickers won't need his PR rep in the pits on raceday, Ashley Miller will be free to sit atop her boyfriend's pit box and give him the extra girlfriend support he might be needing since recently meeting her parents. What must it be like bringing Kasey Kahne home to meet mom and dad?

Blaney on Pole and Other Toyota Qualifying Surprises originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vickers Best Qualifier on Time, Again

tallglassofmilk — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, Nextel Cup

Leader of the Outside the Top 35 Pack
For the second week in a row, Red Bull driver Brian Vickers claimed the top starting spot among those teams outside the Top 35. Vickers' team currently sits in 39th position in owner points. While he sits only less than 200 points back from the 35th spot, he has not yet been able to close the gap because those drivers in between keep making races, too.

Following the Leader
Fellow Toyota driver Dave Blaney scores the second sweet spot for the second consecutive week. He'll start in 17th.

The Wood Brothers/JTG Racing #21 Motorcraft Genuine Auto Parts Ford will start 21st. Bill Elliott qualified on time for the third time in four entries and still has five championship provisionals left. Having Elliott in the car hasn't produced the results they were looking for yet. The team has gone from 39th to 40th since Elliott stepped in at Lowe's.

Scott Riggs, who has only had one DNQ despite having to race in every weekend, will start 22nd.

Paul Menard, David Reutimann and A.J. Allmendinger will bring up the rear starting in 38th, 40th and 43rd respectively.

Losers of the Week (DNQs)
Mike Bliss (11), Ward Burton (8), Dale Jarrett (4), Kevin Lepage (12), Jeremy Mayfield (10), Kenny Wallace (7)

Vickers Best Qualifier on Time, Again originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Terry the Latest Champion Tapped For Ride

tallglassofmilk — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:10:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, Nextel Cup, Michael Waltrip Racing

Two-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte has been tapped by Michael Waltrip Racing to compete in this season's road course races--in the #55:

"It's not an easy decision for me to remove myself from the car, but I know it is for the betterment of our whole program," Waltrip said. "I know Terry's experience and road race savvy will breathe a breath of fresh air into my young NAPA team."

Was this news a contributing factor in the Dale Jarrett rumors? Who knows.

"To put Terry in the car is a reflection of the big picture we are trying to establish with this NAPA Racing team and I know this will be a spark this team needs," Waltrip said.

It is assumed that Labonte will be the most recent champion (1996), which entitles him to the provisional entry if necessary, and since Jarrett has already used his, it doesn't put him out at all.

Labonte takes the wheel for the first time on June 24 in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon, where he has six top 5s and eight top 10 finishes.

He did a great job for Hall of Fame Racing last year keeping their team in the top 35 so Tony Raines didn't have to sweat qualifying. It's a little late for that for MWR, but it sure can't hurt!

Texas Terry the Latest Champion Tapped For Ride originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jarrett's Performance Causes Rumors to Confuse Each Other

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:57:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Toyota, NASCAR Gossip, NASCAR Rumors, Nextel Cup, Michael Waltrip Racing, NASCAR Silly Season

Dale Jarrett hasn't exactly been the class of the field at all this season.

Those six championship provisionals he's got were exhausted quickly, and he's since missed 3 races.

Sunday, came rumor of a possible restructure to his role with Michael Waltrip Racing because of that performance. Something along the lines of switching teams within the Toyota camp was the gist of it -- which didn't make a lick of sense to me because Toyotas have generally been terrible in 2007.

I'm pretty sure the rumor started over at Tom Jensen's "Answer Man" blog Sunday with:

"Hi Tom. Any truth to this? On XM this afternoon: Dale Jarrett along with officials at Michael Waltrip Racng, and Toyota are reevaluating Jarrett's future with the team. [...] [T]he team's inability to provide Jarrett with equipment to develop the Toyota Camry for Nextel competetion, has taken a toll on the 1999 Winston Cup champion. Options being discussed are granting Jarrett his release, or subcontracing Jarrett to a diffrent Toyota team, or having Jarrett drive for a current Nextel Cup team switiching to Toyota next year. Thanks. - Karin from Sidney, Ohio"

Jensen didn't dispel the reader's rumor, but rather suggested that it could happen despite not knowing any firm info other than MWR's lackluster performance.
Naturally, the rumor got back to Jayski by way of Ford Racing (you don't think Ford ishappy to see Jarrett struggle, huh?) and he posted a blurb, but later today updated it with:

UPDATE: the Ford Racing site had the above posted, but removed it without explanation or update for a bad rumor, supposedly XMRadio said it was never aired.(6-11-2007)

So either something is up here with Jarrett or Karin from Sidney, OH has been plotting agendas/getting in the reefer while listening to satellite radio.

