Motorsports FanHouse http://motorsports.fanhouse.com Motorsports FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif Motorsports FanHouse http://motorsports.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Stewart, Montoya Tangle in Finalehttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/stewart-and-montoya-tangle-in-dramatic-nascar-finale/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/stewart-and-montoya-tangle-in-dramatic-nascar-finale/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/stewart-and-montoya-tangle-in-dramatic-nascar-finale/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya positioned themselves for a grand finale in NASCAR's Sprint Cup season-ender at Homestead Miami Speedway on Sunday. Montoya was set for a career-best points finish, with Stewart enjoying a great debut effort for his own new team.

Instead of finishing on a high note, the two veterans engaged in a spirited battle of fender-banging that resulted in both losing positions in the final championship standings.

Montoya started it with hitting Stewart's Chevrolet from behind. Stewart retaliated by coming down the race track and spinning Montoya out.

After almost a half-hour in the garage with his team making repairs to his No. 42 Target Chevrolet, Montoya returned to the track and promptly spun Stewart out, resulting in a two-lap penalty for Montoya, and a smashed-up car for Stewart.

Neither would comment after the race. However, Stewart's crew chief, Darian Grubb, approached Montoya's crew chief, Brian Pattie, in the garage after the race and said, "Sorry, dude.''

Pattie said he was dumbfounded how or why the whole dust-up started.

When Montoya made the final retaliation, Stewart came on the radio and said, "He got us,'' and Grubb responded, "Well, we deserved it.''

"We had the car going really good, we were really coming up through the field,'' Pattie said. "The part I'm frustrated with is I don't know how it all happened.

"I'm not mad though because I know where we're going, and we're going in the right direction.''

Grubb was a little more candid in his assessment.

"We weren't thinking about points, we were thinking about winning the race and then both of their common senses went out the window,'' Grubb said.

Stewart ended up 22nd in the No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet and dropped one place to sixth in the final standings after leading the championship at the end of the regular season. Montoya, the first non-American driver to qualify for the Chase for the Championship, finished 38th Sunday and lost two places in the standings, dropping to eighth in the final points -- still a career best for the former Indy 500 winner and Formula One star.

Sunday's winner Denny Hamlin, who was penalized in Saturday's Nationwide Series race for intentionally spinning out Brad Keselowski, joked afterward that he must have been an "inspiration" to Stewart and Montoya.

"I thought yesterday was worth it to me and maybe they thought today deserved it too,'' Hamlin said.

Stewart, Montoya Tangle in Finale originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>juan pablo montoyaTony StewartHolly CainSun, 22 Nov 2009 20:50:00 EST Newman Satisfied With Team Debuthttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/ryan-newman-satisfied-with-stewart-haas-debut/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/ryan-newman-satisfied-with-stewart-haas-debut/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/ryan-newman-satisfied-with-stewart-haas-debut/#commentsFiled under: , ,

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- If pressed to find one thing Ryan Newman would change about his season, of course, he'd like to score a win in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway.

After being close to victory circle a half-dozen times this season, that's about the only thing he feels is missing from a stellar debut season with the essentially start-up Stewart-Haas Racing team. Newman won two pole positions in the No. 39 U.S. Army-sponsored Chevrolet and, after an ominous start at the season-opening Daytona 500, still qualified for the 12-driver Chase for the Championship.

In our last installment of Inside the Chase for the Championship with Ryan Newman, FanHouse looks at the evolution of the season and how Newman evaluates his fresh start.

"By our own standards and expectations -- which I don't know if you'd call them high or low -- I am happy with how the season has gone, I wouldn't say ecstatic, but I'm happy,'' said Newman, who's ranked ninth entering Sunday's Ford 400 season-ender.

It's a fine conclusion, especially if you consider how Newman's season began. Great hoopla and wide-ranging expectations met the Stewart-Haas Racing team in Daytona. No one doubted Tony Stewart's commitment to this new team or track record. Same with Newman.

But there was a real wait-and-see attitude for these two successful drivers going it on their own. Newman left the mighty Penske organization, where he won the 2008 Daytona 500, and Stewart left Joe Gibbs Racing, where he won a pair of Cup championships.

But Newman's Chevy blew two motors and, of all things, Stewart and Newman crashed together in the final practice for the Daytona 500. So before the first green flag had even dropped, Newman was coming from behind. It didn't get much better in the race, he finished in the same position he started -- 36th.

It was a month before Newman got a top-10 finish -- but that seventh-place performance at Bristol, Tenn., was the start of the turnaround that would propel him to the playoffs.

"Blown motors, wrecks, loose wheels, it was such a nasty start,'' Newman's crew chief Tony Gibson said. "It was tough, but I've been in this sport when it's bad, bad, bad, and you know it's going to turn around.

"And when it starts turning around, it makes it even sweeter.''

That Bristol race started a string of 10 races in which Newman had only two finishes worse than eighth place, including four straight top-four finishes. Newman won the pole and finished runner-up at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte during Memorial Day weekend -- still his best single outing of the year.

By June, Newman had moved from a season-low 36th in the standings to a season-high fourth.

Stewart scored the team's first victory at Pocono the first week of June and was leading the points standings. Only Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were ranked higher than Newman.

"Daytona just set the tone and showed us that we could overcome adversity,'' Newman said. "What Tony and I share are a lot of desire, a lot of fight and a little bit of old-school mixed in with new-school thinking.

"I never looked at it like we had certain expectations. If you're spending time expecting things, you're in neutral in my eyes. You need to be moving forward.''

And that's exactly what Newman has done.

A highlight reel of his 2009 season will undoubtedly include a pair of horrific-looking accidents at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, but what he'll remember most is the tenacity and unwavering commitment his new team showed to convert the tough times into an elite season.

It's difficult enough in this competitive era to make the Chase for the Championship with an established team. Newman did it driving a new car, fielded by a new team, led by a new crew chief.

"I'm like a proud father,'' Stewart said of the organization's successes.

"I don't see how I could be any happier. For a first-year team, I'd give us an A.''

Newman Satisfied With Team Debut originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>nascarryan newmanRyanNewmanTony StewartTonyStewartHolly CainSat, 21 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST Sprint Cup N's & Q's: AMP Energy 500http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-amp-energy-500/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-amp-energy-500/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-amp-energy-500/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Notes, quotes & commentary from a NASCAR weekend at Talladega.

What a weekend it was, huh? Yes, I do have some comments and ideas about the overall product at Talladega this week. I'm going to wait, though, until the end of this post. First, the finer notes on Sunday.

Can anyone make sense of NASCAR's pit road penalties? Had Sunday's race been at another track where track position isn't so easily gained like it is at Talladega, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart and eventual race winner Jamie McMurray would have been downright hosed.

And good or bad as it relates to your particular driver, the rule that nabbed them just isn't fair.

The four drivers ended up in a sticky situation when they dropped from 190-plus mph to Talladega's pit road speed of 65 mph on lap 50 to make a pit stop. As they did so, Kurt Busch blew a tire and murdered the pit road commitment cone just in front of them before spinning through the grass.

Jeff Gordon, originally with the aforementioned drivers, swerved back on track and didn't pit after worrying that the caution flag would negatively affect his team's decision to pit. But the other drivers, yards from the pit road commitment line when Busch spun, continued down pit road and some made their pit stops.

Upon further review, NASCAR determined that the four had entered pit road while it was closed -- replays showed the red light activated before they crossed the pit road commitment line, meaning they had indeed done so. The penalty was to restart at the tail-end of the field.

But come on, had those guys made aggressive maneuvers to stay off pit road as Gordon had, they would have all piled up in a hot mess of bent metal. How is it smart for NASCAR to think that the drivers should have made such an ill-advised maneuver?

It's not, frankly, and someone will soon get burned on the rule at a track where it matters like, say, Texas Motor Speedway, the site of this weekend's race.

You've got to feel bad for Joe Nemechek after he was a part of Sunday's first caution.

Nemechek, who is trying to keep his race team afloat this season by pulling the start-and-park pattern, was intending to run his Nemco Motorsports car the distance on Sunday and maybe squeeze out a decent finish to earn some more cash for his generally unsponsored team to keep it racing.

But Paul Menard's tire had another idea as it exploded in turn two on lap 6, shooting Menard into the side of Nemechek and both into the wall. Nemechek wound up 43rd and went home with a destroyed race car.

Do you want to accuse Jamie McMurray of winning a fluky race? Go ahead, but not only does he not care, the stats from the race don't back it up. McMurray led 32 laps Sunday to take home five extra points for leading the most.

Mark Martin came with a completely different attitude to Talladega than his normal "I hate this place" shtick. It worked so well that Martin completed all but one lap and spent time sliding on his roof.

Dude can't catch a break at these restrictor plate joints, I suppose. He did, though, reason on why Talladega has reared into a big, ugly monster that fans love or hate (and from the sound of those comments, its mostly hate right now).

"It used to be we'd come here and it'd be all about speed and power," said Martin, talking about the difference between then and today's uniform set of rules designed with mostly safety in mind, before he identified what's to blame for Talladega's controversies. "Technology has brought us to this."

Very true. And sadly, technology doesn't exactly allow us too many things to fix it.

As promised, some ramblings and questions about Talladega, as a whole. Agree or disagree as you wish.

♦ Single-file lines are not new at Talladega. If you remember back to the fall of 2007 with the same car, Jeff Gordon led all of one lap that day after the race got crazy near the end. But before that, there was plenty of guys (i.e. Gordon) riding in the back to stay out of trouble and single-file lines in the middle of the race.

Heck, I even posted about it on Oct. 8, 2007:
For much too long Sunday, it was obvious drivers were scared to be aggressive or dice for the lead. Single-file packs and drivers purposely staying at the back of the pack to avoid trouble just doesn't cut it at this level.

Jeff Gordon managed to pull off the race win by sailing through the draft after a restart with eight laps to go but for a large majority of Sunday's race, Gordon rode around at times five to seven seconds behind the leader with teammate Jimmie Johnson and other Chase contenders.

That's not racing. That's riding.
Sounds eerily familiar to Sunday, doesn't? Like I said, single-file lines aren't new at Talladega, and we really can't blame NASCAR's no bump drafting in the corners edict for it.

♦ Do you think the fact that Jimmie Johnson skirted through the messes of Talladega and came out with what is really an insurmountable point lead had any factor on fan frustration?

I really think that's part of the case. Had Jimmie wrecked, it might have changed the whole rest of the season. You get the feeling people were banking on that.

