Motorsports FanHouse

Richard Childress Racing Continues to Search for Answers

Holly Cain — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:36:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress wore the expression of someone who's learned to operate "in the big picture" as he calmly, thoughtfully answered the tough questions about how his mighty racing organization has endured the struggles and frustration of a winless 2009 season.

Lost in all the Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin championship storylines, and the Dale Jr. non-championship hysteria, is the quiet dismay at RCR, which had three cars in the Chase for the Championship a year ago and not a single one of its now four-car stable qualify this fall.

Lead driver Kevin Harvick has publicly declared his intention to leave the team as soon as his contract expires in 2010, though veteran Jeff Burton has analyzed and rationalized and professed his optimism about next year. Clint Bowyer, who came closest to making the Chase, is still kicking tires in frustration.

And there's this real sign of the times: Childress said last week in Charlotte that he doesn't have full funding for his fourth car, the No. 07 Chevy driven by Casey Mears, and that he even considered -- but ultimately decided against -- making it a start-and-park operation. It may still end up a part-time entry without full-time sponsorship.

When times are tough at the six-time champion RCR operation, times are tough.

"All of a sudden, we fell off the wagon,'' Childress said. "We will get back on it though, I promise you.''

You want to believe Childress -- and you have to believe him.

The latest in a series of major organizational changes comes this week, as RCR announced it's swapping Burton's and Mears' crew chiefs and giving Scott Miller the position of RCR's Director of Competition -- removing the interim tag from Miller's title. Todd Berrier will start calling the shots for Burton's No. 31 Chevy and Doug Randolph will handle the job for Mears.

"I said previously that RCR would continue to adjust our team lineups in order to have the right personnel in place, and this is the next step in that process,'' Childress said.

NASCAR also needs RCR to collect itself or the Sprint Cup Series essentially becomes a Hendrick Motorsports in-house show -- something many argue already exists -- which is a worst-case scenario for a sport where legitimate competition elevates it from other forms of racing.

Richard Childress Racing was Hendrick Motorsports before Hendrick Motorsports was Hendrick Motorsports.

And Childress only needed one driver to be class of the field -- the late Dale Earnhardt, who drove RCR's black No. 3 to six of his seven Cup titles, dominating the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s, when the shift to multi-car teams started changing the game.

Earnhardt won 37 races, four championships and finished runner-up in the championship between 1986-1991. And when he had a down season -- by his standards -- in 1992 (one win and 12th in championship) everyone started doubting driver and owner.

Earnhardt and RCR responded with the 1993 championship and a six-win year. He won four races in 1994 and that championship, too.

The cycle would repeat itself, and Childress said last week, if nothing else, the experience has helped him be better prepared today.

"In 1988, we had a real bad year, then we came back won in '90 and 1991,'' Childress recounted. "Then 1992 was a tough year, really a tough year and we came back won a couple more (titles).

"That's your peaks and valleys and you have it in life as well. And we can see the crest up there.''

Unlike Earnhardt, who fostered a close relationship with Childress, RCR's current stable of drivers has been more candid about their frustration with the team, more willing to vent publicly -- particularly Harvick, the 2007 Daytona 500 winner who hasn't won a Cup race since.

Rumors have persisted this season that Harvick was trying to buy out of the last year of his contract. And just two weeks ago, he told ESPN that he's ready to close the book on his career at RCR. The team has maintained that Harvick will fulfill his 2010 obligation to RCR.

"No one is happy when you aren't running well,'' Childress said. "I'm not happy, no one is. We just try to control it as well as we can. Kevin's a driver that really wants to go out and run well and win. I don't blame him for being upset when we don't. We just try to work through it as good as we can.

"I can remember one of those years ... maybe 1985 or '86, we didn't have a very good year. Dale was telling me, 'It has just got to be me.'

"I kept telling him, 'Dale, it's not you, we don't have the equipment you need' -- And he worked through it. It is just different times, and people look at things different.''

Childress acknowledged last week that the company has struggled at times mastering the COT. Burton was encouraged by what he sees as more emphasis on the engineering and aerodynamic sides of the team. The organizational changes are creating a better accountability -- including on the part of the drivers -- according to Burton.

The four RCR drivers not only are winless this season, but their combined nine top-five finishes are less than five other drivers' individual tallies. Tony Stewart has a series-best 14.

Championship leader Jimmie Johnson has led nine times the number of laps (1,716 laps) that the four RCR drivers have combined (188 laps).

RCR has gone winless only two seasons since 1982.

"One of the hardest things to do when you're having success is to change,'' Burton said. "We were the only team in the sport to put all their cars in the Chase over the last three years. We followed that up with putting nobody in the Chase which shows that we didn't act quickly enough.

"We will catch up, but we are behind at the moment.''

Richard Childress Racing Continues to Search for Answers originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ten Questions With ... Clint Bowyer

Geoffrey Miller — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Clint Bowyer, Richard Childress Racing , FanHouse Exclusive

Richard Childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer took a moment this week to chat with FanHouse. Here's what the Kansas native told us about good meals, gettin' back home, next Wednesday's Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream (live on HBO pay-per-view) and Elvis:

1) What's the one race, across any division or any type of race cars, that you've always wanted to win?

Clint Bowyer: It'd definitely have to be Daytona. The Daytona 500 has always meant so much to our sport and to me personally. Kansas Speedway would certainly be a close second -- just because I have all my family and friends there.
2) If Clint Bowyer wasn't a NASCAR driver, he'd be...

CB: You know, I always worked in car dealerships as I grew up and I've always enjoyed the car industry. I can myself in some sort of management role at a car dealership.

3) You got your start in motorcycles and then doing some dirt track racing. Are you like Dale Earnhardt Jr. with his closet Indianapolis 500 dream? Do you want to race or try any other forms of motorsports?

CB: Man, I'm racing what I dreamed of racing. I always wanted to compete in stock car racing and NASCAR at its premier level. I'm doing what I've always wanted to do. I'm living out a dream.

4) Alright, Clint, tell me, why did you use the song C.C. Rider for your intro music at Bristol?

