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I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was hectic, which seems to be the norm lately, but I was able to listen to the race on Saturday night while driving back from my home town to where I live. I enjoy listening to the races just about as much as watching them. It allows me to use my imagination, and I don’t have to hear “boogity”, and I don’t have to see Digger.
Anyway, here’s today’s NASCAR and ARCA RE/MAX news in the current edition of the Stock Car Gazette… |
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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by MotorSportsNews.Net
Do you know for sure?
motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
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The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was hectic, which seems to be the norm lately, but I was able to listen to the race on Saturday night while driving back from my home town to where I live. I enjoy listening to the races just about as much as watching them. It allows me to use my imagination, and I don’t have to hear “boogity”, and I don’t have to see Digger.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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motorsportsnews.net/archives/3446
TV Times – A “Real” Racer Has To Have A Name Like “Speed”
by: Lou Modestino
3 Wide Life is a show about real racers. A “real” racer eats, sleeps and breaths racing. Occasionally, they are born with a name that doesn’t give them a chance at doing anything else. Such is the case for NASCAR newcomer, Scott Speed.
For more from Lou, please visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/tv-times
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motorsportsnews.net/archives/3443
Track Trash – Phooienix
by: Racing Maniac
Racing Maniac checks in with another satirical race recap with his (partial) recap of Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Phooeinx… er… Phoenix.
For more from the Maniac, please visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/track-trash
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motorsportsnews.net/archives/3450
Martin Ends Winless Streak With Phoenix Win
by: Steve Langley
Mark Martin broke his winless streak of 97 races by overtaking Ryan Newman, who stayed out after a late race caution for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s wreck.
For more from Steve, please visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/steves-stuff
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N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!
smoke’s newest video
www.nascar.com/video/cup/2009/04/15/cup.aa.stewart.car.tour.nascar/index.html?MostPopular
How-does-nitrogen-enriched-gasoline-work
The Risks and Rewards of a Danica Patrick-Nascar Merger
By PAUL OBERJUERGE
A move to Nascar could increase Danica Patrick’s sponsorship opportunities, but the I.R.L. may fit better for racing successes.
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/sports/othersports/19irl.html?emc=eta1
wanted-the-future-mrs-dale-earnhardt-jr-humor
bleacherreport.com/articles/158669-wanted-the-future-mrs-dale-earnhardt-jr-humor
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Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
A Tribute to Mark Martin
Kansas City Star – MO,USA
Although I realize most UFR readers are not Nascar fans, at least one (me) is and his story is worth writing, if not reading. Martin is 50 years, …
uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/920
Ageless Martin races back to Victory Lane
The Associated Press
The 50-year-old Martin became the third-oldest winner in NASCAR history Saturday night, snapping a 97-race winless streak with a dominating run at Phoenix …
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gTDZCi51IW6svX1-k82nFh0HHlegD97LATEO1
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
No Decision On Fifth Car Says Roush
Team co-owner Jack Roush said Friday that no decision had been made regarding what his organization’s NASCAR Sprint Cup team lineup would look like in 2010. Jamie McMurray, currently one of five Roush Fenway Racing Cup drivers, has been mentioned in media reports as the likely choice to go elsewhere, most likely to join Yates Racing next season. Roush Fenway Racing currently fields five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, but per changes to NASCAR’s competition policy instituted in 2006, Cup ownership groups can have a maximum of four teams. Because of sponsorship agreements in place at the time of the policy change, Roush’s organization was “grandfathered in” until the end of 2009.
Martin Wins At Phoenix
Mark Martin snapped a 97 race winless streak by winning the Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday night. It was the first victory for Martin since he drove for Jack Roush. Martin won 35 races while he was with Roush Racing and now one with Rick Hendrick, for a total of 36 career wins. Roush was among the many who stopped by Victory Lane to congratulate Martin. Martin is the oldest driver at 50 to win at Phoenix and he recorded his 400th top ten finish. Tony Stewart was closing fast in the final laps but settled for second place. Kurt Busch placed third and Jimmie Johnson was fourth. Greg Biffle finished fifth followed by Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., David Reutimann, Sam Hornish Jr. and Carl Edwards to round out the top ten. Jeff Gordon now leads his teammate Jimmie Johnson by 85 points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings.
The next race on the Sprint Cup schedule – the ninth event of 36-races for the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship. The Aaron’s 499 will be on Sunday April 26th, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. The race begins at approximately 1:30 p.m. eastern time with live, high-definition coverage provided by FOX beginning with its pre-race show at 1:00 p.m. eastern time. The race will also be broadcast live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio Channel 128 and PRN radio.
