Repaved Daytona Will Have Goodyear Tire Test Dec. 15-16

Filed under: Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Tracks, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

Goodyear Tire Company will conduct a tire test on the freshly repaved 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway on Dec. 15-16, the speedway announced Saturday.

The NASCAR drivers who will participate in the test will be announced at a later date, the speedway said.

"This test is going to be important for Goodyear as they construct a tire for Speedweeks 2011 and the 53rd annual Daytona 500," said speedway President Joie Chitwood III.

The Goodyear tire test will open to the public with free access to the Oldfield Grandstands through the lobby of the Daytona International Speedway ticket office.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/20/repaved-daytona-will-have-goodyear-tire-test-dec-15-16/

Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin JeanPierre Jabouille

Kasey Kahne to Have Surgery on Both Knees After Season

Filed under: Kasey Kahne, FanHouse Exclusive, NASCAR

Kasey Kahne will be having surgery on both knees in the days following this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and is expecting to be sidelined about six weeks, the driver of the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota told FanHouse Wednesday.

Kahne, the 2004 Cup Series Rookie of the Year, characterized the operation as "no big deal" and said doctors were just going to clean up the area surrounding the knees. He said he opted to have both knees worked on at once because it was "either six weeks this way, or 12 weeks doing it one after the other.''

While this means Kahne won't be participating in offseason testing -- including the Jan. 20-22 tire test at the newly paved Daytona International Speedway -- he fully expects to be behind the wheel of his Red Bull Racing Toyota in time for the Feb. 20 season-opening Daytona 500.

Kahne is the second high-profile driver to undergo knee surgery this year. Championship points leader Denny Hamlin had a more serious surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee on March 31 and raced two weeks later without a relief driver. He won the next race, 19 days later at Texas Motor Speedway and currently holds a 15-point edge over Jimmie Johnson in the championship standings entering Sunday's season finale.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/17/kasey-kahne-to-have-knee-surgery-after-season/

F1 Racing Spain F1 Racing Turkey F1 Racing United Arab Emirates Felipe Massa Fernando Alonso

Ways for NASCAR to regain edge

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/25/825981/ways-for-nascar-to-regain-edge.html

Pete Lovely Roger Loyer Jean Lucas Jean Lucienbonnet Brett Lunger

Power, Franchitti battle for the title at Homestead

Series: IZOD IndyCar. Date: Saturday, October 2. Race: Cafes do Brasil Indy 300. Site: Homestead-Miami Speedway. Track: 1.5- mile oval. Start Time: 7:00 p.m. (et). Laps: 200. Miles: 300. 2009 winner: Dario Franchitti. Television: VERSUS. Radio: IMS Radio Network/SIRIUS XM Satellite. Twelve points, two drivers and one race to go. That's the point separation between leader Will Power and second-place Dario Franchitti heading into this weekend's

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/778645.html

Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin JeanPierre Jabouille

NASCAR Championship Scenarios as Finish Line Nears for 2010

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

Denny Hamlin certainly had plenty of frustration boiling over after late-race strategy failed to work in his favor. So, he took a water bottle and threw it Sunday in Phoenix.

The temperament, however, may be unjustified: Hamlin heads into Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the proverbial driver's seat to win the 2010 crown.

Sure, the Virginia driver is sporting just a 15-point lead and could lose it by finishing second to Jimmie Johnson at Homestead.

But if that happens, Hamlin will be just the third driver in NASCAR's modern points system era to lose the championship in the season's final race. The first was 1979 when Richard Petty beat Darrell Waltrip and the second in 1992 when Alan Kulwicki topped Davey Allison.

Hamlin, however, clinches his fate by simply leading the most laps and finishing second or better. If Hamlin pulls that feat while Jimmie Johnson wins, the two will finish tied in the point standings.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/17/nascar-championship-scenarios-as-finish-line-nears-for-2010/

Ken Richardson Fritz Riess Jim Rigsby Jochen Rindt John RiseleyPrichard

Jimmie Johnson Is a Nascar Dynasty of One

Jimmie Johnson and his team have been so dominant in Nascar that some fans and drivers claim he is responsible for a dip in attendance and TV ratings.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/sports/autoracing/24nascar.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Gunnar Nilsson Hideki Noda Rodney Nuckey Robert OBrien Pat OConnor

Shane Hmiel back racing Midgets

Former NASCAR driver Shane Hmiel won a USAC Midget race last week at Hickory Motor Speedway. He returned to race again the next night, turning the fastest speed in qualifying and hoping for another $3,000 winner’s payday, only to see rain wash away those hopes. A handful of people milled around the pits and maybe [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/shane-hmiel-back-racing-midgets/

JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal

With 5th title in hand, Johnson takes aim on Petty, Earnhardt

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/23/820699/with-5th-title-in-hand-johnson.html

Roy Salvadori Consalvo Sanesi Stephane Sarrazin Takuma Sato Carl Scarborough

Castroneves wins in Japan, Power hangs on to points lead

Helio Castroneves won his second straight IZOD IndyCar Series race with a dominating performance in Sunday's Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi. Castroneves, who won two weeks ago at Kentucky, started on the pole and led 153 of 200 laps. However, the Team Penske driver slightly fell back in the field to fifth when he struggled to get up to speed after a restart shortly before the half-way point. Castroneves reclaimed the lead for good on

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/774088.html

Alberto Rodriguez Larreta Franco Rol Alan Rollinson Tony Rolt Bertil Roos

Sauter gets in Hornaday?s face after Truck race

Johnny Sauter got in the face of Ron Hornaday after the Truck Series? Kroger 250, but with two NASCAR officials nearby, it didn?t escalate into anything more Saturday afternoon at Martinsville Speedway.
Sauter was angry because Hornaday had turned him with 27 laps remaining. After the race, Sauter did not return to his pit stall as [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/sauter-gets-in-hornadays-face-after-truck-race/

Jacques Villeneuve Jacques Villeneuve Sr Luigi Villoresi Emilio de Villota Ottorino Volonterio

Sprint Cup Chase Remains Tight After Talladega

There were 87 lead changes at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, but the three leaders in the Chase remained close -- separated by only 38 points.

Source: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sprint-cup-remains-tight-after-talladega/?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Martin Donnelly Mark Donohue Robert Doornbos Ken Downing Bob Drake

Hamlin Wins Again at Martinsville

Denny Hamlin won his third straight Nascar Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/sports/autoracing/25sportsbriefs-HAMLINWINSAG_BRF.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Heini Walter Rodger Ward Derek Warwick John Watson Spider Webb

Ideas to help NASCAR regain its edge

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/26/826521/ideas-to-help-nascar-regain-its.html

Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton

Sprint Cup Cars Inspected

A Nascar spokesman said the cars for Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick were inspected in the North Carolina research and development center this week.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/sports/autoracing/12sportsbriefs-nascar.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

F1 Racing Turkey F1 Racing United Arab Emirates Felipe Massa Fernando Alonso Geoffrey Bodine

Three for the Show as NASCAR Hits Homestead for Grand Finale

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR

MIAMI -- Dressed in a freshly pressed, button-down shirt, cleanly shaven and appearing slightly preoccupied, Denny Hamlin was the first to arrive for NASCAR's version of a title fight weigh-in -- a formal press conference with the Sprint Cup Series championship contenders in downtown Coral Gables.

Looking a lot younger than the 30 years he turned Thursday, Hamlin politely smiled but more often stared up at the ceiling as his two bearded, 30-something challengers -- four-time defending Cup champ Jimmie Johnson and veteran Kevin Harvick -- arrived and took their seats on either side of him, then seized every opportunity to take good-natured barbs at the birthday boy and each other.

Hamlin, who holds a 15-point edge over Johnson and a 46-point cushion over Harvick entering Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, called the event "awkward'' because "there's all this s***-talking going on and we're like two feet away (from each other).''

"He definitely seems like the most nervous,'' Harvick said smiling and looking over at Hamlin.

"That's because I'm between you,'' Hamlin replied.

Actually, it's his position in front of them that has made this the most dramatic final race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup since NASCAR first instituted its 10-race playoff format seven years ago.

It is the closest-ever margin between first and second place entering the final race. And Harvick, who has the best average finishing position (8.4) among the three at the 1.5-mile Homestead oval, is still a factor compared to past years when a third-place driver was merely a mathematical technicality.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/18/three-for-the-show-as-nascar-hits-homestead-for-grand-finale/

Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann Francois Hesnault

Museum works to preserve racing history

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/23/822658/museum-works-to-preserve-racing.html

Torsten Palm Jonathan Palmer Olivier Panis Giorgio Pantano Massimiliano Papis

Report: Edmonton off 2011 IndyCar schedule

The IZOD IndyCar Series race at Edmonton's City Centre Airport will not take place in 2011. According to a report from the Edmonton Journal, the City of Edmonton and Octane Motorsports Events Inc. -- the race promoter -- could not reach an agreement for next year's event, which was scheduled for July 24. City council officials agreed to pay $5.5 million for sponsorship of the race over the next three years, but the event promoter was as