CB: [Laughs] I was always a big Elvis fan and that was the song he used to start off his concerts. If it's good enough for the King, it's good enough for me.

5) You had a nice two-week break here after Bristol. What did Clint Bowyer get himself into?

CB: Actually, I got home to my hometown Emporia, Kan., and hosted a golf tournament that raised over $250,000 for the kids and the community. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend off.

6) Some drivers talk of a 'Welcome to NASCAR' moment where they just suddenly realize that it doesn't get much bigger than this. Did you ever have that?

CB: It wasn't really the Nationwide Series for me, but it was when I got my first Cup start at Phoenix. It's crazy to be able to start your first Cup race and look over and see Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart on the race track -- you know, all the guys I grew up watching on TV. Just to be able to be in that race was my 'Welcome to NASCAR' moment.

7) If dinner could come from anywhere in the world tonight, where would that be?

CB: Oh man, I've got to go with mom's home cooking. You can't beat that.

8) Your newest sponsors -- Hamburger Helper, General Mills -- don't exactly fit the same type of experiences involved with old sponsor Jack Daniel's. Still, what's the coolest thing you've done thanks to a sponsor?

CB: Obviously Jack Daniels had some pretty neat things, but with General Mills and Hamburger we've certainly done some fun things. I've been in some commercials and got to be in an episode of "The Biggest Loser" this year. That was cool.

9) If Clint Bowyer could run NASCAR, he would...

CB: [Laughs] Well, being a racer, I'd say I'd something with the schedule. I know everyone has got a job to do, but as a racer I'd say the schedule is a little long and drawn out. It'd be nice to shorten it up a bit.

10) Finally, how bad do you want to beat Tony Stewart next week at his home track of Eldora Speedway for the rescheduled Prelude to the Dream?

CB: Man, we're all shooting for Tony on that one because he's got that home-track advantage. Otherwise, being able to race Eldora means a lot to me. Growing up and racing dirt cars, that was the track that you always wanted to get to. My career path kind of turned before I had my chance there, so to go back and race Eldora means a lot to me.

Ten Questions With ... Clint Bowyer originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Kevin Harvick Asks for Release

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:39:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

The struggles for Richard Childress Racing don't appear to be going away, and they -- as well as potential sponsorship issues -- might be causing the team's longest-tenured driver to be heading for the exits.

Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site Tuesday that Kevin Harvick has asked to be released from his current contract with RCR effective at the end of the season, despite the agreement lasting until the end of 2010.

And just to make it a little more juicy, Harvick has reportedly been in discussions with Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing to race a third car for the team in 2010.

While this may well be an off-the-wall rumor, it has numerous aspects that seem to be making sense for everyone involved in the possible proceedings.

For starters, Harvick's sponsorship from Shell-Pennzoil for his RCR Sprint Cup ride is up for negotiation at the moment thanks to it ending after the current season. RCR, SHR and even Hendrick Motorsports have been rumored to be linked to those discussions, and with the latter two's winning ways of 2009 one would think the tides might turned in their direction.

Next up in consideration is the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series organization that both Harvick and his wife Delana run. Just last month, the company, Kevin Harvick Inc., announced that General Motors would be dropping its support of the program in 2010 -- in addition to numerous other teams -- and that has had to have a big impact on the company.

If indeed Harvick does move to SHR in 2010, a possibility would open up for KHI to merge with the JR Motorsports Nationwide program run by co-owners Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick. SHR is very tightly knit with Hendrick Motorsports because it receives Hendrick engines and chassis for its race teams.

For Harvick, though, 2009 has been a test in patience.

Harvick was the fourth-place finisher in last fall's Chase for the Sprint Cup despite not winning a single race all season. Instead, he took notes from the book of his oh-so-consistent teammate Jeff Burton and finished on the lead lap 30 of 36 times in addition to scoring 19 Top-10s and 7 Top-5s.

The current season has seen him finish in the Top 5 just twice -- a second-place at Daytona in February and a fourth in Atlanta -- en route to what is currently a 25th-place rank in the season point standings. He hasn't won since his thrilling Daytona 500 victory over Mark Martin to start the 2007 campaign.

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Mark Martin, driver of the #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 11, 2009 in Joliet, Illinois.

John Harrelson, Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 12: NASCAR driver Carl Edwards (R) talks with Ozzie Smith and Rollie Fingers in the dugout during the 2009 XM All-Star Futures Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on Sunday, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ozzie Smith;Rollie Fingers;Carl Edwards

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 12: NASCAR driver Carl Edwards (R) talks with Whitey Herzog, Ozzie Smith and Rollie Fingers in the dugout during the 2009 XM All-Star Futures Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on Sunday, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Whitey Herzog;Ozzie Smith;Rollie Fingers;Carl Edwards

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Former Formula One champion and Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve heads for the pits after crashing his car in the second turn of the first lap of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Tide 250, Sunday, July 12, 2009, at the Autodrome in St. Eustache, Que. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

Former Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve (7) crashes his car during the second turn of the first lap in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Tide 250, Sunday, July 12, 2009, at the Autodrome in St.-Eustache, Que. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

Former Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve drives his Ford Fusion on his way to qualifying 10th for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Tide 250 at the Autodrome in St-Eustache, Que., Sunday, July 12, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

Former Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve, center left, poses for pictures with fans before the NASCAR Canadian Tire Tide 250 at the Autodrome in St-Eustache, Que., Sunday, July 12, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

Mark Martin drives during the NASCAR LifeLock.com 400 auto race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Warren Wimmer)

Mark Martin cresses the finish line after winning the NASCAR LifeLock.com 400 auto race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Warren Wimmer)

Jeff Gordon (24) drives during the NASCAR LifeLock.com 400 auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Gordon finished second. (AP Photo/Tim Stewart)

Report: Kevin Harvick Asks for Release originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint Cup N's & Q's: LifeLock 400

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:02:00 EST

Filed under: Michael Waltrip, Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

Somewhat coherent Notes & Quotes to wrap up NASCAR's first trip to Michigan in 2009:

What will NASCAR learn from Pardo's brutal crash and tragic death?

