Motorsports FanHouse

Timing Crucial in Danica Patrick Move

Holly Cain — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: NASCAR Rumors, Danica Patrick

INDIANAPOLIS -- The timing of the latest round of Danica Patrick-to-NASCAR reports isn't lost on those in the IndyCar world, where Thursday's major announcement that IZOD will be the IndyCar Series' first title sponsor in a decade has been forced to share headlines with its most famous driver's likely part-time foray into stock cars.

Recently crowned 2009 IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti -- a former Andretti Green Racing teammate of Patrick's -- said Thursday he's still confident she's staying in IndyCar next season.

"I believe she'll be back in IndyCar next year and that will help her with her goal of winning the Indianapolis 500,'' Franchitti told FanHouse. "If she does drive in NASCAR, I think it will be difficult to do both.''

Timing Crucial in Danica Patrick Move originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

IZOD Signs on as IndyCar's Title Sponsor

Holly Cain — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:46:00 EST

Filed under: IRL

INDIANAPOLIS -- The IndyCar Series formally welcomed IZOD as the title sponsor for the series Thursday in a flashy, ultra-hip unveiling at Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- a significant development in the future of the series which hasn't had a big money title sponsor in the last decade.

"It is our biggest day in the history of the company,'' said Terry Angstadt, President of the IRL's Commercial Division.

"When people ask about our priorities on a business side, this was number one through ten, believe me.''

IZOD Signs on as IndyCar's Title Sponsor originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: AMP Energy 500

Geoffrey Miller — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:14:00 EST

Filed under: Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Talladega Superspeedway, Sprint Cup

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.

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.

Jimmie Johnson on Bulldozing Talladega, Luck and Enjoying the Ride

Holly Cain — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:26:00 EST

Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Talladega Superspeedway, Chase for the Sprint Cup

To hear Jimmie Johnson describe it, the most challenging part of wrapping up a historic fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship is not getting wrapped up in winning it. No matter how hard everyone else tries to convince him the trophy's been engraved.

He holds a 184-point advantage -- nearly a full race lead -- on second place Mark Martin and only needs to finish 10th place or better in the remaining three Chase for the Championship races to secure the trophy. That's even if Martin wins all three races and leads the most laps in each.

But Johnson insists his approach in the No. 48 Lowe's Chevy will be the same as if he was trailing by 184 points and promised he wasn't about to start being conservative.

"We're showing up to win races,'' Johnson said. "Finishing 10th isn't as easy as it sounds. It is a tough field of cars out there and we need to be on our game. With three to go, we need to race these next two as if we're behind in the points and get every point we can.''

Jimmie Johnson on Bulldozing Talladega, Luck and Enjoying the Ride originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Different Day, Same Talladega

Holly Cain — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR Crashes

Before Ryan Newman's horrific Talladega flip-roll-smash-and-slide on Sunday, there was Carl Edwards' car somersaulting into the front stretch fencing.

The late Dale Earnhardt had one of his most frightening accidents at Talladega Superspeedway, barrel-rolling through the tri-oval. Before that it was Ricky Craven and Bill Elliott on E-ticket rides. In 1993, driver Jimmy Horton's car flipped over the Turn 1 wall and landed outside the track.

Rusty Wallace's Talladega crash footage -- pick a year -- used to be standard play before any NASCAR restrictor plate race.

The point is -- while there is a justifiable outcry at the scary accident involving Newman this weekend -- spectacular, highlight-reel wrecks here aren't news. They are old news.

Different Day, Same Talladega originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Johnson's Fourth Title in Full View

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:36:00 EST

Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Talladega Superspeedway, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup

A car length here, a lane change there and one incredible pit call.

No matter what it was, Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team seemed to do it right on a mild then wild Sunday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway -- even when it looked like holding par in the point standings wasn't going to happen as the laps clicked off and the drama kept rising around the 2.66-mile wildcard.

But when the cars stopped flipping and the smoke stopped rising, Johnson -- to the chagrin of plenty -- stood alone in his pursuit of the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup with what amounts to be an insurmountable lead with an unstoppable team.

Johnson's Fourth Title in Full View originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

McMurray Snaps 86-Race Winless Streak

FanHouse Newswire — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:24:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Jamie McMurray, Talladega Superspeedway, Chase for the Sprint Cup

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) -- Jamie McMurray was the unlikely winner of an uncharacteristically dull race at Talladega Superspeedway, where a ban on bump-drafting forced most drivers to coast until the end Sunday.

It almost cost three-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson dearly. He puttered around at the back of the pack most of the afternoon and almost ran out of time to charge back through the field.

But when Ryan Newman's harrowing accident with five laps remaining caused a red-flag delay of nearly 13 minutes while Newman was cut out of his car, drivers ahead of Johnson began to run out of gas. He was credited with an eighth-place finish -- enough to likely seal his NASCAR-record fourth consecutive championship.