♦ Ryan Newman is right. NASCAR Sprint Cup cars don't need to be taking off on their own. Something needs to be engineered -- bigger roof flaps? -- to keep them on the ground.

♦ People that think racing at Talladega without restrictor plates would solve everything couldn't be further from the truth. Going faster means race cars fly better. And when cars fly, they don't have control. And when you don't have control, you don't know where they'll land.

Therein lies the complete problem with going faster at Talladega.

♦ After much thinking about the subject, I think I've nailed down the frustration I felt after Sunday's race. It's simple: Talladega is too predictable in its unpredictability.

Other race tracks have different types of races nearly every visit and there's often quirks that are completely unexpected. NASCAR fans like quirks and the unexpected -- it makes things exciting and fresh to watch.

But at Talladega (I'm not lumping Daytona into this) the formula is simple: Ride, ride, pass, ride, ride, crash, race, crash, checkered flag.

We've gotten so used to the "Big One" and extraordinary crashes that they've become just ordinary and an off-shoot winner -- we should have had three in-a-row going to back to last season's terrible call to rob Regan Smith of the win -- happens more often than not now.

Simply, we've seen three-wide racing so much that we expect it and its not massively thrilling to the longtime viewer. And for the drivers, they've reached the point where they realize that nothing counts until the checked flag waves. Why, then, would they want to ride in peril for three hours?

Can you blame them? I can't.

It's not a good show for the fans, and there's no incentive for the drivers. That leaves one variable on the table: NASCAR.

Love it or hate it, Talladega has reached an interesting point with problems -- not the safety ones -- that really have no clear cut answer.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: AMP Energy 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Geoffrey MillerWed, 04 Nov 2009 11:14:00 EST Sprint Cup N's & Q's: Pepsi 500http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-pepsi-500/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-pepsi-500/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-pepsi-500/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tony Stewart Auto Club Speedway NASCAR Sprint CupTony Stewart may be working spots for Burger King at the moment, but at the end of Sunday's race, he was making chicken salad.

"It was making chicken salad out of chicken you know what," said Stewart after finishing 5th. "We were pretty fortunate to get a couple of breaks there when we needed them."

The 'breaks' Stewart was talking about including getting back on the lead lap after falling behind thanks to a miscue on pit road. You could also toss in the fact that he kept his Chase hopes alive by not taking a finish deep in the field.

Casey Mears has had a downright awful season in 2009, but it got a little bit better on Sunday.

Mears finished 11th in his Richard Childress Racing entry and could have had a little bit more before falling back during the late restarts. It was his best finish since a sixth at Michigan in August, and it left him just one spot away from recording his fourth top-10 of the season.

Chalk David Ragan up as a guy who finished a lot better than his season has gone so far. Ragan, in the Roush-Fenway Racing No. 6, finished seventh in the 500-miler -- just one spot behind teammate Carl Edwards.

"Certainly, that's not what we want as the 6 car," said Ragan. "We're not celebrating like it's a win, but a top-10 the way our season has been is certainly refreshing.

Unbelievably, the top-10 was just the second for Ragan in 2009 with the first coming after 6th-place run at the season-opener in Daytona. Last season, Ragan brought in six top-5's and 14 top-10's.

Joey Logano nabbed an unexpected win in Saturday's Nationwide Series race, but didn't have the same luck on Sunday at Auto Club Speedway.

"We made one pit stop and it went to crap," said a frank Logano. "I don't know what happened. We went junk and couldn't fix it. Eventually, we swung for the fence and it was too far, so we went to the other side of the fence and we started backing it back up from there. I don't know why we went good to complete junk like a light switch."

Logano's words echo the general description of NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow chassis for much its lifespan in the Sprint Cup Series. Simply, the handling characteristics are incredibly similar to walking on razor blades. One misstep can spell disaster.

Logano finished 14th.

David Gilliland got a first time experience Sunday when he hopped into Kyle Busch's No. 18 after Busch exited the car on lap 62 due to overwhelming flu-like symptoms. It was the first time all weekend that Gilliland had driven car, meaning it would be a tall task to get a handle on the race car in the middle of the action.

It didn't go too terribly, but didn't go great, either. Gilliland earned Busch a 24th-place finish.

"It was a little bit different. It was an experience, for sure," said Gilliland. "Without practicing it and stuff, we just never could get it right."

Gilliland had previously inked a deal with Joe Gibbs Racing to drive a fourth car in a few remaining races this season. The first of those races will come Saturday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte and Gilliland is a little more optimistic about running well.

"We'll be able to practice and do everything else and have a couple hours to tune the car to kind of what I need," said Gilliland. "I'm excited and looking forward to next week, especially."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but i think Kyle Busch was also the last driver to be a part of a relief driver scenario that saw another starter in the same race exit the race and later jump into another car.

Sunday in California, David Gilliland started in the No. 71 TRG Motorsports car which promptly exited the race on lap 13 as start-and-park. But back in 2007 at Texas Motor Speedway, Busch was involved in crash with his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team early in the event and figured the car was unrepairable. He left the track and headed home.

The team, though, fixed some damage on the car enough to get back on the track and needed a driver to earn some points. Dale Earnhardt Jr., also involved in the crash, was available and hopped in Busch's No. 5 car to make a few laps. As it turns out, it was somewhat of a foreshadow of what would happen in 2008.

Finally, I hope you missed Sunday's rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner by Jesse McCartney.

McCartney, a 22-year-old pop singer formerly of the boy band Dream Street, missed an entire verse of the National Anthem during the pre-race ceremonies.

I understand getting nervous and all, but come on. If you've been hired to sing a song that everyone knows -- get it right.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: Pepsi 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Auto Club SpeedwayGeoffrey MillerTue, 13 Oct 2009 13:25:00 EST Let's Face It: Johnson Is Unstoppablehttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/lets-face-it-johnson-is-unstoppable/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/lets-face-it-johnson-is-unstoppable/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/lets-face-it-johnson-is-unstoppable/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Jeff Gordon gave Jimmie Johnson a handshake in victory lane to congratulate his teammate on yet another win, but really, it just symbolized what most NASCAR fans have to be fearing -- it's time to throw in the towel yet again at the feet of King Jimmie.

Johnson led 126 of 250 laps in Sunday's Pepsi 500 in Fontana, Calif., and overcame a dramatic final 20 laps that saw him bounced from the lead by Gordon. No matter. Johnson shot back by just a few laps later and then ran away from the field for the win.

It wasn't a surprise, really, that Johnson won. But it's a surprise to realize that pending crazy circumstances, there's not a team in NASCAR that can top the No. 48.
More Coverage: Pepsi 500 Results | Sprint Cup Series Standings

Need proof? Just go through the list of guys who were chasing Johnson, and trying to stop his pursuit of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, during Sunday's race outside of Los Angeles.

Gordon, the second-place finisher, was quite straight to the point after the race.

"We finished second," Gordon said,"but I feel like we were in a second-class category. We're good, but we're not good enough."

His final question in his post-race conference, though, really left an idea of what Gordon will be gnawing on during his long flight back home on the East Coast. What exactly, a reporter asked, is the difference between the No. 24 and No. 48, knowing the fact that they are based out of the same garage?

Gordon shook his head, grimaced and paused.

"Ask the tech center," said Gordon in a low voice. "I don't know. I really have no idea."

Talk about sounding defeated.

Gordon, though, did gain two spots in the Chase standings and now sits 105 points behind Johnson in first.

Juan Pablo Montoya shared Gordon's frustration.

"It's incredible," said Montoya. "I have four top-5's in a row, and I'm losing ground to the leader."

Incredible, indeed.

Montoya's worst finish in the Chase is fourth -- something he's done three times including Sunday's race. Yet, he's 58 points behind Johnson in third.

It's almost unfair.

"It'd be nice if we could get a freakin' win soon," said Montoya.

It seems that Jimmie Johnson has other plans. He is, after all, batting .500 in the win column in this season's Chase.

Mark Martin finished fourth Sunday and fell from the Chase lead for the first time. He's now a mere 12 points behind Johnson -- though you get that feeling that its more like 1,200.

Tony Stewart finished fifth after a day that saw him a lap down and as low as 30th at one point. The finish certainly staved off his elimination, but he's fourth in points and 84 markers back of the No. 48. Not that the team owner is giving up.

"This team never quits," said Stewart after his comeback day. "Never has, never will."

Certainly, Stewart's attitude is nothing short of noble. There's still opportunities for Johnson to have troubles -- for reference, see Denny Hamlin's mistake Sunday at ACS that left him with a 37th-place finish -- in the final six races. But after watching this story unfold for three straight years, can we really expect anything different to happen?

I certainly don't think so, but more importantly, it seems like some of the drivers don't think so.

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Latest NASCAR Photos
Jimmie Johnson's crew celebrates after Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Pepsi 500 auto race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Latest NASCAR Images

    Jimmie Johnson, center, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Pepsi 500 auto race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Jimmie Johnson's crew celebrates after Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Pepsi 500 auto race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Jimmie Johnson kisses his wife, Chandra, as they celebrate his victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Pepsi 500 auto race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

    AP

    FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet, crosses the finsih line to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dale Earnhardt Jr.

    Getty Images

    FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

    Getty Images

    FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

    Getty Images

    FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

    Getty Images for NASCAR

Let's Face It: Johnson Is Unstoppable originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Auto Club SpeedwayGeoffrey MillerSun, 11 Oct 2009 20:40:00 EST Sprint Cup N's & Q's: Kansas 400http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-kansas-400/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-kansas-400/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-kansas-400/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If there was any doubt about the impact of clean air in NASCAR, Kansas Speedway pretty much cleared it up.

Simply, the undisturbed air that the leader has on the front nose of his race car gives a decided handling advantage. And don't just ask Tony Stewart, but ask the two other drivers that took two tires during the race's final pit stop on lap 239 -- Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson.

Stewart, who got a jump on the lap 241 restart, got the clean air and held off Jeff Gordon and his four new tires while Kahne and Johnson fell to sixth and ninth respectively.

Gordon tried to claw back to Stewart's bumper after working his way past Greg Biffle for second, and appeared to be pulling closer and closer to Stewart. But Gordon reached a point -- at just over a half second behind Stewart -- that he could just go no further. A factor at that point could have been Gordon's tires wearing away due to his hard driving effort, but Stewart's two tires should have equalized out that effect.

Drivers have noted time and time again -- both with the old and new car -- that closing behind another car often causes a dramatic handling shift. A lot of the change has to do with the decreased air on the nose of the trailing race car, causing the tires to have less force pressed into the track.