The death of NASCAR Mexico driver and champion Carlos Pardo in a horrific crash during the final laps of a race on Sunday is certainly tragic. However, the fact that his car was able to make such violent contact with the end of a temporary wall is just as shocking.

Let's hope NASCAR makes sure such an angle of impact can never happen again.

Mark Martin needs to be ... fired?

Sunday's race winner at Michigan International Speedway didn't have the greatest of qualifying efforts on Friday with a 32nd-place effort. So despite the fact that he had already won two races so far in 2009 during his first foray with Hendrick Motorsports, Martin was sure he was going to be getting a dreaded phone call from Rick Hendrick in the near future.

"I didn't think I was going to get fired right now, but if I keep qualifying 32nd every week, he needs to fire me," said Martin after the race. "Everybody can act like that's stupid, but it isn't really stupid. I'm serious. If I can't do better than that in the stuff that they're giving me, they're going to need to get somebody else."

Considering that he's now tied for the most wins in 2009, I have a feeling his job is a little bit secure.

Waltrip could have set lapped car precedent

At big tracks like Michigan where cars generally just fall one lap behind if they make an unscheduled stop during green flag, Michael Waltrip may have just set a big precedent for gambling to get a lap back.

During a caution Sunday, Waltrip was a lap down and stayed out throughout the period, meaning when the signal was given for one lap to go, he was in between the pace car and the leader. Under the new restart rules, Waltrip was given a "wave around" to get a lap back and join the back of the field.

He was hoping that a caution would fall in 10 to 15 laps before his fuel window was exceeded, giving him a chance to pit under yellow on the lead lap and make up some ground. It was a gamble, but not a huge gamble, because when the caution didn't wave again, Waltrip came to pit road during the green flag and fell back one lap down -- right where he was to begin with.

It was a gamble with little risk, and it might be how we see a lot of lapped cars try to get a lap back at big tracks in the future.

Richard Childress Racing Struggles Continue

It's been a pretty ugly season so far in 2009 for the RCR bunch, and it's not getting a whole lot better.

None of the three RCR cars ever made a substantial run to the front, and Clint Bowyer in 10th was the only driver to etch out of a top-10 run. Teammates Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears and Jeff Burton came home 18th, 24th and 26th, respectively -- though they may have had fuel issues at the end.

Regardless, the team isn't competeing for wins and its tough to say what the issue is. In reality, they may be the poster child of a team that truly misses being able to test in 2009.

400 miles at Michigan is a quick affair

The first NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway in 1969 was the one and only 500-mile event at the track, and since then, they've been scheduled to run 400 miles. The races at MIS are nearly always the quickest events on the circuit, and Sunday's race was no exception.

It ran, with just three caution periods (pretty normal for the track), at an elapsed time of 2 hours and 34 minutes to be the shortest race in terms of time in 2009.

There's been an effort for a few years now to consider shortening some races because people find them simply too long, but I'd argue that another 100 miles at MIS to make it an even 500 wouldn't be all that bad. It would put most races there just over the 3-hour mark -- similar to most MLB and NFL games.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: LifeLock 400 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shakeup at Richard Childress Racing

Holly Cain — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:43:00 EST

Filed under: Casey Mears, Kevin Harvick, Pit Crews, Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears gave all the right answers in deferring to the boss' orders, but clearly neither driver was exactly overjoyed by Richard Childress' decision this week to swap their two crews.

"Everybody's positive about it,'' Harvick said, walking quickly to his team trailer after NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday.

"When you own the company you have to make the decisions you think are right.''

More Coverage: Montoya Wins Talladega Pole | Holly Cain Chat Wrap

Harvick didn't stop to answer reporters questions, but when he was asked if Childress consulted him before taking the extreme action, Harvick shook his head, then turned and said, "no he didn't'' over his shoulder. Mears said he was not part of the decision process either.

Childress said he had been thinking of making a major change to his four-car team since last month's race at Bristol, Tenn. He ultimately pulled the trigger on the move this week while sitting on a mountain on a trip to Montana "to clear my head.'' The entire teams -- from crew chief to tire changer -- have swapped between Harvick's No. 29 Chevy and Mears' No. 07 Chevy.

Latest NASCAR Images

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Scott Speed, driver of the #82 Red Bull Toyota, gets out of his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Scott Speed

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Scott Speed, driver of the #82 Red Bull Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Scott Speed

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Bobby Labonte, driver of the #96 Ask.com Ford, signs autographs during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Labonte

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #33 BB&T Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Clint Bowyer

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: David Gilliland, driver of the #71 TRG Motorsports Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Gilliland

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, waits by his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Michael Waltrip, driver of the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Waltrip

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 Dewalt Ford, waits by his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Kenseth

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Kasey Kahne (L), driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge, and Reed Sorenson (R), driver of the #43 US Air Force Dodge, talk during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kasey Kahne;Reed Sorenson

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"We owe it to our sponsors and our fans to run better than we are and I felt these were the two teams right now that were the weakest,'' Childress said. "Sometimes a little chemistry or sometimes a little change makes a big difference.''

Childress hopes the jump start will come sooner than later. Harvick is ranked 16th in the points standings with three finishes of 30th or worse since a runner-up effort in the season-opening Daytona 500. He's 77 points out of the 12-driver cutoff to make the Chase for the Championship. Mears is 22nd in points and still looking for his first top-10 finish in his first season with RCR since moving from Hendrick Motorsports.

"With the point structure like it is, you've got to make changes to make The Chase,'' Childress said. "We have only so many races before the Chase.

"In today's environment you can't wait sometime half-way through the season.''

And, Childress added, "I'm not above making more changes if that's what it takes.''

Shakeup at Richard Childress Racing originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR Needs to Abolish 'Mess'

Jimmy Spencer — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:39:00 EST

Filed under: Penske Racing, Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing , FanHouse Exclusive, SPEED TV

There was much ado about nothing leaving Bristol Motor Speedway last Sunday. The top 35 owner points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series were reset for the first time this year following the Bristol race, guaranteeing a starting spot to the top 35 teams this weekend at Martinsville Speedway and forcing the outsiders to race their way in on time.

