Bleacher Report - Articles by Sal Sigala Jr.

Greg Biffle Making His Off-Road Debut on Saturday in Vegas Race

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:44:42 -0500

Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion who finished seventh overall in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will be competing in the first off-road race of his career when he competes in Saturday’s Henderson Fabtech Desert Classic.

Biffle, who will be sharing driving duties in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R with Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges, is scheduled to start the race behind the wheel.

“This will be the first time I’ve ever competed in an off-road race, so I’m real excited about it,” said Biffle.

“I got to do a little bit of practice in the spring time when Ford was doing a promotional event with the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race version truck and I enjoyed it so much I said, ‘Hey, I want to participate in a race,’ so this opportunity came up to run one of the Best in the Desert races on Dec. 5 in the Raptor."

Unlike NASCAR that only allows one driver in the car at a time, Biffle will be giving Philip Ryan, a race fan from Cadott, WI, the ride of his life.

Ryan, 59, was the winner of Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor Unleashed Sweepstakes and will get to sit in the Raptor’s third seat during Biffle’s leg of the race along with MacCachren.

“Yeah, they’ve got three seats in this Raptor, so they usually put a media person, a mechanic, or a contest winner in the vehicle, so that’s gonna be fun for them.”

Biffle also added that, “The plan is I’m going to start and Rob MacCachren is gonna be brave enough to ride with me. He’s gonna be my co-driver and I can’t think of anybody better to have in the right seat than him, talking to me about what to do and what-not-to-do. I’m looking forward to it. It’s gonna be fun.”

NASCAR Fever Hits Epidemic Proportions (HUMOR)

Sal Sigala Jr. — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:18:24 -0500

The end of the season is finally here, and once again the fans will begin complaining about a mysterious illness that only surfaces after the season is over.

The illness itself usually starts as a withdrawal right after the awards ceremony, but as the days go by it begins to gradually progress into a fever that has some very strange symptoms.

Over the years many doctors and scientists have worked hand in hand to try and find a cure for it, but each year their futile attempts have fallen short because once the month of February comes around, the fever will mysteriously cease to exist.

I decided to do a little research of mine own, so I made a call to the American Medical Association after the season to see if they had made any progress on a possible remedy.

Well it seems that they did make some progress, and they gave me a number to a well known doctor who’s a specialist in the NASCAR field. When I first heard the name, I was beside myself and thought, “Why didn’t I think of calling him in the first place?”

After a lengthy talk with Dr. Jerry Punch who is not only a doctor, but also a NASCAR announcer, he began tell me about some of the symptoms that lead up to the fever.

Punch also said that the preliminary medical name for the fever is: Nascarcircleosis, and that the name could be changed to something a little more easier to pronounce.

I asked Dr. Punch if it was okay to share the symptoms along with the side affects, and he had no problem with letting the fans know what he has found out so far.

He said that some of the symptoms are:

1. You find yourself putting saran wrap on your windshield, so that you can simulate a tear off.

2. A sudden desire to wake up at two or three in the morning, because no one is around and you want to time yourself to see how fast you can drive around the block.

3. Always making left turns to get to the market.

4. Instead of using the nozzle to fill up your car, you carry five gallon gas cans and use those instead.

5. You remove all of your dashboard gauges except for the tachometer, oil pressure, and water temperature gauge.

6. You weld the doors shut, and make your family jump in through the windows.

7. You build yourself a roll cage out of P.V.C. plastic pipe.

8. You make the family wear headsets while driving in the car.

9. You don't listen to music anymore. But instead you record, “Crank it up" and play that all day.

Now Dr. Punch did share that there was a temporary remedy for it, but he also said that some of the fans could also be immune it.

He said to record Brad Dougherty and Rusty Wallace commentating on race day, and anytime you get any of these symptoms just play the recording and that should help.

Dr. Punch also gave me this list of side affects if the remedy just happens to work.

1. Sudden fits of rage and temper flare ups, especially when you see certain drivers on your T.V. screen on race day.

2. While getting on the freeway, you suddenly feel the urge to bump draft the driver in front you.

3. Anytime you see a food wrapper on the road, you automatically slow down.

4. Whenever you see a cop with his flashing lights on, you pull up right behind him thinking that it’s a pace car.

These are just a few of the things that Dr. Punch said to look out for, and he also said that he can be reached at 1-800-haveasafeoffseason.

Tim George Jr. To Race Full-Time in the ARCA Series for RCR in 2010

Sal Sigala Jr. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:15:07 -0500

Richard Childress Racing has signed 28-year-old Tim George Jr. as a developmental driver to compete full time in the 2010 ARCA RE/MAX Series.

George, who first made his RCR debut in the November 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, where he finished 29th will be driving the No. 31 Chevrolet Impala beginning with the series opening race at Daytona International Speedway on February 6.

“I am honored by the opportunity to work with and learn from Richard Childress, Mike Dillon and everyone at RCR. I’m going to absorb as much as possible in 2010 from the wealth of knowledge that exists there,” said George.

George will race in all 20 ARCA RE/MAX events in 2010, after finishing 11th in the point standings last year which was also his rookie season.

“My No. 1 goal is to get a lot better at setting up these cars,” said George.

“Another season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where I have competed on most of the tracks, will make this easier to focus on.”

“The goal of RCR’s driver development program is to enhance and strengthen the skills needed to compete at NASCAR’s top levels,” said Mike Dillon, vice president of competition for Richard Childress Racing who also oversees the driver development program.

Dillon also added that, “A second season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series will allow Tim to further develop his driving skills in a stock car since he only has one year of experience. We’ll put together a strong crew chief and team that will allow Tim the opportunity to develop his talents to the fullest.”

George will join RCR’s other developmental drivers Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, and Ryan Gifford. RCR who celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, has also won championships in all three of NASCAR's top series.

NASCAR's Love for Stickers Continues To Stick Around

Sal Sigala Jr. — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:37:59 -0500

Do you remember as kid growing up that un-profound love that you had for stickers? You would put them anywhere there was an open spot, on your school books, lunchboxes, bikes, lockers, and they even showed up on your dad and mom’s new car.

Stickers have always played some sort of role in our everyday lives, with one of the most common uses being they are a great way to advertise. You see them on phone booths advertising taxi companies; you see them at colleges advertising rooms for rent, and you even see them on boarded up storefronts.

But the classic is on the back windows of motor homes or R.V.’s letting the whole world know where you have vacationed at.

America has always had a love for stickers, and NASCAR is not immune from that love with the way they have utilized them for the sport.

We already know how important sponsorship is to the sport, because this is where the teams get their money from to able to race week after week.

The sponsors needed a way to advertise their products so that the public knows who they are, and NASCAR needed a way to give them as much exposure as possible. So what better way than to utilize these stickers which are not only durable, but they are also a lot cheaper to make than to actually paint the sponsors logo on the car which is very time consuming as well as expensive.

Stickers can be made in any shape, size, or color depending on what the sponsor’s logo is, and they can be made in just a few minutes once the pattern is designed.

Stickermania has taken NASCAR by storm, and it’s evident because we see them on every race car as well as the transporters that carry our favorite driver’s cars around the country week after week.

The placement of each sticker also plays a very significant role, because they just can’t be put anywhere on the car.

Every sponsor has their own individual spot on the car that they paid for; examples such as Sunoco, Hurst, AutoMeter, Goodyear, as well as the other major sponsors pay big bucks to have their stickers put in prime locations on the car.

Along with the sponsors, NASCAR has also mandated that their own stickers be put on select areas as well.

As each car goes through tech inspection, NASCAR makes sure that each sticker is exactly where it belongs such as Goodyear which will always be placed over the front tires, and if not the car fails until each sticker is properly placed.

NASCAR also pays out contingency money to the drivers that can bring in extra revenue through sponsorship, which is why the more popular drivers will have additional stickers that might not be found on a less popular driver’s car.

Along with the sponsorship stickers that adorn the hood, trunk and sides of the car, there are also the big numbers that are not only positioned on both sides of the car but the roof as well. The roof number faces inward towards pit row so that as the car is going down the backstretch, the NASCAR officials who were in charge of counting laps could easily tell where the car was that they were assigned to.

NASCAR now uses electronic scoring via a box called a transponder, which is actually a device that sits next to the fuel cell with electronic wires that are embedded in the track.

Whenever a car runs over those wires, the transponder picks up the signal sending back to a computer letting the scoring official know exactly when they ran it over.

This system of scoring also helps whenever a caution comes out and the field is frozen, by letting the scorer know exactly how to realign the cars before the green is waved again.

NASCAR still has scorers that count each lap that a car completes, just in case of a power failure to the system or some unseen occurrence happens that doesn’t allow the transponders to do their job.

Modern technology sure has changed our sport that derived from the use of a simple sticker, to having the luxury of just pushing a few buttons to get any kind of information from who has led the most laps, to the race leader, and all the way to who is running the fastest laps.

It’s hard to imagine all the trouble the scorers had as each car pitted, or when the yellow came out and they had to realign the field by using a set of binoculars, and relying on a piece of paper with a number glued to the top of the roof.

Something as simple as a sticker, but yet it is one of the most important tools that NASCAR makes the most of even in today’s modern world. .

At The Age Of 19: Joey Logano Makes History Of His Own

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:53:24 -0500

With all the publicity surrounding Jimmie Johnson’s historic accomplishment of winning four championships in a row along with Hendrick Motorsports capturing the top three spots in the Sprint cup point standings, a major story has gone almost unnoticed.

There was still one more history-making, record-breaking accomplishment that took place in the life of NASCAR’s youngest Sprint cup driver that has been overshadowed.

This young driver and his fellow contenders challenged each other all year long for an award that can only be won once and disputed in their first full year in the series.

There was no hype, and there was no excitement amongst the fans that usually follows a record-breaking accomplishment. Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot sponsored Toyota, at the age of 19 became the series’ youngest Rookie of the Year, while beating out fellow Rookie of the Year contender Scott Speed, driver of the No. 82 Red Bull sponsored Toyota by 33 points.

Logano also became the third JGR driver to capture the award behind Tony Stewart (1999) who left the team after the 2008 season, and current teammate Denny Hamlin in 2006. Logano who came into the series tabbed as the next best thing since sliced bread, at the age of 18 was tried, convicted, and sentenced by some of the fans who acted on behalf of the judge, jury and the rest of the racing world.

Logano was treated a lot differently than most rookies who have entered the series, and it was evident when the fans as well as the media began screaming foul while slamming down the gavel handing Logano a death sentence before he had a chance to prove himself.

“It was tough at times, believe me. You know the media wasn’t saying the greatest things but if anything it’s more motivating. You really want to keep pushing it and become a better race car driver,” he said.

Logano also said that, “Hopefully through the offseason here we can test a little bit and get some more seat time in these things and come better next year.”

There were many arguments that were brought before the young driver, which ranged from his lack of experience, all the way to his daddy’s money might be able to buy him a cup ride, but it can’t buy success.

Now in reality, are those two examples, along with the many others that were written about, reason enough to not give this young driver a fair chance at NASCAR stardom?

Especially since NASCAR is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against, ability, accomplishments, or the desire to be a cup driver.