The lower pressure on the front end can cause the car to feel tight and not want to turn as well with the front tires.

The Kansas Speedway media center is apparently a chair lighter today after a humorous exchange between Stewart and the assembled post-race media.

Prior to Stewart's post-race press conference, Jeff Gordon had answered a question about the championship format and mentioned something along the lines of Stewart having a big lead had the Chase not reset the field.

Well, NASCAR.com's Joe Menzer wanted to ask a question to Stewart related to the topic, and it set off one of Stewart's infamous sarcastic banters with the NASCAR media.

Here's a little bit of the transcript:

Joe Menzer, NASCAR.com: "Jeff Gordon was in here and mentioned--"
Tony Stewart: "He came in here? Jeff Gordon came in here?"
JM: "Yeah."
TS: "Wow."
JM: "I know, you're amazed."
TS: "That's awesome man. I never would have thought Jeff Gordon would have come in here."
JM: "He was sitting right there, I believe."
TS: "He was sitting right here?" (as Stewart pointed to the chair he was sitting in)
JM: "Yeah, man."
TS: "Oh my God, I'm sitting in the seat Jeff Gordon sat in. That's awesome. Can I take this home? I mean I won the race. Can I take this chair home? Alright. I'll send somebody back for it after I leave. Go ahead, I'm trying to contain myself."

Stewart didn't have to send anyone back, as he wheeled the chair off the stage himself after making another comment that he wants Gordon to sign the chair. All reports say that it made its way into the No. 14 hauler and didn't return from it.

So goes the story of Tony & the Chair.

Roush-Fenway Racing has to be walking a little taller after Sunday's race.

Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, the only two RFR drivers in the Chase, wound up 3rd and 10th, respectively. Late pit calls probably took Biffle from the race win, but he's certainly got to be happy with the results.

Edwards wasn't pleased with his car for much of the day, but still salvaged a decent finish at a track that he certainly expects to do better at. Remember, one year ago Edwards made the bonzai move into turn three on the last lap and came up just short of beating Jimmie Johnson for the win.

While those two may be somewhat pleased with their results after a season of struggles -- the team hasn't won a race since Fontana in February -- Matt Kenseth's No. 17 is actually showing life. Kenseth was a contender up front for the second race in a row and looked to be a contender through the stretch until his engine went south.

Jamie McMurray got lapped and David Ragan got caught up in an early wreck, so not all was good for Roush. But baby steps for the team in the right direction are still steps in the right direction.

After receiving an unusual warning about car measurement tolerances from NASCAR last week, the cars of Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin were once again transported back to the NASCAR research and development center following the race at Kansas.

And there's a possibility that will be a norm for those two cars for the rest of the season.

NASCAR warned those teams that they were within thousandths of an inch of the maximum allowed body measurements after Dover, and has decided that make sure both the No. 5 and No. 48 stay in conformity. Hence the reason both cars were taken back to the R&D center, which is above and beyond what NASCAR normally takes back.

NASCAR is fully in its right to take any car it wants back for inspection, and if it wanted, it could take every car back to the R&D center for testing after race -- though that's highly impractical.

Normally, the sanctioning body takes just the winner's car and a car drawn randomly back to the R&D center for a tight inspection. Sunday, those cars included Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch.

Lots of folks have wondered if NASCAR is trying to sweep something under the rug with Johnson and Martin, but honestly, look at the bigger picture. Think about how tight the Chase would come if both teams would have been penalized with points after Dover.

Think Jimmie Johnson & Mark Martin being reeled back to the pack would draw some interest? I'd say so -- and that would be in NASCAR's favor.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: Kansas 400 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Geoffrey MillerTue, 06 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST Gordon, Stewart Make Gains in Chasehttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/04/gordon-stewart-make-gains-in-chase/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/04/gordon-stewart-make-gains-in-chase/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/04/gordon-stewart-make-gains-in-chase/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tony Stewart / Jeff GordonThey aren't in great shape yet, but they certainly put themselves in position to compete.

Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon finished 1-2 Sunday at Kansas Speedway, showing a rebound for both teams after less-than-desirable results in the first two races of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format. For Stewart, it was his fourth win of the season and drew him within 67 points of the Chase lead while Gordon trimmed a spot and 19 points off of his own Chase deficit.

For both, it also marked the first time either had gained ground on Chase leader Mark Martin in three races.
More: Stewart Bolsters Chances | Sprint Cup Standings | Full Race Results

Stewart's win vaulted some confidence back into the No. 14 team at a time when they especially needed it. After leading the points into the final regular-season race at Richmond, Stewart watched as not only did his significant point lead get wiped from the slate, but also his team saw uncharacteristic struggles and finishes.

It appeared the wheels had started to fall off at the least opportune time.

Life didn't get a whole lot better when the Chase started at Loudon. A missed component of the team's pre-race checklist allowed an axle cap to come loose. In-race repairs dropped Stewart to the back before he rallied to a 14th-place finish. The Chase damage was deep, though, as he sat 74 points back of Martin after just one race.

Then, last week at Dover, Stewart's bumper unintentionally sent Joey Logano into his crazy rollover wreck. The contact put a hole in the front end of Stewart's Chevrolet that required an unscheduled pit stop. He rebounded to a ninth-place finish, but dropped to 106 points out of contention.

"At the end of the day, no matter what the circumstance was that got us behind, we were able to rebound from it," Stewart said after Sunday's win. "The outcomes (in the first two races) weren't what we wanted but it just shows this team doesn't have quit in them."

Darian GrubbHis crew chief, Darian Grubb, agreed, but said the approach to each race weekend hasn't changed thanks to the team's Chase deficit.

"We still approach every race the same," Grubb said. "We're going for wins every week. We know we have to win to win the Chase for the championship. Today was just a good example of how hard you have to fight."

Such a fight is something that Gordon, who still faces a sizable but manageable deficit to teammate Mark Martin, knows will last throughout the Chase.

"You don't expect to go from where we were in points all the way up to first," said Gordon. "You're kind of hoping for the best that you made a big jump.

"That's what happens when you get off to the start like we did at New Hampshire, when you finish 15th and all the guys you're racing in the championship finish ahead of you, even a day like today isn't going to put you in the top 2 or 3."

Gordon did move up a spot in the standings to 7th, but he's certainly got a tough road ahead of him if he wants to be in contention for the postseason hardware. Perfection, he thinks, will be the name of the game.

"We've got to capitalize on the tracks that are good for us," said Gordon. "We got a little bit behind at New Hampshire. We have to make that our worst finish in the Chase."

Certainly, he's not counting himself out of the championship race.

"Even though the Hendrick cars started off strong the first two races and we were strong today, that doesn't mean this thing is over," Gordon said. "There's a lot of racing left to go."

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Tony Stewart crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
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    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dale Earnhardt Jr.

    Getty Images

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

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    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Actress January Jones greets Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** January Jones;Jeff Gordon

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    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Crew chief Darian Grubb (C) of the #14 Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet has ice dumped on him by his crew members in victory lane as they celebrate driver Tony Stewart's (R), victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Darian Grubb;Tony Stewart

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    Greg Biffle leaves the pit area during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Biffle finished in third place. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

    AP

    Tony Stewart, right, looks to pass Greg Biffle during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Stewart won the race and Biffle finished in third place. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

    AP

    Pit crew members work on Tony Stewart's car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Stewart won the race. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

    AP

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

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    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Actress January Jones is seen on the stage prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** January Jones

    Getty Images for NASCAR


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Gordon, Stewart Make Gains in Chase originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jeff gordontony stewartGeoffrey MillerSun, 04 Oct 2009 19:55:00 EST Stewart Bolsters Title Chances With Winhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/04/stewart-bolsters-title-chances-with-win/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/04/stewart-bolsters-title-chances-with-win/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/04/stewart-bolsters-title-chances-with-win/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tony StewartKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) -- Tony Stewart didn't have time for a debate. He had one last chance to grab the win at Kansas Speedway, and it came down to one critical decision.

Two tires, or four?

The two-time series champion asked for two on the final pit stop Sunday, and crew chief Darian Grubb immediately agreed with the strategy. The rapid thinking got Stewart the race lead, and he held on over the final 26 laps for his fourth win of the season.
More Coverage: Check Sprint Cup Standings | View Full Race Results

``He asked me what I thought, I kind of put my vote in, and he said it was exactly what he was thinking,'' Stewart said. ``It made me feel good that we both agreed on the same thing that quick. It was like, to both of us, it wasn't even an option. We pretty much knew what we both needed.''

What he needed was a win.

After a rocky start to the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Stewart found himself in danger of allowing Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson to pull the title out of his reach in just the third of 10 races. Stewart went into the race fifth in the standings, 106 points behind leader Martin, and in a slump of five of six finishes outside the top 10.

Grubb knew they needed to turn it up, and soon, to stay in title contention.

``We knew going into the Chase it was a must-win situation,'' Grubb said. ``You're going to have to win races against these competitors. You have to go in with the mindset you have to win races.''

The victory at Kansas moved Stewart up one spot in the standings to fourth, and his deficit was cut from 106 points to 67 behind Martin.

Stewart then raced through his celebration to fly off to Iowa, to compete with teammate Ryan Newman in the Knoxville Dirt Late Model Nationals, which were rained out Saturday night.

``As soon as I get done with this stimulating conversation that we're having here ... then I'm going to get to Knoxville as quickly as I can,'' he said in his post-race news conference. ``That's my goal, to get out of here soon. Just a hint.''

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Tony Stewart crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
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    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dale Earnhardt Jr.

    Getty Images

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Actress January Jones greets Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** January Jones;Jeff Gordon

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Crew chief Darian Grubb (C) of the #14 Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet has ice dumped on him by his crew members in victory lane as they celebrate driver Tony Stewart's (R), victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Darian Grubb;Tony Stewart

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    Greg Biffle leaves the pit area during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Biffle finished in third place. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

    AP

    Tony Stewart, right, looks to pass Greg Biffle during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Stewart won the race and Biffle finished in third place. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

    AP

    Pit crew members work on Tony Stewart's car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Stewart won the race. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

    AP

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Actress January Jones is seen on the stage prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** January Jones

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Martin, the pole-sitter, finished seventh and maintained his lead in the standings. He's up 18 points over three-time defending series champion Johnson, who finished ninth after a bad pit call put him in traffic that he couldn't overcome.

``We'll have to get home and look at the car and see what is going on there,'' Johnson said. ``So many guys took two, and we took four. There at the end, we were just trying to get some track position back and I just didn't have the speed that I had the start of the race and had lost a couple of more spots.