So, for those locked into the top 35, relief reigns at least for the next week. But my contention is the top 35 shouldn't even exist. Get rid of the whole system. I've thought that since the rule's inception but became even more incensed when things became completely convoluted entering the 2009 season.In case you missed it, a couple of car owners bought their way into the top 35 in Cup Series points with last-second "partnerships" and points exchanges right before we rolled into Daytona in early February.

Bill Davis shut down his No. 22 Cup team at the conclusion of the 2008 season but has resurfaced as a minority owner of Sam Hornish Jr.'s No. 77 Penske Racing Dodge, which, at Daytona, assumed Davis' points from last season. Bobby Ginn hasn't been seen in the garage area in quite a while but now has minority ownership stake in Clint Bowyer's No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, which, to start the season, claimed the No. 01's 32nd place points from 2008. Remember that Ginn merged with DEI in 2007, and although he left shortly thereafter, was still listed as owner of the No. 01.

Think these guys are getting back into the sport? Think again.

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** FILE ** In this Sept. 19, 2008, file photo, Denny Hamlin, left, and teammate Kyle Busch talk in the garage during practice for a NASCAR auto race at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. Busch had to settle for second place, behind Busch, on Sunday, March 22, at Bristol. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton Jr., File)

BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 22: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, leads Martin Truex Jr., driver of the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet and Scott Speed, driver of the #82 Red Bull Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22, 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Gordon;Martin Truex Jr.;Scott Speed

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Kyle Busch (18) leads Kevin Harvick (29) during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Food City 500 auto race in Bristol, Tenn., Sunday, March 22, 2009. Busch won the race. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Kyle Busch leads the field just after taking the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Food City 500 auto race in Bristol, Tenn., Sunday, March 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 22: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers Toyota, celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22, 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch

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BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 22: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers Toyota, does a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22, 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch

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BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 22: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers Toyota, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22, 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch

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BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 22: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers Toyota, races Joey Logano, driver of the #20 Home Depot Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22, 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch;Joey Logano

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BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 22: Kyle Busch (2L), driver of the #18 Snickers Toyota, poses with his girlfriend Samantha Sarcinella (3L) and crew in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22, 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch;Samantha Sarcinella

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BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 22: Kyle Busch (L), driver of the #18 Snickers Toyota, celebrates with his crew in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22, 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch

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Since starting positions in the top 35 are guaranteed the first five races of the season, based upon the previous year's points, Bowyer and Hornish moved into the top 35 a few weeks ago through these questionable deals in which their owners aligned with owners who finished 2008 in the top 35 but are not racing this season.

NASCAR needs to regain control of this mess and put some cohesion back into the system. A.J. Allmendinger thought his No. 44 was guaranteed a starting spot at Daytona until a day or two before we got down there, but was knocked out when Bowyer's No. 33 was allowed entrance. That's plain wrong, and this year is the worst I've ever seen for this problem.

The wealthier teams capitalize on these gray areas because they can afford to buy points, or align themselves with owners who have points they don't need, which isn't fair to teams like the No. 44.

NASCAR just needs to chuck the top 35 rule and revamp the system because it does not accomplish its intent and purpose. We don't need to guarantee starting spots to 35 teams. The past champion's provisional is being abused and so is the dignity of a past champion himself. The intent of the rule was to allow a past champion into a race when he enters every race but happens to miss one. It's not to permit someone to come out of retirement every time a team wants a starting position.

I urge NASCAR to lock in only the top 20 cars each weekend based on points and set the remaining 23 spots via speed in qualifying sessions. Allow a provisional starting position for the past champion, but only if he runs all the races. If I owned a Cup team right now, and wasn't one of the fastest 23 cars on time, I would want to go home because I didn't deserve to be there.

Not only would the ability to make a race be more equitable between teams, we'd also have more new owners stepping into the series to take a stab at making a race, because they wouldn't have to go up against the "Goliaths" guaranteed a starting spot. The way the system currently stands, the top 35 have endless advantages, especially with the testing ban, simply because they're guaranteed to start the race. They spend Friday's practice working on race set-ups while the other guys bust their tails just to get qualified, losing all that practice time to qualifying trim.

Not only will a restructuring open the door to new and small owners, it will bring some significance back to the qualifying sessions, because they don't mean anything right now. Neither does the top-35 rule.

Jimmy Spencer calls it like he sees it as an analyst on NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane on SPEED. He retired from driving with two NASCAR Sprint Cup, 12 NASCAR Nationwide and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory, putting him in an elite group of drivers who have logged wins in all three of NASCAR's premier divisions. In 478 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, Spencer amassed 28 top-five and 80 top-10 finishes. He won back-to-back NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships in 1986 and 1987 on the heels of 15 victories, becoming the first driver ever to earn consecutive titles in the series. He earned the nickname "Mr. Excitement" for his flamboyant and aggressive driving style early in his racing career. For more information on Spencer or SPEED's NASCAR programming, please visit www.speedtv.com.

NASCAR Needs to Abolish 'Mess' originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harvick's DNF Streak Didn't Have to End

Geoffrey Miller — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:19:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

Two weeks ago at Auto Club Speedway, Kevin Harvick failed to finish -- snapping a streak of 81 straight races that the California driver had been running at the checkered flag.

Harvick was just three finished races shy of breaking the modern era record until a ruptured oil filter sent the No. 29 "streaking", if you will, into ACS' turn one wall.

This week, though, Harvick was featured on the Performance Racing Network's "Garage Pass" and delivered the news: the streak didn't have to end.

In a moment that'll remind you of the whole Kyle Busch-Dale Earnhardt Jr. ride swap at Texas Motor Speedway in 2007, Harvick and his spotter both left the southern California track after believing the engine had blown on the No. 29 Chevrolet.

Then, they got a call with 15 laps to go.

