Dale Earnhardt Jr Dominates Sprint Showdown at Charlotte

Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The annual NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star event at Charlotte Motor Speedway is an reward for the winning 2011 and 2012 race winners in the series (or recent All-Star race winners. With 20 drivers earning a place into the race, three additional competitors had a final opportunity to participant in the one-million dollar event All-Star. Ahead of the Sprint All-Star race, a 40-lap Sprint Showdown race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway gave the non-qualifying drivers a chance to make Saturday night's main event. For the first of two 20-lap segments, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car drivers were ready prepared to claim either the first or second place position in order to transfer to the All-Star group.

A race-making move was made even before the green flag of the event. Pole sitter AJ Allmendinger driving the #22 Pennzoil Dodge suffered a deflating tire during the pace laps. As the green flag was ready to start the Sprint Showdown, Allmendinger ducked down onto pit road for a replacement tire. This action promoted the #88 Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr to the front-starting car on the inside row. Outside front row starter Martin Truex Jr in the #56 Toyota and Dale Earnhardt Jr immediately engaged in side-by-side combat in the first two laps of the event. Former teammates, the on-track fight between Earnhardt Jr and Truex Jr was fiercely fought until the #88 car gained an advantage through turn 3 on lap 2. The #88 Chevrolet sponsored by the Dale Jr Foundation, was put into a position that the Hendrick Motorsports driver would nor relinquish.

Into the second stage of the Sprint Showdown, the second place position in the race (the second and final transfer spot) was heavily battled. With all but 6 drivers pitting ahead of what was the final 20-lap run, the green flag for the second segment would become a matter where fresh tires favoured used tires. Taking the second place spot early in the second segment of the Sprint Showdown, Jamie McMurray soared around the #56 NAPA Toyota but was soon fighting off the charging of a resurgent AJ Allmendinger. In the second-last lap of the second segment, the Allmendinger's #22 Dodge completed a pass on McMurray's #1 Chevrolet. AJ Allmendinger received the final transfer spot into thet Sprint All-Star race with the second place finish.

Dale Earnhardt Jr's first win in the Showdown event, he promotes the entire Hendrick Motorsports racing machines to the Sprint All-Star race. Earnhardt Jr won the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in his rookie year of 2000.



2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Sprint Showdown
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Race Results

1	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	DaleJrFndtn/NationalGuard/DietMtnDew Chev
2	22	AJ Allmendinger	Pennzoil Dodge
3	1	Jamie McMurray	Bass Pro Shops / Allstate Chevrolet
4	56	Martin Truex Jr.	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
5	42	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chevrolet
6	20	Joey Logano	The Home Depot Toyota
7	43	Aric Almirola	Smithfield Ford
8	31	Jeff Burton	CAT / BB&T Chevrolet
9	83	Landon Cassill	Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota
10	93	Travis Kvapil	Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota
11	13	Casey Mears	GEICO Ford
12	47	Bobby Labonte	Kingsford Toyota
13	26	Josh Wise	MDS Transport Ford
14	95	Scott Speed	Jordan's Truck Sales Ford
15	38	David Gilliland	SCORPION Window Film Ford
16	19	Mike Bliss	Humphrey Smith Racing Toyota
17	87	Joe Nemechek	AM/FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves Toyota
18	30	David Stremme	Inception Motorsports Toyota
19	10	David Reutimann	Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet
20	36	Tony Raines	Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet
21	33	Stephen Leicht	LittleJoesAutos.com Chevrolet
22	49	JJ Yeley	JPO Absorbents / America Israel Racing Toyota

Jimmie Johnson Gives Hendrick 200th Win at Darlington

Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

The only trip to the Darlington Raceway, the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series becomes one with its roots at one of stock car racing’s oldest paved speedways. A tricky 1.366-mile track presents its own character that can often outwit the best personalities in motorsports.

Becoming a Mother’s Day weekend event in recent years, the Southern 500 race sponsored by Bojangles started Saturday night under sentimentality that quickly turn to the business of racing 500 miles. On pole, Greg Biffle continues has early season stride in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup race when the green flag flew on the Bojangles Southern 500. The Roush Fenway Racing #16 Ford Fusion would lead the first 48 laps of the evening kicking out what would be a 173-lap stretch of green flag racing.

When the first round of pit stops cycled with Kasey Kahne, Landon Cassill and Jimmie Johnson credited with leading a lap through the exchange, the #18 Toyota of Kyle Busch took for 21 laps. Greg Biffle would reassume the lead of the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on lap 73 and would hold it for an additional 26 circuits.

Aside from the leader, intense attention was devoted to deeper in the field to the #10 Chevrolet being driven by Danica Patrick. Only her second career NASCAR Sprint Cup event, Patrick’s run with the GoDaddy.com Chevrolet in the Bojangles Southern 500 was more productive than her debut at the Daytona 500. Caught in the lap 1 multi-car wreck at the Daytona International Speedway race, Darlington would see Patrick endure the rigors of an entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition. Though Danica Patrick finished the race with an intact Chevrolet Impala, she would finish 6 laps down in 31^st spot. Not helping her attempt to adapt to the premier stock car tour was the long green flag run that gave Patrick and other competitors few opportunities to fine-tune their car setups.

Photo Credit: Brian Czobat autostock, USA

On lap 101, the #48 Chevrolet made its way to the top spot in the hands of Jimmie Johnson. Though the first 10 races of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the four-car team of Hendrick Motorsports has set out on a quest for the organization’s 200^th series win. While Johnson and other within the Rick Hendrick group came close to delivering the win number 200, the feat had been eluded early in the season with some efforts coming within laps of the monumental victory. Showing his strength before the one-third mark of the event at Darlington Raceway, the question was will the Bojangles Southern 500 for the site for a major Hendrick Motorsports celebration?

A caution for debris on lap 173 slowed the record pace of the race. After the long competitive run under green, the first cautions as well as several cautions following brought relief to many race cars lapped through the event. By lap 184, only 14 cars resided on the lead lap at Darlington Raceway as the field led predominantly by Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch dominated. At points in the event, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr had their Saturday night race rescued by the NASCAR free pass. By the end of the race, 21 cars would be fortunate enough to be classified on the lead lap after 500 miles.

The #22 Dodge of AJ Allmendinger and the #1 Chevrolet of Jamie McMurray were not among the lead lap finishers after a wreck on lap 317. Also part of late-race mayhem was the #39 car of Ryan Newman. Four cautions through the race’s final 49 scheduled laps would force the hands of various teams contending on the less than predictable Darlington Raceway surface.