2009 Subway Fresh Fit 500k Final Results
Race Date April 18, 2009
Phoenix International Raceway
Start Pos Car Driver Make Sponsor Points/Bonus/Laps/Status
1 1 5 Mark Martin ** Chevrolet Carquest/Kellogg’s 195/10 312 Running
2 6 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Office Depot/Old Spice 175/5 312 Running
3 3 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 170/5 312 Running
4 10 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe’s 165/5 312 Running
5 13 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M 155/0 312 Running
6 12 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Office/March for Babies 150/0 312 Running
7 26 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops/Tracker 146/0 312 Running
8 8 00 David Reutimann Toyota Aaron’s Dream Machine 147/5 312 Running
9 35 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Mobil 1 138/0 312 Running
10 11 99 Carl Edwards Ford Subway 134/0 312 Running
11 28 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Crown Royal 130/0 312 Running
12 36 43 Reed Sorenson Dodge Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper 127/0 312 Running
13 21 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Budweiser 124/0 312 Running
14 29 47 Marcos Ambrose Toyota Clorox/Kingsford/Bashas’ 121/0 312 Running
15 16 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Caterpillar 118/0 312 Running
16 30 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Haas Automation 120/5 312 Running
17 2 18 Kyle Busch Toyota M&M’s 112/0 312 Running
18 19 12 David Stremme Dodge Penske Racing 109/0 312 Running
19 5 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull 111/5 312 Running
20 38 07 Casey Mears Chevrolet Jack Daniel’s 103/0 312 Running
21 31 20 Joey Logano * Toyota The Home Depot 100/0 312 Running
22 14 6 David Ragan Ford UPS 97/0 312 Running
23 7 98 Paul Menard Ford Peak/Menards 94/0 312 Running
24 20 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target 91/0 312 Running
25 4 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 88/0 312 Running
26 24 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Cheerios/Hamburger Helper 85/0 312 Running
27 17 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Dewalt 82/0 312 Running
28 9 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Companies 79/0 312 Running
29 42 96 Bobby Labonte Ford Ask.com 81/5 312 Running
30 33 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell/Pennzoil 73/0 312 Running
31 15 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet National Guard/Amp Energy 75/5 310 Running
32 40 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Stanley Tools 67/0 310 Running
33 27 171 David Gilliland Chevrolet American Monster 64/0 310 Running
34 18 82 Scott Speed * Toyota Red Bull 61/0 310 Running
35 25 44 A.J. Allmendinger Dodge Charter Communications 58/0 309 Running
36 37 36 Scott Riggs Toyota Tommy Baldwin Racing 55/0 307 Running
37 32 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA 57/5 307 Running
38 41 34 John Andretti Chevrolet Taco Bell 49/0 307 Running
39 23 7 Robby Gordon Toyota Mapei/Menards 46/0 243 Running
40 39 09 Sterling Marlin Dodge Miccosukee Resort & Gaming 43/0 117 In Pit
41 22 187 Joe Nemechek Toyota NEMCO Motorsports 40/0 76 In Pit
42 34 66 Dave Blaney Toyota Prism Motorsports 37/0 59 In Pit
43 43 73 Tony Raines Dodge Quality Concrete 34/0 56 In Pit
** Led Most Laps
* Rookies
All Results Unofficial
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2009 Top-40 Sprint Cup Points After Subway Fresh Fit 500k
Race Date April 18, 2009
Phoenix International Raceway
POS +/- DRIVER POINTS/BEHIND/STARTS/POLES/WINS/TOP 5/TOP 10
1 — Jeff Gordon 1242 8 0 1 5 6
2 — Jimmie Johnson 1157 -85 8 0 1 4 6
3 — Kurt Busch 1144 -98 8 0 1 3 5
4 +1 Tony Stewart 1138 -104 8 0 0 3 6
5 +1 Denny Hamlin 1088 -154 8 0 0 2 4
6 -2 Clint Bowyer 1052 -190 8 0 0 3 4
7 — Kyle Busch 1026 -216 8 1 2 3 3
8 — Carl Edwards 1023 -219 8 0 0 1 4
9 +2 David Reutimann 992 -250 8 1 0 1 2
10 — Kasey Kahne 975 -267 8 0 0 1 2
11 +1 Jeff Burton 953 -289 8 0 0 1 3
12 -3 Matt Kenseth 946 -296 8 0 2 3 3
Top 12 Drivers In The Running For The Chase For The Championship
13 +5 Mark Martin 937 -305 8 3 1 1 4
14 +1 Greg Biffle 930 -312 8 0 0 3 4
15 -2 Juan Montoya 910 -332 8 0 0 0 2
16 -2 Kevin Harvick 869 -373 8 0 0 2 2
17 — Ryan Newman 863 -379 8 0 0 0 2
18 +1 Brian Vickers 848 -394 8 1 0 1 3
19 -3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 843 -399 8 0 0 0 2
20 +2 David Stremme 829 -413 8 0 0 0 0
21 +3 Martin Truex Jr. 818 -424 8 1 0 0 2
22 +1 Casey Mears 791 -451 8 0 0 0 0
23 -3 A.J. Allmendinger 789 -453 8 0 0 1 2
24 +3 Jamie McMurray 788 -454 8 0 0 0 2
25 -4 Michael Waltrip 778 -464 8 0 0 0 1
26 +2 Marcos Ambrose 777 -465 8 0 0 0 1
27 +3 Reed Sorenson 751 -491 8 0 0 0 1
28 -2 Bobby Labonte 744 -498 8 0 0 1 1
29 -4 Elliott Sadler 734 -508 8 0 0 1 1
30 -1 David Ragan 723 -519 8 0 0 0 1
31 — Sam Hornish Jr. 709 -533 8 0 0 0 1
32 — Paul Menard 637 -605 8 0 0 0 0
33 +2 Joey Logano* 610 -632 8 0 0 0 0
34 -1 John Andretti 589 -653 8 0 0 0 0
35 -1 Robby Gordon 577 -665 8 0 0 0 0
36 — David Gilliland 526 -716 7 0 0 0 0
37 — Aric Almirola 451 -791 7 0 0 0 0
38 — Scott Speed* 447 -795 7 0 0 0 0
39 +1 Regan Smith 355 -887 4 0 0 0 0
40 -1 Travis Kvapil 292 -950 4 0 0 0 0
* Rookies
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Courtesy of Jayski
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Talladega:
no changes in who is in and who is out, #71-Gilliland dropped 3 more points behind 35th
32) #98-Menard/Yates: 637, +86
33) #20-Logano/Gibbs: 610, +59
34) #34-Andretti/Earnhart Ganassi: 589, +38
35) #7-Gordon/Robby Gordon: 577, 26 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed but are close to the top-35:
36) #71-Gilliland/TRG: 551, 26 points out of 35th
37) #82-Speed/Red Bull: 475, -102
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.(4-18-2009)
www.jayski.com/stats/2009/points/8phx2009points.htm
Race Fast Facts – Phoenix International Raceway
Mark Martin won the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500, his 36th victory in 730 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. The last over-50 driver to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race was Morgan Shepherd, 51, March 20, 1993 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Martin becomes the fourth different over-50 driver to win a NSCS event.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2009.