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/793499.html

Robby Gordon Robert Kubica Robert Richardson Jr. Ron Fellows Rubens Barrichello

Hamlin will need clearance from doctor to compete

Denny Hamlin, slated to undergo surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Wednesday morning in Charlotte, will only need clearance from his doctor to resume competing in NASCAR, according to officials with the sanctioning body.
Hamlin injured his left knee Jan. 22 while playing basketball, and had hoped to put off the surgery until after [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/hamlin-will-need-clearance-from-doctor-to-compete/

Tony Rolt Bertil Roos Pedro de la Rosa Keke Rosberg† Nico Rosberg

Spotter's Stand: Twittering NASCAR's Championship Showdown

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

A day after the Phoenix race, where Denny Hamlin tossed a water bottle at his car in disgust, Jimmie Johnson beamed as the most confident "underdog" ever and Kevin Harvick vowed his team wasn't done, Twitter on Monday helped to instigate another rise in championship drama.

When three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip insisted that Johnson, who is 15 points behind Hamlin second place, is the favorite for Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Harvick and Hamlin sounded off.

"Yea I guess (you're) right.. We shouldn't even show up if we are up against that!" Hamlin tweeted in response.

Harvick, never one to back down, personalized his shot.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/15/spotters-stand-twittering-nascars-championship-showdown/

Niki Lauda† Roger Laurent Giovanni Lavaggi Chris Lawrence Michel Leclere

Holiday shopping in the fast lane

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/27/828993/holiday-shopping-in-the-fast-lane.html

Geoffrey Bodine Giancarlo Fisichella Greg Biffle Heikki Kovalainen J.J. Yeley

Hendrick looking for right chemistry for all teams

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/24/827142/hendrick-looking-for-right-chemistry.html

Jeff Burton Jeff Fuller Jenson Button Jimmie Johnson Joe Nemechek

Kanaan, Andretti Autosport agree to part ways

Andretti Autosport and driver Tony Kanaan announced on Friday they have reached an agreement that releases Kanaan from his current multi-year agreement with the team, effective immediately. Kanaan, the 2004 IndyCar Series champion, has driven for team owner Michael Andretti since the team started competing in the series in 2003. The Brazilian scored 14 victories in 131 consecutive starts with Andretti. "I want to thank Michael Andretti and e

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/791801.html

Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham Gary Brabham Jack Brabham†

Racing rookie shows she's a fast learner

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/27/828418/racing-rookie-shows-shes-a-fast.html

Guy Ligier Andy Linden Roberto Lippi Vitantonio Liuzzi Dries van der Lof

Jimmie Johnson's NASCAR Dynasty May Make Him Greatest Champion

Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Jimmie Johnson joined his team on the crowded stage, hurriedly set up on the Homestead-Miami Speedway front stretch and, with confetti flying in the air, raised NASCAR's crown jewel, the Sprint Cup Series championship trophy, for an unprecedented fifth consecutive time.

Only seven-time champions Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt have more hardware. And as the humble, low-key Californian hugged his wife, kissed his infant daughter, embraced his dad and gazed out into the crowd, Johnson was struck by something that helped him realize he had finally made it.

"There was a fan standing right up front with an 'I Hate the 48' T-shirt and he gave me the thumbs-up and said, 'Congratulations,' '' the driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet recalled with a laugh. "I have people tell me they hate me, but they respect me and that's always cool. If this takes it to the next level, then right on.''

So it is for the most dominant race car driver in NASCAR history. The more he wins, the more trophies he collects, the more people clamor for someone else to step up.

How about, instead, we honor this great accomplishment and appreciate the good fortune to be witnessing sports history.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/21/jimmie-johnsons-nascar-dynasty-may-make-him-greatest-champion/

Franck Montagny Tiago Monteiro Andrea Montermini Peter Monteverdi Robin MontgomerieCharrington

Three-Way Race of Hamlin, Johnson and Harvick in Nascar

With the closest finish in the Chase for the Sprint Cup since it began seven years ago, Nascar officials can only hope the excitement will lift television ratings.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/sports/autoracing/21nascar.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Jonathan Williams Roger Williamson Dempsey Wilson Desire Wilson Justin Wilson

Hamlin will need clearance from doctor to compete

Denny Hamlin, slated to undergo surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Wednesday morning in Charlotte, will only need clearance from his doctor to resume competing in NASCAR, according to officials with the sanctioning body.
Hamlin injured his left knee Jan. 22 while playing basketball, and had hoped to put off the surgery until after [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/hamlin-will-need-clearance-from-doctor-to-compete/

Brett Lunger Mike MacDowel Herbert MacKayFraser Bill Mackey Lance Macklin

Red Bull Wins Formula One Constructors' Championship

Red Bull Racing clinched its first ever Formula One constructors' championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday -- and other motorsports news from around the Web.

