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Author: SM Staff

  • Offical Statement from Nascar on the Richard Childress and Kyle Busch incident

    Offical Statement from Nascar on the Richard Childress and Kyle Busch incident

    Nascar Statement June 5, 2011

    “Nascar has reviewed the incident involving Richard Childress and Kyle Busch after the Nascar Camping World Truck Series race Saturday at Kansas Speedway. We have met with all parties involved and have determined what happened yesterday is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by Nascar

    Richard Childress’ actions were not appropriate and fell short of the standard we expect of owners in this sport. We have met with Childress this morning and made our position very clear to him. Further, we expect he will make it clear to all in his organization to ensure this situation does not escalate any further. We will announce our actions regarding this incident Monday.

    Kyle Busch remains on probation with Nascar and we continue to watch his actions carefully. However, we have determined that Kyle’s involvement in this incident does not violate his probation and no further action is required.

  • Childress to be penalized for fight with Busch

    Childress to be penalized for fight with Busch

    NASCAR president Mike Helton said Sunday morning that penalties will be announced for Richard Childress on Monday after his post Truck Series race fight with Kyle Busch.  NASCAR deemed that Busch’s involvement did not violate his NASCAR probation, therefore he will not receive any further sanctions from NASCAR.

    “Obviously after last night’s incident, we began looking into it through the evening, and as recent as 15 minutes ago, meeting with different parties,” NASCAR President Mike Helton said. “We concluded that the driver of the 18 truck, Kyle Busch, did nothing to provoke or to cause the reactions that, in our opinion, would have violated probation. Did nothing that would have warranted the actions of Richard Childress.

    “And so we’ll have to — once we get today’s race concluded, which is the focus of today, we’ll have to decide what NASCAR’s reaction is to Richard Childress as a member of NASCAR in an action against another NASCAR member.

    “The biggest topic today, certainly, through the conversations outside of the incident itself was to be sure that today’s event went on correctly and safely for everybody involved, and both the Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing organizations, we have made it clear to them that our expectations is that both Joe Gibbs and Richard Childress meet with their teams to be sure that nobody from their organizations felt like there was anything that needed to be done from their side.

    “So we’ll focus on today’s race now, and then quickly, maybe more quickly than normal, come back with our reaction as it relates to NASCAR member Richard Childress. ”

    According to sources who spoke to SB Nation’s Jeff Gluck, Childress handed his watch to grandson Austin Dillon before punching Busch multiple times and putting him into a headlock.  Busch reportedly bent down to avoid further injuries, but Childress tried to land another shot once Busch returned to his feet, sources told Gluck.

    Busch raced hard with Joey Coulter in the closing laps of the race, with the two drivers making contact coming towards the finish before Coulter eventually got the best of the two-truck race for fifth. After the checkers flew, Busch tapped Coulter’s driver side door panel.

    “With as hot as it is and the tires, you know, had a bunch of laps on them, once the tires start sliding it’s really hard to get them to stop,” Coulter told media after the race. “And we [him and Busch] just run up towards the fence. I really hate that it happened because it was going to be a pretty exciting run to the line.  But, I guess that’s part of the mile and a half stuff.”

    Busch is on NASCAR probation in all NASCAR series and events until June 15.

  • Bowyer wins the NCWTS O’Reilly Auto Parts 250

    Bowyer wins the NCWTS O’Reilly Auto Parts 250

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”268″][/media-credit]Clint Bowyer dominated Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race by leading 124-laps of the 167-laps run at Kansas Speedway in route to his first victory in his home state.

    This was his third career trucks series win and first of the season for the Kansas native who grew up 90 miles away in Emporia.

    “I’m so happy to finally be in victory lane here,” Bowyer said.

    This win also stopped Kyle Busch’s three-race winning streak. Busch battled his car all day and finished sixth.

    Johnny Sauter finished second, Todd Bodine third, James Buescher fourth and Joey Coulter finished fifth.

    Sauter also took over the series points standings by 12 over rookie Cole Whitt.

    “I couldn’t be any prouder of everybody at ThorSport (Racing),” Sauter said.

