Ever had one of those whirlwind weekends when you didn’t know which way was up? That was me this weekend, to the point where I didn’t even remember that the NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on Saturday. Imagine my surprise on Sunday afternoon, eh?
Nevertheless, here’s the Stock Car Gazette for today… chock-full of your latest NASCAR Sprint Cup news…
____________________________________________________________
T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by http://MotorSportsNews.Net
Do you know for sure?
http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
____________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
http://www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
NEW PRE-ORDERS: Jr., Gordon, Martin, And Other Salute The Troops,
Dale Jr. Whiskey River, Dale Jr. All Star 3 Doors Down Citizen Soldier,
Dale Jr. Mountain Dew Retro Scheme, Including The 1/64th Scale In A
Mountain Dew Soda Can. We Also Have The Kyle Busch 1st Toyota Win,
J. Force Castrol 40th, And Mark Martin Principal 700th Start Impala SS.
Plus We Have Pre-Orders For Most Of The Cup Drivers On Our Pre-
Order Web Site At: http://www.diecastcars.net.
We Have 2008 AMP/NG/Dupont/Lowes/Cheerios/Home Depot, Bud,
Jack Daniels, Wells Fargo, Bass Pro, Fed-Ex, Nicorette, And
More At Our In-Stock Web Store http://www.hascodiecastcars.com.
HASCO Collectibles Is Still Clearing Out Dale Jr. Bud Merchandise.
Jr. ARC Bud Cars 60 Per Cent Off, RCCA/Revell 35 Per Cent Off.
All Drivers Clothing Items Also Are Discounted 50 Per Cent Off.
www.hascodiecastcars.com.
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
http://www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
___________________________________________________________
E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
___________________________________________________________
Ever had one of those whirlwind weekends when you didn’t know which way was up? That was me this weekend, to the point where I didn’t even remember that the race was on Saturday. Imagine my surprise on Sunday afternoon, eh?
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
Fike’s Drug Admission Sparks Demand and Debate
by: Doug Turnbull
Suspended NASCAR driver Aaron Fike admitted to reporters this week that he used heroin sometimes on race days. This has led to a nearly unanimous reaction amongst drivers.
MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1186
__________
Track Trash – PheeOnix
by: Racing Maniac
Don’tcha wonder sometimes why they spell it PHOENIX when it sounds like PHEONIX ?
MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1187
__________
Busch Makes it Back–to-Back in Nationwide Series
by: Thomas Chemris
Kyle Busch continued his wining ways as he held off Carl Edwards to win the Nationwide Series Bashas 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway.
MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1188
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Biffle says new car cannot be “fixed”
Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle agrees that the new car is difficult to drive. But he doesn’t think that testing it more would solve the problem. No matter what is done, Biffle says that this car cannot be “fixed.” Therefore, the teams and drivers are simply going to have to adapt. Biffle said there are [...]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/268954559/
After calls for changes to the new car, NASCAR again says no
For drivers hoping for a change to the new Sprint Cup model car, series director John Darby burst their bubble Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. Darby said NASCAR doesn’t plan on making any alterations to the car, though some drivers, notably defending series champion Jimmie Johnson, called for changes after last week’s race at Texas [...]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/269084136/
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Carolyn’s Jeff Gordon Newsletter
The ‘Fabulous Factor’ for Gordon keeps going UP
(Thanks for sending Belva….Carolyn)
http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/opinion/04/11/rswan.jgordon.fabulous.factor/index.html
Jeff Gordon: Don’t hate him because he’s beautiful. Ladies, admit it. You all can agree that Gordon is the cat’s meow, easy on the eyes and downright charming.
PIR notebook: Luck not with Gordon this time
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/113705
Last spring at Phoenix International Raceway, the breaks went Jeff Gordon’s way and he snapped his 0-for-16 string on the mile oval by posting his 76th career win.