Source: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/red-bull-wins-formula-one-constructors-championship/?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo

Castroneves wins in Japan, Power hangs on to points lead

Helio Castroneves won his second straight IZOD IndyCar Series race with a dominating performance in Sunday's Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi. Castroneves, who won two weeks ago at Kentucky, started on the pole and led 153 of 200 laps. However, the Team Penske driver slightly fell back in the field to fifth when he struggled to get up to speed after a restart shortly before the half-way point. Castroneves reclaimed the lead for good on

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/774088.html

F1 Racing Korea F1 Racing Malaysia F1 Racing Monaco F1 Racing Singapore F1 Racing Spain

Hamlin has successful knee surgery

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, had successful surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee this morning. The surgery was performed by Dr. Patrick Connor with OrthoCarolina. Hamlin injured the knee in January prior to the start of the 2010 [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/hamlin-has-successful-knee-surgery/

Myron Fohr Gregor Foitek George Follmer George Fonder Norberto Fontana

John Force Wins 15th NHRA Funny Car Championship

John Force won an unprecedented 15th National Hod Rod Association Funny Car championship at Pomona, Ca., Sunday, coming back from serious injuries in 2007 to win his first title since 2006.

Force, 61, clinched the title in the quarterfinals after points leader Matt Hagan was defeated in an upset by Bob Tasca. Force then went on to the win the race as well, his sixth victory of the year.

He is the oldest champion in NHRA history, but his career was jeopardized by the bad crash in Dallas in 2007 that left him with injuries that took him two years to fully recover from.

The NHRA also crowned its youngest champion Sunday -- 20-year-old Pro Stock Motorcycle rider LE Tonglet.

Larry Dixon clinched his third Top Fuel championship Sunday. It was his first since he won back-to-back titles in 2002-03. Antron Brown was the top fuel winner in the race.

Hagan came into the event 38 points ahead of Force, but after Hagan's first-round loss, Force needed to win two rounds, and he won those with two strong runs.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/14/john-force-wins-15th-nhra-funny-car-championship/

Martin Truex Jr. Matt Kenseth Max Papis Michael McDowell Michael Schumacher

Spotter's Stand: Carl Edwards Has Offseason Momentum in His Back Pocket

Filed under: Carl Edwards, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

He may have won the two races that dole out the least amount of recognition of the entire season, but Carl Edwards doesn't much care.

"For our team, to finish like this and to be on the upswing that we are, this is as good as it gets," Edwards said after winning Sunday at Homestead, his second in a row.

Of course, Edwards was overshadowed by an incredibly dramatic championship fight that he watched from the outside looking in Sunday, largely in his rear-view mirror.

Jimmie Johnson overcame Denny Hamlin and held off Kevin Harvick to win the 2010 title, and proceeded to spin through a burnout as Edwards celebrated with his traditional backflip.

"I tell you, it's a lot more frustrating to not be in victory lane and watching somebody out there doing their donuts and all that stuff," Edwards said.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/23/spotters-stand-carl-edwards-has-offseason-momentum-in-his-back/

Jimmy Reece Ray Reed Alan Rees Clay Regazzoni Carlos Reutemann

Jimmie Johnson Wins Fifth Sprint Cup Title

Jimmie Johnson won his fifth Sprint Cup championship on Sunday, after finishing second in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida -- and other motorsports news from around the Web.

Source: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/jimmie-johnson-wins-fifth-sprint-cup-title/?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Lewis Hamilton David Hampshire Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris

Castroneves wins in Japan, Power hangs on to points lead

Helio Castroneves won his second straight IZOD IndyCar Series race with a dominating performance in Sunday's Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi. Castroneves, who won two weeks ago at Kentucky, started on the pole and led 153 of 200 laps. However, the Team Penske driver slightly fell back in the field to fifth when he struggled to get up to speed after a restart shortly before the half-way point. Castroneves reclaimed the lead for good on

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/774088.html

Sakon Yamamoto Alex Yoong Alex Zanardi Emilio Zapico Ricardo Zonta

NASCAR: We're doing what we can for hall of fame

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/22/820751/nascar-weve-helped-promote-hall.html

