How to Win the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup

Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR

In auto racing, the NASCAR Sprint Cup is one of the most elite trophies devoted to the victor of the largest stock car racing series in the world. For the 8th season, the coveted honour of NASCAR's top series will be rewarded following a 10-race shootout between selected drivers.

Called the Chase for the Sprint Cup (or rather simply called the Chase), this modified playoff formula has underwent several adjustments since introduction in 2004. The 2011 edition presents the top-10 point earning drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series along with two drivers granted wild card spots. Wild card spots for 2011 are granted to Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin who were outside of the top-10 in points but won races. Despite the minor alternations made through the years, the Chase is won simply through one fashion; a driver needs to collect as many points as possible in the 10-race stretch.

The past five years, Jimmie Johnson and his #48 Hendrick Motorsports team mastered the task of collecting Chase round points. Similar to the style of Formula 1 greats Jackie Stewart and Alain Prost, Johnson ran the NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons with a dedicated focus on the Chase. For 26 races, #48 team counted points and always preserved enough points to secure a point berth. Once in the 10-race Chase, Jimmie Johnson and the #48 Chevrolet race team has played a near perfect plan of scoring a high finishing average.

Similar to a scenario depicted in the new movie release Moneyball, many believe sports can be won by detecting patterns in the play of athletes. Entering the 2011 Chase, historical analysis of the past 7 champion runs presents a clue to what could be needed for this season's debut battle.

Average Finishes by NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Winners (2004-2010) Through 10 Races:

2004- 8.9 (Winner: Kurt Busch)
2005- 8.7 (Winner: Tony Stewart)
2006- 10.8 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2007- 5 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2008- 5.7 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2009- 6.8 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2010- 6.2 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)

Average overall Chase finish: 7.44

Contrary to the duty of every driver, the object of the Chase is not to compete for race wins. Jimmie Johnson won the most races of a Chase champion with 4 victories in 2007. In 4 of the 7 championship runs, a driver record no more than 1 win during the 10-race stretch. In 2005, Tony Stewart's title was earned despite being winless in the Chase run.

This year, a major curve is thrown into the Chase for the Sprint Cup with Chicagoland Speedway becoming the staging spot for the 10-race playoff. Replacing Auto Club Speedway inside the Chase, Chicagoland Speedway is holding NASCAR Sprint Cup races for its 10th season. 2011 Chase contender Kevin Harvick won the first two races at Chicagoland

Jimmie Johnson's average finish first in the 9 races he competed in at Chicagoland places the 5-time Sprint Cup champion for Hendrick Motorsports in 10th place effort. The following chart below represents the 12 Chase contending drivers record at Chicagoland Speedway races.

		Races Run	Average Finish
Kyle Busch		6	13.5
Kevin Harvick		10	11.2
Jeff Gordon		10	8.6
Matt Kenseth		10	11.4
Carl Edwards		6	18.3
Kurt Busch		10	18.1
Jimmie Johnson		9	10
Dale Earnhardt Jr		10	16
Ryan Newman		9	16.8
Tony Stewart		10	9.5
Brad Keselowski		2	25
Denny Hamlin		5	16.8

With auto racing consisting of so many variables relating to the athletes in the stock car and on the pit road, there is also mechanical factors that come strictly in play. The 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup will go to the driver that can hold low average finish. With the first race for the NASCAR Chase set to run at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, the number crunching will surround the sport as either a precursor to the future or obstacles to be shattered.

All in the Fuel Tank! Allgaier Breezes to Chicagoland Nationwide Victory

Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images for NASCAR

The 14th race on the 2011 Nationwide series schedule, the competitors of NASCAR's second-highest touring division enjoyed a solo outing away from the Sprint Cup series at Chicagoland Speedway. With only three drivers (Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards) trailing away from a Sprint Cup series weekend to compete in Saturday's STP 300 on the 1.5 mile oval, the NASCAR series regulars as well as other aspiring stock car drivers stood poised to post strong showings within the 200-lap race. 