Junior literally can’t put No. 8 behind him
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/113717
With the NASCAR Sprint Cup season now nearly a quarter of the way complete, the result of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s move to Hendrick Motorsports has been mostly a success
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Subway Fresh Fit 500
Phoenix International Raceway
April 12, 2008
Driver Start No. Mfg. Led Completed Status Pts/Bonus Money
1 Jimmie Johnson 7 #48 Chevrolet 120 312 running 195/10 $262,111
2 Clint Bowyer 24 #07 Chevrolet 0 312 running 170/0 $170,350
3 Denny Hamlin 16 #11 Toyota 0 312 running 165/0 $164,516
4 Carl Edwards 3 #99 Ford 0 312 running 160/0 $158,585
5 Mark Martin 4 #8 Chevrolet 68 312 running 160/5 $150,258
6 Jeff Burton 39 #31 Chevrolet 0 312 running 150/0 $140,008
7 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 13 #88 Chevrolet 87 312 running 151/5 $99,125
8 Martin Truex Jr. 9 #1 Chevrolet 0 312 running 142/0 $113,008
9 Greg Biffle 18 #16 Ford 0 312 running 138/0 $89,475
10 Kyle Busch 6 #18 Toyota 0 312 running 134/0 $95,925
11 Casey Mears 30 #5 Chevrolet 0 311 running 130/0 $90,875
12 Bobby Labonte 34 #43 Dodge 0 311 running 127/0 $112,511
13 Jeff Gordon 11 #24 Chevrolet 0 311 running 124/0 $119,961
14 Tony Stewart 12 #20 Toyota 0 311 running 121/0 $117,611
15 David Gilliland 36 #38 Ford 0 311 running 118/0 $91,658
16 Juan Pablo Montoya 15 #42 Dodge 0 311 running 115/0 $98,933
17 Jamie McMurray 8 #26 Ford 0 311 running 112/0 $79,125
18 David Reutimann 26 #44 Toyota 0 311 running 109/0 $75,300
19 Kevin Harvick 17 #29 Chevrolet 0 311 running 106/0 $113,336
20 Sam Hornish Jr. 31 #77 Dodge 0 311 running 103/0 $114,250
21 Paul Menard 14 #15 Chevrolet 0 311 running 100/0 $78,225
22 Travis Kvapil 32 #28 Ford 0 310 running 97/0 $98,314
23 Kurt Busch 40 #2 Dodge 0 310 running 94/0 $65,875
24 Michael Waltrip 28 #55 Toyota 0 310 running 91/0 $82,833
25 Brian Vickers 33 #83 Toyota 0 310 running 88/0 $69,000
26 Scott Riggs 10 #66 Chevrolet 0 310 running 85/0 $83,433
27 David Ragan 23 #6 Ford 0 310 running 82/0 $76,550
28 Mike Skinner 25 #84 Toyota 0 310 running 79/0 $65,225
29 Robby Gordon 35 #7 Dodge 0 310 running 76/0 $87,858
30 Dave Blaney 19 #22 Toyota 0 309 running 73/0 $77,997
31 Bill Elliott 43 #21 Ford 0 309 running 70/0 $86,155
32 Dario Franchitti 21 #40 Dodge 0 309 running 67/0 $75,125
33 Patrick Carpentier 37 #10 Dodge 0 308 running 64/0 $65,450
34 Michael McDowell 29 # Toyota 0 307 running 61/0 $64,375
35 Regan Smith 38 #01 Chevrolet 0 298 running 58/0 $72,250
36 Kasey Kahne 5 #9 Dodge 0 273 running 55/0 $94,091
37 Johnny Sauter 42 #70 Chevrolet 0 271 running 52/0 $63,975
38 Matt Kenseth 27 #17 Ford 0 269 running 49/0 $111,466
39 J.J. Yeley 22 #96 Toyota 0 224 running 46/0 $71,700
40 Joe Nemechek 41 #78 Chevrolet 0 208 running 43/0 $63,550
41 Elliott Sadler 2 #19 Dodge 0 161 engine 40/0 $90,250
42 Reed Sorenson 20 #41 Dodge 0 144 accident 37/0 $90,494
43 Ryan Newman 1 #12 Dodge 37 134 engine 39/5 $110,718
POINT STANDINGS RESULTS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Subway Fresh Fit 500
Phoenix International Raceway
April 12, 2008
Rk +/- Driver Points Behind Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 DNF
1 — Jeff Burton 1215 8 1 3 6 0
2 +1 Kyle Busch 1135 -80 8 1 4 5 0
3 +1 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1129 -86 8 0 3 6 0
4 +2 Jimmie Johnson 1116 -99 8 1 4 4 0
5 -3 Kevin Harvick 1112 -103 8 0 2 4 0
6 +1 Denny Hamlin 1078 -137 8 1 3 5 0
7 -2 Tony Stewart 1078 -137 8 0 3 5 1
8 +3 Clint Bowyer 1044 -171 8 0 2 5 0
9 — Carl Edwards 1041 -174 8 3 4 5 1
10 -2 Greg Biffle 1039 -176 8 0 3 5 0