Ricardo Rosset Huub Rothengatter Basil van Rooyen Lloyd Ruby JeanClaude Rudaz

Harvick wins Nationwide race in Nashville

Kevin Harvick took advantage of a late caution to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, the Sprint Cup driver’s second victory in four series starts this season.
Harvick and crew chief Ernie Cope gambled by taking two tires under caution and seized the lead from Kyle Busch with 34 laps to [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/harvick-wins-nationwide-race-in-nashville/

Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby Andre Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero

Report: Kasey Kahne to leave Richard Petty Motorsports for Hendrick in 2011

Kasey Kahne has agreed to a contract with Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2011, sources told SceneDaily.com.
Richard Petty Motorsports, which has Kahne under contract for this season, confirmed that Kahne is leaving the organization.
Exactly whether Kahne will drive for a Hendrick team or for Hendrick affiliate Stewart-Haas Racing is still to be determined. Stewart-Haas, which features [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/report-kasey-kahne-to-leave-richard-petty-motorsports-for-hendrick-in-2010/

Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen

Jeremy Mayfield?s lawsuit against NASCAR to remain in federal court

Jeremy Mayfield’s lawsuit against NASCAR will remain in federal court, U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen ruled Tuesday. The case, stemming from a drug test last May that NASCAR says was a positive for methamphetamine but Mayfield says was a mix of over-the-counter and prescription medication, has been at a virtual standstill since January in order [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/jeremy-mayfield%e2%80%99s-lawsuit-against-nascar-to-remain-in-federal-court/

Ludwig Fischer Rudi Fischer Mike Fisher Giancarlo Fisichella John Fitch

Hamlin, Harvick trade some post-race barbs

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/22/818517/hamlin-harvick-trade-some-post.html

Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley

Johnson joins rare company

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/818522/johnson-joins-rare-company.html

Ricardo Rosset Huub Rothengatter Basil van Rooyen Lloyd Ruby JeanClaude Rudaz

Remembering Glen Wood?s first win

Throughout its history, the NASCAR series now known as Sprint Cup has parked its cars on Easter Sunday. But back in the day they did run at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Mondays, including the day after Easter, and it was on one of those post-Easter Monday races that Glen Wood scored his [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/remembering-glen-woods-first-win/

Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani Bruno Giacomelli Dick Gibson Gimax

Hendrick Motorsports shuffles lineup for 3 teams

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/23/822457/hendrick-motorsports-shuffles.html

Massimiliano Papis Mike Parkes Reg Parnell Tim Parnell Johnnie Parsons

Edwards wins as Johnson notches No. 5

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/817974/edwards-wins-as-johnson-notches.html

Didier Pironi Emanuele Pirro Antônio Pizzonia Eric van de Poele Jacques Pollet

Petty drops 2 cars

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/23/820700/petty-drops-2-cars.html

Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Mikko Kozarowitzky Willi Krakau

Richard Petty Motorsports to field 2 cars in 2011

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/22/820126/richard-petty-motorsports-to-field.html

Lucas di Grassi Marcos Ambrose Mark Martin Mark Webber Martin Truex Jr.

Spotter's Stand: Twittering NASCAR's Championship Showdown

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

A day after the Phoenix race, where Denny Hamlin tossed a water bottle at his car in disgust, Jimmie Johnson beamed as the most confident "underdog" ever and Kevin Harvick vowed his team wasn't done, Twitter on Monday helped to instigate another rise in championship drama.

When three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip insisted that Johnson, who is 15 points behind Hamlin second place, is the favorite for Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Harvick and Hamlin sounded off.

"Yea I guess (you're) right.. We shouldn't even show up if we are up against that!" Hamlin tweeted in response.

Harvick, never one to back down, personalized his shot.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/15/spotters-stand-twittering-nascars-championship-showdown/

Jimmy Jackson Joe James John James JeanPierre Jarier Max Jean

Johnson pounces on Hamlin slide, Harvick penalty

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/818145/johnson-pounces-on-hamlin-slide.html

Andy Sutcliffe Adrian Sutil Len Sutton Aguri Suzuki Toshio Suzuki

Jimmie Johnson Overcomes Deficit To Capture His Fifth Sprint Cup

Jimmie Johnson also gave team owner Rick Hendrick his 10th Cup championship, including four with Jeff Gordon and one with Terry Labonte. No team has won as many titles.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/sports/autoracing/22nascar.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

