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  • Jimmie Johnson Hankering for a Ninth Dover Triumph

    Jimmie Johnson Hankering for a Ninth Dover Triumph

    Jimmie Johnson, following a victory in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a result that all but guarantees him a spot in NASCAR’s playoffs, enters this weekend at Dover International Speedway, a circuit he’s dominated in recent seasons.

    Johnson, 38, has eight triumphs at the ‘Monster Mile’, making this weekend a golden opportunity to extend his legacy and confidence in chasing a seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

    “We are coming to my favorite race track and by the stats probably our best track as well,” Johnson explained in a media center appearance at Dover. “Excited to be here, look forward to getting on the race track and seeing how this new rules package works here.”

    Dominating in Dover, Delaware has been quite familiar to Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports. However, this weekend, after NASCAR implemented the new rules package, it’s left the team questioning their performance in America’s first state.

    “Over the years we have been able to adapt to a variety of generations of car and hopefully we can adapt quickly to what is needed here and what the set-up needs to be to get around the ‘Monster’ once again,” Johnson further commented. “Really at the end of the day there is a feel, a sensation, I look for to get around this race track.”

    “This is still the Gen-6 cars, but a different rules package under it. Regardless of change there are just some tracks that work well for you and you are able to still find that feeling you are looking for regardless of circumstances.”

    Johnson, though, isn’t fretting over the rules package; instead, he’s hoping to add another ‘Monster’ to his trophy collection at his ‘man cave’.

    “I have a great man cave. It’s a big warehouse and I have a huge bar that I restored and it’s got a big top shelf on it. And I think five of them are up there. They stand out. They’re a big trophy and they certainly draw a lot of attention.”

    Nevertheless, according to Johnson, winning this weekend and improving upon his record-breaking eight victories at this track, is expected and needed after letting wins slip by them this season.

    “We feel like wins have gotten away from us this year that we weren’t happy about and we also feel that there are tracks that we went to where we just had poor performances,” Johnson finished his appearance with. “So, the win is great, but we kind of hold ourselves to that standard and we’re coming to one of our best tracks and the expectations are very high for this weekend.”

     

     

  • Possible Engine Failure Terminates Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Night in Charlotte

    Possible Engine Failure Terminates Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Night in Charlotte

    Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s night in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway went drastically haywire after engine issues, during the latter stages, prohibited him from competing inside the top dozen.

    Earnhardt Jr., who’s never won the famed Memorial Day event at Charlotte, finished 19th, two laps down, after nursing his machine to the checkered flag with a sour engine an intense vibration.

    “(The car) was trying to blow up. We had a lot of real high water pressure and a real bad vibration,” Earnhardt Jr. explained. “The vibration was so bad I was afraid to hold it wide open because it would just get so bad at the end of the straightaway. I thought we were about to break the motor. “

    “We came in (to the pits) and knocked the pressure out of it and the vibration slowly got better and never completely went away. Something (was) wrong with the car.”

    Hendrick Motors – which supplies for multiple teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – will have to return to shop and diagnose the problem this week, according to Earnhardt.

    ‘We don’t know (what happened). We have to find out,” Earnhardt Jr. further expressed. “They’ll take it back and see what’s wrong with (the car). I’m glad we tried to keep going. I don’t know what’s wrong with it but we’ve got a little problem with that car. But it was very fast. I’m very happy with the speed.”

    ‘June Bug’, who won the Daytona 500 earlier this season, told reporters he felt fortunate to finish the race rather then in the garage, making his night easier to cope with.

    “I’m real happy with the speed in the car. We were able to at least finish 19th tonight. We could have blown up and finished in the back. We had a really good fast car and I’m really excited about all the races coming up,” Earnhardt added.

    Though, after having a disappointing result, Junior understands that teams struggle on occasions, however, he wants to dismiss the negative and begin exploiting the positives heading into the summer months

    “You’re going to have some bad weeks and you’ve got to be able to roll with them. This was one of them and we just have to look at the positives and try not to dwell too much on what happened,” Earnhardt concluded with. “We just need to go home and find out what it was and see if we can learn something.”

  • Clint Bowyer Animated For 300th Start at Kansas Speedway

    Clint Bowyer Animated For 300th Start at Kansas Speedway

    Clint Bowyer’s tenure in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series reaches a milestone this weekend when he makes his 300th career-start at an ideal place, his home track of Kansas Speedway.