After enduring a rain shower that has previously washed-out qualifying, the STP 300 started with the JR Motorsports #88 Chevrolet of Aric Almirola and the Kevin Harvick Incorporated #2 Chevy driven by Elliott Sadler leading the 42-car NASCAR Nationwide series based on the season's car owners' points standings. Almirola held an early lead at Chicagoland but would quickly fall into the clutches of one of the Sprint Cup series visitors. In a hurry, Sprint Cup regular Carl Edwards took the lead on lap 9 after starting 4th in the event. Leading for 144 of the 200 race laps however, the #60 Ford of Edwards asserted total control of the Chicagoland Speedway event. Against the dominanace of Edwards through much of the STP 300 race distance, Elliott Sadler was able to muster the lead for the second-most laps for a total of 29 circuits.

Slowed only four times by caution, the 300-mile distance flew by on the racetrack with eventual result of only 9 cars finishing on the lead lap. With the final yellow flag getting displayed on lap 140, the STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway took on the complexity of a fuel economy run to the finish line. Into the final laps, Carl Edwards and Justin Allgaier driving the #31 Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports had taken the top-two positions both running desperately short on the E20 blended racing fuel. Going down the backstretch through the final lap, the #60 Ford of Edwards began to hiccup starving for fuel giving Allgaier the opportunity to pass. On his way to a skillful victory through turn 3 and 4, the #31 Chevrolet suddenly ran its fuel tank dry. Coasting on the apron down the frontstretch, Allgaier stayed ahead of the still enduring Edwards car to win the STP 400.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images for NASCAR

Strongly seated in the top-10 with Carl Edwards, Roush-Fenway Racing wing man Trevor Bayne was once again a force in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after being sidelined for a long stint due to a complicated illness. Bayne's return to the STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway was the 2011 Daytona 500 winning driver's first time back in a NASCAR competition since the April 23rd event at Nashville Superspeedway. In a better situation on fuel, Bayne stood a chance to claim a first NASCAR Nationwide series win if the race went one lap longer.


Justin Allgaier's victory at Chicagoland Speedway is the driver's second career victory and second win of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series for Turner Motorsports. Ironically in similar last-lap pass fashion, Mark Martin won at Texas Motor Speed for the team when Brad Keselowski blew a tire while leading. Overall, the Turner Motorsports Chevrolets prevailed nicely at the checkered flag with Allgaier's teammates Jason Leffler and Reed Sorenson both claiming top-10 finishes. Leffler came home 5th while current NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader Sorenson finished 6th in the #32 Dollar General Chevy. Sorenson holds a tight 2 point lead ahead of Elliott Sadler and rests only 6 points forward of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Other notable finishes when the top-10 of the STP 300 includes a 7th place run for Kenny Wallace and an 8th place result for former JR Motorsports driver Kelly Bires. Speaking of JR Motorsports, IZOD INDYCAR Series driver Danica Patrick finished 10th in his one of her select NASCAR Nationwide series starts for 2011. Patrick's second top-10 career run in the #7 Chevrolet comes as rumours swirled last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the popular driver was going to NASCAR full-time in 2012. Presently having an equity stake in her own INDYCAR team with Andretti Autosport, her current contract will still have a year remaining after this season. Danica Patrick has yet to confirm her plans for the 2012 racing season.

Presented with a weekend-off, the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide series will next race on June 18th rejoining the Sprint Cup series companionship at the Michigan International Speedway.