    Unofficial Race Results
    O’Reilly Auto Parts 250, Kansas Speedway
    June 4, 2011 – Race 8 of 25
    =================
    Pos. Driver
    =================
    1 Clint Bowyer
    2 Johnny Sauter
    3 Todd Bodine
    4 James Buescher
    5 Joey Coulter *
    6 Kyle Busch
    7 Brendan Gaughan
    8 Nelson Piquet Jr. *
    9 Brad Sweet
    10 Travis Kvapil
    11 Parker Kligerman *
    12 Austin Dillon
    13 Miguel Paludo *
    14 Timothy Peters
    15 Cole Whitt *
    16 David Starr
    17 Jason White
    18 Matt Crafton
    19 Justin Lofton
    20 Justin Marks
    21 Ricky Carmichael
    22 Max Papis
    23 Craig Goess *
    24 Johanna Long *
    25 Nick Hoffman
    26 Bryan Silas
    27 Jennifer Jo Cobb
    28 Clay Rogers
    29 Shane Sieg
    30 Ron Hornaday
    31 Ryan Sieg
    32 J.J. Yeley
    33 Norm Benning
    34 Chris Jones
    35 Mike Garvey
    36 Scott Riggs

  • Race #2 For NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Grand Prix ICAR

    This weekend’s race on June 5th marks the second race of the season for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, though the first ever visit for the series to Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec.

    While the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series drivers only visit two or three road courses a year, the Canadian Tire Series competes on a number of different road courses across Canada. The 2.113 mile course marks the sixth different road course, joining Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Circuit de Trois-Rivieres, Edmonton City Centre Airport, Mosport International Raceway and Toronto’s Exhibition Place.

    The series has competed on road courses for a total of 17 times, with only four drivers accounting for wins – Andrew Ranger (9), J.R. Fitzpatrick (5), Kerry Micks (2) and Alex Tagliani (1). With all four entered into this weekend’s race, it’s no question that it’s going to be a fight down to the checkered.

    Ranger is the driver that most fans focus on when it comes to choosing a winner as he has nine road course wins, including three last year at Montreal, Toronto and Trois-Rivieres. He knows how to compete well in the series as he is a two-time series champion and has won eight of the last 10 Canadian Tire Series road course races that he has ran. Ranger has experience beyond the Canadian Tire Series as he won a K&N Pro Series West race on a road course and won the ARCA New Jersey Motorsports Park road course race earlier this month.

    Meanwhile, a lot of people believe that Fitzpatrick is a stronger oval driver, however some would argue that his stats showcase him as a better road course driver. He has six wins in the series to date, in which five of those have come on road courses – Mosport, Edmonton and Montreal. He is also very consistent as he has finished in the top five nine times in his 16 Canadian Tire Series road course starts, with four of those starts coming from the pole position. He also has experience beyond the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series level as he scored two top 10s last year for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series on road courses.

    Though one of the most talked about drivers coming into this weekend is Alex Tagliani after he qualified on pole for the Indianapolis 500 last month. The Quebec born driver has had a good season to start as he currently sits ninth in IZOD IndyCar Series Championship points and look to continue that success this weekend. He has made eight Canadian Tire Series road course starts, with one lonely win coming at Edmonton City Centre Airport in 2008.

    The last past road course winner to watch is Kerry Micks, who is a driver with probably the most experience. He is one of seven drivers who has competed in all 52 series races to date and has two wins, eight top-fives and 12 top-10s in 17 starts on the road courses. He also was one of the most consistent drivers last year on the road courses as he finished inside the top five in four of the five events and has top 10s in six of his last eight starts dating back to last year.

    Beyond those who have tasted champagne at a road course before, eyes will also be on Scott Steckly, who won the race at Mosport last weekend and currently leads the point standings, 15 points over Pete Shepherd III. Like Micks, Steckly has ran all 52 races in series history and in 17 road-course starts, he has nine top-fives and 11 top-10 finishes.

    While the race is set to be run on Sunday, practice and qualifying will be run on Saturday. The race will be shown on TSN on June 12th at 11 a.m. ET while live updates will be available through http://hometracks.nascar.com.

  • Matty’s Picks – Vol. 4 – STP 400 at Kansas Speedway

    Matty’s Picks – Vol. 4 – STP 400 at Kansas Speedway

    Matty’s Picks

    Vol. 4 – Kansas – June 5, 2011

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]This week, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series moves to a track that I hate to say, but I have very limited knowledge about. I sent out a Tweet this morning looking for some help with making my picks for this week’s STP 400, and unfortunately got no help.