"The bad part about the DNF streak is that the car was actually functional to go back on the racetrack," said Harvick.
"I thought the motor had blown up. I hit the fence and the oil was running across the racetrack and the oil streak all the way up to the wall and I thought the car had blown up.

"So, I left and the spotter left and then they called and said 'Hey we're ready to go back out' with about 15 laps to go, and I wasn't there."

Now you can't really blame Harvick on this one because all signs -- a heavy trail of smoke and oil, a hard wall impact -- pointed to his night in the Auto Club 500 being over and done with. After all, a ruptured oil filter (can you imagine the kind of oil pressure it takes to rupture a filter?) will spew the slimy stuff all over the hot engine and put plenty of oil on the track for the car to lose traction in.

In other words, the tell-tale signs of a blown engine were clear and present.

Luckily for Harvick, and more importantly his team Richard Childress Racing, his teammate Clint Bowyer is the next driver in line to surpass the 84-race streak after finishing the last 76 races.

Harvick's DNF Streak Didn't Have to End originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'08 Rear-View Mirror: Clint Bowyer

Geoffrey Miller — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:48:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

Warning: Objects in this post may be the only way to successfully live through the NASCAR off-season. For best results, read rearview mirror early and often.

Driver: Clint Bowyer
Team: No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
'08 Final Standing: 5th (-303)
Best Race: Richmond (1st)
Worst Race:Pocono (39th-place)

Season in a box: Looking back through 2008, Clint Bowyer more than showed that he has quickly become one of the most consistent drivers in NASCAR and hopefully, unlike the trend we talked about in teammate Jeff Burton's season recap, Bowyer can gain on his young success.

The lone win of 2008 for Bowyer came thanks to Kyle Busch after his late-race contact with leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. with two laps to go during the Sprint Cup's May visit to Richmond International Raceway. Bowyer slipped under the spinning Earnhardt and a sliding Busch to grab the lead, and then held off Busch on a green-white-checkered sprint to the finsh.

Remarkably, Bowyer had just three finishes worse than 26th in 2008, and two of them came back to back at Dover and Pocono. In the final 21 races of the season, Bowyer's worst finish was a 23rd with 15 Top-15 finishes.

Through the crystal windshield: In one of the moves seemingly towards the more odd end of the NASCAR spectrum, RCR announced in August that Bowyer would be shifting his driving duties to a new car in 2009 at the team, leaving behind crew chief Gil Martin and the rest of the No. 07 crew.

Taking his spot there would be now ex-Hendrick Motorsports driver Casey Mears while Bowyer takes the reigns of the No. 33 General Mills Chevrolet.

With the success -- or at least, consistency -- that Bowyer has enjoyed at the No. 07, it seems interesting that RCR would be open to moving him away completely from that team. Starting with a new crew chief is never an easy propostion, and for Bowyer, it might lead to some uncharacteristic finishes during the first part of 2009.

Next up: Kevin Harvick

'08 Rear-View Mirror: Clint Bowyer originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'08 Rear-View Mirror: Jeff Burton

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:05:00 EST

Filed under: Jeff Burton, Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

Warning: Objects in this post may be the only way to successfully live through the NASCAR off-season. For best results, read rearview mirror early and often.

Driver: Jeff Burton
Team: No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
'08 Final Standing: 6th (-349)
Best Race: Bristol & Charlotte (1st)
Worst Race: Bristol (42nd-place)

Season in a box: 2008 was nothing more than the same old song and dance for Jeff Burton. So much, in fact, that I'm ready to start a lobby for a new nickname for Burton that is both bland and consistent. Ideas, anyone?

Burton wrapped up the 2008 season with two wins to bring his career total to very respectable 21 trips to victory lane, and as usual, with a handful of races to go, many in the NASCAR media were high on the "Burton for championship: '08" bandwagon after his win at Lowe's Motor Speedway moved him to just 69 points back of eventual champion Jimmie Johnson.

But just like in 2006 after he won the Chase's second race at Dover, Burton knocked down some consistent runs but was never in a place to actually compete for a championship.

Regardless, one can easily say 2008 was a good year for Burton -- Top-10 in points, still winning, 7 Top-5's, 18 Top-10s, a new multi-year sponsorship -- and that save for being in contention for the championship, he couldn't have done much better.

Through the crystal windshield: I doubt there's really anyone that expects Jeff Burton's new and improved Caterpillar team (the new '09 sponsor after AT&T's grandfather clause with NASCAR ran out) will fare much better or much worse than in 2008.

Let's face it, Burton is one of those drivers that is incredibly easy to be a fan of because he'll pull off a few victories every season, but won't ever really be in contention for a championship at the late stages of the game, removing any sense of championship heartbreak for No. 31 fans.

So, Burton fans, expect Top-10s, Top-5s, a plethora of Top-20 finishes (he had 32 of those in 2008!) and a few wins, but not a whole lot else.

Next up: Clint Bowyer

'08 Rear-View Mirror: Jeff Burton originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Calling the Chase: 7th - Jeff Burton

Geoffrey Miller — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:12:00 EST

Filed under: Jeff Burton, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Richard Childress Racing

The NASCAR season truly kicks in Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup begins. From now through Friday, FanHouse will preview each of the 12-drivers and evaluate their championship chances.

7th - Jeff Burton, RCR Chevrolet

Starting Deficit: 70 points

2008 Stats: 1 win, 4 Top-5's, 12 Top-10's

2008 Regular Season Point Standing: 5th (-494)

2007 Chase Result: 8th

Chase Chances: Jeff Burton once again has had another Jeff Burton-type of year. He doesn't win a whole lot, doesn't make a lot of noise, but at the end of the day and at the end of NASCAR's regular season, Burton is right there with both a solid finish and a solid spot in the Chase. Burton is the first driver in our countdown feature to not start in an 80-point hole, thanks to his win in March at Bristol that netted him 10 Chase for the Sprint Cup bonus points.

The rest of the season, Burton has "nickled and dimed", if you will, the rest of the Sprint Cup Series by being a consistently high finisher that doesn't do it in a flashy manner. In other words, whenever there are points on the line, Burton always puts himself in a position to accept. Burton's safe and consistent driving style though could be the biggest challenge the No. 31 team faces in the 2008 Chase, and therefore won't likely be one of the favorites come the end of the 10-race run.

