Image details: LifeLock 400 served by picapp.com
Happy 4th of July, everyone! Along with celebrating America’s independence, since it just so happens to have fallen on a Friday this year, that means you’re also treated to a “special” edition of “Loose in Turn Three”. Along with me as always are Bruce Simmons from “Bruce’s Bits & Pieces”, and, of course, Charlie Turner from “On Pit Row”.
Earlier this week, Chip Ganassi announced that due to sponsorship woes, he was being forced to cease operations on his no. 40 operation, laying off 71 employees in the process and also putting NASCAR rookie, Dario …read more

A couple of days ago, Juan Pablo Montoya was given his third crew chief in the past month when Chip Ganassi Racing released Jimmy Elledge. Elledge was sent to Montoya’s team when Ganassi decided to swap he and Donnie Wingo between the no. 40 and 41 teams, mostly in an effort to try and save Reed Sorenson’s season, but now, just a few weeks later, he’s found himself out of work altogether.
Montoya stated yesterday that it was strictly a “management decision” and that he had nothing to do with it, and that he had been pleased with the direction of …read more

Image details: Daytona 500 Preview served by picapp.com
Earlier this week, NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr, took a giant step in his “off-track” career when he opened his new bar Whisky River in downtown Charlotte, NC right across the street from the downtown arena.
The club has a nice sized stage and dance floor, which combine for 27,000 square feet, and actually consists of three bars – the largest of which circles around a mechanical bull. Junior reportedly plans on hosting live bands at the venue, and he even made a comment that he hopes he can one day get …read more

Welcome one and all to the second edition of “Loose in Turn 3.” I thought last week’s conversation went pretty well, but as always, we acknowledge the room for improvement, so we’ve decided to spice this week’s discussion platform up just a bit. There’s been a lot going down as of late in our cherished NASCAR world, so there’s plenty to talk about from Chip Ganassi Racing to the Car of (Today) and even racing in general. So, sit back and strap yourself in tight, cause we’re about to get Loose in Turn Three!
Drivers Have More Strong Opinions Concerning New …read more

Chip Ganassi Racing has been one of the most successful organizations in the racing world, and they demonstrated that yet again by becoming the first team to ever win three consecutive Rolex 24 events this past January. The struggle for the team, however, has been trying to find a way translate all of their success into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series where they’ve been just mediocre.
It wasn’t always that way, though. Back in 2001 when Ganassi was running only a single car full-time in the (then) Winston Cup Series, Sterling Marlin finished the season third in points, coming in 371 …read more

1/26 – Richard Childress has signed Stephen Leicht to compete in at least 2 races for his no. 21 Nationwide Series team.
1/26 – Dover International Speedway – known to racers as “the Monster Mile” – now has a 46’ tall statue known as “Miles” that will stand in the track’s newly created Victory Plaza.  The monument will be the largest attraction at any NASCAR track.  Read More.
1/26 – As Greg Biffle enters the final year of his contract at Roush Fenway Racing, he’s made it a point to state that while he’s listening to all options, staying with Roush is …read more

Juan is on Speed right now ‘explaining’ what happened last week. Of course, the Trackside Live crew is fawning all over him. I am happy to see that not all the fans who are there are buying his excuse.
I wonder what they would say to Scott Pruett?
Oh no!  Now they are telling him that they thought Formula 1 drivers were pretty aloof but he’s just a really nice guy.
At least when Elliott Sadler started asking questions, they were to the point.  And to Juan’s credit he gave some fairly straight answers.  Neither he nor Scott had won a Busch race …read more