    After a couple of absolutely amazing finishes last week, I am fairly excited to see what this week will bring.

    Last Week’s Recap

    For last week’s Coke 600, I was on the Roush Fenway bandwagon that dominated the All-Star Race the week before. As my Dark Horse, I rode the Sprint Showdown winner, David Ragan to another Top 5 pick for myself. Ragan came in second following a pit on lap 397 for four tires and fuel, after receiving the free pass just a lap prior.

    Ragan was running well all night, and as it turned out, ended up on the right end of the pit strategy gamble. The fresh tires and fuel made the difference in the end, as it did for race-winner Kevin Harvick and last-lap loser Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kudos to me for winning the pit-strategy pick of the week, and Kudos to Ragan for a career best second place finish.

    After starting 3rd on Sunday Night, my Winner pick, Carl Edwards looked like the favorite to win. He jumped out front while the sun shined, and slowly moved backwards as darkness fell in Charlotte. Edwards lead 61 laps while the sun was up, but failed to reach the point in the last half of the race. Edwards finished right in line with his other two Roush Fenway teammates who found the front for numerous laps on Sunday – Biffle in 13th, Kenseth in 14th, Edwards in 16th. No points for me on the back to back backflips.

    As for the bonus pick last week, the 100th Annual Indianapolis 500 was another race that came down to who could stay on track the longest. I didn’t think we could see two heartbreak finishes in the same day, but last Sunday proved me wrong again. I won’t bore you with the details that you all know about already so… I picked Dario Franchitti who lead 51 laps Sunday afternoon, had to pit late and finished the race in 12th as the last car on the lead lap. No double points for me for the bonus pick.

    STP 400 Picks

    Against by better judgment, I’m off the Roush Fenway bandwagon for this week. My winner pick this week already has a win this year, and swept the first two races at Kansas. Jeff Gordon is my Winner pick for this week. As I write this column, he is currently 4th on the speed chart. On top of the two wins, he has seven Top 5’s and eight Top 10’s at Kansas, with an average finishing position of 8.5. I think Gordon is a sure-fire Top 10 for this week.

    I did do a bit of research for this week, and found out that the winner of the past two races at Kansas have come from the 5th starting spot on Sunday afternoon. Since qualifying isn’t until tomorrow for the Sprint Cup Series, I do not have the luxury of jumping on the 5th starting spot superstition.

    Dark Horse Pick

    As for my dark horse this week, I am going with a guy that impressed me over the two weeks at Charlotte. A.J. Allmendinger has put his Ford Fusion towards the front countless times this season. At a track where the asphalt is beginning to wear (resurfacing is an item of discussion at Kansas), starting positions are critical. Allmendinger has started 2nd, 2nd, and 7th in the past three points races. He is a driver who knows how to lay down a qualifying lap, and on top of that has two Top 10’s at Kansas during his Sprint Cup career.

    I’m looking forward to learning more about Kansas Speedway throughout the weekend and am looking for a solid couple of picks this week.

    As always, please lend me some advice with my picks for next week via email; riotwvu@yahoo.com or you can always send me comments via Twitter @ML_B_lo

    Until Next Time….You stay classy NASCAR NATION!

  • Jimmie Johnson’s Helmet of Hope to benefit American Red Cross

    Jimmie Johnson kicked off the 4th annual Jimmie Johnson Foundation Helmet of Hope campaign today at Kansas Speedway. Johnson himself selected the American Red Cross to be one of 14 charities that will be featured on his race helmet at Richmond International Raceway in September. In addition to placement on the helmet, each charity selected recieves a $10,000 donation.

    “It has been amazing to watch the Helmet of Hope program grow over the past several years,” said Johnson. “I am honored to select the American Red Cross to be the first logo on this year’s helmet. We are grateful for their amazing response to help those who have been affected by the many recent disasters.”

    The number of storm related disasters spurred Johnson to open the nominations for the helmet of hope program early to assist with needs through out the country.

    The Helmet of Hope program, which was started in 2008, allows fans across the country to nominate their favorite charity to receive special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet and receive a $10,000 grant. To date, the program has contributed close to $200,000 to 37 different charities.