11 +1 Kasey Kahne 929 -286 8 0 0 4 0
12 -2 Ryan Newman 915 -300 8 1 2 3 1
13 +1 Jeff Gordon 907 -308 8 0 3 3 3
14 +2 Martin Truex Jr. 897 -318 8 0 0 2 1
15 -2 Matt Kenseth 869 -346 8 0 1 4 0
16 -1 Kurt Busch 857 -358 8 0 1 1 1
17 +2 Juan Pablo Montoya 854 -361 8 0 0 0 0
18 -1 David Ragan 834 -381 8 0 0 1 1
19 -1 Brian Vickers 834 -381 8 0 0 1 2
20 +1 Bobby Labonte 834 -381 8 0 0 0 0
21 +1 David Gilliland 817 -398 8 0 0 1 0
22 +1 Paul Menard 776 -439 8 0 0 0 0
23 -3 Elliott Sadler 751 -464 8 0 0 1 2
24 — Travis Kvapil 743 -472 8 0 0 1 0
25 +1 Casey Mears 741 -474 8 0 0 1 2
26 -1 Jamie McMurray 727 -488 8 0 0 1 0
27 +3 Mark Martin 723 -492 6 0 1 3 0
28 +1 Scott Riggs 673 -542 8 0 0 0 0
29 -1 Robby Gordon 667 -548 8 0 0 1 1
30 +1 David Reutimann 661 -554 8 0 0 0 2
31 -4 Reed Sorenson 644 -571 8 0 1 1 1
32 — Michael Waltrip 621 -594 8 0 0 0 0
33 +1 Sam Hornish Jr. 605 -610 8 0 0 0 1
34 +1 Regan Smith 554 -661 8 0 0 0 0
35 -2 J.J. Yeley 551 -664 8 0 0 0 1
36 +1 Dave Blaney 546 -669 8 0 0 0 2
37 -1 Jeremy Mayfield 490 -725 7 0 0 0 0
38 — Dario Franchitti 483 -732 7 0 0 0 0
39 +1 Mike Skinner 423 -792 6 0 0 0 0
40 -1 Dale Jarrett 367 -848 5 0 0 0 1
41 +2 Patrick Carpentier 320 -895 5 0 0 0 1
42 — Joe Nemechek 309 -906 6 0 0 0 0
43 -2 Kyle Petty 296 -919 5 0 0 0 0
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
Super 8 Revs up NASCAR Season with Pit Stop Challenge – Visit Labonteslaw.com to Win Great Racing Prizes: As March Madness winds down, Super 8 Worldwide, Inc. is giving NASCAR fans a chance to keep the tournament excitement going on their racing website, www.labonteslaw.com. As a sponsor of the No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge and 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte, Super 8 is giving fans the chance to compete in two online Pit Stop Challenge tournaments and win great racing prizes. The Pit Stop Challenge is an exciting online game that allows you to become a virtual pit crew member on the No. 43 Dodge. Complete a pit stop in the fastest time and you can find yourself at the top of the scoring monitor. To prepare for the upcoming tournaments, fans can go to the Labonte’s Law website as much as possible to practice their pit crew skills. There will be two tournaments, the first held on July 8, 2008 and the other held on October, 8, 2008. Each tournament will be comprised of three competitors. The top-three Pit Stop Challenge times from April, May and June will vie for the July prize package and the top-three times from July, August and September will be eligible to compete in the October tournament. There are various prizes which range from a Richard Petty Driving Experience to a tour of the Petty Enterprises shop in Mooresville. Another possible prize is dinner at the Petty’s home with Bobby Labonte, Richard Petty and his wife, Lynda. “Labonteslaw.com has always been the place to go for all the information that you need when traveling to a race,” said Bobby Labonte. “Super 8 is now going to give you the chance to win a race fan’s dream package. Log on now and play as often as you can. Who knows? You may get a chance to hang out with me and ‘The King’ Richard Petty.” To get more information or participate in the Pit Stop Challenge go to www.labonteslaw.com. NASCAR pit crew members know that during a pit stop every second counts so don’t waste any time, start practicing now. If you can beat the clock and rise to the top of the time charts, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the tournaments. Are you up for the challenge? – Moore Consulting Group For Petty Enterprises, Press Release
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!