    “Yeah, every time you see one of these 300 starts or 400 starts, whatever it is with us, it really doesn’t register until you get back to thinking about how it all began and what it really means,” Bowyer expressed on Tuesday afternoon. “(I’m) very fortunate to be a part of this sport for 300 races.

    “Love this sport, love being a part of it, and hopefully we’re a part of it for a long time. All of that coming down to Kansas, my home track, is even that much more special to be able to celebrate my 300th (start) right here in my own backyard at Kansas Speedway.”

    Bowyer, on the heels of declaring his newly-wed wife, Lorra, is pregnant with a male, received a three-year extension on his current contract with Michael Waltrip Racing; a team he’s partnered with the past two seasons.

    “Yeah, really excited about a multi-year deal with them,” Bowyer further explained about the recently signed contract. “It means a lot that we were able to put it back together at MWR. I’ve had a tremendous amount of success there right off the bat. The key to success in this sport is people and being able to keep those people together, so really happy about keeping (Brian) Pattie and the whole group intact.”

    Bowyer, who began his career at Richard Childress Racing, is now alluding to how fortunate he’s become racing for Michael Waltrip’s organization.

    “I have a great team; I have a great sponsor; I have a great manufacturer; I’ve got a great organization that takes care of my sponsors that builds a great platform for all of them to be able to showcase a product and get their bang for the buck. That is so important,” Bowyer further commented during a media conference.

    The Emporia, Kansas competitor is also reliving his greatest moments during his first 299 appearances, and one sticks out – his first career-win in 2007 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

    “I’ll never forget it,” Bowyer noted about his first-victory. “Both of my parents were there, my brothers were there, and it was just like surreal because here all these people were to help me get to where I was at, you know, and it immediately made you think back to how it all started. You almost get giddy and start laughing like how in the hell is this happening right now.”

    Bowyer, 33, now rotates his attention towards the ultimate goal – winning and guaranteeing a Chase berth – however, he’s not pondering upon that thought, he’s hoping to seal the situation and grant the placement in the Chase this weekend at Kansas.

    “I’m pretty excited about the weekend,” Bowyer added. “I had a great week, and can’t wait for the race.  It’s our first night race.  Everybody’s excited about the night race at Kansas, and can’t wait to get on the track. Hopefully my 5-Hour Energy Toyota is going to be strong.”

  • Bittersweet Outcome For Greg Biffle at Talladega Superspeedway

    Bittersweet Outcome For Greg Biffle at Talladega Superspeedway

    Greg Biffle reassured his presence in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after finishing second in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday afternoon. However, he’s still scratching his head on what could have been had his crew advised him that there was debris spread across the start/finish line.

    “When I got back around (to the frontstretch), I was wondering why nobody told me that there was half of a car laying in the track,” Biffle explained following the runner-up finish, “and that we probably weren’t going to race back so go ahead and try and pass (Denny Hamlin) now, but that’s a lot to happen in a short amount of time.”

    Biffle, 43, was also baffled at the timing of NASCAR’s decision to throw the caution. He was led to believe once the machines roared through the first two corners that they’d be able to conclude the race under green flag conditions but obviously that wasn’t the result.

    “We were about halfway down the back stretch I guess and I thought when I saw the smoke that (it) was (time) to make a decision to go or not, then I decided to wait,” Biffle further expressed. “I figured once we got in the middle of one and two (that) the caution wasn’t going to come out. I figured, okay, we’re good all the way back.”

    He led a season-high 58 laps of the 188 scheduled after beginning the famed race in the 35th starting position, yet, he was still craving more, respectively.

    “I just wish I was where (Hamlin) was on that final restart,” Biffle explained about the final few circuits. “But it was pretty satisfying to finish — once the outside lane got a push there towards the end and I got shuffled back to about third row and we were three wide, I was nervous that I wasn’t going to (finish). But I was extremely happy with second.”

    Nevertheless, this becomes Biffle’s season-best finish, bettering his fifth place showing at Darlington Raceway last month, and an ideal time nonetheless.

    “I mean, it’s sort of bittersweet for us,” Biffle added. “We’ve run a little bit better in the last couple weeks, and I wasn’t sure how we were going to run here. I was extremely happy with the speed my car had on Friday and then today all day. We’ve still got some work to do, but it sure would have been nice to get a win toward the Chase, but we’ve got some great racetracks coming up, as well. It would have been nice (though).”

    Now, Biffle heads to Kansas Speedway, a track he’s scored triumphs at on two prior occasions and this time, due to the Chase format, he’s willing to risk everything to visit victory lane.