This is his second victory and 16th top-10 finish in 25 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Tony Stewart (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 15 races at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his sixth top-10 finish in 2009.
Kurt Busch (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 13 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Joey Logano (21st) was the highest finishing rookie.
Jeff Gordon leads the point standings by 85 points over Jimmie Johnson.(NASCAR Statistics)(4-18-2009)
Infraction Sheet – Phoenix International Raceway
Car#, Lap, Reason, Penalty
#09 55, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#88 55, Lug nut(s) not installed, Must Come In
#7 166, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#55 166, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#09 166, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#44 167, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#36 227, Lug nut(s) not installed, Must Come In
#24 233, Lug nut(s) not installed, Must Come In
#83 244, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Pass Thru
#42 244, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Pass Thru
#71 302, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#18 302, Excessive speed EXITING the pits, Tail End
(NASCAR Statistics)(4-18-2009)
Lucky Dogs – Who got a lap back on each caution at Phoenix: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #36-Riggs,36th
Caution 2: #98-Menard, 23rd
Caution 3: #20-Logano, 21st
Caution 4: #29-Harvick, 30th
Caution 5: #19-Sadler, 32nd
Caution 6: NONE awarded when there are 10 laps or less left
(4-18-2009)
Oldest Sprint Cup Race Winners
Driver, Date, Track, Age
1) Harry Gant, 8/6/1992, Michigan, 52 years, 7 months, 6 days
(Gant won 8 races after turning 50, and his last pole was at 54 years old, Bristol 1994)
2) Morgan Shepherd, 3/20/1993, Atlanta, 51 years, 4 months, 27 days
3) Mark Martin, 4/18/2009, Phoenix, 50 years, 3 months, 9 days
4) Bobby Allison, 2/14/1988, Daytona, 50 years, 2 months, 11 days
5) Dale Earnhardt, 10/15/2000, Talladega, 49 years, 5 months, 16 days
6) Dale Jarrett, 10/2/2005, Talladega, 48 years, 10 months, 6 days
7) Bill Elliott, 11/9/2003, Rockingham, 48 years, 1 month, 1 day
Rusty Wallace, 4/18/2004, Martinsville, 47 years, 8 months, 4 days
9) Geoffrey Bodine, 8/11/1996, Watkins Glen, 47 years, 3 months, 24 days
10) Richard Petty, 7/4/1984, Daytona, 47 years, 2 days
11) Terry Labonte, 8/31/2003, Darlington, 46 years, 9 months, 15 days
Dale Jr. and Mears to be penalized? NASCAR officials will likely lower the boom on #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #07-Casey Mears for late-race and post-race antics here Saturday night at Phoenix. The two tangled several times late, bringing out the final caution that almost cost Mark Martin the win. Mears: “I didn’t mean to get together with Dale Jr. I think he was trying to save fuel and make it to the end without stopping, and I wheel-hopped the car getting into the corner and ended up making contact with him. I guess he was a little bent out of shape about it because he spun me out after the checkered flag.”(mikemulhern.net)(4-20-2009)
#42 to car Tum’s scheme at ‘Dega: TUMS Dual Action will be the primary sponsor on Juan Pablo Montoya’s #42 Chevy from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates for the Aaron’s 499 at Talldega Superspeedway on April 26. The #42 TUMS Dual Action Chevy will feature a white and blue fading paint scheme with energy bolts on both sides of the car. In addition to the #42 TUMS Dual Action Chevy sponsorship at Talladega, TUMS serves as a tier-one sponsor for the #42 Target Chevrolet.(Tums Racing PR), see images of the scheme on my #42 Team Schemes page.