More Coverage: Amp Energy 500 Results | Sprint Cup Standings

McMurray Snaps 86-Race Winless Streak originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ryan Newman Blasts NASCAR After Flip

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:39:00 EST

Filed under: Ryan Newman, Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR Crashes, NASCAR Videos, Sprint Cup

Ryan Newman left Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday obviously sore and presumably irritated after flipping violently in a late-race crash near the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' AMP Energy 500.

Newman, who was uninjured, was trapped in the car for almost 15 minutes as safety crews cut him out from exactly the type of wreck he had warned NASCAR against after an amazing crash involving him and Carl Edwards at the same track in April. And after being checked out of the infield hospital, Newman didn't hesitate to get on NASCAR again.

"Drivers used to be about to race each other and respect each other," said Newman. "Guys like Richard Petty, David Pearson and Bobby Allison -- all those guys have always done that. I guess they [NASCAR] just don't think much of us [drivers] anymore."

More Coverage: Amp Energy 500 Results | Sprint Cup Standings
Jimmie Johnson's Fourth Title in Full View

Ryan Newman Blasts NASCAR After Flip originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

FanHouse Warmup: AMP Energy 500

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:36:00 EST

Filed under: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Talladega Superspeedway, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup

The Essentials

Race: AMP Energy 500

Where: Talladega Superspeedway
Time: Sunday 1:00 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: ABC, MRN Radio
Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing
Forecast: Sunny, High 60s
Distance: 188 laps (500 miles)
Pole Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2008 Winner: Tony Stewart

The Storylines

Consider this as NASCAR's version of laying down the law, but with one problem -- will they actually enforce it?

NASCAR made big noise Sunday morning at Talladega when they told drivers in the pre-race meeting that bump drafting in today's race while racing through the corners would not be permitted. And to back up the rule, they promised to even swipe a victory away if a driver was found to be in violation.

It's a tough rhetoric that we've heard before from NASCAR, but this time it seems like they mean business.

FanHouse Warmup: AMP Energy 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Allmendinger Deserves DWI Suspension

Geoffrey Miller — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:53:00 EST

Filed under: A.J. Allmendinger, Sprint Cup

NASCAR and Richard Petty Motorsports look a little more spineless today.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver A.J. Allmendinger was arrested for DWI early Thursday morning in Mooresville, N.C., after being pulled over and blowing a .08 on a Breathalyzer test -- the legal limit for intoxication in the state. Cited for a misdemeanor, Allmendinger will appear in court on the charge in December.

Allmendinger, though, won't be facing any music from his RPM team or NASCAR -- the same organization that will suspend crew members for racing with an illegal part.

More Coverage: Allmendinger Breath Tested Before Practice

Allmendinger Deserves DWI Suspension originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Despite Precautions, Talladega Remains Wild Ride

Holly Cain — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR Tracks

Depending on your perspective, Ryan Newman either had the best seat in the house or the worst during NASCAR's last visit to the mighty and unpredictable Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Carl Edwards, Sprint Cup rookie Brad Keselowski and Newman were 100 yards in front of the checkered flag, set to decide the winner amongst themselves, when Keselowski and Edwards collided directly in front of Newman. Edwards' Ford went airborne, bounced off the hood and windshield of Newman's Chevy, then flew into the fencing along the front stretch grandstands in a horrific-looking accident that led the country's sports highlight reels.

If you haven't seen the video, you will. It'll be played over and over and over all weekend as the Sprint Cup Series makes its Chase for the Championship visit to Talladega this week.

Despite Precautions, Talladega Remains Wild Ride originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: Tums 500

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup

Notes, quotes & commentary after 501 laps around a Virginian paperclip.

I get what NASCAR is trying do, I really do.

They want these races to be dramatic, to make good television and perhaps provide a sense of danger to fans like ESPN's Ed Hinton believes they crave. It's no different than any other sport, movie or story -- dramatic moments bring eyeballs.

But at some point, NASCAR needs to get a whole lot better at not allowing a stalled race car to sit in peril at the start/finish line in the name of a dramatic finish.

Sprint Cup N's & Q's: Tums 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Steve Addington Out as Kyle Busch's Crew Chief

Holly Cain — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:52:00 EST

Filed under: Kyle Busch, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Joe Gibbs Racing

Despite turning in a four-win 2009 season and leading Kyle Busch to a series best eight victories last year, Steve Addington (far right, with Busch) is being replaced by Dave Rogers as crew chief of Busch's No. 18 Toyota beginning with the Nov. 8 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Addington, 45, who has served as crew chief of the No. 18 car for five years, will be reassigned within the Joe Gibbs Racing organization, according to a news release from the team on Tuesday.

"We evaluate all of our teams on an ongoing basis and believe this is a change that will make the 18 team stronger as we prepare for next season,'' said JGR President J.D. Gibbs. "We think highly of Steve and the job he has done and we look forward to him remaining a part of the JGR family."