    “I’d be super excited to win there to start with, but to be a guy to win — first guy to win three (at Kansas) would be pretty neat,” Biffle expressed about Kansas next weekend. “I love that racetrack. It’s a lot of fun to race on, puts on a good race.”

    Biffle will continue seeking a victory and eventual Chase berth, and now, after a runner-up finish, momentum and confidence could prove to be a ‘funny thing’ in upcoming races for the former NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series champion.

  • Austin Hill Ecstatic About NASCAR NEXT Induction; Looking to Improve Media Appearance

    Austin Hill Ecstatic About NASCAR NEXT Induction; Looking to Improve Media Appearance

    Austin Hill was inducted into the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class at Richmond International Raceway due to scoring a victory at Dover International Raceway last season and having three top-five finishes in the K&N Pro Series East this season.

    “Running on a low budget team like ours, without sponsorship, I feel very privileged to be in this NASCAR NEXT class,” Hill explained to Speedway Media at Richmond on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. “I’m expecting the program to help me with my media training, like talking to the public, but (ultimately), I think it’ll help me get to know these (Sprint) Cup and Nationwide drivers (which) will help me get my name out there so I can (be racing) with them one day.”

    The NASCAR NEXT members introduced themselves and developed first impressions before Richmond, and thankfully, they all have quite civil and great friendships already or currently being established.

    “I know a lot of the (NASCAR NEXT) members already,” Hill expressed about building relationships with the other NASCAR NEXT inductees. “We all are good friends and I (hope) to become friends with the new faces, so it’s pretty cool to (relate) with everyone.”

    Hill, 20, scored his first K&N East victory at Dover International Speedway last season after holding off and passing C.J. Faison. Little did he know that trip to victory lane would open a multitude of fresh opportunities.

    “We had a really good car there,” Hill noted about his trip to victory lane in Dover, Delaware in the K&N East Series last season. “The first time (at that track) is really scary, you just don’t know what to expect with the car when it’s (diving) off into the corner that fast. With the K&N cars (there), you’re pretty much holding it wide-open, especially the first two laps on a restart.”

    Hill’s also taking a different approach than other NASCAR NEXT inductees. He’s looking to create a better media appearance, find sponsorship and reach the NASCAR Touring Series, and that choice or goal could pay dividends in the future. In addition to the media ordeal, he’s hoping to capture more victories and possibly, the K&N East championship this season.

    “I would definitely like to accomplish (another) win,” Hill said about the goals he’s set while running in the NASCAR NEXT program. “I’ve been struggling on getting my first win (this season), we’ve had three top-fives, and the other two (starts) I wrecked out and had a blown tire, but, getting wins and working on my media training is the (main) goal.”

    Hill, piloting from Winston, Georgia, was recently engaged to Ashlyn Sellers, and he’s looking to use her support to advance his techniques which will help propel him to the ultimate goal: racing in the Sprint Cup Series.

  • Marshall’s Madness: Kyle Busch Turning Out Like Mark Martin, Winning But Championship-less

    Marshall’s Madness: Kyle Busch Turning Out Like Mark Martin, Winning But Championship-less

    Kyle Busch’s tenure in racing is developing like Mark Martin’s, producing victories but not scoring the ultimate goal: championships.

    Busch currently drives in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing and Martin, who retired following last season, now serves as an instructor or mentor, at Stewart-Haas Racing.

    Both of these superstars haven’t experienced a championship in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but have a multitude of victories in all three of NASCAR’s top divisions.

    Busch, 28, has racked up 130-wins during his career, and has experienced one Nationwide Series championship. Martin scored 96-wins along but never was called champion after finishing second in the Sprint Cup Series standings five times.

    However, the two share much more, including hardships that have held them from reaching their fullest potential, or even scoring the elusive Sprint Cup title.

    Martin had to compete against NASCAR legends, for example, he was runner-up to Jimmie Johnson (2009), Tony Stewart (2002), Jeff Gordon (1998), and Dale Earnhardt (1994, 1990) in the championship battle – all four of those elite drivers are bound to be NASCAR HOF (Hall of Fame) members, if they aren’t already inducted.

    Now, Busch is entering a era where he’ll be challenged by future legends, and he may be unable to overtake them and capture a championship.

    Just glance at the up-an-coming stars, drives like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson are still developing and have already beaten Busch, easily. While those two are still a few seasons from reaching championship form, they will undoubtedly be a force to reckon.

    In addition to the stars of tomorrow, Busch will still have to battle the current stars of Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Johnson.

    Seems pretty identical to Martin’s situation, right?