``At the end of the day, we finished ninth and that isn't too bad. We hate to see guys we are racing in points ahead of us.''

Martin wasn't in a celebratory mood despite maintaining his lead: There were only three drivers within 100 points of him at the start of the race, now the field has seven within 103.

``Look at it however you want,'' Martin said. ``What is there, seven more to go? I don't think we should be getting all hyped up about the tally right now, you know? We've got a lot of racing to go.''

The final outcome came down to strategy, and it started to shape as a race that would be decided on fuel mileage. Then Dale Earnhardt Jr., who led 41 laps early before bad breaks ruined his day, brought out the final caution of the race when an engine problem spilled oil on the track.

The leaders went to pit road debating with their crew chiefs whether to take two or four tires on what was likely going to be the final chance to gain track position.

Greg Biffle went to pit road as the leader, while Stewart was second. Biffle and his crew still didn't seem sure of what to do as he pulled into his spot, but Stewart and Grubb were certain. Stewart raced off pit road into the lead, with Kasey Kahne and Johnson in pursuit. Both also took two tires.

Biffle, the first driver to take four tires, restarted in fourth and admitted to overruling crew chief Greg Erwin, who only wanted to take two tires.

``I feel bad. Probably the wrong thing to do,'' said Biffle.

Stewart took off on the restart with 26 laps to go, and all the drivers on four tires quickly sliced through the field. But it was Jeff Gordon who made up the most ground. He was closing in on Stewart but simply ran out laps to catch him and settled for second.

Gordon, who battled a poorly handling car at the start of the race, was thrilled with the final outcome - until a NASCAR official informed him he'd only gained one spot in the standings to seventh.

``That's it? Can't you read it different? Just tell me I'm fifth,'' he said.

He still cut his deficit from 122 points to 103.

Stewart said Gordon was coming fast in his rearview mirror.

``He was getting bigger,'' Stewart said. ``The big thing was not to drive the tires off. We had a little left, but we didn't leave too much out there.''

Biffle was third, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya, Denny Hamlin, Kahne and Martin.

David Reutimann was the only non-Chase driver in the top 11 with an eighth-place finish and was followed by Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch.

Only two Chase drivers finished outside the top 11: Newman, was penalized for speeding off pit road midway through the race, was 22nd and Brian Vickers finished 37th after blowing his motor.

By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Stewart Bolsters Title Chances With Win originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tony stewartFanHouse NewswireSun, 04 Oct 2009 19:25:00 EST Chase Makes It Anyone's Gamehttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/chase-makes-it-anyones-game/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/chase-makes-it-anyones-game/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/chase-makes-it-anyones-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tony Stewart has been ranked first or second in NASCAR's marquee Sprint Cup Series championship for the last 19 weeks. He's led the standings since May 31, building a comfy 100-point margin by late June and eventually an impressive 284-point edge over second place by August.

Stewart entered last Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway with a 234-point advantage in the championship.

And then, "poof!"

Stewart left Richmond in second place trailing new leader Mark Martin by 10 points by virtue of Martin's four wins to his three, thanks to a reset button NASCAR has employed to re-seed the 12-driver Chase for the Championship field for the 10-race playoff that begins Sunday in New Hampshire.

Essentially NASCAR's party has only started rockin'. And you know what, Stewart's just fine with that.

"It's not devastating to leave here and be second in the points after leading for so long,'' said Stewart, owner-driver of the No. 14 Office Depot Chevy. "We all knew what the system is going in. It's a fair system.

"It's an exciting system."

Six years into the new Chase format, and there are long and heated debates on whether it skews the championship outcome because of resetting the points. But interestingly, the loudest detractors aren't the people actually racing for the trophy. The drivers are OK with it.

If not for this bit of manufactured late season drama, a driver enjoying a year like Stewart would probably run away with the title. It's certainly happened before and effectively relegates the field to a "we'll get 'em next year" mindset by mid-October while fans tune out to NASCAR and into the NFL.

Good, if you're Stewart or one of his fans ... but not so good for the sport.

So the drivers have changed their mindset and strategy to reflect the Chase format -- get in, then get after it.

The way it "used to be" is irrelevant now.

The Chase has essentially doubled the stakes while infusing enough suspense and excitement to make this anybody's game again.

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Chase drivers from left to right, Top row, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Bottom row, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and Brian Vickers pose after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Chevy Rock & Roll 400 auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)
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    FILE -- This is a July 4, 2009, file photo, showing Kyle Busch (18) and Kasey Kahne (9) sliding across the finish line after they were involved in a crash on the last lap of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. It was a stirring dual for the final spots in NASCAR's Chase for the championship at Richmond, and now Kyle Busch won't even have the chance to have his hopes for a Sprint Cup championship dashed by a poor showing when the playoffs get going. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

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    FILE -- This is a June 27, 2009, file photo showing NASCAR driver Kyle Busch getting ready for practice for the Sprint Cup Series Lenox Industrial Tools 301 auto race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. It was a stirring dual for the final spots in NASCAR's Chase for the championship at Richmond, and now Kyle Busch won't even have the chance to have his hopes for a Sprint Cup championship dashed by a poor showing when the playoffs get going. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)

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    FILE -- This is a Sept. 11, 2009, file photo showing the Sprint Cup Chase drivers posed in front of the trophy after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Chevy Rock & Roll 400 auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va. The drivers are from left to right top row Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Bottom row, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and Brian Vickers. (AP Photo/Scott k. Brown)

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    FILE -- This is a Jan. 25, 2009, file photo showing car owner Chip Ganassi watching the Rolex 24 hour auto race from his pit stall at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver defections and sponsor cutbacks have made Chip Ganassi an easy target during his roller-coaster nine seasons in NASCAR. Not once has Ganassi even flinched. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)

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    FILE -- This is a May 24, 2009, file photo showing car owner Chip Ganassi sitting in front of the Borg-Warner trophy, given to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, during a news conference before practice for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard auto race, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. _ Driver defections and sponsor cutbacks have made Chip Ganassi an easy target during his roller-coaster nine seasons in NASCAR. Not once has Ganassi even flinched. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

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    NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, left, poses for picture with his wife Ingrid Vandebosch and their child Ella Gordon before the Baby Phat show during Fashion Week in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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    FILE -- This is an Aug. 31, 2007, file photo showing crew chief Pat Tryson, left, congratulating Kurt Busch after he took the pole position for the NASCAR Sharp Aquos 500 auto race at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Michael Waltrip Racing has hired Pat Tryson as the crew chief for Martin Truex Jr. next season. Tryson will leave Kurt Busch's team at the end of this season. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

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    FILE -- This is a Jan. 26, 2005, file photo showing Tony Eury Sr, right, talking to the media about the changes at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. during the NASCAR Nextel Media Tour in Mooresville, N.C. JR Motorsports crew chief Tony Eury Sr. is being treated for minor injuries received in a two-car accident. JRM says the accident took place Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13, 2009, near China Grove, and Eury was held overnight at Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast. The team says he is expected to be released this afternoon. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

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    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Chandra Johnson, wife of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, attends Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park on September 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Katy Winn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Johnson

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    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Chandra Johnson, wife of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, attends Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park on September 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Katy Winn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Johnson

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"You hate to have a deficit, but like Tony (Stewart) said, for us sixth is better than 12th,'' said Jeff Gordon who would be second in points, trailing Stewart by 179 markers if not for the re-seeding.

Instead, Gordon, a one-race winner drops to sixth in points, but only 30 behind his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Martin. He's actually in better shape for the title run, although he's ranked lower.

"A lot is going to happen and I think we've got a great shot at it (championship),'' Gordon said. "I'm fired up, really fired up.''

And it's a feeling he shares with 11 other drivers.

Consider that Greg Biffle would have been 557-points behind Stewart, Brian Vickers, 603 back under the previous championship format.

Instead, the winless Biffle is in 12th place but only 40 behind Martin. By virtue of his win at Michigan last month, Vickers is in eighth place and only 30 points out of the championship lead.

"Forty points, that's reachable in a couple races,'' Biffle said.

It's the kind of outlook that may crown a surprise champion, but not an undeserved one.

Jimmie Johnson won the 2006 championship after starting the Chase in second place, 57 points behind Matt Kenseth -- before the Chase was modified to re-set the points.

In 2007, the first year NASCAR re-seeded the top drivers, Johnson was the top-seed entering the Chase. And last year, Johnson won his third straight title after starting the Chase ranked third -- 40 points behind then eight-race winner Kyle Busch.

"Anybody that's in the Chase is a contender,'' Stewart said. "But after Loudon (N.H.) this weekend, this thing could be totally upside down and you could have the half the Chase field almost eliminated in one week.

"We've seen weird things happen and it's one of those deals that you can't predict what's going to happen in the Chase. Every year has been different.''

And that's the point.

"We are right there in striking distance and if we can put together ten great weeks then we will be the champion,'' Stewart said.

"If we don't, then we don't deserve it.''
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Chase Makes It Anyone's Game originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brian VickersGreg BiffleJeff GordonJimmie johnsonkyle buschMark Martinmatt kensethTony StewartHolly CainWed, 16 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST Tony Stewart Shows Who's the Boss in Prelude to the Dream at Eldorahttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/09/stewart-shows-whos-the-boss-in-charity-dirt-track-classic-at-el/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/09/stewart-shows-whos-the-boss-in-charity-dirt-track-classic-at-el/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/09/stewart-shows-whos-the-boss-in-charity-dirt-track-classic-at-el/#commentsFiled under:

Tony StewartBeing the boss and racetrack owner may give him a leg up, but it was Tony Stewart's talented right foot that once again proved to be the difference in Wednesday's Gillette Young Guns' Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

For the third time in the Prelude's five-year history, Stewart won on his home turf in front of a standing room only crowd of more than 23,000, as well as a national pay-per-view audience.

Stewart's other Prelude wins came in 2006 and last year.

And while Stewart may have led the entire race from start to finish last year, this time he won Wednesday's event in convincing fashion, defeating closest challengers Clint Bowyer (who also started from the pole) and former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch by nearly a full straightaway on the celebrated half-mile dirt track in west-central Ohio.

"Hometrack advantage," is how Bowyer explained Stewart's supremacy. "He's not a two-time [Sprint Cup] champion for nothing. He deserves to win. It was a good day. I'm happy. It was a lot of fun."

Just before the midway point of the 30-lap main event (five laps longer than last year's race), Stewart expertly maneuvered through a four-wide pack of cars to grab the lead and never looked back in an event that had to be rescheduled after being rained out for the second time in the event's history back in June.