Photo Credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR

 
In the final laps, the battle for the win was between the #48 Lowes Chevrolet of Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch’s #18 Doublemint Toyota. Trading the lead several time on-track, Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports-owned car grew much stronger than the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Kyle Busch taking the lead affirmatively on lap 325. Leading the final 44 laps that included a final green-white-checkered challenge from the #14 Chevrolet of Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson sailed to victory of the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington.

In what was one of the biggest celebrations seen for a long-time from the Hendrick Motorsports crew, Jimmie Johnson kicked off the festivities by a wild burn-out on the Darlington Raceway frontstretch. When concluded, talked about his run that involved leading a total of 134 laps. “We led a lot and we ran away once we had the clean air. But once we lost it, man, it was tough to make anything happen deep in the pack. And luckily we had a good enough car that I could work my way through there and still got it done.” said Johnson in post-race interview.

Owner of the #48 race team, Rick Hendrick talked about his race organization‘s milestone saying, “I can’t believe we won 200 of these things. I can’t believe it took this long after 199. I want to remember all those folks we lost. And everybody that helped this thing happen.” However, a telling comment on Johnson’s NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner motivation comes from the Hendrick Motorsports driver."You have got to love that man (Rick Hendrick), he just said 200 is great but let’s go get 250. So that tells you where his head is, I love it. Oh man, what a day.” said Jimmie Johnson.

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR

After 368 laps, Denny Hamlin surged into the runner-up spot with his #11 Toyota taking the position from Tony Stewart who finished the Bojangles Southern 500 in 3^rd with a Hendrick Motorsports-prepped customer car. Rounding out the top-5 of the Darlington event was Kyle Busch and the #56 Toyota of Martin Truex Jr. Just before of the top-10, Roush Fenway Racing Fords piloted by Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards took top-10 runs. The pole-sitting Roush Fenway contender would come home 12^th holding onto the points lead in the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

While Jimmie Johnson and his #48 team enjoyed a triumphant victory, the other Hendrick Motorsports cars had a mixed night. Kasey Kahne finished 8^th while Dale Earnhardt Jr brought his #88 Chevrolet across the line 17^th. Suffering a flat rear tire around the mid-point of the event, Jeff Gordon once again met misfortunate on the race track finishing 35^th. “It’s the same old story. We’re running good. We have fast race cars. We’re doing everything we can as a team and just having things like that happen to us.” said Gordon.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ next race is the exhibition event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 19^th serving as the prelude to the Coca-Cola 600 set for Memorial day Sunday night the following week.



2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Bojangles Southern 500
Darlington Raceway
Race Results

Pos #	Car #	Driver	Sponsor/Car Make
1	48	Jimmie Johnson	Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet
2	11	Denny Hamlin	Sport Clips Toyota
3	14	Tony Stewart	Office Depot / MOBIL 1 Chevrolet
4	18	Kyle Busch	Wrigley Doublemint Toyota
5	56	Martin Truex Jr.	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
6	17	Matt Kenseth	Zest Ford
7	99	Carl Edwards	Ford EcoBoost Fusion Ford
8	5	Kasey Kahne	Rockwell Tools Chevrolet
9	9	Marcos Ambrose	DeWalt Ford
10	20	Joey Logano	The Home Depot Toyota
11	15	Clint Bowyer	5-hour Energy Toyota
12	16	Greg Biffle	3M / OH / ES Ford
13	27	Paul Menard	Menards / Pittsburgh Paints Chevrolet
14	78	Regan Smith	Furniture Row / CSX Play it Safe Chevrolet
15	2	Brad Keselowski	Miller Lite Dodge
16	29	Kevin Harvick	Budweiser Chevrolet
17	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Diet Mountain Dew / National Guard Chevrolet
18	31	Jeff Burton	BB&T Chevrolet
19	43	Aric Almirola	Gravely Mower Ford
20	55	Mark Martin	Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
21	51	Kurt Busch	Phoenix Construction Services Chevrolet
22	13	Casey Mears	GEICO Ford
23	39	Ryan Newman	WIX Chevrolet
24	42	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chevrolet
25	38	David Gilliland	A&W All American Food Ford
26	83	Landon Cassill	Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota
27	36	Dave Blaney	SealWrap.com Chevrolet
28	34	David Ragan	Peanut Patch / Margaret Holmes Ford
29	47	Bobby Labonte	Scott Products Toyota
30	32	Reed Sorenson	Southern Pride Trucking Ford
31	10	Danica Patrick	GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
32	73	Travis Kvapil	Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota
33	22	AJ Allmendinger	Shell Pennzoil Dodge
34	1	Jamie McMurray	Bass Pro Shops / Allstate Chevrolet
35	24	Jeff Gordon	Drive to End Hunger / AARP Chevrolet
36	93	David Reutimann	Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota
37	49	JJ Yeley	America Israel Racing / JPO Absorbents Toyota
38	74	Cole Whitt	Turn One Racing Chevrolet
39	30	David Stremme	Inception Motorsports Toyota
40	87	Joe Nemechek	AM/FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves Toyota
41	52	Mike Skinner	CrusaderStaffing.com Toyota
42	79	Scott Speed	Team Kyle / KOMA Unwind Ford
43	26	Josh Wise	Morristown Drivers Service Ford

Six Down, Thirty to Go: The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season So Far

Photo Credit: Tyler Barrick/Getty Images for NASCAR

With NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and teams taking their first break off during the Easter weekend, the chance to reflect on the 2012 season so far sheds light on some notable developments. Included below are some headline-worthy stories after the first six races of the stock car racing tour.


　

The Longest (Possibly Best) Daytona Ever!

Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

A first-time rain postponement to Monday night, a wild action-filled Daytona International Speedway event, Danica Patrick’s debut in NASCAR Sprint Cup, Brad Keselowski taking Twitter onto the race track and a jet dryer set ablaze are just a few items that made the 2012 Daytona 500 most memorable.

As a major rainstorm kept 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup car engines quiet within the Daytona International Speedway Sunday and into most of Monday, the season opener for the 2012 tour started during prime time television. Showing the respect race fans for the Great American Race, an estimated crowd of 140,000 people were present more than a day and half after the event’s originally scheduled start. With 25 lead changes between 13 drivers, the 2012 edition of the Daytona 500 was a suspenseful affair perfect for Monday night treatment.