Prediction: Just In It.

Calling the Chase: 7th - Jeff Burton originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clint Bowyer Grabs Unlikely Richmond Win

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:40:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Richard Childress Racing, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Sprint Cup

It sure didn't look like anyone could get around Denny Hamlin until a flat tire pulled the No. 11 car back to the field.

And when Hamlin's frustrations showed his classless competitive nature, Clint Bowyer took advantage of the series of events to grab the lead and hold on to win the Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400 in a green-white-checkered finish.

It was Bowyer's 2nd-career Sprint Cup Series victory, and probably one of the most unlikely wins he'll ever score. Regardless, though, his 13 laps led meant a heckuva lot more than Hamlin's 381 of the extended 410 lap event.

Of course, Bowyer's win will likely be overshadowed this week by a number of things, including:

Denny Hamlin's Deliberate Caution - There is one thing in this world that is worse than a phantom NASCAR debris caution, and that's when drivers bring out cautions intentionally. In other words, when Denny Hamlin brings out a late caution because he is no longer winning. His move was simply asinine, and there needs to be a whole lot more done than a 2-lap penalty
Kyle Busch & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tangle - My take on the accident is that, while it shouldn't have happened, it was a combination of both drivers' fault. In other words, it was a racing deal.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Winless Streak Continues -- At 72 races, Earnhardt Jr. looked visibly frustrated after his wreck late in the race tonight with being unable to come up with a win. Boy, though, did he handle such a tough situation with amazing class.
Michael Waltrip vs. Casey Mears - Can someone explain just what in the world Michael Waltrip was doing? He was parked for the remainder of the race for staying in the accelerator and forcing Casey Mears into the Turn 1 wall after Mears cut off Waltrip's No. 55 on the frontstretch late in the event. It was, in two words, uncalled for.
Richmond Outdoes Talladega in "Big One" Department - The stack up in the middle section of the race involved well over 10 cars including Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, and several others. Amazingly, it was hard to really blame anyone in that situation. It just one big mess.

Clint Bowyer Grabs Unlikely Richmond Win originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 04 May 2008 00:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bobby Labonte Appears Headed to RCR

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Bobby Labonte, Richard Childress Racing, Petty Enterprises

So after some tom-foolery here on FanHouse this morning, here's today's real news:

Bobby Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, looks to be more convincingly headed to Richard Childress Racing for the 2009 season with sponsor General Mills.

Yahoo! first reported some possibilities between Labonte and RCR, and with today's announcement from General Mills about moving to RCR for 2009, the Labonte rumor only heats up.

Here's some text from the General Mills announcement by way of the Charlotte Observer's David Poole:

General Mills will sponsor a fourth team at RCR, the No. 33 Chevrolets. No driver was named for that car, but there has already been at least one published report that Bobby Labonte will move along with the sponsor to RCR.

"RCR is honored to represent General Mills and its Cheerios, Hamburger Helper and many other brands in the NASCAR Cup Series," team owner Richard Childress said.

Labonte seems like an ideal fit for that ride, as he already is driving for Childress in the Nationwide Series. The move to Petty Enterprises for the champion hasn't panned out like he thought it would with a resurgence of success at PE.

You've got to think that Petty Enterprises has to be feeling a little bit of heat in losing a primary sponsor when Kyle Petty is having a tough time even making races and Labonte isn't able to perform at his level due to equipment.

Silly season each year in NASCAR just can't start soon enough anymore, can it?

Bobby Labonte Appears Headed to RCR originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Childress Sweep Continues at Nashville

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:35:00 EST

Filed under: Clint Bowyer, Richard Childress Racing, Nationwide Series

Last week, Richard Childress Racing finished 1-2-3 in the Sprint Cup's Food City 500 at Bristol after what can only be described as a strange set of events.

It wasn't as crazy Saturday afternoon at Nashville Superspeedway.

Scott Wimmer, driving the No. 29 Holiday Inn RCR Chevy, took the checkers ahead of teammate Clint Bowyer for RCR's second team sweep of the top positions in a row. Wimmer had just enough full on-board to do a few celebratory donuts before the engine started to sputter.

Kyle Busch started on the pole for the event and led the most number of laps -- 125 -- until a "driver error" struck with 62 laps to go. Busch spun his car and slightly tapped a passing Bowyer, relegating Busch's Toyota to a 16th-place finish.

Carl Edwards was going for four-in-a-row at the track but came up a little bit short in third. Brad Keselowski and Kelly Bires would up fourth and fifth, respectively.

Wimmer's victory in the Nationwide Series was the first for a non-Sprint Cup driver in 2008 and first since last July at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

Childress Sweep Continues at Nashville originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tony Stewart Has to Hate Spring Bristol Races

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Crashes, Richard Childress Racing, Sprint Cup

For the past three seasons at Bristol Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart has led a combined 769 laps during the famed short-track's springtime races.

And for the past three seasons, Stewart has walked away without so much as a lump in his throat about "what could have been."

The No. 20 has led 51.3% of all Food City 500 laps in the past three years but has only managed an average finish of 20th thanks to horrible luck or on-track incidents.

Sunday, Stewart had the familiar Bristol swagger going throughout much of the race and even showed plenty of patience in letting cars by him at times. Towards the end, it was shaping up to be a great finish with Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Denny Hamlin.

After a caution with 15 to go bunched up the field and Harvick ducked to pit road for fresh tires. Harvick caught Stewart with three laps to go, and on a daring move to the inside he wiggled up the track and slammed Stewart, sending the No. 20 car around and into the wall.

He would finish 14th.

Stewart, known for being a little hot under the collar in pressure situations, was awkwardly calm in his post-race interview.

"I thought I left him plenty of room, but I don't know. I was far enough ahead of him that I didn't see where he hit me or when he hit me. I'm sure some how it was my fault. I'm just sorry I got in his way," said Stewart.