Now even if that was the case, then how many other drivers should we put before the judge and the jury, because in reality there are maybe five to 10 drivers that truly belong in the series according to the standards that most had already put Logano up against that were far beyond rookie status.

The society that we live in wants to see instant results. We have no patience, especially when it comes to our beloved sports. The fans always want the microwave version of results, or in other words, who cares that some things take time and that not all drivers develop at the same high rate of speed as others.

Is it really fair to pre-judge not only him, but also any rookie driver before they have completed at least one full season?

He might not look like the driver who will be next in line to take NASCAR by storm today, but no one knows what tomorrow will bring. And this season Logano has proven that he does belong racing with the best while putting aside all the pre-conceived notions, that his daddy’s money is what bought him his success.

Because in the high stakes game of auto racing all the money in the world cannot buy the desire or the skill that it takes to maneuver a 3,500-pound car at the speeds that these drivers race at.

Logano, who left the season opener at Daytona 43rd in points, made great strides throughout the following weeks to finish 20th in points, while adding one win, three tops-fives and seven top-10 finishes to become NASCAR’s 55th rookie of the year.

“It’s really cool to get the Raybestos Rookie of the Year. It’s obviously one of our big goals. I’ve got to thank The Home Depot for sticking behind me throughout the year,” Logano said.

“(That) we had a real rough start and finished 20th in the points, I guess is okay. In the beginning of the season if you had told me that’s where we were going to finish I’d have been ecstatic about it but now you always want better.”

Donnie Wingo Taking Over the Helm of the No. 6 Roush Fenway Team

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:16:50 -0500

Roush Fenway Racing announced that Donnie Wingo will replace Jimmy Fenning who will be moved to oversee the teams R&D testing efforts, as crew chief of the No. 6 UPS team with driver David Ragan.

Wingo worked with then Chip Ganassi Racing driver Jamie McMurray during the 2003, 2004, and 2005 season. After McMurray was released from his contract in 2006 with Chip Ganassi Racing, McMurray would end up at Roush Fenway Racing leaving Wingo behind to work the box for Casey Mears.

Wingo would eventually work with Juan Montoya and Reed Sorenson during the 2007 and 2008 season, before being reunited with McMurray and the No. 26 team at Roush Fenway for the 2009 season.

McMurray and Wingo couldn’t find much magic together with one top five, and five top 10‘s while finishing 22nd in points with the only bright spot coming in October and the only bright spot was a victory at Talladega in October.

The duo most recently captured a win earlier this month at Talladega and Wingo is looking to build on that momentum with Ragan heading into the 2010 season.

"It's an honor to have the opportunity to work with David Ragan next season as well as our sponsor UPS,” said Wingo. “UPS has been a great sponsor in NASCAR for years and I'm truly looking forward to the chance to get the No. 6 Ford the finishes it deserves. I'm glad to remain with Roush Fenway Racing because I believe in the success we'll be able to achieve in 2010."

“Roush Fenway is looking to build the strongest possible teams and sometimes we do that by restructuring personnel,” said owner Jack Roush. “Jimmy Fennig’s experience and judgment are impeccable so we made the decision to re-assign him to head up our testing operations to try and make that department stronger.”

Roush also added that, “I think Donnie brings a wealth of experience to our organization having won races for multiple teams including our organization and we are anxious to see if he can challenge David Ragan and help him to realize the potential he showed in 2008," said Roush.

Ragan enters his fourth Sprint Cup season in 2010 looking to improve on this season and better his 2008 performance which included six top-five and 14 top-10 finishes and a 13th-place finish in points, barely missing the “Chase.”

Next year will also mark the first time the duo of Wingo and Ragan have worked together.

“I’m proud of my time with Jimmy (Fennig), he’s taught me a lot over the years, but now I’m looking forward to next year and working with Donnie Wingo and his engineer Derek (Stamets),” said Ragan, driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford.

“Those two are a great combination and it will be fun to work with someone new with fresh ideas. I’m excited to test a few times this off season and get things moving forward for next season. We’ll be ready for Daytona with a fast UPS Ford.”

Is Winning a Nationwide Championship the Best Option?

Sal Sigala Jr. — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:29:06 -0500

Dale Earnhardt Sr. won the first ever Busch Series race as it was called back in 1982 as a full-time cup driver; and since then many of the cup drivers have used the series to either get more valuable seat time, or to use as an extra practice session while familiarizing them with a track that maybe they were having problems with.

Bushwhacking, as it is known, has come under stream of controversy in today’s racing world, because many of the fans feel that it’s taking away from the up and coming drivers who use this series as stepping stone to advance to the cup level.

Each season we are witnessing more and more cup drivers who are not only using the series to gain more experience, but also adding the series on their schedules in hopes of winning the championship.

Kevin Harvick became the first full-time cup driver to win the championship back in 2006, followed by Carl Edwards in 2007, Clint Bowyer in 2008, and the most recent being Kyle Busch in 2009 becoming the series 21st champion.

Busch was also one of the drivers whose goal this past season was to race in the Nationwide series as it is known today, in hopes of winning the championship which he did. Busch also joined Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Brian Vickers, and Martin Truex Jr. as the only full time cup drivers to win a championship and not make the chase with Carl Edwards being the only driver to do so.

Now looking back at all the past Nationwide champions who have had their moment of glory, was there a price to pay for being able to say that you were the best for that one season?

And just how beneficial has the series been for the cup drivers who choose to put that extra piece of hardware in their trophy cases at home, and what cost did it come to them?

Well in the world we live in there is a thing called the law of averages, and for those who believe in this theory it can funnel into areas of our lives if we allow it to.

There are both good and bad sides to this theory, and from the looks of things the bad side has entered into a few aspects of the NASCAR series.

Now looking back at the past 21 Nationwide champions, only one driver has been able to find the good side of this theory, and capitalize on his good fortunes when he hoisted that nice bright shiny trophy above his head for all the NASCAR world to see.

In the 27 year history of the Busch/Nationwide series, Bobby Labonte has been the only driver that has won a championship in Nationwide series (1991), and the Sprint cup series (2000).

Not even two time winners Jack Ingram, Sam Ard, Larry Pearson, Randy LaJoie, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, or Martin Truex Jr. could accomplish what Labonte was able to.

Carl Edwards, who is a past Nationwide champion, almost joined Labonte in 2008 when he finished second to Jimmie Johnson for the Sprint Cup Championship, and Harvick has only won one Sprint cup race since his championship back in 2006.

Winning a Nationwide, or any championship in a lower tier series for that matter, is supposed to be a stepping stone for much greater success with the accolade being the proof that you have what it takes to move up to the next level.

But instead becoming a Nationwide champion has taken on a life of its own, while likening it to a driver signing his own death certificate from becoming a Sprint Cup champion.

The law of averages, for some unseen reason, does not want to play fair when it comes to allowing a driver the chance to embrace two of NASCAR’s most coveted trophies.

Who will be the next driver that will dance with the law of average's, and gamble with their own destiny?

*Jimmie Johnson Becomes Four-Time NASCAR Champion: The Symbol of Excellence?

Sal Sigala Jr. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:06:09 -0500

The 2009 season has just ended as most fans thought it would: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's sponsored Chevrolet, making history by winning his fourth championship in a row.

Never in the history of the sport has a driver been so unwelcome and scrutinized for winning a championship while, at the same time, putting his name in the NASCAR history books.

Johnson, who put his name next to a 30-year-old record just last season by winning his third championship in a row, was able to rewrite that same record on Sunday when he finished fifth to capture the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship, making it four in a row and making him the sole owner of the record.

But this season, as well as the chase, was different than in years past, and it was easy to realize by all the negative comments the team was receiving from fans on various NASCAR social sites.

Johnson was able to bring the NASCAR boards to a standstill with all the talk surrounding how he single-handedly made the Chase one the most uninteresting events the sport has ever witnessed.

The accomplishment will probably never be duplicated, but that didn’t matter to the thousands of fans who expressed their disgust with NASCAR for allowing the team to push the limits of the rulebook.

When NASCAR confiscated Johnson’s car after winning at Dover, along with his teammate Mark Martin’s who finished second, officials found the vehicles to be pushing the limits and warned the teams about being to close to the allowable tolerances.

The news sent a wave of uncertainty with many saying that somehow Chad Knaus, Johnson’s crew chief, had found a way to manipulate the rulebook just as he had done in previous seasons.

In their own defense, NASCAR once again confiscated the same two cars following the race at Kansas a week later, hoping to put to rest the accusations that took place just a week earlier.

In other sports where performance-enhancing drugs are always the culprits, NASCAR has to deal with the manipulation of one of the thousands of parts that go into building these high-speed athletes on wheels.

An athlete doesn’t become Superman overnight when they begin to take these supplements, but there is a process that takes place in order for them to become fully affective.

Weightlifting, along with a stringent conditioning regime is the only way to get the drugs' full effect.

There are also ways that these supplements can be masked, just like there are ways of masking one of the many thousands of parts it takes to build a Cup car.

If you have ever watched a Cup car go through tech, there is no way they can check every part and there is a really good possibility that something can be missed.

As much time as Knaus spends around the car, there is a really good possibility that he has found something that could be within, or outside, the rules to help enhance the car's performance and, with time, has found a way to use it to his own advantage.

Either way, Johnson still needs to perform and his accomplishments have been proof that he has the driving skills to win championships. There are no guarantees, even if an enhancer is used, that luck or driver error couldn't easily ruin a good day at the track.

So until NASCAR can prove that Johnson’s cars were illegally altered (and it's too late now because the season is over), there will be those who choose to put an asterisk next to his four championships, and the record as well.

Roush Fenway Hoping To End Season The Way It Started: With a Victory

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:19:24 -0500

When Roush Fenway Racing began the 2009 season at Daytona International Speedway, the only goal in mind was to get all five of the team’s drivers into contention to bring a championship back to an organization that hasn’t seen one since Kurt Busch won his first during the 2004 season.

Jack Roush, team owner of all five drivers, came so close last season with Carl Edwards, the driver of the No. 99 Aflac sponsored Ford Fusion, who put up a valiant effort against the eventual Sprint cup champion Jimmie Johnson, finishing second by only 69 points.

Even though Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M sponsored Ford Fusion, would finish out the 2008 season in third, 217 points behind Johnson, there was still that ray of hope that some of that momentum could be carried over into the 2009 season.

After all, the team was able to hold the powerhouse team of Hendrick Motorsports at bay with two of their three drivers taking two of the top five spots at season's end.

Roush Fenway would come out strong to start off the 2009 season with Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 DeWalt sponsored Ford Fusion, picking up his first as well the organization's first Daytona 500 win.

The win sent a statement out to the rest of the teams that Roush Fenway was geared up and ready to play, and they were prepared to take on all comers.

After Kenseth picked up the victory the following week at Auto Club Speedway, giving him wins in the first two races of the season, the man in the hat had four of his drivers sitting in the top 10 in points (Matt Kenseth first, Greg Biffle fifth, David Ragan eighth, and Carl Edwards ninth).

But as the season would progress, so would the fire that burned within them leaving all but two drivers still within the top 10.