Steve Addington Out as Kyle Busch's Crew Chief originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

What's the Knock on Johnson? None

Holly Cain — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Chase for the Sprint Cup

Is there another sport that turns on its winners so?

And cheering against the New York Yankees doesn't count.

Another superb run in NASCAR's Chase for the Championship has put Jimmie Johnson in position for a historic fourth consecutive Sprint Cup title. He's on the verge of accomplishing something Richard Petty, the late Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Gordon never did.

And for all his hard work and performance under pressure here's the thanks he gets: people are accusing him of stinking up the show.

More Coverage: Hamlin Triumphs | Tums 500 Results | Sprint Cup Standings

What's the Knock on Johnson? None originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

FanHouse Warmup: Tums 500

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup

The Essentials

Race: Tums 500

Where: Martinsville Speedway
Time: Sunday 1:30 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: ABC, MRN Radio
Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing
Forecast: Mostly sunny, High 60s
Distance: 500 laps (263 miles)
Pole Winner: Ryan Newman
2008 Winner: Jimmie Johnson

The Storyline

Jeff Gordon's last, best hope to stay in Jimmie Johnson's zip code for the 2009 championship might just be Sunday at Martinsville Speedway for two reasons -- the perks from his second-place qualifying run and Jimmie Johnson's mediocre starting spot.

And for their teammate Mark Martin splitting the point difference between Johnson and Gordon in the standings, a fourth-place starting effort might also be critical to bridging the 90-point gap between the No. 48 and No. 5.

FanHouse Warmup: Tums 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bob Griese Apologizes for Comment About NASCAR's Juan Pablo Montoya

Tom Herrera — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:45:00 EST

by Tom Herrera

Filed under: Juan Pablo Montoya

ESPN broadcaster Bob Griese apologized for his comment about NASCAR star Juan Pablo Montoya at the end of Saturday's Ohio State-Minnesota game.

Earlier in the game, as a promotional preview of ABC's coverage of the NASCAR Chase for championship aired, a graphic listed the top five drivers in the Chase standings. When analyst Chris Spielman asked where the Colombian driver was, Griese quipped: "He's out having a taco."

As the broadcast came to a close, Griese apologized for the remark, saying "You know, he's one of the best drivers in NASCAR."

More Coverage: Griese Suspended for Montoya Remark

Bob Griese Apologizes for Comment About NASCAR's Juan Pablo Montoya originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Keselowski Holds Off Busch in Memphis

FanHouse Newswire — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Nationwide Series

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Brad Keselowski held off points leader Kyle Busch on the final lap to win the Kroger On Track For the Cure 250 in a green-white-checker finish in Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Keselowski was leading when a caution came out with two laps to go because Stephen Wallace spun after tangling with Matt Kenseth. Wallace banged into Kenseth's car after the race and the two had words on pit road.

Keselowski held onto the lead through the overtime segment. Busch finished second and leads Carl Edwards by 215 points in the standings.

More Coverage: Nationwide Race Results | Check Series Standings

Keselowski Holds Off Busch in Memphis originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jeremy Mayfield: 'I Was Worth More ... As A Failed Drug Test'

Holly Cain — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sprint Cup

In his first national one-on-one television interview, suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield continued to deny drug use and accused NASCAR of using him as a "a good pawn who wasn't going to cost them any money at all.''

Mayfield, who was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for testing positive in a pair of drug tests this May, made the assertions on ESPN's Outside the Lines show, which will air Sunday at 9 a.m., hours before the green flag drops for the Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville, Va.

It's been widely reported that the positive test revealed use of methamphetamine, something Mayfield has denied. He claims the tests were a "false positive," the result of his use of Adderall, a prescription drug for attention-hyperactivity disorder, combined with the common allergy medication, Claritin-D.

Jeremy Mayfield: 'I Was Worth More ... As A Failed Drug Test' originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Inside 'The Chase' With Ryan Newman: Helping the Animals

Holly Cain — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:24:00 EST

Filed under: Ryan Newman, Chase for the Sprint Cup

FanHouse has partnered with Ryan Newman for a behind-the-scenes look at NASCAR's Chase for the Championship. Sunday's Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway is the sixth of 10 races that will decide the Sprint Cup Series championship.

Newman, driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army-sponsored Chevrolet, is ranked ninth of the 12 Chase drivers vying for the season title, 288 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson, but only 111 points behind fifth-place Kurt Busch. Newman is coming off an 11th-place finish Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway -- his third finish of 11th or better in the five Chase races so far.

In this week's installment of Inside the Chase with Ryan Newman, FanHouse gets the back-story of the Ryan Newman Foundation, which raises money for animal shelters and pet adoption education.

Inside 'The Chase' With Ryan Newman: Helping the Animals originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.