Is Tony Stewart headed for Cup team ownership?
According to Fox Sports’ Lee Spencer that possibility was the hot rumor around the Phoenix International Raceway garage on Friday. It seems that Tony may be talking with Haas CNC Racing and Chevrolet about a partnership that would return Stewart to the Bow-tie fold as a driver-owner. And where there is Smoke – there is news.
http://snipurl.com/24ct5-gazete
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Google Alerts
Gordon unlikely to race Indy
Arizona Republic – Phoenix,AZ,USA
Before becoming a four-time Nextel Cup (now Sprint Cup) champion, Gordon earned titles in USAC’s midget and Silver Crown cars. “It’s an interesting question …
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0412pirnb0412.html
Kenny Wallace talks racing, family and the Cardinals-Astros rivalry
Arizona Daily Star – Tucson,AZ,USA
“I think she’s going to rival Danica Patrick but just in stock car racing,” Wallace says. “Chrissy has done some incredible testing. …
http://snipurl.com/24csj-gazete
Jeff Gordon In Vogue: “I’m A Prada Shoe Guy, My Jeans Are Me.”
Auto Racing Daily – USA
Organized stock car racing was born on red-clay short tracks bulldozed into the woods of the Appalachians in the 1940s and early fifties. …
http://snipurl.com/24csr-gazete
Fox cuts away from Yankees-Red Sox for NASCAR
Newsday – Long Island,NY,USA
Fox is contractually obligated to show its NASCAR races in full and in every market. When the network was told the baseball game would resume at 8:25 pm, …
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spnascar0413,0,1428056.story
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Reutimann Back In Top-35
While his fellow Toyota drivers were chasing the win, David Reutimann had a different goal in mind. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver just wanted to get back into the top 35 in owners points. He did just that with his 18th-place finish Saturday night, bumping Hall of Fame Racing’s J.J. Yeley out of the locked-in group for the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Reutimann already put one car in the top 35 with his strong start in MWR’s No. 00. But when Dale Jarrett retired after the season’s fifth race, Reuimann took his place in the UPS-sponsored No. 44. That team was barely in the top 35 and one race of setbacks caused Reutimann to fall out of the group.
Stremme To Test For Penske?
You can expect an announcement this coming week that David Stremme has agreed to join Penske Racing as a test driver for the organization’s Sprint Cup program. But is there more here than meets the eye? StremmeTeam owner Roger Penske has a seat open in one of his Indianapolis 500 entries, and if Penske and current Cup rookie Sam Hornish Jr. agree that Hornish should compete at Indy, where he won the 500 in 2006, that opens up the seat of Penske’s No. 77 Sprint Cup Dodge, which is currently 33rd in owner points through eight races with Hornish behind the wheel. Penske’s entry blank for the Indy 500 reportedly lists Helio Castroneves in the No. 3 car and Ryan Briscoe in the No. 6, but there’s a big “TBA” beside the No. 77. It’s all speculation at this point, but if Hornish should decide he’d rather run up front in the reunified IndyCar Series (he’s a three-time IndyCar champion) than fight to stay on the lead lap in a stock car, Penske would have a test driver — Stremme — ready to fill the void.
Fox Blows Coverage
The long rain delay in Saturday’s Yankees-Red Sox game put Fox in a difficult position and led to an awkward finish in which the final strike did not appear on the network but on its sister cable network, FX. Fox is contractually obligated to show its NASCAR races in full and in every market. When the network was told the baseball game would resume at 8:25 p.m., it asked NASCAR to delay its race from 8:45 to 8:53, hoping the game would be over. The game did not resume until 8:30. By 8:53, it was not quite over, but the race had not yet begun. When it did, at 8:55, Fox had to go to it — with the Yankees down to their final strike. Joe Buck had alerted viewers that the game was being simulcast on FX. Those who switched over quickly saw the final groundout; those who didn’t … didn’t.