2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series
STP 300
Chicagoland Speedway

Race Results

1. 31 Justin Allgaier Brandt Chevrolet
2. 60 Carl Edwards Fastenal Ford
3. 16 Trevor Bayne Avnet / BMA Ford
4. 88 Aric Almirola TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet
5. 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Chevrolet
6. 32 Reed Sorenson Dollar General Chevrolet
7. 09 Kenny Wallace Family Farmers / Marquis Energy Toyota
8. 18 Kelly Bires Heil Heating and Cooling Products Toyota
9. 62 Michael Annett Pilot Travel Centers / Flying J Toyota
10. 7 Danica Patrick Tissot / GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
11. 2 Elliott Sadler OneMain Financial Chevrolet
12. 66 Steve Wallace 5-hour Energy Toyota
13. 33 Kevin Harvick Rheem Chevrolet
14. 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. RickyvsTrevor.com Ford
15. 15 Timmy Hill  Nuts Off / Lilly Trucking of VA Ford
16. 01 Mike Wallace CowboysandAliensMovie.com Chevrolet
17. 11 Brian Scott Sandvik Toyota
18. 14 Eric McClure Hefty BlackOut / Reynolds Chevrolet
19. 70 Scott Wimmer ForeTravel Motorcoach Chevrolet
20. 99 Ryan Truex  Pastrana Waltrip Racing Toyota
21. 87 Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
22. 19 Mike Bliss TriStar Motorsports Chevrolet
23. 28 Derrike Cope Jay Robinson Inc. Chevrolet
24. 40 Charles Lewandoski # Key Motorsports Chevrolet
25. 89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Racing Chevrolet
26. 39 Josh Wise Cajun Industries Ford
27. 81 Blake Koch  Daystar.com Dodge
28. 52 Kevin Lepage Just Rite Acoustics Chevrolet
29. 51 Jeremy Clements Gerber Collision & Glass Chevrolet
30. 22 Brad Keselowski Discount Tire Dodge
31. 41 Carl Long Lilly Trucking of VA Ford
32. 23 Robert Richardson Jr. North Texas Pipe Dodge
33. 30 Mikey Kile Sears Auto Center Chevrolet
34. 79 Tim Andrews 2nd Chance Motorsports Ford
35. 49 Dennis Setzer Jay Robinson Inc. Chevrolet
36. 13 Rick Crawford DriverMale.com Ford
37. 68 Matt Carter Fleur-de-lis Farms Chevrolet
38. 75 Johnny Chapman Lilly Trucking of VA Ford
39. 74 Mike Harmon Riverwalk Cafe Chevrolet
40. 44 Jeff Green Tri-Star Motorsports / Pro Motor Chevrolet
41. 46 Chase Miller Key Motorsports Chevrolet
42. 55 Brett Rowe Imperial Bedding Chevrolet

Franchitti Wins IndyCar Night Race in the Windy City

Photo Credit: Jim Haines

As the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series capped their road racing with Will Power claiming the tour's inaugural Mario Andretti Trophy after scoring the most points this season. With the circle track's AJ Foyt Trophy honours as well as an overall championship still in play, a large contingent of open wheel runners race into the dawn on the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. Returning to ovals after more than two months, the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers and teams lead a final thrust to the season finale in Homestead-Miami Speedway.

With Penske Racing's Ryan Briscoe finding the edge over Target/Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti in qualifying for the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil 300, the #6 of Briscoe retained 1st place. A short-lived green flag period lasted only until lap 5 when the yellow flag was thrown after a turn 2 collision between #2 of Raphael Matos and the #36 driven by Tomas Scheckter. Both the de Ferran/Dragon Racing #2 and the #36 Conquest Racing cars ended their runs way too early at Chicagoland Speedway.

To the delight of the IZOD IndyCar Series fans on attendance at Chicagoland. lead changes on the 1.52 miles oval came fast and furiously. Through the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300, no fewer than 25 lead changes among 11 competitors. With 29 cars entered in this Saturday night race, this meant more than 1/3 of the field had an opportunity to lead at least one lap. However, even as a wide assortment of  IZOD IndyCar Series drivers paraded the field from the front, pole sitter Ryan Briscoe was able to center his #6 Penske Racing Dallara-Honda in the top spot for the lions share of the 200 laps leading 113 circuits.It should be noted that the #26 Andretti Autosport car of Marco Andretti was able to get the better of Briscoe three times in the first half of the event to lead laps. 