F1 Racing Japan F1 Racing Korea F1 Racing Malaysia F1 Racing Monaco F1 Racing Singapore

Johnson pounces on Hamlin slide, Harvick penalty

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/818145/johnson-pounces-on-hamlin-slide.html

Basil van Rooyen Lloyd Ruby JeanClaude Rudaz Eddie Russo Paul Russo

Harvick wins Nationwide race in Nashville

Kevin Harvick took advantage of a late caution to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, the Sprint Cup driver’s second victory in four series starts this season.
Harvick and crew chief Ernie Cope gambled by taking two tires under caution and seized the lead from Kyle Busch with 34 laps to [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/harvick-wins-nationwide-race-in-nashville/

Anthony Davidson Jimmy Davies Colin Davis Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz

Johnson joins rare company

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/818522/johnson-joins-rare-company.html

Nigel Mansell Sergio Mantovani Johnny Mantz Robert Manzon Onofre Marimón

Sprint Cup Chase Remains Tight After Talladega

There were 87 lead changes at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, but the three leaders in the Chase remained close -- separated by only 38 points.

Source: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sprint-cup-remains-tight-after-talladega/?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Pierluigi Martini Jochen Mass Felipe Massa Cristiano da Matta Michael May

AARP To Sponsor Gordon?s Car

Jeff Gordonsaid he had picked up the AARP Foundation and its Drive to End Hunger campaign as his main sponsor for 22 Sprint Cup races over the next three years.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/sports/28sportsbriefs-gordon.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi

AARP To Sponsor Gordon?s Car

Jeff Gordonsaid he had picked up the AARP Foundation and its Drive to End Hunger campaign as his main sponsor for 22 Sprint Cup races over the next three years.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/sports/28sportsbriefs-gordon.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Brian Naylor Mike Nazaruk Tiff Needell Jac Nelleman Patrick Neve

Hamlin to have knee surgery Wednesday

Surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Denny Hamlin’s left knee will not limit the Sprint Cup driver behind the wheel for the next race, according to one of the doctors that will perform the operation on Wednesday. “I anticipate by the time he gets to Phoenix [April 8-10] he’ll have a pretty [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/hamlin-to-have-knee-surgery-wednesday/

Shinji Nakano Duke Nalon Alessandro Nannini Emanuele Naspetti Massimo Natili

With title on the line, drivers expect Chase drama

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/816493/title-on-the-line-today.html

Luigi Fagioli Jack Fairman Juan Manuel Fangio Nino Farina Walt Faulkner

Ryan Newman grabs first win in 2 years at Phoenix

Ryan Newman took the lead after a late caution at Phoenix International Raceway and held off Jeff Gordon (FSY) in a two-lap shootout Saturday night to get his first victory since the 2008 Daytona 500, and first since joining Stewart’s new team last season.
Kyle Busch (FSY) was cruising to what would have given him a [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/ryan-newman-grabs-first-win-in-2-years-at-phoenix/

Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner

Keselowski Runs Third and Seals Title

Brad Keselowski clinched the Nationwide season title by finishing third in Fort Worth, giving the owner Roger Penske his first championship in a Nascar national series.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/sports/autoracing/07sportsbriefs-Penske.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Timo Glock Todd Bodine Tony Ave Tony Raines Tony Stewart

Report: Kasey Kahne to leave Richard Petty Motorsports for Hendrick in 2011

Kasey Kahne has agreed to a contract with Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2011, sources told SceneDaily.com.
Richard Petty Motorsports, which has Kahne under contract for this season, confirmed that Kahne is leaving the organization.
Exactly whether Kahne will drive for a Hendrick team or for Hendrick affiliate Stewart-Haas Racing is still to be determined. Stewart-Haas, which features [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/report-kasey-kahne-to-leave-richard-petty-motorsports-for-hendrick-in-2010/

Nico Rosberg Norm Benning P.J. Jones Patrick Carpentier Paul Menard

Jimmie Johnson in Unfamiliar Position With Two Races to Go

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR

You don't win an unprecedented four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships without being calm, cool and collected. And competitive.

And Jimmie Johnson's two championship challengers are about to find out just how competitive the four-time champ can be.

For the first time since he started piling up the titles in 2006, Johnson is trailing in the standings with two races remaining in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Denny Hamlin swiped the championship lead last week with a win at Texas Motor Speedway and now holds a 33-point advantage on Johnson and 59 on Kevin Harvick.

Johnson couldn't be more blunt in his assessment.

"It sucks,'' Johnson said. "I don't want to be there (in second).''