Obviously, Stewart was being quite sarcastic about the incident. Unlike Goodyear, Stewart didn't throw his good friend Kevin Harvick under the bus for the incident.

That's probably a good thing considering that "Operation: Wax Smoke" is happening this Wednesday on Stewart's radio show, with who else than Kevin Harvick being the designated "shaver".

Harvick was apologetic for the incident, taking full blame.

"I just lost it. I got up on the inside there and just flat out lost the thing. I was trying to win the race and I hate it. [...] Tony and I can work it out," said Harvick.

Let's certainly hope so, otherwise Operation: Wax Smoke could turn interesting.

Tony Stewart Has to Hate Spring Bristol Races originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Burton Scores Unlikely Food City 500 Win

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing, Denny Hamlin, Sprint Cup

If you would have told Jeff Burton with ten laps left during Sunday's Food City 500 the directions to victory lane, he would have probably looked at you like you were crazy.

Burton, though, with a strange set of circumstances ended up needing those directions to Bristol Motor Speedway's victory lane.

With 15 laps to go, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Denny Hamlin were shaping up for a three-way battle for the lead when Brian Vickers cut a tire on his No. 83 Toyota and slammed the turn 3 wall, bringing out a caution.

Stewart, Hamlin, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. stayed out as the rest of the lead-lap cars -- including Harvick and Burton -- dove to pit road for fresh tires. On the restart with 5 laps to go, Stewart jumped out to a lead before Hamlin caught him and drove past.

Harvick had restarted 4th and passed Dale Earnhardt Jr. before getting to Stewart's rear bumper. As the two dove into turn one with 3 laps to go, Harvick hit the apron, bobbled, and doorslammed Stewart -- spinning the No. 20 into the wall.

In the mess, Burton drove underneath Harvick just before the caution came out, giving him second spot behind Hamlin for the ensuing green-white-checkered finish.

When the race restarted for the final time, Hamlin got a good restart but off of turn 2, his No. 11 Toyota stumbled for some reason and Burton blew past to lead the final lap and a half in a first for Richard Childress Racing. RCR finished 1-2-3 with Burton, Harvick, and Clint Bowyer crossing the finish line first.

The win was Burton's first of 2008 and his 20th of his career. Additionally, it was Chevrolet's first win of 2008.

Greg Biffle finished fourth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. fifth.

Burton Scores Unlikely Food City 500 Win originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yahoo! Says Bobby Labonte to RCR in '09

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:53:00 EST

Filed under: Bobby Labonte, NASCAR Media Watch, NASCAR Rumors, Richard Childress Racing, Petty Enterprises, Sprint Cup

Richard Childress Racing could be bringing in that fourth car that they tried to unsuccessfully land for 2008 quicker than anticipated.

Yahoo! Sports' Bob Margolis reports that he has a source saying Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Champion, will move from Petty Enterprises to the RCR stable beginning in 2009. From Yahoo!'s Margolis:

"Richard Childress acknowledged that his organization is close to fielding a fourth team in the Sprint Cup Series, and Yahoo! Sports has learned that the driver of that car beginning in 2009 likely will be Bobby Labonte.

Sources close to the deal point to General Mills, Labonte's current sponsor with Petty Enterprises, coming along with him to RCR.

According to Childress, he will field a fourth car sometime this season, though he wouldn't set an exact time frame. He did say things were progressing well and that he was pleased with how plans were coming together.

"We're looking at entering a few races before the end of the season," Childress said."

This report, it if holds true, might set the record for the quickest time in which NASCAR's silly season -- the time when drivers and teams swap around -- has started.

Labonte would be a great pickup for RCR's operations, especially if he can bring along a sponsorship. On the other hand, it would be a huge blow to Petty Enterprises.

I'm still taking this report as a grain of salt because Childress' quote isn't directly aimed at the report and during the Dale Earnhardt Jr. circus in 2007, Yahoo!'s coverage had some inaccurate reports coming out about the specifics.

2008 may have changed that, but we'll see. Look for this story to gather steam this weekend.

Yahoo! Says Bobby Labonte to RCR in '09 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 25 Year-in-Review: Clint Bowyer

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Welcome to the 2007 NASCAR FanHouse Year in Review. Follow along each day as we look back on the top 25 drivers of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for the 2007 season. Heck, bookmark us if you have to! Today, we review the season of 3rd-place Clint Bowyer.

Driver: Clint Bowyer -- Emporia, Kansas
Team: No. 07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet
Points: 3rd (-346)
2006: 17th in Cup Standings
Key Stats: 2 poles, 1 win, 5 Top-5s, 17 Top-10s
Back in 2008?: Yes

Easily, Clint Bowyer takes the 2007 season's NASCAR most improved driver of the year.

Not only did the Kansas native score a 14-place better finish in the season standings, but Bowyer scored his first career Cup Series win at New Hampshire. The win was impressive enough, but for Bowyer to come up with a such a victory when it truly mattered during his first Chase was all the more incredible.

Additionally, Bowyer turned out to be the lone driver who could effectively battle the two-headed Hendrick Motorsports monster of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson for a good majority of the Chase. Though the run didn't pan out, Bowyer showed some tough tenacity that bodes well for the future for the Richard Childress Driver.

Clint's two pole runs in 2007 came at Darlington in May and then he won from the pole at New Hampshire.

Bowyer's strong showing in the Chase was in direct correlation to the way the team battled through some adversity during the 10-race playoff run. Bowyer's worst finish came when he had officially been taken out of the running for the title in the season's final race at Homestead.

Otherwise, Bowyer saw a 19th-place finish at Texas ruin his chances at the Hendrick duo. The remaining eight finishes had five in the Top-5 and the rest still within the Top-15.

2008 looks like it could be a good year for Bowyer. His lone victory came in the next-generation race car being used full-time in 2008 by NASCAR. His teammates Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton were both in the Chase.

And most importantly, everything from his sponsor to his crew chief are back and ready to take on 2008 with no interruptions -- something that's hard to come across in this day of NASCAR racing.