EDITOR’S NOTE:..Fox angered both the baseball fans and NASCAR fans alike by missing the final pitches in the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox — and by missing the setup show and the first lap of the Subway fresh Fit 500K in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Talladega
A couple changes, #44-Reutimann is back in and #96-Yeley falls out and must qualify by speed at Talladega.
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
31) #41-Sorenson/Ganassi Racing 644 +93
32) #55-Waltrip/Waltrip Racing 621 +70
33) #77-Hornish/Penske Racing 605 +54
34) #44-Reutimann/Waltrip Racing 567 -16
35) #01-Smith/Dale Earnhardt Inc 554, 3 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #96-Yeley/Hall of Fame Racing 551, 3 points out of 35th
37) #22-Blaney/Bill Davis 546 -8
38) #70-Mayfield/Haas CNC Racing 542 +12
39) #40-Franchitti/Ganassi Racing 514 -40
40) #84-Skinner/Red Bull Racing 443 -111
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.
http://www.jayski.com/stats/2008/points/8phx2008points.htm#OWN
Phoenix Fast Facts
.. Jimmie Johnson won the Subway Fresh Fit 500, his 34th victory in 227 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
.. This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2008.
.. This is his second victory and eighth top-10 finish in 10 races at Phoenix International Raceway. He also won at Phoenix last fall and became the fifth driver to score repeat victories at Phoenix. All five scored back-to-back wins.
.. Clint Bowyer (second) posted his second top-10 and career-best finish in six races at Phoenix.
.. Denny Hamlin (third) posted his third top-10 finish in six races at Phoenix and tied his career-best for the second time.
.. Sam Hornish Jr. (20th) was the highest finishing rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(4-12-2008)
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the Subway Fresh Fit 500
Total number of commercials: 106
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 69
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 41
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 8:55 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 12:06 AM
Total minutes: 191
Minutes of race broadcast: 139
Minutes of commercials: 52
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery debris cautions’: 1
Total race brdcst time 139 Total comm. brdcst time 52
See full report and more at CawsnJaws.com.(4-14-2008)
Harvick exploring options in drag racing as an owner: #29-Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana have teamed with NHRA drag racing veteran Bob Vandergriff Jr. to explore the option of fielding a Top Fuel dragster in NHRA competition. The proposed Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports will specialize in offering its sponsors marketing opportunities in NHRA, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Craftsman Truck, and the Nationwide Series. “I think we have a unique opportunity to provide unprecedented reach for companies looking to achieve their objectives through motorsports,” Vandergriff said. “As this deal evolves, we want to offer the companies aligned with Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports the chance to use the best of NHRA and NASCAR through the same program. We’ll have the capabilities to provide something no other team can offer.” Vandergriff and Harvick plan to begin assembling a race team and all of the necessary components and people within the next two months as they prepare for a 2009 debut. Announcements regarding the driver and sponsors will be forthcoming. See full story at NHRA.com.(4-14-2008)
Pressley adds page to family’s GPS legacy: Asheville’s [NC] Coleman Pressley became the first third-generation driver to see the checkered flag at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. “This is my biggest win, ever,” Pressley said. “I have been trying so hard here. My grandfather won here, and my dad [former Busch and Cup driver Rovert] won here, and this is just terrific. We got flames (on his car) this week, and maybe they made the difference. I’ve been trying so hard and we finally got it all together.” Richard Childress’s grandson, Austin Dillon was third. See full story at the Greenville Pickens Speedway site.(4-14-2008)
http://www.greenvillepickens.com/archive/2008/news4_13_08.htm
Did Not Finish Streak and stats: #29-Harvick has been running at the finish in 52 consecutive races, the longest current streak, next up is #07-Bowyer at 45 consecutive races.(4-13-2008)
NASCAR again…NO Changes to the COT planned: For drivers hoping for a change to the new Sprint Cup model car, series director John Darby burst their bubble Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. Darby said NASCAR doesn’t plan on making any alterations to the car, though some drivers, notably defending series champion Jimmie Johnson, called for changes after last week’s race at Texas Motor Speedway. Darby noted that this is only the second year with the new model and Texas was only the third race on a high-banked, 1.5-mile track. “We still call it the new car, right?” Darby said. “But it’s looked at as an old car, one that’s been around forever, and that’s not the case. There’s nothing broken, there’s nothing that we need to jump in and fix. It’s just a matter of continuing to race them and let the teams do what they do best.” Darby said he was open to adding an additional test to the NASCAR test schedule this year if the garage area wanted one. But he doesn’t think adding a day to existing races would be of any benefit to teams. “I would rather just go test somewhere rather than tack a day on to an event because you can’t test properly when it’s attached to an event,” Darby said. “If you’re the crew chief or the driver, you know you’re testing in the car you’ve got to race the next day. You’re always fearful of trying something new, damaging the car, losing an engine that would affect the event because it’s the next day.”(SceneDaily)(4-12-2008)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Johnson, 48 team stretch their gas, get Phoenix win
http://www.thatsracin.com/116/story/13021.html
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Jimmie Johnson won his second consecutive Cup championship last season taking gambles. He took another Saturday night to win his first race of the 2008 season. With a large lead and little gas, Johnson practically coasted across the finish line to win the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, electing not to make a late-race stop for gas.