As fate would have it, Kenseth surprisingly would be eliminated from making the chase for the first time since its introduction into the series, back in 2004. Edwards and Biffle would be the only two Roush Fenway drivers representing the organization in the chase, even though they have both remained winless on the year.

Heading into the final race of the season at Homestead, Roush Fenway Racing is hoping to close out the season the same way it started: with a victory. Victories have been far and wide so far this season for an organization that has the most wins at this track, winning the last five and six out of the last seven.

Biffle’s three consecutive wins in 2004, 2005, and 2006, does make him a good candidate to pick up the team's fourth victory of the season and the second win of the Chase, coupled with Jamie McMurray who took the victory at Talladega Superspeedway.

“It’s always been a good track for me, and I’m pretty proud to have contributed half of those six wins,” said Biffle.

“As for the team as a whole, I think that we hit on something there a few years ago and were able to just carry over the success. It’s also a driver’s track, and we have some of the best drivers in the series.”

A strong case can also be made for Edwards who has finished inside the top five the last three years, including the win to close out last season's Chase (’06 – second, ’07 – fourth, and ’08 – first), even though he only has two top 10’s in this season's chase.

“It’s our last chance to get a win in 2009. It’s been a tough year. We’ve been working hard. Our mile-and-a-half program is better now than it’s been for a long time, so this race really is one that I feel we have a good shot of running well," Edwards said.

“Our history there is great. We won it last year. It was special to me last year, so it would be an honor for me to do that again.”

This weekend will mark the end of an era for Matt Kenseth and Roush Fenway Racing. After more than a decade serving as the primary sponsor for Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 team, DEWALT will run its last race aboard the No. 17 Ford Fusion this weekend at Homestead.

One of the most successful partnerships in NASCAR history, the duo of Kenseth and DEWALT teamed for the 2000 Rookie of the Year Award, the 2003 Championship, and the 2009 Daytona 500 win during their 10-plus year tenure together.

Kenseth, who won here back in 2007, is hoping to end the season the same he started: with a victory.

“It started really well at Daytona and California obviously, but started to go down the next week at Las Vegas when we finished last," said Kenseth.

"It was a frustrating season, because we just did not run well enough. We’ve made some gains the last few weeks and hopefully we will continue to build on that as we move towards next season.”

Jack Daniel's Chevrolet To Carry Special “Thank You” Hood at Homestead

Sal Sigala Jr. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:31:59 -0500

After five seasons and three drivers with RCR, Jack Daniel’s, sponsor of the No. 07 Richard Childress Chevrolet, will no longer be a part of NASCAR after the season-ending race in Homestead this weekend.

So, in honor of all the drivers, crew chiefs, crew members, and administration personnel who have worked with the program since first climbing on board with RCR back in 2005, the company has decided to put all 140-plus names around the words "Jack" and "Thanks" on the hood.

The special hood was the company’s way of showing how much they appreciated all the hard work that went on to make this team the success that it was.

It also added a personal touch that was handed down from the founder, Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel, who personally made sure his recipe for Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 was always carried out by human touch.

Clint Bowyer, who is currently sitting 15th in the points standings, had the longest stint with Jack Daniels from 2006-2008 before moving over to Cheerios/Hamburger Helper for the 2009 season.

Dave Blaney was the initial driver behind the sponsor in 2005, and Casey Mears picked up the sponsor when he signed with RCR for the 2009 season.

During the five-year span from 2005-2009, the Old No. 7 picked up two wins, and two pole awards, to go along with 21 top-fives and 61 top-10 finishes.

"The last five years in the sport has been fun and exciting, to say the least,” said Dave Stang, Assistant Vice President of Brand Awareness for Jack Daniel’s. "It took a ton of people, and all those fantastic fans, to help Jack get its responsible drinking message communicated throughout the USA and beyond. We recognize them all with this little token of appreciation, Jack would be proud."

Tony Stewart Is Far from Dissapointed with 2009 Season; 2010 Should Be Better

Sal Sigala Jr. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:08:39 -0500

Life has a very peculiar way of helping us to expose what we are made of from the inside out. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a bad thing or that it should be taken the wrong way, but instead it should be looked at as more of a positive, especially when your own personal goals are involved.

Expectations along with those same personal goals always run high at the beginning of every season, and Tony Stewart was one driver who took that initiative, when he left Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the 2008 season to take over half ownership of Haas CNC Racing.

Stewart had found success in 10 years driving for Joe Gibbs Racing by winning two championships along with 33 victories overall, but there was still that void of someday owning his own Sprint Cup team which finally became a reality for Stewart.

Stewart, who brought along with him Penske driver Ryan Newman, set his sights on making the chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, which he did while keeping his season from becoming a total loss.

Newman on the other hand left an organization that was not going in the direction that he felt was going to benefit his career, and with his contract expiring at the end of the 2008 season, the opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time to sign on with a team that would meet his own expectations.

“People ask about our expectations and our goals and we had some goals and we didn't know what the expectations were going to be.”

Newman added that, “We've done a lot of great things as an organization. We've done a lot of great things as drivers to get to where we are, and for me personally to make the big change and obviously Tony as well, didn't have any idea what to expect.”

Stewart already knew that ownership has its fair share of responsibilities, and it all starts with a good solid foundation as well as a strong commitment to want to succeed.

"It has been consistent from day one. As soon as we made the commitment that this was what we were going to do. And as soon as Darian Grubb came aboard, I think that was the biggest key in making sure that it was a smoother transition.”

So now with one race left, Stewart sits fifth in points, while his teammate Newman also made the chase for the Sprint Cup Championship while holding onto the ninth spot.

Stewart should be feeling very proud of himself even though they are both mathematically eliminated from winning the championship this season.

Stewart has always been known as a driver that does not give in to adversity, and because of that trait he was able to pick up his first win as a team owner at Pocono back in June of this season.

Stewart would add another three wins to bring his total up to four so far on the season, easily surpassing those of his fellow Chevy team owners with the exception of Hendrick Motorsports which has 13 of its own.

Stewart also led the point standings for 13 weeks before giving way to Mark Martin once the Chase started, but even surrendering that lead wasn’t enough for him to look at this season as a disappointment.

"I think it's hard to be disappointed no matter where we end up. Just by getting two cars in the Chase and winning the races we've won this year exceeded more than what any of you guys [media] could have anticipated and we could have anticipated we were able to do.”

Stewart added that, “We knew on paper that it was possible, but the reality of it was going there and competing against great race teams every week. So to be able to accomplish this goal has been an awesome year for us. It's still no different than it was when everybody talked to us after Richmond about losing a 200-point lead of whatever it was.”

Good, solid teams don’t just magically come together; instead they are carefully planned out with a lot of hard work and dedication, and all that usually comes with a lot of trial and error.

Setbacks, as well as those times when all the hard work doesn’t seem to be paying off, are all part of the building process, but in order for a team to have a chance at succeeding it must go through those growing pains.

“It just shows that we still have work to do. We were able to exceed our expectations for the year, but at the same time we won't stop at that," said Stewart.

“We'll keep pushing to be better and to try to be where the No. 48 (Jimmie Johnson) team and the No. 24 (Jeff Gordon) team and the No. 5 (Mark Martin) team and all these great race teams that we're competing against and that we're racing for points.”

Stewart Haas Racing has all the ingredients needed to become a championship caliber team in the near future, but as in life there is still a building process that must take place before greatness can be reached.

The path that Stewart has chosen for his team has already begun paying dividends, and that alone is the best way to get started in the right direction.

But only time will tell just how much character and poise this team really has when it comes down to crunch time, and that will be the time when its foundation will be put to the test.

With the 2010 season just beyond the horizon, Newman has already begun looking ahead at the team’s potential, and his outlook sounds very promising.

“Realistically just building on the relationships that we’ve got and working on the race cars. I think we have great relationships we just have to use those relationships to polish up the race cars and be ready for 2010.”

Jimmie Johnson Extends Contract with Lowes and HMS Through 2015

Sal Sigala Jr. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:14:47 -0500

Lowes Companies Inc. announced today that they will be extending Jimmie Johnsons sponsorship deal all the way through the 2013 season, along with Hendrick Motorsports who extended Johnsons contract keeping him behind the wheel of the No. 48 through the 2015 season.

"Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports are a key part of our marketing efforts and outreach to our more than 225,000 employees," said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman and CEO. "We believe this is the best combination in racing, and we're proud to have Jimmie carry the Lowe's name in NASCAR."

Lowes has been Johnson’s primary sponsor since 2001, and together they have become one the most profitable relationships in NASCAR today.

Johnson, who picked up his first official NASCAR win at Auto Club Speedway his rookie year in 2002 along with finishing fifth in points, had nothing but admiration for the only primary sponsor that Johnson has ever had since coming into the series.

"Lowe's commitment to the 48 team and Hendrick Motorsports is tremendous and has been a source of pride for me personally," said Johnson. "We've built a championship team together, and I'm proud the 48 will carry the Lowe's colors for many more years."

Johnson who is on the verge of making NASCAR history with possibly his fourth championship in a row if he can finish 25th or better this weekend at Homestead, is also fourth on the list of drivers with the highest win percentage with 47 victories.

Johnson’s commitment to winning championships has made him one of NASCAR’s most marketable drivers, even though many of the sports fans have said that he lacks the fiery, hard nosed persona that most of the drivers carry around with them.

Johnson has been labeled at times of being a little to politically correct at times, but that didn’t sway Lowes decision to continue a business relationship with the 34-year-old California native.

Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick said that, "Jimmie is charting new territory in our sport, and that's due to a combination of natural talent and unsurpassed work ethic."

Hendrick also added that because of, "How he's committed himself is just incredible, and it shows in everything that he does—not just on the racetrack. There's no question that he's one of the great champions in all of sports, and he's not done yet."

Johnson’s current contract with Lowes would have expired after the 2010 season, and there is no word yet about the status of his crew chief Chad Knaus, whose contract expires at the end of 2010 season.

Tony Stewart Adds Tornados To His List of Sponsors for the 2010 Season

Sal Sigala Jr. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:36:09 -0500

At this time last season, Tony Stewart was putting the final touches on making a lifelong dream come true.

After entering the NASCAR series 10 years ago in 1999, Stewart went on to win two championships to go along with his 33 victories during this time span. In so doing, he added his name to the list of successful drivers in the Cup series.

Stewart, who is no stranger to taking on a few business ventures when it comes to the world of motorsports, took half ownership of a struggling team and within a season was able to turn it around while making a legitimate run for the Sprint Cup championship.

But all of this couldn’t have been possible, had it not been for the sponsorship that Stewart was able to secure for the season.

Sponsorship has not been easy to come by this past season, and even Stewart knew that he would have to depict his team as a serious threat to win races if he wanted to lock up good solid sponsors.

Old Spice and Office Depot quickly climbed on board, along with The Army for his teammate Newman, and he would also pick up Burger King along the way.

With many of the teams losing sponsorship for the 2010 season, Stewart is doing the opposite.

He announced this past Saturday that Tornadoes, a brand of Ruiz Foods, will take over for five races as Newman’s primary sponsor for the 2010 season.