    Nevertheless, Busch still has at least 10 more seasons before he calls it quits and he obviously has the talent to win a title, it’s all in how stiff the competition is around him.

    ‘Comment’ below if you think Busch and Martin have similar careers, and also tell me if you think Busch will ever win a Cup title.

  • Swan Racing Lacking Sponsorship; Could Close Doors Soon

    Swan Racing Lacking Sponsorship; Could Close Doors Soon

    Swan Racing drastically stunned the racing community on Thursday after announcing their organization will be downsizing due to lack of sponsorship.

    ”The team has been unable to secure the kind of sponsorship required to effectively operate the team,” Swan Racing said in a statement. ”As a result, the team management is exploring every available option. We hope to be in position to provide a detailed update in the near future.”

    Brandon Davis, current owner of Swan Racing Company, bought the team in August of 2012 and did the classic start-and-park every weekend; however, this season he signed two young guns, Parker Kligerman and Cole Whitt, to a full-season, no start-and-park, deal.

    Davis partnered with former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski and famous rapper 50 Cent to help fund the operation. But, after multiple torn up racecars, it’s doubtful the team will even make it past the ninth race into the season.

    According to Motorsport.com, Ramsey Poston, Swan Racing’s spokesperson, explained that it was unlikely both cars, if even one, would be at Richmond International Raceway next weekend.

    The franchise released a multitude of employees on Thursday, according to multiple sources, and many of those are already seeking employment with other organizations.

    BK Racing, who already fields two-cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, is willing to add Whitt’s No. 26 to their every growing team, if Swan does close its doors.

    “My mission is to ensure @ColeWhitt races in every #NASCAR Sprint Cup event this season,” that remark was tweeted by Anthony Marlowe, Swan Racing co-owner.

    Nobody has alluded to anything about Kligerman’s future at Swan, but after he’s had four DNF’s it’s likely he’ll be the first driver released.

    SpeedwayMedia.com will continue to update the whole ordeal of the Swan Racing situation on our social media pages.

  • RACEDAY: Greg Biffle Shaking Cobwebs; Starts 4th Today

    RACEDAY: Greg Biffle Shaking Cobwebs; Starts 4th Today

    Anger and anguish describe Greg Biffle’s season-to-date, perfectly. The Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) veteran driver remains winless through 2014, and has only notched one top-10 finish in February at Daytona International Speedway. Now, after a dismal season beginning, Biffle is in desperate need of a good showing at Texas Motor Speedway to help keep his name on the ballot for a Chase berth.

    “As a team we are looking to gain momentum, get back on track and get a good run at Texas,” Biffle explained prior to this weekend’s event. “A win is important for us at this stage in the game, but so is a top-five finish and to run competitively. I feel really good where we are at; leading laps at Martinsville was great for us. We just need to close the deal and (Texas) is one of our best tracks.”

    Biffle, 44, has already visited victory lane in the lonestar state two prior times, including a triumph at this racetrack during the 2012 season – which was celebrated greatly, as it was crew chief Matt Puccia’s first win in the Sprint Cup Series.

    “Texas has always been a good track for us,” Puccia expressed about running at Texas. “We got our first win as a team back in 2012 at Texas, so it is a very special place for me. It was my first Cup win, so it’s always a little more special going back to that race track.”

    However, Puccia doesn’t expect the track to be in the same condition as that win two seasons ago, and he also explained how much of a challenge this track will be on Sunday.

    “The track its self is starting to show its age,” Puccia alluded to on Friday afternoon. “As a crew chief you have to deal with bumps and mechanical grip, while maintaining a good aero platform. It’s a challenge we are looking forward to tackling this weekend.”

    Biffle qualified his No. 16 ‘Give Kids A Smile’ Ford in the fourth position, which marks his best starting position this season.

    “I thought it was pretty good,” Biffle expressed about his qualifying run. “We definitely had a car that could have qualified on the front row, but I missed turn one by a little bit. I don’t know if it was enough to beat (Tony Stewart) or not on that last (segment), but we’re really happy that we’ve got a decent car we can work with this weekend.”

    Biffle, who has 20 Cup Series starts in Forth Worth, Texas, has an average finish of 12.7 and is currently second in most laps led at the historic 1.5-mile speedway.

    This weekend appears to be an intriguing opportunity for Biffle as he looks for his first appearance in victory lane this weekend that will all but clinch him a berth in the Chase.

