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NASCAR Sprint Cup racing posted a 3.3/9 (5.1 mill.) that Sunday for racing from Michigan on TNT. In its first fair comparison to last year (last week’s comparison was impacted by rain in 2007), NASCAR on TNT was flat among all Homes (3.3) and down among M18-34 (-13 percent), M18-49 (-8 percent), and average audience (-3 percent).This report came from TNT PR and the Jayski.com webpage.

SPEED has hired veteran NASCAR crew chief Doug Richert to provide analysis for multiple NASCAR programs, with a lead role during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in the weekly news program The SPEED Report. “I’m thrilled to death to have a shot at this side of the sport,” said Richert, who, as a 20 year old, won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 1980 with legendary driver Dale Earnhardt. “This is something my wife and I have always talked about, but the timing and the demand of the crew chief position didn’t let it work.” Richert, who served as crew chief for three-time champ Ron Hornaday and 2003 NCTS Rookie of the Year Carl Edwards in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, also will work in the SPEED booth for select NCTS races, spelling Michael Waltrip. This report came from StockCarGazette.com.

We caught Scott Speed’s interview on Dave Despain’s WINDTUNNEL show on the Speed Channel. The former F1 driver was thrilled over his recent Craftsman Truck Series win. During the interview, Scott was asked about Kurt Busch’s possible move to F1. And his first NASCAR road-course win at Sonoma, CA last weekend. “We talked about it and I’ve given Kurt some of my thoughts in that regard. If he does it, it will be interesting. Recently it’s been the other way around. F1, Indy Car, CCWS drivers have migrated to NASCAR. It would be interesting to see how he does. Also, F1 needs a driver like Busch to liven things up on that circuit. That series really needs someone like him,” said Scott.

Yes, He REALLY Said That-Carl Edwards, on his competitive nature.
“When I’m in my airplane, I try to negotiate with the air traffic controller to get the fastest route to where I’m going.” That came from the widely distributed Valvoline Track Talk Newsletter.

Here’s what’s on the tube this weekend for the Gearheads. Starting Friday at noon Speed offers Cup Practice from NHMS in Loudon, NH followed by Nationwide Practice from that same venue with Cup Qualifying at 3 p.m.

Saturday is very busy and starts at 9 a.m. with Cup Practice on Speed from NHMS followed by Nationwide Qualifying then Final Cup Practice at 11:30 a.m. All from that same venue. Speed then offers the Grand-Am event at Mid-Ohio at 2 p.m. ABC kicks in the the Nationwide Series from NHMS at 3 p.m. Speed returns at 6 p.m. with the Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying from Memphis. ESPN offers the Indy Car race from Richmond, VA at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m. it’s the NASCAR CTS event from Memphis goes on Speed. ESPN2 offers NHRA Qualifying from Norwalk, Ohio at 10 p.m., SDD.

Sunday winds the weekend down with RaceDay from NHMS on Speed at 10:30 a.m. TNT airs the Cup race from NHMS at 2 p.m. Speed returns with the FIM Superbikes from Misano, Italy, SDD at 3 p.m. followed by the FIM 250 from Assen, Netherlands at 5 p.m. The Duce returns with NHRA Eliminations from Norwalk, Ohio at 7 p.m.

NOTE: INFORMATION FOR THIS COLUMN CAME FROM VARIOUS REFERENCED SOURCES, PRESS RELEASES, NOTES AND OTHER SOURCES.