"I honestly don't know. This is a time when you don't see a lot of new groups coming into the sport," said Stewart. "When we made the decision to start this venture last year and Ryan came on board, I think everybody kind of rallied around that and I think that's what's attracted a lot of these corporations to be a part of our family.”

Stewart will also carry the “How Bold Is How We Roll” logo on the hood of his No. 14 Chevrolet for a few races next season.

"It's important for us as a team," Stewart said. "But at the same time, it's important for Tornados. This is a time in our sport where it's hard to find sponsors that have the availability to sponsor a car for the whole season.”

“Making a package that works for them also is something that's important in our sport," Stewart added. "So it works for both sides. This is something that if it doesn't work for them, it doesn't work for us either."

Rick Hendrick's Midas Touch Turns the 2009 Season into Gold

Sal Sigala Jr. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:35:30 -0500

With a twinkle in his eye and sigh of relief, Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick looked like a kid who had just walked out of shopping spree at the neighborhood candy store this past Sunday.

After watching three of his chase drivers finish in the top 10, including the victory by Jimmie Johnson driver of the No. 48 Lowes sponsored Chevrolet, Hendricks was full of pride.

Hendrick's praise for one of his star driver's as well as his crew chief Chad Knaus cannot go unnoticed, and most of that comes from the chemistry, trust, and the bond that they have built together.

“I'm just proud of the way they work together," Hendrick said. "Chad and Jimmie have just been unbelievable. To watch them, I said this earlier today, I'm just glad I don't have to race against them.”

The accomplishments that have followed Hendrick throughout the years are pretty amazing when you take a short trip back in time.

Hendrick won his first cup championship back in 1995 with Jeff Gordon behind the wheel, but he didn’t stop there. He collected the next three with Terry Labonte, picking up the next championship in 1996.

Gordon would come back the year after Labonte won his, and pick up the next two in 1997 and 1998, giving Hendrick four in a row. The stread was a feat that had never been done by a team owner.

Now here he is 11 years later getting ready to tie his own history setting mark after winning the cup in 2006, 2007, and 2008. But which driver will it be that will give Hendrick No. 4 in a row, and ninth overall?

Jimmie Johnson is looking to add to his total of three consecutive championships, and with a championship on Sunday, he would become the first NASCAR driver to win four in a row.

Mark Martin can pick up his first championship and at the same put himself in the history books as the oldest NASCAR champion at the age of 50 by dethroning the three time champion.

Jeff Gordon, who hasn't won a championship since 2001 when he picked up No. 4, could put himself two closer to Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty with No. 5 by first getting by Johnson and Martin.

“It's an awesome feeling," Hendrick. "I really have a hard time explaining how proud I am of the organization, these guys right here, just unbelievable.”

Hendrick also added that as “I said this morning, Jimmie could be getting his fourth and setting a record that no one's ever done, Mark could get his first one, or Jeff could get the fifth one.”

The point standings alone tells another side of the story of just how dominating the Hendrick team has been, even though they are minus one driver from the chase.

But even that didn’t put a damper on the season that Hendrick knew his team was capable of.

It could easily be said that Mark Martin picked up a lot of the slack with the dream season that he has had so far, and it looks like the last race at Homestead will come down to a duel between Martin and Johnson for the championship.

“You know, we thought we would be good this year, knowing that one of our cars is going to win it. They’ve got to believe, and they do, said Hendrick. I think it's been good for us. I love the way the crew chiefs work together, complement each other. The drivers, you hear Mark on Jimmie, Jimmie on Mark," said Hendrick.

It’s almost hard to fathom that in the 25 years that Hendrick Motorsports has been a part of NASCAR racing, that they already have eight championships with one more waiting on the horizon.

The stress factor that goes along with having four top notch drivers under one banner has to be tremendous, but on the flip side very gratifying as well.

“I think the mentality of working together and being able to work under these kind of conditions when you're battling each other for the same goal, but you go into a room together on Saturday and you break it all down and you open up and you share, it's taken us a long time to get here, to get to that point,” Hendrick said.

“I can tell you what I'm going to do already in Homestead. But I'm going to go to the third place guy, the second place guy, and then the champion.”

What a great position to be in as a car owner, so NASCAR might as well put table on the stage for Mr. Rick Hendrick, because from the looks of things he will be spending a lot of time up there.

Jimmie Johnson Flirted With Disaster, Now He's Flirting with History

Sal Sigala Jr. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:59:07 -0500

“We finished 38th last week so I can't put my guard down. Anything and everything that could go wrong last week did. Going into this next week we just need to show up and race smart and do our thing."

While reading these words, it was hard not to sit back and ponder just how much this team has matured in the last few years.

After winning their first championship back in 2006, who would have ever thought that three years later they would be on the verge of making NASCAR history with No. 4 with one race left?

As it is championships are not easily won to begin with, but when you think about two in a row and then you throw in No. 3, that in itself is an amazing feat especially with all the talent that is out on the track.

Some of NASCAR’s best drivers have and might not ever see a championship, and that alone is a tell tale sign of just how hard they are to come by.

But there are still those fans who have elected to overlook all the hard work and time that the No. 48 team have put in to making their dreams come true, making there only prerogative to conjure up any excuse to discredit what they are accomplishing.

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's sponsored Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet has been on the receiving end of all the harsh comments since his first championship came under a cloud of controversy back in 2006.

It was during the season opening Daytona 500 when Johnson’s crew chief Chad Knaus was ejected from the 500 along with being suspended for the next three races for a device that that pushed the rear window out more than three-quarters of an inch to create an aerodynamic advantage.

Even though Knaus was also fined $25,000 along with the suspension, but none of this stopped Johnson from ultimately winning the race along with the championship at the end of the season.

It’s now been over two years since Knaus’s last run in with the NASCAR inspectors, but the possibility still lingers in the minds of his detractors that Knaus cannot be trusted.

One thing that a lot of the fans haven’t realized is that Johnson is still the driver behind the wheel, and his accomplishments have more than overshadowed the team’s dark past.

“If it's a slow phase from the fans, maybe in a position of not being respected for what I've accomplished, it will show up in due time. Everything runs its course.”

Johnson went on to say that, “With winning races, the fact we've won three championships, you know, that stuff is just proving what I'm made of, what the team's made of, who we are, what we're about. In time, we'll have our day in the sun.”

Johnson put into perspective exactly how the No. 48 team has been approaching this season’s championship run. Show up, race smart, and do our thing is easily the three key ingredients that they have utilized to keep themselves in contention to win number four.

The team has been in a zone, and right now they are running like a finely tuned orchestra. Even with the bad weekend at Texas, they were still able to regroup and put it all behind them and look ahead to the next challenge.

“We went into Texas, had the carpet jerked out from underneath our feet, finished 38th. Maybe there was a good lesson in that. Maybe it was a good lesson to myself and the team that this thing isn't over,” Johnson said.

Now it’s easy to speculate that a number of his many fans would probably say they knew after he won his first championship, that he would win the next two and today be looking at number four in a row.

But in reality all of that doesn’t matter because what Johnson did on Sunday with his dominating performance to the tune of leading 238 of the 312 laps, was show NASCAR nation that he is the man to beat no matter what is being said for or against him.

Once again Johnson let his driving take center stage, along with extending his points lead to 108 over his teammate Mark Martin going into the last race of the season next weekend at Homestead.

Johnson now has seven wins on the season, with four of them coming during the chase to bring his career total up to 47 while putting himself No. 13 on the all-time win list.

Even though he has already proved himself to his fans, there are still the detractors that are still whining that the team is either cheating, or that its Johnson's fault the chase is so boring. How does one driver make a race so boring, especially when there are 42 other drivers that are out on the track at the same time?

Johnson put it mildly by saying that, “Nothing has come easy for me my entire life. I don't expect the fan appeal, some of this perception stuff to come easy. I've always had to earn it. Here I am another year grinding it out and trying to earn it.”

After the mishap at Texas a couple of weeks ago which almost ruined the weekend, the team put together a valiant effort to get the car back out on the track which spoke a lot about the heart that this team has.

Johnson has been here before knowing what it takes to win the big ones, and if the boost he got from Phoenix is any indication of which direction the team is headed they will make history.

Going into Homestead this next weekend will be the final stop on a journey that has taken the team into through some pretty trying times, and all that is needed to accomplish a feat that has never been achieved is a finish of 25 or better.

Even though Johnson and company know that fate will have the final say-so, it's still up to them to hold there end of the bargain and not take fate for granted.

“That's the part where we just can't coast. We can't chill out, and I can't put my guard down. We have to stay focused and keep our heads down on the job at hand.”

Does Mark Martin Need To Dump the "Mr. Nice Guy" Personality?

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:52:47 -0500

With two races left to decide the 2009 Sprint cup champion, this is not the time for Mark Martin, who is close enough to dethrone the champion, to sit back and wait on fate to decide his final destiny.

It's time that Martin sheds the angel halo, and grows a set of horns if he ever expects to win his first championship.

Championships are not just given to a driver because he is the most respected, kind hearted, classiest, or because his demeanor is not to make enemies, but instead to keep his fellow competitors happy.

Championships are won because the driver takes on the mindset of someone who wouldn’t think twice about taking candy from a baby, or for a better way to put it, to push his way to front and fight tooth and nail to keep that position.

There is a transformation of the evil kind, that needs to take place if Martin expects to rip that championship away from his fellow competitors.

As of now, the championship is still up for grabs, and will be until the final checker is waved at Homestead.

Martin needs to get his hands a little more dirty, and not be afraid to play in the mud for these last two races.

Seizing the moment has not been one of Martin's strengths, and this could very well be the reason that he has been denied the chance to put his lips on that shiny peice of gold, but instead finishing second four times.

Martin has no one to blame but himself.

There comes a time when he has to look in the mirror and tell himself, “enough is enough, today is when I will begin taking risks and put all of my cards on the table, and at the same time doing whatever it takes to bring that championship home with me. No more mister nice guy."

Martin has made himself the most vulnerable driver on the track, with the other drivers knowing they can pull up on him without any worry of a hard dirty fight, which is why he only has 40 wins for his career.

Martin, who entered the chase in the No. 1 position, is still very much alive even though Jimmie Johnson stood his ground and took the points lead from him.

So far this season, Martin has shown that he has the skill as well as the knowledge of the sport, but he still lacks that mean rotten knock-out-punch that will get him his first championship.

After finishing second four times, Martin should have went back to the drawing board to figure out where it was he has gone wrong.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. won seven championships because he knew what he was racing for every time he buckled himself into his fire breathing, fuel thirsty, 3,500 pound office on wheels.

There wasn’t a race that went by where he didn’t give 150 percent, while being vicious enough to not let any driver get in his way of victory.

Earnhardt’s personality, along with these words of wisdom, is part of the reason why his legacy is still spoken about boldly around the Motorsports world.

“Get the hell out of the race car if you’ve got feathers on your legs or butt" Earnhardt once thought. "Put a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won’t climb up there and eat that candy ass. You win some, you lose some, you wreck some."