While the actual race took 3 hours, 36 minutes to complete, that time tally did not account for a more than 2-hour red flag period needed to extinguish a jet dryer fire started when the #42 Chevrolet piloted by Juan-Pablo Montoya suffered a mechanical problem that shot his stock car into the speedway clean-up vehicle. Thanks to Dodge driver Brad Keselowski’s ingenuity of carrying an iPhone in a closed compartment of the vehicle during the race, his Twitter page came alive giving fans a connection to drivers in competition.

The victory for Matt Kenseth (occurring past 1am Eastern time) capped what a Daytona 500 distinguished from all others. A perfect way to start the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

　

　

Stewart Stamps Victory Lane Early

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

In 2011, Tony Stewart fought through the first 26 races winless and barely muscled into the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. With many writing-off Stewart and the #14 Stewart/Haas Racing team early of any championship contention, the driver/owner came to life through the 10-race Chase. Recording 5 wins en route to his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, Tony Stewart rolled into the 2012 season as a top runner. Winning one of the Gatorade Duel 150 events in the Daytona qualifying heats, the first six official races ha netted two wins for Stewart (a driver who has historically won most of his events later in a NASCAR Sprint Cup season).

After six races, Tony Stewart is 12 points out of the lead position in the series standings. Stewart is third place behind Greg Biffle and Dale Earnhardt Jr in 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup points heading into the Texas Motor Speedway round.

　

Car 48 Fights On and Off Track for Points

Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR

Hendrick Motorsports has not the ideal start of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season in the first six races. While Dale Earnhardt Jr is currently seated in 2^nd place in the driver’s standings, the four-car team is continuing to chase their first victory for 2012 (which has the added prestige as being Hendrick Motorsports’ 200^th win in the series).

For what is considered the Hendrick Motorsports organization’s top team, the season started badly even before their Daytona 500 car was prepped during Speedweeks. During inspection, NASCAR measurements determined that the #48 Chevrolet’s roof C-pillar was out of tolerances. Holding back the penalty until after the Daytona 500 race, NASCAR levied a hefty $100,000 as well as a 25-point deduction for the #48 owner’s points and Jimmie Johnson’s driver points standing. Chad Knaus and the #48 car chief were also handed a six-race suspension.

It is unclear if the penalty would have impeded the #48 team at the Daytona 500 since they were caught up in a wreck completing the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet’s race after just one lap. Following the 2012 Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team returned to form finishing no lower than 12^th following the season opener. As the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team recorded better on-track results, the race organization appealed their penalty. Initially left defeated when a three-person panel ruled to uphold the penalties, Hendrick Motorsports took their case to the chief appellate officer where the team largely prevailed. Only left with the monetary fine, the victory through the stock car racing appeal process is a most noteworthy achievement.


　

Michael Waltrip Racing is No Laughing Matter

Photo Credit: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images for NASCAR

Debuting as a charter Toyota team for the Camry’s controversial entry into the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2007, the Michael Waltrip Racing organization started in disastrous fashion as a three-car group struggling to make races. Making progressive steps to a top-caliber NASCAR Sprint Cup team, the three-car team of 2012 has shown impressive front-runner status in the first half dozen races of the year.

Driving the NAPA Toyota for a third season for the Michael Waltrip Racing camp, Martin Truex Jr has been the Sprint Cup series model of consistency in 2012. Truex Jr’s #56 Toyota has finished no lower than 17^th in the first races of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tour. The week-by-week results have combined for a 6^th place position in the overall drivers points standings.

Releasing David Reutimann after 2011, the Michael Watrip Racing squad had acquired Clint Bowyer for the #15 Toyota. Despite a rocky start of the year in the Daytona 500, Bowyer and his crew have placed the #15 into the top-10 for 3 of the 5 races afterwards. Clint Bowyer is 9^th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point’s standings.

For what is the first four races in a limited schedule for Mark Martin in 2012, the Arkansas NASCAR superstar delivered a pair of top-10 finishes and a pole for Michael Waltrip Racing at Phoenix International Raceway. At Bristol Motor Speedway, Brian Vickers took over the #55 and drove a masterful first race to a fifth place result. Through the driving collective, the Michael Waltrip Racing #55 Toyota is 9^th in car owner points after the first 6 NASCAR Sprint Cup races of 2012.



The Fuel Injected Future is Here

Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR

Joining the vehicles in the modern automotive marketplace in North America, NASCAR Sprint Cup adopted electronic fuel injection as the method for feeding the V-8 engines of their stock cars. After considerable testing during 2011 and through the past off-season, fuel injection debuted at Daytona with levels of uncertainty. Despite the miles put on the NASCAR Sprint Cup car’s new fuel delivery system in testing, the performance of this format of fuel injection left unknowns during first conditions. For the most part, the new electronic fuel injection system on the stock cars has proven successful in replacing what was the long-standard carburetor.

Allowing teams to explore a level of computer-assisted data acquisition, the electronic fuel injection system has given tools many other forms of motorsports have been utilizing over a decade. The only major downside attributed to the electronic fuel injection system was an isolated incident involving the #14 Chevrolet of Tony Stewart. Mid-way through the Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix International Raceway, the system had shut down Stewart’s engine costing the reigning champion and crew two laps diagnosing the problem.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup electronic fuel injection system still has a season’s worth of challenges as it powers 43 race cars through the ongoing 2012 schedule. New race tracks, the 2012 series’ first 500-mile event set for Texas Motor Speedway and the two road courses should provide the best opportunities to see how the new norm of NASCAR Sprint Cup can benefit the future of stock car competition.

　

　

Kahne’s Rough Start with Hendrick Motorsports

Photo Credit: Russell LaBounty © 2012 Russell LaBounty Autostock

Despite all of the ingredients for success, the newly forged relationship between Kasey Kahne and Hendrick Motorsports has resulted in less than stellar start to the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Kasey Kahne’s was involved in a somewhat complex flight path to Hendrick Motorsports first charted in 2010.