    The helmet also feature’s the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education logo. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation partners with the program to fund Champions Grants, which are awarded to K-12 public schools in the hometowns where the Johnsons grew up and currently live. The Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program has donated over $26 million through Toolbox grants since in it’s six years of existence.

    This year’s Helmet of Hope campaign will run for six consecutive Sprint Cup race weekends, beginning at Pocono Raceway in June and culminating at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July. In addition to the American Red Cross and Toolbox for Education, Johnson will draw two charities each week to be included on the helmet, one from fan submissions and one from media submissions. Nominations are currently being taken and will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on July 13, 2010 at www.helmetofhope.org.

    For additional information and to nominate your favorite charity, visit www.helmetofhope.org

  • STP and ‘The King’ Reunite

    STP and ‘The King’ Reunite

    [media-credit id=30 align=”alignright” width=”245″][/media-credit]No one that has followed racing for any length of time does not associate that Blue and Red number 43 to STP and Richard Petty. STP and Richard Petty are synonymous with performance and racing.

    STP is returning to Nascar after a 5 year abscence in partnership with the King RPM and A.J. Allmendinger. STP with it’s new ownership from Armored Auto Group is seeking to renew it‘s relationship with Nascar and Richard Petty. STP will return with the original blue and day glo red paint scheme on the 43. The paint scheme Petty said was a compromise originally as he wanted the car blue and STP wanted the car Red. “So we compromised on what you saw on the track.” That paint scheme would win the 79 Daytona 500 which was the first broadcast of a Nascar race and the 79 season was the 7th Championship.

    A.J. stated he felt fortunate to be driving the new/old paint scheme and he hoped to show STP what they have to offer now and in the years to come. He stated it’s a great partnership and he hopes to have the association for years to come.

    It was noted that the 37 year relationship between the King and STP is the longest in motorsports. The only relationship close is the Dupont Jeff Gordon relationship which is 18 years in duration. Allmendinger stated he hoped to continue his relationship with STP for another 30 years. The King stated, “It’s just a given thing, STP/Richard Petty, and Motorsports go together and they always have.”

    With the change in ownership and the change from the 4 car team to a 2 car team, RPM is building foundations. With the Roush Yates relationship RPM is seeing improvement in performance this year as compared to last year with just the 2 cars. “We are learning what it takes to run upfront.” said Allmendinger. “I am learning and the team is learning.”

    History is closer than we think. It often repeats itself. This weekend our new fans and young fans will once again see the legendary and iconic STP 43 with a new generation driver and a new logo on the hood. But the paint and the connection remain. For 37 years Richard Petty and STP have fueled the dreams of young want to be racers. This week at Kansas the dream will live on.

  • What If Junior’s Last Name was Smith?

    What If Junior’s Last Name was Smith?

    Twice this year, the fans of NASCAR’s most popular driver have had their hopes rise only to fall in the closing laps. No driver has the fan base of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. These fans are extremely loyal to their driver to extent that they reject all others. This is why it has become so frustrating for them. Dale Jr., as he is fondly known, hasn’t won a race for a while—a long while. Earnhardt hasn’t won a Sprint Cup point race since 2008. He’s only won two races in the last five years and yet, his fans still come out to races, wear their various green or red clothing and root like the devil for their hero. It’s almost an addiction or so it seems.

    [media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”253″][/media-credit]Many credit his popularity to the fact that he is his father’s son. Dale Earnhardt, Sr., was legendary. He won seven NASCAR Sprint Cup championships and his driving style and persona struck a chord with NASCAR fans everywhere. When he was killed while racing in the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001, many of the senior Earnhardt’s fans became loyal to his son, and that hasn’t been fair to Junior. In fact, the father and the sons are very different. While the father wheeled a car hard and didn’t mind using his bumper to move people out of the way to win, the son has a much different style and a lot less success on the racetrack. The expectations that he is his father, or would have the same success, have put tremendous pressure on Earnhardt.

    So, what if his name wasn’t Dale Earnhardt, Jr.? Let’s say his name was Dale Smith, Jr. Would fans have the same adoration for him? Would they be satisfied with his record? Would every race be so important? Would Dale drive more relaxed and be more confident? All good questions.