Now Martin on the other hand, needs to begin thinking if these are the words of wisdom that he wants left as his legacy, “Definitely no heartbreak whatsoever. I wasn’t BS’ing you guys; I didn’t take this job to go try and get a championship trophy.”

Because if they are, all he is doing is selling himself as well as his fans short.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. To Receive NCMA Achievement Award

Sal Sigala Jr. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:49:04 -0500

Whenever the name NASCAR is mentioned, there is one driver whose name is synonymous as one of the sport's biggest stars, and that name is Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Earnhardt did not fit the mold of the typical cup driver during his time, nor was he like the others once out on the track.

His daring, fearless, and unpredictable driving style quickly made him a fan favorite both for and against him, and it was from this driving style where he earned him his nickname the, “Intimidator.”

With 76 race wins and seven championships (tied for most all-time with Richard Petty) Earnhardt is one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history, winning both as a driver and team owner.

Earnhardt not only had one of the biggest hearts for his fans as well as the sport, but many of his biggest accomplishments went unnoticed and were done away from the limelight of his success.

Earnhardt believed that whenever a good deed was to be done, it should always be without all the accolades and congratulations that usually follow such actions.

The respect as well as the fan base that he built during his 21-year racing career, is still seen today whenever the name NASCAR is mentioned, and he is easily one the most recognizable sports stars in the world today.

Earnhardt’s hard nosed style of driving changed the way the fans viewed the sport, and even his death led to tremendous changes in safety that surely has saved drivers lives in today’s auto racing.

As big as he became, Earnhardt never forgot his humble North Carolina roots and on Tuesday Nov. 10, the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) announced that Dale Earnhardt Sr. will be the 2010 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award Recipient.

Earnhardt will be honored on Jan. 25, 2010 at the NCMA’s Fourth Annual Motorsports Industry Awards Banquet.

Past recipients have included; Benny Parson’s (2007), Richard Petty (2008) and Richard Childress (2009). Earnhardt was selected to receive the award for more than his remarkable on track success.

The North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards Banquet (NCMIA) presented by Senn Dunn Motorsports Insurance will be held Jan. 25, 2010 at the Embassy Suites in Concord, NC.

A fireside chat with many of Dale Earnhardt’s former Crew Chiefs will also be part of the evening’s special events to honor the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr.

So even in death the legacy that is Dale Earnhardt Sr. continues to live on, and just recently Earnhardt was selected to the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame joining just four other inductee’s (Bill France Sr, Bill France Jr, Richard Petty, and Junior Johnson.)

Does Jimmie Johnson Have the Whole Chase in His Hands?

Sal Sigala Jr. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:58:52 -0500

Was this a reality check for the No. 48 team, or was it the racing gods letting NASCAR Nation know who is really in charge, after many fans chose to blame the team for the so-called boring chase that we have been witnessing.

Remembering that this opinion comes from those who have chosen to take a dislike to Jimmie Johnson, and not from the rest of the fans who have their own thoughts on why the chase hasn’t been exciting.

Opinions can and usually go both ways, which is what makes this sport so diverse when it comes to debating with one another.

So how anyone can put the blame on one team when there are 42 other ones out there with the same agenda, at times just doesn’t make sense.

And maybe this was the plan of attack that was needed to bring the chase back into perspective, when on lap three of Sunday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway Sam Hornish Jr. knocked point’s leader Jimmie Johnson into the backstretch wall which could easily be looked at as a racing incident.

Hornish who pleaded his case after the race, and upon further review it was easy to see that he was also a victim just as Johnson was. "I got hit by the No. 00 [car of Reutimann] and was trying to catch it, and then got into Jimmie.

I feel bad for him, because I didn't want to take him out," Hornish said. "It's an unfortunate set of circumstances. Obviously, you don't ever want to detract from the championship when you're really not even involved in it."

Johnson, who was once again dominating the chase with a 184 point lead and three chase victories before entering Texas Motor Speedway, got a very rude wakeup call before he even had a chance to make his first pit stop.

With only three laps in the books, Johnson was left with a race car that looked worse than a Saturday night demolition derby winner.

But the looks didn’t dissuade Johnson from having enough faith in his team to get him back out on the track, even though crew chief Chad Knaus thought otherwise.

Instead the battle cry went out, and the 48 team went to work with help from Gordon and Earnhardt’s team, in a last ditch effort to get the three-time champion back out on the track to salvage whatever points were left.

"We knew we had to get out there and make up some points. It was definitely not the day we wanted. We did not want to lose points like that. Luckily we had a big margin.”

"The first report to me was that the car was done and we were going to put it on the truck. And then luckily the guys were able to massage some things around up front and get the suspension to work and sway bar to work and off we went,” Johnson said.

"I wanted them to keep working on it, to find a way to get it on the track."

Determination always plays a big role when you are winning, and it can also speak plenty when your back is against the wall which has been the team’s biggest asset since the chase began.

The team also knows that championships are not only won on the track, but they are also won in the pits as well as in the garage.

You survive a wreck early on, and still salvage the best finish possible even though he lost 111 points to second place Mark Martin. Fate has a very funny way of creeping up on a driver, and it usually strikes when the driver least expects it or when he is most invincible.

Not that Johnson has ever portrayed himself in that way, but instead since the chase started he has said that the championship won’t be decided until Homestead, and that anything can happen along the way.

Indestructible, unbeatable, and unshakable is what many of Johnson’s fans have felt since the chase started, and now that the kryptonite has fallen within superman’s reach it will be interesting to see how the team will dispose of it for the next two races.

"We've got two great race tracks for us (coming up, Phoenix and Homestead).We didn't want this by any means but we're still in a great position and we'll go to Phoenix and race."

After spending more than an hour in the garage and going down 112 laps, Johnson was slowly watching his points lead dwindle thinking about the dilemma that he was in.

It wasn’t until after the race when Johnson said that, “I just wished that Sam Hornish didn't lose control of his car.

I wish he could have waited a little while longer to hit something. It was so early in the race and it was taking me out in the process.”

Johnson’s 73 point lead still makes him the biggest threat to win the championship, despite the fact that all the chasers below were finally able to make up some ground. But ultimately even though Johnson may have hid problems at Texas, there are no guarantees that he will have them for these last two races.

But then again, he could be on the receiving end with the racing gods taking center stage.

Martin Poised for Fifth Chance to Win his First Sprint Cup Championship

Sal Sigala Jr. — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:13:14 -0500

Throughout his career, NASCAR driver Mark Martin, of the No. 5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports, has had more than his fair share of disappointments.

Martin can proudly boast of having the most Nationwide series victories with 48 to go along with his astounding 148 top 10's.

Even with all his wins and finishes, the most important piece of hardware still eluded him, with his best finish coming in 1987 when he finished eighth.

Many look at Martin as the sports most respectable driver, by the way that he carries himself whether he is having a good day or bad one.

Martin is unafraid to wear his emotions on his sleeve, despite his naturally soft-spoken persona.

With the energy level along with the intensity that NASCAR racing generates, not even cynics can explain what keeps this driver so cool and calm, especially in retrospect of all the years Martin has put behind the wheel.

Three decades of frustration should have at least put a small kink in his armor, but instead, it created a more precise, meticulous, and defined driver.

Martin already knows about disappointment, but what he understands even more is that the sport he chose to make his living from is one with no guarantees.

It is this mindset that continues to make him a fan favorite and puts him in a class almost untouchable.

Racing fans have their favorite drivers, as well as the ones that they just love to hate.

However, looking back at the remarkable career of a driver who has finished second to three of the sport's biggest stars (Earnhardt Sr., Gordon, and Stewart) in the cup series, it is no wonder Martin's attitude continues to shine brightly like a character out of a fairy tale.

Martin’s first disappointment came back in 1990, only a year after his first win.

With only two race left in the season, Martin was ahead of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the standings by a mere 45 points.

After Earnhardt’s win at Phoenix, where he finished 10th, Martin found himself six points behind the new leader. All Martin needed to do during the final race at Atlanta was to finish two places higher than Earnhardt and hope that Earnhardt would not lead a lap.

Not only did Earnhardt lead a lap, but he also finished three spots higher than Martin, giving him the championship by 26 points.

Martin was never close in 1994, when he finished 444 points behind Earnhardt who picked up his seventh and final championship.

A new era of drivers continued to make their presence felt thereafter.

Jeff Gordon won his third championship in 1998 while denying Martin his first by 364 points.

By now Martin had to be asking if he would ever get another chance, and if he did, would the fourth time be a charm? It didn’t take that long for Martin when 2002 rolled around, and he once again found himself battling for that first elusive championship.

With two races left on the schedule Martin was well within striking distance, only 112 points behind leader Tony Stewart. Martin would cut Stewarts lead to 89 points entering the last race of the season at Homestead.

But Martin would be denied a fourth time, this time falling short by 38 points after finishing fourth at Homestead while Stewart finished 18th.

When you look back, Martin's best chance was back in 1990, and he would have won it if not for a 46-point penalty at Richmond, for using an illegal (but non-performance enhancing) carburetor spacer.

In 2009, here is Martin once again, looking at his fifth chance at possibly winning his first championship—only 73 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson with two races left.

After the race a couple of weeks ago at Talladega, Martin was looking down the barrel at a 184 point disadvantage, which has now been sliced thanks to Johnson, who wrecked on the third lap this past weekend.

Back in familiar territory, and Martin knows the feeling all too well, which should make him a threat these last two races.

If the No. 48 team happens to falter again, it’s up to Martin and the No. 5 team to take full advantage while going for the jugular.

"We can go head-to-head with them. No doubt about it. In Phoenix, we led the most laps and won the last time there, and we have no reason to think we can't run strong at Homestead” said Martin.

Martin added, "There could still be swings in the points. There are two races left; you never know what's going to happen. No matter what the outcome is we've raced our guts out and I'm so proud of this team."

If Martin does happen to finish second for the fifth time in his career, at least he can say that he finished below some of the sports greatest drivers.

And no matter what the outcome may be, Mark Martin has accomplished what he set out to do when the season began.

“Definitely no heartbreak whatsoever. I wasn’t BS’ing you guys; I didn’t take this job to go try and get a championship trophy. I took this job, you know why, and doggone, it has worked out pretty good.”

NASCAR Looks To the Heavens with Public Prayer Before Each Race

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:54:38 -0500

Matthew 10:32—"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven."

Race day is finally here, and it’s the time of the week NASCAR fans from around the country have been waiting for.

After all the pre-race shows have ended, it’s time to get ready for the driver introductions and the National Anthem; usually sung by some pop music superstar.

Now before the drivers get the command to start their 850 horsepower fuel-thirsty engines and begin the three-plus hours that it takes to run a typical race, there is still one more order of business.

Sandwiched between all of the hoopla is the public prayer asking a higher power to watch over the drivers, teams, and the fans as well.

With as dangerous as this sport is, the R&D team, which already does a fantastic job of keeping the sport as safe as it possibly can, could always use some extra help in a territory that is far from their area of expertise.

NASCAR believe it or not, is the only sport that utilizes public prayer and televises it before each race; asking for that extra hand of protection upon the drivers, fans, and those involved with the sport.