At lap 78, Brazilian Ana Beatriz brought out caution after brushing the turn 4 wall as a prelude to a scenario where four cars, including the #24 of Beatriz would be retired through the next 10 laps. As many IZOD IndyCar teams ducked into pit road, the KV Racing Technology teammates added another embarrassing incident to their team this season. The #5 of Takuma Sato and the #8 of EJ Viso made contact with each other on pit lane leading to the retirement of both vehicles. Viso had been running 6th prior to the car being too damaged to continue.

With pit stops completed, the field prepared to be sent back to green only for the restart to be called off by a collision involving the #06 of Hideki Mutoh, the #14 car of Vitor Meira and the #77 driven by Alex Tagliani. Of the three cars, only Tagliani's day was ended. "It's really unfortunate for the whole team; the Bowers and Wilkins/TorcUP car was great. I think we had the car to beat tonight" Tagliani said following his race retirement.


Ryan Briscoe proceeded in the lead of the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil 300 well past the halfway point of the event making it look certain the Australian driver could could on track for a 2nd IZOD IndyCar win in 2010. The advantage Briscoe utilized through the early stages of the Chicagoland race seems the #6 car from the Penske stable did not have the stamina to over what would be a unfortunate pit stop. So strong at the front, Ryan Briscoe's car just wasn't configured for mastering traffic. Commenting in post-race, Briscoe said "After that last stop, we lost a little track position. I tried everything that I could, but my car was just not as good in traffic". Beyond lap 136, Ryan Briscoe's time at the front was over for the night finishing 11th in the final results.

With Ryan Briscoe out of contention for the rest of the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, the lead of the race was up for grabs with Dan Wheldon, Vitor Meira and even Will Power taking turns in the first place spot. A lap 169 caution for a spinning Alex Lloyd would setup a pit stop which would determine the winner of this IZOD IndyCar race. Winning a fight out of pit road, Target/Chip Ganassi Racing pit crew for Dario Franchitti's #10 car sent the Scot out first.

Through the final 24 laps, Franchitti would resist the attacks of Dan Wheldon and Marco Andretti to win the Chicagoland Speedway's Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil 300 by a mere 0.0432 seconds as the #4 attempted to steal the trophy out the final turn. Becoming Dario Franchitti's first win since the 2010 Indianapolis 500, the Chicagoland Speedway race appears to be the pivotal time for the Target/Chip Ganassi Racing driver to mount his charge. As Will Power stumbled to 16th on the oval following a fuel-only stop under green, Franchitti gained 34 points on the #12 Penske Racing driver to bring the two competitors just 23 points apart with three races to go in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season.


Interesting enough, the top-3 for the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil 300 mirrored the podium of the 2010 Indy 500. After spending part of the next round of the IZOD IndyCar Series upside down, Wheldon's 2nd place finish matches his best performance the major Memorial day race. In post race, Dan Wheldon commented "To be honest at the end, the reason I worked so hard with Dario (Franchitti) and just tried to stay with him was because he was so clean and professional. He is a true gentleman out there and a great driver. I have to take away with the guys on our team. They did an excellent job and it was a strong performance." Marco Andretti also enjoyed a competitive outing leading a strong result for 3 of the 4 Andretti Autosport drivers as Ryan Hunter-Reay and Tony Kanaan followed to round out the top-5.

Next up for the IZOD IndyCar Series will be another night race on September 4th at the Kentucky Speedway. 