It's an unfamiliar and unwelcome position for Johnson, but not insurmountable. As he reminded reporters Friday before qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway, no two championship runs are ever the same.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/12/jimmie-johnson-in-unfamiliar-position-with-two-races-to-go/

Dave Blaney David Gilliland David Ragan David Reutimann David Stremme

Chevrolet returns to IndyCar in 2012

Officials from the IZOD IndyCar Series and General Motors announced on Friday that Chevrolet will compete in the series in 2012, with a new twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V-6 racing engine, powered by renewable E85 ethanol fuel. Chevrolet will join current IndyCar engine manufacturer, Honda, which revealed earlier this year that it would build a new V-6 power plant. Honda, which entered IndyCar in 2003, has been the sole engine supplier

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/797090.html

Domenico Schiattarella Heinz Schiller Bill Schindler JeanLouis Schlesser Jo Schlesser

Denny Hamlin Wins Nascar Pole at Martinsville

Denny Hamlin won the pole for Sunday?s Sprint Cup race in Martinsville, Va.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/23/sports/autoracing/23nascar.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Pat OConnor Jackie Oliver Danny Ongais Rikky von Opel Karl Oppitzhauser

Kasey Kahne Wins Pole for NASCAR Finale, Jimmie Johnson Leads Contenders

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Kasey Kahne won the pole position for Sunday's Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, while four-time defending Cup champ Jimmie Johnson's sixth-place effort was best of the three drivers vying for the season championship.

Kahne's No. 83 Red Bull Toyota turned a lap of 176.904 mph around the 1.5-mile oval, bettering Carl Edwards' Ford and Jamie McMurray's Chevrolet. (Kahne is shown at right checking times during qualifying).

But as significant as who will be starting up front is who won't be. Championship points leader Denny Hamlin, who holds a tenuous 15-point edge over Johnson, will start 37th in the 43-car field. Kevin Harvick, who trails Hamlin by 46 points, will roll off 28th.

"It was tough ... but our car is gonna be fine tomorrow,'' Hamlin said. "We know that. This is a track you can pass (at). We're looking forward to that part of it. Friday has just never been our strong suit and so we gotta battle back again."

Harvick, who has started better then 20th only one time since August, didn't appear overly concerned with his starting position. He finished third at Martinsville, Va., last month after starting 36th and was runner-up at Las Vegas despite starting 34th.

"I thought we might have been a little better, but not much,'' said Harvick, who drives the No.. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy. "Everybody on the car did a really good job. ... We've been talking about where we want to pit here, the same thing we do every week.

"Our car was very comfortable in race trim and we are ready to go.''

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/19/kasey-kahne-wins-pole-for-nascar-finale-jimmie-johnson-leads-co/

Peter Ryan Eddie Sachs Bob Said Eliseo Salazar Mika Salo

A Gay Nascar Fan Finds an Audience Online

Michael Myers?s Web site for gay Nascar fans draws about 2,000 unique visitors a month.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/sports/autoracing/14gears.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Clemar Bucci

Denny Hamlin Wins Nascar Pole at Martinsville

Denny Hamlin won the pole for Sunday?s Sprint Cup race in Martinsville, Va.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/23/sports/autoracing/23nascar.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Aguri Suzuki Toshio Suzuki Jacques Swaters Bob Sweikert Toranosuke Takagi

Kyle Busch Fined For Gesture

Kyle Busch was fined $25,000 by Nascar on Tuesday for his obscene gesture during Sunday?s Sprint Cup race, and Busch again apologized for losing his temper.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/sports/autoracing/10sportsbriefs-KYLEBUSCHFIN_BRF.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Mark Webber Volker Weidler Wayne Weiler Karl Wendlinger Peter Westbury

Harvick accepts Earnhardt legacy

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/19/811871/harvick-accepts-earnhardt-legacy.html

Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking Ingo Hoffmann Bill Holland

NASCAR Chairman Brian France Still Considering Changes for 2011

Filed under: Chase for the Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, NASCAR

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Even in the midst of the most dramatic championship scenario NASCAR has had since the inception of its Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff, NASCAR Chairman Brian France said Friday he is still considering changes to the sport, including shortening the length of some races.

In a wide-ranging news conference at Homestead-Miami Speedway, site of Sunday's Ford 400 season finale, France shot down the possibility of moving the final race from South Florida and dismissed the likelihood of ever ending the year at Daytona International Speedway, which is a popular fan suggestion. He also spoke about the lagging television ratings and promised to announce impactful changes to the Nationwide Series in January.