With the high speeds these cars race at, along with the close side by side racing that produces extreme amounts of unpredictable human error, it’s no wonder NASCAR chooses to seek the assistance from a source which is way beyond the advances of our own modern technology.

As thorough as the R&D team is, there are still those areas that can be overlooked except by the One who can foresee beyond our wild imagination.

Its been eight years, 320 races, and roughly 6,192,000 miles since NASCAR has had to bury one of its own because of a major tragedy.

These unfortunate events usually leave fans wondering, “Why him?” NASCAR racing has to be one of the most dangerous sports that any athlete can compete in.

Its safety record is pretty impressive, especially when comparing it to your every day normal commute.

Here in Southern California alone, with speeds at least three times slower than what the average race is run, at least one person dies each day from an automobile related accident. Safety has always taken top priority in NASCAR.

Just this season alone, NASCAR has seen some of the most spectacular, breathtaking, and scariest wrecks, resulting in some pretty incredible highlight material.

It all started at the season opening Daytona 500, when NASCAR rookie Joey Logano was dumped by fellow rookie driver Scott Speed. The wreck sent Logano slamming headfirst into the inside wall.

Logano would find himself in a bigger dilemma when the series visited Dover in late September.

After Logano checked up, it was Tony Stewart who bumped him from behind, sending him for a wild ride, rolling seven times before coming to a stop on the bottom apron.

It was a month earlier in August when one of the hardest hits took place at Watkins Glen, and it all happened very quickly when Kasey Kahne who got loose entering turn nine, knocking Sam Hornish Jr. into the turn-nine wall.

Hornish then ricocheted into Jeff Gordon, who never knew what hit him because of how fast the accident happened.

Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman have to be two of the most consecrated drivers when it comes to divine intervention so far this season.

The explosiveness as well as the intense magnitude of these two accidents alone, which happened at Talladega Superspeedway, was enough to send a chill down the spine of the many fans who witnessed them.

And just as instantaneous as the accidents happened, an immediate call to the higher power that his assistance was once again needed in the form of many prayers that were sent up to the heavens.

Hebrews 5:7—"When He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear."

The front line known as NASCAR safety cannot always be won by man alone, and there are times when it takes divine intervention to lend that helping hand.

It’s because of this divine intervention that some of our drivers were given a second chance and lived to race another day.

NASCAR Spoke And Jimmie Johnson Listened, Extending Points Lead To 184

Sal Sigala Jr. — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:26:46 -0500

"We want to see sunshine between the cars," was NASCAR president Mike Helton's bump-draft warning to the field in Sunday's drivers meeting before the Amp Energy 500.

Point’s leader Jimmie Johnson took Mike Helton’s warning literally, when he chose to ride out the early stages of the race with plenty of sunshine between him and the race leaders.

Johnson, who started the race on the pole, quickly began moving backwards and by the end of lap 10 he found himself in 31st place.

Even with the T.V. cameras focusing on the point’s leader, Johnson made it obvious that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on except that he was following his pre-race game plan.

And out of the ordinary, or unorthodox is probably the best way to dissect the season that Johnson and company have been having, because of the way they have chosen to go after their fourth championship.

One could easily say that the law of averages would be a very poor example of how this team has chosen to go after their fourth championship, especially when you compare how championships are supposed to be won with the other sports.

And so far this season, the No.48 team has used a variety of different strategies to take over the top spot, including playing it safe this past weekend.

Wins, wins, and even more wins is how championships are supposed to be won so they say, but that’s not the case in auto racing where good finishes can be just as important as a win because of the point system that is used in the series.

Points are earned depending on where a driver finishes the race, along with additional points for leading a lap and also the driver who leads the most laps.

So take into account just how important these points are, along with a good race strategy, coupled together with good decision making before and during the race.

This is about as picture perfect as it gets as long as they all work together, and this has always been the key to the No. 48 team’s success especially once the chase begins.

So what does Johnson do knowing that Talladega is not one of his stronger tracks?

He stays out of trouble by riding in the back of the pack just looking for a good finish, and at the same time he was able to add another 66 points with a sixth place finish extending his points lead to 184 over second place driver Mark Martin.

“I can say that the thing I'm really proud of through the Chase so far is that some people may say Talladega was a lucky race for us, but I see how we earned this thing and made good decisions.”

Nowhere does it say that a championship had to be won by the driver who has the most wins, and that theory was last proven when Matt Kenseth won the championship with only one victory back in 2003.

Johnson along with his crew chief Chad Knaus already have three wins in the chase to bring their total to six on the season, and still the detractors are crying foul saying that what Johnson did on Sunday was a cowardly move by not mixing it up at the front of the pack with the other drivers.

Call it what you want but they are looking at the bigger picture, and with the 118 point cushion they had going into Talladega why would they sacrifice getting caught up in the big one and losing those valuable points?

Championships in NASCAR are won because a team uses their intelligence along with common sense from the beginning of a season, instead of a lead foot with no direction as to how they will approach the season.

As it is Johnson right now is in the driver’s seat, and his destiny lies in his own hands with the championship well within his grasp as long as he keeps his focus.

But even he knows that bad luck can strike at anytime, and easily wipe away his championship dreams.

Focus, focus, and more focus is how you get the wins, wins, and more wins which can easily translate into championships if it’s practiced week in and week out.

“I'm not going to let up and lose focus to the job I need to do and allow the championship to be in the forefront of my mind until it's mathematically locked out.

I can lose 165 points next week if I miss a shift and blow the engine at the start of the Texas race and Mark has a perfect day.”

Johnson also added that, “When I think about luck, it's hard for me to think too much about it."

"I guess I'm maybe trying to ignore it in some respects and focus on the things I can control and what the team does and just haven't paid too much attention to those things.”

So in a nutshell, you have to wonder if this testimonial is posted somewhere in the shop reminding each team member that, “The winner ain't the one with the fastest car; it's the one who refuses to lose.”

These were the words of wisdom from the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Danica Patrick Close to Signing Deal with JR Motorsports for 2010 Season

Sal Sigala Jr. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:13:44 -0500

ESPN has reported that Danica Patrick is in the final phases of signing a two-year contract to drive for JR Motorsports, beginning in 2010 during the ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway.

Patrick already signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Green Racing to continue her career as an open wheel driver, and the move to NASCAR will not affect her current status with AGR.

Rick Hendrick, who owns part of JR Motorsports along with supplying Stewart Haas with their engines and chassis, is once again one of the key players in the deal, as reported by ESPN writer Ryan McGee.

Patrick, who has been toying with the idea of becoming a NASCAR driver since the beginning of the season, couldn’t have signed with a better team, especially when you look at the drivers that she will be surrounded with.

HMS easily has the cream of the crop in his stable, and each one of the drivers has a specialty that can help further her career.

Tony Stewart will probably be her biggest asset in helping her make the transition, since he has shown the most success as far as active drivers are concerned since making the switch from open wheel to NASCAR.

Patrick has already visited Stewart on more than a few occasions, with Stewart saying that she came to him for advice concerning the move.

Then you have the veteran Mark Martin, who has been around the sport for so long that not only do the younger drivers come to him for advice, but the older ones as well.

She couldn’t ask for a better driver to help her along with the knowledge, as well as the etiquette, that she will need to succeed that Martin knows all too well.

Jeff Gordon, who is a four-time champion, has probably overcome more adversity to get to where he is than any of the other HMS drivers.

Gordon is another driver that carries a lot of knowledge and has won championships while being scrutinized for not being one of their own.

Patrick will need to glean from her fellow teammates if she ever expects to succeed, because doubt, along with the usual fans that will choose to dislike her, will be plentiful.

She is entering into another type of jungle, and this jungle is a lot more vicious than what she is used to.

Just the fact alone that she will be racing in two different types of series will bring the detractors in droves to try to discredit her.

But then again, there will be those who will embrace her courage, boldness, and her audacity to venture beyond a world where she has already found comfort.

The only obstacle that just might come in her way is the attitude that she portrays, which will not be tolerated on this side of the fence.

It's time for her to grow up and realize now more than ever that the world of NASCAR will not put up with her childish antics and that these boys play for keeps.

Special thanks to Ryan McGee and ESPN Sports.

GM Sticks With The Impala Instead Of The Sportier Camaro For The NNS

Sal Sigala Jr. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:37:29 -0500

Chevrolet which first introduced the Impala back in 1957 as a 1958 model, will continue its winning tradition that dates back to the days of racing on the sand at Daytona Speedway.

The Impala, which was also Chevrolets flagship passenger vehicle will be making its NNS debut in July of next season at Daytona International Speedway, followed by three more appearances in 2010 at Michigan International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

GM's choosing of the Impala over the new body style Camaro, came as somewhat of a surprise to the other manufacturers when they asked, “Where is the Camaro?” But instead of GM executives answering back with, “Here it is.“

Instead they opted to leave their newly more sportier designed baby out of the hands of NASCAR, because they didn’t want their car to have the same look as the others, which has been one the biggest complaints from the fans ever since the C.O.T. first came into the cup series.

Even though the Camaro’s immense popularity among the muscle car enthusiasts should have made it an easy choice for GM to bring it into the Nationwide series for 2011, not even that was enough to sway the executives decision to go ahead and make an exception.

NASCAR did allow the teams a few more nose and tail configurations to help distinguish the different makes, but once again GM still didn’t budge from racing the Impala full-time in the Nationwide series starting in 2011.

After hearing this statement from Pat Suhy who is GM’s racing NASCAR group manager, you have to wonder if this is GM‘s way of trying to bring back some of the popularity that will be lost with the Camaro making its much awaited return.

“Running Impala in both of NASCAR’s top-tier series will increase Chevrolet’s exposure to the loyal NASCAR fan-base and allow race fans the opportunity to more closely identify with the production car they find on the showroom floor of their local Chevy dealership.”

“GM Racing has worked closely with NASCAR on the rollout of the Impala as the new race car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I think our integrated approach in working with NASCAR on its new-generation race car has been valuable in helping them maximize the intent of the car with regard to the safety and performance aspects and, at the same time, value for us in gaining increased manufacturer identity with the Impala."

Ryan Newman Voices Frustrations with NASCAR After Going for a Wild Ride

Sal Sigala Jr. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:21:45 -0500

Carl Edwards was involved in one of NASCAR’s most spectacular wrecks back in April at Talladega Superspeedway.

The wreck in itself sent a very cold chill through the veins of NASCAR’s top brass, knowing that they had just escaped a major tragedy even though seven fans were injured as a result of debris flying into the stands.

Talladega officials took the first step by reinforcing the fencing that separates the fans from the action on the track, and NASCAR took the second step by informing the drivers that bump-drafting would not be allowed during Talladega’s race weekend.

It didn’t take NASCAR very long to show that they were serious, when Michael Waltrip was taken off the track for the final 30 minutes of practice after being warned to give Jimmie Johnson some space.

"We want to see sunshine between the cars," were the words that came from NASCAR President Mike Helton's during the drivers meeting of Sundays AMP Energy 500.

Helton also told the drivers, "Remember the aggressive driving will still be watched very closely on the front stretches and through the tri-oval. You will not be allowed to do that in the turns. That's from the green flag all the way through to the checkered flag.”