www.jayski.com/schemes/2009/42cup.htm
IMHOF Induction Ceremony Presenters and Inductees Rich In History: The list of well-known names who will be in attendance for the 2009 International Motorsports Hall of Fame (IMHOF) Induction Ceremony extends far beyond the five men who will make up this year’s class of inductees. The Class of 2009 consists of car owner and race promoter J.C. Agajanian, NASCAR Cup driver Donnie Allison, seven-time Modifieds champion Jerry Cook, longtime team owner Bud Moore and NASCAR pioneer and car owner Raymond Parks. Those inductees will be presented during the April 23 ceremony by a group that also has plenty of motorsports experience, including one former driver who is already a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Agajanian will be presented by Parnelli Jones, who drove one of Agajanian’s cars to victory in the 1963 Indianapolis 500. Longtime motorsports journalist Dick Berggren will present Cook. NASCAR’s Jim Hunter will present Allison. NASCAR President Mike Helton will present Parks. Buz McKim will present Moore. McKim, the historian for the new NASCAR Hall of Fame has spent years chronicling the history of Moore, his drivers and associates in racing. Also scheduled to be in attendance are 2009 Miss America winner Katie Stam of Indiana, and Stan Barrett, driver of the 3-wheeled Budweiser Rocket Car that attempted to break the sound barrier in 1979. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 7 to 17 and free for kids age 6 and younger. Discounts to the museum of $1 off individual tickets are available to: adults in the military, AAA members, senior citizens, children (age 7 to 17) of a military member or AAA member. Discounts do not apply to combo tickets. The 2009 ceremony will be held April 23rd, at the SPEED Channel Dome, adjacent to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Individual tickets for the evening are $125 and a table of eight may be reserved for $1,000. Tickets and tables are available by calling 1-256-362-5002.(TSS PR)(4-20-2009)
Team co-owner Jack Roush said Friday that no decision had been made regarding what his organization’s NASCAR Sprint Cup team lineup would look like in 2010. #26-Jamie McMurray, currently one of five Roush Fenway Racing Cup drivers, has been mentioned in media reports as the likely choice to go elsewhere, most likely to join Yates Racing next season. Roush Fenway Racing currently fields five Sprint Cup Series teams, but per changes to NASCAR’s competition policy instituted in 2006, Cup ownership groups can have a maximum of four teams. Because of sponsorship agreements in place at the time of the policy change, Roush’s organization was “grandfathered in” until the end of 2009. Yates Racing, which like Roush Fenway fields Ford entries, has a technical alliance with RFR. The Yates group began the season with three teams – fielding cars for #96-Bobby Labonte (through an alliance with Hall of Fame Racing), #98-Paul Menard and #28-Travis Kvapil – but recently shut down Kvapil’s team due to a lack of sponsorship. “That is premature,” Roush said of one recent report which said McMurray’s team was expected to be dumped. “And if I had something to announce, there would be something written on the shelf back there [in the media center]. We’re not thinking about next year yet, we’re thinking about this year. Certainly there was nothing that has happened in the last week that is noteworthy or newsworthy and I wouldn’t care to speculate.”(SceneDaily)(4-19-2009)
Did Not Finish Streak and stats: #33-Bowyer has been running at the finish in 81 consecutive races, the longest current streak, and now tied the modern era record of #29-Harvick who had 81 until DNFing at California in Feb 2009, next up is #78-Regan Smith at 45 [but has not run all the races] and then #48-Johnson at 32 consecutive races. The all-time record for the longest streak of NOT having an DNF is 84 races held by Herman Beam from April 30, 1961 thru March 10, 1963 [Beam didn't run all the races, but didn't DNF in 84 straight consecutive races that he ran]. Kevin Harvick holds the modern era (1972-present) record at 81 [he also has the 3rd longest at 58], then Jeff Gordon at 56 and Dale Earnhardt at 53 [Indy in 1996 thru Martinsville in the spring of 1998.(4-19-2009)
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Courtesy of Racin’ Today
Martin Silences The Little Voices In His Head – www.racintoday.com/archives/2144
Pedley: Martin Scores One For The Romantics – www.racintoday.com/archives/2138
Mark Martin Back In Victory Lane – www.racintoday.com/archives/2121
Biffle Gives Roush Victory No. 100 In Nationwide – www.racintoday.com/archives/2027
Pedley: Roush Acts Like Roush After Landmark Win
By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
Jack Roush is one of those. He is one of those people who simply will not let the emotional wall down so others can get a peek. Friday night in Phoenix, …
www.racintoday.com/archives/2052
Corvette That Made Dale Earnhardt Sr. Smile Set To Move Down – www.racintoday.com/archives/1876
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Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
Racing is great, but winning is better
AVONDALE, Ariz. – There is a reason Mark Martin keeps coming back when it appears his Sprint Cup Series career may be over.
www.thatsracin.com/115/story/7226.html
Rewind | Popular veteran’s win provides inspiration – www.thatsracin.com/140/story/7225.html
Martin’s win wildly popular with his competitors, too – turn-lane.blogspot.com/2009/04/mark-martin-popular-winner.html
Stewart salutes race winner, says his team getting close
“To run second to Mark Martin is good; good to see him still kicking butt,” said Tony Stewart, who is now fourth in points.
www.thatsracin.com/140/story/7206.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Mark Martin Wins from the Pole at Phoenix
Victory Gives Team Chevy Three Consecutive Wins on the Season and Maintains Lead in Manufacturers’ Cup Standings
AVONDALE, AZ – Mark Martin started on the pole and powered his No. 5 CARQUEST/Kellogg’s Impala SS to victory lane in the Subway Fresh Fit 500. The win was Martin’s 36th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and his second at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR).