    Let’s compare Dale Jr. with a driver who’s fan base is minute in comparison, is hardly noticed or mentioned by the media or the fans in the stands, and has similar statistics. Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. raced together in the minor leagues of NASCAR – the Nationwide Series. They pretty much entered the Sprint Cup Series at the same time. The tale of the tape is strikingly familiar. They’ve both been in 417 races. Kenseth has the most wins (20 vs. 18), the most top ten finishes (168 vs. 156), and more pole positions (16 vs. 10). Kenseth also has a Sprint Cup championship in 2003, and yet his name is not a household word, nor is he the darling of the media types who cast commercials. In fact, I’ve seen Kenseth in street clothes move through a race track unnoticed by all but a very few. Let Junior try that. There might be a riot. It’s obvious that the name means a lot. And the pressure that goes along with it comes nearly once a week has to be unbearable.

    If his name was Smith instead of Earnhardt, it’s fair to assume that the son of a legend might be more relaxed and perform better, or is it? Earnhardt was leading in the closing laps at Martinsville, only to have a faster Kevin Harvick pass him for the win. Fans were chewing their fingernails and some appeared to be praying. The same was true at last week’s 600-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway when Earnhardt ran out of gas on the last lap, giving the win to, yes, Kevin Harvick.

    I think it’s time for Junior fans to just let Junior be Junior. Pretend for a moment that he is Dale Smith, Jr., a pretty good racecar driver with 18 career wins. Take the pressure off and find another driver to root for just in case things go wrong for Junior. Don’t leave early when he’s not doing well and don’t blame everyone from the crew chief to the owner when things don’t go well. There is no doubt that the man can wheel a racecar, but putting pressure on him to replicate what his father did is a little much.

    He’s having a fine season so far, and that should be good enough.

  • Family Time in Charlotte

    Family Time in Charlotte

    [media-credit id=38 align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]CHARLOTTE – I never grow old of seeing the wonder in a child’s eye when they attend a Nascar event. Last weekend, I attended the All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, I wasn’t there as a member of the media. No, I was there as a fan of racing and more importantly as a father. Many families have traditions; the All Star race is one for my family. My wife and I have two wonderful sons and spending time with them is always great, but there is something special about a race weekend.

    My youngest son is five years old and he can’t get enough of race cars and monster trucks. It was a special moment as I watched his eyes light up as the cars were pushed onto the starting grid and the excitement he had when Jimmy Johnson took the lead during the race. Then as I carried him on my shoulder to the car following the event, I had to laugh and nearly cry when he leaned into my ear and said “this has been a really fun night daddy.”

    This memory was fresh in my mind as I walked through the garage and pits this weekend in Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600. It has always been said that Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. For many, the weekend is an opportunity for family reunions. Nascar’s annual two week visit home to Charlotte is no different. With so many teams based in and around the Charlotte area, this is an opportunity for drivers and crew members to spend time with family, both on and of the track.

    There were many high profile examples to be seen, such as Matt Kenseth celebrating his Nationwide victory with his wife and children, Jeff Gordon and David Reutimann sharing their parade laps with their daughters, but to see the real impact, you had to look beyond the headliners. Many crew members had spouses and children in both the garage area and pits before and during the race. Dan Collins, who drives Brad Keslowski’s hauler and is also a member of the pit crew had his wife and son, Hunter, in the pits with him. Dan said “having this two weeks to get to spend with the family means everything to me and them. We enjoyed it like fans this weekend – we camped in the infield all weekend.”

    Seems from year to year, that there is debate of moving the All Star race away from Charlotte. As someone that lives in Charlotte, I am glad they haven’t as it allows me the opportunity to enjoy the sport with my family. Most in the garage area feel the same way and are happy that Nascar has chosen to give them this break from the road.

  • Inaugural STP 400 at Kansas Speedway Preview

    Inaugural STP 400 at Kansas Speedway Preview

    For the first time in NASCAR history, the drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will take on the slick Kansas Speedway in the heat of June. The STP 400 replaces the fall race at the Auto Club Speedway due to a lack of attendance and the new casino to open near the Kansas Speedway. This is just one of the many changes to the 2011 Sprint Cup schedule. Drivers and teams should expect a hot and slick racetrack, unlike what they undertake when they come to the track in October for chase time.