2010 IZOD IndyCar Series
Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil 300
Chicagoland Speedway
Starting Lineup


1. 10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
2. 4 Dan Wheldon/England/ Panther Racing
3. 26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport
4. 37 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/ Andretti Autosport
5. 11 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ Andretti Autosport
6. 3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing
7. 22 Justin Wilson/England/ Dreyer and Reinbold Racing
8. 9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
9. 14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
10. 02 Graham Rahal/United States/ Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
11. 6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
12. 36 Bertrand Baguette/Belgium/ Conquest Racing
13. 06 Hideki Mutoh/ Japan/ Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
14. 7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
15. 67 Sarah Fisher/United States/ Sarah Fisher Racing
16. 12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
17. 32 Mario Moraes/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology
18. 21 Davey Hamilton/United States/ de Ferran Dragon Racing
19. 18 Milka Duno/Venezuela/ Dale Coyne Racing
20. 20 Ed Carpenter/United States/ Panther/Vision Racing
21. 19 Alex Lloyd/England/ Dale Coyne Racing
22. 66 Jay Howard/England/ Sarah Fisher Racing
23. 78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland HVM Racing
24. 24 Ana Beatriz/Brazil/ Dreyer and Reinbold Racing
25. 77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ FAZZT Race Team
26. 5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology
27. 8 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology
28. 34 Tomas Scheckter/South Africa/ Conquest Racing
29. 2 Raphael Matos/Brazil/ de Ferran Dragon Racing

Briscoe Catches the Wind for IZOD IndyCar Pole at Chicagoland

Photo Credit: Steve Swope

For what who be the 2010 IZOD IndyCar season's last race held in the Northernmost corners of the North American continent, the open-wheel stars set sights on the Chicagoland Speedway.  



2010 IZOD IndyCar Series
Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil 300
Chicagoland Speedway
Starting Lineup

1. 6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
2. 10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
3. 12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
4. 3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing

5. 26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport

6. 02 Graham Rahal/United States/ Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

7. 4 Dan Wheldon/England/ Panther Racing
8. 06 Hideki Mutoh/ Japan/ Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
9. 37 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/ Andretti Autosport
10. 5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology

11. 20 Ed Carpenter/United States/ Panther/Vision Racing
12. 7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
13. 11 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ Andretti Autosport
14. 19 Alex Lloyd/England/ Dale Coyne Racing

15. 9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
16. 8 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology

17. 34 Tomas Scheckter/South Africa/ Conquest Racing
18. 2 Raphael Matos/Brazil/ de Ferran Dragon Racing
19. 77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ FAZZT Race Team
20. 36 Bertrand Baguette/Belgium/ Conquest Racing

21. 32 Mario Moraes/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology

22. 24 Ana Beatriz/Brazil/ Dreyer and Reinbold Racing

23. 22 Justin Wilson/England/ Dreyer and Reinbold Racing
24. 14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
25. 67 Sarah Fisher/United States/ Sarah Fisher Racing
26. 18 Milka Duno/Venezuela/ Dale Coyne Racing
27. 78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland HVM Racing
28. 21 Davey Hamilton/United States/ de Ferran Dragon Racing
29. 66 Jay Howard/England/ Sarah Fisher Racing

Reutimann Breezes to Convincing Chicagoland Sprint Cup Win

Photo Credit: Jon Harrelson/ Getty Images for NASCAR


With many NASCAR fans reminiscing about the wacky and entertaining 4th of July weekend race at Daytona just one week ago, fans planned on seeing a much different race this Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway situated in Joliet, Illinois.

Within the restrictor plate event a week ago, it's accepted to see a few surprise climbs to the front of the NASCAR Sprint Cup field. Unfortunately, the remaining ovals on the series stock car tour are known for their status quo runners. This year, the #48 Lowes Chevrolet of Jimmie Johnson, #11 FedEx Toyota of Denny Hamlin and the presence of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge of Kurt Busch made for a rather uncomplicated winner selection process through 2010. Heading into one of the so-called 'cookie-cutter' 1.5 oval tri-oval, it initially appeared likely that this fate was going to appear at the 400 mile Chicagoland Speedway night race

Assembling the front row of the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway was the #1 McDonald's sponsored Chevrolet of Jamie McMurray and the #48 Lowes Chevy of Jimmie Johnson. Once the green flag started the Saturday night NASCAR Sprint Cup affair, Johnson wasted no time rushing past McMurray. Taking the lead on lap 1, Jimmie Johnson kept the Hendrick Motorsports-prepped stock car out front through the first 92 laps of the LifeLock.com 400.