Martin ended a 97-race winless streak to capture his first victory as a driver for Hendrick Motorsports (HMS). The win was the fifth consecutive victory for HMS at PIR. He led five times for a total of 197 laps.
The win jumped Martin to 13th in the NSCS standings, just nine (9) points out of 12th place with one win, one top-five and four top-10 finishes.
It was the third win in a row this season for Team Chevy and keeps Chevrolet on top of the NSCS Manufacturers’ Cup standings with eight races in the 2009 record books.
Tony Stewart, No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Impala SS, finished second to score his third top-five and sixth top-10 of the season. He now sits fourth in the point standings in pursuit of his third NSCS championship.
Three time and defending NSCS Jimmie Johnson brought his No. 48 Lowe’s Impala SS to the checkered flag in fourth to retain the second spot in the standings. Johnson has one win, four top-five and six top-10 finishes to date.
Martin Truex, Jr., No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Impala SS, scored his best finish of the season coming to the line in seventh place.
Jeff Gordon, No. 24 DuPont Impala SS, remains the points leader but finished a disappointing 25th in the race after a pit road penalty put the four-time NSCS champion a lap down to the leaders.
Handling issues related Clint Bowyer, No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Impala SS to the 26th finishing position. He now sits sixth in the points.
Jeff Burton, No. 31 Caterpillar Impala SS, moved to 11th in the standings with his 15th place finish.
The next event on the 2009 NSCS schedule will be April 26, 2009 at Talladega Superspeedway.
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 CARQUEST/KELLOGG’S IMPALA SS – WINNERS
ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, CARQUEST/KELLOGG’S IMPALA SS
THE MODERATOR: We are now joined in the in-field media center by tonight’s winner of the Subway fresh fit 500, driver of the No. 5 Car Quest Kellogg Chevolet, Mark Martin. Mark, tell us about your run.
MARK MARTIN: Man, that was, that, was pretty awesome. Great, great race car. Great pit stops. Great strategy. There was a lot of pressure on both of us, and I really, truly believe that it will be a little bit easier for us going forward. Maybe not for Alan, I don’t know, but for me, I’ve carried a lot of weight, you know, on my shoulders. I really, really, really wanted to do this. I really, really, really wanted to win.
We have had Top-10 cars every race, but I couldn’t get my fingers out there and get them around a win, and the performance yesterday in practice was something that I said, maybe this is it; it’s better. I liked the car better than the other places that we’ve been.
So I think it’s going to really make it even more enjoyable. I’ve had a blast already. I don’t know. It’s overwhelming. You know, I don’t know. This is very, very overwhelming to me.
I hoped it would happen. But I didn’t expect it to happen. I only hoped. It’s a stretch. But Rick Hendrick, you know, I sat and watched him make Tim Richmond’s dreams come true from being sick, and this may not be as dramatic, but big to me.
THE MODERATOR: We are joined by tonight’s winning crew chief, Alan Gustafson. Alan, tell us about your view from on top of the box tonight.
ALAN GUSTAFSON: Well, like Mark said, it was a great night. To win one of these races, it’s really hard, and a lot of things have to go your way, and all of the work has to kind of culminate at one time together. Fortunately for us, it did. I’m just really proud of Mark and all of the guys.
The start to our season wasn’t what we expected, and I don’t think in my eyes it was what we deserved. But tonight, I’m just really proud for all of the guys and Mark and Mr. Hendrick for supporting me. We had a dismal season last year, and he never had ?? his faith never wavered on our team, and what we need to do to win. And I just want to thank him. We could not do any of this without him. He’s just a really special person.
It was just a great night. Pit stops were really good. Mark’s qualifying effort really helped us with the pit stops and we had a good car, but Mark Martin is the one what went out there and did it for us; he did it Friday night and he did it tonight.
To touch on something Mark said, I made a pact with myself: If I’m lucky enough to have Mark Martin drive my car, I’m going to win. So it’s nice to get that done this early.
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N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
Biffle wins at Phoenix: #16-Greg Biffle stayed on the track with 20 laps to go when most of the other lead lap cars pitted and held off #38-Jason Leffer for his second win of the season. It was Roush Fenway’s 100th series win.
#88-Brad Keselowski finished third (his third consecutive third place finish). The rest of the top 10: #20-Joey Logano, #33-Kevin Harvick, #6-David Ragan, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #12-Justin Allgaier, #1-Mike Bliss, and #18-Kyle Busch. Pole sitter #60-Carl Edwards, who entered the race as the points leader, had engine troubles and finished 33rd.
There were 9 cautions for 43 laps and 6 lead changes among 5 leaders.