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Kyle Busch Wins at Phoenix: #18-Kyle Busch put on another dominating series performance, leading 133 laps enroute to winning the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. It was his second Nationwide Series win in a row. He held off a hard charging #60-Carl Edwards,on a green white checker finish, for the win. #20-Denny Hamlin was third, followed by: #33-Kevin Harvick, #6-David Ragan, #1-Mike Bliss, #21-Stephen Leicht, #2-Clint Bowyer, #99-David Reutimann, and #64-David Stremme. The race was slowed by 9 cautions for 36 laps and there were 5 leaders with 14 lead changes. Complete results are posted on the Phoenix Race Page.(4-11-2008)
http://www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/08phoenix.htm#results
Driver Standings: Clint Bowyer continues to lead the point standings, but the lead is down to 24 points (from 57) over Carl Edwards. Kyle Busch moves to third in points followed by David Ragan and David Reutimann. Standings are available on the Phoenix Race Page.(4-11-2008)
http://www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/08phoenix.htm#standings
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
NASCAR Nationwide Series Phoenix Bashas’ 200 Race Results
http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Latest_News&op=view&rid=2607
___________________________________________________________
A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Allgaier Holds off Schrader for Salem Glory
SALEM IN (4-13-08) – ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran Justin Allgaier fought off NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran Ken Schrader in the final laps Sunday afternoon at Salem Speedway to win the wild Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts.
Allgaier, with eight lead-lap machines lined up directly behind, also endured a green-white-checker finish en route to the victory, his career third series triumph and second consecutive at Salem. As a result, Allgaier became the first driver to win back-to-back at Salem since Shelby Howard swept both races in 2003.
“Wow that was fun,” said Allgaier. “Kenny battled us all night. It felt like I followed him forever. We were out of tires with 20 to go. He (Schrader) pitted to get his last set with 15 to go. He was right on my bumper; he was fast but he just couldn’t get a run on us. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. To win this race, holding off Kenny Schrader; I mean, the guy’s my hero. I can’t tell you how much I look up to him. He helped get me my start in racing. And to be the first driver to win back-to-back since Shelby Howard is really something.”
Schrader, on fresher tires, pressured the eventual winner continuously during the last 20 laps but could not find a way around Allgaier, who led the final 36 circuits.
“It wasn’t like we weren’t trying,” said Schrader. “We wanted the win as much as Justin did. But it was a pretty good weekend overall for the Federated Auto Parts Dodge crew; I’ll take it. And I couldn’t be happier for the Allgaier’s. They’re a first-class family; I’ve known them a long time. Justin earned it today; he’s one heck of a good racer. Looking forward to running Rockingham and Toledo.”
Matt Carter, in Larry Clement’s no. 46 Stine Seed-Hantz Group-Pork Ford, was in the mix all afternoon and finished third after leading 60 laps. Carter’s finish also earned him the SunTrust Rookie of the Race honors.
“I thought we were going to be able to have a pretty good battle going for a while there but we had to pit with about 20 to go to put a pair of right side tires on,” said Carter. “We had a right rear that was starting to come apart. The Stine Seed Ford was really good and I think that our performance here today really showed everybody that this 46 car can come here and race competitively.”