Racing under the lights for the 3rd time at Chicagoland Speedway, the NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors one team which came to grips of the new style race was the Michael Waltrip Racing organization. Both starting within the top-10 the #00 as well as the #56 Toyota Camrys of David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr were noted for spending the entire race hovering within the group of stock cars.

While fortune found the Michael Waltrip Racing team, another Toyota team was suffering a uncharacteristically off-race at Chicagoland Speedway. The troubles of the Joe Gibbs Racing three-car group starting in qualifying where Denny Hamlin became the high-placed team car in 17th place, one spot ahead of his #20 teammate Joey Logano. Kyle Busch, the 2008 winner of this event, started deep in 33rd place though few observers of the #18 Toyota were concerned that Busch would not find have way to the front. However, in this event, the #18 just never found the pace to move at any point in the night. Fighting hard to branch up to 17th at the end, Kyle Busch proclaimed on Twitter "Rough nite. Fought harder for 17th than most wins. Just didn't hav the speed we needed. Need this wk off to regroup!".

As Joe Gibbs Racing was enduring difficulties through the night, they were not the only juggernaut to experience troubles. Losing the lead the McMurray after leading 92 laps, Jimmie Johnson's #48 Chevrolet would fall victim to a tire blow-out through the Chicagoland oval's backstretch on lap 137. Sliding through the infield grass, the Hendrick Motorsports Chevy was little more than a little dirty. Able to continue in the event, the #48 Chevrolet would be removed from front-running competition eventually finishing one lap down in 25th place. Becoming a father to a baby daughter delivered by his wife Chandra this past week, Jimmie Johnson's lose at the track this weekend comes after an enormous, unmatched victory which no race or championship will compare.



Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/ Getty Images


With Jamie McMurray leading 72 circuits of the LifeLock.com 400 with his #1 Chevy, the Dupont #24 Chevy took over the race lead for 165 to lap 200 with Jeff Gordon still attempting to lock his first win of 2010.

With Chevrolets of Hendrick Motorsports and Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing appearing to be left to their own devices at the front, David Reutimann's Tums-sponsored #00 pushed forward to take the lead with his Toyota. Leading at first for 1 lap as the #24 of Gordon charged back reclaiming the position, Reutimann's Toyota would soon make a more lasting impression in first place. Leading 11 more laps, Jeff Gordon suddenly developed handling issues with his #24 Chevy costing him speed and eventually the race lead to David Reutimann taking a more permanent hold on the 1st place spot on lap 213.

A final round of pit stops for the field saw David Reutimann turn over the lead for 3 laps but his #00 Toyota was recycled back to the front once all teams pitted. Encountering some fierce lapped traffic through the final run, Reutimann sailed to victory at Chicagoland Speedway. The 2nd win in his NASCAR Sprint Cup career, the LifeLock.com 400 race may prove an even sweeter trophy for the Florida driver. Unlike the first win in the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 where rain played a factor in reducing the race distance, the LifeLock 400 run the full 267 lap duration. Being David Reutimann's 2nd win, it proves that the first win was no fluke which can serve as a major boost to the driver's physique.

Behind Reutimann's #00 Toyota, the Ford of Carl Edwards had reason to celebrate. The highest finish of the year for the driver of the #99 Roush Fenway Racing team, Edwards and the whole four-car operation of Jack Roush have been struggling to find a winning formula for 2010. Jeff Gordon, the #33 Chevy of Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray rounded out the top 5 for the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

In Sprint Cup series points, the top-3 remain in their respected positions but changes pivotal to the fast-approach chase did occur. Clint Bowyer climbed from 13th to 11th while Dale Earnhardt Jr lost two positions in the point standings as a result to a dismal 23rd place run falling out of the 12 driver cut. Rising two spots to 15th place, David Reutimann is also a mathematically close 96 points with still two months worth of races to go.