  • AJ Allmendinger Hunting Victories; Craving Chase Berth

    AJ Allmendinger Hunting Victories; Craving Chase Berth

    AJ Allmendinger doesn’t have the greatest equipment on the racetrack, however, he’s doing the best he can with what he’s been provided.

    “I think so far up to this day it’s been a good season.” Allmendinger explained on Friday in the media center. “The switch over from Toyota last year to the RCR (Richard Childress Racing) alliance this year with Chevy for us has been tough. There is a lot of work that has gone into it.”

    The JTG Daugherty Motorsports driver has yet to crash this season – which is important for an under-funded team. He’s finished inside the top 26 every race, with a season-best finish of eighth at Auto Club Speedway.

    “I think we have raced really well on Sunday’s.” Allmendinger furthered commented. “Our cars have been fast. The first few weeks we had good runs but we just had some bad luck or just some things that happened (which) took us out of a really good finish.”

    Allmendinger enters this weekend hoping to score his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) triumph at Texas Motor Speedway. He’s already had mild success in the lonestar state; he’s earned two top 10 finishes while averaging a finish of 21.6, in only 10 career starts.

    “It’s six races in (the season).” Allmendinger expressed. “I don’t want to get too over excited about where we are at, but the direction where the team is headed (is great) and I feel like as we are gelling together I like what is in the future for us. It’s just kind of taking it one day at a time.”

    NASCAR’s new Chase system focuses mainly on winning; therefore, finding yourself in victory lane almost guarantees you a spot in NASCAR’s playoffs. Allmendinger still firmly believes he can make the Chase if circumstances present themselves.

    “A team like ours, you know the ultimate goal is to win.” Allmendinger explained. “That is why we show up every weekend, but we have got to set realistic goals as well. That is to continually keep getting better. This is a team that was 30th, 31st (in points) last year and we are 16th in points right.”

    “We have got to be a consistent top-20, top-15 team to get inside the top-10 and give ourselves shots to win races, to learn how to do that. That is something that, hopefully, we can continue each weekend and get better and kind of keep being in the mix at least and being competitive.”

    Allmendinger, who was dismissed from NASCAR for drug related issues a few years back, has revived himself and is now in contention to possibly visit victory lane, and if the 34-year-old competitor can remain focus, the No. 47 team could assume and underdog role and possibly achieve their ultimate goal – making the Chase.

  • RACEDAY: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Seeking First Martinsville Clock

    RACEDAY: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Seeking First Martinsville Clock

    @DaleJr scored the biggest win of his career at Daytona International Speedway in February, yet he’s still craving more wins. This weekend at Martinsville Speedway, he will be aiming to score his first victory at the exciting short track.

    “This is a track I’ve been trying to get a win at for a long time.” Earnhardt Jr. explained in the media center on Friday. “I grew up in a house full of clocks so it’s been pretty elusive. We have had some good cars here that I’ve felt like could have won races and we just weren’t able to get the job done for whatever reason, somebody was faster or whatever.”

    Currently sitting second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver standings, he has witnessed his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, @JeffGordonWeb and @JimmieJohnson, dominate ‘The Paperclip’ for the past decade.

    “Obviously Jimmie (Johnson) has had a lot of success here, but he seems to be very consistent in how he drives and deliberate in how he drives this track. They (Jeff Gordon and Johnson) are definitely two guys that have had a lot of success here so you sort of tune in to what they are doing, how they are setting up their cars and what their comments are about their cars,” said Earnhardt.

    Last season, the driver of the No. 88 finished eighth and 24th at Martinsville after starting outside the top 10 in both races. His career-best showing was second in 2006 and 2008, but he’s still determined to get his first grandfather clock.

    This season, we’ve seen Earnhardt be more aggressive and crew chief Steve Letarte take more gambles. These gambles were taken due to NASCAR’s new Chase system that focuses on winning. This weekend, considering he’s almost guaranteed himself a Chase spot, driver and crew chief can be more aggressive with strategy to help get their first Martinsville victory.

    “Yeah we (No. 88 team) have (been more aggressive) in the last couple of years regardless how the points system is stacked up, we have had guys pushing each other around here quite on a regular basis so I assume if there is anyone within reach on that last lap of the leader then the he is going to have his hands full.” Earnhardt expressed about being more aggressive. “I can tell you though as far as being offensive, defensive, you are only as offensive as your car will allow you to be.”

    This weekend marks Earnhardt Jr.’s 29th trip to Martinsville. It seems with the confidence and swagger he has that NASCAR’s favorite driver could capture the checkered flag on Sunday.