Eight-time Salem winner Frank Kimmel, in the no. 44 Interstate Equipment Ford, battled back to finish fourth after a few on-track skirmishes that resulted in unscheduled pit stops.
Formula 1 veteran Scott Speed, making his career-first short-track start, steered the Red Bull Toyota to the finish in fifth, a career series best for the Manteca, California driver.
The race, delayed three hours for rain, started under caution with SIM Factory Pole Award winner Schrader scored as the leader for the first 15 laps. However, as soon as the race went green on lap 16 Carter slipped by to take the lead. Carter and Schrader swapped the lead back and forth before both pitted for scheduled pit stops under caution just past the halfway point. Back under green, Speed passed Carter for lead before Schrader regained control of the top-spot on lap 152. With Allgaier right behind, Schrader got pinned in traffic allowing Allgaier to make his move for the lead on lap 169, one he would not relinquish. Schrader, under caution, pitted one more time for right-side tires and worked his way back to the front to challenge for the win.
A multi-car pile-up off turn two on lap 29 ended the day for several including James Hylton, Josh Clemons, Michael Phelps and Tayler Malsam. Brett Hudson, Jake Francis, Ken Butler III and Dexter Bean were also involved but were able to return to competition. There were no injuries.
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in the no. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, finished a career-best sixth with series rookie John Wes Townley trailing in seventh in the Zaxby’s-SBS-BB&T Ford, also a career-best finish. Bryan Silas finished eighth in the Nortrax-Fast Track Driving School Chevrolet. Terry Jones finished ninth in his own Jones Group Dodge, the last driver to finish on the lead lap. Veteran Norm Benning earned the Casite Hard Charger Award for his 10th place finish after starting 26th.
Schrader, who led 100 laps, was also the Klotz Half Way Leader and posted the Accel Fastest Lap of the Race. Crew chief Donnie Richeson earned Cometic Crew Chief of the race honors.
The next action for the ARCA RE/MAX Series will be the Prairie Meadows 250 at Iowa Speedway Saturday afternoon, April 19th.
Top-10 points after the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 by Federated Auto Parts at Salem Speedway (4-13-08); 1) Justin Allgaier 455; 2) Frank Kimmel 420; 3) Matt Carter 390; 4) John Wes Townley 370; 5) Tom Hessert III 360; 6) Bobby Gerhart 330; 6) Patrick Sheltra 330; 
Darrell Basham 310; 9) Mike Harmon 295; 10) Ken Butler III 265.
___________________________________________________________
U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of USAR
http://usarprocup.com
St. Amant Ready For South Boston, Title Defense
Miller Lite 250 Kicks off Sears Auto Center Northern Division
Myrtle Beach, S.C.-When Gary St. Amant joined the Hooters Pro Cup Series in 2004, he picked up where he’d left off in the old ASA National Tour. He won a race and posted 10 top-five finishes in his first season of Pro Cup competition while driving for Bullet Racing.