The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup tour receives a week off before hitting the 2.5 mile Brickyard of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
LifeLock.com 400
Chicagoland Speedway
Top-10 Finishers Plus Other Notables

Pos # | Car # | Driver | Sponsor/Car Make

1 00 David Reutimann TUMS Toyota
2 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Silver Ford
3 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
4 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios / Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
5 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
6 9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser Ford
7 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
8 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Ground Toyota 
9 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot Chevrolet
10 98 Paul Menard Moen / Menards Ford

16 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
17 18 Kyle Busch       Snickers Toyota
23 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy / National Guard Chevrolet
25 48 Jimmie Johnson    Lowe's Chevrolet

Kyle Busch Wins NASCAR Nationwide Series Friday Night Showdown at Chicagoland

Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

JOLIET, Ill. (July 9, 2010) — Kyle Busch beat Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Joey Logano in a green-white-checkered-flag finish to win Friday night’s Dollar General 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Busch got a break when series points leader Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel on the final caution lap before the last green-flag run, which began with a restart on Lap 202. Keselowski’s misfortune allowed Busch to move to the front of the outside line, beside his teammate.

Busch was able to pin Logano to the bottom of the track and clear his teammate for the win. The race ended under caution because of a wreck on the frontstretch after Busch took the while flag to begin the final lap.

The victory was Busch’s seventh of the season and 37th all time, breaking a tie for second with Kevin Harvick on the all-time list. Braun Racing’s Brian Scott, David Reutimann and Jason Leffler finished third through fifth, respectively, as Toyotas swept the top five positions.

Danica Patrick finished a career-best 24th in her fifth series start.

Busch, who led a race-high 110 laps, took the lead for the first time on Lap 10 and dominated the race—despite a pit-road speeding call that required a pass-through penalty under green—until NASCAR threw a caution for debris in Turn 2 on Lap 141.

Logano took the lead on the subsequent restart on Lap 148 and remained out front in clean air. “It’s over,” Busch moaned on Lap 172, trailing Logano by nearly a second. “There ain’t going to be another caution. The freakin’ race is over.”

As it turned out, Busch was wrong. NASCAR called a caution for debris on Lap 185, and Busch pitted for four tires and a track bar adjustment designed to loosen the handling of his Toyota. He got his chance to win the race when Trevor Bayne slammed the Turn 1 wall on Lap 196.

Paul Tracy testing a truck at Chicagoland

Paul Tracy will be testing a Germain Racing prepped Toyota Tundra tomorrow (May 28th) at Chicagoland Speedway. Paul " The thrill from West Hill" Tracy chance to drive the NASCAR Craftsman Truck machine will be has first time in truck, but not his first time in NASCAR. In 2005, he had run a handful of the NASCAR Busch(now Nationwide) events with little success and had been mentioned as potentially running for another team this season before that organization's plans changed.

The 2003 Champ Car Series Champion and winner of 31 series races, Tracy has been without a full-time ride in 2008 following the closure of Forsythe Racing after the Champ Car/IRL IndyCar merger. Plans to run for an existing IRL team or the hopes of a one-off deal driving the Indianapolis 500 never materialized beyond speculation. In reality, Tracy indicates that his current contract with Forsythe included with limited time to locate another competitive ride caused some difficulty for the 39-yeear old Canadian.

Germain Racing's truck team is currently leading the Craftsman Truck Series points with Todd Bodine, who had won the series championship just two seasons ago. Clearly testing for a top operation, Paul Tracy's previous employers are a whos who of racing with names such as Penske, Newman/Haas, and Barry Green before racing for Forsythe for five seasons.

With Paul Tracy's aggressive and endlessly passionate racing personality, there would be little agrument that the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series would be perfect fit. Entering the test, Tracy says "I'm thankful that Bob Germain is giving me this opportunity. He is a class act and I'm happy to be a part of what he is doing in NASCAR."

Thank you Player Management International for the release


Photo Taken at July 2002 Toronto Indy CART Championship Race