Driving the #9 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports in 2010, Kahne signed to replace Mark Martin at Hendrick Motorsports for than-distant 2012 season. Expecting to see how Kasey Kahne’s future plans would affect his relationship with his Richard Petty Motorsports team through the 2010 season, it initially appeared promising that the two soon-to-be parted entities could focus on track. Collecting three top-five finishes in June and July races, the partnership would deteriorate during the Charlotte Motor Speedway fall race. As the Richard Petty Motorsports #9 Ford was sidelined after an early race accident, Kahne implied he was too ill to continue completing laps in event. When suspicion arose that Kahne may not have been truthful, the partnership dissolved.

Through the remainder of 2010 and into the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Kasey Kahne home a pivotal temporary home with Team Red Bull. By the end of the 2011 tour, Kahne and the #4 Toyota was one of the hottest combinations in the NASCAR Sprint Cup racing field. Finishing in the top-10 for 7 of 8 final races, Kahne and Team Red Bull won the Phoenix event in their second-to-last journey together.

Leaving 2011 with optimism of front-running presence, Kasey Kahne finally climbed into the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports at Daytona. Amusingly sponsored by Farmer’s Insurance, the #5 Chevrolet piloted by Kahne has been potentially the most at-risk contender wherever an accident on track unfolds. After six races, the team’s top finish was 14^th at the rain-shortened event at Auto Club Speedway in California. Most dramatically is the #5 car has recorded results 29^th or worse in 4 races starting the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. In the overall series driver point’s standings, Kahne is 31^st.

On the bright side, Kasey Kahne and the #5 Hendrick Motorsports has scored two pole positions proving they have pace. In the remainder of the 2012 season, Kahne and the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet will require some fortune to fall their way to change what has been a series of mechanical problems and brushes with mayhem.

　

Boring Bristol Bout, Manic Martinsville Short Track Events

Photo Credit: Russell LaBounty © 2012 Russell LaBounty Autostock

So far this year, the under one mile short tracks of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have presented a mixed bag of racing action.

Once known as one of the hottest ticket in motorsports, the Bristol Motor Speedway Sprint Cup Series events have been diminishing as an attraction most likely because of the recent on-track product. As impressive as the dominating performance by Brad Keselowski was during the 4^th race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, the high number of empty seats signified that the same ‘beating-and-banging action’ Bristol gained years ago was no longer on a prime showcase.

A reconfiguration of the Bristol Motor Speedway’s concrete surface (that was actually meant to improve side-by-side racing with so-called “progressive banking”) has taken away much of the racing action NASCAR short track fans desired. The contribution of the Car of Tomorrow since 2007 could also be defeating the on-track competition when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has been racing at the short track. While Keselowski’s victory at the track in came through 13 lead changes, most of those were performed during green-flag pit stops as only 5 caution periods interrupted the event (the lowest level since spring of 1996).

As a contrast to the Bristol Motor Speedway event, the Martinsville Speedway race held on the short, flat-banked oval provided an electric finish with side-by-side battling for position, intrigue and controversy. With a certain Hendrick Motorsports victory set, a stalled #10 Stewart/Haas Racing Chevrolet driven by David Reutimann set up an event that would ended under a green-white-checkered finish. Hendrick Motorsports would lose both lead cars of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson in a turn 1 tangle at Martinsville allowing Ryan Newman to steal victory.

Hendrick Motorsports 48 Team Daytona Penalties Stand After Appeal

Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR

While many in the racing world have been able to move on from 2012 Daytona International Speedway Speedweeks that ended in dramatic fashion with the most bizarre Daytona 500 on record, the #48 Chevrolet, piloted by Jimmie Johnson and fielded by Hendrick Motorsports have somewhat been captive by actions that occurred more than 3 weeks ago. On Tuesday, the Hendrick Motorsports #48 team approached the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel in an effort to bring more beneficial closure to their Speedweeks nightmare.

Going back to Saturday, February 17th at the Daytona International Speedway, the #48 Chevrolet Impala was deemed to have a roof C-pillar post out of conformity with the strict NASCAR tolerances. While the #48 Hendrick Motorsport team and driver Jimmie Johnson were able to proceed through the remainder of Daytona Speedweeks once their NASCAR Sprint Cup vehicle was replaced. Bringing back memories of the 2006 season where the #48 team was penalized for failing pre-race inspection. Unlike the 2006 Daytona 500 where Johnson won without his regular crew chief, Chad Knaus was allowed to stay with the team for the 2012 Daytona 500 as the penalty for the C-post issue would not be assessed until following the event.

When the penalty was handed down by NASCAR, the #48 Hendrick Motorsport driver and team first received a hefty points reduction of 25 points apiece. NASCAR also suspended car chief Ron Melac and #48 car crew chief Chad Knaus for six races in addition to probation until May 9th. Knaus was also assessed a $100,000 monetary fine.

Hendrick Motorsports immediately filed an appeal of the NASCAR penalties stemming from the failure in technical inspection at Daytona. Appearing in front of the three-member National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel consisting of John Capels, Leo Mehl and Dan Pinilis, the case for the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team was heard with the team expressing confidence they could prevail. NASCAR countered in the appeal with representation from the Research and Development describing the infaction as well as the reason for the penalties.

Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade/Autostock

Unanimously, the three-judge panel decided to uphold all the original penalties levied against the #48 Chevrolet team. “The panel was generous with its time today, and we appreciated the opportunity to talk through our concerns,” said the car co-owner Rick Hendrick in a press transcript after the appeal decision in front of the three-member panel. A final avenue for appeal by the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team exists with the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel chief appellate John Middlebrook. Affirming a commitment to the crew of his race team, Hendrick stated  "But we’re going to go ahead to the next level and present our case one more time. So I stand firmly behind our guys." When asked why not accept the panel's decision, a defiant Rick Hendrick stated directly, "I don’t accept it. Period."

No date has yet been set for hearing the final appeal of Hendrick Motorsports. With the final appeal pending, the #48 Chevrolet will still be operating as usual at this weekend's race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec will be present with Jimmie Johnson's car.

Edwards Seizes Top Spot for Martinsville Cup Race

Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR

From the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway, the transition to the Martinsville Speedway 0.526-mile short track could lead to another unpredictable event in the second-half of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the Cup. While the official Friday qualifying session for the NASCAR Sprint Cup's TUMS Fast Relief 500 was rained out, the starting line-up for the Martinsville Speedway event was decided on car owner points.