http://usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2646
___________________________________________________________
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Having Faith, Hope, And Charity Might Help, But A Top 35 Is Still The Ticket To The Promised Land: Faith, hope and charity. I wish we all could have enough of one so that we might have a reason for the second, allowing us not to rely so much on the third. The same applies in NASCAR. When it came to Texas, Dave Blaney came within a couple of spots to give us an argument for the new pre-qualifying method we are touting. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/041008Thornton.asp
NASCAR Top 10 Power Rankings: Texas: 1. Kyle Busch: Busch finished third at Texas Motor Speedway, his best-ever result at the 1.5 mile quad-oval, but was unable to remotely challenge the Ford of Carl Edwards, which was so fast that not even a loose oil lid could explain its speed. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/041008Boswell.asp
Lack of Preparation Hurting Hendrick, Allowing Roush Resurgence: This weekend in Augusta, golfâ?Ts best will shoot for sub par scores at the Masters. A few miles west in Avondale, Arizona, Hendrick Motor Sports will shoot for race win number one, breaking their sub par slump. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/041008Lintner.asp
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RG/041208.html
NASCAR Safety a Never-Ending Battle
by Rebecca Gladden
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/041408.html
Media and Fan Day at Richmond International Raceway
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RF/041308.html
Jimmie Johnson Back In Victory Lane with Fuel Mileage Strategy
by Ron Felix
“Sirius Speedway” On Monday Afternoon
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/04/sirius-speedway-on-monday-afternoon.html
Schrader vs. Labonte On A Monday TV Match-Up
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/04/schrader-vs-labonte-on-monday-tv-match.html
Fox Sports Caught In A No-Win Situation
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/04/fox-sports-caught-in-no-win-situation.html
___________________________________________________________
T V * L I S T I N G S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Race Fan TV
http://snipurl.com/llya-stockc
MONDAY, APRIL 14
1:00A-3:00 espn2 Navy Moto X World Championships, San Diego, CA, A Celebration of X Games athletes
and moments on the 10th Anniversary of X Games, HD
2:00A-3:00 SPEED SPEED Report, R
4:00A-5:00 SPEED NASCAR Victory Lane, Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix Intl. Raceway, HD, SDD, R
8:00A-9:00 SPEED NASCAR Victory Lane, Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix Intl. Raceway, HD, SDD, R
8:00A-10:30 Setanta A1 Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Apr 13/08
9:00A-10:00 SPEED Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, R
10:00A-12:00n ESPN-CL NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series ELIMINATIONS, SummitRacing.com Nationals,
Las Vegas, NV, Apr 13/08, HD, R-espn2
12:00n-1:00P SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross LITES Series. Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN, Mar
15/08, R
1:00P-2:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross LITES Series. Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON, HD, Mar
29/08, HD, R
2:00P-3:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross LITES Series. Texas Stadium, Irving, TX, Apr 5/08, R
3:00P-5:00 espn2 Navy Moto X World Championships, San Diego, CA, A Celebration of X Games athletes
and moments on the 10th Anniversary of X Games, HD
5:30P-6:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, Allen Bestwick, HD, L
8:00P-9:00 SPEED This Week in NASCAR, N
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
12:00m-1:00A SPEED This Week in NASCAR, N
12:30A-1:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, HD
3:00A-4:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross LITES Series. Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN, Mar
15/08, R
4:00A-5:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross LITES Series. Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON, HD, Mar
29/08, HD, R
8:00A-9:00 SPEED This Week in NASCAR, N
11:00A-12:00 ESPN-CL 2005 MAC Tools U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, IN, Sept 5/05
12:00n-1:00P SPEED National Arenacross Series, behind the scenes, R
1:00P-2:00 SPEED National Arenacross Series, Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown, OH, Feb 3/08, R
2:00P-3:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series. Ford Field, Detroit, MI, April 12/08, R
3:00P-5:00 espn2 Navy Moto X World Championships, San Diego, CA, A Celebration of X Games athletes
and moments on the 10th Anniversary of X Games, HD
6:00P-6:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, Nicole Manske, HD, L
Race Fan TV does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/
DISC-HDT = Discovery HD Theatre
ESPN-CL = ESPN Classic, US
HDNet = High Definition Network available on DirecTV (Channel 79) and DISH, etc.
Outdoor = Outdoor Channel (US)
VS = Versus (formerly known as OLN, Outdoor Life Network)
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
___________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2008 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
http://lists.motorsportsnews.net/mailman/listinfo/stockcargazette
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR PASSWORD, you can have it e-mailed to you from the above SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE link.
Miss an edition of the Stock Car Gazette? Visit the E-ZINE ARCHIVE:
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/stock-car-gazette/
IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE: The Stock Car Gazette mailing list is maintained completely by MotorSportsNews.Net. Therefore, we can tell you we have not and will not ever share your e-mail address with anyone for any reason.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED without PRIOR written permission from the editor. However, you MAY manually forward an issue by e-mail to your friends IF 1.) The text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY including all subscription and web page information, and 2.) NO FEE is charged. We ALWAYS appreciate readers who report violations of the copyright to webmaster@motorsportsnews.net.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mike Irwin, Owner/Webmaster
E-mail: Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
AIM: motorsportsnews7
www.MotorSportsNews.Net
P. O. Box 668
Nicholasville, KY 40340-0668
859-750-1973
By the way, do YOU know for sure? You can. Click the link.
http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
___________________________________________________________