Top 25 Year-in-Review: Clint Bowyer originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:
Jeff Burton, No. 31 Childress Chevrolet

Geoffrey Miller — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Welcome to the 2007 NASCAR FanHouse Year in Review. Follow along each day as we look back on the top 25 drivers of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for the 2007 season. Heck, bookmark us if you have to! Today, we review the season of 8th-place Jeff Burton.

Driver: Jeff Burton -- South Boston, Virginia
Team: No. 31 Cingular/AT&T Chevrolet
Points: 8th (-491)
2006: 7th in Cup Standings
Key Stats: 1 wins, 9 Top-5s, 18 Top-10s
Back in 2008?: Yes

Jeff Burton's most newsworthy event of the year didn't even come on the race track.

Over the summer, Burton's sponsor AT&T sued NASCAR for the right to change the brand on the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet from Cingular to AT&T. The issue, which originally arose over a grandfather clause in the contract for Sprint/Nextel to become the title sponsor of the Cup Series, was eventually settled after AT&T agreed to depart the sport after 2008 with the allowance of running the AT&T brand on Burton's car until that point.

For a few races though late in the summer, though, Burton's car was painted bright orange with no sponsors -- an indication of some severe problems NASCAR is having with growing the sport by alienating potential sponsors.

On the track, though, Burton scored his lone victory at the track that he scored his first career one -- at Texas Motor Speedway in April. A thrilling duel with former teammate Matt Kenseth sealed the end of the race that interestingly enough with all of Burton's sponsor troubles saw the No. 31 enter victory lane with a special primary sponsor of Prilosec OTC.

Aside from Texas, Burton's 2007 campaign was nothing other than typical Jeff Burton -- consistent.

Burton made the Chase and likely would have fared much higher in the final standings if he would have been able to skip Talladega and Kansas. Burton finished those events 43rd and 36th, respectively.

Finishes of 18th and 12th coupled with six Top-10s -- four straight to finish the season, nonetheless -- showed Burton had a mildly successful playoff run with plenty to build on for 2008.

The sign of Burton's Childress teammates Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick also making the Chase should be good for the whole RCR outfit in 2008.

NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:
Jeff Burton, No. 31 Childress Chevrolet originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:
Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Childress Chevrolet

Geoffrey Miller — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Welcome to the 2007 NASCAR FanHouse Year in Review. Follow along each day as we look back on the top 25 drivers of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for the 2007 season. Heck, bookmark us if you have to! Today, we review the season of 10th-place Kevin Harvick.

Driver: Kevin Harvick -- Bakersfield, California
Team: No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet
Points: 10th (-524)
2006: 4th in Cup Standings
Key Stats: 1 win, 4 Top-5s, 15 Top-10s
Back in 2008?: Yes

Kevin Harvick won just one points-paying race in 2007 but still managed to win the most money in the Nextel Cup Series for anyone not named Jimmie Johnson.

Winning the Daytona 500 and the Nextel All-Star Challenge will do that for you. Harvick's combined total was nearly $7.5 million to Johnson's $7.6 million+.

Harvick's win at the Daytona 500 -- the season's first points event -- was surprising and utterly thrilling. With cars spinning and flipping behind him, Harvick edged Mark Martin for his first victory in The Great American Race. In the following race, Harvick was in position to win before a late-race flat tire.

Nonetheless, Harvick looked poised to run for the title.

That wasn't to be, though, as Harvick didn't find victory lane after his win in the season-opener and had his next-best highlight due to a wreck and scuffle with Juan Pablo Montoya at Watkins Glen in August.

In the Chase, Harvick was hardly a threat to win the title after managing six finishes outside of the Top-15. His best finish was sixth, twice.

Harvick's team Richard Childress Racing was initially thought to be one of the top Car of Tomorrow programs, but that thought soon faded. RCR will need that program to be substantially improved in order for Harvick to not only make a lot of money in 2008, but win a few more.

NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:
Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Childress Chevrolet originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff Burton Agrees: ESPN on ABC is "Absurd"

Geoffrey Miller — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:43:00 EST

Filed under: Jeff Burton, NASCAR Gossip, NASCAR Media Watch, Nextel Cup, Richard Childress Racing, Chase for the Sprint Cup

I feel bad for Marty Reid, I really do.

Dude got shoved into a segment on ESPN2's NASCAR Now showing ESPN's impressive NASCAR coverage. Or, well, I hope he got shoved into it.

Before I rip the whole segment apart, let me allow Jeff Burton, ESPN's token driver voice for their coverage to do so as he did in the video:

"Well the first word that comes to mind is absurd. The first goal of racing is to be there at the end. This system would award people and reward people for doing things that actually would hamper the way they would finish the race," said Burton.

"So it makes no sense -- you used the worst example in the world at Talladega to expose a problem, when in fact, we don't have this problem at most race tracks. So you have to run toward the front, you have to run hard in order to be competitive at almost every race track with the exception of Talladega. So, in a word, I think it's absurd."

Amen, Jeff.

For me, this whole segment (with a nice after-touch of Judge Judy) shows why ESPN and NASCAR fans haven't exactly gotten along this season.

ESPN has forced Rusty Wallace, Erik Kuselias, Draft Tracker, Brent "insurmountable" Musberger and the Full Throttle scanner bologna down our throats all year long. This bird-brained point system idea is just another reason why ESPN isn't doing NASCAR right. ESPN says that we can't think for ourselves, and then does it for us.

What exactly is it about the current point system that is so wrong? Is there a race beside Talladega that has seen drivers race at the back the whole time?

No. No. And no.

I'm glad Jeff Burton felt that it was his place to step up and say what he wanted. I really wish we could have heard what David Poole of the Charlotte Observer had to say, because I can imagine it would have been similar.

NFLCAR? No way!

And really, let's be honest, who of us have watched the start of the race, and then watched more of the race, and then watched the whole race?

Apparently, the whole ESPN network might be surprised.

Jeff Burton Agrees: ESPN on ABC is "Absurd" originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff Burton Agrees: ESPN on ABC is "Absurd"

NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:
Jeff Burton, No. 31 Childress Chevrolet

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Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Childress Chevrolet