Carl Edwards' recent storming run to the top of the Chase standings secured the top spot for Sunday's event. Regarded as a historically tough race track for the #99 Ford, Edwards has an average starting spot of 18.2 out of 14 races. As Carl Edwards seemingly dodged a major bullet in acquiring starting position for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, so did his teammate Matt Kenseth in the #17 Ford. For the Roush Fenway Racing team, their last win at the Martinsville Speedway track in Sprint Cup occurred in 2002 with Kurt Busch driving the #97 car.

With all 12 Chase contenders lined up at the top of the field, the 500 laps at Martinsville Speedway could prove to be a challenging situation for one driver to gain a major advantage on rivals. In a session led by the #66 Toyota of Michael McDonnell's top time of 19.747 second or 95.893 miles per hour, the pivotal prep for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event.

Following final practice on Saturday afternoon, the plot for Sunday's race thickens as only 3 of the Chase's top-12 drivers placed in the top-10 fastest cars. All from the stables of Hendrick Motorsports, Jimmie Johnson led the driver grouping with a 3rd fastest in the session driving the #48 Chevrolet. Ninth fastest on the race track practice was Jeff Gordon #24 Chevy while the #88 car of Dale Earnhardt Jr logged a 10th quickest time. Winning 10 of the 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup races run at the Martinsville Speedway short track from 2003 to 2009, Hendrick Motorsports has been winless in the past 4 visits by the series. Both Johnson and Earnhardt logged more than 100 laps on track at Martinsvile Saturday afternoon.

On a recent hot streak at the Virginian short track is Denny Hamlin. Though he finished 12th during the spring race at Martinsville, Hamlin drove his #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to three consecutive wins at the 0.526-mile oval. Involved in the Chase but largely out of contention for the title, Hamlin was 14th fastest in Saturday practice. Other Chase for the Sprint Cup notables in the practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the short track includes Kurt Busch registering 11th fastest, Kyle Busch in 15th, while the front row-starting Roush Fenway Racing group cars were 24th and 29th quickest with Matt Kenseth ahead of Carl Edwards.

Fourth to last on the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup series season, the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway has a race start time of 2pm Sunday.

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
TUMS Fast Relief 500
Martinsville Speedway
Starting Line-up

1. 99 Carl Edwards Scotts Winterguard Ford
2. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
3. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
4. 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot / Mobil 1 Chevrolet
5. 29 Kevin Harvick Budweiser Chevrolet
6. 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Halloween Toyota
7. 48 Jimmie Johnson Mylowes Chevrolet
8. 22 Kurt Busch Shell Pennzoil Dodge
9. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Diet Mt. Dew Paint the 88/NationalGuard Chev
10. 24 Jeff Gordon Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet
11. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Ground Toyota
12. 39 Ryan Newman HAAS Automation Chevrolet
13. 33 Clint Bowyer American Ethanol / Cheerios Chevrolet
14. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
15. 16 Greg Biffle 3M Filtrete Ford
16. 43 A J Allmendinger AdvoCare Ford
17. 9 Marcos Ambrose Stanley Ford
18. 6 David Ragan UPS My Choice Ford
19. 5 Mark Martin CARQUEST / GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
20. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
21. 27 Paul Menard Richmond / Menards Chevrolet
22. 20 Joey Logano Interstate Batteries Toyota
23. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
24. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
25. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
26. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
27. 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
28. 0 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
29. 47 Bobby Labonte Grilling.com Toyota
30. 51 Landon Cassill PhoenixCnstrctn/ThankATeacherToday Chev
31. 34 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford
32. 36 Dave Blaney Golden Corral Chevrolet
33. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
34. 32 Ken Schrader U.S. Chrome / Southern Pride Ford
35. 38 Travis Kvapil Long John Silver's Ford
36. 71 Hermie Sadler Home Smart Ford
37. 7 Reed Sorenson SPEED Energy Dodge
38. 37 Mike Skinner MaxQ Motorsports Ford
39. 46 Scott Speed Green Smoke Ford
40. 66 Michael McDowell Victory Junction Toyota
41. 87 Joe Nemechek AM FM Energy Pellet & Wood Stoves Toyota
42. 30 David Stremme Inception Motorsports Chevrolet
43. 55 J J Yeley Front Row Motorsports Ford

Hendrick Hubbub: Reorganization in Major Cup Team Sees High-Profile Personnel Change

Photo Credit: Hendrick Motorsports

The Hendrick Motorsports #48 Lowes Chevrolet was again piloted to the NASCAR Sprint Cup highest honours by now 5-time consecutive champion Jimmie Johnson. Picking up 6 wins through the process of the 2010 season, it appears on the surface that Hendrick Motorsports has a reason to celebrate.

Despite all of the success of the #48 team, the other three teams in the popular Chevrolet-powered organization endured a very tough 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. The Hendrick Motorsports drivers Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr left this year winless on the Sprint Cup schedule finding solace in much smaller non- victory victories. In a radical move to turn the #5, #24 and the #88 teams around, Hendrick Motorsports is prompted just two day after the end of the 2010 Sprint Cup season to swap crew chiefs for 2011.

For the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, the following team complexion will disturb every team with exception to the championship-winning #48 team:

• #5 Team: driver Mark Martin is partnered with former #88 crew chief Lance McGrew
• #24 Team: driver Jeff Gordon will be working with Mark Martin's crew chief of 2009 and 2010 Alan Gustafson
• #88 Team: Dale Earnhardt Jr will be partnered with the #24 car's crew chief Steve Letarte

Photo Credit: Hendrick Motorsports

Matching crew chiefs with new teams, Hendrick Motorsports is also repositioning the team's amongst the two race shops. Moving, the #88 cars will join the #48 team while the #24 team will now be positioned with the #5 crew. Team Owner Rick Hendrick commented on the personnel change saying "This will improve us as an organization, across the board,".

Concluding the year, the #5, #24 and #88 Hendrick Motorsports teams experienced mixed results. In 2010, Jeff Gordon was able in the Chase for the Sprint Cup hunt thanks to 10 top-5 finishes after the first 26 races. Maintaining 3rd prior to the Chase points realignment, Gordon was dropped to 8th starting the 10-race championship playoff. Through the 2010 Chase for the Sprint Cup, the #24 Chevrolet compiled only a single top-5 finish. Two additional DNFs in the final ten races left Jeff Gordon in 9th in the Chase after the Homestead-Miami finale.

