With all of the teams that have undergone significant astronomical changes heading into the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Dale Earnhardt Inc. ranks rate up there. The thing that separates the changes with DEI this year from that of Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing, however, is that the point of impact will not be determined by what they’ve gained in this offseason, but rather with what they’ve lost … Dale Earnhardt Jr. While even the biggest fans inside the realms of Junior Nation will agree that the son of “the Intimidator” has underachieved thus far in his career – …read more

Earlier this week, Racingone.com reported that Tony Stewart used foul language on live television … I just can’t tell you how surprised I am to hear this (note the subtle sarcasm in that comment).  Stewart was reportedly engaged in conversation with fellow driver Robby Gordon when approached by a ESPN2 Cameraman, in which Stewart allegedly told the reporter to “Get the [expletive] away from me.”
This definitely is not the first time that the two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion has found himself in trouble for similar off-track incidents.  He was placed on probation back in April when he commented on NASCAR …read more

It’s a topic that’s been covered before and it’s a debate that just won’t go away … that is until NASCAR finally steps up and says enough is enough.  Ever since the Busch Cup was created in NASCAR, the opportunity for the Cup regulars to compete in the series has always been there, but it wasn’t until recent years that it’s really become a problem.  Every week, the 43-car field for the Busch race is littered with AT LEAST ten to fifteen full-time drivers for the Nextel Cup series.
The Busch Series was originally designed to serve as somewhat of a …read more

So, why exactly does it appear that Tony Stewart could be in line for his third Cup Championship in just six years?  Stewart has a history of being one of the hottest drivers this time of the year every season, and 2007’s not looking much different.  Despite leading the most laps on the circuit in the early portion of the year, various on track mishaps and mechanical failures prevented the driver of the no. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet from picking up what appeared to be inevitable victories.  Stewart finally broke his string of bad luck on July 15 when he …read more

On Sunday, September 23rd, Carl Edwards picked up his third victory of the season at Dover International Speedway, and it couldn’t have come at a better time … just two races into his bid for the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship.  Edwards later went on to fail post-race inspection as his car did not meet NASCAR’s minimum car heights according to the series rulebook.  As a result, the driver of the No. 99 was penalized 25 driver points and Crew Chief Bob Osborne was fined $25,000 for the incident.  The penalty assessed by NASCAR took him from third place in …read more

Earlier this year Dale Earnhardt Jr. finally made the announcement that he would in fact depart from DEI, the company that his own father built back in the mid-90’s and the race team that Junior has driven for ever since he entered the Nextel Cup back in 1999 (then known as the “Winston” Cup).  Dale Junior struck a deal with one of NASCARS elite organizations (if not THE elite organization) and set to drive for Rick Hendrick in 2008, taking over Kyle Busch’s number 25 Kellog’s Chevy.  Junior won’t be the only new face to this race team, though, as …read more

The fantasy season is dwindling down and we’re inching ever so closer to crowning the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion as we head into the third race in the Chase set to go in Kansas.  You may be asking yourself right now what one has to do with the other, so take my advice when I say that the Chase for the Cup has absolutely everything to do with the outcome of your fantasy season from here on out.
With the 2006 season serving as an exception (refer to Tony Stewart dominating the last 10 races while sitting on the …read more

1. Jeff Gordon – Has maintained the points lead for the majority of the season and has backed that up with 2 top 5’s in the past 3 races.  Kansas has had its moments with Jeff, and Jeff has had his moments with Kansas.  This could prove to be a very pivotal race in Gordon’s hopes for a fifth championship.
2.  Jimmie Johnson – Coming off a victory at Richmond just 3 races ago to pick up his sixth win of the season, Johnson has just 1 Top 10 finish in the first two races of the Chase.  If he hopes …read more

While perusing NASCAR blogs and sites I came across some news that shocked me.  Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemecheck’s lawsuit against Ginn racing gives some insight into the pay-scale of two of NASCAR’s veteran drivers, and suffice to say, these guys are making some serious cash.
From Jayski’s site: Both drivers joined the organization when it was MB2 Motorsports. Marlin began in 2006 with a base salary of $1.1 million, and that increased to $1.2 million for 2007. Nemechek started with MB2 in 2004 and received $900,000 for 2004, $1 million for 2005, $1.1 million for 2006 and $1.2 million for …read more

Racing sites and Internet blogs have been awash with articles this week about the alleged mass exodus of some of the IRL’s top drivers to the NASCAR ranks.  Sam Hornish Jr., Dario Franchitti, and Jacques Villeneuve, are three of IRL’s biggest stars, and if/when they join the NASCAR family, they will bring a huge shot of credibility to the sport.  That’s not to say that NASCAR is got image problems, but having more international drivers will also attract a different type of audience and hence, more diverse sponsors.
Times are a changin’ in NASCAR and I think it’s a good thing.  …read more