Archive for January, 2011

Clint Bowyer and David Reutimann won Thursday’s two test sessions at the newly-paved Daytona International Raceway. Bowyer had the fastest time of the first session at 48.855 seconds or just a tad over 184 miles per hour. Bowyer was the only driver to break the 184 mph. mark in the first session. Reutimann had the fastest overall time on Thursday, as he took the second session with a time of 45.970 seconds or close to 196 mph. Reutimann, along with teammate Martin Truex Jr. and fellow Toyota drivers Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne, all ran speeds over 194 mph. in [...]

On Tuesday, I reported my feelings on NASCAR’s proposed new points system. I took on the perspective that it would make winning nearly meaningless, and that if NASCAR is to change the system, they should do a better job rewarding the race winners. In other words, I felt that the proposed system was a bad idea. Carl Edwards disagrees. In an interview with Foxsports.com’s Lee Spencer, Edwards applauded the proposed system, believing that its simplicty would make things easier on, not only the fans, but the drivers as well: “I think (the rumored change is) a genius idea because the [...]

NASCAR is looking into changing its points system. Like legit. NASCAR CEO Brian France is expected to make an announcement next week in Charlotte detailing exactly what changes will take place. Right now, all we know is that a change is seemingly imminent. The NASCAR sanctioning body is expected to scrap the points system it has used since 1975, in an effort to simplify the system to make it easier for fans to understand. The current points system NASCAR uses looks like this. Fans have been petitioning for a new system for the past few years; the most common complaint [...]

Max Gresham is one of the up-and-coming stars in the world of stock car racing. In 2010, the Griffin, Georgia native compiled two NASCAR K&N East Series wins for Joe Gibbs Racing, as well as an ARCA victory for his family-owned race team. With that success under his belt, the 17-year old is primed for even more in 2011. Because of his K&N East Series triumphs a year ago, Gresham is locked into the most prestigious short-track race in America; the Toyota All-Star Showdown. The annual event has introduced stars to NASCAR, such as Gresham’s JGR teammate Joey Logano, for the past [...]

The name “Earnhardt” is synonymous with the Daytona International Speedway. It is a track at which the late Dale Earnhardt had very much success, consisting of 35 total victories, including his legendary 1998 triumph in the Daytona 500. His son, Dale Jr., has 13 victories of his own at the 2.5-mile oval, including a victory in the 2004 Daytona 500. It is also the track that took Dale Earnhardt’s life. So perhaps it is only fitting that the 7-time champion’s grandson should make first start in a stock car at the World Center of Racing. Bobby Dale Earnhardt, the 23-year old native [...]

I think most of us saw this one coming. After three unsuccessful seasons driving in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Penske Championship Racing, former Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. is reportedly done with the team. At least, in NASCAR. According to reports from Foxsports.com’s Jeff Hammond, Penske Racing has “cannibalized the No. 77 crew of Hornish,” as well as the #12 Nationwide team to better Brad Keselowski’s Nationwide program, as well as Keselowski’s and Kurt Busch’s Cup programs. The report did not state whether Hornish will return to the Izod Indycar Series, where he’s had so much success, either [...]

I have some good news and some bad news out of the NASCAR 2011: The Game camp. First, the good news. The cover art on the game has been revealed, and it’s not disappointing. The cover features a nearly full field of cars racing through a turn at Bristol Motor Speedway, with Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin battling side-by-side at the front. As you can see in the picture attached to the link, it looks pretty sweet. Now the bad news. NASCAR 2011: The Game’s release has been postponed until March 29, more than a full month later than originally planned. [...]

The Budweiser Shootout: A long-standing tradition of NASCAR’s best drivers doing battle at the World Center of Racing to kick off the season. My how things can change. In recent years, one of NASCAR’s two all-star races has undergone many criteria changes. Just a few years ago, the Bud Shootout was an event that let only the previous year’s Pole winners, and previous Shootout champions, into the field. After Budweiser ended its sponsorship of the Pole award in 2008, the Shootout criteria changed to let the best 6 drivers from each manufacturer into the race. Last year, the criteria changed [...]

As it turns out, Danica Patrick isn’t committed to NASCAR after all. Following a struggling part-time NASCAR Nationwide Series campaign in 2010, it still seemed as though Patrick was in it for the long haul. With another part-time Nationwide season planned for 2011, a full-time campaign in 2012 seemed very much in the realm of possibility. But during an interview in Mobile, Alabama as part of the GoDaddy.com Bowl festivities, Danica was asked whether or not there was a timeline set for when she would wind up in NASCAR’s premier series. That’s when she tipped her hand: “Unless I plan on doing [...]

Best Buy is teaming up with Richard Petty Motorsports and driver AJ Allmendinger once again in 2011. The nation’s largest electronics chain is coming back for a second season with the Los Gatos, California native, and returns for a fourth season to RPM. Best Buy will sponsor Allmendinger for 24 races in 2011, plus two non-points events; the Gatorade Duel and All Star race. Best Buy will also be an associate sponsor for Allmendinger’s teammate, Marcos Ambrose. There is no word as to whether or not Insignia is coming back for another year as well, but the news that Best Buy [...]