In any case, many would have to remember that Jarrett had a definite price to be taken away from Ford and that was a steep one.

Don't think he'd walk away from that cash cow so quickly -- especially since he's retiring in a year.

Then again, however, Dale Jr. is a free agent right now.

Jarrett's Performance Causes Rumors to Confuse Each Other originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Bull Top Qualifier of Non-Top 35

tallglassofmilk — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, Toyota

Leader of the Outside the Top 35 Pack
Brian Vickers was the top qualifier of all drivers outside the top 35 in owner points.

As predicted, the red bull had no trouble qualifying on the Pocono tri-oval. He'll start in the 9th position, a season best.

For now, Vickers is pleased with his team's progress and the direction in which it is headed:

"We seem to be really good in the races and I'm really proud of Toyota and TRD (Toyota Racing Development). They've been working real hard and it has shown in the last couple races with how well the Toyotas have been running. I'm real proud of our entire Red Bull team that's building these race cars -- our intermediate program has really been improving week after week. We've been doing a good job in the race and Doug (Richert) has been calling great races. I'm just excited to race Sunday and hopefully we can be just as good when we get to Michigan."

Following the Leader
Dave Blaney returns after sitting Dover out. He starts 14th. Ward Burton 20th. Paul Menard starts his first race with a new crew chief in the 21st spot.

David Reutimann will be the sole representative for Michael Waltrip Racing, starting in 23rd. Vickers Red Bull teammate A.J. Allmendinger will pull off 28th. Scott Riggs 31st.

Bill Elliott was forced to used a championship provisional this week and will start 43rd.

Losers of the Week (DNQs)
Mike Bliss (10), Dale Jarrett (3), Kevin Lepage (11), Jeremy Mayfield (9), Kenny Wallace (6), Michael Waltrip (12)

Red Bull Top Qualifier of Non-Top 35 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Decade's Worst NASCAR Paint Schemes

tallglassofmilk — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 04:30:00 EST

Filed under: Ryan Newman, Dale Jarrett, Robby Gordon, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle, Bobby Labonte, Nextel Cup, NASCAR Sponsors, Talladega Superspeedway, Busch Series

FanHouse's friends at AOL Sports are compiling a list of the worst uniforms ever. Because they're our friends and the subject matter lends itself to hilarity, we thought we'd join in the fun. We don't get too see too much of the drivers' uniforms in NASCAR, so we set our designs on their cars. Here's our look at the worst paint schemes in recent history.

Dale Earnhardt #3 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet Peter Max paint scheme
The Winston @ Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 20, 2000

I don't consider myself to be a connoisseur of fine art, but I'm down with the work of cosmic art innovator Peter Max--even have a signed print of my own that hangs behind me as I write this. But Max's rainbow hippie designs proved to be a little too psychedelic for a stock car

2007 again drove home the point that rainbow pastels should not come in contact with a race car:

David Reutimann's #99 Aaron's Dream Machine
Aaron's 312 @ Talladega Superspeedway on April 28, 2007

Then there are the not-so-pretty colors:

Jeff Gordon's #24 DuPont / Nicorette Chevrolet
UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2006

Green flames? Yeah ... ok. Looks more like seaweed--the fake kind you put in aquariums. Either way, it's not screaming "Quit smoking right now." This one is no better. Ryan Newman's #12 Alltel MyCircle Dodge and Jeff Burton's #31 Prilosec OTC schemes are worthy rivals.

2005 saw Bobby Labonte get several coats of bad paint, Greg Biffle get greedy and Robby Gordon reveal his fruity side. Also, Jesus got the shaft. And who's bright idea was this?

In 2004, Dale Jarrett went on an aesthetically challenged golf outing with Arnold Palmer.

Ken Schrader's #49 1-800-CALL-ATT Dodge Carrot Top Paint Scheme
Several spring races in 2003

Almost as frightening as the real thing.

Derrike Cope's #37 MNR / Poison Ford
Pennsylvania 500 @ Pocono Raceway on July 28, 2002

Unfortunately, that picture doesn't really do it justice. Here's another. Also, check the sim paint to fully appreciate it's hideousness. While you're at it, go ahead and throw the rest of Cope's paint schemes onto this list.

