Though they may not admit it, several drivers in the Sprint Cup garage area were probably a bit smitten when NASCAR was forced to cancel qualifying for the Centurion Boats at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on Friday. The simple fact of the matter is that several drivers near the top at points are going to receive a better starting position that they likely would have, and while it still may not exactly give them a shot at winning Sunday’s race, it obviously provides a good path towards a better finish. That would be the guys like Greg Biffle …read more

They are all the all-time leader in NASCAR for wins as an organization, they have 7 Cup championships to their credit, and they’ve been in operation since 1949. So, why is it that only a few months into the 2008 season, Petty Enterprises had looked as though they might be on the verge of crumbling? Maybe it’s because they haven’t visited Victory Lane since 1998. Perhaps it’s the fact that General Mills, the team’s #1 sponsor for a very, very long time, has already announced their departure from Petty to put their name on a new RCR car. It might …read more

We all know that Joe Gibbs Racing has established themselves as the powerhouse of the field at this point in time. We know that Roush-Fenway Racing has come a long way in figuring out this new car and that Hendrick Motorsports seems to have lost the edge that they had on everyone else last year. We’ve analyzed potential contractual signings every which way we could, and still found ourselves locked in a guessing game. Been there, done that, but perhaps one of the stories that we haven’t talked nearly enough about are two teams that are holding out hope of …read more

Image details: Tony Stewart’s Prelude to the Dream served by picapp.com
Every year he puts on the annual “Prelude to the Dream” race at the track that he owns, Eldora Speedway, but for the first time, Tony Stewart can call himself the winner of his own event. After the qualifying heats tore up several cars, Stewart went onto dominate the 30-lap feature, after which he and his crew promptly climbed the fence.
The event included several of NASCAR’s top-reigning stars in addition to Stewart, to include two-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson; four-time Cup champ, Jeff Gordon; Carl Edwards; Kasey …read more

Greg Biffle turned the fastest lap during Friday’s Sprint Cup Series qualifying session at Dover International Speedway by clocking a lap in just 23.193 seconds, and in doing so, will start Sunday’s Best Buy 400 from the pole position. This is the second time Biffle has won the Coors Lite Pole Award this season – the first of which was at Darlington, where Biffle was arguably the best car on the track before running into mechanical issues.
Starting next to Greg on the outside of the front row will be former Roush-Fenway Racing teammate, Kurt Busch, who came in 0.188 seconds …read more

Image details: Dickies 500 served by picapp.com
Petty Enterprises recently announced that Kyle Petty will take a leave of absence from the no. 45 Dodge beginning on the June 1st race at Dover until July 12th when the Sprint Cup Series heads to Chicago. The reason for Petty’s leave from the team is to attend his daughter’s wedding, and he will then join the TNT booth to report from broadcasting duty.
The void in the no. 45 car will be filled by NASCAR rookie, Chad McCumbee, at Dover and Chicago, with Terry LaBonte to drive the car for the five races in …read more

Image details: Aaron’s 499 Qualifying served by picapp.com
 
It’s admittedly WAAAY too early in the season for NASCAR’s silly season to already have gotten as it deep as it has, that’s for sure … but, alas, I must do my small part in life to contribute to this nonsense, because – well, quite frankly it intrigues me.It all started just a few weeks into the ‘08 season when Richard Childress Racing announced the addition of a fourth team to their arsenal next year, and immediately everyone started pointing towards Bobby LaBonte to fill the seat in that ride due to his …read more

The votes are in, and I’ve tallied your winners. So, strap in, and let’s get you ringside for the first-ever NASCAR Mania! Enjoy!
Rookie Brawl – Five Way Elimination Match:
Patrick Carpentier and Regan Smith eliminated one another via a double countout. Dario Franchitti pinned Sam Hornish Jr via a Small Package. Then, Michael McDowell closed the match out by defeating Franchitti with his patented finishing move, the “Suicide Spin,” to pick up the victory. Following the match, Aric Almirola attacked McDowell from behind, claiming that he should have had the opportunity to compete in the match, stating that he, too, is …read more

Image details: Subway Fresh Fit 500 Qualifying served by picapp.com
Thursday night’s Sprint Cup qualifying session contained nothing near the drama that was witnessed last weekend at Texas qualifying, but it did feature “Flyin” Ryan Newman turning in the fastest lap of the evening en route to picking up his 43rd career pole award. His lap of 26.975 seconds earned him his first pole at Phoenix International Raceway since 2004, and is his fourth at the track overall. Newman was also the fastest overall in the first Cup Series practice session earlier in the day.
Elliott Sadler was second quickest, a mere …read more

Ryan Newman’s no. 12 Alltel Dodge failed post-race inspection on Sunday when officials discovered that his car was too high. Newman – who finished fourth in the race – was docked 25 driver points, and Crew Chief Roy McCauley was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until December 31, 2008.
Officials at Penske Racing did not reveal any plans to appeal the penalty, but did appear that they’re ready to move on from the incident. Penske Racing VP, Mike Nelson, stated, “It is always our intention to follow NASCAR’s rules, and we regret this mistake. We look forward to getting …read more