Overall, however, France said this year's tight championship is a result of productive changes NASCAR had already introduced. Denny Hamlin's 15-point edge over Jimmie Johnson is the closest margin entering the final race in seven years. And Kevin Harvick is only 46 points back.

"I think the fact that we are so far into the cycle of, 'It's not the new car anymore, it's the car', and various other little things that we did, all have come together to give us ... if this isn't the best racing we've seen in a long, long time, I think I would be very surprised to hear anybody say that it wasn't,'' France said.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/19/nascar-chairman-brian-france-still-considering-changes-for-2011/

Harry Merkel Arturo Merzario Roberto Mieres Francois Migault John Miles

Gordon and Kenseth not happy with each other after Martinsville finish

Matt Kenseth went for the win with an aggressive move that included bumping Jeff Gordon with less than two laps remaining in the Goody?s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Monday at Martinsville Speedway. �Gordon?s reaction was simple ? if he wasn?t going to win, then Kenseth wasn?t going to win as well.
With Gordon leading and [...]

Source: http://autoracingsport.com/gordon-and-kenseth-not-happy-with-each-other-after-martinsville-finish/

Robert Doornbos Ken Downing Bob Drake Paddy Driver Piero Drogo

Power, Franchitti battle for the title at Homestead

Series: IZOD IndyCar. Date: Saturday, October 2. Race: Cafes do Brasil Indy 300. Site: Homestead-Miami Speedway. Track: 1.5- mile oval. Start Time: 7:00 p.m. (et). Laps: 200. Miles: 300. 2009 winner: Dario Franchitti. Television: VERSUS. Radio: IMS Radio Network/SIRIUS XM Satellite. Twelve points, two drivers and one race to go. That's the point separation between leader Will Power and second-place Dario Franchitti heading into this weekend's

Source: http://www.mysportsbook.com/news/sports_betting/778645.html

A.J. Allmendinger Adrian Sutil Andy Lally Aric Almirola Bill Elliott

NASCAR Boasts Closest Battle in Chase History With One To Go

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR

Half predicting, half declaring next week's NASCAR season finale will be "one hell of a show," Jimmie Johnson emerged from his fifth-place finishing No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet smiling and feeling good about his chances for an unprecedented fifth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

You'd have thought he won the race. He's not even leading the standings.

That designation belongs to the unhappiest of Sunday afternoon drivers, Denny Hamlin, who, after leading a race-best 190 laps, had to pit for fuel with 14 laps remaining at Phoenix International Raceway.

Hamlin heads to next week's final showdown at Homestead-Miami Speedway a scant 15 points ahead of Johnson in the closest championship fight since the Chase playoff format was installed in 2004. Third place Kevin Harvick is still very much in the thick of things, 46 points behind Hamlin.

The in-car television camera showed Hamlin yanking off his driving gloves and throwing them one by one against the dashboard of his 12th place No. 11 FedEx Toyota after the race's cool-down lap. Sitting on pit wall immediately after the race, he threw a water bottle and sullenly awaited his television interview.

"Yeah, it's pretty disappointing,'' Hamlin said, taking a long pause before answering questions. "We were in a good position there to look pretty good going into next week.

"It's tough to not be happy having a points lead going into the last race but. ... I was sitting pretty.''

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/14/nascar-boasts-closest-battle-in-chase-history-with-one-to-go/

Cristiano da Matta Michael May Timmy Mayer Francois Mazet Gastón Mazzacane

John Force Wins 15th NHRA Funny Car Championship

John Force won an unprecedented 15th National Hod Rod Association Funny Car championship at Pomona, Ca., Sunday, coming back from serious injuries in 2007 to win his first title since 2006.

Force, 61, clinched the title in the quarterfinals after points leader Matt Hagan was defeated in an upset by Bob Tasca. Force then went on to the win the race as well, his sixth victory of the year.

He is the oldest champion in NHRA history, but his career was jeopardized by the bad crash in Dallas in 2007 that left him with injuries that took him two years to fully recover from.

The NHRA also crowned its youngest champion Sunday -- 20-year-old Pro Stock Motorcycle rider LE Tonglet.

Larry Dixon clinched his third Top Fuel championship Sunday. It was his first since he won back-to-back titles in 2002-03. Antron Brown was the top fuel winner in the race.

Hagan came into the event 38 points ahead of Force, but after Hagan's first-round loss, Force needed to win two rounds, and he won those with two strong runs.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/14/john-force-wins-15th-nhra-funny-car-championship/

Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti George Connor George Constantine