Complete results are posted on the Phoenix Race page.(4-17-2009)
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/07phoenix.htm#results
Phoenix Race Fast Facts:
Greg Biffle won the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200, his 20th victory in 224 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
This is his second victory and third top-10 finish in 2009.
This is his third victory and ninth top-10 finish in 11 races at Phoenix International Raceway. This is Roush Fenway Racing’s 100th NASCAR Nationwide Series victory.
Jason Leffler (second) posted his fourth top-10 finish in ten races at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2009.
Brad Keselowski (third) posted his first top-10 finish in five races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Brendan Gaughan (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kyle Busch leads the point standings by 47 points over Carl Edwards.(NASCAR Statistics)(4-17-2009)
Driver standings following Phoenix:
1) #18-Kyle Busch 1075
2) #60-Carl Edwards 1028 -47
3) #6-David Ragan 949 -126
4) #38-Jason Leffler 932 -143
5) #88-Brad Keselowski 898 -177
6) #20-Joey Logano 893 -182
7) #62-Brendan Gaughan 822 -253
#12-Justin Allgaier 818 -257
9) #1-Mike Bliss 789 -286
10) #27-Jason Keller 779 -296
Complete standings.(4-17-2009)
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/07phoenix.htm#standings
Owner standings following Phoenix are posted.
There were no changes to the top-30 but Morgan Shepherd fell to 30th and Scott Wimmer/Key Motorsports moved to 31st, 3 points out.
Complete standings.(4-17-2009)
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/07phoenix.htm#owners
Atwood to the hospital: #05-Casey Atwood was transported to a local hospital after a late race accident in Phoenix. He got out of the car under his own power. There are no current reports on his condition.(4-17-2009)
Roush-Fenway looking for win #100: UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing has 99 Nationwide Series wins in the books and a win this weekend could bring them to the century mark. The team hit the 100-win mark in the Sprint Cup Series at Dover in 2007 when Carl Edwards captured the victory. Jack Roush’s first Nationwide victory came at Rockingham with Mark Martin on February 27, 1993. Since then, a total of five drivers have constructed the 99 wins that Roush Fenway has racked up.(Roush Fenway PR)(3-31-2009)
UPDATE: It took 17 years, five drivers and 840 starts for Roush Fenway Racing to reach the century mark in the Nationwide Series. The team reached win number 100 in the Sprint Cup Series at Dover in 2007 with Carl Edwards and the #99 team. Now 2002 Nationwide Series champion Greg Biffle has the honor of claiming Roush Fenway’s 100th Nationwide win under the lights at Phoenix International Raceway, just two days before owner Jack Roush’s birthday.(Roush Fenway PR)(4-17-2009)
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C A M P I N G * W O R L D * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
Unser wins, Benson second, Reeves wins celebrity category at Long Beach: It was auto racing at its most thrilling as actor Keanu Reeves prevailed over a highly competitive group of stars of film, television and sports to win the Celebrity Category of the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. “The King of the Beach,” six-time Toyota Grand Prix winner Al Unser, Jr., finished first among all drivers and won in the Professional category, followed closely by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Benson. In the Professional Category, Unser overcame the pros’ :30-second handicap by the eighth lap and held off the scrappy Benson and Southern California Toyota Dealer representative Tom Rudnai, president of Longo Toyota in El Monte, Calif., who came in third overall. The 2008 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race winner, ESPN/ABC pit reporter Jamie Little, came in fifth among the Pros. Toyota will donate $5,000 to “Racing for Kids” in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer’s charity of choice. Racing for Kids is a national non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County, Calif. Toyota has donated $1.7 million on behalf of the race and it participants and various children hospitals since 1991. Additionally, a $15,000 donation was made in conjunction with the annual “PEOPLE Pole Award.” Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the award was given to Danny Way, this year’s pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session. Way selected the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC) as his charity, to support ASEC’s mission of progressive eco-education and empowering people to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. Way is hoping the funds generated by the “PEOPLE Pole Award” will enable ASEC to build a “green” skate park for kids in Hawaii.(PR Newswire)(4-19-2008)
Bainey & the #00 Aaron’s Dream Team move to trucks UPDATE more info: There’s a new team in the world of NASCAR…Tim Bainey Jr. will return behind the wheel of the #00 Aaron’s Dream Machine in 2009, but he’ll be trading in his car for a NASCAR Camping World Series Truck. The team will make their Debut May 29th at Dover International Speedway. Tim Jr. will pilot the #00 Aaron’s Lucky Dog Truck in a select number of events during the 2009 Season. Tim’s younger brother Dan Bainey will return for his 5th season as his Crew Chief of the #00 Aaron’s Dream Team. The #00 Aaron’s Dream Team plans to compete in the events at; Dover International Speedway May, O’Reilly Raceway Park, Bristol Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, & Martinsville Speedway.(Tim Bainey Jr. PR)(4-17-2009)
UPDATE: They acquired two pristine trucks from Spears Motorsports, which suspended operations on the circuit after the 2007 season. The Baineys also will receive their engines from Hendrick Motorsports. Tim Jr. also said the Trucks Series campaign has garnered interest from local sponsors. Longtime sponsor DelGrosso Foods, maker of pasta sauces, has remained on board. The team could compete in as many as seven races this season, but will race no more than seven to keep Tim Jr. eligible for the Rookie of the Year in 2010.(Centre Daily Times)(4-19-2009)
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Benson fulfilling a childhood dream
Richmond County Daily Journal – Rockingham,NC,USA
2 gold Monte Carlo stock car around his hometown track. “I raced go-carts there in the early 1980s, but as far as racing a car, this will be my first time,” …
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
Vote for the ARCA RE/MAX Series’ Mo’s Gold Best Appearing Car
TOLEDO, Ohio (April 19, 2009)-Race fans can now vote for the 2009 Mo’s Gold Best Appearing Car in the ARCA RE/MAX Series exclusively through arcaracing.com’s social networking website, ARCA Nation.