"This was an awesome race and we had a lot of fun tonight," Stewart said. "It makes up for the spring rainout, for sure. We had an awesome run there and were lucky to get by them."

In its four previous years, the Prelude had raised over $3 million for charity. Wednesday night's event was expected to close in on a cool million, if not more, with the proceeds going to four charities to help soldiers who have been wounded in battle.

"We're proud to do it and something we're very passionate about," Stewart said of the Prelude's charitable foundation. "The fans keep making it bigger and better every year, and as long as they keep coming and I can keep getting drivers, we're going to keep doing it.

"This is probably the best one I've run. We won last year and led the whole thing, but we weren't perfect tonight ... hopefully we raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity tonight."

Added veteran NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, who won the inaugural Prelude in 2005, "This is a great cause and a great way to pay it forward."

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Prelude to the Dream
ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 drives during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson
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Prelude to the Dream

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #47 prepares to drive during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Marcos Ambrose

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    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 drives during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Harvick

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 drives during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Kenny Wallace driver of the #36 attempts to qualify before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Wallace

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    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 leads Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 through turn four during the heat races before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson;Tony Stewart

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Cars race through turns three and four during the heat races before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 prepares to drive during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Harvick

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Kenny Wallace, driver of the #36 prepares to drive during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Wallace

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: David Reutimann, driver of the #00 prepares to drive during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** David Reutimann

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm

    ROSSBURG, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 prepares to drive during practice before the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on September 9, 2009 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for True Speed Communication) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Newman

    Getty Images for True Speed Comm


Wallace was knocked out of last night's finale after a skirmish with runner-up Bowyer and failed to finish, ending up 17th of the 23 cars entered.

After three heat races that were relatively uneventful -- won by Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola -- the night's finale had early wrecks that eventually led to the race being stopped while wreckage was cleared.

Stewart's Sprint Cup teammate, Ryan Newman, finished fourth in the race, followed by Matt Kenseth. Rounding out the top 10 were drag racer Cruz Pedregon in a surprising finish from a guy who typically never turns on a drag strip, followed by David Reutimann, Almirola, Kahne and Johnson.

Six other cars and their drivers finished the race in 11th through 16th: Kevin Harvick, Brian Vickers, drag racer Ron Capps, Marcos Ambrose, Casey Mears and the always awesome Red Farmer.

Failing to finish, most primarily to a multiple car wreck two-thirds of the way through that knocked several drivers out of the event for good, were Wallace, Robby Gordon, Ken Schrader, Joey Logano, Ray Evernham, A.J. Allmendinger and Denny Hamlin.

The sixth edition of the Prelude will likely be held once again next June at Eldora Speedway.

Several drivers who had previously committed to running in the event were unable to attend:

* Carl Edwards, who won the 2007 Prelude, was forced to withdraw due to the broken right foot he suffered last week while playing Frisbee with friends.

* Bill Elliott was a no-show for a similar reason after sustaining three broken ribs in a dirt bike accident last week.

* Dave Blaney was unable to make it due to the death of his aunt.

* Jeff Gordon, who did attend the rained-out event in June, was unable to return due to a previously scheduled engagement.

Among the night's other highlights:

* Five of the 23 drivers in the field had their first experience racing on dirt in their careers: Allmendinger, Vickers, Ambrose, Logano and Mears.

* Welcome to dirt track racing, kid: You have to pity Logano in a way. In his first time ever on dirt, the 19-year-old Sprint Cup rookie had his hands full all night. First, his primary car was wrecked when he lost control and hit the wall in a heat race. Then, after Stewart loaned him his backup car for the main event, Logano totaled that car. Only this time, it wasn't his fault. He was caught up in a multi-car wreck that brought out the red flag. Logano had told reporters that he was apprehensive about coming to Eldora. I bet he was probably VERY happy heading back home from it after perhaps the most trying night of any of the nearly two-dozen participants.

* Fabled driver Red Farmer, founding member of NASCAR's legendary Alabama Gang, will turn 79 in October (although some reports have him as old as 82). Farmer, who ran his first competitive race 61 years ago, had issues with his car, yet still managed to be the pilot of the last car running Wednesday night.

* Speaking of Farmer, he had arguably the best line of the night during pre-race interviews: "I have to keep moving. If I don't, I'm going to freeze up from arthritis."

* Proving that Stewart really does know every inch of the track he owns, his qualifying effort prior to the three heat races was a new track record of 15.40 seconds.

* Stewart, Kahne and Farmer all received the greatest amount of cheers from the fans in attendance.

* Not surprisingly, Kyle Busch received the most boos during pre-race introductions.

FINAL FINISHING ORDER
1. Tony Stewart
2. Clint Bowyer
3. Kyle Busch
4. Ryan Newman
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Cruz Pedregon
7. David Reutimann
8. Aric Almirola
9. Kasey Kahne
10. Jimmie Johnson
11. Kevin Harvick
12. Brian Vickers
13. Ron Capps
14. Marcos Ambrose
15. Casey Mears
16. Red Farmer
17. Kenny Wallace - DNF
18. Robby Gordon - DNF
19. Ken Schrader - DNF
20. Joey Logano - DNF
21. Ray Evernham - DNF
22. A.J. Allmendinger - DNF
23. Denny Hamlin -- DNF
DNF = did not finish

Tony Stewart Shows Who's the Boss in Prelude to the Dream at Eldora originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Clint BowyerJoey LoganoTony StewartJerry BonkowskiWed, 09 Sep 2009 23:55:00 EST Tony Stewart 'Guarantees' Danica Patrick Is Coming to NASCARhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/06/tony-stewart-guarantees-danica-patrick-is-coming-to-nascar/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/06/tony-stewart-guarantees-danica-patrick-is-coming-to-nascar/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/06/tony-stewart-guarantees-danica-patrick-is-coming-to-nascar/#commentsFiled under: ,

Danica Patrick is still playing coy about her plans for 2010, but Tony Stewart, for one, fully expects to see IndyCar's most talked about free agent competing in a stock car at least part time.

"She looked me straight in the eye and said, 'this is what I want to do, it looks like fun, looks like a lot of work, but it looks like fun,' " Stewart told reporters in his weekly track side press briefing Saturday from Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"I know that she's serious about it. She's come over and just talking about things right now. ... I don't think she has some misguided idea that it's going to be easy doing it.

"She wants to do it the right way, she has intentions of doing everything right and she's kind of come to us to see in our opinion how she should go about it."

Patrick indicated last month that she and her current IndyCar Series team Andretti Green Racing (AGR) are close to negotiating a new contract to keep her there at least for next season. The question is whether she will also get her feet wet in the ARCA or NASCAR ranks with the plan of eventually moving to NASCAR full time.

Patrick has openly flirted with the idea of racing stock cars for years and with her marketability will easily be able to find financial backing. The trickier part has been coming up with a solid situation -- an established team willing to let her develop on a part-time basis and a schedule that will allow her both to seriously contend for an IndyCar championship in 2010 and get plenty of seat time in a stock car.

Stewart, who won the 1997 IRL championship before coming to NASCAR and claiming a pair of Cup titles, is the most obvious driver to seek advice from. Patrick visited Stewart's race shop outside Charlotte this summer and there are still persistent rumors he will either field a ride for Patrick himself or assist her efforts with someone else.

He didn't commit to any of that this weekend but offered up the strongest indicator yet, "I can pretty much guarantee you that at some point she's going to be over here.''

"I think she wants to know how to make the transition more than anything and she's trying to put together her IRL deal and try to figure out how to transition into NASCAR,'' Stewart said. "She wants to stay successful where she's at, but in the meantime try to figure out a way to be able to drive and get some seat time in a car to where she can start learning so when she does come out she's got her act together.''

Patrick has backed off comments she made at the Indianapolis 500 that she would want to start a NASCAR career at the Cup level.

Stewart ran a partial Nationwide Series schedule while racing in the IRL before signing a full-time deal with Joe Gibbs Racing. Fellow open wheel champs Juan Pablo Montoya and Sam Hornish Jr. made several ARCA series starts before transitioning full time to the Cup level. Former Formula One driver Scott Speed ran ARCA and the Camping World Truck Series before embarking on his rookie Cup season.

"You have to learn before you get here,'' said Stewart, who currently leads the Cup championship.

"You have to get used to a heavier race car and you have to get used to less down force, smaller tires -- it's a lot of learning and there's a lot of race tracks that you have to get used to.

"It's sensory overload and that's why you have to pay your dues before you get to this level.''

Stewart said he wouldn't be a bit surprised if Patrick runs a partial Nationwide schedule in 2010 or that she make a stock car start after the IndyCar Series wraps up Oct. 10 in Homestead, Fla.

Patrick initially said she wouldn't reveal next year's plans until after the IRL season, but if she re-signs with AGR, that could change her time line. Judging by Stewart's remarks this weekend, there may be a few more details to work out.

"The great thing is that she asked a lot of very smart questions in the discussions about it,'' Stewart said. "You can tell she wants to do it the right way, she understands how hard everybody has worked to get to this level here and she doesn't want to be one of those people that just comes in and gets stuff handed to her.

"She wants to earn her way and work her way up through like everybody else has.''

"I don't know much about how much heavy car experience she has so I think that's why it's important that she gets in anything whether it be an ARCA car or get in some truck races, a lot of Nationwide races. Just right now, the more that she can get in a car, the better off she's going to be right now."

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Danica Patrick Racing
JOLIET, IL- AUGUST 28: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, looks on during qualifying for the IRL IndyCar Series PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 on August 28, 2009 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo By Donald Miralle/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick
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Latest Danica Patrick Photos

    JOLIET, IL- AUGUST 29: Danica Patrick, driver of the # 7 Boost Mobile Motorola Andretti Green Racing, during the IRL IndyCar Series PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 on August 29, 2009 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo By Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

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    JOLIET, IL - AUGUST 29: Danica Patrick drives the #7 Boost Mobile Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during the IRL IndyCar Series PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 on August 29, 2009 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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    Danica Patrick checks her sit with her crew members before the start of the IRL Peak Indy 300 auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

    AP

    Danica Patrick puts on her helmet before the start of the IRL Peak Indy 300 auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

    AP

    Danica Patrick checks her mask before the start of the IRL Peak Indy 300 auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

    AP

    JOLIET, IL- AUGUST 28: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, looks on during qualifying for the IRL IndyCar Series PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 on August 28, 2009 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo By Donald Miralle/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

    Getty Images

    JOLIET, IL- AUGUST 28: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, drivesin front of Scott Dixon, driver of the #9 Target Chip Ganassi Dallara Honda, on track during practice for the IRL IndyCar Series PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 on August 28, 2009 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

    JOLIET, IL - AUGUST 28: Danica Patrick,driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during practice for the IRL IndyCar Series PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 on August 28, 2009 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

    Getty Images

    Danica Patrick is reflected in a mirror as she sits on her car during practice for the IRL Peak Indy 300 auto race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

    AP

    Danica Patrick looks at her crew members during practice for the IRL Peak Indy 300 auto race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

    AP

Tony Stewart 'Guarantees' Danica Patrick Is Coming to NASCAR originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Danica PatrickTony StewartHolly CainSun, 06 Sep 2009 11:04:00 EST Sprint Cup N's & Q's: CARFAX 400http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/18/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-carfax-400/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/18/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-carfax-400/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/18/sprint-cup-ns-and-qs-carfax-400/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There's no car foxes -- see the commercial -- around this Michigan edition of Sprint Cup Notes & Quotes.