Photo Credit: Hendrick Motrsports

Winning 4 times in 2009 with his first season at Hendrick Motorsports, Mark Martin extended the time period between his planned retirement through this year and into the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup tour. Starting the season strong with his #5 Chevrolet by winning the pole for the Daytona 500, Martin and team were sent through a feast and famine campaign for 2010 resulting in 7 top-5s but suffered 12 finishes outside of the top-20. After only a slight chance of making the 2010 Chase, Martin missed the top-12 in points field but held on to 13th place in NASCAR Sprint Cup overall points.  

As for the #88 Chevrolet team of Hendrick Motorsports, the trouble plaguing the team and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr was evident. With a 2010 season which resulted in 21st in the overall points, this year adds to the frustration felt within the #88 team as well as among Earnhardt Jr's considerable fan base. Well-documented, the only win Dale Earnhardt Jr has achieved with the Hendrick Motorsports #88 car was at Michigan in June of 2008. Rounding off the season in 27th at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the writing was on the wall for Lance McGrew's departure after 16 finishes of 22nd or worse in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Another rough year for Earnhardt Jr, some positive Sprint Cup moments this season involved a front row start and 2nd place finish at the Daytona 500 as well as leading 90 laps most recently during the Martinsville event. The #88 Chevrolet also left the 2010 season without a single DNF. Dale Earnhardt Jr has most recently been complementary to McGrew for advances made with the #88 team but knew a change was approaching.

Kasey Kahne Cometh to Hendrick #5 Chevrolet in 2012

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR| NASCAR

Into the current 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, the status of Richard Petty Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne has rested in limbo. Holding 11 victories on the elite stock car circuit, 30 year-old Kahne has ridden a rocky road in the #9 car which included ownership and sponsorship changes since he was drafted to the team in 2004. Kahne's status as one of the Sprint Cup season's most consistently popular drivers left to chance of a nousy silly season. However, entering into only the 7th race of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season at Texas this weekend, Kasey Kahne assembled with Sprint Cup car owner Rick Hendrick to announce his future relationship Hendrick Motorsports' #5 Chevrolet for 2012.

In a April 14th press conference, Kasey Kahne happily shared the news of his upcoming 4-year commitment with members of the media. "I think it’s the best opportunity I could ever have, and I’m just going to make the most out of it. And I feel like the drivers there, the crew chiefs, the people that work for Hendrick Motorsports, I think it will just be a great fit." Kahne responded to the reason for choosing the championship-winning racing organization. Mentioning that he had entertained multiple teams before signing with Hendrick, Kahne spoke highly of the personnel and equipment of the top Chevrolet team as solidifying has decision. "Well, I think their equipment’s, you know, definitely very good. You know, but I think it takes people, and they have great people and it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and that’s where you get Jimmie Johnson. That’s why that guy and that team are so strong." Kahne said in his own words answering Sirius NASCAR Radio's Claire B Lang.

With Kasey Kahne's current contract between himself and Richard Petty Motorsports expiring at the end of this season, Kahne's 2011 downtime remains a question. Due to NASCAR's strict rules limiting teams to four cars, Hendrick Motorsports is unable to field Kahne through the 2011 season. On speculation that Mark Martin could leave the #5 car early, Rick Hendrick clearly iterated on the press conference that Mark Martin will continue to drive the #5 Chevrolet as planned through the end of 2011. At the same time, Hendrick also affirmed that Kahne will be driving a Chevrolet in NASCAR competition next year. Possibilities have Kahne temporarily going to a 3rd car for Stewart-Haas Racing or perhaps running a full Nationwide Series schedule. The latter suggestion is a little absurd as Kasey Kahne has had a presence in Sprint Cup for 7 seasons.

In the past, deals involving such career foresight for drivers have not resulted as planned. In 2005, Jamie McMurray was hired by Roush Fenway Racing as an intended replacement to Mark Martin after the 2006 season. However, the departure of Roush Fenway Racing's than driver Kurt Busch as well as the discontent of McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing team led the deal to be modified to allow McMurray to make a 2006 entrance with the new team.

Kasey Kahne concluded to mention that he remains fully dedicated to the Richard Petty Motorsports #9 Ford through the rest of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup campaign.

Wash out at Martinsville Speedway Sets Sprint Cup Race by Owner Points; Harvick to lead field Sunday

Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The second short track event in the NASCAR Sprint Cup's two-race mini series, teams enter the Martinsville Speedway knowing that this weekend's 500 lap affair on the flat, 0.526 mile oval is a contrast to the high-banked all-concrete oval of Bristol Motor Speedway. Having held a top NASCAR race since 1947, Martinsville Speedway history will this weekend include NASCAR's reintroduction of rear spoiler blades to the Sprint Cup stock car.

As was predicted through the week, rain poured on Virginia state and 0.526 mile Martinsville Speedway short track through the Friday afternoon canceling NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying. With the field set on the newly-established 2010 car owner points, Kevin Harvick narrow point lead margin was all the #29 Chevrolet needed to take the prime starting spot over Roush-Fenway Racing's #17 Ford of Matt Kenseth.

While qualifying for the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 was scrubbed, an afternoon practice session provided a baseline for where NASCAR Sprint Cup teams measure on the Martinsville Short track. In the practice session, Ryan Newman driving the #39 Stewart/Haas Racing-owned Chevrolet scored fastest lap time at 19.535 seconds, equating to an average speed of 96.934 miles per hour. Running on the tight 0.526 mile bullring, the time differentials of the top 13 cars in the practice was only 1/10th of a second.

Hendrick Motorsports placed well through the first practice on a track they have won 7 of the last 10 event held. Leading the Hendrick bunch, Mark Martin #5 Chevrolet placed just behind Newman at a time a mere 0.015 seconds slower. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson as well as Dale Earnhardt Jr were measured 4th, 7th and 15th respectively. Unfortunately with Sunday's grid positions being placed by car owner points, the quickest Hendrick Motorsport car will start deepest in the field in a still honourable 16th place spot.

In historic context, Martinsville Speedway had been a stumbling block for Roush-Fenway Racing Sprint Cup program. Often seen charging through the field during the race after slow qualifying times, it would be common to see the Roush-Fenway cars fight up to the top 10. Last season however, the now-Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing driver Jamie McMurray was the only top 10 finisher with a Roush-Fenway Racing Ford Fusion. Rain was probably a welcomed sight to the Four-car Ford operation as David Ragan was the highest placed team car in the practice session in 18th place. Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle both benefit with top 5 starts for the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 on Sunday.