All race fans will be permitted to vote once per day for the Mo’s Gold Best Appearing Car but votes from fans who are ARCA Nation members count 2:1 as compared to their non-member counterparts. To vote, visit www.arcanation.com.
The award is sponsored by Mo’s Gold, a revolutionary formula proven to help prevent surface grime buildup and to repel dirt and rubber, maintaining a racecar shine on any vehicle’s surface whether it’s on the track or on the way to a show. Mo’sGold is the Official Polish of the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
To be eligible for the Mo’s Gold Best Appearing Car, a race team must attempt to compete in 100 percent of the Series’ races in 2009 and have an active ARCA Nation page.
Voting ends on October 23rd, 2009.
To join ARCA Nation, visit www.arcanation.com.
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Caisse Wins Career-1st at Rockingham; Schrader Runs Out of Gas
For Complete Results
ROCKINGHAM NC (4-19-09) – Veteran Ken Schrader dominated the Carolina 200 Sunday at Rockingham Speedway, but it was rookie Sean Caisse who walked off with the winner’s trophy.
Schrader, after leading 185 of 200 laps, ran out of gas with less than three laps to go, opening the door for Caisse who sailed on through and into victory lane to earn his career-first victory in his sixth series start.
“Well I can say I’ve lost a lot of races before, not necessarily running out of fuel but tires going down or something; but I’ve never won a race this way,” said Caisse, who only led three laps all day. “I can tell you it feels just as good.”
Caisse, in the Venturini Motorsports Texas Corral-PME Engines Chevrolet, battled and chased Schrader all afternoon but could never find a way around the Fenton, Missouri driver until Schrader’s tank ran dry.
“I won the race but I didn’t beat him (Schrader). He was doing such a great job with throttle control. I did get to race him side by side for the lead. It would have been a lot sweeter if we could have all made one more pit stop and battle for the win to the end.”
Schrader, who made it to pit road, lost a lap in the exchange and returned to finish seventh.
“They (Caisse/Venturini Motorsports) were the best car for 200 laps and that’s what matters,” said Schrader. “I didn’t expect to go without a yellow for that long. I started conserving with about 40 laps to go but it wasn’t enough. I am proud of the show the ARCA Series put on today.”
Patrick Sheltra, in the BuckedUpShirts.com Dodge, finished second after leading eight laps. The Indiantown, Florida driver also snagged the point lead away from Justin Lofton, who went five laps down after an unscheduled pit stop relegated the Westmorland, California driver to 22nd in the final running order.
“The win last weekend got everything going and this whole program is building up momentum,” said Sheltra. “The racecar wasn’t used up as much as the tires were. The tires do wear quickly here so you have to have your stuff together. We came back from that penalty around lap 60 and I’m very proud of the guys. It’s still early to be talking about the points but hopefully we can keep the momentum rolling heading into the rest of the season.”
Matt Merrell, in the Win-Tron Racing ColinsHope.org Dodge, finished a career-best third.
“Just fighting through some lapped traffic,” said Merrell. “Nothing like putting a Rockingham stripe on the side of your car. Any laps you can get here is very beneficial for you in terms of gaining racing experience. These tires wear down so much more than the Late Model I raced here and so we just put it to the line for the entire time.”
Bryan Silas, in Andy Hillenburg’s Rockingham Speedway-Holland Pumps Chevrolet, finished a career-best fourth from the tail-end after changing a transmission in post qualifying.
Penske Development driver Parker Kligerman, in the Cunningham Motorsports Dodge, finished fifth. Kligerman also left the track tied for the lead in points with Sheltra.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway next for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 Friday, April 24, live on SPEED at 5:00 PM ET.