Brian Vickers seems to be a polar opposite of Kyle Busch in that he doesn't let things stick to him. He said as much during his post-race press conference Sunday night when asked about his run-in during Saturday's Nationwide Series race with Busch -- a former Hendrick Motorsports teammate.

"You know, there's some people that you meet in life that are just gonna do stupid things. You just learn to accept it. You just don't let it bother you. You know, you have patience," said Vickers. "You just live your life and run your race.

"In a lot of ways I feel sorry for Kyle, that he lives that angry about stuff, something so small. I hope that he can get past it. I don't have any hard feelings. I'm ready to just go race. That's the way I approached today."

Of course, Vickers had a bit of Busch in him just a few weeks ago when he angrily consulted and then verbally bashed his Sprint Cup teammate Scott Speed after a Nationwide race at New Hampshire. I suppose it all depends on which end of the bad move you end up on.

Despite Jeff Gordon making it clear Friday that he's done talking about his back, someone managed to squeak in a question about it during his media visit after a 2nd-place finish -- his second straight runner-up result at MIS.

Gordon, as usual, deflected it well.

"My back is fine," said Gordon. "I would rather be third in points right now and had that win today. That's all that really matters at this point for us. We're having a great year. We're showing that we're strong, a great team."

A mistake in preparation for Tony Stewart prior to Sunday's race appeared to do in any chances that the Sprint Cup point leader had for running for the win.

"We struggled today and we had a problem at the end of happy hour that we found yesterday and didn't realize it," said Stewart. "We had a spring that was out of a bucket and so we got all of our loads, and pre-loads all messed up."

While I'm no suspension ace and couldn't tell what "out of a bucket" is referring to, I know one thing: it wasn't good considering Stewart wound up 17th. Stewart held the points lead following the race, but it made him keenly aware of the tiny problems that can bite race teams in the Chase.

"It just shows that you can't let your guard down," said Stewart. "Especially in something as simple as happy hour like that. We just had one little mistake and it got us behind going into today, so it just shows that you can't relax and you can't lose concentration and you have to stay on top of it."

Hand it to Michigan International Speedway and track president Roger Curtis. He announced Sunday that everyone who either renews a ticket or wants to make a deposit on one (see track website for details) will be paying less in 2010. All seats, no matter the location, have been discounted.

His track couldn't have got a better advertising boost than when the brief rain shower deluged MIS just laps in to the race -- allowing ESPN to interview the track president when most of the race audience was tuned in.

Ryan Newman is looking to run 1,100 miles laps this week at Bristol.

He'll get it kicked off on Wednesday by racing both the Truck Series and in the modified series events before running the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races on Friday and Saturday nights. Newman apparently asked team owner Tony Stewart if he was OK with the heavy load and Stewart, naturally, didn't have a problem with it.

If you need a fun race to watch on Wednesday night, be sure to check out those modifieds. They get around Bristol faster than Sprint Cup cars and actually need restrictor plates because the power to weight ratio is so high.

Just in case you're hanging around the White House on Wednesday, be sure to catch a few of NASCAR's royalty waltzing the halls of America's most famous home.

Jimmie Johnson, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champ, will be the main guest of honor, but 8 of the other 11 drivers who made the Chase in 2008 will also be on hand. Those will include Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. Kyle Busch is entered in Wednesday night's Camping World Truck Series race and won't make it and neither will Matt Kenseth or Kevin Harvick thanks to 'scheduling conflicts'.

Plenty of past champs and a special guest, none other than Mr. Juan Pablo Montoya, will also be on hand.

Here's to hoping that at least one White House staffer won't be sleeping Tuesday night in anticipation of meeting some of the biggest names in NASCAR.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: CARFAX 400 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brian VickersJeff GordonKyle BuschMichigan International SpeedwayTony StewartGeoffrey MillerTue, 18 Aug 2009 09:53:00 EST Meet Tony Stewart, King of the Roadhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/meet-tony-stewart-king-of-the-road/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/meet-tony-stewart-king-of-the-road/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/meet-tony-stewart-king-of-the-road/#commentsFiled under: ,

Road course aces and Jeff Gordon have stepped aside, as the new sheriff in the NASCAR Sprint Cup road racing town has arrived and conquered.

Tony Stewart, of course, added to his sizable reputation on the lefts and rights of the mostly oval series Monday with his rain-postponed win at Watkins Glen International Raceway -- the eighth such win of his career on the twisty layouts.

And in doing so, Stewart erased all doubts that he's going to be the man to beat on the road courses for a long, long time.
More: Pain for Jeff Gordon | Smoke Heats Up the Glen | Sprint Cup Standings

It took just 46 laps of the 90-lap event for Stewart to assume control, and when he finally got back by Kyle Busch on lap 67 in just the opposite fashion of what he did on lap 46, it was tough to believe that anyone could top him -- though second-place Marcos Ambrose tried as hard as he could late in the race. Older tires on Ambrose's car were a factor, but getting to and around Stewart may have taken a little something more.

And in victory lane, Stewart made sure to make it known that he was the king of Watkins Glen.

"This is my house right here," Stewart said.

That's sure hard to dispute, as those words came in a victory lane that he has failed to visit just three times since 2002, and in that time has yet to go more than a single season without a win. His 34 laps led Monday brought his career total laps led to 225 -- just two shy of Jeff Gordon's career total of 227.

Gordon, of course, was the resident NASCAR road course ringer just a few years ago after he totaled a still NASCAR-high of nine career wins on the only courses with intentional right turns. And while he still may hold that record, Gordon hasn't won on a road course since the June 2006 event at Sonoma.

At Watkins Glen, it's been 2001 since Gordon was in victory lane.

Monday, Gordon started deep in the field with what appeared to be a decent car and good strategy to gain track position, but the two crashes he was involved in -- including the nasty crash with Sam Hornish Jr., and Jeff Burton -- never allowed that to materialize.

This isn't to say that Gordon has lost his knack for the road courses (remember, he was just two laps from winning in 2007 before spinning in turn one while in the lead in front of eventual race winner Stewart) but it does show that his team hasn't been as solid getting a strategy and race car under the Vallejo, Calif., driver.

The rate Stewart has been hitting lately, however, doesn't appear to have any end in sight. Stewart's Monday win was especially important because it marked the second time he's won a road course in the Car of Tomorrow chassis at The Glen, and third overall. Gordon has yet to win in the CoT platform.

Doubly important was that Stewart won in his new Stewart-Haas Racing team, showing that it wasn't just Joe Gibbs Racing cars that Stewart found comfort in at the road courses.

Guys like Gordon, Marcos Ambrose and Kyle Busch will obviously remain staunch competition for Stewart in the future, but there's no doubt that Stewart has gained an upper hand.

Of course, it's possible that with the success he's had on the road courses, we might just hear Stewart not only playfully lobbying for a NASCAR dirt track race, but also for a few more of the left and right turns on the Sprint Cup schedule.

After all, Tony Stewart -- road course sheriff -- would probably like to add a few more victory lane 'houses' to his collection.

Meet Tony Stewart, King of the Road originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Jeff GordonTony StewartWatkins GlenGeoffrey MillerMon, 10 Aug 2009 20:23:00 EST Tony Stewart Wins at Watkins Glenhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/tony-stewart-wins-at-watkins-glen/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/tony-stewart-wins-at-watkins-glen/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/tony-stewart-wins-at-watkins-glen/#commentsFiled under: , ,

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- Smoke loves it when the Glen heats up.

Tony Stewart won the rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International on a steamy Monday, holding off Australian Marcos Ambrose over the final 25 laps for his Cup-record fifth victory at the famed road course.

"I love it when it gets slick," Stewart said. "I was watching him (Ambrose). I think we were stronger in the parts we needed to be and we never looked at the fuel."

It was Stewart's third win in his first season as an owner-driver and the seventh road course win of his career, second to Jeff Gordon's NASCAR-record nine. Stewart has seven consecutive top-two finishes at The Glen, also winning in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007 and finishing second in 2006 and 2008. He also has finished first or second in eight of the past 11 road races; he was second to Kasey Kahne at Sonoma in June.

The race originally was scheduled for Sunday, but a string of thunderstorms forced it to be postponed until Monday. Last week's race at Pocono also was postponed to Monday because of rain.

Ambrose was second, a career best, and Carl Edwards third. Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch, Max Papis, Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top 10. Polesitter Jimmie Johnson, seeking his first career road win, finished 12th.

Kyle Busch, 13th in points, closed the gap on 12th-place Matt Kenseth for the cutoff spot in the Chase for the championship. Busch, who entered the race 102 points behind Kenseth, narrowed the gap to 58.

The chaos that everybody was expecting on the double-file restarts never materialized. There were no major incidents in the hard, downhill, 90-degree right-hand first turn.

Ambrose started fourth and ran up front early. But pit strategy dropped him deep in the field midway through the 90-lap race. He stayed out when the rest of the leaders pitted for the first time and was running 22nd on lap 50 after making his first stop. He ducked into the pits on lap 55 for fuel and made up 10 seconds on leader Kyle Busch.

A multicar crash involving Jeff Gordon and Sam Hornish Jr. on lap 63 brought out a 19-minute red flag stoppage and put Ambrose back in the mix.



Kasey Kahne precipitated the crash when he dived inside of Hornish coming out of turn nine on the 11-curve track and sent Hornish into the grass on the left side. Hornish's No. 77 Dodge caromed off a tire barrier and back onto the track, and Gordon's No. 24 slammed head-on into it, spinning violently around into the Armco barrier lining the track.