Now even though NASCAR warned the drivers that no bump-drafting would be allowed, it was obvious on Sunday that Newman’s wreck had nothing to do with the bump-drafting.

Instead, it was the result of the single-file racing that the restrictor plates produce, which plays havoc with the air that surrounds the car making it very unpredictable especially with as close as they to racing to one another.

Ryan Newman, who was also involved in the wreck back in April, knows first hand just how unpredictable that air can be, and along with the degree that he has in vehicle structure engineering also knows about the law of physics.

"It's just a product of this racing and what NASCAR has put us into with this box and these restrictor plates with these types of cars. It is a shame that not more is getting done. I don't know. I guess maybe I expect NASCAR to call me. I am the only guy out there with an engineering degree.”

“There is way more technology than that to help us out. You know with the yellow line, no bump-drafting, no passing. There is way more technology than that to help us out. Whether it is a speed issue, a roof flap issue, whatever.”

On Sunday, it was Newman this time that went airborne after getting bumped by Marcos Ambrose, with Newman landing on the hood of Kevin Harvick’s car.

After which Newman slid up the track into the wall, before coming back down on the apron where he did a twist landing on his roof in the infield grass.

Newman had to be cut-out of the car after the safety crews flipped it back right-side up, after hanging up-side down for almost 15 minutes with Newman still buckled in.

And once again, because of each safety feature that these cars utilize, another driver was able to walk away without a major injury.

“I just got to thank Butler Built, Simpson Race Products and all the guys at the shop and Hendrick Chassis what they do to make the cars safer. When I hit the roll cage and landed on my head I was a little worried and I was happy to be able to walk out of that in a roundabout way."

Newman, who was okay after being checked out at the infield medical center, expressed his frustration with NASCAR’s decision to take the racing out of the drivers hands while adding another rule.

"The more rules, the more NASCAR is telling us how to drive the race cars, the less we can race and the less we can put on a show for the fans. As I said, I will go back in the day, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, all those guys, they respected each other."

Newman also added that, "They have created a lot of the boredom because we couldn't race. It is survival. The race could have been 100 laps long and we could have had a great race. It is just not the way it is and it is unfortunate. I just hate it for the fans."

"It was a boring race and it was a ridiculous race. To see 43 cars run single file is not showed up here today for. We'll see what happens."

Is this really the type of racing that NASCAR is trying to sell to its fans, or is it another way of NASCAR trying to corner 43 drivers into believing that they alone have the solution?

"I think NASCAR and all the drivers should sit in a private room, lock the doors and have a discussion and try to fix this together," Sadler said. "That's what I'd like to see."

Four-time cup champion Jeff Gordon talked about what could possibly be done to prevent another wreck like what we seen on Sunday, and at the same time not taking away from the excitement that the sport was meant to bring.

"My recommendation to them a long time ago and still, is I think basically we're just punching too big of a hole and we've got too much power to go along with that if you take away from that wicker.”

“I just think we've got to get the air turned back down to catch the cars a little bit more. I just know that we shouldn't be able to just get into that pocket and close up; there are two things: one, the car has so much drag that when you clear somebody it's just like putting the brakes on.”

Gordon finished with this, “And then the other side is that when you get close up to them, you just close right up on them. And when you take 40 cars or 20 cars and pack 'em, it's just bumper cars at 190 mph."

"You want to make this a really exciting race for the whole race, make it 200 miles. That's why the truck races and other races when they come here are so exciting.”

Gordon’s teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. also chimed in with his theory, about what might be the problem that NASCAR is having at the superspeedway.

"We have sort of out-engineered this race track somehow. You know what I mean? We over-engineered and the technology has sort of passed what they were trying to accomplish here when they built this place. But what we are doing now, is ok, but I don't think it is the best solution.”

The big question is will NASCAR take into account the length of the race which can take anywhere from three to four hours to complete, along with the speeds that these cars race at even with the restrictor plates.

And maybe realize that it’s the drivers who are the ones having to keep their concentration lap after lap, and that it can easily get very strenuous at times.

NASCAR racing is supposed to be exciting as well as entertaining not only for the fans, but for the drivers as well.

But how far will NASCAR go to make sure that the sport stays that way, without putting the drivers at any more risk than what they already are?

Ryan Newman probably said it best with this statement from the April Talladega race, and it once again came to pass.

"Talladega is short for 'We're gonna crash,'" Newman said, "'we just don't know when.'"

Dale Earnhardt Jr is Back at the House That He and His Dad Built

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:11:40 -0500

Now that Dale Earnhardt Jr. can finally put his mind to rest with Fridays announcement that Lance McGrew will no longer be his interim crew chief, but instead was given the stamp of approval while raising his status to permanent.

The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time because statistically speaking; this is as good as it gets for Jr. Nation.

Earnhardt, who already has five wins, eight tops fives, and 11 top 10s to go along with his four consecutive wins that date back from October 2001 to April 2003 is hoping to add another victory as he takes his 20th start on Sunday.

Talladega which has a very rich history whenever the name Earnhardt is mentioned around these parts, dating back to when Dale Earnhardt Sr won 10 races of his own which is also a track record.

And not to be outdone by his father, Earnhardt Jr. also broke an old record with his four consecutive race wins, which was previously held by Buddy Baker when he had three consecutive wins of his own from 1975-1976.

The combined total of 15 race wins also includes the five that Earnhardt Jr. picked up during his 10 years in the cup series, can easily be used to make a strong argument that this is the house that Earnhardt built.

The aura that is Talladega, has given Earnhardt Jr. a fan base that far exceeds that of any other track in the Sprint cup series.

And if Earnhardt does take the lead on Sunday, it will be more than evident that “The Earnhardt” name is still synonymous with this monster of a racetrack by all the cheers, and also by the sea of green which will drape each and every grandstand.

Sunday's race winner will ultimately be decided on which driver can best use the draft to his own advantage, and no driver knew it better than Earnhardt Sr. himself. Earnhardt Sr. mastered the draft to the point, that many of of his fellow drivers thought he could actually see the air that was traveling around him.

Without some kind of knowledge of exactly how the draft works, a driver will have more then his share of problems because it is not something that you can just pick-up in a race or two.

“It’s definitely something you learn. You can watch it on television and gain a little bit of knowledge, but you have to get out there and make the mistakes and make things happen to understand them,” said Earnhardt Jr. who learned a lot about the draft from his dad.

Patience was another lesson that the younger Earnhardt learned from his dad, especially if a driver ever expects to excel at this enormous size racing venue.

A driver needs to be able to hang out in a nice safe spot if there is one, but he also has to keep an eye out on what’s going on in order to strike at the right moment. Earnhardt knows who he can work with, and that’s a big part of it, too—having the right people to draft with.

Earnhardt is back at a place where he has done very well at in the past, so why shouldn't his feelings reflect that same attitude? Especially now that his crew chief situation is all taken care of, and at the same time taking away the pressure of wondering who was it going to be?

“I go in with a real good attitude. When you go into something with a good attitude you normally get good results. Dad was real good at it."

Earnhardt also added that, "We always just put a little extra attention into those races and those race cars that we took to those tracks. We spent a little more time with them, and we just take it very, very seriously.”

So far this season, Earnhardt is the only driver in the HMS stable that has yet to reach victory lane.

So why sugarcoat the truth, especially when the facts are out on the table. And the fact of the matter is, Earnhardt led 20 laps in the spring race where he had his best finish of the season bringing home a second behind race winner Brad Keselowski.

“It would mean a lot to win here. We’re a team that needs to win pretty badly. We like running here and have had some success here in the past. We’ve got a good shot at getting the win. We’ll get them at Talladega.”

Even Earnhardt’s newest full-time crew chief Lance McGrew, knows who’s house they are visiting on Sunday. “I know they love it. Junior Nation loves going to Talladega, and they love watching Dale Jr. It's amazing how passionate they are.”

Lance McGrew Is Named Full-Time Crew Chief For Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Sal Sigala Jr. — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:11:05 -0400

There were rumors running around the Hendrick Motorsports camp earlier in the season, that either Tony Eury Jr or Alan Gustafson could possibly take over the role of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s crew chief position after the season ended.

When Lance McGrew was brought in to replace Tony Eury Jr. on May 28 of this year, it was only on an interim basis, and the job was still up in the air with Mr. Hendrick not saying a word as to who would be on top of Earnhardt’s box next season.

It was announced by Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, that Lance McGrew will stay on board as the full-time crew chief of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolets driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"I have total faith in Lance and what he's capable of accomplishing with Dale Jr.," Hendrick said. "There was a lot of pressure with how he came into this deal, and the way he's handled it has been extremely impressive,” added Hendrick.

“Lance is confident in himself and in his decisions, and all the outside distractions aren't going to faze him. He's a strong-willed guy who will keep his eye on the ball and not settle."

Earnhardt, also mentioned at Auto Club Speedway, that the No.88 AMP Energy/National Guard race car will also undergo a complete face-lift with all new paint schemes for the 2010 season.

Earnhardt who is riding out his worst nightmare since coming into the series 10 years ago, is very confident that with these changes will put him back in victory lane.

"Lance has been part of the solution, not the problem," said Earnhardt, an 18-time winner in the Sprint Cup Series.

"He's tough, which is what I need, and we've really clicked in a short period of time.”

Earnhardt also added that, “The communication has gotten better every practice and every race, and I know that's going to keep improving. Having this decision behind us is really important, and now we can focus on the future instead of the past."

McGrew who earned the 2003 Nationwide Series championship with driver Brian Vickers and has posted victories in all three of NASCAR's national touring series. In addition to Vickers, he has won races with drivers Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Ricky Hendrick, Mark Martin and Tony Stewart.

"The communication between Dale Jr. and I continues to improve every single week. Both of us are 110-percent committed to the success of this team, and we're going to do everything necessary to get the job done for Hendrick Motorsports, our sponsors and Dale's fans."

For NASCAR's Mark Martin: How Long Before Father Time Catches Up to Him?

Sal Sigala Jr. — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:09:31 -0400

For 27 years, he has given unselfishly of himself to the sport, while enduring some of the most heartfelt moments during that time span.

Year after year, he buckles himself in and goes along for the ride that seems almost endless, hoping that one of these seasons will be his turn to shine.

Father time has already given up pursuing him, especially when he thought he had him in his grasp when he announced he was retiring after the 2005 season.

And that was not to happen. Instead he would continue a career that was still lacking that one elusive piece of hardware that is the dividing factor between just your average driver, and getting your name etched next to some of the greats.

Not all drivers will win a championship and some may never get close, but to finish second four times has to eventually take its toll while leaving the driver scratching his head wondering where he went wrong?

NASCAR racing is not a sport that always rewards those drivers who display what true sportsmanship is, but at times it will go against the grain because of the aggressiveness that the sport produces.

At the age of 50, Mark Martin has already expressed the feeling of trying to keep up with the younger generation driver when he said that, “When I am in the car I feel like I’m 25 again, but once I get out and the adrenaline wears off, that’s when my body lets me know my true age.”