    [media-credit name=”Kansas Speedway” align=”alignright” width=”163″][/media-credit]One question that is on a lot of race fans mind’s coming into Kansas is, “Will the Fords continue their domination like they did over the past two weeks at Charlotte?” All indications are that they will. The Ford camp, especially Roush-Fenway Racing, have been the cars to beat on the 1.5 mile ovals so far this season. Not only are the cars fast, they also handle extremely well. The combination of the two have become deadly as Ford has won four Sprint Cup races this year. It may sound deceiving, but the Fords have been up front at every track. Although they have not always come away with the win, they have been fast and they have been very competitive.

    This weekend, we will see the return of popular of the popular Canadian driver, Patrick Carpentier as he hops aboard Franky Stoddard’s FAS Lane Racing Ford. This will be Carpentier’s first Cup start since last season and it will mark the first time that he will not have to qualify for the race as the number 32 is already locked into Sunday’s starting field.

    As previously stated, this will be the first time that NASCAR’s premier division makes a stop at Kansas in the month of June. When they have came to Kansas in past events, it was always in the cool fall month of October. This race will present a whole new challenge for the teams as they have never dealt with a hot and slick Kansas Speedway. They will be able to use notes from other 1.5 mile race tracks but remember, not all of them are the same. They all have unique quirks to them that give the drivers a different challenge each time they make a stop at them.

    Hot Drivers at Kansas Speedway

    Tony Stewart- Stewart is a two time winner at the Kansas oval and has always ran strong here. Smoke was strong at Las Vegas which is the track that most resembles Kansas that we have visited so far this season. Look for a strong run for Smoke.

    Carl Edwards- Everyone remembers Carl’s dare devil-esk move on Jimmie Johnson here in 2008. In that race, Carl had the best car at the end of the day. With how strong him and his Roush-Fenway team have been this season, you can never count him out.

    Greg Biffle- The numbers say it all about “The Biff” at Kansas Speedway. In nine starts, Biffle has 2 wins, 6 top 5’s, 6 top 10’s and an average finish of 8.1. Needless to say, Greg is very strong at Kansas

    Jimmie Johnson- As is the case at just about every track we go to, you can never count out Jimmie Johnson. Johnson won here in 2008 and has seven top 10’s in nine starts at Kansas. The numbers don’t lie here. With a driver like Johnson and Knaus on top of the box, don’t count out Mr. Five Time
    Pretty Nifty Pick (Solid Drivers)

    Jeff Gordon- In ten starts at Kansas, Gordon has ten top 10 finishes. Even though Jeff hasn’t had the best season this season, when it comes to a strong track for him, he usually runs where he’s supposed to.

    Mark Martin- Mark may just be in for a break through run this weekend. Martin, has started every race at Kansas Speedway and has an average finish of 12.6. Hendrick Motorsports has always had good success at Kansas so don’t rule out a possible win or top 10 for NASCAR’s favorite brides maid.

    Clint Bowyer- When you come to your home track, you always want to preform at your best. That’s no different for Bowyer. The Kansas native has run well here since his rookie season in the Cup series. With the quality of cars he’s had this year, Sunday could very well be the biggest win for the young driver.

    WARNING: DRIVERS LISTED HERE ARE ONES TO STAY AWAY FROM

    Joey Logano- For some strange reason, the Kansas oval has not been kind to the young lad from Connecticut over the course of his short career. It has been that way since his debut here in 2008. With how much bad luck the Home Depot crew has had this year, don’t bank on Joey turning it around here
    Don’t Sleep On Me!!!

    AJ Allmendinger- AJ is having a banner year so far this season. He has shown speed, consistency and many flashes of brilliance. He just hasn’t been able to close the deal. It’s not will AJ get to victory lane, it’s WHEN will he finally put the whole race together. Sunday could be the day.

    David Ragan- Like Allmendinger, its a matter of when the Georgia native will pull into victory lane. Ragan once again proved he does belong in the Cup series with a second place finish in the 600 this past Sunday. 1.5 mile race tracks are what David Ragan lives for. Look at that UPS Ford to be a contender this weekend.

    My pick for the STP 400- Greg Biffle