Both Gordon and Hornish climbed from their cars uninjured. Also involved were Andy Lally, Jeff Burton and Joey Logano.

Stewart cleared leader Kyle Busch on the restart on lap 67. Busch chose the outside line as the leader and Stewart took advantage, getting past him on the first turn and holding him off up through the high-speed esses.

Stewart needed every lap of caution he could get to make it to the end of the 220.5- mile race, and the fifth caution helped. A yellow flag came out on lap 71 for debris, setting up another double-file restart, this time with Ambrose alongside.

Ambrose dived low inside to start lap 74, but Stewart blocked him and maintained the lead, with Kyle Busch and Edwards, who started 33rd, in close pursuit.

Ambrose, running on older tires, never mounted a challenge as Stewart maintained a lead of more than a second over the final 10 laps.

"I threw everything I could at him," said Ambrose, who won the Nationwide race here Saturday with a daring move on Kyle Busch. "We got stuck in the back of the pack and had to make a gamble. The extra laps we had on the tires hurt. I closed in on him, could see him make a few mistakes, but we couldn't quite close the deal."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Tony Stewart Wins at Watkins Glen originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>FanHouse NewswireMon, 10 Aug 2009 16:59:00 EST FanHouse Warmup: Pennslyvania 500http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/02/fanhouse-warmup-pennslyvania-500/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/02/fanhouse-warmup-pennslyvania-500/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/02/fanhouse-warmup-pennslyvania-500/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Essentials
Race: Red Cross Pennsylvania 500
Where: Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pa.
Time: Sunday 2:19pm/EDT (Update: Monday: 12:15 pm/EDT)
TV/Radio: ESPN, Motor Racing Network
Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing
Forecast: 71 degrees, Rain
Distance: 200 laps (500 miles)
Pole Winner: Tony Stewart
2008 Winner: Carl Edwards

The Storylines

Tony Stewart may have been completely ticked at himself for crashing in practice at Pocono Raceway Saturday, but if the past is any guide, he's going to be just fine for Sunday's race.


Obviously, Stewart is just over a month removed from the last time he started at the back in Pocono and, needless to say, it didn't really hurt him too bad. Stewart went from worst to first in just 77 laps before setting sail towards his first-career points race win in June.

Juan Pablo Montoya wasn't letting last weekend's severe disappointment in Indianapolis keep from looking forward to the weekend, though you can bet the speeding penalty that kept him from winning the Allstate 400 was still on his mind.

He didn't show that Friday during his media visit, however.

"Do I gain anything by wondering or saying or thinking was the speedometer right or the tach right, was NASCAR right, was I wrong?" said Montoya. "Who cares? I moved on, can't change it. Even if they came to me today and said you know what we made a mistake it wouldn't change anything. It is what it is."

Obviously, the loss was a crushing blow, but for Montoya to be ready to look ahead to Sunday's race and not back should mean good things for the rest of his season.

The No. 42 team brought the same car they used at Indianapolis, though Montoya didn't feel it'd behave the same because Pocono is a much rougher track.

Carl Edwards has one big request for NASCAR with the Nationwide Series Car of Tomorrow scheduled for its first races in 2010.

"I hope they take advantage of the opportunity to minimize our dependence on downforce," said Edwards. "I don't know if there's time for that left, but, man, it would the best thing they could do."

Edwards made note that the lack of passing in the race last week in Indianapolis showed what happens when you have too much downforce.

"It's my opinion that the reason for that is our dependence on downforce, and I think that if we were to work on getting rid of that, you'd see races more like races you see at USAC Silver Crown cars and cars like that where it just doesn't matter how close you get to someone."

FanHouse Warmup: Pennslyvania 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 10:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Carl EdwardsJuan Pablo MontoyaPocono RacewaySprint CupTony StewartGeoffrey MillerSun, 02 Aug 2009 10:15:00 EST Tony Stewart Crashes During Practice: 'I Just Screwed Up'http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/01/tony-stewart-crashes-during-practice-i-just-screwed-up/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/01/tony-stewart-crashes-during-practice-i-just-screwed-up/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/08/01/tony-stewart-crashes-during-practice-i-just-screwed-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tony StewartLONG POND, Pa. (AP) -- Tony Stewart lost his pole position and will start from the back of the pack after wrecking his car during practice for the Pennsylvania 500 on Saturday.

Stewart lost control of his No. 14 Chevrolet on a turn on the second lap of Saturday's first practice and spun into the wall. He was unhurt in the crash.

His Stewart-Haas Racing crew quickly got to work on the backup. Stewart leads the points standings and was the pole sitter at Pocono because rain washed out Friday's qualifying.

"I just screwed up," Stewart said. "I got in too deep and got loose and couldn't save it."

The same scenario happened to Stewart in June's race at Pocono when he took the pole after a rainout and wrecked in practice. Then he went out and won on Sunday in his backup from the rear of the field.

He'll have to pass 42 other cars again to really duplicate the feat.

"I know we can do it," Stewart said. "I tore up a really good race car today."

Stewart, 192 points ahead of Jimmie Johnson in the points standings, is one of four drivers to win a Cup race this season from the rear of the field. He's trying to become the third driver since 2004 to sweep the two Pocono races

Stewart's June win at Pocono made him the first owner/driver to win a race since Ricky Rudd at Martinsville in 1998.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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NASCAR Crash Photos
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)
AP
The Canadian Press

DYST V3 test

    LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers watches as Mo Williams #2 takes a shoe to the face by Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a steal in the closing seconds of the first half at The Quicken Loans Arena on February 8, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images)

    David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images

    Brazil's Diogo (L) vies for the ball with Paraguay's Hernan Perez during their U-20 South American Championship football match in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela on February 8, 2009.(Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images )

    Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images

    A Dalmatian looks at its handler as a judge goes to touch the dog during the first day of the 2009 Westminster Dog Show in New York February 9, 2009.(Lucas Jackson, Reuters)

    Lucas Jackson, Reuters

    Denver Nuggets forward Chris Anderson touches his head during a time out in the first half of their NBA basketball game with the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, New Jersey February 7, 2009. (Ray Stubblebine, Reuters)

    Ray Stubblebine, Reuters

    Margarita Marbler, of Austria, skis to a bronze medal finish the ladies moguls freestyle FIS World Cupskiing qualification at Cypress mountain in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. (Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP)

    Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP

    West Virginia guard Darryl Bryant (25) is fouled by Providence guard Jeff Xavier (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. West Virginia won 86-59. (Don Wright, AP)

    Don Wright, AP

    Missouri's DeMarre Carroll, top, celebrates the Tigers' 62-60 win over Kansas in Columbia, Missouri, Monday, February 9, 2009. (Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT)

    Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT

    David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils fights Erik Reitz #4 of the New York Rangers during their game on February 9, 2009 at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (Al Bello, Getty Images)

    Al Bello, Getty Images

    Driver Patrick Sheltra (60) begins to spin coming out of the fourth turn during the ARCA 200 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

    Darryl Graham, AP

    Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives serves the ball, in this multiple exposure, to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during their Fed Cup tennis match in Brno February 7, 2009.

    Petr Josek, Reuters

Tony Stewart Crashes During Practice: 'I Just Screwed Up' originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tony stewartFanHouse NewswireSat, 01 Aug 2009 16:46:00 EST NASCAR Sprint Cup Pocono Qualifying Rained Outhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/31/nascar-sprint-cup-pocono-qualifying-rained-out/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/31/nascar-sprint-cup-pocono-qualifying-rained-out/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/31/nascar-sprint-cup-pocono-qualifying-rained-out/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Tony Stewart will be on the pole for Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. Qualifying for the race was rained out Friday.
Being the points leader in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has its advantages. During the 2009 season, there has been more to this than usual.

Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway is the 21st race on the 36-race slate this year. On Friday, the scheduled qualifying runs were called off by rain for the fifth time this season. It can be quite the annoying theme, unless you're the points leader.

Because of the washout, points leader Tony Stewart will sit on the pole for Sunday afternoon's race. It's the fourth time this year Stewart will start from the pole without running a qualifying lap. Since he took the points lead, qualifying has been rained out at Pocono's first race, as well as the June race at New Hampshire, and the July 4 Coke Zero 400.

The rest of the front of the field for the start of Sunday's race will be Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, and Carl Edwards fifth. Because there were only 43 cars entered for the race, there were no "go or go home" drivers for qualifying. Sterling Marlin, Scott Speed, David Gilliland, Joe Nemechek, Dave Blaney, Patrick Carpentier, Mike Wallace, and Tony Raines will bring up the rear.

Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway -- the first time the series has run at that track -- should not have any weather issues. There is a chance of rain late Friday night, but skies should be mostly sunny by the time cars hit the track for qualifying Saturday. Points leader Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Kevin Harvick are the only Cup drivers pulling double duty for the weekend.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Pocono Qualifying Rained Out originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bruce CiskieFri, 31 Jul 2009 16:15:00 EST NASCAR Teams Taking Cautious Approach to Danica Sweepstakes http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/24/nascar-teams-taking-cautious-approach-to-danica-sweepstakes/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/24/nascar-teams-taking-cautious-approach-to-danica-sweepstakes/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/24/nascar-teams-taking-cautious-approach-to-danica-sweepstakes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Danica PatrickINDIANAPOLIS -- Perhaps it was inevitable that Danica Patrick's name would come up here during preparation for NASCAR's AllState 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday.

She's the most successful woman driver in the history of the Indy 500, and she's openly flirting with NASCAR as she decides where she'll race when her contract with Andretti Green Racing ends this season.

But at least one of Patrick's potential suitors, team owner Chip Ganassi, said Friday he'd advise her to stay in the Indy Racing League.
More: Notes From Indy Motor Speedway

"My counsel to her was that she's close to making that last step in Indy Car racing, and she could easily do that in the next three to five years and still be able to do this [NASCAR],'' said Ganassi, who confirmed he has had discussions with Patrick.

"She's one of those athletes with an opportunity to make career moves into the foreseeable future. It's up to her.''

Ganassi's name has been mentioned because he owns teams in the Indy Racing League and NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series and would potentially be able to ease Patrick into the stock-car ranks while she still runs in the IRL.

"If she wanted to do NASCAR on full-time basis, I'd suggest there are better places,'' Ganassi said. "I don't think our team is in position to do that.''

Patrick made headlines last week when she visited Cup Series championship leader Tony Stewart's race shop in Charlotte, N.C. -- but Stewart wasn't even in town and Patrick also visited five other team shops.