Martin, who knows the disappointing feeling of finishing second since he has been there four times in his 27 year career, is once again finding himself in that precarious position once again with only four races left.

Martin is hoping that his two wins, 10 top fives, and 22 top-10 finishes along with his two poles at this Alabama superspeedway, will be enough to give him a much needed boost as he continues on his quest for his first cup championship.

Crew chief Alan Gustafson has chosen Chassis No. 5-481 for Talladega this Sunday, even though it has yet to be run this season, but the No. 5 team did use it to earn a seventh-place finish in April 2008 at Talladega.

Gustafson added that, "It's not over. I mean, there are four races left. Anything can happen. Each race pays the same points.“

Gustafson also went on to say, “We can't beat them at one track and win the championship. We have to beat them the next four weeks. That's the key, and it's going to be tough."

Martin, who has completed 14,607 combined laps at Talladega and Daytona and has led 557 of those, is approaching Sunday’s race with a positive outlook and keeping a close eye out for his teammate Jimmie Johnson.

"Well, we need to beat the (No.) 48, but their performance is just incredible. I think we still have something for them, and I think this (No.) 5 team can run with those guys and beat those guys.”

"It's not over, and Talladega is the race that everyone has known could change things. But, the finishes we've had over the past three or four weeks obviously aren't going to cut it."

We're putting everything into this race team and each race that we can,” said Martin.

There are a few tangibles that are playing into Martin‘s favor, and that is the hunger that he has to win his first championship along with carrying 27 years of disappointment on his shoulders.

Martins many years of experience along with his keen sense and knowledge of the sport, easily make him one the most dangerous contenders that the No. 48 has to look out for.

And just how dangerous are all of these when you put them together? Just ask his boss Rick Hendrick.

"He might be 50, but he's got the body and mental attitude of a 35-year-old, there's guys in their 30s not in the shape he's in and not as dedicated and committed to the sport as he is.”

With Four To Go: Jimmie Johnson Knows It's Still Anybody's Chase

Sal Sigala Jr. — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:07:24 -0400

He is only four races from possibly making NASCAR history, with his biggest obstacle at 2.66 miles in length quietly looming on the horizon.

In 15 starts at the house that Earnhardt built, Jimmie Johnson is hoping to add another victory to his one and only win which came back on May 1, 2006 when he started from the 16th spot.

And even with that 16th place finish, it would not be enough to stop Johnson from taking his first step towards his first Sprint cup championship.

Johnson, who enters this weekends race with a 118-point lead over his Hendrick teammate, Mark Martin, while leading the chase, knows that he is not out of danger until the checkered flag waves after the Amp Energy 500 on Sunday.

"Talladega is the track where you don't have any control. So much can happen. You've just got to stay focused on your little world, or I stay focused on my world, and that's it. I encourage my guys to do the same.”

If looks were ever more deceiving, Johnson could easily overlook the size of the tri-oval that will be aiming to put a stop at his pursuit towards NASCAR greatness, and take a gander to last season when he had a 149 point lead with only four races to go.

Johnson would eventually go on to win his third championship in a row by 69 points over Roush Fenway driver Carl Edwards, while escaping the wild card race with a ninth place finish.

So when the comparisons start up once again even though Johnson may be sitting in the drivers seat, but even he knows that claiming his fourth championship will not be an easy task during these last four races.

Not only is Talladega just around the corner, which is very unpredictable, but the last race of the season at Homestead is also a track that he has never won at.

Johnson is approaching Dega this weekend with a very cautious attitude, and at the same time giving the track the respect that it deserves.

“Again, one flat tire, one mechanical, Talladega, we all seem to know the risks at Talladega, that's just gone. That 90 points is just gone.”

Johnson also added, “I'm not trying to downplay where we're at. I'm very, very, very happy where we're at. But there are still four races left. There's a lot of racing left. I need to just worry about doing my job and not let the emotions affect my effort and my focus.”

The excitement is continuing to build for the No. 48 team as the season is just about to come to an end. And with the energy level at its highest, along with the expectations that come with leading the points with only four to go.

It's time for Jimmie Johnson, along with the rest of team to put the experience to work that won them last three championships if they expect to make history with No. 4.

“We've got good tracks ahead for us, so from a team standpoint we're excited and optimistic, but at the same time there's a lot of danger out there and we've just got to be smart.”

Is Jimmie Johnson Killing NASCAR?

Sal Sigala Jr. — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:21:31 -0400

Five races left until the end of the season, or is it fives races left until the death of NASCAR according to some of the fans who are already writing their own obituaries?

After cruising the Internet's highways and byways taking in some of the small talk about the current state of the sport, which I did find kind of amusing at times, I couldn’t help but realize that many fans already have their needles full of embalming fluid and are waiting for Jimmie Johnson to win his fourth championship so that they can be the first to give NASCAR that last fatal shot.

It was hard not to sit back and wonder how a driver can be on the verge of making NASCAR history, but yet some are ready to walk away from this great sport of ours, and leave it for dead like some unwanted carcass on the side of the road.

Without first realizing that Johnson is just a victim of circumstances and that he has no control over the product that NASCAR has put at his disposal.

What happened to NASCAR loyalty or for a better term, the many that have stood through change after change and just rolled with the punches?

These are some of the same fans who at one time said they would never abandon NASCAR because of their great love and passion for a sport that brought them joy during the racing season.

How many times in years past during the months of November, December, and January have you read post after post about this horrendous disease called, “NASCAR Fever?”

This so-called fever would hit in epidemic proportions during these months and the only cure for it was in February when it would magically cease to exist during Speed Weeks at Daytona International Speedway.

From then on, it wasn't long before the NASCAR boards were once again lit up, as the newly resurrected fans would overcrowd cyberspace with blog after blog about this great sport of ours.

Maybe I’m missing something, but did the NASCAR gods come down and rapture the sport, because the last driver who dominated was put on a pedestal instead of in a guillotine.

How ironic is it that whenever a team or individual excels above the rest in any other sport, they are usually glorified instead of crucified.

As it stands Jimmie Johnson is almost in a no win catch-22 position which shouldn’t have to be that way, especially when he is just doing what he gets paid to do.

But as tough as a NASCAR fan is, they choose to crucify a driver along with his team for the simple reasoning because he is winning races.

There have been many articles written about the driver along with the No. 48 Lowes sponsored Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team.

And the opinions that have been expressed are pretty frightening, especially when you think about the current state of affairs that NASCAR is going through.

With attendance down along with sponsorship not as stable as it used to be, and some even saying that NASCAR is losing its zeal that made it one the fastest growing sports in years past,you would think that a dynasty is exactly what the sport needed to bring back the interest that is being lost, but instead it’s having a really bad adverse affect with many threatening to leave their first love.

Earlier in the year there were some who threatened to leave if something wasn’t done about Kyle Busch and his bizarre behavior, even though he was winning races.

Some even said that because NASCAR didn’t allow Dale Earnhardt Jr. into the chase, that this alone would kill the sport even though he still hasn’t made it to victory lane so far this season.

So now we have three drivers who could all be put on NASCAR’s most wanted list, as the ones who could have potentially been responsible for killing NASCAR.

But how can anyone think that a driver or team is responsible for the welfare of the sport, especially when they were given a product to work with while at the same time having no control over it?

Each team was given a set of guidelines to follow if they chose to participate in the sport and you can’t expect a driver to stop winning because his team took the time to work with the product that was given to them, instead of waiting for NASCAR to someday make their own changes.

So instead of putting the blame on a driver or team, go back and read the never ending stories about how the Chase is slowly killing the sport, along with the C.O.T. or Car of Tomorrow that completely stripped NASCAR of its true identity.

Now, these are just a few areas that can be changed to better the sport, since some blame these things for killing the sport, not the driver nor the team.

A product can be changed or altered for the better, but you can’t expect to tell a driver or team to quit winning just to suit the sport, especially when they are getting paid to make the sport look better.

So why should Johnson be blamed for winning? Maybe because he is just not a lot of fans driver of choice.

Do you stop buying your favorite make of automobile because your favorite driver, or celebrity is no longer in the commercial?

With Five To Go: Is It Time For Jeff Gordon To Rattle a Few Cages?

Sal Sigala Jr. — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:22:05 -0400

With five more weeks until the 2009 NASCAR Sprint cup champion is crowned, the drivers from Hendrick Motorsports who are in the chase have made their presence felt, all except for one.

Even though the supporting cast has already shown up, but still the only one missing is the guest of honor.

And it wouldn’t be hard to make a strong case saying that Jimmie Johnson, driver of the Lowe’s No. 48 Chevrolet, could easily fill that role.

Johnson, who is leading the chase with three wins and a 135 point lead over four time champion Jeff Gordon, is on the verge of making history if he can win his fourth championship in a row.

But in all reality, even though Gordon is the only HMS driver that has yet to reach victory lane during this season’s chase, the honor should still remain with the sports most influential driver of our time.

Gordon who enters this weekends race at Martinsville with seven wins in 33 starts, could easily put himself back within striking distance of getting his fifth career championship with a win this weekend.

Momentum and confidence are only two of the many key factors if NASCAR’s most winningest active driver expects to get past his HMS teammate, and put up a challenge during these last five races.

“I am excited. When we come to Martinsville, this is a track we have a lot of confidence in and look forward to getting out there and start working on the balance of our race car.”

Gordon also added that, “I feel like we have momentum right now and we want to keep pushing forward with that momentum and continue to put good, solid finishes in and hopefully start putting some wins together.

This is a track where we can do that.” Gordon who won his four championships within a seven year time span, knew that it was only possible because of the relationship that he had with his then crew chief Ray Evernham.

Now, when looking at the dominance that Johnson and his crew chief Chad Knaus have been displaying, the similarities are almost exact because of the way that the two of them communicate.

Not only do the two of them have good communication, but they also respect what each other has to say during the course of the race weekend. Gordon elaborated on the connection that he has seen between the Johnson-Knaus team, while comparing them to his own experience back in the late 90’s.

“It takes a total team to win like they have and like we did in the mid-90’s and the championships.

But that driver-crew chief relationship is crucial to have common respect. To push one another and then also just to be on the same page when it comes to communicating.”

“I feel like there are certain relationships that just click right away. Mine and Ray was certainly one of those and it seems to me as if is what you have with Jimmie and Chad as well, they clicked right away,” added Gordon.

This weekend’s race will be very pivotal if Gordon expects to keep his hopes alive, of winning his fifth championship.

Destiny may not be on his side, but he has always found a way to keep it within his grasp.

2007 was the last time that Gordon could feel the championship in his hands, but it was Johnson who would win the last four of five races, literally stripping it out of his bosses hands.

Gordon is hungry for his fifth, but is he hungry enough to pull a Dale Earnhardt Sr. and rattle a few cages to get it?

“Rattling somebody’s cage doesn’t necessarily mean you have to knock them out of the way or put them in the wall or anything like that, and that was Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s style of just going and using the bumper a little more maybe than what you see these days.”

“That has never been my style. It just hasn’t. I race guys hard. I race guys clean and I race them how they race me. I think you do have to rattle their cage, but to me, the way you have to rattle their cage is you have to out run them; you have to show what kind of team you are.”