Bleacher Report - Articles by Mitch Heath

Two Legend Teams Share Sadness as Standalone Petty Enterprises Welcomes GEM

Mitch Heath — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:48:44 -0500

The Petty's and the Andretti's, two names that in the racing world will never be forgotten.

At Martinsville in 1999, John Andretti drove the No. 43 STP Pontiac Grand Prix to victory lane, which stands as the last Cup victory for "The King" Richard Petty's team, which for Andretti stands as a humbling experience for a man who hails from a family that has produced greats such as Michael and Mario Andretti.

Since the start of Petty Enterprises in the 1970s they have collected over 200 wins (with help from The King himself of course) so you would think with a team with that impressive of a "track" record would go nearly 10 years without a race win, which also tops the NASCAR list of active winless teams with 348 races since a victory.

In those 10 years, Petty Enterprises has struggled to keep their feet on the ground but with their merger with Gillett Everham Motorsports, it give them the help that they need to get a few more wins under the King's belt.

Tony Stewart Wins: Controversy At 'Dega

Mitch Heath — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:33:05 -0400

So I know I haven't written in a while and I also know that I don't have the power to appeal or change NASCAR decisions but the call that was made about Regan Smith earlier today was unfair.

In the green-white-checkered finish today during the Amp Energy 500 at the Talledega Superspeedway, Tony Stewart was named the winner although Regan Smith crossed the line first. Stewart was named the winner because Smith made his pass below the yellow line on the last lap but the NASCAR rules state that it is legal to pass below the line if forced under the line as is what happened.

Coming into the tri-oval, Stewart had the lead but Smith gained a run on Stewart and went for the pass but Stewart was trying to block Smith and ended up pushing Smith below the line and wouldn't allow him to come back on to the racing surface. After the checkered flag, NASCAR declared Stewart the winner because Smith went below the line.

In a post-race interview Smith stated that in the drivers' meeting they say that on the last lap anything goes and also mentioned the rule about being forced below the line and closed by saying, "second place sucks."

Which was after NASCAR's decision left Paul Menard in the second position and Regan Smith in the 18th spot which was the last car on the lead lap.

So I'm just guessing here but I'm expecting DEI inc. to appeal NASCAR's decision within the next few days.

Jimmie Johnson Comes Out On Top of "Tireing" Race at the Brickyard

Mitch Heath — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:29:46 -0400

The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard was anything but an easy race. Due to constant competition cautions for teams to check tirewear every 10-12 laps, the longest green flag run was 12 laps.

It seemed that throughout the race Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon had the cars to beat when in the pits they would always take four tires and it seemed to do the trick, but later on Carl Edwards would be a factor and would be the first driver to challenge Johnson all day.

The last competition caution came with about ten to go and Johnson and his Crew Chief Chad Knaus decided to take the race-winning strategy and take two tires—at that point all Johnson needed to do was hold off the rest of the pack.

Sunday gave Johnson his second win at the Brickyard and his second time kissing the very rubbery bricks. It also gave him his second win this season.

Jimmie Johnson Wins ESPN ESPY

Mitch Heath — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:05:52 -0400

Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson has won yet another big award, an ESPN ESPY. Johnson won the award at the 16th annual ESPN ESPY awards for best driver.

ESPYs are chosen by people online and Johnson was picked over NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Kyle Busch, and former Indy 500 winner, former IRL champion, and NASCAR Rookie Dario Franchitti, this year's Indy 500 Winner Scott Dixon, Formula One Star Lewis Hamilton, and four-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Tony Schumacher.

Johnson was nominated for an ESPY last season but was beaten by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon. By the end of last year, Johnson had a career high 10 wins and won the Championship for his second time.

Kyle Busch was nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete, but was beaten out by Minnesota Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson.

Jimmie Johnson is currently fifth in Sprint Cup points with only one win this season at the Phoenix International Speedway.

Martin Truex, Jr. and DEI to Pay Hefty Fines for NASCAR Penalty Infringements

Mitch Heath — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:20:21 -0400

After Martin Truex, Jr.'s car infringement at Daytona this past weekend he faced very hefty fines. As stated on NASCAR.com the exact penalties were related to Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-3.8A (roof of the car does not conform to the specifications).

Since the race at the Daytona International Speedway last Saturday night was an impound race, Truex Jr.'s car was impounded by NASCAR and he was forced to go into a back-up car, although he was not sent to the back of the field at the start of the race.

Truex Jr. and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. owner Teresa Earnhardt were both fined 150 driver and owner points.

Additionally, Martin's crew chief Kevin Manion and car chief Gary Putnam were both suspended from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events for six weeks or until August 27. Their next race will be at the California Speedway, and both were placed on probation until December 31. Manion was also fined $100,000.

The Vice President of DEI, John Story, stated that he was still trying to figure out how Truex's car was able to fit into the car templates at the shop but not into the templates that NASCAR uses.

The 150-point penalty dropped Truex Jr. from 14th to 18th in the point standings, setting him even further away from getting into the Chase for the Cup, which is set September 6th.

This event just goes to show that NASCAR is not taking rule infractions lightly with the new Car of Today.

Jimmie Johnson Had 10 Wins Last Season—Can Kyle Busch Tie or Better It?

Mitch Heath — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:11:39 -0400

During the 2007 season Jimmie Johnson had 10 wins and then went on to win his second championship. Kyle Busch and Johnson were then teammates, and Busch had only one win.

Now, Busch is with Joe Gibbs Racing and has six wins so far this season, whereas Johnson only has one win at Phoenix.

Johnson not only had the most wins last season but he also won the championship. Could the same fortune be in store for Busch?

At this point of the season last year Jimmie Johnson only had four wins, so Kyle Busch is already on track to beat that record.

Kurt Busch: Hope Still in Sight

Mitch Heath — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:28:37 -0400

Sunday at the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, rain fell down ending the race early, but pride rose high for Kurt Busch.

With his last win coming at the Michigan Speedway way last August, you could say that this win has been overdue.

Kurt has spent most of the 2008 season following the shadow of his younger brother Kyle, who has five wins this season. Kurt has one win, and with a previous best finish this season of second during the Daytona 500 in February.

Kurt, 22nd in Sprint Cup points, has been plagued with many inconsistent races and finishes, but the Las Vegas native has not given up despite his rather harsh luck this season.

With one of the most successful men in racing as his team owner (Roger Penske) and his well respected crew chief Pat Tryson, Kurt Busch was bound to get another win sooner or later.

Although Sunday's race may not have ended the way he might have liked it to have, the feeling of being in victory lane was certainly well-deserved and fought for.

Since this is only week 16 of the NASCAR season and the Chase for the Cup starts in about 10 races, who knows what the future may have in store for the 29 year-old driver of the No. 2 Miller Light Dodge: Kurt Busch.