As the practice saw the top 2 positions held by Hendrick-built cars, a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota driven by quick-learning Tasmanian import Marcos Ambrose took third spot. Hoping to turn around a disappointing result in the Food City 500 at Bristol, Ambrose finished 14th in his first run at Martinsville this time last year. Fall race winner of 2009 Denny Hamlin was 5th fastest in the practice but will be haunted early in Sunday's main event by a 19th place starting spot amounting from many misfortunes for the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the first 5 races of 2010.

With the Martinsville Speedway round for the NASCAR Sprint Cup series to be set on 2010 car owners points, Terry Cook, Casey Mears and Johnny Sauter wheeling a second Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet failed to qualify.

The Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway set to begin Sunday at 1PM but weather forecast call for a 70 percent chance of persistent rain in the Virginia state area. Weather permitting, the 6th race in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be airing on Fox as well as TSN in Canada.


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Starting Lineup for Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 Martinsville Speedway

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

1) 29 Kevin Harvick    Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet
2) 17 Matt Kenseth     Crown Royal Ford
3) 48 Jimmie Johnson    Lowe's Chevrolet
4) 16 Greg Biffle      US Census Ford
5) 14 Tony Stewart     Old Spice / Office Depot Chevrolet
6) 2 Kurt Busch       Miller Lite Dodge
7) 31 Jeff Burton      Caterpillar Chevrolet
8) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy Sgr Fr Lghtng/Ntnl Grd Chevrolet
9) 98 Paul Menard      NIBCO / Menards Ford
10) 18 Kyle Busch       Snickers Toyota
11) 24 Jeff Gordon      DuPont Chevrolet
12) 33 Clint Bowyer     BB&T Chevrolet
13) 99 Carl Edwards     Aflac Ford
14) 83 Brian Vickers     Red Bull Toyota
15) 1 Jamie McMurray         McDonald's Chevrolet
16) 5 Mark Martin      CARQUEST / GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
17) 20 Joey Logano      The Home Depot Toyota
18) 82 Scott Speed      Red Bull Toyota
19) 11 Denny Hamlin     FedEx Freight Toyota
20) 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
21) 43 A J Allmendinger Charter Ford
22) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
23) 9 Kasey Kahne      Budweiser Ford
24) 00 David Reutimann    TUMS Toyota
25) 19 Elliott Sadler   Stanley Ford
26) 39      Ryan Newman      Haas Automation Chevrolet
27) 6 David Ragan      UPS Ford
28) 78 Regan Smith      Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
29) 71 Bobby Labonte     TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet
30) 12 Brad Keselowski   Penske Dodge
31) 47 Marcos Ambrose    Little Debbie Toyota
32) 38 Kevin Conway     Extenze Ford
33) 77 Sam Hornish Jr.   Mobil 1 Dodge
34) 34 Travis Kvapil    A&W All American Food Ford
35) 37 David Gilliland    Gander Mountain Ford
36) 26 David Stremme    Air Guard Ford
37) 09 Aric Almirola     Phoenix Racing Chevrolet
38) 7 Robby Gordon     VIPFanExprnce.com/Blake Shelton Toyota
39) 36 Mike Bliss       Wave Energy Drink Chevrolet
40) 13 Max Papis        GEICO Toyota
41) 55 Michael McDowell PRISM Motorsports Toyota
42) 66 Dave Blaney      PRISM Motorsports Toyota
43) 87 Joe Nemechek     NEMCO Motorsports Toyota

Dale Earnhardt Jr Amped Up for NASCAR Sprint Cup Atlanta Pole

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

A pleasing site to the fans of NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr ushered his #88 AMP Energy Chevrolet to pole position at Atlanta Motor Speedway in preparations for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup's Kobalt Tools 500 on Sunday. Capturing his first pole since the spring race at Texas in 2008, Dale Earnhardt Jr has been on a tear in qualifying for 2010 placing in a top-4 starting spot for 3 of the first NASCAR Sprint Cup races.

In the Atlanta qualifying session, 3rd driver to qualify Kasey Kahne took his #9 Budweiser Ford around the 1.52 mile oval at an average speed of 191.688 MPH or 28.922 seconds. Kahne held onto the 1st place spot through the following 8 cars until Jeff Gordon rolled to a time just 15 one-hundredths of a second faster than the #9 Ford. Gordon held the top spot for little more than a minute as the next car up, the #18 Toyota of Kyle Busch, bested the #24 Chevrolet's time. The first lap averaging a time faster than 192 MPH, Busch would be denied the pole by Dale Earnhardt Jr .

With the #88 car of Hendrick Motorsports claiming the first starting spot in the Kobalt Tools 500, car owner Rick Hendrick will enjoy seeing 3 of his 4 cars near the front with Mark Martin clocking in 4th and Gordon settling into a strong 5th in qualifying. Hendrick satellite team of Stewart/Haas Racing was able to place Ryan Newman in 7th and Tony Stewart in a fair 15th position. As for the #48 Chevrolet driven by back-to-back Sprint Cup winner of 2010 Jimmie Johnson, he could only muster a 16th place start. While Johnson lacked the qualifying speed in the late Friday afternoon time trials, the #48 Chevy came from 20th last weekend to win at Las Vegas.

The Richard Petty Motorsports squad also reserves an honourable mention after NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway. With Kasey Kahne resting 6th, an determined run by Elliott Sadler's #19 Ford was a refreshing surprise in 8th ahead of David Ruttimann and Carl Edwards.

As for the teams registering outside of the top-35 in 2009 car owner's points, Dave Blaney drove the #66 PRISM Motorsport to the highest of the cars needing to qualify for Sunday's race. Michael McDowell was the final driver to break into the field for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Kobalt Tools 500
Atlanta Motor Speedway

Top 10:

Pos | Car # | Driver | Sponsor/Car Make

1) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet
2) 18 Kyle Busch              M&M's Toyota 
3) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet 
4) 5 Mark Martin         Hendrickcars.com/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet 
5) 24 Jeff Gordon         DuPont/National Guard Chevrolet 
6) 9 Kasey Kahne         Budweiser Ford 
7) 39 Ryan Newman         Tornados Chevrolet
8) 19 Elliott Sadler   Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford 
9) 00 David Reutimann  Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
10) 99 Carl Edwards     Scotts Ford


Other Notables:

11) 2 Kurt Busch       Miller Lite Dodge
15) 14 Tony Stewart     Office Depot Chevrolet
16) 48 Jimmie Johnson    Lowe's/KOBALT Tools Chevrolet
27) 66 Dave Blaney      PRISM Motorsports Toyota
31) 13 Max Papis        GEICO Toyota
34) 21 Bill Elliott     Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford
35) 29 Kevin Harvick    Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet
43) 55 Michael McDowell PRISM Motorsports Toyota

Jimmie Johnson Turns California Dreams into Reality in Auto Club 500

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR


The second race off the year for the NASCAR Sprint Cup 2010 season, the tour was taken cross-country from Daytona Beach to the west coast state of California. Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray proceeded to the track at a more leisurely pace to the Auto Club Speedway thanks to a week-long press junket. This post-Daytona 500 media tour for Jamie McMurray made it even more impressive that McMurray skated his #1 Chevrolet to pole for Friday afternoon qualifying. With Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing teammate Juan Pablo Montoya starting on the front row, Montoya bypassed McMurray on the first lap of the race. The #42 of Montoya held the top spot through the first 29 laps.

The Auto Club Speedway has become a stomping ground for Jimmie Johnson. Not only is the 2-mile oval located in the home state of the 4-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, his Lowes sponsored #48 Chevrolet holds an average finish of 3.75 in the last 8 races held on the Penske-built speedway situated on former Fontana industrial land. Johnson's presence emerged early in the Auto Club 500 as he took 1st place away from Montoya on lap 30.

Caution-free for 58 laps, the first caution came out for debris on the racetrack. While the Sprint Cup teams were able to change tires and refuel under the lap 59 caution, a multitude of green flag pit stops contributed to many of the 26 lead changes through the event. However, regardless of caution or green flag period, too many drivers and teams at Auto Club Speedway were confronted by NASCAR's aggressive policing of pit road. With 15 penalties levied against Danny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kevin Harvick and others, one incident involved Kevin Harvick's car and a pit crew member of the #1 team. As Harvick's #29 car was leaving pit road on a lap 94 stop, a tight exit resulted in Harvick launching into the path of a crew member and a tire from Jamie McMurray's #1 Bass Pro Shops team. Like Nintento's Mario, the crew man leaped over the hood of the #29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet avoiding injury. However, the #1 team was penalized for the loose tire and the #29 Chevrolet took a penalty for speeding out of pit road.

After many drivers posting strong finishes at the Daytona 500, the Auto Club 500 saw many of those drivers endured a much harsher followup race. While McMurray started on the pole for the event, he lost ground after a pit stop penalty for the before-mentioned incident and was unable to mount a return to the front. McMurray finished 17th on the day finishing ahead of his teammate Montoya who had his engine parish after 140 laps.

Coming off a 2nd place run, the recent string of misfortune seemed to have lifted off Dale Earnhardt Jr and the #88 Amp/National Guard Chevrolet. The Auto Club Speedway, historically one of Earnhardt Jr's worst tracks, was a bump on the road of the #88 Hendrick Motorsport team's resurgence. Caught speeding on pit road early, Earnhardt Jr began a recovery before a later pit stop resulted in a broken axle half-shaft. While the Hendrick Motorsports crew succeeded in placing Dale Earnhardt Jr back in the event, the #88 Amp Juice Chevrolet come home 12 laps back in 32nd place. While a less than stellar run overall, this is sadly Earnhardt Jr's best finish in the Sprint Cup season's 1st Auto Club Speedway race since driving for Hendrick Motorsports.

While Earnhardt, McMurray and Montoya had good finishes at Daytona, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, and Marcus Ambrose are skilled drivers starting off the year with lackluster results through the first 2 races. Ryan Newman's car lost an engine to finish 36th while Kahne fared better by at least running after a down day started by a slide through the in front grass. He placed 34th on the final race result. Ambrose's Toyota was sandwiched between the two suffering from overheating issues.

Into the final laps, racing fortune again shined on Jimmie Johnson as a caution came out almost instantly after he took the #48 Lowes Chevrolet down pit lane. By doing so, Johnson was able to leapfrog the field as they required the attention of pit road service and would start the race in the lead. Despite a heated challenge from Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson held off the fight leading the final 24 laps to win his 48th Sprint Cup career victory and his first in 2010.
By winning the Auto Club 500, Johnson wins a race at the speedway for the 4th straight year and his 5th all-time.



Photo Credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images


Richard Childress Racing (RCR) cars driven by Harvick and Jeff Burton came home in strong 2nd and 3rd place finishes for the organization. After two races, premature analysis of the NASCAR Sprint Cup points has Kevin Harvick leading fellow RCR driver Clint Bowyer. Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate of Mark Martin and the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Joey Logano rounded out the top 5 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Auto Club 500.


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Auto Club 500
Auto Club Speedway

Place| Car # | Driver | Sponsor/Car Make
1) 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet
2) 29 Kevin Harvick Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet
3) 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
4) 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
5) 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
6) 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge
7) 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
8) 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
9) 14 Tony Stewart Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet
10) 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
11) 82 Scott Speed Red Bull Toyota 
12) 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
13) 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford
14) 18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota
15) 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
16) 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Auto Club Dodge
17) 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
18) 98 Paul Menard Energizer/Menards Ford
19) 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
20) 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
21) 12 Brad Keselowski AAA Insurance Dodge Dodge
22) 36 Mike Bliss Wave Energy Drink Chevrolet
23) 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
24) 19 Elliott Sadler Stanley Ford
25) 43 A J Allmendinger Best Buy Ford
26) 38 David Gilliland Taco Bell Ford
27) 71 Bobby Labonte TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet
28) 13 Max Papis GEICO Toyota
29) 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Freight Toyota
30) 34 Travis Kvapil Long John Silver's Ford
31) 37 Kevin Conway # Extenze Ford
32) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy Juice / National Guard Chevrolet
33) 7 Robby Gordon Warner Music Nashville Toyota
34) 9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser Ford
35) 47 Marcos Ambrose Armor All Toyota
36) 39 Ryan Newman Haas Automation Chevrolet
37) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
38) 26 Boris Said Sacred Power/Southern Pride Trucking Ford
39) 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Toyota
40) 87 Joe Nemechek FrontRowJoe.com Toyota
41) 66 Dave Blaney Prism Motorsports Toyota
42) 55 Michael McDowell Prism Motorsports Toyota
43) 09 Aric Almirola Phoenix Racing Chevrolet