Stewart, a former IRL champion himself, said he hasn't spoken with Patrick. He suggested earlier in the month that, before she sign a contract with a NASCAR team, she should at least turn a lap in a stock car -- something she hasn't done yet.

Latest Danica Patrick Photos

    Danica Patrick describes her car's performance following practice for the IndyCar Series auto race, in Edmonton, Alberta, Friday, July 24, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

    AP

    EDMONTON, AB - JULY 24: Danica Patrick drives his #7 Boost Mobile Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during practice for the IRL IndyCar Series Rexall Edmonton Indy on July 24, 2009 at Edmonton City Centre Airport in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

    Getty Images

    Danica Patrick rides her scooter back to the garage after the first practice run at the Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, July 24, 2009. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA SPORT MOTOR RACING)

    Reuters

    Danica Patrick gets her tires changed in a pit stop during the first practice run at the Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, July 24, 2009. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA SPORT MOTOR RACING)

    Reuters

    Danica Patrick comes in for a pit stop during the first practice run at the Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, July 24, 2009. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA SPORT MOTOR RACING)

    Reuters

    Danica Patrick prepares to get her steering wheel from a crew member during the first practice run at the Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, July 24, 2009. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA SPORT MOTOR RACING)

    Reuters

    Danica Patrick drives during the first practice session of the Edmonton Indy in Edmonton July 24, 2009. REUTERS/Dan Riedlhuber (CANADA SPORT MOTOR RACING)

    Reuters

    Danica Patrick talks to a crew member about the track during the first practice run at the Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, July 24, 2009. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA SPORT MOTOR RACING)

    Reuters

    Indy Car Series driver Danica Patrick signs autographs for a fan in an Andretti Green Racing motorhome on Friday, July 24, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta. Patrick will be competing in the Rexall Edmonton Indy race on Sunday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)

    AP

    Indy driver Danica Patrick arrives at the 2009 ESPY Awards Arrivals at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 ESPY Awards - Arrivals Nokia Theatre LA Live Los Angeles, CA United States July 15, 2009 Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com To license this image (16869752), contact FilmMagic.com

    Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com


However, Stewart also insisted on Friday that no one else should judge whether Patrick, who currently ranks fifth in the Indy Racing League championship standings, should make the challenging transition to NASCAR.

"She is the only one that knows what she wants to do,'' Stewart said. "I feel that way with everybody that considers making a change. I made a significant change exactly one year ago today here, and people said I was crazy and now all of a sudden, people are saying, "Oh, it wasn't such a bad idea after all.'

"It's nice to have input from other people, but only one person knows what is right for them and that is that person.''

Ganassi, whose IRL team is leading the championship, said it's too early to characterize his discussions with Patrick.

"If I told you we didn't have conversations or weren't interested, I'd be lying to you,'' Ganassi said. "Like a lot of teams, we've had discussions, and she's on the market now and is ready to make the next step in her career where ever that takes her.

"Like most teams, we're in the top of the first inning. It's way early.''

NASCAR Teams Taking Cautious Approach to Danica Sweepstakes originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chip GanassiChipGanassiDanica PatrickDanicaPatrickTony StewartTonyStewartHolly CainFri, 24 Jul 2009 21:25:00 EST Childress: Kevin Harvick at RCR in 2010http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/15/childress-kevin-harvick-at-rcr-in-2010/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/15/childress-kevin-harvick-at-rcr-in-2010/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/15/childress-kevin-harvick-at-rcr-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The story that will keep us talking until next weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- well, at least not the Jeremy Mayfield one -- took a new turn Wednesday.

Richard Childress Racing denied a report from Sports Illustrated and said that both Kevin Harvick and the sponsor of his No. 29 Chevrolet will return in 2010 per their contracts, rather than head to Tony Stewart's Stewart-Haas Racing as was originally reported.

Still muddy though was the report that Kevin Harvick had asked for his release from RCR thanks to the driver foregoing comment so far and his spokesman issuing a "no comment" about the situation.


His team owner Richard Childress, however, wasn't so tight-lipped when the organization released its statement on Wednesday:

"Richard Childress Racing has a multi-year contract with Shell-Pennzoil that includes the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Shell-Pennzoil remains a great partner for RCR and Kevin Harvick as well as our sport overall. RCR also has a multi-year contract with Kevin Harvick that includes the 2010 season. That said, Shell will be the sponsor and Kevin will be the driver of RCR's No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS in 2010."

Shell Oil Company serves as the primary sponsor on Harvick's ride -- as it has since the 2007 season when the Bakersfield, Calif.-driver scored a win in the Daytona 500 -- and issued a statement saying that it was "pleased to be sponsoring the No. 29 in 2010" and it had no "further news or information regarding the rumors."

The original report from SI said that Shell-Pennzoil would be leaving at the end of the 2009 season from Kevin Harvick's ride, and that he was looking to switch Chevrolet teams by moving to the Tony Stewart-run operation.

Harvick has struggled mightily in 2009 with just 2 Top-5 finishes to show and a 25th-place postion in the Sprint Cup point standings.

Those struggles are likely a huge part of why Harvick's name has started to get tossed around in NASCAR's silly season, as the low finishes are highly out of character. The next stop for Harvick and the Sprint Cup Series in Indianapolis is a spot of good memories, though, as Harvick won the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in 2003.

Childress: Kevin Harvick at RCR in 2010 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>ChevroletKevin HarvickRichard ChildressRichard Childress RacingSprint CupStewart-Haas RacingTony StewartGeoffrey MillerWed, 15 Jul 2009 19:17:00 EST Stewart 'Dumped' Me, Kyle Busch Sayshttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/09/tony-stewart-dumped-me-kyle-busch-says/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/09/tony-stewart-dumped-me-kyle-busch-says/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/07/09/tony-stewart-dumped-me-kyle-busch-says/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If Kyle Busch was hoping to avoid sounding sour about the finish of last Saturday's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona by not talking to the media after the event, he failed in his mission with his comments Thursday at Chicagoland Speedway.

In his weekly media visit, Busch revealed that he felt "dumped" by Tony Stewart, that he doesn't have feelings and that drivers that cause last-lap wrecks for the win should be penalized.

Of course, the comments about his incident with Stewart rang the loudest -- especially after Stewart said Wednesday that the two had talked about the last-lap crash that took the win from Busch and gave it to Stewart.

In last week's race at Daytona, Busch grabbed the lead from Stewart coming to the white flag, and when the two got back to the front-stretch, Stewart made a move to pass Busch, slightly nudged him and pulled alongside. Busch cut right to block Stewart and made contact, spinning his No. 18 hard into the outside wall to trigger a big wreck while Stewart went on to win.

"I got bumped from behind off of turn four which kind of sent me down low a little bit," said Busch, discussing how the wreck that left him with a 14th-place finish happened. "I gathered my stuff back up and tried to block but it was too late and Tony was already alongside."

Busch then was asked what could be done to prevent wrecks like the one that happened to finish last Saturday's race -- with driver input apparently not an option.

"I think NASCAR can take a step in looking at it," said Busch. "If the second-place driver quote-unquote dumps the leader, then black flag his a**. He doesn't get the win. If he comes up from behind and moves him out of the way and there's no wreck, then fine. He wins the race. If he's up along side the leader and dumps him, then black flag him and give the third-place car the win."

After all of that, did Busch feel like he was a victim of being "dumped"?

"It would be considered a dump," confirmed Busch.

However, the definition Busch gave for being dumped didn't quite match up with his assertion that he was a victim of such a move a week ago at the 2.5-mile restrictor-plate track. Per his own admission, Busch said that he "tried to block" Tony Stewart "but it was too late" and the two cars made contact.

DYST V3 test

    LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers watches as Mo Williams #2 takes a shoe to the face by Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a steal in the closing seconds of the first half at The Quicken Loans Arena on February 8, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images)

    David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images

    Brazil's Diogo (L) vies for the ball with Paraguay's Hernan Perez during their U-20 South American Championship football match in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela on February 8, 2009.(Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images )

    Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images

    A Dalmatian looks at its handler as a judge goes to touch the dog during the first day of the 2009 Westminster Dog Show in New York February 9, 2009.(Lucas Jackson, Reuters)

    Lucas Jackson, Reuters

    Denver Nuggets forward Chris Anderson touches his head during a time out in the first half of their NBA basketball game with the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, New Jersey February 7, 2009. (Ray Stubblebine, Reuters)

    Ray Stubblebine, Reuters

    Margarita Marbler, of Austria, skis to a bronze medal finish the ladies moguls freestyle FIS World Cupskiing qualification at Cypress mountain in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. (Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP)

    Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP

    West Virginia guard Darryl Bryant (25) is fouled by Providence guard Jeff Xavier (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. West Virginia won 86-59. (Don Wright, AP)

    Don Wright, AP

    Missouri's DeMarre Carroll, top, celebrates the Tigers' 62-60 win over Kansas in Columbia, Missouri, Monday, February 9, 2009. (Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT)

    Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT

    David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils fights Erik Reitz #4 of the New York Rangers during their game on February 9, 2009 at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (Al Bello, Getty Images)

    Al Bello, Getty Images

    Driver Patrick Sheltra (60) begins to spin coming out of the fourth turn during the ARCA 200 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

    Darryl Graham, AP

    Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives serves the ball, in this multiple exposure, to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during their Fed Cup tennis match in Brno February 7, 2009.

    Petr Josek, Reuters



How, then, Busch can claim that Stewart's move was unfair or unjust remains a mystery.

Just Wednesday, Stewart said that he and Busch had discussed the incident, and Thursday he was asked if he had a reaction to Busch's latest comments on the Daytona situation.

"We talked for about 30 minutes on the phone [earlier in the week] and I was very pleased with the conversation that we had," said Stewart. "That's the conversation I'm going off of. That's all I'm going to talk about Kyle."

Thursday's comments from Busch didn't exactly indicate that the conversation was received as well on his end.

"I don't really have feelings so it really didn't mean a whole lot," said Busch. "I thank him for at least checking on me to see if I was alive."

In the only Thursday practice for Saturday night's LifeLock.com 400, Busch was 14th fastest at the track he swept both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races at in 2008. Stewart was 22nd fastest in the session led by Brian Vickers, Mark Martin, Scott Speed, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

Qualifying is scheduled for 8:40 PM ET Thursday night on SPEED.

Stewart 'Dumped' Me, Kyle Busch Says originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chicagoland SpeedwayCoke Zero 400DaytonaJoe Gibbs RacingKyle BuschLifelock.com 400Sprint CupStewart-Haas RacingTony StewartGeoffrey MillerThu, 09 Jul 2009 18:20:00 EST