Also on the list, every last incarnation of Jeff Gordon's rainblow #24 paint schemes and Ken Schrader's #49 Schwan's. No offense to the sponsor, but like rainbows, birds just don't belong anywhere near racecars.

That's just this decade, folks, when the creativity has really picked up. There have been countless more paint casualties along the way. Please share your picks!

The Decade's Worst NASCAR Paint Schemes originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 04:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vickers Emerging as Toyota's Star Driver

tallglassofmilk — Mon, 28 May 2007 14:44:00 EST

Filed under: Charlotte, Casey Mears, Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, Toyota, Michael Waltrip Racing

Despite having only started six races this season, Brian Vickers has given the manufacturer the most stats to write home to Japan about.

His old ride, the #25 HMS Chevrolet driven by Casey Mears, kept him out of victory lane, but Vickers had the "car to beat" Sunday.

His 5th place finish--with a new engine and a car that lost its power-steering at some point during the race--was a season best for the driver and Toyota. Their second best? Vickers' 10th place finish at California Speedway in February.

Vickers has also led more laps than all of the Toyota drivers put together. Prior to the Coca-Cola 600, Toyota had led a cumulative 14 laps, 8 of them Vickers'. He added a healthy buffer to that lead after tacking on another 76 laps at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

The red-headed Red Bull gained two spots in the owner points standings this weekend but still sits four positions and 200+ points out of the top 35.

In his fifth effort, Vickers' Red Rull teammate, A.J. Allmendinger, scored his best finish of 31st and is holding down the 47th position for his owner.

Toyota Teammates
Jeremy Mayfield ran in the top 15 for much of the day, even leading 3 laps. He said the new engine "made all the difference in the world." And so it did. Until it crapped out. Mayfield was relegated to a 25th place finish--he gained one spot for owner Bill Davis Racing and now sits in 45th.

Dave Blaney, who has failed to maintain a position in the top 35 despite being the only Toyota driver fortunate enough to start the season there based on last year's owner points, turned in another lackluster performance for BDR, leading no laps and finishing 18th. He remains 36th in the points.

Michael Waltrip Racing driver Dale Jarrett lost a spot. Ditto for David Reutimann, who failed to qualify. As for Mikey ... Do I really need to go there?

Vickers Emerging as Toyota's Star Driver originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 28 May 2007 14:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not Qualified to Run the Longest Race on the Circuit

tallglassofmilk — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:29:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, Scott Riggs, Toyota, NASCAR Sponsors

"I pity the other competitors the day [Michael Waltrip] makes the race, because he's going to have some pent-up frustrations. He wants to race. That's not relevant. He's ready."
~ Ty Norris, General Manager, Michael Waltrip Racing

I pity the fool who thinks Michael Waltrip might ever qualify for a race--and yet I never stop hoping he does.

It was another tough qualifying day for the Coca-Cola Racing driver, the only one of thirteen not representing their soft drink sponsor in its title race. Waltrip and MWR driver David Reutimann both hit the wall in qualifying [video] and failed to make the show. The Coca-Cola 600 will be Waltrip's 11th consecutive DNQ and Reutimann's fourth.

Poor Mikey. On the upside, Dale Jarrett, who is just inside the top 35 this week, qualified a season best 23rd.

Other Losers of the Week (DNQs)
Paul Menard (4), Ward Burton (7), Kevin LePage (10), Mike Bliss (8)

Made the Show
Dave Blaney was the best of the worst today getting a starting spot on the fourth row for the #22 Caterpillar Toyota, the manufacturer's only entry in the top 10.

Bill Elliott, who's racing to get the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing #21 Ford from 39th into the top 35, didn't need a championship provisional--he raced his way into the 22nd starting spot. Given their positions in the standings, with Menard and Waltrip on the sidelines this weekend, the #21 team stands to gain one spot just by starting the race. Awesome.

Scott Riggs will start 15th and Jeremy Mayfield 24th in his fourth race of the season. Brian Vickers starts 26th with his Red Bull teammate, A.J. Allmendinger, two rows behind in 29th.

Kenny Wallace avoided his fifth DNQ and kept Menard out by .08 seconds to start in the 43rd spot. It's his lowest starting position of the season ... but I bet if you when they ask him about it he'll say he's just happy to be in the race. As well he should be. Just ask Waltrip.

Not Qualified to Run the Longest Race on the Circuit originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 25 May 2007 02:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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