OFFICIAL FINISH
Rockingham, N.C., (AP) _ The official finish for Sunday’s Carolina 200 at Rockingham Speedway for ARCA RE/MAX Series stock cars with starting position in parenthesis, driver, hometown, type of car, laps completed, and reason out of race, if any:
1. (6) Sean Caisse, Pelham, N.H., Chevrolet, 200; 2. (3) Patrick Sheltra, Indiantown, Fla., Dodge, 200; 3. (21) Matt Merrell, Portland, Texas, Dodge, 200; 4. (11) Bryan Silas, Stuart, Fla., Chevrolet, 200; 5. (19) Parker Kligerman, Westport, Conn., Dodge, 200; 6. (12) Craig Goess, Greenville, N.C., Toyota, 200; 7. (1) Ken Schrader, Fenton, Mo., Chevrolet, 199; 8. (10) Ryan Crane, Panama City, Fla., Chevrolet, 199; 9. (2) Alex Yontz, Walnut Cove, N.C., Chevrolet, 199; 10. (27) Steve Arpin, Fort Frances, Ont., Toyota, 199; 11. (15) Frank Kimmel, Clarksville, Ind., Ford, 199; 12. (17) Alli Owens, Daytona Beach, Fla., Toyota, 199; 13. (20) Tom Hessert, Cherry Hill, N.J., Ford, 198; 14. (24) Gabi DiCarlo, Phoenix, Ariz., Toyota, 198; 15. (22) Tim George, Jr., New York, N.Y., Toyota, 198; 16. (9) Drew Herring, Benson, N.C., Chevrolet, 197; 17. (4) Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Chevrolet, 197; 18. (18) Kyle Martel, Lebanon, Pa., Chevrolet, 197; 19. (8) Grant Enfinger, Fairhope, Ala., Ford, 196; 20. (14) Brian Ickler, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 196; 21. (28) Nur Ali, Fort Worth, Texas, Dodge, 196; 22. (5) Justin Lofton, Westmorland, Calif., Toyota, 195; 23. (25) Stephan McCurley, Humble, Texas, Chevrolet, 194; 24. (23) Ken Weaver, Dallas, Texas, Dodge, 191; 25. (30) Curt Tori, Wilmington, Del., Chevrolet, 190; 26. (31) Jeremy Petty, Smolan Kan., Chevrolet, 189; 27. (35) Barry Fitzgerald, Sykesville, Md., Chevrolet, 180; 28. (36) James Hylton, Inman, S.C., Dodge, 176; 29. (34) Brad Smith, Shelby Township, Mich., Ford, 173; 30. (7) Joey Coulter, Miami Springs, Fla., Chevrolet, 150; 31. (37) Jason Basham, Henryville, Ind., Chevrolet, 105, handling; 32. (33) Norm Benning, Pittsburgh, Pa., Chevrolet, 88, oil leak; 33. (26) Jeff Buice, Charlotte, N.C., Chevrolet, 54, engine; 34. (40) Robb Brent, Shelby Township, Mich., Chevrolet, 46, engine; 35. (16) Brent Brevak, Ashland, Wis., Dodge, 20, accident; 36. (32) Darrell Basham, Henryville, Ind., Chevrolet, 16, engine; 37. (39) Scot Alves, Camino, Calif., Dodge, 9, handling; 38. (29) Ron Cox, Soddy Daisy, Tenn., Chevrolet, 3, clutch; 39. (13) Billy Leslie, Algonac, Mich., Ford, 2, accident; 40. (38) Butch Jarvis, Blountville Tenn., Chevrolet, 0, handling.
Time of race: 1 hour, 54 minutes, 28 seconds; Margin of victory: 7.535 seconds; Caution flags: 5 for 39 laps; Lap leaders: Schrader 1-12, Sheltra 13-20, Schrader 21-106, Martel 107-110, Schrader 111-197, Caisse 198-200.
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C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
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Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB/041809.html
You Know You’re a Loyal NASCAR Fan if…
by Brenda Benedict
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RG/041809.html
Jamie McMurray Tells Fans, Don’t Worry About Possible Move to Yates
by Rebecca Gladden
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RF/041909.html
Back In The Saddle Again: Mark Martin Breaks 97 Race Winless Streak
by Ron Felix
The Nascar Insiders
The NASCAR Week That Was: April 12-18
Speculation about the future of AJ Allmendinger and Kasey Kahne ended this week as both committed to Richard Petty Motorsports through the end of next season.
feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/42SeUuQ2B2c/
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/042009.html
The Wheels Have Fallen Off At DEI
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/MP/042009.html
Sliced Bread: Logano Still Building Confidence
by Matthew Pizzolato
The Nascar Insiders
Trouble At Trail?
Trail Motorsport began 2009 with a lot of positive press at their back. They were to be the only team in NASCAR majority owned by a minority and they were bringing with them Chase Austin and Jarit Johnson, two good prospects in their own right. But what started as an ambitious plan, has of right now failed to put even one car on the track.
feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/q_PPF6pBgew/
Cheers & Jeers
And the Rain Comes Down
by Carol Einarsson
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=593
Fear Not…
by Carol Einarsson
Because the impending announcement has taken longer than expected, there are many questions about what is coming down the road and what might be going away…
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=591
The Incredible Recovery Of NASCAR’s Robbie Weiss
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/04/incredible-recovery-of-nascars-robbie.html
Lots Of Commercial Junk In The Fox Trunk
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/04/lots-of-commercial-junk-in-nascar-on.html
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski
Mon Apr 20
4:00 am NASCAR Victory Lane SPEED
8:00 am NASCAR Victory Lane SPEED
9:00 am Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
8:00 pm This Week in NASCAR SPEED
Tues Apr 21
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 am This Week in NASCAR SPEED
8:00 am This Week in NASCAR SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
Jayski does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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The Stock Car Gazette
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69 Dodge Charger for sale
